WO2022021184A1

WO2022021184A1 - Methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in inactive state

Info

Publication number: WO2022021184A1
Application number: PCT/CN2020/105704
Authority: WO
Inventors: Samuli Turtinen; Jussi-Pekka Koskinen; Chunli Wu; Daniela Laselva
Original assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy; Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy; Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2020-07-30
Filing date: 2020-07-30
Publication date: 2022-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2023-01-30
Also published as: CN116210302A; EP4190069A1; EP4190069A4; CN116210302B

Abstract

Disclosed are methods for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in an inactive state. An example method may include receiving a notification on a restriction of at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for transmission of uplink data in an inactive state, the restriction comprising at least one of a suspension of at least a part of the pre-configured uplink resources and an allowance of a part of the pre-configured uplink resources, and transmitting the uplink data via uplink resources different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources based on the notification. Related apparatuses and computer readable media are also disclosed.

Description

METHODS, APPARATUSES, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR CONTROLLING PRE-CONFIGURED UPLINK RESOURCES IN INACTIVE STATE

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate to methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in an inactive state.

BACKGROUND

In a telecommunication system such as a new radio (NR or 5G) system, pre-configured uplink (UL) resources may be configured to support a transmission of UL data in an inactive state.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, disclosed is a method including receiving a notification on a restriction of at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for transmission of uplink data in an inactive state, the restriction including at least one of a suspension of at least a part of the pre-configured uplink resources and an allowance of a part of the pre-configured uplink resources, and transmitting the uplink data via uplink resources different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources based on the notification.

In some embodiments, the notification may include at least one of: information on the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on at least one user equipment associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on at least one user equipment category associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on at least one user equipment access class associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on at least one network slice associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state; information on at least one user equipment associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on at least one user equipment category associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on at least one user equipment access class associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on at least one network slice associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources; or the like.

In some embodiments, the information on the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources or the information on the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources may include at least one of: at least one slot associated with the pre-configured uplink resources; at least one subframe associated with the pre-configured uplink resources; at least one radio frame associated with the pre-configured uplink resources; at least one occasion pattern associated with the pre-configured uplink resources; at least one frequency range associated with the pre-configured uplink resources; at least one specified part of the pre-configured uplink resources within at least one specified bandwidth part; or the like.

In some embodiments, the notification may be received via at least one of at least one broadcast signaling, at least one paging message, at least one short message, at least one dedicated signaling, or the like.

In some embodiments, the uplink data may be transmitted via the uplink resources in a connected state based on a procedure such as at least one of a radio resource control resume procedure, a radio resource control establishment procedure, or the like.

In some embodiments, the uplink data may be transmitted via the uplink resources in the inactive state based on a procedure such as at least one of a random access channel based early data transmission procedure, a random access channel based small data transmission procedure, or the like.

In some embodiments, the notification may further include information on the procedure to be triggered in the case where at least the part of the pre-configured uplink resources is suspended for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state.

In some embodiments, the method may further include starting or restarting a timer associated with the suspension in response to receiving the notification, and resuming the suspended part of pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to an expiration of the timer.

In some embodiments, the notification may further include information on the timer.

In some embodiments, the method may further include receiving a signaling on resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state, and resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to receiving the signaling.

In a second aspect, disclosed is an apparatus which may be configured to perform at least the method in the first aspect. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform receiving a notification on a restriction of at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for transmission of uplink data in an inactive state, the restriction including at least one of a suspension of at least a part of the pre-configured uplink resources and an allowance of a part of the pre-configured uplink resources, and transmitting the uplink data via uplink resources different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources based on the notification.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform starting or restarting a timer associated with the suspension in response to receiving the notification, and resuming the suspended part of pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to an expiration of the timer.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform receiving a signaling on resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state, and resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to receiving the signaling.

In a third aspect, disclosed is an apparatus which may be configured to perform at least the method in the first aspect. The apparatus may include means for receiving a notification on a restriction of at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for transmission of uplink data in an inactive state, the restriction including at least one of a suspension of at least a part of the pre-configured uplink resources and an allowance of a part of the pre-configured uplink resources, and means for transmitting the uplink data via uplink resources different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources based on the notification.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include means for starting or restarting a timer associated with the suspension in response to receiving the notification, and means for resuming the suspended part of pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to an expiration of the timer.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include means for receiving a signaling on resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state, and means for resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to receiving the signaling.

In a fourth aspect, a computer readable medium is disclosed. The computer readable medium may include instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform the method in the first aspect. The instructions may cause the apparatus to perform receiving a notification on a restriction of at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for transmission of uplink data in an inactive state, the restriction including at least one of a suspension of at least a part of the pre-configured uplink resources and an allowance of a part of the pre-configured uplink resources, and transmitting the uplink data via uplink resources different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources based on the notification.

In some embodiments, the instructions may cause the apparatus to further perform starting or restarting a timer associated with the suspension in response to receiving the notification, and resuming the suspended part of pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to an expiration of the timer.

In some embodiments, the instructions may cause the apparatus to further perform receiving a signaling on resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state, and resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to receiving the signaling

In a fifth aspect, disclosed is a method including determining a restriction of at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for reception of uplink data in an inactive state, the restriction comprising at least one of a suspension of at least a part of the pre-configured uplink resources and an allowance of a part of the pre-configured uplink resources, transmitting a notification on the suspension, and receiving the uplink data via uplink resources different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources.

In some embodiments, the method may further include allocating the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for reception of another uplink data.

In some embodiments, the notification may include at least one of: information on the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on at least one user equipment associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on at least one user equipment category associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on at least one user equipment access class associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on at least one network slice associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the reception of the uplink data in the inactive state; information on at least one user equipment associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on at least one user equipment category associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on at least one user equipment access class associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on at least one network slice associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources; or the like.

In some embodiments, the notification may be transmitted via at least one of at least one broadcast signaling, at least one paging message, at least one short message, at least one dedicated signaling, or the like.

In some embodiments, the uplink data may be received via the uplink resources based on a procedure such as at least one of a radio resource control resume procedure, a radio resource control establishment procedure, a random access channel based early data transmission procedure, a random access channel based small data transmission procedure, or the like.

In some embodiments, the notification may further include information on the procedure to be triggered in the case where at least the part of the pre-configured uplink resources is suspended for the reception of the uplink data in the inactive state.

In some embodiments, the method may further include starting or restarting a timer associated with the suspension in response to transmitting the notification, and resuming the suspended part of pre-configured uplink resources for the reception of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to an expiration of the timer.

