Hybrid per-frequency range and per-user equipment measurement gap capabilities

Abstract

Systems and methods for indication and determination related to the use of per-frequency range (FR) measurement gap procedures or per-user equipment (UE) measurement gap procedures are disclosed herein. The UE may notify the base station when the UE is not feasible to perform a per-FR measurement gap procedure with a particular combination of frequency bands configured to the UE. The UE may alternatively or additionally determine and indicate to the base station: one or more CC limits, a maximum number of aggregated bands across all FRs, a maximum number of aggregated bands in a particular FR, and / or a maximum number of FRs for which a per-FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE. The base station may use one or more of these values to determine whether the UE will use a per-FR measurement gap procedure or a per-UE measurement gap procedure with a configured band combination (and / or with a corresponding fallback band combination).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application generally relates to wireless communication systems, including wireless communication systems capable of implementing measurement gaps per frequency range (FR). Background Art

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

[0003] As envisioned by 3GPP, different wireless communication system standards and protocols may use various radio access networks (RANs) to communicate between base stations of the RAN (which may also sometimes be referred to as RAN nodes, network nodes, or simply nodes) and wireless communication devices referred to as user equipment (UE). 3GPP RANs may 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 may 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 (sometimes referred to as LTE), and NG-RAN implements NR RAT (sometimes referred to as 5G RAT, 5G NR RAT, or NR in this document). In some deployments, E-UTRAN may also implement NR RAT. In some deployments, NG-RAN may also implement LTE RAT.

[0005] The base stations used by the RAN may correspond to the RAN. An example of an E-UTRAN base station is an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (also commonly denoted as an evolved Node B, enhanced Node B, eNodeB, or eNB). An example of an NG-RAN base station is a Next Generation Node B (also sometimes referred to as a gNodeB or gNB).

[0006] The RAN provides its communication services together with external entities through its connection with the Core Network (CN). For example, E-UTRAN may utilize the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) while NG-RAN may utilize the 5G Core Network (5GC).

[0007] The frequency bands of 5G NR can be divided into two or more different frequency ranges (FR). For example, frequency range 1 (FR1) may include frequency bands operating at frequencies below 6 GHz, some of which are available for use by previous standards and can potentially be expanded to cover new spectrum products from 410 MHz to 7125 MHz. Frequency range 2 (FR2) may include frequency bands from 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz. Note that in some systems, FR2 may also include frequency bands from 52.6 GHz to 71 GHz (or higher). The frequency bands in the millimeter wave (mmWave) range of FR2 may have smaller coverage but potentially higher available bandwidth than the frequency bands in FR1. Technicians will recognize that these frequency ranges, provided by way of example, may vary over time or from region to region. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or action, the most significant digit(s) in a reference number refers to the drawing number that first introduces the element.

[0009] Figure 1 A method of a UE according to an implementation scheme is illustrated.

[0010] Figure 2 A method of a UE according to an implementation scheme is illustrated.

[0011] Figure 3 A method of a UE according to an implementation scheme is illustrated.

[0012] Figure 4 A method of a UE according to an implementation scheme is illustrated.

[0013] Figure 5 A method of a base station according to an embodiment is illustrated.

[0014] Figure 6 A method of a UE according to an implementation scheme is illustrated.

[0015] Figure 7 A method of a base station according to an embodiment is illustrated.

[0016] Figure 8 An example architecture of a wireless communication system according to embodiments disclosed herein is illustrated.

[0017] Fig. 9A system for performing signaling between a wireless device and a network device according to embodiments disclosed herein is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Various embodiments are described with reference to UE. However, reference to UE is provided for illustrative purposes only. The example embodiments may 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. Therefore, UE as described herein is used to represent any suitable electronic component.

[0019] One or more measurement gaps may be provided at the UE. A measurement gap may be a period of time during which uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) transmissions between the UE and the network relative to a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) of the UE are suspended (e.g., unscheduled) so that radio frequency (RF) resources of the UE corresponding to the RFIC may instead perform measurements (e.g., on otherwise unused frequencies, e.g., to monitor potential handover conditions).

[0020] In some wireless communication networks, two types of measurement gap configurations may be defined. The first measurement gap configuration may be a "per UE" measurement gap configuration. In a UE using a per UE measurement gap process corresponding to a per UE measurement gap configuration, it may be the case that a single RFIC of the UE covers both FR1 and FR2 of the UE. In such a case, along with providing a measurement gap, the use of this RFIC for UL / DL signaling is suspended. Therefore, a measurement gap configured for measurement of a measurement object (MO) in one of FR1 and FR2 will affect the ability of the UE to communicate simultaneously on either / each of FR1 and FR2 via (one) RFIC. Therefore, during such a measurement gap, there may be no uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) operations on either FR1 or FR2 (e.g., on the entire set of FRs used by the UE).

[0021] The second measurement gap configuration may be a "per FR" measurement gap configuration. In a UE using a per FR measurement gap procedure corresponding to a per FR measurement gap configuration, it may be the case that there are multiple (e.g., in some cases, two) discrete RFICs, each dedicated to covering one of FR1 and FR2 of the UE, respectively. In such a case, a measurement gap configured for MO measurement in one of FR1 and FR2 may provide sufficient measurement gaps by suspending UL / DL transmissions only on the RFIC corresponding to the FR in which the MO is found. At the same time, the UE continues to be able to communicate on the other of FR1 and FR2 (via another RFIC). In other words, when using a per FR measurement gap procedure, the measurement gap may only affect the FR where the MO is being measured (rather than all FRs used at the UE). The use of the FR measurement gap configuration may be advantageous over the per UE measurement gap configuration, at least in the sense that the UE may continue to perform UL and / or DL ​​transmissions of unaffected FRs during the measurement gap corresponding to the affected FR.

[0022] However, it has been identified that situations where a UE using multiple RFICs may still utilize a per-UE measurement gap configuration (eg, where UL / DL transmissions are suspended across all RFICs during a measurement gap).

[0023] For example, consider the case where the UE has two separate RFICs (one each for FR1 and FR2). Furthermore, assume that the UE has been configured with 10 component carriers (CCs), all of which belong to FR2. The UE is then configured to measure FR1 MO (denoted as "f1").

[0024] According to the per-FR measurement gap configuration as described above, since FR1 has a separate RFIC, this situation corresponds to the behavior that the UE does not need to stop UL / DL transmission on FR2 in order to perform measurements of f1 on FR1. Therefore, it can be expected that the UE continues to perform UL / DL communication on the 10 active CCs on FR2 while measuring f1 on FR1 during the measurement gap.

