Early measurement reporting with periodic measurements

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium for early measurement reporting using periodic measurements are provided. In an example implementation, the method may include a user equipment determining that the user equipment is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting, performing a cell reselection measurement based at least on a cell reselection configuration, and performing early measurement reporting using the reselection measurement when the user equipment is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with international application number PCT / IB2020 / 053781, international application date April 21, 2020, entering the Chinese national stage on December 26, 2022, Chinese national application number 202080101790.6, and invention name “Early measurement reporting using periodic measurements”. Technical Field

[0002] This description relates to wireless communications, and in particular to early measurement reporting. Background Art

[0003] A communication system may be a facility that enables communication between two or more nodes or devices, such as fixed or mobile communication devices. Signals may be transmitted over wired or wireless carriers.

[0004] An example of a cellular communication system is the architecture standardized by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The latest development in this area is generally referred to as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio access technology. E-UTRA (Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access) is the air interface of the 3GPP's Long Term Evolution (LTE) upgrade path for mobile networks. In LTE, a base station or access point (AP), called an enhanced node AP or evolved node B (eNB), provides wireless access within a coverage area or cell. In LTE, a mobile device or mobile station is called a user equipment (UE). LTE has included many improvements or developments.

[0005] The development of 5G New Radio (NR) is part of the ongoing mobile broadband evolution process to meet the requirements of 5G, similar to the earlier evolution of 3G and 4G wireless networks. In addition, 5G targets emerging use cases beyond mobile broadband. One goal of 5G is to significantly improve wireless performance, which can include new levels of data rate, latency, reliability and security. 5G NR can also be extended to efficiently connect the massive Internet of Things (IoT) and can provide new mission-critical services. Ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC) equipment may require high reliability and very low latency. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Various example implementations are described and / or illustrated. The details of one or more examples of implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

[0007] A method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium for performing early measurement reporting using periodic measurements are provided. In an example implementation, the method may include a user equipment determining that the user equipment is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting, performing cell reselection measurements based at least on a cell reselection configuration, and performing early measurement reporting using the reselection measurements when the user equipment is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network according to an example implementation.

[0009] Figure 2 An enhanced early measurement reporting (EMR) process according to an example implementation is shown.

[0010] Figure 3 Another enhanced early measurement reporting (EMR) procedure according to another example implementation is shown.

[0011] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an enhanced early measurement reporting (EMR) process according to an example implementation.

[0012] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating another enhanced early measurement reporting (EMR) process according to an example implementation.

[0013] Figure 6 Utilization of reselection measurements for early measurement reporting according to an example implementation is shown.

[0014] Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating early measurement reporting with reselection measurements according to an example implementation.

[0015] Figure 8 is a block diagram of a node or wireless station (eg, a base station / access point or a mobile station / user equipment / UE) according to an example implementation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network 130 according to an example implementation. Figure 1In a wireless network 130, user devices (UDs) 131, 132, 133, and 135 (also referred to as mobile stations (MSs) or user equipment (UEs)) can connect to (and communicate with) a base station (BS) 134 (also referred to as an access point (AP), enhanced Node B (eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), or network node). At least a portion of the functionality of an access point (AP), base station (BS), (e)Node B (eNB), or gNB can also be performed by any node, server, or host that can be operably coupled to a transceiver (such as a remote radio head). BS (or AP) 134 provides wireless coverage within cell 136, including to user devices 131, 132, 133, and 135. Although only four user devices are shown connected or attached to BS 134, any number of user devices can be provided. BS 134 is also connected to core network 150 via S1 interface 151. This is merely one simple example of a wireless network, and other wireless networks may be used.

[0017] User equipment (UE) may refer to a portable computing device including a wireless mobile communication device operating with or without a subscriber identity module (SIM), including but not limited to the following types of devices: a mobile station (MS), a mobile phone, a cell phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handset, a device using a wireless modem (e.g., an alarm or measurement device), a laptop and / or touch screen computer, a tablet, a phablet, a game console, a notebook computer and multimedia device, or any other wireless device. It should be understood that a user device may also be almost exclusively an uplink-only device, an example of which is a camera or camcorder that uploads images or video clips to a network.

[0018] In LTE (as an example), the core network 150 may be referred to as an evolved packet core (EPC), which may include a mobility management entity (MME) that may handle or assist mobility / handover of user equipment between BSs, one or more gateways that may forward data and control signals between the BS and a packet data network or the Internet, and other control functions or blocks. In 5G, the 5G packet core (5GC) provides the functions provided by the EPC in 4G / LTE.

[0019] Furthermore, as illustrative examples, various example implementations or techniques described herein may be applied to various types of user equipment or data service types, or may be applied to user equipment on which multiple applications may be running, each of which may have different data service types. New Radio (5G) developments may support a variety of different applications or a variety of different data service types, such as machine type communication (MTC), enhanced machine type communication (eMTC), Internet of Things (IoT) and / or narrowband IoT user equipment, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), and ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC).

[0020] The IoT can refer to the growing group of objects that can have internet or network connectivity, allowing them to send and receive information to and from other network devices. For example, many sensor-type applications or devices can monitor physical conditions or states and send reports to servers or other network devices, such as when events occur. For example, machine-type communication (MTC or machine-to-machine communication) can be characterized by fully automated data generation, exchange, processing, and actuation between intelligent machines, with or without human intervention. Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) can support higher data rates than currently available in LTE.

