CN117121581A

CN117121581A - Mechanism for paging enhancements

Info

Publication number: CN117121581A
Application number: CN202180096490.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 贺敬; B·P·塞比尔; J·T·科斯凯拉; 郑迺铮
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: 2021-04-02
Filing date: 2021-04-02
Publication date: 2023-11-24
Also published as: WO2022205448A1

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to paging enhancements. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first device receives one or more group paging messages from a second device. The one or more group paging messages indicate a delay of a response to one of the one or more group paging messages. The first device transmits a delayed response to the one group paging message based on a portion of the one or more group paging messages. In this way, congestion in accessing the channel is avoided.

Description

Mechanism for paging enhancements

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications and, in particular, relate to methods, apparatuses, devices, and computer-readable storage media for paging enhancements.

Background

Recently, several solutions have been proposed to provide efficient and reliable solutions for communication. A technology called "Multicast and Broadcast Service (MBS)" has been proposed to enable it to efficiently use radio and network resources while transmitting audio and video content to a large number of end users. In the MBS scenario, both point-to-point (PTP) and point-to-multipoint (PTM) are supported when the base station transmits MBS data packets in the downlink. The term "PTP mode" refers to the use of unicast to send packets in the downlink to a specific terminal device with a cell radio network temporary identity (C-RNTI). The term "PTM mode" refers to a group of terminal devices that use multicast to send packets in the downlink to a shared public group radio network temporary identity (G-RNTI). Solutions to improve the performance of MBS are still under further investigation.

Disclosure of Invention

In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for paging enhancements.

In a first aspect, a first device is provided. The first device includes at least one processor; at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to: receiving one or more group paging messages indicating a delay of a response to a group paging message of the one or more group paging messages; and transmitting a delayed response to the group paging message to the second device based on a portion of the one or more group paging messages.

In a second aspect, a second device is provided. The second device includes at least one processor; at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to transmit one or more group paging messages to the first device, the one or more group paging messages indicating a delay of a response to the group paging message; and receiving a delayed response to one of the one or more group paging messages from the first device based at least on a portion of the one or more group paging messages.

In a third aspect, a method is provided. The method includes receiving, at a first device, one or more group paging messages from a second device, the one or more group paging messages indicating a delay of a response to a group paging message of the one or more group paging messages; and transmitting a delayed response to the group paging message to the second device based on a portion of the one or more group paging messages.

In a fourth aspect, a method is provided. The method comprises the following steps: at the second device, transmitting one or more group paging messages to the first device, the one or more group paging messages indicating a delay of a response to the group paging message; and receiving a delayed response to one of the one or more group paging messages from the first device based at least on a portion of the one or more group paging messages.

In a fifth aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes means for receiving, at a first device and from a second device, one or more group paging messages indicating a delay of a response to a group paging message of the one or more group paging messages; and means for transmitting a delayed response to the group paging message to the second device based on a portion of the one or more group paging messages.

In a sixth aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes means for transmitting, at a second device, one or more group paging messages to a first device, the one or more group paging messages indicating a delay of a response to the group paging message; and means for receiving a delayed response from the first device for one of the one or more group paging messages based at least on a portion of the one or more group paging messages.

In a seventh aspect, a computer readable medium is provided. The computer readable medium comprises program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to any one of the third and fourth aspects above.

It should be understood that the "summary of the invention" section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description.

Drawings

Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

fig. 2 illustrates signaling flows for paging according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of paging occasions according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second apparatus according to some other example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for practicing the example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

fig. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer-readable medium, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

The same or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements.

Detailed Description

Principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described merely for the purpose of illustrating and helping those skilled in the art understand and practice the present disclosure and are not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. The embodiments described herein may be implemented in various other ways than those described below.

In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

In this disclosure, references to "one embodiment," "an example embodiment," 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 are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

It will be understood that, although the terms "first" and "second," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "has," "including," "includes" and/or "including" when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term "circuit arrangement" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) Pure hardware circuit implementations (such as implementations of pure analog and/or digital circuit arrangements), and

(b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (as applicable):

(i) Combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) and software/firmware, and

(ii) Any portion of the hardware processor(s) having software, including the digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(s), work together to cause an apparatus (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions, and

(c) Hardware circuit(s) and/or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portion of microprocessor(s), that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but may not exist when operation is not required.

