Selective measurement opportunity skipping

Abstract

The invention relates to selective measurement opportunity skipping. According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus configured to perform the following. The apparatus receives a configuration from an access node, the configuration indicating at least one of: a received measurement opportunity skip indicating one or more first measurement opportunities to which the apparatus is applicable; or the received measurement opportunity skips one or more second measurement opportunities indicating that the device is not applicable. The apparatus receives downlink control information from an access node, the downlink control information including a measurement opportunity skip indication indicating that a measurement opportunity is to be skipped. The apparatus determines whether the measurement occasion is to be skipped based at least on the received configuration.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Various example embodiments relate to wireless communication. BACKGROUND

[0002] In wireless communications, a measurement gap (MG) is a (short) period during which a terminal device temporarily stops normal data transmission and / or reception to perform various measurements, such as radio measurements on neighboring cells or networks. The radio measurements can include, for example, inter-frequency and / or intra-frequency radio resource management (RRM) measurements. It has been observed that scheduling limitations resulting from measurement gaps (MGs) can be detrimental to capacity, in particular for extended reality (XR) services, given the limited latency constraints for XR services. There is therefore a need for a solution that enables the use of XR services (and other similarly demanding services) while still enabling the use of measurement gaps (or more generally measurement occasions). SUMMARY

[0003] According to an aspect, the subject-matter of the independent claims is provided. Embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0004] According to a first aspect, a method is provided, the method comprising: receiving a configuration from an access node, the configuration indicating at least one of: - one or more first measurement occasions for which a received measurement occasion skipping indication is applicable; or - one or more second measurement occasions for which the received measurement occasion skipping indication is not applicable; receiving a downlink control information, DCI, from the access node, the DCI comprising a measurement occasion skipping indication indicating that a measurement occasion is to be skipped; and determining whether a measurement occasion is to be skipped based at least on the received configuration.

[0005] According to a first embodiment of the first aspect, the received configuration comprises: a permitted list of one or more first measurement occasion identifiers, wherein the one or more first measurement occasion identifiers correspond to one or more first measurement occasions for which the received measurement occasion skipping indication is applicable; and / or a prohibited list of one or more second measurement occasion identifiers, wherein the one or more second measurement occasion identifiers correspond to one or more second measurement occasions for which the received measurement occasion skipping indication is not applicable.

[0006] According to a second embodiment of the first aspect, the received configuration comprises a bitmap comprising a plurality of bits corresponding to a plurality of measurement occasions associated with the apparatus, respectively, each bit of the bitmap indicating whether the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies to a given measurement occasion.

[0007] According to a third embodiment of the first aspect, the received configuration comprises: an allowed list of one or more supported measurement occasion types to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies; and / or a barred list of one or more supported measurement occasion types to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication does not apply.

[0008] According to a fourth embodiment of the first aspect, comprising the features of the third embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more supported measurement occasion types defined in the allowed list and / or the one or more measurement occasion types defined in the barred list comprise at least one of: a radio resource management, RRM, measurement gap or occasion, a network-controlled small gap, NCSG, a measurement gap or occasion for multi-subscriber identity module, multi-SIM, operation, a measurement gap or occasion for positioning, a measurement gap or occasion for radio link monitoring, RLM, a measurement gap or occasion for monitoring beam failure, a synchronization signal block, SSB, based RRM measurement timing configuration window, or a measurement object.

[0009] According to a fifth embodiment of the first aspect, the configuration comprises a bitmap comprising a plurality of bits corresponding to a plurality of measurement occasion types supported by the apparatus, respectively, each bit of the bitmap indicating whether the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies to a given measurement occasion type.

[0010] According to a sixth embodiment of the first aspect, comprising the features of the fifth embodiment of the first aspect, the plurality of measurement occasion types comprises at least two of: a radio resource management, RRM, measurement gap or occasion, a network-controlled small gap, NCSG, a measurement gap or occasion for multi-subscriber identity module, multi-SIM, operation, a measurement gap or occasion for positioning, a measurement gap or occasion for radio link monitoring, RLM, a measurement gap or occasion for monitoring beam failure, a synchronization signal block, SSB, based RRM measurement timing configuration window, or measurement object.

[0011] According to a seventh embodiment of the first aspect, the method further comprises: skipping the indicated measurement occasion based on the received configuration indicating that the indicated measurement occasion is to be skipped.

[0012] According to an eighth embodiment of the first aspect, comprising the features of the seventh embodiment of the first aspect, the method further comprises: receiving and / or transmitting data during the indicated measurement occasion based on the received configuration indicating that the indicated measurement occasion is to be skipped.

[0013] According to a ninth embodiment of the first aspect, the method further comprises: suspending or at least limiting data reception and transmission during the indicated measurement occasion based on the received configuration indicating that the indicated measurement occasion does not need to be skipped; and performing one or more measurements during the indicated measurement occasion.

[0014] According to a tenth embodiment of the first aspect, the method further comprises: receiving a synchronization signal block based RRM measurement timing configuration, SMTC, message from the access node, the SMTC message comprising one or more SMTCs and one or more indications indicating whether a received measurement occasion skipping indication applies to the one or more SMTCs, wherein determining whether the measurement occasion is to be skipped is further based on the SMTC message.

[0015] According to an eleventh embodiment of the first aspect, the method further comprises: sending an indication to the access node that the apparatus is capable of supporting a selective measurement occasion skipping functionality.

[0016] According to a twelfth embodiment of the first aspect, the configuration is received via a radio resource control, RRC, message.

[0017] According to a thirteenth embodiment of the first aspect, the configuration is received as part of a measurement occasion configuration message for configuring the one or more first measurement occasions and / or the one or more second measurement occasions to the apparatus.

[0018] According to a fourteenth embodiment of the first aspect, the measurement occasion skipping indication is a single bit indication.

[0019] According to a fifteenth embodiment of the first aspect, the measurement occasion indicated by the measurement occasion skipping indication to be skipped is the next measurement occasion.

[0020] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method, the method comprising: transmitting, to the terminal device, a configuration indicating one or more first measurement occasions of the terminal device to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies and / or one or more second measurement occasions of the terminal device to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication does not apply; transmitting, to the terminal device, a DCI comprising a measurement occasion skipping indication indicating that a measurement occasion of the terminal device is to be skipped; and determining, based at least on the configuration, whether the measurement occasion is to be skipped.

[0021] According to a first embodiment of the second aspect, the method further comprises: receiving, from the terminal device, and / or transmitting, to the terminal device, data during the indicated measurement occasion based on the configuration indicating that the indicated measurement occasion is to be skipped.

[0022] According to a second embodiment of the second aspect, the method further comprises: suspending or at least limiting data transmission to and data reception from the terminal device during the indicated measurement occasion based on the configuration indicating that the indicated measurement occasion does not need to be skipped.

[0023] According to a third embodiment of the second aspect, the method further comprises: transmitting, to the terminal device, an SMTC message comprising one or more SMTCs and one or more indications indicating whether the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies to the one or more SMTCs, wherein determining whether the measurement occasion is to be skipped is further based on the SMTC message.

[0024] According to a fourth embodiment of the second aspect, the method further comprises: receiving, from the terminal device, an indication that the terminal device is capable of supporting a selective measurement occasion skipping function; and performing the transmitting of the configuration based on the received indication.

[0025] According to a fifth embodiment of the second aspect, the transmitted configuration comprises: an allowed list of one or more first measurement occasion identifiers corresponding to the one or more first measurement occasions to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies; and / or a blocked list of one or more second measurement occasion identifiers corresponding to the one or more second measurement occasions to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication does not apply.

[0026] According to a sixth embodiment of the second aspect, the transmitted configuration comprises a bitmap comprising a plurality of bits corresponding to a plurality of measurement occasions associated with the terminal device, respectively, each bit of the bitmap indicating whether the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies to a given measurement occasion.

[0027] According to a seventh embodiment of the second aspect, the transmitted configuration comprises: an allowed list of one or more supported measurement occasion types to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies; and / or a blocked list of one or more supported measurement occasion types to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication does not apply.

[0028] According to an eighth embodiment of the second aspect, comprising the features of the seventh embodiment of the second aspect, the one or more supported measurement occasion types defined in the allowed list and / or the one or more measurement occasion types defined in the blocked list comprise at least one of: a radio resource management, RRM, measurement gap or occasion, a network-controlled small gap, NCSG, a measurement gap or occasion for multi-subscriber identity module, multi-SIM, operation, a measurement gap or occasion for positioning, a measurement gap or occasion for radio link monitoring, RLM, a measurement gap or occasion for monitoring beam failure, a synchronization signal block, SSB, based RRM measurement timing configuration window, or a measurement object.

[0029] According to a ninth embodiment of the second aspect, the configuration comprises a bitmap comprising a plurality of bits corresponding to a plurality of measurement occasion types supported by the terminal device, respectively, each bit of the bitmap indicating whether the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies to a given measurement occasion type.

