Measurement configuration for low-power synchronization signal

Abstract

A method of measurement configuration for a low-power synchronization signal comprises: transmitting 304, by a second apparatus and to a first apparatus, first configuration information associated wit

Description

FIELD

[0001] Various example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication and in particular, to methods, devices, apparatuses and computer readable storage medium for measurement configuration for a low-power synchronization signal. BACKGROUND

[0002] The cellular communications technology and new radio (NR) developed in the third-generation partnership project (3GPP) offers increased performance and a wide range of services (e.g., ultra-reliable low-latency communications, URLLC). Besides latency, reliability, and availability, UE energy efficiency is also critical to the cellular communications, especially for devices without a continuous energy source, e.g., UEs using small rechargeable and single coin cell batteries. Currently, the wireless devices may have to be recharged per week or day, depending on individual’s usage time. In general, wireless devices consume tens of milliwatts in radio resource control (RRC) idle / inactive state and hundreds of milliwatts in RRC connected state. Design to prolong battery life is a necessity for improving energy efficiency as well as for better user experience. SUMMARY

[0003] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: receive, from a second apparatus, first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs, are to be measured; perform, based at least in part on the received configuration information, a LP-SS measurement using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR; and transmit, to the second apparatus, a measurement report based on a result of the LP-SS measurement.

[0004] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to: transmit, to a first apparatus, first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs, are to be measured by the first apparatus; transmit at least one LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power mode based at least in part on the first configuration information; and receive, from the first apparatus, a measurement report indicating a result of LP-SS measurement.

[0005] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: receiving, from a second apparatus, first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs, are to be measured; performing, based at least in part on the received configuration information, a LP-SS measurement using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR; and transmitting, to the second apparatus, a measurement report based on a result of the LP-SS measurement.

[0006] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: transmitting, to a first apparatus, first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs, are to be measured by the first apparatus; transmitting at least one LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power mode based at least in part on the first configuration information; and receiving, from the first apparatus, a measurement report indicating a result of LP-SS measurement.

[0007] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs, are to be measured; means for performing, based at least in part on the received configuration information, a LP-SS measurement using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR; and means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, a measurement report based on a result of the LP-SS measurement.

[0008] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs, are to be measured by the first apparatus; means for transmitting at least one LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power mode based at least in part on the first configuration information; and means for receiving, from the first apparatus, a measurement report indicating a result of LP-SS measurement.

[0009] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: receive, from a second apparatus, association information indicating an association between low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs and secondary synchronization blocks, SSBs; determine at least one LP-SS to be measured based on the association information and SSB configuration information, the SSB configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs to be measured; and perform a measurement on the at least one LP-SS using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR.

[0010] In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to: transmit, to a first apparatus, association information indicating an association between low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs and secondary synchronization blocks, SSBs; determine at least one LP-SS to be transmitted based on the association information and SSB configuration information configured for the first apparatus, the SSB configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs are to be measured by the first apparatus; and transmit the at least one LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power mode.

[0011] In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: receiving, from a second apparatus, association information indicating an association between low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs and secondary synchronization blocks, SSBs; determining at least one LP-SS to be measured based on the association information and SSB configuration information, the SSB configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs to be measured; and performing a measurement on the at least one LP-SS using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR.

[0012] In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: transmitting, to a first apparatus, association information indicating an association between low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs and secondary synchronization blocks, SSBs; determining at least one LP-SS to be transmitted based on the association information and SSB configuration information configured for the first apparatus, the SSB configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs are to be measured by the first apparatus; and transmitting the at least one LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power mode.

[0013] In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, association information indicating an association between low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs and secondary synchronization blocks, SSBs; means for determining at least one LP-SS to be measured based on the association information and SSB configuration information, the SSB configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs to be measured; and means for performing a measurement on the at least one LP-SS using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR.

[0014] In a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, association information indicating an association between low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs and secondary synchronization blocks, SSBs; means for determining at least one LP-SS to be transmitted based on the association information and SSB configuration information configured for the first apparatus, the SSB configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs are to be measured by the first apparatus; and means for transmitting the at least one LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power mode.

[0015] In a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: receive, from a second apparatus, at least one of first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement or second configuration information associated with secondary synchronization block, SSB, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more LP-SSs are to be measured, and the second configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs are to be measured; perform, based on the received at least one of the first configuration information or the second configuration information, a LP-SS measurement using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR; and transmit, to the second apparatus, a measurement report based on a result of the LP-SS measurement.

[0016] In a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to: transmit, to a first apparatus, at least one of first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement or second configuration information associated with secondary synchronization block, SSB, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more LP-SSs are to be measured, and the second configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs are to be measured; transmit at least one LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power mode based at least in part on the first configuration information; and receive, from the first apparatus, a measurement report indicating a result of LP-SS measurement.

[0017] In a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: receiving, from a second apparatus, at least one of first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement or second configuration information associated with secondary synchronization block, SSB, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more LP-SSs are to be measured, and the second configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs are to be measured; performing, based on the received at least one of the first configuration information or the second configuration information, a LP-SS measurement using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR; and transmitting, to the second apparatus, a measurement report based on a result of the LP-SS measurement.

[0018] In a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: transmitting, to a first apparatus, at least one of first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement or second configuration information associated with secondary synchronization block, SSB, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more LP-SSs are to be measured, and the second configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs are to be measured; transmitting at least one LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power mode based at least in part on the first configuration information; and receiving, from the first apparatus, a measurement report indicating a result of LP-SS measurement.

[0019] In a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, at least one of first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement or second configuration information associated with secondary synchronization block, SSB, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more LP-SSs are to be measured, and the second configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs are to be measured; means for performing, based on the received at least one of the first configuration information or the second configuration information, a LP-SS measurement using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR; and means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, a measurement report based on a result of the LP-SS measurement.

[0020] In an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, at least one of first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement or second configuration information associated with secondary synchronization block, SSB, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more LP-SSs are to be measured, and the second configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs are to be measured; means for transmitting at least one LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power mode based at least in part on the first configuration information; and means for receiving, from the first apparatus, a measurement report indicating a result of LP-SS measurement.

[0021] In a nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to any of the third, fourth, ninth, tenth, fifteenth or sixteenth aspects.

[0022] In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to any of the third, fourth, ninth, tenth, fifteenth or sixteenth aspects.

[0023] It is to be understood that the Summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of operations of a terminal device with low-power wake-up receiver (WUR) based on which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0027] FIG. 3A illustrates a signaling flow for LP-SS measurement in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 3B illustrates a signaling flow for LP-SS measurement in accordance with some other example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 3C illustrates a signaling flow for LP-SS measurement in accordance with some further example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 4A illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 4B illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 5A illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some other example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 5B illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some other example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 6A illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some further example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 6B illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some further example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a device that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer readable medium in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. Embodiments described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

[0040] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0041] References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0042] It shall be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” .., etc. in front of noun(s) and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another and they do not limit the order of the noun(s). For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0043] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0044] As used herein, unless stated explicitly, performing a step “in response to A” does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after “A” occurs and one or more intervening steps may be included.

[0045] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “has”, “having”, “includes” and / or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0046] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

[0047] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0048] As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and so on. Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network device in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, the fifth generation (5G), the sixth generation (6G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there will of course also be future type communication technologies and systems with which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned system.

[0049] As used herein, the term “network device” refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-ground network device such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology. In some example embodiments, radio access network (RAN) split architecture comprises a Centralized Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU) at an I AB donor node. An I AB node comprises a Mobile Terminal (I AB-MT) part that behaves like a UE toward the parent node, and a DU part of an IAB node behaves like a base station toward the next-hop IAB node.

[0050] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example rather than limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a Subscriber Station (SS), a Portable Subscriber Station, a Mobile Station (MS), or an Access Terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or an automated processing chain contexts), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like. The terminal device may also correspond to a Mobile Termination (MT) part of an IAB node (e.g., a relay node). In the following description, the terms “terminal device”, “communication device”, “terminal”, “user equipment” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

[0051] As used herein, the term “resource,” “transmission resource,” “resource block,” “physical resource block” (PRB), “uplink resource,” or “downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing a communication, for example, a communication between a terminal device and a network device, such as a resource in time domain, a resource in frequency domain, a resource in space domain, a resource in code domain, or any other combination of the time, frequency, space and / or code domain resource enabling a communication, and the like. In the following, unless explicitly stated, a resource in both frequency domain and time domain will be used as an example of a transmission resource for describing some example embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted that example embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0052] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example communication environment 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. In the communication environment 100, a plurality of communication devices, including a terminal device 110 and a network device 120, can communicate with each other.

