Patent Description:
Wireless communication networks, such as those based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defined Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and Long Term Evolution (LTE) architecture, are able to support more sophisticated services than simple voice and messaging services offered by previous generations of wireless communication networks. The demand to deploy improved networks is, therefore, strong and the coverage area of these networks, i.e. geographic locations where access to the networks is possible, is expected to increase rapidly.

There is expected to be an increasing need for future wireless communications networks to efficiently support communications with a wider range of devices associated with a wider range of data traffic profiles and types than supported by current systems. For example, it is expected future wireless communications networks will be expected to efficiently support communications with devices including reduced complexity devices, machine type communication devices, high resolution video displays, virtual reality headsets and the like. Some of these different types of devices may be deployed in very large numbers, for example low complexity devices for supporting the "The Internet of Things" (IoT), and may typically be associated with the transmissions of relatively small amounts of data with relatively high latency tolerance, whereas other types of device, for example supporting highdefinition video streaming, may be associated with transmissions of relatively large amounts of data with relatively low latency tolerance.

In view of IoT and other advances, there is expected to be a desire for future wireless communications networks, for example those which may be referred to as <NUM> or new radio (NR) system / new radio access technology (RAT) systems, as well as future iterations / releases of existing systems, to efficiently support connectivity for a wide range of devices associated with different applications and different characteristic data traffic profiles.

<NUM> is the new generation of radio systems and network architecture delivering extreme broadband and ultra-reliable, low latency connectivity and massive networking for the IoT to enable the programmable world. Example use cases currently of interest for next generation wireless communication systems include so-called Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), defined in the 3GPP Release <NUM>.

When a user equipment (UE) is in an area with relatively poor or weak coverage, the UE may use significantly more power to download data, such as a software or firmware upgrade. For UEs that are cellular IoT (CIoT) devices, an extensive sensor report to be uploaded to an application server, for example, may similarly consume relatively large amounts of power. The power consumption of downloading or uploading data may increase during times of poor downlink (DL) or uplink (UL) channel quality, respectively, due to high UE Tx power and/or due to long activity time to send the data as the transmitted code block size decreases (low coding rate) and the number of repetitions used to send the packets increases. This may result in an increase in consumed energy and, as a result, the data transmission may drain the battery in the UE more rapidly.

One UE based approach to reduce power consumption caused by poor communication channel quality involves allowing the UE to delay a data download or upload until such a time as the channel quality improves when communication the data is not time sensitive. For example, an option may allow the UE to wait to transmit a paging response in certain conditions (e.g., when the condition of the radio network between the UE and the Radio Access Network (RAN) node is poor). By delaying the paging response until the quality of the communication channel improves, power consumption of the UE may be improved. For example, the estimated uplink (UL) power to reach the RAN node when the quality of the radio network is good may be less than when the quality of the radio network is poor. As a result, by waiting for the quality of the radio network to improve, the UE may be able to reduce the amount of power needed for the UL operation. Thereby power consumption of the UE can be enhanced because the transmission power is reduced and, in some cases, retransmissions can be avoided.

In addition, a paging message is often a prelude to the UE performing a DL operation to download data. Delaying the response to the paging message may also delay the DL operation, which was the rationale for the paging message. By delaying the response until a better channel condition exists, an increased data rate may be achieved for a fixed data allocation as the efficient coding rate can be higher (less redundancy bits). The increased data rate may reduce a communication time used for the DL operation, and, thereby, the power consumption may be reduced.

The UE may indicate its support for a delayed paging response to the RAN node (e.g., during registrations with the network). A delayed paging response is proposed in "<NPL>.

A drawback to the UE delaying a response to a page is the delay itself. During this time the network does not know if the UE is still within the paged area; as a result, the network may escalate the paging to wider area. This may increase the use of network paging resources and trigger other UEs to check if the paging indication is intended for them.

Because of this drawback, the allowed delay for a UE to respond to a page may be quite limited. In many circumstances the variations in the quality of the propagation channel are relatively slow, e.g. the rate at which device moves between a good coverage area and an area with poor coverage. As a result, the propagation channel may not improve during the allowed delay and the UE may be required to respond to the page later to download the data, which will just cost extra power as the data could have been downloaded earlier in response to the page under similar channel conditions. If, for example, the data to be downloaded is a software update, then it may not be critical to begin the download after the allowed delay for the UE to respond to the page has elapsed. In most cases the UE can wait days or weeks until a future paging cycle commences when the channel conditions are improved before it is downloaded.

