WO2022207382A1

WO2022207382A1 - Method, apparatus and computer program

Info

Publication number: WO2022207382A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/057289
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mads LAURIDSEN; Jeroen Wigard
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2021-03-30
Filing date: 2022-03-21
Publication date: 2022-10-06
Also published as: GB202104503D0; GB2607558A

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus comprising means configured to perform: transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure, with a base station, that indicates whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated. The means further configured to perform, when the transmission indicates that the location should be updated, providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station.

Description

DESCRIPTION

METHOD. APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM Field

The present application relates to a method, apparatus, and computer program for a wireless communication system.

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

Summary

According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means configured to perform: transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure, with a base station, that indicates whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated; and when the transmission indicates that the location should be updated, providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station.

In an example, the means are configured to perform: when the transmission indicates that the location should not be updated, refraining from providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station.

In an example, wherein the means configured to perform providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station are configured to perform: providing information about the location of the apparatus in: the message of the random access procedure, or a subsequent message of the random access procedure.

In an example, the information about the location of the apparatus is provided in the message of the random access procedure using early data transmission.

In an example, the means are configured to perform: receiving a scheduling grant from the base station; and providing the information about the location of the apparatus, to the base station, in a further message using the scheduling grant.

In an example, wherein the means are configured to perform: receiving a configuration from the base station, wherein the configuration allows the apparatus to transmit the message to initiate a random access procedure to indicate whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated.

In an example, the configuration indicates how the apparatus is to indicate whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated using the random access procedure.

In an example, the transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure is performed by using specific physical random access channel resources, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated.

In an example, the transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure is performed by using a specific preamble format for the random access procedure, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated.

In an example, the transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure is performed by transmitting the message to initiate the random access procedure at certain points in time, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated.

In an example, the transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure is performed by performing the random access procedure using specific root sequences for the random access procedure, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated.

In an example, the transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure is performed by using a specific preamble for the random access procedure, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated. In an example, the configuration indicates a first random access preamble set and a second random access preamble set, wherein the use of a preamble from the first random access preamble set indicates that the location of the apparatus should not be updated, and the use of a preamble from the second random access preamble set indicates that the location of the apparatus should be updated.

In an example, the transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure comprises: transmitting the message to initiate the random access procedure, with the base station, using a preamble from one of the first random access preamble set and the second random access preamble set, and wherein the providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station comprises: when using a preamble from the second random access preamble set indicating that a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated, providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station.

In an example, the apparatus is comprised in a user equipment.

According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: one or more processors, and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform: transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure, with a base station, that indicates whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated; and when the transmission indicates that the location should be updated, providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station.

In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: when the transmission indicates that the location should not be updated, refraining from providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station.

In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: providing information about the location of the apparatus in: the message of the random access procedure, or a subsequent message of the random access procedure.

In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: receiving a scheduling grant from the base station; and providing the information about the location of the apparatus, to the base station, in a further message using the scheduling grant.

In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: receiving a configuration from the base station, wherein the configuration allows the apparatus to transmit the message to initiate a random access procedure to indicate whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated.

In an example, the transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure is performed by using a specific preamble for the random access procedure, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated.

In an example, the configuration indicates a first random access preamble set and a second random access preamble set, wherein the use of a preamble from the first random access preamble set indicates that the location of the apparatus should not be updated, and the use of a preamble from the second random access preamble set indicates that the location of the apparatus should be updated.

In an example, the apparatus is comprised in a user equipment.

According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means configured to perform: receiving a message, from a user equipment, that initiates a random access procedure, wherein the message indicates whether a location of the user equipment stored by a network should be updated; and when the message indicates that the location should be updated, receiving information about the location of the user equipment from the user equipment.

In an example, the means configured to perform receiving information about the location of the user equipment from the user equipment are configured to perform: receiving information about the location of the user equipment in: the message of the random access procedure, or a subsequent message of the random access procedure.

In an example, the means are configured to perform: transmitting a scheduling grant to the user equipment; and receiving the information about the location of the user equipment, from the user equipment, in a further message using the scheduling grant.

In an example, means are configured to perform: when the message indicates that the location should not be updated, receiving information about the location of the user equipment from a core network entity, or a former serving cell.

In an example, the means are configured to perform: transmitting a configuration to the user equipment, wherein the configuration allows the user equipment to transmit the message to initiate a random access procedure to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated.

In an example, the configuration indicates how the user equipment is to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated using the random access procedure.

In an example, the message is received using specific physical random access channel resources, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated. In an example, the message is received using a specific preamble format for the random access procedure, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated.

In an example, the message is received using at certain points in time, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated.

In an example, the message is received using specific root sequences for the random access procedure, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated.

In an example, the message is received using a specific preamble for the random access procedure, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated.

