GB2500896A

GB2500896A - Synchronising a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) function and a discontinuous reception and transmission (DRX/DTX) function

Info

Publication number: GB2500896A
Application number: GB1205973.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Petteri Kalle Kela; Henri Jani Llari Virta
Original assignee: Renesas Mobile Corp
Current assignee: Renesas Electronics Corp
Priority date: 2012-04-03
Filing date: 2012-04-03
Publication date: 2013-10-09
Also published as: GB201205973D0

Abstract

The present application relates generally to uplink and downlink resources of a radio Access Network (RAN), Radio Resource Control (RRC), and Voice over IP (VoIP). One 3GPP solution to avoid control channel limitation for the VoIP capacity is Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS). When using this SPS function the RAN does not need to send a downlink assignment or an uplink grant to a user equipment (UE), which saves the control channel capacity. Discontinuous Reception and Transmission (DRX/DTX) can be utilised as a function that reduces power consumption at the UE. The present invention synchronises the SPS function and the DRX / DTX function. The method of transmission or reception in accordance with the invention is based on a duty cycle which contains on period and an off period. When the RAN performs the method, it signals at least a part of a configuration and a resource allocation to a UE. The configuration discloses: a) length of the duty cycle, b) a starting time of the duty cycle, and c) a length of the on period. The transmission or reception is to happen according to the resource allocation, at the UE, within at least one on period of the duly cycle. When most of the transmission or reception happens within the on periods, the off periods are long and contiguous, thus saving the battery of the UE. The configuration discloses information that delays starting of a duty cycle at least until a trigger.

Description

Method or Apparatus for Transmission or Reception Technical Ficid The present invention relates to a method or apparatus for transmission or reception based on a duty cycle. Some embodiments of the present application relate generally to uplink and downlink resources of a radio access network (RAN), Radio Resource Control (RRC), and Voice over IP (V0IP).

Background

Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (IJIRAN), a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network called Evolved UTRAN (E-TJTRAN), and an LTE advanced network are some examples of RANs. A base station, or an evolved Node B (eNB) in 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) LTE, assigns radio resources to a user equipment (UE) and signals this information to the UE on a control channel. The TIE in present application is a mobile terminal or another type of device. Transmissions are divided in an LTE network into I ms time periods called subframcs. The radio resources, which are assigned to the UE, are available in a subframe on a certain data channel of the RAN.

A downlink (DL) assignment or an uplink (UL) grant is sent when the resources are assigned for the UE.

By default, a voice service uses dynamic scheduling in LTE, where control channels are used to allocate transmission resources for each voice packet and for the possible rctransmissions of them. When a retransmission of a packct is needed, the reffansmission is performed using Hybrid Adaptive Repeat and Request (HARQ). The dynamic scheduling provides a tool for optimizing resources allocation, but it consumes a lot of control channel capacity. The control channels in LTE are Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCHI and Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH). Sharing of a muhi-user channel plays an important role when optimizing the air interface for VoIP traffic, but the capacity of the control channels may limit the capacity ofthe VoIP traffic.

One solution to reduce the consumption of the control channel capacity in the downlink direction is bundling of VoIP packets. In this solution a dynamic scheduler obtains VoIP packets originated from one user and bundles the VoIP packets together at Layer 1, i.e. at a physical layer of the RAN. Then the bundle of the packets is sent on Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) to a UE. The packet bundling is applied only for users whose channel conditions favour the use of bundling. A drawback of the bundling is that it may cause too long transmission delays. So-called mouth-to-ear delay should be at most 160 ms, otherwise users may experience that the quality of the VoIP service is poor. The bundling is less attractive solution in the uplink direction. One reason for this is low transmission power of the UE.

One 3GPP solution to avoid control channel limitation for VolP capacity is Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS). This SPS function enables that the RAN does not nccd to send thc above-mcntioncd DL assignment or UI. grant to thc UE, which savcs the capacity of the PDCCH. The function is utilized, for example, in the VoIP service and in upper layer services which generate data periodically. The SPS function uses an SPS configuration and an SPS allocation.

The SPS configuration contains parameters that are defined in a SPS Config data structure and are signalled to the UE. These parameters include an SPS periodicity which defines a time period when it possible to send or receive data. Tn other words, the transmission or reception is possible in the downlink direction or in the uplink direction.

