CN118044307A

CN118044307A - Method, apparatus and computer program

Info

Publication number: CN118044307A
Application number: CN202280065899.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: S·钱德拉舍卡; P·戈丁; D·拉塞尔瓦
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2021-10-01
Filing date: 2022-09-21
Publication date: 2024-05-14
Also published as: WO2023052220A1

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus comprising means configured to: receiving, at a distributed unit of a network node, small data transmissions in a cell from a user equipment; in response to receiving the small data transmission, determining an grant-small data transmission configuration that generates a configuration of cells for the user equipment based on the received small data transmission; generating an authorization-small data transmission configuration of the cell for the user equipment based on the received small data transmission; providing configured grant-small data transmission configuration to a centralized unit of the network node; receiving from a centralized unit of a network node an activation indication for: an grant-small data transmission configuration for said configuration of the user equipment; and in response to receiving the activation indication, reserving resources associated with the configured grant-small data transmission configuration for subsequent small data transmissions.

Description

Method, apparatus and computer program

Technical Field

The present application relates to a method, an apparatus and a computer program for a wireless communication system.

Background

A communication system may be a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities, such as user terminals, base stations/access points and/or other nodes, by providing a carrier between the various entities involved in the communication path. For example, a communication system is provided through a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. For example, the communication session may include data communications for carrying communications of voice, electronic mail (email), text information, multimedia, and/or content data, among others. Non-limiting examples of services provided include two-way or multi-way calls, data communications or multimedia services, and access to data network systems (e.g., the internet).

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means configured to: receiving, at a distributed unit of a network node, small data transmissions in a cell from a user equipment; in response to receiving the small data transmission, determining an grant-small data transmission configuration that generates a configuration of cells for the user equipment based on the received small data transmission; generating an authorization-small data transmission configuration of the cell for the user equipment based on the received small data transmission; providing configured grant-small data transmission configuration to a centralized unit of the network node; receiving from a centralized unit of a network node an activation indication for: grant-small data transmission configuration for configuration of user equipment; and in response to receiving the activation indication, reserving resources associated with the configured grant-small data transmission configuration for subsequent small data transmissions.

In one example, the request is included in a message. In one example, the request is an indication that is included in a random access channel, SDT, request.

In one example, the user equipment is in an RRC inactive mode.

In one example, in response to receiving the activation indication, an RRC release message and configured grant-small data transmission configuration are provided to the user equipment.

In one example, the small data transmission includes: the user equipment receives a request for an grant-small data transmission configuration of the configuration, and wherein determining to generate the grant-small data transmission configuration of the configuration is based on the received request from the user equipment.

In one example, determining the grant-small data transmission configuration to generate the configuration is based on at least one of: a stored indication associated with: the type of user equipment involved in the small data transmission, and/or the type of data radio bearer, and/or the type of signaling radio bearer; an indication stored in a context associated with the user equipment related to the small data transmission; an indication stored in a context associated with one of: data radio bearers and/or signaling radio bearers involving small data transmissions.

In one example, the small data transmission comprises a radio resource control message provided to a centralized unit of the network node along with the configured grant-small data transmission configuration.

In one example, the radio resource control message is: a radio resource control message related to small data transmission, or a radio resource control resume request.

In one example, the small data transmission includes an inactivity-radio network temporary identifier of the user equipment.

In one example, an grant-small data transmission configuration for a configuration of a user equipment is generated using an I-RNTI of the user equipment included in a request.

In one example, the component is configured to perform, prior to receiving the small data transmission: providing an indication to the user equipment that the user equipment is moving towards a radio resource control inactive mode; and in response to providing the indication, storing a context of the user equipment in a distributed unit of the network node.

In one example, a context of the user device is stored in the distributed unit based on predefined criteria, wherein the predefined criteria include at least one of: user equipment assistance information, type of user equipment, and movement history of the user equipment.

In one example, the component is configured to perform an authorization-small data transfer configuration that generates the configuration, comprising: at the distributed unit of the network node, identifying a stored context of the user equipment using the received inactive-radio network temporary identifier; retrieving a stored context of the user device; and generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration in the cell using the context of the user equipment.

In one example, the context of the user device includes at least one of: a data radio bearer conforming to the small data transmission, and a data payload size for each data radio bearer.

In one example, the small data transmission includes a data payload including a logical channel identifier, wherein the component is configured to perform an authorization-small data transmission configuration that generates the configuration, comprising: the logical channel identifier is used to generate a configured grant-small data transmission configuration.

In one example, the component is configured to perform: identifying, by the user equipment, at least one of the following using one or more bit requests of an inactivity-radio network temporary identifier of the user equipment included in the small data transmission: the type of user equipment, the type of data radio bearer, and the type of signaling radio bearer; and generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration for the user device based on at least one of: the type of user equipment, the type of data radio bearer and the type of signaling radio bearer.

In one example, the component is configured to perform: generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration based on small data transmission context information in messages received from the centralized unit, the context information for each of at least one of: the type of user equipment, the type of data radio bearer and the type of signaling radio bearer.

In one example, the component is configured to perform, prior to receiving the small data transmission: one or more sets of data radio bearers conforming to the small data transmission are received from a centralized unit of the network node, wherein each data radio bearer in the set includes an associated payload size for the data transmission.

In one example, the component is configured to perform an authorization-small data transfer configuration that generates a configuration, comprising: selecting a data radio bearer from a set of one or more data radio bearers based on the received message; and generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration using the selected data radio bearer and the associated payload size.

In one example, in a data radio bearer setup procedure, one or more sets of data radio bearers are received using one of the following: user equipment context settings, and user equipment modification procedures.

In one example, the user equipment context settings are F1 user equipment context settings and/or the modification procedure is an F1 modification procedure.

In one example, the grant-small data transmission configuration for the configuration of the user equipment is different from the previous configured grant-small data transmission configuration used by the user equipment when connecting to the latest serving cell.

In one example, the apparatus is a distributed unit for a network node.

According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: one or more processors, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform: receiving, at a distributed unit of a network node, small data transmissions in a cell from a user equipment; in response to receiving the small data transmission, determining an grant-small data transmission configuration that generates a configuration of cells for the user equipment based on the received small data transmission; generating an authorization-small data transmission configuration of the cell for the user equipment based on the received small data transmission; providing configured grant-small data transmission configuration to a centralized unit of the network node; receiving from a centralized unit of a network node an activation indication for: grant-small data transmission configuration for configuration of user equipment; and in response to receiving the activation indication, reserving resources associated with the configured grant-small data transmission configuration for subsequent small data transmissions.

In one example, the user equipment is in an RRC inactive mode.

In one example, the small data transmission includes a request by the user device to receive a configured grant-small data transmission configuration, and wherein determining to generate the configured grant-small data transmission configuration is based on the received request from the user device.

In one example, prior to receiving the small data transmission, the apparatus is caused to perform: providing an indication to the user equipment that the user equipment is moving towards a radio resource control inactive mode; and in response to providing the indication, storing a context of the user equipment in a distributed unit of the network node.

In one example, causing an apparatus to perform generating an authorization-small data transfer configuration of a configuration includes: at the distributed unit of the network node, identifying a stored context of the user equipment using the received inactive-radio network temporary identifier; retrieving a stored context of the user device; and generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration in the cell using the context of the user equipment.

In one example, an apparatus is caused to perform: identifying, by the user equipment, at least one of the following using one or more bit requests of an inactivity-radio network temporary identifier of the user equipment included in the small data transmission: the type of user equipment, the type of data radio bearer, and the type of signaling radio bearer; and generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration for the user device based on at least one of: the type of user equipment, the type of data radio bearer and the type of signaling radio bearer.

In one example, an apparatus is caused to perform: generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration based on small data transmission context information in messages received from the centralized unit, the context information for each of at least one of: the type of user equipment, the type of data radio bearer, and the type of signaling radio bearer.

In one example, prior to receiving the small data transmission, the apparatus is caused to perform: one or more sets of data radio bearers conforming to the small data transmission are received from a centralized unit of the network node, wherein each data radio bearer in the set includes an associated payload size for the data transmission.

In one example, causing an apparatus to perform generating an authorization-small data transfer configuration of a configuration includes: selecting a data radio bearer from a set of one or more data radio bearers based on the received message; and generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration using the selected data radio bearer and the associated payload size.

In one example, the apparatus is a distributed unit for a network node.

According to one aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving, at a distributed unit of a network node, small data transmissions in a cell from a user equipment; in response to receiving the small data transmission, determining an grant-small data transmission configuration that generates a configuration of cells for the user equipment based on the received small data transmission; generating an authorization-small data transmission configuration of the cell for the user equipment based on the received small data transmission; providing configured grant-small data transmission configuration to a centralized unit of the network node; receiving from a centralized unit of a network node an activation indication for: grant-small data transmission configuration for configuration of user equipment; and in response to receiving the activation indication, reserving resources associated with the configured grant-small data transmission configuration for subsequent small data transmissions.

In one example, the user equipment is in an RRC inactive mode.

In one example, a method includes performing, prior to receiving a small data transmission: providing an indication to the user equipment that the user equipment is moving towards a radio resource control inactive mode; and in response to providing the indication, storing a context of the user equipment in a distributed unit of the network node.

