RRM measurement for UEs supporting unlimited BWP

Abstract

A next generation node B (gNB) is configured to decode, from signaling received from a user equipment (UE), an indication that the UE is capable of periodically changing, within a channel bandwidth (CBW), an actual bandwidth (BW) of the UE to a bandwidth of a target synchronization signal block (SSB) located in the CBW and outside the active BWP of the UE including an active bandwidth portion (BWP) and the gNB; determining, based at least on the indication, that the UE supports gapless measurements for intra-frequency measurements of the target SSB; and encoding the one or more downlink signals for transmission to the UE to enable the UE to perform a measurement of the target SSB without a gap.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to wireless communication, including apparatus, systems, and methods for radio resource management (RRM) measurements of user equipment (UE) supporting an unrestricted bandwidth portion (BWP) in 5G NR systems and higher.

[0002] Description of related technologies The use of wireless communication systems is growing rapidly. In recent years, wireless devices, such as smartphones and tablets, have become increasingly complex and sophisticated. In addition to supporting telephone calls, many mobile devices now offer access to the Internet, email, text messaging, and navigation using the Global Positioning System (GPS), and are capable of operating complex applications that utilize these functionalities.

[0003] Long Term Evolution (LTE) is currently the technology of choice for most wireless network operators worldwide, providing mobile broadband data and high-speed internet access to their subscriber base. LTE was first proposed in 2004 and first standardized in 2008. Since then, with the exponential growth in the use of wireless communication systems, the demand from wireless network operators to support higher capacity for a higher density of mobile broadband users has also increased. Therefore, research into new radio access technologies began in 2015, and in 2017, the first version of 5G New Radio (5G NR) was standardized.

[0004] 5G-NR, also known simply as NR, offers higher capacity for higher-density mobile broadband users compared to LTE, while also supporting ultra-reliable and massive machine-type communication between devices, as well as lower latency and / or lower battery consumption. Furthermore, NR allows for more flexible UE scheduling compared to current LTE. Therefore, ongoing development of 5G-NR is underway to leverage the potentially higher throughput at higher frequencies.

[0005] In 3GPP standard Rel-15, an Unrestricted Bandwidth Part (BWP) (e.g., bwp-WithoutRestriction) was introduced as an optional feature. UEs supporting this feature indicate support for unrestricted BWP operation. Regarding downlink (DL) BWP bandwidth restrictions for primary cell (PCell) and primary / secondary cell (PSCell), this means that the bandwidth of the DL BWP configured for the UE-specific Radio Resource Control (RRC) may exclude the bandwidth of Core Resource Set (CORESET) #0 (if configured) and Synchronization Signal Block (SSB). For secondary cell (SCell), this means that the bandwidth of the DL BWP may exclude the SSB.

[0006] Furthermore, feature 6-1a was introduced as an optional feature in 3GPP standard Rel-15. UEs supporting this feature have the following characteristics: the bandwidth (BW) of the bandwidth portion (BWP) in the UE-specific Radio Resource Control (RRC) configuration may not include the BW of CORESET#0 (if present) and the SSB for PCell / PSCELL (if configured), and the BW of the BWP in the UE-specific RRC configuration may not include the SSB for SCell.

[0007] However, the specifications supporting this feature are not yet fully complete. For example, by the time 3GPP standard Rel-17 was finalized, radio resource management (RRM) requirements for radio link monitoring (RLM), beam management (BM), and beam failure detection (BFD) only applied when the associated reference signal (RS) was within the UE's active BWP. Therefore, additional details need to be defined to fully support BWPs without restrictions on this feature. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The implementation relates to wireless communication, and more specifically to apparatus, systems, and methods for a next-generation node B (gNB) apparatus comprising: one or more processors configured to: decode from signaling received from a user equipment (UE) an indication that the UE is capable of periodically changing its actual bandwidth (BW) within a channel bandwidth (CBW) to include the active bandwidth portion (BWP) and the bandwidth of a target synchronization signal block (SSB) of the gNB located within the CBW and outside the UE's active BWP; determine, at least based on the indication, that the UE supports gapless measurement of the target SSB within a frequency range; and encode one or more downlink signals for transmission to the UE such that the UE is able to perform the measurement of the target SSB without gaps; and a memory coupled to the one or more processors.

[0009] Other embodiments relate to an apparatus for a next-generation node B (gNB) comprising: one or more processors configured to: decode, from signaling received from a user equipment (UE), an indication that the UE supports gapless and uninterrupted measurement of a target synchronization signal block (SSB) for the gNB; determine, at least based on the indication, that the UE supports changing its actual bandwidth (BW) to match a channel bandwidth (CBW) that includes an active bandwidth portion (BWP) and the bandwidth of the target SSB located within the CBW but outside the active BWP of the UE; and encode one or more downlink signals for transmission to the UE such that the UE can perform the measurement of the target SSB without gaps or interruptions; and a memory coupled to the one or more processors.

[0010] Other embodiments relate to an apparatus for a next-generation node B (gNB) comprising: one or more processors configured to: decode from signaling received from a user equipment (UE) an indication that the UE is capable of periodically changing its actual bandwidth (BW) within a channel bandwidth (CBW) to include the active bandwidth portion (BWP) and the bandwidth of a target synchronization signal block (SSB) of the gNB located within the CBW but outside the UE's active BWP; determine, at least based on the indication, that the UE supports gapless measurement of inter-frequency measurements for the target SSB; and encode one or more downlink signals for transmission to the UE such that the UE is able to perform the measurement of the target SSB without gaps; and a memory coupled to the one or more processors.

[0011] The technologies described herein can be implemented in and / or used with a variety of different types of devices, including but not limited to any of the following computing devices: unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned aerial vehicle controllers (UACs), UTM servers, base stations, access points, cellular phones, tablet computers, wearable computing devices, portable media players, and various other computing devices.

[0012] The present invention is intended to provide a brief overview of some of the subjects described in this document. Therefore, it should be understood that the above features are merely illustrative and should not be construed as narrowing the scope or substance of the subjects described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subjects described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0013] A better understanding of the subject matter can be obtained by considering the following detailed description of various embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1A Example wireless communication systems according to some implementation schemes are illustrated.

[0014] Figure 1B Examples of base stations and access points communicating with user equipment (UE) devices according to some implementation schemes are illustrated.

[0015] Figure 2 Example block diagrams of base stations according to some implementation schemes are shown.

[0016] Figure 3 Example block diagrams of servers according to some implementation schemes are shown.

[0017] Figure 4 Example block diagrams of a UE according to some implementation schemes are shown.

[0018] Figure 5 Example block diagrams of cellular communication circuits according to some implementation schemes are shown.

[0019] Figure 6 Examples of baseband processor architectures for UEs according to some implementation schemes are illustrated.

[0020] Figure 7 Example block diagrams illustrating the interface of a baseband circuit according to some implementation schemes are shown.

[0021] Figure 8 Example schematic bandwidth diagrams in the frequency domain are shown according to some implementation schemes.

[0022] Figure 9 Example schematic bandwidth diagrams in the frequency domain are shown according to some implementation schemes.

[0023] Figure 10 An example is given of a method for determining the measurement gap configuration for RRM measurement according to some implementation schemes.

[0024] Figure 11 Another method for determining the measurement gap configuration for RRM measurements, according to some implementation schemes, is illustrated.

[0025] Figure 12 Another method for determining the measurement gap configuration for RRM measurements, according to some implementation schemes, is illustrated.

[0026] Although the features described herein may be subject to various modifications and alternatives, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings and described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the drawings and their detailed description are not intended to limit one to the specific forms disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the substance and scope of the subject matter as defined by the appended claims. Detailed Implementation

[0027] the term The following is a glossary of terms used in this disclosure: Memory media—any of various types of nontransitory memory devices or storage devices. The term "memory media" is intended to include mounting media, such as CD-ROMs, floppy disks, or magnetic tape devices; computer system memory or random access memory, such as DRAM, DDR RAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, Rambus RAM, etc.; non-volatile memory, such as flash memory; magnetic media, such as hard disk drives or optical storage devices; registers or other similar types of memory elements, etc. Memory media may also include other types of nontransitory memory or combinations thereof. Furthermore, memory media may reside in a first computer system executing a program, or may reside in a different second computer system connected to the first computer system via a network such as the Internet. In the latter example, the second computer system may provide program instructions to the first computer for execution. The term "memory media" may include two or more memory media residing in different locations in different computer systems connected via, for example, a network. Memory media may store program instructions (e.g., embodied in a computer program) that can be executed by one or more processors.

[0028] Carrier media—such as memory media as described above, and physical transmission media such as buses, networks, and / or other physical transmission media that transmit signals such as electrical signals, electromagnetic signals, or digital signals.

[0029] Programmable hardware elements—including a variety of hardware devices comprising multiple programmable functional blocks connected via programmable interconnects. Examples include FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays), PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), FPOAs (Field-Programmable Object Arrays), and CPLDs (Complex PLDs). Programmable functional blocks can range from fine-grained (combinational logic or lookup tables) to coarse-grained (arithmetic logic units or processor cores). Programmable hardware elements may also be referred to as “configurable logic units.”

[0030] Computer system (or computer) — any of the various types of computing or processing systems, including personal computer systems (PCs), mainframe computer systems, workstations, network appliances, internet-connected appliances, personal digital assistants (PDAs), television systems, grid computing systems, or other devices or combinations thereof. In general, the term "computer system" can be broadly defined to encompass any device (or combination of devices) having at least one processor that executes instructions from a memory medium.

[0031] User equipment (UE) (or “UE device”) — any of various types of computer system devices that are mobile or portable and perform wireless communication. Examples of UE devices include mobile phones or smartphones (e.g., iPhone). ™ Based on Android ™ Telephones), portable gaming devices (e.g., Nintendo DS) ™ PlayStation Portable ™ Gameboy Advance ™ iPhone ™ ), laptops, wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches, smart glasses), PDAs, portable internet devices, music players, data storage devices, other handheld devices, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (e.g., drones), UAV controllers (UACs), etc. Generally speaking, the term "UE" or "UE device" can be broadly defined to encompass any electronic device, computing device, and / or telecommunications device (or combination of devices) that is easily transportable by the user and capable of wireless communication.

[0032] Base station—The term “base station” has the full range of its common meaning and includes at least a wireless communication station that is installed in a fixed location and is used for communication as part of a wireless telephone system or radio system.

[0033] A processing element (or processor) is a component or combination of components capable of performing the functions of a device such as a user equipment or cellular network device. A processing element may include, for example: a processor and associated memory, portions or circuitry of individual processor cores, an entire processor core, a processor array, circuitry such as an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), programmable hardware components such as a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), and any combination thereof.

[0034] A channel is a medium used to transmit information from a transmitter to a receiver. It should be noted that because the characteristics of the term "channel" can vary depending on the wireless protocol, the term "channel" as used herein can be considered to be used in a standard manner consistent with the type of device to which the term is referenced. In some standards, channel width can be variable (e.g., depending on device capabilities, frequency band conditions, etc.). For example, LTE can support scalable channel bandwidths from 1.4 MHz to 20 MHz. 5G NR can support scalable channel bandwidths from 5 MHz to 100 MHz in Frequency Range 1 (FR1) and up to 400 MHz in FR2. In other radio access technologies, WLAN channels can be 22 MHz wide, while Bluetooth channels can be 1 MHz wide. Other protocols and standards may include different definitions of channels. Furthermore, some standards may define and use multiple types of channels, for example, different channels for uplink or downlink and / or different channels for different purposes such as data, control information, etc.

[0035] Frequency band—The term “frequency band” has the full range of its general meaning and includes at least a segment of spectrum (e.g., radio frequency spectrum) in which a channel is used or reserved for the same purpose.

[0036] Wi-Fi—The term “Wi-Fi” (or WiFi) has the full range of its usual meaning and includes at least wireless communication networks or RATs, which are provided by and through wireless LAN (WLAN) access points to provide connectivity to the Internet. Most modern Wi-Fi networks (or WLAN networks) are based on the IEEE 802.11 standard and are marketed under the name “Wi-Fi.” Wi-Fi (WLAN) networks are different from cellular networks.

[0037] 3GPP access refers to access technologies (e.g., radio access technologies) specified by 3GPP standards. These access technologies include, but are not limited to, GSM / GPRS, LTE, LTE-A, and / or 5G NR. Generally speaking, 3GPP access refers to various types of cellular access technologies.

[0038] Non-3GPP access refers to any access technology (e.g., radio access technologies) not specified by 3GPP standards. These accesses include, but are not limited to, WiMAX, CDMA2000, Wi-Fi, WLAN, and / or fixed networks. Non-3GPP access can be categorized into two types: "trusted" and "untrusted." Trusted non-3GPP access can interact directly with the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and / or 5G Core (5GC), while untrusted non-3GPP access interoperates with the EPC / 5GC via network entities such as Evolved Packet Data Gateways and / or 5G NR Gateways. Generally speaking, non-3GPP access refers to various types of non-cellular access technologies.

[0039] Automatic—means that an action or operation is performed by a computer system (e.g., software executed by the computer system) or device (e.g., circuits, programmable hardware elements, ASICs, etc.) without requiring direct specification or execution of the action or operation through user input. Therefore, the term "automatically" is the opposite of an operation performed or specified manually by a user, where the user provides input to directly perform the operation. An automatic process can be initiated by user-provided input, but the subsequent actions performed "automatically" are not specified by the user; that is, they are not performed "manually," where the user specifies each action to be performed. For example, a user filling out a form by selecting each field and providing input specifying information (e.g., by typing information, selecting a checkbox, radio selection, etc.) is considered manually filling out the form, even though the computer system will update the form in response to the user's actions. The form can be automatically filled out by a computer system, where the computer system (e.g., software executed on the computer system) analyzes the fields of the form and fills out the form without any user input specifying answers for the fields. As indicated above, the user can invoke the automatic filling of the form but does not participate in the actual filling of the form (e.g., the user does not manually specify answers for the fields, but they are completed automatically). This manual provides various examples of operations that can be performed automatically in response to actions taken by the user.

[0040] Approximately—means a value close to the correct or precise value. For example, approximately could mean a value within 1% to 10% of the precise (or expected) value. However, it should be noted that the actual threshold (or tolerance) can be application-dependent. For example, in some implementations, “approximately” could mean within 0.1% of some specified or expected value, while in various other implementations, the threshold could be, for example, 2%, 3%, 5%, etc., depending on the expectations or settings of the specific application.

[0041] Concurrency refers to the parallel execution or implementation of tasks, processes, or programs in a manner that at least partially overlaps. For example, concurrency can be achieved using “strong” or strict parallelism, where tasks are executed in parallel (at least partially) on corresponding computing elements; or using “weak parallelism,” where tasks are executed in an interleaved manner (e.g., by time multiplexing of execution threads).

[0042] Various components can be described as being "configured" to perform one or more tasks. In this context, "configured" is a broad expression generally meaning "having a structure" that performs one or more tasks during operation. Therefore, a component can be configured to perform a task even when it is not currently performing one (e.g., a set of electrical conductors can be configured to electrically connect one module to another, even when the two modules are not connected). In some contexts, "configured" can be a broad expression generally meaning "having a circuit" that performs one or more tasks during operation. Therefore, a component can be configured to perform a task even when it is not currently powered on. Generally, the circuit forming the structure corresponding to "configured" can include hardware circuitry.

[0043] For ease of description, various components may be described as performing one or more tasks. Such descriptions should be interpreted as including the phrase "configured to". Statements describing a component as configured to perform one or more tasks are explicitly intended not to invoke the interpretation of 35 USC § 112(f) for that component.

