Beam sweep factor reduction for enhanced radio resource management

Abstract

A user equipment (UE) includes a transceiver and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a first beam sweep factor for a cell detection portion for layer 3 (L3) measurement and a second beam sweep factor for layer 1 (L1) reference signal received power (RSRP) (L1-RSRP) measurement for 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) new radio (NR) frequency range 2 (FR2) unknown secondary cell (SCell) activation. The processor is further configured to report UE capabilities to the network via the transceiver. The UE capability identifies a beam sweep factor pair including a first beam sweep factor and a second beam sweep factor.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This application relates generally to wireless communication systems, including systems in which a user equipment (UE) communicates in 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) New Radio (NR) Frequency Range Two (FR2) and uses one or more receive (Rx) beams to perform radio resource management (RRM) functions. BACKGROUND

[0002] Wireless mobile communication technology uses various standards and protocols to transmit data between network devices (e.g., base stations, radio heads, etc.) and wireless communication devices. Wireless communication system standards and protocols can include, for example, 3GPP Long-Term Evolution (LTE) (e.g., 4G), 3GPP NR (e.g., 5G), and IEEE 802.11 standards (commonly referred to as Wi-Fi® within the industry) for wireless local area networks (WLANs).

[0003] As contemplated by 3GPP, different wireless communication system standards and protocols can use various radio access networks (RANs) to communicate between network devices (which can also be collectively referred to as RAN nodes, network nodes, or simply nodes) of the RAN and wireless communication devices referred to as UEs. A 3GPP RAN can include, for example, a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) RAN (GERAN), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), and / or Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN).

[0004] Each RAN can use one or more radio access technologies (RATs) for communication between network devices and UEs. For example, a GERAN implements GSM and / or EDGE RAT, a UTRAN implements Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) RAT or other 3GPP RAT, an E-UTRAN implements LTE RAT (which is sometimes simply referred to as LTE), and an NG-RAN implements NR RAT (which is sometimes referred to herein as 5G RAT, 5G NR RAT, or simply NR). In certain deployments, an E-UTRAN can also implement NR RAT. In certain deployments, an NG-RAN can also implement LTE RAT.

[0005] Network devices used by a RAN can correspond to that RAN. One example of an E-UTRAN network device is an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (also commonly denoted as an Evolved Node B, Enhanced Node B, eNodeB, or eNB). One example of an NG-RAN network device is a Next Generation Node B (sometimes also referred to as a gNodeB or gNB).​

[0006] The RAN, through its implementation of LTE or NR or both, provides data and voice services to users. For example, the E-UTRAN can utilize an evolved packet core (EPC), and the NG-RAN can utilize a 5G core network (5GC). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] To easily identify discussions of any particular element or act, one or more of the highest three digits of a figure number are often omitted in the following patent disclosure.

[0008] Figure 1 An example wireless communication system, in accordance with implementations described herein, is illustrated.

[0009] Figure 2 An example method of wireless communication by a UE, in accordance with implementations described herein, is illustrated.

[0010] Figure 3 Another example method of wireless communication by a UE, in accordance with implementations described herein, is illustrated.

[0011] Figure 4 And Figure 5 Example coarse and fine beam refinement by a UE, in accordance with implementations described herein, is illustrated.

[0012] Figure 6 Another example method of wireless communication by a UE, in accordance with implementations described herein, is illustrated.

[0013] Figure 7 An example method of wireless communication by a network device, in accordance with implementations described herein, is illustrated.

[0014] Figure 8 An example architecture of a wireless communication system, in accordance with implementations described herein, is illustrated.

[0015] Figure 9 An example system for performing signaling between a wireless device and a network device, in accordance with implementations described herein, is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Various implementations are described in terms of a UE. However, references to a UE are provided for illustrative purposes only. Example implementations can be used with any electronic component that can establish a connection with a network and is configured with hardware, software, and / or firmware for exchanging information and data with the network. Thus, the UEs described herein are used to represent any appropriate electronic device.

[0017] In some cases, a UE that needs to perform measurements for beam training, for 3GPP NR FR2 unknown secondary cell (SCell) activation can report a beam sweeping factor (e.g., a first beam sweeping factor) for a cell detection portion of layer 3 (L3) measurements and / or a beam sweeping factor (e.g., a second beam sweeping factor) for layer 1 (LI) reference signal received power (RSRP) (LI-RSRP) measurements. The beam sweeping factors can be used to reduce the number of receive (Rx) beams that the UE needs to train, thereby reducing the duration of a measurement period that the UE needs to perform beam training for L3 / L1 measurements, and reducing the time that the network needs to wait before scheduling the UE. Typically, the number of Rx beams for the cell detection portion of L3 measurements and for LI-RSRP measurements is eight. However, in some cases, the UE can be able to reduce the number of Rx beams for one or both measurements.

[0018] Figure 1 An example wireless communication system 100 is shown. The wireless communication system can include a UE 102 that is connected to a network (e.g., a 3GPP network) by way of a wireless connection. The UE 102 can communicate with the network on one or more uplink (UL) channels and one or more downlink (DL) channels, and more particularly, can communicate with one or more network devices of a RAN (e.g., network devices 104-1 and / or 104-2, which can take the form of one or more base stations (e.g., gNBs), remote radio heads, etc.) on one or more UL channels and DL channels. Depending on the capabilities of the UE 102 and configuration of the UE by the network, the UE 102 can communicate with one or more network devices 104-1, 104-2 simultaneously in a contemporaneous manner (e.g., in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mode) or sequentially (e.g., when handing over).

