METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONFIGURING TIMERS IN LTE NETWORKS

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a communication method and system for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) system with a technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application is related to and claims the priority under the priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of an Indian provisional patent application No. 201641014815 filed on Apr. 28, 2016, and an Indian complete patent application No. 201641014815 filed on Apr. 19, 2017 in the Indian Patent Office, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments herein generally relate to the field of long term evolution (LTE) technology in wireless communications and more particularly to timers in the LTE wireless communication networks.

BACKGROUND

To meet the demand for wireless data traffic having increased since deployment of 4G (4th-Generation) communication systems, efforts have been made to develop an improved 5G (5th-Generation) or pre-5G communication system. Therefore, the 5G or pre-5G communication system is also called a ‘Beyond 4G Network’ or a ‘Post LTE System’. The 5G communication system is considered to be implemented in higher frequency (mmWave) bands, e.g., 60 GHz bands, so as to accomplish higher data rates. To decrease propagation loss of the radio waves and increase the transmission distance, the beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), Full Dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, an analog beam forming, large scale antenna techniques are discussed in 5G communication systems. In addition, in 5G communication systems, development for system network improvement is under way based on advanced small cells, cloud Radio Access Networks (RANs), ultra-dense networks, device-to-device (D2D) communication, wireless backhaul, moving network, cooperative communication, Coordinated Multi-Points (CoMP), reception-end interference cancellation and the like. In the 5G system, Hybrid FSK and QAM Modulation (FQAM) and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) as an advanced coding modulation (ACM), and filter bank multi carrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access(NOMA), and sparse code multiple access (SCMA) as an advanced access technology have been developed.

The Internet, which is a human centered connectivity network where humans generate and consume information, is now evolving to the Internet of Things (IoT) where distributed entities, such as things, exchange and process information without human intervention. The Internet of Everything (IoE), which is a combination of the IoT technology and the Big Data processing technology through connection with a cloud server, has emerged. As technology elements, such as “sensing technology”, “wired/wireless communication and network infrastructure”, “service interface technology”, and “Security technology” have been demanded for IoT implementation, a sensor network, a Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, Machine Type Communication (MTC), and so forth have been recently researched. Such an IoT environment may provide intelligent Internet technology services that create a new value to human life by collecting and analyzing data generated among connected things. IoT may be applied to a variety of fields including smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car or connected cars, smart grid, health care, smart appliances and advanced medical services through convergence and combination between existing Information Technology (IT) and various industrial applications.

In line with this, various attempts have been made to apply 5G communication systems to IoT networks. For example, technologies such as a sensor network, Machine Type Communication (MTC), and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication may be implemented by beamforming, MIMO, and array antennas. Application of a cloud Radio Access Network (RAN) as the above-described Big Data processing technology may also be considered to be as an example of convergence between the 5G technology and the IoT technology.

Currently, long term evolution (LTE) technology is being widely implemented by wireless communication systems. In LTE, without discontinuous reception (DRX), a user equipment (UE) has to be awake all the time in order to decode downlink data, as the data in the downlink may arrive at any time. This means that UE has to monitor the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in every sub-frame to check if there is downlink data available. This has serious impact on the power consumption of the UE. However in presence of the DRX, the UE discontinuously monitors the PDCCH. The occasions of monitoring PDCCH are configured by the base station (or eNodeB) using multiple timers as illustrated in FIG. 1. The timers include an on duration timer that indicates the time that the UE remains in DRX active state after start of DRX cycle. Further, a drx-Inactivity timer indicates the time that the UE remains in DRX active state after receiving a PDCCH with downlink control information (DCI) indicating new transmission. A drx-Retransmission timer indicates the time that the UE remains in DRX active state to receive PDCCH for retransmission scheduling. A ra-Response timer indicates a time for which the UE is in active state after transmission of Random Access Preamble. A mac-Contention resolution timer indicates a time for which the UE is in active state after transmission of Msg-3. Further, a drxCycle indicates a cyclic timer (which is restarted at each expiry point) indicating the DRX cycle. A drxCycleTimer indicates that at the end of this timer, the UE switches from a short DRX cycle (i.e. short drxCycle value) to a long DRX cycle (i.e. long drxCycle value). Further, a drxStartOffset indicates the starting sub-frame offset of the DRX cycle.

In an example scenario, consider a cellular internet of things (IoT) environment, it is expected that because of increased repetition, physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmissions may extend more than 1 sub-frame. Also, scheduling gap of more than 1 sub-frame may exist between end of PDCCH transmission and start of corresponding scheduled PDSCH/PUSCH transmission. FIG. 2 illustrates a PDCCH scheduling gap, where PDCCH-1 provides scheduling information of PDSCH-1; PDCCH-2 provides scheduling information of PDSCH-2, and so on. These factors render the current procedure of DRX operation ineffective for cellular IoT. Hence, new mechanism needs to be defined for the DRX operation for cellular IoT.

SUMMARY

To address the above-discussed deficiencies, it is a primary object to provide methods and systems for configuring the length of timers in a user equipment (UE), and the amount of time that the UE remains in active state while the timer is running.

