Signal measurement operations for reducing power consumption at user equipment

Abstract

Cell reselection and other operations involving signal measurements at a UE may increase power consumption and operational complexity at the UE, such as a reduced capability UE (RedCap UE). In some scenarios, for example, a UE may need to frequently switch to a bandwidth portion other than its initial DL bandwidth portion (BWP) bandwidth to receive and measure synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) for cell reselection, which increases power consumption of the UE. Aspects described herein allow a UE to measure SSBs in one or more bandwidth portions that are not an initial DL bandwidth portion configured by a serving cell of the UE in response to an event trigger or a message received at the UE. The SSB may be associated with the serving cell of the UE or with a non-serving cell. The UE performs a cell reselection operation based on the measurement.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This patent application claims the benefit and priority of pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 431,001, filed on December 7, 2022, and U.S. Non - Provisional Application No. 18 / 489,781, filed on October 18, 2023, which are assigned to the assignee of the present application and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein and for all applicable purposes. Background of the Invention Field of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to communication systems and, more particularly, to signal measurement operations for reducing power consumption at user equipment.

[0004] Introduction

[0005] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasting. A typical wireless communication system may employ multiple access technologies that are capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of such multiple access technologies include Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) systems, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) systems, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) systems, Single - Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC - FDMA) systems, and Time - Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD - SCDMA) systems.

[0006] These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate at the city, national, regional, and even global levels. An example telecommunication standard is 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is part of the ongoing evolution of mobile broadband promulgated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to meet new requirements associated with latency, reliability, security, scalability (e.g., with respect to the Internet of Things (IoT)), and other requirements. 5G NR includes services associated with Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Massive Machine - Type Communication (mMTC), and Ultra - Reliable Low - Latency Communication (URLLC). Some aspects of 5G NR may be based on the 4G Long - Term Evolution (LTE) standard. Further improvements to 5G NR technology are needed. These improvements may also be applicable to other multiple access technologies and telecommunication standards that employ these technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The following presents an overview of one or more aspects to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This Summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is neither intended to identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor to describe the scope of any or all aspects. The sole purpose of this Summary is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a certain form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0008] Cell reselection and other operations involving signal measurements at a UE, such as a reduced-capability UE (RedCap UE), may increase power consumption and operational complexity at the UE. In some scenarios, for example, the UE may need to frequently switch to a bandwidth part outside the bandwidth of its initial downlink (DL) bandwidth part (BWP) to receive and measure a synchronization signal block (SSB) for cell reselection, which increases the power consumption of the UE. Aspects described herein allow the UE to measure an SSB in one or more bandwidth parts that are not the initial DL bandwidth part configured by the serving cell of the UE in response to an event trigger or a message received at the UE. The SSB may be associated with the serving cell of the UE or with a non-serving cell. The UE performs cell reselection operations based on the measurement.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus obtains at least one of a first measurement of a first synchronization signal block (SSB) within the bandwidth of an initial downlink (DL) bandwidth part configured by the serving cell of the apparatus or a DL reference signal quasi-co-located with the first SSB or a second measurement of a second SSB or a DL reference signal quasi-co-located with the second SSB, where the first SSB and the second SSB do not carry scheduling information for system information, and where the first SSB is associated with the serving cell of the apparatus and the second SSB is associated with a non-serving cell; and performs an additional measurement or a cell reselection operation based on at least one of the first measurement or the second measurement.

[0010] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus obtains at least one of a first measurement of a first synchronization signal block (SSB) or a DL reference signal quasi-co-located with the first SSB or a second measurement of a second SSB or a DL reference signal quasi-co-located with the second SSB in one or more bandwidth parts that are not the initial DL bandwidth part configured by the serving cell of the apparatus in response to an event trigger or a message received at the apparatus, where the first SSB is associated with the serving cell of the apparatus and the second SSB is associated with a non-serving cell; and performs an additional measurement or a cell reselection operation based on the at least one of the first measurement or the second measurement.

[0011] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus receives at least one of a set of capabilities of a user equipment (UE) or UE assistance information (UAI) associated with at least measurement relaxation; and transmits a configuration message associated with the measurement relaxation, wherein the measurement relaxation supports at least cell reselection operations of the UE based on a first measurement of a first synchronization signal block (SSB) within the bandwidth of an initial downlink (DL) bandwidth part of the UE or a second measurement of a second SSB, wherein the first SSB and the second SSB do not carry scheduling information for system information, and wherein the first SSB is associated with the apparatus and the second SSB is associated with a non-serving cell.

[0012] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus receives at least one of a set of capabilities of a user equipment (UE) or UE assistance information (UAI) associated with at least measurement relaxation; and transmits a configuration message associated with the measurement relaxation, wherein the measurement relaxation supports at least cell reselection operations of the UE based on a first measurement of a first synchronization signal block (SSB) or a DL reference signal quasi-co-located with the first SSB in one or more bandwidth parts that are not the initial DL bandwidth part configured by the apparatus in response to an event trigger or a message, or a second measurement of a second SSB or a DL reference signal quasi-co-located with the second SSB, wherein the first SSB is associated with a serving cell and the second SSB is associated with a non-serving cell.

[0013] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus obtains at least one of a first measurement of a first synchronization signal block (SSB) within the bandwidth of an initial downlink (DL) bandwidth part configured by a serving cell of the apparatus or a DL reference signal quasi-co-located with the first SSB, or a second measurement of a second SSB or a DL reference signal quasi-co-located with the second SSB, wherein the first SSB and the second SSB do not carry scheduling information for system information, and wherein the first SSB is associated with the serving cell of the apparatus and the second SSB is associated with a non-serving cell; and performs a cell reselection operation based on at least one of the first measurement or the second measurement.

[0014] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus obtains at least one of a first measurement of a first synchronization signal block (SSB) or a DL reference signal quasi-co-located with the first SSB in one or more bandwidth parts of an initial downlink (DL) bandwidth part not configured by the serving cell of the apparatus or a second measurement of a second SSB or a DL reference signal quasi-co-located with the second SSB in response to an event trigger or a message received at the apparatus, wherein the first SSB is associated with the serving cell of the apparatus and the second SSB is associated with a non-serving cell; and performs a cell reselection operation based on at least one of the first measurement or the second measurement.

[0015] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus provides at least one of a set of capabilities of the UE or UE assistance information (UAI) associated with at least measurement relaxation associated with small data transmission (SDT); and receives a configuration message for the measurement relaxation associated with the SDT.

[0016] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus receives at least one of a set of capabilities of a user equipment (UE) or UE assistance information (UAI) associated with at least measurement relaxation associated with small data transmission (SDT); and provides a configuration message associated with the measurement relaxation associated with the SDT.

[0017] To achieve the foregoing and related purposes, one or more aspects include the features described in detail below and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the drawings set forth in detail some illustrative features of one or more aspects. However, these features merely indicate some of the various ways in which the principles of the various aspects may be employed, and this specification is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and an access network.

[0019] Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B 、 Figure 2C and Figure 2D are diagrams respectively illustrating examples of a first 5G / NR frame, DL channels within a 5G / NR subframe, a second 5G / NR frame, and UL channels within a 5G / NR subframe.

[0020] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a base station and a user equipment (UE) in an access network.

[0021] Figure 4Shows a diagram illustrating an exemplary decomposed base station architecture.

[0022] Figure 5 Is a signal flow diagram illustrating an MO-SDT process based on two-step RACH.

[0023] Figure 6 Is a signal flow diagram illustrating an MO-SDT process based on four-step RACH.

[0024] Figure 7 Is a signal flow diagram illustrating an MO-SDT process based on CG.

[0025] Figure 8 Illustrates an example bandwidth of a serving cell and an initial BWP configured for a UE.

[0026] Figure 9 Illustrates an example bandwidth of a serving cell and an initial BWP configured for a UE.

[0027] Figure 10 Is a signal flow diagram illustrating measurement relaxation for cell reselection for CD-SSB-based event-triggered measurement according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 11 Is a signal flow diagram illustrating SRS transmission by RRC configuration, MAC-CE activation, or PDCCH command in a UE-specific initial UL BWP configured for small data transmission according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 12 Is a signal flow diagram illustrating BWP switching by MAC-CE command or PDCCH command for measuring CD-SSB outside a UE-specific initial DL BWP configured for small data transmission according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 13 Is a signal flow diagram illustrating CSI reporting on PUSCH or CSI reporting requested or activated by DCI or MAC-CE according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 14 Illustrates example DCI formats for supporting the operations described herein according to various aspects.

[0032] Figure 15A And Figure 15B Is a signal flow diagram according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 16 Is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication.

[0034] Figure 17A AndFigure 17B It is a flowchart of a method for wireless communication.

[0035] Figure 18 It is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flow between different components / assemblies in an exemplary device.

[0036] Figure 19 It is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware implementation of a device employing a processing system.

[0037] Figure 20 It is a flowchart of a method for wireless communication.

[0038] Figure 21 It is a flowchart of a method for wireless communication.

[0039] Figure 22 It is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flow between different components / assemblies in an exemplary device.

[0040] Figure 23 It is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware implementation of a device employing a processing system.

[0041] Figure 24 It is a flowchart of another exemplary method for wireless communication.

[0042] Figure 25 It is a flowchart of another method for wireless communication. Detailed Description

[0043] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. For the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts, the detailed description includes specific details. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0044] Certain aspects of a telecommunications system will now be presented with reference to various devices and methods. These devices and methods will be described in detail below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). These elements may be implemented using either electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0045] As an example, an element or any portion of an element or any combination of elements can be implemented as a "processing system" that includes one or more processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, systems on a chip (SoCs), baseband processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functions described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in the processing system can execute software. Software should be broadly construed to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, processes, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0046] Thus, in one or more example embodiments, the described functions may be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored or encoded as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computer storage media. Storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of the aforementioned types of computer-readable media, or any other medium capable of storing computer-executable code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer.

[0047] Figure 1 FIG. is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and access network 100. The wireless communication system (which is also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes base stations 102, UEs 104, an evolved packet core (EPC) 160, and another core network 190 (e.g., a 5G core (5GC)). The base stations 102 can include macro cells (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cells (low-power cellular base stations). Macro cells include base stations. Small cells include femtocells, picocells, and microcells.

[0048] The base station 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively, the evolved universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN)) can interface with the EPC 160 via a backhaul link 132 (e.g., the S1 interface). The base station 102 configured for 5G NR (collectively, the next-generation RAN (NG-RAN)) can interface with the core network 190 via a backhaul link 184. Among other functions, the base station 102 can perform one or more of the following functions: transfer of user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment tracking, radio access network information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of warning messages. The base stations 102 can communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via the EPC 160 or the core network 190) via a backhaul link 134 (e.g., the X2 interface). The backhaul link 134 can be wired or wireless.

[0049] Base station 102 can communicate wirelessly with UE 104. Each base station in base station 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographical coverage area 110. There may be overlapping geographical coverage areas 110. For example, small cell 102' may have a coverage area 110' that overlaps with the coverage areas 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network including both small cells and macro cells can be referred to as a heterogeneous network. The heterogeneous network may also include a home evolved Node B (eNB) (HeNB), which can provide services to a restricted group called a closed subscriber group (CSG). The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 can include an uplink (UL) (also called a reverse link) transmission from UE 104 to base station 102 and / or a downlink (DL) (also called a forward link) transmission from base station 102 to UE 104. The communication link 120 can use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. This communication link can pass through one or more carriers. For each carrier allocated in carrier aggregation with a total of up to Yx MHz (x component carriers) for transmission in each direction, base station 102 / UE 104 can use a spectrum with a bandwidth of up to Y MHz (e.g., 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, 100 MHz, 400 MHz, etc.). These carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. The allocation of carriers can be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers can be allocated for DL compared to UL). Component carriers can include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. The primary component carrier can be referred to as the primary cell (PCell) and the secondary component carriers can be referred to as secondary cells (SCells).

[0050] Some UEs 104 can communicate with each other using device-to-device (D2D) communication links 158. The D2D communication links 158 can use DL / UL WWAN spectrum. The D2D communication links 158 can use one or more sidelink channels, such as the physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), the physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), the physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), and the physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH). D2D communication can be through various wireless D2D communication systems, such as, for example, FlashLinQ, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

[0051] The wireless communication system may further include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 that communicates with a Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in the 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum. When communicating in the unlicensed spectrum, the STA 152 / AP 150 may perform a Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) before communication to determine whether the channel is available.

[0052] The small cell 102' may operate in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in the unlicensed spectrum, the small cell 102' may adopt NR and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum as that used by the Wi-Fi AP 150. The small cell 102' adopting NR in the unlicensed spectrum may improve the coverage of the access network and / or increase the capacity of the access network.

[0053] The base station 102, whether it is a small cell 102' or a large cell (e.g., a macro base station), may include an eNB, a gNodeB (gNB), or another type of base station. Some base stations, such as the gNB 180, may operate in the traditional sub-6 GHz spectrum, millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies, and / or near mmW frequencies to communicate with the UE 104. When the gNB 180 operates at mmW or near mmW frequencies, the gNB 180 may be referred to as a mmW base station. The Extremely High Frequency (EHF) is a part of the RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. The EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz, with wavelengths between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters. The radio waves in this frequency band may be referred to as millimeter waves. Near mmW may extend down to a frequency of 3 GHz, with a wavelength of 100 millimeters. The Super High Frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, which is also referred to as centimeter waves. Communication using the mmW / near mmW radio frequency band (e.g., 3 GHz - 300 GHz) has extremely high path loss and short distance. The mmW base station 180 may use beamforming 182 together with the UE 104 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short distance.

[0054] The base station 180 may send beamformed signals to the UE 104 in one or more transmission directions 182'. The UE 104 may receive beamformed signals from the base station 180 in one or more reception directions 182". The UE 104 may also send beamformed signals to the base station 180 in one or more transmission directions. The base station 180 may receive beamformed signals from the UE 104 in one or more reception directions. The base station 180 / UE 104 may perform beam training to determine the optimal reception direction and transmission direction for each of the base station 180 / UE 104. The transmission direction and reception direction of the base station 180 may be the same or may not be the same. The transmission direction and reception direction of the UE 104 may be the same or may not be the same.

[0055] The EPC 160 may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, a Serving Gateway 166, a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) Gateway 168, a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC) 170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway 172. The MME 162 may communicate with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 is a control node that processes signaling between the UE 104 and the EPC 160. Generally speaking, the MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All User Internet Protocol (IP) packets are passed through the Serving Gateway 166, which itself is connected to the PDN Gateway 172. The PDN Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. The PDN Gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 are connected to an IP service 176. The IP service 176 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS streaming service, and / or other IP services. The BM-SC 170 may provide functions for MBMS user service configuration and delivery. The BM-SC 170 may serve as an entry point for MBMS transmissions from content providers, may be used to authorize and initiate MBMS bearer services in a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMS Gateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS traffic to base stations 102 belonging to a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area for a particular broadcast service, and may be responsible for session management (start / stop) and for collecting eMBMS-related charging information.

[0056] The core network 190 may include an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, a Session Management Function (SMF) 194, and a User Plane Function (UPF) 195. The AMF 192 may communicate with a Unified Data Management (UDM) 196. The AMF 192 is a control node that processes signaling between the UE 104 and the core network 190. Generally speaking, the AMF 192 provides QoS flow and session management. All User Internet Protocol (IP) packets are passed through the UPF 195. The UPF 195 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. The UPF 195 is connected to an IP service 197. The IP service 197 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS streaming service, and / or other IP services.

[0057] A base station may also be referred to as a gNB, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), access point, base station transceiver, radio base station, radio transceiver, transceiver function, basic service set (BSS), extended service set (ESS), transmit receive point (TRP), or some other suitable term. Base station 102 provides an access point to EPC 160 or core network 190 for UE 104. Examples of UE 104 include cellular phones, smart phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), satellite radios, global positioning systems, multimedia devices, video devices, digital audio players (e.g., MP3 players), cameras, game consoles, tablet computers, smart devices, wearable devices, vehicles, electric meters, gas pumps, large or small kitchen appliances, healthcare devices, implants, sensors / actuators, displays, or any other similar functional devices. Some of the UEs in UE 104 may be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., parking meters, gas pumps, toasters, vehicles, heart monitors, etc.). UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, mobile station, subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, cell phone, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable term.

[0058] Referring again to Figure 1 , in some aspects, UE 104 may be configured to measure one or more synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) or QCL-based reference signals based on measurement relaxation to perform cell reselection operations or additional measurements (198).

[0059] Although the following description may focus on 5G NR, the concepts described herein may be applicable to other similar areas, such as LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, GSM, and other wireless technologies.

[0060] Figure 2A FIG. 200 is a diagram illustrating an example of a first subframe within a 5G / NR frame structure. Figure 2B FIG. 230 is a diagram illustrating an example of a DL channel within a 5G / NR subframe. Figure 2C FIG. 250 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second subframe within a 5G / NR frame structure. Figure 2D FIG. 280 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UL channel within a 5G / NR subframe. The 5G / NR frame structure may be FDD, where for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), the subframes within that set of subcarriers are dedicated to DL or UL, or may be TDD, where for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), the subframes in the set of subcarriers are dedicated to both DL and UL. In Figure 2A ,Figure 2C In the provided example, it is assumed that the 5G / NR frame structure is TDD, where subframe 4 is configured with slot format 28 (mostly DL), where D is DL, U is UL, and X is flexibly used between DL / UL, and subframe 3 is configured with slot format 34 (mostly UL). Although subframes 3 and 4 are shown as having slot formats 34 and 28 respectively, any particular subframe can be configured with any of the various available slot formats 0 - 61. Slot formats 0 and 1 are full DL and full UL respectively. The other slot formats 2 - 61 include a mixture of DL, UL, and flexible symbols. The UE is configured with the slot format by receiving a slot format indicator (SFI) (configured dynamically via downlink control information (DCI) or semi - statically / statically via radio resource control (RRC) signaling). Note that the following description also applies to a 5G / NR frame structure that is TDD.

