EA045271B1 - SYSTEM INFORMATION ON REQUEST - Google Patents

Description

Cross references

The invention claims priority to US Patent Application No. 14/803793 to Kubota et al., entitled On-Demand System Information, filed July 20, 2015; US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/121326 to Horn et al., entitled Service Based System Information Acquisition, filed February 26, 2015; and US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/114157 by Kubota et al., entitled On-Demand System Information, filed February 10, 2015, each of which is assigned to the owner hereof.

Field of technology to which the invention relates

The present invention, for example, relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to the transmission of system information on demand in a wireless communication system, for example, in a wireless communication system having a subscriber unit (UE)-oriented network.

State of the art

Wireless communication systems have been widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, data exchange, broadcast, and the like. These systems may be multiple access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (eg, frequency, time and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (orthogonal frequency division multiple access) systems. FDMA).

As an example, a multiple access wireless communication system may include a number of base stations, each of which simultaneously supports communications for a plurality of communications devices, otherwise known as user equipments (UEs). The base station may communicate with the UE on downlink channels (eg, for transmissions from the base station to the UE) and on uplink channels (eg, for transmissions from the UE to the base station).

In a multiple access wireless communication system, each cell of the network can broadcast synchronization signals and system information for discovery by the UE. Upon detecting synchronization signals and system information broadcast via a particular cell, the UE may perform an initial access procedure to access the network through the cell. The cell through which the UE accesses the network may become the serving cell of the UE. As the UE moves in the network, the UE can detect other cells (eg, neighboring cells) and determine whether the UE is guaranteed to handover to a neighboring cell or cell reselection.

The essence of the invention

The present invention generally relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to on-demand transmission of system information in a wireless communication system, for example, a wireless communication system having a UE-centric network. Wireless communication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication systems or LTE Advanced (LTE-A) communication systems, have a network-oriented network. In a wireless communication system having a network-oriented network, the network continuously broadcasts synchronization signals and system information for discovery by the UE. Upon detecting synchronization signals and system information broadcast via a particular cell, the UE may perform an initial access procedure to access the network through the cell. Once connected to the network, the UE can discover other cells as it moves through the network. Other cells may broadcast various timing signals or system information. Therefore, a wireless communication system having a network-oriented network entails broadcasting various signals, which broadcasts consume energy and may or may not be received or used by some or all UEs of the cell.

A wireless communication system having a network-centric network also places a relatively greater amount of network processing on the UE (eg, the UE identifies the first serving cell when initially accessing the network and then identifies and tracks handover targets (other serving cells) as part of its mobility management ). Therefore, the present invention describes a wireless communication system in which system information can be transmitted upon request by one or more UEs. In some cases, system information may be transmitted to the UE in unicast or narrow beam mode of operation. In some cases, the wireless communication system in which system information is transmitted may have a UE-centric network.

The first set of illustrative examples describes a method for wireless communication in a user equipment (UE). In one configuration, the method may include receiving a first signal, the first signal including an indicator as to whether system information should be requested by the UE, and obtaining the system information in accordance with the indicator.

In some embodiments of the method, obtaining system information may include sending a request for system information in accordance with the indicator and receiving system information in response to the request. In some embodiments of the method, obtaining system information may include receiving system information via a second signal in accordance with the indicator. The second signal may be transmitted via broadcast or wide beam operation. In some embodiments of the method, receiving the first signal may include receiving information indicating where the request for system information is to be sent by the UE. In some embodiments of the method, receiving the first signal may include receiving information indicating a predetermined channel on which system information is to be transmitted via a second broadcast signal via a broadcast or wide beam mode of operation. In some embodiments of the method, the first signal may be a synchronization signal.

In some embodiments of the method, receiving the first signal may include receiving the first signal as part of a wide beam mode of operation in a massive MIMO network. In these embodiments, obtaining system information may include receiving system information as part of a wide beam or narrow beam operating mode.

In some embodiments of the method, receiving the first signal may include receiving the first signal as part of a broadcast mode of operation in a non-massive MIMO network. In some embodiments, obtaining system information may include receiving system information as part of a broadcast or unicast mode of operation.

In some embodiments, the method may further include identifying one or more services for which system information is to be obtained, wherein obtaining the system information may include obtaining system information for the identified one or more services in accordance with the indicator. In these examples, obtaining system information may include sending a request for system information for one or more services; and receiving system information for one or more services in response to the request. In some examples, obtaining system information may include sending a separate request for system information for each of one or more services, each request being made for system information of a different service; and receiving, separately, system information for one or more services in response to each request.

In some embodiments of the method, the indicator may be a first indicator, and receiving the first signal may include receiving a second indicator that system information for one or more services is to be broadcast at one or more predetermined times and at one or more specified channels.

In some embodiments of the method, the indicator may be a first indicator, and receiving the first signal may include receiving a second indicator that system information for one or more services is available. In these examples, obtaining system information may include sending one or more requests for system information for one or more services in accordance with the first indicator and the second indicator; and receiving system information for one or more services in response to the or more requests. In some of these examples, receiving the first signal may include receiving information identifying a target device to which one or more requests for system information for one or more services are to be sent. In some examples, receiving the first signal may include receiving information identifying one or more time periods corresponding to when one or more requests for system information for one or more services are to be sent, each time period corresponding to a different service of the one or more services. In some embodiments of the method, obtaining system information may include receiving system information for one or more services via one or more second signals, wherein the one or more second signals are transmitted via a broadcast or wide beam mode of operation.

In some embodiments of the method, obtaining system information may include receiving system information for one or more services, wherein the system information includes information identifying one or more services for which the system information is valid. Additionally or alternatively, receiving system information may include receiving system information for one of one or more services; determining whether additional system information is needed for one or more services; and requesting additional system information for one of the one or more services based at least in part on the determination.

In some embodiments of the method, one or more services may include one or more of a power-saving service, a high-reliability service, a low-latency service, a broadcast service, or a low-volume data service.

In some embodiments of the method, receiving system information may include receiving system information for one or more services, wherein the system information includes information identifying a validity time period; and reacquiring system information for one or more services upon expiration of the validity time period. The validity time period may be based on the power saving mode (PSM) time period or the amount of time to cycle through all system information value tags.

In a second set of illustrative examples, a device for wireless communication at a UE is described. In one configuration, the device may include means for receiving a first signal, the first signal including an indicator regarding whether system information should be requested by the UE, and means for receiving system information in accordance with the indicator. The means for receiving system information may include means for sending a request for system information in accordance with the indicator and means for receiving system information in response to the request. In some embodiments of the method, the device may further include means for identifying one or more services for which system information is to be obtained. In these cases, the means for obtaining system information may include means for obtaining system information for the identified one or more services in accordance with the indicator. In some examples, the apparatus may further include means for implementing one or more aspects of the method for wireless communications described above with respect to the first set of illustrative examples.

In the third set of illustrative examples, another device for wireless communication at the UE is described. In one configuration, the device may include a processor, a memory device in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory device. Instructions may be executed by the processor to receive a first signal, the first signal including an indicator as to whether system information should be requested by the UE, and obtain system information in accordance with the indicator. In some examples, instructions may also be executed by a processor to implement one or more aspects of the method for wireless communications described above with respect to the first set of illustrative examples.

In a fourth set of illustrative examples, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code for wireless communications on a UE is described. In one configuration, the code may be executed by the processor to receive a first signal, the first signal including an indicator as to whether system information should be requested by the UE, and obtain the system information in accordance with the indicator. In some examples, code may also be used to implement one or more aspects of the method for wireless communication described above with respect to the first set of illustrative examples.

In the fifth set of illustrative examples, another method for wireless communication is described. In one configuration, the method may include transmitting a first signal, the first signal including an indicator regarding whether system information should be requested by the UE, and transmitting the system information in accordance with the indicator.

In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a request for system information in accordance with an indicator and transmitting system information in response to the request. In some embodiments of the method, transmitting system information may include transmitting system information via a second signal in accordance with the indicator, wherein the second signal is transmitted via a broadcast or wide beam mode of operation. In some embodiments, the method may include including, in the first signal, information indicating where the request for system information should be sent. In some embodiments, the method may include including, in the first signal, information indicating a predetermined channel on which system information is to be transmitted via a broadcast or wide beam mode of operation.

In some embodiments of the method, transmitting system information may include transmitting system information in accordance with an indicator and a transmission mode. In some embodiments, the method may include changing the transmission mode so that it is a broadcast or wide beam mode targeted at the cell edge and having a fixed periodic scheduling. In some embodiments, the method may include changing the transmission mode so that it is a broadcast or wide beam mode targeted at the cell edge and having periodic on-demand scheduling initiated by a request for system information in accordance with the indicator. In some embodiments, the method may include changing the transmission mode so that it is broadcast or wide beam.

- 3 045271 mode having aperiodic on-demand scheduling initiated by a request for system information in accordance with the indicator. In some embodiments, the method may include changing the transmission mode so that it is a unicast or narrow beam mode having aperiodic on-demand scheduling initiated by a request for system information in accordance with an indicator. In some embodiments, the method may include changing the transmission mode based on network load or congestion condition. In some embodiments of the method, the first signal may be a synchronization signal.

In some embodiments, the method may include using a wide beam mode of operation to transmit a first signal in a massive MIMO network. In some of these examples, the method may include using a wide beam or narrow beam mode of operation to transmit system information, in accordance with the indicator and transmission mode.

In some embodiments, a method may include using a broadcast mode of operation to transmit a first signal on a non-massive MIMO network. In some of these examples, the method may include using a broadcast or unicast mode of operation to transmit system information in accordance with the indicator and transmission mode.

In some embodiments of the method, transmitting system information may include transmitting, in accordance with an indicator, system information associated with services available to the UE, with separate transmissions being used to convey system information for different services and different service configurations. In some embodiments, the method may include receiving a request for system information for one or more services in accordance with the indicator; and transmitting system information for one or more services in response to the request. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a plurality of requests for system information for one or more services in accordance with an indicator, each request originating from the UE and made for system information of a different service; and transmitting system information for one or more services in response to the request. In these examples, transmitting system information in response to a request may include transmitting system information for each of the one or more services in a combined transmission. Alternatively, transmitting system information in response to a request may include transmitting system information for each of the one or more services in separate transmissions.

In some embodiments, the indicator may be a first indicator, and the method may further include, in the first signal, a second indicator that system information for one or more services is to be broadcast at one or more predetermined times, and on one or more specified channels. In some embodiments, the indicator may be a first indicator, and the method may further include including, in the first signal, a second indicator that system information for one or more services is available for querying. In some of these examples, the method may include receiving one or more requests for system information for one or more services in accordance with the first indicator and the second indicator. In some examples, the method may further include including, in the first signal, information indicating where and when one or more requests for system information for one or more services should be sent.

In some embodiments, the method may further include including, in the system information, information indicating one or more services for which the system information is valid. In some embodiments, the method may further include including, in the system information, information indicating a duration for which the system information is valid, wherein the system information for different services and different service configurations includes different durations. In some embodiments, the method may further include receiving one or more requests for system information for one or more services in accordance with an indicator without including, in the first signal, a second indicator of which services' system information is available. In some embodiments, the method may further include receiving one or more requests for system information in accordance with the indicator; and identifying system information to be sent associated with the various services based at least in part on the transmission resources used through the one or more requests. In some embodiments, the method may further include changing the indicator to indicate that system information is to be transmitted either through a broadcast or wide beam mode of operation, or through a unicast or narrow beam mode of operation.

The sixth set of illustrative examples describes another wireless communication device.

- 4 045271 z. In one configuration, the device may include means for transmitting a first signal, wherein the first signal includes an indicator regarding whether system information should be requested by the UE, and means for transmitting system information in accordance with the indicator. In some embodiments, the device may further include means for receiving a request for system information in accordance with the indicator; and means for transmitting system information in response to the request. In some embodiments, means for transmitting system information may include means for transmitting, in accordance with the indicator, system information associated with services available to the UE, with separate transmissions being used to convey system information for different services and different configurations services. In some examples, the apparatus may further include means for implementing one or more aspects of the method for wireless communication described above with respect to the fifth set of illustrative examples.

The seventh set of illustrative examples describes another wireless communication device. In one configuration, the device may include a processor, a memory device in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory device. The instructions may be executed by the processor to transmit a first signal, the first signal including an indicator as to whether system information should be requested by the user equipment (UE), and transmitting the system information in accordance with the indicator. In some examples, the instructions may also be executed by a processor to implement one or more aspects of the method for wireless communication described above with respect to the fifth set of illustrative examples.

The eighth set of illustrative examples describes another non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code for wireless communications. In one configuration, the code may be executed by the processor to transmit a first signal, the first signal including an indicator regarding whether system information should be requested by the UE, and transmit the system information in accordance with the indicator. In some examples, the instructions may also be executed by a processor to implement one or more aspects of the method for wireless communication described above with respect to the fifth set of illustrative examples.

The features and technical advantages of the examples according to the invention are sufficiently broadly disclosed above for a better understanding of the detailed description below. Additional features and benefits are described below. The concept and specific examples disclosed can readily be used as a basis for modifying or designing other structures to achieve identical objectives of the present invention. Such equivalent structures do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. The characteristics of the principles disclosed herein with respect to both organization and mode of operation, along with the associated advantages, will be better understood from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. Each of the drawings is provided for purposes of illustration and description only and not as a definition of the scope of the claims.

Brief description of drawings

Further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized with reference to the following drawings. In the accompanying drawings, similar components and features may have identical reference symbols. In addition, different components of the same type may be distinguished by adding a dash after the reference designator and a second designation that differs between similar components. If only the first reference numeral is used in the detailed description, the description applies to any of the like components having the same first reference numeral, regardless of the second reference numeral.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows an example of user equipment (UE) mobility in a wireless communication system in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 3A and 3B illustrate exemplary transmission/reception timelines of a corresponding first base station, second base station, third base station, fourth base station, fifth base station, and sixth base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a general diagram illustrating transmissions of a synchronization signal, a main system information block (MSIB), and an other system information block (OSIB) by a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates a Venn diagram of respective coverage areas for a 5G wireless communication network, a first radio access technology (RAT) neighbor; e.g., neighbor RAT1), a second neighbor RAT (e.g., neighbor RAT2), and a third neighbor RAT (e.g., neighbor RAT3), respectively. 5 045271 interaction with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a general diagram illustrating the transmission of synchronization signal, MSIB and

OSIB via a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 7 shows a block diagram of a UE for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 8 shows a block diagram of a UE for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 9 shows a block diagram of a UE for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 10 shows a block diagram of a UE for use with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 11 shows a block diagram of a UE for use with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 12 shows a block diagram of a UE for use with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 13 shows a block diagram of a UE for use with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 14 shows a block diagram of a UE for use with various aspects of the present invention;

Fig. 15 shows a block diagram of a UE for use with various aspects of the present invention.

wireless wireless wireless wireless wireless communication, communication, communication, communication, communication, communication, compliance compliance compliance compliance compliance

Fig. 16 shows a block diagram of a base station for use in wireless communications consistent with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 17 shows a block diagram of a base station for use in wireless communications consistent with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 18 shows a block diagram of a base station for use in wireless communications consistent with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 19 shows a block diagram of a base station for use in wireless communications consistent with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 20 shows a block diagram of a base station for use in wireless communications consistent with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 21 shows a block diagram of a base station for use in wireless communications consistent with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 22 shows a block diagram of a base station for use in wireless communications consistent with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 23 shows a block diagram of a base station for use in wireless communications consistent with various aspects of the present invention.

suction pump Fig. 24A shows a block diagram of a base station (eg, a base station comprising part or all of an eNB) for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 24B shows a block diagram of a base station (eg, a base station comprising part or all of an eNB) for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 25 is a block diagram of a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication system including a base station and a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 29 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication in a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication in a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 31 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication in a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 32 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication in a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 33 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

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Fig. 34 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 35 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication in a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 36 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication in a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 37 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 38 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 39 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication in a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 40 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication in a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 41 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 42 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 43 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication in a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 44 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication in a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 45 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication in a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention; and fig. 46 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for wireless communication in a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Carrying out the invention

The described features may generally be implemented in a wireless communication system having a user equipment (UE)-centric network. A UE-centric network may be deployed in some cases: as a plurality of base stations, with each of one or more base stations associated with a number of transceivers co-located with base station servers; as a plurality of base stations, wherein each of the one or more base stations is associated with a certain number of remote transceivers (for example, a certain number of remote radio heads (RRH) located remotely from the base station servers; as a number of zones, wherein each zone is defined by the coverage area(s) of one or more cells or base stations; or as a combination of the above. A wireless communication system having a UE-centric network may be advantageous, in some respects, in a time division duplex (TDD) system ) having a large antenna array, which large antenna array may have limited coverage for broadcast channels (eg, channels that broadcast timing signals and system information in a wireless communication system having a network-based network).As described in the present invention, A wireless communication system having a UE-centric network may refuse to broadcast system information. A wireless communication system having a UE-centric network can also be advantageous in some respects since broadcasting system information by a base station can significantly contribute to the base station's power consumption.

In one aspect of the invention, for example, a wireless network may provide system information through either a fixed periodic broadcast or broad beam transmission, or in response to a request by the UE. The wireless network may broadcast (or broadcast) a synchronization signal, for example, that indicates to a UE within a cell's coverage area or area that system information should be transmitted on a fixed periodic schedule or in response to a request sent through one or more UE. In an on-demand system in which UEs request transmission of system information, the system information may be transmitted as a periodic broadcast or wide beam transmission, as an aperiodic broadcast or wide beam transmission, or as an aperiodic unicast or narrow beam transmission.

In another aspect of the invention, the wireless network may provide service-specific system information. Service-specific system information may be provided as a broadcast or upon receipt of a request from the UE. In an on-demand system, a wireless network may broadcast (or broadcast) a synchronization signal, for example, that indicates to a UE within a cell's coverage area or area that service-specific system information is available for request via U.E. The UEs may then transmit one or more requests for service-specific system information and may receive system information for the identified services. Alternatively, in a broadcast system, the wireless network may broadcast (or broadcast) a synchronization signal, for example, that indicates to a UE within a cell's coverage area or area that service-specific system information should be transmitted on a fixed periodic schedule to basis of the relevant service. Thus, a UE requiring system information for a given service may recognize from the synchronization signal the time or times during which the UE may be listening to receive service-specific system information. Service-specific system information may be transmitted aggregated or in separate transmissions corresponding to the service.

In another aspect of the invention, the wireless network may provide system information to the UE incrementally. For example, the wireless network may transmit major system information accompanied by one or more transmissions of other system information (eg, non-main system information). The main system information may include, for example, system information that enables the UE to perform initial network access. Main system information or other system information may be transmitted in a broadcast mode, in a wide-beam mode, in a unicast mode, or in a narrow-beam mode to a certain number of UEs. In some cases, main system information or other system information may be transmitted on a fixed periodic schedule or in response to a request sent by one or more UEs. In various embodiments, the main system information and other system information may be transmitted in an identical, similar, or different manner.

In yet another aspect of the invention, for example, the wireless network may indicate when system information has changed or needs to be updated. Thus, the UE does not necessarily need to update its stored system information every time the system information is transmitted, but can instead update its stored system information as needed. The UE may also trigger an update of its stored system information upon the occurrence of one or more events, such as: determining that the UE has moved a certain distance since the last update of its stored system information, or determining that the UE has moved to a new area.

The technologies described in this document can be used for various wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems and other systems. The terms system and network are often used interchangeably. A CDMA system may implement radio technology such as CDMA2000, Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), etc. CDMA2000 covers IS2000, IS-95 and IS-856 standards. IS-20000 and A versions are usually called CDMA2000 1X, 1X, etc. IS-856 (TIA 856) is commonly called CDMA2000 1xEVDO, High Speed Packet Data (HRPD) standard, etc. UTRA includes wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other varieties of CDMA. A TDMA system may implement a radio technology such as the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). The OFDMA system can implement radio technology such as Ultra Mobile Band (UMB), Enhanced UTRA (EUTRA), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM™, etc. . UTRA and E-UTRA are part of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE Advanced (LTE-A) are newer versions of UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A and GSM are described in documents from an organization called the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are described in documents from an organization called the Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2). The technologies described in this document may be used for the radio communication systems and technologies mentioned above, as well as for other radio communication systems and technologies including cellular (eg, LTE) communications over a shared frequency band of the radio frequency spectrum. However, the following description describes an LTE/LTE-A system for exemplary purposes, and LTE terminology is used in much of the following description, although the technologies are applicable beyond LTE/LTE-A based applications (for example, to 5G networks or other next generation communication systems).

The following description provides examples and does not limit the scope, applicability or examples set forth in the claims. Changes may be made to the function and arrangement of the explained elements without departing from the scope of the invention. Various examples may omit, replace, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For example, the described methods may be performed in an order different from the described order, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. In addition, features described in relation to some examples may be combined in other examples.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 100 in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Wireless communications system 100 includes one or more base stations 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing functions or mobility. Base stations 105 may communicate with core network 130 via backhaul links 132 (eg, S1, etc.). Base stations 105 may configure and dispatch radio communications for communication with UE 115 or may operate under the control of a base station controller (not shown). In various examples, base stations 105 may communicate, directly or indirectly (eg, through core network 130), with each other over backhaul links 134 (eg, X1, etc.), which may be wired or wireless links. .

Base stations 105 may wirelessly communicate with UE 115 via one or more antennas. In some examples, one or more antennas may include one or more base station antennas (and transceivers) co-located with base station servers and/or one or more RRH antennas (and transceivers) located remotely from base station servers. Each of the base stations 105 may provide communications coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. In some examples, base stations 105 may be referred to as a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a Node B, an enhanced Node B (eNB), a home node B (HNB), an enhanced home node B, or some another proper term. The geographic coverage area 110 for the base station 105 may be divided into sectors that make up only a portion of the coverage area (not shown). The geographic coverage area(s) 110 for one or more base stations 105 may define the area of the wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 100 may include different types of base stations 105 (eg, macro cell or small cell base stations). Overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 for different technologies may be provided.

In some examples, wireless communication system 100 may be or include an LTE or LTE-A network. The wireless communications system 100 may also be or include a next generation network, such as a 5G wireless communications network. In LTE/LTE-A and 5G networks, the term enhanced node B (eNB) may generally be used to describe base stations 105, while the term UE may generally be used to describe UE 115. The wireless communication system 100 may be a heterogeneous LTE/LTEA or 5G network in which different types of eNBs provide coverage for different geographic regions. For example, each eNB or base station 105 may provide communications coverage for a macro cell, small cell, or other cell types. The term cell is a 3GPP term that can be used to describe a base station, a carrier or component carrier associated with a base station, or a coverage area (eg, sector, etc.) of a carrier or base station, depending on the context .

A macro cell, in general, can cover a relatively large geographic area (eg, a radius of several kilometers) and can provide unrestricted access capability through UEs 115 with network service provider subscriptions. A small cell may include a base station with lower power than a macro cell, which may operate in an identical or different (eg, licensed, unlicensed, etc.) frequency band to the macro cells. Small cells may include pico cells, femto cells, and micro cells according to various examples. A picocell, for example, may cover a small geographic area and may provide unrestricted access through UE 115 with network service provider subscriptions. A femtocell may also cover a small geographic area (e.g., a home) and may provide limited access by UEs 115 associated with the femtocell (e.g., UEs 115 in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEs 115 for users in a home, etc.) . The ENB for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro eNB. A small cell ENB may be referred to as a small cell eNB, pico-eNB, femto-eNB, or native eNB. The ENB may support one or multiple (eg, two, three, four, etc.) cells.

Communication networks that may accommodate some of the various disclosed examples may be packet-switched networks that operate according to a layered protocol stack, and user plane data may be IP based. The radio link control (RLC) layer can perform segmentation and reassembly of packets to exchange data over logical channels. The MAC layer can perform priority processing and multiplexing of logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layer may also use HARQ to provide retransmission at the MAC layer to improve link utilization. In the control plane, the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer may provide establishment, configuration, and maintenance of RRC connections between

UE 115 and base stations 105. The RRC protocol layer may also be used to support, through the core network 130, radio bearers for user plane data.

At the physical layer (PHY), transport channels can be converted into physical channels.

The UEs 115 may be distributed throughout the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 may be fixed or mobile. UE 115 may also include or be referred to by those skilled in the art as a mobile station, subscriber station, mobile module, subscriber module, wireless module, remote module, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client or some other appropriate term. The UE 115 may be a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a cordless telephone, a wireless subscriber station (WLL), a data card, a dongle Universal Serial Bus (USB), wireless router, etc. UE 115 may be able to communicate with various types of base stations and network equipment, including macro eNBs, small cell eNBs, relay base stations, and the like. As the UE 115 moves within the wireless communication system 100, the UE 115 may move from cell to cell or from zone to zone (wherein a zone includes one or more cells). When the wireless communication system 100 is deployed as a UE-centric network, the UE 115 can move from cell to cell in an area without reconfiguring physical channels, with the network providing data services over identical radio resources despite the UE's serving cell changing.

Wireless communication links 125 shown in wireless communication system 100 may carry uplink (UL) transmissions from UE 115 to base station 105 and/or downlink (DL) transmissions from base station 105 to UE 115. downlink transmissions may also be referred to as forward link transmissions, while uplink transmissions may also be referred to as reverse link transmissions. Each of the wireless communication links 125 may include one or more carriers, where each carrier may be a signal consisting of a plurality of subcarriers (eg, waveforms of different frequencies) modulated according to the various radio technologies described above. Each modulated signal may be sent on a different subcarrier and may carry control information (eg, reference signals, control channels, etc.), overhead information, user data, etc. Wireless links 125 may carry bidirectional communications using frequency division duplex (FDD) operation (eg, using paired spectrum resources) or TDD mode operation (eg, using unpaired spectrum resources). Frame structures can be specified for FDD (eg frame structure type 1) and TDD (eg frame structure type 2).

In some embodiments of wireless communication system 100, base stations 105 or UE 115 may include multiple antennas to utilize antenna diversity schemes to improve the quality and reliability of communications between base stations 105 and UE 115. Additionally or alternatively, base stations 105 or UE 115 may use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technologies (e.g., any MIMO but non-massive MIMO technologies (e.g., multi-antenna MIMO and multi-user MIMO) or massive MIMO technologies) that take advantage of multipath environments distribution in order to transmit multiple spatial layers carrying identical or different encoded data.

