Pathloss offset configuration

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for pathloss offset indication are described. A method includes receiving, from a first network element in response to a resume request message, a response including an indication of at least one pathloss (PL) offset for application in a transmission from a user equipment to a second network element. The method also includes applying the at least one PL offset for the transmission from the user equipment to the second network element.

Description

TITLE:PATHLOSS OFFSET CONFIGURATION FIELD:

[0001] Some example embodiments may generally relate to mobile or wireless telecommunication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) access technology, or 5G beyond, or sixth generation (6G) access technology, or other communications systems. For example, certain example embodiments may relate to a pathloss (PL) offset configuration.BACKGROUND:

[0002] Examples of mobile or wireless telecommunication systems may include the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), MulteFire, LTE-A Pro, fifth generation (5G) radio access technology or new radio (NR) access technology and / or sixth generation (6G) radio access technology. Fifth generation (5G) and sixth generation (6G) wireless systems refer to the next generation (NG) of radio systems and network architecture. 5G and 6G network technology is mostly based on new radio (NR) technology, but the 5G / 6G (or NG) network can also build on E-UTRAN radio. It is estimated that NR may provide bitrates on the order of 10-20 Gbit / s or higher, and may support at least enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) as well as massive machine-type communication (mMTC). NR is expected to deliver extreme broadband and ultra-robust, low-latency connectivity and massive networking to support the Internet of Things (loT).SUMMARY:

[0003] Some example embodiments may be directed to a method. The method may include receiving, from a first network element in response to a resume request message, a response including an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from a user equipment to a second network element. The method may also include applying the at least one pathloss offset for the transmission from the user equipment to the second network element.

[0004] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions which, whenexecuted by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive, from a first network element in response to a resume request message, a response including an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the apparatus to a second network element. The apparatus may also be caused to apply the at least one pathloss offset for the transmission from the apparatus to the second network element.

[0005] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for receiving, from a first network element in response to a resume request message, a response including an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the apparatus to a second network element. The apparatus may also include means for applying the at least one pathloss offset for the transmission from the apparatus to the second network element.

[0006] In accordance with other example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be encoded with instructions that may, when executed in hardware, perform a method. The method may include receiving, from a first network element in response to a resume request message, a response including an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from a user equipment to a second network element. The method may also include applying the at least one pathloss offset for the transmission from the user equipment to the second network element.

[0007] Other example embodiments may be directed to a computer program product that performs a method. The method may include receiving, from a first network element in response to a resume request message, a response including an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from a user equipment to a second network element. The method may also include applying the at least one pathloss offset for the transmission from the user equipment to the second network element.

[0008] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that may include circuitry configured to receive, from a first network element in response to a resume request message, a response including an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the apparatus to a second network element. The apparatus may also include circuitry configured to apply the at least one pathloss offset for the transmission from the apparatus to the second network element.

[0009] Further example embodiments may be directed to a method. The method may include receiving a resume request message from a user equipment in an inactive state. The method may also include transmitting, from a first network element in response to the resume request message, a response to the user equipment. According to certain example embodiments, theresponse may include an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the user equipment to a second network element.

[0010] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive a resume request message from a user equipment in an inactive state. The apparatus may also be caused to transmit, in response to the resume request message, a response to the user equipment. According to certain example embodiments, the response may include an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the user equipment to a network element.

[0011] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for receiving a resume request message from a user equipment in an inactive state. The apparatus may also include means for transmitting, in response to the resume request message, a response to the user equipment. According to certain example embodiments, the response may include an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the user equipment to a network element.

[0012] In accordance with other example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be encoded with instructions that may, when executed in hardware, perform a method. The method may include receiving a resume request message from a user equipment in an inactive state. The method may also include transmitting, from a first network element in response to the resume request message, a response to the user equipment. According to certain example embodiments, the response may include an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the user equipment to a second network element.

[0013] Other example embodiments may be directed to a computer program product that performs a method. The method may include receiving a resume request message from a user equipment in an inactive state. The method may also include transmitting, from a first network element in response to the resume request message, a response to the user equipment. According to certain example embodiments, the response may include an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the user equipment to a second network element.