In one example, generating the configured grant-small data transmission configuration includes: at the distributed unit of the network node, identifying a stored context of the user equipment using the received inactive-radio network temporary identifier; retrieving a stored context of the user device; and generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration in the cell using the context of the user equipment.

In one example, a method includes: identifying, by the user equipment, at least one of the following using one or more bit requests of an inactivity-radio network temporary identifier of the user equipment included in the small data transmission: the type of user equipment, the type of data radio bearer, and the type of signaling radio bearer; and generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration for the user device based on at least one of: the type of user equipment, the type of data radio bearer and the type of signaling radio bearer.

In one example, the configured grant-small data transmission configuration is generated based on small data transmission context information in messages received from the centralized unit, the context information for each of at least one of: the type of user equipment, the type of data radio bearer, and the type of signaling radio bearer.

In one example, a method includes: before receiving the small data transmission, one or more sets of data radio bearers conforming to the small data transmission are received from a centralized unit of the network node, wherein each data radio bearer in the set includes an associated payload size for the data transmission.

In one example, generating the configured grant-small data transmission configuration includes: selecting a data radio bearer from a set of one or more data radio bearers based on the received message; and generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration using the selected data radio bearer and the associated payload size.

In one example, the method is performed by a distributed unit of network nodes.

According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means configured to: receiving, from a distributed unit of a network node, a configured grant-small data transmission configuration for a user equipment generated by the distributed unit of the network node, wherein the configured grant-small data transmission configuration is received within a message comprising a radio resource control message; determining an grant-small data transmission configuration configured for user equipment activation; providing an activation indication of an grant-small data transmission configuration for configuration of the user equipment to a distributed unit of the network node; and providing a radio resource control release message including the configured grant-small data transmission configuration to the user equipment when the activation indication is provided to the distributed unit.

In one example, the component is configured to perform, prior to receiving the configured grant-small data transmission configuration: providing at least one of the following to the distributed unit: an indication to maintain a user equipment context when moving the user equipment to a radio resource control inactive mode; maintaining an indication of the user equipment context when moving the user equipment to the radio resource control inactive mode and an indication of the grant-small data transmission configuration to generate a configuration at a subsequent small data transmission; one or more sets of data radio bearers and/or one or more sets of signaling radio bearers conforming to a small data transmission, wherein each data radio bearer and/or signaling radio bearer in the set comprises at least an associated payload size for the data transmission; and a set of the following conforming to an authorization configuration that generates a configuration at a subsequent small data transfer: a data radio bearer type and/or a signaling radio bearer type or a user equipment type.

In one example, at the time of the data radio bearer and/or signaling radio bearer setup procedure, one or more sets of data radio bearers and/or one or more sets of signaling radio bearers are provided using one of the following: user equipment context settings, and user equipment modification procedures.

In one example, the component is configured to perform: as part of the non-user equipment associated message, a set of small data transmission context information fragments associated with the data radio bearer type, and/or signaling radio bearer type, and/or user equipment type is provided to the distributed unit to be used in generating the authorization configuration of the configuration.

According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: one or more processors, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform: receiving, from a distributed unit of a network node, a configured grant-small data transmission configuration for a user equipment generated by the distributed unit of the network node, wherein the configured grant-small data transmission configuration is received within a message comprising a radio resource control message; determining an grant-small data transmission configuration configured for user equipment activation; providing an activation indication of an grant-small data transmission configuration for configuration of the user equipment to a distributed unit of the network node; and providing a radio resource control release message including the configured grant-small data transmission configuration to the user equipment when the activation indication is provided to the distributed unit.

According to one aspect, the apparatus is caused to perform, prior to receiving the configured grant-small data transmission configuration: providing at least one of the following to the distributed unit: an indication to maintain a user equipment context when moving the user equipment to a radio resource control inactive mode; maintaining an indication of the user equipment context when moving the user equipment to the radio resource control inactive mode and an indication of the grant-small data transmission configuration to generate a configuration at a subsequent small data transmission; one or more sets of data radio bearers and/or one or more sets of signaling radio bearers conforming to a small data transmission, wherein each data radio bearer and/or signaling radio bearer in the set comprises at least an associated payload size for the data transmission; and a set of the following conforming to an authorization configuration that generates a configuration at a subsequent small data transfer: a data radio bearer type and/or a signaling radio bearer type or a user equipment type.

In one example, an apparatus is configured to perform: as part of the non-user equipment associated message, a set of small data transmission context information fragments associated with the data radio bearer type, and/or signaling radio bearer type, and/or user equipment type is provided to the distributed unit to be used in generating the authorization configuration of the configuration.

According to one aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving, from a distributed unit of a network node, a configured grant-small data transmission configuration for a user equipment generated by the distributed unit of the network node, wherein the configured grant-small data transmission configuration is received within a message comprising a radio resource control message; determining an grant-small data transmission configuration configured for user equipment activation; providing an activation indication of an grant-small data transmission configuration for configuration of the user equipment to a distributed unit of the network node; and providing a radio resource control release message including the configured grant-small data transmission configuration to the user equipment when the activation indication is provided to the distributed unit.

According to one aspect, a method includes, prior to receiving a configured grant-small data transmission configuration: providing at least one of the following to the distributed unit: an indication to maintain a user equipment context when moving the user equipment to a radio resource control inactive mode; maintaining an indication of the user equipment context when moving the user equipment to the radio resource control inactive mode and an indication of the grant-small data transmission configuration to generate a configuration at a subsequent small data transmission; one or more sets of data radio bearers and/or one or more sets of signaling radio bearers conforming to a small data transmission, wherein each data radio bearer and/or signaling radio bearer in the set comprises at least an associated payload size for the data transmission; and a set of the following conforming to an authorization configuration that generates a configuration at a subsequent small data transfer: a data radio bearer type and/or a signaling radio bearer type or a user equipment type.

In one example, a method includes: as part of the non-user equipment associated message, a set of small data transmission context information fragments associated with the data radio bearer type, and/or signaling radio bearer type, and/or user equipment type is provided to the distributed unit to be used in generating the authorization configuration of the configuration.

According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means configured to: providing a request for an grant-small data transmission configuration for configuration of a serving cell to a distributed unit of a network node within the small data transmission; and receiving from the centralized unit of the network node an grant-small data transmission configuration of a configuration to be used by the user equipment in the serving cell.

In one example, the request is indicated in a random access channel.

In one example, the request is included in a message terminated in a distributed unit of the network node.

In one example, the component is configured to perform: a radio resource control message is provided to distributed units of a network node within a small data transmission, and a request for receiving an authorized resource for configuration of the small data transmission in a cell.

In one example, the radio resource control message is a radio resource control resume request message.

In one example, the component is configured to perform: a radio resource control release message with an grant-small data transmission configuration for a configuration of a user equipment is received from a centralized unit of a network node.

In one example, the user equipment is in a radio resource control inactive mode.

In one example, an apparatus is used for a user device.

According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: one or more processors, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform: providing a request for an grant-small data transmission configuration for configuration of a serving cell to a distributed unit of a network node within the small data transmission; and receiving from the centralized unit of the network node an grant-small data transmission configuration of a configuration to be used by the user equipment in the serving cell.

In one example, the request is indicated in a random access channel.

In one example, an apparatus is caused to perform: a radio resource control message is provided to distributed units of a network node within a small data transmission, and a request for receiving an authorized resource for configuration of the small data transmission in a cell.

In one example, an apparatus is caused to perform: a radio resource control release message with an grant-small data transmission configuration for a configuration of a user equipment is received from a centralized unit of a network node.

In one example, an apparatus is used for a user device.

According to one aspect, there is provided a method comprising: providing a request for an grant-small data transmission configuration for configuration of a serving cell to a distributed unit of a network node within the small data transmission; and receiving from the centralized unit of the network node an grant-small data transmission configuration of a configuration to be used by the user equipment in the serving cell.

In one example, the request is indicated in a random access channel.

In one example, a method includes: a radio resource control message is provided to distributed units of a network node within a small data transmission, and a request for receiving an authorized resource for configuration of the small data transmission in a cell.

In one example, a method includes: a radio resource control release message with an grant-small data transmission configuration for a configuration of a user equipment is received from a centralized unit of a network node.

In one example, the method is performed by a user equipment.

According to one aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable instructions that when run on one or more processors perform: receiving, at a distributed unit of a network node, small data transmissions in a cell from a user equipment; in response to receiving the small data transmission, determining an grant-small data transmission configuration based on the received small data transmission to generate a configuration of cells for the user equipment; generating an authorization-small data transmission configuration of the cell for the user equipment based on the received small data transmission; providing configured grant-small data transmission configuration to a centralized unit of the network node; receiving from a centralized unit of a network node an activation indication for: grant-small data transmission configuration for configuration of user equipment; and in response to receiving the activation indication, reserving resources associated with the configured grant-small data transmission configuration for subsequent small data transmissions.

According to one aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable instructions that when run on one or more processors perform: receiving, from a distributed unit of a network node, a configured grant-small data transmission configuration for a user equipment generated by the distributed unit of the network node, wherein the configured grant-small data transmission configuration is received within a message comprising a radio resource control message; determining an grant-small data transmission configuration configured for user equipment activation; providing an activation indication of an grant-small data transmission configuration for configuration of the user equipment to a distributed unit of the network node; and providing a radio resource control release message including the configured grant-small data transmission configuration to the user equipment when the activation indication is provided to the distributed unit.

