User equipment no-transmit zone enforcement

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. Some aspects relate generally to NTZ enforcement. Some aspects more specifically relate to enforcement of NTZ rules at the UE. In some aspects, the UE may enforce the NTZ rules at a lower protocol layer (e.g., an access stratum (AS) layer). In some aspects, the UE may receive or obtain a configuration with NTZ assistance information via an upper protocol layer (e.g., a non-AS (NAS) layer), and the NAS layer may provide the NTZ assistance information to the AS layer. The NTZ assistance information may include one or more rules for preventing communications, such as uplink transmissions, that may violate the NTZ rules.

Description

USER EQUIPMENT NO-TRANSMIT ZONE ENFORCEMENTPRIORITY INFORMATION

[0001] The present Application for Patent claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Greece Patent Application No. 20250100055, filed on lanuary 24, 2025, entitled “USER EQUIPMENT NO-TRANSMIT ZONE ENFORCEMENT” which is assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication and specifically relate to techniques, apparatuses, and methods associated with enforcement of a notransmit zone.BACKGROUND

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various services, which may involve carrying or supporting voice, text, other messaging, video, data, and / or other traffic. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple-access radio access technologies (RATs) capable of supporting communication among multiple wireless communication devices including user devices or other devices by sharing the available system resources (for example, time domain resources, frequency domain resources, spatial domain resources, and / or device transmit power, among other examples). Such multiple-access RATs are supported by technological advancements that have been adopted in various telecommunication standards, which define common protocols that enable different wireless communication devices to communicate on a local, municipal, national, regional, or global level.

[0004] An example telecommunication standard is New Radio (NR). NR, which may also be referred to as 5G, is part of a continuous mobile broadband evolution promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). NR (and other RATs beyond NR) may be designed to better support enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) access, Internet of things (loT) networks or reduced capability device deployments, and ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC) applications. To support these verticals, NR systems may be designed to implement a modularized functional infrastructure, a disaggregated and service-based network architecture, network function virtualization, network slicing, multi-access edge computing, millimeter wave (mmWave) technologies including massive multiple -input multiple-output (MIMO), licensed and unlicensed spectrum access, non-terrestrial network (NTN) deployments, sidelink and other device-to-device direct communication technologies (for example, cellular vehicle-to-0097-6121PCTeverything (CV2X) communication), multiple-subscriber implementations, high-precision positioning, and / or radio frequency (RF) sensing, among other examples. As the demand for connectivity continues to increase, further improvements in NR may be implemented, and other RATs, such as 6G and beyond, may be introduced to enable new applications and facilitate new use cases.

[0005] Some wireless networks may be subject to no-transmit zones (NTZs), which are geographic areas where communications are prohibited or limited. NTZs may be established to prevent interference with other transmissions, to comply with regulatory requirements, or to facilitate specific operational modes, such as low -power or energy-saving states. Some NTZs apply only to certain types of communications. For example, some NTZs may permit downlink communications while prohibiting uplink communications.SUMMARY

[0006] Some aspects described herein relate to a user equipment (UE). The UE may include a processing system. The processing system may include one or more processors and one or more code-storing memories coupled with the one or more processors. The processing system may be configured to cause the UE to receive or obtain no-transmit zone (NTZ) assistance information associating one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more geographic areas of an NTZ. The processing system may be configured to cause the UE to obtain, at a first protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information. The processing system may be configured to cause the UE to provide, from the first protocol layer to a second protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information. The processing system may be configured to cause the UE to enforce, at the second protocol layer, one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ. Enforcing the one or more rules includes providing, from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer, an uplink failure indication in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.

[0007] Some aspects described herein relate to a method for wireless communication by a UE. The method may include receiving or obtaining NTZ assistance information associating one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more geographic areas of an NTZ. The method may include obtaining, at a first protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information. The method may include providing, from the first protocol layer to a second protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information. The method may include enforcing, at the second protocol layer, one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ. Enforcing the one or more rules includes providing, from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer, an uplink failure indication in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.0097-6121PCT

[0008] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a set of instructions for wireless communication by a UE. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the UE, may cause the UE to receive or obtain NTZ assistance information associating one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more geographic areas of an NTZ. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the UE, may cause the UE to obtain, at a first protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the UE, may cause the UE to provide, from the first protocol layer to a second protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the UE, may cause the UE to enforce, at the second protocol layer, one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ. Enforcing the one or more rules may include providing, from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer, an uplink failure indication in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.

[0009] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include means for receiving or obtaining NTZ assistance information associating one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more geographic areas of an NTZ. The apparatus may include means for obtaining, at a first protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information. The apparatus may include means for providing, from the first protocol layer to a second protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information. The apparatus may include means for enforcing, at the second protocol layer, one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ.Enforcing the one or more rules may include providing, from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer, an uplink failure indication in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.

[0010] Aspects of the present disclosure may generally be implemented by or as a method, apparatus, system, computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable medium, user equipment, base station, network node, network entity, wireless communication device, and / or processing system as substantially described with reference to, and as illustrated by, this specification and accompanying drawings.

[0011] The foregoing paragraphs of this section have broadly summarized some aspects of the present disclosure. These and additional aspects and associated advantages will be described hereinafter. The disclosed aspects may be used as a basis for modifying or designing other aspects for carrying out the same or similar purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent aspects do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. Characteristics of the aspects disclosed herein, both their organization and method of operation, together with0097-6121PCTassociated advantages, will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The appended drawings illustrate some aspects of the present disclosure but are not limiting of the scope of the present disclosure because the description may enable other aspects. Each of the drawings is provided for purposes of illustration and description, and not as a definition of the limits of the claims. The same or similar reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

[0013] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication network.

[0014] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example disaggregated network node architecture.

[0015] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user equipment (UE) operating in a no-transmit zone (NTZ).

[0016] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a protocol stack for a network node and a core network in communication with a UE.

[0017] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with NTZ enforcement.

[0018] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example process performed, for example, at a UE or an apparatus of a UE that supports enforcement of an NTZ.

[0019] Figure 7 is a diagram of an example apparatus for wireless communication that supports enforcement of an NTZ.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Various aspects of the present disclosure are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms. The present disclosure is not to be construed as limited to any specific aspect illustrated by or described with reference to an accompanying drawing or otherwise presented in this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. One skilled in the art may appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein, whether implemented independently of or in combination with any other aspect of the disclosure. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using various combinations or quantities of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover an apparatus having, or a method that is practiced using, other structures and / or functionalities in addition to or other than the structures and / or functionalities with which various aspects of the0097-6121PCTdisclosure set forth herein may be practiced. Any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.

[0021] Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented with reference to various methods, operations, apparatuses, and techniques. These methods, operations, apparatuses, and techniques will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, or algorithms (collectively referred to as “elements”). These elements may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0022] A no-transmit zone (NTZ) may be a geographic area where a user equipment (UE) may not be permitted to communicate in certain frequency bands. Additional restrictions for NTZs may include limiting communication on certain frequency bands to one or more periods of time, limiting only certain types of communications (e.g., limiting uplink communications or sidelink communications while allowing downlink communications), limiting communications to certain types of UEs (e.g., limiting communications by unmanned aerial vehicles or other types of vehicles while allowing communications by other types of UEs), or a combination thereof, among other examples. The geographic area of the NTZ may be defined in accordance with a longitude, latitude, altitude, or a combination thereof, among other examples.Accordingly, the NTZ may limit communication when the UE is within a specified altitude, and therefore, some NTZ restrictions may apply to aircraft but not land-based vehicles.

[0023] A UE may be required to enforce NTZ restrictions without reliance upon a network node, particularly if the NTZ prohibits the UE from receiving downlink communications. If the UE was required to rely upon communications to or from a network node to enforce the NTZ restrictions, the UE may inadvertently transmit communications to the network node in violation of the NTZ restrictions. Further, if the UE is unaware that it is located in an NTZ, rather than transition to an inactive or idle state, the UE may remain in an active state while attempting to connect to a network node.

[0024] Various aspects relate generally to NTZ enforcement. Some aspects more specifically relate to enforcement of NTZ rules at the UE. In some aspects, the UE may enforce the NTZ rules at a lower protocol layer (e.g., an access stratum (AS) layer). In some aspects, the UE may receive a configuration with NTZ assistance information via an upper protocol layer (e.g., a non-AS layer), and the NAS layer may provide the NTZ assistance information to the AS layer. The NTZ assistance information may include one or more rules for preventing communications, such as uplink transmissions, that may violate the NTZ rules. When the NAS layer provides an uplink communication request to the AS layer, the AS layer may provide the NAS layer with an0097-6121PCTuplink link failure indication if the uplink communication request would cause the UE to violate one or more of the NTZ rules.

[0025] Particular aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented to realize one or more of the following potential advantages. In some examples, the described techniques can be used to allow a UE comply with NTZ rules. In some aspects, the UE may comply with the NTZ rules at a lower protocol layer (e.g., the AS layer), which may allow the UE to enter an inactive or idle state to conserve energy while in the NTZ.Further, overall network performance in the NTZ may be improved by reducing a likelihood of interference caused by uplink communications from the UE, downlink communications to the UE, or a combination thereof, among other examples.

[0026] As described above, wireless communication systems may be deployed to provide various services, which may involve carrying or supporting voice, text, other messaging, video, data, and / or other traffic. Some wireless communications systems may employ multiple-access radio access technologies (RATs). The multiple-access RATs may be capable of supporting communication with multiple wireless communication devices by sharing the available system resources (for example, time domain resources, frequency domain resources, spatial domain resources, and / or device transmit power, among other examples). Examples of such multipleaccess RATs include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems.

[0027] Multiple -access RATs are supported by technological advancements that have been adopted in various telecommunication standards, which define common protocols that enable wireless communication devices to communicate on a local, municipal, enterprise, national, regional, or global level. For example, 5G New Radio (NR) is part of a continuous mobile broadband evolution promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). 5G NR may support enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) access, Internet of Things (loT) networks or reduced capability (RedCap) device deployments, ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) applications, and / or massive machine-type communication (mMTC), among other examples.

