WO2021118439A1

WO2021118439A1 - Group paging for new radio

Info

Publication number: WO2021118439A1
Application number: PCT/SE2020/051182
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jose Angel LEON CALVO; Erik Stare; Jörg Huschke; Stefan Parkvall; Ratheesh Kumar MUNGARA; Mats Folke
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2019-12-11
Filing date: 2020-12-09
Publication date: 2021-06-17

Abstract

A method by a wireless device includes obtaining information associating the wireless device with a group of wireless devices. The information includes an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices. Based on the information, the wireless device determines at least one of a paging frame (PF) and a paging occasion (PO). Based on the at least one of the PF and the PO, the wireless device receives a signal transmitted to the wireless device.

Description

GROUP PAGING FOR NEW RADIO

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates, in general, to wireless communications and, more particularly, systems and methods for group paging for New Radio (NR).

BACKGROUND

As part of 5^th Generation mobility management (5GMM), a New Radio (NR) paging mechanism allows the network to communicate a message or deliver data to user equipments (UEs) in 5GMM-registered or 5GMM-Idle state, which are known at tracking area level. Specifically, the paging is initiated and paging area is maintained by core network (CN) during Radio Resource Control IDLE (RRC IDLE) state while the paging is initiated and Radio Access Network-based notification area (RNA) is maintained by NR Radio Access Network (NR RAN) during Radio Resource ControlJNACTIVE (RRC INACTIVE) state.

A user equipment (UE) in RRC INACTIVE or IDLE is able to monitor the paging messages. A UE is registered in a tracking area or RNA, and therefore, the network sends the paging message in all the possible cells within the tracking area. In NR, the UE monitors Paging Occasions (POs) where, for example, a paging Downlink Control Information (DCI) can be sent once per cycle using Discontinuous Reception (DRX). In NR systems, the paging DCI is scrambled with Paging-Radio Network Temporary Identifier (P-RNTI).

These paging Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycles are configured by the network:

• For CN-initiated paging, a default cycle is broadcast in system information (SIB1).

• For CN-initiated paging, a UE specific cycle can be configured by via Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling (Requested DRX parameters: 5GS DRX parameters).

• For RAN-initiated paging, a UE-specific cycle is configured via Radio Resource Signaling (RRC) signaling (RRC Release: SuspendConfig).

A UE in RRC IDLE uses the shortest of the first two-cycles above, while a UE in RRC INACTIVE uses the shortest of the three cycles. Furthermore, a UE in RRC CONNECTED monitors the paging channels in any PO signaled in the system information message for any SI change indication and PWS (Public Warning System) notification.

The same paging message is created for Radio Access Network (RAN) or CN initiated paging. The UE initiates Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection Resume procedure upon receiving RAN-initiated paging. If the UE receives CN-initiated paging in RRC_INACTIVE state, the UE moves to RRC_IDLE and informs Non-Access Stratum Signaling (NAS).

A Paging Frame (PF) can contain several paging occasions or starting points for POs. The PF and PO for paging are determined by formulas specific to NR. For example, System Frame Number (SFN) for the PF is determined by the following value:

(SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div N)*(UE_ID mod N).

Additionally, index (i s), indicating the index of the PO is determined by: i_s = floor (UE_ID/N) mod Ns.

For the above formulas, the NR specifications define the terms as follows:

SFN: System Frame Number

T: DRX cycle of the UE

N: number of total paging frames in T

Ns: Number of paging occasions for a PF

PF offset: offset used for PF (Paging Frame) determination

T div N: indicates the remainder free division operation of T/N

Index(i s): indicates the index of the PO for one of the multiple potential Paging

Occasions

Certain problems exist. For example, in the current Long Term Evolution (LTE) and NR standards, there is no method to page/signal a particular group of UEs, i.e., a subset of all UEs in the network or cell, at the same time or in a coordinated matter, and in a resource- efficient way.

In the current paging mechanism in NR, each UE is individually paged without the possibility to select just a group of UEs by using the same transmitted signal. This is due to the nature of the paging message which is a function of the individual UE_ID, i.e., the message is specific for that particular UE. In some cases, e.g., for Vehi cl e-to- Any thing (V2X) and National Security and Public Safety (NSPS) use cases, it is beneficial to include a paging mechanism that is able to address specific groups of UEs in a multicast manner. SUMMARY

Certain aspects of the present disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to these or other challenges. For example, according to certain embodiments, a method is provided to page or signal a selected number of user equipments (UEs), belonging to a particular group, at the same time (or in a coordinated manner). In a particular embodiment, a group of UEs may be defined with a common Paging Frame (PF) and common Paging Occasions (POs) for all the UEs within the group by including a common value for all the UEs within the group in the formulae disclosed above.

According to certain embodiments, a method by a wireless device includes obtaining information associating the wireless device with a group of wireless devices. The information includes an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices. Based on the information, the wireless device determines at least one of a PF and a PO. Based on the at least one of the PF and the PO, the wireless device receives a signal transmitted to the wireless device.

According to certain embodiments, a wireless device includes is configured to obtain information associating the wireless device with a group of wireless devices. The information includes an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices. Based on the information, the wireless device is configured to determine at least one of a PF and a PO. Based on the at least one of the PF and the PO, the wireless device is configured to receive a signal transmitted to the wireless device.

According to certain embodiments, a method by a network node includes obtaining information identifying a group of wireless devices for receiving a signal. The information includes an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices. The network node determines, based on the information, at least one of a PF and a PO and transmits the signal to the group of wireless devices in the at least one of the PF and the PO.

According to certain embodiments, a network node is configured to obtain information identifying a group of wireless devices for receiving a signal. The information includes an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices. The network node is configured to determine, based on the information, at least one of a PF and a PO and transmit the signal to the group of wireless devices in the at least one of the PF and the PO.

Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantages. For example, one technical advantage may be that certain embodiments provide a definition of a group identity for a set of UEs, by selecting groups of UEs within the same specific geographical area or with the same or similar service requirements that can be paged/signaled at the same time, to facilitate an efficient design from the perspective of resource utilization. As another example, a technical advantage may be that certain embodiments allow for group paging, which may reduce required signaling in order to page or signal selected groups of users when compared to Long Term Evolution (LTE) and New Radio (NR) systems. As yet another example, a technical advantage may be that certain embodiments provide time coordination for a set of UEs transitioning into RRC_CONNECTED mode after receiving a particular group signaling. As such, a technical advantage may be that certain embodiments obtain an optimal scheme with respect to the allocated resources.

Other advantages may be readily apparent to one having skill in the art. Certain embodiments may have none, some, or all of the recited advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the disclosed embodiments and their features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates an exemplary scenario defining different Geo-Group Area Identifier (GGAI) for user equipments (UEs) within the same geographical location or requiring the same service;

FIGURE 2 illustrates an example wireless network, according to certain embodiments;

FIGURE 3 illustrates an example network node, according to certain embodiments;

FIGURE 4 illustrates an example wireless device, according to certain embodiments;

FIGURE 5 illustrate an example user equipment, according to certain embodiments;

FIGURE 6 illustrates a virtualization environment in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized, according to certain embodiments;

FIGURE 7 illustrates a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer, according to certain embodiments;

FIGURE 8 illustrates a generalized block diagram of a host computer communicating via a base station with a user equipment over a partially wireless connection, according to certain embodiments;

FIGURE 9 illustrates a method implemented in a communication system, according to one embodiment;

FIGURE 10 illustrates another method implemented in a communication system, according to one embodiment;

FIGURE 11 illustrates another method implemented in a communication system, according to one embodiment; FIGURE 12 illustrates another method implemented in a communication system, according to one embodiment;

FIGURE 13 illustrates an example method by a wireless device, according to certain embodiments;

FIGURE 14 illustrates an example virtual apparatus, according to certain embodiments;

FIGURE 15 illustrates another example method by a wireless device, according to certain embodiments;

FIGURE 16 illustrates another example virtual apparatus, according to certain embodiments;

FIGURE 17 illustrates an example method by a network node, according to certain embodiments;

FIGURE 18 illustrates another example virtual apparatus, according to certain embodiments;

FIGURE 19 illustrates another example method by a network node, according to certain embodiments; and

FIGURE 20 illustrates another example virtual apparatus, according to certain embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments, however, are contained within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and/or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and/or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

In some embodiments, a more general term “network node” may be used and may correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node, which communicates with a user equipment (UE) (directly or via another node) and/or with another network node. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, Master eNodeB (MeNB), a network node belonging to a master cell group (MCG) or secondary cell group (SCG), base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNodeB (eNB), gNodeB (gNB), network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, radio remote unit (RRU), radio remote head (RRH), nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network node (e.g., Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), etc.), Operations & Maintenance (O&M), Operations Support System (OSS), Self-Optimizing Network (SON), positioning node (e.g. Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC)), Minimization of Drive Tests (MDT), test equipment (physical node or software), etc. In some embodiments, the non-limiting term UE or wireless device may be used and may refer to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and/or with another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UE are target device, device to device (D2D) UE, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), Unified Serial Bus (USB) dongles, UE category Ml, UE category M2, Proximity Services UE (ProSe UE), Vehicle-to-Vehicle UE (V2V UE), Vehicle-to-Anything UE (V2X UE), etc.

Additionally, terminologies such as base station/gNodeB and UE should be considered non-limiting and do in particular not imply a certain hierarchical relation between the two; in general, “gNodeB” could be considered as device 1 and “UE” could be considered as device 2 and these two devices communicate with each other over some radio channel. And in the following the transmitter or receiver could be either gNB or UE.

According to certain embodiments, a mechanism is disclosed for paging or signaling a particular group of users within a certain geographical area or to a set of UEs interested on the same service using a newly defined NR group signalling/paging. For example, a mechanism is disclosed to define a group of UEs and, thereafter, assign a Group_ID to these UEs, based on some (pre-)defined criterion, For example, in a particular embodiment, the group of UEs may be defined based on their geographical area or similar service requirements. The group paging mechanism uses the previously defined group structure to optimally use the resources within the group of users. Additionally, a method is disclosed to coordinate the uplink access for the UEs within the group is developed.

FIGURE 1 illustrates an exemplary scenario 50 defining different GGAIs for UEs within the same geographical location or requiring the same service. For example, in a particular embodiment, group(s) of users may be defined within emergency zones for NSPS or intersections and parking lots for V2X. According to certain embodiments, a network node, such as a gNB, may define Geo-Group areas and generates a GGAI. The GGAI is a new type of categorization or grouping of UEs, for example related to infrastructure such as street comers, etc. The CGAI provides a higher flexibility to the network. The GGAI may be smaller than a geographical area associated with other things, such as, for example a RAN area or Tracking Area Identity (TAI). Though certain embodiments describe the grouping of UEs based on geographical area, it is recognized that grouping according to geographical area is just one example for grouping UEs. The grouping of UEs may be based on other criteria. In a particular embodiment, not all of the wireless devices in the network or in a cell may be a part of the group of wireless devices. According to certain embodiments, the UEs will be registered in this area associated with a GGAI. In a particular embodiment, to find out the position of a UE, some independent positioning method may be used such as, for example, a method based on a UE-intemal GNSS receiver or via some 3GPP-based solution, or a combination of methods.

