Methods and apparatus for defining maximum sensitivity degradation values

Abstract

A technique is provided for further defining maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values after establishing a connected mode or at reconfiguration and / or while in the connected mode or in an inactive mode. Based on a further defined MSD value, the network can further define the resource allocation and provide for improved and / or more efficient communication with the UE.

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DEFINING MAXIMUM SENSITIVITYDEGRADATION VALUESRELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to US provisional Application No. 63 / 511551 filed June 30, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0002] Various example embodiments described in this subject disclosure generally relate to techniques for wireless communication and, more particularly, to techniques for defining maximum sensitivity degradation values of a user equipment.BACKGROUND

[0003] A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as user equipment (UE), network components, base stations / access points, and / or other nodes by providing connectivity between the various entities. A communication system can be provided, for example, with a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices (e.g., UEs). Communication systems continue to evolve to extend the flexibility in the network usage, to provide improved security, and / or to provide users with improved network services. For instance, fourth generation (4G) wireless mobile telecommunications technology, also known as Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, was designed to provide high-capacity mobile multimedia with high data rates particularly for human interaction. Next generation or fifth generation (5G) technology is intended to be used not only for human interaction, but also for machine type communications in so-called Internet of Things (loT) networks.

[0004] Third generation partnership project (3GPP) has developed standards for 5G technology, including standards for next generation radio access networks and 5G network architectures that can deliver extreme broadband, ultra-robust, low latency connectivity as well as high data rate low latency connectivity for interactive media services. 5G technology improves a variety of telecommunication services offered to the end users and helps to support massive broadband that delivers gigabytes of bandwidth per second on demand for both the uplink and downlink transmissions.

[0005] Next generation networks, which are based on the 5G network architecture, utilize maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values to reduce interference. In this regard, reference sensitivity is the minimum average power applied for each of the antenna ports at which the throughput shall meet or exceed the requirements for the specified reference measurement channel. MSD is a measure of the relaxation of the reference sensitivity parameter. The MSD and, in particular, the MSD values may be utilized by the network for configuration purposes. However, in certain scenarios under current network protocols, the MSD values may be predefined and, as a result, may not be tailored to particular user equipment capabilities and / or the network conditions and, instead, larger MSD values may be utilized which may limit the network configuration options.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0006] Various example embodiment generally related to techniques for further defining maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values after establishing a connected mode or at reconfiguration and / or while in the connected mode or in an inactive mode. By further defining the MSD values, the network can further define the resource allocation and provide for improved and / or more efficient communication with the UE.

[0007] In an example embodiment, a method is provided that includes, following establishment of a channel configuration, determining one or more maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values based on the channel configuration as established. The method also includes evaluating whether the one or more MSD values satisfy a reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were determined in advance of the establishment of the channel configuration. The method further includes, in an instance in which the one or more MSD values satisfy the reporting criteria relative to the one or more prospective MSD values, causing the one or more MSD values to be provided to a network element utilizing non-radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0008] The method of an example embodiment evaluates the one or more MSD values satisfy the reporting criteria by determining whether the one or more MSD values are different than the one or more prospective values. In an example embodiment, causing the one or more MSD values to be provided to the network element utilizing the non-RRC signaling includes causing the one or more MSD values to be provided within a medium access control (MAC) control element. In an example embodiment, causing the one or more MSD values to be provided within the MAC control element may include causing information regarding interference that impacts the one or more MSD values to be provided within theMAC control element in combination with the one or more MSD values. The one or more MSD values may be determined based on the channel configuration after the establishment of a RRC connected mode or channel reconfiguration.

[0009] The method of an example embodiment further includes, while in a connected mode or an inactive mode, dynamically determining one or more second MSD values. The method may also include evaluating whether the one or more second MSD values that are dynamically determined to satisfy a second reporting criteria relative to at least one of the following: one or more prospective MSD values or any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element. The method of an example embodiment further includes, in an instance in which the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined satisfy the second reporting criteria relative to the one or more prospective MSD values that were previously reported to the network element, causing the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided to the network element utilizing the non-RRC signaling.

[0010] In an example embodiment, the causing of the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided to the network element includes causing the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided within another MAC control element along with information regarding interference that impacts the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined. In an example embodiment, the one or more second MSD values are repeatedly dynamically determined and evaluated while on the connected mode or inactive mode. The method of an example embodiment further comprises causing the network element to be informed of a capability to provide the one or more MSD values following the establishment of the channel configuration.

[0011] The method of an example embodiment further comprises, prior to establishing the channel configuration, receiving information from the network element regarding a channel range per frequency band and regarding one or more potential carrier aggregation combination. The method further includes defining the one or more MSD values to be determined following establishment of the channel configuration. In an example embodiment, the one or more MSD values and one or more second MSD values are defined as an absolute value, a relative value, a level, a threshold, or a threshold range table.