Another object of the embodiments herein is to define at least one DRX procedure for a discontinuous reception (DRX) operation of a User Equipment (UE), wherein one or more proposed DRX procedures may be applied when there exists increased repetition of PDCCH, PDSCH and PUSCH transmission that may extend to more than one sub-frame and a scheduling gap of more than one sub-frame that exists between end of PDCCH transmission and start of corresponding scheduled PDSCH/PUSCH transmission.

Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method for maintaining power consumption of the UE during the DRX operation of the UE.

Accordingly the invention provides a method for configuring at least one timer by a user equipment (UE) in a long term evolution (LTE) network, the method comprising configuring length of at least one xTimer by the UE; configuring at least one start position for the at least one xTimer by the UE, wherein the start position is aligned with starting subframe of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search space and started when a previous transmission is completed; and stopping the at least one xTimer by the UE, on the UE successfully decoding the PDCCH.

Accordingly the invention provides a user equipment (UE) configured for configuring length of at least one xTimer; configuring at least one start position for the at least one xTimer, wherein the start position is aligned with a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search space and started when a previous transmission is completed; and stopping the at least one xTimer, on the UE successfully decoding the PDCCH.

These and other aspects of the example embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating example embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the example embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the example embodiments herein include all such modifications.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example occasions of monitoring PDCCH as configured by a base station (or eNodeB) using multiple timers according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example PDCCH scheduling gap according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example UE for configuring a length of a DRX timer in a UE, and an amount of time that the UE remains in active state while the DRX timer is running according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example length of a xTimer is one PDCCH search space interval according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example length of a xTimer is given by G1*T1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example length of a xTimer is given by G2*T2 and timer_active started at each PDCCH search space instance while the xTimer is running according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example selection of a starting sub-frame configuration of an onDurationTimer according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example selection of a time stoppage criteria for an onDurationTimer according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example drx-InactivityTimer procedure according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example sfstop-in configuration criteria according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example sfstart-in configuration criteria according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 illustrates an example drx-RetransmissionTimer procedure according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 illustrates an example sfstop-ret configuration criteria according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

FIG. 14 illustrates an example sfstart-ret configuration criteria according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 illustrates an example start sub-frame configuration of an ra-ResponseTimer according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 illustrates an example selection of a time stoppage criteria for an onDurationTimer according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17A illustrates an example T3 set as PDCCH search space length according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17B illustrates an example T3 set as PDCCH search space interval according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17C illustrates an example T configured by a base station according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18A illustrates an example T4 set as PDCCH search space length according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18B illustrates an example T4 set as PDCCH search space interval according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 18C illustrates an example T4 configured by a base station according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 18C, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged electronic device.

The example embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The description herein is intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the example embodiments herein can be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the example embodiments herein. Accordingly, this disclosure should not be construed as limiting the scope of the example embodiments herein.

The embodiments herein disclose methods and systems for configuring the length of a timer in a user equipment (UE), and the amount of time that the UE remains in active state while the timer is running. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 3 through 18, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown example embodiments.

The user equipment (UE) as disclosed herein can be a device configured to use at least one long term evolution (LTE) based communication network. Examples of the UE can be mobile phones, smart phones, tablets, laptops, wearable computing devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, vehicle infotainment systems, and so on.

A physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search space may refer to either UE specific search space for PDCCH, which is configured by dedicated signaling to the UE, or it may refer to the cell specific search space for PDCCH of the UE, which is configured by system information. The starting subframe of a ‘PDCCH search space’ can be referred to as a PDCCH occasion. The UE is not required to monitor both the search spaces simultaneously. If PDCCH for the UE is expected in UE specific search space, then the PDCCH search space refers to UE specific search space. If PDCCH for the UE is expected in cell specific search space, then the PDCCH search space refers to cell specific search space. The term ‘PDCCH search space interval’ can also be referred to as a “PDCCH period (pp).”

The term ‘xTimer’ as referred to herein can refer to at least one of an onDurationTimer, drx-InactivityTimer, drx-RetransmissionTimer, ra-ResponseTimer, mac-ContentionResolutionTimer, drxCycle, drxCycleTimer, or any other discontinuous reception (DRX) timer.

Embodiments herein use the term “sub-frame” to indicate the start (or trigger) point and end point of the timers with the assumption that scheduling unit is sub-frame, but the same procedure can be applied for the case when scheduling unit is slot or mini-slot or any other scheduling unit.

Embodiments herein use the term “ms” to define length of certain parameters (for example, X_u, X_d, and so on), but the same procedure can be applied for the case when different units are used for the parameters (for example, slot length/mini-slot length/symbol length, and so on).

