Activating / deactivating predefined measurement gaps

Abstract

A system and method for activation and / or deactivation of a pre-configured measurement gap is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method implemented by a user equipment (UE) includes receiving information from a network node indicating one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns. The method further includes determining that a first set of one or more conditions for using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is satisfied, the pre-configured measurement gap pattern being one of the one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns. The method further includes determining a time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern, and starting performing measurements using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern at or after the determined time instance. In this manner, the UE is enabled to activate the pre-configured measurement gap pattern in response to the first set of one or more conditions for using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern being satisfied.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Related Applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 135,400, filed January 8, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to performing measurements in cellular communication systems. [Background technology]

[0003] Bandwidth Partial Operation In 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) New Radio (NR), to enable user equipment (UE) power saving and to avoid interference, a set of bandwidth portions (BWPs) for signal reception by the UE in a serving cell, e.g., a special cell (SpCell) (e.g., a primary cell (PCell), a primary secondary cell (PSCell)), a serving cell (SCell), etc. (e.g., a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), etc.) and a set of BWPs for signal transmission by the UE in a serving cell (e.g., a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)) may be configured by higher layers. The set of BWPs for signal reception by the UE is referred to as a downlink (DL) BWP set and may include, e.g., up to four DL BWPs. The set of BWPs for signal transmission by the UE is referred to as an uplink (UL) BWP set and may include, e.g., up to four UL BWPs.

[0004] Each BWP may be associated with multiple parameters. Examples of such parameters are bandwidth (BW) (e.g., the number of time-frequency resources (e.g., resource blocks such as 25 physical resource blocks (PRBs)), the location of the BWP in frequency (e.g., the starting resource block (RB) index of the BWP or the center frequency of the BWP), subcarrier spacing (SCS), cyclic prefix (CP) length, any other baseband parameters (e.g., multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layers, receiver, transmitter, hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) related parameters, etc.).

[0005] A UE is served in a serving cell only on (one or more) active BWPs (e.g., receives signals such as PDCCH, PDSCH, etc., transmits signals such as PUCCH, PUSCH, etc.). In each serving cell, at least one of the configured DL BWPs may be active for reception and at least one of the configured UL BWPs may be active for transmission. The UE may be configured to switch active BWPs based on a timer (e.g., a BWP inactivity timer such as bwp-InactivityTimer), such as by receiving a command or message from another node (e.g., from a base station (BS)). Examples of such commands or messages are DL control information (DCI) sent on the PDCCH, a radio resource control (RRC) message, a medium access control (MAC) command, etc. Active BWPs may be switched independently, e.g., UL active BWPs and DL active BWPs may be switched separately. An active BWP switching operation may involve changing one or more parameters related to the BWPs described above, e.g., BW, frequency location, SCS, etc. For example, when a timer (e.g., bwp-InactivityTimer) expires, the UE is required to switch to a reference active BWP, e.g., a default active BWP, one of the configured BWPs, etc. In another example, when the UE receives a DCI command to switch the active BWP, the UE is required to switch its current active BWP to one of the configured BWPs indicated in the command. In yet another example, when the UE receives an RRC message to switch the active BWP, the UE is required to switch its current active BWP to the new BWP indicated in the RRC message, which may also be referred to as a reconfiguration of the active BWP. BWP switching may also include the first time an active BWP is configured in the UE, e.g., when entering an RRC connected state.

[0006] An example of active BWP switching is shown in Figure 1. For example, a UE is configured with four different BWPs, namely BWP1, BWP2, BWP3, and BWP4, associated with different sets of parameters, e.g., BW, SCS, frequency location, etc. The UE may be configured to switch its active BWP based on either a timer, a DCI command, or an RRC message (which also includes an RRC procedure delay, e.g., 10 ms). For example, the UE first switches from the current active BWP1 to a new BWP2, which becomes the new active BWP. The active BWP2 is further switched to BWP3, which in turn becomes the new active BWP. The active BWP3 is then further switched to BWP4, which in turn becomes the new active BWP. The active BWP switching involves a delay, e.g., X slots. This active BWP switching delay depends on one or more factors, e.g., the type of BWP switching, the numerology of the BWP before and after the switching, the number of serving cells for which the BWP switching is triggered simultaneously, the number of serving cells for which the BWP switching is triggered non-simultaneously (e.g., over partially overlapping time periods), etc.

[0007] Radio Resource Management (RRM) Measurements in NR In NR, reference signals (RS) (e.g., synchronization signal block (SSB), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), positioning reference signal (PRS), etc.) are used by the UE to perform different types of measurements for different purposes, e.g., for mobility, for radio link monitoring (RLM) related procedures, for beam management (BM) related procedures, for positioning, for scheduling and link adaptation, etc. Mobility measurements are made on the RS of serving and neighboring cells. Examples of mobility measurements are cell detection or cell identification, signal quality, signal strength, etc. Specific examples of signal strength measurements are path loss, received signal power, reference signal received power (RSRP), synchronization signal RSRP (SS-RSRP), etc. Specific examples of signal quality measurements are received signal quality, reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), synchronization signal RSRQ (SS-RSRQ), synchronization signal SINR (SS-SINR), signal to noise ratio (SNR), etc. Examples of RLM related measurements are out of sync (OOS) detection, in sync (IS) detection, etc. Examples of BM related measurements are beam failure detection, candidate beam detection, L1-RSRP, etc. Examples of measurements for scheduling and link adaptation are channel state information (CSI) measurements, e.g., channel quality indicator (CQI), rank indicator (RI), precoding matrix indicator (PMI), etc.

[0008] In NR, in one example, a UE may be configured to perform and report measurements on one or more beams in a cell, i.e., beam-level measurements, in which case the UE may measure on the beam and transmit measurement results including, for example, a signal measurement (e.g., SS-RSRP) and beam index (e.g., SSB index, CSI-RS index, etc.) of the beam.

[0009] In another example, the UE may be configured to perform and report measurements on one or more cells, i.e., cell-level measurements. In this case, the UE may measure one or more beams, derive cell-level measurement results, and transmit cell-level measurement results including, for example, signal measurements (e.g., SS-RSRP) of the cells. The beam-level measurement results of one or more beams are averaged by the UE to derive the cell-level measurement.

[0010] Measurement Gap Pattern A measurement gap pattern (MGP) is used by a UE to perform measurements on cells of serving carriers and non-serving carriers (e.g., inter-frequency carriers, inter-radio access technology (RAT) carriers, etc.). In NR, measurement gaps are used for measurements on cells of serving carriers in some scenarios, e.g., when the signals to be measured (e.g., SSB, CSI-RS, PRS, etc.) are not entirely within the active bandwidth portion (BWP) of the serving cell. The UE is scheduled in the serving cell only within the BWP. During the measurement gap, the UE may not be scheduled to receive / transmit signals in one or more serving cells. The MGP is characterized or defined by several parameters, namely, a measurement gap length (MGL), a measurement gap repetition period (MGRP), and a measurement gap time offset relative to a reference time (e.g., a slot offset relative to the system frame number (SFN) of the serving cell, such as SFN=0). The MGRP is also referred to as measurement gap periodicity. An example of an MGP is shown in FIG. 2. As an example, the MGL may be 1.5 ms, 3 ms, 3.5 ms, 4 ms, 5.5 ms, 6 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, etc., and the MGRP may be 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, or 160 ms. Such a type of MGP is configured by the network node and is also called network-controlled or network-configurable MGP. Thus, the serving base station is fully aware of the timing of each gap within the MGP. Measurement gaps may also be configured / applicable for specific purposes, e.g., RRM measurements, positioning measurements, RLM, beam management, etc.

[0011] Measurement gaps can be UE-specific or carrier-specific. In the former case, measurement gaps are created on all serving cells of the UE. In the latter case, measurement gaps are created on a subset of the serving cells of the UE, e.g., only on serving cells operating on carriers of a particular frequency range (FR). Thus, carrier-specific gaps are also called per-FR gaps, e.g., per FR1, per FR2, etc.

[0012] All UEs support per-UE gaps. Whether the UE also supports carrier-specific or per-FR gaps depends on the UE capabilities.

[0013] Measurement during NR SCell Dormancy An NR SCell can be configured in a UE in either a deactivated or activated state. In the deactivated state, the UE performs only RRM measurements (e.g., mobility measurements for SSB) according to a sparse measurement schedule proportional to a configured measurement cycle of length 160, 320, 640, or 1280 ms.

[0014] In the activated state, the UE may operate according to a non-dormant behavior or a dormant behavior. Whether the UE operates according to a non-dormant behavior or a dormant behavior with respect to the SCell is determined by whether the active downlink BWP is a non-dormant BWP (sometimes called normal) or whether the active BWP is a dormant BWP. Switching between a non-dormant BWP and a dormant BWP is performed by the base station via signaling using a DCI format on the SpCell for the cell group (PCell for MCG and PSCell for SCG). When the UE is configured with an active BWP that is a dormant BWP for the SCell, it may alternatively refer to the SCell being dormant, the serving carrier being dormant, or any of them being inactive.

[0015] When the active BWP is a non-dormant BWP, the UE performs normal operations related to the fully active SCell, including, for example, monitoring the PDCCH, receiving on the PDSCH, performing RRM measurements (e.g., mobility measurements for SSB), CSI measurements (e.g., for CSI-RS), as well as performing control loops, e.g., automatic gain control (AGC), automatic frequency control (AFC), and tracking timing, of the SCell. If the SCell is also associated with the uplink, the normal operations further include transmitting on the SCell, e.g., on the PUCCH and / or PUSCH.

[0016] When the active BWP is a dormant BWP, the UE, for example, only performs RRM measurements, CSI measurements, and control loops for the SCell, i.e., the UE is not monitoring the PDCCH, etc.

[0017] In order to save power when the UE is operating according to the dormant behavior, the UE is enabled to cause autonomous interruptions in reception and transmission on other serving carriers to turn on and off radio reception for measurements on SCells. In 3GPP Release 16, the UE is enabled to cause interruptions on the serving carrier for up to 1% of slots for CSI measurements and for up to 1.5% of slots for RRM measurements. Since the interruptions are autonomous, the base station does not know when the interruptions will occur and therefore cannot take into account when scheduling the UE on the downlink and / or uplink on the serving carrier.

[0018] For RRM measurements on SSB, it is assumed that the UE measures at most every 40 ms, even if SSB is provided more frequently, so that 5 samples covering a 200 ms measurement period are sufficient. This does not change when the UE is switching between non-dormant and dormant behavior for a SCell. For CSI measurements, the CSI-RS and CSI measurement configuration are provided per BWP. The periodicity of the CSI-RS, and therefore of the CSI measurements, as well as other characteristics, may therefore differ between non-dormant and dormant BWPs. Summary of the Invention

[0019] A system and method for activation and / or deactivation of a pre-configured measurement gap is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method implemented by a user equipment (UE) includes receiving information from a network node indicating one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns. The method further includes determining that a first set of one or more conditions for using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is satisfied, the pre-configured measurement gap pattern being one of the one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns. The method further includes determining a time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern, and starting performing measurements using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern at or after the determined time instance. In this manner, the UE is enabled to activate the pre-configured measurement gap pattern in response to the first set of one or more conditions for using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern being satisfied.

[0020] In one embodiment, the method further includes performing measurements without the pre-configured measurement gap pattern before a first set of one or more conditions for using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is met. Starting to perform measurements using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern at the determined time instance includes continuing to perform measurements with the pre-configured measurement gap pattern at or after the determined time instance. In one embodiment, performing measurements without the pre-configured measurement gap pattern includes performing measurements without the pre-configured measurement gap pattern within an active bandwidth portion of the UE.

[0021] In one embodiment, the information indicative of the one or more pre-defined measurement gap patterns comprises, for each pre-defined measurement gap pattern of the one or more pre-defined measurement gap patterns, information indicative of one or more parameters defining the pre-defined measurement gap pattern, In one embodiment, the one or more parameters comprise a measurement gap length, a measurement gap repetition period, and a measurement gap time offset relative to a reference time.

[0022] In one embodiment, the first set of one or more conditions includes a condition that the one or more reference signals used for the measurements are not entirely within the bandwidth of the active bandwidth portion of the UE.

[0023] In one embodiment, the method further includes performing measurements in the active bandwidth portion of the UE and performing an active bandwidth portion switching procedure to the new active bandwidth portion, wherein the first set of one or more conditions includes a condition that one or more reference signals used for the measurements are not entirely within a bandwidth of the new active bandwidth portion of the UE.

[0024] In one embodiment, a first set of one or more conditions includes a condition that the UE is configured to perform measurements on an active bandwidth portion of the UE and one or more reference signals used for the measurements are not entirely within the bandwidth of the active bandwidth portion of the UE.

[0025] In one embodiment, the determined time instance to start using the preconfigured measurement gap pattern is a reference time T0+a time offset DT1. In one embodiment, the reference time T0 is the time when the UE receives a request to perform measurements, the time when the UE informs a network node that the UE uses the preconfigured measurement gap pattern, or the time when the UE receives a message from a network node indicating that the UE is allowed to use the preconfigured measurement gap pattern.

[0026] In one embodiment, the first set of one or more conditions includes a condition that the UE is switched from a non-dormant bandwidth portion to a dormant bandwidth portion. In one embodiment, the determined time instance to start using the preconfigured measurement gap pattern is a reference time T0+a time offset DT1, where the reference time T0 is a time when the UE is switched from a non-dormant BWP to a dormant BWP or a time when the switching of the UE from the non-dormant BWP to the dormant BWP is completed.

[0027] In one embodiment, determining the time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern comprises determining the time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern based on one or more pre-defined rules and / or information received from the network node regarding one or more parameters related to the determined time instance.

[0028] In one embodiment, determining the time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern comprises determining, autonomously in the UE, the time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern.

[0029] In one embodiment, initiating use of the pre-defined measurement gap pattern includes activating the pre-defined measurement gap pattern.

[0030] In one embodiment, the method further comprises determining a time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern.

[0031] In one embodiment, the method further includes performing measurements using a pre-configured measurement gap pattern, the pre-configured measurement gap pattern being one of the one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, determining that a second set of one or more conditions for stopping use of the pre-configured measurement gap pattern are met, and stopping use of the pre-configured measurement gap pattern at the determined time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern.

[0032] In one embodiment, the method further includes performing measurements using a pre-configured measurement gap pattern, the pre-configured measurement gap pattern being one of the one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, determining that a second set of one or more conditions for stopping use of the pre-configured measurement gap pattern are met, determining a time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern, and stopping use of the pre-configured measurement gap pattern at the determined time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern.

[0033] In one embodiment, the method further includes performing ongoing measurements without the pre-configured measurement gap pattern at or after the determined time instance to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern, In one embodiment, performing measurements without the pre-configured measurement gap pattern includes performing measurements within an active bandwidth portion of the UE.

[0034] In one embodiment, the second set of one or more conditions includes a condition that the one or more reference signals used for the measurements are entirely within a bandwidth of the active bandwidth portion of the UE.

[0035] In one embodiment, the method further includes performing an active bandwidth portion switching procedure to the new active bandwidth portion, and the second set of one or more conditions includes a condition that the one or more reference signals used for the measurements are entirely within the bandwidth of the new active bandwidth portion of the UE.

[0036] In one embodiment, the determined time instance to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is the reference time T0 plus the time offset DT2.

[0037] In one embodiment, determining the time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern comprises determining the time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern based on one or more pre-defined rules and / or information received from the network node regarding one or more parameters related to the determined time instance.

[0038] In one embodiment, determining the time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern comprises determining, autonomously in the UE, the time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern.

[0039] In one embodiment, the second set of one or more conditions includes a condition that the number of active bandwidth fraction switches occurring in the respective cell during a defined or (pre)set time period is less than a threshold number.

[0040] In one embodiment, the second set of one or more conditions includes a condition based on a time period between successive active bandwidth portion switching that requires the UE to change between a bandwidth portion measurement procedure that does not use measurement gaps and a gap-based measurement procedure that uses measurement gaps.

[0041] In one embodiment, the second set of one or more conditions includes a condition based on a time period during which the UE has been using a gap-based measurement procedure to perform measurements.

[0042] In one embodiment, stopping use of the pre-defined measurement gap pattern comprises deactivating the pre-defined measurement gap pattern.

[0043] In one embodiment, the UE may receive and / or transmit signals during measurement gaps defined by a preconfigured measurement gap pattern when the preconfigured measurement gap pattern is not used by the UE.

[0044] Corresponding embodiments of the UE are also disclosed. In one embodiment, the UE is adapted to receive information from a network node indicative of one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, determine that a first set of one or more conditions for using a pre-configured measurement gap pattern is met, where the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is one of the one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, determine a time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern, and start performing measurements using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern at or after the determined time instance.

[0045] In one embodiment, a UE comprises one or more transmitters, one or more receivers, and processing circuitry associated with the one or more transmitters and the one or more receivers, the processing circuitry being configured to cause the UE to receive information from a network node indicating one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, determine that a first set of one or more conditions for using a pre-configured measurement gap pattern is met, where the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is one of the one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, determine a time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern, and start performing measurements using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern at or after the determined time instance.

[0046] In another embodiment, a method performed by a UE includes receiving, from a network node, information indicating one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns; determining that a third set of one or more conditions for using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is met, where the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is one of the one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns; determining a duration for which the pre-configured measurement gap pattern should be used; and performing measurements using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern for the determined duration.

[0047] In one embodiment, the information indicative of the one or more pre-defined measurement gap patterns comprises, for each pre-defined measurement gap pattern of the one or more pre-defined measurement gap patterns, information indicative of one or more parameters defining the pre-defined measurement gap pattern, In one embodiment, the one or more parameters comprise a measurement gap length, a measurement gap repetition period, and a measurement gap time offset relative to a reference time.

[0048] In one embodiment, the UE may receive and / or transmit signals during measurement gaps defined by a preconfigured measurement gap pattern when the preconfigured measurement gap pattern is not used by the UE.

[0049] Corresponding embodiments of the UE are also disclosed. In one embodiment, the UE is adapted to receive information from a network node indicating one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, determine that a third set of one or more conditions for using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is met, where the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is one of the one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, determine a duration for which to use the pre-configured measurement gap pattern, and perform measurements using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern for the determined duration.

[0050] In one embodiment, a UE comprises one or more transmitters, one or more receivers, and processing circuitry associated with the one or more transmitters and the one or more receivers, the processing circuitry being configured to cause the UE to receive information from a network node indicating one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, determine that a third set of one or more conditions for using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is met, where the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is one of the one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, determine a duration for which to use the pre-configured measurement gap pattern, and perform measurements using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern for the determined duration.

[0051] Also disclosed are embodiments of a method implemented by a network node. In one embodiment, a method implemented by a network node for a cellular communication system includes providing a UE with information indicative of one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, and providing the UE with information indicative of a time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap patterns.

[0052] In one embodiment, the method further comprises providing, to the UE, information indicating a time instance at which the UE should stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern.

[0053] In one embodiment, the information indicative of the one or more pre-defined measurement gap patterns comprises, for each pre-defined measurement gap pattern of the one or more pre-defined measurement gap patterns, information indicative of one or more parameters defining the pre-defined measurement gap pattern, In one embodiment, the one or more parameters comprise a measurement gap length, a measurement gap repetition period, and a measurement gap time offset relative to a reference time.

[0054] In one embodiment, the network node does not schedule the UE (312) during one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns when the one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns are used by the UE.

[0055] Corresponding embodiments of a network node are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a network node for a cellular communication system is adapted to provide a UE with information indicative of one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, and to provide the UE with information indicative of a time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern(s).

[0056] In one embodiment, a network node for a cellular communication system comprises a processing circuit, the processing circuit configured to cause the network node to provide, to a UE, information indicative of one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, and to provide, to the UE, information indicative of a time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap patterns.

[0057] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0058] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of bandwidth portion (BWP) switching. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of measurement gap periodicity (MGP). [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a cellular communication system in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which a user equipment (UE) is preconfigured with an MGP to perform measurements, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is an example diagram to illustrate the meaning of a time instance (Tg) at which a UE will switch to a gap-based measurement procedure (GMP) for measurements after a condition or criterion for using the GMP is triggered, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of a UE and a network node in accordance with at least some aspects of a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is an example diagram to illustrate the meaning of a time instance (Tb) at which a UE will stop GMP for measurements after a condition or criterion for using a bandwidth portion (BWP) based measurement procedure (BMP) is triggered, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 illustrates the operation of a UE and a network node in accordance with at least some aspects of a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 illustrates the operation of a UE and a network node in accordance with at least some aspects of a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment of a network node; [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment of a network node; [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment of a network node; [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment of a UE. [Figure 14] 1 is a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment of a UE. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0059] The embodiments described below represent information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the present disclosure and recognize applications of these concepts not specifically addressed herein. It is to be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0060] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: However, other embodiments are included within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, and the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as being limited to only the embodiments described herein, but rather, these embodiments are provided as examples to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0061] Generally, all terms used herein should be interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of those terms in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is expressly given and / or implied from the context in which the term is used. All references to a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. should be openly interpreted as referring to at least one instance of that element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless expressly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein need not be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is expressly described as following or preceding another step, and / or it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Similarly, any advantage of any of the embodiments may be applied to any other embodiment, and vice versa. Other objects, features, and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will become apparent from the following description.

[0062] As used herein, the term "node" is used to refer to either a network node or a user equipment (UE).

[0063] Examples of network nodes include a Node B, base station (BS), an MSR radio node such as a Multi-Standard Radio (MSR) BS, an eNodeB (eNB), a gNodeB (gNB), a master eNB (MeNB), a secondary eNB (SeNB), a location measurement unit (LMU), an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node, a network controller, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a relay, a donor node control relay, a base transceiver station (BTS), a central unit (e.g., in a gNB), a distributed unit (e.g., in a gNB), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base station controller (BSC), a relay, a donor node control relay, a base transceiver station (BTS), a central unit (e.g., in a gNB), a distributed unit (e.g., in a gNB), a base station controller (BSC ... These include subband units, centralized baseband, C-RAN, access points (APs), transmission points, transmitting nodes, transmit receiving points (TRPs), remote radio units (RRUs), remote radio heads (RRHs), nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS), core network nodes (e.g., mobile switching centers (MSCs), mobility management entities (MMEs), etc.), operation and management (O&M), operation support systems (OSSs), self-organizing networks (SONs), and positioning nodes (e.g., evolved serving mobile location centers (E-SMLCs)).

[0064] The non-limiting term "UE" refers to any type of wireless device that communicates with network nodes and / or other UEs in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UEs are target devices, device to device (D2D) UEs, vehicle to vehicle (V2V) devices, machine type UEs, machine type communication (MTC) UEs or UEs capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablets, mobile terminals, smartphones, laptop embedded equipment (LEEs), laptop mounted equipment (LMEs), universal serial bus (USB) dongles, etc.

[0065] The term "radio access technology" or "RAT" may refer to any RAT, e.g., Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), Enhanced UTRA (E-UTRA), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), WiFi, Bluetooth, Next Generation RAT, New Radio (NR), 4G, 5G, etc. Any of the equipment denoted by the term node, network node, or radio network node may be capable of supporting a single RAT or multiple RATs.

[0066] The term "signal" or "radio signal" as used herein may be any physical signal or physical channel. Examples of downlink (DL) physical signals are reference signals (RSs), such as primary synchronization signals (PSSs), secondary synchronization signals (SSSs), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs), demodulation reference signals (DMRSs), discovery reference signals (DRSs), cell-specific reference signals (CRSs), positioning reference signals (PRSs), etc., in a synchronization signal (SS) / physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB). The RSs may be periodic, e.g., an RS occasion carrying one or more RSs may occur with a certain periodicity, e.g., 20 milliseconds (ms), 40 ms, etc. The RSs may also be aperiodic. Each SSB carries an NR PSS (NR-PSS), an NR SSS (NR-SSS), and an NR PBCH (NR-PBCH) in four consecutive symbols. One or more SSBs are transmitted in one SSB burst that repeats with a certain periodicity, e.g., 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, and 160 ms. The UE is configured with information about SSBs on a cell of a certain carrier frequency by one or more SS / PBCH Block Measurement Timing Configuration (SMTC) configurations. The SMTC configuration includes parameters such as SMTC periodicity, SMTC occasion length in time or duration, SMTC time offset with respect to a reference time (e.g., SFN of the serving cell). Thus, SMTC occasions may also occur with a certain periodicity, e.g., 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, and 160 ms. Examples of uplink (UL) physical signals are reference signals such as Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), DMRS, etc. The term physical channel refers to any channel that carries higher layer information, e.g., data, control, etc.Examples of physical channels are PBCH, narrowband PBCH (NPBCH), physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), short PDSCH (sPDSCH), short PUCCH (sPUCCH), short physical uplink shared channel (sPUSCH), MTC PDCCH (MPDCCH), narrowband PDCCH (NPDCCH), narrowband PDSCH (NPDSCH), enhanced PDCCH (E-PDCCH), physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), narrowband PUSCH (NPUSCH), etc.

[0067] The term "time resource" as used herein may correspond to any type of physical or radio resource expressed in terms of a length of time. Examples of time resources are symbols, time slots, subframes, radio frames, transmission time intervals (TTIs), interleaving times, slots, subslots, minislots, etc.

[0068] The generic term "active BWP switching" is used herein to refer to switching between any two bandwidth portions (BWPs) in DL and / or UL of a serving cell. Active BWP switching may also include switching between a non-dormant BWP and a dormant BWP on a serving cell, e.g., a SCell. In a serving cell with a dormant BWP, the UE is not expected to monitor the control channel and only performs measurements, e.g., radio resource management (RRM), channel state information (CSI), etc. In a non-dormant BWP, the UE is expected to monitor the control channel as well as perform other tasks, e.g., measurements. Active BWP switching may also be referred to as active BWP change, active BWP modification, or simply BWP switching, etc.

[0069] It should be noted that the description provided herein focuses on 3GPP cellular communication systems, and therefore 3GPP terminology or terminology similar to 3GPP terminology is often used, however, the concepts disclosed herein are not limited to 3GPP systems.

[0070] It should be noted that in the description herein, reference may be made to the term "cell." However, it is important to note that, particularly with respect to 5G NR concepts, a beam may be used in place of a cell, and thus the concepts described herein are equally applicable to both cells and beams.

[0071] Currently, there exists a problem(s). In NR, a UE may be configured to perform measurements (e.g., intra-frequency measurements) within an active BWP (e.g., on a serving carrier frequency) if the reference signal (RS) used for the measurements, e.g., SSB, is within the bandwidth (BW) of the active BWP. The base station may request the UE to switch its active BWP at any time, e.g., by scheduling, to enable UE power saving, reduce interference, etc. However, after an active BWP switch, it may not be guaranteed that the measured RS is completely (i.e., after the switch) within the BW of the new active BWP. To ensure that the UE continues to perform measurements, the base station needs to configure a measurement gap. However, the measurement gap configuration process involves signaling overhead and processing in the UE and the base station. Furthermore, the active BWP may be switched at any time. To speed up the process, a preconfigured measurement gap may be configured in the UE, and the preconfigured measurement gap may be used by the UE during active BWP switch. However, currently there are no rules that govern the UE behavior for switching between measurements in an active BWP and measurements using gaps. Without such rules, the UE may switch between the two measurement mechanisms at any time, which leads to uncertainties in scheduling, uncontrolled interrupted transmission and reception, unpredictable delays, and mismatch between the actual UE behavior and the network assumptions on this, etc. This results in loss of scheduling resources in the serving cell, degrading performance, e.g. reducing user and system throughput. This also degrades measurement performance.

[0072] Some aspects of the present disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to the above-mentioned or other problems. Disclosed herein are system and method embodiments in which a UE is preconfigured with at least one measurement gap pattern, the use of which is activated or deactivated for measurements based on the achievement of one or more conditions or criteria, e.g., based on a BWP switch. In general, a measurement gap pattern is configured by a network node when a UE is triggered or configured to perform a certain type of measurement, e.g., inter-frequency, inter-RAT, positioning, etc. The term "preconfigured measurement gap pattern" or "preconfigured gap" may refer to any type of measurement gap pattern (e.g., an existing pattern), which is configured in the UE even before the UE needs to use the gap for a measurement. This reduces delays in setting up a gap when a new measurement or an ongoing measurement should be made or continued using the gap.

[0073] In a first embodiment, the UE is preconfigured with at least one measurement gap pattern that is not used for measurements. Upon achieving a first set (S1) of one or more conditions or criteria, the UE obtains information regarding a time instance (Tg) at which the UE should start using the preconfigured measurement gap pattern, and starts using the preconfigured measurement gap pattern to perform one or more measurements at the obtained time instance (Tg). In one embodiment, satisfying the first set (S1) of one or more conditions or criteria requires the UE to start using the preconfigured measurement gap pattern. The UE may further transmit the obtained information of Tg to another node, for example, to a network node, to another UE, etc.

[0074] In a second embodiment, the UE is using at least one preconfigured measurement gap pattern. Upon achieving a second set (S2) of one or more conditions or criteria, the UE obtains information regarding a time instance (Tb) at which the UE should stop using the preconfigured measurement gap pattern to perform one or more measurements, and stops using the preconfigured measurement gap pattern at the obtained second time instance (Tb). In one embodiment, the UE may further start performing ongoing measurements within an active BWP at or after Tb, i.e., performing measurements without a measurement gap. In one embodiment, satisfying the second set (S2) of one or more conditions or criteria requires the UE to not use the preconfigured measurement gap pattern. The UE may further transmit the obtained information of Tb to another node, e.g., to a network node, to another UE, etc.

[0075] In a third embodiment, at least one measurement gap pattern is preconfigured in the UE, and the UE obtains information regarding a duration (Tx) during which the UE should use the preconfigured measurement gap pattern to perform one or more measurements upon achieving a third set (S3) of one or more conditions or criteria. The third set (S3) may fully or partially include the first set (S1) or the second set (S2), or may be different from both the first set (S1) and the second set (S2). In one embodiment, the UE may further indicate the obtained information of Tx to another node, e.g., to a network node, to another UE, etc.

[0076] In one embodiment, the UE obtains information regarding the first time instance (Ta), the second time instance (Tb), and / or the duration (Tx) (in the first, second, and / or third embodiments above) based on (a) one or more predefined rules, (b) information received from a network node, (c) an autonomous decision by the UE, or any combination of two or more of (a)-(c).

[0077] Various embodiments are proposed herein that address one or more of the problems disclosed herein. Disclosed are embodiments of a method implemented by a UE. In one embodiment, the method includes: ● receiving information from a network node indicative of one or more preconfigured measurement gap patterns; ● determining that a first set of one or more conditions for using a pre-configured measurement gap pattern is met, wherein the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is one of the one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns; Determining a time instance at which to start using a preconfigured measurement gap pattern; and At the determined time instance, starting to perform measurements using a predefined measurement gap pattern. Includes one or more of:

[0078] In one embodiment, the information indicative of the one or more pre-defined measurement gap patterns comprises, for each pre-defined measurement gap pattern of the one or more pre-defined measurement gap patterns, information indicative of one or more parameters defining the pre-defined measurement gap pattern, In one embodiment, the one or more parameters comprise a measurement gap length, a measurement gap repetition period, and a measurement gap time offset relative to a reference time.

[0079] In one embodiment, the first set of one or more conditions includes a condition that the one or more reference signals used for the measurements are not entirely within the bandwidth of the active bandwidth portion of the UE.

[0080] In one embodiment, the method further includes performing measurements in an active bandwidth portion of the UE and performing an active bandwidth portion switching procedure to the new active bandwidth portion, wherein a first set of one or more conditions includes a condition that one or more reference signals used for the measurements are not entirely within the bandwidth of the new active bandwidth portion of the UE.

[0081] In one embodiment, a first set of one or more conditions includes a condition that the UE is configured to perform measurements on an active bandwidth portion of the UE and one or more reference signals used for the measurements are not entirely within the bandwidth of the active bandwidth portion of the UE.

[0082] In one embodiment, the determined time instance is a reference time T0+a time offset DT1. In one embodiment, the reference time T0 is the time when the UE receives a request to perform measurements, when the UE informs a network node that the UE uses a preconfigured measurement gap pattern, or when the UE receives a message from a network node indicating that the UE is allowed to use a preconfigured measurement gap pattern.

[0083] In one embodiment, the first set of one or more conditions includes a condition that the UE is switched from a non-dormant bandwidth portion to a dormant bandwidth portion. In one embodiment, the determined time instance is a reference time T0+a time offset DT1, where the reference time T0 is a time at which the UE is switched from a non-dormant BWP to a dormant BWP or a time at which the switching of the UE from the non-dormant BWP to the dormant BWP is completed.

[0084] In one embodiment, determining the time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern comprises determining the time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern based on one or more pre-defined rules and / or information received from the network node regarding one or more parameters related to the determined time instance.

[0085] In one embodiment, determining the time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern comprises determining, autonomously in the UE, the time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern.

[0086] In another embodiment, a method implemented by a UE comprises: ● receiving information from a network node indicative of one or more preconfigured measurement gap patterns; performing measurements in an active bandwidth portion of the UE using a preconfigured measurement gap pattern, where the preconfigured measurement gap pattern is one of one or more preconfigured measurement gap patterns; ● determining that a second set of one or more conditions for ceasing use of the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is met; Determining a time instance at which the use of a pre-configured measurement gap pattern should be stopped; and Stopping the use of a preconfigured measurement gap pattern at a determined time instance. Includes one or more of:

[0087] In one embodiment, the information indicative of the one or more pre-defined measurement gap patterns comprises, for each pre-defined measurement gap pattern of the one or more pre-defined measurement gap patterns, information indicative of one or more parameters defining the pre-defined measurement gap pattern, In one embodiment, the one or more parameters comprise a measurement gap length, a measurement gap repetition period, and a measurement gap time offset relative to a reference time.

[0088] In one embodiment, the second set of one or more conditions includes a condition that the one or more reference signals used for the measurements are entirely within a bandwidth of the active bandwidth portion of the UE.

[0089] In one embodiment, the method further includes performing an active bandwidth portion switching procedure to the new active bandwidth portion, and the second set of one or more conditions includes a condition that the one or more reference signals used for the measurements are entirely within the bandwidth of the new active bandwidth portion of the UE.

[0090] In one embodiment, the determined time instance is the reference time T0 plus the time offset DT2.

[0091] In one embodiment, determining the time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern comprises determining the time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern based on one or more pre-defined rules and / or information received from the network node regarding one or more parameters related to the determined time instance.

[0092] In one embodiment, determining the time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern comprises determining, autonomously in the UE, the time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern.

[0093] In one embodiment, the second set of one or more conditions includes a condition that the number of active bandwidth fractional switches occurring in the respective cell during a defined or (pre)set time period (e.g., the last N time units, the last N seconds, etc.) is less than a threshold number.

[0094] In one embodiment, the second set of one or more conditions includes a condition based on a time period between successive active bandwidth portion switching that requires the UE to change between a bandwidth portion measurement procedure that does not use measurement gaps and a gap-based measurement procedure that uses measurement gaps.

[0095] In one embodiment, the second set of one or more conditions includes a condition based on a time period during which the UE was using a gap-based measurement procedure to perform measurements (e.g., was using a pre-configured measurement gap pattern).

[0096] In another embodiment, a method implemented by a UE comprises: ● receiving information from a network node indicative of one or more preconfigured measurement gap patterns; ● determining that a third set of one or more conditions for using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is met, wherein determining that the third set of one or more conditions is met is such that the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is one of the one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns; Determining the duration for which a pre-configured measurement gap pattern should be used; and Performing measurements using a predefined measurement gap pattern for a determined duration. Includes one or more of:

[0097] In one embodiment, the information indicative of the one or more pre-defined measurement gap patterns comprises, for each pre-defined measurement gap pattern of the one or more pre-defined measurement gap patterns, information indicative of one or more parameters defining the pre-defined measurement gap pattern, In one embodiment, the one or more parameters comprise a measurement gap length, a measurement gap repetition period, and a measurement gap time offset relative to a reference time.

[0098] Some embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantage(s). ● Embodiments of the methods disclosed herein may define the UE behavior to use pre-configured measurement gaps to perform measurements at well-defined time instances known to both the UE and the serving cell(s). This allows the serving cell to adapt its scheduling of signals to the UE. This also allows the UE to adapt its measurement sampling of ongoing measurements. ● Embodiments of the methods disclosed herein may define the UE behavior to switch from using preconfigured measurement gaps to active BWP to perform measurements at well-defined time instances known to both the UE and the serving cell(s). This allows the serving cell to adapt the scheduling of signals to the UE. This also allows the UE to adapt the measurement sampling of ongoing measurements. ● Embodiments of the solution(s) disclosed herein may ensure that scheduling grants / resources are not wasted when the UE switches between a pre-configured measurement gap and an active BWP to perform measurements. ● Embodiments of the solution(s) disclosed in this specification may improve measurement performance, regardless of whether the measurements are performed, fully or partially, using pre-configured measurement gaps or within an active BWP. ● An embodiment of the solution(s) disclosed in this specification may enable the UE to continue performing measurements regardless of whether the reference signal used for the measurements remains within the active BWP during the measurement time.

[0099] 3 illustrates an example of a cellular communication system 300 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. In the embodiments described herein, the cellular communication system 300 is a 5G system (5GS) including a Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN) and a 5G core (5GC), or an Evolved Packet System (EPS) including an Enhanced Universal Terrestrial RAN (E-UTRAN) and an Evolved Packet Core (EPC). In this example, the RAN includes base stations 302-1 and 302-2, including NR base stations (gNBs) in 5GS and optionally Next Generation eNBs (ng-eNBs) (e.g., LTE RAN nodes connected to 5GC) and eNBs in the EPS, which control corresponding (macro) cells 304-1 and 304-2. The base stations 302-1 and 302-2 are generally referred to herein collectively as base stations 302 and individually as base stations 302. Similarly, the (macro) cells 304-1 and 304-2 are generally referred to herein collectively as the (macro) cells 304 and individually as the (macro) cells 304. The RAN may also include several low power nodes 306-1 to 306-4 that control corresponding small cells 308-1 to 308-4. The low power nodes 306-1 to 306-4 may be small base stations (such as pico or femto base stations), or remote radio heads (RRHs), etc. Although not specifically shown, one or more of the small cells 308-1 to 308-4 may alternatively be provided by the base station 302. The low power nodes 306-1 to 306-4 are generally referred to herein collectively as the low power nodes 306 and individually as the low power nodes 306. Similarly, small cells 308-1 through 308-4 are generally referred to herein collectively as small cells 308 and individually as small cells 308. The cellular communication system 300 also includes a core network 310, referred to as 5GC in 5G systems (5GS). The base stations 302 (and optionally the low power nodes 306) are connected to the core network 310.

[0100] The base station 302 and the low power node 306 serve UEs 312-1 through 312-5 in corresponding cells 304 and 308. The UEs 312-1 through 312-5 are generally referred to herein collectively as UEs 312 and individually as UEs 312.

[0101] The description now turns to various embodiments of the solution(s) disclosed herein. The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a scenario in which a UE 312 served by at least one serving cell (cell 1) belonging to a carrier frequency (F1) is configured to perform one or more measurements on reference signals (RS) operated by one or more cells on one or more carrier frequencies, e.g., serving carrier, non-serving carrier, etc. The UE 312 may also be configured with two or more serving cells in a multi-carrier operation (MC), e.g., one or more special cells (SpCells) and / or one or more SCells. Examples of MC operation are carrier aggregation (CA), multi-connectivity (MuC), etc. Examples of MuC are dual connectivity (DC), E-UTRA-NR DC (EN-DC), NR-DC, NR-E-UTRA DC (NE-DC), etc. Examples of SpCells are PCells, PSCells, etc. The UE 312 may operate on all carriers in a licensed spectrum or without clear channel assessment (CCA, e.g., as described in 3GPP TS 38.133), or with at least one carrier possibly in an unlicensed spectrum or with CCA.

[0102] The UE 312 is further configured by a network node (e.g., base station 302) with at least one measurement gap pattern (MGP) with a certain measurement gap length (MGL) (e.g., 6 ms) and measurement gap repetition period (MGRP) (e.g., 40 ms). The measurement gap may be a per-UE or per-FR measurement gap. The UE may be configured by the network node to switch active BWP(s) on one or more serving cells at any time based on any active BWP switching mechanism, such as, for example, timer-based active BWP switching, DCI-based active BWP switching, or RRC-based active BWP switching.

[0103] Measurements are typically made by the UE 312 during one or more Measurement Occasions (MOs). During each MO, the UE 312 may obtain one or more samples or snapshots that may be combined (e.g., averaged) over a measurement time (e.g., measurement period, L1 period, evaluation period, etc.) to obtain a measurement result (e.g., NR-RSRP, NR-RSRQ, NR-SINR, etc.). The measurement result is used by the UE 312 for one or more tasks, e.g., reporting the result to a network node, for cell change, etc. MOs may typically be created at periodic intervals, e.g., once every 40 ms, to include the RS (e.g., SSB burst, CSI-RS, and / or PRS burst) used for the measurement. Examples of MOs are measurement gaps in the MGP, measurement durations including RSs in the active BWP, etc.

[0104] The UE 312 may perform one or more measurements on one or more serving carriers within an active BWP when the RS where the measurements are made is entirely within the active BWP. This measurement mechanism or procedure or manner in which the UE 312 measures within the active BWP is referred to herein as an active BWP-based measurement procedure (BMP). In BMP, the UE 312 measures without a measurement gap. Thus, the BMP may also be referred to herein as a measurement procedure without a gap, or a non-gap-based measurement procedure, or a gapless measurement procedure. The corresponding measurements may be referred to herein as BWP-based measurements or BWP-assisted measurements. The BWP-based measurements may also be referred to herein as non-gap-based measurements, or measurements without gaps, or measurements made outside of gaps. The BMP may also be referred to herein as a first measurement procedure (MP1). For consistency, the BMP is mainly used in the description of the following embodiments.

[0105] The UE 312 may perform one or more measurements on one or more serving carriers using the MGP (i.e., in the gap) when, for example, after an active BWP switch, the RS where the measurements are made is not entirely within the bandwidth (BW) of the active BWP. This measurement mechanism or procedure or manner in which the UE 312 measures using the MGP is referred to herein as a gap-based measurement procedure (GMP). The GMP may also be referred to herein as a measurement procedure outside or without an active BWP. The corresponding measurements may be referred to herein as gap-based measurements, or gap-assisted measurements, or measurements made outside the active BWP. The GMP may also be referred to herein as a second measurement procedure (MP2).

[0106] For active BWP switching, the UE 312 may correspondingly switch between BMP and GMP to perform measurements on one or more carriers. This depends on whether the RS for measurements is in the new active BWP after each active BWP switching. When switching from GMP to BMP, the measurement gap pattern is not deconfigured. This allows the UE 312 to resume the gap when switching from BMP to GMP. This approach avoids reconfiguration of the gap, which reduces signaling overhead, reduces delay in starting GMP, reduces processing in the UE and BS, etc. Therefore, the MGP in this disclosure is also referred to as a preconfigured MGP or an already configured MGP, etc. The preconfigured MGP is not necessarily used / activated immediately after the first configuration (e.g., by a network node), but may be used / activated at a later stage (e.g., activation triggered by a condition or criterion, as further described below), and its use may be activated / triggered multiple times without another configuration message from the network node.

[0107] 4 shows an example in which the MGP is preconfigured in the UE 312 to perform measurements. The UE 312 uses the MGP, for example, when the RS used for measurements is not entirely contained within the active BWP.

[0108] Embodiment #1: A method in a UE for using MGP for measurements upon satisfaction of one or more conditions According to the first embodiment, the UE 312 is triggered to use at least one pre-configured MGP to perform one or more measurements (e.g., for one or more cells of one or more carriers) upon achieving a first set (S1) of one or more conditions or criteria. Upon triggering, the UE 312 further obtains information regarding a time instance (Tg) at which the UE 312 should start using the pre-configured MGP, and starts using the pre-configured MGP to perform one or more measurements from the obtained time instance (Tg). The reason for starting to use the MGP at a certain time instance (Tg) is to ensure that both the UE 312 and the serving BS 302 are aware of when the UE 312 will start using the pre-configured MGP for measurements. This allows the serving BS 302 to continue to schedule the UE 312 even during (unused) measurement gaps in the pre-configured MGP before or until the time instance Tg. The reason is that the measurement gaps in the pre-configured MGP are configured but not used (or created) by the UE 312 until the time instance Tg. A rule may be defined to ensure that the UE may be scheduled by a serving network node (e.g., a serving BS) during a pre-configured MGP when the MGP is not used by the UE for measurements. For example, the rule may be that the UE may receive and / or transmit signals (e.g., receive PDCCH / PDSCH and / or transmit PUCCH / PUSCH) during a pre-configured MGP when the MGP is not used by the UE for measurements. For example, when the UE is performing measurements without gaps (e.g., within an active BWP), the UE may not use the pre-configured MGP for measurements.When the MGP is used by the UE for measurements, another rule may be specified to ensure that the serving network node (e.g., serving BS) does not schedule the UE during the pre-configured MGP. For example, the rule may be that when the MGP is used by the UE for measurements, the UE is not expected or required to receive signals and / or is not expected or required to transmit signals (e.g., not receive PDCCH / PDSCH and / or not transmit PUCCH / PUSCH) during the pre-configured MGP. For example, when the UE cannot perform measurements within an active BWP, the UE may have to use the pre-configured MGP for measurements.

[0109] Prior to triggering the need for a measurement gap (i.e., prior to triggering the use of a pre-configured MGP), the UE312 may or may not be performing measurements within an active BWP.

[0110] A condition or criterion that triggers the UE 312 to use the pre-configured MGP may occur at time instance T0. Thus, DT1=Tg-T0 is the duration starting from T0 after which the UE 312 uses the pre-configured MGP. DT1 is also referred to herein as a transition time for the UE 312 to switch or change from BMP to GMP to perform measurements on the RS. DT1 may also include an additional time to the beginning of the first complete measurement occasion (e.g., the RS to be measured is available) after the time that the UE 312 is able to use the pre-configured MGP. For a periodic RS, this additional time may be up to the RS periodicity.

[0111] The conditions or criteria that trigger the UE 312 to use the pre-configured MGP include one or more of the following: Note, however, that the conditions or criteria listed below are merely examples. 1. UE312 is performing measurements in an active BWP (e.g., BWP1), and an active BWP switch from BWP1 to BWP2 results in the BW of the new active BWP (BWP2) not completely including the RS used for the measurements being performed. Therefore, UE312 cannot continue the ongoing measurements in BWP2. Therefore, UE312 must switch from BMP to GMP (i.e., the use of the pre-configured MGP is triggered). In this case, in one example, T0 is the time instance when the active BWP switch is triggered, i.e., started. In another example, T0 is the time instance when the active BWP switch is completed. 2. The UE 312 is not performing measurements. However, the BW of its current active BWP (e.g., BWP2) does not completely include the RS that may be used for measurements. The UE 312 is configured to perform measurements on the RS. Therefore, the UE 312 cannot perform measurements within BWP2. In other words, the UE 312 cannot perform measurements without gaps when the active BWP is BWP2. Therefore, the UE 312 must start measurements using GMP. In this case, in one example, T0 is the time instance at which the UE 312 receives a request to perform measurements. 3. The UE312 is triggered to perform one or more positioning measurements (e.g., RSTD, PRS-RSRP, UE Rx-Tx time difference, etc.) regardless of whether the BW of its current active BWP (e.g., BWP2) completely contains the RS for positioning measurements. The UE312 may be triggered to perform positioning measurements based on an internal request or based on assistance information (e.g., via an LPP received from a positioning node (e.g., LMF, etc.) or via an RRC received from a serving node). In this case, in one example, T0 is the time instance at which the UE312 receives a request to perform measurements. In another example, T0 is the time instance at which the UE312 informs a network node (e.g., serving BS) that the UE312 needs to use a preconfigured MGP to perform positioning measurements. In another example, T0 is the time instance at which the UE312 receives an acknowledgement message or permission or indication from a network node (e.g., a serving BS) that the network has received the UE message or that the UE312 can use a preconfigured MGP to perform positioning measurements. 4. The active BWP for the UE312 is switched from a non-dormant BWP to a dormant BWP, whereby the UE312 is not required to monitor the PDCCH, but still has to perform RRM measurements (e.g., for SSB) and CSI measurements (e.g., for SSB and / or CSI-RS) on the dormant serving carrier. To facilitate UE power saving, the UE312 is enabled to turn off reception on the dormant serving carrier during the time when it is not required for reception of RS for RRM measurements and / or CSI measurements. When the UE312 turns on or off reception, there may be a transient disturbance, a so-called interruption, during which reception and / or transmission on the serving carrier in the same FR or in any FR may not be guaranteed, depending on the UE capability for gaps per FR. A gap-per-FR capable UE causes disturbance (e.g., interruption) only to the serving carrier in the same FR, otherwise disturbance (e.g., interruption) may be caused to the serving carrier in both the same FR and other FRs. A pre-configured measurement gap may be configured (via a pre-configured MGP) in the UE 312 to be used by the UE 312 for radio switching to receive RS for RRM and / or CSI measurements so that the interruption does not interfere with scheduled traffic to and from the UE 312 on any of the serving carriers. In this case, in one example, T0 is the time instance at which an active BWP switch from a non-dormant BWP to a dormant BWP is triggered (started). In another example, T0 is the time instance at which an active BWP switch from a non-dormant BWP to a dormant BWP is completed. In this example, the measurement gap may be used to hide the interruption when turning on reception for the dormant carrier and / or to hide the interruption when turning off reception for the dormant carrier. The actual measurement for the RS on the dormant carrier (i.e., other than turning on and off the receiver) may be performed without interrupting the serving carrier and therefore may be performed within or outside the measurement gap.

[0112] The UE 312 obtains information about the time instance Tg at which it should start using the pre-configured MGP based on one or more of the following principles. 1. Predefined rules, for example, DT1, T0, Tg, can be predefined. 2. By receiving information regarding DT1, T0, Tg from a network node, e.g., from a serving BS. 3. Autonomously determined by the UE 312. In this case, the UE 312 further informs the network node of the determined parameter value (e.g., DT1).

[0113] For illustration, the meaning of the time instance (Tg) at which the condition or criterion for using GMP is triggered and then the UE312 will switch to GMP for measurement is explained by an example in FIG. 5. In this example, the UE312 is served by cell 1 (e.g., SpCell, SCell). Initially, some RSs (e.g., SSB1) are within the BW of the current active BWP (BWP1). Therefore, the UE312 first performs one or more intra-frequency measurements or measurements on the carriers of cell 1 for the RSs (e.g., SSB1) according to the BMP, i.e., in the BWP and without MGP. The UE312 is triggered at time instance T0 to switch its active BWP on cell 1 from BWP1 to BWP2. The active BWP switch from BWP1 to BWP2 is performed for a time period dt starting from T0. The RSs are not necessarily completely within the BW of the new active BWP (BWP2). This triggers the UE 312 to switch from BMP to GMP to continue performing measurements on the same RS (e.g., SSB1). In principle, the UE 312 may start the preconfigured MGP immediately after the UE 312 switches to BWP2. However, as shown in Figure 5, the UE 312 starts the GMP from the first measurement gap in the preconfigured MGP starting at time instance Tg, i.e., DT1 after T0. This allows the UE 312 and the serving base station 302 to adapt to the new measurement procedure (i.e., GMP) and allows the base station 302 to schedule signals to the UE 312.

[0114] The parameters DT1 and Tg are obtained by the UE 312 and a network node (eg, the serving BS 302) based on one or more rules or principles or mechanisms that are described with some examples below. 1. In one example, DT1 includes a function of a, dt, and M1, i.e., DT1=f1(a,dt,M1). A specific example of DT1 includes DT1=a+dt+M1*MGRP, where a is a margin (e.g., a=X1 time resources), and as a special case a=0, dt=active BWP switching delay, and M1≧1. 2. In another example, DT1 includes a function of a, dt, Tue1, and Tbs1, i.e., DT1=f2(a,dt,Tue1,Tbs1). One specific example of DT1 includes DT1=a+dt+f3(Tue1,Tbs1). Another specific example of DT1 includes DT1=a+dt+MAX(Tue1,Tbs1), where Tue1=the time required by the UE to adapt to the new measurement procedure since the measurement sampling may be different in the two procedures, and Tbs1=the time required by the BS to adapt the scheduling (e.g., stop scheduling in unused pre-configured gaps) when the UE switches from a gapless measurement procedure to a gap-based measurement procedure. 3. In another example, DT1 includes M2 occurrences of measurement gaps or M3 MGRPs from triggering conditions that require the UE to use GMP to make measurements (e.g., active BWP switch, positioning measurement request sent by the UE, UE being enabled by the BS to use MGP, etc.). 4. In another example, DT1 may further depend on the time period (dt1) between the moment (T0) when the active BWP switch is triggered or the active BWP switch is completed and the moment (T01) when the first gap of the pre-configured MGP occurs immediately after the triggering or completion of the active BWP switch, where dt1=(T01-T0). DT1 may further depend on dt1 and MGP related parameters (e.g., MGRP). This is illustrated with a few specific examples below. o In one example, when dt1 is below or equal to a threshold (D1), the value of DT1 is greater compared to when dt1 is above D1. o In another example, if dt1≦D1 then DT1>Q1*MGRP, but if dt1>D1 then DT1≦Q1*MGRP, where Q1 is an integer. As a special case, P=1. o In another example, if dt1≦D1, the UE starts GMP after at least one occurrence of a gap after an active BWP switch is completed, but if dt1>D1, the UE starts GMP from the first occurrence of a gap after an active BWP switch is completed. 5. In another example, after the UE satisfies a condition requiring it to use GMP for measurements (e.g., active BWP switching), the UE starts using a first gap in a certain time resource represented by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., any SFN from 0 to 1024) and a subframe (SF) number (e.g., any SF from 0 to 9) that satisfies the following condition: 〇 SFN mod T=FUNCTION(K1,gapOffset) / 10), 〇 Subframe = gapOffset mod 10, ■ When T=FUNCTION(K1,MGRP) / 10 - where: 〇 Examples of FUNCTION are FLOOR, CEILING, MAXIMUM, MINIMUN, PRODUCT, etc. In one particular example, the UE starts using the first gap for measurements at a certain SFN and subframe number that satisfies the following condition: 〇 SFN mod T=FLOOR((K1+gapOffset) / 10), 〇 Subframe = gapOffset mod 10, ■ When T=K1*MGRP / 10 - where: o gapoffset is an integer. As an example, gapoffset ranges from 0, 1, 2, ..., 159. gapoffset may further depend on the MGRP of the MGP, for example, gapoffset=MGRP-1. o K1 is an integer, e.g., K1≧1. In one example, K1 may be the same for any MGP, e.g., K1=2. In another example, K1 may depend on or be a function of one or more parameters related to or defining the MGP (e.g., MGRP). In another example, K1 may further depend on the active BWP switching delay. This is illustrated with a few specific examples below. ■ In one example, where K1=f4(MGRP), K1 is smaller for larger values ​​of MGRP and K1 is larger for smaller values ​​of MGRP. In a particular example, if MGRP≦40 ms, K1=2, and if MGRP>40 ms, K1=1. In another particular example, K1=4, 2, and 1 for MGRP=20 ms, MGRP=40 ms, and MGRP>40 ms, respectively. ■ In another example, K1 = f5(dt,MGRP). In one particular example, K1 = CEIL(dt / MGRP) * MGRP. In another particular example, K1 = FLOOR(dt / MGRP) * MGRP. ■ In another example, K1 = f6(a, dt, MGRP). In one particular example, K1 = CEIL((a + dt) / MGRP) * MGRP. In another particular example, K1 = FLOOR((a + dt) / MGRP) * MGRP. o In another example, K1 may further depend on the time period (dt1) between the moment (T0) when the active BWP switch is triggered or when the active BWP switch is completed and the moment (T01) when the first gap of the pre-configured MGP occurs immediately after the triggering or completion of the active BWP switch, where dt1=(T01-T0). K1 may further depend on dt1 and MGP related parameters (e.g., MGRP). This is illustrated with a few specific examples below. ■ In one example, when Dt1 is below or equal to a threshold (D1), the value of K1 is larger compared to when dt1 is above D1. For example, when dt1≦D1, K1=q1, and when Dt1>D1, K1=q2, where q1>q2. In one specific example, D1=20ms, q1=2 and q2=1. This mechanism gives the UE sufficient transition time to initiate / switch to GMP when an active BWP switch occurs too close to a gap. ■ In another example where K1 depends on both dt1 and MGRP, when Dt1≦D1 and MGRP is below or equal to a threshold (R1), K1 is larger compared to other values ​​of dt1 and MGRP. For example, when dt1≦D1 and MGRP≦R1, q1=4, otherwise q1=1. This mechanism also gives the UE enough transition time to initiate / switch GMP when an active BWP switch occurs too close to a gap. 6. In another example, after the UE satisfies a condition that requires it to use GMP for measurements (e.g., active BWP switching), the UE uses the first gap for measurements in the SFN and SF that satisfies the condition as described in Example #5. However, the UE uses subsequent gaps in SFNs and SFs that satisfy the following condition: 〇 SFN mod T=FLOOR(gapOffset / 10), 〇 Subframe = gapOffset mod 10, ○ When T=MGRP / 10 7. In another example of a measurement scenario, the UE may satisfy a condition or criterion (e.g., active BWP switching) that requires the UE to use GMP for a second set of measurements (e.g., intra-frequency measurements), but the UE may already be using a preconfigured MGP to perform a first set of measurements (e.g., for inter-frequency measurements, inter-RAT measurements, etc.). In this case, in the first example, the UE initiates a GMP procedure for performing a second set of measurements at time Tg (i.e., initiates a preconfigured MGP DT1 after a BWP switching trigger). In the second example, the UE may initiate a GMP procedure for performing a second set of measurements at any time after a BWP switching trigger. Whether the UE initiates a GMP for a second type of measurements according to the rules in the first example or the second example may be predefined or configured by a network node. 8. In the above example, parameters M1, M2, M3, K1, Q1, gapoffset, etc. may be predefined or set by the network node.

[0115] In one embodiment, a measurement includes two or more samples or snapshots (e.g., cell detection, NR-RSRP, NR-RSRQ, NR-SINR, etc.) taken over a measurement time (Tm). Examples of measurement times are a measurement period, a beam index (e.g., SSB index) detection period, a cell detection period, an evaluation period for in-sync detection, out-of-sync detection, beam failure detection, candidate beam detection, etc. The samples may be performed partially according to the BMP and partially according to the GMP. Combining the samples to obtain a measurement result is based on one or more rules that may be predefined or configured by the network node. In one example rule, the UE continues ongoing measurements after a transition from BMP to GMP or vice versa. In this case, measurements may be performed partly according to BMP and partly according to GMP. This means that the UE combines (e.g., averages, sums, etc.) samples based on both GMP and BMP to obtain a measurement result. - In another example of the rule, the UE discards samples before the transition from BMP to GMP and resumes ongoing measurements after the transition from BMP to GMP. In this case, only measurement samples acquired during the GMP (i.e. after the transition from BMP to GMP) are used to perform the measurement. If there are multiple transitions during the measurement time, the UE combines only samples after the last transition to obtain the measurement result.

[0116] The measurement time (Tm) of the measurements performed according to the BMP and GMP is determined by the UE 312 according to one or more rules that may be predefined or set by a network node. The UE 312 then performs the measurements for the determined measurement time. Examples of rules are: - In one example, Tm is a function of Tmb, Tmg, the number of transitions between BMP and GMP during Tm (N1), the transition time of each transition (DT1), and a margin (b1), e.g. Tm=h(Tmb, Tmg, N1, DT1, b1). The function h(.) may depend on whether the UE continues the ongoing measurement after the transition or resumes the measurement after the transition. Examples of functions are sum, max, min, average, X-percentile, etc., where Tmb=measurement time if measurements are performed entirely according to BMP and Tmg=measurement time if measurements are performed entirely according to GMP. o One specific example of Tm = MAX(Tmb,Tmg) + N1 * DT1 + b1. As a special case, b1 = 0, which results in Tm = MAX(Tmb,Tmg) + N1 * DT1. This rule may be applied if the UE continues ongoing measurements after the transition. o Another specific example of Tm=Tmb+N1*DT1+b1 (i.e., Tmg=0). As a special case, b1=0 and N1=1, which results in Tm=Tmb+DT1. This rule may be applied if the UE continues ongoing measurements after the transition. o Another specific example of Tm=Tmg+N1*DT1+b1 (i.e., Tmb=0). As a special case, b1=0 and N1=1, which results in Tm=Tmg+DT1. This rule may be applied if the UE continues ongoing measurements after the transition. o Another specific example of Tm = SUM(Tmb,Tmg) + DT1 + b1, assuming N1 = 1. As a special case, b1 = 0, which results in Tm = MAX(Tmb,Tmg) + DT1. This rule may be applied if the UE resumes measurements after a transition.

[0117] FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of the UE 312 and the network node 600 according to at least some aspects of the first embodiment described above. Optional steps are represented by dashed lines / boxes. The network node 600 may be, for example, but is not limited to, the base station 302 of the serving cell of the UE 312. As shown, the network node 600 sends to the UE 312 information configuring one or more pre-configured MGPs for the UE 312 (step 602). For example, for each pre-configured MGP, the information may indicate parameters that characterize or define the pre-configured MGP. As described above, these parameters may include the MGL, the MGRP, and a measurement gap time offset relative to a reference time (e.g., a slot offset relative to the SFN of the serving cell, such as SFN=0). In the first embodiment, the UE 312 is configured to perform, and may therefore perform, measurements within an active BWP (e.g., BWP1) using the BMP (i.e., without a measurement gap) (step 604). The UE 312 may perform an active BWP switch, which results in a new active BWP (eg, BWP2) for the UE 312 (step 606).

[0118] The UE 312 determines that a first set (S1) of one or more conditions (or criteria) for using a pre-configured MGP (i.e., one of the one or more pre-configured MGPs of step 602) is met (step 608). It should be noted that the above description of various examples of the first set (S1) of one or more conditions is equally applicable here. For example, the first set (S1) of one or more conditions may include a condition that the RS used for a measurement (ongoing measurement or to be performed) is not entirely contained within the BW of the new active BWP. Other examples were described above. In response to determining that the first set (S1) of one or more conditions is met, the UE 312 determines a time instance (Tg) at which the UE 312 should start using the pre-configured MGP for measurements (using GMP) (step 610). It should be noted that the above description of various embodiments and examples of how the UE 312 determines or obtains the time instance (Tg) is equally applicable here. The UE 312 starts to perform measurements (e.g., the same measurements performed in step 604) using the pre-configured MGP starting at or after the determined time instance (Tg) as described above (step 612). The UE 312 may continue to perform measurements using the GMP, e.g., until the UE 312 is configured to stop performing measurements or the UE 312 performs another active BWP switch to a BWP in which the RS used for measurements is completely contained within the BW of that BWP (in which case the UE 312 may switch to a BMP that does not use the pre-configured MGP, but in which case the pre-configured MGP remains stored in the UE 312 and may be used thereafter, e.g., in the case of another active BWP switch).As described above, the measurements may use samples obtained by the UE 312 before and after it starts using the pre-configured MGP, in which case it should also be noted that example rules for how such samples are combined were described above.

[0119] Embodiment #2: A method in a UE for using an active BWP for measurements when one or more conditions are satisfied According to a second embodiment, the UE 312 using at least one pre-configured MGP for measurements on an RS (e.g., SSB) is triggered to perform measurements on the RS (i.e., to stop using at least one pre-configured MGP) in an active BWP of the UE's serving cell (e.g., cell 1) upon achieving a second set (S2) of one or more conditions or criteria. The triggering condition that allows the UE to change or switch from GMP to BMP for performing measurements may include an active BWP switch, such that after the BWP switch, the RS used for measurements is completely contained within the BW of the new active BWP. The UE 312 further obtains information regarding a time instance (Tb) at which the UE should stop using the pre-configured MGP for performing one or more measurements. The information regarding the time instance (Tb) is obtained by the UE 312 based on one or more rules, which may be predefined, set by a network node, or determined autonomously by the UE. The UE 312 may further transmit the obtained information of Tb to another node (e.g., to a network node, to another UE, etc.) if specifically determined by the UE 312. The UE 312 may also start to apply the BMP for measurements at or after Tb, i.e., to perform measurements without gaps. Even when the UE 312 is performing measurements according to the BMP, at least one preconfigured MGP remains configured but is not used for measurements made in the active BWP.

[0120] Stopping the use of MGP at a time instance Tb ensures that both the UE 312 and the serving base station 302 are aware of when the UE 312 will stop using the pre-configured MGP for measurements. This allows the serving BS 302 to start scheduling the UE 312 during measurement gaps defined by the pre-configured MGP at or after the time instance Tb. The reason for this is that measurement gaps are configured but not used (or created) by the UE 312 for measurements from Tb onwards. Instead, the UE 312 performs measurements after Tb within an active BWP, i.e. without MGP.

[0121] A condition or criterion that triggers the UE 312 to stop using the pre-configured gap may occur at time instance T0. Thus, DT2=Tb-T0 is the duration starting from T0 after which the UE 312 stops using the pre-configured MGP and starts using the new active BWP for measurements. DT2 is also called the transition time for the UE 312 to switch or change from GMP to BWP to perform measurements on the RS.

[0122] The UE 312 obtains information regarding the pre-configured time instance Tb at which the MGP should be stopped based on one or more of the following principles. 1. Predefined rules, for example, DT2, T0, Tb, may be predefined. 2. By receiving information regarding DT2, T0, Tb from a network node, e.g., from a serving BS. 3. Autonomously determined by the UE 312. In this case, the UE 312 further informs the network node of the determined parameter value (e.g., DT2).

[0123] For illustration, the meaning of the time instance (Tb) at which the UE312 will stop GMP for measurements after the condition or criterion for using BMP is triggered is explained by an example in FIG. 7. In this example, the UE312 is served by cell 1 (e.g., SpCell, SCell). Initially, some RSs (e.g., SSB1) are not within the BW of the current active BWP (BWP3). Therefore, the UE312 first performs one or more intra-frequency measurements or measurements on the carriers of cell 1 for the RSs (e.g., SSB1) according to the GMP, i.e., using the pre-configured MGP. The UE312 is triggered at time instance T0 to switch its active BWP on cell 1 from BWP3 to BWP4. The active BWP switch from BWP3 to BWP4 is performed for a time period DT2 starting from T0. The RSs are completely within the BW of the new active BWP (BWP4). This triggers the UE312 to switch from GMP to BMP to continue performing measurements on the same RS (e.g., SSB1). In principle, the UE312 may stop the pre-configured MGP immediately after the UE312 switches to BWP4. However, as shown in the figure, the UE312 stops the GMP from the first gap starting at time instance Tb, i.e., DT2 after T0. This allows both the UE312 and the serving base station 302 to adapt to the new measurement procedure (i.e., BMP) and allows the serving base station 302 to schedule signals to the UE312.

[0124] The parameters DT2 and Tb are obtained by the UE 312 based on one or more rules or principles or mechanisms. The rules may also be similar to those described in Example #1 to Example #7 in the description of the above embodiment #1. Examples of one or more rules used by the UE 312 and the network node to determine DT2 and Tb are further detailed here with the following examples. 1. In one example, DT2 includes a function of b, dt, P1, and MGRP, i.e., DT1=g1(b,dt,P1,MGRP). A specific example of DT2 includes DT2=b+dt+P1*MGRP, where b is a margin, e.g., b=X1 time resources. As a special case, b=0 and dt=active BWP switching delay. P1≧1. 2. In another example, DT2 includes a function of δ, dt, Tue2, and Tbs2, i.e., DT2=g2(β,dt,Tue2,Tbs2). One specific example of DT2 includes DT2=β+dt+g3(Tue2,Tbs2). Another specific example of DT2 includes DT2=β+dt+MAX(Tue2,Tbs2), where Tue2=the time required by the UE to adapt to the new measurement procedure since the measurement sampling may be different in the two procedures, and Tbs2=the time required by the BS to adapt scheduling (e.g., start scheduling in unused pre-configured gaps) when the UE switches from a gap-based measurement procedure to a gapless measurement procedure. 3. In another example, DT2 includes a function of b, dt, P1, Trs_min, and Trs, i.e., DT1=g4(b,dt,P1,Trs_min,Trs). A specific example of DT2 includes DT2=b+dt+P1*MAX(Trs_min,Trs), where Trs=RS occasion periodicity (e.g., SSB or SMTC periodicity) and Trs_min=minimum RS periodicity (e.g., minimum SSB or SMTC periodicity). As special cases, b=0, Trs_min=Tssb_min=40ms, and dt=active BWP switching delay. P1≧1. 4. In another example, DT2 includes P2 occurrences of measurement gaps from triggering conditions that require the UE to use the BMP to make measurements (e.g., active BWP switching, etc.), or P3 MGRPs, or P4*MAX(Trs_min,Trs), where P2, P3, and P4 are integers. 5. In another example, DT2 may further depend on the time period (dt2) between the moment (T0) when an active BWP switch is triggered or when an active BWP switch is completed and the moment (T02) when the first RS occasion (e.g., SMTC occasion, SSB, etc.) occurs immediately after the triggering or completion of the active BWP switch, where dt2=(T02-T0). Dt2 may further depend on dt2, Trs_min, Trs, MGP related parameters (e.g., MGRP). This is illustrated with a few specific examples below. o In one example, when dt2 is below or equal to a threshold (D2), the value of DT2 is greater compared to when dt2 is above D2. o In another example, if dt2≦D2 then DT2>Q2*MGRP, but if dt2>D2 then DT2≦Q2*MGRP, where Q2 is an integer. As a special case, Q2=1. In another example, if dt2≦D2 then DT2>Q2*MAX(Trs_min,Trs), but if dt2>D2 then DT2≦Q2*MAX(Trs_min,Trs). o In another example, if dt2≦D2, the UE starts the BMP after at least one occurrence of an RS occasion (e.g., an SMTC occasion) after the active BWP switch is completed, but if dt2>D2, the UE starts the BMP from the first occurrence of an RS occasion after the active BWP switch is completed. o In another example, if dt2≦D2, the UE starts the BMP after at least one occurrence of a gap after the active BWP switch is completed, but if dt2>D2, the UE starts the BMP from the first occurrence of a gap after the active BWP switch is completed. 6. In another example, after the UE satisfies a condition requiring it to use the BMP for measurements (e.g., active BWP switching), the UE starts using a first gap in a certain time resource represented by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., any SFN from 0 to 1024) and a subframe (SF) number (e.g., any SF from 0 to 9) that satisfies the following condition: 〇 SFN mod T=FUNCTION(K2,gapOffset) / 10), 〇 Subframe = gapOffset mod 10, ■ In the case of T=FUNCTION(K2,MGRP) / 10 - where: 〇 Examples of FUNCTION are FLOOR, CEILING, MAXIMUM, MINIMUN, PRODUCT, etc. In one particular example, the UE starts using the first gap for measurements at a certain SFN and subframe number that satisfies the following condition: 〇 SFN mod T=FLOOR((K2+gapOffset) / 10), 〇 Subframe = gapOffset mod 10, ■ When T=K2*MGRP / 10 - where: o gapoffset is an integer. As an example, gapoffset ranges from 0, 1, 2, ..., 159. gapoffset may further depend on the MGRP of the MGP, for example, gapoffset=MGRP-1. o K2 is an integer, e.g., K2≧1. In one example, K2 may be the same for any MGP, e.g., K2=2. In another example, K2 may depend on or be a function of one or more parameters related to or defining the MGP (e.g., MGRP). In another example, K2 may further depend on the active BWP switching delay. This is illustrated with a few specific examples below. ■ In one example, where K2=g5(MGRP), K2 is smaller for larger values ​​of MGRP and K2 is larger for smaller values ​​of MGRP. In a particular example, if MGRP≦40 ms, K2=2, and if MGRP>40 ms, K2=1. In another particular example, K2=4, 2, and 1 for MGRP=20 ms, MGRP=40 ms, and MGRP>40 ms, respectively. In another example, K2 = g6(dt,MGRP). In one particular example, K2 = CEIL(dt / MGRP) * MGRP. In another particular example, K2 = FLOOR(dt / MGRP) * MGRP. ■ In another example, K2 = g7(b, dt, MGRP). In one particular example, K2 = CEIL((b + dt) / MGRP) * MGRP. In another particular example, K2 = FLOOR((b + dt) / MGRP) * MGRP. o In another example, K2 may further depend on the time period (dt2) between the moment (T0) when the active BWP switch is triggered or when the active BWP switch is completed and the moment (T02) when the first gap of the pre-configured MGP occurs immediately after the triggering or completion of the active BWP switch, where dt2=(T02-T0). K2 may further depend on dt2 and MGP related parameters (e.g., MGRP). This is illustrated with a few specific examples below. ■ In one example, when Dt2 is below or equal to a threshold (D2), the value of K2 is larger compared to when dt2 is above D2. For example, when dt2≦D2, K2=p1, and when Dt2>D2, K2=p2, where p1>p2. In one specific example, D2=20ms, p1=2 and p2=1. This mechanism gives the UE sufficient transition time to initiate / switch to BMP when an active BWP switch occurs too close to the next RS occasion or occurrence. ■ In another example where K2 depends on both dt2 and MGRP, when Dt2≦D2 and MGRP is below or equal to a threshold (R2), K2 is larger compared to other values ​​of dt2 and MGRP. For example, when dt2≦D2 and MGRP≦R2, p1=4, otherwise p1=1. This mechanism also gives the UE enough transition time to initiate / switch to BMP when an active BWP switch occurs too close to the next RS occasion or occurrence. 6. In another example, after satisfying a condition that requires the UE to use BMP for measurements (e.g., active BWP switching), the UE uses the first RS occasion for measurements in the SFN and SF that satisfy the condition, as described in Example #5, however, the UE uses subsequent RS occasions that occur in the next RS occasion. 7. In the above example, parameters P1, P2, P3, P4, K2, gapoffset, Q2, R2, etc. may be predefined or set by the network node. However, in one example, the parameter values ​​(e.g., M1, M2, M3, K1, gapoffset, etc.) may be the same as those used in the first embodiment. In another example, one or more parameter values ​​(e.g., M1, M2, M3, K1, gapoffset, etc.) used to derive DT2 may be different from those used to derive DT1 (i.e., in the first embodiment).

[0125] In another aspect of the second embodiment, DT2 and Tb may further depend on the number (L1) of active BWP switching actions that occurred in cell 1 during the last time period Tp (e.g., Tp=Xp time resources, Tp time units such as Tp seconds, etc.). For example, if L1 is greater than a threshold (H1) over the last Tp, the UE does not apply BMP to perform measurements even if the condition for switching from GMP to BMP to perform measurements is satisfied (e.g., the new active BWP completely contains RS), and instead, the UE312 continues to use MGP to perform measurements. However, if L1 is less than or equal to H1, the UE applies BMP to perform measurements and stops GMP at Tb if the condition for switching from GMP to BMP to perform measurements is satisfied (e.g., the new active BWP completely contains RS). The UE312 determines DT2 and Tb to stop GMP as described in the previous example above. One specific example of the rule may include as follows: If an active BWP switch occurs while the UE312 is performing measurements with gaps for at least the last Xp time resources (e.g., Xp slots, subframes, etc.) and / or for the last Tp time periods, and the new active BWP after the active BWP switch completely contains the measured SSB, the UE312 shall continue the ongoing measurements without measurement gaps, otherwise the UE shall continue the ongoing measurements using the pre-configured gaps.

[0126] In another aspect of the second embodiment, DT2 and Tb may further depend on the time period (Ts) between successive active BWP switching actions that require the UE to change between BMP and GMP, e.g., from BMP to GMP or vice versa. For example, if the UE is using GMP and an active BWP switching action (A1) that requires the UE to apply BMP occurs within or less than Ts from the last active BWP switch (A2) that caused the UE to apply GMP, the UE does not change from GMP to BMP to perform measurements. Instead, the UE continues to perform measurements according to GMP.

[0127] In another aspect of the second embodiment, DT2 and Tb may further depend on the time period (Tq) during which the UE 312 has used GMP to perform measurements. For example, if the UE 312 has used GMP for less than or equal to Tq and an active BWP switching action occurs that requires the UE 312 to apply BMP, the UE 312 does not change from GMP to BMP to perform measurements. Instead, the UE continues to perform measurements according to GMP. However, if the UE 312 has used GMP for more than Tq and an active BWP switching action occurs that requires the UE to apply BMP, the UE changes from GMP to BMP to perform measurements. In this case, the UE 312 continues to perform measurements according to BMP and stops GMP at Tb. The UE determines DT2 and Tb to stop GMP as described in the previous example above. The time period Tq may further depend on one or more parameters related to the MGP, e.g., MGRP. Tq may be expressed in terms of the number of MGRPs, time resources, etc. For example, when MGRP is above a certain threshold (G1), Tq is also above a certain threshold (G2). However, when MGRP≦G2, Tq≦G1.

[0128] The parameters in the above rules (e.g., L1, H1, G1, G2, Ts, Tq, etc.) can be predefined or set by the network node. The above rules prevent the UE 312 from changing the measurement procedure (e.g., between BMP and GMP) too frequently. This makes the measurements more stable over their measurement period. This also ensures that the network node can schedule more consistently.

[0129] The UE 312 may obtain one or more samples or snapshots when measuring according to the GMP (e.g., cell detection, NR-RSRP, NR-RSRQ, NR-SINR, etc.) and one or more samples or snapshots when measuring according to the BMP. The combining of the samples to obtain the measurement result is based on one or more rules that may be predefined or set by a network node. In one example rule, the UE 312 continues ongoing measurements after a transition from GMP to BMP or vice versa. In this case, measurements may be performed partly according to GMP and partly according to BMP. This means that the UE combines (e.g., averages, sums, etc.) samples based on both GMP and BMP to obtain a measurement result. - In another example of the rule, the UE discards samples before the transition from GMP to BMP and resumes ongoing measurements after the transition from GMP to BMP. In this case, only measurement samples acquired during the BMP (i.e. after the transition from GMP to BMP) are used to perform the measurement. If there are multiple transitions during the measurement time, the UE combines only samples after the last transition to obtain the measurement result.

[0130] A measurement time (Tm) of the measurement is further determined by the UE according to one or more rules, which may be predefined or set by a network node. The UE then performs the measurement over the determined measurement time and uses the measurement for one or more tasks, e.g., sending a result to a network node, cell change, etc. Examples of rules are: - In one example, Tm is a function of Tmb, Tmg, the number of transitions between GMP and BMP during Tm (N2), the transition time of each transition (DT2), and a margin (b2), e.g. Tm = g (Tmb, Tmg, N2, DT2, b2). The function may depend on whether the UE continues the ongoing measurement after the transition or resumes the measurement after the transition. Examples of functions are sum, max, min, average, X-percentile, etc., where Tmb = measurement time if the measurement is performed entirely according to BMP and Tmg = measurement time if the measurement is performed entirely according to GMP. o One specific example of Tm = MAX(Tmb,Tmg) + N2 * DT2 + b2. As a special case, b2 = 0, which results in Tm = MAX(Tmb,Tmg) + DT2. This rule may be applied if the UE continues ongoing measurements after the transition. o Another specific example of Tm=Tmb+N2*DT2+b2 (i.e., Tmg=0). As a special case, b2=0 and N2=1, which results in Tm=Tmb+DT2. This rule may be applied if the UE continues ongoing measurements after the transition. o Another specific example of Tm=Tmg+N2*DT2+b2 (i.e., Tmb=0). As a special case, b2=0 and N2=1, which results in Tm=Tmg+DT2. This rule may be applied if the UE continues ongoing measurements after the transition. o Another specific example of Tm = SUM(Tmb,Tmg) + DT2 + b2, assuming N2 = 1. As a special case, b2 = 0, which results in Tm = MAX(Tmb,Tmg) + DT2. This rule may be applied if the UE resumes measurements after a transition.

[0131] 8 illustrates the operation of the UE 312 and a network node 800 according to at least some aspects of the second embodiment described above. Optional steps are represented by dashed lines / boxes. The network node 800 may be, for example, but is not limited to, a base station 302 of the serving cell of the UE 312. As shown, the network node 800 sends information to the UE 312 configuring one or more pre-configured MGPs for the UE 312 (step 802). For example, for each pre-configured MGP, the information may indicate parameters that characterize or define the pre-configured MGP. As described above, these parameters may include the MGL, the MGRP, and a measurement gap time offset relative to a reference time (e.g., a slot offset relative to the SFN of the serving cell, such as SFN=0). In a second embodiment, the UE 312 may be configured to perform measurements and may perform measurements using a pre-configured MGP (e.g., one of the pre-configured MGPs configured in step 802) (and a GMP) on its active BWP (e.g., BWP2) as a result of, for example, satisfying a first set of one or more conditions (S1) (step 804). The UE 312 may perform an active BWP switch that results in a new active BWP (e.g., BWP1) for the UE 312 (step 806).

[0132] The UE 312 determines that a second set (S2) of one or more conditions (or criteria) for stopping the use of the pre-configured MGP (i.e., one of the one or more pre-configured MGPs of step 802) is met (step 808). It should be noted that the above description of various examples of the second set (S2) of one or more conditions is equally applicable here. For example, the second set (S2) of one or more conditions may include a condition that the RS used for the measurement (ongoing measurement or to be performed) is completely contained within the BW of the new active BWP. Other examples were described above. In response to determining that the second set (S2) of one or more conditions is met, the UE 312 determines a time instance (Tb) at which the UE 312 should stop using the pre-configured MGP for measurement (stop using the GMP) (step 810). It should be noted that the above description of various embodiments and examples of how the UE 312 determines or obtains the time instance (Tb) is equally applicable here. The UE 312 stops performing measurements using the pre-configured MGP starting at the determined time instance (Tb) as described above (step 812). The UE 312 may then start performing measurements in the active BWP using the BMP (step 814). The UE 312 may continue performing measurements using the BMP until, for example, the UE 312 performs another active BWP switch to a BWP where the RS used for measurements is not entirely contained within the BW of that BWP (in which case the UE 312 may switch to the GMP using the pre-configured MGP as described above for the first embodiment). It should also be noted that, as described above, the measurements may use samples obtained by the UE 312 before and after stopping use of the pre-configured MGP, where example rules for how such samples are combined were described above.

[0133] Embodiment #3: A method in a UE to determine the duration of using MGP for measurements In a third embodiment, at least one MGP is preconfigured in the UE 312, and the UE 312 obtains information regarding a duration Tx during which the UE 312 should use the preconfigured measurement gap pattern to perform one or more measurements upon achievement of a third set (S3) of one or more conditions or criteria. The third set S3 may fully or partially include the first set S1 of one or more conditions or criteria (see description of embodiment #1 above) or the second set S2 of one or more conditions or parameters (see description of embodiment #2 above), or may be different from both S1 or S2.

[0134] Some examples of determining Tx: ● Example 1: Tx, or the maximum duration of Tx, is predefined or determined based on predefined rules (S3, which may or may not include S1), e.g. 1. Tx is a fixed predefined value; 2. Tx is a value selected from a predefined set of values, e.g., based on S3 (e.g., which may or may not include S1); 3. Tx is the measurement time (aka measurement period) required for the UE to perform measurements at the preconfigured MGP; Here, the UE may stop using the predefined MGP at exactly Tb; Tb=Tq+Tx. Tg is defined according to the first embodiment. or at time instance min(Tb-Tq,Tx), where Tg is according to the first embodiment, and Tb is according to the second embodiment. ● Example 2: Tx=Tb-Tq, where Tb is defined according to the second embodiment. S3 may include S2. ● Example 3: Tx, or maxTx, is set by the network node with a pre-configured MGP.

[0135] The UE 312 may further indicate the obtained information of Tx to another node, e.g., to a network node, to another UE, etc. If a maximum Tx is set by a network node, the UE 312 may still indicate the actual Tx to be used.

[0136] FIG. 9 illustrates the operation of the UE 312 and the network node 900 according to at least some aspects of the third embodiment described above. Optional steps are represented by dashed lines / boxes. The network node 900 may be, for example, but is not limited to, a base station 302 of the serving cell of the UE 312. As shown, the network node 900 sends to the UE 312 information configuring one or more pre-configured MGPs for the UE 312 (step 902). For example, for each pre-configured MGP, the information may indicate parameters that characterize or define the pre-configured MGP. As described above, these parameters may include the MGL, the MGRP, and a measurement gap time offset relative to a reference time (e.g., a slot offset relative to the SFN of the serving cell, such as SFN=0). In the third embodiment, the UE 312 is configured to perform, and may therefore perform, measurements within an active BWP (e.g., BWP1) using the BMP (i.e., without a measurement gap) (step 904). The UE 312 may perform an active BWP switch, which results in a new active BWP (eg, BWP2) for the UE 312 (step 906).

[0137] The UE 312 determines that a third set (S3) of one or more conditions (or criteria) for using the pre-configured MGP (i.e., one of the one or more pre-configured MGPs of step 902) is met (step 908). It should be noted that the above description of various examples of the third set (S3) of one or more conditions is equally applicable here. In response to determining that the third set (S3) of one or more conditions is met, the UE 312 determines a duration (Tx) during which the UE 312 should use the pre-configured MGP for measurements (using the GMP) (step 910). It should be noted that the above description of various embodiments and examples of how the UE 312 determines or obtains the duration (Tx) is equally applicable here. The UE 312 performs measurements using the pre-configured MGP for the duration (Tx) (step 912). For example, UE312 may start performing measurements using a pre-configured MGP at a time instance (Tg) and continue performing measurements using the pre-configured MGP for a determined duration (Tx), as described above with respect to the first embodiment.

[0138] Further explanation 10 is a schematic block diagram of a network node 1000 according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Optional features are represented by dotted boxes. The network node 1000 may be, for example, a network node 600, 800, or 900, a base station 302 such as a serving base station of a UE 312, or a network node implementing all or a portion of the functionality of a serving base station 302 described herein. As shown, the network node 1000 includes a control system 1002 including one or more processors 1004 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.), a memory 1006, and a network interface 1008. The one or more processors 1004 are also referred to herein as processing circuits. Additionally, if the network node 302 is a RAN node (e.g., base station 302), the network node 1000 may include one or more radio units 1010, each including one or more transmitters 1012 and one or more receivers 1014 coupled to one or more antennas 1016. The radio units 1010 may be referred to as or be part of a radio interface circuit. In some embodiments, the radio unit(s) 1010 are external to the control system 1002 and are connected to the control system 1002, for example, via a wired connection (e.g., optical cable). However, in some other embodiments, the radio unit(s) 1010 and potentially the antenna(s) 1016 are integrated with the control system 1002. The one or more processors 1004 operate to provide one or more functions of the network node 1000 described herein (e.g., one or more functions of a network node, such as network node 600, 800, or 900, or a serving base station 302 of a UE 312, described herein). In some embodiments, the function(s) are implemented in software, e.g., stored in memory 1006 and executed by the one or more processors 1004.

[0139] FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a virtualized embodiment of a network node 1000 according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Again, optional features are represented by dashed boxes. As used herein, a "virtualized" network node is an implementation of a network node 1000 in which at least a portion of the functionality of the network node 1000 is implemented as virtual component(s) (e.g., via virtual machine(s) executing on physical processing node(s) in the network(s)). As shown, the network node 1000 includes one or more processing nodes 1100 coupled to or included as part of the network(s) 1102. Each processing node 1100 includes one or more processors 1104 (e.g., CPU, ASIC, FPGA, etc.), memory 1106, and a network interface 1108. If the network node 1000 is a RAN node (e.g., base station 302), the network node 1000 may include a control system 1002 and / or one or more radio units 1010, as described above. The control system 1002 may be connected to the radio unit(s) 1010 via, for example, an optical cable or the like. If present, the control system 1002 or the radio unit(s) are connected to the processing node(s) 1100 via a network 1102.

[0140] In this example, the functions 1110 of the network node 1000 described herein (e.g., one or more functions of a network node, such as network node 600, 800, or 900, or serving base station 302 of the UE 312, as described herein) are implemented in one or more processing nodes 1100 or are distributed in any desired manner across one or more processing nodes 1100 and the control system 1002 and / or radio unit(s) 1010. In some particular embodiments, some or all of the functions 1110 of the network node 1000 described herein (e.g., one or more functions of a network node, such as network node 600, 800, or 900, or serving base station 302 of the UE 312, as described herein) are implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines implemented in virtual environment(s) hosted by the processing node(s) 1100. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, additional signaling or communication between the processing node(s) 1100 and the control system 1002 is used to perform at least some of the desired functions 1110. Notably, in some embodiments, the control system 1002 may not be included, in which case the wireless unit(s) 1010 communicate directly with the processing node(s) 1100 via an appropriate network interface(s).

[0141] In some embodiments, a computer program is provided that includes instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform functions of the network node 1000 or a node (e.g., processing node 1100) implementing one or more of the functions 1110 of the network node 1000 in a virtual environment (e.g., one or more functions of a network node, such as network node 600, 800, or 900, or a serving base station 302 of a UE 312, as described herein) in accordance with any of the embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, a carrier is provided that comprises the computer program product described above. The carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a wireless signal, or a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a memory).

[0142] 12 is a schematic block diagram of a network node 1000 in accordance with some other embodiments of the present disclosure. Network node 1000 includes one or more modules 1200, each of which is implemented in software. The module(s) 1200 provide the functionality of network node 1000 described herein. This description is equally applicable to processing node 1100 of FIG. 11, where module 1200 may be implemented in one of processing nodes 1100 or distributed across multiple processing nodes 1100 and / or distributed across processing node(s) 1100 and control system 1002.

[0143] 13 is a schematic block diagram of a UE 1300, such as a UE 312, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the UE 312 includes one or more processors 1302 (e.g., CPU, ASIC, FPGA, etc.), a memory 1304, and one or more transceivers 1306, each including one or more transmitters 1308 and one or more receivers 1310 coupled to one or more antennas 1312. The transceiver(s) 1306 includes radio front-end circuitry connected to the antenna(s) 1312 configured to condition signals communicated between the antenna(s) 1312 and the processor(s) 1302, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The processor 1302 is also referred to herein as a processing circuit. The transceiver 1306 is also referred to herein as a radio circuit. In some embodiments, the functionality of the UE 312 described above may be implemented fully or partially in software, e.g., stored in memory 1304 and executed by processor(s) 1302. It should be noted that the UE 312 may include additional components not shown in FIG. 13 , such as, for example, one or more user interface components (e.g., input / output interfaces including a display, buttons, a touch screen, a microphone, a speaker(s), etc., and / or any other components for enabling input of information to and / or output of information from the UE 312), a power supply (e.g., a battery and associated power circuitry), etc.

[0144] In some embodiments, a computer program is provided that includes instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform functions of the UE 312 in accordance with any of the embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, a carrier is provided that includes the computer program product described above. The carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a wireless signal, or a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a memory).

[0145] 14 is a schematic block diagram of a UE 312 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. The UE 312 includes one or more modules 1400, each of which is implemented in software. The module(s) 1400 provide the functionality of the UE 312 described herein.

[0146] Any suitable steps, methods, features, functions, or benefits disclosed herein may be implemented through one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual devices. Each virtual device may comprise several of these functional units. These functional units may be implemented via processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs), dedicated digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, and the like. The program code stored in memory includes program instructions for implementing one or more communication and / or data communication protocols, as well as instructions for performing one or more of the techniques described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause each functional unit to perform a corresponding function according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0147] Although the processes in the figures may indicate a particular order of operations performed by some embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood that such orders are exemplary (e.g., alternative embodiments may perform operations in a different order, combine some operations, overlap some operations, etc.).

[0148] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the embodiments of the present disclosure, and all such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method implemented by a User Equipment (UE) (312), comprising: Receiving (602) information from a network node (600) indicative of one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns; determining (608) that a first set of one or more conditions for using a pre-configured measurement gap pattern is met, the pre-configured measurement gap pattern being one of the one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, the first set of one or more conditions including a condition that the UE (312) switches from a non-dormant bandwidth portion to a dormant bandwidth portion; determining (610) a time instance at which to start using said pre-configured measurement gap pattern; starting (612) performing measurements using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern at or after the determined time instance; A method comprising:

2. performing (604) measurements without using a pre-defined measurement gap pattern before the first set of one or more conditions for using a pre-defined measurement gap pattern are met; Further comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein starting (612) performing the measurements using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern at the determined time instance comprises continuing performing the measurements with the pre-configured measurement gap pattern at or after the determined time instance.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein performing (604) the measurements without a pre-configured measurement gap pattern comprises performing (604) the measurements without a pre-configured measurement gap pattern within an active bandwidth portion of the UE (312).

4. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information indicative of the one or more pre-defined measurement gap patterns comprises, for each pre-defined measurement gap pattern of the one or more pre-defined measurement gap patterns, information indicative of one or more parameters defining the pre-defined measurement gap pattern.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the one or more parameters include a measurement gap length, a measurement gap repetition period, and a measurement gap time offset relative to a reference time.

6. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determined time instance at which to start using the preconfigured measurement gap pattern is a reference time T0+a time offset DT1, the reference time T0 being a time at which the UE (312) switches from a non-dormant BWP to a dormant BWP or a time at which the UE (312) completes switching from a non-dormant BWP to a dormant BWP.

7. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining (610) the time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern comprises determining (610) the time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern based on one or more predefined rules and / or information received from a network node relating to one or more parameters related to the determined time instance.

8. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining (610) the time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern comprises determining (610) autonomously in the UE (312) the time instance at which to start using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein initiating the use of the pre-configured measurement gap pattern comprises activating the pre-configured measurement gap pattern.

10. determining a time instance at which to stop using said pre-configured measurement gap pattern (810); The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the determined time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is a reference time T0 plus a time offset DT2.

12. A method as described in claim 10 or 11, wherein determining (810) the time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern comprises determining (810) the time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern based on one or more pre-defined rules and / or information received from a network node regarding one or more parameters related to the determined time instance.

13. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein determining (810) the time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern comprises determining (810) autonomously in the UE (312) the time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern.

14. performing (804) measurements using a predefined measurement gap pattern, the predefined measurement gap pattern being one of the one or more predefined measurement gap patterns; determining (808) that a second set of one or more conditions for ceasing use of the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is met; and Stopping use of the pre-configured measurement gap pattern at the determined time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern (812); 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

15. performing (804) measurements using a predefined measurement gap pattern, the predefined measurement gap pattern being one of the one or more predefined measurement gap patterns; determining (808) that a second set of one or more conditions for ceasing use of the pre-configured measurement gap pattern is met; and determining (810) a time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern; Stopping use of the pre-configured measurement gap pattern at the determined time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern (812); The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

16. performing ongoing measurements without using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern at or after the determined time instance at which to stop using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern (814).

16. The method of claim 14 or 15, further comprising:

17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein performing the measurements without a preconfigured measurement gap pattern comprises performing the measurements within an active bandwidth portion of the UE.

18. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the second set of one or more conditions includes a condition that one or more reference signals used for the measurements are entirely within a bandwidth of an active bandwidth portion of the UE.

19. Implementing an active bandwidth portion switching procedure to a new active bandwidth portion (806). Further comprising:

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the second set of one or more conditions includes a condition that one or more reference signals used for the measurements are entirely within a bandwidth of the new active bandwidth portion of the UE.

20. 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the second set of one or more conditions includes a condition that the number of active bandwidth fractional switches occurring in the respective cell during a defined or (pre)configured time period is less than a threshold number.

21. 21. The method according to claim 14, wherein the second set of one or more conditions includes a condition based on a time period between successive active bandwidth portion switching that requires the UE to change between a bandwidth portion measurement procedure that does not use measurement gaps and a gap-based measurement procedure that uses measurement gaps.

22. 22. The method of claim 14, wherein the second set of one or more conditions includes a condition based on a time period during which the UE (312) has been using a gap-based measurement procedure to perform the measurements.

23. The method of claim 10 , wherein the stopping of the use of the pre-configured measurement gap pattern comprises deactivating the pre-configured measurement gap pattern.

24. 24. The method of claim 1, wherein the UE is capable of receiving and / or transmitting signals during measurement gaps defined by the preconfigured measurement gap pattern when the preconfigured measurement gap pattern is not used by the UE.

25. A User Equipment (UE) (312), Receiving (602) information from a network node (600) indicative of one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns; determining (608) that a first set of one or more conditions for using a pre-configured measurement gap pattern is met, the pre-configured measurement gap pattern being one of the one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, the first set of one or more conditions including a condition that the UE (312) switches from a non-dormant bandwidth portion to a dormant bandwidth portion; determining (610) a time instance at which to start using said pre-configured measurement gap pattern; starting (612) performing measurements using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern at or after the determined time instance; A user equipment (UE) (312) adapted to perform the steps:

26. The UE (312) of claim 25, further adapted to perform the method according to any one of claims 2 to 24.

27. One or more transmitters (1308); One or more receivers (1310); a processing circuit (1302) associated with said one or more transmitters (1308) and said one or more receivers (1310); A user equipment (UE) (312, 1300), wherein the processing circuit (1302) provides the UE (312) with: Receiving (602) information from a network node (600) indicative of one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns; determining (608) that a first set of one or more conditions for using a pre-configured measurement gap pattern is met, the pre-configured measurement gap pattern being one of the one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, the first set of one or more conditions including a condition that the UE (312) switches from a non-dormant bandwidth portion to a dormant bandwidth portion; determining (610) a time instance at which to start using said pre-configured measurement gap pattern; starting (612) performing measurements using the pre-configured measurement gap pattern at or after the determined time instance; A user equipment (UE) (312, 1300) configured to:

28. 28. The UE (312, 1300) of claim 27, wherein the processing circuit (1302) is further configured to cause the UE (312, 1300) to perform a method according to any one of claims 2 to 24.

29. A method implemented by a User Equipment (UE) (312), comprising: Receiving (902) information from a network node (900) indicative of one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns; determining (908) that a third set of one or more conditions for using a pre-configured measurement gap pattern is satisfied, the pre-configured measurement gap pattern being one of the one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, the third set of one or more conditions including a condition that the UE (312) switches from a non-dormant bandwidth portion to a dormant bandwidth portion; determining (910) a duration for which the pre-configured measurement gap pattern should be used; performing measurements using the pre-defined measurement gap pattern for the determined duration (912); A method comprising:

30. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the information indicative of the one or more pre-defined measurement gap patterns comprises, for each pre-defined measurement gap pattern of the one or more pre-defined measurement gap patterns, information indicative of one or more parameters defining the pre-defined measurement gap pattern.

31. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the one or more parameters include a measurement gap length, a measurement gap repetition period, and a measurement gap time offset relative to a reference time.

32. 32. The method according to claim 29, wherein the UE (312) is capable of receiving and / or transmitting signals during measurement gaps defined by the preconfigured measurement gap pattern when the preconfigured measurement gap pattern is not used by the UE (312).

33. A User Equipment (UE) (312), Receiving (902) information from a network node (900) indicative of one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns; determining (908) that a third set of one or more conditions for using a pre-configured measurement gap pattern is satisfied, the pre-configured measurement gap pattern being one of the one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, the third set of one or more conditions including a condition that the UE (312) switches from a non-dormant bandwidth portion to a dormant bandwidth portion; determining (910) a duration for which the pre-configured measurement gap pattern should be used; performing measurements using the pre-defined measurement gap pattern for the determined duration (912); A user equipment (UE) (312) adapted to perform the steps:

34. The UE (312) of claim 33, further adapted to perform the method according to any one of claims 30 to 32.

35. One or more transmitters (1308); One or more receivers (1310); a processing circuit (1302) associated with said one or more transmitters (1308) and said one or more receivers (1310); A user equipment (UE) (312, 1300), wherein the processing circuit (1302) provides the UE (312) with: Receiving (902) information from a network node (900) indicative of one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns; determining (908) that a third set of one or more conditions for using a pre-configured measurement gap pattern is satisfied, the pre-configured measurement gap pattern being one of the one or more pre-configured measurement gap patterns, the third set of one or more conditions including a condition that the UE (312) switches from a non-dormant bandwidth portion to a dormant bandwidth portion; determining (910) a duration for which the pre-configured measurement gap pattern should be used; performing measurements using the pre-defined measurement gap pattern for the determined duration (912); A user equipment (UE) (312, 1300) configured to:

36. 36. The UE (312, 1300) of claim 35, wherein the processing circuit (1302) is further configured to cause the UE (312, 1300) to perform a method according to any one of claims 30 to 32.

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