EP4666710A1

EP4666710A1 - Reduced capability device and cell access

Info

Publication number: EP4666710A1
Application number: EP23841360.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Samuli Heikki TURTINEN; Jussi-Pekka Koskinen
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2023-02-16
Filing date: 2023-12-29
Publication date: 2025-12-24
Also published as: JP2026505451A; CN120693917A; MX2025009483A; WO2024170954A1; KR20250149764A

Abstract

A reduced capability device may be configured to determine presence or absence of an indication indicating, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to a reduced capability device; and to use at least the presence or absence of said indication, when the reduced capability device determines whether the cell is a barred cell for the device.

Description

REDUCED CAPABILITY DEVICE AND CELL ACCESS

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various example embodiments relate to communication systems.

BACKGROUND

Communication systems are under constant development. The 5G, 5G-Enhanced, 5G-Advanced, and beyond future wireless networks, or network generations, aim to support a large variety of services, use cases and industrial verticals. Along with the variety of different services and use cases, capability requirements of different smart devices of one generations diverge, and reduced capability devices, known as reduced capability user equipment (REDCAP UE) in 5G-En- hanced, originally known as new radio-light (NR-light) have also been introduced to communication systems. A reduced capability device is a low cost and power efficient smart device with reduced capability.

SUMMARY

The independent claims define the scope, and different embodiments are defined in dependent claims.

According to an aspect there is provided a reduced capability device, the device comprising: means for determining presence or absence of an indication indicating, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to the device; and means for determining, using at least the presence or absence of said indication, whether the cell is a barred cell for the device.

In embodiments, the means for determining, whether the cell is a barred cell, are configured to, when the at least one cell access allowability indication is applicable to the device, use the at least one cell access allowability indication when determining whether the cell is a barred cell for the device.

In embodiments, the means for determining the presence or absence of the indication are configured to determine that the indication is present, when content, which indicates the at least one cell access allowability indication applicable to the device, is present In embodiments, the reduced capability device further comprises: means for determining, amongst two or more cell access allowability indications, the at least one cell access allowability indication applicable to the device.

In embodiments, the means for determining, whether the cell is a barred cell, are configured, when the least one cell access allowability indication is not applicable to the device, to use a corresponding access allowability indication for the cell when determining whether the cell is a barred cell for the device.

In embodiments, the means are configured to determine in the absence of the indication that the cell is barred for the device.

In embodiments, the reduced capability device further comprises means for determining that a presence of said indication indicates that the at least one cell access allowability indication is applicable to the device, wherein the means for determining, whether the cell is a barred cell, are configured to use the at least one cell access allowability indication.

In embodiments, the reduced capability device further comprises means for determining that an absence of said indication means that the at least one cell access allowability indication is applicable to the device; wherein the means for determining, whether the cell is a barred cell, are configured to use the at least one cell access allowability indication.

In embodiments, the reduced capability device further comprises means for receiving the at least one cell access allowability indication in broadcast or in dedicated signaling.

In embodiments, the means for determining whether the cell is a barred cell for the device are configured to, when the at least one cell access allowability indication is associated with a specific capability, perform the determining based on said at least one cell access allowability indication when the reduced capability device has the specific capability.

In embodiments, the reduced capability device further comprises means for determining absence or presence of an indication indicating whether or not the reduced capability device belongs to devices supported in the cell, wherein the means for determining whether the cell is a barred cell, are configured to, when the reduced capability device does not belong to the devices supported, that the cell is a barred cell.

In embodiments, the indication indicating, whether or not the reduced capability device belongs to devices supported in the cell, is the indication indicating, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to the device.

In embodiments, the at least one cell access allowability indications comprises at least one of an indication of whether the cell is barred for reduced capability device equipped with one receiver branch, an indication of whether the cell is barred for reduced capability device equipped with two receiver branches, or an indication of whether the cell is barred for reduced capability device that operates only in half-duplex for frequency division duplex, or an indication indicating allowability of reduced capability device to perform intra-frequency cell re-selec- tion.

In embodiments, the reduced capability device comprises at least one processor, and at least one memoiy including computer program code, wherein the at least one processor with the at least one memory and computer program code provide said means.

According to an aspect there is provided a network device comprising: means for transmitting information indicating to reduced capability devices, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to the reduced capability devices.

