Paging early indication (PEI)

Abstract

A first apparatus in a mobile communications system comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a second apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration; receive, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message; monitor a first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI, wherein the first paging indication indicates that a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored; monitor a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position, wherein the second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus; and monitor the subsequent paging occasion based on the first paging indication and the second paging indication.

Description

[0001] Paging Early Indication

[0002] Field

[0003] Example embodiments may relate to user equipments, network nodes, methods and / or computer programs for use in mobile communication systems. More particularly, the example embodiments relate to Paging Early Indication.

[0004] Background

[0005] In 5G, paging is the mechanism by which the network alerts User Equipment (UE) about incoming data, messages, or calls when the device is in R.R.C idle or inactive mode and for limited purposes (e.g. indication of emergency situations) when the device is in R.R.C connected mode. This process enables UEs to stay in low-power states, waking only to monitor for relevant information from the network, thereby saving battery life. The paging cycle defines the interval at which the UE checks for paging messages, with longer cycles favoring energy savings and shorter cycles enabling faster notification. Within each cycle, specific Paging Frames (PF) are designated for potential paging messages to the UEs.

[0006] To optimize this process further, 5G employs UE grouping, a method that organizes UEs into distinct groups based on their unique identifiers (UE IDs). This distribution spreads the paging load, preventing large numbers of UEs from being paged in a single occasion and thus attempting to access the network simultaneously. Based on the unique identifiers, each UE is assigned to a specific group with its designated PF and specific Paging Occasion (PO). Within these PF, each group listens for paging messages at its PO, allowing UEs to remain in low-power mode and wake up only as needed (to monitor for paging and when the UE is paged, in which case UE ID is listed in the paging record of the paging message).

[0007] Additionally, 5G introduces a Paging Early Indication (PEI) concept, where an early signal notifies UEs about whether they should monitor an upcoming PO, allowing UE to monitor next PO only if there is a message, reducing the time they spend actively monitoring for a message.There remains a need for further improvement in PEI messaging for overall energy saving (UE energy saving, and / or network energy saving (NES)).

[0008] Summary

[0009] The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the invention is set out by the independent claims. The embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the invention.

[0010] According to a first aspect, this specification describes a first apparatus in a mobile communications system comprising: means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration; means for receiving, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message; means for monitoring a first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI, wherein the first paging indication indicates that a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored; means for monitoring a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position, wherein the second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus; and means for monitoring the subsequent paging occasion based on the first paging indication and the second paging indication.

[0011] In some examples, the second paging indication is comprised in one or more bits of a paging indication field that are unused by the first paging indication, and by tracking reference signal bits.

[0012] In some examples, the subsequent paging occasion is monitored if: the first paging indication indicates that the paging occasion is to be monitored, and the second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus.In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for a plurality of user equipment (UE).

[0013] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding subgroup that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.

[0014] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding paging occasion that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.

[0015] In some examples, the first apparatus further comprises means for determining the second at least one bit position based, at least in part, on a number of paging occasions addressed by the PEI message, a number of subgroups per paging occasion, or a number of bits used for tracking reference signal (TRS) indication.

[0016] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is determined based on equation:

[0017] (Npo' ■ K + TRS_bits)

[0018] where:

[0019] NPO' = number of POs addressed by the PEI message;

[0020] K = N^G the number of subgroups per PO;

[0021] TRS_bits = bits used for TRS indication.

[0022] In some examples, the first apparatus further comprises means for monitoring the subsequent paging occasion if a first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to '1' and a second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'.

[0023] In some examples, the first apparatus further comprises means for monitoring a third bit position, wherein the third bit position is indicative of whether to flip a determination corresponding to the first bit position.

[0024] In some examples, the first apparatus further comprises means for monitoring the subsequent paging occasion if the first at least one bit of the first bit positionis set to 'O', a third bit of the third bit position is set to '1', and the second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'.

[0025] In some examples, the first apparatus is a user equipment (UE), and the second apparatus is a base station (gNB).

[0026] In some examples, the PEI message is comprised in a downlink control information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0027] According to a second aspect, this specification describes a second apparatus in a mobile communications system comprising: means for sending, to a first apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration; means for sending, to the first apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message; means for setting a value of a first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI, wherein the first paging indication indicates whether a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored; means for setting a value of a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position of the DCI wherein the second paging indication indicates whether the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus; and means for configuring the first apparatus to monitor the subsequent paging occasion based on at least one of the first paging indication and the second paging indication.

[0028] In some examples, the second apparatus further comprises means for setting a first at least one bit of the first bit position to '1' if first paging indication is to indicate that the paging occasion is to be monitored; and means for setting a second at least one bit of the second bit position to '1' if the second paging indication is to indicate that the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus.

[0029] In some examples, the second paging indication is comprised in one or more bits of a paging indication field that are unused by the first paging indication, and by tracking reference signal bits.

[0030] In some examples, the second apparatus further comprises means for configuring the first apparatus to monitor the paging occasion if: the first pagingindication indicates that the paging occasion is to be monitored, and the second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus.

[0031] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for a plurality of user equipment (UE).

[0032] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding subgroup that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.

[0033] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding paging occasion that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.

[0034] In some examples, the second apparatus further comprises means for sending, to the first apparatus, a third paging indication comprised in a third bit position of the DCI, wherein the third paging indication is indicative of whether the first apparatus should flip a determination corresponding to the first bit position.

[0035] In some examples, the second apparatus further comprises means for configuring the first apparatus to monitor the subsequent paging occasion if the first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to 'O', a third bit of the third bit position is set to '1', and the second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'.

[0036] In some examples, the first apparatus is a user equipment (UE), and the second apparatus is a base station (gNB).

[0037] In some examples, the PEI message is comprised in a downlink control information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0038] According to a third aspect, this specification describes a method performed at a first apparatus in a mobile communications system comprising: receiving, from a second apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration; receiving, fromthe second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message; monitoring a first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI, wherein the first paging indication indicates that a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored; monitoring a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position, wherein the second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus;

[0039] and monitoring the subsequent paging occasion based on the first paging indication and the second paging indication.

[0040] In some examples, the second paging indication is comprised in one or more bits of a paging indication field that are unused by the first paging indication, and by tracking reference signal bits.

[0041] In some examples, the subsequent paging occasion is monitored if: the first paging indication indicates that the paging occasion is to be monitored, and the second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus.

[0042] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for a plurality of user equipment (UE).

[0043] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding subgroup that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.

[0044] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding paging occasion that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.

[0045] In some examples, the method further comprises determining the second at least one bit position based, at least in part, on a number of paging occasions addressed by the PEI message, a number of subgroups per paging occasion, or a number of bits used for tracking reference signal (TRS) indication.In some examples, the second at least one bit position is determined based on equation:

[0046] (Npo' ■ K + TRS_bits)

[0047] where:

[0048] NPO' = number of POs addressed by the PEI message;

[0049] K = N^G the number of subgroups per PO;

[0050] TRS_bits = bits used for TRS indication.

[0051] In some examples, the method further comprises monitoring the subsequent paging occasion if a first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to '1' and a second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'.

[0052] In some examples, the method further comprises monitoring a third bit position, wherein the third bit position is indicative of whether to flip a determination corresponding to the first bit position.

[0053] In some examples, the method comprises monitoring the subsequent paging occasion if the first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to 'O', a third bit of the third bit position is set to '1', and the second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'.

[0054] In some examples, the first apparatus is a user equipment (UE), and the second apparatus is a base station (gNB).

[0055] In some examples, the PEI message is comprised in a downlink control information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0056] According to a fourth aspect, this specification describes method performed at a second apparatus in a mobile communications system, the method comprising: sending, to a first apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration; sending, to the first apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message; setting a value of a first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI, wherein the first paging indication indicates whether a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored; setting a value of a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position of the DCIwherein the second paging indication indicates whether the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus; and configuring the first apparatus to monitor the subsequent paging occasion based on at least one of the first paging indication and the second paging indication.

[0057] In some examples, the method further comprises setting a first at least one bit of the first bit position to '1' if first paging indication is to indicate that the paging occasion is to be monitored; and setting a second at least one bit of the second bit position to '1' if the second paging indication is to indicate that the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus.

[0058] In some examples, the second paging indication is comprised in one or more bits of a paging indication field that are unused by the first paging indication, and by tracking reference signal bits.

[0059] In some examples, the method further comprises configuring the first apparatus to monitor the paging occasion if: the first paging indication indicates that the paging occasion is to be monitored, and the second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus.

[0060] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for a plurality of user equipment (UE).

[0061] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding subgroup that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.

[0062] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding paging occasion that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.

