User equipment specific discontinuous reception cycle

Improvements are provided to the paging process for an eMTC UE by allowing a base station and the UE to apply a UE-specific DRX cycle for paging, from one set of DRX cycles, when the UE is operating in non-CE mode and apply another UE-specific DRX cycle, from a more restricted set of UE-specific DRX cycles, when the UE is operating in a CE mode. A UE may report and apply certain UE-specific DRX cycles under non-CE mode, and may change a UE-specific DRX cycle to one from a more restricted set when operating in CE mode. Similarly, base stations may receive the reported UE-specific DRX cycle and apply that UE-specific DRX cycle for paging the UE in non-CE mode, while applying a different UE-specific DRX cycle from the more restrictive set for paging the UE in CE mode.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly, to a wireless communication system for paging between a base station and a user equipment (UE).

INTRODUCTION

SUMMARY

When a UE is in idle mode and a network or base station receives downlink data for that UE, the base station pages the UE according to a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle of that UE. Such DRX cycles may be cell-specific or UE specific. However, certain UEs which support enhanced Machine Type Communications with Coverage Enhancement (CE) (e.g. “eMTC UEs”, narrowband Internet of Things (“NB-IoT UEs”), “UEs in CE”), may receive a paging message repeatedly over multiple subframes in order to correctly decode the paging message during the UE's DRX cycle. A problem may occur for such UEs operating in a CE mode under certain UE specific DRX cycles. For example, for UEs operating with small UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 32 subframes), the number of repetitions for successful Paging Occasion (PO) decoding may exceed the time configured between consecutive POs. As a result, a UE may have insufficient decoding time before the DRX cycle ends or the next PO begins, leading to potential data loss. Moreover, the network cannot prohibit such UEs from selecting certain UE specific DRX cycles, as such a prohibition may limit the ability of UEs operating in a non-CE mode, e.g., within normal cell coverage, from being able to benefit from smaller UE specific DRX cycles. For simplicity, UEs capable of operating in CE mode (e.g. “eMTC UEs”, “NB-IoT UEs”, “UEs in CE”), are referred to as eMTC UEs in this document.

The present disclosure provides for a wireless communication system that allows base stations and UEs to better determine which UE specific DRX cycle to apply. Aspects presented herein enable the UE and base station to apply certain UE specific DRX cycles for paging when the UE is operating in non-CE mode while restricting the use of certain UE specific DRX cycles for paging when the UE is operating in a CE mode. The present disclosure allows the base station and UE to apply a UE specific DRX cycle for paging, from one set of DRX cycles, when the UE is operating in non-CE mode, while also allowing the base station and UE to apply another UE specific DRX cycle for paging, from a different set of DRX cycles, when the UE is operating in a CE mode (e.g. CE Mode A or B). In one aspect, when the UE is operating in non-CE mode, the UE and base station may select a UE specific DRX cycle for paging from a first set of UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 32, 64, 128, and 256 subframes). In another aspect, if the UE supports and is operating in a first CE mode (e.g. CE Mode A), the UE and base station may select a UE specific DRX cycle for paging from a second set of UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 128 and 256 subframes) used for CE Mode A. In a further aspect, if the UE supports and is operating in a second CE mode (e.g. CE Mode B), the UE and base station may select a UE specific DRX cycle for paging from a third set of UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 256 subframes) used for CE Mode B. The UE may monitor for the base station's transmission of the paging message, including repetitions of the paging message if the UE is operating in either the first or second CE mode, based on the UE specific DRX cycle selected by the UE.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus is configured to select a UE specific DRX cycle from among a first set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is operating in a non-CE mode and to select the UE specific DRX cycle from among a second set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is operating in a first CE mode. The second set of UE specific DRX cycles is different than the first set of UE specific DRX cycles. Then, the apparatus monitors for a paging message based on the UE specific DRX cycle selected by the UE.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus is configured to select a UE specific DRX cycle from among a first set of UE specific DRX cycles if a UE is to be paged in a non-CE mode. The apparatus selects the UE specific DRX cycle from among a second set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is to be paged in a CE mode and the UE supports first CE mode, where the second set of UE specific DRX cycles is different than the first set of UE specific DRX cycles. Then, the apparatus transmits the paging message to the UE based on the UE specific DRX cycle selected by the UE.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring again toFIG. 1, in certain aspects, the UE104may include a DRX selection component198configured to select a UE specific DRX cycle from among a first set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is operating in a non-CE mode; and to select the UE specific DRX cycle from among a second set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is operating in a first CE mode. In other aspects, the base station180may include a paging selection component199configured to select a UE-specific DRX cycle from among a first set of UE specific DRX cycles if a UE is to be paged in a non-CE mode; and to select the UE specific DRX cycle from among a second set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is to be paged in a CE mode and the UE supports the first CE mode. Although the following description may be focused on 5G NR, the concepts described herein may be applicable to other similar areas, such as LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, GSM, and other wireless technologies.

At least one of the TX processor368, the RX processor356, and the controller/processor359may be configured to perform aspects in connection with DRX selection component198ofFIG. 1.

When a UE is in idle mode and a network or base station receives downlink data for that UE, the base station may page the UE according to a DRX cycle. The network may configure paging messages (e.g. POs) to occur according to a DRX cycle that is based on a cell-specific DRX cycle or that is based on a UE specific DRX cycle. For cell-specific DRX cycles, the base station selects a default DRX cycle that UEs in the cell may use to monitor for paging and broadcasts information regarding that DRX cycle to the UEs (e.g. in SIB2). For UE specific DRX cycles, the UE reports the DRX cycle it will use to the core network (e.g. the MME), which in turn provides information about the UE specific DRX cycle to the base station. The base station then applies this UE specific DRX cycle for use in paging that particular UE. In DRX, the UE monitors for communication from the base station at periodic POs and sleeps when not expecting paging, e.g., between POs. The POs may be spaced in time according to the specified DRX cycle. Once the UE receives a paging message transmitted by the base station, the UE may decode the paging message and subsequently acquire the data addressed to that UE.

Some UEs, which may be referred to as eMTC UEs, may support eMTC with CE. For example,FIG. 4illustrates a diagram400of a base station402communicating with eMTC UEs404,406,408. When a UE supporting eMTC is within the normal cell coverage410of the base station, the UE may operate under relatively good channel conditions without CE. UE404is an example of a UE operating in non-CE mode. However, if the UE moves outside the normal cell coverage of the base station, the UE may be configured to receive extended cell coverage under CE to compensate for poorer channel conditions. The base station may configure the extent of this cell coverage depending on the CE mode (e.g. CE Mode A or CE Mode B) supported by the UE. Thus, eMTC UE406is an example of a UE supporting CE Mode A and operating within extended cell coverage412for CE Mode A, while eMTC UE408is an example of a UE supporting both CE Mode A and B and operating within extended cell coverage414for CE Mode B. While some of these UEs may be mobile and switch between non-CE mode and a CE mode as they move farther from or closer to the base station, other UEs may operate in a CE mode (e.g. a stationary meter located deep in a basement, for example, UE408). Additionally, for UEs supporting both CE modes, the base station may configure these UEs to switch between CE Mode A and B depending on the CE level reported by the UE.

