Patent Description:
UE Power Saving was approved by standards bodies and one objective is to specify the UE power saving techniques with UE adaption in achieving UE power saving. These power saving technique should address latency and performance in NR as well as network impact.

Example embodiments of the invention as disclosed herein work to improve operations associated with at least these techniques.

<CIT> discloses a user equipment that is configured to operate in a connected discontinuous reception, C-DRX, mode. The user equipment is configured to receive a DRX radio network temporary identifier, DRX-RNTI, and/or receive configuration parameters for C-DRX mode that configure the user equipment with a C-DRX cycle including an on-duration period and an off-duration period.

<NPL>) discloses techniques for wake up signal (WUS) monitoring.

<NPL>) is a study of the UE power saving framework taking into consideration of latency and performance in NR as well as network impact.

The foregoing and other aspects of embodiments of this invention are made more evident in the following Detailed Description, when read in conjunction with the attached Drawing Figures, wherein:.

Turning to <FIG>, this figure shows a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example in which the examples may be practiced. A user equipment (UE) <NUM>, radio access network (RAN) node <NUM>, and network element(s) <NUM> are illustrated. In the example of <FIG>, the user equipment (UE) <NUM> is in wireless communication with a wireless network <NUM>. A UE is a wireless device that can access the wireless network <NUM>. The UE <NUM> includes one or more processors <NUM>, one or more memories <NUM>, and one or more transceivers <NUM> interconnected through one or more buses <NUM>. The one or more buses <NUM> may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, and the like. The UE <NUM> includes a module <NUM>, comprising one of or both parts <NUM>-<NUM> and/or <NUM>-<NUM>, which may be implemented in a number of ways. The module <NUM> may be implemented in hardware as module <NUM>-<NUM>, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors <NUM>. The module <NUM>-<NUM> may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the module <NUM> may be implemented as module <NUM>-<NUM>, which is implemented as computer program code <NUM> and is executed by the one or more processors <NUM>. For instance, the one or more memories <NUM> and the computer program code <NUM> may be configured to, with the one or more processors <NUM>, cause the user equipment <NUM> to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. The UE <NUM> communicates with RAN node <NUM> via a wireless link <NUM>.

The RAN node <NUM> in this example is a base station that provides access by wireless devices such as the UE <NUM> to the wireless network <NUM>. The RAN node <NUM> may be, for example, a base station for <NUM>, also called New Radio (NR). In <NUM>, the RAN node <NUM> may be a NG-RAN node, which is defined as either a gNB or a ng-eNB. A gNB is a node providing NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and connected via the NG interface to a 5GC (such as, for example, the network element(s) <NUM>). The ng-eNB is a node providing E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and connected via the NG interface to the 5GC. The NG-RAN node may include multiple gNBs or base stations, which may also include a central unit (CU) (gNB-CU) <NUM> and distributed unit(s) (DUs) (gNB-DUs), of which DU <NUM> is shown. Note that the DU may include or be coupled to and control a radio unit (RU). The gNB-CU is a logical node hosting RRC, SDAP and PDCP protocols of the gNB or RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB that controls the operation of one or more gNB-DUs. The gNB-CU terminates the F1 interface connected with the gNB-DU. The F1 interface is illustrated as reference <NUM>, although reference <NUM> also illustrates a link between remote elements of the RAN node <NUM> and centralized elements of the RAN node <NUM>, such as between the gNB-CU <NUM> and the gNB-DU <NUM>. The gNB-DU is a logical node hosting RLC, MAC and PHY layers of the gNB or en-gNB, and its operation is partly controlled by gNB-CU. One gNB-CU supports one or multiple cells. One cell is supported by only one gNB-DU. The gNB-DU terminates the F1 interface <NUM> connected with the gNB-CU. Note that the DU <NUM> is considered to include the transceiver <NUM>, e.g., as part of a RU, but some examples of this may have the transceiver <NUM> as part of a separate RU, e.g., under control of and connected to the DU <NUM>. The RAN node <NUM> may also be an eNB (evolved NodeB) base station, for LTE (long term evolution), or any other suitable base station or node.