The SPS allocation discloses Physical Resource Blocks (PRB5) and a modulation and coding scheme. The SPS allocation is signallcd on the PDCCH with SPS C-RNTI (Radio Network Temporary Identifier for Cell) to the UE. If SPS allocation concerns a downlink transmission, thc SPS allocation defines which subframes of the PDSCH the UE must to listen to receive data. If the SPS allocation concerns an uplink transmission, the SPS allocation defines which subframes of the PUSCH the UE is allowed to use for sending data. If the UE sends a certain number of empty subframes, the RAN determines that the SPS allocation is released. In downlink direction the RAN releases the SPS allocation with a certain message.

An RRC connection reconfiguration is used to modify an existing RRC connection. For example, this function is used to obtain, modify or release radio bearers, or to perform a handover. During the handover, the UE receives the RRC connection reconfiguration message at which time the UE stop using its current SPS allocation and deploys a new SPS allocation. In addition to the handover, there are other reasons due to which the SPS allocation needs to be reconfigured. For example, in a VoIP service, the SPS allocation may be configured according to a basic size of a VoIP packet and when a new service is activated during the VoIP service, the SPS allocation should be reconfigured. Then it is possible to enlarge a block size, i.e. the size of the PRB, or increase the capacity by shortening the SPS periodicity.

Discontinuous Reception and Transmission (DRXIDTX) ftrnction provides another kind of transmission and reception possibilities in the downlink direction or in the uplink direction. When there is a need for a downlinlc transmission, the RAN sends a downlink (DL) assignment on the PDCCH and then the UE listens to the PDSCH according to thc DL assignment and receives data. Alternatively, when there is a need for an uplink transmission, the TJE sends a scheduling request (SR) on the PUCCFI and the RAN nomially replies to the SR with an uplink (IJL) grant on the PDCCFI. Then the UE can send data on the PUSCH according to the IJL grant. If the RAN is an LTE network, the IJL grant discloses at least one subframe which the UE is allowed to use for sending data.

Discontinuous reception and discontinuous transmission can be understood as separate thnetions. DRX parameters, such as DRX Cycle and On Duration timer, impact in the LTE network both uplink and downlink performance of the TiE. Thus, the both functions (discontinuous reception and discontinuous transmission) are referred hereafter as a DRX function. The DRX function can be utilized to reduce power consumption at the UE. If there is no activity due to which the liE should be in the active state, the UE is allowed to sleep a time period defined by an off period which is termed in the LTE network "Opportunity for DRX".

Summary

One aspect of some embodiments of the present invention is that it synchronizes the SPS function and the DRX function so that data is sent or received, at a UE, within on periods of a duty eyde. An advantage of some embodiments of the invention is that it saves the battery of the UE, because the UE can sleep during the off periods. Another advantage is that some embodiments of the invention reduce the control channel signalling. The reducing of the control signalling saves the control channel capacity. In addition, radio interferences on the control channels are reduced because there is less traffic.

In one aspect of the present invention, a mcthod of transmission or reception based on a duty cycle with an on period and an off period, the method comprising the following to be performed in a radio access network: signaling at least a part of a configuration and a resource allocation to a user equipment, the part of the configuration disclosing a) length of the duty cycle, b) a starting time of the duty cycle, and c) a length of the on period, wherein the transmission or reception is to happen according to thc resource allocation, at the user equipment, within at least one on period of the duty cycle.

in one embodinent, the method further comprises: triggering the user equipment to start the duty cycle when the configuration discloses information that delays, at the user equipment, starting of thc duty cycle at least until the triggering.

in one embodiment, the configuration further discloses a) a data cycle and b) a length of the data cycle wherein the transmission or reception is to happen according to a periodicity defined by the length of the data cycle.

in one embodiment, the resource allocation causes the user equipment to use the data cycle.

in one embodiment, the transmission or reception is performed using at least one of the following functions: a discontinuous transmission DTX), a discontinous reception DRX), a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS).

in one embodiment, the configuration includcs DRX parameters for the discontinuous transmission or reception and SPS parameters for the semi-persistent scheduling.

in one embodiment, the resource allocation is an SPS allocation.

in one embodiment, the triggering is performed with the resource allocation.

In one embodiment, thc triggering is performed with a DRX Command MAC Control Element.

In one embodiment, a set of the SPS parameters and a set of the DRX parameters are signaled using a same data structure.