Embodiments herein enable the UE to configure the length of at least one timer according to number of PDCCH occasions of the UE for reliable and optimal PDCCH decoding. In an embodiment herein, the length of DRX and MAC timers can be configured as a factor of PDCCH search space interval/period of the UE. Since PDCCH occasion frequency for each UE may be different, hence timer lengths can be UE specific. Embodiments herein enable the UE to configure delayed start criteria, wherein the start position of the timers is aligned with PDCCH occasions, and the timers are started only when the previous transmission (PDCCH+PUSCH/PDSCH) is completed. For example, the onDurationTimer can be aligned with PDCCH occasion, and the drxInactivityTimer and drxRetransmissionTimer can be started after PUSCH transmission. Embodiments herein enable the UE to configure early stoppage criteria/position, wherein the DRX timers are stopped when PDCCH is successfully decoded, hence ensuring that UE does not monitor for PDCCH when not required. For example, onDurationTimer, drxInactivityTimer and drxRetransmissionTimer can be stopped, when the PDCCH is successfully decoded.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example UE 300 for configuring a length of a DRX timer in the UE, and an amount of time that the UE remains in active state while the DRX timer is running. Referring to FIG. 3, the UE 300 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the UE 300 may include at least one processor 302, an input/output (I/O) interface 304 (herein a configurable user interface), and at least one memory 306. The at least one processor 302 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the at least one processor 302 is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 306.

The I/O interface 304 may include a variety of software and hardware interfaces, for example, a web interface, a graphical user interface such as a display screen, a camera interface for the camera sensor (such as the back camera and the front camera on the UE 300), and the like.

The I/O interface 304 may allow the UE 300 to communicate with other devices. The I/O interface 304 may facilitate multiple communications within a wide variety of networks and protocol types, including wired networks, for example, local area network (LAN), cable, etc., and wireless networks, such as Wireless LAN, cellular, device to device (D2D) communication networks, Wi-Fi networks, LTE, cellular networks, and so on. The modules 308 include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and so on, which perform particular tasks, functions or implement particular abstract data types. In one implementation, the modules 308 may include a device operation module 310. The device operation module 310 can be configured the length of the DRX timer (xTimer) in the UE, and the amount of time that the UE remains in active state while the DRX timer is running.

In an embodiment herein, the length of the xTimer can be configured as one PDCCH search space length of the UE (as illustrated in FIG. 4). The PDCCH search space length is the interval between the PDCCH occasions to the ending sub-frame of the same PDCCH search space. The UE 300 can remain in active state while the xTimer is running/on.

In an embodiment herein, the length of the xTimer can be configured as an integral multiple of factor T1 (as illustrated in FIG. 5):

length(xTimer)=G1*T1.

T1 can be at least one of: the interval between the PDCCH occasion to the ending sub-frame of the same PDCCH search space (PDCCH search space length);the interval between the two consecutive PDCCH occasions of the UE (referred to as PDCCH search space interval); slot or mini-slot duration (whichever is configured for the UE); or a value configured by base station via broadcast signaling.

G1 is an integer and can be configured by the base station via dedicated signaling, or can be configured by the base station using broadcast signaling. A base station can provide coverage enhancement level specific values of G1.

The UE 300 can remain in active state while the xTimer is running/on.

In an embodiment herein, the length of the xTimer can be configured as an integral multiple of factor T2 (as illustrated in FIG. 6):

length(xTimer)=G2*T2.

T2 can be at least one of:

the interval between the PDCCH occasion to the ending sub-frame of the same PDCCH search space (PDCCH search space length);the interval between two consecutive PDCCH occasions of the UE (referred to as PDCCH search space interval);slot or mini-slot duration (whichever is configured for the UE); or a value configured by base station via broadcast signaling.

G2 is an integer and can be configured by the base station via dedicated signaling, or can be configured by the base station using broadcast signaling. Base station can provide coverage enhancement level specific values of G2.

While xTimer is running/on, the UE starts/restarts timer_active at the PDCCH occasion of UE. The duration of timer_active can be at least one of:configured by the base station using dedicated/broadcast signaling;

• the interval between the PDCCH occasion to the ending sub-frame of the same PDCCH search space (one PDCCH search space length); or
• slot or mini-slot length (whichever is configured for the UE).

The UE 300 can remain in active state while the timer_active is running/on.

Consider a case where the xTimer is the onDurationtimer. The UE can configure the starting sub-frame of the onDurationTimer and the UE's stoppage criteria.

The starting sub-frame configuration of onDurationTimer can be selected according to at least one of the following criteria:

• as the starting sub-frame of drxCycle of the UE 300, wherein the UE 300 starts the onDurationTimer at the starting sub-frame of each drxCycle (as illustrated by (A) in FIG. 7); or
• as the first PDCCH occasion which arrives after the start of drxCycle of the UE (as illustrated by (B) in FIG. 7).

The UE 300 can stop the xTimer either on onDurationTimer expiry or according to at least one of the following criteria:

• at the sub-frame where a PDCCH, indicating scheduled transmission for the UE, is successfully decoded (as illustrated by (A) in FIG. 8);
• at the ending sub-frame of a PDCCH transmission indicating scheduled transmission for the UE (as illustrated by (B) in FIG. 8);
• at the ending sub-frame of the PDCCH search space in which a PDCCH transmission indicates scheduled transmission for the UE (as illustrated by (C) in FIG. 8);
• at the sub-frame where a PDSCH addressed to the UE is successfully decoded (as illustrated by (D) in FIG. 8);
• a first pre-defined period (X_d ms) later than the ending sub-frame of a PDSCH transmission which is addressed to the UE, where X_d is a pre-defined value and is an integer value greater than or equal to zero (as illustrated by (E) in FIG. 8);
• a second pre-defined time period (X_u ms) later than the ending sub-frame of a PUSCH transmission by the UE, where X_u is pre-defined value and has an integer value greater than or equal to zero (as illustrated by (F) in FIG. 8);at the first PDCCH occasion which arrives X_d ms later than the end of PDSCH transmission which is addressed to the UE (as illustrated by (G) in FIG. 8); and
• at the first PDCCH occasion, which arrives X_u ms later than the end of PUSCH transmission by the UE (as illustrated by (G) in FIG. 8).