[0030] According to a tenth embodiment of the second aspect, comprising the features of the ninth embodiment of the second aspect, the plurality of measurement occasion types comprises at least two of: a radio resource management, RRM, measurement gap or occasion, a network-controlled small gap, NCSG, a measurement gap or occasion for multi-subscriber identity module, multi-SIM, operation, a measurement gap or occasion for positioning, a measurement gap or occasion for radio link monitoring, RLM, a measurement gap or occasion for monitoring beam failure, a RRM measurement timing configuration window based on a synchronization signal block, SSB, or a measurement object.

[0031] According to an eleventh embodiment of the second aspect, the configuration is transmitted as part of a radio resource control, RRC, message.

[0032] According to a twelfth embodiment of the second aspect, the configuration is transmitted as part of a measurement occasion configuration message for configuring the apparatus with one or more first measurement occasions and / or one or more second measurement occasions.

[0033] According to a thirteenth embodiment of the second aspect, the measurement occasion skip indication is a single bit indication.

[0034] According to a fourteenth embodiment of the second aspect, the measurement occasion to be skipped as indicated by the measurement occasion skip indication is the next measurement occasion.

[0035] According to a third aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing the method according to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof.

[0036] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform the method according to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof.

[0037] According to a first embodiment of the third or fourth aspect, the apparatus is an extended reality, XR, terminal device.

[0038] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing the method according to the second aspect or any embodiment thereof.

[0039] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform the method according to the second aspect or any embodiment thereof.

[0040] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer- readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus at least to perform the method according to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof.

[0041] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus at least to perform the method according to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof.

[0042] According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer- readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method according to the second aspect or any of its embodiments.

[0043] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method according to the second aspect or any of its embodiments.

[0044] 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. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0045] Figure 1 Figures illustrate a system to which some embodiments can be applied;

[0046] Figures 2 to 5 Figures illustrate signalling between an access node and a terminal device according to some embodiments;

[0047] Figure 6 Figures illustrate a process according to some embodiments; and

[0048] Figure 7 Figures illustrate an apparatus according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] The following embodiments are presented by way of example only. Although the specification can refer to “an” “one” or “some” embodiment or implementations, this does not necessarily mean that each such reference is to the same embodiment or implementation. The

[0050] As used herein, “at least one of ” and “one or more of ” along with their equivalents mean any single one of the elements listed or any combination of two or more of the elements listed.

[0051] In the drawings discussed below, dashed lines are used to indicate optional features.

[0052] As used herein, the term "measurement occasion" can be defined as a time range or time window during which (normal) communication functionality at the terminal device is suspended or at least limited to enable performing measurement(s) during said time range. The communication functionality can here include (normal) data reception and data transmission (or at least one of them). The measurement occasion can be, for example, a measurement gap or a restricted occasion. During the measurement occasion (or gap), the terminal device can prioritize performing measurements over data reception and transmission, where data reception can occur, for example, via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and data transmission can occur, for example, via a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). During the measurement occasion (or measurement gap or restricted occasion), the terminal device can be able (but not necessarily have to be) to perform various measurements. The various measurements can include, for example, radio measurements (e.g., RRM and / or RLM measurements), positioning measurements, environmental or ambient measurements (e.g., spectrum sensing or device temperature measurements), and / or timing measurements. The radio measurements can include, for example, inter- and / or intra-frequency measurements and / or inter- and / or intra-RAT measurements. The quantities measured during the radio measurements can include, for example, signal quality (e.g., reference signal received quality RSRQ, signal to interference plus noise ratio SINR, and / or channel quality indicator CQI), signal strength (e.g., reference signal received power RSRP, and / or received signal strength indicator RSSI), and / or interference.

[0053] In the following, different exemplary embodiments will be described using, as an example of an access architecture to which the embodiments can be applied, a radio access architecture based on Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-Advanced, LTE-A) or New Radio (NR, 5G), without however limiting the embodiments to such an architecture. It is obvious for a person skilled in the art that, by adjusting parameters and procedures appropriately, the embodiments can also be applied in other kinds of telecommunication systems, provided that they offer the necessary properties. Some examples of other options for a suitable system are a 6G system, a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (UTRAN or E-UTRAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE, the same as E-UTRA), Enhanced LTE (eLTE), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN or WiFi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Bluetooth®, Personal Communications Service (PCS), ZigBee®, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), a system using Ultra- Wideband (UWB) technology, a sensor network, a mobile ad hoc network (MANET), Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM, 2G), GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), General Packet Radio Service (GRPS), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS, 3G) based on Basic Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) or any combination thereof. Moreover, the communication within the communication network can utilize any appropriate wireless communication technology, including, but not limited to, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), and / or Discrete Fourier Transform Spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM).

[0054] Figure 1 An example of a simplified system architecture is depicted, only some elements and functional entities are shown, all being logical units whose implementation can differ from what is shown. Figure 1 The connections in are logical connections; actual physical connections can be different. It is apparent for a person skilled in the art that the system typically also comprises other functions and structures than those shown in Figure 1

[0055] The embodiments are not, however, restricted to the system that is given as an example, but a person skilled in the art can apply the solution to other communication systems provided with the necessary properties.

[0056] Figure 1 The example of Fig. 1 shows a part of an exemplary radio access network.

[0057] ​A communication system typically includes more than one NodeB (e.g., including eNodeB(s) and / or gNodeB(s)), in which case the NodeBs can also be configured to communicate with one another over wired or wireless links designed for that purpose. These links can be used for signaling purposes. A NodeB is a computing device that is configured to control the radio resources of communication systems it couples to. A NodeB can also be referred to as a base station (BS), an access point (AP), an access node, a network device, a network node, an NR NodeB, a relay, a relay station, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node, a non-terrestrial network (NTN), a non-terrestrial network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, an airplane network device, or any other type of interface device. A NodeB includes or couples to a transceiver. From the transceiver of a NodeB, a connection is provided to an antenna unit, which establishes the bi-directional radio link to a user equipment. The antenna unit can include multiple antennas or antenna elements.

[0058] A NodeB is also connected to a core network 110 (CN or Next Generation Core, NGC). Depending on the system, the counterpart on the CN side can be a serving gateway (S-GW, routing and forwarding user data packets), a packet data network gateway (P-GW) for providing a connection for a user equipment (UE) to a packet data network, or a mobility management entity (MME), etc. The LTE specification designates the core network as an evolved packet core (EPC), and the core network can include, for example, a mobility management entity (MME) and a gateway node. The MME can handle mobility of terminal devices in a tracking area including multiple cells, and handle a signaling connection between the terminal devices and the core network. The gateway node can handle data routing in the core network and data routing to and from the terminal devices. The 5G specification designates the core network as a 5G core (5GC). The 5G core can include, for example, an access and mobility management function (AMF) and a user plane function / gateway (UPF), among other functions. The AMF can handle termination of non-access stratum (NAS) signaling, NAS ciphering and integrity protection, registration management, connection management, mobility management, access authentication and authorization, security context management. The UPF node can support packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, and quality of service (QoS) handling, for example.

[0059] A user equipment (also referred to as UE, user device, user terminal, terminal device, etc.) illustrates one type of apparatus to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, and thus any features of a user equipment described herein can be implemented with a corresponding apparatus, such as a relay node. An example of such a relay node is a layer 3 relay (self-backhauled relay) towards a base station. A user equipment can include a mobile device and at least one universal integrated circuit card (UICC).

[0060] The user equipment 100, 102 generally refers to a portable computing device, including wireless mobile communication devices operating with or without a subscriber identification (or identification) module (SIM) or UICC, including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: a mobile station (mobile phone), a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handset, a device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), a portable computer or a touchscreen computer, a tablet, a game console, a laptop or a multimedia device. In some embodiments, the user equipment 100, 102 can be an XR device (or likewise an XR terminal device). The XR device can be, for example, a wearable XR device, such as virtual reality (VR) glasses or headset, augmented reality (AR) glasses or headset, mixed reality (MR) glasses or headset, or a wearable XR headset or glasses that implement at least one of VR, AR, or MR functionality. Here, the SIM can be a physical SIM that can be removable by a user, or an embedded SIM (eSIM) that is directly embedded in the user equipment 100, 102 (and thus not removable by a user). It should be appreciated that the user equipment can also be a nearly exclusive uplink-only device, an example of which is a camera or camcorder that loads images or video clips to a network. The device can also be a device having the capability to operate in an Internet of Things (IoT) network, which is a scenario in which objects are provided with the ability to transfer data over a network, without the need for human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. Thus, the user equipment can not enable direct user interaction, or can only enable limited user interaction (e.g., during setup). The user equipment (or in some embodiments a layer 3 relay node) is configured to perform one or more of the user equipment functions. The user equipment can also be called a terminal device, a subscriber unit, a mobile station, a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, or a user equipment (UE), to name only a few names or apparatuses. Each user equipment 100, 102 can include one or more antennas.

[0061] The various techniques described herein can also be applied to cyber-physical systems (CPS) (systems of collaborating computational elements controlling physical entities). CPS can enable the implementation and exploitation of massive amounts of interconnected ICT devices (sensors, actuators, processors microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile cyber-physical systems are a subcategory of cyber-physical systems where the physical system in question has inherent mobility. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robots and electronics transported by humans or animals.

