Method and apparatus for measurement reporting in NTN environments

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for measurement reporting in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) environment. In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, a method may include receiving a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message, where the RRC reconfiguration message includes measurement configuration information; executing a measurement program based on the measurement configuration information; determining whether one or more reporting events are satisfied, wherein the one or more reporting events trigger transmission of a measurement report; and transmitting the measurement report in response to a reporting event being satisfied, where the reporting event is included in the measurement configuration information, and the reporting event may be a location-based event or a combination of a measurement-based event and a location-based event.

Description

[0001] Relevant information of the divisional application

[0002] This application is a divisional application, and its parent application is a patent application for invention with an application date of July 28, 2020, an application number of 202080103092.X, and an invention title of "Method and Device for Measurement Report in NTN Environment". Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments of the present application generally relate to wireless communication technologies, and particularly to methods and devices for measurement reports in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) environment. Background Art

[0004] The NTN environment refers to a network or network segment that uses spacecraft or aircraft for transmission. For example, spacecraft includes satellites, and the satellites can be low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites, and highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellites. Aircraft includes high altitude platforms (HAP), which cover unmanned aerial vehicle systems (UAS), and the UAS includes lighter-than-air UAS (LTA) and heavier-than-air UAS (HTA).

[0005] In the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), details on how to handle measurement reports in the NTN environment have not been discussed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Some embodiments of the present application provide a method performed by a user equipment (UE). The method includes: receiving a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message, where the RRC reconfiguration message includes measurement configuration information; performing a measurement procedure based on the measurement configuration information; determining whether one or more reporting events are satisfied, where the one or more reporting events trigger the transmission of a measurement report; and transmitting the measurement report in response to the satisfaction of the reporting event.

[0007] Some embodiments of the present application also provide a device for wireless communication. The device includes: a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions; a receiving circuit system; a transmitting circuit system; and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the receiving circuit system, and the transmitting circuit system, where the computer-executable instructions cause the processor to implement the above method performed by the UE.

[0008] Some embodiments of the present application provide a method executable by a base station (BS). The method includes: transmitting an RRC reconfiguration message, where the RRC reconfiguration message includes measurement configuration information; receiving a measurement report, where the measurement report includes the result of a measurement procedure performed by a UE; and determining whether to perform a handover procedure based on the result of the measurement procedure.

[0009] Some embodiments of the present application further provide a device for wireless communication. The device includes: a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon; receiving circuitry; transmitting circuitry; and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the receiving circuitry, and the transmitting circuitry, where the computer-executable instructions cause the processor to implement the above-described another method performed by the BS.

[0010] Details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] To describe the manner in which the advantages and features of the present application may be obtained, a description of the present application is presented by reference to its specific embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. These drawings only depict example embodiments of the present application and should not be considered as limiting its scope.

[0012] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating a wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0013] Figure 2 A exemplary flowchart illustrating a method for transmitting a measurement report according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0014] Figure 3 A exemplary flowchart illustrating a method for receiving a measurement report according to some embodiments of the present application; and

[0015] Figure 4 A exemplary block diagram illustrating a device according to some embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The detailed description of the drawings is intended as a description of the preferred embodiments of the present application and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present application may be practiced. It should be understood that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are intended to be covered by the spirit and scope of the present application.

[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the present application, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. For the sake of promoting understanding, the embodiments are provided under a specific network architecture and new service scenarios (such as 3GPP 5G, 3GPP LTE Release 8, etc.). It is considered that, with the development of the network architecture and new service scenarios, all embodiments in the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems; and in addition, the terms cited in the present application may vary, which should not affect the principles of the present application.

[0018] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0019] As Figure 1 shown, the wireless communication system 100 includes two UEs (UE 101-A and UE 101-B) and a BS 102 (e.g., a satellite BS). Although for simplicity, only one BS is illustrated in Figure 1 it is considered that in some other embodiments of the present application, the wireless communication system 100 may include more BSs. Similarly, although for simplicity, only two UEs are illustrated in Figure 1 it is considered that in some other embodiments of the present application, the wireless communication system 100 may include more UEs. Within the coverage of the BS 102, the UE 101-A is located at the position closest to the BS 102, that is, among all positions within the coverage of the BS 102, the position of the UE 101-A has the smallest distance from the BS 102, and the UE 101-B is located at the position farthest from the BS 102.

[0020] The BS 102 may also be referred to as an access point, an access terminal, a base station, a macro cell, a Node-B, an evolved Node B (eNB), a gNB, a home Node-B, a relay node, or a device, or described using other terms used in the art. The BS 102 is generally part of a radio access network that may include a controller communicatively coupled to the BS 102.