[0061] Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels. A frame (10 ms) can be divided into 10 equal - sized subframes (1 ms). Each subframe can include one or more slots. A subframe may also include mini - slots, which can include 7, 4, or 2 symbols. Each slot may contain 7 or 14 symbols, depending on the slot configuration. For slot configuration 0, each slot can include 14 symbols, and for slot configuration 1, each slot can include 7 symbols. The symbols on the DL can be cyclic prefix (CP) OFDM (CP - OFDM) symbols. The symbols on the UL can be CP - OFDM symbols (for high - throughput scenarios) or discrete Fourier transform (DFT) - spread OFDM (DFT - s - OFDM) symbols (also known as single - carrier frequency - division multiple access (SC - FDMA) symbols) (for power - limited scenarios; limited to single - stream transmission). The number of slots within a subframe is based on the slot configuration and the parameter set. For slot configuration 0, different parameter sets μ0 to 5 allow each subframe to have 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 slots respectively. For slot configuration 1, different parameter sets 0 to 2 allow each subframe to have 2, 4, and 8 slots respectively. Thus, for slot configuration 0 and parameter set μ, there are 14 symbols per slot and 2μ slots per subframe. The sub - carrier spacing and symbol length / duration are functions of the parameter set. The sub - carrier spacing can be equal to 2 μ *15kKz, where μ is the parameter set from 0 to 5. Thus, the sub - carrier spacing for parameter set μ = 0 is 15 kHz, and the sub - carrier spacing for parameter set μ = 5 is 480 kHz. The symbol length / duration is negatively correlated with the sub - carrier spacing. Figures 2A to 2D An example is provided with slot configuration 0 having 14 symbols per slot and parameter set μ = 0 having 1 slot per subframe. The sub - carrier spacing is 15 kHz and the symbol duration is approximately 66.7 μs.

[0062] The resource grid can be used to represent the frame structure. Each time slot includes a resource block (RB) (also referred to as a physical RB (PRB)) that extends over 12 consecutive subcarriers. The resource grid is divided into multiple resource elements (REs). The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0063] As Figure 2A Illustrated, some of the REs in the RE carry reference (pilot) signals (RSs) for the UE. The RS can include a demodulation RS (DM-RS) for channel estimation at the UE (indicated as Rx for a particular configuration, where 100x is the port number, but other DM-RS configurations are possible) and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). The RS can also include a beam measurement RS (BRS), a beam refinement RS (BRRS), and a phase tracking RS (PT-RS).

[0064] Figure 2B Examples of various DL channels within a subframe of a frame are illustrated. The physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carries DCI within one or more control channel elements (CCEs), each CCE including nine RE groups (REGs), each REG including four consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol. The primary synchronization signal (PSS) can be in symbol 2 of a particular subframe of the frame. The PSS is used by the UE 104 to determine subframe / symbol timing and the physical layer identity. The secondary synchronization signal (SSS) can be in symbol 4 of a particular subframe of the frame. The SSS is used by the UE to determine the physical layer cell identity group number and the radio frame timing. Based on the physical layer identity and the physical layer cell identity group number, the UE can determine the physical cell identifier (PCI). Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the location of the aforementioned DM-RS. The physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carrying the master information block (MIB) can be logically grouped with the PSS and the SSS to form a synchronization signal (SS) / PBCH block (also abbreviated as SSB in this document). The MIB provides the system frame number (SFN) and the number of RBs in the system bandwidth. The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information not transmitted via the PBCH (such as system information blocks (SIBs)), and paging messages.

[0065] As Figure 2CAs illustrated, some of the REs in the RE carry DM-RS (indicated as R for a specific configuration, but other DM-RS configurations are possible) for channel estimation at the base station. The UE can transmit the DM-RS of the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and the DM-RS of the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The PUSCH DM-RS can be transmitted in the previous one or two symbols of the PUSCH. Depending on whether a short PUCCH or a long PUCCH is transmitted and depending on the specific PUCCH format used, the PUCCH DM-RS can be transmitted in different configurations. Although not shown, the UE can transmit the sounding reference signal (SRS). The SRS can be used by the base station for channel quality estimation to enable frequency-dependent scheduling of the UL.

[0066] Figure 2D Examples of various UL channels within a subframe of a frame are illustrated. The PUCCH can be located at the position indicated in one configuration. The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI), such as a scheduling request, a channel quality indicator (CQI), a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), a rank indicator (RI), and HARQ ACK / NACK feedback. The PUSCH carries data and can additionally be used to carry a buffer status report (BSR), a power headroom report (PHR), and / or UCI.

[0067] Figure 3It is a block diagram of the communication between the base station 310 in the access network and the UE 350. In the DL, the IP packets from the EPC 160 can be provided to the controller / processor 375. The controller / processor 375 implements the layer 3 and layer 2 functions. Layer 3 includes the radio resource control (RRC) layer, and layer 2 includes the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, the radio link control (RLC) layer, and the media access control (MAC) layer. The controller / processor 375 provides the RRC layer functions associated with the broadcast of system information (e.g., MIB, SIB), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-radio access technology (RAT) mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; the PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; the RLC layer functions associated with the transfer of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and re-ordering of RLC data PDUs; and the MAC layer functions associated with the mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0068] The transmit (TX) processor 316 and the receive (RX) processor 370 implement layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, which includes the physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. The TX processor 316 handles the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes such as binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase phase shift keying (M-PSK), and M-order quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM). The encoded and modulated symbols are then split into parallel streams. Each stream is then mapped to OFDM subcarriers, multiplexed with reference signals (e.g., pilots) in the time and / or frequency domain, and then combined together using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to generate a physical channel carrying a stream of time-domain OFDM symbols. The OFDM stream is space precoded to generate multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from the channel estimator 374 can be used to determine the encoding and modulation schemes, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimates can be derived from reference signals transmitted by the UE 350 and / or channel condition feedback. Each spatial stream is then provided to a different antenna 320 via a separate transmitter 318TX. Each transmitter 318TX modulates an RF carrier with the corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0069] At the UE 350, each receiver 354RX receives signals via its corresponding antenna 352. Each receiver 354RX recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to the receive (RX) processor 356. The TX processor 368 and the RX processor 356 implement layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. The RX processor 356 may perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for the UE 350. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 350, they may be combined by the RX processor 356 into a single OFDM symbol stream. The RX processor 356 then uses a fast Fourier transform (FFT) to convert the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain. The frequency-domain signal includes a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols and reference signals on each subcarrier are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation points transmitted by the base station 310. These soft decisions may be based on the channel estimates computed by the channel estimator 358. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted by the base station 310 on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to the controller / processor 359, which implements layer 3 and layer 2 functions.

[0070] The controller / processor 359 may be associated with a memory 360 that stores program code and data. The memory 360 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 359 provides demultiplexing between the transport channel and the logical channel, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the EPC 160. The controller / processor 359 is also responsible for error detection using the ACK and / or NACK protocols to support HARQ operations.

[0071] Similar to the functions described in connection with DL transmissions performed by the base station 310, the controller / processor 359 provides RRC layer functions associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functions associated with the transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and re-ordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with the mapping between the logical channel and the transport channel, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto TBs, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0072] Channel estimates derived by the channel estimator 358 based on reference signals or feedback transmitted by the base station 310 may be used by the TX processor 368 to select appropriate decoding and modulation schemes and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the TX processor 368 may be provided to different antennas 352 via a separate transmitter 354TX. Each transmitter 354TX modulates an RF carrier with the corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0073] UL transmissions are processed at the base station 310 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the receiver functions at the UE 350. Each receiver 318RX receives signals via its corresponding antenna 320. Each receiver 318RX recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to the RX processor 370.

[0074] The controller / processor 375 may be associated with a memory 376 that stores program code and data. The memory 376 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 375 provides demultiplexing between the transport channel and the logical channel, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 350. The IP packets from the controller / processor 375 may be provided to the EPC 160. The controller / processor 375 is also responsible for error detection using the ACK and / or NACK protocols to support HARQ operations.

[0075] At least one of TX processor 368, RX processor 356, and controller / processor 359 may be configured to perform aspects in conjunction with Figure 1 198 thereof. At least one of TX processor 316, RX processor 370, and controller / processor 375 may be configured to perform aspects in conjunction with Figure 1 198 thereof.

[0076] The deployment of a communication system, such as a 5G New Radio (NR) system, may be arranged with various components or constituent parts in a variety of ways. In a 5G NR system or network, network nodes, network entities, mobility elements of the network, radio access network (RAN) nodes, core network nodes, network elements, or network equipment (such as a base station (BS)) or one or more units (or one or more components) that perform base station functions may be implemented in an aggregated or disaggregated architecture. For example, a BS (such as a Node B (NB), evolved NB (eNB), NR BS, 5G NB, access point (AP), transmit receive point (TRP), or cell, etc.) may be implemented as an aggregated base station (also referred to as a stand-alone BS or monolithic BS) or a disaggregated base station.

[0077] An aggregated base station may be configured to utilize a radio protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single RAN node. A disaggregated base station may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed between two or more units, such as one or more central or centralized units (CUs), one or more distributed units (DUs), or one or more radio units (RUs). In some aspects, a CU may be implemented within a RAN node, and one or more DUs may be co-located with the CU, or alternatively, may be geographically or virtually distributed among one or more other RAN nodes. A DU may be implemented to communicate with one or more RUs. Each of the CU, DU, and RU may also be implemented as a virtual unit, i.e., a virtual central unit (VCU), a virtual distributed unit (VDU), or a virtual radio unit (VRU).

[0078] Base station type operations or network designs may consider the aggregation characteristics of base station functions. For example, a disaggregated base station may be used in an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open radio access network (O-RAN (such as a network configuration advocated by the O-RAN Alliance)), or a virtualized radio access network (vRAN, also referred to as a cloud radio access network (C-RAN)). Disaggregation may include distributing functions across two or more units at various physical locations, as well as virtually distributing the function of at least one unit, which may achieve flexibility in network design. The various units of a disaggregated base station or a disaggregated RAN architecture may be configured for wired or wireless communication with at least one other unit.

[0079] Figure 4 FIG. shows a diagram illustrating an exemplary disaggregated base station 400 architecture. The disaggregated base station 400 architecture may include one or more central units (CUs) 410, which may communicate directly with the core network 420 via a backhaul link, or indirectly with the core network 420 through one or more disaggregated base station units (such as a near real-time (near RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 425 via an E2 link, or a non-real-time (non RT) RIC 415 associated with a service management and orchestration (SMO) framework 405, or both). The CU 410 may communicate with one or more distributed units (DUs) 430 via a respective midhaul link (such as an F1 interface). The DU 430 may communicate with one or more radio units (RUs) 440 via a respective fronthaul link. The RU 440 may communicate with a respective UE 120 via one or more radio frequency (RF) access links. In some embodiments, the UE 120 may be served simultaneously by multiple RUs 440.

[0080] Each of the units (i.e., CU 410, DU 430, RU 440, and near RT RIC 425, non RT RIC 415, and SMO framework 405) may include one or more interfaces or be coupled to one or more interfaces that are configured to receive or transmit signals, data, or information (collectively referred to as signals) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each of the units or the associated processor or controller that provides instructions to the communication interfaces of these units may be configured to communicate with one or more of the other units via the transmission medium. For example, the units may include a wired interface that is configured to receive or transmit signals to one or more of the other units via a wired transmission medium. Additionally, the units may include a wireless interface that may include a receiver, a transmitter, or a transceiver (such as a radio frequency (RF) transceiver) that is configured to receive or transmit signals or both to one or more of the other units over a wireless transmission medium.

[0081] In some aspects, the CU 410 may host one or more higher layer control functions. Such control functions may include Radio Resource Control (RRC), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), etc. Each control function may be implemented using an interface that is configured to signal with other control functions hosted by the CU 410. The CU 410 may be configured to handle user plane functions (i.e., Central Unit - User Plane (CU - UP)), control plane functions (i.e., Central Unit - Control Plane (CU - CP)), or a combination thereof. In some specific implementations, the CU 410 may be logically split into one or more CU - UP units and one or more CU - CP units. When implemented in an O - RAN configuration, the CU - UP units may communicate bi - directionally with the CU - CP units via an interface such as the E1 interface. As needed, the CU 410 may be implemented to communicate with the DU 430 for network control and signaling.

[0082] The DU 430 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions for controlling the operation of one or more RUs 440. In some aspects, the DU 430 may host one or more of the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, and one or more high Physical (PHY) layers (such as modules for forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation, and demodulation, etc.) at least in part depending on a functional split (such as the functional split defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)). In some aspects, the DU 430 may also host one or more low PHY layers. Each layer (or module) may be implemented using an interface that is configured to signal with other layers (and modules) hosted by the DU 430 or with control functions hosted by the CU 410.

[0083] Lower layer functions may be implemented by one or more RUs 440. In some deployments, the RUs 440 controlled by the DU 430 may correspond to logical nodes that host RF processing functions or low PHY layer functions (such as performing Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming, Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, etc.) or both at least in part based on a functional split such as a lower layer functional split. In such an architecture, the RUs 440 may be implemented to handle over - the - air (OTA) communication with one or more UEs 120. In some specific implementations, the real - time and non - real - time aspects of the control plane and user plane communication with the RUs 440 may be controlled by the corresponding DU 430. In some scenarios, this configuration may enable the implementation of the DU 430 and CU 410 in a cloud - based RAN architecture such as a vRAN architecture.

[0084] The SMO framework 405 can be configured to support the RAN deployment and orchestration of both non-virtualized network elements and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 405 can be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements, and these dedicated physical resources can be managed via operation and maintenance interfaces (such as the O1 interface). For virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 405 can be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (such as the Open Cloud (O-Cloud) 490) to perform network element lifecycle management (such as instantiating virtualized network elements) via a cloud computing platform interface (such as the O2 interface). Such virtualized network elements can include, but are not limited to, the CU 410, DU 430, RU 440, and the Near RT RIC 425. In some specific implementations, the SMO framework 405 can communicate with the hardware aspects of the 4G RAN, such as the Open eNB (O-eNB) 411, via the O1 interface. Additionally, in some specific implementations, the SMO framework 405 can communicate directly with one or more RUs 440 via the O1 interface. The SMO framework 405 can also include a Non-RT RIC 415 configured to support the functions of the SMO framework 405.

[0085] The Non-RT RIC 415 can be configured to include logical functions that enable non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) workflows including model training and updating, or policy-based guidance of applications / features in the Near RT RIC 425. The Non-RT RIC 415 can be coupled to or communicate with the Near RT RIC 425 (such as via the A1 interface). The Near RT RIC 425 can be configured to include logical functions that enable near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources through an interface (such as via the E2 interface) via data collection and actions, and this interface connects one or more CUs 410, one or more DUs 430, or both, and the O-eNB to the Near RT RIC 425.

[0086] In some specific implementations, to generate the AI / ML models to be deployed in the near-RT RIC 425, the non-RT RIC 415 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server. Such information may be utilized by the near-RT RIC 425 and may be received from non-network data sources or from network functions at the SMO framework 405 or the non-RT RIC 415. In some examples, the non-RT RIC 415 or the near-RT RIC 425 may be configured to tune the RAN behavior or performance. For example, the non-RT RIC 415 may monitor the long-term trends and patterns of performance and employ an AI / ML model to perform corrective actions via the SMO framework 405 (such as reconfiguration via O1) or via creating RAN management policies (such as A1 policies).

[0087] A wireless communication network (e.g., a base station) may support small data transmission (SDT) of a UE. For example, the base station may allow the UE to transmit uplink small data in the UE's inactive mode (also referred to as the RRC_INACTIVE mode) without the UE transitioning to the UE's connected mode (also referred to as the RRC_CONNECTED mode). The uplink small data transmission from the UE may be referred to as mobile-originated (MO) SDT (abbreviated as MO-SDT herein).

[0088] Examples of uplink small data transmission may include a random access channel (RACH)-based SDT procedure and a configured grant (CG)-based SDT procedure. In some examples, the RACH-based SDT procedure may implement UL small data transmission in a RACH-based scheme (such as a two-step RACH procedure or a four-step RACH procedure). In some examples, the CG-based MO-SDT procedure may implement UL small data transmission on preconfigured PUSCH resources (e.g., reusing configured grant type 1). Subsequent transmissions of small data in UL and DL and (e.g., for the UE) state transition decisions may be controlled by the base station.

[0089] In some examples, NAS messages may be delivered within the SDT. For example, a signaling radio bearer (SRB) (such as SRB1 and / or SRB2) may be configured for small data transmission in the UE's inactive mode (e.g., the RRC_INACTIVE mode).

[0090] In some examples, this may enable the transfer of NAS messages via SRB2. Small data transmission can be further enhanced to support mobile terminated (MT) small data transmission (MT-SDT), such as downlink (DL) small data transmission from the base station to the UE. The UE may support paging-triggered SDT (e.g., MT-SDT). A MT-SDT triggering mechanism for the UE in the inactive mode (e.g., RRC_INACTIVE) may be available to support RA-SDT and CG-SDT as UL responses. The UE may support the MT-SDT procedure for initial DL data reception and subsequent UL / DL data transmission in the inactive mode (e.g., RRC_INACTIVE) of the UE.

