User equipment, communication device, and methods thereof
By enabling communication between wireless terminals and RAN nodes to determine measurement gap requirements for BWPs within a carrier band, the configuration of RF measurements is optimized, enhancing UE performance and reducing power consumption.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023110656
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2017-11-13
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-05
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-18
- Estimated Expiration
- 2038-08-14
AI Technical Summary
The configuration of measurement gaps for RF measurements between multiple bandwidth parts (BWPs) within a single carrier band in 5G wireless communication systems is unclear, leading to inefficiencies and challenges in UE and gNB coordination.
A wireless terminal and radio access network (RAN) node exchange indications and configurations to determine the need for measurement gaps between downlink BWPs, allowing for appropriate gap settings within a system band.
Enables efficient setting of measurement gaps for RF measurements between multiple BWPs, improving UE performance and reducing power consumption by optimizing BWP switching and synchronization.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly to a wireless communication system that uses one or more bandwidth parts set within one carrier band. [Background technology]
[0002] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP (registered trademark)) is working on standardizing the fifth-generation mobile communications system (5G) for deployment after 2020. 5G is expected to be realized through a combination of continuous enhancements and evolutions of LTE and LTE-Advanced and innovative improvements and evolutions through the introduction of a new 5G air interface (new Radio Access Technology (RAT)). For example, the new RAT will support higher frequency bands than the frequency bands (e.g., 6 GHz and below) targeted by the continuous evolution of LTE / LTE-Advanced, such as centimeter wave bands above 10 GHz and millimeter wave bands above 30 GHz.
[0003] In this specification, the fifth-generation mobile communication system is also referred to as the 5G System or the Next Generation (NextGen) System (NG System). The new RAT for the 5G System is referred to as the New Radio (NR), 5G RAT, or NG RAT. The new radio access network (RAN) for the 5G System is referred to as the 5G-RAN or NextGen RAN (NG RAN). The new base stations within the 5G-RAN are referred to as the NR NodeB (NR NB) or gNodeB (gNB). The new core network for the 5G System is referred to as the 5G Core Network (5G-CN or 5GC) or NextGen Core (NG Core). The wireless terminal (User Equipment (UE)) connecting to the 5G System is referred to as the 5G UE, NextGen UE (NG UE), or simply UE. The official names of the RAT, UE, radio access network, core network, network entities (nodes), protocol layers, etc. for the 5G System will be determined in the future as standardization work progresses.
[0004] Additionally, unless otherwise specified, the term "LTE" used herein includes improvements and developments of LTE and LTE-Advanced to enable interworking with 5G systems. Improvements and developments of LTE and LTE-Advanced to enable interworking with 5G systems are also referred to as LTE-Advanced Pro, LTE+, or enhanced LTE (eLTE). Furthermore, terms related to LTE networks or logical entities, such as "Evolved Packet Core (EPC)," "Mobility Management Entity (MME)," "Serving Gateway (S-GW)," and "Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (P-GW)," used herein include improvements and developments of these to enable interworking with 5G systems, unless otherwise specified. The improved EPC, MME, S-GW, and P-GW may also be referred to as, for example, enhanced EPC (eEPC), enhanced MME (eMME), enhanced S-GW (eS-GW), and enhanced P-GW (eP-GW).
[0005] In LTE and LTE-Advanced, for Quality of Service (QoS) and packet routing, a bearer per QoS class and per PDN connection is used in both the RAN (i.e., Evolved Universal Terrestrial RAN (E-UTRAN)) and the core network (i.e., EPC). In other words, in the Bearer-based QoS (or per-bearer QoS) concept, one or more Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearers are established between the UE and the P-GW in the EPC, and multiple Service Data Flows (SDFs) with the same QoS class are transported through one EPS bearer that satisfies these QoS requirements.
[0006] In contrast, in the 5G system, radio bearers may be used in the NG-RAN, but bearers will not be used within 5GC and on the interface between 5GC and NG-RAN. Specifically, PDU flows are defined instead of EPS bearers, and one or more SDFs are mapped to one or more PDU flows. The PDU flow between a 5G UE and a user plane termination entity in the NG Core (i.e., an entity equivalent to the P-GW in the EPC) corresponds to an EPS bearer in the EPS Bearer-based QoS concept. The PDU flow corresponds to the finest granularity of packet forwarding and treatment in the 5G system. That is, the 5G system adopts the flow-based QoS (or per-flow QoS) concept instead of the bearer-based QoS concept. In the flow-based QoS concept, QoS is handled on a PDU flow basis. The association between a 5G UE and a data network is called a PDU session. A PDU session is a term equivalent to a PDN connection in LTE and LTE-Advanced. Multiple PDU flows can be configured within one PDU session. 3GPP specifications define a 5G QoS Indicator (5QI) for the 5G system, which is equivalent to the QCI in LTE.
[0007] A PDU flow is also called a "QoS flow." QoS flow represents the finest granularity of QoS treatment within a 5G system. User plane traffic with the same N3 marking value within a PDU session corresponds to a QoS flow. The N3 marking corresponds to the PDU flow ID mentioned above and is also called a QoS flow identity (QFI) or a Flow Identification Indicator (FII). At a minimum, there is a one-to-one mapping between each 5QI specified in the specification and the corresponding QFI with the same value (number).
[0008] Figure 1 shows the basic architecture of a 5G system. A UE establishes one or more signaling radio bearers (SRBs) and one or more data radio bearers (DRBs) with a gNB. The 5G Node B (5GC) and gNB establish a control plane interface and a user plane interface for the UE. The control plane interface between the 5GC and gNB (i.e., RAN) is called the N2 interface, NG2 interface, or NG-c interface and is used to transfer Non-Access Stratum (NAS) information and control information (e.g., N2 AP Information Element) between the 5GC and gNB. The user plane interface between the 5GC and gNB (i.e., RAN) is called the N3 interface, NG3 interface, or NG-u interface and is used to transfer packets of one or more PDU flows within a UE PDU session.
[0009] Note that the architecture shown in Figure 1 is only one of several 5G architecture options (or deployment scenarios). The architecture shown in Figure 1 is referred to as "Standalone NR (in NextGen System)" or "Option 2." 3GPP is also considering several network architectures for multi-connectivity operation using E-UTRA and NR radio access technologies. A typical example of multi-connectivity operation is dual connectivity (DC), in which one master node (MN) and one secondary node (SN) cooperate to simultaneously communicate with one UE. Dual connectivity operation using E-UTRA and NR radio access technologies is referred to as multi-RAT dual connectivity (MR-DC). MR-DC is dual connectivity between E-UTRA and NR nodes.
[0010] In MR-DC, one of the E-UTRA node (i.e., eNB) and the NR node (i.e., gNB) acts as a master node (MN), and the other acts as a secondary node (SN), and at least the MN is connected to the core network. The MN provides one or more Master Cell Group (MCG) cells to the UE, and the SN provides one or more Secondary Cell Group (SCG) cells to the UE. MR-DC includes "MR-DC with the EPC" and "MR-DC with the 5GC."
[0011] MR-DC with the EPC includes E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity (EN-DC). In EN-DC, a UE is connected to an eNB acting as a MN and a gNB acting as a SN. Furthermore, an eNB (i.e., Master eNB) is connected to the EPC, and a gNB (i.e., Secondary gNB) is connected to the Master eNB via the X2 interface.
[0012] MR-DC with the 5GC includes NR-E-UTRA Dual Connectivity (NE-DC) and NG-RAN E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity (NG-EN-DC). In NE-DC, a UE is connected to a gNB acting as a MN and an eNB acting as an SN, the gNB (i.e., Master gNB) is connected to 5GC, and the eNB (i.e., Secondary eNB) is connected to the Master gNB via the Xn interface. On the other hand, in NG-EN-DC, a UE is connected to an eNB acting as a MN and a gNB acting as an SN, the eNB (i.e., Master eNB) is connected to 5GC, and the gNB (i.e., Secondary gNB) is connected to the Master eNB via the Xn interface.
[0013] Figures 2, 3, and 4 show the network configurations of the three DC types mentioned above, namely, EN-DC, NE-DC, and NG-EN-DC, respectively. The Secondary gNB (SgNB) in the EN-DC in Figure 2 is also called en-gNB, and the Secondary eNB (SeNB) in the NE-DC in Figure 3 and the Master eNB (MeNB) in the NG-EN-DC in Figure 4 are also called ng-eNB, but will be referred to as gNB or eNB in this specification. Furthermore, the 5G system supports dual connectivity between two gNBs. In this specification, dual connectivity between two gNBs is referred to as NR-NR DC. Figure 5 shows the network configuration of NR-NR DC.
[0014] NR is expected to use different sets of radio parameters for multiple frequency bands. Each set of radio parameters is called a "numerology." Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) numerology for an OFDM system includes, for example, subcarrier spacing, system bandwidth, Transmission Time Interval (TTI) length, subframe duration, cyclic prefix length, and symbol duration. 5G systems support various types of services with different service requirements, including enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra Reliable and Low Latency Communication (URLLC), and massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC). The choice of numerology depends on the service requirements.
[0015] 5G system UEs and NR gNBs support aggregation of multiple NR carriers with different numerologies. 3GPP is considering whether aggregation of multiple NR carriers (or NR cells) with different numerologies can be achieved by lower layer aggregation, such as existing LTE Carrier Aggregation (CA), or upper layer aggregation, such as existing Dual Connectivity.
[0016] 5G NR supports wider channel bandwidths (e.g., 100s of MHz) than those of LTE. Channel ) is the radio frequency band (RF bandwidth) that supports one NR carrier. The channel band is also called the system band. While LTE supports channel bandwidths up to 20 MHz, 5G NR supports channel bandwidths up to 500 MHz, for example.
[0017] To efficiently support multiple 5G services, such as wideband services like eMBB and narrowband services like Internet of Things (IoT), it is desirable to be able to multiplex these services on a single channel band. Furthermore, if all 5G UEs were required to support transmission and reception over the entire channel band, this could hinder the low cost and low power consumption of UEs for narrowband IoT services. Therefore, 3GPP allows one or more bandwidth parts (BWPs) to be configured within the carrier band (i.e., channel band or system band) of each NR component carrier. Multiple BWPs within a single NR channel band may be used for frequency division multiplexing (FDM) of different numerologies (e.g., subcarrier spacing (SCS)). A bandwidth part is also referred to as a carrier bandwidth part.
[0018] A bandwidth part (BWP) is frequency-consecutive and consists of contiguous physical resource blocks (PRBs). The bandwidth of a BWP is at least as large as the synchronization signal (SS) / physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block bandwidth. A BWP may or may not include an SS / PBCH block (SSB). BWP configuration includes, for example, numerology, frequency location, and bandwidth (e.g., number of PRBs). To specify frequency location, a common PRB indexing is used for downlink (DL) BWP configurations, at least in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state. Specifically, the offset from PRB 0 to the lowest PRB of SSBs accessed by a UE is configured by higher layer signaling. The reference point "PRB 0" is common to all UEs sharing the same wideband component carrier.
[0019] One SS / PBCH block contains primary signals required for idle UEs, such as NR synchronization signals (NR-SS) and NR physical broadcast channel (NR-PBCH). NR-SS is used by UEs to obtain DL synchronization. A Reference Signal (RS) is transmitted in the SS / PBCH block to enable Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements (e.g., RSRP measurements) for idle UEs. The RS may be the NR-SS itself or an additional RS. The NR-PBCH broadcasts a portion of the minimum system information (minimum SI), such as the Master Information Block (MIB). The remaining minimum SI (RMSI) is transmitted on the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH).
[0020] The network can transmit multiple SS / PBCH blocks within the channel bandwidth of a single wideband component carrier. In other words, SS / PBCH blocks may be transmitted in multiple BWPs within the channel bandwidth. In a first alternative, all SS / PBCH blocks within a single wideband carrier are based on NR-SSs (e.g., primary SS (PSS) and secondary SS (SSS)) corresponding to the same physical-layer cell identity. In a second alternative, different SS / PBCH blocks within a single wideband carrier may be based on NR-SSs corresponding to different physical-layer cell identities.
[0021] From the UE's perspective, a cell is associated with one SS / PBCH block. Therefore, for the UE, each serving cell has one associated SS / PBCH block in frequency. Each serving cell may be a primary cell (PCell) in carrier aggregation (CA) and dual connectivity (DC), a primary secondary cell (PSCell) in DC, or a secondary cell (SCell) in CA and DC. Such an SSB is called a cell-defining SS / PBCH block. The cell-defining SS / PBCH block has an associated RMSI. The cell-defining SS / PBCH block serves as the time reference or timing reference for the serving cell. The cell-defining SS / PBCH block is also used for SS / PBCH block (SSB)-based RRM measurements. The cell defining SS / PBCH block can be changed for the PCell / PSCell by "synchronous reconfiguration" (e.g., reconfiguration of radio resource configuration information without handover using the RRC Reconfiguration procedure) and for the SCell by "SCell release / add".