[0063] In some examples, the method further comprises sending, to the first apparatus, a third paging indication comprised in a third bit position of the DCI, wherein the third paging indication is indicative of whether the first apparatus should flip a determination corresponding to the first bit position.In some examples, the method further comprises configuring the first apparatus to monitor the subsequent paging occasion if the first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to 'O', a third bit of the third bit position is set to '1', and the second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'.

[0064] In some examples, the first apparatus is a user equipment (UE), and the second apparatus is a base station (gNB).

[0065] In some examples, the PEI message is comprised in a downlink control information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0066] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed on an apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to carry out the method of any preceding method definition.

[0067] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing a method, comprising: receiving, from a second apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration; receiving, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message; monitoring a first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI, wherein the first paging indication indicates that a subsequent paging occasion is to be

[0068] monitored; monitoring a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position, wherein the second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus; and monitoring the subsequent paging occasion based on the first paging indication and the second paging indication.

[0069] The program instructions of the sixth aspect may also perform operations according to any preceding method definition of the third aspect.According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing a method, comprising: sending, to a first apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration; sending, to the first apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message; setting a value of a first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI, wherein the first paging indication indicates whether a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored; setting a value of a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position of the DCI wherein the second paging indication indicates whether the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus; and configuring the first apparatus to monitor the subsequent paging occasion based on at least one of the first paging indication and the second paging indication.

[0070] The program instructions of the seventh aspect may also perform operations according to any preceding method definition of the fourth aspect.

[0071] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a first apparatus in a mobile communications system comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: receive, from a second apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration; receive, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message; monitor a first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI, wherein the first paging indication indicates that a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored; monitor a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position, wherein the second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus; and monitor the subsequent paging occasion based on the first paging indication and the second paging indication.

[0072] According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a second apparatus in a mobile communications system comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor,cause the apparatus at least to: send, to a first apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration; send, to the first apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message; set a value of a first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI, wherein the first paging indication indicates whether a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored; set a value of a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position of the DCI wherein the second paging indication indicates whether the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus;

[0073] and configure the first apparatus to monitor the subsequent paging occasion based on at least one of the first paging indication and the second paging indication.

[0074] The computer program instructions of the eighth aspect may also perform operations according to any preceding method definition of the third aspect. The computer program instructions of the ninth aspect may also perform operations according to any preceding method definition of the fourth aspect.

[0075] According to a tenth aspect, this specification describes a first apparatus in a mobile communications system comprising: means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration; means for receiving, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message, wherein the DCI comprises a first paging indication and a second paging indication; means for monitoring the first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI, wherein the first paging indication indicates whether a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored; means for: if one or more conditions are not satisfied, skipping monitoring a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position, wherein the second paging indication indicates whether the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus; and means for monitoring the subsequent paging occasion based on the first paging indication and not the second paging indication.

[0076] In some examples, the first apparatus further comprises means for: if the one or more conditions are satisfied: monitor the subsequent paging occasion based on both the first paging indication and the second paging indication.In some examples, the second paging indication is comprised in one or more bits of a paging indication field that are unused by the first paging indication, and by tracking reference signal bits.

[0077] In some examples, at least one of the one or more conditions is satisfied if the first apparatus is associated with a requirement for monitoring the second bit position.

[0078] In some examples, at least one of the one or more conditions is satisfied if a value of the first paging indication is '1'.

[0079] In some examples, the DCI comprises a second bit applicability flag, and wherein at least one of the one or more conditions is satisfied if a value of the second bit applicability flag is '1'.

[0080] In some examples, the subsequent paging occasion is monitored if: the first paging indication indicates that the paging occasion is to be monitored, and the second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus.

[0081] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for a plurality of user equipment (UE).

[0082] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding subgroup that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.

[0083] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding paging occasion that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.

[0084] In some examples, the first apparatus further comprises means for determining the second at least one bit position based, at least in part, on a number of paging occasions addressed by the PEI message, a number of subgroups perpaging occasion, or a number of bits used for tracking reference signal (TRS) indication.

[0085] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is determined based on equation:

[0086] (Npo' ■ K + TRS_bits)

[0087] where:

[0088] NPO' = number of POs addressed by the PEI message;

[0089] K = N^G the number of subgroups per PO;

[0090] TRS_bits = bits used for TRS indication.

[0091] In some examples, the first apparatus further comprises means for monitoring the subsequent paging occasion if a first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to '1' and a second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'.

[0092] In some examples, the first apparatus further comprises means for monitoring a third bit position, wherein the third bit position is indicative of whether to flip a determination corresponding to the first bit position.

[0093] In some examples, the first apparatus further comprises means for monitoring the subsequent paging occasion if the first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to 'O', a third bit of the third bit position is set to '1', and the second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'.

[0094] In some examples, the first apparatus is a user equipment (UE), and the second apparatus is a base station (gNB).

[0095] In some examples, the PEI message is comprised in a downlink control information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0096] According to an eleventh aspect, this specification describes a method performed at a first apparatus in a mobile communications system comprising: receiving, from a second apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI)

[0097] configuration; receiving, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message, wherein the DCI comprises a firstpaging indication and a second paging indication; monitoring the first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI, wherein the first paging indication indicates whether a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored; if one or more conditions are not satisfied, skipping monitoring a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position, wherein the second paging indication indicates whether the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus; and monitoring the subsequent paging occasion based on the first paging indication and not the second paging indication.

[0098] In some examples, the method further comprises: if the one or more conditions are satisfied, monitoring the subsequent paging occasion based on both the first paging indication and the second paging indication.

[0099] In some examples, the second paging indication is comprised in one or more bits of a paging indication field that are unused by the first paging indication, and by tracking reference signal bits.

[0100] In some examples, at least one of the one or more conditions is satisfied if the first apparatus is associated with a requirement for monitoring the second bit position.

[0101] In some examples, at least one of the one or more conditions is satisfied if a value of the first paging indication is '1'.

[0102] In some examples, the DCI comprises a second bit applicability flag, and wherein at least one of the one or more conditions is satisfied if a value of the second bit applicability flag is '1'.

[0103] In some examples, the subsequent paging occasion is monitored if: the first paging indication indicates that the paging occasion is to be monitored, and the second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus.

[0104] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for a plurality of user equipment (UE).In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding subgroup that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.

[0105] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding paging occasion that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.

[0106] In some examples, the method further comprises determining the second at least one bit position based, at least in part, on a number of paging occasions addressed by the PEI message, a number of subgroups per paging occasion, or a number of bits used for tracking reference signal (TRS) indication.

[0107] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is determined based on equation:

[0108] (Npo' ■ K + TRS_bits)

[0109] where:

[0110] NPO' = number of POs addressed by the PEI message;

[0111] K = N^G the number of subgroups per PO;

[0112] TRS_bits = bits used for TRS indication.

[0113] In some examples, the method further comprises monitoring the subsequent paging occasion if a first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to '1' and a second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'.

[0114] In some examples, the method further comprises monitoring a third bit position, wherein the third bit position is indicative of whether to flip a determination corresponding to the first bit position.

[0115] In some examples, the method further comprises monitoring the subsequent paging occasion if the first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to 'O', a third bit of the third bit position is set to '1', and the second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to

[0116]

[0117] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed on an apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to carry out the method of any preceding method definition in the eleventh aspect.

[0118] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing a method, comprising: receiving, from a second apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration; receiving, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message, wherein the DCI comprises a first paging indication and a second paging indication; monitoring the first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI, wherein the first paging indication indicates whether a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored; if one or more conditions are not satisfied, skipping monitoring a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position, wherein the second paging indication indicates whether the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus; and monitoring the subsequent paging occasion based on the first paging indication and not the second paging indication.

[0119] The program instructions of the thirteenth aspect may also perform operations according to any preceding method definition of the eleventh aspect.

[0120] According to a fourteenth aspect, there is provided a first apparatus in a mobile communications system comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: receive, from a second apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration; receive, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message, wherein the DCI comprises a first paging indication and a second paging indication; monitor the first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI, wherein the first paging indication indicates whether a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored; if one or more conditions are not satisfied, skip monitoring a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position, wherein thesecond paging indication indicates whether the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus; and monitor the subsequent paging occasion based on the first paging indication and not the second paging indication

[0121] The computer program instructions of the fourteenth aspect may also perform operations according to any preceding method definition of the eleventh aspect.

[0122] According to a fifteenth aspect, this specification describes a first apparatus in a mobile communications system comprising: means for receive, from a second apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration; means for receiving, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message, wherein the DCI comprises a first paging indication and a second paging indication; means for monitoring a second paging indication in a second bit position, where the second paging indication indicates whether a first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus; means for: if the first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus, monitoring the first paging indication comprised in a first bit position; and means for monitoring the subsequent paging occasion based on the first paging indication.

[0123] In some examples, the second paging indication is comprised in one or more bits of a paging indication field that are unused by the first paging indication, and by tracking reference signal bits.