[0028] To support these and other target verticals, a wireless communication system may be designed to implement a modularized functional infrastructure, a disaggregated and servicebased network architecture, network function virtualization, network slicing, multi-access edge computing, millimeter wave (mmWave) technologies including massive multiple -input multiple -output (MIMO), beamforming, loT device or RedCap device connectivity and0097-6121PCTmanagement, industrial connectivity, licensed and unlicensed spectrum access, sidelink and other device-to-device direct communication (for example, cellular vehicle-to-everything (CV2X) communication), frequency spectrum expansion, overlapping spectrum use, small cell deployments, non-terrestrial network (NTN) deployments, device aggregation, advanced duplex communication (for example, sub-band full-duplex (SBFD)), multiple-subscriber implementations, high-precision positioning, radio frequency (RF) sensing, network energy savings (NES), low-power signaling and radios, and / or artificial intelligence or machine learning (AI / ML), among other examples.

[0029] The foregoing and other technological improvements may support use cases, such as wireless fronthauls, wireless midhauls, wireless backhauls, wireless data centers, extended reality (XR) and metaverse applications, meta services for supporting vehicle connectivity, holographic and mixed reality communication, autonomous and collaborative robots, vehicle platooning and cooperative maneuvering, sensing networks, gesture monitoring, human-brain interfacing, digital twin applications, asset management, and universal coverage applications using non-terrestrial and / or aerial platforms, among other examples.

[0030] As the demand for connectivity continues to increase, further improvements in NR may be implemented, and other RATs, such as 6G and beyond, may be introduced to enable new applications and facilitate new use cases. The methods, operations, apparatuses, and techniques described herein may enable one or more of the foregoing technologies or new technologies and / or support one or more of the foregoing use cases or new use cases.

[0031] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication network 100. The wireless communication network 100 may be or may include elements of a 5G (or NR) network or a 6G network, among other examples. The wireless communication network 100 may include multiple network nodes 110. For example, in Figure 1, the wireless communication network 100 includes a network node (NN) 110a and a network node 110b. The network nodes 110 may support communications with multiple UEs 120. For example, in Figure 1, the network nodes 110 support communication with a UE 120a, a UE 120b, and a UE 120c. In some examples, a UE 120 may also communicate with other UEs 120 and a network node 110 may communicate with a core network and with other network nodes 110.

[0032] The network nodes 110 and the UEs 120 of the wireless communication network 100 may communicate using the electromagnetic spectrum, which may be subdivided by frequency or wavelength into various classes, bands, carriers, and / or channels. For example, devices of the wireless communication network 100 may communicate using one or more operating bands. In some aspects, multiple wireless communication networks 100 may be deployed in a given geographic area. Each wireless communication network 100 may support a particular RAT (which may also be referred to as an air interface) and may operate on one or more carrier0097-6121PCTfrequencies in one or more frequency bands or ranges. In some examples, when multiple RATs are deployed in a given geographic area, each RAT in the geographic area may operate on different frequencies to avoid interference with other RATs. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the wireless communication network 100 may implement dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS), in which multiple RATs are implemented with dynamic bandwidth allocation (for example, based on user demand) in a single frequency band. In some examples, the wireless communication network 100 may support communication over unlicensed spectrum, where access to an unlicensed channel is subject to a channel access mechanism. For example, in a shared or unlicensed frequency band, a transmitting device may perform a channel access procedure, such as a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure, to contend against other devices for channel access before transmitting on a shared or unlicensed channel.

[0033] Various operating bands have been defined as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz through 7.125 GHz), FR2 (24.25 GHz through 52.6 GHz), FR3 (7.125 GHz through 24.25 GHz), FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz through 71 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz through 114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz through 300 GHz). Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “sub-6 GHz” band in some documents and articles. Similarly, FR2 is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “millimeter wave” band in some documents and articles, despite being different than the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz through 300 GHz), which is identified by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as a “millimeter wave” band. The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are often referred to as mid-band frequencies, which include FR3. Frequency bands falling within FR3 may inherit FR1 characteristics or FR2 characteristics, and thus may effectively extend features of FR1 or FR2 into the mid-band frequencies. Thus, “sub-6 GHz,” if used herein, may broadly refer to frequencies that are less than 6 GHz, that are within FR1, and / or that are included in mid -band frequencies. Similarly, the term “millimeter wave,” if used herein, may broadly refer to midband frequencies or to frequencies that are within FR2, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1, FR5, and / or the EHF band. Higher frequency bands may extend 5G NR operation, 6G operation, and / or other RATs beyond 52.6 GHz.

[0034] A network node 110 and / or a UE 120 may include one or more devices, components, or systems that enable communication with other devices, components, or systems of the wireless communication network 100. For example, a UE 120 and a network node 110 may each include one or more chips, system-on-chips (SoCs), chipsets, packages, or devices that individually or collectively constitute or comprise a processing system, such as a processing system 140 of the UE 120 or a processing system 145 of the network node 110. A processing system (for example, the processing system 140 and / or the processing system 145) includes processor (or “processing”) circuitry in the form of one or multiple processors, microprocessors,0097-6121PCTprocessing units (such as central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), neural processing units (NPUs) (also referred to as neural network processors or deep learning processors (DUPs)), and / or digital signal processors (DSPs)), processing blocks, applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PUDs), or other discrete gate or transistor logic or circuitry (any one or more of which may be generally referred to herein individually as a “processor” or collectively as “the processor” or “the processor circuitry”). Such processors may be individually or collectively configurable or configured to perform various functions or operations described herein. A group of processors collectively configurable or configured to perform a set of functions may include a first processor configurable or configured to perform a first function of the set and a second processor configurable or configured to perform a second function of the set. In some other examples, each of a group of processors may be configurable or configured to perform a same set of functions.

[0035] The processing system 140 and the processing system 145 may each include memory circuitry in the form of one or multiple memory devices, memory blocks, memory elements, or other discrete gate or transistor logic or circuitry, each of which may include or implement tangible storage media such as random-access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM), or combinations thereof (any one or more of which may be generally referred to herein individually as a “memory” or collectively as “the memory” or “the memory circuitry”). One or more of the memories may be coupled (for example, operatively coupled, communicatively coupled, electronically coupled, or electrically coupled) with one or more of the processors and may individually or collectively store processor-executable code or instructions (such as software) that, when executed by one or more of the processors, may configure one or more of the processors to perform various functions or operations described herein. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, one or more of the processors may be configured to perform various functions or operations described herein without requiring configuration by software. “Software” shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, or functions, among other examples, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0036] The processing system 140 and the processing system 145 may each include or be coupled with one or more modems (such as a cellular (for example, a 5G or 6G compliant) modem). In some examples, one or more processors of the processing system 140 and / or the processing system 145 include or implement one or more of the modems. The processing system 140 and the processing system 145 may also include or be coupled with multiple radios0097-6121PCT(collectively “the radio”), multiple RF chains, or multiple transceivers, each of which may in turn be coupled with one or more of multiple antennas. In some examples, one or more processors of the processing system 140 and / or the processing system 145 include or implement one or more of the radios, RF chains, or transceivers. An RF chain may include one or more filters, mixers, oscillators, amplifiers, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), and / or other devices that convert between an analog signal (such as for transmission or reception via an air interface) and a digital signal (such as for processing by the processing system 140 of the UE 120 or by the processing system 145 of the network node 110).

[0037] A network node 110 and a UE 120 may each include one or multiple antennas or antenna arrays. Typical network nodes 110 and UEs 120 may include multiple antennas, which may be organized or structured into one or more antenna panels, one or more antenna groups, one or more sets of antenna elements, or one or more antenna arrays, among other examples. As used herein, the term “antenna” can refer to one or more antennas, one or more antenna panels, one or more antenna groups, one or more sets of antenna elements, or one or more antenna arrays. The term “antenna panel” can refer to a group of antennas (such as antenna elements) arranged in an array or panel, which may facilitate beamforming by manipulating parameters associated with the group of antennas. The term “antenna module” may refer to circuitry including one or more antennas as well as one or more other components (such as filters, amplifiers, or processors) associated with integrating the antenna module into a wireless communication device such as the network node 110 and the UE 120.

[0038] A network node 110 may be, may include, or may also be referred to as an NR network node, a 5G network node, a 6G network node, a Node B, a gNB, an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a network entity, a network element, a network equipment, and / or another type of device, component, or system included in a radio access network (RAN). In various deployments, a network node 110 may be implemented as a single physical node (for example, a single physical structure) or may be implemented as two or more physical nodes (for example, two or more distinct physical structures). For example, a network node 110 may be a device or system that implements a part of a radio protocol stack, a device or system that implements a full radio protocol stack (such as a full gNB protocol stack), or a collection of devices or systems that collectively implement the full radio protocol stack. For example, and as shown, a network node 110 may be an aggregated network node having an aggregated architecture, meaning that the network node 110 may implement a full radio protocol stack that is physically and logically integrated within a single physical structure in the wireless communication network 100. For example, an aggregated network node 110 may consist of a single standalone base station or a single TRP that operates with a full radio0097-6121PCTprotocol stack to enable or facilitate communication between a UE 120 and a core network of the wireless communication network 100.

[0039] Alternatively, and as also shown, a network node 110 may be a disaggregated network node (sometimes referred to as a disaggregated base station), having a disaggregated architecture, meaning that the network node 110 may operate with a radio protocol stack that is physically distributed and / or logically distributed among two or more nodes in the same geographic location or in different geographic locations. An example disaggregated network node architecture is described in more detail below with reference to Figure 2. In some deployments, disaggregated network nodes 110 may be used in an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) network, in an open radio access network (O-RAN) (such as a network configuration in compliance with the O-RAN Alliance), or in a virtualized radio access network (vRAN), also known as a cloud radio access network (C-RAN), to facilitate scaling by separating network functionality into multiple units or modules that can be individually deployed.

