WO2024070118A1 - Network controlled repeater, radio access network node, and methods therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

A network controlled repeater (1) includes a repeater unit (11) and a controller (12). The repeater unit (11) is provided with a radio frequency (RF) component and configured to amplify and forward an RF signal. The controller (12) is coupled to the repeater unit (11) and configured to provide an NCR mobile termination (NCR-MT). The controller (12) is configured to, in order to determine whether a cell satisfies a cell selection standard or not, use second minimum required reception power or minimum required quality level specific to the NCR-MT in the cell, which is different from first minimum required reception power or minimum required quality level in the cell for normal user equipment (UE) that is not NCR-MT. This can contribute, for example, to the regulation of access to the cell by the controller of the NCR.

Description

NETWORK CONTROLLED REPEATER, RADIO ACCESS NETWORK NODE, AND METHODS THERE

This disclosure relates to a wireless communication system and to a network controlled repeater (NCR).

For 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP (registered trademark)) Release 18, 3GPP is discussing the Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) (see, for example, Non-Patent Documents 1-6). An NCR is a Radio Frequency (RF) repeater that has been enhanced with the ability to receive and process side control information from the network. An RF repeater is a type of network node that simply amplifies and forwards the signals it receives. NCRs are sometimes called smart repeaters.

The NCR has NCR-Forwarding (NCR-Fwd) and NCR-Mobile termination (NCR-MT) functions. The NCR-Fwd may also be called NCR Repeater Unit (NCR-RU) or NCR Radio Unit (NCR-RU). The NCR-MT may also be called NCR-Mobile terminal, controller, or NCR controller. The NCR-Fwd is defined as a functional entity that amplifies and forwards uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) RF signals between the gNB and the User Equipment (UE) via backhaul links and access links. The NCR-MT is defined as a functional entity that communicates with the gNB via a control link to enable the exchange of control information (e.g., at least side control information for the control of the NCR-Fwd). The operation of the NCR-Fwd is controlled according to the side control information received from the gNB.

The inventors have studied NCR and found various issues. One of these issues relates to restricting access to cells by NCR-MT. Non-Patent Documents 1-6 do not disclose a method for restricting access to cells by NCR-MT.

One of the objectives that the embodiments disclosed in this specification aim to achieve is to provide an apparatus, method, and program that contribute to regulating access to a cell by a controller (e.g., NCR-MT) of a network-controlled repeater. It should be noted that this objective is only one of several objectives that the embodiments disclosed in this specification aim to achieve. Other objectives or problems and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification or the accompanying drawings.

In a first aspect, an NCR comprises a repeater unit and a controller. The repeater unit comprises an RF component and is configured to amplify and forward an RF signal. The controller is coupled to the repeater unit and configured to provide an NCR-MT. The controller is further configured to use a second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level specific to the NCR-MT at the cell to determine whether the cell satisfies a cell selection criterion. The second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level is different from a first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level at the cell for a normal User Equipment (UE) that is not an NCR-MT.

In a second aspect, the method performed by the NCR includes using a second NCR-MT specific minimum required received power or minimum required quality level at the cell to determine whether the cell satisfies a cell selection criterion. The second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level is different from a first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level at the cell for normal User Equipment (UE) that is not NCR-MT.

In a third aspect, a Radio Access Network (RAN) node is configured to broadcast cell selection information in a cell. The cell selection information includes a first parameter and further includes a second parameter or a third parameter. The first parameter represents a first minimum required received power or a minimum required quality level in the cell used for cell selection by a normal UE that is not an NCR-MT. The second parameter represents a second minimum required received power or a minimum required quality level in the cell used for cell selection by the NCR-MT. The third parameter is used by the NCR-MT to determine the second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level from the first parameter.

In a fourth aspect, a method performed by a RAN node includes broadcasting cell selection information in a cell. The cell selection information includes a first parameter and further includes a second parameter or a third parameter. The first parameter represents a first minimum required received power or a minimum required quality level in the cell used for cell selection by a normal UE that is not an NCR-MT. The second parameter represents a second minimum required received power or a minimum required quality level in the cell used for cell selection by the NCR-MT. The third parameter is used by the NCR-MT to determine the second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level from the first parameter.

In a fifth aspect, the NCR comprises a repeater unit and a controller. The repeater unit comprises an RF component and is configured to amplify and forward RF signals between a RAN node and UEs. The controller is coupled to the repeater unit and configured to communicate with the RAN node via a control link to exchange control information. The controller is configured to receive a Radio Resource Control (RRC) release message from the RAN node requesting release of an RRC connection in a cell and indicating an access restriction period. Furthermore, the controller is configured to not initiate a random access procedure to the cell if a received power or reception quality level in the cell is lower than a threshold value, at least until the access restriction period has elapsed.

In a sixth aspect, the method performed by the NCR comprises the steps of:
(a) receiving an RRC release message from a RAN node requesting release of an RRC connection in a cell and indicating an access restriction period; and (b) if a received power or received quality level in the cell is lower than a threshold, not initiating a random access procedure to the cell until at least the access restriction period has elapsed.

In a seventh aspect, the RAN node is configured to determine the release of an RRC connection in a cell for an NCR in response to a decrease or lack of a reception power or reception quality level of the NCR in the cell and to send an RRC release message to the NCR indicating an access restriction period. The RRC release message causes the NCR not to initiate a random access procedure to the cell until at least the access restriction period has elapsed if the reception power or reception quality level in the cell is lower than a threshold value.

In an eighth aspect, a method performed by a RAN node includes determining to release an RRC connection in a cell for an NCR in response to a decrease or lack of a received power or received quality level of the NCR in the cell, and sending an RRC release message to the NCR indicating an access restriction period. The RRC release message causes the NCR not to initiate a random access procedure to the cell until at least the access restriction period has elapsed if the received power or received quality level in the cell is below a threshold value.

In a ninth aspect, an NCR comprises a repeater unit and a controller. The repeater unit comprises an RF component and is configured to amplify and forward RF signals between a RAN node and UEs. The controller is coupled to the repeater unit and configured to communicate with the RAN node via a control link to exchange control information. The controller is configured to send an RRC setup or resume message requesting establishment or resumption of an RRC connection in a cell. The RRC setup or resume message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.

In a tenth aspect, the method performed by the NCR includes sending an RRC setup or resumption message requesting establishment or resumption of an RRC connection in a cell. The RRC setup or resumption message indicates measurements of the cell recorded when the NCR was in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.

In an eleventh aspect, the RAN node is configured to receive an RRC setup or resumption message from an NCR requesting the establishment or resumption of an RRC connection in a cell. The RRC setup or resumption message indicates measurements of the cell recorded when the NCR was in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.

In a twelfth aspect, a method performed by a RAN node includes receiving an RRC setup or resumption message from an NCR requesting establishment or resumption of an RRC connection in a cell. The RRC setup or resumption message indicates measurements of the cell that were recorded when the NCR was RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.

In a thirteenth aspect, the NCR comprises a repeater unit and a controller. The repeater unit comprises an RF component and is configured to amplify and forward RF signals between a RAN node and UEs. The controller is coupled to the repeater unit and configured to communicate with the RAN node via a control link to exchange control information. The controller is configured to send an RRC setup or resumption completion message indicating completion of establishment or resumption of an RRC connection in a cell. The RRC setup or resumption completion message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR was RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.

In a fourteenth aspect, the method performed by the NCR includes sending an RRC setup or resumption completion message indicating completion of establishment or resumption of an RRC connection in a cell. The RRC setup or resumption completion message indicates measurements of the cell recorded when the NCR was RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.

In a fifteenth aspect, the RAN node is configured to receive an RRC setup or resumption completion message from an NCR indicating completion of establishment or resumption of an RRC connection in a cell. The RRC setup or resumption completion message indicates measurement results for the cell that were recorded when the NCR was in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.