According to one aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable instructions that when run on one or more processors perform: providing a request for an grant-small data transmission configuration for configuration of a serving cell to a distributed unit of a network node within the small data transmission; and receiving from the centralized unit of the network node an grant-small data transmission configuration of a configuration to be used by the user equipment in the serving cell.

According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means configured to: at a distributed unit of a network node, receiving a request from a user equipment for receiving an authorized resource for configuration of small data transmissions in a cell; generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration for the user equipment based on the received request in response to receiving the request; providing configured grant-small data transmission configuration to a centralized unit of the network node; and receiving from the centralized unit of the network node an activation indication for: an grant-small data transmission configuration for said configuration of said user equipment.

In one example, the user equipment is in an RRC inactive mode.

In one example, the request includes an inactivity-radio network temporary identifier of the user equipment.

In one example, an I-RNTI of a user equipment included in a request is used to generate an grant-small data transmission configuration for a configuration of the user equipment.

In one example, a component is configured to perform a small data transfer configuration that generates a configuration, comprising: at a distributed unit of a network node, identifying that a user equipment has performed a cell change within the distributed unit; retrieving a stored context of the user device; and generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration in the cell requested by the user equipment using the context of the user equipment.

In one example, the request includes a data payload including a logical channel identifier, wherein the component is configured to perform an grant-small data transmission configuration that generates the configuration, comprising: generating configured grant-small data transmission configurations using logical channel identifiers

In one example, the component is configured to perform: identifying a type of the user equipment using one or more bits of an inactivity-radio network temporary identifier of the user equipment included in the request; and generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration for the user equipment based on the type of the user equipment.

In one example, the component is configured to perform, prior to receiving the request: one or more sets of data radio bearers conforming to the small data transmission are received from a centralized unit of the network node, wherein each data radio bearer in the set includes an associated payload size for the data transmission.

In one example, in a data radio bearer setup procedure, one or more sets of data radio bearers are received using one of the following: user equipment context settings, and modification procedures.

In one example, a request for resources for small data transmissions is included in a radio resource control recovery request.

In one example, an apparatus is for a target cell.

In one example, the apparatus is a distributed unit for a network node.

According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means configured to: receiving, from the distributed units of the network node, a configured grant-small data transmission configuration generated by the distributed units of the network node, wherein the configured grant-small data transmission configuration is for the user equipment; and providing an activation indication of the grant-small data transmission configuration for the configuration of the user equipment to the distributed units of the network node.

In one example, the component is configured to perform: the user equipment is provided with a radio resource control release message and a configured grant-small data transmission configuration.

In one example, the component is configured to perform, prior to receiving the configured grant-small data transmission configuration: an indication is provided to the user equipment that the user equipment is moving to a radio resource control inactive mode.

In one example, the component is configured to perform, prior to receiving the request:

one or more sets of data radio bearers conforming to the small data transmissions are provided to the distributed units, wherein each data radio bearer in the set includes at least an associated payload size for the data transmissions.

In one example, the one or more data radio bearer sets are received at a data radio bearer setup procedure using one of: user equipment context settings, and user equipment modification procedures.

According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means configured to: providing a request to a distributed unit of a network node for an authorized resource for receiving a configuration in a cell for small data transmission; and receiving an activation indication of an grant-small data transmission configuration for the configuration of the user equipment from the centralized unit of the network node.

In one example, the request is included as an indicator in a random access channel-based small data transmission procedure.

In one example, the request is included in information of a distributed unit provided to the network node.

In one example, the component is configured to perform: a radio resource control recovery request is provided to distributed units of the network node, the radio resource control recovery request having a request for receiving an authorized resource for configuration of small data transmissions in the cell.

In one example, an apparatus is used for a user device.

According to one aspect, there is provided a method comprising: at a distributed unit of a network node, receiving a request from a user equipment for receiving an authorized resource for configuration of small data transmissions in a cell; generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration for the user equipment based on the received request in response to receiving the request; providing configured grant-small data transmission configuration to a centralized unit of the network node; and receiving from the centralized unit of the network node an activation indication for: an grant-small data transmission configuration for said configuration of said user equipment.

In one example, the user equipment is in an RRC inactive mode.

In one example, a method includes, prior to receiving a small data transmission: providing an indication to the user equipment that the user equipment is moving towards a radio resource control inactive mode; and in response to providing the indication, storing a context of the user equipment in a distributed unit of the network node.

In one example, generating the small data transfer configuration of the configuration includes: at a distributed unit of a network node, identifying that a user equipment has performed a cell change within the distributed unit; retrieving a stored context of the user device; and generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration in the cell requested by the user equipment using the context of the user equipment.

In one example, the request includes a data payload including a logical channel identifier, wherein generating the configured grant-small data transmission configuration includes: the logical channel identifier is used to generate a configured grant-small data transmission configuration.

In one example, a method includes: identifying a type of the user equipment using one or more bits of an inactivity-radio network temporary identifier of the user equipment included in the request; and generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration for the user equipment based on the type of the user equipment.

In one example, a method includes: one or more sets of data radio bearers conforming to the small data transmission are received from a centralized unit of the network node prior to receiving the request, wherein each data radio bearer in the set includes an associated payload size for the data transmission.

In one example, a distributed unit is used for a target cell.

In one example, the method is performed by a distributed unit of network nodes.

According to one aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving, from the distributed units of the network node, a configured grant-small data transmission configuration generated by the distributed units of the network node, wherein the configured grant-small data transmission configuration is for the user equipment; and providing an activation indication of the grant-small data transmission configuration for the configuration of the user equipment to the distributed units of the network node.

In one example, a method includes: the user equipment is provided with a radio resource control release message and a configured grant-small data transmission configuration.

In one example, a method includes: an indication of the user equipment moving to the radio resource control inactive mode is provided to the user equipment before receiving the configured grant-small data transmission configuration.

In one example, a method includes: prior to receiving the request, the distributed unit is provided with a set of one or more data radio bearers conforming to the small data transmission, wherein each data radio bearer in the set includes at least an associated payload size for the data transmission.

In one example, the method is performed by a centralized unit of network nodes.

According to one aspect, there is provided a method comprising: providing a request to a distributed unit of a network node for an authorized resource for receiving a configuration in a cell for small data transmission; and receiving an activation indication of an grant-small data transmission configuration for the configuration of the user equipment from the centralized unit of the network node.

In one example, a method includes: a radio resource control recovery request is provided to distributed units of the network node, the radio resource control recovery request having a request for receiving an authorized resource for configuration of small data transmissions in the cell.

In one example, the method is performed by a user equipment.

According to one aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable instructions that when run on one or more processors perform: receiving a request from a user equipment for receiving an authorized resource for configuration of small data transmission in a cell; generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration for the user equipment based on the received request in response to receiving the request; providing configured grant-small data transmission configuration to a centralized unit of the network node; and receiving from the centralized unit of the network node an activation indication for: an grant-small data transmission configuration for said configuration of said user equipment.

According to one aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable instructions that when run on one or more processors perform: receiving, from the distributed units of the network node, a configured grant-small data transmission configuration generated by the distributed units of the network node, wherein the configured grant-small data transmission configuration is for the user equipment; and providing an activation indication of the grant-small data transmission configuration for the configuration of the user equipment to the distributed units of the network node.

According to one aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable instructions that when run on one or more processors perform: providing a request to a distributed unit of a network node for an authorized resource for receiving a configuration in a cell for small data transmission; and receiving an activation indication of an grant-small data transmission configuration for the configuration of the user equipment from the centralized unit of the network node.

According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: one or more processors, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform: at a distributed unit of a network node, receiving a request from a user equipment for receiving an authorized resource for configuration of small data transmissions in a cell; generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration for the user equipment based on the received request in response to receiving the request; providing configured grant-small data transmission configuration to a centralized unit of the network node; and receiving from the centralized unit of the network node an activation indication for: an grant-small data transmission configuration for said configuration of said user equipment.

In one example, the user equipment is in an RRC inactive mode.

In one example, an apparatus is caused to perform, prior to receiving a small data transmission: providing an indication to the user equipment that the user equipment is moving towards a radio resource control inactive mode; and in response to providing the indication, storing a context of the user equipment in a distributed unit of the network node.

In one example, causing an apparatus to perform generating a small data transfer configuration of a configuration includes: at a distributed unit of a network node, identifying that a user equipment has performed a cell change within the distributed unit; retrieving a stored context of the user device; and generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration in the cell requested by the user equipment using the context of the user equipment.

In one example, the request includes a data payload including a logical channel identifier, wherein the apparatus is caused to perform generating an authorized-small data transmission configuration comprising: the configured grant-small data transmission configuration is generated using the logical channel identifier.

In one example, an apparatus is caused to perform: identifying a type of the user equipment using one or more bits of an inactivity-radio network temporary identifier of the user equipment included in the request; and generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration for the user equipment based on the type of the user equipment.

In one example, an apparatus is caused to perform: prior to receiving the request: one or more sets of data radio bearers conforming to the small data transmission are received from a centralized unit of the network node prior to receiving the request, wherein each data radio bearer in the set includes an associated payload size for the data transmission.

