WO2024193732A1

WO2024193732A1 - Paging

Info

Publication number: WO2024193732A1
Application number: PCT/CN2024/098797
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xiaoying Xu; Yuantao Zhang; Mingzeng Dai
Original assignee: Lenovo Beijing Ltd
Current assignee: Lenovo Beijing Ltd
Priority date: 2024-06-12
Filing date: 2024-06-12
Publication date: 2024-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-12

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to paging. In one aspect, a UE determines a paging frame for reception of paging downlink control information (DCI) in a bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle. In turn, the UE determines a paging occasion in the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI.

Description

PAGING

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and more specifically to user equipment (UE) , network entity and methods for paging.

BACKGROUND

A wireless communications system may include one or multiple network communication devices, such as base stations, which may be otherwise known as an eNodeB (eNB) , a next-generation NodeB (gNB) , or other suitable terminology. Each network communication devices, such as a base station may support wireless communications for one or multiple user communication devices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE) , or other suitable terminology. The wireless communications system may support wireless communications with one or multiple user communication devices by utilizing resources of the wireless communication system (e.g., time resources (e.g., symbols, slots, subframes, frames, or the like) or frequency resources (e.g., subcarriers, carriers) . Additionally, the wireless communications system may support wireless communications across various radio access technologies including third generation (3G) radio access technology, fourth generation (4G) radio access technology, fifth generation (5G) radio access technology, among other suitable radio access technologies beyond 5G (e.g., sixth generation (6G) ) .

In new radio (NR) , paging allows a network entity to reach UEs in a radio resource control idle (RRC_IDLE) or RRC_INACTIVE state through paging messages, and to notify UEs of system information modification and Earthquake and Tsunami Warning System (ETWS) or commercial mobile alert service (CMAS) indications through paging short messages.

The UE may use discontinuous reception (DRX) in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state to reduce power consumption. The UE monitors only one paging occasion (PO) of one paging frame (PF) per DRX cycle (i.e., paging cycle) .

The network entity may not go to deep sleep due to wake up frequently to transmit paging messages based on current design, which is not beneficial to save the network energy.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to UE, network entity and methods that support paging. With the UE, network entity and methods, paging enhancement for network energy saving may be achieved.

Some implementations of a UE described herein may include a processor and a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: determine a paging frame for reception of paging downlink control information (DCI) in a bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle; and determine a paging occasion in the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI.

In some implementations, the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI by: determining a first system frame number (SFN) of a first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames; and determining an SFN of the paging frame based on the first SFN of the first paging frame.

In some implementations, the first paging frame comprises one of the following: a start paging frame in the bundle of paging frames, an end paging frame in the bundle of paging frames, or a paging frame between the start paging frame and the end paging frame.

In some implementations, the processor is configured to determine the first SFN of the first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames based on at least one of the following: the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle or a first number of paging frames for a first type of UEs in the paging cycle, the paging cycle, an identity of the UE, or a paging frame offset.

In some implementations, the processor is configured to determine the first SFN of the first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames based on at least one of the following: a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, wherein the UE is of the second type; a fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames, or the total number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames, wherein the UE is of the second type; the paging cycle; an identity of the UE; or a paging frame offset.

In some implementations, the processor is configured to determine the first SFN of the first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames based on at least one of the following: an interval of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle, wherein the second bundle of paging frames is immediately subsequent to the first bundle of paging frames, i is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames; the paging cycle; an identity of the UE; or a paging frame offset.

In some implementations, the paging frame offset is dedicated for a second type of UEs, wherein the UE is of the second type.

In some implementations, the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on at least one of the following: a first system frame number (SFN) of a first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames; the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle or a first number of paging frames for a first type of UEs in the paging cycle; a fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames; or the total number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames, wherein the UE is of the second type; the paging cycle; an identity of the UE; or a paging frame offset.

In some implementations, the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on at least one of the following: the number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames; a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, wherein the UE is of the second type; the paging cycle; an identity of the UE; or a paging frame offset.

In some implementations, the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on at least one of the following: the number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames, the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle, the paging cycle, an identity of the UE, or a paging frame offset.

In some implementations, the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on at least one of the following: a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, wherein the UE is of the second type; the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle; the paging cycle; an identity of the UE; or a paging frame offset.

In some implementations, the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on at least one of the following: a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, wherein the UE is of the second type; an interval of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle, wherein the second bundle of paging frames is immediately subsequent to the first bundle of paging frames, i is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames; the paging cycle; an identity of the UE; or a paging frame offset.

In some implementations, the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on at least one of the following: a first number of paging frames for a first type of UEs in the paging cycle; a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, wherein the UE is of the second type; the number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle; the paging cycle; an identity of the UE; or a paging frame offset.

In some implementations, the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on a configuration for paging, and wherein the configuration indicates at least one of the following: a first number of paging frames for a first type of UEs in the paging cycle; a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle; wherein the UE is of the second type; the number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle; or the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle; a fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames an interval of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle, wherein the second bundle of paging frames is immediately subsequent to the first bundle of paging frames, i is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames; a third number of paging frames in the paging cycle; the paging cycle; or at least one paging frame offset.

In some implementations, the processor is further configured to determine a first paging frame offset from at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle based on at least one of the following: an identity of the UE, the third number of paging frames in the paging cycle, or the number of the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle; and wherein the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on at least one of the following: the first paging frame offset, the identity of the UE, the third number of paging frames in the paging cycle, or the paging cycle.

In some implementations, the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle is determined based on at least one of the following: an interval of a first paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and a second paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle, wherein the second bundle of paging frames is immediately subsequent to the first bundle of paging frames, i is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames; or the paging cycle.

In some implementations, the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle is determined based on at least one of the following: a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, wherein the UE is of the second type, or a fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames, or the total number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames, wherein the UE is of the second type.

In some implementations, the fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames is determined based on at least one of the following: a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, wherein the UE is of the second type, or one of the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle and a first number of paging frames for a first type of UEs in the paging cycle.

In some implementations, the fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames is determined based on at least one of the following: a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, wherein the UE is of the second type; the paging cycle; or an interval of a first paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and a second paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle, wherein the second bundle of paging frames is immediately subsequent to the first bundle of paging frames, i is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames.

In some implementations, the configuration for paging further indicates information about a group of UEs comprising the UE; wherein the processor is further configured to: determine a first paging frame offset from the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle based on the information about the group of UEs; and wherein the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on at least one of the following: the first paging frame offset, the identity of the UE, a third number of paging frames in the paging cycle, or the paging cycle.

Some implementations of a network entity described herein may include a processor and a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: determine a first paging frame offset from at least one paging frame offset based on at least one of the following: an identity of a UE, a third number of paging frames in a paging cycle, or the number of the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle; determine a paging frame for transmission of paging DCI in a bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle based at least on the first paging frame offset; and determine a paging occasion in the paging frame for the transmission of the paging DCI.

Some implementations of a network entity described herein may include a processor and a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: receive information about a group of user equipment (UEs) from an apparatus for performing an access and mobility management function (AMF) ; determine a first paging frame offset from at least one paging frame offset in a paging cycle based on the information about the group of UEs; and determine a paging frame for transmission of paging DCI in a bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle based on at least one of the following: the first paging frame offset, an identity of a UE in the group, a third number of paging frames in the paging cycle, and the paging cycle.

Some implementations of a method described herein may include: determining a paging frame for reception of paging DCI in a bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle; and determining a paging occasion in the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI.

Some implementations of a method described herein may include: determining a first paging frame offset from at least one paging frame offset based on at least one of the following: an identity of a UE, a third number of paging frames in a paging cycle, or the number of the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle; determining a paging frame for transmission of paging DCI in a bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle based at least on the first paging frame offset; and determining a paging occasion in the paging frame for the transmission of the paging DCI.

Some implementations of a method described herein may include: receiving information about a group of UEs from an apparatus for performing an access and mobility management function (AMF) ; determining a first paging frame offset from at least one paging frame offset in a paging cycle based on the information about the group of UEs; and determining a paging frame for transmission of paging DCI in a bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle based on at least one of the following: the first paging frame offset, an identity of a UE in the group, a third number of paging frames in the paging cycle, and the paging cycle.

Some implementations of a processor described herein may include at least one memory and a controller coupled with the at least one memory and configured to cause the controller to: determine a paging frame for reception of paging DCI in a bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle; and determine a paging occasion in the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI.

It is to be understood that the summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system that supports paging in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 illustrates a signaling diagram illustrating an example process that supports paging in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

Fig. 3 illustrates an example of paging frames in a paging cycle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate examples of bundles of paging frames in a paging cycle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, respectively;

Fig. 7 illustrates a signaling diagram illustrating an example process that supports paging in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

Fig. 8 illustrates examples of paging frame offsets and paging frames in a paging cycle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

Fig. 9 illustrates a signaling diagram illustrating an example process that supports paging in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

Fig. 10 illustrates an example of a device that supports paging in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

Fig. 11 illustrates an example of a processor that supports paging in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; and

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate a flowchart of a method that supports paging in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure described herein may be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment, ” “an example embodiment, ” “an embodiment, ” “some embodiments, ” and the like indicate that the embodiment (s) described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment (s) . Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

It shall be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” or the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element could also be termed as a second element, and similarly, a second element could also be termed as a first element, without departing from the scope of embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a” , “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” , “comprising” , “has” , “having” , “includes” and/or “including” , when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and/or combinations thereof.

