Cell management for inter-cell mobility

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A network entity can configure a set of cells for communicating with a user equipment (UE). The set of cells can include a first cell configured as a special cell (SpCell) and a second cell configured as a secondary cell (SCell). The network entity can indicate a SpCell configuration and an SCell configuration for communicating with the first cell and a SCell configuration and a SpCell configuration for communicating with the second cell. Thus, if the network entity reconfigures the first cell as an SCell and the second cell as an SpCell, the UE can communicate with the first cell using the SCell configuration, and the UE can communicate with the second cell using the SpCell configuration. The described techniques also include cell index management to support dynamic reconfiguration of a cell as either a SpCell or an SCell.

Description

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This patent application claims priority to U.S. patent application No. 17 / 857,735, entitled “CELL MANAGEMENT FOR INTER-CELL MOBILITY,” filed by Zhou et al. on July 5, 2022, which is assigned to the assignee of this application and is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The following relates to wireless communications, including cell management for inter-cell mobility. Background Art

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and the like. These systems may be able to support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems (such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, advanced LTE (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems) and fifth generation (5G) systems (which may be referred to as new radio (NR) systems). These systems may employ techniques such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM).

[0005] A wireless multiple access communication system may include one or more network entities, each of which supports wireless communication of a communication device, which may be referred to as a user equipment (UE). In some wireless communication systems, a network entity may configure a set of cells for communicating with a UE. Improved techniques for supporting communication between a UE and one or more cells in the configured set of cells may be desirable. Summary of the invention

[0006] The described technology relates to improved methods, systems, devices and apparatuses that support cell management for inter-cell mobility. For example, the described technology supports dynamically reconfiguring a cell as a special cell (SpCell) or a secondary cell (SCell). A network entity may configure a set of cells for communicating with a UE. The set of cells may include a first cell configured as a SpCell and a second cell configured as an SCell. The network entity may indicate the SpCell configuration and the SCell configuration for communicating with the first cell and the SCell configuration and the SpCell configuration for communicating with the second cell. Therefore, if the network entity reconfigures the first cell as an SCell and reconfigures the second cell as an SpCell, the UE can communicate with the first cell using the SCell configuration, and the UE can communicate with the second cell using the SpCell configuration. The described technology also includes cell index management to support dynamic reconfiguration of a cell as a SpCell or an SCell.

[0007] A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) is described. The method may include: receiving an indication of a configuration of a cell set, the configuration including a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time; receiving a control message that configures the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and configures the second cell as a special cell at the second time; and after the second time, communicating with the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

[0008] An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receive an indication of a configuration of a cell set, the configuration including a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time; receive a control message that configures the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and configures the second cell as a special cell at the second time; and after the second time, communicate with the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell, and communicate with the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

[0009] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include: a component for receiving an indication of a configuration of a cell set, the configuration including a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time; a component for receiving a control message for configuring the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and configuring the second cell as a special cell at the second time; and a component for communicating with the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell and communicating with the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell after the second time.

[0010] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a UE is described. The code may include instructions that can be executed by a processor to: receive an indication of a configuration of a cell set, the configuration including a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time; receive a control message that configures the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and configures the second cell as a special cell at the second time; and after the second time, communicate with the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell, and communicate with the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

[0011] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: receiving an indication of a first special cell configuration for a first cell and a first secondary cell configuration for a second cell; and after a first time, communicating with the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

[0012] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: receiving an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and after a third time, communicating with the first cell according to the second special cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the second cell according to the second secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

[0013] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: receiving an indication of a second special cell configuration for a first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for a second cell; and after a third time, communicating with the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

[0014] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: receiving an indication of a second special cell configuration for a first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for a second cell; receiving in a second control message an indication of whether to communicate with the first cell after a third time according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell or the second special cell configuration for the first cell; receiving in a second control message an indication of whether to communicate with the second cell after a third time according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell or the second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and after the third time, communicating with the first cell and the second cell according to the second control message.

[0015] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving an indication of a secondary cell configuration for a first cell and a special cell configuration for a second cell may include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving an indication of a set of multiple secondary cell configurations for the first cell and a set of multiple special cell configurations for the second cell, wherein a control message indicates a secondary cell configuration for the first cell from the set of multiple secondary cell configurations and a special cell configuration for the second cell from the set of multiple special cell configurations.

[0016] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a secondary cell configuration for the first cell and a special cell configuration for the second cell may be received in a mobility configuration.

[0017] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving an indication of a measurement configuration for performing measurements on a reference signal received from each deactivated cell in the set of cells.

[0018] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving an indication of a secondary cell index of a first cell, wherein the secondary cell index of the first cell may be different from secondary cell indexes of other cells in a set of cells configured for communication with the UE.

[0019] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving an indication of a secondary cell index range for the first cell, wherein the control message includes an indication of a secondary cell index for the first cell at a second time, the secondary cell index being selected from the secondary cell index range for the first cell.

[0020] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the special cell index of the second cell may be zero at the second time, and the secondary cell index of the second cell may be invalid at the second time.

[0021] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving a second control message to configure a second cell as a secondary cell at a third time, wherein the secondary cell index of the second cell at the third time includes the secondary cell index of the second cell at the first time.

[0022] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: receiving an indication of a secondary cell index of a second cell; and receiving a second control message to configure the second cell as a secondary cell at a third time, wherein the secondary cell index of the second cell at the third time includes the indicated secondary cell index.

[0023] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the control message comprises a layer one or layer two control message.

[0024] A method for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The method may include: sending an indication of configuration of a cell set to a UE, the configuration including a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time; sending a control message to the UE that configures the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and configures the second cell as a special cell at the second time; and after the second time, communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

[0025] A device for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The device may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the device to: send an indication of configuration of a cell set to a UE, the configuration including a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time; send a control message to the UE to configure the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and to configure the second cell as a special cell at the second time; and after the second time, communicate with the UE via the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell, and communicate with the UE via the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

[0026] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The apparatus may include: a component for sending an indication of a configuration of a cell set to a UE, the configuration including a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time; a component for sending a control message to the UE that configures the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and configures the second cell as a special cell at the second time; and a component for communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell after the second time.

[0027] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The code may include instructions that can be executed by a processor to: send an indication of a configuration of a cell set to a UE, the configuration including a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time; send a control message to the UE that configures the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and configures the second cell as a special cell at the second time; and after the second time, communicate with the UE via the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell, and communicate with the UE via the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

[0028] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: sending an indication of a first special cell configuration for a first cell and a first secondary cell configuration for a second cell; and after a first time, communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

[0029] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: sending an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and after a third time, communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the second special cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the second secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

[0030] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: sending an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and after a third time, communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

[0031] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: sending an indication of a second special cell configuration for a first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for a second cell; sending an indication in a second control message as to whether the UE can communicate with the first cell after a third time according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell or the second special cell configuration for the first cell; sending an indication in a second control message as to whether the UE can communicate with the second cell after a third time according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell or the second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and after the third time, communicating with the UE via the first cell and the second cell according to the second control message.

[0032] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, sending an indication of a secondary cell configuration for a first cell and a special cell configuration for a second cell may include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending indications of a set of multiple secondary cell configurations for the first cell and a set of multiple special cell configurations for the second cell, wherein the control message indicates the secondary cell configuration for the first cell from the set of multiple secondary cell configurations and the special cell configuration for the second cell from the set of multiple special cell configurations.

[0033] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a secondary cell configuration for a first cell and a special cell configuration for a second cell may be sent in a mobility configuration.

[0034] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending an indication of a measurement configuration for the UE to perform measurements on reference signals received from each deactivated cell in the set of cells.

[0035] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending an indication of a secondary cell index of a first cell, wherein the secondary cell index of the first cell may be different from secondary cell indexes of other cells in a set of cells configured for communication with the UE.

[0036] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending an indication of a secondary cell index range of the first cell, wherein the control message includes an indication of a secondary cell index of the first cell at a second time, the secondary cell index being selected from the secondary cell index range of the first cell.

[0037] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the special cell index of the second cell may be zero at the second time, and the secondary cell index of the second cell may be invalid at the second time.

[0038] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending a second control message to configure the second cell as a secondary cell at a third time, wherein the secondary cell index of the second cell at the third time includes the secondary cell index of the second cell at the first time.

[0039] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: sending an indication of a secondary cell index of a second cell; and sending a second control message to configure the second cell as a secondary cell at a third time, wherein the secondary cell index of the second cell at the third time includes the indicated secondary cell index.

[0040] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the control message comprises a layer one or layer two control message. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication system supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0042] Figure 2 An example of inter-cell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0043] Figure 3 An example of a wireless communication system supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0044] Figure 4 An example of cell index management according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0045] Figure 5 An example of a process flow to support cell management for inter-cell mobility in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0046] Figure 6 and Figure 7 A block diagram of an apparatus supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0047] Figure 8 A block diagram of a communications manager supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility is shown in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0048] Fig. 9 A diagram of a system including a device supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0049] Fig.10 and Fig.11 A block diagram of an apparatus supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0050] Fig.12A block diagram of a communications manager supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility is shown in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0051] Fig.13 A diagram of a system including a device supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0052] Fig.14 and Fig.15 A flow chart illustrating a method of supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] In some wireless communication systems, a network entity may configure a set of cells for communicating with a user equipment (UE). The configured set of cells may include activated cells and deactivated cells. The UE may communicate with the activated cells in the configured set of cells, and the deactivated cells may be subsequently activated for communication with the UE. The network entity may use dynamic signaling (e.g., layer one (L1) or layer two (L2) signaling) to activate and deactivate cells in the configured set of cells to allow the UE to communicate with different subsets of the configured set of cells. The network entity may also use dynamic signaling to reconfigure a special cell (SpCell) in the configured set of cells as a secondary cell (SCell), and to reconfigure a SCell in the configured set of cells as a SpCell. However, in some cases, the technology for supporting the dynamic reconfiguration of a cell as a SpCell or SCell may be defective. In addition, the technology for assigning an index to a cell after the cell is dynamically reconfigured as a SpCell or SCell may be undefined.

[0054] As described herein, a wireless communication system may support efficient techniques for facilitating dynamic reconfiguration of cells into SpCells or SCells. A network entity may configure a set of cells for communicating with a UE. The set of cells may include a first cell configured as a SpCell and a second cell configured as an SCell. Therefore, the network entity may indicate a SpCell configuration for communicating with the first cell and a SCell configuration for communicating with the second cell. In addition, the network entity may indicate a SCell configuration for communicating with the first cell and a SpCell configuration for communicating with the second cell. Therefore, if the network entity reconfigures the first cell as an SCell and the second cell as an SpCell, the UE may communicate with the first cell according to the SCell configuration, and the UE may communicate with the second cell according to the SpCell configuration.

[0055] Even if the first cell is initially configured as a SpCell and the second cell is initially configured as a SCell, the UE may identify the SCell index of the first cell and the SpCell index of the second cell. Therefore, if the network entity reconfigures the first cell as an SCell and the second cell as an SpCell, the UE may determine the SCell index of the first cell and the SpCell index of the second cell. In some cases, the UE may receive an indication of the SCell index of the first cell, and the SCell index of the first cell may be different from the SCell indexes of other cells in the configured cell set. In some cases, the UE may determine that the SpCell index of the second cell is zero, and once the second cell is reconfigured as a SpCell, the SCell index of the second cell may be invalid. In such cases, if the second cell is reconfigured as an SCell again, the UE may reapply (e.g., verify) the invalid SCell index of the second cell.

[0056] Aspects of the disclosure are first described in the context of a wireless communication system. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated and described by and with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flow charts related to cell management for inter-cell mobility.

[0057] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication system 100 supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be a long term evolution (LTE) network, an advanced LTE (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, a new radio (NR) network, or a network operating according to other systems and radio technologies (including future systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein).

[0058] The network entities 105 may be dispersed throughout a geographic area to form the wireless communication system 100, and may include devices in different forms or with different capabilities. In various examples, the network entities 105 may be referred to as network elements, mobility elements, radio access network (RAN) nodes, or network equipment, among other nomenclature. In some examples, the network entities 105 and the UE 115 may communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., radio frequency (RF) access links). For example, the network entity 105 may support a coverage area 110 (e.g., a geographic coverage area) within which the UE 115 and the network entity 105 may establish one or more communication links 125. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area within which the network entity 105 and the UE 115 may support signal communications according to one or more radio access technologies (RATs).