[0091] Figure 5 FIG. 500 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a MO-SDT procedure based on two-step RACH. Figure 5 It includes UE 502 and base station 504.

[0092] UE 502 may receive an RRC release message 506 including a suspendConfig information element (IE), and the RRC release message may provide configuration information for the inactive mode (e.g., RRC_INACTIVE) to UE 502. At 508, UE 502 may enter the inactive mode (e.g., RRC_INACTIVE) in response to the RRC release message 506.

[0093] UE 502 may initiate a two-step RACH procedure by sending a random access preamble 510 to base station 504. The random access preamble 510 may be sent on the PRACH. UE 502 may use the PUSCH to send a payload 512. The payload 512 may carry an RRC resume request message (e.g., RRCResumeReq) and uplink data (e.g., uplink small data). The payload 512 may optionally include a BSR in the MAC control element (MAC-CE). The random access preamble 510 and the PUSCH payload 512 may be referred to as message A (MsgA) 514 of the two-step RACH procedure. Therefore, the transmission of the random access preamble 510 and the payload 512 represents step 1 of the two-step RACH procedure.

[0094] Base station 504 processes the random access preamble 510. When the random access preamble 510 is detected, base station 504 may process the payload 512.

[0095] The base station 504 responds by sending a response message 516 on the PDSCH. The response message may include contention resolution. The response message 516 may be referred to as message B (MsgB) 518 of the two-step RACH process. Thus, the sending of the response message 516 may represent step 2 of the two-step RACH process.

[0096] If uplink data still remains in the buffer of the UE 502 after the sending of the payload 512, the UE 502 may proceed to send the remaining uplink data in a subsequent data transmission at 520. In one example, the UE 502 may optionally send a subsequent uplink small data transmission 522 and may receive downlink data 524 in response to the subsequent uplink small data transmission 522. In some examples, the UE 502 may continue to send other subsequent uplink small data transmissions 526, 528 until the buffer of the UE 502 is emptied.

[0097] The UE 502 may receive an RRC release message 530. The UE 502 may remain in the inactive mode after receiving the RRC release message 530.

[0098] Figure 6 FIG. 600 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a MO-SDT process based on a four-step RACH. Figure 6 It includes a UE 602 and a base station 604. The four-step RACH process may be a contention-based random access process (CBRA) and may be initiated by the UE 602 to achieve initial access to the network (e.g., to achieve UL synchronization with the base station 604).

[0099] The UE 602 may receive an RRC release message 606 including a suspendConfig information element (IE), and the RRC release message may provide configuration information for the inactive mode (e.g., RRC_INACTIVE) to the UE 602. At 608, the UE 602 may enter the inactive mode (e.g., RRC_INACTIVE) in response to the RRC release message 606.

[0100] The UE 602 may initiate a four-step RACH process by sending a random access preamble 610. The random access preamble 610 may be referred to as message 1 (Msg1) of the four-step RACH process. The random access preamble 610 may be sent on the PRACH.

[0101] If the base station detects the random access preamble 610, the base station 604 responds with a random access response (RAR) message 612. The random access response message 612 may be referred to as message 2 (Msg2) of the four-step RACH procedure. In some examples, the random access response message 612 may include a timing advance, a UL grant for sending message 3 (Msg3) of the four-step RACH procedure using the PUSCH, and a temporary cell radio network temporary identifier (TC-RNTI).

[0102] The UE 602 may use the PUSCH to send a first uplink message 614 (e.g., Msg3). The first uplink message 614 may carry an RRC resume request message (e.g., RRCResumeReq) and uplink data (e.g., uplink small data). The first uplink message 614 may optionally include a BSR in the MAC-CE.

[0103] The base station 604 may use the PDSCH to send a response message 616 including contention resolution. The response message 616 may be referred to as message 4 (Msg4) of the four-step RACH procedure.

[0104] If uplink data still remains in the buffer of the UE 602 after the transmission of the first uplink message 614, the UE 602 may continue to send the remaining uplink data in a subsequent data transmission at 618. In one example, the UE 602 may optionally send a subsequent uplink small data transmission 620 and may receive downlink data 622 in response to the subsequent uplink small data transmission 620. In some examples, the UE 602 may continue to send other subsequent uplink small data transmissions 624, 626 until the buffer of the UE 602 is emptied.

[0105] The UE 602 may receive an RRC release message 628. The UE 602 may remain in the inactive mode after receiving the RRC release message 628.

[0106] Figure 7 FIG. 700 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a CG-based MO-SDT procedure. Figure 7 It includes a UE 702 and a base station 704. For example, the UE 702 may perform a CG-based MO-SDT procedure in a scenario where the UE 702 is stationary (or has low mobility), and the UE 702 may reuse a previously obtained timing advance (TA) during a connection mode procedure. The reuse of the TA value can ensure that the UE 702 maintains UL synchronization with the base station 704, and UL transmissions from the UE 702 will not interfere with UL transmissions of other UEs.

[0107] UE 702 may receive a configured grant resource configuration in an RRC release message 706 that includes a suspendConfig information element (IE), and the configured grant resource configuration may provide the UE 702 with configuration information for an inactive mode (e.g., RRC_INACTIVE). The configured grant resource configuration may indicate a pre-configured PUSCH resource. At 708, the UE 702 may enter the inactive mode (e.g., RRC_INACTIVE) in response to the RRC release message 706.

[0108] UE 702 may use the PUSCH resource indicated in the configured grant resource configuration to send a first uplink message 710 (also referred to as a configured grant transmission). The first uplink message 710 may carry an RRC resume request message (e.g., RRCResumeReq) and uplink data (e.g., uplink small data).

[0109] The base station 704 may use the PDSCH to send a response message 712. If the first UL message is successfully received at the base station 704, the response message 712 may indicate an ACK. Otherwise, the response message 712 may request retransmission of at least a portion of the first UL message.

[0110] If uplink data remains in the buffer of the UE 702 after the transmission of the first uplink message 710, the UE 702 may continue to send the remaining uplink data in a subsequent data transmission at 714. In one example, the UE 702 may optionally send a subsequent uplink small data transmission 716 and may receive downlink data 718 in response to the subsequent uplink small data transmission 716. In some examples, the UE 702 may continue to send other subsequent uplink small data transmissions 720, 722 until the buffer of the UE 702 is emptied.

[0111] UE 702 may receive an RRC release message 724. UE 702 may remain in the inactive mode after receiving the RRC release message 724.

[0112] One or more UEs described herein may be implemented as reduced-capability UEs (also referred to as RedCap UEs). For example, a RedCap UE may be a UE with reduced capabilities (also referred to as a low-tier UE or RedCap UE introduced in Release 17 of the 3GPP standard specifications). RedCap UEs may include, for example, wearable devices (e.g., smart wearable devices such as smartwatches), industrial wireless sensor networks (IWSNs), surveillance cameras, low-end smartphones, and / or relaxation IoT devices. For example, a RedCap UE will typically have more capabilities (e.g., processing capabilities, features, battery performance, etc.) than an IoT device (e.g., a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device), but fewer capabilities than a conventional UE (e.g., a conventional UE defined in Release 17 of the 3GPP standard specifications). For example, a conventional UE may be an enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) smartphone. Additionally, a RedCap UE may typically be more power consumption-sensitive than a conventional UE.

[0113] In some examples, a UE (e.g., a RedCap UE) may be configured with a bandwidth part (BWP) for UL and / or DL transmission, where the BWP is less than the total bandwidth of the serving cell of the UE. In some scenarios, the UE may perform RA-SDT in the BWP without a subsequent transmission, where the BWP does not include the cell definition (CD) SSB (abbreviated herein as CD-SSB). In some scenarios, the UE may perform RA-SDT in the BWP together with a subsequent transmission, where the BWP does not include the CD-SSB. In some scenarios, the UE may perform CG-SDT in the BWP, where the BWP does not include the CD-SSB. In some scenarios, the UE may use an NCD-SSB to perform CG-SDT.

[0114] For example, the cell definition SSB (CD-SSB) may include four consecutive symbols and may include the PSS, SSS, and PBCH. The PBCH in the CD-SSB may include scheduling information for System Information Block 1 (SIB1). SIB1 includes cell-specific information. In some examples, SIB1 (also referred to as the Remaining Minimum System Information (RMSI)) may include information required for the UE to obtain initial access to the network (e.g., a base station, a TRP, etc.), such as cell selection parameters related to the current cell, general access control parameters, configuration parameters of common physical channels related to the initial access process, etc.

[0115] CD-SSB can be sent periodically and can be "always on". In some examples, the period of the CD-SSB can be 20 ms (e.g., the CD-SSB can repeat every 20 ms). Each periodic transmission of the CD-SSB can include multiple consecutive CD-SSB transmissions within a preconfigured time window. In some examples, the preconfigured time window for the CD-SSB can be five milliseconds (ms).

[0116] The 3GPP standard specification for 5G NR can also provide support for non-cell-defined SSB (NCD-SSB). The NCD-SSB can include four consecutive symbols and can include PSS, SSS, and PBCH. The PBCH in the NCD-SSB may not include scheduling information for SIB1. Thus, in some examples, SIB1 may not be sent together with the NCD-SSB. One or more NCD SSBs can be sent within a preconfigured time window. In some examples, the preconfigured time window for the NCD-SSB can be five ms. In some examples, the preconfigured time window for the NCD-SSB can be in the first half or the second half of a 10 ms radio frame.

[0117] The base station can indicate to the UE the frequency of the NCD-SSB in the serving cell and the periodicity of the NCD-SSB in the serving cell. For example, the base station can send a first parameter (also referred to as absoluteFrequencySSB) that includes the frequency value for the NCD-SSB (e.g., the frequency value to which the NCD-SSB will be mapped) and a second parameter (also referred to as ssb-PeriodicityServingCell) that includes the periodicity value for the NCD-SSB. The periodicity value of the NCD-SSB can indicate the frequency at which the NCD-SSB will be sent.

[0118] The base station can send both NCD-SSB and CD-SSB in the UE's serving cell. In some examples, the NCD-SSB is sent at least in the initially configured DL BWP of the RedCap UE's serving cell. In some examples, the UE (e.g., RedCap UE) can use either or both of the NCD-SSB and CD-SSB for layer 1 (L1) measurements, layer 2 (L2) measurements, and / or layer 3 (L3) measurements.

[0119] In some scenarios, the UE may perform subsequent RA-SDT transmissions in a RedCap-specific separate initial BWP, where the initial BWP does not include CD-SSB. In some scenarios, the UE may perform CG-SDT in a RedCap-specific separate initial BWP, where the initial BWP does not include any SSB. In some scenarios, the UE may perform CG-SDT in a RedCap-specific separate initial BWP, where the initial BWP includes NCD-SSB but does not include CD-SSB.

[0120] Small data transmissions such as CG-SDT or RA-SDT may be supported as an optional feature for RedCap UEs. For RedCap UEs capable of SDT, DL resources for CG-SDT and / or RA-SDT may be configured in the initial DL BWP specific to the RedCap UE. In some cases, the initial DL BWP of the RedCap UE may not include the entire CORESET#0.

[0121] To reduce the complexity at the RedCap UE, CD-SSB or NCD-SSB may be configured in the RedCap-specific initial DLBWP for small data transmissions. This may enable the RedCap UE to perform operations based on the Synchronization Signal Reference Signal Receiving Power (SS-RSRP) (e.g., one or more Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP) measurements of SSBs such as CD-SSB or NCD-SSB).

[0122] In one example, the RedCap UE may use SS-RSRP to verify the Timing Advance (TA) for CG-SDT. In another example, the RedCap UE may use SS-RSRP to select and verify the CG-PUSCH timing for CG-SDT. In another example, the RedCap UE may use SS-RSRP to perform cell reselection during CG-SDT or RA-SDT.

[0123] When a RedCap UE performing CG-SDT has a valid TA and a valid CG-PUSCH timing, the RedCap UE generally has a sufficient link budget with the serving cell and moves at a low speed (or remains stationary), such that measurement relaxation may be considered in the RRC inactive state of the RedCap UE. In aspects described herein, the RedCap UE may perform CG-SDT or RA-SDT in the initial DL BWP configured with NCD-SSB, which may allow the UE to achieve power savings, overhead reduction, and / or signaling reduction.

[0124] Figure 8Illustrates an example bandwidth of a serving cell and an initial BWP configured for a UE (e.g., a RedCap UE). In Figure 8 the bandwidth 802 may represent the total bandwidth of the serving cell. For example, the bandwidth 802 may be defined between a first frequency (f0) 804 and a second frequency (f1) 806.

[0125] The RedCap UE may use the DL resource 808 to receive transmissions on the DL and may use the UL resource 810 to perform transmissions on the UL. The DL resource 808 includes an initial DL BWP 812 configured for the RedCap UE, and the UL resource 810 includes an initial UL BWP 820 configured for the RedCap UE. The initial DL BWP 812 may partially or fully overlap with the initial UL BWP 820. Each of the initial DL BWP 812 and the initial UL BWP 820 may be less than the bandwidth 802 of the serving cell. A portion 822 of the initial UL BWP 820 may be used for PUCCH.

[0126] The initial DL BWP 812 may include a CORESET and a search space (SS) set 816 for CG-SDT of the RedCap UE, and an NCD-SSB 814. The initial UL BWP 820 may include resources that the RedCap UE can use for PRACH, PUCCH, SRS, and CG-PUSCH.

[0127] In Figure 8 it should be noted that the initial DL BWP 812 of the RedCap UE may not include a CD-SSB. CD-SSBs are typically used for various purposes such as synchronization, power control, cell selection, and reselection. In some scenarios, the NCD-SSB 814 (if configured) may not be used for cell reselection.

[0128] For example, the RedCap UE may measure the NCD-SSB 814 and may determine that the quality of the serving cell (e.g., the measured signal strength) is below a threshold. Thus, the RedCap UE may need to reselect another cell to camp on. In the above scenario where the NCD-SSB 814 may not be used for cell reselection, the RedCap UE may need to switch from the initial DL BWP 812 to a BWP 824 outside the initial DL BWP 812 (e.g., this BWP includes CORESET#0) to measure the CD-SSB 828 for cell reselection purposes. Then, the RedCap UE may switch 932 back to the initial DL BWP 812.

[0129] Figure 9 Illustrates an example bandwidth of a serving cell and an initial BWP configured for a UE (e.g., a RedCap UE). In Figure 9 , the bandwidth 902 may represent the total bandwidth of the serving cell. For example, the bandwidth 902 may be defined between a first frequency (f0) 904 and a second frequency (f1) 906.

[0130] The RedCap UE may use the DL resource 908 to receive transmissions on the DL and may use the UL resource 910 to perform transmissions on the UL. The DL resource 908 includes an initial DL BWP 912 configured for the RedCap UE, and the UL resource 910 includes an initial UL BWP 920 configured for the RedCap UE. The initial DL BWP 912 may partially or fully overlap with the initial UL BWP 920. Each of the initial DL BWP 912 and the initial UL BWP 920 may be less than the bandwidth 802 of the serving cell. A portion 922 of the initial UL BWP 920 may be used for PUCCH.

[0131] The initial DL BWP 912 may include a CORESET and a search space (SS) set 916 for RA-SDT of the RedCap UE, and an NCD-SSB 914. The initial UL BWP 920 may include resources that the RedCap UE can use for PRACH, PUCCH, SRS, and PUSCH.

[0132] In Figure 9 , it should be noted that the initial DL BWP 912 of the RedCap UE may not include a CD-SSB. As previously described, the CD-SSB is typically used for various purposes such as synchronization, power control, cell selection, and reselection. In some scenarios, the NCD-SSB 914 (if configured) may not be used for cell reselection.

[0133] For example, a RedCap UE may measure NCD-SSB 914 and determine that the quality of the serving cell (e.g., the measured signal strength) is below a threshold. Thus, the RedCap UE may need to reselect another cell to camp on. In the above scenario where NCD-SSB 914 may not be used for cell reselection, the RedCap UE may need to switch from the initial DL BWP 912 to a BWP that includes CD-SSB. For example, the RedCap UE may switch 930 from the initial DL BWP 912 to a BWP 924 outside the initial DL BWP 912 (e.g., the BWP includes CORESET#0) to measure CD-SSB 928 for cell reselection purposes. Then, the RedCap UE may switch 932 back to the initial DL BWP 912.

[0134] In some aspects of the present disclosure, a UE (e.g., a RedCap UE) may apply measurement relaxation for cell reselection. In some examples, the UE may be configured with an initial DL BWP for CG-SDT (e.g., Figure 8 the initial DL BWP 812 in Figure 9 or an initial DL BWP for RA-SDT (e.g., the initial DL BWP 912 in

[0135] ), where the initial DL BWP includes NCD-SSB (e.g., NCD-SSB 914) but does not include CD-SSB. In the aspects described herein, the NCD-SSB may be configured by RRC or system information (SI). In these examples, the UE may apply measurement relaxation for cell reselection by performing cell reselection operations based on one or more measurements of the NCD-SSB.

[0135] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the UE may obtain measurements of the NCD-SSB transmitted by the serving cell of the UE (e.g., the cell on which the UE is currently camping) within the initial DL BWP configured for CG-SDT or RA-SDT. In some examples, the measurement of the NCD-SSB may be a reference signal received power measurement (RSRP) and / or other suitable measurements that can be used to determine the quality of the serving cell. In some examples, the UE may perform cell reselection operations based on the measurements of the NCD-SSB of the serving cell. In some examples, the UE may be in an inactive mode when obtaining the measurements and performing cell reselection operations.

