WO2023287421A1

WO2023287421A1 - Apparatus and method for discontinuous reception in wireless network

Info

Publication number: WO2023287421A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/041889
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jian Gu
Original assignee: Zeku, Inc.
Priority date: 2021-07-15
Filing date: 2021-07-15
Publication date: 2023-01-19

Abstract

Embodiments of an apparatus and method for user equipment (UE) power saving are disclosed. In an example, an apparatus commences a wake-up process of the apparatus. The apparatus measures a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter. The apparatus measures a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter. The apparatus, in response to the SNR being larger than an SNR threshold, detects a power of a fractional portion of a first wake-up signal (WUS) symbol from the signal. The apparatus, in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, enters a sleep state.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISCONTINUOUS RECEPTION IN

WIRELESS NETWORK

BACKGROUND

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus and method for discontinuous reception for a user equipment (UE) in wireless communications.

[0002] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasts. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is one of the most widely used and adopted digital multi carrier methods and has been used extensively for cellular communications, such as 4th-generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 5th-generation (5G) New Radio (NR).

SUMMARY

[0003] Embodiments of an apparatus and method for saving power during discontinuous reception for a user equipment (UE) in wireless communications are disclosed herein.

[0004] In one example, an apparatus including at least one processor and a memory storing instructions is disclosed. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to commence a wake-up process of the apparatus. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to measure a signal -to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to measure a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, in response to the SNR being larger than an SNR threshold, detect a power of a fractional portion of a first wake-up signal (WUS) symbol from the signal. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, enter a sleep state. [0005] In another example, a method for wireless communication is disclosed. The method includes commencing a wake-up process of an apparatus. The method further includes measuring a signal -to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter. The method further includes measuring a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter. The method further includes, in response to the SNR being larger than an SNR threshold, detecting a power of a fractional portion of a first wake-up signal (WUS) symbol from the signal. The method further includes, in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, causing the apparatus to enter a sleep state.

[0006] In another example, a baseband chip is disclosed. The baseband chip includes a wake-up circuit. The wake-up circuit is configured to commence a wake-up process of an apparatus including the baseband chip. The baseband chip further includes a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measuring circuit. The SNR measuring circuit is configured to measure an SNR of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter. The baseband chip further includes a noise power measuring circuit. The noise power measuring circuit is configured to measure a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter. The baseband chip further includes a detection circuit. The detection circuit configured to, in response to the SNR being larger than an SNR threshold, detect a power of a fractional portion of a first wake-up signal (WUS) symbol from the signal. The baseband chip further includes a sleeping circuit. The sleeping circuit is configured to, in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, cause the apparatus to enter a sleep state.

[0007] In another example, an apparatus including at least one processor and a memory storing instructions is disclosed. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to commence a wake-up process of the apparatus. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to measure a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to measure a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, in response to the SNR being larger than an SNR threshold, detect a power of a fractional portion of a first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) symbol from the signal. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, enter a sleep state.

[0008] In another example, a method for wireless communication is disclosed. The method includes commencing a wake-up process of an apparatus. The method further includes measuring a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter. The method further includes measuring a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter. The method further includes, in response to the SNR being larger than an SNR threshold, detecting a power of a fractional portion of a first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) symbol from the signal. The method further includes, in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, causing the apparatus to enter a sleep state.

[0009] In another example, a baseband chip is disclosed. The baseband chip includes a wake-up circuit. The wake-up circuit is configured to commence a wake-up process of an apparatus including the baseband chip. The baseband chip further includes a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measuring circuit. The SNR measuring circuit is configured to measure an SNR of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter. The baseband chip further includes a noise power measuring circuit. The noise power measuring circuit is configured to measure a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter. The baseband chip further includes a detection circuit. The detection circuit is configured to, in response to the SNR being larger than an SNR threshold, detect a power of a fractional portion of a first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) symbol from the signal. The baseband chip further includes a sleeping circuit. The sleeping circuit is configured to, in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, cause the apparatus to enter a sleep state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless network, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a timeline for power management at a user equipment (UE), according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a communications device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate block diagrams of an apparatus including a host chip, a radio frequency (RF) chip, and a baseband chip implementing a wireless communication system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [0015] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a flowchart of a method for power management at a user equipment (UE), according to some embodiments of the present disclosure using a wake-up signal (WUS).

[0016] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a flowchart of a method for power management at a user equipment (UE), according to some embodiments of the present disclosure not using a wake- up signal (WUS).

[0017] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating circuits implementing a method for power management at a user equipment (UE), according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [0018] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Although configurations and arrangements are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that other configurations and arrangements can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the pertinent art that the present disclosure can also be employed in a variety of other applications.

[0020] It is noted that references in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it would be within the knowledge of a person skilled in the pertinent art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0021] In general, terminology may be understood at least in part from usage in context.

For example, the term “one or more” as used herein, depending at least in part upon context, may be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in a singular sense or may be used to describe combinations of features, structures, or characteristics in a plural sense. Similarly, terms, such as “a,” “an,” or “the,” again, may be understood to convey a singular usage or to convey a plural usage, depending at least in part upon context. In addition, the term “based on” may be understood as not necessarily intended to convey an exclusive set of factors and may, instead, allow for existence of additional factors not necessarily expressly described, again, depending at least in part on context.

[0022] Various aspects of wireless communication systems will now be described with reference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methods will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, units, components, circuits, steps, operations, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”). These elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, firmware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware, firmware, or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. [0023] The techniques described herein are principally described in the context of the operation of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system. However, to the extent they are relevant, the techniques and ideas described herein may also be used for and in combination with various wireless communication networks, such as code division multiple access (CDMA) system, time division multiple access (TDMA) system, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) system, single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) system, and other networks. For example, networks may include but are not limited to 4G LTE, and 5G NR cellular networks, as well as WI-FI wireless networks. The terms “network” and “system” are often used interchangeably. The techniques described herein may be used for the wireless networks mentioned above, as well as other wireless networks, though they are particularly adapted to and explained in the context of OFDM or OFDMA systems.