[0059] The UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout the coverage area 110 of the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary or mobile, or stationary and mobile at different times. The UEs 115 may be devices in different forms or with different capabilities. Figure 1 Some example UEs 115 are illustrated in FIG. 1. The UEs 115 described herein may be capable of supporting communication with various types of devices (such as Figure 1 Communicate with other UEs 115 or network entities 105) as shown.

[0060] As described herein, a node of the wireless communication system 100 (which may be referred to as a network node or a wireless node) may be a network entity 105 (e.g., any network entity described herein), a UE 115 (e.g., any UE described herein), a network controller, an apparatus, a device, a computing system, one or more components, or another suitable processing entity configured to perform any of the techniques described herein. For example, the node may be a UE 115. As another example, the node may be a network entity 105. As another example, a first node may be configured to communicate with a second node or a third node. In one aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a UE 115. In another aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a network entity 105. In other aspects of this example, the first node, the second node, and the third node may be different relative to these examples. Similarly, references to UE 115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, computing system, etc. may include disclosure of UE 115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, computing system, etc. as nodes. For example, a disclosure that UE 115 is configured to receive information from network entity 105 also discloses that the first node is configured to receive information from a second node.

[0061] In some examples, the network entities 105 may communicate with the core network 130, or with each other, or both. For example, the network entities 105 may communicate with the core network 130 via one or more backhaul communication links 120 (e.g., according to S1, N2, N3, or other interface protocols). In some examples, the network entities 105 may communicate with each other directly (e.g., directly between the network entities 105) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130) via the backhaul communication links 120 (e.g., according to X2, Xn, or other interface protocols). In some examples, the network entities 105 may communicate with each other via midhaul communication links 162 (e.g., according to a midhaul interface protocol) or fronthaul communication links 168 (e.g., according to a fronthaul interface protocol) or any combination thereof. The backhaul communication links 120, midhaul communication links 162, or fronthaul communication links 168 may be or include one or more wired links (e.g., electrical links, optical fiber links), one or more wireless links (e.g., radio links, wireless optical links), etc. or various combinations thereof. UE 115 may communicate with core network 130 via communication link 155 .

[0062] One or more of the network entities 105 described herein may include or may be referred to as a base station 140 (e.g., a transceiver base station, a radio base station, an NR base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), a next-generation Node B, or a giga-Node B (any of which may be referred to as a gNB), a 5G NB, a next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), a home Node B, a home evolved Node B, or other suitable terms). In some examples, the network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may be implemented in an aggregated (e.g., monolithic, stand-alone) base station architecture, which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack physically or logically integrated within a single network entity 105 (e.g., a single RAN node, such as a base station 140).

[0063] In some examples, the network entity 105 may be implemented in a disaggregated architecture (e.g., a disaggregated base station architecture, a disaggregated RAN architecture) that may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed between two or more network entities 105, such as an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open RAN (O-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance), or a virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., a cloud RAN (C-RAN)). For example, the network entity 105 may include one or more of the following: a central unit (CU) 160, a distributed unit (DU) 165, a radio unit (RU) 170, a RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 175 (e.g., a near real-time RIC (near RT RIC), a non-real-time RIC (non-RT RIC)), a service management and orchestration (SMO) 180 system, or any combination thereof. RU 170 may also be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, a remote radio head (RRH), a remote radio unit (RRU), or a transmit receive point (TRP). One or more components of the network entity 105 in the decomposed RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or more components of the network entity 105 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations). In some examples, one or more network entities 105 of the decomposed RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., virtual CU (VCU), virtual DU (VDU), virtual RU (VRU)).

[0064] The functional split between CU 160, DU 165, and RU 170 is flexible and may support different functionalities depending on which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, RF functions, and any combination thereof) are performed at CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170. For example, a functional split of a protocol stack may be employed between CU 160 and DU 165 such that CU 160 may support one or more layers of a protocol stack and DU 165 may support one or more different layers of a protocol stack. In some examples, CU 160 may host higher protocol layer (e.g., layer 3 (L3), layer 2 (L2)) functionality and signaling (e.g., radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP)). The CU 160 may be connected to one or more DUs 165 or RUs 170, and the one or more DUs 165 or RUs 170 may host lower protocol layers, such as layer 1 (L1) (e.g., physical (PHY) layer) or L2 (e.g., radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer) functionality and signaling, and may each be at least partially controlled by the CU 160. Additionally or alternatively, a functional split of the protocol stack may be employed between the DUs 165 and RUs 170, such that the DUs 165 may support one or more layers of the protocol stack, and the RUs 170 may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. The DUs 165 may support one or more different cells (e.g., via one or more RUs 170). In some cases, the functional split between CU 160 and DU 165 or between DU 165 and RU 170 may be within the protocol layer (e.g., some functions of the protocol layer may be performed by one of CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170, while other functions of the protocol layer are performed by different ones of CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170). CU 160 may be further functionally split into CU control plane (CU-CP) and CU user plane (CU-UP) functions. CU 160 may be connected to one or more DUs 165 via midhaul communication links 162 (e.g., F1, F1-c, F1-u), and DU 165 may be connected to one or more RUs 170 via fronthaul communication links 168 (e.g., open fronthaul (FH) interface). In some examples, midhaul communication link 162 or fronthaul communication link 168 may be implemented based on interfaces (eg, channels) between layers of a protocol stack supported by respective network entities 105 that communicate via those communication links.

[0065] In some wireless communication systems (e.g., wireless communication system 100), infrastructure and spectrum resources for radio access may support wireless backhaul link capabilities to supplement wired backhaul connections, thereby providing an IAB network architecture (e.g., to core network 130). In some cases, in an IAB network, one or more network entities 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) may be partially controlled by each other. One or more IAB nodes 104 may be referred to as donor entities or IAB donors. One or more DUs 165 or one or more RUs 170 may be controlled in part by one or more CUs 160 associated with a donor network entity 105 (e.g., a donor base station 140). One or more donor network entities 105 (e.g., IAB donors) may communicate with one or more additional network entities 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) via supported access and backhaul links (e.g., backhaul communication links 120). The IAB node 104 may include an IAB mobile terminal (IAB-MT) controlled (e.g., scheduled) by a DU 165 of a coupled IAB donor. The IAB-MT may include a collection of independent antennas for relaying communications with the UE 115, or may share the same antenna of the IAB node 104 (e.g., of the RU 170) for access via the DU 165 of the IAB node 104 (e.g., referred to as a virtual IAB-MT (vIAB-MT)). In some examples, the IAB node 104 may include a DU 165 that supports communication links with additional entities (e.g., IAB node 104, UE 115) within a relay chain or configuration (e.g., downstream) of the access network. In such cases, one or more components of the decomposed RAN architecture (e.g., one or more IAB nodes 104 or components of the IAB node 104) may be configured to operate according to the techniques described herein.

[0066] Where the techniques described herein are applied to the context of a decomposed RAN architecture, one or more components of the decomposed RAN architecture may be configured to support cell management for inter-cell mobility as described herein. For example, some operations described as being performed by a UE 115 or a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may additionally or alternatively be performed by one or more components of the decomposed RAN architecture (e.g., an IAB node 104, a DU 165, a CU 160, a RU 170, a RIC 175, a SMO 180).

[0067] UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable term, where a "device" may also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, etc. UE 115 may also include or may be referred to as a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or a machine type communication (MTC) device, etc., which may be implemented in various objects such as appliances or vehicles, meters, etc.

[0068] The UE 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115, which may sometimes act as relays, as well as network entities 105 and network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, or relay base stations, etc. Figure 1 shown.

[0069] The UE 115 and the network entity 105 may wirelessly communicate with each other via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., access links) using resources associated with one or more carriers. The term "carrier" may refer to a collection of RF spectrum resources having a physical layer structure defined for supporting the communication link 125. For example, a carrier for the communication link 125 may include a portion of an RF spectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth portion (BWP)) that operates according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling for coordinating carrier operations, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communication system 100 may support communications with the UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. Depending on the carrier aggregation configuration, the UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers. Carrier aggregation may be used for both frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) component carriers. Communication between the network entity 105 and other devices may refer to communication between a device and any portion (e.g., entity, sub-entity) of the network entity 105. For example, the terms "send," "receive," or "communicate" when referring to the network entity 105 may refer to any portion of a network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, CU 160, DU 165, RU 170) of the RAN communicating with another device (e.g., directly or via one or more other network entities 105).

[0070] In some examples, such as in a carrier aggregation configuration, a carrier may also have acquisition signaling or control signaling that coordinates the operation of other carriers. A carrier may be associated with a frequency channel (e.g., an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Absolute RF Channel Number (EARFCN)) and may be identified based on a channel raster for discovery by UE 115. A carrier may operate in a standalone mode, in which case initial acquisition and connection may be made by UE 115 via the carrier, or a carrier may operate in a non-standalone mode, in which case the connection is anchored using a different carrier (e.g., a different carrier of the same or different radio access technology).

[0071] The communication link 125 shown in the wireless communication system 100 may include downlink transmissions (e.g., forward link transmissions) from the network entity 105 to the UE 115, uplink transmissions (e.g., return link transmissions) from the UE 115 to the network entity 105, or both, among other transmission configurations. A carrier may carry either downlink communications or uplink communications (e.g., in FDD mode), or may be configured to carry both downlink communications and uplink communications (e.g., in TDD mode).

[0072] A carrier may be associated with a particular bandwidth of the RF spectrum, and in some examples, the carrier bandwidth may be referred to as a "system bandwidth" of the carrier or wireless communication system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be one of a set of bandwidths (e.g., 1.4 megahertz (MHz), 3 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz) of a carrier of a particular radio access technology. A device (e.g., a network entity 105, a UE 115, or both) of the wireless communication system 100 may have a hardware configuration that supports communications using a particular carrier bandwidth, or may be capable of being configured to support communications using one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include a network entity 105 or a UE 115 that supports concurrent communications using carriers associated with multiple carrier bandwidths. In some examples, each served UE 115 may be configured to operate using a portion (e.g., a subband, a BWP) or all of a carrier bandwidth.

[0073] The signal waveform transmitted via the carrier may include multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system using MCM techniques, a resource element may refer to a resource of one symbol period (e.g., the duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, in which case the symbol period and the subcarrier spacing may be inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of the modulation scheme, or both), so that a relatively high number of resource elements (e.g., in the transmission duration) and a relatively high order modulation scheme may correspond to a relatively high communication rate. Wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of RF spectrum resources, time resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers, beams), and the use of multiple spatial resources may increase the data rate or data integrity used for communication with UE 115.

[0074] One or more parameter sets for a carrier may be supported, and the parameter sets may include subcarrier spacing (Δf) and cyclic prefix. A carrier may be divided into one or more BWPs with the same or different parameter sets. In some examples, a UE 115 may be configured with multiple BWPs. In some examples, a single BWP for a carrier may be active at a given time, and communications of a UE 115 may be constrained to one or more active BWPs.

[0075] The time interval for the network entity 105 or the UE 115 may be expressed in multiples of a basic time unit, which may be, for example, a sampling period T s =1 / (Δf max ·N f ) seconds, where Δf max It can represent the supported subcarrier spacing, and N f The supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size may be indicated. The time intervals of the communication resources may be organized according to radio frames, each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

[0076] Each frame may include multiple consecutively numbered subframes or time slots, and each subframe or time slot may have the same duration. In some examples, the frame may be divided into subframes (e.g., in the time domain), and each subframe may be further divided into a certain number of time slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable number of time slots, and the number of time slots may depend on the subcarrier spacing. Each time slot may include a certain number of symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix appended in front of each symbol period). In some wireless communication systems 100, the time slot may be further divided into a plurality of micro time slots associated with one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may be associated with one or more (e.g., N f The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or the operating frequency band.

[0077] A subframe, a time slot, a mini-time slot, or a symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communication system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., the number of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 may be dynamically selected (e.g., in a burst of a shortened TTI (sTTI)).

[0078] Physical channels may be multiplexed according to various techniques in order to communicate using a carrier. For example, physical control channels and physical data channels may be multiplexed using one or more of a time division multiplexing (TDM) technique, a frequency division multiplexing (FDM) technique, or a hybrid TDM-FDM technique to signal via a downlink carrier. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) of a physical control channel may be defined by a set of symbol periods and may extend across a system bandwidth of a carrier or a subset of that system bandwidth. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configured for a set of UEs 115. For example, one or more UEs in UE115 may monitor or search a control region to obtain control information according to one or more search space sets, and each search space set may include one or more control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. The aggregation level of a control channel candidate may refer to the amount of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with coded information for a control information format having a given payload size. The search space sets may include a common search space set configured for transmitting control information to a plurality of UEs 115 , and a UE-specific search space set for transmitting control information to a specific UE 115 .