An eMTC UE operating in non-CE mode may receive a paging message without repetition. An eMTC UE (hereinafter referred to as simply a UE) operating in a CE mode may receive a paging message (e.g. through MPDCCH) repeatedly over multiple subframes in order to correctly decode the PO during its DRX cycle. The UE may accumulate the repetitions in order to decode the paging message.FIG. 5Aillustrates an example diagram500of network paging operating normally during a UE's DRX cycle. The base station may configure paging to occur based on a selected DRX cycle502(e.g. a cell-specific or UE specific DRX cycle) such that after the base station transmits PO504, the UE has sufficient time, based on the PO repetitions for decoding or a decoding time507, to receive and decode the transmitted repetitions508of PO504before the base station transmits the next PO510. For example, where DRX cycle502is a cell-specific DRX cycle, the base station may select a large DRX cycle (e.g. 256 subframes) for UEs to apply when monitoring for paging transmissions in order to increase the likelihood of successful decoding of all repetitions508of PO504by the UE. Similarly, where DRX cycle502is a UE specific DRX cycle, the UE may select a large DRX cycle (e.g. 256 subframes) for the base station to apply when sending paging transmissions in order to increase the likelihood of successful decoding of the repetitions.

In eMTC, the UE may select a DRX cycle from the following set of predefined values: 32 subframes, 64 subframes, 128 subframes, and 256 subframes. Thus, the UE may select and report to the MME a UE specific DRX cycle of 32, 64, 128, or 256 subframes for the base station to apply when sending POs to the UE. The base station will then use the UE specific cycle when transmitting the PO and its repetitions. However, a problem may occur for UE specific DRX cycles when a UE operating in a CE mode selects a smaller UE specific DRX cycle than 128 or 256 subframes. For example, if the UE is positioned such that it uses, for example, more than 64 subframes or more than 128 subframes of repetitions for successful decoding of the PO, a shorter UE specific DRX cycle of only 32 subframes or 64 subframes may not allow for sufficient PO decoding time. Repetitions may only be accumulated between POs. Thus, there will not be enough subframes between the POs of these shorter DRX cycles to transmit the number of repetitions needed by the UE because the number of repetitions may exceed the time configured between consecutive POs.

An example diagram500′ of this abnormal paging operation can be seen inFIG. 5B. In one aspect, the UE may report 32 subframes as its UE specific DRX cycle502′, and therefore the base station configures its POs504′,506′ to be transmitted according this 32 subframe DRX cycle. However, if the UE uses more than 32 repetitions of PO504′ (e.g. until last repetition508′), based on decoding time507′, to successfully decode the PO504′ (e.g. due to poor channel conditions), the UE may be unable to read PO504′ before its DRX cycle502′ ends or the next PO506′ begins, resulting in loss of data. Moreover, as both POs may have independent information, the UE cannot resolve this problem by accumulating repetitions of a different PO504′ to assist with decoding the current PO506′.

In an attempt to resolve this problem, the UE may determine to stop using its UE specific DRX cycle. For example, the UE may decide to select the cell-specific DRX cycle, which the network can configure to avoid PO overlap. However, the UE would notify the network of this change (e.g. through a registration update), resulting in increased UE power consumption and increased signaling load especially if the UE travels between cells. The network cannot autonomously change a UE specific DRX cycle through cell configuration. Alternatively, the UE may determine to autonomously adjust its UE specific DRX cycle length to a larger value when it experiences poor channel conditions in order to increase the likelihood of successfully decoding the PO. However, unless the UE signals this adjustment to the base station (which itself is undesirable as it may increase power consumption and signaling load as described above), a lack of DRX synchronization between the UE and base station may result, leading to additional data loss. If the network prohibited the UE from selecting certain UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 32, 64, or 128 subframes), such a prohibition would prevent UEs operating in non-CE mode (e.g., in normal cell coverage) from being able to benefit from the smaller UE specific DRX cycles. This would prevent the UE from achieving the better performance and reduced latency in wireless communications that a shorter UE specific DRX cycle may provide in certain situations.

The present disclosure provides for a wireless communication system that allows base stations and UEs to apply certain UE specific DRX cycles for paging when the UE is operating in non-CE mode while restricting the use of certain UE specific DRX cycles for paging when the UE is operating in a CE mode.

The present disclosure allows the base station and UE to select and apply a UE specific DRX cycle, for paging, from among one set of DRX cycles when the UE is operating in non-CE mode, while also allowing the base station and UE to apply another UE specific DRX cycle from a different set of DRX cycles when the UE is operating in a CE mode (e.g. CE Mode A or B). In one aspect, when the UE is operating in non-CE mode, the UE and base station may select a UE specific DRX cycle for paging from a first set of UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 32, 64, 128, and 256 subframes). If the UE supports and is operating in a CE mode, the UE and base station may select a UE specific DRX cycle from a second set of UE specific DRX cycles. The second set may restrict the options of cycles by at least one of the UE specific DRX cycles. Thus, the set 32, 64, 128, and 256 might be restricted to 64, 128, and 256 for a CE mode. In another example, the set might be restricted to 128 and 256 for a CE mode. In yet another example, the set might be restricted to only 256 for a CE mode. In another aspect different sets of UE specific DRX cycles may be used for different CE modes. For example, if the UE supports and is operating in a first CE mode (e.g. CE Mode A), the UE and base station may select a UE specific DRX cycle for paging from the second set of UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 128 and 256 subframes) used for CE Mode A. In a further aspect, if the UE supports and is operating in a second CE mode (e.g. CE Mode B), the UE and base station may select a UE specific DRX cycle for paging from a third set of UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 256 subframes) used for CE Mode B. Thus, the selection may be from increasingly restricted sets of UE specific DRX cycles. The UE may monitor for the base station's transmission of the paging message, including repetitions of the paging message using a UE specific DRX cycle based on whether the UE is operating in either the first or second CE mode.

Thus, the UE may apply shorter UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 32, 64, or 128 subframes) when operating in non-CE mode, where paging repetitions may not be necessary, while restricting the use of these UE specific DRX cycles in CE mode, where paging repetitions may be used. As well, the use of the different sets of UE specific DRX cycles for non-CE mode and CE mode (as well as for CE mode A and CE mode B) enables the base station and the UE to switch to different UE specific DRX cycles without requiring the UE to signal the switch, or send a new report, to the base station. For example, when the UE reports to the MME a UE specific DRX cycle of 32 or 64 subframes, the UE may use the reported DRX cycle to receive pages from the network when in non-CE mode, and if the UE changes to a CE mode, the UE may switch to applying a DRX cycle of 256 subframes (or 128 subframes in some configurations) to monitor for paging. This switch to the longer UE specific DRX cycle may be performed regardless of the DRX cycle that the UE previously reported. Similarly, in this example, the base station may page a UE in non-CE mode using the reported UE specific DRX cycle (e.g. 32, 64, or 128 subframes), and may page the UE operating in CE mode using larger UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 256 subframes) regardless of the reported UE specific DRX cycle.