[0021] UE 101-A may include a computing device such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet computer, smart TV (e.g., an Internet-connected TV), set-top box, gaming console, security system (including security cameras), in-vehicle computer, network device (e.g., router, switch, and modem), or the like. According to an embodiment of the present application, UE 101-A may include a portable wireless communication device, smartphone, cellular phone, flip phone, device with a subscriber identity module, personal computer, pager, or any other device capable of sending and receiving communication signals over a wireless network. In some embodiments, UE 101-A may include a wearable device such as a smartwatch, fitness band, optical head-mounted display, or the like. Additionally, UE 101-A may be referred to as a subscriber unit, mobile device, mobile station, user, terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, fixed terminal, subscriber station, user terminal, or device, or other terms used in the art to describe it.

[0022] Wireless communication system 100 is compatible with any type of network capable of sending and receiving wireless communication signals. For example, wireless communication system 100 is compatible with a wireless communication network, cellular phone network, time-division multiple access (TDMA)-based network, code-division multiple access (CDMA)-based network, orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA)-based network, LTE network, 3GPP-based network, 3GPP 5G network, satellite communication network, high-altitude platform network, and / or other communication networks.

[0023] Currently, details on how to handle measurement reports in the NTN environment are not discussed. Some embodiments of the present application provide solutions for handling measurement reports in the NTN environment.

[0024] Figure 2 Exemplary flowchart illustrating a method for transmitting a measurement report according to some embodiments of the present application. Figure 2 Embodiments of may be performed by a UE (e.g., Figure 1 UE 101-A and UE 101-B illustrated and shown in). Although described with respect to a UE, it should be understood that other devices may be configured to perform a method similar to Figure 2 's method.

[0025] In exemplary method 200 as shown in Figure 2 at operation 202, the UE receives an RRC reconfiguration message. For example, the UE receives an RRC reconfiguration message from a BS (e.g., Figure 1 BS102 illustrated and shown in). The RRC reconfiguration message includes measurement configuration information.

[0026] In operation 204, the UE performs a measurement procedure based on the received measurement configuration information. The measurement procedure can be used to measure the serving cell and one or more neighboring cells. For example, at least one of the serving cell and one or more neighboring cells is an NTN cell.

[0027] In operation 206, the UE determines whether one or more reporting events are satisfied. The one or more reporting events trigger the transmission of a measurement report. For example, the received measurement configuration information includes reporting configuration information, and the reporting configuration information includes one or more reporting events. In operation 208, if the reporting event is satisfied, then the UE transmits a measurement report.

[0028] According to some embodiments, the reporting event includes a location-based trigger condition. In one example, the location-based trigger condition is a location-based event where the distance between the UE and the serving cell is an offset greater than the distance between the UE and a neighboring cell. In short, this location-based event can be named Location-Based Event 1.

[0029] According to some embodiments, the measurement configuration information received by the UE in operation 202 includes a distance hysteresis parameter and a distance offset.

[0030] The distance offset can be associated with the "UE's measurement object" or "satellite". The distance offset is cell-specific. For example, the distance offset is associated with the UE's source cell. For intra-frequency and inter-frequency measurements, the UE's measurement object can indicate the frequency or time location of the reference signal to be measured and the subcarrier spacing.

[0031] Location-Based Event 1 can include an entry condition (e.g., Entry Condition #1 described below), which can also be named a distance entry condition or a location entry condition. In an embodiment, the entry condition is that the difference between "the distance between the UE and the serving cell" (e.g., Dp described below) and the "distance hysteresis parameter" (e.g., Hys1 described below) is greater than the sum of "the distance between the UE and the neighboring cell" (e.g., Dn described below) and the "distance offset" (e.g., offset1 described below).

[0032] Location-Based Event 1 can include a leave condition (e.g., Leave Condition #1 described below), which can also be named a distance leave condition or a location leave condition. In an embodiment, the leave condition is that the sum of "the distance between the UE and the serving cell" (e.g., Dp described below) and the "distance hysteresis parameter" (e.g., Hys1 described below) is less than the sum of "the distance between the UE and the neighboring cell" (e.g., Dn described below) and the "distance offset" (e.g., offset1 described below).

[0033] The entry condition and departure condition of the location-based event 1 in the above example can be represented as follows:

[0034] · Entry condition #1: Dp - Hys1 > Dn + offset1

[0035] · Departure condition #1: Dp + Hys1 < Dn + offset1

[0036] i. Dp (main distance) is the distance between the UE and the serving cell (e.g., the primary cell group or secondary cell group (SpCell)).

[0037] ii. Dn (adjacent distance) is the distance between the UE and the adjacent cell.