[0040] The network nodes 110 of the wireless communication network 100 may include one or more central units (CUs), one or more distributed units (DUs), and one or more radio units (RUs). A CU may host one or more higher layers, such as a radio resource control (RRC) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, among other examples. A DU may host one or more of a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, and / or one or more higher physical (PHY) layers depending, at least in part, on a functional split, such as a functional split defined by the 3GPP. In some examples, a DU also may host a lower PHY layer that is configured to perform functions, such as a fast Fourier transform (FFT), an inverse FFT (IFFT), beamforming, and / or physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, among other examples. An RU may perform RF processing functions or lower PHY layer functions, such as an FFT, an IFFT, beamforming, or PRACH extraction and filtering, among other examples, according to a functional split, such as a lower layer split (EES). In such an architecture, each RU can be operated to handle over the air (OTA) communication with one or more UEs 120. In some examples, a single network node 110 may include a combination of one or more CUs, one or more DUs, and / or one or more RUs. In some examples, a CU, a DU, and / or an RU may be implemented as a virtual unit, such as a virtual central unit (VCU), a virtual distributed unit (VDU), or a virtual radio unit (VRU), among other examples, which may be implemented as a virtual network function, such as in a cloud deployment.

[0041] Some network nodes 110 (for example, a base station, an RU, or a TRP) may provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area. The term “cell” can refer to a coverage area of a network node 110 or to a network node 110 itself, depending on the context0097-6121PCTin which the term is used. A network node 110 may support one or more cells (for example, each cell may support communication within an angular (for example, 60 degree) range around the network node). In some examples, a network node 110 may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, or another type of cell. A macro cell may cover a relatively large geographic area (for example, several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs 120 with associated service subscriptions. A pico cell may cover a relatively small geographic area and may also allow unrestricted access by UEs 120 with associated service subscriptions. A femto cell may cover a relatively small geographic area (for example, a home) and may allow restricted access by UEs 120 having association with the femto cell (for example, UEs 120 in a closed subscriber group (CSG)). In some examples, a cell may not necessarily be stationary. For example, the geographic area of the cell may move according to the location of an associated mobile network node 110 (for example, a train, a satellite, an unmanned aerial vehicle, or an NTN network node).

[0042] The wireless communication network 100 may be a heterogeneous network that includes network nodes 110 of different types, such as macro network nodes, pico network nodes, femto network nodes, relay network nodes, aggregated network nodes, and / or disaggregated network nodes, among other examples. Various different types of network nodes 110 may generally transmit at different power levels, serve different coverage areas (for example, a cell 130a and a cell 130b), and / or have different impacts on interference in the wireless communication network 100 than other types of network nodes 110.

[0043] The UEs 120 may be physically dispersed throughout the coverage area of the wireless communication network 100, and each UE 120 may be stationary or mobile. A UE 120 may be, may include, or may also be referred to as an access terminal, a mobile station, or a subscriber unit. A UE 120 may be, include, or be coupled with a cellular phone (for example, a smart phone), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a tablet, a camera, a netbook, a smartbook, an ultrabook, a medical device, a biometric device, a wearable device (for example, a smart watch, smart clothing, smart glasses, a smart wristband, or smart jewelry), a gaming device, an entertainment device (for example, a music device, a video device, or a satellite radio), an XR device, a vehicular component or sensor, a smart meter or sensor, industrial manufacturing equipment, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) device (such as a Global Positioning System device or another type of positioning device), a UE function of a network node, and / or any other suitable device or function that may communicate via a wireless medium.

[0044] Some UEs 120 may be classified according to different categories in association with different complexities and / or different capabilities. UEs 120 in a first category may facilitate0097-6121PCTmassive loT in the wireless communication network 100, and may offer low complexity and / or cost relative to UEs 120 in a second category. UEs 120 in a second category may include mission-critical loT devices, legacy UEs, baseline UEs, high-tier UEs, advanced UEs, fullcapability UEs, and / or premium UEs that are capable of URLLC, eMBB, and / or precise positioning in the wireless communication network 100, among other examples. A third category of UEs 120 may have mid-tier complexity and / or capability (for example, a capability between that of the UEs 120 of the first category and that of the UEs 120 of the second capability). A UE 120 of the third category may be referred to as a reduced capability UE (“RedCap UE”), a mid-tier UE, an NR-Light UE, and / or an NR-Lite UE, among other examples. RedCap UEs may bridge a gap between the capability and complexity of NB-IoT devices and / or eMTC UEs, and mission-critical loT devices and / or premium UEs. RedCap UEs may include, for example, wearable devices, loT devices, industrial sensors, or cameras that are associated with a limited bandwidth, power capacity, and / or transmission range, among other examples. RedCap UEs may support healthcare environments, building automation, electrical distribution, process automation, transport and logistics, or smart city deployments, among other examples.

[0045] In some examples, a network node 110 may be, may include, or may operate as an RU, a TRP, or a base station that communicates with one or more UEs 120 via a radio access link (which may be referred to as a “Uu” link). The radio access link may include a downlink and an uplink. “Downlink” (or “DL”) refers to a communication direction from a network node 110 to a UE 120, and “uplink” (or “UL”) refers to a communication direction from a UE 120 to a network node 110. Downlink and uplink resources may include time domain resources (for example, frames, subframes, slots, and symbols), frequency domain resources (for example, frequency bands, component carriers (CCs), subcarriers, resource blocks, and resource elements), and spatial domain resources (for example, particular transmit directions or beams).

[0046] Frequency domain resources may be subdivided into bandwidth parts (BWPs). A BWP may be a block of frequency domain resources (for example, a continuous set of resource blocks (RBs) within a full component carrier bandwidth) that may be configured at a UE-specific level. A UE 120 may be configured with both an uplink BWP and a downlink BWP (which may be the same or different). Each BWP may be associated with its own numerology (indicating a sub-carrier spacing (SCS) and cyclic prefix (CP)). A BWP may be dynamically configured or activated (for example, by a network node 110 transmitting a downlink control information (DCI) configuration to the one or more UEs 120) and / or reconfigured (for example, in real-time or near-real-time) according to changing network conditions in the wireless communication network 100 and / or specific requirements of one or more UEs 120. An active BWP defines the operating bandwidth of the UE 120 within the operating bandwidth of the0097-6121PCTserving cell. The use of BWPs enables more efficient use of the available frequency domain resources in the wireless communication network 100 because fewer frequency domain resources may be allocated to a BWP for a UE 120 (which may reduce the quantity of frequency domain resources that a UE 120 is required to monitor and reduce UE power consumption by enabling the UE to monitor fewer frequency domain resources), leaving more frequency domain resources to be spread across multiple UEs 120. Thus, BWPs may also assist in the implementation of lower-capability (for example, RedCap) UEs 120 by facilitating the configuration of smaller bandwidths for communication by such UEs 120 and / or by facilitating reduced UE power consumption.

[0047] As used herein, a downlink signal may be or include a reference signal, control information, or data. For example, downlink reference signals include a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary SS (SSS), an SS block (SSB) (for example, that includes a PSS, an SSS, and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH)), a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), a tracking reference signal (TRS), and a channel state information (CSI) reference signal (CSI-RS), among other examples. A downlink signal carrying control information or data may be transmitted via a downlink channel. Downlink channels may include one or more control channels for transmitting control information and one or more data channels for transmitting data. Downlink reference signals may be transmitted in addition to, or multiplexed with, downlink control channel communications and / or downlink data channel communications. A downlink control channel may be specifically used to transmit DCI from a network node 110 to a UE 120. DCI generally contains the information the UE 120 needs to identify RBs in a subsequent subframe and how to decode them, including a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) or redundancy version parameters. Different DCI formats carry different information, such as scheduling information in the form of downlink or uplink grants, slot formal indicators (SFIs), preemption indicators (Pls), transmit power control (TPC) commands, hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) information, new data indicators (NDIs), among other examples. A downlink data channel may be used to transmit downlink data (for example, user data associated with a UE 120) from a network node 110 to a UE 120. Downlink control channels may include physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs), and downlink data channels may include physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs). Control information or data communications may be transmitted on a PDCCH and PDSCH, respectively. For example, a PDCCH can carry DCI, while a PDSCH can carry a MAC control element (MAC-CE), an RRC message, or user data, among other examples. Each PDSCH may carry one or more transport blocks (TBs) of data.

[0048] As used herein, an uplink signal may include a reference signal, control information, or data. For example, uplink reference signals include a sounding reference signal (SRS), a0097-6121PCTPTRS, and a DMRS, among other examples. An uplink signal carrying control information or data may be transmitted via an uplink channel. An uplink channel may include one or more control channels for transmitting control information and one or more data channels for transmitting data. Uplink reference signals may be transmitted in addition to, or multiplexed with, uplink control channel communications and / or uplink data channel communications. An uplink control channel may be specifically used to transmit uplink control information (UCI) from a UE 120 to a network node 110. An uplink data channel may be used to transmit uplink data (for example, user data associated with a UE 120) from a UE 120 to a network node 110. Uplink control channels may include physical uplink control channels (PUCCHs), and uplink data channels may include physical uplink shared channels (PUSCHs). Control information or data communications may be transmitted on a PUCCH and PUSCH, respectively. For example, a PUCCH can carry UCI, while a PUSCH can carry a MAC-CE, an RRC message, or user data, among other examples. UCI can include a scheduling request (SR), HARQ feedback information (for example, a HARQ acknowledgement (ACK) indication or a HARQ negative acknowledgement (NACK) indication), uplink power control information (for example, an uplink TPC parameter), and / or CSI, among other examples. CSI can include a channel quality indicator (CQI) (indicative of downlink channel conditions to facilitate selection of transmission parameters, such as an MCS, by a network node 110), a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), a CSI-RS resource indicator (CRI) (for example, indicative of a beam used to transmit a CSI-RS), an SS / PBCH resource block indicator (SSBRI) (for example, indicative of a beam used to transmit an SSB), a layer indicator (LI), a rank indicator (RI), and / or measurement information (for example, a layer 1 (LI)- reference signal received power (RSRP) parameter, a received signal strength indicator (RS SI) parameter, a reference signal received quality (RSRQ) parameter, among other examples) which can be used for beam management, among other examples. Each PUSCH may carry one or more TBs of data.