[0025] However, it may be the case that the baseband capability of the UE is limited to supporting a maximum of 10 simultaneous CCs. Due to this baseband capability limitation, the UE cannot therefore use 10 active CCs simultaneously on FR2 while measuring f1 on FR1 (as this would effectively be using the 11th CC simultaneously).

[0026] Therefore, to allow measurement of f1, in this case, it may be advantageous to allow the UE to alternatively use a per-UE measurement gap configuration, which would allow the UE to cease active use of all CCs at the UE corresponding to the time of the measurement gap (e.g., cease use of active CCs on FR2), such that the UE has the ability to measure f1.

[0027] More generally, it has been identified that there may be certain circumstances (eg, corresponding to saturation of one or more UE baseband capabilities) where a UE that would otherwise be capable of using a per-FR measurement gap configuration should instead use a per-UE measurement gap configuration.

[0028] The baseband capability of the UE may be controlled and / or correspond to, for example, the buffer size used at the UE and / or the processing capability at the UE, etc. The number of simultaneous CCs that the UE can use within such baseband capability may be referred to herein as the "CC capability" of the UE. Therefore, the CC capability of the UE may (also) be understood to be controlled and / or correspond to the buffer size used at the UE, the processing capability at the UE, etc.

[0029] The number of CCs used at the UE may correspond to the band combination configured for the UE. Each band in the band combination includes one or more CCs, and therefore it can be understood that a specific band combination may establish the total number of CCs configured for the UE accordingly.

[0030] It may be the case that, in some cases, a UE capable of using the per FR measurement gap procedure is also configured to provide an indication to the network whether a particular band combination is not feasible for per FR measurement gap operation. This may occur, for example, when the band combination configured to the UE includes a number of CCs greater than or equal to the CC capabilities of the UE. Such a UE may first indicate to the network that the UE is capable of performing per FR measurement gap operation. Then, based on the number of CCs in the band combination that has been configured to the UE, the UE may determine whether the per FR measurement gap procedure is feasible for that band configuration. If the number of CCs in the band combination is greater than or equal to the number of CCs at the CC capabilities of the UE, the UE may transmit to the network an indication that the per FR measurement gap procedure is not feasible for the current band combination.

[0031] Therefore, the UE may determine to use the per-UE measurement gap procedure instead of the per-RF measurement gap procedure in the future (when the band combination is active). In addition, as a result of the indication of the infeasibility of using the current band combination for the per-RF measurement gap procedure, the network may perform scheduling for the UE under the assumption that the UE will use the per-UE measurement gap configuration instead of the per-RF measurement gap configuration.

[0032] In some embodiments, it may be the case that the UE is configured to provide, in addition to providing an indication that the current band configuration is not feasible for the per-RF measurement gap procedure, a further indication of not feasible for each "fallback" band configuration corresponding to the current band configuration that is also not feasible for use with the per-RF measurement gap procedure. For example, it may be the case that the current band combination configured to the UE has 12 CCs, and the CC capability of the UE is only up to 10 CCs. In such a case (e.g., due to the reasons described above), all fallback band configurations in the current band configuration that use 11 or 10 CCs will also be considered not feasible for use with the per-RF measurement gap procedure at the UE.

[0033] For the 11 CC fallback case: Since there are 12 ways to select 11 CCs from 12 CCs, the UE will need to make 12 indications to cover each possible 11 CC fallback case.

[0034] For the 10 CC fallback case: Since there are 66 ways to select 10 CCs from 12 CCs, the UE will need to make 66 indications to cover every possible 10 CC fallback case.

[0035] Thus, a UE configured as assumed may ultimately make a total of 79 (1+12+66) unfeasibility indications to cover unfeasibility indications for each band in the current band combination and each fallback band in its associated fallback band combination that is also unfeasible. As will be appreciated from this example, the described method of making unfeasibility indications will typically result in significant signaling overhead in a variety of possible situations.

[0036] The discussion herein may relate to systems and methods for improving the manner in which UEs use an infeasibility indication, and / or to systems and methods for a broader context in which (additionally or alternatively) a network may be informed of the infeasibility of controlling various frequency band combinations at a UE. In such cases, it may be possible that the overall signaling overhead between the UE and the network may be reduced relative to other cases discussed herein.

[0037] It may be the case that, in some cases, a UE capable of the per-FR measurement gap procedure with CC capabilities can use the per-FR measurement gap procedure in any case (rather than using the per-UE measurement gap procedure in this case). For example, it may be the case that one or more CCs of the band combination correspond to FR1, and one or more CCs of the band combination correspond to FR2. In this case, there is no problem using the per-FR measurement gap procedure. This is because when the UE uses the measurement gap to suspend the use of one of the FRICs (corresponding to one of FR1 or FR2) in order to measure MO, the use of at least one CC is suspended (in either case). In such a case, the UE does not have to exceed its CC capabilities to perform MO measurements.

[0038] Therefore, it is possible that the UE is configured to transmit an unfeasibility indication for a band combination only when all CCs of the band combination are in the same FR. This is because when all CCs of the band combination are in the same FR, it is still possible that a number of CCs equal to the CC capabilities are all active in the first FR, thereby preventing the measurement of MO in the second FR according to the CC capabilities.

[0039] Figure 1 A method 100 of a UE according to an embodiment is illustrated. The method 100 comprises determining 102 that all CCs of a frequency band combination for the UE have the same FR.

[0040] The method 100 further includes, in response to determining that all CCs of the frequency band combination have the same FR, indicating 104 to the base station that a per FR measurement gap procedure is not feasible at the UE for the frequency band combination.

[0041] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising means for performing one or more elements of method 100. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a UE (such as wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0042] Embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of method 100. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, a memory of a UE (such as memory 906 of wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0043] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logical components, modules, or circuits for performing one or more elements of the method 100. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a UE (such as the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0044] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of the method 100. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a UE (such as wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0045] Embodiments contemplated herein include a signal as described in or in connection with one or more elements of method 100 .

[0046] Embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product containing instructions, wherein the program is executed by a processor to cause the processor to perform one or more elements of the method 100. The processor may be a processor of a UE (such as the processor 904 of the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein). These instructions may be located, for example, in a processor of a UE and / or on a memory (such as the memory 906 of the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0047] In some cases, it may be the case that the UE indicates one or more CC limits beyond which each FR gap is determined to be infeasible. The one or more CC limits may be determined by the UE, corresponding to and / or related to the CC capabilities of the UE. As described herein, the indication of one or more CC limits may be performed in lieu of the indication of infeasible band combinations in some cases and in addition to the indication of infeasible band combinations in other cases.