In order to track the position of each of the UEs, each UE may send its location to the network node, according to certain embodiments. In particular embodiments, for example, each UE may send its location by means of Radio Resource Control (RRC) message in a periodic way or in an event-triggered fashion such as, for example, after moving a certain number of meters. In case the UE is within a pre-defmed GGAI, the gNB may signal to the transmitting UE that it is in a GGAI and consequently the UE may start monitoring the corresponding PO and PF, in certain embodiments.

In other embodiments, the network node may signal to the UE the Geo-Group Area (GGA) by means of the geo-area definition (polygon, radius, etc.) together with the GGAI, and the UE may determine whether it is in the specified geo-area and only then monitor the PO and PF.

In a particular embodiment, if a cell is covered by individual beams, then each beam may broadcast a GGAI, and the UE may register with the network node when the UE selects the beam broadcasting a particular GGAI.

According to a particular embodiment, in the case where higher layers select the UEs which belong to the group with respect to their geographical location or required services, each of the UEs may receive the Group ID in a unicast manner upon connection establishment. For example, each UE may receive the Group ID the first time it gets into RRC CONNECTED with a particular gNB, in a particular embodiment. In another embodiment, if the group is defined while the UE is already in RRC CONNECTED, the UE may receive the Group ID via unicast transmission.

According to another particular embodiment, the UEs may receive their Group ID via a “PTM Group definition message” targeting all connected UEs, where a list of all UE IDs that are part of the group (as defined by upper layers) is transmitted. To further reduce overhead, this list could be broadcast and may include some compression method in the way the list is defined, such as, for example, including ranges of UE IDs, e.g. UE_ID #N to UE_ID #M. The individual UEs may then react depending on whether they are part of the list or not. For large number of UEs, this may be more efficient than addressing individual UEs via unicast.

According to a particular embodiment, in case the group of UEs is (pre-)configured in the UE without network involvement, such as, for example, a group of firefighters or policemen, the group information, i.e., Group ID, may be shared with the gNB and higher layers by means of RRC messages sent via uplink by the UEs.

According to a particular embodiment, the previously defined Group ID may have a similar design as the 5G Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) for an individual UE and consist of 32 bits in order to allocate a sufficient number of groups.

In NR systems, the PF and POs associated to the legacy paging mechanism may be determined by the UE ID. According to certain embodiments, a group paging mechanism is implemented to address all the UEs in the group using the same transmission. Therefore, the PO and PF associated to a group paging may be allocated as a function of the Group ID or any common identifier for the (pre-)defmed group, according to certain embodiments.

According to certain other embodiments, another possibility is to replace the UE ID in the following formula by the Group ID generated by the gNB or which has been (pre- )configured into the UEs as follows:

(SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div N)*(Group_ID mod N)

The Index (i s), indicating the index of the PO, may be determined by: i_s = floor (Group_ID/N) mod Ns

The UEs belonging to the same group may monitor the different POs where the group paging/signalling Downlink Control Information (DCI) is sent once per cycle using the (pre- )configured DRX pattern for this specific group. As described herein, according to a particular embodiment, the group paging/signalling DCI may be scrambled using a new Group Paging RNTI (GP-RNTI) that is unique for each group. The GP-RNTI may work in parallel to the normal P-RNTI, in a particular embodiment.

Using this mechanism, a group of UEs can be signalled simultaneously. For example, a message may be addressed to a pre-defmed group of users. In a particular embodiment, a particular case of this signalling may involve the group paging mechanism when, for example, the UEs transition from IDLE/INACTIVE into CONNECTED mode.

According to a particular embodiment, for UEs that wake-up by listening to the group paging mechanism (i.e., UEs that can comprehend the DCI scrambled using a particular GP- RNTI (such as a particular GP-RNTI which is defined based on/as a function of the previously mentioned Group ID)), a time coordination mechanism is provided to distribute in time the uplink access of the group of UEs transitioning from IDLE/INACTIVE to CONNECTED mode. This may avoid congestion in the uplink due to a large number of UEs trying to connect at the same time. When a UE connects, the UE starts by performing the Random Access procedure. In the state-of-the-art NR, this does not imply a randomization in time.

In a particular embodiment, the UEs within the same group may randomly select their Random Access opportunity based on some time distribution within a (pre-)defmed time window [0, T] using e.g. a rectangular distribution.

In another particular embodiment, in addition to the Group ID, each UE may also be allocated an ACCESS ID, which is used to ensure that all UEs connect in a time window, but not only with equal probability but in a way which deterministically ensures that an equal number of UEs connect per time unit during this connection time window. The ACCESS ID may, for example, be a simple ordering so that UEs with ACCESS_ID# 1 connect first, followed by UEs with ACCESS_ID#2 etc up to the UEs with the highest ACCESS_ID, which are the last to connect. Additionally, this ACCESS ID can be created by mapping the UE ID which is unique for each of the UEs within the group.

FIGURE 2 illustrates a wireless network, in accordance with some embodiments. Although the subject matter described herein may be implemented in any appropriate type of system using any suitable components, the embodiments disclosed herein are described in relation to a wireless network, such as the example wireless network illustrated in FIGURE 2. For simplicity, the wireless network of FIGURE 2 only depicts network 106, network nodes 160 and 160b, and wireless devices 110. In practice, a wireless network may further include any additional elements suitable to support communication between wireless devices or between a wireless device and another communication device, such as a landline telephone, a service provider, or any other network node or end device. Of the illustrated components, network node 160 and wireless device 110 are depicted with additional detail. The wireless network may provide communication and other types of services to one or more wireless devices to facilitate the wireless devices’ access to and/or use of the services provided by, or via, the wireless network.

The wireless network may comprise and/or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, and/or radio network or other similar type of system. In some embodiments, the wireless network may be configured to operate according to specific standards or other types of predefined rules or procedures. Thus, particular embodiments of the wireless network may implement communication standards, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and/or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G standards; wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the IEEE 802.11 standards; and/or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z-Wave and/or ZigBee standards.

Network 106 may comprise one or more backhaul networks, core networks, IP networks, public switched telephone networks (PSTNs), packet data networks, optical networks, wide-area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), wireless local area networks (WLANs), wired networks, wireless networks, metropolitan area networks, and other networks to enable communication between devices.

Network node 160 and wireless device 110 comprise various components described in more detail below. These components work together in order to provide network node and/or wireless device functionality, such as providing wireless connections in a wireless network. In different embodiments, the wireless network may comprise any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, base stations, controllers, wireless devices, relay stations, and/or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and/or signals whether via wired or wireless connections.

FIGURE 3 illustrates an example network node 160, according to certain embodiments. As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and/or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a wireless device and/or with other network nodes or equipment in the wireless network to enable and/or provide wireless access to the wireless device and/or to perform other functions (e.g., administration) in the wireless network. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)). Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and may then also be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units and/or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS). Yet further examples of network nodes include multi standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi -cell/multi cast coordination entities (MCEs), core network nodes (e.g., MSCs, MMEs), O&M nodes, OSS nodes, SON nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., E-SMLCs), and/or MDTs. As another example, a network node may be a virtual network node as described in more detail below. More generally, however, network nodes may represent any suitable device (or group of devices) capable, configured, arranged, and/or operable to enable and/or provide a wireless device with access to the wireless network or to provide some service to a wireless device that has accessed the wireless network.

In FIGURE 3, network node 160 includes processing circuitry 170, device readable medium 180, interface 190, auxiliary equipment 184, power source 186, power circuitry 187, and antenna 162. Although network node 160 illustrated in the example wireless network of FIGURE 3 may represent a device that includes the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise network nodes with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that a network node comprises any suitable combination of hardware and/or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Moreover, while the components of network node 160 are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, a network node may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component (e.g., device readable medium 180 may comprise multiple separate hard drives as well as multiple RAM modules).

Similarly, network node 160 may be composed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., aNodeB component and aRNC component, or aBTS component and aBSC component, etc.), which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios in which network node 160 comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeB’s. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, network node 160 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate device readable medium 180 for the different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., the same antenna 162 may be shared by the RATs). Network node 160 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node 160, such as, for example, GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node 160.

Processing circuitry 170 is configured to perform any determining, calculating, or similar operations (e.g., certain obtaining operations) described herein as being provided by a network node. These operations performed by processing circuitry 170 may include processing information obtained by processing circuitry 170 by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and/or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination.

Processing circuitry 170 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and/or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node 160 components, such as device readable medium 180, network node 160 functionality. For example, processing circuitry 170 may execute instructions stored in device readable medium 180 or in memory within processing circuitry 170. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features, functions, or benefits discussed herein. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 170 may include a system on a chip (SOC).

In some embodiments, processing circuitry 170 may include one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 172 and baseband processing circuitry 174. In some embodiments, radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 172 and baseband processing circuitry 174 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 172 and baseband processing circuitry 174 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units.

In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein as being provided by a network node, base station, eNB or other such network device may be performed by processing circuitry 170 executing instructions stored on device readable medium 180 or memory within processing circuitry 170. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by processing circuitry 170 without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device readable medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a device readable storage medium or not, processing circuitry 170 can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to processing circuitry 170 alone or to other components of network node 160 but are enjoyed by network node 160 as a whole, and/or by end users and the wireless network generally.

Device readable medium 180 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device readable and/or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and/or instructions that may be used by processing circuitry 170. Device readable medium 180 may store any suitable instructions, data or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, etc. and/or other instructions capable of being executed by processing circuitry 170 and, utilized by network node 160. Device readable medium 180 may be used to store any calculations made by processing circuitry 170 and/or any data received via interface 190. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 170 and device readable medium 180 may be considered to be integrated.

Interface 190 is used in the wired or wireless communication of signalling and/or data between network node 160, network 106, and/or wireless devices 110. As illustrated, interface 190 comprises port(s)/terminal(s) 194 to send and receive data, for example to and from network 106 over a wired connection. Interface 190 also includes radio front end circuitry 192 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, antenna 162. Radio front end circuitry 192 comprises filters 198 and amplifiers 196. Radio front end circuitry 192 may be connected to antenna 162 and processing circuitry 170. Radio front end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 162 and processing circuitry 170. Radio front end circuitry 192 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or wireless devices via a wireless connection. Radio front end circuitry 192 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 198 and/or amplifiers 196. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna 162. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna 162 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by radio front end circuitry 192. The digital data may be passed to processing circuitry 170. In other embodiments, the interface may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components. In certain alternative embodiments, network node 160 may not include separate radio front end circuitry 192, instead, processing circuitry 170 may comprise radio front end circuitry and may be connected to antenna 162 without separate radio front end circuitry 192. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of RF transceiver circuitry 172 may be considered a part of interface 190. In still other embodiments, interface 190 may include one or more ports or terminals 194, radio front end circuitry 192, and RF transceiver circuitry 172, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and interface 190 may communicate with baseband processing circuitry 174, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

Antenna 162 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and/or receive wireless signals. Antenna 162 may be coupled to radio front end circuitry 190 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and/or signals wirelessly. In some embodiments, antenna 162 may comprise one or more omni-directional, sector or panel antennas operable to transmit/receive radio signals between, for example, 2 GHz and 66 GHz. An omni-directional antenna may be used to transmit/receive radio signals in any direction, a sector antenna may be used to transmit/receive radio signals from devices within a particular area, and a panel antenna may be a line of sight antenna used to transmit/receive radio signals in a relatively straight line. In some instances, the use of more than one antenna may be referred to as MIMO. In certain embodiments, antenna 162 may be separate from network node 160 and may be connectable to network node 160 through an interface or port.