[0044] The example implementation can be further understood by referring to the following description and related figures, in which similar elements have the same reference numerals. The example implementation involves configuring intra-frequency and inter-frequency RRM measurements for a UE that supports Unrestricted Bandwidth Part (BWP).

[0045] An example implementation is described regarding communication between the next-generation node B (gNB) and the user equipment (UE). However, references to the gNB or UE are provided for illustrative purposes only. The example implementation can be used with any electronic component capable of establishing a network connection and utilizing hardware, software, and / or firmware configurations to support gapless RRM measurements. Therefore, the gNB or UE described herein is used to refer to any suitable type of electronic component.

[0046] Example implementations are also described regarding fifth-generation (5G) New Radio (NR) networks that can configure a UE to perform measurements of a target SSB in a gapless and uninterrupted manner or a gapless and uninterrupted manner. However, references to 5G NR networks are provided for illustrative purposes only. The example implementations can be used with any suitable type of network.

[0047] Throughout this specification, various information elements (IEs) are referred to by specific names. It should be understood that these names are merely examples, and the information-carrying IEs referred to throughout this specification may be referred to by various entities under other names.

[0048] As described above, various aspects of the feature still need to be defined. One option for supporting RLM / BM / BFD when the SSB configured for Layer 1 (L1) operation is outside the UE's active BWP is to use a larger bandwidth to cover both the target SSB and the UE's active BWP. This option is commonly referred to as B-1-1, and this term will be used throughout the specification to refer to this option. However, it should be understood that this option can be referred to using different terms, for example, when adopted in 3GPP standards. New UE capabilities can be introduced to indicate support for the B-1-1 option, and throughout this disclosure, this will be referred to as UE capability B-1-1. However, it should again be understood that different terms can be used to refer to this UE capability. A typical implementation of the B-1-1 option is that the UE sets the actual bandwidth to be as large as the channel bandwidth (CBW).

[0049] Another option for supporting RLM / BM / BFD when an SSB configured for Layer 1 (L1) operation is outside the UE's active BWP is to selectively and periodically use a larger bandwidth at the UE to cover both the target SSB and the UE's active BWP, and otherwise reduce the bandwidth. This option is commonly referred to as B-1-2, and this term will be used throughout this specification with reference to this option. However, it should be understood that this option can be referred to using different terms, for example, when adopted in 3GPP standards. New UE capabilities can be introduced to indicate support for the B-1-2 option, and throughout this disclosure, this will be referred to as UE capability B-1-2. However, it should again be understood that different terms can be used to refer to this UE capability. A typical implementation of B-1-2 is to extend the BW at the UE to cover the SSB during the SSB timing, and to keep the BW set to cover the active BWP before and after the SSB timing.

[0050] In addition to RLM / BM / BFD, the UE can also perform other RRM measurements for mobility purposes, such as handover, carrier aggregation (CA) / dual connectivity (DC) management, etc. In legacy operations (e.g., Rel-15), when the target SSB configured for RRM measurement is outside the UE's active BWP, the network must configure a measurement gap for the UE to perform the measurement. During the measurement gap, the UE can tune its radio frequency (RF) circuitry away from the active BWP to cover the target SSB. Therefore, in this scenario, the UE cannot be scheduled during the measurement gap.

[0051] Even if the SSB is outside the UE's actual BW, a UE supporting B-1-1 or B-1-2 should be able to perform RRM measurements on the target SSB without a measurement gap, for example, because the UE will set its actual BW to be the same size as the CBW, or because the UE will temporarily expand its actual BW to cover both the target SSB and the UE's active BWP. Existing UE capabilities indicating support for gapless RRM measurements exist, such as NeedForGaps and Network Controlled Small Gap (NCSG). However, there is no dependency between B-1-1 or B-1-2 and NeedForGaps / NCSG. Furthermore, UE feedback for NeedForGaps and NCSG is based on network queries, and some networks do not implement NeedForGaps and NCSG. Therefore, in this scenario, these types of networks cannot know whether the UE needs a measurement gap for RRM measurements. Throughout this specification, the terms “gapless,” “no measurement gap,” or “no measurement gap” should be understood to indicate that the UE has the capability to perform measurements of the target SSB without having to tune the UE away from the frequency it is currently monitoring and / or is configured to perform measurements of the target SSB without having to tune the UE away from the frequency it is currently monitoring, for example, “no measurement gap” for the measurement of the target SSB.

[0052] The example implementation provides various ways for the network to determine whether a UE supports gapless RRM measurements. This determination can be based on dependencies between different categories or types of RRM measurements that the UE can be configured to perform. The example implementation is described in more detail below.

[0053] Figure 1A and Figure 1B Communication system Figure 1A A simplified example wireless communication system according to some implementation schemes is illustrated. It should be noted that... Figure 1A The system described herein is merely one example of a possible system, and the features of this disclosure can be implemented in any system of various kinds as needed.

[0054] As shown in the figure, the example wireless communication system includes a base station 102A, which communicates with one or more user equipments 106A, 106B to 106N via a transmission medium. Each user equipment may be referred to herein as a "user equipment" (UE). Therefore, user equipment 106 is referred to as a UE or UE device.

[0055] Base station (BS) 102A may be a transceiver base station (BTS) or a cell site (“cellular base station”), and may include hardware that enables wireless communication with UE 106A to UE 106N.

[0056] The communication area (or coverage area) of a base station may be referred to as a "cell". Base station 102A and UE 106 can be configured to communicate via a transmission medium using any of a variety of Radio Access Technologies (RATs), also known as wireless communication technologies or telecommunications standards, such as GSM, UMTS (associated with air interfaces such as WCDMA or TD-SCDMA), LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), 5G New Radio (5G NR), HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), etc. Note that if base station 102A is implemented in the context of LTE (also known as Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)), its alternative location may be referred to as an "eNodeB" or "eNB". It should be noted that if base station 102A is implemented in the context of 5G NR, its alternative location may be referred to as a "gNodeB" or "gNB".

[0057] As shown in the figure, base station 102A can also be configured to communicate with network 100 (e.g., in various possibilities, the core network of a cellular service provider, telecommunications networks such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), and / or the Internet). Therefore, base station 102A facilitates communication between user equipments and / or between user equipments and network 100. Specifically, cellular base station 102A can provide UE 106 with various telecommunications capabilities, such as voice, SMS, and / or data services.

[0058] Base station 102A and other similar base stations (such as base stations 102B, ..., 102N) operating according to the same or different cellular communication standards can therefore be provided as a network of cells that can provide continuous or nearly continuous overlapping services to UE 106A-N and similar devices over a geographical area via one or more cellular communication standards.

[0059] Therefore, although base station 102A can act as such Figure 1A The illustrated UE 106A-N is a "serving cell," but each UE 106 may also be able to receive signals from one or more other cells (which may be provided by base stations 102B-N and / or any other base stations) (and may be within the communication range of those one or more other cells), which may be referred to as "neighboring cells." Such cells may also facilitate communication between user equipments and / or between user equipments and network 100. Such cells may include "macro" cells, "micro" cells, "pecimen" cells, and / or any other cells of various other granularities providing a service area size. For example, Figure 1AThe illustrated base stations 102A-102B may be macro cells, while base station 102N may be a micro cell. Other configurations are also possible.

[0060] In some implementations, base station 102A may be a next-generation base station, such as a 5G New Radio (5G NR) base station or a “gNB”. In some implementations, the gNB may be connected to a legacy evolved packet core (EPC) network and / or to an NR core (NRC) network. Furthermore, a gNB cell may include one or more transition and receive points (TRPs). Additionally, a UE capable of operating according to 5G NR may be connected to one or more TRPs within one or more gNBs.

[0061] It should be noted that UE 106 may be able to communicate using multiple wireless communication standards. For example, UE 106 may be configured to communicate using wireless networking (e.g., Wi-Fi) and / or peer-to-peer wireless communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi peer-to-peer, etc.) other than at least one cellular communication protocol (e.g., GSM, UMTS (associated with, for example, WCDMA or TD-SCDMA air interfaces), LTE, LTE-A, 5G NR, HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD, etc.)). If desired, UE 106 may also be configured, or alternatively, to communicate using one or more Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS, such as GPS or GLONASS), one or more mobile television broadcasting standards (e.g., ATSC-M / H or DVB-H) and / or any other wireless communication protocol. Other combinations of wireless communication standards (including more than two wireless communication standards) are also possible.

[0062] In some implementations, base station 102 may be configured for inter-band SSB-free carrier aggregation, as further described herein. One base station 102A may be a primary cell (PCell) with radio resource control (RRC) connectivity, while another base station 102N may be a secondary cell (SCell) configured for inter-band discontinuous communication without synchronization blocks (SSB).

[0063] Figure 1B User equipment 106 (e.g., one of devices 106A to 106N) communicating with base station 102 and access point 112 according to some embodiments is illustrated. UE 106 can be a device with cellular and non-cellular communication capabilities (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.), such as a mobile phone, handheld device, computer or tablet, or virtually any type of wireless device.

[0064] UE 106 may include a processor configured to execute program instructions stored in memory. UE 106 may execute any method implementation of the method embodiments described herein by executing such stored instructions. Alternatively or additionally, UE 106 may include programmable hardware elements, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) configured to execute any method implementation of the method embodiments described herein or any portion thereof.

[0065] UE 106 may include one or more antennas for communicating using one or more wireless communication protocols or technologies. In some embodiments, UE 106 may be configured to communicate using, for example, CDMA2000 (1xRTT / 1xEV-DO / HRPD / eHRPD), LTE / Advanced LTE, or 5G NR using a single shared radio component and / or GSM, LTE, Advanced LTE, or 5G NR using a single shared radio component. The shared radio component may be coupled to a single antenna or to multiple antennas (e.g., for MIMO) for performing wireless communication. Generally, the radio component may include any combination of baseband processor, analog RF signal processing circuitry (e.g., including filters, mixers, oscillators, amplifiers, etc.) or digital processing circuitry (e.g., for digital modulation and other digital processing). Similarly, the radio component may use the aforementioned hardware to implement one or more receive chains and transmit chains. For example, UE 106 may share one or more portions of the receive chain and / or transmit chain among multiple wireless communication technologies (such as those discussed above).

[0066] In some implementations, UE 106 may include independent transmit and / or receive chains (e.g., including independent antennas and other radio components) for each wireless communication protocol configured to communicate therewith. As another possibility, UE 106 may include one or more radio components shared among multiple wireless communication protocols, as well as one or more radio components uniquely used by a single wireless communication protocol. For example, UE 106 may include shared radio components for communication using either LTE or 5G NR (or LTE or 1xRTT, or LTE or GSM), and independent radio components for communication using each of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Other configurations are also possible.

[0067] Figure 2 Block diagram of a base station Figure 2 Example block diagrams of base station 102 according to some implementation schemes are shown. It should be noted that... Figure 2The base station shown is merely one example of a possible base station. As illustrated, base station 102 may include processor 204, which executes program instructions for base station 102. Processor 204 may also be coupled to memory management unit (MMU) 240, which may be configured to receive addresses from processor 204 and translate those addresses into locations in memory (e.g., memory 260 and read-only memory (ROM) 250) or into other circuitry or devices.

[0068] Base station 102 may include at least one network port 270. Network port 270 may be configured to couple to a telephone network and provide access to multiple devices, such as UE device 106, as described above in Figure 1 and... Figure 2 Access to the telephone network described in the text.

[0069] Network port 270 (or an additional network port) may also be configured, or alternatively configured, to couple to a cellular network, such as the core network of a cellular service provider. The core network may provide mobility-related services and / or other services to multiple devices, such as UE device 106. In some cases, network port 270 may be coupled to a telephone network via the core network, and / or the core network may provide a telephone network (e.g., in other UE devices served by a cellular service provider).

[0070] In some implementations, base station 102 may be a next-generation base station, such as a 5G New Radio (5G NR) base station, or a “gNB”. In such implementations, base station 102 may be connected to a legacy evolved packet core (EPC) network and / or to an NR core (NRC) network. Furthermore, base station 102 may be considered a 5G NR cell and may include one or more transition and receive points (TRPs). Additionally, UEs capable of operating according to 5G NR may be connected to one or more TRPs within one or more gNBs.

[0071] Base station 102 may include at least one antenna 234, and may include multiple antennas. At least one antenna 234 may be configured to operate as a wireless transceiver and may be further configured to communicate with UE device 106 via radio component 230. Antenna 234 communicates with radio component 230 via communication link 232. Communication link 232 may be a receive link, a transmit link, or both. Radio component 230 may be configured to communicate via various wireless communication standards, including but not limited to 5G NR, LTE, LTE-A, GSM, UMTS, CDMA2000, Wi-Fi, etc.

[0072] Base station 102 can be configured to perform wireless communication using multiple wireless communication standards. In some instances, base station 102 may include multiple radio components that enable base station 102 to communicate according to multiple wireless communication technologies. For example, as one possibility, base station 102 may include an LTE radio component for performing communication according to LTE and a 5G NR radio component for performing communication according to 5G NR. In this case, base station 102 may be able to operate as both an LTE base station and a 5G NR base station. As another possibility, base station 102 may include a multimode radio component capable of performing communication according to any of multiple wireless communication technologies (e.g., 5G NR and Wi-Fi, LTE and Wi-Fi, LTE and UMTS, LTE and CDMA2000, UMTS and GSM, etc.).

[0073] As further described herein, BS 102 may include hardware and software components for implementing or supporting specific implementations of the features described herein. The processor 204 of base station 102 may be configured, for example, to implement or support some or all of the methods described herein by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively, processor 204 may be configured as a programmable hardware element such as a FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or as an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), or a combination thereof. Alternatively (or additionally), in conjunction with one or more of other components 230, 232, 234, 240, 250, 260, 270, the processor 204 of BS 102 may be configured to implement or support some or all of the features described herein.

[0074] Furthermore, as described herein, processor 204 may comprise one or more processing elements. In other words, one or more processing elements may be included in processor 204. Therefore, processor 204 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of processor 204. Additionally, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of processor 204.

[0075] Furthermore, as described herein, radio component 230 may comprise one or more processing elements. In other words, radio component 230 may include one or more processing elements. Therefore, radio component 230 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of radio component 230. Additionally, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of radio component 230.

[0076] In some implementations, the base station or gNB 102 and / or its processor 204 may be able to and configured to decode indications from UE 106, determine UE capabilities based on the indications, and encode downlink signals for transmission to UE 106, enabling the UE to perform measurements of the target SSB in a gapless and uninterrupted manner or in a gapless and uninterrupted manner.

[0077] Figure 3 Server block diagram Figure 3 Example block diagrams of server 104 according to some implementation schemes are shown. Note that... Figure 3 The server shown is merely one example of a possible server. As illustrated, server 104 may include processor 344 capable of executing program instructions for server 104. Processor 344 may also be coupled to memory management unit (MMU) 374, which may be configured to receive addresses from processor 344 and translate those addresses into locations in memory (e.g., memory 364 and read-only memory (ROM) 354) or into other circuitry or devices.

[0078] Server 104 can be configured to provide access to network functions to multiple devices, such as base station 102, UE device 106 and / or UTM 108, for example, as further described herein.

[0079] In some implementations, server 104 may be part of a radio access network, such as a 5G New Radio (5G NR) access network. In some implementations, server 104 may be connected to a legacy evolved packet core (EPC) network and / or to an NR core (NRC) network.

