DRX-based UE behavior

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to discontinuous reception (DRX) based UE behavior. A user equipment (UE) is configured to perform operations comprising: obtaining a first DRX cycle; determining a second DRX cycle based at least on the first DRX cycle and a DRX cycle threshold, wherein the DRX cycle threshold is a maximum value of a DRX cycle that can support LEO (low earth orbit) cell measurements; and applying the second DRX cycle, including applying the second DRX cycle to measurements of at least one LEO cell in the serving cell and a neighboring cell, wherein at least one of the serving cell and the neighboring cell is a LEO cell.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates generally to wireless communication systems, including methods, apparatuses, user equipment, and base stations for discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle configuration and application. BACKGROUND

[0002] Wireless mobile communication technology uses various standards and protocols to transmit data between base stations and wireless communication devices. Wireless communication system standards and protocols can include, for example, Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long-Term Evolution (LTE) (such as 4G), 3GPP New Radio (NR) (such as 5G), and IEEE 802.11 standards (commonly referred to as Wi-Fi® within the industry organization) for wireless local area networks (WLANs).

[0003] As contemplated by 3GPP, different wireless communication system standards and protocols can use various radio access networks (RANs) to enable base stations of the RAN (which can also be referred to at times as a RAN node, network node, or simply a node) to communicate with wireless communication devices referred to as user equipment (UE). 3GPP RANs can include, for example, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) RAN (GERAN), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), and / or Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN).

[0004] Each RAN can use one or more radio access technologies (RATs) for communication between base stations and UEs. For example, GERAN implements GSM and / or EDGE RAT, UTRAN implements Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) RAT or other 3GPP RAT, E-UTRAN implements LTE RAT (which is sometimes referred to simply as LTE), and NG-RAN implements NR RAT (which is sometimes referred to herein as 5G RAT, 5G NR RAT, or simply NR). In certain deployments, E-UTRAN can also implement NR RAT. In certain deployments, NG-RAN can also implement LTE RAT.

[0005] A base station used by a RAN can correspond to that RAN. One example of an E-UTRAN base station is an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (also denoted as an Evolved Node B, Enhanced Node B, eNodeB, or eNB). One example of an NG-RAN base station is a Next Generation Node B (sometimes also referred to as a gNodeB or gNB).

[0006] ​The RAN, through its connection to the core network (CN), together with the core network, provides the communication service to external entities. For example, an E-UTRAN can utilize an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), while a NG-RAN can utilize a 5G Core (5GC). SUMMARY

[0007] Embodiments relate to methods, apparatuses, user equipments, and base stations for discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle configuration and application.

[0008] According to the techniques described herein, a DRX cycle threshold is introduced, which is the maximum value of DRX cycle that can support LEO (Low Earth Orbit) cell measurement. The DRX cycle threshold is associated with all kinds of LEO cells, or only with LEO cells that are earth-moving.

[0009] For scenarios where at least one of the serving cell and the neighbor cell is a LEO cell, the DRX cycle threshold can be used to determine a DRX cycle that is suitable for measuring at least one LEO cell by a UE of the serving cell.

[0010] In some embodiments, based on the DRX cycle threshold, the UE can determine a DRX cycle to be used for measuring at least one LEO cell, which can be a serving cell and / or a neighbor cell of the UE.

[0011] In some embodiments, based on the DRX cycle threshold, the serving cell can determine a DRX cycle to be transmitted to the UE, and the UE can determine a DRX cycle to be used for measuring at least one LEO cell based on the received DRX cycle. In this case, the UE can not need to determine the DRX cycle to be used for measuring at least one LEO cell again based on the DRX cycle threshold.

[0012] This summary is intended to provide a brief overview of some of the subject matter described in this document. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described features are only examples and should not be employed to limit the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following DETAILED DESCRIPTION, Figures, and Claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, one or more of the highest three most significant digits in a figure reference number are typically used to identify the figure in which the particular element or act is first introduced.

[0014] Figure 1 An exemplary architecture of a wireless communication system in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein is shown.

[0015] Figure 2A system for performing signaling between a wireless device and a network device is shown in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0016] Figure 3 A table listing different cases and corresponding UE behavior issues when DRX is employed is shown in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0017] Figure 4 A method performed by a UE is shown in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0018] Figure 5 A method performed by a UE is shown in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0019] Figure 6 A method performed by a UE is shown in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0020] Figure 7 A method performed by a UE is shown in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0021] Figure 8 A method performed by a base station is shown in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Embodiments are described in terms of a UE. However, the reference to a UE is provided for illustrative purposes only. Exemplary embodiments can be used with any electronic component that can establish a connection with a network and is configured with hardware, software, and / or firmware for exchanging information and data with the network. Thus, a UE as described herein is used to represent any appropriate electronic component.

[0023] Figure 1 An exemplary architecture of a wireless communication system 100 is shown in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein. The description provided below is directed to an exemplary wireless communication system 100 that operates in conjunction with LTE system standards and / or 5G or NR system standards provided in connection with 3GPP Technical Specifications.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1 Wireless communication system 100 includes UE 102 and UE 104 (although any number of UEs can be used). In this example, UEs 102 and 104 are shown as smartphones (e.g., handheld touchscreen mobile computing devices connectable to one or more cellular networks), but can also include any mobile or non-mobile computing devices configured for wireless communication.

[0025] The UEs 102 and 104 can be configured to communicate using the cellular communication bands and can not include a Wi-Fi transceiver. In some embodiments, the UEs 102 and 104 can be configured to communicate using the unlicensed communication bands, such as the 5 GHz band available to Wi-Fi devices in the United States. For example, the UEs 102 and 104 can perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) to determine whether the unlicensed communication bands are in use by a Wi-Fi AP or by another LTE / LTE-A device. In some embodiments, the UEs 102 and 104 can be configured to communicate using a combination of licensed and unlicensed communication bands.

[0026] In this example, the connections 108 and 110 are air interfaces of various types that are compatible with the RAT used by the RAN 106, such as for example, LTE and / or NR. Where the RAN 106 is an NTN-based NG-RAN architecture, the connections 108 and 110 are NR Uu interfaces.

[0027] In some embodiments, the UEs 102 and 104 can also be configured to directly exchange communication data via a sidelink interface 116. The UE 104 is shown to be configured to access an access point (shown as AP 118) via connection 120. The connection 120 can include a local wireless connection, such as a connection consistent with any IEEE 802.11 protocol, Bluetooth connection, or any other In this example, the AP 118 can not be connected to another network (e.g., Internet) through the CN 124.

[0028] In embodiments, the UEs 102 and 104 can be configured to communicate using various communication technologies, such as, but not limited to, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication signals with multiple access schemes, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), spatial division multiple access (SDMA), polarization division multiple access (PDMA), frequency division code division multiple access (F- CDMA), and / or time division code division multiple access (T-CDMA), but the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. The OFDM signals can comprise orthogonal frequency divisional demultiplexing (OFDM) signals. The OFDM signals can comprise single carrier signals.

[0029] In some embodiments, all or a portion of base station 112 or base station 114 can be implemented as one or more software entities running on a server computer as part of a virtual network. Additionally or in other embodiments, base station 112 or base station 114 can be configured to communicate with each other via interface 122. In embodiments where wireless communication system 100 is an LTE system (e.g., when CN 124 is an EPC), interface 122 can be an X2 interface. The X2 interface can be defined between two or more base stations (e.g., two or more eNBs, etc.) connected to the EPC, and / or between two eNBs connected to the EPC. In embodiments where wireless communication system 100 is a NR system (e.g., when CN 124 is a 5GC), interface 122 can be an Xn interface. The Xn interface is defined between two or more base stations (e.g., two or more gNBs, etc.) connected to the 5GC, between a base station 112 (e.g., gNB) and an eNB connected to the 5GC, and / or between two eNBs connected to the 5GC (e.g., CN 124).

[0030] RAN 106 is shown to be communicatively coupled to CN 124. CN 124 can include one or more network elements 126 that are configured to provide various data and telecommunications services to customers / subscribers (e.g., users of UEs 102 and 104) who are connected to CN 124 via RAN 106. The components of CN 124 can be implemented in one physical device or separate physical devices, including components to read and execute instructions from a machine-readable or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium).

[0031] In embodiments, CN 124 can be an EPC and RAN 106 can connect with the CN 124 via an S1 interface 128. In embodiments, the S1 interface 128 can be split into two parts: the S1 user plane (S1-U) interface, which carries traffic data between the base stations 112 or 114 and the serving gateway (S-GW); and the S1-MME interface, which is a signaling interface between the base stations 112 or 114 and mobility management entities (MMEs).