[0038] iii. offset1 is optional. offset1 can be a parameter associated with the "UE's measurement object" or "satellite". offset1 is cell-specific.

[0039] iv. Hys1 is the hysteresis parameter of the location-based event 1.

[0040] In another example, the location-based trigger condition is another location event, which is: the distance between the UE and the serving cell is greater than a distance threshold; and / or the distance between the UE and the adjacent cell is less than another distance threshold. Briefly, this other location-based event can be named as location-based event 2.

[0041] According to some embodiments, the measurement configuration information received by the UE in operation 202 includes a distance hysteresis parameter and two distance thresholds. In different embodiments, these two distance thresholds can be the same or different.

[0042] The location-based event 2 can include two entry conditions (e.g., entry condition #1-1 and entry condition #1-2 described below), which can also be named as distance entry conditions or location entry conditions. In an embodiment:

[0043] - The entry condition is that the difference between "the distance between the UE and the serving cell" (e.g., Dp described below) and the "distance hysteresis parameter" (e.g., Hys2 described below) is greater than the distance threshold (e.g., threshold1 described below).

[0044] - Another entry condition is that the sum of "the distance between the UE and the adjacent cell" (e.g., Dn described below) and the "distance hysteresis parameter" (e.g., Hys2 described below) is less than another distance threshold (e.g., threshold2 described below).

[0045] The location-based event 2 may include two departure conditions (e.g., departure condition #1-1 and departure condition #1-2 described below), which may also be named distance departure condition or location departure condition. In an embodiment:

[0046] - The departure condition is that the sum of "the distance between the UE and the serving cell" (e.g., Dp described below) and "the distance hysteresis parameter" (e.g., Hys2 described below) is less than the distance threshold (e.g., threshold1 described below).

[0047] - Another departure condition is that the difference between "the distance between the UE and the neighboring cell" (e.g., Dn described below) and "the distance hysteresis parameter" (e.g., Hys2 described below) is greater than another distance threshold (e.g., threshold2 described below).

[0048] The entry condition and departure condition of the location-based event 2 in the above another example can be represented as follows:

[0049] · Entry condition #1-1: Dp - Hys2 > threshold1

[0050] · Entry condition #1-2: Dn + Hys2 < threshold2

[0051] · Departure condition #1-1: Dp + Hys2 < threshold1

[0052] · Departure condition #1-2: Dn - Hys2 > threshold2

[0053] i. Hys2 is the hysteresis parameter of the location-based event 2.

[0054] Regarding the reporting event, the UE may consider a location-based event (e.g., location-based event 1 or location-based event 2) that satisfies its entry condition during a triggering timer (TTT) (e.g., TTT1) as "fulfilled". The UE may consider a location-based event that satisfies its departure condition during another TTT (e.g., TTT2) as "unfulfilled". The length of TTT1 may be the same as or different from the length of TTT2. That is, after the entry condition of the location-based event (e.g., location-based event 1 or location-based event 2) is fulfilled during TTT1, the UE considers that the reporting event has been "fulfilled" before the departure condition of the location-based event is fulfilled during TTT2. That is, once the departure condition of the location-based event is fulfilled during TTT2, the UE considers the reporting event "unfulfilled".

[0055] In some embodiments, the measurement configuration information includes TTT. Specifically, if the duration for which the entry condition of a location-based event (e.g., location-based event 1 or location-based event 2) is satisfied is equal to or longer than TTT, then the UE may determine that the reporting event is satisfied.

[0056] As specified in 3GPP TS 38.331, the measurement-based trigger conditions include the following events, such as event A1 to event A6. Under the assumption that the source cell is the SpCell, 3GPP TS 38.331 defines the entry condition and the leaving condition for each of event A1 to event A6 respectively.

[0057] Event A1 (the serving cell becomes better than a threshold)

[0058] Event A2 (the serving cell becomes worse than a threshold)

[0059] Event A3 (a neighboring cell becomes better than the SpCell by an offset)

[0060] Event A4 (a neighboring cell becomes better than a threshold)

[0061] Event A5 (the SpCell becomes worse than one threshold and a neighboring cell becomes better than another threshold)

[0062] Event A6 (a neighboring cell becomes better than a secondary cell (Scell) of the primary cell group by an offset)

[0063] In some embodiments of the present application, the reporting event includes a measurement-based trigger condition, such as one of event A1 to event A6. In an example, the measurement-based trigger condition is associated with the reference signal received power (RSRP). In another example, the measurement-based trigger condition is associated with the reference signal received quality (RSRQ).