[0053] In the example of FIG. 1, the terminal device 110 may be a UE and the network device 120 may be a base station serving the UE. The serving area of the network device 120 may be called a cell 102. The network device 120 is operating in a radio access network (RAN) and thus is also referred to as a RAN network device.

[0054] In some example embodiments, the RAN architecture will include a centralized part, or central unit (CU), and a distributed part, or distributed unit (DU). The CU and the DU will be connected to one another by a so-called Fl interface. In some example embodiments, the CU may be split into a CU-UP (central unit-user plane) and a CU-CP (central unit-control plane). The CU-UP and the CU-CP will be connected to one another by a so-called El interface, and the Fl interface will be split between Fl-c and Fl-u interfaces for the control and user planes, respectively.

[0055] It is to be understood that the number of devices and their connections shown in FIG. 1 are only for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitation. The communication environment 100 may include any suitable number of devices configured to implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. Although not shown, it would be appreciated that one or more additional devices may be located in the cell 102, and one or more additional cells may be deployed in the communication environment 100. It is noted that although illustrated as a network device, the network device 120 may be another device than a network device. Although illustrated as a terminal device, the terminal device 110 may be another device than a terminal device.

[0056] In the following, for the purpose of illustration, some example embodiments are described with the terminal device 110 operating as a UE and the network device 120 operating as a base station, e.g., gNB. However, in some example embodiments, operations described in connection with a terminal device may be implemented at a network device or other device, and operations described in connection with a network device may be implemented at a terminal device or other device.

[0057] In some example embodiments, a link from the network device 120 to the terminal device 110 is referred to as a downlink (DL), while a link from the terminal device 110 to the network device 120 is referred to as an uplink (UL). In DL, the network device 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or a transmitter) and the terminal device 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or a receiver). In UL, the terminal device 110 is a TX device (or a transmitter) and the network device 120 is a RX device (or a receiver).

[0058] Communications in the communication environment 100 may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol(s), comprising, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), the fifth generation (5G), the sixth generation (6G), and the like, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Moreover, the communication may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, comprising but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0059] Energy efficiency is even more critical for UE without a continuous energy source, e.g., UE using small rechargeable and single coin cell batteries. The power consumption depends on the configured length of wake-up periods, e.g., paging cycle. A UE architecture is proposed by using a wake-up signal to trigger a main radio and a separate receiver which has the ability to monitor wake-up signal with low power consumption. Main radio (also referred to as main transceiver) works for data transmission and reception, which can be turned off or set to deep sleep unless it is turned on. The power consumption for monitoring wake-up signal depends on the wake-up signal design and the hardware module of the wake-up receiver used for signal detecting and processing.

[0060] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of operations of a terminal device 110 with a low-power wake-up receiver (WUR) based on which some example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. Such a terminal device 110 primarily targets low-power WUS / WUR for power-sensitive, small form-factor devices such as loT devices (e.g., industrial sensors, or controllers) and wearables. Other use cases are not precluded, e.g., extended reality (XR), smart glasses, or smart phones. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the terminal device 110 includes a main radio (MR) 222 and a separate receiver, i.e., a low power wake-up receiver (LP-WUR or LR for short) 224. The main radio 222 may include a transceiver for transmission and / or reception.

[0061] The main radio 222 of the terminal device 110 may be in a sleep mode (or even powered off) for power saving when not being needed for any processing (e.g., traffic / measurements) and be activated only upon the reception of the wake-up signal (WUS) from the network (e.g., from a network device). The network may trigger the terminal device 110 to wake-up when needed in an event-driven manner, by transmitting a special WUS to the terminal device 110, which is monitored by the LP-WUR 224 at the terminal device 110. When the terminal device 110 receives the WUS, the LP-WUR 224 can trigger the wake-up of the ordinary transceiver (which is included in the main radio 222) and communication can start. Thus, the LP-WUR 224 wakes up the main radio 222 and otherwise, the main radio 222 is OFF or kept in a deep sleep mode, as shown in FIG. 2. The assumption is that the low-power wake-up receiver can be operated in an always ‘on’ manner with very low power consumption. In fact, it is expected that it will consume significantly less power compared to the transceiver, by designing a simple WUS signal and the use of dedicated hardware for its monitoring, which is only able to receive the WUS.

[0062] It would be appreciated that the hardware structure in FIG. 2 is merely an example and there may be various other structures. For example, although being illustrated as separate components in FIG. 2, according to an example structure, the MR and LP-WUR may share some components, partly or fully. In some example implementations the LP-WUR may be considered as a power efficient operation mode of the MR with limited capabilities (as compared to the full operation of the MR).

[0063] In some embodiments, there may be two types of LP-WUR. A first type of LP- WUR may include envelope-only detector (ED). The LP-WUR may support only envelope detector (ED), e.g., ON / OFF keying, and have no in-phase quadrature (IQ) branch to perform coherent / sequence detection. A second type of LP-WUR may support sequence-only detectors (SD). The LP-WUR with sequence detector may use IQ branches to perform coherent detection. It may consume more power due to the better accuracy of crystal oscillators (XO) used to drive the phase-locked loops (PLLs).

[0064] For LP-WUR, a low power synchronization signal (LP-SS) may be specified for LR synchronization and / or radio resource measurement (RRM) for a cell.

[0065] In RRM, synchronization signal (SS) blocks may be configured to be measured. SS reference signal received power (SS-RSRP) may be defined as the linear average over the power contributions (in [W]) of the resource elements that carry secondary synchronization signals. The measurement time resource(s) for SS-RSRP are confined within SS / physical broadcast channel (PBCH) Block Measurement Time Configuration (SMTC) window duration. If SS-RSRP is used for Ll-RSRP as configured by reporting configurations, the measurement time resources(s) restriction by SMTC window duration is not applicable.

[0066] For SS-RSRP determination demodulation reference signals for physical broadcast channel (PBCH) and, if indicated by higher layers, channel state information (CSI) reference signals in addition to secondary synchronization signals may be used. SS-RSRP using demodulation reference signal for PBCH or CSI reference signal may be measured by linear averaging over the power contributions of the resource elements that carry corresponding reference signals taking into account power scaling for the reference signals. If SS-RSRP is not used for layer 1 (Ll)-RSRP, the additional use of CSI reference signals for SS-RSRP determination may not be applicable.

[0067] SS-RSRP may be measured only among the reference signals corresponding to SS / PBCH blocks with the same SS / PBCH block index and the same physical-layer cell identity. If SS-RSRP may not be used for Ll-RSRP and higher-layers indicate certain SS / PBCH blocks for performing SS-RSRP measurements, then SS-RSRP is measured only from the indicated set of SS / PBCH block(s).

[0068] For frequency range 1 (FR1), the reference point for the SS-RSRP may be the antenna connector of the UE. For frequency range 2 (FR2), the SS-RSRP may be measured based on the combined signal from antenna elements corresponding to a given receiver branch. For frequency range 1 and 2, if receiver diversity may be in use by the UE, the reported SS-RSRP value may not be lower than the corresponding SS-RSRP of any of the individual receiver branches.

[0069] For the SS measurements, configuration information may be provided to the UE to configure secondary synchronization blocks (SSBs) to be measured. A SSB may be corresponding to a beam, also referred to as a SSB beam.

[0070] With the introduction of LP-SS, the measurement configuration for the LP-SS is desired. In example embodiments of the present disclosure, it proposes some solutions for measurement configuration in LP-SS-based measurement. Some solutions are proposed for interaction between the LP-SSs and SSB related parameters.

[0071] Example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0072] FIG. 3A illustrates a signaling flow 300 for LP-SS measurement in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purposes of discussion, the signaling flow 300 will be discussed with reference to FIG. 1. The signaling flow 300 may involve the terminal device 110 and the network device 120 in FIG. 1.

