Method and apparatus relating to wireless communication

Abstract

The embodiment discloses a method and apparatus relating to wireless communication. The present specification describes a terminal device, comprising: means for receiving, at the terminal device, configuration information from at least one base station of a telecommunication network, the configuration information indicating a modified configuration for a measurement validity duration pre-configured at the terminal device, wherein the measurement valid duration is used to validate a measurement of a signal received from at least one cell of the telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode; and means for determining whether to follow the modified configuration for the measurement effective duration or a pre-configured measurement effective duration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates generally to wireless communications. Background Art

[0002] Terminal devices, sometimes referred to as "user equipment" (UE), can communicate wirelessly with other terminal devices and / or base stations. Such communication can support a variety of tasks. Summary of the invention

[0003] In a first aspect, the present specification describes a terminal device, comprising: a component for receiving configuration information from at least one base station of a telecommunications network at the terminal device, the configuration information indicating a modified configuration for a measurement effective duration pre-configured at the terminal device, wherein the measurement effective duration is used to verify measurements of signals received from at least one cell of the telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode; and a component for determining whether to follow the modified configuration for the measurement effective duration or the pre-configured measurement effective duration.

[0004] In some examples, the terminal device further includes: a component for verifying the measurement by applying the measurement valid duration according to the modified configuration indicated by the received configuration information in response to determining that the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration is followed; and a component for reporting the verified measurement to the telecommunications network. Additionally or alternatively, the terminal device may also include: a component for verifying the measurement by applying the pre-configured measurement valid duration in response to determining that the pre-configured measurement valid duration is followed; and a component for reporting the verified measurement to the telecommunications network.

[0005] In some examples, the preconfigured measurement valid duration includes a first measurement valid duration received at a terminal device from at least one base station of a telecommunications network, wherein the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration indicated by the received configuration information includes a second measurement valid duration, and indicates that the second measurement valid duration overrules the first measurement valid duration, and wherein the component for determining is configured to follow the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration by using the second measurement valid duration for verification of the measurement. In other examples, the preconfigured measurement valid duration includes a first measurement valid duration received at a terminal device from at least one base station of a telecommunications network, and wherein the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration indicated by the received configuration information includes a second measurement valid duration, and indicates that the first measurement valid duration overrules the second measurement valid duration, and wherein the component for determining is configured to follow the preconfigured measurement valid duration by using the first measurement valid duration for verification of the measurement. In some such examples, the first measurement validity duration is included in a radio resource control, RRC, message received at the terminal device from at least one base station of the telecommunications network, and / or the second measurement validity duration is included in a system information block, SIB, message received at the terminal device from at least one base station of the telecommunications network.

[0006] In some examples, the measurement is determined to be valid when the measurement is performed by the terminal device during a time interval that corresponds to the measurement validity duration ending at the measurement report time. In other examples, the configuration information includes an evaluation reference time, and the terminal device is configured to determine that the measurement is valid when the measurement is performed by the terminal device during a time interval that corresponds to the measurement validity duration ending at the evaluation reference time. In some such examples, the evaluation reference time corresponds to the terminal device receiving at least one of a paging message and a user equipment UE information request message, or corresponds to the terminal device sending at least one of the following: a radio resource control RRC recovery complete message, an RRC setup complete message, and a UE information response message.

[0007] In some examples, the configuration information includes a flag indicating whether the measurement valid duration should be used to verify the measurement, and the component for determining whether to follow the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration or the pre-configured measurement valid duration is configured to perform the determination based on the flag included in the configuration information. Additionally or alternatively, the configuration information may indicate that the pre-configured measurement valid duration should be applied to measurements performed by the terminal device in one of the idle mode and the inactive mode, and further indicate that the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration should be applied to measurements performed by the terminal device in the other of the idle mode and the inactive mode, wherein the component for determining is configured to determine to follow the pre-configured measurement valid duration for verification of the measurement performed by the terminal device in one of the idle mode and the inactive mode, and wherein the component for determining is configured to determine to follow the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration for verification of the measurement performed by the terminal device in the other of the idle mode and the inactive mode. Additionally or alternatively, the configuration information may be received at the terminal device from at least one base station of the telecommunications network in at least one of: a system information block SIB message, a radio resource control RRC message and / or a medium access control MAC message.

[0008] In a second aspect, the specification describes a network node, comprising: a component for sending configuration information to a terminal device, the configuration information indicating a modified configuration for a measurement validity duration pre-configured at the terminal device, wherein the measurement validity duration is used to verify measurements of signals received from at least one cell of a telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode. In some examples, the network node also includes: a component for receiving a verified measurement from the terminal device, the measurement being a measurement of signals received from at least one cell of a telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode. Additionally or alternatively, the configuration information may be transmitted to the terminal device in at least one of the following: a system information block SIB message, a radio resource control RRC message, and / or a media access control MAC message.

[0009] In a third aspect, the present specification describes an apparatus (e.g., a terminal device) comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform operations including at least: receiving configuration information from at least one base station of a telecommunications network at the terminal device, the configuration information indicating a modified configuration for a measurement effective duration pre-configured at the terminal device, wherein the measurement effective duration is used to verify measurements of signals received from at least one cell of the telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode; and determining whether to follow the modified configuration for the measurement effective duration or the pre-configured measurement effective duration.

[0010] In some examples, the operations further include: in response to determining that a modified configuration for the measurement valid duration is followed, verifying the measurement by applying the measurement valid duration according to the modified configuration indicated by the received configuration information; and reporting the verified measurement to the telecommunications network. Additionally or alternatively, the operations may also include: in response to determining that a pre-configured measurement valid duration is followed, verifying the measurement by applying a pre-configured measurement valid duration; and reporting the verified measurement to the telecommunications network.

[0011] In some examples, the preconfigured measurement valid duration includes a first measurement valid duration received at the terminal device from at least one base station of the telecommunications network, wherein the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration indicated by the received configuration information includes a second measurement valid duration, and indicates that the second measurement valid duration overrules the first measurement valid duration, and wherein the component for determining is configured to follow the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration by using the second measurement valid duration for verification of the measurement. In other examples, the preconfigured measurement valid duration includes a first measurement valid duration received at the terminal device from at least one base station of the telecommunications network, and wherein the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration indicated by the received configuration information includes a second measurement valid duration, and indicates that the first measurement valid duration overrules the second measurement valid duration, and wherein the component for determining is configured to follow the preconfigured measurement valid duration by using the first measurement valid duration for verification of the measurement. In some such examples, the first measurement valid duration is included in a radio resource control RRC message received at the terminal device from at least one base station of the telecommunications network, and / or the second measurement valid duration is included in a system information block SIB message received at the terminal device from at least one base station of the telecommunications network.

[0012] In some examples, the measurement is determined to be valid when the measurement is performed by the terminal device during a time interval that corresponds to a measurement valid duration ending at a measurement report time. In other examples, the configuration information includes an evaluation reference time, and the terminal device is configured to determine that the measurement is valid when the measurement is performed by the terminal device during a time interval that corresponds to the measurement valid duration ending at the evaluation reference time. In some such examples, the evaluation reference time corresponds to the terminal device receiving at least one of a paging message and a user equipment UE information request message, or corresponds to the terminal device sending at least one of the following: a radio resource control RRC recovery complete message, an RRC setup complete message, and a UE information response message.

[0013] In some examples, the configuration information includes a flag indicating whether the measurement valid duration should be used to verify the measurement, and the determination of whether to follow the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration or the pre-configured measurement valid duration is performed based on the flag included in the configuration information. Additionally or alternatively, the configuration information may indicate that the pre-configured measurement valid duration should be applied to measurements performed by the terminal device in one of the idle mode and the inactive mode, and further indicate that the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration should be applied to measurements performed by the terminal device in the other of the idle mode and the inactive mode, wherein the component for determining is configured to determine to follow the pre-configured measurement valid duration for verification of the measurement performed by the terminal device in one of the idle mode and the inactive mode, and wherein the component for determining is configured to determine to follow the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration for verification of the measurement performed by the terminal device in the other of the idle mode and the inactive mode. Additionally or alternatively, the configuration information may be received at the terminal device from at least one base station of the telecommunications network in at least one of: a system information block SIB message, a radio resource control RRC message and / or a medium access control MAC message.