[0062] It should be appreciated that, in Figure 1In the middle, the user equipment is depicted to comprise 2 antennas only for the sake of clarity. The number of receive and / or transmit antennas can naturally vary from implementation to implementation.

[0063] Additionally, although the apparatus is depicted as a single entity, different units, processors and / or memory units (not all shown in the middle) can be implemented. Figure 1

[0064] 5G enables the use of (massive) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept), including macro stations operating in co-operation with smaller stations and employing a variety of radio technologies according to the need, use case and / or available frequency spectrum. 5G mobile communications supports a wide range of use cases and related applications, including video streaming, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), hybrid reality (MR), different ways of sharing data, and various forms of machine type applications including vehicular safety, different sensors, and real-time control. The 5G system can support operation below 6 GHz, centimeter wave and millimeter wave, and can also be integrated with existing legacy radio access technologies, such as LTE. Integration with LTE can be implemented as a system in which macro coverage is provided by LTE and 5G radio interface access comes from small cells by aggregation to LTE in the early phase. In other words, 5G plans to support both inter-RAT operability (such as LTE-5G) and inter-RI operability (inter-radio interface operability, such as below 6 GHz - centimeter wave, below 6 GHz centimeter wave, millimeter wave). One of the concepts considered to be used in 5G networks is network slicing, in which multiple independent and dedicated virtual subnetworks (network instances) can be created in the same infrastructure to run services having different requirements on latency, reliability, throughput and mobility.

[0065] ​The architecture in LTE networks is fully distributed in the radio and fully centralized in the core network. Low latency applications and services in 5G require bringing content close to the radio, which leads to local breakouts and Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC). 5G enables analytics and knowledge generation to occur where data is generated, closer to the source. This approach requires leveraging resources that can not be continuously connected to a network, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and sensors. MEC provides a distributed computing environment for application and service hosting. It also has the ability to store and process content in close proximity to cellular subscribers for faster response time. Edge computing covers a broad range of technologies such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data acquisition, mobile signature analysis, cooperative distributed peer-to-peer ad hoc networking and processing, also classifiable as local cloud / fog computing and grid / mesh computing, dew computing, mobile edge computing, micro clouds, distributed data storage and retrieval, self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, Internet of Things (massive connectivity and / or latency critical), critical communications (autonomous vehicles, traffic safety, real-time analytics, time-critical control, healthcare applications).

[0066] The communication system is also able to communicate with other networks, such as a public switched telephone network or the Internet 112, or utilize services provided by them. The communication system can also be able to support the usage of cloud services, for example, at least part of the core network operations can be carried out as a cloud service (this is depicted in Figure 1 by "cloud" 114). The communication system can further include a central control entity, or the like, that provides facilities for networks of different operators to cooperate, for example, in spectrum sharing.

[0067] In some embodiments, the RAN can employ a distributed access node architecture. Thus, in some embodiments, the RAN can comprise at least one distributed access node comprising a centralized (or central) unit (CU) 108, one or more distributed units 104 communicatively connected to the centralized unit 108, and one or more (remote) radio heads or units (RRH, RU, or RRU) 116, 118 each communicatively connected to at least one of the one or more distributed units (DU) 104. The one or more radio units 116, 118 and distributed units 104 can be specifically connected through a front-haul interface. The radio units 116, 118 can include analog circuitry, digital analog and digital analog conversion circuitry, and circuitry for executing some Layer 1 (LI) processing of the distributed access node. The radio units 116, 118 can include or be directly connected to one or more antennas of the distributed access node. The distributed units can include circuitry for executing some LI processing (e.g., beamforming weight calculations) of the distributed access node, as well as circuitry for executing Layer 2 (L2) processing (e.g., scheduling and resource allocation). The centralized unit 108 can include circuitry for executing higher layer processing functions of the distributed access node, including Layer 3 (L3) processing (e.g., radio resource control, mobility management, and connection establishment), as well as optionally some non-real-time L2 processing. The centralized unit 108 generally manages and coordinates the multiple distributed units, handling tasks such as network management, policy enforcement, and interworking with core networks. It can be located in a central data center or cloud environment 114 to enable efficient centralized control and resource allocation across the network.

[0068] In other embodiments, the RAN can employ a non-distributed access node architecture. In such embodiments, the elements 116, 118 can be omitted and the elements 104 can correspond to a non-distributed access node (or access point, AP).

[0069] The (distributed or non-distributed) access nodes can provide wireless access to communication networks for user equipment (UE) 100, 102 (one or more UEs). The wireless access can include downlink (DL) communication from the network node to the UE 100, 102 and uplink (UL) communication from the UE 100, 102 to the access node. Examples of uplink channels include a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) for transmitting control information and a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) for transmitting data to the network. Examples of downlink channels include a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for transmitting control information and a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) for transmitting data to the user equipment.

[0070] There can be multiple UEs 100, 102 in the system. Each of them can be served by the same or different access nodes. The UEs can be configured with dual connectivity (DC), wherein the UE can be connected to multiple network nodes. The UEs 100, 102 can communicate with each other via a so-called sidelink (SL) interface in case a device-to-device (D2D) communication interface is established between them. Such D2D communication can be referred to as machine-to-machine, peer-to-peer (P2P) communication or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), for example.

[0071] In case there are multiple network nodes in the communication network, the network nodes can be connected to each other via an interface. The LTE specification refers to this interface as the X2 interface. The interface between an LTE node and a 5G node or between two 5G nodes can be referred to as the Xn interface.

[0072] Edge cloud can be introduced to the RAN by exploiting network function virtualization (NVF) and software-defined networking (SDN). Using edge cloud can mean that access node operations will be executed, at least partly, in servers, hosts or nodes coupled with the RU 116, 118 or base station operations including the radio part. Node operations can also be distributed among multiple servers, nodes or hosts. The application of cloudRAN architecture enables RAN real-time functions to be executed at the RAN side (in the DU 104) and non-real-time functions to be executed in a centralized manner (in the CU 108).

[0073] It should also be appreciated that the distribution of functions between core network operations and base station operations differs from LTE. Additionally, advances such as AI-driven network automation, cloud-native architecture, and the ongoing transition to all-IP networks are changing the way networks are constructed and managed. 5G (or New Radio, NR) networks are designed with a flexible multi-layer architecture, in which MEC servers can be strategically placed at various points between the core and the base station or gNodeB (gNB) to optimize latency and performance. Notably, MEC can also be integrated into 4G networks, but its full potential is more effectively realized within the advanced framework of 5G.

[0074] 5G systems can also utilize satellite communication to enhance or complement the coverage of 5G service, for example by providing backhauling. An exemplary use case is to provide service continuity between UEs entering and leaving a satellite coverage area, or to ensure service availability for critical communications, and future railway / maritime / aeronautical communications. Satellite communication can utilize Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite systems, but also Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite systems, particularly mega-constellations (systems in which hundreds of (nano)satellites are deployed). Each satellite 106 in a mega-constellation can cover several satellite-enabled network entities creating a ground cell. The ground cell can be created by a ground relay node 104 or by a gNB located in the ground or in a satellite.

[0075] It is clear to a person skilled in the art that the depicted system is only an example of a part of a radio access system, and in practice the system can comprise multiple (e / g)NodeBs (i.e. multiple network nodes or elements), a user device can access multiple radio cells, and the system can also comprise other apparatuses, such as physical layer relay nodes or other network elements. At least one of the (e / g)NodeBs can be a home (e / g)NodeB. Additionally, in the geographical area of a radio communication system, a plurality of different kinds of radio cells as well as a plurality of radio cells can be provided. The radio cells can be macro cells (or umbrella cells), which are large size Figure 1 cells typically having a diameter of a few tens of kilometers, or smaller cells such as micro, femto or pico cells. The (e / g)NodeBs can provide any kind of these cells. A cellular radio system can be implemented as a multi-layer network comprising several kinds of cells. Typically, in a multi-layer network one access node provides one or more cells of one kind, and thus multiple (e / g)NodeBs are needed to provide such a network structure.

[0076] To meet the demand for wireless data traffic having increased since deployment of 4G communication systems, efforts have been made to develop an improved 5G or pre-5G communication system. Therefore, the 5G or pre-5G communication system is also called a beyond 4G network communication system. The 5G communication system is considered to be implemented not only to be backward compatible with the 4G communication system, but also to be compatible with future communication systems. The 5G communication system is also called a 5G system, a 5G new radio (NR) system, or the like. Figure 1 To meet the demand for wireless data traffic having increased since deployment of 4G communication systems, efforts have been made to develop an improved 5G or pre-5G communication system. Therefore, the 5G or pre-5G communication system is also called a beyond 4G network communication system. The 5G communication system is considered to be implemented not only to be backward compatible with the 4G communication system, but also to be compatible with future communication systems. The 5G communication system is also called a 5G system, a 5G new radio (NR) system, or the like.