In another aspect, if the UE is one which operates in CE mode, the UE may report a UE specific DRX cycle of 256 subframes. In a further aspect, if the UE does not report any UE specific DRX cycle, the UE may use the cell-configured DRX cycle. In yet another aspect, if the UE is operating in non-CE mode and switches to a CE mode, the UE may switch to a cell-specific DRX cycle rather than switching to a larger UE specific DRX cycle. In an additional aspect, the base station may broadcast the possible values in the set of DRX cycles the UE may use when operating in CE Mode A and B. For example, the base station may indicate to a UE in CE mode that the UE may apply DRX cycles of 128 or 256 subframes if operating under CE Mode A, and DRX cycles of 256 subframes if operating under CE Mode B.

Accordingly, the present disclosure allows UEs to report and apply certain UE specific DRX cycles under non-CE mode, while also allowing these UEs to change their DRX cycle to one from a more restricted set of cycles when operating in CE mode. Similarly, the present disclosure allows the base station to receive the reported UE specific DRX cycle and apply that cycle for paging non-CE mode UEs, while applying a different DRX cycle from a more restricted set of cycles for paging CE-mode UEs. As no additional signaling (e.g. registration updates) is exchanged between the UE and the base station for changing the UE specific DRX cycle, the present disclosure saves UE power consumption and signaling load. Moreover, as the base station and UE apply the same DRX cycle, the base station and UE continue to remain synchronized. Consequently, the likelihood of abnormal paging operation as illustrated inFIG. 5Bmay be reduced.

FIGS. 6A and 6Bare a call flow diagram600illustrating an example paging procedure between a base station602in communication with a MME603and multiple eMTC UEs604,606,608over a transmission medium. In this example, UE604is a UE supporting CE Modes A and B and operating currently in non-CE mode (e.g. UE404), UE606is a UE supporting only CE Mode A and operating currently in CE Mode A (e.g. UE406), and UE608is a UE supporting CE Modes A and B and operating currently in CE Mode B (e.g. UE408). Although the example ofFIGS. 6A and 6Billustrate and describe communication to and from an MME (e.g. in LTE), the communication may alternatively be to and from an AMF or other network component (e.g. in 5G).

Referring toFIG. 6A, all three UEs604,606,608select a UE specific DRX cycle for paging. UE604is operating in non-CE mode and may select a DRX cycle from among a first set of UE specific DRX cycles. The first set may include, for example, UE specific DRX cycles of 32, 64, 128, and 256 subframes, although other combinations are possible (e.g. the first set may include 64, 128, and 256 subframes). In this example, UE604selects (610) a UE specific DRX cycle of 32 subframes from the set and reports (611) this UE specific DRX cycle to the MME603. For instance, if the first set is [32, 64, 128, 256], with each DRX cycle having a corresponding set index from 0-3, the UE may report the DRX cycle corresponding to index 0 in the first set to the MME. The UE604subsequently monitors (612) the transmission medium for a paging message from the base station periodically according to its selected UE specific DRX cycle (613), applying a UE specific DRX of 32 subframes.

UE606is operating in CE mode A and therefore selects a UE specific DRX cycle from among a second set of UE specific DRX cycles used for paging under CE Mode A. The second set may be predefined (e.g. in the memory of the UE), or may be broadcast by the base station602. The base station602may be configured with the second set based on a configuration607received from the MME603. The second set is different than the first set. For example, if the first set has three possible UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 64, 128, and 256), the second set may include two UE specific possible DRX cycles (e.g. 128 and 256 subframes). In another example, if the first set has four possible UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 32, 64, 128, and 256), the second set may include three possible UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 64, 128, and 256). Alternatively, the selection and reporting may be restricted to 256 subframes. In this example, UE606selects (614) a UE specific DRX cycle of 128 subframes from the set and reports (615) this UE specific DRX cycle to the MME603. As another example, the second set may comprise the same number or more UE specific DRX cycles as the first set, but the UE specific DRX cycles may be different than the first set. For instance, the second set may comprise [128, 128, 128, 256]. An index may be used to reference each DRX cycle from within a corresponding set to the MME, e.g., using an index from 0-3. In the example in which the second set may comprise fewer UE specific DRX cycles than the first set (e.g. [64, 128, 256] or [128, 256]), the UE may report the DRX cycle corresponding to any of indices 0-2 (if one fewer) or any of indices 0-1 (if two fewer) in the second set. The UE606subsequently monitors (616) the transmission medium for a paging message from the base station periodically according to its selected UE specific DRX cycle (617), applying a UE specific DRX of 128 subframes. As UE606is operating in a CE mode, the UE further monitors for repetitions of the paging message.

UE608is operating in CE mode B and therefore selects a UE specific DRX cycle from among a third set of UE specific DRX cycles used for paging under CE Mode B. The third set may be predefined (e.g. in the memory of the UE), or may be broadcast by the base station602. The base station602may be configured with the third set based on a configuration609received from the MME603. The third set is different than the second set. For example, if the second set has two possible UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 128 and 256), the third set may include one possible UE specific DRX cycle (e.g. 256 subframes). In another example, if the second set has three possible UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 64, 128, and 256), the third set may include two possible UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 128 and 256). Alternatively, the selection may be restricted to 256 subframes. In this example, UE608selects (618) a UE specific DRX cycle of 256 subframes and reports (619) this UE specific DRX cycle to the MME603. As another example, the third set may comprise [256, 256, 256, 256], with each DRX cycle having a corresponding set index from 0-3. The UE may report the DRX cycle corresponding to any of indices 0-3 in the third set to the MME. The UE608subsequently monitors (620) the transmission medium for a paging message from the base station periodically according to its selected UE specific DRX cycle (621), applying a UE specific DRX of 256 subframes. As UE608is operating in a CE mode, the UE further monitors for repetitions of the paging message.

When the network receives downlink (DL) data for the UEs, the MME may send a paging request to the base station. The paging request may include the UE specific DRX cycles reported by the UEs. In this example, MME603sends a paging request622to the base station602for paging UE604, including UE604's reported UE specific DRX cycle613. In this example, the base station knows that UE604is operating in non-CE mode (e.g. as identified from a prior Attach Request or Tracking Area Update request). Consequently, the base station selects (624) the UE's reported DRX cycle of 32 subframes for paging the UE, which was in the first set of subframes (e.g. 32, 64, 128, and 256) selected by the UE. The base station subsequently transmits a paging message (e.g. PO626) to UE604according to the selected DRX cycle.

As a result, UE604's DRX cycle613and base station602's transmission of PO626are synchronized. Therefore, UE604monitors for transmissions and receives PO626during the on period of its DRX cycle. As UE604is operating in non-CE mode, no repetitions of the PO may be necessary. Consequently, UE604may successfully decode the PO. Once the paging process is complete, UE may subsequently receive data628.