[0124] In some examples, the subsequent paging occasion is monitored if: the first paging indication indicates that the paging occasion is to be monitored, and the second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus.

[0125] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for a plurality of user equipment (UE).

[0126] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding subgroup that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding paging occasion that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.

[0127] In some examples, the first apparatus further comprises means for determining the second at least one bit position based, at least in part, on a number of paging occasions addressed by the PEI message, a number of subgroups per paging occasion, or a number of bits used for tracking reference signal (TRS) indication.

[0128] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is determined based on equation:

[0129] (Npo' ■ K + TRS_bits)

[0130] where:

[0131] NPO' = number of POs addressed by the PEI message;

[0132] K = N^G the number of subgroups per PO;

[0133] TRS_bits = bits used for TRS indication.

[0134] In some examples, the first apparatus further comprises means for monitoring the subsequent paging occasion if a first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to '1' and a second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'.

[0135] In some examples, the first apparatus further comprises means for monitoring a third bit position, wherein the third bit position is indicative of whether to flip a determination corresponding to the first bit position.

[0136] In some examples, the first apparatus further comprises means for monitoring the subsequent paging occasion if the first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to 'O', a third bit of the third bit position is set to '1', and the second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'.

[0137] In some examples, the first apparatus is a user equipment (UE), and the second apparatus is a base station (gNB).In some examples, the PEI message is comprised in a downlink control information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0138] According to a sixteenth aspect, this specification describes a method performed at a first apparatus in a mobile communications system comprising: receiving, from a second apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI)

[0139] configuration; receiving, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message, wherein the DCI comprises a first paging indication and a second paging indication; monitoring a second paging indication in a second bit position, where the second paging indication indicates whether a first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus; if the first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus, monitoring the first paging indication comprised in a first bit position; and monitoring the subsequent paging occasion based on the first paging indication.

[0140] In some examples, the second paging indication is comprised in one or more bits of a paging indication field that are unused by the first paging indication, and by tracking reference signal bits.

[0141] In some examples, the subsequent paging occasion is monitored if: the first paging indication indicates that the paging occasion is to be monitored, and the second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus.

[0142] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for a plurality of user equipment (UE).

[0143] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding subgroup that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.

[0144] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding paging occasion that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.In some examples, the method further comprises determining the second at least one bit position based, at least in part, on a number of paging occasions addressed by the PEI message, a number of subgroups per paging occasion, or a number of bits used for tracking reference signal (TRS) indication.

[0145] In some examples, the second at least one bit position is determined based on equation:

[0146] (Npo' ■ K + TRS_bits)

[0147] where:

[0148] NPO' = number of POs addressed by the PEI message;

[0149] K = N^G the number of subgroups per PO;

[0150] TRS_bits = bits used for TRS indication.

[0151] In some examples, the method further comprises monitoring the subsequent paging occasion if a first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to '1' and a second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'.

[0152] In some examples, the method further comprises monitoring a third bit position, wherein the third bit position is indicative of whether to flip a determination corresponding to the first bit position.

[0153] In some examples, the method comprises monitoring the subsequent paging occasion if the first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to 'O', a third bit of the third bit position is set to '1', and the second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'.

[0154] In some examples, the first apparatus is a user equipment (UE), and the second apparatus is a base station (gNB).

[0155] In some examples, the PEI message is comprised in a downlink control information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0156] According to a seventeenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed on an apparatus,is configured to cause the apparatus to carry out the method of any preceding method definition of the sixteenth aspect.

[0157] According to a eighteenth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing a method, comprising: receiving, from a second apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration; receiving, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message, wherein the DCI comprises a first paging indication and a second paging indication; monitoring a second paging indication in a second bit position, where the second paging indication indicates whether a first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus; if the first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus, monitoring the first paging indication comprised in a first bit position; and monitoring the subsequent paging occasion based on the first paging indication.

[0158] The program instructions of the eighteenth aspect may also perform operations according to any preceding method definition of the sixteenth aspect.

[0159] According to an nineteenth aspect, there is provided a first apparatus in a mobile communications system comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: receive, from a second apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration; receive, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message, wherein the DCI comprises a first paging indication and a second paging indication; monitor a second paging indication in a second bit position, where the second paging indication indicates whether a first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus; if the first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus, monitor the first paging indication comprised in a first bit position; monitor the subsequent paging occasion based on the first paging indication.

[0160] The computer program instructions of the nineteenth aspect may also perform operations according to any preceding method definition of the sixteenth aspect.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0161] Example embodiments will now be described by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0162] FIGs. 1 to 2 are a block diagrams a system in accordance with example embodiments;

[0163] FIGs. 3 to 5 are flowcharts of algorithms in accordance with example embodiments;

[0164] FIGs. 6 to 12 are example messages in accordance with example embodiments; FIG. 13 to 14 are flow charts of algorithms in accordance with example embodiments;

[0165] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a system that may be used to implement one or more of the example embodiments; and

[0166] FIG. 16 shows tangible media for storing computer-readable code which when run by a computer may perform methods according to example embodiments described herein.

[0167] Detailed Description

[0168] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0169] System 10 shows a first apparatus, such as a user equipment (UE1), 11, and a second apparatus, such as a base station or network node (gNB), 12. The system 10 may comprise a plurality of UEs, such as a further UE (UE2), 13.

[0170] As discussed earlier, in 5G, paging is the mechanism by which the network alerts User Equipment (UE) about incoming data, messages, or calls when the device is, for example, in R.R.C idle or inactive mode. This process enables UEs to stay in low-power states, waking only when there is relevant information from the network, thereby saving battery life. A Paging Early Indication (PEI) is an early signal that notifies UEs about whether to monitor for a message in an upcomingPO, allowing UE to monitor next PO only if there is a relevant message, reducing the time they spend actively monitoring for a message.

[0171] A gNB, such as the second apparatus 12, may send a PEI to a subgroup of UEs (e.g. a subgroup comprising UE1 and UE2), where both the UEs in a specific subgroup may monitor for paging if the subgroup to which the UE belongs is paged as indicated via the associated bit in the PEI. However, it is possible that a certain paging indication in PEI is only applicable to a first one (e.g. first apparatus 11) of the plurality of UEs in a subgroup. However, if the paging indication in the PEI is sent to all of the UEs in the subgroup (e.g. all the UEs that are assigned to the same subgroup and which read the paging indication in the same bit of the PEI), then the UE(s) other than the first apparatus 11 may exit the low-power state in order to monitor for a paging occasion, even though the paging indication may not be applicable for them. Therefore, this may cause a false paging alarm for the UEs other than the first apparatus 11. There remains a need for reducing the false paging alarm rate.

[0172] The Paging Early Indication (PEI) message comprises an early signal which notifies UEs about whether they should monitoring for paging in the upcoming PO, allowing UE to monitor next PO, reducing the time they spend actively monitoring for a message. This early indication further enhances power efficiency by use of subgrouping per PO. For example, UEs belonging to one PO may be divided into 4 subgroups to further reduce the false paging alarm rate (i.e. UE detects the paging downlink control information (DCI), but does not find its UE ID in the paging record).

[0173] As discussed in the 3GPP, Release 19, paging adaptation enhancements aim to reduce the number of distributed paging transmissions by grouping the paging occasions of different UEs closely together in time. This clustering allows for longer cell sleeping periods in between the paging transmissions and may enable the network to assign fewer distributed random-access occasions for UE responses (discussed below with reference to FIG. 2). Additionally, it allows the network to concentrate reference signal transmissions near these clustered paging occasions, ensuring the UE is prepared to receive the paging.The implementation involves extending the paging frequency (PF) interval, creating more spacing between paging frames compared to the traditional interval. Each extended paging frame can accommodate more POs, maintaining the overall paging capacity. The maximum PF interval may be up to 32 radio frames (previously being on 16 radio frames). Such doubling of the PF interval may require that the number of POs per PF is also doubled (e.g. from up to 4 POs per PF to up to 8 POs per PF). Importantly, clustering paging occasions may not affect paging latency, as clustering only modifies the distribution of POs within the existing paging cycle for UEs (Release 19 UEs), leaving the cycle duration unchanged. This approach enables legacy UEs (e.g. earlier releases) to continue operating under the original paging scheme, ensuring backwards compatibility and preventing the need for "Release 19 UE-only" cells.