[0022] One or more BWP configurations for each component carrier are semi-statically signaled to the UE. Specifically, for each UE-specific serving cell, one or more DL BWPs and one or more UL BWPs can be configured for the UE by a dedicated RRC message. Furthermore, one or more BWPs configured for the UE can be activated and deactivated. The activation / deactivation of a BWP is determined not by the RRC layer but by a lower layer (e.g., Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, Physical (PHY) layer). An activated BWP is called an active BWP.
[0023] The switching of the active BWP may be performed, for example, by Downlink Control Information (DCI) (e.g., scheduling DCI) transmitted on the NR Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). In other words, deactivation of the current active BWP and activation of a new active BWP may be performed by DCI on the NR PDCCH. Thus, the network can activate / deactivate a BWP depending on, for example, the data rate or the numerology required by the service, and dynamically switch the active BWP for the UE. The activation / deactivation of the BWP may be performed by a MAC Control Element (CE).
[0024] 6 and 7 show examples of using BWPs. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the channel band of one component carrier is divided into BWP #1 and BWP #2, and these two BWPs are used for FDM with different numerologies (e.g., different subcarrier spacing). In the example shown in Fig. 7, a narrowband BWP #1 is allocated within the channel band of one component carrier, and a narrowerband BWP #2 than BWP #1 is also allocated. When BWP #1 or BWP #2 is activated for a UE, the UE can reduce power consumption by not receiving or transmitting outside the active BWP (but within the channel band).
[0025] Non-patent documents 1 to 7 disclose the above-mentioned BWP and cell defining SS / PBCH block.
[0026] Furthermore, 3GPP is considering requirements for Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) in relation to the use of BWPs (see Non-Patent Document 8). The RLM procedure is used by UEs in connected mode (i.e., RRC_CONNECTED) to measure the downlink radio quality of the serving cell for the purposes of out-of-sync detection and Radio Link Failure (RLF) detection.
[0027] Non-Patent Document 8 discloses the following: NR supports RLM only in PCell and PSCell. A UE in connected mode can be semi-statically configured with one or multiple BWPs per cell. A UE can switch a specific BWP for communication with a gNB among multiple configured BWPs. This switching occurs on a short time scale, such as several scheduling intervals. This specific BWP is the active BWP. A UE can access only one BWP at a time. An active BWP has at least a Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) configured for RLM. One RS type, either CSI-RS or SS / PBCH block, is configured to be monitored at a time for RLM. Even if different types of RSs (i.e., CSI-RS and SS / PBCH block) are simultaneously configured in one BWP, only one RS is selected for RLM, and the parameters for the selected RS are used for RLM. It is considered that when the DL active BWP is switched (or changed), the UE keeps the ongoing L3 parameters for RLM. In this case, even when the DL active BWP is switched, the UE does not reset the L3 parameters for RLM to default values.
[0028] Furthermore, Non-Patent Document 9 discloses the following regarding cases where SS / PBCH blocks (SSBs) are monitored for RRM measurements (i.e., SS / PBCH block (SSB) based RRM Measurements): (SSB-based) Intra-frequency Measurement is a measurement when the center frequency of the serving cell's (cell-defining) SSB and the center frequency of the adjacent cell's (cell-defining) SSB are the same and the subcarrier spacing of these two SSBs is the same. On the other hand, (SSB-based) Inter-frequency Measurement is a measurement when the center frequency of the serving cell's (cell-defining) SSB and the center frequency of the adjacent cell's (cell-defining) SSB are different, or the subcarrier spacing of these two SSBs is different.
[0029] Furthermore, 3GPP is considering the need for measurement gaps in radio frequency (RF) measurements (see Non-Patent Document 10), which discloses that a UE performs measurements outside its active BWP in measurement gaps.
[0030] Note that 3GPP Release 14 and earlier include the following provisions regarding measurement gaps for inter-frequency measurements: In 3GPP Release 13 and earlier, for CA and DC, measurements on activated CCs are performed without measurement gaps. Whether measurement gaps are required for inter-frequency measurements and inter-RAT measurements depends on the UE capabilities (e.g., whether the UE has multiple receivers). UE capability signaling is used to inform the eNodeB of the need for measurement gaps for each band that is supported and measured.
[0031] Furthermore, in 3GPP Release 14, the eNB can configure per-CC (per-serving cell) measurement gaps for the UE. A secondary cell (SCell) is activated or deactivated by the MAC Control Element (CE). However, the PCell and PSCell are not changed by the MAC CE. In a situation where the PCell and PSCell are not changed, the UE can measure CCs other than the activated CC using the per-CC measurement gap configured by RRC Connection reconfiguration. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]
[0032] [Non-Patent Document 1] 3GPP R1-1711795, Ericsson, “On bandwidth parts and “RF” requirements”, TSG RAN1 NR Ad-Hoc#2, Qingdao, PR China, June 2017 [Non-patent document 2] 3GPP R2-1707624, “LS on Bandwidth Part Operation in NR”, 3GPP TSG RAN WG2#99, Berlin, Germany, August 2017 [Non-licensed document 3] 3GPP R2-1710012, “LS on Further agreements for Bandwidth part operation”, 3GPP TSG RAN WG2 #99bis, Prague, Czech Republic, October 2017
Non-licensed Document 4
Non-licensed Document 5
Non-licensed Document 6
Non-licensed Document 7
Non-licensed Document 8
[0033] The present inventors have conducted detailed studies on RF measurements (e.g., RLM measurements and CSI measurements) when multiple BWPs are configured within a single carrier band and have found several issues. For example, consider a case where a UE in connected mode (e.g., NR RRC_CONNECTED) monitors other BWPs that belong to the same component carrier band (channel band) as the active BWP for RLM measurements, CSI measurements, etc. In this case, whether a measurement gap is required is considered to depend on the UE capabilities. However, when a single carrier band includes multiple BWPs, there is a problem in that it is not clear how the UE and gNB configure measurement gaps for measurements between these BWPs. One of the objectives to be achieved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification is to provide an apparatus, method, and program that contribute to solving this problem. It should be noted that this objective is merely one of multiple objectives to be achieved by the multiple embodiments disclosed in this specification. Other objectives or objectives and novel features will become apparent from the description in this specification or the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]
[0034] In a first aspect, a wireless terminal includes a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The at least one processor is configured to transmit an indication indicating whether measurement gaps are required for measurements between downlink bandwidth parts (BWPs) included in a plurality of BWPs to a radio access network (RAN) node within the RAN. The plurality of downlink BWPs are included in one system band. The at least one processor is further configured to receive, from the RAN node, a measurement configuration including measurement gap configurations for one or more BWPs included in the plurality of downlink BWPs.
[0035] In a second aspect, a radio access network (RAN) node includes a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The at least one processor is configured to receive, from a wireless terminal, an indication indicating whether measurement gaps are required for measurements between downlink bandwidth parts (BWPs), the downlink BWPs being included in one system band. The at least one processor is further configured to transmit, to the wireless terminal, a measurement configuration including measurement gap configurations for one or more BWPs included in the downlink BWPs.
[0036] In a third aspect, a method in a wireless terminal includes transmitting an indication to a radio access network (RAN) node in a radio access network (RAN) indicating whether measurement gaps are required for measurements between downlink bandwidth parts (BWPs) included in BWPs, where the downlink BWPs are included in one system band; and receiving a measurement configuration from the RAN node including measurement gap configurations for one or more BWPs included in the downlink BWPs.
[0037] In a fourth aspect, a method in a radio access network (RAN) node includes receiving an indication from a wireless terminal indicating whether measurement gaps are required for measurements between downlink bandwidth parts (BWPs) included in BWPs, where the downlink BWPs are included in one system band; and transmitting a measurement configuration to the wireless terminal, the measurement configuration including measurement gap configurations for one or more BWPs included in the downlink BWPs.
[0038] In a fifth aspect, a program includes a group of instructions (software code) that, when loaded into a computer, causes the computer to perform the method according to the third or fourth aspect described above. [Effects of the Invention]
[0039] According to the above-described aspects, it is possible to provide an apparatus, a method, and a program that enable a radio terminal to set an appropriate measurement gap for measurements between multiple BWPs within one carrier band. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0040] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the basic architecture of the 5G System. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration of an EN-DC. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration of an NE-DC. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the network configuration of NG-EN-DC. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration of NR-NR DC. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of using Bandwidth part (BWP). [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of using Bandwidth part (BWP). [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting BWP and SS / PBCH blocks. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting BWP and SS / PBCH blocks. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 illustrates an example configuration of a wireless communication network according to some embodiments. [Figure 11] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the wireless terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a RAN node according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of using Bandwidth part (BWP). [Figure 13B] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of using Bandwidth part (BWP). [Figure 13C]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of using Bandwidth part (BWP). [Figure 14A] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of signaling indicating the need for measurement gaps. [Figure 14B] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of signaling indicating the need for measurement gaps. [Figure 14C] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of signaling indicating the need for measurement gaps. [Figure 15A] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of signaling indicating the need for measurement gaps. [Figure 15B] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of signaling indicating the need for measurement gaps. [Figure 15C] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of signaling indicating the need for measurement gaps. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of a RAN node and a radio terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of a RAN node and a radio terminal according to the third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of a RAN node and a radio terminal according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a RAN node according to some embodiments. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a wireless terminal according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0041] Hereinafter, specific embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and for clarity of explanation, duplicate explanations will be omitted as necessary.
[0042] The multiple embodiments described below can be implemented independently or in appropriate combination. These multiple embodiments have different novel features. Therefore, these multiple embodiments contribute to solving different purposes or problems and to achieving different effects.
[0043] Although the following embodiments are mainly described for the 3GPP 5G system, they may also be applied to other wireless communication systems.
[0044] First, definitions of terms related to the case where one system band includes multiple BWPs will be explained with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figures 8 and 9 show examples of setting BWPs and SS / PBCH blocks. In the example shown in Figures 8 and 9, one channel band includes three BWPs, namely, BWP #1, BWP #2, and BWP #3. BWP #1 and BWP #2 include SS / PBCH block (SSB) #1 and SSB #2, respectively, while BWP #3 does not include an SS / PBCH block.
[0045] From a network perspective, similar to existing LTE, the entire bandwidth (i.e., channel bandwidth or system bandwidth) of one component carrier corresponds to one cell. In the examples of Figures 8 and 9, the Physical Cell Identity (PCI) associated with the cell corresponding to the channel bandwidth is "PCIx."
[0046] In this specification, a cell from a network perspective is defined as a "logical cell." Furthermore, a PCI associated with a network perspective cell (i.e., logical cell) is defined as a reference PCI. Note that a network perspective cell (i.e., logical cell) may be associated with one Cell Identity. In this case, the Cell Identity of a network perspective cell (i.e., logical cell) may be associated with (sub)PCIs of multiple physical cells, which will be described later.
[0047] On the other hand, as already described, from the UE perspective, a cell is associated with one SS / PBCH block. In this specification, a cell from the UE perspective is defined as a "physical cell." Furthermore, a PCI associated with a UE-perspective cell (i.e., a physical cell) is defined as a sub-PCI. That is, multiple BWPs included in one system band and each including an SS / PBCH block are multiple UE-perspective cells (i.e., multiple physical cells). The sub-PCIs of these multiple UE-perspective cells (physical cells) are associated with one reference PCI or one Cell Identity of a network-perspective cell (i.e., a logical cell). Furthermore, a BWP that does not include an SS / PBCH block may be defined as a UE-perspective cell (physical cell), or a group of BWPs that do not include an SS / PBCH block and BWPs that include the SS / PBCH block referenced by the BWP may be defined as a UE-perspective cell (physical cell). From the network perspective, the unit system bandwidth that the network (eg, RAN node) actually uses for communication with the UE is each UE-perspective cell (physical cell).
[0048] In the example of Figure 8, three BWPs support the same numerology (i.e., numerology #1), and all SS / PBCH blocks (i.e., SSB #1 and SSB #2) within one channel band are based on NR-SS, corresponding to the same (sub)PCI (i.e., PCIx). That is, Figure 8 corresponds to the first proposal described above regarding transmission of multiple SS / PBCH blocks within a channel band. In order for a UE to synchronize to BWP #3, which does not include an SSB, SSB #1 or SSB #2 transmitted in another BWP is referenced. In this case, the referenced SSB #1 or SSB #2 is called a reference SSB, and the UE may be notified of the identifier of the reference SSB (e.g., SSB #1 or #2) from the network.