In some embodiments, the method may further include transmitting a signaling on resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state.

In a sixth aspect, disclosed is an apparatus which may be configured to perform at least the method in the fifth aspect. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform determining a restriction of at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for reception of uplink data in an inactive state, the restriction comprising at least one of a suspension of at least a part of the pre-configured uplink resources and an allowance of a part of the pre-configured uplink resources, transmitting a notification on the suspension, and receiving the uplink data via uplink resources different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform allocating the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for reception of another uplink data.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform starting or restarting a timer associated with the suspension in response to transmitting the notification, and resuming the suspended part of pre-configured uplink resources for the reception of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to an expiration of the timer.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform transmitting a signaling on resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state.

In a seventh aspect, disclosed is an apparatus which may be configured to perform at least the method in the fifth aspect. The apparatus may include means for determining a restriction of at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for reception of uplink data in an inactive state, the restriction comprising at least one of a suspension of at least a part of the pre-configured uplink resources and an allowance of a part of the pre-configured uplink resources, means for transmitting a notification on the suspension, and means for receiving the uplink data via uplink resources different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include means for allocating the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for reception of another uplink data.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include means for starting or restarting a timer associated with the suspension in response to transmitting the notification, and means for resuming the suspended part of pre-configured uplink resources for the reception of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to an expiration of the timer.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include means for transmitting a signaling on resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state.

In an eighth aspect, a computer readable medium is disclosed. The computer readable medium may include instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform the method in the fifth aspect. The instructions may cause the apparatus to perform determining a restriction of at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for reception of uplink data in an inactive state, the restriction comprising at least one of a suspension of at least a part of the pre-configured uplink resources and an allowance of a part of the pre-configured uplink resources, transmitting a notification on the suspension, and receiving the uplink data via uplink resources different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources.

In some embodiments, the instructions may further cause the apparatus to perform allocating the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for reception of another uplink data.

In some embodiments, the instructions may further cause the apparatus to perform starting or restarting a timer associated with the suspension in response to transmitting the notification, and resuming the suspended part of pre-configured uplink resources for the reception of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to an expiration of the timer.

In some embodiments, the instructions may further cause the apparatus to perform transmitting a signaling on resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example procedure of controlling and using the pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state in an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of restriction of usage of the pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state in an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of restriction of usage of the pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state in an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of restriction of usage of the pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state in an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of restriction of usage of the pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state in an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state in an embodiment, which may be performed in user equipment.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state in an embodiment, which may be performed in user equipment.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example apparatus for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state in an embodiment, which may be at least a part of a UE.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example apparatus for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state in an embodiment, which may be at least a part of user equipment.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example method for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state in an embodiment, which may be performed in the network, e.g. a base station in the network.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example method for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state in an embodiment, which may be performed in the network, e.g. a base station in the network.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example apparatus for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state in an embodiment, which may be at least a part of a base station in the network.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example apparatus for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state in an embodiment, which may be at least a part of a base station in the network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the telecommunication system such as the NR system, pre-configured uplink resources, such as pre-configured physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resources reusing a configured grant type 1 when timing advance is valid (also called as pre-configured configured grant resources or PCG resources herein) , may be configured in the inactive state (e.g. a RRC_INACTIVE state or a RRC_IDLE state) , so that additional power consumption and signaling overhead, for example due to connection setup (moving to a RRC_CONNECTED state) and subsequent release (moving from the RRC_CONNECTED state back to the RRC_INACTIVE state) for small and infrequent (periodic and/or non-periodic) data transmission (e.g. data traffic from instant messaging services, periodic positioning information, and so on) may be reduced or avoided.

For the pre-configured uplink resources for the data traffic in the inactive state, such as the PCG resources, the network does not know which and how many UEs are utilizing the resources. Thus, for example, in a case where a UE in the inactive state performs a cell reselection which may be transparent to the network within a radio access network (RAN) based notification area (RNA) , the pre-configured uplink resources, which have been allocated to the UE in a cell but are unused, may be left after the reselection to another cell due to the network unawareness, resulting in a waste of radio resources.

In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, for example, the pre-configured uplink resources for the data traffic in the inactive state such as the PCG resources, which have been configured for uplink data traffic of one or more UEs in the inactive state (e.g. the RRC_INACTIVE state or a RRC_IDLE state) , may be reallocated for other purposes (e.g. another uplink data traffic) , for example when congestion is detected in the network or the like, so that an utilization of the radio resources may be improved.

For convenience of description, PCG resources will be taken below as a non-limited example of the pre-configured uplink resources for the data traffic in the inactive state. However, it is appreciated that the disclosure may also be applied to other suitable (either legacy or future) pre-configured uplink resources for the data traffic in the inactive state.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a UE 101 may receive a PCG resource configuration 103 from the network, e.g. from a base station (BS) 102 of the network, where the PCG resource configuration 103 may include information on the PCG resources which are allocated by the BS 102 for receiving UL data from one or more UEs in the inactive state. For example, the UE 101 in the connected state may be released to the inactive state based on an RRC release signaling from the BS 102, and the PCG resource configuration 103 may be included in the RRC release signaling. Then, the UE 101 may be configured with the PCG resource configuration 103, and may transmit UL data 105 in the inactive state 104 on the PCG resources indicated in the PCG resource configuration 103.

The BS 102 may monitor network statuses such as congestion in the network, and may determine whether to suspend at least a part of the PCG resources which have been allocated and notified to one or more UEs via the PCG resource configuration 103, and/or whether to reallocate or reuse the suspended part for another operation or task such as another UL data traffic. For example, in a case where the BS 102 detects a large load from one or more UEs in connected state or lots of UEs trying to attach to a cell (for example in an emergency scenario) but it cannot serve all the UEs due to inadequate UL resources remaining after allocating the PCG resources, then as illustrated in FIG. 1, the BS 102 may determine in an operation 106 to restrict at least a part of the allocated PCG resources, and may transmit a notification 107 on the restriction of at least the part of the allocated PCG resources, where the restriction of at least a part of the allocated PCG resources may include at least one of a suspension of at least a part of the allocated PCG resources or an allowance of a part of the allocated PCG resources. For example, the BS 102 may determine in the operation 106 to suspend at least a part of the allocated PCG resources and include information on the suspended part in the notification. In addition or alternatively, the BS 102 may also determine in the operation 106 to allow a part of the allocated PCG resources and include information on the allowed part of the allocated PCG resources in the notification 107. Then, the suspended part of the allocated PCG resources may include at least one of: (1) the suspended part of the allocated PCG resources which is indicated in the notification 107; or (2) a part of the allocated PCG resources which is different from the allowed part the allocated PCG resources as indicated in the notification 107.

