Inter-cell reception of public warning system message
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-13
Smart Images
Figure CN2025076334_13082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
INTER-CELL RECEPTION OF PUBLIC WARNING SYSTEM MESSAGEFIELD
[0001] Various example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication and in particular, to methods, devices, apparatuses and computer readable storage medium for inter-cell reception of public warning system (PWS) message.BACKGROUND
[0002] A communication network may serve as a facility that enables communications between two or more communication devices or provides communication devices access to a data network. A mobile or wireless communication network is one example of a communication network. A communication device may be provided with a service by an application server. Some communication networks support a warning message transmission, such as a PWS message broadcasting for terminal devices.SUMMARY
[0003] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to: receive, from a second apparatus via a first cell, a first indication associated with a PWS message and at least one first segment of the PWS message, the first indication indicating at least one of a first inter-cell reception flag or a first last repetition flag; perform a cell switch from the first cell to a second cell; receive, via the second cell, a second indication including at least one of a second inter-cell reception flag or a second last repetition flag, where an inter-cell reception flag indicates whether an inter-cell reception is enabled or disabled for the PWS message, and a last repetition flag indicates whether a corresponding segment is part of a last repetition of the PWS message; and perform an operation associated with the PWS message based on the first indication and the second indication, wherein the operation at least comprises receiving at least one second segment of the PWS message via the second cell.
[0004] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus to: transmit, to a first apparatus via a first cell, a first indication associated with a PWS message and at least one first segment of the PWS message, the first indication indicating at least one of: a first inter-cell reception flag or a first last repetition flag, where an inter-cell reception flag indicates whether an inter-cell reception is enabled or disabled for the PWS message, and a last repetition flag indicates whether a corresponding segment is part of a last repetition of the PWS message.
[0005] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: receiving, from a second apparatus via a first cell, a first indication associated with a PWS message and at least one first segment of the PWS message, the first indication indicating at least one of a first inter-cell reception flag or a first last repetition flag; performing a cell switch from the first cell to a second cell; receiving, via the second cell, a second indication including at least one of a second inter-cell reception flag or a second last repetition flag, where an inter-cell reception flag indicates whether an inter-cell reception is enabled or disabled for the PWS message, and a last repetition flag indicates whether a corresponding segment is part of a last repetition of the PWS message; and performing an operation associated with the PWS message based on the first indication and the second indication, wherein the operation at least comprises receiving at least one second segment of the PWS message via the second cell.
[0006] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: transmitting, to a first apparatus via a first cell, a first indication associated with a PWS message and at least one first segment of the PWS message, the first indication indicating at least one of: a first inter-cell reception flag or a first last repetition flag, where an inter-cell reception flag indicates whether an inter-cell reception is enabled or disabled for the PWS message, and a last repetition flag indicates whether a corresponding segment is part of a last repetition of the PWS message.
[0007] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus via a first cell, a first indication associated with a PWS message and at least one first segment of the PWS message, the first indication indicating at least one of a first inter-cell reception flag or a first last repetition flag; means for performing a cell switch from the first cell to a second cell; means for receiving, via the second cell, a second indication including at least one of a second inter-cell reception flag or a second last repetition flag, where an inter-cell reception flag indicates whether an inter-cell reception is enabled or disabled for the PWS message, and a last repetition flag indicates whether a corresponding segment is part of a last repetition of the PWS message; and means for performing an operation associated with the PWS message based on the first indication and the second indication, wherein the operation at least comprises receiving at least one second segment of the PWS message via the second cell.
[0008] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a first apparatus via a first cell, a first indication associated with a PWS message and at least one first segment of the PWS message, the first indication indicating at least one of: a first inter-cell reception flag or a first last repetition flag, where an inter-cell reception flag indicates whether an inter-cell reception is enabled or disabled for the PWS message, and a last repetition flag indicates whether a corresponding segment is part of a last repetition of the PWS message.
[0009] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the third aspect.
[0010] In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the fourth aspect.
[0011] It is to be understood that the Summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;
[0014] FIG. 2A illustrates an example evolved packet system (EPS) PWS architecture;
[0015] FIG. 2B illustrates an example write-replace warning procedure for PWS message;
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates an example signaling flow for inter-cell PWS message reception in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates another example signaling flow for inter-cell PWS message reception in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates another example signaling flow for inter-cell PWS message reception in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates another example signaling flow for inter-cell PWS message reception in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates another example signaling flow for inter-cell PWS message reception in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a device that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0024] FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer readable medium in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0025] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. Embodiments described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.
[0027] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.
[0028] References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment, ” “an embodiment, ” “an example embodiment, ” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
[0029] It shall be understood that although the terms “first, ” “second, ” …, etc. in front of noun (s) and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another and they do not limit the order of the noun (s) . For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.
[0030] As used herein, “at least one of the following: <a list of two or more elements>” and “at least one of <a list of two or more elements>” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or” , mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.
[0031] As used herein, unless stated explicitly, performing a step “in response to A” does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after “A” occurs and one or more intervening steps may be included.
[0032] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a” , “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” , “comprising” , “has” , “having” , “includes” and / or “including” , when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.
[0033] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable) : (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit (s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor (s) with software (including digital signal processor (s) ) , software, and memory (ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit (s) and or processor (s) , such as a microprocessor (s) or a portion of a microprocessor (s) , that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.
[0034] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.
[0035] As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as New Radio (NR) , Long Term Evolution (LTE) , LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) , Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) , High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) , Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and so on. Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network device in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G) , the second generation (2G) , 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G) , the fourth generation (4G) , 4.5G, the fifth generation (5G) , 5.5G, the sixth generation (6G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there will of course also be future type communication technologies and systems with which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned system.
[0036] As used herein, the term “network device” refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP) , for example, a node B (NodeB or NB) , an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB) , an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB) , a Remote Radio Unit (RRU) , a radio header (RH) , a remote radio head (RRH) , a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-ground network device such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology. In some example embodiments, radio access network (RAN) split architecture comprises a Centralized Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU) at an IAB donor node. An IAB node comprises a Mobile Terminal (IAB-MT) part that behaves like a UE toward the parent node, and a DU part of an IAB node behaves like a base station toward the next-hop IAB node.
[0037] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example rather than limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE) , a Subscriber Station (SS) , a Portable Subscriber Station, a Mobile Station (MS) , or an Access Terminal (AT) . The terminal device may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA) , portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE) , laptop-mounted equipment (LME) , USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE) , an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD) , a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery) , an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or an automated processing chain contexts) , a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like. The terminal device may also correspond to a Mobile Termination (MT) part of an IAB node (e.g., a relay node) . In the following description, the terms “terminal device” , “communication device” , “terminal” , “user equipment” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.
[0038] As used herein, the term “resource, ” “transmission resource, ” “resource block, ” “physical resource block” (PRB) , “uplink resource, ” or “downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing a communication, for example, a communication between a terminal device and a network device, such as a resource in time domain, a resource in frequency domain, a resource in space domain, a resource in code domain, or any other combination of the time, frequency, space and / or code domain resource enabling a communication, and the like. In the following, unless explicitly stated, a resource in both frequency domain and time domain will be used as an example of a transmission resource for describing some example embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted that example embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.
[0039] FIG. 1 shows an example communication environment 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. In the communication environment 100, a plurality of apparatuses including a first apparatus 110-1, a first apparatus 110-2 and a second apparatus 120 may communicate with each other. For the purpose of discussion, the first apparatus 110-1 and the first apparatus 110-2 may be individually or collectively referred to as “first apparatus (es) 110” .