In embodiments, the means for transmitting are configured to transmit the information by inserting an indication to broadcast, or by transmitting the broadcast without said indication.

In embodiments, the means for transmitting are configured to transmit a support indication indicating whether reduced capability devices are supported in the cell.

According to an aspect there is provided a method comprising: determining presence or absence of an indication indicating, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to a reduced capability device; and determining, using at least the presence or absence of said indication, whether the cell is a barred cell for the device.

According to an aspect there is provided a computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: determining presence or absence of an indication indicating, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to a reduced capability device; and determining, using at least the presence or absence of said indication, whether the cell is a barred cell for the device.

In an embodiment, the computer readable medium is a non-transitory computer readable medium.

According to an aspect there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: determining presence or absence of an indication indicating, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to a reduced capability device; and determining, using at least the presence or absence of said indication, whether the cell is a barred cell for the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments are described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplified high-level network architecture;

Fig. 2 illustrates an example functionality;

Fig. 3 illustrates an example functionality;

Fig. 4 illustrates an example functionality;

Fig. 5 illustrates an example functionality;

Fig. 6 illustrates an example functionality;

Fig.7 illustrates an example functionality;

Fig. 8 is a schematic block diagram;

Fig. 9 is a schematic block diagram; and

Fig. 10 is a schematic block diagram. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The following embodiments are only presented as examples. Although the specification may refer to "an”, "one”, or "some” embodiment(s) and/or exam- ple(s) in several locations, this does not necessarily mean that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s) or example(s), or that a particular feature only applies to a single embodiment and/or single example. Single features of different embodiments and/or examples may also be combined to provide other embodiments and/or examples. Furthermore, words "comprising” and "including” should be understood as not limiting the described embodiments to consist of only those features that have been mentioned and such embodiments may contain also fea- tures/structures that have not been specifically mentioned. Further, although terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first”, "second”, etc., may be used for describing various elements, the elements are not restricted by the terms. The terms are used merely for the purpose of distinguishing an element from other elements. For example, a first element could be termed an element or a second element, and similarly, a second element could be also termed a first element or an element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplified high-level network architecture, only showing some details, the more detailed implementation being irrelevant for the description of examples. The examples are described herein using principles and terminology of 5G-Enhanced, or Release 17, without limiting the examples, and the terminology used, to said 5G-Enhanced, or 5G-Advanced. A person skilled in the art may apply the solutions and examples to other communication systems, for example beyond 5G-Advanced, or communication system implementing similar principles and functionalities, possibly with different terms having corresponding meaning, but using some other than 5G technology.

Referring to Fig.l, a radio access network 101 provides wireless access via a core network 102 to one or more data networks 103.

The radio access network may be 5G-Advanced network, a non-terres- trial network, or a non-cellular access network, for example a wireless local area network, implementing the concept of user devices, reduced capability user devices and further reduced capability user devices.

To provide the wireless access, the radio access network 101 comprises access devices (AD) 110 which may provide one or more cells 111. There are a wide variety of access devices, including different types of base stations, such as split gNB, transmission-reception points, network-controlled repeaters, donor nodes in integrated access and backhaul (IAB), fixed IAB nodes, mobile IAB nodes mounted on vehicles, for example, and satellites. As said above, an access device may provide one or more cells, possibly with different cell accessibility per cell, but a cell is provided by one access device.

The core network 102 maybe based on a non-standalone core network, for example an LTE-based network, or a standalone access network, for example a 5 G core network. However, it should be appreciated that the core network 102 may use any technology that enable network services, for example, to be delivered between devices and data networks.

The data network 103 may be any network, like the internet, an intranet, a wide area network, and different remote monitoring and/or data collection services for different use cases may be reached via the data network 103.

