Interruption time in paging reception for OD‐SIB scenarios
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/CN2025/085821
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-01
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Figure CN2025085821_01102026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
INTERRUPTION TIME IN PAGING RECEPTION FOR OD‐SIB SCENARIOSTECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Various example embodiments relate generally to determining inter-ruption time for paging reception in connection of OD-SIB1 scenarios.BACKGROUND
[0002] On-demand system information block (OD-SIB) procedure has been proposed for network energy saving purposes. However, OD-SIB may affect radio resource management (RRM) operations.
[0003] BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0004] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims.
[0005] LIST OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which
[0007] Figure 1 presents a network to which one or more embodiments are applicable;
[0008] Figure 2 shows an example of an anchor cell and a network energy sav-ing cell, according to an embodiment;
[0009] Figure 3 shows some example alignments between RAR window and OD-SIB1 window;
[0010] Figure 4 shows an example interruption period;
[0011] Figure 5 illustrates a signaling flow diagram, according to some embod-iments;
[0012] Figures 6 to 9 show some example scenarios and how maximum inter-ruption duration may be determined in those scenarios, according to some embod-iments; and
[0013] Figure 10 illustrates an apparatus, according to an embodiment.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0014] The following embodiments are exemplary. Although the specification may refer to “an” , “one” , or “some” embodiment (s) in several locations of the text, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is made to the same embodi-ment (s) , or that a particular feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embod-iments. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection of an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to apply such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embod-iments whether or not explicitly described. It shall be understood that although the terms “first, ” “second” and the like may be used herein to describe various ele-ments, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.
[0015] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrases “at least one of A or B” , “at least one of A and B” , and “A and / or B” means (A) , (B) , or (A and B) . For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A, B, and / or C” means (A) , (B) , (C) , (A and B) , (A and C) , (B and C) , or (A, B, and C) . As used herein, the terms “the at least one” and “the one or more” mean “any one of the at least one” and “any one of the one or more” , respectively.
[0016] Embodiments described may be implemented in a communication net-work, such as any of the following radio access technologies (RATs) : Worldwide Interoperability for Micro-wave Access (WiMAX) , Global System for Mobile com-munications (GSM, 2G) , GSM EDGE radio access Network (GERAN) , General Packet Radio Service (GRPS) , Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS, 3G) based on basic wideband-code division multiple access (W-CDMA) , high-speed packet access (HSPA) , Long Term Evolution (LTE) , LTE-Advanced, and enhanced LTE (eLTE) , 5G (also called NR) , or any future RAT such as 6G. Moreover, commu-nication within the communication network may utilize any proper wireless com-munication technology, comprising but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Ac-cess (CDMA) , Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) , Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) , Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) , Time Division Duplex (TDD) , Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) , Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM) , and / or Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) .
[0017] As used herein, the term “network device” or “network node” refers to a node in a communication network via which user equipment may access the net-work and / or which is capable of controlling radio communication and managing radio resources within a cell. The network node or network device may be referred to as a base station (BS) , an access point (AP) or an access node. The network de-vice may be, depending on the applied technology, for example, a node B (NodeB or NB) , an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB) , an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB) , a Remote Radio Unit (RRU) , a radio head (RH) , a remote radio head (RRH) , a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-ground network device such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, or an aircraft network device.
[0018] Moreover, in connection of split radio access network (RAN) , the net-work device may refer to a centralised unit (CU) of a base station and / or a distrib-uted unit (DU) of a base station. An interface between CU and DU may be referred to as an F1 interface in NR. In the split RAN architecture, node operations may be carried out, at least partly, in the central / centralized unit, CU, (e.g. server, host or node) operationally coupled to the DU, (e.g. a radio head / node) . One CU may con-trol one or more DUs, acting at least as transmit / receive (Tx / Rx) nodes. In some embodiments, the DUs may comprise e.g. a radio link control (RLC) , medium access control (MAC) layer and a physical (PHY) layer, whereas the CU may comprise the layers above RLC layer, such as a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio resource control (RRC) and an internet protocol (IP) layers. Other functional splits are possible too. In practice, any processing task may be performed in either the CU or the DU and the boundary where the responsibility is shifted between the CU and the DU may depend on the applied implementation.
[0019] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example, a terminal device may be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE) , a Subscriber Station (SS) , or a Mobile Station (MS) . The terminal device may include a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA) , portable com-puters, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, USB dongles, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD) , a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery) , an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or an automated processing chain contexts) , a consumer electronics device, a device op-erating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like.
[0020] A term “resource” , as used herein, may refer to radio resources in time domain, in frequency domain, in space domain, and / or in code domain. Some ex-amples of resources include e.g. a physical resource block (PRB) , a radio frame, a subframe, a time slot, a subband, a frequency region, a sub-carrier, a beam, etc. The term “transmission” and / or “reception” may refer to wirelessly transmitting and / or receiving via a wireless propagation channel on radio resources.
[0021] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a communication network to which examples disclosed herein may be applied. The communication network or a cellu-lar communication network may comprise a network node 110 providing one or more cells, such as cell 100, and a network node 112 providing one or more other cells, such as cell 102. Each cell may be, e.g., a macro cell, a micro cell, femto, or a pico cell, for example. The cell may define a coverage area or a service area of the corresponding access node.
[0022] The network node 110 may provide a user equipment (UE) 120 (one or more UEs) with wireless access to the communication network. The wireless ac-cess may comprise downlink (DL) communication from the network node to the UE 120 and uplink (UL) communication from the UE 120 to the network node. Ex-amples of uplink channels comprise physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) for transmitting control information and physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) for transmitting data towards the network. Examples of downlink channels comprise physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for transmitting control information and physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) for transmitting data towards the user equipment.