[0079] The network entity 105 may provide communication coverage via one or more cells (e.g., macro cells, small cells, hot spots, or other types of cells, or any combination thereof). The term "cell" may refer to a logical communication entity used to communicate with the network entity 105 (e.g., using a carrier), and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID), a virtual cell identifier (VCID), or other identifier) ​​used to distinguish adjacent cells. In some examples, a cell may also refer to a coverage area 110 or a portion of a coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) on which the logical communication entity operates. Depending on various factors such as the capabilities of the network entity 105, such cells may range from smaller areas (e.g., structures, subsets of structures) to larger areas. For example, a cell may be or may include a building, a subset of a building, or an external space between or overlapping coverage areas 110, and the like.

[0080] A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access to UEs 115 that have service subscriptions with a network provider that supports the macro cell. A small cell may be associated with a lower power network entity 105 (e.g., a lower power base station 140) (compared to a macro cell), and the small cell may operate using the same or different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed) frequency band as the macro cell. A small cell may provide unrestricted access to UEs 115 that have service subscriptions with a network provider, or may provide restricted access to UEs 115 associated with the small cell (e.g., UEs 115 in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEs 115 associated with users in a home or office). A network entity 105 may support one or more cells, and may also use one or more component carriers to support communications via one or more cells (e.g., with one or more UEs 115).

[0081] In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., MTC, narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)) that may provide access to different types of devices. The UE 115 may be configured with a primary cell (PCell) and one or more SCells to communicate with. For example, if the UE 115 is configured for dual connectivity (DC) or carrier aggregation (CA), the UE 115 may communicate with the PCell and one or more SCells. The UE 115 may use the PCell for initial access to the network (e.g., initial access to a primary cell group (MCG)) and other communications, and the UE 115 may use one or more SCells for supplementary communications. In some cases, the UE 115 may be configured with a primary secondary cell (PSCell) that the UE 115 may use for initial access to one or more SCells (e.g., initial access to a secondary cell group (SCG)). A PCell or PSCell may be referred to as a special cell (SpCell), or an SpCell may refer to a PCell or PSCell (primary cell of a SCG). The SpCell configuration for the MCG may correspond to the PCell configuration, and the SpCell configuration for the SCG may correspond to the PSCell configuration.

[0082] In some examples, the network entities 105 (e.g., base stations 140, RUs 170) may be mobile and thus provide communication coverage for mobile coverage areas 110. In some examples, different coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but the different coverage areas 110 may be supported by the same network entity 105. In some other examples, overlapping coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by different network entities 105. The wireless communication system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of network entities 105 provide coverage for various coverage areas 110 using the same or different radio access technologies.

[0083] The wireless communication system 100 may support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, the network entities 105 (e.g., base stations 140) may have similar frame timing, and transmissions from different network entities 105 may be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, the network entities 105 may have different frame timing, and in some examples, transmissions from different network entities 105 may not be aligned in time. The techniques described herein may be used for synchronous or asynchronous operation.

[0084] Some UEs 115, such as MTC or IoT devices, may be low-cost or low-complexity devices and may provide automated communication between machines (e.g., via machine-to-machine (M2M) communication). M2M communication or MTC may refer to data communication technology that allows devices to communicate with each other or with a network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140) without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTC may include communication from devices with integrated sensors or meters to measure or capture information and relay such information to a central server or application that uses the information or presents the information to a person interacting with the application. Some UEs 115 may be designed to collect information or implement automated behavior of machines or other devices. Examples of applications for MTC devices include: smart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, health care monitoring, wildlife monitoring, weather and geographic event monitoring, queue management and tracking, remote security sensing, physical access control, and transaction-based commercial charging.

[0085] Some UEs 115 may be configured to employ a reduced power consumption mode of operation, such as half-duplex communication (e.g., a mode that supports one-way communication via transmission or reception but does not transmit and receive concurrently). In some examples, half-duplex communication may be performed at a reduced peak rate. Other power saving techniques for UEs 115 include entering a power saving deep sleep mode when not engaged in active communications, operating using limited bandwidth (e.g., according to narrowband communications), or a combination of these techniques. For example, some UEs 115 may be configured to operate using a narrowband protocol type that is associated with a defined portion or range (e.g., a subcarrier or resource block (RB) set) within a carrier, within a guard band of a carrier, or outside a carrier.

[0086] The wireless communication system 100 can be configured to support ultra-reliable communication or low-latency communication or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communication system 100 can be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC). UE 115 can be designed to support ultra-reliable, low-latency or critical functions. Ultra-reliable communication may include private communication or group communication, and may be supported by one or more services (such as push-to-talk, video or data). Support for ultra-reliable, low-latency functions may include prioritization of services, and such services may be used for public safety or general commercial applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency and ultra-reliable low-latency may be used interchangeably herein.

[0087] In some examples, the UE 115 may be configured to support communication directly with other UEs 115 via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., according to a peer-to-peer (P2P), D2D, or sidelink protocol). In some examples, one or more UEs 115 in a group that are performing D2D communication may be within a coverage area 110 of a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, a RU 170), which may support aspects of such D2D communication configured (e.g., scheduled) by the network entity 105. In some examples, one or more UEs 115 in such a group may be outside of the coverage area 110 of the network entity 105, or may otherwise be unable or not configured to receive transmissions from the network entity 105. In some examples, a group of UEs 115 communicating via D2D communication may support a one-to-many (1:M) system, in which each UE 115 transmits to each of the other UEs 115 in the group. In some examples, network entity 105 may facilitate scheduling of resources for D2D communications. In some other examples, D2D communications may be performed between UEs 115 without involving network entity 105.

[0088] In some systems, the D2D communication link 135 can be an example of a communication channel (such as a sidelink communication channel) between vehicles (e.g., UE 115). In some examples, the vehicles can communicate using vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, or some combination of these items. The vehicles can signal information related to traffic conditions, signal scheduling, weather, safety, emergency situations, or any other information related to the V2X system. In some examples, vehicles in the V2X system can communicate with roadside infrastructure (such as roadside units), or communicate with the network via one or more network nodes (e.g., network entity 105, base station 140, RU 170) using vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication, or both.

[0089] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC), which may include at least one control plane entity for managing access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management function (AMF)) and at least one user plane entity for routing packets or interconnecting to an external network (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW)), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW) or a user plane function (UPF)). The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management of UE 115 served by a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) associated with the core network 130. User IP packets may be transferred through the user plane entity, which may provide IP address allocation and other functions. The user plane entity may be connected to the IP service 150 of one or more network operators. IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or packet-switched streaming services.

[0090] The wireless communication system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands that may be in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 kilohertz (GHz). In general, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is referred to as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelength range is about one decimeter to one meter. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features (which may be referred to as clusters), but these waves may be sufficient to penetrate structures so that macro cells provide services to UEs 115 located indoors. Communications using UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) compared to communications using lower frequencies and longer wavelengths of the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

[0091] The wireless communication system 100 may also operate using a super high frequency (SHF) region, which may be in the range of 3 GHz to 30 GHz (also known as a centimeter band), or an extremely high frequency (EHF) region of the spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz) (also known as a millimeter band). In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support millimeter wave (mmW) communications between the UE 115 and the network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170), and the EHF antennas of the corresponding devices may be smaller and closer together than UHF antennas. In some examples, such techniques may facilitate the use of antenna arrays within the device. However, the propagation of EHF transmissions may be affected by even greater attenuation and shorter range than SHF or UHF transmissions. The techniques disclosed herein may be employed across transmissions using one or more different frequency regions, and the use of frequency bands specified across these frequency regions may vary by country or regulatory agency.

[0092] The wireless communication system 100 may utilize licensed and unlicensed RF spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may use unlicensed bands (such as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band) to employ license assisted access (LAA), LTE unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology. When operating using unlicensed RF spectrum bands, devices such as network entity 105 and UE 115 may employ carrier sensing for conflict detection and avoidance. In some examples, operations performed using unlicensed bands may be based on carrier aggregation configuration (e.g., LAA) in conjunction with component carriers operating using licensed bands. Operations performed using unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, among others.

[0093] The network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas, which can be used to employ technologies such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or beamforming. The antennas of the network entity 105 or UE 115 may be located in one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels, which may support MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly, such as an antenna tower. In some examples, antennas or antenna arrays associated with the network entity 105 may be located at different geographical locations. The network entity 105 may include an antenna array having a collection of multiple rows and columns of antenna ports that the network entity 105 can use to support beamforming for communications with the UE 115. Similarly, the UE 115 may include one or more antenna arrays that may support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna panel may support RF beamforming for signals sent via the antenna ports.

[0094] The network entity 105 or UE 115 may use MIMO communication to utilize multipath signal propagation and improve spectral efficiency by sending or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. Such a technology may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. Multiple signals may be, for example, sent by a transmitting device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Similarly, multiple signals may be received by a receiving device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry information associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO technologies include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), for which multiple spatial layers are sent to the same receiving device; and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), for which multiple spatial layers are sent to multiple devices.

[0095] Beamforming (which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception) is a signal processing technique that may be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., a network entity 105, a UE 115) to shape or direct an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming may be achieved by combining signals communicated via antenna elements of an antenna array so that some signals propagating in a particular direction relative to the antenna array experience constructive interference, while other signals experience destructive interference. Adjustments to signals communicated via antenna elements may include the transmitting device or the receiving device applying an amplitude offset, a phase offset, or both to signals carried via antenna elements associated with the device. Adjustments associated with each of these antenna elements may be defined by a set of beamforming weights associated with a particular direction (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting device or the receiving device or relative to some other direction).

[0096] The wireless communication system 100 may be a packet-based network that operates according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, the communication at the bearer or PDCP layer may be IP-based. The RLC layer may perform packet segmentation and reassembly to communicate via logical channels. The MAC layer may perform priority processing and multiplexing of logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layer may also implement error detection techniques, error correction techniques, or both to support retransmission to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the RRC layer may provide the establishment, configuration, and maintenance of an RRC connection that supports a radio bearer for user plane data between the UE 115 and the network entity 105 or the core network 130. The PHY layer may map a transport channel to a physical channel.

[0097] In the wireless communication system 100, the network entity 105 may configure a set of cells for communicating with the UE 115. The network entity 105 may be connected to at least one cell in the set of cells or support communication via the at least one cell, and the network entity 105 may configure the set of cells to the UE 115 via the at least one cell. The configured set of cells may include activated cells and deactivated cells. The UE 115 may communicate with the activated cells in the configured set of cells, and the deactivated cells may be activated for communication with the UE 115 (e.g., when appropriate). The network entity 105 may use dynamic signaling (e.g., L1 or L2 signaling, such as downlink control information (DCI) messages or MAC control elements (MAC-CEs)) to activate and deactivate cells in the configured set of cells to maximize throughput (e.g., by allowing the UE 115 to communicate with an optimal subset of the configured set of cells). The network entity 105 may also use dynamic signaling to reconfigure SpCells in the configured cell set as SCells, and reconfigure SCells in the configured cell set as SpCells. Using dynamic signaling to activate and deactivate cells in the configured cell set and reconfigure cells as SpCells or SCells may be referred to as L1 / L2-based inter-cell mobility.

[0098] The wireless communication system 100 may support techniques for L1 / L2-based inter-cell mobility. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may support configuration and maintenance of multiple candidate cells in a configured cell set to allow rapid application of configurations for candidate cells. In addition, the wireless communication system 100 may support a dynamic switching mechanism between candidate serving cells (e.g., including SpCells and SCells) for potential applicable scenarios based on L1 / L2 signaling. In addition, the described techniques may provide designs and enhancements for L1 / L2-based inter-cell mobility.

[0099] The procedures for L1 / L2-based inter-cell mobility are applicable in a variety of scenarios. In one example, L1 / L2-based inter-cell mobility can be used for independent, CA, or NR-DC situations that support service cell changes within a configuration grant. In another example, L1 / L2-based inter-cell mobility can be used for intra-DU situations or intra-CU and inter-DU situations (for example, applicable to independent and CA, where no new RAN interface is expected). In yet another example, L1 / L2-based inter-cell mobility can be used for both intra-frequency communication and inter-frequency communication. In yet another example, L1 / L2-based inter-cell mobility can be used for communications in both frequency range one (FR1) and frequency range two (FR2). In yet another example, L1 / L2-based inter-cell mobility can be used for communications with source cells and target cells that can be synchronous or asynchronous.