[0014] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that may include circuitry configured to receive a resume request message from a user equipment in an inactive state. The apparatus may also include circuitry configured to transmit, in response to the resume request message, a response to the user equipment. According to certain exampleembodiments, the response may include an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the user equipment to a network element.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0015] For proper understanding of example embodiments, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an example asymmetric downlink (DL) single transmit / receive point (sTRP) / uplink (UL) multiple transmit / receive point (mTRP) scenario.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates an example signal diagram, according to certain example embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates an example flow diagram of a method, according to certain example embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates an example flow diagram of another method, according to certain example embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a set of apparatuses according to certain example embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a 5G / 6G network and system architecture, according to certain example embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates an example 6G architecture, according to certain example embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates an example 6G radio access network (RAN) protocol stack, according to certain example embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

[0024] It will be readily understood that the components of certain example embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. The following is a detailed description of some example embodiments of systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for a pathloss (PL) offset configuration. For example, certain example embodiments may be directed to PL offset configuration during a radio resource control (RRC) resume procedure.

[0025] The features, structures, or characteristics of example embodiments described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. For example, the usage of the phrases “certain embodiments,” “an example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in certain embodiments,” “an example embodiment,” “in some embodiments,” “in other embodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. Further, the terms “base station”, “cell”, “node”, “gNB”, “network” or other similar language throughout this specification may be used interchangeably.

[0026] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or,” mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0027] In New Radio (NR) systems, a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) related enhancement may include an asymmetric downlink (DL) single transmit / receive point (sTRP) / uplink (UL) multiple transmit / receive point (mTRP) deployment scenario. For instance, FIG. 1 illustrates an example asymmetric DL sTRP / UL mTRP scenario where the DL transmission is only from a single TRP, which is illustrated as the DL / UL capable TRP. When using this feature, one or more UL-only TRPs may be deployed close to the cell edge for improved coverage. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a UE may be scheduled for UL transmission toward more than one TRP. Additionally, UL transmissions may be scheduled by the DL / UL capable TRP, which may be the only TRP transmitting data and control information to each UE. Moreover, there is no restriction for a certain UE on which TRPs the UE is scheduled for UL transmissions. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 1, UE1 / UE2 is transmitting toward an UL-only TRP and the DL / UL capable TRP, UE3 is transmitting only toward the DL / UL capable TRP, UE4 is transmitting only to an UL-only TRP, and UEs (not shown in FIG. 1) may transmit to more than one UL-only TRP.

[0028] An UL-only TRP may receive signals and may not transmit any DL signals or at least may not transmit DL PL reference signal. In the absence of a DL PL reference signal (PL-RS) transmission from an UL-only TRP, estimating the PL to the UL-only TRP within the current NR framework may not be feasible for determining the UL transmit power needed for transmission to the UL-only TRP. However, a UE may estimate the PL to the UL-only TRP by using the PL of another TRP, e.g., a DL capable TRP (e.g., an anchor TRP), along with a PL offset specified by the network (NW). The NW, such as for example, the DL capable TRP, may indicate an UL-reference signal received power (RSRP) difference as a PL offset to assist the UE in estimating the PL between itself and the UL-only TRP. The PL offset may beapplicable to power control for UL signals / channels including but not limited to, for example, physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), sounding reference signal (SRS), and physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0029] In some instances, a PL offset may be conveyed to the UE through RRC signalling. For instance, prior to establishing a connection with the UL-only TRP, the UL-only TRP may lack reliable UL measurements. Thus, the NW may provide the UE with an initial PL offset to ensure a significant reduction in transmit power towards the UL-only TRP, and to mitigate any potential interference. Accordingly, the UE may utilize the initial PL offset received from the NW to adjust the UE’s initial transmission power to the UL-only TRP.

[0030] After the first UL signal is received from the UE, the NW may estimate the actual PL offset between the UL-only TRP and the DL capable TRP (e.g., the anchor TRP), and update the PL offset through a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) message. The UE may then revise the initially RRC-configured PL offset according to the updated, more accurate offset received from the NW via the MAC CE indication.

[0031] In some examples, the NW may simultaneously configure multiple PL offsets, which respectively correspond to the configured transmission configuration indication (TCI) states of one or more UL-only TRPs. Thus, the PL offset configuration may represent a configuration that includes one or more PL offsets.