[0048] In a first option, the UE may determine a CC restriction across all FRs used by the UE (e.g., across FR1 and FR2) for which the per-FR measurement gap process is not feasible at the UE (denoted as "N"). The UE may then indicate N to the network. In this case, when the band combination has a total number of CCs greater than or equal to N, the UE may use per-UE measurement gaps instead of per-FR measurement gaps, and / or the network may assume that the UE is using per-UE measurement gaps instead of per-FR measurement gaps to schedule UL / DL transmissions with the UE. In some embodiments, the value of N may be or may correspond to the CC capability of the UE, as described herein.

[0049] In a second option, the UE may determine multiple CC restrictions, where each CC restriction is for a specific FR. For example, the UE may indicate: a first CC restriction for FR1 (denoted as "N1") for which the per-FR measurement gap process is not feasible at the UE; and a second CC restriction for FR2 (denoted as "N2") for which the per-FR measurement gap process is not feasible at the UE. The UE may then indicate the CC restrictions to the network. For example, the UE may indicate each of N1 and N2 to the network. In this case, when the frequency band combination has a number of CCs for any relevant FR that reaches the corresponding limit (e.g., in a given example, the number of FR1 CCs greater than or equal to N1 and / or the number of FR2 CCs greater than or equal to N2), the UE may use per-UE measurement gaps instead of per-FR measurement gaps, and / or the network may assume that the UE is using per-UE measurement gaps instead of per-FR measurement gaps to schedule UL / DL transmissions with the UE.

[0050] It is possible that the value of the CC limit (e.g., N, N1, N2, etc.) used by the UE may be one of a set of predetermined numbers. For example, the UE may select the CC limit from the set [1...16] and / or the set [8, 10, 12, 14]. Note that these sets are given by way of example and not limitation.

[0051] In some embodiments involving indication of one or more CC restrictions, the UE may make further indications to the base station. For example, in some cases, the UE may also determine the maximum number of aggregated bands across all FRs (denoted as "M") for which the per FR measurement gap process may be supported at the UE. This maximum number of aggregated bands may then be indicated to the network. In the event that the number of aggregated bands in the band combination across all FRs is greater than M, the UE may use per UE measurement gaps instead of per FR measurement gaps, and / or the network may assume that the UE is using per UE measurement gaps instead of per FR measurement gaps to schedule UL / DL transmissions with the UE.

[0052] The use of M may correspond to the processing capabilities of the UE and may help ensure that the UE has the processing resources to successfully perform the per-FR measurement gap procedure for the first FR while continuing UL / DL transmissions in additional FRs (due to the total number of active bands) without being tasked with performing that procedure.

[0053] In some cases, in addition to the indication of one or more CC restrictions, the UE may also determine a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands in a particular FR (denoted as "K") for which the per FR measurement gap procedure may be supported at the UE. This maximum number of aggregated frequency bands in that FR may then also be indicated to the network. In the event that the number of aggregated frequency bands in the frequency band combination for that FR is greater than K, the UE may use per UE measurement gaps instead of per FR measurement gaps, and / or the network may assume that the UE is using per UE measurement gaps instead of per FR measurement gaps to schedule UL / DL transmissions with the UE. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that K may be the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands within FR2.

[0054] The use of K may correspond to the processing capabilities of the UE and may help ensure that the UE continues UL / DL transmission in the FR corresponding to K (e.g., FR2) without being tasked with performing the process while having no processing resources to successfully perform the per-FR measurement gap for the first FR process (due to the total number of active frequency bands corresponding to the FR of K). It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the value K may be determined and indicated together with the value M, as described herein.

[0055] In some cases, in addition to the indication of one or more CC restrictions, the UE may also determine a maximum number of FRs at the UE (denoted as "S") for which the per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE. This maximum number of FRs may then also be indicated to the network. In the event that the number of aggregated bands in the band combination is greater than S, the UE may use per UE measurement gaps instead of per RF measurement gaps, and / or the network may assume that the UE is using per UE measurement gaps instead of per RF measurement gaps to schedule UL / DL transmissions with the UE.

[0056] The use of S may be useful in the following situations: for example, there is still hardware sharing between multiple RFICs at the UE (e.g., shared RF chains between RFICs), so that the RFICs are not completely separated, and thus when the first FR is suspended for a measurement gap, the UL / DL transmission on the second FR may be interfered. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the value S may be determined and indicated together with the value M, as described herein.

[0057] It is also contemplated that in some embodiments, in addition to an indication of one or more CC limitations (e.g., N, N1, N2, etc.), the UE may also determine and indicate each of M, K, and S, or determine and indicate each of any subset taken from M, K, and S, as described herein.

[0058] Figure 2A method 200 of a UE according to an embodiment is illustrated. The method 200 includes determining 202 a CC restriction of the UE under which the per FR measurement gap procedure is not supported at the UE, wherein the CC restriction is for a CC that spans multiple FRs that can be used by the UE.

[0059] The method 200 also includes indicating 204 the CC restriction to the base station.

[0060] In some embodiments, method 200 further includes: determining a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands for which a per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE; and indicating the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands to the base station. In some of these embodiments, the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands is the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands across all FRs. In some of these embodiments, the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands is the maximum number of aggregated FR2 frequency bands.

[0061] In some embodiments, the method 200 further includes: determining a maximum number of FRs at the UE for which the per-FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE; and indicating the maximum number of FRs to the base station.

[0062] In some embodiments of method 200, the CC limit is one of a set of predetermined numbers.

[0063] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising means for performing one or more elements of the method 200. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a UE (such as the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0064] Embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of method 200. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, a memory of a UE (such as memory 906 of wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0065] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logical components, modules, or circuits for performing one or more elements of the method 200. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a UE (such as the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0066] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of the method 200. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a UE (such as wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0067] Embodiments contemplated herein include a signal as described in or in connection with one or more elements of method 200 .

[0068] Embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product containing instructions, wherein the program is executed by a processor to cause the processor to perform one or more elements of the method 200. The processor may be a processor of a UE (such as the processor 904 of the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein). These instructions may be located, for example, in a processor of a UE and / or on a memory (such as the memory 906 of the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0069] Figure 3 A method 300 of a UE according to an embodiment is shown. The method 300 includes determining 302 a first CC restriction of the UE under which the per FR measurement gap procedure is not supported at the UE, wherein the first CC restriction is for a first CC of a first FR that can be used by the UE.

[0070] The method 300 also includes determining 304 a second CC restriction of the UE under which the per FR measurement gap procedure is not supported at the UE, wherein the second CC restriction is for a second CC of a second FR that can be used by the UE.

[0071] The method 300 also includes indicating 306 the first CC restriction and the second CC restriction to a base station.

[0072] In some embodiments, the method 300 further includes: determining a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands for which a per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE; and indicating the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands to the base station. In some of these embodiments, the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands is the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands across all FRs. In some of these embodiments, the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands is the maximum number of aggregated FR2 frequency bands.