[0080] As described herein, server 104 may include hardware and software components for implementing or supporting the implementation of the features described herein. Processor 344 of server 104 may be configured, for example, to implement or support some or all of the methods described herein by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium). Alternatively, processor 344 may be configured as a programmable hardware element such as a FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or as an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), or a combination thereof. Alternatively (or otherwise), in combination with one or more of other components 354, 364, and / or 374, processor 344 of server 104 may be configured to implement or support some or all of the features described herein.

[0081] Furthermore, as described herein, processor 344 may comprise one or more processing elements. In other words, one or more processing elements may be included in processor 344. Therefore, processor 344 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of processor 344. Additionally, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of processor 344.

[0082] Figure 4 : UE block diagram Figure 4 A simplified block diagram of a communication device 106 according to some implementation schemes is shown. Note that... Figure 4 The block diagram of the communication device is merely one example of possible communication devices. According to embodiments, communication device 106 may be a user equipment (UE) device, a mobile device or mobile station, a wireless device or wireless station, a desktop computer or computing device, a mobile computing device (e.g., a laptop computer, notebook computer, or portable computing device), a tablet computer, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a UAV controller (UAC), and / or a combination of devices, as well as other devices. As shown, communication device 106 may include a set of components 400 configured to perform core functions. For example, this set of components may be implemented as a system-on-a-chip (SOC), which may include portions for various purposes. Alternatively, the set of components 400 may be implemented as separate components or groups of components for various purposes. The set of components 400 may be (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) coupled to various other circuitry of communication device 106.

[0083] For example, communication device 106 may include various types of memory (e.g., including NAND flash memory 410), input / output interfaces such as connector I / F 420 (e.g., for connection to a computer system; docking station; charging station; input devices such as microphone, camera, keyboard; output devices such as speaker; etc.), a display 460 that may be integrated with or external to the communication device 106, and cellular communication circuitry 430 such as for 5G NR, LTE, GSM, etc., and short- to medium-range wireless communication circuitry 429 (e.g., Bluetooth). ™ (and WLAN circuitry). In some embodiments, communication device 106 may include wired communication circuitry (not shown), such as, for example, a network interface card for Ethernet.

[0084] Cellular communication circuitry 430 may be coupled (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) to one or more antennas, such as antennas 435 and 436 shown. Short-to-medium-range wireless communication circuitry 429 may also be coupled (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) to one or more antennas, such as antennas 437 and 438 shown. Alternatively, short-to-medium-range wireless communication circuitry 429 may be coupled (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) to antennas 437 and 438, or as an alternative, to antennas 435 and 436. Short-to-medium-range wireless communication circuitry 429 and / or cellular communication circuitry 430 may include multiple receive chains and / or multiple transmit chains for receiving and / or transmitting multiple spatial streams, such as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) configuration.

[0085] In some embodiments, as further described below, the cellular communication circuit 430 may include dedicated receive chains (including and / or coupled to (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) coupled to dedicated processors and / or radio components) for multiple radio access technologies (RATs) (e.g., a first receive chain for LTE and a second receive chain for 5G NR). Furthermore, in some embodiments, the cellular communication circuit 430 may include a single transmit chain that can be switched between radio components dedicated to a particular RAT. For example, a first radio component may be dedicated to a first RAT, such as LTE, and may communicate with a dedicated receive chain and a transmit chain shared with additional radio components, such as a second radio component that may be dedicated to a second RAT (e.g., 5G NR) and may communicate with a dedicated receive chain and a shared transmit chain.

[0086] The communication device 106 may also include one or more user interface elements and / or be configured to be used with one or more user interface elements. The user interface elements may include any element from a variety of elements, such as display 460 (which may be a touch screen display), keyboard (which may be a separate keyboard or may be implemented as part of the touch screen display), mouse, microphone and / or speaker, one or more cameras, one or more buttons, and / or any other element from a variety of other elements capable of providing information to the user and / or receiving or interpreting user input.

[0087] The communication device 106 may also include one or more smart cards 445 with SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) functionality, such as one or more UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card) cards 445. It should be noted that the term "SIM" or "SIM entity" is intended to include any of various types of SIM implementations or SIM functionality, such as one or more UICC cards 445, one or more eUICCs, one or more eSIMs, removable or embedded, etc. In some embodiments, the UE 106 may include at least two SIMs. Each SIM may execute one or more SIM applications and / or otherwise implement SIM functionality. Thus, each SIM may be a single smart card that can be embedded, for example, soldered to a circuit board in the UE 106, or each SIM 410 may be implemented as a removable smart card. Thus, a SIM may be one or more removable smart cards (such as UICC cards, sometimes referred to as "SIM cards"), and / or SIM 410 may be one or more embedded cards (such as embedded UICCs (eUICCs), sometimes referred to as "eSIMs" or "eSIM cards"). In some implementations (such as when the SIM includes an eUICC), one or more SIMs within the SIM can implement embedded SIM (eSIM) functionality; in such implementations, a single SIM within the SIM can execute multiple SIM applications. Each SIM may include components such as a processor and / or memory; instructions for performing SIM / eSIM functionality may be stored in memory and executed by the processor. In some implementations, UE 106 may include, as needed, a combination of removable smart cards and fixed / non-removable smart cards (such as one or more eUICC cards implementing eSIM functionality). For example, UE 106 may include two embedded SIMs, two removable SIMs, or a combination of one embedded SIM and one removable SIM. Various other SIM configurations are also envisioned.

[0088] As noted above, in some implementations, UE 106 may include two or more SIMs. Including two or more SIMs in UE 106 allows UE 106 to support two different phone numbers and allows UE 106 to communicate on two or more corresponding networks. For example, the first SIM may support a first RAT such as LTE, and the second SIM 106 may support a second RAT such as 5G NR. Other specific implementations and RATs are also possible. In some implementations, when UE 106 includes two SIMs, UE 106 may support Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDA) functionality. DSDA functionality allows UE 106 to connect to two networks simultaneously (and use two different RATs), or allows two connections supported by two different SIMs using the same or different RATs to be maintained simultaneously on the same or different networks. DSDA functionality also allows UE 106 to receive voice calls or data traffic simultaneously on either phone number. In some implementations, voice calls may be packet-switched communications. In other words, voice calls can be received using LTE-based Voice (VoLTE) technology and / or NR-based Voice (VoNR) technology. In some implementations, UE 106 may support Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS) functionality. DSDS functionality allows either of the two SIMs in UE 106 to standby awaiting a voice call and / or data connection. In DSDS, when a call / data connection is established on one SIM, the other SIM is no longer active. In some implementations, DSDx functionality (DSDA or DSDS functionality) can be implemented using a single SIM (e.g., eUICC) that performs multiple SIM applications for different carriers and / or RATs.

[0089] As shown, the SOC 400 may include a processor 402 and display circuitry 404. The processor executes program instructions for the communication device 106, and the display circuitry performs graphics processing and provides display signals to the display 460. The processor 402 may also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 440, which is configured to receive addresses from the processor 402 and translate those addresses into locations in memory (e.g., memory 406, read-only memory (ROM) 450, NAND flash memory 410); and / or coupled to other circuitry or devices, such as the display circuitry 404, short-to-mid-range wireless communication circuitry 429, cellular communication circuitry 430, connector I / F 420, and / or display 460. The MMU 440 may be configured to perform memory protection and page table translation or setup. In some embodiments, the MMU 440 may be included as part of the processor 402.

[0090] As described herein, communication device 106 may include hardware and software components for implementing the features described above to communicate a scheduling profile for power saving to the network. For example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium), processor 402 of communication device 106 may be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein. Alternatively (or further), processor 402 may be configured as a programmable hardware element (such as a FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array)) or as an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). Alternatively (or further), in conjunction with one or more of other components 400, 404, 406, 410, 420, 429, 430, 440, 445, 450, 460, processor 402 of communication device 106 may be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein.

[0091] Furthermore, as described herein, processor 402 may include one or more processing elements. Therefore, processor 402 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of processor 402. Additionally, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of processor 402.

[0092] Furthermore, as described herein, the cellular communication circuit 430 and the short-to-mid-range wireless communication circuit 429 may each include one or more processing elements. In other words, one or more processing elements may be included in the cellular communication circuit 430, and similarly, one or more processing elements may be included in the short-to-mid-range wireless communication circuit 429. Therefore, the cellular communication circuit 430 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of the cellular communication circuit 430. Furthermore, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of the cellular communication circuit 430. Similarly, the short-to-mid-range wireless communication circuit 429 may include one or more ICs configured to perform the functions of the short-to-mid-range wireless communication circuit 429. Furthermore, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of the short-to-mid-range wireless communication circuit 429.

[0093] In some implementations, UE 106 and processor 402 may be configured and / or able to perform various operations related to UE capabilities such as reporting intra-frequency B-1-2 operations, inter-frequency B-1-1 operations, inter-frequency B-1-2 operations, changing the actual BW to match the CBW (B-1-1 operation), occasionally changing the actual BW to include the target SSB (B-1-2 operation), performing intra-frequency measurements without gaps and interruptions, performing inter-frequency measurements without gaps and interruptions, and / or performing inter-frequency measurements without gaps and interruptions, as described herein.

[0094] Figure 5 Block diagram of cellular communication circuit Figure 5 Simplified block diagrams of cellular communication circuits according to some implementation schemes are shown. Note that... Figure 5 The block diagram of the cellular communication circuit is merely one example of a possible cellular communication circuit. According to the implementation, the cellular communication circuit 530 (which may be the cellular communication circuit 430) may be included in a communication device such as the communication device 106 described above. As noted above, among other devices, the communication device 106 may be a user equipment (UE) device, a mobile device or mobile station, a wireless device or wireless station, a desktop computer or computing device, a mobile computing device (e.g., a laptop computer, notebook computer, or portable computing device), a tablet computer, and / or a combination of these devices.

[0095] Cellular communication circuit 530 may (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) be coupled to one or more antennas, such as ( Figure 4 Antennas 435a-435b and 436 are shown in the diagram. In some embodiments, cellular communication circuitry 530 may include dedicated receive chains for various RATs (including and / or coupled to (e.g., communicative ground; directly or indirectly) dedicated processors and / or radio components) (e.g., a first receive chain for LTE and a second receive chain for 5G NR). For example, as... Figure 5 As shown, the cellular communication circuit 530 may include a modem 510 and a modem 520. The modem 510 may be configured for communication according to a first RAT (e.g., such as LTE or LTE-A), and the modem 520 may be configured for communication according to a second RAT (e.g., such as 5G NR).

[0096] As shown, modem 510 may include one or more processors 512 and memory 516 communicating with processors 512. Modem 510 may communicate with radio frequency (RF) front end 530. RF front end 530 may include circuitry for transmitting and receiving radio signals. For example, RF front end 530 may include receiver circuitry (RX) 532 and transmitter circuitry (TX) 534. In some embodiments, receiver circuitry 532 may communicate with downlink (DL) front end 550, which may include circuitry for receiving radio signals via antenna 335a.

[0097] Similarly, modem 520 may include one or more processors 522 and memory 526 communicating with processor 522. Modem 520 may communicate with RF front end 540. RF front end 540 may include circuitry for transmitting and receiving radio signals. For example, RF front end 540 may include receiving circuitry 542 and transmitting circuitry 544. In some embodiments, receiving circuitry 542 may communicate with DL front end 560, which may include circuitry for receiving radio signals via antenna 335b.

[0098] In some implementations, switch 570 may couple transmitting circuitry 534 to uplink (UL) front-end 572. Additionally, switch 570 may couple transmitting circuitry 544 to UL front-end 572. UL front-end 572 may include circuitry for transmitting radio signals via antenna 336. Therefore, when cellular communication circuitry 530 receives an instruction to transmit according to a first RAT (e.g., supported by modem 510), switch 570 may be switched to a first state allowing modem 510 to transmit signals according to the first RAT (e.g., via a transmission chain including transmitting circuitry 534 and UL front-end 572). Similarly, when cellular communication circuitry 530 receives an instruction to transmit according to a second RAT (e.g., supported by modem 520), switch 570 may be switched to a second state allowing modem 520 to transmit signals according to the second RAT (e.g., via a transmission chain including transmitting circuitry 544 and UL front-end 572).

[0099] As described herein, modem 510 may include hardware and software components for implementing the features described above or for UL data for time-division multiplexing NSANR operation, as well as various other techniques described herein. For example, processor 512 may be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium). Alternatively (or additionally), processor 512 may be configured as a programmable hardware element (such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array)) or as an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). Alternatively (or additionally), processor 512 may be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein in conjunction with one or more of other components 530, 532, 534, 550, 570, 572, 335, and 336.

[0100] Furthermore, as described herein, processor 512 may include one or more processing elements. Therefore, processor 512 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of processor 512. Additionally, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of processor 512.

[0101] For example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium), processor 522 may be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein. Alternatively (or additionally), processor 522 may be configured as a programmable hardware element (such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array)) or as an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). Alternatively (or additionally), in conjunction with one or more of other components 540, 542, 544, 550, 570, 572, 335, and 336, processor 522 may be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein.

[0102] Furthermore, as described herein, processor 522 may include one or more processing elements. Therefore, processor 522 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of processor 522. Additionally, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of processor 522.

[0103] In some implementations, processors 512, 522 can be configured for inter-band SSB-free carrier aggregation, as further described herein.

[0104] Figure 6 : UE block diagram Figure 6 Example components of device 600 according to some implementation schemes are illustrated. It should be noted that... Figure 6The device described is merely one example of a possible system, and the features of this disclosure can be implemented in any UE of various UEs as needed.

[0105] In some embodiments, device 600 may include application circuitry 602, baseband circuitry 604, radio frequency (RF) circuitry 606, front-end module (FEM) circuitry 608, one or more antennas 610, and power management circuitry (PMC) 612 (at least coupled together as shown). Components of the illustrated device 600 may be included in the UE 106 or RAN node. In some embodiments, device 600 may include fewer components (e.g., the RAN node may not utilize application circuitry 602, but instead include a processor / controller to process IP data received from the EPC). In some embodiments, device 600 may include additional components such as memory / storage devices, displays, cameras, sensors, or input / output (I / O) interfaces. In other embodiments, the components described below may be included in more than one device (e.g., the circuitry may be individually included in more than one device for a cloud-RAN (C-RAN) specific implementation).

[0106] Application circuitry 602 may include one or more application processors. For example, application circuitry 602 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. Processors may include any combination of general-purpose processors and special-purpose processors (e.g., graphics processors, application processors, etc.). These processors may be coupled to or may include memory / storage devices and may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory / storage device to enable various applications or operating systems to run on device 600. In some embodiments, the processor of application circuitry 602 may process IP data packets received from the EPC.

[0107] Baseband circuitry 604 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. Baseband circuitry 604 may include one or more baseband processors or control logic components to process baseband signals received from the receive signal path of RF circuitry 606 and generate baseband signals for the transmit signal path of RF circuitry 606. Baseband processing circuitry 604 may interact with application circuitry 602 to generate and process baseband signals and control the operation of RF circuitry 606. For example, in some embodiments, baseband circuitry 604 may include a third-generation (3G) baseband processor 604A, a fourth-generation (4G) baseband processor 604B, a fifth-generation (5G) baseband processor 604C, or other existing, under development, or future generations of baseband processors 604D (e.g., second-generation (2G), sixth-generation (6G), etc.). Baseband circuitry 604 (e.g., one or more of baseband processors 604A-604D) may handle various radio control functions to implement communication with one or more radio networks via RF circuitry 606. In other embodiments, some or all of the functionality of the baseband processors 604A-604D may be included in a module stored in memory 604G and executed via a central processing unit (CPU) 604E. Radio control functions may include, but are not limited to, signal modulation / demodulation, encoding / decoding, and RF shifting. In some embodiments, the modulation / demodulation circuitry of the baseband circuitry 604 may include Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), pre-decoding, or constellation mapping / demapping functions. In some embodiments, the encoding / decoding circuitry of the baseband circuitry 604 may include convolution, tail-biting convolution, turbo, Viterbi, or low-density parity-check (LDPC) encoder / decoder functionality. Implementations of the modulation / demodulation and encoder / decoder functionality are not limited to these examples, and other suitable functionalities may be included in other embodiments.