[0032] In embodiments, CN 124 can be a 5GC and RAN 106 can connect with the CN 124 via an NG interface 128. In embodiments, the NG interface 128 can be split into two parts: the NG user plane (NG-U) interface, which carries traffic data between the base stations 112 or 114 and user plane functions (UPFs); and the S1 control plane (NG-C) interface, which is a signaling interface between the base stations 112 or 114 and access and mobility management functions (AMFs).

[0033] Generally, the application server 130 can be an element providing an application that uses Internet Protocol (IP) bearer resources with the CN 124 (e.g., a packet-switched data service). The application server 130 can also be configured to support one or more communication services (e.g., VoIP sessions, group communication sessions, etc.) for UEs 102 and 104 via the CN 124. The application server 130 can communicate with the CN 124 over an IP communications interface 132.

[0034] Figure 2 A system 200 for performing signaling 234 between a wireless device 202 and a network device 218 is shown in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein. The system 200 can be part of a wireless communication system as described herein. The wireless device 202 can be, for example, a UE of the wireless communication system. The network device 218 can be, for example, a base station (e.g., an eNB or gNB) of the wireless communication system.

[0035] The wireless device 202 can include one or more processors 204. The processors 204 can execute instructions to perform various operations of the wireless device 202 as described herein. The processors 204 can include one or more baseband processors implemented using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a controller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0036] The wireless device 202 can include a memory 206. The memory 206 can be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 208 (which can include, for example, instructions executed by the processors 204). The instructions 208 can also be referred to as program code or computer programs. The memory 206 can also store data used by the processors 204 and results of operations performed by the processors.

[0037] The wireless device 202 can include one or more transceivers 210, which can include radio frequency (RF) transmitter and / or receiver circuitry that uses an antenna 212 of the wireless device 202 to facilitate transmission and / or reception of signaling (e.g., the signaling 234) by the wireless device 202 with other devices (e.g., the network device 218) in accordance with a corresponding RAT.

[0038] Wireless device 202 may include one or more antennas 212 (e.g., one, two, four or more). In embodiments with multiple antennas 212, wireless device 202 may utilize the spatial diversity of such multiple antennas 212 to transmit and / or receive multiple different data streams on the same time-frequency resources. This practice may be referred to, for example, as a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) approach (referring to multiple antennas used separately on the transmitting and receiving sides to implement this aspect). MIMO transmissions performed by wireless device 202 may be implemented according to precoding (or digital beamforming) applied to wireless device 202, which multiplexes the data streams among antennas 212 based on known or assumed channel characteristics, such that each data stream is received with an appropriate signal strength relative to the other streams and at a desired location in the spatial domain (e.g., the location of the receiver associated with that data stream). Some embodiments may use a single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) method (where the entire data stream is directed to a single receiver) and / or a multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) method (where individual data streams may be directed to individual (different) receivers at different locations in the spatial domain).

[0039] In some implementations with multiple antennas, the wireless device 202 may implement analog beamforming techniques, whereby the phase of the signal transmitted by antenna 212 is relatively adjusted so that the (joint) transmission of antenna 212 can be directed (this is sometimes referred to as beam steering).

[0040] Wireless device 202 may include one or more interfaces 214. Interfaces 214 can be used to provide input to or output to wireless device 202. For example, wireless device 202 as a UE may include interfaces 214, such as microphones, speakers, touchscreens, buttons, etc., to allow users of the UE to input to and / or output to the UE. Other interfaces of such UEs may consist of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 210 / antenna 212 already described) that allow the UE to communicate with other devices, and may be based on known protocols (e.g., (etc.) to perform the operation.

[0041] Network device 218 may include one or more processors 220. Processor 220 may execute instructions to perform various operations of network device 218 as described herein. Processor 204 may include one or more baseband processors, which may be implemented using, for example, a CPU, DSP, ASIC, controller, FPGA device, another hardware device, firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0042] The network device 218 can include a memory 222. The memory 222 can be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 224 (which can include, for example, instructions for execution by the processor 220). The instructions 224 can also be referred to as program code or a computer program. The memory 222 can also store data used by the processor 220 and results of computations performed by that processor.

[0043] The network device 218 can include one or more transceivers 226, which can include RF transmitter and / or receiver circuitry that uses the antennas 228 of the network device 218 to facilitate transmission and / or reception of signaling (e.g., signaling 234) by the network device 218 with other devices (e.g., the wireless device 202) in accordance with a corresponding RAT.

[0044] The network device 218 can include one or more antennas 228 (e.g., one, two, four, or more). In embodiments with multiple antennas 228, the network device 218 can perform MIMO, digital beamforming, analog beamforming, beam steering, and the like, as has been described.

[0045] The network device 218 can include one or more interfaces 230. The interfaces 230 can be used to provide input to, or output from, the network device 218. For example, the network device 218 as a base station can include interfaces 230 consisting of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry (e.g., in addition to the transceivers 226 / antennas 228 already described) that enable the base station to communicate in a core network with other equipment, and / or that enable the base station to communicate with external networks, computers, databases, and the like, for the purposes of operating, managing, and maintaining the base station or other equipment with which the base station is operatively connected.

[0046] Satellites maximize the inherent value of 5G networks by addressing coverage issues and providing difficult use cases that ground-based infrastructure alone cannot address. The 5G standard makes non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) including satellite segments an accepted part of 5G connectivity infrastructure.

[0047] NTNs are used to deliver 5G / NR services through space (satellites) or air (aerial platforms) to places where it is technically very difficult or too costly to use terrestrial networks (TNs) for delivery. Some examples of these places are remote areas, such as deep in the forest where the cost of terrestrial delivery methods is too high, or remote islands or ships where terrestrial connections are almost impossible to implement.

[0048] With respect to DRX configuration, different RRC states of the UE with the serving cell are considered. In 5G NR, there are three RRC states, i.e., RRC idle, RRC inactive, and RRC connected. Whether the UE is in idle / inactive state or connected state, the DRX cycle is configured by the serving cell of the UE.

[0049] For idle / inactive state, the serving cell sends candidate DRX cycles through broadcasting system information, the UE reads the candidate DRX cycles from SI and selects the DRX cycle to be applied. The candidate DRX cycles can be multiple DRX cycles not larger than a threshold value determined by the serving cell.

[0050] For connected state, the serving cell sends configured DRX cycle to the UE, and the UE receives the configured DRX from the serving cell and applies the received DRX cycle.

[0051] When considering NTN mobility, different types of cells are to be considered, and in general one cell can be classified as:

[0052] Type 1: TN cell. This is a traditional cell.

[0053] Type 2: Non-low earth orbit (non-LEO) cell, including geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) cell and / or medium earth orbit (MEO) cell, etc. It has low mobility speed or is stationary to the target UE.

[0054] Type 3: LEO cell. It has very high mobility speed, and can be further classified as:

[0055] (1) Earth (quasi-)fixed LEO cell (meaning that even if the satellite covering the cell has changed from one LEO to another, the cell is fixed to the UE).

[0056] (2) Earth moving LEO cell (meaning that the cell is not fixed to the UE; or when the LEO satellite is moving away from the UE).

[0057] It is defined that, compared to the LEO based earth moving cell scenario (cell moving on the ground), the LEO based earth fixed cell scenario refers to an NTN that provides a cell fixed relative to a certain location on the earth during a certain time period. This can be achieved by an NTN platform that generates controllable beams whose coverage area is fixed to the ground.

[0058] Considering the scenarios related to NTN, there are some potential issues. For example, in idle / inactive mode, candidate DRX cycles are in system information block (SIB1) and are mainly designed for paging cycle from serving cell. If the serving cell is TN or non-LEO cell, but the neighboring cell is LEO cell for measurement / evaluation, it would be problematic to use long DRX when performing measurement on LEO neighboring cell, even though the UE can wake up more frequently during DRX sleep time (power consumption issue). In connected mode, CDRX is configured from serving cell perspective, and neighboring cell type also needs to be considered.

[0059] Figure 3 A table listing different cases and corresponding UE behavior issues when employing DRX is shown in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.

[0060] For case 1 where the serving cell is TN or non-LEO cell and the target neighboring cell or target management object (MO) is also TN or non-LEO cell, all DRX cycles as legacy TN are available for idle / inactive / connected. That is, for idle / inactive / connected, all R16 NR candidate DRX cycles are available for target neighboring cell or MO measurement; there is no applicability restriction at UE and no implementation restriction at NW.