For use cases and deployment scenarios relating to industrial sensors, video surveillance, and wearables, which require low device complexity, and/or small form-factor and/or low power consumption, 5G-Evolved (Release 17), devices (user equipment or terminal devices), called reduced capability devices, were introduced. It is envisaged that in 5G-Advanced (Release 18) further reduced capability devices 120 (r-c-D), that co-exist with the earlier generation reduced capability devices, will be introduced. A non-limiting list of further reduced capability devices 120 include industrial internet of things devices, consumer internet of things devices, different sensors, like pressure sensors, humidity sensors, thermometers, motion sensors, actuators, accelerometers, etc., surveillance cameras, wearable devices, such as smartwatches, rings, eHealth related devices, etc., small monitors. In future generations, e.g. Release 19, or 6G, it may be that even further reduced capability devices are introduced. Hence, it should be appreciated that herein the term "further reduced capability device” refers to a newer reduced capability device type, and for its predecessor reduced capability device type(s), terms baseline reduced capability devices, or legacy reduced capability devices, may be used. For example, reduced capability devices defined in 5G-Evolved, or Release 17, are legacy reduced capability devices to further reduced capability devices envisaged in 5 G- Advanced, or Release 18.

The wireless network, e.g. the radio access network 101, may control access of reduced capability devices to a cell by means of cell access allowability indications. A non-limiting list of cell access allowability indications for legacy reduced capability devices comprises an indication of whether the cell is barred for reduced capability devices equipped with one receiver branch, an indication of whether the cell is barred for reduced capability devices equipped with two receiver branches, or an indication of whether the cell is barred for reduced capability devices that operate only in half-duplex for frequency division duplex, or an indication indicating allowability of reduced capability devices to perform intra-fre- quency cell re-selection.

In the below non-limiting examples, different example functionalities of a further reduced capability device relating to determining whether or not a cell is a barred cell are illustrated, using e.g. "device” as a synonym to the further reduced capability device.

Referring to Fig. 2, the device determines (block 201) presence or absence of an indication indicating, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to the device. For example, the presence or absence of the indication indicating, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to the device, may be determined based on an explicitly signaled optionality bit or field indicating whether the indication is present In other words, for example, the indication may be optionally present or optionally signaled information element while when it is present/signaled, the indication may be a BOOLEAN type IE (information element) or a CHOICE type IE. In an implementation the indication may be an indication indicating devices supported in the cell. For example, the indication may indicate support for further reduced capability devices. However, it should be appreciated that while in the implementation the indication indicates support for a device in a cell, there may be at least one additional indication indicating whether or not the device is allowed to access the cell. Further, in another implementation the indication indicating devices supported in the cell is an additional indication to the indication indicating, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to the device. Further there may be implementations not implementing the indication indicating devices supported in the cell.

Further, the device determines (block 202), using at least the presence or absence of said indication, whether the cell is a barred cell for the device. For example, when said indication is present, one or more cell access allowability indications may be used, if applicable and received, to determine, whether the cell is a barred cell for the device, as will be described in more detail below. When a cell access allowability indication is associated with a specific capability, the reduced capability device may use the cell access allowability indication when the reduced capability device has the specific capability.

Referring to Fig. 3, the device determines (block 301), that the indication indicating, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to the device, is present

When the indication is present, in the illustrated example, at least one cell access allowability indication is applicable to the device (indicated to be applicable), and the device uses (block 302) the at least one cell access allowability indication when determining whether the cell is a barred cell for the device. When there are two or more cell access allowability indications, all of them may be indicated by the indication to be applicable, or the indication may comprise further content indicating, which ones are applicable. In an implementation, when at least one of the cell access allowability indications is not applicable to the device, a corresponding access allowability indication may be applicable. In such a case, the device may use the corresponding access allowability indication, if received, when determining whether the cell is a barred cell for the device. When an applicable cell access allowability indication is associated with a specific capability, the reduced capability device may use the cell access allowability indication when the reduced capability device has the specific capability. The specific capability may relate to a number of receivers (e.g., 1RX or 2RX), or receiver branches/antennas (e.g., 1RX or 2RX), or capability to operate in half duplex or full duplex for frequency division duplex, for example.