Document <CIT> considers the aspect that when mobile terminated devices sleep, the devices might not be reachable when needed, for instance when the device is a recipient of data from a third party server. As described in the document, a third party application server may inform the network that it has data to send to a particular UE or group of UEs. In an example, the mobile core network (MCN) may use information from the third party server to ensure that the UE is awake when it needs to be. For example, a given UE or group of UEs can be prevented from entering a sleep state before a data transfer is completed.

Document <CIT> mentions applying a group delay to paging messages based on access control groups, access node statistics, or mean downlink queuing delay. The access node statistics may include the access control group associated with the UE, the ACH occupancy, a ratio of unserved/served access attempts, an RL receiver rise over thermal (ROT) noise, FL packet queuing delays, and a MAC index use rate. The access control group for a UE may, in turn, be determined based on latency/deferral tolerances, data-volume per data session, or device subscription level.

The inventive concepts described herein provide for the ability to delay downloading delay tolerant data to a UE based on an expectation that the UE power consumption may be relatively high due to the characteristics of the propagation channel. The UE paging process may be delayed in the network at a core network node and/or a RAN node. The halting of the UE paging event may be based on historical and/or current characteristics of a propagation channel for data communication associated with the UE. For delay tolerant data, it may be more efficient to delay paging the UE until propagation channel conditions have improved so as to improve throughput and reduce energy consumption even if the delay is for days or even weeks.

It is noted that aspects of the inventive concepts described with respect to one embodiment, may be incorporated in a different embodiment although not specifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination. Other operations according to any of the embodiments described herein may also be performed. These and other aspects of the inventive concepts are described in detail in the specification set forth below.

Other features of embodiments will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. In some instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present disclosure. It is intended that all embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented separately or combined in any way and/or combination. Aspects described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated in different embodiments although not specifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination.

Some embodiments of the inventive concept stem from a realization that when a user equipment (UE) is in an area with relatively poor or weak coverage, the UE may use significantly more power to download data and/or to upload data. One UE based approach to reduce power consumption caused by poor communication channel quality involves allowing the UE to delay a data download or upload until such a time as the channel quality improves when communication the data is not time sensitive. For example, the UE may wait to transmit a paging response in certain conditions, such as those times when the communication channel quality is poor. By delaying the paging response until the quality of the communication channel improves, power consumption of the UE may be improved. When the UE delays in sending a response to a page, the network may be unable to tell if the UE is still within the paged area, which may result in the network escalating the paging to a wider area thereby increasing use of network paging resources and causing other UEs to determine whether a page indication is intended for them. If the delay in which the UE responds to a page is shortened, however, then the communication channel quality may not have improved sufficiently to reduce power consumption for performing the data download and/or upload.

The inventive concepts described herein provide for the ability to delay downloading delay tolerant data to a UE based on an expectation that the UE power consumption may be relatively high due to the characteristics of the propagation channel. Moreover, the UE paging process may be delayed in the network at a core network node and/or a RAN node instead of or in addition to at the UE. The halting of the UE paging event may be based on historical and/or current characteristics of a propagation channel for data communication associated with the UE. For delay tolerant data, it may be more efficient to delay paging the UE until propagation channel conditions have improved so as to improve throughput and reduce energy consumption even if the delay is substantially longer than the next eDRX cycle, such as days or weeks.

The decision to delay the download may be based on the available propagation channel information and on the propagation channel history. The decision can be performed in the radio access network (RAN) node, in the core network, e.g. in the access and mobility management function (AMF) node or in both the RAN node and in the core network. Propagation channel measurements may be collected in the UE and in the network to collect information to establish a baseline performance level. The decision of whether to page a UE can be based on the current propagation channel quality for a connection and, in some embodiments, the current propagation channel quality may be compared with propagation channel quality information, such that the decision of whether to page may be based on a degree of deviation between the current propagation channel quality and historical norms.

In contrast to techniques where data downloading and/or uploading is delayed through the UE delaying a response to a network page, embodiments of the present inventive concept are based on halting paging in the network before a page is sent to the UE. The paging process may be completely halted and may be restarted from the application server (AS) or application function (AF) at a later time. As a result, a RAN and/or core network node does not need to store the download data that triggered the paging and save paging resources in the network. When propagation channel conditions are expected to change relatively slowly, e.g., due to slow UE mobility, it may be better to halt and restart the process later based on statistics makes it probable that the propagation channel conditions will improve. The AS or AF may try to resend the download data in a later paging interval based on a preset timer or notification from the core network.