[0024] Orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) is a multi-user version of the popular orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) digital modulation scheme. Multiple access is achieved in OFDMA by assigning subsets of subcarriers to individual users. This allows simultaneous low-data-rate transmission from several users.

[0025] Power saving is important to a battery life of a user equipment (UE). The UE enters discontinuous reception (DRX) mode to save power in 5G. DRX is a mechanism in which UE gets into sleep mode for a certain period of time and wakes up for another period of time.

[0026] In certain moments in time (e.g., midnight) and certain areas (e.g., relatively deserted areas), 5G network traffic may be very sparse. These embodiments provide a method to skip a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) reception in paging occasion (PO) or On duration when the UE knows the network does not send any signal to the UE. By doing so, UE power consumption may be significantly reduced, and battery life is therefore improved.

[0027] In a network without a wake-up signal (WUS), the UE is designed to decode

PDCCH scrambled by a paging radio network temporary identifier (P-RNTI) in a PO or On duration to determine whether there is a DCI for it. If there is no DCI, the UE goes to sleep. Otherwise, the UE tries to decode a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0028] In a network supporting a WUS, the UE will first receive a wake-up signal from the PDCCH scrambled by power saving radio network temporary identifier (PS-RNTI). If the UE detects such a wake-up signal, the UE continues to receive a PDCCH during the on duration. Otherwise, the UE goes to sleep.

[0029] For example, a PDCCH has 1 to 3 symbols. For each DRX cycle in a typical network supporting WUS, the UE has to receive at least 1 symbol of PDCCH data if no WUS is found. For each DRX cycle in a network supporting WUS, the UE has to receive PDCCH in an on-duration until it finds a valid DCI if WUS is found. For each DRX cycle in a network not supporting WUS, the UE has to receive PDCCH in on-duration till it finds a valid DCF [0030] However, the power consumption of 1 symbol reception is still larger than it must be, and it is often possible to save power by using a partial symbol that provides enough information to return the UE to sleep.

[0031] Embodiments of the disclosure propose to use time domain power detection in a fractional portion of a symbol to detect at the UE whether a base station (BS), such as gNode B, sends out any PDCCH or not. When the UE has good path loss from gNB, a PDCCH signal received by UE should be much stronger than thermal noise.

[0032] It is thus feasible to tell whether gNB sends a signal on that symbol or not. If the gNB does not send any signal in a given symbol, it has no PDCCH inside the symbol. In lots of time intervals during which utilization is relatively low (e.g., 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM) or other circumstances such as isolated geographical areas, gNB traffic is very light. Similarly, no signal is sent by gNB in lots of slots. This approach can help manage the standby current of the UEs with good SNR significantly in the time intervals with very light traffic.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a timeline for power management at a user equipment (UE) 200, according to an embodiment using a wake-up signal (WUS).

[0034] The example works as follows. A UE awakens from a sleep state. For example, the

UE ramps up in anticipation of a WUS slot. Then, in the first symbol of the WUS slot, the UE measures a signal power by using a fractional symbol of a symbol. After the UE finds the signal power is smaller than a first threshold times a noise power, the UE stops receiving the signal and goes to sleep. By going to sleep early, it becomes possible to save power for the UE, as described further below.

[0035] However, some embodiments are also possible in which a WUS is not used, and these examples are also described further below. However, these other embodiments operate based on similar principles of early detection of when the UE can return to sleep.

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless network 100, in which certain aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, wireless network 100 may include a network of nodes, such as a user equipment (UE) 102, an access node 104, and a core network element 106. User equipment 102 may be any terminal device, such as a mobile phone, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, a vehicle computer, a gaming console, a printer, a positioning device, a wearable electronic device, a smart sensor, or any other device capable of receiving, processing, and transmitting information, such as any member of a vehicle to everything (V2X) network, a cluster network, a smart grid node, or an Internet-of-Things (IoT) node. It is understood that user equipment 102 is illustrated as a mobile phone simply by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

[0037] Access node 104 may be a device that communicates with UE 102, such as a wireless access point, a base station (BS), a Node B, an enhanced Node B (eNodeB or eNB), a next-generation NodeB (gNodeB or gNB), a cluster master node, or the like. Access node 104 may have a wired connection to UE 102, a wireless connection to UE 102, or any combination thereof. Access node 104 may be connected to UE 102 by multiple connections, and UE 102 may be connected to other access nodes in addition to access node 104. Access node 104 may also be connected to other UEs. It is understood that access node 104 is illustrated by a radio tower by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

[0038] Core network element 106 may serve access node 104 and user equipment 102 to provide core network services. Examples of core network element 106 may include a home subscriber server (HSS), a mobility management entity (MME), a serving gateway (SGW), or a packet data network gateway (PGW). These are examples of core network elements of an evolved packet core (EPC) system, which is a core network for the LTE system. Other core network elements may be used in LTE and in other communication systems. In some embodiments, core network element 106 includes an access and mobility management function (AMF) device, a session management function (SMF) device, or a user plane function (UPF) device, of a core network for the NR system. It is understood that core network element 106 is shown as a set of rack-mounted servers by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

[0039] Core network element 106 may connect with a large network, such as the Internet

108, or another Internet Protocol (IP) network, to communicate packet data over any distance. In this way, data from user equipment 102 may be communicated to other user equipment connected to other access points, including, for example, a computer 110 connected to Internet 108, for example, using a wired connection or a wireless connection, or to a tablet 112 wirelessly connected to Internet 108 via a router 114. Thus, computer 110 and tablet 112 provide additional examples of possible user equipment, and router 114 provides an example of another possible access node. [0040] A generic example of a rack-mounted server is provided as an illustration of core network element 106. However, there may be multiple elements in the core network including database servers, such as a database 116, and security and authentication servers, such as an authentication server 118. Database 116 may, for example, manage data related to user subscriptions to network services. A home location register (HLR) is an example of a standardized database of subscriber information for a cellular network. Likewise, authentication server 118 may handle authentication of users, sessions, and so on. In the NR system, an authentication server function (AUSF) device may be the specific entity to perform user equipment authentication. In some embodiments, a single server rack may handle multiple such functions, such that the connections between core network element 106, authentication server 118, and database 116, may be local connections within a single rack.