The RAN node <NUM> includes a module <NUM>, comprising one of or both parts <NUM>-<NUM> and/or <NUM>-<NUM>, which may be implemented in a number of ways. The module <NUM> may be implemented in hardware as module <NUM>-<NUM>, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors <NUM>. The module <NUM>-<NUM> may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the module <NUM> may be implemented as module <NUM>-<NUM>, which is implemented as computer program code <NUM> and is executed by the one or more processors <NUM>. For instance, the one or more memories <NUM> and the computer program code <NUM> are configured to, with the one or more processors <NUM>, cause the RAN node <NUM> to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. Note that the functionality of the module <NUM> may be distributed, such as being distributed between the DU <NUM> and the CU <NUM>, or be implemented solely in the DU <NUM>.

The one or more buses <NUM> may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, wireless channels, and the like. For example, the one or more transceivers <NUM> may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH) <NUM> for LTE or a distributed unit (DU) <NUM> for gNB implementation for <NUM>, with the other elements of the RAN node <NUM> possibly being physically in a different location from the RRH/DU, and the one or more buses <NUM> could be implemented in part as, for example, fiber optic cable or other suitable network connection to connect the other elements (e.g., a central unit (CU), gNB-CU) of the RAN node <NUM> to the RRH/DU <NUM>. Reference <NUM> also indicates those suitable network link(s).

It is noted that description herein indicates that "cells" perform functions, but it should be clear that equipment which forms the cell will perform the functions. The cell makes up part of a base station. That is, there can be multiple cells per base station. For example, there could be three cells for a single carrier frequency and associated bandwidth, each cell covering one-third of a <NUM> degree area so that the single base station's coverage area covers an approximate oval or circle. Furthermore, each cell can correspond to a single carrier and a base station may use multiple carriers. So, if there are three <NUM> degree cells per carrier and two carriers, then the base station has a total of <NUM> cells.

The wireless network <NUM> may include a network element or elements <NUM> that may include core network functionality, and which provides connectivity via a link or links <NUM> with a further network, such as a telephone network and/or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet). Such core network functionality for <NUM> may include access and mobility management function(s) (AMF(S)) and/or user plane functions (UPF(s)) and/or session management function(s) (SMF(s)). Such core network functionality for LTE may include MME (Mobility Management Entity)/SGW (Serving Gateway) functionality. These are merely exemplary functions that may be supported by the network element(s) <NUM>, and note that both <NUM> and LTE functions might be supported. The RAN node <NUM> is coupled via a link <NUM> to a network element <NUM>. The link <NUM> may be implemented as, e.g., an NG interface for <NUM>, or an S1 interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other standards. The network element <NUM> includes one or more processors <NUM>, one or more memories <NUM>, and one or more network interfaces (N/W I/F(s)) <NUM>, interconnected through one or more buses <NUM>. The one or more memories <NUM> and the computer program code <NUM> are configured to, with the one or more processors <NUM>, cause the network element <NUM> to perform one or more operations.

The computer readable memories <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The computer readable memories <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be means for performing storage functions. The processors <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The processors <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be means for performing functions, such as controlling the UE <NUM>, RAN node <NUM>, and other functions as described herein.

Features as described herein generally relate to a power saving signal to be used for wake-up purposes, and the wake up signal is monitored only outside of a UE active time.

A UE Power Saving WID (Work Item Description) was approved in RAN#<NUM> (RANI WID for UE Power Saving). The objectives included to specify the UE power saving techniques with UE adaption in achieving UE power saving. The power saving technique was indicated to address latency and performance in NR as well as network impact.

The objective of the UE power saving includes the following:.

These objectives are RAN1/RAN4 focus and do not consider RAN2 impact. The objectives are subject to further update in RAN#<NUM>. The update will be based on recommendations from the completion of RAN2 study and remaining RAN1 recommendations based on the conclusion of RANI study.

In regard to Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) monitoring, such as described in 3GPP Release <NUM> for example, main components in PDCCH monitoring comprise control resource set (CORESET) configuration for determining time and frequency resources for control-channel elements (CCEs), search space set configuration for determining how and when a UE monitors PDCCH, Downlink Control Information (DCI) format (part of search space set configuration) for determining signaled information and Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) for addressing the information to the certain UE(s), as illustrated in <FIG> (arrow shows the association direction).

For Discontinuous Reception (DRX) configuration in NR, such as described in 3GPP TS <NUM> for example, when DRX is configured, the UE does not have to continuously monitor PDCCH. DRX is characterized by the following:.