[0064] In some embodiments of the present application, the reporting event may be a combination of a measurement-based trigger condition and a location-based trigger condition. For example, the reporting event may be named "combined reporting event" and may be one of the following:

[0065] · A combination of event A1 and location-based event 1.

[0066] · A combination of event A1 and location-based event 2.

[0067] · A combination of event A2 and location-based event 1.

[0068] · A combination of event A2 and location-based event 2.

[0069] · The combination of "each of event A3 to event A6" and "one of location-based event 1 and location-based event 2" is similar to the above combination related to event A1 and event A2.

[0070] In these embodiments, the measurement configuration information includes TTT. Specifically, if the duration for which the entry condition of location-based event 1 is satisfied is equal to or longer than TTT, and the duration for which the entry condition of "one of event A1 to event A6" is satisfied is equal to or longer than TTT, then the UE may determine that the combined reporting event is satisfied. If the duration for which the entry condition of location-based event 2 is satisfied is equal to or longer than TTT, and the duration for which the entry condition of "one of event A1 to event A6" is satisfied is equal to or longer than TTT, then the UE may determine that the combined reporting event is satisfied.

[0071] In option 1, the UE regards the event that satisfies its entry condition during TTT as "realized", and regards the event that satisfies its exit condition during TTT as "unrealized". That is, the UE transmits a measurement report only when two events in the combined reporting event are realized. If the measurement-based event is realized and the location-based event is also realized, then the UE believes that the measurement reporting procedure should be triggered.

[0072] In some instances of option 1, in each of the following cases, the UE may determine that the combined reporting event is not satisfied:

[0073] · The duration for which the exit condition of location-based event 1 is satisfied is equal to or longer than TTT;

[0074] · The duration for which the exit condition of location-based event 2 is satisfied is equal to or longer than TTT; and

[0075] · The duration for which the exit condition of "one of event A1 to event A6" is satisfied is equal to or longer than TTT.

[0076] In some instances of option 1, if the UE determines that at least one entry condition associated with the reporting event is not satisfied during TTT, then the UE may determine that the combined reporting event is not satisfied. In other words, if the UE finds that at least one entry condition of the reporting event is not satisfied when TTT expires, then the UE determines that the combined reporting event is not satisfied. For example, if the UE determines that at least one of "the entry condition of location-based event 1, the entry condition of location-based event 2, and the entry condition of one of event A1 to event A6" is not satisfied during TTT, then the UE may determine that the combined reporting event is not satisfied.

[0077] In Option 2, the UE regards an event that meets its entry condition during the TTT as "fulfilled" and an event that does not meet its entry condition during the TTT as "not fulfilled". In some instances of Option 2, in each of the following cases, the UE may determine that the reporting event is not met:

[0078] · The duration for which the entry condition of Location-based Event 1 is met is shorter than the TTT;

[0079] · The duration for which the entry condition of Location-based Event 2 is met is shorter than the TTT; and

[0080] · The duration for which the entry condition of "one of Event A1 to Event A6" is met is shorter than the TTT.

[0081] In some embodiments, the UE transmits a capability indicator to, for example, the BS. The capability indicator may indicate whether the UE supports: Location-based Event 1, Location-based Event 2, measurement-based trigger conditions (e.g., one of Event A1 to Event A6), the combination of measurement-based trigger conditions and Location-based Event 1; and / or the combination of measurement-based trigger conditions and Location-based Event 2.

[0082] In some embodiments, if the departure condition of the reporting event is met during the TTT, then the UE further transmits a measurement report to the serving cell.

[0083] In some embodiments, if the distance between the UE and the serving cell is less than a configured distance value, then the UE further transmits a measurement report to the serving cell.

[0084] In some embodiments, the upper layer of the UE maintains the ephemeris of the UE and / or the location information of the UE. In an embodiment, the UE receives a location reference point. The location information of the UE is related to the location reference point.

[0085] In an embodiment, the upper layer of the UE indicates to the RRC layer of the UE: the ephemeris of the UE; the location information of the UE; the change in the ephemeris of the UE; and / or the change in the location information of the UE. Based on these parameters indicated by the upper layer of the UE, the RRC layer of the UE may check the entry condition and the departure condition of the reporting event and determine whether the reporting event is met.

[0086] In another embodiment, the RRC layer of the UE transmits measurement configuration information associated with the entry condition and the departure condition of the reporting event and the TTT value to the upper layer of the UE. Based on these parameters indicated by the RRC layer of the UE, the upper layer of the UE checks the entry condition and the departure condition of the reporting event, determines whether the reporting event is met, and then indicates the determination to the RRC layer of the UE.

[0087] The following text describes as Figure 2Two specific embodiments of the method shown and described herein.