[0040] In some example embodiments, if the first apparatus 110 is a terminal device and the second apparatus 120 is a network device serving the terminal device, a transmission direction from the second apparatus 120 to the first apparatus 110 is referred to as a downlink (DL) , while a transmission direction from the first apparatus 110 to the second apparatus 120 is referred to as an uplink (UL) . In DL, the second apparatus 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or a transmitter) and the first apparatus 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or a receiver) . In UL, the first apparatus 110 is a TX device (or a transmitter) and the second apparatus 120 is a RX device (or a receiver) .
[0041] In the example of FIG. 1, the second apparatus 120 has a certain coverage range, which may be called as a serving area or a cell (not shown) . The first apparatuses 110 are located in the cell covered by the second apparatus 120. In the communication environment 100, the second apparatus 120 may communicate data and control information to the first apparatus 110 and the first apparatus 110 may also communication data and control information to the second apparatus 120.
[0042] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus 120 may be an NTN device, such as a satellite or a high-altitude platform station (HAPS) . The NTN device may provide a serving area such as a beam or a cell for the first apparatus 110. The NTN device may provide service to the first apparatus 110 in its satellite footprint. In an example embodiment, a network device such as gNB or eNB may be located in the second apparatus 120 in regenerative architecture. The network device in the second apparatus 120 may provide the serving area for the first apparatus 110. Alternatively, the second apparatus 120 may be a network device communicating with the NTN device. For example, the second apparatus 120 such as gNB or eNB may be connected to the NTN device in transparent architecture. In this example the gNB or eNB may be located on Earth. The first apparatus 110 and the second apparatus 120 may communicate with each other through the NTN device.
[0043] The first apparatus 110 may be a narrowband (NB) terminal device such as a NB-IoT device, or any other suitable device. The NB-IoT device in an NTN network may be referred to as an NB-IoT NTN device.
[0044] In NTN, the cell (such as a cell of a satellite) is moving hence the first apparatus 110 may experience cell change frequently. For Earth-Fixed Cells, the firs apparatus 110 may experience cell change every few minutes. For Earth-Moving cell (EMC) , the first apparatus 110 may experience cell change about every 6 seconds or other time length. For example, the first apparatus 110-2 located in the cell coverage edge of the second apparatus 120 may experience the cell change. The first apparatus 110-2 may reselect to a cell of a third apparatus 130 or perform a handover to the cell of the third apparatus 130. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may also reselect to another cell of the same second apparatus 120. The first apparatus 110 may perform an intra-gNB or intra-eNB cell switch, and / or an inter-gNB or inter-eNB cell switch.
[0045] It is to be understood that the number of apparatuses and their connections shown in FIG. 1 are only for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitation. The communication environment 100 may include any suitable number of apparatuses configured to implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0046] In the following, for purpose of illustration, some example embodiments are described with the first apparatus 110 operating as a terminal device and the second apparatus 120 and the third apparatus 130 operating as network devices. However, in some example embodiments, operations described in connection with a terminal device may be implemented at a network device or other device, and operations described in connection with a network device may be implemented at a terminal device or other device.
[0047] Communications in the communication environment 100 may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol (s) , comprising, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Moreover, the communication may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, comprising but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) , Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) , Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) , Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) , Time Division Duplex (TDD) , Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) , Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM) , Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.
[0048] In some mechanisms, IoT NTN may support the PWS by reusing the LTE mechanisms. For example, broadcasting of PWS messages for NB-IoT may be supported by reusing the LTE mechanism. The solutions developed for NTN may be applicable to terrestrial network (TN) is possible. In addition, the support of geo-fencing function for earthquake and tsunami warning system (ETWS) may be considered based on NR NTN outcome. Support for indication of intended service area for ETWS may be considered based on NR NTN discussions or outcome. The support for PWS introduced for NB-IoT NTN may also be made applicable for NB-IoT in TN, if this does not require additional NB-IoT TN specific changes.
[0049] For NB-IoT NTN PWS, the corresponding LTE system information blocks (SIBs) may be applied as a baseline. Optimization for the PWS SIBs or some unnecessary fields which may be skipped may be considered.
[0050] The PWS services may include ETWS and commercial mobile alert system (CMAS) . The PWS indication in direct indication information for NB-IoT such as etws-Indication and cmas-Indication may be considered.
[0051] In some mechanisms, PWS message segmentation may be supported. FIG. 2A illustrates PWS architecture 200 for EPS. As shown, a cell broadcast centre (CBC) 240 is responsible for managing cell broadcast service (CBS) messages, e.g., initiating, modifying and terminating CBS messages, and the area (s) where the CBS message is broadcast, upon request from a cell broadcast entity (CBE) 250. A Mobility Management Entity (MME) 230 requests eNB(s) 220 to start or terminate broadcasting the CBS message to the area (s) requested by the CBC 240. The eNB (s) 220 may broadcast the CBS message to UE 210 in the area requested by the CBC 240. In case of ETWS and CMAS over LTE, SIB10, SIB11 and SIB12 are the SIB types to broadcast the ETWS specific message in Uu interface.
[0052] In the S1 interface between the MME 230 and eNB 220, a Write-Replace Warning procedure is used to start the broadcasting of a PWS warning message. The Write-Replace Warning procedure is used to start the broadcasting of a PWS warning message. ETWS is an example of PWS warning system using this procedure where one message at a time may be delivered over the radio. CMAS is another example of PWS warning system using this procedure which allows the broadcast of multiple concurrent warning messages over the radio.
[0053] FIG. 2B illustrates an example signaling flow 260 of the write-replace warning procedure. As shown, the MME 230 may send WRITE-REPLACE WARNING REQUEST message to deliver the PWS message content and the number of times a PWS message is to be broadcast. The procedure is initiated by the MME 230 by sending WRITE-REPLACE WARNING REQUEST message containing at least the Message Identifier, Warning Area list, information on how the broadcast may be performed, and the contents of the warning message to be broadcast. The eNB 220 may respond a WRITE-REPLACE WARNING RESPONSE message to the MME 230, to acknowledge that the requested PWS warning message broadcast was initiated.
[0054] ETWS and CMAS are independent services and ETWS and CMAS messages are differentiated over S1 in order to allow different handling. In the case of ETWS, the Write-Replace Warning procedure can also be used to overwrite the ongoing broadcasting of an ETWS warning message.
[0055] The WRITE-REPLACE WARNING REQUEST is sent by the MME 230 to eNB 220 to request the start or overwrite of the broadcast of a warning message. Table 1 shows several information elements (IEs) of the WRITE-REPLACE WARNING REQUEST. The number of broadcasts requested is also defined in a standard as shown in Table 2, in which MME may request eNB broadcast PWS message multiple times in Uu interface. The Number of Broadcast Requested IE indicates the number of times a message is to be broadcast. The warning message content may be also defined in a standard, as shown in Table 3. The size of this message may be up to 9600 bytes. The Warning Message Content IE contains user information, e.g., the message with warning contents, and will be broadcast over the radio interface. It is to be understood that these IEs, parameters or values shown in Table 1 to Table 3 are only for the purpose of illustration, without suggesting any limitation. Table 1 Table 2 Table 3
[0056] However, in Uu interface, the maximum SI size for SIBs is limited to 2216 bits for LTE, 936 bits for enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC) . Therefore, PWS message segmentation is supported for SIB11 and SIB12 for LTE or eMTC.
[0057] If an original or raw PWS (ETWS / CMAS) message from CBC is too large (up to 9600 bytes) to be sent in a single transmission in air interface, eNB may segment the message to make sure SIB message content does not exceed the maximum TBS size of the system information (SI) .
[0058] Each SIB message may include the segment content (e.g., warningMessageSegment-r9) , the segment index (e.g., warningMessageSegmentNumber-r9) and whether current segment is the last segment (e.g., warningMessageSegmentType-r9) . The network (NW) delivers all the segments that belong to the same raw message to UE. After receiving all segments of the same message, the UE may combine the segments and reassemble the original raw PWS message.
