WO2020253969A1

WO2020253969A1 - Csi reporting triggered wake-up

Info

Publication number: WO2020253969A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/066510
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timo Koskela; Sami Hakola; Jussi-Pekka Koskinen; Jorma Kaikkonen; Juha Karjalainen
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2019-06-21
Filing date: 2019-06-21
Publication date: 2020-12-24

Abstract

A device reports channel state information for a communication channel (e.g. PUCCH, PDCCH, PUSCH, PDSCH) that is used by the device for sending or receiving data. If the channel state information is below a threshold, the network may determine to perform re-configuration of the communication channel. Therefore, if the channel state information is below the threshold, the device monitors for downlink control information related to the communication channel from the network.

Description

CSI Reporting Triggered Wake-Up

Technical Field

[0001] Various example embodiments relate to a method and apparatus, and in particular, but not exclusively, to a method and apparatus for monitoring for transmissions of downlink control information.

Background

[0002] A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication between two or more devices such as user terminals, machine-like terminals, base stations and/or other nodes by providing carriers between the communication devices. A communication system can be provided, for example, by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. The communication may comprise, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and/or content data and so on. Non limiting examples of services provided include two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services and access to a data network system, such as the Internet.

Summary

[0003] According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for transmitting in uplink, channel state information for a communication channel; means for determining whether at least one threshold condition is met by at least some of said channel state information; and means for, in response to determining that the at least one threshold condition is met by at least some of said channel state information, monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during a predefined time period.

[0004] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for receiving downlink control signalling indicating to the apparatus whether to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information.

[0005] In some example embodiments, the downlink control signalling instructs the apparatus not to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period, wherein the means for monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the predefined time period is configured to monitor for transmissions of the downlink control information during the predefined time period irrespective of the downlink control signalling.

[0006] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for transmitting in uplink, further channel state information for a communication channel; and means for, in response to determining that the at least one threshold condition is not met for the further channel state information, in accordance with the downlink control signalling, selecting and performing one of: monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information in a further predefined time period; and not monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information in the further predefined time period.

[0007] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for, receiving in a downlink channel configuration information comprising at least one of: configuration information defining the predefined time period; configuration information defining the threshold condition; and

configuration information indicating resources for use in the downlink control signalling for indicating to the apparatus whether to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information.

[0008] In some example embodiments, the predefined time period is an instance of a first part of a repeating cycle, wherein the repeating cycle comprises a second part.

[0009] In some example embodiments, the downlink control signalling instructs the apparatus to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period, wherein the means for monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to, in response to the instruction to monitor for transmissions, to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information throughout the predefined time period.

[0010] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises for monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to only commence monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the first part of the repeating cycle, wherein the means for transmitting in uplink, the channel state information for the downlink control channel is configured to only transmit the channel state information during the first part of the repeating cycle.

[0011] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for transmitting in uplink, a plurality of sets of channel state information for at least one communication channel during the predefined time period; means for determining whether at least one threshold condition is met for each of the plurality of sets of channel state information; and means for, for each of the plurality of sets of channel state information, if the at least one threshold condition is met for the respective set of channels state information, monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information for a duration following the transmission of the respective set of channel state information.

[0012] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for, for each of at least some instances of the first part of the repeating cycle, receiving a downlink control signal instructing the apparatus to one of: monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the respective instance of the first part; and not to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the respective instance of the first part. [0013] In some example embodiments, the at least one threshold condition is met when at least one parameter of the channel state information falls below a threshold.

[0014] In some example embodiments, the at least one parameter comprises at least one of:

reference signal received power; and channel quality indicator.

[0015] In some example embodiments, the channel state information comprises at least one of: channel quality indicator; precoding matrix indicator; channel state information reference signal resource indicator; block resource indicator; synchronisation signal block resource indicator; layer indicator; rank indicator; and reference signal received power.

[0016] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for transmitting the channel state information is configured to transmit the channel state information in at least one of: a physical uplink control channel; a physical uplink shared channel; and a medium access control layer control element.

[0017] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to monitor for transmissions of the downlink control information following the transmission of the channel state information for the downlink control channel.

[0018] In some example embodiments, the channel state information comprises channel state information for a plurality of different beams, wherein the at least one threshold condition is satisfied when the channel state information for a predefined number of the different beams meets a threshold criteria.

[0019] In some example embodiments, the downlink control information is associated with the communication channel.

[0020] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method comprising: transmitting in uplink, channel state information for a communication channel; determining whether at least one threshold condition is met by at least some of said channel state information; and in response to determining that the at least one threshold condition is met by at least some of said channel state information, monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during a predefined time period.

[0021] In some example embodiments, the method comprises receiving downlink control signalling indicating to the apparatus whether to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information.

[0022] In some example embodiments, the downlink control signalling instructs the apparatus not to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period, wherein the monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the predefined time period comprises monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the predefined time period irrespective of the downlink control signalling. [0023] In some example embodiments, the method comprises transmitting in uplink, further channel state information for a communication channel; and in response to determining that the at least one threshold condition is not met for the further channel state information, in accordance with the downlink control signalling, selecting and performing one of: monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information in a further predefined time period; and not monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information in the further predefined time period.

[0024] In some example embodiments, the method comprises receiving in a downlink channel configuration information comprising at least one of: configuration information defining the predefined time period; configuration information defining the threshold condition; and

[0025] In some example embodiments, the predefined time period is an instance of a first part of a repeating cycle, wherein the repeating cycle comprises a second part.

[0026] In some example embodiments, the downlink control signalling instructs the apparatus to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period, wherein the monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information comprises, in response to the instruction to monitor for transmissions, monitoring for transmissions of downlink control information throughout the predefined time period.

[0027] In some example embodiments, the method comprises monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to only commence monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the first part of the repeating cycle, wherein the transmitting in uplink, the channel state information for the downlink control channel comprises only transmitting the channel state information during the first part of the repeating cycle.

[0028] In some example embodiments, the method comprises: transmitting in uplink, a plurality of sets of channel state information for at least one communication channel during the predefined time period; determining whether at least one threshold condition is met for each of the plurality of sets of channel state information; and for each of the plurality of sets of channel state

information, if the at least one threshold condition is met for the respective set of channels state information, monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information for a duration following the transmission of the respective set of channel state information.

[0029] In some example embodiments, the method comprises for each of at least some instances of the first part of the repeating cycle, receiving a downlink control signal instructing the apparatus to one of: monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the respective instance of the first part; and not to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the respective instance of the first part.

[0030] In some example embodiments, the at least one threshold condition is met when at least one parameter of the channel state information falls below a threshold.

[0031] In some example embodiments, the at least one parameter comprises at least one of: reference signal received power; and channel quality indicator.

[0032] In some example embodiments, the channel state information comprises at least one of: channel quality indicator; precoding matrix indicator; channel state information reference signal resource indicator; block resource indicator; synchronisation signal block resource indicator; layer indicator; rank indicator; and reference signal received power.

[0033] In some example embodiments, the method comprises transmitting the channel state information is configured to transmit the channel state information in at least one of: a physical uplink control channel; a physical uplink shared channel; and a medium access control layer control element.

[0034] In some example embodiments, the method comprises monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to monitor for transmissions of the downlink control information following the transmission of the channel state information for the downlink control channel.

[0035] In some example embodiments, the channel state information comprises channel state information for a plurality of different beams, wherein the at least one threshold condition is satisfied when the channel state information for a predefined number of the different beams meets a threshold criteria.

[0036] In some example embodiments, the downlink control information is associated with the communication channel.

[0037] According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least: transmitting in uplink, channel state information for a communication channel; determining whether at least one threshold condition is met by at least some of said channel state information; and in response to determining that the at least one threshold condition is met by at least some of said channel state information, monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during a predefined time period.

[0038] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor: and at least one memory comprising code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform: transmitting in uplink, channel state information for a communication channel; determining whether at least one threshold condition is met by at least some of said channel state information; and in response to determining that the at least one threshold condition is met by at least some of said channel state information, monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during a predefined time period.

[0039] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following:

transmitting in uplink, channel state information for a communication channel; determining whether at least one threshold condition is met by at least some of said channel state information; and in response to determining that the at least one threshold condition is met by at least some of said channel state information, monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during a predefined time period.

[0040] In some example embodiments of the third, fourth or fifth aspect, the apparatus is caused to perform receiving downlink control signalling indicating to the apparatus whether to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information.

[0041] In some example embodiments, the downlink control signalling instructs the apparatus not to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period, wherein the monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the predefined time period comprises monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the predefined time period irrespective of the downlink control signalling.

[0042] In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform transmitting in uplink, further channel state information for a communication channel; and in response to determining that the at least one threshold condition is not met for the further channel state information, in accordance with the downlink control signalling, selecting and performing one of: monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information in a further predefined time period; and not monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information in the further predefined time period.

[0043] In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform receiving in a downlink channel configuration information comprising at least one of: configuration information defining the predefined time period; configuration information defining the threshold condition; and

[0044] In some example embodiments, the predefined time period is an instance of a first part of a repeating cycle, wherein the repeating cycle comprises a second part.

[0045] In some example embodiments, the downlink control signalling instructs the apparatus to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period, wherein the monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information comprises, in response to the instruction to monitor for transmissions, monitoring for transmissions of downlink control information throughout the predefined time period.

[0046] In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to only commence monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the first part of the repeating cycle, wherein the transmitting in uplink, the channel state information for the downlink control channel comprises only transmitting the channel state information during the first part of the repeating cycle.

[0047] In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform transmitting in uplink, a plurality of sets of channel state information for at least one communication channel during the predefined time period; determining whether at least one threshold condition is met for each of the plurality of sets of channel state information; and for each of the plurality of sets of channel state information, if the at least one threshold condition is met for the respective set of channels state information, monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information for a duration following the transmission of the respective set of channel state information.

[0048] In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform for each of at least some instances of the first part of the repeating cycle, receiving a downlink control signal instructing the apparatus to one of: monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the respective instance of the first part; and not to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the respective instance of the first part.

[0049] In some example embodiments, the at least one threshold condition is met when at least one parameter of the channel state information falls below a threshold.

[0050] In some example embodiments, the at least one parameter comprises at least one of: reference signal received power; and channel quality indicator.