[0136] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the UE may obtain measurements of NCD-SSBs transmitted by non-serving cells of the UE (e.g., neighboring cells of the serving cell) within the initial DL BWP configured for CG-SDT or RA-SDT. In some examples, the measurements of NCD-SSBs may be reference signal received power measurements (RSRP) and / or other suitable measurements that can be used to determine the quality of non-serving cells. In some examples, the UE may perform cell reselection operations based on the measurements of NCD-SSBs of non-serving cells. In some examples, the UE may be in the inactive mode when obtaining the measurements and performing cell reselection operations.

[0137] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the UE may perform cell reselection operations based on the measurements of NCD-SSBs of the serving cell and the measurements of NCD-SSBs of non-serving cells.

[0138] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the UE (e.g., RedCap UE) may apply measurement relaxation for cell reselection based on event-triggered measurements of CD-SSBs. For example, if the UE is configured with an initial DL BWP for CG-SDT (e.g., the initial DL BWP 812 in Figure 8 or an initial DL BWP for RA-SDT (e.g., the initial DL BWP 912 in Figure 9 ), and the initial DL BWP includes NCD-SSBs (e.g., NCD-SSB 814 or NCD-SSB 914) but does not include CD-SSBs (e.g., CD-SSB 828, 928), then the UE may measure CD-SSBs in a BWP outside the bandwidth of the initial DL BWP for CG-SDT or RA-SDT in response to an event trigger. In some examples, the CD-SSBs may be transmitted by the serving cell of the UE outside the initial DL BWP, or by a non-serving cell of the UE outside the BWP of the initial DL BWP configured for CG-SDT or RA-SDT.

[0139] In some aspects, the event trigger may be based on one or more conditions. For example, to satisfy the first condition of the event trigger, the UE (e.g., RedCap UE) may be based on the initial DL BWP for CG-SDT transmitted by the serving cell (e.g., the initial DL BWP 812 in Figure 8 or the initial DL BWP for RA-SDT (e.g., Figure 9The UE performs layer 1 (L1) measurements and / or layer 3 (L3) measurements based on the NCD-SSB transmitted in the initial DL BWP 912). To meet the second condition for event triggering, the UE may determine that the decision metric for the L1 measurement and / or L3 measurement based on the NCD-SSB is lower than a set of thresholds preconfigured by the RRC or SI for CG-SDT or RA-SDT. To meet the third condition for event triggering, the UE may have a valid timing advance (TA) and a valid CG-PUSCH timing for CG-SDT.

[0140] In some examples, if the UE is configured for CG-SDT, event triggering may occur when the UE meets the first, second, and third conditions described previously. It should be noted that the third condition described previously is associated with CG-SDT. Thus, in other examples, if the UE is configured for RA-SDT and not configured for CG-SDT, event triggering may occur when the UE meets the first and second conditions. In some aspects, in the case where the UE cannot support measurement relaxation for cell reselection for one or more measurements based on the NCD-SSB, the UE may apply measurement relaxation for cell reselection for event-triggered measurements based on the CD-SSB.

[0141] Reference Figure 10 Examples of measurement relaxation for cell reselection for event-triggered measurements based on the CD-SSB for RA-SDT or CG-SDT are described. Figure 10 FIG. 1000 is a signal flow diagram illustrating measurement relaxation for cell reselection for event-triggered measurements based on the CD-SSB in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 10 It includes a UE 1002 and a base station 1004. In some aspects, the UE 1002 may be a RedCap UE.

[0142] At 1006, the UE 1002 enters the RRC connected mode. At 1008, the UE 1002 and the base station 1004 may exchange UE capability signaling for small data transmission and measurement relaxation (e.g., measurement relaxation for cell reselection based on event-triggered measurements as described herein). For example, the capability set may indicate that the UE is capable of small data transmission (SDT), performing relaxed measurements during SDT, or other suitable capabilities. As another example, the UAI may indicate the UE relaxation state for performing different types of measurements (e.g., radio resource management (RRM), radio link monitoring (RLM), bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD)) while SDT is in progress, the availability of data and / or signaling mapped to radio bearers not configured for SDT, or other suitable UAIs. In some examples, the UAI may further include reports associated with the measurement of CD-SSBs and / or NCD-SSBs in the serving cell and non-serving cells (e.g., CSI reports or other suitable reports).

[0143] At 1010, the UE 1002 may receive an RRC configuration for small data transmission and measurement relaxation based on the UE capabilities. For example, all or part of the RRC configuration may be included in an RRC release message. The RRC message may indicate, for example, a certain number of SSBs (e.g., CD-SSBs and / or NCD-SSBs) associated with the serving cell and non-serving cells (e.g., neighboring or target cells for cell reselection) for the UE to measure. For example, the configured measurement relaxation may include a reduced duty cycle for measurements of serving / neighboring cells or a smaller number of neighboring cells to be measured. At 1012, the UE 1002 may enter the RRC inactive mode.

[0144] At 1014, the UE 1002 may measure an NCD-SSB, such as the NCD-SSB 1016 from the base station 1004. In some examples, the UE 1002 may obtain L1 measurements and / or L3 measurements of the NCD-SSB 1016. In some examples, the UE 1002 may further perform TA verification for CG-SDT. The NCD-SSB measurement may be further used for one or more evaluations or for measurement reporting, as further described in more detail below.

[0145] At 1018, the UE 1002 may send a first PUSCH transmission including an RRC resume request for small data transmission. In some examples, the first PUSCH transmission may be Msg3 of the four-step RACH procedure described herein or MsgA of the two-step RACH procedure described herein. In other examples, the first PUSCH transmission may be CG-SDT.

[0146] UE 1002 may receive network response 1020 from base station 1004. In some examples, network response 1020 may confirm an RRC resume request received from UE 1002 at base station 1004. The PDDCH and / or PDSCH used for the transmission of network response 1020 may be scrambled by the UE ID associated with UE 1002. For example, the network response may include an ACK / NACK for the first PUSCH transmission for CG-SDT. In other examples, the network response may be Msg4 of the four-step RACH process described herein or Msg B of the two-step RACH process described herein.

[0147] At 1022, UE 1002 may perform a first assessment for small data transmission based on NCD-SSB 1024 from base station 1004. In some examples, based on NCD-SSB 1024 and / or NCD-SSB 1016, the first assessment for small data transmission may include verification of the CG-PUSCH timing for CG-SDT, as well as time / frequency tracking and automatic gain control (AGC). In some examples, based on NCD-SSB 1024, the first assessment for small data transmission may include measurements for PRACH resource selection for RA-SDT, as well as time / frequency tracking and AGC. In some examples, UE 1002 may receive NCD-SSB 1024 in the initial DL BWP for CG-SDT (e.g., the initial DL BWP 812 in Figure 8 . UE 1002 may perform one or more small data uplink transmissions 1026, 1028 based on the first assessment.

[0148] At 1030, UE 1002 may perform a second assessment based on NCD-SSB 1032 from base station 1004. The second assessment may be performed for various purposes, including, for example, cell reselection, link quality measurement, and other suitable purposes. In some examples, the second assessment may include a determination of whether one or more conditions for the previously described event trigger are met. For example, to satisfy the first condition of the event trigger, UE 1002 may be based on the initial DL BWP for CG-SDT (e.g., the initial DL BWP 812 in Figure 8 or the initial DL BWP for RA-SDT (e.g., Figure 9perform L1 measurements and / or L3 measurements based on the NCD-SSB 1032 sent by the base station 1004 (e.g., serving cell) in the initial DL BWP 912). To meet the second condition for event triggering, the UE may determine that the decision metric based on the L1 measurements and / or L3 measurements of the NCD-SSB 1032 is lower than one or more thresholds preconfigured by the RRC or SI for CG-SDT or RA-SDT. To meet the third condition for event triggering, the UE may have a valid timing advance (TA) and a valid CG-PUSCH timing for CG-SDT, as described above.

[0149] The UE 1002 may optionally send a measurement report 1034 for the NCD-SSB (e.g., NCD-SSB 1032). For example, the measurement report may be an L1 or L3 measurement report including one or more measurements (e.g., SS-RSRP) of the NCD-SSB (e.g., NCD-SSB 1032) obtained by the UE. In some examples, the measurements included in the L3 measurement report may be collected by L1 but filtered and reported by L3 to eliminate the effects of fast fading and ignore short-term variations.

[0150] In one scenario, at 1036, if the previously described conditions for event triggering for CG-SDT or RA-SDT are met, the UE 1002 may switch to one or more BWPs that are not the initial DL BWP of the UE 1002. For example, the UE 1002 may switch to a BWP (e.g., BWP 824 or BWP 924) outside the bandwidth of the UE 1002's initial BWP in response to the event trigger to measure the CD-SSB. In other words, the UE 1002 may switch to a BWP that is not the active DL BWP (initial DL BWP) of the UE 1002.

[0151] Therefore, in the measurement relaxation for cell reselection for event-triggered measurements based on the CD-SSB described herein, a UE that performs small data transmission in its initial BW part may measure the NCD-SSB in the initial BW part and may determine that a cell reselection operation is needed. For example, if the measurement of the NCD-SSB is lower than at least one set of predefined thresholds, the UE may determine that a cell reselection operation is needed. The UE may switch to a BWP outside the UE's initial BWP to measure the CD-SSB of the UE's serving cell and / or the CD-SSB of an adjacent cell. Therefore, the measurement relaxation for cell reselection for event-triggered measurements based on the CD-SSB allows the UE to avoid periodically switching out of the UE's initial BWP for the purpose of measuring the CD-SSB. This may enable the UE to reduce the operation complexity, achieve power savings, and reduce the signaling overhead.

[0152] In another scenario, UE 1002 may receive message 1038, which instructs UE 1002 to measure the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals (RS) of the serving cell (e.g., base station 1004), the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of non-serving cells, and / or any other measurements for the serving cell or non-serving cells.

[0153] At 1040, UE 1002 measures the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of the serving cell (e.g., base station 1004), the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of non-serving cells, and / or any other measurements for the serving cell or non-serving cells in response to message 1038. UE 1002 may use one or more of these measurements for cell reselection or for purposes other than cell reselection. In some examples, message 1038 may be a PDCCH or MAC-CE addressed to the identifier (e.g., UEID) of UE 1002. In some examples, UE 1002 (e.g., at 1040) may perform L1 measurements, L2 measurements, and / or L3 measurements of the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of the serving cell, the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of non-serving cells, and / or any other measurements for the serving cell or non-serving cells.

[0154] In some aspects, message 1038 (e.g., PDCCH or MAC-CE) instructs UE 1002 to measure the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of the serving cell (e.g., base station 1004), the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of non-serving cells, and / or any other measurements for the serving cell or non-serving cells in one or more BWPs that are not the initial DL BWP of UE 1002 (e.g., outside the active DL BWP of UE 1002).

[0155] Thus, in the measurement relaxation for cell reselection for messages that instruct UE to measure CD-SSB as described herein, a UE (e.g., a RedCap UE) that performs small data transmission in its initial BW portion may apply the measurement relaxation for cell reselection based on the message received at the UE. For example, if the UE is configured with an initial DL BWP for CG-SDT (e.g., the initial DL BWP 812 in Figure 8 ), or an initial DL BWP for RA-SDT (e.g., Figure 9in the initial DL BWP (e.g., initial DL BWP 912) and the initial DL BWP includes NCD-SSB (e.g., NCD-SSB 814 or NCD-SSB 914) but does not include CD-SSB (e.g., CD-SSB 828, 928), the UE may measure the CD-SSB in a BWP outside the bandwidth of the initial DL BWP for CG-SDT or RA-SDT in response to a MAC-CE message or a message (e.g., DCI) received in the PDCCH. In some aspects, the MAC-CE message or the message received in the PDCCH requests or instructs the UE to measure the CD-SSB in a BWP outside the bandwidth of the initial DL BWP for CG-SDT or RA-SDT.

[0156] In some aspects, the payload, demodulation reference signal (DMRS), or CRC of the MAC-CE message or the message (e.g., DCI) received in the PDCCH may be scrambled by a sequence associated with the UE ID and may be transmitted in the UE's initial DL BWP. In some examples, the sequence associated with the UE ID may be a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI), such as a cell RNTI (C-RNTI), a configured scheduling RNTI (CS-RNTI), an inactive RNTI (I-RNTI), or a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) RNTI (MCS-RNTI).

[0157] Additional features for implementing measurement relaxation at the UE

[0158] The UE may support one or more additional features for implementing L1 / L3 measurement relaxation at the UE. In some aspects, these additional features may be supported by a RedCap UE for implementing L1 / L3 measurement relaxation during small data transmission.

[0159] The first additional feature may allow the UE to support RRC-configured, MAC-CE-activated, or PDCCH-commanded SRS transmission in a UE-specific initial UL BWP (e.g., RedCap UE-specific initial UL BWP) configured for small data transmission. In some examples, the RRC configuration, MAC-CE, or DCI may be transmitted in the UE-specific initial DL BWP, and the payload or CRC of the RRC configuration, MAC-CE, or DCI may be scrambled by a sequence associated with the UE ID (e.g., C-RNTI, CS-RNTI, I-RNTI, MCS-RNTI). Refer to Figure 11 Examples of specific implementations of the first additional feature are described.

[0160] Figure 11FIG. 1100 is a signal flow diagram illustrating RRC-configured, MAC-CE-activated, or PDCCH-commanded SRS transmissions in a UE-specific initial UL BWP (e.g., a RedCap UE-specific initial UL BWP) configured for small data transmission, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 11 It includes UE 1102 and base station 1104. In some aspects, UE 1102 may be a RedCap UE.

[0161] At 1106, UE 1102 enters the RRC connected mode. At 1108, UE 1102 and base station 1104 may exchange UE capability signaling for small data transmission and measurement relaxation (e.g., measurement relaxation for cell reselection as described herein). For example, the capability set may indicate that the UE is capable of small data transmission (SDT), performing relaxed measurements during SDT, or other suitable capabilities. As another example, the UAI may indicate the UE relaxation state for performing different types of measurements (e.g., radio resource management (RRM), radio link monitoring (RLM), bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD)) while SDT is in progress, the availability of data and / or signaling mapped to radio bearers not configured for SDT, or other suitable UAIs. In some examples, the UAI may further include reports associated with the measurement of CD-SSBs and / or NCD-SSBs in serving and non-serving cells (e.g., CSI reports or other suitable reports).

[0162] At 1110, UE 1102 may receive RRC configuration for small data transmission and measurement relaxation based on the UE capabilities. The RRC configuration may include an RRC release message. The RRC message may indicate, for example, a certain number of SSBs (e.g., CD-SSBs and / or NCD-SSBs) associated with the serving cell and non-serving cells (e.g., neighboring or target cells for cell reselection) for the UE to measure. For example, the configured measurement relaxation may include a reduced duty cycle for measurements of serving / neighboring cells or a smaller number of neighboring cells to be measured. At 1112, UE 1102 may enter the RRC inactive mode.

[0163] At 1114, UE 1102 may measure the NCD-SSB 1116 from base station 1104. In some examples, UE 1102 may obtain L1 measurements and / or L3 measurements of the NCD-SSB 1116. In some examples, UE 1102 may perform TA verification for CG-SDT. The NCD-SSB measurement may be further used for one or more evaluations or for measurement reporting, as described in more detail below.

[0164] At 1118, the UE 1102 may send a first PUSCH transmission including an RRC resume request for small data transmission. In some examples, the first PUSCH transmission may be Msg3 of the four-step RACH procedure described herein or MsgA of the two-step RACH procedure described herein. In other examples, the first PUSCH transmission may be CG-SDT.

[0165] The UE 1102 may receive a network response 1120 from the base station 1104. In some examples, the network response 1120 may confirm the RRC resume request received from the UE 1102 at the base station 1104. The PDDCH and / or PDSCH for the transmission of the network response 1120 may be scrambled by the UE ID associated with the UE 1102. For example, the network response may include an ACK / NACK for the first PUSCH transmission for CG-SDT. In other examples, the network response may be Msg4 of the four-step RACH procedure described herein or Msg B of the two-step RACH procedure described herein.

[0166] At 1122, the UE 1102 may perform an evaluation for small data transmission based on the NCD-SSB 1124 from the base station 1104. In some examples, based on the NCD-SSB 1124 and / or NCD-SSB 1116, the first evaluation for small data transmission may include verification of the CG-PUSCH timing for CG-SDT, as well as time / frequency tracking and automatic gain control (AGC). In some examples, based on the NCD-SSB 1024, the first evaluation for small data transmission may include measurements for PRACH resource selection for RA-SDT, as well as time / frequency tracking and AGC. In some examples, the UE 1102 may receive the NCD-SSB 1124 in the initial DL BWP for CG-SDT (e.g., Figure 8 the initial DL BWP 812 in ). The UE 1102 may perform one or more small data uplink transmissions 1126, 1128.

[0167] The UE 1102 may optionally send a measurement report 1130 (e.g., CSI report) including one or more measurements of NCD-SSB (e.g., NCD-SSB 1116, 1124). The base station 1104 may perform an evaluation of the link quality based on the CSI report transmitted from the UE 1102 to the base station 1104. In other examples, the base station 1104 may perform an evaluation of the link quality based on the UL small data transmissions 1126, 1128.

[0168] UE 1102 may receive a message 1130 that includes SRS configuration and activation. For example, UE 1102 may receive the message in response to a link quality assessment performed by the base station 1104. In one example, UE 1102 may receive the message if measurements (e.g., RSRP) of, for example, NCD-SSB are below one or more thresholds. In some examples, message 1130 may include RRC configuration for SRS configuration. In some examples, message 1130 may include a PDCCH (e.g., DCI) that commands SRS transmission at UE 1102. In some examples, message 1130 may include a MAC-CE that activates a previously RRC-configured SRS transmission at UE 1102.

