Control channel transmission for paging message coverage enhancement

Abstract

Various communication systems may benefit from the proper use of control channel resources. For example, certain communication systems associated with the long tem evolution of the third generation partnership project may benefit from physical downlink control channel transmission improvement for paging message coverage enhancement. A method can include obtaining a coverage enhancement paging parameter at a user equipment. The method can also include calculating, by the user equipment, a paging frame or paging occasion according to the paging parameter. In another example, a method can include receiving, at a user equipment, a coverage enhancement paging radio network temporary identifier for use in coverage enhancement mode. The method can also include decoding a physical downlink control channel based on the coverage enhancement paging radio network temporary identifier.

1 . A method, comprising:
 obtaining a coverage enhancement paging parameter at or for a user equipment; and   calculating, by a base station or the user equipment, a paging frame or paging occasion according to the paging parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 indicating a repetition level for the user equipment to a mobility management entity, wherein the obtained paging parameter is based on the repetition level.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the repetition level of the user equipment is conveyed to the mobility management entity when the user equipment moves to idle mode. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , where the paging parameter is derived such that the paging parameter is set to an available value of a Node B that is smaller than (T*10/N), wherein T represents a paging cycle, and N represents a repetition number. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the base station calculating the paging parameter comprises a coverage enhanced Node B (CE-nB). 
     
     
         6 . A method, comprising:
 determining, at a user equipment, a coverage enhancement paging radio network temporary identifier for use in a coverage enhancement mode; and   decoding a physical downlink control channel based on the coverage enhancement paging radio network temporary identifier.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the coverage enhancement paging radio network temporary identifier is one of a plurality of coverage enhancement paging radio network temporary identifiers and wherein the coverage enhancement paging radio network temporary identifier is derived based on the repetition level stored at the user equipment. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the coverage enhancement paging radio network temporary identifier is configured by a base station. 
     
     
         9 . A method, comprising:
 determining whether a paging is for a user equipment in a coverage enhancement mode; and   indicating in a paging message that the paging is for the user equipment in the coverage enhancement mode, based on the determining.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 receiving an indication of a repetition level for the user equipment; and   sending, by a mobility management entity, the received repetition level to an enhanced Node B.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the repetition level of the user equipment is conveyed to the mobility management entity when the user equipment moves to idle mode. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code,   wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to   obtain a coverage enhancement paging parameter at or for a user equipment; and   calculate, by a base station or the user equipment, a paging frame or paging occasion according to the paging parameter.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to indicate a repetition level for the user equipment to a mobility management entity, wherein the obtained paging parameter is based on the repetition level. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the repetition level of the user equipment is conveyed to the mobility management entity when the user equipment moves to idle mode. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to deriving the paging parameter such that the paging parameter is set to an available value of a Node B that is smaller than (T*10/N), wherein T represents a paging cycle, and N represents a repetition number. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the paging parameter comprises a coverage enhanced Node B. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code,   wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to   determine, at a user equipment, a coverage enhancement paging radio network temporary identifier for use in a coverage enhancement mode; and   decode a physical downlink control channel based on the coverage enhancement paging radio network temporary identifier.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the coverage enhancement paging radio network temporary identifier is one of a plurality of coverage enhancement paging radio network temporary identifiers, and wherein the coverage enhancement paging radio network temporary identifier is derived based on the repetition level stored at the user equipment. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the coverage enhancement paging radio network temporary identifier is configured by a base station. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code,   wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to   determine whether a paging is for a user equipment in a coverage enhancement mode; and   indicate in a paging message that the paging is for the user equipment in the coverage enhancement mode, based on the determining.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to
 receive an indication of a repetition level for the user equipment; and   send, by a mobility management entity, the received repetition level to an enhanced Node B.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the repetition level of the user equipment is conveyed to the mobility management entity when the user equipment moves to idle mode. 
     
     
         23 - 26 . (canceled)