[0061] For case 2 where the serving cell is TN or non-LEO cell and the target neighboring cell or MO is LEO cell, DRX cycle applicability should be applicable for LEO measurement for idle / inactive / connected, and target LEO cell or MO needs to be checked with earth (quasi-) stationary cell and with earth moving cell.

[0062] For case 3 where the serving cell is LEO cell and the target neighboring cell or MO is TN or non-LEO cell, the serving cell can need to use applicability rules for idle / inactive / connected.

[0063] For case 4 where the serving cell is LEO cell and the target neighboring cell or MO is also LEO cell, DRX cycle applicability should be applicable for LEO measurement for idle / inactive / connected, or the serving cell should have implementation restriction; and target LEO cell or MO needs to be checked with earth (quasi-) stationary cell and with earth moving cell.

[0064] For cases 2 to 4, embodiments disclosed herein introduce a DRX cycle threshold, where the DRX cycle threshold is the maximum value of DRX cycle that can support LEO (low earth orbit) cell measurement. The UE determines and applies the DRX cycle to be used based on the DRX cycle threshold.

[0065] Figure 4A method 400 performed by a UE according to embodiments disclosed herein is shown. As Figure 4 As shown, the method 400 includes a step 401 in which the UE obtains a first DRX cycle, e.g., denoted as Y. Y can refer to a few seconds, a few slots, a few half-slots, etc.

[0066] The method 400 then also includes a step 403 in which the UE determines a second DRX cycle, e.g., denoted as X, based at least on the first DRX cycle Y and a DRX cycle threshold. Similar to Y, X can refer to a few seconds, a few slots, a few half-slots, etc.

[0067] As mentioned above, the DRX cycle threshold can be a maximum value of DRX cycles that can support LEO cell measurements. The DRX cycle threshold can be a hardcoded value conforming to a specification, or a value configured by a serving cell.

[0068] In some embodiments, the DRX cycle threshold can be associated with all kinds of LEO cells, including earth (quasi-)fixed LEO cells and earth moving LEO cells. Although the earth (quasi-)fixed LEO cells are earth (quasi-)fixed, the satellite covering the cell changes from one satellite to another, and the impact brought by, e.g., the movement of the satellite is considered.

[0069] In some embodiments, the DRX cycle threshold can be associated with only earth moving LEO cells. Earth (quasi-)fixed LEO cells are not considered.

[0070] The method also includes a step 405 in which the UE applies the second DRX cycle, including applying the second DRX cycle to measurements of at least one LEO cell in the serving cell and the neighbor cells, where at least one of the serving cell and the neighbor cells is a LEO cell.

[0071] The present disclosure considers all scenarios where at least one of the serving cell and the neighbor cells is a LEO cell and the second DRX cycle can be applied to measurements of the LEO cell.

[0072] For Case 2, the target neighbor cell or target frequency layer in system information (SI) for measurement is LEO, but the serving cell is TN or non-LEO, from UE perspective, for idle / inactive:

[0073] If the candidate DRX cycle in SI has a DRX cycle Y and Y > X, the UE only applies DRX with DRX cycle ≤ X; the application can be based on physical DRX change or effective DRX without physical DRX change; and

[0074] If the candidate DRX cycle in SI has a DRX cycle Y and Y ≤ X, the UE only applies DRX with DRX cycle ≤ Y;

[0075] The UE shall use at least 2 measurements to filter the SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements for each measured target cell. Within this set of measurements for filtering, at least two measurements shall be spaced at least LEO target measurement period / Z, Z can be greater than or equal to 2. The LEO target measurement period can be hardcoded in the specification or configured by the network.

[0076] For Case 2, the CDRX configured to the UE by the serving cell is Y, the target neighbor cell or target frequency layer for measurement in MO is LEO, from UE perspective, for connected mode:

[0077] If Y > X, the UE only applies DRX with DRX cycle < X; this application can be based on physical DRX change or based on effective DRX without physical DRX change; and

[0078] If Y < X, the UE only applies DRX with DRX cycle = Y.

[0079] For Case 2, from network perspective, for connected mode, if the target neighbor cell or target frequency layer for measurement in MO is LEO, the network will only configure the UE with CDRX cycle < X.

[0080] Figure 5 A method 500 performed by a UE according to the embodiments disclosed herein is shown. The method 500 can be performed in Case 2, where the serving cell is an NT or non-LEO cell and the target neighbor cell (i.e., the neighbor cell to be measured) is a LEO cell.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 5, the method 500 includes a step 501, in which the UE determines its RRC state with the serving cell. Figure 5

[0082] If the RRC state is determined to be idle / inactive in step 501, the method proceeds to step 503, in which the UE obtains a first DRX cycle Y from SI.

[0083] In some embodiments, the UE reads a plurality of candidate DRX cycles in system information from the serving cell and uses the largest candidate DRX cycle in system information (SI) as the first DRX cycle Y. For example, the SI can include a plurality of candidate DRX cycles, e.g., Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4, where Y4 is the largest one. The UE uses Y4 as the first DRX cycle Y.

[0084] The method can then proceed to step 505, in which the UE compares the first DRX cycle Y with a DRX cycle threshold X.

[0085] ​As mentioned above, the DRX cycle threshold X can be hardcoded in the specification and known by both the UE and the serving cell. In some other embodiments, the DRX cycle threshold X can be a configured value from the serving cell.

[0086] If the first DRX cycle Y is greater than the DRX cycle threshold X, the method proceeds to step 507, in which the UE determines a DRX cycle equal to or smaller than the DRX cycle threshold X as the second DRX cycle.

[0087] For example, the UE can select a DRX cycle equal to or smaller than the DRX cycle threshold X from a plurality of candidate DRX cycles in the SI, and then use the selected DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0088] If the first DRX cycle Y is equal to or smaller than the DRX cycle threshold X, the method proceeds to step 509, in which the UE determines a DRX cycle equal to or smaller than the first DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0089] For example, the UE can select a DRX cycle equal to or smaller than the first DRX cycle Y from a plurality of candidate DRX cycles in the SI, and then use the selected DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0090] After determining the second DRX cycle, the method proceeds to step 519, in which the UE applies the determined second DRX cycle.

[0091] In the RRC idle / inactive state, the method can further include an operation of filtering each of SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements of each measured LEO cell (in case 2, i.e., a neighbor cell) using at least two groups of measurements. Within the at least two groups of measurements, at least two measurement intervals are at least the LEO target measurement period / Z, Z being an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0092] In other words, for SS-RSRP or SS-RSRQ measurements, at least two samples are used for averaging to determine a final measurement result. The at least two samples are spaced apart by at least the LEO target measurement period / Z. For example, if two samples are used, the interval between the two samples should be equal to or greater than the LEO target measurement period / Z.

[0093] The LEO target measurement period can be hardcoded in the specification or configured by the serving cell.

[0094] If it is determined in step 501 that the RRC state is RRC connected, the method proceeds to step 511, in which the UE receives a first DRX cycle Y from the serving cell. The first DRX cycle Y is configured for the UE by the serving cell.

[0095] The method can then proceed to step 513, in which the UE compares the first DRX cycle Y to the DRX cycle threshold X.

[0096] If the first DRX cycle Y is greater than the DRX cycle threshold X, the method proceeds to step 515, in which the UE determines a DRX cycle equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold X as the second DRX cycle.

[0097] For example, the UE can select a DRX cycle equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold X from the plurality of candidate DRX cycles in the SI, and then use the selected DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0098] If the first DRX cycle Y is equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold X, the method proceeds to step 517, in which the UE determines a DRX cycle equal to the first DRX cycle Y as the second DRX cycle.

[0099] After determining the second DRX cycle, the method proceeds to step 519, in which the UE applies the determined second DRX cycle.

[0100] In the case where the first DRX cycle Y is greater than the DRX cycle threshold X, the UE applies the second DRX cycle for measurements of the neighboring cells of the LEO cell. This application can be implemented based on a physical DRX change or based on an effective DRX without a physical DRX change.

[0101] The implementation based on a physical DRX change can refer to the second DRX cycle being physically followed and applied for measurements of the serving cell and measurements of the target neighboring cell.

[0102] The implementation based on an effective DRX without a physical DRX change can refer to the first DRX cycle being physically followed, but for measurements of the target neighboring cell, the UE can wake up during the OFF duration in the first DRX cycle to measure the target neighboring cell, thereby implementing an effective DRX cycle equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold of the effective DRX.