The definition of circuit means is applicable to all uses of the term in the present application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this disclosure, the term circuitry also encompasses hardware-only circuitry or a processor (or multiple processors) or an implementation of a hardware circuit or portion of a processor and its accompanying software and/or firmware. For example, if applicable to the particular claim element, the term circuitry also encompasses 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.

As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that conforms to any suitable communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-advanced (LTE-a), wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), high Speed Packet Access (HSPA), narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT), and the like. Furthermore, the communication between the terminal device and the network device in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocol, including, but not limited to, a first generation (1G), a second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, a third generation (3G), a fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, a fifth generation (5G) communication protocol, and/or any other protocol currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to various communication systems. In view of the rapid development of communications, there are, of course, future types of communication techniques and systems that can implement the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to only the above-described systems.

As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device is able to access the network and receive services therefrom. The network devices may refer to Base Stations (BS) or Access Points (APs), e.g., node BS (NodeB or NB), evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), NR NB (also known as gNB), remote Radio Unit (RRU), radio Header (RH), remote Radio Head (RRH), relay, integrated and Access Backhaul (IAB) nodes, low power nodes such as femto (femto), pico (pico), non-terrestrial network (NTN), or non-terrestrial network devices such as satellite network devices, low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, and geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellites, aircraft network devices, etc., depending on the terminology and technology applied. The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "terminal", "user equipment" and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

As described above, MBS has been proposed. According to some conventional techniques, new Radio (NR) support for MBS has been agreed. For example, it has been agreed to support NR MBS using a conventional next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) architecture.

In order to save power, if no MBS service and unicast service are ongoing, a UE in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) _connected state and having joined one MBS service should be transmitted back to the rrc_inactive/IDLE state. When an MBS session is activated or initiated, the Access and Mobility Function (AMF) will perform a group page including a group paging identity (TMGI) in the paging message and the NG-RAN node triggers the group page to wake up all UEs in rrc_inactive/IDLE state accordingly. If the AMF has a connection management IDLE (CM-IDLE) UE that has joined the MB session (i.e., any CM-IDLE UE having a particular TMGI of the MB session stored in the UE context of the AMF), the AMF performs a group page including a group paging identity (TMGI) in a paging message in a registration area of the CM-IDLE UE. The AMF determines a group paging area by combining paging areas of individual UEs within the multicast group.

The MBS session may be stopped when requested by an Application Function (AF). When the MBS session is stopped, the MBS session context remains in the fifth generation core network (5 GC), but AN resources with the context and the N3 tunnel for the 5GC shared MBS delivery method are released. Multicast quality of service (QoS) flow information may be removed from MBS session context stored at the UE and 5GC Network Functions (NF). The UE that has joined the multicast session may become CM-IDLE (RRC INACTIVE/IDLE state).

The MBS session may be activated/started upon AF request. When an MBS session needs to be activated or initiated, a Network Exposure Function (NEF) or a mobile black point fund (mobile black spot fund, MBSF) may send one or more messages to a multicast broadcast session management function (MB-SMF) to establish transmission resources. The MB-SMF may obtain relevant multicast QoS flow information from a Policy Control Function (PCF). When the MB-SMF restarts the MBs session, the MB-SMF informs the NG-RAN of the session activation via the SMF/AMF serving the UE within the multicast session. The UE is notified of session activation by the NG-RAN.

The group paging mechanism may page all UEs joining the same MBS service in one cell through one paging message, but all the paged UEs will initiate a Random Access Channel (RACH) access procedure at the same time, which results in contention-based RACH access collision problem.

In order to address at least part of the above and other potential problems, solutions have been proposed for group paging. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first device receives one or more group paging messages from a second device. The one or more group paging messages indicate a delay in response to one of the one or more group paging messages. The first device transmits a delayed response to the one group paging message based on a portion of the one or more group paging messages. In this way, congestion in accessing the channel is avoided.

Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication environment 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. The communication environment 100 as part of a communication network also includes devices 110-1, 110-2, … …, 110-N (which may be collectively referred to as first device(s) 110 "). The communication environment 100 includes a second device 120.

Communication environment 100 may include any suitable number of devices and cells. In the communication environment 100, the first device 110 and the second device 120 may communicate data and control information with each other. In the case where the first device 110 is a terminal device and the second device 120 is a network device, the link from the second device 120 to the first device 110 is referred to as a Downlink (DL), and the link from the first device 110 to the second device 120 is referred to as an Uplink (UL). The second device 120 and the first device 110 are interchangeable.