[0019] In some cases, the UE 102 can be connected to a first network device 104-1 in a radio resource control (RRC) connected mode state, and a second network device 104-2 can belong to a neighboring cell of a cell that includes the first network device 104-1. In some embodiments, the neighboring cell can be a candidate SCell for the UE 102. For RRM purposes (e.g., mobility management), the UE 102 can measure one or more signals (e.g., channel state information (CSI) reference signals (RSs) (CSI-RSs) and / or synchronization signal blocks (SSBs)) transmitted by the second network device 104-2.

[0020] Figure 2 An example method 200 of wireless communication by a UE is shown. In some cases, the UE can be the UE 102 described with reference to FIG. 1. Figure 1One UE among the described UE or other UEs described herein. Method 200 may be performed using a processor, transceiver, or other components of the UE.

[0021] At 202, method 200 may include determining a first beam sweep factor (X1) for a cell detection section for L3 measurements and a second beam sweep factor (X2) for L1-RSRP measurements for 3GPP NR FR2 SCell activation.

[0022] At 204, method 200 may include reporting UE capabilities to a network (e.g., to a network device of the RAN, such as a base station or gNB) via a transceiver. The UE capabilities may identify a beam sweep factor pair (Xl,X2) including the first beam sweep factor and the second beam sweep factor.

[0023] Method 200 may be embodied, extended, or modified in various ways, as described in the following paragraphs and elsewhere in this specification.

[0024]

[0025] In some embodiments of method 200, the first beam sweep factor may be a member of a first list of candidate options (e.g., X1 ∈ {n1,n2,n3...}). In some embodiments, each candidate option in the first list of candidate options may be less than or equal to eight (e.g., n1 < n2 < n3... ≤ 8). In some embodiments, the second beam sweep factor may be a member of a second list of candidate options (e.g., X2 ∈ {m1,m2,m3...}). In some embodiments, each candidate option in the second list of candidate options may be less than or equal to eight (e.g., m1 < m2 < m3... ≤ 8). In some embodiments, the number of candidate options in each list of candidate options may be more or less.

[0025] In some embodiments of method 200, the first list of candidate options may include four or fewer candidate options, and the second list of candidate options may include four or fewer candidate options (e.g., when the reported beam sweep factor pair is (X1,X2), X1 = n i and X2 = m j , then 1 ≤ i,j ≤ 4). In cases with such a limitation, the number of possible beam sweep factor pairs is sixteen. In other embodiments, each list of candidate options may include more or fewer candidate options, and the number of possible beam sweep factor pairs may be more or less. However, the network device (e.g., a network device of the RAN) must have resources to support that number of possible beam sweep factor pairs.

[0026] In some embodiments of the method 200, the first beam sweeping factor and the second beam sweeping factor can be determined under the constraint that the first beam sweeping factor must be less than the second beam sweeping factor (i.e., X1 < X2). In other embodiments, the first beam sweeping factor and the second beam sweeping factor can be determined under the constraint that the second beam sweeping factor must be less than the first beam sweeping factor (i.e., X2 < X1). In other embodiments, the first beam sweeping factor and the second beam sweeping factor can be determined under the constraint that the first beam sweeping factor must be equal to the second beam sweeping factor (i.e., X1 = X2).

[0027] In some embodiments, the method 200 can include mapping pairs of beam sweeping factors to indices. In these embodiments, reporting the UE capability at 204 can include reporting the indices. For example, indices s can be defined such that s = {n k i j , m, k} where 1 < i, j < 4 and 1 < k < 16. Reporting the indices can reduce the number of bits that need to be sent to the network to indicate the pairs of beam sweeping factors to the network.

[0028] In some embodiments of the method 200, the UE capability can be a capability indication based on 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.306. For example, and in some embodiments, the pairs of beam sweeping factors can be associated with the UE (i.e., the pairs of beam sweeping factors can be per-UE pairs of beam sweeping factors). In some embodiments, the pairs of beam sweeping factors can be associated with a FR2 frequency range (i.e., the pairs of beam sweeping factors can be per-FR2 pairs of beam sweeping factors, such as FR2-1 pairs of beam sweeping factors or FR2-2 pairs of beam sweeping factors). In some embodiments, the pairs of beam sweeping factors can be associated with a FR2 frequency band (i.e., the pairs of beam sweeping factors can be per-FR2 band pairs of beam sweeping factors). In some embodiments, the pairs of beam sweeping factors can be associated with a per-band combined FR2 frequency band (i.e., the pairs of beam sweeping factors can be per-band combined per-FR2 band pairs of beam sweeping factors). In some embodiments, the method 200 can determine and report separate pairs of beam sweeping factors for different FR2 frequency ranges, different FR2 frequency bands, and / or different per-band combined FR2 frequency bands.