[0051] In some example embodiments, the channel state information comprises at least one of: channel quality indicator; precoding matrix indicator; channel state information reference signal resource indicator; block resource indicator; synchronisation signal block resource indicator; layer indicator; rank indicator; and reference signal received power.

[0052] In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform transmitting the channel state information is configured to transmit the channel state information in at least one of: a physical uplink control channel; a physical uplink shared channel; and a medium access control layer control element. [0053] In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to monitor for transmissions of the downlink control information following the transmission of the channel state information for the downlink control channel.

[0054] In some example embodiments, the channel state information comprises channel state information for a plurality of different beams, wherein the at least one threshold condition is satisfied when the channel state information for a predefined number of the different beams meets a threshold criteria.

[0055] In some example embodiments, the downlink control information is associated with the communication channel.

[0056] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: transmitting circuitry for transmitting in uplink, channel state information for a communication channel; determining circuitry for determining whether at least one threshold condition is met by at least some of said channel state information; and monitoring circuitry for, in response to determining that the at least one threshold condition is met by at least some of said channel state information, monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during a predefined time period.

[0057] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises receiving circuitry configured to receive downlink control signalling indicating to the apparatus whether to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information.

[0058] In some example embodiments, the downlink control signalling instructs the apparatus not to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period, wherein the monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the predefined time period comprises monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the predefined time period irrespective of the downlink control signalling.

[0059] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: transmitting circuitry for transmitting in uplink, further channel state information for a communication channel; and monitoring circuitry for, in response to determining that the at least one threshold condition is not met for the further channel state information, in accordance with the downlink control signalling, selecting and performing one of: monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information in a further predefined time period; and not monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information in the further predefined time period.

[0060] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises receiving circuitry for receiving in a downlink channel configuration information comprising at least one of: configuration information defining the predefined time period; configuration information defining the threshold condition; and configuration information indicating resources for use in the downlink control signalling for indicating to the apparatus whether to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information.

[0061] In some example embodiments, the predefined time period is an instance of a first part of a repeating cycle, wherein the repeating cycle comprises a second part.

[0062] In some example embodiments, the downlink control signalling instructs the apparatus to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period, wherein the monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information comprises, in response to the instruction to monitor for transmissions, monitoring for transmissions of downlink control information throughout the predefined time period.

[0063] In some example embodiments, wherein the monitoring circuitry for monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to only commence monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the first part of the repeating cycle, wherein the transmission circuitry for transmitting in uplink, the channel state information for the downlink control channel comprises only transmitting the channel state information during the first part of the repeating cycle.

[0064] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: transmitting circuitry for transmitting in uplink, a plurality of sets of channel state information for at least one communication channel during the predefined time period; determining circuitry for determining whether at least one threshold condition is met for each of the plurality of sets of channel state information; and monitoring circuitry for each of the plurality of sets of channel state information, if the at least one threshold condition is met for the respective set of channels state information, monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information for a duration following the transmission of the respective set of channel state information.

[0065] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises, receiving circuitry for, for each of at least some instances of the first part of the repeating cycle, receiving a downlink control signal instructing the apparatus to one of: monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the respective instance of the first part; and not to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the respective instance of the first part.

[0066] In some example embodiments, the at least one threshold condition is met when at least one parameter of the channel state information falls below a threshold.

[0067] In some example embodiments, the at least one parameter comprises at least one of: reference signal received power; and channel quality indicator.

[0068] In some example embodiments, the channel state information comprises at least one of: channel quality indicator; precoding matrix indicator; channel state information reference signal resource indicator; block resource indicator; synchronisation signal block resource indicator; layer indicator; rank indicator; and reference signal received power.

[0069] In some example embodiments, wherein the transmitting circuitry for transmitting the channel state information is configured to transmit the channel state information in at least one of: a physical uplink control channel; a physical uplink shared channel; and a medium access control layer control element.

[0070] In some example embodiments, wherein the monitoring circuitry for monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to monitor for transmissions of the downlink control information following the transmission of the channel state information for the downlink control channel.

[0071] In some example embodiments, the channel state information comprises channel state information for a plurality of different beams, wherein the at least one threshold condition is satisfied when the channel state information for a predefined number of the different beams meets a threshold criteria.

[0072] In some example embodiments, the downlink control information is associated with the communication channel.

[0073] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for determining that channel state information for a communication channel is to be transmitted during a predefined time period; means for transmitting in uplink, the channel state information during the predefined time period; and means for, in response to determining that the channel state information is to be transmitted, and following the transmission of the channel state information, monitoring for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period.

[0074] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for receiving downlink control signalling indicating to the apparatus whether to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information.

[0075] In some example embodiments, the downlink control signalling comprises a downlink control signal instructing the apparatus to one of: monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period; and not to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period, wherein the means for, monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the predefined time period is configured to monitor transmissions of the downlink control information during the predefined time period irrespective of the downlink control signalling.

[0076] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for, in response to determining that channel state information is not to be transmitted during a further predetermined time period, in accordance with the downlink control signalling, selecting and performing one of: monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information in the further predefined time period; and not monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information in the further predefined time period.

[0077] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for, receiving in a downlink channel, configuration information comprising at least one of: configuration information defining the predefined time period; andconfiguration information indicating resources for use in downlink control signalling for indicating to the apparatus whether to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information.

[0078] In some example embodiments, the predefined time period is an instance of a first part of a repeating cycle, wherein the repeating cycle comprises a second part.

[0079] In some example embodiments, wherein the means for monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to only commence monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the first part of the repeating cycle, wherein the means for transmitting in uplink, the channel state information for the downlink control channel is configured to only transmit the channel state information during the first part of the repeating cycle.

[0080] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for determining that channel state information for the communication channel is to be transmitted every nth instance of the first part; means for, during each nth instance, transmitting in uplink, the respective channel state information; and means for, during each nth instance, in response to determining that the respective channel state information is to be transmitted, and following the transmission of the respective channel state information, monitoring for transmissions of downlink control information.

[0081] In some example embodiments, the repeating cycle is of a first cycle length, the apparatus comprising means for, when the apparatus is operating according to the repeating cycle of the first length, only transmit channel state information and commence monitoring for the downlink control information every nth instance of the first part of the repeating cycle.

[0082] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for, when the apparatus is operating according a further repeating cycle of a second length longer than the first length, commence monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information every instance of a first part of the further repeating cycle.

[0083] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for, for each of at least some instances of the first part of the repeating cycle, receiving a downlink control signal instructing the apparatus to one of: monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the respective instance of the first part; and not to monitor transmissions of downlink control information during the respective instance of the first part.

[0084] In some example embodiments, the channel state information comprises at least one of: channel quality indicator; precoding matrix indicator; channel state information reference signal resource indicator; block resource indicator; synchronisation signal block resource indicator; layer indicator; rank indicator; and reference signal received power.

[0085] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for transmitting the channel state information is configured to transmit the channel state information in at least one of: a physical uplink control channel; a physical uplink shared channel; and a medium access control layer control element.

[0086] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for receiving in downlink, configuration information defining a predefined number of resources and/or a predefined amount of time, wherein the means for monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to monitor for the downlink control information for the predefined number of resources or the predefined amount of time following the transmission of the channel status information.

[0087] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for, in response to the transmission in uplink of the channel state information during the predefined time period, starting a timer, wherein the means for monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to monitor for the downlink control information until expiry of the timer.

[0088] In some example embodiments, the downlink control information is associated with the communication channel.

[0089] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a method comprising determining that channel state information for a communication channel is to be transmitted during a predefined time period; and transmitting in uplink, the channel state information during the predefined time period; and for, in response to determining that the channel state information is to be transmitted, and following the transmission of the channel state information, monitoring for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period.

[0090] In some example embodiments, the method comprises receiving downlink control signalling indicating to the apparatus whether to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information.

[0091] In some example embodiments, the downlink control signalling comprises a downlink control signal instructing the apparatus to one of: monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period; and not to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period, wherein the monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the predefined time period comprises monitoring transmissions of the downlink control information during the predefined time period irrespective of the downlink control signalling.

[0092] In some example embodiments, the method comprises, in response to determining that channel state information is not to be transmitted during a further predetermined time period, in accordance with the downlink control signalling, selecting and performing one of: monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information in the further predefined time period; and not monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information in the further predefined time period.

[0093] In some example embodiments, the method comprises, receiving in a downlink channel, configuration information comprising at least one of: configuration information defining the predefined time period; and configuration information indicating resources for use in downlink control signalling for indicating to the apparatus whether to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information.

[0094] In some example embodiments, the predefined time period is an instance of a first part of a repeating cycle, wherein the repeating cycle comprises a second part.

[0095] In some example embodiments, the method comprises for monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to only commence monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the first part of the repeating cycle, wherein the transmitting in uplink, the channel state information for the downlink control channel is configured to only transmit the channel state information during the first part of the repeating cycle.

[0096] In some example embodiments, the method comprises determining that channel state information for the communication channel is to be transmitted every nth instance of the first part; during each nth instance, transmitting in uplink, the respective channel state information; and during each nth instance, in response to determining that the respective channel state information is to be transmitted, and following the transmission of the respective channel state information, monitoring for transmissions of downlink control information.

[0097] In some example embodiments, the repeating cycle is of a first cycle length, the method comprises, when the apparatus is operating according to the repeating cycle of the first length, only transmit channel state information and commence monitoring for the downlink control information every nth instance of the first part of the repeating cycle.

[0098] In some example embodiments, the method comprises, when the apparatus is operating according a further repeating cycle of a second length longer than the first length, commence monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information every instance of a first part of the further repeating cycle. [0099] In some example embodiments, the method comprises, for each of at least some instances of the first part of the repeating cycle, receiving a downlink control signal instructing the apparatus to one of: monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the respective instance of the first part; and not to monitor transmissions of downlink control information during the respective instance of the first part.

[00100] In some example embodiments, the channel state information comprises at least one of: channel quality indicator; precoding matrix indicator; channel state information reference signal resource indicator; block resource indicator; synchronisation signal block resource indicator; layer indicator; rank indicator; and reference signal received power.

[00101] In some example embodiments, the method comprises transmitting the channel state information is configured to transmit the channel state information in at least one of: a physical uplink control channel; a physical uplink shared channel; and a medium access control layer control element.

[00102] In some example embodiments, the method comprises receiving in downlink, configuration information defining a predefined number of resources and/or a predefined amount of time, wherein the monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to monitor for the downlink control information for the predefined number of resources or the predefined amount of time following the transmission of the channel status information.