Consider a case where the xTimer is the drx-Inactivitytimer. The UE 300 performs the following procedure (as illustrated in FIG. 9), on receiving a PDCCH containing DCI indicating a new transmission for the UE 300:

• if drx-InactivityTimer is running, drx-InactivityTimer is stopped at sub-frame sf_stop-in; and
• drx-InactivityTimer is started/restarted at subframe sf_start-in
• timer T_inactivity can be activated by UE to monitor the sf_start-in occasion, such that T_inactivity is started at sub-frame sf_stop-in and sf the timer expires at sf_start-in. The value of sf_stop-in can be defined by at least one of the following criteria:
• the sub-frame where PDCCH, containing the DCI indicating transmission for the UE 300, is
• successfully decoded (as illustrated by (A) in FIG. 10); the ending sub-frame of the PDCCH transmission containing the DCI indicating transmission for
• the UE 300 is decoded (as illustrated by (B) in FIG. 10);
• the ending sub-frame of the PDCCH search space in which the PDCCH transmission, containing the DCI indicating transmission for the UE 300, is successfully decoded (as illustrated by (C) in FIG. 10);
• the sub-frame where a PDSCH, which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the UE, is successfully decoded (as illustrated by (D) in FIG. 10);
• the sub-frame which is X_d ms later than the ending sub-frame of a PDSCH transmission which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the UE 300 (as illustrated by (E) in FIG. 10);
• the sub-frame which is X_u ms later than the ending sub-frame of a PUSCH transmission which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the UE 300 (as illustrated by (F) in FIG. 10). Note that value of X_u can be different for the case when PUSCH is used for data transmission and when PUSCH is used for HARQ ACK transmission;
• the first PDCCH occasion which arrives X_d ms later than the end of PDSCH transmission which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the UE 300 (as illustrated by (G) in FIG. 10); and
• the first PDCCH occasion which arrives X_u ms later than the end of PUSCH transmission which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the UE 300 (as illustrated by (G) in FIG. 10). Note that value of X_u can be different for the case when PUSCH is used for data transmission and when PUSCH is used for HARQ ACK transmission.

The T_inactivity timer can expire at the same sub-frame as the HARQ RTT Timer or the UL HARQ RTT Timer.

The value of sf_start-in can be defined by one or more of the following criteria:

• the sub-frame where PDCCH, containing the DCI indicating transmission for the UE 300, is successfully decoded (as illustrated by (A) in FIG. 11);
• the ending sub-frame of the PDCCH transmission containing the DCI indicating transmission for the UE 300 (as illustrated by (B) in FIG. 11);
• the ending sub-frame of the PDCCH search space in which the PDCCH transmission, containing the DCI indicating transmission for the UE 300, is successfully decoded (as illustrated by (C) in FIG. 11);
• the sub-frame where a PDSCH, which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the UE 300, is successfully decoded (as illustrated by (D) in FIG. 11);
• the sub-frame which is X_d ms later than the ending sub-frame of a PDSCH transmission which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the UE 300 (as illustrated by (E) in FIG. 11);
• the sub-frame which is X_u ms later than the ending sub-frame of a PUSCH transmission which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the UE 300 (as illustrated by (F) in FIG. 11). Note that value of X_u can be different for the case when PUSCH is used for data transmission and when PUSCH is used for HARQ ACK transmission;
• the first PDCCH occasion which arrives X_d ms later than the end of PDSCH transmission which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the UE 300 (as illustrated by (G) in FIG. 11); and
• the first PDCCH occasion which arrives X_u ms later than the end of PUSCH transmission which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the UE 300 (as illustrated by (G) in FIG. 11). Note that value of X_u can be different for the case when PUSCH is used for data transmission and when PUSCH is used for HARQ transmission.

In an embodiment herein, consider that the UE 300 receives a PDCCH containing DCI indicating a transmission for a hybrid automatic request (HARQ) process of the UE 300 (as illustrated in FIG. 12). If drx-RetrasmissionTimer is running for the corresponding HARQ process, the UE 300 stops the drx-RetransmissionTimer for the HARQ process at sub-frame sf_stop-ret. The UE 300 initiates timer T_{retransmission} for the corresponding HARQ process such that T_{retransmission} is started at sub-frame sf_stop-ret and the timer expires at sf_start-ret. At sf_start-ret occasion, if transmission corresponding to the HARQ process was not successfully decoded, drx-RetransmissionTimer for the corresponding HARQ process is started/restarted.

In an embodiment herein, the term “drx-RetransmissionTimer” can also be referred to as drx-RetransmissionTimer or drx-ULRetransmissionTimer.