[0100] Figure 2 An example of inter-cell mobility 200 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. A UE 115-a may be configured with a set of cells (e.g., a configured set of cells 205) for inter-cell mobility (e.g., L1 / L2 mobility). The network entity 105 may configure the set of cells using RRC signaling. In some examples, there may be one or more cells 210 outside the configured set of cells 205. The cells in the configured set of cells 205 may be further characterized as activated cells 215 and deactivated cells 220 (e.g., including SpCells and SCells). The activated set of cells may correspond to a group of cells that can be easily used for data and control information transfer. For example, for cells in the activated set of cells, control channels may be monitored, synchronization may be maintained, or timing advance may be maintained. The deactivated set of cells may correspond to a group of cells that are not activated but can be quickly activated by L1 / L2 signaling. For example, for deactivated cells, control channels may not be monitored, synchronization may not be maintained, or timing advance may not be maintained. UE 115-a may perform measurements on cells in configured cell set 205 (e.g., periodically according to configuration) for fast L1 / L2 mobility handover. Cells in configured cell set 205 may belong to (e.g., supported by or used for communications by) the same network entity 105 (e.g., DU) or different network entities 105 (e.g., DU). Configured cell set 205 may be large enough to cover a reasonable mobility area, and mobility within the configured cell set may be accomplished through L1 / L2 signaling.

[0101] To facilitate inter-cell mobility using L1 / L2 signaling (e.g., considering a framework for carrier aggregation), each cell in a configured cell set 205 (e.g., a configured L1 / L2 mobility set) may be able to serve a UE 115-a as a SpCell or SCell. Therefore, efficient techniques for SpCell management and SCell management may improve the efficiency of communication through the configured cell set 205. However, in some cases, techniques for supporting dynamic reconfiguration of cells as SpCells or SCells may be deficient. The wireless communication system 100 may support efficient techniques for providing effective SpCell and SCell configurations for all cells in the configured cell set 205 (e.g., L1L2 mobility-related configurations in RRC to enable each cell to have SpCell and SCell configurations). Therefore, a cell may be updated (e.g., reconfigured as a SpCell or SCell) by a network entity 105 using L1 / L2 signaling (e.g., compared to reconfiguring a SpCell or SCell using layer three (L3) signaling (such as RRC signaling)). As mentioned, RRC signaling (eg, L3 signaling) may update the set of cells used for L1 / L2 mobility (eg, the configured set of cells 205).

[0102] In addition to improved techniques for SpCell and SCell management, the described techniques may also provide improved techniques for cell index management. The SpCell index may be configured to zero, and the SCell index may be configured to a value ranging from one to one less than the maximum number of serving cells (e.g., the range {1, 2, ..., maxNrofServingCells-1}). However, when a SpCell (e.g., an original SpCell) is updated to or reconfigured as an SCell, the techniques for assigning indexes to the reconfigured SCell may be undefined. Similarly, when an SCell is updated to or reconfigured to a SpCell and then updated back to or reconfigured back to an SCell, the techniques for assigning indexes to the reconfigured SCell may be undefined. The wireless communication system 100 may support efficient techniques for cell index management to support dynamic reconfiguration of cells to SpCells or SCells (e.g., cell index management techniques when the network entity 105 uses L1 / L2 signaling to update the SpCell or SCell).

[0103] Figure 3 An example of a wireless communication system 300 supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 300 includes a UE 115-b, which may be a reference Figure 1 and Figure 2The wireless communication system 300 also includes a cell 105-a and a cell 105-b, which may be reference cells. Figure 1 and Figure 2 An example of a network entity 105 or cell is depicted. The wireless communication system 300 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. For example, the wireless communication system 300 may support efficient techniques for providing effective SpCell and SCell configuration for all cells in a configured set of cells.

[0104] The wireless communication system 300 can utilize existing CA configuration elements with additional configurations to facilitate L1 / L2 mobility within a configured CA cell set. The set of L1 / L2 mobility configurations can be a subset of the entire CA set or can cover the entire CA set. Each cell in the entire CA set can be individually configured with a mobility configuration 315 (e.g., an L1 / L2 mobility configuration). For example, the UE 115-b can receive an indication of the configuration 310 of the cell set from the cell 105-a (e.g., from the network entity 105 via the cell 105-a), and the UE 115-b can receive an indication of whether each cell in the cell set is configured for L1 / L2 mobility (e.g., configured to be activated or deactivated using L1 / L2 signaling or reconfigured as a SpCell or SCell using L1 / L2 signaling). The configuration 310 of the cell set can allow L1 / L2 mobility configuration while configuring CA and when CA is reconfigured.

[0105] UE 115-b may receive a higher layer control message 305 (e.g., L3 signaling, RRC signaling, or an RRC configuration message) that includes an indication of a configuration 310 of a cell set and an indication of SpCell and SCell configurations applicable to all cells in the configured cell set.

[0106] The indication of the configuration 310 of the cell set may be included in the cell group configuration, and the cell group configuration may include a cell group identifier (ID), an indication of RLC bearers to be added, an indication of RLC bearers to be released, a MAC cell group configuration, a physical cell group configuration, a SpCell configuration, an indication of SCells to be added to the configured cell set, and an indication of SCells to be released from the configured cell set. The indication of the SCells to be added may include one or more indexes of the SCells to be added, and the higher layer control message 305 may also include at least the SCell configuration for each SCell to be added by the UE 115-b. The SCell configuration (e.g., SCellConfig) may include an SCell index, an SCellConfigCommon information element (IE), and an sCellConfigDedicated IE. The SCellConfigCommon IE and the sCellConfigDedicated IE may configure parameters for communicating with the serving cell. These parameters may include a physical cell ID of the serving cell, parameters for uplink and downlink communications with the serving cell, timing advance for communicating with the serving cell, resources for monitoring reference signals from the serving cell, and the like.

[0107] An indication of the SpCell and SCell configuration applicable to all cells in the configured cell set may be at least partially included in a mobility configuration 315 (e.g., L1 / L2 mobility configuration) within a serving cell configuration (e.g., ServingCellConfig IE). The serving cell configuration may be included in the SpCell configuration or the SCell configuration. The mobility configuration 315 (e.g., in the serving cell configuration) may include at least a SpCell configuration for the SCell or a SCell configuration for the SpCell. The mobility configuration 315 may also include an L1 measurement configuration for a deactivated state (e.g., a measurement configuration for UE 115-b to perform measurements on a deactivated cell). The mobility configuration 315 may include fields (e.g., IEs) similar to the SpCell configuration (e.g., SpCellConfig) and the SCell configuration (e.g., SCellConfig). In some cases, the network entity 105 may provide (e.g., in the mobility configuration 315) more than one SpCell or SCell configuration (e.g., a list of configurations) for a cell, and the network entity 105 may indicate in L1 / L2 signaling the configuration from the list that the UE 115-b is to use to communicate with the cell. The SCell configuration may be applied if the cell is updated from a SpCell to a SCell through an L1 / L2 mobility procedure, and the SpCell configuration may be applied if the cell is updated from a SCell to a SpCell through an L1 / L2 mobility procedure.

[0108] In one aspect, if the serving cell is configured as a SpCell, the mobility configuration 315 may include an SCell configuration, and if the serving cell is configured as an SCell, the mobility configuration 315 may include an SpCell configuration. In this aspect, the mobility configuration or the format of the mobility configuration (e.g., the fields included in the mobility configuration) may be cell-specific.

[0109] In another aspect, the mobility configuration 315 may include a SpCell configuration and a SCell configuration for each serving cell (e.g., in the mobility configuration, all serving cells may have a SpCell configuration and a SCell configuration). In this aspect, the mobility configuration or the format of the mobility configuration may be the same for all cells (e.g., all cells may have the same mobility configuration, or all cells may have a SpCell configuration and a SCell configuration).

[0110] If the mobility configuration 315 includes a SpCell configuration and an SCell configuration for a cell, the network entity 105 may indicate (e.g., together with SpCell activation or deactivation L1 / L2 signaling) which configuration the UE 115-b will apply to communicate with the cell. When the original SpCell (e.g., a SpCell that has not yet been reconfigured) is updated to an SCell and updated back to a SpCell (e.g., a reconfigured SpCell), the final SpCell configuration (e.g., for the reconfigured SpCell) may be the same as the old SpCell configuration or the SpCell configuration specified in the L1 / L2 mobility configuration. The old SpCell configuration may refer to another SpCell configuration provided to the UE 115-b, which the UE 115-b may use to communicate with the original SpCell. When the original SCell (e.g., an SCell that has not been reconfigured) is updated to a SpCell and updated back to a SCell (e.g., a reconfigured SCell), the final SCell configuration (e.g., for the reconfigured SCell) may be the same as the old SCell configuration or the SCell configuration specified in the L1 / L2 mobility configuration. The old SCell configuration may refer to another SCell configuration provided to the UE 115-b, which the UE 115-b may use to communicate with the original SCell.

[0111] In addition to techniques for SpCell or SCell configuration management, the wireless communication system 300 may also support efficient techniques for cell index management (eg, serving cell index update) to support dynamic reconfiguration of cells into SpCells or SCells.

[0112] Figure 4 An example of cell index management 400 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0113] For cell-specific mobility configuration, if the serving cell is a SpCell, the mobility configuration may include an SCell configuration (e.g., only an SCell configuration), and if the serving cell is an SCell, the mobility configuration may include an SpCell configuration (e.g., only an SpCell configuration). For SpCell 405, when SpCell 405 is updated to SCell 410, there may be one or more techniques for assigning an SCell index to SpCell 405.

[0114] In the first example 400-a, the SCell index of the SCell 410 may be included in the SCell configuration in the mobility configuration for the SpCell 405. The SCell index may be unique compared to other existing SCells. For example, the SCell index of the SCell 410 may be three, which may be different from the SCell indices one and two configured for other existing SCells. However, if the network entity 105 configures the maximum number of serving cells (e.g., one SpCell and (maxNrofServingCells-1) SCells), the SCell index of the SCell (e.g., the SCell index configured for the SpCell) may have a value greater than (maxNrofServingCells-1). Therefore, the network entity 105 may use one more bit to represent the cell index of the SCell. For example, if maxNrofServingCells=32, five bits may be used to represent the cell indices 0,...,31. Therefore, if the network entity 105 has configured one SpCell and 31 SCells, the additional SCell index in the mobility configuration for the SpCell may have a value greater than 31 (eg, 32), and the total number of bits used to represent the cell index may be six.

[0115] In the second example 400-b, the SCell index of the SCell 410 may be configured as a range in the mobility configuration for the SpCell 405 (e.g., range (1, maxNrofServingCells-1)). The range configured for the SCell 410 may include SCell indexes one and two (e.g., range (1, 2)). The network entity 105 may select the SCell index of the SCell 410 using L1 / L2 signaling (e.g., from the configured range) and reconfigure the SpCell 405 as the SCell 410 using update signaling. Because the network entity 105 may be able to identify that SCell 415 is being updated to SpCell 420 (e.g., which SCell is becoming the new SpCell) at the same time that SpCell 405 (e.g., the old SpCell) is being updated to SCell 410, when SpCell 405 is updated to SCell 410, the network entity 105 may signal SpCell 405 to obtain the cell index of SCell 415 (e.g., the old SCell).

[0116] For SCell 415 updated to SpCell 420, the default index of SpCell 420 may be zero. As described with reference to the second example 400-b, the SCell index of SCell 410 may obtain the cell index of SCell 415 (e.g., the SCell index of SCell 410 may be two). In other examples (e.g., in the first example 400-a), the SCell index of SCell 415 may become invalid after SCell 415 is reconfigured as SpCell 420. For example, the SCell index of the original configuration becomes invalid. When SpCell 420 is reconfigured as SCell, the SCell index of SCell 415 may become valid again. For example, when the original SCell reconfigured as SpCell is updated from SpCell back to SCell, the SCell index of the original configuration may become valid again (e.g., the original SCell may be reassigned to the SCell index of the original configuration).