In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus comprises: a processing system arranged to cause the apparatus to perform, at a radio access network, at least the following: signaling at least a part of a configuration and a resource allocation to a user equipment, the part of the configuration disclosing a) length of the duty cycle, b) starting time of the duty cycle, and c) a length of the on period, wherein the transmission or reception is to happen according to the resource allocation, at the user equipment, within at least one on period of the duty cycle.

in one embodiment, the apparatus is caused to perform: triggering the user equipment to start the duty cycle when the configuration discloses information that delays, at the user equipment, starting of the duty cycle at least until the triggering.

in one embodiment, the configuration further discloses a) a data cycle and b) a length of the data cycle wherein the transmission or reception is to happen according to a pcriodieity defined by the length of the data cycle.

In one embodiment, the resource allocation causes the user equipment to use the data cycle in one embodiment, the transmission or reception is performed using at least one of the following functions: a discontinuous transmission (DTX), a discontinous reception (DRX), a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS).

in one embodiment, the configuration includes DRX parameters for the discontinuous transmission or reception and SPS parameters for the scmi-pcrsistcnt schcduling.

In one et hodiment, the SPS parameters are signaled using a SPS-Conflg data structure aild the DRX parameters are signaled using a DRX-Config data structure.

In one embodiment, the duty cycle is DRX cycle, the on period is On Duration, the off period is Opportunity for DRX, and the data cycle is SPS periodicity.

in one embodiment, the resource allocation is an SPS allocation.

in one embodiment, thc triggering is performed with the rcsourcc allocation.

in one embodiment, the triggering is performed with a DRX Command MAC Control Element.

In one embodiment, a set of thc SPS parametcrs and a set of the DRX parameters are signaled using a same data structure.

fn one embodiment, the configuration is &terable using format of downlink control information (DCI).

In one embodiment, the starting time of the duty cycle and a starting time of the data cycle are a same point of time.

In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus comprises: a processing system arranged to cause the apparatus to perform, at a user equipment, at Icast thc following: obtaining from signalling at least a part of a configuration and a resource allocation, wherein the signalling is originated from a radio access network and the part of the configuration discloscs a) length of a duty cycle, b) starting time of a duty cycle, and c) a ength of an on period, the signalling ordering the user equipment to handle a transmission or reception within at least one on period of the duty cycle.

In one embodiment, the apparatus is further caused to perform: starting the duty cycle.

in one embodiment, the configuration further discloses a) data cycic and b) a length of a data cycle, the configuration ordering the user equipment to handle the transmission or reception according to a periodicity defined by the length of the data cycle.

In one embodiment, the apparatus is further caused to perform: starting the data cycle.

in one embodiment, the transmission or reception is performed using at least one of thc following functions: discontinuous transmission or reception, semi-persistent scheduling.

in one embodiment, the configuration includes DRX parameters for the discontinuous transmission or reception and SPS parameters for the semi-persistent scheduling.

In one embodiment, the resource allocation is an SPS allocation.

in one embodiment, the apparatus starts the duty cycle in response to one of the following information: a) the resource allocation 14 DRX Command MAC Control Element c) a data structure containing the configuration.

in one embodiment, the apparatus starts the data cycle in response to one of the following information: a) the resource allocation b) a DRX Command MAC Control Element a data structure containing at least a part of the configuration.

The processing system may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code.

S

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a more complete understanding of examples and embodiments of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 illustrates synchronization of the SPS function and the DRX function; FIGURE 2 illustrates a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 3 shows an example of duty cycles and data cycles; FIGURE 4 shows a network apparatus; FIGURE 5 shows a user equipment apparatus.

Detailed Description

Hereafter most relevant 3GPP specifications are referred with "TS" and numbers and section (or page), for example, TS 36.32 1, section 5.7. The referred TS 36.321 is version V1O.4.0 and the referred TS 36.33 1 is version V10.5.0. The present invention is described using general telecommunication terms. One of these terms is a duty cycle which contains an on period and an off period. The duty cycle is utilized in various systems which are based on discontinuous reception and transmission (DRX/DTX). The LTE network is one example of these systems. The discontinuous reception and transmission may or may not be based on the LTE DRX fhnction (TS 36.321, section 5.7 and TS 36.33 1, page 172). Another general term used in the present application is a resource allocation. In the LTE network the resource allocation could be an SPS allocation (3GPP TS 36.321, sections 5.10, 5.3.1, and 5.4.1). Before the SPS allocation, the SPS parameters need to be transmitted to the UE (TS 36.331, pages 193-194). Generally speaking, the resource allocation contains resources allocated to the UE for sending or receiving data. The resources are, for example, subftames in the LTE network, or time slots in a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network.