[0014] In a fourth aspect, the specification describes an apparatus (e.g., a network node or a base station) comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least perform operations including: sending configuration information by the network node to a terminal device, the configuration information indicating a modified configuration for a measurement validity duration pre-configured at the terminal device, wherein the measurement validity duration is used to verify the measurement of a signal received from at least one cell of a telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode. In some examples, the operation also includes receiving a verified measurement from the terminal device, the measurement being a measurement of a signal received from the at least one cell of the telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode. Additionally or alternatively, the configuration information may be sent to the terminal device in at least one of the following: a system information block SIB message, a radio resource control RRC message, and / or a media access control MAC message.

[0015] In a fifth aspect, the present specification describes a method comprising: receiving, at a terminal device, configuration information from at least one base station of a telecommunications network, the configuration information indicating a modified configuration for a measurement effective duration pre-configured at the terminal device, wherein the measurement effective duration is used to verify measurements of a signal received from at least one cell of the telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode; and determining whether to follow the modified configuration for the measurement effective duration or the pre-configured measurement effective duration.

[0016] In some examples, the method further includes: in response to determining that a modified configuration for the measurement valid duration is followed, verifying the measurement by applying the measurement valid duration according to the modified configuration indicated by the received configuration information; and reporting the verified measurement to the telecommunications network. Additionally or alternatively, the method may also include: in response to determining that a pre-configured measurement valid duration is followed, verifying the measurement by applying a pre-configured measurement valid duration; and reporting the verified measurement to the telecommunications network.

[0017] In some examples, the preconfigured measurement valid duration includes a first measurement valid duration received at the terminal device from at least one base station of the telecommunications network, wherein the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration indicated by the received configuration information includes a second measurement valid duration, and indicates that the second measurement valid duration overrules the first measurement valid duration, and wherein the component for determining is configured to follow the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration by using the second measurement valid duration for verification of the measurement. In other examples, the preconfigured measurement valid duration includes a first measurement valid duration received at the terminal device from at least one base station of the telecommunications network, and wherein the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration indicated by the received configuration information includes a second measurement valid duration, and indicates that the first measurement valid duration overrules the second measurement valid duration, and wherein the component for determining is configured to follow the preconfigured measurement valid duration by using the first measurement valid duration for verification of the measurement. In some such examples, the first measurement valid duration is included in a radio resource control RRC message received at the terminal device from at least one base station of the telecommunications network, and / or the second measurement valid duration is included in a system information block SIB message received at the terminal device from at least one base station of the telecommunications network.

[0018] In some examples, the measurement is determined to be valid when the measurement is performed by the terminal device during a time interval that corresponds to the measurement validity duration ending at a measurement report time. In other examples, the configuration information includes an evaluation reference time, and the terminal device is configured to determine that the measurement is valid when the measurement is performed by the terminal device during a time interval that corresponds to the measurement validity duration ending at the evaluation reference time. In some such examples, the evaluation reference time corresponds to the terminal device receiving at least one of a paging message and a user equipment UE information request message, or corresponds to the terminal device sending at least one of the following: a radio resource control RRC recovery complete message, an RRC setup complete message, and a UE information response message.

[0019] In some examples, the configuration information includes a flag indicating whether the measurement valid duration should be used to verify the measurement, and the determination of whether to follow the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration or the pre-configured measurement valid duration is performed based on the flag included in the configuration information. Additionally or alternatively, the configuration information may indicate that the pre-configured measurement valid duration should be applied to measurements performed by the terminal device in one of the idle mode and the inactive mode, and further indicate that the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration should be applied to measurements performed by the terminal device in the other of the idle mode and the inactive mode, wherein the component for determining is configured to determine to follow the pre-configured measurement valid duration for verification of the measurement performed by the terminal device in one of the idle mode and the inactive mode, and wherein the component for determining is configured to determine to follow the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration for verification of the measurement performed by the terminal device in the other of the idle mode and the inactive mode. Additionally or alternatively, the configuration information may be received at the terminal device from the at least one base station of the telecommunication network in at least one of: a system information block SIB message, a radio resource control RRC message and / or a medium access control MAC message.

[0020] In a sixth aspect, the present specification describes a method, comprising: sending, by a network node, configuration information to a terminal device, the configuration information indicating a modified configuration for a measurement validity duration pre-configured at the terminal device, wherein the measurement validity duration is used to verify measurements of signals received from at least one cell of a telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode. In some examples, the method further comprises: receiving from the terminal device verified measurements of signals received from at least one cell of the telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode. Additionally or alternatively, the configuration information may be sent to the terminal device in at least one of the following: a system information block SIB message, a radio resource control RRC message, and / or a media access control MAC message.

[0021] In a seventh aspect, the present specification describes a method comprising: sending configuration information to a terminal device or receiving configuration information at a terminal device, the configuration information indicating a modified configuration for a measurement effective duration pre-configured at the terminal device, wherein the measurement effective duration is used to verify measurements performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode on a signal received from at least one cell of a telecommunications network.

[0022] In an eighth aspect, the present specification describes a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least any one of the operations described above with reference to the fifth to seventh aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] For a better understanding of the present application, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is an example showing communication between a terminal device and a plurality of base stations;

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the operation mode of the terminal device;

[0026] Figure 3A and 3B is a schematic diagram of various operations that may be performed according to the examples described herein;

[0027] Figure 4 is an example message flow sequence;

[0028] Figure 5 and Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating various operations that may be performed according to examples described herein;

[0029] Figure 7 can be configured to perform reference Figures 1 to 6 Schematic diagrams of example configurations of terminal devices for describing various operations;

[0030] Figure 8 can be configured to perform reference Figures 1 to 6 Schematic diagrams of example configurations of base stations for describing various operations; and

[0031] Fig. 9 is an illustration of a computer readable medium on which computer readable code may be stored. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification and drawings.

[0033] In modern telecommunications networks, terminal equipment can perform measurements on signals received from one or more cells of the network. Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , a terminal device 100 is depicted together with cells 110 and 120. Merely as an example, the terminal device 100 is depicted as a smartphone and the cells 110 and 120 are depicted as base stations.

[0034] The network may configure the terminal device 100 to perform measurements of signals received from one or more cells of the network. For example, the terminal device 100 may be configured to perform measurements of carrier signals received from one or more neighboring cells. Such measurements may be reported to the network to support the performance of various network tasks, such as selecting a target cell for cell reselection or making a handover decision.

[0035] At any given time, a terminal device, such as terminal device 100, may be operating in one of a number of modes. For example, these operating modes (or "states") may include an idle mode, an inactive mode, and / or a connected mode. Figure 2 These modes are described in more detail. A terminal device operating in idle or inactive mode may perform measurements (e.g., carrier measurements) of signals received from one or more cells of the network, such as measurements used in a cell reselection process. Typically, these measurements are verified and reported to the network when transitioning to connected mode. This process may be referred to as early measurement reporting, EMR. EMR may facilitate the establishment of carrier aggregation or dual connectivity for transitioning a terminal device from inactive mode to connected mode.

[0036] A measurement performed by a terminal device may be considered valid if the measurement result meets a given measurement accuracy, such as a requirement of measuring a certain number of samples under specific radio conditions. Additionally or alternatively, a measurement valid duration may be used to validate the measurement. In this case, a measurement is considered valid when it is performed within a time interval defined using the measurement valid duration. For example, if the measurement valid duration is given by X, then the measurement may be considered valid if it was performed within the last [X] seconds before reporting the measurement to the network. The measurement valid duration (i.e., X) may be configured by the network (e.g., in an RRC message).

[0037] However, using the measurement valid duration to validate measurements in this way depends on the point in time at which the measurements are reported to the network (the "reporting opportunity"). Therefore, using a single fixed value for the measurement valid duration may not be appropriate for all possible network conditions that may be encountered by a terminal device. In other words, using a global value for the measurement valid duration for validating all measurements does not allow the validation process to adapt to different terminal device deployment scenarios. As will be appreciated, using a single fixed configuration for the measurement valid duration may not be optimal for terminal device measurement reporting performance and may result in terminal device power savings and / or a degradation in network performance (e.g., by causing the terminal device to perform / validate too many or too few measurements).

[0038] Therefore, it may be beneficial for the measurement validity duration to be configurable by the network, not just to help reduce power consumption when a terminal device is operating in an idle or inactive mode.Implementations of the techniques described herein may allow the network to configure the measurement validity duration for use in validating measurements performed by a terminal device.

[0039] Various aspects of the technology described herein involve receiving configuration information at a terminal device from at least one base station of a telecommunications network, the configuration information indicating a modified configuration for a measurement effective duration preconfigured at the terminal device, wherein the measurement effective duration is used to verify the measurement of a signal received from at least one cell of the telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode; and determining whether to follow the modified configuration for the measurement effective duration or the preconfigured measurement effective duration. Other aspects of the technology described herein involve sending configuration information by a network node to a terminal device, the configuration information indicating a modified configuration for a measurement effective duration preconfigured at the terminal device, wherein the measurement effective duration is used to verify the measurement of a signal received from at least one cell of the telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode.