[0032] When a UE is not actively engaged in communication like data transfer or voice calls, the UE may transition to an inactive state such as for example, RRC_INACTIVE state, without completely releasing the RRC when there is no traffic and quickly switch back to connected state (e.g., RRC_CONNECTED state) when necessary. Upon initiation of the RRC resume request (which begins the RRC resume procedure), the UE may apply default layer- 1 (LI) parameter values, which reset any configured PL offset received from higher layers (e.g., MAC CE or RRC). In other words, the PL offset configuration received from the higher layers may be lost to LI. Thus, it may be necessary to provide a new behaviour for the UE to store a nondefault LI configuration (corresponding to the PL offset).

[0033] On the other hand, upon reception of an RRC resume configuration, the UE may restore a previous cell group configuration. The restoration may take place in the asymmetric DL sTRP / UL mTRP scenario where the UE in an RRC_INACTIVE state may resume its connection by applying the PL offset(s) that were last-received by an RRC configuration even if a subsequent update to the PL offset(s) had been configured by a MAC CE indication.

[0034] The behavior of resuming the connection with the last-received RRC-configured PL offset is undesirable because the restored configuration could be out-of-date relative to asubsequent MAC CE-indicated PL offset. Additionally, even in cases where the NW never sent an updated PL offset via MAC CE, the UE may have moved elsewhere in the cell while in an RRC_INACTIVE state, and the old (RRC-configured) PL offset configuration may still be out-of-date.

[0035] In some cases, even if the UE was able to store the last MAC CE-configured PL offset(s) in LI, those offset(s) may have been out-of-date after the UE is restored from an inactive state to a connected state (e.g., due to UE mobility in RRC_INACTIVE state). Thus, it may still be undesirable in some cases to restore the last offset(s) received via a MAC CE indication.

[0036] In view of the drawbacks described above, certain example embodiments may provide ways to limit and avoid any ambiguities / inconsistencies in the PL offset following connection resumption from an RRC_INACTIVE state. Specifically, certain example embodiments may provide ways to apply an appropriate PL offset to the UE following resumption from an inactive state, e.g., RRC_INACTIVE state. For instance, certain example embodiments may provide an indication of the PL offset configuration (e.g., which may be updated PL offsets or reusing the old PL offsets) whenever UEs supporting asymmetric DL sTRP / UL mTRP are resumed from an RRC_INACTIVE state.

[0037] According to certain example embodiments, the UE supporting asymmetric DL sTRP / UL mTRP may receive a PL offset configuration during the RRC resume procedure. The PL offset configuration may be a new PL offset configuration, or it may be the same configuration that was provided to the UE in an earlier indication (e.g., which may be an earlier RRC configuration or MAC CE indication). By explicitly indicating the PL offsets during the RRC resume procedure, it may be possible to avoid any of the ambiguities described above.

[0038] In certain example embodiments, the PL offset configuration may be provided to the UE in various ways. For instance, in one example embodiment, the UE may receive an indication of the applicable offset(s) directly within a RRC resume message. In another example embodiment, the UE may receive an updated cell group configuration within the RRC resume message containing the PL offset(s) to be applied. In some example embodiments, the indicated PL offset configuration may be applicable for certain TCI states of one or more UL-only TRPs. In certain example embodiments, whether the UE receives an indication of the applicable PL offset(s) directly within the RRC resume message, or the UE receives an updated cell group configuration within the RRC resume message containing the PL offset(s) to be applied, the received PL offset(s) may override any previous PL offset configuration restored from an inactive access stratum (AS) context. In various example embodiments, the indicationof the applicable offset(s) may comprise an indication whether an earlier configured offset (e.g., which may be configured by an earlier RRC configuration or MAC CE indication) is still applicable.

[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates an example signal diagram, according to certain example embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 2, at 210, the UE 200 is in an inactive state, such as for example, RRC-INACTIVE state, and may be configured to store RRC configuration(s) in the RRC_INACTIVE state. At 215, the UE 200 and a network node 205 such as for example, a gNB or a DL capable TRP, both store the UE inactive context, and the inactive context may optionally comprise a previous RRC-configured PL offset(s) for an asymmetric DL sTRP / UL mTRP cell(s). At 220, the UE determines to initiate an RRC resume request. According to certain example embodiments, the trigger for the resume request may be from the UE-side or the network-side (e.g., paging request). At the time the UE 200 initiates the RRC resume request to the network 205, the UE 200 may apply default LI settings, and discard any existing PL offset(s) configured in LI. The UE may then send the RRC resume request to the network 205 using RRCResumeRequest or RRCResumeRequestl messages.