[0103] In case 2, when measuring the serving cell, the UE follows the physical DRX cycle. If the physical DRX cycle is the first DRX cycle Y, the UE applies the first DRX cycle Y for measurements of the serving cell. If the physical DRX cycle is the second DRX cycle, the UE applies the second DRX cycle for measurements of the serving cell.

[0104] For case 3, the serving cell is LEO, and from the NW perspective for idle / inactive, the network will only include candidates with DRX cycle ≤ X in the SI.

[0105] For case 3, from the UE perspective for idle / inactive:

[0106] (1) The target cell is a serving cell or an intra-frequency target neighbor cell with TN or non-LEO:

[0107] If the candidate DRX cycle in SI has a DRX cycle Y and Y > X, the UE applies DRX measurements with DRX cycle < X only for serving cell and intra-frequency measurements; this application can be based on physical DRX changes or based on effective DRX without physical DRX changes;

[0108] If the candidate DRX cycle in SI has a DRX cycle Y and Y < X, the UE applies DRX measurements with DRX cycle < Y only for serving cell and intra-frequency measurements;

[0109] The UE shall use at least 2 measurements to filter SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements for the serving cell. Within this set of measurements for filtering, at least two measurements shall be spaced at least DRX cycle / Z, Z can be greater than or equal to 2.

[0110] (2) The target cell is an inter-frequency target neighbor cell with TN or non-LEO:

[0111] If the target cell or the frequency layer in SI is TN or non-LEO in this inter-frequency, the UE can apply effective DRX cycle < Y to inter-frequency measurements.

[0112] For case 3, for connected mode, from the NW perspective, if the serving cell is LEO, the network will only configure the UE with CDRX cycle < X.

[0113] For case 3, for connected mode, from the UE perspective:

[0114] (1) The target cell is a serving cell or an intra-frequency target neighbor cell with TN or non-LEO:

[0115] If Y > X, the UE applies DRX with DRX cycle < X only for serving cell and intra-frequency measurements; this application can be based on physical DRX changes or based on effective DRX without physical DRX changes;

[0116] If Y < X, the UE applies DRX with DRX cycle = Y only for serving cell and intra-frequency measurements;

[0117] (2) The target cell is an inter-frequency target neighbor cell with TN or non-LEO:

[0118] The UE can apply effective DRX cycle = Y to inter-frequency measurements on those MOs with TN or non-LEO in this inter-frequency.

[0119] Figure 6A method 600 performed by a UE according to the embodiments disclosed herein is shown. The method 600 can be performed in case 3, where the serving cell is a LEO cell and the target neighbor cell (i.e., the neighbor cell to be measured) is a TN or non-LEO cell.

[0120] As shown, the method 600 includes a step 601, in which the UE determines its RRC state with the serving cell. Figure 6

[0121] If the RRC state is determined to be idle / inactive in the step 601, the method proceeds to a step 603, in which the UE obtains a first DRX cycle Y from the SI.

[0122] Then, the method can proceed to a step 605, in which the UE compares the first DRX cycle Y with a DRX cycle threshold X.

[0123] As mentioned above, the DRX cycle threshold X can be hardcoded in the specification and known by both the UE and the serving cell. In some other embodiments, the DRX cycle threshold X can be a configured value from the serving cell.

[0124] If the first DRX cycle Y is greater than the DRX cycle threshold X, the method proceeds to a step 607, in which the UE determines a DRX cycle equal to or smaller than the DRX cycle threshold X as a second DRX cycle.

[0125] For example, the UE can select a DRX cycle equal to or smaller than the DRX cycle threshold X from a plurality of candidate DRX cycles in the SI, and then use the selected DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0126] If the first DRX cycle Y is equal to or smaller than the DRX cycle threshold X, the method proceeds to a step 609, in which the UE determines a DRX cycle equal to or smaller than the first DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0127] For example, the UE can select a DRX cycle equal to or smaller than the first DRX cycle Y from a plurality of candidate DRX cycles in the SI, and then use the selected DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0128] After determining the second DRX cycle, the method proceeds to a step 619, in which the UE applies the determined second DRX cycle.

[0129] ​In RRC idle / inactive state, the method can further comprise an operation of filtering each of SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements of each measured LEO cell (in case 3, i.e. a neighbor cell) using at least two groups of measurements. Within the at least two groups of measurements, at least two measurement intervals are at least a second DRX cycle / Z, Z being an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0130] In other words, for SS-RSRP or SS-RSRQ measurements, at least two samples are used for averaging to determine the final measurement result. The at least two samples are spaced at least a second DRX cycle / Z.

[0131] The LEO target measurement period can be hardcoded in the specification or configured by the serving cell.

[0132] If it is determined in step 601 that the RRC state is RRC connected, the method proceeds to step 611 in which the UE receives a first DRX cycle Y from the serving cell. The first DRX cycle Y is configured for the UE by the serving cell.

[0133] The method can then proceed to step 613 in which the UE compares the first DRX cycle Y with a DRX cycle threshold X.

[0134] If the first DRX cycle Y is greater than the DRX cycle threshold X, the method proceeds to step 615 in which the UE determines a DRX cycle equal to or smaller than the DRX cycle threshold X as the second DRX cycle.

[0135] For example, the UE can select a DRX cycle equal to or smaller than the DRX cycle threshold X from a plurality of candidate DRX cycles in the SI, and then use the selected DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0136] If the first DRX cycle Y is equal to or smaller than the DRX cycle threshold X, the method proceeds to step 617 in which the UE determines a DRX cycle equal to the first DRX cycle Y as the second DRX cycle.

[0137] After determining the second DRX cycle, the method proceeds to step 619 in which the UE applies the determined second DRX cycle.

[0138] In case the first DRX cycle Y is greater than the DRX cycle threshold X, the UE applies the second DRX cycle to the measurements for the serving cell of the LEO cell. The application can be implemented based on a physical DRX change or based on an effective DRX without physical DRX change.

[0139] In case 3, if the neighbor cell is for a TN or non-LEO cell on the same frequency layer as the serving cell, the UE can apply the second DRX cycle to both the measurements for the serving cell and the intra-frequency measurements for the neighbor cell.

[0140] In case 3, if the neighbor cell is TN or non-LEO cell on a different frequency layer than the serving cell, the UE can apply the second DRX cycle for the serving cell's measurements while applying an effective DRX cycle for the inter-measurement of the TN cell or non-LEO cell. In idle / inactive state, the effective DRX cycle is equal to or smaller than the first DRX cycle Y. In connected state, the effective DRX cycle is equal to the first DRX cycle Y. The effective DRX cycle can be achieved by muting / skipping some ON durations of the applied DRX cycle.

[0141] For case 4, the serving cell is LEO, from NW perspective, the network will only include in the SI the candidates with DRX cycle < X for idle / inactive.

[0142] For case 4, from UE perspective,

[0143] If the candidate DRX cycle in the SI has DRX cycle Y and Y > X, the UE only applies DRX measurement with DRX cycle < X for the serving cell and target neighbor cell / frequency layer measurements; this application can be based on physical DRX change or based on effective DRX without physical DRX change;

[0144] If the candidate DRX cycle in the SI has DRX cycle Y and Y < X, the UE only applies DRX measurement with DRX cycle < Y for the serving cell and target neighbor cell / frequency layer measurements;

[0145] The UE shall use at least 2 measurements to filter the SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements of the serving cell and target neighbor cell / frequency layer measurements. Within this group of measurements for filtering, at least two measurements shall be spaced at least LEO target measurement period / Z, Z can be greater than or equal to 2.

[0146] The LEO target measurement period is either hard-coded in the specification or configured by the network, e.g., if the target cell is the serving cell or on the serving cell frequency layer, the LEO target measurement period = DRX cycle.

[0147] For case 4, from NW perspective, if the serving cell is LEO, the network will only configure to the UE CDRX cycle < X for connected mode.

[0148] For case 4, from UE perspective, if the CDRX configured by the serving cell to the UE is Y,

[0149] If Y > X, the UE applies DRX with DRX cycle < X only to serving cell and target neighbor cell (with LEO) measurements; this application can be based on physical DRX variation or based on effective DRX without physical DRX variation

[0150] If Y < X, the UE applies DRX with DRX cycle = Y only to serving cell and target neighbor cell (with LEO) measurements.

[0151] Figure 7 A method 700 performed by a UE according to embodiments disclosed herein is shown. The method 700 can be performed in case 4, where both the serving cell and the target neighbor cell (i.e., the neighbor cell to be measured) are LEO cells.

