Method and apparatus for measuring frequency according to configuration in wireless communication system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a 5G or 6G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system may comprise the steps of: receiving first measurement configuration information associated with a primary cell group (MCG) from a first base station; and transmitting a measurement result according to the first measurement configuration information to the first base station, where the first measurement configuration information may include information indicating a measurement sequence of at least one frequency associated with the first measurement configuration information.

Description

Methods and devices for configuring measurement frequencies in wireless communication systems Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for measuring frequency sequence according to the configuration of a base station. Background Technology

[0002] Fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication technology defines a wide frequency band, enabling high transmission rates and new services. This can be achieved not only in "sub-6GHz" bands such as 3.5 GHz, but also in "above-6GHz" bands, including 28 GHz and 39 GHz, known as mmWave. Furthermore, 6G mobile communication technology (referred to as Beyond 5G systems) is being considered in terahertz (THz) bands (e.g., the 95 GHz to 3 THz band) to achieve transmission rates fifty times faster than 5G and ultra-low latency one-tenth that of 5G.

[0003] At the outset of 5G mobile communication technology development, standardization was underway for the following technologies to support services and meet performance requirements associated with enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine-type communication (mMTC): beamforming and massive MIMO for mitigating radio wave path loss and increasing radio wave transmission distance in millimeter waves; dynamic operation supporting parameter sets (e.g., operating multiple subcarrier spacings) and time slot formats for efficient utilization of millimeter wave resources; initial access technologies supporting multi-beam transmission and broadband; definition and operation of BWP (bandwidth portion); new channel coding methods (such as LDPC (low-density parity-check) codes for large data transmissions and polar codes for highly reliable transmission of control information); L2 preprocessing; and network slicing for providing dedicated networks for specific services.

[0004] Currently, given the services that 5G mobile communication technology needs to support, discussions are underway regarding improvements and performance enhancements to the initial 5G mobile communication technology, and physical layer standardization already exists for the following technologies: V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) for assisting autonomous vehicles in determining driving based on information about the vehicle's location and status transmitted by the vehicle and for enhancing user convenience; NR-U (New Radio Unlicensed) designed to make system operation in unlicensed bands comply with various regulatory requirements; NR UE power saving; non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) for UE-satellite direct communication to provide coverage in areas where communication with terrestrial networks is unavailable; and positioning.

[0005] Furthermore, standardization is underway in the wireless interface architecture / protocol domain for technologies such as: Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to support new services through interoperability and convergence with other industries; IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul) for nodes to provide network service area extension by supporting wireless backhaul and access links in an integrated manner; mobility enhancements including conditional handover and DAPS (Dual Active Stack) handover; and two-step random access (2-step RACH for NR) to simplify the random access process. In terms of system architecture / services, standardization is also underway for: 5G baseline architectures (e.g., service-based architectures or service-based interfaces) for combining Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technologies; and mobile edge computing (MEC) for UE location-based reception services.

[0006] With the commercialization of 5G mobile communication systems, the already exponentially growing number of connected devices will be connected to the communication network, and correspondingly, enhanced functionality and performance of 5G mobile communication systems, as well as the integrated operation of connected devices, are expected to be necessary. To this end, new research is planned related to: Extended Reality (XR) for effectively supporting AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), MR (Mixed Reality), etc.; improving 5G performance and reducing 5G complexity by leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML); AI service support; Metaverse service support; and drone communication.

[0007] Furthermore, this development of 5G mobile communication systems will serve as a foundation for: not only developing new waveforms for providing terahertz band coverage for 6G mobile communication technologies, multi-antenna transmission technologies (such as full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, and massive MIMO), metamaterial-based lenses and antennas for improving terahertz band signal coverage, high-dimensional spatial multiplexing technologies using OAM (orbital angular momentum), and RIS (reconfigurable smart surfaces), but also developing full-duplex technologies to improve the frequency efficiency of 6G mobile communication technologies and enhance system networks, AI-based communication technologies to achieve system optimization by leveraging satellites and AI (artificial intelligence) from the design phase and internalizing end-to-end AI support capabilities, and next-generation distributed computing technologies to achieve services at a complexity level exceeding the operational capabilities of UEs by utilizing ultra-high-performance communication and computing resources. Summary of the Invention

[0008] "Technical issues"

[0009] Various embodiments of this disclosure are intended to provide an electronic device and method capable of efficiently providing services in a wireless communication system.

[0010] The technical topics pursued in this disclosure may not be limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains may clearly understand from the following description other technical topics not mentioned herein.

[0011] "Solution to the problem"

[0012] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system may include: receiving first measurement configuration information associated with a primary cell group (MCG) from a first base station; and sending measurement results according to the first measurement configuration information to the first base station, wherein the first measurement configuration information may include information indicating a measurement sequence for at least one frequency associated with the first measurement configuration information.

[0013] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a method performed by a first base station in a wireless communication system may include: sending first measurement configuration information associated with a primary cell group (MCG) to a user equipment (UE); and receiving measurement results from the UE based on the first measurement configuration information, wherein the first measurement configuration information may include information indicating a measurement sequence for at least one frequency associated with the first measurement configuration information.

[0014] The effects of the invention

[0015] This disclosure provides an electronic device and method capable of effectively providing services in a wireless communication system.

[0016] The beneficial effects that can be obtained from this disclosure may not be limited to those described above, and other effects not mentioned herein can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains through the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 illustrates the structure of an LTE system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 2 illustrates the radio protocol structure in an LTE system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 3 illustrates the structure of a next-generation mobile communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 4 illustrates the radio protocol structure of a next-generation mobile communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 5 illustrates the signal flow of a UE sending a measurement result message to a base station in a next-generation mobile communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 6 illustrates the signal flow of a UE sending a measurement result message to a base station in a next-generation mobile communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 7 illustrates an example of a UE performing measurements in a next-generation mobile communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, based on a frequency measurement sequence configured by the base station.

[0024] Figure 8 illustrates the signal flow of a UE configured with dual connectivity to perform measurements according to a frequency measurement sequence configured by a base station in a next-generation mobile communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 9 illustrates the signal flow of a UE configured with dual connectivity to perform measurements according to a frequency measurement sequence configured by a base station in a next-generation mobile communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 10 illustrates the signal flow of a UE configured with dual connectivity to perform measurements according to a frequency measurement sequence configured by a base station in a next-generation mobile communication system, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 11 illustrates the structure of a UE according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 12 illustrates the structure of a base station according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The operating principles of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing this disclosure, detailed descriptions of relevant known functions or configurations will be omitted where it is determined that the description may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of this disclosure. The terminology described below is defined with reference to the functions in this disclosure and may vary depending on the user, the user's intent, or habits. Therefore, the definitions of terminology should be based on the content throughout this specification.

[0030] In describing this disclosure below, detailed descriptions of known functions or configurations will be omitted where it is determined that the description may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of this disclosure. Embodiments of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] In the following description, for ease of description, terms for identifying access nodes, terms relating to network entities, terms relating to messages, terms relating to interfaces between network entities, terms relating to various identifying information, etc., are used by way of example. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the terms described below, and other terms relating to subjects with equivalent technical meaning may also be used.

[0032] In the following description, for ease of description, the terms and names defined in the 3GPP Long Term Evolution (3GPP LTE) standard will be used. However, this disclosure is not limited to these terms and names and can be applied in the same manner to systems conforming to other standards. In this disclosure, for ease of description, the term "eNB" may be used interchangeably with the term "gNB". That is, a base station described as "eNB" may refer to "gNB".

[0033] Figure 1 illustrates the structure of an LTE system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] Referring to Figure 1, the radio access network of an LTE system may include next-generation base stations (evolved B-nodes, hereinafter referred to as eNBs, B-nodes, or base stations) 105, 110, 115, and 120, a mobility management entity (MME) 125, and a service gateway (S-GW) 130. User equipment (hereinafter referred to as UEs or terminals) 135 can access external networks through ENBs 105 to 120 and S-GW 130.

[0035] In Figure 1, eNBs 105 to 120 can correspond to a conventional Node B in a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). The eNB can connect to the UE 135 via a radio channel and performs a more complex role than a conventional Node B. In LTE systems, since all user services, including real-time services such as Voice over IP (VoIP) via the Internet Protocol, are served through a shared channel, it may be necessary to collect state information (such as the UE's buffer state, available transmit power state, and channel state) and perform scheduling accordingly; eNBs 105 to 120 can serve as such a device. Typically, one eNB can control multiple cells. For example, to achieve a transmission rate of 100 Mbps, an LTE system can use Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) as the radio access technology within a bandwidth of, for example, 20 MHz. Furthermore, the LTE system can employ an Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC) scheme to determine the modulation scheme and channel coding rate based on the UE's channel state. The S-GW 130 is the device that provides data bearers and generates or removes data bearers under the control of the MME 125. The MME is a device responsible for various control functions and mobility management functions for the UE, and can be connected to multiple base stations.

