WO2021000267A1

WO2021000267A1 - Communication system

Info

Publication number: WO2021000267A1
Application number: PCT/CN2019/094438
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jing He; Jarkko Koskela; Jussi-Pekka Koskinen; Ahlem KHLASS
Original assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co., Ltd.; Nokia Solutions And Networks Oy; Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2019-07-02
Filing date: 2019-07-02
Publication date: 2021-01-07
Also published as: CN114041297A

Abstract

A communication device is disclosed. There is provided a network apparatus comprising: means for configuring a terminal with a first management area and a second management area when the terminal is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area; means for selecting one of the first management area and the second management area for making a transmission to the terminal; and means for transmitting to the terminal using the selected management area.

Description

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

FIELD

This disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses, and in particular but not exclusively to a method and apparatus relating to configuring a management area.

BACKGROUND

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

According to a first aspect, there is provided a network apparatus comprising: means for configuring a terminal with a first management area and a second management area when the terminal is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area; means for selecting one of the first management area and the second management area for making a transmission to the terminal; and means for transmitting to the terminal using the selected management area.

The network apparatus may further comprise: means for receiving a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area, wherein the means for selecting selects the first management area in dependence on the received first notification.

The network apparatus may further comprise: means for receiving a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area, wherein the means for selecting selects the second management area in dependence on the received second notification.

The network apparatus may further comprise: means for receiving a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area; and means for receiving a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area, wherein the means for selecting selects one of the first management area and the second management area in dependence on which of the first and second notifications has been most recently received.

Said notifications may be received from at least one of a user terminal and another network apparatus.

When no notifications with respect to the terminal leaving the second management area have been received, the means for selecting may select the second management area.

The network apparatus may further comprise means for transmitting a first dedicated preamble to the terminal, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal leaving the second management area.

The network apparatus may further comprise means for transmitting a second dedicated preamble to the terminal, the second dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal entering the second management area.

According to a second aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for receiving from a network apparatus at least one configuration for configuring a first management area and a second management area when the apparatus is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area; and means for receiving a transmission via the first management area or the second management area, wherein which of the first and second management areas the transmission is received on is dependent on a current location of the apparatus.

The apparatus may further comprise: means for transmitting a first notification that the apparatus has left the second management area, wherein the means for receiving receives a transmission on the first management area in response to the transmitted first notification.

The apparatus may further comprise: means for transmitting a second notification that the apparatus has entered the second management area, wherein the means for receiving receives a transmission on the second management area in response to the transmitted second notification.

The apparatus may further comprise: means for transmitting a first notification that the apparatus has left the second management area; and means for transmitting a second notification that the apparatus has entered the second management area, wherein the means for receiving receives a transmission on one of the first management area and the second management area in dependence on which of the first and second notifications has been most recently transmitted.

Said notifications may be transmitted to at least one of said network apparatus and to another network apparatus.

When no notifications with respect to the apparatus leaving the second management area have been transmitted by the apparatus, the means for receiving may receive a transmission on the second management area.

The apparatus may further comprise means for transmitting a first dedicated preamble to the network, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal leaving the second management area.

The apparatus may further comprise means for transmitting a second dedicated preamble, the second dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal entering the second management area.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a network apparatus comprising: means for receiving at least one of a first and a second notification from a terminal in a reduced operation mode, wherein the first notification indicates that the terminal is leaving a management area and the second notification indicates that the terminal has entered a management area; and means for notifying a network apparatus serving the terminal of the type of received notification.

The network apparatus may further comprise: means for providing a first preamble to the terminal, wherein the first preamble is the first notification; and means for providing a second preamble to the terminal wherein the second preamble is the second notification.

The means for notifying a network apparatus serving the terminal of the received notification may be an Xn interface or an X2 interface.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method for a network apparatus comprising: configuring a terminal with a first management area and a second management area when the terminal is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area; selecting one of the first management area and the second management area for making a transmission to the terminal; and transmitting to the terminal using the selected management area.

The method may further comprise: receiving a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area, wherein the selecting selects the first management area in dependence on the received first notification.

The method may further comprise: receiving a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area, wherein the selecting selects the second management area in dependence on the received second notification.

The method may further comprise: receiving a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area; and receiving a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area, wherein the selecting selects one of the first management area and the second management area in dependence on which of the first and second notifications has been most recently received.

When no notifications with respect to the terminal leaving the second management area have been received, the selecting may select the second management area.

The method may further comprise transmitting a first dedicated preamble to the terminal, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal leaving the second management area.

The method may further comprise transmitting a second dedicated preamble to the terminal, the second dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal entering the second management area.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving from a network apparatus at least one configuration for configuring a first management area and a second management area when the apparatus is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area; and receiving a transmission via the first management area or the second management area, wherein which of the first and second management areas the transmission is received on is dependent on a current location of the apparatus.

The method may further comprise: transmitting a first notification that the apparatus has left the second management area, wherein the receiving receives a transmission on the first management area in response to the transmitted first notification.

The method may further comprise: transmitting a second notification that the apparatus has entered the second management area, wherein the receiving receives a transmission on the second management area in response to the transmitted second notification.

The method may further comprise: transmitting a first notification that the apparatus has left the second management area; and transmitting a second notification that the apparatus has entered the second management area, wherein the receiving receives a transmission on one of the first management area and the second management area in dependence on which of the first and second notifications has been most recently transmitted.

When no notifications with respect to the apparatus leaving the second management area have been transmitted by the apparatus, the receiving may receive a transmission on the second management area.

The method may further comprise transmitting a first dedicated preamble to the network, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal leaving the second management area.

The method may further comprise transmitting a second dedicated preamble, the second dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal entering the second management area.