[0077] 6G architecture aims to enable easy integration of everything, such as networks of networks, joint communications and sensing, non-terrestrial networks and terrestrial communications. The 6G system is envisioned to include machine learning algorithms as well as local and distributed computing capabilities, where virtualized network functions can be distributed over core and edge computing resources. Far edge computing, where computing resources are pushed to the very edge of the network, will become part of the distributed computing environment, e.g. in “zero latency” scenarios. The 5G system can also employ such functionality. More generally, a real (radio) communication system is envisioned to include one or more computer programs executing within programmable infrastructure, such as general computing entities (servers, processors, etc.).

[0078] At least some of the embodiments to be discussed below can relate to extended reality (XR) services and XR terminal devices. XR services refer to a range of immersive digital experiences, including, e.g., virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). XR services typically integrate these different technologies to create interactive environments that blend the physical and virtual worlds. XR services typically require high data rates, low latency, and consistent performance so that they can provide immersive, real-time experiences for users. For example, when using VR / AR / MR headsets or glasses, low frame rates in XR services can result in very poor user experiences, as low frame rates can result in reduced immersion, increased eye strain, and in extreme cases even motion sickness.

[0079] It has been observed that, given the limited latency constraints for extended reality (XR) services, scheduling restrictions resulting from measurement gaps (MGs) can be particularly detrimental to the capacity of extended reality (XR) services. Embodiments seek to overcome or at least mitigate this problem by enabling selective skipping of measurement occasions, i.e., masking measurement occasion skipping. That is, a given terminal device can be configured with multiple measurement occasions, which can include one or more different types of measurement occasions. Embodiments enable skipping of some of the configured measurement occasions while respecting others. Thus, the total number of cases where data communication is interrupted or limited due to measurements can be reduced, which helps to improve the performance of XR services. It should be noted that embodiments are not only beneficial for XR services, but also for any higher demanding service that requires at least one of: high data rates, low latency, or consistent performance. Even if the service requirements are not as demanding, more modest benefits can be obtained.

[0080] Figure 2 Figures illustrate signaling between an access node and a terminal device for performing selective measurement occasion skipping, according to embodiments. Here, the terminal device can be one of the UE 100, 102. The terminal device can be, e.g., an XR terminal device. The access node can be, e.g., a gNB or a base station. Figure 1 Figure 1 ​a non-distributed access node of the non-distributed access node 104, or is such as to comprise at least one of Figure 1 a distributed access node of the distributed access node: the RUs 116, 118, the DU 104, and the CU 108. In some embodiments, Figure 2 the actions of the access node in

[0081] With reference to Figure 2 , it can initially be assumed that the terminal device is capable of supporting the selective measurement occasion skipping functionality (as will be discussed in connection with elements 204, 206, 208, 209). Thus, as an optional feature, the terminal device can initially (connect to the access node and) send an indication in message 201 that the terminal device is capable of supporting the selective measurement occasion skipping functionality. The indication is received by the access node in block 202. The received indication can enable the access node to perform the functionality of elements 203, 207, 209.

[0082] The access node sends a configuration to the terminal device in message 203. The configuration can be referred to as a selective measurement occasion skipping configuration, as the configuration is used to indicate which measurement occasions are skippable and / or which measurement occasions are non-skippable. The term is used for the following. It should be understood that the name "selective measurement occasion skipping configuration" is used here merely for clarity and ease of reference, and embodiments are not limited to a configuration having this particular name or label.

[0083] The selective measurement occasion skipping configuration of message 203 can indicate one or more first measurement occasions of the terminal device for which the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies (i.e. the reception of the measurement occasion skipping indication causes the first measurement occasions to be skipped). The "first measurement occasions" refer to the measurement occasion(s) that are allowed to be skipped. Additionally or alternatively, the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration can indicate one or more second measurement occasions of the terminal device for which the received measurement occasion skipping indication does not apply (i.e. the reception of the measurement occasion skipping indication causes the second measurement occasions not to be skipped). The "second measurement occasions" refer to the measurement occasion(s) that are not allowed to be skipped. The one or more first measurement occasions and / or the one or more second measurement occasions can be, for example, measurement gaps. The one or more first measurement occasions and / or the one or more second measurement occasions can be measurement occasions that are (previously) configured to the terminal device, or can be measurement occasions to be configured to the terminal device.

[0084] The selective measurement occasion skipping configuration can be defined in a number of different ways. The one or more first measurement occasions and / or the one or more second measurement occasions can be defined directly or indirectly via a number of different schemes based on, for example, measurement occasion identifiers or measurement occasion types. These alternatives will be discussed in detail below.

[0085] In some embodiments, the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration can comprise an allowed list (sometimes referred to as an allowed list or white list) of one or more first measurement occasion identifiers, wherein the one or more first measurement occasion identifiers correspond (i.e., identify) to the one or more first measurement occasions to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies. Additionally or alternatively, the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration can comprise a blocked list (sometimes referred to as a blocked list or black list) of one or more second measurement occasion identifiers, wherein the one or more second measurement occasion identifiers correspond (i.e., identify) to the one or more second measurement occasions to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication does not apply. If the allowed list is defined but the blocked list is not defined, it can be assumed that the measurement occasion skipping indication applies only to the (first) measurement occasions in the allowed list. If the blocked list is defined but the allowed list is not defined, it can be assumed that the measurement occasion skipping indication applies to all measurement occasions not in the blocked list. If both the allowed list and the blocked list are defined, it can be assumed that all measurement occasions (of the terminal device) are in one of the allowed list and the blocked list, or alternatively, it can be assumed that the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies (or alternatively, does not apply) to any measurement occasion not in the allowed list or the blocked list.

[0086] In some embodiments, the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration can comprise a bitmap comprising a number of bits corresponding to a number of measurement occasions associated with (i.e., configured to, or to be configured to, the terminal device), respectively. In other words, there can be a one-to-one mapping or relationship between the number of bits and the number of measurement occasions. Each bit of the bitmap can indicate whether the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies to a given measurement occasion or not. For example, a 0 bit can indicate that the received measurement occasion skipping indication does not apply to the given measurement occasion, while a 1 bit can indicate that the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies to the given measurement occasion (or vice versa). Here, the order of the number of measurement occasions arranged in the bitmap can be predefined. For example, the order can have been defined when the number of measurement occasions were configured to the terminal device. For example, the order can be the order in which the number of measurement occasions were configured to the terminal device.

[0087] In some embodiments, the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration can comprise an allowed list (sometimes referred to as an allowed list or white list) of one or more supported measurement occasion types to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies. Additionally or alternatively, the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration can comprise a blocked list (sometimes referred to as a blocked list or black list) of one or more supported measurement occasion types to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication does not apply. If the allowed list is defined but the blocked list is not defined, it can be assumed that the measurement occasion skipping indication applies only to the (first) measurement occasion having one of the one or more types included in the allowed list. If the blocked list is defined but the allowed list is not defined, it can be assumed that the measurement occasion skipping indication applies to all measurement occasion types not in the blocked list. If both the allowed list and the blocked list are defined, it can be assumed that all measurement occasion types (supported by the terminal device) are in one of the allowed list and the blocked list, or alternatively, it can be assumed that the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies (or does not apply) to any type of measurement occasion not in the allowed or blocked list.

[0088] The one or more supported measurement occasion types defined in the allowed list and / or the one or more supported measurement occasion types defined in the blocked list comprise at least one of: RRM measurement gaps or occasions (i.e. “legacy” measurement occasions or gaps), network-controlled small gaps (NCSG), measurement occasions or gaps for multi-subscriber identity module (multi-SIM) operation, measurement occasions or gaps for positioning, measurement occasions or gaps for radio link monitoring (RLM), measurement occasions or gaps for monitoring beam failure, SSB-based RRM measurement timing configuration windows, or measurement objects.

[0089] In some embodiments, the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration can comprise a bitmap comprising a plurality of bits corresponding to a plurality of measurement occasion types supported by the terminal device, respectively. In other words, there can be a one-to-one mapping or relationship between the plurality of bits and the plurality of measurement occasion types. Each bit of the bitmap can indicate whether the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies to a given measurement occasion type or not. For example, a 0 bit can indicate that the received measurement occasion skipping indication does not apply to a given measurement occasion type, while a 1 bit can indicate that the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies to a given measurement occasion type (or vice versa). Here, the order of the plurality of measurement occasions arranged in the bitmap can be predefined. For example, the order can have been defined when the plurality of measurement occasions was configured to the terminal device.

[0090] In some embodiments, the plurality of measurement occasion types defined in the bitmap of measurement occasion types comprises at least two of: RRM measurement gaps or occasions (i.e., “legacy” measurement gaps or occasions), NCSG, measurement occasions or gaps for multi-SIM operation, measurement occasions or gaps for positioning, measurement occasions or gaps for RLM, measurement occasions or gaps for monitoring beam failure, SSB-based RRM measurement timing configuration window, or measurement objects.

[0091] In some embodiments, the sending of the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration in block 202 can be based on (or in response to) the reception of an indication that the terminal device is capable of supporting the selective measurement occasion skipping functionality.