[0117] As described, in some cases, the mobility configuration may include a SpCell configuration and a SCell configuration for any cell. For a SpCell, a SCell index may be included in the SCell configuration in the mobility configuration for the SpCell. Alternatively, the SCell index may be configured as a range in the mobility configuration for the SpCell (e.g., range (1, maxNrofServingCells-1)), and the network entity 105 may select the SCell index of the SCell using L1 / L2 signaling (e.g., from the configured range), and reconfigure the SpCell as the SCell using update signaling. For the SCell, when the SCell is updated to the SpCell and then updated back to the SCell (e.g., SCell_t1 is updated to PCell_t2 and then updated to SCell_t3), there may be one or more techniques for assigning the SCell index to the SCell. SCell_t may represent a cell configured as a SCell at time t, and PCell_t may represent a cell configured as a SpCell at time t. In one example, SCell_t3 may obtain the index (eg, old index) of SCell_t1. In another example, SCell_t3 may obtain the index specified in the SCell configuration in the mobility configuration. In yet another example, the network entity 105 may send an indication SCell_t2. _Whether the SCell index of t3 is the same as the SCell index of SCell_t1 or whether the SCell index of SCell_t3 is the L1 / L2 signaling of the SCell index specified in the SCell configuration in the mobility configuration, and the UE 115 can receive the L1 / L2 signaling.

[0118] Figure 5 An example of a process flow 500 for supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The process flow 500 includes a UE 115-c, which may be a reference Figures 1 to 4 The process flow 500 also includes a first cell 105-c and a second cell 105-d, which may be reference cells. Figures 1 to 4 The process flow 500 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100 or the wireless communication system 300. For example, the process flow 500 may support efficient techniques for providing a UE 115-c with valid SpCell and SCell configurations for all cells in a configured cell set. The process flow 500 may also support efficient techniques for cell index management to support dynamic reconfiguration of cells as SpCells or SCells.

[0119] The configuration for a cell may include one or more parameters for communicating with the cell. For example, the configuration for a cell may include a physical cell ID of the cell, parameters for uplink and downlink communication with a serving cell (e.g., resources for uplink and downlink communication), a timing advance for communicating with the cell, resources for monitoring a reference signal from a serving cell, etc. In some cases, the UE 115-c may also receive a measurement configuration for performing measurements on a reference signal received from a deactivated cell, and the measurement configuration may indicate resources for monitoring the reference signal, a type of the reference signal, etc. for the UE 115-c to use to perform the measurements.

[0120] In the following description of process flow 500, signaling exchanged between UE 115-c, cell 105-c, and cell 105-d may be exchanged in a different order than the example order shown, or operations performed by UE 115-c, cell 105-c, and cell 105-d may be performed in a different order or at a different time. Some operations may also be omitted from process flow 500, and other operations may be added to process flow 500.

[0121] At 505, the network entity 105 may send a higher layer control message to the UE 115-c via the first cell 105-c, and the UE 115-c may receive the higher layer control message. The higher layer control message may include a configuration of a set of cells with which the UE 115-c may communicate, and the set of cells may include the first cell 105-c and the second cell 105-d. The first cell 105-c may be configured as a SpCell at a first time, and the second cell 105-d may be configured as an SCell at a first time. The higher layer control message may include a first SpCell configuration for the first cell 105-c and a first SCell configuration for the second cell 105-d. The higher layer control message may also (e.g., in a mobility configuration) include an SCell configuration for the first cell 105-c and an SpCell configuration for the second cell 105-d. In some examples, the higher layer control message may include multiple SCell configurations for the first cell 105-c and multiple SpCell configurations for the second cell 105-d.

[0122] At 510, the UE 115-c may communicate with the first cell 105-c at a first time or after a first time according to a first SpCell configuration for the first cell 105-c, and at 515, the UE 115-c may communicate with the second cell 105-d at a first time or after a first time according to a first SCell configuration for the second cell 105-d. In some examples, the UE 115-c may receive an indication of a measurement configuration for performing measurements on reference signals received from a deactivated cell in a configured set of cells, and the UE 115-c may perform measurements on the reference signals according to the measurement configuration.

[0123] At 520, the network entity 105 may send a lower layer control message (e.g., an L1 or L2 control message, such as a DCI message or a MAC-CE) to the UE 115-c via the first cell 105-c, and the UE 115-c may receive the lower layer control message. The lower layer control message may support L1 / L2 mobility, wherein one or more cells in the configured cell set may be activated or deactivated or reconfigured as a SpCell or SCell. For example, the lower layer control message may configure the first cell 105-c as an SCell at a second time, and configure the second cell 105-d as an SpCell at a second time. At 525, the UE 115-c may communicate with the first cell 105-c at or after the second time according to the SCell configuration for the first cell 105-c, and at 530, the UE 115-c may communicate with the second cell 105-d at or after the second time according to the SpCell configuration for the second cell 105-d. If a higher layer control message indicates multiple SCell configurations for the first cell 105-c and multiple SpCell configurations for the second cell 105-d, the lower layer control message may indicate an SCell configuration for the first cell 105-c from the multiple SCell configurations and an SpCell configuration for the second cell 105-d from the multiple SpCell configurations.

[0124] In some aspects, the higher layer control message may also include a second SpCell configuration for the first cell 105-c and a second SCell configuration for the second cell 105-d. In such aspects, after the first cell 105-c is reconfigured from SCell back to SpCell at a third time, the UE 115-c may determine whether to use the first SpCell configuration or the second SpCell configuration to communicate with the first cell 105-c. In one example, the UE 115-c may communicate with the first cell 105-c according to the first SpCell configuration for the first cell 105-c at or after the third time, and the UE 115-c may communicate with the second cell 105-d according to the first SCell configuration for the second cell 105-d at or after the third time. In another example, the UE 115-c may communicate with the first cell 105-c according to the second SpCell configuration for the first cell 105-c at a third time or after the third time, and the UE 115-c may communicate with the second cell 105-d according to the second SCell configuration for the second cell 105-d at a third time or after the third time. In yet another example, the UE 115-c may receive an indication of whether to communicate with the first cell 105-c according to the first SpCell configuration or the second SpCell configuration at a third time or after the third time, and the UE 115-c may receive an indication of whether to communicate with the second cell 105-d according to the first SCell configuration or the second SCell configuration at a third time or after the third time. The UE 115-c may receive such an indication in a second lower layer control message for reconfiguring the first cell 105-c back to the SpCell and reconfiguring the second cell 105-d back to the SCell. Then, the UE 115-c may communicate with the first cell 105-c and the second cell 105-d according to the second lower layer control message at or after the third time. For example, if the second lower layer control message indicates that the UE 115-c will communicate with the first cell 105-c using the first SpCell configuration, the UE 115-c may communicate with the first cell 105-c using the first SpCell configuration. Alternatively, if the second lower layer control message indicates that the UE 115-c will communicate with the first cell 105-c using the second SpCell configuration, the UE 115-c may communicate with the first cell 105-c using the second SpCell configuration. Similarly, if the second lower layer control message indicates that the UE 115-c will communicate with the second cell 105-d using the first SCell configuration, the UE 115-c may communicate with the second cell 105-d using the first SCell configuration.Alternatively, if the second lower layer control message indicates that the UE 115 - c is to communicate with the second cell 105 - d using the second SCell configuration, the UE 115 - c may communicate with the second cell 105 - d using the second SCell configuration.

[0125] In some examples, a higher layer control message may indicate an SCell index of the first cell 105-c, where the SCell index is different from the SCell indexes of other cells in the configured cell set. In some examples, a higher layer control message may indicate an SCell index range of the first cell 105-c, and a lower layer control message may indicate an SCell index of the first cell 105-c (e.g., at a second time), where the SCell index is selected from the SCell index range. In some examples, the SpCell index of the second cell 105-d is zero at the second time, and the SCell index of the second cell 105-d is invalid at the second time. In some examples, after a second lower layer control message configures the second cell 105-d as an SCell at a third time, the SCell index of the second cell 105-d at the third time may include or be the same as the SCell index of the second cell 105-d at the first time. In some examples, UE 115-c may receive (e.g., in a higher layer control message) an indication of the SCell index of the second cell 105-d, and after a second lower layer control message configures the second cell 105-d as an SCell at a third time, the SCell index of the second cell 105-d at the third time may be the indicated SCell index.

[0126] Figure 6 A block diagram 600 of a device 605 supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 605 may be an example of aspects of the UE 115 as described herein. The device 605 may include a receiver 610, a transmitter 615, and a communication manager 620. The device 605 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0127] The receiver 610 may provide means for receiving information (such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof) associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels related to cell management for inter-cell mobility, data channels, information channels). The information may be communicated to other components of the device 605. The receiver 610 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0128] The transmitter 615 may provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 605. For example, the transmitter 615 may transmit information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels related to cell management for inter-cell mobility, data channels, information channels), such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 615 may be co-located with the receiver 610 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 615 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0129] The communication manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of cell management for inter-cell mobility as described herein. For example, the communication manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations thereof or components thereof may support methods for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0130] In some examples, the communication manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a communication management circuit). The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof that is configured as or otherwise supports components for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, a processor and a memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing instructions stored in the memory by the processor).

[0131] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the communication manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., as communication management software or firmware). If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functionality of the communication manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured or otherwise supported to perform the functions described in the present disclosure).

[0132] In some examples, communication manager 620 can be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, send) using or otherwise cooperating with receiver 610, transmitter 615, or both. For example, communication manager 620 can receive information from receiver 610, transmit information to transmitter 615, or be integrated in conjunction with receiver 610, transmitter 615, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0133] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 620 may support wireless communication at the UE. For example, the communication manager 620 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving an indication of a configuration of a cell set, the configuration including a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time. The communication manager 620 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a control message that configures the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and configures the second cell as a special cell at the second time. The communication manager 620 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating with the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell after the second time and communicating with the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

[0134] By including or configuring a communication manager 620 according to the examples described herein, the device 605 (e.g., a processor that controls or is otherwise coupled to the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, the communication manager 620, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for reducing processing, reducing power consumption, and more efficiently utilizing communication resources. Because the device 605 may be able to identify the SCell configuration for the SpCell and the SpCell configuration for the SCell, and the device 605 may support efficient techniques for cell index management, the device 605 may be able to efficiently communicate with one or more cells in the configured set of cells. Therefore, the device 605 may avoid wasting power and processing resources to communicate with suboptimal cells or using suboptimal configurations to communicate with cells in the configured set of cells, and the device 605 may maximize resource utilization.

[0135] Figure 7 A block diagram 700 of a device 705 supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 705 may be an example of aspects of the device 605 or UE 115 as described herein. The device 705 may include a receiver 710, a transmitter 715, and a communication manager 720. The device 705 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0136] The receiver 710 may provide means for receiving information (such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof) associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels related to cell management for inter-cell mobility, data channels, information channels). The information may be communicated to other components of the device 705. The receiver 710 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0137] The transmitter 715 may provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 705. For example, the transmitter 715 may transmit information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels related to cell management for inter-cell mobility, data channels, information channels), such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 715 may be co-located with the receiver 710 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 715 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0138] The device 705 or its various components may be examples of components for performing various aspects of cell management for inter-cell mobility as described herein. For example, the communication manager 720 may include a cell configuration manager 725, a cell mobility manager 730, a multi-cell communication manager 735, or any combination thereof. The communication manager 720 may be an example of various aspects of the communication manager 620 as described herein. In some examples, the communication manager 720 or its various components may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, send) using or otherwise cooperating with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or both. For example, the communication manager 720 may receive information from the receiver 710, transmit information to the transmitter 715, or be integrated with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0139] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 720 may support wireless communication at the UE. The cell configuration manager 725 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving an indication of a configuration of a cell set, the configuration including a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time. The cell mobility manager 730 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a control message for configuring the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and configuring the second cell as a special cell at the second time. The multi-cell communication manager 735 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating with the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell after the second time and communicating with the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

[0140] Figure 8 A block diagram 800 of a communication manager 820 supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The communication manager 820 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 620, the communication manager 720, or both as described herein. The communication manager 820 or its various components may be examples of means for performing various aspects of cell management for inter-cell mobility as described herein. For example, the communication manager 820 may include a cell configuration manager 825, a cell mobility manager 830, a multi-cell communication manager 835, a measurement manager 840, a cell index manager 845, a cell configuration selector 850, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0141] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 820 may support wireless communication at the UE. The cell configuration manager 825 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving an indication of a configuration of a cell set, the configuration including a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time. The cell mobility manager 830 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a control message for configuring the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and configuring the second cell as a special cell at the second time. The multi-cell communication manager 835 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating with the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell after the second time and communicating with the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

[0142] In some examples, the cell configuration manager 825 may be configured or otherwise support components for receiving an indication of a first special cell configuration for the first cell and a first secondary cell configuration for the second cell. In some examples, the multi-cell communication manager 835 may be configured or otherwise support components for communicating with the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell and communicating with the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell after a first time.