According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a method for a network apparatus comprising: receiving at least one of a first and a second notification from a terminal in a reduced operation mode, wherein the first notification indicates that the terminal is leaving a management area and the second notification indicates that the terminal has entered a management area; and notifying a network apparatus serving the terminal of the type of received notification.

The method may further comprise: providing a first preamble to the terminal, wherein the first preamble is the first notification; and providing a second preamble to the terminal wherein the second preamble is the second notification.

The notifying a network apparatus serving the terminal of the received notification may be performed via an Xn interface or an X2 interface.

According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a network apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory comprising code, wherein when the code is run on the at least one processor, the apparatus is caused to: configure a terminal with a first management area and a second management area when the terminal is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area; select one of the first management area and the second management area for making a transmission to the terminal; and transmit to the terminal using the selected management area.

The network apparatus may further be caused to: receive a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area, wherein the network apparatus may be caused to select the first management area in dependence on the received first notification.

The network apparatus may further be caused to: receive a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area, wherein the network apparatus may further be caused to select the second management area in dependence on the received second notification.

The network apparatus may further be caused to: receive a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area; and receive a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area, wherein the network apparatus may further be caused to select one of the first management area and the second management area in dependence on which of the first and second notifications has been most recently received.

When no notifications with respect to the terminal leaving the second management area have been received, the network apparatus may further be caused to select the second management area.

The network apparatus may further be caused to transmit a first dedicated preamble to the terminal, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal leaving the second management area.

The network apparatus may further be caused to transmit a second dedicated preamble to the terminal, the second dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal entering the second management area.

According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a network apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory comprising code, wherein when the code is run on the at least one processor, the apparatus is caused to: receive from a network apparatus at least one configuration for configuring a first management area and a second management area when the apparatus is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area; and receive a transmission via the first management area or the second management area, wherein which of the first and second management areas the transmission is received on is dependent on a current location of the apparatus.

The network apparatus may further be caused to: transmit a first notification that the apparatus has left the second management area, wherein the network apparatus may further be caused to receive a transmission on the first management area in response to the transmitted first notification.

The network apparatus may further be caused to: transmit a second notification that the apparatus has entered the second management area, wherein the network apparatus may further be caused to receive a transmission on the second management area in response to the transmitted second notification.

The network apparatus may further be caused to: transmit a first notification that the apparatus has left the second management area; and transmit a second notification that the apparatus has entered the second management area, wherein the network apparatus may further be caused to receive a transmission on one of the first management area and the second management area in dependence on which of the first and second notifications has been most recently transmitted.

When no notifications with respect to the apparatus leaving the second management area have been transmitted by the apparatus, the network apparatus may further be caused to receive a transmission on the second management area.

The network apparatus may further be caused to transmit a first dedicated preamble to the network, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal leaving the second management area.

The network apparatus may further be caused to transmit a second dedicated preamble, the second dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal entering the second management area.

According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a network apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory comprising code, wherein when the code is run on the at least one processor, the apparatus is caused to: receive at least one of a first and a second notification from a terminal in a reduced operation mode, wherein the first notification indicates that the terminal is leaving a management area and the second notification indicates that the terminal has entered a management area; and notify a network apparatus serving the terminal of the type of received notification.

The network apparatus may further be caused to: provide a first preamble to the terminal, wherein the first preamble is the first notification; and provide a second preamble to the terminal wherein the second preamble is the second notification.

The network apparatus may further be caused to notify a network apparatus serving the terminal of the received notification via an Xn interface or an X2 interface.

According to a tenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: configuring circuitry for configuring a terminal with a first management area and a second management area when the terminal is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area; means for selecting one of the first management area and the second management area for making a transmission to the terminal; and transmitting circuitry for transmitting to the terminal using the selected management area.

The network apparatus may further comprise: receiving circuitry for receiving a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area, wherein the means for selecting selects the first management area in dependence on the received first notification.

The network apparatus may further comprise: receiving circuitry for receiving a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area, wherein the means for selecting selects the second management area in dependence on the received second notification.

The network apparatus may further comprise: receiving circuitry for receiving a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area; and receiving circuitry for receiving a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area, wherein the selecting circuitry for selecting selects one of the first management area and the second management area in dependence on which of the first and second notifications has been most recently received.

When no notifications with respect to the terminal leaving the second management area have been received, the selecting circuitry for selecting may select the second management area.

The network apparatus may further comprise transmitting circuitry for transmitting a first dedicated preamble to the terminal, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal leaving the second management area.

The network apparatus may further comprise transmitting circuitry for transmitting a second dedicated preamble to the terminal, the second dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal entering the second management area.

According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: receiving circuitry for receiving from a network apparatus at least one configuration for configuring a first management area and a second management area when the apparatus is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area; and receiving circuitry for receiving a transmission via the first management area or the second management area, wherein which of the first and second management areas the transmission is received on is dependent on a current location of the apparatus.

The apparatus may further comprise transmitting circuitry for transmitting a first notification that the apparatus has left the second management area, wherein the means for receiving receives a transmission on the first management area in response to the transmitted first notification.

The apparatus may further comprise: transmitting circuitry for transmitting a second notification that the apparatus has entered the second management area, wherein the means for receiving receives a transmission on the second management area in response to the transmitted second notification.

The apparatus may further comprise: transmitting circuitry for transmitting a first notification that the apparatus has left the second management area; and transmitting circuitry for transmitting a second notification that the apparatus has entered the second management area, wherein the receiving circuitry for receiving receives a transmission on one of the first management area and the second management area in dependence on which of the first and second notifications has been most recently transmitted.

When no notifications with respect to the apparatus leaving the second management area have been transmitted by the apparatus, the receiving circuitry for receiving may receive a transmission on the second management area.