[0040] As referenced below Figure 1 Described in more detail, various implementations of the techniques described herein may support configuration of a measurement effective duration for verifying terminal device measurements (such as EMR measurements) performed in an idle or inactive mode. As described above, this may help improve network performance. When a measurement effective duration shorter than the default measurement effective duration is configured, reduced power consumption at the terminal device may be achieved. When a measurement effective duration longer than the default measurement effective duration is configured, it may be ensured that a sufficient number of measurement opportunities can be obtained, thereby improving measurement-based decisions.

[0041] There are a variety of different implementation options for the execution and verification of measurements by the terminal device. Various aspects of the technology described herein may be particularly beneficial in situations where the terminal device considers non-3GPP sensory data (such as data from additional sensors of the terminal device that are not visible to the 3GPP process) when performing and / or verifying measurements. Such sensory data may be positioning data obtained from a global navigation satellite system or a motion sensor, such as an inertial sensor or a proximity sensor that detects hand position / blockage on the device. In this case, network-side configuration of the measurement validity duration used by the terminal device to verify the measurement can avoid degradation of network performance and / or terminal device power consumption.

[0042] Other aspects of the technology described herein relate to a terminal device determining whether to apply a measurement validity duration for verifying measurements of signals received from at least one cell of a telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode. This can further contribute to the increase in network performance and / or the reduction in power consumption of the terminal device as described above.

[0043] In some examples, the term "terminal device" or "user device" may refer to any device that a user uses to communicate. Figure 1The terminal device is depicted as a mobile phone or "smart phone", but it should be understood that the terminal device may include a variety of other devices, including but not limited to laptop computers, smart watches, tablet computers, and transportation-based terminal devices, such as those installed in cars, buses, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), airplanes, trains, or ships. Alternatively, the mobile terminal device may be carried by the user or worn on their body.

[0044] In some examples, the term "measurement" can refer to measurements performed by a terminal device on signals received from one or more cells of a network. For example, each measurement can include a measurement of a carrier signal (e.g., an NR and / or E-UTRA carrier) received from a given cell. Based on such measurements, the terminal device and / or the network can determine the most suitable cell for switching and / or reselection. In some examples, a measurement can be considered to be of sufficient quality when a specific number of samples of the corresponding carrier signal are measured. In the context of EMR, measurements performed in idle or inactive mode are reported to the network after transitioning to connected mode (e.g., once the connection has been secured). When such measurements are reported to the network, the measurements can be associated with a physical cell ID (PCI) indicating which cell they correspond to. As described below with reference to Figure 1 As described, the terminal device may verify the measurements before reporting them to the network.

[0045] In some examples, the term "terminal device operating mode" may refer to one of a plurality of modes (or "states") in which a terminal device (such as terminal device 100) may operate at a given time. Figure 2 As shown, these operating modes, generally indicated by reference numeral 2, may include a connected mode 201 ("RRC_CONNECTED"), an inactive mode 202 ("RRC_INACTIVE"), and an idle mode 203 ("RRC_IDLE"). This specific terminology of the reference RRC operating mode follows the 3GPP specification. Other systems may use another terminology, but generally, a connected mode refers to a mode in which a communication connection is established between a terminal device and an access node (such as a base station operating a cell). The establishment may include establishing configuration, identification, and / or security key features for the connection at the terminal device and the access node. Idle mode refers to a mode in which such a connection does not exist, for example, the connection has been terminated. Inactive mode generally refers to a mode in which a connection does exist but is in a standby or power saving state (referred to as an inactive mode). The measurements performed in these standby or power saving modes may depend on specification generation, and new power saving states may be considered in the future. In response to receiving a message (e.g., a radio resource control RRC message) from the network, the terminal device may switch from one mode to another. Various examples of such transitions will be given below.

[0046] It should be understood that although 5G terminology is used for the operating mode in this specification, other naming conventions may be used for similar or equivalent modes of 6G and above. Various aspects of the technology described herein may be applicable to terminal devices that adopt such modes.

[0047] In connected mode 201, the terminal device is connected to a cell of the network (i.e., an RRC connection has been established). In this mode, in response to receiving a release message (e.g., an 'RRC Release' message), the terminal device may transition to an idle mode. Similarly, in response to receiving a release message with a suspend (e.g., an 'RRC Release' message with a 'suspend' configuration), the terminal device may transition to an inactive mode.

[0048] In the inactive mode 202, the terminal device maintains a limited level of connection with a cell of the network in order to reduce the network signaling load. Compared with the idle mode, the inactive mode can achieve less waiting time when switching to the connected mode. In the inactive mode, in response to receiving a release message (e.g., an 'RRC Release' message), the terminal device can switch to the idle mode. On the other hand, in response to receiving a resume message (e.g., an 'RRCR Resume' message), the terminal device can switch to the connected mode.

[0049] In idle mode 203, the terminal device is not connected to a specific cell of the network. Due to the mobility of the terminal device during idle mode, the terminal device may change the cell it resides in via cell reselection. In idle mode, in response to receiving a setup message (e.g., an "RRC Setup" message), the terminal device may transition to connected mode.

[0050] It should be understood that other transitions are possible when a terminal device is handed over from one cell to another, or when cell reselection is performed. For example, in a handover scenario, the terminal device may directly switch from a connection mode for a first cell to a connection mode for a second cell. On the other hand, in a cell reselection scenario, the terminal device may switch from an idle or inactive mode for a first cell to an idle or inactive mode for a second cell. Other modes and / or transitions may be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0051] By way of example only, various methods and apparatus are described in detail below in the context of a cellular network, such as an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) network or a 5G network. However, it should be appreciated that the techniques described may be applicable to other types of communication networks, such as, but not limited to, other types of cellular networks. A cellular network may include one or more base stations, sometimes referred to as transmit-receive points (TRPs) or access points, such as, but not limited to, gNBs and / or eNBs. Although in Figure 1Only two base stations are shown in FIG, but a radio access network (RAN, NG-RAN) may typically include thousands of such base stations. The base stations may together provide cellular network coverage to one or more terminal devices over a wide geographical area.

[0052] While by no means limited to such implementations, examples of the techniques described herein may be readily integrated into any New Radio (NR) terminal device that performs measurements of signals received from one or more cells of a network, such as Early Measurement Report (EMR) measurements (e.g., as standardized in 3GPP Release 16). Furthermore, examples of the techniques described herein may be consistent with future enhancements to EMR behavior expected to be specified in 3GPP Release 18.

[0053] In some embodiments, for example depending on the characteristics of the cellular network, base stations and terminal devices within the network can be configured to communicate with each other using, for example, an OFDM-based communication scheme (such as orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) and / or cyclic prefix orthogonal frequency division multiple access (CP-OFDMA)).

[0054] As mentioned above, Figure 1 A terminal device 100 is depicted together with cells 110 and 120. Figure 1 In the example of , when operating in idle or inactive mode, the terminal device 100 performs measurements of signals received from cells 110 and 120. For example, these measurements may be used to switch the terminal device to connected mode (e.g. as part of a cell reselection process). Figure 1 The signals indicated by arrows in the figure may include carrier signals. In such examples, each of the carrier signals may be identified as coming from a specific cell. It should be understood that the signal measurement may include any one or a combination of signal strength measurement and signal quality measurement.

[0055] Measurements performed when the terminal device is operating in an idle or inactive mode may include cell reselection measurements and / or Early Measurement Report (EMR) measurements.

[0056] The terminal device 100 receives configuration information from at least one base station of the telecommunications network (e.g., via cell 110 or cell 120). The configuration information indicates a modified configuration for a measurement validity duration (i.e., the value X as described above) pre-configured at the terminal device. In this example, the measurement validity duration is used by the terminal device to verify measurements of signals received from at least one cell of the telecommunications network (e.g., cell 110 or cell 120) performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode.

[0057] In some examples, the configuration information may be included in an RRC message (e.g., an RRC release message) sent by at least one base station of the network for reception at the terminal device. In other examples, the configuration information is received at the terminal device in a system information block SIB message or a master information block MIB message from at least one base station of the telecommunications network. In other examples, the configuration information may be included in a medium access control MAC message (i.e., an in-band control message or a 6G control message) received at the terminal device from the network.