[0143] In some examples, the cell configuration manager 825 may be configured or otherwise support components for receiving an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell. In some examples, the multi-cell communication manager 835 may be configured or otherwise support components for communicating with the first cell according to the second special cell configuration for the first cell and communicating with the second cell according to the second secondary cell configuration for the second cell after a third time.

[0144] In some examples, the cell configuration manager 825 may be configured or otherwise support components for receiving an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell. In some examples, the multi-cell communication manager 835 may be configured or otherwise support components for communicating with the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell and communicating with the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell after a third time.

[0145] In some examples, the cell configuration manager 825 may be configured or otherwise support a component for receiving an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell. In some examples, the cell configuration selector 850 may be configured or otherwise support a component for receiving in a second control message an indication of whether to communicate with the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell or the second special cell configuration for the first cell after a third time. In some examples, the cell configuration selector 850 may be configured or otherwise support a component for receiving in a second control message an indication of whether to communicate with the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell or the second secondary cell configuration for the second cell after a third time. In some examples, the multi-cell communication manager 835 may be configured or otherwise support a component for communicating with the first cell and the second cell according to the second control message after the third time.

[0146] In some examples, to support receiving indications of a secondary cell configuration for a first cell and a special cell configuration for a second cell, the cell configuration manager 825 may be configured as or otherwise support components for receiving indications of a set of multiple secondary cell configurations for the first cell and a set of multiple special cell configurations for the second cell, wherein the control message indicates the secondary cell configuration for the first cell from the set of multiple secondary cell configurations and the special cell configuration for the second cell from the set of multiple special cell configurations.

[0147] In some examples, the secondary cell configuration for the first cell and the special cell configuration for the second cell are received in a mobility configuration.

[0148] In some examples, measurement manager 840 may be configured or otherwise support means for receiving an indication of a measurement configuration for performing measurements on reference signals received from each deactivated cell in the set of cells.

[0149] In some examples, cell index manager 845 may be configured or otherwise support components for receiving an indication of a secondary cell index for a first cell that is different from secondary cell indexes of other cells in a set of cells configured for communicating with the UE.

[0150] In some examples, the cell index manager 845 may be configured to or otherwise support components for receiving an indication of a secondary cell index range for the first cell, wherein the control message includes an indication of a secondary cell index for the first cell at a second time, the secondary cell index being selected from the secondary cell index range for the first cell.

[0151] In some examples, the special cell index of the second cell is zero at the second time, and the secondary cell index of the second cell is invalid at the second time.

[0152] In some examples, the cell configuration manager 825 may be configured or otherwise support components for receiving a second control message configuring the second cell as a secondary cell at a third time, wherein the secondary cell index of the second cell at the third time includes the secondary cell index of the second cell at the first time.

[0153] In some examples, the cell index manager 845 may be configured or otherwise support components for receiving an indication of a secondary cell index for the second cell. In some examples, the cell configuration manager 825 may be configured or otherwise support components for receiving a second control message that configures the second cell as a secondary cell at a third time, wherein the secondary cell index of the second cell at the third time includes the indicated secondary cell index.

[0154] In some examples, the control message comprises a layer one or layer two control message.

[0155] Fig. 9 A diagram of a system 900 including a device 905 supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 905 may be an example of a device 605, a device 705, or a UE 115 as described herein or include a component of the device 605, the device 705, or a UE 115. The device 905 may communicate (e.g., wirelessly) with one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, or any combination thereof. The device 905 may include components for two-way voice and data communications, including components for sending and receiving communications, such as a communication manager 920, an input / output (I / O) controller 910, a transceiver 915, an antenna 925, a memory 930, a code 935, and a processor 940. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., a bus 945).

[0156] I / O controller 910 can manage input signals and output signals of device 905. I / O controller 910 can also manage peripheral devices that are not integrated into device 905. In some cases, I / O controller 910 can represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, I / O controller 910 can utilize an operating system such as or another known operating system. Additionally or alternatively, I / O controller 910 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or similar device. In some cases, I / O controller 910 may be implemented as part of a processor (such as processor 940). In some cases, a user may interact with device 905 via I / O controller 910 or via hardware components controlled by I / O controller 910.

[0157] In some cases, the device 905 may include a single antenna 925. However, in some other cases, the device 905 may have more than one antenna 925, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 915 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 925, wired or wireless links, as described herein. For example, the transceiver 915 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 915 may also include a modem for: modulating packets; providing the modulated packets to one or more antennas 925 for transmission; and demodulating packets received from one or more antennas 925. The transceiver 915 or the transceiver 915 and one or more antennas 925 may be examples of transmitters 615, transmitters 715, receivers 610, receivers 710, or any combination thereof or components thereof as described herein.

[0158] The memory 930 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The memory 930 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 935 including instructions that, when executed by the processor 940, cause the device 905 to perform various functions described herein. The code 935 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (such as system memory or another type of memory). In some cases, the code 935 may not be directly executed by the processor 940, but (for example, when compiled and executed) may cause the computer to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 930 may also include a basic I / O system (BIOS), etc., which may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0159] The processor 940 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 940 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 940. The processor 940 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., a memory 930) to cause the device 905 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility). For example, the device 905 or a component of the device 905 may include a processor 940 and a memory 930 coupled to or coupled to the processor 940, and the processor 940 and the memory 930 are configured to perform the various functions described herein.

[0160] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 920 may support wireless communication at the UE. For example, the communication manager 920 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving an indication of a configuration of a cell set, the configuration including a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time. The communication manager 920 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a control message that configures the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and configures the second cell as a special cell at the second time. The communication manager 920 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating with the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell after the second time and communicating with the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

[0161] By including or configuring a communication manager 920 according to the examples described herein, the device 905 may support techniques for reducing processing, reducing power consumption, and more efficiently utilizing communication resources. Because the device 905 may be able to identify the SCell configuration for the SpCell and the SpCell configuration for the SCell, and the device 905 may support efficient techniques for cell index management, the device 905 may be able to efficiently communicate with one or more cells in the configured cell set. Therefore, the device 905 may avoid wasting power and processing resources to communicate with suboptimal cells or use suboptimal configurations to communicate with cells in the configured cell set, and the device 905 may maximize resource utilization.

[0162] In some examples, the communication manager 920 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, monitor, transmit) using or otherwise cooperating with the transceiver 915, one or more antennas 925, or any combination thereof. Although the communication manager 920 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communication manager 920 may be supported or performed by the processor 940, the memory 930, the code 935, or any combination thereof. For example, the code 935 may include instructions that are executable by the processor 940 to cause the device 905 to perform various aspects of cell management for inter-cell mobility as described herein, or the processor 940 and the memory 930 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

[0163] Fig.10A block diagram 1000 of a device 1005 supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 1005 may be an example of aspects of the network entity 105 as described herein. The device 1005 may include a receiver 1010, a transmitter 1015, and a communication manager 1020. The device 1005 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0164] Receiver 1010 may provide means for obtaining (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack), such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units). The information may be passed to other components of device 1005. In some examples, receiver 1010 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, receiver 1010 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0165] The transmitter 1015 may provide a means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, transmitting) information generated by other components of the device 1005. For example, the transmitter 1015 may output information associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack), such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units). In some examples, the transmitter 1015 may support outputting information by sending signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter 1015 may support outputting information by sending signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1015 and the receiver 1010 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include a modem or be coupled to a modem.

[0166] The communication manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of cell management for inter-cell mobility as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations thereof or components thereof may support methods for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0167] In some examples, the communication manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof can be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a communication management circuit). The hardware may include a processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof that is configured as or otherwise supports components for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, a processor and a memory coupled to the processor can be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing instructions stored in the memory by the processor).

[0168] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the communication manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., as communication management software or firmware). If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functionality of the communication manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured or otherwise supported to perform the functions described in the present disclosure).

[0169] In some examples, communication manager 1020 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, send) using or otherwise cooperating with receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or both. For example, communication manager 1020 may receive information from receiver 1010, transmit information to transmitter 1015, or be integrated in conjunction with receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0170] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 1020 may support wireless communication at a network entity. For example, the communication manager 1020 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending an indication of a configuration of a cell set to a UE, the configuration including a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time. The communication manager 1020 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending a control message to the UE that configures the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and configures the second cell as a special cell at the second time. The communication manager 1020 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell after the second time and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

[0171] By including or configuring a communication manager 1020 according to the examples described herein, the device 1005 (e.g., a processor that controls or is otherwise coupled to the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, the communication manager 1020, or a combination thereof) can support techniques for reducing processing, reducing power consumption, and more efficiently utilizing communication resources. Because the device 1005 can provide the UE with an SCell configuration for the SpCell and an SpCell configuration for the SCell, and the device 1005 can assist the UE in cell index management, the device 1005 can facilitate efficient communication between the UE and one or more cells in the configured cell set. Therefore, the device 1005 can avoid wasting power and processing resources to facilitate communication with a suboptimal cell at the UE or using a suboptimal configuration to facilitate communication at the UE, and the device 1005 can maximize resource utilization.

[0172] Fig.11 A block diagram 1100 of a device 1105 supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 1105 may be an example of aspects of the device 1005 or network entity 105 as described herein. The device 1105 may include a receiver 1110, a transmitter 1115, and a communication manager 1120. The device 1105 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0173] Receiver 1110 may provide means for obtaining (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack), such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units). The information may be passed to other components of device 1105. In some examples, receiver 1110 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, receiver 1110 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0174] The transmitter 1115 may provide a means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, transmitting) information generated by other components of the device 1105. For example, the transmitter 1115 may output information associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack), such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units). In some examples, the transmitter 1115 may support outputting information by sending signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter 1115 may support outputting information by sending signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1115 and the receiver 1110 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include a modem or be coupled to a modem.

[0175] The device 1105 or its various components may be examples of components for performing various aspects of cell management for inter-cell mobility as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1120 may include a cell configuration manager 1125, a cell mobility manager 1130, a multi-cell communication manager 1135, or any combination thereof. The communication manager 1120 may be an example of various aspects of the communication manager 1020 as described herein. In some examples, the communication manager 1120 or its various components may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, send) using or otherwise cooperating with the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or both. For example, the communication manager 1120 may receive information from the receiver 1110, transmit information to the transmitter 1115, or be integrated with the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0176] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 1120 may support wireless communication at a network entity. The cell configuration manager 1125 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending an indication of a configuration of a cell set to a UE, the configuration including a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time. The cell mobility manager 1130 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending a control message to the UE that configures the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and the second cell as a special cell at the second time. The multi-cell communication manager 1135 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell after the second time and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

[0177] Fig.12 A block diagram 1200 of a communication manager 1220 supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The communication manager 1220 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 1020, the communication manager 1120, or both as described herein. The communication manager 1220 or its various components may be examples of means for performing various aspects of cell management for inter-cell mobility as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1220 may include a cell configuration manager 1225, a cell mobility manager 1230, a multi-cell communication manager 1235, a measurement manager 1240, a cell index manager 1245, a cell configuration selector 1250, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses), which communication may include communication within a protocol layer of a protocol stack, communication associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack, within a device, component, or virtualized component associated with the network entity 105, between devices, components, or virtualized components associated with the network entity 105), or any combination thereof.

[0178] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 1220 may support wireless communication at a network entity. The cell configuration manager 1225 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending an indication of a configuration of a cell set to a UE, the configuration including a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time. The cell mobility manager 1230 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending a control message to the UE that configures the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and the second cell as a special cell at the second time. The multi-cell communication manager 1235 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell after the second time and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

[0179] In some examples, the cell configuration manager 1225 may be configured to or otherwise support components for sending an indication of a first special cell configuration for the first cell and a first secondary cell configuration for the second cell. In some examples, the multi-cell communication manager 1235 may be configured to or otherwise support components for communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell after a first time and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

[0180] In some examples, the cell configuration manager 1225 may be configured to or otherwise support components for sending an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell. In some examples, the multi-cell communication manager 1235 may be configured to or otherwise support components for communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the second special cell configuration for the first cell after a third time and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the second secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

[0181] In some examples, the cell configuration manager 1225 may be configured to or otherwise support components for sending an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell. In some examples, the multi-cell communication manager 1235 may be configured to or otherwise support components for communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell after a third time.

[0182] In some examples, the cell configuration manager 1225 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell. In some examples, the cell configuration selector 1250 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending in a second control message an indication of whether the UE will communicate with the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell or the second special cell configuration for the first cell after a third time. In some examples, the cell configuration selector 1250 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending in a second control message an indication of whether the UE will communicate with the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell or the second secondary cell configuration for the second cell after a third time. In some examples, the multi-cell communication manager 1235 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating with the UE via the first cell and the second cell according to the second control message after the third time.