[0174] Release 19 WID Objectives in RP-234065: Time-Domain Paging Adaptation for Enhanced Network Energy Efficiency

[0175] Example embodiments are targeted to at least the Release 19 WID in RP-234065. The work item contains the following objective on paging adaptation in time domain for network energy saving:

[0176]

[0177] RAN2 Release 19 Agreements

[0178] The following are the agreements for Release 19 Paging Adaptation:

[0179]

[0180] At RAN2 #128 (November 2024) the following discussion and agreements were made (Per RAN2 #128 meeting report):

[0181]

[0182] Key Paging Parameters

[0183] In TS 38.331, key parameters such as Paging Frame (PF) periodicity, Paging Occasion (PO) per PF, and Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration are defined as follows

[0184]

[0185] &

[0186] &

[0187]

[0188] &

[0189] Currently, the PEI can handle up to 4 POs per PF (and a total of 8 POs for 2 PF since po-NumPerPEI-rl7 is maximum 8). With the R19 RAN2 agreement to increase the number of POs from 4 to 8 per PF, existing PEI configurations will need updates tc suppcrt mere than 4 POs per PF.

[0190] Paging and its parameter in 3GPP Specifications

[0191] In 38 304 V15.3.0 Paging is explained as follows:

[0192]

[0193]

[0194]

[0195] UE Power Savina and Subarouping Mechanisms in 3GPP TS 38.331

[0196] In 3GPP TS 38.300, UE power saving for paging monitoring is explained in Section 9.2.5, covering CN-controlled subgrouping and UE ID-based subgrouping.

[0197]

[0198]

[0199]

[0200] Monitoring for Early Paging Indication

[0201] The PEI DCI format 2_7 is defined in 38.212 and 38.213.

[0202] < <

[0203]

[0204]

[0205] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 20, in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0206] A timeline 21 shows a legacy approach, where the paging frame interval (e.g. between PF1 and PF2) is equal to 16 radio frames (ms). Currently, the PEI can be configured to address up to 8 POs in 2 PFs or 4 POs in 1 PF. Furthermore, the number of PEI subgroups is maximum 8 per PO. Furthermore, the maximum DCI size is 43 bits according to TS 38.331. Increasing the size to address 8 POs in 1 PF is not desirable because it will then not be decodable by the legacy UEs.

[0207] A network energy saving (NES) scenario assumes low paging load. This implies the PFs may be sparse and thus addressing two consecutive PFs with one PEI will result in a large PEI-PF time distance, which is bad for UE energy consumption. The reason is that a UE monitoring a PO associated with the second PF of the PEI will have to monitor the PEI, which is transmitted before the first PF and then wait a complete PF interval before it has to monitor its own PO.

[0208] A timeline 22 shows an extended paging frame interval, where the PF interval may be increased to at least 32 radio frames, while the number of POs per PF may be increased to at least 8. Therefore N_PO per PEI may be 4 instead of 8 in low load scenarios. This leaves spare bits in the PEI DCI if K (#subgroups) is not increased from 4 to 8. Increasing K from 4 to 8 may not be feasible, because it would require a UE-specific RRC / NAS reconfiguration to assign a new subgroup to a UE as compared to changing the PF interval when the paging load changes as the PF interval is indicated in SIB1.Assuming there are 4 POs allocated to a legacy PF (Ns = 4) and 4 subgroups per PO (K = 4), then the information bits used in PEI DCI is 4*4=16. Furthermore, the TS 38.212 defines up to 6 bits are allocated for the TRS availability indication, if TRS is configured for RRC idle / inactive mode UEs.

[0209] In the considered example, this means 16+6 information bits are used in total, while there are 43-22 = 21 unused bits in the DCI, which from legacy UE point-of-view will be considered reserved (i.e. padded with random data) and will be ignored by legacy UEs.

[0210] A UE (Release 19 UE) assigned to a PO (e.g. additional PO) larger than 4 may need to share the same bit in the PEI as legacy UEs (which can be assigned to the legacy up to first 4 POs per PF). This increases the false paging alarm rate, which is undesired. The example embodiments described herewith aim to reduce false paging alarms by making use of certain unused bits in the PEI DCI to convey the paging indication to Release 19 UEs, which otherwise are considered as spa re / reserved by legacy UE and transmitted as padded bits by the network.

[0211] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 30, in accordance with an example embodiment. The operations of algorithm 30 may be carried out at a first apparatus, such as a user equipment (UE), of a mobile communications system.

[0212] The algorithm 30 starts at operation 31, where the first apparatus receives, from a second apparatus (e.g. a base station / gNB), a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration. In some examples, the PEI configuration may indicate to the UE about which bit(s) to monitor for determining whether one or more subsequent paging occasions should be monitored.

[0213] Next, at operation 32, the first apparatus receives, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message. The PEI message may comprise a first indication (e.g. first paging indication) of whether a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored by the first apparatus. The PEI message may optionally also comprise a second indication (e.g. a second paging indication) of whether the first indication is applicable to the first apparatus. Inan example embodiment, the PEI message is comprised in a downlink control information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0214] At operation 33, the first apparatus monitors a first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI. The first paging indication indicates whether a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored.

[0215] At operation 34, the first apparatus monitors a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position. The second paging indication may indicate whether the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus. In an example embodiment, the second paging indication is comprised in one or more spare bits of the DCI. In an example embodiment, the second paging indication is comprised in one or more bits of a paging indication field that are unused by the first paging indication bit, and by tracking reference signal bits. In one example, one or more spare bits are bits of the DCI that are unused by any one or more of: po-NumPerPEI-rl7, subgroupConfig-rl7, and / or tracking reference signal (TRS) bits. For example, a paging indication field may constitute a product of po-NumPerPEI-rl7, subgroupConfig-rl7, and the spare bits may comprise bits that are not used by the paging indication field and the TRS bits.

[0216] Next, at operation 35, the first apparatus monitors a subsequent paging occasion based on, at least in part, the first paging indication, and the second paging indication.

[0217] In some examples, one or more additional POs per PF associated with release 19 UEs (beyond the 4 POs per PF for legacy POs) are addressed with the same bits in the PEI DCI (i.e. the DCI of format 2_7 that carries the PEI for early paging indication). At least one bit that legacy UEs consider as 'spa re 7 'reserved' bits may be used by release 19 UEs to reduce the false paging rate.

[0218] In an example embodiment, the UE (release 19 UE) determines a first bit position (jP0) to monitor in the PEI, such that the first paging indication may be determined (e.g. as part of operation 33) based on the first bit position. In one example, the determination of the first bit position (jP0) may be performed byusing the legacy equation in 38.213 as legacy UEs irrespective of whether the UEs are associated to a legacy PO (legacy UE) or to an additional PO (e.g. release 19 UE, for example, associated with additional POs, such as any of a PO 5-8 - in a scenario where four additional POs are introduced in release-19). As such, the first bit position may carry legacy information and may be common to UEs mapped to legacy POs (i.e. POs 1-4) as well as for UEs associated to one of the additional POs. For example, a UE with PO#5 may be mapped to the same bit in the PEI indicating paging indication for PO#1, a UE with PO#6 may be mapped to the same bit as a UE with PO#2, a UE with PO#7 may be mapped to the same bit as a UE with PO#3, and a UE with PO#8 may be mapped to the same bit as a UE with PO#4. This may mean, for example, that when any UE with PO#1 or PO#5 have to be paged, the common bit in the PEI is to be set to

[0219] In one example, the first bit position may be a bit position that carries the PEI according to legacy rules. For example, the first starting bit position may be determined based on the equation: ((UEJDmocUV) • Ns+ i^modNpo1as per TS 38.213.

[0220] In one example, considering the scenario of the example of timeline 22 as described with reference to FIG. 2, if the PF interval is increased to at least 32 radio frames, while the number of POs per PF is increased to at least 8, the po-NumPerPEI may be 4 in low load scenarios. This leaves spare bits in the PEI DCI. Assuming there are 4 POs allocated to a legacy PF (Ns = 4) and 4 subgroups per PO (K = 4), then the bits used in PEI DCI is 4*4 = 16. Furthermore, the TS 38.212 defines up to 6 bits are allocated for the TRS availability indication. In the considered example, this means 16+6 bits are used in total, while there are 43-22 = 21 unused bits in the DCI, which from legacy UE PoV will be considered reserved (i.e. padded with random data) and will be ignored by legacy UEs.

[0221] If the po-NumPerPEI is above 4 (i.e. 8 according to the current specification), the rel-19 UE monitors the same bit as a legacy UE having the same iP0, i.e. based on iP0= ((UEJDmod / V) • Ns+ i_s)modNpolas per TS 38.213.In one example, the first apparatus may monitor the subsequent paging occasion if a first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to '1' and a second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'.

[0222] In an example embodiment, the DCI may further comprise a third paging indication, for example, at a third bit position. The third paging indication may be indicative of whether to flip a determination corresponding to the first bit position. In an example embodiment, the first apparatus further monitors the third bit position. For example, the first apparatus may monitor the subsequent paging occasion if the first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to 'O', a third bit of the third bit position is set to '1', and the second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'. Alternatively, or in addition, the first apparatus may monitor the subsequent paging occasion if the first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to 'O', a third bit of the third bit position is set to '1' (e.g. the second bit is not taken into consideration, for example, in a scenario where the first apparatus skips monitoring the second bit position (see operation 44 described with reference to FIG. 4). In one example, in a scenario where no legacy UEs are to be paged, the first paging indication may be set to '0' (as the first bit position may be common to the legacy UEs and the release 19 UEs), while the second bit position may be set to '1', and the third bit position may also be set to '1' to indicate that the first paging indication of '0' should be flipped, and therefore the first paging indication should be considered to have a value of '1' rather than 'O'. Consequently, as the value of the second bit position is '1' and the flipped value of the first bit position is also '1', the first apparatus may monitor the subsequent paging occasion.