Antenna 162, interface 190, and/or processing circuitry 170 may be configured to perform any receiving operations and/or certain obtaining operations described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data and/or signals may be received from a wireless device, another network node and/or any other network equipment. Similarly, antenna 162, interface 190, and/or processing circuitry 170 may be configured to perform any transmitting operations described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data and/or signals may be transmitted to a wireless device, another network node and/or any other network equipment.

Power circuitry 187 may comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry and is configured to supply the components of network node 160 with power for performing the functionality described herein. Power circuitry 187 may receive power from power source 186. Power source 186 and/or power circuitry 187 may be configured to provide power to the various components of network node 160 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). Power source 186 may either be included in, or external to, power circuitry 187 and/or network node 160. For example, network node 160 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry 187. As a further example, power source 186 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry 187. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail. Other types of power sources, such as photovoltaic devices, may also be used.

Alternative embodiments of network node 160 may include additional components beyond those shown in FIGURE 3 that may be responsible for providing certain aspects of the network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and/or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, network node 160 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into network node 160 and to allow output of information from network node 160. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for network node 160.

FIGURE 4 illustrates an example wireless device 110. According to certain embodiments. As used herein, wireless device refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and/or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and/or other wireless devices. Unless otherwise noted, the term wireless device may be used interchangeably herein with user equipment (UE). Communicating wirelessly may involve transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and/or other types of signals suitable for conveying information through air. In some embodiments, a wireless device may be configured to transmit and/or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a wireless device may be designed to transmit information to a network on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the network. Examples of a wireless device include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a cell phone, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone, a wireless local loop phone, a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless cameras, a gaming console or device, a music storage device, a playback appliance, a wearable terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, a tablet, a laptop, a laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), a laptop-mounted equipment (LME), a smart device, a wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE) a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, etc. A wireless device may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3 GPP standard for sidelink communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) and may in this case be referred to as a D2D communication device. As yet another specific example, in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario, a wireless device may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and/or measurements and transmits the results of such monitoring and/or measurements to another wireless device and/or a network node. The wireless device may in this case be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, the wireless device may be a UE implementing the 3GPP narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) standard. Particular examples of such machines or devices are sensors, metering devices such as power meters, industrial machinery, or home or personal appliances (e.g. refrigerators, televisions, etc.) personal wearables (e.g., watches, fitness trackers, etc.). In other scenarios, a wireless device may represent a vehicle or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and/or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation. A wireless device as described above may represent the endpoint of a wireless connection, in which case the device may be referred to as a wireless terminal. Furthermore, a wireless device as described above may be mobile, in which case it may also be referred to as a mobile device or a mobile terminal.

As illustrated, wireless device 110 includes antenna 111, interface 114, processing circuitry 120, device readable medium 130, user interface equipment 132, auxiliary equipment 134, power source 136 and power circuitry 137. Wireless device 110 may include multiple sets of one or more of the illustrated components for different wireless technologies supported by wireless device 110, such as, for example, GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, WiMAX, or Bluetooth wireless technologies, just to mention a few. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chips or set of chips as other components within wireless device 110.

Antenna 111 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays, configured to send and/or receive wireless signals, and is connected to interface 114. In certain alternative embodiments, antenna 111 may be separate from wireless device 110 and be connectable to wireless device 110 through an interface or port. Antenna 111, interface 114, and/or processing circuitry 120 may be configured to perform any receiving or transmitting operations described herein as being performed by a wireless device. Any information, data and/or signals may be received from a network node and/or another wireless device. In some embodiments, radio front end circuitry and/or antenna 111 may be considered an interface. As illustrated, interface 114 comprises radio front end circuitry 112 and antenna 111. Radio front end circuitry 112 comprise one or more filters 118 and amplifiers 116. Radio front end circuitry 114 is connected to antenna 111 and processing circuitry 120 and is configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 111 and processing circuitry 120. Radio front end circuitry 112 may be coupled to or a part of antenna 111. In some embodiments, wireless device 110 may not include separate radio front end circuitry 112; rather, processing circuitry 120 may comprise radio front end circuitry and may be connected to antenna 111. Similarly, in some embodiments, some or all of RF transceiver circuitry 122 may be considered a part of interface 114. Radio front end circuitry 112 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or wireless devices via a wireless connection. Radio front end circuitry 112 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 118 and/or amplifiers 116. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna 111. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna 111 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by radio front end circuitry 112. The digital data may be passed to processing circuitry 120. In other embodiments, the interface may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components.

Processing circuitry 120 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software, and/or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other wireless device 110 components, such as device readable medium 130, wireless device 110 functionality. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features or benefits discussed herein. For example, processing circuitry 120 may execute instructions stored in device readable medium 130 or in memory within processing circuitry 120 to provide the functionality disclosed herein.

As illustrated, processing circuitry 120 includes one or more of RF transceiver circuitry 122, baseband processing circuitry 124, and application processing circuitry 126. In other embodiments, the processing circuitry may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components. In certain embodiments processing circuitry 120 of wireless device 110 may comprise a SOC. In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuitry 122, baseband processing circuitry 124, and application processing circuitry 126 may be on separate chips or sets of chips. In alternative embodiments, part or all of baseband processing circuitry 124 and application processing circuitry 126 may be combined into one chip or set of chips, and RF transceiver circuitry 122 may be on a separate chip or set of chips. In still alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 122 and baseband processing circuitry 124 may be on the same chip or set of chips, and application processing circuitry 126 may be on a separate chip or set of chips. In yet other alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 122, baseband processing circuitry 124, and application processing circuitry 126 may be combined in the same chip or set of chips. In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuitry 122 may be a part of interface 114. RF transceiver circuitry 122 may condition RF signals for processing circuitry 120.

In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein as being performed by a wireless device may be provided by processing circuitry 120 executing instructions stored on device readable medium 130, which in certain embodiments may be a computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by processing circuitry 120 without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a device readable storage medium or not, processing circuitry 120 can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to processing circuitry 120 alone or to other components of wireless device 110, but are enjoyed by wireless device 110 as a whole, and/or by end users and the wireless network generally.

Processing circuitry 120 may be configured to perform any determining, calculating, or similar operations (e.g., certain obtaining operations) described herein as being performed by a wireless device. These operations, as performed by processing circuitry 120, may include processing information obtained by processing circuitry 120 by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored by wireless device 110, and/or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination.

Device readable medium 130 may be operable to store a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, etc. and/or other instructions capable of being executed by processing circuitry 120. Device readable medium 130 may include computer memory (e.g., Random Access Memory (RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), mass storage media (e.g., a hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or any other volatile or non-volatile, non- transitory device readable and/or computer executable memory devices that store information, data, and/or instructions that may be used by processing circuitry 120. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 120 and device readable medium 130 may be considered to be integrated.

User interface equipment 132 may provide components that allow for a human user to interact with wireless device 110. Such interaction may be of many forms, such as visual, audial, tactile, etc. User interface equipment 132 may be operable to produce output to the user and to allow the user to provide input to wireless device 110. The type of interaction may vary depending on the type of user interface equipment 132 installed in wireless device 110. For example, if wireless device 110 is a smart phone, the interaction may be via a touch screen; if wireless device 110 is a smart meter, the interaction may be through a screen that provides usage (e.g., the number of gallons used) or a speaker that provides an audible alert (e.g., if smoke is detected). User interface equipment 132 may include input interfaces, devices and circuits, and output interfaces, devices and circuits. User interface equipment 132 is configured to allow input of information into wireless device 110 and is connected to processing circuitry 120 to allow processing circuitry 120 to process the input information. User interface equipment 132 may include, for example, a microphone, a proximity or other sensor, keys/buttons, a touch display, one or more cameras, a USB port, or other input circuitry. User interface equipment 132 is also configured to allow output of information from wireless device 110, and to allow processing circuitry 120 to output information from wireless device 110. User interface equipment 132 may include, for example, a speaker, a display, vibrating circuitry, a USB port, a headphone interface, or other output circuitry. Using one or more input and output interfaces, devices, and circuits, of user interface equipment 132, wireless device 110 may communicate with end users and/or the wireless network and allow them to benefit from the functionality described herein.

Auxiliary equipment 134 is operable to provide more specific functionality which may not be generally performed by wireless devices. This may comprise specialized sensors for doing measurements for various purposes, interfaces for additional types of communication such as wired communications etc. The inclusion and type of components of auxiliary equipment 134 may vary depending on the embodiment and/or scenario.

Power source 136 may, in some embodiments, be in the form of a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic devices or power cells, may also be used wireless device 110 may further comprise power circuitry 137 for delivering power from power source 136 to the various parts of wireless device 110 which need power from power source 136 to carry out any functionality described or indicated herein. Power circuitry 137 may in certain embodiments comprise power management circuitry. Power circuitry 137 may additionally or alternatively be operable to receive power from an external power source; in which case wireless device 110 may be connectable to the external power source (such as an electricity outlet) via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Power circuitry 137 may also in certain embodiments be operable to deliver power from an external power source to power source 136. This may be, for example, for the charging of power source 136. Power circuitry 137 may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to the power from power source 136 to make the power suitable for the respective components of wireless device 110 to which power is supplied.

FIGURE 5 illustrates one embodiment of a UE in accordance with various aspects described herein. As used herein, a user equipment or UE may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and/or operates the relevant device. Instead, a UE may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, a UE may represent a device that is not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter). UE 200 may be any UE identified by the 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a NB-IoT UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and/or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE. UE 200, as illustrated in FIGURE 3, is one example of a wireless device configured for communication in accordance with one or more communication standards promulgated by the 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 3GPP’s GSM, UMTS, LTE, and/or 5G standards. As mentioned previously, the term wireless device and UE may be used interchangeable. Accordingly, although FIGURE 5 is a UE, the components discussed herein are equally applicable to a wireless device, and vice- versa.

In FIGURE 5, UE 200 includes processing circuitry 201 that is operatively coupled to input/output interface 205, radio frequency (RF) interface 209, network connection interface 211, memory 215 including random access memory (RAM) 217, read-only memory (ROM) 219, and storage medium 221 or the like, communication subsystem 231, power source 233, and/or any other component, or any combination thereof. Storage medium 221 includes operating system 223, application program 225, and data 227. In other embodiments, storage medium 221 may include other similar types of information. Certain UEs may utilize all of the components shown in FIGURE 5, or only a subset of the components. The level of integration between the components may vary from one UE to another UE. Further, certain UEs may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

In FIGURE 5, processing circuitry 201 may be configured to process computer instructions and data. Processing circuitry 201 may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operative to execute machine instructions stored as machine-readable computer programs in the memory, such as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, FPGA, ASIC, etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored program, general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or Digital Signal Processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuitry 201 may include two central processing units (CPUs). Data may be information in a form suitable for use by a computer.