FIGURE 1 illustrates synchronization of the SPS function and the DRX function. The DRX function operates in duty cycles. This example contains two duty cycles 101 and 102. The duty cycle 101 contains an on period 103 and an off period 104 and the duty cycle contains an on period 105 and an off period 106. The SPS function operates according to the same duty cycles 101 and 102. In other words, the length of onc duty cyclc is uscd as thc SPS periodicity. In thc SPS function data is sent or received, at a UE, at the beginning of each duty cycle by using a certain resource allocation. The rectangles 107 and 108 represent this transmission or reception at the UB. The synchronization saves the battery of the UE, because the UE can sleep during the off periods 104 and 106. It also reduces the control channel signalling, which means that the synchronization saves the control channel capacity and rcduccs intcrfcrcnccs on the control channels. The synchronization of the SPS function and the DRX function requires that the transmission or reception 107, 108 takes place within the on period(s) of a duty cycle, i.e. in this example within the on periods 103 and 105. Thus, the transmission or reception 107, 108 does not need to happen in the very beginning of the on periods 103, 105. In the LTE network the duty cycle 101 is a DRX cycle and the on period 103 is a period termed "On Duration".

The DRX cycle specifies the periodic repetition of the On Duration followed by a possible period of inactivity. The On Duration specifies the number of consecutive subframes.

The present invention includes a method of transmission or reception functioning according to a duty cycle. The method synchronizes the SPS function and the DRX function. The method can also be considered as some kind of combination of these functions, because a resource allocation concept is adopted from the SPS function into the method and a duty cycle concept is adopted from the DRX function into the method. The method can be utilized in LTE networks, but in other types of networks, too.

FIGURE 2 shows the method of transmission or reception based on a duty cycle which contains on period and an off period. When a RAN performs the method, it signals at least a part of a configuration to and a resource allocation to a UE, the part of the configuration disclosing a) length of the duty cycle, b) a starting time of the duty cycle, and c) a length of the on period, The transmission or reception is to happen according to the resource allocation, at the user equipment, within at least one on period of the duty cycle.

In one embodiment of the method the transmission or reception is to happen, as a whole, within one on period. In another embodiment, the transmission or reception is to happen, as a whole, within at least two on periods.

Tn one embodiment, the configuration further discloses information that delays, at the liE, starting of the duty cycle until triggering. Receiving of this information triggers the UE to start the duty cycle. The embodiment is termed a triggering embodiment. The triggering is one way to ensure that a resource allocation is deployed, at the liE, at a correct point of time. The resource allocation should be deployed so that the UE has the transmissions or receptions within the on period. For example, in FIG. 1 the transmissions or receptions (107 and) 108 are within the on periods. In the triggering embodiment, the DRX parameters are set, for example, so that sparel value in drx-InactivityTimer field in the DRX Config datastructure (TS 36.331, page 172) is replaced with a new value operating as "information that delays, at the UE, starting of the duty cycle until triggering". The new value is, for example, waitingForTriggering. The new v&ue in the the DRX Contig datastructure results in that the liE delays the starting of the duty cycle. In one embodiment, the triggering is performed with an SPS allocation, or some other resource allocation. In another embodiment, the triggering is performed with a DRX command.

Thus, the resource allocation can be used to start the duty cycle. Alternatively, a DRX Command MAC Control Element (TS 36.321, section 6.1.3.3) could be used in the triggering embodiment as the information which causes the triggering at the liE. In one embodiment the SPS allocation or the DRX command is used as a trigger.

If required, it is possible to define which information operates as the trigger. For example, if only the DRX command operates as the trigger at the UE, spare2 value in drx-InactivityTimer field in the DRX Config data structure could be replaced with a new value, such as waitingForDRXcommand. When the liE detects the waitingForDRXeommand value in drx-InactivityTimer field, it interprets offly the DRX command as the trigger. In addition to the above examples, there other ways to implement the triggering embodiment.