[0021] Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) is a new data service type or new use case that the New Radio (5G) system can support. This enables emerging new applications and services such as industrial automation, autonomous driving, vehicle safety, e-health services, etc. As an illustrative example, the 3GPP's goal is to provide U-plane (user / data plane) latency connectivity of up to, for example, 1 ms and reliability of 1-1e-5. Thus, for example, a URLLC user equipment / UE may require a significantly lower block error rate than other types of user equipment / UE, as well as low latency. Thus, for example, a URLLC UE (or a URLLC application on a UE) may require shorter latency than an eMBB UE (or an eMBB application running on the UE).

[0022] Various example implementations can be applied to a variety of wireless technologies or wireless networks, such as LTE, LTE-A, 5G, IoT, MTC, eMTC, eMBB, URLLC, etc., or any other wireless network or wireless technology. These example networks, technologies, or data service types are provided as illustrative examples only.

[0023] Multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) may refer to a technique for increasing radio link capacity using multiple transmit and receive antennas to exploit multipath propagation. MIMO may include the use of multiple antennas at a transmitter and / or receiver. MIMO may include a multidimensional method for transmitting and receiving two or more unique data streams over one radio channel. For example, MIMO may refer to a technique for simultaneously sending and receiving more than one data signal over the same radio channel by exploiting multipath propagation. According to an illustrative example, multi-user multiple-input, multiple-output (multi-user MIMO or MU-MIMO) enhances MIMO technology by allowing a base station (BS) or other wireless node to simultaneously transmit or receive multiple streams to different user equipment or UEs, which may include simultaneously transmitting a first stream to a first UE and a second stream to a second UE via the same (or common or shared) set of physical resource blocks (PRBs) (e.g., where each PRB may include a set of time-frequency resources).

[0024] In addition, the BS may use precoding to transmit data to the UE (based on a precoder matrix or precoder vector for the UE). For example, the UE may receive a reference signal or a pilot signal and may determine a quantized version of a DL channel estimate and then provide an indication of the quantized DL channel estimate to the BS. The BS may determine a precoder matrix based on the quantized channel estimate, wherein the precoder matrix may be used to focus or direct the transmission signal energy in the optimal channel direction for the UE. In addition, each UE may use a decoder matrix that may be determined, for example, wherein the UE may receive a reference signal from the BS, determine a channel estimate for the DL channel, and then determine a decoder matrix for the DL channel based on the DL channel estimate. For example, the precoder matrix may indicate antenna weights (e.g., the amplitude / gain and phase of each weight) to be applied to the antenna array of the transmitting wireless device. Similarly, the decoder matrix may indicate antenna weights (e.g., the amplitude / gain and phase of each weight) to be applied to the antenna array of the receiving wireless device. This also applies to the UL when the UE is transmitting data to the BS.

[0025] For example, according to an example aspect, a receiving wireless user device may use interference rejection combining (IRC) to determine a precoder matrix, wherein the user device receives reference signals (or other signals) from multiple base stations (e.g., and may measure the signal strength, signal power, or other signal parameters of the signals received from each base station) and may generate a decoder matrix that can suppress or reduce signals from one or more interference sources (or interfering cells or base stations), for example, by providing a null (or very low antenna gain) in the direction of the interfering signal to increase the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of the desired signal. To reduce the overall interference from multiple different interference sources, the receiver may use, for example, a linear minimum mean square error interference rejection combining (LMMSE-IRC) receiver to determine the decoder matrix. IRC receivers and LMMSE-IRC receivers are merely examples, and other types of receivers or techniques may be used to determine the decoder matrix. After determining the decoder matrix, the receiving UE / user device may apply antenna weights (e.g., each antenna weight, including amplitude and phase) to the multiple antennas at the receiving UE or device based on the decoder matrix. Similarly, the precoder matrix may include antenna weights that may be applied to the antennas of the transmitting wireless device or node. This also applies to the receiving base station.

[0026] A user equipment (UE) can perform early measurement reporting (EMR) measurements while a timer (e.g., T331 timer) is running. This consumes battery power on the UE. It is desirable for the UE to perform EMR measurements only when measurements are needed. Currently, a network node (e.g., gNB / NR) can configure the UE to perform EMR measurements only when the UE transitions from a high-power radio resource control (RRC) state (e.g., RRC_CONNECTED) to a low-power RRC state (e.g., INACTIVE, IDLE, etc.) and while the T331 timer is still running, which still results in unnecessary power consumption if the same frequency is not being measured for reselection purposes. However, if the UE starts measurements only shortly after a connection is needed, it is likely that no measurements are available (or the measurements are unreliable) when reporting occurs (e.g., in a Setup Complete / Resume Complete message). For example, the network node can use an RRC Release message with measIdleDuration to command the UE to perform EMR measurements (T331). The UE performs EMR measurements when it is in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE, T331 is running, and SIB1 contains idleModeMeasurements. The IdleModeMeasurements field in SIB1 indicates that the UE can include idle / inactive measurement reporting availability during connection establishment or resumption. EMR measurement configuration can be given in RRC release or SIB11. When both RRC release and SIB11 contain EMR configuration, the configuration in RRC release takes precedence over the SIB11 configuration.

[0027] For example, in a wireless network, a network node (e.g., gNB / eNB) may request a UE to measure New Radio (NR) and / or Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) carriers in an inactive / idle state via System Information (SI) or a dedicated measurement configuration in an RRC Release message. If the UE is configured to perform measurements on NR / E-UTRA carriers while in the idle state, it may provide the network with an indication of the availability of the corresponding measurement results in an RRCSetupComplete message. The network may request the UE to report measurements after security activation. The request for measurements may be sent by the network immediately after transmitting a Security Mode Command (e.g., before receiving a Security Mode Complete message from the UE). However, if the UE is configured to perform measurements on NR / E-UTRA carriers while in the inactive state, the network may request the UE to provide the corresponding measurement results in an RRCResume message, and the UE may then include the available measurement results in an RRCRresumeComplete message. Alternatively, the UE may provide the network with an indication of the availability of the measurement results in an RRCResumeComplete message, and the network may then request the UE to provide these measurement results.