The UE 300 can define the value of sf_stop-ret using at least one of the following criteria (as illustrated in FIG. 13):

• the sub-frame where PDCCH, containing the DCI indicating transmission for the corresponding HARQ process of the UE 300, is successfully decoded (as illustrated by (A) in FIG. 13);
• the ending sub-frame of the PDCCH transmission containing the DCI indicating transmission for the corresponding HARQ process of the UE 300 (as illustrated by (B) in FIG. 13);
• the ending sub-frame of the PDCCH search space in which the PDCCH transmission, containing the DCI indicating transmission for the corresponding HARQ process of the UE 300, is successfully decoded (as illustrated by (C) in FIG. 13);
• the sub-frame where a PDSCH, which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the corresponding HARQ process of the UE 300, is successfully decoded (as illustrated by (D) in FIG. 13);
• the sub-frame which is X_d ms later than the ending sub-frame of a PDSCH transmission which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the corresponding HARQ process of the UE 300 (as illustrated by (E) in FIG. 13);
• the sub-frame which is X_u ms later than the ending sub-frame of a PUSCH transmission which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the corresponding HARQ process of the UE 300 (as illustrated by (F) in FIG. 13). Note that value of X_u can be different for the case when PUSCH is used for data transmission and when PUSCH is used for HARQ ACK transmission;
• the first PDCCH occasion which arrives X_d ms later than the end of PDSCH transmission which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the corresponding HARQ process of the UE 300 (as illustrated by (G) in FIG. 13);
• the first PDCCH occasion which arrives X_u ms later than the end of PUSCH transmission which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the corresponding HARQ process of the UE 300 (as illustrated by (G) in FIG. 13). Note that value of X_u can be different for the case when PUSCH is used for data transmission and when PUSCH is used for HARQ ACK transmission.

In an embodiment herein, the T_{retransmission} timer expires at the same sub-frame as the HARQ RTT Timer and the UL HARQ RTT Timer.

The value of sf_start-ret can defined by at least one of the following criteria (as illustrated in FIG. 14):

• the sub-frame where PDCCH, containing the DCI indicating transmission for the corresponding HARQ process of the UE 300, is successfully decoded (as illustrated by (A) in FIG. 14);
• the ending sub-frame of the PDCCH transmission containing the DCI indicating transmission for the corresponding HARQ process of the UE 300 (as illustrated by (B) in FIG. 14);
• the ending sub-frame of the PDCCH search space in which the PDCCH transmission, containing the DCI indicating transmission for the corresponding HARQ process of the UE 300, is successfully decoded (as illustrated by (C) in FIG. 14);
• the sub-frame where a PDSCH, which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the corresponding HARQ process of the UE 300, is successfully decoded (as illustrated by (D) in FIG. 14);
• the sub-frame which is X_d ms later than the ending sub-frame of a PDSCH transmission which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the corresponding HARQ process of the UE 300 (as illustrated by (E) in FIG. 14);
• the sub-frame which is X_u ms later than the ending sub-frame of a PUSCH transmission which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the corresponding HARQ process of the UE 300 (as illustrated by (F) in FIG. 14). Note that value of X_u can be different for the case when PUSCH is used for data transmission and when PUSCH is used for HARQ ACK transmission;
• the first PDCCH occasion which arrives X_d ms later than the end of PDSCH transmission which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the corresponding HARQ process of the UE 300 (as illustrated by (G) in FIG. 14); and
• the first PDCCH occasion which arrives X_u ms later than the end of PUSCH transmission which is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the corresponding HARQ process of the UE 300 (as illustrated by (G) in FIG. 14). Note that value of X_u can be different for the case when PUSCH is used for data transmission and when PUSCH is used for HARQ ACK transmission.

In an embodiment herein, the UE 300 can configure the starting sub-frame of the ra-ResponseTimer and the UE' s stoppage criteria. The start frame of ra-ResponseTimer can be selected as at least one of:

• the sub-frame which is a third pre-defined time period (X_RACH ms) later than the ending sub-frame of a PRACH transmission, where X_RACH value is pre-defined and is an integer value greater than or equal to zero (as illustrated by (A) in FIG. 15); or
• the first PDCCH occasion which arrives after X_RACH ms later than the ending sub-frame of PRACH transmission (as illustrated by (B) in FIG. 15).

The ra-ResponseTimer can be stopped at either timer expiry or according to at least one of the following criteria:

• the ra-ResponseTimer can be stopped at the sub-frame where a PDCCH, addressed to the RA-RNTI of the PRACH transmitted by the UE 300, is successfully decoded (as illustrated by (A) in FIG. 16);
• the ra-ResponseTimer can be stopped at the ending sub-frame of a PDCCH transmission addressed to the Random Access Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) (RA-RNTI) of the PRACH transmitted by the UE 300 (as illustrated by (B) in FIG. 16);
• the ra-ResponseTimer can be stopped at the ending sub-frame of the PDCCH search space in which a PDCCH transmission is addressed to the RA-RNTI of the PRACH transmitted by the UE 300 (as illustrated by (C) in FIG. 16);
• the ra-ResponseTimer can be stopped at a fourth pre-defined time period (X_msg2 ms) later than the ending sub-frame of Msg-2 transmission which is scheduled by the PDCCH addressed to RA-RNTI of the PRACH transmitted by the UE 300, where X_msg2 can be pre-defined and is an integer value greater than or equal to zero (as illustrated by (D) in FIG. 16); and
• the ra-ResponseTimer can be stopped at the first PDCCH occasion which arrives X_msg2 ms later than the end of Msg-2 transmission which is scheduled by the PDCCH addressed to the RA-RNTI of the PRACH transmitted by the UE 300 (as illustrated by (E) in FIG. 16).
• In an embodiment herein, the UE 300 can select the starting sub-frame of the mac-ContentionResolutionTimer as at least one of:the sub-frame which is a fifth pre-defined time period (X_msg3 ms) later than the ending sub-frame of a Msg-3 transmission, where X_msg3 can be pre-defined and can be an integer value greater than or equal to zero; or
• the first PDCCH occasion which arrives after X_msg3 ms later than the ending sub-frame of Msg-3 transmission.

In an embodiment herein, the UE 300 can configure the drxCycle. The UE 300 can configure the length of the drxCycle as an integral multiple of T3.

length(drxCycle)=G3*T3

T3 can be at least one of:

• the interval between the PDCCH occasion to the ending sub-frame of the same PDCCH search space (PDCCH search space length) (as illustrated in FIG. 17A);
• the interval between two consecutive PDCCH occasions of the UE 300 (PDCCH search space interval) (as illustrated in FIG. 17B);
• one slot or mini-slot (whichever is configured for the UE); or
• as configured by the base station via broadcast signaling (as illustrated in FIG. 17C).

The base station via dedicated signaling, or via broadcast signaling can configure the value of G3. The base station may broadcast coverage enhancement level specific values.

The starting sub-frame of drxCycle can be configured as the sub-frame which satisfies the following equation:

[(SFN*10)+sf−SS_Offset] modulo DRX=drxStartOffset modulo DRX

where,

• SFN=System frame number;
• sf=sub-frame number within a system frame;
• SS_Offset=PDCCH search space offset from sub-frame 0;
• DRX=length of drxCycle in sub-frames; and
• drxStartOffset=Offset of starting sub-frame of drxCycle from sub-frame 0,
• drxStartOffset can be an integral multiple of PDCCH search space interval. The value of drxStartOffset can be provided by the base station via dedicated signaling or by broadcast signaling.

The base station can broadcast coverage enhancement level specific values. The value of drxStartOffset can be derived as:

drxStartOffset=T_ss*(UE_ID mod DRX/T_ss)

• where, T_ss is the PDCCH search space interval; and
• UE_ID=IMSI mod 1024.

In an embodiment herein, the UE can configure the length of timer drxCycleTimer as an integral multiple of factor T4:

length(drxCycleTimer)=G4*T4.

T4 can be defined as any one of the following:

• the interval between the PDCCH occasion to the ending sub-frame of the same PDCCH search space (PDCCH search space length) (as illustrated in FIG. 18A);
• the interval between two consecutive PDCCH occasions of the UE (PDCCH search space interval) (as illustrated in FIG. 18B);
• one slot or mini-slot (whichever is configured for the UE); or
• as configured by base station via dedicated signaling or broadcast signaling (as illustrated in FIG. 18C).

The base station via dedicated signaling, or via broadcast signaling can configure the value of G4. The base station can also broadcast coverage enhancement level specific values for G4.

The UE 300 can be in active state during PDSCH/PUSCH transmission scheduled for the UE irrespective of the status of other timers. The UE 300 is not required to monitor the PDCCH search space during an ongoing PDSCH or PUSCH transmission. The UE 300 is not required to be in active state during transmission gap interval of PDSCH or PDCCH or PUSCH scheduled for the UE.

The modules 308 may include programs or coded instructions that supplement applications and functions of the UE 300. The data 312, amongst other things, serves as a repository for storing data processed, received, and generated by one or more of the modules 308. Further, the names of the other components and modules of the UE 300 are illustrative and need not be construed as a limitation.

Embodiments herein enable the UE to save energy by optimally setting the start and stoppage criteria for the timers.