In the depicted embodiment, input/output interface 205 may be configured to provide a communication interface to an input device, output device, or input and output device. UE 200 may be configured to use an output device via input/output interface 205. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a USB port may be used to provide input to and output from UE 200. The output device may be a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. UE 200 may be configured to use an input device via input/output interface 205 to allow a user to capture information into UE 200. The input device may include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence- sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, another like sensor, or any combination thereof. For example, the input device may be an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a digital camera, a microphone, and an optical sensor.

In FIGURE 5, RF interface 209 may be configured to provide a communication interface to RF components such as a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna. Network connection interface 211 may be configured to provide a communication interface to network 243a. Network 243a may encompass wired and/or wireless networks such as a local-area network (LAN), a wide-area network (WAN), a computer network, a wireless network, a telecommunications network, another like network or any combination thereof. For example, network 243a may comprise a Wi-Fi network. Network connection interface 211 may be configured to include a receiver and a transmitter interface used to communicate with one or more other devices over a communication network according to one or more communication protocols, such as Ethernet, TCP/IP, SONET, ATM, or the like. Network connection interface 211 may implement receiver and transmitter functionality appropriate to the communication network links (e.g., optical, electrical, and the like). The transmitter and receiver functions may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively may be implemented separately.

RAM 217 may be configured to interface via bus 202 to processing circuitry 201 to provide storage or caching of data or computer instructions during the execution of software programs such as the operating system, application programs, and device drivers. ROM 219 may be configured to provide computer instructions or data to processing circuitry 201. For example, ROM 219 may be configured to store invariant low-level system code or data for basic system functions such as basic input and output (I/O), startup, or reception of keystrokes from a keyboard that are stored in a non-volatile memory. Storage medium 221 may be configured to include memory such as RAM, ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, floppy disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, or flash drives. In one example, storage medium 221 may be configured to include operating system 223, application program 225 such as a web browser application, a widget or gadget engine or another application, and data file 227. Storage medium 221 may store, for use by UE 200, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

Storage medium 221 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), floppy disk drive, flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini-dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro- DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as a subscriber identity module or a removable user identity (SIM/RUIM) module, other memory, or any combination thereof. Storage medium 221 may allow UE 200 to access computer-executable instructions, application programs or the like, stored on transitory or non-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied in storage medium 221, which may comprise a device readable medium. In FIGURE 5, processing circuitry 201 may be configured to communicate with network 243b using communication subsystem 231. Network 243a and network 243b may be the same network or networks or different network or networks. Communication subsystem 231 may be configured to include one or more transceivers used to communicate with network 243b. For example, communication subsystem 231 may be configured to include one or more transceivers used to communicate with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication such as another wireless device, UE, or base station of a radio access network (RAN) according to one or more communication protocols, such as IEEE 802.2, CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, LTE, UTRAN, WiMax, or the like. Each transceiver may include transmitter 233 and/or receiver 235 to implement transmitter or receiver functionality, respectively, appropriate to the RAN links (e.g., frequency allocations and the like). Further, transmitter 233 and receiver 235 of each transceiver may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively may be implemented separately.

In the illustrated embodiment, the communication functions of communication subsystem 231 may include data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. For example, communication subsystem 231 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, Bluetooth communication, and GPS communication. Network 243b may encompass wired and/or wireless networks such as a local-area network (LAN), a wide-area network (WAN), a computer network, a wireless network, a telecommunications network, another like network or any combination thereof. For example, network 243b may be a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, and/or a near-field network. Power source 213 may be configured to provide alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power to components of UE 200.

The features, benefits and/or functions described herein may be implemented in one of the components of UE 200 or partitioned across multiple components of UE 200. Further, the features, benefits, and/or functions described herein may be implemented in any combination of hardware, software or firmware. In one example, communication subsystem 231 may be configured to include any of the components described herein. Further, processing circuitry 201 may be configured to communicate with any of such components over bus 202. In another example, any of such components may be represented by program instructions stored in memory that when executed by processing circuitry 201 perform the corresponding functions described herein. In another example, the functionality of any of such components may be partitioned between processing circuitry 201 and communication subsystem 231. In another example, the non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and the computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

FIGURE 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 300 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualizing means creating virtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may include virtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to a node (e.g., a virtualized base station or a virtualized radio access node) or to a device (e.g., a UE, a wireless device or any other type of communication device) or components thereof and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components (e.g., via one or more applications, components, functions, virtual machines or containers executing on one or more physical processing nodes in one or more networks).

In some embodiments, some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines implemented in one or more virtual environments 300 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes 330. Further, in embodiments in which the virtual node is not a radio access node or does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node), then the network node may be entirely virtualized.

The functions may be implemented by one or more applications 320 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) operative to implement some of the features, functions, and/or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein. Applications 320 are run in virtualization environment 300 which provides hardware 330 comprising processing circuitry 360 and memory 390. Memory 390 contains instructions 395 executable by processing circuitry 360 whereby application 320 is operative to provide one or more of the features, benefits, and/or functions disclosed herein.

Virtualization environment 300, comprises general-purpose or special-purpose network hardware devices 330 comprising a set of one or more processors or processing circuitry 360, which may be commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processors, dedicated Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), or any other type of processing circuitry including digital or analog hardware components or special purpose processors. Each hardware device may comprise memory 390-1 which may be non-persistent memory for temporarily storing instructions 395 or software executed by processing circuitry 360. Each hardware device may comprise one or more network interface controllers (NICs) 370, also known as network interface cards, which include physical network interface 380. Each hardware device may also include non-transitory, persistent, machine-readable storage media 390-2 having stored therein software 395 and/or instructions executable by processing circuitry 360. Software 395 may include any type of software including software for instantiating one or more virtualization layers 350 (also referred to as hypervisors), software to execute virtual machines 340 as well as software allowing it to execute functions, features and/or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein.

Virtual machines 340, comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by a corresponding virtualization layer 350 or hypervisor. Different embodiments of the instance of virtual appliance 320 may be implemented on one or more of virtual machines 340, and the implementations may be made in different ways.

During operation, processing circuitry 360 executes software 395 to instantiate the hypervisor or virtualization layer 350, which may sometimes be referred to as a virtual machine monitor (VMM). Virtualization layer 350 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to virtual machine 340.

As shown in FIGURE 6, hardware 330 may be a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware 330 may comprise antenna 3225 and may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware 330 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g. such as in a data center or customer premise equipment (CPE)) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration (MANO) 3100, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications 320.

Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers, and customer premise equipment.

In the context of NFV, virtual machine 340 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each of virtual machines 340, and that part of hardware 330 that executes that virtual machine, be it hardware dedicated to that virtual machine and/or hardware shared by that virtual machine with others of the virtual machines 340, forms a separate virtual network elements (VNE). Still in the context of NFV, Virtual Network Function (VNF) is responsible for handling specific network functions that run in one or more virtual machines 340 on top of hardware networking infrastructure 330 and corresponds to application 320 in FIGURE 6.

In some embodiments, one or more radio units 3200 that each include one or more transmitters 3220 and one or more receivers 3210 may be coupled to one or more antennas 3225. Radio units 3200 may communicate directly with hardware nodes 330 via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station.

In some embodiments, some signaling can be affected with the use of control system 3230 which may alternatively be used for communication between the hardware nodes 330 and radio units 3200.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer in accordance with some embodiments.

With reference to FIGURE 7, in accordance with an embodiment, a communication system includes telecommunication network 410, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises access network 411, such as a radio access network, and core network 414. Access network 411 comprises a plurality of base stations 412a, 412b, 412c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 413a, 413b, 413c. Each base station 412a, 412b, 412c is connectable to core network 414 over a wired or wireless connection 415. A first UE 491 located in coverage area 413c is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base station 412c. A second UE 492 in coverage area 413a is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station 412a. While a plurality of UEs 491, 492 are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to the corresponding base station 412.

Telecommunication network 410 is itself connected to host computer 430, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server or as processing resources in a server farm. Host computer 430 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. Connections 421 and 422 between telecommunication network 410 and host computer 430 may extend directly from core network 414 to host computer 430 or may go via an optional intermediate network 420. Intermediate network 420 may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network; intermediate network 420, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, intermediate network 420 may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown).

The communication system of FIGURE 7 as a whole enables connectivity between the connected UEs 491, 492 and host computer 430. The connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 450. Host computer 430 and the connected UEs 491, 492 are configured to communicate data and/or signaling via OTT connection 450, using access network 411, core network 414, any intermediate network 420 and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. OTT connection 450 may be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which OTT connection 450 passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, base station 412 may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from host computer 430 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected UE 491. Similarly, base station 412 need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the UE 491 towards the host computer 430.

FIGURE 8 illustrates a host computer communicating via a base station with a user equipment over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments.

Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the UE, base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to FIGURE 8. In communication system 500, host computer 510 comprises hardware 515 including communication interface 516 configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication system 500. Host computer 510 further comprises processing circuitry 518, which may have storage and/or processing capabilities. In particular, processing circuitry 518 may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Host computer 510 further comprises software 511, which is stored in or accessible by host computer 510 and executable by processing circuitry 518. Software 511 includes host application 512. Host application 512 may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as UE 530 connecting via OTT connection 550 terminating at UE 530 and host computer 510. In providing the service to the remote user, host application 512 may provide user data which is transmitted using OTT connection 550.

Communication system 500 further includes base station 520 provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware 525 enabling it to communicate with host computer 510 and with UE 530. Hardware 525 may include communication interface 526 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication system 500, as well as radio interface 527 for setting up and maintaining at least wireless connection 570 with UE 530 located in a coverage area (not shown in FIGURE 8) served by base station 520. Communication interface 526 may be configured to facilitate connection 560 to host computer 510. Connection 560 may be direct or it may pass through a core network (not shown in FIGURE 8) of the telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. In the embodiment shown, hardware 525 of base station 520 further includes processing circuitry 528, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Base station 520 further has software 521 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

Communication system 500 further includes UE 530 already referred to. Its hardware 535 may include radio interface 537 configured to set up and maintain wireless connection 570 with a base station serving a coverage area in which UE 530 is currently located. Hardware 535 of UE 530 further includes processing circuitry 538, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. UE 530 further comprises software 531, which is stored in or accessible by UE 530 and executable by processing circuitry 538. Software 531 includes client application 532. Client application 532 may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via UE 530, with the support of host computer 510. In host computer 510, an executing host application 512 may communicate with the executing client application 532 via OTT connection 550 terminating at UE 530 and host computer 510. In providing the service to the user, client application 532 may receive request data from host application 512 and provide user data in response to the request data. OTT connection 550 may transfer both the request data and the user data. Client application 532 may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides.