Subsequently, MME603may send a paging request630to the base station602for paging UE606, including UE606's reported UE specific DRX cycle617. In this example, the base station knows that UE606is operating in CE Mode A (e.g. as identified from a prior Attach Request or Tracking Area Update request) as UE606only supports CE Mode A. Consequently, the base station determines whether the UE's reported DRX cycle is in the second set of allowed UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 128 and 256 subframes) used for paging under CE Mode A. If the reported DRX cycle is in the second set, the base station may select the reported DRX cycle for use in paging. In contrast, if the DRX cycle is not in the second set, the base station selects a minimum value in the second set. Here, as the UE's reported DRX cycle of 128 subframes falls within the second set (e.g.128and256), the base station selects (632) the UE's reported DRX cycle of 128 subframes for paging the UE. The base station subsequently transmits a paging message (e.g. PO634) to UE606according to the selected DRX cycle. Moreover, as the base station knows that the UE is in a CE mode, the base station transmits repetitions636of PO634to increase the likelihood that UE606will successfully decode the paging message prior to the base station transmitting the next PO640. These repetitions636are spaced in time between POs634and640to accommodate the selected DRX cycle of 128 subframes.

As a result, UE606's DRX cycle617and base station602's transmission of PO634and its repetitions636are synchronized. Therefore, UE606monitors for transmissions and receives PO634during the on period of its DRX cycle. As UE606is operating in CE mode, UE606also receives and accumulates the repetitions636of PO634during its DRX cycle up until the last repetition638before PO640, allowing the UE to successfully decode the PO634. Once the paging process is complete, UE may subsequently receive data642.

Referring toFIG. 6B, MME603may send a paging request644to the base station602for paging UE608, including UE608's reported UE specific DRX cycle621. In this example, the base station knows that UE608is operating in a CE Mode (e.g. as identified from a prior Attach Request or Tracking Area Update request). However, as UE608supports both CE Mode A and B, the base station may or may not know at this particular point whether UE608is in CE Mode A or B. For example, UE608may have switched from CE Mode A to CE Mode B without notifying the base station (e.g. UE608may have moved farther from the base station in idle mode). Consequently, regardless of the CE mode under which UE608is currently operating, the base station determines whether the UE's reported DRX cycle is in the third set of allowed UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 256 subframes) used for paging under CE Mode B. If the reported DRX cycle is in the third set, the base station may select the reported DRX cycle for use in paging. In contrast, if the DRX cycle is not in the third set, the base station selects a minimum value in the third set. Here, as the UE's reported DRX cycle of 256 subframes falls within the third set (e.g. 256), the base station selects (646) the UE's reported DRX cycle of 256 subframes for paging the UE. The base station subsequently transmits a paging message (e.g. PO648) to UE608according to the selected DRX cycle. Moreover, as the base station knows that the UE is in a CE mode, the base station transmits repetitions650of PO648to increase the likelihood that UE608will successfully decode the paging message prior to the base station transmitting the next PO654. These repetitions650are spaced in time between POs648and654to accommodate the selected DRX cycle of 256 subframes.

As a result, UE608's DRX cycle621and base station602's transmission of PO648and its repetitions650are synchronized. Therefore, UE608monitors for transmissions and receives PO648during the on period of its DRX cycle. As UE608is operating in a CE mode, UE608also receives and accumulates the repetitions650of PO648during its DRX cycle up until the last repetition652before PO654, allowing the UE to successfully decode the PO648. Once the paging process is complete, UE may subsequently receive data656.

In one aspect, one or more of the UEs may switch from non-CE mode to CE mode, or vice-versa. For example, a UE operating in non-CE mode may switch to CE mode when it moves farther from the base station and may switch back to non-CE mode when it moves closer to the base station. The base station knows when the UE has switched between non-CE mode and a CE mode. For instance, the UEs may report a CE level to the base station, and the base station may configure the UE's CE mode based on the CE level. Thus,FIG. 6Billustrates an example where UE604switches (658) to CE mode (e.g. UE604moves away from the base station outside of normal cell coverage). As indicated supra, UE604supports both CE Modes A and B in this example. Base station602is aware of this change; for instance, UE604may transmit its CE level660to the base station and the base station may transmit a message662in response configuring UE604as CE mode A or B depending on the CE level.

However, once a UE switches to CE mode, more paging repetitions may be used to compensate for the poorer channel conditions. Consequently, the UE restricts its DRX cycle to one from the second set or third set of UE specific DRX cycles used for CE mode, regardless of the UE's previously reported UE specific DRX cycle, in order to increase the likelihood of successfully decoding the paging message. For example, after UE604switches to a CE mode, UE604may select (664) a DRX cycle of 256 subframes (e.g. from the third set) notwithstanding its previous selection and reporting (611) of a DRX cycle of 32 subframes. As a result, the UE604stops monitoring (612) for transmissions based on the previously reported DRX cycle and instead monitors (666) for transmissions periodically according to the newly selected DRX cycle (668), applying a DRX of 256 subframes. As UE604is now operating in a CE mode, the UE further monitors for repetitions of the paging message.

Similarly, after a UE switches to CE mode, the base station uses the UE's restricted DRX cycle for paging, regardless of the DRX cycle the UE previously reported. For example, after UE604switches to a CE mode, the base station602may be select (670) a DRX cycle of 256 subframes (e.g. from the third set) for paging the UE notwithstanding the UE's previous selection and reporting. The base station subsequently transmits a paging message (e.g. PO672) including repetitions674to UE604according to the selected DRX cycle. In this way, UE604's DRX cycle668and base station602's transmission of PO672and its repetitions674remain synchronized, allowing UE604to receive and successfully decode the PO672.

FIG. 7is a flowchart700of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a UE (e.g., UE104,350,404,406,604,606,608,1150, the apparatus802,802′; the processing system914, which may include the memory360and which may be the entire UE350or a component of the UE350, such as the TX processor368, the RX processor356, and/or the controller/processor359). The UE may communicate with a base station, e.g., based on eMTC. Optional aspects of the method are illustrated with a dashed line. The method improves the ability of a UE to receive a paging message when using a UE specific DRX cycle when the UE may be operating in one of multiple modes, e.g., non-CE mode, CE mode A, or CE mode B.

A UE may determine, at704, whether the UE is operating in a CE mode or a non-CE mode.FIG. 4illustrates an example of UEs that are operating in non-CE mode, CE mode A, or CE mode B. For instance, referring toFIG. 6B, a UE operating in non-CE mode may switch to CE mode when it moves farther from the base station and may switch back to non-CE mode when it moves closer to the base station. Thus, the UE may determine that it is operating in a non-CE mode when the UE is closer to the base station (e.g. in normal cell coverage410) or operating in a CE mode when the UE is farther from the base station (e.g. in extended cell coverages412or414). The UE may use the determination to select between multiple sets of UE specific DRX cycles.