The apparatus may further comprise transmitting circuitry for transmitting a first dedicated preamble to the network, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal leaving the second management area.

The apparatus may further comprise transmitting circuitry for transmitting a second dedicated preamble, the second dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal entering the second management area.

According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided a network apparatus comprising: receiving circuitry for receiving at least one of a first and a second notification from a terminal in a reduced operation mode, wherein the first notification indicates that the terminal is leaving a management area and the second notification indicates that the terminal has entered a management area; and notifying circuitry for notifying a network apparatus serving the terminal of the type of received notification.

The network apparatus may further comprise: providing circuitry for providing a first preamble to the terminal, wherein the first preamble is the first notification; and providing circuitry for providing a second preamble to the terminal wherein the second preamble is the second notification.

The notifying circuitry for notifying a network apparatus serving the terminal of the received notification may be an Xn interface or an X2 interface.

According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus configured to perform the actions of the method as described above.

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

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

According to a fifteenth aspect, there is provided an electronic device that may comprise apparatus as described herein.

According to a sixteenth aspect, there is provided a chipset that may comprise an apparatus as described herein.

According to a seventeenth aspect, there is provided non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing a network apparatus to perform at least the following: configure a terminal with a first management area and a second management area when the terminal is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area; select one of the first management area and the second management area for making a transmission to the terminal; and transmit to the terminal using the selected management area.

According to an eighteenth aspect, there is provided non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: receive from a network apparatus at least one configuration for configuring a first management area and a second management area when the apparatus is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area; and receive a transmission via the first management area or the second management area, wherein which of the first and second management areas the transmission is received on is dependent on a current location of the apparatus.

According to a nineteenth aspect, there is provided non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing a network apparatus to perform at least the following: receive at least one of a first and a second notification from a terminal in a reduced operation mode, wherein the first notification indicates that the terminal is leaving a management area and the second notification indicates that the terminal has entered a management area; and notify a network apparatus serving the terminal of the type of received notification.

FIGURES

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

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example communication system comprising a plurality of base stations and a plurality of communication devices;

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an example terminal;

Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an example network apparatus;

Figure 4 shows a signalling diagram between different elements in a communication system;

Figure 5 shows a flow chart of potential operations of a network apparatus, such as a last serving network node, according to an example;

Figure 6 shows a flow chart of potential operations of a terminal according to an example;

Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an example;

Figure 8 shows a signalling diagram between different elements in a communication system according to an example;

Figure 9 shows a signalling diagram between different elements in a communication system according to an example; and

Figure 10 shows a flow chart of potential operations of a network apparatus, such as a non-last serving network node, according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following proposes configuring a user equipment with at least two management areas, one of which having fewer access points than the other management area. A management area may be considered to be an area within which a network manages a user equipment/terminal. A management area may comprise one or more cells. A user equipment/terminal may be configured to inform the network whenever it leaves and enters a management area having fewer access points.

In such a case, the network may be configured to page the user equipment for data transmissions or directly transmit downlink data to the user equipment on the smaller of the at least two management areas until the user equipment informs the network that the user equipment has left the smaller management area.

In response to the user network informing the network that the user equipment has left the smaller management area, the network may be configured to page the user equipment for data transmissions or to directly transmit downlink data to the user equipment on the larger of the two management areas. When the user equipment leaves both of the management areas, the network may follow established mechanisms for updating the radio access network area. When the user equipment re-enters the smaller of the management areas from the larger management area, the user equipment may transmit a notification of this to the network. In response to receipt of this notification, the network may be configured to use the smaller management area for paging purposes and/or for direct downlink data transmission purposes. Therefore, based on location updates received from the user equipment, a network may limit paging (possibly with data) to a smaller area, thereby saving resources in the communication system.

In the following, certain exemplifying examples are explained with reference to a wireless communication system serving devices adapted for wireless communication. Before explaining in detail examples, certain general principles of a communication system, a communication device and a control apparatus are briefly explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the present disclosure.

In a wireless system at least a part of 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.

The 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 (communication device) 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 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.

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 standardized communication system architectures is the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology. The LTE is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) . The LTE employs the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) access. Further development of LTE is sometimes referred to as LTE Advanced (LTE-A) . The various development stages of 3GPP specifications are referred to as releases. In this description 3GPP release versions are distinguished by acronym “Rel-nn” .

In addition to LTE evolution, 3GPP has initiated a study item targeting a new radio generation (5G) called new radio (NR) . NR does not require backwards compatibility with LTE. Instead, it aims at tight interworking between the RAT (radio access technology) and LTE. An objective of a NR study item is to identify and develop technology components needed for new radio (NR) systems to use any spectrum band ranging at least up to 100 GHz. The aim may be to achieve a single technical framework addressing usage scenarios, requirements and deployment scenarios defined in, for example, TR 38.913. The new radio access technology may be forward compatible to allow specification in two separate phases (Phase I and Phase II) .

In a wireless communication system 100, such as that shown in Figure 1, wireless communication devices, for example, machine-type

communications MTC devices

102, 104, 105 are provided wireless access via at least one base station or similar wireless transmitting and/or receiving wireless infrastructure node or point. Such a node can 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 system 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.

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.

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 or femto 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 examples, the smaller stations may not be provided.

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

A communication device may be for example a mobile device, that is, a device not fixed to a particular location, or it may be a stationary device. The communication device may need human interaction for communication, or may not need human interaction for communication.

The communication device 200 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 207 via appropriate apparatus for receiving 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 wireless device.

A communication device is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 201, at least one memory 202 and other possible components 203 for use in 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, a wireless communication device 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.