[0183] In some examples, to support sending indications of a secondary cell configuration for a first cell and a special cell configuration for a second cell, the cell configuration manager 1225 may be configured as or otherwise support components for sending indications of a set of multiple secondary cell configurations for the first cell and a set of multiple special cell configurations for the second cell, wherein the control message indicates a secondary cell configuration for the first cell from the set of multiple secondary cell configurations and a special cell configuration for the second cell from the set of multiple special cell configurations.

[0184] In some examples, the secondary cell configuration for the first cell and the special cell configuration for the second cell are sent in the mobility configuration.

[0185] In some examples, measurement manager 1240 may be configured or otherwise support components for sending an indication of a measurement configuration for the UE to perform measurements on reference signals received from each deactivated cell in the set of cells.

[0186] In some examples, cell index manager 1245 may be configured or otherwise support components for sending an indication of a secondary cell index for a first cell that is different from secondary cell indexes of other cells in a set of cells configured for communication with the UE.

[0187] In some examples, the cell index manager 1245 may be configured to or otherwise support components for sending an indication of a secondary cell index range for the first cell, wherein the control message includes an indication of a secondary cell index of the first cell at a second time, the secondary cell index being selected from the secondary cell index range for the first cell.

[0188] In some examples, the special cell index of the second cell is zero at the second time, and the secondary cell index of the second cell is invalid at the second time.

[0189] In some examples, the cell configuration manager 1225 may be configured to or otherwise support components for sending a second control message to configure the second cell as a secondary cell at a third time, wherein the secondary cell index of the second cell at the third time includes the secondary cell index of the second cell at the first time.

[0190] In some examples, the cell index manager 1245 may be configured or otherwise support components for sending an indication of a secondary cell index for the second cell. In some examples, the cell configuration manager 1225 may be configured or otherwise support components for sending a second control message configuring the second cell as a secondary cell at a third time, wherein the secondary cell index of the second cell at the third time includes the indicated secondary cell index.

[0191] In some examples, the control message comprises a layer one or layer two control message.

[0192] Fig.13 A diagram of a system 1300 including a device 1305 supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 1305 may be an example of a device 1005, a device 1105, or a network entity 105 as described herein or a component thereof. The device 1305 may communicate with one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, or any combination thereof, which may include communication through one or more wired interfaces, through one or more wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. The device 1305 may include components that support output and acquisition of communications, such as a communication manager 1320, a transceiver 1310, an antenna 1315, a memory 1325, a code 1330, and a processor 1335. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1340).

[0193] The transceiver 1310 may support bidirectional communication via a wired link, a wireless link, or both, as described herein. In some examples, the transceiver 1310 may include a wired transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wired transceiver. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the transceiver 1310 may include a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. In some examples, the device 1305 may include one or more antennas 1315, which may be capable of sending or receiving wireless transmissions (e.g., concurrently). The transceiver 1310 may also include a modem for modulating a signal, for providing a modulated signal for transmission (e.g., via one or more antennas 1315, via a wired transmitter), for receiving a modulated signal (e.g., from one or more antennas 1315, from a wired receiver), and for demodulating a signal. In some implementations, the transceiver 1310 may include one or more interfaces, such as one or more interfaces coupled to one or more antennas 1315 configured to support various receiving or obtaining operations, or one or more interfaces coupled to one or more antennas 1315 configured to support various sending or outputting operations, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the transceiver 1310 may include or be configured to be coupled to one or more processors or memory components, which are operable to perform or support operations based on received or obtained information or signals, or to generate information or other signals for transmission or other output, or any combination thereof. In some implementations, the transceiver 1310, or the transceiver 1310 and one or more antennas 1315, or the transceiver 1310 and one or more antennas 1315 and one or more processors or memory components (e.g., processor 1335 or memory 1325 or both) may be included in a chip or chip assembly installed in the device 1305. The transceiver 1310 or transceiver 1310 and one or more antennas 1315 or wired interfaces (where applicable) may be examples of transmitter 1015, transmitter 1115, receiver 1010, receiver 1110, or any combination thereof or components thereof as described herein. In some examples, the transceiver may be operable to support communications via one or more communication links (e.g., communication link 125, backhaul communication link 120, midhaul communication link 162, fronthaul communication link 168).

[0194] The memory 1325 may include RAM and ROM. The memory 1325 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 1330 including instructions that, when executed by the processor 1335, cause the device 1305 to perform various functions described herein. The code 1330 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (such as system memory or another type of memory). In some cases, the code 1330 may not be directly executable by the processor 1335, but (e.g., when compiled and executed) may cause the computer to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 1325 may also include a BIOS, etc., which may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0195] The processor 1335 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 1335 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 1335. The processor 1335 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., a memory 1325) to enable the device 1305 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility). For example, the device 1305 or a component of the device 1305 may include a processor 1335 and a memory 1325 coupled to the processor 1335, the processor 1335 and the memory 1325 being configured to perform various functions described herein. The processor 1335 may be an example of a cloud computing platform (e.g., one or more physical nodes and supporting software such as an operating system, a virtual machine, or a container instance), which may host functions (e.g., by executing code 1330) to perform the functions of the device 1305. The processor 1335 may be any one or more suitable processors capable of executing scripts or instructions of one or more software programs stored in the device 1305 (such as in the memory 1325). In some specific implementations, the processor 1335 may be a component of a processing system. A processing system may generally refer to a system or a series of machines or components that receive inputs and process these inputs to produce a set of outputs (which may be passed to, for example, other systems or components of the device 1305). For example, the processing system of the device 1305 may refer to a system including various other components or subcomponents of the device 1305 (such as the processor 1335, or the transceiver 1310, or the communication manager 1320, or other components or combinations of components of the device 1305). The processing system of the device 1305 may interface with other components of the device 1305 and may process information (such as inputs or signals) received from other components or output information to other components. For example, a chip or modem of the device 1305 may include a processing system and an interface for outputting information or for obtaining information or both. The interface may be implemented as or otherwise include a first interface configured to output information and a second interface configured to obtain information. In some implementations, the first interface may refer to an interface between a processing system of a chip or modem and a transmitter, so that the device 1305 can send information output from the chip or modem. In some implementations, the second interface may refer to an interface between a processing system of a chip or modem and a receiver, so that the device 1305 can obtain information or signal input, and the information can be passed to the processing system. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the first interface may also obtain information or signal input, and the second interface may also output information or signal output.

[0196] In some examples, bus 1340 may support communications of a protocol layer (e.g., within a protocol layer) of a protocol stack. In some examples, bus 1340 may support communications associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack), which may include communications performed within a component of device 1305, or communications performed between different components of device 1305 that may be co-located or located in different locations (e.g., where device 1305 may refer to a system in which one or more of communication manager 1320, transceiver 1310, memory 1325, code 1330, and processor 1335 may be located in one of the different components or divided between the different components).

[0197] In some examples, communication manager 1320 may manage aspects of communications with core network 130 (e.g., via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links). For example, communication manager 1320 may manage transfer of data communications for client devices, such as one or more UEs 115. In some examples, communication manager 1320 may manage communications with other network entities 105 and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with UE 115 in collaboration with other network entities 105. In some examples, communication manager 1320 may support an X2 interface within an LTE / LTE-A wireless communication network technology to provide communications between network entities 105.

[0198] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 1320 may support wireless communication at a network entity. For example, the communication manager 1320 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending an indication of a configuration of a cell set to a UE, the configuration including a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time. The communication manager 1320 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending a control message to the UE that configures the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and configures the second cell as a special cell at the second time. The communication manager 1320 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell after the second time and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

[0199] By including or configuring a communication manager 1320 according to the examples described herein, the device 1305 can support techniques for reducing processing, reducing power consumption, and more efficiently utilizing communication resources. Because the device 1305 can provide the UE with an SCell configuration for the SpCell and an SpCell configuration for the SCell, and the device 1305 can assist the UE in cell index management, the device 1305 can facilitate efficient communication between the UE and one or more cells in the configured cell set. Therefore, the device 1305 can avoid wasting power and processing resources to facilitate communication with a suboptimal cell at the UE or using a suboptimal configuration to facilitate communication at the UE, and the device 1305 can maximize resource utilization.

[0200] In some examples, the communication manager 1320 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, transmit) using or otherwise cooperating with the transceiver 1310, one or more antennas 1315 (e.g., where applicable), or any combination thereof. Although the communication manager 1320 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communication manager 1320 may be supported or performed by the processor 1335, the memory 1325, the code 1330, the transceiver 1310, or any combination thereof. For example, the code 1330 may include instructions that are executable by the processor 1335 to cause the device 1305 to perform various aspects of cell management for inter-cell mobility as described herein, or the processor 1335 and the memory 1325 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

[0201] Fig.14 A flowchart illustrating a method 1400 for supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1400 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1400 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described in reference to Figures 1 to 9 The described UE 115 may be performed. In some examples, the UE may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the described functions.

[0202] At 1405, the method may include receiving an indication of a configuration of a cell set, the configuration including a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time. The operations of 1405 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1405 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 8 The described cell configuration manager 825 is executed.

[0203] At 1410, the method may include receiving a control message that configures the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and configures the second cell as a special cell at a second time. The operations of 1410 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1410 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 8 The described cell mobility manager 830 is performed.

[0204] At 1415, the method may include, after the second time, communicating with the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell. The operations of 1415 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1415 may be performed as described in reference to Figure 8 The described multi-cell communication manager 835 is executed.

[0205] Fig.15 A flowchart illustrating a method 1500 for supporting cell management for inter-cell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1500 may be implemented by a network entity or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1500 may be implemented by a network entity or a component thereof as described herein. Figures 1 to 5 as well as Figures 10 to 13 In some examples, the network entity may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the network entity may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the described functions.

[0206] At 1505, the method may include sending an indication of a configuration of a cell set to the UE, the configuration including a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time. The operations of 1505 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1505 may be performed as described in reference to Fig.12 The described cell configuration manager 1225 is executed.

[0207] At 1510, the method may include sending a control message to the UE to configure the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and to configure the second cell as a special cell at a second time. The operations of 1510 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1510 may be performed as described in reference to Fig.12 The described cell mobility manager 1230 is performed.

[0208] At 1515, the method may include, after the second time, communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell. The operations of 1515 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1515 may be performed as described in reference to Fig.12 The described multi-cell communication manager 1235 is executed.

[0209] The following provides an overview of various aspects of the disclosure:

[0210] Aspect 1: A method for performing wireless communications at a UE, the method comprising: receiving an indication of a configuration of a cell set, the configuration comprising a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time; receiving a control message that configures the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and configures the second cell as a special cell at the second time; and after the second time, communicating with the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

[0211] Aspect 2: According to the method described in Aspect 1, the method further includes: receiving an indication of a first special cell configuration for the first cell and a first secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and after the first time, communicating with the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

[0212] Aspect 3: According to the method described in Aspect 2, the method also includes: receiving an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and after a third time, communicating with the first cell according to the second special cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the second cell according to the second secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

[0213] Aspect 4: According to the method described in any one of Aspects 2 to 3, the method further includes: receiving an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and after a third time, communicating with the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

[0214] Aspect 5: According to the method described in any one of Aspects 2 to 4, the method further includes: receiving an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; receiving in a second control message an indication of whether to communicate with the first cell after a third time according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell or the second special cell configuration for the first cell; receiving in the second control message an indication of whether to communicate with the second cell after the third time according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell or the second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and after the third time, communicating with the first cell and the second cell according to the second control message.

[0215] Aspect 6: A method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein receiving the indication of the secondary cell configuration for the first cell and the special cell configuration for the second cell includes: receiving indications of multiple secondary cell configurations for the first cell and multiple special cell configurations for the second cell, wherein the control message indicates the secondary cell configuration for the first cell from the multiple secondary cell configurations and the special cell configuration for the second cell from the multiple special cell configurations.

[0216] Aspect 7: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the secondary cell configuration for the first cell and the special cell configuration for the second cell are received in mobility configuration.

[0217] Aspect 8: According to the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, the method further includes: receiving an indication of a measurement configuration for performing measurement on a reference signal received from each deactivated cell in the set of cells.

[0218] Aspect 9: According to the method described in any one of Aspects 1 to 8, the method further includes: receiving an indication of a secondary cell index of the first cell, wherein the secondary cell index of the first cell is different from the secondary cell indexes of other cells in the cell set configured for communicating with the UE.