When the decision to halt the paging process for the download data is decided in the network, such as in a RAN node and/or a core network node, before any page is sent to the UE, the UE may not be affected. The paging activity may be delayed till a time when the needed energy to download the data has decreased. Moreover, the present embodiments based on postponing paging in the network may work in conjunction with techniques based on the UE delaying a paging response.

In a wireless communication network in which a determination whether to delay UE paging is performed in the network, e.g., in a RAN node and/or a core network node, the inventive concepts described herein provide multiple technical advantages: <NUM>) the core network and/or RAN can improve UE power consumption and use paging resources more efficiently; <NUM>) the core network and/or AN may estimate UE mobility and cell coverage based on channel measurements made in the network and/or provided from the UE; <NUM>) the core network and/or RAN may gather data on propagation channel quality and mobility when a UE uploads data to an AS or AF; <NUM>) the core network and/or RAN may use UE reported data on propagation channel quality and/or other characteristics to estimate UE mobility and cell coverage; <NUM>) the core network and/or the RAN may request a UE to upload data, such as sensor information; <NUM>) the core network and/or the RAN may only page a UE when a determination is made that the likelihood that the UE is in an area of good coverage and relatively high channel quality is high; <NUM>) the core network and/or the RAN may not page a UE when the propagation channel quality is likely to be poor, which may reduce UE power consumption and reduce power consumption in other UEs in the same paging group; <NUM>) the core network and/or the RAN may not page a UE when the propagation channel quality is likely to be poor thereby conserving paging resources; and <NUM>) the core network and/or the RAN may determine whether to page a UE based on current and/or historical characteristics of a propagation channel for data communication associated with a UE, thereby allowing random-access channel (RACH) resources to be conserved as a UE need not delay paging by not responding to a page or by sending a wait indicator message to the network informing the network that the paging protocol should be delayed.

<FIG> is a diagram of a wireless communication network <NUM> within a cell <NUM> having a radio access network (RAN) node104 in communication with a user equipment (UE) <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments of the inventive concept. The UE <NUM> may be in wireless communication with the RAN node <NUM>. The RAN node <NUM> may be a node that communicates with the UE <NUM> and may also be referred to as a node B, an access point, an enhanced node B (eNB) a next-generation node B (gNB) and the like. The RAN node <NUM> can be responsible for mobility and can also be responsible for radio resource control (RRC) signaling. In some embodiments, the wireless communication network <NUM> may provide a Uu radio interface between the UE <NUM> and the RAN node <NUM> to facilitate radio communications therebetween.

The RAN node <NUM> may be a network node of the wireless communication network <NUM>, and may provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area, such as that covered by the cell <NUM>. The RAN node <NUM> may be further connected to a core network (CN) <NUM>. In some embodiments, the wireless communication network <NUM> can be a 3GPP LTE network and the RAN node <NUM> can be an eNB apparatus, a gNB apparatus, or a base station subsystem (BSS), nevertheless the example is not limited to this type of network. As an example, the wireless communication network <NUM> can be a <NUM>, New Radio (NR), LTE, UMTS, Global System for Mobile (GSM), General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), and/or Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) network. Depending on the type of network, the RAN node <NUM> can be of different types and can be interconnected within the wireless communication network <NUM> in different ways. The RAN node <NUM> is therefore not limited to an eNB/gNB and can comprise any device or system suitable to provide a wireless connection to UE <NUM>. In addition, various network node names and message names are used herein to describe entities and messages in the wireless communication network. For convenience, the network node names and message names used include those from a <NUM> system, but it should be understood that corresponding nodes and messages in other generation wireless networks can also apply.

In some embodiments, RAN node <NUM> can be connected via an interface <NUM> to the core network <NUM>. In some embodiments, the core network <NUM> may include servers and/or databases for providing services (such as data communications, voice calls, and/or VoIP calls) to the UE <NUM> connected via the wireless communication network <NUM>. In particular, the core network <NUM> may include Mobility Management Entities (MMEs), Applications Servers, and Gateways for connection with other networks. In a <NUM> system, the MME functionality may be divided into multiple parts, such as an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), a Session Management Function (SMF), and/or a User Plane Function (UPF). The AMF may be responsible for paging messages to the UE <NUM>. Communication between the core network <NUM> and the UE <NUM> may be relayed by the RAN node <NUM>. For example, the RAN node <NUM> may relay a communication from the core network <NUM> but the RAN node <NUM> may not be aware of the context of the data. In other words, the RAN node <NUM> may, in some embodiments, relay the communication that is directly between the core network <NUM> and the UE <NUM>.