[0023] There may be a plurality of UEs 120, 122 in the system. Each of them may be served by the same or by different control nodes 110, 112. The UEs 120, 122 may communicate with each other, in case device-to-device (D2D) communi-cation interface is established between them via a so-called sidelink (SL) . Such D2D communications may be referred to as machine-to-machine, peer-to-peer (P2P) communications, or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) , for example.
[0024] In the case of multiple network nodes in the communication network, the network nodes may be connected to each other via an interface. LTE specifica-tions call such an interface as X2 interface. An interface between an LTE node and a 5G node, or between two 5G nodes may be called Xn interface.
[0025] The network nodes 110 and 112 may be further connected via another interface to a core network 116 of the communication network. The LTE specifica-tions specify the core network as an evolved packet core (EPC) , and the core net-work may comprise e.g. a mobility management entity (MME) and a gateway node. The MME may handle mobility of terminal devices in a tracking area encompassing a plurality of cells and handle signalling connections between the terminal devices and the core network. The gateway node may handle data routing in the core network and to / from the terminal devices. The 5G specifications specify the core network as a 5G core (5GC) . The 5G core may comprise e.g. an access and mobility management function (AMF) and a user plane function / gateway (UPF) and other functions. The AMF may handle termination of non-access stratum (NAS) signal-ling, NAS ciphering &integrity protection, registration management, connection management, mobility management, access authentication and authorization, se-curity context management. The UPF node may support packet routing and for-warding, packet inspection and quality of service (QoS) handling, for example.
[0026] In 3GPP OD-SIB (also called OD-SIB1) scenario, a capacity cell, referred in 3GPP as NES cell, operating in OD-SIB mode will not periodically broadcast the SIB1. Instead, the SIB1 of the cell will be provided on-demand, i.e., based on the UE (in RRC idle or RRC inactive) requesting its transmission. As one option, the UE in idle / inactive mode triggers the transmission by sending a wake-up signal (WUS) , which could e.g., be a Physical Random-Access CHannel (PRACH) , i.e. a preamble (e.g. Msg1 or MsgA of random access process) . This may require that the UE is con-figured with resources and information to transmit the WUS.
[0027] Such OD-SIB1 case of Figure 2 has been discussed in RAN1 and RAN2. As shown there, the UE obtains WUS configuration from an anchor cellA. The UE sends UL WUS, i.e., RACH / Msg1, to a NES cell. The UE monitors / receives a RAR re-sponse from the NES cell that receives the WUS. The UE monitors / receives OD-SIB1 from the NES cell.
[0028] Based on the outcome of RAN1 discussions, it is agreed that a window (so-called OD-SIB1 monitoring window) may be specified for the UE for monitoring of OD-SIB1. And within the OD-SIB1 monitoring window, there can be multiple oc-casions configured for the UE to monitor and try to receive the OD-SIB1. This is shown in Figure 3 with two possible example locations for the OD-SIB1 monitoring window, wherein the OD-SIB1 monitoring window comprises one or more occa-sions for OD-SIB1 reception by the UE. The figure further shows two UEs having transmitted preambles simultaneously (i.e. on the same UL WUS occasion) . The “UE1 preamble” and “UE2 preamble” indicate the preambles sent by different UEs, showcasing the capability of multiple UEs to initiate the on-demand process simul-taneously or at different times. These preambles are part of the Physical Random-Access Channel (PRACH) procedure used by the UEs to request the OD-SIB1.
[0029] Following a transmission of the UL WUS (e.g. a preamble) by the UE, the UE expects a reply from the network, received during a specific period, a random access response (RAR) window. Within this period the UE is monitoring for the expected RAR from the network in response to the preamble. Upon receiving a RAR during the RAR window, the UE will start monitoring transmission of the SIB1 (OD-SIB1) within the SIB1 monitoring period / window. Following the reception of OD-SIB1, reception of the other necessary SIBs will be the same as in legacy.
[0030] RAR window comprises RAR occasions for possible transmissions of RAR from the network node. Since the UEs transmitted the preambles on the same UL WUS occasion, the RAR windows for the UEs may overlap as well. As shown, the UE2 receives the RAR first at t1, while the UE1 receives RAR at t2. Per legacy rules, the respective UE cannot proceed to monitoring / receiving OD-SIB before it has re-ceived RAR. That is why the two first RAR occasions are white boxes, as these hap-pen before either of the UEs has had a chance to receive RAR. After the UE#2 has received RAR in the second RAR occasion (marked as 2nd RAR in the Figure) , the UE may start to monitor OD-SIB.
[0031] Regarding the OD-SIB1 monitoring window, as shown in Figure 3, the starting time (e.g. slot) of OD-SIB1 monitoring window utilizes the starting time (e.g. slot) of RAR window as reference time point, and a time offset (indicated e.g., via the UL WUS configuration) can be further configured to indicate the exact start-ing time of OD-SIB1 monitoring window. In current discussions in 3GPP, the value of the time offset can be zero or value larger than zero. Moreover, the duration of OD-SIB1 monitoring window can be also configured to UE, e.g. via the UL WUS con-figuration.
[0032] The windows shown in Figure 3 have been discussed in 3GPP and re-cently it was considered that they may have an impact on RRM requirements. One impact may be on the determination of a maximum interruption in paging recep-tion from the serving cell (e.g. anchor cell in Figure 2) . Regarding maximum inter-ruption in paging reception, it has been specified that the UE shall perform the cell re-selection with minimum interruption in monitoring downlink channels for pag-ing reception. Figure 4 shows legacy interruption on paging reception due to cell reselection, without OD-SIB operation.