[0073] The network device 120 transmits (302), to the terminal device 110, first configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement. Accordingly, the terminal device 110 receives (304), from the network device 120, the first configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement. The first configuration information at least indicates whether one or more LP-SSs are to be measured by the terminal device 110. The first configuration information is used to configure whether a particular LP-SS is to be used in measurement. The first configuration information may sometimes be referred to as LP-SS configuration information.

[0074] In some example embodiments, a LP-SS may be a binary sequence which may be configured and / or defined by a rule e.g. based on cell-ID to differentiate different cells. In other embodiments, the LP-SS may be generated in other possible ways which are not limited in the scope of the present disclosure. In some example embodiments, a LP-SS or a LP-SS occasion may be configured to be measured by the terminal device.

[0075] In some example embodiments, a LP-SS may be transmitted when the terminal device 110 is in a low-power mode. The low-power mode of the terminal device 110 may be a sleep mode or the low-power wake-up mode in which the terminal device 110 is configured to monitor a wake-up signal (e.g., LP-WUS) to determine whether to monitor downlink traffic from the network device 120.

[0076] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement may be included in an information element (IE), which may be called as, e.g., ‘LPSS-ToMeasure’. In some example embodiments, the first configuration information may be transmitted via dedicated signaling or broadcast signaling. Some examples of the dedicated signaling may include RRC signaling, such as RRC reconfiguration (RRCReconfiguratiori) message, RRC resume (RRCResume) message, RRC Setup message, RRC release message, or the like. Some examples of the broadcast signaling may include system information i.e., system information block (SIB) messages.

[0077] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information (e.g., ‘LPSS-ToMeasure’) may be configured for a specific cell, such as the serving cell of the terminal device 110, or other specific cell such as the cell identified by a physical cell identity (ID). In this case, the terminal device 110 may perform the LP-SS measurement towards the configured cell. In some example embodiments, the first configuration information (e.g., ‘LPSS-ToMeasure’) may be configured for a set of cells, such as a specific set of cell or a set of cells on a frequency layer. In this case, the terminal device 110 may perform the LP-SS measurement towards the cell or the set of cells using the LP-WUR.

[0078] The network device 120 transmits (306) at least one LP-SS to the terminal device 1 lOin a low-power mode based at least in part on the first configuration information. The terminal device 110 also performs (307), based at least in part on the received configuration information, a LP-SS measurement using a LP-WUR (e.g., the LP-WUR 224 as shown in FIG. 2). The LP-SS measurement is performed to detect and measure the at least one LP-SS transmitted by the network device 120.

[0079] In some example embodiments, a measurement result on a LP-SS may be performed to derive a reference signal received power (RSRP). In some examples, the RSRP of the LP-SS may be measured based on a linear average of received power of LP-SS. The RSRP of the LP-SS may sometimes be referred to as LP-RSRP. In some examples, the RSRP of the LP-SS may be measured as a linear average of received power of LP-SS in on-off keying (OOK) ON symbols.

[0080] Alternatively, or in addition, in some example embodiments, a measurement result on a LP-SS may be performed to derive a reference signal strength indicator (RSSI), and / or a reference signal received power (RSRQ). The RSSI or RSRQ of the LP-SS may sometimes be referred to as LP-RSSI, or LP-RSSI. In some examples, RSRQ may be calculated as RSRP / RSSI. In some examples, the RSSI of the LP-SS may be measured based on a linear average of total received power of the LP-SS, e.g., the linear average of total received power in all LP-SS OOK symbols, the linear average of total received power in LP-SS OOK OFF symbols, or the linear average of total received power in LP-SS OOK ON symbols.

[0081] In some example embodiments, a measurement result on a LP-SS may be configured to include various other measurement metrics, such as signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR). The calculations of the different measurement metrics may also be varied in different implementations, which are not limited in the present disclosure.

[0082] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information may be in a form of a bitmap with a bit corresponding to an index of a LP-SS, the bit indicating whether the corresponding LP-SS is to be measured or not. The bit number in the bitmap may depend on a total number of candidate LP-SSs. A bit value in the bitmap may be configured to indicate whether the corresponding bit is to be measured or not. For example, if the bitmap includes “0100”, which indicates that the LP-SS #1 is to be measured, while other LP-SSs (LP-SS #0, LP-SS #2, and LP-SS #3) are not to be measured.

[0083] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information (LPSS-ToMeasure) may be applied without considering other type of configuration information related to other reference signal, such as the configuration information for SSBs. The first configuration information may include at least one indication of at least one LP-SS to be measured. In this case, the terminal device 110 may determine the indicated LP-SS as to be measured and then perform the LP-SS measurement on the at least one indicated LP-SS.

[0084] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information (LPSS-ToMeasure) may be applied in combination with other type of configuration information related to other reference signal, such as the configuration information for SSBs. In some cases, there may be N LP-WUS monitoring occasions (MOs) configured for the terminal device, where N is the number of beams corresponding to LP-WUS. In some example embodiments, the terminal device 110 may choose a beam it monitors LP-WUS. To do so i.e. select LP-WUS beams, there may need to be some association between LP-SS / SSB beams and LP-WUS MOs. Thus, a LP-SS may be associated to a particular beam or SSB. Accordingly, an association between LP-SSs (or LP-SS beams) and SSBs may be configured. In some example embodiments, the terminal device 110 may be able to identify the association between LP-SSs and SSBs either by separate index or via time location association.

[0085] In some example embodiments, the terminal device 110 may receive association information indicating an association between LP-SSs and SSBs. In some example embodiments, the terminal device 110 may also be configured with second configuration information associated with SSB measurement (also referred to as “SSB configuration information”). In this case, the terminal device 110 may receive determine the LP-SS to be measured based on the SSB configuration information and based on the association information. The embodiments related to the association information and the SSB configuration information will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C.

[0086] In some example embodiments, if the first configuration information is configured but the second configuration information associated with SSB measurement is not configured, the terminal device 110 may determine the LP-SS to measure (e.g., to derive LP-RSRP or LP-RSRQ) based on the indication(s) in the first configuration information. In some example embodiments, if the first configuration information may be applied without considering the SSB configuration information.

[0087] With the LP-SS measurement performed, the terminal device 110 transmits (308), to the network device 120, a measurement report based on a result of the LP-SS measurement. The network device 120 receives (310), from the terminal device 110, a measurement report indicating a result of LP-SS measurement. The result of the LP-SS measurement may include, for example, RSRP, RSRQ, or RS SI of the one or mor measured LP-SS.

[0088] In some example embodiments, as mentioned above, the LP-SS measurement may be defined based on the second configuration information associated with SSB measurement and an association between LP-SSs and SSBs. FIG. 3B illustrates a signaling flow 312 for LP-SS measurement in accordance with such example embodiments. For the purposes of discussion, the signaling flow 300 will be discussed with reference to FIG. 1. The signaling flow 312 may involve the terminal device 110 and the network device 120 in FIG. 1.

[0089] The network device 120 transmits (314) association information indicating an association between LP-SSs and SSBs to the terminal device 110. Accordingly, the terminal device 110 receives (316) the association information from the network device 120.

[0090] The network device 120 determines (315) at least one LP-SS to be transmitted based on the association information and SSB configuration information configured for the terminal device 110. The SSB configuration information indicates whether one or more SSBs are to be measured by the terminal device 110. Similarly, the terminal device 110 determines (318) at least one LP-SS to be measured based on the association information and SSB configuration information.

[0091] In some example embodiments, the SSB configuration information may configure a pattern of SSBs. In some example embodiments, the SSB configuration information associated with SSB measurements may be carried in an information element (IE) referred to as “SSB-ToMeasure” which may be defined as follows: SSB-ToMeasure information element -- ASN1START — TAG-SSB-TOMEASURE-START SSB-ToMeasure ::= CHOICE { shortBitmap BIT STRING (SIZE (4)), mediumBitmap BIT STRING (SIZE (8)), longBitmap BIT STRING (SIZE (64)) } -- TAG-SSB-TOMEASURE-STOP -- ASN1STOP

[0092] In some example embodiments, the “SSB-ToMeasure” IE, “longBitmap” may indicate a bitmap when the maximum number of SS / PBCH blocks per half frame equals to 64, “mediumBitmap” may indicate a bitmap when the maximum number of SS / PBCH blocks per half frame equals to 8. “shortBitmap” may indicate a bitmap when the maximum number of SS / PBCH blocks per half frame equals to 4. It would be appropriated that the configuration information for SSB measurement may be defined in other ways which are not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0093] In some example embodiments, the association information may include an index of an LP-SS and an index of an associated with SSB (or SSB beam). For example, LP-SS&1 may be associated with SSB#1, LP-SS&2 may be associated with SSB#2, and so on.