It is noted that host computer 510, base station 520 and UE 530 illustrated in FIGURE 8 may be similar or identical to host computer 430, one of base stations 412a, 412b, 412c and one of UEs 491, 492 of FIGURE 7, respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown in FIGURE 8 and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of FIGURE 7. In FIGURE 8, OTT connection 550 has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between host computer 510 and UE 530 via base station 520, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. Network infrastructure may determine the routing, which it may be configured to hide from UE 530 or from the service provider operating host computer 510, or both. While OTT connection 550 is active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing consideration or reconfiguration of the network).

Wireless connection 570 between UE 530 and base station 520 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to UE 530 using OTT connection 550, in which wireless connection 570 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the data rate, latency, and/or power consumption and thereby provide benefits such as reduced user waiting time, relaxed restriction on file size, better responsiveness, and/or extended battery lifetime.

A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring OTT connection 550 between host computer 510 and UE 530, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring OTT connection 550 may be implemented in software 511 and hardware 515 of host computer 510 or in software 531 and hardware 535 of UE 530, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which OTT connection 550 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software 511, 531 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of OTT connection 550 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc. ; the reconfiguring need not affect base station 520, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to base station 520. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling facilitating host computer 510’s measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. The measurements may be implemented in that software 511 and 531 causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using OTT connection 550 while it monitors propagation times, errors etc. FIGURE 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to FIGURES 7 and 8. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIGURE 9 will be included in this section. In step 610, the host computer provides user data. In substep 611 (which may be optional) of step 610, the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 620, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. In step 630 (which may be optional), the base station transmits to the UE the user data which was carried in the transmission that the host computer initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 640 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

FIGURE 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to FIGURES 7 and 8. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIGURE 10 will be included in this section. In step 710 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional substep (not shown) the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 720, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. The transmission may pass via the base station, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 730 (which may be optional), the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

FIGURE 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to FIGURES 7 and 8. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIGURE 11 will be included in this section. In step 810 (which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in step 820, the UE provides user data. In substep 821 (which may be optional) of step 820, the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In substep 811 (which may be optional) of step 810, the UE executes a client application which provides the user data in reaction to the received input data provided by the host computer. In providing the user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE initiates, in substep 830 (which may be optional), transmission of the user data to the host computer. In step 840 of the method, the host computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

FIGURE 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to FIGURES 7 and 8. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIGURE 12 will be included in this section. In step 910 (which may be optional), in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. In step 920 (which may be optional), the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step 930 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

FIGURE 13 depicts a method 1000 by a wireless device 110, according to certain embodiments. At step 1002, the wireless device obtains information associating the wireless device with a group of wireless devices. Based on the information, the wireless device receives a signal transmitted to the wireless device, at step 1004. As used herein, the term signal is intended to be interpreted broadly. A signal may comprise, carry, and/or convey information such as one or more messages and/or one or more bits.

In a particular embodiment, not all of the wireless devices in the network or in a cell may be a part of the group of wireless devices.

In a particular embodiment, the obtaining comprises receiving the information from a network node or obtaining information stored in the wireless device; or determining the information.

In a particular embodiment, the signal is a paging message transmitted to the group of wireless devices.

In a particular embodiment, the wireless device transmits information to the network node. The transmitted information indicates a characteristic associated with the wireless device, and the wireless device is associated with the group of wireless devices based on the characteristic.

In a particular embodiment, the obtained information indicates a characteristic associated with the wireless device, and the wireless device is associated with the group of wireless devices based on the characteristic. In a particular embodiment, the characteristic comprises location information indicating a location of the wireless device within a geographical area.

In a particular embodiment, the location information comprises positioning information.

In a particular embodiment, the wireless device determines that the wireless device has changed location more than a threshold amount, and the location information is transmitted in response to the wireless device changing location more than the threshold amount.

In a particular embodiment, the location information is periodically transmitted to the network node.

In a particular embodiment, the characteristic comprises a service that is of interest to the wireless device. In some embodiments, the characteristic may include one or more service requirements of or associated with the wireless device.

In a particular embodiment, the obtained information comprises an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices, and wherein the identifier is used to receive the signal. In a further particular embodiment, the identifier is received as a unicast message. Alternatively, the identifier is received via a broadcast message. In a particular embodiment, the method further includes the wireless device transmitting the identifier to the network node.

In a particular embodiment, the wireless device determines, based on the obtained information, at least one of a paging frame (PF) and a paging occasion (PO) to monitor for receiving the signal.

In a particular embodiment, the information received from the network node comprises the at least one of the PF and the PO.

In a particular embodiment, the obtained information comprises an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices, and wherein the method comprises determining, based on the identifier, a paging frame (PF) and/or a paging occasion (PO) and monitoring the determined PF and/or PO for the signal transmitted to the wireless device.

In a particular embodiment, the wireless device is registered as being associated with the group of wireless devices based on a location of the wireless device within a geographical area and/or based on a service requirement of the wireless device.

In a particular embodiment, the wireless device receives at least one of a plurality of beams, each one of the plurality of beams configured to cover a portion of a cell and transmits, to a network node, a message comprising an indication of the at least one of the plurality of beams received by the wireless device. In a particular embodiment, the downlink control information is scrambled using a paging Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) that is associated with the group of wireless devices, and the wireless device uses the paging RNTI to descramble the downlink control information. In a particular embodiment, the RNTI is common for all of the wireless devices in the group.

In a particular embodiment, the wireless device receives, from the network node, timing information indicating when at least one wireless device within the group of wireless devices may perform random access upon receiving the signal.

In a particular embodiment, the timing information indicates an order in which the wireless devices in the group of wireless devices may perform random access.

In a particular embodiment, the timing information indicates a time frame in which the wireless devices in the group of wireless devices may perform random access.

In a particular embodiment, the wireless device determines when to perform random access based on the timing information.

In a particular embodiment, the wireless device transitions from an idle or inactive state to a connected state in response to receiving the signal.

In a particular embodiment, the network node is a base station.

In a particular embodiment, the wireless device is a UE.

FIGURE 14 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a virtual apparatus 1100 in a wireless network (for example, the wireless network shown in FIGURE 2). The apparatus may be implemented in a wireless device or network node (e.g., wireless device 110 or network node 160 shown in FIGURE 2). Apparatus 1100 is operable to carry out the example method described with reference to FIGURE 13 and possibly any other processes or methods disclosed herein. It is also to be understood that the method of FIGURE 13 is not necessarily carried out solely by apparatus 1100. At least some operations of the method can be performed by one or more other entities.

Virtual Apparatus 1100 may comprise processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs), special-purpose digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. Program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and/or data communications protocols as well as instructions for carrying out one or more of the techniques described herein, in several embodiments. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause obtaining module 1110, receiving module 1120, and any other suitable units of apparatus 1100 to perform corresponding functions according one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

According to certain embodiments, obtaining module 1110 may perform certain of the obtaining functions of the apparatus 1100. For example, obtaining module 1110 may obtain information associating the wireless device with a group of wireless devices.

According to certain embodiments, receiving module 1120 may perform certain of the receiving functions of the apparatus 1100. For example, receiving module 1120 may receive a signal transmitted to the wireless device based on the information.

As used herein, the term unit may have conventional meaning in the field of electronics, electrical devices and/or electronic devices and may include, for example, electrical and/or electronic circuitry, devices, modules, processors, memories, logic solid state and/or discrete devices, computer programs or instructions for carrying out respective tasks, procedures, computations, outputs, and/or displaying functions, and so on, as such as those that are described herein.

FIGURE 15 depicts another method 1200 by a wireless device 110, according to certain embodiments. It may be appreciated that method 1200 is related to and is a more specific version of method 1000 described above with regard to FIGURE 13.

The method begins at step 1202 with the wireless device 110 obtaining information associating the wireless device with a group of wireless devices. The information includes an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices. At step 1204, the wireless device 110 determines, based on the information, at least one of a PF and a PO. At step 1206, based on the at least one of the PF and the PO, the wireless device 110 receives a signal transmitted to the wireless device.

In a particular embodiment, the wireless device 110 monitors the at least one of the PF and the PO for the signal transmitted to the wireless device.

In a particular embodiment, obtaining the information comprising the identifier includes receiving the identifier as a unicast message.

In a particular embodiment, obtaining the information comprising the identifier includes receiving the identifier via a broadcast message or a multicast message.

In a particular embodiment, the wireless device 110 transmits the identifier to a network node 160. In a particular embodiment, determining the at least one of the PF and the PO is based on the identifier associated with the group of wireless devices.

In a particular embodiment, the information is received from a network node 160, and the information comprises the at least one of the PF and the PO.

In a particular embodiment, obtaining the information associating the wireless device with the group of wireless devices includes receiving the information from a network node 160, obtaining information stored in the wireless device 110, and/or determining the information.

In a particular embodiment, the wireless device 110 transmits information to a network node 160, and the transmitted information indicates a characteristic associated with the wireless device 110. The wireless device 110 is associated with the group of wireless devices based on the characteristic.

In a particular embodiment, the obtained information indicates a characteristic associated with the wireless device 110, and the wireless device 110 is associated with the group of wireless devices based on the characteristic.

In a further particular embodiment, the characteristic comprises location information indicating a location of the wireless device 110 within a geographical area.

In a further particular embodiment, the location information comprises positioning information.

In a further particular embodiment, the wireless device 110 may determine that the wireless device 110 has changed location more than a threshold amount, and the location information is transmitted in response to the wireless device 110 changing location more than the threshold amount.

In a further particular embodiment, the location information is periodically transmitted to the network node 160.

In a further particular embodiment, the characteristic comprises a service that is of interest to the wireless device 110. For example, the characteristic may include a service requirement of the wireless device.

In a further particular embodiment, the wireless device 110 is registered as being associated with the group of wireless devices based on the characteristic.

In a particular embodiment, the wireless device 110 transmits, to a network node 160, a message comprising an indication of at least one beam received by the wireless device 110. The indication of the at least one beam indicates the at least one characteristic associated with the wireless device 110 to the network node 160. In a further particular embodiment, obtaining the information comprising the identifier includes receiving the information via the at least one beam.

In a further particular embodiment, 19. The method of any one of Claims 17 to 18, wherein the signal is received via the at least one beam.

In a particular embodiment, the signal comprises downlink control information transmitted to the group of wireless devices.

In a further particular embodiment, the downlink control information is scrambled using a group paging RNTI that is associated with the group of wireless devices, and the wireless device 110 uses the group paging RNTI to descramble the downlink control information.

In a particular embodiment, the wireless device 110 receives timing information from a network node 160. The timing information indicates when the wireless device 110 associated with the group of wireless devices is to perform random access after receiving the signal. Based on the timing information, the wireless device 110 performs random access.

In a further particular embodiment, the timing information indicates an order in which the wireless devices in the group of wireless devices are to perform random access.

In a further particular embodiment, the timing information indicates a time frame in which the wireless devices in the group of wireless devices are to perform random access.

In a particular embodiment, the wireless device 110 transitions from an idle or inactive state to a connected state in response to receiving the signal.

In a particular embodiment, the wireless device 110 is a UE 200.

