CN116491179A

CN116491179A - Methods, apparatus, and computer readable media for pre-configured uplink resource configuration in an inactive state

Info

Publication number: CN116491179A
Application number: CN202080107471.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 孟艳; 陶涛; 刘建国; 晁华; 刘勇
Original assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
Priority date: 2020-11-25
Filing date: 2020-11-25
Publication date: 2023-07-25
Also published as: WO2022109852A1

Abstract

Methods for pre-configured uplink resource configuration in an inactive state are disclosed. One example method may include: transmitting, at a mobile station in an inactive state, first information associated with first pre-configured uplink resources configured by a second base station to a first base station; and receiving, at the mobile station, second information associated with the preconfigured uplink resources to be used in the inactive state from the first base station. The pre-configured uplink resource to be used may be one of a first pre-configured uplink resource and a second pre-configured uplink resource configured by the first base station. Related apparatus and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Description

Methods, apparatus, and computer readable media for pre-configured uplink resource configuration in an inactive state

Technical Field

Various embodiments relate to methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for pre-configured uplink resource configuration in an inactive state.

Background

In a telecommunication system such as a new air interface (NR or 5G) system, a mobile station or User Equipment (UE) may perform small data transmission in an inactive state (e.g., rrc_inactive state specified in the third generation partnership project or 3GPP standard) via preconfigured uplink resources, for example, by re-using configured grant type 1 resources.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first aspect, an apparatus is disclosed that includes at least one processor and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus, as at least a portion of a mobile station, to perform: transmitting, to the first base station in the inactive state, first information associated with a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by the second base station; and receiving second information associated with a pre-configured uplink resource to be used in an inactive state from the first base station, wherein the pre-configured uplink resource to be used may be one of a first pre-configured uplink resource and a second pre-configured uplink resource configured by the first base station.

In some embodiments, the first information may include information associated with the absence or presence of the first preconfigured uplink resource configured by the second base station.

In some embodiments, the first information may be encapsulated in an uplink medium access control protocol data unit and may be transmitted with the radio resource control recovery request information via a random access channel-based data transmission.

In some embodiments, the second information may further include information associated with at least one of a time alignment timer and a start timing of the pre-configured uplink resource to be used.

In some embodiments, the second information may be received in an inactive state.

In some embodiments, the second information may be encapsulated in a downlink medium access control protocol data unit and may be received via a random access channel based data transmission with the radio resource control release information with the suspension indication.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform: receiving third information associated with an indication to switch to a connected state from the first base station; switching from the inactive state to the connected state in response to the third information to receive the second information from the first base station in the connected state; receiving fourth information associated with an indication to switch to the inactive state from the first base station; and switching from the connected state to the inactive state in response to the fourth information.

In a second aspect, a method executable in a mobile station is disclosed. The method may include: transmitting, to the first base station in the inactive state, first information associated with a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by the second base station; and receiving second information associated with a pre-configured uplink resource to be used in an inactive state from the first base station, wherein the pre-configured uplink resource to be used may be one of the first pre-configured uplink resource and a second pre-configured uplink resource configured by the first base station.

In some embodiments, the first information may include information associated with the absence or presence of a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by the second base station.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: receiving third information associated with an indication to switch to a connected state from the first base station; switching from the inactive state to the connected state in response to the third information to receive the second information from the first base station in the connected state; receiving fourth information associated with an indication to switch to the inactive state from the first base station; and switching from the connected state to the inactive state in response to the fourth information.

In a third aspect, an apparatus is disclosed that may be at least a portion of a mobile station. The apparatus may include: transmitting, to the first base station in the inactive state, first information associated with a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by the second base station; and means for receiving second information associated with a pre-configured uplink resource to be used in the inactive state from the first base station, wherein the pre-configured uplink resource to be used may be one of the first pre-configured uplink resource and a second pre-configured downlink resource configured by the first base station.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise: means for receiving third information associated with an indication to switch to a connected state from the first base station; means for switching from the inactive state to the connected state in response to the third information, so as to receive the second information from the first base station in the connected state; means for receiving fourth information associated with an indication to switch to the inactive state from the first base station; and means for switching from the connected state to the inactive state in response to the fourth information.

In a fourth aspect, a computer-readable medium is disclosed that includes instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus, which is at least a portion of a mobile station, to perform: transmitting, to the first base station in the inactive state, first information associated with a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by the second base station; and receiving second information associated with a pre-configured uplink resource to be used in an inactive state from the first base station, wherein the pre-configured uplink resource to be used may be one of the first pre-configured uplink resource and a second pre-configured uplink resource configured by the first base station.

In some embodiments, the instructions may further cause the device to perform: receiving third information associated with an indication to switch to a connected state from the first base station; switching from the inactive state to the connected state in response to the third information to receive the second information from the first base station in the connected state; receiving fourth information associated with an indication to switch to the inactive state from the first base station; and switching from the connected state to the inactive state in response to the fourth information.

In a fifth aspect, an apparatus is disclosed comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus, as at least a portion of a first base station, to perform: receiving, from a mobile station in an inactive state, first information associated with a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by a second base station for the mobile station in an inactive state; determining, based on the first information, preconfigured uplink resources to be used for the mobile station in an inactive state from the first preconfigured uplink resources and second preconfigured uplink resources configured by the first base station; and transmitting second information associated with the preconfigured uplink resources to be used to the mobile station.

In some embodiments, the first information may include information associated with the presence or absence of the first pre-configured uplink resource.

In some embodiments, where the first information includes information associated with the presence of the first preconfigured uplink resources and the first preconfigured uplink resources are available, the first preconfigured uplink resources may be determined as preconfigured uplink resources to be used.

In some embodiments, the first information may be encapsulated in an uplink medium access control protocol data unit and may be received via a random access channel-based data transmission with the radio resource control resume request information.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform: third information associated with the first pre-configured uplink resource is received from the second base station. The third information may include information associated with at least one of: a time domain resource allocation associated with the first pre-configured uplink resource; a frequency domain resource allocation associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; an antenna port associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; a modulation and coding scheme associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; and a transport block size associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform: fourth information associated with a request for the third information is transmitted to the second base station.

In some embodiments, the second preconfigured uplink resource may be determined to be a preconfigured uplink resource to use if the first information includes information associated with the absence of the first preconfigured uplink resource or the first preconfigured uplink resource is not available.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform: fifth information associated with the second pre-configured uplink resources is transmitted to the second base station. The fifth information may include information associated with at least one of: a time domain resource allocation associated with the second pre-configured uplink resource; a frequency domain resource allocation associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; an antenna port associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; a modulation and coding scheme associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; and a transport block size associated with the second pre-configured uplink resource.

In some embodiments, the second information may be transmitted to the mobile station while maintaining the mobile station in an inactive state.

In some embodiments, the second information may be encapsulated in a downlink medium access control protocol data unit and may be transmitted via a random access channel-based data transmission with the radio resource control release information with the suspension indication.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform: transmitting sixth information associated with an indication to switch to a connected state to the mobile station; and transmitting seventh information associated with an indication to switch to an inactive state to the mobile station after transmitting the second information.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform: storing second information associated with the preconfigured uplink resources to be used; and transmitting eighth information associated with the release of the first pre-configured uplink resources to the second base station.