[0219] Aspect 10: According to the method described in any one of Aspects 1 to 9, the method further includes: receiving an indication of a secondary cell index range of the first cell, wherein the control message includes an indication of the secondary cell index of the first cell at the second time, and the secondary cell index is selected from the secondary cell index range of the first cell.

[0220] Aspect 11: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, wherein the special cell index of the second cell is zero at the second time, and the secondary cell index of the second cell is invalid at the second time.

[0221] Aspect 12: According to the method described in any one of Aspects 1 to 11, the method further includes: receiving a second control message to configure the second cell as a secondary cell at a third time, wherein the secondary cell index of the second cell at the third time includes the secondary cell index of the second cell at the first time.

[0222] Aspect 13: According to the method described in any one of Aspects 1 to 12, the method further includes: receiving an indication of a secondary cell index of the second cell; and receiving a second control message to configure the second cell as a secondary cell at a third time, wherein the secondary cell index of the second cell at the third time includes the indicated secondary cell index.

[0223] Aspect 14: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 13, wherein the control message comprises a layer 1 or layer 2 control message.

[0224] Aspect 15: A method for performing wireless communications at a network entity, the method comprising: sending an indication of a configuration of a cell set to a UE, the configuration comprising a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time; sending a control message to the UE to configure the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and to configure the second cell as a special cell at the second time; and after the second time, communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

[0225] Aspect 16: According to the method of Aspect 15, the method also includes: sending an indication of a first special cell configuration for the first cell and a first secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and after the first time, communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

[0226] Aspect 17: According to the method of Aspect 16, the method also includes: sending an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and after a third time, communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the second special cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the second secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

[0227] Aspect 18: According to the method described in any one of Aspects 16 to 17, the method further includes: sending an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and after a third time, communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

[0228] Aspect 19: According to the method described in any one of Aspects 16 to 18, the method further includes: sending an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; sending an indication in a second control message as to whether the UE will communicate with the first cell after a third time according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell or the second special cell configuration for the first cell; sending an indication in the second control message as to whether the UE will communicate with the second cell after the third time according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell or the second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and after the third time, communicating with the UE via the first cell and the second cell according to the second control message.

[0229] Aspect 20: A method according to any one of Aspects 15 to 19, wherein sending the indication of the secondary cell configuration for the first cell and the special cell configuration for the second cell includes: sending indications of multiple secondary cell configurations for the first cell and multiple special cell configurations for the second cell, wherein the control message indicates the secondary cell configuration for the first cell from the multiple secondary cell configurations and the special cell configuration for the second cell from the multiple special cell configurations.

[0230] Aspect 21: The method according to any one of aspects 15 to 20, wherein the secondary cell configuration for the first cell and the special cell configuration for the second cell are sent in a mobility configuration.

[0231] Aspect 22: According to the method according to any one of aspects 15 to 21, the method also includes: sending an indication of a measurement configuration for the UE to perform measurement on a reference signal received from each deactivated cell in the set of cells.

[0232] Aspect 23: According to the method described in any one of Aspects 15 to 22, the method further includes: sending an indication of a secondary cell index of the first cell, wherein the secondary cell index of the first cell is different from the secondary cell indexes of other cells in the cell set configured for communicating with the UE.

[0233] Aspect 24: According to the method described in any one of Aspects 15 to 23, the method further includes: sending an indication of a secondary cell index range of the first cell, wherein the control message includes an indication of the secondary cell index of the first cell at the second time, and the secondary cell index is selected from the secondary cell index range of the first cell.

[0234] Aspect 25: The method according to any one of aspects 15 to 24, wherein the special cell index of the second cell is zero at the second time, and the secondary cell index of the second cell is invalid at the second time.

[0235] Aspect 26: According to the method described in any one of Aspects 15 to 25, the method further includes: sending a second control message to configure the second cell as a secondary cell at a third time, wherein the secondary cell index of the second cell at the third time includes the secondary cell index of the second cell at the first time.

[0236] Aspect 27: According to the method described in any one of Aspects 15 to 26, the method further includes: sending an indication of a secondary cell index of the second cell; and sending a second control message to configure the second cell as a secondary cell at a third time, wherein the secondary cell index of the second cell at the third time includes the indicated secondary cell index.

[0237] Aspect 28: A method according to any one of aspects 15 to 27, wherein the control message comprises a layer 1 or layer 2 control message.

[0238] Aspect 29: An apparatus for performing wireless communications at a UE, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 14.

[0239] Aspect 30: An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE, the apparatus comprising: at least one component for performing a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 14.

[0240] Aspect 31: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a code for wireless communication at a UE, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 14.

[0241] Aspect 32: An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of Aspects 15 to 28.

[0242] Aspect 33: An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, the apparatus comprising: at least one component for performing a method according to any one of aspects 15 to 28.

[0243] Aspect 34: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a network entity, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method according to any one of aspects 15 to 28.

[0244] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, and that the various operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more methods may be combined.

[0245] Although aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described for example purposes, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR terminology may be used in much of the description, the techniques described herein may also be applicable to networks other than LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the techniques described may be applicable to various other wireless communication systems, such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, and other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0246] The information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and methods. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips mentioned throughout the specification may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0247] The various illustrative blocks and components described in conjunction with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed using a general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, CPU, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in an alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0248] The functions described herein may be implemented using hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented using software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or codes of a computer-readable medium, or sent using one or more instructions or codes of a computer-readable medium. Other examples and specific implementations are within the scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hard wiring, or a combination of any of these items. Features that implement the functions may also be physically located at different locations, including being distributed so that the various parts of the functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0249] Computer-readable medium includes both non-transient computer storage medium and communication medium, and the communication medium includes any medium that promotes computer program to be transferred from one position to another position.Non-transient storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by general or special-purpose computer.By way of example and not limitation, non-transient computer-readable medium can include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disc (CD) ROM or other optical disc storage device, disk storage device or other magnetic storage device, or can be used for carrying or storing desired program code parts and can be accessed by general or special-purpose computer or general or special-purpose processor in the form of instruction or data structure Any other non-transient medium.Moreover, any connection is appropriately referred to as computer-readable medium.For example, if software is sent from website, server or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL) or wireless technology such as infrared, radio and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL or wireless technology such as infrared, radio and microwave are included in the definition of computer-readable medium. As used herein, disks and optical disks include CDs, laser disks, optical disks, digital versatile disks (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray disks. Disks can reproduce data magnetically, and optical disks can reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0250] As used herein (including in the claims), "or" used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items followed by a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive list, so that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). In addition, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be interpreted as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step described as "based on condition A" can be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "based at least in part on."

[0251] The term "determining" encompasses a variety of actions, and thus, "determining" may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (such as via looking up in a table, database or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. Furthermore, "determining" may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data stored in a memory), etc. Additionally, "determining" may include parsing, retrieving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and other such similar actions.

[0252] In the drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference label. In addition, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a dash and a second label to distinguish between the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description may apply to any of the similar components having the same first reference label, regardless of the second or other subsequent reference labels.

[0253] The descriptions set forth herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings describe example configurations and do not represent all examples that may be implemented or within the scope of the claims. The term "example" as used herein means "used as an example, instance, or illustration," rather than "preferred" or "advantageous over other examples." The detailed description includes specific details to provide an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0254] The description herein is provided to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to implement or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be granted the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receiving an indication of configuration of a cell set, the configuration comprising a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time; receiving a control message for configuring the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and configuring the second cell as a special cell at the second time; as well as After the second time, communicating with the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receiving an indication of a first special cell configuration for the first cell and a first secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and After the first time, communicating with the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receiving an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and After a third time, communicating with the first cell according to the second special cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the second cell according to the second secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receiving an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and After a third time, communicating with the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receiving an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; receiving, in a second control message, an indication of whether to communicate with the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell or the second special cell configuration for the first cell after a third time; receiving, in the second control message, an indication of whether to communicate with the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell or the second secondary cell configuration for the second cell after the third time; and After the third time, communicate with the first cell and the second cell according to the second control message.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions for receiving the indication of the secondary cell configuration for the first cell and the special cell configuration for the second cell are executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: An indication of a plurality of secondary cell configurations for the first cell and a plurality of special cell configurations for the second cell is received, wherein the control message indicates the secondary cell configuration for the first cell from the plurality of secondary cell configurations and the special cell configuration for the second cell from the plurality of special cell configurations. 7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the secondary cell configuration for the first cell and the special cell configuration for the second cell are received in a mobility configuration.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: An indication of a measurement configuration for performing measurements on a reference signal received from each deactivated cell in the set of cells is received.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: An indication of a secondary cell index of the first cell is received, wherein the secondary cell index of the first cell is different from secondary cell indexes of other cells in the set of cells configured for communication with the UE.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: An indication of a secondary cell index range of the first cell is received, wherein the control message includes an indication of a secondary cell index of the first cell at the second time, and the secondary cell index is selected from the secondary cell index range of the first cell. 11 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a special cell index of the second cell is zero at the second time, and a secondary cell index of the second cell is invalid at the second time.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: A second control message is received to configure the second cell as a secondary cell at a third time, wherein the secondary cell index of the second cell at the third time includes the secondary cell index of the second cell at the first time.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receiving an indication of a secondary cell index of the second cell; and A second control message is received to configure the second cell as a secondary cell at a third time, wherein the secondary cell index of the second cell at the third time includes the indicated secondary cell index.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control message comprises a layer 1 or layer 2 control message.

15. An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, the apparatus comprising: processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: Sending an indication of configuration of a cell set to a user equipment (UE), the configuration comprising a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time; Sending a control message to the UE to configure the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and to configure the second cell as a special cell at the second time; as well as After the second time, communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: sending an indication of a first special cell configuration for the first cell and a first secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and After the first time, communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: Sending an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and After a third time, communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the second special cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the second secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: Sending an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and After a third time, communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: Sending an indication of a second special cell configuration for the first cell and a second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; sending, in a second control message, an indication of whether the UE will communicate with the first cell after a third time according to the first special cell configuration for the first cell or the second special cell configuration for the first cell; sending, in the second control message, an indication of whether the UE will communicate with the second cell after the third time according to the first secondary cell configuration for the second cell or the second secondary cell configuration for the second cell; and After the third time, communicate with the UE via the first cell and the second cell according to the second control message.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the instructions for sending the indication of the secondary cell configuration for the first cell and the special cell configuration for the second cell are executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: An indication of a plurality of secondary cell configurations for the first cell and a plurality of special cell configurations for the second cell is sent, wherein the control message indicates the secondary cell configuration for the first cell from the plurality of secondary cell configurations and the special cell configuration for the second cell from the plurality of special cell configurations.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the secondary cell configuration for the first cell and the special cell configuration for the second cell are transmitted in a mobility configuration.

22. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: An indication of a measurement configuration for the UE to perform measurements on a reference signal received from each deactivated cell in the set of cells is sent.

23. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: An indication of a secondary cell index of the first cell is sent, wherein the secondary cell index of the first cell is different from secondary cell indexes of other cells in the set of cells configured for communication with the UE.

24. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: An indication of a secondary cell index range of the first cell is sent, wherein the control message includes an indication of a secondary cell index of the first cell at the second time, and the secondary cell index is selected from the secondary cell index range of the first cell. 25 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein a special cell index of the second cell is zero at the second time, and a secondary cell index of the second cell is invalid at the second time.

26. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: A second control message is sent to configure the second cell as a secondary cell at a third time, wherein the secondary cell index of the second cell at the third time includes the secondary cell index of the second cell at the first time.

27. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: sending an indication of a secondary cell index of the second cell; and A second control message is sent to configure the second cell as a secondary cell at a third time, wherein the secondary cell index of the second cell at the third time includes the indicated secondary cell index.

28. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the control message comprises a layer one or layer two control message.

29. A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving an indication of configuration of a cell set, the configuration comprising a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time; receiving a control message for configuring the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and configuring the second cell as a special cell at the second time; as well as After the second time, communicating with the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

30. A method for wireless communication at a network entity, the method comprising: Sending an indication of configuration of a cell set to a user equipment (UE), the configuration comprising a secondary cell configuration for a first cell in the cell set that is configured as a special cell at a first time and a special cell configuration for a second cell in the cell set that is configured as a secondary cell at the first time; Sending a control message to the UE to configure the first cell as a secondary cell at a second time and to configure the second cell as a special cell at the second time; And after the second time, communicating with the UE via the first cell according to the secondary cell configuration for the first cell, and communicating with the UE via the second cell according to the special cell configuration for the second cell.

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