[0036] Figure 2 illustrates the radio protocol structure in an NR system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] Referring to Figure 2, the radio protocols of the LTE system may include Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) 205 or 240, Radio Link Control (RLC) 210 or 235, and Media Access Control (MAC) 215 or 230 on each of the UE side and the ENB side.

[0038] According to embodiments, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) 205 or 240 can be responsible for operations such as IP header compression / reconstruction. According to embodiments, the main functions of PDCP may include at least one of the following functions.

[0039] -Header compression and decompression: ROHC only

[0040] -Transmission of user data

[0041] - Deliver upper-layer PDUs sequentially during PDCP reconstruction for RLC AM

[0042] - For split bearers in the DC (RLC AM only): PDCP PDU routing for transmission and PDCP PDU reordering for reception.

[0043] - Repeatedly detect the lower-layer SDU during the PDCP reconstruction process of RLC AM

[0044] - Retransmit PDCP SDU during handover, and for separate bearers in the DC, retransmit PDCP PDU during PDCP data recovery; for RLC AM...

[0045] - Encryption and decryption

[0046] -Timer-based SDU dropping in the uplink

[0047] According to an embodiment, Radio Link Control (RLC) 210 or 235 can reconfigure PDCP Protocol Data Units (PDUs) to an appropriate size to perform operations such as Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ) operations. According to an embodiment, the primary functions of the RLC may include at least some of the following functions.

[0048] -Transmission of upper-layer PDUs

[0049] - Error correction via ARQ (only for Acknowledgment mode (AM) data transmission)

[0050] - Cascading, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs (for UM and AM data transfer only)

[0051] - Resegmentation of RLC data PDUs (for AM data transmission only)

[0052] - Reordering of RLC data PDUs (for UM and AM data transfer only)

[0053] - Duplicate detection (only applicable to Unacknowledged Mode (UM) and AM data transfers)

[0054] - Protocol error detection (for AM data transmission only)

[0055] - RLC Service Data Unit (SDU) Discard (for UM and AM data transfer only)

[0056] -RLC Reconstruction

[0057] According to an embodiment, Media Access Control (MAC) 215 or 230 can be connected to multiple RLC layer devices configured in a single UE to multiplex RLC PDUs into and demultiplex RLC PDUs from the MAC PDUs. According to an embodiment, the main functions of the MAC may include at least one of the following functions.

[0058] Mapping between logical channels and transport channels

[0059] - Multiplexing / demultiplexing MAC SDUs belonging to one or different logical channels into / from a transport block (TB) delivered to / from the physical layer on the transport channel.

[0060] - Scheduling Information Report

[0061] - Error correction via HARQ

[0062] Priority processing between logical channels of a UE

[0063] - Prioritization among UEs is performed through dynamic scheduling.

[0064] - Multimedia Broadcast and Multicast Service (MBMS) Service Identifier

[0065] -Transmission format selection

[0066] -filling

[0067] According to the embodiment, physical layer 220 or 225 can perform channel coding and modulation operations on upper layer data to obtain OFDM symbols and deliver OFDM symbols via radio channels, or demodulate OFDM symbols received via radio channels, perform channel decoding on OFDM symbols and deliver OFDM symbols to the upper layer.

[0068] Figure 3 illustrates the structure of a next-generation mobile communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0069] Referring to Figure 3, as shown therein, the radio access network of a next-generation mobile communication system (hereinafter referred to as New Radio (NR) or 5G) may include a next-generation base station (New Radio Node B, hereinafter referred to as NR gNB or NR base station) 310 and a New Radio Core Network (NR CN) 305. User terminals (New Radio User Equipment, hereinafter referred to as NR UE or terminal) 315 access external networks via NR gNB 310 and NR CN 305.

[0070] In Figure 3, the NR gNB 310 corresponds to the evolved Node B (eNB) of a conventional LTE system. The NR gNB connects to the NR UE 315 via radio channels and provides superior service compared to a conventional Node B. In next-generation mobile communication systems, since all user services are served through shared channels, devices are needed to collect state information (such as the UE's buffer state, available transmit power state, and channel state) and perform scheduling accordingly; the NR gNB 310 can serve as this device. Typically, one NR gNB can control multiple cells. To achieve ultra-high-speed data transmission beyond current LTE, the NR system can provide bandwidth wider than the current maximum bandwidth, employing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing as the radio access technology, and additionally integrating beamforming technology. Furthermore, the NR system can employ adaptive modulation and coding schemes to determine the modulation scheme and channel coding rate based on the UE's channel state. The NR CN 305 can perform functions such as mobility support, bearer configuration, and QoS configuration. The NR CN 305 is responsible for various control functions and mobility management functions of the UE and can connect to multiple base stations. Furthermore, the next-generation mobile communication system can interoperate with existing LTE systems, and the NR CN 305 can connect to the MME 325 via a network interface. The MME can connect to the eNB330, which serves as an existing base station.

[0071] Figure 4 illustrates the radio protocol structure of a next-generation mobile communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0072] Referring to Figure 4, the radio protocols of the next-generation mobile communication system may include NR Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) 401 or 445, NR PDCP 405 or 440, NR RLC 410 or 435, and NR MAC 415 or 430 on each of the NR UE side and the NR gNB side.

[0073] According to embodiments, the main functions of NR SDAP 401 or 445 may include at least some of the following functions.

[0074] -Transmission of user plane data

[0075] - Mapping between Quality of Service (QoS) streams and Data Radio Bearers (DRBs) for both downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) connections.

[0076] - Mark QoS flow IDs in both DL and UL groups

[0077] - Reflection QoS flow to DRB mapping for UL SDAP PDU

[0078] According to an embodiment, regarding the SDAP layer device, the UE can be configured via RRC messages to determine whether to use the SDAP layer device header or its functionality, based on the PDCP layer device, the bearer, or the logical channel. If the SDAP header is configured, the base station can indicate to the UE via the Non-Access Stratum (NAS) QoS Reflection Configuration 1-bit Indicator (NAS Reflected QoS) and the Access Stratum (AS) QoS Reflection Configuration 1-bit Indicator (AS Reflected QoS) in the SDAP header that the UE can update or reconfigure the mapping information regarding uplink and downlink QoS flows and data bearers. The SDAP header may include QoS flow ID information indicating QoS. QoS information can be used for data processing priority, scheduling information, etc., to smoothly support service.

[0079] According to embodiments, the main functions of NR PDCP 405 or 440 may include at least some of the following functions.

[0080] -Header compression and decompression: ROHC only

[0081] -Transmission of user data

[0082] - Sequential delivery of upper-layer PDUs

[0083] -Disordered delivery of upper-layer PDUs

[0084] -PDCP PDU reordering for use in receiving

[0085] -Duplicate detection of lower-level SDUs

[0086] -PDCP SDU retransmission

[0087] - Encryption and decryption

[0088] -Timer-based SDU dropping in the uplink

[0089] According to an embodiment, the reordering of an NR PDCP device can refer to the function of reordering PDCP PDUs received from the lower layer in sequence based on the PDCP sequence number (SN). The reordering of an NR PDCP device can include at least one of the following: the function of delivering data to the upper layer according to the reordered order; the function of delivering data directly regardless of order; the function of reordering to record lost PDCP PDUs; the function of reporting the status of lost PDCP PDUs to the transmitting side; and the function of requesting retransmission of lost PDCP PDUs.

[0090] According to embodiments, the main functions of NR RLC 410 or 435 may include some of the following functions.

[0091] -Transmission of upper-layer PDUs

[0092] - Sequential delivery of upper-layer PDUs

[0093] -Disordered delivery of upper-layer PDUs

[0094] - Error correction via ARQ

[0095] Cascading, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs

[0096] - Resegmentation of RLC data PDUs

[0097] - Reordering of RLC data PDUs

[0098] -Duplicate detection

[0099] -Protocol error detection

[0100] -RLC SDU discard

[0101] -RLC Reconstruction

[0102] According to an embodiment, the sequential delivery of NR RLC devices can refer to the function of delivering RLC SDUs received from the lower layer to the upper layer. An NR RLC device may include at least one of the following functions: if an original RLC SDU is segmented into multiple RLC SDUs and the segmented RLC SDUs are received, reassembling the RLC SDUs and delivering the reassembled RLC SDUs; reordering received RLC PDUs with reference to the RLC sequence number (SN) or PDCP sequence number (SN); recording RLC PDUs lost as a result of reordering; reporting the status of lost RLC PDUs to the transmitting side; requesting retransmission of lost RLC PDUs; if lost RLC SDUs exist, delivering only RLC SDUs preceding the lost RLC SDU; continuously delivering to the upper layer if lost RLC SDUs exist; continuously delivering to the upper layer if lost RLC SDUs exist; continuously delivering to the upper layer if a predetermined timer has expired; continuously delivering to the upper layer if a predetermined timer has expired; continuously delivering to the upper layer if lost RLC SDUs exist. SDU, or if the functions are delivered sequentially to the upper layer; and if the functions are delivered sequentially to the upper layer; or if all RLC SDUs received so far are delivered sequentially to the upper layer.