[0058] In some examples described in more detail below, multiple sets of configuration information may be received at a terminal device, each configuration information indicating a corresponding configuration for measuring the effective duration. For example, such a configuration may be received in any one or any combination of RRC, SIB, and MAC or other in-band messages. The configuration information received at the terminal device may indicate whether a given configuration overrides other configurations for measuring the effective duration, or alternatively, is overruled by other configurations for measuring the effective duration. In this way, and by way of example only, the network is able to implicitly or explicitly overrule a SIB message configuration for measuring the effective duration via an RRC release configuration, and vice versa.

[0059] After receiving the configuration information, the terminal device 100 determines whether to follow the modified configuration for the measurement effective duration or the pre-configured measurement effective duration. In response to determining to follow the modified configuration for the measurement effective duration, the terminal device 100 can verify the measurement by applying the measurement effective duration according to the modified configuration indicated by the received configuration information. On the other hand, in response to determining to follow the pre-configured measurement effective duration, the terminal device 100 can verify the measurement by applying the pre-configured measurement effective duration. After verifying the measurement using the modified configuration or the existing configuration for the measurement effective duration (i.e., the configuration indicated by the pre-configured value for the measurement effective duration), the terminal device 100 can report the verified measurement to the telecommunications network.

[0060] As described above, the configurations for the effective duration of measurement at the terminal device may overrule each other. For example, the pre-configured effective duration of measurement may include a first effective duration of measurement received at the terminal device from at least one base station of the telecommunications network, and the modified configuration for the effective duration of measurement indicated by the configuration information received from the network may include a second effective duration of measurement. In some examples, the configuration information received from the network and / or the modified configuration indicated by the information may indicate that the second effective duration of measurement overrules the first effective duration of measurement. In this case, the terminal device is configured to follow the modified configuration for the effective duration of measurement by using the second effective duration of measurement for verification of the measurement. In other examples, the configuration information received from the network and / or the modified configuration indicated by the information may indicate that the first effective duration of measurement overrules the second effective duration of measurement. In this case, the terminal device is configured to follow the pre-configured effective duration of measurement (i.e., using the existing configuration) by using the first effective duration of measurement for verification of the measurement.

[0061] In some examples, the first measurement validity duration is included in a radio resource control RRC message received at the terminal device from at least one base station of the telecommunications network. Additionally or alternatively, the second measurement validity duration is included in a system information block SIB message received at the terminal device from at least one base station of the telecommunications network.

[0062] In other words, various aspects of the technology described herein may allow for configuration of the measurement effective duration via multiple types of messages (e.g., RRC messages and SIB messages). In this way, adjustments to the configuration of the measurement effective duration at the terminal device may be dynamically introduced in response to changing conditions of one or more cells that the terminal device enters from an idle or inactive mode. As described below, the configuration received at the terminal device may be restricted to certain terminal device operating modes. For example, a configuration received in a SIB message may be used to overwrite a measurement effective duration configuration for verifying measurements performed in one of the idle or inactive modes, while a configuration received via RRC may be used to verify measurements performed in another of the idle or inactive modes.

[0063] In other words, the configuration information may indicate that a pre-configured measurement valid duration should be applied to measurements performed by the terminal device in one of the idle mode and the inactive mode, and further indicate that a modified configuration for the measurement valid duration should be applied to measurements performed by the terminal device in the other of the idle mode and the inactive mode. In this case, the terminal device is configured to follow the pre-configured measurement valid duration for verification of measurements performed by the terminal device in one of the idle mode and the inactive mode, and to follow the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration for verification of measurements performed by the terminal device in the other of the idle mode and the inactive mode. In other words, the terminal device may be configured using independent multiple values ​​X, one for measurements performed in the idle mode and another for measurements performed in the inactive mode. One of these X values ​​(e.g., for the idle mode) may be configured only via SIB signaling, while another (e.g., for the inactive mode) may be configured via dedicated signaling.

[0064] Generally, the pre-configured measurement valid duration and the measurement valid duration indicated in the configuration information may both be valid, but only under different operating conditions of the terminal device. Therefore, based on the dominant operating condition, the terminal device may select the pre-configured measurement valid duration or the measurement valid duration received in the configuration information. Under a first operating condition, the terminal device may select and apply the pre-configured measurement valid duration, and under a second operating condition that is different from or mutually exclusive to the first operating condition, the terminal device may select the measurement valid duration received in the configuration information.

[0065] In some examples, a measurement is determined to be valid when the measurement is performed by the terminal device during a time interval corresponding to a measurement valid duration ending at a measurement reporting time. Figure 3A Describe the situation in detail.

[0066] In other examples, the configuration information includes an evaluation reference time for use with the measurement validity duration when verifying the measurement. In this case, the terminal device is configured to determine that the measurement is valid when the measurement is performed by the terminal device during a time interval that corresponds to the measurement validity duration ending at the evaluation reference time. In other words, the evaluation reference time included in the configuration information may constitute a "hypothetical reporting opportunity" that is used instead of a "real" reporting opportunity (i.e., the point in time at which the measurement result is reported to the network) and may be configured and / or determined independently of the actual reporting opportunity. Figure 3B Describe the evaluation reference time in detail.

[0067] In some examples, the configuration information includes a flag or a field in a configuration object that indicates whether the measurement valid duration should be used to verify the measurement. In this case, the terminal device determines whether to follow the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration or the pre-configured measurement valid duration according to the flag included in the configuration information. In other words, the configuration for the measurement valid duration may include an RRC configurable flag that enables / disables verification using the measurement valid duration. When the flag indicates that the measurement valid duration is disabled, verification of the measurement (i.e., the measurement performed when the terminal device is in idle or inactive mode) is performed according to the internal terminal device measurement verification standard. In other words, the terminal device can be configured with a flag via a message from the network (e.g., an RRC release message or an RRC reconfiguration message). When the flag is set to true, the terminal device can report to the network measurements performed outside the time interval defined by the measurement valid duration, that is, measurements that may otherwise be considered to have failed verification. However, although the flag is enabled, the terminal device measurement may be required to meet other requirements, such as accuracy requirements, before reporting to the network. When the flag is set to false, as has been described, the terminal device utilizes the measurement verification duration when verifying the measurement. The default value of this flag may be set to false, indicating that the terminal device should apply the measurement verification duration for verifying measurements performed during operation in idle or inactive mode.

[0068] In some examples, a flag may be associated with a new authentication mechanism, in which case the flag disables the old authentication mechanism (ie, measurement validity duration) to prevent undesirable UE behavior.

[0069] If the measurement validity duration is not configured or is otherwise configured to be disabled, it may be specified that verification, except for the accuracy of the measurements, is left to the UE to implement. Otherwise, the terminal device is configured to use the measurement validity configuration as described above.

[0070] To avoid RRC reconfiguration, the network may configure subsequent behavior for RRC configuration. For example, the terminal device may be configured to maintain a configuration for measuring a valid duration (e.g., as a configuration object). In other words, the rules / configuration associated with a given X value may be stored for use in subsequent measurement verification scenarios.

[0071] According to various aspects of the technology described herein, it may be beneficial to provide a means by which a measurement validity duration can be interpreted in different ways and, if necessary, disabled. As described above, various aspects of the technology described herein relate to a terminal device (e.g., terminal device 100) determining whether to apply a measurement validity duration for verifying measurements of signals received from at least one cell of a telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or inactive mode.

[0072] In response to determining that the measurement validity duration applies, the terminal device uses the measurement validity duration to verify the measurement in the manner described above.After having verified the measurement, the terminal device then reports the measurement to the telecommunications network.

[0073] In response to determining that the measurement valid duration does not apply, the terminal device verifies the measurement without applying the measurement valid duration and reports the verified measurement to the telecommunications network.

[0074] In order to verify the measurement without applying the measurement validity duration, the terminal device may utilize data from at least one sensor of the terminal device. For example, as described above, the terminal device may have access to non-3GPP sensors. Such sensors may enable evaluation of whether close proximity conditions (e.g., terminal device movement, hand movement, or physical obstacles blocking the signal, etc.) and / or mobility conditions have changed. In the event of a change in proximity conditions, the terminal device may declare the measurement invalid. This is another example of verification according to internal verification criteria of the terminal device.

[0075] Yet another example of a terminal device internal validation criterion involves the terminal device using specific idle or inactive mode measurements of signal levels. For example, a signal above a certain strength may be determined to be valid according to these criteria.

[0076] In some examples, in response to the measurement effective duration being a specific value indicating that it should not be applied, the terminal device may determine not to apply the measurement effective duration. In other words, the X value may take a "special value" that is interpreted by the terminal device as a flag indicating that the measurement effective duration configuration is disabled. When the X value does not take the special value, it is usually applied (i.e., as described above with reference to the previous figures).