[0059] The physical layer imposes a limit to the maximum size a SIB may take. When downlink control information (DCI) format 1C is used the maximum allowed by the physical layer is 1736 bits (217 bytes) while for format 1A the limit is 2216 bits (277 bytes. For bandwidth-reduced low complexity UEs (BL UEs) and UEs in CE, the maximum SIB and SI message size is 936 bits. For NB-IoT, the maximum SIB and SI message size is 680 bits.
[0060] According to current specification, for the UE receiving the PWS message, the segment feature is only supported for intra-cell case. i.e., if the radio resource control (RRC) idle UE enters a new cell, the UE shall discard any previously buffered warning message segment (i.e. segments received on a previous cell) .
[0061] In some mechanisms, if the UE is ETWS capable, upon entering a cell during RRC_IDLE, following successful handover or upon connection re-establishment, the UE may discard any previously buffered warningMessageSegment; and may clear, if any, the current values of messageIdentifier and serialNumber for SystemInformationBlockType11. If the UE is CMAS capable, upon entering a cell during RRC_IDLE, following successful handover or upon connection re-establishment, the UE may discard any previously buffered warningMessageSegment; and may clear, if any, stored values of messageIdentifier and serialNumber for SystemInformationBlockType12 associated with the discarded warningMessageSegment.
[0062] If the UE is CMAS capable, when the UE acquires SystemInformationBlockType1 following CMAS indication, upon entering a cell during RRC_IDLE, following successful handover and upon connection re-establishment, and if schedulingInfoList indicates that SystemInformationBlockType12 is present, the UE may acquire SystemInformationBlockType12.
[0063] For EMC, a UE may experience cell change about every 6 seconds as indicated in a standard. Therefore, the NW may not manage to broadcast all segments of a PWS message in the current NTN serving cell to a UE due to the large PWS message size (and corresponding huge number of segments) and limited cell availability time (for example, about 6 seconds) . This may cause the UE cannot receive all the segments for the PWS message if the serving cell is changed before the UE receives all the segments.
[0064] Furthermore, whether UE is capable to receive all the segments of a PWS message also depends on when the NW starts to broadcast the segments and the UE’s location. When the satellite or eNB starts to broadcast PWS segments at current moment, the UE located in the cell coverage edge may not receive all the segments from current serving cell since its cell coverage will be moved out very soon.
[0065] If the UE fails to receive all the segments of a PWS message from one NTN cell (as the UE behaviour defined in an approach) , the original PWS message may not be re-built or delivered to UE successfully. Therefore, the inter-cell PWS segment reception needs to be supported for NTN.
[0066] To support the inter-cell PWS segment reception, below two issues need to be addressed: a first issue is how to facilitate the segments received from different cells to be assembled successfully in UE to re-build the original raw PWS message; and a second issue is what’s the UE behaviour to store or clear the buffered segments received from different cells. The UE behaviour is different from those approaches where the UE always clears the buffer when it enters a new cell.
[0067] In order to solve at least part of the above problems or other potential problems, a solution on inter-cell reception of PWS message is proposed. In the solution, a first apparatus such as a terminal device or an NB-IoT device receives via a first cell, a first indication associated with a PWS message and at least one first segment of the PWS message. The first apparatus then switches to or reselects a second cell and receives a second indication associated with the PWS message via the second cell. If the first indication and the second indication indicate an inter-cell reception of the PWS message is enabled by the first and second cells, the first apparatus further receives at least one second segment of the PWS message via the second cell. If the second indication indicates that a segment received via the second cell is part of a last repetition of the PWS message, the first apparatus may be informed that no more repetition of the PWS segment is to be received.
[0068] In this manner, the first apparatus can receive segments of the PWS message from a plurality of cells. Such support of the inter-cell PWS message reception may be indicated to the first apparatus via the plurality of cells. In addition, the cell may indicate whether a last repetition of the PWS message is transmitted.
[0069] FIG. 3 illustrates an example signalling flow 300 for inter-cell PWS message reception in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The signaling flow 300 involves the first apparatus 110, the second apparatus 120 and optional the third apparatus 130 in FIG. 1.
[0070] In operation, the second apparatus 120 transmits (310) , to the first apparatus 110 via a first cell (referred to Cell 1 hereinafter) , a first indication associated with a PWS message and at least one first segment of the PWS message. The first indication indicates a first inter-cell reception flag and / or a first last repetition flag. Correspondingly, the first apparatus 110 receives (315) the first indication and the at least one first segment of the PWS message. The first cell or Cell 1 may be referred to as a current serving cell of the first apparatus 110.
[0071] As used herein, an “inter-cell reception flag” or “PWS inter-cell reception flag” or “inter-cell reception indication” indicates whether an inter-cell reception for PWS is enabled or disabled. If the inter-cell reception flag is true or equal to 1, it means that the inter-cell reception is enabled or supported. Otherwise, if the inter-cell reception flag is false or equal to 0, it means that the inter-cell reception is disabled or not supported.
[0072] As used herein, a “last repetition flag” or “last PWS message repetition flag” or “last_PWS_message_repetition_flag” indicates whether a corresponding segment is part of a last repetition of the PWS message. That is, if the last repetition flag is true or equal to 1, a PWS message segment transmitted associated with the last repetition flag is a last repetition of the PWS message on that cell where the flag is provided. No more repetition of the PWS message is to be transmitted after the last repetition. If the last repetition flag is false or equal to 0, it means that the last repetition of the PWS message has not been transmitted.
[0073] In some example embodiments, an indication associated with the PWS message such as the first indication may be comprised in a SIB, such as SIB1 or other SIB for PWS. The SIB such as SIB1 may indicate a segment size for the PWS message. The inter-cell reception flag in the indication associated with the PWS message may be an explicit flag, or may be implicitly indicated by other parameter such as segment size. For example, a second segment size for the segment of the PWS message received via a second cell being same with a first segment size for the at least one first segment of the PWS message received via the first cell indicates that the inter-cell reception is enabled for the first and second cells. That is, if two cells use a same segment size (which may be referred to as an implicit inter-cell reception flag) for segmentation of the PWS message, the first apparatus 110 may read the corresponding SIBs of these two cells to obtain the segment size and consider that the inter-cell reception is enabled for these two cells.
[0074] As mentioned, the indication associated with the PWS message may be included in a SIB for PWS. The SIB for PWS may be a SIB including a segment of the PWS message. In some example embodiments, the PWS message may be an ETWS message, a CMAS message, or the like. The PWS message may also be referred to as a PWS notification, a PWS alert, or the like. The PWS message may be segmented into more than one segment. The PWS message or at least one segment of the PWS message may be included in a SIB, i.e. delivered using SIB. By way of example, SIB10 such as SystemInformationBlockType10-NB may be used for primary ETWS notification. SIB11 such as SystemInformationBlockType11-NB may be used for secondary ETWS notification. SIB12 such as SystemInformationBlockType12-NB may be used for CMAS notification. The SIB10, SIB 11 and / or SIB 12 which may be referred to as SIB (s) with PWS message or PWS SIB (s) or SIB (s) for PWS, and may include the indication associated with the PWS message. The scheduling information of the PWS SIB (s) may be included in the SIB1, or any other suitable message. It is to be understood that these examples SIBs are only for the purpose of illustration, without suggesting any limitation. Any other suitable message or SIB may be used for the PWS message, and embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited here.