The wireless communication system 100 may support operation on multiple cells or carriers; a feature that may be referred to as operating in carrier aggregation (CA) mode or multi-carrier mode. The carrier may also be referred to as component carrier (CC), layer, channel, etc. The terms carrier, component carrier, cell, and channel may be used interchangeably throughout this document. UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink CCs and one or more downlink CCs for carrier aggregation. Carrier aggregation can be used with FDD and TDD component carriers.

In some embodiments of the wireless communication system 100, the wireless communication system 100 may have a UE-centric network. On the network side, base stations 105 may broadcast a periodic synchronization (sync) signal. UE 115 may receive a synchronization signal, obtain network timing from the synchronization signal, and, in response to receiving the network timing, transmit a pilot signal. The pilot signal transmitted by the UE 115 may be received in parallel by multiple cells (eg, base stations 105) in the network. Each of the plurality of cells may measure the strength of the pilot signal, and the network (eg, one or more base stations 105, each of which communicates with the UE 115 through one or more centrally located transceivers and/or RRHs, and/ or a central node in the core network 130) may determine a serving cell for the UE 115. As the UE 115 continues to transmit the pilot signal, the network may hand over the UE 115 from one serving cell to another, with or without informing the UE 115. System information ( SI) may be transmitted to the UE 115 in a broadcast mode (eg, when the base station 105 transmits the SI regardless of whether the SI is requested or required or not by any UE 115 within the coverage area 110 of the base station 105) or in an on-demand mode ( for example, when base station 105 transmits an SI in response to receiving a request for SI from one or more UEs 115, which request may be included or be a pilot signal of the UE 115). When transmitting the SI in on-demand mode, the base station 105 may dispense with broadcasting the SI, thereby saving power consumption.

Fig. 2 shows an example of UE mobility in a wireless communication system 200 in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 2 shows UE 115-a as it moves to various points (eg, point A, point B, and point C) within coverage areas 110-a and 110-b of the corresponding first and second base stations 105-a and 105-b. In some examples, UE 115-a may be an example of one or more aspects of UE 115 described with reference to FIG. 1, both the first and second base stations 105-a and 105-b may be examples of one or more aspects of the base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 1.

As an example, the UE 115-a may be powered up within the coverage area 110-a of the first base station 105-a, and it may perform initial SI acquisition within the coverage area 110-a of the first base station 105-a. In some examples, UE 115-a may perform initial SI acquisition by receiving an instance of a periodic synchronization signal from the first base station 105-a; determining, from the synchronization signal, where and when to listen to the SI broadcast by the first base station 105-a; and then listening to and receiving the SI broadcast via the first base station 105-a. In other examples, UE 115-a may perform initial SI acquisition by receiving an instance of a periodic synchronization signal from the first base station 105-a; determining, from the synchronization signal, where and when to listen to the SI broadcast by the first base station 105-a and, in some cases, where and when to transmit a request to the SI; transmitting a request to SI; and then listening to and receiving the SI broadcast via the first base station 105-a. In yet other examples, UE 115-a may perform initial acquisition of a service-specific SI by determining from a periodic synchronization signal received from the first base station 105-a which service-specific SI is available for reception, or through a broadcast. either through a request and then either listening to a service-specific SI or requesting a service-specific SI.

While still at point A, UE 115-a may determine whether to re-receive the SI based on the expiration of the dynamic SI or based on the elapsed time since the last time the SI was received. UE 115-a may also reacquire the SI, at point A, after receiving a synchronization signal instance indicating that the SI has changed. In other embodiments, UE 115-a may not re-acquire the SI at point A.

When moving from point A to point B, UE 115-a may determine the need to reacquire the SI. UE 115-a may determine whether to reacquire the SI, for example, based on its movement, based on the distance between point A and point B, based on the expiration of a dynamic SI, or based on the elapsed time since the last receipt of the SI. UE 115-a may also reacquire the SI, at point B, after receiving a synchronization signal instance indicating that the SI has changed. In other embodiments, UE 115-a may not re-acquire the SI at point B.

When moving from point B to point C and into the coverage area 110-b of the second base station 105-b, the UE 115-a may perform an initial acquisition of SI from the second base station 105-b. In other embodiments, the UE 115-a need not necessarily receive the SI from the second base station 105-b unless one of the reasons for re-receiving the SI occurs at point B. In some cases, SI may not be obtained within the coverage area 110-b because the first coverage area 110-a and the second coverage area 110-b are configured to operate as common area elements such that data services for the UE 115-a provided via the network.

Fig. 2 illustrates that SI may be obtained during different UE mobility states and for different reasons. For example, the SI may be received when the UE does not join the network (eg, as part of the initial receipt of the SI). The SI may also be received after the UE joins the network and while the UE is stationary (for example, because the timer or SI has expired, or as the network indicates (for example, in the case of a synchronization signal or in a paging message) that SI is changed). The SI may also be acquired after the UE joins the network and while the UE is mobile (eg, for any of the reasons that the SI is re-obtained while the UE is stationary because the UE moved to a new location because the UE moved a certain distance from the previous location at which the SI was received, or because the UE moved into the coverage area of a new base station or cell).

Fig. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate exemplary transmission/reception timelines 305, 320, 335, 350, 365, and 380 of a corresponding first base station, second base station, third base station, fourth base station, fifth base station, and sixth base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present inventions. Base station transmissions may be received by one or more UEs and used, by the UE, during initial SI acquisition (eg, SI acquisition during system selection or mobility to a new cell or area) or SI change acquisition (eg, when SI changes or when expiration of dynamic SI). In some examples, base stations may belong to respective different cells or areas of a wireless communication system, such as different cells or areas of the wireless communication system 100 or 200 described with reference to FIG. 1 or 2. In some examples, the first base station, second base station, third base station, fourth base station, fifth base station, and sixth base station may be examples of one or more aspects of the base stations 105 described with reference to FIGS. 1.

As shown in FIG. 3A and 3B, each of the base stations may transmit a periodic synchronization (sync) signal 310, 325, 340, 355, 370, or 385. In the examples of FIGS. 3A, each of the base stations also transmits a periodic (or on-demand) master system information block (MSIB) 315, 330, 342, or 358. In some cases, the synchronization signal instance and the MSIB instance, together, can provide information equivalent to the information included in the main information block (MIB), system information block 1 (SIB1) and SIB2 LTE/LTE-A. In the examples of FIGS. 3B, each of the base stations transmits a service-specific SIB 375, 390.

In some embodiments, the synchronization signal transmitted by the base station may be common (eg, not cell specific) to multiple cells in the access network (eg, multiple cells in an area) and may be broadcast from each of the cells in the plurality of cells. (eg, from each of a plurality of base stations in cells) in a Single Frequency Network (SFN) manner. The synchronization signal need not necessarily include the cell ID. In some embodiments, the synchronization signal may be of relatively short duration or transmitted relatively infrequently. For example, the synchronization signal may be one symbol long and transmitted once every ten seconds. In other examples, the synchronization signal may be transmitted more frequently, for example, once per radio frame. In some embodiments, a synchronization signal instance may carry multiple bits of information. More specifically, and in some embodiments, the synchronization signal instance may include information such as: information that the UE may use to determine whether to request a subsequently transmitted MSIB, information that the UE may use to determine where and when to request a subsequently transmitted MSIB (e.g., frequency and timing information for transmitting an MSIB transmission request), information that the UE can use to determine where and when a subsequently transmitted MSIB can be received (e.g. , channel, frequency and/or timing information), information that indicates when the MSIB is changed, or information that the UE can use to distinguish the cell or zone transmitting the synchronization signal from one or more other cells or zones (for example, from neighboring cells or zones). In some embodiments, the synchronization signal instance may include information that the UE can use to determine whether to request a subsequently transmitted service-specific SIB, information that the UE can use to determine where and when request a subsequently transmitted service-specific SIB (eg, frequency and timing information for transmitting a request to transmit a service-specific SIB), or information that the UE may use to determine where and when a subsequently transmitted service-specific SIB may received (eg channel, frequency and/or timing information).

In some embodiments, the synchronization signal may indicate a PHY layer channel over which a request to transmit an MSIB or service-specific SIB is to be transmitted, or indicate a special PHY layer channel to transmit a request to transmit an MSIB or service-specific SIB under certain conditions. In some cases, the synchronization signal may also indicate how to transmit an MSIB or service-specific SIB transfer request (e.g., the format to be used when transmitting an MSIB or service-specific SIB transfer request), or how to transmit a request to transfer of an MSIB or service-specific SIB under certain conditions. In other embodiments, the synchronization signal may indicate a fewer number of parameters for transmitting a request to transfer an MSIB or a service-specific SIB. However, this may require the base station to listen for requests to transmit an MSIB or a specific

- 12 045271 SIB services under additional conditions (or always), which may have an impact on the energy efficiency of the UE repeater.

The UE may receive an instance of the synchronization signal and obtain access network time synchronization based on the synchronization signal. In response to receiving access network time synchronization, the UE may transmit a pilot signal. The pilot signal may be able to be received in parallel by multiple cells in an access network (eg, by multiple cells in an access network area). In some embodiments, the pilot signal may include a spatial signature (eg, a sounding reference signal (SRS)). In some embodiments, the pilot signal may be transmitted during an MSIB transmission request period indicated by a synchronization signal instance. In some embodiments, the pilot signal may be transmitted with a predetermined random sequence or a random sequence generated by the UE, which random sequence may be used by the access network (eg, a network base station) to temporarily identify the UE during the initial acquisition procedure. In some embodiments, the pilot may be or include a request for MSIB transmission.

MSIB 315, 330, 342, or 358 may indicate where and when the UE can establish a connection to the access network. The MSIB may include information such as: information identifying the access network, cell or area; information indicating whether the UE is allowed (or should) or not to use the access network; or information indicating how the UE may use the access network (for example, information indicating how the UE may use the access network when the UE turns on power, or when the UE moves to a new cell or area after detecting an out-of-service (OoS) condition, or radio link failure (RLF) events). Information identifying an access network, cell, or area may include a public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier, a tracking area code (TAC), a cell identifier (cell identifier), or an area identifier (area identifier). Information indicating whether the UE is allowed (or should) or not to use the access network may include system selection or access restriction information for a cell or area (eg, radio quality information, congestion avoidance information, or closed subscriber group (CSG) information) ). Information indicating how the UE may use the access network may include access configuration information (eg, random access channel (RACH) information or UE timers and constant information). The MSIB may also include PHY layer configuration information such as: physical random access channel (PRACH) information, physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) information, physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) information, physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) information, and SRS information or other information applicable to access the PHY layer of the wireless communication system.

Service-specific SIB 375, 390 may indicate where and when a UE can establish a connection to an access network for a particular service. The specific services may include, for example, a power-saving service, a high-reliability service, a low-latency service, a broadcast service, or a low-volume data service. These services may require additional SI (eg, SI that is not included in the MSIB) to enable the UE to access the network. For example, a multimedia broadcast and multicast service (MBMS) in LTE may have additional configuration information in SIB13 that is associated with accessing the MBMS. Additionally, as radio access technologies mature, it may be desirable to not only provide additional service-specific SI transmission, but also provide transmission of different configurations of the same service-specific SI to improve the performance of various services. Additional service-specific SI may include, for example, information regarding access network and cell identification (eg, PLMN identifier, TAC, or cell identifier). Additional service-specific SI may also include information and access restrictions for the cell (including radio quality, congestion avoidance, CSG). The additional service-specific SI may further include information regarding access configuration (RACH, UE timers and restrictions, and other 5G network equivalents).

For example, a service-specific SIB may include information to enable more efficient access configurations and longer validity timers for SI in the Internet of Everything (IoE) based wide area network (WAN), where lower power level operations may be desirable because IoE devices may not connect to the network until after long periods of sleep. Additionally, services such as WAN IoE may include various information in the MSIB to avoid the need for the IoE device to read additional SI.

Turning now to the first base station transmission/reception timeline 305 (in FIG. 3A),

- 13 045271 the first base station may transmit a periodic synchronization signal 310 as described above. Upon receiving a synchronization signal instance, a UE that needs to perform initial acquisition may identify the access network associated with the first base station (and in some cases, information to distinguish the first base station, its cell, or its area from other base stations, cells or zones); determine whether the UE can (or should) or cannot receive the access network SI; and determine how the UE can obtain the access network SI. In determining how the UE can obtain the access network SI, the UE can determine, through signaling associated with the synchronization signal, that the first base station transmits the MSIB 315 in a broadcast (or wide beam) mode with fixed periodic signaling. The UE may also identify, from the synchronization signal, the time to receive the MSIB transmission. A UE that does not have to perform initial acquisition can determine from the synchronization signal whether or not it has moved to a new cell or a new area. When the UE determines that it has moved to a new cell or a new zone, the UE may use the information included in the synchronization signal to obtain a new or updated SI from the new cell or new zone.

With reference to the second base station's transmit/receive timeline 320 (of FIG. 3A), the second base station may transmit a periodic synchronization signal 325 as described above. Upon receiving a synchronization signal instance, the UE that needs to perform the initial acquisition may identify the access network associated with the second base station (and in some cases, information to distinguish the second base station, its cell, or its area from other base stations, cells or zones); determine whether the UE can (or should) or cannot receive the access network SI; and determine how the UE can obtain the access network SI. In determining how the UE can obtain the access network SI, the UE can determine, through signaling associated with the synchronization signal, that the second base station transmits the MSIB 330 in an on-demand broadcast (or wide beam) mode with periodic signaling signals (ie, that the second base station should initiate broadcast (or wide beam) transmission of the MSIB, with periodic scheduling, upon receiving the MSIB transmission request signal 332 from the UE). The UE may also identify, from the synchronization signal, where and when to transmit the MSIB transmission request, and the time to receive the MSIB transmission. A UE that does not have to perform initial acquisition can determine from the synchronization signal whether or not it has moved to a new cell or a new area. When the UE determines that it has moved to a new cell or a new zone, the UE may use the information included in the synchronization signal to obtain a new or updated SI from the new cell or new zone.

With reference to the third base station's transmit/receive timeline 335 (of FIG. 3A), the third base station may transmit a periodic synchronization signal 340 as described above. Upon receiving a synchronization signal instance, a UE that needs to perform initial acquisition may identify the access network associated with the third base station (and in some cases, information to distinguish the third base station, its cell, or its area from other base stations, cells or zones); determine whether the UE can (or should) or cannot receive the access network SI; and determine how the UE can obtain the access network SI. In determining how the UE can obtain the access network SI, the UE can determine, through signaling associated with the synchronization signal, that the third base station transmits the MSIB 342 in an on-demand broadcast (or wide beam) mode with aperiodic signaling signals (i.e., that the third base station schedules a broadcast (or wide beam) MSIB transmission upon receiving an MSIB transmission request signal 345 from the UE, and that the UE can monitor the scheduling channel (eg, PDCCH) for information 348 scheduling (scheduling) to determine when the MSIB should be transmitted). The UE may also identify, from the synchronization signal, where and when to transmit the MSIB transfer request. A UE that does not have to perform initial acquisition can determine from the synchronization signal whether or not it has moved to a new cell or a new area. When the UE determines that it has moved to a new cell or a new zone, the UE may use the information included in the synchronization signal to obtain a new or updated SI from the new cell or new zone.

With reference to the fourth base station's transmit/receive timeline 350 (of FIG. 3A), the fourth base station may transmit a periodic synchronization signal 355 as described above. Upon receiving a synchronization signal instance, a UE that needs to perform initial acquisition may identify the access network associated with the fourth base station (and in some cases, information to distinguish the fourth base station, its cell, or its area from other base stations, cells or zones); determine whether the UE can (or should) or cannot receive the access network SI; and determine how the UE can obtain the access network SI. In determining how the UE may obtain the access network SI, the UE may determine, through signaling associated with the synchronization signal, that the fourth base station transmits the MSIB 358 in a unicast (or narrow beam) mode (i.e., that that the fourth base station schedules unicast (or narrow beam) MSIB transmission upon receiving MSIB transmission request signal 360 from the UE, and

- 14 045271 that the UE can monitor the scheduling channel (eg, PDCCH) for scheduling (scheduling) information 362 to determine when the MSIB should be transmitted). The UE may also identify, from the synchronization signal, where and when to transmit the MSIB transfer request. A UE that does not have to perform initial acquisition can determine from the synchronization signal whether or not it has moved to a new cell or a new area. When the UE determines that it has moved to a new cell or a new zone, the UE may use the information included in the synchronization signal to obtain a new or updated SI from the new cell or new zone.

At each of the transmit/receive timelines 305, 320, 335, and 350 shown in FIG. 3, the base station transmits an MSIB 315, 330, 342, or 358. The UE may receive the MSIB, in some examples, by monitoring the System Information Radio Network Temporary Identifier (SI-RNTI) on a common physical control channel (eg, PDCCH), decoding the assignment message in the downlink associated with the SI-RNTI and receiving the MSIB on a shared channel (eg, PDSCH) according to the information contained in the assignment message in the downlink. Alternatively, when a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI; e.g., cell RNTI (C-RNTI) or zone RNTI (Z-RNTI)) is assigned to a UE, the UE may monitor the RNTI on a common physical control channel (e.g., PDCCH), decode the assignment message into downlink associated with the RNTI, and receive the MSIB on a shared channel (eg, PDSCH) according to the information contained in the downlink assignment message. In another alternative, the UE may monitor the SI-RNTI to receive the broadcast SI, while the UE may also use a UE-specific RNTI (eg, C-RNTI or zone RNTI) to receive the unicast SI.

When anchored in a cell, the UE may decode at least a portion of each instance of a periodic synchronization signal transmitted by the cell to determine whether information included in the MSIB has changed. Alternatively, the UE may decode at least a portion of each Nth periodic synchronization signal instance, or may decode at least a portion of the periodic synchronization signal instance when one or more events occur. The decoded portion of a subsequent synchronization signal instance may include information (eg, a modification flag or a value tag) that may be configured to indicate whether the SI for the cell has been changed. Upon determining that the SI for a cell has changed (eg, after receiving instance 310-a of the synchronization signal 310 on the transmit/receive timeline 305), the UE may request and/or receive an MSIB (eg, MSIB 315-a) with the changed SI.

As the UE moves within the coverage area of a wireless communication system, the UE may detect timing signals from different cells (or zones), e.g., timing signals from different cells (or coverage areas 110, 110-a, 110-b or zones) , described with reference to FIGS. 1 or 2, or the various cells (or base stations or zones) described with reference to FIG. 3A. When a cell or zone synchronization signal is detected, the UE may compare the cell global identifier (CGI) (or base station identification code (BSIC) or zone identifier) corresponding to the cell (or base station or zone) for which the UE last received an SI in A CGI (either BSIC or zone identifier) associated with the synchronization signal is to determine whether the UE detects a new synchronization signal (eg, a synchronization signal from another cell, base station, or zone).

Transmission of an MSIB request may be initiated by the UE (eg, during initial access) or by the access network (eg, when information included in the MSIB changes or when a dedicated SIB is transmitted). In some cases, transmitting and receiving base station signals in accordance with one of the transmit/receive time scales 305, 320, 335 or 350 may switch transmission/reception modes and thereby switch from one of the transmit/receive time scales to another of the time scales. transmission/reception scales. Switching can be performed, for example, based on network load or congestion conditions. In some embodiments, the base station may also or alternatively switch between a unicast (or narrow beam) on-demand mode and an always-on broadcast (or wide beam) mode for MSIB transmissions. In some examples, the base station may signal the mode or modes in which it operates in its periodic synchronization signal.

Turning now to the fifth base station's transmit/receive timeline 365 (of FIG. 3B), the fifth base station may transmit a service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370. The service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370 may be an example of one of the synchronization signals 310, 325, 340, 355, except that the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370 may include an indicator that a service-specific SI is available. The service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370 may also include information regarding for which services the service-specific SI is available. Additionally, the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370 may include scheduling information regarding when the service-specific SI for various

- 15 045271 data services can be requested or transmitted. As an example, a specific service-specific SI may not be sent in every synchronization signal period. A synchronized MBMS service may only require that the service-specific SIB be transmitted within the order of seconds, for example, and may therefore not be available during each synchronization signal period. Upon receiving the synchronization signal instance, the UE may determine that the UE has a need for one or more of the available service-specific SIs. In accordance with the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, the UE may transmit a request 372 for SIB transmission. The UE may transmit a request 372-a to the SIB Tx to transmit an SI associated with a specific service (eg, service 1), and may then transmit a request 372-b to the SIB Tx to transmit an SI associated with another specific service (eg, service 2 ). In response to receiving SIB Tx requests 372, one or more base stations may transmit service-specific SIBs 375 to the UE. The fifth base station may transmit service-specific SIB 375-a in response to request 372-a on the SIB Tx and may also transmit service-specific SIB 375-b in response to request 372-b on the SIB Tx. Alternatively, the fifth base station may broadcast service-specific SIB 375 without waiting for SIB Tx request 372. In this alternative, the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370 may indicate when and on what resources the UE may listen to receive the service-specific SIB 375.

With reference to the sixth base station's transmit/receive timeline 380 (of FIG. 3B), the sixth base station may transmit a service-specific periodic synchronization signal 385. The service-specific periodic synchronization signal 385 may be an example of one of the synchronization signals 310, 325, 340, 355, except that the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 385 may include an indicator that a service-specific SI is available. However, the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 385 may not indicate the actual service for which the SI is available. Instead, on the transmit/receive timeline 380, the UE must explicitly identify in the Tx SIB request 388 the services for which the SI is required. The service-specific synchronization signal 385 may include information regarding when and on what resources the UE may transmit its request 388 to the Tx SIB. Thus, upon receiving a synchronization signal instance, the UE may determine that the UE has a need for one or more of the available service-specific SIs. In accordance with the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 385, the UE may transmit a request 388 to the Tx SIB that identifies the requested SI. In response to receiving the SIB Tx request 388, the sixth base station may transmit a service-specific SIB 390 to the UE. Service-specific SIBs 390 may be transmitted together or combined in a single transmission, or may be transmitted separately.

Based on the services indicated in either service-specific synchronization periodic signals 370, 385 or SIB Tx requests 372, 388, the base station may transmit service-specific SIBs 375, 390 to the UE. Service-specific SIBs 375, 390 may include service-specific configuration, for example, SI parameters, particularly configured to improve the service or meet service requirements. For example, service-specific configurations may include validity timers or SI reading requirements that require the IoE device to reacquire the SI after the IoE device wakes up from power saving mode (PSM) or deep sleep. For example, an IoE device may receive an SI having a particular value tag and then may transition to a PSM over a long period of time (as a result of the device being, for example, an IoE device). By the time the IoE device wakes up, the SI may have changed several times. In fact, it may even be possible that the SI should change a number of times equal to the number of values applicable for the SI value tags, which means that the SI received by the IoE device may, by coincidence, have a value tag identical to the value tag SI detected by the IoE device when the IoE device wakes up. If the IoE device relies on the SI value tags to determine whether the IoE device should receive the updated SI, the IoE device may determine that the new SI should not be received. However, validity timers or SI read requirements can be used to ensure that the IoE device receives the updated SI even if the SI-value tag indicates otherwise. For example, validity timers or SI reading requirements may require the IoE device to reacquire the SI after a specified time has elapsed, which, in one example, may be equal to the IoE device's PSM time. Alternatively, the validity timer may be received as part of the service-specific configuration of the service-specific SIB 375, 390. In this case, the validity timer may be set to a duration that requires the IoE device to reacquire the SI at least once every cyclic return of the SI value tag. Thus, if the operator changes the SI every ten minutes, and the tag range of the SI value is 0-31, then the validity timer can be set to 320 minutes. The validity timer may also be based on other factors. The validity timer or SI read requirements may be passed to the IoE device as part of a service-specific configuration in service-specific SIBs 375, 390.

- 16 045271

As an example, in some LTE standards, the UE may consider the stored SI invalid after three hours from the time the SI is confirmed to be valid. Although certain exceptions may apply in LTE (e.g. csg-PhysCellIdRange, although this exception is due to the fact that the updated SI may not be available if the UE is not anchored to a CSG cell), the three-hour requirement may not be suitable for a variety of devices including includes IoE devices that can transition to PSM, or if SI-value tags are cycled through at different frequencies. Therefore, for WAN IoE devices, the validity timer may increase or decrease for the SI that is associated with the WAN IoE network.

The service-specific SIBs 375, 390 may also include service-specific information, for example, service-specific parameters similar to those specified for the MBMS. For a WAN IoE device, the service-specific configuration can be included in a single SIB so that the IoE device does not have to send multiple requests in order to incrementally accept the required SI.

Additionally, when multiple service-specific SIs are supported according to multiple services, the network may use different transmission modes in order to support transmission of SIs for each service. Because of this and for example, WAN IoE SI may be broadcast periodically, while nominal SI may be sent on demand.

In an on-demand scenario, if a UE requests an SI for more than one service in SIB Tx requests 372, 388, the responding base station may either provide a separate SI for each service, or provide a common SI for all requested services, with, for example, the base station the station may apply the most restrictive configuration value for the parameter based on the service requirements for each requested service.

In addition to the periodic (or on-demand) MSIB, the base station may transmit one or more periodic (or on-demand) other SIBs (OSIBs). The OSIB may include information equivalent to information included in one or more LTE/LTE-A SIBs other than SIB1 or SIB2 (eg, information to enable an operator to control system selection within a radio access technology (RAT) or between RATs , information for the UE to detect the availability and configuration(s) of one or more services). One exemplary OSIB transmission is shown in FIG. 4.

Fig. 4 is an overview diagram 400 illustrating synchronization, MSIB, and OSIB signal transmissions via base station 105-c, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Fig. 4 also illustrates MSIB and OSIB requests and receptions by the UE 115-b performing initial acquisition of an access network SI. In some examples, the base station may include aspects of one or more of the base stations described with reference to FIG. 1 or 2. Likewise, UE 115-b may include aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1 or 2.