In a sixteenth aspect, a method performed by a RAN node includes receiving an RRC setup or resumption completion message from an NCR indicating completion of establishment or resumption of an RRC connection in a cell. The RRC setup or resumption completion message indicates measurements of the cell recorded when the NCR was in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.

The seventeenth aspect is directed to a program. The program includes a set of instructions (software code) that, when loaded into a computer, causes the computer to perform the method according to the second, fourth, sixth, eighth, tenth, twelfth, fourteenth, or sixteenth aspect described above.

The above-described aspects provide an apparatus, method, and program that contribute to regulating access to cells by a controller (e.g., NCR-MT) of a network-controlled repeater.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an NCR according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of NCR according to the embodiment. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of NCR according to the embodiment. A sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of a gNB and NCR according to an embodiment. A sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of a gNB and NCR according to an embodiment. A sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of a gNB and NCR according to an embodiment. A sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of a gNB and NCR according to an embodiment. A block diagram showing an example configuration of a gNB according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an NCR-MT or a controller according to an embodiment.

Below, specific embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted as necessary for clarity of explanation.

The embodiments presented below are described in the context of the 3GPP 5th generation mobile communication system (5G system) and its evolution. However, these embodiments may also be applied to other wireless communication systems that use network-controlled repeaters.

As used herein, depending on the context, "if" may be construed to mean "when," "at or around the time," "after," "upon," "in response to determining," "in accordance with a determination," or "in response to detecting." These expressions may be construed to have the same meaning, depending on the context.

First, the configuration and operation of multiple network elements common to multiple embodiments will be described. FIG. 1 shows an example configuration of a wireless communication system according to multiple embodiments. Each of the elements shown in FIG. 1 is a network function, and provides an interface defined by, for example, 3GPP. Each element (network function) shown in FIG. 1 can be implemented, for example, as a network element on dedicated hardware, as a software instance running on dedicated hardware, or as a virtualized function instantiated on an application platform.

The network system shown in FIG. 1 includes an NCR 1, a gNB 2, and a UE 3. The gNB 2 may be referred to as a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, base station, radio station, or access point. The UE 3 may be referred to as a wireless terminal, mobile terminal, mobile station, or other terminology such as wireless transmit receive units (WTRUs). The gNB 2 may be a combination of a gNB-Central Unit (gNB-CU) and one or more gNB-Distributed Units (gNB-DUs) in a cloud RAN (C-RAN) deployment. The C-RAN is also referred to as a CU/DU split. Further, the gNB-CU may include a Control Plane (CP) Unit (i.e., gNB-CU-CP) and one or more User Plane (UP) Units (i.e., gNB-CU-UPs).

The NCR 1 includes an NCR-Forwarding (NCR-Fwd) 11 and an NCR-Mobile termination (NCR-MT) 12. The NCR-Fwd 11 may be referred to as an NCR Repeater Unit (NCR-RU) or an NCR Radio Unit (NCR-RU). The NCR-MT 12 may be referred to as an NCR-Mobile terminal, controller, or NCR controller. The NCR-Fwd 11 is defined as a functional entity that amplifies and forwards UL and DL RF signals between the gNB 2 and the UE 3 via the backhaul link and the access link. The NCR-MT 12 is defined as a functional entity that communicates with the gNB 2 via the control link to enable the exchange of control information (e.g., at least side control information for the control of the NCR-Fwd 11). The operation of the NCR-Fwd 11 is controlled according to the side control information received from the gNB 2. NCR-MT 12 may provide side control information received from gNB 2 to NCR-Fwd 11. NCR-MT 12 may control the operation of NCR-Fwd 11 in accordance with the side control information received from gNB 2.

In the control link between the NCR-MT 12 and the gNB 2, legacy beam management mechanisms may be reused. It is reasonable to assume that no heavy data transmission other than beam management reports takes place in the control link. Therefore, the NCR-MT 12 does not necessarily have to be a full-featured UE and may support, for example, the functionality defined for Reduced Capability (RedCap) UEs in 3GPP Release 17. A RedCap UE has reduced functionality compared to a non-RedCap UE, intended to have low complexity. A RedCap UE is required to support a maximum UE channel bandwidth of 20 MHz in FR1 (i.e., sub-6 GHz bands) and 100 MHz in FR2 (i.e., millimeter wave (mmWave) bands). On the other hand, Carrier Aggregation (CA), Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC), Dual Active Protocol Stack (DAPS), and Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) related features are not supported in RedCap UEs. RedCap UEs have a reduced or relaxed minimum number of UE Reception (Rx) branches and maximum number of Downlink (DL) Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) layers compared to those of non-RedCap UEs.

2 shows an example configuration of NCR 1. In the example of FIG. 2, NCR-RU or NCR-Fwd 11 includes a downlink RF chain (or branch) including an amplifier 13 and an uplink RF chain (or branch) including an amplifier 14. The downlink RF chain may include other RF components. For example, the downlink RF chain may include one or more bandpass filters, multiple mixers (upconverters and downconverters), and one or more amplifiers. Similarly, the uplink RF chain may include other RF components and may include one or more bandpass filters, multiple mixers (upconverters and downconverters), and one or more amplifiers. Note that FIG. 2 shows NCR for Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode. Therefore, the connection to the gNB side antenna 15 and the UE side antenna 16 is switched between the downlink RF chain and the uplink RF chain according to the UL-DL TDD configuration. NCR-Fwd 11 and NCR-MT 12 share the gNB side antenna 15 and part of the downlink and uplink RF chains.

First Embodiment
This embodiment provides details of cell selection performed by NCR (or NCR-MT). In this embodiment, NCR-MT 12 uses a second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level specific to the NCR-MT in the cell, which is different from the first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level in the cell for normal UEs that are not NCR-MT, to determine whether the cell of gNB 2 satisfies the cell selection criteria. Note that NCR-MT 12 may perform cell selection using both the second minimum required received power level specific to the NCR-MT and the second minimum required received quality level specific to the NCR-MT. The minimum required received power level in the cell determines a minimum required level of Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) in the cell. The minimum required received quality level in the cell determines a minimum required level of Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) in the cell. The RSRP may be Synchronization Signal (SS) RSRP. The RSRQ may be SS-RSRQ.

Network operators may have NCR-specific requirements for the backhaul links to ensure performance of NCR deployments. For example, NCR may be deployed only in areas where measurement levels are obtained that are greater than a second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level specific to NCR-MTs. More specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level specific to NCR-MTs may be defined to be greater than the first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level for non-NCR-MT UEs (or normal UEs).

Figure 4 shows an example of the operation of NCR-MT 12. In step 401, NCR-MT 12 receives cell selection information broadcast in a cell. In step 402, NCR-MT 12 determines whether the cell satisfies the cell selection criteria using an NCR-MT specific second minimum required received power (or minimum required quality) level in the cell, which is different from the first minimum required received power (or required quality level) in the cell for the normal UE. As mentioned above, NCR-MT 12 may perform cell selection using both the NCR-MT specific second minimum required received power level and the NCR-MT specific second minimum required received quality level.

The gNB 2 broadcasts cell selection information in the cell. In a first implementation, the cell selection information may include a second parameter (e.g., q-RxLevMin, q-QualMin) representing a second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level in addition to a first parameter (e.g., q-RxLevMin, q-QualMin) representing a first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level. In this case, the NCR-MT 12 uses the second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level indicated by the second parameter to determine whether the cell satisfies the cell selection criterion.

In a second implementation, the cell selection information includes, in addition to a first parameter representing a first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level, a third parameter (e.g., an offset) for deriving a second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level from the first parameter. In this case, NCR-MT 12 calculates the second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level using the first parameter and the third parameter. Then, NCR-MT 12 uses the obtained second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level to determine whether the cell satisfies the cell selection criterion.