[0092] In some embodiments, the message 203 comprising the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration can be a radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0093] In some embodiments, the message 203 comprising the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration can be a measurement occasion configuration message for configuring one or more first measurement occasions and / or one or more second measurement occasions to the terminal device. In other words, the configuration of the measurement occasions themselves as well as the associated selective measurement occasion skipping configuration can be provided as part of the same configuration message. In these embodiments, for example, a Boolean variable (i.e., one bit flag or field) per measurement occasion can be defined in the measurement occasion configuration message for indicating whether the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies to the measurement occasion or not. The measurement occasion configuration message can be a RRC message.

[0094] In other embodiments, the message 203 (e.g., RRC message) including the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration and the measurement occasion configuration message for configuring the terminal device with one or more first measurement occasions and / or one or more second measurement occasions can be separate messages. In such embodiments, the measurement occasion configuration message (not shown in Figure 2 ) can be sent prior to the procedure of Figure 2 (or at least prior to the transmission of the message 203).

[0095] In block 204, the terminal device receives a configuration message from the terminal device including a selective measurement occasion skipping configuration. The terminal device can activate the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration after receiving the configuration message. Subsequently, the terminal device can employ the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration for deciding whether to skip at least one measurement occasion (e.g., the next measurement occasion) after receiving the measurement occasion skipping indication, as described below.

[0096] The access node sends a downlink control information (DCI) in message 205, which includes a measurement occasion skipping indication indicating that a measurement occasion is to be skipped. Here, the measurement occasion can be, for example, the next measurement occasion. The next measurement occasion can refer to a future measurement occasion. Alternatively, the measurement occasion skipping indication can indicate that at least one measurement occasion is to be skipped. Here, the at least one measurement occasion can be at least one of the next N measurement occasions, where N is an integer greater than 1. Figure 2 Figure illustrates the case where a single measurement occasion 210 is to be skipped according to the measurement occasion skipping indication.

[0097] In block 206, the DCI is received by the terminal device. In at least some embodiments, the DCI can not include any information regarding the identifier or type of measurement occasion to be skipped.

[0098] In some embodiments, the measurement occasion skipping indication sent in message 205 can be a single-bit indication (i.e., a single-bit field or flag). A pre-defined minimum time offset(s) can be defined between the transmission of the measurement occasion skipping indication and the associated measurement occasion. In particular, the single-bit indication in the DCI can be used to indicate whether the next measurement occasion is to be skipped. More specifically, the single-bit indication in the DCI can be used to indicate whether the first or initial measurement occasion (or gap) is to be skipped after the minimum time offset required between the last symbol of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carrying the DCI format and the start of the corresponding (skipped / to be skipped) measurement occasion indicated by the DCI. The terms "first measurement occasion" and "first measurement gap" as used in this paragraph refer to the initial measurement occasion or gap (which is not necessarily the first measurement occasion or gap defined in connection with message 203). In other parts of this application, the terms "first measurement occasion" and "first measurement gap" refer to the first measurement occasion or gap as defined in connection with message 203.

[0099] In other embodiments, the measurement occasion skipping indication can be a N bit indication, where N is an integer greater than 1. Such a measurement occasion skipping indication can be used to indicate skipping (or not skipping) for at least one of a plurality of next measurement occasions (e.g., the N next measurement occasions). For example, the 3-bit indication "010" can be used to indicate that the next measurement occasion should not be skipped, the measurement occasion immediately following the next measurement occasion should be skipped, and the measurement occasion immediately following the measurement occasion following the next measurement occasion should not be skipped. In such embodiments, a plurality of pre-defined minimum time offsets can be defined between the transmission of the measurement occasion skipping indication and the associated measurement occasion.

[0100] In block 207, the access node determines whether the indicated measurement occasion 210 (or indicated measurement occasions) is to be skipped based at least on the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration (sent in message 203). In other words, the access node determines whether the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration indicates that the indicated measurement occasion(s) 210 is to be skipped. This determination can also be based on one or more measurement occasions configured to the terminal device and their schedule (e.g., what the next measurement occasion 210 will be in terms of identifier and / or type).

[0101] Depending on how the selective measurement timing skip configuration is defined, the determination in box 207 can involve various different actions. For example, in box 207, the access node can determine whether the identifier of the (next) measurement timing 210 is included in the allowed list for measurement timing identifiers. Additionally or alternatively, the access node can determine whether the identifier of the (next) measurement timing 210 is included in the blocked list for measurement timing identifiers. Alternatively, in box 207, the access node can determine whether the bitmap defined for the configured measurement timing indicates that the measurement timing skip instruction applies to the (next) measurement timing 210. Alternatively, in box 207, the access node can determine whether the type of the (next) measurement timing 210 is included in the allowed list for measurement timing types. Additionally or alternatively, the access node can determine whether the type of the (next) measurement timing 210 is included in the blocked list for measurement timing types. Alternatively, in box 207, the access node can determine whether the bitmap defined for supporting measurement timing types indicates that the measurement timing skip instruction applies to the type of the (next) measurement timing 210.

[0102] The terminal device performs a similar determination in block 208. In other words, in block 208, the terminal device determines whether measurement timing 210 (or at least one measurement timing) should be skipped, based at least on the selective measurement timing skipping configuration received in block 206. As previously stated, measurement timing 210 can be the next measurement timing (and at least one measurement timing can be...). N At least one of the following measurement opportunities. The following measurement opportunity may refer to a future measurement opportunity. In other words, the access node determines whether the selective measurement opportunity skipping configuration indicates that the indicated measurement opportunity 210 should be skipped. This determination may also be based on one or more measurement opportunities configured to the terminal device and their scheduling (e.g., what the next measurement opportunity 210 will be in terms of identifier and / or type).

[0103] exist Figure 2In the middle, it is assumed that the indicated (next) measurement occasion 210 is a measurement occasion that shall be skipped based on the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration. Thus, in blocks 207, 208, the access node and the terminal device determine that the measurement occasion 210 is to be skipped based on at least the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration. Thus, based on at least the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration indicating that the indicated measurement occasion 210 is to be skipped, the terminal device skips the indicated measurement occasion 210, i.e. no measurement is performed during the measurement occasion 210. Further, based on at least the selective measurement occasion skipping configuration indicating that the indicated measurement occasion 210 is to be skipped, the access node knows that data transmission / reception to / from the terminal device is enabled and prioritized during the indicated measurement occasion 210. Thus, in block 209, data communication can optionally be performed during the measurement occasion 210. I.e. in block 209, data can be transmitted from the access node to the terminal device and / or from the terminal device to the access node during the measurement occasion 210. From an embodiment point of view, it does not matter what this data specifically is. For example, in block 209, the access node can transmit data to the terminal device (scheduled and) during the measurement occasion 210, and after receiving the data, the terminal device can transmit hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback during the measurement occasion 210.

[0104] Figure 3 Fig. 1 illustrates signaling between an access node and a terminal device for performing selective measurement occasion skipping according to an embodiment. Here, the terminal device can be one of the UEs 100, 102. The terminal device can be, for example, an XR terminal device. The access node can be a non-distributed access node such as the non-distributed access node 104, or a distributed access node such as the distributed access node comprising at least one of the RU 116, 118, the DU 104, and the CU 108. In some embodiments, the actions of the access node in Fig. 1 can be performed by a specific unit of the distributed access node, e.g. by the DU or the CU. Figure 1 Figure 1 Figure 1 Figure 3

[0105] While Fig. 1 illustrates a case where a specific measurement occasion is skipped, Fig. 2 illustrates a case where a measurement occasion is not skipped. Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 3 The procedure of Fig. 2 corresponds to a large extent to the procedure of Fig. 1. I.e. elements 301 to 306 can correspond to elements 201 to 206 of Fig. 1 with necessary modifications in details, and thus, for the sake of brevity, the following is not discussed. Figure 2 Figure 2

[0106] ​​​​​​​​Following the transmission of the measurement timing skip indication in box 305, in box 307, the access node determines whether measurement timing 310 (or at least one measurement timing) should be skipped, based at least on the selective measurement timing skip configuration (sent in message 303), similar to... Figure 2 In other words, the access node determines whether the selective measurement timing skip configuration indicates that the indicated measurement timing 310 should be skipped. Figure 2 In this case, measurement timing 310 can be the next measurement timing (and at least one measurement timing can be...). N The determination may also be based on one or more measurement opportunities configured to the terminal device and their scheduling (e.g., what the next measurement opportunity 310 will be in terms of identifier and / or type).

[0107] In box 308, the terminal device performs a similar determination. In other words, in box 308, the terminal device determines whether measurement timing 310 (or at least one measurement timing) should be skipped, at least based on the selective measurement timing skip configuration (received in box 306). In other words, the access node determines whether the selective measurement timing skip configuration indicates that the indicated measurement timing 310 should be skipped. Again, here, measurement timing 310 can be the next measurement timing (and at least one measurement timing can be...). N The determination may also be based on one or more measurement opportunities configured to the terminal device and their scheduling (i.e., what the one or more subsequent measurement opportunities 310 will be in terms of identifier and / or type).