[0029] Figure 3 Another example method 300 of wireless communication by a UE is shown. In some cases, the UE can be a UE described with reference to FIGs. 1-2 or one of the other UEs described herein. The method 300 can be performed using a processor, transceiver, or other component of the UE. Figure 1 Another example method 300 of wireless communication by a UE is shown. In some cases, the UE can be a UE described with reference to FIGs. 1-2 or one of the other UEs described herein. The method 300 can be performed using a processor, transceiver, or other component of the UE.

[0030] ​At 302, the method 300 can include determining, for 3GPP NR FR2 SCell activation, a first beam sweeping factor (X1) for a cell detection portion of L3 measurements and a second beam sweeping factor (X2) for L1-RSRP measurements.

[0031] At 304, the method 300 can include reporting, via the transceiver, a UE capability to a network (e.g., to a network device of the RAN, such as a base station or gNB). The UE capability can identify a joint beam sweeping factor (Y) based at least on the first beam sweeping factor and the second beam sweeping factor.

[0032] In some embodiments, the joint beam sweeping factor can be determined by adding the first beam sweeping factor and the second beam sweeping factor (e.g., as Y = X1+X2). In some embodiments, Y can be limited to eight or sixteen (i.e., Y≤8 or Y≤16). This value of Y can be sufficient for the network, as the value enables the network to determine the duration of the 3GPP NR FR2 SCell activation measurement period as Y*T rs where T rs is a reference signal (RS) periodicity for L3 measurements and L1 measurements. Although the UE can operate according to specific values of X1and X2, the network can only need to know how long the UE will take to train the Rx beams of the UE for 3GPP NR FR2 SCell activation, so that the network can delay scheduling the UE until after the Rx beam training is complete.

[0033] Alternatively, and in some embodiments, the joint beam sweeping factor can be determined by multiplying the first beam sweeping factor and the second beam sweeping factor (e.g., as Y = X1*X2). In some embodiments, Y can be limited to a set of values, such as Y e {16, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64}. In these embodiments, the product of the number of Rx beams for the coarse (or brief) beam training mode (e.g., for L3 measurements) and the number of Rx beams for the fine beam training mode (e.g., for L1 measurements) can provide the network with sufficient information to determine how much time the UE needs to train the Rx beams of the UE for 3GPP NR FR2 SCell activation, as Figure 4 and Figure 5 The Y = 16 options 400, 500 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are equivalent. As an example, Figure 4 shows a UE 402 performing beam training using four coarse Rx beams 404 and four fine Rx beams 406 per coarse Rx beam 404 (for Y = 16). In contrast, Figure 5 shows a UE 502 performing beam training using eight coarse Rx beams 504 and two fine Rx beams 506 per coarse Rx beam 504 (for Y = 16).

[0034] Method 300 can be embodied, extended, or modified in various ways as described in the following paragraphs and elsewhere in this specification.

[0035] In some embodiments of method 300, the first beam sweeping factor can be a member of a first list of candidate options (e.g., X1 e {n1, n2, n3,...}. In some embodiments, each candidate option in the first list of candidate options can be less than or equal to eight (e.g., n1 < n2 < n3 <... < 8). In some embodiments, the second beam sweeping factor can be a member of a second list of candidate options (e.g., X2 e {m1, m2, m3,...}. In some embodiments, each candidate option in the second list of candidate options can be less than or equal to eight (e.g., m1 < m2 < m3 <... < 8). In some embodiments, the number of candidate options in each list of candidate options can be more or less.

[0036] In some embodiments of method 300, the first list of candidate options can include four or fewer candidate options, and the second list of candidate options can include four or fewer candidate options (e.g., 1 < i, j < 4). With this restriction, the number of possible joint beam sweeping factors is sixteen. In other embodiments, each list of candidate options can include more or fewer candidate options, and the number of possible joint beam sweeping factors can be more or less. However, the network device (e.g., of the RAN) must have resources to support that number of possible joint beam sweeping factors.

[0037] In some embodiments of method 300, the first beam sweeping factor and the second beam sweeping factor can be determined under the constraint that the first beam sweeping factor must be less than the second beam sweeping factor (i.e., X1 < X2). In other embodiments, the first beam sweeping factor and the second beam sweeping factor can be determined under the constraint that the second beam sweeping factor must be less than the first beam sweeping factor (i.e., X2 < X1). In other embodiments, the first beam sweeping factor and the second beam sweeping factor can be determined under the constraint that the first beam sweeping factor must be equal to the second beam sweeping factor (i.e., X1 = X2).

[0038] In some embodiments of the method 300, the UE capability can be a capability indication based on 3GPP TS 38.306. For example, and in some embodiments, the joint beam sweeping factor can be associated with a UE (i.e., the joint beam sweeping factor can be a per-UE joint beam sweeping factor). In some embodiments, the joint beam sweeping factor can be associated with a FR2 frequency range (i.e., the joint beam sweeping factor can be a per-FR2 joint beam sweeping factor, such as a FR2-1 joint beam sweeping factor or a FR2-2 joint beam sweeping factor). In some embodiments, the joint beam sweeping factor can be associated with a FR2 frequency band (i.e., the joint beam sweeping factor can be a per-FR2 band joint beam sweeping factor). In some embodiments, the joint beam sweeping factor can be associated with a per-band combined FR2 frequency band (i.e., the joint beam sweeping factor can be a per-band combined per-FR2 band joint beam sweeping factor). In some embodiments, the method 300 can determine and report separate joint beam sweeping factors for different FR2 frequency ranges, different FR2 frequency bands, and / or different per-band combined FR2 frequency bands.