In one example, an apparatus is caused to perform generating an authorization-small data transfer configuration of a configuration, comprising: selecting a data radio bearer from a set of one or more data radio bearers based on the received message; and generating a configured grant-small data transmission configuration using the selected data radio bearer and the associated payload size.

In one example, an apparatus is for a target cell.

In one example, the apparatus is a distributed unit for a network node.

According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: one or more processors, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform: receiving, from the distributed units of the network node, a configured grant-small data transmission configuration generated by the distributed units of the network node, wherein the configured grant-small data transmission configuration is for the user equipment; and providing an activation indication of the grant-small data transmission configuration for the configuration of the user equipment to the distributed units of the network node.

In one example, an apparatus is caused to perform: the user equipment is provided with a radio resource control release message and a configured grant-small data transmission configuration.

In one example, the apparatus is caused to perform, prior to receiving the configured grant-small data transmission configuration: an indication is provided to the user equipment that the user equipment is moving to a radio resource control inactive mode.

In one example, the apparatus is caused to perform, prior to receiving the request: one or more sets of data radio bearers conforming to the small data transmissions are provided to the distributed units, wherein each data radio bearer in the set includes at least an associated payload size for the data transmissions.

According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: one or more processors, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform: providing a request to a distributed unit of a network node for an authorized resource for receiving a configuration in a cell for small data transmission; and receiving an activation indication of an grant-small data transmission configuration for the configuration of the user equipment from the centralized unit of the network node.

In one example, an apparatus is caused to perform: a radio resource control recovery request is provided to distributed units of the network node, the radio resource control recovery request having a request for receiving an authorized resource for configuration of small data transmissions in the cell.

In one example, an apparatus is used for a user device.

A computer product stored on a medium may cause an apparatus to perform a method as described herein.

The electronic device may comprise an apparatus as described herein.

Hereinabove, various aspects have been described. It will be appreciated that further aspects may be provided by a combination of any two or more of the above aspects.

Various other aspects and additional embodiments are described in the following detailed description and the appended claims.

According to some aspects, the subject matter of the independent claims is provided. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims. Embodiments that do not fall within the scope of the claims should be construed as examples useful for understanding the present disclosure.

List of abbreviations:

AF: application function

AMF: access management function

AN: access network

BAT: burst arrival time

BS: base station

CG: authorization of configuration

CN: core network

CP: control plane

CU: centralized unit

DL: downlink link

DU: distributed unit

EDT: early data transmission

eNB：eNodeB

gNB：gNodeB

IIoT: industrial Internet of things

LTE: long term evolution

MAC-I: information authentication code-integrity

MAC-CE: medium access control-control element

NEF: network public function

NG-RAN: next generation radio access network

NF: network function

NR: new radio

NRF: network storage function

NW: network system

MS: mobile station

PCF: policy control function

PLMN: public land mobile network

PRB: physical resource block

RAN: radio access network

RF: radio frequency

SDT: small data transmission

SI: system information

SIB: system information block

SS: search space

SSB: synchronous signal block

SSS: two-stage synchronization signal

SMF: session management function

SRB: signal radio bearer

TA: timing advance

UE: user equipment

UDR: unified data store

UDM: unified data management

UL: uplink channel

UP: user plane

UPF: user plane functionality

3GPP: third generation partnership project

5G: fifth generation of

5GC:5G core network

5G-AN:5G radio access network

5GS:5G system

Drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a 5G system;

fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a control device;

fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a terminal;

fig. 4a, 4b and 4c show example signaling diagrams of a random access channel procedure, respectively;

Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an uplink medium access control protocol data unit;

fig. 6 shows an example signaling diagram between a network entity and a user equipment;

Fig. 7 shows another example signaling diagram between a network entity and a user equipment;

fig. 8 shows another example signaling diagram between a network entity and a user equipment;

Fig. 9 shows another example signaling diagram between a network entity and a user equipment;

fig. 10 illustrates example signaling between a user equipment and a network entity for distributed intra-cell handover;

Fig. 11 illustrates example signaling between a user equipment and a network entity for distributed inter-unit handover;

FIG. 12 shows an example signaling diagram between network entities;

FIG. 13 illustrates an example diagram of a method flow performed by a network entity;

FIG. 14 illustrates another example method flow diagram performed by another network entity;

FIG. 15 illustrates another example method flow diagram performed by a user device; and

Fig. 16 shows a schematic diagram of a non-volatile storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to perform one or more steps of the methods of fig. 13, 14 and 15.

Detailed Description

Before explaining in detail some embodiments of the present disclosure, some general principles of a wireless communication system and a mobile communication device will be briefly explained with reference to fig. 1 to 3 to help understand the basic technology of the embodiments.

In a wireless communication system 100 such as that shown in fig. 1, wireless access is provided to mobile communication devices/terminals or user equipment, and/or User Equipment (UE), and/or machine type communication devices 102 via at least one base station (not shown) or similar wireless transmitting and/or receiving node or point. The communication device is provided with suitable signal receiving and transmitting means for enabling communication, e.g. for enabling access to a communication network or for communicating directly with other devices. A communication device may access a carrier provided by a station or access point and transmit and/or receive communications on the carrier.

In the following, certain examples are explained with reference to a mobile communication device capable of communicating via a wireless cellular system and a mobile communication system serving such a mobile communication device. Before explaining the disclosed examples in detail, some general principles of a wireless communication system, its access system and mobile communication device are briefly explained with reference to fig. 1,2 and 3 to help understand the underlying technology of the embodiments.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a 5G system (5 GS) 100. The 5GS may include a device 102, such as a user equipment or terminal, a 5G access network (5G-AN) 106, a 5G core network (5 GC) 104, one or more Network Functions (NF), one or more Application Functions (AF) 108, and one or more Data Networks (DN) 110.

The 5G-AN 106 may include one or more gNodeB (gNB) distributed unit functions coupled to one or more gNodeB (gNB) centralized unit functions.

The 5gc 104 may include an Access Management Function (AMF) 112, a Session Management Function (SMF) 114, an authentication server function (AUSF) 116, a User Data Management (UDM) 118, a User Plane Function (UPF) 120, a network public function (NEF) 122, and/or other NFs. Some examples shown below may be applicable to the 3gpp 5g standard. However, some examples may also be applicable to 4G, 3G, and other 3GPP standards.

In a communication system such as that shown in fig. 1, wireless access is provided for mobile communication devices/terminals or user equipment, and/or User Equipment (UE), and/or machine type communication devices via at least one base station or similar wireless transmitting and/or receiving node or point. The terminal is provided with suitable signal receiving and transmitting means for enabling communication, e.g. for enabling access to a communication network or for communicating directly with other devices. The communication device may access a carrier provided by the base station or access point and send and/or receive communications on the carrier.

Fig. 2 shows AN example of a control apparatus 200 for controlling the functions of the 5G-AN or 5GC shown in fig. 1. The control means may comprise at least one Random Access Memory (RAM) 211a, at least one Read Only Memory (ROM) 211b, at least one processor 212, 213 and an input/output interface 214. At least one processor 212, 213 may be coupled to the RAM 211a and the ROM 211b. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute suitable software code 215. The software code 215 may, for example, allow one or more steps to be performed to perform one or more aspects. The software code 215 may be stored in the ROM 211b. The control device 200 may be interconnected with another control device 200 that controls another function of the 5G-AN or 5 GC. In some examples, each function of the 5G-AN or 5GC includes the control device 200. In other examples, two or more functions of the 5G-AN or 5GC may share the control device.

Fig. 3 shows an example of a terminal 300, such as the terminal shown in fig. 1. The terminal 300 may be provided by any device capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples include user equipment, mobile Stations (MSs) or mobile devices (e.g., mobile phones or so-called "smartphones"), computers equipped with wireless interface cards or other wireless interface facilities (e.g., USB dongles), personal Data Assistants (PDAs) or tablet computers equipped with wireless communication capabilities, machine Type Communication (MTC) devices, cellular internet of things (CIoT) devices, or any combination of these or similar devices. The terminal 300 may provide, for example, data communications for carrying communications. The communication may be one or more of voice, electronic mail (email), text information, multimedia, data, machine data, and the like.

The terminal 300 may receive signals over the air or radio interface 307 via suitable means for receiving and may transmit signals via suitable means for transmitting radio signals. In fig. 3, the transceiver device is schematically represented by block 306. For example, transceiver means 306 may be provided by a radio and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged inside or outside the mobile device.

The terminal 300 may be provided with at least one processor 301, at least one memory ROM 302a, at least one RAM 302b and possibly other components 303 for software and hardware assisted execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including controlling access and communication with access systems and other communication devices. At least one processor 301 is coupled to RAM 302a and ROM 302a. The at least one processor 301 may be configured to execute suitable software code 308. For example, software code 308 may perform one or more of the present aspects. Software code 308 may be stored in ROM 302a.

The processor, memory and other related control means may be provided on a suitable circuit board and/or in a chipset. This feature is indicated by reference numeral 304. The device may optionally have a user interface such as a keyboard 305, a touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof, and the like. Optionally, depending on the type of device, one or more of a display screen, a speaker and a microphone may be provided.

One or more of the following examples are associated with Small Data Transfer (SDT). The transmission of data packets typically requires the establishment of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection between the UE and the base station. When the RRC connection is established, the UE is in rrc_connected mode. After a period of inactivity, or if the UE receives a signal, the UE may change to rrc_idle/rrc_active mode. Typically, if an idle device is to communicate with the network, it will request to establish an RRC connection and request resources again. This may not be efficient for SDT. Fig. 4a, 4b and 4c illustrate three methods of enabling SDT in the uplink of a 5G system or the like.