[0103] According to an embodiment, the NR RLC device can process the RLC PDU in the order of receipt (e.g., in the order of arrival regardless of the sequence number) and deliver it to the PDCP device regardless of the order (out-of-order delivery). In the case of segmentation, it can receive segments stored in a buffer or to be received later, reconfigure them into a complete RLC PDU, process them, and deliver them to the PDCP device.

[0104] According to an embodiment, the NR RLC layer may not include cascading functionality, which may be performed in the NR MAC layer or replaced by multiplexed functionality of the NR MAC layer.

[0105] According to an embodiment, out-of-order delivery of an NR RLC device can refer to the function of immediately delivering RLCSDUs received from a lower layer to an upper layer regardless of the order. An NR RLC device may include at least one of the following functions: if an original RLC SDU is received that has been segmented into multiple RLC SDUs, reassemble and deliver the same RLC SDU; store the RLC SN or PDCP SN of the received RLC PDUs; and record RLC PDUs lost due to reordering.

[0106] According to an embodiment, the NR MAC 415 or 430 can be connected to multiple NR RLC layer devices configured in a UE, and the main functions of the NR MAC may include some of the following functions.

[0107] Mapping between logical channels and transport channels

[0108] - MAC SDU multiplexing / demultiplexing

[0109] - Scheduling Information Report

[0110] - Error correction via HARQ

[0111] Priority processing between logical channels of a UE

[0112] - Prioritization among UEs is performed through dynamic scheduling.

[0113] -MBMS service identifier

[0114] -Transmission format selection

[0115] -filling

[0116] According to an embodiment, the NR PHY layer 420 or 425 can perform channel coding and modulation operations on upper-layer data to obtain OFDM symbols, and deliver OFDM symbols via a radio channel, or demodulate OFDM symbols received via a radio channel, perform channel decoding on OFDM symbols, and deliver OFDM symbols to the upper layer.

[0117] Figure 5 illustrates the signal flow of a UE sending a measurement result message to a base station in a next-generation mobile communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0118] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, when measuring frequencies configured by the base station, the UE performs frequency measurements according to each UE's implementation, regardless of the base station's intent. Therefore, even if a predetermined service (e.g., Voice over LTE (VoLTE)) is optimally provided at a specific frequency, the base station can provide services to the UE at frequencies other than the optimal frequency. This is because the base station sends predetermined RRC messages (e.g., handover messages including RedirectedCarrierInfo indicating movement to a specific frequency or RRC connection release messages) to each UE based on the measurement result messages sent by the UE, thereby moving each UE to a specific target cell. For example, even if the base station configures the same measurement configuration information (e.g., E-UTRA frequency x, E-UTRA frequency y, and E-UTRA frequency z) for two UEs to be provided with VoLTE service, one UE can first measure E-UTRA frequency x and send a measurement result message to the base station based on it, while the other UE can first measure E-UTRA frequency z and send a measurement result message to the base station based on it. Even if E-UTRA frequency x is a frequency optimized for VoLTE service, the base station can move only one UE to a cell belonging to E-UTRA frequency x and move the other remaining UE to a cell belonging to E-UTRA frequency z.

[0119] Referring to Figure 5, in operations 505 and 506, each of UEs 501 and 503 can be in RRC connected mode (RRC_CONNECTED) by establishing an RRC connection with NR base station 502.

[0120] In operations 510 and 511, base station 502 may send a pre-defined RRC message (e.g., RRCReconfiguration) including measurement configuration information (MeasConfig) to each of UEs 501 and 503. The measurement configuration information may include at least one of measurement object, report configuration, measurement identifier, measurement filtering configuration information (quantity configuration), and measurement gap configuration information (measurement gap), and each parameter may be described as follows. For a description of each parameter, refer to 3GPP Release 17TS 38.311.

[0121] [Table 1]

[0122]

[0123]

[0124] According to an embodiment, base station 502 can provide measurement configuration information for measuring the frequency (internal frequency) of each corresponding special cell (SpCell) in UEs 501 and 503, the frequency adjacent to the frequency of the SpCell (inter-frequency), and the frequency using a different radio access technology (RAT) than the frequency of the SpCell. Specific information regarding the measurement configuration information can be represented as shown in the ASN.1 structure below.

[0125] [Table 2]

[0126]

[0127]

[0128]

[0129] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, for ease of description, the following embodiments are described based on the operation of base station 502 configuring three frequencies, E-UTRA carrier frequency x, E-UTRA carrier frequency y, and E-UTRA carrier frequency z, for each of UE 501 and UE 503 using the same measurement configuration information, and sequentially including them in MeasObjectToAddModList or MeasIdToAddModList.

[0130] According to an embodiment, for example, each MeasObjectToAddMod included in MeasObjectToAddModList may include measObjectId and MeasObject, and MeasObjectEUTRA (configured as one of E-UTRA carrier frequency x, E-UTRA carrier frequency y, and E-UTRA carrier frequency z) may be configured in MeasObjectToAddModList to sequentially include (measObjectId 1, E-UTRA carrier frequency x), (measObjectId 2, E-UTRA carrier frequency y), and (measObjectId 3, E-UTRA carrier frequency z).

[0131] According to an embodiment, each MeasIdToAddMod included in MeasIdToAddModList may include measId, measObjectId, and reportConfigId, and MeasIdToAddModList may sequentially include (MeasID1, measObjectId1, ReportConfigId1), (MeasID2, measObjectId2, reportConfigId2), and (MeasID3, measObjectId3, reportConfigId3).

[0132] In operations 515 and 516, each of UEs 501 and 503 can perform measurements based on measurement configuration information received from base station 502.

[0133] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, UEs 501 and 503 can measure the configured frequencies sequentially according to the implementation of each UE.

[0134] For example, in operation 515, UE 501 may perform measurements in the order of the MeasObjectToAddModList (e.g., E-UTRA frequency x, E-UTRA frequency y, and E-UTRA frequency z) included in the MeasObjectToAddModList configured in MeasConfig.

[0135] In operation 516, unlike UE 501, another UE 503 may perform measurements in the reverse order of the MeasObjectToAddModList (e.g., E-UTRA frequency z, E-UTRA frequency y, and E-UTRA frequency x) included in the MeasObjectToAddModList configured in MeasConfig.

[0136] According to an embodiment, each of UEs 501 and 503 can perform measurements by applying measurement gap configuration information (measGapConfig) included in the measurement configuration information, or can perform measurements without measurement gap configuration information (e.g., when interFrequencyConfig-NoGap is configured and the InterfrequencySSB is part of the UE's effective downlink bandwidth). Specifically, according to an embodiment, each of UEs 501 and 503 can perform measurements through the following procedure. A description of the operation for each of UEs 501 and 503 to perform measurements can be found in 3GPP Release 17 TS 38.311.

[0137] [Table 3]

[0138]

[0139]

[0140]

[0141]

[0142]

[0143]

[0144]

[0145] When each UE performs measurements through the aforementioned process, the methods for performing Layer 3 filtering (Layer 3 filtering), deriving cell measurement results (deriving cell measurement results), and deriving Layer 3 beam filtering measurement results (deriving Layer 3 beam filtering measurements) can each follow the following procedures. For a description of the operations for performing the aforementioned cell measurements, please refer to 3GPP Release 17 TS 38.311.

[0146] [Table 4]

[0147]

[0148]

[0149]

[0150]

[0151]

[0152] In operation 520, UE 501 can determine whether the standard for reporting the measurement result message (MeasurementReport) to base station 502 has been triggered based on the measurement results in operation 515.

[0153] In operation 521, UE 503 can determine whether the standard for reporting the measurement result message (MeasurementReport) to base station 502 has been triggered based on the measurement results in operation 516.

[0154] According to various embodiments, the measurement report triggering criteria determined by each UE 501 and 503 may include event-based or period-based criteria. For example, the measurement configuration information received by each UE in operation 510 (or operation 511) may include one or more MeasObjectId, ReportConfigId, and MeasId. Since each measId is mapped to a specific measObject and a specific reportConfig, the UE can determine whether the reporting criteria specified in the specific reportConfig are met.

[0155] In operations 525 and 536, when the aforementioned reporting criteria are met, each UE 501 and 503 can send a Measurement Report message to the base station. This Measurement Report message includes a measId mapped to the corresponding reportConfig and the measurement result associated with the measId. Specifically, according to an embodiment, each of UEs 501 and 503 can determine whether a measurement result has been triggered through the following process. For a description of the operation for each of UEs 501 and 503 to determine whether a measurement result has been triggered, refer to 3GPP Release 17 TS 38.311.