[0094] In some example embodiments, if both the LP-SS configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement (also referred to as the first configuration information) and the SSB configuration information associated with SSB measurement (also referred to as the second configuration information) are configured for the terminal device 110, the terminal device 110 may determine at least one LP-SS to be measured based on the LP-SS configuration information, the SSB configuration information, and the association information, and then perform the LP-SS measurement on the at least one determined LP-SS. The network device 120 may determine the LP-SS(s) to be transmitted in a similar way.

[0095] In some example embodiments, if both the LP-SS configuration information and the SSB configuration information are configured, a LP-SS to be measured is the one that is associated to the SSB (or SSB beam) indicated to be measured by both the LP-SS configuration information (“LPSS-ToMeasure”) and the SSB configuration information (“SSB-ToMeasure”). In some example embodiments, the terminal device 110 may determine the LP-SS(s) to be measured as the one(s) that are associated to beams indicated to be measured by both the SSB configuration information and the LP-SS configuration information. The terminal device 110 may at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the SSB configuration information. Then the terminal device 110 may determine, based on the association information, at least one LP-SS that is indicated to be measured by the LP-SS configuration information and also is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the SSB configuration information.

[0096] In some example embodiments, the indexing in the bitmap of the LP-SS configuration information ‘LPSS-ToMeasure’ may account for all candidate SSBs. The association information may indicate an association between respective indexes of LP-SSs and respective indexes of candidate SSBs. At the network side, if the SSB configuration information configured to the terminal device 110 indicates one or more SSBs to be measured, the network device 120 may determine the LP-SS configuration information to indicate at least one index of the at least one LP-SS to be measured by the terminal device 110. The at least one LP-SS is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the SSB configuration information.

[0097] In some example embodiments, if the LP-SS configuration information indicates one or more LP-SSs to be measured and the SSB configuration information indicates one or more SSBs to be measured, the terminal device 110 may determine, based on the association information, at least one LP-SS that is indicated to be measured by the LP-SS configuration information and is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the SSB configuration information.

[0098] For example, in case of 4 candidate SSBs, if only SSB#1 and SSB#2 are indicated to be measured by the SSB configuration information (‘SSB-ToMeasure’), for example, using a bitmap ‘0110’ in ‘SSB-ToMeasure’, the terminal device 110 may determine, from the LP-SS configuration information (LPSS-ToMeasure) with a bitmap of ‘0100’, that LP-SS#1 (which is associated with SSB index I (SSB# 1)) is to be measured. In this example, the bits in the bitmap of LP-SS configuration information may be in a one-to-one association with the bits in the bitmaps of SSB configuration information. The number of bits in the LP-SS and SSB configuration information is the same.

[0099] In some other example embodiments, if both the LP-SS configuration information and the SSB configuration information are configured, the terminal device 110 may determine the LP-SS(s) to measure (e g., to derive LP-RSRP or LP-RSRQ). The LP-SS configuration information (e.g., LPSS-ToMeasure) may account the LP-SSs (or LP-SS occasions) that are associated with SSBs indicated by SSB configuration information (SSB-ToMeasure) to be measured.

[0100] In this case, the indexing in the bitmap of the LP-SS configuration information ‘LPSS-ToMeasure’ may consider only the SSBs that are indicated by the SSB configuration information ‘SSB-ToMeasure’ to be measured. The association information may indicate an association between at least one index of LP-SS and at least one index of at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the SSB configuration information. For example, in the case of 8 SSBs, the SSB configuration information may include eight bits, such as “00011001”, to indicate that three SSBs, including SSB#3, SSB #4 and SSB #7, are to be measured. Then the association information may indicate that LP-SS#1 is associated with SSB#3, LP-SS#2 is associated with SSB#4, LP-SS#3 is associated with SSB#7. Then the LP-SS configuration information may need four bits to indicate whether the LP-SSs associated with the three SSBs are to be measured. As a result, it may allow the reduced length of bitmap for the LP-SS configuration information.

[0101] In the above example embodiments, the network device 120 may also determine the LP-SS configuration information to indicate at least one index of the at least one LP-SS to be measured by the terminal device 110, so that the at least one LP-SS is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the SSB configuration information. At the terminal side, the terminal device 110 may determine, from the SSB configuration information, one or more SSBs to be measured. Then the terminal device 110 may determine at least one index of the at least one LP-SS based on one or more indexes of the one or more SSBs to be measured, and the association information.

[0102] For example, if the SSB configuration information with a bitmap of “00011001” indicates that three SSBs, including SSB#3, SSB #4 and SSB #7, are to be measured, the terminal device 110 may determine, from the LP-SS configuration information with a bitmap of “0110”, that LP-SS#2 associated with SSB#4 and LP-SS#3 associated with SSB#7 are to be measured.

[0103] In some example embodiments, the LP-SS configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement may not be configured from the network device 120 to the terminal device 110. If the LP-SS configuration information is not configured but the SSB configuration information is configured, the terminal device 110 may determine at least one LP-SS to be measured based on the association information and the SSB configuration information. In some example embodiments, the terminal device 110 may determine the LP-SS to be measured (e g., to derive LP-RSRP or LP-RSRQ) based on the SSB configuration information (SSB-ToMeasure) so that the LP-SS(s) that are associated to SSBs that are indicated by ‘SSB-ToMeasure’ to be measured (i.e., the actually transmitted SSBs), are used for LP-SS measurement. The terminal device 110 may determine, based on the association information, at least one LP-SS associated with at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the SSB configuration information. The terminal device 110 may perform a measurement on the at least one determined LP-SS.

[0104] In some example embodiments, if the LP-SS configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement and the SSB configuration information associated with SSB measurement are both not configured, the terminal device 110 may determine, based on the association information, a plurality of LP-SSs associated with a plurality of candidate SSBs. The terminal device 110 may perform a measurement on the plurality of LP-SSs. For example, the terminal device 110 may perform the LP-SS measurement on all candidate SSB time locations.

[0105] The network device 120 transmits (317) the at least one determined LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power mode. After determining the at least one LP-SS to be measured, the terminal device 110 in the low-power mode performs (320) a measurement on the at least one determined LP-SS using the LP-WUR. The measurement on the LP-SS is descried above with reference to FIG. 3 A, which is not repeated for brevity.

[0106] With the LP-SS measurement performed, in some example embodiments, the terminal device 110 transmits (322), to the network device 120, a measurement report based on a result of the LP-SS measurement. The network device 120 receives (324), from the terminal device 110, the measurement report indicating a result of LP-SS measurement.

[0107] In some example embodiments, the network device may configure the LP-SS configuration information and / or the SSB configuration information to a terminal device and the terminal device performs measurements accordingly. FIG. 3C illustrates a signaling flow 330 for LP-SS measurement in accordance with such example embodiments of the present disclosure. The signaling flow 330 may involve the terminal device 110 and the network device 120 in FIG. 1.

[0108] The network device 120 transmits (332), to the terminal device 110, at least one of first configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement (referred to as LP-SS configuration information) or second configuration information associated with SSB measurement (referred to as SSB configuration information). Accordingly, the terminal device 110 receives (334) the at least one of first configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement or second configuration information associated with SSB measurement. The first configuration information indicates whether one or more LP-SSs are to be measured, and the second configuration information indicates whether one or more SSBs are to be measured.

[0109] The network device 120 transmits (335) at least one LP-SS to the terminal device 110 in a low-power mode based at least in part on the first configuration information. The terminal device 110 performs (336), based on the received at least one of the first configuration information or the second configuration information, a LP-SS measurement using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR.

[0110] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information is in a form of a bitmap with a bit corresponding to an index of a LP-SS, the bit indicating whether the corresponding LP-SS is to be measured or not. In some example embodiments, the second configuration information is in a form of a bitmap with a bit corresponding to an index of a SSB, the bit indicating whether the corresponding SSB is to be measured or not.