FIGURE 16 illustrates another example virtual apparatus 1300 in a wireless network (for example, the wireless network shown in FIGURE 2). The apparatus may be implemented in a wireless device or network node (e.g., wireless device 110 or network node 160 shown in FIGURE 2). Apparatus 1300 is operable to carry out the example method described with reference to FIGURE 15 and possibly any other processes or methods disclosed herein. It is also to be understood that the method of FIGURE 15 is not necessarily carried out solely by apparatus 1300. At least some operations of the method can be performed by one or more other entities.

Virtual Apparatus 1300 may comprise processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs), special-purpose digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. Program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and/or data communications protocols as well as instructions for carrying out one or more of the techniques described herein, in several embodiments. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause obtaining module 1310, determining module 1320, receiving module 1330 and any other suitable units of apparatus 1300 to perform corresponding functions according one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

According to certain embodiments, obtaining module 1310 may perform certain of the obtaining functions of the apparatus 1300. For example, obtaining module 1310 may obtain information associating the wireless device with a group of wireless devices. The information includes an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices.

According to certain embodiments, determining module 1320 may perform certain of the determining functions of the apparatus 1300. For example, determining module 1320 may determine, based on the information, at least one of a PF and a PO.

According to certain embodiments, receiving module 1330 may perform certain of the receiving functions of the apparatus 1300. For example, based on the at least one of the PF and the PO, receiving module 1330 may receive a signal transmitted to the wireless device.

FIGURE 17 depicts a method 1400 by a network node 160, according to certain embodiments. At step 1402, the network node 160 obtains information identifying a group of wireless devices 110 for receiving a signal. Based on the information, the network node transmits the signal to the group of wireless devices, at step 1404.

In a particular embodiment, the obtaining comprises: determining the information; or obtaining information stored in the network node; or receiving the information from a wireless device.

In a particular embodiment, the network node transmits, to one or more wireless devices in the group of wireless devices, information associating the one or more wireless devices with the group of wireless devices.

In a particular embodiment, the obtained information indicates a characteristic associated with at least one wireless device in the group of the wireless devices, and the wireless device is associated with the group of wireless devices based on the characteristic.

In a particular embodiment, the characteristic comprises location information identifying a location of the at least one wireless device within a geographical area.

In a particular embodiment, the location information comprises positioning information. In a particular embodiment, the at least one wireless device has changed location more than a threshold amount and the location information is obtained in response to the at least one wireless device changing location more than the threshold amount.

In a particular embodiment, the location information is received periodically from the at least one wireless device.

In a particular embodiment, the characteristic comprises a service that is of interest to the at least one wireless device. In a further particular embodiment, the characteristic identifies one or more service requirements of or associated with the wireless device.

In a particular embodiment, the obtained information comprises an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices, and wherein the identifier is used to transmit the signal.

In a particular embodiment, the identifier is transmitted as a unicast message. Alternatively, the identifier is transmitted via a broadcast message.

In a particular embodiment, the network node receives the identifier from at least one wireless device.

In a particular embodiment, the network node determines, based on the obtained information, at least one of a paging frame (PF) and a paging occasion (PO) for transmitting the signal to the group of wireless devices.

In a particular embodiment, the network node transmits the at least one of the PF and the PO to the group of wireless devices.

In a particular embodiment, the obtained information comprises an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices, and the network node determines, based on the identifier, a paging frame (PF) and/or a paging occasion (PO) and transmits the signal to the group of wireless devices in the PF and/or PO.

In a particular embodiment, the network node registers at least one wireless device in the group of wireless devices as being associated with the group of wireless devices based on a location of the at least one wireless device within a geographical area and/or based on a service requirement of the at least one wireless device.

In a particular embodiment, the network node transmits at least one of a plurality of beams, each one of the plurality of beams configured to cover a portion of a cell and receives, from at least one wireless device, a message comprising an indication of the at least one of the plurality of beams received by the at least one wireless device.

In a particular embodiment, the signal transmitted to the group of wireless devices comprises downlink control information. In a further particular embodiment, the downlink control information is scrambled using a paging Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) that is associated with the group of wireless devices. In a particular embodiment, the RNTI is common for the wireless devices in the group of wireless devices.

In a particular embodiment, the network node transmits, to the group of wireless devices, timing information indicating when the group of wireless devices may perform random access upon receiving the signal.

In a particular embodiment, the network node configures the group of wireless devices to determine when to perform random access based on the timing information.

In a particular embodiment, the network node configures the group of wireless devices to transition from an idle or inactive state to a connected state in response to receiving the signal.

In a particular embodiment, the network node is a base station.

In a particular embodiment, at least one of the wireless devices in the group of wireless devices is a user equipment.

FIGURE 18 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a virtual apparatus 1500 in a wireless network (for example, the wireless network shown in FIGURE 2). The apparatus may be implemented in a wireless device or network node (e.g., wireless device 110 or network node 160 shown in FIGURE 2). Apparatus 1500 is operable to carry out the example method described with reference to FIGURE 17 and possibly any other processes or methods disclosed herein. It is also to be understood that the method of FIGURE 17 is not necessarily carried out solely by apparatus 1500. At least some operations of the method can be performed by one or more other entities.

Virtual Apparatus 1500 may comprise processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs), special-purpose digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. Program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and/or data communications protocols as well as instructions for carrying out one or more of the techniques described herein, in several embodiments. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause obtaining module 1510, transmitting module 1520, and any other suitable units of apparatus 1500 to perform corresponding functions according one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

According to certain embodiments, obtaining module 1510 may perform certain of the obtaining functions of the apparatus 1500. For example, obtaining module 1510 may obtain information identifying a group of wireless devices for receiving a signal.

According to certain embodiments, transmitting module 1520 may perform certain of the transmitting functions of the apparatus 1500. For example, transmitting module 1520 may transmit the signal to the group of wireless devices based on the signal.

FIGURE 19 depicts a method 1600 by a network node 160, according to certain embodiments. It may be appreciated that method 1600 is related to and is a more specific version of method 1400 described above with regard to FIGURE 17.

The method begins at step 1602 with the network node 160 obtaining information identifying a group of wireless devices 110 for receiving a signal. The information includes an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices. At step, 1604, the network node 160 determines, based on the information, at least one of a PF and a PO. Based on the at least one of the PF and the PO, the network node 160 transmits the signal to the group of wireless devices in the at least one of the PF and the PO.

In a particular embodiment, the network node 160 transmits, to one or more wireless devices 110 in the group of wireless devices, the information associating the one or more wireless devices with the group of wireless devices 110.

In a further particular embodiment, the information is transmitted as a unicast message.

In a further particular embodiment, the information is transmitted via a broadcast message or a multicast message.

In a particular embodiment, obtaining the information comprising the identifier includes receiving, by the network node 160, the information comprising the identifier from at least one wireless device 110 within the group of wireless devices.

In a particular embodiment, the at least one of the PF and the PO is determined based on the identifier associated with the group of wireless devices.

In a particular embodiment, obtaining the information identifying the group of wireless devices includes determining the information, obtaining information stored in the network node, or receiving the information from a wireless device.

In a particular embodiment, the information comprises the at least one of the PF and the PO. In a particular embodiment, the obtained information indicates a characteristic associated with at least one wireless device in the group of the wireless devices, and the wireless device is associated with the group of wireless devices based on the characteristic.

In a particular embodiment, the network node 160 receives information from at least one wireless device 110 in the group of wireless devices, and the information indicates a characteristic associated with the at least one wireless device. The wireless device 110 is associated with the group of wireless devices based on the characteristic.

In a further particular embodiment, the characteristic comprises location information identifying a location of the at least one wireless device 110 within a geographical area.

In a particular embodiment, the at least one wireless device 110 has changed location more than a threshold amount and the location information is obtained in response to the at least one wireless device 110 changing location more than the threshold amount.

In a particular embodiment, the location information is received periodically from the at least one wireless device 110.

In a particular embodiment, the characteristic comprises a service that is of interest to the at least one wireless device 110.

In a particular embodiment, the network node 160 registers at least one wireless device 110 in the group of wireless devices as being associated with the group of wireless devices.

In a further particular embodiment, the at least one wireless device 110 is registered in the group of wireless devices based on at least one of a location of the at least one wireless device within a geographical area and a service requirement of the at least one wireless device.

In a particular embodiment, the network node 160 receives, from at least one wireless device 110, a message comprising an indication of at least one beam received by the at least one wireless device 110. The wireless device 110 is associated with the group of wireless devices based on the indication of the at least one beam received by the at least one wireless device 110.

In a further particular embodiment, the network node 160 transmits the information to the at least one wireless device 110 via the at least one beam.

In a further particular embodiment, the signal is transmitted via the at least one beam.

In a particular embodiment, the signal transmitted to the group of wireless devices comprises DCI. In a further particular embodiment, the DCI is scrambled using a group paging RNTI that is associated with the group of wireless devices. It may be appreciated that the group paging RNTI is different from a UE-specific RNTI or any other non-group based RNTI. In a further particular embodiment, the network node 160 may transmit a second DCI message using a UE-specific RNTI or another non-group based RNTI. Whereas the DCI that is scrambled using the group paging RNTI is intended for all wireless devices in the group of wireless devices, the second DCI may be intended for a specific wireless device, in some particular embodiments.

In a particular embodiment, the network node 160 transmits timing information to the group of wireless devices, and the timing information indicates when the wireless devices 110 in the group of wireless devices are to perform random access after receiving the signal.

In a further particular embodiment, the timing information indicates an order in which the wireless devices 110 in the group of wireless devices are to perform random access.

In a particular embodiment, the timing information indicates a time frame in which the wireless devices 110 in the group of wireless devices are to perform random access.

In a particular embodiment, the network node 160 is a base station.

FIGURE 20 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a virtual apparatus 1700 in a wireless network (for example, the wireless network shown in FIGURE 2). The apparatus may be implemented in a wireless device or network node (e.g., wireless device 110 or network node 160 shown in FIGURE 2). Apparatus 1700 is operable to carry out the example method described with reference to FIGURE 19 and possibly any other processes or methods disclosed herein. It is also to be understood that the method of FIGURE 19 is not necessarily carried out solely by apparatus 1700. At least some operations of the method can be performed by one or more other entities.

Virtual Apparatus 1700 may comprise processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs), special-purpose digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. Program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and/or data communications protocols as well as instructions for carrying out one or more of the techniques described herein, in several embodiments. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause obtaining module 1710, determining module 1720, transmitting module 1730, and any other suitable units of apparatus 1700 to perform corresponding functions according one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

According to certain embodiments, obtaining module 1710 may perform certain of the obtaining functions of the apparatus 1700. For example, obtaining module 1710 may obtain information identifying a group of wireless devices for receiving a signal. The information includes an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices.

According to certain embodiments, determining module 1720 may perform certain of the determining functions of the apparatus 1700. For example, determining module 1720 may determine, based on the information, at least one of a PF and a PO.

According to certain embodiments, transmitting module 1730 may perform certain of the transmitting functions of the apparatus 1700. For example, based on the at least one of the PF and the PO transmitting module 1720 may transmit the signal to the group of wireless devices in the at least one of the PF and the PO.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Example Embodiment 1. A method performed by a wireless device, the method comprising: obtaining information associating the wireless device with a group of wireless devices; and based on the information, receiving a signal transmitted to the wireless device.