An example of wireless communication systems are architectures standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) . A latest 3GPP based development is often referred to as the long term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology. The various development stages of the 3GPP specifications are referred to as releases. 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.

Another example of a communications system is the 5G concept. Network architecture in 5G may be similar to that of the LTE-advanced. Changes to the network architecture may depend on the need to support various radio technologies and finer Quality of Service (QoS) support, and some on-demand requirements for e.g. 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 may bring changes to the architecture. Those are related to Information Centric Network (ICN) and User-Centric Content Delivery Network (UC-CDN) approaches. 5G may use multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than the LTE (a so-called small cell concept) , including macro sites operating in co-operation with smaller stations and perhaps also employing a variety of radio technologies for better coverage and enhanced data rates.

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

An example network equipment for the 3GPP system is shown in Figure 3. 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 or (e) node B, or a node of a core network such as an MME. The method may be implanted in a single control apparatus or across more than one control apparatus. The control apparatus may be integrated with or external to a node or module of a core network or RAN. In some examples, base stations comprise a separate control apparatus unit or module. In other examples, the control apparatus can be another network element such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. In some examples, each base station may have such a control apparatus as well as a control apparatus 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 memory 301, at least one

data processing unit

302, 303 and an input/output interface 304. 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. For example the control apparatus 300 can be configured to execute an appropriate software code to provide the control functions. Control apparatus 300 may be included in a chipset or modem apparatus. A chipset or modem apparatus which includes apparatus 300 may be included in a control node such as an eNB.

The 5G system is planned to be introduced in the early 2020s, enabling 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.

The present specifications discuss a radio access network-based notification area (RNA) . An RNA is a type of management area, and comments made herein in reference to management areas also apply to RNAs. An RNA/management area is associated with a particular terminal/user equipment, and defines a set of access points/cells. When the terminal moves into an area that is not covered by the access points/cells in this set, the terminal reports its location change to the network. The terminal may be in a reduced operation mode when it moves out of an area defined by the set. For example, the terminal may be in a radio resource control Inactive state (RRC-INACTIVE state) when it moves out of an area defined by the set. In such a sate, the terminal may still remain connected to the network in a connection management state and can move within the RNA without notifying the network. Being in such a state may help to reduce a paging delay to the terminal and to enable lightweight transitions between the RRC-INACTIVE state and a connected state, such as a radio resource control connected state (RRC-CONNECTED state) .

3GPP TS 38.300 discusses the RNA concept in Chapter 9.2.2.3.

According to this disclosure, a user equipment in an RRC_INACTIVE state may be configured with an RNA by the last serving “NG-RAN” node. The term “NG-RAN” node is used to refer to radio access network nodes operating in accordance with new radio systems. They may refer to any of a gNB and LTE base stations that support 5G core network operations. As the last serving 5G a node configures the user equipment with the RNA, the last serving retains the user equipment context and the user equipment-associated connection with serving core network entities, such as an access and mobility function (AMF) and a user plane function (UPF) .

The assigned RNA may cover a single or multiple cells, and is contained within the core network registration area. The access points providing the cells in the RNA are able to contact each other directly. For example, this may be achieved through an Xn interface between the two access points.

A radio access network-based notification area update (RNAU) message may be periodically sent by the user equipment. This RNAU message may also be sent when a cell reselection procedure of the user equipment selects a cell that does not belong to the configured RNA (i.e. the user equipment moves outside of the configured RNA) .

The RNA may be configured in any of a plurality of different ways. For example, the RNA may be configured by providing a list of cells to a user equipment. This list may be an explicit list of one or more cells that comprises the RNA.

As another example, a user equipment may be provided with a list of radio access network areas. This may be performed by providing a user equipment with at least one radio access network area identity, where a radio access network area is a subset of a core network tracking area or is equal to a core network tracking area. A radio access network may be specified by a single radio access network area identity, which may comprise a tracking area code and optioning a radio access network area code. Another way of effecting this is for a cell to broadcast one or more radio access network area identities in the system information.

The last serving node may provide different RNA definitions to different user equipments. However, the last serving node may not mix different definitions to the same user equipment at the same time.

Figure 4 illustrates possible signalling performed by different entities when the network triggers a transition at the user equipment from an RRC_INACTIVE mode to a RRC_CONNECTED mode.

At 401, the user equipment is in an RRC_INACTIVE CM-CONNECTED mode.

At 402, the last serving access point detects a radio access network paging trigger event. For example, this may be information to be sent downlink to a user equipment. The information may be incoming downlink user plane information, downlink signalling from the 5G core, etc.

At 403, the last serving access point sends a radio access network paging message to all of the network access points comprised within the RNA area defined for the user equipment.

At 404, all of the network access points contacted at 403 attempt to page the user equipment. This may be performed using a temporary identifier for the user equipment, such as an Inactive radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI) in 5G.

At 405, it is assumed that the user equipment has been successfully contacted and the user equipment resumes a connected-mode operation, which includes use of an access and mobility function.

The inventors have realised that the above-described operation is relatively inflexible and it can waste a lot of resources. This is because every access point in a user equipment’s configured RNA transmits a paging messaging message to the user equipment whenever a triggering event occurs. This may also delay downlink data transmission to a user equipment in a reduced power mode such as an inactive mode.

Moreover, the above-described technique is especially disadvantageous in the case of early data transmission. In this case, downlink data is sent in the paging message itself, adding to the overhead of the paging transmissions made by the access points in the RNA.

To address at least one of the above-mentioned problems, the following proposes configuring a user equipment with two RNAs, one of which having fewer access points than the other RNA. As discussed above, an RAN is a type of management area. An RNA may comprise one or more cells, and may define a set of cell (s) for a particular user equipment/terminal. A user equipment/terminal may be configured to inform the network whenever it leaves an RNA.