[0073] In some embodiments, the method 300 further includes: determining a maximum number of FRs at the UE for which the per-FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE; and indicating the maximum number of FRs to the base station.

[0074] In some implementations of method 300, each of the first CC limit and the second CC limit is one of a set of predetermined numbers.

[0075] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising means for performing one or more elements of the method 300. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a UE (such as the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0076] Embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media containing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of method 300. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, a memory of a UE (such as memory 906 of wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0077] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logical components, modules, or circuits for performing one or more elements of the method 300. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a UE (such as the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0078] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media containing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of the method 300. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a UE (such as wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0079] Embodiments contemplated herein include a signal as described in or associated with one or more elements of method 300 .

[0080] Embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product containing instructions, wherein the program is executed by a processor to cause the processor to perform one or more elements of the method 300. The processor may be a processor of a UE (such as the processor 904 of the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein). These instructions may be located, for example, in a processor of a UE and / or on a memory (such as the memory 906 of the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0081] In some cases, in response to determining that all CCs of a band combination configured at the UE have the same FR, the UE may determine and / or indicate one or more CC restrictions (e.g., N, N1, N2, etc.) in the manner described herein. If not all CCs of the band combination have the same FR, it may be the case that the UE does not determine and / or indicate one or more CC restrictions.

[0082] In the case where all CCs of a band combination have the same FR and the UE determines and / or indicates one or more CC restrictions to the network in response, the UE may also determine and indicate to the network: a maximum number M of aggregated bands across all FRs for which a per-FR measurement gap procedure may be supported at the UE; a maximum number K of aggregated bands in a particular FR for which a per-FR measurement gap procedure may be supported at the UE; and / or a maximum number S of FRs at the UE for which a per-FR measurement gap procedure may be supported at the UE, as discussed herein. In these cases, a specific combination of indicating a CC restriction (e.g., N, N1, N2, etc.) and an indication of one or more of M, K, and / or S may occur as described elsewhere herein.

[0083] Figure 4 A method 400 of a UE according to an embodiment is illustrated. The method 400 includes determining 402 a CC restriction of the UE at which the per FR measurement gap procedure is not supported at the UE.

[0084] The method 400 also includes determining 404 that all CCs of the frequency band combination for the UE have the same FR.

[0085] The method 400 also includes indicating 406 the CC restriction to the base station in response to determining that all CCs of the frequency band combination have the same FR.

[0086] In some embodiments, method 400 further includes: determining a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands for which a per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE; and indicating the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands to the base station. In some of these embodiments, the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands is the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands across all FRs. In some of these embodiments, the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands is the maximum number of aggregated FR2 frequency bands.

[0087] In some embodiments, the method 400 further includes: determining a maximum number of FRs at the UE for which the per-FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE; and indicating the maximum number of FRs to the base station.

[0088] In some embodiments of method 400, the CC limit is one of a set of predetermined numbers.

[0089] In some implementations of method 400, CC restrictions are for CCs that span multiple FRs that can be used by the UE.

[0090] In some implementations of method 400, the CC restriction is to a CC of one FR among a plurality of FRs that can be used by the UE.

[0091] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising means for performing one or more elements of the method 400. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a UE (such as the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0092] Embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of method 400. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, a memory of a UE (such as memory 906 of wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0093] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logical components, modules, or circuits for performing one or more elements of the method 400. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a UE (such as the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0094] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of the method 400. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a UE (such as wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0095] Embodiments contemplated herein include a signal as described in or in connection with one or more elements of method 400 .

[0096] Embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product including instructions, wherein execution of the program by a processor causes the processor to perform one or more elements of the method 400. The processor may be a processor of a UE (such as the processor 904 of the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein). These instructions may be located, for example, in a processor of a UE and / or on a memory (such as the memory 906 of the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0097] Figure 5 A method 500 of a base station according to an embodiment is illustrated. The method 500 comprises receiving 502 a CC restriction of a UE from the UE.

[0098] The method 500 also includes determining 504 whether the number of CCs corresponding to the CC limit for the frequency band combination for the UE is greater than or equal to the CC limit.

[0099] The method 500 also includes determining 506 whether the UE will perform a per-UE measurement gap procedure or a per-FR measurement gap procedure based on determining whether the number of CCs is greater than or equal to the CC limit.

[0100] In some embodiments, method 500 also includes: receiving an indication of a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands for the UE from the UE, for which a per FR measurement gap process is supported at the UE; and determining whether the frequency band combination uses more aggregated frequency bands than the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands, wherein determining whether the UE will perform a per UE measurement gap process or a per FR measurement gap process is further based on determining whether the frequency band combination uses more aggregated frequency bands than the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands.

[0101] In some embodiments, method 500 also includes: receiving an indication of a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands in FR2 from the UE, for which a per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE; and determining whether the frequency band combination uses more aggregated frequency bands in FR2 than the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands in FR2, wherein determining whether the UE will perform a per UE measurement gap procedure or a per FR measurement gap procedure is further based on determining whether the frequency band combination uses more aggregated frequency bands in FR2 than the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands in FR2.

[0102] In some embodiments, method 500 also includes: receiving, from the UE, an indication of a maximum number of FRs at the UE for which a per FR measurement gap process is supported at the UE; and determining whether the frequency band combination uses more FRs than the maximum number of FRs, wherein determining whether the UE will perform a per UE measurement gap process or a per FR measurement gap process is further based on determining whether the frequency band combination uses more FRs than the maximum number of FRs.

[0103] In some implementations of method 500, CC restrictions are for CCs that span multiple FRs that can be used by the UE.

[0104] In some implementations of method 500, the CC restriction is to a CC of one FR among a plurality of FRs that can be used by the UE.

[0105] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising means for performing one or more elements of method 500. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a base station (such as network device 918 that is a base station, as described herein).

[0106] Embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of method 500. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, a memory of a base station (such as memory 922 of network device 918 acting as a base station, as described herein).

[0107] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logical components, modules, or circuits operable to perform one or more elements of method 500. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a base station (such as network device 918 as a base station, as described herein).

[0108] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of method 500. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a base station (such as network device 918 that is a base station, as described herein).

[0109] Embodiments contemplated herein include a signal as described in or in connection with one or more elements of method 500 .

[0110] Embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product including instructions, wherein execution of the program by a processing element causes the processing element to perform one or more elements of method 500. The processor may be a memory of a base station (such as processor 920 of network device 918 as a base station, as described herein). These instructions may be located, for example, in a processor and / or on a memory of a base station (such as memory 922 of network device 918 as a base station, as described herein).