The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the elements. The elements shown in FIG. 1 can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for controlling at least one timer by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising configuring, by the UE, a length of the at least one timer;configuring, by the UE, at least one start position for the at least one timer, wherein the start position is aligned with a starting subframe of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search space and started when a previous transmission is completed; andstopping, by the UE, the at least one timer when a PDCCH is successfully decoded.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the length of the at least one timer is configured as a length of one PDCCH search space.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the length of the at least one timer is configured as a value that is multiplied by a T1 and a G1, and wherein the T1 is at least one of a PDCCH search space length, a PDCCH search space interval, a slot duration, a mini-slot duration, or a value configured by a base station and the G1 that is an integer configured by the base station.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising starting a timer_active at a starting sub-frame of each PDCCH search space, wherein a duration of the timer_active is configured, by a base station, as at least one of one PDCCH search space length, a slot length; or a mini-slot length.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one timer is configured as at least one of an onDurationTimer, a drx-InactivityTimer, a drx-RetransmissionTimer, a ra-ResponseTimer, a mac-ContentionResolutionTimer, or a drxCycle.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising selecting, by the UE, a starting sub-frame of the onDurationTimer as at least one of a starting sub-frame of the drxCycle of the UE and a first PDCCH occasion that arrives after starting of the drxCycle; and stopping, by the UE, the onDurationTimer on at least one of expiry of the onDurationTimer: at a sub-frame where a PDCCH, indicating a scheduled transmission for the UE, is successfully decoded; at an ending sub-frame of a PDCCH transmission indicating a scheduled transmission for the UE;at an ending sub-frame of the PDCCH search space in which a PDCCH transmission indicates a scheduled transmission for the UE;at a sub-frame where a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) addressed to the UE is successfully decoded;a first pre-defined time period later than an ending sub-frame of a PDSCH transmission that is addressed to the UE;a second pre-defined time period later than an ending sub-frame of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission by the UE;at a first PDCCH occasion that arrives the first pre-defined time period later than the end of PDSCH transmission that is addressed to the UE; orat a first PDCCH occasion that arrives the second pre-defined time period later than end of PUSCH transmission by the UE.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising: stopping, by the UE, a drx-InactivityTimer at sub-frame sfstop-in, if the drx-InactivityTimer is running, on receiving the PDCCH containing DCI that indicates a transmission for the UE; andstarting, by the UE, a timer Tinactivity at a sub-frame sfstop-in wherein the sub-frame sfstop-in is selected as at least one of: a sub-frame when a PDCCH containing downlink control information (DCI) indicating a transmission for the UE is successfully decoded;an ending sub-frame of a PDCCH transmission containing the DCI indicating a transmission for the UE is successfully decoded;an ending sub-frame of the PDCCH search space in which the PDCCH transmission, containing the DCI indicating a transmission for the UE, is successfully decoded;a sub-frame where a PDSCH that is scheduled by the DCI indicating a transmission for the UE is successfully decoded;a sub-frame that is a first pre-defined time period later than the ending sub-frame of a PDSCH transmission that is scheduled by the DCI indicating a transmission for the UE;a sub-frame that is a second pre-defined time period later than an ending sub-frame of a PUSCH transmission that is scheduled by the DCI indicating a transmission for the UE;a first PDCCH occasion that arrives the first pre-defined time period later than an end of the PDSCH transmission that is scheduled by the DCI indicating a transmission for the UE; ora first PDCCH occasion that arrives the second pre-defined time period later than an end of the PUSCH transmission that is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the UE; andstopping, by the UE, the timer Tinactivity; andstarting or restarting a drx-InactivityTimer by the UE at sfstart-in, wherein the sfstart-in is selected as at least one of: a sub-frame where PDCCH, containing DCI indicating transmission for the UE, is successfully decoded;an ending sub-frame of the PDCCH transmission containing the DCI that indicates a transmission for the UE;an ending sub-frame of the PDCCH search space in which the PDCCH transmission, containing the DCI indicating transmission for the UE, is successfully decoded;a sub-frame where the PDSCH that is scheduled by the DCI indicating a transmission for the UE is successfully decoded;a sub-frame that is the first pre-defined time period later than the ending sub-frame of a PDSCH transmission that is scheduled by the DCI indicating a transmission for the UE;a sub-frame that is the second pre-defined time period later than the ending sub-frame of the PUSCH transmission that is scheduled by the DCI indicating a transmission for the UE;a first PDCCH occasion that arrives the first pre-defined time period later than the end of the PDSCH transmission that is scheduled by the DCI indicating a transmission for the UE; ora first PDCCH occasion that arrives the second pre-defined time period later than the end of the PUSCH transmission that is scheduled by the DCI indicating a transmission for the UE.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising: stopping a drx-RetransmissionTimer for a hybrid automatic request (HARQ) process at a sub-frame sfstop-ret by the UE, if the drx-RetrasmissionTimer is running for the HARQ process, on receiving a PDCCH containing DCI that indicates a transmission for the HARQ process of the UE;initiating a timer Tretransmission for the HARQ process by the UE such that the timer Tretransmission is started at the sub-frame sfstop-ret and the timer Tretransmission expires at a sub-frame sfstart-ret; andstarting or restarting, by the UE, a drx-RetransmissionTimer for the HARQ process at the sub-frame sfstart-ret, if a transmission corresponding to the HARQ process is not successfully decoded.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the sub-frame sfstop-ret is selected as at least one of: a sub-frame where PDCCH, containing the DCI that indicates a transmission for the HARQ process of the UE, is successfully decoded;an ending sub-frame of a PDCCH transmission containing the DCI that indicates a transmission for the HARQ process of the UE;an ending sub-frame of the PDCCH search space in which the PDCCH transmission, containing the DCI indicating a transmission for the HARQ process of the UE, is successfully decoded;a sub-frame where a PDSCH that is scheduled by the DCI indicating a transmission for the HARQ process of the UE is successfully decoded;a sub-frame that is a first pre-defined time period later than the ending sub-frame of a PDSCH transmission that is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the HARQ process of the UE;a sub-frame that is a second pre-defined time period later than the ending sub-frame of a PUSCH transmission that is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the HARQ process of the UE;a first PDCCH occasion that arrives the first pre-defined time period later than the end of PDSCH transmission that is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the HARQ process of the UE;a first PDCCH occasion that arrives the second pre-defined time period later than the end of PUSCH transmission that is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the HARQ process of the UE;at a same sub-frame as a HARQ RTT timer; andat a same time as an uplink (UL) HARQ RTT (UL HARQ RTT) timer.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the sub-frame sfstart-ret is selected as at least one of: a sub-frame where PDCCH, containing the DCI indicating transmission for the HARQ process of the UE, is successfully decoded;an ending sub-frame of a PDCCH transmission containing the DCI indicating a transmission for the HARQ process of the UE;an ending sub-frame of the PDCCH search space in which the PDCCH transmission, containing the DCI indicating transmission for the HARQ process of the UE, is successfully decoded;a sub-frame where a PDSCH that is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the HARQ process of the UE is successfully decoded;a sub-frame that is a first pre-defined time period later than the ending sub-frame of a PDSCH transmission that is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the HARQ process of the UE;a sub-frame that is a second pre-defined time period later than the ending sub-frame of a PUSCH transmission that is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the HARQ process of the UE;a first PDCCH occasion that arrives the first pre-defined time period later than the end of PDSCH transmission that is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the HARQ process of the UE; anda first PDCCH occasion that arrives the second pre-defined time period later than the end of PUSCH transmission that is scheduled by the DCI indicating transmission for the HARQ process of the UE.

