Devices and methods for enabling matching paging occasions for a lightly connected wireless device

A first network node for enabling paging of a user equipment, UE, in an inactive state, the network node comprising:

• memory storing instructions;
• and
• processing circuitry configured to execute the instructions to cause the first network node to:
• while the UE is in a connected state or during an initial context setup for the UE, receive a UE identity index value for the UE;
• store the UE identity index value;
• transition the UE from the connected state to an inactive state;
• use the UE identity index value to determine a paging occasion for transmitting a page to the UE;
• and
• transmit the page to the UE at the paging occasion.

A method by a first network node for paging a user equipment, UE, in an inactive state, the method comprising:

• receiving, from a second network node, a UE identity index value for the UE in the inactive state;
• using the UE identity index value to determine a paging occasion for transmitting a page to the UE in the inactive state;
• and
• at the paging occasion, transmitting the page to the UE in the inactive state.

A first network node for paging of a user equipment, UE, in an inactive state, the first network node comprising:

• memory storing instructions;
• and
• processing circuitry configured to execute the instructions to cause the first network node to:
• receive, from a second network node, a UE identity index value for the UE in the inactive state;
• use the UE identity index value to determine a paging occasion for transmitting a page to the UE in the inactive state;
• and
• at the paging occasion, transmit the page to the UE in the inactive state.

A method by a user equipment, UE, for receiving a page while in an inactive state, the method comprising:

• transmitting a UE identity index value for the UE to a network node;
• based on the UE identity index value, determining a paging occasion for receiving a page from the network node;
• and
• at the paging occasion determined based on the UE identity index value, listening for the page from the network node.

A user equipment, UE, for receiving a page while in an inactive state, the UE comprising:

• storage storing instructions;
• and
• processing circuitry configured to execute the instructions to cause the UE to:
• transmit a UE identity index value for the UE to a network node;
• based on the UE identity index value, determine a paging occasion for receiving a page from the network node;
• and
• at the paging occasion determined based on the UE identity index value, listen for the page from the network node.