As described above, the network entity may not go to deep sleep due to wake up frequently to transmit paging messages based on current design, which is not beneficial to save the network energy.

In view of the above, the present disclosure provides a solution that supports paging. In this solution, a UE is configured with consecutive paging frames in a bundle for paging adaption. By bundling the paging frames, a network entity remains sleep mode or goes to sleep mode for a longer period. The UE determines a paging frame for reception of paging downlink control information (DCI) in a bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle. In turn, the UE determines a paging occasion in the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI. With this solution, network energy saving can be achieved.

Aspects of the present disclosure are described in the context of a wireless communications system.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 100 that supports paging in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system 100 may include one at least one of network entities 102 (also referred to as network equipment (NE) ) , one or more terminal devices or UEs 104, a core network 106, and a packet data network 108. The wireless communications system 100 may support various radio access technologies. In some implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be a 4G network, such as an LTE network or an LTE-advanced (LTE-A) network. In some other implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be a 5G network, such as an NR network. In other implementations, the wireless communications system 100 may be a combination of a 4G network and a 5G network, or other suitable radio access technology including institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi) , IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX) , IEEE 802.20. The wireless communications system 100 may support radio access technologies beyond 5G. Additionally, the wireless communications system 100 may support technologies, such as time division multiple access (TDMA) , frequency division multiple access (FDMA) , or code division multiple access (CDMA) , etc.

The network entities 102 may be dispersed throughout a geographic region to form the wireless communications system 100. One or more of the network entities 102 described herein may be or include or may be referred to as a network node, a base station (BS) , a network element, a radio access network (RAN) node, a base transceiver station, an access point, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB) , a next-generation NodeB (gNB) , or other suitable terminology. A network entity 102 and a UE 104 may communicate via a communication link 110, which may be a wireless or wired connection. For example, a network entity 102 and a UE 104 may perform wireless communication (e.g., receive signaling, transmit signaling) over a Uu interface. The network entities 102 may be collectively referred to as network entities 102 or individually referred to as a network entity 102.

A network entity 102 may provide a geographic coverage area 112 for which the network entity 102 may support services (e.g., voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc. ) for one or more UEs 104 within the geographic coverage area 112. For example, a network entity 102 and a UE 104 may support wireless communication of signals related to services (e.g., voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc. ) according to one or multiple radio access technologies. In some implementations, a network entity 102 may be moveable, for example, a satellite associated with a non-terrestrial network. In some implementations, different geographic coverage areas 112 associated with the same or different radio access technologies may overlap, but the different geographic coverage areas 112 may be associated with different network entities 102. Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

The one or more UEs 104 may be dispersed throughout a geographic region of the wireless communications system 100. A UE 104 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a remote unit, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable terminology. In some implementations, the UE 104 may be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, among other examples. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE 104 may be referred to as an internet-of-things (IoT) device, an internet-of-everything (IoE) device, or machine-type communication (MTC) device, among other examples. In some implementations, a UE 104 may be stationary in the wireless communications system 100. In some other implementations, a UE 104 may be mobile in the wireless communications system 100.

The one or more UEs 104 may be devices in different forms or having different capabilities. Some examples of UEs 104 are illustrated in Fig. 1. A UE 104 may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as the network entities 102, other UEs 104, or network equipment (e.g., the core network 106, the packet data network 108, a relay device, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, or another network equipment) , as shown in Fig. 1. Additionally, or alternatively, a UE 104 may support communication with other network entities 102 or UEs 104, which may act as relays in the wireless communications system 100.

A UE 104 may also be able to support wireless communication directly with other UEs 104 over a communication link 114. For example, a UE 104 may support wireless communication directly with another UE 104 over a device-to-device (D2D) communication link. In some implementations, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) deployments, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) deployments, or cellular-V2X deployments, the communication link 114 may be referred to as a sidelink. For example, a UE 104 may support wireless communication directly with another UE 104 over a PC5 interface.

A network entity 102 may support communications with the core network 106, or with another network entity 102, or both. For example, a network entity 102 may interface with the core network 106 through one or more backhaul links 116 (e.g., via an S1, N2, N2, or another network interface) . The network entities 102 may communicate with each other over the backhaul links 116 (e.g., via an X2, Xn, or another network interface) . In some implementations, the network entities 102 may communicate with each other directly (e.g., between the network entities 102) . In some other implementations, the network entities 102 may communicate with each other or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 106) . In some implementations, one or more network entities 102 may include subcomponents, such as an access network entity, which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC) . An ANC may communicate with the one or more UEs 104 through one or more other access network transmission entities, which may be referred to as a radio heads, smart radio heads, or transmission-reception points (TRPs) .

In some implementations, a network entity 102 may be configured in a disaggregated architecture, which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack physically or logically distributed among two or more network entities 102, such as an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open radio access network (O-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance) , or a virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., a cloud RAN (C-RAN) ) . For example, a network entity 102 may include one or more of a central unit (CU) , a distributed unit (DU) , a radio unit (RU) , a RAN intelligent controller (RIC) (e.g., a near-real time RIC (Near-RT RIC) , a non-real time RIC (Non-RT RIC) ) , a service management and orchestration (SMO) system, or any combination thereof.

An RU may also be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, a remote radio head (RRH) , a remote radio unit (RRU) , or a transmission reception point (TRP) . One or more components of the network entities 102 in a disaggregated RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or more components of the network entities 102 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations) . In some implementations, one or more network entities 102 of a disaggregated RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., a virtual CU (VCU) , a virtual DU (VDU) , a virtual RU (VRU) ) .

Split of functionality between a CU, a DU, and an RU may be flexible and may support different functionalities depending upon which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, radio frequency functions, and any combinations thereof) are performed at a CU, a DU, or an RU. For example, a functional split of a protocol stack may be employed between a CU and a DU such that the CU may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the DU may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. In some implementations, the CU may host upper protocol layer (e.g., a layer 3 (L3) , a layer 2 (L2) ) functionality and signaling (e.g., radio resource control (RRC) , service data adaption protocol (SDAP) , packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) ) . The CU may be connected to one or more DUs or RUs, and the one or more DUs or RUs may host lower protocol layers, such as a layer 1 (L1) (e.g., physical (PHY) layer) or an L2 (e.g., radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer) functionality and signaling, and may each be at least partially controlled by the CU.

Additionally, or alternatively, a functional split of the protocol stack may be employed between a DU and an RU such that the DU may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the RU may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. The DU may support one or multiple different cells (e.g., via one or more RUs) . In some implementations, a functional split between a CU and a DU, or between a DU and an RU may be within a protocol layer (e.g., some functions for a protocol layer may be performed by one of a CU, a DU, or an RU, while other functions of the protocol layer are performed by a different one of the CU, the DU, or the RU) .

A CU may be functionally split further into CU control plane (CU-CP) and CU user plane (CU-UP) functions. A CU may be connected to one or more DUs via a midhaul communication link (e.g., F1, F1-c, F1-u) , and a DU may be connected to one or more RUs via a fronthaul communication link (e.g., open fronthaul (FH) interface) . In some implementations, a midhaul communication link or a fronthaul communication link may be implemented in accordance with an interface (e.g., a channel) between layers of a protocol stack supported by respective network entities 102 that are in communication via such communication links.

The core network 106 may support user authentication, access authorization, tracking, connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 106 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) , or a 5G core (5GC) , which may include a control plane entity that manages access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME) , an access and mobility management functions (AMF) ) and a user plane entity that routes packets or interconnects to external networks (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW) , a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW) , or a user plane function (UPF) ) . In some implementations, the control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management (e.g., data bearers, signal bearers, etc. ) for the one or more UEs 104 served by the one or more network entities 102 associated with the core network 106.

The core network 106 may communicate with the packet data network 108 over one or more backhaul links 116 (e.g., via an S1, N2, N2, or another network interface) . The packet data network 108 may include an application server 118. In some implementations, one or more UEs 104 may communicate with the application server 118. A UE 104 may establish a session (e.g., a protocol data unit (PDU) session, or the like) with the core network 106 via a network entity 102. The core network 106 may route traffic (e.g., control information, data, and the like) between the UE 104 and the application server 118 using the established session (e.g., the established PDU session) . The PDU session may be an example of a logical connection between the UE 104 and the core network 106 (e.g., one or more network functions of the core network 106) .

In the wireless communications system 100, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may use resources of the wireless communications system 100 (e.g., time resources (e.g., symbols, slots, subframes, frames, or the like) or frequency resources (e.g., subcarriers, carriers) ) to perform various operations (e.g., wireless communications) . In some implementations, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support different resource structures. For example, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support different frame structures. In some implementations, such as in 4G, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support a single frame structure. In some other implementations, such as in 5G and among other suitable radio access technologies, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support various frame structures (i.e., multiple frame structures) . The network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may support various frame structures based on one or more numerologies.