[00103] In some example embodiments, the method comprises, in response to the transmission in uplink of the channel state information during the predefined time period, starting a timer, wherein the monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to monitor for the downlink control information until expiry of the timer.

[00104] In some example embodiments, the downlink control information is associated with the communication channel.

[00105] According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least: determining that channel state information for a communication channel is to be transmitted during a predefined time period; and transmitting in uplink, the channel state information during the predefined time period; and for, in response to determining that the channel state information is to be transmitted, and following the transmission of the channel state information, monitoring for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period.

[00106] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor: and at least one memory comprising code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform: determining that channel state information for a communication channel is to be transmitted during a predefined time period; and transmitting in uplink, the channel state information during the predefined time period; and for, in response to determining that the channel state information is to be transmitted, and following the transmission of the channel state information, monitoring for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period.

[00107] According to a eleventh aspect, there is provided non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: determining that channel state information for a communication channel is to be transmitted during a predefined time period; and transmitting in uplink, the channel state information during the predefined time period; and for, in response to determining that the channel state information is to be transmitted, and following the transmission of the channel state information, monitoring for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period.

[00108] In some example embodiments of the ninth, tenth, or eleventh aspect, the apparatus is caused to perform: receiving downlink control signalling indicating to the apparatus whether to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information.

[00109] In some example embodiments, the downlink control signalling comprises a downlink control signal instructing the apparatus to one of: monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period; and not to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period, wherein the apparatus is causes to perform, monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the predefined time period is configured to monitor transmissions of the downlink control information during the predefined time period irrespective of the downlink control signalling.

[00110] In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform, in response to determining that channel state information is not to be transmitted during a further predetermined time period, in accordance with the downlink control signalling, selecting and performing one of: monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information in the further predefined time period; and not monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information in the further predefined time period.

[00111] In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform, receiving in a downlink channel, configuration information comprising at least one of: configuration information defining the predefined time period; and configuration information indicating resources for use in downlink control signalling for indicating to the apparatus whether to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information. [00112] In some example embodiments, the predefined time period is an instance of a first part of a repeating cycle, wherein the repeating cycle comprises a second part.

[00113] In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to only commence monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the first part of the repeating cycle, wherein the transmitting in uplink, the channel state information for the downlink control channel is configured to only transmit the channel state information during the first part of the repeating cycle.

[00114] In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform: determining that channel state information for the communication channel is to be transmitted every nth instance of the first part; during each nth instance, transmitting in uplink, the respective channel state information; and the apparatus is caused to perform, during each nth instance, in response to determining that the respective channel state information is to be transmitted, and following the transmission of the respective channel state information, monitoring for transmissions of downlink control information.

[00115] In some example embodiments, the repeating cycle is of a first cycle length, the apparatus is caused to perform, when the apparatus is operating according to the repeating cycle of the first length, only transmitting channel state information and commence monitoring for the downlink control information every nth instance of the first part of the repeating cycle.

[00116] In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform, when the apparatus is operating according a further repeating cycle of a second length longer than the first length, commence monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information every instance of a first part of the further repeating cycle.

[00117] In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform: for each of at least some instances of the first part of the repeating cycle, receiving a downlink control signal instructing the apparatus to one of: monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the respective instance of the first part; and not to monitor transmissions of downlink control information during the respective instance of the first part.

[00118] In some example embodiments, the channel state information comprises at least one of: channel quality indicator; precoding matrix indicator; channel state information reference signal resource indicator; block resource indicator; synchronisation signal block resource indicator; layer indicator; rank indicator; and reference signal received power.

[00119] In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform transmitting the channel state information is configured to transmit the channel state information in at least one of: a physical uplink control channel; a physical uplink shared channel; and a medium access control layer control element.

[00120] In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform: receiving in downlink, configuration information defining a predefined number of resources and/or a predefined amount of time, monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to monitor for the downlink control information for the predefined number of resources or the predefined amount of time following the transmission of the channel status information.

[00121] In some example embodiments, the apparatus is caused to perform: in response to the transmission in uplink of the channel state information during the predefined time period, starting a timer, monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to monitor for the downlink control information until expiry of the timer.

[00122] In some example embodiments, the downlink control information is associated with the communication channel.

[00123] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising:

determining circuitry for determining that channel state information for a communication channel is to be transmitted during a predefined time period; transmitting circuitry for transmitting in uplink, the channel state information during the predefined time period; and monitoring circuitry for, in response to determining that the channel state information is to be transmitted, and following the transmission of the channel state information, monitoring for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period.

[00124] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises receiving circuitry receiving downlink control signalling indicating to the apparatus whether to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information.

[00125] In some example embodiments, the downlink control signalling comprises a downlink control signal instructing the apparatus to one of: monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period; and not to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period, wherein the monitoring circuitry for monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the predefined time period is configured to monitor transmissions of the downlink control information during the predefined time period irrespective of the downlink control signalling.

[00126] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises monitoring circuitry for, in response to determining that channel state information is not to be transmitted during a further predetermined time period, in accordance with the downlink control signalling, selecting and performing one of: monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information in the further predefined time period; and not monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information in the further predefined time period.

[00127] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises receiving circuitry for, receiving in a downlink channel, configuration information comprising at least one of: configuration information defining the predefined time period; and configuration information indicating resources for use in downlink control signalling for indicating to the apparatus whether to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information.

[00128] In some example embodiments, the predefined time period is an instance of a first part of a repeating cycle, wherein the repeating cycle comprises a second part.

[00129] In some example embodiments, wherein the monitoring circuitry for monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to only commence monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the first part of the repeating cycle, wherein the transmitting circuitry for transmitting in uplink, the channel state information for the downlink control channel is configured to only transmit the channel state information during the first part of the repeating cycle.

[00130] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: determining circuitry for determining that channel state information for the communication channel is to be transmitted every nth instance of the first part; transmitting circuitry for, during each nth instance, transmitting in uplink, the respective channel state information; and monitoring circuitry for, during each nth instance, in response to determining that the respective channel state information is to be transmitted, and following the transmission of the respective channel state information, monitoring for transmissions of downlink control information.

[00131] In some example embodiments, the repeating cycle is of a first cycle length, wherein the transmitting circuitry is configured to, only transmit channel state information and the monitoring circuitry is configured to only commence monitoring for the downlink control information every nth instance of the first part of the repeating cycle, when the apparatus is operating according to the repeating cycle of the first length.

[00132] In some example embodiments, the monitoring circuitry is configured to, when the apparatus is operating according a further repeating cycle of a second length longer than the first length, commence monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information every instance of a first part of the further repeating cycle.

[00133] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises receiving circuitry, for each of at least some instances of the first part of the repeating cycle, receiving a downlink control signal instructing the apparatus to one of: monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the respective instance of the first part; and not to monitor transmissions of downlink control information during the respective instance of the first part.

[00134] In some example embodiments, the channel state information comprises at least one of: channel quality indicator; precoding matrix indicator; channel state information reference signal resource indicator; block resource indicator; synchronisation signal block resource indicator; layer indicator; rank indicator; and reference signal received power.

[00135] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises transmitting circuitry for transmitting the channel state information is configured to transmit the channel state information in at least one of: a physical uplink control channel; a physical uplink shared channel; and a medium access control layer control element.

[00136] In some example embodiments, the apparatus receiving circuitry for receiving in downlink, configuration information defining a predefined number of resources and/or a predefined amount of time, wherein the monitoring circuitry for monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to monitor for the downlink control information for the predefined number of resources or the predefined amount of time following the transmission of the channel status information.

[00137] In some example embodiments, the apparatus timer starting circuitry for, in response to the transmission in uplink of the channel state information during the predefined time period, starting a timer, wherein the monitoring circuitry is configured to monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to monitor for the downlink control information until expiry of the timer.

[00138] In some example embodiments, the downlink control information is associated with the communication channel.

[00139] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus configured to perform the actions of any of the methods as described above.

[00140] According to a fourteenth aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising program instructions for causing a computer to perform any method as described above.

[00141] According to a fifteenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product stored on a medium that may cause an apparatus to perform any method as described herein.

[00142] According to a sixteenth aspect, there is provided an electronic device that may comprise apparatus as described herein.

[00143] According to a seventeenth aspect, there is provided a chipset that may comprise an apparatus as described herein. Brief Description of Figures

[00144] Some example embodiments will now be described in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the following examples and accompanying drawings, in which:

[00145] Figure 1 shows a schematic example of a communication system;

[00146] Figure 2 shows an example of a communication device;

[00147] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an example control apparatus;

[00148] Figure 4 shows a schematic illustration of a DRX cycle;

[00149] Figure 5 shows a schematic illustration of DRX cycles using a control signal;

[00150] Figure 6 shows a schematic illustration of operating a device in dependence upon a threshold condition applied to channel state information;

[00151] Figure 7 shows a method implemented in a device according to example embodiments;

[00152] Figure 8 shows a method implemented in a device according to example embodiments; and

[00153] Figure 9 shows an example of a non-transitory computer readable medium.

Detailed Description

[00154] In the following, certain exemplifying embodiments are explained with reference to a wireless communication system serving devices adapted for wireless communication. Before explaining in detail example embodiments, certain general principles of a communication system, a communication device and a control apparatus are briefly explained with reference to Figures 1 to 3 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the described invention.

[00155] In a wireless system, at least a part of the communications between at least two stations occurs over wireless interfaces. Examples of wireless systems include public land mobile networks (PLMN), satellite based communication systems and different wireless local networks, for example, wireless local area networks (WLAN). A local area wireless networking technology allowing devices to connect to a data network is known by the tradename Wi-Fi (or WiFi). Wi-Fi is often used synonymously with WLAN.

[00156] Wireless systems can be divided into cells, and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems. A user can access a communication system by means of an appropriate communication device or terminal. A communication device of a user is often referred to as user equipment (UE) or user apparatus. A communication device is provided with an appropriate signal receiving and transmitting apparatus for enabling communications, for example, enabling access to a communication network or enabling communications directly with other users. The communication device may access a carrier provided by a station, for example a base station of a cell, and transmit and/or receive communications on the carrier.

[00157] A communication system and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification, which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. Communication protocols and/or parameters, which shall be used for the connection are also typically defined. An example of a standardized communication system architecture is the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology. The LTE was standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The LTE employs the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) access. Further developments of LTE are sometimes referred to as LTE Advanced (LTE-A).