[0152] As shown, the method 700 includes a step 701, in which the UE determines its RRC state with the serving cell. Figure 7

[0153] If the RRC state is determined to be idle / inactive at step 701, the method proceeds to step 703, in which the UE obtains a first DRX cycle Y from the SI.

[0154] The method can then proceed to step 705, in which the UE compares the first DRX cycle Y to a DRX cycle threshold X.

[0155] As mentioned above, the DRX cycle threshold X can be hardcoded in the specification, and both the UE and the serving cell know the DRX cycle threshold X. In some other embodiments, the DRX cycle threshold X can be a configured value from the serving cell.

[0156] If the first DRX cycle Y is greater than the DRX cycle threshold X, the method proceeds to step 707, in which the UE determines a DRX cycle equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold X as a second DRX cycle.

[0157] For example, the UE can select a DRX cycle equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold X from a plurality of candidate DRX cycles in the SI, and then use the selected DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0158] If the first DRX cycle Y is equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold X, the method proceeds to step 709, in which the UE determines a DRX cycle equal to or less than the first DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0159] For example, the UE can select a DRX cycle equal to or less than the first DRX cycle Y from a plurality of candidate DRX cycles in the SI, and then use the selected DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0160] ​After determining the second DRX cycle, the method proceeds to step 719, where the UE applies the determined second DRX cycle.

[0161] In RRC idle / inactive state, the method can further comprise an operation of filtering each of SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements of each measured LEO cell (in case 4, i.e. serving cell and neighbor cell) using at least two groups of measurements. Within the at least two groups of measurements, at least two measurement intervals are at least LEO target measurement period / Z, Z is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0162] In other words, for SS-RSRP or SS-RSRQ measurements, at least two samples are used for averaging to determine the final measurement result. The at least two samples are spaced at least the second DRX cycle / Z.

[0163] The LEO target measurement period can be hardcoded in the specification or configured by the serving cell. In case 4, if the target cell to be measured by the UE is the serving cell or on the serving cell frequency layer, the LEO target measurement period can be equal to the second DRX cycle.

[0164] If it is determined in step 701 that the RRC state is RRC connected, the method proceeds to step 711, where the UE receives a first DRX cycle Y from the serving cell. The first DRX cycle Y is configured for the UE by the serving cell.

[0165] Then, the method can proceed to step 713, where the UE compares the first DRX cycle Y with a DRX cycle threshold X.

[0166] If the first DRX cycle Y is greater than the DRX cycle threshold X, the method proceeds to step 715, where the UE determines a DRX cycle equal to or smaller than the DRX cycle threshold X as the second DRX cycle.

[0167] For example, the UE can select a DRX cycle equal to or smaller than the DRX cycle threshold X from a plurality of candidate DRX cycles in the SI, and then use the selected DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0168] If the first DRX cycle Y is equal to or smaller than the DRX cycle threshold X, the method proceeds to step 717, where the UE determines a DRX cycle equal to the first DRX cycle Y as the second DRX cycle.

[0169] After determining the second DRX cycle, the method proceeds to step 719, where the UE applies the determined second DRX cycle.

[0170] In case 4, the UE can apply the second DRX cycle to both the measurement of the serving cell and the measurement of the neighbor cell.

[0171] The description of methods 500-700 is based on the assumption that the UE is uncertain whether the first DRX cycle transmitted to the UE by the network is equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold.

[0172] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising means for performing one or more elements of methods 400-700. The apparatus can be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as wireless device 202 as a UE, as described herein).

[0173] Embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer- readable media comprising instructions to cause an electronic device, upon execution of the instructions by one or more processors of the electronic device, to perform one or more elements of methods 400-700. The non-transitory computer-readable medium can be, for example, a memory of a UE (such as memory 206 of wireless device 202 as a UE, as described herein).

[0174] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logic, modules, or circuitry for performing one or more elements of methods 400-700. The apparatus can be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as wireless device 202 as a UE, as described herein).

[0175] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media comprising instructions to cause the one or more processors, upon execution of the instructions, to perform one or more elements of methods 400-700. The apparatus can be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as wireless device 202 as a UE, as described herein).

[0176] Embodiments contemplated herein include a signal as described in or related to one or more elements of methods 400-700.

[0177] Embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product comprising instructions, wherein execution of the program by a processor causes the processor to perform one or more elements of methods 400-700. The processor can be a processor of a UE (such as processor 204 of wireless device 202 as a UE, as described herein). The instructions can be, for example, in the processor and / or on a memory of the UE (such as memory 206 of wireless device 202 as a UE, as described herein).

[0178] In some embodiments, the network has configured a first DRX cycle that is not more than a DRX cycle threshold. The network can indicate this to the UE. In this case, the UE can determine a DRX cycle equal to or smaller than the first DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle if the RRC state of the UE with the serving cell is RRC idle / inactive; and the UE can determine a DRX cycle equal to the first DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle if the RRC state of the UE with the serving cell is RRC connected.

[0179] Figure 8 A method 800 performed by a base station is shown in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. The method 800 can include a step 801 in which the base station determines that there is at least one LEO cell in a serving cell and a neighboring cell. The method can also include a step 803 in which the base station determines a first DRX cycle based on a DRX cycle threshold, where the DRX cycle threshold is a maximum value of a DRX cycle that is capable of supporting LEO cell measurements. The method can also include a step 805 in which the base station sends the first DRX cycle to a UE, where the UE uses the first DRX cycle to determine a second DRX cycle to be applied to measurements of the at least one LEO cell.

[0180] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising means for performing one or more elements of the method 800. The apparatus can be, for example, an apparatus of a base station, such as the network equipment 218 as a base station, as described herein.

[0181] Embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer- readable media comprising instructions to, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of the method 800. The non-transitory computer-readable media can be, for example, a memory of a base station, such as the memory 222 of the network equipment 218 as a base station, as described herein.

[0182] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logic, modules, or circuitry for performing one or more elements of the method 800. The apparatus can be, for example, an apparatus of a base station, such as the network equipment 218 as a base station, as described herein.

[0183] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media comprising instructions to, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of the method 800. The apparatus can be, for example, an apparatus of a base station, such as the network equipment 218 as a base station, as described herein.

[0184] Embodiments contemplated herein include a signal as described in or related to one or more elements of method 800.

[0185] Embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product comprising instructions, wherein execution of the program by a processing element causes the processing element to carry out one or more elements of method 800. The processor can be a processor of a base station, such as processor 220 of network device 218 of a base station, as described herein. These instructions can be, for example, located in the processor and / or on a memory of the UE, such as memory 222 of network device 218 of a base station, as described herein.

[0186] For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components shown in one or more of the preceding figures can be configured to perform one or more operations, techniques, processes, and / or methods as described herein. For example, a baseband processor as described herein in connection with one or more of the preceding figures can be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of the examples described herein. As another example, circuitry associated with a UE, base station, network element, etc. as described above in connection with one or more of the preceding figures can be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of the examples shown herein.

[0187] Any of the above-described embodiments can be combined with any other embodiment (or combination of embodiments) unless explicitly stated otherwise. The foregoing description of one or more implementations provides functionality and / or technical advantages, but do not limit the implementations to the precise form described. Modifications and adaptations are possible, or can be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the above teachings, or can be acquired from practice of various implementations.

[0188] Embodiments and implementations of the systems and methods described herein can include various operations, which can be embodied in machine-executable instructions to be executed by a computer system. The computer system can include one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers (or other electronic devices). The computer system can include hardware components, including specific logic for performing the operations, or can include a combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware.

[0189] It should be appreciated that the systems described herein include descriptions of specific embodiments. These embodiments can be combined into a single system, combined partially into other systems, divided into multiple systems, or otherwise divided or combined. In addition, it is contemplated that parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. of one embodiment can be used in another embodiment. For clarity, these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. are only described in one or a few embodiments, and it should be recognized that these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. can be combined with or substituted for parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. of another embodiment unless specifically stated otherwise. It should also be appreciated that, where necessary, the use of the free

[0190] It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices deemed appropriate within the industry or government requirements for maintaining the privacy of a user. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled in a manner that minimizes the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly explained to a user.

[0191] While the foregoing has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications can be made without departing from the principles thereof. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing both the processes and apparatuses described herein. Accordingly, the embodiments of the application are to be considered illustrative and not restrictive, and the description is not to be limited to the details given herein, but can be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

[0192] The disclosure herein includes at least the following items.