An objective of the MTC (Machine Type Communication) and NB-IoT is to specify a radio access for cellular internet of things (CIoT) that addresses improved indoor coverage, support for a massive number of low throughput devices, low delay sensitivity, ultra-low device cost, low device power consumption, and/or optimized network architecture.

NB-IoT provides approaches regarding paging procedures that accommodate the potential for longer idle times in IoT devices and lower power consumption. In NB-IoT, a system frame number (SFN)-based discontinuous reception (DRX) or extended DRX (eDRX) with a paging time window (PTW) may be used. DRX and eDRX are methods used in mobile communication networks to conserve the battery of a UE <NUM>. The UE <NUM> and the mobile communication network negotiate phases in which downlink (DL) data transfer may occur and/or the idle mode DRX/eDRX interval. During other times, the UE <NUM> may turn its receiver off and enter a low power state. The UE <NUM> may monitor all its paging occasions (POs) in the PTW. In some embodiments, the extended DRX cycle length and PTW size may be negotiated between the UE and CN during an ATTACH/tracking area update (TAU). In some embodiments, the paging messages to the UE <NUM>, including retransmissions of the paging messages, may be controlled by the core network <NUM> and/or the RAN node <NUM>, and may be relayed to the UE by the RAN node <NUM>. In some embodiments, the paging messages to the UE <NUM>, including retransmissions of the paging messages, may be controlled by the core network <NUM> and/or the RAN node <NUM>.

One technique for a UE <NUM> to reduce power consumption in the UE <NUM> is to add an option to the paging communication between the UE <NUM> and the RAN node <NUM> (e.g., an eNB/gNB). For example, an option may allow the UE <NUM> to wait to transmit a paging response in certain conditions (e.g., when the condition of the radio network between the UE <NUM> and the RAN node <NUM> is poor). By delaying the paging response until the condition of the radio network improves, a power consumption of the UE <NUM> may be improved. For example, the estimated uplink (UL) power to reach the RAN node <NUM> when the condition of the radio network is good may be less than when the condition of the radio network is poor. As a result, by waiting for the condition of the radio network to improve, the UE <NUM> may be able to reduce the amount of power needed for the UL operation. Thereby power consumption of the UE <NUM> can be improved since the transmission power is reduced and, in some cases, retransmissions can be avoided.

In addition, a paging message is often a prelude to the UE <NUM> performing a DL operation to download data. Delaying the response to the paging message may also delay the DL operation, which was the rationale for the paging message. By delaying the response until a better channel condition exists, an increased data rate may be achieved for a fixed data allocation as the efficient coding rate can be higher (less redundancy bits). The increased data rate may reduce a communication time used for the DL operation, and thereby the power consumption may be reduced.

The option to allow the UE <NUM> to wait to transmit a paging response will be referred to herein as "delayed paging response. " In some embodiments, the UE <NUM> may indicate its support for delayed paging response to the RAN node <NUM> (e.g., during registrations with the network). Delayed paging concepts are proposed in "<NPL>.

In other embodiments of the inventive concept, the core network <NUM> and/or the RAN node <NUM> may delay paging the UE <NUM> in response to receiving a request to trigger the paging procedure. The core network <NUM> and/or the RAN node <NUM> may delay paging in the network under similar circumstances for which the UE <NUM> may perform a delayed paging response. That is, the core network <NUM> and/or the RAN node <NUM> may delay paging the UE <NUM> so as to delay downloading delay tolerant data to the UE <NUM> based on an expectation that the UE <NUM> power consumption may be relatively high due to the characteristics of the propagation channel. The halting of the UE paging event may be based on historical and/or current characteristics of a propagation channel for data communication associated with the UE <NUM>. For delay tolerant data, it may be more efficient to delay paging the UE until propagation channel conditions have improved so as to improve throughput and reduce energy consumption even if the delay is substantially longer than the next eDRX cycle, such as days or weeks.