[0108] In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 604 may include one or more audio digital signal processors (“DSPs”) 604F. The audio DSP 604F may include elements for compression / decompression and echo cancellation, and in other embodiments may include other suitable processing elements. In some embodiments, components of the baseband circuitry may be suitably combined in a single chip, a single chipset, or disposed on the same circuit board. In some embodiments, some or all of the components of the baseband circuitry 604 and the application circuitry 602 may be implemented together, for example, on a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0109] In some implementations, baseband circuit 604 can provide communication compatible with one or more radio technologies. For example, in some implementations, baseband circuit 604 can support communication with the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (EUTRAN) or other Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMAN), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), or Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN). Implementations in which baseband circuit 604 is configured to support radio communication with more than one radio protocol may be referred to as multimode baseband circuits.

[0110] RF circuit 606 enables communication with a wireless network via a non-solid medium using modulated electromagnetic radiation. In various embodiments, RF circuit 606 may include switches, filters, amplifiers, etc., to facilitate communication with the wireless network. RF circuit 606 may include a receive signal path that includes circuitry for down-converting the RF signal received from FEM circuit 608 and providing a baseband signal to baseband circuit 604. RF circuit 606 may also include a transmit signal path that includes circuitry for up-converting the baseband signal provided by baseband circuit 604 and providing an RF output signal for transmission to FEM circuit 608.

[0111] In some embodiments, the receive signal path of RF circuit 606 may include mixer circuit 606a, amplifier circuit 606b, and filter circuit 606c. In some embodiments, the transmit signal path of RF circuit 606 may include filter circuit 606c and mixer circuit 606a. RF circuit 606 may also include synthesizer circuit 606d for synthesizing frequencies used by mixer circuit 606a in both the receive and transmit signal paths. In some embodiments, mixer circuit 606a in the receive signal path may be configured to down-convert the RF signal received from FEM circuit 608 based on the synthesized frequency provided by synthesizer circuit 606d. Amplifier circuit 606b may be configured to amplify the down-converted signal, and filter circuit 606c may be a low-pass filter (LPF) or band-pass filter (BPF) configured to remove unwanted signals from the down-converted signal to generate an output baseband signal. The output baseband signal may be provided to baseband circuit 604 for further processing. In some implementations, these output baseband signals may be zero-frequency baseband signals, but this is not necessary. In some implementations, the mixer circuit 606a in the receiving signal path may include a passive mixer, but the scope of the implementations is not limited in this respect.

[0112] In some implementations, the mixer circuit 606a of the transmit signal path may be configured to up-convert the input baseband signal based on the synthesis frequency provided by the synthesizer circuit 606d to generate an RF output signal for the FEM circuit 608. The baseband signal may be provided by the baseband circuit 604 and may be filtered by the filter circuit 606c.

[0113] In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 606a for the receive signal path and the mixer circuit 606a for the transmit signal path may include two or more mixers and may be arranged for quadrature downconversion and quadrature upconversion, respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 606a for the receive signal path and the mixer circuit 606a for the transmit signal path may include two or more mixers and may be arranged for image rejection (e.g., Hartley image rejection). In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 606a for the receive signal path and the mixer circuit 606a for the transmit signal path may be arranged for direct downconversion and direct upconversion, respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 606a for the receive signal path and the mixer circuit 606a for the transmit signal path may be configured for superheterodyne operation.

[0114] In some embodiments, the output baseband signal and the input baseband signal may be analog baseband signals, but the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some alternative embodiments, the output baseband signal and the input baseband signal may be digital baseband signals. In these alternative embodiments, RF circuit 606 may include analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry, and baseband circuit 604 may include a digital baseband interface for communicating with RF circuit 606.

[0115] In some dual-mode implementations, separate radio IC circuits may be provided to process signals for each spectrum, but the scope of the implementation is not limited in this respect.

[0116] In some implementations, synthesizer circuit 606d may be a fractional-N synthesizer or a fractional-N / N+1 synthesizer, but the scope of implementations is not limited in this respect, as other types of frequency synthesizers may also be suitable. For example, synthesizer circuit 606d may be a Δ-∑ synthesizer, a frequency multiplier, or a synthesizer including a phase-locked loop with a frequency divider.

[0117] Synthesizer circuit 606d can be configured to synthesize an output frequency based on a frequency input and a divider control input for use by mixer circuit 606a of RF circuit 606. In some embodiments, synthesizer circuit 606d can be a fractional N / N+1 synthesizer.

[0118] In some implementations, the frequency input may be provided by a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), but this is not necessary. The divider control input may be provided by the baseband circuit 604 or the application processor 602 according to the desired output frequency. In some implementations, the divider control input (e.g., N) may be determined from a lookup table based on the channel indicated by the application processor 602.

[0119] The synthesizer circuit 606d of the RF circuit 606 may include a frequency divider, a delay-locked loop (DLL), a multiplexer, and a phase accumulator. In some embodiments, the frequency divider may be a dual-mode divider (DMD), and the phase accumulator may be a digital phase accumulator (DPA). In some embodiments, the DMD may be configured to divide the input signal by N or N+1 (e.g., based on carry) to provide a fractional division ratio. In some example embodiments, the DLL may include a cascaded, tunable delay element, a phase detector, a charge pump, and a set of D-type flip-flops. In these embodiments, the delay elements may be configured to divide the VCO cycle into Nd equal phase groups, where Nd is the number of delay elements in the delay line. Thus, the DLL provides negative feedback to help ensure that the total delay through the delay line is one VCO cycle.

[0120] In some embodiments, synthesizer circuitry 606d may be configured to generate a carrier frequency as the output frequency, while in other embodiments, the output frequency may be a multiple of the carrier frequency (e.g., twice the carrier frequency, four times the carrier frequency) and used in conjunction with quadrature generator and frequency divider circuitry to generate multiple signals having multiple different phases relative to each other at the carrier frequency. In some embodiments, the output frequency may be the LO frequency (fLO). In some embodiments, RF circuitry 606 may include an IQ / polarity converter.

[0121] FEM circuit 608 may include a receive signal path, which may include circuitry configured to operate on RF signals received from one or more antennas 610, amplify the received signals, and provide an amplified version of the received signals to RF circuit 606 for further processing. FEM circuit 608 may also include a transmit signal path, which may include circuitry configured to amplify a transmit signal provided by RF circuit 606 for transmission by one or more of the one or more antennas 610. In various embodiments, amplification via the transmit or receive signal path may be performed only in RF circuit 606, only in FEM 608, or in both RF circuit 606 and FEM 608.

[0122] In some embodiments, FEM circuit 608 may include a TX / RX switch for switching between transmit and receive mode operation. The FEM circuit may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the FEM circuit may include an LNA for amplifying the received RF signal and providing the amplified received RF signal as an output (e.g., provided to RF circuit 606). The transmit signal path of FEM circuit 608 may include a power amplifier (PA) for amplifying (e.g., provided by RF circuit 606) the input RF signal; and one or more filters for generating an RF signal for subsequent transmission (e.g., through one or more antennas in one or more antennas 610).

[0123] In some implementations, the PMC 612 manages the power supplied to the baseband circuitry 604. Specifically, the PMC 612 controls power selection, voltage scaling, battery charging, or DC-DC conversion. The PMC 612 is typically included when the device 600 can be battery powered, for example, when the device is included in a UE. The PMC 612 can improve power conversion efficiency while providing the desired implementation size and thermal characteristics.

[0124] Although Figure 6 A PMC 612 is shown coupled only to the baseband circuit 604; however, in other embodiments, the PMC 612 may be additionally or alternatively coupled to other components such as, but not limited to, the application circuit 602, the RF circuit 606, or the FEM 608, and perform similar power management operations for these other components.

[0125] In some implementations, PMC 612 may be controlled or otherwise incorporated into various power-saving mechanisms of device 600. For example, if device 600 is in RRC_connected state, where the device is still connected to the RAN node because it expects to receive traffic immediately, the device may enter a state known as discontinuous receive mode (DRX) after a period of inactivity. During this state, device 600 may be powered down for short intervals, thereby saving power.

[0126] If there is no data traffic activity during the extended period, device 600 may transition to the RRC_Idle state, in which the device disconnects from the network and does not perform operations such as channel quality feedback or handover. Device 600 enters a very low power state and performs paging, in which the device periodically wakes up again to listen to the network, and then powers off again. Device 600 may not be able to receive data in this state, and in order to receive data, it will transition back to the RRC_Connected state.

[0127] An additional power-saving mode renders the device unusable for a period exceeding the paging interval (from seconds to hours). During this time, the device is completely unconnected to the network and may be completely powered off. Any data transmitted during this period will incur significant latency, which is assumed to be acceptable.

[0128] The processor of application circuit 602 and the processor of baseband circuit 604 can be used to execute elements of one or more instances of the protocol stack. For example, the processor of baseband circuit 604 can be used individually or in combination to execute layer 3, layer 2, or layer 1 functionality, while the processor of application circuit 604 can utilize data received from these layers (e.g., packet data) and further execute layer 4 functionality (e.g., transmit communication protocol (TCP) and user datagram protocol (UDP) layers). As mentioned herein, layer 3 (L3) may include the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, which will be described in further detail below. As mentioned herein, layer 2 (L2) may include the Media Access Control (MAC) layer, the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, which will be described in further detail below. As mentioned herein, layer 1 (L1) may include the physical (PHY) layer of the UE / RAN node, which will be described in further detail below. Therefore, baseband circuit 604 can be used to encode messages for transmission between the UE and gNB, or to decode messages received between the UE and gNB.

[0129] Figure 7 Block diagram of the baseband circuit interface Figure 7 Example interfaces of baseband circuits according to some implementation schemes are illustrated. Note that... Figure 7 The baseband circuit is merely one example of a possible circuit, and the features of this disclosure can be implemented in any system of various systems as needed.

[0130] As discussed above, Figure 6 The baseband circuit 604 may include processors 604A-604E and a memory 604G utilized by the processors. Each of the processors 604A-604E may respectively include a memory interface 704A-704E for transferring / receiving data to / from the memory 604G.

[0131] Baseband circuit 604 may also include one or more interfaces for communicatively coupling to other circuits / devices, such as memory interface 712 (e.g., an interface for transferring / receiving data to / from a memory external to baseband circuit 604); application circuit interface 7914 (e.g., an interface for transferring / receiving data to / from a memory external to baseband circuit 604); and application circuit interface 7914 (e.g., an interface for transferring / receiving data to / from a memory external to baseband circuit 604). Figure 6 Application circuit 602 is an interface for transmitting / receiving data; RF circuit interface 716 (e.g., for sending / receiving data to / from...). Figure 6RF circuit 606 is an interface for transmitting / receiving data; wireless hardware connection interface 718 (e.g., for sending / receiving data to / from near field communication (NFC) components, Bluetooth). ® Components (e.g., Bluetooth) ® Low power consumption, Wi-Fi ® Interfaces for transmitting / receiving data to / from components and other communication components); and power management interface 720 (e.g., an interface for transmitting / receiving power or control signals to / from PMC 612).

[0132] Figure 8 and Figure 9 Schematic bandwidth diagram in the frequency domain Figure 8 and Figure 9 These are illustrations of bandwidth diagrams 800 and 900 in the frequency domain, based on some example implementations. In this example, bandwidth diagram 800 or 900 can be considered to illustrate the downlink (DL) bandwidth on which gNB 102 is transmitting and UE 106 is receiving. However, the uplink (UL) diagram will be similar to DL bandwidth diagram 800 or 900, except that UE 106 will be transmitting on the UL frequency and gNB 102 will be receiving. Furthermore, the types of signals transmitted / received in the DL and UL can be different.

[0133] Initially, bandwidth diagrams 800 and 900 illustrate CBW 810. Typically, in 5G networks, CBW is the maximum transmit bandwidth (defined according to resource blocks (RBs)) and the guard bands at both ends of the spectrum (guard bands are defined in kHz). However, CBW 810 can be any consecutive group of frequencies. An active BWP 820 frequency is defined within CBW 810. Active BWP 820 is the set of consecutive frequencies within CBW 810 configured for UE 106. Multiple UEs can be configured using the same active BWP 820. UE 106 is configured to receive Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) transmissions, Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) transmissions, Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), and Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) within the configured active BWP 820. Alternatively, UE 106 can state that it does not expect to receive these signals outside of active BWP 820.

[0134] Furthermore, an SSB 830 frequency is defined within CBW 810. Multiple SSBs can be configured for the UE. The example implementation described herein can be associated with an SSB configured for Layer 1 (L1) operation (e.g., RRM measurements), and SSB 830 can be considered an SSB of this type. Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, SSB 830 is outside the frequency range of the active BWP 820 of UE 106. (As...) Figure 8 As shown, when option B-1-1 is implemented, UE 106 can use a larger bandwidth (e.g., UE actual BW 840) to cover the target SSB (e.g., SSB 830) and UE active BWP 820. UE actual BW 840 can be set to the frequency range of CBW 810. Figure 9 As shown, when implementing option B-1-2, UE 106 can periodically change the UE actual BW 940 to use a larger bandwidth (e.g., increase the UE actual BW 940) to cover the target SSB (e.g., SSB 830) and the UE active BWP 820. The UE can then change the UE actual BW 940 to use a smaller bandwidth, for example, reducing the UE actual BW 940 to a frequency range that includes the active BWP 820 and excludes the target SSB 830. Reducing the UE actual bandwidth can significantly reduce power consumption at the UE.

[0135] When the SSB is within the UE's actual BW 840 or 940, the UE can perform measurements on the SSB 830 while simultaneously communicating with the active BWP 820. Because the UE 106 can use a larger bandwidth when implementing option B-1-1, the UE 106 can perform intra-frequency or inter-frequency RRM measurements on the SSB 830 when the SSB is located outside the frequency range of the active BWP 820 without needing to be off-frequency (e.g., no measurement gap, also known as gapless) and without needing to be interrupted (e.g., no measurement interruption, also known as interrupt-free). Additionally, because the UE 106 can periodically or occasionally switch its actual bandwidth between larger and smaller bandwidths when implementing option B-1-2, such as... Figure 9 As illustrated, UE 106 may not require off-grid (e.g., no measurement gap or no gap), but may require interruption (e.g., measurement interruption or interruption) to perform intra-frequency or inter-frequency RRM measurements on SSB 830 outside of active BWP 820.

[0136] However, UE 106 may not have a mechanism to indicate to the network that it does not need to configure a measurement gap or interrupt for UE 106 when operating according to option B-1-1, or that it needs to configure an interrupt but not a measurement gap when operating according to option B-1-2. An interrupt can be used to allow a radio to change frequency for inter-frequency measurements. The example implementations described herein provide various methods for informing the network that UE 106 does not need to configure a measurement gap or interrupt in scenario B-1-1 and does not need to configure a measurement gap but does need to configure an interrupt in scenario B-1-2, for example, intra-frequency RRM measurements or inter-frequency RRM measurements.