[0041] As described below in greater detail, in some embodiments, wireless communication can be established between any suitable nodes in wireless network 100, such as between UE 102 and access node 104, and between UE 102 and core network element 106 for sending and receiving data (e.g., OFDMA symbol(s)). A transmitting node (e.g., a BS) may generate the OFDMA symbol(s) and transmit the symbol to a receiving device (e.g., a EE). When the receiving device receives the symbol(s), the receiver may perform the methods described in the present disclosure to improve the ability of the receiver to successfully receive the symbol(s) as appropriate while saving power.

[0042] Each node of wireless network 100 in FIG. 1 that is suitable for the reception of signals, such as OFDMA signals, may be considered as a communications device. More detail regarding the possible implementation of a communications device is provided by way of example in the description of a communications device 300 in FIG. 3. Communications device 300 may be configured as user equipment 102, access node 104, or core network element 106 in FIG. 1. Similarly, communications device 300 may also be configured as computer 110, router 114, tablet 112, database 116, or authentication server 118 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, communications device 300 may include a processor 302, a memory 304, and a transceiver 306. These components are shown as connected to one another by a bus, but other connection types are also permitted. When communications device 300 is user equipment 102, additional components may also be included, such as a user interface (UI), sensors, and the like. Similarly, communications device 300 may be implemented as a blade in a server system when communications device 300 is configured as core network element 106. Other implementations are also possible, and these enumerated examples are not to be taken as limiting.

[0043] Transceiver 306 may include any suitable device for sending and/or receiving data.

Communications device 300 may include one or more transceivers, although only one transceiver 306 is shown for simplicity of illustration. An antenna 308 is shown as a possible communication mechanism for communications device 300. If the communication is multiple-input and multiple- output (MIMO), multiple antennas and/or arrays of antennas may be utilized for such communication. Additionally, examples of communications device 300 may communicate using wired techniques rather than (or in addition to) wireless techniques. For example, access node 104 may communicate wirelessly to user equipment 102 and may communicate by a wired connection (for example, by optical or coaxial cables) to core network element 106. Other communication hardware, such as a network interface card (NIC), may be included in communications device 300 as well. [0044] As shown in FIG. 3, communications device 300 may include processor 302.

Although only one processor is shown, it is understood that multiple processors can be included. Processor 302 may include microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functions described throughout the present disclosure. Processor 302 may be a hardware device having one or more processing cores. Processor 302 may execute software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. Software can include computer instructions written in an interpreted language, a compiled language, or machine code. Other techniques for instructing hardware are also permitted under the broad category of software. [0045] As shown in FIG. 3, communications device 300 may also include memory 304.

Although only one memory is shown, it is understood that multiple memories can be included. Memory 304 can broadly include both memory and storage. For example, memory 304 may include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), ferro-electric RAM (FRAM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, hard disk drive (HDD), such as magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, Flash drive, solid-state drive (SSD), or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions that can be accessed and executed by processor 302. Broadly, memory 304 may be embodied by any computer-readable medium, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0046] Processor 302, memory 304, and transceiver 306 may be implemented in various forms in communications device 300 for performing wireless communication with power management functions. In some embodiments, processor 302, memory 304, and transceiver 306 of communications device 300 are implemented (e.g., integrated) on one or more system-on-chips (SoCs). In one example, processor 302 and memory 304 may be integrated on an application processor (AP) SoC (sometimes known as a “host,” referred to herein as a “host chip”) that handles application processing in an operating system environment, including generating raw data to be transmitted. In another example, processor 302 and memory 304 may be integrated on a baseband processor (BP) SoC (sometimes known as a modem, referred to herein as a “baseband chip”) that converts the raw data, e.g., from the host chip, to signals that can be used to modulate the carrier frequency for transmission, and vice versa, which can run a real-time operating system (RTOS). In still another example, processor 302 and transceiver 306 (and memory 304 in some cases) may be integrated on an RF SoC (sometimes known as a transceiver, referred to herein as an “RF chip”) that transmits and receives RF signals with antenna 308. It is understood that in some examples, some or all of the host chip, baseband chip, and RF chip may be integrated as a single SoC. For example, a baseband chip and an RF chip may be integrated in a single SoC that manages all the radio functions for cellular communication.

[0047] Various aspects of the present disclosure related to power savings may be implemented as software and/or firmware elements executed by a generic processor in a baseband chip (e.g., a baseband processor). It is understood that in some examples, one or more of the software and/or firmware elements may be replaced by dedicated hardware components in the baseband chip, including integrated circuits (ICs), such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Mapping to the wireless communication (e.g., WI-FI, 4G, LTE, 5G, etc.) layer architecture, the implementation of the present disclosure may be at Layer 1, e.g., the physical (PHY) layer.

[0048] The following description explains aspects of two embodiments of the present disclosure. The description is not to be taken as limiting. These two embodiments are explained further with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4 A and 4B and 7 that describe hardware and FIGS. 5 A and 5B and 6A and 6B that describe method operations below. The embodiments differ in that those of FIGS. 5 A and 5B are adapted to the use of a WUS, and those of FIGS. 6 A and 6B are adapted not to use a WUS.

[0049] FIGS. 4 A and 4B illustrate block diagrams of an apparatus including a host chip, a radio frequency (RF) chip, and a baseband chip implementing a wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the apparatus provided in FIGS. 4A and 4B may implement a UE that receives a PDSCH signal, as well as other signals such as a PDCCH and an optional WUS from a BS in a DL embodiment.