[0039] The UE can use the reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 described methods regardless of which RS is measured for L3 measurements and L1 measurements. Generally, the UE will measure a CSI-RS for L3 measurements and measure an SSB for L1 measurements. However, there can be special cases when the UE uses an SSB for the cell detection portion of L3 measurements and a CSI-RS for L1-RSRP measurements. There can also be special cases when the UE uses one or more types of CSI-RS for both the cell detection portion of L3 measurements and for L1-RSRP measurements. The methods that can be performed in these special cases are described with reference to Figure 6 .

[0040] Figure 6 Another example method 600 of wireless communication by a UE is shown. In some cases, the UE can be one of the UEs described with reference to Figure 1 or other UEs described herein. The method 600 can be performed using a processor, transceiver, or other component of the UE.

[0041] At 602, the method 600 can include determining, for 3GPP NR FR2 SCell activation, a first beam sweeping factor (X1) for a cell detection portion of L3 measurements and a second beam sweeping factor (X2) for L1-RSRP measurements.

[0042] At 604, the method 600 can include reporting, via the transceiver, the UE capability to a network (e.g., to a network device of the RAN, such as a base station or gNB). The UE capability can be based at least in part on the first beam-sweeping factor and the second beam-sweeping factor.

[0043] At 606, the method 600 can include determining that the L1-RSRP measurement is based on a non-zero power (NZP) CSI-RS (NZP CSI-RS).

[0044] At 608, the method 600 can include determining a periodicity of the L1-RSRP measurement as a ceiling function of a periodicity of the NZP CSI-RS multiplied by a second beam-sweeping factor divided by a number of NZP CSI-RS resources in the NZP CSI-RS resource set (e.g., where T csi％r is the periodicity of the NZP CSI-RS, and N is the number of NZP CSI-RS resources in the NZP CSI-RS resource set).

[0045] In various embodiments of the method 600, the UE capability can identify a reference Figure 2 the described pair of beam-sweeping factors or a reference Figure 3 the described joint beam-sweeping factor.

[0046] The method 600 can be embodied, extended, or modified in various ways, as described in the following paragraphs and elsewhere in this specification.

[0047] In some embodiments, the method 600 can include determining that a cell detection portion of the L3 measurement is based on SSBs, and determining that a maximum number of Rx beams for measuring NZP CSI-RS resources (e.g., maxNumberRxBeam in 3GPP TS 38.306) is equal to the second beam-sweeping factor.

[0048] In some embodiments, the method 600 can include determining that a cell detection portion of the L3 measurement is based on NZP CSI-RS; determining that the NZP CSI-RS for the cell detection portion of the L3 measurement is one of the configured NZP CSI-RS resource sets that is repetition ON in any L1-RSRP configuration; and determining a periodicity of the cell detection portion of the L3 measurement as a ceiling function of a periodicity of the NZP CSI-RS multiplied by a first beam-sweeping factor divided by a number of NZP CSI-RS resources in the NZP CSI-RS resource set (e.g., ).

[0049] In some embodiments of the method 600, the NZP CSI-RS can be a first NZP CSI-RS, and the number of NZP CSI-RS resources in the set of NZP CSI-RS resources can be a first number of NZP CSI-RS resources in the first set of NZP CSI-RS resources. In these embodiments, the method 600 can further include determining that the L3 measurement cell detection portion is based on a second NZP CSI-RS, determining that the second NZP CSI-RS for the L3 measurement cell detection portion is one of a second set of NZP CSI-RS resources that is repeatedly turned on in any L1-RSRP configuration, and determining a periodicity of the L3 measurement cell detection portion as a periodicity of the second NZP CSI-RS multiplied by a ceiling function of a first beam sweeping factor divided by a second number of NZP CSI-RS resources in the second set of NZP CSI-RS resources. In these embodiments, the periodicity of the L3 measurement cell detection portion can be where T csi％rs％L3 is a periodicity of the NZP CSI-RS for the L3 measurement cell detection portion. The periodicity of the L1-RSRP measurement can be where T csi％rs％L1 is a periodicity of the NZP CSI-RS for the L1-RSRP measurement.

[0050] Figure 7 An example method 700 of wireless communication by a network device (e.g., of a RAN) is shown. In some cases, the network device can be a network device described with reference to Figure 1 or can be one of the other network devices described herein. The method 700 can be performed using a processor, transceiver, or other component of the network device.

[0051] At 702, the method 700 can include receiving, from a UE via a transceiver, a UE capability for 3GPP NR FR2 SCell activation. The UE capability can be based at least in part on a first beam sweeping factor (X1) for an L3 measurement cell detection portion and a second beam sweeping factor (X2) for an L1-RSRP measurement.

[0052] At 704, the method 700 can include scheduling the UE according to a measurement periodicity required by the UE for 3GPP NR FR2 SCell activation. The measurement periodicity can be based on the UE capability received at 702.

[0053] In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a joint beam sweeping factor described with reference to Figure 3 . In various embodiments of the method 700, the UE capability can identify a pair of beam sweeping factors described with reference to Figure 2 or a

[0054] Method 700 can be embodied, extended, or modified in various ways, as described elsewhere in this description (e.g., as described with reference to Figure 2 to Figure 6 Methods 200, 300, 600, or 700.