In a sixth aspect, a method executable in a first base station is disclosed. The method may include: receiving, from a mobile station in an inactive state, first information associated with a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by a second base station for the mobile station in an inactive state; determining, based on the first information, preconfigured uplink resources to be used for the mobile station in the inactive state from the first preconfigured uplink resources and second preconfigured uplink resources configured by the first base station; and transmitting second information associated with the preconfigured uplink resources to be used to the mobile station.

In some embodiments, the first pre-configured uplink resource may be determined to be a pre-configured uplink resource to use in the event that the first information includes information associated with the presence of the first pre-configured uplink resource and the first pre-configured uplink resource is available.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: third information associated with the first pre-configured uplink resources is received from the second base station. The third information may include information associated with at least one of: a time domain resource allocation associated with the first pre-configured uplink resource; a frequency domain resource allocation associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; an antenna port associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; a modulation and coding scheme associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; and a transport block size associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: fourth information associated with the request for third information is transmitted to the second base station.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: fifth information associated with the second pre-configured uplink resources is transmitted to the second base station. The fifth information may include information associated with at least one of: a time domain resource allocation associated with the second pre-configured uplink resource; a frequency domain resource allocation associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; an antenna port associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; a modulation and coding scheme associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; and a transport block size associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: transmitting sixth information associated with an indication to switch to the connected state to the mobile station; and transmitting seventh information associated with an indication to switch to the inactive state to the mobile station after transmitting the second information.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: storing second information associated with the preconfigured uplink resources to be used; and transmitting eighth information associated with the release of the first pre-configured uplink resources to the second base station.

In a seventh aspect, an apparatus is disclosed that may be at least part of a first base station. The apparatus may include: means for receiving, from a mobile station in an inactive state, first information associated with a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by a second base station for the mobile station in an inactive state; means for determining, based on the first information, preconfigured uplink resources to be used for the mobile station in the inactive state from the first preconfigured uplink resources and second preconfigured uplink resources configured by the first base station; and means for transmitting second information associated with the preconfigured uplink resources to be used to the mobile station.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise: means for receiving third information associated with the first pre-configured uplink resource from a second base station. The third information may include information associated with at least one of: a time domain resource allocation associated with the first pre-configured uplink resource; a frequency domain resource allocation associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; an antenna port associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; a modulation and coding scheme associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; and a transport block size associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise: means for transmitting fourth information associated with the request for third information to the second base station.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise: means for transmitting fifth information associated with the second pre-configured uplink resource to the second base station. The fifth information may include information associated with at least one of: a time domain resource allocation associated with the second pre-configured uplink resource; a frequency domain resource allocation associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; an antenna port associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; a modulation and coding scheme associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; and a transport block size associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise: means for transmitting sixth information associated with an indication to switch to the connected state to the mobile station; and means for transmitting seventh information associated with the indication to switch to the inactive state to the mobile station after transmitting the second information.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise: means for storing second information associated with pre-configured uplink resources to be used; and means for transmitting eighth information associated with the release of the first pre-configured uplink resources to the second base station.

In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable medium is disclosed, comprising instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus, which is at least part of a first base station, to perform: receiving, from a mobile station in an inactive state, first information associated with a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by a second base station for the mobile station in the inactive state; determining, based on the first information, preconfigured uplink resources to be used for the mobile station in the inactive state from the first preconfigured uplink resources and second preconfigured uplink resources configured by the first base station; and transmitting second information associated with the preconfigured uplink resources to be used to the mobile station.

In some embodiments, the instructions may further cause the device to perform: third information associated with the first pre-configured uplink resource is received from the second base station. The third information may include information associated with at least one of: a time domain resource allocation associated with the first pre-configured uplink resource; a frequency domain resource allocation associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; an antenna port associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; a modulation and coding scheme associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; and a transport block size associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource.

In some embodiments, the instructions may further cause the device to perform: fourth information associated with a request for the third information is transmitted to the second base station.

In some embodiments, the instructions may further cause the device to perform: fifth information associated with the second pre-configured uplink resources is transmitted to the second base station. The fifth information may include information associated with at least one of: a time domain resource allocation associated with the second pre-configured uplink resource; a frequency domain resource allocation associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; an antenna port associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; a modulation and coding scheme associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; and a transport block size associated with the second pre-configured uplink resource.

In some embodiments, the instructions may further cause the device to perform: transmitting sixth information associated with an indication to switch to the connected state to the mobile station; and transmitting seventh information associated with an indication to switch to the inactive state to the mobile station after transmitting the second information.

In some embodiments, the instructions may further cause the device to perform: storing second information associated with the preconfigured uplink resources to be used; and transmitting eighth information associated with the release of the first pre-configured uplink resources to the second base station.

In a ninth aspect, an apparatus is disclosed that comprises at least one processor and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus, as at least a portion of a first base station, to perform: storing first information associated with a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by the first base station for a mobile station in an inactive state; and transmitting the first information to the second base station in response to the second information from the second base station, or updating the first information based on the second information.

In some embodiments, the first information may be transmitted to the second base station in the event that the second information includes information associated with a request for obtaining the first information.

In some embodiments, the first information may be updated based on the second information in the event that the second information includes information associated with a second pre-configured uplink resource configured by the second base station for the mobile station in an inactive state.

In a tenth aspect, a method executable in a first base station is disclosed. The method may include: storing first information associated with a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by a first base station for a mobile station in an inactive state; and transmitting the first information to the second base station in response to the second information from the second base station, or updating the first information based on the second information.

In an eleventh aspect, an apparatus is disclosed that may be at least part of a first base station. The apparatus may include: means for storing first information associated with a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by a first base station for a mobile station in an inactive state; and means for transmitting the first information to the second base station in response to the second information from the second base station, or updating the first information based on the second information.

In a twelfth aspect, a computer-readable medium is disclosed, comprising instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus, which is at least part of a first base station, to perform: storing first information associated with a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by a first base station for a mobile station in an inactive state; and transmitting the first information to the second base station in response to the second information from the second base station, or updating the first information based on the second information.

Drawings

Some embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a pre-configured uplink resource configuration in one embodiment.

Fig. 2 illustrates an example sequence of operations in a pre-configured uplink resource configuration in one embodiment.

Fig. 3 illustrates another example sequence of operations in a pre-configured uplink resource configuration in one embodiment.

Fig. 4 illustrates another example sequence of operations in a pre-configured uplink resource configuration in one embodiment.

Fig. 5 illustrates another example sequence of operations in a pre-configured uplink resource configuration in one embodiment.

Fig. 6 illustrates an example method for pre-configuring uplink resource configuration in one embodiment.

Fig. 7 illustrates an example apparatus for pre-configuring uplink resource configuration in one embodiment.

Fig. 8 illustrates another example apparatus for pre-configuring uplink resource configuration in one embodiment.

Fig. 9 illustrates an example method for pre-configuring uplink resource configuration in one embodiment.

Fig. 10 illustrates an example apparatus for pre-configuring uplink resource configuration in one embodiment.

Fig. 11 illustrates another example apparatus for pre-configuring uplink resource configuration in one embodiment.

Fig. 12 illustrates an example method for pre-configuring uplink resource configurations in one embodiment.