In an embodiment, in the operation 106, the BS 102 may determine to suspend the PCG resources, and to reallocate or reuse the suspended PCG resources for another operation or task. In another embodiment, in the operation 106, the BS 102 may also determine to suspend a part of the PCG resources for example in time domain and/or frequency domain, and to reallocate or reuse the suspended part of the PCG resources for another operation or task.

For example, in the operation 106, one or more slots associated with the PCG resources, one or more subframes associated with the PCG resources, one or more radio frames associated with the PCG resources, one or more occasion patterns associated with the PCG resources, or the like, may be suspended for UL data transmission in the inactive state, while one or more another slots associated with the PCG resources, one or more another subframes associated with the PCG resources, one or more another radio frames associated with the PCG resources, one or more another occasion patterns associated with the PCG resources, or the like, may continue to be used for UL data transmission in the inactive state.

For example, slots/subframes/radio frames with odd serial numbers associated with the PCG resources may be suspended, and those slots/subframes/radio frames with even serial numbers associated with the PCG resources may continue to be allowed. In another example, a percentage of configured occasions may be suspended or allowed. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, for the PCG resources including frequencies f ₁～f ₈ and so on in frequency domain and occasions o ₁～o ₈ and so on in time domain, the BS 102 may determine to suspend the occasions o ₄, o ₈, and so on of the PCG resources for the UL data transmission in the inactive state, and to reuse the occasions o ₄ and o ₈ of the PCG resources for another operation or task, so that 25%of the configured occasions associated with the PCG resources may be suspended, and 75%of the configured occasions associated with the PCG resources may continue to be used for the UL data transmission in the inactive state.

In another example, in the operation 106, the BS 102 may determine to suspend one or more frequency ranges associated with the PCG resources, one or more specified part of the PCG resources within one or more specified bandwidth parts, or the like, and/or may allow one or more another frequency ranges associated with the PCG resources, one or more another specified part of the PCG resources within another one or more specified bandwidth parts, or the like to continue to be used for the UL data transmission in the inactive state.

For example, usage of the part of the PCG resources from an initial bandwidth part may be suspended while the part of the PCG resources in another bandwidth part may be allowed. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, for the PCG resources including frequencies f ₁～f ₈ and so on in frequency domain and occasions o ₁～o ₈ and so on in time domain, the BS 102 may determine to suspend a frequency range including f ₄～f ₆ for the UL data transmission in the inactive state, and may allow the other frequencies (e.g. f ₁～f ₃, f ₇～f ₈, and so on) to continue to be used for the UL data transmission in the inactive state.

In another example, in the operation 106, the BS 102 may also determine to suspend one or more parts of the PCG resources in both time and frequency domains. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, for the PCG resources including frequencies f ₁～f ₈ and so on in frequency domain and occasions o ₁～o ₈ and so on in time domain, the BS 102 may determine to suspend the shaded part (covering a frequency range from f ₄ to f ₆, and occasions o ₄, o ₈ and so on) .

In another example, in the operation 106, the suspension or allowance of at least a part of the PCG resources for the UL data transmission in the inactive state may be associated with one or more specified roles or scenarios, such as one or more specified UEs, one or more specified UE categories, one or more specified UE access classes, one or more specified network slices, or the like.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, for the PCG resources including frequencies f ₁～f ₈ and so on in frequency domain and occasions o ₁～o ₈ and so on in time domain, the BS 102 may determine that occasions including o2, o6, and so on is to be suspended for an application scenario or a UE or a network slice of enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) , occasions including o4, o8, and so on is to be suspended for an application scenario or a UE or a network slice of ultra-reliable and low latency communications (URLLC) , a frequency range from f ₄ to f ₆ is to be suspended for an application scenario or a UE or a network slice of massive machine type of communication (mMTC) , or the like.

Then, corresponding to the determination of the BS 102 in the operation 106, the notification 107 on the suspension of at least a part of the PCG resources may include information in any suitable forms or formats on usage restriction (s) /reconfiguration (s) of the PCG resources, for example, but not limited to, one or more of: (1) whether the PCG resources are to be suspended or allowed for transmission of the UL data in the inactive state; (2) which part (s) of the PCG resources is/are to be suspended or allowed for transmission of the UL data in the inactive state; (3) who and/or what scenario (s) is/are to be suspended or allowed to use the PCG resources or a part of the PCG resources for transmitting the UL data in the inactive state; or the like.

For example, in a case where the BS 102 determines to suspend the PCG resources completely, the notification 107 may be implemented in any suitable manner and/or may include any suitable information on suspending the PCG resources which have been previously allocated for UL data transmission in the inactive state. For example, the notification 107 may be implemented in signalling indicating that the PCG resources are to be suspended, or may also include a 1-bit indication on whether the PCG resources are allowed or suspended, for example with the binary “0” indicating a suspension and the binary “1” indicating an allowance, or the like.

In another example, the notification 107 may include, but is not limited to, one or more of: information on the suspended part of the PCG resources; information on at least one UE associated with the suspended part of the PCG resources; information on at least one UE category associated with the suspended part of the PCG resources; information on at least one UE access class associated with the suspended part of the PCG resources; information on at least one network slice associated with the suspended part of the PCG uplink resources; information on the allowed part of the PCG resources for the UL data traffic in the inactive state; information on at least one UE associated with the allowed part of the PCG resources; information on at least one UE category associated with the allowed part of the PCG resources; information on at least one UE access class associated with the allowed part of the PCG resources; information on at least one network slice associated with the allowed part of the PCG uplink resources; or the like.

For example, the information on the suspended part of the PCG resources or the information on the allowed part of the PCG resources may include, but is not limited to one or more of: at least one slot associated with the PCG resources; at least one subframe associated with the PCG resources; at least one radio frame associated with the PCG resources; at least one occasion pattern associated with the PCG resources; at least one frequency range associated with the PCG resources; at least one specified part of the PCG resources within at least one specified bandwidth part; or the like.