[0055] Embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of method 200, 300, 600, or 700. In the context of method 200, 300, or 600, the non-transitory computer-readable media can be, for example, a memory of a UE (such as memory 906 of wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein). In the context of method 700, the non-transitory computer-readable media can be, for example, a memory of a network device (such as memory 924 of network device 920, as described herein).

[0056] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus having logic, modules, or circuitry to perform one or more elements of method 200, 300, 600, or 700. In the context of method 200, 300, or 600, the apparatus can be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein). In the context of method 700, the apparatus can be, for example, an apparatus of a network device (such as network device 920, as described herein).

[0057] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus having one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of method 200, 300, 600, or 700. In the context of method 200, 300, or 600, the apparatus can be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein). In the context of method 700, the apparatus can be, for example, an apparatus of a network device (such as network device 920, as described herein).

[0058] Embodiments contemplated herein include a signal as described in or related to one or more elements of method 200, 300, 600, or 700.

[0059] Embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product having instructions, where execution of the program by a processor causes the processor to perform one or more elements of the method 200, 300, 600, or 700. In the context of the method 200, 300, or 600, the processor can be a processor of a UE (such as the processor 904 of the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein), and the instructions can be, for example, located in the processor and / or on a memory of the UE (such as the memory 906 of the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein). In the context of the method 700, the processor can be a processor of a network device (such as the processor 922 of the network device 920, as described herein), and the instructions can be, for example, located in the processor and / or on a memory of the network device (such as the memory 924 of the network device 920, as described herein).

[0060] Figure 8 An example architecture of a wireless communication system in accordance with embodiments described herein is illustrated. The description provided below is for an example wireless communication system 800 that operates in conjunction with LTE system standards or specifications provided by 3GPP Technical Specifications and / or 5G or NR system standards or specifications.

[0061] As Figure 8 illustrated, the wireless communication system 800 includes UE 802 and UE 804 (although any number of UEs can be used). In this example, the UE 802 and the UE 804 are illustrated as smartphones (e.g., handheld touchscreen mobile computing devices connectable to one or more cellular networks) but can also include any mobile or non-mobile computing device configured for wireless communication.

[0062] The UE 802 and the UE 804 can be configured to communicatively couple with a RAN 806. In embodiments, the RAN 806 can be an NG-RAN, an E-UTRAN, etc. The UE 802 and the UE 804 utilize connections (or channels) with the RAN 806, illustrated as connections 808 and 810, respectively, wherein each connection (or channel) includes a physical communications interface. The RAN 806 can comprise one or more network devices such as base stations 812 and 814 that implement the connections 808 and 810.

[0063] In this example, the connections 808 and 810 are air interfaces that implement the communicative coupling between the UEs 802 and 804 and the RAN 806, and can be consistent with the RAT(s) in use by the RAN 806, such as, for example, LTE and / or NR.

[0064] In some embodiments, UEs 802 and 804 can also be capable of communicating data directly with each other using a sidelink interface 816. The UE 804 is illustrated as being configured to access an access point (illustrated as an AP 818) via connection 820. As one example, connection 820 can comprise a local wireless connection, such as a connection consistent with any IEEE 802.11 protocol, wherein the AP 818 can comprise an IEEE 802.11 router. Where connection 820 is a local wireless connection, it can support a relatively high communication rate, as would be the case with an IEEE 802.11 connection, for example. As another example, connection 820 can comprise a Bluetooth connection. In some embodiments, the UE 804 can be configured to access the Internet The router. In this example, the AP 818 can not be connected to another network (e.g., the Internet) through the CN 824.

[0065] In embodiments, UEs 802 and 804 can be configured to communicate using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication signals with each other or with base stations 812 and / or base stations 814 over a multicarrier communication channel in accordance with various communication techniques, such as, but not limited to, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication technique (e.g., for downlink communications) or a single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communication technique (e.g., for uplink and ProSe or sidelink communications), although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. The OFDM signals can comprise a plurality of orthogonal subcarriers.

[0066] In some embodiments, all or a portion of base station 812 or base station 814 can be implemented as one or more software entities running on a server computer as part of a virtual network. In addition, or in other embodiments, base station 812 or base station 814 can be configured to communicate with each other via interface 822. In embodiments where the wireless communication system 800 is an LTE system (e.g., where CN 824 is an EPC), interface 822 can be an X2 interface. The X2 interface can be defined between two or more network devices (e.g., two or more eNBs, etc.) of a RAN connected to an EPC, and / or between two eNBs connected to an EPC. In embodiments where the wireless communication system 800 is a NR system (e.g., where CN 824 is a 5GC), interface 822 can be an Xn interface. The Xn interface can be defined between two or more network devices (e.g., two or more gNBs, etc.) of a RAN connected to a 5GC, between a base station 812 (e.g., gNB) and an eNB connected to a 5GC, and / or between two eNBs connected to a 5GC (e.g., CN 824).