In a third implementation, a third parameter is defined in the specification. In other words, the third parameter (e.g., offset) is pre-configured in NCR-MT 12. Thus, in the third implementation, the cell selection information includes a first parameter representing a first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level, but does not include either the second parameter or the third parameter. In this case, NCR-MT 12 derives a second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level from the first parameter using the pre-defined third parameter (e.g., offset). NCR-MT 12 then uses the obtained second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level to determine whether the cell satisfies the cell selection criteria.

Figure 5 shows an example of the operation of NCR 1 and gNB 2 in the first or second implementation described above. In step 501, gNB 2 broadcasts cell selection information in a cell. The cell selection information includes a first parameter for non-NCR-MT UEs (normal UEs) and a second or third parameter for NCR-MTs. In step 503, NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) uses the second or third parameter to determine whether the cell satisfies the cell selection criteria.

The cell selection criterion for NCR-MTs may be similar to the existing cell selection criterion S in the 5G system. For example, the cell selection criterion for NCR-MTs is satisfied when Srxlev > 0 AND Squal > 0. Srxlev and Squal are as follows:
Srxlev = _Qrxlevmeas - ( _{Qrxlevmin_NCR} + _{Qrxlevminoffset} ) - _{Pcompensation} - Qoffset _temp , and
Squal = Q _qualmeas - ( Q _{qualmin_NCR} + Q _{qualminoffset} ) - Qoffset _temp .

_{Qrxlevmin_NCR} is the second minimum required received power level for NCR-MT. _{Qqualmin_NCR} is the second minimum required received quality level for NCR-MT. _{Qrxlevminoffset} and _{Qqualminoffset} are offsets used to search for higher priority PLMNs when the UE is camped on a Visited Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN). Therefore, in the cell selection criteria for NCR-MT, _{Qrxlevminoffset} and _{Qqualminoffset} may be zero or omitted. For NCR-MT, _{Pcompensation} may be zero. _Qoffsettemp is an offset applied when RRC connection establishment fails, and is indicated by the connEstFailOffset field in the ConnEstFailureControl information element in System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1). If the field in SIB1 is not present, the value of infinity is applied to _Qoffsettemp . The period during which the Qoffset _temp applies is indicated by the connEstFailOffsetValidity field in the ConnEstFailureControl information element.

Only one of _{Qrxlevmin_NCR} and _{Qqualmin_NCR} may be used. For example, _{Qrxlevmin_NCR} may be used and _{Qqualmin_NCR} may not be used. In this case, _Qqualmin for non-NCR-MT UE (normal UE) may be used instead of _{Qqualmin_NCR} .

According to the operation described in this embodiment, NCR-MT 12 can determine whether a cell satisfies the cell selection criteria using a minimum required received power or a minimum required quality level specific to the NCR-MT. This can contribute to restricting access to cells of NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) according to cell selection criteria specific to the NCR-MT that differ from those for normal UEs.

Second Embodiment
This embodiment provides an improvement to the RRC release procedure. Figure 6 shows an example of the operation of NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) and gNB 2. In step 601, gNB 2 sends an RRC Release message to NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) indicating an access restriction period. The RRC Release message requests NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) to release the Radio RRC connection in the cell. In addition, the RRC Release message causes NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) to not initiate a random access procedure to the cell until at least the access restriction period has elapsed if the received power (e.g., RSRP) or received quality (e.g., RSRQ) level in the cell is lower than a threshold. The RRC Release message may further indicate the threshold. NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) may perform threshold determination of both the received power (e.g., RSRP) level and the received quality (e.g., RSRQ) level. In this case, the RRC release message may indicate two thresholds for the received power (eg, RSRP) level and the received quality (eg, RSRQ) level, respectively.

In step 602, NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) releases the RRC connection in the cell. If the reception power or reception quality level in the cell is lower than a threshold, NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) operates not to initiate a random access procedure to the cell until at least the access restriction period has elapsed.

The access restriction period may be one hour or more. For example, the access restriction period may indicate one hour, two hours, four hours, eight hours, sixteen hours, one day, three days, or seven days.

gNB 2 may decide to release the RRC connection in the cell for NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) in response to a decrease or insufficiency in the reception power or reception quality level of NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12). In this case, the RRC release message of step 601 may indicate that the cause of the release of the RRC connection is a decrease or insufficiency in the reception power or reception quality level of the cell.

The gNB 2 may provide a measurement configuration to the NCR-MT 12 that is RRC_CONNECTED on the cell. The measurement configuration may include at least a measurement object for serving cell measurements and a reporting configuration associated with the measurement object. The reporting configuration may specify Event A2 (i.e., Serving becomes worse than threshold). The serving cell measurement value may be RSRP, RSRQ, or Signal to Interference Noise Ratio (SINR). The RSRP, RSRQ, and SINR may be SS-RSRP, SS-RSRQ, SS-SINR. In this case, the gNB 2 may receive a measurement report triggered by Event A2 from the NCR-MT 12 and decide to release the RRC connection of the NCR-MT 12 based on the serving cell measurement value indicated by the measurement report.

Alternatively, the gNB 2 may send a Logged Measurement Configuration to NCR-MT 12 when it is RRC_CONNECTED on the cell. The Logged Measurement Configuration configures NCR-MT 12 to perform logging of measurement results when in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state. The Logged Measurement Configuration may specify an Event L1 trigger, which is similar to Event A2 for measurements in RRC_CONNECTED. When the reportType field in the Logged Measurement Configuration is set to eventTriggered and the eventType field is set to eventL1, NCR-MT 12 performs logging when in normal camping state the cell on which NCR-MT 12 is camped (i.e., the serving cell) meets event L1 (i.e., Camping cell becomes worse than threshold). When logging, NCR-MT 12 records the measurements of the cell on which NCR-MT 12 is camped. In this case, after NCR-MT 12 transitions to RRC_CONNECTED, gNB 2 may use the UE Information procedure to request NCR-MT 12 to report information about the logged measurements. Then, gNB 2 may decide to release the RRC connection of NCR-MT 12 based on the serving cell measurement results recorded when NCR-MT 12 was in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.

Alternatively, gNB 2 may provide an Idle/inactive Measurement configuration to NCR-MT 12 in an RRC release message (different from step 601, sent before step 601) to move NCR-MT 12 from RRC_CONNECTED to RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE. The Idle/inactive Measurement configuration configures NCR-MT 12 to measure the last serving cell (or the current camping cell in normal camping state) in RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE states. When in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE NCR-MT 12 records measurements of the cell on which NCR-MT 12 is camped (i.e. the serving cell). In this case, after NCR-MT 12 transitions to RRC_CONNECTED, gNB 2 may use the UE Information procedure to request NCR-MT 12 to report information about Idle/inactive Measurements. Then, gNB 2 may decide to release the RRC connection of NCR-MT 12 based on the serving cell measurement results recorded when NCR-MT 12 was in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.

According to the operation described in this embodiment, when gNB 2 releases the RRC connection of NCR 1 whose control link quality is low (and therefore whose backhaul link quality is also expected to be low), it can control that NCR 1 not to attempt cell access until the quality recovers or the access restriction period has elapsed. This can contribute to restricting access to the cell of NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) whose control link quality is low.

Third Embodiment
This embodiment provides an improvement to the RRC setup procedure. Figure 7 shows an example of the operation of NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) and gNB 2. In step 701, NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) sends an RRC Setup Request message or an RRC Resume Request message. The RRC Setup Request message is sent to request establishment of an RRC connection in a cell when NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) is in RRC_IDLE. The RRC Resume Request message is sent to request resumption of an RRC connection in a cell when NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) is in RRC_INACTIVE.

The RRC Setup or Resume Request message of step 701 indicates the measurement results of the cell (i.e. the cell on which NCR-MT 12 is camped, the serving cell) recorded when NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) is in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE. The measurement results of the cell indicate the measured received power (e.g., RSRP) or quality (e.g., RSRQ, SINR) of the serving cell. The measurement results of the cell may be recorded based on the Logged Measurement Configuration or based on the Idle/inactive Measurement configuration. The Logged measurements and idle/inactive measurements may be performed in the same manner as those described in the second embodiment.