[0028] Therefore, it is desirable and / or necessary to report good measurement results soon after the connection establishment begins, so as to configure carrier aggregation (CA) or dual connectivity (DA) as early as possible.

[0029] This disclosure describes an example enhanced early measurement reporting (EMR) procedure. In an example implementation, the eEMR procedure may include determining that a user equipment is configured for eEMR, and determining whether to initiate an early measurement reporting measurement in response to determining that the user equipment is configured for eEMR. The eEMR procedure may also include initiating an EMR measurement in response to determining that an eEMR measurement is to be initiated.

[0030] The present disclosure describes a method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium for performing early measurement reporting using periodic measurements. In an example implementation, the method may include: determining, by a user equipment, that the user equipment is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting, performing cell reselection measurements based at least on a cell reselection configuration, and performing early measurement reporting using the reselection measurements when the user equipment is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting.

[0031] Figure 2 An enhanced early measurement reporting (eEMR) process 200 is shown according to an example implementation.

[0032] At 210, a UE (e.g., UE 202) may be in an RRC_CONNECTED state and may be communicating with a network node (e.g., gNB / gNB 204).

[0033] At 212, UE 202 may receive an RRC release message from gNB 204. In an example implementation, when the UE is in the RRC_CONNECTED state, the RRC release message may be sent (or transmitted) by the gNB to the UE to command the release or suspension of the RRC connection (e.g., using suspendConfig, which may indicate a configuration for the RRC_INACTIVE state). In an example implementation, the RRC release message may command the release of the RRC connection, such that the UE may transition to the RRC_IDLE state. In another example implementation, the RRC release message may command the suspension of the RRC connection, such that the UE may transition to the RRC_INACTIVE state.

[0034] In some implementations, the RRC release message may include several information elements (IEs) or parameters. In an example implementation, the RRC release message may include system information (SI), EMR configuration, eEMR configuration, and T331 timer value, among others. In an example implementation, the eEMR configuration may include an indication for the UE to save (or retain) the EMR configuration upon expiration of the T331 timer, which indication is received at 212. In an example implementation, the RRC release message may include information for EMR measurements, such as a MeasIdleConfig information element (IE). The MeasIdleConfig IE may be used to convey to the UE information about measurements to be performed when the UE is in the RRC_IDLE or RRC-INACTVE state.

[0035] At 214, upon receiving the RRC release message from the gNB, UE 202 may transition UE 202 to an RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state, e.g., to save UE power / battery and / or network resources.

[0036] When the UE transitions to the RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state, at 216, the UE 202 may perform EMR measurements as defined in TS 38.331. For example, section 5.7.8 of TS 38.331 describes a procedure that specifies measurements performed by a UE in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state when the UE has an idle / inactive measurement configuration and storage of available measurements for the UE in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state. In some implementations, for example, the UE 202 may perform EMR measurements while the T331 timer is running (e.g., the T331 timer has not expired). The UE may perform EMR measurements based at least on the EMR configuration received from the gNB 204 at 212 (e.g., via an RRC message or SIB11).

[0037] At 218, upon expiration of the T331 timer, the UE 202 may stop EMR measurements. In other words, the UE may perform EMR measurements based at least on the EMR configuration and stop performing (eg, measuring, collecting, etc.) EMR measurements upon expiration of the T331 timer.

[0038] Upon expiration of the T331 timer, at 220, UE 202 may save the EMR configuration received at 212. Since the UE may delete the EMR configuration received from the gNB once the T331 timer expires, in some implementations, for example, if the UE is configured with an eEMR configuration, UE 202 may save the EMR configuration received at 212. This allows the UE to perform EMR measurements based on at least the EMR configuration even after the T331 timer expires. In some implementations, for example, if the UE is configured for eEMR, UE 202 may save the EMR configuration.

[0039] In some implementations, if the UE is configured with an eEMR configuration or supports eEMR, the UE may decide to save the EMR configuration upon expiration of the T331 timer.

[0040] After a period of time at 222, at 224, UE 202 may receive a wake-up signal / indication from gNB 204 to wake up, or receive a paging message. In some implementations, for example, the wake-up signal / indication or paging message may include an indication to initiate EMR measurements at the UE and / or report the EMR measurements to the gNB. For example, in some implementations, a wake-up signal (WUS) may allow the UE to skip monitoring the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) for paging reception in an idle / inactive state (or mode), or skip monitoring the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) onDuration when no data transmission is required in connected mode. If the network node intends to send a paging message to the UE or intends to schedule the UE, the network node may send wake-up signaling to the UE during the WUS opportunity(s) to wake up the UE, and the UE will then monitor the normal PDCCH for paging reception or scheduled data during the upcoming onDuration. In the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), WUS can be referred to as downlink control information (DCI) with a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) scrambled by the Power Save Radio Network Temporary Identity (PS-RNTI) DCP. WUS can be a reference signal or sequence received / decoded by the UE. WUS can be a special downlink control information (DCI) format that can wake up an individual UE, a group of UEs, or all UEs that decode the WUS.