For example, a piece of information in the notification 107 may include a first field indicating a “suspension” or an “allowance” . For example, the first field may be a 1-bit indication, e.g. with the binary “1” indicating the “suspension” and the binary “0” indicating the “allowance” , or vice versa. The notification 107 may further include one or second fields indicating one or more parts of the PCG resources. For example, a text “f: 4-6” may indicate a frequency range from f ₄ to f ₆ for example as illustrated in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5; a text “o: 2/4” may indicate the 2 ^nd occasion in respective occasion group including 4 consequent occasions, such as o ₂ and o ₆ as illustrated in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5; a null value or content may indicate the whole PCG resources; or the like. Further, the notification 107 may also include one or more third fields indicating one or more roles or scenarios, for example, “UE: ID ₁” indicating a UE with an identifier ID ₁, “UC: ID ₂” indicating a UE category with an identifier ID ₂, null value or content indicating any roles or scenarios, or the like.

Then, for example, a piece of information “1; null; null” may indicate that the PCG resources are to be suspended for any UE or scenario; “1; f: 4-6, o: 2/4; UE: ID ₁, UE: ID ₂” may indicate that the frequency range from f ₄ to f ₆ and the occasions such as o ₂ and o ₆ of the PCG resources are to be suspended for the UE with an identifier ID ₁ and the UE with an identifier ID ₂, and other parts of the PCG resources may be still allowed for the UL data traffic in the inactive state; “0; f: 1-3; UC: ID ₃” may indicate that the frequency range from f ₁ to f ₃ are still allowed for the UEs belonging to the UE category with an identifier ID ₃ and the UE with an identifier ID ₂, and other parts of the PCG resources are to be suspended for the UL data traffic in the inactive state; or the like. For example, the notification 107 may include one or more such pieces of information.

It is appreciated that the manner and/or condition based on which the BS 102 determines whether to suspend which part (s) of the PCG resources, implementation of the operation 106, and the contents and/or format of the notification 107 are not limited to the above examples.

Moreover, the notification 107 may be transmitted by the BS 102 in any suitable manners. For example, the notification 107 may be transmitted by using broadcast signaling, for example by using a system information message. Through the broadcast signaling, for example, the UEs may be aware quickly of the suspension of at least a part of the PCG resources by the BS 102.

In addition to or in lieu of the broadcast signaling, the notification 107 may also be transmitted by using a paging message, or a short message or a downlink control information (DCI) , so that, for example, the notification may be transmitted to the one or more specified UEs such as those having PCG resources configured. In an example, a specific paging radio network temporary identity (RNTI) may be configured for the notification, and the paging DCI may be scrambled with this specific paging RNTI so as to target to those UEs with configured PCG resources.

In another example, the notification 107 may be transmitted by using at least one dedicated signaling such as a physical layer signaling, a media access control (MAC) signaling, a RRC signaling, or the like.

After transmitting the notification 107, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the BS 102 may perform an operation 108 to allocate the suspended part of the PCG resources for another task/operation such as another UL data traffic. It is appreciated that this disclosure is not limited to the implementation of the operation 108. In some embodiments, the operation 108 may be optional.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the UE 101 may receive the notification 107 on the suspension of at least a part of the PCG resources which have been allocated according to the PCG resource configuration 103, and may parse the notification 107 and determine whether the reconfiguration of the PCG resources according to the notification 107 applies to the UE 101.

If the reconfiguration of the PCG resources according to the notification 107 applies to the UE 101, for example if the identifier of the UE 101 is indicated in the notification 107, the UE 101 may keep the PCG resource configuration 103, but suspend the usage of the suspended part of the PCG resources as indicated in the notification 107. In another embodiment, if the reconfiguration of the PCG resources according to the notification 107 applies to the UE 101, the UE 101 may release the PCG resource configuration 103. For example, the UE 101 may release the PCG resource configuration 103 in response to a broadcast signaling including the notification 107 in a case where the PCG resource configuration 103 is dedicated for the UE 101. In an embodiment, the notification 107 may also include an indication on whether to release the PCG resource configuration 103 or to keep the PCG resource configuration 103 while suspending the usage of the suspended part of the PCG resources.

Then, as illustrated in the block 110 of FIG. 1, if UL data becomes available for transmission when the UE 101 is in the inactive state 109, the UE 101 may determine uplink resources different from the suspended part of the PCG resources based on the notification 107, and then may transmit, to the BS 102, the UL data 111 available in the block 110, on the determined uplink resources different from the suspended part of the PCG resources.

For example, if usage of a part of the PCG resources is still allowed for transmitting UL data in the inactive state by the UE 101 according to the notification 107 and the UE 101 does not release the PCG resource configuration 103, the UE 101 may transmit the UL data 111 available in the block 110 on the allowed part of the PCG resources. For example, in connection with the above example as illustrated in FIG. 2, the UE 101 may continue to use the occasions o ₁～o ₃, o ₅～o ₇, and so on associated with the PCG resources to transmit the UL data 111 available in the block 110, or in connection with the above example as illustrated in FIG. 3, the UE 101 may continue to use the frequencies f ₁～f ₃, f ₇～f ₈, and so on associated with the PCG resources to transmit the UL data 111 available in the block 110.

In another example, if the usage of the PCG resources is suspended for the UE 101 or the UE 101 releases the PCG resource configuration 103 in response to the notification 107, the UE 101 may perform a RRC resume procedure (e.g. by transmitting a RRC resume request to the BS 102) or a RRC establishment procedure (e.g. by transmitting a RRC setup request to the BS 102) to request the BS 102 to allocate UL resources and to enter a connected state (e.g. RRC_CONNECTED state) , and then may transmit the UL data 111 available in the block 110 on the allocated UL resources in the connected state. For example, a suitable random access procedure such as a 2-step random access procedure or a 4-step random access procedure may be performed to transmit the UL data 111 available in the block 110.

In another example, the UE 101 may also perform a random access channel (RACH) based early data transmission (EDT) procedure or a RACH based small data transmission (SDT) procedure to transmit the UL data 111 in the inactive state.

In another example, in response to receiving the notification 107, the UE 101 may also perform a RRC resume procedure or a RRC establishment procedure to transmit the UL data 111 on the allocated UL resources in a connected state, or may perform a RACH based EDT procedure or a RACH based SDT procedure to transmit the UL data 111 in the inactive state, regardless of the contents in the notification 107.