<FIG> is a block diagram of nodes and functional elements in a wireless communication network in accordance with some embodiments of the inventive concept. Referring to <FIG>, functional nodes in an example <NUM> core network including a RAN node are illustrated. The wireless network includes a network slice selection function (NSSF) node <NUM>, a network exposure function (NEF) node <NUM>, a network function repository function (NRF) node <NUM>, a policy control function (PCF) <NUM>, a unified data management (UDM) node <NUM>, an application function (AF) node <NUM>, an authentication server function (AUSF) node <NUM>, an access and mobility management function (AMF) node <NUM>, a session management function (SMF) node <NUM>, a UE <NUM>, a RAN node <NUM>, a user plan function (UPF) node <NUM>, a data network (DN) <NUM>, e.g., Internet, and an application server <NUM>, which are configured as shown. The AMF node <NUM> may be configured to support termination of NAS signaling, NAS ciphering and integrity protection, registration management, connection management, mobility management, access authentication and authorization, and/or security context management. The SMF node <NUM> may be configured to support session management (session establishment, modification, release), UE IP address allocation and management, DHCP functions, termination of NAS signaling related to session management, DL data notification, and/or traffic steering configuration for UPF <NUM> for proper traffic routing. The UPF node <NUM> may be configured to support packet routing & forwarding, packet inspection, QoS handling, to act as external PDU session point of interconnect to the DN <NUM>, and may be an anchor point for intra/inter-RAT mobility. The PCF node <NUM> may be configured to support a unified policy framework, to provide policy rules to CP functions, and/or to access subscription information for policy decisions. The AUSF node <NUM> may be configured to act as an authentication server. The UDM node <NUM> may be configured to support generation of authentication and key agreement (AKA) credentials, user identification handling, access authorization, and/or subscription management. The AF node <NUM> may be configured to support application influence on traffic routing, accessing the NEF <NUM>, and/or interaction with policy framework for policy control. The NEF module <NUM> may be configured to support exposure of capabilities and events, secure provision of information from external application to a 3GPP network, and/or translation of internal/external information. The NRF node <NUM> may be configured to support service discovery function, and/or NF profile maintenance and available NF instances. The NSSF node <NUM> may be configured to support selecting of the network slice instances to serve the UE, determining the allowed NSSAI, determining the AMF node <NUM> set to be used to serve the UE.