[0033] At intra-frequency and inter-frequency cell re-selection, the UE shall monitor the downlink of serving cell for paging reception until the UE is capable to start monitoring downlink channels of the target intra-frequency and inter-fre-quency cell for paging reception. The interruption time shall not exceed TSI-NR + 2 *Ttarget_cell_SMTC_period ms. At inter-RAT cell re-selection, the UE shall monitor the down-link of serving cell for paging reception until the UE is capable to start monitoring downlink channels for paging reception of the target inter-RAT cell. For NR to E-UTRAN cell re-selection the interruption time must not exceed TSI-EUTRA + 55 ms.
[0034] Ttarget_cell_SMTC_period is the periodicity of the SMTC occasions configured for the target cell. If the target cell is in the PCI list of smtc2-LP, the SMTC periodic-ity follows smtc2-LP, otherwise, the SMTC periodicity follows smtc. TSI-NR is the time required for receiving all the relevant system information data according to the reception procedure and the RRC procedure delay of system information blocks defined in standard specifications for an NR cell. TSI-EUTRA is the time required for receiving all the relevant system information data according to the reception pro-cedure and the RRC procedure delay of system information blocks defined in stand-ard specifications for an E-UTRAN cell.
[0035] However, in connection of OD-SIB1 operation in a candidate target cell, when UE is performing cell reselection to the cell supporting OD-SIB1, UE shall send an uplink WUS to the newly reselected cell in order to request the OD-SIB1 from the cell supporting OD-SIB1. The transmission of the preamble / UL-WUS and time to acquire OD-SIB1 may increase the time the UE needs in the target cell be-fore the UE can camp in the cell, hence may lead to longer paging interruption. One aspect related to this is that the time location of OD-SIB1 monitoring window is up to network configuration, i.e. an offset value, which may introduce additional delay to the system information acquisition (see Figure 3) . Thus, there exists a need to optimize determination of maximum interruption time in connection of OD-SIB1 operation.
[0036] To at least partially tackle this problem, there is proposed a solution for performing cell re-selection to a cell supporting OD-SIB1 with a minimum inter-ruption in monitoring downlink channels for paging reception from the serving cell. The interruption time shall not exceed a maximum allowable interruption du-ration defined for monitoring of downlink channels for paging reception, which is determined at least by the time location of the OD-SIB1 monitoring window, as will be described in detail below. In an embodiment, the interruption may be minimized during cell re-selection by adjusting the configuration of the SIB1 monitoring win-dow, which may be important for maintaining continuous paging reception in the serving cell. The apparatus may also calculate the maximum interruption duration by considering various time durations related to downlink timing acquisition, sys-tem information reception, and the frequency of requests and monitoring win-dows. This approach can ensure that the user equipment performs cell re-selection with minimal disruption to downlink signal monitoring, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of the communication system.
[0037] Figure 5 depicts a signaling flowchart. The entities performing the tasks of the flowchart include a user equipment, such as UE 120 of Figure 1, a first net-work node providing a network energy saving (NES) cell, and a second network node providing an anchor cell. The first and second network nodes may be the same or different networks nodes, such as the same gNB or different gNBs. The NES cell and anchor cell may be on different frequency, for example.
[0038] As shown in Figure 5, the network node of the NES cell generates WUS configuration in step 500, and then the network node of the NES cell transmits the WUS configuration to the anchor cell in step 501, which then transmits and the UE receives WUS configuration (also called UL WUS configuration) in step 502. In an embodiment, the anchor cell forwards the WUS configuration received from the NES cell to the UE in step 502. In an embodiment, the WUS configuration may be carried to the UE on a broadcasted system information block. In another embodi-ment, the network node of the anchor cell generates the WUS configuration, e.g. based on information received from the NES cell or autonomously. In case where the anchor cell generates the WUS configuration, the anchor cell may then transmit the WUS configuration to the NES cell, in addition to transmitting the WUS config-uration to the UE.
[0039] The WUS configuration may pertain to the NES cell. In an embodiment, the WUS configuration indicates to the UE how to send OD-SIB1 request (e.g. UL WUS) to the NES cell. This may be informed to the UE by indicating one or more UL WUS transmission occasions. Additionally, the WUS configuration may comprise information for the UE regarding how to receive the OD-SIB1 from the NES cell, such as an offset (with respect to a reference time, which may be e.g. a starting slot of the RAR window, for example) and a duration of the OD-SIB1 monitoring win-dow. Additionally, or alternatively, the WUS configuration may define one or more monitoring occasions for OD-SIB, e.g. during the OD-SIB1 monitoring window.
[0040] In step 504, the UE decides (e.g. detect a need or a chance) to perform a cell re-reselection to the NES cell. This may be triggered based on e.g. signal strength and / or quality related measurements of at least the NES cell. Signal strength of the NES cell may be determined e.g. based on measurements indicating reference signal received power (RSRP) or reference signal received quality (RSRQ) of reference signals (such as SSBs) of the NES cell. The cell re-selection may be affected by other criterion as well such as cell priorities, as configured to the UE, for example.
[0041] In step 506, the UE determines an OD-SIB monitoring window for monitoring the OD-SIB from the first network node providing the NES cell (i.e. the cell to which the cell re-selection is to be done) . This determination may comprise obtaining the timing of the OD-SIB1 monitoring window from the WUS configura-tion received in step 502.
[0042] In an embodiment, the UE may also determine a RAR monitoring time window for monitoring a RAR from the first network node, which may comprise obtaining timing of the RAR monitoring window from the WUS configuration re-ceived in step 502.
[0043] Determining the time window (s) may comprise determining the start instance (s) of the time window (s) and duration (s) of the time window (s) , for ex-ample. In other words, this step may comprise determining timing of the win-dow (s) . Determining the time window (s) may further comprise determining re-spective monitoring occasions (i.e. locations thereof) within the window (s) . Deter-mining the time window (s) may comprise setting and / or starting the time win-dow (s) by starting a respective timer for the window at the UE, wherein the timer defines pendency of the respective window.