[0108] Aside from the fact that the conclusions drawn from the selective measurement timing skipping configuration differ, elements 307 and 308 can be modified in detail to be consistent with... Figure 2 The elements 207 and 208 correspond to each other.

[0109] exist Figure 3In some embodiments, the one or more measurements can comprise at least one or more radio measurements, such as one or more RRM measurements and / or one or more LRM measurements. The one or more RRM measurements can comprise one or more measurements of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS). The one or more LRM measurements can be performed on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). The one or more radio measurements can comprise, for example, inter- and / or intra-frequency measurements and / or inter- and / or intra-RAT measurements. The quantities measured during the one or more radio measurements can comprise, for example, signal quality (e.g., RSRQ, SINR, and / or CQI), signal strength (e.g., RSRP and / or RSSI), and / or interference.

[0110] The one or more measurements performed in block 309 can comprise one or more measurements of at least one of the following types: - radio measurements (e.g., RRM or RLM measurements), - positioning measurements, - environmental or ambient measurements, or - timing measurements. In some embodiments, the one or more measurements can comprise at least one or more radio measurements, such as one or more RRM measurements and / or one or more LRM measurements. The one or more RRM measurements can comprise one or more measurements of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS). The one or more LRM measurements can be performed on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). The one or more radio measurements can comprise, for example, inter- and / or intra-frequency measurements and / or inter- and / or intra-RAT measurements. The quantities measured during the one or more radio measurements can comprise, for example, signal quality (e.g., RSRQ, SINR, and / or CQI), signal strength (e.g., RSRP and / or RSSI), and / or interference.

[0111] In some alternative embodiments, some limited data communication can be enabled even during the measurement occasion 310. In these embodiments, the data communication between the access node and the terminal device is still more limited or restricted during the non-skipped measurement occasion compared to the case where the measurement occasion is skipped.

[0112] After the measurement occasion 310 has passed, data communication between the terminal device and the access node can be performed in block 311, similar to what was discussed in connection with block 209 of Figure 2. Figure 2 of Figure 2.

[0113] In embodiments where the measurement occasion skip indication 205 or 305 indicates that at least one of the next measurement occasions is to be skipped, N In embodiments where the measurement occasion skip indication 205 or 305 indicates that at least one of the next measurement occasions is to be skipped, the actions discussed in connection with elements 207 to 210 can be performed for each measurement occasion to be skipped based on the selective measurement occasion skip configuration, and the actions discussed in connection with elements 307 to 310 can be performed for each measurement occasion not to be skipped based on the selective measurement occasion skip configuration.

[0114] Figure 4 Fig. illustrates signaling between an access node and a terminal device for performing selective measurement occasion skipping according to an embodiment. Here, the terminal device can be one of the UEs 100, 102. The terminal device can be, for example, an XR terminal device. The access node can be a non-distributed access node, such as the non-distributed access node 104, or a distributed access node, such as the distributed access node comprising at least one of the RU 116, 118, the DU 104, and the CU 108. In some embodiments, the access node can be a gNB or a gNB-DU. Figure 1 Figure 1 Figure 1 Figure 4 In some embodiments, the actions of the access node in Fig. can be performed by a specific unit of the distributed access node, e.g., by the DU or the CU.

[0115] In addition to comprising elements 403, 404, Figure 4 the procedure of Fig. corresponds exactly to the procedure of Fig.. I.e., elements 401, 402, 405 to 408, 411, 412 can correspond to elements 201 to 206, 209, 210 of Fig. with necessary modifications in details, and, therefore, are not discussed below for brevity. Figure 2 Figure 2

[0116] Figure 4 The additional elements 403, 404 comprised in Fig. relate to the interaction between the synchronization signal (SS) block based RRM measurement timing configuration (SMTC) and the measurement occasions (or gaps). Typically, the SMTC is a parameter defining the timing at which the terminal device performs measurements on SS blocks transmitted by a neighboring cell. Typically, the SMTC overlaps with the configured measurement occasions or gaps, such as RRM measurement gaps, although this is not always the case.

[0117] ​​​​​Specifically, the access node sends an SMTC message (or equivalent SMTC configuration message) to the terminal device in message 403. The SMTC message includes one or more SMTCs and one or more indications specifying whether a received measurement timing skip indication applies to one or more SMTCs. The one or more indications specifying whether a received measurement timing skip indication applies to one or more SMTCs can be defined as an index or bitmap, which indicates on a per-SMTC basis whether the received measurement timing skip indication applies to said SMTC. In block 404, the SMTC (configuration) message is received by the terminal device.

[0118] In some embodiments, elements 403 and 404 may be located before elements 401 and 402.

[0119] Subsequently, in addition to the selective measurement timing skipping configuration as described in other embodiments, determining whether a measurement timing (or at least one measurement timing) should be skipped in blocks 409 and / or 410 can also be based on an SMTC message. Similar to earlier embodiments, the measurement timing can be, for example, the next measurement timing (and at least one measurement timing can be...). N At least one of the following measurement opportunities. More specifically, determining whether the measurement opportunity(s) should be skipped in blocks 409 and / or 410 can also be based on one or more indications from one or more SMTCs (configured via message 403) indicating whether the received measurement opportunity skipping instruction applies to one or more SMTCs and at least one SMTC of the terminal device overlapping with the (next) measurement opportunity. That is, the access node and / or terminal device can determine whether the measurement of the SS block according to one or more SMTCs during the indicated measurement opportunity should be skipped or performed. In other respects, blocks 409, 410 can be fully integrated with Figure 2 The corresponding boxes are 207 and 208.

[0120] Figure 4 The illustration shows a scenario where the access node and terminal device determine in blocks 409 and 410 that the indicated (multiple) (subsequent) measurement opportunities are to be skipped in blocks 409 and / or 410. For example, it may be determined that the SMTC overlaps with measurement opportunity 412, but the SMTC supports skipping the measurement opportunity based on SMTC (configuration) message 403. Thereafter, the steps associated with elements 411 and 412 can be performed as discussed in conjunction with blocks 209 and 210. No SMTC measurement is performed during measurement opportunity 412.

[0121] Figure 5 The illustration shows signaling between an access node and a terminal device for performing selective measurement timing skipping according to an embodiment. Here, the terminal device may be... Figure 1One of UEs 100 and 102. The terminal device can be, for example, an XR terminal device. The access node can be, for example, an XR terminal device. Figure 1 The non-distributed access node 104, or a non-distributed access node including at least one of the following: Figure 1 The distributed access nodes are: RU 116, 118, DU 104, and CU 108. In some embodiments, Figure 5 The actions of the access nodes in the system can be performed by specific units of the distributed access nodes (e.g., by DU or CU).

[0122] In addition to elements 503 and 504, Figure 5 The process is completely with Figure 3 This corresponds to the process. That is, elements 501, 502, 505 to 508, and 511 to 513 can be modified in detail and then... Figure 3 Elements 301 to 306 and 309 to 311 correspond to these elements, and therefore, for the sake of brevity, will not be discussed further below. Furthermore, elements 503 and 504 can be modified as necessary to match these elements. Figure 4 The elements 403 and 404 correspond to each other.

[0123] Aside from ultimately confirming the different facts, elements 509 and 510 can be modified as necessary in detail before being compared with... Figure 4 The elements 409 and 410 correspond to each other. That is, Figure 5 The illustration shows the scenario in blocks 509 and 510 where the access node and terminal device determine that the indicated (multiple) (next) measurement opportunities 512 will not be skipped. For example, it may be determined that the SMTC overlaps with the next measurement opportunity 512, but the SMTC does not support skipping measurement opportunities based on the SMTC (configuration) message 503. Thereafter, the steps associated with elements 511, 512, and 513 can be performed as discussed in conjunction with blocks 309, 310, and 311, although here, one or more measurements performed in block 511 may include at least one or more SMTC measurements.

[0124] Figure 6 The illustration shows a process for performing selective measurement timing skipping according to an embodiment. Figure 6 The process can be performed by a device such as a terminal device or a part thereof. Here, the terminal device can be... Figure 1 One of UE 100 and 102. The terminal device can be, for example, an XR terminal device. In the following text, for simplicity, the execution... Figure 6 The physical entity involved in the process is called a device.

[0125] refer to Figure 6In block 601, the apparatus receives a configuration from an access node. The configuration indicates at least one of: one or more first measurement occasions of the apparatus to which a received measurement occasion skipping indication applies, or one or more second measurement occasions of the apparatus to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication does not apply. In block 602, the apparatus receives DCI from the access node, the DCI including a measurement occasion skipping indication that indicates that a measurement occasion (e.g., a next measurement occasion) is to be skipped. In block 603, the apparatus determines whether the measurement occasion is to be skipped based on the at least one received configuration. Subsequently, the apparatus can skip or respect the measurement occasion based on the determination of block 603.

[0126] Any additional features and definitions discussed in connection with any one of the figures in Figures 2 to 5 may also be applied in connection with the processes of Figure 6 with the necessary modifications in the details.