[0137] Currently, Information Elements (IEs) are used to identify whether the UE requires a gap to measure the target SSB. An IE is called NeedForGaps. The UE can use an IE to indicate whether it needs a gap (or no gap) to measure the target SSB. Alternatively, the network or gNB can use a similar information element called Network Controlled Gaps (NCSG), in which the network can signal the gap period for the UE if the gap is necessary for the UE to measure the target SSB. By signaling to the network that the UE is configured to support B-1-1 or B-1-2 operation, the UE can reduce the overall IE signaling required to notify the network of its ability to measure an SSB when it is not within the frequency range of the active BWP820.

[0138] There are four possible scenarios for RRM measurement: Scenario 1 - intra-frequency measurement for UEs supporting B-1-2 operation; Scenario 2 - inter-frequency measurement for UEs supporting B-1-1 operation; Scenario 3 - inter-frequency measurement for UEs supporting B-1-2 operation; and a final scenario for intra-frequency measurement for UEs supporting B-1-1 operation, which is described in PCT application No. PCT / CN2023 / 110332, filed on July 31, 2023, entitled "Intra-Frequency RRM Measurement for UE Supporting BWP Without Restriction and Without Interruption".

[0139] Scenario 1: In-frequency measurement for UEs supporting B-1-2 In the first example, dependencies can be defined between the B-1-2 specific implementation and NeedForGaps / NCSG IE (e.g., in standards such as 3GPP standards). As described above, UE 106 can report UE capabilities to the network, including whether the UE supports B-1-2 capabilities, such as UE capability B-1-2.

[0140] In the first option of the defined dependencies, if UE 106 indicates support for the B-1-2 capability, the network may assume that UE 106 supports gapless but interrupted in-frequency RRM measurements in the same frequency band via information elements (IEs) such as NeedForGaps or NCSG. This dependency between UE capability B-1-2 and the NeedForGaps IE can be expressed, for example, in 3GPP standards as follows: If the UE indicates B-1-2, the network may assume that the UE will indicate "no-gap-with-interruption" for the parameter "interruptionIndication-r18" in "intraFreq-needForInterruption-r18" for the serving cell in the same frequency band (assuming support for B-1-2 is indicated on a frequency band basis). The UE will also indicate "no-gap" for the parameter "gapIndicationIntra-r16" corresponding to the serving cell. If the UE indicates the parameter "interruptionIndication-r18" in "intraFreq-needForInterruption-r18" in a different manner, the corresponding indication will be overridden by B-1-2 and ignored. If the UE indicates the parameter "gapIndicationIntra-r16" for the corresponding serving cell in "NeedForGapsIntraFreq-r16" in a different manner, the corresponding indication will be overridden by B-1-2 and ignored.

[0141] This dependency between UE capability B-1-2 and NCSG IE can be expressed, for example, in 3GPP standards as follows: If the UE indicates B-1-2, the network can assume that the UE will indicate "ncsg" for the parameter "gapIndicationIntra-r17" in "NeedForNCSG-IntraFreq-r17" for the serving cell in the same frequency band (assuming support for B-1-2 is indicated on a frequency band basis). If the UE indicates the parameter "gapIndicationIntra-r17" in "NeedForNCSG-IntraFreq-r17" in a different manner, the corresponding indication will be overridden by B-1-2 and ignored.

[0142] Therefore, in the first example of defining the dependency between the B-1-2 implementation and NeedForGaps / NCSG IE, the first option defines the dependency from the perspective of UE capability B-1-2 and reduces the UE's need for additional signaling.

[0143] Figure 10 Flowchart of a method for determining the measurement gap configuration for RRM measurements Figure 10 A first method 1000 for determining a measurement gap configuration for RRM measurements, according to various example implementations, is illustrated. It should be understood that method 1000 describes the operation of a first option of a first example. Method 1000 is described from a network perspective; for example, the operation is performed by network components such as base stations. Figure 10 In the example, the network component performing the operation is gNB 102, but this is just an example, and other network components can perform the example operation.

[0144] In 1010, gNB 102 determines whether UE 106 has indicated that the UE supports B-1-2 operation. In one example, UE 106 supports B-1-2 operation when the UE is able to periodically or occasionally extend its monitoring frequency range to include the active BWP 820 and SSB 830, enabling the UE to perform gapless, uninterrupted measurements of the SSB for RRM or RLM / BM / BFD. As described above, in one example, the UE can use the UE capability IE to indicate support for B-1-2 operation.

[0145] If UE 106 does not support B-1-2 operation, then in 1060, gNB 102 can determine whether to configure the measurement gap for various RRM measurements based on legacy operation.

[0146] If UE 106 supports B-1-2 operation, then gNB 102 will assume that the UE also supports gapless RRM measurements for mobility. The first category of RRM measurements can be those related to B-1-2 operation, such as L1 measurements for RLM / BM / BFD. Measurements in this category can be referred to as RLM / BM / BFD measurements or B-1-2 related measurements. The second category of RRM measurements can be mobility-related RRM measurements, such as handover, CA / DC management, etc. These measurements can be L1 or Layer 3 (L3) measurements. Measurements in this category can be referred to as RRM mobility-related measurements or gapless or gapless intra-frequency or inter-frequency RRM measurements. Furthermore, these different categories can also be referred to as different types of RRM measurements, where the first category can be referred to as a first type or second type of RRM measurement, and the second category can be referred to as a first type or second type of RRM measurement.

[0147] As described above, gNB 102 will assume that UE 106 supports gapless interrupted RRM measurements for mobility based on assumed values ​​of various parameters. These parameters can be used to signal the UE's ability to support gapless RRM measurements for mobility. As described above, these parameters can be included in NeedForGaps or NCSG IEs. In the first NeedForGaps example, in Rel-18 of the 3GPP standard, the parameter can be the "interruptionIndication-r18" parameter with the value "no-gap-with-interruption" in the "intraFreq-needForInterruption-r18" IE. Because it indicates support for B-1-2, gNB 102 will assume that UE 106 supports gapless interrupted RRM measurements for mobility of serving cells in the same frequency band.

[0148] In the second NeedForGaps example, in the 3GPP standard Rel-16, the parameter can be a "gapIndicationIntra-r16" parameter with the value "no-gap". In this case, gNB 102 will assume that UE 106 supports gapless interrupted RRM measurements corresponding to the serving cell indicated by the parameter.

[0149] In the NCSG example, in Rel-17, the parameter can be the "gapIndicationIntra-r17" parameter with the value "ncsg" in the "NeedForNCSG-IntraFreq-r17" IE. Since support for B-1-2 is indicated, gNB 102 will assume that UE 106 supports gapless, interrupted RRM measurements for mobility of serving cells on the same frequency band. The parameters and values ​​described above are for illustrative purposes only, and other parameters and / or values ​​may be used for gapless RRM measurements for mobility.

[0150] In 1020, gNB 102 assumes or infers the values ​​of various parameters based on receiving an indication from UE 106 that UE 106 supports B-1-2 operation. However, gNB 102 may receive, for example, actual values ​​in the UE capability IE indicating whether UE 106 supports gapless RRM measurements for mobility. As shown in 1030, gNB 102 may determine that the actual received values ​​for these parameters differ from the assumed or inferred values. If the values ​​differ, in 1040, gNB 102 will ignore the actual values ​​and continue to assume that UE 106 supports gapless, interrupted RRM measurements for mobility based on receiving an indication that UE 106 supports B-1-2 operation.

[0151] In 1050, gNB 102 can configure UE 106 for mobility-based RRM measurements. In this scenario, because gNB 102 assumes that UE 106 supports gapless, interrupted RRM measurements for mobility, the configuration will not include any measurement gaps.

[0152] In the second example, dynamic dependencies may be introduced and applied to either the first or second example. For example, in the first option of the second example, a new indication (X1) may be introduced regarding the applicability of dependencies disclosed by the first and / or second examples from UE 106 to the network (e.g., gNB 102). The new indication (X1) may indicate any of the following: (a) the number of active serving cells, (b) the number of configured serving cells (including both active and deactivated cells), or (c) the number of frequency bands with configured serving cells.

[0153] This new indication (X1) can be used by the network to determine whether the dependencies described above for the first and / or second examples apply. For example, if the number of cells / bands does not exceed the value of (X1), the dependencies for the first and / or second examples apply. If the number of cells / bands exceeds the value of (X1), the dependencies for the first and / or second examples do not apply. The new indication (X1) can be indicated per UE or per frequency range (FR).

[0154] In the second option of the second example, the new IE in the RRC reconfiguration complete message can be used to indicate whether the dependencies in the first and / or second examples apply. This option may be appropriate when there is a change in the CA / DC configuration, as this is done via RRC reconfiguration from the network to the UE 106. The UE 106 then transmits an RRC reconfiguration complete message after each change. Therefore, the new IE can be included in the RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0155] In the third option of the second example, a predefined threshold (X1) may be applied when the applicability of the dependencies of UE 106 with respect to the first and / or second examples indicates support for B-1-2 capabilities. Similar to the first option, the predefined threshold (X1) may indicate any of the following: (a) the number of active serving cells, (b) the number of configured serving cells (including both active and deactivated cells), or (c) the number of frequency bands with configured serving cells. Also similar to the first option, this predefined threshold (X1) may be used by the network to determine whether the dependencies described above for the first and / or second examples apply. For example, if the number of cells / frequency bands does not exceed the value of (X1), the dependencies of the first and / or second examples apply. If the number of cells / frequency bands exceeds the value of (X1), the dependencies of the first and / or second examples do not apply.

[0156] In some examples, a predefined threshold (X1) can be applied to the same capability type as the B-1-2 capability; for example, if the B-1-2 capability is UE-based, then (X1) is UE-based, or if the B-1-2 capability is frequency band-based, then (X1) is frequency band-based. In other examples, the predefined threshold (X1) can be applied either UE-based or FR-based.

[0157] The second example provides a dynamic indication of whether the dependencies of the first and second examples apply. The above description of the first and second examples provides an example of performing RRM measurements when the dependencies of the first and second examples apply. However, if the dependencies do not apply, the network can independently examine UE feedback regarding support for both features. For example, supporting B-1-2 capability only means that UE 106 can perform RLM / BM / BFD when the target SSB is outside the active BWP (e.g., outside the frequency range of the active BWP), but does not mean that UE 106 can support gapless RRM measurements of the target SSB.

[0158] In one aspect, gNB 102 may have one or more processors 204 configured to decode from signaling received from UE 106 an indication that UE 106 is capable of periodically changing its actual BW 940 within CBW 810 to include the bandwidth (i.e., B-1-2 capability) of a target SSB 830 located within CBW 810 and outside of UE 106's active BWP 820, including active BWP 820 and gNB 102. Processor 204 may determine, at least based on this indication, that UE 106 supports gapless in-frequency measurements against the target SSB. Processor 204 may encode one or more downlink signals for transmission to UE 106 to enable UE 106 to perform measurements against the target SSB without gaps. In another aspect, processor 204 may encode one or more downlink signals to enable UE 106 to perform measurements against the target SSB with interruptions. The gNB 102 may also have a memory 260 coupled to one or more processors 204.

[0159] On the other hand, the indication may also include UE 106 supporting gapless and uninterrupted measurement of the target SSB. Processor 204 may be configured to encode one or more downlink signals for transmission to the UE, enabling UE 106 to perform one or more measurements based on gapless and uninterrupted measurement of the target SSB.

[0160] On the other hand, the indication may also include UE 106 supporting gapless-interrupted measurements of a target SSB, including one or more of radio link monitoring (RLM) measurements, beam management (BM) measurements, or beam failure detection (BFD) measurements. Processor 204 may be configured to encode one or more downlink signals for transmission to UE 106, enabling UE 106 to perform gapless-interrupted measurements of the target SSB, including radio resource management (RRM) mobility measurements.

[0161] On the other hand, the instruction may also include the ability of UE 106 to periodically or occasionally change the actual BW 940 of UE 106 within CBW 810 to include the bandwidth of the target SSB 830 on a frequency band basis (i.e., B-1-2 capability). On the other hand, the instruction may also include the ability of UE 106 to increase its actual BW 940 within CBW 810 to include both the active BWP 820 and the target SSB 830 to measure the RRM of the target SSB, and to decrease its actual BW 940 after measuring the RRM of the target SSB to include the active BWP 820 and exclude the target SSB 830 (i.e., B-1-2 capability).

[0162] On the other hand, the target SSB 830 may be located in the CBW 810 of UE 106 and outside the active BWP 820 of UE 106 in the CBW 810.

[0163] On the other hand, in-frequency measurements may include: the center frequency of the serving cell's SSB and the center frequency of the neighboring cell's SSB are the same, and the serving cell's SSB and the neighboring cell's SSB have the same subcarrier spacing.

[0164] On the other hand, the instruction may also include UE 106 supporting in-frequency radio resource management (RRM) measurements for the target SSB. On the other hand, the instruction may also include UE 106 supporting gapless measurements of radio resource management (RRM) for the target SSB.

[0165] On the other hand, processor 204 may be further configured to decode from signaling received from UE 106 an indication that UE 106 supports gapless and interrupted measurements of a first type of SSB measurement, including radio link monitoring (RLM) measurements, beam management (BM) measurements, or beam failure detection (BFD) measurements. Processor 204 may determine, at least based on this indication, that UE 106 supports gapless and interrupted measurements of a second type of SSB measurement, including RRM mobility measurements. Processor 204 may encode a configuration for performing gapless and interrupted measurements of the second type of SSB measurement on the same frequency for transmission to UE 106, the configuration including gapless and interrupted measurements.

[0166] On the other hand, processor 204 may determine that UE 106 supports gapless and interrupted measurement of a target SSB based on the "no-gap-with-interruption" value of the "interruptionIndication-r18" parameter in the "intraFreq-needForInterruption-r18" information element (IE) for a serving cell in the same frequency band, such as as indicated by the UE's ability to periodically change its actual BW within the CBW to include the bandwidth of the target SSB (i.e., B-1-2 capability). On the other hand, processor 204 may be further configured to decode UE capability information received from UE 106, which includes a value for the "interruptionIndication-r18" parameter in the "intraFreq-needForInterruption-r18" information element (IE), where the value differs from the "no-gap-with-interruption" value. When processor 204 determines that UE 106 supports gapless and interrupted measurement of the target SSB, processor 204 may ignore the value of the “interruptionIndication-r18” parameter.

[0167] On the other hand, processor 204 may determine whether the UE supports gapless and uninterrupted measurement of RRM for the target SSB based on the "no-gap" value of the "gapIndicationIntra-r16" parameter corresponding to the serving cell, such as by the UE's ability to periodically change its actual BW within the CBW to include the bandwidth of the target SSB (i.e., B-1-2 capability). On the other hand, processor 204 may be further configured to decode UE capability information from signaling received from UE 106, which includes a value for the "gapIndicationIntra-r16" parameter, where the value differs from the "no-gap" value. When one or more processors determine that the UE supports gapless and uninterrupted measurement of RRM for the target SSB, processor 204 may ignore the value of the "gapIndicationIntra-r16" parameter.

[0168] On the other hand, processor 204 can determine, based on UE 106's support for gapless and uninterrupted measurement of the target SSB by the "ncsg" value of the "gapIndicationIntra-r17" parameter in the "NeedForNCSG-IntraFreq-r17" information element (IE) for serving cells in the same frequency band, that UE supports such measurement, as indicated by the UE's ability to periodically change its actual BW within the CBW to include the bandwidth of the target SSB (i.e., B-1-2 capability). On the other hand, processor 204 can be further configured to decode UE capability information received from UE 106, which includes a value for the "gapIndicationIntra-r17" parameter in the "NeedForNCSG-IntraFreq-r17" IE, where the value differs from the "ncsg" value. When processor 204 determines that UE 106 supports gapless and interrupted measurement of the target SSB, processor 204 may ignore the value of the “gapIndicationIntra-r17” parameter.