[0040] At 225 and 240, the network 205 responds to the RRC resume request with a RRC resume message. As shown at 225, according to certain example embodiments, the RRC resume message may include an indication of the PL offset(s) to be applied at the asymmetric DL sTRP / UL mTRP cell(s). Alternatively, as shown at 240, according to other example embodiments, the RRC resume message may include an indication of an updated cell group configuration which includes the PL offset(s) to be applied at the asymmetric DL sTRP / UL mTRP cell(s).

[0041] At 230, the UE 200 may restore the (previous) cell group configuration that the UE 200 had received from its UE inactive context at 215. Alternatively or additionally, the UE 200 may apply an updated cell group configuration if the cell group configuration was received in the RRC resume message. At 235, the UE applies the PL offset(s) indicated directly within the RRC resume message, and may discard the old (previously received) PL offset(s) restored from earlier configurations. In some example embodiments, the PL offset(s) may be applied by adjusting the UE’s 200 transmission power to the UL-only TRP. In other example embodiments, the UE 200 may discard the old PL offset(s) if the old PL offset(s) are updated by the RRC resume message (e.g., if the RRC resume message updates the PL offset for some TCI states that were configured in a previous PL offset configuration).

[0042] At 245, similar to 230, the UE 200 may restore the (previous) cell group configuration that the UE 200 had received from its UE inactive context. At 250, the UE 200 applies theupdated cell group configuration received in the RRC resume message, which indicates the PL offset(s) to be applied by the UE for the asymmetric DL sTRP / UL mTRP cell(s). At 255, the UE 200 completes the RRC resume procedure with the network 205 by sending a RRC resume complete message.

[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates an example flow diagram of a method, according to certain example embodiments. In an example embodiment, the method of FIG. 3 may be performed by a network entity, or a group of multiple network elements in a 3GPP system, such as LTE or 5G-NR. For instance, in an example embodiment, the method of FIG. 3 may be performed by a UE, similar to UE 200 in FIG. 2 or the apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the method may include, at 300, receiving, from a first network element in response to a resume request message, a response including an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from a user equipment to a second network element. At 305, the method may also include applying the at least one pathloss offset for the transmission from the user equipment to the second network element.

[0045] According to certain example embodiments, the at least one pathloss offset received in the response is applicable to at least one transmission configuration indicator state associated with the second network element. According to some example embodiments, the method may also include discarding at least one previously received pathloss offset after the response is received. According to other example embodiments, the at least one discarded pathloss offset may be associated with at least one transmission configuration indicator state which the at least one pathloss offset received in the response is applicable to.

[0046] In certain example embodiments, the method may also include transmitting to the first network element an indication that the user equipment supports receiving a pathloss offset configuration for the second network element. In some example embodiments, the indication of at least one pathloss offset may be included in a cell group configuration comprised in the response. In other example embodiments, the resume request message may be a radio resource control resume request message, and the response is a radio resource control resume message. In further example embodiments, the second network element may be an uplink-only transmission reception point.

[0047] FIG. 4 illustrates an example flow diagram of another method, according to certain example embodiments. In an example embodiment, the method of FIG. 4 may be performed by a network entity, or a group of multiple network elements in a 3GPP system, such as LTE or 5G-NR. For instance, in an example embodiment, the method of FIG. 5 may be performedby a network or gNB, similar to the network node 205 in FIG. 2 or the apparatus 20 illustrated in FIG. 5

[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the method may include, at 400, receiving a resume request message from a user equipment in an inactive state. The method may also include, at 405, transmitting, from a first network element in response to the resume request message, a response to the user equipment. According to certain example embodiments, the response may include an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the user equipment to a second network element.

[0049] According to certain example embodiments, the at least one pathloss offset may be applicable to at least one transmission configuration indicator state associated with the second network element. According to some example embodiments, the method may also include determining to include the at least one pathloss offset in the response to the resume request message based on determining at least one of a capability of the user equipment indicates that it supports receiving a pathloss offset configuration for the second network element, or the first network element is aware that the user equipment had received at least one previous pathloss offset configuration for the second network element. According to other example embodiments, the method may also include receiving the capability from the user equipment.

[0050] In certain example embodiments, the indication of at least one pathloss offset may be included in a cell group configuration comprised in the response. In some example embodiments, the resume request message may be a radio resource control resume request message, and the response is a radio resource control resume message. In some example embodiments, the second network element is an uplink-only transmission reception point.