It should be understood that the number of first devices and cells and their connections shown in fig. 1 is for illustration purposes and is not intended to be limiting. Communication environment 100 may include any suitable number of devices and networks suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

Communication in communication network 100 may be implemented in accordance with any suitable communication protocol(s), including but not limited to first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), fifth generation (5G), etc., cellular communication protocols, wireless local area network communication protocols such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, etc., and/or any other protocol currently known or to be developed in the future. Further, the communication may utilize any suitable wireless communication technology including, but not limited to: code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), frequency Division Duplex (FDD), time Division Duplex (TDD), multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDM), discrete fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), and/or any other technique currently known or developed in the future.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring now to fig. 2, fig. 2 illustrates a signaling flow 200 for paging according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, signaling flow 200 will be described with reference to fig. 1. For illustration purposes only, the signaling flow 200 may relate to the first device 110-1 and the second device 120.

In some example embodiments, the second device 120 may transmit 2005 to the first device 110-1 first information indicating a plurality of delay windows. For example, the first information may be transmitted in a group paging message. Alternatively, the first information may be transmitted in a system information block. Alternatively, the first information may be transmitted in dedicated signaling, e.g., dedicated RRC signaling. The term "delay window" refers to the duration between the receipt of a group paging message and the most recent possible transmission of a response to the group paging message.

Alternatively or additionally, the second device 120 may transmit 2010 to the first device 110-1 second information indicating the number of repetitions of one or more group paging messages. In some example embodiments, the second information may be transmitted in a system information block. In other example embodiments, the second information may be transmitted in dedicated signaling, e.g., dedicated RRC signaling. Alternatively, the second information may be transmitted in one or more group paging messages.

The second device 120 transmits 2015 one or more group paging messages to the first device 110-1. In some embodiments, one or more group paging messages may be different from each other. For example, the second device 120 may transmit the group paging message once. Alternatively, one or more group paging messages may be identical. In this case, the second device 120 may transmit the same group paging message multiple times, e.g., in different consecutive paging occasions.

In some embodiments, the group paging message may include an identity of the paging UE. The identity may be a group radio network temporary identity (G-RNTI), for example. Alternatively or additionally, the identity may be a system architecture assessment (SAE) temporary mobile group identity (TIMGI).

Alternatively or additionally, the group paging message may directly include a delay window. The value of the delay window may be any suitable value. In other example embodiments, the group paging message may include an index of a delay window. As described above, first information including a plurality of delay windows may be transmitted to the first device 210-1. In this case, the first device 210-1 may determine a value of the delay window based on the index of the delay window and the first information. For example only, if overhead in paging (overhead) may be limited, a pointer (pointer) to a fixed value may be transmitted. For example, SIB or dedicated signaling (e.g., RRCRelease or rrcrecon configuration message for commanding the first device 110-1 to rrc_inactive/IDLE) may signal (signal) different delay window values (e.g., 10, 20, 40, 80 ms) and the paging record may only send an index to signal which of these delay window values is used. For example, if index "3" is transmitted, the delay window value should be 40ms. As another example embodiment, the group paging message may indicate the number of repetitions of the group paging message.

Alternatively, the delay window value may not be transmitted in the paging record, i.e., transmitted separately for each UE, but transmitted jointly for all UEs. After the first device 110-1 receives the group page message, the first device 1101 that initiated the access will be allocated because the first device 110-1 will initiate a timer (timer) with a randomization value, e.g., from 0ms to a delay window value.

In some example embodiments, the first device 110-1 may generate 2020 a random delay value. The random delay value may be between a predetermined value and a value of the delay window. For example only, if the predetermined value is 0 and the value of the delay window is 10ms, the random delay value generated may be between 0 and 10. The maximum generated random delay value may be 10. In some example embodiments, if the first device 110-1 receives the paging message, the first device 110-1 in the rrc_inactive/IDLE state may select the random delay value according to a uniform distribution between 0 and the delay window. The first device 110-1 may perform a Random Access (RA) selection procedure when the time indicated by the random delay value occurs. For example, if the delay window is 10ms and the generated random delay value is 7, the RACH may be delayed by 7ms. In some embodiments, RACH resources may not be precisely available at the time indicated by the random delay value, and RACH may be initiated using the first available RACH resource after the time indicated by the random delay value. Table 1 below shows an example of a group paging message.