[0012] In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to, following establishment of a channel configuration,determine one or more maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) value based on the channel configuration as established. The apparatus is also caused to evaluate whether the one or more MSD values satisfy a reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were determined in advance of the establishment of the channel configuration. The apparatus is further caused, in an instance in which the one or more MSD values satisfy the reporting criteria relative to the one or more prospective MSD values, cause the one or more MSD values to be provided to a network element utilizing non-radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0013] The apparatus of an example embodiment is caused to evaluate whether the one or more MSD values satisfy the reporting criteria by determining whether the one or more MSD values are different than the one or more prospective MSD values. In an example embodiment, the apparatus is caused to cause the one or more MSD values to be provided to the network element utilizing the non-RRC signaling by causing the one or more MSD values to be provided within a medium access control (MAC) control element. In this example embodiment, the apparatus is caused to cause the one or more MSD values to be provided within the MAC control element by causing information regarding interference that impacts the one or more MSD values to be provided within the MAC control element in combination with the one or more MSD values. In an example embodiment, the one or more MSD values are determined based on the channel configuration after establishment of a RRC connected mode or channel reconfiguration.

[0014] In an example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus, while in a connected mode or inactive mode, to dynamically determine one or more second MSD values. The apparatus is also caused to evaluate whether the one or more second MSD values that are dynamically determined satisfy a second reporting criteria relative to at least one of the following: one or more prospective MSD values or any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element. The apparatus is further caused, in an instance in which the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined satisfy the second reporting criteria relative to the one or more prospective MSD values that were previously reported to the network element, to cause the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided to the network element utilizing the non-RRC signaling.

[0015] In this example embodiment, the apparatus is caused to cause the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided to the network element by causing the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to beprovided within another MAC control element along with information regarding interference that impacts the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined. In an example embodiment, the one or more second MSD values are repeatedly dynamically determined and evaluated while in the connected mode or inactive mode. In an example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to cause the network element to be informed of a capability to provide the one or more MSD values following establishment of the channel configuration.

[0016] The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus of an example embodiment to, prior to establishing the channel configuration, receive information from the network element regarding a channel range per frequency band and regarding one or more potential carrier aggregation combinations. The apparatus is further caused to define the one or more MSD values to be determined following establishment of the channel configuration. In an example embodiment, the one or more MSD values and one or more second MSD values are defined as an absolute value, a relative value, a level, a threshold, or a threshold range table.

[0017] In a further example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided that includes program instructions stored thereon for, following establishment of a channel configuration, determining one or more maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values based on the channel configuration as established. The program instructions are also for evaluating whether the one or more MSD values satisfy a reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were determined in advance of the establishment of the channel configuration. The program instructions are further for, in an instance in which the one or more MSD values satisfy the reporting criteria relative to the one or more prospective MSD values, causing the one or more MSD values to be provided to a network element utilizing non-radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0018] The program instructions for evaluating whether the one or more MSD values satisfy the reporting criteria include program instructions for determining whether the one or more MSD values are different than the one or more prospective MSD values. The program instructions for causing the one or more MSD values to be provided to the network element utilizing the non-RRC signaling include program instructions for causing the one or more MSD values to be provided within a medium access control (MAC) control element. In an example embodiment, the program instructions for causing the one or more MSD values to be provided within the MAC control element include program instructions for causing information regarding interference that impacts the one or more MSD values to be providedwithin the MAC control element in combination with the one or more MSD values. In an example embodiment, the one or more MSD values are determined based on the channel configuration after establishment of a RRC connected mode or channel reconfiguration.

[0019] The program instructions of an example embodiment are further configured for, while in a connected mode or inactive mode, dynamically determining one or more second MSD values. In an example embodiment, the program instructions are also for evaluating whether the one or more second MSD values that are dynamically determined satisfy a second reporting criteria relative to at least one of the following: one or more prospective MSD values or any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element. The program instructions of an example embodiment are further for, in an instance in which the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined satisfy the second reporting criteria relative to the one or more prospective MSD values that were previously reported to the network element, causing the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided to the network element utilizing the non-RRC signaling.

[0020] In an example embodiment, the program instructions for causing the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided to the network element include program instructions for causing the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided within another MAC control element along with information regarding interference that impacts the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined. In an example embodiment, the one or more second MSD values are repeatedly dynamically determined and evaluated while in the connected mode or inactive mode. In an example embodiment, the program instructions are further configured for causing the network element to be informed of a capability to provide the one or more MSD values following establishment of the channel configuration.

[0021] The program instructions of an example embodiment are further configured for, prior to establishing the channel configuration, receiving information from the network element regarding a channel range per frequency band and regarding one or more potential carrier aggregation combinations. The program instructions are also configured for defining the one or more MSD values to be determined following establishment of the channel configuration. In an example embodiment, the one or more MSD values and the one or more second MSD values are defined as an absolute value, a relative value, a level, a threshold, or a threshold range table.