[0041] At 226, in response to receiving the wake-up signal / indication or paging message, UE 202 may start or initiate EMR measurements. In some implementations, for example, UE 202 may start EMR measurements based at least on the EMR configuration received at 212. In some implementations, for example, the wake-up signal / indication or paging message may also instruct the UE to perform EMR measurements. Furthermore, in some implementations, for example, the wake-up signal / indication or paging message may also instruct the UE to report the EMR measurements to the gNB. In an example implementation, the UE may report the EMR measurements to the gNB when the UE transitions to the RRC_CONNECTED state.

[0042] At 228, UE 202 may perform connection establishment with the gNB, and the gNB may configure carrier aggregation (CA) or dual connectivity (DC) configuration, transmit EMR measurements (e.g., EMR reports or EMR results) to the gNB.

[0043] At 230, once the connection is established, UE 202 may transition to the RRC_CONNECTED state. In some implementations, for example, the UE may be configured with CA or DC. For example, if the UE provides sufficiently good EMR results for CA or DC, the gNB may configure CA or DC for the UE. In an example implementation, if the reported RSRP is sufficiently good for cells a, b, and c, the gNB may configure CA or DC with cells a, b, and / or c.

[0044] Therefore, after transitioning to the RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state, the UE may perform EMR measurements upon expiration of the T331 timer in response to a wake-up signal / indication or a paging message. The UE may perform EMR measurements and collect measurement results based on at least the EMR configuration stored by the UE after the T331 timer expires. The UE may store the EMR configuration in response to receiving an eEMR configuration from the gNB. In other words, the UE may store the EMR configuration even though the T331 timer has expired. In some implementations, the UE may store the EMR configuration if the UE is configured for or supports eEMR, e.g., based on 3GPP specifications.

[0045] Figure 3 Another enhanced early measurement reporting (EMR) process 300 is shown according to another example implementation.

[0046] For example, in some implementations, Figure 3 The operations shown at 210-222 and 226-230 can be compared with Figure 2 Operations 210 - 222 and 226 - 230 are shown to be the same or similar.

[0047] At 324, UE 202 may detect the availability (presence) of uplink data for transmission to gNB 204 in a buffer at the UE. In response to detecting the availability of uplink data for transmission, UE 202 may start EMR measurements and collect measurement results, as previously described with reference to FIG. Figure 2 226 of the above.

[0048] Therefore, after transitioning to the RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state, the UE may perform EMR measurements upon / after expiration of the T331 timer in response to detecting the availability of uplink data for transmission to the gNB. The UE may perform EMR measurements upon expiration of the T331 timer based at least on the EMR configuration saved by the UE, as previously described with reference to Figure 2 As stated.

[0049] Figure 4 is a flow chart 400 illustrating an enhanced early measurement reporting (EMR) process according to an example implementation.

[0050] At block 410 , a UE (eg, UE 202 ) may determine that the user equipment is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting.

[0051] In some implementations, for example, the UE may be configured for eEMR configuration based at least on an RRC message received from the gNB. In another example implementation, the RRC message may be an RRC release message or a SIB. In another example implementation, the UE may determine that the UE is configured for eEMR based on whether the UE supports eEMR.

[0052] At block 420, when the user equipment is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting, the UE may determine whether to initiate early measurement reporting measurements based on the indication. In some implementations, for example, when the UE is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting, the UE may initiate EMR measurements in response to receiving an indication (e.g., a wake-up signal / indication or a paging message) from the gNB. In another example implementation, the UE may initiate EMR measurements and collect measurement results in response to an indication, such as the availability of uplink data for transmission to the gNB in a buffer at the UE. In another example implementation, the wake-up signal / indication or the paging message may also instruct the UE to report the EMR measurements to the gNB.

[0053] At block 430, the UE may initiate early measurement reporting measurements and collect measurement results. In an example implementation, the UE may initiate EMR measurements in response to determining to initiate EMR measurements. In an example implementation, the UE may initiate EMR measurements before, during, and / or after connection establishment, connection recovery, and / or randomization procedures.

[0054] Optionally, in some implementations, for example, at block 440, the UE may transmit EMR measurements to the gNB.

[0055] Therefore, after transitioning to RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state, the UE may perform EMR measurements upon / after expiration of the T331 timer and may report the measurements to the gNB.

[0056] Figure 5 is a flow chart 500 illustrating an enhanced early measurement reporting (EMR) process according to an example implementation.

[0057] At block 510, a network node (e.g., gNB 204) may transmit an enhanced early measurement reporting configuration to a user equipment (e.g., UE 202).

[0058] At block 520, the network node may receive early measurement report measurements. In some implementations, for example, the early measurement report measurements may be collected at the UE based at least on an early measurement report configuration sent by the gNB.

[0059] Therefore, the gNB may receive early measurement report measurements based at least on the enhanced early measurement report configuration sent to the user equipment.

[0060] Other example implementations are described herein.

[0061] Example 1. A communication method, comprising: determining, by a user equipment, that the user equipment is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting; when the user equipment is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting, determining, by the user equipment based on an indication, whether to initiate early measurement report measurement; and in response to determining that the early measurement report measurement is to be initiated, initiating the early measurement report measurement by the user equipment.

[0062] Example 2. The method of Example 1, wherein the indication comprises: a wake-up signal / indication or a paging message received by the user equipment from the network node; or uplink data becoming available for transmission at the user equipment.

[0063] Example 3. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 2, further comprising transmitting the early measurement report measurement to a network node.

[0064] Example 4. The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 2 further includes: sending a message indicating the availability of the early measurement report measurement to a network node; receiving a request to send the available early measurement report measurement from the network node; and transmitting the early measurement report measurement to the network node.