[0111] In some embodiments, the UE may provide both an indication of infeasibility for a particular band combination and an indication of one or more CC restrictions (e.g., N, N1, N2, etc.). The CC restriction information may be used corresponding to any fallback band combinations for the band combination for which an infeasibility indication has been made. In such cases, it may be the case that the network uses the indication of one or more CC restrictions to analyze the feasibility of any fallback band combinations derived from the beam combination for which the infeasibility indication was made, rather than the network relying on a separate indication from the UE for each such fallback beam combination. Therefore, the UE does not then make a separate indication for each such fallback band combination.

[0112] In these cases, it may be the case that, for reasons already described herein, no initial unfeasible indication is made except where the CCs of the band combination are all in the same FR.

[0113] Furthermore, in these cases, when an indication is made that is not feasible, the UE may also determine and indicate to the network: a maximum number M of aggregated bands across all FRs for which a per-FR measurement gap procedure may be supported at the UE; a maximum number K of aggregated bands in a particular FR for which a per-FR measurement gap procedure may be supported at the UE; and / or a maximum number S of FRs at the UE for which a per-FR measurement gap procedure may be supported at the UE, as discussed herein. In these cases, a specific combination of indicating CC restrictions (e.g., N, N1, N2, etc.) for any fallback band combination and an indication for one or more of M, K, and / or S may occur as described elsewhere herein.

[0114] The network may use these values ​​N, N1, N2M, K and / or S (as appropriate) to analyze the fallback band combination corresponding to a particular band combination for which a direct indication is not feasible. As described herein, these values ​​may be used to determine whether the UE will ultimately use the per-FR measurement gap procedure or the per-UE measurement gap procedure in various situations (e.g., when the UE is using the particular fallback beam combination).

[0115] Figure 6 A method 600 of a UE according to an embodiment is illustrated. The method 600 comprises determining 602 that all CCs of a frequency band combination for the UE have the same FR.

[0116] The method 600 also includes determining 604 a CC restriction of the UE at which the per FR measurement gap procedure is not supported at the UE.

[0117] The method 600 also includes indicating 606 to the base station that the per FR measurement gap procedure is not feasible at the UE for the frequency band combination.

[0118] The method 600 also includes indicating 608 to the base station a CC restriction of the UE under which the per FR measurement gap procedure is not supported at the UE.

[0119] In some embodiments, method 600 further includes: determining a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands for which a per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE; and indicating the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands to the base station. In some of these embodiments, the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands is the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands across all FRs. In some of these embodiments, the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands is the maximum number of aggregated FR2 frequency bands.

[0120] In some embodiments, the method 600 further includes: determining a maximum number of FRs at the UE for which the per-FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE; and indicating the maximum number of FRs to the base station.

[0121] In some implementations of method 600, CC restrictions are for CCs that span multiple FRs that can be used by the UE.

[0122] In some implementations of method 600, the CC restriction is to a CC of one FR among a plurality of FRs that can be used by the UE.

[0123] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising means for performing one or more elements of the method 600. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a UE (such as the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0124] Embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of method 600. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, a memory of a UE (such as memory 906 of a wireless device 902 that is a UE, as described herein).

[0125] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logical components, modules, or circuits for performing one or more elements of the method 600. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0126] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media, the computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of the method 600. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a UE (such as wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0127] Embodiments contemplated herein include a signal as described in or in connection with one or more elements of method 600 .

[0128] Embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product including instructions, wherein execution of the program by a processor causes the processor to perform one or more elements of the method 600. The processor may be a processor of a UE (such as the processor 904 of the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein). These instructions may be located, for example, in a processor of a UE and / or on a memory (such as the memory 906 of the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0129] Figure 7 A method 700 of a base station according to an embodiment is illustrated. The method 700 includes receiving 702 from a UE an indication that a per FR measurement gap procedure is not feasible at the UE for a frequency band combination of the UE.

[0130] The method 700 also includes receiving 704 from the UE a CC restriction of the UE.

[0131] The method 700 also includes determining 706 whether the number of CCs corresponding to the CC limit of the fallback band combination for the band combination of the UE is greater than or equal to the CC limit.

[0132] The method 700 also includes determining 708 whether the UE will perform a per UE measurement gap procedure or a per FR measurement gap procedure using the fallback band combination based on determining whether the number of CCs of the fallback band combination is greater than or equal to the CC limit.

[0133] In some embodiments, method 700 also includes: receiving an indication of a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands for the UE from the UE, for which a per FR measurement gap process is supported at the UE; and determining whether a fallback band combination uses more aggregated frequency bands than the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands, wherein determining whether the UE will perform a per UE measurement gap process or a per FR measurement gap process is further based on determining whether the fallback band combination uses more aggregated frequency bands than the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands.

[0134] In some embodiments, method 700 also includes: receiving an indication of a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands in FR2 from the UE, for which a per FR measurement gap process is supported at the UE; and determining whether a fallback band combination uses more aggregated frequency bands in FR2 than the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands in FR2, wherein determining whether the UE will perform a per UE measurement gap process or a per FR measurement gap process is further based on determining whether the fallback band combination uses more aggregated frequency bands in FR2 than the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands in FR2.

[0135] In some embodiments, method 700 also includes: receiving an indication of a maximum number of FRs at the UE from the UE, for which a per FR measurement gap process is supported at the UE; and determining whether a fallback band combination uses more FRs than the maximum number of FRs, wherein determining whether the UE will perform a per UE measurement gap process or a per FR measurement gap process is further based on determining whether the fallback band combination uses more FRs than the maximum number of FRs.

[0136] In some implementations of method 700, CC restrictions are for CCs that span multiple FRs that can be used by the UE.

[0137] In some implementations of method 700, the CC restriction is for a CC of one FR among a plurality of FRs that can be used by the UE.

[0138] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising means for performing one or more elements of method 700. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a base station (such as network device 918 that is a base station, as described herein).

[0139] Embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of method 700. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, a memory of a base station (such as memory 922 of network device 918 acting as a base station, as described herein).

[0140] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logical components, modules, or circuits operable to perform one or more elements of method 700. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a base station (such as network device 918 as a base station, as described herein).

[0141] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of method 700. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a base station (such as network device 918 that is a base station, as described herein).

[0142] Embodiments contemplated herein include a signal as described in or in connection with one or more elements of method 700 .

[0143] Embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product including instructions, wherein execution of the program by a processing element causes the processing element to perform one or more elements of method 700. The processor may be a memory of a base station (such as processor 920 of network device 918 as a base station, as described herein). These instructions may be located, for example, in a processor and / or on a memory of a base station (such as memory 922 of network device 918 as a base station, as described herein).