The RRC setup or resumption request message of step 701 can provide gNB 2 with measurement results of the serving cell (i.e., the cell on which NCR-MT 12 is camped) earlier than using the existing UE Information procedure. In one example, gNB 2 can obtain the measurement results prior to establishing or resuming the RRC connection and can decide whether to reject the RRC connection establishment or resumption based on the measurement results.

By way of example and not limitation, gNB 2 may perform steps 702 and 703. In step 702, gNB 2 decides to reject the request message of step 701 based on the provided measurement results. In step 703, gNB 2 sends an RRC rejection message to NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12). The RRC rejection message may indicate that the rejection of the establishment or resumption of the RRC connection is due to insufficient reception power or reception quality level in the cell.

Additionally or alternatively, the RRC rejection message may indicate an access restriction period. In this case, the RRC rejection message triggers NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) not to initiate a random access procedure to the cell if the received power (e.g., RSRP) or received quality (e.g., RSRQ) level at the cell is lower than a threshold value, at least until the access restriction period has elapsed. The RRC rejection message may further indicate the threshold value. NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) may perform a threshold determination for both the received power (e.g., RSRP) level and the received quality (e.g., RSRQ) level. In this case, the RRC rejection message may indicate two threshold values, one for the received power (e.g., RSRP) level and one for the received quality (e.g., RSRQ) level. If the reception power or reception quality level in the cell is lower than a threshold, the NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) operates not to initiate a random access procedure to the cell until at least the access restriction period has elapsed. The access restriction period may be one hour or more. For example, the access restriction period may indicate any of 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 1 day, 3 days, or 7 days.

According to the operations of steps 702 and 703, gNB 2 can reject the establishment or resumption of an RRC connection for NCR 1 with poor control link quality (and therefore, expected poor backhaul link quality) and control that NCR 1 not to attempt cell access until the quality recovers or the access restriction period has elapsed. This can contribute to restricting access to the cell of NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) with poor control link quality.

Fourth Embodiment
This embodiment provides an improvement to the RRC setup procedure. Figure 8 shows an example of the operation of NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) and gNB 2. In step 801, NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) sends an RRC setup complete message or an RRC resume complete message. The RRC setup complete message indicates that NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) has completed the establishment of the RRC connection. In other words, the RRC setup complete message is sent when NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) transitions from RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE to RRC_CONNECTED. The RRC resume complete message indicates that NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) has completed the resume of the RRC connection. In other words, the RRC resume complete message is sent when NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) transitions from RRC_INACTIVE to RRC_CONNECTED.

The RRC Setup or Resumption Complete message of step 801 indicates the measurement results of the cell (i.e. the cell on which NCR-MT 12 is camped or the serving cell of NCR-MT 12) recorded when NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) is in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE. The measurement results of the cell indicate the measured received power (e.g., RSRP) or quality (e.g., RSRQ, SINR) of the serving cell of NCR-MT 12. The measurement results of the cell may be recorded based on the Logged Measurement Configuration or based on the Idle/inactive Measurement configuration. The Logged measurements and idle/inactive measurements may be performed in the same manner as those described in the second embodiment.

The RRC setup or resumption completion message of step 801 can provide the serving cell measurement results to gNB 2 earlier than using the existing UE Information procedure. In one example, gNB 2 can obtain the measurement results immediately after the establishment or resumption of the RRC connection is completed and can decide whether to release the RRC connection based on the measurement results.

By way of example and not limitation, gNB 2 may perform steps 802 and 803. In step 802, gNB 2 decides to release the RRC connection based on the provided measurement results. In step 803, gNB 2 sends an RRC release message to NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12). The RRC release message may indicate that the rejection of the establishment or resumption of the RRC connection is due to insufficient reception power or reception quality level in the cell.

Additionally or alternatively, the RRC release message may indicate an access restriction period. This RRC release message may be similar to the RRC release message described in the second embodiment. In particular, the RRC release message triggers NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) not to initiate a random access procedure to the cell if the received power (e.g., RSRP) or received quality (e.g., RSRQ) level at the cell is lower than a threshold value, at least until the access restriction period has elapsed. The RRC release message may further indicate the threshold value. NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) may perform a threshold determination of both the received power (e.g., RSRP) level and the received quality (e.g., RSRQ) level. In this case, the RRC release message may indicate two threshold values, one for the received power (e.g., RSRP) level and the other for the received quality (e.g., RSRQ) level. If the reception power or reception quality level in the cell is lower than a threshold, the NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) operates not to initiate a random access procedure to the cell until at least the access restriction period has elapsed. The access restriction period may be one hour or more. For example, the access restriction period may indicate any of 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 1 day, 3 days, or 7 days.

According to the operations of steps 802 and 803, gNB 2 can release the RRC connection of NCR 1 whose control link quality is low (and therefore whose backhaul link quality is also expected to be low) and control that NCR 1 not to attempt cell access until the quality recovers or the access restriction period has elapsed. This can contribute to restricting access to the cell of NCR 1 (NCR-MT 12) whose control link quality is low.

Fifth embodiment
This embodiment relates to cell reselection. The NCR 11 is assumed to be stationary with no mobility. As described above, the NCR-MT 12 may support functions defined for RedCap UEs. Therefore, in this embodiment, the NCR-MT 12 supports the same or similar functions as the relaxed measurement (or relaxed monitoring for cell reselection) defined for RedCap UEs in 3GPP Release 17.

More specifically, the NCR-MT 12 may support a function that is the same as or similar to the Relaxed measurement criterion for a stationary RedCap UE. The threshold parameter S _{SearchDeltaP-Stationary} for the Relaxed measurement criterion for a stationary RedCap UE may be reused. Alternatively, a threshold parameter (e.g., S _{SearchDeltaP-Stationary2} ) different from S SearchDeltaP _-Stationary may be newly defined.

Additionally or alternatively, the NCR-MT 12 may support a function identical or similar to the Relaxed measurement criterion for a stationary RedCap UE not at cell edge. The threshold parameter S _{SearchThresholdP2} for the Relaxed measurement criterion for a stationary RedCap UE not at cell edge may be reused. Alternatively, a threshold parameter (e.g., S _{SearchThresholdP3} ) different from S _{SearchThresholdP2} may be newly defined.

<Other embodiments>
In one implementation, similar to the Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) MT, NCR-MT 12 ignores cellBarred, cellReservedForOperatorUse, cellReservedForFutureUse, and intraFreqReselection, i.e., NCR-MT 12 treats intraFreqReselection as if it were set to allowed.

Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, NCR-MT 12 ignores cellReservedForOtherUse for cell barring decisions. In other words, if NCR-MT 12 supports a Non-Public Network (NPN), NCR-MT 12 takes cellReservedForOtherUse into account for NPN-only cell decisions.

Next, an example configuration of a gNB 2 and an NCR-MT 12 according to the above-mentioned embodiments will be described below. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a gNB 2 according to the above-mentioned embodiments. Referring to FIG. 9, the gNB 2 includes a Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver 901, a network interface 903, a processor 904, and a memory 905. The RF transceiver 901 performs analog RF signal processing to communicate with UEs. The RF transceiver 901 may include multiple transceivers. The RF transceiver 901 is coupled to an antenna array 902 and a processor 904. The RF transceiver 901 receives modulation symbol data from the processor 904, generates a transmit RF signal, and provides the transmit RF signal to the antenna array 902. The RF transceiver 901 also generates a baseband receive signal based on the receive RF signal received by the antenna array 902, and provides the baseband receive signal to the processor 904. The RF transceiver 901 may include an analog beamformer circuit for beamforming. The analog beamformer circuitry includes, for example, multiple phase shifters and multiple power amplifiers.