[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates a set of apparatuses 10 and 20 according to certain example embodiments. In certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may be elements in a communications network or associated with such a network. For example, apparatus 10 may be a UE, or other similar radio communication computer device, and apparatus 20 may be a BS, gNB, network, or other similar computing device.

[0052] In some example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may include one or more processors, one or more computer-readable storage medium (for example, memory, storage, or the like), one or more radio access components (for example, a modem, a transceiver, or the like), and / or a user interface. In some example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may be configured to operate using one or more radio access technologies, such as GSM, LTE, LTE-A, NR, 5G, WLAN, WiFi, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, NFC, MulteFire, and / or any other radio accesstechnologies. It should be noted that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that apparatuses 10 and 20 may include components or features not shown in FIG. 5.

[0053] As illustrated in the example of FIG. 5, apparatuses 10 and 20 may include or be coupled to a processor 12 and 22 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. Processors 12 and 22 may be any type of general or specific purpose processor. In fact, processors 12 and 22 may include one or more of general-purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, DSPs, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as examples. While a single processor 12 and 22 is shown in FIG. 5, multiple processors may be utilized according to other example embodiments. For example, it should be understood that, in certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may include two or more processors that may form a multiprocessor system (e.g., in this case processors 12 and 22 may represent a multiprocessor) that may support multiprocessing. According to certain example embodiments, the multiprocessor system may be tightly coupled or loosely coupled (e.g., to form a computer cluster).

[0054] Processors 12 and 22 may perform functions associated with the operation of apparatuses 10 and 20 including, as some examples, precoding of antenna gain / phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forming a communication message, formatting of information, and overall control of the apparatuses 10 and 20, including processes and examples illustrated in FIGs. 1-4.

[0055] Apparatuses 10 and 20 may further include or be coupled to a memories 14 and 24 (internal or external), which may be respectively coupled to processors 12 and 22 for storing information and instructions that may be executed by processors 12 and 22. Memories 14 and 24 may be one or more memories and of any type suitable to the local application environment, and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or nonvolatile data storage technology such as a semiconductor-based memory device, a magnetic memory device and system, an optical memory device and system, fixed memory, and / or removable memory. For example, memories 14 and 24 can be comprised of any combination of random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), static storage such as a magnetic or optical disk, hard disk drive (HDD), or any other type of non-transitory machine or computer readable media. The instructions stored in memories 14 and 24 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processors 12 and 22, enable the apparatuses 10 and 20 to perform tasks as described herein.

[0056] In certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may further include or be coupled to (internal or external) a drive or port that is configured to accept and read an external computer readable storage medium, such as an optical disc, USB drive, flash drive, or any other storage medium. For example, the external computer readable storage medium may store a computer program or software for execution by processors 12 and 22 and / or apparatuses 10 and 20 to perform any of the methods and examples illustrated in FIGs. 1-4.

[0057] In some example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may also include or be coupled to one or more antennas 15 and 25 for receiving a downlink signal and for transmitting via an UL from apparatuses 10 and 20. Apparatuses 10 and 20 may further include a transceivers 18 and 28 configured to transmit and receive information. The transceivers 18 and 28 may also include a radio interface (e.g., a modem) coupled to the antennas 15 and 25. The radio interface may correspond to a plurality of radio access technologies including one or more of GSM, LTE, LTE-A, 5G, NR, WLAN, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, BT-LE, NFC, RFID, UWB, and the like. The radio interface may include other components, such as filters, converters (for example, digital-to-analog converters and the like), symbol demappers, signal shaping components, an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) module, and the like, to process symbols, such as OFDMA symbols, carried by a downlink or an UL.

[0058] For instance, transceivers 18 and 28 may be configured to modulate information on to a carrier waveform for transmission by the antennas 15 and 25 and demodulate information received via the antenna 15 and 25 for further processing by other elements of apparatuses 10 and 20. In other example embodiments, transceivers 18 and 28 may be capable of transmitting and receiving signals or data directly. Additionally or alternatively, in some example embodiments, apparatus 10 may include an input and / or output device (I / O device). In certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may further include a user interface, such as a graphical user interface or touchscreen.

[0059] In certain example embodiments, memories 14 and 24 store software modules that provide functionality when executed by processors 12 and 22. The modules may include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for apparatuses 10 and 20. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as an application or program, to provide additional functionality for apparatuses 10 and 20. The components of apparatuses 10 and 20 may be implemented in hardware, or as any suitable combination of hardware and software. According to certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may optionally be configured to communicate each other (in any combination) via a wireless or wired communication links 70 according to any radio access technology, such as NR.