[0050] It is contemplated that the wireless communication systems described above may be implemented either in software or hardware. For example, FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate block diagrams of a wireless communication system 400 including a host chip, an RF chip, and a baseband chip implementing a wireless communication system with UE power saving in discontinuous reception, as presented in FIGS. 5A and 5B, 6A and 6B, and 7 in software and hardware, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Wireless communication system 400 may be an example of any node of wireless network 100 in FIG. 1 suitable for signal reception, such as user equipment 102 or a core network element 106. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, wireless communication system 400 may include an RF chip 402, a baseband chip 404A in FIG. 4A or baseband chip 404B in FIG. 4B, a host chip 406, and an antenna 410. In some embodiments, baseband chip 404A or 404B is implemented by processor 302 and memory 304, and RF chip 402 is implemented by processor 302, memory 304, and transceiver 306, as described in greater detail with respect to FIG. 3. Besides on-chip memory 412 (also known as “internal memory,” e.g., as registers, buffers, or caches) on each chip 402, 404A or 404B, or 406, wireless communication system 400 may further include a system memory 408 (also known as the main memory) that can be shared by each chip 402, 404A or 404B, or 406 through the main bus. Baseband chip 404A or 404B is illustrated as a standalone system on a chip (SoC) in FIGS. 4A and 4B. However, it is understood that in one example, baseband chip 404A or 404B and RF chip 402 may be integrated as one SoC; in another example, baseband chip 404A or 404B and host chip 406 may be integrated as one SoC; in still another example, baseband chip 404A or 404B, RF chip 402, and host chip 406 may be integrated as one SoC, as described above.

[0051] A UE may operate in a certain way to allow for power saving in discontinuous reception. Thus, the description presented herein should be understood accordingly.

[0052] In the uplink, host chip 406 may generate original data and send it to baseband chip

404A or 404B for encoding, modulation, and mapping. Baseband chip 404A or 404B may access the original data from host chip 406 directly using an interface 414 or through system memory 408 and then process the data for transmission as described further, below, in greater detail. Baseband chip 404A or 404B then may pass the modulated signal (e.g., the OFDMA symbol) to RF chip 402 through interface 414. A transmitter (Tx) 416 of RF chip 402 may convert the modulated signals in the digital form from baseband chip 404A or 404B into analog signals, i.e., RF signals, and transmit the RF signals through antenna 410 into the channel.

[0053] In the downlink, antenna 410 may receive the RF signals (e.g., the OFDMA symbol) through the channel and pass the RF signals to a receiver (Rx) 418 of RF chip 402. RF chip 402 may perform any suitable front-end RF functions, such as filtering, down-conversion, or sample- rate conversion, and convert the RF signals into low-frequency digital signals (baseband signals) that can be processed by baseband chip 404 A or 404B. In the downlink, interface 414 of baseband chip 404A or 404B may receive the baseband signals, for example, the OFDMA symbol. Baseband chip 404A or 404B then may perform the receiving and power-saving functions of the operations and elements of FIGS. 5A and 5B, 6A and 6B, and 7 as described in further detail below. For example, these functions govern when data is processed and when the UE is returned to a sleep state. The original data may be extracted by baseband chip 404A or 404B from the baseband signals and passed to host chip 406 through interface 414 or stored into system memory 408. [0054] In some embodiments, the reception management schemes disclosed herein (e.g., by wireless communication system 400) may be implemented in firmware and/or software by baseband chip 404A in FIG. 4A having a reception management module, which may include firmware and/or software, where the reception management module may be implemented and executed by a reception management processor, such as baseband processor 420 executing the stored instructions, as illustrated in FIG. 4A. Baseband processor 420 may be a generic processor, such as a central processing unit or a digital signal processor (DSP), not dedicated to reception management. That is, baseband processor 420 is also responsible for any other functions of baseband chip 404A and can be interrupted when performing reception management due to other processes with higher priorities. Each element in wireless communication system 400 may be implemented as a software module executed by baseband processor 420 to perform the respective functions described above in detail.

[0055] In some other embodiments, the methods disclosed herein, for example, by wireless communication system 400, may be implemented in hardware by baseband chip 404B in FIG. 4B having a dedicated reception management circuit 422, such as reception management circuit 422, as illustrated in FIG. 4B. Reception management circuit 422 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs), such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), dedicated to implementing the reception management schemes disclosed herein. Each element in wireless communication system 400 may be implemented as a circuit to perform the respective functions described above in detail. One or more microcontrollers (not shown) in baseband chip 404B may be used to program and/or control the operations of reception management circuit 422. It is understood that in some examples, the reception management schemes disclosed herein may be implemented in a hybrid manner, e.g., in both hardware and software. For example, some elements in wireless communication system 400 may be implemented as a software module executed by baseband processor 420, while some elements in wireless communication system 400 may be implemented as circuits.

[0056] The following description will provide an overview of some embodiments.

However, the description is solely meant as being explanatory, rather than limiting embodiments to particular features and/or approaches.

[0057] FIGS. 5 A and 5B illustrate a flowchart of a method for power management at a user equipment (UE) 500, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure using a wake- up signal (WUS).

[0058] A first embodiment, generally corresponding to FIGS. 5A and 5B, works as follows. The embodiments pertain to a method for UE power saving in discontinuous reception in a slot that uses a WUS. More specific operational details are provided in FIGS. 5A and 5B, which are now described in greater detail.

[0059] In operation S502, the method awakens the apparatus (e.g., the UE) from a sleep state in response to receiving a WUS. The method awakens the apparatus such that the apparatus is awake by the time that the WUS slot begins.

[0060] In operation S504, the method ramps up the UE for reception. For example, the method activates elements of the UE such as a modem and/or an RF circuit that allow the UE to start receiving and processing a signal sent by the BS.

[0061] In operation S506, the method measures a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and a noise power of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter (e.g., the serving base station). By measuring these aspects of the signal, the method is able to ascertain if a portion of a symbol will be enough to determine if it is possible to safely resume a sleep state.

[0062] In operation S508, the method checks to see if the SNR is greater than an SNR threshold. If so, the method proceeds to operation S516. If not, the method proceeds to operation S510. By branching in this manner, a signal with a strong SNR allows the apparatus to use a fractional symbol or a signal with a relatively weak SNR indicates that such an approach may not be appropriate.

[0063] In operation S510, the method decodes a physical downlink control channel

(PDCCH) in wake-up signal (WUS) symbols. By performing such decoding, the method is able to ascertain whether it is appropriate to move onto progressively managing the signal to appropriately handle a on duration.

[0064] In operation S512, the method checks to see if the PDCCH decoding in the WUS symbols was successful, and if there is downlink control information (DCI) that indicates listening. If so, the method proceeds to operation S522 of FIG. 5B. Otherwise, the method proceeds to operation S514. Operation S512 allows the apparatus to resume sleep unless there is an indicator that resuming sleep is not appropriate.

[0065] In operation S514, the method resumes a sleep state. By the time the method reaches operation S514, the method will have established that one or more conditions have been satisfied that indicate that it is appropriate for the apparatus to sleep.

[0066] In operation S516, the method detects a power of a fractional portion of a first WUS symbol. For example, the fractional portion of the first WUS symbol may be a quarter of the WUS symbol, but this is only an example, and other sizes of portions may be used, depending on characteristics of the WUS.

[0067] In operation S518, the method checks to see if the detected power is less than a first threshold times the noise power. If so, the method proceeds to operation S514, in that such a result indicates that returning to a sleep state is appropriate. Otherwise, the method proceeds to operation S510, in that it is necessary to decode the PDCCH.

[0068] In operation S520, the method ends. By a time at which the method of FIGS. 5A and 5B reaches operation S520, a condition has been established that causes operation S514 to cause the UE to resume a sleep state.

[0069] In operation S522, the method continues from FIG. 5 A in FIG. 5B. Specifically, in operation S522, the method sets a variable n, where n is a natural number, to 1. The variable n tracks a current slot under consideration by the method. As n moves from slot to slot, the method performs power measurements to put the apparatus back to sleep as soon as it is appropriate to do so.

[0070] In operation S524, the method detects a power of a fractional portion of a first

PDCCH symbol in the n-th slot. By performing this detection, the method is again able to see if it is possible to go to sleep early.

[0071] In operation S526, the method checks to see if the detected power is less than a second threshold times the noise power. If so, the method proceeds to operation S532. If not, the method proceeds to operation S528. This test allows the apparatus to resume a sleep state if it is appropriate to do so in order to save power.

[0072] In operation S528, the method decodes PDCCH in an n-th slot. By decoding the

PDCCH, the method is able to determine if it is actually necessary to continue, or if returning to a sleep state is safe.

[0073] In operation S530, the method checks if a DCI is detected in the decoded PDCCH in an n-th slot. If so, the method continues to operation S536. If not, the method proceeds to operation S532. This check is appropriate because DCI must be present for it to be appropriate to attempt decoding of the PDSCH in the n-th slot.

[0074] In operation S532, the method increases n by one, to move onto the next slot. UE may go to a light sleep mode between S530 and S532 for power saving purpose. In this operation, the method has not established that it is appropriate to put the apparatus back to sleep, so it is appropriate to move onto the next slot.

[0075] In operation S534, the method checks to see if the n-th slot is the last slot. If so, the method proceeds to operation S514. Otherwise, the method continues with operation S524. Thus, in operation S534 the method places the apparatus in a sleep state if all slots have been considered, or continues to the next slot otherwise.

[0076] In operation S536, the method decodes a physical downlink shared channel

(PDSCH) in a current slot. The decoding of the PDSCH is based on appropriate instructions being contained in the PDCCH in the DCI.

[0077] In operation S538, the method checks to see if the PDSCH decoding is successful.

If so, the method proceeds to operation S540. Otherwise, the method proceeds to operation S542. [0078] In operation S540, the method follows the PDSCH payload. That is, the payload may include paging or other signaling, and these indications should be implemented and/or enacted.

[0079] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a flowchart of a method for power management at a user equipment (UE) 600, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure not using a wake-up signal (WUS).

[0080] A first embodiment, generally corresponding to FIGS. 6 A and 6B, works as follows. The embodiments pertain to a method for UE power saving in discontinuous reception in a slot that does not use a WUS. More specific operational details are provided in FIGS. 6A and 6B, which are now described in greater detail. The following description focuses on the differences between FIGS. 5A and 5B and 6A and 6B, and repetition is avoided where possible.

[0081] In operation S602, the method awakens from a sleep state. Operation S602 is similar to operation S502, and repeated description is omitted. However, operation S602 differs in that FIGS. 6 A and 6B are directed to a UE that does not use a WUS.

[0082] In operation S604, the method ramps up the UE for reception. Operation S604 is similar to operation S504, and repeated description is omitted.

[0083] In operation S606, the method measures an SNR and a noise power. Operation

S606 is similar to operation S506, and repeated description is omitted.

[0084] In operation S608, the method sets a variable n, where n is a natural number, to 1.

The variable n tracks a current slot under consideration by the method. Operation S608 is somewhat similar to operation S522 but occurs earlier because there is no WUS present. Repeated description is omitted.

[0085] In operation S610, the method checks to see if the SNR is greater than an SNR threshold. If so, the method proceeds to operation S620. If not, the method proceeds to operation S612. Operation S610 is similar to operation S508, and repeated description is omitted.

[0086] In operation S612, the method decodes PDCCH in an n-th slot. Operation S612 is similar to operation S528, and repeated description is omitted.

[0087] In operation S614, the method checks if a DCI is detected in the decoded PDCCH in an n-th slot. If so, the method proceeds to operation S626 for attempted decoding. Otherwise, the method proceeds to S616 to try to move to the next slot. Operation S614 is similar to operation S530, and repeated description is omitted.

[0088] In operation S616, the method increases n by one, to move onto the next slot. UE may go to a light sleep mode between S614 and S616 for power saving purpose. Operation S616 is similar to operation S532, except for when the operation is performed, and repeated description is omitted.

[0089] In operation S618, the method checks to see if the n-th slot is the last slot. If so, the method proceeds to operation S624. Otherwise, the method continues with operation S610. Operation S618 is somewhat similar to operation S516, but without a WUS being involved, and repeated description is omitted.

[0090] In operation S620, the method detects a power of a fractional portion of a first

PDCCH symbol in an n-th slot of an on-duration. Operation S620 is similar to operation S516, and repeated description is omitted.

[0091] In operation S622, the method checks to see if the detected power is less than a first threshold times the noise power. If so, the method proceeds to operation S624. Otherwise, the method proceeds to operation S612. Operation S622 is somewhat similar to operation S518, and repeated description is omitted.

[0092] In operation S624, the method resumes a sleep state. Operation S624 is similar to operation S514, and repeated description is omitted.

[0093] In operation S626, the method ends. It is appropriate for the method to end at operation S626 because the method will have returned the apparatus to the sleep state. Operation S626 is similar to operation S520, and repeated description is omitted.

[0094] In operation S628, the method decodes a physical downlink shared channel

(PDSCH) in a current slot. Operation S628 is similar to operation S536, and repeated description is omitted.

[0095] In operation S630, the method checks if the method checks to see if the PDSCH decoding is successful. If so, the method proceeds to operation S632. Otherwise, the method proceeds to operation S624. Operation S630 is similar to operation S538, and repeated description is omitted.

[0096] In operation S632, the method follows the PDSCH payload. Operation S632 is similar to operation S540, and repeated description is omitted.

[0097] FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 700 with power management functionality, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In FIG. 7, the apparatus includes a wake-up circuit 710, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measuring circuit 712, a noise power measuring circuit 714, a detection circuit 716, a decoding circuit 718, and a sleeping circuit 720. These circuits are specialized hardware that implements the methods corresponding to various embodiments, such as those characterized in FIGS. 5 A and 5B and 6 A and 6B.

[0098] In FIG. 7, the apparatus 700 provides power management functionality. For example, the power management begins with wake-up circuit 710. The wake-up circuit 710 periodically detects if an incoming signal indicates that it is appropriate to begin an awakening process from a sleep state. The sleep state may be a light sleep state or a micro sleep state, or a deeper sleep state.

[0099] For example, the wake-up circuit 710 may check for an incoming signal and awaken the UE accordingly. The interval at which the wake-up circuit 710 detects an incoming signal varies and may depend at least in part on a sleep state and/or predetermined settings. For example, the wake-up circuit 710 may perform operation S502 in FIG. 5A or operation S602 in FIG. 6A.

[0100] The wake-up circuit 710 may also perform additional preparatory steps. For example, the wake-up circuit 710 may perform a ramping up, such as that of operation S504 in FIG. 5A or operation S604 in FIG. 6A.

[0101] The SNR circuit 712 measures the SNR of the signal over the air to determine the signal’s reliability. For example, the SNR circuit 712 may perform part of operation S506 in FIG. 5A or operation S606 in FIG. 6A.

[0102] The noise power measuring circuit 714 performs noise power measurements as needed. For example, the noise power measuring circuit 714 may perform part of operation S506 in FIG. 5A or operation S606 in FIG. 6A.

[0103] The detection circuit 716 performs the various detections and the related comparisons involved in the methods of FIGS. 5A and 5B and 6A and 6B. For example, detection circuit 716 performs operations S508 in FIG. 5 A and operation S608 in FIG. 6A as explained in these figures. The detection circuit 716 also performs additional operations where detection is relevant and manages iterations for detections, including operations S512, S516, S518, S522, S524, S526, S530, S532, S534, S538, as examples in FIGS. 5A and 5B, and operations S610, S614, S616, S618 S620, S622, and S630, as examples in FIGS. 6 A and 6B.

[0104] The decoding circuit 718 performs the various decoding involved in the methods of FIGS. 5A and 5B and 6A and 6B. For example, the decoding circuit 718 performs operations where detection is relevant and manages iterations for detections, including operations S510, S528, S536, and S540 as examples in FIGS. 5A and 5B, and operations S612, S628, and S632, as examples in FIGS. 6 A and 6B.

[0105] The sleeping circuit 720 resumes the sleep state for the apparatus once the overall decoding is successfully performed. For example, the sleeping circuit 720 resumes the sleep state in operation S514 in FIGS. 5A and 5B and S624 in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Once the apparatus is in the sleep state, operation S520 in FIGS. 5A and 5B and operation S626 in FIGS. 6A and 6B end the method.

[0106] While certain operations from the methods of FIGS. 5A and 5B and 6A and 6B are associated with certain elements of FIG. 7, it is to be noted that other elements of FIG. 7 may be used as substitutes for the elements presented above, or additional elements may be present and/or omitted in one or more embodiments to implement FIGS. 5 A and 5B and 6 A and 6B.

[0107] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus including at least one processor and a memory storing instructions is disclosed. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to commence a wake-up process of the apparatus. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to measure a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to measure a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, in response to the SNR being larger than an SNR threshold, detect a power of a fractional portion of a first wake-up signal (WUS) symbol from the signal. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, enter a sleep state.

[0108] In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, in response to the detected power not being smaller than the first threshold times the measured noise power, decode a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in WUS symbols detected from the signal, and in response to the decoded PDCCH in the WUS symbols including downlink control information (DCI) not indicating that the apparatus is to listen to an on-duration, enter the sleep state.

[0109] In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, in response to the decoded PDCCH including the DCI indicating that the apparatus is to listen to the on-duration, detect a power of a fractional portion of a first PDCCH symbol of a current slot of the on-duration, and in response to the detected power being smaller than a second threshold times the noise power, enter the light sleep state.

[0110] In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, in response to the detected power not being smaller than the second threshold times the noise power, decode the PDCCH in the current slot, and in response to the DCI being detected in the decoded PDCCH in the current slot, decode a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), in response to successfully decoding the PDSCH, perform an operation based on a payload of the PDSCH, and in response to unsuccessfully decoding the PDSCH, enter the sleep state or process next slot.

[0111] In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, in response to the DCI not being detected in the decoded PDCCH in the current slot, when the current slot is a last slot of the on-duration, enter the sleep state or process next slot.

[0112] In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, when the current slot is not a last slot of the on-duration, advance the current slot to a next slot and cause the apparatus to, in response to the SNR being larger than the SNR threshold, detect the power of a fractional portion of the first WUS symbol from the signal, attempt to decode the PDCCH, attempt to detect the DCI, attempt to decode the PDSCH, and attempt to perform the operation based on the payload of the PDSCH, and in response to any one or any combination of any two or more of the detected power being smaller than the second threshold times the measured noise power, unsuccessfully decoding the PDCCH, unsuccessfully detecting DCI, unsuccessfully decoding PDSCH, unsuccessfully attempting to perform an operation based on a payload of the PDSCH in the current slot, or the current slot being a last slot of the on-duration, enter the sleep state.

[0113] In some embodiments, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to ramp-up the apparatus after the wake-up process has commenced.

[0114] In some embodiments, the SNR is an instant SNR or an average SNR or a last SNR.

[0115] In some embodiments, the transmitter is a gNB.

[0116] In some embodiments, the apparatus is a user equipment (UE).

[0117] In some embodiments, the transmitter is a serving base station (BS).

[0118] In some embodiments, the SNR threshold is fixed, or the SNR threshold is dynamic.

[0119] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for wireless communication is disclosed. The method includes commencing a wake-up process of an apparatus. The method further includes measuring a signal -to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter. The method further includes measuring a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter. The method further includes, in response to the SNR being larger than an SNR threshold, detecting a power of a fractional portion of a first wake-up signal (WUS) symbol from the signal. The method further includes, in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, causing the apparatus to enter a sleep state.

[0120] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a baseband chip is disclosed.

The baseband chip includes a wake-up circuit. The wake-up circuit is configured to commence a wake-up process of an apparatus including the baseband chip. The baseband chip further includes a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measuring circuit. The SNR measuring circuit is configured to measure an SNR of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter. The baseband chip further includes a noise power measuring circuit. The noise power measuring circuit is configured to measure a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter. The baseband chip further includes a detection circuit. The detection circuit configured to, in response to the SNR being larger than an SNR threshold, detect a power of a fractional portion of a first wake-up signal (WUS) symbol from the signal. The baseband chip further includes a sleeping circuit. The sleeping circuit is configured to, in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, cause the apparatus to enter a sleep state.

[0121] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus including at least one processor and a memory storing instructions is disclosed. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to commence a wake-up process of the apparatus. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to measure a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to measure a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, in response to the SNR being larger than a SNR threshold, detect a power of a fractional portion of a first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) symbol from the signal. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, enter a sleep state.

[0122] In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, in response to the detected power not being smaller than the first threshold times the measured noise power, decode a PDCCH in a current slot from the signal, in response to the decoded PDCCH in the current slot not including downlink control information (DCI), enter the sleep state.

[0123] In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, in response to the decoded PDCCH including the DCI, detect a power of a fractional portion of a first PDCCH symbol of a current slot of an on-duration, in response to the detected power being smaller than the first threshold times the noise power, enter the sleep state.

[0124] In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, in response to the detected power not being smaller than the first threshold times the noise power, decode the PDCCH in the current slot, in response to the DCI being detected in the decoded PDCCH in the current slot, decoding a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), in response to successfully decoding the PDSCH, performing an operation based on a payload of the PDSCH, and in response to unsuccessfully decoding the PDSCH, enter the sleep state.

[0125] In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, in response to the DCI not being detected in the decoded PDCCH in the current slot, when the current slot is a last slot of the on-duration, enter the sleep state.

[0126] In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, when the current slot is not a last slot of the on-duration, advance the current slot to a next slot and cause the apparatus to, in response to the SNR being larger than the SNR threshold, detect the power of the fractional portion of the first PDCCH signal symbol from the current slot, attempt to decode the PDCCH, attempt to detect the DCI, attempt to decode the PDSCH, and attempt to perform the operation based on the payload of the PDSCH, and in response to any one or any combination of any two or more of the detected power being smaller than the first threshold times the measured noise power, unsuccessfully decoding the PDCCH, unsuccessfully detecting the DCI, unsuccessfully decoding the PDSCH, unsuccessfully attempting to perform the operation based on the payload of the PDSCH in the current slot, or the current slot being the last slot of the on-duration, enter the sleep state.

[0127] In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to ramp-up the apparatus after the wake-up process has commenced.

[0128] In some embodiments, the SNR is an instant SNR or an average SNR or a last SNR.

[0129] In some embodiments, the transmitter is a gNB.

[0130] In some embodiments, the apparatus is a user equipment (UE).

[0131] In some embodiments, the transmitter is a serving base station (BS).

[0132] In some embodiments, the SNR threshold is fixed, or the SNR threshold is dynamic.

[0133] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for wireless communication is disclosed. The method includes commencing a wake-up process of an apparatus. The method further includes measuring a signal -to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter. The method further includes measuring a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter. The method further includes, in response to the SNR being larger than a SNR threshold, detecting a power of a fractional portion of a first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) symbol from the signal. The method further includes, in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, causing the apparatus to enter a sleep state.

[0134] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a baseband chip is disclosed.

The baseband chip includes a wake-up circuit. The wake-up circuit is configured to commence a wake-up process of an apparatus including the baseband chip. The baseband chip further includes a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measuring circuit. The SNR measuring circuit is configured to measure an SNR of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter. The baseband chip further includes a noise power measuring circuit. The noise power measuring circuit is configured to measure a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter. The baseband chip further includes a detection circuit. The detection circuit is configured to, in response to the SNR being larger than an SNR threshold, detect a power of a fractional portion of a first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) symbol from the signal. The baseband chip further includes a sleeping circuit. The sleeping circuit is configured to, in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, cause the apparatus to enter a sleep state.

[0135] Embodiments can improve the UE’s power consumption without sacrificing performance. However, the power saving will depend upon the particular properties of a given use case. The embodiments may significantly reduce the wake-up time of the UE wake-up time when gNB’s traffic is light and thus improves battery life significantly.

[0136] For example, in a 100MHz deployment, a ¼ (quarter) symbol has 1024 samples and is quite likely enough to get accurate power estimation, without requiring the use of a full symbol. By using a ¼ (quarter) symbol, the power used to listen to PDCCH can be reduced by as much as 75% when gNB does not send anything in that slot by stopping the listening process early. [0137] The foregoing description of the embodiments will so reveal the general nature of the present disclosure that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.

[0138] Embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.

[0139] The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all embodiments of the present disclosure as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the present disclosure and the appended claims in any way.

[0140] Various functional blocks, modules, and steps are disclosed above. The particular arrangements provided are illustrative and without limitation. Accordingly, the functional blocks, modules, and steps may be re-ordered or combined in different ways than in the examples provided above. Likewise, certain embodiments include only a subset of the functional blocks, modules, and steps, and any such subset is permitted.

[0141] The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: at least one processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: commence a wake-up process of the apparatus; measure a signal -to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter; measure a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter; in response to the SNR being larger than an SNR threshold, detect a power of a fractional portion of a first wake-up signal (WUS) symbol from the signal; and in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, enter a sleep state.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: in response to the detected power not being smaller than the first threshold times the measured noise power, decode a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in WUS symbols detected from the signal; and in response to the decoded PDCCH in the WUS symbols comprising downlink control information (DCI) not indicating that the apparatus is to listen to an on-duration, enter the sleep state.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: in response to the decoded PDCCH comprising the DCI indicating that the apparatus is to listen to the on-duration, detect a power of a fractional portion of a first PDCCH symbol of a current slot of the on-duration; and in response to the detected power being smaller than a second threshold times the noise power, enter the sleep state.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: in response to the detected power not being smaller than the second threshold times the noise power, decode the PDCCH in the current slot; in response to the DCI being detected in the decoded PDCCH in the current slot, decode a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH); in response to successfully decoding the PDSCH, perform an operation based on a payload of the PDSCH; and in response to unsuccessfully decoding the PDSCH, enter the sleep state.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: in response to the DCI not being detected in the decoded PDCCH in the current slot, when the current slot is a last slot of the on-duration, enter the sleep state.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: when the current slot is not a last slot of the on-duration, advance the current slot to a next slot and cause the apparatus to, in response to the SNR being larger than the SNR threshold, detect the power of a fractional portion of the first WUS symbol from the signal, attempt to decode the PDCCH, attempt to detect the DCI, attempt to decode the PDSCH, and attempt to perform the operation based on the payload of the PDSCH; and in response to any one or any combination of any two or more of the detected power being smaller than the second threshold times the measured noise power, unsuccessfully decoding the PDCCH, unsuccessfully detecting DCI, unsuccessfully decoding PDSCH, unsuccessfully attempting to perform an operation based on a payload of the PDSCH in the current slot, or the current slot being a last slot of the on-duration, enter the sleep state.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to ramp-up the apparatus after the wake-up process has commenced.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the SNR is an instant SNR or an average SNR or a last SNR.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is a gNB.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a user equipment (UE).

11 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is a serving base station (BS).

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the SNR threshold is fixed, or the SNR threshold is dynamic.

13. A method for wireless communication, comprising: commencing a wake-up process of an apparatus; measuring a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter; measuring a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter; in response to the SNR being larger than an SNR threshold, detecting a power of a fractional portion of a first wake-up signal (WUS) symbol from the signal; and in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, causing the apparatus to enter a sleep state.

14. A baseband chip, comprising: a wake-up circuit configured to commence a wake-up process of an apparatus comprising the baseband chip; a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measuring circuit configured to measure an SNR of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter; a noise power measuring circuit configured to measure a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter; a detection circuit configured to, in response to the SNR being larger than an SNR threshold, detect a power of a fractional portion of a first wake-up signal (WUS) symbol from the signal; and a sleeping circuit configured to, in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, cause the apparatus to enter a sleep state.

15. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: at least one processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: commence a wake-up process of the apparatus; measure a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter; measure a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter; in response to the SNR being larger than an SNR threshold, detect a power of a fractional portion of a first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) symbol from the signal; and in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, enter a sleep state.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: in response to the detected power not being smaller than the first threshold times the measured noise power, decode a PDCCH in a current slot from the signal; and in response to the decoded PDCCH in the current slot not comprising downlink control information (DCI), enter the sleep state.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: in response to the decoded PDCCH comprising the DCI, detect a power of a fractional portion of a first PDCCH symbol of a current slot of an on-duration; and in response to the detected power being smaller than the first threshold times the noise power, enter the sleep state.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: in response to the detected power not being smaller than the first threshold times the noise power, decode the PDCCH in the current slot; in response to the DCI being detected in the decoded PDCCH in the current slot, decoding a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH); in response to successfully decoding the PDSCH, performing an operation based on a payload of the PDSCH; and in response to unsuccessfully decoding the PDSCH, enter the sleep state.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: wherein in response to the DCI not being detected in the decoded PDCCH in the current slot, when the current slot is a last slot of the on-duration, enter the sleep state.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: when the current slot is not a last slot of the on-duration, advance the current slot to a next slot and cause the apparatus to, in response to the SNR being larger than the SNR threshold, detect the power of the fractional portion of the first PDCCH signal symbol from the current slot, attempt to decode the PDCCH, attempt to detect the DCI, attempt to decode the PDSCH, and attempt to perform the operation based on the payload of the PDSCH; and in response to any one or any combination of any two or more of the detected power being smaller than the first threshold times the measured noise power, unsuccessfully decoding the PDCCH, unsuccessfully detecting the DCI, unsuccessfully decoding the PDSCH, unsuccessfully attempting to perform the operation based on the payload of the PDSCH in the current slot, or the current slot being the last slot of the on-duration, enter the sleep state.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to ramp-up the apparatus after the wake-up process has commenced.

22. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the SNR is an instant SNR or an average SNR.

23. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the transmitter is a gNB.

24. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is a user equipment (UE).

25. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the transmitter is a serving base station (BS).

26. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the SNR threshold is fixed, or the SNR threshold is dynamic.

27. A method for wireless communication, comprising: commencing a wake-up process of an apparatus; measuring a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter; measuring a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter; in response to the SNR being larger than a SNR threshold, detecting a power of a fractional portion of a first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) symbol from the signal; and in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, causing the apparatus to enter a sleep state.

28. A baseband chip, comprising: a wake-up circuit configured to commence a wake-up process of an apparatus comprising the baseband chip; a signal -to-noise ratio (SNR) measuring circuit configured to measure a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal transmitted by and received from a transmitter; a noise power measuring circuit configured to measure a noise power of the signal received from the transmitter; a detection circuit configured to, in response to the SNR being larger than a SNR threshold, detect a power of a fractional portion of a first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) symbol from the signal; and a sleeping circuit configured to, in response to the detected power being smaller than a first threshold times the measured noise power, cause the apparatus to enter a sleep state.