The network interface 903 is used to communicate with network nodes (e.g., other RAN nodes, as well as control plane nodes and user plane nodes of the core network). The network interface 903 may include, for example, an IEEE 802.3 series compliant network interface card (NIC).

The processor 904 performs digital baseband signal processing (data plane processing) and control plane processing for wireless communication. The processor 904 may include multiple processors. For example, the processor 904 may include a modem processor (e.g., Digital Signal Processor (DSP)) that performs digital baseband signal processing and a protocol stack processor (e.g., Central Processing Unit (CPU) or Micro Processing Unit (MPU)) that performs control plane processing.

For example, the digital baseband signal processing by the processor 904 may include signal processing at the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, and the Physical (PHY) layer. Additionally, the control plane processing by the processor 904 may include processing of Non-Access Stratum (NAS) messages, RRC messages, Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Elements (CEs), and Downlink Control Information (DCI). The control plane processing by the processor 904 may also include processing of application layer signaling protocols such as XnAP, F1AP, NGAP, etc.

The processor 904 may include a digital beamformer module for beamforming. The digital beamformer module may include a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) encoder and precoder.

The memory 905 is comprised of a combination of volatile and non-volatile memory. The volatile memory is, for example, Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) or Dynamic RAM (DRAM), or a combination thereof. The non-volatile memory is Mask Read Only Memory (MROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, or a hard disk drive, or any combination thereof. The memory 905 may include storage located remotely from the processor 904. In this case, the processor 904 may access the memory 905 via the network interface 903 or the I/O interface.

The memory 905 may store one or more software modules (computer programs) 906 including instructions and data for performing processing by the gNB 2 as described in the above embodiments. In some implementations, the processor 904 may be configured to read and execute the software modules 906 from the memory 905 to perform the processing by the gNB 2 as described in the above embodiments.

Note that if gNB 2 is a gNB-CU or CU-CP, gNB 2 may not include RF transceiver 901 (and antenna array 902).

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the NCR-MT 12. Referring to FIG. 10, the NCR-MT 12 includes a processor 1001 and a memory 1002.

The processor 1001 may include multiple processors. The processor 1001 performs processing related to the NCR-MT 12 described in the above-mentioned embodiments. The processor 1802 performs digital baseband signal processing (data plane processing) and control plane processing for wireless communication. For example, the processor 1001 may include a modem processor (e.g., Digital Signal Processor (DSP)) that performs digital baseband signal processing and a protocol stack processor (e.g., Central Processing Unit (CPU) or Micro Processing Unit (MPU)) that performs control plane processing. The digital baseband signal processing may include signal processing of the RLC, MAC, and PHY layers. The control plane processing may include processing of MAC CEs and DCIs.

The memory 1002 is composed of a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory 1002 may include multiple physically independent memory devices. The volatile memory is, for example, SRAM or DRAM, or a combination of these. The non-volatile memory is MROM, EEPROM, flash memory, or a hard disk drive, or any combination of these. For example, the memory 1002 may include an external memory device accessible from the processor 1001. The memory 1002 may include an internal memory device integrated within the processor 1001. Furthermore, the memory 1002 may include memory within a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC).

The memory 1002 may store one or more software modules (computer programs) 1003 including instructions and data for performing the processing by NCR-MT 12 described in the above-mentioned embodiments. In some implementations, the processor 1001 may be configured to read the software modules 1003 from the memory 1002 and execute them to perform the processing by NCR-MT 12 described in the above-mentioned embodiments.

As described with reference to Figures 9 and 10, each of the processors of the gNB 2 and NCR-MT 12 in the above-described embodiments can execute one or more programs including instructions for causing a computer to perform the algorithms described with reference to the drawings. The programs include instructions (or software code) for causing a computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments when loaded into the computer. The programs may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media or tangible storage media include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The programs may be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or a communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable media or communication media include electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

The above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples of the application of the technical ideas obtained by the inventors. In other words, the technical ideas are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications are of course possible.

For example, some or all of the above embodiments can be described as follows, but are not limited to the following:

(Appendix 1)
A Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
a repeater unit including a Radio Frequency (RF) component and configured to amplify and forward an RF signal;
a controller coupled to the repeater unit and configured to provide NCR mobile termination (MT);
Equipped with
The controller is configured to use a second NCR-MT specific minimum required received power or minimum required quality level at the cell to determine whether the cell satisfies a cell selection criterion;
The second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level is different from the first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level in the cell for normal User Equipment (UE) that is not NCR-MT.
NCR.
(Appendix 2)
The second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level is greater than the first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level.
NCR as described in Appendix 1.
(Appendix 3)
The controller is configured to receive cell selection information broadcast in the cell;
the cell selection information includes a first parameter and a second parameter;
the first parameter represents the first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level;
the second parameter represents the second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level;
2. The NCR according to claim 1 or 2.
(Appendix 4)
The controller is configured to receive cell selection information broadcast in the cell;
the cell selection information includes a first parameter and a third parameter;
the first parameter represents the first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level;
the third parameter is used by the controller to derive the second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level from the first parameter.
2. The NCR according to claim 1 or 2.
(Appendix 5)
The controller is configured to receive cell selection information broadcast in the cell;
the cell selection information includes a first parameter;
the first parameter represents the first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level;
the controller is configured to derive the second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level from the first parameter.
2. The NCR according to claim 1 or 2.
(Appendix 6)
the repeater unit is configured to forward the RF signals between a Radio Access Network (RAN) node and User Equipments (UEs);
The NCR-MT is adapted to communicate with the RAN node via a control link to exchange control information.
6. The NCR according to any one of appendix 1 to 5.
(Appendix 7)
1. A Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
means for broadcasting cell selection information in a cell;
The cell selection information includes a first parameter and further includes a second parameter or a third parameter;
The first parameter represents a first minimum required received power or a minimum required quality level in the cell used for cell selection by a normal User Equipment (UE) that is not a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) mobile termination (MT);
The second parameter represents a second minimum required received power or a minimum required quality level in the cell used for cell selection by the NCR-MT;
The third parameter is used by the NCR-MT to determine the second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level from the first parameter.
RAN node.
(Appendix 8)
The second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level is greater than the first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level.
8. The RAN node of claim 7.
(Appendix 9)
The NCR-MT is a Mobile Termination Function in the NCR configured to forward Radio Frequency (RF) signals between the RAN node and UEs.
9. The RAN node of claim 7 or 8.
(Appendix 10)
A method performed by a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
using a second NCR-MT specific minimum required received power or minimum required quality level in a cell to determine whether the cell satisfies a cell selection criterion;
The second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level is different from the first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level in the cell for normal User Equipment (UE) that is not NCR-MT.
Method.
(Appendix 11)
1. A method performed by a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
broadcasting cell selection information in the cell;
The cell selection information includes a first parameter and further includes a second parameter or a third parameter;
The first parameter represents a first minimum required received power or a minimum required quality level in the cell used for cell selection by a normal User Equipment (UE) that is not a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) mobile termination (MT);
The second parameter represents a second minimum required received power or a minimum required quality level in the cell used for cell selection by the NCR-MT;
The third parameter is used by the NCR-MT to determine the second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level from the first parameter.
Method.
(Appendix 12)
A program for causing a computer to perform a method for a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
The method comprises using a second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level specific for a NCR-MT at a cell that differs from a first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level at the cell for normal User Equipment (UE) that is not an NCR mobile termination (MT) to determine whether the cell satisfies a cell selection criterion.
program.
(Appendix 13)
1. A program for causing a computer to perform a method for a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
The method comprises controlling the RAN node to broadcast cell selection information in a cell;
The cell selection information includes a first parameter and further includes a second parameter or a third parameter;
The first parameter represents a first minimum required received power or a minimum required quality level in the cell used for cell selection by a normal User Equipment (UE) that is not a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) mobile termination (MT);
The second parameter represents a second minimum required received power or a minimum required quality level in the cell used for cell selection by the NCR-MT;
The third parameter is used by the NCR-MT to determine the second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level from the first parameter.
program.
(Appendix 14)
A Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
a repeater unit including a Radio Frequency (RF) component and configured to amplify and forward RF signals between a Radio Access Network (RAN) node and User Equipments (UEs);
a controller coupled to the repeater unit and configured to communicate with the RAN node over a control link to exchange control information;
Equipped with
The controller:
receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) release message from the RAN node requesting release of an RRC connection in a cell and indicating an access restriction period;
If the reception power or reception quality level in the cell is lower than a threshold, a random access procedure to the cell is not initiated until at least the access restriction period has elapsed.
It is configured as follows:
NCR.
(Appendix 15)
The access restriction period is one hour or more.
NCR as described in Appendix 14.
(Appendix 16)
The RRC release message further indicates the threshold value.
16. The NCR according to claim 14 or 15.
(Appendix 17)
The RRC release message indicates that the release of the RRC connection is caused by a decrease or insufficiency of a reception power or reception quality level in the cell.
17. The NCR according to any one of appendix 14 to 16.
(Appendix 18)
1. A Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
means for determining release of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in a cell for a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) in response to a decrease or lack of a reception power or reception quality level of said NCR in said cell;
means for sending an RRC release message to the NCR indicating an access restriction period;
The RRC release message causes the NCR to not initiate a random access procedure to the cell if the received power or received quality level in the cell is below a threshold value until at least the access restriction period has elapsed.
RAN node.
(Appendix 19)
The access restriction period is one hour or more.
19. The RAN node of claim 18.
(Appendix 20)
The RRC release message further indicates the threshold value.
20. The RAN node of claim 18 or 19.
(Appendix 21)
The RRC release message indicates that the release of the RRC connection is caused by a decrease or insufficiency of a reception power or reception quality level in the cell.
21. The RAN node of any one of Supplementary Notes 18 to 20.
(Appendix 22)
A method performed by a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
receiving an RRC release message from a Radio Access Network (RAN) node requesting release of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in a cell and indicating an access restriction period; and if a received power or a received quality level in the cell is lower than a threshold, not initiating a random access procedure to the cell until at least the access restriction period has elapsed;
A method for providing the above.
(Appendix 23)
1. A method performed by a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
determining a release of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in the cell for a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) in response to a decrease or deficiency in a reception power or reception quality level of the NCR in the cell and sending an RRC release message to the NCR indicating an access restriction period;
The RRC release message causes the NCR to not initiate a random access procedure to the cell if the received power or received quality level in the cell is below a threshold value until at least the access restriction period has elapsed.
Method.
(Appendix 24)
A program for causing a computer to perform a method for a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
The method comprises:
receiving an RRC release message from a radio access network node requesting release of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in a cell and indicating an access restriction period; and if a received power or a received quality level in the cell is lower than a threshold, not initiating a random access procedure to the cell until at least the access restriction period has elapsed;
A program that includes:
(Appendix 25)
1. A program for causing a computer to perform a method for a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
The method comprises determining a release of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in the cell for a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) in response to a decrease or lack of a received power or a received quality level of the NCR in the cell and sending an RRC release message to the NCR indicating an access restriction period;
The RRC release message causes the NCR to not initiate a random access procedure to the cell if the received power or received quality level in the cell is below a threshold value until at least the access restriction period has elapsed.
program.
(Appendix 26)
A Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
a repeater unit including a Radio Frequency (RF) component and configured to amplify and forward RF signals between a Radio Access Network (RAN) node and User Equipments (UEs);
a controller coupled to the repeater unit and configured to communicate with the RAN node over a control link to exchange control information;
Equipped with
The controller is configured to send a Radio Resource Control (RRC) SETUP or RESUME REQUEST message to request establishment or resumption of an RRC connection in a cell;
The RRC setup or resumption request message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
NCR.
(Appendix 27)
The controller:
receiving an RRC rejection message indicating a rejection of the establishment or resumption of the RRC connection and indicating an access restriction period after transmitting the RRC setup or resumption request message;
If the reception power or reception quality level in the cell is lower than a threshold, a random access procedure to the cell is not initiated until at least the access restriction period has elapsed.
It is configured as follows:
NCR as described in Appendix 26.
(Appendix 28)
The access restriction period is one hour or more.
NCR as described in Appendix 27.
(Appendix 29)
The RRC rejection message further indicates the threshold value.
29. The NCR according to claim 27 or 28.
(Appendix 30)
The RRC rejection message indicates that the rejection of the establishment or resumption of the RRC connection is due to insufficient reception power or reception quality level in the cell.
30. The NCR according to any one of appendix 27 to 29.
(Appendix 31)
1. A Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
means for receiving an RRC setup or resumption request message from a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) for requesting establishment or resumption of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in a cell;
The RRC setup or resumption request message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
RAN node.
(Appendix 32)
If it is determined based on the measurement result of the cell that the reception power or reception quality level of the NCR in the cell is insufficient, a means for sending an RRC rejection message to the NCR indicating a rejection of the establishment or resumption of the RRC connection and indicating an access restriction period,
The RRC rejection message causes the NCR to not initiate a random access procedure to the cell if the received power or received quality level in the cell is below a threshold value until at least the access restriction period has elapsed.
32. The RAN node of claim 31.
(Appendix 33)
The access restriction period is one hour or more.
33. The RAN node of claim 32.
(Appendix 34)
The RRC rejection message further indicates the threshold value.
34. The RAN node of claim 32 or 33.
(Appendix 35)
The RRC rejection message indicates that the rejection of the establishment or resumption of the RRC connection is due to insufficient reception power or reception quality level in the cell.
35. The RAN node of any one of Supplementary Notes 32 to 34.
(Appendix 36)
A method performed by a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
transmitting an RRC SETUP or RESUME REQUEST message to request establishment or resumption of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in a cell;
The RRC setup or resumption request message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
Method.
(Appendix 37)
1. A method performed by a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
receiving an RRC setup or resumption request message from a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) for requesting establishment or resumption of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in a cell;
The RRC setup or resumption request message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
Method.
(Appendix 38)
A program for causing a computer to perform a method for a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
The method comprises transmitting a Radio Resource Control (RRC) SETUP OR RESUME REQUEST message to request establishment or resumption of an RRC connection in a cell;
The RRC setup or resumption request message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
program.
(Appendix 39)
1. A program for causing a computer to perform a method for a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
The method comprises receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) setup or resumption request message from a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) requesting establishment or resumption of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in a cell;
The RRC setup or resumption request message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
program.
(Appendix 40)
A Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
a repeater unit including a Radio Frequency (RF) component and configured to amplify and forward RF signals between a Radio Access Network (RAN) node and User Equipments (UEs);
a controller coupled to the repeater unit and configured to communicate with the RAN node over a control link to exchange control information;
Equipped with
The controller:
configured to transmit an RRC setup or resumption complete message indicating completion of establishment or resumption of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in the cell;
The RRC setup or resumption complete message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR was RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
NCR.
(Appendix 41)
The controller:
receiving an RRC release message indicating release of the RRC connection and indicating an access restriction period after transmitting the RRC setup or resumption complete message;
If the reception power or reception quality level in the cell is lower than a threshold, a random access procedure to the cell is not initiated until at least the access restriction period has elapsed.
It is configured as follows:
NCR as described in Appendix 40.
(Appendix 42)
The access restriction period is one hour or more.
NCR as described in Appendix 41.
(Appendix 43)
The RRC release message further indicates the threshold value.
43. The NCR according to claim 41 or 42.
(Appendix 44)
The RRC release message indicates that the cause of the release of the RRC connection is a lack of reception power or reception quality level in the cell.
44. The NCR according to any one of appendix 41 to 43.
(Appendix 45)
1. A Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
means for receiving an RRC setup or resumption complete message from a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), indicating completion of establishment or resumption of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in a cell;
The RRC setup or resumption complete message indicates the measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
RAN node.
(Appendix 46)
If it is determined that the reception power or reception quality level of the NCR in the cell is insufficient based on the measurement result of the cell, an RRC release message indicating release of the RRC connection and indicating an access restriction period is sent to the NCR,
The RRC release message causes the NCR to not initiate a random access procedure to the cell if the received power or received quality level in the cell is below a threshold value until at least the access restriction period has elapsed.
46. The RAN node of claim 45.
(Appendix 47)
The access restriction period is one hour or more.
47. The RAN node of claim 46.
(Appendix 48)
The RRC release message further indicates the threshold value.
48. The RAN node of claim 46 or 47.
(Appendix 49)
The RRC release message indicates that the release of the RRC connection is due to a lack of reception power or reception quality level in the cell.
49. The RAN node of any one of Supplementary Notes 46 to 48.
(Appendix 50)
A method performed by a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
transmitting an RRC setup or resumption complete message indicating completion of establishment or resumption of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in the cell;
The RRC setup or resumption complete message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR was RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
Method.
(Appendix 51)
1. A method performed by a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
receiving an RRC setup or resumption complete message from a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) indicating completion of establishment or resumption of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in a cell;
The RRC setup or resumption complete message indicates the measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
Method.
(Appendix 52)
A program for causing a computer to perform a method for a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
The method comprises transmitting a Radio Resource Control (RRC) setup or resumption complete message indicating completion of establishment or resumption of an RRC connection in a cell;
The RRC setup or resumption complete message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR was RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
program.
(Appendix 53)
1. A program for causing a computer to perform a method for a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
The method comprises receiving, from a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), a Radio Resource Control (RRC) setup or resumption completion message indicating completion of establishment or resumption of an RRC connection in a cell;
The RRC setup or resumption complete message indicates the measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
program.