In an example, the configuration indicates a first random access preamble set and a second random access preamble set, wherein the use of a preamble from the first random access preamble set indicates that the location of the user equipment should not be updated, and the use of a preamble from the second random access preamble set indicates that the location of the user equipment should be updated.

In an example, the receiving a message that initiates a random access procedure comprises: receiving the message that initiates the random access procedure, from the user equipment, with a preamble from one of the first random access preamble set and the second random access preamble set, and wherein the receiving information about the location of the user equipment from the user equipment comprises: when a preamble from the second random access preamble set indicating that a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated is used, receiving information about the location of the user equipment from the user equipment.

In an example, the means are configured to perform: transmitting the information of the location of the user equipment to a core network entity.

In an example, the apparatus is comprised in a base station.

According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: one or more processors, and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform: receiving a message, from a user equipment, that initiates a random access procedure, wherein the message indicates whether a location of the user equipment stored by a network should be updated; and when the message indicates that the location should be updated, receiving information about the location of the user equipment from the user equipment.

In an example, the receiving information about the location of the user equipment from the user equipment comprises: receiving information about the location of the user equipment in: the message of the random access procedure, or a subsequent message of the random access procedure.

In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: transmitting a scheduling grant to the user equipment; and receiving the information about the location of the user equipment, from the user equipment, in a further message using the scheduling grant.

In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: when the message indicates that the location should not be updated, receiving information about the location of the user equipment from a core network entity, or a former serving cell.

In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: transmitting a configuration to the user equipment, wherein the configuration allows the user equipment to transmit the message to initiate a random access procedure to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated.

In an example, the message is received using specific physical random access channel resources, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated.

In an example, the message is received using a specific preamble format for the random access procedure, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated.

In an example, the message is received using at certain points in time, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated. In an example, the message is received using specific root sequences for the random access procedure, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated. In an example, the message is received using a specific preamble for the random access procedure, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated.

In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: transmitting the information of the location of the user equipment to a core network entity.

In an example, the apparatus is comprised in a base station.

According to an aspect, there is provided a method comprising: transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure, with a base station, that indicates whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated; and when the transmission indicates that the location should be updated, providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station.

In an example, the method comprises: when the transmission indicates that the location should not be updated, refraining from providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station.

In an example, the providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station comprises: providing information about the location of the apparatus in: the message of the random access procedure, or a subsequent message of the random access procedure.

In an example, the information about the location of the apparatus is provided in the message of the random access procedure using early data transmission. In an example, the method comprises: receiving a scheduling grant from the base station; and providing the information about the location of the apparatus, to the base station, in a further message using the scheduling grant.

In an example, the method comprises: receiving a configuration from the base station, wherein the configuration allows the apparatus to transmit the message to initiate a random access procedure to indicate whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated.

In an example, the method is performed by a user equipment.

According to an aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving a message, from a user equipment, that initiates a random access procedure, wherein the message indicates whether a location of the user equipment stored by a network should be updated; and when the message indicates that the location should be updated, receiving information about the location of the user equipment from the user equipment.

In an example, the method comprises: transmitting a scheduling grant to the user equipment; and receiving the information about the location of the user equipment, from the user equipment, in a further message using the scheduling grant.

In an example, the method comprises: when the message indicates that the location should not be updated, receiving information about the location of the user equipment from a core network entity, or a former serving cell.

In an example, the method comprises: transmitting a configuration to the user equipment, wherein the configuration allows the user equipment to transmit the message to initiate a random access procedure to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated.

In an example, the configuration indicates how the user equipment is to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated using the random access procedure. In an example, the message is received using specific physical random access channel resources, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated.

In an example, the message is received using at certain points in time, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated. In an example, the message is received using specific root sequences for the random access procedure, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated.

In an example, the receiving a message that initiates a random access procedure comprises: receiving the message that initiates the random access procedure, from the user equipment, with a preamble from one of the first random access preamble set and the second random access preamble set, and wherein the receiving information about the location of the user equipment from the user equipment comprises: when a preamble from the second random access preamble set indicating that a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated is used, receiving information about the location of the user equipment from the user equipment. In an example, the method comprises: transmitting the information of the location of the user equipment to a core network entity.

In an example, the method is performed by a base station.

According to an aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable instructions which when run on one or more processors perform: transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure, with a base station, that indicates whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated; and when the transmission indicates that the location should be updated, providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station. According to an aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable instructions which when run on one or more processors perform: receiving a message, from a user equipment, that initiates a random access procedure, wherein the message indicates whether a location of the user equipment stored by a network should be updated; and when the message indicates that the location should be updated, receiving information about the location of the user equipment from the user equipment.

A computer product stored on a medium may cause an apparatus to perform the methods as described herein.

An electronic device may comprise apparatus as described herein In the above, various aspects have been described. It should be appreciated that further aspects may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the various aspects described above.