Fig. 13 illustrates an example apparatus for pre-configuring uplink resource configuration in one embodiment.

Fig. 14 illustrates another example apparatus for pre-configuring uplink resource configuration in one embodiment.

Detailed Description

For example, in the case where the UE in the inactive state moves from the last serving cell to the target cell, the UE may request that the target cell provide preconfigured uplink resources for small data transmissions in the inactive state. In some implementations, the target cell sends the UE to a CONNECTED state (e.g., rrc_connected state specified in the 3GPP standard) to provide the preconfigured uplink resource configuration, and then sends the UE back to an inactive state. Such state transitions of the UE may result in power consumption, signaling overhead, and end-to-end latency. Furthermore, since the target cell does not have information associated with the initial resource configuration parameters configured by the last serving cell, the target cell may configure a new set of resource configuration parameters for UEs in an inactive state that are different from the initial resource configuration parameters configured by the last serving cell.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, information associated with the preconfigured uplink resources configured by the last serving cell may be provided from the UE to the target cell, e.g., the information may include an indication of whether there is a preconfigured uplink resource configuration from another cell, so that the target cell may determine whether to configure new preconfigured uplink resources for the UE in an inactive state, by which processing complexity and redundancy may be reduced.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a pre-configured uplink resource configuration in an embodiment, wherein a UE 101 within a cell 104 associated with a Base Station (BS) 103 and in an INACTIVE state (e.g., rrc_inactive state) may perform at least one uplink data transmission 105 (e.g., at least one small data transmission) to the BS 103 via pre-configured uplink resources 106 (e.g., configured grant type 1 resources). For example, the pre-configured uplink resources 106 may be configured by the BS 103.

As shown in fig. 1, in the event that a UE 101 in an inactive state moves from a cell 104 associated with a BS 103 (e.g., as the last serving BS of the UE 101) to another cell 107 associated with a BS 102 (e.g., as the target BS of the UE 101), the UE 101 in the inactive state may initiate communication 108 with the BS 102 to obtain preconfigured uplink resources to be used in the inactive state for at least one uplink data transmission 111 (e.g., at least one small data transmission) to the BS 102.

In communication 108, the UE 101 may transmit information associated with the pre-configured uplink resources 106 configured by the BS 103 to the BS 102, which information may include, for example, an indication of whether there is an allocated pre-configured uplink resource configuration (e.g., from the BS 103).

For example, in the event that information from the UE 101 indicates that there are pre-configured uplink resources 106 and that pre-configured uplink resources 106 are available, the BS 102 can inform the UE 101 in communication 108 to use the pre-configured downlink resources 106 for at least one uplink data transmission 111 in an inactive state.

In the event that the information from the UE 101 indicates that there are no pre-configured uplink resources 106 or that the pre-configured uplink resources 106 are not available, the BS 102 may configure the new pre-configured uplink resources 110 and may inform the UE 101 in the communication 108 to use the new pre-configured uplink resources 110 (e.g., newly configured grant type 1 resources) for at least one uplink data transmission 111 in an inactive state.

For example, during determining and informing of pre-configured uplink resources to be used for uplink data transmission 111 in the inactive state, BS 102 may keep UE 101 in the inactive state, e.g., by not sending UE 101 to the CONNECTED state (e.g., rrc_connected state) or by transmitting one or more messages with a suspension indication (e.g., RRCRelease or rrcreseume messages specified in the 3GPP standard).

Further, as shown in fig. 1, communication 109 between BS 102 and BS 103 may be included during determining and informing of pre-configured uplink resources to be used for uplink data transmission 111 in an inactive state.

For example, where the information from UE 101 to BS 102 in communication 108 indicates that there are pre-configured uplink resources 106, BS 102 may request configuration information associated with pre-configured uplink resources 106 (e.g., configuration parameters associated with pre-configured uplink resources 106) from BS 103 in communication 109.

In another example, BS 102 may also provide configuration information associated with new preconfigured uplink resources 110 (e.g., configuration parameters associated with preconfigured uplink resources 110) to BS 103 in communication 109 such that BS 103 may update the preconfigured uplink resource configuration with the configuration information associated with new preconfigured uplink resources 110.

In yet another example, in communication 109, BS 102 may also transmit a message to enable BS 103 to release pre-configured uplink resources 106.

As shown in fig. 1, one of the pre-configured uplink resources 106 configured by BS 103 and the new pre-configured uplink resources 110 configured by BS 102 may be conditionally selected for uplink data transmission 111 from the UE 101 in an inactive state to BS 102 instead of always using the new pre-configured uplink resources configured by BS 102, e.g., so that the complexity of the pre-configured uplink resource configuration may be reduced.

Fig. 2 shows an example sequence of operations in a pre-configured uplink resource configuration as shown in fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 2, in operation 201, the BS 103 may store configuration information of the pre-configured uplink resources 106, for example, in case the BS 103 is an anchor BS of the UE 101 in an inactive state. In addition, the BS 103 may also store Access Stratum (AS) context and may maintain Core Network (CN) functions such AS paging, user plane connection to CN, etc. For example, BS 103 may maintain configuration information for pre-configured uplink resources 106 until BS 103 receives a release message from another BS.

Then, for example, in the event that the UE 101 in the inactive state moves from a cell associated with BS 103 (e.g., cell 104 as shown in fig. 1) to a cell associated with BS 102 (e.g., cell 107 as shown in fig. 1), the UE 101 in the inactive state may send to BS 102 information 202 associated with the preconfigured uplink resources 106, which may include information indicating the presence of the preconfigured downlink resources 106.

For example, the information 202 may include a bit having a predetermined value (e.g., 1) that indicates that the last serving BS of the UE 101 has configured pre-configured uplink resources for the UE 101.

In another example, the information 202 may also include an identifier or indicator of the pre-configured uplink resources 106, e.g., configured by the BS 103 and provided from the BS 103 to the UE 101. In yet another example, the information 202 may also include at least a portion of information (e.g., configuration parameters) associated with the pre-configured uplink resources 106.

For example, the information 202 may be encapsulated in any suitable uplink Media Access Control (MAC) Protocol Data Unit (PDU) and may be transmitted via a Random Access Channel (RACH) based data transmission. For example, the information 202 may be transmitted from the UE 101 to the BS 102 via a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) in a RACH based Small Data Transmission (SDT), e.g., as part of Msg3 in a 4-step RACH based SDT, or as part of Msg1 in a 2-step RACH based SDT.

In one example, the information 202 may be encapsulated in a MAC header and may be transmitted with a Radio Resource Control (RRC) resume request message (e.g., an rrcrumerequest message specified in the 3GPP standard). In another example, the information 202 may be encapsulated in an RRC resume request message in a MAC Service Data Unit (SDU).

Based on the received information 202, the BS 102 can determine that the last serving BS of the UE 101 has allocated pre-configured uplink resources for the UE 101 in an inactive state. Then, as shown in fig. 2, BS 102 may transmit information 203 associated with the request for configuration information for pre-configured uplink resources 106, e.g., via an Xn interface, to BS 103, which is the last serving BS for UE 101.