[0022] In yet another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes means for, following establishment of a channel configuration, determining one or more maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values based on the channel configuration as established. The apparatus also includes means for evaluating whether the one or more MSD values satisfy a reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were determined in advance of the establishment of the channel configuration. The apparatus further includes means for, in an instance in which the one or more MSD values satisfy the reporting criteria relative to the one or more prospective MSD values, causing the one or more MSD values to be provided to a network element utilizing non-radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0023] In an example embodiment, the means for evaluating whether the one or more MSD values satisfy the reporting criteria include means for determining whether the one or more MSD values are different than the one or more prospective MSD values. In an example embodiment, the means for causing the one or more MSD values to be provided to the network element utilizing the non-RRC signaling include means for causing the one or more MSD values to be provided within a medium access control (MAC) control element. In an example embodiment, the means for causing the one or more MSD values to be provided within the MAC control element include means for causing information regarding interference that impacts the one or more MSD values to be provided within the MAC control element in combination with the one or more MSD values. In an example embodiment, the one or more MSD values are determined based on the channel configuration after establishment of a RRC connected mode or channel reconfiguration.

[0024] The apparatus of an example embodiment further comprises means for, while in a connected mode or inactive mode, dynamically determining one or more second MSD values. The apparatus also includes means for evaluating whether the one or more second MSD values that are dynamically determined satisfy a second reporting criteria relative to at least one of the following: one or more prospective MSD values or any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element. The apparatus further includes means for, in an instance in which the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined satisfy the second reporting criteria relative to the one or more prospective MSD values that were previously reported to the network element, causing the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided to the network element utilizing the non-RRC signaling.

[0025] In this example embodiment, the means for causing the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided to the network element may include means for causing the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided within another MAC control element along with information regarding interference that impacts the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined. In an example embodiment, the one or more second MSD values are repeatedly dynamically determined and evaluated while in the connected mode or inactive mode. The apparatus of an example embodiment further comprises means for causing the network element to be informed of a capability to provide the one or more MSD values following establishment of the channel configuration.

[0026] The apparatus of an example embodiment further comprises means for, prior to establishing the channel configuration, receiving information from the network element regarding a channel range per frequency band and regarding one or more potential carrier aggregation combinations. The apparatus further includes means for defining the one or more MSD values to be determined following establishment of the channel configuration. In an example embodiment, the one or more MSD values one or more second MSD values are defined as an absolute value, a relative value, a level, a threshold, or a threshold range table.

[0027] In an example embodiment, a method is provided that includes, following establishment of a channel configuration, receiving, via non-radio resource control (RRC) signaling, one or more maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values based on the channel configuration as established that satisfy a reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were defined in advance of the establishment of the channel configuration. The method further includes defining a resource allocation based on the one or more MSD values that are based on the channel configuration.

[0028] In an example embodiment, the satisfaction of the reporting criteria includes the one or more MSD values being different than the one or more prospective MSD values. In an example embodiment, the receiving of the one or more MSD values includes receiving the one or more MSD values within a medium access control (MAC) control element. In an example embodiment, the receiving of the one or more MSD values within the MAC control element includes receiving information regarding interference that impacts the one or more MSD values within the MAC control element in combination with the one or more MSD values. In an example embodiment, the establishment of the channel configuration comprises establishment of a RRC connected mode or channel reconfiguration.

[0029] The method of an example embodiment also includes, while in a connected mode or inactive mode, receiving, via the non-RRC signaling, one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined and that satisfy a second reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values and any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element. The method of this example embodiment further includes redefining the resource allocation based on the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined while in the connected mode.

[0030] In an example embodiment, the receiving of the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined includes receiving the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined within another MAC control element along with information regarding interference that impacts the one or more MSD values that were dynamically determined. The method of an example embodiment further includes receiving an indication that a user equipment is capable of providing one or more MSD values following establishment of the channel configuration. The method of an example embodiment further includes causing information to be provided, prior to establishing the channel configuration, regarding a channel range per frequency band and regarding one or more potential carrier aggregation combinations. In an example embodiment, the one or more MSD values and the one or more second MSD values are defined as an absolute value, a relative value, a level, a threshold, or a threshold range table.

[0031] In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to, following establishment of a channel configuration, receive, via non-radio resource control (RRC) signaling, one or more maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values based on the channel configuration as established that satisfy a reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were defined in advance of the establishment of the channel configuration. The apparatus is further caused to define a resource allocation based on the one or more MSD values that are based on the channel configuration.

[0032] In an example embodiment, the satisfaction of the reporting criteria includes the one or more MSD values being different than the one or more prospective MSD values. In an example embodiment, the apparatus is caused to receive the one or more MSD values by receiving the one or more MSD values within a medium access control (MAC) control element. In this example embodiment, the apparatus is caused to receive the one or more MSD values within the MAC control element by receiving information regardinginterference that impacts the one or more MSD values within the MAC control element in combination with the one or more MSD values. In an example embodiment, the establishment of the channel configuration comprises establishment of a RRC connected mode or channel reconfiguration.