At706, if the UE is operating in a non-CE mode, the UE selects a UE specific DRX cycle from among a first set of UE specific DRX cycles. For example,706may be performed by first UE specific DRX cycle component808. The first set of UE specific DRX cycles may include cycles of 32 subframes, 64 subframes, 128 subframes, and 256 subframes. For example, the first set of UE specific DRX cycles may include [32, 64, 128, 256], [64, 128, 256], [32, 128, 256], [32, 32, 128, 256], etc. For example,FIG. 6Aillustrates an example UE604in non-CE mode that may select a UE specific DRX cycle613of 32 subframes.

However, if the UE is operating in a CE mode, the UE instead selects a UE specific DRX cycle from among a second set of UE specific DRX cycles, at716. For example, 716 may be performed by second UE specific DRX cycle component810. The second set of UE specific DRX cycles is different than the first set of UE specific DRX cycles. In one aspect, the second set may comprise at least one UE specific DRX cycle less than the first set of UE specific DRX cycles. In one example, if the first set comprises four cycles [32, 64, 128, 256], the second set may comprise three cycles [64, 128, 256]. In another example, the second set may be restricted to 128 and 256 or only to 256. In another aspect, the second set may comprise at least one UE specific DRX cycle that is different than the first set of UE specific DRX cycles, where the second set has the same number of UE specific DRX cycles as the first set. For example, if the first set comprises four cycles [32, 64, 128, 256], the second set may comprise four cycles [128, 128, 128, 256]. Thus, in either aspect, the second set of UE specific DRX cycles may comprise a restricted or limited set from among the larger first set of UE specific DRX cycles. Thus, the second set of UE specific DRX cycles may comprise one or more UE specific DRX cycles from among the first set of UE specific DRX cycles. For example, the second set of UE specific DRX cycles may comprise at least a longest UE specific DRX cycle (e.g., 256 subframes) from among the first set of UE specific DRX cycles. InFIGS. 6A and 6B, UEs606and608are operating in a CE mode, and the selection of a UE specific DRX cycle (e.g.617and621respectively) is made from a more restrictive set of UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 128 and 256 respectively) than for UE604.

In addition to merely distinguish between a CE mode and a non-CE mode, the UE may further distinguish between types of CE modes. Thus, at710, the UE may determine whether the UE is operating in a first CE mode, e.g., CE mode A, or a second CE mode, e.g., CE mode B. For example, referring toFIG. 6B, the UE may determine its CE mode based on a message662received from the base station configuring the UE as CE mode A or B depending on the UE's CE level660and/or based on the UE's position with respect to the base station (e.g. in extended cell coverages412or414). The UE may also determine its CE mode based on the CE mode(s) which the UE supports (e.g. UE606only supports CE mode A). Thus, inFIGS. 6A and 6B, UE606is operating in CE mode A, whereas UE608is operating in CE mode B.

If the UE is determined to be operating in the first CE mode, e.g., CE mode A, the UE may select the UE specific DRX cycle from among the second set, as described in connection with716. However, if the UE is determined to be operating in the second CE mode, e.g., CE mode B, the UE may select the UE specific DRX cycle from among a third set of UE specific DRX cycles, where the third set of UE specific DRX cycles is different than the second set of UE specific DRX cycles, at712. For example,712may be performed by third UE specific DRX cycle component812. In one aspect, the third set may comprise at least one UE specific DRX cycle less than the second set of UE specific DRX cycles, for example, if the second set comprises [128, 256], the third set may comprise [256]. In another aspect, the second set may comprise at least one UE specific DRX cycle different than the first set of UE specific DRX cycles, for example, if the second set comprises [128, 128, 128, 256], the third set comprises [256, 256, 256, 256]. Thus, the third set of UE specific DRX cycles may comprise a further restricted/limited set from among the second set of UE specific DRX cycles. The third set of UE specific DRX cycles may comprise one or more UE specific DRX cycles from among the second set of UE specific DRX cycles. For example, the third set of UE specific DRX cycles may comprise a longest UE specific DRX cycle from among the second set of UE specific DRX cycles. InFIG. 6A, UE608is operating in a CE mode B, and the selection of its UE specific DRX cycle (e.g.621) is made from a more restrictive set of UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 256) than for UE606(and UE604).

As illustrated at708, the UE may apply the UE specific DRX cycle from the first set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is operating in the non-CE mode. If the UE reported support for the first CE mode (e.g., CE mode A) and the UE is operating in the CE mode, the UE may apply the UE specific DRX cycle from the second set of UE specific DRX cycles, at722. Likewise, if the UE reported support for the second CE mode (e.g., CE mode B) and the UE is operating in the CE mode, the UE may apply the UE specific DRX cycle from the third set of UE specific DRX cycles, at714. For example,708,714, and722may each be performed by DRX component814. The paging occasions that the UE uses to monitor for the paging message may be spaced from each other according to the UE specific DRX cycle selected by the UE. The UE specific DRX cycle will enable the UE to determine the spacing between paging occasions, and therefore, determine the repetitions that can be accumulated in order to decode the paging message. Thus, inFIG. 6A, UE604in non-CE mode applies UE specific DRX cycles613selected from the first set, UE606in CE mode A applies UE specific DRX cycles617selected from the second set, and UE608in CE mode B applies UE specific DRX cycles621selected from the third set. For example, the UEs may turn their receivers off and on according to their respective, selected DRX cycles as they monitor for POs626,634,640from the base station.

At718, the UE monitors for a paging message based on the UE specific DRX cycle selected by the UE. For example,718may be performed by paging message component816. If the UE is operating in a non-CE mode, the paging message will only be sent once. If the UE is operating in a CE mode, the paging message will include repetitions of the paging message. Thus, at720, monitoring for repetitions of the paging message may comprise accumulating repetitions of the paging message between paging occasions. The paging occasions that the UE uses to monitor for the paging message may be spaced from each other according to the UE specific DRX cycle selected by the UE. The UE specific DRX cycle will enable the UE to determine the spacing between paging occasions, and therefore, determine the repetitions that can be accumulated in order to decode the paging message. Thus, inFIGS. 6A and 6B, the UEs604,606,608may respectively monitor for paging at612,616, and620. The UE604may receive the PO626once (e.g. without repetitions) because it is operating in non-CE mode. However, the UEs606,608in CE mode may respectively receive their POs634,648with repetitions636,650spaced from each other according to their respective DRX cycles617,621, and the UEs may accumulate the repetitions636,650to successfully decode the respective paging messages.

As illustrated at702, the UE may report a UE specific DRX cycle to a network. For example,702may be performed by report component818. The information may be provided from the network to the base station, as described in connection withFIGS. 6A and 6B. A base station may use the reported UE specific DRX cycle to page the UE, depending on whether the UE is to be paged in a CE mode or a non-CE mode. For example, inFIG. 6A, UEs604,606,608may respectively report their DRX cycles at611,615, and619to the MME603, which in turn provides this information to the base station602to send POs to the UEs as described above.