One or more numerologies may be supported in the wireless communications system 100, and a numerology may include a subcarrier spacing and a cyclic prefix. A first numerology (e.g., μ=0) may be associated with a first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix. In some implementations, the first numerology (e.g., μ=0) associated with the first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz) may utilize one slot per subframe. A second numerology (e.g., μ=1) may be associated with a second subcarrier spacing (e.g., 30 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix. A third numerology (e.g., μ=2) may be associated with a third subcarrier spacing (e.g., 60 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix or an extended cyclic prefix. A fourth numerology (e.g., μ=3) may be associated with a fourth subcarrier spacing (e.g., 120 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix. A fifth numerology (e.g., μ=4) may be associated with a fifth subcarrier spacing (e.g., 240 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix.

A time interval of a resource (e.g., a communication resource) may be organized according to frames (also referred to as radio frames) . Each frame may have a duration, for example, a 10 millisecond (ms) duration. In some implementations, each frame may include multiple subframes. For example, each frame may include 10 subframes, and each subframe may have a duration, for example, a 1 ms duration. In some implementations, each frame may have the same duration. In some implementations, each subframe of a frame may have the same duration.

Additionally or alternatively, a time interval of a resource (e.g., a communication resource) may be organized according to slots. For example, a subframe may include a number (e.g., quantity) of slots. The number of slots in each subframe may also depend on the one or more numerologies supported in the wireless communications system 100. For instance, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth numerologies (i.e., μ=0, μ=1, μ=2, μ=3, μ=4) associated with respective subcarrier spacings of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz, and 240 kHz may utilize a single slot per subframe, two slots per subframe, four slots per subframe, eight slots per subframe, and 16 slots per subframe, respectively. Each slot may include a number (e.g., quantity) of symbols (e.g., OFDM symbols) . In some implementations, the number (e.g., quantity) of slots for a subframe may depend on a numerology. For a normal cyclic prefix, a slot may include 14 symbols. For an extended cyclic prefix (e.g., applicable for 60 kHz subcarrier spacing) , a slot may include 12 symbols. The relationship between the number of symbols per slot, the number of slots per subframe, and the number of slots per frame for a normal cyclic prefix and an extended cyclic prefix may depend on a numerology. It should be understood that reference to a first numerology (e.g., μ=0) associated with a first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz) may be used interchangeably between subframes and slots.

In the wireless communications system 100, an electromagnetic (EM) spectrum may be split, based on frequency or wavelength, into various classes, frequency bands, frequency channels, etc. By way of example, the wireless communications system 100 may support one or multiple operating frequency bands, such as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz –7.125 GHz) , FR2 (24.25 GHz –52.6 GHz) , FR3 (7.125 GHz –24.25 GHz) , FR4 (52.6 GHz –114.25 GHz) , FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz –71 GHz) , and FR5 (114.25 GHz –300 GHz) . In some implementations, the network entities 102 and the UEs 104 may perform wireless communications over one or more of the operating frequency bands. In some implementations, FR1 may be used by the network entities 102 and the UEs 104, among other equipment or devices for cellular communications traffic (e.g., control information, data) . In some implementations, FR2 may be used by the network entities 102 and the UEs 104, among other equipment or devices for short-range, high data rate capabilities.

FR1 may be associated with one or multiple numerologies (e.g., at least three numerologies) . For example, FR1 may be associated with a first numerology (e.g., μ=0) , which includes 15 kHz subcarrier spacing; a second numerology (e.g., μ=1) , which includes 30 kHz subcarrier spacing; and a third numerology (e.g., μ=2) , which includes 60 kHz subcarrier spacing. FR2 may be associated with one or multiple numerologies (e.g., at least 2 numerologies) . For example, FR2 may be associated with a third numerology (e.g., μ=2) , which includes 60 kHz subcarrier spacing; and a fourth numerology (e.g., μ=3) , which includes 120 kHz subcarrier spacing.

Fig. 2 illustrates a signaling diagram illustrating an example process 200 that supports paging in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The process 200 may involve the UE 104 and the network entity 102 in Fig. 1. For the purpose of discussion, the process 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 1.

As shown in Fig. 2, the UE 104 determines 220 a paging frame for reception of paging DCI in a bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle. Hereinafter, the paging cycle is represented by T.

In turn, the UE 104 determines 230 a paging occasion in the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI.

Fig. 3 illustrates an example of paging frames in a paging cycle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 3, a paging frame (PF) is one radio frame and may comprise one or more paging occasions (POs) or starting point of a paging occasion.

In some implementations, a paging occasion is a set of physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring occasions and may comprise multiple time slots to transmit the paging DCI. The paging DCI is scrambled by a paging radio network temporary identity (P-RNTI) . The paging DCI is per-beam transmitted and beams for transmission of the paging DCI may be the same as those for transmission of synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs) .

In some implementations, the UE 104 may determine an index of the paging occasion for the reception of the paging DCI based on the following:
i_s= floor (UE_ID/N) mod Ns (1)

where i_srepresents the index of the paging occasion, floor represents a rounding down operator, UE_ID represents an ID of the UE 104, Ns represents the number of paging occasions per paging frame. Ns may be determined based on legacy ns or based on ns_R19.

Return to Fig. 2, the UE 104 monitors 240 paging DCI in the determined paging occasion.

The network entity 102 generates 250 the paging DCI.

The network entity 102 determines 260 a paging frame for transmission of the paging DCI in the bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle.

In turn, the network entity 102 determines 270 a paging occasion in the paging frame for the transmission of the paging DCI.

Then, the network entity 102 transmits 280 the paging DCI in the determined paging occasion.

In the process 200, by bundling the paging frames, a network entity may remain sleep mode or go to sleep mode for a longer period. Thus, network energy saving can be achieved.

It shall be noted that although the actions 260 and 270 are shown after the actions 220, 230 and 240, the actions 260 and 270 may be performed prior to or in parallel to the actions 220, 230 and 240. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

In some implementations, the UE 104 may be of a second type of UEs. The second type of UEs may support paging adaptation. The UE 104 supporting paging adaptation can determine a paging frame from a bundle of consecutive paging frames, or from a subset of paging frames in a bundle of consecutive paging frames. A first type of UEs may not support the paging adaptation. In such implementations, UEs supporting paging adaptation may be referred to as Release 19 (Rel-19) UEs, and UEs which do not support the paging adaptation may be referred to as legacy UEs.

In some implementations, the determined paging frame may overlap with a paging frame for the first type of UEs, and one or more paging frames for the second type of UEs may be consecutive with one or more paging frames for the first type of UEs in time domain.

In some implementations, the network entity 102 may transmit 210 a configuration for paging. For example, the network entity 102 may broadcast the configuration for paging through PCCH-Config in system information block type 1 (SIB1) . Accordingly, the UE 104 may receive the configuration for paging from the network entity 102. For example, the network entity 102 may transmit the configuration for paging through PCCH-Config in on-demand system information block type 1 (SIB1) .

In some implementations, the configuration for paging may only comprise one or more paging parameters dedicated for the second type of UEs. In such implementations, if the total number of paging frames in a paging cycle, a paging frame offset, the number of paging occasions per paging frame, or firstPdcch-MonitoringOccasionOfPO, defaultPaging Cycle is not present in the configuration for paging for the second type of UEs, the UE 104 may reuse one or more of the above parameters in a configuration for paging for the first type of UEs. FirstPdcch-MonitoringOccasionOfPO points out the first PDCCH monitoring occasion for paging of each PO of the PF. The defaultPaging Cycle is used to derive the paging cycle 'T' , value rf32 corresponds to 32 radio frames, value rf64 corresponds to 64 radio frames, and so on.

Hereinafter, some implementations of determining the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI will be described.

In some implementations, a subset of paging frames in a bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle may be configured for the second type of UEs. The UE 104 may be of the second type. The bundle of paging frames may comprise the subset of paging frames. There may be a first paging frame overlapped with one of the subset of paging frames or consecutive with one of the subset paging frames. The UE 104 may determine the subset of paging frames based on the configuration for paging. The UE 104 may determine a first system frame number (SFN) of the first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames. Then, the UE 104 may determine, based on the first SFN of the first paging frame, an SFN of a paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI from the subset of paging frames.

In some implementations, the first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames may be configured for the first type of UEs.

In some implementations, the first paging frame may be one of the following:

· a start paging frame in the bundle of paging frames,

· an end paging frame in the bundle of paging frames, and

· a paging frame between the start paging frame and the end paging frame.

Fig. 4 illustrates examples of bundles of paging frames in a paging cycle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 4, the paging cycle (T) is equal to 32 radio frames. The number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle is represented by N1 and is equal to 4. The total number of paging frames in a bundle of paging frames is equal to 4.

In an example (A) of Fig. 4, the first paging frame is a start paging frame in a bundle of paging frames. The UE 104 may determine an SFN of the start paging frame in the bundle of paging frames. In turn, the UE 104 may determine, based on the SFN of the start paging frame, an SFN of the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI.