[00158] Following LTE, 3GPP is now standardizing a new radio generation (5G) called new radio (NR). NR does not require backwards compatibility with LTE. NR includes a non-standalone mode in which there is tight interworking between the RAT (radio access technology) and LTE. NR also includes a standalone mode which does not involve such tight interworking.

[00159] The various development stages of the 3GPP specifications are referred to as releases. In this description, 3GPP release versions are distinguished by the acronym "Rel-nn". The next upcoming release is the 3GPP release 16. The release 16 includes work items relating to Industrial Internet of Things (lloT) and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) enhancements. The work items consider the objective of UE power saving. Power saving techniques should take account of the latency and performance in NR as well as the network impact. More details regarding a UE power saving work item may be found in Annex A.

[00160] In a wireless communication system 100, such as that shown in Figure 1, wireless communication devices, for example, user equipment (UEs) 102, 104, 105 are provided wireless access via at least one wireless transmitting and/or receiving wireless infrastructure node or point. The wireless infrastructure node or point could be, for example, a base station or an eNodeB (eNB), or in a 5G system a Next Generation NodeB (gNB), or other wireless infrastructure node. These nodes will be generally referred to as base stations. Base stations are typically controlled by at least one appropriate controller apparatus, so as to enable operation thereof and management of mobile communication devices in communication with the base stations. The controller apparatus may be located in a radio access network (e.g. wireless communication system 100) or in a core network (CN) (not shown) and may be implemented as one central apparatus or its functionality may be distributed over several apparatus. The controller apparatus may be part of the base station and/or provided by a separate entity such as a Radio Network Controller. In Figure 1 control apparatus 108 and 109 are shown to control the respective macro level base stations 106 and 107. In some systems, the control apparatus may additionally or alternatively be provided in a radio network controller. Other examples of radio access systems comprise those provided by base stations of systems that are based on technologies such as 5G or new radio, wireless local area network (WLAN) and/or WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access). A base station can provide coverage for an entire cell or similar radio service area.

[00161] In Figure 1, base stations 106 and 107 are shown as connected to a wider communications network 113 via gateway 112. A further gateway function may be provided to connect to another network.

[00162] The smaller base stations 116, 118 and 120 may also be connected to the network 113, for example by a separate gateway function and/or via the controllers of the macro level stations. The base stations 116, 118 and 120 may be pico orfemto level base stations or the like. In the example, stations 116 and 118 are connected via a gateway 111, whilst station 120 connects via the controller apparatus 108. In some example embodiments, the smaller stations may not be provided.

[00163] A possible wireless communication device, such as UE, will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 2 showing a schematic, partially sectioned view of a communication device 200. Such a communication device 200 is often referred to as an endpoint device. An appropriate communication device 200 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals.

[00164] A communication device 200 may be, for example, a mobile device, that is, a device not fixed to a particular location. Alternatively, communication device 200 may be a stationary device. The communication device 200 may need human interaction for communication, or may not need human interaction for communication. The communication device 200 may also be referred to hereunder as a terminal, or simply as an apparatus for accessing a network.

[00165] The communication device 200 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 207 via appropriate apparatus for receiving radio signals and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 2, transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 206. The transceiver apparatus 206 may be provided, for example, by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the communication device 200.

[00166] The communication device 200 is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 201, at least one memory 202 and other possible components 203 for use in the software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of, access to, and communications with, access systems and other communication devices. The data processing, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and/or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 204. Furthermore, the wireless communication device 200 may comprise appropriate connectors (either wired or wireless) to other devices and/or for connecting external accessories. The communication devices 102, 104, 105 may access the communication system based on various access techniques.

[00167] Figure 3 shows an example of a control apparatus 300 for a communication system, for example to be coupled to and/or for controlling a station of an access system, such as a RAN node, e.g. a base station, (e) node B or 5G gNB, or a node of a core network such as an MME, S-GW or AMF, or a server or host. The method may be implemented in a single control apparatus or across more than one control apparatus. The control apparatus 300 may be integrated with or external to a node or module of a core network or RAN. In some example embodiments, base stations comprise a separate control apparatus unit or module. In other example embodiments, the control apparatus 300 can be another network element such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. In some example embodiments, each base station may have such a control apparatus 300 as well as such a control apparatus 300 being provided in a radio network controller. The control apparatus 300 can be arranged to provide control on communications in the service area of the system. The control apparatus 300 comprises at least one random access memory 310, at least one read only memory 350, at least one data processing unit 320, 330 and an input/output interface 340. Via the interface, the control apparatus can be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the base station. The receiver and/or the transmitter may be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head.

[00168] Architectures for wireless communications systems are standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). One 3GPP based development is often referred to as the long term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology. More recent developments of the LTE are often referred to as LTE Advanced (LTE-A). The LTE employs a mobile architecture known as the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN). Base stations of such systems are known as evolved or enhanced NodeBs (eNBs) and provide E-UTRAN features such as user plane Packet Data Convergence/Radio Link Control/Medium Access Control/Physical layer protocol (PDCP/RLC/MAC/PHY) and control plane Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol terminations towards the communication devices. Other examples of radio access system comprise those provided by base stations of systems that are based on technologies such as wireless local area network (WLAN) and/or WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access). A base station can provide coverage for an entire cell or similar radio service area.

[00169] Another example of a 3GPP development is 5G. Network architecture in 5G is similar to that of the LTE-advanced. Changes to the network architecture from LTE/LTE-advanced depend on the need to support various radio technologies, provide finer Quality of Service (QoS) support, and meet certain on-demand requirements for example QoS levels to support Quality of Experience (QoE) from a user point of view. Also network aware services and applications, and service and application aware networks are bringing further changes to the architecture. Those are related to Information Centric Network (ICN) and User-Centric Content Delivery Network (UC-CDN) approaches. 5G can make use of multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than LTE (a so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in co-operation with smaller stations. 5G can also employ a variety of radio technologies for better coverage and enhanced data rates.

[00170] The base stations/access points in 5G may be referred to as gNB.

[00171] The 5G system enables expansion of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) that go beyond those of IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced mobile broadband (MBB) service, and also enabling new services and use cases to be addressed. At least during the initial stages of implementation, cells provided by 5G apparatuses may operate using 4G infrastructure, depending on the service being provided. For example, a 5G network connection may be used for improving on data throughput, relative to 4G, whilst a 4G connection is used for non-data operations, such as control communications between a user equipment and the network. Network cells operating in such a manner, utilising both types of network, are known as non-standalone cells.

[00172] Communications transmitted from a network side (such as base station 106) to a communication device (such as a UE 102) are referred to as downlink communications. Communications transmitted from the communication device to the network side are referred to as uplink communications.

[00173] In order to support the transmission of data in the downlink (in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)) and in the uplink (in a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)), control information is transmitted in the downlink from the base station to the communication device. This control information may be referred to as downlink control information (DCI), which is transmitted in a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). The DCI may comprise uplink and downlink grants. The DCI may comprise indications of the resource allocation and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) to be used for the PDSCH. Such indications allow the communication device to decode the PDSCH. The DCI may comprise transmit power control (TPC) commands for the sending of control information in the uplink in a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) and the sending of data in the uplink in the PUSCH. The DCI may comprise scheduling information for sending data and/or control information in the uplink. The DCI may comprise configuration information for sending Hybrid-Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) information. The DCI may trigger the uplink transmission of feedback information from a device receiving the DCI. The DCI may be used to reconfigure TCI state, e.g. for PDCCH/PDSCH. [00174] The DCI may be used during a process to re-configure communications for the device, such as PDCCH, PDSCH, PUCCH, and PUSCH, so as to avoid the quality degradation that may occur when the radio environment changes over time. For example, a beam management process may be carried out to reconfigure beams so as to avoid the quality degradation that may occur when the beam alignment changes over time. Beam management actions are performed by the network, and information regarding these actions is transmitted in the DCI to allow for completion of the beam management actions.

[00175] A problem may occur, which is that, in order to save power, a device may be configured so as not to continuously monitor for transmissions of downlink control information. Therefore, the communication system may be unable to re-configure the communications for the device at certain times when the device is not monitoring for transmission of the downlink control information.

[00176] An example of such a power saving technique is discontinuous reception (DRX). Discontinuous reception (DRX) is a technique that is used for power saving in the communication device. When DRX is not used, the communication device may continuously monitor a resource space to detect and decode downlink control information, which could be received from the network at any time. When DRX is used, the communication device does not continuously monitor for downlink control information. Instead, the communication device alternates between an active (or DRX on) state in which the device searches for downlink control information, and a sleep (or DRX off) state in which the communication device does not monitor (or is not required to monitor) for the downlink control information. During the sleep state, the communication device may power down some of its circuitry so as to converse battery life.

[00177] Reference is made to Figure 4, which illustrates an example of a DRX cycle. The device is placed in an active state for a first part of the cycle (the "on duration"). During this time, the device monitors predefined resources for downlink control information received from the base station. If downlink control information is received during the on duration, the device attempts to decode the received information. Following the decoding of the information, the device starts a timer (known as the "inactivity timer"). Upon expiry of the inactivity timer, the device enters the sleep state again during a second part of the cycle. If whilst the inactivity timer is still active, further downlink control information is received (that is not a retransmission of control information sent previously), the inactivity timer is reset. Therefore, the inactivity timer is continuously reset until a predefined time period (as defined by the inactivity timer), during which no new downlink control information has been received, expires. [00178] A further time period that is defined in the DRX configuration is the DRX cycle. This specifies the period of the cycle, during which the device alternates between the active state and the possible period of inactivity during which the device may enter the sleep state. The device enters the sleep state either when the on duration expires or the inactivity timer expires.

[00179] A further time period that is defined in the DRX configuration is a predefined time period defined by a retransmission timer of the communication device. This predefined time period is the duration until a retransmission can be expected.

[00180] A further time period is the active time. This is the total duration during which the device is in the active state. The total duration is the result of the on-duration plus any additional time beyond this that the inactivity timer is active for.

[00181] Since the device is configured to only monitor for downlink control information at specific times (i.e. when the device is in an active/on state), the base station is configured to only send the downlink control information to the device during the times when the device is in the active/on state. The base station is aware of when the device is active, since it provides the DRX configuration parameters (e.g. time and length of on duration) to the device.