The indication may indicate that all cell access allowability indications for legacy reduced capability devices are applicable also to the device, and hence there is no need to use wireless network resources, for example system information signaling resources, to transmit a corresponding set of cell access allowability indications for further reduced capability devices, when the cell access allowability indications for legacy reduced capability devices are broadcast. The indication may indicate that none of the cell access allowability indications for legacy reduced capability devices are applicable, thereby indicating that at least one cell access allowability indication for further reduced capability devices is applicable, and the device may receive one or more cell access allowability indications for further reduced capability devices, for example, in broadcast or in dedicated signaling. For example, if the indication is a BOOLEAN type IE, a value of "true” may indicate all of the cell access allowability indications for legacy reduced capability devices are applicable, and a value of "false” may indicate none of the cell access allowability indications for legacy reduced capability devices are applicable, or vice versa. Similarly, if the indication is a CHOICE type IE, a choice of a NULL value may indicate that all of the cell access allowability indications for legacy reduced capability devices are applicable. In some embodiments, a choice of a NULL value may indicate that none of the cell access allowability indications for legacy reduced capability devices are applicable. In some further embodiments, the CHOICE IE may include a choice of an information element (IE) and/or a set of other indications indicating a separate set of cell access allowability indications to be used. Still a further possibility is that the indication indicates one or more of the cell access allowability indications for legacy reduced capability devices that are applicable to the device, for example when the indication is the optional field with content indicating which one(s) of the cell access allowability indications for legacy reduced capability devices is (are) applicable. Depending on an implementation, the indication or the content may further indicate directly or indirectly that no cell access allowability indications for further reduced capability devices will be transmitted, or that one or more cell access allowability indications for further reduced capability devices will be transmitted and are applicable to the device.

Referring to Fig. 4, the device determines (block 401), that the indication indicating, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to the device, is not present.

In the illustrated example, when the indication is not present, at least one cell access allowability indication is applicable to the device (indicated to be applicable), and the device uses (block 402) the at least one cell access allowability indication when determining whether the cell is a barred cell for the device.

When there are two or more cell access allowability indications, all of them may be indicated by the absence of the indication to be applicable. In an implementation, when at least one of the cell access allowability indications is not applicable to the device, a corresponding access allowability indication may be applicable. In such a case, the device may use the corresponding access allowability indication, if received, when determining whether the cell is a barred cell for the device. When an applicable cell access allowability indication is associated with a specific capability, the reduced capability device may use the cell access allowability indication when the reduced capability device has the specific capability. The specific capability may relate to a number of receiver bands, or capability to operate in half duplex or full duplex for frequency division duplex, for example.

The absence of the indication may indicate that all cell access allowability indications for legacy reduced capability devices are applicable also to the device, and hence there is no need to use wireless network resources, for example system information signaling resources, to transmit a corresponding set of cell access allowability indications for further reduced capability devices, when the cell access allowability indications for legacy reduced capability devices are broadcast. The absence of the indication may indicate that none of the cell access allowability indications for legacy reduced capability devices are applicable, thereby indicating that at least one cell access allowability indication for further reduced capability devices is applicable, and the device may receive one or more cell access allowability indications for further reduced capability devices, for example, in broadcast or in dedicated signaling. The absence of the indication may indicate that the cell access is not allowed for further reduced capability devices and/or the cell access is barred for further reduced capability devices. The absence of the indication may also indicate that none of the cell access allowability indications for legacy reduced capability devices are applicable, ie., including intra-frequency re-selection (IFRI) indication, thereby indicating that the device shall apply the IFRI provided in master information block (MIB). The presence of the indication may indicate that the IFRI for legacy reduced capability devices is applicable for the device, regardless of whether or not none of the cell access allowability indications for legacy reduced capability devices are applicable.

As can be seen from the examples of Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, flexibility to allow separate cell access allowability indications for the further reduced capability devices in a cell is provided while minimizing unnecessaiy use of network resources to transmit cell access allowability indications with the same effect

It should be appreciated that if cell access allowability indications indicated to be applicable are not present (received), the device may determine that the cell is a barred cell.

Referring to Fig. 5, the device determines (block 501), that the indication indicating, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to the device, is not present In the illustrated example, when the indication is not present, in the illustrated example, the device determines (block 502) that the cell is barred for the device. In other words, the absence of said indication is used in the determining.

In an implementation, example functionality of Fig.5 may be implemented for the additional indication. For example, the device may receive one or more indications indicating devices supported in the cell, but the device may determine in block 501 that an indication is not present since the device does not belong to the devices supported in the cell. In other words, if an indication indicating support for further reduced devices in the cell is not present, the device may determine that the cell is barred, whereas if the indication indicating support for further reduced devices in the cell is present, the device may implement the functionality described with Fig. 3 or with Fig. 4.

The device may perform the determining of absence or presence of the indication and/or the additional indication based on information received from the network. Figure 6 illustrates an example functionality in the network side.