[0144] Figure 8 An example architecture of a wireless communication system 800 according to an embodiment disclosed herein is illustrated. The description provided below is for an example wireless communication system 800 operating in conjunction with the LTE system standard and / or the 5G or NR system standard provided in the 3GPP technical specifications.

[0145] like Figure 8 As shown, the wireless communication system 800 includes UE 802 and UE 804 (however, any number of UEs may be used). In this example, UE 802 and UE 804 are illustrated as smartphones (e.g., handheld touch screen mobile computing devices capable of connecting to one or more cellular networks), but may also include any mobile or non-mobile computing device configured for wireless communication.

[0146] UE 802 and UE 804 may be configured to be communicatively coupled to RAN 806. In an embodiment, RAN 806 may be NG-RAN, E-UTRAN, etc. UE 802 and UE 804 utilize connections (or channels) (shown as connection 808 and connection 810, respectively) with RAN 806, where each connection (or channel) includes a physical communication interface. RAN 806 may include one or more base stations, such as base station 812 and base station 814, to implement connection 808 and connection 810.

[0147] In this example, connection 808 and connection 810 are air interfaces that enable such communicative coupling and may conform to the RAT used by RAN 806 , such as LTE and / or NR.

[0148] In some embodiments, UE 802 and UE 804 may also directly communicate data via side link interface 816. UE 804 is shown as being configured to access an access point (shown as AP 818) via connection 820. For example, connection 820 may include a local wireless connection, such as any connection that complies with the IEEE 802.11 protocol, wherein AP 818 may include a Wi-Fi® wireless access point. In this example, AP 818 may not be connected to another network (eg, the Internet) through CN 824.

[0149] In an embodiment, UE 802 and UE 804 may be configured to communicate with each other or with base station 812 and / or base station 814 over a multi-carrier communication channel using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication signals according to various communication techniques, such as, but not limited to, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication techniques (e.g., for downlink communication) or single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communication techniques (e.g., for uplink and ProSe or sidelink communication), although the scope of the embodiment is not limited in this respect. The OFDM signal may include multiple orthogonal subcarriers.

[0150] In some embodiments, all or part of the base station 812 or the base station 814 may be implemented as one or more software entities running on a server computer as part of a virtual network. In addition, or in other embodiments, the base station 812 or the base station 814 may be configured to communicate with each other via the interface 822. In an embodiment where the wireless communication system 800 is an LTE system (e.g., when the CN 824 is an EPC), the interface 822 may be an X2 interface. The X2 interface may 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 an embodiment where the wireless communication system 800 is an NR system (e.g., when the CN 824 is a 5GC), the interface 822 may 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 the base station 812 (e.g., gNB) and the eNB connected to the 5GC, and / or between two eNBs connected to the 5GC (e.g., CN 824).

[0151] The RAN 806 is shown communicatively coupled to the CN 824. The CN 824 may include one or more network elements 826 configured to provide various data and telecommunication services to customers / subscribers (e.g., UE 802 and users of UE 804) connected to the CN 824 via the RAN 806. The components of the CN 824 may be implemented in one physical device or separate physical devices including components for reading and executing instructions from a machine-readable or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium).

[0152] In an embodiment, CN 824 may be an EPC, and RAN 806 may be connected to CN 824 via an S1 interface 828. In an embodiment, S1 interface 828 may be divided into two parts: an S1 user plane (S1-U) interface, which carries traffic data between base station 812 or base station 814 and a serving gateway (S-GW); and an S1-MME interface, which is a signaling interface between base station 812 or base station 814 and a mobility management entity (MME).

[0153] In an embodiment, CN 824 may be a 5GC, and RAN 806 may be connected to CN 824 via an NG interface 828. In an embodiment, NG interface 828 may be divided into two parts: an NG user plane (NG-U) interface, which carries traffic data between base station 812 or base station 814 and a user plane function (UPF); and an S1 control plane (NG-C) interface, which is a signaling interface between base station 812 or base station 814 and an access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0154] In general, the application server 830 may be an element that provides applications that use Internet Protocol (IP) bearer resources with the CN 824 (e.g., packet-switched data services). The application server 830 may also be configured to support one or more communication services (e.g., VoIP sessions, group communication sessions, etc.) for the UE 802 and UE 804 via the CN 824. The application server 830 may communicate with the CN 824 via an IP communication interface 832.

[0155] Fig. 9 A system 900 for performing signaling 934 between a wireless device 902 and a network device 918 according to an embodiment disclosed herein is illustrated. The system 900 may be part of a wireless communication system as described herein. The wireless device 902 may be, for example, a UE of a wireless communication system. The network device 918 may be, for example, a base station (e.g., an eNB or a gNB) of a wireless communication system.

[0156] The wireless device 902 may include one or more processors 904. The processor 904 may execute instructions to perform various operations of the wireless device 902 as described herein. The processor 904 may 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 for performing the operations described herein.

[0157] The wireless device 902 may include a memory 906. The memory 906 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions 908 (which may include, for example, instructions executed by the processor 904). The instructions 908 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. The memory 906 may also store data used by the processor 904 and results calculated by the processor.

[0158] The wireless device 902 may include one or more transceivers 910, which may include radio frequency (RF) transmitter and / or receiver circuitry that uses an antenna 912 of the wireless device 902 to facilitate signaling (e.g., signaling 934) transmitted or received by the wireless device 902 to or from other devices (e.g., network device 918) in accordance with a corresponding RAT.

[0159] The wireless device 902 may include one or more antennas 912 (e.g., one, two, four, or more). For implementations with multiple antennas 912, the wireless device 902 may take full advantage of the spatial diversity of these multiple antennas 912 to send and / or receive multiple different data streams on the same time-frequency resources. This behavior may be referred to as, for example, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) behavior (referring to multiple antennas used at each of the transmitting device and the receiving device to implement this aspect). The MIMO transmission performed by the wireless device 902 may be implemented based on precoding (or digital beamforming) applied to the wireless device 902, and the wireless device 902 multiplexes the data streams between the antennas 912 based on known or assumed channel characteristics, so that each data stream is received with appropriate signal strength relative to other streams and at a desired location in the spatial domain (e.g., the location of the receiver associated with the data stream). Certain embodiments may use a single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) approach (where data streams are all directed to a single receiver) and / or a multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) approach (where separate data streams may be directed to separate (different) receivers in different locations in the spatial domain).

[0160] In certain embodiments with multiple antennas, the wireless device 902 may implement analog beamforming techniques whereby the phases of the signals transmitted by the antennas 912 are adjusted relative to each other so that the (joint) transmissions of the antennas 912 are directional (this is sometimes referred to as beam steering).