[0049] The information (for example, data, control information, or reference signal information) transmitted by a network node 110 to a UE 120, or vice versa, may be represented as a sequence of binary bits that are mapped (for example, modulated) to an analog signal waveform (for example, a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) -spread-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) (DFT-s-OFDM) waveform or a CP-OFDM waveform) that is transmitted by the network node 110 or UE 120 over a wireless communication channel. In some examples, the network node 110 or the UE 120 (for example, using the processing system 145 or the processing system 140, respectively) may select an MCS (for example, an order of quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), such as 64-QAM, 128-QAM, or 256-QAM, among other examples) for a downlink signal or an uplink signal. For example, the network node 110 may select an MCS for a downlink signal in accordance with UCI received from the UE 120.0097-6121PCTThe network node 110 may transmit, to the UE 120, an indication of the selected MCS for the downlink signal, such as via DCI that schedules the downlink signal. As another example, the network node 110 may transmit, and the UE 120 may receive, an indication of an MCS to be applied for the one or more uplink signals, such as via DCI scheduling transmission of the one or more uplink signals.

[0050] The network node 110 or the UE 120 (such as by using the processing system 145 or the processing system 140, respectively, and / or one or more coupled modems) may perform signal processing on the information (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, an IFFT operation, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, and / or encoding, among other examples) to generate a processed signal in accordance with the selected MCS. In some examples, the network node 110 or the UE 120 (for example, using the processing system 145 or the processing system 140, respectively, and / or one or more coupled encoders or modems) may perform a channel coding operation or a forward error correction (FEC) operation to control errors in transmitted information. For example, the network node 110 or the UE 120 may perform an encoding operation to generate encoded information (such as by selectively introducing redundancy into the information, typically using an error correction code (ECC), such as a polar code or a low-density parity-check (LDPC) code). The network node 110 or the UE 120 (for example, using the processing system 145 and / or one or more modems) may further perform spatial processing (for example, precoding) on the encoded information to generate one or more processed or precoded signals for downlink or uplink transmission, respectively. In some examples, the network node 110 or the UE 120 may perform codebookbased precoding or non -codebook-based precoding. Codebook-based precoding may involve selecting a precoder (for example, a precoding matrix) using a codebook. For example, the network node 110 may provide precoding information indicating which precoder, defined by the codebook, is to be used by the UE 120. Non-codebook-based precoding may involve selecting or deriving a precoder based on, or otherwise associated with, one or more downlink or uplink signal measurements. The network node 110 or the UE 120 may transmit the processed downlink or uplink signals, respectively, via one or more antennas.

[0051] The network node 110 or the UE 120 may receive uplink signals or downlink signals, respectively, via one or more antennas. The network node 110 or the UE 120 (for example, using the processing system 145 or the processing system 140, respectively, and / or one or more coupled modems) may perform signal processing (for example, in accordance with the MCS) on the received uplink or downlink signals, respectively (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, an FFT operation, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, de-mapping, equalization, interference cancellation, and / or decoding, among other examples), to map the received signal(s) to a sequence of binary bits (for example, received information) that0097-6121PCTestimates the information transmitted by the network node 110 or the UE 120 via the downlink or uplink signals. The network node 110 or the UE 120 (for example, using the processing system 145 or the processing system 140, respectively, and / or a coupled decoder or one or more modems) may decode the received information (such as by using an ECC, a decoding operation, and / or an FEC operation) to detect errors and / or correct bit errors in the received information to generate decoded information. The decoded information may estimate the information transmitted via the downlink or uplink signals.

[0052] In some examples, a UE 120 and a network node 110 may perform MIMO communication. “MIMO” generally refers to transmitting or receiving multiple signals (such as multiple layers or multiple data streams) simultaneously over the same time and frequency resources. MIMO techniques generally exploit multipath propagation. A network node 110 and / or UE 120 may communicate using massive MIMO, multi-user MIMO, or single-user MIMO, which may involve rapid switching between beams or cells. For example, the amplitudes and / or phases of signals transmitted via antenna elements and / or sub-elements may be modulated and shifted relative to each other (such as by manipulating a phase shift, a phase offset, and / or an amplitude) to generate one or more beams, which is referred to as beamforming. For example, the network node 110b may generate one or more beams 160a, and the UE 120b may generate one or more beams 160b. The term “beam” may refer to a directional transmission of a wireless signal toward a receiving device or otherwise in a desired direction, a directional reception of a wireless signal from a transmitting device or otherwise in a desired direction, a direction associated with a directional transmission or directional reception, a set of directional resources associated with a signal transmission or signal reception (for example, an angle of arrival, a horizontal direction, and / or a vertical direction), a set of parameters that indicate one or more aspects of a directional signal, a direction associated with the signal, and / or a set of directional resources associated with the signal, among other examples.

[0053] MIMO may be implemented using various spatial processing or spatial multiplexing operations. In some examples, MIMO may include a massive MIMO technique which may be associated with an increased (for example, “massive”) quantity of antennas at the network node 110 and / or at the UE 120, such as in a network implementing mmWave technology. Massive MIMO may improve communication reliability by enabling a network node 110 and / or a UE 120 to communicate the same data across different propagation (or spatial) paths. In some examples, MIMO may support simultaneous transmission to multiple receivers, referred to as multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO). Some RATs may employ MIMO techniques, such as multi-TRP (mTRP) operation (including redundant transmission or reception on multiple TRPs),0097-6121PCTreciprocity in the time domain or the frequency domain, single -frequency-network (SFN) transmission, or non -coherent joint transmission (NC-JT).

[0054] To support MIMO techniques, the network node 110 and the UE 120 may perform one or more beam management operations, such as an initial beam acquisition operation, one or more beam refinement operations, and / or a beam recovery operation. For example, an initial beam acquisition operation may involve the network node 110 transmitting signals (for example, SSBs, CSI-RSs, or other signals) via respective beams (for example, of the beams 160a of the network node 110) and the UE 120 receiving and measuring the signal(s) via respective beams of multiple beams (for example, from the beams 160b of the UE 120) to identify a best beam (or beam pair) for communication between the UE 120 and the network node 110. For example, the UE 120 may transmit an indication (for example, in a message associated with a random access channel (RACH) operation) of a (best) identified beam of the network node 110 (for example, by indicating an SSBRI or other identifier associated with the beam). A beam refinement operation may involve a first device (for example, the UE 120 or the network node 110) transmitting signal(s) via a subset of beams (for example, identified based on, or otherwise associated with, measurements reported as part of one or more other beam management operations). A second device (for example, the network node 110 or the UE 120) may receive the signal(s) via a single beam (for example, to identify the best beam for communication from the subset of beams). The beam(s) may be identified via one or more spatial parameters, such as a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state and / or a quasi colocation (QCL) parameter, among other examples. The network node 110 and the UE 120 may increase reliability and / or achieve efficiencies in throughput, signal strength, and / or other signal properties for massive MIMO operations by performing the beam management operations.

[0055] Some aspects and techniques as described herein may be implemented, at least in part, using an artificial intelligence (Al) program (for example, referred to herein as an “AI / ML model”), such as a program that includes a machine learning (ML) model and / or an artificial neural network (ANN) model. The AI / ML model may be deployed at one or more devices 165 (for example, one or more network nodes 110, one or more UEs 120, and / or one or more servers, and / or one or more components of a cloud computing network, among other examples). For example, in an deployment where AI / ML functionality is performed independently at a device 165, sometimes referred to as “overlay AI / ML”, the AI / ML model (or an instance or portion of the AI / ML model) may be deployed at a UE 120 (for example, at the processing system 140), a network node 110 (for example, at the processing system 145), one or more servers, and / or one or more components of a cloud computing network, among other examples. Additionally or alternatively, in a deployment where AI / ML functionality is coordinated between different devices 165, sometimes referred to as “coordinated AI / ML”, or0097-6121PCTperformed at all device and network layers, sometimes referred to as “native AI / ML”, the AI / ML model (or an instance of the AI / ML model) may be deployed at multiple devices 165 (for example, a first portion of the AI / ML model may be deployed at a UE 120 and a second portion of the AI / ML model may be deployed at a network node 110). In other examples of coordinated AI / ML and / or native AI / ML. a first AI / ML model may be deployed at a UE 120 and a second AI / ML model may be deployed at a network node 110. The AI / ML model(s) may be configured to enhance various aspects of the wireless communication network 100 (for example, to increase privacy, reliability, and / or efficient use of network bandwidth, and / or to reduce latency, among other examples). For example, the AI / ML model(s) may be trained to identify patterns or relationships in data corresponding to the wireless communication network 100, a device, and / or an air interface, among other examples. The AI / ML model(s) may support operational decisions relating to one or more aspects associated with wireless communications devices, networks, or services.

[0056] Accordingly, in some examples, the AI / ML model(s) may enable Al-as-a-Service (for example, an end-to-end AI / ML service via a user plane) for use cases such as a self-organizing network (SON), minimization of drive test (MDT), quality of experience (QoE), positioning, sensing, predictive mobility, and / or traffic prediction, among other examples. In some examples, Al-as-a-Service use cases may include measurement collection reporting by a UE 120, device selection criteria (for example, according to a geographical area where measurements are to be collected and / or UE capabilities to be used to collected measurements), and / or reporting configurations (for example, reporting parameters such as location, time, and / or sensor information, among other examples). Additionally or alternatively, the AI / ML model(s) may enable AI / ML procedures (for example, RAN-triggered service establishment, configuration, inferencing using UE-side and / or network-side models, performance monitoring and / or management, and / or capability signaling, among other examples). Additionally or alternatively, the AI / ML model(s) may enable RAN -based AI / ML services via one or more application program interfaces (APIs) and / or management interfaces for use cases such as beam management, radio resource monitoring (RRM) relaxation, mobility prediction, load prediction, network energy savings, and / or coverage and capacity improvements, among other examples.

[0057] In some aspects, the UE 120 may include a communication manager 150. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager 150 may receive or obtain NTZ assistance information associating one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more geographic areas of an NTZ; obtain, at a first protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information; provide, from the first protocol layer to a second protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information; and enforce, at the second protocol layer, one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the0097-6121PCTNTZ. Enforcing the one or more rules may include providing, from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer, an uplink failure indication in accordance with the NTZ assistance information. Additionally, or alternatively, the communication manager 150 may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0058] In some aspects, the network node 110 may include a communication manager 155. The communication manager 155 of the network node 110 may receive one or more capability reports that include or indicate one or more capabilities of the UE 120. In some aspects, the communication manager 155 may transmit one or more configurations to the UE 120 in accordance with the one or more capability reports. Additionally, or alternatively, the communication manager 155 may perform one or more operations described herein.