Referring to Figure 6, a network device, for example an access device or a base station, transmits (block 601) information indicating to reduced capability devices (further reduced capability devices), whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to the reduced capability devices. The information may be transmitted by inserting an indication to broadcast, or by transmitting the broadcast without said indication. Examples of indications are given above. In an implementation, the network device may be configured to include to the broadcast a support indication indicating whether reduced capability devices (further reduced capability devices) are supported in the cell. Further, the network device may be configured to broadcast cell access allowability indications for legacy reduced capability devices and broadcast one or more cell access allowability indications for further reduced capability devices and/or transmit one or more cell access allowability indications for further reduced capability devices in a dedicated signalling.

Fig.7 illustrates an example, in which the network NW indicates which ones of legacy (e.g., pertaining to Release 17 (5G-Evolved), and/or some other former release) reduced capability cell access allowability indications for a cell are applicable for further (e.g., pertaining to Release 18 (5G-Advanced), and/or some other prospective release(s)) reduced capability devices in the cell. Further, in the example at least corresponding cell access allowability indications are provided in case one or more of legacy reduced capability cell access allowability indications are not applicable.

In the illustrated example of Fig. 7, cell access allowability indications are IFRI (indication indicating allowability of reduced capability devices to select another cell on the same frequency), 1RX (indication of whether the cell is barred for reduced capability device equipped with one receiver branch, 2RX (indication of whether the cell is barred for reduced capability device equipped with two receiver branches), and HalfDuplexFDD (indication of whether the cell is barred for reduced capability device that operate only in half-duplex for frequency division duplex). In Release 17 for example, the cell access allowability indications, called in the example of Fig.7 "set A”, may be intraFreqReselectionRedCap-rl7, cellBarre- dRedCaplRx-rl 7, cellBarredRedCap2Rx-rl 7, and halfDupIexRedCapAIIowed-rl 7, respectively. Correspondingly, in Release 18 for example, the cell access allowability indications for the further reduced capability devices, called in the example of Fig.7 "set B”, may be intraFreqReselectionRedCap-rl8, cellBarredRedCaplRx-rl8, cell- BarredRedCap2Rx-rl8, and halfDuplexRedCapAllowed-rl 8. It should be appreciated that the NW may provide any number, including zero, of the cell access allowability indications. It should be appreciated that only a part of the cell access allowability indications defined for legacy reduced capability devices may be defined for further reduced capability devices separately, and, for example, another part may be common for both devices with no dependency to the indication indicating whether the at least one cell access allowability indication for legacy reduced capability devices is applicable for the device. For example, IFRI defined for legacy reduced capability devices may be applicable to further reduced capability devices with no dependency to the indication indicating whether the at least one cell access allowability indication for legacy redcap devices is applicable for the device. In other words, a further reduced capability device may apply IFRI defined for legacy reduced capability devices without determining absence or presence of the indication indicating whether the at least one cell access allowability indication for legacy redcap devices is applicable for the device . It should be appreciated that only a part of the cell access allowability indications defined for legacy reduced capability devices may be defined for further reduced capability devices separately, and, for example, another part may be common for both legacy and further reduced capability devices with dependency to the indication indicating only such that a further reduced capability device may check absence or presence of said indication. For example, IFRI defined for legacy reduced capability devices may be applicable to further reduced capability devices when the indication indicating is present and/or signalled in the cell (e.g., through system information broadcast or dedicated signalling). In another example, IFRI defined for legacy reduced capability devices may not be applicable to further reduced capability devices when said indication is absent and/or not signalled in the cell. In this case, a further reduced capability device may apply IFRI provided over master information block (MIB).

Referring to Fig.7, the NW may broadcast (message 7-1) the set A, and in system information, e.g. in SIB1, an indication indicating that at least one of IFRI, 1RX, 2RX and HalfDuplexFDD in the set A is applicable to the further reduced capability devices, the indication indicating also which one(s) is (are) applicable. In the illustrated example, it is assumed that 1RX, 2RX and HalfDuplexFDD are indicated to be applicable in message 7-1. Further, since in the illustrated example it is assumed that not all in the set A are applicable, the NW may broadcast (message 7- 2) one or more or all of the cell access allowability indications of the set B. In another implementation, dedicated signaling may be used. In the illustrated example, message 7-2 contains at least IFRI. It should be appreciated that message 7-2 may contain also 1RX, 2RX and/or HalfDuplexFDD e.g., for Release 18.