[0033] The apparatus of an example embodiment, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to, while in a connected mode or inactive mode, receive, via the non-RRC signaling, one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined and that satisfy a second reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were previously reported to the network element. The apparatus is also caused to redefine the resource allocation based on the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined while in the connected mode. In this example embodiment, the apparatus may be caused to receive the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined by receiving the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined within another MAC control element along with information regarding interference that impacts the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined.

[0034] The apparatus of an example embodiment may be further caused to receive an indication that a user equipment is capable of providing the one or more MSD values following establishment of the channel configuration. In an example embodiment, the apparatus may be caused to cause information to be provided, prior to establishing the channel configuration, regarding a channel range per frequency band and regarding one or more potential carrier aggregation combinations. In an example embodiment, the one or more MSD values and the one or more second MSD values are defined as an absolute value, a relative value, a level, a threshold, or a threshold range table.

[0035] In a further embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided that includes program instructions stored thereon for, following establishment of a channel configuration, receiving, via non-radio resource control (RRC) signaling, one or more maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values based on the channel configuration as established that satisfy a reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were defined in advance of the establishment of the channel configuration. The instructions are further for configured to define a resource allocation based on the one or more MSD values that are based on the channel configuration.

[0036] In an example embodiment, the satisfaction of the reporting criteria includes the one or more MSD values being different than the one or more prospective MSD values. In anexample embodiment, the program instructions for receiving the one or more MSD values include program instructions for receiving the one or more MSD values within a medium access control (MAC) control element. In an example embodiment, the program instructions for receiving the one or more MSD values within the MAC control element include program instructions for receiving information regarding interference that impacts the one or more MSD values within the MAC control element in combination with the one or more MSD values. In an example embodiment, the establishment of the channel configuration includes establishment of a RRC connected mode or channel reconfiguration.

[0037] The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of an example embodiment also includes program instructions for, while in a connected mode, receiving one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined and that satisfy a second reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values and any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element. The program instructions are further configured for redefining the resource allocation based on the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined while in the connected mode.

[0038] In this example embodiment, the program instructions for receiving the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined include program instructions for receiving the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined within another MAC control element along with information regarding interference that impacts the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined.

[0039] The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of an example embodiment also includes program instructions for receiving an indication that a user equipment is capable of providing the one or more MSD values following establishment of the channel configuration. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of an example embodiment also includes program instructions for causing information to be provided, prior to establishing the channel configuration, regarding a channel range per frequency band and regarding one or more potential carrier aggregation combinations. In an example embodiment, the one or more MSD values and the one or more second MSD values are defined as an absolute value, a relative value, a level, a threshold, or a threshold range table.

[0040] In yet another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes means for, following establishment of a channel configuration, receiving, via non-radio resource control (RRC) signaling, one or more maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values based on the channel configuration as established that satisfy a reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were defined in advance of the establishment ofthe channel configuration. The apparatus further includes means for defining a resource allocation based on the one or more MSD values that are based on the channel configuration.

[0041] In an example embodiment, the satisfaction of the reporting criteria includes the one or more MSD values being different than the one or more prospective MSD values. In an example embodiment, the means for receiving of the one or more MSD values include means for receiving the one or more MSD values within a medium access control (MAC) control element. In an example embodiment, the means for receiving of the one or more MSD values within the MAC control element include means for receiving information regarding interference that impacts the one or more MSD values within the MAC control element in combination with the one or more MSD values. In an example embodiment, the establishment of the channel configuration comprises establishment of a RRC connected mode or channel reconfiguration.

[0042] The apparatus of an example embodiment also includes means for, while in a connected mode or inactive mode, receiving one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined and that satisfy a second reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values and any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element. The apparatus further includes means for redefining the resource allocation based on the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined. In this example embodiment, the means for receiving of the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined include means for receiving the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined while in the connected mode within another MAC control element along with information regarding interference that impacts the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined.

[0043] The apparatus of an example embodiment also includes means for receiving an indication that a user equipment is capable of providing the one or more MSD values following establishment of the channel configuration. The apparatus of an example embodiment also includes means for causing information to be provided, prior to establishing the channel configuration, regarding a channel range per frequency band and regarding one or more potential carrier aggregation combinations. In an example embodiment, the one or more MSD values and the one or more second MSD values are defined as an absolute value, a relative value, a level, a threshold, or a threshold range table.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0044] Having thus described certain example embodiments of the subject disclosure in general terms, reference will hereinafter be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0045] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a communication system that may support communications in accordance with an example embodiment of the subject disclosure;

[0046] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus that may be configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the subject disclosure;

[0047] Figure 3 illustrates a table of possible maximum sensitivity degradation types;