[0193] Item 1. A user equipment (UE), comprising:

[0194] at least one antenna;

[0195] at least one radio coupled to the at least one antenna; and

[0196] a processor coupled to the at least one radio;

[0197] wherein the UE is configured to perform operations comprising:

[0198] obtaining a first DRX (discontinuous reception) cycle;

[0199] determining a second DRX cycle based at least on the first DRX cycle and a DRX cycle threshold, wherein the DRX cycle threshold is a maximum value of a DRX cycle that can support LEO (low earth orbit) cell measurement; and

[0200] applying the second DRX cycle includes applying the second DRX cycle to measurements of at least one LEO cell in the serving cell and the neighbor cells, wherein at least one of the serving cell and the neighbor cells is a LEO cell.

[0201] Item 2. The UE of item 1, wherein:

[0202] the DRX cycle threshold is a hardcoded value that is specification compliant, or

[0203] the DRX cycle threshold is a value configured by the serving cell.

[0204] Item 3. The UE of item 1, wherein:

[0205] the DRX cycle threshold is associated with all kinds of LEO cells; or

[0206] the DRX cycle threshold is associated only with LEO cells that are earth moving.

[0207] Item 4. The UE of item 1, wherein the RRC state of the UE with the serving cell is RRC idle / inactive, determining the second DRX cycle further comprises:

[0208] comparing the first DRX cycle to the DRX cycle threshold;

[0209] if the first DRX cycle is greater than the DRX cycle threshold, determining a DRX cycle that is equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold as the second DRX cycle; and

[0210] if the first DRX cycle is equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold, determining a DRX cycle that is equal to or less than the first DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0211] Item 5. The UE of item 4, wherein in the case that the first DRX cycle is greater than the DRX cycle threshold, applying the second DRX cycle to the measurements of the at least one LEO cell is implemented based on a physical DRX change or based on an effective DRX without a physical DRX change.

[0212] Item 6. The UE of item 4, wherein the serving cell is a terrestrial network (TN) cell or a non-LEO cell and the neighbor cell is a LEO cell, the operations further comprising:

[0213] filtering each of the SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements for each measured LEO cell using at least two groups of measurements, within the at least two groups of measurements, at least two measurements are separated by at least a LEO target measurement period / Z, Z is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0214] Item 7. The UE of item 6, wherein the LEO target measurement period is either hard-coded in a specification or configured by the serving cell.

[0215] Item 8. The UE of item 4, wherein the serving cell is a LEO cell and the neighbor cell is a TN cell or a non-LEO cell on an intra-frequency layer as the serving cell, applying the second DRX period further comprises:

[0216] applying the second DRX period to measurements of the serving cell and intra- frequency measurements of the TN cell or the non-LEO cell.

[0217] Item 9. The UE of item 8, wherein the operations further comprise:

[0218] filtering each of the SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements for each measured LEO cell using a group of at least two measurements, within the group of at least two measurements, at least two measurements are separated by at least the second DRX period / Z, Z can be greater than or equal to 2.

[0219] Item 10. The UE of item 4, wherein the serving cell is a LEO cell and the neighbor cell is a TN cell or a non-LEO cell on an inter-frequency layer as the serving cell, the operations further comprise:

[0220] applying an effective DRX period to inter-frequency measurements of the TN cell or the non-LEO cell, wherein the effective DRX period is equal to or less than the first DRX period.

[0221] Item 11. The UE of item 4, wherein the serving cell and the neighbor cell are both LEO cells, applying the second DRX period further comprises:

[0222] applying the second DRX period to measurements of the serving cell and measurements of the neighbor cell.

[0223] Item 12. The UE of item 11, the operations further comprise:

[0224] filtering each of the SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements for each measured LEO cell using a group of at least two measurements, within the group of at least two measurements, at least two measurements are separated by at least the LEO target measurement period / Z, Z is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0225] Item 13. The UE of item 12, wherein the LEO target measurement period is either hard-coded in a specification or configured by the serving cell.

[0226] Item 14. The UE of item 12, wherein the LEO target measurement period is equal to the second DRX period if the measured cell is the serving cell or a neighbor cell on a frequency layer as the serving cell.

[0227] Item 15. The UE of item 4, wherein obtaining the first DRX cycle further comprises:

[0228] using a maximum candidate DRX cycle in system information (SI) as the first DRX cycle.

[0229] Item 16. The UE of item 1, wherein the RRC state of the UE with the serving cell is RRC connected, determining the second DRX cycle further comprises:

[0230] comparing the first DRX cycle to a DRX cycle threshold;

[0231] if the first DRX cycle is greater than the DRX cycle threshold, determining a DRX cycle that is equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold as the second DRX cycle; and

[0232] if the first DRX cycle is equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold, determining a DRX cycle that is equal to the first DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0233] Item 17. The UE of item 16, wherein in the case that the first DRX cycle is greater than the DRX cycle threshold, applying the second DRX cycle to measurements of the at least one LEO cell is implemented based on a physical DRX change or based on an effective DRX without a physical DRX change.

[0234] Item 18. The UE of item 16, wherein the serving cell is a TN cell or a non-LEO cell and the neighbor cell is a LEO cell, applying the second DRX cycle further comprises:

[0235] applying the second DRX cycle to measurements of the neighbor cell.

[0236] Item 19. The UE of item 16, wherein the serving cell is a LEO cell and the neighbor cell is a TN cell or a non-LEO cell on an intra-frequency layer with the serving cell, the operations further comprise:

[0237] applying the second DRX cycle to measurements of the serving cell and intra- frequency measurements of the TN cell or the non-LEO cell.

[0238] Item 20. The UE of item 16, wherein the serving cell is a LEO cell and the neighbor cell is a TN cell or a non-LEO cell on an inter-frequency layer with the serving cell, the method further comprises:

[0239] applying an effective DRX cycle to inter-frequency measurements of the TN cell or the non-LEO cell, wherein the effective DRX cycle is equal to the first DRX cycle.

[0240] Item 21. The UE of item 16, wherein the serving cell and the neighbor cell are both LEO cells, applying the second DRX cycle further comprises:

[0241] applying the second DRX cycle to measurements of the serving cell and measurements of the neighbor cell.

[0242] Item 22. The UE of item 16, wherein the UE obtains the first DRX cycle from the serving cell configured by the serving cell.

[0243] Item 23. The UE of item 1, wherein the first DRX cycle is determined by the serving cell based on a DRX cycle threshold.

[0244] Item 24. The UE of item 23, wherein the RRC state of the UE with the serving cell is RRC idle / inactive, determining the second DRX cycle further comprises:

[0245] determining a DRX cycle equal to or less than the first DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0246] Item 25. The UE of item 23, wherein the RRC state of the UE with the serving cell is RRC connected, determining the second DRX cycle further comprises:

[0247] determining the first DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0248] Item 26. A method comprising:

[0249] obtaining, by a user equipment (UE), a first DRX (discontinuous reception) cycle;

[0250] determining a second DRX cycle based at least on the first DRX cycle and a DRX cycle threshold, wherein the DRX cycle threshold is a maximum value of a DRX cycle that can support LEO (low earth orbit) cell measurements; and

[0251] applying the second DRX cycle, including applying the second DRX cycle to measurements of at least one LEO cell of a serving cell and a neighbor cell, wherein at least one of the serving cell and the neighbor cell is a LEO cell.

[0252] Item 27. The method of item 26, wherein:

[0253] the DRX cycle threshold is a hardcoded value that complies with a specification, or

[0254] the DRX cycle threshold is a value configured by the serving cell.

[0255] Item 28. The method of item 26, wherein:

[0256] The DRX cycle threshold is associated with all kinds of LEO cells; or

[0257] The DRX cycle threshold is only associated with earth-moving LEO cells.

[0258] Item 29. The method of item 26, wherein if the RRC state of the UE with the serving cell is RRC idle / inactive, determining the second DRX cycle further comprises:

[0259] comparing the first DRX cycle with the DRX cycle threshold;

[0260] if the first DRX cycle is greater than the DRX cycle threshold, determining a DRX cycle equal to or smaller than the DRX cycle threshold as the second DRX cycle; and

[0261] if the first DRX cycle is equal to or smaller than the DRX cycle threshold, determining a DRX cycle equal to or smaller than the first DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0262] Item 30. The method of item 29, wherein in case the first DRX cycle is greater than the DRX cycle threshold, applying the second DRX cycle to the measurements of the at least one LEO cell is implemented based on a physical DRX change or based on an effective DRX without physical DRX change.