[0077] For example, the specific value (or special value) for measuring the effective duration may be at least one of the following: a maximum value (eg, X) for measuring the effective duration; max =0xFFF=4095), an out-of-range value for measuring the valid duration (e.g., a value not included in the RRC configuration), and / or an alternate value for measuring the valid duration (e.g., an RRC configuration alternate value).

[0078] In the case where a special value for the measurement effective duration is used, the terminal device is configured to have a rule by which the actual value of the measurement effective duration can be ignored when the measurement effective duration takes the special value. In this case, the terminal device will originally be in the interval defined by the value X (i.e., the reference Figure 3B Measurements outside of the "window" described in the UE's description (e.g., of a particular carrier) are considered valid and reported to the network. In some examples, internal terminal device validity criteria may need to be met before a measurement is reported to the network, such as requiring a certain number of samples for the measurement.

[0079] In some examples, the terminal device receives a flag indicating whether the measurement valid duration should be used to verify the measurement. Then, the determination as to whether the measurement valid duration should be applied is based on the flag. In other words, a flag enabling / disabling the measurement valid duration may be received at the terminal device.

[0080] Alternatively, the network may determine not to configure the measurement validity duration for the terminal device for use in verifying the measurement of the signal received from at least one cell of the telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in the idle mode or the inactive mode. For example, the network may determine not to configure the terminal device based on the type and / or capability of the terminal device. It should be understood that in this case, the verification of the measurement received from the terminal device does not use the measurement validity duration, but is verified according to the internal validity criteria of the terminal device as described above.

[0081] In other words, the configuration of the measurement valid duration may be disabled by the network. For example, the disabling may be based on the terminal device capability and / or chipset model identification. In some examples, the network may simply determine not to configure the value X in the first instance for the terminal device (e.g., using RRC signaling), rather than disabling the configuration.

[0082] When the measurement valid duration is not configured or has been disabled, the verification of measurements performed in idle / inactive mode depends on the terminal device implementation (i.e., performed according to internal verification standards). However, even when the measurement valid duration is not used, the terminal device may still require that measurement accuracy requirements must be met in order to report measurements to the network. In other words, the test must still be established through the SCell. In the case where a flag is used to enable or disable the measurement valid duration configuration, the flag can be based on terminal device capability signaling or based on terminal device type.

[0083] In some examples, in response to the terminal device being capable of enhanced measurements, the terminal device may determine that the measurement validity duration does not apply.

[0084] In this context, the difference between enhanced measurements and existing measurement solutions is as follows. When using existing measurement capabilities, the terminal device does not perform any additional measurements to verify the measurements, but uses the measurement valid duration instead. For the enhanced measurement capability, the measurement valid duration is not configured because it is assumed that the terminal device is always able to verify existing measurements (i.e., measurements performed in idle or inactive mode) with new measurements when verification is required.

[0085] For example, a terminal device may indicate support for both enhanced measurements and existing measurements, but not use the enhanced measurement procedure. Instead, the terminal device reports to the network that measurements have been performed and have been verified using the measurement validity duration, even though the measurements have not yet been performed by the terminal device. The "measurement" value indicated to the network in the report may be determined based on internal terminal device logic (e.g., the measurement may be estimated using predictive logic or artificial intelligence / machine learning models).

[0086] As an example only, the measurement effective duration can be configured to be 10 seconds. In this example, the terminal device has performed measurements eleven seconds ago. From the perspective of existing measurement-based verification (e.g., as described above), the measurements will be invalid and therefore not reported to the network. However, a terminal device with enhanced capabilities may ignore the measurement effective duration, even if it has not yet performed any additional measurements for the purpose of verifying the existing measurements, and may report the existing measurements as enhanced measurement results (e.g., based on measurements that meet the internal validity criteria of the terminal device). In other words, the terminal device may intentionally ignore the measurement effective duration and state that it supports enhanced measurements. However, the terminal device may consider the measurements performed eleven seconds ago to be valid without further verification. In this way, the results may be reported to the network earlier, for example, in an RRC recovery complete message.

[0087] In some examples, the terminal device includes: means for modifying a configuration of a measurement valid duration; and means for verifying the measurement by applying the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration.

[0088] For example, a terminal device may be able to use the measurement effective duration to perform verification in a test build of the terminal device software (e.g., terminal device firmware), but this functionality may be disabled in a production build. In a test scenario, the measurement effective duration may be dynamically modified at the terminal device, allowing the test case to be checked. When checking a given situation, a special behavior may allow the terminal device to utilize a specific value of the measurement effective duration based on the terminal device test profile. The behavior may be disabled when not under test conditions. In some examples, the behavior may only exist in a version of the terminal device software dedicated to testing. For example, the terminal device software may be compiled using a compiler flag that ensures that this portion of the software is not compiled for anything other than a test release version.

[0089] In some examples, the terminal device may observe non-3GPP sensors or use operator information to determine whether the terminal device is in a test environment and dynamically enable the parameter. As will be appreciated, such behavior may not be observed in a release build (e.g., as used in a field deployment) because the behavior is not compiled.

[0090] Figure 3A and 3B Examples are depicted in which a measurement valid duration is used to validate measurements performed while a terminal device is operating in an idle or inactive mode.

[0091] It should be understood that reference Figure 3A and 3B The various operations and entities described may correspond to the operations and entities described with reference to the previous figures.

[0092] exist Figure 3A In the example of , at time 301, the terminal device receives an initial configuration for the measurement validity duration. The initial configuration of the measurement validity duration may correspond to the above-mentioned pre-configured measurement validity duration. For example, this may be included in an RRC release message that signals the terminal device to transition from a connected mode to an idle / inactive mode.

[0093] At time 302, when operating in idle / inactive mode, the terminal device receives a new configuration for a measurement validity duration corresponding to a candidate cell. For example, the configuration may be received in a SIB message and may be used to verify measurements corresponding to a signal (e.g., a carrier signal) received from the candidate cell.

[0094] Times 303 and 304 may correspond to the point in time at which the terminal device is triggered to perform verification of measurements performed in idle or inactive mode. For example, time 303 may correspond to receiving an RRC setup or RRC recovery message at the terminal device, while time 304 may correspond to receiving an RRC reconfiguration message at the terminal device. By way of example only, time 304 is also depicted as the actual reporting opportunity at which the terminal device sends the verified results to the network.

[0095] exist Figure 3B In the example of , the evaluation reference point for the measurement valid duration is configured to be separate from the reporting opportunity. That is, as described above, a "hypothetical reporting opportunity" is used. In this example, the configuration for the measurement valid duration received from the network indicates whether the terminal device should use a hypothetical reference point to anchor the interval defined by the measurement valid duration, or use the actual reporting opportunity instead.

[0096] For example, the configuration may indicate that the evaluation reference point is at time 306. In this case, a measurement is determined to be valid when it is performed during a time interval whose length is given by the measurement valid duration and ends at the evaluation reference point 306. Figure 3B This is given by the authentication window between 305 and 306.

[0097] In other examples, the evaluation reference point may be configured with an offset. For example, the same verification window between 305 and 306 may be achieved using an evaluation reference point at time 307 and an offset equal to the difference between time 307 and 306.

[0098] When verification is performed using the evaluation reference point, the terminal device stores the results of the verification until the next possible reporting opportunity (eg, time 304), at which time the results are sent to the network.

[0099] In some examples, the evaluation reference point corresponds to the terminal device receiving at least one of a paging message and a user equipment UE information request message, or corresponds to the terminal device sending at least one of the following: a radio resource control RRC recovery complete message, an RRC setup complete message, and a UE information response message. As will be understood, the evaluation reference point may be before or after the actual reporting time.

[0100] In the "test case" embodiment described above, the configuration of the evaluation reference points may be used to verify the correct operation of the terminal device when validating and reporting measurements.

[0101] As with the previous example, measurements may be reported at the time of a configured reporting opportunity, whether a real reporting opportunity or a hypothetical reporting opportunity, only if the measurements also meet measurement accuracy requirements (eg, number of samples in specific radio conditions).

[0102] Figure 4 is a message flow sequence generally indicated by reference numeral 4 according to some aspects of the described technology. Message flow sequence 4 illustrates a method in which a method such as reference numeral 4 may be executed. Figures 1 to 3B Example implementations of aspects of the described procedures. In this example, a terminal device 100 in communication with cells 110 and 120 is shown.

[0103] In summary, Figure 4 Examples of the invention relate to a process for configuring a measurement validity duration at a terminal device, and to how the terminal device should utilize the measurement validity duration to verify measurements performed in an idle or inactive mode of operation.