[0048] Figure 4 illustrates an example of maximum sensitivity degradation types in CA_n2- n77;

[0049] Figure 5 illustrates an example signal diagram of communication between a user equipment and network in accordance with an example embodiment of the subject disclosure;

[0050] Figures 6A-6C illustrate a signal diagram of operations in accordance with an example embodiment of the subject disclosure;

[0051] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of operations implemented by an apparatus embodied by or associated with user equipment in accordance with an example embodiment of the subject disclosure; and

[0052] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of operations implemented by an apparatus embodied by or associated with a network component in accordance with an example embodiment of the subject disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Some example embodiments of the subject disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, example embodiments are shown. Indeed, various example embodiments of the subject disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein; rather, these example embodiments are provided so that the subject disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information,” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received and / or stored in accordance with example embodiments of the subject disclosure. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of example embodiments of the subject disclosure.

[0054] Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry and / or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) comprising software and / or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ also includes an implementation comprising one or more processors and / or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software and / or firmware. As another example, the term ‘circuitry’ as used herein also includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, other network device (such as a core network apparatus), field programmable gate array, and / or other computing device.

[0055] The term “comprising” means including but not limited to and should be interpreted in the manner it is typically used in the patent context. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, and having should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, and comprised substantially of. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes” and “including,” and variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”

[0056] The phrases “in one embodiment,” “in one example embodiment,” “according to one embodiment,” “according to one example embodiment,” “in some embodiments,” “in some example embodiments,” “in various embodiments”, “in various example embodiments,” and the like generally refer to the fact that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase may be included in at least one example embodiment of the subject disclosure, but not necessarily all example embodiments of the subject disclosure. Thus, the particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in more than one example embodiment of the subject disclosure such that these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same example embodiment.

[0057] As used herein, the terms “example,” “exemplary,” and the like are used to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation, aspect, or design described herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other implementations, aspects, or designs. Rather, use of the terms “example,” “exemplary,” and the like are intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion.

[0058] If the specification states a component or feature “may,” “can,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “preferably,” “possibly,” “typically,” “optionally,” “for example,” “often,” or “might” (or other such language) be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or to have the characteristic. Such component or feature may be optionally included in some example embodiments, or it may be excluded.

[0059] As used herein, the term “computer-readable medium” refers to non-transitory storage hardware, non-transitory storage device or non-transitory computer system memory that may be accessed by a controller, a microcontroller, a computational system or a module of a computational system to encode thereon computer-executable instructions or software programs. A non-transitory “computer-readable medium” may be accessed by a computational system or a module of a computational system to retrieve and / or execute the computer-executable instructions or software programs encoded on the medium. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, one or more types of hardware memory, non-transitory tangible media (for example, one or more magnetic storage disks, one or more optical disks, one or more USB flash drives), computer system memory or random-access memory (such as, DRAM, SRAM, EDO RAM), and the like. The term “non-transitory”, as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (e.g., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0060] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where a list of two or more elements are joined by “and”, “or”, or “and / or”, means at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements.

[0061] An example embodiment will be illustrated herein in conjunction with example communication systems and associated techniques for defining maximum sensitivity degradation values of a user equipment. It should be understood, however, that the scope of the claims is not limited to particular types of communication systems and / or processes disclosed. An example embodiment can be implemented in a network (e.g., a core network) or a terminal device (e.g., a user equipment) of a communication system, using one or more processes and operations. For example, although illustrated in the context of wirelesscellular systems utilizing 3GPP system elements such as a 3GPP next generation core network, the disclosed example embodiments can be adapted in a straightforward manner to a variety of other types of communication systems. Additionally, while the subject disclosure may describe various example embodiments in conjunction with a fifth generation (5G) communications system, the subject disclosure also applies to and comprises other networks and network technologies, such as 3G, 4G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), sixth generation (6G), etc. without limitation.

[0062] In accordance with an illustrative example embodiment implemented in a 5G communication system environment, one or more 3GPP technical specifications (TS) and technical reports (TR) provide further explanation of user equipment and core network elements / entities / functions and / or operations performed by the user equipment and the core network elements / entities / functions, e.g., 3GPP TS 38.101-1 section 7.3A. Other 3GPP TS / TR documents provide other conventional details that one of ordinary skill in the art will realize. However, while an example embodiment is well-suited for implementation associated with the above-mentioned 3GPP standards for 5G, alternative embodiments are not necessarily intended to be limited to any particular standards.