[0059] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example disaggregated network node architecture 200. One or more components of the example disaggregated network node architecture 200 may be, may include, or may be included in one or more network nodes (such one or more network nodes 110). The disaggregated network node architecture 200 may include a CU 210 that can communicate directly with a core network 220 via a backhaul link, or that can communicate indirectly with the core network 220 via one or more disaggregated control units, such as a non-real-time (Non-RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 250 associated with a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) Framework 260 and / or a near-real-time (Near-RT) RIC 270 (for example, via an E2 link). The CU 210 may communicate with one or more DUs 230 via respective midhaul links, such as via Fl interfaces. Each of the DUs 230 may communicate with one or more RUs 240 via respective fronthaul links. Each of the RUs 240 may communicate with one or more UEs 120 via respective RF access links. In some deployments, a UE 120 may be simultaneously served by multiple RUs 240.

[0060] Each of the components of the disaggregated network node architecture 200, including the CUs 210, the DUs 230, the RUs 240, the Near-RT RICs 270, the Non-RT RICs 250, and the SMO Framework 260, may include one or more interfaces or may be coupled with one or more interfaces for receiving or transmitting signals, such as data or information, via a wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0061] In some aspects, the CU 210 may be logically split into one or more CU user plane (CU-UP) units and one or more CU control plane (CU-CP) units. A CU-UP unit may communicate bidirectionally with a CU-CP unit via an interface, such as the El interface when implemented in an O-RAN configuration. The CU 210 may be deployed to communicate with one or more DUs 230, as necessary, for network control and signaling. Each DU 230 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions to control the operation of one or more RUs 240. For example, a DU 230 may host various layers, such as an RLC layer, a MAC layer, or one or more PHY layers, such as one or more high PHY layers or0097-6121PCTone or more low PHY layers. Each layer (which also may be referred to as a module) may be implemented with an interface for communicating signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by the DU 230, or for communicating signals with the control functions hosted by the CU 210. Each RU 240 may implement lower layer functionality. In some aspects, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control and user plane communication with the RU(s) 240 may be controlled by the corresponding DU 230.

[0062] The SMO Framework 260 may support RAN deployment and provisioning of nonvirtualized and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, the SMO Framework 260 may support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements, which may be managed via an operations and maintenance interface, such as an 01 interface. For virtualized network elements, the SMO Framework 260 may interact with a cloud computing platform (such as an open cloud (O-Cloud) platform 290) to perform network element life cycle management (such as to instantiate virtualized network elements) via a cloud computing platform interface, such as an 02 interface. A virtualized network element may include, but is not limited to, a CU 210, a DU 230, an RU 240, a non-RT RIC 250, and / or a Near-RT RIC 270. In some aspects, the SMO Framework 260 may communicate with a hardware aspect of a 4G RAN, a 5G NR RAN, and / or a 6G RAN, such as an open eNB (O-eNB) 280, via an 01 interface. Additionally or alternatively, the SMO Framework 260 may communicate directly with each of one or more RUs 240 via a respective 01 interface. In some deployments, this configuration can enable each DU 230 and the CU 210 to be implemented in a cloud-based RAN architecture, such as a vRAN architecture.

[0063] The Non-RT RIC 250 may include or may implement a logical function that enables non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, AI / ML workflows including model training and updates, and / or policy-based guidance of applications and / or features in the Near-RT RIC 270. The Non-RT RIC 250 may be coupled to or may communicate with (such as via an Al interface) the Near-RT RIC 270. The Near-RT RIC 270 may include or may implement a logical function that enables near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via data collection and actions via an interface (such as via an E2 interface) connecting one or more CUs 210, one or more DUs 230, and / or an O-eNB 280 with the Near-RT RIC 270.

[0064] In some aspects, to generate AI / ML models to be deployed in the Near-RT RIC 270, the Non-RT RIC 250 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from external servers. Such information may be utilized by the Near-RT RIC 270 and may be received at the SMO Framework 260 or the Non-RT RIC 250 from non-network data sources or from network functions. In some examples, the Non-RT RIC 250 or the Near-RT RIC 270 may tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the Non-RT RIC 250 may monitor long-term trends and0097-6121PCTpaterns for performance and may employ AI / ML models to perform corrective actions via the SMO Framework 260 (such as reconfiguration via an 01 interface) or via creation of RAN management policies (such as Al interface policies).

[0065] The network node 110, the processing system 145 of the network node 110, the UE 120, the processing system 140 of the UE 120, the CU 210, the DU 230, the RU 240, or any other componcnt(s) of Figure 1 and / or Figure 2 may implement one or more techniques or perform one or more operations associated with enforcement of NTZ rules at a UE, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, the processing system 145 of the network node 110, the processing system 140 of the UE 120, the CU 210, the DU 230, or the RU 240 may perform or direct operations of, for example, process 600 of Figure 6, or other processes as described herein (alone or in conjunction with one or more other processors). Memory of the network node 110 may store data and program code (or instructions) for the network node 110, the CU 210, the DU 230, or the RU 240. In some examples, the memory of the network node 110 may store data relating to a UE 120, such as RRC state information or a UE context.Memory of a UE 120 may store data and program code (or instructions) for the UE 120, such as context information. In some examples, the memory of the UE 120 or the memory of the network node 110 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication. For example, the set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors (for example, of the processing system 145 or the processing system 140) of the network node 110, the UE 120, the CU 210, the DU 230, or the RU 240, may cause the one or more processors to perform process 600 of Figure 6, or other processes as described herein. In some examples, executing instructions may include running the instructions, converting the instructions, compiling the instructions, and / or interpreting the instructions, among other examples.

[0066] In some aspects, the UE 120 includes means for receiving or obtaining NTZ assistance information associating one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more geographic areas of an NTZ; means for obtaining, at a first protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information; means for providing, from the first protocol layer to a second protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information; and / or means for enforcing, at the second protocol layer, one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ. Enforcing the one or more rules may include providing, from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer, an uplink failure indication in accordance with the NTZ assistance information. The means for the UE 120 to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of communication manager 150, processing system 140, a radio, one or more RF chains, one or more transceivers, one or more antennas, one or more modems, a reception component (for example, reception component 7020097-6121PCTdepicted and described in connection with Figure 7), or a transmission component (for example, transmission component 704 depicted and described in connection with Figure 7), among other examples.

[0067] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example 300 of a UE 120 operating in an NTZ 305. In some aspects, as discussed in below, the UE 120 may be subject to one or more rules when operating in the NTZ. The one or more rules may be associated with NTZ assistance information. The NTZ assistance information may associate one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more geographic areas. In some aspects, the NTZ assistance information may define the one or more geographic areas according to one or more spatial dimensions such as a latitude, a longitude, an altitude, or a combination thereof, among other examples. In some aspects, the NTZ assistance information may associate the one or more restricted frequency bands, the one or more geographic areas, or both, to one or more time periods.

[0068] In some aspects, the NTZ assistance information may indicate that certain communications between a UE 120 and a network node 110 are prohibited while the UE 120 is in the NTZ 305. For example, in some aspects, the UE 120 may be prohibited from receiving downlink communications 310 from a first network node 110-1 or a second network node 110-2, transmitting uplink communications 315 to the first network node 110-1, communicating with the second network node 110-2, or a combination thereof, among other examples, while subject to the NTZ 305 in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.

[0069] Accordingly, as discussed below, the UE 120 may be required to cease communication with the first network node 110-1 or the second network node 110-2 when the UE 120 is subject to the NTZ 305, as defined by the NTZ assistance information. The UE 120 may be permitted to resume communication with the first network node 110-1 or the second network node 110-2 when the UE 120 is no longer subject to the NTZ 305 as defined by the NTZ assistance information.

[0070] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example 400 of a protocol stack for a network node 110 and a core network in communication with a UE 120. In some aspects, the network node 110 may include a plurality of network nodes 110, one or more protocol stack functions (e.g., one or more layers) of the network node 110 may be distributed across multiple network nodes 110. Accordingly, references to "a network node 110" or "the network node 110" can, in some aspects, refer to multiple network nodes.

[0071] The UE 120 may include AS layers 405 (e.g., physical (PHY) layers, medium access control (MAC) layers, radio link control (RLC) layers, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layers, and RRC layers). The network node 110 may include corresponding AS layers. Furthermore, the UE 120 may include a NAS layer 410 in communication with a corresponding NAS layer of an access and management mobility function (AMF), which may be associated0097-6121PCTwith a core network associated with the network node 110, such as a 5G core network (5GC) or a next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN).

[0072] Generally, a first layer is referred to as higher than a second layer if the first layer is further from the PHY layer than the second layer. For example, within the AS layers 405, the PHY layer may be referred to as a lowest layer, and the PDCP / RLC / MAC layer may be referred to as higher than the PHY layer and lower than the RRC layer. Additionally, the NAS layer 410 may be considered an upper protocol layer relative to each of the AS layers 405. Likewise, each the AS layers 405 may be considered a lower protocol layer relative to the NAS layer 410. An application (APP) layer 415 may be higher than the NAS layer, and the APP layer 415 may be in communication with an application server (not shown in Figure 4).

[0073] In some aspects, the UE 120 may receive or obtain NTZ assistance information. The NTZ assistance information may associate one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more geographic areas of an NTZ. As discussed the above, the geographic areas of the NTZ may be defined in accordance with a latitude, a longitude, and an altitude. Additionally, the NTZ assistance information may associate the one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more time periods.

[0074] In some aspects, the NTZ assistance information may be received at or obtained by the UE 120 via, for example, the NAS layer 410 or a higher layer (e.g., the APP layer 415). In some aspects, the NTZ assistance information may be received as a dynamic configuration in a downlink communication from the network node 110. Alternatively, the NTZ assistance information may be obtained by the UE 120 as part of a static firmware configuration. For example, the NTZ assistance information may be received at, or obtained by, the UE 120 and stored in memory before the NTZ assistance information is obtained by the NAS layer 410. In some aspects, the UE 120 may receive or obtain the NTZ assistance information during manufacture, at a point of sale, during onboarding, or another time. The UE 120 may be configured to communicate the NTZ assistance information across one or more layers. For example, as discussed in detail below, the UE 120 may be configured to provide NTZ assistance information from the NAS layer 410 to one or more of the AS layers 405. By providing the NTZ assistance information to one or more of the AS layers 405, one or more rules associated with the NTZ may be enforced by the UE 120.