[0049] In the example of FIG. 9, BWP #1 supports numerology #1, and BWP #2 and BWP #3 support numerology #2. Different SSBs #1 and #2 for different numerologies are based on NR-SS corresponding to different (sub)PCIs (i.e., PCIx and PCIy). That is, FIG. 9 corresponds to the second proposal described above regarding the transmission of multiple SS / PBCH blocks within a channel band. For example, to synchronize to BWP #3, which does not include an SSB, the UE references SSB #2 of BWP #2, which supports the same numerology as BWP #3. Alternatively, to synchronize to BWP #3, which does not include an SSB, the UE may reference SSB #1 of BWP #1, which supports a numerology different from that of BWP #3.
[0050] In the example of Fig. 8, the reference PCI (i.e., PCIx) or Cell Identity of one network-perspective cell (i.e., logical cell) is associated with the sub-PCIs (i.e., PCIx and PCIx) of two UE-perspective cells (physical cells). In the example of Fig. 9, the reference PCI (i.e., PCIx) or Cell Identity of one network-perspective cell (i.e., logical cell) is associated with the sub-PCIs (i.e., PCIx and PCIy) of two UE-perspective cells (physical cells).
[0051] The network (e.g., a RAN node) may configure a BWP set including one or more BWPs for a UE. In other words, the UE receives configuration information for one or more BWPs (e.g., SSB indexes, presence of SSBs, reference SSB indexes, Layer-1 parameters) from the network. The BWP set may be configured separately for the downlink (DL) and uplink (UL). That is, the BWP set may include separate DL BWP sets and UL BWP sets for the DL and UL. Alternatively, the UL BWP and the DL BWP may be pre-associated, and in this case, the BWP set may be common to the DL and UL. The UE can activate k (k <= K) BWPs out of K BWPs included in the (DL / UL) BWP set. In other words, up to K (DL / UL) BWPs) can be activated at one time for a given UE. In the following description, for simplicity, it is assumed that one BWP (i.e., k=1) is activated. However, this embodiment and subsequent embodiments can also be applied to cases where two or more BWPs (k>=2) are activated at the same time.
[0052] Furthermore, this specification introduces the term "BWP group." A BWP group is included in a BWP set. A BWP group consists of one or more BWPs whose active BWP can be changed by DCI transmitted on the NR PDCCH. The active BWP can be changed among one or more BWPs included in a BWP group without changing the cell-defining SSB. Therefore, a BWP group may be defined as one or more BWPs associated with one cell-defining SSB. A BWP group may include one BWP (e.g., reference BWP, initial BWP, default BWP) that includes a cell-defining SSB and one or more other BWPs. Each of the other one or more BWPs that are not the reference BWP (or initial BWP, default BWP) may or may not include an SSB. A UE may explicitly specify or configure which SSBs are cell-defining SSBs, or it may implicitly consider the SSB of the initial BWP when the UE configures the BWP group to be the cell-defining SSB.
[0053] The BWP group may be configured separately for the downlink (DL) and the uplink (UL). That is, the BWP group may include a DL BWP group and a UL BWP group, which are separate for the DL and the UL. Alternatively, the UL BWP and the DL BWP may be pre-associated, and in this case, the BWP group may be common to the DL and the UL.
[0054] In the example of FIG. 8, BWPs #1 to #3 are configured in the UE as one BWP set. In the example of FIG. 8, the UE may refer to SSB #1 transmitted in BWP #1 to synchronize to BWP #3 (i.e., to establish synchronization in BWP #3). In this case, BWP #1 and BWP #3 may correspond to one BWP group, and BWP #2 may correspond to another BWP group. In other words, one BWP set (BWPs #1, #2, and #3) may include a first BWP group (BWPs #1 and #3) and a second BWP group (BWP #2). Alternatively, one BWP set (BWPs #1, #2, and #3) may include a first BWP group (BWP #1) and a second BWP group (BWPs #2 and #3). Alternatively, one BWP set (BWPs #1, #2, and #3) may correspond to one BWP group (BWPs #1, #2, and #3), in which case one of SSB #1 and SSB #2 is the cell-defining SSB for the UE.
[0055] In the example of FIG. 9 , BWPs #1 to #3 are configured in the UE as one BWP set. In one example, BWP #1 of numerology #1 may correspond to one BWP group, and BWPs #2 and #3 of numerology #2 may correspond to another BWP group. That is, one BWP set (BWPs #1, #2, and #3) may include a first BWP group (BWPs #1) and a second BWP group (BWPs #2 and #3). As already described, BWPs of different numerologies may be included in one BWP group. Therefore, in another example, one BWP set (BWPs #1, #2, and #3) may include a first BWP group (BWPs #1 and #3) and a second BWP group (BWP #2). Alternatively, one BWP set (BWPs #1, #2, and #3) may correspond to one BWP group (BWPs #1, #2, and #3), in which case one of SSB #1 and SSB #2 is the cell-defining SSB for the UE.
[0056] As already explained, activation / deactivation of a BWP may be performed by a lower layer (e.g., Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, Physical (PHY) layer) rather than by the RRC layer. A timer (e.g., BWP Inactivity Timer of the MAC layer) may be used for activating / deactivating a DL BWP. The UE may switch the active BWP according to a timer based on a setting value transmitted by the gNB. The period or duration indicated by the timer may be indicated in subframe units. For example, if the UE does not transmit or receive data in the active BWP for a predetermined period (i.e., the timer expiration value), the active BWP of a predetermined BWP (e.g., default BWP, BWP including cell-defined SSB) may be changed. The network (e.g., RAN node) may also make a similar timer-based decision to change the active BWP.
[0057] First Embodiment Fig. 10 shows an example configuration of a wireless communication network according to some embodiments, including this embodiment. In the example of Fig. 10, the wireless communication network includes a RAN node 11 and a wireless terminal (UE) 12. The RAN node 11 is, for example, a gNB or an eNB in MR-DC. The RAN node 11 may be a Central Unit (CU) (e.g., gNB-CU) in a cloud RAN (C-RAN) deployment, or a Distributed Unit (DU) (e.g., gNB-DU). The Central Unit (CU) is also referred to as a Baseband Unit (BBU) or a digital unit (DU). The Distributed Unit (DU) is also referred to as a Radio Unit (RU), Remote Radio Head (RRH), Remote Radio Equipment (RRE), or Transmission and Reception Point (TRP or TRxP).
[0058] The UE 12 is connected to the RAN node 11 via an air interface 1001. Note that the UE 12 may be simultaneously connected to multiple RAN nodes for dual connectivity. A UE 12 in the connected mode can be semi-statically configured with one or multiple BWPs per cell. The UE 12 can switch the active BWP for communication with the RAN node 11 (e.g., MgNB) or other RAN nodes (e.g., SgNB) between the configured BWPs. This switching occurs on a short time scale, such as several scheduling intervals.
[0059] The UE 12 performs the RLM procedure when in connected mode (e.g., NR RRC_CONNECTED). In the RLM procedure, the UE 12 performs RLM measurements. In other words, the UE 12 measures the downlink radio quality of the serving cell for the purpose of detecting out-of-sync and Radio Link Failure (RLF). Note that the UE 12 may be simultaneously connected to multiple RAN nodes for dual connectivity. In this case, the UE 12 may simultaneously perform RLM on the PCell and RLM on the PSCell.
[0060] The UE 12 may also perform CSI measurements when in a connected mode (e.g., NR RRC_CONNECTED). The CSI measurements include measuring the DL radio quality of the serving cell for the purpose of sending a report to the RAN node 11 containing a Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) used for at least one of scheduling and link adaptation when the UE 12 is in a connected mode (e.g., NR RRC_CONNECTED). Note that the UE 12 may be simultaneously connected to multiple RAN nodes for dual connectivity. In this case, the UE 12 may simultaneously perform CSI measurements in the MCG and the SCG.
[0061] Furthermore, the UE 12 may perform RRM measurements when in a connected mode (e.g., NR RRC_CONNECTED). For example, in the RRM measurements in the connected mode, the UE 12 measures the RSRP and RSRQ of the serving cell and neighboring cells and sends an RRM reporting event to the RAN node 11 to trigger a handover.
[0062] Each BWP has at least a CSI-RS that can be used for RLM measurements, RRM measurements, and CSI measurements. An active BWP may or may not include an SS / PBCH block (SSB). Either one RS type, CSI-RS or SS / PBCH block, is configured to be monitored at a time for RLM. Even if different types of RSs (i.e., CSI-RS and SS / PBCH block) are configured simultaneously in one BWP, only one RS is selected for RLM, and the parameters for the selected RS are used for RLM.
[0063] The RAN node 11 provides a measurement configuration to the UE 12. The measurement configuration relates to RF measurements to be performed by the UE 12. The RF measurements include at least one of RLM measurements, CSI measurements, and RRM measurements. Thus, the measurement configuration includes at least one of RLM measurement configuration, CSI measurement configuration, and RRM measurement configuration.
[0064] The RLM measurement configuration may also be referred to as an RLF-related configuration. The RLM measurement configuration includes, for example, parameters for RLM. The parameters for RLM include, for example, a predetermined number of out-of-sync indications, a predetermined number of in-sync indications, and an expiration period (maximum time) of the RLF timer. The predetermined number of out-of-sync indications is the number of consecutive "out-of-sync" indications that the UE must receive from lower layers before initiating a radio link self-recovery process. The predetermined number of in-sync indications is the number of consecutive "in sync" indications that the UE must receive from lower layers before determining that the radio link has recovered. The RLF timer is used to determine (or detect) RLF. The UE starts the RLF timer when it receives a predetermined number of consecutive out-of-sync indications, and stops the RLF timer if it receives a predetermined number of consecutive in-sync indications. The expiration period (maximum time) of the RLF timer corresponds to the maximum time allowed for radio link recovery dynamically performed by the UE. In response to the expiration of the RLF timer, the UE detects RLF.
[0065] The CSI measurement configuration indicates, for example, the subframe set on which CSI measurements should be performed.
[0066] The RRM measurement configuration includes, for example, an RRM reporting configuration (ReportConfig). The RRM reporting configuration indicates parameters (e.g., threshold or offset or both) used for determining each of one or more RRM reporting events. As an example, an RRM reporting event related to BWPs may be that the BWP of a neighboring cell has become better than the active BWP of the serving cell (PCell / PSCell) by more than an amount of offset. The RRM reporting event related to BWPs may be defined by modifying existing reporting events related to handover, CA, and DC (e.g., events A1 to A6, and C1 and C2).
[0067] For example, an RRM reporting event for BWPs may be defined by replacing "Serving" in an existing reporting event with "active BWP" (or "default BWP"). Furthermore, an RRM reporting event for BWPs may be defined by replacing "Neighbor" in an existing reporting event with "BWP" (configured in MeasObject). An RRM reporting event for BWPs may include the following: ·Event D1: Serving BWP becomes better than absolute threshold; ·Event D2: Serving BWP becomes worse than absolute threshold; ·Event D3: Neighbor BWP becomes amount of offset better than Primary BWP(or ·default BWP); ·Event D4: Neighbor BWP becomes better than absolute threshold; ·Event D5: Primary BWP(or default BWP) becomes worse than absolute threshold1 AND Neighbor BWP becomes better than another absolute threshold2; ·Event D6: Neighbor BWP becomes amount of offset better than Secondary BWP.
[0068] Note that the cell list (e.g., cellToAddModList) specified for measurement in the MeasObject contains the identifier (e.g., Cell Index, PCI) of the target cell. However, a BWP without an SSB does not have its own specific (sub)PCI. Therefore, instead of measuring a BWP without an SSB, measurement may be performed on a cell defining SSB. Alternatively, to specify a BWP without an SSB, the PCI of a BWP with a cell defining SSB associated with the BWP (i.e., the PCI specified by the cell defining SSB) or a virtual PCI (e.g., virtual PCI) may be assigned to the BWP, or the BWP index may be used as an alternative identifier.