[0104] It should be understood that reference Figure 4 The various operations and entities described may correspond to the operations and entities described with reference to the previous figures. Figure 4 The terminal equipment and cells described may correspond to reference Figures 1 to 3B Those described.

[0105] It should also be understood that reference Figure 4 The various operations described may be performed by entities other than those explicitly depicted. For example, some or all of the operations attributed to a terminal device may be performed by other terminal devices. Similarly, the various operations attributed to cells 110 and 120 may be performed by other network entities, such as core network (CN) entities, radio access nodes, or base stations (e.g., base stations in a serving cell of terminal device 100).

[0106] In operation 401, the terminal device operates in a connection mode.

[0107] In operation 402, the terminal device receives an RRC connection release message (or a release with suspend message) from the cell 120. In response to receiving the message, the terminal device transitions to an idle or inactive mode.

[0108] In operation 403, the terminal device operates in an idle or inactive mode. When operating in this mode, the terminal device may perform measurements of signals (eg, carrier signals) received from cells of the network as described above.

[0109] In some examples, the terminal device may store a time value associated with when the measured SSB was read. Additionally or alternatively, the terminal device may record an RSRP value or RSRQ value for the measurement.

[0110] In operation 404 , the terminal device receives a SIB message or a MIB message from the cell 110 .

[0111] In operation 405 , the terminal device determines whether to follow the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration. As explained above with reference to the previous figures, the modified configuration may be received in the RRC message of operation 402 or the SIB message of operation 404 .

[0112] As explained above with reference to the previous figures, if the network provides a SIB configuration for the measurement valid duration and the terminal device has also been configured using an RRC message, the configuration from the SIB message may overrule the configuration from the RRC message. Alternatively, if one configuration defines only a single value for the measurement valid duration, the configuration indicating a dedicated value and / or evaluation reference point for idle and / or inactive mode may overrule the configuration of a single value.

[0113] In other examples, the latest configuration received may overrule any previous configuration for the measurement validity duration. Since different configurations for the measurement validity duration may be valid at different times, information indicating which configuration is to be used for a given measurement may be stored with the measurement data. For example, the terminal device may maintain a window whose lower edge is the oldest measurement that satisfies the condition given by the configuration for the measurement validity duration, and whose upper edge is the latest sample that satisfies the condition.

[0114] In some examples, the configuration for the measurement validity duration may indicate that measurements performed prior to receipt of the new configuration should be discarded.

[0115] As will be appreciated, if an existing value of X is replaced with a larger value of X, then any measurements previously determined to be valid under the old configuration are also considered valid under the new configuration.

[0116] In some examples, when a later value X is less than an earlier value, the value of X configured at the terminal device (e.g., in an RRC release message) may be replaced by the value of X received in the later configuration. For example, if the RRC release message indicates a duration of 5 seconds and the SIB message indicates a duration of 60 seconds, the terminal device is not expected to "go back in time" (i.e., check measurements that were previously determined to be invalid), but to continue to verify measurements with a 5 second duration. Alternatively, measurements previously verified using a 5 second duration may be considered invalid.

[0117] In operation 406 , the terminal device uses the measurement valid duration to verify measurements performed while operating in an idle or inactive mode according to the determination made in operation 405 .

[0118] In operation 407, the terminal device reestablishes a connection with the network and reports the verification result to the network. For example, if the connection is restored, the terminal device may reconnect to the cell 120. Alternatively, a new connection with the cell 110 may be established.

[0119] Figure 5 is a flowchart depicting various operations that can be performed according to various examples. For example, Figure 5 The operations depicted in the figure may be performed by a terminal device or other suitable apparatus.

[0120] In operation S5.1, the terminal device receives configuration information from at least one base station of the telecommunications network, the configuration information indicating a modified configuration for a measurement validity duration pre-configured at the terminal device, wherein the measurement validity duration is used to verify measurements of signals received from at least one cell of the telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode.

[0121] In operation S5.2, the terminal device determines whether to follow the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration or the pre-configured measurement valid duration.

[0122] In some examples, the method includes operation S5.3a, wherein, in response to determining (in operation S5.2) to comply with the modified configuration for the measurement validity duration, the terminal device verifies the measurement by applying the measurement validity duration according to the modified configuration indicated by the received configuration information.

[0123] In some examples, the method includes operation S5.3b, wherein, in response to determining (at operation S5.2) that a preconfigured measurement valid duration is followed, the terminal device verifies the measurement by applying the preconfigured measurement valid duration.

[0124] In some examples, the method includes operation S5.4, in which the terminal device reports the verified measurement to the telecommunications network.

[0125] For the sake of brevity, these operations are discussed in detail above with reference to the previous figures, and such discussion will not be repeated here.

[0126] Of course, it should be understood. Figure 5 The various operations shown in FIG. 5 may correspond to the operations already described with reference to the previous figures. For example, operation S5.1 may correspond to the operations described in FIG. Figure 4 Operation 402 or 404; Operation S5.2 may correspond to the attached Figure 4 Operation 405; Operations S5.3a and S5.3b may correspond to the attached Figure 4 Operation 406; and operation S5.4 may correspond to the attached Figure 4 Operation 407.

[0127] Figure 6 is a flowchart depicting various operations that can be performed according to various examples. For example, Figure 6The operations depicted in the figure may be performed by a terminal device or other suitable apparatus.

[0128] In operation S6.1, the terminal device determines whether a measurement validity duration applies for verifying measurements of signals received from at least one cell of the telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode.

[0129] In some examples, the method includes operation S6.2, in which the terminal device verifies the measurement without applying the measurement validity duration.

[0130] In some examples, the method includes operation S6.3, in which the terminal device reports the verified measurement to the telecommunications network.

[0131] For the sake of brevity, these operations are discussed in detail above with reference to the previous figures, and such discussion will not be repeated here.

[0132] Of course, it should be understood. Figure 6 The various operations shown in may correspond to the operations already described with reference to the preceding figures. For example, operation S6.3 may correspond to Figure 4 Operation 407.

[0133] Figure 7 can be configured to perform reference Figures 1 to 6 Schematic diagram of an example configuration of a computing device 7 for describing various operations.

[0134] The computing device may include control means 700 configured to control the operation of other components forming part of the computing device 7 so as to enable the execution of the reference Figures 1 to 6 The computing device 700 may include a processing device 701 and a memory 702. Computer readable code 702-2A may be stored on the memory 702, and when executed by the processing device 701, the computer readable code causes the computing device 700 to perform any of the operations described herein.

[0135] In addition, the computing device may also include a display 703, a user interaction interface (UII) 704, a radio frequency interface 705 configured to interface with radio frequency signals sent and received via a radio frequency antenna array 705A, and a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) 706. In some examples, other satellite communication systems may be used instead of or in addition to GNSS 706.

[0136] Figure 8 can be configured to perform reference Figures 1 to 6 Schematic diagram of an example configuration of a base station 8 for describing various operations.

[0137] The base station 8, which may be referred to as an eNB or an access point (AP), includes a control device 800, which is configured to control the operation of other components forming part of the base station 8, so as to be able to send signals to and receive signals from UEs near its coverage area. For example, the base station control device 800 is configured to enable the transmission of reference signals to UEs within its coverage area. In addition, in some examples, the control device 800 may be configured to enable the reception of reference signal measurement data and / or location data from UEs in its coverage area. The control device 800 may also enable communication with other base stations and / or other network nodes. The control device 800 may be further configured to enable the execution of any other operations described herein with reference to the base station 8.

[0138] The base station 8 includes a radio frequency antenna array 805 configured to receive and transmit radio frequency signals. Figure 8 The base station 8 in FIG. 8 is shown as having an array 805A of three antennas, but this is illustrative only. The number of antennas may vary, for example, from one to hundreds.

[0139] The base station 8 also includes a radio frequency interface 805 and a control device 80, the radio frequency interface 805 being configured to interface with radio frequency signals received and transmitted by the antenna 805A. The radio frequency interface 805 may also be referred to as a transmitter, a receiver and / or a transceiver. The base station 8 may also include an interface 807, which may, for example, communicate with other network elements, such as other radio access network entities (such as other base stations) and / or core network entities.

[0140] The base station control device 800 can be configured to process signals from the radio frequency interface 805 to control the radio frequency interface 805 to generate appropriate RF signals to transmit information to the UE via a wireless communication link, and also exchange information with other base stations 8 and core network entities via the interface 807.

[0141] The control device 800 may include a processing device 801 and a memory 802. Computer readable code 802-2A may be stored on the memory 802, which when executed by the processing device 801 causes the control device 800 to perform any of the operations described herein and attributed to the base station 8.