In one embodiment, the method includes only one cycle which is termed the duty cycle. In this basic embodiment the transmission or reception happens only within the on periods of the duty cycle, if so-called active time includes only the on periods. In the LTE network the active time (Active Time) can be lengthen so that an on period is longer than usual. In more detail, the UE continues the transmission or reception though On Duration timer has expired. If one or more on period is lengthen, the off periods of the duty cycle are still contiguous time periods, thus saving the liE's battery.

In one cmbodimcnt, the RAN sets a data cycle for the liE. The data cycle discloses a periodicity which the liE obeys in the transmission or reception. This cmbodimcnt is tcrmcd a cycle sctting cmbodimcnt. If the RAN is an LTE nctwork, the configuration includes these two fields in the SPS Config datastructure: 1) semiPersistentSchedlntervalDL and 2) semiPersistentSchedlntervalliL. The value of the data cycle can be placed either of the fields. It is also possible that two data cycles of different length are used, for example, one data cycle for the downlink direction and another data cycle for the uplink direction. The RAN signals at first the configuration to thc UE and then the resource allocation. Thc resource allocation causes the user equipment to usc thc data cycle. In addition, the starting time of the duty cycle can be changed. In more detail, the resource allocation further causes, at the user equipment, that the UE sets the duty cycle to start at the same point of time as the data cycle, or substantially at the same point of time as the data cyclc, and the liE further sets the length of the data cycle as the length of the duty cycle. Then the transmission or reception happcns within onc or morc on pcriods. Thc resource allocation may be a prior art resource allocation or it may include some specific information on the basis on which the tiE starts to obey the data cycle in the transmission or reception. It should be noticed that when the length of the duty cycle is set by the resource allocation, the length of the duty cycle is not anymore bound to the DRX parameters. In other words, the duty cycle may differ from the DRX Cycle and the DRX Short Cycle. In one embodiment, the length of the duty cycle is set or changed by the SPS parameters. As mentioned in the above, the SPS Config datastructure includes 1) semiPersistentSchedlntervalDL and 2) semiPersistentSchedlntervalTjL, and the value for the duty cycle can be placed either of the fields. The length of the duty cycle is neither bound to those SPS parameters which the RAN first sends to the liE. The RAN may later send other SPS parameters and othcr SPS allocation, i.e. it rescnds at icast a part of the configuration to thc liE.

The resource allocation discloses, possible with the eonfigiwation, the resources for the transmission or reception. In one embodiment, the configuration discloses a) a data cycle and b) a length of the data cycle.

The transmission or reception happens, at the UE, according to a periodicity defined by the length of the data cycle. This can be illustrated by an example. When the data cycic is originated from thc SPS function, thc length of the data cydc is thcn the SPS periodicity and the transmission or reception happens according to the SPS periodicity.

In one embodiment of the method, the length of the data cycle is either the length of thc duty cycle or the length of thc duty cycic is a multifold of thc lcngth of the data cycle, the length of the data cycle defining when the transmission or reception is to happen. If the ength of the data cycle is neither the length of the duty cycle nor the multifold, the transmission or reception may happen within at least one off period of the duty cycle.

The method allows sending or receiving data withill the off periods of the data cycle. This maybe necessary, if the on periods of the data cycle do not include enough resources for the sending or receiying data. For example, in FIG. I the width of one on pcriod is four transmission units. For example, in thc GSM network, thc transmission unit is a time slot. In the LTE network, a transmission unit is a subframe and a length of one subframe is I ms. Thus, in FIG.1 the resources included in one on pcriod arc, for cxamplc, subframcs.

FIGURE 3 shows an example of duty cycles and data cycles. There are two duty cycles 301 and 302 and four data cycles 303-306. For example, the length of the duty cycle 301 is a multifold of the length of the data cycle 303. In more detail, each duty cycle is two times longer than one data cycle. Alternatively, each duty cycle could be, for example, three times longer than one data cycle. The length of the data cycle defines when the transmission or reception is to happen, i.e. the transmission or reception occurs periodically according to the length of the data cycle. As can be seen in the figure, the transmission or reception occur twice 307, 308 within the on periods and twicc 309, 310 within thc off pcriods. Bccause thc UE has thc transmission or reception within the off periods, an active time is getting longer. The active time includes the on periods of the duty cycle and the time periods which are needed for handling the transmission or reception 309, 310.