FIG. 8is a conceptual data flow diagram800illustrating the data flow between different means/components in an example apparatus802. The apparatus may be a UE (e.g., UE104,350,404,406,604,606,608,1150). The apparatus includes a reception component804configured to receive downlink communication from base station850, and a transmission component806configured to transmit uplink communication to the base station. The apparatus includes a first UE specific DRX cycle component808configured to select a UE specific DRX cycle from among a first set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is operating in a non-CE mode, e.g., as described in connection with706. The apparatus includes a second UE specific DRX cycle component810configured to select the UE specific DRX cycle from among a second set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is operating in a first CE mode, wherein the second set of UE specific DRX cycles comprises at least one UE specific DRX cycle less than the first set of UE specific DRX cycles, e.g., as described in connection with716. The apparatus may further include a third UE specific DRX cycle component812configured to select the UE specific DRX cycle from among a third set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is operating in a second CE mode, wherein the third set of UE specific DRX cycles comprises at least one UE specific DRX cycle less than the second set of UE specific DRX cycles, e.g., as described in connection with712. The apparatus may comprise an DRX component814that is configured to apply the UE specific DRX cycle from the first set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is operating in the non-CE mode, apply the UE specific DRX cycle from the second set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE reported support for the first CE mode and the UE is operating in the CE mode, and apply the UE specific DRX cycle from the third set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE reported support for the second CE mode and the UE is operating in the CE mode, e.g., as described in connection with708,714, and722. The UE may comprise a paging message component816configured to monitor for a paging message based on the UE specific DRX cycle selected by the UE, e.g., as described in connection with718. The apparatus may comprise a report component818configured to report the selected UE specific DRX cycle, e.g., to report a single UE specific DRX cycle to a network, e.g., as described in connection with702.

FIG. 9is a diagram900illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus802′ employing a processing system914. The processing system914may be implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by the bus924. The bus924may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system914and the overall design constraints. The bus924links together various circuits including one or more processors and/or hardware components, represented by the processor904, the components804,806,808,810,812,814,816,818, and the computer-readable medium/memory906. The bus924may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further.

The processing system914may be coupled to a transceiver910. The transceiver910is coupled to one or more antennas920. The transceiver910provides a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver910receives a signal from the one or more antennas920, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system914, specifically the reception component804. In addition, the transceiver910receives information from the processing system914, specifically the transmission component806, and based on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas920. The processing system914includes a processor904coupled to a computer-readable medium/memory906. The processor904is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium/memory906. The software, when executed by the processor904, causes the processing system914to perform the various functions described supra for any particular apparatus. The computer-readable medium/memory906may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor904when executing software. The processing system914further includes at least one of the components804,806,808,810,812,814,816,818. The components may be software components running in the processor904, resident/stored in the computer readable medium/memory906, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor904, or some combination thereof. The processing system914may be a component of the UE350and may include the memory360and/or at least one of the TX processor368, the RX processor356, and the controller/processor359. Alternatively, the processing system914may be the entire UE (e.g., see350ofFIG. 3).

In one configuration, the apparatus802/802′ for wireless communication includes means for selecting a UE specific DRX cycle from among a first set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is operating in a non-CE mode; means for selecting the UE specific DRX cycle from among a second set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is operating in a first CE mode, wherein the second set of UE specific DRX cycles is different than the first set of UE specific DRX cycles; means for monitoring for a paging message based on the UE specific DRX cycle selected by the UE; means for selecting the UE specific DRX cycle from among a third set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is operating in a second CE mode, wherein the third set of UE specific DRX cycles is different than the second set of UE specific DRX cycles; means for applying the UE specific DRX cycle from the first set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is operating in the non-CE mode, applying the UE specific DRX cycle from the second set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE reported support for the first CE mode and the UE is operating in the CE mode, and applying the UE specific DRX cycle from the third set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE reported support for the second CE mode and the UE is operating in the CE mode; and means for reporting a single UE specific DRX cycle to a network. The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the apparatus802and/or the processing system914of the apparatus802′ configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means. As described supra, the processing system914may include the TX Processor368, the RX Processor356, and the controller/processor359. As such, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX Processor368, the RX Processor356, and the controller/processor359configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

Accordingly, the present disclosure allows a base station and UE to apply a UE specific DRX cycle for paging, from a set of DRX cycles, when the UE is operating in non-CE mode, while also allowing the base station and UE to apply another UE specific DRX cycle for paging, from a different set of DRX cycles, when the UE is operating in a CE mode (e.g. CE Mode A or B). For example, when the UE is operating in non-CE mode, the UE and base station may select a UE specific DRX cycle for paging from a first set of UE specific DRX cycles, while if the UE supports and is operating in a first or second CE mode, the UE and base station may select a UE specific DRX cycle for paging from a second or third set of UE specific DRX cycles used for the CE modes. Thus, eMTC UEs may apply shorter UE specific DRX cycles (e.g. 32, 64, or 128 subframes) when operating in non-CE mode, where paging repetitions may not be necessary, while restricting the use of these UE specific DRX cycles in CE mode, where paging repetitions may be used.

FIG. 10is a flowchart1000of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a base station (e.g., base station102,180,310,402,602,850, the apparatus1102/1102′; the processing system1214, which may include the memory376and which may be the entire base station310or a component of the base station310, such as the TX processor316, the RX processor370, and/or the controller/processor375). The base station may communicate with a UE, e.g., based on eMTC. Optional aspects of the method are illustrated with a dashed line. The method improves the ability of a base station to select a UE specific DRX cycle for paging a UE by using different UE specific DRX cycle sets based on whether the UE is to be paged in non-CE mode, CE mode A, or CE mode B.

The base station may determine, at1008, whether a UE is to be paged in a CE mode or a non-CE mode.FIG. 4illustrates an example of UEs that are operating in non-CE mode, CE mode A, or CE mode B. For instance, referring toFIG. 6B, a UE operating in non-CE mode may switch to CE mode when it moves farther from the base station and may switch back to non-CE mode when it moves closer to the base station. Thus, the base station may determine that the UE is operating in a non-CE mode when the UE is closer to the base station (e.g. in normal cell coverage410) or operating in a CE mode when the UE is farther from the base station (e.g. in extended cell coverages412or414), e.g., as identified from a prior Attach Request or Tracking Area Update request received from the UE. The base station may also determine how to page each UE based on the UE's indication of its support for a CE mode. In one aspect, if the UE reports that it only supports CE Mode (e.g. CE Mode A or CE Mode A+B), the base station assumes the UE is in CE mode and determines to page the UE on MPDCCH. The UE may subsequently monitor MPDCCH for paging. In another aspect, if the UE reports that it supports non-CE mode and CE mode, the base station may determine to page the UE on both PDCCH and MPDCCH. For example, the base station may determine to page the UE according to the UE's last known mode (i.e. on MPDCCH if CE mode, or on PDCCH if non-CE mode) and if the UE does not respond on that channel, the base station may determine to page the UE on the other channel. The base station may use the determination to select between multiple sets of UE specific DRX cycles for use in paging the UE. The selected UE specific DRX cycle may be used to determine a spacing between paging occasions, that in turn may affect the manner in which repetitions of a paging message are transmitted to the UE.