Various other aspects and further embodiments are also described in the following detailed description and in the attached claims. According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims. The embodiments that do not fall under the scope of the claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the disclosure.

List of abbreviations:

AF: Application Function

AUSF: Authentication Server Function

AMF: Access Management Function

AN: Access Network

BS: Base Station

DL: Downlink eMTC: Enhanced Machine Type Communications eNB: eNodeB

GEO: Geostationary Earth Orbit gNB: gNodeB

GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System

LEO: Low Earth Orbit

LTE: Long Term Evolution NB-loT: Narrowband Internet of Things NEF: Network Exposure Function NG-RAN: Next Generation Radio Access Network NF: Network Function

NR: New Radio NRF: Network Repository Function NTN: Non-Terrestrial Network

NW: Network

MS: Mobile Station

MT: Mobile Termination RAN: Radio Access Network

RF: Radio Frequency

SMF: Session Management Function

TN: Terrestrial Network

UE: User Equipment UL: Uplink

UPF: User Plane Function

3GPP: 3^rd Generation Partnership Project

5G: 5^th Generation

5GC: 5G Core network 5G-AN: 5G Radio Access Network 5GS: 5G System

Description of Figures

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a 5G system;

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a control apparatus;

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a terminal; Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a network architecture for terrestrial and non-terrestrial communication networks;

Figure 5 shows an example signalling diagram of a 4-step random access procedure; Figure 6 shows an example flow chart for methods performed by a user equipment;

Figures 7a and 7b show example signalling diagrams between a user equipment and a network;

Figure 8 shows an example method flow diagram performed by a network entity;

Figure 9 shows another example method flow diagram performed by a network entity; and

Figure 10 shows a schematic representation of a non-volatile memory medium storing instructions which when executed by a processor allow a processor to perform one or more of the steps of the method of Figures 8 and 9.

Detailed description

Before explaining in detail some examples of the present disclosure, certain general principles of a wireless communication system and mobile communication devices are briefly explained with reference to Figures 1 to 3 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the described examples.

In a wireless communication system 100, such as that shown in Figure 1, mobile communication devices/terminals or user apparatuses, and/or user equipments (UE), and/or machine-type communication devices 102 are provided wireless access via at least one base station (not shown) or similar wireless transmitting and/or receiving node or point. A communication device is provided with an appropriate signal receiving and transmitting apparatus for enabling communications, for example enabling access to a communication network or communications directly with other devices. The communication device may access a carrier provided by a station or access point, and transmit and/or receive communications on the carrier.

In the following certain examples are explained with reference to mobile communication devices capable of communication via a wireless cellular system and mobile communication systems serving such mobile communication devices. Before explaining in detail the examples of disclose, certain general principles of a wireless communication system, access systems thereof, and mobile communication devices are briefly explained with reference to Figures 1 , 2 and 3 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the described examples. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a 5G system (5GS) 100. The

5GS may comprises a terminal 102, a 5G access network (5G-AN) 106, a 5G core network (5GC) 104, one or more network functions (NF), one or more application function (AF) 108 and one or more data networks (DN) 110.

The 5G-AN 106 may comprise one or more gNodeB (gNB) distributed unit functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) centralized unit functions.

The 5GC 104 may comprise an access management function (AMF) 112, a session management function (SMF) 114, an authentication server function (AUSF) 116, a user data management (UDM) 118, a user plane function (UPF) 120, a network exposure function (NEF) 122 and/or other NFs. Some of the examples as shown below may be applicable to 3GPP 5G standards. However, some examples may also be applicable to 4G, 3G and other 3GPP standards.

In a communication system, such as that shown in Figure 1 , mobile communication devices/terminals or user apparatuses, and/or user equipments (UE), and/or machine-type communication devices are provided with wireless access via at least one base station or similar wireless transmitting and/or receiving node or point. The terminal is provided with an appropriate signal receiving and transmitting apparatus for enabling communications, for example enabling access to a communication network or communications directly with other devices. The communication device may access a carrier provided by a station or access point, and transmit and/or receive communications on the carrier. Terminal 102 is also depicted in Figure 5, with labels 10, 16, 19, 20A, 20B. Terminal 102 is also depicted in Figure 6 with label 601 , for example. The terminal 102 may use communications services. Two or more terminals may use the same communications services. In other examples, two or more terminals may have different services from each other. Figure 2 illustrates an example of a control apparatus 200 for controlling a function of the 5G-AN or the 5GC as illustrated on Figure 1 . The control apparatus may comprise at least one random access memory (RAM) 211a, at least on read only memory (ROM) 211b, at least one processor 212, 213 and an input/output interface 214. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be coupled to the RAM 211a and the ROM 211b. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 215. The software code 215 may for example allow to perform one or more steps to perform one or more of the present aspects. The software code 215 may be stored in the ROM 211b. The control apparatus 200 may be interconnected with another control apparatus 200 controlling another function of the 5G-AN or the 5GC. In some examples, each function of the 5G-AN or the 5GC comprises a control apparatus 200. In alternative examples, two or more functions of the 5G-AN or the 5GC may share a control apparatus.