In such a case, after the initial set up/configuration of the two RNAs the network may be configured to page the user equipment for data transmissions or directly transmit downlink data to the user equipment on the smaller of the two RNAs until the user equipment informs the network that the user equipment has left the smaller RNA.

In response to the user equipment informing the network that the user equipment has left the smaller RNA, the network may be configured to page the user equipment for data transmissions on the larger of the two RNAs. When the user equipment leaves both of the RNAs, the network may follow established mechanisms for updating the radio access network area. When the user equipment re-enters the smaller of the RNAs from the larger of the RNAs, the user equipment may transmit a notification of this to the network. In response to receipt of this notification, the network may be configured to use the smaller RNA for paging purposes or for direct downlink data transmission purposes. Therefore, based on location updates received from the user equipment, a network may limit paging (possibly with data) to smaller areas than previously, thereby saving resource.

Example operations that may be performed by a network apparatus in this case are describe with reference to Figure 5.

At 501, a network apparatus configures a terminal with a first management area and a second management area when the terminal is in a reduced operation mode. The second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area. Moreover, the access points of the second management area are a subset of the access points of the first management area. By this, it meant that second management area comprises a fraction of the access points of the first management area, where the fraction may be less than 1. It is understood that the second management area may comprise more than one access point (e.g. three cells may belong to one gNB) .

The reduced operation mode may be a radio resource control inactive state.

The configuring may be performed in a number of ways. For example, as per the above-discussed examples, the configuring may be performed by the network apparatus providing the user equipment with respective lists of cells for the first management area and the second management area. The configuring may be performed by the network apparatus providing the user equipment with respective lists of radio access network areas. The providing in both cases may be performed by the network apparatuses.

The configuring of the first management area may be performed at the same time as the configuring of the second management area, or at a different time as the configuring of the second management area.

It is understood that there may be more than two configured RNAs. However, if there are too many configured RNAs then the proposed system may become less efficient as the user equipment sends more update notifications regarding its RNA to the network apparatus. Therefore, the network apparatus may select the number of RNAs in dependence on a mobility and/or on an estimated mobility of the user equipment.

At 502, the network apparatus may select one of the first management area and the second management area for making a transmission to the terminal. This selecting may be performed in dependence on a received notification. The notification may indicate whether the terminal has entered the second management area. The notification may indicate whether the terminal has left the second management area. In the following, the received notification may be received from the terminal. The received notification may be received from another network apparatus. For example, the received notification may be received from an access point, such as over an Xn/X2 connection. This selecting may be performed when the terminal is transferred to an inactive state.

The following provides examples of how the network apparatus may operate in different situations.

For example, the network apparatus may receive a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area. In this case, the first management area would be selected in dependence on the receipt of the received first notification.

For example, the network apparatus may receive a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area. In this case, the second management area would be selected in dependence on the receipt of the second first notification. It is understood that the term “entered” here encompasses “re-entered” .

For example, the network apparatus may receive a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area, and may receive a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area. In this case, the network apparatus determines which of these notifications was most recently received and selects one of the first management area and the second management area in dependence on which of the first and second notifications has been most recently received (i.e. first management area is selected when the first notification was most recently received and the second management area is selected when the second notification was most recently received) .

When no notifications with respect to the terminal leaving the second management area have been received, the network apparatus may select the second management area. This is because the terminal may be, by default, in the second management area when initially configured, and if no notifications are transmitted, the terminal may be considered to still reside in the second management area after entering an Inactive state.

The above received notifications may be received directly from the user equipment. This may be effected, for example, using respective dedicated preambles for entering and leaving the second management area. In this case, the respective dedicated preambles may be signalled by the network apparatus to the terminal. For example, the respective dedicated preambles may be signalled by the network apparatus to the terminal when the network apparatus instructs the terminal to enter an Inactive state. The first and second management area configurations may also be provided by the network apparatus to the terminal at this time.

The above received notifications may be received indirectly from the user equipment. This may be effected, for example, using respective dedicated preambles for entering and leaving the second management area signalled between a network apparatus other than the network apparatus performing the method (an “other network apparatus” ) . In this case, the respective dedicated preambles may be provided by the other network apparatus to the terminal using, for example, a broadcast transmission, such as a System Information Block. Having received any of the dedicated preamble from the terminal, the other network apparatus may directly signal this receipt to the network apparatus (e.g. using an Xn/X2 interface) .

At 503, the network apparatus may transmit to the terminal using the selected management area. This may be performed by the network apparatus causing the access points in the selected management area to send a message/page to the terminal or send data to the terminal directly. This message/page may comprise data.

Figure 6 illustrates some potential operations performed by a terminal in the above.

At 601, the terminal may receive from a network apparatus at least one configuration for configuring a first management area and a second management area when the apparatus is in a reduced operation mode. The second management area may comprise fewer access points than the first management area. As per the above discussion with respect to 501, the reduced operation mode may be a radio resource control inactive state. The first and second management areas may also be as discussed above with respect to Figure 5.

The configuring may be performed in a number of ways. For example, as per the above-discussed examples, the configuring may be performed by the network apparatus providing the user equipment with respective lists of cells for the first management area and the second management area. The configuring may be performed by the network apparatus providing the user equipment with respective lists of radio access network areas. The providing in both cases may be performed by the network apparatus.

At 602, the terminal is configured to receive a transmission via one of the first management area and the second management area. The terminal may be configured to determine which of the first and the second management areas it is configured to receive a transmission through based on its current location. The transmission may be received from the access points associated with the management area the transmission is received through.