[00182] Hence, DRX makes use of repeating time periods (the "on duration") during which the device may be in the active state. There are proposals to further improve power saving by operating the device in the active state for only some of the "on durations".

[00183] One proposal to further improve power saving is to introduce a new downlink controlling signal that is received at the device and determines whether or not the device will monitor for downlink control information during an upcoming on duration or multiple on durations. The control signalling may take the form of a specific control signal/channel or, more broadly, control information transmitted in a signal/channel. Therefore, where the description of this application refers to a control signal/channel, a signal/channel containing control information is intended. In one version, if the control signal is received at the device, the device, in response to receipt of the signal determines to monitor for downlink control information during the upcoming on duration (i.e. the device enters an active state). If the signal is not received, the device determines not to perform monitoring for downlink control information during the upcoming on duration (i.e. the device remains in the sleep state). In an alternative version, if the signal is received at the device, the device, in response to receipt of the signal determines not to perform monitoring for downlink control information during the upcoming on duration (i.e. the device remains in the sleep state). If the signal is not received at the device, the device, in response to absence of the signal determines to monitor for downlink control information during the upcoming on duration (i.e. the device enters an active state). The new signal/channel may not only indicate that the device is to monitor for downlink control information during the next on duration but may indicate that the device is to monitor for downlink control information during a predefined number of on durations.

[00184] The proposed new downlink signal or channel may also be used to control the DRX configuration parameters. In response to receiving the signal, the device may perform DRX using parameters indicated by the signal. The parameters that may be controlled by the signal includes one or more of: the DRX cycle period length, the number of resources (e.g. control-resource sets (CORESETs) in NR) occupied by the on duration.

[00185] The new downlink signal/channel may be sometimes referred to as a wake-up signal. In some cases, the signal/channel may be such that when the signal is not transmitted, this indicates that the device is not required to wake up/monitor a downlink control channel for the downlink control information during the following on duration/s. Alternatively, this signal/channel is always transmitted, and it contains an indication as to whether or not the device needs to wake-up for the on duration. In some examples, waking up means that the device at least monitors during the on duration/s i.e. it at least monitors PDCCH during the on duration/s.

[00186] The proposed new downlink control signal may indicate to the device that the device is to skip monitoring of downlink control information for a predefined number of resource slots. In this case, in response to receiving the signal, the device enters a sleep state forthe predefined number of resource slots.

[00187] Reference is made to Figure 5, which illustrates an example in the case that the proposed new signal/channel is implemented. As shown, prior to an upcoming period 510a during which the device is scheduled to be active (i.e. monitor for the downlink control information), the device monitors for the new signal on resources 520a. The signal (or indication) is not transmitted in the resources 520a and therefore the device does not detect the signal. In response, during the period 510a, the device remains in sleep mode (i.e. it does not monitor for downlink control information). Following this, and prior to an upcoming period 510b during which the device is scheduled to be active based on DRX cycle configuration, the device monitors for the new signal on resources 520b. The signal is transmitted in the resources 520b and, therefore, the device detects the signal (or the indication). In response to receiving the signal, during the period 510b, the device enters active mode (i.e. it monitors for downlink control information). Following this, and prior to an upcoming period 510c during which the device is scheduled to be active, the device monitors for the new signal on resources 520c. The signal (or indication) is not transmitted in the resources 520c and, therefore, the device does not detect the signal. In response, during the period 510c, the device remains in sleep mode. In each case, there may be a predefined specific time period between each of the resources 520a, 520b, 520c, in which the device monitors for the new control signal and the corresponding periods 510a, 510b, 510c assigned during which the device may be active.

[00188] Although, in the example of Figure 5, the control signals are used to trigger the device to enter an active state, in other examples, the control signals may cause the device to enter a sleep state. In this case, the device enters an active state during the upcoming on duration in the absence of any signal to enter the sleep state. In a further example, the signal may be received at the device irrespective of whether the device is to enter the active state or the sleep state, with the signal containing an indication as to whether or not the device is to enter the active state. In response to the indication, the device determines whether or not to enter the active state during an upcoming on duration in the DRX cycle. The upcoming on duration may the next on duration or a further on duration after the next on duration.

[00189] Therefore, the proposed new signal/channel enables improved power saving for a communication device configured to receive downlink control information. Other power saving techniques may be applied so that the device does not always monitor a resource set for downlink control information.

[00190] In order to adapt to current channel conditions used for a communication channel involving the device, the network requires information about the communication channel, so as to be able to adapt transmission properties (e.g. power) in dependence upon the information. Therefore, the device is configured to transmit channel state information (CSI) on the uplink, so as to provide this information to the base station. The CSI may be sent in the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), as part of a medium access control layer control element (MAC CE) or using RRC signalling. In dependence, upon the received CSI, the base station may modify the transmission parameters to account for changing channel conditions. To complete the adaption of channel properties, downlink control information must be sent to the device in response. The downlink control information comprises an indication of the adaption of the channel properties so as to enable the device to communicate using the channel with the adapted properties.

[00191] In some cases (e.g. when the device is configured to use a CSI mask), the transmission of the channel state information is limited to the time periods (e.g. on durations) during which the device is active for receiving downlink control information. Details of a possible example CSI mask are given in Annex B.

[00192] It is desirable to allow a device to receive downlink control information when necessary, for example, to allow for re-configuration of one or more communication channels. Since the device may not always be configured to monitor for downlink control information, for example in the case of the above mentioned power saving techniques, updates of downlink control information are less frequent, and therefore the quality degradation that occurs before the network can adapt the transmission parameters for the channel to the new channel conditions may be significant. This problem may occur in the context of the DRX technique with new control signalling described above with reference to Figure 5. However, the problem is not limited to this context, but may occur in other contexts where a device is not configured to continuously monitor for downlink control information.

[00193] According to example embodiments of the application, the device is configured to make a transmission of channel state information for a communication channel. The device determines whether or not this channel state information meets one or more threshold conditions. If the device determines that the channel state information meets the one or more threshold conditions, the device monitors for downlink control information during a predefined time period.

[00194] The threshold conditions, if met, indicate that the transmission properties for the communication channel are such that the communication channel should be re-configured. The device monitors for the downlink control information so as to enable the re-configuration of the communication channel.

[00195] In dependence upon the received channel state information sent by the device, the network apparatus (e.g. base station or control apparatus for the base station) may also determine whether the at least one threshold condition is met. In response to determining that the at least one threshold condition is met, the network apparatus may be configured to perform at least one of: beam management actions, such as further CSI reporting to the device; beam reporting (i.e. to report up to N-highest quality beams in terms of RSRP, SINR or the like); reconfiguration/activation/deactivation of device transmission configuration indication (TCI) States for a downlink channel, e.g. for PDCCH or PDSCH; configuration of TCI states for an uplink channel, e.g. PUSCH or PUCCH if such signalling is defined; updating spatial relation information for uplink channel/s (i.e. either or both of uplink shared or control channel); triggering aperiodic CSI reporting; reconfiguring measurements for the device (e.g. measurements for radio resource management or, Beam management); causing the transmission to the device of an instruction to enter DRX mode; causing the transmission to the device of an instruction to skip the monitoring of downlink control information for a time period; causing the transmission to the device of an instruction for the device to monitor for downlink control information for an upcoming set of instances of the repeating time period.

[00196] In some example embodiments, when the device determines that the channel state information does not meet the at least one threshold condition (i.e. no CSI below threshold), it may not carry out the transmission of that channel state information in the uplink. In other words, the device determines to transmit the channel state information in the uplink in response to a determination that the channel state information meets the at least one threshold condition is met. In some examples, the device may not perform transmission of channel state information during a predefined number of upcoming instances of the repeating time period in response to reporting channel state information that meets the at least one threshold condition. This would provide further power saving for the device.

[00197] The device reports the CSI to the network periodically, and the network, when it is desirable for the network to adapt the transmission properties to avoid channel quality degradation, performs re-configuration of a communication channel, such as beam management, to avoid quality degradation of the link. The network performs this re-configuration when the CSI meets at least on threshold condition, and transmits downlink control information for completing the re-configuration. The device monitors for the downlink control information when the at least on threshold condition is met so that the re-configuration of the channel may be completed. Hence, example embodiments of the application achieve a tradeoff between power saving for the device and preventing quality degradation of the channel.

[00198] The reported channel state information may comprise at least one of: a downlink reference signal index (e.g. CSI-RS Resource Indicator); a synchronisation signal block index (or time location index, or resource index); an indication of physical layer reference signal receive power (Ll- RSRP); or other CSI information associated with a downlink reference signal. The device may be configured with multiple CSI reporting configurations. The device may report different types of channel state information using different reporting configurations. In some examples, the reporting may comprise reporting the CSI on transmission configuration indication (TCI) states activated for PDSCH or PDCCH. The channel state information may include a measurement report or a 'beam report' including measurements, such as reference signal receive power (RSRP), signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), reference signal received quality (RSRQ) or the like. The device performs measurement on downlink reference signals and provides the results to the network in a beam report.

[00199] In some example embodiments, the UE configured with power saving signal/channel for wake-up purposes starts to monitor PDCCH without receiving power saving signal/channel for wake-up purposes in case the reported CSI is below the configured criteria (meets the threshold condition).

[00200] In some example embodiments, the UE configured with power saving signal/channel for wake-up purposes starts to monitor PDCCH regardless if the power saving signal/channel for wake- up purposes is received or not if reported CSI is below the configured criteria (meets the threshold condition).

[00201] In some example embodiments, the UE configured with power saving signal/channel for wake-up purposes starts to monitor PDCCH regardless if the power saving signal/channel for wake- up purposes indicated to wake up if reported CSI is below the configured criteria (or meets the threshold condition).

[00202] In some example embodiments, the UE configured with power saving signal/channel for wake-up purposes wakes up for PDCCH monitoring in case the reported CSI is below the configured criteria (meets the threshold condition).

[00203] In some example embodiments, the device is configured with a power saving signal/channel for wake-up purposes. The device is configured to perform or not perform monitoring of downlink control information in dependence upon the control signalling. However, when the control signalling instructs the device to perform monitoring of downlink control information, the time duration for which the monitoring is performed depends on whether the reported CSI meets a threshold condition or not. When the threshold condition is met, the device monitors for a first time duration. On the other hand, when the threshold condition is not met, the device monitors for a second time duration. In some examples, the first time duration may be longer than the second or vice versa. These time durations may be configured by network.