[0067] The RAN 806 is shown to include base stations 812 and 814, which provide wireless access to the core network 824 for UEs 802 and 804, respectively. The base stations 812, 814 can be implemented as one or more of a base transceiver station (BTS), a base station (BS), an extended base station, a site controller, an access point (AP), a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), or some other similar terminology known in the art. In this context, the base stations 812, 814 can be generally referred to as a base station 812, 814. The base stations 812, 814 can be configured to communicate with the UEs 802, 804 under the control of the RAN 806, which can be configured to exploit techniques such as time division multiple access (TDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), or other protocols. The base stations 812, 814 can also be configured to communicate with the UEs 802, 804 under the control of the RAN 806 using the techniques described herein.

[0068] In embodiments, the CN 824 can be a 5GC, and the RAN 806 can interface with the CN 824 through an NG interface 828. In embodiments, the NG interface 828 can split into two parts: the NG user plane (NG-U) interface, which carries traffic data between the base stations 812, 814 and user plane functions (UPFs); and the SI control plane (NG-C) interface, which is a signaling interface between the base stations 812, 814 and access and mobility management functions (AMFs).

[0069] In embodiments, the CN 824 can be a 5GC, and the RAN 806 can interface with the CN 824 through an NG interface 828. In embodiments, the NG interface 828 can split into two parts: the NG user plane (NG-U) interface, which carries traffic data between the base stations 812, 814 and user plane functions (UPFs); and the SI control plane (NG-C) interface, which is a signaling interface between the base stations 812, 814 and access and mobility management functions (AMFs).

[0070] Generally, the application server 830 can be an element of a network that provides content or services to a client or a user (e.g., UE 802 and UE 804) using IP bearer resources of the CN 824. The application server 830 can also be configured to support one or more communication services (e.g., VoIP sessions, group communication sessions, etc.) for UEs 802 and 804 via the CN 824. The application server 830 can communicate with the CN 824 through an IP communication interface 832.

[0071] Figure 9 An example system 900 for performing signaling 938 between a wireless device 902 and a network device 920 is illustrated in accordance with the embodiments described herein. The system 900 can be part of a wireless communication system as described herein. The wireless device 902 can be, for example, a UE of the wireless communication system. The network device 920 can be, for example, a base station (e.g., an eNB or gNB) or a radio head of the wireless communication system.

[0072] The wireless device 902 can include one or more processors 904. The processors 904 can execute instructions to perform various operations of the wireless device 902, as described herein. The processors 904 can include one or more baseband processors that are implemented using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a controller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0073] The wireless device 902 can include a memory 906. The memory 906 can be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 908 (which can include, for example, instructions for execution by the processors 904). The instructions 908 can also be referred to as program code or computer programs. The memory 906 can also store data used by the processors 904 and results of operations performed by the processors.

[0074] The wireless device 902 can include one or more transceivers 910 (also referred to collectively as transceiver 910), which can include radio frequency (RF) transmitter and / or receiver circuits that use antennas 912 of the wireless device 902 to facilitate signaling (e.g., signaling 938) to and / or from the wireless device 902 with other devices (e.g., network devices 920) in accordance with a corresponding RAT.

[0075] The wireless device 902 can include one or more antennas 912 (e.g., one, two, four, eight, or more). For embodiments with multiple antennas 912, the wireless device 902 can take advantage of the spatial diversity of these multiple antennas 912 to transmit and / or receive multiple different data streams on the same time-frequency resources. This behavior can be referred to as, for example, MIMO behavior (referring to the multiple antennas used at each of the transmitting device and the receiving device to implement this aspect, respectively). MIMO transmission by the wireless device 902 can be implemented according to precoding (or digital beamforming) applied to the wireless device 902 that multiplexes data streams between the antennas 912 according to known or assumed channel characteristics such that each data stream is at an appropriate signal strength relative to the other streams and is received at a desired location in space (e.g., the location of the receiver associated with that data stream). Some embodiments can use single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) methods (where data streams are all directed to a single receiver) and / or multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) methods (where individual data streams can be directed to individual (different) receivers in different locations in space).

[0076] In some implementations with multiple antennas, the wireless device 902 can implement an analog beamforming technique whereby the phases of the signals transmitted by the antennas 912 are adjusted relatively so that the (joint) transmission by the antennas 912 can be directed (this is sometimes referred to as beam steering).

[0077] The wireless device 902 can include one or more interfaces 914. The interfaces 914 can be used to provide input to and / or output from the wireless device 902. For example, the wireless device 902 (UE) can include interfaces 914 such as a microphone, a speaker, a touchscreen, and buttons, among others, to allow a user of the UE to provide input to and / or receive output from the UE. Other interfaces of such a UE can be composed of transmitter, receiver, and other circuitry (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 910 / antennas 912 already described) that allow communication between the UE and other devices, and can operate according to known protocols (e.g., Bluetooth®, Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee®, Wi-Fi, etc.).

[0078] The wireless device 902 can include a RRM measurement module 916. The RRM measurement module 916 can be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the RRM measurement module 916 can be implemented as a processor, circuit, and / or instructions 908 stored in the memory 906 and executed by the processor 904. In some examples, the RRM measurement module 916 can be integrated within the processor 904 and / or the transceiver 910. For example, the RRM measurement module 916 can be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or a general processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within the processor 904 or the transceiver 910.