As shown in fig. 2, in response to receiving information 203, the BS, which is the last serving BS for UE 101, may transmit stored configuration information for pre-configured uplink resources 106 to BS 102 via information 204, which may include, but is not limited to, information associated with one or more of: time domain resource allocation associated with the pre-configured uplink resources 106; frequency domain resource allocation associated with the preconfigured uplink resources 106; one or more antenna ports associated with the preconfigured uplink resources 106; a Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) associated with the pre-configured uplink resources 106; a Transport Block Size (TBS) associated with the pre-configured uplink resources 106; etc.

For example, information 204 may be transmitted from BS 103 to BS 102 via an Xn interface.

For example, after obtaining the information 204, the BS 102 may check whether the configuration of the pre-configured uplink resources 106 is available to the BS 102, e.g., based on the capabilities of the BS 102 and/or the UE 101. As shown in fig. 2, BS 102 may determine to use preconfigured uplink resources 106 in operation 205, for example, where preconfigured uplink resources 106 are available.

BS 102 may then transmit information 206 associated with the indication to use preconfigured uplink resources 106 to UE 101. In another example, the information 206 may include configuration information (parameters) of the pre-configured uplink resources 106. In yet another example, the information 206 may also include information associated with one or more of a Time Alignment (TA) timer, a start timing of the preconfigured uplink resources 106, a timing for starting the uplink data transmissions 111, etc., such that use of the preconfigured uplink resources 106 may be scheduled for at least one uplink data transmission 111 of the UE 101 and possible conflicts in using the preconfigured uplink resources 106 between the UE 101 and other UEs may be reduced or avoided.

For example, the information 206 may be encapsulated in any suitable downlink MAC PDU and may be transmitted via RACH-based data transmission. For example, the information 206 may be transmitted from the BS 102 to the UE 101 via a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) in a RACH based SDT, e.g., as part of Msg4 in a 4-step RACH based SD T, or as part of MsgB in a 2-step RACH based SDT. For example, the information 206 may be transmitted with or included in an RRC release message or a resume message with a suspension indication (e.g., an RRCRelease message or an RRCResume message specified in the 3GPP standard).

Then, when a new payload (e.g., measurement report) arrives in the UE 101's buffer and time alignment is valid, the UE 101 in an inactive state may transmit the payload to the BS 102 via uplink data transmission (e.g., SDT) on the preconfigured uplink resource 106 in operation 207.

As shown in fig. 2, during at least a period of time from transmitting information 202 to receiving information 206, the UE 101 may remain in an inactive state without state transitions, thereby reducing power consumption, resource allocation complexity, and end-to-end latency of the UE 101, for example.

Fig. 3 illustrates another example sequence of operations in the pre-configured uplink resource configuration as shown in fig. 1.

Similar to the example shown in fig. 2, the operations in the example shown in fig. 3 may also include operation 201, communication of information 202 between UE 101 and BS 102, and communication of information 203 and 204 between BS 102 and BS 103. Further, after obtaining the information 204, the BS 102 may check whether the configuration of the pre-configured uplink resources 106 is available to the BS 102, e.g., based on capabilities of the BS 102 and/or the UE 101.

Further, in the example shown in fig. 3, BS 102 determines that pre-configured uplink resources 106 are, for example, at least partially unavailable and thus may determine in operation 301 that a new pre-configured uplink resource 110 is configured and used for UE 101 in an inactive state.

BS 102 may then transmit information 302 associated with the new pre-configured uplink resources 110 to UE 101.

For example, the information 302 may include configuration information (parameters) of the pre-configured uplink resources 110, which may include, but is not limited to, information associated with one or more of: time domain resource allocation associated with the preconfigured uplink resources 110; frequency domain resource allocation associated with the preconfigured uplink resources 110; one or more antenna ports associated with the preconfigured uplink resources 110; MCS associated with preconfigured uplink resources 110; a TBS associated with the preconfigured uplink resource 110; etc.

In another example, the information 302 can further include information associated with one or more of a TA timer, a start timing of the pre-configured uplink resources 110, a timing for starting the uplink data transmission 111, and the like, such that use of the new pre-configured uplink resources 110 for at least one uplink data transmission of the UE 101 can be scheduled.

For example, the information 302 may be encapsulated in any suitable downlink MAC PDU and may be transmitted via RACH-based data transmission. For example, the information 302 may be transmitted from the BS 102 to the UE 101 via the PDSCH in a RACH based SDT, e.g., as part of Msg4 in a 4-step RACH based SDT, or as part of MsgB in a 2-step RACH based SDT. For example, the information 302 may be transmitted with or included in an RRC release or Resume message with a suspension indication (e.g., an RRCRelease message or RRCResume message specified in the 3GPP standard).

Then, when a new payload (e.g., measurement report) arrives in the buffer of the UE 101 and is time aligned to be valid, the UE 101 in an inactive state may transmit the payload to the BS 102 via uplink data transmission 111 (e.g., SDT) as shown in fig. 1 on the preconfigured uplink resource 110 in operation 303.

In addition to providing information 302 to the UE 101, as shown in FIG. 3, the BS 102 may also transmit information 304 associated with the new preconfigured uplink resources 110 to the BS 103.

For example, information 304 may include configuration information (parameters) of preconfigured uplink resources 110, which may include, but is not limited to, information associated with one or more of: time domain resource allocation associated with the preconfigured uplink resources 110; frequency domain resource allocation associated with the preconfigured uplink resources 110; one or more antenna ports associated with the preconfigured uplink resources 110; MCS associated with preconfigured uplink resources 110; a TBS associated with the preconfigured uplink resource 110; etc.

For example, information 304 may be transmitted from BS 102 to BS 103 via an Xn interface.

In response to receiving the information 304, in operation 305, the BS 103 may update the configuration information of the pre-configured uplink resources 106 (stored in operation 201) with the configuration information of the pre-configured uplink resources 110.

As shown in fig. 3, the UE 101 may remain in an inactive state without state transitions for at least a period of time from transmitting the information 202 to receiving the information 302, thereby reducing power consumption, resource allocation complexity, and end-to-end latency of the UE 101, for example.

Fig. 4 illustrates another example sequence of operations in the pre-configured uplink resource configuration as shown in fig. 1.

In the example shown in fig. 4, the BS 103 does not configure pre-configured uplink resources, such as pre-configured uplink resources 106, for the UE 101 in an inactive state. Therefore, the operations in the BS 103 in the example shown in fig. 4 do not include the operations 201 shown in fig. 2 and 3.

For example, in the event that the UE 101 in the inactive state moves from a cell associated with BS 103 (e.g., cell 104 shown in fig. 1) to a cell associated with BS102 (e.g., cell 107 shown in fig. 1), the UE 101 in the inactive state may send information 401 to BS102, which information 401 may include an indication that there are no pre-configured uplink resources such as pre-configured uplink resources 106. For example, the information 401 may include a bit having a predetermined value (e.g., 0) that indicates that the last serving BS of the UE 101 did not configure the preconfigured uplink resources for the UE 101.

Similar to information 202, information 401 may also be encapsulated in any suitable uplink MAC PDU and may be transmitted via RACH-based data transmission. For example, the information 401 may be transmitted from the UE 101 to the BS102 via PUSCH in a RACH based SDT, e.g., as part of Msg3 in a 4-step RACH based SDT, or as part of MsgA in a 2-step RACH based SDT. In one example, the information 401 may be encapsulated in a MAC header and may be transmitted with an RRC recovery request message (e.g., an rrcresmerequest message specified in the 3GPP standard). In another example, the information 202 may be encapsulated in an RRC recovery request message in the MAC SDU.