11. The method of claim 5, further comprising: configuring a starting sub-frame of a ra-ResponseTimer and stoppage criteria of the ra-ResponseTimer, wherein the starting sub-frame is selected as at least one of:a sub-frame that is a third pre-defined time period later than an ending sub-frame of a physical random access channel (PRACH) transmission; anda first PDCCH occasion that arrives after the third pre-defined time period later than the ending sub-frame of the PRACH transmission,and wherein the stoppage criteria is configured as at least one of: expiry of the ra-ResponseTimer;at a sub-frame where a PDCCH, addressed to a random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI) of the PRACH transmitted by the UE, is successfully decoded;at an ending sub-frame of a PDCCH transmission addressed to the RA-RNTI of the PRACH transmitted by the UE;at an ending sub-frame of the PDCCH search space in which a PDCCH transmission is addressed to the RA-RNTI of the PRACH transmitted by the UE;at a fourth pre-defined time period later than an ending sub-frame of Msg-2 transmission that is scheduled by the PDCCH addressed to RA-RNTI of the PRACH transmitted by the UE; orat a the first PDCCH occasion that arrives the fourth pre-defined time period later than an end of the Msg-2 transmission that is scheduled by the PDCCH addressed to RA-RNTI of the PRACH transmitted by the UE.

12. The method of claim 5, further comprising: configuring a length of the drxCycle; andstarting a sub-frame of the drxCycle.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the length of the drxCycle is configured as a value that is multiplied by a T3 and a G3, and wherein the T3 is at least one of a PDCCH search space length, a PDCCH search space interval, a slot duration, a mini-slot duration, or a value configured by a base station and the G3 that is an integer configured by the base station.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein a starting sub-frame is a sub-frame that is determined by: [(SFN*10)+sf−SS_Offset] modulo DRX=drxStartOffset modulo DRXwhere an SFN is system frame number, an sf is a sub-frame number within a system frame, an SS_Offset is a PDCCH search space offset from a sub-frame 0, a DRX is a length of a drxCycle in sub-frames, and a drxStartOffset is an offset of the starting sub-frame of the drxCycle from the sub-frame 0.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the UE selects the drxStartOffset as at least one integral multiple of PDCCH search space interval provided by a base station, and wherein the drxStartOffset is determined by: drxStartOffset=Tss*(UE_ID mod DRX/Tss)where, a Tss is the PDCCH search space interval and a UE_ID=IMSI mod 1024.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising: configuring a length of a drxCycleTimer as a value that is multiplied by a T4 and a G4, wherein the T4 is at least one of a PDCCH search space length, a PDCCH search space interval, a slot duration, a mini-slot duration; or a value configured by a base station and the G4 that is an integer configured by the base station.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting a starting sub-frame of an mac-ContentionResolutionTimer as at least one of a sub-frame that is a fifth pre-defined time period later than an ending sub-frame of a Msg-3 transmission, or a first PDCCH occasion that arrives the fifth pre-defined time period later than an ending sub-frame of Msg-3 transmission.

18. A user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the UE comprises: at least one processor configured to: configure a length of at least one timer;configure at least one start position for the at least one timer, wherein the start position is aligned with a starting sub-frame of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search space and started when a previous transmission is completed; andstop the at least one timer, when a PDCCH is successfully decoded.

19. The UE of claim 18, wherein the length of the at least one timer is configured as a length of one PDCCH search space.

20. The UE of claim 18, wherein the length of the at least one timer is configured as a value that is multiplied by a T1 and a G1, and wherein the T1 is at least one of a PDCCH search space length, a PDCCH search space interval, a slot duration, a mini-slot duration, or a value configured by a base station and the G1 that is an integer configured by the base station.