Even though illustrated as separate messages, in the illustrated example it is assumed that a further reduced capability device, denoted RedCapUE in Fig.7, receives them in one broadcast The device determines (block 7-3), that the indication is present, and that 1RX, 2RX and HalfDuplexFDD in the set A are applicable to device in the cell, and IFRI in the set B. Since 1RX, 2RX and HalfDuplexFDD are associated with a specific capability, respectively, and the device’s capability is 1RX, the device perform use 1RX in the set A and IFRI in the set B when it determines at least, whether the cell is a barred cell (IFRI may be used to determine barring of other cells when the cell is a barred cell). Implementing the example of Fig.7 to situations in which all or none of the indications in the set A are applicable, is a straightforward task to a person skilled in the art.

The blocks, related functions, and information exchange (messages, signaling) described above by means of Fig. 2 to Fig. 7 in no absolute chronological order, and some of them may be performed simultaneously or in an order differing from the given one. Other functions can also be executed between them or within them, and other information may be sent, and/or other rules applied. Some of the blocks or part of the blocks or one or more pieces of information can also be left out or replaced by a corresponding block or part of the block or one or more pieces of information.

Fig. 8 illustrates an apparatus 801 according to some embodiments. The apparatus 801 may be an apparatus or a reduced capability device, e.g. an electrical device, for use cases for further reduced capability devices, for example. Fig. 9 illustrates an apparatus, e.g. a network device, that may be configured to transmit to reduced capability devices information indicating applicability of at least one cell access allowability indications. Fig. 10 illustrates an apparatus that may implement distributed functionality of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 9.

The apparatus 801, 901 may comprise one or more communication control circuitries 820, 920, such as at least one processor, and at least one memory 830, including one or more algorithms 831, 931, such as a computer program code (software) wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code (software) are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to carry out any one of the exemplified functionalities of the reduced capability device, described above with any of Fig. I to Fig. 7. Said atleastone memory 830, 930 may also comprise atleast one database 832, 932.

According to an embodiment, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memoiy including a computer program code, wherein the atleastone memory and the computer program code are configured, with the atleast one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: determine presence or absence of an indication indicating, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to the apparatus, and determine, using at least the presence or absence of said indication, whether the cell is a barred cell for the apparatus.

According to an embodiment, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including a computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to transmit information indicating to reduced capability devices, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to the reduced capability devices.

Referring to Fig. 8, the one or more communication control circuitries 820 of the apparatus 801 comprise at least a cell access determining circuitry 821 which is configured to perform cell access related functionalities, e.g. determine absence or presence of the indication, applicable cell access allowability indications, and whether a cell is barred, according to embodiments. To this end, the cell access determining circuitry 821 of the apparatus 801 is configured to carry out at least some of the functionalities described above, e.g., by means of Fig. 2 to Fig. 7, using one or more individual circuitries.

Referring to Fig. 8, the memory 830 maybe implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory.

Referring to Fig. 8, the apparatus 801 may further comprise different interfaces 810 such as one or more communication interfaces (TX/RX) comprising hardware and/or software for realizing communication connectivity according to one or more communication protocols. The one or more communication interfaces 810 may enable connecting to the Internet and/or to a core network of a wireless communications network and/or to a radio access network and/or to other apparatuses within range of the apparatus. The one or more communication interface 810 may provide the apparatus with communication capabilities to communicate in a cellular communication system and enable communication to different network nodes or elements. The one or more communication interfaces 810 may comprise standard well-known components such as an amplifier, filter, frequency-converter, (de)modulator, and encoder/decoder circuitries, controlled by the corresponding controlling units, and possibly one or more antennas.

Referring to Fig. 9, the one or more communication control circuitry 920 of the apparatus 901 comprise at least a indicating circuitry 921, which is configured to include or not to include into its transmissions one or more indications, that are discussed with Fig.2 to Fig. 7. To this end, the indicating circuitry 921 of the apparatus 901 is configured to carry out at least some of the functionalities of the network device, or access device, described above, e.g., by means of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, for example, by the apparatus transmitting information, using one or more individual circuitries.

Referring to Fig. 9, the memory 930 maybe implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory.