[0111] In some example embodiments, the terminal device 110 may be configured to consider the first configuration information when performing the LP-measurement, without considering the second configuration information. If the first configuration information comprises at least one indication of at least one LP-SS to be measured, the terminal device 110 may perform the LP-SS measurement on the at least one LP-SS indicated by the first configuration information.

[0112] In some example embodiments, the terminal device 110 may be configured to consider both the first configuration information and the second configuration inforamtion when performing the LP-measurement. In some example embodiments, a LP-SS may be associated with a SSB. The terminal device may determine at least one LP-SS that is indicated to be measured by the first configuration information and is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the second configuration information. The terminal device 110 perform the LP-SS measurement on the at least one determined LP-SS.

[0113] In some example embodiments, the terminal device 110 may be configured by the network device 120 with the association information between LP-SSs and SSBs. In some example embodiments, the association information may indicate an association between indexes of LP-SSs and indexes of SSBs. Accordingly, the at least one LP-SS to be measured may be determined according to the association information.

[0114] In some examples, the association information may indicate an association between indexes of LP-SSs and indexes of all candidate SSBs. In some examples, the association information may indicate an association between indexes of LP-SS(s) and indexes of SSB(s) that are indicated to be measured by the second configuration information associated with SSB measurement.

[0115] In some example embodiments, an index of a LP-SS in the first configuration information may be determined based on indexing of candidate SSBs. In some example embodiments, an index of a LP-SS in the first configuration information may be determined based on indexing of at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the terminal device 110 may determine at least one SSB to be measured based on at least one of the first configuration information or the second configuration information. The terminal device 110 may perform a SSB measurement using the LP-WUR on the at least one SSB.

[0117] The measurement on the LP-SS is descried above with reference to FIG. 3A, which is not repeated for brevity. With the LP-SS measurement performed, the terminal device 110 transmits (338), to the network device 120, a measurement report based on a result of the LP-SS measurement. Accordingly, the network device 120 receives (340), from the terminal device 110, a measurement report indicating a result of LP-SS measurement.

[0118] In some example embodiments, this first configuration information (e.g., ‘LPSS-ToMeasure’) may be configured or provided to terminal devices that support LP-WUR supports envelope-only detection, ED-LR. Thus, if the LP-WUR of the terminal device 110 supports envelope-only detection (ED), it may receive the first configuration information from the network device 120. The network device 120 may also be able to determine whether the terminal device 110 supports the ED-LR and then determine to transmit the first configuration information associated with the LP-SS measurement to the terminal device 110 if ED-LR is supported.

[0119] In some example embodiments, for the LP-WUR that is able to receive primary synchronization signal (PSS) or secondary synchronization signal (SSS), for example, the SD-LR, the terminal device 110 may be provide with the corresponding bitmap or indication (e.g., £LR-ssb-ToMeasure’) to determine which SSBs are to be measured. The configuration for the SD-LR may be separately from the configuration information associated with the SSB measurement, or may be in joint manner as described above.

[0120] FIG. 4A shows a flowchart of an example method 400 implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 400 will be described from the perspective of the first apparatus. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus may be or may be comprised in the terminal device 110 in FIG. 1.

[0121] At block 410, the first apparatus receives, from a second apparatus, first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs, are to be measured.

[0122] At block 420, the first apparatus performs, based at least in part on the received configuration information, a LP-SS measurement using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR.

[0123] At block 430, the first apparatus transmits, to the second apparatus, a measurement report based on a result of the LP-SS measurement.

[0124] In some example embodiments, the method 400 further comprises: performing the LP-SS measurement on the at least one indicated LP-SS.

[0125] In some example embodiments, the method 400 further comprises: receiving, from the second apparatus, association information indicating an association between LP-SSs and secondary synchronization blocks, SSBs; wherein the first apparatus is caused to perform the LP-SS measurement by: in accordance with a determination that second configuration information associated with SSB measurement is received from the second apparatus, determining at least one LP-SS to be measured based on the first configuration information, the second configuration information, and the association information; and performing the LP-SS measurement on the at least one determined LP-SS.

[0126] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus is caused to determine the at least one LP-SS to be measured by: in accordance with a determination that the first configuration information indicates one or more LP-SSs to be measured and the second configuration information indicates one or more SSBs to be measured, determining, based on the association information, at least one LP-SS that is indicated to be measured by the first configuration information and is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0127] In some example embodiments, the association information indicates an association between respective indexes of LP-SSs and respective indexes of candidate SSBs; or wherein the association information indicates an association between at least one index of LP-SS and at least one index of at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0128] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information is in a form of a bitmap with a bit corresponding to an index of a LP-SS, the bit indicating whether the corresponding LP-SS is to be measured or not.

[0129] In some example embodiments, the method 400 further comprises: receiving, from the second apparatus, the first configuration information via dedicated signaling or broadcast signaling.

[0130] In some example embodiments, the method 400 further comprises: performing the LP-SS measurement towards the cell or the set of cells using the LP-WUR.

[0131] In some example embodiments, the method 400 further comprises: receiving the first configuration information from the second apparatus in response to the LP-WUR supports envelope-only detection (ED).

[0132] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus is or is comprised in a terminal device, and wherein the second apparatus is or is comprised in a network device.

[0133] FIG. 4B shows a flowchart of an example method 402 implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 402 will be described from the perspective of the second apparatus. In some example embodiments, the second apparatus may be or may be comprised in the network device 120 in FIG. 1.

[0134] At block 450, the second apparatus transmits, to a first apparatus, first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs, are to be measured by the first apparatus.

[0135] At block 460, the second apparatus transmits at least one LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power mode based at least in part on the first configuration information.

[0136] At block 470, the second apparatus receives, from the first apparatus, a measurement report indicating a result of LP-SS measurement.

[0137] In some example embodiments, the method 402 further comprises: transmitting the at least one indicated LP-SS to the first apparatus.

[0138] In some example embodiments, the method 402 further comprises: determining at least one LP-SS to be transmitted; and determining, based on the second configuration information, the first configuration information to indicate that the at least one LP-SS is to be measured by the first apparatus.

[0139] In some example embodiments, the association information indicates an association between respective indexes of LP-SSs and respective indexes of candidate SSBs, and wherein the second apparatus is caused to determine the first configuration information by: in accordance with a determination that the second configuration information indicates one or more SSBs to be measured, determining the first configuration information to indicate at least one index of the at least one LP-SS to be measured by the first apparatus, wherein the at least one LP-SS is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0140] In some example embodiments, the association information indicates an association between at least one index of LP-SS and at least one index of at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the second configuration information, and wherein the second apparatus is caused to determine the first configuration information by: in accordance with a determination that the second configuration information indicates one or more SSBs to be measured, determining at least one index of the at least one LP-SS based on one or more indexes of the one or more SSBs; and determining the first configuration information to indicate at least one index of the at least one LP-SS to be measured by the first apparatus, wherein the at least one LP-SS is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information is in a form of a bitmap with a bit corresponding to an index of a LP-SS, the bit indicating whether the corresponding LP-SS is to be measured or not.

[0142] In some example embodiments, the method 402 further comprises: transmitting, to the first apparatus, the first configuration information via dedicated signaling or broadcast signaling.

[0143] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information is configured for a cell or a set of cells.

[0144] In some example embodiments, the method 402 further comprises: transmitting the first configuration information to the first apparatus in accordance with a determination that a low-power wake-up receiver (LP-WUR) supports envelope-only detection (ED).

[0145] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus is or is comprised in a terminal device, and wherein the second apparatus is or is comprised in a network device.

[0146] In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 400 (for example, the terminal device 110 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 400. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the terminal device 110 in FIG. 1.

[0147] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs, are to be measured; means for performing, based at least in part on the received configuration information, a LP-SS measurement using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR; and means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, a measurement report based on a result of the LP-SS measurement.

[0148] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for performing the LP-SS measurement on the at least one indicated LP-SS.

[0149] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the second apparatus, association information indicating an association between LP-SSs and secondary synchronization blocks, SSBs; wherein the first apparatus is caused to perform the LP-SS measurement by: means for in accordance with a determination that second configuration information associated with SSB measurement is received from the second apparatus, determining at least one LP-SS to be measured based on the first configuration information, the second configuration information, and the association information; and means for performing the LP-SS measurement on the at least one determined LP-SS.