[0156] [Table 5]

[0157]

[0158]

[0159]

[0160]

[0161]

[0162]

[0163]

[0164]

[0165]

[0166]

[0167] [Table 6]

[0168]

[0169]

[0170]

[0171]

[0172]

[0173] [Table 7]

[0174]

[0175]

[0176]

[0177]

[0178] [Table 8]

[0179]

[0180]

[0181]

[0182]

[0183]

[0184]

[0185] In operation 525, UE 501 may include measurement results (measResults) associated with the measId that triggered the measurement reporting procedure in operation 520 in the measurement result message (MeasurementReport) and send it to base station 502. According to various embodiments of this disclosure, UE 501 may first measure the E-UTRA carrier frequency x and may trigger the measurement reporting procedure in the associated measId (e.g., measId=1, measObjectId=1, reportConfigId=1).

[0186] In operation 526, UE 503 may include measurement results (measResults) associated with the measId that triggered the measurement reporting procedure in operation 521 in the measurement result message (MeasurementReport) and send it to base station 502. However, according to various embodiments of this disclosure, UE 503 may first measure the E-UTRA carrier frequency z and may trigger the measurement reporting procedure in the associated measId (e.g., measId=3, measObjectId=3, reportConfigId=3).

[0187] According to the embodiments, each of UEs 501 and 503 may include beam measurement information and cell measurement results in the measurement results as follows. For a description of the operation of including beam measurement information and cell measurement results in the measurement results for each of UEs 501 and 503, please refer to 3GPP Release 17TS 38.311.

[0188] [Table 9]

[0189]

[0190]

[0191] According to the embodiment, the specific process of each of UEs 501 and 503 including measurement results in the measurement report message can be as follows: For a description of the operation of each of UEs 501 and 503 including measurement results in the measurement report message, please refer to 3GPP Release 17TS 38.311.

[0192] [Table 10]

[0193]

[0194]

[0195]

[0196]

[0197]

[0198]

[0199]

[0200] [Table 11]

[0201]

[0202]

[0203]

[0204]

[0205]

[0206] In operations 530 and 531, base station 502 may send a predetermined RRC message (e.g., a MobilityFromNRCommand or RRC connection release message including a RedirectedCarrierInfo indicating movement to a specific frequency) based on measurement result messages received from each of UEs 501 and 503 to move each of UEs 501 and 503 to a specific inter-RAT target cell. For example, base station 502 may move UE 501 to a target cell belonging to E-UTRA carrier frequency x (operation 530), and may move UE 503 to a target cell belonging to E-UTRA carrier frequency z (operation 531).

[0207] Figure 6 illustrates the signal flow of a UE sending a measurement result message to a base station in a next-generation mobile communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0208] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, a UE can measure one or more specific frequencies preferentially and sequentially based on the base station's configuration. For example, when supporting a specific service on one or more frequencies, the base station can configure the UE to first measure the frequency best suited to support the specific service in order to efficiently provide the specific service to the UE. For example, when LTE Voice (VoLTE) service is supported on both E-UTRA frequency x and E-UTRA frequency y, but is more efficiently provided on E-UTRA frequency x, the base station can configure measurement configuration information (measConfig) such that a UE providing VoLTE service can first measure E-UTRA frequency x, then E-UTRA frequency y, and then measure other frequencies according to the UE's implementation. According to various embodiments of this disclosure, since the UE can first measure E-UTRA frequency x according to the base station's configuration, a measurement reporting process can be triggered first from the measurement identifier (measId) associated with E-UTRA frequency x, and upon triggering, the UE can send a measurement result message (MeasurementReport) for E-UTRA frequency x to the base station. Therefore, the base station can send a pre-defined RRC message to the UE (e.g., a handover message including redirectedcarrierinfo indicating a move to a specific frequency or an RRC connection release message) to move the UE to a cell belonging to E-UTRA frequency x, thereby optimally providing VoLTE service.

[0209] Referring to Figure 6, in operation 605, UE 601 can be in RRC connection mode (RRC_CONNECTED) by establishing an RRC connection with NR base station 602.

[0210] In operation 610, UE 601 may send a UE Capability Information message to base station 602. The capability information message sent by the UE may include at least one of the following:

[0211] Capability information used for sequentially measuring one or more measurement objects indicated by the base station.

[0212] - Capability information may include at least one of the capability information for each UE and the capability information for each frequency range.

[0213] - Capability information can be limited to one or more RATs. For example, capability information can be limited to NR and LTE frequencies only, or only to NR or LTE frequencies only, or only to NR, LTE and 3G frequencies only.

[0214] In operation 615, base station 602 may send a predetermined RRC message (e.g., RRCReconfiguration) including measurement configuration information (MeasConfig) to UE 601, which may follow the foregoing embodiments. Furthermore, according to various embodiments of this disclosure, the base station may include information in the measurement configuration information for configuring the UE to preferentially and sequentially measure specific measurement objects among the measurement objects, and describe its specific operations. The foregoing information may refer to at least one of the following.

[0215] RecommendedMeasObjectIdList: A list of MeasObjectIds in MeasObjectToAddModList that indicates the priority and order of measurement objects measured by the UE.

[0216] The RecommendedMeasObjectIdList can contain up to X MeasObjectIds (where X is an integer value). For example, X could be 64, which is the maximum number of measurement objects that a base station can configure. According to an embodiment, each MeasObjectId included in the RecommendedMeasObjectIdList can indicate one of the MeasObjectIds configured in the MeasObjectToAddModList.

[0217] - The UE can sequentially measure the measurement objects associated with the MeasObjectIds according to the order in which the MeasObjectIds are included in the RecommendedMeasObjectIdList. For example, the UE can first measure the measurement object associated with the first MeasObjectId included in the RecommendedMeasObjectIdList, and can finally measure the measurement object associated with the last MeasObjectId included in the RecommendedMeasObjectIdList.

[0218] - To enable the UE to measure measurement objects according to the order in MeasObjectToAddModList, the base station can configure a separate indicator, or it can include RecommendedMeasObjectIdList and configure its size to 0.

[0219] RecommendedMeasIdList: A list of MeasIds that indicate the measurement objects in the MeasIdToAddModList that should be measured by the UE in a prioritized and sequential manner.

[0220] -The RecommendedMeasIdList can contain a maximum of X MeasIds (where X is an integer value). For example, X could be 64, which is the maximum number of measurement identifiers that a base station can configure.

[0221] - The UE can sequentially measure the measurement objects associated with the MeasIds according to the order in which the MeasIds are included in the RecommendedMeasIdList. For example, the UE can first measure the measurement object associated with the first MeasId included in the RecommendedMeasIdList, and can last measure the measurement object associated with the last MeasId included in the RecommendedMeasIdList.

[0222] - According to an embodiment, RecommendedMeasIdList may include only MeasIds associated with different MeasObjects.

[0223] RecommendedMeasObjectList: A list of MeasObjects used to indicate the priority of measurements performed by the UE.

[0224] - The UE can measure the measurement objects sequentially according to the order in which the MeasObjects in the RecommendedMeasObjectList are included. For example, the UE can first measure the first measurement object included in the RecommendedMeasObjectList and last measure the last measurement object included in the RecommendedMeasObjectList.

[0225] - According to an embodiment, the base station may not include the MeasObjects in the MeasObjectList included in the RecommendedMeasObjectList in the MeasObjectToAddModList, which may be advantageous because the same information is not configured for the UE.

[0226] - According to an embodiment, only some information is configured in the MeasObjectList configured in the RecommendedMeasObjectList, the MeasObjectToAddModList configured in the MeasObjectList, and the MeasObjectList configured in the MeasObjectToAddModList. For example, the RecommendedMeasObjectList may include only configuration information for indicating only information related to frequency information. For example, the aforementioned information may refer to at least one of the Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (ARFCN), subcarrier spacing, and measurement reference signal (synchronization signal block (SSB) or channel state information (CSI)-reference signal (RS)).

[0227] According to various embodiments, the aforementioned information can be signaled to the UE individually for each frequency range. Alternatively, the aforementioned information can be applied only to frequencies belonging to one or more specific RATs. According to various embodiments of this disclosure, for ease of description, the base station can configure the UE to sequentially measure MeasObjectEUTRA x (E-UTRA carrier frequency x), MeasObjectEUTRA y (E-UTRA carrier frequency y), and MeasObjectEUTRA z (E-UTRA carrier frequency z), and the measurement order for the remaining measurement objects can be determined according to the UE implementation as described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0228] In operation 620, UE 601 may perform measurements based on measurement configuration information received from base station 602. According to various embodiments of this disclosure, UE 601 may measure the configured frequencies in the following order.

[0229] -E-UTRA frequency x

[0230] -E-UTRA frequency y

[0231] -E-UTRA frequency z

[0232] -Other frequencies

[0233] According to the embodiments, the specific measurement methods can follow the foregoing embodiments.