[0088] Embodiment 1

[0089] According to Embodiment 1, a UE (e.g., Figure 1 UE 101-A and UE 101-B shown and described herein) and a BS (e.g., Figure 1 BS102 shown and described herein) perform the following operations:

[0090] (1) The UE accesses the network. The network configures this UE with measurement configuration information.

[0091] a) The UE is in the RRC_CONNECTED state and maintains a list of measurement objects, a list of reporting configurations, and a list of measurement identities according to the measurement configuration information.

[0092] b) The BS may configure the following one reporting event (i.e., the triggering event of the measurement report) for the UE:

[0093] - Location-based event 1: The serving cell becomes greater than the offset of the neighboring cell.

[0094] - Location-based event 2: The distance between the UE and the source cell is greater than a threshold, and the distance between the UE and the neighboring cell is less than another threshold.

[0095] (2) The UE performs a measurement procedure based on the measurement configuration information. The UE evaluates whether the entry condition of the reporting event (Location-based event 1 or Location-based event 2) is met. If the entry condition of the reporting event is met during the TTT, then the UE is triggered to report the measurement result.

[0096] a) Option 1: The upper layer of the UE maintains the ephemeris of the UE and indicates the ephemeris to the RRC layer of the UE. The upper layer of the UE maintains the location information of the UE and indicates the location information to the RRC layer. The RRC layer checks the entry condition and the exit condition of the reporting event. Once the ephemeris and / or the location information changes, the upper layer of the UE needs to indicate the information to the RRC layer.

[0097] b) Option 2: The RRC layer of the UE transmits the entry condition of the reporting event, the exit condition of the reporting event, and the TTT value to the upper layer of the UE. The upper layer checks the entry condition and the exit condition of the reporting event and indicates the corresponding result to the RRC layer.

[0098] c) If the entry condition of the reporting event is met during the TTT, then the UE considers the reporting event to be triggered and starts reporting the measurement result.

[0099] d) The distance between the serving cell and an adjacent cell will be reported to the serving cell. If the distance between the UE and the adjacent cell is less than a configured distance value, then the distance of the adjacent cell will be reported to the serving cell.

[0100] (3) The BS receives measurement results from the UE. The BS will decide whether to perform a handover procedure based on the measurement results.

[0101] (4) When the UE determines that a reporting event has not been achieved, the UE stops reporting measurement results.

[0102] a) When the leaving condition of the reporting event is satisfied during the TTT, the UE determines that the reporting event has not been achieved.

[0103] b) When the leaving condition of the reporting event is satisfied during the TTT, the UE is triggered to report measurement results and the location information of the UE.

[0104] Embodiment 2

[0105] According to Embodiment 2, the UE (e.g., Figure 1 UE 101-A and UE 101-B as described and shown) and the BS (e.g., Figure 1 BS102 as described and shown) perform the following operations:

[0106] (1) After the UE accesses the network, the UE reports a capability indicator to the network, indicating that the UE supports measurement reporting based on a combined reporting event, e.g., one of measurement reporting based on a location-based event + measurement reporting based on a legacy event.

[0107] a) Capability indicator #1: Indicates whether the UE supports triggering measurement reporting based on a location-based event.

[0108] b) Capability indicator #2: Indicates whether the UE supports triggering measurement reporting based on a combination of a location-based event and a measurement-based event.

[0109] (2) The network configures this UE with measurement configuration information.

[0110] a) The UE in the RRC_CONNECTED state maintains a measurement object list, a reporting configuration list, and a measurement identification list according to the measurement configuration information.

[0111] b) The BS can configure a combined reporting event (i.e., a combined triggering event) for the UE, e.g., a combination of one of the following two location-based events and a legacy event.

[0112] - Location-based event 1: The SpCell becomes greater than the offset of the adjacent cell

[0113] - Location - based event 2: The distance between the UE and the source cell is greater than a threshold, and the distance between the UE and the neighboring cell is less than another threshold.

[0114] - Legacy events defined in 3GPP TS 38.331:

[0115] · Event A1 (The serving cell becomes better than a threshold)

[0116] · Event A2 (The serving cell becomes worse than a threshold)

[0117] ● Event A3 (The neighboring cell becomes better than the SpCell with an offset)

[0118] · Event A4 (The neighboring cell becomes better than a threshold)

[0119] · Event A5 (The SpCell becomes worse than a threshold, and the neighboring cell becomes better than another threshold)

[0120] · Event A6 (The neighboring cell becomes better than the secondary cell (Scell) of the primary cell group with an offset)

[0121] For example, the BS may configure the combined reporting event as a combination of a location - based event 1 and a measurement - based triggering condition (e.g., Event A3) or a combination of a location - based event 2 and a measurement - based triggering condition (e.g., Event A3).