Based on the received information 401, the bs 102 may determine in operation 301 that the UE 101 in an inactive state configures and uses the new pre-configured uplink resources 110.

Further, similar to the example shown in fig. 3, the BS 102 can transmit information 302 to the UE 101 such that the UE 101 in an inactive state can perform uplink data transmission 111 (e.g., SDT) as shown in fig. 1 on the preconfigured uplink resources 110 in operation 303.

Further, BS 102 can transmit information 304 associated with the new pre-configured uplink resources 110 to BS 103. In response to receiving information 304, BS 103 may store the configuration of pre-configured uplink resources 110 in operation 402 because BS 103 does not configure and store (or maintain) pre-configured uplink resources such as pre-configured uplink resources 106.

As shown in fig. 4, the UE 101 may remain in an inactive state without state transitions for at least a period of time from transmitting information 401 to receiving information 302, thereby reducing power consumption, resource allocation complexity, and end-to-end latency of the UE 101, for example.

Fig. 5 illustrates another example sequence of operations in the pre-configured uplink resource configuration as shown in fig. 1.

Similar to the example shown in fig. 3, in the example shown in fig. 5, BS 102 obtains information 204 associated with pre-configured uplink resources 106 through operations 201, 202, 203, and 204, and in operation 301, determines that UE 101 in an inactive state configures and uses new pre-configured uplink resources 110, e.g., if it is determined at BS 102 that pre-configured uplink resources 106 are not available.

BS 102 may then transmit information 501 associated with an indication to switch to a connected state (e.g., RRC connected state) to the UE 101 in an inactive state. For example, the information 501 may be transmitted via an RRC connection setup message.

In response to receiving the information 501, the UE 101 may revert from the inactive state to the connected state, and the BS 102 may transmit information 502 associated with the new pre-configured uplink resources 110 to the UE 101 in the connected state.

For example, information 502 may include configuration information (parameters) for pre-configured uplink resources 110, which may include, but is not limited to, information associated with one or more of: time domain resource allocation associated with the preconfigured uplink resources 110; frequency domain resource allocation associated with the preconfigured uplink resources 110; one or more antenna ports associated with the preconfigured uplink resources 110; MCS associated with preconfigured uplink resources 110; a TBS associated with the preconfigured uplink resource 110; etc.

In another example, the information 502 may also include information associated with one or more of a TA timer, a start timing of the pre-configured uplink resources 110, a timing for starting the uplink data transmission 111, etc., such that use of the new pre-configured uplink resources 110 may be scheduled for at least one uplink data transmission by the UE 101.

BS 102 may then transmit information 503 associated with the indication to switch to the inactive state to the UE 101 in the connected state. For example, information 503 may be transmitted via an RRC connection release message with a suspension indication.

In response to receiving the information 503, the UE 101 may return from the connected state to the inactive state, and when a new payload (e.g., measurement report) arrives at the UE 101's buffer and is time aligned valid, the UE 101 in the inactive state may transmit the payload to the BS 102 via the uplink data transmission 111 (e.g., SDT) as shown in fig. 1 on the preconfigured uplink resource 110 in operation 303.

Further, as shown in fig. 5, in operation 504, the BS 102 may become a new last serving BS for the UE 101 and may store information associated with the new pre-configured uplink resources 110.

For example, the stored information may include configuration information (parameters) of the pre-configured uplink resources 110, which may include, but is not limited to, information associated with one or more of the following: time domain resource allocation associated with the preconfigured uplink resources 110; frequency domain resource allocation associated with the preconfigured uplink resources 110; one or more antenna ports associated with the preconfigured uplink resources 110; MCS associated with preconfigured uplink resources 110; a TBS associated with the preconfigured uplink resource 110; etc.

Further, as shown in fig. 5, BS 102, which is the new last serving BS of UE 101, may transmit information 505 associated with an indication to release pre-configured uplink resources 106 to BS 103, e.g., via an Xn interface.

In response to receiving information 505, bs 103 may discard configuration information for pre-configured uplink resources 106 that have been previously stored in operation 201.

In the example shown in fig. 5, the state transition of the UE 101 (from the inactive state to the connected state and then back to the inactive state) may be triggered conditionally, e.g., in case the UE 101 informs the BS 102 that there are pre-configured uplink resources 106 that have been configured by the BS 103, but the BS 102 detects that the pre-configured uplink resources 106 are not available at the BS 102. Thus, the total number of state transitions of the UE 101 may be reduced, and the overall power consumption of the UE 101, for example, may be reduced.

Fig. 6 illustrates an example method 600 for configuring pre-configured uplink resources, which may be performed in a mobile station such as UE 101, in one embodiment.

As shown in fig. 6, an example method 600 may include operations 601 and 602.

For example, in operation 601, a mobile station (e.g., UE 101) may transmit first information (e.g., information 202 or 401) associated with a first preconfigured uplink resource (e.g., preconfigured uplink resource 106) configured by a second BS (e.g., BS 103) to a first BS (e.g., BS 102) in an inactive state.

In operation 602, for example, the mobile station may receive second information (e.g., information 206, or 302, or 502) associated with a preconfigured uplink resource to be used in an inactive state from the first BS, wherein the preconfigured uplink resource to be used may be one of a first preconfigured uplink resource and a second preconfigured uplink resource configured by the first BS.

It is noted that in this disclosure modifiers such as "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used to distinguish between different devices, operations, components, elements, etc. and do not emphasize importance, sequence, priority, etc. For example, in one embodiment or example, "a first BS" may refer to BS102, "a second BS" may refer to BS 103, while in another embodiment, "a first BS" may refer to BS 103 and "a second BS" may refer to BS102.

In one embodiment, the first information may include information associated with the presence of a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by the second BS, such as information 202. In one embodiment, the first information may include information associated with the absence of the first pre-configured uplink resources configured by the second BS, such as information 401.

In some embodiments, the first information may be encapsulated in an uplink MAC PDU and may be transmitted with the RRC recovery request information via RACH-based data transmission.

In some embodiments, the second information may further include information associated with at least one of a TA timer and a start timing of the pre-configured uplink resource to be used.

In some embodiments, the second information may be received in an inactive state, for example, as shown in fig. 2, 3, and 4.

In some embodiments, the second information may be encapsulated in a downlink MAC PDU and may be received via RACH-based data transmission with RRC release information with a suspension indication.

In some embodiments, in the example method 600, the mobile station may further receive third information (e.g., information 501) associated with the indication to switch to the connected state from the first BS, and may switch from the inactive state to the connected state in response to the third information, in order to receive the second information from the first BS in the connected state. Further, the mobile station may receive fourth information (e.g., information 503) associated with the indication to switch to the inactive state from the first BS, and may switch from the connected state to the inactive state in response to the fourth information.

Fig. 7 illustrates an example apparatus 700 for configuring pre-configured uplink resources, which may be at least a portion of a mobile station such as UE 101, in one embodiment.