TABLE 1

In some example embodiments, the first device 110-1 may determine 2025 a Paging Occasion (PO). In some example embodiments, as described above, the second device 120 may transmit the same group paging message several times in the cell, and the number of repetitions of the same group paging message may be indicated in the second information. The first device 110-1 may determine the paging occasion based on at least one identity associated with the first device 110-1 and the number of repetitions. In some embodiments, the identity may be a G-RNTI. Alternatively or additionally, the identity may be a TMGI. The identity may also be SAE-TMSI.

The first device 110-1 transmits 2030 a delayed response to the second device 120 based on a portion of the one or more group paging messages. In some embodiments, as described above, the first device 110-1 may transmit a delay response after a delay corresponding to the generated random delay value. For example only, the value of the delay window is 10ms and the random delay value generated is 4ms. In this case, the first device 110-1 may transmit a delayed response after 4ms. For example, the delay response may be transmitted at any point in time after 4ms or 4ms, such as 5ms, 6ms, 7ms, 8ms, 9ms, or 10 ms. It should be noted that the generated random delay value may not be limited to an integer. As just one example, the generated random delay value may be 4.5, and thus the delay response may be transmitted at any point in time (e.g., 5ms or 5.5 ms) after 4.5ms or 4.5 ms.

Alternatively, as described above, the paging occasion may be determined by the first device 110-1 based on one or more identities and the number of repetitions. If a group paging message is received in the determined paging occasion, the first device 110-1 may transmit a delayed response to the received group paging message. In some embodiments, the first device 110-1 may be able to respond to the page only if the paging message includes an identity associated with the first device 110-1. For example only, if two paging messages are used to allocate RA access load, then the group paging message in the first paging occasion should be acknowledged by a device with 5G-S-TMSI mod 2 equal to 0 and the group paging in the second paging occasion should be acknowledged by a device with 5G-S-TMSI mod 2 equal to 1.

Another example is that if four group paging messages are used to allocate RA access load, the group paging message in the first PO should be acknowledged by a device with 5G-S-TMSI mod4 equal to 0, the group paging message in the second PO should be acknowledged by a device with 5G-S-TMSI mod4 equal to 1, the group paging message in the third PO should be acknowledged by a device with 5G-S-TMSI mod4 equal to 2, and the group paging message in the fourth PO should be acknowledged by a device with 5G-S-TMSI mod4 equal to 3. It should be noted that any suitable number of group paging messages may be used to allocate RA access load.

Fig. 3 shows a case of using four group paging messages. For example only, if the first device 110-1 has a 5G-S-TMSI mod 4 equal to 0, the first device 110-1 may transmit a response to the group page message received in the PO 3010-1. If the first device 110-1 has a 5G-S-TMSI mod 4 equal to 1, the first device 110-1 may transmit a response to the group page message received in the PO 3010-2. If the first device 110-1 has a 5G-S-TMSI mod 4 equal to 2, the first device 110-1 may transmit a response to the group page message received in the PO 3010-3. If the first device 110-1 has a 5G-S-TMSI mod 4 equal to 3, the first device 110-1 may transmit a response to the group page message received in the PO 3010-4. It should be noted that the number of group paging messages shown in fig. 3 is only one example and not limiting.

According to the embodiment of the disclosure, the congestion when accessing the channel can be avoided. Furthermore, the impact on air interface signaling is small. The delay response can also be adjusted faster.

Fig. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 400 implemented at the first device 110, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, the method 400 will be described from the perspective of the first device 110.

At block 410, the first device 110-1 receives one or more group paging messages from the second device. The one or more group paging messages may indicate a delay of a response to a group paging message of the one or more group paging messages.

In some embodiments, the first device 110-1 may receive one or more group paging messages that include a delay window. Alternatively or additionally, the first device 110-1 may receive a group paging message that includes an index of a delay window.

In an example embodiment, the first device 110-1 may receive first information indicating a plurality of delay windows from the second device 120. The first device 110-1 may determine a value of the delay window based on the index and the plurality of delay windows.

In other embodiments, the first device 110-1 may receive the first information via one of: system information blocks or dedicated radio resource control signaling.

In some embodiments, the first device 110-1 may generate random delay values that are less than or equal to the values of the delay window. The first device 110-1 may transmit a delay response after a delay corresponding to the generated random delay value.