[0065] Example 5. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein a wake-up signal / indication or a paging message further instructs the user equipment to perform the initiation and / or the transmission of the early measurement report measurements to the network node.

[0066] Example 6. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the early measurement report measurement is an idle / inactive measurement.

[0067] Example 7. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the user equipment is configured to perform enhanced early measurement reporting based at least on a radio resource control message from the network node.

[0068] Example 8. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 7, wherein the radio resource control message is a radio resource control release message.

[0069] Example 9. A method according to any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the user equipment is configured to perform enhanced early measurement reporting based on whether the user equipment supports enhanced early measurement reporting.

[0070] Example 10. The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 9 further includes: receiving an early measurement report configuration by the user equipment from the network node; and in response to determining that the user equipment is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting, saving the early measurement report configuration received by the user equipment from the network node when the T331 timer expires.

[0071] Example 11. A method according to any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the user equipment initiates, collects or measures early measurement report measurements before, during and / or after one or more of connection establishment, connection recovery and random access procedures.

[0072] Example 12. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 11, further comprising: terminating early measurement report measurements when reporting the early measurement report measurements to the network node.

[0073] Example 13. A method according to any one of Examples 1 to 12, wherein the network node is a gNB.

[0074] Example 14. A communication method, comprising: transmitting, by a network node, an enhanced early measurement reporting configuration to a user equipment; and receiving, by the network node, early measurement reporting measurements from the user equipment, the early measurement reporting measurements being performed at the user equipment based at least on the enhanced early measurement reporting configuration.

[0075] Example 15. The method of Example 14, further comprising transmitting an enhanced early measurement reporting configuration to a user equipment, wherein the receiving of the early measurement reporting measurements from the user equipment is based at least on the enhanced early measurement reporting configuration and the early measurement reporting configuration.

[0076] Example 16. The method according to any one of Examples 14 to 15 further includes: transmitting a wake-up signal / indication or a paging message to the user equipment.

[0077] Example 17. The method of any one of Examples 14 to 16, wherein the wake-up signal / indication or the paging message includes an indication to initiate early measurement report measurements.

[0078] Example 18. A method according to any one of Examples 14 to 17, wherein the network node is a gNB.

[0079] Example 19. An apparatus comprising components for performing the method according to any one of Examples 1 to 18.

[0080] Example 20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon, the instructions being configured to cause a computing system to perform the method of any one of Examples 1 to 18 when executed by at least one processor.

[0081] Example 21. An apparatus comprising:

[0082] at least one processor; and

[0083] at least one memory including computer program code;

[0084] The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform the method according to any one of Examples 1 to 18.

[0085] Figure 6 Utilization of reselection measurements for early measurement reporting 600 is shown according to an example implementation.

[0086] At 610, a UE (e.g., Figure 2 The UE 202 may be in an RRC_CONNECTED state and may be in communication with a network node (e.g., a gNB (e.g., Figure 2 gNB 204)) communication.

[0087] At 612, UE 202 may receive an RRC release message from gNB 204, as previously described with reference to Figure 2 212 are described in detail.

[0088] In some implementations, the RRC release message may include several information elements (IEs) or parameters. In an example implementation, the RRC release message may include an EMR configuration, an enhanced EMR (eEMR) configuration, a T331 timer value, etc. In an example implementation, the eEMR configuration may indicate that the UE uses the EMR configuration to perform EMR measurements and reselection measurements.

[0089] In an example implementation, the eEMR configuration may indicate one or more cells (e.g., cells [1, 2, 3]) or frequencies (e.g., frequencies [X, Y, Z] for performing EMR measurements), and may indicate that EMR measurements may be performed together with reselection measurements. Furthermore, in some implementations, the eEMR configuration may indicate to the UE that the UE may use cell reselection measurements as EMR measurements (or EMR measurement results) rather than performing EMR measurements, as described in detail below.

[0090] At 614, after receiving the RRC release message from the gNB, UE 202 may transition UE 202 to an RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state, e.g., to conserve battery / power and / or network resources.

[0091] At 616, UE 202 may receive system information (SI) from gNB 204. For example, in some implementations, the system information may indicate a cell reselection configuration (or cell reselection information). For example, the cell reselection configuration may include neighboring cell information, such as cell [1, 3] and / or frequency [X, Z], so that the UE may perform reselection measurements for cell [1, 3] and / or frequency [X, Z].

[0092] In some implementations, for example, the UE 202 may receive system information via one or more system information blocks (SIBs) (e.g., SIB2, SIB3, SIB4, SIB5, etc.). For example, SIB2 may contain cell reselection information common to intra-frequency, inter-frequency, and / or inter-radio access technology (RAT) cell reselection (e.g., may apply to more than one type of cell reselection, but not necessarily all), as well as intra-frequency cell reselection information excluding relevant neighboring cells. SIB3 may contain information related to neighboring cells relevant only to intra-frequency cell reselection. Related information elements (IEs) may include cells with specific reselection parameters and blacklisted cells. SIB4 may contain information relevant only to inter-frequency cell reselection, such as information about other NR frequencies and inter-frequency neighboring cells relevant to cell reselection. Related IEs may include frequency-common cell reselection parameters and cell-specific reselection parameters. SIB5 may contain information relevant only to inter-RAT cell reselection, such as information about E-UTRA frequencies and E-UTRA neighboring cells relevant to cell reselection. The relevant IE may include frequency-common cell reselection parameters.

[0093] Optionally, at 618, UE 202 may perform EMR measurements. For example, in some implementations, UE 202 may perform EMR measurements for cells [1, 2, 3] or frequencies [X, Y, Z] as defined in 3GPP specification TS 38.331 based at least on the EMR configuration. In some implementations, for example, UE 202 may perform EMR measurements while a T331 timer is running (e.g., the T331 timer has not expired).