[0069] The UE 12 can be configured by the RAN node 11 with one or more DL BWPs included in one component carrier band (i.e., system band or channel band). The UE 12 treats measurements between BWPs within the system band (inter-BWP measurements) as inter-frequency measurements. The measurements may be RLM or RRM measurements within a BWP set or BWP group corresponding to a serving cell (physical cell) from the UE's perspective configured in the UE 12. Additionally or alternatively, the measurements may be RRM measurements between any BWP within the BWP set corresponding to a serving cell (physical cell) from the UE's perspective configured in the UE 12 and BWP(s) outside the BWP set (i.e., BWP(s) corresponding to neighboring cells (physical cells) within the system band). Note that the configuration for measuring BWP(s) outside the BWP set only needs to include information necessary for measurements (e.g., RRM measurements) and does not necessarily need to include information about normal BWPs (e.g., BWP configuration information required for the UE to stay). The term "measured BWP set" may be defined to collectively refer to these BWPs (and BWP sets).
[0070] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation (process 1100) performed by the UE 12. In step 1101, the UE 12 transmits an indication indicating whether a measurement gap is required to the RAN node 11. The indication indicates whether a measurement gap is required for measurement between BWPs included in a plurality of DL BWPs (i.e., between DL BWPs that differ in at least one of frequency and numerology). In step 1102, the UE 12 receives from the RAN node 11 a measurement configuration (e.g., RRM measurement configuration) including a measurement gap configuration for measurement of one or more BWPs included in the plurality of DL BWPs.
[0071] Measurement gaps are time periods during which UE uplink and downlink transmissions are not scheduled, so that the UE can perform measurements. In other words, measurement gaps define the time periods that the UE may use for measurements.
[0072] 12 is a flowchart showing an example (process 1200) of the operation of the RAN node 11. In step 1201, the RAN node 11 receives from the UE 12 an indication indicating whether measurement gaps are required for measurements between BWPs included in a plurality of DL BWPs. In step 1202, the RAN node 11 transmits to the UE 12 a measurement configuration including measurement gap configurations for measurements of one or more BWPs included in the plurality of DL BWPs.
[0073] In some implementations, the indication of whether measurement gaps are required for measurements between BWPs may indicate whether the UE 12 requires measurement gaps for measurements on one or more BWPs among multiple DL BWPs that are different from the BWP activated for the UE 12. The BWP activated for the UE 12 is a BWP corresponding to a serving cell (physical cell). In other words, the indication may indicate whether the UE 12 requires measurement gaps for measurements on other BWPs different from the active BWP when one BWP is activated for the UE 12. For example, the indication may indicate that when BWP #1 is activated for the UE 12, a measurement gap is required for measurements on at least one of BWP #2 and BWP #3. Here, BWP #1, BWP #2, and BWP #3 are included in one component carrier band (i.e., system band or channel band).
[0074] In some implementations, the indication of whether measurement gaps are required for measurements between BWPs may indicate, for each BWP, whether the UE 12 requires a measurement gap for one or more BWPs among the plurality of DL BWPs that are different from a BWP activated for the UE 12. In other words, the indication may indicate whether the UE 12 requires a measurement gap for measurements of specific BWP(s) among the plurality of DL BWPs that are different from a BWP activated for the UE 12. For example, the indication may indicate that when BWP #1 is activated for the UE 12, a measurement gap is required for measurements of BWP #2, while a measurement gap is not required for measurements of BWP #3.
[0075] In some implementations, the indication of whether a measurement gap is required for measurements between BWPs may include information about all BWP pairs included in the multiple DL BWPs (or a specific BWP pair specified by the RAN node). More specifically, the indication may indicate whether the UE 12 requires a measurement gap for measurements of the other BWP in each BWP pair when one BWP in each BWP pair is activated for the UE 12. Furthermore, this method may be applied to a combination of three or more BWPs included in the multiple DL BWPs (BWP combination (BwC)). For example, the indication may indicate whether the UE 12 requires a measurement gap for measurements of each of the remaining BWPs in each BWP combination when one BWP in each BWP combination is activated for the UE 12.
[0076] The measurement gap configuration (sent from the RAN node 11 to the UE 12) indicates a configuration for a measurement gap for the UE 12 to measure one or more BWPs different from the active BWP when one of the multiple DL BWPs is activated for the UE 12. The measurement gap configuration indicates, for example, at least one of the presence or absence of a measurement gap, the length of the measurement gap, and the pattern of the measurement gap. For example, the measurement gap configuration may indicate the presence or absence of a measurement gap when BWP #1 is activated for the UE 12. If a measurement gap for BWP #1 is configured, the UE 12 may perform measurements of at least one of BWP #2 and BWP #3 in the measurement gap.
[0077] The UE 12 may determine an indication of whether a measurement gap is required for measurements between BWPs depending on the RF receiver configuration of the UE 12 and the number of simultaneously configured BWPs (in other words, the number of BWPs included in the configured BWP group). Specifically, the UE 12 may consider the number of RF receivers provided in the UE 12 to generate the indication. The RF receiver is also called an RF chain.
[0078] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 13A to 13C, Figures 14A to 14C, and Figures 15A to 15C, several examples of indications (sent from UE 12 to RAN node 11) indicating whether measurement gaps for measurements between BWPs are required will be described. Here, as an example, consider a case where UE 12 has two RF chains (i.e., RF chain #1 and RF chain #2). Furthermore, assume that the bands (also referred to as RF bands) that each RF chain of UE 12 can cover are larger than the band of one BWP but smaller than the combined bands of the two BWPs. Therefore, when measuring multiple BWPs using one RF chain, UE 12 needs to receive signals in each BWP in order while appropriately switching RF (frequency) within the RF chain.
[0079] 13A to 13C show three examples of one or more BWPs (i.e., BWP sets) configured within one component carrier band. In the example of FIG. 13A, three BWP groups are configured within one component carrier band (channel band or system band). Each BWP group consists of one BWP. That is, BWP #1, BWP #2, and BWP #3 shown in FIG. 13A include SSB #1, SSB #2, and SSB #3, respectively. According to the definition of terms in this specification, the example of FIG. 13A shows one network-perspective cell (i.e., logical cell) including three UE-perspective cells (i.e., physical cells). Switching the active BWP between these three BWPs (i.e., three physical cells) corresponds to switching the active BWP between BWP groups (i.e., physical cells), and is therefore performed by RRC signaling (e.g., RRC Reconfiguration message). For example, UE 12 receives signals in BWP #1 and BWP #2 sequentially via RF chain #1, and receives a signal in BWP #3 via RF chain #2.
[0080] In the example of FIG. 13B, two BWP groups are configured within one component carrier band (channel band or system band). One of these two BWP groups includes BWP #1 and BWP #2, and the other includes BWP #3. BWP #1 and BWP #2 are associated with SSB #1, which defines a cell within BWP #1. BWP #3 is associated with SSB #3, which defines a cell within BWP #3. Following the definitions of terms in this specification, the example of FIG. 13B shows one logical cell including two physical cells. Switching the active BWP between BWP #1 and BWP #2 corresponds to switching the active BWP within one BWP group (i.e., one physical cell), and is therefore performed by PDCCH / DCI, i.e., DCI transmitted on the NR PDCCH. On the other hand, switching of the active BWP between BWP #1 and BWP #3 and between BWP #2 and BWP #3 corresponds to switching of the active BWP between BWP groups (i.e., between physical cells), and is therefore performed by RRC signaling (e.g., RRC Reconfiguration message). For example, UE 12 receives signals sequentially from BWP #1 and BWP #2 via RF chain #1, and receives signals from BWP #3 via RF chain #2.
[0081] In the example of FIG. 13C, one BWP group is configured within one component carrier band (channel band or system band). This BWP group includes BWP #1, BWP #2, and BWP #3. These three BWPs are associated with SSB #1, which defines the cell within BWP #1. According to the definition of terms in this specification, the example of FIG. 13C shows that one logical cell includes one physical cell. Switching the active BWP between these three BWPs (i.e., three physical cells) corresponds to switching the active BWP within one BWP group (i.e., one physical cell), and is therefore performed by PDCCH / DCI. For example, UE 12 receives a signal via BWP #1 via RF chain #1, and sequentially receives signals via BWP #2 and BWP #3 via RF chain #2.
[0082] 14A to 14C show an example of an indication of whether measurement gaps are required by the UE 12. In the example of Figures 14A to 14C, the UE 12 notifies the RAN node 11 whether or not the UE 12 requires measurement gaps for measurements between BWPs for one or more BWPs that are different from the BWP activated for the UE 12 among these three DL BWPs.
[0083] Figure 14A corresponds to the BWP configuration of Figure 13A. When the active BWP is BWP #1, the UE 12 sends an indication to the RAN node 11 indicating that a measurement gap is required for measurement of BWP #2 and that a measurement gap is not required for measurement of BWP #3. When the active BWP is BWP #2, the UE 12 sends an indication to the RAN node 11 indicating that a measurement gap is required for measurement of BWP #1 and that a measurement gap is not required for measurement of BWP #3. When the active BWP is BWP #3, the UE 12 sends an indication to the RAN node 11 indicating that a measurement gap is not required for measurement of BWP #1 and BWP #2.
[0084] Figure 14B corresponds to the BWP configuration of Figure 13B, in which the UE 12 sends an indication to the RAN node 11 as to whether a measurement gap is required, similar to that in Figure 14A.
[0085] Figure 14C corresponds to the BWP configuration of Figure 13C. When the active BWP is BWP #1, the UE 12 sends an indication to the RAN node 11 indicating that measurement gaps are not required for measurements of BWP #2 and BWP #3. When the active BWP is BWP #2, the UE 12 sends an indication to the RAN node 11 indicating that a measurement gap is required for measurements of BWP #3 but that a measurement gap is not required for measurements of BWP #1. When the active BWP is BWP #3, the UE 12 sends an indication to the RAN node 11 indicating that a measurement gap is required for measurements of BWP #2 but that a measurement gap is not required for measurements of BWP #1.
[0086] 15A to 15C show other examples of indication of whether a measurement gap is required by UE 12. In the examples of Fig. 15A to 15C, UE 12 sends information about three BWP pairs included in these three DL BWPs to RAN node 11. More specifically, UE 12 notifies RAN node 11 whether UE 12 requires a measurement gap for measuring one BWP of each BWP pair when the other BWP of each BWP pair is activated for UE 12.
[0087] Figure 15A corresponds to the BWP configuration of Figure 13A. The UE 12 sends an indication to the RAN node 11 indicating that a measurement gap is required for the pair of BWP #1 and BWP #2. This indication means that a measurement gap is required for measurement of the other (e.g., BWP #2) of BWP #1 and BWP #2 when one (e.g., BWP #1) of the pair is the active BWP. The UE 12 sends an indication to the RAN node 11 indicating that a measurement gap is not required for measurement of the other (e.g., BWP #3) of the pair of BWP #1 and BWP #3 when one (e.g., BWP #1) of the pair is the active BWP. Similarly, the UE 12 sends an indication to the RAN node 11 indicating that a measurement gap is not required for measurement of the other (e.g., BWP #3) of the pair of BWP #1 and BWP #3.
[0088] Figure 15B corresponds to the BWP configuration of Figure 13B, in which the UE 12 sends an indication to the RAN node 11 as to whether a measurement gap is required, similar to the case of Figure 15A.
[0089] Figure 15C corresponds to the BWP configuration of Figure 13C. The UE 12 sends an indication to the RAN node 11 indicating that a measurement gap is not required for the pair of BWP #1 and BWP #2. Similarly, the UE 12 sends an indication to the RAN node 11 indicating that a measurement gap is not required for the pair of BWP #1 and BWP #3. On the other hand, the UE 12 sends an indication to the RAN node 11 indicating that a measurement gap is required for the pair of BWP #2 and BWP #3.
[0090] The RAN node 11 may transmit to the UE 12 a measurement gap configuration determined in consideration of the necessity of a measurement gap in the UE 12. Specifically, for example, in response to receiving the information shown in Fig. 14A from the UE 12, the RAN node 11 may configure the UE 12 with a measurement gap for measurement between BWP #1 and BWP #2 when BWP #1 is the active BWP. Furthermore, the RAN node 11 may operate not to configure the UE 12 with a measurement gap for measurement between BWP #1 and BWP #2 when BWP #1 is the active BWP.
[0091] 13A to 13C, 14A to 14C, and 15A to 15C, the above description has been given using an example in which UE 12 has two RF chains and one system band includes three BWPs for the sake of simplicity. However, the above description can also be applied to the cases in which UE 12 has only one RF chain, in which UE 12 has at least three RF chains, in which one system band includes two BWPs, and in which one system band includes at least four BWPs.