Figure 3 illustrates an example of a terminal 300, such as the terminal illustrated on Figure 1. The terminal 300 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples comprise a user equipment, a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a ’smart phone’, a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, a machine-type communications (MTC) device, a Cellular Internet of things (CloT) device or any combinations of these or the like. The terminal 300 may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications. The communications may be one or more of voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia, data, machine data and so on. The terminal 300 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 307 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 3 transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 306. The transceiver apparatus 306 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

The terminal 300 may be provided with at least one processor 301 , at least one memory ROM 302a, at least one RAM 302b and other possible components 303 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The at least one processor 301 is coupled to the RAM 302a and the ROM 302a. The at least one processor 301 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 308. The software code 308 may for example allow to perform one or more of the present aspects. The software code 308 may be stored in the ROM 302a.

The processor, storage and other relevant control apparatus may be provided on an appropriate circuit board and/or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 304. The device may optionally have a user interface such as keypad 305, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. Optionally one or more of a display, a speaker and a microphone may be provided depending on the type of the device.

Some of the following examples are related to terrestrial networks (TN) and non-terrestrial networks (NTN). In this context, an NTN includes all networks which use an airborne or spaceborne platform as a part of the network. For example, satellites, high-altitude platforms or drones. Satellites can be classified in terms of their altitude, such as low-Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites. LEO satellites are deployed in large constellations and move with respect to the Earth’s surface. LEO satellites may have a speed of approximately 7.5 km/s to maintain their orbit. A LEO satellite may have an earth orbit time of approximately 90 minutes. An advantage of LEO satellites is a global and high-speed communication link with a low delay in comparison to traditional Geostationary Earth orbit (GEO). This may be due to the LEO satellites having a lower round-trip time (RTT). A GEO satellite has an earth orbit time of 24 hours and stay is the same place with respect to the Earth. Terrestrial networks include radio access networks, such as 4G and 5G networks.

Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a network architecture for terrestrial and non-terrestrial communication networks. There are two layers provided in Figure 4, including a terrestrial layer 401 and a non-terrestrial layer 403. The terrestrial layer 401 comprises a first base station 405 and a second base station 407. As an example, the first and second base stations 405, 407 may be gNodeBs. The first base station 405 has a first cell area 409. The second base station 405 has a second cell area 411. The non-terrestrial layer comprises a satellite 413. The satellite 413 has a satellite area 415. In a case of a transparent architecture the base station is found on the ground and the signal is relayed back to earth, while in case of a regenerative architecture the base station, or parts of it, are on the satellite itself. The satellite area 415 represents the area on the ground with a direct line of sight to the satellite 415. Therefore, in other examples, the shape of the satellite area 415 may be different. The satellite area 415 can also be covered through reflections. The satellite area 415 may also cover some indoor locations, that are not line-of-sight radio conditions.

There is also provided a user equipment 415. The user equipment may be able to connect to either the first base station 405, the second base station 407, or the satellite 411 based on the location of the user equipment 415.

A study item, in 3GPP rel 17, has been released on the support of narrowband internet of things (NB-loT) and enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) over non-terrestrial networks. The study item includes both low-earth orbit and geo- stationary satellites, which can lead to round-trip propagation times in the order of 10s to 100s of milliseconds.

It has been proposed to develop possible enhancements related to time/frequency adjustment, general timer aspects, and mobility, in order to address the propagation time issues. For the enhancements, it is assumed that a user equipment (UE) has global navigation satellite system (GNSS) capabilities. This is, for example, useful to handle the timing issues caused by the use of half duplex UEs in a frequency division duplexing scenario. As an example, due to the potentially long propagation delays the network cannot determine which downlink subframes are blocked by the UE due to uplink transmissions. It has previously been suggested to support for a mechanism by which the UE reports its TA (timing advance) to the network, so that the network and UE are in sync for uplink/downlink scheduling purposes. Further, this reporting may need to be updated, since the relative position of a satellite with respect to the UE may change over time. The timing advance (TA) directly depends on the UE and the satellite locations, and it is e.g. assumed that the UE can pre-calculate the TA for the random access procedure using its location and satellite ephemeris. Flowever, this approach is not efficient, and uses additional network resources.

Internet of things (loT) devices are often battery-operated and therefore it is important to ensure efficient and quick communication, such that they can return to a low-power sleep mode. The UE’s location is often required to facilitate various UE and network operations and therefore, this some examples aim to address the problem of how to allow the UE to efficiently and quickly notify the network about the UE location.

For some of the examples below, it is also assumed that UEs have GNSS capability, and that the UE location can be used, for example, for pre-compensation of transmission/reception, location-aware services including legal aspects, and enhanced mobility.