[0234] In operation 625, UE 601 can determine whether the standard for reporting the measurement result message (MeasurementReport) to base station 602 has been triggered based on the measurement results in operation 620, which can follow the foregoing embodiments.

[0235] In operation 625, UE 601 may send a measurement result message (MeasurementReport) to base station 602, which includes measurement results (measResults) associated with the measId that triggered the measurement reporting process in operation 625.

[0236] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, UE 601 may first measure the E-UTRA carrier frequency x, and may trigger a measurement reporting process in the associated measId (e.g., measId=x, measObjectId=x, reportConfigId=x). The specific process by which UE 601 includes measurement results (MeasResults) in the measurement report message can follow the foregoing embodiments. Prioritizing the measurement of the E-UTRA carrier frequency x by the UE does not necessarily mean triggering the associated measurement reporting process. As in the foregoing embodiments, when the measurement reporting process associated with the measId is triggered, the UE may send a measurement report message including the corresponding measurement results to the base station.

[0237] In operation 635, base station 602 may send a predetermined RRC message (e.g., MobilityFromNRCommand or an RRC connection release message including indication of movement to a specific frequency) based on measurement result messages received from UE 601 to move UE 601 to a specific inter-RAT target cell. For example, base station 602 may move UE 601 to a target cell belonging to E-UTRA carrier frequency x, thereby optimally providing VoLTE service to the UE.

[0238] According to embodiments, as described above, when a UE operates in NR Standalone (SA), the base station can configure the UE to preferentially and sequentially measure one or more specific frequencies. For example, when the UE operates using Multiple RAT Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) or NR-DC, the base station may not be able to configure the aforementioned information according to the foregoing description disclosed herein. According to embodiments, when configuring MR-DC or NR-DC for the UE, the base station can explicitly release the information configured to enable the UE to preferentially and sequentially measure one or more specific frequencies. Alternatively, the UE can release the aforementioned information without applying it when configuring MR-DC or NR-DC.

[0239] Figure 7 illustrates an example of a UE performing measurements in a next-generation mobile communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, based on a frequency measurement sequence configured by the base station.

[0240] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, as described in the foregoing embodiments, the UE can preferentially and sequentially measure one or more specific frequencies based on the base station configuration. According to embodiments, the UE can perform frequency measurements based on measurement gaps. For example, for frequencies that do not require measurement gaps, the UE can perform measurements based on the periodicity of a reference signal (SSB or CSI-RS) for that frequency. According to embodiments, for frequencies that require measurement gaps, the UE can perform measurements based on a measurement gap periodicity configured by the base station, which is aligned with the periodicity of the reference signal for each frequency. The base station can configure frequency-specific reference signal measurement timing configuration information for the UE (e.g., for SSB, synchronization signal, and physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block measurement timing configuration), and the UE can perform frequency measurements based on this information.

[0241] Referring to Figure 7, the base station can provide the UE with measurement gap (MG) configuration information, and the UE can perform measurements according to periodic measurement gap times 705, 710, 715, and 720. According to an embodiment, the measurement gap time can be configured for each UE or for each frequency range (FR). Each FR frequency range can refer to at least one of frequency ranges (FR) 1, FR 2, and FR 3.

[0242] According to an embodiment, the UE can be configured to measure one or more specific frequencies preferentially and sequentially according to the base station's configuration, as in the foregoing embodiments. For ease of description, depending on the UE implementation, the UE can be configured to sequentially measure three frequencies (e.g., F1, F2, and F3) and to measure the remaining frequencies. According to an embodiment, as described above, the reference measurement time for each frequency can be different. For example, the reference measurement time for each frequency can be as follows.

[0243] - The measurement time for F1, which is configured to be measured with the first priority, can be 725, 730, 735, and 740.

[0244] - The measurement time for F2, which is configured to be measured with the second priority, can be 745, 750, or 755.

[0245] - The measurement time for F3, which is configured to be measured with the third priority, can be 760, 765, 770, and 775.

[0246] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, the UE can perform measurements by at least one of the following methods based on periodic measurement interval times 705, 710, 715 and 720.

[0247] Method 1: When the UE is currently unable to measure the frequency that is being measured with the highest priority, the UE can measure the next highest priority frequency to be measured. For example, if the UE can measure frequency F1 at time 705 and time 710 but cannot, the UE can measure F2. If the UE may need to measure frequency F1 or frequency F2 at time 715 but cannot, the UE can measure frequency F3.

[0248] Method 1 enables the UE to move to a frequency that supports a specific service as quickly as possible, thereby reducing latency when providing the service.

[0249] Method 2: When the UE is unable to measure the highest priority frequency to be measured, the UE may choose not to perform frequency measurement. For example, if the UE needs to measure frequency F1 at time 705 and time 710 but cannot measure frequency F1, the UE may choose not to measure frequencies F1, F2, and F3.

[0250] Method 2 enables the UE to move to a frequency where a specific service is best supported, thereby providing the best service.

[0251] Method 3: When the UE is currently able to measure the frequency to be measured with the highest priority, the UE can measure the frequency. For example, at time 720, the UE can measure frequency F1.

[0252] Method 4: When the UE completes measurements of all frequencies with the highest priority within the measurement interval, the UE can measure the next highest priority frequency to be measured. For example, at time 720, the UE can measure frequency F1, and if the UE is able to further measure frequency F3, then the UE can measure frequency F3.

[0253] According to an embodiment, when configuring measurement gap configuration information for each UE, the aforementioned method can be applied collectively to all frequencies. According to an embodiment, when configuring measurement gap configuration information for each frequency range, the aforementioned method can be applied collectively to frequencies belonging to the corresponding frequency range. For example, the base station can configure the UE to preferentially and sequentially measure one or more specific frequencies belonging to the corresponding frequency range for each frequency range.

[0254] According to an embodiment, the method for determining the frequency that the UE is currently measuring with the highest priority can be implemented by the UE. According to an embodiment, when the UE has obtained sufficient measurement results for the corresponding frequency, the UE can perform a measurement on the frequency configured to be measured with the next highest priority. For example, the UE can perform a measurement on the frequency configured to be measured with the highest priority, determine whether a measurement reporting process has been triggered, and then perform a measurement on the frequency configured to be measured with the second highest priority. For example, the UE can determine whether a measurement reporting process has been triggered for a measurement object or a measurement ID based on the reporting configuration, can identify which frequency is currently being measured with priority, and can perform measurements according to the frequency measurement order of the base station.

[0255] Figure 8 illustrates the signal flow of a UE configured with dual connectivity to perform measurements according to a frequency measurement sequence configured by a base station in a next-generation mobile communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0256] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, for a UE configured with dual connectivity (DC), a node operating solely as a master node (MN) can be configured with configuration information to configure the UE to perform measurements for the UE according to the frequency measurement sequence. For example:

[0257] When a UE is configured with E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity (EN-DC), only the eNB base station operating as the MN can configure the configuration information for the UE to perform measurements according to the frequency measurement sequence.

[0258] When a UE is configured with NG-RAN E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity (NGEN-DC), only the ng-eNB base station operating as the MN can configure the configuration information for the UE to perform measurements according to the frequency measurement sequence.

[0259] When a UE is configured with NR-E-UTRA dual connectivity (NE-DC), only the gNB base station operating as the MN can configure the configuration information for the UE to perform measurements according to the frequency measurement sequence.

[0260] When a UE is configured with NR-NR dual connectivity (NR-DC), only the gNB base station operating as the MN can configure the configuration information for the UE to perform measurements according to the frequency measurement sequence.

[0261] Referring to Figure 8, in operation 805, UE 801 can be in RRC connected mode (RRC_CONNECTED) by establishing an RRC connection with base station 802. According to various embodiments, base station 802 may be referred to as the master node (MN).

[0262] In operation 810, UE 801 may send a UE Capability Information message to base station 802. The information included in the capability information message may follow at least one of the foregoing embodiments.

[0263] In Operation 815, UE 801 can be configured with dual connectivity. For example:

[0264] When the UE is configured with E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity (EN-DC), MN 802 can refer to the eNB base station, and SN 803 can refer to the gNB base station.

[0265] When the UE is configured with NG-RAN E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity (NGEN-DC), MN 802 can refer to the ng-eNB base station, and SN 803 can refer to the gNB base station.

[0266] When the UE is configured with NR-E-UTRA dual connectivity (NE-DC), MN 802 can refer to the gNB base station, and SN 803 can refer to the eNB base station or the ng-eNB base station.

[0267] When the UE is configured with NR-NR dual connectivity (NR-DC), MN 802 can refer to the gNB base station, and SN 803 can refer to the gNB base station.

[0268] In operation 820, MN 802 can send a predefined message (e.g., CG-ConfigInfo of an RRC message) to SN 803 via at least one of the X2 interface, Xn interface, and NG interface. The message sent by MN 802 may include at least one of the following.