In an example (B) of Fig. 4, the first paging frame is an end paging frame in a bundle of paging frames. The UE 104 may determine an SFN of the end paging frame in the bundle of paging frames. In turn, the UE 104 may determine, based on the SFN of the end paging frame, an SFN of the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI.

In an example (C) of Fig. 4, the first paging frame is a paging frame between the start paging frame and the end paging frame in a bundle of paging frames. In this example, the first paging frame may be referred to as a middle paging frame. The UE 104 may determine an SFN of the middle paging frame in the bundle of paging frames. In turn, the UE 104 may determine, based on the SFN of the middle paging frame, an SFN of the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI.

Fig. 4 also shows an example of an interval of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle. The second bundle of paging frames is immediately subsequent to the first bundle of paging frames. I may be greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames. Alternatively, i may be greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames minus 1.

The interval of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle is represented by N2. For example, if i=0 or 1, the interval may be an interval between the first paging frame (i.e., PF#0) in a bundle of paging frames 410 and the first paging frame (i.e., PF#3) in a bundle of paging frames 420. For another example, if i=1 or 2, the interval may be an interval between the second paging frame (i.e., PF#1) in the bundle of paging frames 410 and the second paging frame (i.e., PF#4) in the bundle of paging frames 420. For a further example, if i=2 or 3, the interval may be an interval between the third paging frame (i.e., PF#2) in the bundle of paging frames 410 and the third paging frame (i.e., PF#5) in the bundle of paging frames 420.

In some implementations, the UE 104 may determine the first SFN of the first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames based on at least one of the following:

· the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle,

· the paging cycle,

· an ID of the UE 104, and

· a paging frame offset which may be an offset used for PF determination.

For example, the UE 104 may determine the first SFN of the first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames based on the following:
(SFN₁ + PF_offset) mod T = (T div N1) * (UE_ID mod N1) (2)

where SFN₁ represents the first SFN of the first paging frame, PF_offset represents the paging frame offset, T represents the paging cycle, N1 represents the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle, and UE_ID represents the ID of the UE 104, mod represents a modulus operator, div represents a division operator.

Alternatively, in some implementations, the UE 104 may determine the first SFN of the first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames based on at least one of the following:

· a first number of paging frames for a first type of UEs in the paging cycle,

· the paging cycle,

· the ID of the UE 104, and

· the paging frame offset.

For example, the UE 104 may determine the first SFN of the first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames based on the following:
(SFN₁ + PF_offset) mod T = (T div N) * (UE_ID mod N) (3)

where SFN₁ represents the first SFN of the first paging frame, PF_offset represents the paging frame offset, T represents the paging cycle, N represents the first number of paging frames for the first type of UEs in the paging cycle, and UE_ID represents the ID of the UE 104.

· a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle,

· a fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames, or the total number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames,

· the paging cycle,

· the ID of the UE 104, and

· the paging frame offset.

For example, the UE 104 may determine the first SFN of the first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames based on the following:
(SFN₁ + PF_offset) mod T = (T div (N4 div N5) ) * (UE_ID mod (N4 div N5) )
(4)

where SFN₁ represents the first SFN of the first paging frame, PF_offset represents the paging frame offset, T represents the paging cycle, N4 represents a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, N5 represents a fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames or the total number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames, and UE_ID represents the ID of the UE 104.

· an interval (N2) of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle, the second bundle of paging frames is immediately subsequent to the first bundle of paging frames, wherein i may be greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames, alternatively, i may be greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to a difference between the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames and 1,

· the paging cycle,

· the ID of the UE 104, and

· the paging frame offset.

For example, the UE 104 may determine the first SFN of the first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames based on the following:
(SFN₁ + PF_offset) mod T = N2 * (UE_ID mod (T div N2) ) (5)

In some implementations, the paging frame offset is dedicated for the second type of UEs. For example, PF_offset in equations (2) to (5) may be dedicated for the second type of UEs.

In some implementations, the UE 104 may determine an interval between the first paging frame and the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI. The UE 104 may determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on the interval and the first SFN of the first paging frame.

For example, the UE 104 may determine the interval between the first paging frame and the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on UE ID, the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle, a total number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames. For example, the UE 104 may determine the interval between the first paging frame and the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on the following:
f_n = floor (UE_ID div N1) mod M (6)

where f_n represents the interval between the first paging frame and the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI, N1 represents the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle, UE_ID represents the ID of the UE 104, and M represents a total number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames. The total number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames is equal to a sum of the fourth number and a fifth number of paging frames only for the first type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames. Alternatively, the UE 104 may determine the interval between the first paging frame and the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on UE ID, the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle, a fourth number of paging frames only for the second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames.

For example, the UE 104 may determine the interval between the first paging frame and the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on the following:
f_n = floor (UE_ID div N1) mod M1 (7)

where f_n represents the interval between the first paging frame and the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI, N1 represents the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle, UE_ID represents the ID of the UE 104, and M1 represents a fourth number of paging frames only for the second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames. Then, the UE 104 may determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on the interval between the first paging frame and the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI. For example, based on the following:
SFN = SFN₁+ f_n (8) ;
or
SFN= (SFN₁ + f_n) mod 1024 (9)

where SFN represents the SFN of the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI, SFN₁ represents the first SFN of the first paging frame, and f_n represents the interval between the first paging frame and the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI.

In some implementations, the UE 104 may determine the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle (i.e., N1) based on a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, a fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames or the total number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames. For example, the UE 104 may determine the N1 based on the following:
N1 = N div M, or N1 = N div M1 (10)

where N represents a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, M represents a fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames or the total number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames, M1 represents a fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames or the total number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames.

In some implementation, the UE 104 may determine the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle (i.e., N1) based on paging cycle, and the interval of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle.

For example, the UE 104 may determine N1 based on the following:
N1 = T div N2 (11)

where T represents paging cycle, N2 represents the interval of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle.

For example, the UE 104 may determine N1 based on the following:
N1 = T div N2 (12)

where T represents the paging cycle, N2 represents the interval of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle.

In some implementation, the UE 104 may determine the interval of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle based on paging cycle, and .

For example, the UE 104 may determine N2 based on the following:
N2 = T div N1, N2= T div N (13)

where N represents the number of paging frames for first type of UEs in the paging cycles, N1 represents the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle, T represents the paging cycle.

In some implementation, the UE 104 may determine the a fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UEs (i.e., M) in the bundle of paging frames or the total number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames (i.e., M1) based on paging cycle, and the interval of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle.

For example, the UE 104 may determine M or M1 based on the following:
M = N div N1, M1 = N div N1 (14)

where N represents a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle or total number of paging frames for first type of UEs and second type of UEs in the paging cycles, N1 represents the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle.

Alternatively, in some implementations, the UE 104 may determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on at least one of the following:

· a first SFN of a first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames (for example, the first paging frame may be a start paging frame in the bundle of paging frames) ,

· the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle or a first number of paging frames for a first type of UES in the paging cycle,

· a fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UES in the bundle of paging frames, or the total number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames, In some implementations, the UE 104 is of the second type,

· the paging cycle,

· the ID of the UE 104, and

· the paging frame offset.

For example, the UE 104 may determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on one of the following:
(SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div N1) * (UE_ID mod N1) + floor (UE_ID div N1) mod
M (15) ;

or
(SFN + PF_offset) mod T = [ (T div N1) * (UE_ID mod N1) + floor (UE_ID div N1)
mod M] mod T (16)

where SFN represents the SFN of the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI, PF_offset represents the paging frame offset, T represents the paging cycle, N1 represents the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle, UE_ID represents the ID of the UE 104, and M represents the total number of paging frames in a bundle of paging frames.

In some implementations, the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle may be determined based on at least one of the following:

· the interval of the i-th paging frame in the first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in the second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle, the second bundle of paging frames is immediately subsequent to the first bundle of paging frames, wherein i may be greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames, alternatively, i may be greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to a difference between the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames and 1, and

· the paging cycle.

Alternatively, in some implementations, the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle may be determined based on at least one of the following:

· the second number of paging frames for the second type of UEs in the paging cycle, and

· the fourth number of paging frames only for the second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames, or the total number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames.

Alternatively, in some implementations, the fourth number of paging frames only for the second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames may be determined based on at least one of the following:

· one of the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle and the first number of paging frames for the first type of UEs in the paging cycle.

· the second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle,

· the paging cycle,

· the interval of the i-th paging frame in the first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in the second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle, the second bundle of paging frames is immediately subsequent to the first bundle of paging frames, wherein i may be greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames, alternatively, i may be greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to a difference between the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames and 1.

· the number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames,

· the second number of paging frames for the second type of UEs in the paging cycle,

· the paging cycle,

· the ID of the UE 104, and

· a paging frame offset.