New Radio (NR) positioning may be based on the use of a location server, in a similar to Long Term Evolution (LTE). The location server collects and distributes information related to positioning to the other entities involved in the positioning procedures. The information related to positioning may comprise, for example, UE capabilities, assistance data, measurements, and position estimates. A range of positioning methods, both DL-based and UL-based, are used separately or in combination to meet the accuracy requirements for different scenarios The location server can thus provide the location of users based on the measurements provided by the different entities in the network. In the case of non terrestrial networks, many of the existing positioning techniques do not work as the transmission nodes are moving.

Figure 5 shows a signalling diagram of a 4-step random access (RA) procedure In S501 , the UE selects an RA preamble. Then the UE provides the selected

RA preamble to the base station. The base station may be, for example, an eNodeB or gNodeB. The transmission may be in configured time-frequency resources using a certain preamble format.

In S503, the network responds to the RA preamble. The network provides an RA response message to the UE. The RA response may comprise time alignment information and an initial uplink grant.

In S505, the UE responds in message 3 (Msg3) with radio resource control (RRC) information related to the establishment of the connection. NB-loT and eMTC UEs may furthermore include a small amount of data in message 3. This small amount of data is known as Early Data Transmission (EDT). The supported amount of data may be given in the physical random access channel (PRACFI) configuration using edt-TBS-lnfoList.

In S507, the network sends a contention resolution message to the UE.

In some examples, network may divide the RA preambles into a group A and a group B with different number of preambles per group. Group A may be configured, while group B may be indicated in system information block type 2 (SIB2). The UE may select group B if the size of Msg3 exceeds a threshold messageSizeGroupA and the path loss estimate is below a certain threshold. This may be partially based on messagePowerOffsetGroupB. The use of a group B preamble by the UE may trigger the network to allocate a larger grant for the Msg3.

Some of the following examples allow the UE to provide a location update to the network as part of the random access procedure by implicitly indicating whether it has changed location or not. The network may store a current location of the UE.

In an example, the network provides a configuration to the UE. In an example, the configuration may be provided to the UE via system information broadcast. In another example, the configuration may be provided to the UE via dedicated signalling. The configuration will identify two sets for the UE to use for a random access procedure. For example, if the UE uses set 1 then this indicates that the location should not be updated. If the UE uses set 2 then this indicates that the location should be updated. There are different examples of sets that can be configured for the UE, as discussed in detail below.

In an example, the network provides two sets of RA preambles to the UE (a first set and a second set). The network may provide a configuration message to the UE in order to configure the two sets of RA preambles. The preambles in the first set may be different to the preambles in the second set.

The first RA preamble set (set 1 ) can be selected by the UE if the location of the UE should not be updated. If the location of the UE should not be updated, this may mean that the UE’s location has not changed since the last location update. Alternatively, a second RA preamble set (set 2) can be selected by the UE if the location of the UE’s should be updated. If the location of the UE should be updated, this may mean that the UE’s location has changed since the last location update.

If the set 1 is selected by the UE when initiating an RA procedure with the network, this indicates that the location of the UE should not be updated. In this case, the network uses the same UE location for the UE as the previous cell did. The UE location may be used in the procedure related to access, mobility, timing advance, etc. The information of the UE location can be obtained from the previous cell that the UE was active in, or be retrieved through the location management function.

If the set 2 is used by the UE when initiating an RA procedure with then network, then the location of the UE has moved since the last location update. A UE may also use set 2 if the UE is yet to provide a location to the network at all. In this case, the UE may then provide information about the UE location to the network. For example, if EDT is configured for the UE, then the UE includes a “location update packet” in the message 3 of the Random Access procedure. The message 3 has space for EDT data. When the UE transmits with a RA preamble from set 2, the network may know that the EDT contains a “location update packet”. The network (radio access network) can therefore quickly process the EDT and update the UE’s location.

In another example, if EDT is not configured for the UE, the network may respond with a scheduling grant when the RA procedure is complete. The size of the grant can be tailored to the size of a “location update packet”. In another example, the scheduling grant may be included as part of the contention resolution message of the RA procedure.

In the above example, the implicit indication of whether the location of the UE should be updated is provided by using set 1 or set 2 RA preambles. In other examples, the implicit indication can be provided in other ways.

In another example, the UE may indicate whether the UE location should be updated by performing the RA in specific physical random access channel (PRACH) resources. In an example, the different PRACH resources may be configured for the UE in two sets. For example, if the UE uses PRACH resources that are configured to be in a set 1 then this indicates that the location should not be updated. If the UE uses PRACH resources that are configured to be in a set 2 then this indicates that the location should be updated. For example, one set of PRACH resources is dedicated for UEs that should not update their location, while another set of PRACH resources is dedicated for UEs which did move (or did not yet provide the location). This may be, for example, based on the prach-Config Index. Alternatively, it may be based on, for example, a number of used subcarriers/location in the frequency domain of used subcarriers (subcarrier index).