[0150] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus is caused to determine the at least one LP-SS to be measured by: in accordance with a determination that the first configuration information indicates one or more LP-SSs to be measured and the second configuration information indicates one or more SSBs to be measured, determining, based on the association information, at least one LP-SS that is indicated to be measured by the first configuration information and is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0151] In some example embodiments, the association information indicates an association between respective indexes of LP-SSs and respective indexes of candidate SSBs; or wherein the association information indicates an association between at least one index of LP-SS and at least one index of at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0152] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information is in a form of a bitmap with a bit corresponding to an index of a LP-SS, the bit indicating whether the corresponding LP-SS is to be measured or not.

[0153] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the second apparatus, the first configuration information via dedicated signaling or broadcast signaling.

[0154] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for performing the LP-SS measurement towards the cell or the set of cells using the LP-WUR.

[0155] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving the first configuration information from the second apparatus in response to the LP-WUR supports envelope-only detection (ED).

[0156] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus is or is comprised in a terminal device, and wherein the second apparatus is or is comprised in a network device.

[0157] In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method 402 (for example, the network device 120 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 402. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the network device 120 in FIG. 1.

[0158] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs, are to be measured by the first apparatus; means for transmitting at least one LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power mode based at least in part on the first configuration information; and means for receiving, from the first apparatus, a measurement report indicating a result of LP-SS measurement.

[0159] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting the at least one indicated LP-SS to the first apparatus.

[0160] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for determining at least one LP-SS to be transmitted; and means for determining, based on the second configuration information, the first configuration information to indicate that the at least one LP-SS is to be measured by the first apparatus.

[0161] In some example embodiments, the association information indicates an association between respective indexes of LP-SSs and respective indexes of candidate SSBs, and wherein the second apparatus is caused to determine the first configuration information by: in accordance with a determination that the second configuration information indicates one or more SSBs to be measured, determining the first configuration information to indicate at least one index of the at least one LP-SS to be measured by the first apparatus, wherein the at least one LP-SS is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0162] In some example embodiments, the association information indicates an association between at least one index of LP-SS and at least one index of at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the second configuration information, and wherein the second apparatus is caused to determine the first configuration information by: in accordance with a determination that the second configuration information indicates one or more SSBs to be measured, determining at least one index of the at least one LP-SS based on one or more indexes of the one or more SSBs; and determining the first configuration information to indicate at least one index of the at least one LP-SS to be measured by the first apparatus, wherein the at least one LP-SS is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0163] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information is in a form of a bitmap with a bit corresponding to an index of a LP-SS, the bit indicating whether the corresponding LP-SS is to be measured or not.

[0164] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, the first configuration information via dedicated signaling or broadcast signaling.

[0165] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information is configured for a cell or a set of cells.

[0166] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting the first configuration information to the first apparatus in accordance with a determination that a low-power wake-up receiver (LP-WUR) supports envelope-only detection (ED).

[0167] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus is or is comprised in a terminal device, and wherein the second apparatus is or is comprised in a network device.

[0168] FIG. 5A shows a flowchart of an example method 500 implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 500 will be described from the perspective of the first apparatus. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus may be or may be comprised in the terminal device 110 in FIG. 1.

[0169] At block 510, the first apparatus receives, from a second apparatus, association information indicating an association between low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs and secondary synchronization blocks, SSBs.

[0170] At block 520, the first apparatus determines at least one LP-SS to be measured based on the association information and SSB configuration information, the SSB configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs to be measured.

[0171] At block 530, the first apparatus performs a measurement on the at least one LP-SS using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR.

[0172] In some example embodiments, the method 500 further comprises: in accordance with reception of no LP-SS configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement from the second apparatus, determining at least one LP-SS to be measured based on the association information and the SSB configuration information.

[0173] In some example embodiments, the method 500 further comprises: determining, based on the association information, at least one LP-SS associated with at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the SSB configuration information; and performing a measurement on the at least one determined LP-SS.

[0174] In some example embodiments, the method 500 further comprises: in accordance with reception of no LP-SS configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement and no SSB configuration information associated with SSB measurement from the second apparatus, determining based on the association information, a plurality of LP-SSs associated with a plurality of candidate SSBs; and performing a measurement on the plurality of LP-SSs.

[0175] In some example embodiments, the method 500 further comprises: receiving, from the second apparatus, LP-SS configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement, the LP-SS configuration information indicating whether one or more LP-SSs are to be measured; and determining the at least one LP-SS to be measured based on the LP-SS configuration information, the association information and the SSB configuration information.

[0176] In some example embodiments, determining the at least one LP-SS to be measured comprises: determining, based on the association information, at least one LP-SS that is indicated to be measured by the first configuration information and is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0177] In some example embodiments, the association information indicates an association between respective indexes of LP-SSs and respective indexes of candidate SSBs; or wherein the association information indicates an association between at least one index of LP-SS and at least one index of at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0178] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus is or is comprised in a terminal device, and wherein the second apparatus is or is comprised in a network device.

[0179] FIG. 5B shows a flowchart of an example method 502 implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 502 will be described from the perspective of the second apparatus. In some example embodiments, the second apparatus may be or may be comprised in the network device 120 in FIG. 1.

[0180] At block 550, the second apparatus transmits, to a first apparatus, association information indicating an association between low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs and secondary synchronization blocks, SSBs.

[0181] At block 560, the second apparatus determines at least one LP-SS to be transmitted based on the association information and SSB configuration information configured for the first apparatus, the SSB configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs are to be measured by the first apparatus.

[0182] At block 570, the second apparatus transmits the at least one LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power mode.

[0183] In some example embodiments, the method 502 further comprises: in accordance with reception of no LP-SS configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement, determining at least one LP-SS to be transmitted based on the association information and the SSB configuration information.

[0184] In some example embodiments, the method 502 further comprises: determining, based on the association information, at least one LP-SS that is associated with at least one SSBs indicated to be measured by the SSB configuration information; and transmitting the at least one determined LP-SS to the first apparatus.

[0185] In some example embodiments, the method 502 further comprises: in accordance with transmission of no LP-SS configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement and no SSB configuration information associated with SSB measurement to the first apparatus, determining based on the association information, a plurality of LP-SSs associated with a plurality of candidate SSBs; and transmitting the plurality of LP-SSs to the first apparatus.

[0186] In some example embodiments, the method 502 further comprises: transmitting, to the first apparatus, LP-SS configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement, the LP-SS configuration information indicating whether one or more LP-SSs are to be measured; and determining the at least one LP-SS to be transmitted based on the LP-SS configuration information, the association information and the SSB configuration information.

[0187] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus is caused to determine the at least one LP-SS to be transmitted by: determining, based on the association information, at least one LP-SS that is indicated to be measured by the first configuration information and is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0188] In some example embodiments, the association information indicates an association between respective indexes of LP-SSs and respective indexes of candidate SSBs; or wherein the association information indicates an association between at least one index of LP-SS and at least one index of at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0189] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus is or is comprised in a terminal device, and wherein the second apparatus is or is comprised in a network device.

[0190] In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 500 (for example, the terminal device 110 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 500. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the terminal device 110 in FIG. 1.

[0191] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, association information indicating an association between low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs and secondary synchronization blocks, SSBs; means for determining at least one LP-SS to be measured based on the association information and SSB configuration information, the SSB configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs to be measured; and means for performing a measurement on the at least one LP-SS using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR.

[0192] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with reception of no LP-SS configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement from the second apparatus, determining at least one LP-SS to be measured based on the association information and the SSB configuration information.

[0193] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for determining, based on the association information, at least one LP-SS associated with at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the SSB configuration information; and means for performing a measurement on the at least one determined LP-SS.

[0194] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with reception of no LP-SS configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement and no SSB configuration information associated with SSB measurement from the second apparatus, determining based on the association information, a plurality of LP-SSs associated with a plurality of candidate SSBs; and means for performing a measurement on the plurality of LP-SSs.

[0195] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the second apparatus, LP-SS configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement, the LP-SS configuration information indicating whether one or more LP-SSs are to be measured; and means for determining the at least one LP-SS to be measured based on the LP-SS configuration information, the association information and the SSB configuration information.