At 405, base station 105-c may transmit an instance of a periodic synchronization signal, as described with reference to FIG. 3A. UE 115-b may receive the synchronization signal instance and, at block 410, process the synchronization signal instance and determine that it should transmit an MSIB transfer request to 415 to receive the MSIB from base station 105-c. The UE 115-b may also determine, from the synchronization signal instance, where and when to transmit the MSIB transmission request, and where and when to expect the MSIB transmission by the base station 105-c.

At 420, base station 105-c may transmit an MSIB. UE 115-b may receive the MSIB and, at block 425, process the information included in the MSIB. UE 115-b may also optionally prepare an OSIB transfer request. In some examples, an optional OSIB transfer request may be prepared (eg, at block 425) and transmitted (eg, at 430) when UE 115-b has not previously received an SI from the cell or area in which base station 105-c operates. , either when the cached SI for a cell or zone has expired, or when the UE determines that the SI for a cell or zone has changed (eg, from a synchronization signal from information in the MSIB signaling the SI change, or from a paging message), or when the UE determines (eg, during RRC IDLE) that it is at a location in which a new SI can be provided (eg, in a location in which new equivalent neighbor cell list information can be provided, or in a location in which new Global Positioning System (GPS) supporting information). In some cases, the OSIB transfer request may indicate what OSIB information is being requested. For example, UE 115-b may indicate, in an OSIB transfer request, which SI (eg, which type of SI or which SIBs) the UE wants to receive. In some examples, one OSIB transfer request 430 may be sent, and one OSIB transfer request 430 may indicate one or more elements of another SI that the UE wishes to receive (e.g., a binary value may be set to true for each element of the other SI, which the UE wants to receive). In other examples, UE 115-b may request certain types of other SIs in various OSIB transmission requests, and the UE may transmit multiple OSIB transmission requests to the base station.

Base station 105-c may receive an OSIB transfer request (or OSIB transfer requests) and, at block 435, prepare one or more OSIBs for transmission to the UE at 440 or 445. In some

- 17 045271 embodiments, the base station may prepare one or more OSIBs including the SI requested by the UE in an OSIB transmission request. Additionally or alternatively, base station 105-c (and/or another network node with which the base station communicates) may determine that the SI should be transmitted to UE 115-b, in the OSIB. Base station 105-c and/or other network node may determine which SI to transmit to UE 115-b, for example, based on UE identity, UE type, capability information that the base station receives for the UE, or other information known relative to (and potentially derived from) the UE. Thus, the amount of SI transmitted to the UE 115-b can be optimized, which can help save power consumption, free up resources, etc.

As noted above, the OSIB may include information equivalent to information included in one or more LTE/LTE-A SIBs other than SIB1 or SIB2 (e.g., information to enable an operator to control intra-RAT or inter-RAT system selection, information to detect by the UE the availability and configuration(s) of one or more services). The information included in the OSIB may be numbered and organized based on SI function to enable the base station to deliver information to the UE based on a subset of UE functions, based on UE characteristics, or based on UE service requirements (e.g., the base station cannot deliver MBMS information to the UE when the UE does not allow MBMS services). In some cases, the information included in the OSIB may be numbered and organized identically or similar to the information included in the LTE/LTE-A SIB.

The information included in the OSIB may be organized in such a way that it can be efficiently received or processed by the UE. For example, the information may be organized such that the UE can read the information as infrequently as possible. In some embodiments, information may be organized based on the amount of information; based on whether the information is applied on a system-wide, intra-constellation, per-cell, or per-area basis; based on the duration during which the information remains valid (for example, time of validity); or based on whether the information is semi-static or dynamic. When information changes very dynamically, the information can be organized in such a way that it can be transmitted with reduced latency.

OSIB request transmission may be initiated by the UE (eg during initial access) or by the access network (eg when information included in the OSIB changes or when a dedicated SIB is transmitted).

As described above, the base station in some cases may switch between a unicast (or narrowbeam) on-demand mode and an always-on broadcast (or widebeam) or broadcast (or widebeam) on-demand mode for MSIB transmissions. The base station can also switch between a unicast (or narrowbeam) on-demand mode and an always-on broadcast (or widebeam) or broadcast (or widebeam) on-demand mode for OSIB transmissions. For always-on OSIB broadcast (or wide beam) transmissions, the OSIB transmission schedule may be signaled in the MSIB transmission.

In some cases, the UE may receive and process an MSIB or OSIB based on a change in the UE's location. In some cases, an MSIB or OSIB may be received and processed after a corresponding MSIB transfer request or OSIB transfer request has been sent. In this regard, FIG. 5 illustrates a Venn diagram 500 of respective coverage areas for a first zone 505, a second zone 510, a third zone 515, and a fourth zone 520. In some embodiments, the first zone 505 may include a 5G wireless communications network, the second zone 510 may include the first neighbor RAT (e.g., neighbor RAT1), third zone 515 may include a second neighbor RAT (e.g., neighbor RAT2), and fourth zone 520 may include a third neighbor RAT (e.g., neighbor RAT3) in accordance with various aspects of the present invention . As an example, a 5G wireless communications network may include aspects of the wireless communications system 100 or 200 described with reference to FIG. 1 or 2. Each of the first neighbor RAT, the second neighbor RAT, and the third neighbor RAT may also include aspects of the wireless communication system 100 or 200. The 5G wireless network, the first neighbor RAT, the second neighbor RAT, and the third neighbor RAT can also take different forms.

When the UE initially accesses a 5G wireless network in the first zone 505, or as the UE moves within the 5G wireless network, the UE may obtain an SI for a first neighbor RAT, a second neighbor RAT, or a third neighbor RAT. In some cases, the UE may obtain SIs for neighboring RATs using distance-based SI acquisition. The UE may use distance-based SI acquisition by determining (eg, calculating) the distance between the UE's current location and the location of the UE when the UE last receives the SI of a neighboring RAT. When a certain distance exceeds a threshold distance, the UE may initiate an SI acquisition procedure (eg, the UE may receive an OSIB containing the SI of a neighboring RAT, or the UE may transmit an OSIB transfer request in which the UE requests the SI of a neighboring RAT). The threshold distance may be configured via the network and may be specified in the MSIB (eg, as part of the measurement configuration specified in the MSIB).

In some embodiments, distance-based SI acquisition may be used on a per-neighbor RAT basis. In other embodiments, distance-based SI acquisition may be used on a shared basis among neighboring RATs.

In some cases, the UE may receive and process an MSIB or OSIB based on the change in SI signaled in the periodic synchronization signal. In some cases, an MSIB or OSIB may be received and processed after a corresponding MSIB transfer request or OSIB transfer request has been sent.

Fig. 6 is a general diagram 600 illustrating synchronization, MSIB, and OSIB signal transmissions via base station 105d, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Fig. 6 also illustrates MSIB and OSIB requests and receptions by the UE 115-c performing system information update. In some examples, base station 105d may include aspects of one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 1, 2, or 4. Likewise, UE 115-c may include aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1, 2 or 4.

At 605, base station 105-d may transmit an instance of a periodic synchronization signal, as described with reference to FIG. 3A, or paging messages. The instance of the synchronization signal or paging message may include information (eg, a modification flag or value tag) indicating that the SI for a cell including the base station has been changed.

In some embodiments, an instance of the synchronization signal or paging message may include a general indicator that the SI has been modified (eg, a modification flag). The general modification indicator or flag may include, for example, a counter value that is incremented when the SI is modified, or a Boolean variable (e.g., a binary value) that is set to true (e.g., logic 1) when the SI is included in the MSIB , changed (or when the network expects the UE to reacquire the MSIB), or as false (eg, logic 0) when the SI included in the MSIB is not modified (or when the network does not expect the UE to reacquire the MSIB). The instance of the synchronization signal or paging message may also or alternatively indicate whether certain SI elements have changed. For example, an instance of a timing signal or paging message may indicate whether the SI has changed for services such as a Public Warning System (PWS; e.g., Earthquake and Tsunami Warning System (ETWS) or Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS)), allowing for easier decoding and longer battery life when this information changes more frequently.

UE 115-c may receive an instance of the synchronization signal or paging message and, at block 610, process the instance of the synchronization signal or paging message (eg, compare the counter value associated with the synchronization signal or paging message with a previously received counter value or determine then, the modification flag is set to true or false); determine that the SI for a cell or area including the base station has changed; and (in some cases) determine that the modified SI is relevant to the UE. The UE may also determine that it must transmit an MSIB transmission request to 615 to receive an MSIB including the modified SI from the base station. The UE may also determine, from the instance of the synchronization signal or paging message, where and when to transmit the MSIB transmission request, and where and when to expect the MSIB transmission by the base station.

At 620, base station 105-d may transmit an MSIB. In some cases, the MSIB may include information indicating whether another SI has been changed. For example, the MSIB may include a general indicator that another SI has been modified (eg, a modification flag). The general modification indicator or flag may include, for example, a counter value that is incremented when an SI included in the OSIB is modified, or a Boolean variable (eg, a binary value) that is set to true (eg, logical 1) when The SI included in the OSIB is modified (or when the network expects the UE to reacquire the OSIB), and as false (e.g., logic 0) when the SI included in the OSIB is not modified (or when the network does not expect the UE to re-receive OSIB). The MSIB may also or alternatively indicate whether certain elements of another SI are modified. For example, the MSIB may include a value tag according to the SI type or an equivalent LTE/LTE-A SIB (e.g., a first Boolean variable set to true or false to indicate whether the SI for MBMS services has changed, a second Boolean variable set to as true or false based on whether the SI for PWS services (eg CMAS services or ETWS services), etc. is changed.

UE 115-c may receive the MSIB and, at block 625, process the information included in the MSIB. The UE may use information indicating that the SI has changed to determine whether another SI useful to the UE (eg, an SI monitored by the UE) has changed and should be requested. For example, the UE may compare an OSIB counter value included in the MSIB with a previously received OSIB counter value, or determine whether an OSIB modification flag is set to true or false.

- 19 045271 ny, or compare value tags for one or more monitored elements of another SI with previously received value tags for one or more monitored elements of another SI to determine which OSIB should be requested. When another SI useful to the UE is not changed, the UE should not send an OSIB transfer request. However, when another SI useful to the UE is changed, the UE may prepare (eg, at block 625) and transmit (eg, at 630) an OSIB transfer request. In some cases, the OSIB transfer request may be a general request (eg, a request that instructs the base station to return all remaining SI, or a request that enables the base station to return all remaining SI that the base station deems useful to the UE). In other cases, the OSIB transfer request may indicate what OSIB information is being requested. For example, the UE may indicate in the OSIB transfer request which SI (eg, which SI type or which SIBs) the UE wants to receive.

Base station 105d may receive an OSIB transmission request and, at block 635, prepare one or more OSIBs for transmission to the UE at 640 or 645. In some embodiments, the base station may prepare an OSIB including the SI requested by the UE in the request to OSIB transmission. Additionally or alternatively, the base station (and/or another network node with which the base station communicates) may determine that the SI should be transmitted to the UE in the OSIB. The base station and/or other network node may determine which SI to transmit to the UE, for example, based on the identity of the UE, the type of the UE, characteristics information that the base station receives for the UE, or other information known relatively (and potentially obtained from ) UE. In this way, the amount of SI transmitted to the UE can be optimized, which can help save power consumption, free up resources, etc.

The table below provides an approximate SI allocation between MSIB and OSIB in a 5G wireless communication system:____________________________________________________________

5G System Information Content Equivalent LTE/LTE-A SIB MSIB: Unicast (by request) SI or SI transmitted to broadcast mode with short periodicity Basic PHY layer configuration information (e.g. downlink bandwidth, S FN, etc.) MIB Constellation identifier (PLMN identifier, constellation code, CSG/HNB identifier), constellation selection information (q-RxMin), frequency band information, scheduling information for other SIBs (if broadcast is supported), SI value tag (can be signaled via synchronization signal ) SIB1 Access class (AC) prohibition information, control information SIB2

- 20 045271

access to a specific service (SSAC), general radio configuration with extended access denial (EAB) (details: RACH (RACH preamble signatures), (broadcast control channel (BCCH), paging control channel (PCCH)), PRACH, PDSCH, PUSCH, PUCCH, SRS, UE Timers and Constants, Multimedia Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) Configuration, UL Frequency Information+UL Bandwidth, Time Alignment Timer OSIB: Mobility related parameters, SIB3-SIB8 Unicast (by for example, retry options request) SI or SI, cell selection, lists of neighboring transmitted to broadcast constellations/zones mode with very long Transmission in WLAN offload signaling SIB17 frequency Supporting data PWS, MBMS, GPS SIB10-SIB16

Although each of FIG. 4-6 and to some extent the remainder of the present invention are focused primarily on the transmission of MSIBs or OSIBs, any number of MSIBs or OSIBs may be transmitted: individually or in groups and in response to a single MSIB transmission request and/or OSIB transmission request either in responding to multiple MSIB transfer requests and/or OSIB transfer requests. In some cases, the main system information may be distributed among one or more of the MSIB, MTC_SIB, or other SIBs carrying the main information. In some cases, other system information may be distributed among one or more of OSIB1 carrying neighboring cell/area information, OSIB2 carrying MBMS-related information, OSIB3 carrying PWS-related information, or other SIBs carrying other information. An MSIB or OSIB may also include one or more elements. When the SI is changed, a modification flag or value tag may be transmitted or received, for example, per MSIB, per element in MSIB, per OSIB, or per element in OSIB.

Fig. 7 shows a block diagram 700 of a UE 115-d for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. UE 115-d may be an example of aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-6. The UE 115-d may also be or include a processor. The UE 115-d may include a UE receiving module 710, an SI receiving module 720, or a UE transmitting module 730. The SI receiving module 720 may include a SI receiving mode control module 735, a UE SI request issuing module 740, or an SI receiving module 745. All of these modules can communicate with each other.

The UE modules 115-d may, individually or collectively, be implemented using one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) adapted to implement some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing modules (or cores) on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits (eg, structured/platform ASICs, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), system on chip (SoC), or other semi-custom ICs) may be used and may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each module may also be implemented, in whole or in part, by instructions implemented in a memory device formatted for execution by one or more general or specialized processors.

In some examples, the UE receiving module 710 may include at least one radio frequency (RF) receiving device. The UE receiving module 710 or RF receiving device may be used to receive various types of data or control signals (i.e.

- 21 045271 transmissions) over one or more communication lines of a wireless communication system, for example, along one or more communication lines of a wireless communication system 100 described with reference to FIG. 1. As an example, the UE receiving module 710 may be used to receive a periodic synchronization signal, as described with reference to FIG. 3A, 3B and 4. The UE receiving module 710 may also be used to receive various signals that include one or more forms of SI, as also described with reference to FIG. 3A, 3B, and 4. Reception and processing of synchronization signals and SI signals (e.g., periodic synchronization signals 310, 325, 340, or 355 of FIG. 3A and broadcast MSIBs 315, 330, 342 or unicast MSIB 358 of FIG. 3A) can be further simplified via SI receiving module 720, as described in more detail below.

In some examples, UE transmitter module 730 may include at least one RF transmitter device. The UE transmitter module 730 or RF transmitter may be used to transmit various types of data or control signals (i.e., transmissions) over one or more links of the wireless communication system, for example, over one or more links of the system 100 wireless communication described with reference to FIG. 1. As an example, UE transmit module 730 may be used to transmit an MSIB transmission request signal 332, 345, 360, as described with reference to FIG. 3A. Transmission of MSIB transmission request signals 332, 345, 360, for example, may be further facilitated through SI acquisition module 720, as described in more detail below.

SI acquisition module 720 may be used to control one or more aspects of wireless communications for UE 115-d. In particular, at UE 115-d, SI acquisition module 720 may be used to facilitate acquisition of SI from base station 105 in accordance with aspects of some embodiments described above. The SI receiving module 720 may include a SI receiving mode control module 735, a UE SI request issuing module 740, or an SI receiving module 745.

The SI acquisition mode control module 735 may be used by the UE 115-d to facilitate the reception by the UE 115-d of the periodic synchronization signal 310, 325, 340, 355, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, 3B and 4. The received periodic synchronization signal 310, 325, 340, 355 may indicate to the UE 115-d whether the UE 115-d should transmit a request signal, for example, an MSIB transmission request signal 332, 345, 360 , for example, to receive an SI transmission. For example, the UE 115-d may receive a periodic synchronization signal 310, which indicates to the UE 115-d that the SI may be broadcast by the base station 105 regardless of requests sent by the UE 115-d. In this case, the SI acquisition mode control module 735 may determine that the request is not required for the UE 115-d to receive the SI. However, in another example, the UE 115-d may receive a periodic synchronization signal 325, 340, 355, which may indicate that the UE 115-d should transmit a request for SI (e.g., in the form of a request signal 332, 345, 360 to MSIB transmission) to receive SI. In this case, the SI acquisition mode control module 735 may determine that the request is necessary for the UE 115-d to receive the SI. Thus, the SI receiving mode control module 735 may be configured to determine whether the UE 115-d is operating in a network having a broadcast SI mode or an on-demand SI mode.

In case the UE 115-d operates in the network using the SI on-demand mode, which means that the UE 115-d must send a request to receive the SI, the UE SI request issuing module 740 may be used to simplify the creation of such a request. As an example, the UE SI request issuing module 740 may be used to formulate any of the MSIB transmission request signals 332, 345, 360 of FIG. 3A. The UE SI request issuing module 740 may use the information included in the periodic synchronization signal 325, 340, 355 to determine how to formulate the MSIB transmission request signals 332, 345, 360. For example, the periodic synchronization signal 325, 340, 355 may include information indicating where the MSIB transfer request signals 332, 345, 360 should be sent, as well as the timing of such signals.

The SI receiving module 745 may be used to facilitate the reception of SI transmitted to the UE 115-d. The SI may be broadcast without the need for a request sent by the UE 115-d. In this example, the SI receiving mode control module 735 may indicate to the SI receiving module 745 that the SI should be received via broadcast. The SI receiving module 745 can then facilitate receiving the SI using information included in the periodic synchronization signal 310, such as a given channel or broadcast timing of the SI. In another example, the SI may be sent as either a broadcast or a unicast in response to a request sent by the UE 115-d. In these examples, the SI receiving mode control module 735 may indicate to the SI receiving module 745 that the SI should be received as either a broadcast or a unicast transmission in response to a request. The SI receiving module 745 can then facilitate SI receiving using information included in the periodic timing signals 325, 340, 355, such as a given channel or timing

- 22 045271 SI broadcast or unicast synchronization.

Fig. 8 shows a block diagram 800 of a UE 115-e for use in wireless communications, according to various examples. UE 115-e may be an example of one or more aspects of UE 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-7. The UE 115-e may include a UE receiving module 710-a, an SI receiving module 720-a, and/or a UE transmitting module 730-a, which may be examples of corresponding UE modules 115-d (of FIG. 7). UE 115-e may also include a processor (not shown). All of these components can communicate with each other. The SI receiving module 720-a may include a SI receiving mode control module 735-a, a UE SI request issuing module 740-a, and/or an SI receiving module 745-a. The SI acquisition mode control module 735-a may further include a synchronization signal receiving module 805 and/or an SI acquisition mode determining module 810. The UE receiving module 710-a and the UE transmitting module 730-a may perform the functions of the UE receiving module 710 and the UE transmitting module 730 in FIG. 7, respectively.

The UE modules 115-e may, individually or collectively, be implemented using one or more ASICs adapted to implement some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing modules (or cores) on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits (eg, structured/platform ASICs, FPGAs, S°Cs, and other semi-custom ICs) may be used and may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each module may also be implemented, in whole or in part, by instructions implemented in a memory device formatted for execution by one or more general or specialized processors.

The SI acquisition mode control module 735-a may include a synchronization signal receiving module 805 and/or an SI acquisition mode determining module 810. The synchronization signal receiving module 805 may be used by the UE 115-e to facilitate the reception by the UE 115-e of the periodic synchronization signal 310, 325, 340, 355, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, 3B and 4. The received periodic synchronization signal 310, 325, 340, 355 may indicate to the UE 115-e whether the UE 115-e should transmit a request signal, for example, an MSIB transmission request signal 332, 345, 360 , for example, to receive an SI transmission. Thus, the SI acquisition mode determining unit 810 can be used to determine, from the received periodic synchronization signal 310, 325, 340, 355, whether the SI acquisition mode is fixed or on demand. For example, the UE 115-e, through the synchronization signal receiving module 805, may receive a periodic synchronization signal 310, which indicates to the UE 115-e that the SI may be broadcast by the base station 105 regardless of requests sent by the UE 115-e . In this case, the SI acquisition mode determining unit 810 may determine that the request is not required for the UE 115-e to receive the SI. However, in another example, UE 115-e may receive, via timing signal receiving module 805, a periodic timing signal 325, 340, 355, which may indicate that UE 115-e should transmit a request for SI (e.g., in MSIB transmission request signal form 332, 345, 360) to receive the SI. In this case, the SI acquisition mode determination module 810 may determine that the request is necessary for the UE 115-e to receive the SI. Thus, the SI acquisition mode determining module 810 may be configured to determine whether the UE 115 is operating in a network having a fixed broadcast SI mode or an on-demand SI mode.

In case the UE 115-e operates in the network using the SI on-demand mode, which means that the UE 115-e must send a request to receive the SI, the UE SI request issuing module 740-a may be used to to make it easier to create such a request. As an example, the UE SI request issuing module 740-a may be used to formulate any of the MSIB transmission request signals 332, 345, 360 of FIG. 3A. The UE SI request issuing module 740-a may use the information included in the periodic synchronization signal 325, 340, 355 to determine how to formulate the MSIB transmission request signals 332, 345, 360.

For example, the periodic synchronization signal 325, 340, 355 may include information indicating where MSIB transfer request signals 332, 345, 360 should be sent, as well as the timing of such signals.

The SI receiving module 745-a may be used to facilitate the reception of SI transmitted to the UE 115-e. The SI may be transmitted as a broadcast without the need for a request sent by the UE 115-e. In this example, the SI receiving mode control module 735-a may indicate to the SI receiving module 745-a that the SI should be received via broadcast. The SI receiving module 745-a can then facilitate receiving the SI using information included in the periodic synchronization signal 310, such as a given channel or broadcast timing of the SI. UE 115-e may receive the SI, in some examples, by snooping the SI-RNTI on a common physical control channel (eg, PDCCH), decoding the downlink assignment message associated with the SI-RNTI, and receiving the SI on a shared channel ( for example PDSCH).

- 23 045271

In another example, the SI may be sent as either a broadcast or a unicast in response to a request sent by the UE 115-e. In these examples, the SI receiving mode control module 735-a may indicate to the SI receiving module 745-a that the SI should be received as either a broadcast or a unicast in response to a request. The SI receiving module 745-a can then facilitate receiving the SI using information included in the periodic synchronization signals 325, 340, 355, such as a given channel or broadcast or unicast timing synchronization of the SI. UE 115-e may receive the SI, in some examples, by snooping the SI-RNTI on a common physical control channel (e.g., PDCCH), decoding the downlink assignment message associated with the SIRNTI, and receiving the MSIB on a shared channel (e.g., PDSCH). Alternatively, when an RNTI (eg, C-RNTI or Z-RNTI) is assigned to the UE 115-e, the UE 115-e may monitor the RNTI on a common physical control channel (eg, PDCCH), decode the downlink assignment message associated with RNTI, and receive SI on a shared channel (eg, PDSCH) according to the information contained in the downlink assignment message. In another alternative, UE 115-e may monitor the SI-RNTI to receive the broadcast SI, while the UE may also use a UE-specific RNTI (eg, CRNTI or zone RNTI) to receive the unicast SI.

In each of the examples described above with respect to the UE 115-d, 115-e of FIG. 7 and 8, the terms broadcast mode of operation and wide beam mode of operation may be used interchangeably at the level at which operations of the UE 115-d, 115-e are described. Likewise, the terms unicast mode of operation and narrow beam mode of operation may be used interchangeably at the level at which the operations of the UE 115-d, 115-e are described. In general, if the UE 115-d, 115-e operates in a massive MIMO network, the UE 115-d, 115-e may receive the periodic synchronization signal 310, 325, 340, 355 as part of the wide beam mode of operation and may receive the SI as part wide-beam or narrow-beam operating mode. On the other hand, if the UE 115-d, 115-e operates in a non-massive MIMO network, the UE 115-d, 115-e may receive the periodic synchronization signal 310, 325, 340, 355 as part of the broadcast mode of operation and may receive the SI as parts of the broadcast or unicast mode of operation.

Fig. 9 shows a block diagram 900 of a UE 115-f for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. UE 115-f may be an example of aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-8. UE 115-f may also be or include a processor. The UE 115-f may include a UE receiving module 710-b, an SI receiving module 720-b, or a UE transmitting module 730-b, which may be examples of corresponding UE modules 115-d (of FIG. 7). The SI receiving module 720-b may include a service-specific SI receiving modes control module 905, a service-specific SI UE requesting module 910, or an SI receiving module 745-b. The SI receiving module 745-b may be an example of the SI receiving module 745 of FIG. 7 or 8. All of these modules can communicate with each other.

The UE modules 115-r may, individually or collectively, be implemented using one or more ASICs adapted to implement some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing modules (or cores) on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits (eg, structured/platform ASICs, FPGAs, S°Cs, and other semi-custom ICs) may be used and may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each module may also be implemented, in whole or in part, by instructions implemented in a memory device formatted for execution by one or more general or specialized processors.

In some examples, the UE receiving module 710-b may include at least one RF receiving device. The UE receiving module 710-b or RF receiving device may be used to receive various types of data or control signals (i.e., transmissions) over one or more communications links of a wireless communication system, e.g. wireless communication system 100 described with reference to FIG. 1. As an example, the UE receiving module 710-b may be used to receive a service-specific periodic synchronization signal, as described with reference to FIG. 3B. The UE receiving module 710-b may also be used to receive various signals that include one or more forms of SI, as also described with reference to FIG. 3B. Reception and processing of service-specific timing signals and SI signals (e.g., service-specific periodic timing signals 370, 385 of FIG. 3B and service-specific SIBs 375, 390 (of FIG. 3B)) may be further facilitated through module 720- b obtaining SI, as described in more detail below.