Referring to Fig. 9, the apparatus 901 may further comprise different interfaces 910 such as one or more communication interfaces (TX/RX) comprising hardware and/or software for realizing communication connectivity according to one or more communication protocols. The one or more communication interfaces 910 may enable connecting to the Internet and/or to a core network of a wireless communications network. The one or more communication interface 910 may provide the apparatus with communication capabilities to communicate in a cellular communication system and enable communication to different network nodes or elements or terminal devices or user equipments, for example. The one or more communication interfaces 910 may comprise standard well-known components such as an amplifier, filter, frequency-converter, (de)modulator, and encoder/decoder circuitries, controlled by the corresponding controlling units, and one or more antennas. In an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10, at least some of the functionalities of the apparatus of Fig. 9 may be shared between two physically separate devices, forming one operational entity. Therefore, the apparatus may be seen to depict the operational entity comprising one or more physically separate devices for executing at least some of the described processes. Thus, the apparatus of Fig.10, utilizing such shared architecture, may comprise a remote control unit RCU 1020, such as a host computer or a server computer, operatively coupled (e.g. via a wireless or wired network) to a remote distributed unit RDU 1022 located in the base station. In an embodiment, at least some of the described processes may be performed by the RCU 1020. In an embodiment, the execution of at least some of the described processes may be shared among the RDU 1022 and the RCU 1020.

Similar to Fig. 9, the apparatus of Fig. 10 may comprise one or more communication control circuitries (CNTL) 920, such as at least one processor, and at least one memory (MEM) 930, including one or more algorithms (PROG) 931, such as a computer program code (software) wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code (software) are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to carry out any one of the exemplified functionalities of the apparatus described above, e.g., by means of Fig. 1, Fig. 6, and Fig. 7, for example, by the network device, or access device.

In an embodiment, the RCU 1020 may generate a virtual network through which the RCU 1020 communicates with the RDU 1022. In general, virtual networking may involve a process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functionality into a single, software-based administrative entity, a virtual network. Network virtualization may involve platform virtualization, often combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization may be categorized as external virtual networking which combines many networks, or parts of networks, into the server computer or the host computer (e.g. to the RCU). External network virtualization is targeted to optimized network sharing. Another category is internal virtual networking which provides network-like functionality to the software containers on a single system. Virtual networking may also be used for testing the terminal device. In an embodiment, the virtual network may provide flexible distribution of operations between the RDU and the RCU. In practice, any digital signal processing task may be performed in either the RDU or the RCU and the boundary where the responsibility is shifted between the RDU and the RCU may be selected according to implementation.

In a still further embodiment, the apparatus of Fig. 8 may be implemented in similar way as the apparatus of Fig. 10.

As used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations, such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry, and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software, including digital signal processor (s), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a terminal device or an access node, to perform various functions, and (c) hardware circuit(s) and processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g. firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term in this application, including any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ also covers an implementation of merely 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 covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit for an access node or a terminal device or other computing or network device.

In an embodiment, at least some of the processes described in connection with Fig. 2 to Fig. 7 maybe carried outby an apparatus comprising corresponding means for carrying out at least some of the described processes. Some example means for carrying out the processes may include at least one of the following: detector, processor (including dual-core and multiple-core processors), digital signal processor, controller, receiver, transmitter, encoder, decoder, memory, RAM, ROM, software, firmware, display, user interface, display circuitry, user interface circuitry, user interface software, display software, circuit, antenna, antenna circuitry, and circuitry. In an embodiment, the at least one processor, the memory, and the computer program code form processing means or comprises one or more computer program code portions for carrying out one or more operations according to any one of the embodiments of Fig. 2 to Fig. 7 or operations thereof.

Embodiments and examples as described may also be carried out in the form of a computer process defined by a computer program or portions thereof. Embodiments of the functionalities described in connection with Fig. 2 to Fig. 7 may be carried out by executing at least one portion of a computer program comprising corresponding instructions. The computer program may be provided as a computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon or as a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon. The computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some sort of carrier, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, the computer program may be stored on a computer program distribution medium readable by a computer or a processor. The computer program medium may be, for example but not limited to, a record medium, computer memory, read-only memory, electrical carrier signal, telecommunications signal, and software distribution package, for example. The computer program medium may be a non-transi- tory medium. The term "non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal ) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM). Coding of software for carrying out the embodiments as shown and described is well within the scope of a person of ordinary skill in the art

Even though the embodiments have been described above with reference to examples according to the accompanying drawings, it is clear that the embodiments are not restricted thereto but can be modified in several ways within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly and they are intended to illustrate, not to restrict, the embodiment It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. Further, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that the described embodiments may, but are not required to, be combined with other embodiments in various ways.