[0169] UE 1102 may transmit SRS 1132 in response to message 1130. In some examples, UE 1102 transmits SRS 1132 in the initial UL BWP of UE 1102 that is configured for small data transmission (e.g., Figure 8 the initial UL BWP 820 in Figure 9 or the initial UL BWP 920 in

[0170] A second additional feature may allow the UE to support MAC-CE commanded or PDCCH commanded BWP switching for measuring CD-SSB outside the bandwidth of the UE-specific initial DL BWP that is configured for small data transmission. In some examples, the MAC-CE or DCI may be transmitted in the UE-specific initial DL BWP, and the payload or CRC of the MAC-CE or DCI may be scrambled by a sequence associated with the UEID (e.g., C-RNTI, CS-RNTI, I-RNTI, MCS-RNTI). Refer to Figure 12 for an example implementation of the second optional feature.

[0171] Figure 12 is a signal flow diagram 1200 illustrating MAC-CE commanded or PDCCH commanded BWP switching for measuring CD-SSB outside the UE-specific initial DL BWP (e.g., RedCap UE-specific initial DL BWP) that is configured for small data transmission according to various aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 12 It includes UE 1202 and base station 1204. In some aspects, UE1202 may be a RedCap UE.

[0172] At 1206, UE 1202 enters the RRC connected mode. At 1208, UE 1202 and base station 1204 may exchange UE capability signaling for small data transmission and measurement relaxation (e.g., measurement relaxation for cell reselection based on event-triggered measurements as described herein). For example, the capability set may indicate that the UE is capable of small data transmission (SDT), performing relaxed measurements during SDT, or other suitable capabilities. As another example, the UAI may indicate the UE relaxation state for performing different types of measurements (e.g., radio resource management (RRM), radio link monitoring (RLM), bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD)) while SDT is in progress, the availability of data and / or signaling mapped to radio bearers not configured for SDT, or other suitable UAI. In some examples, the UAI may further include reports associated with the measurement of CD-SSB and / or NCD-SSB in the serving cell and non-serving cells (e.g., CSI reports or other suitable reports).

[0173] At 1210, UE 1202 may receive an RRC configuration for small data transmission and measurement relaxation. For example, all or part of the RRC configuration may be included in an RRC release message. The RRC message may indicate, for example, a certain number of SSBs (e.g., CD-SSB and / or NCD-SSB) associated with the serving cell and non-serving cells (e.g., neighboring or target cells for cell reselection) for the UE to measure. For example, the configured measurement relaxation may include a reduced duty cycle for measurements of the serving / neighboring cells or a smaller number of neighboring cells to be measured. At 1212, UE 1202 may enter the RRC inactive mode.

[0174] At 1214, UE 1202 may measure NCD-SSB 1216 from base station 1204. In some examples, UE 1202 may obtain L1 measurements and / or L3 measurements of NCD-SSB 1216. In some examples, UE 1202 may perform TA verification for CG-SDT. The NCD-SSB measurement may be further used for one or more evaluations or for measurement reporting, as further described in more detail below.

[0175] At 1218, UE 1202 may send a first PUSCH transmission including an RRC resume request for small data transmission. In some examples, the first PUSCH transmission may be Msg3 of the four-step RACH procedure described herein or MsgA of the two-step RACH procedure described herein.

[0176] UE 1202 may receive a network response 1220 from base station 1204. In some examples, the network response 1220 may confirm an RRC resume request received from UE 1202 at base station 1204. The PDDCH and / or PDSCH used for the transmission of the network response 1220 may be scrambled by a UE ID associated with UE 1202. For example, the network response may include an ACK / NACK for the first PUSCH transmission for CG-SDT. In other examples, the network response may be Msg4 of the four-step RACH procedure described herein or Msg B of the two-step RACH procedure described herein.

[0177] At 1222, UE 1202 may perform an evaluation for small data transmission based on NCD-SSB 1224 from base station 1204. In some examples, based on NCD-SSB 1224 and / or NCD-SSB 1216, the first evaluation for small data transmission may include verification of the CG-PUSCH timing for CG-SDT, as well as time / frequency tracking and automatic gain control (AGC). In some examples, based on NCD-SSB 1024, the evaluation for small data transmission may include measurements for PRACH resource selection for RA-SDT, as well as time / frequency tracking and AGC. In some examples, UE 1202 may receive NCD-SSB 1224 in an initial DL BWP for CG-SDT (e.g., the initial DL BWP 812 in Figure 8 ). UE 1202 may perform one or more small data uplink transmissions 1226, 1228.

[0178] UE 1202 may receive a message 1230 (e.g., PDCCH or MAC-CE) addressed to an identifier (e.g., UE ID) of UE 1202. The message 1230 may command or instruct UE 1202 to switch to a BWP outside the bandwidth of the initial DL BWP of UE 1202 (e.g., outside the active DL BWP of UE 1202).

[0179] At 1232, UE 1202 switches to a BWP outside the bandwidth of the initial DL BWP of UE 1202 (e.g., outside the active DL BWP of UE 1202) in response to the message 1230. In some aspects, the message 1230 may include a PDCCH or MAC-CE that commands or instructs UE 1202 to obtain in-band measurements or inter-frequency measurements within a frequency outside the bandwidth of the initial DL BWP (e.g., outside the active DL BWP of UE 1202) in response to the message 1230 (e.g., PDCCH or MAC-CE).

[0180] At 1234, the UE 1202 obtains in-band measurements or inter-band measurements outside the bandwidth of the initial DL BWP (e.g., outside the active DL BWP of the UE 1202) in response to a message 1230 (e.g., PDCCH or MAC-CE). In some examples, the UE 1202 at 1234 may, in response to the message 1230, measure the CD-SSB or other DL reference signal of the serving cell (e.g., the base station 1204), the CD-SSB or other DL reference signal of a non-serving cell, and / or any other measurements for the serving cell or non-serving cell. The UE 1202 may use one or more of these measurements for cell reselection or for purposes other than cell reselection. In some examples, the UE 1202 (e.g., at 1234) may perform L1 measurements, L2 measurements, and / or L3 measurements of the CD-SSB or other DL reference signal of the serving cell, the CD-SSB or other DL reference signal of a non-serving cell, and / or any other measurements for the serving cell or non-serving cell.

[0181] A third additional feature may allow the UE to support CSI reporting on the PUSCH or CSI reporting requested or activated by DCI or MAC-CE. In some examples, the DCI or MAC-CE may be sent in the UE-specific initial DL BWP, and the payload or CRC of the DCI or MAC-CE may be scrambled by a sequence associated with the UE ID (e.g., C-RNTI, CS-RNTI, I-RNTI, MCS-RNTI). Refer to Figure 13 An example implementation of the third optional feature is described.

[0182] Figure 13 FIG. 1300 is a signal flow diagram illustrating CSI reporting on the PUSCH or CSI reporting requested or activated by DCI or MAC-CE in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 13 It includes a UE 1302 and a base station 1304. In some aspects, the UE 1302 may be a RedCap UE.

[0183] At 1306, the UE 1302 enters the RRC connected mode. At 1308, the UE 1302 and the base station 1304 may exchange UE capability signaling for small data transmission and measurement relaxation (e.g., measurement relaxation for cell reselection based on event-triggered measurements as described herein). For example, the capability set may indicate that the UE is capable of small data transmission (SDT), performing relaxed measurements during SDT, or other suitable capabilities. As another example, the UAI may indicate the UE relaxation state for performing different types of measurements (e.g., radio resource management (RRM), radio link monitoring (RLM), bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD)) while SDT is in progress, the availability of data and / or signaling mapped to radio bearers not configured for SDT, or other suitable UAIs. In some examples, the UAI may further include reports associated with the measurement of CD-SSB and / or NCD-SSB in the serving cell and non-serving cells (e.g., CSI reports or other suitable reports).

[0184] At 1310, the UE 1302 may receive an RRC configuration for small data transmission and measurement relaxation. For example, all or part of the RRC configuration may be included in an RRC release message. The RRC message may indicate, for example, a certain number of SSBs (e.g., CD-SSB and / or NCD-SSB) associated with the serving cell and non-serving cells (e.g., neighboring or target cells for cell reselection) for the UE to measure. For example, the configured measurement relaxation may include a reduced duty cycle for measurements of serving / neighboring cells or a smaller number of neighboring cells to be measured. At 1312, the UE 1302 may enter the RRC inactive mode.

[0185] At 1314, the UE 1302 may measure the NCD-SSB 1316 from the base station 1304. In some examples, the UE 1302 may obtain L1 measurements and / or L3 measurements of the NCD-SSB 1316. In some examples, the UE 1302 may perform TA verification for CG-SDT. The NCD-SSB measurement may be further used for one or more evaluations or for measurement reporting, as further described in more detail below.

[0186] At 1318, the UE 1302 may send a first PUSCH transmission including an RRC resume request for small data transmission. In some examples, the first PUSCH transmission may be Msg3 of the four-step RACH procedure described herein or MsgA of the two-step RACH procedure described herein. In other examples, the first PUSCH transmission may be CG-SDT.

[0187] UE 1302 can receive network response 1320 from base station 1304. In some examples, network response 1320 can confirm an RRC resume request received from UE 1302 at base station 1304. The PDDCH and / or PDSCH used for the transmission of network response 1320 can be scrambled by a UE ID associated with UE 1302. For example, the network response can include an ACK / NACK for the first PUSCH transmission for CG-SDT. In other examples, the network response can be Msg4 of the four-step RACH process described herein or Msg B of the two-step RACH process described herein.

[0188] At 1322, UE 1302 can perform an evaluation for small data transmission based on NCD-SSB 1324 from base station 1304. In some examples, based on NCD-SSB 1324 and / or NCD-SSB 1316, the first evaluation for small data transmission can include verification of the CG-PUSCH timing for CG-SDT, as well as time / frequency tracking and automatic gain control (AGC). In some examples, based on NCD-SSB 1324, the first evaluation for small data transmission can include measurements for PRACH resource selection for RA-SDT, as well as time / frequency tracking and AGC. In some examples, UE 1302 can receive NCD-SSB 1324 in an initial DL BWP for CG-SDT (e.g., the initial DL BWP 812 in Figure 8 . UE 1302 can perform one or more small data uplink transmissions 1326, 1328.

[0189] UE 1302 can receive a message 1330 (also referred to as a CSI report request control message) that requests and / or activates the transmission of a CSI report based on NCD-SSB measurements obtained at 1314, 1322. In some examples, message 1332 can include a PDCCH (e.g., DCI) that requests a CSI report from UE1302. In some examples, message 1330 can include a MAC-CE that activates the transmission of a CSI report at UE 1302.

[0190] UE 1302 may send CSI reports on resources scheduled via PDCCH (e.g., DCI), MAC-CE, or RRC (e.g., via message 1332). For example, the CSI report may be an L1 or L3 report including one or more measurements (e.g., SS-RSRP) of NCD-SSBs (e.g., NCD-SSB 1316, 1324) obtained by the UE. In some examples, the measurements included in the L3 measurement report may be collected by L1 but filtered and reported by L3 to eliminate the impact of fast fading and ignore short-term variations. In some examples, the CSI report may be sent in the UAI, multiplexed with UL data, or scheduled separately via DCI (as Figure 13 shown).

[0191] In one scenario, at 1334, if the previously described conditions for event triggering for CG-SDT or RA-SDT are met, UE 1302 may switch to one or more BWPs that are not the initial DL BWP of UE 1302 in response to the event trigger to measure CD-SSB. In other words, UE 1302 may switch to a BWP outside the bandwidth of the initial DL BWP of UE 1302 (e.g., outside the active DL BWP of UE 1302) to measure CD-SSB.

[0192] In another scenario, UE 1302 may receive message 1336 (e.g., PDCCH or MAC-CE) addressed to an identifier (e.g., UE ID) of UE 1302. Message 1336 may command or instruct UE 1302 to switch to a BWP outside the bandwidth of the initial DL BWP of UE 1302 (e.g., outside the active DL BWP of UE 1302). At 1338, UE 1302 switches to a BWP outside the initial DL BWP of UE 1302 (e.g., outside the active DL BWP of UE 1302) in response to message 1336.

[0193] In some aspects, message 1336 may include a PDCCH or a MAC-CE that commands or instructs UE 1302 to obtain intra-frequency measurements or inter-frequency measurements outside the initial DL BWP (e.g., outside the active DL BWP of UE 1302) in response to message 1336 (e.g., the PDCCH or the MAC-CE). For example, message 1336 may be transmitted based on an assessment of the link quality by base station 1304. For example, if measurements (e.g., RSRP) of, for example, NCD-SSBs 1316, 1324 are below one or more thresholds, base station 1304 may transmit message 1336. However, if the measurements are equal to or greater than one or more thresholds, base station 1304 may not transmit the message. In this example, UE 1302 may skip intra-frequency measurements / inter-frequency measurements for neighboring cells (e.g., if the CSI report of the serving cell indicates acceptable link quality of the serving cell), thereby saving UE power.

[0194] In some examples, UE 1302 at 1340 may measure the CD-SSB or other DL RS of the serving cell (e.g., base station 1304), the CD-SSB or other DL RS of a non-serving cell, and / or any other measurements for the serving cell or non-serving cell in response to message 1336. UE 1302 may use one or more of these measurements for cell reselection or for purposes other than cell reselection. In some examples, UE 1302 (e.g., at 1340) may perform L1 measurements, L2 measurements, and / or L3 measurements of the CD-SSB or other DL RS of the serving cell, the CD-SSB or other DL RS of a non-serving cell, and / or any other measurements for the serving cell or non-serving cell.

[0195] In some aspects, DCI that supports one or more of the operations described herein (e.g., measurement relaxation associated with small data transmission) may be transmitted in a UE-specific search space set or a common search space set configured for MO-SDT or MT-SDT. In some aspects, the size of a DCI format (such as a PDCCH that commands SRS transmission, CSI reporting, BWP switching, CD-SSB measurement, or a PDCCH that schedules a MAC-CE) that supports the operations described herein may be aligned with the size of a fallback DCI format (e.g., DCI format 1_0 or DCI format 0_0) or a compact DCI format (e.g., DCI format 1_2 or DCI format 2_2).

[0196] The payload or CRC of the DCI that supports one or more of the operations described herein may be scrambled by a sequence associated with an identifier of the UE (e.g., UE ID). For example, the UE ID may include a C-RNTI, CS-RNTI, I-RNTI, or MCS-RNTI.

[0197] In some aspects, when the initial DL BWP of the UE does not include CD-SSBs for paging, SIB1, other SI (OSI), and the common search space (CSS) set, the DCI may include one or more fields for indicating in-band and / or inter-band measurements within the frequency of the PDCCH command in a BWP that is not the UE's initial DL BWP (e.g., for in-band and / or inter-band measurements to be performed outside the bandwidth of the RedCap-specific initial DL BWP), and one or more fields for indicating BWP switching for re-acquiring updated SI in a BWP that is not the UE's initial DL BWP (e.g., for re-acquiring updated SI outside the bandwidth of the RedCap-specific initial DL BWP).

[0198] Figure 14 Exemplary DCI formats for supporting the operations described herein are illustrated in accordance with various aspects. Figure 14 Including a first DCI format 1410 (e.g., DCI format A), a second DCI format 1420 (e.g., DCI format B), and a third DCI format 1430 (e.g., DCI format C). In addition to one or more other DCI fields (e.g., DCI field_1 1412 to DCI field_M 1414, where M is an integer greater than two), the first DCI format 1410 may further include a DCI field 1416 for indicating in-band and / or inter-band measurements outside the bandwidth of the UE's active DL BWP. In other aspects, the DCI field 1416 may be used to indicate measurements for synchronization, channel state reporting, interference management, radio link monitoring, beam management, beam failure detection, power control, positioning, or radio resource management outside the bandwidth of the UE's active DL BWP. The first DCI format 1410 may include a reserved bit 1418.

[0199] In addition to one or more other DCI fields (e.g., DCI field_1 1422 to DCI field_M 1424, where M is an integer greater than two), the second DCI format 1420 may further include a DCI field 1426 for indicating system information re-acquisition outside the bandwidth of the UE's active DL BWP. For example, the DCI field 1426. In other aspects, the DCI field 1426 may be used to indicate monitoring of paging information outside the bandwidth of the UE's active DL BWP. The second DCI format 1420 may include a reserved bit 1428.

[0200] In addition to one or more other DCI fields (e.g., DCI fields 11432 to DCI field M 1434, where M is an integer greater than two), the third DCI format 1430 may further include a DCI field 1436 for indicating intra-frequency and / or inter-frequency measurements outside the bandwidth of the active DL BWP and a DCI field 1438 for indicating system information re-acquisition outside the bandwidth of the UE's active DL BWP. In other aspects, the DCI field 1436 may be used to indicate measurements for synchronization, channel state reporting, interference management, radio link monitoring, beam management, beam failure detection, power control, positioning, or radio resource management outside the bandwidth of the UE's active DL BWP. In other aspects, the DCI field 1438 may be used to indicate monitoring of paging information outside the bandwidth of the UE's active DL BWP. The third DCI format 1430 may include reserved bits 1440.

[0201] Figure 15A and Figure 15B is a signal flow diagram 1500 according to various aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 15A and Figure 15B includes a UE 1502, a first base station 1504 (also referred to as the serving cell of the UE 1502), and a second base station 1506 (also referred to as the non-serving cell of the UE 1502). In some aspects, the UE 1502 may be a RedCap UE.

[0202] At 1508, the UE 1502 enters the RRC connected mode.