[0079] From the perspective of a wireless device or UE, the RRM management module 916 can be used for various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, aspects of the Figure 1 to Figure 7 The RRM measurement module 916 can be configured to, for example, transmit a set of capabilities related to a beam sweeping factor capability of the wireless device for RRM measurements, and / or perform RRM measurements according to the beam sweeping factor capability.

[0080] The network device 920 can include one or more processors 922. The processors 922 can execute instructions to perform various operations of the network device 920, as described herein. The processors 922 can include one or more baseband processors implemented using, for example, a CPU, a DSP, an ASIC, a controller, a FPGA device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0081] ​The network device 920 can include memory 924. The memory 924 can be a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores instructions 926 (which can include, for example, computer program instructions executable by the processor 922). The instructions 926 can also be referred to as program code or computer programs. The memory 924 can also store data used by the processor 922 and results of operations performed by the processor.

[0082] The network device 920 can include one or more transceivers 928 (also referred to collectively as transceiver 928), which can include RF transmitter and / or receiver circuits that use the antennas 930 of the network device 920 to facilitate signaling (e.g., signaling 938) to and / or from the network device 920 with other devices (e.g., wireless devices 902) in accordance with a corresponding RAT.

[0083] The network device 920 can include one or more antennas 930 (e.g., one, two, four, or more). In embodiments with multiple antennas 930, the network device 920 can perform MIMO, digital beamforming, analog beamforming, beam steering, etc., as has been described.

[0084] The network device 920 can include one or more interfaces 932. The interfaces 932 can be used to provide input to and to provide output from the network device 920. For example, a network device 920 of a RAN (e.g., a base station, a radio head, etc.) can include interfaces 932 consisting of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry (e.g., in addition to the transceivers 928 / antennas 930 already described) that enable the network device 920 to communicate with other equipment in the network and / or to communicate with external networks, computers, databases, etc. for the purpose of operating, managing, and maintaining the network device 920 or other equipment operably connected to the network device 920.

[0085] The network device 920 can include one or more RRM measurement configuration modules 934. The RRM measurement configuration modules 934 can be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the RRM measurement configuration modules 934 can be implemented as a processor, circuit, and / or instructions 926 stored in the memory 924 and executed by the processor 922. In some examples, the RRM measurement configuration modules 934 can be integrated within the processor 922 and / or the transceiver 928. For example, the RRM measurement configuration modules 934 can be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or a general purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within the processor 922 or the transceiver 928.

[0086] From the perspective of the network device, the RRM measurement configuration modules 934 can be used for various aspects of the present disclosure, for example,Figure 1 to Figure 7 All aspects. The RRM measurement configuration module 934 can be configured, for example, to receive a set of capabilities related to the beam sweep factor capability of the wireless device for RRM measurement, and / or to schedule the wireless device 902 according to the beam sweep factor capability.

[0087] For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components set forth in one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to perform one or more operations, techniques, processes, and / or methods as set forth herein. For example, a baseband processor (or processor) as described herein in conjunction with one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples set forth herein. Similarly, circuitry associated with a UE, network device, network element, etc., as described above in conjunction with one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples set forth herein.

[0088] Unless otherwise expressly stated, any of the above embodiments may be combined with any other embodiment (or combination of embodiments). The foregoing description of one or more specific embodiments provides illustrative and descriptive information, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the embodiments to the precise forms described. In light of the teachings above, modifications and variations are possible, or modifications and variations may be derived from practice with various embodiments.

[0089] Implementations and specific embodiments of the systems and methods described herein may include various operations embodied in machine-executable instructions to be executed by a computer system. The computer system may include one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers (or other electronic devices). The computer system may include hardware components, including specific logical units for performing the operations; or may include a combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware.

[0090] The systems described herein relate to specific implementations but are provided as examples. These implementations may be combined into a single system, partially integrated into other systems, divided into multiple systems, or otherwise partitioned or combined. Furthermore, it is contemplated that parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., of one implementation may be used in one implementation. For clarity, these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., are described only in one or more implementations, and it should be understood that, unless expressly stated herein, these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., may be combined with or substituted for parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., of another implementation.

[0091] It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled in a manner that allows informed consent for the intended uses of the data and that, at a minimum, minimizes the potential risk of unauthorized or unintended uses of the data.

[0092] While the foregoing has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications can be made without departing from the principles thereof. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing both the processes and apparatuses described herein. Accordingly, the embodiments of the application are to be considered illustrative and not restrictive, and the description is not to be limited to the details given herein, but can be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE), the user equipment (UE) comprising: transceiver; and Processor, the processor being configured to: For the activation of unknown secondary cells (SCells) in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) New Radio (NR) Frequency Range 2 (FR2), determine The first beam sweep factor for the cell detection portion used in layer 3 (L3) measurements; and The second beam sweep factor used for measuring the Layer 1 (L1) reference signal received power (RSRP) (L1-RSRP); as well as The transceiver reports UE capabilities to the network, and the UE capability identifier includes a beamsweep factor pair of the first beamsweep factor and the second beamsweep factor.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The first beam sweep factor is a member of a first list of candidate options, where each candidate option in the first list is less than or equal to eight; and The second beam sweep factor is a member of a second list of candidate options, where each candidate option in the second list is less than or equal to eight.

3. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The first list of candidate options includes four or fewer candidate options; and The second list of candidate options includes four or fewer candidate options.

4. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The first beam sweep factor and the second beam sweep factor are determined under the following constraints: The first beam sweep factor must be smaller than the second beam sweep factor; The second beam sweep factor must be less than the first beam sweep factor; or The first beam sweep factor must be equal to the second beam sweep factor.

5. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is configured to map the beam sweep factor pairs to an index; and The UE capabilities described in the report include the index described in the report.

6. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The beam sweep factor is associated with one of the following: The UE; FR2 frequency range; FR2 band; or The FR2 band is a combination of each frequency band.

7. A user equipment (UE), the user equipment (UE) comprising: transceiver; and Processor, the processor being configured to: For the activation of unknown secondary cells (SCells) in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) New Radio (NR) Frequency Range 2 (FR2), determine The first beam sweep factor for the cell detection portion used in layer 3 (L3) measurements; and The second beam sweep factor used for measuring the Layer 1 (L1) reference signal received power (RSRP) (L1-RSRP); as well as The transceiver reports UE capabilities to the network, the UE capabilities being identified by a joint beam sweep factor based at least on the first beam sweep factor and the second beam sweep factor.

8. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the joint beam sweep factor by adding the first beam sweep factor and the second beam sweep factor.

9. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the joint beam sweep factor by multiplying the first beam sweep factor and the second beam sweep factor.

10. The UE according to claim 7, wherein: The first beam sweep factor is a member of a first list of candidate options, where each candidate option in the first list is less than or equal to eight; and The second beam sweep factor is a member of a second list of candidate options, where each candidate option in the second list is less than or equal to eight.

11. The UE according to claim 7, wherein: The first list of candidate options includes four or fewer candidate options; and The second list of candidate options includes four or fewer candidate options.

12. The UE according to claim 7, wherein: The first beam sweep factor and the second beam sweep factor are determined under the following constraints: The first beam sweep factor must be smaller than the second beam sweep factor; The second beam sweep factor must be less than the first beam sweep factor; or The first beam sweep factor must be equal to the second beam sweep factor.

13. The UE according to claim 7, wherein: The joint beam sweep factor is associated with one of the following: The UE; FR2 frequency range; FR2 band; or The FR2 band is a combination of each frequency band.

14. A user equipment (UE), the user equipment (UE) comprising: transceiver; and Processor, the processor being configured to: For the activation of unknown secondary cells (SCells) in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) New Radio (NR) Frequency Range 2 (FR2), determine The first beam sweep factor for the cell detection portion used in layer 3 (L3) measurements; and The second beam sweep factor used for measuring the Layer 1 (L1) reference signal received power (RSRP) (L1-RSRP); The transceiver reports UE capabilities to the network, the UE capabilities being based at least in part on the first beamsweep factor and the second beamsweep factor; The L1-RSRP measurement is determined to be based on a non-zero power (NZP) channel state information (CSI) reference signal (RS) (NZPCSI-RS); and The period of the L1-RSRP measurement is determined by multiplying the period of the NZP CSI-RS by the following floor function: the second beam sweep factor divided by the number of NZP CSI-RS resources in the NZPCSI-RS resource set.

15. The UE according to claim 14, wherein: The processor is configured to: The cell detection portion of the L3 measurement is determined to be based on the Synchronization Signal Block (SSB); and The maximum number of receive (Rx) beams used to measure NZP CSI-RS resources is determined to be equal to the second beam sweep factor.

16. The UE according to claim 14, wherein: The processor is configured to: The cell detection portion of the L3 measurement is determined to be based on the NZP CSI-RS; The NZPCSI-RS used for the cell detection portion of the L3 measurement is determined to be one of the NZP CSI-RS in a set of NZP CSI-RS resources that are repeatedly enabled in any L1-RSRP configuration; as well as The period of the cell detection portion measured by L3 is determined by multiplying the period of the NZP CSI-RS by the following floor function: the first beam sweep factor divided by the number of NZP CSI-RS resources in the NZP CSI-RS resource set.

17. The UE according to claim 14, wherein: The NZP CSI-RS is the first NZP CSI-RS; The number of NZP CSI-RS resources in the NZP CSI-RS resource set is a first number of NZP CSI-RS resources in the first NZP CSI-RS resource set; and The processor is configured to: The cell detection portion of the L3 measurement is determined to be based on the second NZP CSI-RS; The second NZP CSI-RS used for the cell detection portion of the L3 measurement is determined to be an NZP CSI-RS in a set of second NZPCSI-RS resources that are repeatedly enabled in any L1-RSRP configuration; as well as The period of the cell detection portion measured by L3 is determined by multiplying the period of the second NZP CSI-RS by the following floor function: the first beam sweep factor divided by the second number of NZP CSI-RS resources in the second NZP CSI-RS resource set.

18. The UE of claim 14, wherein the UE capability identifier comprises a beamsweep factor pair of the first beamsweep factor and the second beamsweep factor.

19. The UE of claim 14, wherein the UE capability identifier is a joint beam sweep factor, the joint beam sweep factor being determined by adding the first beam sweep factor and the second beam sweep factor.

20. The UE of claim 14, wherein the UE capability identifier is a joint beam sweep factor, the joint beam sweep factor being determined by multiplying the first beam sweep factor and the second beam sweep factor.

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