Control of Configuration Activity in a Wireless Communication Network

Abstract

A user device of a communication network comprising at least one processor and at least one memory for storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, cause the user device to at least receive a configuration message from a network node, the configuration message provides an indication of an activity to be executed by the user device along with conditions associated with the activity, the conditions indicating when the activity is in an active state in which it is executed by the user device connected to the network or in an inactive state in which the measurement activity is not executed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various exemplary embodiments relate to controlling configuration activities in a wireless communication network.

Background Art

[0002] In some wireless communication networks, some mobility mechanisms rely on a dual execution event or two separate execution conditions where, upon receiving a new configuration, a user equipment (UE) is expected to start measurements for all configured execution conditions or perform other tasks or activities. Such an approach can lead to an inefficient use of available resources. Thus, there is a desire for improved techniques.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The scope of protection sought in various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is defined by the independent claims. Exemplary embodiments and features described herein that are not included in the scope of the independent claims should, if any, be construed as useful examples for understanding the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] According to various exemplary embodiments, which are not necessarily all of the present invention, a user equipment of a communication network includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to at least receive a configuration message from a network node, the configuration message providing an indication of an activity to be executed by the user equipment along with conditions related to the activity, the conditions indicating when the activity is in an active state in which it is executed by a user equipment connected to the network or in an inactive state in which a measurement activity is not executed, and the user equipment is provided.

[0005] The configuration message can include a measurement configuration message, and the activity includes a measurement activity.

[0006] The instructions can cause the user equipment to at least execute a measurement activity.

[0007] The conditions can indicate when the measurement activity is in an active state in which it is executed by the user equipment or in an inactive state in which the measurement activity is not executed.

[0008] This condition can indicate when the measurement activity is in an active state in which it is executed by a user equipment connected to the network or in an inactive state in which the measurement activity is not executed.

[0009] The measurement configuration message can indicate whether the measurement activity is by default in an active state or an inactive state.

[0010] This condition can indicate when the measurement activity switches between an active state and an inactive state.

[0011] The measurement configuration message can provide an indication of a plurality of measurement activities to be performed by a user equipment, along with conditions related to the measurement activities.

[0012] The measurement configuration message can provide an indication of a plurality of measurement activities to be performed by a user equipment connected to a network node, along with conditions related to the measurement activities.

[0013] The plurality of measurement activities can include a first measurement activity having a first condition and a second measurement activity having a second condition, and the evaluation of the second condition is conditional on the result of the first condition.

[0014] The second measurement activity can have a third condition, and the evaluation of the second condition is conditional on the result of the third condition.

[0015] The first measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of at least one serving cell, the second measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of at least one target cell, the first measurement activity can be active by default, the second measurement activity can be inactive by default, and when a degradation of the radio state measured by the first measurement activity is detected, the second measurement activity is switched to the active state.

[0016] The first measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of at least one serving cell, the second measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of at least one target cell, the first measurement activity can be in an active state by default, the second measurement activity can be in an inactive state by default, and when the radio state measured by the first measurement activity is detected, the second measurement activity can be switched to an active state.

[0017] The first measurement activity includes at least radio link monitoring of a serving primary serving cell (PSCell), the second measurement activity includes measuring the radio state of at least one target primary cell (PCell), and the second measurement activity can be switched to an active state when a radio link failure, T310 activation, or beam failure related to the serving PSCell is detected.

[0018] The instruction can cause the user equipment to activate the second measurement activity when at least a radio link failure, T310 activation, or beam failure related to the serving PSCell is detected.

[0019] The user equipment can be configured to make a dual connection with at least a network node including a source master node and a first secondary node, and the configuration message can include a handover request confirmation response received from the master node. The handover request confirmation response can indicate a first activity of applying a configuration for connection with a target master node and the first secondary node when a first condition related to a radio link failure, T310 activation, or beam failure associated with the serving PSCell is not detected. The handover request confirmation response can indicate a second activity of applying a configuration for connection with the target master node and a second secondary node when a second deactivated condition is activated, and the second deactivated condition is activated when the first condition is false.

[0020] The command can activate the second condition at least when a radio link failure, T310 activation, or beam failure associated with the serving PSCell is detected in the user equipment.

[0021] The network node can include a target master node or a source master node.

[0022] When the network node includes a source master node, the configuration message can include a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message.

[0023] When the network node includes a target master node, the configuration message can include a Handover (HO) Request Acknowledgement (Ack) message.

[0024] The first measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of the current serving cell, the second measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of the target serving cell, the first measurement activity can be in an inactive state by default, the second measurement activity can be in an active state by default, and when a conditional cell change from the current serving cell to the target serving cell is initiated, the second measurement activity can be switched to an inactive state and the first measurement activity can be switched to an active state.

[0025] The first measurement activity includes measuring the radio state of the current serving cell and can include measuring the radio state of the target serving cell, the first measurement activity can be in an inactive state by default, the second measurement activity can be in an active state by default, and when a cell change from the current serving cell to the target serving cell is performed, the second measurement activity can be switched to an inactive state and the first measurement activity can be switched to an active state.

[0026] The instruction can cause the user equipment to activate the first measurement activity and deactivate the second measurement activity at least when a cell change from the current serving cell to the target serving cell is performed.

[0027] The user equipment can be configured to perform a dual connection with at least a network node including a source master node and a source secondary node. The configuration message can include an RRC reconfiguration message received from the source master node. The RRC reconfiguration message indicates a first activity of measuring the PSCell of the source secondary node under a first condition that the measurement is deactivated when the user equipment is connected to the source master node. The RRC reconfiguration message indicates a second activity of measuring the PSCell of the target secondary node under a second condition that the measurement is activated when the user equipment is not connected to the target master node.

[0028] In response to performing a conditional primary serving cell change towards the target secondary node, the user equipment can be configured to activate a first activity of measuring the PSCell of the source secondary node and deactivate a second activity of measuring the PSCell of the target secondary node.

[0029] The measurement can be deactivated by deactivating the associated measurement ID and can be activated by activating the associated measurement ID.

[0030] The network node can include a source master node.

[0031] The configuration message can include an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0032] The first measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of the current serving cell, the second measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of the target serving cell, the first measurement activity can be in an active state by default, the second measurement activity can be in an inactive state by default, and the second measurement activity can be switched to an active state when a deterioration exceeding a threshold value of the radio state measured by the first measurement activity is detected.

[0033] The first measurement activity can include measuring at least the radio state of the serving PCell, the second measurement activity can include measuring at least the radio state of the PSCell, and the measurement configuration message can provide an indication of a further measurement activity that includes measuring at least the radio state of the serving PCell and a further condition to be satisfied before switching the second measurement activity to an active state.

[0034] The further condition can include measuring a received signal power that is lower by an offset amount than the power measured by the first measurement activity that would lead to a conditional handover.

[0035] The command can cause the user equipment to activate the second measurement activity at least when the received signal power is lower by an offset amount than the power measured by the first measurement activity that would lead to a conditional handover.

[0036] The command can cause the user equipment to activate the second measurement activity at least when the received signal power is lower by an offset amount than the power measured by the first measurement activity that would lead to a conditional handover.

[0037] The user equipment can be configured to perform dual connection with at least a network node including a source master node and a first secondary node, and the configuration message can include a handover request confirmation response received from the master node. The handover request confirmation response indicates a first activity to apply a configuration for connection with a target master node when an activated first condition of the measured radio conditions requires a conditional handover, a deactivated second condition for measuring the radio conditions of the PSCell, and an activating third condition for determining when the measured radio conditions are below a predetermined amount than the condition required for the conditional handover. When the third condition is true, the second condition is activated.

[0038] The predetermined amount can be, for example, 2 dB, but may also be a value in the range of 1 to 4 dB, for example.

[0039] The instruction can cause the user equipment to activate the second condition when at least detecting that the third condition is true.

[0040] The instruction can cause the user equipment to determine a PSCell addition related to the second condition when at least detecting that the first condition is true.

[0041] The network node can include a target master node or a source master node.

[0042] When the network node includes a source master node, the configuration message can include an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0043] When the network node includes a target master node, the configuration message can include a HO request Ack message.

[0044] The measurement activity can be associated with a measurement ID.

[0045] The command can cause the user equipment to deactivate at least measurement IDs that do not meet the conditions.

[0046] The command can cause the user equipment to deactivate at least measurement objects not linked to active measurement IDs.

[0047] The command can cause the user equipment to deactivate at least measurement gap or synchronization signal block - based radio resource management measurement timing configuration windows not related to active measurement objects.