[0203] The UE 1502 transmits a message 1510 that indicates the UE 1502's set of capabilities and a UAI associated with at least one of the following: measurement relaxation of a UE in an inactive or idle state, cell reselection operation, small data transmission, or small data reception. For example, the set of capabilities may indicate that the UE is capable of small data transmission (SDT), performing relaxed measurements during SDT, or other suitable capabilities. As another example, the UAI may indicate the UE relaxation state for performing different types of measurements (e.g., radio resource management (RRM), radio link monitoring (RLM), bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD)) while SDT is in progress, the availability of data and / or signaling mapped to radio bearers not configured for SDT, or other suitable UAI. In some examples, the UAI may further include a report associated with the measurement of CD-SSB and / or NCD-SSB in the serving cell and the non-serving cell (e.g., a CSI report or other suitable report).

[0204] UE 1502 receives (e.g., in response to message 1510) a configuration message 1512 for measurement relaxation associated with cell reselection operations. For example, the UE may receive an RRC message that configures the UE for measurement relaxation for cell reselection. The RRC message may indicate, for example, a certain number of SSBs (e.g., CD-SSBs and / or NCD-SSBs) associated with the serving cell and non-serving cells (e.g., neighboring or target cells for cell reselection) for the UE to measure. For example, the configured measurement relaxation may include a reduced duty cycle for measurements of serving / neighboring cells or a smaller number of neighboring cells to be measured.

[0205] At 1514, UE 1502 enters the RRC Inactive mode.

[0206] At 1516, UE 1502 obtains one or more measurements of the serving cell (e.g., the first base station 1504) and / or non-serving cells (e.g., the second base station 1506) of UE 1502 in the initial DL BWP configured for UE 1502 by the serving cell (e.g., base station 1504). The initial DL BWP may support small data transmission of UE 1502 in the Inactive mode or Idle mode. For example, UE 1502 may obtain measurements of SSB 1518 or DL reference signal 1520 (e.g., tracking RS, positioning RS, CSI-RS, or cross-link interference reference signal (CLI-RS)) that is quasi-co-located with SSB 1518 from the serving cell in the initial DL BWP, and / or may obtain measurements of SSB 1522 or DL reference signal 1524 (e.g., tracking RS, positioning RS, CSI-RS, CLI-RS) that is quasi-co-located with SSB 1522 from the non-serving cell in the initial DL BWP. For example, each of SSBs 1518, 1522 may be an NCD-SSB.

[0207] UE 1502 may optionally receive a first control message 1526 that requests UE 1502 to: modify resources configured for small data transmission or reception in the serving cell; preempt, cancel, or terminate small data reception in the serving cell; cancel or terminate small data transmission in the serving cell; or release resources configured for small data transmission or reception in the serving cell. In some examples, the first control message 1514 may include an RRC message, MAC-CE, or DCI. In some examples, the first control message 1514 may be transmitted in response to a CSI report of the serving cell provided by the UE (e.g., based on measurements of NCD-SSB 1518 or DL reference signal 1520 of the serving cell).

[0208] UE 1502 may further optionally receive in the initial DL BWP a second control message 1528 associated with the configuration (e.g., RRC), activation (e.g., via MAC-CE), or command (e.g., via PDCCH, such as DCI) of the reference signal transmission of the UE. The control message may indicate, for example, a specific beam on which the UL-RS (such as SRS) is transmitted. For example, UE 1502 may receive the second control message 1528 in response to a link quality assessment performed by the base station 1504 (e.g., based on CSI reports or based on UL small data transmission). In one example, if the measurement (e.g., RSRP) of, for example, NCD-SSB 1518 is below one or more thresholds, UE 1502 may receive the second control message. In some examples, the second control message 1528 may include an RRC configuration for SRS configuration. In some examples, the second control message 1528 may include a PDCCH (e.g., DCI) that commands the SRS transmission at UE 1502. In some examples, the second control message 1528 may include a MAC-CE that activates the previously RRC-configured SRS transmission at UE 1502.

[0209] UE 1502 may transmit a reference signal 1530 (e.g., SRS) in the initial UL BWP of UE 1502 in response to the second control message 1518. In some examples, UE 1502 transmits SRS 1530 in the initial UL BWP of UE 1502 that is configured for small data transmission (e.g., Figure 8 the initial UL BWP 820 in Figure 9 or the initial UL BWP 920 in

[0210] UE 1502 may further optionally receive in the initial DL BWP a CSI report request control message 1532 that requests and / or activates the CSI report transmission based on the measurements obtained at 1516. In some examples, the CSI report request control message 1532 may include a PDCCH (e.g., DCI) that requests a CSI report from UE 1502. In some examples, the CSI report request control message 1532 may include a MAC-CE that activates the CSI report transmission at UE 1502. UE 1502 may transmit a CSI report 1534 in response to the CSI report request control message 1532, based on the measurements performed at 1516 of the SSB 1518 and / or DL reference signal 1520 received in the initial DL BWP. In some examples, the CSI report may be transmitted in the UAI, multiplexed with UL data, or scheduled separately via DCI.

[0211] At 1542, the UE 1502 may determine that an event trigger has occurred. In some examples, the UE 1502 determines that an event trigger has occurred when a first metric associated with measurements of the SSB 1518 or the DL reference signal 1520 is less than at least one set of thresholds configured for the serving cell (e.g., the first base station 1504), or when a second metric associated with measurements of the SSB 1522 or the DL reference signal 1524 is less than at least one set of thresholds configured for the non-serving cell (e.g., the second base station 1506). The first metric and / or the second metric for cell reselection may be a function of the raw measurements of the SSB (e.g., filtered, scaled, or offset pilot values).

[0212] In some examples, when a first metric associated with measurements of the SSB 1518 or the DL reference signal 1520 is less than at least one set of thresholds configured for the serving cell (e.g., the first base station 1504), or when a second metric associated with measurements of the SSB 1522 or the DL reference signal 1524 is less than at least one set of thresholds configured for the non-serving cell (e.g., the second base station 1506), the UE 1502 determines that an event trigger has occurred, and the UE 1502 has a valid timing advance (TA) for configured grant small data transmission (CG-SDT) and a valid configured grant physical uplink shared channel (CG-PUSCH) opportunity.

[0213] The UE 1502 may receive the BWP switching control message 1544 in the initial DL BWP. In some examples, the BWP switching control message 1544 may instruct the UE 1502 to measure the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of the serving cell (e.g., the first base station 1504), the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals (RS) of the non-serving cell (e.g., the second base station 1506), and / or any other measurements for the serving cell or the non-serving cell. In some examples, the BWP switching control message 1544 may include a PDCCH (e.g., DCI) or a MAC-CE to instruct the UE 1502 to measure the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of the serving cell (e.g., the first base station 1504), the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of the non-serving cell (e.g., the second base station 1506), and / or any other measurements for the serving cell or the non-serving cell in one or more BWPs that are not the initial DL BWP of the UE 1502 (e.g., outside the bandwidth of the active DL BWP of the UE 1502).

[0214] At 1546, the UE 1502 may switch to one or more BWPs that are not the initial DL BWP in response to the BWP switching control message 1544. The one or more BWPs include at least a control resource set (also referred to as a CORESET) associated with system information or paging.

[0215] The UE 1502 may receive the signal 1548 in one or more BWPs that are not the initial DL bandwidth. The signal 1548 may include system information, paging information, or may be a DL reference signal in one or more BWPs.

[0216] At 1550, the UE 1502 obtains one or more measurements of the serving cell (e.g., the first base station 1504) and / or non-serving cell (e.g., the second base station 1506) of the UE 1502. In some examples, the UE 1502 obtains measurements of the SSB 1552 or the DL reference signal co-located with the SSB 1552 or the measurements of the SSB 1556 or the DL reference signal 1558 co-located with the SSB 1556 in one or more BWPs that are not the initial DL BWP configured by the serving cell (e.g., the first base station 1504) of the UE 1502 in response to an event trigger (e.g., if the event trigger has occurred at 1542) or a message received at the UE 1502 (e.g., the BWP switching control message 1544). For example, each of the SSBs 1552, 1556 may be a CD-SSB.

[0217] At 1554, the UE performs additional measurements or cell reselection operations based on the measurements of the SSB 1552 (e.g., CD-SSB) or the DL reference signal 1554 from the serving cell or the measurements of the SSB 1556 (e.g., CD-SSB) or the DL reference signal 1558 from the non-serving cell. In some examples, the additional measurements may be measurements of different beams of the non-serving cell (e.g., an adjacent cell) and the serving cell of the UE. In some cases, these additional measurements may be performed for cell reselection, positioning, confirmation of the CGPUSCH timing, and other suitable purposes.

[0218] Figure 16FIG. 1600 is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1502; apparatus 1802 / 1802'; processing system 1914, which may include memory 360 and may be the entire UE 104, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1502, or components of UE 104, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1502, such as TX processor 368, RX processor 356, and / or controller / processor 359).

[0219] At 1602, the UE indicates a set of capabilities of the apparatus and user equipment (UE) assistance information (UAI) associated with at least one of: measurement relaxation of the apparatus in an inactive mode or idle mode, cell reselection operation, small data transmission, or small data reception. For example, the set of capabilities may indicate that the UE is capable of small data transmission (SDT), performing relaxed measurements during SDT, or other suitable capabilities. As another example, the UAI may indicate UE relaxation states for performing different types of measurements (e.g., radio resource management (RRM), radio link monitoring (RLM), bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD)) while SDT is in progress, the availability of data and / or signaling mapped to radio bearers not configured for SDT, or other suitable UAI. In some examples, the UAI may also include reports associated with measurements of CD-SSB and / or NCD-SSB in serving and non-serving cells (e.g., CSI reports or other suitable reports).

[0220] At 1604, the UE receives a configuration message for measurement relaxation associated with cell reselection operation. For example, the UE may receive an RRC message that configures the UE for measurement relaxation for cell reselection. The RRC message may indicate, for example, a number of SSBs (e.g., CD-SSB and / or NCD-SSB) associated with serving and non-serving cells (e.g., neighboring or target cells for cell reselection) for the UE to measure. For example, the configured measurement relaxation may include a reduced duty cycle for measurements of serving / neighboring cells or a smaller number of neighboring cells to measure.

[0221] At 1606, the UE obtains at least one of a first synchronization signal block (SSB) within the bandwidth of an initial downlink (DL) BWP configured by the serving cell of the UE or a first measurement of a DL reference signal quasi - co - located with the first SSB, or a second SSB or a second measurement of a DL reference signal quasi - co - located with the second SSB, where the first SSB and the second SSB do not carry scheduling information for system information, and where the first SSB is associated with the serving cell of the UE and the second SSB is associated with a non - serving cell. For example, the UE may obtain a first measurement of a first NCD - SSB / DL - RS (e.g., tracking RS, positioning RS, CSI - RS, cross - link interference reference signal (CLI - RS), or other suitable reference signal) in the serving cell and / or obtain a second measurement of a second NCD - SSB / DL - RS (e.g., CSI - RS or other suitable reference signal) in the non - serving cell. The first NCD - SSB / DL - RS and the second NCD - SSB / DL - RS may each be within the initial DL BWP configured by the serving cell.

[0222] At 1608, the UE performs additional measurements or cell reselection operations (e.g., handover to a non - serving cell, which may be considered an adjacent or target cell) based on at least one of the first measurement or the second measurement. In some examples, the additional measurements may be measurements of different beams of a non - serving cell (e.g., an adjacent cell) of the UE and the serving cell of the UE. In some cases, these additional measurements may be made for cell reselection, positioning, confirmation of CGPUSCH timing, and / or other suitable purposes.

[0223] Figure 17A and Figure 17B is a flowchart 1700 of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1502; apparatus 1802 / 1802'; processing system 1914, which may include a memory 360 and may be the entire UE 104, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1502, or a component of UE 104, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1502, such as TX processor 368, RX processor 356, and / or controller / processor 359).

[0224] At 1702, the UE indicates a set of UE capabilities and UE assistance information (UAI) associated with at least one of the following: measurement relaxation for a UE in an inactive or idle state, cell reselection operations, small data transmission, or small data reception. For example, the set of capabilities may indicate that the UE is capable of small data transmission (SDT), performing relaxed measurements during SDT, or other suitable capabilities. As another example, the UAI may indicate the UE relaxation state for performing different types of measurements (e.g., radio resource management (RRM), radio link monitoring (RLM), bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD)) while SDT is in progress, the availability of data and / or signaling mapped to radio bearers not configured for SDT, or other suitable UAI. In some examples, the UAI may further include reports associated with measurements of CD-SSB and / or NCD-SSB in serving and non-serving cells (e.g., CSI reports or other suitable reports).

[0225] At 1704, the UE receives a configuration message for measurement relaxation associated with cell reselection operations. For example, the UE may receive an RRC message that configures the UE for measurement relaxation for cell reselection. The RRC message may indicate, for example, a certain number of SSBs (e.g., CD-SSB and / or NCD-SSB) associated with the serving cell and non-serving cells (e.g., neighboring or target cells for cell reselection) for the UE to measure. For example, the configured measurement relaxation may include a reduced duty cycle for measurements of serving / neighboring cells or a smaller number of neighboring cells to be measured.

[0226] At 1706, the UE receives a control message requesting the UE to do one of the following: modify resources configured for small data transmission or small data reception in a serving cell; preempt, cancel, or terminate small data reception in a serving cell; cancel or terminate small data transmission in a serving cell; or release resources configured for small data transmission or small data reception in a serving cell. In some examples, the first control message may include an RRC message, MAC-CE, or DCI. In some examples, the first control message may be transmitted in response to a CSI report of the serving cell provided by the UE (e.g., measurements based on NCD-SSB or DL reference signals of the serving cell).

[0227] At 1708, the UE receives in the initial DL bandwidth part a control message associated with the configuration (e.g., RRC), activation (e.g., via MAC-CE), or command (e.g., via PDCCH, such as DCI) of the reference signal transmission of the UE. The control message may indicate, for example, a specific beam on which the UL-RS (such as SRS) is transmitted. For example, the UE may receive the control message in response to a link quality assessment performed by the base station (e.g., based on CSI reports or based on UL small data transmission). In one example, if, for example, the measurement (e.g., RSRP) of the NCD-SSB of the serving cell is below one or more thresholds, the UE may receive a second control message. In some examples, the control message may include an RRC configuration for SRS configuration. In some examples, the control message may include a PDCCH (e.g., DCI) that commands the SRS transmission at the UE. In some examples, the control message may include a MAC-CE that activates the previously RRC-configured SRS transmission at the UE.

[0228] At 1710, the UE transmits a reference signal in the initial uplink (UL) bandwidth part of the UE in response to the control message, where the initial UL bandwidth part enables small data transmission of the UE in an inactive or idle state. The reference signal may be, for example, SRS.

[0229] At 1712, the UE receives in the initial DL bandwidth part a channel state information (CSI) report request control message. The CSI report request control message requests and / or activates CSI report transmission based on the measurement of the NCD-SSB of the serving cell. In some examples, the CSI report request control message may include a PDCCH (e.g., DCI) that requests a CSI report from the UE2. In some examples, the CSI report request control message may include a MAC-CE that activates the CSI report transmission at the UE.

[0230] At 1714, the UE transmits a CSI report based on the SSB (e.g., NCD-SSB) received in the initial DL bandwidth part in response to the CSI report request control message. For example, the UE may obtain the measurement of the NCD-SSB and generate a CSI report based on the NCD-SSB measurement. In some examples, the CSI report may be transmitted in the UAI, multiplexed with UL data, or separately scheduled via DCI.

[0231] At 1716, the UE receives a bandwidth part switching control message in an initial DL bandwidth part. The bandwidth part switching control message may indicate to the UE to switch from the initial DL bandwidth part to one or more bandwidth parts (e.g., different from the initial DL bandwidth part). In some examples, the BWP switching control message may instruct the UE to measure the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of the serving cell, the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of non-serving cells, and / or any other measurements for the serving cell or non-serving cells. In some examples, the BWP switching control message may include a PDCCH (e.g., DCI) or a MAC-CE to instruct the UE to measure the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of the serving cell, the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of non-serving cells, and / or any other measurements for the serving cell or non-serving cells in one or more BWPs that are not the UE's initial DL BWP (e.g., outside the bandwidth of the UE's active DL BWP).

[0232] At 1718, the UE switches to one or more bandwidth parts in response to the bandwidth part switching control message, where the one or more bandwidth parts at least include a control resource set associated with system information or paging. In some aspects, the bandwidth part switching control message may include a PDCCH or a MAC-CE that commands or instructs the UE to obtain in-band measurements or inter-band measurements outside the bandwidth of the initial DL BWP (e.g., outside the UE's active DL BWP). In an example where the initial DL BWP of the serving cell overlaps with the initial DL BWP of a non-serving (e.g., neighboring) cell, no BWP switching is required for in-band measurements. In some examples, the UE may measure the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of the serving cell, the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of non-serving cells, and / or any other measurements for the serving cell or non-serving cells in response to the bandwidth part switching control message. The UE may use one or more of these measurements for cell reselection or for purposes other than cell reselection. In some examples, the UE may perform L1 measurements, L2 measurements, and / or L3 measurements of the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of the serving cell, the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of non-serving cells, and / or any other measurements for the serving cell or non-serving cells.

[0233] Reference Figure 17B , at 1720, the UE receives system information, paging information, or DL reference signals in the initial bandwidth part and / or one or more bandwidth parts. The system information and / or paging information may be received, for example, within the CD-SSB and / or SIB. The DL reference signal may be an NCD-SSB, a CD-SSB, or other DL reference signals (e.g., CSI-RS).