[0044] The UE in step 508 determines a maximum allowable interruption du-ration (also called maximum interruption duration) TMAX in monitoring of down-link signals from a serving cell (e.g. in this case from the anchor / source cell before the cell switch and the NES / target cell after the cell switch, if successful) . It may be beneficial to determine such maximum interruption duration, as the UE needs to make sure that this maximum interruption duration is not exceeded during the cell re-selection. In an embodiment, monitoring of downlink signals comprises moni-toring of paging reception. The maximum interruption duration, and thus deter-mining the maximum interruption duration, is based at least on a time location of the OD-SIB monitoring window. This will be explained in detail with respect to fig-ures 6 to 9 later.
[0045] In steps 509A and 509B the UE acquires DL timing or synchronization with the NES cell. The time duration for acquiring downlink timing may be based on periodicity of SS / PBCH block measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occa-sions of the NES cell. The DL timing acquisition may require a reception of at least one synchronization signal block (SSB) from the NES cell.
[0046] As the UE has in step 504 decided to attempt to perform cell reselection to a NES cell (i.e. to a cell supporting OD-SIB1 functionality) and consequently de-tected that the cell to reselect is a NES cell which is not broadcasting SIB1 without a request, the UE in step 510 transmits a request for the OD-SIB1 to the NES cell. This transmission may be based on the earlier received WUS configuration. The request may be an UL WUS, for example. The request may comprise or be a random access message, such as Msg1 or MsgA of RA process. In an embodiment, the UL WUS comprises a PRACH-based on-demand request. The request may take place at a next possible UL WUS transmission occasion, which may be configured in the re-ceived WUS configuration.
[0047] In step 512 the UE starts the OD-SIB1 monitoring window during which the UE may receive OD-SIB1. That is, the UE starts monitoring the OD-SIB1 during the OD-SIB1 monitoring window. The OD-SIB1 monitoring window may be started at a time instance defined by a time offset from the (configured / planned) starting time instance of the RAR monitoring window or by a time offset from the transmis-sion of the UL WUS. In an embodiment, the offset is indicated in the received WUS configuration. Alternatively, the offset may be otherwise signalled to the UE or it may be preconfigured in specifications. The offset may be a positive value (causing the start of the OD-SIB1 monitoring window after the start of the RAR window) , zero (causing the windows to start at the same time instance) , or a negative value such that the OD-SIB1 monitoring window starts before the RAR monitoring win-dow is planned to start. The time windows may overlap at least partially (com-pletely or partially) .
[0048] Further, the UE may, after having transmitted the UL WUS (Msg1, for example) , start the RAR window (or start monitoring RAR during the RAR win-dow) . The RAR window may be configured to start a predetermined slots after the UL WUS transmission occasion. However, in case the OD-SIB1 is received before the RAR time window starts (which depends at least partially on the value of the offset) , the RAR window may never be started (hence its start is not shown in Fig-ure 5) .
[0049] In step 514, the UE receives OD-SIB during the OD-SIB1 monitoring win-dow. The reception may take place in at least one of the monitoring occasions of the OD-SIB1. The OD-SIB1 may be a broadcasted from the NES cell.
[0050] In step 516 the cell reselection is completed. As the UE has determined (e.g. calculated) , based on at least the time domain location of the OD-SIB1 moni-toring window, the parameter TMAX (as will be explained below in connection of Figure 6 to 9) , the UE may ensure that total cell re-selection duration is smaller than that. That is, before the UE starts the cell re-selection process, the UE benefi-cially determines TMAX, the determination of which can be accurately done only af-ter the UE knows the time domain location of the OD-SIB1 monitoring window, which may be different in different cells.
[0051] According to embodiments, the UE then makes sure that the total cell reselection duration Ttot does not exceed the maximum allowable interruption du-ration TMAX, as determined in step 508. For example, the UE may transmit the UL WUS request as early as possible, to make sure the UE stays within the time limit TMAX.
[0052] Performing the cell re-selection within the TMAX may comprise perform-ing at least the following functions within TMAX: obtaining DL synchronization of the target cell, transmitting the request (e.g. UL WUS) to the network node provid-ing the NES cell, possibly receiving RAR from the network node, receiving SIB1, and other required SIB (s) , from the network node.
[0053] In test scenarios of a user equipment capabilities, the UE may need to transmit a preamble for connection establishment within the set TMAX, such that the UE’s capabilities in connection of the cell re-reselection time being within TMAX can be verified. In the test, UE is expected to transmit a preamble to set up RRC connec-tion with the new cell after cell reselection. The transmission of preamble needs to be within a time threshold TMAX.
[0054] Let us then take a closer look at how the maximum interruption dura-tion is determined, and in particular how it is affected by the location / timing of the OD-SIB1 monitoring window with respect to Figures 6 to 9.
[0055] Common to all these figures and the determination of the maximum al-lowable interruption duration may be that the maximum allowable interruption duration is based on at least:
[0056] · a time duration (TSYNC) for acquiring downlink timing of the tar-get cell (e.g. the NES cell in this scenario) , wherein the parameter TSYNC may be based on periodicity of SMTC occasions of the tar-get cell, as explained earlier in connection of Figure 4.
[0057] · a time duration (TSI) required for receiving predetermined sys-tem information, including the OD-SIB, in the target cell. Other SIBs the UE may require include e.g. at least one of SIB2, SIB3, or SIB4. For example, the UE may need to receive SIB (s) including cell reselection parameters in order to camp on the new target cell. TSI may be TSI-NR or TSI-EUTRA, as also explained above. In an embodiment, TSI may be composed of a time duration of starting the OD-SIB window and a time duration for receiving OD-SIB1 (and other relevant SIBs) .