[0075] As mentioned, the information element (IE) SystemInformationBlockType11 may contain an ETWS secondary notification, and the IE SystemInformationBlockType12 may contain a CMAS notification. An example of SystemInformationBlockType11 is shown in Table 4 to Table 6 below. An example of SystemInformationBlockType12 is shown in Table 7 to Table 9 below. It is to be understood that parameters, values and IEs in Table 4 to Table 9 are only for the purpose of illustration, without suggesting any limitation. Any suitable SIB may be applied for the PWS message, and embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited here. Table 4 Table 5 Table 6 Table 7 Table 8 Table 9
[0076] Several example SIBs for the PWS message have been described. The second apparatus 120 may modify these SIBs to add more field or IE. The second apparatus 120 adds the new indication on enabling or disabling the inter-cell reception (that is, the inter-cell reception flag) in the SIB. The new indication may be included in SIB1 or the PWS SIBs (e.g., SIB10, SIB11 or SIB12) . Alternatively, the inter-cell reception flag is implicitly indicated by the segment size (from SIB1 or PWS SIBs) . If the segment size is the same among eNBs / cells, the inter-cell reception is enabled. Otherwise, the inter-cell reception is not supported.
[0077] In addition, in the SIB, the second apparatus 120 indicates a flag on whether current SIB broadcasting is the last repetition for the original PWS message, that is, the last repetition flag. If the second apparatus 120 finds that the current SIB is the last repetition of the PWS message, the second apparatus 120 may set the last_PWS_message_repetition_flag to be true. The SIB to include this flag may be the PWS SIBs. Such last repetition flag may be needed for every segment of the last PWS message repetition. It enables the first apparatus 110 to know whether there will be another opportunity to receive the PWS message in case the first apparatus 110 has missed one or more segments.
[0078] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus 120 may further transmit (320) , to the first apparatus 110 via Cell 1, one or more further PWS segments in SIBs such as SIB10, SIB11, SIB12 or the like. The first apparatus 110 may receive (325) the one or more PWS segments. The first apparatus 110 may buffer (330) the at least one segment for PWS message received from Cell 1. That is, the first apparatus 110 receives the segments from the current serving cell and buffers the segments. The first apparatus 110 reads the first inter-cell reception flag and the last repetition flag from the SIB. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may also buffer further PWS message segments received from previous serving cells supporting the inter-cell reception.
[0079] The first apparatus performs (340) a cell switch from the first cell (Cell 1) to a second cell (referred to as Cell 2 hereinafter) . For example, the first apparatus 110 may perform a cell reselection or a handover to Cell 2. The Cell 2 may be referred to as a new serving cell. The Cell 2 may be provided by the third apparatus 130. Alternatively, the Cell 2 may be provided by the second apparatus 120. That is, the cell switch may be an inter-eNB cell switch, or an intra-eNB cell switch. For the purpose of discussion, some example embodiments will be described with respect to the Cell 2 being associated with the third apparatus 130.
[0080] The third apparatus 130 transmits (350) , to the first apparatus 110 via Cell 2, a second indication associated with PWS message. The second indication includes a second inter-cell reception flag and / or a second last repetition flag. The second inter-cell reception flag indicates whether an inter-cell reception is enabled or disabled for the PWS message. The second last repetition flag indicates whether a corresponding segment is part of a last repetition of the PWS message. The first apparatus 110 receives (355) the second indication. The third apparatus 130 may further transmit (360) , to the first apparatus 110 via Cell 2, one or more PWS segments in SIBs. The first apparatus 110 may receive (365) the one or more PWS segments.
[0081] The first apparatus 110 performs (370) an operation associated with the PWS message based on the first indication and the second indication. For example, the operation at least includes receiving at least one second segment of the PWS message via the second cell. For example, if the first and second inter-cell reception flags indicating the inter-cell reception being enabled for the Cell 1 and Cell 2, the first apparatus 110 may receive the at least one second segment of the PWS message via the second cell. The first apparatus 110 may combine at least the at least one first segment and the at least second segment of the PWS message to obtain the PWS message. For example, the first apparatus 110 may combine the at least one segment of the PWS message and previous buffered segments of the PWS message to reassemble the original PWS message.
[0082] In some example embodiment, the first apparatus 110 may receive a first message identifier and a first serial number identifier of the PWS message via the first cell. The first apparatus 110 may receive a second message identifier and a second serial number identifier of a PWS message via the second cell. If the first message identifier is same with the second message identifier and the first serial number identifier is same with the second serial number identifier, the first apparatus 110 receives the at least one second segment of the PWS message via the second cell. That is, after entering a new serving cell, the first apparatus 110 may first identify whether the new cell is broadcasting the same PWS message as the previous serving, for example, by checking the message identifier (ID) and serial number ID in PWS SIB (such as SIB12) . If the new serving cell broadcasts the same PWS message, and if the inter-cell reception flag is enabled, the first apparatus 110 continues to receive the segments from the new cell. Otherwise, the fist apparatus 110 may receive segments of another PWS message from Cell 2.
[0083] If the first apparatus 110 receives all segments of a same PWS from Cell 1 and Cell 2, the first apparatus 110 may combine these segments to obtain or reassemble the original or raw PWS message. For example, if a received PWS SIB indicates a last segment of the PWS message, the first apparatus 110 may determine that all segments are received and then combine these segments. That is, if a segment flag of a segment of the at least one second segment indicates the segment is the last segment, the first apparatus 110 may combine the at least one first segment and the at least one second segment to obtain the PWS message. In some example embodiments, if the second last repetition flag indicating the at least one second segment including a segment being part of the last repetition of the PWS message, the first apparatus 110 may consider that a last segment was received as part of the last repetition, and then may combine the at least one first segment and the at least one second segment to obtain the PWS message. Otherwise, if the last repetition of the PWS message or the last segment has not been received, the first apparatus 110 may buffer the received segments from Cell 1 and Cell 2, and wait for further segments of the PWS message. Further segments may also be received on further cells.
[0084] In some example embodiments, before combining the at least one first and second segments, the first apparatus 110 may determine whether a segment gap is between the at least one first and second segments. The segment gap may correspond to at least one missing segment. In an embodiment, the first apparatus 110 may determine whether at least one segment is missing based on indexes of the at least one first segment and the at least one second segment. In another embodiment, the first apparatus 110 may determine whether at least one segment is missing based on the number of received bits, a segment size of the at least one second segment and an index of a last segment of the PWS message. That is, the first apparatus 110 may determine whether there is a segment gap among the received segments by checking whether there is a gap between the indexes of the received segments or there are missing bits in the case of different segment sizes being used.
[0085] If a segment gap is found, the first apparatus 110 may determine whether the second last repetition flag indicates the last repetition of the PWS message. If the second last repetition flag indicates the last repetition of the PWS message has not been received or transmitted, the first apparatus 110 may keep buffer the segments from all the serving cells and wait for the next PWS broadcast repetition. For example, if the second last repetition flag indicates the at least one second segment is not the last repetition of the PWS message, the first apparatus 110 may continue to receive at least one further segment of the PWS message from a further cell.
[0086] If a segment gap is found and if the second last repetition flag indicates the last repetition of the PWS message, in an option, the first apparatus 110 may discard the at least one first segment and the at least one second segment. In another option, the first apparatus 110 may transmit, to the Cell 2, a request for at least one missing segment corresponding to the segment gap. For example, the request for the at least one missing segment may include at least one index of the at least one missing segment, or indicate at least one missing bit. The request may be included in at least one of: a message 3 of a random access procedure, or an early data transmission (EDT) in a random access procedure. The third apparatus 130 may transmit, to the first apparatus 110 via the Cell 2, the at least one missing segment, for example via UE-specific signaling. The first apparatus 110 may receive the at least one missing segment via the Cell 2. The at least one missing segment may be included in a message 4 of a random access procedure, and / or a Small Data Transmission (SDT) or EDT in a random access procedure.
[0087] In some example embodiments, if the second inter-cell reception flag indicates the inter-cell reception being disabled, the first apparatus 110 may discard the at least one first segment of the PWS message. The first apparatus 110 may continue to buffer the segments for (message id and serial number) pair from the new serving cell (that is, Cell 2) .