[0122] (3) The UE executes a measurement procedure based on the measurement configuration information. The UE evaluates whether the entry condition of the combined reporting event is met. If the entry condition of the combined reporting event is met during the TTT, then the UE is triggered to report the measurement result.

[0123] a) Option 1: The UE considers that the entry condition of the reporting event is met during the TTT as being achieved, and the departure condition of the reporting event is not met during the TTT as not being achieved. When both events in the combined reporting event are considered "achieved", the UE determines to trigger the measurement reporting procedure.

[0124] b) Option 2: The UE considers that the entry condition of the reporting event is met during the TTT as being achieved, and the non - fulfillment of the entry condition of the reporting event during the TTT as not being achieved. When both events in the combined reporting event are considered "achieved", the UE determines to trigger the measurement reporting procedure.

[0125] (4) The BS receives the measurement result from the UE. The BS will decide whether to perform a handover procedure based on the measurement result.

[0126] (5) When the UE considers that the reporting event is not achieved, the UE stops reporting the measurement result.

[0127] a) Option 1: If either a measurement-based event or a location-based event is satisfied, the UE considers the reporting event "not achieved". Then, the UE stops reporting measurement results.

[0128] b) Option 2: The UE considers the reporting event "not achieved" only when neither a measurement-based event nor a location-based event is satisfied. Then, the UE stops reporting measurement results.

[0129] As Figure 1 、 3 and the details described in the embodiments illustrated and described in 4, particularly those related to handling reporting events, may apply to the embodiments illustrated and described in Figure 2 In addition, the details described in the embodiments of Figure 2 may apply to Figure 1 、 3 and all embodiments of 4.

[0130] Figure 3 Exemplary flowchart illustrating a method for receiving a measurement report according to some embodiments of the present application. Figure 3 The embodiments of Figure 1 may be performed by a BS or a source BS (e.g., Figure 3 the BS 102 illustrated and described in

[0131] In the exemplary method 300 shown in Figure 3 at operation 302, the BS receives an RRC reconfiguration message. The RRC reconfiguration message contains measurement configuration information. For example, the BS receives the RRC reconfiguration message from a UE (e.g., Figure 1 the UE 101-A and UE 101-B illustrated and described in

[0132] At operation 304, the BS receives a measurement report. The measurement report includes the results of measurement procedures performed by the UE (e.g., Figure 1 the UE 101-A and UE 101-B illustrated and described in

[0133] According to some embodiments, the measurement configuration information in the RRC reconfiguration message includes a distance hysteresis parameter and a distance offset. These parameters may be used for location-based event 1. The distance offset is cell-specific and may be associated with the "UE's measurement object" or "satellite".

[0134] According to some embodiments, the measurement configuration information in the RRC reconfiguration message includes a distance hysteresis parameter and two distance thresholds. These parameters can be used for location-based event 2.

[0135] In an example, the measurement configuration information in the RRC reconfiguration message includes a triggering timer (TTT).

[0136] According to some embodiments, the BS receives a capability indicator. The capability indicator can indicate whether the UE supports: location-based event 1, location-based event 2, measurement-based triggering conditions (e.g., one of events A1 to A6), a combination of measurement-based triggering conditions and location-based event 1; and / or a combination of measurement-based triggering conditions and location-based event 2. The measurement-based triggering conditions can be associated with RSRP or RSRQ.

[0137] According to some embodiments, the BS transmits a location reference point to the UE, for example. The location information of the UE is related to the location reference point.

[0138] As Figure 1 、 2 and the details described in the embodiments illustrated and described in 4, particularly those related to measurement configuration information, may be applicable to the embodiments as illustrated and described in Figure 3 . In addition, the details described in the embodiments of Figure 3 may be applicable to Figure 1 、 2 and all embodiments of 4.

[0139] Figure 4 Exemplary block diagrams of devices according to some embodiments of the present application are illustrated. In some embodiments of the present application, device 400 may be a UE, which may at least execute the method described in Figure 2 . In some embodiments of the present application, device 400 may be a BS, which may at least execute the method described in Figure 3 .

[0140] As Figure 4 illustrated, device 400 may include at least one receiver 402, at least one transmitter 404, at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium 406, and at least one processor 408, where the processor 408 is coupled to the at least one receiver 402, the at least one transmitter 404, and the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium 406.