[0058] However, in connection of OD-SIB1 operation, the required system in-formation blocks, e.g. SIB1, may not be transmitted without an OD-SIB1 request. Therefore, for the OD-SIB1 scenarios, the maximum interruption duration in Fig-ures 6 to 9 is further based on a time duration (T1) between the acquisition of downlink timing and a time occasion for transmitting the request for the OD-SIB1.
[0059] In an embodiment it may be that the first request for the OD-SIB1 is un-successful, meaning that either the request does not reach the NES cell or the UE is not successful in receiving RAR during RAR monitoring window or SIB1 during the OD-SIB1 monitoring window. Such unsuccessfulness may be due to channel condi-tions or load in the network, for example. Therefore, the UE may need to re-trans-mit the request. As such, the maximum interruption duration may further be based on at least how many times the request for the OD-SIB1 is transmitted. The maxi-mum interruption duration may also be based on how many times the RAR moni-toring window is run and / or how many times the OD-SIB1 monitoring window is run.
[0060] It is assumed in the Figures 6 to 9 that the UE receives RAR at the 3rd RAR monitoring occasion within the RAR window, as depicted with solid line com-pared to other RAR occasions marked with dashed lines.
[0061] As shown with crosses on top of paging blocks in Figures 6 to 9, the UE is allowed not to monitor those paging occasions from the source cell (current serv-ing cell) during the interruption duration. However, after the interruption duration is over, the UE is allowed to monitor the paging occasions from the target cell (=cur-rent serving cell) in case the cell reselection is completed, or from the source cell (=serving cell) or any suitable cell if the cell re-selection is not completed.
[0062] Let us then look closer at Figure 6 which depicts a scenario where the OD-SIB monitoring window starts when the RAR monitoring window ends. In this embodiment, the maximum interruption duration is further based on a duration (TRAR) of the RAR monitoring window, as shown in that Figure. The duration of RAR monitoring window may be configured to the UE in the WUS configuration, or oth-erwise defined. As such, in Figure 6, where the SIB1 monitoring window is assumed to start from the end of the RAR window, the time for UL WUS procedure includes the time to acquire the first PRACH occasion associated with the UL WUS transmis-sion (e.g. UL WUS occasion) and the number of RAR occasions within the RAR win-dow.
[0063] In this embodiment, the UE needs to wait until the end of the RAR win-dow before the OD-SIB1 window starts, and thus before the TSI can start. That is, the time for receiving all relevant system information (including OD-SIB1) starts from the end of the RAR window, including a successful reception of RAR.
[0064] Further, in this embodiment, the maximum interruption duration is based on a time period (T0) between the transmission of the request for OD-SIB and the start of the RAR monitoring window. That is, T0 is the time between the slot UE sends UL WUS and the start of the RAR window. The granularity of the duration may be one slot, one symbol, or one millisecond, for example. T0 may be configured to the UE in the WUS configuration, or otherwise defined.
[0065] In an embodiment, the maximum interruption duration TMAX may be given in the example of Figure 6 as TSYNC+T1+min (K, Kmax) * (T0+TRAR) +TSI. K is a number of UL WUS retransmissions. Kmax is a maximum number of allowed UL WUS retransmissions. This value can be configured to the UE, e.g. in the UL WUS config-uration, or it can be a predefined value. In an embodiment, it corresponds to pre-ambleTransMax, given e.g. in the WUS configuration or otherwise defined in stand-ard specifications.
[0066] Figure 7 depicts a scenario where the OD-SIB monitoring window starts at the same time as the RAR monitoring window. In this example, the maximum interruption duration is further based on a time period (T2) between the transmis-sion of the request for the OD-SIB and the reception of the RAR during the RAR monitoring window. That is, the UE may start to monitor OD-SIB1 directly after receiving RAR, and need not wait until the end of the RAR window for the OD-SIB1 monitoring window to start.
[0067] In this example, the time for UL WUS procedure includes the time to ac-quire the first PRACH occasion associated with the UL WUS transmission (e.g. UL WUS occasion) and the time to obtain the RAR associated with the UE UL WUS transmission. In the example of Figure 7, TMAX can be expressed as TSYNC+T1+T2+TSI, where T2 depicts the time between the UL-WUS transmission and the reception of RAR (at the third RAR occasion) .
[0068] Figure 8 depicts a scenario where the OD-SIB monitoring window starts at a time offset from the start of the RAR monitoring window. In this case, if UE obtains RAR before the start of SIB1 monitoring window, UE would need to wait for the start of OD-SIB1 monitoring window after it has obtained the RAR, hence a delay uncertainty T3 is introduced. Otherwise, the UE is able to start monitoring window once it has obtained RAR. Consequently, for this example, the maximum interruption duration is then further based on a time period (T2) between the transmission of the request for the OD-SIB and the reception of the RAR during the RAR monitoring window, and a non-negative time period (T3) between the recep-tion of the RAR and a start of the OD-SIB monitoring window. In special case, T3 may be zero, if the offset is such that the OD-SIB monitoring window has started or starts already at the time instant of RAR reception.
[0069] In this example, the time for UL WUS procedure includes the time to ac-quire the first PRACH occasion associated with the UL WUS transmission (e.g. UL WUS occasion) , the time to obtain the RAR associated with the UL WUS transmis-sion, and a defined delay uncertainty for OD-SIB1 monitoring, which starts from successful reception of RAR until the starting point of OD-SIB1 monitoring window. In the example of Figure 8, TMAX can be expressed as TSYNC+T1+T2+T3+TSI.