[0060] According to certain example embodiments, processors 12 and 22 and memories 14 and 24 may be included in or may form a part of processing circuitry or control circuitry. In addition, in some example embodiments, transceivers 18 and 28 may be included in or may form a part of transceiving circuitry.

[0061] For instance, in certain example embodiments, apparatus 10 may be controlled by memory 14 and processor 12 to receive, from a first network element in response to a resume request message, a response comprising an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the apparatus to a second network element. Apparatus 10 may also be controlled by memory 14 and processor 12 to apply the at least one pathloss offset for the transmission from the apparatus to the second network element.

[0062] In other example embodiments, apparatus 20 may be controlled by memory 24 and processor 22 to receive a resume request message from a user equipment in an inactive state. Apparatus 20 may also be controlled by memory 24 and processor 22 to transmit, in response to the resume request message, a response to the user equipment. According to certain example embodiments, the response may include an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the user equipment to a network element.

[0063] In some example embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10 and / or apparatus 20) may include means for performing a method, a process, or any of the variants discussed herein. Examples of the means may include one or more processors, memory, controllers, transmitters, receivers, and / or computer program code for causing the performance of the operations.

[0064] Certain example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that includes means for performing any of the methods described herein including, for example, means for receiving, from a first network element in response to a resume request message, a response including an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the apparatus to a second network element. The apparatus may also include means for applying the at least one pathloss offset for the transmission from the apparatus to the second network element.

[0065] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that includes means for performing any of the methods described herein including, for example, means for receiving a resume request message from a user equipment in an inactive state. The apparatus may also include means for transmitting, in response to the resume request message, a response to the user equipment. According to certain example embodiments, the response may include an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the user equipment to a network element.

[0066] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a 5G / 6G network and system architecture, according to certain example embodiments. Shown are multiple network functions that may be implemented as software operating as part of a network device or dedicated hardware, as a network device itself or dedicated hardware, or as a virtual function operating as a network device or dedicated hardware. The UE illustrated in FIG. 6 may be similar to UE 10. The user plane function (UPF) may provide services such as intra-RAT and inter-RAT mobility, routing and forwarding of data packets, inspection of packets, user plane quality of service (QoS) processing, buffering of downlink packets, and / or triggering of downlink data notifications. The application function (AF) may primarily interface with the core network to facilitate application usage of traffic routing and interact with the policy framework .

[0067] FIG. 7 illustrates an example 6G architecture, according to certain example embodiments. In particular, the 6G architecture in FIG. 9 may support ECM configured to natively support AI / ML, cloud-native functionalities. Additionally, 6G gNBs may be configured to support multi-RAT spectrum sharing (MRSS).

[0068] FIG. 8 illustrates an example 6G RAN protocol stack, according to certain example embodiments. The 6G RAN protocol stack may share some similarities with a 5G RAN protocol stack. For example, the depicted 6G RAN protocol stack may incorporate service data application protocol (SDAP), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), radio link control (REC), and medium access control (MAC) functions, which may interface with multiple radio protocol units (RPUs).

[0069] Certain example embodiments described herein provide several technical improvements, enhancements, and / or advantages. For instance, in some example embodiments, it may be possible to know which PL offset should be applied to the UE following resumption of the UE from an RRC inactive state, and know whether the last-received PL offset configuration is applicable to the UE. This may, for example, avoid ambiguities where the previous-configured PL offset may or may not become out-of-date due to UE mobility while in an RRC inactive state. In scenarios where the network may send a MAC CE indication to the UE to revise a previous RRC-configured PL offset, some example embodiments may be used to indicate the UE to resume its connection from an RRC inactive state with the later-revised PL offset instead of restoring the previous RRC-configured PL offset from the UE access stratum context. According to other example embodiments, it may be possible to provide an indication of the PL offset configuration whenever UEs supporting asymmetric DL sTRP / UL mTRP are resumed from RRC inactive state. The PL offsetconfiguration may be new, or it may be the same configuration as was provided in an earlier indication.

[0070] A computer program product may include one or more computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out some example embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it. Modifications and configurations required for implementing functionality of certain example embodiments may be performed as routine(s), which may be implemented as added or updated software routine(s). Software routine(s) may be downloaded into the apparatus.