In some examples, the UE transmitter module 730-b may include at least one RF transmitter device. The UE transmitter module 730-b or the RF transmitter may be used to transmit various types of data or control signals (i.e., transmissions) over one or more communication links of a wireless communication system, e.g. or more communication links of the wireless communication system 100 described with reference to FIG. 1. As an example, UE transmit module 730-b may be used to transmit a request 372, 388 to the Tx SIB, as described with reference to FIG. 3B. Transmission of the request 372, 388 to the SIB Tx, for example, may be further facilitated through the SI receive module 720-b, as described in more detail below.

SI receiving module 720-b may be used to control one or more aspects of wireless communication for UE 115-f. In particular, at UE 115-f, SI acquisition module 720-b may be used to facilitate acquisition of service-specific SI from base station 105 in accordance with aspects of some embodiments described above. The SI receiving module 720-b may include a service-specific SI receiving modes control module 905, a service-specific SI UE requesting module 910, or an SI receiving module 745-b.

The service-specific SI acquisition mode control module 905 may be used by the UE 115-f to facilitate the reception by the UE 115-f of the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, 385, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. The received service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, 385 may indicate to the UE 115f that the service-specific SI is available to the UE 115-f. The service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, 385 may also indicate whether the UE 115-f should transmit one or more request signals, e.g., request 372, 388 on the Tx SIB, for example, to receive the service-specific SIB 375, 390. For example, UE 115-f may receive a service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370 that indicates to UE 115-f that a service-specific SI is available. The service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370 may indicate that a service-specific SI should be broadcast at a specific time and using specific resources. In this case, the service-specific SI acquisition mode control module 905 may determine that in order to obtain the service-specific SI, the UE 115-f must listen to the service-specific SI at designated times. Alternatively, the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370 may indicate that a service-specific SI should be requested according to a schedule. In this case, the service-specific SI acquisition mode control module 905 may determine that in order to receive the service-specific SI, the UE 115f must transmit one or more requests for the service-specific SI in accordance with the schedule identified by the service-specific SI. periodic signal 370 synchronization services. In yet another embodiment, the service-specific synchronization periodic signal 385 may indicate that the service-specific SI is available via request, but that the UE 115-f must explicitly request the service-specific SI. In this case, the service-specific SI acquisition mode control module 905 may determine that the UE 115-f should identify for which services it requires the SI and then include this identification in the request.

In case the UE 115-f operates in the network using a service-specific SI on-demand mode, which means that the UE 115-f must transmit a request to receive a service-specific SI, the service-specific issuing module 910 The SI UE can be used to facilitate the creation of such a request. As an example, service-specific SI UE request module 910 may be used to formulate any of the SIB Tx requests 372, 388 of FIG. 3B. The service-specific SI UE request module 910 may use information included in the service-specific periodic synchronization signals 370, 385 to determine how to formulate requests 372, 388 for the Tx SIB. For example, the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, 385 may include information indicating where SIB Tx requests 372, 388 should be sent, as well as the timing of such signals.

The SI receiving module 745-b may be used to facilitate the reception of service-specific SI transmitted to the UE 115-f. The service-specific SI may be broadcast without the need for a request sent by the UE 115-f. In this example, the service-specific SI receiving mode control module 905 may indicate to the SI receiving module 745-b that the service-specific SI should be received via broadcast. The SI receiving module 745-b can then facilitate reception of the service-specific SI using information included in the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, such as a given channel or broadcast timing of the service-specific SI. In another example, the service-specific SI may be sent as either a broadcast or a unicast in response to a request sent by the UE 115-d. In these examples, service-specific SI receiving mode control module 905 may indicate to SI receiving module 745 that the service-specific SI should be received as either a broadcast or unicast in response to a request. The SI receiving module 745-b can then facilitate the reception of a service-specific SI using information included in the service-specific periodic synchronization signals 370, 385, such as a given channel or broadcast or unicast time synchronization of the SI.

Fig. 10 shows a block diagram 1000 of a UE 115-g for use in wireless communications, according to various examples. UE 115-g may be an example of one or more aspects of UE 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-9. The UE 115-g may include a UE receiving module 710-c, an SI receiving module 720-c, and/or a UE transmitting module 730-c, which may be examples of corresponding UE modules 115-f (of FIG. 9). UE 115-g may also include a processor (not shown). All of these components can communicate with each other. The SI receiving module 720-c may include a service-specific SI receiving modes control module 905-a, a service-specific SI UE requesting module 910-a, and/or an SI receiving module 745-c. The service-specific SI acquisition mode control module 905-a may further include a synchronization signal receiving module 1005 and/or a service-specific SI acquisition mode determination module 1010. The UE receiving module 710-c and the UE transmitting module 730-c may perform the functions of the UE receiving module 710 and the UE transmitting module 730 in FIG. 7, respectively.

The UE modules 115-g may, individually or collectively, be implemented using one or more ASICs adapted to implement some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing modules (or cores) on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits (eg, structured/platform ASICs, FPGAs, S°Cs, and other semi-custom ICs) may be used and may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each module may also be implemented, in whole or in part, by instructions implemented in a memory device formatted for execution by one or more general purpose or special purpose processors.

The service-specific SI acquisition mode control module 905-a may include a synchronization signal receiving module 10 05 and/or a service-specific SI acquisition mode determination module 1010. The synchronization signal receiving module 1005 may be used by the UE 115-g to facilitate the reception by the UE 115-g of a service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, 385, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. The received service-specific synchronization signal 370, 385 may indicate to the UE 115-g whether a service-specific SI is available to the UE 115-g and whether the UE 115-g should transmit a request signal, e.g., requests 372, 388 on the SIB Tx, for example, to receive a service-specific SI transmission. Thus, the service-specific SI acquisition mode determination module 1010 may be used to determine, from the received service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, 385, that the service-specific SI may be received as one or more broadcasts may be explicitly requested. or may be requested according to the schedule. For example, UE 115-g may receive a service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370 that indicates to UE 115-g that a service-specific SI should be broadcast at a specific time and using specific resources. In this case, the service-specific SI acquisition mode determining unit 1010 may determine that in order to obtain the service-specific SI, the UE 115-g must listen to the service-specific SI at designated times. Alternatively, the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370 may indicate that a service-specific SI should be requested according to a schedule. In this case, the service-specific SI acquisition mode determining module 1010 may determine that in order to obtain the service-specific SI, the UE 115-g must transmit one or more requests for the service-specific SI in accordance with the schedule identified by service-specific synchronization signal 370. In yet another embodiment, the service-specific synchronization periodic signal 385 may indicate that the service-specific SI is available via request, but that the UE 115-g must explicitly request the service-specific SI. In this case, the service-specific SI acquisition mode determination module 1010 may determine that the UE 115-g should identify for which services it requires the SI and then include this identification in the request.

In case the UE 115-g operates in the network using a service-specific SI on-demand mode, the UE service-specific SI request module 910-a may be used to facilitate the creation of such a request. As an example, service-specific SI UE request module 910-a may be used to formulate any of the SIB Tx requests 372, 388 of FIG. 3B. The service-specific SI UE request module 910-a may use information included in the service-specific periodic synchronization signals 370, 385 to determine how to formulate requests 372, 388 to the Tx SIB. For example, the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, 385 may include information indicating where SIB Tx requests 372, 388 should be sent, as well as the timing of such signals.

The SI receiving module 745-c may be used to facilitate the reception of service-specific SI transmitted to the UE 115-g. Service-specific SI can be transmitted as a broadcast

- 26 045271 nal transmission without the need for a request sent by UE 115-g. In this example, the service-specific SI receiving mode determination module 1010 may indicate to the SI receiving module 745-c that the service-specific SI should be received via broadcast. The SI receiving module 745c can then facilitate reception of the service-specific SI using information included in the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, such as a given channel or broadcast timing of the service-specific SI. In another example, the SI may be sent as either a broadcast or a unicast in response to a request sent by the UE 115-g. In these examples, the SI receiving mode determination module 1010 may indicate to the SI receiving module 745-c that the service-specific SI should be received as either a broadcast or a unicast transmission in response to a request. The SI receiving module 745-c can then facilitate receiving the SI using information included in the periodic synchronization signals 370, 385, such as a given channel or broadcast or unicast timing synchronization of the SI.

Fig. 11 shows a block diagram 1100 of a UE 115-h for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. UE 115-h may be an example of aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-10. The UE 115-h may include a UE receiving module 710-d, an SI receiving module 720-d, and/or a UE transmitting module 730-d, which may be examples of corresponding UE modules 115-d (of FIG. 7). UE 115-h may also include a processor (not shown). All of these components can communicate with each other. The SI receiving module 720-d may include a main SI receiving module 1105, an SI processing module 1110, a UE SI request issuing module 1115, and/or another SI receiving module 1120. The UE receiving module 710-d and the UE transmitting module 730-d may perform the functions of the UE receiving module 710 and the UE transmitting module 730 in FIG. 7, respectively. In addition, the UE receiving module 710-d may be used to receive SI signals such as OSIB 440, 445, 640, or 645 of FIG. 4 and 6; and the UE transmitter 730-d may be used to transmit SI signals such as the MSIB transmission request signal 332, 345, 360, 415 or 615 of FIG. 3A, 4 and 6 or the OSIB transfer request 430 or 630 of FIG. 4 and 6.

The UE modules 115-e may, individually or collectively, be implemented using one or more ASICs adapted to implement some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing modules (or cores) on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits (eg, structured/platform ASICs, FPGAs, S°Cs, and other semi-custom ICs) may be used and may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each module may also be implemented, in whole or in part, by instructions implemented in a memory device formatted for execution by one or more general purpose or special purpose processors.

The main SI receiving unit 1105 may be used to receive a first set of system information (eg, main system information, eg, main system information included in the MSIB received at 420 in FIG. 4).

SI processing module 1110 may be used to determine, at least in part based on the first set of system information, that additional system information (e.g., non-major system information, e.g., other system information described with reference to FIG. 4) available.

The UE SI request issuing module 1115 may be used to transmit a request (eg, an OSIB transfer request sent at 430 in FIG. 4) for additional system information. In some examples, the UE SI request issuing module 1115 may transmit multiple requests for additional system information. In some examples, a single OSIB transfer request may indicate one or more additional system information items that the UE 115-h wishes to receive (e.g., a binary value in the OSIB transfer request may be set to true for each additional system information item that the UE 115-h wants to receive). -h wants to accept). In other examples, the UE 115-h may request certain types of additional system information in various OSIB transfer requests, and the UE SI request issuing module 1115 may be used to transmit multiple OSIB transfer requests.

Another SI receiving module 1120 may be used to receive additional system information (eg, to receive other system information included in the OSIB received at 440 or 445 in FIG. 4).

In some embodiments, receiving a first set of system information using the main SI acquisition module 1105 may include receiving an indicator regarding one or more sets of additional system information that are available. In some embodiments, transmitting a request for additional system information using SI request issuing module 1115 may include identifying, in the request for additional system information, one or more sets of additional system information. In some embodiments, one or more sets of additional system information identified in the request for additional system information may include one or more sets of additional system information specified in the first set of system information.

In some embodiments, receiving additional system information using another SI acquisition module 1120 may include at least one of the following: receiving system information indicating which RATs are available in the region and how UE 115-h should select an available RAT (eg, UE mobility rules and policies); receiving system information indicating what services are available in the region and how the UE 115-h should obtain the available service; receiving system information associated with the MBMS or PWS service; receiving system information related to location, positioning, or navigation services; or receiving system information at least in part based on the determined location of the UE 115-h.

In some embodiments, transmitting a request for additional system information using the UE SI request issuing module 1115 may include including one or more characteristics of the UE in the request. In these embodiments, receiving additional system information using another SI acquisition module 1120 may include receiving system information based at least in part on one or more characteristics of the UE 115-h included in the request.

In some embodiments, transmitting a request for additional system information using the UE SI request issuing module 1115 may include including the location of the UE 115-h in the request. In these embodiments, receiving additional system information using another SI acquisition module 1120 may include receiving system information based at least in part on the location of the UE 115-h included in the request.

In some embodiments, transmitting a request for additional system information using the UE SI request issuing module 1115 may include including the identity of the UE 115-h in the request. In these embodiments, receiving additional system information using another SI acquisition module 1120 may include receiving system information based at least in part on the identity of the UE 115-h included in the request.

Fig. 12 shows a block diagram 1200 of a UE 115-i for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. UE 115-i may be an example of aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-11. The UE 115-i may include a receiving UE module 710-e, an SI receiving module 720-e, and/or a transmitting UE module 730-e, which may be examples of corresponding UE modules 115-d, 115-f, or 115-h (according to Fig. 7, 9 or 11). UE 115-i may also include a processor (not shown). All of these components can communicate with each other. The SI receiving module 720-e may include a synchronization signal processing module 1205, a main SI receiving module 1105-a, an SI processing module 1110-a, a UE SI request issuing module 1115-a, or another SI receiving module 1120-a. The UE receiving module 710-e and the UE transmitting module 730-e may perform the functions of the UE receiving module 710 and the UE transmitting module 730 in FIG. 7, 9 or 11.

The UE modules 115-i may, individually or collectively, be implemented using one or more ASICs adapted to implement some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing modules (or cores) on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits (eg, structured/platform ASICs, FPGAs, S°Cs, and other semi-custom ICs) may be used and may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each module may also be implemented, in whole or in part, by instructions implemented in a memory device formatted for execution by one or more general purpose or special purpose processors.

The synchronization signal processing unit 1205 may be used to decode information received from the downlink channel. The decoded information may indicate that major system information (eg, MSIB) is received in response to a request for major system information (eg, an MSIB transfer request, eg, an MSIB transfer request sent at 415 in FIG. 4). In some examples, the downlink channel may include a synchronization signal (eg, an instance of the periodic synchronization signal received at 405 in FIG. 4). The decoded information may include information decoded from the synchronization signal.

The UE SI request issuing unit 1115-a may be used to transmit a request for main system information in accordance with information decoded from the downlink channel by the synchronization signal processing unit 1205.

The main SI receiving unit 1105-a may be used to receive main system information (eg, the main system information included in the MSIB received at 420 in FIG. 4). The main system information may include system information that enables the UE 115-i to perform initial network access using one or more of a network identity, a base station identity in the network, a cell selection configuration, and an access or network access restriction configuration.

SI processing module 1110-a may be used to determine, at least in part based on the main system information, that additional system information (eg, non-main system information, e.g., other system information described with reference to FIG. 4) available.

The UE SI request issuing module 1115-a may also be used to transmit a request (eg, an OSIB transfer request sent at 430 in FIG. 4) for additional system information. In some examples, the UE SI request issuing module 1115-a may transmit multiple requests for additional system information. In some examples, a single OSIB transfer request may indicate one or more additional system information items that the UE 115-i wishes to receive (e.g., a binary value in the OSIB transfer request may be set to true for each additional system information item that UE 115-i wants to receive). In other examples, the UE 115-i may request certain types of additional system information in various OSIB transfer requests, and the UE SI request issuing module 1115-a may be used to transmit multiple OSIB transfer requests.

The other SI receiving module 1120-a may be used to receive additional system information (eg, to receive other system information included in the OSIB received at 440 or 445 in FIG. 4).

In some embodiments, receiving main system information using main SI acquisition module 1105-a may include receiving an indicator regarding one or more sets of additional system information that are available. In some embodiments, transmitting a request for additional system information using the UE SI request issuing module 1115-a may include identifying, in the request for additional system information, one or more sets of additional system information. In some embodiments, one or more sets of additional system information identified in the request for additional system information may include one or more sets of additional system information identified in the main system information.

Fig. 13 shows a block diagram 1300 of a UE 115-j for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. UE 115-j may be an example of aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-12. The UE 115-j may include a UE receiving module 710-f, an SI receiving module 720-f, or a UE transmitting module 730-f, which may be examples of corresponding UE modules 115-d (of FIG. 7). UE 115-j may also include a processor (not shown). All of these components can communicate with each other. The SI receiving module 720-f may include a signal processing module 1305 or a UE SI request issuing module 1310. The UE receiving module 710-f and the UE transmitting module 730-f may perform the functions of the UE receiving module 710 and the UE transmitting module 730 in FIG. 7, respectively. In addition, the UE receiving module 710-f may be used to receive SI signals such as the OSIB 440, 445, 640, or 645 of FIG. 4 and 6, value tag associated with the SI, or zone identifier; and the UE transmitter 730-f may be used to transmit SI signals such as the MSIB transmission request signal 332, 345, 360, 415 or 615 of FIG. 3A, 4 and 6 or the OSIB transfer request 430 or 630 of FIG. 4 and 6.

The UE modules 115-j may, individually or collectively, be implemented using one or more ASICs adapted to implement some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing modules (or cores) on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits (eg, structured/platform ASICs, FPGAs, S°Cs, and other semi-custom ICs) may be used and may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each module may also be implemented, in whole or in part, by instructions implemented in a memory device formatted for execution by one or more general or specialized processors.

Signal processing module 1305 may be used to receive a first signal (eg, a sync signal or paging message, e.g., an instance of a periodic sync signal or paging message received at 605 in FIG. 6, or an MSIB received at 620 in FIG. Fig. 6). In some cases, the signal processing module 1305 may receive the first signal while the UE 115-j communicates with the network using the first system information. The signal processing module 1305 may also be used to determine, at least in part based on the first signal, whether to request updated system information.

The UE SI request issuing module 1310 may be used to request updated system information (eg, to issue an MSIB transfer request sent to

615 in Fig. 6, or an OSIB transfer request sent to 630 in FIG. 6), at least in part based on the determination made by signal processing module 1305.

In some embodiments, determining whether to request updated system information using signal processing module 1305 may include at least one of the following: identifying that UE 115-j has moved into the area using second system information that is different from first system information; identifying that the network modifies at least a portion of the first system information; or identifying that the UE 115-j has moved more than a predetermined distance from the location at which the UE 115-j received the first system information last time (eg, from the location at which the UE received the first system information last time).

In some embodiments, receiving the first signal using signal processing module 1305 may include receiving an area identifier (eg, an area code, BSIC, or other cell identifier). In some cases, the zone identifier may be received as part of the synchronization signal. In some cases, the zone ID may be transmitted as part of the synchronization signal. In some cases, the zone identifier may identify one of the neighboring RAT zones 510, 515, or 520, described with reference to FIG. 5. In these embodiments, the signal processing module 1305 may use the zone identifier to identify that the UE 115-j has moved from the first zone to the second zone. In some embodiments, determining whether to request updated system information using the signal processing module 1305 may include identifying a distance between the current location of the UE 115-j and the location at which the UE 115-j received the first system information at a previous time (e.g., the last time times), and determining that the identified distance exceeds a predetermined threshold value. In some cases, a predetermined threshold value may be received from the network. In some cases, a location signal identifying the location of the UE 115-j may also be received. The location signal may be received, for example, as part of receiving the first signal. The location signal can also be received in other ways, for example, through a global navigation satellite system (GNSS; for example, GPS, Galileo, GLONASS or BeiDou).

Fig. 14 shows a block diagram 1400 of a UE 115-k for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. UE 115-k may be an example of aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-13. The UE 115-k may include a UE receiving module 710-g, an SI receiving module 720-g, or a UE transmitting module 730-g, which may be examples of corresponding UE modules 115-d or 115-j (of FIG. 7, 9 or 11). UE 115-k may also be or include a processor (not shown). All of these components can communicate with each other. The SI receiving module 720-g may include a signal processing module 1305-a or a UE SI request issuing module 1310-a. The UE receiving module 710-g and the UE transmitting module 730-g may perform the functions of the UE receiving module 710 and the UE transmitting module 730 in FIG. 7, 9 or 11.

The UE modules 115-k may, individually or collectively, be implemented using one or more ASICs adapted to implement some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing modules (or cores) on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits (eg, structured/platform ASICs, FPGAs, S°Cs, and other semi-custom ICs) may be used and may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each module may also be implemented, in whole or in part, by instructions implemented in a memory device formatted for execution by one or more general or specialized processors.

Signal processing module 1305-a may be used to receive a first signal (eg, a sync signal or paging message, e.g., an instance of a periodic sync signal or paging message received at 605 in FIG. 6, or an MSIB received at 620 in Fig. 6). In some cases, the signal processing module 1305-a may receive the first signal while the UE 115-k communicates with the network using the first system information, and the first signal may include an indication that at least a portion of the first system information has been changed.

The signal processing module 1305-a may include a module 1405 for processing modification flags or value tags. Modification flag or value tag processing module 1405 may be used, in some examples, to receive one or more modification flags, each of which indicates, through the value of a counter or a Boolean variable (e.g., a binary value), that a corresponding portion of the first system information has been modified. . In some

- 30 045271 examples, the corresponding part of the first system information may include a part of the main system information, for example, an MSIB or an MSIB element. In other examples, the corresponding portion of the first system information may include additional non-major system information, for example, an OSIB or an OSIB element. The main system information may include one or more of network identification information, identification information of a base station in the network, cell selection configuration, and access restriction or network access configuration information. The main system information may also or alternatively include, for example, one or more other elements of the main system information described with reference to FIG. 3A. Additional non-major system information may include one or more elements of other system information described with reference to FIG. 4 or 6. In some embodiments, the modification flag may be received with (or as part of) the first signal.

Modification flag or value tag processing module 1405 may also be used, in some examples, to receive one or more value tags corresponding to at least a portion (or various portions) of the first system information that is modified. In some examples, one or more value tags may correspond to one or more pieces of major system information (e.g., one or more MSIBs, or one or more elements of one or more MSIBs), one or more pieces of additional non-major system information (e.g., one or more OSIB or one or more elements of one or more OSIBs) or a combination of the above. The main system information may include one or more of network identification information, identification information of a base station in the network, cell selection configuration, and access restriction or network access configuration information. The main system information may also or alternatively include, for example, one or more other elements of the main system information described with reference to FIG. 3A. Additional non-major system information may include one or more elements of other system information described with reference to FIG. 4 or 6. In some embodiments, one or more value tags may be received with (or as part of) the first signal.

Signal processing module 1305-a or modification flag or value tag processing module 1405 may also be used to determine, based at least in part on the first signal, a modification flag included in the first signal or one or more value tags included at the first signal in order to request updated system information. In some cases, determining whether to request updated system information may include determining that a received modification flag is set to true. In some cases, determining whether to request updated system information may include comparing a received value tag with a previously received value tag and determining whether to request updated system information based at least in part on the comparison (e.g., determining whether to request updated system information when value tags do not match).

The UE SI request issuing module 1310-a may be used to request updated system information based at least in part on a determination made by the signal processing module 1305-a (for example, to transmit an MSIB transfer request to 615 on Fig. 6 or send an OSIB transfer request to 630 in Fig. 6).

Fig. 15 shows a block diagram 1500 of a UE 115-1 for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The UE 115-1 may have various configurations and may be included in or form part of a personal computer (e.g., laptop, netbook, tablet computer, etc.), cell phone, smartphone, PDA, wireless modem, USB dongle, wireless Router, Digital Video Recorder (DVR), Internet Connected Device, Game Console, E-Book Reader, etc. The UE 115-1, in some examples, may have an internal power source (not shown), such as a small battery, to facilitate mobile operation. In some examples, UE 115-1 may be an example of aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-14. The UE 115-1 may be configured to implement at least some of the UE features and functions described with reference to FIG. 1-14.

The UE 115-1 may include a UE processor module 1510, a UE storage module 1520, at least one UE transceiver module (represented by UE transceiver module(s) 1530), at least one a UE antenna (represented by UE antenna 1540) and/or an SI receiving module 720-h. All of these components may communicate with each other, directly or indirectly, over one or more buses 1535.

The UE storage module 1520 may include random access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM). The UE memory module 1520 may store computer-readable computer executable code 1525 containing instructions that are configured, when executed, to instruct the UE processor module 1510 to perform various functions described herein related to wireless communications.

- 31 045271 including, for example, the transmission of a pilot signal. Alternatively, code 1525 may not be directly executable by UE processor module 1510, but is configured to instruct UE 115-1 (eg, after compiling and executing) to perform various functions described herein.

The UE processor module 1510 may include an intelligent hardware device, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an ASIC, etc. UE processor module 1510 may process information received through UE transceiver module(s) 1530 or information to be sent to UE transceiver module(s) 1530 for transmission via UE antenna(s) 1540. UE processor module 1510 may handle various aspects of communication (or communication control) over a wireless environment.

UE transceiver module 1530 may include a modem configured to modulate packets and provide modulated packets to UE antenna 1540 for transmission and demodulate packets received from UE antenna 1540. UE transceiver module 1530, in some examples, may be implemented as one or more transmitting UE modules and one or more separate receiving UE modules. UE transceiver module(s) 1530 may communicate over one or more wireless channels. UE transceiver module(s) 1530 may be configured to communicate bidirectionally, via UE antenna(s) 1540, with one or more base stations, for example, with one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 1, 2, 4, or 6. Although the UE 115-1 may include a single UE antenna, examples may be provided in which the UE 115-1 may include multiple UE antennas 1540.

The UE state control module 1550 may be used, for example, to manage the transitions of the UE 115-1 between RRC connection states and may communicate with other components of the UE 115-1, directly or indirectly, on one or more buses 1535. The control module 1550 The UE states or portions thereof may include a processor, and/or some or all of the functions of the UE state control module 1550 may be performed by the UE processor module 1510 and/or in connection with the UE processor module 1510.

The SI acquisition module 720-h may be configured to implement or control some or all of the system information acquisition features or functions described with reference to FIG. 1-14. The SI acquisition module 720-h, or portions thereof, may include a processor, or some or all of the functions of the SI acquisition module 720-h may be performed by the UE processor module 1510 or in connection with the UE processor module 1510. In some examples, SI acquisition module 720-h may be an example of SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 714.

Fig. 16 shows a block diagram 1600 of a base station 105-e for wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Base station 105-e may be an example of one or more aspects of base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 1-6. Base station 105-e may also be or include a processor. Base station 105-e may include a base station receiving module (or RRH) 1610, an SI transmitting module 1620, or a base station transmitting module (or RRH) 1630. The SI transmission module 1620 may include an SI transmission mode control module 1635, a base station SI request issuing module 1640, or an SI transmission module 1645. All of these modules can communicate with each other. In base station 105-e configurations including one or more RRHs, aspects of one or more modules 1610, 1620, or 1630 may be moved to each of the one or more RRHs.