[0169] On the other hand, processor 204 may be further configured to decode a dynamic dependency indication parameter, including a value, from signaling received from UE 106, wherein processor 204 determines whether UE 106 is configured to support gapless and uninterrupted measurements for SSB based on whether UE 106 is configured with no more than one of the following: (i) the number of active serving cells, (ii) the number of configured serving cells including active and deactivated serving cells, or (iii) the number of frequency bands with configured serving cells. On the other hand, the value of the dynamic dependency indication parameter may be indicated by UE or by frequency range (FR).

[0170] On the other hand, processor 204 may be further configured to decode an information element (IE) in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration completion message received from UE 106. This information element (IE) includes an indication related to UE support for periodically changing the UE's actual bandwidth (BW) within its CBW to include the target SSB (i.e., B-1-2 capability). Processor 204 may further determine, based on this indication, that UE 106 supports gapless and interrupted measurements for the target SSB.

[0171] On the other hand, gNB 102 may be pre-configured with parameters including values. Processor 204 may determine whether UE 106 is configured with a parameter value not exceeding one of the following: (i) the number of active serving cells, (ii) the number of configured serving cells including active and deactivated serving cells, or (iii) the number of frequency bands with configured serving cells. In one aspect, the parameter value is indicated by UE or by frequency range (FR).

[0172] Scenario 2: Inter-frequency measurement for UEs supporting B-1-1 In the first example, if UE 106 supports inter-frequency RRM measurements without gaps or interruptions in the target band via NeedForGaps or NCSG, the network may assume that UE 102 supports option B-1-1 in the same band. This dependency between UE capability B-1-1 and NeedForGaps IE can be expressed, for example, in 3GPP standards as follows: if the UE indicates "no-gap-no-interruption" for the parameter "interruptionIndication-r18" in "interFreq-needForInterruption-r18" for the target band, the network may assume that the UE supports B-1-1 in the same band (assuming that support for B-1-1 is indicated on a band-by-band basis).

[0173] This dependency between UE capability B-1-1 and NCSG IE can be expressed, for example, in 3GPP standards as follows: If the UE indicates "nogap-noncsg" for the parameter "gapIndicationIntra-r17" in "NeedForNCSG-IntraFreq-r17" for the target frequency band, then NW can assume that the UE supports B-1-1 on the same frequency band (assuming that support for B-1-1 is indicated by frequency band).

[0174] Therefore, in the first example of defining the dependency between the B-1-1 implementation and the NeedForGaps / NCSG IE, the first option defines the dependency from the perspective of the NeedForGaps / NCSG IE.

[0175] In the second example, the dependency between B-1-1 and gapless inter-frequency RRM measurements can be defined based on the UE capability “interFrequencyMeas-NoGap-r16” (e.g., in 3GPP standards). This dependency between the UE capability B-1-1 and gapless inter-frequency RRM measurements can be expressed, for example, in 3GPP standards as follows: if the UE indicates B-1-1, the network can assume that the UE will indicate support for “interFrequencyMeas-NoGap-r16”.

[0176] Figure 11 Flowchart of a method for determining the measurement gap configuration for RRM measurements Figure 11 A second method 1100 for determining the measurement gap configuration for RRM measurements, according to various example implementations, is illustrated. It should be understood that method 1100 describes the operation of a first option of a first example. Method 1100 is described from a network perspective; for example, the operation is performed by network components such as base stations. Figure 11 In the example, the network component performing the operation is gNB 102, but this is just an example, and other network components can perform the example operation.

[0177] In 1110, gNB 102 determines whether UE 106 has indicated that it supports inter-frequency RRM measurements without gaps or interruptions. UE 106 may provide this indication via parameters in a UE capability IE or other types of IE. For example, the indication may be a "no-gap-no-interruption" value for the "interruptionIndication-r18" parameter in the "interFreq-needForInterruption-r18" IE. In another example, the indication may be a "nogap-noncsg" value for the "gapIndicationIntra-r17" parameter in the "NeedForNCSG-IntraFreq-r17" IE. These parameters and values ​​are for illustrative purposes only, and other parameters and / or values ​​may be used to indicate support for inter-frequency RRM measurements without gaps.

[0178] If UE 106 does not support inter-frequency RRM measurements without gaps or interruptions, then in 1140, gNB 102 can determine whether to configure the measurement gaps for various RRM measurements based on legacy operation.

[0179] In 1120, when UE 106 supports inter-frequency RRM measurements without gaps or interruptions, gNB 102 assumes that UE 106 also supports B-1-1 operation on the same frequency band as the inter-frequency RRM measurements without gaps or interruptions supported by the UE. For example, UE 106 is able to extend the monitoring frequency range to include the frequency range of active BWP 820 and SSB 830 to perform gapless measurements for RRM or RLM / BM / BFD.

[0180] Therefore, in 1130, gNB 102 can configure UE 106 for RRM measurements or RLM / BM / BFD measurements. In this scenario, because gNB 102 assumes that UE 106 supports B-1-1 operation, the configuration will not include any measurement gaps.

[0181] In the third example, dynamic dependencies can be introduced and applied to either the first or second example. For example, in the first option of the second example, a new indication (X2) regarding the applicability of dependencies disclosed by the first and / or second examples from UE 106 to the network (e.g., gNB 102) can be introduced. The new indication (X2) can indicate any of the following: (a) the number of active serving cells, (b) the number of configured serving cells (including both active and deactivated cells), or (c) the number of frequency bands with configured serving cells.

[0182] This new indication (X2) can be used by the network to determine whether the dependencies described above for the first and / or second examples apply. For example, if the number of cells / bands does not exceed the value of (X2), the dependencies for the first and / or second examples apply. If the number of cells / bands exceeds the value of (X2), the dependencies for the first and / or second examples do not apply. The new indication (X2) can be indicated per UE or per frequency range (FR).

[0183] In the second option of the second example, the new IE in the RRC reconfiguration complete message can be used to indicate whether the dependencies in the first and / or second examples apply. This option may be appropriate when there is a change in the CA / DC configuration, as this is done via RRC reconfiguration from the network to the UE 106. The UE 106 then transmits an RRC reconfiguration complete message after each change. The new IE can be included in the RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0184] In the third option of the second example, a predefined threshold (X2) may be applied when the UE 106 indicates support for B-1-1 capability regarding the applicability of the dependencies of the first and / or second examples. Similar to the first option, the predefined threshold (X2) may indicate any of the following: (a) the number of active serving cells, (b) the number of configured serving cells (including both active and deactivated cells), or (c) the number of frequency bands with configured serving cells. Also similar to the first option, this predefined threshold (X2) may be used by the network to determine whether the dependencies described above for the first and / or second examples apply. For example, if the number of cells / frequency bands does not exceed the value of (X2), the dependencies of the first and / or second examples apply. If the number of cells / frequency bands exceeds the value of (X2), the dependencies of the first and / or second examples do not apply.

[0185] In some examples, a predefined threshold (X2) can be applied to the same capability type as the B-1-1 capability; for example, if the B-1-1 capability is UE-based, then (X2) is UE-based, or if the B-1-1 is frequency band-based, then (X2) is frequency band-based. In other examples, the predefined threshold (X2) can be applied either UE-based or FR-based.

[0186] The second example provides a dynamic indication of whether the dependencies of the first and second examples apply. The above description of the first and second examples provides an example of performing RRM measurements when the dependencies of the first and second examples apply. However, if the dependencies do not apply, the network can independently examine UE feedback regarding support for both features. For example, support for B-1-1 capability only means that UE 106 can perform RLM / BM / BFD when the target SSB is outside the active BWP, but it does not mean that UE 106 can support gapless RRM measurements of the target SSB.

[0187] In one aspect, the base station or gNB 102 may have one or more processors 204 configured to decode from signaling received from UE 106 an indication that the UE supports gapless and uninterrupted inter-frequency measurements of a target SSB for the gNB 102. The processor 204 may determine, at least based on this indication, that the UE 106 supports changing the actual BW 840 of the UE 106 to match a CBW 810, which includes an active BWP 820 and a target SSB 830 located within the CBW 810 but outside the active BWP 840 of the UE 106 (i.e., B-1-1 capability). The processor 204 may encode one or more downlink signals for transmission to the UE 106, enabling the UE 106 to perform gapless and uninterrupted measurements of the target SSB. The gNB 102 may have a memory 260 coupled to one or more processors 204.

[0188] On the other hand, the instruction may also include UE 106 supporting gapless and uninterrupted measurements by frequency band.

[0189] On the other hand, the target SSB 830 may be located in the CBW 810 of UE 106 and outside the active BWP 820 of UE 106 in the CBW 810.

[0190] On the other hand, inter-frequency measurements may include: the center frequency of the serving cell's SSB and the center frequency of the neighboring cell's SSB are different frequencies, and the serving cell's SSB and the neighboring cell's SSB have different subcarrier spacings.

[0191] On the other hand, the instruction may also include UE 106 supporting inter-frequency radio resource management (RRM) measurements of the target SSB.

[0192] On the other hand, the indication may also include the "no-gap-no-interruption" value for the "interruptionIndication-r18" parameter in the "interFreq-needForInterruption-r18" information element (IE) for the target frequency band.

[0193] On the other hand, the indication may also include the "nogap-noncsg" value for the "gapIndicationIntra-r17" parameter in the "NeedForNCSG-IntraFreq-r17" information element (IE) for the target frequency band.

[0194] On the other hand, the instruction may also include UE 106 supporting the modification of UE 106’s actual BW 840 to match CBW 810, which includes the bandwidth (i.e., B-1-1 capability) of the active BWP 820 and the target SSB 830 located in CBW 810 but outside the active BWP 820 of UE 106. Processor 204 may be configured to determine that UE supports “interFrequencyMeas-NoGap-r16”.

[0195] On the other hand, processor 204 may be further configured to decode a dynamic dependency indication parameter, including a value, from signaling received from UE 106, wherein processor 204 determines whether the UE supports gapless and uninterrupted measurements for SSB based on whether the UE is configured with no more than one of the following: (i) the number of active serving cells, (ii) the number of configured serving cells including active and deactivated serving cells, or (iii) the number of frequency bands with configured serving cells. On the other hand, the value of the dynamic dependency indication parameter may be indicated by UE or by frequency range (FR).

[0196] On the other hand, processor 204 may be further configured to decode an information element (IE) in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration completion message received from UE 106. This information element (IE) includes an indication related to the UE's ability to periodically change its actual bandwidth (BW) within its CBW to include the target SSB (i.e., B-1-1 capability). Processor 204 may further determine, based on this indication, that the UE supports gapless and interruptible measurements for the target SSB.

[0197] On the other hand, gNB 102 may be pre-configured with parameters including values. Processor 204 may determine whether the UE supports gapless and uninterrupted measurements against the target SSB based on whether the UE is configured with a value not exceeding one of the following: (i) the number of active serving cells, (ii) the number of configured serving cells including active and inactive serving cells, or (iii) the number of frequency bands with configured serving cells. In one aspect, the value of the parameter is indicated by UE or by frequency range (FR).

[0198] Scenario 3: Inter-frequency measurement for UEs supporting B-1-2 In the first example, dependencies can be defined between the B-1-2 implementation and NeedForGaps / NCSG (e.g., in 3GPP standards). As described above, UE 106 can report UE capabilities to the network, including whether the UE supports B-1-2 capabilities, such as UE capability B-1-2.

[0199] In the first option of the defined dependencies, if UE 106 indicates support for the B-1-2 capability, the network may assume that UE 106 supports gapless but interrupted inter-frequency RRM measurements in the same band via NeedForGaps or NCSG. This dependency between UE capability B-1-2 and NeedForGaps IE can be expressed, for example, in 3GPP standards as follows: If the UE indicates B-1-2, the network may assume that the UE will indicate "no-gap-with-interruption" for the parameter "interruptionIndication-r18" in "interFreq-needForInterruption-r18" for inter-frequency measurements in the same band (assuming support for B-1-2 is indicated on a band-by-band basis). The UE will indicate "no-gap" for the parameter "gapIndication-r16" for inter-frequency measurements in the same band. If the UE indicates the parameter "interruptionIndication-r18" in "interFreq-needForInterruption-r18" in a different manner, the corresponding indication will be overridden by B-1-2 and ignored. If the UE indicates the parameter "gapIndication-r16" for inter-frequency measurements within the same frequency band in a different manner, the corresponding indication will be overridden by B-1-2 and ignored.

[0200] This dependency between UE capability B-1-2 and NCSG IE can be expressed, for example, in 3GPP standards as follows: If the UE indicates B-1-2, the network can assume that the UE will indicate "ncsg" for the parameter "gapIndication-r17" in "inter-Freq-NeedForNCSG-r17" for inter-frequency measurements on the same frequency band (assuming support for B-1-2 is indicated on a frequency band basis). If the UE indicates the parameter "gapIndication-r17" in "inter-Freq-NeedForNCSG-r17" in a different manner, the corresponding indication will be overridden by B-1-2 and ignored.

[0201] Therefore, in the first example of defining the dependency between the B-1-2 implementation and NeedForGaps / NCSG IE, the first option defines the dependency from the perspective of UE capability B-1-2.

[0202] Figure 12 Flowchart of a method for determining the measurement gap configuration for RRM measurements Figure 12A first method 1200 for determining a measurement gap configuration for RRM measurements, according to various example embodiments, is illustrated. It should be understood that method 1200 describes the operation of a first option of a first example. Method 1200 is described from a network perspective; for example, the operation is performed by network components such as base stations. Figure 12 In the example, the network component performing the operation is gNB 102, but this is just an example, and other network components can perform the example operation.

[0203] In 1210, gNB 102 determines whether UE 106 has indicated that it supports B-1-2 operation. For example, UE 106 may periodically or occasionally extend its monitoring frequency range to include the active BWP 820 and SSB 830 to perform gapless, uninterrupted measurements for RRM or RLM / BM / BFD. As described above, in one example, the UE may use UE capability IE to indicate support for B-1-2 operation.

[0204] If UE 106 does not support B-1-2 operation, then in 1260, gNB 102 can determine whether to configure the measurement gap for various RRM measurements based on legacy operation.

[0205] If UE 106 supports B-1-2 operation, then gNB 102 will assume that the UE also supports gapless RRM measurements for mobility. Similarly, the first category of RRM measurements can be those related to B-1-2 operation, such as L1 measurements for RLM / BM / BFD. Measurements in this category can be referred to as RLM / BM / BFD measurements or B-1-2 related measurements. The second category of RRM measurements can be mobility-related RRM measurements, such as handover, CA / DC management, etc. These measurements can be L1 or Layer 3 (L3) measurements. Measurements in this category can be referred to as RRM mobility-related measurements or gapless or gapless intra-frequency or inter-frequency RRM measurements. Furthermore, these different categories can also be referred to as different types of RRM measurements, where the first category can be referred to as a first type or second type of RRM measurement, and the second category can be referred to as a first type or second type of RRM measurement.

[0206] As described above, gNB 102 will assume that UE 106 supports gapless interrupted RRM measurements for mobility based on assumed values ​​of various parameters. These parameters can be used to signal the UE's ability to support gapless RRM measurements for mobility. As described above, these parameters can be included in NeedForGaps or NCSG IEs. In the first NeedForGaps example, in Rel-18, the parameter can be the "interruptionIndication-r18" parameter with the value "no-gap-with-interruption" in the "interFreq-needForInterruption-r18" IE. Because support for B-1-2 is indicated, gNB 102 will assume that UE 106 supports gapless interrupted RRM measurements for mobility for serving cells in the same frequency band.