[0196] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus is caused to determine the at least one LP-SS to be measured by: determining, based on the association information, at least one LP-SS that is indicated to be measured by the first configuration information and is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0197] In some example embodiments, the association information indicates an association between respective indexes of LP-SSs and respective indexes of candidate SSBs; or wherein the association information indicates an association between at least one index of LP-SS and at least one index of at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0198] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus is or is comprised in a terminal device, and wherein the second apparatus is or is comprised in a network device.

[0199] In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method 502 (for example, the network device 120 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 502. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the network device 120 in FIG. 1.

[0200] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, association information indicating an association between low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs and secondary synchronization blocks, SSBs; means for determining at least one LP-SS to be transmitted based on the association information and SSB configuration information configured for the first apparatus, the SSB configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs are to be measured by the first apparatus; and means for transmitting the at least one LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power mode.

[0201] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with reception of no LP-SS configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement, determining at least one LP-SS to be transmitted based on the association information and the SSB configuration information.

[0202] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for determining, based on the association information, at least one LP-SS that is associated with at least one SSBs indicated to be measured by the SSB configuration information; and means for transmitting the at least one determined LP-SS to the first apparatus.

[0203] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with transmission of no LP-SS configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement and no SSB configuration information associated with SSB measurement to the first apparatus, determining based on the association information, a plurality of LP-SSs associated with a plurality of candidate SSBs; and means for transmitting the plurality of LP-SSs to the first apparatus.

[0204] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, LP-SS configuration information associated with LP-SS measurement, the LP-SS configuration information indicating whether one or more LP-SSs are to be measured; and means for determining the at least one LP-SS to be transmitted based on the LP-SS configuration information, the association information and the SSB configuration information.

[0205] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus is caused to determine the at least one LP-SS to be transmitted by: determining, based on the association information, at least one LP-SS that is indicated to be measured by the first configuration information and is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0206] In some example embodiments, the association information indicates an association between respective indexes of LP-SSs and respective indexes of candidate SSBs; or wherein the association information indicates an association between at least one index of LP-SS and at least one index of at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0207] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus is or is comprised in a terminal device, and wherein the second apparatus is or is comprised in a network device.

[0208] FIG. 6A shows a flowchart of an example method 600 implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 600 will be described from the perspective of the first apparatus. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus may be or may be comprised in the terminal device 110 in FIG. 1.

[0209] At block 610, the first apparatus receives, from a second apparatus, at least one of first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement or second configuration information associated with secondary synchronization block, SSB, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more LP-SSs are to be measured, and the second configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs are to be measured.

[0210] At block 620, the first apparatus performs, based on the received at least one of the first configuration information or the second configuration information, a LP-SS measurement using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR.

[0211] At block 630, the first apparatus transmits, to the second apparatus, a measurement report based on a result of the LP-SS measurement.

[0212] In some example embodiments, the method 600 further comprises: performing the LP-SS measurement on the at least one LP-SS indicated by the first configuration information.

[0213] In some example embodiments, the method 600 further comprises: determining at least one LP-SS that is indicated to be measured by the first configuration information and is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the second configuration information; and performing the LP-SS measurement on the at least one determined LP-SS.

[0214] In some example embodiments, the method 600 further comprises: receiving, from the second apparatus, association information indicating an association between indexes of LP-SSs and indexes of SSBs; and wherein the at least one LP-SS is determined according to the association information.

[0215] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information is in a form of a bitmap with a bit corresponding to an index of a LP-SS, the bit indicating whether the corresponding LP-SS is to be measured or not.

[0216] In some example embodiments, an index of a LP-SS in the first configuration information is determined based on indexing of candidate SSBs, or is determined based on indexing of at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0217] In some example embodiments, the method 600 further comprises: determining at least one SSB to be measured based on at least one of the first configuration information or the second configuration information; and performing a SSB measurement using the LP-WUR on the at least one SSB.

[0218] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus is or is comprised in a terminal device, and wherein the second apparatus is or is comprised in a network device.

[0219] FIG. 6B shows a flowchart of an example method 602 implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 602 will be described from the perspective of the second apparatus. In some example embodiments, the second apparatus may be or may be comprised in the network device 120 in FIG. 1.

[0220] At block 650, the second apparatus transmits, to a first apparatus, at least one of first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement or second configuration information associated with secondary synchronization block, SSB, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more LP-SSs are to be measured, and the second configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs are to be measured.

[0221] At block 660, the second apparatus transmits at least one LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power mode based at least in part on the first configuration information, and / or the second configuration inforamtion.

[0222] At block 670, the second apparatus receives, from the first apparatus, a measurement report indicating a result of LP-SS measurement.

[0223] In some example embodiments, the method 602 further comprises: transmitting the at least one indicated LP-SS to the first apparatus.

[0224] In some example embodiments, the method 602 further comprises: determining at least one LP-SS that is indicated to be measured by the first configuration information and is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the second configuration information; and transmitting the at least one determined LP-SS to the first apparatus.

[0225] In some example embodiments, the method 602 further comprises: transmitting, to the first apparatus, association information indicating an association between indexes of LP-SSs and indexes of SSBs; and determining that least one LP-SS to be transmitted according to the association information.

[0226] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information is in a form of a bitmap with a bit corresponding to an index of a LP-SS, the bit indicating whether the corresponding LP-SS is to be measured or not.

[0227] In some example embodiments, an index of a LP-SS in the first configuration information is determined based on indexing of candidate SSBs, or is determined based on indexing of at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0228] In some example embodiments, the method 602 further comprises: determining at least one SSB to be transmitted based on at least one of the first configuration information or the second configuration information; and transmitting the at least one SSB to the first apparatus.

[0229] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus is or is comprised in a terminal device, and wherein the second apparatus is or is comprised in a network device. (The method claims, apparatus claims with mean-plus function limitations, and medium claims will be added after the above claims are approved.)

[0230] In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 600 (for example, the terminal device 110 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 600. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the terminal device 110 in FIG. 1.

[0231] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, at least one of first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement or second configuration information associated with secondary synchronization block, SSB, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more LP-SSs are to be measured, and the second configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs are to be measured; means for performing, based on the received at least one of the first configuration information or the second configuration information, a LP-SS measurement using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR; and means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, a measurement report based on a result of the LP-SS measurement.

[0232] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for performing the LP-SS measurement on the at least one LP-SS indicated by the first configuration information.

[0233] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for determining at least one LP-SS that is indicated to be measured by the first configuration information and is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the second configuration information; and means for performing the LP-SS measurement on the at least one determined LP-SS.

[0234] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the second apparatus, association information indicating an association between indexes of LP-SSs and indexes of SSBs; and wherein the at least one LP-SS is determined according to the association information.

[0235] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information is in a form of a bitmap with a bit corresponding to an index of a LP-SS, the bit indicating whether the corresponding LP-SS is to be measured or not.

[0236] In some example embodiments, an index of a LP-SS in the first configuration information is determined based on indexing of candidate SSBs, or is determined based on indexing of at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0237] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for determining at least one SSB to be measured based on at least one of the first configuration information or the second configuration information; and means for performing a SSB measurement using the LP-WUR on the at least one SSB.

[0238] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus is or is comprised in a terminal device, and wherein the second apparatus is or is comprised in a network device.

[0239] In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method 602 (for example, the network device 120 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 602. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the network device 120 in FIG. 1.

[0240] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, at least one of first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement or second configuration information associated with secondary synchronization block, SSB, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more LP-SSs are to be measured, and the second configuration information indicating whether one or more SSBs are to be measured; means for transmitting at least one LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power mode based at least in part on the first configuration information, and / or the second configuration inforamtion; and means for receiving, from the first apparatus, a measurement report indicating a result of LP-SS measurement.

[0241] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting the at least one indicated LP-SS to the first apparatus.

[0242] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for determining at least one LP-SS that is indicated to be measured by the first configuration information and is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the second configuration information; and means for transmitting the at least one determined LP-SS to the first apparatus.

[0243] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, association information indicating an association between indexes of LP-SSs and indexes of SSBs; and means for determining that least one LP-SS to be transmitted according to the association information.

[0244] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information is in a form of a bitmap with a bit corresponding to an index of a LP-SS, the bit indicating whether the corresponding LP-SS is to be measured or not.