[0223] In an example embodiment, the DCI may have 4 to 8 spare bits available for the second paging indication. There may be various ways of mapping the second paging indication for UEs based on their respective paging occasions and / or subgroups, as illustrated in FIGs. 6 to 12.

[0224] In one example, the second paging indication may be set to '0' (e.g. by the second apparatus, gNB) if the first paging indication is only applicable for UEs (e.g. legacy UEs) in the legacy POs (PO #1 to #4). This may, for example, reduce the false paging rate for release-19 UEs.In an example embodiment, all UEs (e.g. release 19 UEs) may be configured to determine a second bit position (and monitor the second bit position). In an alternative example, only the UEs associated with an additional PO may be configured to determine the second bit position and / or monitor the second paging indication.

[0225] In an example embodiment, the first apparatus may monitor a subsequent paging occasion is monitored if: the first paging indication indicates that the paging occasion is to be monitored, and the second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus.

[0226] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 40, in accordance with an example embodiment. The operations of algorithm 40 may be carried out at a first apparatus, such as a user equipment (UE), of a mobile communications system.

[0227] The algorithm 40 starts at operation 41 (e.g. similar to operation 31), where the first apparatus receives, from a second apparatus (e.g. a base station / gNB), a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration. In some examples, the PEI configuration may indicate to the UE about which bit(s) to monitor for determining whether one or more subsequent paging occasions should be monitored. In an example embodiment, the first apparatus is a user equipment (UE), and the second apparatus is a base station (gNB).

[0228] Next, at operation 42 (e.g. similar to operation 32), the first apparatus receives, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message. The PEI message may comprise a first indication (e.g. first paging indication) of whether a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored by the first apparatus. The PEI message may optionally also comprise a second indication (e.g. a second paging indication) of whether the first indication is applicable to the first apparatus. In an example embodiment, the PEI message is comprised in a downlink control information (DCI) format 2_7.At operation 43 (e.g. similar to operation 33), the first apparatus monitors a first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI. The first paging indication indicates whether a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored.

[0229] At operation 44, the first apparatus skips monitoring a second paging indication if one or more conditions are not satisfied. As described earlier, the second paging indication may be comprised in a second at least one bit position, and the second paging indication may indicate whether the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus. For example, the first apparatus may determine whether the one or more conditions are satisfied, and if the conditions are satisfied, the second paging occasion may be monitored. If the one or more conditions are not satisfied, the first apparatus may either discard the second paging indication (if the DCI comprises the second paging indication), or may skip monitoring the second paging indication. The one or more conditions are described in further detail in example embodiments below.

[0230] Next, at operation 45, the first apparatus monitors a subsequent paging occasion based on, at least in part, the first paging indication, and not the second paging indication (as the first apparatus skipped monitoring the second paging indication). For example, the first apparatus may disregard the second paging indication when monitoring the subsequent paging occasion.

[0231] In an example embodiment, if the one or more conditions not satisfied, the first apparatus may monitor the subsequent paging occasion based on both the first paging indication and the second paging indication.

[0232] In an example embodiment, at least one of the one or more conditions is satisfied if a value of the first paging indication is '1'. As such, if the first paging indication is '1', at least one of the conditions are considered to be satisfied, and the first apparatus may monitor the second paging indication. Alternatively, if the first paging indication has value 'O', at least one of the conditions are considered to be not satisfied, the first apparatus may skip monitoring the second paging occasion. For example, the first apparatus may discard the second bit position and determines that it is not required to monitor the subsequent paging occasion.In an example embodiment, at least one of the one or more conditions is satisfied if the first apparatus is associated with a requirement for monitoring the second bit position. For example, the first apparatus may be associated with a requirement for monitoring the second bit position if the first apparatus is a release 19 UE, or if the first apparatus is a UE associated with an additional PO (not the legacy UE PO #1 to #4), such as one of the PO # 5 to #8 , and / or the UE is associated with any new / additional PO from any one of PO #1 to #4.

[0233] In an example embodiment, the DCI may comprise a second bit applicability flag. For example, at least one of the one or more conditions may be satisfied if a value of the second bit applicability flag is '1'.

[0234] In an example embodiment, the first apparatus may determine the second at least one bit position based, at least in part, on a number of paging occasions addressed by the PEI message, a number of subgroups per paging occasion, or a number of bits used for tracking reference signal (TRS) indication. For example, the second at least one bit position is determined based on equation:

[0235] (Npo' ■ K + TRS_bits)

[0236] where:

[0237] NPO' = number of POs addressed by the PEI message;

[0238] K = N^G the number of subgroups per PO;

[0239] TRS_bits = bits used for TRS indication.

[0240] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 50, in accordance with an example embodiment. The operations of algorithm 50 may be carried out at a first apparatus, such as a user equipment (UE), of a mobile communications system.

[0241] The algorithm 50 starts at operation 51 (e.g. similar to operation 31 and 41), where the first apparatus receives, from a network (e.g. second apparatus such as a base station / gNB), a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration. In some examples, the PEI configuration may indicate to the UE about which bit(s) to monitor for determining whether one or more subsequent paging occasionsshould be monitored. In an example embodiment, the first apparatus is a user equipment (UE), and the second apparatus is a base station (gNB).

[0242] Next, at operation 52 (e.g. similar to operation 32, and 42), the first apparatus receives, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message. The first apparatus then monitors the PEI based on the PEI configuration as received in operation 51. The PEI message may comprise a first indication (e.g. first paging indication) of whether a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored by the first apparatus. The PEI message may optionally also comprise a second indication (e.g. a second paging indication) of whether the first indication is applicable to the first apparatus. In an example embodiment, the PEI message is comprised in a downlink control information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0243] At operation 53 (e.g. similar to operation 33), the first apparatus may determine a first bit position in the DCI and read a first paging indication in the first bit position of the PEI. The first paging indication may indicate whether a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored.

[0244] At operation 54, the first apparatus determines whether the value of the first paging indication is '1'. If the value of the first paging indication is not '1', the algorithm may revert back to operation 52, where the first apparatus may continue receiving further DCIs carrying further PEI messages.

[0245] If the value of the first paging indication is determined to be '1', the algorithm may move to operation 55, where the first apparatus determines whether a PO associated with the first apparatus is one of the PO #5 to PO #8 (e.g. whether the first apparatus is associated with non-legacy / release 19 PO).

[0246] If the first apparatus is not associated with one of a PO #5 to #8, the first apparatus may skip monitoring a second paging indication or discard a second paging indication, and the algorithm may move to operation 58, where the subsequent paging occasion is monitored based on only the first paging indication.If the first apparatus is associated with one of a PO #5 to #8, the first apparatus may determine, at operation 56, a second bit position in the DCI, and read a second paging indication in the second bit position of the PEI. Next, at operation 57, the first apparatus may determine whether the value of the second paging indication is '1'. If the second paging indication is not '1', the algorithm may revert back to operation 52, where the first apparatus may continue receiving further DCIs carrying further PEI messages. If the value of the second paging indication is '1', the algorithm may move to operation 58, where the subsequent paging occasion is monitored based on both the first paging indication and the second paging indication.

[0247] FIG. 6 is an example message, indicated generally by the reference numeral 60, in accordance with an example embodiment. The message 60 is an illustration of a PEI message in a DCI 2_7 format. As discussed earlier, the first bit position may carry legacy information and may be common to UEs mapped to legacy POs (i.e. POs 1-4) as well as for UEs associated to one of the additional POs. For example, bits 1-4 are associated with 4 subgroups (subgroups 1-4) associated with a first PO (PO #1, e.g. for legacy UE) and a fifth PO (PO #5, e.g. for release 19 UE), bits 5-8 are associated with 4 subgroups (subgroups 1-4) associated with a second PO (PO #2, e.g. for legacy UE) and a sixth PO (PO #6, e.g. for release 19 UE), bits 9-12 are associated with 4 subgroups (subgroups 1-4) associated with a third PO (PO #3, e.g. for legacy UE) and a seventh PO (PO #7, e.g. for release 19 UE), bits 13-16 are associated with 4 subgroups (subgroups 1-4) associated with a fourth PO (PO #4, e.g. for legacy UE) and a eighth PO (PO #8, e.g. for release 19 UE), one or more of bits 17-22 may optionally be associated with a tracking reference signal (TRS). That may allow the DCI to have at least 19 spare bits (out of total 43 bits). Therefore, bits 23-43 may be considered to be spare bits that are monitored by (release 19) UEs in the PEI.