Alternatively or additionally, the first device 110-1 may receive second information from the second device 120 indicating a number of repetitions of one or more group paging messages via one of: a system information block, dedicated radio resource control signaling, or one or more group paging messages.

In some embodiments, the first device 110-1 may determine the paging occasion based on at least one identity associated with the first device and the number of repetitions. In this case, the first device 110-1 may transmit a delayed response to the group paging message if the group paging message of the one or more group paging messages is received in the paging occasion.

In other embodiments, the at least one identity comprises one or more of: a group radio network temporary identity, a temporary mobile group identity, or an SAE temporary mobile subscriber identity.

At block 420, the first device 110-1 transmits a delayed response to the group paging message to the second device 120 based on a portion of the one or more group paging messages.

Fig. 5 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 500 implemented at the second device 120, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, the method 500 will be described from the perspective of the second device 120.

In some example embodiments, the second device 120 may transmit first information indicating a plurality of delay windows to the first device 110-1. For example, the first information may be transmitted in a system information block. Alternatively, the first information may be transmitted in dedicated signaling, e.g., dedicated RRC signaling. The term "delay window" refers to the duration between the receipt of a group paging message and the transmission of a response to the group paging message.

Alternatively or additionally, the second device 120 may transmit second information indicating the number of repetitions of one or more group paging messages to the first device 110-1. In some example embodiments, the second information may be transmitted in a system information block. In other example embodiments, the second information may be transmitted in dedicated signaling, e.g., dedicated RRC signaling. Alternatively, the second information may be transmitted in one or more group paging messages.

At block 510, the second device 120 transmits one or more group paging messages to the first device 110-1. In some embodiments, one or more group paging messages may be different from each other. For example, the second device 120 may transmit the group paging message once. Alternatively, one or more group paging messages may be identical. In this case, the second device 120 may transmit the same group paging message multiple times.

In some embodiments, the group paging message may include an identity of the paging UE. The identity may be a group radio network temporary identity (G-RNTI), for example. Alternatively or additionally, the identity may be an SAE temporary mobile group identity (TIMGI).

Alternatively or additionally, the group paging message may directly include a delay window. The value of the delay window may be any suitable value. In other example embodiments, the group paging message may include an index of a delay window. As described above, first information including a plurality of delay windows may be transmitted to the first device 210-1. In this case, the first device 210-1 may determine a value of the delay window based on the index of the delay window and the first information. For example only, if overhead in paging is limited, a pointer to a fixed value may be transmitted. For example, SIB or dedicated signaling (e.g., RRCRelease message for commanding the first device 110-1 to become rrc_inactive/IDLE) may signal different delay window values (e.g., 10, 20, 40, 80 ms), and the paging record may only send an index to signal which of these delay window values is used. For example, if index "3" is transmitted, the delay window value should be 40ms. As another example embodiment, the group paging message may indicate the number of repetitions of the group paging message.

Alternatively, the delay window value may not be transmitted in the paging record, i.e., transmitted separately for each UE, but transmitted jointly for all UEs. After the first device 110-1 receives the group page message, the first device 110-1 initiating the access will be allocated because the first device 110-1 will initiate a timer with a randomized value, e.g., from 0ms to a delay window value.

At block 520, the second device 120 receives a delayed response from the first device 110-1 based on a portion of the one or more group paging messages. In some embodiments, the second device 120 may receive a delayed response to the group paging message if the group paging message of the one or more paging occasions is received in the paging occasion.

In some example embodiments, a first apparatus (e.g., first device 110-1) capable of performing any of the methods 400 may include means for performing the respective operations of the methods 400. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit arrangement or a software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as the first device 110-1 or included in the first device 110-1. In some example embodiments, the component may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the described operation of the apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for receiving, at a first device, one or more group paging messages from a second device, the one or more group paging messages indicating a delay of a response to a group paging message of the one or more group paging messages; and means for transmitting a delayed response to the group paging message to the second device based on a portion of the one or more group paging messages.

In some example embodiments, the means for receiving one or more group paging messages comprises: means for receiving one or more group paging messages comprising a delay window.

In some example embodiments, the means for receiving one or more group paging messages comprises: means for receiving a group paging message including an index of a delay window.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for receiving, from the second device, first information indicative of a plurality of delay windows; and means for determining a value of the delay window based on the index and the plurality of delay windows.