For example, the terminal may transmit a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area. This first notification may be transmitted to a network apparatus that is in the second management area directly and/or indirectly. The second notification may be indirectly transmitted to a network apparatus in the second management area (e.g. a serving network apparatus that configured the terminal in 601) by the terminal transmitting the second notification to a network apparatus that is part of the first management area and is not part of the second management area. This network apparatus may then provide the notification (in original or modified form) to the network apparatus that is in the second management area using a direct connection, such as an X2 interface or an Xn interface. Subsequent to the terminal transmitting the first notification, the transmission received by the terminal is received on the first management area in response to the transmitted first notification.

For example, the terminal may transmit a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area. This second notification may be transmitted to a network apparatus that is in the second management area directly and/or indirectly. The second notification may be indirectly transmitted to a network apparatus in the second management area (e.g. a serving network apparatus that configured the terminal in 601) by the terminal transmitting the second notification to a network apparatus that is part of the first management area and is not part of the second management area. This network apparatus may then provide the notification (in original or modified form) to the network apparatus that is in the second management area using a direct connection, such as an X2 interface or an Xn interface. Subsequent to the second notification being transmitted by the terminal, the terminal may receive a transmission on the second management area in response to the transmitted second notification. It is understood that the transmission may be received on the first management area in response to the transmitted second notification.

For example, the terminal may transmit a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area. Also, the terminal may transmit a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area. The transmissions of the first and second notifications may be as discussed above. In this case, the terminal receives a transmission on one of the first management area and the second management area in dependence on which of the first and second notifications has been most recently transmitted (i.e. the transmission is received through the first management area when the first notification was most recently transmitted and the transmission is received on the second management area when the second notification was most recently transmitted) .

For example, when no notifications with respect to the terminal entering and/or leaving the second management area have been transmitted by the apparatus, the transmission is received through the second management area.

It is understood in the above, and in the following, that where references are made to transmissions being made/received on the second management area, that the transmissions may be made/received on the first management area, as the second management area is a subset of the first management area. This may be useful in the event that multiple leave/enter notifications are transmitted in a relatively short time frame (which may be defined by an operating communication protocol and/or an operator of the communication network) , implying that the terminal is at a boundary of the second management area.

Figure 10 illustrates potential operations of a network apparatus, such as network apparatus that is part of the first management area, but not part of the second management area, as discussed above and in the following.

At 1001, the network apparatus receives at least one of a first and a second notification from a terminal in a reduced operation mode, wherein the first notification indicates that the terminal is leaving a management area and the second notification indicates that the terminal has entered a management area.

The first notification may be a first preamble. The first preamble may have been previously provided by the network apparatus to the terminal. For example, the second preamble may have been provided in a System Information Block transmitted by the network apparatus. The first preamble may have previously been provided by the serving network apparatus to the terminal.

The second notification may be a second preamble. The second preamble may have been previously provided by the network apparatus to the terminal. For example, the second preamble may have been provided in a System Information Block transmitted by the network apparatus. The second preamble may have previously been provided by the serving network apparatus to the terminal.

At 1002, the network apparatus notifies a network apparatus serving the terminal of the received type of notification. The network apparatus may perform this notifying using an Xn interface. The network apparatus may perform this notifying using an X2 interface.

The following discusses further examples of the above-described techniques with reference to current new radio/5G specifications. However, it is understood that the techniques described below are not limited to such systems.

It is first considered how to configure more than one RNA to a user equipment in an RRC_INACTIVE state, using two RNAs as an example. It is understood that there may be more than two configured RNAs. However, if there are too many configured RNAs then the proposed system may become less efficient as the user equipment sends more update notifications regarding its RNA to the network apparatus. Therefore, the network apparatus may select the number of RNAs in dependence on a mobility and/or on an estimated mobility of the user equipment.

This example is illustrated with respect to Figure 7.

Figure 7 illustrates a user equipment 701 within both a first RNA, RNA1, which covers a large geographical area, and a second RNA, RNA2, which covers a smaller geographical area. RNA2 is wholly enclosed within RNA1. In the illustration, RNA1 and RNA2 are centred on the same location. However, it is understood that this is not necessary. Several gNBs are shown in RNA1. One of those gNBs is also resident in RNA2. It is understood that while the following refers to a larger/smaller geographical areas, the saving in resources comes from reducing the number of paging access points/gNBs in the smaller RNA relative to the larger RNA. However, as the access points of RNA2 are a subset of the access points of RNA1, it is also useful from a conceptual point of view to think of RNA2 as also being geographically smaller.

In the current example, the first RNA, RNA1, and may include several cells that can belong to several gNBs (e.g., the area of gNB1, gNB2 and all other gNBs in Figure 7) . RNA2 has smaller area than RNA1 and RNA2 is the part of RNA1, which includes one or several cells may that belong to a single gNB (e.g., the area of gNB2 in Figure 7) . The central gNB in Figure 7, gNB2, is the sole gNB in RNA2 and may be the last serving gNB that configures the user equipment to an inactive state (e.g. RRC_INACTIVE) from a connected state (e.g. RRC_CONNECTED) in RNA1.

The central gNB may be a gNB that configures the user equipment to an inactive state (e.g. RRC_INACTIVE) during a periodic radio area network-based notification area update (RNAU) in RNA1.

The behaviour of the network in this specific scenario may be as follows.

If a user equipment stays in RNA2 as well as RNA1, the gNB retaining the user equipment context while the user equipment is in an inactive state, the serving gNB gNB2, can quickly schedule downlink data transmission to the user equipment. This may be performed via any of several different techniques.

For example, the serving gNB may send data to the user equipment via a physical downlink control channel using a cell-specific identifier for the user equipment. The cell-specific identifier may be a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) from when the user equipment was in a connected state. In other words, the serving gNB, gNB2, may directly transmit to the user equipment without paging.