Fig. 4a shows an example signaling diagram of a 4-step Random Access Channel (RACH) procedure of an SDT. In fig. 4a, user Plane (UP) data is transmitted in MSG 3 of a 4-step RACH procedure. For example, a small payload is multiplexed with the RRC connection resume request message.

Fig. 4b shows an example signaling diagram of a 2-step Random Access Channel (RACH) procedure of the SDT. In fig. 4b, the UP data transmission occurs with MSG a of the 2-step RACH procedure and on PUSCH resources with associated physical transmission parameters pre-configured by the gNB and broadcast in the system information.

Fig. 4c shows an example signaling diagram of a configuration-based authorization (CG) SDT. In fig. 4c, the UE in rrc_connected state may receive a CG type 1 configuration indicating a specific pre-configured PUSCH resource to be used for UL data transmission. The CG configuration may also be used in the rrc_inactive state as long as the timing alignment is valid.

In fig. 4a, 4b and 4c, an RRC-based method is assumed. This includes the UE sending an RRC message including information about the UE identity and its authentication token (i.e. MAC-I). Fig. 5 shows UL MAC PDU. The RRC-free approach assumes that no RRC layer needs to be involved and that the necessary information such as UE identity and UE authentication token can be provided by the UE in the MAC header or as a MAC CE.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an Uplink (UL) Medium Access Control (MAC) Protocol Data Unit (PDU). The content of the UL MAC PDU may be used for SDT message 3 of the 4-step RACH procedure. The content of the UL MAC PDU may also be used for SDT message 3 of the 2-step RACH procedure. For baseline RRC-based methods, the content of UL MAC PDUs may also be used for CG-based SDT transmissions.

In the current system, a CG-SDT configuration is assigned to a User Equipment (UE), but is only valid in the latest serving cell of the UE. For example, if the UE is to move RRC-inactive and is released upon a cell change, CG-SDT is no longer valid for the UE. After a cell change, there is no mechanism to provide the new CG-SDT configuration to the UE without network interaction. When the UE performs a cell change within its radio access network notification area (RNA), the UE does not send a RAN update (RNAU). Thus, the network does not know the location of the UE in RRC inactive state at the cell level. To generate a new CG-SDT configuration for a UE in a target/new cell, network entities will communicate with each other to generate the CG-SDT.

Since network interactions that allocate new CG-SDT configurations after cell change do not use optimized signaling, reconfiguration of CG-SDT can result in additional delay, additional UE power consumption, and additional signaling overhead. For example, a UE (e.g., with limited mobility) may request CG-SDT resources after reselecting a cell within its RNA. CG-SDT resources may be rejected by the network (e.g., due to cell loading). Furthermore, acquiring a new CG-SDT configuration in a new cell may create delays and UE power consumption. For example, there is network signaling between the Distributed Units (DUs) and the control-centralized unit user plane (CU-CP). The DUs and CUs may be composed of network nodes such as base stations. The base station may be an eNB or a gNB, etc. A CU may be configured to provide higher protocol stack related functions than a DU provides. For example, a CU may provide functionality related to the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), radio Resource Control (RRC), and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) protocol layers. The DUs may provide functionality related to Radio Link Control (RLC), medium Access Control (MAC), and Physical (PHY) protocol layers. The base station may include a plurality of DUs. Each DU of a base station may support a plurality of different cells. As shown in fig. 6, the DU and CU participate in the process, signaling is required between the two entities.

Fig. 6 shows an example signaling diagram between a network entity and a user equipment. Before the signaling between entities starts, the UE is assumed to be in RRC connected mode. Fig. 6 shows a CG-SDT configuration when the UE transitions from a connected state to an inactive state.

First, the UE may request new CG-SDT resources after a cell change. The UE's request for CG-SDT resources is sent from the UE to a centralized unit control plane (CU-CP) via a Distributed Unit (DU) (not shown in fig. 6).

In step 1 of fig. 6, the CU-CP request DU is created for the UE and provides CG-SDT configuration to the CU-CP. In step 2, the DU provides the CG-SDT to the CU-CP.

In step 3 and step 4 of fig. 6, the cu-CP transmits the CG-SDT configuration to the UE via the DU. The CU-CP also sends an RRC release indication to the UE, which sends the UE to the RRC inactive mode.

When the UE enters inactive, the UE context will be stored in the serving CU-CP. In some examples, the UE context will also be stored in the service DU.

In some examples, the assignment of CG-SDT resource configurations to UEs is commonly responsible between DUs and CUs-CPs, as the configurations depend on a number of aspects. For example, a DU may be aware of the underlying aspects of such a configuration. The CU-CP may be aware of aspects such as traffic characteristics of the UE. Traffic characteristics may be related to definitions such as configured payload size and/or resource period, etc.

Fig. 7 shows another example signaling diagram between a network entity and a UE. Fig. 7 shows CG-SDT resource reconfiguration when the UE has moved to a new cell, where the DU remains unchanged. This is referred to as 'intra-DU (intra-DU)'. In the example of fig. 7, the latest service DU (DU 1) does not store the UE context.

As shown in fig. 7, DU1 should monitor all CG-SDT opportunities configured for any UE in RRC inactivity. DU1 does not monitor the UE-specific CG-SDT opportunities.

In steps 0a and 0b of fig. 7, the UE in the RRC inactive mode provides an RRC resume request with an SDT payload to the latest serving CP via DU 1. The DU1 monitors this transmission from the UE.

In steps 1 and 2 of fig. 7, the CP and DU signal each other to configure the UE with the UE context and CG-SDT.

In steps 3a and 4 of fig. 7, after UE context setup of the DU, CG-SDT reconfiguration is provided to the UE. After receiving the new CG-SDT configuration, the UE may perform CG-SDT.

Between step 0 and step 1 of fig. 7, and between step 2 and step 3 of fig. 7, the latest service DU1 will perform Radio Link Control (RLC) Protocol Data Unit (PDU) buffering and processing accordingly.

Thus, as shown in fig. 7, when the UE performs RACH-based SDT, CG-SDT configuration in the new cell will be provided to the UE.

Fig. 8 shows another example signaling diagram between a network entity and a UE. Fig. 8 shows CG-SDT resource reconfiguration when a UE moves to a new cell, where the DU remains unchanged. This is referred to as 'intra-DU'.

In the example of fig. 8, the latest service DU (DU 1) stores the UE context. The signaling in fig. 8 differs from that in fig. 7 in that the UE context does not need to be set by the CU-CP, since when the UE moves to the RRC inactive state, it is assumed that the UE context of the DU is already stored locally while the UE is configured with CG-SDT configuration. When the latest service DU1 stores the UE context, there are two options to identify the UE, for example, when the UE initiates access to its latest service DU:

In a first example, the UE may identify the UE at the latest service DU1 using an inactive radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI) included in the RRC resume request message. In this case, the UE provides the I-RNTI in the RRC recovery request message to the CP via the DU. The DU and CU identify the UE based on the I-RNTI because both the DU and CU store the UE context.

In a second example, as shown in step 0a of fig. 5, the UE is identified at the latest service DU1 using Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) resources and/or demodulation reference signals (DMRS) used by the UE when transmitting to the DU. In a second embodiment, the UE does not need to include an I-RNTI in the RRC resume request message for the DU/CU to identify the UE.

In steps 0a and 0b of fig. 8, the UE provides the CU with an SDT including a CG-SDT configuration request via a DU. As described above, DUs and CUs may identify UEs.

In steps 1 and 2 of fig. 8, the CU and the DU signal each other to request and generate CG-SDT configuration of the UE. The generation of CG-SDT by DUs may be based on traffic characteristics, etc.

In step 3a of fig. 8, the CU will provide the newly generated CG-SDT configuration and RRC release indication to the UE.

Fig. 9 shows another example signaling diagram between a network entity and a UE. Fig. 9 shows reconfiguration of CG-SDT resources when a UE moves to a new cell, where the DU is also changed. This is referred to as "inter-DU (inter-DU)".

In steps 0a and 0b of fig. 9, the UE provides the CG-SDT configuration request message to the latest service CU-CP via the latest service DU 1.

In steps 1 to 3 of fig. 9, the CU-CP requests and receives the CG-SDT configuration from the DU 1. The CU-CP then provides an RRC release indication with CG-SDT configuration to the UE. This causes the UE to enter RRC inactivity.

In step 4 of fig. 9, the ue changes from cell 1 to cell 2. This results in the CG-SDT configuration received from the network being released.

In steps 5 and 6 of fig. 9, the ue has some uplink data to be transmitted and performs initial Random Access (RA) SDT transmission to the CU via the target DU 2. The transmission also includes an RRC resume request.

In steps 6 to 8b of fig. 9, the CU-CP requests and receives an updated CG-SDT configuration from DU 2. The CU-CP then provides the UE with an RRC release indication with an updated CG-SDT configuration. The previous CG-SDT configuration and the updated CG-SDT configuration may be different.

After step 8b of fig. 9, the UE is now configured for any SDT transmissions that might be performed as long as the UE remains connected to the same cell.