Example Embodiment 2. The method of Example Embodiment 1, wherein the obtaining comprises: receiving the information from a network node; or obtaining information stored in the wireless device; or determining the information.

Example Embodiment 3. The method of any one of the preceding Example Embodiments, wherein the signal is a paging message transmitted to the group of wireless devices.

Example Embodiment 4. The method of any one of the preceding Example Embodiments, further comprising transmitting information to the network node, the transmitted information indicating a characteristic associated with the wireless device, wherein the wireless device is associated with the group of wireless devices based on the characteristic.

Example Embodiment 5. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the obtained information indicates a characteristic associated with the wireless device, wherein the wireless device is associated with the group of wireless devices based on the characteristic. Example Embodiment 6. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 4 to 5, wherein the characteristic comprises location information indicating a location of the wireless device within a geographical area.

Example Embodiment 7. The method of Example Embodiment 6, wherein the location information comprises positioning information.

Example Embodiment 8. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 6 to 7, further comprising determining that the wireless device has changed location more than a threshold amount, and wherein the location information is transmitted in response to the wireless device changing location more than the threshold amount.

Example Embodiment 9. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 6 to 8, wherein the location information is periodically transmitted to the network node.

Example Embodiment 10. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 4 to 9, wherein the characteristic comprises a service that is of interest to the wireless device.

Example Embodiment 11. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the obtained information comprises an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices, and wherein the identifier is used to receive the signal.

Example Embodiment 12. The method of Example Embodiment 11, wherein the identifier is received as a unicast message.

Example Embodiment 13. The method of Example Embodiment 11, wherein the identifier is received via a broadcast message.

Example Embodiment 14. The method of Example Embodiment 11, further comprising transmitting the identifier to the network node.

Example Embodiment 15. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 1 to 14, further comprising determining, based on the obtained information, at least one of a paging frame (PF) and a paging occasion (PO) to monitor for receiving the signal.

Example Embodiment 16. The method of Example Embodiment 15, wherein the information received from the network node comprises the at least one of the PF and the PO.

Example Embodiment 17. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 1 to 15, wherein the obtained information comprises an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices, and wherein the method comprises: determining, based on the identifier, a paging frame (PF) and/or a paging occasion (PO); and monitoring the determined PF and/or PO for the signal transmitted to the wireless device.

Example Embodiment 18. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 1 to 17, wherein the wireless device is registered as being associated with the group of wireless devices based on a location of the wireless device within a geographical area and/or based on a service requirement of the wireless device.

Example Embodiment 19. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 1 to 18, further comprising: receiving at least one of a plurality of beams, each one of the plurality of beams configured to cover a portion of a cell; and transmitting, to a network node, a message comprising an indication of the at least one of the plurality of beams received by the wireless device.

Example Embodiment 20. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 1 to 19, wherein the signal comprises downlink control information transmitted to the group of wireless devices.

Example Embodiment 21. The method of Example Embodiment 20, wherein the downlink control information is scrambled using a paging Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) that is associated with the group of wireless devices, and the method further comprises using the paging RNTI to descramble the downlink control information.

Example Embodiment 22. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 1 to 21, further comprising receiving, from the network node, timing information, the timing information indicating when at least one wireless device within the group of wireless devices may perform random access upon receiving the signal.

Example Embodiment 23. The method of Example Embodiment 22, wherein the timing information indicates an order in which the wireless devices in the group of wireless devices may perform random access.

Example Embodiment 24. The method of Example Embodiment 22, wherein the timing information indicates a time frame in which the wireless devices in the group of wireless devices may perform random access.

Example Embodiment 25. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 22 to 25, further comprising determining when to perform random access based on the timing information.

Example Embodiment 26. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 1 to 25, further comprising transitioning from an idle or inactive state to a connected state in response to receiving the signal.

Example Embodiment 27. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 1 to 26, wherein the network node is a base station.

Example Embodiment 28. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 1 to 27, wherein at least one of the wireless devices in the group of wireless devices is a user equipment. Example Embodiment 29. A computer program comprising instructions which when executed on a computer perform any of the methods of Example Embodiments 1 to 28.

Example Embodiment 30. A computer program product comprising computer program, the computer program comprising instructions which when executed on a computer perform any of the methods of Example Embodiments 1 to 28.

Example Embodiment 31. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions which when executed by a computer perform any of the methods of Example Embodiments 1 to 28.

Example Embodiment 32. A method performed by a network node, the method comprising: obtaining information identifying a group of wireless devices for receiving a signal; and based on the information, transmitting the signal to the group of wireless devices.

Example Embodiment 33. The method of Example Embodiment 32, wherein the obtaining comprises: determining the information; or obtaining information stored in the network node; or receiving the information from a wireless device.

Example Embodiment 34. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 32 to 33, further comprising: transmitting, to one or more wireless devices in the group of wireless devices, information associating the one or more wireless devices with the group of wireless devices.

Example Embodiment 35. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 32 to 34, wherein the obtained information indicates a characteristic associated with at least one wireless device in the group of the wireless devices, wherein the wireless device is associated with the group of wireless devices based on the characteristic.

Example Embodiment 36. The method of Example Embodiment 35, wherein the characteristic comprises location information identifying a location of the at least one wireless device within a geographical area.

Example Embodiment 37. The method of Example Embodiment 36, wherein the location information comprises positioning information.

Example Embodiment 38. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 36 to 37, wherein the at least one wireless device has changed location more than a threshold amount and the location information is obtained in response to the at least one wireless device changing location more than the threshold amount.

Example Embodiment 39. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 36 to 38, wherein the location information is received periodically from the at least one wireless device. Example Embodiment 40. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 35 to 39, wherein the characteristic comprises a service that is of interest to the at least one wireless device.

Example Embodiment 41. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 32 to 40, wherein the obtained information comprises an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices, and wherein the identifier is used to transmit the signal.

Example Embodiment 42. The method of Example Embodiment 41, wherein the identifier is transmitted as a unicast message.

Example Embodiment 43. The method of Example Embodiment 41, wherein the identifier is transmitted via a broadcast message.

Example Embodiment 44. The method of Example Embodiment 41, further comprising receiving the identifier from at least one wireless device.

Example Embodiment 45. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 32 to 44, further comprising determining, based on the obtained information, at least one of a paging frame (PF) and a paging occasion (PO) for transmitting the signal to the group of wireless devices.

Example Embodiment 46. The method of Example Embodiment 45, further comprising transmitting the at least one of the PF and the PO to the group of wireless devices.

Example Embodiment 47. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 32 to 46, wherein the obtained information comprises an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices, and wherein the method comprises: determining, based on the identifier, a paging frame (PF) and/or a paging occasion (PO); and transmitting the signal to the group of wireless devices in the PF and/or PO.

Example Embodiment 48. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 32 to 47, further comprising registering at least one wireless device in the group of wireless devices as being associated with the group of wireless devices based on a location of the at least one wireless device within a geographical area and/or based on a service requirement of the at least one wireless device.

Example Embodiment 49. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 32 to 48, further comprising: transmitting at least one of a plurality of beams, each one of the plurality of beams configured to cover a portion of a cell; and receiving, from at least one wireless device, a message comprising an indication of the at least one of the plurality of beams received by the at least one wireless device. Example Embodiment 50. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 32 to 49, wherein the signal transmitted to the group of wireless devices comprises downlink control information.

Example Embodiment 51. The method of Example Embodiment 50, wherein the downlink control information is scrambled using a paging Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) that is associated with the group of wireless devices.

Example Embodiment 52. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 32 to 51, further comprising transmitting, to the group of wireless devices, timing information indicating when the group of wireless devices may perform random access upon receiving the signal.

Example Embodiment 53. The method of Example Embodiment 52, wherein the timing information indicates an order in which the wireless devices in the group of wireless devices may perform random access.

Example Embodiment 54. The method of Example Embodiment 52, wherein the timing information indicates a time frame in which the wireless devices in the group of wireless devices may perform random access.

Example Embodiment 55. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 52 to 54, further comprising configuring the group of wireless devices to determine when to perform random access based on the timing information.

Example Embodiment 56. The method of any one of Example Embodiment Embodiments 32 to 55, further comprising configuring the group of wireless devices to transition from an idle or inactive state to a connected state in response to receiving the signal.

Example Embodiment 57. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 32 to 56, wherein the signal is a page message.

Example Embodiment 58. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 32 to 57, wherein the network node is a base station.

Example Embodiment 59. The method of any one of Example Embodiments 32 to 58, wherein at least one of the wireless devices in the group of wireless devices is a user equipment.

Example Embodiment 60. A computer program comprising instructions which when executed on a computer perform any of the methods of Example Embodiments 32 to 59.

Example Embodiment 61. A computer program product comprising computer program, the computer program comprising instructions which when executed on a computer perform any of the methods of Example Embodiments 32 to 59. Example Embodiment 62. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions which when executed by a computer perform any of the methods of Example Embodiments 32 to 59.

Example Embodiment 63. A wireless device configured to perform any of the steps of any of Example Embodiments 1 to 31.

Example Embodiment 64. A wireless device comprising processing circuitry and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the wireless device is operative to perform any of the steps of any of Example Embodiments 1 to 31.

Example Embodiment 65. A wireless device comprising: processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of Example Embodiments 1 to 31; and power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the wireless device.

Example Embodiment 66. A network node configured to perform any of the steps of any of Example Embodiments 32 to 62.

Example Embodiment 67. A network node comprising processing circuitry and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the network node is operative to perform any of the steps of any of Example Embodiments 32 to 62.

Example Embodiment 68. A network node comprising: processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of Example Embodiments 32 to 62; power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the network node.

Example Embodiment 69. A user equipment (UE) the UE comprising: an antenna configured to send and receive wireless signals; radio front-end circuitry connected to the antenna and to processing circuitry, and configured to condition signals communicated between the antenna and the processing circuitry; the processing circuitry being configured to perform any of the steps of any of Example Embodiments 1 to 31; an input interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to allow input of information into the UE to be processed by the processing circuitry; an output interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to output information from the UE that has been processed by the processing circuitry; and a battery connected to the processing circuitry and configured to supply power to the UE.

Example Embodiment 70. A communication system including a host computer comprising: processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and a communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE), wherein the cellular network comprises a base station having a radio interface and processing circuitry, the base station’s processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of Example Embodiments 32 to 62.

Example Embodiment 71. The communication system of the previous embodiment further including the base station.

Example Embodiment 72. The communication system of the previous 2 embodiments, further including the UE, wherein the UE is configured to communicate with the base station.

Example Embodiment 73. The communication system of the previous 3 embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and the UE comprises processing circuitry configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

Example Embodiment 74. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, providing user data; and at the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the base station, wherein the base station performs any of the steps of any of Example Embodiments 32 to 62.

Example Embodiment 75. The method of the previous embodiment, further comprising, at the base station, transmitting the user data.