[0269] UE priority and sequential frequency measurement list

[0270] One or more frequencies and a measurement priority value indicating the measurement order of each frequency.

[0271] Indicates a symbol or information for configuring the UE to prioritize and sequentially measure one or more specific frequencies.

[0272] In operation 825, SN 803 may send a predefined message (e.g., CG-Config of an RRC message) to MN 802 via at least one of the X2 interface, Xn interface, and NG interface. The message sent by SN 803 may include at least one of the following.

[0273] UE priority and sequential frequency measurement list

[0274] - The list can refer to a list separate from the list in operation 820, or it can refer to a list modified based on operation 820. For example, the list can imply that a specific frequency is refused to be configured for the UE in operation 820, can indicate acceptable frequencies in the frequency list indicated in operation 820, or can indicate the addition of new frequencies not included in the frequency list indicated in operation 820.

[0275] One or more frequencies and a measurement priority value indicating the measurement order of each frequency.

[0276] -According to an embodiment, this value can be used to modify at least one of the frequency and measurement priority received in operation 820.

[0277] The MN is an indicator that configures the UE with configuration information for prioritizing and sequentially measuring one or more specific frequencies, or an indicator that indicates whether to accept or reject the aforementioned information.

[0278] In operation 830, MN 802 can configure a specific frequency or frequency list for UE 801 and can determine that UE 801 can perform measurements on it preferentially and sequentially.

[0279] In operation 835, MN 802 may send a pre-defined RRC message (e.g., RRCReconfiguration) to UE 801, which includes measurement configuration information (MeasConfig) and may follow at least one of the above embodiments.

[0280] In operation 840, UE 801 may perform measurements based on measurement configuration information received from MN 802, which may follow at least one of the above embodiments.

[0281] In operation 845, UE 801 can determine whether a standard for reporting a measurement result message (MeasurementReport) to MN 802 has been triggered based on the measurement results in operation 840. Operation 840 can follow at least one of the above embodiments.

[0282] In operation 850, UE 801 can send a Measurement Report message to MN 802, which includes measurement results (measResults) associated with the measId that triggered the measurement reporting procedure in operation 845. When SN has instructed UE to prioritize measuring a specific frequency, MN can send the corresponding information from the Measurement Report message to SN.

[0283] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, only the base station operating as the MN can configure a UE with dual connectivity to preferentially and sequentially measure one or more specific frequencies. To this end, the MN and SN can exchange information regarding whether to configure the UE to preferentially and sequentially measure specific frequencies.

[0284] Figure 9 illustrates the signal flow of a UE configured with dual connectivity to perform measurements according to a frequency measurement sequence configured by a base station in a next-generation mobile communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0285] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, for a UE configured with dual connectivity (DC), only one of the nodes operating as a primary node (MN) and a secondary node (SN) can be configured with configuration information for configuring the UE to perform measurements for the UE according to the frequency measurement sequence. For example:

[0286] When a UE is configured with E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity (EN-DC), only one of the eNB base stations operating as MN and the gNB base station operating as SN can be configured with configuration information for the UE to perform measurements according to the frequency measurement sequence.

[0287] When a UE is configured with NG-RAN E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity (NGEN-DC), only one of the ng-eNB base stations operating as MN and the gNB base station operating as SN can be configured with configuration information for the UE to perform measurements according to the frequency measurement sequence.

[0288] When a UE is configured with NR-E-UTRA dual connectivity (NE-DC), only one of the gNB base stations operating as MN and the ng-eNB (or eNB) base station operating as SN can be configured with configuration information for the UE to perform measurements according to the frequency measurement sequence.

[0289] When a UE is configured with NR-NR dual connectivity (NR-DC), only one of the gNB base stations operating as MN and gNB operating as SN can be configured with configuration information for the UE to perform measurements according to the frequency measurement sequence.

[0290] Referring to Figure 9, in operation 905, UE 901 can be in RRC connected mode (RRC_CONNECTED) by establishing an RRC connection with base station 902. According to an embodiment, base station 902 can be referred to as master node (MN).

[0291] In operation 910, UE 901 may send a UE Capability Information message to base station 902. The information included in the capability information message may follow at least one of the foregoing embodiments.

[0292] In Operation 915, UE 901 can be configured with dual connectivity. For example:

[0293] When the UE is configured with E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity (EN-DC), MN 902 can refer to the eNB base station, and SN 903 can refer to the gNB base station.

[0294] When the UE is configured with NG-RAN E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity (NGEN-DC), MN 902 can refer to the ng-eNB base station, and SN 903 can refer to the gNB base station.

[0295] When the UE is configured with NR-E-UTRA dual connectivity (NE-DC), MN 902 can refer to the gNB base station, and SN 903 can refer to the eNB base station or the ng-eNB base station.

[0296] When the UE is configured with NR-NR dual connectivity (NR-DC), MN 902 can refer to the gNB base station, and SN 903 can refer to the gNB base station.

[0297] In operation 920, MN 902 can send a predefined message (e.g., CG-ConfigInfo of an RRC message) to SN 903 via at least one of the X2 interface, Xn interface, and NG interface. The message sent by MN 902 may include at least one of the following.

[0298] UE priority and sequential frequency measurement list

[0299] One or more frequencies and a measurement priority value indicating the measurement order of each frequency.

[0300] Indicates a symbol or information for configuring the UE to prioritize and sequentially measure one or more specific frequencies.

[0301] New timer value

[0302] - According to an embodiment, the timer value can refer to a value indicating whether the configuration for the UE to preferentially and sequentially measure one or more specific frequencies is valid. For example, the SN that receives the timer value can operate the timer, and when the timer expires, the SN can determine that the priority measurement configuration information configured for the UE has been released, or it can determine that the SN can configure priority measurement configuration information for the UE.

[0303] In operation 925, SN 903 may send a predefined message (e.g., CG-Config of an RRC message) to MN 902 via at least one of the X2 interface, Xn interface, and NG interface. The message sent by SN 903 may include at least one of the following.

[0304] UE priority and sequential frequency measurement list

[0305] - The list can refer to a list separate from the list in operation 920, or it can refer to a list modified based on operation 920. For example, the list can imply that a specific frequency is refused to be configured for the UE in operation 920, can indicate acceptable frequencies in the frequency list indicated in operation 920, or can indicate the addition of new frequencies not included in the frequency list indicated in operation 920.

[0306] One or more frequencies and a measurement priority value indicating the measurement order of each frequency.

[0307] -According to an embodiment, the frequency and value can be used to modify at least one of the frequency and measurement priority received in operation 920.

[0308] The MN is an indicator that configures the UE with configuration information for prioritizing and sequentially measuring one or more specific frequencies, or an indicator that indicates whether such information is accepted or rejected.

[0309] Configuration information indicating that the UE is configured to prioritize and sequentially measure one or more specific frequencies is configured as an indicator or message for the UE.

[0310] New timer value

[0311] - According to an embodiment, the timer value can refer to a value indicating whether the configuration for the UE to preferentially and sequentially measure one or more specific frequencies is valid. For example, the MN that receives the timer value can operate the timer, and when the timer expires, the MN can determine that the priority measurement configuration information configured for the UE has been released, or it can determine that the MN can configure priority measurement configuration information for the UE.

[0312] In operation 930, MN 902 can configure a specific frequency or frequency list for UE 901 and determine that UE 901 can perform measurements on it preferentially and sequentially. According to embodiments, one of MN 902 and SN 903 can perform operation 930, and for ease of description, according to various embodiments of this disclosure, operation 930 is described as being performed by MN 902.

[0313] In operation 935, MN 902 may send a pre-defined RRC message (e.g., RRCReconfiguration) to UE 901, which includes measurement configuration information (MeasConfig) and may follow at least one of the above embodiments.

[0314] In operation 940, UE 901 may perform measurements based on measurement configuration information received from MN 902, which may follow at least one of the above embodiments.

[0315] In operation 945, UE 901 can determine whether a standard for reporting a measurement result message (MeasurementReport) to MN 902 has been triggered based on the measurement results in operation 940. Operation 940 can follow at least one of the above embodiments.

[0316] In operation 950, UE 901 can send a Measurement Report message to MN 902, which includes measurement results (measResults) associated with the measId that triggered the measurement reporting procedure in operation 945. When SN has instructed UE to prioritize measuring a specific frequency, MN can send the corresponding information from the Measurement Report message to SN.

[0317] In Operation 955, MN 902 may send a pre-defined RRC message (e.g., RRCReconfiguration) to UE 901, which includes measurement configuration information (MeasConfig). The measurement configuration information may release information for configuring the UE to perform measurements on specific measurement objects in a prioritized and sequential manner, as configured in Operation 935.