[0070] Figure 9 depicts a scenario where the apparatus is configured to moni-tor for OD-SIB without having received RAR first. That is, unlike in above options where the UE is assumed to be able to start SIB1 monitoring window only after successful reception of RAR, in this embodiment of Figure 9 it is possible for the UE to receive OD-SIB1 before receiving RAR. Such functionality may be based on UE’s capabilities and / or configured to the UE e.g. in the WUS configuration by the net-work. Consequently, in this case, the SIB1 monitoring is assumed independent from the reception of RAR, hence T2 = 0. Further, in this example figure, the OD-SIB1 monitoring window starts with an offset value referring to the starting point of the RAR window.
[0071] The time for UL WUS procedure includes the time to acquire the first PRACH occasion associated with the UL WUS transmission (e.g. UL WUS occasion) , and a minimum value between the time to obtain the RAR associated with the UL WUS transmission and the time to the starting point of the OD-SIB1 monitoring window.
[0072] In the example of Figure 9, TMAX can be expressed as TSYNC+T1+T4+TSI, where T4 is defined as the delay uncertainty to the start of valid SIB1 monitoring window, i.e. to the OD-SIB1 monitoring window where UE is able to receive SIB1 after transmission / retransmission of UL WUS. That is, in this case, the maximum interruption duration is further based on a time period (T4) between the transmis-sion of the request for the OD-SIB and a start of the OD-SIB monitoring window.
[0073] In addition to, or alternatively, the maximum interruption duration TMAX can be expressed in many ways in each of the examples of the Figures, without de-parting from the concept. The above explained manners of expressing and deter-mining TMAX is merely one example for each case. For example, assuming for sim-plicity that the OD-SIB1 request is transmitted only once, i.e. K=1, then another way of expressing TMAX in Figure 6 can be TSYNC+T1+T2+T3+TSI. Yet one manner of de-picting TMAX in Figure 6 can be TSYNC+T1+T0+T5+T3+TSI. Parameter T5 depicts the time between the start of the RAR monitoring window and the reception of the RAR. If the OD-SIB1 request is transmitted more than once, then the factor min (K, Kmax) can be included in any of the above-discussed TMAX expressions.
[0074] As shown in the Figures, the time for the cell reselection may vary de-pending on where the OD-SIB1 monitoring window is, and so may the maximum allowed interruption duration change in dependence of where the OD-SIB1 moni-toring window is located. The lengths of the interruption as shown in the figures are merely non-limiting examples.
[0075] In an embodiment, some of the different parameters related to TMAX de-termination may be given as follows:
[0076] · TSYNC: The time for DL timing acquisition, e.g. a number of SMTC periodicity (Ttarget_cell_SMTC_period) , as an example 2 SMTCs.
[0077] · T1: The time to acquire the first PRACH occasion associated with the UL WUS transmission, e.g. UL WUS occasion.
[0078] · T2: The time for obtaining the RAR associated with the UL WUS. This time duration starts from the slot where UE transmits the first UL WUS until the slot the UE successfully receives the RAR. Note that this may include one or more UL-WUS transmissions.
[0079] · T3: The delay uncertainty related to successful reception of OD-SIB1. This time delay is defined as the time between UE receiving the RAR associated with an UL WUS until start of OD-SIB1 mon-itoring window.
[0080] · T4: The delay uncertainty related to the start of valid OD-SIB1 monitoring window, i.e. to the SIB1 monitoring window where UE is able to receive SIB1 after transmission / retransmission of UL WUS. This time delay is defined as the time between the transmission of the request for the OD-SIB until start of OD-SIB1 monitoring window.
[0081] · T5: The time between start of the RAR monitoring window and reception of the RAR within the RAR monitoring window.
[0082] · TRAR: Duration of the RAR monitoring window.
[0083] · TSI: Time for obtaining predetermined system information block, including at least SIB1, and possibly also at least one of SIB2, SIB3, and SIB4. This component comprises at least time needed until UE has successfully received OD-SIB1 from the start of the OD-SIB1 monitoring window. This time delay may be longer than OD-SIB1 monitoring window, if other required SIB(s) are received after the OD-SIB1 monitoring window. How-ever, in an embodiment, this time delay component is gapped by the length of the OD-SIB1 monitoring window. In an embodi-ment, this time delay component corresponds to TSI-NR.
[0084] Based on the proposed embodiments, UE shall perform the cell re-se-lection with minimum interruption in monitoring downlink channels for paging re-ception, and at least so that TMAX is not exceeded. If the UE is reselecting to an OD-SIB1 cell, the maximum interruption in paging reception may be based on the tim-ing of the OD-SIB1 monitoring window, as well as other delay components, as illus-trated in connection of Figures 5 to 9.
[0085] An embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, provides an apparatus 10 com-prising a control circuitry (CTRL) 12, such as at least one processor, and at least one memory 14 storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one pro-cessor, cause the apparatus at least to carry out any one of the above-described processes. In an example, the at least one memory and the computer program code (software) , are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to carry out any one of the above-described processes. The control circuitry 12 may comprise relevant circuitry / ies for performing the functions, according to any of the embodiments.
[0086] The memory may be implemented using any suitable data storage tech-nology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The memory may comprise a database for storing data.
[0087] In an embodiment, the apparatus 10 is or is comprised in a user equip-ment, such as the UE 120. The apparatus may be caused to execute some of the functionalities of the above described processes, such as the steps performed by the UE in Figure 5.
[0088] The apparatus may further comprise a radio interface (TRX) 16 com-prising hardware and / or software for realizing communication connectivity ac-cording to one or more communication protocols. The TRX may provide the appa-ratus with communication capabilities to a user equipment and / or to other entities of the base station, for example.
[0089] The apparatus may also comprise a user interface 18 comprising, for example, at least one keypad, a microphone, a touch display, a display, a speaker, etc. The user interface may be used to control the apparatus by the user.
[0090] The control circuitry 12 may comprise relevant circuitry / ies for per-forming the functions, according to any of the embodiments.