[0048] According to various exemplary embodiments, which are not necessarily all of the present invention, a user equipment of a communication network is provided with means for receiving a configuration message from a network node, the configuration message providing an indication of an activity to be performed by the user equipment together with conditions related to the activity, the conditions indicating when the activity is in an active state executed by the user equipment connected to the network or in an inactive state where the measurement activity is not executed.

[0049] The user equipment can comprise any of the above - mentioned optional features.

[0050] The user equipment can comprise means for performing a measurement activity.

[0051] The user equipment can comprise means for activating a second measurement activity when a radio link failure, T310 activation or beam failure related to the serving PSCell is detected.

[0052] The user equipment may comprise means for activating the first measurement activity and means for inactivating the second measurement activity when a cell change is performed from a current serving cell to a target serving cell.

[0053] The user equipment may comprise means for activating a second measurement activity when the received signal power is lower by an offset amount than the power measured by the first measurement activity that will lead to a conditional handover.

[0054] The user equipment may comprise means for activating a second measurement activity when the received signal power is lower by an offset amount than the power measured by the first measurement activity that will lead to a conditional handover.

[0055] The user equipment may be provided with means to deactivate measurement IDs that do not meet the conditions.

[0056] The user equipment may comprise means for deactivating measurement objects that are not linked to an active measurement ID.

[0057] The user equipment may comprise means for deactivating measurement gaps or synchronization signal block based radio resource management measurement timing configuration windows that are not linked to an active measurement object.

[0058] In accordance with various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising receiving a configuration message from a network node, the configuration message providing an indication of an activity to be performed by a user equipment together with a condition associated with the activity, the condition indicating when the activity is in an active state being performed by the user equipment connected to the network, or in an inactive state where no measurements are being performed.

[0059] The configuration message can include a measurement configuration message, and the activity can include a measurement activity.

[0060] The method can include the step of performing a measurement activity.

[0061] The condition can indicate when the user equipment is in an active state where a measurement activity can be performed or in an inactive state where a measurement activity may not be performed.

[0062] The condition can indicate that the measurement activity is in an active state where it can be performed by the user equipment connected to the network or in an inactive state where the measurement activity may not be performed.

[0063] The measurement configuration message can indicate whether the measurement activity is in a default active state or an inactive state.

[0064] The condition can indicate when to switch between the active state and the inactive state of the measurement activity.

[0065] The measurement configuration message can provide an indication of a plurality of measurement activities to be performed by the user equipment, together with the conditions related to the measurement activity.

[0066] The measurement configuration message can provide an indication of a plurality of measurement activities to be performed by the user equipment connected to the network node, together with the conditions related to the measurement activity.

[0067] The plurality of measurement activities may comprise a first measurement activity having a first condition and a second measurement activity having a second condition, where evaluation of the second condition is contingent on the outcome of the first condition.

[0068] The second measurement activity can have a third condition, with the second condition evaluation being contingent on the outcome of the third condition.

[0069] The first measurement activity may include measuring radio conditions of at least one serving cell, and the second measurement activity may include measuring radio conditions of at least one target cell, the first measurement activity may be in an active state by default, and the second measurement activity may be in an inactive state by default, and the second measurement activity may switch to the active state when a deterioration in the radio conditions measured by the first measurement activity is detected.

[0070] The first measurement activity may include measuring radio conditions of at least one serving cell, and the second measurement activity may include measuring radio conditions of at least one target cell, the first measurement activity may be in an active state by default, the second measurement activity may be in an inactive state by default, and the second measurement activity may switch to the active state when a deterioration in the radio conditions measured by the first measurement activity is detected.

[0071] The first measurement activity may comprise radio link monitoring of at least a serving PCCell, and the second measurement activity may comprise measuring radio conditions of at least one target PCCell, and the second measurement activity may switch to an active state when a radio link failure, T310 activation or beam failure related to the serving PCCell is detected.

[0072] The method can include activating a second measurement activity when a radio link failure, T310 activation, or beam failure associated with the serving PSCell is detected.

[0073] The user equipment can be configured to perform a dual connection with at least a network node including a source master node and a first secondary node, the configuration message can include a handover request confirmation response received from the master node, the handover request confirmation response can indicate a first activity of applying a configuration for connection with the target master node and the first secondary node when a first condition of an activated radio link failure, T310 activation, or beam failure associated with the serving PSCell is not detected, the handover request confirmation response can indicate a second activity of applying a configuration for connection with the target master node and a second secondary node when a deactivated second condition is activated, and the deactivated second condition is activated when the first condition is false.

[0074] The instruction causes the user equipment to activate the second condition at least when detecting a radio link failure, T310 activation, or beam failure associated with the serving PSCell.

[0075] The network node can include a target master node or a source master node.

[0076] When the network node includes a source master node, the configuration message can include an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0077] When the network node includes a target master node, the configuration message can include a HO Request Ack message.

[0078] The first measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of the current serving cell, the second measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of the target serving cell, the first measurement activity can be in an inactive state by default, the second measurement activity can be in an active state by default, the second measurement activity can be switched to an inactive state when a conditional cell change from the current serving cell to the target serving cell is initiated, and the first measurement activity can be switched to an active state.

[0079] The first measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of the current serving cell, the second measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of the target serving cell, the first measurement activity can be in an inactive state by default, the second measurement activity can be in an active state by default, the second measurement activity can be switched to an inactive state when a cell change from the current serving cell to the target serving cell is performed, and the first measurement activity can be switched to an active state.

[0080] The method can include activating the first measurement activity and deactivating the second measurement activity when a cell change from the current serving cell to the target serving cell is performed.

[0081] The user equipment can be configured to perform a dual connection with at least a network node including a source master node and a source secondary node, and the configuration message can include an RRC reconfiguration message received from the source master node. The RRC reconfiguration message indicates a first activity of measuring the PSCell of the source secondary node under a first condition where the measurement is deactivated when the user equipment is connected to the source master node. The RRC reconfiguration message indicates a second activity of measuring the PSCell of the target secondary node under a second condition where the measurement is activated when the user equipment is not connected to the target master node.

[0082] The method can include activating a first activity of measuring the PSCell of the source secondary node and deactivating a second activity of measuring the PSCell of the target secondary node in response to performing a conditional primary serving cell change towards the target secondary node.

[0083] The method can include deactivating by deactivating a related measurement ID and activating by activating a related measurement ID.

[0084] The network node can include a source master node.

[0085] The configuration message can include an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0086] The first measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of the current serving cell, the second measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of the target serving cell, the first measurement activity can be active by default, the second measurement activity can be inactive by default, and the second measurement activity can be switched to the active state when a degradation exceeding the threshold of the radio state measured by the first measurement activity is detected.

[0087] The first measurement activity can include measuring at least the radio state of the serving PCell, the second measurement activity can include measuring at least the radio state of the PSCell, and the measurement configuration message can provide an indication of a further measurement activity that includes measuring at least the radio state of the serving PCell and further conditions to be satisfied before switching the second measurement activity to the active state.

[0088] The further conditions can include measuring a received signal power that is lower by an offset amount than the power measured by the first measurement activity that would lead to a conditional handover.

[0089] The method can include activating the second measurement activity when the received signal power is lower by an offset amount than the power measured by the first measurement activity that would lead to a conditional handover.

[0090] The method can include activating the second measurement activity when the received signal power is lower by an offset amount than the power measured by the first measurement activity that would lead to a conditional handover.

[0091] The user equipment can be configured to perform a dual connection with at least a network node including a source master node and a first secondary node, and the configuration message can include a handover request confirmation response received from the master node. The handover request confirmation response indicates a first activity for applying a configuration for connection to a target master node when a first activated condition of the measured radio conditions requires a conditional handover, a deactivated second condition for measuring the radio conditions of the PSCell, and a third condition for activating to determine when the measured radio conditions are below a predetermined amount than the condition required for the conditional handover. When the third condition is true, the second condition is activated.

[0092] The predetermined amount can be, for example, 2 dB, but can also be a value in the range of 1 to 4 dB, for example.

[0093] The method can include activating the second condition when detecting that the third condition is true.

[0094] The method can include determining a PSCell addition related to the second condition when detecting that the first condition is true.

[0095] The network node can include a target master node or a source master node.

[0096] When the network node includes a source master node, the configuration message can include an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0097] When the network node includes a target master node, the configuration message can include a HO request Ack message.

[0098] The measurement activity can be associated with a measurement ID.

[0099] The method can include deactivating measurement IDs that do not meet the conditions.

[0100] The method may include deactivating measurement-objects that are not linked to an active measurement-ID.