[0248] In one example, the second paging indication is comprised in a second at least one bit position that is applicable for a plurality of user equipment (UE) . The message 60 shows the bit position 23 (the second bit position) associated with any one of PO#5 to #8 in any one of the four subgroups 1 to 4. In the example of message 60, a second paging indication for all the additional POs (PO #5 to #8) may be mapped to the same second bit position (e.g. bit 23). Bit 23 may beconsidered to be a spare bit for legacy UEs, but a used bit for release 19 UEs that may always comprise the second paging indication. Bits 27 to 43 may be considered to be spare bits for both legacy UEs and release 19 UEs.

[0249] In one example, the network (second apparatus, gNB) may set the second paging indication to false ('0') for release 19 UEs when only UEs in the legacy POs are paged with the first paging indication, and there is no release 19 UE to be paged. In other words, the second paging indication is set to '0' when the first paging indication is applicable for UEs associated with one of PO #1 to #4, but not applicable with any UEs associated with one of PO #5 to #8.

[0250] FIG. 7 is an example message, indicated generally by the reference numeral 70, in accordance with an example embodiment. The message 70 is an illustration of a PEI message in a DCI 2_7 format. As discussed earlier, the first bit position may carry legacy information and may be common to UEs mapped to legacy POs (i.e. POs 1-4) as well as for UEs associated to one of the additional POs. Bits 1 to 22 of the message 70 may be similar to the bits 1 to 22 of the message 60, as described above with reference to FIG. 6. Bits 23-43 may be considered to be spare bits for legacy UEs, while at least one of bits 23-26 may be monitored by (release 19) UEs for determining the second paging indication.

[0251] In one example, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding subgroup that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with. For example, a subgroup x (x=1..4) of different POs is mapped to the same second bit position. This means all UEs in subgroup X monitor the same second bit independently of which PO they belong to. The message 70 shows the bit positions 23-26 (the at least one second bit position) to be associated with subgroups 1 to 4 respectively (associated with PO#5 to #8). For example, bit 23 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with subgroup 1 in any one of PO #5 to #8 , and / or for UEs (e.g. release 19 UEs) associated with subgroup 1 in any one of PO #1 to #4; bit 24 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with subgroup 2 in any one of PO #5 to #8 , and / or for UEs (e.g. release 19 UEs) associated with subgroup 1 in any one of PO #1 to #4; bit 25 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with subgroup 3 in any one of PO #5 to#8 , and / or for UEs (e.g. release 19 UEs) associated with subgroup 1 in any one of PO #1 to #4; and bit 26 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with subgroup 4 in any one of PO #5 to #8 , and / or for UEs (e.g. release 19 UEs) associated with subgroup 1 in any one of PO #1 to #4.

[0252] FIG. 8 is an example message, indicated generally by the reference numeral 80, in accordance with an example embodiment. The message 80 is an illustration of a PEI message in a DCI 2_7 format. As discussed earlier, the first bit position may carry legacy information and may be common to UEs mapped to legacy POs (i.e. POs 1-4) as well as for UEs associated to one of the additional POs. Bits 1 to 22 of the message 80 may be similar to the bits 1 to 22 of the message 60, as described above with reference to FIG. 6. Bits 23-43 may be considered to be spare bits for legacy UEs, while at least one of bits 23-26 may be monitored by (release 19) UEs for determining the second paging indication.

[0253] In one example, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding paging occasion that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with. For example, the second bit is provided per each additional PO (PO #1 to #8), i.e. all UEs of any subgroup of PO Y may monitor the same second bit. The message 80 shows the bit positions 23-26 (the at least one second bit position), in a scenario with four subgroups, to be associated with PO#5 to #8 respectively (for UEs associated with any one of subgroups 1 to 4). For example, bit 23 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with PO #5 in any one of subgroups 1 to 4; bit 24 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with PO #6 in any one of subgroups 1 to 4; bit 25 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with PO #7 in any one of subgroups 1 to 4; and bit 26 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with PO #8 in any one of subgroups 1 to 4.

[0254] FIG. 9 is an example message, indicated generally by the reference numeral 80, in accordance with an example embodiment. The message 90 is an illustration of a PEI message in a DCI 2_7 format. As discussed earlier, the first bit position may carry legacy information and may be common to UEs mapped to legacy POs (i.e. POs 1-4) as well as for UEs associated to one of the additional POs. In thescenario of the message 90, bits 1-8 are associated with 8 subgroups (subgroups 1-8) associated with a first PO (PO #1, e.g. for legacy UE) and a fifth PO (PO #5, e.g. for release 19 UE), bits 9-16 are associated with 8 subgroups (subgroups 1-8) associated with a second PO (PO #2, e.g. for legacy UE) and a sixth PO (PO #6, e.g. for release 19 UE), bits 17-24 are associated with 8 subgroups (subgroups 1-8) associated with a third PO (PO #3, e.g. for legacy UE) and a seventh PO (PO #7, e.g. for release 19 UE), subsequent 8 bits (e.g. bits 25-32) are associated with 8 subgroups (subgroups 1-8) associated with a fourth PO (PO #4, e.g. for legacy UE) and a eighth PO (PO #8, e.g. for release 19 UE), one or more of subsequent 6 bits (e.g. bits 33-38) may optionally be associated with a tracking reference signal (TRS). That may allow the DCI to have at least 5 spare bits (out of total 43 bits). Therefore, bits 39-42 may be considered to be spare bits that are monitored by (release 19) UEs in the PEI.

[0255] In the example of FIG. 9, similar to the example of FIG. 8, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding paging occasion that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with. For example, the second bit is provided per each additional PO (PO #1 to #8), i.e. all UEs of any subgroup 1-8 of PO Y may monitor the same second bit. The message 90 shows the bit positions 39-42 (the at least one second bit position), in a scenario with eight subgroups, to be associated with PO#5 to #8 respectively (for UEs associated with any one of subgroups 1 to 8). For example, bit 39 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with PO #5 in any one of subgroups 1 to 8; bit 40 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with PO #6 in any one of subgroups 1 to 8; bit 41 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with PO #7 in any one of subgroups 1 to 8; and bit 42 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with PO #8 in any one of subgroups 1 to 8.

[0256] FIG. 10 is an example message, indicated generally by the reference numeral 100, in accordance with an example embodiment. The message 100 is an illustration of a PEI message in a DCI 2_7 format. As discussed earlier, the first bit position may carry legacy information and may be common to UEs mapped to legacy POs (i.e. POs 1-4) as well as for UEs associated to one of the additionalPOs. Bits 1 to 22 of the message 100 may be similar to the bits 1 to 22 of the message 60, as described above with reference to FIG. 6. Bits 23-43 may be considered to be spare bits for legacy UEs, while at least one of bits 23-26 may be monitored by (release 19) UEs for determining the second paging indication.

[0257] In one example, each of the second at least one bit position may be applicable for a UEs associated with a plurality of (e.g. two) POs. For example, the second bit (e.g. second paging indication in second at least one bit position) is provided per any PO of both legacy UEs and Release 19 UEs, i.e. all Release 19 UEs of any subgroup of PO Y monitor the same second bit, while the legacy UEs may not monitor the second bit.

[0258] The message 100 shows the bit positions 23-26 (the at least one second bit position), in a scenario with four subgroups, to be associated with PO#1 to #8 respectively (for UEs associated with any one of subgroups 1 to 4). For example, bit 23 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with PO #1 and #5 in any one of subgroups 1 to 4; bit 24 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with PO #2 and #6 in any one of subgroups 1 to 4; bit 25 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with PO #3 and #7 in any one of subgroups 1 to 4; and bit 26 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with PO #4 and #8 in any one of subgroups 1 to 4.

[0259] FIG. 11 is an example message, indicated generally by the reference numeral 110, in accordance with an example embodiment. The message 110 is an illustration of a PEI message in a DCI 2_7 format. As discussed earlier, the first bit position may carry legacy information and may be common to UEs mapped to legacy POs (i.e. POs 1-4) as well as for UEs associated to one of the additional POs. Bits 1 to 22 of the message 110 may be similar to the bits 1 to 22 of the message 60, as described above with reference to FIG. 6. Bits 23-43 may be considered to be spare bits for legacy UEs, while at least one of bits 23-26 may be monitored by (release 19) UEs for determining the second paging indication.

[0260] In one example, each of the second at least one bit position may be applicable for a UEs associated with a plurality of (e.g. two) POs. For example, the secondbit (e.g. second paging indication in second at least one bit position) is provided per any PO of both legacy UEs and Release 19 UEs, i.e. all release 19 UEs of any subgroup of PO Y monitor the same second bit, while the legacy UEs may not monitor the second bit.