[0318] In operation 960, MN 902 can send a predetermined message (e.g., CG-ConfigInfo of an RRC message) to SN 903 via at least one of the X2 interface, Xn interface, and NG interface. The message sent by MN 902 may include an indicator that configuration information for configuring the UE to perform measurements on specific measurement objects in a prioritized and sequential manner has been released. Therefore, if needed, SN 903 can directly configure the configuration information for UE 901 to perform measurements sequentially.

[0319] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, only one of the base stations operating as MN and SN can configure a UE with dual connectivity to preferentially and sequentially measure one or more specific frequencies. To this end, MN and SN can exchange information about which node can configure the UE to preferentially and sequentially measure specific frequencies.

[0320] Figure 10 illustrates the signal flow of a UE configured with dual connectivity to perform measurements according to a frequency measurement sequence configured by a base station in a next-generation mobile communication system, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0321] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, for a UE configured with dual connectivity (DC), each node operating as a primary node (MN) and a secondary node (SN) can be configured with configuration information for configuring the UE to perform measurements for the UE according to the frequency measurement sequence. For example:

[0322] When a UE is configured with E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity (EN-DC), the eNB base station operating as the MN and the gNB base station operating as the SN can each be configured with configuration information for the UE to perform measurements according to the frequency measurement sequence.

[0323] When a UE is configured with NG-RAN E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity (NGEN-DC), the ng-eNB base station operating as MN and the gNB base station operating as SN can each be configured with configuration information for the UE to perform measurements according to the frequency measurement sequence.

[0324] When a UE is configured with NR-E-UTRA dual connectivity (NE-DC), the gNB base station operating as MN and the ng-eNB (or eNB) base station operating as SN can each be configured with configuration information for the UE to perform measurements according to the frequency measurement sequence.

[0325] When a UE is configured with NR-NR dual connectivity (NR-DC), only the gNB base station operating as the MN and the gNB operating as the SN can each be configured with configuration information for the UE to perform measurements according to the frequency measurement sequence.

[0326] Referring to Figure 10, in operation 1005, UE 1001 can be in RRC connected (RRC_CONNECTED) mode by establishing an RRC connection with base station 1002. According to an embodiment, base station 1002 can be referred to as master node (MN).

[0327] In operation 1010, UE 1001 may send a UE Capability Information message to base station 1002. The information included in the UE Capability Information message may follow at least one of the foregoing embodiments.

[0328] In Operation 1015, UE 1001 can be configured with dual connectivity. For example:

[0329] When the UE is configured with E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity (EN-DC), MN 1002 can refer to the eNB base station, and SN1003 can refer to the gNB base station.

[0330] When the UE is configured with NG-RAN E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity (NGEN-DC), MN 1002 can refer to the ng-eNB base station, and SN 1003 can refer to the gNB base station.

[0331] When the UE is configured with NR-E-UTRA dual connectivity (NE-DC), MN 1002 can refer to the gNB base station, and SN1003 can refer to the eNB base station or the ng-eNB base station.

[0332] When the UE is configured with NR-NR dual connectivity (NR-DC), MN 1002 can refer to the gNB base station, and SN 1003 can refer to the gNB base station.

[0333] In operation 1020, MN 1002 may send a pre-defined RRC message (e.g., RRCReconfiguration) including measurement configuration information (MeasConfig) to UE 1001, which may follow at least one of the above embodiments.

[0334] In operation 1025, UE 1001 may perform measurements based on measurement configuration information received from MN 1002, which may follow at least one of the above embodiments.

[0335] In operation 1030, UE 1001 may determine whether a standard for reporting a measurement result message (MeasurementReport) to MN 1002 has been triggered based on the measurement results in operation 1025, and operation 1025 may follow at least one of the above embodiments.

[0336] In operation 1035, UE 1001 may send a measurement result message (MeasurementReport) to MN 1002, which includes measurement results (measResults) associated with the measId that triggered the measurement reporting process in operation 1045.

[0337] In operation 1040, SN 1003 may send a predetermined RRC message (e.g., RRCReconfiguration) including measurement configuration information (MeasConfig) to UE 1001, which may follow at least one of the above embodiments. According to the embodiment, when signaling radio bearer 3 (SRB3) is not configured, the UE may receive measurement configuration information provided by SN from MN 1002.

[0338] In operation 1045, UE 1001 may perform measurements based on measurement configuration information received from SN 1003, which may follow at least one of the above embodiments.

[0339] In operation 1050, UE 1001 can determine whether a standard for reporting a measurement result message (MeasurementReport) to MN 1002 has been triggered based on the measurement results in operation 1045. Operation 1045 can follow at least one of the above embodiments.

[0340] In operation 1055, UE 1001 may send a Measurement Report message to SN 1003, which includes measurement results (measResults) associated with the measId that triggered the measurement reporting procedure in operation 1050. According to an embodiment, when Signaling Radio Bearer 3 (SRB3) is not configured, the UE may send the Measurement Report message to MN 1002. Upon receiving the Measurement Report message, MN 1002 may forward the received message to SN 1003.

[0341] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, a base station operating as an MN and SN can configure each UE with dual connectivity to preferentially and sequentially measure one or more specific frequencies. According to embodiments, as described above, the MN and SN may not configure the same measurement priority for the UE. Therefore, the MN and SN can exchange the measurement priority values ​​assigned to each frequency as in the foregoing embodiments. When the same measurement priority value is assigned to the UE, the UE can determine in its implementation which frequency to measure first, or it can prioritize specific nodes and measure the frequencies of the prioritized nodes first.

[0342] Figure 11 illustrates the structure of a UE according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0343] Referring to Figure 11, the UE may include a radio frequency (RF) processor 1110, a baseband processor 1120, a memory 1130, and a controller 1140.

[0344] RF processor 1110 can perform functions for transmitting and receiving signals via a wireless channel, such as signal band conversion and amplification. That is, RF processor 1110 can up-convert a baseband signal provided by baseband processor 1120 into an RF band signal, which can be transmitted via an antenna, and can down-convert an RF band signal received via an antenna back to a baseband signal. For example, RF processor 1110 may include transmit filters, receive filters, amplifiers, mixers, oscillators, digital-to-analog converters (DACs), analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), etc. Referring to Figure 11, although only one antenna is shown, the UE may include multiple antennas. Additionally, RF processor 1110 may include multiple RF chains. Furthermore, RF processor 1110 can perform beamforming. For beamforming, RF processor 1110 can adjust the phase and amplitude of each of the signals transmitted and received via multiple antennas or antenna elements. Additionally, the RF processor can perform MIMO and can receive multiple layers when performing MIMO operation.

[0345] The baseband processor 1120 can perform conversion functions between baseband signals and bit strings according to the system's physical layer specifications. For example, during data transmission, the baseband processor 1120 can encode and modulate the transmitted bit string to generate complex symbols. Additionally, during data reception, the baseband processor 1120 can demodulate and decode the baseband signal provided from the RF processor 1110 to recover the received bit string. For example, when following an OFDM scheme, during data transmission, the baseband processor 1120 can encode and modulate the transmitted bit string to generate complex symbols, map the complex symbols to subcarriers, and configure OFDM symbols through inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) operations and cyclic prefix (CP) insertion. Furthermore, during data reception, the baseband processor 1120 can segment the baseband signal provided from the RF processor 1110 at the OFDM symbol level, recover the signal mapped to the subcarriers through fast Fourier transform (FFT) operations, and recover the received bit string through demodulation and decoding.

[0346] The baseband processor 1120 and RF processor 1110 can transmit and receive signals as described above. Therefore, the baseband processor 1120 and RF processor 1110 can be referred to as a transmitter, receiver, transceiver, or communication. Furthermore, at least one of the baseband processor 1120 and RF processor 1110 may include multiple communication modules to support multiple different radio access technologies. Additionally, at least one of the baseband processor 1120 and RF processor 1110 may include different communication modules to process signals in different frequency bands. For example, different radio access technologies may include wireless LAN (e.g., IEEE 802.11), cellular networks (e.g., LTE), etc. Furthermore, different frequency bands may include the ultra-high frequency (SHF) band (e.g., 2NRHz) and the millimeter wave (mmWave) band (e.g., 60GHz).

[0347] Memory 1130 stores basic programs, application programs, and data such as configuration information for the operation of the UE. Specifically, memory 1130 may store information about a second access node configured to perform wireless communication using a second radio access technology. Additionally, memory 1130 provides the stored data upon request from controller 1140.

[0348] Controller (or processor) 1140 controls the overall operation of the UE. For example, controller 1140 can transmit / receive signals via baseband processor 1120 and RF processor 1110. Furthermore, controller 1140 records data in memory 1130 and reads data from memory 1130. For this purpose, controller 1140 may include at least one processor. For example, controller 1140 may include a communication processor (CP) configured to perform communication control and an application processor (AP) configured to control upper-layer applications such as applications. According to various embodiments, controller 1140 may perform control or may be configured to perform the various embodiments described above.