[0088] As mentioned, the second apparatus 120 and / or the third apparatus 130 may transmit segments of the PWS message to the first apparatus 110 via corresponding cell (s) supporting the inter-cell reception (also referred to as inter-cell transmission) . In some example embodiments, before transmitting the PWS message segments, the second apparatus 120 may receive the PWS message from a fourth apparatus (not shown) , such as MME or CBC. The third apparatus 130 may also receive the PWS message from the fourth apparatus. The fourth apparatus may inform a plurality of apparatuses such as eNBs to broadcast a PWS message. In an S1AP message, the fourth apparatus may notify the eNBs “number of Broadcasts Requested” , which means the eNB knows the number of PWS message repetition in air interface and whether current PWS message broadcast is the last repetition.
[0089] The second apparatus 120 may perform an inter-node coordination with the third apparatus 130 for inter-cell reception of the PWS message. That is, after the second apparatus 120 receives the PWS message form the fourth apparatus, the second apparatus 120 performs an inter-node coordination to facilitate inter-cell segments combination in the first apparatus 110.
[0090] The second apparatus 120 may determine a segment size of at least one segment of the PWS message to be transmitted by the second apparatus 120 based on a segment size of at least one segment of the PWS message transmitted by the third apparatus 130. For example, the second apparatus 120 (or Cell 1) and the third apparatus 130 (or Cell 2) may align the segment size. In such cases, each apparatus such as each eNB may perform segmentation independently for the PWS message. The coordination between the eNBs is to make sure the segment size is same among the eNBs.
[0091] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus 120 may determine at least one index of the at least one segment of the PWS message to be transmitted by the second apparatus 120 based on an index of a segment of the PWS message transmitted by the Cell 2 such as the third apparatus 130.
[0092] The second apparatus 120 may transmit, to the third apparatus 130, a segment size of at least one segment of the PWS message to be transmitted by the second apparatus 120, and / or at least one index of the at least one segment of the PWS message to be transmitted by the second apparatus 120.
[0093] The apparatuses or different eNBs may segment the PWS message in different size, but the RRC layer makes sure the original message may be assembled from segments received from different eNB. Different eNB may exchange the segment size. In another example embodiment, different eNB may coordinate the allocation of the segment index (e.g., warningMessageSegmentNumber) . The coordination may include the index start point, to determine the segments broadcast order.
[0094] It is to be understood that although the cell 1 and cell 2 are illustrated as being associated with different apparatuses in the signaling flow 300 and the following signaling flows, in some example embodiments, the cell switch or cell reselection may be performed between cells associated with a same apparatus. For example, the cell 2 may be a cell provided by the second apparatus 120 instead of the third apparatus 130 in some example embodiments. That is, the inter-cell PWS reception may be performed by intra-gBN or intra-eNB cells or inter-gNB or inter-eNB cells. Although two cells are illustrated in the signaling flow 300 and the following signaling flows, there may be more than two cells for the inter-cell PWS receptions. Scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.
[0095] Several example embodiments regarding the inter-cell PWS reception have been described. For SIB messages with PWS segments, these example embodiments propose a new procedure for NW and UE to enable the NTN UE to support inter-cell reception and then combine the segments from different cells to assemble the original or raw PWS message. Additionally, these embodiments also propose when the UE may clear its buffered segments or to request new segments based on whether there is a segment gap (i.e. a missing segment) between the received segments. Further example embodiments will be described with respect to FIG. 4 to FIG. 7. FIG. 4 illustrates another example signaling flow 400 for inter-cell PWS message reception in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The signaling flow 400 involves the first apparatus 110, the second apparatus 120 and the third apparatus 130 in FIG. 1.
[0096] In operation, the second apparatus 120 transmits (410) , to the first apparatus 110 via a first cell (referred to as Cell 1) , SIB with segment for PWS message. Correspondingly, the first apparatus 110 receives (415) the SIB with segment for PWS message. The SIB includes an inter-cell reception indication and a last PWS message repetition flag. For example, the inter-cell reception indication is set to true or 1, and the PWS message repetition flag is set to false or 0. The SIB may include SIB10, SIB11, SIB12, and the like. The second apparatus 120 may further transmit (420) one or more PWS segments in SIBs to the first apparatus 110. The first apparatus 110 may receive (425) these PWS segments. The first apparatus 110 may buffer (430) the segments for the PWS message received via the first cell. That is, the first apparatus 110 receives the segments from current serving cell and buffers the segments. The first apparatus 110 reads the inter-cell reception indication and the last_PWS_message_repetition_flag from the SIB.
[0097] In some cases, the first apparatus 110 performs (440) a cell switch to a second cell (referred to as Cell 2) . For example, the first apparatus 110 may reselect to Cell 2. The Cell 2 may be provided by the third apparatus 130. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the Cell 2 may be provided by the second apparatus 120. For the purpose of discussion, some example embodiments will be described with respect to the Cell 2 being provided by the third apparatus 130.
[0098] The third apparatus 130 transmits (450) , to the first apparatus via the Cell 2, SIB with segment for PWS message, where the SIB includes an inter-cell reception indication and a last PWS message repetition flag. In response to receiving (455) the SIB from the Cell 2, the first apparatus 110 may determine (460) whether the inter-cell reception is enabled in Cell 1 and Cell 2 for the PWS message. If both inter-cell reception indications from Cell 1 and Cell 2 are true or equal to 1, the first apparatus 110 may determine (460) that the inter-cell reception for PWS message is enabled. Thus, the first apparatus 110 may continue (465) buffering the segments for the PWS message. For example, the third apparatus 130 transmits (470) , to the first apparatus 110 via Cell 2, one or more PWS segments in SIBs. The first apparatus 110 receives (475) the one or more PWS segments accordingly. The first apparatus 110 may buffer these PWS segments.
[0099] In some example embodiments, after the first apparatus 110 entering a new serving cell, the first apparatus 110 may firstly identify whether the new cell is broadcasting the same PWS message as previous serving cell, for example, by checking the message id and serial number id in PWS SIB (e.g., SIB12) . Same pair means the same message. If the new serving cell broadcasts the same PWS message, and if the inter-cell reception indication is enabled, the first apparatus 110 continues to receive the segments from the new cell.
[0100] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may determine (480) whether all segments for the PWS message are received. For example, if the last PWS message repetition flag in the SIB from Cell 2 indicates that the last PWS message repetition is received, the first apparatus 110 may determine (480) whether all segments for the PWS message are received by checking whether there is a segment gap between the PWS segments from Cell 1 and Cell 2.
[0101] The first apparatus 110 may determine (480) all segments or part of segments were received, by verifying if all the segments indexed from zero to the one indicated as last segment (i.e., warningMessageSegmentType = lastSegment) were received. The first apparatus 110 may determine all or part of segments were received by checking the indexes if the segment size is the same across the cells. If the segment size is not the same across the cells, the first apparatus 110 may need to determine whether it has received all relevant bits based on the segment size of the current cell and the segment index of the last segment.
[0102] If the first apparatus 110 determines (480) that all segments for the PWS message are received, the first apparatus 110 may reassemble (490) the PWS segments received from Cell 1 and Cell 2.
[0103] In this way, the PWS message may be transmitted to the first apparatus 110 via a plurality of cells. By allowing the first apparatus 110 to support the inter-cell reception of PWS segments, the original PWS message may be assembled by combining PWS segments from cells. Such solution may be applied for NTN where the cells are moving and UE often experiences cell changes.
[0104] FIG. 5 illustrates another example signaling flow 500 for inter-cell PWS message reception in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The signaling flow 500 involves the first apparatus 110, the second apparatus 120 and the third apparatus 130 in FIG. 1.