In another example, the UE may indicate whether the UE location should be updated by using a specific preamble format which defines the time duration of the preamble (incl. cyclic prefix). For example, one preamble format is used for UEs which did not move, while another preamble format is dedicated for UEs which did move (or did not yet provide the location). For example, the preamble format may be one of 0,1 ,2,3,4 and may define the cycle prefix and the sequence length. In an example, the different preamble formats may be configured for the UE in two sets. For example, if the UE uses a preamble format from a set 1 then this indicates that the location should not be updated. If the UE uses a preamble format from a set 2 then this indicates that the location should be updated.

In another example, the network may configure that the UE with a location update performs a RA procedure at certain points in time only. For example, the certain points in time may be linked to the system frame number and/or subframe number. In an example, the certain points in time may be configured for the UE in two sets. For example, if the UE initiates the RA procedure at a point in time configured from a set 1 then this indicates that the location should not be updated. If the UE initiates the RA procedure at a point in time configured from a set 2 then this indicates that the location should be updated.

In another example, the UE may be configured to use different root sequences to identify whether the UE is to provide a location update. For example, as part of the RA procedure, the UE may use a first root sequence to indicate to the network that the UE location should not be updated. The UE may use a second root sequence to indicate to the network that the UE location is to be updated. In an example, the different root sequences may be configured for the UE in two sets. For example, if the UE uses a root sequence from a set 1 then this indicates that the location should not be updated. If the UE uses a root sequence from a set 2 then this indicates that the location should be updated. It should be understood that any combination of the examples of implicitly indicating to the network can be used at the same time.

The network may define when a UE triggers a location update. For example, a threshold for how much a UE’s location is allowed to change before a location update is required. The network may also define the set 1 and set 2 RA preamble distributions. If the network is serving an area with many moving users, then the number of preambles in set 2 may be relatively large. If the area has a limited number of moving users, then the number of preambles in set 2 may be relatively small. In other examples, the network may define other types of sets. For example, the network may define PRACH frequency domain resources with PRB 0 : X to belong to set 1 and PRB X+1 : Y to belong to set 2. For example, the network may define the preamble formats 0,1 ,2 of set 1 , with preamble formats 3 and 4 of set 2. It should be understood that the numbers used in these examples are examples only to aid in the understanding. Figure 6 shows an example flow chart for methods performed by a user equipment. The flow shows the location updates provided by the UE based on the RA procedure. In the example of Figure 6, it is assumed that the UE has been configured to implicitly indicate whether the location of the UE should be updated. In an example, the configuration may be provided to the UE via system information broadcast. In another example, the configuration may be provided to the UE via dedicated signalling. In the example of Figure 6, the configured sets are based on the use of set 1 or set 2 RA preambles, as discussed above. It should be understood that the method flow is equally applicable to the other types of sets as discussed above At S601 , the UE determines the need to access the network. The UE may look to initiate an RA procedure.

At S602, the UE determines whether a location update is required. The network may store a current location of the UE. If the UE moves location, then the stored location of the UE should be updated. It may be that the network does not have a stored location of the UE if the UE is yet to provide any location information to the network.

At S603, the UE has determined that the location of the UE should not be updated at the network. In this case, the UE initiates a RA procedure using an RA preamble from set 1. At S604, the UE and the network complete the RA procedure as shown in

Figure 5.

At S605, the UE has determined that the location of the UE should be updated with the network. This may mean that the UE has moved location since the last location update. Alternatively, the UE may have never provided a UE location to the network. In this case, the UE initiates an RA procedure using an RA preamble from set 2. If a 4-step random access procedure is used then the preamble will be sent in Msg 1. If a 2-step random access procedure is used then the preamble will be sent in Msg A.

At S606, the UE determines whether EDT is configured for the UE.

At S607, when the UE is not configured with EDT, then the RA procedure completes, as shown in Figure 5.

At S608, the UE receives a scheduling grant from the network. The UE then transmits information about the location of the UE, using the scheduling grant.

At S609, when the UE is configured with EDT, then the UE will include information about the location of the UE in message 3 of the RA procedure. At S610, the UE and the network will complete the RA procedure.

Figures 7a and 7b shows example signalling diagrams between a user equipment and a network. In the example of Figures 7a and 7b, the configured sets are based on the use of set 1 or set 2 RA preambles, as discussed above. It should be understood that the signalling flow is equally applicable to the other types of sets as discussed above.

At S701 , a first base station (gNB1) transmits a configuration to the UE for random access procedures. The configuration may include a first RA preamble set (set 1 ) and a second RA preamble set (set 2) that the UE can use for RA procedures. The configuration may indicate that the UE should use a preamble set 1 to implicitly indicate that a location of the UE, stored at the network, should not be updated. The configuration may indicate that the UE should use a preamble from set 2 to implicitly indicate that a location of the UE, stored at the network, should be updated. In this example, the UE is also configured for EDT. In an example, the configuration may be provided to the UE via system information broadcast. In another example, the configuration may be provided to the UE via dedicated signalling.