In some example embodiments, the means for receiving the first information comprises means for receiving the first information via one of: system information blocks or dedicated radio resource control signaling.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for generating random delay values that are less than or equal to the values of the delay window; and the means for transmitting the delayed response comprises means for transmitting the delayed response after a delay corresponding to the generated random delay value.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for receiving, from a second device, second information indicating a number of repetitions of one or more group paging messages via one of: a system information block, dedicated radio resource control signaling, or one or more group paging messages.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for determining a paging occasion based on at least one identity associated with the first device and a number of repetitions; and the means for transmitting the delayed response comprises: in accordance with a determination that a group paging message of the one or more group paging messages is received in a paging occasion, a delayed response to the group paging message is transmitted.

In some example embodiments, the at least one identity comprises one or more of: a group radio network temporary identity, a temporary mobile group identity, or an SAE temporary mobile subscriber identity.

In some example embodiments, the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a network device.

In some example embodiments, a second apparatus (e.g., second device 120) capable of performing any of the methods 500 may include means for performing the respective operations of the methods 500. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit arrangement or a software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as the second device 120 or included in the second device 120. In some example embodiments, the component may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the described operation of the apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for transmitting, at the second device, one or more group paging messages to the first device, the one or more group paging messages indicating a delay of a response to the group paging message; and means for receiving a delayed response from the first device for one of the one or more group paging messages based at least on a portion of the one or more group paging messages.

In some example embodiments, the means for transmitting one or more group paging messages comprises: means for transmitting one or more group paging messages comprising a delay window.

In some example embodiments, the means for transmitting one or more group paging messages comprises: means for transmitting one or more group paging messages comprising an index of a delay window.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for transmitting information indicating the plurality of delay windows and the index to the first device via a system information block or dedicated radio resource control signaling.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for transmitting, to the first device, information indicating a number of repetitions of the group paging message via a system information block or dedicated radio resource control signaling.

In some example embodiments, the means for receiving the delayed response comprises: means for receiving a delayed response to the group paging message in response to determining that the group paging message in the one or more paging occasions is received in the paging occasion.

Fig. 6 is a simplified block diagram of a device 600 suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 600 may be provided to implement a communication device, such as the first device 110 or the second device 120 shown in fig. 1. As shown, the device 600 includes one or more processors 610, one or more memories 620 coupled to the processors 610, and one or more communication modules 610 coupled to the processors 610.

The communication module 640 is used for two-way communication. The communication module 640 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communications with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interface may represent any interface necessary for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 640 may include at least one antenna.

The processor 610 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may include, as non-limiting examples, one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital Signal Processors (DSPs), and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture. The device 600 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slave (slave) in time to a clock synchronized to the master processor.

Memory 620 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 624, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disks, compact Disks (CD), digital Video Disks (DVD), optical disks, laser disks, and other magnetic and/or optical storage devices. Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, random Access Memory (RAM) 622 and other volatile memory that does not persist during power failure.

The computer program 630 includes computer-executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 610. Program 630 may be stored in a memory (e.g., ROM 624). Processor 610 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading program 630 into RAM 622.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by program 630 such that device 600 may perform any of the processes of the present disclosure discussed with reference to fig. 2-5. Example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented in hardware or a combination of software and hardware.

In some example embodiments, program 630 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium that may be included in device 600 (such as in memory 620) or other storage device accessible by device 600. Device 600 may load program 630 from a computer readable medium into RAM 622 for execution. The computer-readable medium may include any type of tangible, non-volatile memory, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, and other magnetic and/or optical storage devices. Fig. 8 shows an example of a computer readable medium 800 in the form of an optical storage disc. The computer readable medium has stored thereon the program 630.

In general, the various embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented using hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. While various aspects of the embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product comprises computer executable instructions, such as instructions included in a program module, which are executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform any of the methods described above with reference to fig. 3-8. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes (classes), components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired. Machine-executable instructions of program modules may be executed within local or distributed devices. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage media.

Program code for carrying out the methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus such that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, causes the functions/operations specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on the machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

In the context of this disclosure, computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable an apparatus, device or processor to perform the various processes and operations described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer readable media, and the like.

The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of a computer-readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Further, while operations are described in a particular order, this should not be construed as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Also, while several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination.