[0105] Similar to the signaling flow 400, in the signaling 500, the first apparatus 110 receives (415 / 425) PWS segments from Cell 1 and may buffer (430) the segments for the PWS message. The first apparatus 110 then performs (430) a cell switch to Cell 2 of the third apparatus 130. The first apparatus 110 receives (455) SIB with segment for PWS message from Cell 2. The first apparatus 110 determines (460) that the inter-cell reception is enabled for Cell 1 and Cell 2, and continues (465) buffering the segments for the PWS message. The first apparatus 110 receives (475) one or more PWS segments in SIBs from Cell 2.
[0106] In some example embodiments, the third apparatus 130 transmits (510) , to the first apparatus 110 via Cell 2, SIB with PWS segment and a last PWS message repetition flag being true. The first apparatus 110 receives (515) the SIB with the last PWS message repetition flag being true. The first apparatus 110 may determine (520) whether at least one segment for the PWS message is missing from the received PWS segments from Cell 1 and Cell 2.
[0107] The first apparatus 110 may verify if all the segments indexed from zero to the one indicated as last segment (i.e., warningMessageSegmentType = lastSegment) were received if the segment size is the same across the cells. If the segment size is not the same across the cells, the first apparatus 110 may need to determine whether it has received all relevant bits based on the segment size of the current cell and the segment index of the last segment.
[0108] The first apparatus 110 may determine if there is a segment gap among the received segments by checking whether there is a gap between the index of the received segments or there are missing bits (in the case of different segment sizes) . If not all the segments indexed from zero to the last segment were received or if not all relevant bits were received, the first apparatus 110 determines (520) that at least one segment for the PWS message is missing. In other words, a segment gap is found between the received PWS segments. In such situation, the first apparatus 110 may check the last PWS message repetition flag. If the last PWS message repetition flag from the Cell 2 indicates the PWS segments from Cell 2 are not part of the last PWS message repetition, the first apparatus 110 may keep the buffered segments from all the serving cells and waits for the next PWS broadcast repetition.
[0109] If the last PWS message repetition from Cell 2 is true and there is a segment gap (i.e. at least one segment is missing) among the received segments, a signaling flow 600 in FIG. 6 may be applied. The signaling flow 600 involves the first apparatus 110, the second apparatus 120 and the third apparatus 130 in FIG. 1.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 6, in an option 610, the first apparatus 110 may discard (620) the PWS segments received from Cells. For example, the first apparatus 110 may clear the previous buffered segments.
[0111] In another option 630, the first apparatus 110 may transmit (640) , to the third apparatus 130 via Cell 2, a request for the missing PWS segment (s) . For example, the request for the missing PWS segment (s) may be via a random access procedure or an early data transmission (EDT) . The request may include corresponding index (es) or bit range of the missing PWS segment (s) . The request may be part of Msg3 of a random access procedure or Msg3 of EDT. For example, one or more missing segment IDs or missing bit range may be indicated as part of Msg3.
[0112] In response to receiving (645) the request, the third apparatus 130 may transmit (650) the missing PWS segment (s) to the first apparatus 110, for example, via UE-specific signaling. The first apparatus 110 may receive (655) the missing PWS segment (s) . The first apparatus 110 then may reassemble (660) the PWS segments from Cells to obtain an original PWS message.
[0113] In this way, the first apparatus 110 may identify the missing PWS segment and obtain the missing PWS segment from the network. The original PWS message can thus be reassembled.
[0114] FIG. 7 illustrates another example signaling flow 400 for inter-cell PWS message reception in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The signaling flow 700 involves the first apparatus 110, the second apparatus 120 and the third apparatus 130 in FIG. 1.
[0115] In operation, the second apparatus 120 transmits (710) , to the first apparatus 110 via a first cell (referred to as Cell 1) , SIB with segment for PWS message. Correspondingly, the first apparatus 110 receives (715) the SIB with segment for PWS message. The SIB includes an inter-cell reception indication and a last PWS message repetition flag. For example, the inter-cell reception indication is set to true or 1, and the PWS message repetition flag is set to false or 0. The SIB may include SIB10, SIB11, SIB12, and the like. The second apparatus 120 may further transmit (720) one or more PWS segments in SIBs to the first apparatus 110. The first apparatus 110 may receive (725) these PWS segments. The first apparatus 110 may buffer (730) the segments for the PWS message received via the first cell. That is, the first apparatus 110 receives the segments from current serving cell and buffers the segments. The first apparatus 110 reads the inter-cell reception indication and the last_PWS_message_repetition_flag from the SIB.
[0116] In some cases, the first apparatus 110 performs (740) a cell switch to a second cell (referred to as Cell 2) . For example, the first apparatus 110 may reselect to Cell 2. The Cell 2 may be provided by the third apparatus 130. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the Cell 2 may be provided by the second apparatus 120. For the purpose of discussion, some example embodiments will be described with respect to the Cell 2 being provided by the third apparatus 130.
[0117] The third apparatus 130 may transmit (750) , to the first apparatus 110 via Cell 2, SIB including an inter-cell reception indication being set to false or 0. In response to receiving (755) the SIB, the first apparatus 110 determines (760) that the inter-cell reception for PWS message is disabled for Cell 2. In such situation, the first apparatus 110 may clear (770) the previously buffered segments for the PWS message. That is, the PWS segments may be discarded. The second apparatus 120 further transmits (780) one or more PWS segments in SIBs. The first apparatus 110 receives (785) these PWS segments. The first apparatus 110 may buffer (790) the PWS segments from Cell 2. The first apparatus 110 may reassemble the PWS message from Cell 2 after receiving all PWS segments from Cell 2. This PWS message may be transmitted by Cell 2 itself.
[0118] In this manner, if a new serving cell does not support the inter-cell reception for PWS message, the previous buffered PWS segments may be cleared. The storage resource of the first apparatus 110 may thus be saved.
[0119] Several example embodiments for inter-cell PWS reception have been described. With these embodiments, the PWS message reception can be enhanced even for those UEs served by moving cells of moving NTN device.
[0120] It would be appreciated that some example specifications, signaling flows and embodiments are provided above, and the detailed description may be varied. It is to be understood that these signaling flows 300, 400, 500, 600 and / or 700 may be used separately, or in any suitable combinations. Some example embodiments, operations or features described with respect to one of these signaling flows 300, 400, 500, 600 and / or 700 may be applied to another of these signaling flows. Part of one of these signaling flows 300, 400, 500, 600 and / or 700 may be applied in combination with part of another signaling flow. It is to be understood that these signaling flows 300, 400, 500, 600 and / or 700 may involve any other suitable operations or signaling not shown.
[0121] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an example method 800 implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 800 will be described from the perspective of the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.
[0122] At block 810, the first apparatus 110 receives, from a second apparatus via a first cell, a first indication associated with a PWS message and at least one first segment of the PWS message. The first indication indicates at least one of a first inter-cell reception flag or a first last repetition flag.
[0123] At block 820, the first apparatus 110 performs a cell switch from the first cell to a second cell.
[0124] At block 830, the first apparatus 110 receives, via the second cell, a second indication including at least one of a second inter-cell reception flag or a second last repetition flag. An inter-cell reception flag indicates whether an inter-cell reception is enabled or disabled for the PWS message, and a last repetition flag indicates whether a corresponding segment is part of a last repetition of the PWS message.
[0125] At block 840, the first apparatus 110 performs an operation associated with the PWS message based on the first indication and the second indication. The operation at least comprises receiving at least one second segment of the PWS message via the second cell.
[0126] In some example embodiments, the operation associated with the PWS may include receiving the at least one second segment of the PWS message via the second cell based on the first and second inter-cell reception flags indicating the inter-cell reception being enabled; and combining at least the at least one first segment and the at least second segment of the PWS message to obtain the PWS message.
[0127] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises: receiving a first message identifier and a first serial number identifier of the PWS message via the first cell; receiving a second message identifier and a second serial number identifier of a PWS message via the second cell; and based on the first message identifier being same with the second message identifier and the first serial number identifier being same with the second serial number identifier, receiving the at least one second segment of the PWS message via the second cell.
