User equipment power savings for machine type communications

Abstract

Embodiments of user equipment (UE) and base stations (eNodeB) and method for reducing power consumption in UE in a wireless network are generally described herein. In some embodiments, characteristics of UE including mobility, communication data load, and communication type are used by base stations, MME or other controlling entities to configure power saving features of the UE. Power saving features can include a new Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer state where circuitry is powered off for extended periods of time, extended Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycles, reduced workloads in existing RRC, EPC Connection Management (ECM) and/or EPS Mobility Management (EMM) states or combinations thereof.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising:
 memory; and   processing circuitry to:
 enter a power saving mode, in which the UE is not available for paging, upon expiration of a timer after a transition from an Evolved Packet System (EPS) Connection Management (ECM) CONNECTED state to an ECM_IDLE state, while remaining in an EPS Mobility Management (EMM) REGISTERED state, wherein a mobility management entity (MME) knows a location of the UE to a cell level in the ECM CONNECTED state and wherein the MME knows the location of the UE to a tracking area level in the ECM IDLE state. 
   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to exit the power saving mode subsequent to determining to transmit uplink data. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to exit the power saving mode to provide a tracking area update (TAU). 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further including:
 transceiver circuitry, and   two or more antennas coupled to the transceiver circuitry.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus is included in a device configured to perform machine-type communications (MTC). 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to control the discontinuous reception cycle (DRX). 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein UE data transmission characteristics comprise either normal data characteristics associated with non-Machine Type Communications (non-MTC) or limited data characteristics associated with Machine Type Communications (MTC). 
     
     
         9 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions for execution by processing circuitry of a user equipment (UE), the instructions to configure the UE to:
 enter a power saving mode, in which the UE is not available for paging, upon expiration of a timer after a transition from an Evolved Packet System (EPS) Connection Management (ECM) CONNECTED state to an ECM_IDLE state, while remaining in an EPS Mobility Management (EMM) REGISTERED state.   
     
     
         10 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein a mobility management entity (MME) knows a location of the UE to a cell level in the ECM CONNECTED state and wherein the MME knows the location of the UE to a tracking area level in the ECM IDLE state. 
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein a value for the timer is configured by a Mobility Management Entity (MME). 
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions configure the UE to exit the power saving mode subsequent to determining to transmit uplink data. 
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions configure the UE to exit the power saving mode to provide a tracking area update (TAU). 
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein the UE is included in a device configured to perform machine-type communications (MTC). 
     
     
         15 . The -transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions configure the UE to control the discontinuous reception cycle (DRX). 
     
     
         16 . The -transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein UE data transmission characteristics comprise either normal data characteristics associated with non-Machine Type Communications (non-MTC) or limited data characteristics associated with Machine Type Communications (MTC). 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 entering an Evolved Packet System (EPS) Connection Management (ECM) IDLE state;   enter a power saving mode, in which the UE is not available for paging, upon expiration of a timer after entering the ECM_IDLE state, while remaining in an EPS Mobility Management (EMM) REGISTERED state.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a mobility management entity (MME) knows a location of the UE to a cell level in an ECM CONNECTED state and wherein the MME knows the location of the UE to a tracking area level in the ECM IDLE state. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 exiting the power saving mode subsequent to determining to transmit uplink data.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 providing a tracking area update (TAU) after exiting the power saving mode.