[0094] At 620, the T331 timer may expire. When the T331 timer expires, the UE 202 may stop performing the optional EMR measurement. In other words, the UE 202 may perform the EMR measurement while the T331 timer is running and stop the EMR measurement when the T331 timer expires.

[0095] At 622, UE 202 may perform cell reselection measurements. For example, in some implementations, UE 202 may perform cell reselection measurements for cell [1, 3] and / or frequency [X, Z] based at least on the information received via the system information at 616. In some implementations, the UE may perform periodic measurements (e.g., cell reselection measurements) in accordance with 3GPP TS 38.304. In some implementations, the UE may perform cell reselection measurements on measurement objects common to both the cell reselection configuration and the early measurement report configuration. In some implementations, for example, the measurement objects may include cell / frequency and / or radio access technology (RAT).

[0096] At 624, UE 204 may save the cell reselection measurement results, which may be based on at least the reselection measurement of frequency [X, Z] and / or cell [1, 3]. In some implementations, for example, because frequency [X, Z] and cell [1, 3] are common between the reselection measurement configuration and the EMR measurement configuration, UE 202 may save the measurement results of frequency [X, Z] and / or cell [1, 3]. In an example implementation, the cell reselection measurement may be used as an EMR measurement. In other words, the cell reselection measurement may be saved as an EMR measurement.

[0097] In some implementations, optionally, for example, it should be noted that while T331 is running, the UE may perform measurements for EMR purposes (e.g., for cells [1, 2, 3] / frequency [X, Y, Z]) and reselection measurements (e.g., for cells [1, 3] / frequency [X, Z]). However, upon expiration of the T331 timer, the UE 202 may stop performing EMR measurements.

[0098] At 626, UE 202 may detect the availability (presence) of uplink data for transmission to gNB 204 in a buffer at the UE.

[0099] Alternatively, in some implementations, for example, after a period of time, the UE 202 may receive a wake-up signal / indication or a paging message from the gNB 204. In some implementations, the UE may receive a wake-up indication indicating that a paging occasion for the UE may be monitored, or a paging message for a mobile terminated connection.

[0100] In response to detecting the availability of uplink data for transmission, the UE 202 in the idle state may send an RRC setup request message to the gNB 204 at 628. In some implementations, in response to detecting the availability of uplink data for transmission, the UE 202 in the inactive state may send an RRC resume request message to the gNB 204 at 628.

[0101] At 630, UE 202 may receive an RRC setup message (or an RRC resume message) from gNB 204 in response to the RRC setup request message sent to the gNB.

[0102] At 632, UE 202 may send an RRC setup / recovery complete message to gNB 204. For example, in some implementations, the RRC setup and recovery complete message may include an indication that EMR measurements are available.

[0103] At 634 , UE 202 may send EMR measurement results for cell [1, 3] from frequency [X, Z] to gNB 204 .

[0104] At 636, UE 202 may receive an RRC reconfiguration message from gNB 204. For example, in some implementations, the RRC reconfiguration message may include carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration with cells [1, 3] from frequencies [X, Z].

[0105] At 638, the UE may send an RRC reconfiguration complete message to the gNB.

[0106] At 640 , carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration may be completed.

[0107] Therefore, after transitioning from the RRC_CONNECTED state to the RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state, the UE may perform EMR measurements and reselection measurements, and utilize the reselection measurements for early measurement reporting purposes.

[0108] In some implementations, for example, if a newly defined timer (e.g., a second timer or another timer) is still running, the UE 202 may be configured to report at least a portion of the early measurement report measurements performed while T331 is running when the T331 timer expires. When the UE stops the early measurement report measurements and the UE considers that measurements should be reported if connection establishment is triggered before the new / additional timer expires, the new (or additional) timer may be started when the T331 timer expires.

[0109] In some implementations, for example, in order to have sufficiently good measurements to report soon after connection establishment begins (e.g., paging / wake-up signal or message, user data has arrived to be sent), additional implementations may include defining new measurement requirements for enhanced early measurement reporting. These new measurement requirements may be used when enhanced early measurement reporting is initiated, for example, when the T331 timer expires and the enhanced early measurement reporting is provided to the UE.

[0110] Figure 7 is a flow chart 700 illustrating early measurement reporting with reselection measurements according to an example implementation.

[0111] At block 710, a UE (e.g., UE 202) may determine that the user equipment is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting. In some implementations, for example, the UE may be configured for eEMR configuration based at least on an RRC message received from a gNB. In another example implementation, the UE may determine that the UE is configured for eEMR based on whether the UE supports eEMR.

[0112] At block 720, UE 202 may perform cell reselection measurements based on at least the cell reselection configuration. In some implementations, for example, UE 202 may perform cell reselection measurements based on at least cell reselection information (e.g., cell [1, 3] / frequency [X, Z]) received from the gNB via system information.

[0113] At block 730, when the user equipment is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting, the UE 202 may use reselection measurements for early measurement reporting. In some implementations, for example, when the user equipment is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting, the UE 202 may use reselection measurements (e.g., for cell [1, 3] / frequency [X, Z]) for early measurement reporting.

[0114] Optionally, in some implementations, UE 202 may provide early measurement report measurements for cell [2] from frequency [Y] (in addition to cell [1, 3] / frequency [X, Z]), for example, if UE 202 has time measurements.