The transmission or reception is performed using at least one of the following functions: discontinuous transmission or reception, semi-persistent scheduling. These functions may or may not be LTE functions. In one embodiment, the configuration includes DRX parameters for the discontinuous transmission or reception and SPS parameters for the scmi-persistcnt scheduling. When thc RAN is a prior art LTE network, the SPS parameters are signalled using a SPS-Config data structure and the DRX parameters are signaled using a DRX-Config data structure. In the prior art LTE network the duty cycle is DRX cycle, the on period is On Duration, the off period is Opportunity for DRX, and thc data cyclc is SPS pcriodicity.

In one embodiment, the SPS parameters and the DRX parameters are signaled to the UE using a same data structure. This is a new data structure which may be usable in the future. The new data structure includes the present SPS and DRX parameters or some set of the those parameters. This embodiment is termed a data structure embodiment. The data structure embodiment and above-mentioned triggering embodiment and cycle setting embodiment are intended for the same purpose. All these embodiments enable synchronization of the SPS function and the DRX frmnction, or in more specific, they enable that the transmissions and receptions are happell within the on periods of the duty cycle, if there is no data cycle or the duty cycle and the data cycle have the same length.

In onc cmbodimcnt, thc configuration signallcd to UE, is alterablc using format of downlink control information (DCI). The configuration can be altered, for example, so that length of the on period is made longer or shorter. Changing the length of the on period is one way to react increasing of traffic or decreasing of the traffic.

Usually, the triggering embodiment, the cycle setting embodiment, or the data structure embodiment is utilized to make the duty cycle and the data cycle start at a same point of time. A minor difference in these starting times does not, however, cause that the transmission or reception would take place on the off period of the duty cycic.

FIGURE 4 shows a network apparatus capable to perform the method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 401 comprises at least one processor 402 and at east one memory 403 including computer program code 404. The apparatus 401 operates in the RAN. If the RAN is the LTE network, the apparatus 401 can be implemented in a base station of the RAN that is termed an eNB. The eNB has scheluding information of UEs location in its area. If the RAN isa non-LTE network, certain arrangements maybe needed to provide enough information to the apparatus 401 for making the configuration and rcsourcc allocation.

The apparatus 401 operating in the RAIN signals at least a part of a configuration 405 and a resource allocation 406 to a tiE 407. The user apparatus 407 has a radio interface 408 though which it receives the signaling. The configuration 405, or the part of it, discloses a) lcngth of the duty cycle, b) starting timc of tim duty cycic, and c) a length of the on period. When the apparatus 401 has obtained the configuration 405 and the resource aHocation 406, the transmission or reception is to happen at the UF 407 according to the resource allocation 406. When the RAN is the LTE network the transmission to the UE is performed on the PDSCH and the reception from the UE is performed on the PUSCH. In addition to the PDSCH aild the PUSCH, the radio interface 408 includes control channels, such as the PDCCH and the PUCCH.

The apparatus 401 is arranged to operate according to the above description concerning thc method of FIG. 2.

FIGURE 5 shows an apparatus which operates in the UE. The apparatus 501 comprises at least one processor 502 and at least one memory 503 including computer program code 504. TIm apparatus 501 opcrates in thc UE 505 which is, for examplc, a mobile terminal or another type device capable to communicate with the RAN through a radio interface 506. The apparatus obtains through the radio interface 506, and through the UE 505, signalling from the RAN. The signalling inc'udes at kast a part of a configuration 507 and a resource allocation 508. The part of the configuration 507 discloses a) length of the duty cycle, b) starting time of the duty cycle, and c) length of the on period. This signalling originated from the RAN orders the tiE to handle a transmission or reception within at least one on period of the duty cycle. The apparatus 501 starts the duty cycle itself orby instructing the apparatus 505. The apparatus starts the duty cycle in response to one of the following information: a) the resource allocation, b) a DRX Command MAC Control Element, or c) a data structure containing the configuration. Each information a), b), and c) is originated from the RAN. The data structure containing the configuration may be such data structure that includes the LTE SPS parameters and the LTE DRX parameters.

Correspondingly, the apparatus 501 starts the data cycle when needed. In other words, the apparatus starts the data cycle in response to one of the following information: a) the resource allocation, b) a DRX Command MAC Control Element, c) a data structure containing at least a part of the configuration, such as the SPS parameters and an SPS allocation.

The LTE network can efficiently be deployed in both the paired and unpaired spectrums. The basic principle of TDD is to use the same frequency band for transmission and reception. This is a fundamental difference compared to Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) where different frequencies are used for continuous UE reception and transmission. LTE TDD and FDD modes have been greatly harmonized in sense that the both modes share the same underlying framework, including radio access schemes Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Access (OFDMA) in downlit* and Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiplexing Access (SC-FDMA) in uplink direction, and a concept of a subframe. The TDD mode is included together with the FDD mode in many specifications, including also physical layer specifications. The LTE harmonization has resulted in that in terms of architecture the TDD mode and the FDD mode are very similar. Another key feature of the LTE TDD mode is the commonality with Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA). TD-SCDMA is an air interface found in UMTS mobile telecommunications networks in China as an alternative to Wideband Carrier Frequency Division Multiplexing Access (W-CDMA). Together with TD-CDMA, it is also known as UMTS-TDD or IMT 2000 Time-Division (IMT-TD). There is a global trend to reserve significant unpaired spectrum allocations and deploy those allocations in the LTE TDD mode.

As mentioned in the above, the uplink and downlink resources of the RAN which are used in transmissions or receptions are scheduled according to a time-division to the liEs. This time division may or may not be TDD. The time division means that a transmission, either in uplink direction or in downlink direction, is devided in time periods. The present invention can be utilized in LTE networks and in other types ofRANs.

The exemplary embodiments described in the above may include, for example, any suitable network devices, base stations, eNodeBs, RAN devices, laptop computers, Internet appliances, handheld devices, cellular telephones, smart phones, wireless devices, and the like, capable of performing the processes of the exemplary cmbodimcnts. The dcvices and subsystems of the cxcmplary embodiments can communicate with each other using any suitable protocol and they may be implemented using one or more programmed computer systems or devices.

The present invention may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware and application logic. The application logic, software or instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readaNc media. In the context of this document, a"computer-readablc medium" may be any media or means that contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. A computer-readable medium may comprise a computer-readable storage medium that may be any media or means that contain or store the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction cxccution system, apparatus, or dcvicc, such as a computer.

The exemplary embodiments can store information relating to various processes described herein. This information can be stored in one or more memories, such as a hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, RAM, and the like All or a portion of the exemplary embodiments can be conveniently implemented using one or more general purpose processors, microprocessors, digital signal processors, micro-controllers, and the like, programmed according to the teachings of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the computer and/or software art(s). Appropriate software can be readily prepared by programmers of ordinary skill based on the teachings of the exemplary embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the software art. In addition, the exemplary embodiments can be implemented by the preparation of application-specific integrated circuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional component circnits, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the electrical art(s). Thus, the exemplary embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware andior software.

Stored on any one or on a combination of computer readable media, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention can include software for controlling the components of the exemplary embodiments, for driving the components of the exemplary embodiments, for enabling the components of the exemplary embodiments to interact with a human user, and the like. Such software can include, but is not limited to, device drivers, firmware, operating systems, development tools, applications software, and the like. Such computer readable media further can include the computer program of an embodiment of the present invention for performing all or a portion (if processing is distributed) of the processing performed in implementing the present invention. Computer code devices of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention can include any suitable interpretable or executable code mechanism, including but not limited to scripts, interpretable programs, dynamic link libraries (DLL5), Java classes and applets, complete executable programs, Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) objects, and the like.

While the present invention has been described in connection with a number of exemplary embodiments, and implementations, the present invention is not so limited, but rather covers various modifications, and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of prospective claims

Claims

Claims 1. A method of transmission or reception based on a duty cycle with an on period and an off period, the method comprising the following to be performed in a radio access network: signalling at least a part of a configuration and a resource allocation to a user equipment, the part of the configuration disclosing a) length of the duty cycle, b) a starting time of the duty cycle, and c) a length of the on period, whcrcin, the transmission or reception is to happen according to thc resource allocation, at the user equipment, within at least one on period of the duty cycle.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: triggering the user equipment to start the duty cycle when the configuration discloses information that dclays, at the user equipment, starting of the duty cycle at least until the triggering.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the configuration further discloses a) data cycle and b) a lcngth of the data cycle wherein the transmission or reception is to happen according to a periodicity defined by the length of the data cycle.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the resource allocation causes the user equipment to use the data cycle.
5. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the transmission or reception is performed using at least one of the following functions: a discontinuous transmission (DTX), a discontinuous reception (DRX), a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS).
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the configuration includes DRX parameters for the discontinuous transmission or reception and SPS parameters for the semi-persistent scheduling.
7. The method according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the resource allocation is an SPS allocation.
8. The mcthod according to claim 2, wherein thc triggcring is performed with the resource allocation.
9. The method according to claims 2 and 5, wherein the triggering is performed with a DRX Command MAC Control Element.
10. The method according to claim 6, wherein a set of the SPS parameters and a set of the DRX parameters are signalled using a same data structure.
11. An apparatus, comprising: a processing system arranged to cause the apparatus to perform, at a radio access network, at least the following: signalling at least a part of a configuration and a rcsource allocation to a user equipment, the part of the configuration disclosing a) length of a duty cycle, b) starting time of a duty cycle, and c) a length of an on period, wherein the transmission or reception is to happen according to the resource allocation, at the user equipment, within at least one on period of the duty cycle.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the apparatus is caused to perfonm triggering the user equipment to start the duty cycle when the configuration discloses information that delays, at the user equipment, starting of the duty cycle at least until the triggering.
13. The apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the configuration further discloses a) a data cycle and b) a length of the data cycle wherein the transmission or reception is to happen according to a periodicity defined by the length of the data cycle.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the resource allocation causes the user equipment to use the data cycle.
15. The apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the transmission or reception is performed using at least one of the following ftrnctions: a discontinuous transmission (DTX), a discontinuous reception (DRX), a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS).
16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the configuration includes DRX parameters for the discontinuous transmission or reception and SPS parameters for the semi-persistent scheduling.
17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the SPS parameters are signaled using a SPS-Config data structure and the DRX parameters are signalled using a DRX-Config data structure.
18. The apparatus according to claims 13 and 15, wherein the duty cycle is DRX cycle, the on period is On Duration, the off period is Opportunity for DRX, and the data cycle is SPS periodicity.
19. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the resource allocation is an SPS allocation.
20. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the triggering is performed with the resource allocation.
21. The apparatus according to claims 12 and 15, wherein the triggering is performed with a DRX Command MAC Control Element.
22. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein a set of the SPS paramctcrs and a sct of thc DRX paramctcrs arc signallcd using a samc data structurc.
23. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the configuration is alterable using format of downlink control information (DCI).
24. The apparatus according to claims 11 and 14, wherein the starting time of the duty cycle and a starting time of the data cycle arc a same point of time.
25. An apparatus, comprising: a processing system arranged to cause the apparatus to perform, at a user equipment, at least the following: obtaining from signalling at least a part of a configuration and a resource allocation, whcrcin the signalling is originated from a radio access network and the part of the configuration discloses a) length of a duty cycle, b) starting time of a duty cycle, and e) a length of an on period, the signalling ordering the user equipment to handle a transmission or reception within at least one on period of the duty cycle.
26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the apparatus is frirther caused to perform: starting the duty cycle:
27. The apparatus according to claim 25 or 26, whcrcin thc configuration further discloses a) data cycle and b) a length of a data cycle, the configuration ordering the user equipment to handle the transmission or reception according to a periodicity defined by the length of the data cycle.
28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the apparatus is fttrther causcd to pcrform: starting the data cycle.
29. The apparatus according to any of claims 25 to 28, wherein the transmission or reccption is pcrformcd using at least onc of thc following frmnctions: discontinuous transmission or reception, semi-persistent scheduling.
30. Thc apparatus according to claim 29, whcrcin the configuration includes DRX parameters for the discontinuous transmission or reception and SPS parameters for the semi-persistent scheduling.
31. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the resource allocation is an SPS allocation.
32. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the apparatus starts the duty cycle in rcsponsc to onc of thc following information: a) the resource allocation b) DRX Command MAC Control Element a data structurc containing thc configuration.
33. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the apparatus starts the data cycle in response to one of the following information: a) the resource allocation b) a DRX Command MAC Control Element a data structure containing at least a part of the configuration.
34. A computer program for implementing the method of any of claims 1 to 10 when executed by a computing system.
35. A computer program product comprising the computer program of claim 34.