In an embodiment, information on the procedure to be performed by the UE 101 for transmitting the UL data 111 available in the block 110 on the uplink resources different from the suspended part of the PCG resources may be included in the notification 107 or another signaling. For example, in a case where the notification 107 indicates that a RRC resume procedure is to be performed for transmitting later UL data in the inactive state, the UE 101 may perform the indicated RRC resume procedure to obtain UL resources and to transmit the UL data 111 on the obtained UL resources in the connected state, even if usage of a part of the PCG resources is still allowed for the UE 101 according to the notification 107.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 1, for example in a case where the UE 101 keeps the PCG resource configuration 103 but suspends the usage of the suspended part of the PCG resources as indicated in the notification 107, the UE 101 may perform an operation 112 to resume the usage of the PCG resources for the UL data traffic in the inactive state after a specified period 114, and the BS 102 may perform an operation 113 to resume the usage of the PCG resources for the UL data traffic in the inactive state after the specified period 114. Then, when the UE 101 is in the inactivate state 115, the UE 101 may transmit UL data 116 in the inactive state 115 on the PCG resources indicated in the PCG resource configuration 103.

For the specified period 114, for example, a timer may be configured in the UE 101, and the UE 101 may start or restart the timer with a timing value corresponding to the specified period 114 in response to receiving the notification 107, and may perform the operation 112 in response to an expiration of the timer. In addition, a timer may be also configured in the BS 102, and the BS 102 may start or restart the timer with a timing value corresponding to the specified period 114 in response to transmitting the notification 107, and may perform the operation 113 in response to an expiration of the timer.

In an embodiment, the timing values of the timers in the UE 101 and the BS 102 may be a predetermined value. In another embodiment, the information on the timing values of the timers in the UE 101 and/or the BS 102 may be also included in the notification 107. In another embodiment, the BS 102 may notify the information on starting or restarting the timer and/or the timing value of the timer in the UE 101 in another signaling.

In another embodiment, in addition to or in lieu of configuring the timer, the BS 102 may also transmit a signaling (not illustrated in FIG. 1) to the UE 101 to notify the UE 101 that the suspended part of the PCG resources may be resumed, for example in the operation 113, or in parallel with the operation 113, or before the operation 113, or after the operation 113. Then, the UE 101 may perform the operation 112 in response to receiving such signaling from the BS 102. Such signaling for notifying the UE 101 to resume the suspended part of the PCG resources may be transmitted by the BS 102 in any suitable manners. For example, such signaling may be transmitted by using broadcast signaling, for example by using a system information message, so that UEs may be aware quickly of the resumption of the suspended part of the PCG resources by the BS 102.

Through the example procedure as illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, the PCG resources may be suspended by the network for serving other UEs or other tasks (e.g. other data traffic) for example in a case of emergency or congestion in the network. Moreover, in the example procedure as illustrated in FIG. 1, the suspension of at least a part of the PCG resources may be specific to one or more roles or scenarios such as one or more specific UEs, UE categories, access classes, network slices, or the like.

It is appreciated that this disclosure is not limited to the above examples.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method 600 for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state (e.g. the PCG resources for UL data traffic in the RRC_INACTIVE state) in an embodiment, which may be performed for example in the UE 101.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the example method 600 may include an operation 601 and an operation 602. In the operation 601, for example, the UE 101 may receive a notification on a restriction of at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for transmission of uplink data in an inactive state (e.g. the notification 107 in the above examples) where the restriction may include at least one of a suspension of at least a part of the pre-configured uplink resources and an allowance of a part of the pre-configured uplink resources, and in the operation 602, the UE 101 may transmit the uplink data via uplink resources different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources based on the notification.

In some embodiments, the notification received in the operation 601 may include, but is not limited to, one or more of: information on the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on at least one of at least one user equipment associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment category associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment access class associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources, or at least one network slice associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state; information on at least one of at least one user equipment associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment category associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment access class associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources, or at least one network slice associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources; or the like.

For example, the information on the suspended part or the information on the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources may include, but is not limited to, one or more of: at least one slot associated with the pre-configured uplink resources; at least one subframe associated with the at least one pre-configured uplink resource; at least one radio frame associated with the at least one pre-configured uplink resource; at least one occasion pattern associated with the at least one pre-configured uplink resource; at least one frequency range associated with the at least one pre-configured uplink resource; at least one specified part of the at least one pre-configured uplink resource within at least one specified bandwidth part; or the like.

In different embodiments, in the operation 601, the notification may be received for example via one or more of: at least one broadcast signaling; at least one paging message; at least one short message; at least one dedicated signaling such as PHY signaling, MAC signaling, or RRC signaling; or the like.

In an embodiment, in the operation 602, the uplink data may be transmitted via the uplink resources in a connected state (e.g. the RRC_CONNECTED state) based on a procedure such as a RRC resume procedure, a RRC establishment procedure, or the like, or the uplink data may be transmitted via the uplink resources in the inactive state based on a procedure such as a RACH based EDT procedure, a RACH based SDT procedure, or the like.

For example, the information on the procedure to be triggered or performed in the case where at least the part of the pre-configured uplink resources is suspended for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state may be also included in the notification received in the operation 601.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the example method 600 may further include an operation 701 of starting or restarting a timer associated with the suspension in response to receiving the notification in the operation 601, where an example of the timing value may be the specified period 114 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Further, the example method 600 may also include an operation 702 of resuming the suspended part of pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to an expiration of the timer, an example of which may be the operation 112 as illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the information on the timer may be also included in the notification received in the operation 601. In another embodiment, in addition to or in lieu of the

operations

701 and 702, the example method 600 may further include receiving a signaling on resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state, and resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to receiving the signaling.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example apparatus 800 for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state (e.g. the PCG resources for UL data traffic in the RRC_INACTIVE state) in an embodiment, which may be at least a part of the UE 101.

As shown in FIG. 8, the example apparatus 800 may include at least one processor 801 and at least one memory 802 that may include computer program code 803. The at least one memory 802 and the computer program code 803 may be configured to, with the at least one processor 801, cause the apparatus 800 at least to perform at least the operations of the example method 600 described above.

In various embodiments, the at least one processor 801 in the example apparatus 800 may include, but not limited to, at least one hardware processor, including at least one microprocessor such as a central processing unit (CPU) , a portion of at least one hardware processor, and any other suitable dedicated processor such as those developed based on for example Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) . Further, the at least one processor 801 may also include at least one other circuitry or element not shown in FIG. 8.

In various embodiments, the at least one memory 802 in the example apparatus 800 may include at least one storage medium in various forms, such as a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. The volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a random-access memory (RAM) , a cache, and so on. The non-volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a read only memory (ROM) , a hard disk, a flash memory, and so on. Further, the at least memory 802 may include, but are not limited to, an electric, a magnetic, an optical, an electromagnetic, an infrared, or a semiconductor system, apparatus, or device or any combination of the above.