For example, the UE 104 may determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on the following:
(SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div N) * (UE_ID mod N) - { (UE_ID mod N) mod M} *
[T div N -1] (17) ;

or
(SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div N) * (UE_ID mod N) - { (UE_ID mod M) * [T div N
-1] (18)

where SFN represents the SFN of the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI, PF_offset represents the paging frame offset, T represents the paging cycle, N represents the second number of paging frames for the second type of UEs in the paging cycle, UE_ID represents the ID of the UE 104, and M represents the total number of paging frames in a bundle of paging frames. N may be determined based on legacy nAndPagingFrameOffset, nAndPagingFrameOffset_R19 or N_R19.

Fig. 5 illustrates examples of paging frames in a paging cycle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In Fig. 5, the paging cycle (T) is equal to 32 radio frames.

An example (A) of Fig. 5 shows a legacy configuration of paging frames for the first type of UEs. For example, PFs #0, #1, #2 and #3 are configured for the first type of UEs. The first type of UEs may not support the paging adaptation.

An example (B) of Fig. 5 shows a legacy configuration of paging frames for the first type of UEs and the second type of UEs. For example, PFs #0, #4, #8 and #12 are configured for the first type of UEs, and PFs #1, #2, #3, #5, #6, #7, #9, #10, #11, #13, #14 and #15 are configured for the second type of UEs. The second type of UEs may support the paging adaptation.

An example (C) of Fig. 5 shows an example of bundles of paging frames in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. One or more consecutive paging frames are combined into a bundle of paging frames. In other words, a bundle of paging frames comprises one or more consecutive paging frames. For example, as shown in the example (C) of Fig. 5, every four paging frames in the paging cycle are combined into a bundle of paging frames.

The example (C) of Fig. 5 also shows a configuration of paging frames for the first type of UEs and the second type of UEs in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. For example, PFs #0, #4, #8 and #12 are configured for the first type of UEs, and PFs #1 to #15 are configured for the second type of UEs. Thus, the paging frames for the second type of UEs may be overlapped with the paging frames for the first type of UEs.

In the example (C) of Fig. 5, the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle is represented by N1 and is equal to 4, and the total number of paging frames in a bundle of paging frames is represented by M and is equal to 4. An interval of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle is represented by N2.

Table 1 shows an example of mapping between the ID of the UE 104 and the SFN of the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI.

Table 1

In the example of Table 1, T =32 radio frames, N = halfT =16, M= 4, and N1=4.

· the number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames,

· the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle,

· the paging cycle,

· the ID of the UE 104, and

· a paging frame offset.

For example, by replacing N in the equation (17) or (18) with M multiplied by N1 (i.e., M*N1) , the UE 104 may determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on the following:
(SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div (M*N1) ) * (UE_ID mod (M*N1) ) - { [ (UE_ID
mod (M*N1) ] mod M} * [T div (M*N1) -1] (19) ;

or
(SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div (M*N1) ) * (UE_ID mod (M*N1) ) - (UE_ID
mod M) * [T div (M*N1) -1] (20)

where SFN represents the SFN of the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI, PF_offset represents the paging frame offset, T represents the paging cycle, N1 represents the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle, UE_ID represents the ID of the UE 104, and M represents the total number of paging frames in a bundle of paging frames. In some implementations, the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle (N1) may be predefined as 1. That is, there is only one bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle.

· a second number of paging frames for the second type of UEs in the paging cycle,

· the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle,

· the paging cycle,

· the ID of the UE 104, and

· a paging frame offset.

For example, by replacing M in the equation (17) or (18) with N divided by N1 (i.e., N div N1) , the UE 104 may determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on the following:
(SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div N) * (UE_ID mod N) - { [ (UE_ID mod N] mod
(N div N1) } * [T div N -1] ] (21) ;

or
(SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div N) * (UE_ID mod N) - { [ (UE_ID mod N] mod
(N div N1) } * [T div N -1] ] (22) .

where SFN represents the SFN of the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI, PF_offset represents the paging frame offset, T represents the paging cycle, N represents the second number of paging frames for the second type of UEs in the paging cycle, N1 represents the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle, UE_ID represents the ID of the UE 104. N may be determined based on legacy nAndPagingFrameOffset, nAndPagingFrameOffset_R19 or N_R19. In some implementations, the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle (N1) may be predefined as 1. That is, there is only one bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle.

In some implementations, the UE 104 may determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on at least one of the following:

· an interval of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle, the second bundle of paging frames is immediately subsequent to the first bundle of paging frames, wherein i may be greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames, alternatively, i may be greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to a difference between the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames and 1,

· the paging cycle,

· the ID of the UE 104, and

· a paging frame offset.

For example, the UE 104 may determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI by replacing M in the equation (17) or (18) with N divided by T divided by N2, i.e., replacing M in the equation (17) or (18) with N div (T div N2) . N represents the second number of paging frames for the second type of UEs in the paging cycle. N may be determined based on legacy nAndPagingFrameOffset, nAndPagingFrameOffset_R19 or N_R19. N2 represents the interval of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle, as shown in Fig. 4, for example.

For another example, the UE 104 may determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI by replacing N1 in the equation (15) or (16) with T divided by N2 (i.e., T div N2) . N1 represents the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle. N2 represents the interval of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle, as shown in Fig. 4, for example.

In some implementations, dedicated paging frames may be allocated for the second type of UEs in a bundle of paging frames. The dedicated paging frames may be consecutive in time domain with paging frames for the first type of UEs and may not be overlapped with the paging frames for the first type of UEs.

Fig. 6 illustrates an example of dedicated paging frames for the second type of UEs in a paging cycle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 6, in legacy, paging frames 610, 620, 630 and 640 may be configured for the first type of UEs. The first type of UEs may not support the paging adaptation. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, PFs #0, #4, #8 and #12 may be configured for the first type of UEs, and PFs #1, #2, #3, #5, #6, #7, #9, #10, #11, #13, #14 and #15 may be configured for the second type of UEs. The second type of UEs may support the paging adaptation.

· a first number of paging frames for the first type of UEs in the paging cycle,

· the number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle,

· the paging cycle,

· the ID of the UE 104, and

· a paging frame offset.

For example, the UE 104 may determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on the following:
(SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div (N+N3) ) * (UE_ID mod (N+N3) ) - { (UE_ID
mod (N+N3) ) mod M} * [T div (N+N3) -1] (23) ,

or
(SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div (N+N3) ) * (UE_ID mod (N+N3) ) - { (UE_ID
mod M} * [T div (N+N3) -1] (24) .

where SFN represents the SFN of the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI, PF_offset represents the paging frame offset, T represents the paging cycle, N represents the first number of paging frames for the first type of UEs in the paging cycle, N3 represents the second number of paging frames for the second type of UEs in the paging cycle, UE_ID represents the ID of the UE 104, and M represents the number of paging frames in a bundle of paging frames. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, N3=12, N =4, M=3. PF_offset may be dedicated for the second type of UEs.

· the paging cycle,

· the ID of the UE 104, and

· a paging frame offset.

For example, the UE 104 may determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI by replacing M in the equation (23) or (24) with N3 divided by T divided by N2, i.e., replacing M in the equation (23) or (24) with N3 div (T div N2) ) .

As described above with reference to Fig. 2, the UE 104 may receive the configuration for paging from the network entity 102. In some embodiments, the configuration for paging may indicate at least one of the following: the first number of paging frames for a first type of UEs in the paging cycle (represented by N) , the second number of paging frames for the second type of UEs in the paging cycle, the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle (represented by N1) , the number of paging frames in a bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle (represented by M) , the fourth number of paging frames only for the second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames (represented by M1) , the interval of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle (represented by N2) , the paging cycle (represented by T) , and at least one paging frame offset (represented by PF_offset) .

In some implementation, at least one paging frame offset may include one or more paging frame offsets dedicated for Release 19 UE.

In some implementation, the one paging frame offset for legacy UE is also included in the at least one paging frame offset.

For example, the configuration for paging may comprise a parameter “PagingCycle” indicating a value of the paging cycle. PagingCycle may be one of the following values: rf32, rf64, rf128 and rf256. A value of rf32 corresponds to 32 radio frames, a value of rf64 corresponds to 64 radio frames, and so on.

For example, the configuration for paging may comprise a parameter nAndPagingFrameOffset which is used to derive the first number (N) of paging frames for the first type of UEs in the paging cycle “T” (corresponding to parameter N in TS 38.304) and paging frame offset (corresponding to parameter PF_offset in TS 38.304) . A value of oneSixteenthT corresponds to T/16, a value of oneEighthT corresponds to T/8, and so on.

Alternatively, for example, the configuration for paging may comprise a parameter nAndPagingFrameOffset_R19 which is used to derive the number (N_R19) of total paging frames in the paging cycle “T” (corresponding to parameter N in TS 38.304) and paging frame offset (corresponding to parameter PF_offset in TS 38.304) . A value of oneSixteenthT corresponds to T/16, a value of oneEighthT corresponds to T/8, and so on.

Fig. 7 illustrates a signaling diagram illustrating an example process 700 that supports paging in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The process 700 may be considered as an example implementation of the process 200. The process 700 may involve the UE 104 and the network entity 102 in Fig. 1. For the purpose of discussion, the process 700 will be described with reference to Fig. 1.