At S702, this is the first time that the UE connects to the network which means that location information for the UE should be provided to the network. The UE initiates an RA procedure by transmitting a preamble from set 2 to gNB1. Using the preamble from set 2 indicates to the network that the location of the UE has changed or yet to be stored.

At S703, gNB1 transmits a RA response message to the UE.

At S704, the UE transmits message 3 using EDT to gNB1. The message 3 comprises information about the location of the UE, using EDT.

At S705, gNB1 transmits an RA complete message (message 4) to the UE. The message 4 may be a contention resolution message.

At S706, gNB1 provides the information about the location of the UE to a further network entity. The network entity may be a core network entity. As an example, the further network entity may be a location management server. The location management server may store the information about the location of the UE. In other examples, the gNB1 may provide the information before gNB1 transmits message 4.

At S707, the UE is to initiate a second RA procedure with gNB1 . In this example, the UE has not moved since the first RA procedure. The UE may have been in RRC idle or inactive mode. As the UE has not moved, the location information stored for the UE should not be updated. The UE initiates an RA procedure by transmitting a preamble from set 1 to gNB1.

At S708, the UE and gNB1 complete the remaining steps of the RA procedure, as seen in Figure 5. At S709, gNB1 may confirm the location information of the UE with further network entity. In other examples, the gNB1 may not send a confirmation. The gNB1 may retrieve the location information from the network. In an example, the gNB1 may receive the location information from a core network entity. In other examples, the gNB1 may receive the location information from a former serving cell In Figure 7b, at S710, the UE is to initiate an RA procedure with a second base station (gNB2). In this example, the UE has moved since the RA procedure with gNB1. The UE may have been in RRC idle or inactive mode. As the UE has moved, the location information stored for the UE should be updated. gNB2 transmits a configuration to the UE for random access procedures. The configuration may include a first RA preamble set (set 1) and a second RA preamble set (set 2) that the UE can use for RA procedures. The configuration may indicate that the UE should use a preamble set 1 to implicitly indicate that a location of the UE, stored at the network, should not be updated. The configuration may indicate that the UE should use a preamble from set 2 to implicitly indicate that a location of the UE, stored at the network, should be updated. In this example, the UE is not configured for EDT.

At S711 , the UE initiates an RA procedure by transmitting a preamble from set 2 to gNB2. This indicated to the network that the location of the UE has changed.

At S712, gNB2 transmits an RA response message to the UE. At S713, the UE transmits message 3 of the RA procedure to gNB2.

At S714, gNB2 transmits message 4 of the RA procedure to the UE.

At S715, gNB2 transmits a scheduling grant message to the UE.

At S716, the UE transmits information about the location of the UE to gNB2. The UE will use the scheduling grant to transmit the information about the location of the UE.

At S717, gNB2 provides the information about the location of the UE to a further network entity. As an example, the further network entity may be a location management server. The location management server may store the information about the location of the UE. When the UE reselects from a cell of gNB1 to a cell of gNB2, the gNB2 may obtain the UE location from, for example, the gNB1. In another example, gNB2 may obtain the UE location from the location management function.

In an example, where EDT is not configured for the UE, the format of Msg3 is updated to allow the location information to be included in Msg3 by the UE.

In some examples, a 2-step random access procedure is used instead of the 4-step random access procedure described previously. It should be understood that all of the previous examples are also applicable for 2-step RA procedures. In 2-step RACH (for New Radio) msg1 and msg3 are combined in one transmission, which is called msgA. In 2-step RA msg2 and msg4 are also combined in one transmission, which is called msgB.

In an example, the use of two preamble sets (or any other implicit indication) can also be used for 2-step RACH to indicate whether the UE’s location has changed or not. In an example whereby the location should be updated, the UE can include the location information in the data part of msgA. The network may know msgA contains such information based on the UE’s selection of the specific preamble set (or other implicit indication).

These examples described above allow the UE to indicate whether a location update is to be provided based on the RA preamble selection (or any of the other implicit indication methods) which enables a fast and efficient location update procedure, allowing the network to immediately determine the UE’s timing advance and other location-related parameters. By linking the RA preamble selection (or any of the other implicit indication methods) with EDT enables the network (RAN) to intercept the EDT message and treat it is a location update instead of a non-access stratum message intended for the core network. In this way, network resources are saved as fewer transmissions are required.

Figure 8 shows an example method flow performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be comprised within a terminal. In an example, the apparatus may be comprised within a user equipment. In S801 , the method comprises transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure, with a base station, that indicates whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated. In S803, the method comprises, when the transmission indicates that the location should be updated, providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station.

Figure 9 shows an example method flow performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be comprised within a network entity. In an example, the apparatus may be comprised within a base station.