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-155435, filed on September 28, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

1 NCR
2. gNB
3 UE
11 NCR-Fwd
12 NCR-MT
904 Processor 905 Memory 906 Module 1001 Processor 1002 Memory 1003 Module

Claims (53)

1. A Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
   a repeater unit including a Radio Frequency (RF) component and configured to amplify and forward an RF signal;
   a controller coupled to the repeater unit and configured to provide NCR mobile termination (MT);
   Equipped with
   The controller is configured to use a second NCR-MT specific minimum required received power or minimum required quality level at the cell to determine whether the cell satisfies a cell selection criterion;
   The second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level is different from the first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level in the cell for normal User Equipment (UE) that is not NCR-MT.
   NCR.
2. The second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level is greater than the first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level.
   The NCR of claim 1.
3. The controller is configured to receive cell selection information broadcast in the cell;
   the cell selection information includes a first parameter and a second parameter;
   the first parameter represents the first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level;
   the second parameter represents the second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level;
   3. The NCR of claim 1 or 2.
4. The controller is configured to receive cell selection information broadcast in the cell;
   the cell selection information includes a first parameter and a third parameter;
   the first parameter represents the first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level;
   the third parameter is used by the controller to derive the second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level from the first parameter.
   3. The NCR of claim 1 or 2.
5. The controller is configured to receive cell selection information broadcast in the cell;
   the cell selection information includes a first parameter;
   the first parameter represents the first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level;
   the controller is configured to derive the second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level from the first parameter.
   3. The NCR of claim 1 or 2.
6. the repeater unit is configured to forward the RF signals between a Radio Access Network (RAN) node and User Equipments (UEs);
   The NCR-MT is adapted to communicate with the RAN node via a control link to exchange control information.
   The NCR according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. 1. A Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
   means for broadcasting cell selection information in a cell;
   The cell selection information includes a first parameter and further includes a second parameter or a third parameter;
   The first parameter represents a first minimum required received power or a minimum required quality level in the cell used for cell selection by a normal User Equipment (UE) that is not a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) mobile termination (MT);
   The second parameter represents a second minimum required received power or a minimum required quality level in the cell used for cell selection by the NCR-MT;
   The third parameter is used by the NCR-MT to determine the second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level from the first parameter.
   RAN node.
8. The second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level is greater than the first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level.
   8. The RAN node of claim 7.
9. The NCR-MT is a Mobile Termination Function in the NCR configured to forward Radio Frequency (RF) signals between the RAN node and UEs.
   9. A RAN node according to claim 7 or 8.
10. A method performed by a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
    using a second NCR-MT specific minimum required received power or minimum required quality level in a cell to determine whether the cell satisfies a cell selection criterion;
    The second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level is different from the first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level in the cell for normal User Equipment (UE) that is not NCR-MT.
    Method.
11. 1. A method performed by a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
    broadcasting cell selection information in the cell;
    The cell selection information includes a first parameter and further includes a second parameter or a third parameter;
    The first parameter represents a first minimum required received power or a minimum required quality level in the cell used for cell selection by a normal User Equipment (UE) that is not a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) mobile termination (MT);
    The second parameter represents a second minimum required received power or a minimum required quality level in the cell used for cell selection by the NCR-MT;
    The third parameter is used by the NCR-MT to determine the second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level from the first parameter.
    Method.
12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a program for causing a computer to perform a method for a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
    The method comprises using a second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level specific for a NCR-MT at a cell that differs from a first minimum required received power or minimum required quality level at the cell for normal User Equipment (UE) that is not an NCR mobile termination (MT) to determine whether the cell satisfies a cell selection criterion.
    Non-transitory computer-readable medium.
13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a program for causing a computer to perform a method for a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, the method comprising:
    The method comprises controlling the RAN node to broadcast cell selection information in a cell;
    The cell selection information includes a first parameter and further includes a second parameter or a third parameter;
    The first parameter represents a first minimum required received power or a minimum required quality level in the cell used for cell selection by a normal User Equipment (UE) that is not a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) mobile termination (MT);
    The second parameter represents a second minimum required received power or a minimum required quality level in the cell used for cell selection by the NCR-MT;
    The third parameter is used by the NCR-MT to determine the second minimum required received power or minimum required quality level from the first parameter.
    Non-transitory computer-readable medium.
14. A Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
    a repeater unit including a Radio Frequency (RF) component and configured to amplify and forward RF signals between a Radio Access Network (RAN) node and User Equipments (UEs);
    a controller coupled to the repeater unit and configured to communicate with the RAN node over a control link to exchange control information;
    Equipped with
    The controller:
    receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) release message from the RAN node requesting release of an RRC connection in a cell and indicating an access restriction period;
    If the reception power or reception quality level in the cell is lower than a threshold, a random access procedure to the cell is not initiated until at least the access restriction period has elapsed.
    It is configured as follows:
    NCR.
15. The access restriction period is one hour or more.
    The NCR of claim 14.
16. The RRC release message further indicates the threshold value.
    16. The NCR of claim 14 or 15.
17. The RRC release message indicates that the release of the RRC connection is caused by a decrease or insufficiency of a reception power or reception quality level in the cell.
    The NCR according to any one of claims 14 to 16.
18. 1. A Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
    means for determining release of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in a cell for a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) in response to a decrease or lack of a reception power or reception quality level of said NCR in said cell;
    means for sending an RRC release message to the NCR indicating an access restriction period;
    The RRC release message causes the NCR to not initiate a random access procedure to the cell if the received power or received quality level in the cell is below a threshold value until at least the access restriction period has elapsed.
    RAN node.
19. The access restriction period is one hour or more.
    20. The RAN node of claim 18.
20. The RRC release message further indicates the threshold value.
    20. A RAN node according to claim 18 or 19.
21. The RRC release message indicates that the release of the RRC connection is caused by a decrease or insufficiency of a reception power or reception quality level in the cell.
    21. A RAN node according to any one of claims 18 to 20.
22. A method performed by a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
    receiving an RRC release message from a Radio Access Network (RAN) node requesting release of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in a cell and indicating an access restriction period; and if a received power or a received quality level in the cell is lower than a threshold, not initiating a random access procedure to the cell until at least the access restriction period has elapsed;
    A method for providing the above.
23. 1. A method performed by a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
    determining a release of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in the cell for a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) in response to a decrease or deficiency in a reception power or reception quality level of the NCR in the cell and sending an RRC release message to the NCR indicating an access restriction period;
    The RRC release message causes the NCR to not initiate a random access procedure to the cell if the received power or received quality level in the cell is below a threshold value until at least the access restriction period has elapsed.
    Method.
24. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a program for causing a computer to perform a method for a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
    The method comprises:
    receiving an RRC release message from a radio access network node requesting release of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in a cell and indicating an access restriction period; and if a received power or a received quality level in the cell is lower than a threshold, not initiating a random access procedure to the cell until at least the access restriction period has elapsed;
