Dynamic change of gap priorities

Abstract

The method may include receiving from a first network a group priority setting for the first network and a group priority setting for the second network, a gap priority for a gap associated with the first network, and a condition under which the user equipment can change the gap priority for the gap associated with the first network relative to the gap priority for the gap associated with the second network. The method may also include requesting the first network for a gap associated with activity in the second network. The method may further include monitoring the condition received from the first network. Further, the method may include modifying the gap priority for the gap associated with the first network element or the gap priority for the gap associated with the second network in response to the monitoring.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Related Applications This application claims priority to IN Application No. 202241055935, filed September 29, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Some exemplary embodiments may relate generally to mobile or wireless telecommunications systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or Fifth Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) access technologies, or 5G Beyond, or other communications systems. For example, certain exemplary embodiments may relate to apparatus, systems, and / or methods for dynamically changing gap priorities. [Background technology]

[0003] Examples of mobile communication systems or wireless communication systems include Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), LTE Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), MultiFire, LTE-A Pro, and / or fifth-generation (5G) radio access technology or NR access technology. 5G radio systems refer to the next generation (NG) of radio systems and network architectures. While most 5G network technologies are based on New Radio (NR) technology, 5G (or NG) networks can also be built on E-UTRAN radio. NR is estimated to provide bit rates of 10–20 Gbps or more and support at least enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine-based communications (mMTC). NR is expected to enable extremely wideband, ultra-robust low-latency connectivity, and large-scale networking to support the IoT. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Some example embodiments may be directed to a method. The method may include receiving from a first network a group priority setting for the first network and a group priority setting for a second network, a gap priority setting for a gap associated with the first network, and a condition under which the user equipment can change the gap priority setting for the gap associated with the first network relative to the gap priority setting for the gap associated with the second network. The method may also include requesting the first network for a gap associated with activity in the second network. The method may further include monitoring the condition received from the first network. Furthermore, the method may include modifying the gap priority setting for the gap associated with the first network element or the gap priority setting for the gap associated with the second network in response to the monitoring.

[0005] Another exemplary embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and computer program code may also be configured, by the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to receive, from a first network, a group priority setting for the first network and a group priority setting for the second network, a gap priority for a gap associated with the first network, and a condition under which the apparatus can change the gap priority for a gap associated with the first network relative to the gap priority for a gap associated with the second network. The apparatus may further be configured to request a gap from the first network associated with activity in the second network. The apparatus may further be configured to monitor the condition received from the first network. The method may further include modifying the gap priority for a gap associated with the first network element or the gap priority for a gap associated with the second network in response to the monitoring.

[0006] Another example embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for receiving from a first network a group priority setting for the first network and a group priority setting for a second network, a gap priority for a gap associated with the first network, and a condition under which the apparatus can change the gap priority for a gap associated with the first network relative to the gap priority for a gap associated with the second network. The apparatus may also include means for requesting the first network for a gap associated with activity in the second network. The apparatus may further include means for monitoring the condition received from the first network. Additionally, the apparatus may include means for modifying the gap priority for a gap associated with the first network element or the gap priority for a gap associated with the second network in response to the monitoring.

[0007] In another example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may be encoded with instructions that, when executed in hardware, may perform a method. The method may include receiving from a first network a group priority setting for the first network and a group priority setting for a second network, a gap priority for a gap associated with the first network, and a condition under which the user equipment can change the gap priority for the gap associated with the first network relative to the gap priority for the gap associated with the second network. The method may also include requesting the first network for a gap associated with activity in the second network. The method may further include monitoring the condition received from the first network. Furthermore, the method may include modifying the gap priority for the gap associated with the first network element or the gap priority for the gap associated with the second network in response to the monitoring.

[0008] Another example embodiment may be directed to a computer program product that executes a method. The method may include receiving from a first network a group priority setting for the first network and a group priority setting for a second network, a gap priority setting for a gap associated with the first network, and a condition under which the user equipment can change the gap priority setting for the gap associated with the first network relative to the gap priority setting for the gap associated with the second network. The method may also include requesting the first network for a gap associated with activity in the second network. The method may further include monitoring the condition received from the first network. Furthermore, the method may include modifying the gap priority setting for the gap associated with the first network element or the gap priority setting for the gap associated with the second network in response to the monitoring.

[0009] Another example embodiment may be directed to an apparatus that may include circuitry configured to receive from a first network a group priority setting for the first network and a group priority setting for a second network, a gap priority setting for a gap associated with the first network, and a condition under which the apparatus can modify the gap priority setting for a gap associated with the first network relative to the gap priority setting for a gap associated with the second network. The apparatus may also include circuitry configured to request the first network for a gap associated with activity in the second network. The apparatus may further include circuitry configured to monitor the condition received from the first network. The apparatus may further include circuitry configured to modify the gap priority setting for a gap associated with the first network element or the gap priority setting for a gap associated with the second network in response to the monitoring.

[0010] Certain example embodiments may be directed to a method. The method may include configuring, by a first network, a group priority associated with activity of a user equipment including multiple network subscriptions, a gap priority for a gap associated with the first network, a group priority for the first network, and a group priority for a second network. The method may also include configuring the user equipment with the gap associated with the first network, the group priority, and a condition for changing the gap priority for the gap associated with the first network or the gap priority for the gap associated with the second network. The method may further include receiving a request from the user equipment for a gap associated with activity of the second network. Further, the method includes configuring the user equipment with a gap associated with activity of the second network.

[0011] Another example embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured, by the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to configure a group priority associated with user equipment activity, including at least a plurality of network subscriptions, a gap priority for a gap associated with the apparatus, a group priority for the apparatus, and a group priority for the network. The apparatus may also be configured to configure the user equipment with a gap associated with the apparatus, a group priority, and a condition that modifies the gap priority for a gap associated with the apparatus or the gap priority for a gap associated with the network. The apparatus may further be configured to receive a request for a gap associated with network activity from the user equipment. Furthermore, the apparatus may be configured with the gap associated with network activity.

[0012] Another example embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for configuring a group priority associated with activity of a user equipment including multiple network subscriptions, a gap priority for a gap associated with the device, a group priority for the device, and a group priority for the network. The apparatus may also include means for configuring the user equipment with a condition that modifies the gap associated with the device, the group priority, and the gap priority for the gap associated with the device or the gap priority for the gap associated with the network. The apparatus may further include means for receiving a request for a gap associated with activity of the network from the user equipment. Additionally, the apparatus may include means for configuring the user equipment with a gap associated with activity of the network.

[0013] In another exemplary embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may be encoded with instructions that, when executed on hardware, may perform a method. The method may include configuring, by a first network, a group priority associated with activity of a user equipment, including multiple network subscriptions, a gap priority for a gap associated with the first network, a group priority for the first network, and a group priority for a second network. The method may also include configuring the user equipment with the gap associated with the first network, the group priority, and a condition for changing the gap priority for the gap associated with the first network or the gap priority for the gap associated with the second network. The method may further include receiving a request from the user equipment for a gap associated with activity of the second network. Furthermore, the method includes configuring the user equipment with a gap associated with activity of the second network.

[0014] Another example embodiment may be directed to a computer program product executing a method. The method may include configuring, by a first network, a group priority associated with activity of a user equipment including multiple network subscriptions, a gap priority for a gap associated with the first network, a group priority for the first network, and a group priority for a second network. The method may also include configuring the user equipment with a gap associated with the first network, a group priority, and a condition for changing the gap priority for the gap associated with the first network or the gap priority for the gap associated with the second network. The method may further include receiving a request from the user equipment for a gap associated with activity of the second network. Further, the method includes configuring the user equipment with a gap associated with activity of the second network.

[0015] Another example embodiment may be directed to an apparatus that may include circuitry configured to configure a group priority associated with activity of a user equipment including multiple network subscriptions, a gap priority for a gap associated with the device, a group priority for the device, and a group priority for the network. The apparatus may also include circuitry configured to configure the user equipment with a condition that modifies the gap associated with the device, the group priority, and the gap priority for a gap associated with the device or the gap priority for a gap associated with the network. The apparatus may further include circuitry configured to receive a request for a gap associated with activity of the network from the user equipment. Additionally, the apparatus may include circuitry configured to configure the user equipment with a gap associated with activity of the network. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] For a proper understanding of the exemplary embodiments, please refer to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary signaling diagram in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an example flow diagram of a method according to an example embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 illustrates an example flow diagram of another method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a set of devices in one exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] It will be readily understood that the components of certain exemplary embodiments as generally described and illustrated in the figures in this example could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Following are detailed descriptions of several exemplary embodiments of systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for dynamically changing gap priorities. For example, one exemplary embodiment may be directed to dynamically changing gap priorities for multiple universal subscriber identity modules (MUSIMs).

[0018] The features, structures, or characteristics of exemplary embodiments described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more exemplary embodiments. For example, the use of the phrases "particular embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," "some embodiments," or other similar phrases throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in particular embodiment," "in exemplary embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," or other similar phrases throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same set of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, throughout this specification, the terms "cell," "node," "gNB," "network," or other similar language may be used interchangeably. Furthermore, the term Network A (NW-A) may be used to refer to a network in which a user equipment (UE) is in RRC_CONNECTED mode with its first universal subscriber identity module (USIM), and the term Network B (NW-B) may be used to refer to a network in which a UE is in RRC_IDLE mode or RRC_INACTIVE mode with its second USIM. Additionally, the term "gap" may refer to a time when the UE is not scheduled with downlink / uplink (DL / UL) activity related to a connection with a NW (e.g., NW-A) and therefore can perform other activities during the gap.

[0019] As used herein, "at least one of: " and similar expressions such as "at least one of " mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements when a list of two or more elements is joined by "and" or "or."

[0020] As described in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®) technical specifications, supporting MUSIM functionality can present certain challenges if a UE needs to maintain independent communication with the network (NW) corresponding to each USIM in the UE. In particular, 3GPP® defines MUSIM gaps, which allow a UE to request up to three periodic gaps and one aperiodic gap from the NW-A in RRC_CONNECTED mode to perform necessary procedures (e.g., paging monitoring and measurements) on the NW-B in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE mode. For this purpose, a gap pattern for the MUSIM has been introduced. However, corresponding radio resource management (RRM) requirements are not specified because there is no 3GPP® time allocation (TU) in the related working group (RAN4).

[0021] A MUSIM device may have two or more simultaneous 3GPP® / 3GPP®2 network subscriptions with multiple corresponding International Mobile Subscriber Identifiers (IMSIs) in the case of Enhanced Packet System (EPS) or Subscription Persistent Identifier (SUPI). In the case of 5GS, each associated network subscription may belong to the same or different Mobile Network Operator (MNO) or Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). In some cases, the maximum number of USIMs supported for a UE may be two. However, some UEs may support three USIMs.

[0022] MUSIM devices are of two types depending on the simultaneous RRC_states supported by the USIM. In the first type, a MUSIM device may be a dual-SIM dual-standby (DSDS) or multi-USIM multi-standby (MUMS) device that is registered with two or more independent subscriber identities (USIMs) and can be in RRC_IDLE mode with all USIMs. However, such a device may only be in RRC_CONNECTED mode with a single USIM at a given time. In the second type, a MUSIM device may be a dual-SIM dual-active or multi-USIM multi-active (MUMA) device that is registered with two or more independent subscriber identities (USIMs) and can be in RRC_IDLE mode with all USIMs. Furthermore, devices of the second type are capable of maintaining RRC_CONNECTED mode activity with all USIMs.

[0023] Furthermore, the UE's behavior with respect to simultaneous MUSIM processing may depend on the UE's capabilities related to simultaneous, independent Rx and / or Tx operations. For example, in singleRx / singleTx operation, the UE may only be able to receive traffic from and / or transmit traffic to one NW at a time (Type 1). In dualRx / singleTx operation, the UE may be able to receive traffic from two NWs simultaneously but transmit to only one NW at a time (Type 2). Furthermore, in dualRx / dualTx operation, the UE may be able to receive and / or transmit to two networks simultaneously (Type 3).

[0024] A dualRx UE may be expected to perform Rx activity on both USIMs of the UE simultaneously (e.g., receive in RRC_IDLE / RRC_INACTIVE on the UE's USIM while maintaining an RRC connection on the other USIM, or perform independent RRC_IDLE / RRC_INACTIVE operations on multiple USIMs simultaneously). However, a dualRx MUSIM UE may still operate as a single-Rx UE for some specific band / frequency / bandwidth combinations, e.g., due to radio frequency (RF) hardware (HW) designs where all Rx and Tx chains do not cover the full range of Frequency Range 1 (FR1) (i.e., frequency band group low band (LB)). The frequency bands are the low band (LB) covering frequencies below 1 GHz, the mid band (MB) covering frequencies between 1 GHz and 2.2 GHz, the high band (HB) covering frequencies between 2.3 GHz and 2.7 GHz, and the ultra-high band (UHB) covering frequencies between 3 GHz and 6 GHz. It should be noted that the band groups defined in FR1 are not official 3GPP definitions but are typically referenced by component vendors (e.g., filters, LNAs, PAs). Furthermore, a dual-Rx MUSIM UE may operate as a single-Rx UE depending on the RF HW design front-end components. Furthermore, certain band combinations may be impossible due to intermodulation interference within the device.

[0025] 3GPP specifications currently describe work on extending measurement gaps and priority-based rules to resolve issues related to simultaneous gaps. This includes the possibility of assigning priorities to gaps in the IE MeasAndMobParameters and / or providing a means for gap sharing to convey the UE's capabilities related to RRM, radio link monitoring (RLM), and mobility (e.g., handover) measurements. However, currently, MUSIM gaps may be requested from NW-A for UE activities on NW-B when the UE is in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE mode. Examples of such activities include paging monitoring, RRM measurements for cell (re)selection, reading system information blocks (SIBs), RAN-based notification area update (RNAU) / tracking area update (TAU) messages, and sending busy indications. The UE may also receive gaps for other measurements, such as NW-A measurements to perform RRM in the serving cell, intra- / inter-frequency and inter-RAT neighbor cell measurements, L1 measurements for radio link monitoring (RLM), beam failure detection (BFD), or beam management (BM). However, there is currently no requirement for synchronization or alignment between different NWs, each belonging to the same vendor / PLMN or corresponding to different USIMs. Therefore, MUSIM gaps may overlap with NW-A gaps.

[0026] As described above, measurement gaps are related to NW-A's own measurements and may be set by NW-A while the activities of NW-B are unknown to NW-A. The defined priority procedures may be applied to the relevant gaps of NW-A. However, a mechanism for defining the priority for gaps of NW-B needs to be specified. Assigning static priorities to MUSIM gaps cannot take into account practical use cases. Furthermore, the priority of gaps related to NW-A or NW-B may be dynamically changed based on the knowledge of the UE and the NW when performing measurements at NW-A or performing some activities at NW-B (e.g., based on observed radio link conditions). In view of the above challenges, some exemplary embodiments therefore enable dynamic change of the priority of MUSIM gaps (e.g., depending on the radio link conditions observed by the UE at NW-A and / or NW-B).

[0027] As mentioned above, certain exemplary embodiments may provide mechanisms for dynamically changing the priority of measurement gaps in NW-A and / or MUSIM gaps in NW-B for any RRC_IDLE / RRC_INACTIVE operation, allowing the priority of measurement gaps in NW-A and / or MUSIM gaps in NW-B to be changed depending on given conditions. For example, in certain exemplary embodiments, NW-A may already have assigned priorities to its configured measurement gaps, e.g., for RRM measurements and possibly L1 measurements (e.g., for beam management). In an exemplary embodiment, gaps in NW-A may also have been collectively assigned a group priority.

[0028] In some exemplary embodiments, MUSIM gaps for operation of the NW-B may be assigned a group priority lower than the group priority of the NW-A. In addition to group priority, gaps in the NW-A for different purposes may be prioritized based on the purpose. Thus, gaps in the NW-A may be referred to as gap priority for ease of understanding. In some exemplary embodiments, group priority and / or gap priority may be (re)configured by the NW-A via an RRC Reconfiguration message. In other exemplary embodiments, the NW-A may determine and configure one or a set of conditions under which the UE can change the priority of measurement gaps in the NW-A. These conditions may include, for example, whether the UE reaches an RRM measurement reporting event. For example, the reporting event may be event A2, in which the UE's measured received signal from the serving cell becomes worse than a configured threshold. In another exemplary embodiment, the reporting event may be event A3, in which the UE's measured received signal from a neighboring cell is better than the UE's measured received signal from the serving cell by a configured offset value. In other exemplary embodiments, the condition may be a combination of multiple events, such as, for example, multiple measurement reporting events. In a particular exemplary embodiment, when the UE reaches an RRM measurement reporting event, the UE may increase the priority of the RRM measurement gaps in NW-A.

[0029] According to certain example embodiments, other conditions may include whether the UE has detected or predicted a radio link failure (RLF). For example, in certain example embodiments, if the UE detects or predicts an RLF condition, the UE may increase the priority of applying RLM measurements (i.e., the UE may decrease the priority of the MUSIM gap) if the UE's configured MUSIM gap overlaps with an RLM-reference signal (RLM-RS) resource opportunity.

[0030] In an example embodiment, other conditions may include whether the UE has detected or predicted a beam failure (BF) condition. For example, if the UE has detected or predicted a BF condition, the UE may increase the priority of the applied BFD measurements or new search measurement candidates (i.e., the UE may decrease the priority for the MUSIM gap) if the UE's configured MUSIM gap overlaps with the location of the reference signal for beam failure detection and beam link recovery.

[0031] In other exemplary embodiments, other conditions may include whether the UE has high mobility (i.e., the UE is moving at a high speed and / or its radio link conditions are expected to change rapidly) and / or is at a cell edge (i.e., the UE is expected to be handed over to a neighboring cell in the near future), or at the time of handover or measurement reporting, e.g., mobility. For example, if the UE has high mobility and / or is at a cell edge, the UE may prioritize all measurement gaps. High UE mobility may increase the need for RRM measurements in NW-A as well as NW-B, and may prioritize corresponding gaps in both NW-A and NW-B. In further exemplary embodiments, other conditions may include whether the UE has observed good serving cell conditions in NW-A (e.g., whether the UE is close to the cell center and has low mobility). For example, if the UE has good serving cell conditions, the UE may deprioritize all measurement activities in the NW-A (e.g., RRM measurements as well as radio link and beam monitoring to the NW-A and MUSIM gap prioritization). In certain exemplary embodiments, when the UE receives a condition from the NW-A, the UE may apply the condition to determine when / if priorities may be changed without requiring further signaling.

[0032] According to certain example embodiments, the NW-A can determine and configure the UE to indicate that UE Assistance Information (UAI) for changing the priority of the MUSIM gap to a higher or lower value is allowed via the RRC reconfiguration message. Furthermore, in certain example embodiments, when the UE receives the RRC reconfiguration message, the UE can evaluate conditions and use the UAI to notify the NW-A about the change in the priority of the gap associated with the NW-A. According to certain example embodiments, the conditions may include, but are not limited to, those described above and in further detail below. For example, the conditions may include whether the UE has high mobility and / or is at a cell edge and / or whether the UE has low mobility and / or whether the UE is close to a cell center. If the UE has high mobility (i.e., the UE is moving fast and the radio link conditions are expected to change rapidly) and / or is at the cell edge (i.e., the UE is expected to hand over to a neighboring cell in the near future), the UE may increase the priority of the MUSIM gap for RRM measurements (predictive cell reselection). Furthermore, if the UE has low mobility and is close to the cell center of NW-A, the UE may decrease the priority of NW-A measurements. In an exemplary embodiment, the UE may increase the MUSIM gap for a specific activity in NW-B. This activity in one exemplary embodiment may be monitoring paging in NW-B.

[0033] In certain exemplary embodiments, when gap overlap occurs, if the MUSIM gap priority and the NW-A gap priority are the same, group priority may be applied. The configuration in some exemplary embodiments may also include information and rules such as whether the gap priority modification is temporary or permanent. If the gap priority is temporary, the gap priority may revert to the previous priority after a certain period of time has elapsed without the need for new signaling. In other exemplary embodiments, the gap priority may revert to the previous priority after the conditions for applying the priority change are no longer met. However, if the gap priority is permanent, new signaling may be required.

[0034] As described herein, certain exemplary embodiments may include rules / methods for dynamically modifying gap priorities so that the UE can decide what to do if a MUSIM gap conflicts with a gap for NW-A measurements, or cause an RRC connection interruption in critical radio link and / or traffic scenarios. Thus, Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary signaling diagram for certain exemplary embodiments.

[0035] In operation 1 of FIG. 1 , a MUSIM UE is in RRC_CONNECTED mode with NW-A and may be in RRC_IDLE mode or RRC_INACTIVE mode with NW-B. In operation 2, the NW-A can determine priorities for different activities. For example, according to certain exemplary embodiments, the NW-A can configure the UE with its own gap priority as well as group priority for gaps in NW-A. Additionally, the NW-A may configure the UE with group priority for MUSIM-related activities (i.e., MUSIM gaps in which the UE is performing activities related to NW-B) and may configure a set of conditions under which the UE can change gap priority. Thus, in certain exemplary embodiments, a configuration may be compiled in the NW-A in operation 2 and later transmitted to the UE via an RRC message in operation 3, as described in further detail below. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the priority may refer to relative group priority (i.e., raising or lowering the group priority of NW-A or NW-B) or gap priority based on corresponding activities in NW-A or NW-B. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the condition may be any one or combination of the conditions described above.

[0036] In certain exemplary embodiments, one condition may relate to the mobility of the UE and a predicted or already triggered mobility procedure (e.g., handover). In particular, a predicted or already triggered mobility procedure of the UE may be predicted from a measurement report, such as a measurement report for reporting event A2 or A3. In some exemplary embodiments, a different threshold compared to the threshold for triggering a measurement report (e.g., A2 or A3) may be defined as a reporting threshold that is lower than the reporting threshold for predicting a deterioration in the absolute value of the received signal from the serving cell (triggering a measurement report based on an A2 reporting event), or a reporting threshold for an earlier appearance of a strong neighboring cell, which may be reflected in the received signal from the neighboring cell being significantly higher than the received signal from the serving cell (triggering a measurement report based on an A3 reporting event).

[0037] As mentioned above, the condition may be a critical radio link condition where RLF has already been declared or is predicted to occur soon. In one example embodiment, different thresholds for RLF parameters Qin and / or Qout, or timers T310 / T311, may be defined with values ​​to predict and react to a future RLF condition. According to another example embodiment, the other condition may be a condition that is expected to predict a beam break (i.e., depending on BFD measurements). In one example embodiment, different thresholds for BFD detection may be defined with values ​​to predict and react to a future beam failure condition.

[0038] In other example embodiments, the conditions may include a timer associated with a change in the priority of the MUSIM gap. For example, an RLM out-of-sync indication may be used to reduce the priority of the MUSIM gap. This reduction may be active for the duration of a timer defined as the time the UE acknowledged out-of-sync (TOOS), after which the priority of the MUSIM gap may revert to its previous setting.

[0039] According to another exemplary embodiment, the gNB can set rules for how gap priority is changed for each condition. For example, the priority increase or decrease can have steps equal to 1 or the maximum priority allowed within the group.

[0040] Returning to FIG. 1, in operation 3, the NW-A may send a configuration including the gap, group priority, and condition associated with the NW-A defined in operation 2 to the UE to change the gap priority of the NW-A using a radio resource control (RRC) message. In operation 4, the UE may indicate to the NW-A that the RRC reconfiguration is complete. In operation 5, the UE may determine the location of the paging occasion (PO) and the measurement window for the RRM measurement based on the information received in the SIB from the NW-B and the UE-ID.

[0041] As further shown in FIG. 1 , in operation 6, the UE can use an RRC message and a UAI to request gaps from NW-A for activities related to NW-B. According to Rel-17, the UE can request up to four gaps (three periodic gaps and one aperiodic gap). The UE can also include the priority of the corresponding gaps in the UAI. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the gap priority may be linked to a procedure (e.g., paging, RRM measurement, SIB read, RNAU / RAU, BUSY indication) and may be predefined or configured by NW-A in operation 3.

[0042] In operation 7, the NW-A can accept or reject the requested gap by providing the MUSIM gap configuration in the RRC reconfiguration. In operation 8, the UE can confirm that the RRC reconfiguration is complete. Furthermore, in operation 9, the UE can monitor the set of conditions provided by the NW-A (in operation 3) for NW-A-associated gap changes and monitor whether any of the conditions are met. If the UE determines that one or more conditions are met, the UE can update the gap priority(s) accordingly. The set of conditions can include any of the conditions described above. According to an exemplary embodiment, if two overlapping gaps have the same priority, the decision can be based on a group priority. According to other exemplary embodiments, the priority can be specified independently for each gap operation, and the configuration can allow for priority increments or decrements based on the defined conditions. According to further exemplary embodiments, an absolute priority (i.e., the condition does not increase or decrease the priority, but can provide a single new priority value) corresponding to each condition can be configured.

[0043] As further shown in FIG. 1 , in operation 10, the UE may optionally send a UAI to inform the NW-A about the updated priority, or when a mobility event is triggered, the UE may use a measurement report to implicitly indicate a change in MUSIM priority, taking into account the rules defined in operation 2. Furthermore, in operation 11, the UE may monitor the set of conditions provided by the NW-A in operation 3 for a change in the priority of the NW-B-associated gap. According to an exemplary embodiment, if any of the conditions is met, the UE may update the gap priority accordingly. As mentioned above, the conditions may include any one or a combination of the above conditions.

[0044] According to one exemplary embodiment, when two overlapping gaps have the same priority, a group priority can be used to determine which gap / operation should be prioritized. According to another exemplary embodiment, the priority can be specified independently for each measurement operation, and the setting can allow for increasing or decreasing the priority based on defined conditions. According to a further exemplary embodiment, an absolute priority corresponding to each condition can be set. In another exemplary embodiment, the change in priority of the MUSIM gap may depend on the observed radio conditions at the NW-A and not necessarily due to an overlap with the NW-A gap. In operation 12, the UE can optionally send a UAI to inform the NW-A of the updated priority of the MUSIM-related gap.

[0045] 2 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a method in accordance with a particular exemplary embodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, the method of FIG. 2 may be performed by a network entity or a group of network elements in a 3GPP system, such as LTE or 5G-NR. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the method of FIG. 2 may be performed by a UE similar to one of the devices 10 or 20 illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0046] According to an example embodiment, the method of Figure 2 may include, at 200, receiving from a first network a group priority setting for the first network and a group priority setting for a second network, a gap priority for a gap associated with the first network, and a condition under which the user equipment can change the gap priority for a gap associated with the first network relative to the gap priority for a gap associated with the second network. The method may also include, at 205, requesting the first network for a gap associated with activity in the second network. The method may further include, at 210, monitoring the condition received from the first network. Further, the method may include, at 215, changing the gap priority for the gap associated with the first network element or the gap priority for the gap associated with the second network in response to the monitoring.

[0047] According to certain exemplary embodiments, the request may include a group priority associated with the second network and a gap priority of the gap. According to some exemplary embodiments, the group priority of the second network and the gap priority of the gap associated with the second network may be predefined or may be received by configuration from the first network. According to other exemplary embodiments, the condition may include at least one of: the user equipment has reached or is close to reaching a radio resource management measurement reporting event; the user equipment has detected or predicted a radio link failure condition; the user equipment has detected or predicted a beam failure condition; the user equipment has high mobility or is at a cell edge; or the user equipment is close to a cell center and has low mobility.

[0048] In certain exemplary embodiments, determining an operation for a first network or a second network when the operations overlap in time may be based on the gap priority of the gap associated with the first network and the group priority of the first network, and the gap priority of the gap associated with the second network and the group priority of the second network. In some exemplary embodiments, if the gap priority of the gap associated with the first network and the gap priority of the gap associated with the second network have equal values, the group priority of the first network and the group priority of the second network may apply. In other exemplary embodiments, modifying the gap priority of the gap associated with the first network or group priority may include increasing or decreasing the gap priority of the gap associated with the first network or the group priority of the first network based on the condition.

[0049] According to certain exemplary embodiments, the configuration may include information and rules regarding how modification of gap priority of gaps associated with the first network or gap priority of gaps associated with the second network should be implemented. According to some exemplary embodiments, the configuration may include information and rules regarding whether modification of gap priority of gaps associated with the first network is temporary or permanent. According to some exemplary embodiments, the method may also include transmitting a first message including user equipment assistance information to the first network. According to further exemplary embodiments, the first message including user equipment assistance information may include information regarding updating of gap priority of group priority or gaps associated with the first network. In some exemplary embodiments, the method may also include transmitting a second message including user equipment assistance information to the first network. In other exemplary embodiments, the second message including user equipment assistance information may include information regarding updating of gap priority of gaps associated with the second network.

[0050] 3 illustrates an example flow diagram of another method in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. In an exemplary embodiment, the method of FIG. 3 may be performed by a network entity or a group of network elements in a 3GPP system, such as LTE or 5G-NR. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the method of FIG. 3 may be performed by a network, a cell, a gNB, or any other device similar to one of devices 10 or 20 shown in FIG. 4.

[0051] According to certain exemplary embodiments, the method of FIG. 3 may include, at 300, configuring, by a first network, a group priority associated with activity of a user equipment including multiple network subscriptions, a gap priority for a gap associated with the first network, a group priority for the first network, and a group priority for a second network. The method may also include, at 305, configuring the user equipment with the gap associated with the first network, the group priority, and a condition for changing the gap priority for the gap associated with the first network or the gap priority for the gap associated with the second network. The method may further include, at 310, receiving a request from the user equipment for a gap associated with activity of the second network. Further, the method may include, at 315, configuring the user equipment with the gap associated with activity of the second network.

[0052] According to certain exemplary embodiments, the request may include a group priority and a gap priority of the gap associated with the second network. According to some exemplary embodiments, the conditions include at least one of whether the user equipment has reached or is close to reaching a radio resource management measurement reporting event, whether the user equipment has detected or predicted a radio link failure condition, whether the user equipment has detected or predicted a beam failure condition, whether the user equipment has high mobility or is at a cell edge, or whether the user equipment is close to a cell center and has low mobility. According to other exemplary embodiments, the method may also include setting rules for how the gap priority of the gap associated with the first network or the gap priority of the gap associated with the second network is changed for each condition.

[0053] In certain exemplary embodiments, the method may further include receiving, at the first network, a first message including user equipment assistance information from the user equipment including information regarding an update to a gap priority for a group priority or gap associated with the first network or a gap priority for a group priority or gap associated with the second network. In some exemplary embodiments, the method may also include receiving a second message including user equipment assistance information from the user equipment including information regarding an update to a gap priority for a gap associated with the second network.

[0054] 4 illustrates a set of apparatuses 10 and 20 in a particular exemplary embodiment. In a particular exemplary embodiment, apparatus 10 may be an element in a communication network or an element associated with such a network, such as a UE, mobile equipment (ME), mobile station, mobile device, fixed device, IoT device, or other device. Note that those skilled in the art will understand that apparatus 10 may include components or features not illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0055] In some exemplary embodiments, device 10 may include one or more processors, one or more computer-readable storage media (e.g., memory, storage, etc.), one or more wireless access components (e.g., modems, transceivers, etc.), and / or a user interface. In some exemplary embodiments, device 10 may be configured to operate using one or more wireless access technologies, such as GSM, LTE, LTE-A, NR, 5G, WLAN, WiFi, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, NFC, MulteFire, and / or any other wireless access technology. Note that one skilled in the art will understand that device 10 may include components or functionality not shown in FIG. 4 .

[0056] As in the example of FIG. 4 , device 10 may include or be coupled to processor 12 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. Processor 12 may be any type of general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Indeed, processor 12 may include, by way of example, one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. While a single processor 12 is shown in FIG. 4 , multiple processors may be utilized according to other exemplary embodiments. For example, it should be understood that in certain exemplary embodiments, device 10 may include two or more processors that may form a multiprocessor system (e.g., processor 12 in this example represents a multiprocessor) that may support multiprocessing. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the multiprocessor system may be tightly coupled (e.g., to form a computer cluster) or loosely coupled.

[0057] Processor 12 may perform functions related to the operation of device 10, including, as some examples, precoding of antenna gain / phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forming communication messages, formatting of information, and overall control of device 10, including the processes and examples shown in Figures 1-3.

[0058] Apparatus 10 may further include or be coupled to processor 12 with memory 14 (internal or external) for storing information and instructions that may be executed by processor 12. Memory 14 may be one or more memories and may be of any type suitable for the local application environment and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or non-volatile data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and / or removable memory. For example, memory 14 may be comprised of any combination of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), static storage devices such as magnetic or optical disks, hard disk drives (HDDs), or any other type of non-transitory machine- or computer-readable medium. The instructions stored in memory 14 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processor 12, enable apparatus 10 to perform the tasks described herein.

[0059] In certain exemplary embodiments, device 10 may further include or be coupled (internal or external) to a drive or port configured to accept and read an external computer-readable storage medium, such as an optical disk, a USB drive, a flash drive, or any other storage medium. For example, the external computer-readable storage medium may store computer programs or software for execution by processor 12 and / or device 10 to perform any of the methods and embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.

[0060] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 10 may also include or be coupled to one or more antennas 15 for receiving downlink signals and transmitting from device 10 over the UL. Device 10 may further include a transceiver 18 configured to transmit and receive information. Transceiver 18 may also include a radio interface (e.g., a modem) coupled to antenna 15. The radio interface may support multiple radio access technologies, including one or more of GSM, LTE, LTE-A, 5G, NR, WLAN, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, BT-LE, NFC, RFID, UWB, etc. The radio interface may include other components, such as filters, converters (e.g., digital-to-analog converters, etc.), symbol demappers, signal shaping components, inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) modules, etc., for processing symbols, such as OFDMA symbols, carried by the downlink or UL.

[0061] For example, transceiver 18 may be configured to modulate information onto a carrier waveform for transmission by antenna 15 and to demodulate information received via antenna 15 for further processing by other elements of device 10. In other exemplary embodiments, transceiver 18 may directly transmit and receive signals or data. Additionally or alternatively, in exemplary embodiments, device 10 may include input and / or output devices (I / O devices). In certain exemplary embodiments, device 10 may further include a user interface, such as a graphical user interface or a touch screen.

[0062] In certain exemplary embodiments, memory 14 stores software modules that provide functionality when executed by processor 12. The modules may include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for device 10. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as applications or programs, for providing additional functionality to device 10. Components of device 10 may be implemented as hardware or any suitable combination of hardware and software. According to certain exemplary embodiments, device 10 may be configured to communicate with device 20 via a wireless communication link 70 or a wired communication link 70 according to any radio access technology, such as NR.

[0063] According to certain exemplary embodiments, the processor 12 and memory 14 may be included in or form part of processing or control circuitry. Additionally, the transceiver 18 in some exemplary embodiments may be included in or form part of transceiver circuitry.

[0064] For example, in one exemplary embodiment, device 10 may be controlled by memory 14 and processor 12 to receive from a first network a group priority setting for the first network and a group priority setting for the second network, a gap priority for a gap associated with the first network, and a condition under which the device may modify the gap priority for a gap associated with the first network relative to the gap priority for a gap associated with the second network. Device 10 may also be controlled by memory 14 and processor 12 to request the first network for a gap associated with activity in the second network. Device 10 may further be controlled by memory 14 and processor 12 to monitor the condition received from the first network. Device 10 may further be controlled by memory 14 and processor 12 to modify the gap priority for a gap associated with the first network element or the gap priority for a gap associated with the second network in response to the monitoring.

[0065] As shown in the example of Figure 4, the device 20 may be a network, a core network element, or an element in a communication network, or an element associated with such a network, such as a gNB, NW, etc. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art would understand that the device 20 may include components or features not shown in Figure 4.

[0066] As in the example of FIG. 4 , device 20 may include a processor 22 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. Processor 22 may be any type of general-purpose or special-purpose processor. For example, processor 22 may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture, as examples. While a single processor 22 is shown in FIG. 4 , multiple processors may be utilized in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. For example, it should be understood that in certain exemplary embodiments, device 20 may include two or more processors that may form a multiprocessor system that may support multiprocessing (e.g., processor 22 in this example may represent a multiprocessor). In certain exemplary embodiments, the multiprocessor system may be tightly coupled or loosely coupled (e.g., to form a computer cluster).

[0067] According to certain exemplary embodiments, processor 22 may perform functions related to the operation of device 20, including, for example, precoding antenna gain / phase parameters, encoding and decoding individual bits forming communication messages, formatting information, and overall control of device 20, including the processes and examples illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.

[0068] Apparatus 20 may further include or be coupled to processor 22 with memory 24 (internal or external) for storing information and instructions that may be executed by processor 22. Memory 24 may be one or more memories and may be of any type suitable for the local application environment and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or non-volatile data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and / or removable memory. For example, memory 24 may be comprised of any combination of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), static storage devices such as magnetic or optical disks, hard disk drives (HDDs), or any other type of non-transitory machine- or computer-readable medium. The instructions stored in memory 24 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processor 22, enable apparatus 20 to perform tasks as described herein.

[0069] In certain exemplary embodiments, device 20 may further include or be coupled (internal or external) to a drive or port configured to accept and read an external computer-readable storage medium, such as an optical disk, a USB drive, a flash drive, or any other storage medium. For example, the external computer-readable storage medium may store computer programs or software for execution by processor 22 and / or device 20 to perform the methods and embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3.

[0070] In certain exemplary embodiments, device 20 may also include or be coupled to one or more antennas 25 for transmitting and receiving signals and / or data to and from device 20. Device 20 may further include or be coupled to a transceiver 28 configured to transmit and receive information. Transceiver 28 may include multiple air interfaces, which may be coupled to antenna(s) 25, for example. The air interfaces may correspond to multiple radio access technologies, including one or more of GSM, NB-IoT, LTE, 5G, WLAN, Bluetooth, BT-LE, NFC, radio frequency identification (RFID), ultra-wideband (UWB), MulteFire, etc. The air interfaces may include components, such as filters, converters (e.g., digital-to-analog converters), mappers, fast Fourier transform (FFT) modules, etc., to generate symbols for transmission over one or more downlinks and receive symbols (e.g., via UL).

[0071] In this manner, transceiver 28 may be configured to modulate information onto a carrier waveform for transmission by antenna 25, and to demodulate information received via antenna 25 for further processing by other elements of device 20. In other exemplary embodiments, transceiver 18 may transmit and receive signals or data directly. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples of exemplary embodiments, device 20 may include input and / or output devices (I / O devices).

[0072] In an exemplary embodiment, memory 24 may store software modules that provide functionality when executed by processor 22. Modules include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for device 20. Memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as applications or programs that provide additional functionality for device 20. Components of device 20 may be implemented in hardware or any suitable combination of hardware and software.

[0073] In some exemplary embodiments, the processor 22 and memory 24 may be included in or form part of processing or control circuitry. Further, in some exemplary embodiments, the transceiver 28 may be included in or form part of transceiver circuitry.

[0074] As used herein, the term “circuitry” may refer to a hardware-only circuit implementation (e.g., analog and / or digital circuitry), a combination of hardware circuitry and software, a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, any portion of a hardware processor having software (including a digital signal processor) that cooperates to cause a device (e.g., devices 10 and 20) to perform various functions, and / or a hardware circuit and / or processor, or portion thereof, that uses software for operation but may be absent if not necessary for operation. As a further example, the term “circuitry” in this embodiment may also cover simply a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors), or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor, and its associated software and / or firmware implementation. The term circuitry may also cover, for example, a baseband integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network node or device, or other computing or network device.

[0075] For example, in one exemplary embodiment, apparatus 20 can be controlled by memory 24 and processor 22 to configure user equipment activity-related group priorities including multiple network subscriptions, gap priorities for gaps associated with the apparatus, group priorities for the apparatus, and group priorities for the network. Apparatus 20 can also be controlled by memory 24 and processor 22 to configure user equipment with gaps associated with the apparatus, group priorities, and conditions that modify gap priorities for gaps associated with the apparatus or gap priorities for gaps associated with the network. Apparatus 20 can further be controlled by memory 14 and processor 22 to receive requests for gaps associated with network activity from user equipment. Apparatus 20 can also be controlled by memory 14 and processor 22 to configure user equipment with gaps associated with network activity.

[0076] In some exemplary embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10 and / or apparatus 20) may include means for performing any of the methods, processes, or variations discussed in this example. Examples of means may include one or more processors, memories, controllers, transmitters, receivers, and / or computer program code for performing the operations.

[0077] Certain exemplary embodiments may be directed to an apparatus including means for performing any of the methods described herein, including, for example, means for receiving from a first network a group priority setting for the first network and a group priority setting for a second network, a gap priority for a gap associated with the first network, and a condition under which the apparatus may modify the gap priority for a gap associated with the first network relative to the gap priority for a gap associated with the second network. The apparatus may also include means for requesting the first network for a gap associated with activity in the second network. The apparatus may further include means for monitoring the condition received from the first network. Additionally, the apparatus may include means for modifying the gap priority for a gap associated with the first network element or the gap priority for a gap associated with the second network in response to the monitoring.

[0078] Certain example embodiments may also be directed to an apparatus including means for configuring a group priority associated with activity of a user equipment including multiple network subscriptions, a gap priority for a gap associated with the device, a group priority for the device, and a group priority for the network. The apparatus may also include means for configuring the user equipment with a condition that modifies the gap associated with the device, the group priority, and the gap priority for the gap associated with the device or the gap priority for the gap associated with the network. The apparatus may further include means for receiving a request for a gap associated with activity of the network from the user equipment. Additionally, the apparatus may include means for configuring the user equipment with a gap associated with activity of the network.

[0079] Certain exemplary embodiments herein provide several technical improvements, enhancements, and / or advantages. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, it may be possible to define a means for handling MUSIM gap priorities when they overlap with gaps in the NW-A or when MUSIM gaps require interruptions in the NW-A while the radio link and / or traffic is critical. Certain exemplary embodiments also provide definitions of priorities corresponding to each procedure, as well as groups for the RRC configuration. Certain exemplary embodiments may further add a set of conditions for dynamic priority changes and corresponding rules defining, for example, steps, limits, and time periods, to the RRC configuration. In other exemplary embodiments, a means for adding a priority to the MUSIM gap request and a means for notifying the UAI of the priority change may be added.

[0080] The computer program product may include one or more computer-executable components configured to perform exemplary embodiments when the program is executed. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portion thereof. The modifications and configurations necessary to implement the functionality of a particular exemplary embodiment may be implemented as a routine(s) or as additional or updated software routine(s). The software routines may be downloaded to a device.

[0081] By way of example, the software or computer program code, or portions thereof, may be in source code form, object code form, or some intermediate form, and may be stored on some carrier, distribution medium, or computer-readable medium. The medium may be any entity or device capable of carrying a program. Such carriers include, for example, recording media, computer memory, read-only memory, optical-electrical and / or electrical carrier signals, telecommunications signals, software distribution packages, and the like. Depending on the processing power required, the computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer or distributed across several computers. The computer-readable medium or computer-readable storage medium may be a non-transitory medium.

[0082] In other exemplary embodiments, the functionality may be performed by hardware or circuitry included in a device (e.g., device 10 or device 20), for example, through the use of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable gate array (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other combination of hardware and software. In yet other exemplary embodiments, the functionality may be implemented as signals, which are non-tangible means that may be conveyed by electromagnetic signals downloaded from the internet or other network.

[0083] According to certain exemplary embodiments, an apparatus such as a node, device, or corresponding component may be configured as a microprocessor, such as a circuit, computer, or single-chip computer element, or as a chipset, including at least a memory for providing storage capacity used for computing operations and a computing processor for performing computing operations.

[0084] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present disclosure as described above may be implemented using a different order of steps and / or hardware elements in different configurations than those disclosed. Thus, while the present disclosure has been described based on these exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative configurations will be apparent while remaining within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments. Although the above embodiments are also referred to as 5G NR and LTE technologies, the above embodiments may also be applied to any other current or future 3GPP technologies, such as LTE-advanced and / or fourth-generation (4G) technologies.

[0085] Part of the glossary 3GPP (registered trademark) 3rd Generation Partnership Project 5G (5th Generation) 5GCN 5G Core Network 5GS 5G System BFD Beam Failure Detection BM Beam Management BS base station CSS Common Search Space DCI Downlink Control Information DL Downlink DSDA Dual SIM Dual Standby DSDS Dual SIM Dual Active eNB Enhanced Node B E-UTRAN Evolved UTRAN FPS frames per second gNB 5G or Next Generation Node B IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity InS Sync LTE Long Term Evolution MG Measuring Gap MNO Mobile network operator MVNO Virtual Mobile Network Operator MUSIM Multiple USIM NR new radio NW Network RLF Radio Link Failure RLM Radio Link Monitoring RNAURAN based notification area update RRC Radio Resource Control OoS out of sync PO Paging Opportunity RRM Radio Resource Management SIB System Information Block TAU Tracking Area Update UAI UE support information UE User Equipment UL Uplink USIM Universal Subscriber Identity Module

Claims

1. receiving from a first network a group priority setting for the first network and a group priority setting for a second network, a gap priority for a gap associated with the first network, and conditions under which a user equipment can change the gap priority for the gap associated with the first network relative to the gap priority for a gap associated with a second network; requesting a gap from the first network related to activity of the second network; monitoring the condition received from the first network; modifying a gap priority of the gap associated with the first network element or a gap priority of the gap associated with the second network element in response to the monitoring; A method comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the request includes the group priority and the gap priority of the gap associated with the second network.

3. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the group priority of the second network and the gap priority of the gap associated with the second network are predefined or received by the configuration from the first network.

4. The condition is: whether the user equipment has reached or is approaching a radio resource management measurement reporting event; whether the user equipment has detected or predicted a radio link failure condition; whether the user equipment has detected or predicted a beam obstruction condition; whether the user equipment is highly mobile or at a cell edge; whether the user equipment is close to a cell center or has low mobility; The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising at least one of:

5. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the determination of the operation for the first network or the second network when the operations overlap in time is based on a gap priority of the gap associated with the first network and the group priority of the first network, and a gap priority of the gap associated with the second network and the group priority of the second network.

6. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein if the gap priority of the gap associated with the first network and the gap priority of the gap associated with the second network have equal values, the group priority of the first network and the group priority of the second network are applied.

7. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying the gap priority or the group priority of the gap associated with the first network comprises increasing or decreasing the gap priority of the gap associated with the first network or the group priority of the first network based on the condition.

8. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration includes information and rules on how the modification of the gap priority of the gap associated with the first network or the gap priority of the gap associated with the second network should be performed.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the configuration includes information and rules regarding whether modification of gap priority of the gap associated with the first network is temporary or permanent.

10. sending a first message to the first network, the first message including user equipment assistance information; the first message including user equipment assistance information includes information regarding an update of the group priority or the gap priority of the gap associated with the first network; 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. sending a second message to the first network, the second message including user equipment assistance information; the second message including user equipment assistance information includes information regarding gap priority updates for the gaps associated with the second network; 11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. a first network setting a group priority associated with the activity of the user equipment, the group priority including a plurality of network subscriptions, a gap priority for a gap associated with the first network, a group priority for the first network, and a group priority for a second network; configuring in the user equipment a gap associated with a first network, the group priority, and a condition for changing the gap priority of the gap associated with the first network or the gap priority of the gap associated with the second network; receiving a request for a gap related to activity of the second network from the user equipment; configuring a gap in the user equipment associated with activity of the second network; A method comprising:

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the request includes a group priority and a gap priority for the gap associated with the second network.

14. The condition is: whether the user equipment has reached or is close to reaching a radio resource management measurement reporting event; whether the user equipment has detected or predicted a radio link failure condition; whether the user equipment has detected or predicted a beam obstruction condition; whether the user equipment is highly mobile or at a cell edge; whether the user equipment is close to a cell center or has low mobility; 14. The method of claim 12 or 13, comprising at least one of:

15. setting rules for how the gap priority of the gap associated with the first network or the gap priority of the gap associated with the second network is changed for each condition; 15. The method of any of claims 12 to 14, further comprising:

16. receiving, in the first network, a first message including user equipment assistance information from the user equipment, the first message including information regarding an update of the group priority or gap priority of the gap associated with the first network or the group priority or gap priority of the gap associated with the second network; 16. The method of any of claims 12 to 15, further comprising:

17. receiving a second message from the user equipment comprising user equipment assistance information including information regarding gap priority updates for the gaps associated with the second network; 17. The method of any of claims 12 to 16, further comprising:

18. 1. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; at least one memory containing computer program code; Equipped with The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured by the at least one processor to cause the device to at least: receiving from a first network a group priority setting for the first network and a group priority setting for a second network, a gap priority setting for a gap associated with the first network, and a condition under which the device can modify the gap priority setting for the gap associated with the first network relative to the gap priority setting for a gap associated with the second network; requesting a gap related to activity of a second network from the first network; monitoring the condition received from the first network; modifying a gap priority of the gap associated with the first network element or a gap priority of the gap associated with the second network element in response to the monitoring; An apparatus configured to cause the

19. 20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the request includes the group priority and gap priority of the gap associated with the second network.

20. 20. The apparatus of claim 18 or 19, wherein the group priority of a second network and the gap priority of the gap associated with the second network are predefined or received by the configuration from the first network.

21. The condition is: whether the device has reached or is approaching a radio resource management measurement reporting event; whether the device detected or predicted a radio link failure condition; whether the device detected or predicted a beam failure condition; whether the device has high mobility or is at the cell edge; whether the device is close to a cell center or has low mobility; 21. The apparatus of claim 18, comprising at least one of:

22. 22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the decision on the operation for the first network or the second network when operations overlap in time is based on a gap priority of the gap associated with the first network and the group priority of the first network, and a gap priority of the gap associated with the second network and the group priority of the second network.

23. 23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein if the gap priority of the gap associated with the first network and the gap priority of the gap associated with the second network have equal values, the group priority of the first network and the group priority of the second network are applied.

24. 24. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein modifying the gap priority or the group priority of the gap associated with the first network comprises increasing or decreasing the gap priority of the gap associated with the first network or the group priority of the first network based on the condition.

25. 25. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the configuration includes information and rules regarding how the modification of the gap priority of the gap associated with the first network or the gap priority of the gap associated with the second network should be performed.

26. 26. The device according to any of claims 18 to 25, wherein the configuration includes information and rules regarding whether modification of gap priority of the gap associated with the first network is temporary or permanent.

27. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured by the at least one processor to cause the device to at least: sending a first message to the first network, the first message including user equipment support information; and further configured to cause execution of the first message including user equipment assistance information includes information regarding an update of the group priority or the gap priority of the gap associated with the first network; 27. Apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 26.

28. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured by the at least one processor to cause the device to at least: sending a second message to the first network, the second message including user equipment assistance information; and further configured to cause execution of the second message including user equipment assistance information includes information regarding gap priority updates for the gaps associated with the second network; 28. Apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 27.

29. 1. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; at least one memory containing computer program code; Equipped with The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured by the at least one processor to cause the device to at least: setting a group priority associated with an activity of the user equipment, the group priority including a plurality of network subscriptions, a gap priority for a gap associated with the device, a group priority for the device, and a group priority for a network; configuring the user equipment with a condition that changes a gap associated with the device, the group priority, and a gap priority of the gap associated with the device or a gap priority of a gap associated with the network; receiving a request for a gap related to activity in the network from the user equipment; configuring the user equipment with gaps related to activity in the network; An apparatus configured to cause the

30. 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the request includes a group priority associated with the network and a gap priority for the gap.

31. The condition is: whether the user equipment has reached or is approaching a radio resource management measurement reporting event; whether the user equipment has detected or predicted a radio link failure condition; whether the user equipment has detected or predicted a beam obstruction condition; whether the user equipment is highly mobile or at a cell edge; whether the user equipment is close to a cell center or has low mobility; 31. The apparatus of claim 29 or 30, comprising at least one of:

32. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured by the at least one processor to cause the device to at least: setting rules regarding how the gap priority of the gap associated with the device or the gap priority of the gap associated with the network is changed for each condition; 32. The apparatus of any of claims 29 to 31, further configured to cause:

33. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured by the at least one processor to cause the device to at least: receiving a first message from the user equipment including user equipment assistance information including information regarding an update of the group priority or gap priority of the gap associated with the device or the group priority or gap priority of the gap associated with the network; 33. The apparatus of any of claims 29 to 32, further configured to:

34. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured by the at least one processor to cause the device to at least: receiving a second message from the user equipment comprising user equipment assistance information including information regarding gap priority updates for the gaps associated with the network; 34. Apparatus according to any of claims 29 to 33, further configured to cause:

35. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon program instructions for carrying out the method of any of claims 1 to 17.

36. 18. Apparatus comprising circuitry configured to cause said apparatus to carry out a process according to any preceding claim.

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