In S901 , the method comprises receiving a message, from a user equipment, that initiates a random access procedure, wherein the message indicates whether a location of the user equipment stored by a network should be updated In S903, the method comprises, when the message indicates that the location should be updated, receiving information about the location of the user equipment from the user equipment.

Figure 10 shows a schematic representation of non-volatile memory media 1100a (e.g. computer disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD)) and 1100b (e.g. universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) storing instructions and/or parameters 1102 which when executed by a processor allow the processor to perform one or more of the steps of the method of Figure 8 or Figure 9.

It is noted that while the above describes example embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The examples may thus vary within the scope of the attached claims. In general, some embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although embodiments are not limited thereto. While various embodiments may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

The examples may be implemented by computer software stored in a memory and executable by at least one data processor of the involved entities or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Further in this regard it should be noted that any procedures may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD.

The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

Alternatively, or additionally some examples may be implemented using circuitry. The circuitry may be configured to perform one or more of the functions and/or method steps previously described. That circuitry may be provided in the base station and/or in the communications device.

As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analogue and/or digital circuitry);

(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as:

(i) a combination of analogue and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware and

(ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as the communications device or base station to perform the various functions previously described; and

(c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example integrated device.

The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary and non-limiting examples a full and informative description of some embodiments However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings will still fall within the scope as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. An apparatus comprising means configured to perform: transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure, with a base station, that indicates whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated; and when the transmission indicates that the location should be updated, providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the means are configured to perform: when the transmission indicates that the location should not be updated, refraining from providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the means configured to perform providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station are configured to perform: providing information about the location of the apparatus in: the message of the random access procedure, or a subsequent message of the random access procedure.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the means are configured to perform: receiving a scheduling grant from the base station; and providing the information about the location of the apparatus, to the base station, in a further message using the scheduling grant.

5. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means are configured to perform: receiving a configuration from the base station, wherein the configuration allows the apparatus to transmit the message to initiate a random access procedure to indicate whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure is performed by using specific physical random access channel resources, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure is performed by using a specific preamble format for the random access procedure, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated.

8. An apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure is performed by transmitting the message to initiate the random access procedure at certain points in time, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated.

9. An apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure is performed by performing the random access procedure using specific root sequences for the random access procedure, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated.

10. An apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure is performed by using a specific preamble for the random access procedure, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated.

11. An apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 10 , wherein the configuration indicates a first random access preamble set and a second random access preamble set, wherein the use of a preamble from the first random access preamble set indicates that the location of the apparatus should not be updated, and the use of a preamble from the second random access preamble set indicates that the location of the apparatus should be updated.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure comprises: transmitting the message to initiate the random access procedure, with the base station, using a preamble from one of the first random access preamble set and the second random access preamble set, and wherein the providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station comprises: when using a preamble from the second random access preamble set indicating that a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated, providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station.

13. An apparatus comprising means configured to perform: receiving a message, from a user equipment, that initiates a random access procedure, wherein the message indicates whether a location of the user equipment stored by a network should be updated; and when the message indicates that the location should be updated, receiving information about the location of the user equipment from the user equipment.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the means configured to perform receiving information about the location of the user equipment from the user equipment are configured to perform: receiving information about the location of the user equipment in: the message of the random access procedure, or a subsequent message of the random access procedure.

15. An apparatus according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the means are configured to perform: transmitting a scheduling grant to the user equipment; and receiving the information about the location of the user equipment, from the user equipment, in a further message using the scheduling grant.

16. An apparatus according to any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the means are configured to perform: when the message indicates that the location should not be updated, receiving information about the location of the user equipment from: a core network entity, or a forming serving cell.

17. An apparatus according to any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the means are configured to perform: transmitting a configuration to the user equipment, wherein the configuration allows the user equipment to transmit the message to initiate a random access procedure to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the message is received using specific physical random access channel resources, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated.

19. An apparatus according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the message is received using a specific preamble format for the random access procedure, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated.

20. An apparatus according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the message is received using at certain points in time, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated.

21. An apparatus according to any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the message is received using specific root sequences for the random access procedure, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated.

22. An apparatus according to any of claims 17 to 21 , wherein the message is received using a specific preamble for the random access procedure, based on the configuration, to indicate whether a location of the user equipment stored by the network should be updated.

23. An apparatus according to any of claims 13 to 22, wherein the means are configured to perform: transmitting the information of the location of the user equipment to a core network entity.

24. A method comprising: transmitting a message to initiate a random access procedure, with a base station, that indicates whether a location of the apparatus stored by a network should be updated; and when the transmission indicates that the location should be updated, providing information about the location of the apparatus to the base station.

25. A method comprising: receiving a message, from a user equipment, that initiates a random access procedure, wherein the message indicates whether a location of the user equipment stored by a network should be updated; and when the message indicates that the location should be updated, receiving information about the location of the user equipment from the user equipment.