At1010, the base station selects a UE specific DRX cycle from among a first set of UE specific DRX cycles if a UE is to be paged in a non-CE mode. For example,1010may be performed by first UE specific DRX cycle component1108. The first set of UE specific DRX cycles may include cycles of 32 subframes, 64 subframes, 128 subframes, and 256 subframes. For example,FIG. 6Aillustrates an example UE604in non-CE mode that may select and report a UE specific DRX cycle of 32 subframes, and the base station602selects (624) the UE's reported DRX cycle of 32 subframes for paging the UE, which was in the first set of subframes (e.g. 32, 64, 128, and 256) selected by the UE.

At1020, the base station selects the UE specific DRX cycle from among a second set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is to be paged in a CE mode, where the second set of UE specific DRX cycles is different than the first set of UE specific DRX cycles. For example,1020may be performed by second UE specific DRX cycle component1110. In one aspect, the second set may comprise at least one UE specific DRX cycle less than the first set of UE specific DRX cycles. In one example, if the first set comprises four cycles [32, 64, 128, 256], the second set may comprise three cycles [64, 128, 256]. In another example, the second set may be restricted to 128 and 256 or only to 256. In another aspect, the second set may comprise at least one UE specific DRX cycle different than the first set of UE specific DRX cycles, where the second set has the same number of UE specific DRX cycles as the first set. For example, if the first set comprises four cycles [32, 64, 128, 256], the second set may comprise four cycles [128, 128, 128, 256]. Thus, in either aspect, the second set of UE specific DRX cycles may comprise a restricted or limited set from among the larger first set of UE specific DRX cycles. Thus, the second set of UE specific DRX cycles may comprise one or more UE specific DRX cycles from among the first set of UE specific DRX cycles. For example, the second set of UE specific DRX cycles may comprise at least a longest UE specific DRX cycle from among the first set of UE specific DRX cycles. InFIGS. 6A and 6B, UEs606and608are operating in a CE mode, and the base station's selection of a UE specific DRX cycle is made from a more restrictive set of UE specific DRX cycles than for UE604. For instance, base station602may select (632) UE606's reported DRX cycle or a minimum value in the second set.

In addition to merely distinguishing between a CE mode and a non-CE mode for the UE, the base station may further distinguish between types of CE modes. Thus, at1014, the base station may determine whether the UE is to be paged in a first CE mode, e.g., CE mode A, or a second CE mode, e.g., CE mode B. For example, referring toFIG. 6B, the base station may determine whether to configure the UE as CE mode A or B based on the UE's CE level660transmitted to the base station and/or based on the UE's position with respect to the base station (e.g. in extended cell coverage412or414). The base station may also determine the CE mode based on the CE mode(s) which the UE supports (e.g. UE606only supports CE mode A). InFIGS. 6A and 6B, UE606is operating in CE mode A, whereas UE608is operating in CE mode B.

If the base station determines that the UE is to be paged in a first CE mode and the UE supports the first CE mode, the base station may select the UE specific DRX cycle from among the second set of UE specific DRX cycles, as illustrated at1020. However, if the UE is to be paged in the CE mode and the UE supports a second CE mode, the base station selects the UE specific DRX cycle from among a third set of UE specific DRX cycles, at1016. For example,1016may be performed by third UE specific DRX cycle component1112. The third set of UE specific DRX cycles is different than the second set of UE specific DRX cycles. In one aspect, the third set may comprise at least one UE specific DRX cycle less than the second set of UE specific DRX cycles, for example, if the second set comprises [128, 256], the third set may comprise [256]. In another aspect, the third set may comprise at least one UE specific DRX cycle different than the second set of UE specific DRX cycles, for example, if the second set comprises [128, 128, 128, 256], the third set comprises [256, 256, 256, 256]. Thus, the third set of UE specific DRX cycles may comprise a further restricted/limited set from among the second set of UE specific DRX cycles. The third set of UE specific DRX cycles may comprise one or more UE specific DRX cycles from among the second set of UE specific DRX cycles. For example, the third set of UE specific DRX cycles may comprise a longest UE specific DRX cycle from among the second set of UE specific DRX cycles. InFIG. 6A, for example, base station602may select (646) UE608's reported DRX cycle or a minimum value in the third set. UE608is operating in a CE mode B, and the selection of its UE specific DRX cycle (e.g.621) is made from a more restrictive set of UE specific DRX cycles (e.g.256) than for UE606(and UE604).

At1024, the base station transmits a paging message to the UE based on the UE specific DRX cycle selected by the UE. For example,1024may be performed by paging message component1116. If the UE to be paged in a non-CE mode, the paging message may be sent once. If the UE is operating in a CE mode, e.g., either CE mode A or CE mode B, the paging message may include repetitions of the paging message. Repetitions of the paging message may be transmitted between paging occasions, the paging occasions being spaced in time based on the selected UE specific DRX cycle. Thus, inFIGS. 6A and 6B, the base station602may transmit the PO626to UE604once (e.g. without repetitions) because the UE is operating in non-CE mode. However, the base station may respectively transmit POs634,648to UEs606,608in CE mode with repetitions636,650spaced from each other according to the UEs' respective DRX cycles617,621.

As illustrated at1006, the base station may receive, from a network, a report of a UE specific DRX cycle. For example,1006may be performed by report component1118. The information may be provided from the network to the base station, as described in connection withFIGS. 6A and 6B. A base station may use the reported UE specific DRX cycle to page the UE, dependent on whether the UE is to be paged in a CE mode or a non-CE mode. For example, inFIG. 6A, UEs604,606,608may respectively report their DRX cycles at611,615, and619to the MME603, which in turn provides this information to the base station602to send POs to the UEs as described above. The report may comprise a single UE specific DRX cycle. For example, the report received at1006may comprise at least one UE specific DRX cycle from the first set of UE specific DRX cycles that is not comprised in the second set of UE specific DRX cycles. For example, referring toFIG. 6A, the DRX cycle reported by UE606may not be in the second set, and so the base station may instead select (632) a minimum value in the second set. The UE may monitor for the paging message based on a first UE specific DRX cycle from the first set of UE specific DRX cycles when the UE operates in the non-CE mode, and the UE may monitor for the paging message and repetitions of the paging message based on a second UE specific DRX cycle that is limited to the second set of UE specific DRX cycles when the UE operates in the CE mode.