[0101] The method may include deactivating measurement gap or synchronization signal block based radio resource management measurement timing configuration windows that are not associated with an active measurement object.

[0102] In accordance with various, but not necessarily all, exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon program instructions for performing at least the steps of receiving a configuration message from a network node, the configuration message providing an indication of an activity to be performed by user equipment along with a condition associated with the activity, the condition indicating when the activity is in an active state where it is being performed by user equipment connected to the network, or in an inactive state where no measurement activity is being performed.

[0103] The instructions may have and perform optional features of the methods described above.

[0104] In various exemplary embodiments, which are not necessarily all of the present invention, a network node of a communication network comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network node to cause at least a configuration message to be sent to a user device, the configuration message providing an indication of an activity to be executed by the user device along with conditions related to the activity, the conditions indicating when the activity is in an active state in which it is executed by a user device connected to the network or in an inactive state in which a measurement activity is not executed, is provided.

[0105] The configuration message can comprise a measurement configuration message, and the activity can comprise a measurement activity.

[0106] The conditions can indicate when the measurement activity is in an active state in which it is executed by the user device or in an inactive state in which the measurement activity is not executed.

[0107] The conditions can indicate when the measurement activity is in an active state in which it is executed by a user device connected to the network or in an inactive state in which the measurement activity is not executed.

[0108] The measurement configuration message can indicate whether the measurement activity is by default in an active state or in an inactive state.

[0109] The conditions can indicate when to switch between the active state and the inactive state of the measurement activity.

[0110] The measurement configuration message can provide an indication of a plurality of measurement activities to be performed by a user equipment, along with conditions related to the measurement activities.

[0111] The measurement configuration message can provide an indication of a plurality of measurement activities to be performed by a user equipment connected to a network node, along with conditions related to the measurement activities.

[0112] The plurality of measurement activities can include a first measurement activity having a first condition and a second measurement activity having a second condition, and the evaluation of the second condition is conditional on the result of the first condition.

[0113] The second measurement activity can have a third condition, and the evaluation of the second condition is conditional on the result of the third condition.

[0114] The first measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of at least one serving cell, the second measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of at least one target cell, the first measurement activity can be in an active state by default, the second measurement activity can be in an inactive state by default, and when a degradation of the radio state measured by the first measurement activity is detected, the second measurement activity can be switched to an active state.

[0115] The first measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of at least one serving cell, the second measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of at least one target cell, the first measurement activity can be in an active state by default, the second measurement activity can be in an inactive state by default, and when a degradation of the radio state measured by the first measurement activity is detected, the second measurement activity can be switched to an active state.

[0116] The first measurement activity can include at least radio link monitoring of a serving PCCell, the second measurement activity can include at least measurement of the radio state of one or more target PCCells, and the second measurement activity can be switched to an active state when a radio link failure, T310 activation, or beam failure related to the serving PSCell is detected.

[0117] The user equipment can be configured to perform a dual connection with at least a network node including a source master node and a first secondary node, the configuration message includes a handover request confirmation response transmitted from the master node, the handover request confirmation response indicates a first activity of applying a configuration for connection with a target master node and the first secondary node when a first condition of an activated radio link failure, T310 activation, or beam failure related to the serving PSCell is not detected, the handover request confirmation response indicates a second activity of applying a configuration for connection with a target master node and a second secondary node when a second deactivated condition is activated, and the second deactivated condition is activated when the first condition is false.

[0118] The instruction can cause the user equipment to activate the second condition at least when detecting a radio link failure, T310 activation, or beam failure related to the serving PSCell.

[0119] The network node can include a target master node or a source master node.

[0120] When the network node includes a source master node, the configuration message can include an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0121] If the network node comprises a target master node, the configuration message may comprise an HO Request Ack message.

[0122] The first measurement activity may include measuring radio conditions of a current serving cell, and the second measurement activity may include measuring radio conditions of a target serving cell, the first measurement activity may be in an inactive state by default, and the second measurement activity may be in an active state by default, and the second measurement activity may be switched to the inactive state and the first measurement activity may be switched to the active state when a conditional cell change from the current serving cell to the target serving cell is initiated.

[0123] The first measurement activity may include measuring radio conditions of a current serving cell, and the second measurement activity may include measuring radio conditions of a target serving cell, the first measurement activity may be in an inactive state by default, and the second measurement activity may be in an active state by default, and the second measurement activity may be switched to the inactive state and the first measurement activity may be switched to the active state when a cell change from the current serving cell to the target serving cell is performed.

[0124] The user equipment can be configured to perform a dual connection with at least a network node including a source master node and a source secondary node. The configuration message can include an RRC reconfiguration message transmitted from the source master node. The RRC reconfiguration message indicates a first activity of measuring the PSCell of the source secondary node under a first condition that the measurement is inactive when the user equipment is connected to the source master node. The RRC reconfiguration message indicates a second activity of measuring the PSCell of the target secondary node under a second condition that the measurement is active when the user equipment is not connected to the target master node.

[0125] The network node can include a source master node.

[0126] The configuration message can include an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0127] The first measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of the current serving cell. The second measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of the target serving cell. The first measurement activity can be active by default. The second measurement activity can be inactive by default. The second measurement activity can be switched to an active state when a degradation exceeding the threshold of the radio state measured by the first measurement activity is detected.

[0128] The first measurement activity can include measuring at least the radio state of the serving PCell, the second measurement activity can include measuring at least the radio state of the PSCell, and the measurement configuration message can provide an indication of further measurement activities including measuring at least the radio state of the serving PCell and further conditions to be satisfied before switching the second measurement activity to an active state.

[0129] The further conditions can include measuring a received signal power that is lower by an offset amount than the power measured by the first measurement activity that would lead to a conditional handover.

[0130] The user equipment can be configured to perform a dual connection with at least a network node including a source master node and a first secondary node, the configuration message can include a handover request confirmation response transmitted from the master node, and the handover request confirmation response indicates a first activity of applying a configuration for connection with a target master node when the activated first condition of the measured radio conditions requires a conditional handover, a deactivated second condition of measuring the radio conditions of the PSCell, and an activating third condition of determining when the measured radio conditions are below a predetermined amount than the conditions required for a conditional handover, and the second condition is activated when the third condition is true.

[0131] The predetermined amount can be, for example, 2 dB, but can also be a value in the range of, for example, 1 - 4 dB. The predetermined amount can be, for example, 2 dB, but can also be a value in the range of, for example, 1 - 4 dB.

[0132] The instruction can cause the user equipment to activate the second condition at least when it detects that the third condition is true.

[0133] The command can cause the user equipment to determine PSCell addition related to a second condition when at least a first condition is detected to be true.

[0134] The network node can comprise a target master node or a source master node.

[0135] When the network node comprises a source master node, the configuration message can comprise an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0136] When the network node comprises a target master node, the configuration message can comprise a HO request Ack message.

[0137] The measurement activity can be associated with a measurement ID.

[0138] According to various exemplary embodiments, which are not necessarily all of the present invention, there is provided a network node of a communication network comprising means for transmitting a configuration message to a user equipment, the configuration message providing an indication of an activity to be performed by the user equipment together with a condition related to the activity, the condition indicating when the activity is in an active state to be performed by the user equipment connected to the network or in an inactive state in which no measurement activity is performed.

[0139] The user equipment can comprise any of the above optional features.

[0140] According to various exemplary embodiments, which are not necessarily all of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising the step of transmitting a configuration message to a user equipment, the configuration message providing an indication of an activity to be performed by the user equipment together with a condition related to the activity.

[0141] The configuration message can include a measurement configuration message, and the activity can include a measurement activity.

[0142] The condition can indicate when the measurement activity is in an active state executed by the user equipment or when it is in an inactive state where the measurement activity is not executed.

[0143] The condition can indicate when the measurement activity is in an active state executed by the user equipment connected to the network or when it is in an inactive state where the measurement activity is not executed.

[0144] The measurement configuration message can indicate whether the measurement activity is in an active state or an inactive state by default.

[0145] The condition can indicate when to switch between the active state and the inactive state of the measurement activity.

[0146] The measurement configuration message can provide an indication of a plurality of measurement activities executed by the user equipment, along with the conditions related to the measurement activity.

[0147] The measurement configuration message can provide an indication of a plurality of measurement activities executed by the user equipment connected to the network node, along with the conditions related to the measurement activity.

[0148] The plurality of measurement activities can include a first measurement activity having a first condition and a second measurement activity having a second condition, and the evaluation of the second condition is conditional on the result of the first condition.

[0149] The second measurement activity can have a third condition, and the second condition evaluation is conditional on the result of the third condition.