[0127] The blocks, related functions, and information exchanges described above by way of Figures 2 to 6 do not have an absolute chronological order, and some of them can be executed simultaneously or in a different order from the given order. Other functions can also be executed between them or internally, and other information and / or other rules applied can be sent. Some blocks or parts of blocks or one or more pieces of information can also be omitted or replaced by corresponding blocks or parts of blocks or one or more pieces of information.

[0128] Figure 7 An apparatus 701 according to some embodiments is shown. In particular, Figure 7 The apparatus 701 can be illustrated as a terminal device (e.g., an XR terminal device) or an access node. Alternatively, Figure 7 The apparatus 701 can be illustrated as a part of a terminal device or a part of an access node (e.g., a specific unit of a distributed access node).

[0129] The apparatus 701 can comprise one or more communication control circuitries 720 (such as at least one processor), and at least one memory 740 comprising one or more algorithms 731 (instructions), such as computer program code (software), wherein the at least one memory 740 and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus 701 to perform any one of the example functions of the terminal device or the access node described above. The at least one memory 740 can further comprise at least one database 732.

[0130] When the one or more communication control circuitries 720 comprise more than one processor, the apparatus 701 can be a distributed device, with processing of tasks occurring in more than one physical unit. Each of the at least one processor can comprise one or more processor cores. A processor core can comprise, for example, a Cortex-A8 processor core manufactured by ARM Holdings or a Zen processor core designed by AMD. The one or more communication control circuitries 720 can comprise at least one Qualcomm Snapdragon and / or Intel Atom processor. The one or more communication control circuitries 720 can comprise at least one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The one or more control circuitries 720 can comprise at least one field-programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0131] With reference to Figure 7 , the one or more communication control circuitries 720 of the apparatus 701 are configured to perform the functions described above by any of the figures in Figures 2 to 6 . Specifically, in the case of Figures 2 to 6 , the one or more communication control circuitries 720 of the apparatus 701 are configured to perform the functions of at least one of the illustrated apparatuses. Specific integrated circuits, such as ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits) or other components and devices can also be used to implement the functions according to the different embodiments.

[0132] With reference to Figure 7 , the apparatus 701 can further comprise different interfaces 710, such as one or more communication interfaces, including hardware and / or software for implementing communication connections according to one or more communication protocols. Specifically, when the apparatus 701 is a terminal device or a part thereof, the one or more communication interfaces 710 can comprise, for example, a communication interface that provides a connection between the apparatus 701 and one or more access nodes. If the apparatus 701 is an access node or a part thereof, the one or more communication interfaces 710 can comprise, for example, a communication interface between the apparatus 701 and one or more terminal devices and between the apparatus 701 and one or more core network nodes. The one or more communication interfaces 710 can comprise standard well-known components controlled by a corresponding control unit, such as amplifiers, filters, frequency converters, modulator (demodulator) and encoder / decoder circuitries, and one or more antennas. The apparatus 701 can further comprise one or more user interfaces.

[0133] With reference to Figure 7 , the memory 740 can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory.

[0134] As used in this application, the term "circuit system" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) a hardware circuit implementation only, such as an implementation only in analog and / or digital circuit systems; and (b) a combination of hardware circuits and software (and / or firmware), such as (if applicable): (i) a combination of (multiple) analog and / or digital hardware circuits with software / firmware; and (ii) any portion of (multiple) hardware processors having software, including (multiple) digital signal processors, software, and (multiple) memories, which work together to enable a device (such as a terminal device or access node) to perform various functions; and (c) (multiple) hardware circuits and (multiple) processors, such as (multiple) microprocessors or portions thereof, which require software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but may be absent when operation is not required. This definition of "circuit system" applies to all uses of the term in this application (including in any claim). As another example, as used in this application, the term "circuit system" also covers only the implementation of hardware circuitry or processor (or processors) or a portion thereof and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware.

[0135] In the embodiments, combined with Figures 2 to 6 At least some of the described processes can be performed by means including corresponding components for performing at least some of the processes. Some example components for performing the processes may include at least one of the following: a detector, a processor (including dual-core and multi-core processors), a digital signal processor, a controller, a receiver, a transmitter, an encoder, a decoder, a memory, RAM, ROM, software, firmware, a display, a user interface, a display circuit system, a user interface circuit system, user interface software, display software, circuitry, filters (low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and / or band-stop), sensors, circuit systems, inverters, capacitors, inductors, resistors, operational amplifiers, diodes, and transistors. In embodiments, at least one processor, memory, and computer program code form a processing component, or include one or more portions of computer program code for performing the processes according to... Figures 2 to 6 Any one or more of the embodiments or operations thereof in the embodiments. In some embodiments, at least some processes may be implemented using discrete components.

[0136] The described embodiments can also be performed wholly or at least partially in the form of a computer process defined by a computer program or parts thereof. Figures 2 to 6Embodiments of the described methods can be executed by performing at least part of a computer program comprising corresponding instructions. The computer program can be provided as a computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon, or as a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon. The computer program can be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and it can be stored in some sort of carrier, which can be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, the computer program can be stored on a computer program distribution medium readable by a computer or a processor. The computer program medium can be, for example but not limited to, a record medium, computer memory, read-only memory, electrical carrier signal, telecommunications signal, and software distribution package. The computer program medium can be non-transitory. Coding the software for execution by a computer or processor is well within the scope of one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0137] The term "non-transitory" as used herein is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, as opposed to signals), and not a limitation of the durability of data storage, such as random access memory (RAM) versus read-only memory (ROM).

[0138] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present solution. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.

[0139] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and / or materials can be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on its presence therein. Further, the various embodiments described herein can be implemented in a wide variety of environments and / or combinations thereof. Furthermore, the described solutions can be used in any combination of hardware and / or software. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the described solutions can be implemented as a routine of a computer program product, as a stand-alone software package, and / or as a subroutine in larger software packages.

[0140] Although embodiments have been described above with reference to examples in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it is apparent that the embodiments are not limited thereto, but can be modified in various ways within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly and are intended to illustrate rather than limit the embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways as technology advances. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the described embodiments can, and must, be combined with other embodiments in various ways.

[0141] For illustrative purposes, example embodiments are provided below.

[0142] Example 1. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor; and At least one memory, storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to perform at least the following: Receive configuration from the access node, which indicates at least one of the following: - The received measurement timing skips one or more first measurement timings to which the device applies; or - The received measurement timing skips one or more second measurement timings for which the device is not applicable; The access node receives downlink control information (DCI), which includes: a measurement timing skipping indication specifying that a measurement timing should be skipped; and... Based at least on the received configuration, determine whether the measurement timing should be skipped.

[0143] Example 2. The apparatus according to Example 1, wherein the received configuration includes: An allowed list of one or more first measurement timing identifiers, wherein the one or more first measurement timing identifiers correspond to the one or more first measurement timings to which the received measurement timing skip instruction applies; and / or A block list of one or more second measurement timing identifiers, wherein the one or more second measurement timing identifiers correspond to the one or more second measurement timings to which the received measurement timing skip instruction does not apply.

[0144] Example 3. The apparatus according to Example 1, wherein the received configuration includes a bitmap comprising: a plurality of bits corresponding to a plurality of measurement timings associated with the apparatus, each bit of the bitmap indicating whether a received measurement timing skip indication is applicable to a given measurement timing.

[0145] Example 4. An apparatus according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the received configuration includes: one or more allowed lists of supported measurement occasion types to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies; and / or one or more forbidden lists of supported measurement occasion types to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication does not apply.

[0146] Embodiment 5. The apparatus of embodiment 4, wherein the one or more supported measurement occasion types defined in the allowed list and / or the one or more measurement occasion types defined in the forbidden list comprise at least one of: a radio resource management, RRM, measurement gap or occasion, a network-controlled small gap, NCSG, a measurement gap or occasion for multi-subscriber identity module, multi-SIM, operation, a measurement gap or occasion for positioning, a measurement gap or occasion for radio link monitoring, RLM, a measurement gap or occasion for monitoring beam failure, a synchronization signal block, SSB, based RRM measurement timing configuration window, or a measurement object.

[0147] Embodiment 6. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-3, wherein the configuration comprises a bitmap comprising a plurality of bits corresponding to a plurality of measurement occasion types supported by the apparatus, each bit of the bitmap indicating whether the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies to a given measurement occasion type.

[0148] Embodiment 7. The apparatus of embodiment 6, wherein the plurality of measurement occasion types comprises at least two of: a radio resource management, RRM, measurement gap or occasion, a network-controlled small gap, NCSG, a measurement gap or occasion for multi-subscriber identity module, multi-SIM, operation, a measurement gap or occasion for positioning, a measurement gap or occasion for radio link monitoring, RLM, a measurement gap or occasion for monitoring beam failure, a synchronization signal block, SSB, based RRM measurement timing configuration window, or a measurement object.

[0149] Embodiment 8. The apparatus of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform: skip an indicated measurement occasion based on the received configuration indicating that the indicated measurement occasion is to be skipped.

[0150] Embodiment 9. The apparatus of embodiment 8, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform: receiving and / or transmitting data during the indicated measurement occasion based on the received configuration indicating that the indicated measurement occasion is to be skipped.