Actions 730, 740, 760, 770 and 780 in the process 700 are similar to actions 230, 240, 260, 270 and 280 in the process 200. Details of these actions are omitted for brevity.

The process 700 is different from the process 200 in actions 710, 715, 720, 755 and 760.

As shown in Fig. 7, the UE 104 may receive 710 a configuration for paging from the network entity 102. The configuration for paging may indicate at least one paging frame offset. Each of the at least one paging frame offset may be associated with one set of paging frames in a paging cycle.

Fig. 8 illustrates examples of paging frame offsets and paging frames in a paging cycle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 8, the configuration for paging may indicate paging frame offsets #0, #1, #2 and #3.

The paging frame offset #0 is associated with a first set of paging frames in a paging cycle. The first set of paging frames comprises PFs #0, #4, #8 and #12.

The paging frame offset #1 is associated with a second set of paging frames in a paging cycle. The second set of paging frames comprises PFs #1, #5, #9 and #13.

The paging frame offset #2 is associated with a third set of paging frames in a paging cycle. The third set of paging frames comprises PFs #2, #6, #10 and #14.

The paging frame offset #3 is associated with a fourth set of paging frames in a paging cycle. The fourth set of paging frames comprises PFs #3, #7, #11 and #15.

In some implementation, the number of the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle is only for the Release 19 UE.

In some implementation, the third number of paging frames in a paging cycle is the number of paging frames in a set of paging frames associates with one paging frame offset for the Release 19 UE, the interval between two paging frames in a set is equal to the value of the paging cycle divided by the third number of paging frames.

Return to Fig. 7, the UE 104 determines 715 a first paging frame offset from the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle based on at least one of the following:

· the ID of the UE 104,

· a third number of paging frames in a paging cycle, or

· the number of the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle.

For example, the UE 104 may determine an ID of a group of UEs comprising the UE 104 based on the following:
group ID = UE_ID mod I (25)

where group ID represents the ID of the group of UEs comprising the UE 104, UE_ID represents the ID of the UE 104, I represents the number of the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle. In the example of Fig. 8, I=4.

The ID of the group of UEs comprising the UE 104 is associated with one of the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle. The UE 104 may determine the first paging frame offset based on the ID of the group of UEs. For example, if the UE 104 determines the group ID based on the equation (25) is equal to 0, the UE 104 determines the paging frame offset #0 from the paging frame offsets #0, #1, #2 and #3. In other words, if the UE 104 determines the group ID is equal to 0, the UE 104 determines the first paging frame offset as the paging frame offset #0.

Similarly, if the UE 104 determines the group ID based on the equation (25) is equal to 2, the UE 104 determines the paging frame offset #2 from the paging frame offsets #0, #1, #2 and #3. In other words, if the UE 104 determines the group ID is equal to 2, the UE 104 determines the first paging frame offset as the paging frame offset #2.

For another example, the UE 104 may determine an ID of a group of UEs comprising the UE 104 based on the following:
group ID = floor (UE_ID/N) mod I (26)

where group ID represents the ID of the group of UEs comprising the UE 104, UE_ID represents the ID of the UE 104, N represents the third number of paging frames in the paging cycle, and I represents the number of the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle.

In the example of Fig. 8, the third number of paging frames in the paging cycle (N) may be the number of paging frames in each of at least one set of paging frames in the paging cycle. For example, the number of paging frames in each of the first, second, third and fourth sets of paging frames is equal to 4. Thus, the third number (N) is equal to 4. In addition, in the example of Fig. 8, I=4. Each set of paging frames is associated with at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle.

The ID of the group of UEs comprising the UE 104 is associated with one of the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle. The UE 104 may determine the first paging frame offset based on the ID of the group of UEs. For example, if the UE 104 determines the group ID based on the equation (26) is equal to 0, the UE 104 determines the paging frame offset #0 from the paging frame offsets #0, #1, #2 and #3. In other words, if the UE 104 determines the group ID is equal to 0, the UE 104 determines the first paging frame offset as the paging frame offset #0.

Alternatively, in some implementations, the UE 104 may determine the first paging frame offset from the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle based on at least one of the following:

· the ID of the UE 104,

· the number of bundles of paging frames in a paging cycle, or

· the number of the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle.

· the ID of the UE 104,

· a third number of paging frames in a paging cycle, or

· the number of paging frames in a bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle.

For another example, the UE 104 may determine an ID of a group of UEs comprising the UE 104 based on the following:
group ID = floor (UE_ID/ (N) ) mod M (27)

where group ID represents the ID of the group of UEs comprising the UE 104, UE_ID represents the ID of the UE 104, N represents a third number of paging frames in a paging cycle, and M represents the number of paging frames in a bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle.

· the ID of the UE 104,

· the number of bundles of paging frames in a paging cycle, or

· the number of paging frames in a bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle.

For another example, the UE 104 may determine an ID of a group of UEs comprising the UE 104 based on the following:
group ID = floor (UE_ID/ (N1) ) mod M (28)

where group ID represents the ID of the group of UEs comprising the UE 104, UE_ID represents the ID of the UE 104, N1 represents the number of bundles of paging frames in a paging cycle, and M represents the number of paging frames in a bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle.

In turn, the UE 104 determines 720 a paging frame for reception of the paging DCI in a bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle based on at least one of the following:

· the first paging frame offset,

· the ID of the UE 104,

· the third number of paging frames in the paging cycle, or

· the paging cycle.

For example, the UE 104 may determine the paging frame for reception of the paging DCI in the bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle based on at least one of the following:
(SFN + PF_offset associated with group ID) mod T = (T div N) * (UE_ID mod N)
(29)

where SFN represents the SFN of the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI, “PF_offset associated with group ID” represents the first paging frame offset, T represents the paging cycle, N represents the third number of paging frames in the paging cycle, UE_ID represents the ID of the UE 104.

In some implementations, the third number of paging frames in the paging cycle and the number of bundles of paging frames in a paging cycle can be replaced by each other.

In some implementations, the first number of paging frames for a first type of UEs in the paging cycle and the number of bundles of paging frames in a paging cycle can be replaced by each other.

In some implementations, the number of the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle and the number of paging frames in a bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle can be replaced by each other.

Similarly, the network entity 102 determines 755 the first paging frame offset from the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle based on at least one of the following:

· the ID of the UE 104,

· the third number of paging frames in the paging cycle, or

· the number of the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle.

For example, the network entity 102 may determine the first paging frame offset based on the equation (25) or (26) .

In turn, the network entity 102 determines 760 a paging frame for transmission of the paging DCI in the bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle based on at least one of the following:

· the first paging frame offset,

· the ID of the UE 104,

· the third number of paging frames in the paging cycle, or

· the paging cycle.

For example, the network entity 102 may determine the paging frame for transmission of the paging DCI based on the equation (29) .

In some implementations, the UE 104 may receive information about a group of UEs comprising the UE 104 from an AMF or the network entity 102. The information about the group of UEs comprising the UE 104 is associated with one of the at least one paging frame offset. The UE 104 may determine the first paging frame offset from the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle based on the information about the group of UEs. This will be described with reference to Fig. 9.

Fig. 9 illustrates a signaling diagram illustrating an example process 900 that supports paging in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The process 900 may be considered as another example implementation of the process 200. The process 900 may involve the UE 104, the network entity 102 and an AMF 106-1 in Fig. 1. For the purpose of discussion, the process 900 will be described with reference to Fig. 1.

Actions 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 770 and 780 in the process 900 are similar to the actions 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 770 and 780 in the process 700. Details of these actions are omitted for brevity.

The process 900 is different from the process 700 in actions 910, 920, 930, 940 and 950.

As shown in Fig. 9, the UE 104 may receive 910 a configuration for paging from the network entity 102. The configuration for paging may indicate at least one paging frame offset. Each of the at least one paging frame offset may be associated with one set of paging frames in a paging cycle. The example of the at least one paging frame offset and the associated set of paging frames has been described with reference to Fig. 8. Details of the example is omitted for brevity.

The UE 104 may receive 920 information about a group of UEs comprising the UE 104 from an AMF 106-1. The information about a group of UEs comprising the UE 104 is also referred to as group information for brevity.

Alternatively, the UE 104 may receive the group information from the network entity 102. For example, the configuration for paging may indicate the group information.

The UE 104 determines 930 the first paging frame offset from the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle based on the group information.

In some implementations, the group information is associated with one of the at least one paging frame offset. The group information may comprise an ID of the group of UEs comprising the UE 104 (i.e., group ID) . Alternatively, the group information may comprise the ID of the group of UEs comprising the UE 104 and the number of the at least one paging frame offset.

For example, if the group information comprises the group ID of 0, the UE 104 determines the paging frame offset #0 from the paging frame offsets #0, #1, #2 and #3. In other words, if the group information comprises the group ID of 0, the UE 104 determines the first paging frame offset as the paging frame offset #0.