    1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:
25. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a program for causing a computer to perform a method for a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, the method comprising:
    The method comprises determining a release of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in the cell for a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) in response to a decrease or lack of a received power or a received quality level of the NCR in the cell and sending an RRC release message to the NCR indicating an access restriction period;
    The RRC release message causes the NCR to not initiate a random access procedure to the cell if the received power or received quality level in the cell is below a threshold value until at least the access restriction period has elapsed.
    Non-transitory computer-readable medium.
26. A Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
    a repeater unit including a Radio Frequency (RF) component and configured to amplify and forward RF signals between a Radio Access Network (RAN) node and User Equipments (UEs);
    a controller coupled to the repeater unit and configured to communicate with the RAN node over a control link to exchange control information;
    Equipped with
    The controller is configured to send a Radio Resource Control (RRC) SETUP or RESUME REQUEST message to request establishment or resumption of an RRC connection in a cell;
    The RRC SETUP or RESUME REQUEST message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
    NCR.
27. The controller:
    receiving an RRC rejection message indicating a rejection of the establishment or resumption of the RRC connection and indicating an access restriction period after transmitting the RRC setup or resumption request message;
    If the reception power or reception quality level in the cell is lower than a threshold, a random access procedure to the cell is not initiated until at least the access restriction period has elapsed.
    It is configured as follows:
    27. The NCR of claim 26.
28. The access restriction period is one hour or more.
    28. The NCR of claim 27.
29. The RRC rejection message further indicates the threshold value.
    29. The NCR of claim 27 or 28.
30. The RRC rejection message indicates that the rejection of the establishment or resumption of the RRC connection is due to insufficient reception power or reception quality level in the cell.
    The NCR according to any one of claims 27 to 29.
31. 1. A Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
    means for receiving an RRC setup or resumption request message from a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) for requesting establishment or resumption of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in a cell;
    The RRC setup or resumption request message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
    RAN node.
32. If it is determined based on the measurement result of the cell that the reception power or reception quality level of the NCR in the cell is insufficient, a means for sending an RRC rejection message to the NCR indicating a rejection of the establishment or resumption of the RRC connection and indicating an access restriction period,
    The RRC rejection message causes the NCR to not initiate a random access procedure to the cell if the received power or received quality level in the cell is below a threshold value until at least the access restriction period has elapsed.
    32. The RAN node of claim 31.
33. The access restriction period is one hour or more.
    33. The RAN node of claim 32.
34. The RRC rejection message further indicates the threshold value.
    34. A RAN node according to claim 32 or 33.
35. The RRC rejection message indicates that the rejection of the establishment or resumption of the RRC connection is due to insufficient reception power or reception quality level in the cell.
    The RAN node according to any one of claims 32 to 34.
36. A method performed by a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
    transmitting an RRC SETUP or RESUME REQUEST message to request establishment or resumption of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in a cell;
    The RRC setup or resumption request message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
    Method.
37. 1. A method performed by a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
    receiving an RRC setup or resumption request message from a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) for requesting establishment or resumption of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in a cell;
    The RRC SETUP or RESUME REQUEST message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
    Method.
38. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a program for causing a computer to perform a method for a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
    The method comprises transmitting a Radio Resource Control (RRC) SETUP OR RESUME REQUEST message to request establishment or resumption of an RRC connection in a cell;
    The RRC SETUP or RESUME REQUEST message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
    Non-transitory computer-readable medium.
39. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a program for causing a computer to perform a method for a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, the method comprising:
    The method comprises receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) setup or resumption request message from a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) requesting establishment or resumption of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in a cell;
    The RRC SETUP or RESUME REQUEST message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
    Non-transitory computer-readable medium.
40. A Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
    a repeater unit including a Radio Frequency (RF) component and configured to amplify and forward RF signals between a Radio Access Network (RAN) node and User Equipments (UEs);
    a controller coupled to the repeater unit and configured to communicate with the RAN node over a control link to exchange control information;
    Equipped with
    The controller:
    configured to transmit an RRC setup or resumption complete message indicating completion of establishment or resumption of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in the cell;
    The RRC setup or resumption complete message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR was RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
    NCR.
41. The controller:
    receiving an RRC release message indicating release of the RRC connection and indicating an access restriction period after transmitting the RRC setup or resumption complete message;
    If the reception power or reception quality level in the cell is lower than a threshold, a random access procedure to the cell is not initiated until at least the access restriction period has elapsed.
    It is configured as follows:
    The NCR of claim 40.
42. The access restriction period is one hour or more.
    The NCR of claim 41.
43. The RRC release message further indicates the threshold value.
    43. The NCR of claim 41 or 42.
44. The RRC release message indicates that the release of the RRC connection is due to a lack of reception power or reception quality level in the cell.
    The NCR according to any one of claims 41 to 43.
45. 1. A Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
    means for receiving an RRC setup or resumption complete message from a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), the RRC setup or resumption complete message indicating completion of establishment or resumption of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in a cell;
    The RRC setup or resumption complete message indicates the measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
    RAN node.
46. If it is determined that the reception power or reception quality level of the NCR in the cell is insufficient based on the measurement result of the cell, an RRC release message indicating release of the RRC connection and indicating an access restriction period is sent to the NCR,
    The RRC release message causes the NCR to not initiate a random access procedure to the cell if the received power or received quality level in the cell is below a threshold value until at least the access restriction period has elapsed.
    46. The RAN node of claim 45.
47. The access restriction period is one hour or more.
    47. The RAN node of claim 46.
48. The RRC release message further indicates the threshold value.
    48. A RAN node according to claim 46 or 47.
49. The RRC release message indicates that the release of the RRC connection is due to a lack of reception power or reception quality level in the cell.
    The RAN node according to any one of claims 46 to 48.
50. A method performed by a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
    transmitting an RRC setup or resumption complete message indicating completion of establishment or resumption of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in the cell;
    The RRC setup or resumption complete message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR was RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
    Method.
51. 1. A method performed by a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising:
    receiving an RRC setup or resumption complete message from a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) indicating completion of establishment or resumption of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in a cell;
    The RRC setup or resumption complete message indicates the measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
    Method.
52. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a program for causing a computer to perform a method for a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), comprising:
    The method comprises transmitting a Radio Resource Control (RRC) setup or resumption complete message indicating completion of establishment or resumption of an RRC connection in a cell;
    The RRC setup or resumption complete message indicates measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR was RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
    Non-transitory computer-readable medium.
53. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a program for causing a computer to perform a method for a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, the method comprising:
    The method comprises receiving, from a Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), a Radio Resource Control (RRC) setup or resumption completion message indicating completion of establishment or resumption of an RRC connection in a cell;
    The RRC setup or resumption complete message indicates the measurement results of the cell recorded when the NCR is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.
    Non-transitory computer-readable medium.

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