[0151] Embodiment 10. The apparatus of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: suspending or at least limiting data reception and transmission during the indicated measurement occasion based on the received configuration indicating that the indicated measurement occasion need not be skipped; and performing one or more measurements during the indicated measurement occasion.

[0152] Embodiment 11. The apparatus of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform: receiving, from the access node, a synchronization signal block based RRM measurement timing configuration (SMTC) message, the SMTC message comprising: one or more SMTCs, and one or more indications indicating whether a received measurement occasion skip indication applies to the one or more SMTCs, wherein the determining whether the measurement occasion is to be skipped is further based on the SMTC message.

[0153] Embodiment 12. The apparatus of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform: sending, to the access node, an indication that the apparatus is capable of a selective measurement occasion skip function.

[0154] Embodiment 13. The apparatus of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the configuration is received via a radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0155] Embodiment 14. The apparatus of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the configuration is received as part of a measurement occasion configuration message for configuring the one or more first measurement occasions and / or the one or more second measurement occasions to the apparatus.

[0156] Embodiment 15. The apparatus of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the measurement occasion skip indication is a single bit indication.

[0157] Embodiment 16. The apparatus according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein it is indicated by the measurement occasion skip indication that the measurement occasion to be skipped is a next measurement occasion.

[0158] Embodiment 17. The apparatus according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the apparatus is an extended reality, XR, terminal device.

[0159] Embodiment 18. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: sending, to a terminal device, a configuration indicating one or more first measurement occasions of the terminal device to which a received measurement occasion skip indication applies and / or one or more second measurement occasions of the terminal device to which the received measurement occasion skip indication does not apply; sending, to the terminal device, DCI comprising: a measurement occasion skip indication indicating that a measurement occasion of the terminal device is to be skipped; and determining, based at least on the configuration, whether the measurement occasion is to be skipped.

[0160] Embodiment 19. The apparatus according to embodiment 18, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus further to perform: receiving data from the terminal device and / or sending data to the terminal device during the indicated measurement occasion based on the configuration indicating that the indicated measurement occasion is to be skipped.

[0161] Embodiment 20. The apparatus according to embodiment 18 or 19, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus further to perform: suspending or at least limiting data transmission to the terminal device and data reception from the terminal device during the indicated measurement occasion based on the configuration indicating that the indicated measurement occasion does not need to be skipped.

[0162] Embodiment 21. The apparatus according to any of embodiments 18 to 20, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus further to perform: sending, to the terminal device, an SMTC message comprising: one or more SMTCs, and one or more indications indicating whether a received measurement occasion skip indication applies to the one or more SMTCs, wherein the determining whether the measurement occasion is to be skipped is further based on the SMTC message.

[0163] Embodiment 22. An apparatus according to any of embodiments 18 to 21, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform: receiving, from the terminal device, an indication that the terminal device is capable of supporting a selective measurement occasion skipping function; and performing the configured transmitting based on the received indication.

[0164] Embodiment 23. A method comprising: receiving, from an access node, a configuration indicating at least one of: - one or more first measurement occasions of the apparatus to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies; or - one or more second measurement occasions of the apparatus to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication does not apply; receiving, from the access node, a downlink control information, DCI, comprising: a measurement occasion skipping indication indicating that a measurement occasion is to be skipped; and determining, based at least on the received configuration, whether the measurement occasion is to be skipped.

[0165] Embodiment 24. A method comprising: receiving, from an access node, a configuration indicating at least one of: - one or more first measurement occasions of the apparatus to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication applies; or - one or more second measurement occasions of the apparatus to which the received measurement occasion skipping indication does not apply; receiving, from the access node, a downlink control information, DCI, comprising: a measurement occasion skipping indication indicating that a measurement occasion is to be skipped; and determining, based at least on the received configuration, whether the measurement occasion is to be skipped. Industrial applicability

[0166] At least some embodiments find industrial application in wireless communications.

Claims

1. A device for communication, comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to perform at least the following: Receive configuration from the access node, the configuration indicating at least one of the following: - The received measurement timing skips one or more first measurement timings of the device to which the indication applies; or - The received measurement timing skips one or more second measurement timings of the device to which the indication does not apply; The access node receives downlink control information (DCI), the DCI including: a measurement timing skipping indication that specifies the measurement timing to be skipped; as well as Based at least on the received configuration, determine whether the measurement timing should be skipped.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the received configuration includes: An allowed list of one or more first measurement timing identifiers, wherein the one or more first measurement timing identifiers correspond to the one or more first measurement timings to which the received measurement timing skip indication applies; and / or A block list of one or more second measurement timing identifiers, wherein the one or more second measurement timing identifiers correspond to the one or more second measurement timings to which the received measurement timing skip indication does not apply; and / or The received measurement timing skip instruction applies to one or more allowed lists of supported measurement timing types; and / or The received measurement timing skip indication does not apply to one or more block lists of supported measurement timing types.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the received configuration includes a bitmap, the bitmap comprising: Multiple bits corresponding to multiple measurement opportunities associated with the device, each bit of the bitmap indicating whether the received measurement opportunity skipping indication applies to a given measurement opportunity; or The configuration includes a bitmap comprising multiple bits corresponding to multiple measurement timing types supported by the device, each bit of the bitmap indicating whether a received measurement timing skip indication is applicable to a given measurement timing type.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more supported measurement timing types defined in the allowed list and / or the one or more measurement timing types defined in the blocked list include at least one of the following, or the plurality of measurement timing types supported by the apparatus include at least two of the following: Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurement gaps or timing, Network control small gap NCSG, Measurement gaps or timings used for multi-SIM operation of multi-subscriber identification modules Measurement gaps or timing used for positioning Measurement gaps or timings used for radio link monitoring (RLM) Measurement gaps or timings used to monitor beam faults. RRM measurement timing configuration window based on synchronization signal block SSB, or The object being measured.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured, together with the at least one processor, such that the apparatus further performs one of the following: Based on the received configuration indicating that the indicated measurement timing should be skipped, the indicated measurement timing is skipped; Based on the received configuration indicating that the indicated measurement timing should be skipped, data is received and / or transmitted during the indicated measurement timing; Based on the received configuration indicating that the indicated measurement timing does not need to be skipped, data reception and transmission are suspended or at least limited during the indicated measurement timing. Perform one or more measurements during the indicated measurement timing; The access node receives an RRM measurement timing configuration SMTC message based on a synchronization signal block. The SMTC message includes one or more SMTCs and one or more indications indicating whether the received measurement timing skip indication applies to the one or more SMTCs, wherein the determination of whether the measurement timing should be skipped is also based on the SMTC message. or Send an indication to the access node that the device can support the selective measurement timing skipping function.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the configuration is received via a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message as part of a measurement timing configuration message for configuring the one or more first measurement timings and / or the one or more second measurement timings to the apparatus; and / or The measurement timing skip indication is a single-bit indication; and / or The measurement timing to be skipped, as indicated by the measurement timing skipping indicator, is the next measurement timing.

7. A communication apparatus, comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to perform at least the following: Send a configuration to the terminal device indicating at least one of the following: - The received measurement timing skip indicates one or more first measurement timings applicable to the terminal device; or - The received measurement timing skips one or more second measurement timings for the terminal device to which the indication does not apply; Send a DCI to the terminal device, the DCI including: a measurement timing skipping instruction that specifies that the measurement timing of the terminal device should be skipped; as well as Based at least on the configuration, determine whether the measurement timing should be skipped.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured, together with the at least one processor, such that the apparatus further performs one or more of the following: Based on the configuration indicating that the indicated measurement timing is to be skipped, data is received from the terminal device and / or data is sent to the terminal device during the indicated measurement timing; Based on the configuration indicating that the indicated measurement timing does not need to be skipped, data transmission to the terminal device and data reception from the terminal device are suspended or at least restricted during the indicated measurement timing. Send an SMTC message to the terminal device. The SMTC message includes one or more SMTCs and one or more indications indicating whether the received measurement timing skip indication applies to the one or more SMTCs, wherein the determination of whether the measurement timing should be skipped is also based on the SMTC message. or Receive from the terminal device an indication that the terminal device can support the selective measurement timing skipping function, and Based on the received instruction, the transmission of the configuration is performed.

9. A method for communication, comprising: Receive configuration from the access node, the configuration indicating at least one of the following: - The received measurement timing skips one or more first measurement timings of the device to which the indication applies; or - The received measurement timing skips one or more second measurement timings of the device to which the indication does not apply; The access node receives downlink control information (DCI), the DCI including: a measurement timing skipping indication that specifies the measurement timing to be skipped; as well as Based at least on the received configuration, determine whether the measurement timing should be skipped.

10. A method for communication, comprising: Send a configuration to the terminal device, the configuration indicating at least one of the following: - The received measurement timing skip indicates one or more first measurement timings applicable to the terminal device; or - The received measurement timing skips one or more second measurement timings for the terminal device to which the indication does not apply; Send downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device, the DCI including: a measurement timing skipping instruction that indicates that the measurement timing of the terminal device should be skipped; as well as Based at least on the configuration, determine whether the measurement timing should be skipped.

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