In regard to a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) power saving signal, a new signal or channel has been agreed to be specified in NR Release <NUM> for power saving purposes. In one realization the signal/channel is configured together with DRX configuration, and presence of the signal/channel determines whether the UE is required to monitor PDCCH (according to normal search space configuration) during the On-Duration. In one example implementation the PDCCH power saving signal/channel may indicate that the UE is required to monitor PDCCH during on-duration (referred also as wake up signal) or alternatively it may indicate than UE is not required to monitor PDCCH during On-Duration (referred also as Go-to-sleep or GTS).

Additionally, the power saving signal/channel may be used to adapt the UE configuration for power saving purposes during On-Duration when the UE is required to monitor PDCCH according to a search space configuration. Power saving signal/channel may indicate further adaptation of different parameters for UE power saving such as modify periodicity of PDCCH search spaces/number of CORESETs, etc. In some aspects it may be configured to indicate to the UE that it is allowed to skip monitoring of PDCCH for a specific number of slots or for specific time duration.

An example illustration of power saving signal/channel for wake-up purposes is shown in <FIG>. In this configuration the power saving signal/channel may be monitored prior to the on-duration of the DRX cycle and when the UE is not in active time (i.e. it is assumed that UE would not monitor PDCCH based wake up signal/channel when it is on active time).

There may be an offset or specific time between the power saving monitoring occasion (or occasions) and the corresponding ON-duration (e.g. next ON-duration after the monitoring occasion(s)). Monitoring occasion or occasions (or slots/symbols where/when power saving signal or channel is monitored) may be, in some cases, referred as a monitoring window. In some cases, a monitoring window (a time window) may determine when a search space for monitoring a power saving signal or channel (e.g. a specific DCI format) is active. In other cases, the UE may be configured with a search space for monitoring a power saving signal or channel without a specific time window such as, for example, if the search space configuration determines implicitly the time window for monitoring the power saving signal.

Although the <FIG> illustrates the power saving channel for wake-up purposes, a Go-To-Sleep (GTS) may operate in an opposite manner i.e. in step <NUM> due to absence of the channel (absence of network indication) UE would monitor PDCCH and in step <NUM> UE would not monitor PDCCH according to search space configuration. GTS generally means that network indicates that the UE is not required to monitor PDCCH or the UE may go from active time to non-active time.

In a related agreement in power saving feature lead (R1-<NUM>, Summary of PDCCH-based Power Saving Signal/Channel), the DCI content is considered to cover following functionality. Potential DCI contents in DCI format(s), to be further investigated:.

As a further example, a PDCCH based Power saving signal/channel may be monitored using dedicated CORESET/SS (Control Resource Set/Search Space) configuration where the UE is configured with dedicated CORESET for PDCCH power saving signal/channel for monitoring power save DCI format on a dedicated search space. Alternatively, an existing CORESET may be configured with search space associated with special DCI format for power saving. The UE may monitor the special DCI format with its own C-RNTI, dedicated special RNTI for power saving (PS-RNTI) or group common PS-RNTI. In yet another alternative way to configure power saving signal monitoring for the UE is to use specific Bandwidth Part (BWP) with a CORESET configuration associated with search space for monitoring DCI format for power save (referred as DCI-PS).

An example of Bandwidth Part (BWP) operation is described in 3GPP TS <NUM> Chapter <NUM>. In addition to clause <NUM> of 3GPP TS <NUM>, this subclause specifies requirements on BWP operation. A Serving Cell may be configured with one or multiple BWPs, and the maximum number of BWP per Serving Cell may be as specified in 3GPP TS <NUM>.

The Bandwidth Part (BWP) switching for a Serving Cell is used to activate an inactive BWP and deactivate an active BWP at a time. The BWP switching is controlled by the PDCCH indicating a downlink assignment or an uplink grant, by the bwp-InactivityTimer, by RRC signaling, or by the MAC entity itself upon initiation of Random Access procedure.

Features as described herein may be used in regard to cases where there may be ambiguity whether a power saving signal was transmitted and the UE was not able to receive it, or if the specific monitoring occasion was overlapped with other UE activities.

As an example, a UE may enter DRX (stop PDCCH monitoring) after expiry of an inactivity-timer. During the power saving signal channel monitoring occasions, the UE may change BWP to monitor a power saving signal or a channel on another BWP that is different than the current BWP used for monitoring PDCCH according to search space (SS) configuration. Features as described herein may be used regarding how the network and the UE stay synchronized in these cases.