[0161] The wireless device 902 may include one or more interfaces 914. The interface 914 may be used to provide input or output to the wireless device 902. For example, a wireless device 902 as a UE may include an interface 914, such as a microphone, a speaker, a touch screen, a button, etc., to allow a user of the UE to input and / or output to the UE. Other interfaces of such a UE may be composed of a transmitter, a receiver, and other circuit systems (for example, in addition to the transceiver 910 / antenna 912 described above), which allows the UE to communicate with other devices and may communicate according to known protocols (for example, Wi-Fi). etc.) to perform the operation.

[0162] The wireless device 902 may include a measurement gap module 916. The measurement gap module 916 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the measurement gap module 916 may be implemented as a processor, circuit, and / or instructions 908 stored in the memory 906 and executed by the processor 904. In some examples, the measurement gap module 916 may be integrated within the processor 904 and / or the transceiver 910. For example, the measurement gap module 916 may be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or a general purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuits) within the processor 904 or the transceiver 910.

[0163] The measurement gap module 916 may be used in various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, Figures 1 to 7 The measurement gap module 916 is configured to generate: an infeasibility indication to be transmitted to the network device 918; determine one or more CC restrictions to be transmitted to the network device 918, determine a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands across all FRs to be transmitted to the network device 918, for which a per FR measurement gap procedure may be supported at the UE; determine a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands in a specific FR to be transmitted to the network device 918, for which a per FR measurement gap procedure may be supported at the UE; and / or determine a maximum number of FRs at the UE to be transmitted to the network device 918, for which a per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE, as described herein.

[0164] The network device 918 may include one or more processors 920. The processor 920 may execute instructions to perform various operations of the network device 918, as described herein. The processor 920 may include one or more baseband processors implemented using, for example, a CPU, a DSP, an ASIC, a controller, an FPGA device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0165] The network device 918 may include a memory 922. The memory 922 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 924 (which may include, for example, instructions executed by the processor 920). The instructions 924 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. The memory 922 may also store data used by the processor 920 and results calculated by the processor.

[0166] The network device 918 may include one or more transceivers 926, which may include RF transmitter and / or receiver circuitry that uses an antenna 928 of the network device 918 to facilitate signaling (e.g., signaling 934) transmitted or received by the network device 918 with other devices (e.g., wireless device 902) according to a corresponding RAT.

[0167] The network device 918 may include one or more antennas 928 (e.g., one, two, four, or more). In embodiments with multiple antennas 928, the network device 918 may perform MIMO, digital beamforming, analog beamforming, beam steering, etc. as described above.

[0168] The network device 918 may include one or more interfaces 930. The interface 930 may be used to provide input to or output from the network device 918. For example, the network device 918 as a base station may include an interface 930 composed of a transmitter, a receiver and other circuits (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 926 / antenna 928 described above), which enables the base station to communicate with other equipment in the core network and / or enables the base station to communicate with external networks, computers, databases, etc., in order to achieve the purpose of performing operations, management and maintenance of the base station or other equipment operably connected thereto.

[0169] The network device 918 may include a measurement gap module 932. The measurement gap module 932 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the measurement gap module 932 may be implemented as a processor, circuit, and / or instructions 924 stored in the memory 922 and executed by the processor 920. In some examples, the measurement gap module 932 may be integrated within the processor 920 and / or the transceiver 926. For example, the measurement gap module 932 may be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or general purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuits) within the processor 920 or the transceiver 926.

[0170] The measurement gap module 932 may be used in various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, Figures 1 to 7The measurement gap module 932 is configured to: utilize an infeasibility indication received from the wireless device 902; utilize one or more CC restrictions received from the wireless device 902; utilize a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands across all FRs received from the wireless device 902, for which a per FR measurement gap procedure may be supported at the UE; utilize a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands in a specific FR received from the wireless device 902, for which a per FR measurement gap procedure may be supported at the UE; and / or utilize a maximum number of FRs at the UE received from the wireless device 902, for which a per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE, as described herein.

[0171] For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components set forth in one or more of the foregoing figures may 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 conjunction with one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples set forth herein. For another example, circuits associated with a UE, a base station, a network element, etc. as described above in conjunction with one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples set forth herein.

[0172] Unless otherwise expressly stated, any of the above embodiments may be combined with any other embodiment (or combination of embodiments). The foregoing description of one or more specific implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. In view of the above teachings, modifications and variations are possible, or can be obtained from the practice of various embodiments.

[0173] Embodiments and implementations of the systems and methods described herein may include various operations that may be embodied in machine executable instructions to be executed by a computer system. A computer system may include one or more general or special purpose computers (or other electronic devices). A computer system may include hardware components that include specific logic components for performing operations; or may include a combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware.

[0174] It should be appreciated that the systems described herein include descriptions of specific embodiments. These embodiments may be combined into a single system, partially combined into other systems, separated into multiple systems, or otherwise divided or combined. In addition, it is contemplated that parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. of another embodiment may be used in one embodiment. For clarity, these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. are described only in one or more embodiments, and it should be appreciated that these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. may be combined with or substituted for parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. of another embodiment unless expressly stated herein.

[0175] It is understood that the use of personally identifiable information should be subject to privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized to meet or exceed industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of the authorized use should be clearly stated to users.

[0176] Although the foregoing has been described in considerable detail for the sake of clarity, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principles of the invention. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways to implement both the processes and the apparatus described herein. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and the specification is not limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of a user equipment (UE), comprising: Determining that all component carriers (CCs) of a frequency band combination for the UE have the same frequency range (FR); as well as In response to determining that all CCs of the frequency band combination have the same FR, indicating to a base station that a per FR measurement gap procedure is not feasible at the UE for the frequency band combination.

2. A method of a user equipment (UE), comprising: determining a component carrier (CC) restriction of the UE, wherein a per frequency range (FR) measurement gap procedure is not supported at the UE under the CC restriction, wherein the CC restriction is for a CC that spans multiple FRs that can be used by the UE; as well as The CC restriction is indicated to a base station.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: determining a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands, wherein the per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE for the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands; as well as The maximum number of the aggregated frequency bands is indicated to the base station. The method of claim 3 , wherein the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands is a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands across all FRs. 5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands is a maximum number of aggregated Frequency Range 2 (FR2) frequency bands.

6. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: determining a maximum number of FRs at the UE, wherein for the maximum number of FRs, the per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE; as well as The maximum number of FRs is indicated to the base station. The method of claim 2 , wherein the CC limit is one of a set of predetermined numbers.