[0071] As an example, software or a computer program code or portions of it may be in a source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some sort of carrier, distribution medium, or computer readable medium, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. Such carriers may include a record medium, computer memory, read-only memory, photoelectrical and / or electrical carrier signal, telecommunications signal, and software distribution package, for example. Depending on the processing power needed, the computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer or it may be distributed amongst a number of computers. The computer readable medium or computer readable storage medium may be a non-transitory medium.

[0072] In other example embodiments, the functionality may be performed by hardware or circuitry included in an apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10 or apparatus 20), for example through the use of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable gate array (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other combination of hardware and software. In yet another example embodiment, the functionality may be implemented as a signal, a nontangible means that can be carried by an electromagnetic signal downloaded from the Internet or other network.

[0073] According to certain example embodiments, an apparatus, such as a node, device, or a corresponding component, may be configured as circuitry, a computer or a microprocessor, such as single-chip computer element, or as a chipset, including at least a memory for providing storage capacity used for arithmetic operation and an operation processor for executing the arithmetic operation.

[0074] One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the disclosure as discussed above may be practiced with procedures in a different order, and / or with hardware elements in configurations which are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the disclosure has been described based upon these example embodiments, it wouldbe apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of example embodiments. Although the above embodiments refer to 5G NR and LTE technology, the above embodiments may also apply to any other present or future 3GPP technology, such as LTE-advanced, and / or fourth generation (4G) technology.

[0075] Partial Glossary:

[0076] 3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project

[0077] 5G 5th Generation

[0078] 5GC 5G Core

[0079] 5GCN 5G Core Network

[0080] BS Base Station

[0081] DL Downlink

[0082] eNB Enhanced Node B

[0083] E-UTRAN Evolved UTRAN

[0084] gNB 5G or Next Generation NodeB

[0085] LI Layer 1

[0086] MAC Medium Access Control

[0087] MAC CE MAC Control Element

[0088] PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel

[0089] PHY Physical Layer

[0090] PL Pathloss

[0091] PRACH Physical Random Access Channel

[0092] PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel

[0093] PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel

[0094] RRC Radio Resource Control

[0095] RS Reference Signal

[0096] RSRP Reference Signal Received Power

[0097] SRS Sounding Reference Signal

[0098] TCI Transmit Configuration Indicator

[0099] TRP Transmit / Receive Point

[0100] mTRP Multiple-TRP

[0101] sTRP Single-TRP

[0102] UE User Equipment

[0103] UL Uplink

[0104] RF Radio Frequency

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. An apparatus, comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least:receive, from a first network element in response to a resume request message, a response comprising an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the apparatus to a second network element; andapply the at least one pathloss offset for the transmission from the apparatus to the second network element.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pathloss offset received in the response is applicable to at least one transmission configuration indicator state associated with the second network element.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to:discard at least one previously received pathloss offset after the response is received.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one discarded pathloss offset is associated with at least one transmission configuration indicator state which the at least one pathloss offset received in the response is applicable to.

5. The apparatus according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to:transmit to the first network element an indication that the apparatus supports receiving a pathloss offset configuration for the second network element.

6. The apparatus according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the indication of at least one pathloss offset is included in a cell group configuration comprised in the response.

7. The apparatus according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the resume request message is a radio resource control resume request message, and the response is a radio resource controlresume message.

8. The apparatus according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the second network element is an uplink-only transmission reception point.

9. An apparatus, comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least:receive a resume request message from a user equipment in an inactive state; and transmit, in response to the resume request message, a response to the user equipment, wherein the response comprises an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the user equipment to a network element.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one pathloss offset is applicable to at least one transmission configuration indicator state associated with the network element.

11. The apparatus according to claims 9 or 10, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to:determine to include the at least one pathloss offset in the response to the resume request message based on determining at least one of the following:a capability of the user equipment indicates that it supports receiving a pathloss offset configuration for the network element, orthe apparatus is aware that the user equipment had received at least one previous pathloss offset configuration for the network element.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to:receive the capability from the user equipment.

13. The apparatus according to any of claims 9-12, wherein the indication of at least one pathloss offset is included in a cell group configuration comprised in the response.

14. The apparatus according to any of claims 9-13, wherein the resume request message isa radio resource control resume request message, and the response is a radio resource control resume message.

15. The apparatus according to any of claims 9-14, wherein the network element is an uplink-only transmission reception point.