[0141] Although in Figure 4In [the text], elements described in the singular, such as at least one receiver 402, at least one transmitter 404, at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium 406, and at least one processor 408, are considered in the plural unless explicitly stated to be limited to the singular form. In some embodiments of the present application, at least one receiver 402 and at least one transmitter 404 are combined into a single device, such as a transceiver. In certain embodiments of the present application, the device 400 may further include an input device, a memory, and / or other components.

[0142] In some embodiments of the present application, at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium 406 may store computer-executable instructions thereon, the computer-executable instructions being programmed to implement operations of a method described, for example, Figure 2 or Figure 3 in the view of [the text].

[0143] Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the steps of the methods described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in software modules executed by a processor, or in a combination of both. The software modules may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Additionally, in some aspects, the operations of the methods may reside as one or any combination or collection of code and / or instructions on a non-transitory computer-readable medium that can be incorporated into a computer program product.

[0144] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments of the present disclosure, it is apparent that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the various components of the embodiments may be interchanged, added, or replaced in other embodiments. Moreover, all the elements of each figure are not necessary for the operation of the disclosed embodiments. For example, those skilled in the art will be able to form and use the teachings of the present disclosure by simply employing the elements of the independent claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure set forth herein are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0145] In this document, the term "includes" or any other variation thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to the process, method, article, or apparatus. An element that begins with "a" or the like is not excluded from the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element in the absence of further limitations. Moreover, the term "another" is defined as at least a second or more. As used herein, the terms "has" and the like are defined as "includes".

Claims

1. A user equipment UE (101, 400) for wireless communication, the UE (101, 400) comprising: At least one memory (406); And At least one processor (408), coupled to the at least one memory (406) and configured to cause the UE (101, 400) to: Receive a radio resource control RRC reconfiguration message from a base station BS (102, 400), wherein the RRC reconfiguration message contains measurement configuration information; Execute a measurement procedure based on the measurement configuration information; Determine whether one or more reporting events are satisfied, wherein the one or more reporting events trigger the transmission of a measurement report; And In response to the reporting event being satisfied, transmit the measurement report to the BS (102, 400); Wherein the reporting event includes a location-based trigger condition, and the location-based trigger condition is at least one of the following: A first distance between the UE (101, 400) and a serving cell is greater than a first distance threshold; or A second distance between the UE (101, 400) and an adjacent cell is less than a second distance threshold.

2. The UE (101, 400) according to claim 1, wherein the measurement configuration information includes reporting configuration information including the one or more reporting events.

3. The UE (101, 400) according to claim 1, wherein the processor (408) is configured such that the measurement procedure is for measuring a serving cell and one or more adjacent cells, and at least one of the serving cell and the one or more adjacent cells is a non-terrestrial network NTN cell.

4. The UE (101, 400) according to claim 1, wherein the reporting event includes a second location-based trigger condition, and the second location-based trigger condition is: A first distance between the UE (101, 400) and a serving cell is greater than an offset compared to a second distance between the UE (101, 400) and an adjacent cell.

5. The UE (101, 400) according to claim 1, wherein the measurement configuration information includes a second distance hysteresis parameter, the first distance threshold, and the second distance threshold, wherein the location-based trigger condition includes a second entry condition, and wherein the second entry condition includes one of the following: A difference between the first distance and the second distance hysteresis parameter is greater than the first distance threshold; and A sum of the second distance and the second distance hysteresis parameter is less than the second distance threshold.

6. The UE (101, 400) according to claim 5, wherein the processor (408) is configured to cause the UE (101, 400) to: In response to at least one of the following, determine that a departure condition for the reporting event is satisfied: A sum of the first distance and the first distance hysteresis parameter is less than a sum of the second distance and the distance offset; A sum of the first distance and the second distance hysteresis parameter is less than the first distance threshold; and A difference between the second distance and the second distance hysteresis parameter is greater than the second distance threshold.

7. The UE (101, 400) according to claim 1, wherein the measurement configuration information includes a triggering timer TTT, and determining whether one or more reporting events are satisfied further includes: Determining that the reporting event is satisfied in response to a duration for which an entry condition for the reporting event is satisfied being equal to or longer than the TTT.

8. The UE (101, 400) according to claim 1, wherein the reporting event further includes a measurement-based triggering condition, and the measurement-based triggering condition is at least one of the following: A measurement result of an adjacent cell is better by an offset compared to a measurement result of a serving cell; and The measurement result of the serving cell is worse than a first threshold, and the measurement result of the adjacent candidate cell is better than a second threshold.

9. The UE (101, 400) according to claim 1, wherein the measurement configuration information includes a TTT, and the processor (408) is configured to cause the UE (101, 400) to: Transmit the measurement report to the serving cell in response to a departure condition for the reporting event being satisfied during the TTT.