[0150] The first measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of at least one serving cell, the second measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of at least one target cell, the first measurement activity can be in an active state by default, the second measurement activity can be in an inactive state by default, and when deterioration of the radio state measured by the first measurement activity is detected, the second measurement activity can be switched to an active state.

[0151] The first measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of at least one serving cell, the second measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of at least one target cell, the first measurement activity can be in an active state by default, the second measurement activity can be in an inactive state by default, and when deterioration of the radio state measured by the first measurement activity is detected, the second measurement activity can be switched to an active state.

[0152] The first measurement activity can include wireless link monitoring of at least the serving PCCell, the second measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of at least one target PCCell, and the second measurement activity can be switched to an active state when a wireless link failure, T310 activation, or beam failure related to the serving PSCell is detected.

[0153] The user equipment can be configured to dual-connect to at least a network node having a source master node and a first secondary node, and the configuration message includes a handover request confirmation response transmitted from the master node. The handover request confirmation response indicates a first activity of applying a configuration for connection to a target master node and a first secondary node when a first condition related to a radio link failure, T310 activation, or beam failure associated with the serving PSCell is not detected. The handover request confirmation response indicates a second activity of applying a configuration for connection to a target master node and a second secondary node when a second deactivated condition is activated. The second deactivated condition is activated when the first condition is false.

[0154] The instruction can cause the user equipment to activate the second condition at least when detecting a radio link failure, T310 activation, or beam failure associated with the serving PSCell.

[0155] The network node can include a target master node or a source master node.

[0156] When the network node includes a source master node, the configuration message can include an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0157] When the network node includes a target master node, the configuration message can include a HO request Ack message.

[0158] The first measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of the current serving cell, the second measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of the target serving cell, the first measurement activity is inactive by default, the second measurement activity can be active by default, the second measurement activity is switched to an inactive state when a conditional cell change from the current serving cell to the target serving cell is initiated, and the first measurement activity can be switched to an active state.

[0159] The first measurement activity includes measuring the radio state of the current serving cell, the second measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of the target serving cell, the first measurement activity can be in an inactive state by default, the second measurement activity can be in an active state by default, the second measurement activity is switched to an inactive state when a cell change from the current serving cell to the target serving cell is executed, and the first measurement activity can be switched to an active state.

[0160] The user equipment can be configured to perform a dual connection with at least a network node including a source master node and a source secondary node, the configuration message includes an RRC reconfiguration message transmitted from the source master node, the RRC reconfiguration message indicates a first activity of measuring the PSCell of the source secondary node under a first condition that the measurement is inactive when the user equipment is connected to the source master node, and the RRC reconfiguration message indicates a second activity of measuring the PSCell of the target secondary node under a second condition that the measurement is active when the user equipment is not connected to the target master node.

[0161] The network node can comprise a source master node.

[0162] The configuration message can comprise an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0163] The first measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of the current serving cell, the second measurement activity can include measuring the radio state of the target serving cell, the first measurement activity can be in an active state by default, the second measurement activity can be in an inactive state by default, and the second measurement activity can be switched to an active state when a degradation exceeding a threshold of the radio state measured by the first measurement activity is detected.

[0164] The first measurement activity can include measuring at least the radio state of the serving PCell, the second measurement activity can include measuring at least the radio state of the PSCell, and the measurement configuration message can provide an indication of a further measurement activity that includes measuring at least the radio state of the serving PCell and a further condition to be satisfied before switching the second measurement activity to an active state.

[0165] The further condition can include measuring a received signal power that is lower by an offset amount than the power measured by the first measurement activity that would lead to a conditional handover.

[0166] The user equipment can be configured to perform dual connection with at least a network node including a source master node and a first secondary node. The configuration message includes a handover request confirmation response sent from the master node. The handover request confirmation response indicates a first activity of applying a configuration for connection with a target master node when an activated first condition of the measured radio conditions requires a conditional handover, a deactivated second condition of measuring the radio conditions of the PSCell, and a third condition of activating to determine when the measured radio conditions are below a predetermined amount than the condition requiring a conditional handover. When the third condition is true, the second condition is activated.

[0167] The predetermined amount can be, for example, 2 dB, but can also be a value in the range of 1 to 4 dB, for example.

[0168] The command can cause the user equipment to activate the second condition when detecting that the third condition is true, at least.

[0169] The command can cause the user equipment to determine a PSCell addition related to the second condition when detecting that the first condition is true, at least.

[0170] The network node can include a target master node or a source master node.

[0171] When the network node includes a source master node, the configuration message can include an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0172] When the network node includes a target master node, the configuration message can include a HO request Ack message.

[0173] The measurement activity can be associated with a measurement ID.

[0174] According to various exemplary embodiments, which are not necessarily all of the present invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program instructions, the program instructions being for performing at least the step of transmitting a configuration message to a user device, the configuration message providing an indication of an activity to be executed by the user device along with a condition related to the activity, the condition indicating when the activity is in an active state in which it is executed by the user device connected to a network or in an inactive state in which a measurement activity is not executed.

[0175] The instructions can have and perform optional features of the above method.

[0176] Further specific preferred aspects are described in the appended independent and dependent claims. The features of the dependent claims can be combined, as appropriate, with the features of the independent claims and in combinations other than those explicitly described in the claims.

[0177] When the features of a device are described as being operable to provide a certain function, it will be understood that this includes features of a device that provide or are adapted or configured to provide that function.

[0178] In some exemplary embodiments, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings for description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0179]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

[0180] Before describing exemplary embodiments in more detail, an overview is first provided. In some exemplary embodiments, it has been recognized that, upon receiving a new configuration, the user equipment (UE) may perform activities that are expected to execute for all configured execution conditions, which can result in resource waste. Thus, in some exemplary embodiments, techniques are provided that provide an indication of the activity to be performed by the user equipment or activate a configuration message that provides or encodes an indication of one or more conditions associated with the execution of the activity. The configuration message is typically sent from a network node of the wireless communication network (optionally via another network node) to the user equipment. The indication is typically encoded in an existing configuration message that passes between the network node and the user equipment. The user equipment typically executes or operates its activity when the conditions are met and avoids or aborts the execution of its activity when the conditions are not met, or vice versa. The configuration message may also provide or encode an indication of whether to default-activate or not activate the activity to be performed. Multiple conditions can be configured, processed in hierarchical order, cascaded, or made dependent on each other. The conditions are typically configured to prevent the user equipment from executing the activity when the network determines that it would be resource wasteful to execute the activity under that condition.

[0181] Before elaborating on some exemplary embodiments in detail, the following background information is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, in conditional handover (CHO) Rel. 16, a user equipment (UE) is configured with a CHO target cell configuration and at least one CHO execution condition to determine when to perform a handover to one or more prepared target cells. This execution condition is based on radio measurements of the serving cell and the target cell. In the CHO configuration, the target cell can have a reserved Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) and contention-free random access (CFRA) resources for the UE. When the UE evaluates the CHO condition and the condition holds for a specific target cell, the UE can apply the CHO configuration of the target cell and start a random access to the target cell using the reserved CFRA resources. The UE can be configured with multiple conditions for multiple target cells. CHO is designed such that after receiving a measurement report from the UE (as shown in step 1 of FIG. 1), the UE can trigger the execution of the handover (when the CHO execution condition is met) without the serving cell having to send an additional handover command to trigger the execution of the HO. Step 1: The UE sends a measurement report identifying adjacent cells that may be subject to handover. Steps 2-8: In response to the measurements received in step 1, the source node determines that it is necessary to prepare a CHO for the UE, - the source radio access network (RAN) node sends a CHO request to multiple target RAN nodes, - in each CHO request message, the source node indicates the target primary cell (PCell) that needs to be prepared by the target node, - the target RAN node performs admission control and sends a handover request confirmation response (ACK) for the required PCell and the associated conditional configuration as a response to the HO request. Step 9: The source RAN node sends a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message with the conditional configuration related to the CHO to the UE.Step 10-11: The UE evaluates the execution conditions of the CHO and executes the conditional configuration towards the target cell prepared for the CHO whose conditions are maintained. Step 11-14: The UE executes the CHO towards the target cell controlled by the target RAN node. Step 15: The target RAN node indicates the success of the handover to the source RAN node. Step 16: Thereafter, user plane procedures such as data transfer and path switching are completed.