[0349] Figure 12 illustrates the structure of a base station according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0350] Referring to Figure 12, the base station may include an RF processor 1210, a baseband processor 1220, a backhaul communication unit 1230, a memory 1240, and a controller 1250.

[0351] RF processor 1210 can perform functions for transmitting and receiving signals via a wireless channel, such as signal band conversion and amplification. That is, RF processor 1210 can up-convert a baseband signal provided by baseband processor 1220 into an RF band signal, which can be transmitted via an antenna, and can down-convert an RF band signal received via an antenna back to a baseband signal. For example, RF processor 1210 may include transmit filters, receive filters, amplifiers, mixers, oscillators, DACs, and ADCs. Referring to Figure 12, although only one antenna is shown, the first access node may include multiple antennas. Additionally, RF processor 1210 may include multiple RF chains. Furthermore, RF processor 1210 can perform beamforming. For beamforming, RF processor 1210 can adjust the phase and amplitude of each of the signals transmitted and received via multiple antennas or antenna elements. The RF processor can transmit one or more layers to perform down-MIMO operation.

[0352] The baseband processor 1220 can perform the conversion function between baseband signals and bit strings according to the physical layer specification of the first radio access technology. For example, during data transmission, the baseband processor 1220 can encode and modulate the transmitted bit string to generate complex symbols. Additionally, during data reception, the baseband processor 1220 can demodulate and decode the baseband signal provided from the RF processor 1210 to recover the received bit string. For example, when following an OFDM scheme, during data transmission, the baseband processor 1220 can encode and modulate the transmitted bit string to generate complex symbols, map the complex symbols to subcarriers, and configure OFDM symbols via IFFT operations and CP insertion. Furthermore, during data reception, the baseband processor 1220 can segment the baseband signal provided from the RF processor 1210 at the OFDM symbol level, recover the signal mapped to the subcarriers via FFT operations, and recover the received bit string via demodulation and decoding. The baseband processor 1220 and the RF processor 1210 can transmit and receive signals as described above. Therefore, the baseband processor 1220 and the RF processor 1210 can be referred to as a transmitter, receiver, transceiver, communication unit, or wireless communication unit.

[0353] The backhaul communication unit 1230 provides an interface for performing communication with other nodes in the network. That is, the backhaul communication unit 1230 can convert bit strings sent from the main base station to other nodes (e.g., auxiliary base stations, core network) into physical signals, and can convert physical signals received from other nodes into bit strings.

[0354] The memory 1240 can store basic programs, application programs, and data such as configuration information for the operation of the main base station. Specifically, the memory 1240 can store information such as bearers assigned to connected UEs and measurement results reported from connected UEs. Additionally, the memory 1240 can store information used to determine whether to provide multiple connections to a UE or suspend multiple connections. Furthermore, the memory 1240 can provide the stored data upon request from the controller 1250.

[0355] Controller (or processor) 1250 controls the overall operation of the main base station. For example, controller 1250 can transmit / receive signals via baseband processor 1220 and RF processor 1210 or via backhaul communication unit 1230. Furthermore, controller 1250 records data in memory 1240 and reads data from memory 1240. For this purpose, controller 1230 may include at least one processor. According to various embodiments, controller 1250 can perform control or can be configured to perform the various embodiments described above.

[0356] The methods disclosed in the claims or the methods described in the embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0357] When the method is implemented in software, a computer-readable storage medium may be provided for storing one or more programs (software modules). The one or more programs stored in the computer-readable storage medium may be configured to be executed by one or more processors within an electronic device. The at least one program includes instructions to cause the electronic device to perform the method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and / or disclosed herein.

[0358] These programs (software modules or software) can be stored in non-volatile memory, including random access memory and flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), disk storage devices, compact disc-ROM (CD-ROM), digital universal disc (DVD), or other types of optical storage devices or magnetic tape cassettes. Alternatively, any combination of some or all of these can form a memory storing programs. Furthermore, multiple such memories can be included in an electronic device.

[0359] Furthermore, the program can be stored on an attachable storage device, which can access the electronic device via a communication network such as the Internet, intranet, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WLAN), and storage area network (SAN), or a combination thereof. Such a storage device can access the electronic device via an external port. Additionally, a separate storage device on the communication network can access portable electronic devices.

[0360] In the accompanying drawings describing the methods of this disclosure, the order described does not always correspond to the order of the execution steps, and the order between the steps can be changed, or the steps can be executed in parallel.

[0361] Alternatively, in the accompanying drawings describing the methods of this disclosure, some elements may be omitted and only some elements may be included without departing from the basic spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0362] Furthermore, in the methods of this disclosure, some or all of the contents of each embodiment may be combined without departing from the basic spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0363] Various embodiments of this disclosure have been described above. The above description is for illustrative purposes and is not intended to limit the embodiments of this disclosure to those set forth herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that other specific modifications and changes can be readily made to the form of this disclosure without altering its technical concept or essential characteristics. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than the detailed description above, and the scope of this disclosure should be construed as including all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents.

[0364] In the detailed embodiments described above, the elements included in this disclosure are represented in a singular or plural form according to the presented embodiments. However, for ease of description, the singular or plural form may be appropriately chosen depending on the presented situation, and this disclosure is not limited to elements represented in a singular or plural form. Thus, an element represented in a plural form may also include a single element, or an element represented in a singular form may also include multiple elements.

[0365] While specific embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, a part or all of an embodiment may be combined with a part or all of one or more other embodiments, and such combinations naturally correspond to the embodiments provided in this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure should not be defined as limited to the embodiments set forth herein, but should be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0366] While specific embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure should not be defined as limited to the embodiments set forth herein, but rather as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the UE comprising: transceiver; The transceiver is coupled to a controller and configured to receive first measurement configuration information associated with a primary cell group (MCG) from a first base station. And send measurement results to a first base station according to first measurement configuration information, wherein the first measurement configuration information includes information indicating the measurement sequence for at least one frequency associated with the first measurement configuration information.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein, When second measurement configuration information associated with a secondary cell group (SCG) is received, the second measurement configuration information does not include information indicating the measurement sequence for at least one frequency associated with the second measurement configuration information.

3. The UE according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is also configured to send UE capability information to the first base station, the UE capability information indicating whether the UE supports information indicating the order of measurement.

4. The UE according to claim 1, wherein, Dual connectivity (DC) between a first base station and a second base station is configured for the UE, wherein the first base station is a new radio (NR) base station, and wherein the second base station is one of an NR base station and an evolved universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) base station.

5. A first base station in a wireless communication system, the first base station comprising: transceiver; The transceiver is coupled to a controller and configured to send first measurement configuration information associated with the primary cell group (MCG) to the user equipment (UE). and receiving measurement results from the UE based on first measurement configuration information, wherein the first measurement configuration information includes information indicating the measurement sequence for at least one frequency associated with the first measurement configuration information.

6. The first base station according to claim 5, wherein, When second measurement configuration information associated with a secondary cell group (SCG) is sent, the second measurement configuration information does not include information indicating the measurement sequence for at least one frequency associated with the second measurement configuration information.

7. The first base station according to claim 5, wherein the controller is further configured to receive UE capability information from the UE, the UE capability information indicating whether the UE supports information indicating the order of measurement.

8. The first base station according to claim 5, wherein, Dual connectivity (DC) between a first base station and a second base station is configured for the UE, wherein the first base station is a new radio (NR) base station, and wherein the second base station is one of an NR base station and an evolved universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) base station.

9. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: Receive first measurement configuration information associated with the primary cell group (MCG) from the first base station; And send measurement results to a first base station according to first measurement configuration information, wherein the first measurement configuration information includes information indicating the measurement sequence for at least one frequency associated with the first measurement configuration information.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, When second measurement configuration information associated with a secondary cell group (SCG) is received, the second measurement configuration information does not include information indicating the measurement sequence for at least one frequency associated with the second measurement configuration information.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising sending UE capability information to a first base station, the UE capability information indicating whether the UE supports information indicating the order of measurement.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein, Dual connectivity (DC) between a first base station and a second base station is configured for the UE, wherein the first base station is a new radio (NR) base station, and wherein the second base station is one of an NR base station and an evolved universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) base station.

13. A method performed by a first base station in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: Send the first measurement configuration information associated with the primary cell group (MCG) to the user equipment (UE); and receiving measurement results from the UE based on first measurement configuration information, wherein the first measurement configuration information includes information indicating the measurement sequence for at least one frequency associated with the first measurement configuration information.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, When second measurement configuration information associated with a secondary cell group (SCG) is sent, the second measurement configuration information does not include information indicating the measurement sequence for at least one frequency associated with the second measurement configuration information.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving UE capability information from the UE, the UE capability information indicating whether the UE supports information indicating the order of measurement.

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