[0115] Therefore, after transitioning from the RRC_CONNECTED state to the RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state, the UE may perform reselection measurements and utilize the reselection measurements for early measurement reporting purposes. In other words, the UE may collect / store reselection measurement results for EMR purposes, and the UE may provide these results to the network node.

[0116] Other example implementations are described herein.

[0117] Example 22. A communication method comprising:

[0118] Determining, by a user equipment, that the user equipment is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting;

[0119] performing, by the user equipment, early measurement report measurement and cell reselection measurement based at least on the cell reselection configuration; and

[0120] When the user equipment is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting, the user equipment uses the cell reselection measurement to perform early measurement reporting.

[0121] Example 23. The method of Example 22, wherein using the cell reselection measurement for the early measurement report comprises one or more of:

[0122] storing the cell reselection measurement result as an early measurement report measurement result for early measurement reporting;

[0123] transmitting an indication to a network node that the early measurement report measurement result is available; and

[0124] The early measurement report measurement result is transmitted to a network node.

[0125] Example 24. The method of any one of Examples 22-23, wherein the early measurement reporting comprises one or more of: performing the early measurement reporting measurements, collecting the early measurement reporting measurement results, and reporting the early measurement reporting measurement results to the network node.

[0126] Example 25. The method of any one of Examples 22-24, wherein the performing is based at least on a measurement object that is at least common in the cell reselection configuration and the early measurement reporting configuration.

[0127] Example 26. The method of any one of Examples 22-25, wherein the measurement object comprises one or more of a cell or a frequency and a radio access technology.

[0128] Example 27. A method according to any of Examples 22-26, wherein the measurement includes one or more of a reference signal received power measurement and a reference signal received quality measurement.

[0129] Example 28. The method of any of Examples 22-27, wherein the early measurement report measurements include idle / inactive measurements.

[0130] Example 29. The method of any of Examples 22-28, further comprising:

[0131] In addition to the cell reselection measurement based at least on the cell reselection configuration, the early measurement report measurement is also performed based at least on the early measurement report configuration.

[0132] Example 30. The method of any of Examples 22-29, wherein the early measurement report measurement is performed while a T331 timer is running.

[0133] Example 31. The method of any of Examples 22-30, wherein the indication is transmitted to the network node via a radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0134] Example 32. A method according to any one of Examples 22-31, wherein the RRC message includes an RRC establishment request, an RRC recovery request, an RRC recovery complete, an RRC re-establishment request, or an RRC re-establishment complete message.

[0135] Example 33. The method of any of Examples 22-32, wherein the cell reselection configuration is received from the network node via system information via one or more system information blocks (SIBs).

[0136] Example 34. The method of any of Examples 22-33, wherein the SIB comprises one or more of SIB1, SIB3, SIB4, and SIB5.

[0137] Example 35. The method of any of Examples 22-34, further comprising:

[0138] Initiate another timer when the T331 timer expires; and

[0139] When connection establishment is triggered before expiration of the further timer, it is determined whether to transmit the early measurement report measurements.

[0140] Example 36. The method of any one of Examples 22-35, wherein the enhanced early measurement reporting configuration configures additional measurements at the user equipment.

[0141] Example 37. The method of any of Examples 22-36, wherein additional measurements are performed upon expiration of the T331 timer.

[0142] Example 38. A method according to any of Examples 22-37, wherein the network node is a gNB.

[0143] Example 39. An apparatus comprising components for performing the method of any one of Examples 22-38.

[0144] Example 40. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processor, are configured to cause a computing system to perform the method according to any one of Examples 22-38.

[0145] Example 41. An apparatus comprising:

[0146] at least one processor; and

[0147] at least one memory including computer program code;

[0148] The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method according to any one of Examples 22 to 38.

[0149] Figure 8800 is a block diagram of a wireless station (e.g., user equipment (UE) / user device or AP / gNB / MgNB / SgNB) according to an example implementation. The wireless station 800 may include, for example, one or more RF (radio frequency) or wireless transceivers 802A, 802B, each of which includes a transmitter for transmitting signals and a receiver for receiving signals. The wireless station also includes a processor or control unit / entity (controller) 804 / 808 for executing instructions or software and controlling the transmission and reception of signals, and a memory 806 for storing data and / or instructions.

[0150] The processor 804 may also make decisions or determinations, generate frames, packets, or messages for transmission, decode received frames or messages for further processing, and perform other tasks or functions described herein. For example, the processor 804, which may be a baseband processor, may generate messages, packets, frames, or other signals for transmission via the wireless transceiver 802 (802A or 802B). The processor 804 may control the transmission of signals or messages over a wireless network and may control the reception of signals or messages, etc., via a wireless network (e.g., after being down-converted by the wireless transceiver 802). The processor 804 may be programmable and capable of executing software or other instructions stored in a memory or on other computer media to perform the various tasks and functions described above, such as one or more of the tasks or methods described above. The processor 804 may be (or may include), for example, hardware, programmable logic, a programmable processor executing software or firmware, and / or any combination thereof. For example, using other terminology, the processor 804 and transceiver 802 may be considered together as a wireless transmitter / receiver system.

[0151] In addition, reference Figure 8 , the controller (or processor) 808 can execute software and instructions and can provide overall control for the station 800 and can Figure 8 Other systems not shown provide controls, such as controlling input / output devices (e.g., a display, a keypad), and / or may execute software for one or more applications that may be provided on the wireless station 800, such as an email program, an audio / video application, a word processor, a voice over IP application, or other applications or software. In addition, a storage medium may be provided that includes stored instructions that, when executed by a controller or processor, may cause the processor 804 or other controller or processor to perform one or more of the functions or tasks described above.