[0091] As used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to all of the follow-ing: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations, such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry, and (b) combinations of circuits and soft-ware (and / or firmware) , such as (as applicable) : (i) a combination of processor (s) or (ii) portions of processor (s) / software including digital signal processor (s) , software, and memory (ies) that work together to cause an apparatus to perform various functions, and (c) circuits, such as a microprocessor (s) or a portion of a micropro-cessor (s) , that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’a pplies to all uses of this term in this application. As a further example, as used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or mul-tiple processors) or a portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying soft-ware and / or firmware. The term ‘circuitry’ would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or another network device.
[0092] In an embodiment, at least some of the processes described may be car-ried out by an apparatus comprising corresponding means for carrying out at least some of the described processes. For example, an apparatus capable of performing the steps of Figure 5 (for example, a user equipment or a network device, respec-tively) may comprise means for performing the steps of the respective method, or of any of the described embodiments thereof. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. Some further example means for carrying out the processes may include at least one of the following: detector, processor (including dual-core and multiple-core processors) , digital signal processor, controller, receiver, transmit-ter, encoder, decoder, memory, RAM, ROM, software, firmware, display, user inter-face, display circuitry, user interface circuitry, user interface software, display soft-ware, circuit, antenna, antenna circuitry, and circuitry. A term non-transitory, as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e. tangible, not a signal) as op-posed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g. RAM vs. ROM) .
[0093] As used herein the term “means” is to be construed in singular form, i.e. referring to a single element, or in plural form, i.e. referring to a combination of single elements. Therefore, terminology “means for [performing A, B, C] ” , is to be interpreted to cover an apparatus in which there is only one means for performing A, B and C, or where there are separate means for performing A, B and C, or partially or fully overlapping means for performing A, B, C. Further, terminology “means for performing A, means for performing B, means for performing C” is to be interpreted to cover an apparatus in which there is only one means for performing A, B and C, or where there are separate means for performing A, B and C, or partially or fully overlapping means for performing A, B, C.
[0094] The techniques and methods described herein may be implemented by various means. For example, these techniques may be implemented in hardware (one or more devices) , firmware (one or more devices) , software (one or more modules) , or combinations thereof. For a hardware implementation, the appa-ratus (es) of embodiments may be implemented within one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) , digital signal processors (DSPs) , digital signal processing devices (DSPDs) , programmable logic devices (PLDs) , field programma-ble gate arrays (FPGAs) , processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microproces-sors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof. For firmware or software, the implementation can be car-ried out through modules of at least one chip set (e.g. procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. The software codes may be stored in a memory unit and executed by processors. The memory unit may be imple-mented within the processor or externally to the processor. In the latter case, it can be communicatively coupled to the processor via various means, as is known in the art. Additionally, the components of the systems described herein may be rear-ranged and / or complemented by additional components in order to facilitate the achievements of the various aspects, etc., described with regard thereto, and they are not limited to the precise configurations set forth in the given figures, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.
[0095] Embodiments as described may also be carried out in the form of a com-puter process defined by a computer program or portions thereof. Embodiments of the methods described may be carried out by executing at least one portion of a computer program comprising corresponding instructions. The computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some sort of carrier, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, the computer program may be stored on a computer program distribution medium readable by a computer or a processor. The computer program medium may be, for example but not limited to, a record medium, computer memory, read-only memory, electrical carrier signal, telecom-munications signal, and software distribution package, for example. The computer program medium may be a non-transitory medium. Coding of software for carrying out the embodiments as shown and described is well within the scope of a person of ordinary skill in the art.
[0096] Following is a list of some aspects of the invention.
[0097] According to a first aspect, there is provided a method performed by a user equipment, the method comprising: determining that a cell re-selection is to be performed to a target cell supporting on-demand system information block (OD-SIB) transmission; determining an OD-SIB monitoring window for monitoring the OD-SIB from a first network node providing the target cell; determining a maxi-mum allowable interruption duration in monitoring of downlink signals from a serving cell, wherein the maximum allowable interruption duration is based at least on a time location of the OD-SIB monitoring window; and performing the cell reselection to the target cell within the maximum allowable interruption duration.
[0098] The method of the first aspect may further comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list:
[0099] · wherein the monitoring of downlink signals comprises monitor-ing of paging reception.
[0100] · receiving an uplink wake-up signal (UL WUS) configuration from a second network node, wherein determining the OD-SIB moni-toring window is based on the UL WUS configuration.
[0101] · transmitting, to the first network node, a request for the OD-SIB; and receiving at least SIB1 during an OD-SIB monitoring win-dow.
[0102] · determining a random access response (RAR) monitoring win-dow for monitoring the RAR from the first network node.
[0103] · wherein the maximum allowable interruption duration is fur-ther based on a time duration (TSYNC) for acquiring downlink tim-ing of the target cell.
[0104] · wherein the time duration for acquiring downlink timing is based on periodicity of SS / PBCH block measurement timing con-figuration (SMTC) occasions of the target cell.
[0105] · wherein the maximum allowable interruption duration is fur-ther based on a time duration (TSI) required for receiving predetermined system information, including the OD-SIB, in the target cell.
[0106] · wherein the maximum allowable interruption duration is fur-ther based on a time duration (T1) between the acquisition of downlink timing and a time occasion for transmitting the re-quest for the OD-SIB.
[0107] · wherein the maximum allowable interruption duration is fur-ther based on how many times the request for the OD-SIB is transmitted.
[0108] · wherein the OD-SIB monitoring window starts when the RAR monitoring window ends, and the maximum allowable interrup-tion duration is further based on a duration (TRAR) of the RAR monitoring window.
[0109] · wherein the maximum allowable interruption duration is fur-ther based on a time period (T0) between the transmission of the request for OD-SIB and the start of the RAR monitoring window.