[0234] At 1722, the UE obtains at least one of a first measurement of a first SSB in an initial downlink (DL) bandwidth part of a serving cell or a DL reference signal (RS) quasi - co - located with the first SSB, or a second measurement of a second SSB in an initial downlink (DL) bandwidth part of a non - serving cell or a DL reference signal (RS) quasi - co - located with the second SSB.

[0235] At 1724, when a first metric associated with a first measurement of a first SSB or a downlink (DL) reference signal (RS) (e.g., tracking RS, positioning RS, CSI - RS, CLI - RS) quasi - co - located with the first SSB is less than at least one set of thresholds configured for the serving cell, or when a second metric associated with a second measurement of a second SSB or a downlink (DL) reference signal (RS) (e.g., tracking RS, positioning RS, CSI - RS, CLI - RS) quasi - co - located with the second SSB is less than at least one set of thresholds configured for the non - serving cell, the UE determines that an event trigger has occurred.

[0236] At 1726, when the UE has a valid timing advance (TA) for configured grant small data transmission (CG - SDT) and a valid configured grant physical uplink shared channel (CG - PUSCH) opportunity, the UE determines that an event trigger has occurred.

[0237] At 1728, in response to an event trigger or a message received at the UE, the UE obtains at least one of a third measurement of a third SSB or a DL reference signal quasi - co - located with the third SSB in one or more bandwidth parts that are not the initial DL bandwidth part configured by the UE's serving cell, or a fourth measurement of a fourth SSB or a DL reference signal quasi - co - located with the fourth SSB, where the third SSB is associated with the UE's serving cell and the fourth SSB is associated with a non - serving cell. For example, the message can be a bandwidth part handover control message.

[0238] At 1730, the UE performs additional measurements or cell reselection operations based on at least one of the third measurement or the fourth measurement.

[0239] Figure 18 FIG. 1800 is a conceptual data - flow diagram that illustrates data - flow between different components of exemplary apparatus 1802. The apparatus can be a UE.

[0240] The apparatus includes a receiving component 1804 that receives a signal 1870 from a base station 1850 (e.g., a serving cell) on the DL. The signal 1870 can include one or more of signals 1822, 1826.

[0241] The apparatus includes a message receiving component 1806 that receives, e.g., via signal 1822, a configuration message for measurement relaxation associated with cell reselection operations, a bandwidth part switching control message in an initial DL bandwidth part, a control message associated with the configuration, activation, or command of reference signal transmission of the apparatus in the initial DL bandwidth part, a channel state information (CSI) report request control message in the initial DL bandwidth part, and a control message requesting the apparatus to perform one of the following: modify resources configured for small data transmission or reception in a serving cell; preempt, cancel, or terminate small data reception in a serving cell; cancel or terminate small data transmission in a serving cell; or release resources configured for small data transmission or reception in a serving cell.

[0242] The apparatus includes a capability indication component 1808 that indicates, e.g., via signal 1824, a set of capabilities of the apparatus and user equipment (UE) assistance information (UAI) associated with at least one of the following: measurement relaxation of the apparatus in an inactive or idle mode, cell reselection operations, small data transmission, or small data reception.

[0243] The apparatus includes a measurement component 1810 that: obtains at least one of a first measurement of a first synchronization signal block (SSB) within the bandwidth of an initial downlink (DL) bandwidth part configured by the serving cell of the apparatus or a DL reference signal quasi - co - located with the first SSB, or a second measurement of a second SSB or a DL reference signal quasi - co - located with the second SSB, where the first SSB and the second SSB do not carry scheduling information for system information, and where the first SSB is associated with the serving cell of the apparatus and the second SSB is associated with a non - serving cell; obtains, in response to an event trigger or a message received at the apparatus, at least one of a first measurement of a first synchronization signal block (SSB) or a DL reference signal quasi - co - located with the first SSB, or a second measurement of a second SSB or a DL reference signal quasi - co - located with the second SSB in one or more bandwidth parts that are not the initial downlink (DL) bandwidth part configured by the serving cell of the apparatus, where the first SSB is associated with the serving cell of the apparatus and the second SSB is associated with a non - serving cell; obtains at least one of a third measurement of a third SSB or a DL reference signal quasi - co - located with the third SSB in the initial downlink (DL) bandwidth part or a fourth measurement of a fourth SSB or a DL reference signal quasi - co - located with the fourth SSB in the initial DL bandwidth part, where the third SSB is associated with the serving cell of the apparatus and the fourth SSB is associated with a non - serving cell; and performs additional measurements. The measurement component 1810 may receive a signal (e.g., signal 1826) to be measured after being received via signal 1870 (e.g., from the base station 1850) from the receiving component 1804.

[0244] The apparatus includes an operation execution component 1812 that performs a cell reselection operation based on at least one of the first measurement or the second measurement received from the measurement component 1810 via signal 1828. The operation execution component 1812 determines that an event trigger has occurred.

[0245] The apparatus includes a BWP switching component 1814 that switches to one or more bandwidth parts (e.g., via control signal 1832 to the receiving component 1804) in response to a bandwidth part switching control message (e.g., received via signal 1830), where the one or more bandwidth parts at least include a control resource set associated with system information or paging.

[0246] The apparatus includes a message sending component 1816 that sends a CSI report (e.g., via signal 1838) based on the third SSB received in the initial DL bandwidth part in response to a CSI report request control message.

[0247] The apparatus includes a reference signal transmitting component 1818 that transmits a reference signal in an initial uplink (UL) bandwidth part of the apparatus (e.g., via signal 1836) in response to a control message (e.g., received from a message receiving component 1806 via signal 1834), where the initial UL bandwidth part supports small data transmission of the apparatus in an inactive mode or an idle mode.

[0248] The apparatus includes a transmitting component 1820 that transmits a signal 1860 to a base station 1850 on the UL. The signal 1860 may include one or more of signals 1824, 1836, 1838.

[0249] The apparatus may include additional components for performing each block of the algorithms in the foregoing flowcharts of Figure 16 , Figure 17A , Figure 17B . Thus, Figure 16 , Figure 17A , Figure 17B each block in the foregoing flowcharts may be performed by a component, and the apparatus may include one or more of these components. These components may be one or more hardware components that are specifically configured to perform the stated process / algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the stated process / algorithm, stored in a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0250] Figure 19 FIG. 1900 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation of an apparatus 1802' that employs a processing system 1914. The processing system 1914 may be implemented using a bus architecture generally represented by a bus 1924. The bus 1924 may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges, depending on the specific application of the processing system 1914 and overall design constraints. The bus 1924 links together various circuits, including one or more processors and / or hardware components (represented by processor 1904, components 1804, 1806, 1808, 1810, 1812, 1814, 1816, 1818, 1820, and computer-readable medium / memory 1906). The bus 1924 may also link various other circuits (such as a timing source, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits) that are well known in the art and will not be described further herein.

[0251] The processing system 1914 can be coupled to the transceiver 1910. The transceiver 1910 is coupled to one or more antennas 1920. The transceiver 1910 provides components for communicating with various other devices via a transmission medium. The transceiver 1910 receives signals from one or more antennas 1920, extracts information from the received signals, and provides the extracted information to the processing system 1914 (specifically, the receiving component 1804). In addition, the transceiver 1910 receives information from the processing system 1914 (specifically, the transmitting component 1820) and generates signals to be applied to one or more antennas 1920 based on the received information. The processing system 1914 includes a processor 1904 coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory 1906. The processor 1904 is responsible for general processing, including executing software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory 1906. The software, when executed by the processor 1904, causes the processing system 1914 to perform the various functions described above for any particular device. The computer-readable medium / memory 1906 can also be used to store data manipulated by the processor 1904 when executing the software. The processing system 1914 also includes at least one of the components 1804, 1806, 1808, 1810, 1812, 1814, 1816, 1818, 1820. These components can be software components running in the processor 1904, resident / stored in the computer-readable medium / memory 1906, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor 1904, or some combination thereof. The processing system 1914 can be a component of the UE 350 and can include at least one of the memory 360 and / or the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359. Alternatively, the processing system 1914 can be the entire UE (e.g., see Figure 3 of 350).

[0252] In one configuration, the device 1802 / 1802' for wireless communication includes components for performing each of the operations described in reference Figure 16 , Figure 17A , Figure 17B . The foregoing components can be one or more of the foregoing components of the processing system 1914 of the device 1802 and / or the device 1802' configured to perform the functions recited by the foregoing components. As described above, the processing system 1914 can include the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359. Thus, in one configuration, the foregoing components can be the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359 configured to perform the functions recited by the foregoing components.

[0253] Figure 20FIG. 2000 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a base station (e.g., base stations 102, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1504; apparatus 2202 / 2202'; processing system 2314, which may include a memory 376 and may be an entire base station 102, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1504, or a component of base stations 102, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1504, such as TX processor 316, RX processor 370, and / or controller / processor 375).

[0254] At 2002, the base station receives at least one of a set of UE capabilities or UE assistance information (UAI) associated with at least measurement relaxation. For example, the set of capabilities may indicate that the UE is capable of small data transmission (SDT), performing relaxed measurements during SDT, or other suitable capabilities. As another example, the UAI may indicate UE relaxation states for performing different types of measurements (e.g., radio resource management (RRM), radio link monitoring (RLM), bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD)) while SDT is in progress, the availability of data and / or signaling mapped to radio bearers not configured for SDT, or other suitable UAI. In some examples, the UAI may also include reports associated with measurements of CD-SSB and / or NCD-SSB in serving and non-serving cells (e.g., CSI reports or other suitable reports).

[0255] At 2004, the base station transmits a configuration message associated with measurement relaxation, where the measurement relaxation supports at least cell reselection operations by the UE based on a first measurement of a first synchronization signal block (SSB) within the bandwidth of the UE's initial downlink (DL) bandwidth part or a second measurement of a second SSB, where the first SSB and the second SSB do not carry scheduling information for system information, and where the first SSB is associated with the apparatus and the second SSB is associated with a non-serving cell. For example, the SSB may be an NCD-SSB, and the non-serving cell may be an adjacent cell that is a target cell for cell reselection operations. In some examples, the first measurement and the second measurement may be RSRP measurements.

[0256] In some examples, all or part of the RRC configuration may be included in an RRC release message. The RRC message may indicate, for example, a certain number of SSBs (e.g., CD-SSB and / or NCD-SSB) associated with serving and non-serving cells (e.g., adjacent or target cells for cell reselection) for the UE to measure. For example, the configured measurement relaxation may include a reduced duty cycle for measurements of serving / adjacent cells or a smaller number of adjacent cells to be measured.

[0257] Figure 21 FIG. 2100 is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a base station (e.g., base stations 102, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1504; apparatus 2202 / 2202'; processing system 2314, which may include memory 376 and may be the entire base station 102, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1504, or a component of base stations 102, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1504, such as TX processor 316, RX processor 370, and / or controller / processor 375).

[0258] At 2102, the base station receives at least one of a set of capabilities of a UE or UE assistance information (UAI) associated with at least measurement relaxation. For example, the set of capabilities may indicate that the UE is capable of small data transmission (SDT), performing relaxed measurements during SDT, or other suitable capabilities. As another example, the UAI may indicate a UE relaxation state for performing different types of measurements (e.g., radio resource management (RRM), radio link monitoring (RLM), bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD)) while SDT is in progress, the availability of data and / or signaling mapped to radio bearers not configured for SDT, or other suitable UAI. In some examples, the UAI may also include reports associated with measurements of CD-SSB and / or NCD-SSB in serving and non-serving cells (e.g., CSI reports or other suitable reports).

[0259] At 2104, the base station transmits a configuration message associated with measurement relaxation, where the measurement relaxation at least supports cell reselection operations by the UE based on a first measurement of a first SSB or a DL reference signal quasi-co-located with the first SSB or a second measurement of a second SSB or a DL reference signal quasi-co-located with the second SSB in one or more bandwidth parts that are not the initially configured DL bandwidth part in response to an event trigger or a message, where the first SSB is associated with a serving cell and the second SSB is associated with a non-serving cell. For example, the SSB may be an NCD-SSB, and the non-serving cell may be an adjacent cell that is a target cell for cell reselection operations. In some examples, the first measurement and the second measurement may be RSRP measurements.

[0260] In some examples, all or part of the RRC configuration may be included in an RRC release message. The RRC message may indicate, for example, a certain number of SSBs (e.g., CD-SSB and / or NCD-SSB) associated with serving and non-serving cells (e.g., adjacent or target cells for cell reselection) for the UE to measure. For example, the configured measurement relaxation may include a reduced duty cycle for measurements of serving / adjacent cells or a smaller number of adjacent cells to be measured.

[0261] At 2106, the base station transmits a control message requesting the UE to perform the following operations: modify the resources configured for small data transmission or small data reception in the serving cell; pre-empt, cancel, or terminate small data reception in the serving cell; cancel or terminate small data transmission in the serving cell; or release the resources configured for small data transmission or small data reception in the serving cell. In some examples, the control message may include an RRC message, a MAC-CE, or DCI. In some examples, the first control message 1514 may be transmitted in response to a CSI report of the serving cell provided by the UE (e.g., measurements based on the NCD-SSB 1518 or DL reference signal 1520 of the serving cell).

[0262] At 2108, the base station transmits a control message associated with the configuration, activation, or command of the UE's reference signal transmission in the initial DL bandwidth part. The control message may indicate, for example, a specific beam on which the UL-RS (such as SRS) is transmitted. For example, the base station may transmit the control message in response to a link quality assessment performed by the base station (e.g., based on a CSI report or based on UL small data transmission). In one example, if, for example, the measurement of the NCD-SSB of the serving cell (e.g., RSRP) is below one or more thresholds, the base station may transmit the control message. In some examples, the control message may include an RRC configuration for SRS configuration. In some examples, the control message may include a PDCCH (e.g., DCI) that commands the SRS transmission at the UE. In some examples, the control message may include a MAC-CE that activates the previously RRC-configured SRS transmission at the UE.

[0263] At 2110, the base station receives a reference signal in the initial uplink (UL) bandwidth part of the device in response to the control message, where the initial UL bandwidth part supports small data transmission of the UE in the inactive mode or idle mode. The reference signal may be, for example, SRS.

[0264] At 2112, the base station transmits a channel state information (CSI) report request control message in the initial DL bandwidth part. In some examples, the message may include a PDCCH (e.g., DCI) that requests a CSI report from the UE. In some examples, the message may include a MAC-CE that activates the CSI report transmission at the UE.

[0265] At 2114, the base station receives a CSI report based on a third SSB received in an initial DL bandwidth part in response to a CSI report request control message. For example, the CSI report can be an L1 or L3 report including one or more measurements (e.g., SS-RSRP) of the third SSB obtained by the UE (e.g., the NCD-SSB of the serving cell). In some examples, the measurements included in the L3 measurement report can be collected by L1 but filtered and reported by L3 to eliminate the impact of fast fading and ignore short-term variations. In some examples, the CSI report can be sent in the UAI, multiplexed with UL data, or scheduled separately via DCI.

[0266] At 2116, the base station sends a bandwidth part switching control message in an initial DL bandwidth part, where the bandwidth part switching control message instructs the UE to switch to one or more bandwidth parts, and one or more of the bandwidth parts at least include a control resource set associated with system information or paging. In some examples, the BWP switching control message can instruct the UE to measure the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of the serving cell, the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals (RS) of non-serving cells, and / or any other measurements for the serving cell or non-serving cells. In some examples, the BWP switching control message can include a PDCCH (e.g., DCI) or MAC-CE to instruct the UE to measure the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of the serving cell, the CD-SSB or other DL reference signals of non-serving cells, and / or any other measurements for the serving cell or non-serving cells in one or more BWPs that are not the UE's initial DL BWP (e.g., outside the bandwidth of the UE's active DL BWP).

[0267] At 2118, the base station sends system information, paging information, or DL reference signals in one or more bandwidth parts. The system information and / or paging information can be sent, for example, within the CD-SSB and / or SIB. The DL reference signal can be a CD-SSB or other DL reference signal (e.g., CSI-RS).

[0268] Figure 22 FIG. 2200 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flow between different components of exemplary apparatus 2202. The apparatus can be a base station.

[0269] The apparatus includes a receiving component 2204 that receives a signal 2260 from a UE 2250 on the UL.

[0270] The apparatus includes a message sending component 2206 that sends (e.g., via signal 2224) a configuration message associated with measurement relaxation, where the measurement relaxation supports at least cell reselection operations by the UE based on a first measurement of a first SSB or a DL reference signal quasi - co - located with the first SSB in one or more bandwidth parts that are not the initially configured DL bandwidth part for the UE in response to an event trigger or a message, or a second measurement of a second SSB or a DL reference signal quasi - co - located with the second SSB, where the first SSB is associated with the serving cell and the second SSB is associated with a non - serving cell. The message sending component 2206 further sends (e.g., via signal 2224) a control message requesting the UE to: modify resources configured for small data transmission or reception in the serving cell; preempt, cancel, or terminate small data reception in the serving cell; cancel or terminate small data transmission in the serving cell; or release resources configured for small data transmission or reception in the serving cell. The message sending component 2206 further sends (e.g., via signal 2224) in the initial DL bandwidth part a control message associated with the configuration, activation, or command of the UE's reference signal transmission. The message sending component 2206 further sends (e.g., via signal 2224) in the initial DL bandwidth part a channel state information (CSI) report request control message. The message sending component 2206 further sends (e.g., via signal 2224) in the initial DL bandwidth part a bandwidth part switching control message, where the bandwidth part switching control message instructs the UE to switch to one or more bandwidth parts, where the one or more bandwidth parts at least include a control resource set associated with system information or paging.