[0261] The message 110 shows the bit positions 23-26 (the at least one second bit position), in a scenario with four subgroups, to be associated with PO#1 to #8 respectively (for UEs associated with any one of subgroups 1 to 4). For example, bit 23 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with PO #1 and #2 in any one of subgroups 1 to 4; bit 24 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with PO #3 and #4 in any one of subgroups 1 to 4; bit 25 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with PO #5 and #6 in any one of subgroups 1 to 4; and bit 26 may comprise a second paging indication for UE(s) associated with PO #7 and #8 in any one of subgroups 1 to 4.

[0262] FIG. 12 is an example message, indicated generally by the reference numeral 120, in accordance with an example embodiment. The message 110 is an illustration of a PEI message in a DCI 2_7 format. As discussed earlier, the first bit position may carry legacy information and may be common to UEs mapped to legacy POs (i.e. POs 1-4) as well as for UEs associated to one of the additional POs. Bits 1 to 22 of the message 110 may be similar to the bits 1 to 22 of the message 60, as described above with reference to FIG. 6. Bits 23-43 may be considered to be spare bits for legacy UEs, while at least one of bits 23-26 may be monitored by (release 19) UEs for determining the second paging indication.

[0263] The message 120 may comprise first paging indication of the UE provided in one of the legacy information bits (any of bits 1-16) of the PEI and second paging indication of the UE provided in one of the "spare" bits (any of bits 23 to 43) to be monitored by release 19 UEs in the PEI.

[0264] In one example, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding subgroup that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with. For example, a subgroup x (x=1..4) of different POs is mapped to the same second bit position. This means all UEs insubgroup X monitor the same second bit independently of which PO they belong to.

[0265] The message 120 shows the bit positions 1-4 to be associated with subgroups 1-4 respectively for PO #1 and #5; bit positions 5-8 to be associated with subgroups 1-4 respectively for PO #2 and #6; bit positions 9-12 to be associated with subgroups 1-4 respectively for PO #3 and #7; bit positions 13-16 to be associated with subgroups 1-4 respectively for PO #4 and #8. UEs associated with any one of PO #1 to #4 (e.g. legacy UEs) may only monitor one paging indication, whereas the UEs associated with any one of the additional POs #5 to #8 may monitor a first paging indication, as well as a second paging indication. As such, the bits 1-4 may comprise a paging indication (a single paging indication) for UEs associated with PO#1 in subgroups 1-4 respectively, the bits 5-8 may comprise a paging indication (a single paging indication) for UEs associated with PO#2 in subgroups 1-4 respectively, the bits 9-12 may comprise a paging indication (a single paging indication) for UEs associated with PO#3 in subgroups 1-4 respectively, and the bits 13-16 may comprise a paging indication (a single paging indication) for UEs associated with PO#4 in subgroups 1-4 respectively. The paging indication in the bits 1-4 be a first paging indication for UEs associated with PO#5 in subgroups 1-4 respectively (e.g. bit 1 corresponds to a UE1 in subgroup 1 and associated with PO#5), the paging indication in bits 5-8 may be a first paging indication for UEs associated with PO#6 in subgroups 1-4 respectively. The paging indication in the bits 9-12 may be a first paging indication for UEs associated with PO#7 in subgroups 1-4 respectively (e.g. bit 9 corresponds to a UE2 in subgroup 1 and associated with PO#7). The paging indication in the bits 13-16 may be a first paging indication for UEs associated with PO#8 in subgroups 1-4 respectively. Further, bits 23-26 comprise a second paging indication for UEs associated with any one of POs #5 to #8, in subgroups 1-4 respectively. For example, bit 23 comprises a second paging indication for the UE1 associated with PO #5 and subgroup 1, and bit 23 may further comprise a (same) second paging indication for the UE2 associated with PO #7 and subgroup 1.

[0266] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 130, in accordance with an example embodiment. The operations ofalgorithm 130 may be carried out at a second apparatus, such as a network or base station (gNB), of a mobile communications system.

[0267] The algorithm may start at operation 131, where the second apparatus sends, to a first apparatus (e.g. user equipment (UE) of the mobile communications system), a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration. In some examples, the PEI configuration may indicate to the UE about which bit(s) to monitor for determining whether one or more subsequent paging occasions should be monitored.

[0268] Next, at operation 132, the second apparatus sends, to the first apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message. The PEI message may comprise one or more of a first paging indication and a second paging indication, as described below with reference to operations 133 and 134. In one example, operations 133 and 134 may be performed before sending the DCI message in operation 132.

[0269] At operation 133, the second apparatus may set a value of a first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI. The first paging indication indicates whether a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored. At operation 134, the second apparatus may set a value of a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position of the DCI. The second paging indication may indicates whether the first paging indication is applicable for a recipient UE, such as the first apparatus.

[0270] At operation 135, the second apparatus may configure the first apparatus to monitor the subsequent paging occasion based, at least in part, on at least one of the first paging indication and the second paging indication.

[0271] In an example embodiment, the second apparatus may set a first at least one bit of the first bit position to '1' if first paging indication is to indicate that the paging occasion is to be monitored, and the second apparatus may further set a second at least one bit of the second bit position to '1' if the second paging indication is to indicate that the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus. Various examples of the first paging indication and the second pagingindication corresponding to UEs relative to their associated subgroups and / or POs have been discussed above with reference to FIGs. 7 to 12.

[0272] In an example embodiment, the second paging indication is comprised in one or more spare bits of the DCI. In an example embodiment, the second paging indication is comprised in one or more bits of a paging indication field that are unused by the first paging indication bit, and by tracking reference signal bits. In one example, one or more spare bits are bits of the DCI that are unused by any one or more of: po-NumPerPEI-rl7, subgroupConfig-rl7, and / or tracking reference signal (TRS) bits. For example, a paging indication field may constitute a product of po-NumPerPEI-rl7, subgroupConfig-rl7, and the spare bits may comprise bits that are not used by the paging indication field or the TRS bits.

[0273] In an example embodiment, the first apparatus is configured to monitor the paging occasion if: the first paging indication indicates that the paging occasion is to be monitored, and the second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus.

[0274] In an example embodiment, the second at least one bit position is applicable for a plurality of user equipment (UE). For example, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding subgroup that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with. This is described in detail with reference to FIG. 7.

[0275] In an example embodiment, the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding paging occasion that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with. Various examples are described in detail with reference to FIGs. 8, 9, 10, and 11.

[0276] In an example embodiment, the second apparatus may send, to the first apparatus, a third paging indication comprised in a third bit position of the DCI, wherein the third paging indication is indicative of whether the first apparatus should flip a determination corresponding to the first bit position. For example, the second apparatus may configure the first apparatus to monitor the subsequent paging occasion if the first at least one bit of the first bit position isset to 'O', a third bit of the third bit position is set to '1', and the second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'.

[0277] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 140, in accordance with an example embodiment. The operations of algorithm 140 may be carried out at a first apparatus, such as a user equipment (UE), of a mobile communications system.

[0278] The algorithm 140 starts at operation 141 (similar to operation 31), where the first apparatus receives, from a second apparatus (e.g. a base station / gNB), a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration. In some examples, the PEI configuration may indicate to the UE about which bit(s) to monitor for determining whether one or more subsequent paging occasions should be monitored.

[0279] Next, at operation 142 (similar to operation 32), the first apparatus receives, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message. The PEI message may comprise a first indication (e.g. first paging indication) of whether a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored by the first apparatus. The PEI message may also comprise a second indication (e.g. a second paging indication) of whether the first indication is applicable to the first apparatus. In an example embodiment, the PEI message is comprised in a downlink control information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0280] Next, at operation 143, the first apparatus may monitor the second paging indication comprised in a second bit position to determine whether the first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus. For example, if the value of the second bit position is '1', it may be determined that the first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus. If the first paging indication is determined to be applicable to the first apparatus, operation 144 may be performed, where the first apparatus may monitor the first paging indication comprised in a first bit position. The first apparatus may then monitor a subsequent paging occasion at operation 145 based, at least in part, on the first paging indication. For example, if the value of the first bit position is '1', the first apparatus may monitor a subsequent paging occasion, while if the value of thefirst bit position is 'O', the first apparatus may not monitor a subsequent paging occasion.

[0281] Alternatively, if it is determined that the first paging indication is not applicable to the first apparatus (e.g. if the value of the second bit position is '0'), then the first apparatus may not monitor and / or may disregard the first paging indication. The first apparatus may then not monitor a subsequent paging occasion as the first paging indication was determined not to be applicable for the first apparatus.

[0282] In some examples, the algorithm 140 may be different to the algorithm 130, in that the algorithm 140 causes the first apparatus to skip monitoring the first paging indication if it is determined, based on the second paging indication, that the first paging indication is not applicable to the first apparatus.