In the claimed embodiment, when the UE monitors a power saving signal in another BWP (i.e. BWP1 has power saving signal or channel configured) than is currently used for PDCCH monitoring according to the search space configuration (i.e. BWP2), and the UE switches to the BWP1 (such as due to a PDCCH trigger or a DRX inactivity-timer or a bwp-InactivityTimer for example) and the UE determines that it has missed, or will miss, at least one power saving signal monitoring occasion, the UE may monitor PDCCH on the current BWP1 as illustrated by <FIG> on the on-Duration (DRX ON) corresponding to the missed power saving signal monitoring occasion. In one example, a monitoring occasion may comprise of at least one slot where UE would be monitoring power saving signal or channel. In reference to the example shown in <FIG>, occasions <NUM> are shown for power saving signal monitoring. BWP1 has power saving signal configured. BWP2 is active for PDCCH monitoring according to the search space configuration, but the active BWP is changed from BWP2 to BWP1 due to a certain event, such as due to a PDCCH trigger or a DRX inactivity-timer or a bwp-InactivityTimer for example. The UE is configured to determine if it has missed (or will miss) at least one power saving signal monitoring occasion <NUM> because of this change from BWP2 to BWP1. Based upon this determination, the UE may be configured to monitor PDCCH on the current BWP1 on the on-Duration (DRX ON) as illustrated by <NUM>. The UE may be configured to determine that it misses, or will miss, at least one power saving signal if the UE enters BWP1 at the time the PDCCH monitoring occasion has just passed and before the next on-Duration.

In further aspects of the claimed embodiment, in the above case or if the power saving signal is monitored on a same BWP (on a same BWP as where the PDCCH monitoring would be performed), when the UE enters DRX on the same slot of (or during) the power saving signal/channel monitoring occasion/occasions, so that at least one power saving signal/channel monitoring occasion was missed, as illustrated in <FIG> (not part of the subject matter covered by the appended claims) it may consider:.

Referring also to <FIG>, in yet another example embodiment, when the inactivity timer expires during the next or any subsequent ON-duration (after UE wake up has been triggered) as shown by <NUM>, the UE may monitor PDCCH for the current ON-duration. Alternatively, when the inactivity timer expires during the next or any subsequent ON-duration, and if the UE has been configured to report periodic CSI feedback on the ON-duration, the UE may monitor PDCCH for the current ON-duration. If the UE is not configured to provide CSI feedback during the ON-duration, the UE does not monitor PDCCH according to search space configuration.

In any of the example embodiments described herein, detecting the wake-up signal may trigger the UE to enter an active time (which may include monitoring PDCCH).

Additionally, or alternatively, in any of the example embodiments described herein, the wake-up signal may be transmitted before an on-duration or during an on-duration. When the wake-up signal is detected before the on-duration (e.g. a monitoring window is configured to be prior to an on-duration) the wake-up signal may cause the UE to at least monitor PDCCH on the next on-duration. The monitoring window (or monitoring occasions) may also be partly overlapping or fully overlapping with an on-duration and when a wake-up signal is detected, it may also apply for a current on-duration (UE is triggered to monitor PDCCH/enter active time).

In one further embodiment, if the UE receives a wake-up signal when it is currently on active time, the UE may decode PDCCH (or stay in active time) until the end of the next on-duration; regardless of the inactivity timer. Alternatively, the UE may wake up in the next on-duration even if no wake-up signal on the next monitoring occasion is received.

In one embodiment, detecting a wake-up signal during monitoring occasion / window would control UE PDCCH monitoring each on-duration between monitoring windows. As an example, if there would be N on-durations between two monitoring windows (or monitoring occasions) a wake-up signal would trigger UE to enter active time (e.g. at least monitor PDCCH)on the N on-durations between the monitoring windows.