[00204] In some example embodiments, when control signalling indicates to the device that the device is to perform monitoring for downlink control information, the device is configured to perform monitoring of the downlink control information based on the length of time of a first part of a repeating cycle. This length of time may be measured by an on-duration timer. The length of time for which monitoring is performed is, in this case, independent of whether or not the channel state information that is transmitted meets a threshold.. When the device is not instructed by control signalling to perform monitoring for downlink control information during a predefined time period, the time duration for which monitoring is performed may depend upon whether the reported CSI meets the threshold condition.

[00205] Some example embodiments are implemented using the DRX cycle described above, in which, the device is configured to monitor for downlink control information during instances of a repeating time period. Some example embodiments of the application include the use of the new control signal described above for determining whether or not the device is to monitor for a downlink control signal during an upcoming predefined time period. In this case, if the device determines that the threshold condition is met (e.g. the reported CSI is below or equal to a threshold), the device determines to monitor for downlink control information during at least part of this predefined time period irrespective of whether the new control signal indicates that the device should or shouldn't monitor during the predefined time period. If the threshold condition is not met, the control signal is used to determine whether or not monitoring for the downlink control information is performed. [00206] Reference is made to Figure 6, which illustrates an example according to embodiments of the application, in which a repeating time period is used. As shown, a repeating time period (i.e. the "on duration" in the case of DRX) is defined for the device. In Figure 6, three predefined time periods 610a, 610b, 610c (collectively referred to as time periods 610) which occur periodically are shown.

[00207] Prior to each of the time periods 610, the device is configured to monitor for a control signal in resources 620a, 620b, 620c (collectively resources 620). Such a control signal indicates, in this example, that the device is to monitor for downlink control information during the upcoming time period 610. However, it would be appreciated that in other examples, such a control signal may indicate that the device is to be in a sleep state for the upcoming instance. Each control signal may be provided by downlink control information in a PDCCH. Therefore, in this case, the resources 620a, 620b, 620c are each resources of a PDCCH.

[00208] During each of the time periods 610, the device is configured to make a transmission of channel state information associated with a communication channel in which the device sends or receives communications. The associated communication channel may be an uplink channel in which the device sends communications or a downlink channel in which the device receives communications. The associated communication channel may any of: a PDCCH, PDSCH, PUCCH, or PUSCH.

[00209] A determination is carried out for each of the time periods 610 as to whether or not the channel state information transmitted during the respective time period 610 meets a threshold condition. This determination may be carried out prior to the respective time period or during the respective time period. This determination is then used to control whether or not the device monitors for downlink control information during the respective one of the time periods 610.

[00210] Figure 6 shows a first time period 610a. Prior to the first time period 610a, the device is configured to monitor in the resources 620a to determine whether or not a transmission of the control signal is made in the downlink in these resources 620a. In this example, no control signal is received in the resources 620a. Additionally, the device also determines channel state information for a communication channel, and determines whether or not this channel state information meets a threshold condition. The device transmits the channel state information in the uplink during time period 610a. In this example, the device determines that the channel state information does not meet a threshold condition. Since no control signal is received in the resources 620a and the channel state information does not meet the threshold condition, the device does not monitor for the downlink control information during the time period 610a. In other words, during time period 610a, the device does not search the resource space for the downlink control information. Therefore, during time period 610a, power saving for the device is achieved, since the device does not need to be active to monitor for the downlink control information.

[00211] Figure 6 shows a second time period 610b. Prior to the second time period 610b, the device is configured to monitor in the resources 620b to determine whether or not a transmission of the control signal is made in the downlink in these resources 620b. In this example, a control signal is received in the resources 620b. Additionally, the device also determines channel state information for a communication channel, and determines whether or not this channel state information meets a threshold condition. The device transmits the channel state information in the uplink during the time period 610b. In this example, it is determined that the channel state information does not meet a threshold condition. However, since the control signal is received in the resources 620b - even though the channel state information does not meet the threshold condition - the device is configured to monitor for downlink control information during the time period 610b. Therefore, during time period 610b, the device searches a resource space for the downlink control information, and attempts to decode any downlink control information it receives in that resource space. Therefore, during time period 610b, the device leaves the power saving state so that the reception of downlink control information may be carried out.

[00212] Figure 6 shows a third time period 610c. Prior to the third time period 610c, the device is configured to monitor in the resources 620c to determine whether or not a transmission of the control signal is made in the downlink in these resources 620c. In this example, the control signal is not received in the resources 620c. Additionally, the device also determines channel state information for a communication channel, and determines whether or not this channel state information meets a threshold condition. The device transmits the channel state information in the uplink during the time period 610c. In this example, it is determined that the channel state information meets the threshold condition. Since the channel state information meets the threshold condition - even though the control signal is not received in resources 620c - the device monitors for downlink control information during the time period 610c. Therefore, during time period 610c, the device searches a resource space for the downlink control information. Therefore, during time period 610c, the device leaves the power saving sleep state so that the reception of downlink control information may be carried out.

[00213] In some example embodiments, the determination that the channel state information meets the threshold condition is made prior to the time period 610c during which the channel state information is transmitted. In some example embodiments, the determination that the channel state information meets the threshold is made during the time period 610c during which the channel state information is transmitted. [00214] In some example embodiments, when the determination is made for the time period 610c that the channel state information meets the threshold, the monitoring for the downlink control information is performed for the entire time period 610c. This may be the case when the determination is made prior to the time period 610c. In some example embodiments, the monitoring for the downlink control information is performed for only part of the time period 610c. This may be the case when the determination is made during the time period 610c. In this case, during a first part of the time period 610c, the device may transmit the channel state information. Following the transmission of the channel state information during the first part, the device may search/monitor for the downlink control information during a second part of the time period 610c. The device may commence monitoring for the downlink control information after a predefined amount of time (e.g. milliseconds) or a predefined amount of resources (e.g. number of slots/symbols) after the transmission slots/symbols in which the channels state information is transmitted. Following the transmission of the channel state information, the device may commence monitoring forthe downlink control information starting on the next slot (or the starting from the first slot after transmission). Alternatively, the device may commence monitoring for the downlink control information starting two or more slots after transmitting the channel state information. The device searches in a predefined search space of resources according to a configuration stored by the device. The device may monitor for the downlink control information for a predefined number of slots following the transmission of the channel status information. The device may monitor for the downlink control information following the transmission of the channel status information until the end of the time period 610c. The device may commence monitoring for the downlink control information a predefined number of slots from the start of the time period 610c.

[00215] In some example embodiments, the transmitting of channel state information by the device may cause the device to start an inactivity timer and commence monitoring for downlink control information. In some examples, the transmission of the channel state information may cause the device to enter a short DRX mode. The cycle length of a short DRX cycle is shorter than the cycle length in normal (i.e. long) DRX. In some example embodiments, the device may monitor for downlink control information during each on duration of the short DRX cycle. In other example embodiments, the device may, for example, during each on duration, be configured to determine whether to monitor for downlink control information in dependence upon downlink control signalling, e.g. in dependence upon whether or not a wake up signal is received. The device operates in short DRX mode for a configured number of cycles or a specific number of cycles before entering long DRX mode.

[00216] Although not shown in Figure 6, an additional signal (referred to as "go to sleep" signal) may be received at the device in the downlink during a time period 610 indicating that the device is to cease monitoring for downlink control information. Therefore, if the device is monitoring for downlink control information, the go to sleep signal may cause the device to cease monitoring for the downlink control information. The go to sleep signal may take the form of a DRX command MAC CE or a long DRX command MAC CE.

[00217] As has been described above, according to example embodiments, a threshold condition is applied to determine whether or not to monitor for downlink control information. According to a further aspect, the transmission of channel state information by the device may cause the device to monitor for downlink control information irrespective of whether or not a threshold condition is met. By monitoring for downlink control information following transmission of channel state information, re-configuration of the communication channel is enabled whilst also achieving power saving. The concepts of this further aspect may also be used with the DRX mode discussed above with respect to Figure 5.

[00218] The device is configured to send the channel state information in the uplink. In response to sending the channel state information, the device determines to monitor for the downlink control information during a predefined period, even though control signalling (e.g. wake up signal) does not indicate the device to monitor. The device may determine to monitor for downlink control information during the predefined time period, regardless of whether or not a threshold condition is met by the transmitted channel state information. In some example embodiments, the device may not be configured with a threshold condition at all. When the control signalling does indicate to the device to monitor for downlink control information, the device monitors for the downlink control information. The monitoring in response to the control signalling may be carried out according to the configured DRX cycle.

[00219] In response to a transmission of channel state information, the device may be configured to perform monitoring for downlink control information for a predefined amount of time or a predefined amount of resources (e.g. a predefined number of slots, symbols). The device may be configured to, in response to the transmission of channel state information, perform monitoring during a plurality of upcoming instances of a repeating time period (e.g. for a predefined number of upcoming on durations). The device may be configured to, in response to the transmission of channel state information, perform monitoring until the end of the instance (e.g. on duration) of the repeating time period during which the channel state information was reported.

[00220] In response to the transmission of the channel state information, the device may commence monitor for downlink control information on the next slot after transmission of the channel state information. Alternatively, the device may commence the monitoring a predefined number of slots after transmission of the channel state information. The predefined number of slots values may be indicated in a message received in the downlink by the device.

[00221] The monitoring behaviour (e.g. number of resources or amount of time to monitor for, when to commence monitoring, number of instances of a repeating time period to monitor for) may be configured by the network semi-statically or dynamically. The monitoring behaviour may be configured by RRC, MAC CE or DCI signalling or some combination of these signalling types. In some example embodiments, the monitoring behaviour may be a fixed configuration associated with the configuration of the wake-up signal/channel.

[00222] In an example, when the control signalling does not indicate that the device is to monitor downlink control information during a predefined time period (e.g. the next on-duration), but the device has determined that is has been configured to report channel state information and the reporting occasion occurs during the predefined time period, the device determines to monitor for downlink control information. The monitoring is carried out according to specific parameters and for the duration determined by the configuration, which as described may be fixed, semi-static or dynamic.

[00223] When the device receives a control signal instructing it to performing monitoring during a predefined period it monitors for downlink control information during the predefined time period regardless as to whether it transmitted channel state information for the predefined time period or not. When the device performs the monitoring in response to a control signal, the device performs the monitoring according to parameters indicated in the control signal. For example, the device determines to perform the monitoring according to one or more of: a time duration indicated by the control signal; a number of resources indicated by the control signal; a number of instances of a repeating time period; and a start point at which the monitoring commences.