16. A method, comprising:receiving, from a first network element in response to a resume request message, a response comprising an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from a user equipment to a second network element; andapplying the at least one pathloss offset for the transmission from the user equipment to the second network element.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the at least one pathloss offset received in the response is applicable to at least one transmission configuration indicator state associated with the second network element.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, further comprising:discarding at least one previously received pathloss offset after the response is received.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the at least one discarded pathloss offset is associated with at least one transmission configuration indicator state which the at least one pathloss offset received in the response is applicable to.

20. The method according to any of claims 16-19, further comprising:transmitting to the first network element an indication that the user equipment supports receiving a pathloss offset configuration for the second network element.

21. The method according to any of claims 16-20, wherein the indication of at least one pathloss offset is included in a cell group configuration comprised in the response.

22. The method according to any of claims 16-21, wherein the resume request message is a radio resource control resume request message, and the response is a radio resource control resume message.

23. The method according to any of claims 16-22, wherein the second network element is an uplink-only transmission reception point.

24. A method, comprising:receiving a resume request message from a user equipment in an inactive state; and transmitting, from a first network element in response to the resume request message, a response to the user equipment, wherein the response comprises an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the user equipment to a second network element.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the at least one pathloss offset is applicable to at least one transmission configuration indicator state associated with the second network element.

26. The method according to claims 24 or 25, further comprising:determining to include the at least one pathloss offset in the response to the resume request message based on determining at least one of the following:a capability of the user equipment indicates that it supports receiving a pathloss offset configuration for the second network element, orthe first network element is aware that the user equipment had received at least one previous pathloss offset configuration for the second network element.

27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising:receiving the capability from the user equipment.

28. The method according to any of claims 24-27, wherein the indication of at least one pathloss offset is included in a cell group configuration comprised in the response.

29. The method according to any of claims 24-28, wherein the resume request message is a radio resource control resume request message, and the response is a radio resource control resume message.

30. The method according to any of claims 24-29, wherein the second network element isan uplink-only transmission reception point.

31. An apparatus, comprising:means for receiving, from a first network element in response to a resume request message, a response comprising an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the apparatus to a second network element; andmeans for applying the at least one pathloss offset for the transmission from the apparatus to the second network element.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the at least one pathloss offset received in the response is applicable to at least one transmission configuration indicator state associated with the second network element.

33. The apparatus according to claim 31 or 32, further comprising:means for discarding at least one previously received pathloss offset after the response is received.

34. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the at least one discarded pathloss offset is associated with at least one transmission configuration indicator state which the at least one pathloss offset received in the response is applicable to.

35. The apparatus according to any of claims 31-34, further comprising:means for transmitting to the first network element an indication that the apparatus supports receiving a pathloss offset configuration for the second network element.

36. The apparatus according to any of claims 31-35, wherein the indication of at least one pathloss offset is included in a cell group configuration comprised in the response.

37. The apparatus according to any of claims 31-36, wherein the resume request message is a radio resource control resume request message, and the response is a radio resource control resume message.

38. The apparatus according to any of claims 31-37, wherein the second network element is an uplink-only transmission reception point.

39. An apparatus, comprising:means for receiving a resume request message from a user equipment in an inactive state; andmeans for transmitting, in response to the resume request message, a response to the user equipment, wherein the response comprises an indication of at least one pathloss offset for application in a transmission from the user equipment to a network element.

40. The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the at least one pathloss offset is applicable to at least one transmission configuration indicator state associated with the network element.

41. The apparatus according to claims 39 or 40, further comprising:means for determining to include the at least one pathloss offset in the response to the resume request message based on determining at least one of the following:a capability of the user equipment indicates that it supports receiving a pathloss offset configuration for the network element, orthe apparatus is aware that the user equipment had received at least one previous pathloss offset configuration for the network element.

42. The apparatus according to claim 41, further comprising:means for receiving the capability from the user equipment.

43. The apparatus according to any of claims 39-42, wherein the indication of at least one pathloss offset is included in a cell group configuration comprised in the response.

44. The apparatus according to any of claims 39-43, wherein the resume request message is a radio resource control resume request message, and the response is a radio resource control resume message.

45. The apparatus according to any of claims 39-44, wherein the network element is an uplink-only transmission reception point.

46. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing the method according to any of claims 16-30.

47. An apparatus comprising circuitry configured to cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any of claims 16-30.

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