As shown in fig. 7, an example apparatus 700 may include at least one processor 701 and at least one memory 702 that may include computer program code 703. The at least one memory 702 and the computer program code 703 may be configured to, with the at least one processor 701, cause the apparatus 700 to perform at least the operations of the example method 600 described above.

In various embodiments, at least one processor 701 in example apparatus 700 may include, but is not limited to, at least one hardware processor including at least one microprocessor such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a portion of at least one hardware processor, and any other suitable special purpose processor such as a special purpose processor developed based on, for example, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). In addition, the at least one processor 701 may also include at least one other circuit or element not shown in fig. 7.

In various embodiments, the at least one memory 702 in the example apparatus 700 may include various forms of at least one storage medium, such as volatile memory and/or non-volatile storage thereof. Volatile memory can include, for example, but is not limited to, random Access Memory (RAM), cache memory, and the like. The non-volatile memory may include, but is not limited to, for example, read Only Memory (ROM), hard disk, flash memory, and the like. Furthermore, at least memory 702 may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination of the preceding.

Further, in various embodiments, the example apparatus 700 may also include at least one other circuit, element, and interface, such as at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and so forth.

In various embodiments, the circuits, components, elements, and interfaces in the example apparatus 700 including the at least one processor 701 and the at least one memory 702 may be coupled together in any suitable manner, e.g., electrically, magnetically, optically, electromagnetically, etc., via any suitable connection including, but not limited to, buses, crossbars, wiring, and/or wireless links.

Fig. 8 illustrates an example apparatus 800 for configuring pre-configured uplink resources, which may be at least a portion of a mobile station such as UE 101, in one embodiment.

As shown in fig. 8, the example apparatus 800 may include means 801 for performing operation 601 of the example method 600 and means 802 for performing operation 602 of the example method 600. In one or more other embodiments, at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, etc. may also be included in the example apparatus 800. In some embodiments, examples of the means in apparatus 800 may comprise circuitry. In some embodiments, examples of the apparatus may also include software modules and any other suitable functional entities. In some embodiments, one or more additional means may be included in the apparatus 800 for performing one or more additional operations of the example method 600.

The term "circuitry" throughout this disclosure may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) Circuit implementations that are hardware-only (e.g., implementations in analog and/or digital circuitry only); (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuitry and software/firmware, and (ii) a hardware processor and software (including digital signal processors), software, and any portion of memory, working together to cause a device, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions, if applicable; and (c) hardware circuitry and/or a processor, such as a microprocessor or a portion of a microprocessor, that requires software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but when software is not required to operate, the software may not be present. This definition of circuit applies to one or all uses of that term in this disclosure, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this disclosure, the term circuit also encompasses embodiments of only a hardware circuit or processor (or processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also encompasses, for example and if applicable to the element in question, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

Fig. 9 illustrates an example method 900 for configuring pre-configured uplink resources, which may be performed in a first BS, such as BS 102, in one embodiment.

As shown in fig. 9, the example method 900 may include operations 901, 902, and 903.

In operation 901, a first BS may receive first information (e.g., information 202 or 401) associated with a first preconfigured uplink resource (e.g., preconfigured uplink resource 106) configured by a second BS (e.g., BS 103) for a mobile station in an inactive state from the mobile station in the inactive state (e.g., UE 101).

In operation 902, the first BS may determine a preconfigured uplink resource to be used for a mobile station in an inactive state from among a first preconfigured uplink resource and a second preconfigured uplink resource (e.g., preconfigured uplink resource 110) configured by the first BS based on the first information.

In operation 903, the first BS may transmit second information (e.g., information 206 or 302 or 502) associated with the preconfigured uplink resources to be used to the mobile station.

In one embodiment, the first information may include information associated with the presence of the first pre-configured uplink resource, such as information 202. In one embodiment, the first information may include information associated with the absence of the first pre-configured uplink resource, such as information 401.

In some embodiments, the first information may be encapsulated in an uplink MAC PDU and may be received with the RRC recovery request information via RACH-based data transmission.

In some embodiments, in the example method 900, the first BS may also receive third information (e.g., information 204) associated with the first preconfigured uplink resources from the second BS. For example, the third information may include information associated with at least one of: a time domain resource allocation associated with the first pre-configured uplink resource; a frequency domain resource allocation associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; an antenna port associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; an MCS associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; and a TBS associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource.

In some embodiments, in the example method 900, the first BS may further transmit fourth information (e.g., information 203) associated with the request for third information to the second BS.

In some embodiments, in the example method 900, the first BS may further transmit fifth information (e.g., information 304) associated with the second pre-configured uplink resources to the second BS. For example, the fifth information may include information associated with at least one of: a time domain resource allocation associated with the second pre-configured uplink resource; a frequency domain resource allocation associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; an antenna port associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; an MCS associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; and a TBS associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource.

In some embodiments, for example, as shown in fig. 2, 3, and 4, the second information may be transmitted to the mobile station while maintaining the mobile station in an inactive state.

In some embodiments, for example, as also shown in fig. 5, in the example method 900, the first BS may further transmit sixth information (e.g., information 501) associated with the indication to switch to the connected state to the mobile station, and after transmitting the second information, transmit seventh information (e.g., information 503) associated with the indication to switch to the inactive state to the mobile station.

In some embodiments, in example method 900, e.g., in operation 504 shown in fig. 5, the first BS may further store second information associated with the preconfigured uplink resources to be used, and may transmit first information (e.g., information 505) associated with the release of the first preconfigured uplink resources to the second BS.

Fig. 10 illustrates an example apparatus 1000 for configuring pre-configured uplink resources, which may be at least a portion of a first BS, such as BS 102, in one embodiment.

As shown in fig. 10, an example apparatus 1000 may include at least one processor 1001 and at least one memory 1002 that may include computer program code 1003. The at least one memory 1002 and the computer program code 1003 may be configured to, with the at least one processor 1001, cause the apparatus 1000 to perform at least the operations of the example method 900 described above.

In various embodiments, the at least one processor 1001 in the example apparatus 1000 may include, but is not limited to, at least one hardware processor including at least one microprocessor such as a CPU, a portion of at least one hardware processor, and any other suitable special purpose processor such as a special purpose processor developed based on FPGAs and ASICs. In addition, the at least one processor 1001 may also include at least one other circuit or element not shown in fig. 10.

In various embodiments, at least one memory 1002 in the example apparatus 1000 may include various forms of at least one storage medium, such as volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory. Volatile memory can include, for example, but is not limited to, RAM, cache, and the like. The non-volatile memory may include, but is not limited to, for example, ROM, hard disk, flash memory, etc. Furthermore, at least memory 1002 may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination of the preceding.

Further, in various embodiments, the example apparatus 1000 may also include at least one other circuit, element, and interface, such as at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and so forth.

In various embodiments, the circuits, components, elements, and interfaces in the example apparatus 1000 including the at least one processor 1001 and the at least one memory 1002 may be coupled together in any suitable manner, e.g., electrically, magnetically, optically, electromagnetically, etc., via any suitable connection including, but not limited to, buses, crossbars, wiring, and/or wireless links.

Fig. 11 illustrates an example apparatus 1100 for configuring pre-configured uplink resources, which may be at least a portion of a first BS, such as BS 102, in one embodiment.