In steps 8d to 10b of fig. 9, the ue uses the updated CG-SDT configuration for two separate SDT transmissions to the network. Based on the updated CG-SDT configuration, DU2 always monitors potential SDT transmissions from the UE. The completed SDT transmission from the UE will be provided to the CU.

In one example, in pre-configured UL resources (PURs) based on Early Data Transmission (EDT), a UE may provide a PUR configuration request to a network while the UE is in RRC connected mode. When the network decides to move the UE to RRC idle mode, the network will provide the PUR configuration message to the UE in an RRC connection release message. In this example, the UE-connected cell will enable PUR. In some examples, the UE is allowed to send CG request messages, e.g., using a UE subframe, to request the appropriate CG configuration for the CG-SDT from the network.

As shown in the example signaling diagrams of fig. 6-9 above, additional signaling is required to generate updated CG-SDT configurations, either inter-DU or intra-DU, when the UE moves to another cell. Additional signaling means the use of resources and an increase in network delay.

One or more examples below present an improved signaling mechanism for CG-SDT resource reallocation for UEs moving to different cells. In an example, when a UE that provided CG-SDT resources/configuration in the latest serving cell moves to a new cell, CG-SDT resources/configuration to be used in the new cell will be effectively reconfigured in the new cell. In the following examples, both 'intra-DU' and 'inter-DU' cell changes are taken into account.

In one or more examples related to intra-DU cell reselection, a latest service DU of the UE stores a context of the UE when the UE enters an RRC inactive state. The UE context may be stored in the latest service DU. CG-SDT resources will be allocated by the DU when the UE moves to a new cell of the same DU (latest service DU). In this way, the DU can generate a new CG-SDT configuration without requiring the CU-CP to perform the F1 UE context setup procedure. In some examples, the determination of the DU to store the UE context may be based on the UE assistance information. The UE assistance information may include, for example, a type of UE, a movement history of the UE, and capabilities of the UE.

In some examples, devices such as robots or energy harvesting sensors may have very limited mobility, and thus meet the conditions for storing UE context at the DU. In this example, the robot or energy harvesting sensor may have limited mobility compared to a mobile phone or the like.

In one or more examples, determining CG-SDT resource configurations for UEs at DUs without CU-CP requests may reduce signaling and delay. In addition, the signaling and delay may also be reduced by piggybacking (piggybacking) 'CG-SDT configurations from DU' to CU-CP with RRC resume request messages received from the UE.

Examples of these intra-DU related events are discussed in detail below, particularly in fig. 10.

In one or more examples related to inter-DU cell reselection, the DU may generate the CG-SDT configuration without CU-CP participation by using a default CG SDT configuration. In some examples, the default CG-SDT configuration may be based on a Data Radio Bearer (DRB) type, a data size, and a type of UE. In some examples, one or more bits of the I-RNTI of the UE may be used to identify a pre-agreed DRB type and data size. It should be appreciated that when referring to DRBs, signaling radio bearers apply equally well.

In some examples, the DU may use the I-RNTI to identify the type of UE, which enables the DU to prepare a default CG-SDT configuration for the UE or 'special' UE. A special UE is a UE that is eligible to receive CG-SDT configurations and indicated to the DU using the UE's I-RNTI.

Examples of these inter-DU related are discussed in more detail below, particularly in conjunction with fig. 11.

Fig. 10 shows an example signaling diagram between a network entity and a user equipment. During signaling, the UE moves from the serving cell (cell 1) to the target cell (cell 2), where cell 1 and cell 2 belong to the same DU (DU 1).

At S1000a, the UE provides a CG-SDT configuration request to a DU associated with cell 1. The CG-SDT request may be provided by the UE using RRC signaling. During S1000a, the UE is in RRC connected mode.

In S1000b, the DU1 transparently forwards the CG-SDT configuration request to the serving CU-CP.

In S1001, the CU-CP provides a request to allocate resources for CG-SDT, and configuration is provided by DU 1.

In S1002, the DU1 provides CG-SDT configuration to the CU-CP.

In S1003a and S1003b, the CU-CP provides an RRC release message including the CG-SDT configuration to the UE via cell 1 of DU 1. The RRC release message received at UE1 will cause the UE to enter an RRC inactive mode.

Then, the DU1 stores the UE context. In one example, the UE context may be stored locally at DU1. In another example, the UE context is stored outside of DU1, i.e., where DU1 is accessible. For example, the UE context may include at least one of: the I-RNTI of the UE, DRB details of the UE, RLC context of the DRB of the UE.

At S1004, the serving cell of the UE changes from cell 1 to cell 2. Due to this change, the CG-SDT configuration of the old cell (cell 1) is released.

At S1005, there is an SDT (uplink payload) trigger at the UE. In another example, there is a trigger of a configured authorization request at the UE.

At S1006, the UE provides SDT transmissions to cell 2. The SDT may include a request for resources of the SDT issued to cell 2. The request for resources may include an RRC resume request message. The request may include an RA-SDT transmission that includes an RRC resume request. The RRC recovery request may include an I-RNTI of the UE. The transmission may be via beam 1 of cell 2. In other examples, the transmission may be via another beam of cell 2.

In some examples, the UE may indicate the request for CG-SDT resources by including an identifier/indication in the RACH-based SDT procedure. In this way, additional request messages to be sent by the UE are saved, which means that transmission resources can be saved. In addition, since the UE is in the RRC inactive mode, power may also be saved for the UE.

In S1007a, the DU1 determines to generate an updated CG-SDT configuration. In one example, DU1 may generate the CG-SDT configuration using SDT and/or requests received from the UE. The DU1 may determine the UE using the I-RNTI included in the RRC recovery request. In one example, the updated CG-SDT configuration may be based on a Logical Channel (LCH) included in a payload from a UE transmission. In one example, CG-SDT configuration update/reconfiguration may be triggered by a DU when the UE provides RA-SDT to the DU via the same latest serving cell (but using beams that do not configure CG-SDT resources). In one example, when the UE performs RA-SDT to the DU via a different serving cell than the latest serving cell (the latest serving cell of the same service DU), the DU may trigger CG-SDT configuration update/reconfiguration.

In some examples, both the LCH ID and the UE context are used to generate an updated CG-SDT configuration. For example, the LCH ID helps identify the bearer type of the CG-SDT. For example, the UE context provides further details for updated CG-SDT configuration, including UE type and payload size, etc.

In some examples, if there is a CG-SDT request indication from the UE, the UE impact may be considered. This means that the UE can explicitly send CG-SDT request indications to the network. In one example, this may be achieved by including parameters in the RACH based SDT. In another example, this may be achieved by a further message of the request sent by the UE.

In some examples, the DU may generate updated CG-SDTs for SDTs received from the UE based on small data transfer context information received in messages from the centralized unit for each of at least one of: the type of user equipment, the type of data radio bearer and the type of signaling radio bearer.

In S1007b, DU1 provides the updated CG-SDT configuration to the CU-CP. The updated CG-SDT configuration may be provided along with an RRC resume request received from the UE. Providing an updated CG-SDT configuration means that DU1 suggests to CU-CP that the UE uses the updated CG-SDT configuration for SDT. In some examples, the updated CG configuration may be different from the first CG-SDT configuration used by the UE. CG-SDT configurations may be different because of the different serving cells of DUs.

At S1008a, the CU-CP provides the updated CG-SDT configuration activation indication to DU 1. The CU-CP may also provide an RRC release indication to the DU 1. The RRC release indication may include an updated CG-SDT configuration. In some examples, upon receipt of the activation, the DU will reserve resources associated with the updated CG-SDT for subsequent small data transmissions by the UE.

At S1008b, DU1 provides the UE with an RRC release indication including the updated CG-SDT configuration via cell 2. Upon receiving this information, the UE will remain in RRC inactive mode.

In response to receiving the activation indication from the CU-CP, the DU1 will monitor potential transmissions from the UE using the updated CG-SDT configuration S1008 c.

At S1008d, there is a trigger for transmission at the UE. For example, the transmission may be an SDT transmission.

In S1009a, the UE performs a first transmission to cell 2. The first transmission may be an SDT using the updated CG-SDT configuration.

In S1009b, the DU1 provides the received SDT to the CU-UP. An SDT may include one or more SDT packets.

At S1010a, the UE performs a second transmission to cell 2. The second transmission may be an SDT using the updated CG-SDT configuration.

In S1010b, DU1 provides the received SDT to CU-UP. An SDT may include one or more SDT packets.

The first transmission and the second transmission are shown as examples only. In other examples, the UE may not perform any transmissions using the updated CG-SDT configuration. In other examples, the UE may perform more than two separate transmissions using the updated CG-SDT configuration.

In one example, the UE context is stored in the latest service DU after the UE moves to the RRC inactive state. The UE context may include at least one of: bearer information, associated CU-UP tunnel information, and other parameters of the SDT. The service DU may retrieve the stored context for a given UE using, for example, the I-RNTI of the UE. The I-RNTI of the UE may be provided by the UE in the RRC resume request message when the SDT transmission is initiated. In another example, another UE identifier is used to retrieve the context. In another example, a portion of the I-RNTI is used to retrieve the context.

In step 1007a/1007b, DU1 may use this context of the UE, where the updated CG-SDT configuration will be assigned to the UE based on the LCH ID in the SDT of the UE associated with the transmitted payload. The updated CG-SDT configuration may be based on information retrieved from the UE context. For example, DRBs and/or payload sizes of DRBs that meet SDT conditions.