Base station 105-e, through base station receiving module 1610, SI transmitting module 1620, and/or base station transmitting module 1630, may be configured to perform aspects of the functions described herein. For example, base station 105-e may be configured to determine a transmission mode of the SI, receive requests for the SI (eg, from UE 115), and transmit the SI in accordance with one or more of the received requests and determined transmission modes, as described in more detail herein. document.

The components of base station 105-e may, individually or collectively, be implemented using one or more ASICs adapted to implement some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing modules (or cores) on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits (eg, structured/platform ASICs, FPGAs, S°Cs, and other semi-custom ICs) may be used and may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each component may also be implemented, in whole or in part, by instructions implemented in a memory device formatted for execution by one or more general purpose or special purpose processors.

In some examples, base station receiving module 1610 may include at least one RF receiving device. The base station receiving module 1610 or RF receiving device may be used to receive various types of data or control signals (i.e., transmissions) over one or more communication links of a wireless communication system, e.g. communications of the wireless communication system 100 described with reference to FIG. 1. As an example, a base station receiving module 1610 may be used to receive an MSIB transmission request signal 332, 345, 360, as described with reference to FIG. 3A, 3B and 4. Reception and processing of SI request signals (eg, MSIB transfer request signal 332, 345, 360 of FIG. 3A) may be further facilitated through SI transfer module 1620, as described in more detail below.

In some examples, base station transmitter module 1630 may include at least one RF transmitter device. The base station transmitter module 1630 or RF transmitter may be used to transmit various types of data or control signals (i.e., transmissions) over one or more wireless communication system links, e.g. 100 wireless communication described with reference to FIG. 1. As an example, base station transmit module 1630 may be used to transmit a periodic synchronization signal 310, 325, 340, or 355, as described with reference to FIG. 3A, 3B and 4. Base station transmit module 1630 may also be used to transmit various signals that include one or more forms of SI, for example, broadcast MSIBs 315, 330, 342 or unicast MSIB 358, as also described with reference to FIG. 3A, 3B, and 4. Transmission of synchronization signals and SI signals may be further facilitated through SI transmission module 1620, as described in more detail below.

SI transmission module 1620 may be used to control one or more aspects of wireless communications for base station 105-e. In particular, SI transmit module 1620 may be used to facilitate SI transmission from base station 105-e in accordance with aspects of some embodiments described above. The SI transmission module 1620 may include an SI transmission mode control module 1635, a base station SI request issuing module 1640, or an SI transmission module 1645.

The SI transmission mode control module 1635 may be used by the base station 105-e to facilitate the determination by the base station 105-e of the SI transmission mode and transmission by the base station 105-e of the periodic synchronization signal 310, 325, 340, 355, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3A and 4. Examples of various transmission modes can be illustrated and described above with respect to FIGS. 3A. For example, one transmission mode may include SI broadcast having a fixed periodic scheduling and targeting a cell edge, as illustrated in transmit/receive timeline 305 of FIG. 3A. In this example, base station 105 may transmit a periodic synchronization signal 310, which may indicate to the UE 115 that SI information should be broadcast periodically without the UE 115 needing to transmit a specific request for the SI. This SI transmission mode may advantageously be used when multiple UEs 115 request SI. Since the SI transmission is a broadcast transmission, the number of UEs 115 requiring SI does not affect the SI transmission. However, this SI transmission mode may also include some disadvantages. Namely, a broadcast that targets a cell edge may require significant transmit power and thus may result in wasted radio resources if the number of UEs 115 assigned to the cell or area is low. Additionally, in this transmission mode, the base station 105-e can broadcast the SI regardless of the number of UEs 115 assigned to the cell or area. Even if the UEs 115 are not assigned to a cell or area, the base station 105-e may continue to broadcast SI, thereby resulting in wasted resources and possible interference.

Another transmission mode may include SI broadcast having periodic on-demand scheduling that is targeted to the cell edge, as illustrated in transmit/receive timeline 320 of FIG. 3A. In this example, base station 105-e may transmit a periodic synchronization signal 325, which may indicate to the UE 115 that SI information should be broadcast periodically in response to the MSIB transmission request signal 332. This SI transmission mode can advantageously be used such that the base station 105-e does not necessarily need to perform resource allocation and data scheduling on a per-UE basis, but can only continue periodic broadcasting. Additionally, if the UE 115 does not request SI, the base station 105-e may stop its broadcasts in order to save power and reduce interference. On the other hand, broadcast transmission aimed at the cell edge may still require significant power consumption, which may still result in power loss and possible interference.

Yet another transmission mode may include SI broadcast having aperiodic on-demand scheduling that is targeted to a group of UEs 115, as illustrated in transmit/receive timeline 335 of FIG. 3A. In this example, base station 105-e may transmit a periodic synchronization signal 340, which may indicate to the UE 115 that SI information should be aperiodically broadcast in response to signal 345

- 33 045271 MSIB transfer requests. This SI transmission mode may advantageously be used such that the base station 105-e is able to stop transmitting SIs when UEs do not request SIs, thereby saving power and reducing possible interference. Additionally, since base station 105-e targets only a group of UEs 115 (instead of a cell edge), less transmit power is required. However, in this transmission mode, base station 105-e may have to optimize SI transmission for groups of UEs, thereby potentially imposing a higher processing load. Additionally, this mode is still not as efficient as unicast, although the efficiency may depend on the number of UEs 115 requesting the SI.

The fourth transmission mode may include unicast SI transmission having aperiodic on-demand scheduling that targets a single UE 115, as illustrated in transmit/receive timeline 350 of FIG. 3A. In this example, base station 105-e may transmit a periodic synchronization signal 355, which may indicate to the UE 115 that SI information should be aperiodically transmitted in unicast mode in response to the MSIB transmission request signal 360. This SI transmission mode has the advantages of allowing base station 105-e to stop transmitting SIs when UEs 115 do not request SIs, and can provide high efficiency in providing SIs to UEs 115. However, this mode may have a concomitant increase in processing loads at base station 105-e.

The transmission modes described above are generally described using the terms broadcast and unicast, which may most appropriately be used when the network in which base station 105-e participates is a non-massive MIMO network. On the other hand, if a massive MIMO environment is configured, wide-beam and narrow-beam transmissions can be used instead of broadcast or unicast transmissions. A wide beam transmission may provide wide coverage that can serve more than one UE 115, although a wide beam transmission may require additional radio resources relative to a narrow beam transmission that serves only one UE 115.

In general, the wide beam or broadcast mode of operation offers better performance in situations where there are many UEs 115 attempting to receive SI, while the narrow beam or unicast mode of operation offers better performance in situations where there are fewer UEs 115 attempting to receive SI.

The SI transmission mode control module 1635, for example, may facilitate transition between transmission modes. One implementation may include changing transmission modes based on the number of UEs 115 requesting to receive SIs, network load, congestion conditions, or available radio resources.

For example, in a non-massive MIMO situation, if the number of UEs 115 requesting to receive an SI exceeds a predetermined threshold number N, then the SI transmission mode control module 1635 may determine whether to include an indicator in the periodic synchronization signal 310 that indicates that the SI should periodically broadcast (eg, the indicator may indicate that the SI transmission is fixed). In this situation, base station 105-e may periodically broadcast the SI without requiring a specific SI request from the UE 115, and the UE 115 may obtain the SI by tracking the SI-RNTI and/or the RNTI assigned to the associated UE (e.g., C -RNTI/Z-RNTI) if present, for example, and as described above.

However, in a non-massive MIMO situation, the number of UEs 115 requesting to receive SI is not greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold number N or less than a predetermined threshold number N2, the SI transmission mode control module 1635 may determine whether to include an indicator in the periodic signal 325 , 340, 355 synchronization, which indicates that the SI should be transmitted in response to the request (for example, the indicator may indicate that the SI transmission is performed on request). In this situation, the base station 105-e may transmit the SI in response to a specific SI request from the UE 115, and the UE 115 may obtain the SI by tracking the SI-RNTI and/or the RNTI assigned to the associated UE (eg, C-RNTI/ Z-RNTI) if present, for example, and as described above. In this situation, base station 105-e may transmit the SI by either broadcasting the SI in accordance with periodic on-demand scheduling aimed at the cell edge, broadcasting the SI in accordance with aperiodic on-demand scheduling targeting the group of UEs 115, or unicast transmission SI in accordance with aperiodic on-demand scheduling targeting a single UE 115.

In a massive MIMO situation, if the number of UEs 115 requesting to receive an SI exceeds a predetermined threshold number N, then the SI transmission mode control module 1635 may determine to include an indicator in the periodic synchronization signal 310 that indicates that the SI should be periodically transmitted through wide beam mode of operation (for example, the indicator may indicate that the SI transmission is fixed). In this situation, base station 105-e may periodically transmit via wide beam SI without requiring a specific SI request from UE 115, and UE 115 may obtain SI through SI-RNTI snooping and/or

- 34 045271

The RNTI assigned to the associated UE (eg, C-RNTI/Z-RNTI), if present, for example, and as described above.

However, in a massive MIMO situation, the number of UEs 115 requesting to receive SI is not greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold number N or less than a predetermined threshold number N2, the SI transmission mode control module 1635 may determine whether to include an indicator in the periodic signal 325 , 340, 355 synchronization, which indicates that the SI should be transmitted in response to the request (for example, the indicator may indicate that the SI transmission is performed on request). SI transmission can be either wide beam or narrow beam. In this situation, the base station 105-e may transmit the SI in response to a specific SI request from the UE 115, and the UE 115 may obtain the SI by tracking the SI-RNTI and/or the RNTI assigned to the associated UE (eg, C-RNTI/ Z-RNTI) if present, for example, and as described above. In this situation, base station 105-e may transmit SI either by using wide beam SI transmission in accordance with periodic on-demand scheduling targeted at the cell edge, using wide beam SI transmission in accordance with aperiodic on-demand scheduling aimed at a group of UEs 115, or by using narrow beam SI transmission in accordance with aperiodic on-demand scheduling targeting a single UE 115.

In case the base station 105-e operates in the network using the SI on-demand mode, which means that the base station 105-e must receive a request from the UE 115 before transmitting the SI by the base station 105-e, the SI issuing module 1640 base station requests may be used to facilitate the reception of such a request. As an example, the base station SI request issuing module 1640 may be used to receive any of the MSIB transmission request signals 332, 345, 360 of FIG. 3A. The MSIB transfer request signals 332, 345, 360 may be sent in accordance with information included in the periodic synchronization signals 325, 340, 355, such as the assignment and/or timing that should be used for the MSIB request signals 332, 345, 360. MSIB transfer.

The SI transmission module 1645 may be used to facilitate transmission of the SI to the UE 115. The SI may be transmitted as a broadcast or wide beam mode of operation without the need for a request sent by the UE 115. In this example, the SI transmission mode control module 1635 may indicate to the module 1645 for SI transmission is that the SI must be transmitted via broadcast or wide beam mode of operation. The SI transmission module 1645 may then facilitate the SI transmission in accordance with information included in the periodic synchronization signal 310, such as a given channel or broadcast timing synchronization of the SI. In another example, the SI may be transmitted as either a broadcast or a unicast (either a wide beam mode of operation or a narrow beam mode of operation) in response to a request sent by the UE 115. In these examples, the transmission mode control module 1635 of the SI may indicate to the module 1645 for SI transmission is that the SI must be transmitted as either a broadcast transmission or a unicast transmission (either wide-beam operation mode or narrow-beam operation mode) in response to the request. The SI transmission module 1645 may then facilitate the transmission of the SI in accordance with information included in the periodic synchronization signals 325, 340, 355, such as the use of a predetermined channel or broadcast or unicast time synchronization of the SI (either wide beam mode of operation or narrow beam mode of operation). .

Fig. 17 shows a block diagram 1700 of a base station 105-f for use in wireless communications, according to various examples. Base station 105-f may be an example of one or more aspects of base station 105 described with reference to FIG. 1-6 and 14. The base station 105-f may include a base station receiving module (or RRH) 1610-a, an SI transmitting module 1620-a, or a base station transmitting module (or RRH) 1630-a, which may be examples of corresponding base station modules 105-e (as shown in FIG. 16). Base station 105-f may also include a processor (not shown). All of these components can communicate with each other. The SI transmission module 1620-a may include an SI transmission mode control module 1635-a, a base station SI request issuing module 1640-a, or an SI transmission module 1645-a. The SI transmission mode control module 1635-a may further include a synchronization signal transmission module 1705 or an SI transmission mode determination module 1710. The base station receiving module 1610-a and the base station transmitting module 1630-a may perform the functions of the base station receiving module 1610 and the base station transmitting module 1630 of FIG. 16, respectively. In base station 105-f configurations including one or more RRHs, aspects of one or more modules 1610-a, 1620-a, or 1630-a may be moved to each of the one or more RRHs.

The base station modules 105-f may, individually or collectively, be implemented using one or more ASICs adapted to implement some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing modules (or cores) on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits (eg, structured/platform ASICs, FPGAs, S°Cs, and other semi-custom ICs) may be used and may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each module may also be implemented, in whole or in part, by instructions implemented in a memory device formatted for execution by one or more general purpose or special purpose processors.

The synchronization signal transmission unit 1705 of the SI transmission mode control module 1635-a may be used by the base station 105-f to transmit a periodic synchronization signal to indicate to the UE 115 whether SI acquisition should be performed through a fixed periodic mode or through a random mode. request. The synchronization signal transmission module 1705 may transmit a periodic synchronization signal 310, 325, 340, 355, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3A.

The base station 105-f may further operate in a specific SI transmission mode, which may be determined by the SI transmission mode determination module 1710. Examples of various transmission modes can be illustrated and described above with respect to FIG. 3A. For example, one transmission mode may include SI broadcast having a fixed periodic scheduling and targeting a cell edge, as illustrated in transmit/receive timeline 305 of FIG. 3A. In this example, base station 105-f may transmit a periodic synchronization signal 310, which may indicate to the UE 115 that SI information should be periodically broadcast without the UE 115 needing to transmit a specific request for the SI.

Another transmission mode may include SI broadcast having periodic on-demand scheduling that is targeted to the cell edge, as illustrated in transmit/receive timeline 320 of FIG. 3A. In this example, the base station 105-f may transmit a periodic synchronization signal 325, which may indicate to the UE 115 that SI information should be broadcast periodically in response to the MSIB transmission request signal 332.

Yet another transmission mode may include SI broadcast having aperiodic on-demand scheduling that is targeted to a group of UEs 115, as illustrated in transmit/receive timeline 335 of FIG. 3A. In this example, base station 105-f may transmit a periodic synchronization signal 340, which may indicate to the UE 115 that SI information should be aperiodically broadcast in response to the MSIB transmission request signal 345.

The fourth transmission mode may include unicast SI transmission having aperiodic on-demand scheduling that targets a single UE 115, as illustrated in transmit/receive timeline 350 of FIG. 3A. In this example, base station 105-f may transmit a periodic synchronization signal 355, which may indicate to the UE 115 that SI information should be aperiodically transmitted in unicast mode in response to the MSIB transmission request signal 360.

The transmission modes described above are generally described using the terms broadcast and unicast, which can most appropriately be used when the network in which the base station 105-f participates is a non-massive MIMO network. On the other hand, if a massive MIMO environment is configured, wide-beam and narrow-beam transmissions can be used instead of broadcast or unicast transmissions. A wide beam transmission may provide wide coverage that can serve more than one UE 115, although a wide beam transmission may require additional radio resources relative to a narrow beam transmission that serves only one UE 115.

In general, the wide beam or broadcast mode of operation offers better performance in situations where there are many UEs 115 attempting to receive SI, while the narrow beam or unicast mode of operation offers better performance in situations where there are fewer UEs 115 attempting to receive SI.

SI transmission mode determination module 1710, for example, may facilitate transition between transmission modes. One implementation may include changing transmission modes based on the number of UEs 115 requesting to receive SIs, network load, congestion conditions, or available radio resources.

For example, in a non-massive MIMO situation, if the number of UEs 115 requesting to receive an SI exceeds a predetermined threshold number N, then the SI transmission mode determination module 1710 may determine whether to include an indicator in the periodic synchronization signal 310 that indicates that the SI should periodically broadcast (eg, the indicator may indicate that the SI transmission is fixed). In this situation, the base station 105-f may periodically broadcast the SI without requiring a specific SI request from the UE 115, and the UE 115 may obtain the SI by tracking the SI-RNTI and/or the RNTI assigned to the associated UE (e.g., C -RNTI/Z-RNTI) if present, for example, and as described above.

- 36 045271

However, in a non-massive MIMO situation, the number of UEs 115 requesting to receive SI is not greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold number N or less than a predetermined threshold number N2, the SI transmission mode determination module 1710 may determine whether to include an indicator in the periodic signal 325 , 340, 355 synchronization, which indicates that the SI should be transmitted in response to the request (for example, the indicator may indicate that the SI transmission is performed on request). In this situation, the base station 105-f may transmit the SI in response to a specific SI request from the UE 115, and the UE 115 may obtain the SI by tracking the SI-RNTI and/or the RNTI assigned to the associated UE (eg, C-RNTI/ Z-RNTI) if present, for example, and as described above. In this situation, the base station 105-f may transmit the SI by either broadcasting the SI in accordance with periodic on-demand scheduling aimed at the cell edge, broadcasting the SI in accordance with aperiodic on-demand scheduling targeting the group of UEs 115, or unicast transmission SI in accordance with aperiodic on-demand scheduling targeting a single UE 115.

In a massive MIMO situation, if the number of UEs 115 requesting to receive an SI exceeds a predetermined threshold number N, then the SI transmission mode determination module 1710 may determine to include an indicator in the periodic synchronization signal 310 that indicates that the SI should be periodically transmitted by wide beam mode of operation (for example, the indicator may indicate that the SI transmission is fixed). In this situation, the base station 105-f may periodically transmit via widebeam SI without requiring a specific SI request from the UE 115, and the UE 115 may obtain the SI by tracking the SIRNTI and/or RNTI assigned to the associated UE (e.g., C-RNTI /Z-RNTI) if present, for example, and as described above.

However, in a massive MIMO situation, the number of UEs 115 requesting to receive SI is not greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold number N or less than a predetermined threshold number N2, the SI transmission mode determination module 1710 may determine whether to include an indicator in the periodic signal 325 , 340, 355 synchronization, which indicates that the SI should be transmitted in response to the request (for example, the indicator may indicate that the SI transmission is performed on request). SI transmission can be either wide beam or narrow beam. In this situation, the base station 105-f may transmit the SI in response to a specific SI request from the UE 115, and the UE 115 may obtain the SI by tracking the SI-RNTI and/or the RNTI assigned to the associated UE (eg, C-RNTI/ Z-RNTI) if present, for example, and as described above. In this situation, the base station 105-f may transmit the SI either by using wide-beam transmission of the SI in accordance with periodic on-demand scheduling aimed at the cell edge, using wide-beam transmission of the SI in accordance with aperiodic on-demand scheduling aimed at the group of UEs 115, or by using narrow beam SI transmission in accordance with aperiodic on-demand scheduling targeting a single UE 115.

In case the base station 105-f operates in the network using the SI on-demand mode, which means that the base station 105-f must receive a request from the UE 115 before transmitting the SI by the base station 105-f, the issuing module 1640-a Base station SI requests may be used to facilitate the reception of such a request. As an example, the base station SI request issuing module 1640-a may be used to receive any of the MSIB transmission request signals 332, 345, 360 of FIG. 3A. The MSIB transfer request signals 332, 345, 360 may be sent in accordance with information included in the periodic synchronization signals 325, 340, 355, such as the assignment and/or timing that should be used for the MSIB request signals 332, 345, 360. MSIB transfer.

The SI transmission module 1645-a may be used to facilitate transmission of the SI to the UE 115. The SI may be transmitted as a broadcast or wide beam mode of operation without the need for a request sent by the UE 115. In this example, the SI transmission mode control module 1635-a may indicate to the SI transmission module 1645-a that the SI should be transmitted via broadcast or wide beam mode of operation. The SI transmission module 1645-a can then facilitate the transmission of the SI in accordance with information included in the periodic synchronization signal 310, such as a given channel or broadcast timing synchronization of the SI. In another example, the SI may be transmitted as either a broadcast or a unicast (either a wide beam mode of operation or a narrow beam mode of operation) in response to a request sent by the UE 115. In these examples, the SI transmission mode control module 1635-a may indicate module 1645-a for SI transmission is that the SI must be transmitted as either a broadcast transmission or a unicast transmission (either wide beam mode of operation or narrow beam mode of operation) in response to the request. The SI transmission module 1645-a may then facilitate the transmission of the SI in accordance with information included in the periodic synchronization signals 325, 340, 355, such as the use of a predetermined channel or broadcast or unicast time synchronization of the SI (either wide beam mode of operation or narrow beam mode work).

- 37 045271

Fig. 18 shows a block diagram 1800 of a base station 105-g for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Base station 105-g may be an example of aspects of one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 1-6, 16, and 17. The base station 105-g may include a base station receive module (or RRH) 1610-b, an SI transmit module 1620-b, or a base station transmit module (or RRH) 1630-b, which may are examples of corresponding modules of the base station 105-e (of FIG. 16). Base station 105-g may also include a processor (not shown). All of these components can communicate with each other. The SI transmission module 1620-b may include a service-specific SI transmission mode control module 1805, a base station service-specific SI request module 1810, or an SI transmission module 1645-b. The base station receiving module 1610-b and the base station transmitting module 1630-b may perform the functions of the base station receiving module 1610 and the base station transmitting module 1630 in FIG. 16, respectively. In addition, the base station receiving module 1610-b may be used to receive SI signals, for example, SIB Tx requests 372, 388 of FIG. 3B; and base station transmitter module 1630-b may be used to transmit service-specific SIBs 375, 390 of FIG. 3B. In base station 105-g configurations including one or more RRHs, aspects of one or more modules 1610-b, 1620-b, or 1630-b may be moved to each of the one or more RRHs.

The base station modules 105-g may, individually or collectively, be implemented using one or more ASICs adapted to implement some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing modules (or cores) on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits (eg, structured/platform ASICs, FPGAs, S°Cs, and other semi-custom ICs) may be used and may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each module may also be implemented, in whole or in part, by instructions implemented in a memory device formatted for execution by one or more general or specialized processors.

In some examples, the base station receiving module 1610-b may include at least one RF receiving device. The base station receiving module 1610-b or RF receiving device may be used to receive various types of data or control signals (i.e., transmissions) over one or more communication links of a wireless communication system, e.g. communications of the wireless communication system 100 described with reference to FIG. 1. As an example, a base station receiving module 1610-b may be used to receive a request for a service-specific SI, as described with reference to FIG. 3B. Reception and processing of requests for a service-specific SI (eg, SIB Tx requests 372, 388 of FIG. 3B) may be further facilitated through the SI transmit module 1620-b, as described in more detail below.

In some examples, base station transmitter module 1630-b may include at least one RF transmitter device. The base station transmitter module 1630-b or the RF transmitter may be used to transmit various types of data or control signals (i.e., transmissions) over one or more communication links of a wireless communication system, e.g. communications of the wireless communication system 100 described with reference to FIG. 1. As an example, base station transmit module 1630-b may be used to transmit service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, 385 and service-specific SIBs 375, 390, as described with reference to FIG. 3B. Transmission of service-specific periodic synchronization signals 370, 385 and service-specific SIBs 375, 390, for example, may be further facilitated through SI transmit module 1620-b, as described in more detail below.

The SI transmit module 1620-b may be used to control one or more wireless communication aspects for the base station 105-g. In particular, in base station 105-g, SI transmit module 1620-b may be used to facilitate transmission of service-specific SI to UE 115 in accordance with aspects of some embodiments described above. The SI transmission module 1620-b may include a service-specific SI transmission mode control module 1805, a base station service-specific SI request module 1810, or an SI transmission module 1645b.

The service-specific SI transmission mode control module 1805 may be used by the base station 105-g to facilitate the transmission by the base station 105-g of a service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, 385, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. The service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, 385 transmitted may indicate to the UE 115 that the service-specific SI is available to the UE 115. The service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, 385 may also indicate whether the UE 115 should transmit one or more request signals. , for example, a request 372, 388 to a Tx SIB, for example, to receive a service-specific SIB 375, 390. A service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370

- 38 045271 may indicate that a service-specific SI should be broadcast at a specific time and using specific resources. Alternatively, the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370 may indicate that a service-specific SI should be requested according to a schedule. In yet another embodiment, service-specific synchronization periodic signal 385 may indicate that a service-specific SI is available through a request, but that the UE 115 must explicitly request the service-specific SI.

In case the service-specific SI transmission mode control module 1805 indicates in the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, 385 that the UE 115 should transmit a request for a service-specific SI, the base station service-specific SI request module 1810 may be used. through the base station 105-g in order to receive any such requests. Requests for a service-specific SI may take the form of requests 372 to SIB Tx, 288, as described in FIG. 3B. The SIB Tx request 372 may be received by the base station service-specific SI request module 1810 at a time specified in a schedule included in the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, and may thereby indicate to the base station 105-g that the corresponding service-specific SI must be transmitted to the requesting UE 115. Alternatively, the base station 105-g may receive a Tx SIB request 388 that explicitly requests the service-specific SI.

The SI transmission module 1645-b may be used to facilitate transmission of a service-specific SI to the UE 115. The service-specific SI may be transmitted as a broadcast without the need for a request sent by the UE 115. In this example, transmission mode control module 1805 The service-specific SI may indicate to the SI transmission module 1645-b that the service-specific SI should be broadcast. The SI transmission module 1645-b can then facilitate transmission of the service-specific SI in accordance with the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, for example, using a predetermined channel or time synchronization of the service-specific SI broadcasts. In another example, the service-specific SI may be sent as a broadcast or unicast in response to a request sent by the UE 115. In these examples, the service-specific SI transmission mode control module 1805 may indicate to the SI transmission module 1645-b that that the service-specific SI should be sent as a broadcast or unicast in response to a request. The SI transmission module 1645-b may then facilitate transmission of the service-specific SI in accordance with the information included in the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, 385 and in accordance with the received request 372, 388 for the Tx SIB.