Further, in various embodiments, the example apparatus 800 may also include at least one other circuitry, element, and interface, for example at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like.

In various embodiments, the circuitries, parts, elements, and interfaces in the example apparatus 800, including the at least one processor 801 and the at least one memory 802, may be coupled together via any suitable connections including, but not limited to, buses, crossbars, wiring and/or wireless lines, in any suitable ways, for example electrically, magnetically, optically, electromagnetically, and the like.

FIG. 9 illustrates another example apparatus 900 for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state (e.g. the PCG resources for UL data traffic in the RRC_INACTIVE state) in an embodiment, which may be at least a part of the UE 101.

As shown in FIG. 9, the example apparatus 900 may include means for performing operations of the example method 600 described above in various embodiments. For example, the apparatus 900 may include means 901 for performing the operation 601 of the example method 600, and means 902 for performing the operation 602 of the example method 600. In one or more another embodiment, at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like may also be included in the example apparatus 900. In one or more another embodiments, the example apparatus 900 may further include one or more means for performing one or more additional operations in the example method 600, such as means 903 for performing the operation 701 of the example method 600 and means 904 for performing the operation 702 of the example method 600.

In some embodiments, examples of means such as means 901 and 902, as well as the

optional means

903 and 904, may include circuitries. For example, an example of means 901 may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation 601 of the example method 600, an example of means 902 may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation 602 of the example method 600, an example of means 903 may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation 701 of the example method 600, and an example of means 904 may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation 702 of the example method 600. In some embodiments, examples of means may also include software modules and any other suitable function entities.

The term “circuitry” throughout this disclosure may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) ; (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable) (i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit (s) with software/firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor (s) with software (including digital signal processor (s) ) , software, and memory (ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) ; and (c) hardware circuit (s) and or processor (s) , such as a microprocessor (s) or a portion of a microprocessor (s) , that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. This definition of circuitry applies to one or all uses of this term in this disclosure, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this disclosure, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example method 1000 for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state (e.g. the PCG resources for UL data traffic in the RRC_INACTIVE state) in an embodiment, which may be performed for example in the BS 102 to cooperate with the example method 600 performed in the US 101.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the example method 1000 may include an operation 1001, an operation 1002, and an operation 1003. In the operation 1001, for example the BS 102 may determine a restriction of at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for reception of uplink data in an inactive state, where the restriction may include at least one of a suspension of at least a part of the pre-configured uplink resources and an allowance of a part of the pre-configured uplink resources. An example of the operation 1001 may be the operation 106 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Cooperating with the

operations

601 and 602 of the example method 600, the BS 102 may transmit a notification on the suspension (e.g. the notification 107 in the above examples) in the operation 1002, and then in the operation 1003, may receive the uplink data via uplink resource different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources based on the notification.

In some embodiments, the notification transmitted in the operation 1002 may include, but is not limited to, one or more of: information on the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on at least one of at least one user equipment associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment category associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment access class associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources, or at least one network slice associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources; information on the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state; information on at least one of at least one user equipment associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment category associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment access class associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources, or at least one network slice associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources; or the like.

In different embodiments, in the operation 1002, the notification may be transmitted for example via one or more of: at least one broadcast signaling; at least one paging message; at least one short message; at least one dedicated signaling such as PHY signaling, MAC signaling, or RRC signaling; or the like.

In different embodiments, in the operation 1003, the uplink data may be received via the uplink resources based on a procedure such as a RRC resume procedure, a RRC establishment procedure, or the like, or based on a procedure such as a RACH based EDT procedure, a RACH based SDT procedure, or the like.

For example, the information on the procedure to be triggered or performed by one or more UEs (e.g. the UE 101) in the case where at least the part of the pre-configured uplink resources is suspended for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state may be also included in the notification transmitted in the operation 1002.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the example method 1000 may further include an operation 1102 of allocating the suspended part of the preconfigured uplink resources for reception of another uplink data, for example after or in parallel with the operation 1002. An example of the operation 1102 may be the operation 108 as illustrated in the FIG. 1.

In addition, also as illustrated in FIG. 11, the example method 1000 may further include an operation 1101 of starting or restarting a timer associated with the suspension in response to transmitting the notification in the operation 1002, where an example of the timing value may be the specified period 114 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Further, the example method 1000 may also include an operation 1103 of resuming the suspended part of pre-configured uplink resources for the reception of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to an expiration of the timer, an example of which may be the operation 113 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

For example, the information on the timer may be also included in the notification transmitted in the operation 1002.

In another embodiment, the example method 1000 may further include transmitting a signaling on resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example apparatus 1200 for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state (e.g. the PCG resources for UL data traffic in the RRC_INACTIVE state) in an embodiment, which may be at least a part of the BS 102.

As shown in FIG. 12, the example apparatus 1200 may include at least one processor 1201 and at least one memory 1202 that may include computer program code 1203. The at least one memory 1202 and the computer program code 1203 may be configured to, with the at least one processor 1201, cause the apparatus 1200 at least to perform at least the operations of the example method 1000 described above.

In various embodiments, the at least one processor 1201 in the example apparatus 1200 may include, but not limited to, at least one hardware processor, including at least one microprocessor such as a CPU, a portion of at least one hardware processor, and any other suitable dedicated processor such as those developed based on for example FPGA and ASIC. Further, the at least one processor 1201 may also include at least one other circuitry or element not shown in FIG. 12.

In various embodiments, the at least one memory 1202 in the example apparatus 1200 may include at least one storage medium in various forms, such as a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. The volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a RAM, a cache, and so on. The non-volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a ROM, a hard disk, a flash memory, and so on. Further, the at least memory 1202 may include, but are not limited to, an electric, a magnetic, an optical, an electromagnetic, an infrared, or a semiconductor system, apparatus, or device or any combination of the above.

Further, in various embodiments, the example apparatus 1200 may also include at least one other circuitry, element, and interface, for example at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like.

In various embodiments, the circuitries, parts, elements, and interfaces in the example apparatus 1200, including the at least one processor 1201 and the at least one memory 1202, may be coupled together via any suitable connections including, but not limited to, buses, crossbars, wiring and/or wireless lines, in any suitable ways, for example electrically, magnetically, optically, electromagnetically, and the like.

FIG. 13 illustrates another example apparatus 1300 for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state (e.g. the PCG resources for UL data traffic in the RRC_INACTIVE state) in an embodiment, which may be at least a part of the BS 102.