Fig. 11 shows an example signal diagram between a network entity and a user equipment. During signaling of the UE moving from the serving cell to the target cell, wherein the serving cell is DU1 and the target cell is DU2.

In S1100a, the UE provides a CG-SDT configuration request to a serving cell. CG-SDT may be provided by a UE using RRC signaling. During S1100a, the UE is in RRC connected mode.

In S1100b, the DU1 forwards the CG-SDT configuration request to the serving CU-CP.

In S1101, the CU-CP provides a CG-SDT configuration request from DU 1.

In S1102, the DU1 provides CG-SDT configuration to the CU-CP.

In S1103a and S103b, the CU-CP provides an RRC release message including the CG-SDT configuration to the UE via the serving cell of DU 1. Reception of the RRC release message at the UE will cause the UE to enter an RRC inactive mode.

In S1104, the serving cell of the UE changes from the serving cell of DU1 to the serving cell of DU 2. Due to this change, the CG-SDT configuration is released.

At S1105, there is a trigger for SDT (uplink payload) at the UE. In another example, there is a trigger at the UE for a configured authorization request.

In S1106, the UE provides the SDT to the target cell. The SDT may include a request to the target cell for resources for a subsequent SDT. The request for resources may include an RRC resume request message. The request may include an RA-SDT transmission that includes an RRC resume request. The RRC recovery request may include an I-RNTI of the UE. The UE may obtain a valid Timing Advance (TA) via RA-SDT. In some examples, the UE also provides a resource request to a medium access control element (MAC CE). In some examples, the UE may indicate the request for CG-SDT resources by including an identifier/indication in the RACH-based SDT procedure.

The transmission of the request may be via beam 1 of the target cell. In other examples, the transmission of the request may be via another beam of the target cell.

In S1107a, DU2 decides to generate an updated CG-SDT configuration. In some examples, the CG-SDT configuration may be generated by DU2 based on the received SDT and/or a request from the UE.

In some examples, DU2 may generate the CG-SDT configuration based on the received I-RNTI (from the RRC resume request) to indicate the type of UE providing the request, thereby enabling DU2 to generate the configuration.

In some examples, DU2 may generate the CG-SDT configuration based on the DRB type and/or data size of the scheduled SDT transmission of the UE in the target cell. One or more bits of the received I-RNTI (from the RRC recovery request) may be used to identify the DRB type and/or data size. One or more bits of the received I-RNTI may also be used to identify any other information that may be used to generate CG-SDT configurations for the UE.

The DU2 may use the default CG-SDT configuration for updated CG-SDT configuration based on pre-agreed DRB and/or SDT payload data sizes. For example, a default set of one or more DRBs that are known to meet the SDT condition at DU2, wherein each DRB in the set can be associated with a given payload size. The DU2 may select a DRB from DRBs based on the payload size of the SDT received from the UE. When setting DRBs in RRC connected mode, the CU-CP may signal to the DU a default set of one or more DRBs that conform to allocation of such CG-SDT configurations and SDT data sizes. For example, a default set of one or more DRBs may be signaled using F1 UE context setup and/or modification procedures. The DRB type may be configured by the operator. In other examples, the DRB type and its corresponding SDT payload size are determined by the vendor based on an artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) method. For example, by collecting information about CG-SDT resource users, the type of DRB they most use and the size of the payload sent by such users can be determined. The CU-CP may determine the DRB type based on characteristics of the PDU session.

In some examples, upon receiving an SDT transmission from the UE via beam 1 that includes the resource request indication, DU2 may generate an updated CG-SDT configuration for the new cell for the UE. If the transmission is received via beam 1, the CG-SDT may include PUSCH/DMRS resources associated with serving beam 1 of the target cell.

In an example, if the UE transmits small data to DU2 together with RA-SDT, the small data is transmitted to CU-UP using one of the existing known methods.

In an example, CG-SDT configuration of the UE may not be provided by the DU. For example, in the event of an overload of DU resources, the DU may not provide CG-SDT configuration.

In S1107b, DU2 provides the updated CG-SDT configuration to the CU-CP. In some examples, DU2 provides updated CG-SDT configuration to CU-CP using RRC resume request.

In some examples, DU2 may provide updated CG-SDT configurations for each beam. In some examples, DU2 may provide updated CG-SDT configurations for each cell of DU 2.

In some examples, DU2 may provide updated CG-SDT configuration to CU-CP in advance based on one or more traffic requirements. In this example, one or more CG-SDT configurations may be sent to the CU-CP prior to the UE requesting CG resources, and the DU may receive the CG resources requested by the UE (in S1106/S1107). In this way, the CU-CP may select a received CG-SDT configuration for the UE from among one or more CG-SDT configurations previously generated and provided by DU 2.

In some examples, CG-SDT reconfiguration may not occur to provide updates from CU-CP to UE. In some examples, the CU-CP may not provide CG-SDT to the UE if, for example, there is a network overload condition or the like.

At S1108a, the CU-CP provides an activation indication of the updated CG-SDT configuration for the UE to DU 2. In some examples, the CU-CP may also provide an RRC release indication. In some examples, upon reception activation, the DU will reserve resources associated with the updated CG-SDT for subsequent small data transmissions by the UE.

In some examples, CU-CP or DU2 can reconfigure the updated CG-SDT configuration as needed when the UE is not camping in the target cell.

In S1108b, DU2 provides the UE with an RRC release indication including the updated CG-SDT configuration via the target cell. Upon receiving this message, the UE will remain in RRC inactive mode.

In response to receiving the activation indication from the CU-CP, DU2 will monitor potential transmissions from the UE using the updated CG-SDT configuration, S1108 c.

At S1108d, there is a trigger for transmission at the UE. For example, the transmission may be an SDT transmission.

In S1109a, the UE performs a first transmission to the target cell. The first transmission may be an SDT using the updated CG-SDT configuration.

In S1109b, DU2 provides the received SDT to CU-UP. An SDT may include one or more SDT packets.

At S1110a, the UE performs a second transmission to the target cell. The second transmission may be an SDT using the updated CG-SDT configuration.

In S1110b, DU2 provides the received SDT to the CU-UP. An SDT may include one or more SDT packets.

The first transmission and the second transmission are shown as examples only. In other examples, the UE may not use the updated CG-SDT configuration to perform any transmissions. In other examples, the UE may perform more than two separate transmissions using the updated CG-SDT configuration.

In fig. 10 and 11, the DU1 and the service CU may be part of a network node. The network node may be, for example, a base station.

In some examples, the mapping between the UE type and the default CG-SDT (CU CP) context information may be obtained in advance by the DU. In an example, such information may be obtained through an F1 setup procedure. This can be seen in fig. 12.

Fig. 12 shows an example signaling diagram between network entities.

In S1201, the DU provides F1 setting request information to the CU-UP.

In S1203, the CU-CP transmits F1 setting response information. In some examples, the F1 setup response information may include a list of UE types, and associated default SDT context information related to each UE type.

In some examples, the CU-CP of the gNB may send default SDT context information for each UE or each DRB type to one or more DUs, which information is further encoded in the I-RNTI. Thus, if the UE reconnects to the cell of another DU of the same gNB, the DU already has default SDT context information to establish the updated CG SDT configuration. If the DU does not know about default SDT context information, the CU-CP will send this information in the F1 UE context setup message upon request of the DU.

In this way, one or more of the examples discussed above means that when a UE moves to a new cell and requires SDT configuration, the amount of resources used may be reduced. In addition, network delay can be reduced. This is because the signaling steps required for the UE to receive the updated SDT configuration from the network are reduced. Thus, an efficient mechanism for providing SDT configuration to a UE after a cell change is proposed.

Fig. 13 illustrates an example method flow performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be included in a network entity. In one example, the network entity may be a distributed unit. The distributed units may be comprised in a network node. In some examples, the network node may be a base station, such as an eNB or a gNB.

In S1301, the method comprises receiving, at a distributed unit of a network node, a small data transmission from a cell of a user equipment.

In S1303, the method includes determining, in response to receiving the small data transmission, a configuration grant-small data transmission configuration for generating a cell for the user equipment based on the received small data transmission.

In S1305, the method comprises generating an grant-small data transmission configuration for the user equipment for the configuration of the cell based on the received small data transmission;

In S1307, the method comprises providing the configured grant-small data transmission configuration to the centralized unit of the network node.

In S1309, the method comprises receiving an activation indication of an grant-small data transmission configuration for the configuration of the user equipment from the centralized unit of the network node.

In S1311, the method includes reserving resources associated with the configured grant-small data transmission configuration for subsequent small data transmissions in response to receiving the activation indication.

Fig. 14 illustrates an example method flow performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be included within a network entity. In one example, the network entity may be a centralized unit. The centralized unit may be comprised in a network node.

In S1401, the method comprises receiving, from the distributed units of the network node, a configured grant-small data transmission configuration for the user equipment generated by the distributed units of the network node, wherein the configured grant-small data transmission configuration is received within a message comprising a radio resource control message.

In S1403, the method includes determining an grant-small data transmission configuration that activates the configuration for the user equipment.

In S1405, the method includes providing an activation indication of an grant-small data transmission configuration for the configuration of the user equipment to the distributed units of the network node.

In S1407, the method includes providing a radio resource control release message including the configured grant-small data transmission configuration to the user equipment when the activation indication is provided to the distributed unit.