[0263] Item 31. The method of item 29, wherein the serving cell is a terrestrial network (TN) cell or a non-LEO cell and the neighbor cell is a LEO cell, applying the second DRX cycle further comprises applying the second DRX cycle to the measurements of the serving cell and the measurements of the neighbor cell, the method further comprising:

[0264] filtering each of the SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements of each measured LEO cell using a group of at least two measurements, within the group of at least two measurements, at least two measurement intervals are at least a LEO target measurement period / Z, Z is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0265] Item 32. The method of item 31, wherein the LEO target measurement period is hardcoded by specification or configured by the serving cell.

[0266] Item 33. The method of item 29, wherein the serving cell is a LEO cell and the neighbor cell is a TN cell or a non-LEO cell on an intra-frequency layer with the serving cell, applying the second DRX cycle further comprises:

[0267] applying the second DRX cycle to the measurements of the serving cell and the intra-frequency measurements of the TN cell or the non-LEO cell.

[0268] Item 34. The method of item 33, further comprising:

[0269] filtering each of the SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements for each measured LEO cell using a group of at least two measurements, within the group of at least two measurements, at least two measurements are separated by at least a second DRX cycle / Z, Z can be greater than or equal to 2.

[0270] Item 35. The method of item 29, wherein the serving cell is a LEO cell and the neighbor cell is a TN cell or a non-LEO cell on an inter-frequency layer with the serving cell, the method further comprising:

[0271] applying an effective DRX cycle to the inter- measurement of the TN cell or the non-LEO cell, wherein the effective DRX cycle is equal to or less than the first DRX cycle.

[0272] Item 36. The method of item 29, wherein the serving cell and the neighbor cell are both LEO cells, applying the second DRX cycle further comprising:

[0273] applying the second DRX cycle to the measurement of the serving cell and the measurement of the neighbor cell.

[0274] Item 37. The method of item 36, further comprising:

[0275] filtering each of the SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements for each measured LEO cell using a group of at least two measurements, within the group of at least two measurements, at least two measurements are separated by at least a LEO target measurement cycle / Z, Z is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0276] Item 38. The method of item 37, wherein the LEO target measurement cycle is either hardcoded by specification or configured by the serving cell.

[0277] Item 39. The method of item 37, wherein the LEO target measurement cycle is equal to the second DRX cycle if the measured cell is the serving cell or a neighbor cell on a frequency layer of the serving cell.

[0278] Item 40. The method of item 29, wherein the UE obtaining the first DRX cycle further comprises:

[0279] using a maximum candidate DRX cycle in system information (SI) as the first DRX cycle.

[0280] Item 41. The method of item 26, wherein the determining the second DRX cycle further comprises:

[0281] comparing the first DRX cycle to a DRX cycle threshold;

[0282] if the first DRX cycle is greater than the DRX cycle threshold, determining a DRX cycle equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold as a second DRX cycle; and

[0283] if the first DRX cycle is equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold, determining a DRX cycle equal to the first DRX cycle as a second DRX cycle.

[0284] Item 42. The method of item 41, wherein in the case that the first DRX cycle is greater than the DRX cycle threshold, applying the second DRX cycle to the measurements of the at least one LEO cell is implemented based on a physical DRX change or based on an effective DRX without a physical DRX change.

[0285] Item 43. The method of item 41, wherein the serving cell is a TN cell or a non-LEO cell and the neighbor cell is a LEO cell, applying the second DRX cycle further comprises:

[0286] applying the second DRX cycle to the measurements of the neighbor cell.

[0287] Item 44. The method of item 41, wherein the serving cell is a LEO cell and the neighbor cell is a TN cell or a non-LEO cell on an intra-frequency tier with the serving cell, the method further comprising:

[0288] applying the second DRX cycle to the measurements of the serving cell and the intra-frequency measurements of the TN cell or the non-LEO cell.

[0289] Item 45. The method of item 38, wherein the serving cell is a LEO cell and the neighbor cell is a TN cell or a non-LEO cell on an inter-frequency tier with the serving cell, the method further comprising:

[0290] applying an effective DRX cycle to the inter-frequency measurements of the TN cell or the non-LEO cell, wherein the effective DRX cycle is equal to the first DRX cycle.

[0291] Item 46. The method of item 41, wherein the serving cell and the neighbor cell are both LEO cells, applying the second DRX cycle further comprises:

[0292] applying the second DRX cycle to the measurements of the serving cell and the measurements of the neighbor cell.

[0293] Item 47. The method of item 38, wherein the UE obtains the first DRX cycle from the serving cell, the first DRX cycle being configured by the serving cell.

[0294] Item 48. The method of item 1, wherein the first DRX cycle is determined by the serving cell based on a DRX cycle threshold.

[0295] Item 49. The method of item 48, wherein the RRC state of the UE with the serving cell is RRC idle / inactive, determining the second DRX cycle further comprises:

[0296] determining a DRX cycle equal to or less than the first DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0297] Item 50. The method of item 49, wherein the RRC state of the UE with the serving cell is RRC connected, determining the second DRX cycle further comprises:

[0298] determining a DRX cycle equal to the first DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

[0299] Item 51. An apparatus for operating a user equipment (UE), comprising:

[0300] a processor configured to cause the UE to perform the method of any of items 26 to 50.

[0301] Item 52. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions that, when executed at a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to perform the method of any of items 26 to 50.

[0302] Item 53. A computer program product comprising program instructions that, when executed at a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to perform the method of any of items 26 to 50.

[0303] Item 54. A base station (BS), comprising:

[0304] at least one antenna;

[0305] at least one radio coupled to the at least one antenna; and

[0306] a processor coupled to the at least one radio;

[0307] wherein the BS is configured to perform operations comprising:

[0308] determining that at least one LEO cell is present in a neighboring cell and a serving cell provided by the BS;

[0309] determining a first DRX cycle based on a DRX cycle threshold, wherein the DRX cycle threshold is a maximum value of a DRX cycle that can support LEO cell measurements; and

[0310] transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), the first DRX cycle, wherein the UE uses the first DRX cycle to determine a second DRX cycle to apply to measurements of the at least one LEO cell.

[0311] Item 55. The BS of item 54, wherein:

[0312] the DRX cycle threshold is a hardcoded value that is norm compliant, or

[0313] the DRX cycle threshold is a value configured by the serving cell.

[0314] Item 56. The BS of item 54, wherein:

[0315] the DRX cycle threshold is associated with all kinds of LEO cells; or

[0316] the DRX cycle threshold is associated only with LEO cells that are earth moving.

[0317] Item 57. A method comprising:

[0318] determining, by a base station of a serving cell, that there is at least one LEO cell in the serving cell and a neighboring cell;

[0319] determining a first DRX cycle based on a DRX cycle threshold, wherein the DRX cycle threshold is a maximum value of a DRX cycle that can support LEO cell measurements; and

[0320] transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), the first DRX cycle, wherein the UE uses the first DRX cycle to determine a second DRX cycle to apply to measurements of the at least one LEO cell.

[0321] Item 58. The method of item 57, wherein:

[0322] the DRX cycle threshold is a hardcoded value that is norm compliant, or

[0323] the DRX cycle threshold is a value configured by the serving cell.

[0324] Item 59. The method of item 58, wherein:

[0325] the DRX cycle threshold is associated with all kinds of LEO cells; or

[0326] the DRX cycle threshold is associated only with LEO cells that are earth moving.

[0327] Item 60. An apparatus for operating a base station (BS), comprising:

[0328] a processor configured to cause the UE to perform the method of any of items 57-59.

[0329] Item 61. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions that, when executed at a base station (BS), cause the BS to perform the method of any of items 57 to 59.

[0330] Item 62. A computer program product comprising program instructions that, when executed at a base station (BS), cause the BS to perform the method of any of items 57 to 59.

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE), comprising: at least one antenna; at least one radio coupled to the at least one antenna; and a processor coupled to the at least one radio; wherein the UE is configured to perform operations comprising: obtaining a first DRX (discontinuous reception) cycle; determining a second DRX cycle based at least on the first DRX cycle and a DRX cycle threshold, wherein the DRX cycle threshold is a maximum value of a DRX cycle that can support LEO (low earth orbit) cell measurements; and applying the second DRX cycle, including applying the second DRX cycle to measurements of at least one LEO cell in a serving cell and a neighbor cell, wherein at least one of the serving cell and the neighbor cell is a LEO cell.