[0063] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a communication system 100 is provided in accordance with an example embodiment of the subject disclosure. In one or more example embodiments, the communication system 100 can include one or more terminal devices (e.g., user equipment) and one or more networks (e.g., one or more communication networks, one or more network components, etc.). In an example embodiment, the communication system 100 is an environment that includes or corresponds to a 5G communication system (e.g., a 5G communication network) associated with one or more terminal devices (e.g., user equipment) and / or one or more networks (e.g., one or more communication networks, one or more network components, etc.) that support 5G communications. However, the depiction of communication system 100 in FIG. 1 is not intended to limit or otherwise confine the example embodiments described and contemplated herein to any particular configuration of elements or networks, nor is it intended to exclude any alternative configurations or systems for the set of configurations and systems that can be used in connection with embodiments of the subject disclosure. Rather, FIG. 1, and the communication system 100 disclosed therein is merely presented to provide an example basis and context for the facilitation of describing some of the features, aspects, and uses of the methods, apparatuses, and computer program products disclosed and contemplated herein. It will be understood that while many of the aspects and components presented inFIG. 1 are shown as discrete, separate elements, other configurations may be used in connection with the methods, apparatuses, and computer programs described herein, including configurations that combine, omit, and / or add aspects and / or components.

[0064] In some example embodiments, the communication system 100 may comprise at least one user equipment (UE) 110 and at least one network component 120A, 120B (collectively “120”) that are capable of being in communication with each other and to receive uplink (UL) and / or downlink (DL) transmissions. The at least one network component 120 can be a radio access network (RAN) component, a core network (CN) component, a data network (DN) component, an application server component, an application function, and / or another type of network component. In one or more example embodiments, the at least one network component 120, may be a network element and may be embodied by any of a variety of access points including, for example, a Node B, e.g., a gNB, or the like. The UEs 110 may be configured to operate in two or more frequency bands, such as three or four frequency bands in some example embodiments. With respect to at least some, but not necessarily all, of the frequency bands, the UE 110 and / or the least one network component 120 may be configured to define one or more maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) value associated with the UE 110.

[0065] As described below, the apparatus, method and computer program product of an example embodiment are configured to define one or more maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values from the reference sensitivity of the UE to improve communication performance. Reference sensitivity is the minimum average power applied for each of the antenna ports of the UE at which the throughput shall meet or exceed the requirements for the specified reference measurement channel with MSD being a measure of the relaxation of the reference sensitivity parameter when the UE is receiving and configured with more than one frequency band of operation. By further defining the MSD values after establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connected mode or at reconfiguration and optionally while in a connected mode, the MSD values may be better defined and, in some instances, may be reduced such that the network can be more appropriately configured including, but not limited to, by determining a more appropriate channel configuration.

[0066] By way of example, the communication system 100 may be deployed within a radio access architecture based on long term evolution advanced (LTE Advanced, LTE-A) and / or new radio (NR, 5G). However, the system may be deployed in other network architectures including within other communication networks including, for example, othercommunication networks developed in the future, e.g., 6G networks, as well as any of a number of existing networks including a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) radio access network (UTRAN or E-UTRAN), wireless local area network (WLAN or Wi-Fi), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Bluetooth®, personal communications services (PCS), ZigBee®, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), systems using ultra- wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) and Internet Protocol multimedia subsystems (IMS) or any combination thereof.

[0067] The UE 110 may be any type of user terminal, terminal device, etc. to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned. For example, the UEs may be a portable computing device such as a wireless mobile communication device including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: a mobile station (mobile phone), smartphone, a virtual reality device, an augmented reality device, personal digital assistant (PDA), handset, device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), laptop and / or touch screen computer, tablet, game console, notebook, and multimedia device. The user equipment may also be called a subscriber unit, mobile station, remote terminal, access terminal, or user terminal just to mention but a few names or apparatuses.

[0068] In some example embodiments, the at least one network component 120 can be related to one or more cellular access points. In some example embodiments, the at least one network component 120 may define and / or service one or more cells. In one or more example embodiments, one or more access points may be in communication with a network, such as a core network via a gateway, such that the one or more access points establish cellular radio access networks by which the UE 110 may communicate with the at least one network component 120.

[0069] Although not shown, the communication system 100 may also include a controller associated with one or more of the access points, such as, base stations, for example, so as to facilitate operation of the access points and management of the UE 110 in communication therewith. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 may also include one or more wireless local area networks (WLANs), each of which may be serviced by a WLAN access point configured to establish wireless communications with the UE 110. As such, the UE 110 may communicate with the at least one network component 120 via a WLAN access point. In various example embodiments, the at least one network component 120 may consist of additional network elements as routers, switches, servers, gateways, and / or controllers to facilitate communication with the UE 110.

[0070] In some example embodiments, the communication system 100 or components thereof (e.g., base stations, towers, etc.) can be configured to communicate with a communication device (e.g., the UE 110) such as a cell phone or the like over multiple different frequency bands, e.g., FR1 (below 6 GHz), FR2 (mm Wave), other suitable frequency bands, subbands thereof, and / or the like. In some example embodiments, the communications network 100 can comprise or employ massive Multiple Input and Multiple Output (massive MIMO) antennas. In some example embodiments, the communication system 100 can comprise multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) antennas. In some example embodiments, the communication system 100 can employ edge computing whereby the computing servers are communicatively, physically, computationally, and / or temporally closer to the communications device (e.g., UE 110) in order to reduce latency and data traffic congestion. In some example embodiments, the communication system 100 can employ other technologies, devices, or techniques, such as small cell, low-powered RAN, beamforming of radio waves, WIFI-cellular convergence, Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA), channel coding, and the like.