[0128] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises: combining the at least one first segment and the at least one second segment to obtain the PWS message in response to at least one of: the second last repetition flag indicating the at least one second segment including a segment being part of the last repetition of the PWS message, or a segment flag of a segment of the at least one second segment indicates the segment is the last segment.
[0129] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises: determining whether a segment gap is between the at least one first segment and the at least one second segment; in accordance with a determination that a segment gap is between the at least one first segment and the at least one second segment, determining whether the second last repetition flag indicates the last repetition of the PWS message; and in response to the second last repetition flag indicating the last repetition of the PWS message, performing at least one of: discarding the at least one first segment and the at least one second segment; or transmitting, to the second cell, a request for at least one missing segment corresponding to the segment gap.
[0130] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises: determining whether the segment gap is between the at least one first segment and the at least one second segment based on at least one of: indexes of the at least one first segment and the at least one second segment, or the number of received bits, a segment size of the at least one second segment and an index of a last segment of the PWS message.
[0131] In some example embodiments, the request for the at least one missing segment includes at least one index of the at least one missing segment, and the request is included in at least one of: a message 3 of a random access procedure, or an early data transmission in a random access procedure.
[0132] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises: receiving, via the second cell, the at least one missing segment.
[0133] In some example embodiments, the at least one missing segment is included in at least one of: a message 4 of a random access procedure, or an early data transmission in a random access procedure.
[0134] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises: based on the second inter-cell reception flag indicating the inter-cell reception being disabled, discarding the at least one first segment of the PWS message.
[0135] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises: in response to the second last repetition flag indicating the at least one second segment is not the last repetition of the PWS message, continuing to receive at least one further segment of the PWS message from a further cell.
[0136] In some example embodiments, the first indication is comprised in a system information block.
[0137] In some example embodiments, the system information block indicates a segment size for the PWS message, wherein a second segment size for the PWS message of a second cell being same with a first segment size for the PWS message of the first cell indicates that the inter-cell reception is enabled for the first and second cells.
[0138] In some example embodiments, the system information block comprises at least one of: a system information block one, or a system information block for PWS.
[0139] In some example embodiments, the second cell is provided by the second apparatus or a third apparatus.
[0140] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of an example method 900 implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 900 will be described from the perspective of the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.
[0141] At block 910, the second apparatus 120 transmits, to a first apparatus via a first cell, a first indication associated with a PWS message and at least one first segment of the PWS message. The first indication indicates at least one of: a first inter-cell reception flag or a first last repetition flag. An inter-cell reception flag indicates whether an inter-cell reception is enabled or disabled for the PWS message, and a last repetition flag indicates whether a corresponding segment is part of a last repetition of the PWS message.
[0142] In some example embodiments, the first indication is comprised in a system information block.
[0143] In some example embodiments, the system information block indicates a segment size for the PWS message, wherein a first segment size for the PWS message of the first cell being same with a second segment size for the PWS message of a second cell indicates that the inter-cell reception is enabled for the first and second cells.
[0144] In some example embodiments, the method 900 further comprises: receiving the PWS message from a fourth apparatus; and performing an inter-node coordination with a third apparatus for inter-cell reception of the PWS message.
[0145] In some example embodiments, the method 900 further comprises: determining a segment size of at least one segment of the PWS message to be transmitted by the second apparatus based on a segment size of at least one segment of the PWS message transmitted by the third apparatus.
[0146] In some example embodiments, the method 900 further comprises: determining at least one index of the at least one segment of the PWS message to be transmitted by the second apparatus based on an index of a segment of the PWS message transmitted by the third apparatus.
[0147] In some example embodiments, the method 900 further comprises: transmitting, to the third apparatus, at least one of: a segment size of at least one segment of the PWS message to be transmitted by the second apparatus, or at least one index of the at least one segment of the PWS message to be transmitted by the second apparatus.
[0148] In some example embodiments, the method 900 further comprises: receiving, from the first apparatus, a request for at least one missing segment of the PWS message; and transmitting the at least one missing segment of the PWS message to the first apparatus.
[0149] In some example embodiments, at least one index of the at least one missing segment is included in at least one of: a message 3 of a random access procedure, or an early data transmission in a random access procedure to the second apparatus.
[0150] In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 800 (for example, the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 800. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.
[0151] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus via a first cell, a first indication associated with a PWS message and at least one first segment of the PWS message, the first indication indicating at least one of a first inter-cell reception flag or a first last repetition flag; means for performing a cell switch from the first cell to a second cell; means for receiving, via the second cell, a second indication including at least one of a second inter-cell reception flag or a second last repetition flag, where an inter-cell reception flag indicates whether an inter-cell reception is enabled or disabled for the PWS message, and a last repetition flag indicates whether a corresponding segment is part of a last repetition of the PWS message; and means for performing an operation associated with the PWS message based on the first indication and the second indication, wherein the operation at least comprises receiving at least one second segment of the PWS message via the second cell.
[0152] In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method 900 (for example, the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 900. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.
[0153] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a first apparatus via a first cell, a first indication associated with a PWS message and at least one first segment of the PWS message, the first indication indicating at least one of: a first inter-cell reception flag or a first last repetition flag, where an inter-cell reception flag indicates whether an inter-cell reception is enabled or disabled for the PWS message, and a last repetition flag indicates whether a corresponding segment is part of a last repetition of the PWS message.
[0154] FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of a device 1000 that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 1000 may be provided to implement a communication device, for example, the first apparatus 110 or the second apparatus 120 as shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the device 1000 includes one or more processors 1010, one or more memories 1020 coupled to the processor 1010, and one or more communication modules 1040 coupled to the processor 1010.
[0155] The communication module 1040 is for bidirectional communications. The communication module 1040 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interfaces may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 1040 may include at least one antenna.
[0156] The processor 1010 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may include one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 1000 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.
[0157] The memory 1020 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of the non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 1024, an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM) , a flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc (CD) , a digital video disk (DVD) , an optical disk, a laser disk, and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of the volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a random-access memory (RAM) 1022 and other volatile memories that will not last in the power-down duration.
[0158] A computer program 1030 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 1010. The instructions of the program 1030 may include instructions for performing operations / acts of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The program 1030 may be stored in the memory, e.g., the ROM 1024. The processor 1010 may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 1030 into the RAM 1022.
[0159] The example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program 1030 so that the device 1000 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 9. The example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.
[0160] In some example embodiments, the program 1030 may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device 1000 (such as in the memory 1020) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device 1000. The device 1000 may load the program 1030 from the computer readable medium to the RAM 1022 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may include any types of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. The term “non-transitory, ” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM) .
[0161] FIG. 11 shows an example of the computer readable medium 1100 which may be in form of CD, DVD or other optical storage disk. The computer readable medium 1100 has the program 1030 stored thereon.
[0162] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, and other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. Although various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representations, it is to be understood that the block, apparatus, system, technique or method described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.
[0163] Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, such as a non-transitory computer readable medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor, to carry out any of the methods as described above. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.
[0164] Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.
[0165] In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrier include a signal, computer readable medium, and the like.
[0166] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM) , a read-only memory (ROM) , an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) , an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) , an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.
[0167] Further, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, although several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Unless explicitly stated, certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, unless explicitly stated, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in a plurality of embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.