Similarly, if the group information comprises the group ID of 2, the UE 104 determines the paging frame offset #2 from the paging frame offsets #0, #1, #2 and #3. In other words, if the group information comprises the group ID of 0, the UE 104 determines the first paging frame offset as the paging frame offset #2.

Similarly, the network entity 102 may receive 940 the group information from the AMF 106-1.

The network entity 102 determines 950 the first paging frame offset from the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle based on the group information.

For example, if the group information comprises the group ID of 0, the network entity 102 determines the paging frame offset #0 from the paging frame offsets #0, #1, #2 and #3. In other words, if the group information comprises the group ID of 0, the network entity 102 determines the first paging frame offset as the paging frame offset #0.

Fig. 10 illustrates an example of a device 1000 that supports paging in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1000 may be an example of a network entity 102 or a UE 104 as described herein. The device 1000 may support wireless communication with one or more network entities 102, UEs 104, or any combination thereof. The device 1000 may include components for bi-directional communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a processor 1002, a memory 1004, a transceiver 1006, and, optionally, an I/O controller 1008. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more interfaces (e.g., buses) .

The processor 1002, the memory 1004, the transceiver 1006, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of the present disclosure as described herein. For example, the processor 1002, the memory 1004, the transceiver 1006, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the operations described herein.

In some implementations, the processor 1002, the memory 1004, the transceiver 1006, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry) . The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP) , an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some implementations, the processor 1002 and the memory 1004 coupled with the processor 1002 may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., executing, by the processor 1002, instructions stored in the memory 1004) .

For example, the processor 1002 may support wireless communication at the device 1000 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 1002 may be configured to operable to support a means for performing the following: determining a paging frame for reception of paging DCI in a bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle; and determining a paging occasion in the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI.

Alternatively, in some implementations, the processor 1002 may be configured to operable to support a means for performing the following: determining a first paging frame offset from at least one paging frame offset based on at least one of the following: an identity of a UE, a third number of paging frames in a paging cycle, or the number of the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle; determining a paging frame for transmission of paging DCI in a bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle based at least on the first paging frame offset; and determining a paging occasion in the paging frame for the transmission of the paging DCI.

Alternatively, in some implementations, the processor 1002 may be configured to operable to support a means for performing the following: receiving information about a group of UEs from an apparatus for performing an access and mobility management function (AMF) ; determining a first paging frame offset from at least one paging frame offset in a paging cycle based on the information about the group of UEs; and determining a paging frame for transmission of paging DCI in a bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle based on at least one of the following: the first paging frame offset, an identity of a UE in the group, a third number of paging frames in the paging cycle, and the paging cycle.

The processor 1002 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof) . In some implementations, the processor 1002 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other implementations, a memory controller may be integrated into the processor 1002. The processor 1002 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 1004) to cause the device 1000 to perform various functions of the present disclosure.

The memory 1004 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM) . The memory 1004 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions that, when executed by the processor 1002 cause the device 1000 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some implementations, the code may not be directly executable by the processor 1002 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some implementations, the memory 1004 may include, among other things, a basic I/O system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

The I/O controller 1008 may manage input and output signals for the device 1000. The I/O controller 1008 may also manage peripherals not integrated into the device M02. In some implementations, the I/O controller 1008 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral. In some implementations, the I/O controller 1008 may utilize an operating system such as or another known operating system. In some implementations, the I/O controller 1008 may be implemented as part of a processor, such as the processor 1006. In some implementations, a user may interact with the device 1000 via the I/O controller 1008 or via hardware components controlled by the I/O controller 1008.

In some implementations, the device 1000 may include a single antenna 1010. However, in some other implementations, the device 1000 may have more than one antenna 1010 (i.e., multiple antennas) , including multiple antenna panels or antenna arrays, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 1006 may communicate bi-directionally, via the one or more antennas 1010, wired, or wireless links as described herein. For example, the transceiver 1006 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1006 may also include a modem to modulate the packets, to provide the modulated packets to one or more antennas 1010 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the one or more antennas 1010. The transceiver 1006 may include one or more transmit chains, one or more receive chains, or a combination thereof.

A transmit chain may be configured to generate and transmit signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) . The transmit chain may include at least one modulator for modulating data onto a carrier signal, preparing the signal for transmission over a wireless medium. The at least one modulator may be configured to support one or more techniques such as amplitude modulation (AM) , frequency modulation (FM) , or digital modulation schemes like phase-shift keying (PSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) . The transmit chain may also include at least one power amplifier configured to amplify the modulated signal to an appropriate power level suitable for transmission over the wireless medium. The transmit chain may also include one or more antennas 1010 for transmitting the amplified signal into the air or wireless medium.

A receive chain may be configured to receive signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) over a wireless medium. For example, the receive chain may include one or more antennas 1010 for receive the signal over the air or wireless medium. The receive chain may include at least one amplifier (e.g., a low-noise amplifier (LNA) ) configured to amplify the received signal. The receive chain may include at least one demodulator configured to demodulate the receive signal and obtain the transmitted data by reversing the modulation technique applied during transmission of the signal. The receive chain may include at least one decoder for decoding the processing the demodulated signal to receive the transmitted data.

Fig. 11 illustrates an example of a processor 1100 that supports paging in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The processor 1100 may be an example of a processor configured to perform various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor 1100 may include a controller 1102 configured to perform various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor 1100 may optionally include at least one memory 1104, such as L1/L2/L3 cache. Additionally, or alternatively, the processor 1100 may optionally include one or more arithmetic-logic units (ALUs) 1106. One or more of these components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more interfaces (e.g., buses) .

The processor 1100 may be a processor chipset and include a protocol stack (e.g., a software stack) executed by the processor chipset to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, retrieving, transmitting, outputting, forwarding, storing, determining, identifying, accessing, writing, reading) in accordance with examples as described herein. The processor chipset may include one or more cores, one or more caches (e.g., memory local to or included in the processor chipset (e.g., the processor 1100) or other memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM) , read-only memory (ROM) , dynamic RAM (DRAM) , synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM) , static RAM (SRAM) , ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM) , magnetic RAM (MRAM) , resistive RAM (RRAM) , flash memory, phase change memory (PCM) , and others) .

The controller 1102 may be configured to manage and coordinate various operations (e.g., signaling, receiving, obtaining, retrieving, transmitting, outputting, forwarding, storing, determining, identifying, accessing, writing, reading) of the processor 1100 to cause the processor 1100 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. For example, the controller 1102 may operate as a control unit of the processor 1100, generating control signals that manage the operation of various components of the processor 1100. These control signals include enabling or disabling functional units, selecting data paths, initiating memory access, and coordinating timing of operations.

The controller 1102 may be configured to fetch (e.g., obtain, retrieve, receive) instructions from the memory 1104 and determine subsequent instruction (s) to be executed to cause the processor 1100 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. The controller 1102 may be configured to track memory address of instructions associated with the memory 1104. The controller 1102 may be configured to decode instructions to determine the operation to be performed and the operands involved. For example, the controller 1102 may be configured to interpret the instruction and determine control signals to be output to other components of the processor 1100 to cause the processor 1100 to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller 1102 may be configured to manage flow of data within the processor 1100. The controller 1102 may be configured to control transfer of data between registers, arithmetic logic units (ALUs) , and other functional units of the processor 1100.

The memory 1104 may include one or more caches (e.g., memory local to or included in the processor 1100 or other memory, such RAM, ROM, DRAM, SDRAM, SRAM, MRAM, flash memory, etc. In some implementation, the memory 1104 may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., local to the processor 1100) . In some other implementations, the memory 1104 may reside external to the processor chipset (e.g., remote to the processor 1100) .

The memory 1104 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code including instructions that, when executed by the processor 1100, cause the processor 1100 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. The controller 1102 and/or the processor 1100 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 1104 to cause the processor 1100 to perform various functions. For example, the processor 1100 and/or the controller 1102 may be coupled with or to the memory 1104, the processor 1100, the controller 1102, and the memory 1104 may be configured to perform various functions described herein. In some examples, the processor 1100 may include multiple processors and the memory 1104 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memories, which may, individually or collectively, be configured to perform various functions herein.

The one or more ALUs 1106 may be configured to support various operations in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementation, the one or more ALUs 1106 may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., the processor 1100) . In some other implementations, the one or more ALUs 1106 may reside external to the processor chipset (e.g., the processor 1100) . One or more ALUs 1106 may perform one or more computations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on data. For example, one or more ALUs 1106 may receive input operands and an operation code, which determines an operation to be executed. One or more ALUs 1106 be configured with a variety of logical and arithmetic circuits, including adders, subtractors, shifters, and logic gates, to process and manipulate the data according to the operation. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more ALUs 1106 may support logical operations such as AND, OR, exclusive-OR (XOR) , not-OR (NOR) , and not-AND (NAND) , enabling the one or more ALUs 1106 to handle conditional operations, comparisons, and bitwise operations.

The processor 1100 may support wireless communication at the device 1000 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The processor 1100 may be configured to operable to support a means for performing the following: determining a paging frame for reception of paging DCI in a bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle; and determining a paging occasion in the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI.