[0182] In Rel.16, for the intra-Secondary Node (SN) scenario, Conditional Primary Serving Cell (PSCell) Change (CPC) is specified in [TS37.340]. CPC is extended for the intra-SN scenario in Rel.17 and has the following two types: Master Node (MN)-initiated CPC and SN-initiated CPC [R2-2111640]. This is shown in Figure 2, which shows at a high level an exemplary signaling diagram of SN-initiated Conditional Primary Serving Cell (PSCell) Addition and Change (CPAC). In step 1, the source SN indicates to the MN the indication (ID) of the target SN that the source SN has to contact to prepare the target PSCell. The source SN proposes a list of PSCs that each target SN has to prepare and provides CPC execution conditions for each of the proposed target PSCs. In steps 2-3, the MN sends an addition request to each target SN indicated by the source SN. In steps 4-5, the target SN determines candidates for the target PSCell to prepare from among the target PSCs proposed by the source SN to be prepared. In steps 6-7, the target SN sends to the MN the CPC configuration of each prepared target PSCell and the ID of the prepared target PSCell. In step 8, the MN sends to the UE a conditional (re)configuration that includes the CPC configuration of the candidates for the target PSCell and the CPC execution conditions. In step 9, the UE sends to the MN a message to confirm the reception of the conditional configuration, and the MN in turn confirms to the source SN the SN change prepared in step 10. In step 11, the UE evaluates the CPC execution conditions of the prepared target PSCell. In step 12, for example, the CPC execution conditions are met for the PSCell candidate of target SN1. In step 13, the UE sends to the MN a message indicating the indication of the execution of the CPC configuration. This message includes the Embedded SN RRC Reconfiguration Complete to target SN1 sent in step 14.The UE completes the random access in step 15.

[0183] As described above, some mobility mechanisms rely on dual execution events (CHO for single or dual connections) or two separate execution conditions (CHO + CPAC). Based on the current specifications, it is expected that the UE will start measuring all execution conditions as soon as a new configuration is received, i.e., as soon as the target cell is prepared. However, as will be explained in more detail below, this is not optimal in certain cases. More specifically, the UE may perform unnecessary measurements, resulting in energy waste and / or an unnecessary allocation of measurement gaps. These can be timing-based cases, e.g., for :CHO + CPAC:, the UE is composed of two measurement-IDs, one for the PCell and the other for the PSCell. Measurement-ID1 is an A3 event related to changes in the PCell, and the Time To Trigger (TTT) is 150 ms. Measurement-ID2 can be another A3 event for PSCell changes, with a TTT of 0 ms, and the PSCell change is triggered immediately after the PCell change. Also in this case, since the UE cannot perform a PSCell change before a PCell change, Measurement-ID2 should not be started before Measurement-ID1. In the selective activation feature of the cell group in Rel18, the serving cell can provide the user with a specific conditional reconfiguration that the UE applies when it needs to return to the serving cell group. The conditions associated with the specific conditional reconfiguration should only be evaluated when the UE is no longer served by this cell. Otherwise, the UE does not need to evaluate conditions that will never be met, i.e., the UE will compare the specific serving cell power against the same cell power rather than against an adjacent cell. These can be measurement-based cases. Dual event execution for CHO / PCell change: The UE can set two execution conditions, one based on the reference signal received power (RSRP) and the other based on the reference signal received quality (RSRQ). Since the common denominator of the two quantities is RSRP, if the RSRP falls below a certain fixed threshold, the RSRQ may not be higher than another fixed threshold.Therefore, unless the first condition is met, it may be a waste of energy for the UE to start measuring the other condition. Thus, the UE will waste energy by measuring the RSRQ when the RSRP is poor. CHO + PSCell change RLM-based scenario: The target MN can prepare multiple PSCs for the UE, including the PSCell currently providing the service, and the condition for PSCell change can be related to the RSRP. As long as the Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) of the currently serving PSCell is good, there may be no need to measure other PSCs. As one way to stop the UE's measurement, an explicit RRC reconfiguration in which a new measurement configuration is sent to the UE each time the measurement is started and stopped can be considered. In the current object 2 of the mobility improvement work item, cases where the UE is frequently reconfigured are avoided and the signaling overhead is minimized.

[0184] In some exemplary embodiments, it is proposed to include additional criteria or conditions for the measurement-ID or other activity identifier in the measurement or other activity configuration message to start and stop the UE's measurement or other activity related to the measurement-ID or other activity identifier. The additional conditions are, for example, another measurement-ID, a trigger point, etc. In other words, conditions for activating and / or stopping the measurement or other activity are introduced. Since the UE can autonomously monitor the achievement of the conditions, efficient use of resources is provided and it can focus on the most valuable / relevant measurement or activity. Multiple conditions can be configured, for example, to be processed hierarchically, cascaded, or dependent on each other. Next, these additional criteria will be described in more detail.

[0185] Another measurement - ID In this case, the UE starts or activates the measurement - ID only when an event or condition associated with another measurement - ID is satisfied. This can be employed, for example, in the following scenario: dual conditions for DC - CHO execution.

[0186] In one exemplary embodiment, the UE starts the measurement of the target PCell only when another measurement - ID of the target PCell is satisfied. For example, assume that the network provides a CHO condition with a 3dB execution offset for the target PCell, that is, handover is executed when the target PCell is 3dB stronger than the source cell. The network can provide another condition with a 1dB offset, and when it is provided, it becomes a trigger for the UE to start the evaluation of the target PCCell. Thus, the UE starts the measurement evaluation of the target PSCell only when the CHO condition for the corresponding target PCell is likely to be satisfied.

[0187] It should be understood that the use of the specific 1dB and 3dB offsets described above is merely exemplary, and other values can be set by the network, such as values in the range of about 0.5dB to 5dB. These can depend on the network situation, be set individually for each user equipment, or be preset, etc. Normally, the offset has an amount smaller than the execution offset.

[0188] Intermediate trigger point of other measurement - ID In this case, the measurement is linked to the start of time - to - trigger or an intermediate stage of other measurement - IDs, such as an offset from the actual event threshold. This approach avoids the delay in starting the dependent measurement.

[0189] In one exemplary embodiment, the UE can provide the conditions of the target PSCell associated with the prepared target PCCell to the CHO. The UE may not need to evaluate the conditions of the PSCell unless the input conditions of the target PCell are met. That is, the UE evaluates the measurement value ID of the target PScell only when the input conditions of the corresponding target PCell are met.

[0190] In one exemplary embodiment, the UE evaluates the measurement value - ID of the target PScell only when the TTT of the target PCell exceeds a specific value.

[0191] Serving cell In this case, the UE deactivates the evaluation (conditional reconfiguration trigger) of the measurement - ID associated with the serving cell "X" as long as the UE is served by its serving cell "X".

[0192] In one exemplary embodiment, the UE does not evaluate the conditions associated with the conditional reconfiguration of the cell to which the UE is connected. As long as the UE is served by a cell with conditional reconfiguration, it does not evaluate the conditions related to that conditional reconfiguration. This approach can be used when there is a common measurement configuration that covers all the measurement - IDs of all the cells participating in the instance.

[0193] Specific trigger point In this case, when the UE detects any of a radio link failure (RLF), the start of T310 (or degradation of the radio link), or a beam failure event in any of the serving cell groups, the UE activates and performs the evaluation of the measurement - ID. This also applies to the CHO + PSCell change RLM - based scenario described above.

[0194] If the measurement object is mapped only to the deactivate measurement - ID, the UE can deactivate the measurement. If the Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) - based Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) window and the measurement gap are configured only for the deactivated measurement object, the scheduling restrictions related to the SMTC or the measurement gap are no longer applied by the UE. The UE can indicate the scheduling restrictions, the SMTC window, the measurement gap, or the status of the measurement object to the network. The network can use this information to schedule or re - configure the UE. This approach saves energy and / or configuration for the measurement gap configuration for the UE and also reduces the number of re - configurations the network has to perform.

[0195] Example of CHO + PSCell change RLM Figure 3 shows the main steps of conditional activation in the case of the CHO + PSCell change RLM - based scenario.

[0196] In step 1, the UE is configured with a dual - connection provided by MN1 and SN1.

[0197] In steps 2 - 7, based on the measurement reports received from the UE, the source MN1 prepares a CHO for the target MN2, and the target MN2 prepares a CPAC for SN1 and SN2.

[0198] In step 8, the target MN2 sends a HO request ACK containing two configurations to the source MN1. Configuration 1 includes the MCG2 configuration + the SCG1 configuration with CPA condition 1 activated. Condition 1 is RLM-based, and the UE applies the SCG1 configuration when no degradation in the radio condition of the serving PSCell is detected in SN1, i.e., when no RLF is detected for the serving PSCell, when T310 is not started for the serving PSCell, when no beam failure is detected for the serving PSCell, etc. Configuration 2 includes MCG2 configuration + SCG2 configuration with condition 2 deactivated. Condition 2 is a measurement-ID associated with SCG2 and is activated only if condition 1 is not met.