[00224] In some examples, the channel state information causes the device to start a timer (e.g. an inactivity timer) and monitor for downlink control information for the defined duration of the timer.

[00225] In some examples, the device is configured to report channel state information every predefined number of instances (i.e. every nth instance) of a first part of the repeating time period (this can be achieved by applying the CSI-mask or CSI-mask like operation would be dynamically i.e. it could be applied for every Nth on duration). As an example, if the dynamic CSI mask applies for every 2^nd on duration, the device transmits channel state information every second on duration. In some examples, after the device enters a mode (e.g. DRX) in which the device only transmits channel state information during instances of a first part of repeating cycle, the device may not transmit channel state information until after a predefined number of instances of the first part have elapsed. Following that, the device transmits channel state information during each instance of the first part. This may be achieved, in the context of DRX, by applying a dynamic CSI-mask after N-DRX cycles after the device enters DRX. Prior to applying the dynamic CSI-mask, the current/normal CSI-mask operation may be applied so that channel state information is transmitted on each on duration.

[00226] In some examples, the device may operate according to a short repeating cycle (e.g. short DRX) after sending channel state information. When operating in the short repeating cycle, the device is available for commencing monitoring during the first part of the short repeating cycle, but not in a second part of the short repeating cycle. The short repeating cycle, therefore, operates similarly to the normal/long repeating cycle, with a shorter cycle length. The device may commence operation according to the short repeating cycle in response to sending the channel state information. Following this, further monitoring for downlink control commences in the first part of the short repeating cycle only.

[00227] In some examples, where a short repeating cycle is used (e.g. short DRX) the device may transmit channel state information every predefined number of instances (i.e. every nth instance) of the first part in the short cycle. Where a long repeating cycle (e.g. long DRX) is used, the device may transmit data on every instance of the first part in the long repeating cycle. This may be achieved by applying the dynamic CSI mask when the device operates according to the short repeating cycle. Meanwhile the normal CSI-mask may be applied when the device operates according to the long repeating cycle.

[00228] In some example embodiments, the device is configured to transmit channel state information beams (CSI-RS and/or SSB indexes, or time location indexes) in the beam report (such as N-highest quality in terms of RSRP or SINR). The device may transmit channel state information in this beam report for beams that do not corresponding to the current active transmission configuration indication (TCI) states for the downlink control channel. Following this, the device monitors for downlink control information for a predefined duration.

[00229] The channel state information may include a measurement report or a 'beam report' including measurements, such as reference signal receive power (RSRP), signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), reference signal received quality (RSRQ) or the like. The device performs measurement on downlink reference signals and provides the results to the network in a beam report.

[00230] In some example embodiments, the device is configured with a power saving signal/channel for wake-up purposes. When control signalling indicates to the device that the device is to perform monitoring for downlink control information, the device is configured to perform monitoring of the downlink control information based on the length of time of a first part of a repeating cycle. This length of time may be measured by an on-duration timer. The length of time for which monitoring is performed is, in this case, independent of whether or not channel state information is transmitted or meets a threshold. When the device is not indicated by control signalling to perform monitoring for downlink control information during a predefined time period, the time duration for which monitoring is performed may depend upon whether or not the channel state information is transmitted during the predefined time period.

[00231] Reference is made to Figure 7, which illustrates a method 700 implemented in a device according to example embodiments of the application. It would be appreciated by the skilled person that one or more steps of the method 700 may be optional.

[00232] At S705, the device receives in downlink communications, configuration information for performing the remaining steps of the method 700.

[00233] The configuration information received in S705 may define the repeating time period. This information is sent from the network to enable the device to alternate between the active and sleep states. The configuration information may define a DRX configuration. The configuration information may comprise the length of the repeating time period. The configuration information may comprise the length of time between the start of each instance of the repeating time period, i.e. the cycle length. The configuration information may comprise the length of time from starting an inactivity timer of the device to the inactivity timer expiring. The configuration information may comprise the length of time from starting a retransmission timer of the device until expiry of the retransmission timer.

[00234] The configuration information received in S705 may comprise configuration information associated with the new control signal (e.g. signals sent in resources 620 in Figure 6). This configuration information may comprise an indication of the resources (e.g. in time and/or frequency), where the device is to monitor for the control signal prior to each instance of the repeating time period. The device will search in these resources in response to this indication.

[00235] The configuration information received in S705 may comprise configuration information defining the at least one threshold condition to be applied to the channel state information. This configuration information may comprise an indication of a threshold value below which the threshold condition is satisfied. The threshold value may be any channel state information (CSI) threshold value. The threshold value may be reference signal receive power value. The threshold value may be any channel state information.

[00236] Updates to the configuration information received in S705 may be received at later stages in the method 700 to update the configuration.

[00237] At S710, the device is configured to transmit channel state information. The channel state information relates to a communication channel (e.g. PDCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, PUCCH) which the device participates in. The channel state information comprises one or more of: channel quality indicator; precoding matrix indicator; channel state information reference signal resource indicator; block resource indicator; synchronisation signal block resource indicator; layer indicator; rank indicator; and reference signal received power (sometimes referred as Ll-RSRP).

[00238] At S730a, the device determines whether or not a threshold condition is met by the channel state information relating to the downlink channel. It would be appreciate by the skilled person that this step S730a may be performed prior to S710. The device may determine that the threshold condition is met if one or more parameters of the channel state information are below a predefined threshold. The one or more parameters comprise at least one of: channel quality indicator (CQI); and reference signal received power or any CSI information. The device may determine that the threshold condition is met in response to determining that the CQI or Ll-RSRP is below a threshold value. The device may measure a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) and use the measured CSI-RS to determine whether the CQI/L1-RSRP is below the threshold value. The device may measure a synchronisation signal (SS) / physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block and use the measured SS/PBCH (or sometimes referred as Synchronization Signal Block, SSB) block to determine whether to determine whether the CQI/L1-RSRP is below or equal the threshold value. If at S730a, the device determines that the threshold condition is met, the method proceeds to S740.

[00239] In some example embodiments, the device is configured to at S710, report channel state information for a plurality of different beam indexes. In this case, the at least one threshold condition which is checked at S730a may be satisfied when channel state information for at least a predefined number of reported beam indexes each meet a threshold criteria (e.g. are below a threshold). The predefined number of beam indexes that are required to meet a threshold criteria may take any value from 1 up to the number of downlink reference signals that channel state information is reported for.

[00240] At S730b, the device determines whether or not the control signalling indicates that the device should monitor for downlink control information during a time period. This may be indicated by control signalling indicating that the device should monitor for downlink control information during a time period. Alternatively, it may be indicated by the device determining an absence of a control signal for the time period. The control signalling for the instance of the repeating time period may be received immediately prior to an instance of the repeating time period or previous to an earlier instance of the repeating time period. In other words, a control signal may control whether the device should monitor during the next instance of the repeating time period or during instance after the next instance. If at S730b, the device determines that the control signalling is such that the device is to monitor for downlink control information during a time period, the method proceeds to S740.

[00241] Therefore, if either or both of the conditions specified in S730a and S730b are satisfied, the method 700 proceeds to step S740.

[00242] At S740, during the time period for which the determinations in S730a and S730b are made, the device monitors for downlink control information. Therefore, during at least part of this time period, the device monitors a resource space (i.e. monitors search space on configured control resource set) for downlink control information and attempts to decode any downlink control information it finds in the resource space. The searching of the resource space comprises monitoring resources assigned for a PDCCH. The device attempts to decode the downlink control information that it locates during the search. The downlink control information is associated with the same communication channel for which the channel state information is reported at S710.

[00243] In some cases, the device may produce a plurality of sets of channel state information to be reported in the uplink during a single time period/instance of the repeating time period. Each of these are transmitted at S710. For each set, the device is configured to perform the threshold condition check at S730a. Separately, for each set, the device is configured to perform monitoring for downlink control information if the determination for the respective set indicates that the threshold condition is met for the respective set.

[00244] The method may proceed to S745. At S745, whilst the device is performing the monitoring at S740, the device receives an update to at least some of the configuration information described above with respect to S705. The configuration information may, for example, modify the resources in which the device is configured to monitor for downlink control information. Alternatively or additionally, the configuration information may be new configuration information for transmitting the channel state information. Alternatively or additionally, the configuration information may comprise configuration information instructing the device to operate in a new TCI State for a downlink channel (e.g. either PDCCH or PDSCH). In response to receiving this update to the resources to be monitored, the device ceases monitoring resources for the downlink control information (e.g. device enters DRX mode) during the predefined time period at S740. The device may cease monitoring even if the inactivity timer is running.

[00245] The new configuration information received at S745 modifying the resources in which the device is configured to monitor for downlink control information is then applied so that, when monitoring is performed subsequently (after repeating steps S730a and/or S730b), the device will search in the new resources. [00246] If at S730a, the device determines that the threshold condition is not met for the next or present instance, and at S730b, the device determines that the control signalling does not indicate that the device should monitor for the downlink control information during the predefined time period, the method proceeds to S750.

[00247] At S750, the device is placed in the sleep state. In this state, the device does not perform the searching in resources for downlink control information that would be performed at S740.

[00248] Reference is made to Figure 8, which illustrates a method 800 implemented in a device according to example embodiments of the application. It would be appreciated by the skilled person that one or more steps of the method 800 may be optional.

[00249] At S805, the device receives in downlink communications, configuration information for performing the remaining steps of the method 800.

[00250] The configuration information received in S805 may define the repeating cycle, i.e. the length of the first part and the second part. This information is sent from the network to enable the device to alternate between the active and sleep states. The configuration information may define a DRX configuration. The configuration information may comprise the length of the repeating time period. The configuration information may comprise the length of time between the start of each instance of the repeating time period, i.e. the cycle length. The configuration information may comprise the length of time from starting an inactivity timer of the device to the inactivity timer expiring. The configuration information may comprise the length of time from starting a retransmission timer of the device until expiry of the retransmission timer. The configuration information may apply to the a short repeating cycle and/or a long repeating cycle, and define any of the above parameters discussed above for the short and/or long repeating cycle.

[00251] The configuration information received in S805 may comprise configuration information associated with the new control signal (e.g. signals sent in resources 620 in Figure 6). This configuration information may comprise an indication of the resources (e.g. in time and/or frequency), where the device is to monitor for the control signal prior to each instance of the repeating time period. The device will search in these resources in response to this indication.