[0075] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example 500 associated with UE NTZ enforcement. As shown in Figure 5, a network node 110 and a UE 120 may communicate with one another. Additionally, multiple layers within the UE 120 may communicate NTZ assistance information and other messages with one another. For example, a first protocol layer, a second protocol layer, and a third protocol layer, among others, may communicate with one another. In some aspects, the first protocol layer may be an upper layer relative to the second protocol layer.0097-6121PCTIn some aspects, the third protocol layer may be an upper layer relative to the first protocol layer and the second protocol layer. For example, the first protocol layer may be the NAS layer 410, the second protocol layer may be one or more of the AS layers 405 (generally referred to as “the AS layer”), and the third protocol layer may be the APP layer 415.

[0076] As shown by reference number 505, the UE 120 may transmit, and the network node 110 may receive, one or more capability reports. The one or more capability reports may indicate one or more UE capabilities associated with communicating the NTZ assistance information between layers, such as the NAS layer 410 and the AS layer 405. In some aspects, one or more of the capability reports may indicate one or more capabilities associated with enforcing, at the AS layer 405, one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ. The one or more rules may include time restrictions, spatial dimension restrictions, or a combination thereof, among other examples, for the restricted frequency bands. The spatial dimension restrictions may define a spatial dimension according to a latitude, a longitude, an altitude, or a combination thereof, among other examples. The time restrictions may include one or more time periods. Accordingly, the NTZ assistance information may associate one or more of the restricted frequency bands to a spatial dimension, a time period, or a combination thereof, among other examples.

[0077] As shown by reference number 510, the UE 120 may receive or obtain a configuration with NTZ assistance information. In some aspects, the NTZ assistance information may associate one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more geographic areas of an NTZ. In some aspects, as shown by reference number 510-1, the UE 120 may receive, and the network node 110 may transmit, the NTZ assistance information. In some aspects, the UE 120 may receive the NTZ assistance information at the NAS layer 410. Alternatively, the UE 120 may obtain the NTZ assistance information from an application server or stored in a memory (e.g., firmware) of the UE 120, as discussed above. Accordingly, as shown by reference number 510-2, the UE 120 may receive the NTZ assistance information at the APP layer 415, and the APP layer 415 may provide the NTZ assistance information to the NAS layer 410.

[0078] As shown by reference number 515, the NAS layer 410 may provide, and the AS layer 405 may obtain, the NTZ assistance information. In some aspects, the NAS layer 410 may provide the NTZ assistance information to the AS layer 405 so the AS layer 405 can enforce the one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ.

[0079] As shown by reference number 520, the UE 120 may become subject to the NTZ. For example, the UE 120 may be subject to the NTZ when the UE 120 is in a geographic area associated with the one or more restricted frequency bands included in the NTZ assistance0097-6121PCTinformation. Further, the UE 120 may be subject to the NTZ when the UE 120 is in the geographic area with the one or more restricted frequency bands during a time period associated with the geographic area in the NTZ assistance information. In some aspects, the UE 120 may determine that it is in the geographic area, and therefore subject to the one or more rules of the NTZ assistance information, according to a present latitude, a present longitude, a present altitude, or a combination thereof, among other examples, of the UE 120 during a time period indicated by the NTZ assistance information. When the UE 120 is subject to the NTZ, the UE 120 may enforce the one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ.

[0080] As shown by reference number 525, the NAS layer 410 may provide, and the AS layer 405 may obtain, an uplink communication request. The uplink communication request may be a request for the UE 120 to transmit an uplink communication to the network node 110 via the NAS layer 410. In some aspects, the uplink communication request may be an RRC connection request, an RRC reestablish request, or an RRC resume request.

[0081] As shown by reference number 530, the AS layer 405 may enforce the one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ by denying the uplink communication request. For example, in some aspects, the AS layer 405 may provide, and the NAS layer 410 may obtain, an uplink failure indication. In some aspects, the uplink failure indication may indicate, to the NAS layer 410, that the uplink communication request would cause the UE 120 to transmit the uplink communication via one or more restricted frequency bands indicated in the NTZ assistance information. In some aspects, the uplink failure indication is an access barring indication for one or more access categories. The access barring indication may indicate, to the NAS layer 410, that all access categories are barred. For example, the access barring indication may indicate that all communications including, but not limited to, emergency services communications, high-priority communications, default access communications, and background communications are barred while the UE 120 is in the NTZ. Alternatively, the uplink failure indication may indicate that one or more, but not all, access categories are barred. For example, the uplink failure may indicate that the UE 120 can only transmit emergency services communications while in the NTZ.

[0082] As shown by reference number 535, enforcing the one or more rules for preventing transmissions in the one or more restricted frequency bands may include releasing an RRC connection. For example, as shown by reference number 535-1, the NAS layer 410 may provide, and the AS layer 405 may obtain, an RRC release request or indication. The RRC release request or indication may request that the AS layer 405 release an RRC connection with the network node 110. Alternatively, as shown by reference number 535-2, the AS layer 4050097-6121PCTmay provide, and the NAS layer 410 may obtain, an RRC connection release indication in accordance with the NTZ assistance information. The RRC connection release indication may indicate, to the NAS layer 410, that the RRC connection with the network node 110 has been released by the AS layer 405, that the NAS layer 410 cannot initiate further signaling to the network node 110 while the UE 120 is subject to the NTZ, or a combination thereof, among other examples. Alternatively, in some aspects, the RRC connection release indication may request that the NAS layer 410 direct the AS layer 405 to release the RRC connection with the network node 110. In some aspects, releasing the RRC connection may allow the UE 120 to transition from an RRC connected state to an RRC inactive or idle state.

[0083] As shown by reference number 540, the NAS layer 410 may provide, and the APP layer 415 may obtain, an interruption indication. The interruption indication may indicate, to the APP layer 415, that communication with one or more network nodes 110 has been interrupted in accordance with the one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ.

[0084] As shown by reference number 545, the UE 120 may no longer be subject to the NTZ. For example, the UE 120 may no longer be in the geographic area with the one or more restricted frequency bands, the time period for the restricted frequency bands in the geographic area may have elapsed, or the UE 120 may be configured or otherwise able to communicate in the geographic area via one or more non-restricted frequency bands. Accordingly, the AS layer 405 no longer needs to enforce the one or more rules for preventing transmissions in the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ assistance information.

[0085] As shown by reference number 550, the AS layer 405 may provide, and the NAS layer 410 may obtain, a service indication. The service indication may indicate, to the NAS layer 410, that uplink communication is enabled. In some aspects, the AS layer 405 may provide the service indication as a result of the UE 120 no longer being subject to the NTZ, as indicated by the NTZ assistance information.

[0086] As shown by reference number 555, the NAS layer 410 may provide, and the AS layer 405 may obtain, an RRC initiation request or indication. The RRC initiation request may request that the AS layer 405 initiate an RRC connection with the network node 110.

[0087] As shown by reference number 560, the UE 120 may establish or resume RRC communication with the network node 110. For example, in some aspects, the AS layer 405 may initiate the RRC connection by transitioning the UE 120 from an RRC inactive or idle mode to an RRC connected mode, transmitting one or more RRC messages to the network node 110, or a combination thereof, among other examples. In some aspects, the AS layer 405 may initiate the RRC connection with the network node 110 in response to the RRC initiation request or indication, discussed above. Alternatively, the AS layer 405 may initiate the RRC0097-6121PCTconnection with the network node 110 without the RRC initiation request or indication discussed above. For example, in some aspects, the AS layer 405 may transmit an RRC establishment, RRC reestablishment, or RRC resume communication to the network node 110 after providing the service indication to the NAS layer 410.

[0088] As shown by reference number 565, the NAS layer 410 may provide, and an APP layer 415 may obtain, an NTZ alleviation indication. The NTZ alleviation indication may indicate, to the APP layer 415, that uplink communication is enabled in accordance with the NTZ assistance information. Alternatively or in addition, the NAS layer 410 may provide, and the APP layer 415 may obtain, a resume service indication. The resume service indication may indicate, to the APP layer 415, that communication with one or more network nodes 110 is enabled and that the APP layer 415 can resume communication with, for example, an application server.

[0089] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 600 performed, for example, at a UE or an apparatus of a UE that supports enforcement of an NTZ. Example process 600 is an example where the apparatus or the UE (for example, UE 120) performs operations associated with enforcement of the NTZ in accordance with NTZ assistance information.

[0090] As shown in Figure 6, in some aspects, process 600 may include receiving or obtaining NTZ assistance information associating one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more geographic areas of an NTZ (block 610). For example, the UE (such as by using communication manager 150 or reception component 702 or obtaining component 712, depicted in Figure 7) may receive or obtain NTZ assistance information associating one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more geographic areas of an NTZ, as described above.

[0091] As further shown in Figure 6, in some aspects, process 600 may include obtaining, at a first protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information (block 620). For example, the UE (such as by using communication manager 150 or obtaining component 712, depicted in Figure 7) may obtain, at a first protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information, as described above.

[0092] As further shown in Figure 6, in some aspects, process 600 may include providing, from the first protocol layer to a second protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information (block 630). For example, the UE (such as by using communication manager 150 or providing component 710, depicted in Figure 7) may provide, from the first protocol layer to a second protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information, as described above.

[0093] As further shown in Figure 6, in some aspects, process 600 may include enforcing, at the second protocol layer, one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ (block 640). For example, the UE (such as by using communication manager 150 or enforcing component 714, depicted in Figure 7) may enforce, at the second protocol layer, one or more rules associated with0097-6121PCTpreventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ, as described above. In some aspects, enforcing the one or more rules includes providing, from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer, an uplink failure indication in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.

[0094] Process 600 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0095] In a first additional aspect, the first protocol layer is a non-access stratum layer and the second protocol layer is an access stratum layer.

[0096] In a second additional aspect, process 600 includes providing, from the first protocol layer to the second protocol layer, an uplink communication request, wherein the uplink failure indication is provided from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer as a result of the uplink communication request being associated with the one or more restricted frequency bands in the one or more geographic areas of the NTZ.

[0097] In a third additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through second aspects, the uplink communication request includes one or more of an RRC connection request, an RRC reestablishment request, or an RRC resume request.

[0098] In a fourth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, the uplink failure indication is an access barring indication for one or more access categories.

[0099] In a fifth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the uplink failure indication indicates that access is barred for all access categories.

[0100] In a sixth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, enforcing the one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions includes providing, from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer, an RRC connection release indication in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.

[0101] In a seventh additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, the RRC connection release indication indicates, to the first protocol layer, that an RRC connection has been released by the second protocol layer.

[0102] In a eighth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, the RRC connection release indication includes a request for releasing an RRC connection in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.

[0103] In a ninth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighth aspects, process 600 includes providing, from the first protocol layer to the second protocol layer, an RRC release request or indication for releasing the RRC connection.0097-6121PCT

[0104] In a tenth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through ninth aspects, process 600 includes providing, from the first protocol layer to a third protocol layer, an interruption indication, wherein the interruption indication indicates, to the third protocol layer, that communication with one or more network nodes is interrupted in accordance with the one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ.

[0105] In an eleventh additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through tenth aspects, enforcing the one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions includes providing, from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer, a service indication indicating, to the first protocol layer, that uplink communication is enabled.

[0106] In a twelfth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eleventh aspects, process 600 includes initiating, via the second protocol layer, a radio resource control connection with a network node in accordance with the service indication.

[0107] In a thirteenth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through twelfth aspects, process 600 includes providing, from the first protocol layer to the second protocol layer, an RRC initiation request or indication, and initiating, via the second protocol layer, an RRC connection with a network node in accordance with the RRC initiation request or indication.

[0108] In a fourteenth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through thirteenth aspects, process 600 includes providing, from the first protocol layer to a third protocol layer, an NTZ alleviation indication, wherein the NTZ alleviation indication indicates, to the third protocol layer, that uplink communication is enabled in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.

[0109] In a fifteenth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourteenth aspects, process 600 includes providing, from the first protocol layer to a third protocol layer, a resume service indication, wherein the resume service indication indicates, to the third protocol layer, that communication with one or more network nodes is enabled.

[0110] In a sixteenth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifteenth aspects, the NTZ assistance information associates the one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more spatial dimensions.[OHl] In a seventeenth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixteenth aspects, the one or more spatial dimensions include one or more of a latitude, a longitude, or an altitude.0097-6121PCT

[0112] In an eighteenth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventeenth aspects, the NTZ assistance information associates the one or more restricted frequency bands to a time period.

[0113] In a nineteenth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighteenth aspects, process 600 includes transmitting, to a network node, a capability report indicating one or more capabilities associated with communicating the NTZ assistance information between at least the first protocol layer and the second protocol layer.

[0114] In a twentieth additional aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through nineteenth aspects, process 600 includes transmitting, to a network node, a capability report indicating one or more capabilities associated with enforcing, at the second protocol layer, the one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ.

[0115] Although Figure 6 shows example blocks of process 600, in some aspects, process 600 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in Figure 6. Additionally or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 600 may be performed in parallel.

[0116] Figure 7 is a diagram of an example apparatus 700 for wireless communication that supports enforcement of an NTZ. The apparatus 700 may be a UE, or a UE may include the apparatus 700. In some aspects, the apparatus 700 includes a reception component 702, a transmission component 704, and a communication manager 706, which may be in communication with one another (for example, via one or more buses). As shown, the apparatus 700 may communicate with another apparatus 708 (such as a UE 120, a network node 110, or another wireless communication device) using the reception component 702 and the transmission component 704. The communication manager 706 may be included in, or implemented via, a processing system (for example, the processing system 140). In some aspects, the communication manager 706 is the communication manager 150

[0117] In some aspects, the apparatus 700 may be configured to or operable to perform one or more operations described herein in connection with Figures 3-5. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 700 may be configured to or operable to perform one or more processes described herein, such as process 600 of Figure 6.

[0118] The reception component 702 may receive communications, such as reference signals, control information, or data communications, from the apparatus 708. The reception component 702 may provide received communications to one or more other components of the apparatus 700, such as the communication manager 706. In some aspects, the reception component 702 may perform signal processing on the received communications, and may provide the processed signals to the one or more other components in a similar manner as0097-6121PCTdescribed above in connection with Figure 1. In some aspects, the reception component 702 may include one or more components of the UE described above in connection with Figure 1, such as a radio, one or more RF chains, one or more transceivers, or one or more modems, each of which may in turn be coupled with one or more antennas of the UE.

[0119] The transmission component 704 may transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, or data communications, to the apparatus 708. In some aspects, the communication manager 706 may generate communications and may transmit the generated communications to the transmission component 704 for transmission to the apparatus 708. In some aspects, the transmission component 704 may perform signal processing on the generated communications, and may transmit the processed signals to the apparatus 708 in a similar manner as described above in connection with Figure 1. In some aspects, the transmission component 704 may include one or more components of the UE described above in connection with Figure 1, such as a radio, one or more RF chains, one or more transceivers, or one or more modems, each of which may in turn be coupled with one or more antennas of the UE. In some aspects, the transmission component 704 may be co-located with the reception component 702.

[0120] The communication manager 706 may receive or obtain, or may cause the reception component 702 to receive or obtain NTZ assistance information associating one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more geographic areas of an NTZ. The communication manager 706 may obtain, at a first protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information. The communication manager 706 may provide, from the first protocol layer to a second protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information. The communication manager 706 may enforce, at the second protocol layer, one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ. In some aspects, the communication manager 706 may perform one or more operations described elsewhere herein as being performed by one or more components of the communication manager 706.

[0121] In some aspects, the communication manager 706 may perform one or more operations described elsewhere herein as being performed by one or more components of the communication manager 706.

[0122] In some aspects, the communication manager 706 includes a set of components, such as a providing component 710, an obtaining component 712, and an enforcing component 710. Alternatively, the set of components may be separate and distinct from the communication manager 706. As used herein, the term “component” is intended to be broadly construed as hardware or a combination of hardware and at least one of software or firmware. In some aspects, one or more components of the set of components may include or may be implemented within a processing system (for example, the processing system 140). Additionally or alternatively, one or more components of the set of components may be implemented at least in0097-6121PCTpart as software stored in one or more memories (for example, the memory described with reference to Figure 1). For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by the processing system to perform the functions or operations of the component.

[0123] The reception component 702 may receive or obtain NTZ assistance information associating one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more geographic areas of an NTZ. The obtaining component 712 may obtain, at a first protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information. The providing component 710 may provide, from the first protocol layer to a second protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information. The enforcing component 714 may enforce, at the second protocol layer, one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ.

[0124] The providing component 710 may provide, from the first protocol layer to the second protocol layer, an uplink communication request, wherein the uplink failure indication is provided from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer as a result of the uplink communication request being associated with the one or more restricted frequency bands in the one or more geographic areas of the NTZ.

[0125] The providing component 710may provide, from the first protocol layer to the second protocol layer, an RRC release request or indication for releasing the RRC connection.

[0126] The providing component 710 may provide, from the first protocol layer to a third protocol layer, an interruption indication wherein the interruption indication indicates, to the third protocol layer, that communication with one or more network nodes is interrupted in accordance with the one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ.

[0127] The enforcing component 714 or the transmission component 704 may initiate, via the second protocol layer, a radio resource control connection with a network node in accordance with the service indication.

[0128] The providing component 710 may provide, from the first protocol layer to the second protocol layer, an RRC initiation request or indication initiating, via the second protocol layer, an RRC connection with a network node in accordance with the RRC initiation request or indication.

[0129] The providing component 710 may provide, from the first protocol layer to a third protocol layer, an NTZ alleviation indication wherein the NTZ alleviation indication indicates, to the third protocol layer, that uplink communication is enabled in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.0097-6121PCT

[0130] The providing component 710 may provide, from the first protocol layer to a third protocol layer, a resume service indication wherein the resume service indication indicates, to the third protocol layer, that communication with one or more network nodes is enabled.

[0131] The transmission component 704 may transmit, to a network node, a capability report indicating one or more capabilities associated with communicating the NTZ assistance information between at least the first protocol layer and the second protocol layer.

[0132] The transmission component 704 may transmit, to a network node, a capability report indicating one or more capabilities associated with enforcing, at the second protocol layer, the one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ.

[0133] The following provides an overview of some Aspects of the present disclosure:

[0134] Aspect 1 : A method for wireless communication by a UE, comprising: receiving or obtaining NTZ assistance information associating one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more geographic areas of an NTZ; obtaining, at a first protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information; providing, from the first protocol layer to a second protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information; and enforcing, at the second protocol layer, one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ, wherein enforcing the one or more rules includes providing, from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer, an uplink failure indication in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.

[0135] Aspect 2: The method of Aspect 1, wherein the first protocol layer is a non-access stratum layer and the second protocol layer is an access stratum layer.

[0136] Aspect 3: The method of Aspect 1, further comprising providing, from the first protocol layer to the second protocol layer, an uplink communication request, wherein the uplink failure indication is provided from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer as a result of the uplink communication request being associated with the one or more restricted frequency bands in the one or more geographic areas of the NTZ.

[0137] Aspect 4: The method of Aspect 3, wherein the uplink communication request includes one or more of an RRC connection request, an RRC reestablishment request, or an RRC resume request.

[0138] Aspect 5: The method of Aspect 1, wherein the uplink failure indication is an access barring indication for one or more access categories.

[0139] Aspect 6: The method of Aspect 1, wherein the uplink failure indication indicates that access is barred for all access categories.

[0140] Aspect 7: The method of any of Aspects 1-6, wherein enforcing the one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions includes providing, from the second protocol layer to0097-6121PCTthe first protocol layer, an RRC connection release indication in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.

[0141] Aspect 8: The method of Aspect 7, wherein the RRC connection release indication indicates, to the first protocol layer, that an RRC connection has been released by the second protocol layer.

[0142] Aspect 9: The method of Aspect 7, wherein the RRC connection release indication includes a request for releasing an RRC connection in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.