As shown in FIG. 13, the example apparatus 1300 may include means for performing operations of the example method 1000 described above in various embodiments. For example, the apparatus 1300 may include means 1301 for performing the operation 1001 of the example method 1000, means 1302 for performing the operation 1002 of the example method 1000, and means 1303 for performing the operation 1003 of the example method 1000. In one or more another embodiment, at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like may also be included in the example apparatus 1300. In one or more another embodiments, the example apparatus 1300 may further include one or more means for performing one or more additional operations in the example method 1300, such as means 1304 for performing the operation 1102 of the example method 1000, means 1305 for performing the operation 1101 of the example method 1000, and means 1306 for performing the operation 1103 of the example method 1000.

In some embodiments, examples of means in the example apparatus 1300, such as means 1301-1306, may include circuitries. In some embodiments, examples of various means in the example apparatus 1300 may also include software modules and any other suitable function entities.

Another embodiment may relate to computer program codes or instructions which may cause an apparatus to perform at least respective methods described above. Another embodiment may be related to a computer readable medium having such computer program codes or instructions stored thereon. In some embodiments, such a computer readable medium may include at least one storage medium in various forms such as a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. The volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a RAM, a cache, and so on. The non-volatile memory may include, but not limited to, a ROM, a hard disk, a flash memory, and so on. The non-volatile memory may also include, but are not limited to, an electric, a magnetic, an optical, an electromagnetic, an infrared, or a semiconductor system, apparatus, or device or any combination of the above.

Further, in some embodiments, the example methods and/or the example apparatuses described above for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in the inactive state may be modified to control pre-configured uplink resources which have been allocated for data traffic in an idle state (e.g. a RRC_IDLE state) . For example, another embodiment may relate to a method for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in an idle state, which may be implemented or performed in the UE 101, and the method may include receiving a notification on suspending at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for transmission of uplink data in the idle state, and transmitting the uplink data via uplink resources different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources based on the notification. Similarly, another embodiment may relate to a method for controlling pre-configured uplink resources in an idle state, which may be implemented or performed in the BS 102, and the method may include determining a suspension of at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for reception of uplink data in the idle state, transmitting a notification on the suspension, and t receiving the uplink data via uplink resources different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources. Further, one or more aspects and/or features described above related to the inactive state may also be modified into being related to the idle state.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise, ” “comprising, ” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to. ” The word “coupled” , as generally used herein, refers to two or more elements that may be either directly connected, or connected by way of one or more intermediate elements. Likewise, the word “connected” , as generally used herein, refers to two or more elements that may be either directly connected, or connected by way of one or more intermediate elements. Additionally, the words “herein, ” “above, ” “below, ” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

Moreover, conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can, ” “could, ” “might, ” “may, ” “e.g., ” “for example, ” “such as” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

While some embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the apparatus, methods, and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, while blocks are presented in a given arrangement, alternative embodiments may perform similar functionalities with different components and/or circuit topologies, and some blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified. At least one of these blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. The order of these blocks may also be changed. Any suitable combination of the elements and acts of some embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

Claims

A method comprising:

receiving a notification on a restriction of at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for transmission of uplink data in an inactive state, the restriction comprising at least one of a suspension of at least a part of the pre-configured uplink resources and an allowance of a part of the pre-configured uplink resources; and

transmitting the uplink data via uplink resources different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources based on the notification.
The method of claim 1 wherein the notification comprises at least one of

information on the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources,

information on at least one of at least one user equipment associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment category associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment access class associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources, or at least one network slice associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources,

information on the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state, or

information on at least one of at least one user equipment associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment category associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment access class associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources, or at least one network slice associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources.
The method of claim 2 wherein the information on the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources or the information on the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources comprises at least one of

at least one slot associated with the pre-configured uplink resources,

at least one subframe associated with the pre-configured uplink resources,

at least one radio frame associated with the pre-configured uplink resources,

at least one occasion pattern associated with the pre-configured uplink resources,

at least one frequency range associated with the pre-configured uplink resources, or

at least one specified part of the pre-configured uplink resources within at least one specified bandwidth part.
The method of any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the notification is received via at least one of at least one broadcast signaling, at least one paging message, at least one short message, or at least one dedicated signaling.
The method of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the uplink data is transmitted via the uplink resources in a connected state based on a procedure comprising at least one of a radio resource control resume procedure or a radio resource control establishment procedure.
The method of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the uplink data is transmitted via the uplink resources in the inactive state based on a procedure comprising at least one of a random access channel based early data transmission procedure or a random access channel based small data transmission procedure.
The method of claim 5 or 6 or wherein the notification further comprises information on the procedure to be triggered in the case where at least the part of the pre-configured uplink resources is suspended for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state.
The method of any of claims 1 to 7 further comprising:

starting or restarting a timer associated with the suspension in response to receiving the notification; and

resuming the suspended part of pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to an expiration of the timer.
The method of claim 8 wherein the notification further comprises information on the timer.
The method of any of claims 1 to 9 further comprising:

receiving a signaling on resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state; and

resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to receiving the signaling.
A method comprising:

determining a restriction of at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for reception of uplink data in an inactive state, the restriction comprising at least one of a suspension of at least a part of the pre-configured uplink resources and an allowance of a part of the pre-configured uplink resources;

transmitting a notification on the suspension; and

receiving the uplink data via uplink resources different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources.
The method of claim 11 further comprising:

allocating the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for reception of another uplink data.
The method of claim 11 or 12 wherein the notification comprises at least one of

information on the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources,

information on at least one of at least one user equipment associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment category associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment access class associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources, or at least one network slice associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources,

information on the allowed part of the one pre-configured uplink resource for the reception of the uplink data in the inactive state, or

information on at least one of at least one user equipment associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment category associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment access class associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources, or at least one network slice associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources.
The method of claim 13 wherein the information on the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources or the information on the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources comprises at least one of

at least one slot associated with the pre-configured uplink resources,

at least one subframe associated with the pre-configured uplink resources,

at least one radio frame associated with the pre-configured uplink resources,

at least one occasion pattern associated with the pre-configured uplink resources,

at least one frequency range associated with the pre-configured uplink resources, or