In any of the embodiments herein, there may be a one-to-one mapping of wake-up signal monitoring window/occasion and a subsequent on-duration such as, for example, when a wake-up signal is detected it applies for the next on-duration. Alternatively, there may be a one-to-many mapping of wake-up signal monitoring window and N subsequent on-durations. In the one-to-many case, if the UE misses at least one monitoring occasion, it may monitor the corresponding N on-durations. Alternatively, in case a many-to-one mapping are present before the corresponding on-duration, and the UE missed or will miss at least one monitoring occasion, it may wake-up for the next (corresponding) on-duration. A many-to-one mapping may comprise multiple monitoring windows for example. With multiple monitoring windows, there may be more than one separate monitoring occasions sets. Alternatively, a monitoring window may comprise, for example, whole DRX off-duration (or non on-duration) portion of the DRX cycle where one or more monitoring occasions may be spaced apart in time determined by a search space configuration (the network may configure the search space for the power saving signal to have longer periodicity if the search space is configured for wake up signal monitoring).

Other additional example features may be provide including:.

With features as described herein ambiguity, whether a power saving signal was transmitted and the UE was not able to receive it or if the specific monitoring occasion was overlapped with other UE activities, may be removed. This provides a means for the network and the UE to stay synchronized.

In accordance with one example, a method is provided comprising: determining by a user equipment that the user equipment has missed, or will miss, at least one power saving signal monitoring occasion, where the user equipment is configured to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth part; and based upon the determination that the user equipment has missed, or will miss, the at least one power saving signal monitoring occasion, causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during an on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle.

The method may further comprise, based upon the causing of the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle, causing the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle to be reduced. The method may further comprise, before causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle, the user equipment monitoring the physical downlink control channel on a second bandwidth part, and switching the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth part to the first bandwidth part based upon: a physical downlink control channel trigger, or a discontinuous reception inactivity-timer, or a bandwidth part inactivity timer. The method may further comprise, the user equipment being caused to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle based, at least partially, upon the switching of the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth part to the first bandwidth part, and/or where monitoring the power saving signal comprises monitoring of a downlink control information format with at least one of a Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier, a Radio Network Temporary Identifier for power saving, or a group common Radio Network Temporary Identifier for power saving.

In accordance with an example embodiment, an apparatus may be provided comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine by the apparatus that the apparatus has missed, or will miss, at least one power saving signal monitoring occasion, where the apparatus is configured to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth part; and based upon the determination that the apparatus has missed, or will miss, the at least one power saving signal monitoring occasion, cause the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during an on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle.

The apparatus may be configured to: based upon the causing of the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle, cause the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle to be reduced. The apparatus may be configured to: before causing the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle, cause monitoring of the physical downlink control channel on a second bandwidth part, and switching the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth part to the first bandwidth part based upon: a physical downlink control channel trigger, or a discontinuous reception inactivity-timer, or a bandwidth part inactivity timer. The apparatus may be configured to: monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle based, at least partially, upon the switching of the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth part to the first bandwidth part, and/or where monitoring the power saving signal comprises monitoring of a downlink control information format with at least one of a Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier, a Radio Network Temporary Identifier for power saving, or a group common Radio Network Temporary Identifier for power saving.

An example embodiment may be provided with a non-transitory program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine for performing operations, the operations comprising: determining by a user equipment that the user equipment has missed, or will miss, at least one power saving signal monitoring occasion, where the user equipment is configured to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth part; and based upon the determination that the user equipment has missed, or will miss, the at least one power saving signal monitoring occasion, causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during an on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle. The operations may further comprise, based upon the causing of the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle, causing the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle to be reduced. The operations may further comprise, before causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle, the user equipment monitoring the physical downlink control channel on a second bandwidth part, and switching the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth part to the first bandwidth part based upon: a physical downlink control channel trigger, or a discontinuous reception inactivity-timer, or a bandwidth part inactivity timer. The operations may further comprise, the user equipment is caused to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle based, at least partially, upon the switching of the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth part to the first bandwidth part, and/or where monitoring the power saving signal comprises monitoring of a downlink control information format with at least one of a Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier, a Radio Network Temporary Identifier for power saving, or a group common Radio Network Temporary Identifier for power saving.

An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising: means for determining by the apparatus that the apparatus has missed, or will miss, at least one power saving signal monitoring occasion, where the apparatus is configured to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth part; and based upon the determination that the apparatus has missed, or will miss, the at least one power saving signal monitoring occasion, means for causing the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during an on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle. The apparatus may further comprise means for causing the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle to be reduced, based upon the causing of the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle. The apparatus may further comprise means for causing the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on a second bandwidth part, and switching the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth part to the first bandwidth part, before causing the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle, based upon: a physical downlink control channel trigger, or a discontinuous reception inactivity-timer, or a bandwidth part inactivity timer. The apparatus may further comprise means for causing monitoring of the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle based, at least partially, upon the switching of the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth part to the first bandwidth part.