[0142] Some further details of the components and features of the above-described devices / entities / means 7 and 8 and their alternatives will now be described.

[0143] The control device 700, 800 may include a processing device 701, 801 communicatively coupled to a memory 702, 802. The memory 702, 802 has computer readable instructions 702- 2A, 802-2A, when executed by the processing device 701, the computer readable instructions 702-2A, 802-2A cause the control device 700, 800 to cause the reference Figures 1 to 6 Execution of each of the described operations. In some examples, the control devices 700, 800 may be collectively referred to as "devices".

[0144] The processing device 701, 801 may be of any suitable composition and may include one or more processors 701A, 801A of any suitable type or suitable combination of types. In practice, the term "processing device" should be understood to cover computers with different architectures, such as single / multi-processor architectures and sequential / parallel architectures. For example, the processing device 701, 801 may be a computer that interprets computer program instructions 702- 2A, 802-2A and a programmable processor for processing data. The processing device 701, 801 may include multiple programmable processors. Alternatively, the processing device 701, 801 may be programmable hardware, for example, with embedded firmware. The processing device 701, 801 may alternatively or additionally include one or more dedicated circuits, such as a field programmable gate array FPGA, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a signal processing device, etc. In some cases, the processing device 701, 801 may be referred to as a computing device or a processing device.

[0145] The processing device 701, 801 is coupled to the memory 702, 802 and is operable to read / write data from the memory 702, 802. The memory 702, 802 may include a single memory unit or multiple memory units, on which computer-readable instructions (or codes) 702-2A, 802-2A are stored. For example, the memory 702, 802 may include a volatile memory 702-1, 802-1 and a non-volatile memory 702-2, 802-2. In such an example, the computer-readable instructions / program codes 702-2A, 802-2A may be stored in the non-volatile memory 702-2, 802-2 and may be executed by the processing device 701, 801 using the volatile memory 702-1, 802-1, which is used to temporarily store data or data and instructions. Examples of volatile memory include random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), etc. Examples of nonvolatile memory include read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, optical storage device, magnetic storage, etc.

[0146] Memories 702, 802 may be referred to as one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media or one or more storage devices. In addition, in addition to covering memories including both one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories, the term "memory" may also cover only one or more volatile memories, one or more non-volatile memories. In the context of this document, "memory" or "computer-readable medium" may be any medium or device that can contain, store, transmit, propagate or transfer instructions for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus or device (such as a computer).

[0147] The computer readable instructions / program code 702-2A, 802-2A may be pre-programmed into the control device 700, 800. Alternatively, the computer readable instructions 702-2A, 802-2A may arrive at the control device via an electromagnetic carrier signal, or may be copied from a physical entity 9 such as a computer program product, a memory device, or a recording medium such as a compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM) or a digital versatile disk (DVD), examples of which are described in Fig. 9 . Computer readable instructions 702-2A, 802-2A may provide logic and routines that enable the entity device / apparatus 7 or 8 to perform the above functions. A combination of computer readable instructions stored on a memory (of any type described above) may be referred to as a computer program product. In general, references to computer programs, instructions, code, etc. should be understood to express software for programmable processor firmware, such as programmable content of a hardware device, as instructions for a processor or configured settings or configuration settings for a fixed function device, gate array, programmable logic device, etc.

[0148] If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and / or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the above functions may be optional or may be combined. Similarly, it should also be understood that Figure 7 and Figure 8 The flowcharts are merely examples, and various operations depicted therein may be omitted, re-ordered, and / or combined.

[0149] Although the methods and apparatus have been described in conjunction with an E-UTRA network, it will be appreciated that they are not limited to such networks and are applicable to a variety of different types of radio networks.

[0150] Although various aspects of the methods and devices described herein are set out in the independent claims, further aspects may comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments and / or the dependent claims with features of the independent claims and not just the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

[0151] It is noted herein that although the above describes various examples, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, several changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0152] Finally, various additional aspects of the specification are described below.

[0153] In a first additional aspect, the specification describes a terminal device, comprising: means for determining whether to apply a measurement validity duration for verifying measurements of signals received from at least one cell of a telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode. In some examples, the terminal device further comprises: means for verifying the measurements without applying the measurement validity duration; and means for reporting the verified measurements to the telecommunications network. In some such examples, the means for verifying is configured to verify the measurements using at least one sensor of the terminal device.

[0154] In some examples, the means for determining is configured to determine not to apply the measurement effective duration in response to the measurement effective duration being a specific value indicating that the measurement effective duration should not be applied. In some such instances, the specific value for the measurement effective duration includes at least one of: a maximum value for the measurement effective duration, a value outside the range for the measurement effective duration, and / or an alternate value for the measurement effective duration.

[0155] In some examples, the terminal device may further include: a component for receiving a flag indicating whether the measurement effective duration should be used to verify the measurement, wherein the component for determining is configured to: in response to the flag indicating that the received flag indicates that the measurement effective duration should not be used to verify the measurement, determine that the measurement effective duration is not applied. Additionally or alternatively, the component for determining may be configured to determine that the measurement effective duration is not applied in response to the terminal device being capable of enhanced measurement. Additionally or alternatively, the terminal device may further include: a component for modifying the configuration of the measurement effective duration; and a component for verifying the measurement by applying the modified configuration for the measurement effective duration.

[0156] In a second additional aspect, the specification describes a network node, comprising: a component for determining not to configure a measurement validity duration for a terminal device, the measurement validity duration being used to verify measurements of a signal received from at least one cell of a telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode. In some examples, the component for determining is configured to determine not to configure the terminal device based on a type and / or capability of the terminal device. Additionally or alternatively, the network node may also include: a component for receiving a measurement from the terminal device, wherein the measurement has been verified according to an internal validity criterion of the terminal device.

[0157] In a third additional aspect, the specification describes an apparatus (e.g., a terminal device) comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least operations, the operations comprising: determining whether to apply a measurement validity duration for verifying measurements of signals received from at least one cell of a telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode. In some examples, the operations further comprise: verifying the measurements without applying the measurement validity duration; and reporting the verified measurements to the telecommunications network. In some such examples, the measurement results are verified using at least one sensor of the terminal device.

[0158] In some examples, the determining includes determining not to apply the measurement valid duration in response to the measurement valid duration being a specific value indicating that the measurement valid duration should not be applied. In some such examples, the specific value for the measurement valid duration includes at least one of: a maximum value for the measurement valid duration, a value outside the range for the measurement valid duration, and / or an alternate value for the measurement valid duration.

[0159] In some examples, the operation may further include: receiving a flag indicating whether the measurement valid duration should be used to verify the measurement, wherein the determination includes determining not to apply the measurement valid duration in response to the flag indicating that the received flag indicates that the measurement valid duration should not be used to verify the measurement. Additionally or alternatively, the determination includes determining not to apply the measurement valid duration in response to the terminal device being capable of enhanced measurement. Additionally or alternatively, the operation may further include modifying a configuration of the measurement valid duration; and verifying the measurement by applying the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration.

[0160] In a fourth additional aspect, the present specification describes an apparatus (e.g., a network node or base station) comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform operations, the operations comprising: determining not to configure a measurement effective duration for a terminal device for verifying measurements of signals received from at least one cell of a telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode. In some examples, the measurement effective duration is mandatory for the terminal device to apply. In some examples, the determination comprises determining not to configure the terminal device based on the type and / or capabilities of the terminal device. Additionally or alternatively, the operations may further comprise: a component for receiving measurements from a terminal device, wherein the measurements have been verified according to an internal validity criterion of the terminal device.

[0161] In a fifth additional aspect, the specification describes a method comprising: determining, by a terminal device, whether to apply a measurement validity duration for verifying a measurement of a signal received from at least one cell of a telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode. In some examples, the method further comprises: verifying the measurement without applying the measurement validity duration; and reporting the verified measurement to the telecommunications network. In some such examples, the measurement is verified using at least one sensor of the terminal device.

[0162] In some examples, the determining includes: determining not to apply the measurement valid duration in response to the measurement valid duration being a specific value indicating that the measurement valid duration should not be applied. In some such examples, the specific value for the measurement valid duration includes at least one of the following: a maximum value for the measurement valid duration, a value outside the range for the measurement valid duration, and / or an alternate value for the measurement valid duration.

[0163] In some examples, the method may further include: receiving a flag indicating whether the measurement valid duration should be used to verify the measurement, wherein the determination includes determining not to apply the measurement valid duration in response to the flag indicating that the received flag indicates that the measurement valid duration should not be used to verify the measurement. Additionally or alternatively, the determination includes determining not to apply the measurement valid duration in response to the terminal device being capable of enhanced measurement. Additionally or alternatively, the method may further include modifying the configuration of the measurement valid duration; and verifying the measurement by applying the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration.