Example Embodiment 76. The method of the previous 2 embodiments, wherein the user data is provided at the host computer by executing a host application, the method further comprising, at the UE, executing a client application associated with the host application.

Example Embodiment 77. A user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with a base station, the UE comprising a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to performs the of the previous 3 embodiments.

Example Embodiment 78. A communication system including a host computer comprising: processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and a communication interface configured to forward user data to a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE), wherein the UE comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the UE’s components configured to perform any of the steps of any of Example Embodiments 1 to 31.

Example Embodiment 79. The communication system of the previous embodiment, wherein the cellular network further includes a base station configured to communicate with the UE. Example Embodiment 80. The communication system of the previous 2 embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and the UE’s processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

Example Embodiment 81. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, providing user data; and at the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the base station, wherein the UE performs any of the steps of any of Example Embodiments 1 to 31.

Example Embodiment 82. The method of the previous embodiment, further comprising at the UE, receiving the user data from the base station.

Example Embodiment 83. A communication system including a host computer comprising: communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a user equipment (UE) to a base station, wherein the UE comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the UE’s processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of Example Embodiments 1 to 31.

Example Embodiment 84. The communication system of the previous embodiment, further including the UE.

Example Embodiment 85. The communication system of the previous 2 embodiments, further including the base station, wherein the base station comprises a radio interface configured to communicate with the UE and a communication interface configured to forward to the host computer the user data carried by a transmission from the UE to the base station.

Example Embodiment 86. The communication system of the previous 3 embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application; and the UE’s processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data.

Example Embodiment 87. The communication system of the previous 4 embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing request data; and the UE’s processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data in response to the request data.

Example Embodiment 88. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, receiving user data transmitted to the base station from the UE, wherein the UE performs any of the steps of any of Example Embodiments 1 to 31.

Example Embodiment 89. The method of the previous embodiment, further comprising, at the UE, providing the user data to the base station.

Example Embodiment 90. The method of the previous 2 embodiments, further comprising: at the UE, executing a client application, thereby providing the user data to be transmitted; and at the host computer, executing a host application associated with the client application.

Example Embodiment 91. The method of the previous 3 embodiments, further comprising: at the UE, executing a client application; and at the UE, receiving input data to the client application, the input data being provided at the host computer by executing a host application associated with the client application, wherein the user data to be transmitted is provided by the client application in response to the input data.

Example Embodiment 92. A communication system including a host computer comprising a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a user equipment (UE) to a base station, wherein the base station comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the base station’s processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of Example Embodiments 32 to 62.

Example Embodiment 93. The communication system of the previous embodiment further including the base station.

Example Embodiment 94. The communication system of the previous 2 embodiments, further including the UE, wherein the UE is configured to communicate with the base station.

Example Embodiment 95. The communication system of the previous 3 embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application; the UE is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data to be received by the host computer.

Example Embodiment 96. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, receiving, from the base station, user data originating from a transmission which the base station has received from the UE, wherein the UE performs any of the steps of any of Example Embodiments 1 to 31.

Example Embodiment 97. The method of the previous embodiment, further comprising at the base station, receiving the user data from the UE. Example Embodiment 98. The method of the previous 2 embodiments, further comprising at the base station, initiating a transmission of the received user data to the host computer.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems and apparatuses described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses may be performed by more, fewer, or other components. Additionally, operations of the systems and apparatuses may be performed using any suitable logic comprising software, hardware, and/or other logic. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The methods may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order.

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments, alterations and permutations of the embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of the embodiments does not constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A method (1200) performed by a wireless device (110), the method comprising: obtaining (1202) information associating the wireless device with a group of wireless devices, the information comprising an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices; determining (1204), based on the information, at least one of a paging frame (PF) and a paging occasion (PO); and based on the at least one of the PF and the PO, receiving (1206) a signal transmitted to the wireless device.

2. The method of Claim 1, further comprising monitoring the at least one of the PF and the PO for the signal transmitted to the wireless device.

3. The method of any one of Claims 1 to 2, wherein obtaining the information comprising the identifier comprises receiving the identifier as a unicast message.

4. The method of any one of Claims 1 to 2, wherein obtaining the information comprising the identifier comprises receiving the identifier via a broadcast message or a multicast message.

5. The method of any one of Claims 1 to 2, further comprising transmitting the identifier to a network node (160).

6. The method of any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein determining the at least one of the PF and the PO is based on the identifier associated with the group of wireless devices.

7. The method of any one of Claim 1 to 6, wherein the information is received from a network node (160), and wherein the information comprises the at least one of the PF and the PO.

8. The method of any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein obtaining the information associating the wireless device with the group of wireless devices comprises: receiving the information from a network node (160); or obtaining information stored in the wireless device; or determining the information.

9. The method of any one of Claims 1 to 8, further comprising transmitting information to a network node (160), the transmitted information indicating a characteristic associated with the wireless device, wherein the wireless device is associated with the group of wireless devices based on the characteristic.

10. The method of any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the obtained information indicates a characteristic associated with the wireless device, wherein the wireless device is associated with the group of wireless devices based on the characteristic.

11. The method of any one of Claims 9 to 10, wherein the characteristic comprises location information indicating a location of the wireless device within a geographical area.

12. The method of Claim 11, wherein the location information comprises positioning information.

13. The method of any one of Claims 11 to 12, further comprising determining that the wireless device has changed location more than a threshold amount, and wherein the location information is transmitted in response to the wireless device changing location more than the threshold amount.

14. The method of any one of Claims 11 to 13, wherein the location information is periodically transmitted to the network node.

15. The method of any one of Claims 9 to 14, wherein the characteristic comprises a service that is of interest to the wireless device.

16. The method of any one of Claims 9 to 15, wherein the wireless device is registered as being associated with the group of wireless devices based on the characteristic.

17. The method of any one of Claims 9 to 16, further comprising: transmitting, to a network node, a message comprising an indication of at least one beam received by the wireless device, wherein the indication of the at least one beam indicates the at least one characteristic associated with the wireless device to the network node.

18. The method of Claim 17, wherein obtaining the information comprising the identifier comprises receiving the information via the at least one beam.

19. The method of any one of Claims 17 to 18, wherein the signal is received via the at least one beam.

20. The method of any one of Claims 1 to 19, wherein the signal comprises downlink control information transmitted to the group of wireless devices.

21. The method of Claim 20, wherein the downlink control information is scrambled using a group paging Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) that is associated with the group of wireless devices, and the method further comprises using the group paging RNTI to descramble the downlink control information.

22. The method of any one of Claims 1 to 21, further comprising: receiving timing information from a network node (160), the timing information indicating when the wireless device associated with the group of wireless devices is to perform random access after receiving the signal; and performing random access based on the timing information.

23. The method of Claim 22, wherein the timing information indicates an order in which the wireless devices in the group of wireless devices are to perform random access.

24. The method of Claim 22, wherein the timing information indicates a time frame in which the wireless devices in the group of wireless devices are to perform random access.

25. The method of any one of Claims 1 to 24, further comprising transitioning from an idle or inactive state to a connected state in response to receiving the signal.

26. The method of any one of Claims 1 to 25, wherein the wireless device is a user equipment

(200).

27. A method (1600) performed by a network node (160), the method comprising: obtaining (1602) information identifying a group of wireless devices (110) for receiving a signal, the information comprising an identifier associated with the group of wireless devices; determining (1604), based on the information, at least one of a paging frame (PF) and a paging occasion (PO); based on the at least one of the PF and the PO, transmitting (1606) the signal to the group of wireless devices in the at least one of the PF and the PO.

28. The method of Claim 27, further comprising transmitting, to one or more wireless devices in the group of wireless devices, the information associating the one or more wireless devices with the group of wireless devices.

29. The method of Claim 28, wherein the information is transmitted as a unicast message.

30. The method of Claim 28, wherein the information is transmitted via a broadcast message or a multicast message.

31. The method of Claim 27, wherein obtaining the information comprising the identifier comprises receiving the information comprising the identifier from at least one wireless device within the group of wireless devices.

32. The method of any one of Claims 27 to 31, wherein the at least one of the PF and the PO is determined based on the identifier associated with the group of wireless devices.

33. The method of any one of Claims 27 to 32, wherein obtaining the information identifying the group of wireless devices comprises: determining the information; or obtaining information stored in the network node; or receiving the information from a wireless device.

34. The method any one of Claims 27 to 33, wherein the information comprises the at least one of the PF and the PO.

35. The method of any one of Claims 27 to 34, wherein the obtained information indicates a characteristic associated with at least one wireless device in the group of the wireless devices, wherein the wireless device is associated with the group of wireless devices based on the characteristic.

36. The method of any one of Claims 27 to 34, further comprising receiving information from at least one wireless device in the group of wireless devices, the information indicating a characteristic associated with the at least one wireless device, wherein the wireless device is associated with the group of wireless devices based on the characteristic.

37. The method of any one of Claims 35 to 36, wherein the characteristic comprises location information identifying a location of the at least one wireless device within a geographical area.

38. The method of Claim 37, wherein the location information comprises positioning information.

39. The method of any one of Claims 37 to 38, wherein the at least one wireless device has changed location more than a threshold amount and the location information is obtained in response to the at least one wireless device changing location more than the threshold amount.

40. The method of any one of Claims 37 to 39, wherein the location information is received periodically from the at least one wireless device.

41. The method of any one of Claims 35 to 40, wherein the characteristic comprises a service that is of interest to the at least one wireless device.

42. The method of any one of Claims 27 to 41, further comprising registering at least one wireless device in the group of wireless devices as being associated with the group of wireless devices.

43. The method of Claim 42, wherein the at least one wireless device is registered in the group of wireless devices based on at least one of: a location of the at least one wireless device within a geographical area; and a service requirement of the at least one wireless device.

44. The method of any one of Claims 27 to 43, further comprising: receiving, from at least one wireless device, a message comprising an indication of at least one beam received by the at least one wireless device, and wherein the wireless device is associated with the group of wireless devices based on the indication of the at least one beam received by the at least one wireless device.

45. The method of Claim 44, further comprising transmitting the information to the at least one wireless device via the at least one beam.

46. The method of any one of Claims 44 to 45, wherein the signal is transmitted via the at least one beam.

47. The method of any one of Claims 27 to 46, wherein the signal transmitted to the group of wireless devices comprises downlink control information.

48. The method of Claim 47, wherein the downlink control information is scrambled using a group paging Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) that is associated with the group of wireless devices.

49. The method of any one of Claims 27 to 48, further comprising transmitting timing information to the group of wireless devices, the timing information indicating when the wireless devices in the group of wireless devices are to perform random access after receiving the signal.

50. The method of Claim 49, wherein the timing information indicates an order in which the wireless devices in the group of wireless devices are to perform random access.

51. The method of Claim 49, wherein the timing information indicates a time frame in which the wireless devices in the group of wireless devices are to perform random access.

52. The method of any one of Claims 27 to 51, wherein the network node is a base station.

53. A wireless device (110) configured to perform any of the steps of any of Claims 1 to 26.

54. A network node (160) configured to perform any of the steps of any of Claims 27 to

52