[0110] · wherein the OD-SIB monitoring window starts at the same time as the RAR monitoring window, and the maximum allowable in-terruption duration is further based on a time period (T2) be-tween the transmission of the request for the OD-SIB and the re-ception of the RAR during the RAR monitoring window.
[0111] · wherein the OD-SIB monitoring window starts at a time offset from the start of the RAR monitoring window, and the maximum allowable interruption duration is further based on: a time pe-riod (T2) between the transmission of the request for the OD-SIB and the reception of the RAR during the RAR monitoring win-dow, and a non-negative time period (T3) between the reception of the RAR and a start of the OD-SIB monitoring window.
[0112] · wherein the apparatus is configured to monitor for OD-SIB with-out having received the RAR, and wherein the maximum allowa-ble interruption duration is further based on a time period (T4) between the transmission of the request for the OD-SIB and a start of the OD-SIB monitoring window.
[0113] According to a second aspect, there is provided an apparatus, compris-ing: 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: determine that a cell re-selection is to be performed to a target cell supporting on-demand system information block (OD-SIB) transmission; determine an OD-SIB monitoring window for monitoring the OD-SIB from a first network node providing the target cell; determine a maximum allowable interruption duration in monitoring of downlink signals from a serving cell, wherein the maximum allowable interruption duration is based at least on a time location of the OD-SIB monitoring window; and perform the cell reselection to the target cell within the maximum allowable inter-ruption duration. Various embodiments of the second aspect may comprise at least one feature from the bulleted list under the first aspect.
[0114] According to a third aspect, there is s provided a computer program product embodied on a distribution medium and comprising program instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out the method according to the first aspect.
[0115] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising program instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out the method according to the first aspect.
[0116] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided an apparatus, comprising means for performing the method according to the first aspect, and / or means con-figured to cause the apparatus to perform the method according to the first aspect.
[0117] Even though the invention has been described above with reference to an example according to the accompanying drawings, it is clear that the invention is not restricted thereto but can be modified in several ways within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly and they are intended to illustrate, not to restrict, the embodiment. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. Further, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that the described embodiments may, but are not required to, be com-bined with other embodiments in various ways.
Claims
1.An apparatus, 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:determine that a cell re-selection is to be performed to a target cell sup-porting on-demand system information block (OD-SIB) transmission;determine an OD-SIB monitoring window for monitoring the OD-SIB from a first network node providing the target cell;determine a maximum allowable interruption duration in monitoring of downlink signals from a serving cell, wherein the maximum allowable interruption duration is based at least on a time location of the OD-SIB monitoring window; andperform the cell reselection to the target cell within the maximum al-lowable interruption duration.2.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the monitoring of downlink signals comprises monitoring of paging reception.3.The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:receive an uplink wake-up signal (UL WUS) configuration from a second network node, wherein determining the OD-SIB monitoring window is based on the UL WUS configuration.4.The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:transmit, to the first network node, a request for the OD-SIB; andreceive at least SIB1 during an OD-SIB monitoring window.5.The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:determine a random access response (RAR) monitoring window for monitoring the RAR from the first network node.6.The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the maximum allowa-ble interruption duration is further based on a time duration (TSYNC) for acquiring downlink timing of the target cell.7.The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the time duration for acquiring downlink timing is based on periodicity of SS / PBCH block measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasions of the target cell.8.The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the maximum allowa-ble interruption duration is further based on a time duration (TSI) required for re-ceiving predetermined system information, including the OD-SIB, in the target cell.9.The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the maximum allowa-ble interruption duration is further based on a time duration (T1) between the ac-quisition of downlink timing and a time occasion for transmitting the request for the OD-SIB.10.The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the maximum allowable interrup-tion duration is further based on how many times the request for the OD-SIB is transmitted.11.The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the OD-SIB monitor-ing window starts when the RAR monitoring window ends, and the maximum al-lowable interruption duration is further based on a duration (TRAR) of the RAR monitoring window.12.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the maximum allowable inter-ruption duration is further based on a time period (T0) between the transmission of the request for OD-SIB and the start of the RAR monitoring window.13.The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the OD-SIB monitor-ing window starts at the same time as the RAR monitoring window, and the maxi-mum allowable interruption duration is further based on a time period (T2) be-tween the transmission of the request for the OD-SIB and the reception of the RAR during the RAR monitoring window.14.The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the OD-SIB monitor-ing window starts at a time offset from the start of the RAR monitoring window, and the maximum allowable interruption duration is further based on:· a time period (T2) between the transmission of the request for the OD-SIB and the reception of the RAR during the RAR moni-toring window, and· a non-negative time period (T3) between the reception of the RAR and a start of the OD-SIB monitoring window.15.The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the apparatus is con-figured to monitor for OD-SIB without having received the RAR, and wherein the maximum allowable interruption duration is further based on a time period (T4) between the transmission of the request for the OD-SIB and a start of the OD-SIB monitoring window.16.The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the apparatus is or is comprised in a user equipment.17.A method performed by a user equipment, the method comprising:determining that a cell re-selection is to be performed to a target cell supporting on-demand system information block (OD-SIB) transmission;determining an OD-SIB monitoring window for monitoring the OD-SIB from a first network node providing the target cell;determining a maximum allowable interruption duration in monitoring of downlink signals from a serving cell, wherein the maximum allowable interrup-tion duration is based at least on a time location of the OD-SIB monitoring window; andperforming the cell reselection to the target cell within the maximum allowable interruption duration.18.A computer program product embodied on a distribution medium readable by a computer and comprising program instructions which, when the pro-gram is executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out the method ac-cording to claim 17.19.A computer program product comprising program instructions which, when the program is executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out the method according to claim 17.20.An apparatus, comprising means for performing the method accord-ing to claim 17.