[00252] Updates to the configuration information received in S805 may be received at later stages in the method 800 to update the configuration.

[00253] At S810, the device determines whether or not a transmission of channel state information is to be made during a current or upcoming predefined time period. This determination may be made in dependence upon whether or not the device has channel state information to transmit. If the device determines to transmit channel state information, the method proceeds to S815. [00254] At S815, the device is configured to transmit channel state information. The channel state information relates to a communication channel (e.g. PDCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, PUCCH), which the device participates in. The channel state information comprises one or more of: channel quality indicator; precoding matrix indicator; channel state information reference signal resource indicator; block resource indicator; synchronisation signal block resource indicator; layer indicator; rank indicator; and reference signal received power (sometimes referred as Ll-RSRP).

[00255] If at S810, the device determines that the channel state information is not to be transmitted during the predefined time period, the method proceeds to S820.

[00256] At S820, the device determines whether or not the control signalling indicates that the device should monitor for downlink control information during a time period. This may be indicated by control signalling indicating that the device should monitor for downlink control information during a time period. Alternatively, it may be indicated by the device determining an absence of a control signal for the time period. The control signalling for the instance of the repeating time period may be received immediately prior to an instance of the repeating time period or previous to an earlier instance of the repeating time period. In other words, a control signal may control whether the device should monitor during the next instance of the repeating time period or during instance after the next instance. If at S820, the device determines that the control signalling is such that the device is to monitor for downlink control information during a time period, the method proceeds to S825.

[00257] Therefore, if either or both of the conditions specified in S810 and S820 are satisfied, the method 800 proceeds to step S825.

[00258] At S825, during the predefined time period for which the determinations in S810 and S820 are made, the device monitors for downlink control information. Therefore, during at least part of this time period, the device monitors a resource space (i.e. monitors search space on configured control resource set) for downlink control information and attempts to decode any downlink control information it finds in the resource space. The searching of the resource space comprises monitoring resources assigned for a PDCCH. The device attempts to decode the downlink control information that it locates during the search. The downlink control information is associated with the same communication channel for which the channel state information is reported at S815 (if performed).

[00259] The method may proceed to S830. At S830, whilst the device is performing the monitoring at S825, the device receives an update to at least some of the configuration information described above with respect to S805. The configuration information may, for example, modify the resources in which the device is configured to monitor for downlink control information. Alternatively or additionally, the configuration information may be new configuration information for transmitting the channel state information. Alternatively or additionally, the configuration information may comprise configuration information instructing the device to operate in a new TCI State for a downlink channel (e.g. either PDCCH or PDSCH). In response to receiving this update to the resources to be monitored, the device ceases monitoring resources for the downlink control information (e.g. device enters DRX mode) during the predefined time period at S825. The device may cease monitoring even if the inactivity timer is running.

[00260] The new configuration information received at S830 modifying the resources in which the device is configured to monitor for downlink control information is then applied so that, when monitoring is performed subsequently (after repeating steps S810 and/or S820), the device will search in the new resources.

[00261] If at S810, the device determines that no channel state information is to be transmitted, and at S820, the device determines that the control signalling does not indicate that the device should monitor for the downlink control information during the predefined time period, the method proceeds to S835.

[00262] At S835, the device is placed in the sleep state. In this state, the device does not perform the searching in resources for downlink control information that would be performed at S825.

[00263] It is noted that whilst some example embodiments have been described in the context of certain standards, such as LTE and NR, and related techniques, i.e. DRX, the invention is not so limited. Similar principles can be applied in relation to other standards, networks and communication systems. Therefore, although certain example embodiments were described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, example embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems than those illustrated and described herein.

[00264] The system for implementing example embodiments of the application comprises required data processing apparatus and functions that may be provided by means of one or more data processors. The described functions may be provided by separate processors or by an integrated processor. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The data processing may be distributed across several data processing modules. A data processor may be provided by means of, for example, at least one chip. Appropriate memory capacity can be provided in the relevant devices. The memory or memories may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. One or more of the steps discussed in relation to Figure 7 may be performed by one or more processors in conjunction with one or more memories.

[00265] An appropriately adapted computer program code product or products may be used for implementing the example embodiments, when loaded or otherwise provided on an appropriate data processing apparatus. The program code product for providing the operation may be stored on, provided and embodied by means of an appropriate carrier medium. An appropriate computer program can be embodied on a computer readable record medium. A possibility is to download the program code product via a data network. In general, the various example embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Example embodiments of the inventions may thus be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[00266] Further in this regard it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow as in the Figures may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD. The physical media is a non-transitory media. An example of a non-transitory computer readable medium 900 is shown in Figure 9. The non-transitory computer readable medium 900 may be a CD or DVD.

[00267] It is noted that whilst example embodiments have been described in relation to certain architectures, similar principles can be applied to other systems. Therefore, although certain example embodiments were described above by way of example with reference to certain exemplifying architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, example embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems than those illustrated and described herein. It is also noted that different combinations of different example embodiments are possible. It is also noted herein that while the above describes exemplifying example embodiments of the invention, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Annex A

UE Power Saving WID was approved in RAN#83. The objectives are as follows:

The objective is to specify the UE power saving techniques with UE adaption in achieving UE power saving. The power saving technique should address latency and performance in NR as well as network impact. The objective of the UE power saving includes the following,

1) Specify power saving techniques with UE adaptation with focus in RRC_CONNECTED mode

[RANI, RAN4] a) Specify the power saving techniques with power saving signal/channel

i) Specify the PDCCH-based power saving signal/channel triggering UE adaptation in

RRC CONNECTED

ii) Note: this objective shall not duplicate DRX operation and impact to DRX is studied at RAN 2

iii) Note: Any change of PDCCH channel coding and payload interleaver is not in the scope b) Specify the procedure of cross-slot scheduling power saving techniques

i) Note: The procedure is in addition to Rel-15 cross-slot scheduling procedure

2) Evaluate the required switching and interruption times for UE dynamic adaptation to the

maximum number of MIMO layers_[RAN4]

a) Note: Switching on/off the RF is part of the evaluation

Note:

• These objectives are RAN1/RAN4 focus and do not consider RAN2 impact.

The objectives are subject to further update in RAN#84. The update will be based on

recommendations from the completion of RAN2 study and remaining RANI recommendations based on the conclusion of RANI study.

Annex B

When UE is configured with CSI mask, it limits the PUCCH reporting to the on duration of DRX cycle accordingly:

1> if CSI masking (csi-Mask) is setup by upper layers:

2> in current symbol n, if onDurationTimer would not be running considering grants/assignments/DRX Command MAC CE/Long DRX Command MAC CE received 4 ms prior to symbol n when evaluating all DRX Active Time conditions as specified in this subclause:

3> not report CSI on PUCCH.

1> else:

2> in current symbol n, if the MAC entity would not be in Active Time considering grants/assignments/DRX Command MAC CE/Long DRX Command MAC CE received and Scheduling Request sent 4 ms prior to symbol n when evaluating all DRX Active Time conditions as specified in this subclause:

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

means for transmitting in uplink, channel state information for a communication channel; means for determining whether at least one threshold condition is met by at least some of said channel state information; and

means for, in response to determining that the at least one threshold condition is met by at least some of said channel state information, monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during a predefined time period.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising:

means for receiving downlink control signalling indicating to the apparatus whether to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the downlink control signalling instructs the apparatus not to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period, wherein the means for monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the predefined time period is configured to monitor for transmissions of the downlink control information during the predefined time period irrespective of the downlink control signalling.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, comprising:

means for transmitting in uplink, further channel state information for a communication channel; and

means for, in response to determining that the at least one threshold condition is not met for the further channel state information, in accordance with the downlink control signalling, selecting and performing one of:

monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information in a further predefined time period; and

not monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information in the further predefined time period.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any of claim 2 to 4, comprising means for, receiving in a downlink channel configuration information comprising at least one of:

configuration information defining the predefined time period; configuration information defining the threshold condition; and

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim any preceding claim, wherein the predefined time period is an instance of a first part of a repeating cycle, wherein the repeating cycle comprises a second part.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, when dependent upon claim 2, wherein the downlink control signalling instructs the apparatus to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the predefined time period, wherein the means for monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to, in response to the instruction to monitor for transmissions, to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information throughout the predefined time period.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the means for monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to only commence monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during the first part of the repeating cycle,

wherein the means for transmitting in uplink, the channel state information for the downlink control channel is configured to only transmit the channel state information during the first part of the repeating cycle.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising:

means for transmitting in uplink, a plurality of sets of channel state information for at least one communication channel during the predefined time period;

means for determining whether at least one threshold condition is met for each of the plurality of sets of channel state information; and

means for, for each of the plurality of sets of channel state information, if the at least one threshold condition is met for the respective set of channels state information, monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information for a duration following the transmission of the respective set of channel state information.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 to claim 9, comprising means for, for each of at least some instances of the first part of the repeating cycle, receiving a downlink control signal instructing the apparatus to one of: monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the respective instance of the first part; and

not to monitor for transmissions of downlink control information during the respective instance of the first part.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one threshold condition is met when at least one parameter of the channel state information falls below a threshold.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one parameter comprises at least one of:

reference signal received power; and

channel quality indicator.

13. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the channel state information comprises at least one of:

channel quality indicator;

precoding matrix indicator;

channel state information reference signal resource indicator;

block resource indicator;

synchronisation signal block resource indicator;

layer indicator;

rank indicator; and

reference signal received power.

14. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for transmitting the channel state information is configured to transmit the channel state information in at least one of: a physical uplink control channel;

a physical uplink shared channel; and

a medium access control layer control element.

15. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information is configured to monitor for transmissions of the downlink control information following the transmission of the channel state information for the downlink control channel.

16. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the channel state information comprises channel state information for a plurality of different beams, wherein the at least one threshold condition is satisfied when the channel state information for a predefined number of the different beams meets a threshold criteria.

17. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the downlink control information is associated with the communication channel.

18. A method comprising:

transmitting in uplink, channel state information for a communication channel;

determining whether at least one threshold condition is met by at least some of said channel state information; and

in response to determining that the at least one threshold condition is met by at least some of said channel state information, monitoring for transmissions of the downlink control information during a predefined time period.

19. A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least: transmitting in uplink, channel state information for a communication channel;