<FIG> are message flow diagrams that illustrate delaying a UE paging operation in a network based on propagation channel characteristics in accordance with some embodiments of the inventive concept. As shown in <FIG>, the UE <NUM> and/or the AMF node <NUM> may compile measurements that include statistics of the power consumption used during DL and/or UL operations at the UE <NUM> and propagation channel quality measurements for the data communication channel. The power consumption used and the DL measurements <NUM> may be compiled in the UE <NUM> and forwarded (<NUM>) to the AMF node <NUM> by way of the RAN node <NUM> upon request. The measurements performed in the UE <NUM>, such as DL performance measurements and the measurements reported to the AMF node <NUM> by way of the RAN node <NUM> in the RRC procedure, i.e., a "UE Information" report is specified in 3GPP TS <NUM>. These measurements may include, but are not limited to, a random access channel (RACH) report that comprises a number of preambles used during an RACH attempt, a radio link failure (RLF) report that comprises radio link failure information or cellular handover information associated with the UE, a measurement report, logMeasReport, that comprises power and quality measurements on a radio access network (RAN) node that currently serves the UE, or a history report, mobilityHistoryReport, that comprises information on UE movement between recently visited base stations. In some embodiments, the mobiliyHistoryReport may include historical information related to cell reselections by a UE. These cell -reselections may be indicative of the quality of data communication propagation channel(s) associated with these cell(s), i.e., a UE may move from cells with poorer channel quality to those with better channel quality. The AMF node <NUM> may compile UL power or quality measurements (<NUM>) that may be acquired by the RAN node <NUM>. These measurements may include sounding reference symbols (SRS) transmitted from the UE <NUM>, which are indicative of the propagation channel quality. The AF/AS <NUM>, <NUM> may provide DL data (<NUM>) to the UPF <NUM>, which generates a request to trigger the paging procedure for the UE <NUM> by sending a downlink data notification (DDN) to the SMF node <NUM> (306a), which forwards the DDN to the AMF node <NUM> (306b) to initiate the paging process. The DDN may include information related to the size of the DL data provided by the AF/AS <NUM>, <NUM>. The AMF node <NUM> may determine, responsive to receiving the request to trigger the paging procedure, whether to page the UE <NUM> based on characteristics of a propagation channel for data communication associated with the UE <NUM> (<NUM>). The decision whether to proceed with the paging procedure or to halt paging may be based on information/measurements in which area the UE <NUM> is camping or was camping when the AMF node <NUM> was last updated. In other embodiments, the paging decision may be based on UE <NUM> measurements, e.g., "mobility history" reported in the "UE information" report. If the AMF node <NUM> determines to proceed with paging, then a paging request is sent to the RAN node <NUM> (<NUM>), which in turn pages the UE <NUM> (<NUM>). If the AMF node <NUM> determines that paging should be delayed, then the AMF node <NUM> may report back to the AF/AS <NUM>, <NUM> that paging should be delayed. In some embodiments, a suggested timer is provided with the notification recommending to the AF/AS <NUM>, <NUM> that the DL data should not be sent to the UPF node <NUM> until after the time has expired (<NUM>). In other embodiments, the AF/AS <NUM>, <NUM> may wait to be notified by the AMF node <NUM> before re-sending the DL data to the UPF node <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a determination whether to page the UE <NUM> may also be made in the RAN node <NUM>, in this embodiment, the AMF node <NUM> may, in response to receiving the request to trigger paging of the UE <NUM> (<NUM>), i.e., the DDN, send a paging request to the RAN node <NUM> (<NUM>). The RAN node <NUM> may determine whether to page the UE <NUM> based on characteristics of a propagation channel for data communication associated with the UE <NUM> (<NUM>). In some embodiments, the decision in the RAN node <NUM> may be based on measurement reports from the UE <NUM> including the statistics collected in the UE or from existing measurements reported in the "UE information" messages as specified in 3GPP TS <NUM>. This information may have been reported in previous DRX cycles or in response to a request from the RAN node <NUM> and/or AMF node <NUM>. If the RAN node <NUM> determines to proceed with paging, then the UE is paged (<NUM>). If the RAN node <NUM> determines that paging should be delayed, then the RAN node <NUM> may inform the AMF node <NUM> in the "N2 paging response" that the UE <NUM> is considered to be in a bad coverage area and is not reachable (<NUM>). The AMF node <NUM> may then report back to the AF/AS <NUM>, <NUM> that the UE is unreachable (<NUM>). In some embodiments, a suggested timer is provided with the notification recommending to the AF/AS <NUM>, <NUM> that the DL data should not be sent to the UPF <NUM> until after the time has expired (<NUM>). In other embodiments, the AF/AS <NUM>, <NUM> may wait to be notified by the AMF node <NUM> before re-sending the DL data to the UPF node <NUM>.

In other embodiments of the inventive concept, when the UE <NUM> is in an RRC_Inactive state the AS <NUM>, for example, would provide the DL data to the UPF <NUM>, which would provide the DL data directly to the RAN node <NUM>, which would determine whether to page the UE <NUM> based on the characteristics of the propagation channel for data communication associated with the UE <NUM> in accordance with the embodiments described herein.

<FIG> illustrates embodiments in which a decision whether to proceed with paging a UE <NUM> is performed in a core network node, i.e., AMF node <NUM> and <FIG> illustrates embodiments in which a decision whether to proceed with paging a UE <NUM> is performed in a RAN node <NUM>. It will be understood that in other embodiments of the inventive concept that the decision whether to proceed with paging a UE <NUM> may be performed in part in a core network node, such as the AMF node <NUM> and in a RAN node <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate embodiments in which DL data is provided to the core network by way of the UPF <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates embodiments in which the AF/AS <NUM>, <NUM> provide the DL data to the NEF node <NUM>, which forwards (<NUM>) the DL data to the SMF <NUM> for storage thereon (<NUM>). The SMF node <NUM> will send a request (<NUM>) to trigger paging of the UE <NUM>. The AMF node <NUM> may determine, responsive to receiving the request to trigger the paging procedure, whether to page the UE <NUM> based on characteristics of a propagation channel for data communication associated with the UE <NUM> (<NUM>). The decision whether to proceed with the paging procedure or to halt paging may be based on information/measurements in which area the UE <NUM> is camping or was camping when the AMF node <NUM> was last updated. In other embodiments, the paging decision may be based on UE <NUM> measurements, e.g., "mobility history" reported in the "UE information" report. If the AMF node <NUM> determines to proceed with paging, then a paging request is sent to the RAN node <NUM> (<NUM>), which in turn pages the UE <NUM> (<NUM>). If the AMF node <NUM> determines that paging should be delayed, then the AMF node <NUM> may delay for a predetermined time (<NUM>) before evaluating again whether to proceed with paging the UE <NUM>.