[0207] In the second NeedForGaps example, in Rel-16, the parameter can be a "gapIndicationIntra-r16" parameter with the value "no-gap". In this case, gNB 102 will assume that UE 106 supports gapless interrupted RRM measurements corresponding to the serving cell indicated by the parameter.

[0208] In the NCSG example, in Rel-17, the parameter can be the "gapIndication-r17" parameter with the value "ncsg" in the "inter-Freq-NeedForNCSG-r17" IE. Since support for B-1-2 is indicated, gNB 102 will assume that UE 106 supports gapless, interrupted RRM measurements for mobility of serving cells on the same frequency band. The parameters and values ​​described above are for illustrative purposes only, and other parameters and / or values ​​may be used for gapless RRM measurements for mobility.

[0209] In 1220, gNB 102 assumes or infers the values ​​of various parameters based on receiving an indication that UE 106 supports B-1-2 operation. However, gNB 102 may receive, for example, actual values ​​in the UE capability information indicating whether UE 106 supports gapless RRM measurements for mobility. As shown in 1230, gNB 102 may determine that the actual received values ​​for these parameters differ from the assumed or inferred values. If the values ​​differ, in 1240, gNB 102 will ignore the actual values ​​and continue to assume that UE 106 supports gapless, interrupted RRM measurements for mobility based on receiving an indication that UE 106 supports B-1-2 operation.

[0210] In 1250, gNB 102 can configure UE 106 for mobility-based RRM measurements. In this scenario, because gNB 102 assumes that UE 106 supports gapless, interrupted RRM measurements for mobility, the configuration will not include any measurement gaps.

[0211] In the second example, dynamic dependencies may be introduced and applied to either the first or second example. For example, in the first option of the second example, a new indication (X3) regarding the applicability of dependencies disclosed by the first and / or second examples from UE 106 to the network (e.g., gNB 102) may be introduced. The new indication (X3) may indicate any of the following: (a) the number of active serving cells, (b) the number of configured serving cells (including both active and deactivated cells), or (c) the number of frequency bands with configured serving cells.

[0212] This new indication (X3) can be used by the network to determine whether the dependencies described above for the first and / or second examples apply. For example, if the number of cells / bands does not exceed the value of (X3), the dependencies for the first and / or second examples apply. If the number of cells / bands exceeds the value of (X3), the dependencies for the first and / or second examples do not apply. The new indication (X3) can be indicated per UE or per frequency range (FR).

[0213] In the second option of the second example, the new IE in the RRC reconfiguration complete message can be used to indicate whether the dependencies in the first and / or second examples apply. This option may be appropriate when there is a change in the CA / DC configuration, as this is done via RRC reconfiguration from the network to the UE 106. The UE 106 then transmits an RRC reconfiguration complete message after each change.

[0214] In the third option of the second example, a predefined threshold (X3) may be applied when the applicability of the dependencies of UE 106 with respect to the first and / or second examples indicates support for B-1-2 capabilities. Similar to the first option, the predefined threshold (X3) may indicate any of the following: (a) the number of active serving cells, (b) the number of configured serving cells (including both active and deactivated cells), or (c) the number of frequency bands with configured serving cells. Also similar to the first option, this predefined threshold (X3) may be used by the network to determine whether the dependencies described above for the first and / or second examples apply. For example, if the number of cells / frequency bands does not exceed the value of (X3), the dependencies of the first and / or second examples apply. If the number of cells / frequency bands exceeds the value of (X3), the dependencies of the first and / or second examples do not apply.

[0215] In some examples, a predefined threshold (X3) can be applied to the same capability type as the B-1-2 capability; for example, if the B-1-2 capability is UE-based, then (X3) is UE-based, or if the B-1-2 capability is frequency band-based, then (X3) is frequency band-based. In other examples, the predefined threshold (X3) can be applied either UE-based or FR-based.

[0216] The second example provides a dynamic indication of whether the dependencies of the first and second examples apply. The above description of the first and second examples provides an example of performing RRM measurements when the dependencies of the first and second examples apply. However, if the dependencies do not apply, the network can independently examine UE feedback regarding support for both features. For example, support for B-1-2 capability only means that UE 106 can perform RLM / BM / BFD when the target SSB is outside the active BWP, but it does not mean that UE 106 can support gapless RRM measurements of the target SSB.

[0217] In one aspect, the base station or gNB 102 may have one or more processors 204 configured to decode from signaling received from UE 106 an indication that UE 106 is capable of periodically changing its actual BW 940 within CBW 810 to include the bandwidth (i.e., B-1-2 capability) of a target SSB 830 located within CBW 810 and outside of UE 106's active BWP 820, including the active BWP 820 and gNB 102. Processor 204 may determine, at least based on this indication, that the UE supports gapless inter-frequency measurements against the target SSB. Processor 204 may encode one or more downlink signals for transmission to UE 106 to enable UE 106 to perform measurements against the target SSB without gaps. gNB 102 may have a memory 240 coupled to one or more processors 204.

[0218] On the other hand, the indication may also include UE 106 supporting gapless and uninterrupted measurement of the target SSB. Processor 204 may be configured to encode one or more downlink signals for transmission to the UE, enabling the UE to perform one or more measurements based on gapless and uninterrupted measurement of the target SSB.

[0219] On the other hand, the indication may also include UE support for gapless and uninterrupted measurements of the target SSB, including one or more Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) measurements, Beam Management (BM) measurements, or Beam Failure Detection (BFD) measurements. Processor 204 may be configured to encode one or more downlink signals for transmission to UE 106, enabling the UE to perform gapless and uninterrupted measurements of the target SSB, including Radio Resource Management (RRM) mobility measurements.

[0220] On the other hand, the instruction may also include the ability of UE 106 to periodically change the actual BW 940 of UE 106 within CBW 810 to include the bandwidth of target SSB 830 on a frequency band basis (i.e., B-1-2 capability). On the other hand, the instruction may also include the ability of UE 106 to increase its actual BW 940 within CBW 810 to include both active BWP 820 and target SSB 830 to measure target SSB 830, and to decrease its actual BW 940 after measuring target SSB 830 to include active BWP 820 and exclude target SSB 830 (i.e., B-1-2 capability). On the other hand, target SSB 830 may be located within CBW 810 of UE 106 and outside of active BWP 820 within CBW 810.

[0221] On the other hand, inter-frequency measurements may include: the center frequency of the serving cell's SSB and the center frequency of the neighboring cell's SSB are different frequencies, and the serving cell's SSB and the neighboring cell's SSB have different subcarrier spacings.

[0222] On the other hand, the instruction may also include UE 106 supporting inter-frequency radio resource management (RRM) measurements of the target SSB.

[0223] On the other hand, the instruction may also include UE 106 supporting gapless measurement of radio resource management (RRM) measurements for a target SSB.

[0224] On the other hand, processor 204 may be further configured to decode from signaling received from UE 106 an indication that UE 106 supports gapless and interrupted measurements of a first type of SSB measurement, including radio link monitoring (RLM) measurements, beam management (BM) measurements, or beam failure detection (BFD) measurements. Processor 204 may determine, at least based on this indication, that UE 106 supports gapless and interrupted measurements of a second type of SSB measurement, including radio resource management (RRM) mobility measurements. Processor 204 may encode a configuration for performing gapless and interrupted measurements of the second type of SSB measurement on the same frequency for transmission to UE 106, the configuration including gapless and interrupted measurements.

[0225] On the other hand, processor 204 may determine that UE supports gapless and interruptible measurements of a target SSB based on the "no-gap-with-interruption" value of the "interruptionIndication-r18" parameter in the "interFreq-needForInterruption-r18" information element (IE) for serving cells in the same frequency band, such as as indicated by the UE's ability to periodically change its actual BW within the CBW to include the bandwidth of the target SSB (e.g., B-1-2 capability). On the other hand, processor 204 may be further configured to decode UE capability information received from UE 106, which includes a value for the "interruptionIndication-r18" parameter in the "interFreq-needForInterruption-r18" information element (IE), where the value differs from the "no-gap-with-interruption" value. When processor 204 determines that UE 106 supports gapless and interrupted measurement of the target SSB, processor 204 may ignore the value of the “interruptionIndication-r18” parameter.

[0226] On the other hand, processor 204 can determine whether UE 106 supports gapless and uninterrupted measurement of RRM for the target SSB based on the "no-gap" value of the "gapIndicationIntra-r16" parameter for inter-frequency measurements on the same frequency band, such as by the UE's ability to periodically change its actual BW within the CBW to include the bandwidth of the target SSB (i.e., B-1-2 capability). On the other hand, processor 204 can be further configured to decode UE capability information received from UE 106, including a value for the "gapIndicationIntra-r16" parameter, where the value differs from the "no-gap" value. When processor 204 determines that UE 106 supports gapless and uninterrupted measurement of RRM for the target SSB, processor 204 can ignore the value of the "gapIndicationIntra-r16" parameter.

[0227] On the other hand, processor 204 may determine that UE 106 supports gapless and interrupted measurements of the target SSB based on the "ncsg" value of the "gapIndicationIntra-r17" parameter in the "NeedForNCSG-IntraFreq-r17" information element (IE) for inter-frequency measurements on the same frequency band, such as by the UE's ability to periodically change its actual BW within the CBW to include the bandwidth of the target SSB. On the other hand, processor 204 may be further configured to decode UE capability information received from UE 106, which includes the value of the "gapIndicationIntra-r17" parameter in the "NeedForNCSG-IntraFreq-r17" IE, where the value differs from the "ncsg" value. When processor 204 determines that UE 106 supports gapless and interrupted measurements of the target SSB, processor 204 may ignore the value of the "gapIndicationIntra-r17" parameter.

[0228] On the other hand, processor 204 may be further configured to decode dynamic dependency parameters, including values, from signaling received from UE 106, wherein one or more processors determine whether the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurements for SSB based on whether the UE is configured with a value not exceeding that of the dynamic dependency indication parameter: (i) the number of active serving cells, (ii) the number of configured serving cells including active and inactive serving cells, or (iii) the number of frequency bands with configured serving cells. On the other hand, the value of the dynamic dependency parameter is indicated by UE or by frequency range (FR).

[0229] On the other hand, processor 204 may be further configured to decode an information element (IE) in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration completion message received from UE 106. This information element (IE) includes an indication that the UE supports periodically changing its actual bandwidth (BW) within its CBW to include the bandwidth of the target SSB. Processor 204 may further determine, based on this indication, that UE 106 supports gapless and interrupted measurements for the target SSB.

[0230] On the other hand, gNB 102 may be pre-configured with parameters including values. Processor 204 may determine whether UE 106 is configured with a parameter value not exceeding one of the following: (i) the number of active serving cells, (ii) the number of configured serving cells including active and inactive serving cells, or (iii) the number of frequency bands with configured serving cells. On the other hand, the parameter value is indicated by UE or by frequency range (FR).

[0231] Embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented in any of a variety of forms. For example, some embodiments may be implemented as computer-implemented methods, computer-readable storage media, or computer systems. Other embodiments may be implemented using one or more custom-designed hardware devices such as ASICs. Other embodiments may be implemented using one or more programmable hardware elements such as FPGAs.

[0232] In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be configured to store program instructions and / or data, wherein, if executed by a computer system, the program instructions cause the computer system to perform a method, such as any method embodiment of the method embodiments described herein, or any combination of method embodiments described herein, or any subset or combination of any such subset of any method embodiments described herein.

[0233] In some implementations, the device (e.g., UE 106) may be configured to include a processor (or a set of processors) and a memory medium, wherein the memory medium stores program instructions, and the processor is configured to read from and execute the program instructions from the memory medium, wherein the program instructions are executable to implement any of the various method implementations described herein (or any combination of the method implementations described herein, or any subset of any of the method implementations described herein, or any combination of such subsets). The device may be implemented in any of the various forms.

[0234] By interpreting each message / signal X received by the user equipment (UE) in the downlink as a message / signal X sent by the base station, and interpreting each message / signal Y sent by the UE in the uplink as a message / signal Y received by the base station, any of the methods described herein for operating the UE can serve as the basis for a corresponding method for operating the base station.

[0235] Although the above embodiments have been described in considerable detail, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully understood. It is intended that the following claims be construed as encompassing all such variations and modifications.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a next-generation node B (gNB), the apparatus comprising: One or more processors, said one or more processors being configured to: The following indication is decoded from the signaling received from the user equipment (UE): the UE is able to periodically change the actual bandwidth (BW) of the UE within the channel bandwidth (CBW) to include the active bandwidth portion (BWP) and the bandwidth of the gNB located in the CBW but outside the active BWP of the UE. Based at least on the indication, it is determined that the UE supports gapless measurement within the frequency range for the target SSB; as well as One or more downlink signals are encoded for transmission to the UE, enabling the UE to perform measurements of the target SSB without gaps. and A memory coupled to the one or more processors.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication further includes that the UE supports gapless and uninterrupted measurement of the target SSB; and wherein the one or more processors are configured to encode the one or more downlink signals for transmission to the UE such that the UE can perform one or more measurements based on the gapless and uninterrupted measurement of the target SSB.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication further comprises the UE supporting gapless-interrupted measurement of the target SSB, the gapless-interrupted measurement including one or more of radio link monitoring (RLM) measurement, beam management (BM) measurement, or beam failure detection (BFD) measurement; and wherein the one or more processors are configured to encode the one or more downlink signals for transmission to the UE such that the UE is able to perform gapless-interrupted measurement of the target SSB, the gapless-interrupted measurement including radio resource management (RRM) mobility measurement.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication further includes the ability of the UE to periodically change the actual BW of the UE to include the bandwidth of the target SSB within the CBW by frequency band.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the target SSB is located within the CBW of the UE and is located outside the active BWP of the UE within the CBW.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the intra-frequency measurements comprise: The center frequency of the SSB of the serving cell and the center frequency of the SSB of the neighboring cell are the same, and the SSB of the serving cell and the SSB of the neighboring cell have the same subcarrier spacing.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication further includes the UE supporting in-frequency radio resource management (RRM) measurements of the target SSB.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication further includes gapless measurement of radio resource management (RRM) measurements for the target SSB supported by the UE.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instruction further comprises the UE being able to increase the actual BW of the UE within the CBW to include the active BWP and the target SSB to perform a radio resource management (RRM) measurement of the target SSB, and being able to reduce the actual BW of the UE to include the active BWP and exclude the target SSB after measuring the RRM of the target SSB.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: Decode from signaling received from the UE an indication that the UE supports seamless and interrupted measurements of a first type of measurement for the SSB, the first type of measurement including radio link monitoring (RLM) measurement, beam management (BM) measurement, or beam failure detection (BFD) measurement. Based at least on the indication, it is determined that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurements of a second type of measurement for the SSB, the second type of measurement including radio resource management (RRM) mobility measurements; as well as A configuration for performing the second type of measurement of the SSB at the same frequency without gaps and with interruptions is encoded for transmission to the UE, the configuration including without gaps and with interruptions.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: determine, based on the UE's support for gapless and interrupted measurement of the target SSB, that the UE supports the "no-gap-with-interruption" value of the "interruptionIndication-r18" parameter in the "intraFreq-needForInterruption-r18" information element (IE) for serving cells in the same frequency band, as indicated by the UE's ability to periodically change the UE's actual BW within the CBW to include the bandwidth of the target SSB.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: Decoding UE capability information from signaling received from the UE, the UE capability information including the value of the "interruptionIndication-r18" parameter in the "intraFreq-needForInterruption-r18" information element (IE), wherein the value is different from the "no-gap-with-interruption" value; and When the one or more processors are further configured to determine that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurement of the target SSB, the value of the "interruptionIndication-r18" parameter is ignored.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: determine, based on the UE's support for a "no-gap" value for a "gapIndicationIntra-r16" parameter corresponding to the serving cell, that the UE supports gapless and uninterrupted measurement of the target SSB, as indicated by the UE's ability to periodically change the UE's actual BW within the CBW to include the bandwidth of the target SSB.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: Decode UE capability information, including a value for the "gapIndicationIntra-r16" parameter, from signaling received from the UE, wherein the value is different from the "no-gap" value; and When the one or more processors are further configured to determine that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurement of the target SSB, the value of the "gapIndicationIntra-r16" parameter is ignored.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: determine, based on the "ncsg" value of the "gapIndicationIntra-r17" parameter in the "NeedForNCSG-IntraFreq-r17" information element (IE) for serving cells in the same frequency band, that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurement of the target SSB, as indicated by the UE's ability to periodically change the UE's actual BW within the CBW to include the bandwidth of the target SSB.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: Decode UE capability information received from the UE, including the value of the "gapIndicationIntra-r17" parameter in the "NeedForNCSG-IntraFreq-r17" IE, wherein the value is different from the "ncsg" value; and When the one or more processors are further configured to determine that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurement of the target SSB, the value of the "gapIndicationIntra-r17" parameter is ignored.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: The dynamic dependency indication parameter, including the value, is decoded from the signaling received from the UE, wherein, The one or more processors are further configured to determine, based on whether the UE is configured with a value not exceeding the dynamic dependency indication parameter, that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurements for the SSB: (i) the number of active serving cells, (ii) the number of configured serving cells including active and deactivated serving cells, or (iii) the number of frequency bands with configured serving cells.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the value of the dynamic dependency indication parameter is indicated by UE or by frequency range (FR).