Fig. 19 shows a block diagram 1900 of a UE 105-h for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Base station 105-h may be an example of aspects of one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 1-6 and 16-18. The base station 105-h may include a base station receiving module (or RRH) 1610-c, an SI transmitting module 1620-c, or a base station transmitting module (or RRH) 1630-c, which may be examples of corresponding modules of the base station 105 -e (according to Fig. 16). Base station 105-h may also include a processor (not shown). All of these components can communicate with each other. The SI transmission module 1620-c may include a service-specific SI transmission mode control module 1805-a, a base station service-specific SI request module 1810-a, or an SI transmission module 1645-c. The service-specific SI transmission mode control module 1805-a may further include a synchronization signaling module 1905 and/or a service-specific SI transmission mode determination module 1910. The base station receiving module 1610-c and the base station transmitting module 1630-c may perform the functions of the base station receiving module 1610 and the base station transmitting module 1630 in FIG. 16, respectively. In addition, the base station receiving module 1610-c may be used to receive SI signals, for example, SIB Tx requests 372, 388 of FIG. 3B; and base station transmitter module 1630-c may be used to transmit service-specific SIBs 375, 390 of FIG. 3B. In base station 105-h configurations including one or more RRHs, aspects of one or more modules 1610-c, 1620-c, or 1630-c may be moved to each of the one or more RRHs.

The base station modules 105-h may, individually or collectively, be implemented using one or more ASICs adapted to implement some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing modules (or cores) on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits (eg, structured/platform ASICs, FPGAs, S°Cs, and other semi-custom ICs) may be used and may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each module may also be implemented, in whole or in part, by instructions implemented in a storage device formatted

- 39 045271 capable of execution by one or more general or specialized processors.

The SI transmit module 1620-c may be used to control one or more aspects of wireless communication for the base station 105-h. In particular, at base station 105-h, SI transmit module 1620-c may be used to facilitate transmission of service-specific SI to UE 115 in accordance with aspects of some embodiments described above.

The service-specific SI transmission mode control module 1805-a may include a synchronization signaling module 1905 and/or a service-specific SI transmission mode determination module 1910. The synchronization signaling module 1905 may be used by the base station 105-h to facilitate transmission by the base station 105-h of a service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, 385, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. The transmitted service-specific synchronization signal 370, 385 may indicate to the UE 115 whether the service-specific SI is available to the UE 115, and whether the UE 115 can obtain the service-specific SI via broadcast or request. That is, the service-specific SI transmission mode determination module 1910 may be used to determine how the UE 115 should obtain the service-specific SI, and then the service-specific SI transmission mode determination module 1910 may include this indicator in the service-specific SI. periodic synchronization signal 370, 385. Therefore, the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, 385 may indicate whether the UE 115 should transmit one or more request signals, e.g., request 372, 388 on the Tx SIB, for example, to receive the service-specific SIB 375, 390. for a service, periodic synchronization signal 370 may indicate that a service-specific SI should be broadcast at a specific time and using specific resources. Alternatively, the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370 may indicate that a service-specific SI should be requested according to a schedule. In yet another embodiment, service-specific synchronization periodic signal 385 may indicate that a service-specific SI is available through a request, but that the UE 115 must explicitly request the service-specific SI.

In case the service-specific SI transmission mode determination module 1910 indicates in the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, 385 that the UE 115 should transmit a request for the service-specific SI, the service-specific SI request issuing module 1810-a of the base station may be used by base station 105-h to receive any such requests. Requests for a service-specific SI may take the form of requests 372 to SIB Tx 288, as described in FIG. 3B. The SIB Tx request 372 may be received by the base station service-specific SI request module 1810-a at a time specified in a schedule included in the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, and may thereby indicate to the base station 105-h that that the corresponding service-specific SI must be transmitted to the requesting UE 115. Alternatively, the base station 105-h may receive a Tx SIB request 388 that explicitly requests the service-specific SI.

The SI transmission module 1645-c may be used to facilitate transmission of a service-specific SI to the UE 115. The service-specific SI may be transmitted as a broadcast without the need for a request sent by the UE 115. In this example, transmission mode determination module 1910 The service-specific SI may indicate to the SI transmission module 1645-c that the service-specific SI should be broadcast. The SI transmission module 1645-c can then facilitate transmission of the service-specific SI in accordance with the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, for example, using a predetermined channel or time synchronization of the service-specific SI broadcasts. In another example, the service-specific SI may be sent as a broadcast or unicast in response to a request sent by the UE 115. In these examples, the service-specific SI transmission mode determination module 1910 may indicate to the SI transmission module 1645-c that that the service-specific SI should be sent as a broadcast or unicast in response to a request. The SI transmission module 1645-c may then facilitate transmission of the service-specific SI in accordance with the information included in the service-specific periodic synchronization signal 370, 385 and in accordance with the received request 372, 388 for the SIB Tx.

Fig. 20 shows a block diagram 2000 of a base station 105-i for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Base station 105-i may be an example of aspects of one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 1-6 and 16-19. The base station 105-i may include a base station receiving module (or RRH) 1610-d, an SI transmitting module 1620-d, or a base station transmitting module (or RRH) 1630-d, which may be examples of corresponding modules of the base station 105 -e (according to Fig. 16). Base station 105-i may also include a processor (not shown). All of these components can communicate with each other. The SI transmission module 1620-d may include a 2005

- 40 045271 transmission control of the main SI, SI request processing module 2010 or transmission control module 2015 of another SI. The base station receiving module 1610-d and the base station transmitting module 1630-d may perform the functions of the base station receiving module 1610 and the base station transmitting module 1630 in FIG. 16, respectively. In addition, the base station receiving module 1610-d may be used to receive SI signals such as the MSIB transmission request signal 332, 345, 360, 415, or 615 of FIG. 3A, 4 and 6 or the OSIB transfer request 430 or 630 of FIG. 4 and 6; and base station transmitter module 1630-d may be used to transmit SI signals such as OSIB 440, 445, 640, or 645 of FIG. 4 and 6. In base station 105-i configurations including one or more RRHs, aspects of one or more modules 1610-d, 1620-d, or 1630-d may be moved to each of the one or more RRHs.

The base station modules 105-i may, individually or collectively, be implemented using one or more ASICs adapted to implement some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing modules (or cores) on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits (eg, structured/platform ASICs, FPGAs, S°Cs, and other semi-custom ICs) may be used and may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each module may also be implemented, in whole or in part, by instructions implemented in a memory device formatted for execution by one or more general purpose or special purpose processors.

The main SI transmission control unit 2005 may be used to transmit a first set of system information (eg, main system information, eg, main system information included in the MSIB transmitted at 420 in FIG. 4).

The SI request processing module 2010 may be used to receive a request (eg, an OSIB transfer request received at 430 in FIG. 4) for additional system information (eg, non-major system information, such as other information described with with reference to Fig. 4).

Another SI transmission control module 2015 may be used to transmit additional system information at least in part based on the request (eg, to transmit other system information included in the OSIB transmitted at 440 or 445 in FIG. 4).

In some embodiments, transmitting the first set of system information using the main SI transmission control module 2005 may include transmitting an indicator regarding one or more sets of additional system information that are available. In some embodiments, receiving a request for additional system information using the SI request processing module 2010 may include receiving one or a plurality of requests for additional system information corresponding to a plurality of sets of additional system information to be transmitted. For example, the SI request processing module 2010 may receive a single OSIB transfer request indicating one or more additional system information items that the UE wishes to receive (e.g., a binary value in the OSIB transfer request may be set to true for each additional system information item which the UE wants to receive). In other examples, the UE may request certain types of additional system information in various OSIB transfer requests, and the SI request processing module 2010 may receive multiple OSIB transfer requests.

In some embodiments, transmitting additional system information using the other SI transmission control module 2015 may include at least one of the following: transmitting system information indicating which RATs are available in the region and how the UE should select an available one RAT; transmitting system information indicating which services are available in the region and how the UE should obtain the available service; transmission of system information associated with the MBMS or PWS service; transmission of system information related to location, positioning or navigation services; or communicating system information at least in part based on the determined location of the UE.

In some embodiments, receiving a request for additional system information using the SI request processing module 2010 may include receiving, in the request, one or more characteristics of the UE transmitting the request. In these embodiments, transmitting additional system information using another SI transmission control module 2015 may include transmitting system information based at least in part on one or more characteristics of the base station 105-i included in the request.

In some embodiments, receiving a request for additional system information using the SI request processing module 2010 may include receiving, in the request, the location of the UE transmitting the request. In these embodiments, the other SI transmission control module 2015 may identify additional system information to be transmitted based at least in part on the location of the UE included in the request. Alternatively, the other SI transmission control module 2015 may determine the location of the UE transmitting the request and identify additional system information that should be transmitted based at least in part on the location of the UE.

In some embodiments, receiving a request for additional system information using the SI request processing module 2010 may include receiving, in the request, the identity of the UE transmitting the request. In these embodiments, the other SI transmission control module 2015 may identify additional system information to be transmitted based at least in part on the UE identity included in the request. In some cases, additional system information may be identified by accessing a database that includes the identity of the UE transmitting the request and one or more characteristics of the UE.

Fig. 21 shows a block diagram 2100 of a base station 105-j for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Base station 105-j may be an example of aspects of one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 1-6 and 16-20. The base station 105-j may include a base station receiving module (or RRH) 1610-e, an SI transmitting module 1620-e, or a base station transmitting module (or RRH) 1630-e, which may be examples of corresponding base station modules 105 -e, 105-g or 105-i (according to Fig. 16, 18 or 20). Base station 105-j may also include a processor (not shown). All of these components can communicate with each other. The SI transmission module 1620-e may include a synchronization signal transmission control module 2105, a master SI transmission control module 2005-a, an SI request processing module 2010-a, or another SI transmission control module 2015-a. The base station receiving module 1610-e and the base station transmitting module 1630-e may perform the functions of the base station receiving module 1610 and the base station transmitting module 1630 of FIG. 16, 18, or 20. In base station 105-j configurations including one or more RRHs, aspects of one or more modules 1610-e, 1620-e, or 1630-e may be moved to each of the one or more RRHs.

The base station modules 105-j may, individually or collectively, be implemented using one or more ASICs adapted to implement some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing modules (or cores) on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits (eg, structured/platform ASICs, FPGAs, S°Cs, and other semi-custom ICs) may be used and may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each module may also be implemented, in whole or in part, by instructions implemented in a memory device formatted for execution by one or more general or specialized processors.

The synchronization control module 2105 may be used to broadcast information on a downlink channel. The information may indicate that major system information (eg, MSIB) is transmitted in response to a request for major system information (eg, an MSIB transfer request, for example, an MSIB transfer request received at 415 in FIG. 4) received from U.E. In some examples, the downlink channel may include a synchronization signal (eg, an instance of the periodic synchronization signal transmitted at 405 in FIG. 4). The information may be included in (or associated with) the synchronization signal.

The SI request processing module 2010-a may be used to receive a request for major system information (eg, in accordance with information broadcast on a downlink channel). In some cases, receiving a request for general system information may include receiving, in the request, an identity of one or more characteristics of the UE transmitting the request.

The main SI transmission control unit 2005-a may be used to transmit, in response to receiving a request for main system information, the main system information (eg, the main system information included in the MSIB received at 420 in FIG. 4). In some cases, the main system information may include system information that enables the UE to perform initial network access using one or more of a network identity, a base station identity, a cell selection configuration, and an access or network access restriction configuration.

The SI request processing module 2010-a may also be used to receive a request for additional system information (eg, an OSIB transfer request received at 430 in FIG. 4).

In some examples, the other SI transmission control module 2015-a may be used to transmit additional system information (eg, non-major system information, eg, other system information described with reference to FIG. 4) by at least partly based on the request. In some cases, additional system information may be identified at least in part based on one or more characteristics of the UE identified in the request for main system information. Additional system information may also be identified at least in part based on information received in the request.

In some embodiments, transmitting the first set of system information using the main SI transmission control module 2005-a may include transmitting an indicator regarding one or more sets of additional system information that are available. In some embodiments, receiving a request for additional system information by the SI request processing module 2010-a may include receiving a plurality of requests for additional system information corresponding to a plurality of sets of additional system information to be transmitted. For example, the SI request processing module 2010-a may receive a single OSIB transfer request indicating one or more additional system information elements that the UE wishes to receive (e.g., a binary value in the OSIB transfer request may be set to true for each additional system information element system information that the UE wants to receive). In other examples, the UE may request certain types of additional system information in various OSIB transfer requests, and the SI request processing module 2010-a may receive multiple OSIB transfer requests.

Fig. 22 shows a block diagram 2200 of a base station 105-k for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Base station 105-k may be an example of aspects of one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 1-6 and 16-21. The base station 105-k may include a base station receiving module (or RRH) 1610-f, an SI transmitting module 1620-f, or a base station transmitting module (or RRH) 1630-f, which may be examples of corresponding modules of the base station 105 -e (according to Fig. 16). Base station 105-k may also include a processor (not shown). All of these components can communicate with each other. The SI transmission module 1620-f may include an SI transmission control module 2205 or an SI request processing module 2210. The base station receiving module 1610-f and the base station transmitting module 1630-f may perform the functions of the base station receiving module 1610 and the base station transmitting module 1630 in FIG. 16, respectively. In addition, the base station receiving module 1610-f may be used to receive SI signals such as the MSIB transmission request signal 332, 345, 360, 415, or 615 of FIG. 3A, 3B, 4 and 6 or the OSIB transfer request 430 or 630 of FIG. 4 and 6; and base station transmitter module 1630-f may be used to transmit SI signals such as OSIB 440, 445, 640, or 645 of FIG. 4 and 6, the value tag associated with the SI, or zone identifier. In base station 105k configurations including one or more RRHs, aspects of one or more modules 1610-f, 1620-f, or 1630-f may be moved to each of the one or more RRHs.

The base station modules 105-k may, individually or collectively, be implemented using one or more ASICs adapted to implement some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing modules (or cores) on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits (eg, structured/platform ASICs, FPGAs, S°Cs, and other semi-custom ICs) may be used and may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each module may also be implemented, in whole or in part, by instructions implemented in a memory device formatted for execution by one or more general or specialized processors.

SI transmission control module 2205 may be used to transmit a first signal (eg, a sync signal or paging message, such as an instance of a periodic sync signal or paging message sent to 605 in FIG. 6, or an MSIB sent to 620 in Fig. 6) from the base station to the UE. During transmission of the first signal, the UE may communicate with the network using the first system information. The first signal may include information to enable the UE to determine the need to request updated system information.

The SI request processing module 2210 may be used to receive a request from the UE for updated system information (eg, an MSIB transfer request received at 615 in FIG. 6 or an OSIB transfer request received at 630 in FIG. 6).

SI transmission control module 2205 may also be used to transmit updated system information (e.g., MSIB transmitted at 620 in FIG. 6, or OSIB transmitted at 640 or 645 in FIG. 6), at least in part based on request.

In some embodiments, transmitting the first signal using the SI transmission control module 2205 may include transmitting an area identifier (eg, an area code, BSIC, or other cell identifier). In some cases, the zone ID may be transmitted as part of the synchronization signal. In some cases, the zone identifier may identify one of the neighboring RAT zones 510, 515, or 520, described with reference to FIG. 5.

Fig. 23 shows a block diagram 2300 of a base station 105-l for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The base station 105-l may be an example of aspects of one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 1-6 and 16-22. The base station 105-l may include a base station receiving module (or RRH) 1610-g, an SI transmitting module 1620-g, or a base station transmitting module (or RRH) 1630-g, which may be examples of corresponding modules of the base station 105 -e, 105-g or 105-k (according to Fig. 16, 18 or 20). The base station 105-l may also include a processor (not shown). All of these components can communicate with each other. The SI transmission module 1620-g may include an SI transmission control module 2205-a or an SI request processing module 2210-a. The base station receiving module 1610-g and the base station transmitting module 1630-g may perform the functions of the base station receiving module 1610 and the base station transmitting module 1630 in FIG. 16, 18, 20, or 22. In base station 105-l configurations including one or more RRHs, aspects of one or more modules 1610-g, 1620-g, or 1630-g may be moved to each of the one or more RRHs.

The base station modules 105-l may, individually or collectively, be implemented using one or more ASICs adapted to implement some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing modules (or cores) on one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits (eg, structured/platform ASICs, FPGAs, S°Cs, and other semi-custom ICs) may be used and may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each module may also be implemented, in whole or in part, by instructions implemented in a memory device formatted for execution by one or more general or specialized processors.

The SI transmission control module 2205-a may be used to transmit a first signal (eg, a synchronization signal or paging message, for example, an instance of a periodic synchronization signal or paging message transmitted at 605 in FIG. 6, or an MSIB transmitted at 620 in Fig. 6) from the base station to the UE. During transmission of the first signal, the UE may communicate with the network using the first system information. The first signal may include information to enable the UE to determine the need to request updated system information. The first signal may also include an indicator that at least a portion of the first system information has been changed.

The SI transmission control module 2205-a may include a transmission control module 2305 of modification flags or value tags. Modification flag or value tag transmission control module 2305 may be used, in some examples, to transmit one or more modification flags, each of which indicates, through the value of a counter or a Boolean variable (e.g., a binary value), that a corresponding piece of first system information changed. In some examples, the corresponding portion of the first system information may include a portion of the main system information, eg, an MSIB or an MSIB element. In other examples, the corresponding portion of the first system information may include additional non-major system information, for example, an OSIB or an OSIB element. The main system information may include one or more of network identification information, identification information of a base station in the network, cell selection configuration, and access restriction or network access configuration information. The main system information may also or alternatively include, for example, one or more other elements of the main system information described with reference to FIG. 3A. Additional non-major system information may include one or more elements of other system information described with reference to FIG. 4 or 6. In some embodiments, the modification flag may be transmitted with (or as part of) the first signal.

Modification flag or value tag transmission control module 2305 may also be used, in some examples, to transmit one or more value tags corresponding to at least a portion (or various portions) of the first system information that is modified. In some examples, one or more value tags may correspond to one or more pieces of major system information (e.g., one or more MSIBs, or one or more elements of one or more MSIBs), one or more pieces of additional non-major system information (e.g., one or more OSIB or one or more elements of one or more OSIBs) or a combination of the above. The main system information may include one or more of network identification information, identification information of a base station in the network, cell selection configuration, and access restriction or network access configuration information. The main system information may also or alternatively include, for example, one or more other

- 44 045271 elements of the main system information described with reference to FIG. 3A. Additional non-major system information may include one or more elements of other system information described with reference to FIG. 4 or 6. In some embodiments, one or more value tags may be transmitted with (or as part of) the first signal.

The SI request processing module 2210-a may be used to receive a request from the UE for updated system information (eg, to receive a request for an MSIB transfer at 615 in FIG. 6, to receive a request for an OSIB transfer at 630 in FIG. .6).

The SI transmission control module 2205-a may also be used to transmit updated system information (eg, MSIB transmitted at 620 in FIG. 6, or OSIB transmitted at 640 or 645 in FIG. 6), at least in part based on request.

Fig. 24A shows a block diagram 2400 of a base station 105-m (eg, a base station comprising part or all of an eNB) for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. In some examples, base station 105-m may be an example of one or more aspects of base station 105 described with reference to FIG. 1-6 and 16-23. Base station 105-m may be configured to implement or simplify at least some of the base station features and functions described with reference to FIG. 1-6 and 14-19.

Base station 105-m may include a base station processor module 2410, a base station storage module 2420, at least one base station transceiver module (represented by base station transceiver module(s) 2450), at least at least one base station antenna (represented by base station antenna 2455) or base station SI transmit module 1620-x. The base station 105-m may also include one or more of a base station communication module 2430 or a network communication module 2440. All of these components may communicate with each other, directly or indirectly, over one or more buses 2435.

Base station storage module 2420 may include RAM or ROM. The base station memory module 2420 may store computer-readable computer executable code 2425 containing instructions that are configured, when executed, to instruct the base station processor module 2410 to perform various functions described herein related to wireless communications, including, for example, synchronization signal transmission. Alternatively, code 2425 may not be directly executable by base station processor module 2410, but is configured to cause base station 105-m (eg, once compiled and executed) to perform various functions described herein.

The base station processor module 2410 may include an intelligent hardware device, such as a CPU, microcontroller, ASIC, etc. The base station processor module 2410 may process information received through the base station transceiver module(s) 2450, the base station communication module 2430, or the network communication module 2440. The base station processor module 2410 may also process information to be sent to the base station transceiver module(s) 2450 for transmission via the base station antenna(s) 2455, to the base station communications module 2430 for transmission to one or more other base stations 105 -h and 105-o or to network communication module 2440 for transmission to core network 130-a, which may be an example of one or more aspects of core network 130 described with reference to FIG. 1. The base station processor module 2410 may process, separately or in connection with the base station SI transmission module 1620-x, various aspects of communication (or communication control) over a wireless medium.

Base station transceiver module 2450 may include a modem configured to modulate packets and provide modulated packets to base station antenna 2455 for transmission and demodulate packets received from base station antenna 2455. Base station transmitter module 2450, in some examples, may be implemented as one or more base station transmitter modules and one or more separate base station receive modules. Base station transceiver module(s) 2450 may communicate over one or more wireless channels. Base station transmit/receive module(s) 2450 may be configured to communicate bidirectionally, via base station antenna(s) 2455, with one or more UEs, for example, with one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15. Base station 105-m, for example, may include a plurality of base station antennas 2455 (eg, an antenna array). Base station 105-m may communicate with core network 130-a via network communication module 2440. Base station 105-m can also communicate with other base stations, such as base stations 105-h and 105-o, using base station communication module 2430.

The base station SI transmit module 1620-h may be configured to implement or control some or all of the features or functions of the base station described with reference to FIG. 1-6 and 14-19 related to the transfer of system information. 1620-h transmission module

- 45 045271

The base station SI or portions thereof may include a processor, or some or all of the functions of the base station SI transmit module 1620-x may be performed by the base station processor module 2410 or in connection with the base station processor module 2410. In some examples, the base station SI transmission module 1620-h may be an example of the SI transmission module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16-19.

Fig. 24B shows a block diagram 2405 of a base station 105-p (eg, a base station comprising part or all of an eNB) for use in wireless communications, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. In some examples, base station 105-p may be an example of one or more aspects of base station 105 described with reference to FIG. 1-6 and 16-23. Base station 105-p may be configured to implement or simplify at least some of the features and functions of the base station described with reference to FIG. 1-6 and 16-23.

Base station 105-p may include a central node 2415 (or base station server) and one or more RRHs 2445. Central node 2415 may include a central node processor module 2410-a, a central node storage module 2420-a, a Central node SI transmission 1620-i or RRH interface module 2495. In some cases, central node storage module 2420-a may include code 2425-a. Central node 2415 may also include one or more of a central node communication module 2430-a, which can communicate with one or more other central nodes or base stations, such as base stations 105-q or 105-r, or module 2440 -a network communication, which can communicate with the core network 130-b. All of these components may communicate with each other, directly or indirectly, over one or more buses 2435-a. The central node processor module 2410-a, the central node storage module 2420-a, the central node SI transmission module 1620-i, the central node communication module 2430-a, the network communication module 2440-a, and one or more buses 2435-a may perform the functions of base station processor module 2410, base station storage module 2420, base station SI transmission module 1620, base station communication module 2430, network communication module 2440, and buses 2435 of FIG. 24A, respectively.

Each of the one or more RRHs 2445 may include a central node interface module 2490, at least one RRH transceiver module (represented by RRH transceiver module(s) 2480), and at least one RRH - an antenna (represented by RRH antenna 2485). All of these components may communicate with each other, directly or indirectly, over one or more 2475 RRH buses. RRH transceiver module(s) 2480 and RRH antenna(s) 2485 may function as base station transceiver module(s) 2450 and base station antenna 2455 of FIG. 24A, respectively.

RRH 2445 may also include one or more of an RRH processor module 2460, an RRH storage module 2465 (possibly storing code 2470), or an SI RRH transmit module 1620-j. Each of the RRH processor module 2460, the RRH storage module 2465, and the SI RRH transmit module 1620-j may communicate with other RRH modules 2445 via one or more buses 2475. In some examples, certain functions of the central node processor module 2410-a , central node storage module 2420-a or central node SI transmission module 1620-i may be offloaded (or replicated) to RRH processor module 2460, RRH storage module 2465 or RRH SI transmission module 1620-j, respectively.

The RRH interface module 2495 and the central node interface module 2490 may provide a communication interface between the central node 2415 and the RRH 2445 and establish a bidirectional communication link 2498 between the central node 2415 and the RRH 2445. The communication link 2498 in some cases may be an optical communication link, but can also take other forms.

Deploying one or more RRHs 2445 in communication with the central node 2415 can be used, for example, to increase the coverage area of the base station 105-p or to position the central node 2415 and RRH 2445 in more useful locations. For example, the RRH 2445 may be positioned in a location free of RF obstructions or on a smaller cell tower.

Fig. 25 is a block diagram of a MIMO communication system 2500 including a base station 105-s and a UE 115-m, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. MIMO communication system 2500 may illustrate aspects of the wireless communication system 100 described with reference to FIG. 1. Base station 105-s may be an example of aspects of base station 105 described with reference to FIG. 1, 2, 4, 6, 16, 17, 18 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 or 24. The 105-s base station can be equipped with 2534-2535 antennas, and the 115-m UE can be equipped with 2552-2553 antennas . In a MIMO communication system 2500, base station 105-s may be able to send data over multiple communication links simultaneously. Each link may be referred to as a layer, and the rank of the link may indicate the number of layers used for communication. For example, in a 2x2 MIMO communication system in which base station 105-s transmits two layers, the link rank between base station 105-s and UE 115-m is two. In some examples, MIMO communication system 2500 may be configured to communicate using non-massive MIMO technologies. In other examples, MIMO communication system 2500 may

- 46 045271 be capable of communication using massive MIMO technologies.