[0245] In some example embodiments, an index of a LP-SS in the first configuration information is determined based on indexing of candidate SSBs, or is determined based on indexing of at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

[0246] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for determining at least one SSB to be transmitted based on at least one of the first configuration information or the second configuration information; and means for transmitting the at least one SSB to the first apparatus.

[0247] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus is or is comprised in a terminal device, and wherein the second apparatus is or is comprised in a network device.

[0248] FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of a device 700 that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 700 may be provided to implement a communication device, for example, the terminal device 110 or the network device 120 as shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the device 700 includes one or more processors 710, one or more memories 720 coupled to the processor 710, and one or more communication modules 740 coupled to the processor 710.

[0249] The communication module 740 is for bidirectional communications. The communication module 740 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interfaces may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 740 may include at least one antenna.

[0250] The processor 710 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may include one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 700 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

[0251] The memory 720 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of the non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 724, an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disk (DVD), an optical disk, a laser disk, and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of the volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a random-access memory (RAM) 722 and other volatile memories that will not last in the power-down duration.

[0252] A computer program 730 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 710. The instructions of the program 730 may include instructions for performing operations / acts of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The program 730 may be stored in the memory, e.g., the ROM 724. The processor 710 may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 730 into the RAM 722.

[0253] The example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program 730 so that the device 700 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 6B. The example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0254] In some example embodiments, the program 730 may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device 700 (such as in the memory 720) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device 700. The device 700 may load the program 730 from the computer readable medium to the RAM 722 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may include any types of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0255] FIG. 8 shows an example of the computer readable medium 800 which may be in form of CD, DVD or other optical storage disk. The computer readable medium 800 has the program 730 stored thereon.

[0256] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, and other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. Although various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representations, it is to be understood that the block, apparatus, system, technique or method described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0257] Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, such as a non-transitory computer readable medium. The computer program product includes computerexecutable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor, to carry out any of the methods as described above. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0258] Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

[0259] In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrier include a signal, computer readable medium, and the like.

[0260] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0261] Further, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, although several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Unless explicitly stated, certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, unless explicitly stated, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in a plurality of embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0262] Although the present disclosure has been described in languages specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are 5 disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A first apparatus comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to:receive, from a second apparatus, first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs, are to be measured;perform, based at least in part on the received configuration information, a LP-SS measurement using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR; andtransmit, to the second apparatus, a measurement report based on a result of the LP-SS measurement.

2. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first configuration information comprises at least one indication of at least one LP-SS to be measured, and wherein the first apparatus is caused to:perform the LP-SS measurement on the at least one indicated LP-SS.

3. The first apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first apparatus is further caused to:receive, from the second apparatus, association information indicating an association between LP-SSs and secondary synchronization blocks, SSBs;wherein the first apparatus is caused to perform the LP-SS measurement by:in accordance with a determination that second configuration information associated with SSB measurement is received from the second apparatus, determining at least one LP-SS to be measured based on the first configuration information, the second configuration information, and the association information; andperforming the LP-SS measurement on the at least one determined LP-SS.

4. The first apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first apparatus is caused to determine the at least one LP-SS to be measured by:in accordance with a determination that the first configuration information indicates oneor more LP-SSs to be measured and the second configuration information indicates one or more SSBs to be measured,determining, based on the association information, at least one LP-SS that is indicated to be measured by the first configuration information and is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

5. The first apparatus of claim 3 or 4, wherein the association information indicates an association between respective indexes of LP-SSs and respective indexes of candidate SSBs; orwherein the association information indicates an association between at least one index of LP-SS and at least one index of at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

6. The first apparatus of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first configuration information is in a form of a bitmap with a bit corresponding to an index of a LP-SS, the bit indicating whether the corresponding LP-SS is to be measured or not.

7. The first apparatus of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first apparatus is further caused to:receive, from the second apparatus, the first configuration information via dedicated signaling or broadcast signaling.

8. The first apparatus of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first configuration information is configured for a cell or a set of cells, and wherein the first apparatus is caused to:perform the LP-SS measurement towards the cell or the set of cells using the LP-WUR.

9. The first apparatus of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first apparatus is caused to: receive the first configuration information from the second apparatus in response to the LP-WUR supports envelope-only detection (ED).

10. The first apparatus of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first apparatus is or is comprised in a terminal device, and wherein the second apparatus is or is comprised in a network device.

11. A second apparatus, comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to:transmit, to a first apparatus, first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs, are to be measured by the first apparatus;transmit at least one LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power mode based at least in part on the first configuration information; andreceive, from the first apparatus, a measurement report indicating a result of LP-SS measurement.

12. The second apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first configuration information comprises at least one indication of at least one LP-SS to be measured, and wherein the second apparatus is caused to:transmit the at least one indicated LP-SS to the first apparatus.

13. The second apparatus of claim 11 or 12, wherein the second apparatus is further caused to:transmit, to the first apparatus, association information indicating an association between LP-SSs and secondary synchronization blocks, SSBs;transmit, to the first apparatus, second configuration information associated with SSB measurement, andwherein the second apparatus is caused to:determine at least one LP-SS to be transmitted; anddetermine, based on the second configuration information, the first configuration information to indicate that the at least one LP-SS is to be measured by the first apparatus.

14. The second apparatus of claim 13, wherein the association information indicates an association between respective indexes of LP-SSs and respective indexes of candidate SSBs, and wherein the second apparatus is caused to determine the first configuration information by:in accordance with a determination that the second configuration information indicates one or more SSBs to be measured,determining the first configuration information to indicate at least one index of the at least one LP-SS to be measured by the first apparatus,wherein the at least one LP-SS is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

15. The second apparatus of claim 13, wherein the association information indicates an association between at least one index of LP-SS and at least one index of at least one SSB indicated to be measured by the second configuration information, and wherein the second apparatus is caused to determine the first configuration information by:in accordance with a determination that the second configuration information indicates one or more SSBs to be measured,determining at least one index of the at least one LP-SS based on one or more indexes of the one or more SSBs; anddetermining the first configuration information to indicate at least one index of the at least one LP-SS to be measured by the first apparatus,wherein the at least one LP-SS is associated with at least one SSB that is indicated to be measured by the second configuration information.

16. The second apparatus of any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the first configuration information is in a form of a bitmap with a bit corresponding to an index of a LP-SS, the bit indicating whether the corresponding LP-SS is to be measured or not.

17. The second apparatus of any of claims 11 to 16, wherein the second apparatus is further caused to:receive, from the second apparatus, the first configuration information via dedicated signaling or broadcast signaling.

18. The second apparatus of any of claims 11 to 17, wherein the first configuration information is configured for a cell or a set of cells.

19. The second apparatus of any of claims 11 to 18, wherein the second apparatus is caused to:transmit the first configuration information to the first apparatus in accordance with a determination that a low-power wake-up receiver (LP-WUR) supports envelope-only detection (ED).

20. The second apparatus of any of claims 11 to 19, wherein the second apparatus is or is comprised in a terminal device, and wherein the second apparatus is or is comprised in a network device.

21. A method comprising:receiving, by a first apparatus and from a second apparatus, first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs, are to be measured;performing, based at least in part on the received configuration information, a LP-SS measurement using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR; andtransmitting, to the second apparatus, a measurement report based on a result of the LP-SS measurement.

22. A method comprising:transmitting, by a second apparatus and to a first apparatus, first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs, are to be measured by the first apparatus;transmitting at least one LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power mode based at least in part on the first configuration information; andreceiving, from the first apparatus, a measurement report indicating a result of LP-SS measurement.

23. A first apparatus comprising:means for receiving, from a second apparatus, first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs, are to be measured;means for performing, based at least in part on the received configuration information,a LP-SS measurement using a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR; andmeans for transmitting, to the second apparatus, a measurement report based on a result of the LP-SS measurement.5 24. A second apparatus comprising:means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, first configuration information associated with low-power synchronization signal, LP-SS, measurement, the first configuration information indicating whether one or more low-power synchronization signals, LP-SSs, are to be measured by the first apparatus;10 means for transmitting at least one LP-SS to the first apparatus in a low-power modebased at least in part on the first configuration information; andmeans for receiving, from the first apparatus, a measurement report indicating a result of LP-SS measurement.15 25.A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for causing anapparatus at least to perform the method of claim 21 or the method of claim 22.55

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