Alternatively, in some implementations, the processor 1100 may be configured to operable to support a means for performing the following: determining a first paging frame offset from at least one paging frame offset based on at least one of the following: an identity of a UE, a third number of paging frames in a paging cycle, or the number of the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle; determining a paging frame for transmission of paging DCI in a bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle based at least on the first paging frame offset; and determining a paging occasion in the paging frame for the transmission of the paging DCI.

Alternatively, in some implementations, the processor 1100 may be configured to operable to support a means for performing the following: receiving information about a group of UEs from an apparatus for performing an access and mobility management function (AMF) ; determining a first paging frame offset from at least one paging frame offset in a paging cycle based on the information about the group of UEs; and determining a paging frame for transmission of paging DCI in a bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle based on at least one of the following: the first paging frame offset, an identity of a UE in the group, a third number of paging frames in the paging cycle, and the paging cycle.

Fig. 12 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1200 that supports paging in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1200 may be implemented by a device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1200 may be performed by a UE 104 as described herein. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

At 1210, the method may include determining a paging frame for reception of paging DCI in a bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle. The operations of 1210 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1210 may be performed by a device as described with reference to Fig. 1.

At 1220, the method may include determining a paging occasion in the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI. The operations of 1220 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1220 may be performed by a device as described with reference to Fig. 1.

Fig. 13 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1300 that supports paging in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1300 may be implemented by a device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1300 may be performed by a network entity 102 as described herein. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

At 1310, the method may include determining a first paging frame offset from at least one paging frame offset based on at least one of the following: an identity of a UE, a third number of paging frames in a paging cycle, or the number of the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle. The operations of 1310 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1310 may be performed by a device as described with reference to Fig. 1.

At 1320, the method may include determining a paging frame for transmission of paging DCI in a bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle based at least on the first paging frame offset. The operations of 1320 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1320 may be performed by a device as described with reference to Fig. 1.

At 1330, the method may include determining a paging occasion in the paging frame for the transmission of the paging DCI. The operations of 1330 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1330 may be performed by a device as described with reference to Fig. 1.

Fig. 14 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1400 that supports paging in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1400 may be implemented by a device or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1400 may be performed by a network entity 102 as described herein. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the function elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

At 1410, the method may include receiving information about a group of UEs from an apparatus for performing an access and mobility management function (AMF) . The operations of 1410 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1410 may be performed by a device as described with reference to Fig. 1.

At 1420, the method may include determining a first paging frame offset from at least one paging frame offset in a paging cycle based on the information about the group of UEs. The operations of 1420 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1420 may be performed by a device as described with reference to Fig. 1.

At 1430, the method may include determining a paging frame for transmission of paging DCI in a bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle based on at least one of the following: the first paging frame offset, an identity of a UE in the group, a third number of paging frames in the paging cycle, and the paging cycle. The operations of 1430 may be performed in accordance with examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1430 may be performed by a device as described with reference to Fig. 1.

It shall be noted that implementations of the present disclosure which have been described with reference to Figs. 1 to 9 are also applicable to the device 1000, the processor 1100 as well as the methods 1200, 1300 and 1400.

It should be noted that the methods described herein describes possible implementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible. Further, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.

The various illustrative blocks and components described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.

Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) , flash memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that may be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor.

As used herein, including in the claims, an article “a” before an element is unrestricted and understood to refer to “at least one” of those elements or “one or more” of those elements. The terms “a, ” “at least one, ” “one or more, ” and “at least one of one or more” may be interchangeable. As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of” or “one or more of” or “one or both of” ) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C) . Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on. Further, as used herein, including in the claims, a “set” may include one or more elements.

The description herein is provided to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

A user equipment (UE) , comprising:

a processor; and

a transceiver coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is configured to:

determine a paging frame for reception of paging downlink control information (DCI) in a bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle; and

determine a paging occasion in the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI.
The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI by:

determining a first system frame number (SFN) of a first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames; and

determining an SFN of the paging frame based on the first SFN of the first paging frame.
The UE of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to determine the first SFN of the first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames based on at least one of the following:

the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle or a first number of paging frames for a first type of UEs in the paging cycle,

the paging cycle,

an identity of the UE, or

a paging frame offset.
The UE of claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to determine the first SFN of the first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames based on at least one of the following:

a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, wherein the UE is of the second type,

a fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames, or the total number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames, wherein the UE is of the second type,

the paging cycle,

an identity of the UE, or

a paging frame offset.
The UE of claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to determine the first SFN of the first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames based on at least one of the following:

an interval of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle, wherein the second bundle of paging frames is immediately subsequent to the first bundle of paging frames, i is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames,

the paging cycle,

an identity of the UE, or

a paging frame offset.
The UE of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on at least one of the following:

a first system frame number (SFN) of a first paging frame in the bundle of paging frames,

the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle or a first number of paging frames for a first type of UEs in the paging cycle,

a fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames, or the total number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames, wherein the UE is of the second type,

the paging cycle,

an identity of the UE, or

a paging frame offset.
The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on at least one of the following:

the number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames,

a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, wherein the UE is of the second type,

the paging cycle,

an identity of the UE, or

a paging frame offset.
The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on at least one of the following:

the number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames,

the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle,

the paging cycle,

an identity of the UE, or

a paging frame offset.
The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on at least one of the following:

a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, wherein the UE is of the second type,

the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle,

the paging cycle,

an identity of the UE, or

a paging frame offset.
The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on at least one of the following:

a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, wherein the UE is of the second type,

an interval of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle, wherein the second bundle of paging frames is immediately subsequent to the first bundle of paging frames, i is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames,

the paging cycle,

an identity of the UE, or

a paging frame offset.
The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on at least one of the following:

a first number of paging frames for a first type of UEs in the paging cycle,

a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, wherein the UE is of the second type,

the number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle,

the paging cycle,

an identity of the UE, or

a paging frame offset.
The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on a configuration for paging, and wherein the configuration indicates at least one of the following:

a first number of paging frames for a first type of UEs in the paging cycle,

a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, wherein the UE is of the second type,

the number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle, or

the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle,

a fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames an interval of the i-th paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and the i-th paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle, wherein the second bundle of paging frames is immediately subsequent to the first bundle of paging frames, i is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames,

a third number of paging frames in the paging cycle,

the paging cycle, or

at least one paging frame offset.
The UE of claim 1 or 12, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine a first paging frame offset from at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle based on at least one of the following:

an identity of the UE,

the third number of paging frames in the paging cycle, or

the number of the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle; and

wherein the processor is configured to determine the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI based on at least one of the following:

the first paging frame offset,

the identity of the UE,

the third number of paging frames in the paging cycle, or

the paging cycle.
The UE of claim 6 or 13, wherein the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle is determined based on at least one of the following:

an interval of a first paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and a second paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle, wherein the second bundle of paging frames is immediately subsequent to the first bundle of paging frames, i is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames, or

the paging cycle.
The UE of claim 6 or 13, wherein the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle is determined based on at least one of the following:

a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, wherein the UE is of the second type, or

a fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames, or the total number of paging frames in the bundle of paging frames, wherein the UE is of the second type.
The UE of claim 6 or 13, wherein the fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames is determined based on at least one of the following:

a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, wherein the UE is of the second type, or

one of the number of bundles of paging frames in the paging cycle and a first number of paging frames for a first type of UEs in the paging cycle.
The UE of claim 6 or 13, wherein the fourth number of paging frames only for a second type of UEs in the bundle of paging frames is determined based on at least one of the following:

a second number of paging frames for a second type of UEs in the paging cycle, wherein the UE is of the second type, or

the paging cycle,

an interval of a first paging frame in a first bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle and a second paging frame in a second bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle, wherein the second bundle of paging frames is immediately subsequent to the first bundle of paging frames, i is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the number of paging frames in the first or second bundle of paging frames.
A network entity, comprising:

a processor; and

a transceiver coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is configured to:

determine a first paging frame offset from at least one paging frame offset based on at least one of the following:

an identity of a user equipment (UE) ,

a third number of paging frames in a paging cycle, or

the number of the at least one paging frame offset in the paging cycle;

determine a paging frame for transmission of paging downlink control information (DCI) in a bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle based at least on the first paging frame offset; and

determine a paging occasion in the paging frame for the transmission of the paging DCI.
A network entity, comprising:

a processor; and

a transceiver coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is configured to:

receive information about a group of user equipment (UEs) from an apparatus for performing an access and mobility management function (AMF) ;

determine a first paging frame offset from at least one paging frame offset in a paging cycle based on the information about the group of UEs; and

determine a paging frame for transmission of paging downlink control information (DCI) in a bundle of paging frames in the paging cycle based on at least one of the following:

the first paging frame offset,

an identity of a UE in the group,

a third number of paging frames in the paging cycle, or

the paging cycle.
A processor for wireless communication, comprising:

at least one memory; and

a controller coupled with the at least one memory and configured to cause the controller to:

determine a paging frame for reception of paging downlink control information (DCI) in a bundle of paging frames in a paging cycle; and

determine a paging occasion in the paging frame for the reception of the paging DCI.