[0199] In steps 9 to 11, the source MN1 notifies SN1 of the SN change, and MN1 sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the UE, including the two configurations received from the target MN2. The measurement objects are linked only to the measurement-IDs in condition 2. If condition 2 is disabled, the measurement objects may also be disabled. The UE deactivates the measurement gaps or SMTCs associated with the measurement-IDs in condition 2.

[0200] In steps 13-14, the UE first evaluates the CHO condition that will be met later. The UE delays applying the MCG2 configuration and checks the activation condition in configuration 1. The delay in applying the MCG2 configuration should be limited to avoid the risk of RLF.

[0201] When an SCG failure is detected in SCG1 in step 16, the second condition belonging to configuration 2 is activated and is evaluated by the UE in steps 17 to 20. When condition 2 is activated, the measurement object is also activated and the UE starts measuring. When the measurement object is activated, the UE activates SMTC and measurement gaps.

[0202] If the second condition is met, the UE applies configuration 2 and accesses SN2.

[0203] Example of conditional activation in the case of conditional activation Figure 4 shows the main steps of conditional activation in the case of selective activation. When self-preparing in the Inter-SN CPC, the UE starts with a dual connection to the MN and SN0-PSCell 0-1. The source SN-0 sends conditional settings related to PSCell 0-1 (referred to as self-preparation). This is conditional setting for the serving PSCell. The trigger for such self-preparation is the trigger for the preparation of other CPCs and CPAs and the change of PSCell.

[0204] In step 1, the source SN0 indicates to the MN the need for an SN change including the self-preparation configuration.

[0205] In steps 2-3, the source MN sends an RRC reconfiguration to the UE. This RRC reconfiguration includes the deactivation condition 1 for the self-preparation of PSCell 0-1, and also deactivates the corresponding measurement-ID confirmed by the UE for deactivation.

[0206] In step 4, the UE monitors the CPC execution conditions set by PSCell 0-1.

[0207] In step 5, the CPC condition for PSCell 1-1 of the target SN1 is maintained, and the UE accesses it.

[0208] In step 6, the UE directly activates the measurement value ID4 for PSCell 0-1, and deactivates the measurement value ID1 for PSCell 1-1 because PSCell 1-1 has become the serving PSCell.

[0209] Conditional activation in the case of CHO + MR - DC Figure 5 shows the main steps of conditional activation in the case of CHO+MR-DC.

[0210] In step 1, in the case of CHO + MR-DC (CPAC), the UE starts a dual connection with MN1 and SN1.

[0211] In steps 2 to 7, the source MN1 prepares CHO for the target MN2, and the target MN2 prepares SN1 and SN2.

[0212] From step 8 to step 11, MN2 sends to MN1 a HO request confirmation response including configuration 1 of MCG2 + SCG1 with two conditions: CHO condition 1 (activate) and deactivate condition 2 corresponding to PScell change. Condition 2 is activated when another condition 3 is valid. In this example, condition 3 has an offset lower than the offset of the CHO execution condition by 2 dB. A HO command is sent to the UE.

[0213] In step 13, the UE evaluates condition 1 and condition 3.

[0214] In step 14, when condition 3 is satisfied, condition 2 is activated.

[0215] In step 15, the UE evaluates condition 2 (in the case of CPA) and condition 1 (in the case of CHO).

[0216] In step 16, when condition 1 is satisfied, the UE has measurement values sufficient to determine the addition of the PScell of condition 2.

[0217] From step 17 to step 18, the UE applies configuration 1 and accesses SN2.

[0218] Example of UE operation Figure 6 shows the main steps executed by the UE for measurement activation / deactivation.

[0219] In step 1, the UE receives condition 1 related to measurement - ID1.

[0220] In steps 2 to 3, after the UE evaluates condition 1 and determines that it is not satisfied, it deactivates the measurement value ID1.

[0221] In steps 4 to 6, after the UE determines that the measurement-object is mapped only to measurement-ID1 and that this is deactivated, it deactivates the measurement-object.

[0222] In steps 7 to 9, since the measurement-gap1 configuration / SMTC1 is used only for the deactivated measurement object 1, it is also deactivated.

[0223] It should be understood that this approach can be applied to multiple measurement-IDs related to the same measurement object, and the measurement object is deactivated only when all the measurement-IDs related to that measurement object are deactivated. Similarly, this approach can be applied to multiple measurement objects related to the same measurement gap / SMTC, and the measurement gap / SMTC is deactivated only when all the measurement objects related to that measurement gap / SMTC are deactivated.

[0224] By using this approach, the UE can perform measurements optimally and on time while minimizing energy waste and / or the allocation of measurement gaps.

[0225] FIG. 7 schematically shows a 5G new radio network in an embodiment. This network includes a plurality of primary cells 22, 24 and a plurality of secondary cells 32, 34. The radio coverage within the primary cell 22 is supported by the master distributed node 21, and the master distributed node 26 supports the provision of radio coverage within the primary cell 24. Both the master distributed node 21 and the master distributed node 26 are controlled by the master central node 41.

[0226] There are secondary cells 32 and 34, and the wireless coverage within these cells is supported by secondary distributed nodes 31 and 33 respectively. Secondary distributed nodes 31 and 33 are controlled by a secondary central node 35. The user equipment 10 is currently connected to the secondary cell 34 supported by the secondary distributed node 33 and the primary cell 24 supported by the distributed node 26 in this example. Therefore, the user equipment 10 is operating in the dual-connection mode. In this example, the user equipment 10 is moving from the secondary cell 34 to the secondary cell 32 and, at the same time, moving from the master cell 24 to the master cell 22.

[0227] The user equipment 10 includes a receiver 16 for receiving signals, which may be a receiving means or a circuit configured to receive. The user equipment 10 further includes means 17 for establishing dual connectivity, which may be a circuit configured to establish dual connectivity, and means 18 for performing measurements, which may also be a circuit configured to perform measurements, and these measurements may be L1 signal strength and / or quality measurements. The user equipment 10 also includes a transmitter 19 or transmitting means. The receiver 16 can receive measurement configuration information for performing measurements related to the non-serving master cell (cell 22 in this case) and the secondary cell (cell 32 in this case) from the distributed node 26, and these are the two cells for the target handover. The user equipment can respond to receiving this by performing measurements on these cells and transmitting a measurement report to the distributed node 26.

[0228] This is only an example. In other embodiments, there may be more than two cells from which measurement configuration information is received and measurements are performed. Also, in other embodiments, the serving secondary cell may span two master cells. In this case, the measurements performed on the secondary cell can be related to the current serving secondary cell, but the measurements may be, for example, for a frequency band reconfigured for this cell.

[0229] The serving master distributed node 26 may include a receiver 51 which is a receiving means or circuit configured to receive a measurement report and perform a handover decision for a handover destination cell using a decision means 52 or circuit configured to execute a handover decision in response thereto. After making the handover decision, the serving master distributed node 26 generates a cell change indication for indicating any change in the primary serving cell and the secondary cell determined in the handover decision using a means 53 for generating a cell change indication or a circuit configured to generate a cell change indication. Then, using a transmitting means 54, this information is transmitted to the user equipment as part of a layer 2 message.

[0230] Before the user equipment receives measurement configuration information and the above steps are executed, some cooperation is carried out between the secondary central node and the master central node.

[0231] The serving master central node 41 cooperates with the serving secondary central node 35 to determine the configuration of the primary cell prepared for lower layer mobility and the corresponding changes that may be required in the secondary cell configuration and / or the configuration of the secondary cell prepared for lower layer mobility.

[0232] The master central node 41 uses a decision means 43 for determining the primary cell prepared for lower layer mobility or a circuit configured to make a decision, and uses a transmitting means 45 or circuit configured to transmit this information to the secondary central node 35 as either a secondary node addition request or a secondary node change request.

[0233] The secondary central node 35 receives this information by the receiver 37 and, as a response, generates a configuration for at least one secondary cell compatible with the master cell prepared for the lower layer mobility using the configuration information generating means 36 or a circuit configured to generate the configuration information, and can transfer this configuration information using the transmitter 38 in the secondary node addition response or the secondary node change response.

[0234] The master central node 41 includes a receiving means 47 for receiving this secondary cell configuration information or a circuit configured to receive it. Next, the master central node 41 generates reconfiguration information of the primary cell and at least one reconfigured secondary cell using a means for generating the measurement configuration request 42 or a circuit configured to generate the measurement configuration request 42 in cooperation with the serving master distributed node, and the configuration request indicates a plurality of primary cells and at least one secondary cell for which measurement information is requested. This is transmitted to the serving master distributed node using the transmitting means 45.

[0235] The serving master distributed node 26 receives this by the receiver 51 and transfers the measurement configuration information to the user equipment 10 using the transfer means 55 so that the user equipment can perform the above-described measurements.

[0236] The following description can provide further details of alternatives, modifications, and variations: The gNB is provided, for example, from a node that provides NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE and is connected to the 5GC via the NG interface, and is connected, for example, in accordance with section 3.2 of 3GPP TS 38.300 V16.6.0 (2021-06) incorporated by reference.

[0237] The gNB Central Unit (gNB-CU) includes, for example, a logical node that hosts the RRC (Radio Resource Control), SDAP (Service Data Adaptation Protocol), PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) protocols of the gNB, or the RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB that control the operation of one or more gNB-DUs. The gNB-CU terminates the F1 interface connected to the gNB-DU.

[0238] The gNB Distributed Unit (gNB-DU) includes, for example, a logical node that hosts the RLC (Radio Link Control), MAC (Medium Access Control), and PHY (Physical) layers of the gNB or en-gNB, and part of its operation is controlled by the gNB-CU. One gNB-DU supports one or more cells. One cell is supported by only one gNB-DU. The gNB-DU terminates the F1 interface connected to the gNB-CU.

[0239] The gNB-CU Control Plane (gNB-CU-CP) includes, for example, a logical node that hosts the control plane part of the RRC and PDCP protocols of the gNB-CU of the en-gNB or gNB. The gNB-CPU-CP terminates the E1 interface connected to the gNB-CU-UP and the F1-C interface connected to the gNB-DU.

[0240] The gNB-CU User Plane (gNB-CU-UP) includes, for example, a logical node that hosts the user plane part of the PDCP protocol of the gNB-CU for the en-gNB, and the user plane part of the PDCP protocol of the gNB-CU for the gNB and the SDAP protocol. The gNB-CU-UP terminates the E1 interface connected to the gNB-CPU-CP and the F1-U interface connected to the gNB-DU, for example, in accordance with Section 3.1 of 3GPP TS 38.401 V16.6.0 (2021-07) incorporated by reference.

[0241] Different functional splits between the central unit and the distributed unit are possible, for example, an option is called: Option 1 (split like 1A): - The functional split of this option is similar to the 1A architecture of DC. RRC is in the central unit. PDCP, RLC, MAC, the physical layer, and RF are in the distributed unit. Option 2 (split like 3C): - The functional split of this option is similar to the 3C architecture of DC. RRC and PDCP are in the central unit. RLC, MAC, the physical layer, and RF are in the distributed unit. Option 3 (split within RLC): - Low RLC (part of the functions of RLC), MAC, the physical layer, and RF are in the distributed unit. PDCP and high RLC (other parts of the functions of RLC) are in the central unit. Optional 4 (RLC-MAC split): - MAC, the physical layer, and RF are in the distributed unit. PDCP and RLC are in the central device. Or, according to Section 11 of 3GPP TR 38.801 V14.0.0 (2017-03) incorporated by reference. gNB supports different protocol layers as follows. Layer 1 (L1) - Physical layer.

[0242] The layer 2 (L2) of NR is split into the following sublayers: Medium Access Control (MAC), Radio Link Control (RLC), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), and Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP). For example, the physical layer provides a transport channel to the MAC sublayer; - The MAC sublayer provides a logical channel to the RLC sublayer; - The RLC sublayer provides the RLC channel to the PDCP sublayer; - The PDCP sublayer provides the radio bearer to the SDAP sublayer; - The SDAP sublayer provides the 5GC QoS flow; - Comp. means header compression and Segm. means segmentation; - The control channel includes (BCCH, PCCH).

[0243] Layer 3 (L3) includes, for example, radio resource control (RRC) according to Section 6 of 3GPP TS 38.300 V16.6.0 (2021-06), which is incorporated by reference.

[0244] RAN (Radio Access Network) nodes or network nodes or central nodes or distributed nodes, such as, for example, gNB, base station, gNB CU or gNB DU or parts thereof, may be implemented using at least one processor and / or at least one memory (having computer-readable instructions (computer programs)) configured to support, and / or provide, and / or process at least one protocol (sub)layer of the RAN (Radio Access Network), such as layer 2 and / or layer 3. These may also be implemented using specific means configured to perform their respective specific tasks, such as layer 3 means for performing the operations of layer 3, layer 2 means for performing the operations of layer 2, etc. The central node can implement, for example, the CU-CP and / or CP-UP functions.

[0245] The gNB CU part and the gNB DU part may be, for example, in the same location or physically separated. The gNB DU can further be divided, for example, into a part including a processing device and a part including an antenna. The Central Unit (CU) is also called the BBU / REC / RCC / C-RAN / V-RAN, O-RAN, or a part thereof. The Distributed Unit (DU) may also be called the RRH / RRU / RE / RU, or a part thereof.

[0246] The gNB-DU supports one or more cells and can thus function, for example, as a serving cell for a User Equipment (UE).

[0247] The User Equipment (UE) may include a wireless device or a mobile device, a device having a wireless interface for interacting with the RAN (Radio Access Network), a smartphone, an in-vehicle device, an IoT device, an M2M device, or others. Such a UE or device can comprise at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to cause the device, by the at least one processor, to perform certain operations, such as an RRC connection to the RAN. The UE is configured to generate, for example, a message (e.g., including a cell ID) that is wirelessly transmitted towards the RAN (e.g., to reach and communicate with a serving cell). The UE can generate and transmit / receive an RRC message including one or two or more RRC PDUs (Packet Data Units).

[0248] The UE may be in different states (e.g., according to Sections 4.2.1 and 4.4 of 3GPP TS 38.331 V16.5.0 (2021-06) incorporated by reference).

[0249] The UE is, for example, in either the RRC_CONNECTED state or the RRC_INACTIVE state when an RRC connection is established.

[0250] In the RRC_CONNECTED state, the UE can perform the following: Save the AS context; - Transfer unicast data with the UE; - Monitor the control channel associated with the shared data channel and determine whether data is scheduled on the data channel; - Be provided with channel quality and feedback information; - Perform neighbor cell measurements and measurement reports;

[0251] The RRC protocol includes, for example, the following main functions: - RRC connection control; - Measurement configuration and reporting; - Establishment / change / release of measurement configuration (such as intra-frequency measurement, inter-frequency measurement, and inter-RAT measurement, etc.); - Setup and release of measurement gaps; - Measurement reporting.

[0252] A person skilled in the art will easily recognize that the steps of the various methods described above can be executed by a programmed computer. Here, in some embodiments, it is also intended to cover a program storage mechanism, such as a digital data storage medium, that encodes a program of machine-readable or computer-readable and machine-executable or computer-executable instructions, and the instructions execute some or all of the steps of the methods described above. The program storage device can be, for example, a digital memory, a magnetic storage medium such as a magnetic disk and magnetic tape, a hard drive, or an optically readable digital data storage medium. In embodiments, it is also intended to cover a computer programmed to execute the steps of the methods described above. As used herein, the term non-transitory refers to a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., being tangible and not a signal) as opposed to a limitation of data storage persistence (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0253] As used in this application, the term "circuit" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) A circuit implementation of only hardware (such as an implementation of only analog circuits and / or digital circuits), and (b) A combination of a hardware circuit and software, (where applicable), etc.: (i) A combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and (ii) Software (including a digital signal processor), any part of a hardware processor having software and memory, which cooperate to cause a device such as a mobile phone or a server to perform various functions, and (c) A hardware circuit and / or a processor, such as a microprocessor or a part of a microprocessor, which requires software (such as firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when not required for operation.

[0254] This definition of a circuit applies to all uses of this term in this application, including the description in the claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuit" also encompasses an implementation of simply a hardware circuit or a processor (or processors) or a part of a hardware circuit or a processor, and the software and / or firmware associated therewith. Also, the term "circuit" is applicable, for example, and if applicable to a particular claim element, to a baseband integrated circuit or a processor integrated circuit for a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other computer device or network device.

[0255] In embodiments of the present invention, although various examples have been described by way of illustration, it should be understood that modifications of the given examples are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

[0256] The features described in the foregoing description can be used in combinations other than the explicitly described combinations.

[0257] Although the functions of certain features have been described by reference, those functions can be performed by other features regardless of whether they are described or not.

[0258] Although the features have been described with reference to specific embodiments, those features can exist in other embodiments regardless of whether they are described or not.

[0259] In the foregoing specification, an effort has been made to draw attention to the features of the present invention that are considered particularly important. However, the Applicant wishes to be understood as claiming protection for patentable features or combinations of features described hereinabove and / or shown in the drawings, regardless of whether they are particularly emphasized or not.

Explanation of Reference Signs

[0260] 1 UE (MN1 + SN1) in Dual Connection 2 Measurement Report 3 Handover Request 4 SN Addition Request 5 SN Addition Response 6 SN Addition Request 7 SN Addition Response 8 HO Request ACK 9 SN Modification Request 10 SN Modification ACK 11 RRC Reconfiguration 12 RRC Reconfiguration Complete

Claims

1. A user device of a communication network, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory for storing instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the user device is caused to at least receive a configuration message from a network node, the configuration message provides an indication of an activity to be executed by the user device together with conditions related to the activity, the conditions indicating when the activity is in an active state in which the activity is executed by the user device connected to the network or in an inactive state in which the measurement activity is not executed, user device.

2. The user device according to claim 1, wherein the configuration message comprises a measurement configuration message, and the activity comprises a measurement activity.

3. The user device according to claim 2, wherein the measurement configuration message indicates whether the measurement activity is in the active state or the inactive state by default.

4. The user device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the conditions indicate when the measurement activity switches between the active state and the inactive state.

5. The user device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the measurement configuration message provides an indication of a plurality of measurement activities to be executed by the user device connected to the network node together with conditions related to the measurement activities.

6. The user device according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of measurement activities comprise a first measurement activity having a first condition and a second measurement activity having a second condition, and the evaluation of the second condition is conditional on the result of the first condition.

7. The user device according to claim 6, wherein the second measurement activity has a third condition, and the evaluation of the second condition is conditional on the result of the third condition.

8. The first measurement activity includes measuring the radio state of at least one serving cell, the second measurement activity includes measuring the radio state of at least one target cell, the first measurement activity is in the active state by default, the second measurement activity is in the inactive state by default, and when the radio state measured by the first measurement activity is detected, the second measurement activity is switched to the active state. The user equipment according to any one of claims 2 to 7.

9. The first measurement activity includes at least radio link monitoring of a serving PCCell, the second measurement activity includes measurement of the radio state of at least one target PCCell, and when a radio link failure, T310 activation, or beam failure related to the serving PCCell is detected, the second measurement activity is switched to the active state. The user equipment according to any one of claims 2 to 8.

10. The command causes the user equipment to at least activate the second measurement activity when a radio link failure, T310 activation, or beam failure related to the serving PSCell is detected. The user equipment according to any one of claims 2 to 9.

11. The user equipment is configured to perform dual connection with at least the network node including a source master node and a first secondary node, the configuration message includes a handover request confirmation response received from the master node, the handover request confirmation response indicates a first activity of applying a configuration for connection with a target master node and the first secondary node when a first condition related to a radio link failure, T310 activation, or beam failure associated with a serving PSCell is not detected, the handover request confirmation response indicates a second activity of applying a configuration for connection with the target master node and a second secondary node when a deactivated second condition is activated, and the deactivated second condition is activated when the first condition is false. The user equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The instruction causes the user equipment to at least activate the second condition when detecting the radio link failure, T310 activation, or beam failure associated with the serving PSCell. The user equipment according to claim 11.

13. The first measurement activity includes measuring a radio state of a current serving cell, the second measurement activity includes measuring a radio state of a target serving cell, the first measurement activity is in the inactive state by default, the second measurement activity is in the active state by default, and when a cell change from the current serving cell to the target serving cell is executed, the second measurement activity is switched to the inactive state and the first measurement activity is switched to the active state. The user equipment according to any one of claims 2 to 7.

14. The instruction causes the user equipment to at least activate the first measurement activity and deactivate the second measurement activity when a cell change from the current serving cell to the target serving cell is executed. The user equipment according to claim 13.

15. The user equipment is configured to perform a dual connection with at least the network node including a source master node and a source secondary node, the configuration message includes an RRC reconfiguration message received from the source master node, the RRC reconfiguration message indicates a first activity of measuring a PSCell of the source secondary node under a first condition that the measurement is deactivated when the user equipment is connected to the source master node, and the RRC reconfiguration message indicates a second activity of measuring a PSCell of the target secondary node under a second condition that the measurement is activated when the user equipment is not connected to the target master node. The user equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The user equipment according to claim 15, wherein in response to performing a conditional primary serving cell change toward the target secondary node, the user equipment activates the first activity of measuring the PSCell of the source secondary node and deactivates the second activity of measuring the PSCell of the target secondary node.

17. The user equipment according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the measurement is deactivated by deactivating a related measurement_ID and activated by activating the related measurement_ID.

18. The first measurement activity includes measuring a radio state of a current serving cell, the second measurement activity includes measuring a radio state of a target serving cell, the first measurement activity is in the active state by default, the second measurement activity is in the inactive state by default, and the second measurement activity is switched to the active state when a degradation exceeding a threshold value of the radio state measured by the first measurement activity is detected. The user equipment according to any one of claims 2 to 7.

19. The first measurement activity includes measuring at least the radio state of the serving PCell, the second measurement activity includes measuring at least the radio state of the PS Cell, and the measurement configuration message provides an indication of a further measurement activity including measuring at least the radio state of the serving PCell and further conditions to be satisfied before switching the second measurement activity to the active state. The user equipment according to claim 18.

20. The user equipment according to claim 19, wherein the further condition includes measuring a received signal power that is lower by an offset amount than the power measured by the first measurement activity that would lead to a conditional handover.

21. The command causes the user equipment to at least activate the second measurement activity when the received signal power is lower by the offset amount than the power measured by the first measurement activity that would lead to a conditional handover. The user equipment according to claim 19 or 20.

22. The user equipment is configured to perform a dual connection between at least the network node including the source master node and a first secondary node. The configuration message includes a handover request confirmation response received from the master node. The handover request confirmation response indicates a first activity of applying a configuration for connection to a target master node when an activated first condition of the measured radio conditions requests a conditional handover, a deactivated second condition of measuring the radio conditions of the PS Cell, and an activated third condition of determining when the measured radio conditions are below a predetermined amount than the conditions requesting a conditional handover. The second condition is activated when the third condition is true. The user equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. The command causes the user equipment to at least activate the second condition when detecting that the third condition is true. The user equipment according to claim 11.

24. The command causes the user equipment to at least When detecting that the first condition is true, cause the addition of the PSCell related to the second condition to be determined. The user equipment according to claim 22 or 23. **Claim 25** The instruction causes the user equipment to at least deactivate a measurement - ID that does not meet the condition. The user equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 24. **Claim 26** The instruction causes the user equipment to at least deactivate a measurement object not linked to an active measurement - ID. The user equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 25. **Claim 27** The instruction causes the user equipment to at least deactivate a measurement gap or a synchronization signal block - based radio resource management measurement timing configuration window not related to an active measurement object. The user equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 26. **Claim 28** A method comprising: receiving a configuration message from a network node, the configuration message providing an indication of an activity to be performed by the user equipment along with a condition related to the activity, the condition indicating when the activity is in an active state performed by the user equipment connected to the network or in an inactive state when the measurement activity is not performed. **Claim 29** A non - transitory computer - readable medium storing program instructions, wherein the program instructions are for at least performing the step of receiving a configuration message from a network node, the configuration message providing an indication of an activity to be performed by the user equipment along with a condition related to the activity, the condition indicating when the activity is in an active state performed by the user equipment connected to the network or in an inactive state when the measurement activity is not performed. **Claim 30** A network node of a communication network comprising at least one processor and at least one memory for storing instructions. When executed by the at least one processor, the command causes the network node to, at least, send a configuration message to a user device, the configuration message providing an indication of an activity to be executed by the user device along with conditions associated with the activity, the conditions indicating when the activity is in an active state to be executed by the user device connected to the network or in an inactive state where the measurement activity is not executed, a network node.

31. A method comprising: sending a configuration message to a user device, the configuration message providing an indication of an activity to be executed by the user device along with conditions associated with the activity, the conditions indicating when the activity is in an active state to be executed by the user device connected to the network or in an inactive state where the measurement activity is not executed.

32. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program instructions, wherein the program instructions are for at least performing the step of receiving a configuration message from a network node, the configuration message providing an indication of an activity to be executed by the user device along with conditions associated with the activity, the conditions indicating when the activity is in an active state to be executed by the user device connected to the network or in an inactive state where the measurement activity is not executed.

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