8. A method of a user equipment (UE), comprising: determining a first component carrier (CC) restriction of the UE, wherein under the first CC restriction, a per frequency range (FR) measurement gap procedure is not supported at the UE, wherein the first CC restriction is for a first CC of a first FR that can be used by the UE; determining a second CC restriction of the UE, wherein under the second CC restriction, the per FR measurement gap procedure is not supported at the UE, wherein the second CC restriction is for a second CC of a second FR that can be used by the UE; as well as The first CC restriction and the second CC restriction are indicated to a base station.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: determining a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands, wherein the per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE for the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands; as well as The maximum number of the aggregated frequency bands is indicated to the base station. 10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands is a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands across all FRs.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands is a maximum number of aggregated frequency range 2 (FR2) frequency bands.

12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: determining a maximum number of FRs at the UE, for which the per-FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE; as well as The maximum number of the FRs is indicated to the base station.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein each of the first CC limit and the second CC limit is one of a set of predetermined numbers.

14. A method of a user equipment (UE), comprising: determining a component carrier (CC) restriction of the UE, wherein a per frequency range (FR) measurement gap procedure is not supported at the UE under the CC restriction; Determining that all CCs of a frequency band combination for the UE have the same FR; and In response to determining that all of the CCs of the frequency band combination have the same FR, indicating the CC restriction to a base station.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: determining a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands, wherein the per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE for the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands; as well as The maximum number of the aggregated frequency bands is indicated to the base station.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands is a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands across all FRs.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands is a maximum number of aggregated FR2 frequency bands.

18. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: determining a maximum number of FRs at the UE, wherein for the maximum number of FRs, the per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE; as well as The maximum number of the FRs is indicated to the base station.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the CC limit is one of a set of predetermined numbers.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the CC restriction is for CCs spanning multiple FRs that can be used by the UE.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the CC restriction is for a CC of one FR among a plurality of FRs that can be used by the UE.

22. A method of a base station, comprising: receiving, from a UE, a component carrier (CC) restriction of the UE; determining whether the number of CCs corresponding to the CC limit for a frequency band combination for the UE is greater than or equal to the CC limit; as well as Determining whether the UE will perform a per-UE measurement gap procedure or a per-FR measurement gap procedure based on determining whether the number of the CCs is greater than or equal to the CC limit.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising: receiving, from the UE, an indication of a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands for the UE, wherein for the maximum number, the per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE; as well as determining whether the frequency band combination uses more aggregated frequency bands than the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands; Wherein determining whether the UE is to perform the per-UE measurement gap procedure or the per-FR measurement gap procedure is further based on determining whether the frequency band combination uses more aggregated frequency bands than the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising: receiving, from the UE, an indication of a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands in frequency range 2 (FR2), wherein for the maximum number, the per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE; as well as determining whether the frequency band combination uses more aggregated frequency bands in FR2 than the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands in FR2; Wherein determining whether the UE is to perform the per UE measurement gap procedure or the per FR measurement gap procedure is further based on determining whether the frequency band combination uses more aggregated frequency bands in FR2 than the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands in FR2.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising: receiving, from the UE, an indication of a maximum number of FRs at the UE, wherein the per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE for the maximum number of FRs; as well as determining whether the frequency band combination uses more FRs than the maximum number of FRs; Wherein determining whether the UE is to perform the per-UE measurement gap procedure or the per-FR measurement gap procedure is further based on determining whether the frequency band combination uses more FRs than the maximum number of FRs.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the CC restriction is for CCs spanning multiple FRs that can be used by the UE.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the CC restriction is for a CC of one FR among a plurality of FRs that can be used by the UE.

28. A method of a user equipment (UE), comprising: Determining that all component carriers (CCs) of a frequency band combination for the UE have the same frequency range (FR); determining a CC restriction of the UE, wherein under the CC restriction, a per FR measurement gap procedure is not supported at the UE; indicating to a base station that the per FR measurement gap procedure is not feasible at the UE for the frequency band combination; as well as The CC restriction of the UE is indicated to the base station, wherein the per FR measurement gap procedure is not supported at the UE under the CC restriction.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising: determining a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands, wherein the per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE for the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands; as well as The maximum number of aggregated frequency bands is indicated to the base station.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands is a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands across all FRs.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands is a maximum number of aggregated frequency range 2 (FR2) frequency bands.

32. The method of claim 28, further comprising: determining a maximum number of FRs at the UE, wherein for the maximum number of FRs, the per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE; as well as The maximum number of the FRs is indicated to the base station.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein the CC restriction is for CCs spanning multiple FRs that can be used by the UE.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein the CC restriction is for a CC of one FR among a plurality of FRs that can be used by the UE.

35. A method of a base station, comprising: receiving, from a user equipment (UE), an indication that a per-frequency range (FR) measurement gap procedure is not feasible at the UE for a frequency band combination for the UE; receiving, from the UE, a component carrier (CC) restriction of the UE; determining whether the number of CCs corresponding to the CC limit of a fallback frequency band combination of the frequency band combination for the UE is greater than or equal to the CC limit; as well as A determination is made based on determining whether the number of CCs of the fallback band combination is greater than or equal to the CC limit, determining whether the UE is to perform a per-UE measurement gap procedure or a per-FR measurement gap procedure using the fallback band combination.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising: receiving, from the UE, an indication of a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands for the UE, wherein the per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE for the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands; as well as determining whether the fallback frequency band combination uses more aggregate frequency bands than the maximum number of aggregate frequency bands; Wherein determining whether the UE will perform the per-UE measurement gap procedure or the per-FR measurement gap procedure is further based on determining whether the fallback band combination uses more aggregated frequency bands than the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising: receiving, from the UE, an indication of a maximum number of aggregated frequency bands in a frequency range 2 (FR2), wherein a per-FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE for the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands; and determining whether the fallback band combination uses more aggregated frequency bands in FR2 than the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands in FR2; Wherein determining whether the UE is to perform the per-UE measurement gap procedure or the per-FR measurement gap procedure is further based on determining whether the fallback band combination uses more aggregated frequency bands in FR2 than the maximum number of aggregated frequency bands in FR2.

38. The method of claim 35, further comprising: receiving, from the UE, an indication of a maximum number of FRs at the UE, wherein the per FR measurement gap procedure is supported at the UE for the maximum number of FRs; as well as determining whether the fallback band combination uses more FRs than the maximum number of FRs; Wherein determining whether the UE will perform the per-UE measurement gap procedure or the per-FR measurement gap procedure is further based on determining whether the fallback band combination uses more FRs than the maximum number of FRs.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the CC restriction is for CCs spanning multiple FRs that can be used by the UE.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein the CC restriction is for a CC of one FR among a plurality of FRs that can be used by the UE.

41. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 40.

42. An apparatus comprising means for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 40.

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