An example method may be provided comprising: configuring a user equipment to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth part; causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during an on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle; and based upon the causing of the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle, causing the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle to be reduced relative to a previous on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle.

An example embodiment may be provide with an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: configure the apparatus to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth part; cause the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during an on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle; and based upon the causing of the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle, cause the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle to be reduced relative to a previous on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle.

An example embodiment may be provided with a non-transitory program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine for performing operations, the operations comprising: configuring a user equipment to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth part; causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during an on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle; and based upon the causing of the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle, causing the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle to be reduced relative to a previous on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle.

An example embodiment may be provide with an apparatus comprising: means for configuring the apparatus to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth part; means for causing the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during an on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle; and, based upon the causing of the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle, means for causing the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle to be reduced relative to a previous discontinuous reception On period.

An example method may be provide comprising: determining by a user equipment that an inactivity timer has expired during an on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle after a user equipment wake up has been triggered, where the user equipment is configured to report periodic channel status information (CSI) feedback on the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle; and, based upon the determination that the inactivity timer has expired during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle after the user equipment wake up has been triggered, causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel for the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle.

An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine by the apparatus that an inactivity timer has expired during an on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle after an apparatus wake up has been triggered, where the apparatus is configured to report periodic channel status information (CSI) feedback on the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle; and based upon the determination that the inactivity timer has expired during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle after the apparatus wake up has been triggered, cause the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel for the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle.

An example embodiment may be provide with a non-transitory program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine for performing operations, the operations comprising: determining by a user equipment that an inactivity timer has expired during an on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle after a user equipment wake up has been triggered, where the user equipment is configured to report periodic channel status information (CSI) feedback on the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle; and based upon the determination that the inactivity timer has expired during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle after a user equipment wake up has been triggered, causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel for the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle.

An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising: means for determining by the apparatus that an inactivity timer has expired during an on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle after an apparatus wake up has been triggered, where the apparatus is configured to report periodic channel status information (CSI) feedback on the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle; and based upon the determination that the inactivity timer has expired during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle after the user equipment wake up has been triggered, means for causing the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel for the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle.

<FIG> illustrates operations which may be performed by a network device such as, the UE <NUM> and/or the RAN node <NUM> as in <FIG>. As shown in step <NUM> of <FIG> there is determining by a user equipment that the user equipment has missed, or will miss, at least one power saving signal monitoring occasion, where the user equipment is configured to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth part. Then as shown in step <NUM> of <FIG> there is based upon the determination that the user equipment has missed, or will miss, the at least one power saving signal monitoring occasion, causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during an on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraph above, there is based upon the causing of the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle causing the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle to be reduced.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, there is; there is before causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle, the user equipment monitoring the physical downlink control channel on a second bandwidth part, and switching the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth part to the first bandwidth part based upon: a physical downlink control channel trigger, or a discontinuous reception inactivity-timer, or a bandwidth part inactivity timer.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, where the user equipment is caused to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle based, at least partially, upon the switching of the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth part to the first bandwidth part.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, where monitoring the power saving signal comprises monitoring at least one of a Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier, a Radio Network Temporary Identifier for power saving, or a group common Radio Network Temporary Identifier for power saving.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, where monitoring the power saving signal comprises monitoring of a downlink control information format with at least one of a Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier, a Radio Network Temporary Identifier for power saving, or a group common Radio Network Temporary Identifier for power saving.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium (Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM> as in <FIG>) ) storing program code (Computer Program Code <NUM>, Module <NUM>-<NUM>, Computer Program Code <NUM>, and/or Module <NUM>-<NUM> as in <FIG>), the program code executed by at least one processor (Processor(s) <NUM>, Module <NUM>-<NUM>, Processor(s) <NUM>, and/or Module <NUM>-<NUM> as in <FIG>) to perform the operations as at least described in the paragraphs above.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention as described above there is an apparatus comprising: means for determining (Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM>, Computer Program Code <NUM>, Module <NUM>-<NUM>, Computer Program Code <NUM>, and/or Module <NUM>-<NUM>, and Processor(s) <NUM>, Module <NUM>-<NUM>, Processor(s) <NUM>, and/or Module <NUM>-<NUM> as in <FIG>) by a user equipment (UE <NUM> and/or RAN Node <NUM>) that the user equipment has missed, or will miss, at least one power saving signal monitoring occasion, where the user equipment is configured to monitor (Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM>, Computer Program Code <NUM>, Module <NUM>-<NUM>, Computer Program Code <NUM>, and/or Module <NUM>-<NUM>, and Processor(s) <NUM>, Module <NUM>-<NUM>, Processor(s) <NUM>, and/or Module <NUM>-<NUM> as in <FIG>) a power saving signal in a first bandwidth part. Then as shown in step <NUM> of <FIG> there is based upon the determination (Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM>, Computer Program Code <NUM>, Module <NUM>-<NUM>, Computer Program Code <NUM>, and/or Module <NUM>-<NUM>, and Processor(s) <NUM>, Module <NUM>-<NUM>, Processor(s) <NUM>, and/or Module <NUM>-<NUM> as in <FIG>) that the user equipment has missed, or will miss, the at least one power saving signal monitoring occasion, causing () the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during an on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle.