[0283] In some examples, the algorithms 30, 40, 50, 130, and / or 150, may be applicable in a scenario where legacy UEs may be associated with one of the four POs #1 to #4, and release 19 (or later) UEs may be associated with one of additional four POs #5 to #8 (e.g. the additional four POs #5 to #8 are added in the release 19 UE configuration). Alternatively, or in addition, the algorithms 30, 40, 50, 130, and / or 150 may be applicable in a scenario where legacy UEs may be associated with one of the four POs #1 to #4, and release 19 (or later) UEs may be associated with one of additional eight POs #5 to #12 (e.g. the additional eight POs #5 to #12 are added in the release 19 UE configuration, with no overlap with POs #1 to #4 that the legacy UEs are associated with). Alternatively, or in addition, the algorithms 30, 40, 50, 130, and / or 150 may be applicable in a scenario where legacy UEs may be associated with one of the four POs #1 to #4, and release 19 (or later) UEs may be associated with one of additional eight POs #1 to #8 (e.g. there may be an overlap between legacy UEs and release 19 (or later) UEs for POs #1 to #4, and the additional four POs #5 to #8 are added in the release 19 UE configuration).

[0284] In some examples, the first apparatus (release-19 (or later releases) UE) may monitors for a first paging indication in a legacy bit of PEI and a second pagingindication in a spare bit of PEI and may then triggers monitoring for a paging occasion based on the first and second paging indication. As such, the UE may monitor a first paging indication in the PEI DCI in a first bit position. The UE may then determine whether to monitor for a second paging indication in the PEI DCI, indicating whether the first paging indication is applicable to the UE (based on its PO being an additional PO or a legacy PO). If it is determined that the UE should monitor for the second paging indication, the UE may then monitor for the second paging indication in the PEI DCI. The UE may determine whether to trigger paging monitoring in a paging occasion based on the first paging indication and second paging indication.

[0285] Example Apparatus

[0286] FIG. 15 shows an apparatus according to some example embodiments, which may comprise the user terminal 150. The user equipment may be, for example a smartphone, or other terminal device. The apparatus may be configured to perform the operations described herein, for example operations described with reference to any disclosed process. The apparatus comprises at least one processor 102 and at least one memory 154 directly or closely connected to the processor. The memory 104 includes at least one random access memory (RAM) and at least one read-only memory (ROM). Computer program code (software) 155 is stored in the ROM. The apparatus may be connected to a transmitter (TX) and a receiver (RX). The apparatus may, optionally, be connected with a user interface (UI) for instructing the apparatus and / or for outputting data. The at least one processor 152, with the at least one memory 104 and the computer program code 155 are arranged to cause the apparatus to at least perform at least the method according to any preceding process, for example as disclosed in relation to the flow diagrams of FIGS. 3 to 5, 13 to 14 and related features thereof.

[0287] FIG. 16 shows a non-transitory media 160 according to some embodiments. The non-transitory media 160 is a computer readable storage medium. It may be e.g. a CD, a DVD, a USB stick, a blue ray disk, etc. The non-transitory media 160 stores computer program code, causing an apparatus to perform the methodof any preceding process for example as disclosed in relation to the flow diagrams and related features thereof.

[0288] Names of network elements, protocols, and methods are based on current standards. In other versions or other technologies, the names of these network elements and / or protocols and / or methods may be different, as long as they provide a corresponding functionality. For example, embodiments may be deployed in 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G networks and further generations of 3GPP but also in non-3GPP radio networks such as WiFi.

[0289] A memory may be volatile or non-volatile. It may be e.g. a RAM, a SRAM, a flash memory, a FPGA block ram, a DCD, a CD, a USB stick, and a blue ray disk.

[0290] If not otherwise stated or otherwise made clear from the context, the statement that two entities are different means that they perform different functions. It does not necessarily mean that they are based on different hardware. That is, each of the entities described in the present description may be based on a different hardware, or some or all of the entities may be based on the same hardware. It does not necessarily mean that they are based on different software. That is, each of the entities described in the present description may be based on different software, or some or all of the entities may be based on the same software. Each of the entities described in the present description may be embodied in the cloud.

[0291] Implementations of any of the above described blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques or methods include, as non-limiting examples, implementations as hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof. Some embodiments may be implemented in the cloud.

[0292] It is to be understood that what is described above is what is presently considered the preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that the description of the preferred embodiments is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A first apparatus in a mobile communications system comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:receive, from a second apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration;receive, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message;monitor a first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI, wherein the first paging indication indicates that a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored;monitor a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position, wherein the second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus; andmonitor the subsequent paging occasion based on the first paging indication and the second paging indication.

2. A first apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second paging indication is comprised in one or more bits of a paging indication field that are unused by the first paging indication, and by tracking reference signal bits.

3. A first apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the subsequent paging occasion is monitored if:the first paging indication indicates that the paging occasion is to be monitored, andthe second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus.

4. The first apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second at least one bit position is applicable for a plurality of user equipment (UE).

535. The first apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding subgroup that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.

6. The first apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding paging occasion that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.

7. The first apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the instructions further cause the first apparatus to determine the second at least one bit position based, at least in part, on a number of paging occasions addressed by the PEI message, a number of subgroups per paging occasion, or a number of bits used for tracking reference signal (TRS) indication.

8. The first apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second at least one bit position is determined based on equation:(Npo' ■ K + TRS_bits)where:NPO' = number of POs addressed by the PEI message;K = N^G the number of subgroups per PO;TRS_bits = bits used for TRS indication.

9. A first apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the instructions further cause the first apparatus to monitor the subsequent paging occasion if a first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to '1' and a second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'.

10. A first apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the instructions further cause the first apparatus to monitor a third bit position, wherein the third bit position is indicative of whether to flip a determination corresponding to the first bit position.5411. A first apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the instructions further cause the first apparatus to monitor the subsequent paging occasion if the first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to 'O', a third bit of the third bit position is set to '1', and the second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'.

12. A second apparatus in a mobile communications system comprising: at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:send, to a first apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration;send, to the first apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message;set a value of a first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI, wherein the first paging indication indicates whether a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored;set a value of a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position of the DCI wherein the second paging indication indicates whether the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus; and configure the first apparatus to monitor the subsequent paging occasion based on at least one of the first paging indication and the second paging indication.

13. A second apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the instructions further cause the second apparatus to: set a first at least one bit of the first bit position to '1' if first paging indication is to indicate that the paging occasion is to be monitored; and to set a second at least one bit of the second bit position to '1' if the second paging indication is to indicate that the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus.

14. A second apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the second paging indication is comprised in one or more bits of a paging indication field that are unused by the first paging indication, and by tracking reference signal bits.5515. A second apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the first apparatus is configured to monitor the paging occasion if:the first paging indication indicates that the paging occasion is to be monitored, andthe second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable to the first apparatus.

16. The second apparatus as claimed in any one of the claims 12 to 15, wherein the second at least one bit position is applicable for a plurality of user equipment (UE).

17. The second apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding subgroup that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.

18. The second apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second at least one bit position is applicable for one or more of the plurality of UE based on a corresponding paging occasion that the one or more of the plurality of UE is associated with.

19. A second apparatus as claimed in any one of the claims 12 to 18, wherein the instructions further cause the second apparatus to send, to the first apparatus, a third paging indication comprised in a third bit position of the DCI, wherein the third paging indication is indicative of whether the first apparatus should flip a determination corresponding to the first bit position.

20. A second apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the instructions further cause the second apparatus to configure the first apparatus to monitor the subsequent paging occasion if the first at least one bit of the first bit position is set to 'O', a third bit of the third bit position is set to '1', and the second bit of the second at least one bit position is set to '1'.5621. A first apparatus or a second apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first apparatus is a user equipment (UE), and the second apparatus is a base station (gNB).

22. A first apparatus or a second apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the PEI message is comprised in a downlink control information (DCI) format 2_7.

23. A method, performed at a first apparatus of a mobile communications device, the method comprising:receiving, from a second apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration;receiving, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message;monitoring a first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI, wherein the first paging indication indicates that a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored;monitoring a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position, wherein the second paging indication indicates that the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus; andmonitoring the subsequent paging occasion based on the first paging indication and the second paging indication.

24. A method, performed at a second apparatus of a mobile communications device, the method comprising:sending, to a first apparatus, a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration;sending, to the first apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message;setting a value of a first paging indication comprised in a first bit position of the DCI, wherein the first paging indication indicates whether a subsequent paging occasion is to be monitored;setting a value of a second paging indication comprised in a second at least one bit position of the DCI wherein the second paging indication indicates whether the first paging indication is applicable for the first apparatus; andconfiguring the first apparatus to monitor the subsequent paging occasion based on at least one of the first paging indication and the second paging indication.

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