10. The UE (101, 400) according to claim 1, wherein the processor (408) is configured to cause the UE (101, 400) to: Transmit the measurement report to the serving cell in response to a first distance between the UE (101, 400) and a serving cell being less than a configured distance value.

11. The UE (101, 400) according to claim 1, wherein an upper layer of the UE (101, 400) maintains at least one of the following: An ephemeris of the UE (101, 400); and Position information of the UE (101, 400).

12. A processor (408) for a user equipment UE (101, 400) for wireless communication, the processor (408) being configured to: Receive a radio resource control RRC reconfiguration message from a base station BS (102, 400), wherein the RRC reconfiguration message includes measurement configuration information; Execute a measurement procedure based on the measurement configuration information; Determine whether one or more reporting events are satisfied, wherein the one or more reporting events trigger transmission of a measurement report; and Transmit the measurement report to the BS (102, 400) in response to a reporting event being satisfied; wherein the reporting event includes a location-based triggering condition, and the location-based triggering condition is at least one of the following: A first distance between the UE (101, 400) and a serving cell is greater than a first distance threshold; or A second distance between the UE (101, 400) and an adjacent cell is less than a second distance threshold.

13. A base station BS (102, 400) for wireless communication, the BS (102, 400) including: At least one memory (406); And At least one processor (408) coupled to the at least one memory (406) and configured to cause the BS (102, 400) to: Receive a capability indicator from a user equipment UE (101, 400), where the capability indicator indicates whether the UE (101, 400) supports location-based trigger conditions, and the location-based trigger conditions are at least one of the following: a first distance between the UE (101, 400) and a serving cell is greater than a first distance threshold; or a second distance between the UE (101, 400) and an adjacent cell is less than a second distance threshold; Transmit a Radio Resource Control RRC reconfiguration message to the UE (101, 400), where the RRC reconfiguration message contains measurement configuration information; Receive a measurement report from the UE (101, 400), where the measurement report includes the results of measurement procedures performed by the UE (101, 400); and Determine whether to perform a handover procedure based on the results of the measurement procedures.

14. The BS (102, 400) according to claim 13, where the measurement configuration information includes a second distance hysteresis parameter, the first distance threshold, and the second distance threshold, where the location-based trigger condition includes a second entry condition, and where the second entry condition includes one of the following: The difference between the first distance and the second distance hysteresis parameter is greater than the first distance threshold; and The sum of the second distance and the second distance hysteresis parameter is less than the second distance threshold.

15. The BS (102, 400) according to claim 13, where the measurement configuration information includes a trigger timer (TTT).

16. The BS (102, 400) according to claim 13, where the processor is configured to cause the BS (102, 400) to receive a capability indicator to indicate whether the UE supports at least one of the following: A first location-based trigger condition; A second location-based trigger condition; A measurement-based trigger condition; A combination of the measurement-based trigger condition and the first location-based trigger condition; and A combination of the measurement-based trigger condition and the second location-based trigger condition.

17. The BS (102, 400) according to claim 16, where the measurement-based trigger condition is associated with a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) or a Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ).

18. The BS (102, 400) according to claim 13, where the processor is configured to cause the source BS to transmit a location reference point, where the location information of the UE is related to the location reference point.

19. A method performed by a user equipment UE (101, 400), the method including: Receive a Radio Resource Control RRC reconfiguration message from a base station BS (102, 400), where the RRC reconfiguration message contains measurement configuration information; Perform measurement procedures based on the measurement configuration information; Determine whether one or more reporting events are satisfied, where the one or more reporting events trigger the transmission of a measurement report; and And Transmit the measurement report to the BS (102, 400) in response to a reporting event being satisfied; wherein the reporting event includes a location-based triggering condition, and the location-based triggering condition is at least one of the following: a first distance between the UE (101, 400) and a serving cell is greater than a first distance threshold; or a second distance between the UE (101, 400) and an adjacent cell is less than a second distance threshold.

20. A method performed by a base station BS (102, 400), the method comprising: receiving a capability indicator from a user equipment UE (101, 400), wherein the capability indicator indicates whether the UE (101, 400) supports a location-based triggering condition, and the location-based triggering condition is at least one of the following: a first distance between the UE (101, 400) and a serving cell is greater than a first distance threshold; or a second distance between the UE (101, 400) and an adjacent cell is less than a second distance threshold; transmitting a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message to the UE (101, 400), wherein the RRC reconfiguration message contains measurement configuration information; receiving a measurement report from the UE (101, 400), wherein the measurement report includes the result of a measurement procedure performed by the UE (101, 400); and determining whether to perform a handover procedure based on the result of the measurement procedure.

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