[0271] The apparatus includes a capability receiving component 2208 that receives (e.g., via signal 2222) at least one of a set of UE capabilities or UE - assisted information (UAI) associated with at least measurement relaxation.

[0272] The apparatus includes a reference signal receiving component 2210 that receives (e.g., via signal 2220) a reference signal in the initial uplink (UL) bandwidth part of the apparatus in response to a control message, where the initial UL bandwidth part supports small data transmission by the UE in an inactive mode or an idle mode.

[0273] The apparatus includes a CSI report receiving component 2212 that receives (e.g., via signal 2218) a CSI report based on a third SSB received in the initial DL bandwidth part in response to a CSI report request control message.

[0274] The apparatus includes an information sending component 2214 that sends system information, paging information, or DL reference signals in one or more bandwidth parts (e.g., via signal 2226).

[0275] The apparatus includes a sending component 2216 that sends a signal 2270 to the UE 2250 on the DL.

[0276] The apparatus may include additional components for each block of the algorithms in the foregoing flowcharts that perform Figure 20 and Figure 21 . Thus, Figure 20 and Figure 21 each block in the foregoing flowcharts may be performed by components, and the apparatus may include one or more of those components. These components may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to perform the stated processes / algorithms, implemented by a processor configured to perform the stated processes / algorithms, stored in a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0277] Figure 23 FIG. 2300 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation of an apparatus 2202' that employs a processing system 2314. The processing system 2314 may be implemented using a bus architecture generally represented by bus 2324. The bus 2324 may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system 2314 and overall design constraints. The bus 2324 links together various circuits including one or more processors and / or hardware components (represented by processor 2304, components 2204, 2206, 2208, 2210, 2212, 2214, 2216, and computer-readable medium / memory 2306). The bus 2324 may also link various other circuits (such as a timing source, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits) that are well known in the art and will not be described further herein.

[0278] The processing system 2314 can be coupled to the transceiver 2310. The transceiver 2310 is coupled to one or more antennas 2320. The transceiver 2310 provides components for communicating with various other devices via a transmission medium. The transceiver 2310 receives signals from one or more antennas 2320, extracts information from the received signals, and provides the extracted information to the processing system 2314 (specifically, the receiving component 2204). In addition, the transceiver 2310 receives information from the processing system 2314 (specifically, the transmitting component 2216) and generates signals to be applied to one or more antennas 2320 based on the received information. The processing system 2314 includes a processor 2304 coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory 2306. The processor 2304 is responsible for general processing, including executing software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory 2306. The software, when executed by the processor 2304, causes the processing system 2314 to perform the various functions described above for any particular device. The computer-readable medium / memory 2306 can also be used to store data manipulated by the processor 2304 when executing the software. The processing system 2314 also includes at least one of components 2204, 2206, 2208, 2210, 2212, 2214, 2216. These components can be software components that run in the processor 2304, reside / stored in the computer-readable medium / memory 2306, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor 2304, or some combination thereof. The processing system 2314 can be a component of the base station 310 and can include at least one of the memory 376 and / or the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375. Alternatively, the processing system 2314 can be the entire base station (e.g., see Figure 3 of 310).

[0279] In one configuration, the apparatus 2202 / 2202' for wireless communication includes components for performing each of the operations described in reference Figure 20 , Figure 21 and Figure 25 . The foregoing components can be one or more of the foregoing components of the processing system 2314 of the apparatus 2202 and / or the apparatus 2202' configured to perform the functions recited by the foregoing components. As described above, the processing system 2314 can include the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375. Thus, in one configuration, the foregoing components can be the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375 configured to perform the functions recited by the foregoing components.

[0280] Figure 24FIG. 2400 is a flowchart of another exemplary method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1502; apparatus 1802 / 1802'; processing system 1914, which may include memory 360 and may be the entire UE 104, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1502, or a component of UE 104, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1502, such as TX processor 368, RX processor 356, and / or controller / processor 359).

[0281] At 2402, the UE provides at least one of a set of UE capabilities or UE assistance information (UAI) associated with at least measurement relaxation associated with small data transmission (SDT). For example, the set of capabilities may indicate that the UE is capable of small data transmission (SDT), performing relaxed measurements during SDT, or other suitable capabilities. As another example, the UAI may indicate UE relaxation states for performing different types of measurements (e.g., radio resource management (RRM), radio link monitoring (RLM), bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD)) while SDT is in progress, the availability of data and / or signaling mapped to radio bearers not configured for SDT, or other suitable UAI. In some examples, the UAI may also include reports associated with measurements of CD-SSB and / or NCD-SSB in serving and non-serving cells (e.g., CSI reports or other suitable reports).

[0282] At 2404, the UE receives a configuration message for measurement relaxation associated with SDT. In some examples, all or part of the RRC configuration may be included in an RRC release message. The RRC message may indicate, for example, a number of SSBs (e.g., CD-SSB and / or NCD-SSB) associated with serving and non-serving cells (e.g., neighboring or target cells for cell reselection) for the UE to measure. For example, the configured measurement relaxation may include a reduced duty cycle for measurements of serving / neighboring cells or a smaller number of neighboring cells to be measured.

[0283] Figure 25FIG. 2500 is a flow chart of another exemplary method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a base station (e.g., base stations 102, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1504; apparatus 2202 / 2202'; processing system 2314, which may include a memory 376 and may be the entire base station 102, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1504, or a component of base stations 102, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1504, such as TX processor 316, RX processor 370, and / or controller / processor 375).

[0284] At 2502, the base station receives at least one of a set of UE capabilities or UE assistance information (UAI) associated with at least measurement relaxation associated with small data transmission (SDT). For example, the set of capabilities may indicate that the UE is capable of small data transmission (SDT), performing relaxed measurements during SDT, or other suitable capabilities. As another example, the UAI may indicate UE relaxation states for performing different types of measurements (e.g., radio resource management (RRM), radio link monitoring (RLM), bidirectional forward detection (BFD)) while SDT is in progress, the availability of data and / or signaling mapped to radio bearers not configured for SDT, or other suitable UAI. In some examples, the UAI may also include reports associated with measurements of CD-SSB and / or NCD-SSB in serving and non-serving cells (e.g., CSI reports or other suitable reports).

[0285] At 2504, the base station provides a configuration message associated with measurement relaxation associated with SDT. In some examples, all or part of the RRC configuration may be included in an RRC release message. The RRC message may indicate, for example, a certain number of SSBs (e.g., CD-SSB and / or NCD-SSB) associated with serving and non-serving cells (e.g., neighboring or target cells for cell reselection) for the UE to measure. For example, the configured measurement relaxation may include a reduced duty cycle for measurements of serving / neighboring cells or a smaller number of neighboring cells to be measured.

[0286] It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the blocks in the disclosed processes / flowcharts is merely illustrative of example methods. It should be understood that, based on design preferences, the specific order or hierarchy of the blocks in the processes / flowcharts may be rearranged. Additionally, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The appended method claims present the elements of the various blocks in a sample order, but are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0287] The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, where the elements recited in the singular are not intended to mean "one and only one" but rather "one or more" unless specifically stated otherwise. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "some" means one or more. Combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, and C", and "any combination of A, B, C, or their combinations", including any combination of A, B, and / or C, may include multiple A's, multiple B's, or multiple C's. Specifically, combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, and C", and "any combination of A, B, C, or their combinations" can be only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, where any such combination may include one or more members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later will be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be covered by the claims. Additionally, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. The words "module", "mechanism", "element", "device", etc. are not intended to substitute for the word "component". Thus, no claim element will be construed as a means-plus-function unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for...".

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, the UE comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor, the at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and configured to: obtain at least one of a first measurement of a first synchronization signal block (SSB) within the bandwidth of an initial downlink (DL) bandwidth part configured by a serving cell of the UE or a DL reference signal quasi - co - located with the first SSB, or a second measurement of a second SSB or a DL reference signal quasi - co - located with the second SSB, wherein the first SSB and the second SSB do not carry scheduling information for system information, and wherein the first SSB is associated with the serving cell of the UE and the second SSB is associated with a non - serving cell; and perform a cell reselection operation based on at least one of the first measurement or the second measurement.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: indicate a set of capabilities of the UE and UE - assisted information (UAI) associated with at least one of: measurement relaxation of the UE in an inactive mode or an idle mode, the cell reselection operation, small data transmission, or small data reception; and receive a configuration message for the measurement relaxation associated with the cell reselection operation.

3. The UE according to claim 1, wherein there is no cell - defining synchronization signal block (CD - SSB) in the initial DL bandwidth part of the UE.

4. The UE according to claim 1, wherein each of the first SSB and the second SSB is a non - cell - defining synchronization signal block (NCD - SSB).

5. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the initial DL bandwidth part is configured for small data transmission or small data reception at the UE in an inactive mode or an idle mode and is less than the total bandwidth of the serving cell.

6. A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: obtain at least one of a first measurement of a first synchronization signal block (SSB) within the bandwidth of an initial downlink (DL) bandwidth part configured by a serving cell of the UE or a DL reference signal quasi - co - located with the first SSB, or a second measurement of a second SSB or a DL reference signal quasi - co - located with the second SSB, wherein the first SSB and the second SSB do not carry scheduling information for system information, and wherein the first SSB is associated with the serving cell of the UE and the second SSB is associated with a non - serving cell; and perform a cell reselection operation based on at least one of the first measurement or the second measurement.

7. The method according to claim 6, the method further comprising: indicate a set of capabilities of the UE and UE - assisted information (UAI) associated with at least one of: measurement relaxation of the UE in an inactive mode or an idle mode, the cell reselection operation, small data transmission, or small data reception; and Receive a configuration message for the measurement relaxation associated with the cell reselection operation.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein there is no cell-defined synchronization signal block (CD-SSB) in the initial DL bandwidth portion of the UE.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein each of the first SSB and the second SSB is a non-cell-defined synchronization signal block (NCD-SSB).

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the initial DL bandwidth portion is configured for small data transmission or small data reception at the UE in an inactive mode or an idle mode, and is less than the total bandwidth of the serving cell.

11. A user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, the user equipment (UE) comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor, the at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and configured to: In response to an event trigger or a message received at the UE, obtain at least one of a first measurement of a first synchronization signal block (SSB) or a DL reference signal quasi-co-located with the first SSB in one or more bandwidth portions that are not the initial downlink (DL) bandwidth portion configured by the serving cell of the UE, or a second measurement of a second SSB or a DL reference signal quasi-co-located with the second SSB, wherein the first SSB is associated with the serving cell of the UE and the second SSB is associated with a non-serving cell; and Perform a cell reselection operation based on at least one of the first measurement or the second measurement.

12. The UE according to claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: Indicate a set of capabilities of the UE and UE assistance information (UAI) associated with at least one of: measurement relaxation of the device in an inactive mode or an idle mode, cell reselection operation, small data transmission or small data reception; and Receive a configuration message for the measurement relaxation associated with the cell reselection operation.

13. The UE according to claim 11, wherein each of the first SSB and the second SSB is a cell-defined synchronization signal block (CD-SSB).

14. The UE according to claim 11, wherein there is no cell-defined synchronization signal block (CD-SSB) in the initial DL bandwidth portion of the UE, or the CD-SSB associated with the serving cell has a parameter set different from the CD-SSB associated with the non-serving cell.

15. The UE according to claim 11, wherein the initial DL bandwidth portion and the one or more bandwidth portions are each less than the total bandwidth of the serving cell of the UE, and wherein the initial DL bandwidth portion supports one or more small data transmissions or one or more small data receptions in the inactive mode or idle mode of the UE.

16. The UE according to claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: Obtain at least one of a third measurement of a third SSB or a DL reference signal co-located with the third SSB in the initial downlink (DL) bandwidth part, or a fourth measurement of a fourth SSB or a DL reference signal co-located with the fourth SSB in the initial DL bandwidth part, where the third SSB is associated with the serving cell of the UE and the fourth SSB is associated with the non-serving cell; and Determine that the event trigger has occurred when a first metric associated with the third measurement of the third SSB or the DL reference signal co-located with the third SSB is less than at least one set of thresholds configured for the serving cell, or when a second metric associated with the fourth measurement of the fourth SSB or the DL reference signal co-located with the fourth SSB is less than at least one set of thresholds configured for the non-serving cell.

17. The UE according to claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: Obtain at least one of a third measurement of a third SSB or a DL reference signal co-located with the third SSB in the initial DL bandwidth part, or a fourth measurement of a fourth SSB or a DL reference signal co-located with the fourth SSB in the initial DL bandwidth part; and Determine that the event trigger has occurred when a first metric associated with the third measurement of the third SSB or the DL reference signal co-located with the third SSB is less than at least one set of thresholds configured for the serving cell, or when a second metric associated with the fourth measurement of the fourth SSB or the DL reference signal co-located with the fourth SSB is less than at least one set of thresholds configured for the non-serving cell, and the UE has a valid timing advance (TA) for configured grant small data transmission (CG-SDT) and a valid configured grant physical uplink shared channel (CG-PUSCH) opportunity.

18. The UE according to claim 11, wherein the message commands the UE to perform the first measurement, the second measurement, or additional measurements for the serving cell or the non-serving cell, and the message includes at least one of control information or a medium access control - control element (MAC-CE), where the control information or the MAC-CE instructs the UE to obtain at least one of the first measurement of the first SSB or the DL reference signal co-located with the first SSB, the second measurement of the second SSB or the DL reference signal co-located with the second SSB, or additional measurements for the serving cell or the non-serving cell in the one or more bandwidth parts.

19. The UE according to claim 18, wherein the payload, demodulation reference signal (DMRS), or cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bits of the message are scrambled using information associated with the identifier of the UE.

20. The UE according to claim 18, wherein the control information is included in a field of a downlink control information (DCI) format, and the field in the DCI format indicates obtaining the first measurement or the second measurement in the one or more bandwidth parts or additional measurements for the serving cell or the non-serving cell.

21. A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: obtaining at least one of a first measurement of a first synchronization signal block (SSB) or a DL reference signal quasi-co-located with the first SSB or a second measurement of a second SSB or a DL reference signal quasi-co-located with the second SSB in one or more bandwidth parts that are not the initial downlink (DL) bandwidth part configured by the serving cell of the UE, wherein the first SSB is associated with the serving cell of the UE and the second SSB is associated with a non-serving cell, in response to an event trigger or a message received at the UE; and performing a cell reselection operation based on at least one of the first measurement or the second measurement.

22. The method according to claim 21, the method further comprising: indicating a capability set of the UE and UE assistance information (UAI) associated with at least one of: measurement relaxation of the UE in an inactive mode or an idle mode, cell reselection operation, small data transmission, or small data reception; and receiving a configuration message for the measurement relaxation associated with the cell reselection operation.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein each of the first SSB and the second SSB is a cell-defined synchronization signal block (CD-SSB).

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein there is no cell-defined synchronization signal block (CD-SSB) in the initial DL bandwidth part of the UE, or the CD-SSB associated with the serving cell has a parameter set different from the CD-SSB associated with the non-serving cell.

25. The method according to claim 21, wherein the initial DL bandwidth part and the one or more bandwidth parts are each less than the total bandwidth of the serving cell of the UE, and the initial DL bandwidth part supports one or more small data transmissions or one or more small data receptions in the inactive mode or the idle mode of the UE.

26. The method according to claim 21, the method further comprising: obtaining at least one of a third measurement of a third SSB or a DL reference signal quasi-co-located with the third SSB or a fourth measurement of a fourth SSB or a DL reference signal quasi-co-located with the fourth SSB in the initial downlink (DL) bandwidth part, wherein the third SSB is associated with the serving cell of the UE and the fourth SSB is associated with the non-serving cell; and Determine that the event trigger has occurred when a first metric associated with the third measurement of the third SSB or the DL reference signal co-located with the third SSB is less than at least one set of thresholds configured for the serving cell, or when a second metric associated with the fourth measurement of the fourth SSB or the DL reference signal co-located with the fourth SSB is less than at least one set of thresholds configured for the non-serving cell.

27. The method according to claim 21, the method further comprising: Obtaining at least one of a third measurement of a third SSB or a DL reference signal co-located with the third SSB in the initial DL bandwidth part or a fourth measurement of a fourth SSB or a DL reference signal co-located with the fourth SSB in the initial DL bandwidth part; And Determine that the event trigger has occurred when a first metric associated with the third measurement of the third SSB or the DL reference signal co-located with the third SSB is less than at least one set of thresholds configured for the serving cell, or when a second metric associated with the fourth measurement of the fourth SSB or the DL reference signal co-located with the fourth SSB is less than at least one set of thresholds configured for the non-serving cell, and the UE has a valid timing advance (TA) for configured grant small data transmission (CG-SDT) and a valid configured grant physical uplink shared channel (CG-PUSCH) opportunity.

28. The method according to claim 21, wherein the message commands the UE to perform the first measurement, the second measurement, or additional measurements for the serving cell or the non-serving cell, and the message includes at least one of control information or a media access control - control element (MAC-CE), wherein the control information or the MAC-CE instructs the UE to obtain at least one of the first measurement of the first SSB or the DL reference signal co-located with the first SSB, the second measurement of the second SSB or the DL reference signal co-located with the second SSB, or additional measurements for the serving cell or the non-serving cell in the one or more bandwidth parts.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the payload of the message, the demodulation reference signal (DMRS), or the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bits are scrambled using information associated with the identifier of the UE.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the control information is included in a field of a downlink control information (DCI) format, and the field in the DCI format indicates whether to obtain the first measurement, the second measurement, or additional measurements for the serving cell or the non-serving cell in the one or more bandwidth parts.

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