As another example, the serving gNB may page the user equipment using a contention-based random access technique. The user equipment may follow defined paging occasions for monitoring paging and move to a physical downlink control channel monitoring if the user equipment detects one of its identifiers in the paging occasion.

If a user equipment stays within RNA1 but outside of RNA2, the behaviour of Figure 4 may be followed. In this case, the network may schedule downlink data transmission paging within the whole of RNA1 to trigger user equipment contention-based random access for establishing a radio resource control connection.

When a user equipment moves out of RNA2, the user equipment may inform the network that it is leaving RNA2.

This may be performed by informing a gNB that belongs to both RNA2 and RNA1 (e.g. the serving gNB, gNB2) . Potential behaviour of such a gNB is described in the following.

To inform the gNB that the user equipment is leaving RNA2, the user equipment may initiate a random access channel access (RA) procedure using dedicated preambles. The user equipment may send a first message to the gNB that comprises a dedicated preamble and an identifier used during the inactive state, such as an Inactive radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI) . The preamble may be stored in a user equipment context with an associated validity period. The dedicated preamble may be configured by user equipment through the receipt from the gNB of dedicated signalling when the gNB commands the user equipment to an inactive state (e.g. RRC_INACTIVE) from a connected state (e.g. RRC_CONNECTED) . The dedicated preamble may be broadcasted by the gNB. For example, the dedicated preamble may be broadcast in system information blocks of the gNB.

On receipt of the dedicated preamble, the gNB may identify that the dedicated preamble was sent by the user equipment.

In this case, the gNB may reject the received first message and use this end of the random access procedure to mark the ending of the RNA indication procedure. The gNB may also or alternatively send a random access response to the user equipment to mark the end of the RNA indication procedure. This may be sent in order to limit excessive preamble transmissions. The user equipment is marked as “left RNA2” in the gNBs comprised within RNA2.

When the user equipment has received an indication that the RNA indication procedure has ended, the user equipment remains in its inactive state (e.g. RRC_INACTIVE) in RNA1 area.

In this state, the user equipment may inform any gNB (e.g., gNB1 of Figure 7) belonging to RNA1 that it is now in RNA1 and not RNA2.

For example, the user equipment may send a message comprising a dedicated preamble and an identifier, such as an Inactive radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI) .. The dedicated preamble may be configured by the user equipment using dedicated signaling. For example, the dedicated signalling may be performed when the gNB commands the user equipment to an inactive state (e.g. RRC_INACTIVE) from a connected state (e.g. RRC_CONNECTED) , or by broadcasting the information in a System Information Block of the gNB. For the dedicated signalling case, the preamble may be reserved in all of the cells belonging to RNA1.

When the dedicated preamble identified, the gNB rejects the MSG1 and ends the RA procedure. The user equipment may remain in RRC_INACTIVE in the area of RNA1 when RNA2 has been left.

gNB (e.g., gNB1 in Figure1) informs “left RNA2” to gNBs belonging to RNA2 (e.g., gNB2 in Figure 7) . This may be performed via, for example, an Xn interface and without fetching a user equipment context.

The user equipment is marked as “left RNA2” in the gNB who belongs to RNA2.

When/If user equipment moves back into RNA2, the user equipment may inform the network that it is “entering” RNA2.

This may have the same operation as the “leaving” case discussed above. However, the dedicated preamble for “entering” may be different to the preamble for “leaving” . In this case the user equipment and the network may keep dedicated preambles reserved (along with any associated validity periods (when used) ) even if the user equipment leaves RNA2 at some point. After the dedicated preamble for “entering” is identified by the network, the user equipment may be marked as “entered RNA2” in the gNBs belonging to RNA2.

Further examples are discussed in relation to Figures 8 and 9.

Figure 8 is a signalling diagram for an example in which a user equipment has a dedicated preamble for leaving RNA2 from dedicated radio resource control signalling and informs the last serving gNB (gNB2 in Figure 7) that the user equipment is leaving RNA2.

In this example, at 801 the last serving gNB commands the user equipment to an Inactive state. This command may be a radio resource control release message (RRCRelease) . The command may comprise an identifier for the user equipment for the Inactive mode (such as I-RNTI) , RNA1 configuration, RNA2 configuration, dedicated preamble for leaving RNA2 and a dedicated preamble for entering RNA2.

At 802, the user equipment is in an inactive state and makes signal measurements on at least one gNB other than the last serving gNB, and/or receives System Information Blocks from the at least one other gNB.

At 803, based on the measurements and/or the System Information Blocks, the user equipment decides to leave RNA2 but to stay within RNA1. The user equipment consequently sends a message to the last serving gNB, the message comprising the message for leaving RNA2 and the identifier for the user equipment for the Inactive mode.

At 804, the last serving eNB responds to the user equipment’s message of 803 with an acknowledgement that the “leaving” dedicated preamble was received. The last serving gNB then locally marks the user equipment as having left RNA2.

Figure 9 is a signalling diagram for an example in which a user equipment has a dedicated preamble for leaving RNA2 from System Information blocks of a gNB other than the serving gNB, and informs the last serving gNB (gNB2 in Figure 7) that the user equipment is leaving RNA2 via the other gNB.

In this example, at 901 the last serving gNB (gNB2 in Figure 7) commands the user equipment to enter an Inactive state. This command may be a radio resource control release (RRCRelease) message. The command may comprise an identifier for the user equipment for the Inactive mode (such as I-RNTI) , RNA1 configuration, and RNA2 configuration. This example therefore differs to that of Figure 8 in that no dedicated preambles for entering or leaving RNA2 are provided to the user equipment by the last serving gNB.