<FIG> are flowcharts that illustrate delaying a UE paging operation in a network based on propagation channel characteristics in accordance with some embodiments of the inventive concept. Referring to <FIG>, operations of a network node, such as an AMF node <NUM> or a RAN node <NUM>, according to some embodiments of the inventive concept, may comprise receiving a request to trigger a paging procedure based on receipt of downlink data in a core network from an AF/AS <NUM>, <NUM> (block <NUM>) and determining, responsive to receiving the request to trigger the paging procedure, whether to page a UE <NUM> based on characteristics of a propagation channel for data communication associated with the UE <NUM> (block <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, the propagation channel may comprise a radio wave propagation model (block <NUM>). The radio wave propagation model may comprise a mathematical representation of, for example, the transfer function associated with the propagation channel.

Referring to <FIG>, the characteristics of the propagation channel may be based on data communication channel information comprising sounding reference symbols (SRS) transmitted from the UE <NUM>, a random access channel (RACH) report that comprises a number of preambles used during an RACH attempt, a radio link failure (RLF) report that comprises radio link failure information or cellular handover information associated with the UE <NUM>, a measurement report, logMeasReport, that comprises power and quality measurements on a RAN node <NUM> that currently serves the UE <NUM>, and/or a history report, mobilityHistoryReport, that comprises information on UE <NUM> movement between recently visited base stations (block <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, the characteristics of the propagation channel may be associated with the RAN node <NUM> that currently serves the UE <NUM> (block <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, the characteristics of the propagation channel may be associated with a RAN node <NUM> that has previously served the UE <NUM> (block <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, at least some of the data communication channel information may be received from the UE <NUM> (block <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, the network node may comprise a RAN node <NUM> or a core network node <NUM> (block <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, the core network node may comprise an AMF node <NUM> (block <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, the network node may comprise a RAN node <NUM> and a core network node <NUM>. Determining whether to page the UE <NUM> may be performed in part by the RAN node <NUM> and in part by the core network node <NUM> (block <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, in still other embodiments, an instruction may be sent to a UPF node <NUM> to discard the downlink data from the AF/AS <NUM>, <NUM> responsive to a determination not to page the UE <NUM> (block <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, a notification may be sent to the AF/AS <NUM>, <NUM> of a determination not to page the UE <NUM> (block <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, the notification may comprise a timer value specifying a delay for use by the AF/AS <NUM>, <NUM> before re-sending the downlink data to the network node (block <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, the notification may be a first notification, and a second notification may be sent to the AF/AS <NUM>, <NUM> requesting re-sending of the downlink data (block <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, the downlink data may be associated with a delay tolerant service, the UE <NUM> may be a cellular Internet of Things, CloT, device, the AF/AS <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured with an API network based delayed paging interface, and/or the downlink data may exceed a defined size threshold associated with an energy consumption quantity by the UE <NUM> in performing a download of the downlink data (block <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, a page of the UE <NUM> may be initiated responsive to a determination to page the UE <NUM> based on the characteristics of the propagation channel associated with the UE (block <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, a paging message may be transmitted from a RAN node <NUM> that serves the UE <NUM> to the UE <NUM> responsive to initiating the page of the UE <NUM> (block <NUM>) and a wait indication from the UE <NUM> may be received at the RAN node <NUM> that serves the UE <NUM> indicating a delay in transmission of a response to the paging message (block <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, the network node may comprise the RAN node <NUM> that serves the UE <NUM> (block <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, the UE <NUM> may be in an RRC_inactive state and the network node may comprise a RAN node <NUM> (block <NUM>). The downlink data may be received from the AF/AS <NUM>, <NUM> directly from a UPF node224 at the RAN node <NUM>. Determining whether to page the UE <NUM> may be performed by the RAN node <NUM> (block <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, operations of a core network node, such as an AMF <NUM>, may comprise receiving a request to page a UE <NUM> from an SMF node <NUM>. The SMF node <NUM> may receive Downlink Data Notification from the user plane function node (UPF) or have data stored thereon that was received from an NEF node <NUM> for downloading to the UE <NUM> (block <NUM>). Operations may further comprise determining, responsive to receiving the request to page the UE <NUM>, whether to page the UE <NUM> based on characteristics of a propagation channel for data communication associated with the UE <NUM> (block <NUM>).