[0071] Referring now to FIG. 2, an example apparatus 200 is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus 200 may be embodied by, associated with or in communication with a UE 110. In another embodiment, the apparatus 200 may be embodied by, associated with or in communication with a network component 120, network element, base station, and / or another type of network element such as, for example, an access point.

[0072] The apparatus 200 includes processor 202, memory 204, and / or network interface 206. The apparatus 200 may be configured to execute one or more of the operations described herein. Although these components are described with respect to the performance of various functions, it should be understood that the particular implementations necessarily include the use of particular hardware. It should also be understood that certain of these components may include similar or common hardware. For example, two sets of circuitries may both leverage use of the same processor, network interface, storage medium, or the like to perform their associated functions, such that duplicate hardware is not required for each set of circuitries.

[0073] In some example embodiments, the processor 202 (and / or co-processor or any other processing circuitry assisting or otherwise associated with the processor) may be in communication with the memory 204 via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus 200. The memory 204 is non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory204 may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer-readable storage medium). The memory 204 may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus 200 to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment disclosed herein.

[0074] The processor 202 may be embodied in a number of different ways and may, for example, include one or more processing devices configured to perform independently. In some non-limiting embodiments, the processor 202 may include one or more processors configured in tandem via a bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and / or multithreading. The use of the term “processor” may be understood to include a single core processor, a multi-core processor, multiple processors internal to the apparatus 200, and / or remote or “cloud” processors.

[0075] In some example embodiments, the processor 202 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 204 and / or circuitry otherwise accessible to the processor 202. In some example embodiments, the processor 202 may be configured to execute hard- coded functionalities. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processor 202 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment disclosed herein while configured accordingly. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor 202 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor 202 to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed.

[0076] In some example embodiments, the apparatus 200 may optionally include input / output circuitry that may, in turn, be in communication with processor 202 to provide output to a user and / or other entity and, in some example embodiments, to receive an indication of an input. The input / output circuitry may comprise a user interface and may include a display, and may comprise a web user interface, a mobile application, a query-initiating computing device, a kiosk, or the like. In some example embodiments, the input / output circuitry may also include a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a touch screen, touch areas, soft keys, a microphone, a speaker, or other input / output mechanisms. The processor and / or user interface circuitry comprising the processor may be configured to control one or more functions of one or more user interface elements through computer program instructions (e.g., software and / or firmware) stored on a memory accessible to the processor (e.g., memory 204, and / or the like).

[0077] The network interface 206 may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and / or transmit data from / to a network, e.g., one or more of the RAN components 120 and / or any other device, circuitry, or module in communication with the apparatus 200. In this regard, the network interface 206 may include, for example, a network interface for enabling communications with a wired or wireless communication network. For example, the network interface 206 may include one or more network interface cards, antennae, buses, switches, routers, modems, and supporting hardware and / or software, or any other device suitable for enabling communications via a network. Additionally, or alternatively, the network interface 206 may include the circuitry for interacting with the antenna / antennae to cause transmission of signals via the antenna / antennae or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna / antennae.

[0078] For inter-band carrier aggregation (CA) / E-UTRAN new radio dual connectivity (EN- DC) / dual connectivity (DC) combinations (generically referenced as CA hereinafter), various factors may permit exceptions to the sensitivity requirements of the UE, thereby potentially allowing a relaxation through the MSD value. As such, a method, apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment provide for signaling by the UE, such as non-Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, to the network that the UE has a performance that goes beyond the specification and its definition of MSD values so as to allow the reference sensitivity parameter to be further relaxed. Such further relaxation may be attractive to UEs since the UEs may then be configured by the network with CA combinations that the network otherwise would not utilize. The network may also benefit from the further relaxation of the reference sensitivity parameter by granting CA configurations to the UE having better performance than provided for by the specification.

[0079] Different types of sources in the UE may lead to relaxation of the reference sensitivity parameter through MSD. These sources may be categorized into two different groups with one group 310 having only one uplink (UL) component carrier being configured and a second group 320 having two UL component carriers configured as shown in FIG. 3. In the depicted embodiment, the first group 310 includes any one or more of three MSD types: Uplink (UL) harmonics 312, harmonic mixing 314, and / or cross band interference (e.g., generically referenced as cross band hereinafter) 316. UL harmonics 312 may cause selfinterference in one or more downlink (DL) component carriers (CC) due to the harmonics of the UL of the CC falling within the DL CC bandwidth. Harmonic mixing 314 may cause self-interference when the UL or the UL harmonics coincides with the DL harmonics ofone or more DL components, while cross band 316 may be an expression of selfinterference when an output spectrum of the UL component carrier falls within the DL component carrier bandwidth.