[0092] As can be understood from the above description, when one carrier band includes multiple BWPs, the RAN node 11 and the UE 12 operate as follows: The UE 12 transmits an indication to the RAN node 11 indicating whether measurement gaps are required for measurements between BWPs included in the multiple DL BWPs in one carrier band. Furthermore, the UE 12 receives from the RAN node 11 a measurement configuration including measurement gap configurations for one or more BWPs included in the multiple DL BWPs. Meanwhile, the RAN node 11 receives from the UE 12 the indication regarding whether measurement gaps are required and transmits the measurement configuration including the measurement gap configuration to the UE 12. Thus, the RAN node 11 can know whether the UE 12 requires measurement gaps for measurements between the multiple DL BWPs in one carrier band. Furthermore, the RAN node 11 can transmit to the UE 12 a measurement gap configuration determined taking into account the UE 12's need for measurement gaps. Thus, the RAN node 11 and the UE 12 can configure the UE 12 with appropriate measurement gaps for measurements between the multiple BWPs in one carrier band.
[0093] <Second embodiment> This embodiment provides a specific example of the sequence (procedure) in which the UE 12 sends an indication to the RAN node 11, indicating for each BWP whether the UE 12 requires a measurement gap, as described in the first embodiment. An example of the configuration of a wireless communication network according to this embodiment is similar to the example shown in FIG. 10.
[0094] 16 is a sequence diagram showing an example (process 1600) of the operation of the RAN node 11 and the UE 12 according to this embodiment. In step 1601, the UE 12 transmits UE NR radio capability information to the RAN node 11 (e.g., gNB). The UE NR radio capability information includes information indicating that a measurement gap is required for inter-frequency (inter-BWP) measurements and information indicating that the UE 12 supports an indication of whether a measurement gap is required per BWP (per-BWP Gap Indication). The transmission of the UE NR radio capability information may be performed using a UE Capability Information message.
[0095] In step 1602, the RAN node 11 transmits a BWP configuration and a per-UE (per UE) measurement gap configuration (e.g., MeasGapConfig) to the UE 12. The RAN node 11 further transmits a request to the UE 12 to transmit an indication of whether a per-BWP measurement gap is required. The information element (IE) corresponding to the request may be a "PerBWP-GapIndicationRequest" IE. These configurations and requests may be transmitted using an RRC Reconfiguration message.
[0096] The UE 12 performs the necessary internal configuration according to the received BWP configuration, and configures a per UE measurement gap according to the received per UE measurement gap configuration (MeasGapConfig).
[0097] In step 1603, the UE 12 sends an indication to the RAN node 11 indicating whether a measurement gap is required for each BWP in the BWP set specified by the BWP configuration. An information element (IE) corresponding to the indication may be a "PerBWP-GapIndicationList" IE. The transmission of the indication may be performed using an RRC Reconfiguration Complete message.
[0098] In step 1604, the RAN node 11 responds to (according to) the received indication (perBWP-GapIndication) and sends a per BWP measurement gap configuration to the UE 12. The per BWP measurement gap configuration may be a "BWP specific measurement gap configuration". An information element (IE) corresponding to the per BWP measurement gap configuration may be a "measGapConfigPerBWP" IE or a "measGapConfigPerBWP-List" IE.
[0099] According to the sequence described in this embodiment, the RAN node 11 and the UE 12 can configure the UE 12 with a measurement gap for each BWP.
[0100] <Third embodiment> This embodiment provides a measurement configuration method for dealing with switching of an active BWP among multiple BWPs included in one BWP group. An example of the configuration of a wireless communication network according to this embodiment is similar to the example shown in FIG. 10 .
[0101] In this embodiment, in order to handle switching of an active BWP between multiple DL BWPs included in one DL BWP group (without changing the cell defining SSB), the RAN node 11 provides a plurality of measurement configurations corresponding to each of the multiple DL BWPs when it is the active BWP to the UE 12 in advance by RRC signaling (e.g., an RRC Reconfiguration message).When the active BWP for communication between the UE 12 and the RAN is switched between BWPs in the BWP group, the UE 12 selects and uses one of the measurement configurations corresponding to the active BWP from the plurality of measurement configurations received in advance.
[0102] For example, when one BWP group includes first and second BWPs, the RAN node 11 provides the UE 12 with a first measurement configuration to be used when the first BWP is the active BWP and a second measurement configuration to be used when the second BWP is the active BWP via RRC signaling (e.g., an RRC Reconfiguration message). The UE 12 selects the first measurement configuration when the active BWP is the first BWP and uses it for measurements (e.g., RLM measurements, RRM measurements, and CSI measurements). Furthermore, the UE 12 autonomously switches the measurement configuration from the first measurement configuration to the second measurement configuration in response to switching of the active BWP from the first BWP to the second BWP. The UE 12 then uses the second measurement configuration corresponding to the active BWP after the switch for measurements.
[0103] As already described, switching of an active BWP within a BWP group can be performed by lower layer signaling, for example, DCI on the NR PDCCH, without using RRC signaling. Switching of an active BWP within a BWP group can also be described as switching of an active BWP without changing the cell-defining SSB. That is, the RAN node 11 and the UE 12 of this embodiment do not require RRC signaling for updating the measurement configuration when switching of an active BWP within a BWP group. Therefore, the RAN node 11 and the UE 12 of this embodiment can quickly switch the measurement configuration in response to switching of an active BWP within a BWP group, and can quickly start measurement operations according to the measurement configuration corresponding to the active BWP after switching.
[0104] The plurality of measurement configurations that the RAN node 11 pre-provisions to the UE 12 may include the measurement gap configuration described in the first embodiment. Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of measurement configurations that the RAN node 11 pre-provisions to the UE 12 may include other measurement configurations different from the measurement gap configuration. For example, the plurality of measurement configurations may include measurement configurations for RLM (e.g., RS type, parameters for RLM (e.g., RLF timer expiration period)). The plurality of measurement configurations may include measurement configurations for RRM (e.g., RS type, parameters for RRM reporting events, neighboring cells to be measured (neighboring BWP)).
[0105] Specifically, the measurement configuration (e.g., MeasConfig IE) may include any or any combination of the following information: - Configuration information about the measurement object (measurement object, e.g., MeasObject IE); Measurement report configuration information (e.g., ReportConfig IE); Measurement configuration identifier (measurement identity, e.g. MeasId IE); Measurement metric configuration information (s-measure configuration, e.g., s-MeasureCnfig IE); and Measurement gap configuration information (e.g., MeasGapConfig IE).
[0106] The configuration information related to the measurement object (e.g., MeasObject IE) may include, for example, one or more of carrier frequency information (e.g., NR ARFCN), reference signal configuration information (e.g., ReferenceSignalConfig IE), a list of measurement target cells, and an offset related to radio quality at a predetermined event for measurement reporting (e.g., offsetFreq). The configuration information related to the reference signal may include at least one of information related to measurement timing used for SSB-based measurement (SSB measurement timing configuration: SMTC), presence or absence of SSB in the target cell (physical cell, BWP), and information on radio resources of CSI-RS used for CSI-RS-based measurement. Furthermore, the offset related to radio quality may be indicated by a combination of the RS type to be measured and the type of radio quality (e.g., rsrpOffsetSSB, rsrqOffsetSSB, rsrpOffsetCSI-RS, rsrqOffsetCSI-RS).
[0107] The configuration information (e.g., ReportConfig IE) related to measurement reporting may include, for example, a report type (e.g., periodic, event triggered), an event configuration (eventTriggerConfig), or a periodic reporting configuration (peridocialReportConfig), and may further include an RS type (e.g., SSB (i.e., NR-SS), CSI-RS).
[0108] Each measurement configuration identifier (eg, MeasId IE) may be specified (configured) in combination with configuration information for one measurement target and configuration information for one measurement report.
[0109] The configuration information regarding the measurement criteria (e.g., s-MeasureConfiguration IE) may include, for example, a threshold (e.g., RSRP threshold) that is a criterion for determining whether or not to start measuring neighboring cells. Furthermore, it may include information on the RS type (e.g., SSB (i.e., NR-SS), CSI-RS) used for the determination, or may include the threshold for each RS type.
[0110] The measurement gap configuration information (e.g., MeasGapConfig IE) may include, for example, a measurement gap per UE based on the serving cell (i.e., per UE measurement gap), a measurement gap controlled by the network (e.g., RAN node) (i.e., network controlled small gap: NCSG), or a measurement gap per component carrier in carrier aggregation (i.e., per CC measurement gap). Additionally or alternatively, the measurement gap configuration information may include a measurement gap per BWP (i.e., per BWP measurement gap). Note that the measurement gap per BWP may be configured with information indicating any of a normal measurement gap (per UE meas gap), a network controlled measurement gap (NCSG), and no measurement gap required (e.g., no gap and no NCSG) for each BWP.
[0111] 17 is a sequence diagram showing an example (process 1700) of the operation of the RAN node 11 and the UE 12 according to this embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the BWP group is composed of BWP #1 including SSB and BWP #2 not including SSB, and that the UE 12 first camps on BWP #1 (i.e., BWP #1 is the active BWP). In other words, BWP #1 is the serving cell (i.e., physical cell) of the UE 12.
[0112] In step 1701, the RAN node 11 sends an RRC Reconfiguration message to the UE 12. The RRC Reconfiguration message includes a plurality of measurement configurations corresponding to a plurality of BWPs in a BWP group. Each measurement configuration indicates a measurement configuration to be used when a corresponding one of the plurality of BWPs in the BWP group is an active BWP. The RRC Reconfiguration message may include a request to transmit an indication indicating whether a measurement gap is required per BWP. An information element (IE) corresponding to the request may be a "PerBWP-GapIndicationRequest" IE.
[0113] In step 1702, the UE 12 transmits an RRC Reconfiguration Complete message to the RAN node 11. The RRC Reconfiguration Complete message may include an indication of whether a measurement gap is required for each BWP. An information element (IE) corresponding to the indication may be a "PerBWP-GapIndicationList" IE. In step 1703, the RAN node 11 transmits an RRC Reconfiguration message including a measurement gap configuration for each BWP to the UE 12. The IE corresponding to the measurement gap configuration may be a "measGapConfigPerBWP-List" IE. The indication in step 1702 may be an indication of whether a measurement gap is required as described in the first embodiment. The measurement gap configuration in step 1703 may be the measurement gap configuration as described in the first embodiment. Note that in this embodiment, steps 1702 and 1703 may be omitted.
[0114] UE12 uses the measurement configuration corresponding to BWP #1 received in step 1701 to perform measurements in BWP #1 (e.g., RLM measurements, CSI measurements, RRM measurements) and measurements in BWP #2 (e.g., RRM measurements) (step 1704).
[0115] In step 1705, the RAN node 11 transmits control information, i.e., DCI on the NR PDCCH, indicating switching of the active BWP from BWP #1 to BWP #2 to UE 12. In response to receiving the control information (PDCCH / DCI), UE 12 switches the active BWP to BWP #2. In other words, BWP #2 becomes the serving cell (physical cell) of UE 12. Furthermore, in response to the switching of the active BWP, UE 12 switches from the measurement configuration corresponding to BWP #1 to the measurement configuration corresponding to BWP #2, and performs measurements in BWP #2 (e.g., RLM measurements, CSI measurements, RRM measurements) and BWP #1 (e.g., RRM measurements) according to the measurement configuration corresponding to BWP #2 (step 1706).
[0116] The measurements in step 1706 may include SSB-based measurements and CSI-RS-based measurements. If UE 12 is configured for SSB-based measurements, UE 12 may monitor the SSB in BWP #1 for RLM measurements. In this case, UE 12 may inherit the measurement configuration for SSB-based measurements from the measurement configuration corresponding to BWP #1 for SSB-based measurements after switching the active BWP from BWP #1 to BWP #2. In other words, UE 12 may use the measurement configuration corresponding to BWP #2 for CSI-RS-based measurements after switching the active BWP from BWP #1 to BWP #2.
[0117] Additionally or alternatively, except for the measurement settings specific to BWP #1 and BWP #2, the measurement settings for the component carrier frequency (measObject) may be common measurements before and after switching the active BWP.
[0118] Additionally or alternatively, after switching the active BWP from BWP #1 to BWP #2, UE 12 may fall back to a default measurement gap configuration (eg, a measurement gap per UE that is independent of the BWP).
[0119] <Fourth embodiment> This embodiment provides a measurement configuration method for dealing with switching of an active BWP among multiple BWPs included in one BWP group. An example of the configuration of a wireless communication network according to this embodiment is similar to the example shown in FIG. 10 .
[0120] In this embodiment, in order to handle switching of an active BWP between multiple DL BWPs included in one DL BWP group (without changing the cell defining SSB), the RAN node 11 provides the UE 12 with a measurement configuration in advance by RRC signaling (e.g., an RRC Reconfiguration message) that enables swapping of the relationship between a serving cell (serving BWP, active BWP) and a neighboring cell (non-serving BWP, neighboring BWP). When the active BWP for communication between the UE 12 and the RAN is switched between BWPs in the BWP group, the UE 12 uses the measurement configuration that it has received in advance by swapping the relationship between the serving cell (serving BWP, active BWP) and the neighboring cell (non-serving BWP, neighboring BWP).
[0121] For example, when one BWP group includes first and second BWPs, the RAN node 11 provides the UE 12 with measurement configurations corresponding to a situation in which the first BWP is a serving cell (serving BWP) and the second BWP is a neighboring cell (neighboring BWP, non-serving BWP) by RRC signaling (e.g., RRC Reconfiguration message). The UE 12 performs measurements (e.g., RLM measurements, RRM measurements, CSI measurements) according to the measurement configurations when the active BWP is the first BWP. Furthermore, when the active BWP is switched from the first BWP to the second BWP, the UE 12 exchanges and uses the relationship between the serving cell (serving BWP) and the neighboring cell (neighboring BWP, non-serving BWP) of the measurement configurations it has already received.
[0122] The RAN node 11 and the UE 12 of this embodiment do not require RRC signaling for updating the measurement configuration when switching the active BWP within the BWP group. Therefore, the RAN node 11 and the UE 12 of this embodiment can quickly update the measurement configuration in response to switching the active BWP within the BWP group, and can quickly start measurement operations according to the measurement configuration corresponding to the active BWP after switching.
[0123] 18 is a sequence diagram showing an example (process 1800) of the operation of the RAN node 11 and the UE 12 according to this embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the BWP group is composed of BWP #1 including an SSB and BWP #2 not including an SSB, and that the UE 12 first camps on BWP #1 (i.e., BWP #1 is the active BWP).
[0124] In step 1801, the RAN node 11 sends an RRC Reconfiguration message to the UE 12. The RRC Reconfiguration message includes measurement configurations corresponding to a situation where BWP #1 is the serving cell (serving BWP) and BWP #2 is the neighboring cell (neighboring BWP).
[0125] Steps 1802 and 1803 are the same as steps 1602 and 1603 in Fig. 16. In this embodiment, steps 1802 and 1803 may also be omitted.
[0126] UE12 uses the measurement configuration received in step 1801 to perform measurements in BWP #1 (e.g., RLM measurements, CSI measurements, RRM measurements) and measurements in neighboring cells including BWP #2 (e.g., RRM measurements) (step 1804).
[0127] In step 1805, the RAN node 11 transmits control information, i.e., DCI on the NR PDCCH, indicating switching of the active BWP from BWP #1 to BWP #2 to the UE 12. In response to receiving the control information (PDCCH / DCI), the UE 12 switches the active BWP to BWP #2. Furthermore, in response to the switching of the active BWP, the UE 12 uses the measurement configuration that it previously received (i.e., that it holds) by exchanging the relationship between the serving cell (serving BWP, active BWP) and the neighboring cell (non-serving BWP, neighboring BWP) (step 1806). In other words, the UE 12 considers that the serving cell (serving BWP) in the measurement configuration that it already holds is BWP #2, and performs measurements according to at least a part of the measurement configuration. Alternatively, this can be stated as UE12 considering BWP #2 as the serving cell (serving BWP) and BWP #1 as the neighboring cell (neighboring BWP), and performing measurements according to at least a part of the measurement configuration that it already has.
[0128] The measurements in step 1806 may include SSB-based measurements and CSI-RS-based measurements. If the UE 12 is configured for SSB-based measurements, the UE 12 may monitor the SSB in BWP #1 for RLM measurements. In this case, the UE 12 may retain the SSB-based measurement configuration from the measurement configuration corresponding to BWP #1 for SSB-based measurements after switching the active BWP from BWP #1 to BWP #2. In other words, the UE 12 may consider BWP #2 to be the serving cell (serving BWP) in the measurement configuration previously received (i.e., already held) for CSI-RS-based measurements after switching the active BWP from BWP #1 to BWP #2. Alternatively, the UE 12 may consider BWP #2 to be the serving cell (serving BWP) and BWP #1 to be the neighboring cell (neighboring BWP), and perform measurements according to at least part of the measurement configuration already held.
[0129] Additionally or alternatively, except for the measurement settings specific to BWP #1 and BWP #2, the measurement settings for the carrier frequency (measObject) may be common measurements before and after switching the active BWP.
[0130] Additionally or alternatively, after switching the active BWP from BWP #1 to BWP #2, UE 12 may fall back to a default measurement gap setting (e.g., a per-UE measurement gap that is independent of the BWP).
[0131] Additionally or alternatively, the RAN node 11 may transmit an "s-measure" setting to the UE in advance in the measurement configuration. The s-measure is an RSRP threshold and is used to determine when to start measuring neighboring cells. The UE 12 starts measuring neighboring cells when the RSRP of the serving cell falls below the s-measure. Furthermore, the UE 12 may be able to select the target of the s-measure from SSB (i.e., ssb-rsrp) and CSI-RS (i.e., csi-rsrp). In this case, the RAN node 11 may specify to the UE 12 whether the s-measure is SSB-based or CSI-RS-based. The UE 12 may determine the s-measure after switching the active BWP from BWP #1 to BWP #2 using the measurement value (e.g., SSB-based RSRP or CSI-RS-based RSRP) for the serving BWP (i.e., BWP #2) after the switch. Alternatively, the UE 12 may determine the s-measure using the measurement value for the serving BWP (ie, BWP #1) before the switch.
[0132] The RAN node 11 may notify the UE 12 in advance of how to handle s-measures after switching the active BWP (i.e., which of the measurement values for the active BWP before switching or the measurement values for the active BWP after switching will be used to determine s-measures after switching the active BWP). The RAN node 11 may specify how to handle s-measures after switching the active BWP in the measurement configuration or BWP set configuration information. Alternatively, the UE 12 may determine the RS type to be the target of s-measures after switching the active BWP according to the configuration of the RS type (e.g., SSB or CSI-RS) to be the target of s-measures before switching the active BWP. For example, if the RS type to be the target of s-measures before switching the active BWP is SSB, the UE 12 may use the measurement values for SSB to determine s-measures after switching the active BWP. In this case, the UE 12 may perform measurements on SSBs in the active BWP before switching if the active BWP after switching does not include SSBs, or may perform measurements on SSBs in the active BWP after switching if the active BWP after switching includes SSBs.
[0133] For example, if the s-measure in the measurement configuration defines an RSRP threshold for an RS (e.g., NR-SS) in an SSB, the RAN node 11 may notify the UE 12 in advance of the s-measure to be used after switching the active BWP in the BWP group in step 1801. For example, if a new active BWP (e.g., active BWP #2) after switching the active BWP in the BWP group does not include an SSB, the RAN node 11 may pre-configure the RSRP threshold for the CSI-RS for the s-measure after switching the active BWP. Alternatively, if the s-measure in the measurement configuration defines an RSRP threshold for the CSI-RS (and the configuration of the CSI-RS in BWP #2 has been transmitted from the RAN node 11 to the UE 12), the UE 12 may continue to use the s-measure configuration before switching after switching the active BWP from BWP #1 to BWP #2.
[0134] Next, exemplary configurations of the RAN node 11 and the UE 12 according to the above-described embodiments will be described below. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the RAN node 11 according to the above-described embodiments. Referring to FIG. 19, the RAN node 11 includes a radio frequency transceiver 1901, a network interface 1903, a processor 1904, and a memory 1905. The RF transceiver 1901 performs analog RF signal processing for communication with NG UEs, including the UE 12. The RF transceiver 1901 may include multiple transceivers. The RF transceiver 1901 is coupled to an antenna array 1902 and the processor 1904. The RF transceiver 1901 receives modulation symbol data from the processor 1904, generates a transmit RF signal, and provides the transmit RF signal to the antenna array 1902. The RF transceiver 1901 also generates a baseband receive signal based on the receive RF signal received by the antenna array 1902 and provides the baseband receive signal to the processor 1904. The RF transceiver 1901 may include an analog beamformer circuit for beamforming, which may include, for example, multiple phase shifters and multiple power amplifiers.
[0135] The network interface 1903 is used to communicate with network nodes (e.g., the control node and forwarding node of the NG Core). The network interface 1903 may include, for example, a network interface card (NIC) that complies with the IEEE 802.3 series.
[0136] The processor 1904 performs digital baseband signal processing (data plane processing) and control plane processing for wireless communication. The processor 1904 may include multiple processors. For example, the processor 1904 may include a modem processor (e.g., a digital signal processor (DSP)) that performs digital baseband signal processing and a protocol stack processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU)) that performs control plane processing. The processor 1904 may include a digital beamformer module for beamforming. The digital beamformer module may include a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) encoder and precoder.
[0137] The memory 1905 is configured by a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The volatile memory is, for example, Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Dynamic RAM (DRAM), or a combination thereof. The non-volatile memory is, for example, Mask Read Only Memory (MROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, or a hard disk drive, or any combination thereof. The memory 1905 may include storage located remotely from the processor 1904. In this case, the processor 1904 may access the memory 1905 via the network interface 1903 or an I / O interface (not shown).
[0138] The memory 1905 may store one or more software modules (computer programs) 1906 including instructions and data for performing the processing by the RAN node 11 described in the above embodiments. In some implementations, the processor 1904 may be configured to read and execute the software modules 1906 from the memory 1905 to perform the processing by the RAN node 11 described in the above embodiments.
[0139] Note that if the RAN node 11 is a gNB-CU, the RAN node 11 may not include the RF transceiver 1901 (and the antenna array 1902).
[0140] 20 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the UE 12. A radio frequency (RF) transceiver 2001 performs analog RF signal processing for communication with the RAN node 11. The RF transceiver 2001 may include multiple transceivers. The analog RF signal processing performed by the RF transceiver 2001 includes frequency up-conversion, frequency down-conversion, and amplification. The RF transceiver 2001 is coupled to an antenna array 2002 and a baseband processor 2003. The RF transceiver 2001 receives modulation symbol data (or OFDM symbol data) from the baseband processor 2003, generates a transmit RF signal, and provides the transmit RF signal to the antenna array 2002. The RF transceiver 2001 also generates a baseband receive signal based on the receive RF signal received by the antenna array 2002 and provides the baseband receive signal to the baseband processor 2003. The RF transceiver 2001 may include an analog beamformer circuit for beamforming. The analog beamformer circuitry includes, for example, multiple phase shifters and multiple power amplifiers.
[0141] The baseband processor 2003 performs digital baseband signal processing (data plane processing) and control plane processing for wireless communications. Digital baseband signal processing includes (a) data compression / decompression, (b) data segmentation / concatenation, (c) transmission format (transmission frame) generation / decomposition, (d) transmission path coding / decoding, (e) modulation (symbol mapping) / demodulation, and (f) generation of OFDM symbol data (baseband OFDM signal) using Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT). Meanwhile, control plane processing includes communication management for Layer 1 (e.g., transmit power control), Layer 2 (e.g., radio resource management and hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processing), and Layer 3 (e.g., signaling related to attachment, mobility, and call management).
[0142] For example, the digital baseband signal processing by the baseband processor 2003 may include signal processing of a Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, a MAC layer, and a PHY layer. Also, the control plane processing by the baseband processor 2003 may include processing of a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol, an RRC protocol, and a MAC CE.
[0143] The baseband processor 2003 may perform MIMO encoding and precoding for beamforming.
[0144] The baseband processor 2003 may include a modem processor (e.g., DSP) that performs digital baseband signal processing and a protocol stack processor (e.g., CPU or MPU) that performs control plane processing. In this case, the protocol stack processor that performs control plane processing may be shared with the application processor 2004, which will be described later.
[0145] The application processor 2004 is also referred to as a CPU, an MPU, a microprocessor, or a processor core. The application processor 2004 may include multiple processors (multiple processor cores). The application processor 2004 executes a system software program (operating system (OS)) and various application programs (e.g., a call application, a web browser, a mailer, a camera operation application, and a music playback application) read from the memory 2006 or a memory not shown, thereby realizing various functions of the UE 12.
[0146] In some implementations, the baseband processor 2003 and the application processor 2004 may be integrated on a single chip, as indicated by the dashed line (2005) in Figure 20. In other words, the baseband processor 2003 and the application processor 2004 may be implemented as a single System on Chip (SoC) device 2005. An SoC device may also be called a system Large Scale Integration (LSI) or a chipset.
[0147] The memory 2006 is volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, or a combination thereof. The memory 2006 may include multiple physically independent memory devices. The volatile memory is, for example, SRAM, DRAM, or a combination thereof. The nonvolatile memory is MROM, EEPROM, flash memory, or a hard disk drive, or any combination thereof. For example, the memory 2006 may include an external memory device accessible from the baseband processor 2003, the application processor 2004, and the SoC 2005. The memory 2006 may also include an internal memory device integrated within the baseband processor 2003, the application processor 2004, or the SoC 2005. Furthermore, the memory 2006 may include memory within a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC).
[0148] The memory 2006 may store one or more software modules (computer programs) 2007 including instructions and data for performing the processes described in the above-described embodiments by the UE 12. In some implementations, the baseband processor 2003 or the application processor 2004 may be configured to read and execute the software modules 2007 from the memory 2006, thereby performing the processes of the UE 12 described in the above-described embodiments using the drawings.
[0149] It should be noted that the control plane processing and operations performed by UE 12 described in the above embodiment can be realized by elements other than RF transceiver 2001 and antenna array 2002, namely, at least one of baseband processor 2003 and application processor 2004, and memory 2006 storing software module 2007.
[0150] As described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20 , each of the processors included in the RAN node 11 and the UE 12 according to the above-described embodiments executes one or more programs including instructions for causing a computer to perform the algorithms described with reference to the drawings. The programs can be stored and provided to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic storage media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical storage media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), compact disc read only memories (CD-ROMs), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, programmable ROMs (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), flash ROMs, and random access memories (RAMs)). The programs may also be provided to a computer by various types of transitory computer-readable media. Examples of the temporary computer-readable medium include an electric signal, an optical signal, and an electromagnetic wave. The temporary computer-readable medium can provide the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire or an optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path.
[0151] <Other embodiments> The above-described embodiments may be implemented independently of each other, or all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combination.
[0152] In the above-described embodiment, the active BWP is switched by DCI transmitted on the NR PDCCH. However, the active BWP in the above-described embodiment may be switched by a MAC CE or a timer (e.g., a BWP Inactivity Timer).
[0153] The above-described embodiments have been described mainly on the assumption that one BWP is activated for each UE (i.e., one active BWP per UE). However, it goes without saying that the methods described in the above-described embodiments can also be applied to the case where multiple BWPs are activated for each UE. For example, there may be multiple active BWPs in a BWP set. Furthermore, there may be one active BWP corresponding to each of multiple BWP groups configured in a BWP set, or there may be multiple active BWPs in a BWP group.
[0154] The above-described embodiments can also be applied to MR-DC (e.g., EN-DC) and NR-NR DC. For example, in EN-DC, the MeNB, SgNB, and UE may operate as follows: First, the UE transmits NR capability (e.g., UE NR radio capability information) to the MeNB using RRC signaling (e.g., UE Capability Information message), and the MeNB forwards the NR capability to the SgNB. Next, the MeNB transmits a request (e.g., "PerBWP-GapIndicationRequest" IE) to the UE in an LTE RRC Connection Reconfiguration message to transmit an indication indicating whether a measurement gap per BWP in the NR SCG is required. The SgNB may trigger the MeNB to transmit the request using an X2 message. In response to receiving the request, the UE transmits an indication (e.g., "perBWP-GapIndicationList" IE) indicating whether a measurement gap per BWP is required to the MeNB in an LTE RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete message. The MeNB forwards the indication received from the UE (e.g., "perBWP-GapIndicationList" IE) to the SgNB. The SgNB then sends the configuration of the measurement gaps per BWP (e.g., "measGapConfigPerBWP-List" IE) to the MeNB, and the MeNB transmits the configuration to the UE in an LTE RRC Connection Reconfiguration message. Note that the information transmitted by the UE and the SgNB may be encoded in NR RRC.
[0155] Alternatively, in EN-DC, the MeNB, SgNB, and UE may operate as follows: The SgNB may use a transparent RRC container to send the "PerBWP-GapIndicationRequest" and "measGapConfigPerBWP-List" to the UE via the MeNB. Specifically, the SgNB includes an NR RRC Reconfiguration message containing the "PerBWP-GapIndicationRequest" in a transparent RRC container and sends the transparent RRC container to the MeNB. The MeNB sends the transparent RRC container (which contains the "PerBWP-GapIndicationRequest") received from the SgNB to the UE in an LTE RRC Connection Reconfiguration message. The UE sends an NR RRC Reconfiguration Complete message containing the "perBWP-GapIndicationList" to the MeNB using an LTE RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete message. The MeNB forwards an NR RRC Reconfiguration Complete message containing "perBWP-GapIndicationList" to the SgNB. The SgNB then includes an NR RRC Reconfiguration message containing "measGapConfigPerBWP-List" in a transparent RRC container and sends the transparent RRC container to the MeNB. The MeNB sends the transparent RRC container received from the SgNB (which contains "measGapConfigPerBWP-List") to the UE in an LTE RRC Connection Reconfiguration message.To achieve this, the X2 messages (i.e., SN MODIFICATION REQUIRED, SN MODIFICATION REQUEST, SN MODIFICATION REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, SN MODIFICATION COMPLETE) in the SN (i.e., SgNB) Initiated SN Modification procedure may be used, respectively.
[0156] Alternatively, in the EN-DC, the SgNB and UE may use a direct radio bearer established in the SCG between the SgNB and the UE to request a per-BWP measurement gap, indicate whether a per-BWP measurement gap is required, and transfer the per-BWP measurement gap configuration. This radio bearer may be Signaling Radio Bearer 3 (SRB3). Specifically, the SgNB sends a "PerBWP-GapIndicationRequest" to the UE in an NR RRC Reconfiguration message on SRB3. The UE sends a "perBWP-GapIndicationList" to the SgNB in an NR RRC Reconfiguration Complete message on SRB3. The SgNB then sends a "measGapConfigPerBWP-List" to the UE in an NR RRC Reconfiguration message on SRB3.
[0157] In the above-described embodiment, the term "cell-defining SSB" is used, but this may also be called a "cell representative SSB" because it refers to an SSB that represents a BWP corresponding to a cell (physical cell) from the UE's perspective, or a BWP group corresponding to a set of such physical cells. Alternatively, the cell-defining SSB may also be called a "cell-specific SSB" because it identifies the representative cell (physical cell) that includes the SSB. Furthermore, the cell-defining SSB may also be called a "serving SSB" because it is an SSB that the UE should monitor when it is staying in either the BWP or BWP group that includes it.
[0158] The sub-PCI described in the above embodiment may be associated with a BWP index.
[0159] The reference BWP described in the above embodiments may be referred to as a default BWP, initial BWP, reference BWP, primary BWP, anchor BWP, or master BWP. That is, the BWP that a UE first stays in when it first accesses a RAN node (i.e., when it transitions from idle mode to connected mode) may be referred to as a reference BWP, default BWP, initial BWP, reference BWP, primary BWP, anchor BWP, or master BWP. Additionally or alternatively, among multiple BWPs included in the system band, a BWP that is not the reference BWP may be referred to as a sub BWP, secondary BWP, or slave BWP.
[0160] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are merely examples of application of the technical ideas obtained by the inventors of the present invention. In other words, the technical ideas are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible.
[0161] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.
[0162] (Appendix 1) A wireless terminal, Memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory; Equipped with The at least one processor is configured to transmit an indication indicating whether a measurement gap is required for measurements between downlink bandwidth parts (BWPs) included in a plurality of BWPs to a radio access network (RAN) node within the radio access network (RAN); The plurality of downlink BWPs are included in one system band; the at least one processor is further configured to receive from the RAN node a measurement configuration including a measurement gap configuration for one or more BWPs included in the plurality of downlink BWPs. Wireless terminal.
[0163] (Appendix 2) the indication indicates whether the wireless terminal requires a measurement gap for measuring one or more BWPs different from the activated BWP when one of the plurality of downlink BWPs is activated for the wireless terminal; 1. A wireless terminal as defined in claim 1.
[0164] (Appendix 3) the indication indicates, for each BWP, whether the wireless terminal requires a measurement gap for one or more BWPs different from a BWP activated for the wireless terminal among the plurality of downlink BWPs; 1. A wireless terminal as defined in claim 1.
[0165] (Appendix 4) the indication includes information about a BWP combination indicating a combination of two or more BWPs included in the plurality of downlink BWPs, and indicates whether the wireless terminal requires a measurement gap for measuring each of the remaining BWPs in each BWP pair when one BWP in each BWP combination is activated for the wireless terminal; 1. A wireless terminal as defined in claim 1.
[0166] (Appendix 5) the at least one processor is configured to, in response to an activated BWP for communication between the wireless terminal and the RAN being switched among the plurality of downlink BWPs, use a measurement gap configuration corresponding to the activated BWP according to the measurement gap configuration. 5. The wireless terminal according to any one of Supplementary notes 1 to 4.
[0167] (Appendix 6) the measurement gap configuration indicates a configuration regarding a measurement gap for the wireless terminal to measure one or more BWPs different from the activated BWP when one of the plurality of downlink BWPs is activated for the wireless terminal; 6. The wireless terminal according to any one of Supplementary notes 1 to 5.
[0168] (Appendix 7) The measurement gap setting indicates at least one of the presence or absence of the measurement gap, the length of the measurement gap, and the pattern of the measurement gap. 7. A wireless terminal as defined in claim 6.
[0169] (Appendix 8) The plurality of downlink BWPs are associated with one cell-specific signal block (SSB); 8. The wireless terminal according to any one of Supplementary notes 1 to 7.
[0170] (Appendix 9) the measurement gap configurations include a first measurement gap configuration and a second measurement gap configuration for a first downlink BWP and a second downlink BWP included in the plurality of downlink BWPs, respectively; the at least one processor is configured to receive the first and second measurement gap configurations from the RAN node using Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling; The at least one processor further comprises: configured to use the first measurement gap configuration to measure other downlink BWPs when the first downlink BWP is activated for communication with the RAN; configured to receive control information from the RAN node indicating a switch of an activated BWP from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP without a change of the cell-specific SSB; configured to switch an activated BWP for communication with the RAN from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP in response to receiving the control information, and to switch a measurement gap setting for measuring another downlink BWP from the first measurement gap setting to the second measurement gap setting. 9. The wireless terminal of claim 8.
[0171] (Appendix 10) The control information is a non-RRC message. 10. The wireless terminal of claim 9.
[0172] (Appendix 11) A radio access network (RAN) node disposed in a radio access network (RAN), comprising: Memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory; Equipped with The at least one processor is configured to receive, from a wireless terminal, an indication indicating whether a measurement gap is required for measurements between downlink bandwidth parts (BWPs) included in a plurality of BWPs; The plurality of downlink BWPs are included in one system band; the at least one processor is further configured to transmit to the wireless terminal a measurement configuration including measurement gap configurations for one or more BWPs included in the plurality of downlink BWPs. RAN node.
[0173] (Appendix 12) the indication indicates whether the wireless terminal requires a measurement gap for measuring one or more BWPs different from the activated BWP when one of the plurality of downlink BWPs is activated for the wireless terminal; RAN node as described in Supplementary Note 11.
[0174] (Appendix 13) the indication indicates, for each BWP, whether the wireless terminal requires a measurement gap for one or more BWPs different from a BWP activated for the wireless terminal among the plurality of downlink BWPs; RAN node as described in Supplementary Note 11.
[0175] (Appendix 14) the indication includes information about a BWP combination indicating a combination of two or more BWPs included in the plurality of downlink BWPs, and indicates whether the wireless terminal requires a measurement gap for measuring each of the remaining BWPs in each BWP pair when one BWP in each BWP combination is activated for the wireless terminal; RAN node as described in Supplementary Note 11.
[0176] (Appendix 15) the measurement gap configuration indicates a configuration regarding a measurement gap for the wireless terminal to measure one or more BWPs different from the activated BWP when one of the plurality of downlink BWPs is activated for the wireless terminal; 15. The RAN node according to any one of Supplementary Notes 11 to 14.
[0177] (Appendix 16) The measurement gap setting indicates at least one of the presence or absence of the measurement gap, the length of the measurement gap, and the pattern of the measurement gap. RAN node as described in Supplementary Note 15.
[0178] (Appendix 17) The plurality of downlink BWPs are associated with one cell-specific synchronization signal block (SSB); 17. The RAN node according to any one of Supplementary Notes 11 to 16.
[0179] (Appendix 18) the measurement gap configurations include a first measurement gap configuration and a second measurement gap configuration for a first downlink BWP and a second downlink BWP included in the plurality of downlink BWPs, respectively; the at least one processor is configured to transmit the first and second measurement gap configurations to the wireless terminal using Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling; The at least one processor further comprises: configured to communicate with the wireless terminal, when the first downlink BWP is activated for communication with the RAN, taking into account that the first measurement gap configuration is used by the wireless terminal to measure other downlink BWPs; configured to transmit control information to the wireless terminal indicating a switch of an activated BWP from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP without a change of the cell-specific SSB; the control information triggers the wireless terminal to switch an activated BWP for communication with the RAN from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP, and triggers the wireless terminal to switch a measurement gap setting for measuring another downlink BWP from the first measurement gap setting to the second measurement gap setting. RAN node as described in Supplementary Note 17.
[0180] (Appendix 19) The control information is a non-RRC message. RAN node as described in Supplementary Note 18.
[0181] (Appendix 20) 1. A method in a wireless terminal, comprising: Sending an indication to a radio access network (RAN) node in a radio access network (RAN) indicating whether measurement gaps are required for measurements between downlink bandwidth parts (BWPs), where the downlink BWPs are included in one system band; and receiving from the RAN node a measurement configuration including a measurement gap configuration for one or more BWPs included in the plurality of downlink BWPs; A method for providing
[0182] (Appendix 21) 1. A method in a Radio Access Network (RAN) node located in a Radio Access Network (RAN), comprising: receiving, from a wireless terminal, an indication indicating whether a measurement gap is required for measurements between downlink bandwidth parts (BWPs) included in a plurality of BWPs, wherein the plurality of downlink BWPs are included in one system band; and transmitting to the wireless terminal a measurement configuration including measurement gap configurations for one or more BWPs included in the plurality of downlink BWPs; A method for providing
[0183] (Appendix 22) A program for causing a computer to perform a method in a wireless terminal, comprising: The method comprises: Sending an indication to a radio access network (RAN) node in a radio access network (RAN) indicating whether measurement gaps are required for measurements between downlink bandwidth parts (BWPs), where the downlink BWPs are included in one system band; and receiving from the RAN node a measurement configuration including a measurement gap configuration for one or more BWPs included in the plurality of downlink BWPs; A program that includes:
[0184] (Appendix 23) A program for causing a computer to perform a method in a radio access network (RAN) node disposed in a radio access network (RAN), the program comprising: The method comprises: receiving, from a wireless terminal, an indication indicating whether a measurement gap is required for measurements between downlink bandwidth parts (BWPs) included in a plurality of BWPs, wherein the plurality of downlink BWPs are included in one system band; and transmitting to the wireless terminal a measurement configuration including measurement gap configurations for one or more BWPs included in the plurality of downlink BWPs; A program that includes:
[0185] (Appendix 24) A wireless terminal, Memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory; Equipped with the at least one processor is configured to receive a first measurement configuration and a second measurement configuration for a first downlink bandwidth part (BWP) and a second downlink BWP, respectively, from a Radio Access Network (RAN) node within a Radio Access Network (RAN) using Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling; The first and second downlink BWPs are included in one system band and associated with one cell-specific synchronization signal block (SSB); The at least one processor further comprises: configured to use the first measurement configuration when the first downlink BWP is activated for communication with the RAN; configured to receive control information from the RAN node indicating a switch of an activated BWP from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP without a change of the cell-specific SSB; configured to switch an activated BWP for communication with the RAN from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP in response to receiving the control information, and to switch a measurement configuration from the first measurement configuration to the second measurement configuration. Wireless terminal.
[0186] (Appendix 25) The control information is a non-RRC message. 25. The wireless terminal of claim 24.
[0187] (Appendix 26) each of the first and second measurement configurations includes a measurement gap configuration; 26. The wireless terminal of claim 24 or 25.
[0188] (Appendix 27) A Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising: Memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory; Equipped with the at least one processor is configured to transmit, to a wireless terminal using Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, a first measurement configuration and a second measurement configuration for a first downlink bandwidth part (BWP) and a second downlink BWP, respectively; The first and second downlink BWPs are included in one system band and associated with one cell-specific synchronization signal block (SSB); The at least one processor further comprises: configured to communicate with the wireless terminal, when the first downlink BWP is activated for communication with a Radio Access Network (RAN), taking into account that the first measurement configuration is to be used by the wireless terminal; configured to transmit control information to the wireless terminal indicating a switch of an activated BWP from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP without a change of the cell-specific SSB; the control information triggers the wireless terminal to switch an active BWP for communication with the RAN from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP, and triggers the wireless terminal to switch a measurement configuration from the first measurement configuration to the second measurement configuration. RAN node.
[0189] (Appendix 28) The control information is a non-RRC message. RAN node as described in Supplementary Note 27.
[0190] (Appendix 29) each of the first and second measurement configurations includes a measurement gap configuration; 29. The RAN node of claim 27 or 28.
[0191] (Appendix 30) 1. A method in a wireless terminal, comprising: receiving, from a Radio Access Network (RAN) node within a Radio Access Network (RAN) using Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, first and second measurement configurations for a first downlink bandwidth part (BWP) and a second downlink BWP, respectively, where the first and second downlink BWPs are included in one system band and associated with one cell-specific synchronization signal block (SSB); using the first measurement configuration when the first downlink BWP is activated for communication with the RAN; receiving control information from the RAN node indicating a switch of an activated BWP from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP without changing the cell-specific SSB; and in response to receiving the control information, switching an activated BWP for communication with the RAN from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP and switching a measurement configuration from the first measurement configuration to the second measurement configuration; A method for providing
[0192] (Appendix 31) 1. A method in a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising: transmitting, to a wireless terminal using Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, first and second measurement configurations for a first downlink bandwidth part (BWP) and a second downlink BWP, respectively, wherein the first and second downlink BWPs are included in one system band and associated with one cell-specific synchronization signal block (SSB); communicating with the wireless terminal considering that the first measurement configuration is to be used by the wireless terminal when the first downlink BWP is activated for communication with a radio access network (RAN); and transmitting control information to the wireless terminal indicating switching of an activated BWP from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP without changing the cell-specific SSB, wherein the control information triggers the wireless terminal to switch an activated BWP for communication with the RAN from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP and triggers the wireless terminal to switch a measurement configuration from the first measurement configuration to the second measurement configuration; A method for providing
[0193] (Appendix 32) A program for causing a computer to perform a method in a wireless terminal, comprising: The method comprises: receiving, from a Radio Access Network (RAN) node within a Radio Access Network (RAN) using Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, first and second measurement configurations for a first downlink bandwidth part (BWP) and a second downlink BWP, respectively, where the first and second downlink BWPs are included in one system band and associated with one cell-specific synchronization signal block (SSB); using the first measurement configuration when the first downlink BWP is activated for communication with the RAN; receiving control information from the RAN node indicating a switch of an activated BWP from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP without changing the cell-specific SSB; and in response to receiving the control information, switching an activated BWP for communication with the RAN from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP and switching a measurement configuration from the first measurement configuration to the second measurement configuration; A program that includes:
[0194] (Appendix 33) 1. A program for causing a computer to perform a method in a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, comprising: The method comprises: transmitting, to a wireless terminal using Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, first and second measurement configurations for a first downlink bandwidth part (BWP) and a second downlink BWP, respectively, wherein the first and second downlink BWPs are included in one system band and associated with one cell-specific synchronization signal block (SSB); communicating with the wireless terminal considering that the first measurement configuration is to be used by the wireless terminal when the first downlink BWP is activated for communication with a radio access network (RAN); and transmitting control information to the wireless terminal indicating switching of an activated BWP from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP without changing the cell-specific SSB, wherein the control information triggers the wireless terminal to switch an activated BWP for communication with the RAN from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP and triggers the wireless terminal to switch a measurement configuration from the first measurement configuration to the second measurement configuration; A program that includes:
[0195] (Appendix 34) A wireless terminal, Memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory; Equipped with the at least one processor is configured to receive measurement configurations for a first downlink bandwidth part (BWP) and a second downlink BWP from a radio access network (RAN) node within a radio access network (RAN) using Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling; The first and second downlink BWPs are included in one system band and associated with one cell-specific synchronization signal block (SSB); The at least one processor further comprises: configured to use the measurement configuration when the first downlink BWP is activated for communication with the RAN; configured to receive control information from the RAN node indicating a switch of an activated BWP from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP without a change of the cell-specific SSB; In response to receiving the control information, the control device is configured to switch an activated BWP for communication with the RAN from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP, and to exchange and use a relationship between a serving cell and a neighboring cell in the measurement configuration. Wireless terminal.
[0196] (Appendix 35) The control information is a non-RRC message. 35. The wireless terminal of claim 34.
[0197] (Appendix 36) 1. A method in a wireless terminal, comprising: receiving measurement configurations for a first downlink bandwidth part (BWP) and a second downlink BWP from a radio access network (RAN) node within a radio access network (RAN) using Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, where the first and second downlink BWPs are included in one system band and associated with one cell-specific synchronization signal block (SSB); using the measurement configuration when the first downlink BWP is activated for communication with the RAN; receiving control information from the RAN node indicating a switch of an activated BWP from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP without changing the cell-specific SSB; and In response to receiving the control information, switching an activated BWP for communication with the RAN from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP, and exchanging and using a serving cell and neighbor cell relationship in the measurement configuration; A method for providing
[0198] (Appendix 37) A program for causing a computer to perform a method in a wireless terminal, comprising: The method comprises: receiving measurement configurations for a first downlink bandwidth part (BWP) and a second downlink BWP from a radio access network (RAN) node within a radio access network (RAN) using Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, where the first and second downlink BWPs are included in one system band and associated with one cell-specific synchronization signal block (SSB); using the measurement configuration when the first downlink BWP is activated for communication with the RAN; receiving control information from the RAN node indicating a switch of an activated BWP from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP without changing the cell-specific SSB; and In response to receiving the control information, switching an activated BWP for communication with the RAN from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP, and exchanging and using a serving cell and neighbor cell relationship in the measurement configuration; A program that includes:
[0199] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-218039, filed November 13, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Explanation of symbols]
[0200] 11 RAN nodes 12UE 1904 processor 1905 memory 2003 Baseband Processor 2004 Application Processor
Claims
1. Means for receiving a message containing information about a measurement gap for a BWP (bandwidth part) and other information about other measurement gaps for other BWPs; means for using said measurement gap when an activated BWP is said BWP; A means for switching the active BWP from the BWP to the other BWP based on DCI (Downlink Control Information) or a timer; means for using the other measurement gap when the activated BWP is the other BWP; the information indicating whether the measurement gap is activated when switching to the BWP; The BWP and the other BWP are associated with the same Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel block (SSB). User equipment.
2. The message is an RRC (Radio Resource Control) message. The user device of claim 1 .
3. The message is an RRC (Radio Resource Control) Reconfiguration message. The user device of claim 1 .
4. The message contains information about the Network Controlled Small Gap (NCSG) A user device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. Means for transmitting to a user equipment a message containing information about a measurement gap for a BWP (bandwidth part) and other information about other measurement gaps for other BWPs, the information indicating whether the measurement gap is activated when switching to the BWP; The measurement gap is used when the activated BWP is the BWP, the other measurement gap is used when the active BWP is the other BWP, The method further comprises means for transmitting DCI (Downlink Control Information) to the user equipment to switch the activated BWP from the BWP to the other BWP and use the other measurement gap; The BWP and the other BWP are associated with the same Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel block (SSB). Communication equipment.
6. The message is an RRC (Radio Resource Control) message. The communication device according to claim 5 .
7. The message is an RRC (Radio Resource Control) Reconfiguration message. The communication device according to claim 5 .
8. The message includes information about the Network Controlled Small Gap (NCSG). The communication device according to any one of claims 5 to 7.
9. The communication device is a Radio Access Network (RAN) node or a gNB. The communication device according to any one of claims 5 to 8.
10. receiving a message containing information about a measurement gap for a bandwidth part (BWP) and other information about other measurement gaps for other BWPs; using the measurement gap when the activated BWP is the BWP; Switching the active BWP from the BWP to the other BWP based on DCI (Downlink Control Information) or a timer; using the other measurement gap when the activated BWP is the other BWP; the information indicating whether the measurement gap is activated when switching to the BWP; The BWP and the other BWP are associated with the same Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel block (SSB). A method for a user device.
11. sending to the user equipment a message containing information on measurement gaps for a bandwidth part (BWP) and other information on other measurement gaps for other BWPs; the information indicating whether the measurement gap is activated when switching to the BWP; The measurement gap is used when the activated BWP is the BWP, the other measurement gap is used when the active BWP is the other BWP, transmitting DCI (Downlink Control Information) to the user equipment to switch the activated BWP from the BWP to the other BWP and use the other measurement gap; The BWP and the other BWP are associated with the same Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel block (SSB). Method of communication device.
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