In base station 105-s, TX processor 2520 may receive data from a data source. The transmit processor 2520 may process the data. The transmit processor 2520 may also generate control symbols or reference symbols. Transmit MIMO processor 2530 may perform spatial processing (eg, precoding) on data symbols, control symbols, or reference symbols, if applicable, and may provide output symbol streams to transmit modulators 2532-2533. Each modulator 2532-2533 may process a corresponding output symbol stream (eg, for OFDM, etc.) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modulator 2532-2533 may further process (eg, analogize, amplify, filter, and upconvert) the output sample stream to produce a downlink (DL) signal. In one example, DL signals from modulators 2532-2533 may be transmitted via antennas 2534-2535, respectively.

UE 115-m may be an example of aspects of UE 115 described with reference to FIG. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15. UE 115-m HA, UE antennas 2552-2553 can receive DL signals from base station 105-s and can provide received signals to modulators/demodulators 25542555, respectively. Each modulator/demodulator 2554-2555 can condition (eg, filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) a corresponding received signal to obtain input samples. Each modulator/demodulator 2554-2555 may further process input samples (eg, for OFDM, etc.) to obtain received symbols. MIMO detector 2556 may receive received symbols from all modulators/demodulators 2554-2555, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols, if applicable, and provide the detected symbols. Receiver (Rx) processor 2558 may process (e.g., demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols, provide decoded data to UE 115-m in a data output, and provide decoded control information to processor 2580 or storage device 2582.

The processor 2580 may, in some cases, execute stored instructions to instantiate the SI acquisition module 720-i. SI acquisition module 720-i may be an example of aspects of SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 7-15.

In the uplink (UL), at the UE 115-m, a transmit processor 2564 may receive and process data from a data source. The transmit processor 2564 may also generate reference symbols for the reference signal. Symbols from transmit processor 2564 may be pre-encoded by transmit MIMO processor 2566, if applicable, further processed by modulators/demodulators 2554-2555 (eg, for SC-FDMA, etc.), and transmitted to base station 105-s in accordance with communication parameters received from the base station 105-s. At base station 105-s, UL signals from UE 115-m may be received by antennas 2534-2535, processed by demodulators 2532-2533, detected by MIMO detector 2536, if applicable, and further processed by receive processor 2538. Receive processor 2538 may provide the decoded data to a data output and to a processor 2540 or a storage device 2542.

The 2540 processor may, in some cases, execute stored instructions to instantiate the SI transfer module 1620-k. The SI transmission module 1620-j may be an example of aspects of the SI transmission module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16-24.

The components of the UE 115-m may, individually or collectively, be implemented by one or more ASICs adapted to implement some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Each of the noted modules may represent means for performing one or more functions associated with the operation of the MIMO communication system 2500. Likewise, the components of base station 105-s may, individually or collectively, be implemented by one or more ASICs adapted to implement some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Each of the noted components may represent means for performing one or more functions associated with the operation of the MIMO communication system 2500.

Fig. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 2600 for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 2600 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-8, 15, or 25. In some examples, the UE may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the UE so as to perform the functions described below. In some examples, method 2600 may be performed by the UE during an initial access procedure.

At block 2605, the UE may receive a first signal, wherein the first signal includes an indicator regarding whether the SI should be requested by the UE. The first signal, in some examples, may be a periodic synchronization signal and may indicate to the UE that the SI should be received via a fixed periodic broadcast or wide beam transmission, or via broadcast, unicast, wide beam or narrow beam on demand transmission. Operations at block 2605 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 7, 8, 15, or 25, the SI acquisition mode control module 735 described with reference to FIG. 7 or 8, or the synchronization signal receiving module 805 described with reference to FIG. 8.

At block 2610, the UE may obtain the SI in accordance with the indicator. That is, if the indicator indicates that the SI should be broadcast without requesting the SI by the UE, then the UE may receive the SI in a periodic broadcast or wide beam transmission. If the indicator indicates that the SI should be transmitted in response to a UE request, then the UE may receive the SI after the UE sends a request for the SI. Operations at block 2610 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 7, 8, 15, or 25, or the SI receiving module 745 described with reference to FIG. 7 or 8.

Thus, method 2600 can provide wireless communication and, in particular, the acquisition of SI. It should be noted that method 2600 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 2600 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 2700 for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 2700 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-8, 15, or 25. In some examples, the UE may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the UE so as to perform the functions described below. In some examples, method 2700 may be performed by the UE during an initial access procedure.

At block 2705, the UE may receive a first signal, wherein the first signal includes an indicator regarding whether the SI should be requested by the UE. The first signal, in some examples, may be a periodic synchronization signal and may indicate to the UE that the SI should be received via broadcast, unicast, wide beam, or narrow beam on demand. Operations at block 2705 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 7, 8, 15 or 25, the SI acquisition mode control module 735 described with reference to FIG. 7 or 8, or the synchronization signal receiving module 805 described with reference to FIG. 8.

At block 2710, the UE may send a request for SI in accordance with the indicator. The request may be sent in accordance with information included in the first signal, for example, destination and/or time synchronization information. Operations at block 2710 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 7, 8, 15 or 25, or the UE SI request issuing module 740 described with reference to FIG. 7 or 8.

At block 2715, the UE may receive an SI in response to a request. The SI may be received as a periodic on-demand broadcast or widebeam, an aperiodic on-demand broadcast or widebeam, or an aperiodic unicast or on-demand narrowbeam. Operations at block 2715 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 7, 8, 15, or 25, or the SI receiving module 745 described with reference to FIG. 7 or 8.

Thus, method 2700 can provide wireless communication and, in particular, SI acquisition. It should be noted that method 2700 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 2700 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 2800 for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 2800 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-8, 15, or 25. In some examples, the UE may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the UE so as to perform the functions described below. In some examples, method 2800 may be performed by the UE during an initial access procedure.

At block 2805, the UE may receive a first signal, wherein the first signal includes an indicator regarding whether the SI should be requested by the UE. The first signal, in some examples, may be a periodic synchronization signal and may indicate to the UE that the SI should be transmitted without the UE needing to request the SI. Operations at block 2805 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 7, 8, 15 or 25, the SI acquisition mode control module 735 described with reference to FIG. 7 or 8, or the synchronization signal receiving module 805 described with reference to FIG. 8.

At block 2810, the UE may receive the SI via a second signal in accordance with the indicator, the second signal being transmitted via a broadcast or wide beam mode of operation. SI can be received as a fixed periodic broadcast or wide beam

- 48 045271 transfer. Operations at block 2810 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 7, 8, 15, or 25, or the SI receiving module 745 described with reference to FIG. 7 or 8.

Thus, method 2800 can provide wireless communication and, in particular, SI acquisition. It should be noted that method 2800 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 2800 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 29 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 2900 for wireless communication at a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 2900 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 16, 17, 24A, 24B, or 25. In some examples, the base station may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the base station so as to perform the functions described below. In some examples, method 2900 may be performed by a base station during the UE's initial access procedure.

At block 2905, the base station may transmit a first signal, wherein the first signal includes an indicator regarding whether the SI should be requested by the UE. The first signal, in some examples, may be a periodic synchronization signal and may indicate to the UE that the SI should be received via a fixed periodic broadcast or wide beam transmission, or via broadcast, unicast, wide beam or narrow beam on demand transmission. Operations at block 2905 may be performed using the SI transfer module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16, 75, 24A, 24B, or 25, the SI transmission mode control module 1635 described with reference to FIG. 16 or 17, or the synchronization signaling module 1705 described with reference to FIG. 17.

At block 2910, the base station may transmit the SI in accordance with the indicator. Thus, if the indicator indicates that the SI should be broadcast without requesting the SI by the UE, then the base station may transmit the SI in a periodic broadcast or wide beam transmission. If the indicator indicates that the SI should be transmitted in response to a request by the UE, then the base station may transmit the SI after the UE sends a request for the SI. Operations at block 2910 may be performed using the SI transfer module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16, 17, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the SI transmission module 1645 described with reference to FIG. 16 or 17.

Thus, method 2900 can provide wireless communications and, in particular, SI transmission. It should be noted that method 2900 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 2900 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 3000 for wireless communication at a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 3000 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 16, 17, 24A, 24B, or 25. In some examples, the base station may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the base station so as to perform the functions described below. In some examples, method 3000 may be performed by a base station during the UE's initial access procedure.

At block 3005, the base station may transmit a first signal, where the first signal includes an indicator regarding whether the SI should be requested by the UE. The first signal, in some examples, may be a periodic synchronization signal and may indicate to the UE that the SI should be received via broadcast, unicast, wide beam, or narrow beam on demand. Operations in block 3005 may be performed using the SI transfer module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16, 17, 24A, 24B, or 25, the SI transmission mode control module 1635 described with reference to FIG. 16 or 17, or the synchronization signaling module 1705 described with reference to FIG. 17.

At block 3010, the base station may receive a request for SI in accordance with the indicator. The request may be received in accordance with information included in the first signal, for example, assignment and/or timing information. Operations at block 3010 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16, 17, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the base station SI request issuing module 1640 described with reference to FIG. 16 or 17.

At block 3015, the base station may transmit an SI in response to the request. SI may be transmitted as periodic broadcast or on-demand widebeam, aperiodic on-demand broadcast or widebeam, or aperiodic unicast or on-demand narrowbeam. Operations in block 3015 may be performed using the SI transfer module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16, 17, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the SI transmission module 1645 described with reference to FIG. 16 or 17.

- 49 045271

Thus, method 3000 can provide wireless communications and, in particular, SI transmission.

It should be noted that method 3000 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method

3000 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 31 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 3100 for wireless communication at a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 3100 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 16, 17, 24A, 24B, or 25. In some examples, the base station may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the base station so as to perform the functions described below. In some examples, method 3100 may be performed by a base station during the UE's initial access procedure.

At block 3105, the base station may transmit a first signal, wherein the first signal includes an indicator regarding whether the SI should be requested by the UE. The first signal, in some examples, may be a periodic synchronization signal and may indicate to the UE that the SI should be transmitted without the UE needing to request the SI. Operations in block 3105 may be performed using the SI transfer module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16, 17, 24A, 24B, or 25, the SI transmission mode control module 1635 described with reference to FIG. 16 or 17, or the synchronization signaling module 1705 described with reference to FIG. 17.

At block 3110, the base station may transmit the SI via a second signal in accordance with the indicator, the second signal being transmitted via a broadcast or wide beam mode of operation. SI may be transmitted as a fixed periodic broadcast or broad beam transmission. Operations at block 3110 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16, 17, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the SI transmission module 1645 described with reference to FIG. 16 or 17.

Thus, method 3100 can provide wireless communications and, in particular, SI transmission. It should be noted that method 3100 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 3100 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 32 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 3200 for wireless communication at a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 3200 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 16, 17, 24A, 24B, or 25. In some examples, the base station may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the base station so as to perform the functions described below. In some examples, method 3200 may be performed by a base station during the UE's initial access procedure.

At block 3205, the base station may transmit a first signal, wherein the first signal includes an indicator regarding whether the SI should be requested by the UE. The first signal, in some examples, may be a periodic synchronization signal and may indicate to the UE that the SI should be received via a fixed periodic broadcast or wide beam transmission, or via broadcast, unicast, wide beam or narrow beam on demand transmission. Operations at block 3205 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16, 17, 24A, 24B, or 25, the SI transmission mode control module 1635 described with reference to FIG. 1 6 or 17.

At block 3210, the base station may transmit the SI in accordance with the indicator and transmission mode. Thus, if the indicator and transmission mode indicate that the SI should be transmitted in a broadcast mode without requesting the SI by the UE, then the base station may transmit the SI in a periodic broadcast or wide beam transmission. If the indicator and transmission mode indicate that the SI is to be transmitted in response to a UE request, then the base station may transmit the SI after the UE sends a request for the SI. Depending on the transmission mode, the base station may transmit the SI as either a fixed periodic broadcast or wide beam transmission, a periodic broadcast or wide beam on demand transmission, an aperiodic broadcast or wide beam on demand transmission, or an aperiodic unicast or narrow beam on demand transmission. Operations at block 3210 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16, 17, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the SI transmission module 1645 described with reference to FIG. 16 or 17.

At blocks 3215, 3220, 3225, or 3230, the base station may change its transmission mode. Thus, the base station may execute any one or more blocks 3215, 3220, 3225, or 3230. Changes in the transmission mode may be made, for example, in response to changes in the number of UEs requesting SI from the base station, network load, congestion conditions, or available radio resources .

At block 3215, the base station may change the transmission mode such that it represents

- 50 045271 is a broadcast or wide beam mode aimed at the cell edge and having a fixed periodic scheduling. The transmission mode change may be based on one or more of the number of UEs requesting to receive an SI, network load, congestion condition, or available radio resources. Operations at block 3215 may be performed using the SI transfer module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16, 17, 24A, 24B, or 25, the SI transmission mode control module 1635 described with reference to FIG. 16 or 17, or the SI transmission mode determination unit 1710 described with reference to FIG. 17.

At block 3220, the base station may change the transmission mode so that it is a broadcast or wide beam mode targeting the cell edge and having periodic on-demand scheduling initiated by a request for system information in accordance with the indicator. The transmission mode change may be based on one or more of the number of UEs requesting to receive an SI, network load, congestion condition, or available radio resources. Operations at block 3220 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16, 17, 24A, 24B, or 25, the SI transmission mode control module 1635 described with reference to FIG. 16 or 17, or the SI transmission mode determination unit 1710 described with reference to FIG. 17.

At block 3225, the base station may change the transmission mode so that it is a broadcast or wide beam mode having aperiodic on-demand scheduling initiated by a request for system information in accordance with the indicator. The transmission mode change may be based on one or more of the number of UEs requesting to receive an SI, network load, congestion condition, or available radio resources. Operations at block 3225 may be performed using the SI transfer module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16, 17, 24A, 24B, or 25, the SI transmission mode control module 1635 described with reference to FIG. 16 or 17, or the SI transmission mode determination module 1710.

At block 3230, the base station may change the transmission mode so that it is a unicast or narrow beam mode having aperiodic on-demand scheduling initiated by a request for system information in accordance with the indicator. The transmission mode change may be based on one or more of the number of UEs requesting to receive an SI, network load, congestion condition, or available radio resources. Operations at block 3230 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 16, 17, 24A, 24B, or 25, the SI transmission mode control module 1635 described with reference to FIG. 16 or 17, or the SI transmission mode determination unit 1710 described with reference to FIG. 17.

Operations in blocks 3215, 3220, 3225, 3230 may be performed by the base station. Alternatively, the base station may perform any one or more of the operations described in blocks 3215, 3220, 3225, 3230.

Thus, method 3200 can provide wireless communications and, in particular, SI transmission. It should be noted that method 3200 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 3200 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 33 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 3300 for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 3300 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-15 and 25. In some examples, the UE may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the UE so as to perform the functions described below. In some examples, method 3300 may be performed by receiving system information by the UE in a unicast, narrow beam, broadcast, or wide beam manner.

At block 3305, the UE may receive a first signal comprising a first indicator, the first indicator being associated with receiving system information. The first indicator may indicate, for example, that system information should be obtained via a request or via a broadcast. The operation(s) in block 3305 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 9, 10, 15 or 25, the service-specific SI acquisition mode control module 905 described with reference to FIG. 9 or 10, or the synchronization signal receiving module 1005 described with reference to FIG. 10.

At block 3310, the UE may identify one or more services for which system information should be obtained. Service-specific system information that is available may be identified in the first signal. However, the UE may determine which of the identified service-specific system information is required. Alternatively, the UE may determine, in the absence of identification of available service-specific system information, what system information is required. The operation(s) at block 3310 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 9, 10, 15 or 25, the service-specific SI acquisition mode control module 905 described with reference to FIG. 9 or 10, or module 1010

- 51 045271 determining the acquisition mode of a service-specific SI described with reference to FIG. 10.

At block 3315, the UE may obtain system information for the identified one or more services in accordance with the first indicator. System information may be obtained by either listening to a broadcast or requesting service-specific system information. The operation(s) in block 3315 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 9, 10, 15 or 25, or the service-specific UE SI request issuing module 910 and the SI receiving module 745, described with reference to FIG. 9 or 10.

In some embodiments of method 3300, obtaining system information may include sending a request for system information for one or more services and receiving system information for one or more services in response to the request. In other embodiments, obtaining system information may include sending a separate request for system information for each of one or more services, each request being for system information of a difference service, and receiving, separately, system information for one or more services in response to each of the requests.

In some embodiments, receiving the first signal may include receiving a second indication that system information for one or more services is to be broadcast at one or more predetermined times and on one or more predetermined channels. Receiving the first signal may also include receiving a second indicator that system information for one or more services is available.

Thus, method 3300 may provide wireless communications. It should be noted that method 3300 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 3300 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 34 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 3400 for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 3400 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-15 and 25. In some examples, the UE may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the UE so as to perform the functions described below. In some examples, method 3400 may be performed by receiving system information by the UE in a unicast, narrow beam, broadcast, or wide beam manner.

At block 3405, the UE may receive a first signal comprising a first indicator, the first indicator being associated with receiving system information. The first indicator may indicate, for example, that system information should be obtained via query or broadcast. The operation(s) at block 3405 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 9, 10, 15 or 25, the service-specific SI acquisition mode control module 905 described with reference to FIG. 9 or 10, or the synchronization signal receiving module 1005 described with reference to FIG. 10.

At block 3410, the UE may identify one or more services for which system information should be obtained. Service-specific system information that is available may be identified in the first signal. However, the UE may determine which of the identified service-specific system information is required. Alternatively, the UE may determine, in the absence of identification of available service-specific system information, what system information is required. The operation(s) at block 3410 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 9, 10, 15 or 25, the service-specific SI acquisition mode control module 905 described with reference to FIG. 9 or 10, or the service-specific SI acquisition mode determination module 1010 described with reference to FIG. 10.

Any of blocks 3415, 3420, or 3425 may be executed after block 3410, depending on the first indicator included in the first signal. At block 3415, the UE may obtain system information for the identified one or more services by sending a request that explicitly identifies the one or more services for which system information is to be obtained. The operation(s) at block 3415 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 9, 10, 15 or 25, or the service-specific UE SI request issuing module 910 and the SI receiving module 745, described with reference to FIG. 9 or 10.

At block 3420, the UE may obtain system information for the identified one or more services by sending separate system information requests for each of the one or more services for which system information is to be obtained. The operation(s) at block 3420 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 9, 10, 15 or 25, or the service-specific UE SI request issuing module 910 and the SI receiving module 745, described with reference to FIG. 9 or 10.

At block 3425, the UE may obtain system information for the identified one or more services by listening to one or more broadcasts that include system information for the one or more services for which system information is to be obtained. The operation(s) at block 3425 may be performed using receive module 720

SI described with reference to FIG. 9, 10, 15, or 25, or the SI receiving module 745 described with reference to FIG. 9 or 10.

Thus, method 3400 may provide wireless communications. It should be noted that method 3400 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 3400 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 35 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 3500 for wireless communication at a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 3500 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 1-6 and 16-25. In some examples, the base station may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the base station so as to perform the functions described below. In some examples, method 3500 may be performed by a base station during the UE's initial access procedure.

At block 3505, the base station may transmit a first signal comprising a first indicator associated with the acquisition of system information by the UE for one or more services. The first signal, in some examples, may be a service-specific periodic synchronization signal and may indicate to the UE that the service-specific SI should be obtained via a fixed periodic broadcast or wide beam transmission or by request. Operations at block 3505 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 18, 19, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the service-specific SI transmission mode control module 1805 described with reference to FIG. 18 or 19.

At block 3510, the base station may transmit, in accordance with the first indicator, system information associated with services available to the UE, where a separate transmission is used to transmit system information for different services and different service configurations. These service-specific SI transmissions may either be broadcast periodically or transmitted in response to receiving a request from the UE. Operations at block 3510 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 18, 19, 24A, 24B or 25, or the base station service-specific SI requesting module 1810 and the SI transmitting module 1645 described with reference to FIG. 18 or 19.

In some embodiments, the base station may further receive a request for system information for one or more services in accordance with the first indicator and then may transmit system information for one or more services in response to the request. In other embodiments, the base station may receive multiple requests for system information for one or more services in accordance with the first indicator, each request originating from the UE and made for system information of a different service, and then may transmit system information for one or more services to response to the request. Service-specific system information may be transmitted as a combined transmission or separately.

In some embodiments, the base station may include, in the first signal, a second indicator that system information for one or more services is to be broadcast at one or more specified times and on one or more specified channels. Additionally, the base station may include, in the first signal, a second indicator that system information for one or more services is available for querying.

Thus, method 3500 can provide wireless communications and, in particular, transmission of service-specific SI. It should be noted that method 3500 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 3500 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 36 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 3600 for wireless communication at a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 3600 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 1-6 and 16-25. In some examples, the base station may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the base station so as to perform the functions described below. In some examples, method 3600 may be performed by a base station during the UE's initial access procedure.

At block 3605, the base station may transmit a first signal comprising a first indicator associated with the acquisition of system information by the UE for one or more services. The first signal, in some examples, may be a service-specific periodic synchronization signal and may indicate to the UE that the service-specific SI should be obtained via a fixed periodic broadcast or wide beam transmission or through a request. Operations at block 3605 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 18, 19, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the service-specific SI transmission mode control module 1805 described with reference to FIG. 18 or 19.

Any of blocks 3610, 3615, or 3620 may be executed after block 3605, depending on the first indicator included in the first signal. At block 3610, the base station may receive a request that explicitly identifies one or more services for which system information is to be obtained. The base station can then transmit the requested system information. Operations at block 3610 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 18, 19, 24A, 24B or 25, or the base station service-specific SI requesting module 1810 and the SI transmitting module 1645 described with reference to FIG. 18 or 19.

At block 3615, the base station may receive separate requests for system information for each of the one or more services for which system information is to be obtained. The base station can then transmit the requested system information. Operations at block 3615 may be performed using the SI transfer module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 18, 19, 24A, 24B or 25, or the base station service-specific SI requesting module 1810 and the SI transmitting module 1645 described with reference to FIG. 18 or 19.

At block 3620, the base station may periodically broadcast service-specific system information. Periodic broadcasting may be carried out in accordance with information included in the first signal. Operations at block 3620 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 18, 19, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the SI transmission module 1645 described with reference to FIG. 18 or 19.

Thus, method 3600 can provide wireless communications and, in particular, transmission of service-specific SI. It should be noted that method 3600 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 3600 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 37 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 3700 for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 3700 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-15 and 25. In some examples, the UE may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the UE so as to perform the functions described below. In some examples, method 3700 may be performed by receiving system information by the UE in a unicast, narrow beam, broadcast, or wide beam manner.

At block 3705, the UE may receive a first set of system information (eg, main system information, eg, main system information included in the MSIB). The operation(s) in block 3705 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 11, 12, 15 or 25, or the main SI acquisition unit 1105 described with reference to FIG. 11 or 12.

At block 3710, the UE may determine, at least in part based on the first set of system information, that additional system information (eg, non-major system information, eg, information included in the OSIB) is available. The operation(s) at block 3710 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 11, 12, 15, or 25, or the signal processing module 1110 described with reference to FIG. 11 or 12.

At block 3715, the UE may transmit a request (eg, an OSIB transfer request) for additional system information. In some examples, the UE may transmit multiple requests for additional system information. In some examples, a single OSIB transfer request may indicate one or more additional system information items that the UE wishes to receive (e.g., a binary value in the OSIB transfer request may be set to true for each additional system information item that the UE wishes to receive ). In other examples, the UE may request certain types of additional system information in various OSIB transfer requests, multiple OSIB transfer requests may be sent. The operation(s) in block 3715 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 11, 12, 15 or 25, or the UE SI request issuing module 1115 described with reference to FIG. 11 or 12.

At block 3720, the UE may receive additional system information. The operation(s) at block 3720 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 11, 12, 15, or 25, or another SI acquisition module 1120 described with reference to FIG. 11 or 12.

In some embodiments of method 3700, receiving the first set of system information may include receiving an indicator regarding one or more sets of additional system information that is available. In some embodiments of method 3700, transmitting a request for additional system information may include identifying, in the request for additional system information, one or more sets of additional system information. In some embodiments, one or more sets of optional system

- 54 045271 information identified in the request for additional system information may include one or more sets of additional system information specified in the first set of system information.

In some embodiments of method 3700, receiving additional system information, at block 3720, may include at least one of the following: receiving system information indicating which RATs are available in the region and how the UE should select an available one RAT; receiving system information indicating which services are available in the region and how the UE should obtain the available service; receiving system information associated with the MBMS or PWS service; receiving system information related to location, positioning, or navigation services; or receiving system information at least in part based on a determined location of the UE.

In some embodiments of method 3700, transmitting a request for additional system information may include including one or more UE characteristics in the request. In these embodiments, receiving additional system information may include receiving system information based at least in part on one or more characteristics of the UE included in the request.

In some embodiments of method 3700, transmitting a request for additional system information may include including the location of the UE in the request. In these embodiments, receiving additional system information may include receiving system information based at least in part on the location of the UE included in the request.

In some embodiments of method 3700, transmitting a request for additional system information may include including the UE identity in the request. In these embodiments, receiving additional system information may include receiving additional system information based at least in part on the UE identity included in the request.

Thus, method 3700 can provide wireless communications. It should be noted that method 3700 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 3700 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 38 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 3800 for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 3800 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-15 and 25. In some examples, the UE may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the UE so as to perform the functions described below. In some examples, method 3800 may be performed by receiving system information by the UE in a unicast, narrow beam, broadcast, or wide beam manner.

At block 3805, the UE may decode information received from the downlink channel. The decoded information may indicate that master system information (eg, MSIB) is received in response to a request for master system information (eg, MSIB transfer request). In some examples, the downlink channel may include a synchronization signal. The decoded information may include information decoded from the synchronization signal. The operation(s) at block 3805 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 11, 12, 15 or 25, or the synchronization signal processing module 1205 described with reference to FIG. 12.

At block 3810, the UE may transmit a request for main system information in accordance with information decoded from the downlink channel. The operation(s) at block 3810 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 11, 12, 15 or 25, or the UE SI request issuing module 1115 described with reference to FIG. 11 or 12.