Fig. 15 illustrates an example method flow performed by an apparatus. In one example, an apparatus may be included in a user device. In one example, an apparatus may be included within a terminal.

In S1501, the method includes providing a request for an grant-small data transmission configuration for configuration of a serving cell to a distributed unit of a network node within the small data transmission; and

In S1503, the method comprises receiving from the centralized unit of the network node an grant-small data transmission configuration of a configuration to be used by the user equipment in the serving cell.

Fig. 16 shows a schematic diagram of a non-volatile storage medium 1600a (e.g., a Compact Disc (CD) or Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)) and 1600b (e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory stick) having instructions and/or parameters 1602 stored therein that, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to perform one or more steps of the method of fig. 13, 14 or 15.

It should be noted that while the above describes exemplifying embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The embodiments may thus vary within the scope of the attached claims. In general, some embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. For example, 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, although the embodiments are not limited thereto. While various embodiments may be illustrated and described in block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these 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.

These examples may be implemented by computer software stored in a memory and executable by at least one data processor of the relevant entity, or by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware. It should also be noted in this regard that any process may represent a procedure step, or an interconnected logic circuit, block, and function, or a combination of procedure steps and logic circuits, blocks, and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory blocks within a memory chip or processor, magnetic media (e.g., hard or floppy disks) and optical media (e.g., DVDs and their data variants, CDs).

The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processor may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include, by way of non-limiting example, one or more of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a gate level circuit, and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

In addition, some examples may also be implemented using circuitry. Circuitry may be configured to perform one or more of the functions and/or method steps described previously. The circuitry may be provided in the base station and/or the communication device.

In the present application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

a) Pure hardware circuit implementations (such as implementations using only analog and/or digital circuitry);

b) Combinations of hardware circuitry and software, e.g.

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

D) Any portion of the hardware processor(s) (including digital signal processors), software, and memory(s) with software that work together to cause a device (such as a communication device or base station) to perform various functions, an

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

The definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this disclosure, the term circuitry also encompasses implementations of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also includes integrated devices and the like.

The foregoing description has fully and purportedly described some embodiments by way of example and not limitation. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications will still fall within the scope defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising means configured to:

Receiving, at a distributed unit of a network node, small data transmissions in a cell from a user equipment;

In response to receiving the small data transmission, determining an grant-small data transmission configuration that generates a configuration of the cell for the user equipment based on the received small data transmission;

Generating an grant-small data transmission configuration of the cell for the user equipment based on the received small data transmission;

Providing the configured grant-small data transmission configuration to a centralized unit of the network node;

Receiving from a centralized unit of a network node an activation indication for: an grant-small data transmission configuration for the configuration of the user equipment; and

In response to receiving the activation indication, resources associated with the configured grant-small data transmission configuration are reserved for subsequent small data transmissions.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the small data transmission comprises: the user equipment receives a request for a configured grant-small data transmission configuration, and wherein determining to generate the configured grant-small data transmission configuration is based on the received request from the user equipment.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the determining to generate the configured grant-small data transmission configuration is based on at least one of:

a stored indication associated with: the type of the user equipment, and/or the type of data radio bearer, and/or the type of signaling radio bearer, involved in the small data transmission;

an indication stored in a context associated with the user equipment related to the small data transmission; and

An indication stored in a context associated with one of: said data radio bearer and/or said signaling radio bearer relating to small data transmissions.

4. The apparatus of any of claims 1-3, wherein the small data transmission comprises a radio resource control message provided to the centralized unit of the network node along with the configured grant-small data transmission configuration.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the radio resource control message is: a radio resource control message related to small data transmission, or a radio resource control resume request.

6. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the small data transmission comprises: an inactivity-radio network temporary identifier of the user equipment.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the means is configured to perform, prior to receiving the small data transmission:

providing an indication to the user equipment that the user equipment is moving to a radio resource control inactive mode; and

In response to providing the indication, a context of the user equipment is stored in the distributed unit of the network node.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the context of the user device is stored in the distributed unit based on predefined criteria, wherein the predefined criteria comprises at least one of: user equipment assistance information, a type of the user equipment, and a movement history of the user equipment.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 or 8, wherein the means configured to perform the generating the configured grant-small data transmission configuration comprises:

At the distributed unit of the network node, identifying a stored context of the user equipment using the received inactive-radio network temporary identifier;

Retrieving the stored context of the user device; and

Using the context of the user equipment, an grant-small data transmission configuration of the configuration is generated in the cell.

10. The apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the context of the user equipment comprises at least one of: a data radio bearer conforming to a small data transmission, and a data payload size for each of said data radio bearers.

11. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the small data transmission comprises: a data payload comprising a logical channel identifier, wherein the means configured to perform the generating the configured grant-small data transmission configuration comprises:

The logical channel identifier is used to generate an grant-small data transmission configuration for the configuration.

12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the component is configured to perform:

identifying, by the user equipment, at least one of the following using one or more bit requests of the inactive-radio network temporary identifier of the user equipment included in the small data transmission: the type of the user equipment, the type of the data radio bearer, and the type of the signaling radio bearer; and

Generating an grant-small data transmission configuration of the configuration for the user equipment based on at least one of: the type of the user equipment, the type of the data radio bearer, and the type of the signaling radio bearer.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the means configured to perform generating the configured grant-small data transmission configuration is based on small data transmission context information in a message received from the centralized unit, the context information for each of at least one of: the type of the user equipment, the type of the data radio bearer, and the type of the signaling radio bearer.

14. The apparatus of claims 1 to 6, wherein the component is configured to perform, prior to receiving the small data transmission:

Receiving from the centralized unit of the network node a set of one or more data radio bearers conforming to a small data transmission, wherein each data radio bearer in the set comprises: an associated payload size for data transmission.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the means configured to perform the generating the configured grant-small data transmission configuration comprises:

selecting a data radio bearer from the set of one or more data radio bearers based on the received message; and

Using the selected data radio bearer and associated payload size, an grant-small data transmission configuration of the configuration is generated.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the one or more sets of data radio bearers are received at a data radio bearer setup procedure using one of: user equipment context settings, and user equipment modification procedures.

17. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein the configured grant-small data transmission configuration for the user equipment is different from a previously configured grant-small data transmission configuration used by the user equipment when connected to a latest serving cell.

18. An apparatus comprising means configured to:

Receiving, from a distributed unit of a network node, a configured grant-small data transmission configuration for a user equipment generated by the distributed unit of the network node, wherein the configured grant-small data transmission configuration is received within a message comprising a radio resource control message;

determining an grant-small data transmission configuration to activate the configuration for the user equipment;

providing an activation indication of an grant-small data transmission configuration for the configuration of the user equipment to the distributed units of the network node; and

When the activation indication is provided to the distributed unit, a radio resource control release message including the configured grant-small data transmission configuration is provided to the user equipment.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the means is configured to perform, prior to receiving the configured grant-small data transmission configuration:

providing to the distributed unit at least one of:

an indication to maintain the user equipment context when moving the user equipment to a radio resource control inactive mode;

An indication to maintain the user equipment context when moving the user equipment to a radio resource control inactive mode, and an indication to generate a configured grant-small data transmission configuration at a subsequent small data transmission;

one or more sets of data radio bearers and/or one or more sets of signaling radio bearers conforming to small data transmissions, wherein each data radio bearer and/or signaling radio bearer in the set comprises at least: an associated payload size for data transmission; and

The following set of authorized configurations that conform to the configuration generated at the time of the next small data transfer: a data radio bearer type and/or a signaling radio bearer type or a user equipment type.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the one or more sets of data radio bearers and/or one or more sets of signaling radio bearers are provided at the data radio bearer and/or signaling radio bearer setup procedure using one of: user equipment context settings, and user equipment modification procedures.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 or 20, wherein the component is configured to perform: as part of the non-user equipment associated message, the distributed unit is provided with a small set of data transmission context information fragments associated with a data radio bearer type, and/or a signaling radio bearer type, and/or a user equipment type, to be used in generating an authorization configuration for the configuration.

22. An apparatus comprising means configured to:

providing a request for an grant-small data transmission configuration for configuration of a serving cell to a distributed unit of a network node within the small data transmission; and

An grant-small data transmission configuration of a configuration to be used by user equipment in the serving cell is received from a centralized unit of the network node.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the request is indicated in a random access channel.

24. The apparatus according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the request is included in a message terminated in the distributed unit of the network node.

25. The apparatus of any of claims 22 to 24, wherein the means is configured to perform:

providing a radio resource control message to the distributed units of the network node within the small data transmission, and the request for receiving configured grant resources for small data transmission in a cell.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the radio resource control message is a radio resource control resume request message.

27. The apparatus of any of claims 22 to 26, wherein the means is configured to perform:

A radio resource control release message with an grant-small data transmission configuration for the configuration of the user equipment is received from the centralized unit of the network node.

28. The apparatus of any of claims 22 to 27, wherein the small data transmission comprises: an inactivity-radio network temporary identifier of the user equipment.

29. The apparatus according to any of claims 22 to 28, wherein the user equipment is in a radio resource control, inactive, mode.

30. The apparatus according to any of claims 22 to 29, wherein the apparatus is used for the user equipment.

31. A method, comprising:

32. A method, comprising:

33. A method, comprising: