WO2014063369A1

WO2014063369A1 - Methods, devices and computer program products for handling of csi reporting upon cqi-mask

Info

Publication number: WO2014063369A1
Application number: PCT/CN2012/083628
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wei Bai; Brian Martin; Jari Jaakko ISOKANGAS; Tero Heikki Matti Henttonen; Keiichi Kubota; Samuli Turtinen
Original assignee: Broadcom Corporation
Priority date: 2012-10-26
Filing date: 2012-10-26
Publication date: 2014-05-01
Also published as: CN104871575A; HK1213129A1

Abstract

The present invention proposes methods, devices and computer program products for handling of CSI reporting upon CQI-mask. Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising : at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform : causing a receiver module to receive, from another apparatus, a signal indicative of a signaling mask indicating at least one of a first reception mode in which the receiver module is allowed to be active for a fixed time, and causing a transmitter module to transmit, to the other apparatus, at least one state signal indicative of a radio channel state at least depending on a type of reception mode of the receiver module according to the signaling mask.

Description

METHODS, DEVICES AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR HANDLING OF CSI REPORTING UPON CQI-MASK

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to methods, devices and computer program products for handling of CSI reporting upon CQI-mask.

Background

Prior art which is related to this technical field can e.g. be found in technical specifications according to 3GPP TS 36.321.

The following meanings for the abbreviations used in this application apply:

3GPP 3^rd Generation Partnership Project

BSR Buffer Status Report

CCCH Common Control Channel

CE Control Element

CQI Channel Quality Indicator

C-RNTI Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier

CSI Channel Status Information

DL Downlink

DRX Discontinuous Reception

el\IB Evolved Node B

HARQ Hybrid Automatic Retransmission Request

ACK/NACK Acknowledgement/Negative Acknowledgement

LCID Logical Channel ID

LTE Long Term Evolution

LTE-A Long Term Evolution Advanced

MAC Medium Access Control PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel

PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel

PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel

RTT Round-Trip Time

SPS-RNTI Semi Persistent Scheduling Radio Network Temporary Identifier

SR Scheduling Request

SRS Sounding Reference Signals

TPC-RNTI Transmitter Power Control Radio Network Temporary Identifier

UE User Equipment

UL Uplink

Aspects/embodiments of the present invention relate to the LTE-A system which will be part of 3GPP LTE Rel-11. More specifically, it is focused on the interworking between CSI/SRS reporting and DRX.

Discontinuous Reception (DRX) is used in the LTE system to save power consumption of UE. Once a UE is configured with DRX, the UE has two states. One state is an active time, during which the UE will monitor a PDCCH addressed to C-RNTI, SPS-RNTI and TPC-RNTI. The other state is DRX, during which the UE will enter a sleep mode and not monitor PDCCH. During this sleep period, UE will also suspend the UL transmission of CSI reporting and SRS.

Basically, DRX operations are based on a set of DRX timers, i.e. on_durationTimer, drx-inactivityTimer, re-transmissionTimer, etc. The position of the on_durationTimer is relatively fixed according to the DRX cycle and offset. The drx-inactivityTimer will be started upon reception of PDCCH including a new UL grant or a DL assignment. The re- transmissionTimer depends on the RTT.

Basically, the UE could be configured with two different DRX cycles, i.e. a long DRX cycle and a short DRX cycle. In this regard, a drxShortCycleTimer is used to control the use of these two cycles. Once the drx-inactivityTimer expires or a DRX command is received, the UE will start to use the short DRX cycle and start/restart the drxShortCycleTimer. Once the drxShortCycfeTimer expires, the UE will start to use the long DRX cycle. As already outlined in the foregoing, when the UE is in the sleep mode, the UE will not monitor the PDCCH for scheduling grant. In such a case, it will be unnecessary to send any channel quality information to an eNB. 3GPP also defines that the UE should not transmit CSI reporting and SRS if the UE is not in the active time, in order to save power consumption of the UE. Besides that - in order to handle the PUCCH resource more efficiently - a CQI-mask could be used to make the UE report CSI only within the on_durationTimer of each DRX cycle. Since the position of the on__durationTimer is fixed once the DRX is configured, eNB could easily reuse the PUCCH resource for CSI reporting by configuring different DRX offsets for different UE.

It has already been found out that there might be a problem when the eNB wants to use the CQI-mask and two DRX cycles (i.e. the short DRX cycle and the long DRX cycle) simultaneously. This is because the short DRX cycle will only be started when the drx-inactivityTimer expires or a DRX command is received. However, in case there is continuous scheduling of one UE, it is very likely that the drx-inactivityTimer will be running for a long time (i.e. any PDCCH for new transmission will restart the timer). Consequently, the short DRX cycle will not be used until the drx-inactivityTimer expires. At the same time, if the CQI-mask is used during the period, the on_durationTimer will not be running and the UE will not report any CQI on PUCCH. Such a situation is not desired from a scheduling point of view.

It has already been proposed that the UE could start to use the short DRX cycle when the drx-inactivityTimer is running. This basically means that the

UE should start to use the short DRX cycle when the PDCCH for a new transmission is received. However, this still has some disadvantages. For instance, the PDCCH is not very reliable. Consequently, any PDCCH miss detection or any false alarm may cause some misalignment between the eNB and the UE. Furthermore, there could be unnecessary "restarts" of the drxShortCycleTimer, which may increase the UE complexity. Moreover, in some other application scenario such as e.g. diverse data application, there could be burst data transmission. Then, it is not efficient to start using the short DRX cycle from the power consumption point of view.

Another problem is that the drx-inactivityTi er may suddenly start or stop. This makes it impossibie for the UE to prepare the CQI reporting because there could suddenly be the on_durationTimer running or disappearing. In this regard, it has already been proposed to leave the UE implementation to choose whether or not to report CSI for the four subframes afterwards. However, this will further increase the uncertainty and blind detection at the eNB side.

It has already been agreed to mandate CSI/SRS transmission if the transmission timing coincides with PUSCH/PUCCH for HARQ ACK/NACK transmission timing. That is, during a defined period, the UE performs CSI/SRS transmission if there is another UL transmission (such as PUSCH/PUCCH for HARQ ACK/NACK).

It has already been proposed that the eNB sends a DRX command before it schedules the UE continuously, which will also let UE start to use the short DRX cycle, or that the eNB waits some time until the drx-inactivityTimer expires, which will let the UE start to use the short DRX cycle, or that the eNB requests the CQI reporting by dynamic scheduling on PUSCH.

However, these proposals also have some drawbacks. For instance, they will either cause some interruption of the data transmission, or will waste other radio resources for the same purpose which could be fulfilled by the existing resources. These problems motivate the enhancement of handling of CSI reporting upon CQI-mask.

Summary

The present invention addresses such situation and proposes in exemplary embodiments, new solutions for enhancement of handling of CSI reporting upon CQI-mask.

Various aspects of examples of the present invention are set out in the claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided e.g. in relation to a UE,

an apparatus as defined in claim 1,

an apparatus as defined in claim 11,

a method as defined in claim 37, and

a method as defined in claim 47.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided e.g. in relation to an el\IB,

an apparatus as defined in claim 19,

an apparatus as defined in claim 29,

a method as defined in claim 55, and

a method as defined in claim 65.

Advantageous developments of each such aspect are set out in respective dependent claims.

Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, as defined in claim 73, there is provided a computer program product comprising computer-executable components which, when the program is run on a computer, are configured to perform the above method aspects according to the independent as well as respective dependent claims. That is, such computer program product also encompass computer readable storage media comprising a set of computer-executable instructions which, when the program is run on a device (or on a processor or processing unit thereof which may be part of a controller or control unit or control module), such as a network transceiver device eNB and its processor, cause the device to perform the method aspects. In particular, the above computer program product/products may be embodied as a computer-readable storage medium.

Accordingly, under at least some aspects/embodiments of the present invention, improvements are achieved in that:

- The eNB is provided with more efficient control as to which DRX cycle should be applied on the UE,

- The power consumption could be further optimized according to the buffer status on the eNB side and BSR information from the UE, - It is easier for the eNB to control the exact timing of each state and to define the timing giving the UE sufficient time to prepare the related report and transmission, and

- The UE can remain in the long DRX cycle if there is only burst data transmission.

Brief description of drawings

For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which : Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a UE according to examples of embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an eNB according to examples of embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows a relationship between CSI/CQI reporting, the type of discontinuous reception cycle and the type of discontinuous reception mode according to examples of embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 4 shows a flow chart for describing at least a basic operation of the UE according to examples of embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 5 shows a flow chart for describing at least a basic operation of the eNB according to examples of embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 6 shows a flow chart for describing at least a further basic operation of the UE according to examples of embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 7 shows a flow chart for describing at least a further basic operation of the eNB according to examples of embodiments of the present invention.

Description of exemplary embodiments

Exemplary aspects of the present invention will be described herein below.

In the following, aspects/embodiments of the present invention are described by referring to general and specific examples of the aspects/embodiments, wherein the features of the aspects/embodiments can be freely combined with each other unless otherwise described. It is to be understood, however, that the description is given by way of example only, and the described aspects/embodiments are by no means to be understood as limiting the present invention thereto.

It Is to be noted that the following exemplary description refers to an environment of the LTE system and/or local area networks thereof. However, it is to be understood that this serves for explanatory purposes only. Other systems differing from the LTE system can be adopted. In such other systems, signaling states and/or parameters may be assigned different names.

Fig. 1 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a terminal such as a user equipment (UE) 1 according to at least one aspect/embodiment of the present invention. The UE 1 may comprise the apparatus according to at least this aspect/embodiment, so that the apparatus may be installed in, inserted or plugged into the UE 1, for example. Moreover, also the UE 1 is only an example and may be replaced by another suitable terminal.

UEs are often referred to as, for example, mobile devices, mobile stations, mobile units, subscriber stations, wireless terminals, or the like. The UE 1 may be implemented as, for example, a wireless handheld device, a wireless plug-in accessory, or the like. In some cases, the UE 1 may include one or more of the following : at least one processor, at least one computer- readable storage medium (e.g., memory, storage, and the like), one or more radio access mechanisms, and a user interface. For example, the UE 1 may take the form of a wireless telephone, a mobile phone, a computer with a wireless connection to a network, or the like.

The UE 1, i.e. the apparatus la, according to aspects/embodiments of the present invention comprises a processor 11 and a memory 12. The memory comprises a computer program, wherein the memory 12 and the computer program are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to perform several operations as described below. Optionally, the UE 1 and/or the apparatus la may also comprise an interface 13 for providing connections to network elements. Moreover, the processor 11, the memory 12 and the interface 13 may be inter-connected by a suitable connection 14, e.g., a bus or the like. Moreover, it is noted that the apparatus la may comprise more than one processor, more than one memory and/or more than one interface, if this is suitable for a particular structure.

Fig. 2 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a network element such as an eNB 2 according to at least one aspect/embodiment of the present invention. The eNB 2 comprises an apparatus 2a which causes the SR. configuration. The eNB 2/apparatus 2a according to this example embodiment comprises a processor 21 and a memory 22. The memory 22 comprises a computer program, wherein the memory 22 and the computer program are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus 2a to perform several operations as described below. Optionally, the eNB 2 and/or the apparatus 2a may also comprise an interface 23 for providing connections to terminals. Moreover, the processor 21, the memory 22 and the interface 23 may be inter-connected by a suitable connection 24, e.g., a bus or the like. Moreover, it is noted that the apparatus 2a may comprise more than one processor, more than one memory and/or more than one interface, if this is suitable for a particular structure.

Fig. 3 shows a relationship between CQI reporting, the type of discontinuous reception cycle and the type of discontinuous reception mode for describing at least a basic operation according to aspects/embodiments of the present invention which may be performed by the UE 1/apparatus la shown in Fig. 1 and the eNB 2/apparatus 2a shown in Fig. 2.

Specifically, Fig. 3 illustrates the long DRX cycle in comparison to the short DRX cycle . Both DRX cycles comprise a first reception mode in which the UE 1/apparatus la is active, i.e. in which a receiver module included in the UE 1/apparatus la or connected to the UE 1/apparatus la is active, followed by a second reception mode in which the UE 1/apparatus la is inactive, i.e. in which the receiver module is inactive. For instance, the receiver module and insofar the UE l/apparatus la to which it is associated can be in the first reception mode in which the receiver module is active, i.e. the receiver module is switched on. Otherwise, the receiver module is switched off to save energy so that the UE l/apparatus la does not have to decode the PDCCH or receive PDSCH transmissions in certain subframes. According to aspects/embodiments of the present invention, the UE l/apparatus la reports CSI/CQI during the on_durationTimer according to the short DRX cycle in DRX active time (i.e. during the first reception mode according to the signaling mask), wherein the on_durationTimer specifies how many subframes the UE l/apparatus la should be in active state (i.e. in the first reception mode) when a new DRX cycle starts.

As already outlined in the foregoing, the on_durationTimer is relatively fixed according to the DRX cycle and offset. As a consequence, the receiver module and insofar the UE l/apparatus la to which it is associated is allowed to be active in the first reception mode of the DRX cycle according to the signaling mask for a fixed time. Since the time position of the on_durationTimer is fixed once DRX is configured (and therefore, since the time is fixed for which the receiver module and insofar the UE l/apparatus la to which it is associated is allowed to be active), regardless whether it is running or not, the UE l/apparatus la reports CSI/CQI on the position of the on_durationTimer according to the short DRX cycle if it is in active time (i.e. at least depending on a type of reception mode of the receiver module according to the signaling mask).

The eNB 2/apparatus 2a will re-use the PUCCH for CSI/CQI reporting according to the short DRX cycle configuration to ensure that there is no collision between UEs. Therefore, it is safe to let the UE l/apparatus la report CSI/CQI according to the on_durationTimer of the short DRX cycle in DRX active time.

Fig. 4 shows a flow chart for describing at least a basic operation according to aspects/embodiments of the present invention which may be performed by the UE 1/apparatus la shown in Fig. 1. In particular, in a stage S41, a receiver module is caused to receive, from another apparatus (such as e.g. the eNB 2/apparatus 2a), a signal indicative of a signaling mask indicating at least one of a first reception mode in which the receiver module is allowed to be active for a fixed time. As already outlined in the foregoing, the receiver module may by included in the UE 1/apparatus la. Alternatively, the receiver module does not necessarily have to be included in the UE 1/apparatus la. Rather, the receiver module may be connected to the UE 1/apparatus la. As already outlined in the foregoing, the signaling mask indicates a first reception mode in which the receiver module is allowed to be active for a fixed time, followed by a second reception mode in which the receiver module is inactive. In a stage S42, a transmitter module is caused to transmit, to the other apparatus (such as e.g. the eNB 2/apparatus 2a) at least one state signal indicative of a radio channel state (i.e. CSI/CQI) at least depending on a type of reception mode of the receiver module according to the signaling mask. The transmitter module may be included in the UE 1/apparatus la. Alternatively, the transmitter module does not necessarily have to be included in the UE 1/apparatus la. Rather, the transmitter module may be connected to the UE 1/apparatus la .

According to aspects/embodiments of the present invention, the at least one state signal may be transmitted during the first reception mode in which the receiver module is allowed to be active for a fixed time. That is, once the signaling mask is configured, the UE 1/apparatus la is only allowed to report CSI/CQI during the time period when the on_durationTimer could be running (i.e. the receiver module and insofar the UE 1/apparatus la to which it is associated is allowed to be active in the first reception mode of the DRX cycle according to the signaling mask for a fixed time), but not necessarily when it is running .

According to aspects/embodiments of the present invention, the at least one state signal may further be transmitted additionally depending on a type of reception mode of the receiver module in a discontinuous reception cycle out of a plurality of discontinuous reception cycles, wherein the at least one state signal is transmitted when the receiver module is active in the discontinuous reception cycle. Alternatively, the at least one state signal may further be transmitted additionally depending on a transmission timing for transmitting other data to the other apparatus, wherein the at least one state signal is transmitted when the transmitter module transmits the other data to the other apparatus. That is, during the time period when the on_durationTimer could be running but is not running, if the UE is in an active time, the UE 1/apparatus la may report CSI/CQI. Alternatively, during the time period when the on_durationTimer could be running but is not running, once there is PUSCH and PUCCH for HARQ ACK/NACK, the UE 1/apparatus la may report CSI/CQI.

According to aspects/embodiments of the present invention, the signaling mask applies to possible positions of the on_durationTimer, wherein the fixed time of the first reception mode corresponds to a duration of the on_durationTimer.

Fig. 5 shows a flow chart for describing at least a basic operation according to aspects/embodiments of the present invention which may be performed by the eNB 2/apparatus 2a shown in Fig. 2. In particular, in a stage S51, a transmitter module is caused to send, to another apparatus (such as e.g. the UE 1/apparatus la), a signal indicative of a signaling mask indicating at least one of a first reception mode in which the other apparatus is allowed to be active for a fixed time. The transmitter module may be included in the eNB 2/apparatus 2a. Alternatively, the transmitter module does not necessarily have to be included in the eNB 2/apparatus 2a. Rather, the transmitter module may be connected to the eNB 2/apparatus 2a. In a stage S52, a receiver module is caused to receive, from the other apparatus, at least one state signal indicative of a radio channel state (i.e. CSI/CQI) at least depending on a type of reception mode of the other apparatus according to the signaling mask. The receiver module may by included in the eNB 2/apparatus 2a. Alternatively, the receiver module does not necessarily have to be included in the eNB 2/apparatus 2a. Rather, the receiver module may be connected to the eNB 2/apparatus 2a. As already outlined in the foregoing, the signaling mask indicates a first reception mode in which the other apparatus is allowed to be active for a fixed time, followed by a second reception mode in which the other apparatus is inactive.

According to aspects/embodiments of the present invention, the at least one state signal is received during the first reception mode.

According to aspects/embodiments of the present invention, the at least one state signal may further be received additionally depending on a type of reception mode of the other apparatus in a discontinuous reception cycle out of a plurality of discontinuous reception cycles, wherein the at least one state signal is received when the other apparatus is active in the discontinuous reception cycle. Alternatively, the at least one state signal may further be received additionally depending on a reception timing for receiving other data from the other apparatus, wherein the at least one state signal is received when the receiver module receives the other data from the other apparatus. According to aspects/embodiments of the present invention, the other data is PUSCH and PUCCH for HARQ ACK/NACK.

According to aspects/embodiments of the present invention, the signaling mask applies to possible positions of the on_durationTimer, wherein the fixed time of the first reception mode corresponds to a duration of the on durationTimer. According to further aspects/embodiments of the present invention, the eNB 2/apparatus 2a may use a newly defined MAC CE to control the transition between short DRX cycle and long DRX cycle. In this regard, the eNB 2/apparatus 2a may use the newly defined MAC CE to let the UE 1/apparatus la start to use the short DRX cycle, and start/restart the drxShortCycleTimer without letting the UE 1/apparatus la enter the sleep mode, wherein the drxShortCycleTimer specifies the consecutive number of subframes the UE 1/apparatus la must/shall follow the short DRX cycle after the drx-inactivityTimer has expired, and wherein the drx- inactivityTimer specifies how many PDCCH subframes after successfully decoding a PDCCH the UE must remain active. In order to define the new MAC CE to control the transition between short DRX cycle and long DRX cycle, a zero payload MAC CE according to table 1 may be used which is only used to let the UE 1/apparatus la enter or leave the short DRX cycle.

table 1

Fig. 6 shows a flow chart for describing at least a further basic operation according to aspects/embodiments of the present invention which may be performed by the UE 1/apparatus la shown in Fig. 1. In particular, in a stage S61, a receiver module is caused to receive, from another apparatus (such as e.g. the eNB 2/apparatus 2a), a control element containing at least type information indicative of a type of discontinuous reception cycles for triggering a transition from a discontinuous reception cycle out of a plurality of discontinuous reception cycles to another discontinuous reception cycle W

15 out of the plurality of discontinuous reception cycles corresponding to the type information. As already outlined in the foregoing, the receiver module may by included in the UE 1/apparatus la. Alternatively, the receiver module does not necessarily have to be included in the UE 1/apparatus la. Rather, the receiver module may be connected to the UE 1/apparatus la. The one discontinuous reception cycle (i.e. the short DRX cycle) comprises a first reception mode in which the receiver module is active, followed by a second reception mode in which the receiver module is inactive. In a stage S62, responsive to stage S61, the receiver module is caused to switch from the discontinuous reception cycle to the other discontinuous reception cycle corresponding to the type information. In a stage S63, responsive to stage 62, the receiver module is caused to continue a current reception mode.

According to aspects/embodiments of the present invention, the control element triggers, responsive to the transition according to stage S62, starting of a timer for controlling another transition from the other discontinuous reception cycle to the discontinuous reception cycle. For instance, if the control element triggers switching from the long DRX cycle to the short DRX cycle, the cfrxShortCycleTimer is started/restarted.

According to aspects/embodiments of the present invention, each of the plurality of discontinuous reception cycles comprises a first reception mode in which the receiver module is active and a second reception mode in which the receiver module is inactive.

According to aspects/embodiments of the present invention, the control element triggers, responsive to the transition, prohibiting an immediate switching from one reception mode to the other reception mode. That is, the control element does not impact the DRX state of the UE 1/apparatus la (i.e. whether the UE 1/apparatus la is in the first reception mode or in the second reception mode). According to aspects/embodiments of the present invention, the control element is a MAC control element.

Fig. 7 shows a flow chart for describing at least a further basic operation according to aspects/embodiments of the present invention which may be performed by the eNB 2/apparatus 2a shown in Fig. 2. In particular, in a stage S71, a transmitter module is caused to transmit, to another apparatus (such as e.g. the UE 1/apparatus la), a control element containing at least type information indicative of a type of discontinuous reception cycles for triggering, in the other apparatus, transition from a discontinuous reception cycle out of a plurality of discontinuous reception cycles to another discontinuous reception cycle out of the plurality of discontinuous reception cycles corresponding to the type information, and for continuing, responsive to the transition, a current reception mode of the other apparatus. As already outlined in the foregoing, the transmitter module may be included in the eNB 2/apparatus 2a. Alternatively, the transmitter module does not necessarily have to be included in the eNB 2/apparatus 2a. Rather, the transmitter module may be connected to the eNB 2/apparatus 2a. According to aspects/embodiments of the present invention, the control element triggers, responsive to the transition, starting of a timer for controlling another transition from the other discontinuous reception cycle to the discontinuous reception cycle. For instance, if the control element triggers switching from the long DRX cycle to the short DRX cycle, the drxShortCycleTimer is started/restarted.

According to aspects/embodiments of the present invention, each of the plurality of discontinuous reception cycles comprises a first reception mode in which the other apparatus is active and a second reception mode in which the other apparatus is inactive.

According to aspects/embodiments of the present invention, the control element triggers, responsive to the transition, prohibiting an immediate switching from one reception mode to the other reception mode in the other apparatus. That is, the control element does not impact the DRX state of the UE 1/apparatus la (i.e. whether the UE 1/apparatus la is in the first reception mode or in the second reception mode).

According to aspects/embodiments of the present invention, the control element is a MAC control element.

Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware and application logic. The software, application logic and/or hardware generally, but not exclusively, may reside on the devices' modem module. In an example embodiment, the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" may be any media or means that can 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 or smart phone, or user equipment.

The present invention relates in particular but without limitation to mobile communications, for example to environments under LTE, WCDMA, WIMAX and WLAN and can advantageously be implemented in user equipments or smart phones, or personal computers connectable to such networks. That is, it can be implemented as/in chipsets to connected devices, and/or modems or other modules thereof.

If desired, at least some of different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional or may be combined. Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus, comprising :

at least one processor

and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform :

causing a receiver module to receive, from another apparatus, a signal indicative of a signaling mask indicating at least one of a first reception mode in which the receiver module is allowed to be active for a fixed time, and

causing a transmitter module to transmit, to the other apparatus, at least one state signal indicative of a radio channel state at least depending on a type of reception mode of the receiver module according to the signaling mask.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the signaling mask further indicates at least one of a second reception mode in which the receiver module is inactive.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

the at least one state signal is transmitted during the first reception mode.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

the at least one memory and the computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform :

causing the transmitter module to transmit the at least one state signal additionally depending on a type of reception mode of the receiver module in a discontinuous reception cycle out of a plurality of discontinuous reception cycles.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein

the at least one state signal is transmitted when the receiver module is active in the discontinuous reception cycle.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

causing the transmitter module to transmit the at least one state signal additionally depending on a transmission timing for transmitting other data to the other apparatus.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

the at least one state signal is transmitted when the transmitter module transmits the other data to the other apparatus.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 and 7, wherein

the other data is PUSCH and PUCCH for HARQ ACK/NACK.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein

the signaling mask applies to possible positions of an on_durationTimer.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein

the fixed time of the first reception mode corresponds to a duration of the on_DurationTimer.

11. An apparatus, comprising :

at least one processor

and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform:

causing a receiver module to receive, from another apparatus, a control element containing at least type information indicative of a type of discontinuous reception cycles for triggering a transition from a discontinuous reception cycle out of a plurality of discontinuous reception cycles to another discontinuous reception cycle out of the plurality of discontinuous reception cycles corresponding to the type information,

responsive thereto, causing the receiver module to switch from the discontinuous reception cycle to the other discontinuous reception cycle corresponding to the type information, and

responsive thereto, causing the receiver module to continue a current reception mode.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein

the control element triggers, responsive to the transition, starting of a timer for controlling another transition from the other discontinuous reception cycle to the discontinuous reception cycle.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 11 and 12, wherein

each of the plurality of discontinuous reception cycles comprises a first reception mode in which the receiver module is active and a second reception mode in which the receiver module is inactive.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein

the control element triggers, responsive to the transition, prohibiting an immediate switching from one reception mode to the other reception mode.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein

the control element is a MAC control element.

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the apparatus is arranged for use in a user equipment.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the apparatus is arranged for use in a long term evolution system.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the apparatus is arranged for use in a long term evolution advanced system.

19. An apparatus, comprising :

at least one processor

causing a transmitter module to send, to another apparatus, a signal indicative of a signaling mask indicating at least one of a first reception mode in which the other apparatus is allowed to be active for a fixed time, and

causing a receiver module to receive, from the other apparatus, at least one state signal indicative of a radio channel state at least depending on a type of reception mode of the other apparatus according to the signaling mask.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein

the signaling mask further indicates at least one of a second reception mode in which the other apparatus is inactive.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein

the at least one state signal is received during the first reception mode.

22. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform:

causing the receiver module to receive the at least one state signal additionally depending on a type of reception mode of the other apparatus in a discontinuous reception cycle out of a plurality of discontinuous reception cycles.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein

the at least one state signal is received when the other apparatus is active in the discontinuous reception cycle.

24. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein

causing the receiver module to receive the at least one state signal additionally depending on a reception timing for receiving other data from the other apparatus.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein

the at least one state signal is received when the receiver module receives the other data from the other apparatus.

26. The apparatus according to any one of claims 24 and 25, wherein

the other data is PUSCH and PUCCH for HARQ ACK/NACK.

27. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 26, wherein

the signaling mask applies to possible positions of an on_durationTimer.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the fixed time of the first reception mode corresponds to a duration of the on_durationTimer.

29. An apparatus, comprising :

at least one processor

causing a transmitter module to transmit, to another apparatus, a control element containing at least type information indicative of a type of discontinuous reception cycles for triggering, in the other apparatus, transition from a discontinuous reception cycle out of a plurality of discontinuous reception cycles to another discontinuous reception cycle out of the plurality of discontinuous reception cycles corresponding to the type information, and for continuing, responsive to the transition, a current reception mode of the other apparatus.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein

31. The apparatus according to any one of claims 29 and 30, wherein

each of the plurality of discontinuous reception cycles comprises a first reception mode in which the other apparatus is active and a second reception mode in which the other apparatus is inactive.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein

the control element triggers, responsive to the transition, prohibiting an immediate switching from one reception mode to the other reception mode in the other apparatus.

33. The apparatus according to any one of claims 29 to 32, wherein the control element is a MAC control element.

34. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 33, wherein the apparatus comprises an evolved NodeB or base station.

35. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 34, wherein the apparatus is arranged for use in a long term evolution system.

36. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 34, wherein the apparatus is arranged for use in a long term evolution advanced system.

37. A method, comprising :

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein

the at least one state signal is transmitted during the first reception mode.

40. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 39, further comprising : causing the transmitter module to transmit the at least one state signal additionally depending on a type of reception mode of the receiver module in a discontinuous reception cycle out of a plurality of discontinuous reception cycles.

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein

42. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 39, further comprising : causing the transmitter module to transmit the at least one state signal additionally depending on a transmission timing for transmitting other data to the other apparatus.

43. The method according to claim 42, wherein

44. The method according to any one of claims 42 and 43, wherein

the other data is PUSCH and PUCCH for HARQ ACK/NACK.

45. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 44, wherein

the signaling mask applies to possible positions of an on_durationTimer.

46. The method according to claim 45, wherein

47. A method, comprising:

48. The method according to claim 47, wherein

49. The method according to any one of claims 47 and 48, wherein

50. The method according to claim 49, wherein

51. The method according to any one of claims 48 to 50, wherein

the control element is a MAC control element.

52. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 51, wherein the method is used in a user equipment.

53. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 52, wherein the method is used in a long term evolution system.

54. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 52, wherein the method is used in a long term evolution advanced system.

55. A method, comprising :

56. The method according to claim 55, wherein

57. The method according to claim 56, wherein

the at least one state signal is received during the first reception mode.

58. The method according to any one of claims 55 to 57, further comprising : causing the receiver module to receive the at least one state signal additionally depending on a type of reception mode of the other apparatus in a discontinuous reception cycle out of a plurality of discontinuous reception cycles.

59. The method according to claim 48, wherein

60. The method according to any one of claims 55 to 57, further comprising: causing the receiver module to receive the at least one state signal additionally depending on a reception timing for receiving other data from the other apparatus.

61. The method according to claim 60, wherein

62. The method according to any one of claims 60 and 61, wherein

the other data is PUSCH and PUCCH for HARQ ACK/NACK.

63. The method according to any one of claims 55 to 62, wherein

the signaling mask applies to possible positions of an on_durationTimer.

64. The method according to claim 63, wherein

65. A method, comprising :

66. The method according to claim 65, wherein

67. The method according to any one of claims 65 and 66, wherein each of the plurality of discontinuous reception cycles comprises a first reception mode in which the other apparatus is active and a second reception mode in which the other apparatus is inactive.

68. The method according to claim 67, wherein

69. The method according to any one of claims 65 to 68, wherein

the control element is a MAC control element.

70. The method according to any one of claims 55 to 69, wherein the method is used in an evolved NodeB or base station.

71. The method according to any one of claims 55 to 70, wherein the method is used in a long term evolution system.

72. The method according to any one of claims 55 to 70, wherein the method is used in a long term evolution advanced system.

73. A computer program product comprising computer-executable components which, when the program is run on a computer, are configured to perform the method aspect as defined in claims 37 to 72.