[0143] Aspect 10: The method of Aspect 9, further comprising providing, from the first protocol layer to the second protocol layer, an RRC release request or indication for releasing the RRC connection.

[0144] Aspect 11 : The method of Aspect 7, further comprising providing, from the first protocol layer to a third protocol layer, an interruption indication, wherein the interruption indication indicates, to the third protocol layer, that communication with one or more network nodes is interrupted in accordance with the one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ.

[0145] Aspect 12: The method of any of Aspects 1-11, wherein enforcing the one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions includes providing, from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer, a service indication indicating, to the first protocol layer, that uplink communication is enabled.

[0146] Aspect 13: The method of Aspect 12, further comprising initiating, via the second protocol layer, a radio resource control connection with a network node in accordance with the service indication.

[0147] Aspect 14: The method of Aspect 12, further comprising: providing, from the first protocol layer to the second protocol layer, an RRC initiation request or indication, and initiating, via the second protocol layer, an RRC connection with a network node in accordance with the RRC initiation request or indication.

[0148] Aspect 15: The method of Aspect 12, further comprising providing, from the first protocol layer to a third protocol layer, an NTZ alleviation indication, wherein the NTZ alleviation indication indicates, to the third protocol layer, that uplink communication is enabled in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.

[0149] Aspect 16: The method of Aspect 12, further comprising providing, from the first protocol layer to a third protocol layer, a resume service indication, wherein the resume service indication indicates, to the third protocol layer, that communication with one or more network nodes is enabled.0097-6121PCT

[0150] Aspect 17: The method of any of Aspects 1-16, wherein the NTZ assistance information associates the one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more spatial dimensions.

[0151] Aspect 18: The method of Aspect 17, wherein the one or more spatial dimensions include one or more of a latitude, a longitude, or an altitude.

[0152] Aspect 19: The method of any of Aspects 1-18, wherein the NTZ assistance information associates the one or more restricted frequency bands to a time period.

[0153] Aspect 20: The method of any of Aspects 1-19, further comprising transmitting, to a network node, a capability report indicating one or more capabilities associated with communicating the NTZ assistance information between at least the first protocol layer and the second protocol layer.

[0154] Aspect 21: The method of any of Aspects 1-20, further comprising transmitting, to a network node, a capability report indicating one or more capabilities associated with enforcing, at the second protocol layer, the one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ.

[0155] Aspect 22: An apparatus for wireless communication at a device, the apparatus comprising one or more processors; one or more memories coupled with the one or more processors; and instructions stored in the one or more memories and executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-21.

[0156] Aspect 23: An apparatus for wireless communication at a device, the apparatus comprising one or more memories and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors configured to cause the device to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-21.

[0157] Aspect 24: An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising at least one means for performing the method of one or more of Aspects 1-21.

[0158] Aspect 25: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-21.

[0159] Aspect 26: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication, the set of instructions comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-21.

[0160] Aspect 27: A device for wireless communication, the device comprising a processing system that includes one or more processors and one or more memories coupled with the one or more processors, the processing system configured to cause the device to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-21.0097-6121PCT

[0161] Aspect 28: An apparatus for wireless communication at a device, the apparatus comprising one or more memories and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors individually or collectively configured to cause the device to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-21.

[0162] Aspect 29: A device comprising a processing system that includes one or more processors and one or more code-storing memories coupled with the one or more processors, the processing system configured to cause the device to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-21.

[0163] Aspect 30: A device comprising a processing system that includes processor circuitry and code-storing memory circuitry, the processing system configured to cause the device to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-21.

[0164] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the aspects to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the aspects. No element, act, or instruction described herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such.

[0165] It will be apparent that systems or methods described herein may be implemented in different forms of hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The actual specialized control hardware or software used to implement these systems or methods is not limiting of the aspects. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code, because those skilled in the art will understand that software and hardware can be designed to implement the systems or methods based, at least in part, on the description herein. A component being configured to perform a function means that the component has a capability to perform the function, and does not require the function to be actually performed by the component, unless noted otherwise.

[0166] As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to refer to one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more” or “at least one.” Further, as used herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more items referenced in connection with the article “the” and may be used interchangeably with “the one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “set” and “group” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or “a single one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” “comprise,” “comprising,” “include” and “including,” and derivatives thereof or similar terms are intended to be open-ended terms that do not limit an element that they modify (for example, an element “having” A may also have B). Also, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be inclusive when used in a series and may be used interchangeably with “and / or,”0097-6121PCTunless explicitly stated otherwise (for example, if used in combination with “either” or “only one of’). As used herein, a phrase referring to “at least one of’ a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover a, b, c, a + b, a + c, b + c, and a + b + c, as well as any combination with multiples of the same element (for example, a + a, a + a + a, a + a + b, a + a + c, a + b + b, a + c + c, b + b, b + b + b, b + b + c, c + c, and c + c + c, or any other ordering of a, b, and c).

[0167] As used herein, the term “determine” or “determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions and, therefore, “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, estimating, investigating, looking up (such as via looking up in a table, a database, or another data structure), searching, inferring, ascertaining, and / or measuring, among other possibilities. Also, “determining” can include receiving (such as receiving information), accessing (such as accessing data stored in memory) or transmitting (such as transmitting information), among other possibilities. Additionally, “determining” can include resolving, selecting, obtaining, choosing, establishing, and / or other such similar actions.

[0168] As used herein, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based at least in part on” or “based on or otherwise in association with” unless explicitly stated otherwise. As used herein, “satisfying a threshold” may, depending on the context, refer to a value being greater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, or not equal to the threshold, among other examples.

[0169] Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the scope of all aspects described herein. Many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims or disclosed in the specification. The disclosure of various aspects includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.0097-6121PCT

Claims

1. WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A user equipment (UE), comprising:a plurality of antennas;a processing system that includes processor circuitry and memory circuitry that stores code for the processor circuitry, the processing system configured to cause the UE to:receive or obtain no-transmit zone (NTZ) assistance information associating one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more geographic areas of an NTZ; obtain, at a first protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information; provide, from the first protocol layer to a second protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information; andenforce, at the second protocol layer, one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ,wherein to enforce the one or more rules, the processing system is configured to cause the UE to provide, from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer, an uplink failure indication in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.

2. The UE of claim 1, wherein the first protocol layer is a non-access stratum layer and the second protocol layer is an access stratum layer.

3. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processing system is configured to cause the UE to provide, from the first protocol layer to the second protocol layer, an uplink communication request, wherein the uplink failure indication is provided from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer as a result of the uplink communication request being associated with the one or more restricted frequency bands in the one or more geographic areas of the NTZ.

4. The UE of claim 1, wherein the uplink failure indication is an access barring indication for one or more access categories.

5. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processing system, to cause the UE to enforce the one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions, is configured to cause the UE to provide, from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer, a radio resource control (RRC) connection release indication in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.0097-6121PCT6. The UE of claim 5, wherein the RRC connection release indication indicates, to the first protocol layer, that an RRC connection has been released by the second protocol layer.

7. The UE of claim 5, wherein the RRC connection release indication includes a request for releasing an RRC connection in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.

8. The UE of claim 5, wherein the processing system is configured to cause the UE to provide, from the first protocol layer to a third protocol layer, an interruption indication, wherein the interruption indication indicates, to the third protocol layer, that communication with one or more network nodes is interrupted in accordance with the one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ.

9. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processing system, to cause the UE to enforce the one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions, is configured to cause the UE to provide, from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer, a service indication indicating, to the first protocol layer, that uplink communication is enabled.

10. The UE of claim 9, wherein the processing system is configured to cause the UE to initiate, via the second protocol layer, a radio resource control connection with a network node in accordance with the service indication.

11. The UE of claim 9, wherein the processing system is configured to cause the UE to: provide, from the first protocol layer to the second protocol layer, a radio resource control (RRC) initiation request or indication, andinitiate, via the second protocol layer, an RRC connection with a network node in accordance with the RRC initiation request or indication.

12. The UE of claim 9, wherein the processing system is configured to cause the UE to provide, from the first protocol layer to a third protocol layer, an NTZ alleviation indication, wherein the NTZ alleviation indication indicates, to the third protocol layer, that uplink communication is enabled in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.

13. The UE of claim 9, wherein the processing system is configured to cause the UE to provide, from the first protocol layer to a third protocol layer, a resume service indication,0097-6121PCTwherein the resume service indication indicates, to the third protocol layer, that communication with one or more network nodes is enabled.

14. The UE of claim 1, wherein the NTZ assistance information associates the one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more spatial dimensions including one or more of a latitude, a longitude, or an altitude.

15. The UE of claim 1, wherein the NTZ assistance information associates the one or more restricted frequency bands to a time period.

16. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processing system is configured to cause the UE to transmit, to a network node, a capability report indicating one or more capabilities associated with communicating the NTZ assistance information between at least the first protocol layer and the second protocol layer.

17. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processing system is configured to cause the UE to transmit, to a network node, a capability report indicating one or more capabilities associated with enforcing, at the second protocol layer, the one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ.

18. A method for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE), comprising:receiving or obtaining no-transmit zone (NTZ) assistance information associating one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more geographic areas of an NTZ;obtaining, at a first protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information;providing, from the first protocol layer to a second protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information; andenforcing, at the second protocol layer, one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ,wherein enforcing the one or more rules includes providing, from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer, an uplink failure indication in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing, from the first protocol layer to the second protocol layer, an uplink communication request, wherein the uplink failure indication is provided from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer as a result of the0097-6121PCTuplink communication request being associated with the one or more restricted frequency bands in the one or more geographic areas of the NTZ.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication, the set of instructions comprising:one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to:receive or obtaining no-transmit zone (NTZ) assistance information associating one or more restricted frequency bands to one or more geographic areas of an NTZ; obtain, at a first protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information; provide, from the first protocol layer to a second protocol layer, the NTZ assistance information; andenforce, at the second protocol layer, one or more rules associated with preventing transmissions via the one or more restricted frequency bands associated with the NTZ,wherein the one or more instructions, that cause the UE to enforce the one or more rules, cause the UE to provide, from the second protocol layer to the first protocol layer, an uplink failure indication in accordance with the NTZ assistance information.0097-6121PCT

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