at least one specified part of the pre-configured uplink resources within at least one specified bandwidth part.
The method of any of claims 11 to 14 wherein the notification is transmitted via at least one of at least one broadcast signaling, at least one paging message, at least one short message, or at least one dedicated signaling.
The method of any of claims 11 to 15 wherein the uplink data is received via the uplink resources based on a procedure comprising at least one of a radio resource control resume procedure, a radio resource control establishment procedure, a random access channel based early data transmission procedure, or a random access channel based small data transmission procedure.
The method of claim 16 wherein the notification further comprises information on the procedure to be triggered in the case where at least the part of the pre-configured uplink resources is suspended for the reception of the uplink data in the inactive state.
The method of any of claims 11 to 17 further comprising:

starting or restarting a timer associated with the suspension in response to transmitting the notification; and

resuming the suspended part of pre-configured uplink resources for the reception of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to an expiration of the timer.
The method of claim 18 wherein the notification further comprises information on the timer.
The method of any of claims 11 to 19 further comprising:

transmitting a signaling on resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state.
An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform receiving a notification on a restriction of at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for transmission of uplink data in an inactive state, the restriction comprising at least one of a suspension of at least a part of the pre-configured uplink resources and an allowance of a part of the pre-configured uplink resources, and transmitting the uplink data via uplink resources different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources based on the notification.
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the notification comprises at least one of

information on the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources,

information on at least one of at least one user equipment associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment category associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment access class associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources, or at least one network slice associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources,

information on the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state, or

information on at least one of at least one user equipment associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment category associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment access class associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources, or at least one network slice associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources.
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the information on the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources or the information on the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources comprises at least one of

at least one slot associated with the pre-configured uplink resources,

at least one subframe associated with the pre-configured uplink resources,

at least one radio frame associated with the pre-configured uplink resources,

at least one occasion pattern associated with the pre-configured uplink resources,

at least one frequency range associated with the pre-configured uplink resources, or

at least one specified part of the pre-configured uplink resources within at least one specified bandwidth part.
The apparatus of any of claims 21 to 23 wherein the notification is received via at least one of at least one broadcast signaling, at least one paging message, at least one short message, or at least one dedicated signaling.
The apparatus of any of claims 21 to 24 wherein the uplink data is transmitted via the uplink resources in a connected state based on a procedure comprising at least one of a radio resource control resume procedure or a radio resource control establishment procedure.
The apparatus of any of claims 21 to 24 wherein the uplink data is transmitted via the uplink resources in the inactive state based on a procedure comprising at least one of a random access channel based early data transmission procedure or a random access channel based small data transmission procedure.
The apparatus of claim 25 or 26 or wherein the notification further comprises information on the procedure to be triggered in the case where at least the part of the pre-configured uplink resources is suspended for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state.
The apparatus of any of claims 21 to 27 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform starting or restarting a timer associated with the suspension in response to receiving the notification, and resuming the suspended part of pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to an expiration of the timer.
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the notification further comprises information on the timer.
The apparatus of any of claims 21 to 29 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform receiving a signaling on resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state, and resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to receiving the signaling.
An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform determining a restriction of at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for reception of uplink data in an inactive state, the restriction comprising at least one of a suspension of at least a part of the pre-configured uplink resources and an allowance of a part of the pre-configured uplink resources, transmitting a notification on the suspension, and receiving the uplink data via uplink resources different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources.
The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform allocating the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for reception of another uplink data.
The apparatus of claim 31 or 32 wherein the notification comprises at least one of

information on the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources,

information on at least one of at least one user equipment associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment category associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment access class associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources, or at least one network slice associated with the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources,

information on the allowed part of the one pre-configured uplink resource for the reception of the uplink data in the inactive state, or

information on at least one of at least one user equipment associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment category associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources, at least one user equipment access class associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources, or at least one network slice associated with the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources.
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the information on the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources or the information on the allowed part of the pre-configured uplink resources comprises at least one of

at least one slot associated with the pre-configured uplink resources,

at least one subframe associated with the pre-configured uplink resources,

at least one radio frame associated with the pre-configured uplink resources,

at least one occasion pattern associated with the pre-configured uplink resources,

at least one frequency range associated with the pre-configured uplink resources, or

at least one specified part of the pre-configured uplink resources within at least one specified bandwidth part.
The apparatus of any of claims 31 to 34 wherein the notification is transmitted via at least one of at least one broadcast signaling, at least one paging message, at least one short message, or at least one dedicated signaling.
The apparatus of any of claims 31 to 35 wherein the uplink data is received via the uplink resources based on a procedure comprising at least one of a radio resource control resume procedure, a radio resource control establishment procedure, a random access channel based early data transmission procedure, or a random access channel based small data transmission procedure.
The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the notification further comprises information on the procedure to be triggered in the case where at least the part of the pre-configured uplink resources is suspended for the reception of the uplink data in the inactive state.
The apparatus of any of claims 31 to 37 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform starting or restarting a timer associated with the suspension in response to transmitting the notification, and resuming the suspended part of pre-configured uplink resources for the reception of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to an expiration of the timer.
The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the notification further comprises information on the timer.
The apparatus of any of claims 31 to 39 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform transmitting a signaling on resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state.
An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a notification on a restriction of at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for transmission of uplink data in an inactive state, the restriction comprising at least one of a suspension of at least a part of the pre-configured uplink resources and an allowance of a part of the pre-configured uplink resources; and

means for transmitting the uplink data via uplink resources different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources based on the notification.
The apparatus of claim 41 further comprising:

means for starting or restarting a timer associated with the suspension in response to receiving the notification; and

means for resuming the suspended part of pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to an expiration of the timer.
The apparatus of claim 41 or 42 further comprising:

means for receiving a signaling on resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state; and

means for resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to receiving the signaling.
An apparatus comprising:

means for determining a restriction of at least a part of pre-configured uplink resources for reception of uplink data in an inactive state, the restriction comprising at least one of a suspension of at least a part of the pre-configured uplink resources and an allowance of a part of the pre-configured uplink resources;

means for transmitting a notification on the suspension; and

means for receiving the uplink data via uplink resources different from the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources.
The apparatus of claim 44 further comprising:

means for allocating the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for reception of another uplink data.
The apparatus of claim 44 or 45 further comprising:

means for starting or restarting a timer associated with the suspension in response to transmitting the notification; and

means for resuming the suspended part of pre-configured uplink resources for the reception of the uplink data in the inactive state in response to an expiration of the timer.
The apparatus of any of claims 44 to 46 further comprising:

means for transmitting a signaling on resuming the suspended part of the pre-configured uplink resources for the transmission of the uplink data in the inactive state.
A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least a method of any of claims 1-10.
A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least a method of any of claims 11-20.