<FIG> is a block diagram that illustrates a core network node, such as an AMF node <NUM>, which is configured to perform operations according to one or more embodiments described herein. The AMF node 216comprises a processor circuit <NUM>, a memory circuit <NUM>, and a network interface <NUM>. The network interface <NUM> may be configured to implement wireless communication protocols including, but not limited to, those supported by <NUM> NR wireless communication networks. The processor circuit <NUM> may comprise one or more data processing circuits, such as a general purpose and/or special purpose processor, e.g., microprocessor and/or digital signal processor. The processor circuit <NUM> is configured to execute the computer readable program code <NUM> in the memory circuit <NUM> to perform at least some of the operations described herein as being performed by a core network node, such as the AMF <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram that illustrates functional modules in a core network node, such as an AMF node <NUM> according to some embodiments of the inventive concept. The AMF node <NUM> comprises a network analysis module <NUM>, which is configured to collect and compile the information on the characteristics of the propagation channel for data communication associated with a UE <NUM> as described herein, and a paging determination module <NUM>, which is configured to perform a determination of whether to page a UE <NUM> based on the propagation channel characteristics for data communication associated with the UE <NUM> as described herein.

<FIG> is a block diagram that illustrates a RAN node <NUM>, which is configured to perform operations according to one or more embodiments described herein. The RAN node <NUM> comprises a processor circuit <NUM>, a memory circuit <NUM>, and a network interface <NUM>. The network interface <NUM> comprises a wireless transceiver <NUM> configured to implement wireless communication protocols including, but not limited to, those supported by <NUM> NR wireless communication networks. The processor circuit <NUM> may comprise one or more data processing circuits, such as a general purpose and/or special purpose processor, e.g., microprocessor and/or digital signal processor. The processor circuit <NUM> is configured to execute the computer readable program code <NUM> in the memory circuit <NUM> to perform at least some of the operations described herein as being performed by the RAN node <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram that illustrates functional modules in a RAN node <NUM> according to some embodiments of the inventive concept. The RAN node <NUM> comprises a network analysis module <NUM>,which is configured to collect and compile the information on the characteristics of the propagation channel for data communication associated with a UE <NUM> as described herein, a paging determination module <NUM>, which is configured to perform a determination of whether to page a UE <NUM> based on the propagation channel characteristics for data communication associated with the UE <NUM> as described herein, and a paging module <NUM>, which is configured to perform the paging of the UE <NUM>.

In the above-description of various embodiments, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the embodiments as described herein.

Thus, the same or similar numbers may be described with reference to other drawings even if they are neither mentioned nor described in the corresponding drawing. Also, elements that are not denoted by reference numbers may be described with reference to other drawings.

When an element is referred to as being "connected," "coupled," "responsive," or variants thereof to another element, it can be directly connected, coupled, or responsive to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected," "directly coupled," "directly responsive," or variants thereof to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Furthermore, "coupled," "connected," "responsive," or variants thereof as used herein may include wirelessly coupled, connected, or responsive.

As used herein, the terms "comprise," "comprising," "comprises," "include," "including," "includes," "have," "has," "having," or variants thereof are open-ended, and include one or more stated features, integers, elements, steps, components or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference to block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations of computer-implemented methods, apparatus (systems and/or devices), and/or computer program products.

A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium may include an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor data storage system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples of the computer-readable medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM) circuit, a read-only memory (ROM) circuit, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) circuit, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), and a portable digital video disc read-only memory (DVD/Blu-Ray).

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer and/or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) that runs on a processor such as a digital signal processor, which may collectively be referred to as "circuitry," "a module," or variants thereof.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various aspects of the present disclosure. It should be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Finally, other blocks may be added/inserted between the blocks that are illustrated.

Claim 1:
A method of operating a network node (<NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
receiving (<NUM>) a request to trigger a paging procedure based on receipt of downlink data in a core network from an application server (<NUM>, <NUM>), AS; and
determining (<NUM>), responsive to receiving the request to trigger the paging procedure, whether to page a user equipment (<NUM>), UE, based on characteristics of a propagation channel for data communication associated with the UE (<NUM>),
characterized in that the characteristics of the propagation channel are based on data communication channel information comprising a history report, mobilityHistoryReport, that comprises information on UE (<NUM>) movement between recently visited RAN nodes (<NUM>).