Dynamic network-controlled uplink access
A radio access network element including a processor and a memory storing computer-executable instructions coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the radio access network element to generate a signal including information indicating uplink access restrictions to be imposed on one or more user equipment devices in response to determining that at least one uplink-transmission-restriction criterion is satisfied, and transmit the signal to the one or more user equipment devices.
1 . A radio access network element comprising:
a processor;
a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing computer-executable instructions; and
wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the radio access network element to
generate a signal including information indicating uplink access restrictions to be imposed on one or more user equipment devices in response to determining that at least one uplink-transmission-restriction criterion is satisfied, and
transmit the signal to the one or more user equipment devices.
2 . The radio access network element of claim 1 , wherein the signal includes information indicating that uplink transmissions of one or more particular types of signals are restricted.
3 . The radio access network element of claim 1 , wherein the signal includes information indicating whether the uplink access restrictions are applicable for a particular period of time.
4 . The radio access network element of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the radio access network element to transmit at least one dynamic uplink access restriction (DUAR) criteria to the one or more user equipment devices.
5 . The radio access network element of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the radio access network element to
determine that the at least one uplink-transmission-restriction criterion is no longer applicable,
in response to determining that the at least one uplink-transmission-restriction criterion is no longer applicable, generate a second signal including information indicating that the uplink access restrictions are no longer to be imposed, and
transmit the second signal to the one or more user equipment devices.
6 . The radio access network element of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the radio access network element to:
receive uplink transmissions from the one or more user equipment devices, and
determine that the uplink transmissions from the one or more user equipment devices satisfy at least one uplink-transmission-restriction criterion.
7 . The radio access network element of claim 1 , wherein the signal includes:
a wakeup signal (WuS) including one or more bits defining the uplink access restrictions.
8 . The radio access network element of claim 7 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the radio access network element to transmit a signal, including information indicating that a WuS is configured to include information associated with uplink access restrictions, to the one or more user equipment devices using a broadcast system information signal or dedicated radio resource control (RRC) signal.
9 . The radio access network element of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the radio access network element to
preconfigure a plurality of user equipment devices into a group to which particular uplink access restrictions apply, wherein the group is assigned a group identifier; and wherein
the signal includes the group identifier.
10 . The radio access network element of claim 1 , wherein the signal transmitted to the one or more user equipment devices restricts transmission of uplink messages during an uplink access restriction period.
11 . A user equipment device comprising:
a processor;
a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing computer-executable instructions; and
the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the user equipment device to
receive, from a radio access network element, a signal including information indicating uplink access restrictions to be imposed on the user equipment device,
stop uplink transmissions of one or more particular types based on a determination that the uplink access restrictions apply to the uplink transmissions of the one or more particular types, and
transmit uplink messages to the radio access network element in accordance with the signal based on a determination that the uplink access restrictions do not apply to the uplink messages.
12 . The user equipment device of claim 11 , wherein the signal includes information indicating that the uplink transmissions of the one or more particular types of signals are restricted.
13 . The user equipment device of claim 11 wherein the signal includes information indicating whether the uplink access restrictions are applicable for a particular period of time.
14 . The user equipment device of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the user equipment device to receive at least one dynamic uplink access restriction (DUAR) criteria from the radio access network element.
15 . The user equipment device of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the user equipment device to receive a second signal including information indicating that the uplink access restrictions are no longer to be imposed.
16 . The user equipment device of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the user equipment device to receive via a broadcast system information signal or dedicated radio resource control (RRC) signal information indicating that a WuS is configured to include information associated with uplink access restrictions.
17 . The user equipment device of claim 11 , wherein:
the signal includes a group identifier identifying a group of user equipment devices to which particular uplink access restrictions apply, and wherein
the processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the user equipment device to determine, based on the group identifier, whether the uplink access restrictions apply to the user equipment device.
18 . A method comprising:
determining, by a radio access network element, that at least one uplink-transmission-restriction criterion is satisfied;
generating, at the radio access network element, a signal including information indicating uplink access restrictions to be imposed on one or more user equipment devices; and
transmitting the signal from the radio access network element to the one or more user equipment devices.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the signal includes information indicating that uplink transmissions of one or more particular types of signals are restricted.
20 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
transmitting a deactivation signal from the radio access network element to the one or more user equipment devices, wherein the deactivation signal indicates that the uplink access restrictions are to be terminated.