[0164] In a sixth additional aspect, the specification describes a method comprising: determining not to configure a measurement validity duration for a terminal device, the measurement validity duration being used to verify measurements of a signal received from at least one cell of a telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode. In some examples, the determination comprises determining not to configure the terminal device based on a type and / or capability of the terminal device. Additionally or alternatively, the method may further comprise: receiving a measurement from the terminal device, wherein the measurement has been verified according to an internal validity criterion of the terminal device.

[0165] In a seventh additional aspect, the present specification describes a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least any of the operations described above with reference to the fifth and sixth additional aspects.

Claims

1. A terminal device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as At least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to perform at least the following operations: receiving configuration information from at least one base station of a telecommunications network, the configuration information indicating a modified configuration for a measurement validity duration pre-configured at the terminal device, wherein the measurement validity duration is used to verify measurements of signals received from at least one cell of the telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode; as well as A determination is made whether to follow the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration or a preconfigured measurement valid duration.

2. The terminal device according to claim 1, further configured to perform the following items: In response to determining that the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration is followed, verifying the measurement by applying the measurement valid duration according to the modified configuration indicated by the received configuration information; and The verified measurements are reported to the telecommunications network.

3. The terminal device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further configured to perform the following items: In response to determining that the preconfigured measurement valid duration is followed, verifying the measurement by applying the preconfigured measurement valid duration; and The verified measurements are reported to the telecommunications network.

4. The terminal device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the preconfigured measurement validity duration comprises a first measurement validity duration received at the terminal device from the at least one base station of the telecommunication network, wherein the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration indicated by the received configuration information includes a second measurement valid duration, and indicates that the second measurement valid duration overrules the first measurement valid duration, and Wherein the terminal device is configured to follow the modified configuration for the measurement validity duration by using the second measurement validity duration for verification of the measurement.

5. The terminal device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the preconfigured measurement validity duration comprises a first measurement validity duration received at the terminal device from the at least one base station of the telecommunication network, and wherein the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration indicated by the received configuration information includes a second measurement valid duration and indicates that the first measurement valid duration overrules the second measurement valid duration, and The terminal device is configured to comply with the preconfigured measurement valid duration by using the first measurement valid duration for verification of the measurement.

6. The terminal device according to claim 5, wherein the first measurement validity duration is included in a radio resource control (RRC) message received at the terminal device from the at least one base station of the telecommunication network, and / or Wherein the second measurement validity duration is included in a system information block (SIB) message received at the terminal device from the at least one base station of the telecommunication network.

7. The terminal device according to claim 1 or claim 2, Wherein the terminal device is configured to determine that the measurement is valid when the measurement is performed by the terminal device during a time interval corresponding to the measurement valid duration ending at a measurement reporting time.

8. The terminal device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the configuration information includes an evaluation reference time, and Wherein the terminal device is configured to determine that the measurement is valid when the measurement is performed by the terminal device during a time interval corresponding to the measurement valid duration ending at the evaluation reference time.

9. The terminal device according to claim 8, wherein the evaluation reference time corresponds to the terminal device receiving at least one of a paging message and a user equipment UE information request message, or corresponds to the terminal device sending at least one of the following: a radio resource control RRC recovery completion message, an RRC establishment completion message, and a UE information response message.

10. The terminal device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the configuration information includes a flag indicating whether the measurement validity duration should be used to verify the measurement, and The terminal device is configured to determine whether to follow the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration or the pre-configured measurement valid duration based on the flag included in the configuration information.

11. The terminal device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The configuration information indicates that the pre-configured measurement effective duration should be applied to measurements performed by the terminal device in one of the idle mode and the inactive mode, and also indicates that the modified configuration for the measurement effective duration should be applied to measurements performed by the terminal device in the other of the idle mode and the inactive mode, wherein the terminal device is configured to determine whether to follow the pre-configured measurement effective duration for verification of measurements performed by the terminal device in the one of the idle mode and the inactive mode, and to determine to follow the modified configuration for the measurement effective duration for verification of measurements performed by the terminal device in the other of the idle mode and the inactive mode.

12. The terminal device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The configuration information is received at the terminal device from the at least one base station of the telecommunication network in at least one of: a system information block SIB message, a radio resource control RRC message and / or a medium access control MAC message.

13. A network node, comprising: at least one processor; as well as At least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to perform at least the following operations: sending configuration information to a terminal device, the configuration information indicating a modified configuration for a measurement valid duration pre-configured at the terminal device, The measurement validity duration is used to verify measurements of signals received from at least one cell of a telecommunication network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode.

14. The network node according to claim 13, further configured to receive verified measurements from the terminal device, the measurements being measurements of signals received from the at least one cell of the telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in idle mode or inactive mode.

15. The network node according to claim 13 or claim 14 is configured to send the configuration information to the terminal device in at least one of the following: a system information block SIB message, a radio resource control RRC message, and / or a control message based on a medium access control MAC protocol header.

16. A method for communication, comprising: receiving, at a terminal device, configuration information from at least one base station of a telecommunications network, the configuration information indicating a modified configuration for a measurement validity duration preconfigured at the terminal device, wherein the measurement validity duration is used to verify measurements of signals received from at least one cell of the telecommunications network performed by the terminal device in an idle mode or an inactive mode; as well as A determination is made whether to follow the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration or a preconfigured measurement valid duration.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: in response to determining that the modified configuration for the measurement validity duration is followed, verifying the measurement by applying the measurement validity duration according to the modified configuration indicated by the received configuration information; as well as The verified measurements are reported to the telecommunications network.

18. The method according to claim 16 or claim 17, further comprising: In response to determining that the preconfigured measurement valid duration is followed, verifying the measurement by applying the preconfigured measurement valid duration; as well as The verified measurements are reported to the telecommunications network.

19. The method according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the preconfigured measurement validity duration comprises a first measurement validity duration received at the terminal device from the at least one base station of the telecommunication network, wherein the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration indicated by the received configuration information includes a second measurement valid duration, and indicates that the second measurement valid duration overrules the first measurement valid duration, and The method includes following the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration by using the second measurement valid duration for validation of the measurement.

20. The method according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the preconfigured measurement validity duration comprises a first measurement validity duration received at the terminal device from the at least one base station of the telecommunication network, and wherein the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration indicated by the received configuration information includes a second measurement valid duration and indicates that the first measurement valid duration overrules the second measurement valid duration, and The method comprises complying with a preconfigured measurement validity duration by using the first measurement validity duration for validation of the measurement.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the first measurement validity duration is included in a radio resource control (RRC) message received at the terminal device from the at least one base station of the telecommunication network, and / or The second measurement validity duration is comprised in a System Information Block (SIB) message received at the terminal device from the at least one base station of the telecommunications network.

22. The method of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the measurement is determined to be valid when the measurement is performed by the terminal device during a time interval corresponding to the measurement valid duration ending at a measurement reporting time.

23. A method according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the configuration information includes an evaluation reference time, and wherein the terminal device is configured to determine that the measurement is valid when the measurement is performed by the terminal device during the following time interval: the time interval corresponds to the measurement validity duration ending at the evaluation reference time.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the evaluation reference time corresponds to the terminal device receiving at least one of a paging message and a user equipment UE information request message, or corresponds to the terminal device sending at least one of the following: a radio resource control RRC recovery completion message, an RRC establishment completion message, and a UE information response message.

25. The method according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the configuration information includes a flag indicating whether the measurement validity duration should be used to verify the measurement, and Wherein the determination whether to follow the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration or the pre-configured measurement valid duration is performed based on the flag included in the configuration information.

26. The method according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the configuration information indicates that the pre-configured measurement valid duration should be applied to measurements performed by the terminal device in one of the idle mode and the inactive mode, and further indicates that the modified configuration for the measurement valid duration should be applied to measurements performed by the terminal device in the other of the idle mode and the inactive mode, wherein the determining comprises determining compliance with the preconfigured measurement valid duration for verification of measurements performed by the terminal device in the one of the idle mode and the inactive mode, and Wherein the determining comprises determining to follow the modified configuration for the measurement validity duration for verification of measurements performed by the terminal device in the other of the idle mode and the inactive mode.

27. A method according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the configuration information is received at the terminal device from the at least one base station of the telecommunications network in at least one of the following: a system information block (SIB) message, a radio resource control (RRC) message, and / or a medium access control (MAC) message.

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