Claims

1. A reduced capability device, the device comprising: means for determining presence or absence of an indication indicating, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to the device; and means for determining, using at least the presence or absence of said indication, whether the cell is a barred cell for the device.

2. The reduced capability device of claim 1, wherein the means for determining, whether the cell is a barred cell, are configured to, when the at least one cell access allowability indication is applicable to the device, use the at least one cell access allowability indication when determining whether the cell is a barred cell for the device.

3. The reduced capability device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the means for determining the presence or absence of the indication are configured to determine that the indication is present, when content, which indicates the at least one cell access allowability indication applicable to the device, is present.

4. The reduced capability device of claim 3, further comprising: means for determining, amongst two or more cell access allowability indications, the at least one cell access allowability indication applicable to the device.

5. The reduced capability device of claim 3 or 4, wherein the means for determining, whether the cell is a barred cell, are configured, when the least one cell access allowability indication is not applicable to the device, to use a corresponding access allowability indication for the cell when determining whether the cell is a barred cell for the device.

6. The reduced capability device of claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the means are configured to determine in the absence of the indication that the cell is barred for the device.

7. The reduced capability device of claim 1, further comprising means for determining that a presence of said indication indicates that the at least one cell access allowability indication is applicable to the device, wherein the means for determining, whether the cell is a barred cell, are configured to use the at least one cell access allowability indication.

8. The reduced capability device of claim 1, further comprising means for determining that an absence of said indication means that the at least one cell access allowability indication is applicable to the device; wherein the means for determining, whether the cell is a barred cell, are configured to use the at least one cell access allowability indication.

9. The reduced capability device of any preceding claim, further comprising means for receiving the at least one cell access allowability indication in broadcast or in dedicated signaling.

10. The reduced capability device of any of claims 2 to 9, wherein the means for determining whether the cell is a barred cell for the device are configured to, when the at least one cell access allowability indication is associated with a specific capability, perform the determining based on said at least one cell access allowability indication when the reduced capability device has the specific capability.

11. The reduced capability device of any preceding claim, further comprising means for determining absence or presence of an indication indicating whether or not the reduced capability device belongs to devices supported in the cell, wherein the means for determining whether the cell is a barred cell, are configured to, when the reduced capability device does not belong to the devices supported, that the cell is a barred cell.

12. The reduced capability device of claim 11, wherein the indication indicating, whether or not the reduced capability device belongs to devices supported in the cell, is the indication indicating, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to the device.

13. The reduced capability device of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one cell access allowability indications comprises at least one of an indication of whether the cell is barred for reduced capability device equipped with one receiver branch, an indication of whether the cell is barred for reduced capability device equipped with two receiver branches, or an indication of whether the cell is barred for reduced capability device that operates only in half-duplex for frequency division duplex, or an indication indicating allowability of reduced capability device to perform intra-frequency cell re-selection.

14 The reduced capability device of any preceding claims, further comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one processor with the at least one memory and computer program code provide said means.

15. A network device comprising: means for transmitting information indicating to reduced capability devices, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to the reduced capability devices.

16. The network device of claim 14, wherein the means for transmitting are configured to transmit the information by inserting an indication to broadcast, or by transmitting the broadcast without said indication.

17. The network device of claim 15 or 16, wherein the means for transmitting are configured to transmit a support indication indicating whether reduced capability devices are supported in the cell.

18. A method comprising: determining presence or absence of an indication indicating, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to a reduced capability device; and determining, using at least the presence or absence of said indication, whether the cell is a barred cell for the device.

19. A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: determining presence or absence of an indication indicating, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to a reduced capability device; and determining, using at least the presence or absence of said indication, whether the cell is a barred cell for the device.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the computer readable medium is a non-transitory computer readable medium.

21. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: determining presence or absence of an indication indicating, whether or not at least one cell access allowability indication for a cell is applicable to a reduced capability device; and determining, using at least the presence or absence of said indication, whether the cell is a barred cell for the device.