As shown in fig. 11, the example apparatus 1100 may include means 1101 for performing operation 901 of the example method 900, means 1102 for performing operation 902 of the example method 900, and means 1103 for performing operation 903 of the example method 900. In one or more other embodiments, at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, etc. may also be included in the example device 1100. In some embodiments, examples of the means in apparatus 1100 may comprise circuitry. In some embodiments, examples of the apparatus may also include software modules and any other suitable functional entities. In some embodiments, one or more additional apparatus may be included in device 1100 for performing one or more additional operations of example method 900.

Fig. 12 illustrates an example method 1100 for configuring pre-configured uplink resources, which may be performed in a first BS, such as BS 103, in one embodiment.

As shown in fig. 12, example method 1100 may include operation 1201, operation 1202, operation 1203, and operation 1204.

In operation 1201, the first BS may store first information associated with a first preconfigured uplink resource (e.g., preconfigured uplink resource 106) configured by the first BS for a mobile station (e.g., UE 101) in an inactive state, examples of which may include operation 201.

In operation 1202, the first BS may receive information from a second BS (e.g., BS 102).

In case the second information comprises a request for information, e.g. information 203, the first BS may transmit the first information to the second BS in operation 1203, e.g. via information 204.

In the case where the second information includes information associated with a second preconfigured uplink resource (e.g., preconfigured uplink resource 110) configured by the second BS for the mobile station in the inactive state, the first information may be updated based on the second information in operation 1204, an example of which may include operation 305.

Fig. 13 illustrates an example apparatus 1300, which may be at least a portion of a first BS, such as BS 103, for configuring pre-configured uplink resources in one embodiment.

As shown in fig. 13, an example apparatus 1300 may include at least one processor 1301 and at least one memory 1302 that may include computer program code 1303. The at least one memory 1302 and the computer program code 1303 may be configured to, with the at least one processor 1301, cause the apparatus 1300 to perform at least the operations of the example method 1200 described above.

In various embodiments, the at least one processor 1301 in the example apparatus 1300 may include, but is not limited to, at least one hardware processor including at least one microprocessor such as a CPU, a portion of at least one software processor, and any other suitable special purpose processor such as a special purpose processor developed based on FPGAs and ASICs. In addition, the at least one processor 1301 may also include at least one other circuit or element not shown in fig. 13.

In various embodiments, at least one memory 1302 in the example apparatus 1300 may include various forms of at least one storage medium, such as volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory. Volatile memory can include, for example, but is not limited to, RAM, cache, and the like. The non-volatile memory may include, but is not limited to, for example, ROM, hard disk, flash memory, etc. Furthermore, at least memory 1302 may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, device, or apparatus, or any combination of the preceding.

Furthermore, in various embodiments, the example apparatus 1300 may also include at least one other circuit, element, and interface, such as at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and so forth.

In various embodiments, the circuits, components, elements, and interfaces in the example apparatus 1300, including the at least one processor 1301 and the at least one memory 1302, may be coupled together in any suitable manner, e.g., electrically, magnetically, optically, electromagnetically, etc., via any suitable connection, including, but not limited to, buses, crossbars, wiring, and/or wireless links.

Fig. 14 illustrates an example apparatus 1100 for configuring pre-configured uplink resources, which may be at least a portion of a first BS, such as BS 103, in one embodiment.

As shown in fig. 14, the example apparatus 1400 may include means 1401 for performing operation 1201 of the example method 1200, means 1402 for performing operation 1202 of the example method 1200, means 1403 for performing operation 1203 of the example method 1200, and means 1404 for performing operation 1204 of the example method 1200. In one or more other embodiments, at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, etc., may also be included in the example device 1400. In some embodiments, examples of the means in the apparatus 1400 may comprise circuitry. In some embodiments, examples of the apparatus may also include software modules and any other suitable functional entities. In some embodiments, one or more additional devices may be included in the apparatus 1400 for performing one or more additional operations of the example method 1200.

Another example embodiment may involve computer program code or instructions which may cause an apparatus to perform at least the methods described above. Another example embodiment may relate to a computer-readable medium having such computer program code or instructions stored thereon. In some embodiments, such computer-readable media may include at least one storage medium in various forms, such as volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory. Volatile memory can include, for example, but is not limited to, RAM, cache, and the like. The non-volatile memory may include, but is not limited to, ROM, hard disk, flash memory, etc. The non-volatile memory may also include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination of the preceding.

Throughout the specification and claims, the words "comprise," "include," and the like are to be interpreted in an inclusive rather than exclusive or exhaustive sense unless the context clearly requires otherwise; that is, in the sense of "including but not limited to". As generally used herein, the term "coupled" refers to two or more elements that may be connected directly, or through one or more intervening elements. Also, as generally used herein, the term "connected" refers to two or more elements that may be connected directly or through one or more intervening elements. Furthermore, the words "herein," "above," "below," and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context allows, words in the specification using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number, respectively. The term "or" refers to a list of two or more items, which term encompasses all of the following interpretations of the term: any item in the list, all items in the list, and any combination of items in the list.

Furthermore, conditional language such as "may," "for example," "such as," etc., as used herein, are generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, but other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or states unless specifically stated otherwise or otherwise understood in the context of use. Thus, such conditional language does not generally imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required by one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

While some embodiments have been described, they are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the apparatus, methods, and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, while blocks are presented in a given arrangement, alternative embodiments may utilize different components and/or circuit topologies to perform similar functions, and some blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified. At least one of these blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. The order of the blocks may also be changed. Any suitable combination of the elements and acts of some of the embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one 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, as at least a portion of a mobile station, to perform:

transmitting, in an inactive state, first information associated with a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by a second base station to the first base station; and

second information associated with a pre-configured uplink resource to be used in the inactive state is received from the first base station, the pre-configured uplink resource to be used being one of the first pre-configured uplink resource and a second pre-configured uplink resource configured by the first base station.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first information comprises information associated with an absence or presence of the first pre-configured uplink resource configured by the second base station.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first information is encapsulated in an uplink medium access control protocol data unit and transmitted via a random access channel based data transmission together with radio resource control resume request information.

4. The apparatus of any of claims 1-3, wherein the second information further comprises information associated with at least one of a time alignment timer and a start timing of the pre-configured uplink resources to be used.

5. The apparatus of any of claims 1-4, wherein the second information is received in the inactive state.

6. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second information is encapsulated in a downlink medium access control protocol data unit and received via a random access channel based data transmission with radio resource control release information with a suspension indication.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 1-4, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform:

receiving third information associated with an indication to switch to a connected state from the first base station;

switching from the inactive state to the connected state in response to the third information to receive the second information from the first base station in the connected state;

Receiving fourth information associated with an indication to switch to the inactive state from the first base station; and

switching from the connected state to the inactive state in response to the fourth information.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one 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, as at least a portion of a first base station, to perform:

receiving, from a mobile station in an inactive state, first information associated with a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by a second base station for the mobile station in an inactive state;

determining, based on the first information, preconfigured uplink resources to be used for the mobile station in an inactive state from the first preconfigured uplink resources and second preconfigured uplink resources configured by the first base station; and

second information associated with the preconfigured uplink resources to be used is transmitted to the mobile station.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first preconfigured uplink resource is determined to be the preconfigured uplink resource to use if the first information includes information associated with a presence of the first preconfigured uplink resource and the first preconfigured uplink resource is available.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 or 9, wherein the first information is encapsulated in an uplink media configuration control protocol data unit and received via a random access channel based data transmission together with radio resource control recovery request information.