At 902, the user equipment in an inactive state and receives System Information Blocks of those of gNBs other than the last serving gNB. The System information Blocks may be received subsequent to cell reselection being initiated. At least one of these System Information Blocks may comprise a dedicated preamble for leaving RNA2 and a dedicated preamble for entering RNA2.

At 904, the user equipment decides to leave RNA2 but to stay within RNA1. In this case, the user equipment sends a message to this effect to at least one of the other gNBs, the message comprising the message for leaving RNA2 and the identifier for the user equipment for the Inactive mode.

At 905, the other gNB responds to the user equipment’s message of 903 with an acknowledgement that the “leaving” dedicated preamble was received.

At 906, the other gNB sends a direct message to the last serving gNB (e.g. using the Xn/X2 interface) that informs the last serving gNB that the user equipment has left RNA2. In response to this message, the last serving gNB marks locally marks the user equipment as having left RNA2.

It is understood that the term “terminal” throughout the above may encompass those terminals without users accessing a communication network, such as those performing machine to machine communications with a network, in addition and/or alternatively to those terminals with users accessing a communication network (e.g. a user equipment) .

It is understood in the above that references to “cell” refers to an area of coverage provided by an access point to a network. Consequently, a measurement performed on a cell may refer to a measurement performed on at least one carrier provided by or otherwise accessible in that cell.

The required data processing apparatus and functions 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 (ASystem InformationC) , 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 Figures 6 and/or 7 may be performed by one or more processors in conjunction with one or more memories.

An appropriately adapted computer program code product or products may be used for implementing the examples, 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 examples may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Examples described above 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.

It is noted that whilst examples have been described in relation to certain architectures, similar principles can be applied to other systems. Therefore, although certain examples were described above by way of example with reference to certain exemplifying architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, examples 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 examples are possible. It is also noted herein that while the above describes examples, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

A network apparatus comprising:

means for configuring a terminal with a first management area and a second management area when the terminal is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area;

means for selecting one of the first management area and the second management area for making a transmission to the terminal; and

means for transmitting to the terminal using the selected management area.
A network apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

means for receiving a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area,

wherein the means for selecting selects the first management area in dependence on the received first notification.
A network apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

means for receiving a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area,

wherein the means for selecting selects the second management area in dependence on the received second notification.
A network apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

means for receiving a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area; and

means for receiving a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area,

wherein the means for selecting selects one of the first management area and the second management area in dependence on which of the first and second notifications has been most recently received.
A network apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, wherein said notifications are received from at least one of a user terminal and another network apparatus.
A network apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein when no notifications with respect to the terminal leaving the second management area have been received, the means for selecting selects the second management area.
A network apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising means for transmitting a first dedicated preamble to the terminal, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal leaving the second management area.
A network apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising means for transmitting a second dedicated preamble to the terminal, the second dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal entering the second management area.
An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving from a network apparatus at least one configuration for configuring a first management area and a second management area when the apparatus is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area; and

means for receiving a transmission via the first management area or the second management area, wherein which of the first and second management areas the transmission is received on is dependent on a current location of the apparatus.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:

means for transmitting a first notification that the apparatus has left the second management area,

wherein the means for receiving receives a transmission on the first management area in response to the transmitted first notification.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:

means for transmitting a second notification that the apparatus has entered the second management area,

wherein the means for receiving receives a transmission on the second management area in response to the transmitted second notification.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:

means for transmitting a first notification that the apparatus has left the second management area; and

means for transmitting a second notification that the apparatus has entered the second management area,

wherein the means for receiving receives a transmission on one of the first management area and the second management area in dependence on which of the first and second notifications has been most recently transmitted.
An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 10 to 12, wherein said notifications are transmitted to at least one of said network apparatus and to another network apparatus.
An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 9 to 13, wherein when no notifications with respect to the apparatus leaving the second management area have been transmitted by the apparatus, the means for receiving receives a transmission on the second management area.
An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 9 to 14, comprising means for transmitting a first dedicated preamble to the network, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal leaving the second management area.
An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 9 to 15, comprising means for transmitting a second dedicated preamble, the second dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal entering the second management area.
A network apparatus comprising:

means for receiving at least one of a first and a second notification from a terminal in a reduced operation mode, wherein the first notification indicates that the terminal is leaving a management area and the second notification indicates that the terminal has entered a management area; and

means for notifying a network apparatus serving the terminal of the received type of notification.
A network apparatus as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:

means for providing a first preamble to the terminal, wherein the first preamble is the first notification; and

means for providing a second preamble to the terminal wherein the second preamble is the second notification.
A network apparatus as claimed in any of claims 17 to 18, wherein the means for notifying a network apparatus serving the terminal of the received notification is an Xn interface or an X2 interface.
A method for a network apparatus, the method comprising:

configuring a terminal with a first management area and a second management area when the terminal is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area;

selecting one of the first management area and the second management area for making a transmission to the terminal; and

transmitting to the terminal using the selected management area.
A method for an apparatus, the method comprising:

receiving from a network apparatus at least one configuration for configuring a first management area and a second management area when the apparatus is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area; and

receiving a transmission via the first management area or the second management area, wherein which of the first and second management areas the transmission is received on is dependent on a current location of the apparatus.
A method for a network apparatus, the method comprising:

receiving at least one of a first and a second notification from a terminal in a reduced operation mode, wherein the first notification indicates that the terminal is leaving a management area and the second notification indicates that the terminal has entered a management area; and

notifying a network apparatus serving the terminal of the received type of notification.
A computer program product comprising computer code that, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform the steps of any of claims 20, or 21 or 22.