At block 3815, the UE may receive main system information. The main system information may include system information that enables the UE to perform initial network access using one or more of a network identity, a base station identity in the network, a cell selection configuration, and an access or network access restriction configuration. The operation(s) at block 3815 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 11, 12, 15 or 25, or the main SI acquisition unit 1105 described with reference to FIG. 11 or 12.

At block 3820, the UE may determine, at least in part based on the main system information, that additional system information is available. The operation(s) at block 3820 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 11, 12, 15, or 25, or the SI processing module 1110 described with reference to FIG. 11 or 12.

At block 3825, the UE may transmit a request (eg, an OSIB transfer request) for additional system information. In some examples, the UE may transmit multiple requests for additional system information. In some examples, a single OSIB transfer request may indicate one or more additional system information items that the UE wishes to receive (e.g., a binary value in the OSIB transfer request may be set to true for each additional system information item that the UE wishes to receive ). In other examples, the UE may request certain types of additional system information in various OSIB transfer requests, multiple OSIB transfer requests may be sent. The operation(s) at block 3825 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 11, 12, 15 or 25, or the UE SI request issuing module 1115 described with reference to FIG. 11 or 12.

At block 3830, the UE may receive additional system information. The operation(s) at block 3830 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 11, 12, 15, or 25, or another SI acquisition module 1120 described with reference to FIG. 11 or 12.

In some embodiments of method 3800, receiving main system information may include receiving an indicator regarding one or more sets of additional system information that is available. In some embodiments of method 3800, transmitting a request for additional system information may include identifying, in the request for additional system information, one or more sets of additional system information. In some embodiments, one or more sets of additional system information identified in the request for additional system information may include one or more sets of additional system information identified in the main system information.

Thus, method 3800 can provide wireless communications. It should be noted that method 3800 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 3800 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 39 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 3900 for wireless communication at a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 3900 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 1-6 and 16-25. In some examples, the base station may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the base station so as to perform the functions described below. In some examples, method 3900 may be performed by transmitting system information via a base station in a unicast, narrow beam, broadcast, or wide beam manner.

At block 3905, the base station may transmit a first set of system information (eg, main system information, eg, main system information included in the MSIB). The operation(s) in block 3905 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 20, 21, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the main SI transmission control module 2005 described with reference to FIG. 20 or 21.

At block 3910, the base station may receive a request for additional system information (eg, non-major system information, eg, information included in the OSIB). The operation(s) at block 3910 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 20, 21, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the SI request processing module 2010 described with reference to FIG. 20 or 21.

At block 3915, the base station may transmit additional system information based at least in part on the request. The operation(s) in block 3915 may be performed using the SI transfer module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 20, 21, 24A, 24B, or 25, or another SI transmission control module 2015 described with reference to FIG. 20 or 21.

In some embodiments of method 3900, transmitting the first set of system information may include transmitting an indicator regarding one or more sets of additional system information that are available. In some embodiments of method 3900, receiving a request for additional system information may include receiving a plurality of requests for additional system information corresponding to a plurality of sets of additional system information to be transmitted. For example, method 3900 may include receiving a single OSIB transfer request indicating one or more additional system information items that the UE wishes to receive (e.g., a binary value in the OSIB transfer request may be set to true for each additional system information item which the UE wants to receive). In other examples, method 3900 may include receiving requests for certain types of additional system information in various OSIB transmission requests.

In some embodiments of method 3900, transmitting additional system information, at block 3915, may include at least one of the following: transmitting system information indicating which RATs are available in the region and how the UE should select an available one.

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RAT; transmitting system information indicating which services are available in the region and how the UE should obtain the available service; transmission of system information associated with the MBMS or PWS service; transmission of system information related to location, positioning or navigation services; or communicating system information at least in part based on the determined location of the UE.

In some embodiments of method 3900, receiving a request for additional system information may include receiving, in the request, one or more characteristics of the UE transmitting the request. In these embodiments, transmitting additional system information may include transmitting system information based at least in part on one or more characteristics of the UE included in the request.

In some embodiments of method 3900, receiving a request for additional system information may include receiving, in the request, the location of the UE transmitting the request. In these embodiments, method 3900 may include identifying additional system information to be transmitted based at least in part on the location of the UE included in the request. Alternatively, method 3900 may include determining the location of the UE transmitting the request and identifying additional system information to be transmitted based at least in part on the location of the UE.

In some embodiments of method 3900, receiving a request for additional system information may include receiving, in the request, the identity of the UE transmitting the request. In these embodiments, method 3900 may include identifying additional system information to be transmitted based at least in part on the UE identity included in the request. In some cases, additional system information may be identified by accessing a database that includes the identity of the UE transmitting the request and one or more characteristics of the UE.

Thus, method 3900 can provide wireless communications. It should be noted that method 3900 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 3900 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 40 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 4000 for wireless communication at a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 4000 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 1-6 and 16-25. In some examples, the base station may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the base station so as to perform the functions described below. In some examples, method 4000 may be performed by transmitting system information via a base station in a unicast, narrow beam, broadcast, or wide beam manner.

At block 4005, the base station may broadcast information on a downlink channel. The information may indicate that major system information (eg, MSIB) is transmitted in response to a master system information request (eg, MSIB transfer request) received from the UE. In some examples, the downlink channel may include a synchronization signal. The information may be included in (or associated with) the synchronization signal. The operation(s) in block 4005 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 20, 21, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the synchronization signal transmission control module 2105 described with reference to FIG. 21.

At block 4010, the base station may receive a request for main system information (eg, in accordance with information broadcast on a downlink channel). In some cases, receiving a request for general system information may include receiving, in the request, an identity of one or more characteristics of the UE transmitting the request. The operation(s) in block 4010 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 20, 21, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the SI request processing module 2010 described with reference to FIG. 20 or 21.

At block 4015, the base station may transmit, in response to receiving a request for main system information, main system information. In some cases, the main system information may include system information that enables the UE to perform initial network access using one or more of a network identity, a base station identity, a cell selection configuration, and an access or network access restriction configuration. The operation(s) in block 4015 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 20, 21, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the main SI transmission control module 2005 described with reference to FIG. 20 or 21.

At block 4020, the base station may receive a request for additional system information. The operation(s) in block 4020 may be performed using the SI transfer module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 20, 21, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the SI request processing module 2010 described with reference to FIG. 20 or 21.

At block 4025, the base station may transmit additional system information based at least in part on a request for additional system information. In some cases, additional system information may be identified at least in part based on one or more characteristics of the UE identified in the request for main system information. Additional system information may also be identified at least in part based on information received in a request for additional system information or by other means (eg, as described with reference to FIG. 38). The operation(s) in block 4025 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 20, 21, 24A, 24B, or 25, or another SI transmission control module 2015 described with reference to FIG. 20 or 21.

In some embodiments of method 4000, transmitting the main system information may include transmitting an indicator regarding one or more sets of additional system information that are available. In some embodiments of method 4000, receiving a request for additional system information may include receiving a plurality of requests for additional system information corresponding to a plurality of sets of additional system information to be transmitted. For example, method 4000 may include receiving a single OSIB transfer request indicating one or more additional system information items that the UE wishes to receive (e.g., a binary value in the OSIB transfer request may be set to true for each additional system information item that UE wants to receive). In other examples, method 4000 may include receiving requests for certain types of additional system information in various OSIB transfer requests.

Thus, method 4000 may provide wireless communications. It should be noted that method 4000 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 4000 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 41 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 4100 for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 4100 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-15 and 25. In some examples, the UE may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the UE so as to perform the functions described below.

At block 4105, the UE may receive a first signal (eg, a synchronization signal, a paging message, or another type of transmission (eg, MSIB)). During reception of the first signal, the UE may communicate with the network using the first system information. The operation(s) in block 4105 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 13, 14, 15 or 25, or the signal processing module 1305 described with reference to FIG. 13 or 14.

At block 4110, the UE may determine, at least in part based on the first signal, whether to request updated system information. The operation(s) in block 4110 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 13, 14, 15 or 25, or the signal processing module 1305 described with reference to FIG. 13 or 14.

At block 4115, the UE may request updated system information based at least in part on the determination. The operation(s) in block 4115 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 13, 14, 15 or 25, or the UE SI request issuing module 1310 described with reference to FIG. 13 or 14.

In some embodiments of method 4100, receiving the first signal may include receiving an indicator that at least a portion of the first system information has changed. In some examples, the indicator may include a modification flag. The modification flag may indicate, through a counter value or a Boolean variable (eg, a binary value), that the corresponding piece of system information has been modified. In some examples, the indicator may include one or more value tags, as described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6 or 43.

In some embodiments of method 4100, determining whether to request updated system information, at block 4110, may include at least one of the following: identifying that the UE has moved into the area using second system information that is different from the first system information information; identifying that the network modifies at least a portion of the first system information; or identifying that the UE has moved more than a predetermined distance from the location at which the UE received the first system information the previous time (eg, from the location at which the UE received the first system information last time).

In some embodiments of method 4100, receiving the first signal, at block 4105, may include receiving an area identifier (eg, an area code, BSIC, or other cell identifier). In some cases, the zone identifier may be received as part of the synchronization signal. In these embodiments, method 4100 may include using a zone identifier to identify that the UE has moved from a first zone to a second zone.

In some embodiments of method 4100, determining whether to request updated system information, at block 4110, may include identifying a distance between the UE's current location and the location at which the UE received the first system information at a previous time (e.g., last time), and determining that the identified distance exceeds a predetermined threshold value. In some cases, a predetermined threshold value may be received from the network. In some cases, a location signal identifying the location of the UE may also be received. The location signal may be received, for example, as part of receiving the first signal. The location signal can also be received in other ways, for example via GNSS (eg GPS, Galileo, GLONASS or BeiDou).

Thus, method 4100 may provide wireless communications. It should be noted that method 4100 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 4100 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 42 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 4200 for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 4200 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-15 and 25. In some examples, the UE may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the UE so as to perform the functions described below.

At block 4205, the UE may receive a first signal (eg, a synchronization signal, a paging message, or another type of transmission (eg, MSIB)). During reception of the first signal, the UE may communicate with the network using the first system information. The first signal may include an indicator that at least a portion of the first system information has been changed. The operation(s) in block 4205 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 13, 14, 15 or 25, or the signal processing module 1305 described with reference to FIG. 13 or 14.

At block 4210, the UE may receive one or more modification flags, each of which indicates through a counter value or a Boolean variable (eg, a binary value) that a corresponding piece of first system information has been modified. In some examples, the corresponding portion of the first system information may include a portion of the main system information, eg, an MSIB or an MSIB element. In other examples, the corresponding portion of the first system information may include additional non-major system information, for example, an OSIB or an OSIB element. The main system information may include one or more of network identification information, identification information of a base station in the network, cell selection configuration, and access restriction or network access configuration information. The main system information may also or alternatively include, for example, one or more other elements of the main system information described with reference to FIG. 3A. Additional non-major system information may include one or more elements of other system information described with reference to FIG. 4 or 6. In some embodiments, the modification flag received at block 4210 may be received with (or as part of) the first signal received at block 4205. The operation(s) at block 4210 may be performed using SI acquisition module 720, described with reference to FIG. 13, 14, 15 or 25, signal processing module 1305, described with reference to FIG. 13 or 14, or modification flag or value tag processing module 1405 described with reference to FIG. 14.

At block 4215, the UE may determine, at least in part based on the first signal or modification flag (eg, when the modification flag is set to true), whether to request updated system information. The operation(s) in block 4215 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 13, 14, 15 or 25, signal processing module 1305, described with reference to FIG. 13 or 14, or modification flag or value tag processing module 1405 described with reference to FIG. 14.

At block 4220, the UE may request updated system information (eg, updated MSIB or OSIB) based at least in part on the determination. The operation(s) at block 4220 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 13, 14, 15 or 25, or the UE SI request issuing module 1310 described with reference to FIG. 13 or 14.

Thus, method 4200 can provide wireless communications. It should be noted that method 4200 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 4200 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

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Fig. 43 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 4300 for wireless communication on a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 4300 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more UEs 115 described with reference to FIG. 1-15 and 25. In some examples, the UE may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the UE so as to perform the functions described below.

At block 4305, the UE may receive a first signal (eg, a synchronization signal, a paging message, or another type of transmission (eg, MSIB)). During reception of the first signal, the UE may communicate with the network using the first system information. The first signal may include an indicator that at least a portion of the first system information has been changed. The operation(s) in block 4305 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 13, 14, 15 or 25, or the signal processing module 1305 described with reference to FIG. 13 or 14.

At block 4310, the UE may receive one or more value tags corresponding to at least a portion (or various portions) of the first system information that is changed. In some examples, one or more value tags may correspond to one or more pieces of major system information, one or more pieces of additional non-major system information, or a combination of the above. The main system information may include one or more of network identification information, identification information of a base station in the network, cell selection configuration, and access restriction or network access configuration information. The main system information may also or alternatively include, for example, one or more other elements of the main system information described with reference to FIG. 3A. Additional non-major system information may include one or more elements of other system information described with reference to FIG. 4 or 6. In some embodiments, one or more value tags received at block 4310 may be received with (or as part of) a first signal received at block 4305. The operation(s) at block 4310 may be performed using receive module 720 SI described with reference to FIG. 13, 14, 15 or 25, signal processing module 1305, described with reference to FIG. 13 or 14, or modification flag or value tag processing module 1405 described with reference to FIG. 14.

At block 4315, the UE may determine, at least in part based on the first signal or one or more value tags, whether to request updated system information. In some cases, determining whether to request updated system information may involve comparing a received value tag (eg, a received value tag associated with a non-major system information element included in the OSIB) with a previously received value tag (eg, a previously received value tag for an element). non-main system information) and determining whether to request updated system information at least in part based on the comparison (eg, determining whether to request updated system information when value tags do not match). When a received value tag corresponds to a system information element that is not monitored by the UE, the UE cannot compare the value tag with a previously received value tag or cannot query the system information element. The operation(s) in block 4315 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 13, 14, 15 or 25, signal processing module 1305, described with reference to FIG. 13 or 14, or modification flag or value tag processing module 1405 described with reference to FIG. 14.

At block 4320, the UE may request updated system information (eg, a specific OSIB or OSIB element) based at least in part on the determination. The operation(s) at block 4320 may be performed using the SI acquisition module 720 described with reference to FIG. 13, 14, 15 or 25, or the UE SI request issuing module 1310 described with reference to FIG. 13 or 14.

Thus, method 4300 can provide wireless communications. It should be noted that method 4300 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 4300 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 44 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 4400 for wireless communication at a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 4400 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 1, 2, 4, 6, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24A, 24B, or 25. In some examples, the base station may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the base station in this manner to perform the functions described below.

At block 4405, method 4400 may include transmitting a first signal (eg, a synchronization signal, a paging message, or another type of transmission (eg, MSIB)) from the base station to the UE. During transmission of the first signal, the UE may communicate with the network using the first system information. The first signal may include information to enable the UE to determine the need to request updated system information. The operation(s) in block 4405 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 22, 23, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the SI transmission control module 2205 described with reference to FIG. 22 or 23.

At block 4410, method 4400 may include receiving a request from the UE for updated system information. The operation(s) in block 4410 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 22, 23, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the SI request processing module 2210 described with reference to FIG. 22 or 23.

At block 4415, method 4400 may include transmitting updated system information based at least in part on the request. The operation(s) in block 4415 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 22, 23, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the SI transmission control module 2205 described with reference to FIG. 22 or 23.

In some embodiments of method 4400, transmitting the first signal may include transmitting an indicator that at least a portion of the first system information has changed. In some examples, the indicator may include a modification flag. The modification flag may indicate, through a counter value or a Boolean variable (eg, a binary value), that the corresponding piece of system information has been modified. In some examples, the indicator may include one or more value tags, as described in more detail with reference to FIG. 46.

In some embodiments of method 4400, transmitting the first signal, at block 4305, may include transmitting an area identifier (eg, an area code, BSIC, or other cell identifier). In some cases, the zone ID may be transmitted as part of the synchronization signal.

Thus, method 4400 can provide wireless communications. It should be noted that method 4400 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 4400 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 45 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 4500 for wireless communication at a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 4500 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 1, 2, 4, 6, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24A, 24B, or 25. In some examples, the base station may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the base station in this manner to perform the functions described below.

At block 4505, method 4500 may include transmitting a first signal (eg, a synchronization signal, a paging message, or another type of transmission (eg, MSIB)) from the base station to the UE. During transmission of the first signal, the UE may communicate with the network using the first system information. The first signal may include information to enable the UE to determine the need to request updated system information. The first signal may also include an indicator that at least a portion of the first system information has been changed. The operation(s) in block 4505 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 22, 23, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the SI transmission control module 2205 described with reference to FIG. 22 or 23.

At block 4510, method 4500 may include transmitting one or more modification flags, each of which indicates through a counter value or a Boolean variable (eg, a binary value) that a corresponding portion of the first system information has been modified. In some examples, the corresponding portion of the first system information may include a portion of the main system information, eg, an MSIB or an MSIB element. In other examples, the corresponding portion of the first system information may include additional non-major system information, for example, an OSIB or an OSIB element. The main system information may include one or more of network identification information, identification information of a base station in the network, cell selection configuration, and access restriction or network access configuration information. The main system information may also or alternatively include, for example, one or more other elements of the main system information described with reference to FIG. 3A. Additional non-major system information may include one or more elements of other system information described with reference to FIG. 4 or 6. In some embodiments, the modification flag transmitted at block 4510 may be transmitted with (or as part of) the first signal transmitted at block 4505. The operation(s) at block 4510 may be performed using SI transmit module 1620, described with reference to FIG. 22, 23, 24A, 24B, or 25, the SI transmission control module 2205 described with reference to FIG. 22 or 23, or module 2305 for controlling the transmission of modification flags or value tags, described with reference to FIG. 23.

At block 4515, method 4500 may include receiving a request from the UE for an updated system

- 61 045271 information (eg updated MSIB or OSIB). The operation(s) in block 4515 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 22, 23, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the SI request processing module 2210 described with reference to FIG. 22 or 23.

At block 4520, method 4500 may include transmitting updated system information based at least in part on the request. The operation(s) in block 4520 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 22, 23, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the SI transmission control module 2205 described with reference to FIG. 22 or 23.

Thus, method 4500 can provide wireless communications. It should be noted that method 4500 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 4500 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

Fig. 46 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 4600 for wireless communication at a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For clarity, method 4600 is described below with reference to aspects of one or more base stations 105 described with reference to FIG. 1, 2, 4, 6, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24A, 24B, or 25. In some examples, the base station may execute one or more sets of codes to control functional elements of the base station in this manner to perform the functions described below.

At block 4605, method 4600 may include transmitting a first signal (eg, a synchronization signal, a paging message, or another type of transmission (eg, MSIB)) from the base station to the UE. During transmission of the first signal, the UE may communicate with the network using the first system information. The first signal may include information to enable the UE to determine the need to request updated system information. The first signal may also include an indicator that at least a portion of the first system information has been changed. The operation(s) in block 4605 may be performed using the SI transfer module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 22, 23, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the SI transmission control module 2205 described with reference to FIG. 22 or 23.

At block 4610, method 4600 may include transmitting one or more value tags corresponding to at least a portion (or various portions) of the first system information that is changed. In some examples, one or more value tags may correspond to one or more pieces of major system information, one or more pieces of additional non-major system information, or a combination of the above. The main system information may include one or more of network identification information, identification information of a base station in the network, cell selection configuration, and access restriction or network access configuration information. The main system information may also or alternatively include, for example, one or more other elements of the main system information described with reference to FIG. 3A. Additional non-major system information may include one or more elements of other system information described with reference to FIG. 4 or 6. In some embodiments, one or more value tags transmitted in block 4610 may be transmitted with (or as part of) the first signal transmitted in block 4605. The operation(s) in block 4610 may be performed using transmit module 1620 SI described with reference to FIG. 22, 23, 24A, 24B, or 25, the SI transmission control module 2205 described with reference to FIG. 22 or 23, or module 2305 for controlling the transmission of modification flags or value tags, described with reference to FIG. 23.

At block 4615, method 4600 may include receiving a request from the UE for updated system information (eg, a specific OSIB or OSIB element). The operation(s) in block 4615 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 22, 23, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the SI request processing module 2210 described with reference to FIG. 2 2 or 2 3.

At block 4620, method 4600 may include transmitting updated system information based at least in part on the request. The operation(s) in block 4620 may be performed using the SI transmit module 1620 described with reference to FIG. 22, 23, 24A, 24B, or 25, or the SI transmission control module 2205 described with reference to FIG. 22 or 23.

Thus, method 4600 can provide wireless communications. It should be noted that method 4600 represents only one implementation, and that the operations of method 4600 may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible.

The detailed description set forth above in connection with the accompanying drawings describes examples and does not represent the only examples that may be implemented or that fall within the scope of the claims. The terms example and exemplary as used in this specification mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration and not as preferred or superior to other examples. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the technologies described. However, these technologies can be put into practice without these specific details. In some cases, common

- 62 045271 structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid making it difficult to understand the principles of the described examples.

Information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols and PN symbols that may be exemplified in the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles or any combination of the above.

The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection with the invention herein may be implemented or executed by a general purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), ASIC, FPGA, S°C, or other programmable logic device, discrete logic element, or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination of the foregoing, designed to perform the functions described in this document. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors together with a DSP core, or any other similar configuration.

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the invention and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described above may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwired hardware, or combinations of any of the foregoing. Features that implement functions can also be physically located in different positions, including according to such a distribution that parts of the functions are implemented in different physical locations. Additionally, when used herein, including in claims, or, as used in a list of elements preceded by at least one of, indicates a separating list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e. A and B and C).

Computer readable media includes both computer storage media and communications media, which includes any transmission medium that facilitates the movement of a computer program from one location to another. The storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), compact disc ROM (CD-ROM), or other optical disk storage device, magnetic disk storage device, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store required software code in the form of instructions or data structures, and that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or general purpose or special purpose processor. In addition, any connection is correctly called a machine-readable medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a Web site, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave media, then the coaxial cable fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwave media are included in the definition of media. Disc and disc as used herein include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, wherein discs typically reproduce data magnetically, whereas discs typically reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included among machine-readable media.

The above description of the invention is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles described herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. In this invention, the term example or exemplary indicates an example or case and does not imply or require any preference for the specified example. Thus, the invention is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should

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Claims (8)

satisfy the broadest scope consistent with the principles and new features disclosed in this document. CLAIM 1. A wireless communication method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising the steps of: receiving, at the UE, a first signal from a base station, the first signal comprising a system information block including a first indicator regarding whether or not additional system information should be requested by the UE, and a second indicator regarding information about at least one of a channel, a frequency and time synchronization for sending, by the UE, a request for additional system information; IDs identify one or more functions of the UE modules for which additional system information is to be obtained; sending to the base station, by the UE, a request for additional system information in accordance with the first indicator and the second indicator; receiving, at the UE, additional system information in accordance with the request, wherein the received additional system information includes system information for the identified one or more functions; and establishing a connection between the UE and the base station in accordance with the received additional system information; IDs identify one or more services for which additional system information is to be obtained; wherein obtaining additional system information comprises obtaining additional system information for the identified one or more services in accordance with the first indicator. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the first signal comprises the step of: receiving the first signal as part of a broadcast mode of operation in a massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) network; or receiving the first signal as part of a broadcast mode of operation in a non-massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) network. 3. A wireless communication method performed by a base station, comprising the steps of: transmitting, from the base station, a first signal, the first signal comprising a block of system information including a first indicator regarding whether or not additional system information should be requested by the UE, and a second indicator regarding information of at least one of channel, frequency and time synchronization for sending, by the UE, a request for additional system information; receiving, at the base station, a request for additional system information in accordance with the first indicator and the second indicator; transmitting, from the base station, additional system information in accordance with the request, wherein the additional system information is associated with one or more functions available to the UE, wherein separate transmissions are used to transmit additional system information for different one or more functions and different configurations of functions ; and establishing a connection between the base station and the UE in accordance with the additional system information; wherein the transmission of additional system information comprises transmitting, in accordance with the indicator, additional system information associated with services available to the UE, with separate transmissions being used to convey additional system information for different services and different service configurations. 4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of: include, in the first signal, information indicating a predetermined channel over which additional system information is to be transmitted via a broadcast or wide beam mode of operation. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the transmission of the additional system information is the transmission of the additional system information in accordance with the first indicator and the transmission mode. 6. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of: use a broadcast mode of operation to transmit a first signal in a massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) network; or use a broadcast mode of operation to transmit the first signal in a non-massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) network. 7. A wireless communication device comprising: CPU; - 64 045271 a memory device configured to communicate electronically with a processor, wherein the memory device contains instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive, at the UE, a first signal from a base station, the first signal comprising a system information block including a first indicator regarding whether or not additional system information should be requested by the UE, and a second indicator regarding information about at least one of a channel, a frequency or time synchronization for sending, by the UE, a request for additional system information; identify one or more functions of the UE modules for which additional system information should be obtained; send to the base station, by the UE, a request for additional system information in accordance with the first indicator and the second indicator; receive, at the UE, additional system information in accordance with the request, wherein the received additional system information includes system information for the identified one or more functions; and establish a connection between the UE and the base station in accordance with the received additional system information; identify one or more services for which additional system information is to be obtained; wherein obtaining additional system information comprises obtaining additional system information for the identified one or more services in accordance with the first indicator. 8. A wireless communication device comprising: CPU; a memory device configured to electronically communicate with a processor, wherein the memory device contains instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: transmit, from the base station, a first signal, the first signal comprising a block of system information including a first indicator regarding whether or not additional system information should be requested by the UE, and a second indicator regarding information of at least one of channel, frequency and time synchronization for sending, by the UE, a request for additional system information; receive, at the base station, a request for additional system information in accordance with the first indicator and the second indicator; transmit, from the base station, additional system information in accordance with the request, wherein the additional system information is associated with one or more functions available to the UE, wherein separate transmissions are used to transmit additional system information for different one or more functions and different configurations of functions ; and establish a connection between the base station and the UE in accordance with the additional system information; wherein the transmission of additional system information comprises transmitting, in accordance with the indicator, additional system information associated with services available to the UE, with separate transmissions being used to convey additional system information for different services and different service configurations. -