11. The apparatus of any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform:

receiving third information associated with the first pre-configured uplink resource from the second base station, the third information including information associated with at least one of: a time domain resource allocation associated with the first pre-configured uplink resource; a frequency domain resource allocation associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; an antenna port associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; a modulation and coding scheme associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; and a transport block size associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform:

Fourth information associated with a request for the third information is transmitted to the second base station.

13. The apparatus of any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the second preconfigured uplink resource is determined to be the preconfigured uplink resource to be used if the first information comprises information associated with the absence of the first preconfigured uplink resource or the first preconfigured uplink resource is not available.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform:

transmitting fifth information associated with the second pre-configured uplink resource to the second base station, the fifth information including information associated with at least one of: a time domain resource allocation associated with the second pre-configured uplink resource; a frequency domain resource allocation associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; an antenna port associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; a modulation and coding scheme associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; and a transport block size associated with the second pre-configured uplink resource.

15. The apparatus of any of claims 8 to 14, wherein the second information further comprises information associated with at least one of a time alignment timer and a start timing of the pre-configured uplink resources to be used.

16. The apparatus of any of claims 8 to 15, wherein the second information is transmitted to the mobile station while maintaining the mobile station in the inactive state.

17. The apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 16, wherein the second information is encapsulated in a downlink medium access control protocol data unit and transmitted via a random access channel based data transmission together with radio resource control release information with a suspension indication.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 or 14, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform:

transmitting sixth information associated with an indication to switch to a connected state to the mobile station; and

after transmitting the second information, transmitting seventh information associated with an indication to switch to the inactive state to the mobile station.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform:

storing second information associated with the preconfigured uplink resources to be used; and

eighth information associated with the release of the first pre-configured uplink resources is transmitted to the second base station.

20. A method, comprising:

transmitting, at a mobile station in an inactive state, first information associated with first pre-configured uplink resources configured by a second base station to a first base station; and

second information associated with a preconfigured uplink resource to be used in the inactive state is received at the mobile station from the first base station, the preconfigured uplink resource to be used being one of the first preconfigured uplink resource and a second preconfigured uplink resource configured by the first base station.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first information comprises information associated with an absence or presence of the first pre-configured uplink resource configured by the second base station.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the first information is encapsulated in an uplink medium access control protocol data unit and transmitted together with radio resource control recovery request information via a random access channel based data transmission.

23. The method of any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the second information further comprises information associated with at least one of a time alignment timer and a start timing of the pre-configured uplink resources to be used.

24. The method of any of claims 20 to 23, wherein the second information is received in the inactive state.

25. The method according to any of claims 20 to 24, wherein the second information is encapsulated in a downlink medium access control protocol data unit and received via a random access channel based data transmission together with radio resource control release information with a suspension indication.

26. The method of any of claims 20 to 23, further comprising:

receiving, at the mobile station, third information associated with an indication to switch to a connected state from the first base station;

Switching the mobile station from the inactive state to the connected state in response to the third information, so as to receive the second information from the first base station in the connected state;

receiving, at the mobile station, fourth information associated with an indication to switch to the inactive state from the first base station; and

switching the mobile station from the connected state to the inactive state in response to the fourth information.

27. A method, comprising:

receiving, at a first base station, first information associated with a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by a second base station for a mobile station in an inactive state from the mobile station in the inactive state;

determining, at the first base station and based on the first information, preconfigured uplink resources to be used for the mobile station in the inactive state from the first preconfigured uplink resources and second preconfigured uplink resources configured by the first base station; and

second information associated with the preconfigured uplink resources to be used is transmitted to the mobile station at the first base station.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first preconfigured uplink resource is determined to be the preconfigured uplink resource to use if the first information includes information associated with a presence of the first preconfigured uplink resource and the first preconfigured uplink resource is available.

29. The method according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the first information is encapsulated in an uplink medium access control protocol data unit and received together with radio resource control recovery request information via a random access channel based data transmission.

30. The method of any of claims 27 to 29, further comprising:

receiving, at the first base station, third information associated with the first pre-configured uplink resource from the second base station, the third information including information associated with at least one of: a time domain resource allocation associated with the first pre-configured uplink resource; a frequency domain resource allocation associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; an antenna port associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; a modulation and coding scheme associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource; and a transport block size associated with the first preconfigured uplink resource.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

fourth information associated with a request for the third information is transmitted at the first base station to the second base station.

32. The method according to any of claims 27 to 31, wherein the second preconfigured uplink resource is determined as the preconfigured uplink resource to be used in case the first information comprises information associated with the absence of the first preconfigured uplink resource or the first preconfigured uplink resource is not available.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

transmitting, at the first base station, fifth information associated with the second pre-configured uplink resource to the second base station, the fifth information including information associated with at least one of: a time domain resource allocation associated with the second pre-configured uplink resource; a frequency domain resource allocation associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; an antenna port associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; a modulation and coding scheme associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource; and a transport block size associated with the second preconfigured uplink resource.

34. The method of any of claims 27 to 33, wherein the second information further comprises information associated with at least one of a time alignment timer and a start timing of the pre-configured uplink resources to be used.

35. A method as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 34, wherein the second information is transmitted to the mobile station whilst maintaining the mobile station in the inactive state.

36. The method according to any of claims 27 to 35, wherein the second information is encapsulated in a downlink medium access control protocol data unit and transmitted via a random access channel based data transmission together with radio resource control release information with a suspension indication.

37. The method of claim 32 or 33, further comprising:

transmitting sixth information associated with an indication to switch to a connected state to the mobile station at the first base station; and

after transmitting the second information, seventh information associated with an indication to switch to the inactive state is transmitted to the mobile station at the first base station.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

storing, at a first base station, the second information associated with the preconfigured uplink resources to be used; and

eighth information associated with the release of the first pre-configured uplink resources is transmitted at the first base station to the second base station.

39. An apparatus in a mobile station, comprising:

transmitting, to the first base station in the inactive state, first information associated with a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by the second base station; and

means for receiving second information associated with a pre-configured uplink resource to be used in the inactive state from the first base station, the pre-configured uplink resource to be used being one of the first pre-configured uplink resource and a second pre-configured uplink resource configured by the first base station.

40. An apparatus in a first base station, comprising:

means for receiving, from a mobile station in an inactive state, first information associated with a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by a second base station for the mobile station in an inactive state;

means for determining, based on the first information, preconfigured uplink resources to be used for the mobile station in the inactive state from the first preconfigured uplink resources and second preconfigured uplink resources configured by the first base station; and

means for transmitting second information associated with the preconfigured uplink resources to be used to the mobile station.

41. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus, which is at least part of a mobile station, to perform:

42. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus, which is at least part of a first base station, to perform:

receiving, from a mobile station in an inactive state, first information associated with a first pre-configured uplink resource configured by a second base station for the mobile station in the inactive state;

determining, based on the first information, preconfigured uplink resources to be used for the mobile station in the inactive state from the first preconfigured uplink resources and second preconfigured uplink resources configured by the first base station; and