[0168] Although the present disclosure has been described in languages specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
Claims
1.A first apparatus comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to:receive, from a second apparatus via a first cell, a first indication associated with a public warning system (PWS) message and at least one first segment of the PWS message, the first indication indicating at least one of a first inter-cell reception flag or a first last repetition flag;perform a cell switch from the first cell to a second cell;receive, via the second cell, a second indication including at least one of a second inter-cell reception flag or a second last repetition flag, wherein an inter-cell reception flag indicates whether an inter-cell reception is enabled or disabled for the PWS message, and a last repetition flag indicates whether a corresponding segment is part of a last repetition of the PWS message; andperform an operation associated with the PWS message based on the first indication and the second indication, wherein the operation at least comprises receiving at least one second segment of the PWS message via the second cell.2.The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operation associated with the PWS comprises:receiving the at least one second segment of the PWS message via the second cell based on the first and second inter-cell reception flags indicating the inter-cell reception being enabled; andcombining at least the at least one first segment and the at least second segment of the PWS message to obtain the PWS message.3.The first apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first apparatus is further caused to:receive a first message identifier and a first serial number identifier of the PWS message via the first cell;receive a second message identifier and a second serial number identifier of a PWS message via the second cell; andbased on the first message identifier being same with the second message identifier and the first serial number identifier being same with the second serial number identifier, receive the at least one second segment of the PWS message via the second cell.4.The first apparatus of any of claims 1-3, wherein the first apparatus is further caused to:combine the at least one first segment and the at least one second segment to obtain the PWS message in response to at least one of:the second last repetition flag indicating the at least one second segment including a segment being part of the last repetition of the PWS message, ora segment flag of a segment of the at least one second segment indicating the segment is the last segment.5.The first apparatus of any of claims 1-4, wherein the first apparatus is further caused to:determine whether a segment gap is between the at least one first segment and the at least one second segment;in accordance with a determination that a segment gap is between the at least one first segment and the at least one second segment, determine whether the second last repetition flag indicates the last repetition of the PWS message; andin response to the second last repetition flag indicating the last repetition of the PWS message, perform at least one of:discarding the at least one first segment and the at least one second segment; ortransmitting, to the second cell, a request for at least one missing segment corresponding to the segment gap.6.The first apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first apparatus is further caused to:determine whether the segment gap is between the at least one first segment and the at least one second segment based on at least one of:indexes of the at least one first segment and the at least one second segment, orthe number of received bits, a segment size of the at least one second segment and an index of a last segment of the PWS message.7.The first apparatus of claim 5 or 6, wherein the request for the at least one missing segment includes at least one index of the at least one missing segment, and the request is included in at least one of: a message 3 of a random access procedure, or an early data transmission in a random access procedure.8.The first apparatus of any of claims 5-7, wherein the first apparatus is further caused to:receive, via the second cell, the at least one missing segment.9.The first apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one missing segment is included in at least one of: a message 4 of a random access procedure, or an early data transmission in a random access procedure.10.The first apparatus of any of claims 1-9, wherein the first apparatus is further caused to:based on the second inter-cell reception flag indicating the inter-cell reception being disabled, discard the at least one first segment of the PWS message.11.The first apparatus of any of claims 1-10, wherein the first apparatus is further caused to:in response to the second last repetition flag indicating the at least one second segment is not the last repetition of the PWS message, continue to receive at least one further segment of the PWS message from a further cell.12.The first apparatus of any of claims 1-11, wherein the first indication is comprised in a system information block.13.The first apparatus of claim 12, wherein the system information block indicates a segment size for the PWS message, wherein a second segment size for the PWS message of a second cell being same with a first segment size for the PWS message of the first cell indicates that the inter-cell reception is enabled for the first and second cells.14.The first apparatus of claim 12 or 13, wherein the system information block comprises at least one of: a system information block one, or a system information block for PWS.15.The first apparatus of any of claims 1-14, wherein the second cell is provided by the second apparatus or a third apparatus.16.A second apparatus comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus to:transmit, to a first apparatus via a first cell, a first indication associated with a public warning system (PWS) message and at least one first segment of the PWS message, the first indication indicating at least one of: a first inter-cell reception flag or a first last repetition flag,wherein an inter-cell reception flag indicates whether an inter-cell reception is enabled or disabled for the PWS message, and a last repetition flag indicates whether a corresponding segment is part of a last repetition of the PWS message.17.The second apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first indication is comprised in a system information block.18.The second apparatus of claim 17, wherein the system information block indicates a segment size for the PWS message, wherein a first segment size for the PWS message of the first cell being same with a second segment size for the PWS message of a second cell indicates that the inter-cell reception is enabled for the first and second cells.19.The second apparatus of any of claims 16-18, wherein the second apparatus is further caused to:receive the PWS message from a fourth apparatus; andperform an inter-node coordination with a third apparatus for inter-cell reception of the PWS message.20.The second apparatus of claim 19, wherein the second apparatus is further caused to:determine a segment size of at least one segment of the PWS message to be transmitted by the second apparatus based on a segment size of at least one segment of the PWS message transmitted by the third apparatus.21.The second apparatus of claim 19 or 20, wherein the second apparatus is further caused to:determine at least one index of the at least one segment of the PWS message to be transmitted by the second apparatus based on an index of a segment of the PWS message transmitted by the third apparatus.22.The second apparatus of claim 19, wherein the second apparatus is further caused to:transmit, to the third apparatus, at least one of:a segment size of at least one segment of the PWS message to be transmitted by the second apparatus, orat least one index of the at least one segment of the PWS message to be transmitted by the second apparatus.23.The second apparatus of any of claims 16-22, wherein the second apparatus is further caused to:receive, from the first apparatus, a request for at least one missing segment of the PWS message; andtransmit the at least one missing segment of the PWS message to the first apparatus.24.The second apparatus of claim 23, wherein at least one index of the at least one missing segment is included in at least one of: a message 3 of a random access procedure, or an early data transmission in a random access procedure to the second apparatus.25.A method comprising:receiving, at a first apparatus from a second apparatus via a first cell, a first indication associated with a public warning system (PWS) message and at least one first segment of the PWS message, the first indication indicating at least one of a first inter-cell reception flag or a first last repetition flag;performing a cell switch from the first cell to a second cell;receiving, via the second cell, a second indication including at least one of a second inter-cell reception flag or a second last repetition flag, wherein an inter-cell reception flag indicates whether an inter-cell reception is enabled or disabled for the PWS message, and a last repetition flag indicates whether a corresponding segment is part of a last repetition of the PWS message; andperforming an operation associated with the PWS message based on the first indication and the second indication, wherein the operation at least comprises receiving at least one second segment of the PWS message via the second cell.26.A method comprising:transmitting, at a second apparatus to a first apparatus via a first cell, a first indication associated with a public warning system (PWS) message and at least one first segment of the PWS message, the first indication indicating at least one of: a first inter-cell reception flag or a first last repetition flag,wherein an inter-cell reception flag indicates whether an inter-cell reception is enabled or disabled for the PWS message, and a last repetition flag indicates whether a corresponding segment is part of a last repetition of the PWS message.27.A first apparatus comprising:means for receiving, from a second apparatus via a first cell, a first indication associated with a public warning system (PWS) message and at least one first segment of the PWS message, the first indication indicating at least one of a first inter-cell reception flag or a first last repetition flag;means for performing a cell switch from the first cell to a second cell;means for receiving, via the second cell, a second indication including at least one of a second inter-cell reception flag or a second last repetition flag, wherein an inter-cell reception flag indicates whether an inter-cell reception is enabled or disabled for the PWS message, and a last repetition flag indicates whether a corresponding segment is part of a last repetition of the PWS message; andmeans for performing an operation associated with the PWS message based on the first indication and the second indication, wherein the operation at least comprises receiving at least one second segment of the PWS message via the second cell.28.A second apparatus comprising:means for transmitting, to a first apparatus via a first cell, a first indication associated with a public warning system (PWS) message and at least one first segment of the PWS message, the first indication indicating at least one of: a first inter-cell reception flag or a first last repetition flag,wherein an inter-cell reception flag indicates whether an inter-cell reception is enabled or disabled for the PWS message, and a last repetition flag indicates whether a corresponding segment is part of a last repetition of the PWS message.29.A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus at least to perform the method of claim 25 or the method of claim 26.