2. The UE of claim 1, wherein: the DRX cycle threshold is a hardcoded value that is specification compliant, or the DRX cycle threshold is a value configured by the serving cell.

3. The UE of claim 1, wherein: the DRX cycle threshold is associated with all kinds of LEO cells; or the DRX cycle threshold is associated only with earth-moving LEO cells.

4. The UE of claim 1, wherein the UE is in an RRC idle / inactive state with the serving cell, the determining the second DRX cycle further comprises: comparing the first DRX cycle to the DRX cycle threshold; if the first DRX cycle is greater than the DRX cycle threshold, determining a DRX cycle that is equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold as the second DRX cycle; and if the first DRX cycle is equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold, determining a DRX cycle that is equal to or less than the first DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

5. The UE of claim 4, wherein in the case that the first DRX cycle is greater than the DRX cycle threshold, applying the second DRX cycle to the measurements of the at least one LEO cell is implemented based on a physical DRX change or based on an effective DRX without a physical DRX change.

6. The UE of claim 4, wherein the serving cell is a terrestrial network (TN) cell or a non-LEO cell and the neighbor cell is a LEO cell, the operations further comprising: filtering each of SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements for each measured LEO cell using at least two groups of measurements, within which at least two measurement intervals are at least a LEO target measurement period / Z, Z is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

7. The UE of claim 4, wherein the serving cell is a LEO cell and the neighbor cell is a TN cell or a non-LEO cell on an intra- frequency layer with the serving cell, the applying the second DRX cycle further comprising: applying the second DRX cycle to measurements of the serving cell and intra- frequency measurements of the TN cell or the non-LEO cell; and the operations further comprising: filtering each of the SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements for each measured LEO cell using at least two groups of measurements, within which at least two measurements are separated by at least the second DRX cycle / Z, Z being greater than or equal to 2.

8. The UE of claim 4, wherein the serving cell is a LEO cell and the neighbor cell is a TN cell or a non-LEO cell on an inter-frequency layer with the serving cell, the operations further comprising: applying an effective DRX cycle to inter-frequency measurements of the TN cell or the non-LEO cell, wherein the effective DRX cycle is equal to or less than the first DRX cycle.

9. The UE of claim 4, wherein the serving cell and the neighbor cell are both LEO cells, the applying the second DRX cycle further comprising: applying the second DRX cycle to measurements of the serving cell and measurements of the neighbor cell; the operations further comprising: filtering each of the SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements for each measured LEO cell using at least two groups of measurements, within which at least two measurements are separated by at least a LEO target measurement cycle / Z, Z being an integer greater than or equal to 2.

10. The UE of claim 9, wherein the LEO target measurement cycle is equal to the second DRX cycle if the measured cell is the serving cell or the neighbor cell on a frequency layer with the serving cell.

11. The UE of claim 1, wherein the RRC state of the UE with the serving cell is RRC connected, the determining a second DRX cycle further comprising: comparing the first DRX cycle to the DRX cycle threshold; if the first DRX cycle is greater than the DRX cycle threshold, determining a DRX cycle equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold as the second DRX cycle; and if the first DRX cycle is equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold, determining a DRX cycle equal to the first DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

12. The UE of claim 11, wherein if the first DRX cycle is greater than the DRX cycle threshold, applying the second DRX cycle to measurements of the at least one LEO cell is implemented based on a physical DRX change or based on an effective DRX without a physical DRX change.

13. The UE of claim 11, wherein: in a case where the serving cell is a TN cell or a non-LEO cell and the neighbor cell is a LEO cell, the applying the second DRX cycle further comprises applying the second DRX cycle to measurements of the neighbor cell; in a case where the serving cell is a LEO cell and the neighbor cell is a TN cell or a non-LEO cell on an intra-frequency layer with the serving cell, the operations further comprise applying the second DRX cycle to measurements of the serving cell and intra-frequency measurements of the TN cell or the non-LEO cell; In the case that the serving cell is a LEO cell and the neighbor cell is a TN cell or a non-LEO cell on an inter-frequency layer with the serving cell, the operations further comprise: applying an effective DRX cycle to inter-frequency measurements of the TN cell or the non-LEO cell, wherein the effective DRX cycle is equal to the first DRX cycle; and In the case that the serving cell and the neighbor cell are both LEO cells, the applying the second DRX cycle further comprises: applying the second DRX cycle to measurements of the serving cell and measurements of the neighbor cell.

14. The UE of claim 1, wherein the first DRX cycle is determined by the serving cell based on the DRX cycle threshold.

15. The UE of claim 14, wherein: in the case that a RRC state of the UE with the serving cell is RRC idle / inactive, the determining the second DRX cycle further comprises: determining a DRX cycle equal to or less than the first DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle; and in the case that the RRC state of the UE with the serving cell is RRC connected, the determining the second DRX cycle further comprises: determining the first DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

16. A method for wireless communication, comprising: obtaining, by a user equipment (UE), a first DRX (discontinuous reception) cycle; determining a second DRX cycle based at least on the first DRX cycle and a DRX cycle threshold, wherein the DRX cycle threshold is a maximum value of a DRX cycle that can support LEO (low earth orbit) cell measurements; applying the second DRX cycle, including applying the second DRX cycle to measurements of at least one LEO cell of a serving cell and a neighbor cell, wherein at least one of the serving cell and the neighbor cell is a LEO cell.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein: the DRX cycle threshold is a hardcoded value that complies with a specification, or the DRX cycle threshold is a value configured by the serving cell.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein: the DRX cycle threshold is associated with all kinds of LEO cells; or the DRX cycle threshold is associated with only earth-moving LEO cells.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein: in the case that a RRC state of the UE with the serving cell is RRC idle / inactive, the determining the second DRX cycle further comprises: comparing the first DRX cycle with the DRX cycle threshold, if the first DRX cycle is greater than the DRX cycle threshold, determining a DRX cycle equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold as the second DRX cycle, and if the first DRX cycle is equal to or less than the DRX cycle threshold, determining a DRX cycle equal to or less than the first DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle; and ​ In case the RRC state of the UE with the serving cell is RRC connected, the determining the second DRX cycle further comprises: comparing the first DRX cycle with the DRX cycle threshold; in case the first DRX cycle is greater than the DRX cycle threshold, determining a DRX cycle equal to or smaller than the DRX cycle threshold as the second DRX cycle, and in case the first DRX cycle is equal to or smaller than the DRX cycle threshold, determining a DRX cycle equal to the first DRX cycle as the second DRX cycle.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein in case the first DRX cycle is greater than the DRX cycle threshold, applying the second DRX cycle to measurements of the at least one LEO cell is implemented based on a physical DRX change or based on an effective DRX without a physical DRX change.

21. An apparatus for operating a user equipment (UE), comprising: a processor configured to cause the UE to perform the method of any one of claims 16 to 20.

22. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions that, when executed at a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to perform the method of any one of claims 16 to 20.

23. A base station (BS), comprising: at least one antenna; at least one radio coupled to the at least one antenna; and a processor coupled to the at least one radio; wherein the BS is configured to perform operations comprising: determining that at least one LEO cell is present among neighboring cells and a serving cell provided by the BS; determining a first DRX cycle based on a DRX cycle threshold, wherein the DRX cycle threshold is a maximum value of a DRX cycle that can support LEO cell measurements; and sending the first DRX cycle to a UE, wherein the UE uses the first DRX cycle to determine a second DRX cycle to be applied to measurements of the at least one LEO cell.

24. The BS of claim 23, wherein: the DRX cycle threshold is associated with all kinds of LEO cells; or the DRX cycle threshold is associated with only earth-moving LEO cells.

25. A method for wireless communication, comprising: determining, by a base station of a serving cell, that at least one LEO cell is present among the serving cell and neighboring cells; determining a first DRX cycle based on a DRX cycle threshold, wherein the DRX cycle threshold is a maximum value of a DRX cycle that can support LEO cell measurements; and sending the first DRX cycle to a user equipment (UE), wherein the UE uses the first DRX cycle to determine a second DRX cycle to be applied to measurements of the at least one LEO cell.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein: the DRX cycle threshold is associated with all kinds of LEO cells; or the DRX cycle threshold is associated with only earth-moving LEO cells. ​ ​ 27. An apparatus for operating a base station (BS), comprising: a processor configured to cause the UE to perform the method of any of claims 25-26.

28. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions that, when executed at a base station (BS), cause the BS to perform the method of any of claims 25-26.

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