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: The information element (IE) in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration completion message is decoded from the signaling received from the UE. The information element (IE) includes an indication related to the UE's support for periodically changing its actual bandwidth (BW) within the CBW to include the bandwidth of the target SSB. The one or more processors are further configured to further determine, based on the indication, that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurements for the target SSB.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is pre-configured using parameters including values, wherein, The one or more processors are further configured to determine, based on whether the UE is configured with a value not exceeding the parameter, whether the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurements for the target SSB: (i) the number of active serving cells, (ii) the number of configured serving cells including active and inactive serving cells, or (iii) the number of frequency bands with configured serving cells.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the value of the parameter is indicated by UE or by frequency range (FR).

22. An apparatus for a next-generation node B (gNB), the apparatus comprising: One or more processors, said one or more processors being configured to: Decode an indication from the signaling received from the user equipment (UE) that the UE supports gapless and uninterrupted measurement of the target synchronization signal block (SSB) for the gNB between frequencies; Based at least on the indication, it is determined that the UE supports changing the UE's actual bandwidth (BW) to match the channel bandwidth (CBW), the channel bandwidth (CBW) including the active bandwidth portion (BWP) and the bandwidth of the target SSB located in the CBW but outside the active BWP of the UE; as well as One or more downlink signals are encoded for transmission to the UE, enabling the UE to perform measurements of the target SSB without gaps or interruptions. and A memory coupled to the one or more processors.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the indication further includes that the UE supports gapless and uninterrupted measurement by frequency band.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the target SSB is located within the CBW of the UE and is located outside the active BWP of the UE within the CBW.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the inter-frequency measurements comprise: The center frequency of the SSB of the serving cell and the center frequency of the SSB of the neighboring cell are different frequencies, and the SSB of the serving cell and the SSB of the neighboring cell have different subcarrier spacings.

26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the indication further includes the UE supporting inter-frequency radio resource management (RRM) measurements of the target SSB.

27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the indication further comprises a "no-gap-no-interruption" value for the "interruptionIndication-r18" parameter in the "interFreq-needForInterruption-r18" information element (IE) for the target frequency band.

28. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the indication further comprises a "nogap-noncsg" value for the "gapIndicationIntra-r17" parameter in the "NeedForNCSG-IntraFreq-r17" information element (IE) for the target frequency band.

29. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the indication further includes the UE supporting changing the actual BW of the UE to match the CBW, the CBW including the active BWP and the bandwidth of the target SSB located in the CBW and outside the active BWP of the UE; and wherein the one or more processors are configured to determine that the UE supports "interFrequencyMeas-NoGap-r16".

30. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: The dynamic dependency indication parameter, including the value, is decoded from the signaling received from the UE, wherein, The one or more processors are further configured to determine, based on whether the UE is configured with a value not exceeding the dynamic dependency indication parameter, that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurements for the SSB: (i) the number of active serving cells, (ii) the number of configured serving cells including active and deactivated serving cells, or (iii) the number of frequency bands with configured serving cells.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the value of the dynamic dependency indication parameter is indicated by UE or by frequency range (FR).

32. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: The information element (IE) in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration completion message is decoded from the signaling received from the UE. The information element (IE) includes an indication related to the UE's support for periodically changing its actual bandwidth (BW) within the CBW to include the bandwidth of the target SSB. The one or more processors are further configured to further determine, based on the indication, that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurements for the target SSB.

33. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the apparatus is pre-configured using parameters including values, wherein, The one or more processors are further configured to determine, based on whether the UE is configured with at least one of the following values ​​not exceeding the parameter, that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurements for the target SSB: (i) the number of active serving cells, (ii) the number of configured serving cells including active and inactive serving cells, or (iii) the number of frequency bands with configured serving cells.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the value of the parameter is indicated by UE or by frequency range (FR).

35. An apparatus for a next-generation node B (gNB), the apparatus comprising: One or more processors, said one or more processors being configured to: The following indication is decoded from the signaling received from the user equipment (UE): the UE is able to periodically change the actual bandwidth (BW) of the UE within the channel bandwidth (CBW) to include the active bandwidth portion (BWP) and the bandwidth of the gNB located in the CBW but outside the active BWP of the UE. Based at least on the indication, it is determined that the UE supports gapless measurement of inter-frequency measurements for the target SSB; as well as One or more downlink signals are encoded for transmission to the UE, enabling the UE to perform measurements of the target SSB without gaps. and A memory coupled to the one or more processors.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the indication further includes that the UE supports gapless and uninterrupted measurement of the target SSB; and wherein the one or more processors are configured to encode the one or more downlink signals for transmission to the UE such that the UE is able to perform one or more measurements based on the gapless and uninterrupted measurement of the target SSB.

37. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the indication further comprises the UE supporting gapless and interrupted measurement of the target SSB, the gapless and interrupted measurement including one or more radio link monitoring (RLM) measurements, beam management (BM) measurements, or beam failure detection (BFD) measurements; and wherein the one or more processors are configured to encode the one or more downlink signals for transmission to the UE such that the UE is able to perform gapless and interrupted measurement of the target SSB, the gapless and interrupted measurement including radio resource management (RRM) mobility measurements.

38. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the indication further includes the ability of the UE to periodically change the actual BW of the UE to include the bandwidth of the target SSB within the CBW by frequency band.

39. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the target SSB is located within the CBW of the UE and is located outside the active BWP of the UE within the CBW.

40. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the inter-frequency measurements comprise: The center frequency of the SSB of the serving cell and the center frequency of the SSB of the neighboring cell are different frequencies, and the SSB of the serving cell and the SSB of the neighboring cell have different subcarrier spacings.

41. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the indication further includes the UE supporting inter-frequency radio resource management (RRM) measurements of the target SSB.

42. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the indication further includes gapless measurement of radio resource management (RRM) measurements for the target SSB supported by the UE.

43. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the instruction further comprises the UE being able to increase the actual BW of the UE within the CBW to include the active BWP and the target SSB to measure the target SSB, and being able to decrease the actual BW of the UE after measuring the target SSB to include the active BWP and exclude the target SSB.

44. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: Decode from signaling received from the UE an indication that the UE supports seamless and interrupted measurements of a first type of measurement for the SSB, the first type of measurement including radio link monitoring (RLM) measurement, beam management (BM) measurement, or beam failure detection (BFD) measurement. Based at least on the indication, it is determined that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurements of a second type of measurement for the SSB, the second type of measurement including radio resource management (RRM) mobility measurements; as well as A configuration for performing the second type of measurement of the SSB at the same frequency without gaps and with interruptions is encoded for transmission to the UE, the configuration including without gaps and with interruptions.

45. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: determine, based on the "no-gap-with-interruption" value of the "interruptionIndication-r18" parameter in the "interFreq-needForInterruption-r18" information element (IE) for inter-frequency measurements on the same frequency band, that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurements of the target SSB, as indicated by the UE's ability to periodically change the UE's actual BW within the CBW to include the bandwidth of the target SSB.

46. ​​The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: Decoding UE capability information from signaling received from the UE, the UE capability information including the value of the "interruptionIndication-r18" parameter in the "interFreq-needForInterruption-r18" information element (IE), wherein the value is different from the "no-gap-with-interruption" value; and When the one or more processors are further configured to determine that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurement of the target SSB, the value of the "interruptionIndication-r18" parameter is ignored.

47. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: determine, based on the "no-gap" value of the "gapIndicationIntra-r16" parameter for inter-frequency measurements on the same frequency band, that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurements of the target SSB, as indicated by the UE's ability to periodically change the UE's actual BW within the CBW to include the bandwidth of the target SSB.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: Decode UE capability information, including a value for the "gapIndicationIntra-r16" parameter, from signaling received from the UE, wherein the value is different from the "no-gap" value; and When the one or more processors are further configured to determine that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurement of the target SSB, the value of the "gapIndicationIntra-r16" parameter is ignored.

49. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: determine, based on the "ncsg" value of the "gapIndicationIntra-r17" parameter in the "NeedForNCSG-IntraFreq-r17" information element (IE) for inter-frequency measurements on the same frequency band, that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurements of the target SSB, as indicated by the UE's ability to periodically change the UE's actual BW within the CBW to include the bandwidth of the target SSB.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: Decode UE capability information received from the UE, including the value of the "gapIndicationIntra-r17" parameter in the "NeedForNCSG-IntraFreq-r17" IE, wherein the value is different from the "ncsg" value; and When the one or more processors are further configured to determine that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurement of the target SSB, the value of the "gapIndicationIntra-r17" parameter is ignored.

51. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: The dynamic dependency indication parameter, including the value, is decoded from the signaling received from the UE, wherein, The one or more processors are further configured to determine, based on whether the UE is configured with a value not exceeding the dynamic dependency indication parameter, that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurements for the SSB: (i) the number of active serving cells, (ii) the number of configured serving cells including active and deactivated serving cells, or (iii) the number of frequency bands with configured serving cells.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the value of the dynamic dependency parameter is indicated by UE or by frequency range (FR).

53. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: The information element (IE) in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration completion message is decoded from the signaling received from the UE. The information element (IE) includes an indication related to the UE's support for periodically changing its actual bandwidth (BW) within the CBW to include the bandwidth of the target SSB. The one or more processors are further configured to further determine, based on the indication, that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurements for the target SSB.

54. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the apparatus is pre-configured using parameters including values, wherein, The one or more processors are further configured to determine, based on whether the UE is configured with at least one of the following values ​​not exceeding the parameter, that the UE supports gapless and interrupted measurements for the target SSB: (i) the number of active serving cells, (ii) the number of configured serving cells including active and inactive serving cells, or (iii) the number of frequency bands with configured serving cells.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the value of said parameter is indicated by UE or by frequency range (FR).

56. An apparatus for a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: One or more processors, said one or more processors being configured to: An indication that the UE can periodically change the UE's actual bandwidth (BW) within the channel bandwidth (CBW) to include the bandwidth of the target synchronization signal block (SSB) located in the CBW and outside the UE's active BWP of the next-generation B-node (gNB) is encoded for transmission to the gNB, so that the gNB can determine, at least based on the indication, that the UE supports gapless measurement within the frequency range for the target SSB. as well as The measurement of the target SSB is performed at the UE without gaps; and A memory coupled to the one or more processors.

57. An apparatus for a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: One or more processors, said one or more processors being configured to: An indication that the UE supports gapless and uninterrupted inter-frequency measurements of a target synchronization signal block (SSB) for a next-generation node B (gNB) is encoded for transmission to the gNB, such that the gNB can determine, at least based on the indication, that the UE supports changing the UE's actual bandwidth (BW) to match the channel bandwidth (CBW), the channel bandwidth (CBW) including the active bandwidth portion (BWP) and the bandwidth of the target SSB located in the CBW but outside the UE's active BWP; as well as The measurement of the target SSB is performed at the UE without gaps or interruptions; and A memory coupled to the one or more processors.

58. An apparatus for a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: One or more processors, said one or more processors being configured to: An indication that the UE can periodically change the UE's actual bandwidth (BW) within the channel bandwidth (CBW) to include the bandwidth of the target synchronization signal block (SSB) located in the CBW and outside the UE's active BWP of the next-generation B-node (gNB) is encoded for transmission to the gNB, so that the gNB can determine, at least based on the indication, that the UE supports gapless measurement of inter-frequency measurements for the target SSB. as well as The measurement of the target SSB is performed at the UE without gaps; and A memory coupled to the one or more processors.

59. A method for inter-frequency gapless measurement of a target synchronization signal block (SSB), the method comprising: At the next-generation node B (gNB), the following indication is decoded from signaling received from the user equipment (UE): the UE is able to periodically change the UE's actual bandwidth (BW) within the channel bandwidth (CBW) to include the active bandwidth portion (BWP) and the bandwidth of the target SSB of the gNB located in the CBW but outside the UE's active BWP; Based at least on the indication, it is determined that the UE supports gapless measurement within the frequency range for the target SSB; as well as One or more downlink signals are encoded at the gNB for transmission to the UE, enabling the UE to perform measurements of the target SSB without gaps.

60. A method for gapless frequency measurement of a target synchronization signal block (SSB), the method comprising: At the next-generation node B (gNB), an indication received from the user equipment (UE) that the UE supports frequency-seamless and uninterrupted measurement of the target SSB of the gNB is decoded. Based at least on the indication, it is determined that the UE supports changing the UE's actual bandwidth (BW) to match the channel bandwidth (CBW), the channel bandwidth (CBW) including the active bandwidth portion (BWP) and the bandwidth of the target SSB located in the CBW but outside the active BWP of the UE; as well as One or more downlink signals are encoded at the gNB for transmission to the UE, enabling the UE to perform measurements of the target SSB without gaps or interruptions.

61. A method for gapless frequency-to-frequency measurement of a target synchronization signal block (SSB), the method comprising: At the next-generation node B (gNB), the following indication is decoded from signaling received from the user equipment (UE): the UE is able to periodically change the actual bandwidth (BW) of the UE within the channel bandwidth (CBW) to include the active bandwidth portion (BWP) and the bandwidth of the gNB located in the CBW but outside the active BWP of the UE. Based at least on the indication, it is determined that the UE supports gapless measurement of inter-frequency measurements for the target SSB; as well as One or more downlink signals are encoded at the gNB for transmission to the UE, enabling the UE to perform measurements of the target SSB without gaps.

62. A next-generation node B (gNB) configured to perform any of the operations described herein.

63. A computer program product comprising computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, perform any of the operations described herein.

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