<FIG> illustrates operations which may be performed by a network device such as, the UE <NUM> and/or the RAN node <NUM> as in <FIG>. As shown in step <NUM> of <FIG> there is configuring a user equipment to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth part. As shown in step <NUM> of <FIG> there is causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during an on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle. Then as shown in step <NUM> of <FIG> there is based upon the causing of the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle, causing the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle to be reduced relative to a previous on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle.

<FIG> illustrates operations which may be performed by a network device such as, the UE <NUM> and/or the RAN node <NUM> as in <FIG>. As shown in step <NUM> of <FIG> there is determining by a user equipment that an inactivity timer has expired during an on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle after a user equipment wake up has been triggered, where the user equipment is configured to report periodic channel status information (CSI) feedback on the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle. Then as shown in step <NUM> of <FIG> there is based upon the determination that the inactivity timer has expired during the on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle after the user equipment wake up has been triggered, causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel for the on-duration of discontinuous reception.

Further, in accordance with example embodiments of the invention there is circuitry for performing operations in accordance with example embodiments of the invention as disclosed herein. This circuitry can include any type of circuitry including content coding circuitry, content decoding circuitry, processing circuitry, image generation circuitry, data analysis circuitry, etc.). Further, this circuitry can include discrete circuitry, application-specific integrated circuitry (ASIC), and/or field-programmable gate array circuitry (FPGA), etc. as well as a processor specifically configured by software to perform the respective function, or dual-core processors with software and corresponding digital signal processors, etc.). Additionally, there are provided necessary inputs to and outputs from the circuitry, the function performed by the circuitry and the interconnection (perhaps via the inputs and outputs) of the circuitry with other components that may include other circuitry in order to perform example embodiments of the invention as described herein.

It should be understood that the description herein may be only illustrative. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, features recited in the various dependent claims could be combined with each other in any suitable combination(s). In addition, features from different embodiments described above could be selectively combined into a new embodiment. Accordingly, the description is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

In accordance with example embodiments of the invention as disclosed in this application this application, the "circuitry" provided can include at least one or more or all of the following:.

As used in this application, the term 'circuitry' refers to all of the following:.

This definition of 'circuitry' applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. The term "circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other network device.

In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof.

The word "exemplary" is may be used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration.

The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary and non-limiting examples a full and informative description of the best method and apparatus presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of this invention will still fall within the scope of this invention.

Claim 1:
A method executed by a user equipment comprising:
determining (<NUM>) by the user equipment that the user equipment has missed, or will miss, at least one power saving signal monitoring occasion, where the user equipment is configured to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth part (BWP1); and based upon the determination that the user equipment has missed, or will miss, the at least one power saving signal monitoring occasion, causing (<NUM>) the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during an on-duration of discontinuous reception-cycle,
wherein, before causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception, monitoring, by the user equipment, the physical downlink control channel on a second bandwidth part (BWP2), and switching the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth part to the first bandwidth part based upon:
a physical downlink control channel trigger, or
a bandwidth part inactivity timer.
wherein determining that the user equipment has missed, or will miss, the at least one power saving signal monitoring occasion comprises determining that the user equipment has missed, or will miss, the at least one power saving signal monitoring occasion because of the switching of the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth part to the first bandwidth part.