The base station may receive additional information from the network that assists the base station in determining which UE specific DRX cycle to apply. For example, at1002, the base station may receive, from a network, a first configuration of a first UE specific DRX cycle from among the second set of UE specific DRX cycles for a first CE mode, and at1004, the base station may receive, from the network, a second configuration of a second UE specific DRX cycle from among the third set of UE specific DRX cycles for a second CE mode. For example,1002and1004may each be performed by configuration component1120. For instance, referring toFIGS. 6A and 6B, base station602may receive a first configuration (e.g. configuration607) from the MME603indicating a UE-specific DRX cycle to apply from the second set, and the base station may receive a second configuration (e.g. configuration609) from the MME603indicating a UE-specific DRX cycle to apply from the third set. Then, the base station may apply, e.g., at1022, the first UE specific DRX cycle if the UE is operating in the first CE mode and apply the second UE specific DRX cycle, e.g., at1018, if the UE is operating in the second CE mode. If the UE is to be paged in a non-CE mode, the base station may apply a UE DRX cycle selected from among the first set of UE specific DRX cycles, at1012. For example,1012,1018, and1022may each be performed by DRX component1114. For instance, inFIG. 6A, base station602may apply a selected (624) DRX cycle from the first set when paging UE604, e.g. by transmitting a paging message (e.g. PO626) to UE604according to the selected DRX cycle. Moreover, the base station may apply a selected (632) DRX cycle from the second set when paging UE606, and the base station may apply a selected (646) DRX cycle from the third set when paging UE608, e.g., by respectively transmitting a paging message (e.g. PO634or648) to UE606according to the selected DRX cycle including repetitions636,650of the POs spaced in time to accommodate the selected DRX cycle.

FIG. 11is a conceptual data flow diagram1100illustrating the data flow between different means/components in an example apparatus1102. The apparatus may be a base station (e.g., base station102,180,310,402,602,850).

The apparatus includes a reception component1104configured to receive uplink communication from UE(s)1150and/or to receive communication from a network1160. The apparatus includes a transmission component1106configured to transmit downlink communication to the UE(s)1150. The apparatus includes a first UE specific DRX cycle component1108configured to select a UE specific DRX cycle from among a first set of UE specific DRX cycles if a UE is to be paged in a non-CE mode. The apparatus includes a second UE specific DRX cycle component1110configured to select the UE specific DRX cycle from among a second set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is to be paged in a CE mode, wherein the second set of UE specific DRX cycles comprises at least one UE specific DRX cycle less than the first set of UE specific DRX cycles. The apparatus may include a third UE specific DRX cycle component1112configured to select the UE specific DRX cycle from among a third set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is to be paged in the CE mode and the UE supports a second CE mode, wherein the third set of UE specific DRX cycles comprises at least one UE specific DRX cycle less than the second set of UE specific DRX cycles. The apparatus includes a paging message component1116configured to transmit a paging message to the UE based on the UE specific DRX cycle selected by the UE. The apparatus may include a report component1118configured to receive, from a network, a report of a UE specific DRX cycle, e.g., a single UE specific DRX cycle, at least one UE specific DRX cycle from the first set of UE specific DRX cycles that is not comprised in the second set of UE specific DRX cycles, etc.

The apparatus may include a configuration component1120configured to receive, from a network, a first configuration of a first UE specific DRX cycle from among the second set of UE specific DRX cycles for a first CE mode and a second configuration of a second UE specific DRX cycle from among the third set of UE specific DRX cycles for a second CE mode. The apparatus may include a DRX component1114configured to apply the selected UE specific DRX cycle. For example, the DRX component may apply the first UE specific DRX cycle if the UE is operating in the first CE mode and apply the second UE specific DRX cycle if the UE is operating in the second CE mode.

FIG. 12is a diagram1200illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus1102′ employing a processing system1214. The processing system1214may be implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by the bus1224. The bus1224may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system1214and the overall design constraints. The bus1224links together various circuits including one or more processors and/or hardware components, represented by the processor1204, the components1104,1106,1108,1110,1112,1114,1116,1118,1120, and the computer-readable medium/memory1206. The bus1224may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further.

The processing system1214may be coupled to a transceiver1210. The transceiver1210is coupled to one or more antennas1220. The transceiver1210provides a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver1210receives a signal from the one or more antennas1220, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system1214, specifically the reception component1104. In addition, the transceiver1210receives information from the processing system1214, specifically the transmission component1106, and based on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas1220. The processing system1214includes a processor1204coupled to a computer-readable medium/memory1206. The processor1204is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium/memory1206. The software, when executed by the processor1204, causes the processing system1214to perform the various functions described supra for any particular apparatus. The computer-readable medium/memory1206may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor1204when executing software. The processing system1214further includes at least one of the components1104,1106,1108,1110,1112,1114,1116,1118,1120. The components may be software components running in the processor1204, resident/stored in the computer readable medium/memory1206, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor1204, or some combination thereof. The processing system1214may be a component of the base station310and may include the memory376and/or at least one of the TX processor316, the RX processor370, and the controller/processor375. Alternatively, the processing system1214may be the entire base station (e.g., see310ofFIG. 3).

In one configuration, the apparatus1102/1102′ for wireless communication includes means for selecting a UE specific DRX cycle from among a first set of UE specific DRX cycles if a UE is to be paged in a non-CE mode; means for selecting the UE specific DRX cycle from among a second set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is to be paged in a CE mode, wherein the second set of UE specific DRX cycles is different than the first set of UE specific DRX cycles; means for transmitting a paging message to the UE based on the UE specific DRX cycle selected by the UE; means for selecting the UE specific DRX cycle from among a third set of UE specific DRX cycles if the UE is to be paged in the CE mode and the UE supports a second CE mode, wherein the third set of UE specific DRX cycles is different than the second set of UE specific DRX cycles; means for receiving, from a network, a report of a single UE specific DRX cycle; means for receiving, from a network, a report of at least one UE specific DRX cycle from the first set of UE specific DRX cycles that is not comprised in the second set of UE specific DRX cycles; means for receiving, from a network, a first configuration of a first UE specific DRX cycle from among the second set of UE specific DRX cycles for a first CE mode and a second configuration of a second UE specific DRX cycle from among the third set of UE specific DRX cycles for a second CE mode; and means for applying the first UE specific DRX cycle if the UE is operating in the first CE mode and applying the second UE specific DRX cycle if the UE is operating in the second CE mode. The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the apparatus1102and/or the processing system1214of the apparatus1102′ configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means. As described supra, the processing system1214may include the TX Processor316, the RX Processor370, and the controller/processor375. As such, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX Processor316, the RX Processor370, and the controller/processor375configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

Therefore, the present disclosure allows eMTC UEs to report and apply certain UE specific DRX cycles under non-CE mode, while also allowing these UEs to change their DRX cycle to one from a more restricted set of cycles when operating in CE mode. Similarly, the present disclosure allows the base station to receive the reported UE specific DRX cycle and apply that cycle for paging non-CE mode UEs, while applying a different DRX cycle from a more restricted set of cycles for paging CE-mode UEs. As no additional signaling (e.g. registration updates) is exchanged between the UE and the base station for changing the UE specific DRX cycle, the present disclosure saves UE power consumption and signaling load. Moreover, as the base station and UE apply the same DRX cycle, the base station and UE continue to remain synchronized. Consequently, the likelihood of abnormal paging operation as illustrated inFIG. 5Bmay be reduced.