Although the disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A first device, comprising:

at least one processor; and

At least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to

Receiving one or more group paging messages from a second device, the one or more group paging messages indicating a delay of a response to a group paging message of the one or more group paging messages; and

transmitting a delayed response to the group paging message to the second device based on a portion of the one or more group paging messages.

2. The first device of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to receive the one or more group paging messages by:

the one or more group paging messages including a delay window are received.

3. The first device of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to receive the one or more group paging messages by:

The set of paging messages including an index of a delay window is received.

4. The first device of claim 3, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the first device to:

receiving first information indicating a plurality of delay windows from the second device; and

a value of the delay window is determined based on the index and the plurality of delay windows.

5. The first device of claim 4, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to receive the first information by:

the first information is received via one of:

system information block, or

Dedicated radio resource control signaling.

6. The first device of any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the first device to:

generating random delay values less than or equal to the values of the delay window; and is also provided with

Wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to transmit the delayed response by:

The delay response is transmitted after a delay corresponding to the generated random delay value.

7. The first device of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the first device to:

receiving second information indicating a number of repetitions of the one or more group paging messages from the second device via one of:

the system information block is used to determine the system information block,

dedicated radio resource control signalling, or

The one or more group paging messages.

8. The first device of claim 7, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the first device to:

determining a paging occasion based on at least one identity associated with the first device and the number of repetitions; and is also provided with

in accordance with a determination that the group paging message of the one or more group paging messages is received in the paging occasion, the delayed response to the group paging message is transmitted.

9. The first device of claim 8, wherein the at least one identity comprises one or more of:

the group radio network temporary identity is used to determine,

temporary mobile group identity, or

SAE temporary mobile subscriber identity.

10. The first device of any of claims 1-9, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a network device.

11. A second device, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to:

transmitting one or more group paging messages to the first device, the one or more group paging messages indicating a delay of a response to the group paging message; and

a delayed response is received from the first device for one of the one or more group paging messages based at least on a portion of the one or more group paging messages.

12. The second device of claim 11, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to transmit the one or more group paging messages by:

The one or more group paging messages including a delay window are transmitted.

13. The second device of claim 11, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to transmit the one or more group paging messages by:

the one or more group paging messages including an index of a delay window are transmitted.

14. The second device 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 second device to:

information indicating a plurality of delay windows and indices is transmitted to the first device via a system information block or dedicated radio resource control signaling.

15. The second device 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 second device to:

information indicating the number of repetitions of the group paging message is transmitted to the first device via a system information block or dedicated radio resource control signaling.

16. The second device of claim 15, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to receive the delayed response by:

in accordance with a determination that the set of paging messages of the one or more paging occasions is received in the paging occasion, the delayed response to the set of paging messages is received.

17. The second device of any of claims 11 to 16, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a network device.

18. A method, comprising:

at a first device, receiving one or more group paging messages from a second device, the one or more group paging messages indicating a delay of a response to a group paging message of the one or more group paging messages; and

19. The method of claim 18, wherein receiving the one or more group paging messages comprises:

the one or more group paging messages including a delay window are received.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein receiving the one or more group paging messages comprises:

the set of paging messages including an index of a delay window is received.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

22. The method of claim 21, wherein receiving the first information comprises:

the first information is received via one of:

system information block, or

Dedicated radio resource control signaling.

23. The method of any of claims 19 to 22, further comprising:

generating random delay values less than or equal to the values of the delay window; and wherein transmitting the delayed response comprises:

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

the system information block is used to determine the system information block,

Dedicated radio resource control signalling, or

The one or more group paging messages.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

Wherein transmitting the delayed response comprises:

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one identity comprises one or more of:

the group radio network temporary identity is used to determine,

temporary mobile group identity, or

SAE temporary mobile subscriber identity.

27. The method of any of claims 18 to 26, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a network device.

28. A method, comprising:

transmitting, at the second device, one or more group paging messages to the first device, the one or more group paging messages indicating a delay of a response to the group paging message; and

29. The method of claim 28, wherein transmitting the one or more group paging messages comprises:

the one or more group paging messages including a delay window are transmitted.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein transmitting the one or more group paging messages comprises:

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

32. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

33. The method of claim 32, wherein receiving the delayed response comprises:

34. A method according to any of claims 28 to 33, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a network device.

35. An apparatus, comprising:

means for performing at least the method of any one of claims 18 to 27, or the method of any one of claims 28 to 34.

36. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 18 to 27 or the method of any one of claims 28 to 34.