[0152] According to another example implementation, the RF or wireless transceiver(s) 802A / 802B may receive signals or data and / or transmit or send signals or data. The processor 804 (and possibly the transceiver 802A / 802B) may control the RF or wireless transceiver 802A or 802B to receive, send, broadcast, or transmit signals or data.

[0153] However, these aspects are not limited to the systems given as examples, but those skilled in the art may apply the solutions to other communication systems. Another example of a suitable communication system is the 5G concept. It is assumed that the network architecture in 5G will be very similar to that of Advanced LTE. 5G may use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in collaboration with small base stations, and may also adopt various radio technologies to achieve better coverage and enhanced data rates.

[0154] It should be understood that future networks will likely utilize network function virtualization (NFV), which is a network architecture concept that proposes virtualizing network node functions into "building blocks" or entities that can be operationally connected or linked together to provide services. A virtualized network function (VNF) may include one or more virtual machines that use standard or general-purpose types of servers rather than customized hardware to run computer program code. Cloud computing or data storage may also be used. In radio communications, this may mean that node operations may be performed at least in part in a server, host, or node that is operatively coupled to a remote radio head. Node operations may also be distributed among multiple servers, nodes, or hosts. It should also be understood that the division of work between core network operations and base station operations may be different from LTE or even non-existent.

[0155] The implementation of the various technologies described herein can be implemented in a digital electronic circuit system, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in a combination thereof. The implementation can be implemented as a computer program product, that is, a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier, for example, in a machine-readable storage device or in a propagation signal, for execution by a data processing device (for example, a programmable processor, a computer or multiple computers) or for controlling the operation of the data processing device. The implementation can also be provided on a computer-readable medium or a computer-readable storage medium that can be a non-transitory medium. The implementation of various technologies can also include an implementation provided via a transient signal or media, and / or a downloadable program and / or software implementation via the Internet or (multiple) other networks (wired networks and / or wireless networks). In addition, the implementation can be provided via machine type communication (MTC) or via the Internet of Things (IOT).

[0156] A computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or some intermediate form, and may be stored on a carrier, distribution medium, or computer-readable medium, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. Examples of such carriers include recording media, computer memory, read-only memory, optical and / or electrical carrier signals, telecommunications signals, and software distribution packages. Depending on the required processing power, a computer program may be executed on a single electronic digital computer or distributed across multiple computers.

[0157] Furthermore, implementations of the various techniques described herein may use cyber-physical systems (CPS) (systems of cooperating computing elements that control physical entities). CPS may enable the implementation and utilization of a large number of interconnected ICT devices (sensors, actuators, processors, microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile cyber-physical systems (where the physical system in question has inherent mobility) are a subcategory of cyber-physical systems. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robots and electronic devices that are transported by humans or animals. The popularity of smartphones has increased interest in the field of mobile cyber-physical systems. Therefore, various implementations of the techniques described herein may be provided via one or more of these techniques.

[0158] Computer programs such as the aforementioned (multiple) computer programs may be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and may be deployed in any form, including as stand-alone programs or as modules, components, subroutines, or other units or portions thereof suitable for a computing environment. A computer program may be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

[0159] The method steps may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing a computer program or portion of a computer program to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The method steps may also be performed by, and apparatus may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).

[0160] Processors suitable for executing a computer program include, for example, general-purpose and special-purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer, chip, or chipset. Typically, the processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory, or both. Elements of a computer may include at least one processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Typically, a computer may also include, or be operatively coupled to, receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices (e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical, or optical disks) for storing data. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including, for example, semiconductor memory devices such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special-purpose logic circuitry.

Claims

1. A communication method, comprising: Determining, by a user equipment, that the user equipment is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting; performing, by the user equipment, cell reselection measurement based at least on the cell reselection configuration; as well as When the user equipment is configured for enhanced early measurement reporting, the user equipment uses the cell reselection measurement to perform early measurement reporting.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein using the cell reselection measurement for the early measurement report comprises one or more of the following: storing the cell reselection measurement result as an early measurement report measurement result for early measurement reporting; transmitting an indication that the early measurement report measurement result is available to a network node; and The early measurement report measurement result is transmitted to a network node. 3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the early measurement reporting comprises one or more of: performing the early measurement reporting measurement, collecting the early measurement reporting measurement results, and reporting the early measurement reporting measurement results to the network node. 4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the performing is based at least on a measurement object that is at least common in the cell reselection configuration and the early measurement reporting configuration. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the measurement object comprises one or more of a cell or a frequency, and a radio access technology. The method of claim 1 , wherein the measurement comprises one or more of a reference signal received power measurement and a reference signal received quality measurement.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the early measurement report measurements include idle / inactive measurements.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: In addition to the cell reselection measurement based at least on the cell reselection configuration, the early measurement report measurement is further performed based at least on the early measurement report configuration.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the early measurement report measurement is performed while a T331 timer is running.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication is transmitted to the network node via a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the RRC message comprises an RRC establishment request, an RRC resume request, an RRC resume complete, an RRC re-establishment request, or an RRC re-establishment complete message.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell reselection configuration is received from the network node via system information, via one or more system information blocks (SIBs). 13 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the SIB comprises one or more of SIB1, SIB3, SIB4, and SIB5.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Initiate another timer when the T331 timer expires; as well as When connection establishment is triggered before expiration of the further timer, it is determined whether to transmit the early measurement report measurements.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhanced early measurement reporting configuration configures additional measurements at the user equipment.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the additional measurement is performed when a T331 timer expires.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the network node is a gNB.

18. An apparatus comprising means for performing the method according to claim 1.

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