[0080] With further reference to FIG. 3, in various embodiments, the second group 320 includes at least Inter-Modulation Distortion (IMD). Inter-modulation distortion may occur when two or more UL component carriers inter-modulate, e.g., mix, and the product of the inter-modulation results in the UL component carriers falling within a receiver bandwidth of at least one of the DL component carriers.

[0081] FIG. 4 illustrates a graph 400 of maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) types in the band combination CA_n2-n77, that is, upon carrier aggregation of the n2 and n77 bands. The x-axis 402 is the n2 frequency division duplex (FDD) channel allocation for UL followed by the n2 frequency division duplex (FDD) channel allocation for DL, while the y-axis 404 band is the n77 time division duplex (TDD) channel allocation. Depending upon the channel allocation within the n2 and n77 bands, all four types of MSD are possible with the four types being specified with different MSD values. As shown in FIG. 4, IMD2 has the highest MSD value of 34.75 dB and cross band has the lowest MSD value of 1 dB occurring only for power class 2 devices. In some instances, the MSD values, such as those depicted in FIG. 4, that are determined after establishing a connected mode or at reconfiguration and / or while in the connected mode are lower than the prospective MSD values that are predefined for both the UE 110 and the network component 120 by means of a table of MSD values as defined by the specification in advance of connection by the UE. As such, the method, apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment allow for definition of the MSD values upon entering and / or while in the connected mode and, in instances in which those MSD values are different, e.g., less, than the prospective MSD values that are predefined in advance of the connection by the UE, for provision of the more recently defined MSD values to the network to permit the network to redefine the resource allocation based thereupon.

[0082] FIG. 5 illustrates an approach to providing MSD information. In this regard, the network 120 is configured to transmit a request for a user equipment (UE) capability including for maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) information. The request may include network band combination information identifying, for example, the bands supported by the operator for UL and DL communication. See operation 1. In turn, the UE 110 may be configured to transmit a response to the network 120 that includes information regarding the UE capabilities including MSD information. However, the MSD informationincluding the prospective MSD values that are provided by the UE 110 to the network 120 are static and may be the MSD values defined by the 3GPP TS 38.101 specification. The MSD information as defined by the 3GPP TS 38.101 specification takes into account all possible band combinations and may include table(s) with entries for the band(s) interfered, the interference source band, the interference type, e.g., UL harmonics, harmonic mixing, cross band and / or inter-modulation distortion, interference order, MSD level, zero range, power class of aggressor, power back-off and / or fallback band combination if >2CA. Because of its size, this exchange of tables therefore consumes substantial resources in terms of memory usage, messaging formats and data size.

[0083] The static MSD values provided to the network 120 may be reported as a one-time configuration, such as for the worst-case frequency allocation. As a result, a change in channel assignment, physical resource block (PRB) assignment, output power and / or the like may alter the MSD value significantly such that the actual MSD value is different than the static MSD value provided by the UE. However, the approach of FIG. 5 that relies upon static MSD values cannot compensate for specific use cases, such as cases in which the used channels or channel bandwidth harmonics only partly overlap, as opposed to a full overlap that creates more interference as contemplated by the worst-case frequency allocation upon which the static MSD values are based. Similarly, the proposed approach that relies upon static MSD values does not compensate for instances in which the UE performs better than reported to the network or if the network measures better performance than reported by the UE. By relying upon static MSD values that do not take into account the actual performance, reductions in the MSD values from the statically-defined MSD values, have not been provided, thereby limiting the resulting network configurations and potentially resulting in sub-optimal performance.

[0084] In accordance with an example embodiment, the UE and the network are configured to communicate MSD information after having established an RRC connected mode or at reconfiguration. By basing the MSD values upon the configuration provided by the network, such as the bands and band combinations identified by the network, upon establishing the RRC connected mode or at reconfiguration, that are to be utilized by the UE and the network to communicate, MSD values may be provided that takes the actual configuration into account. The MSD values that are provided based upon the actual configuration may be different than, e.g., less than, those that are statically-defined for a worst-case frequency allocation and, as a result, may permit improved network configuration. Additionally or alternatively, the MSD values may be dynamically andrepeatedly determined by the UE and reported to the network while in the connected mode so that any further improvements, e.g., reductions, in the MSD values are provided to the network for further enhancing the network configuration.

[0085] In addition to providing MSD values that take into account the actual configuration, the method, apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment need not necessarily transmit the large amounts of MSD information, such as the table(s) of MSD values predefined, for example, by the governing specification, but can, instead, initially transmit a more limited set of MSD information upon registration followed by the transmission of MSD values that take into account the actual configuration. Thus, resources, such as memory usage, messaging formats and data size, may be conserved. For example, the network need not store substantial quantities of MSD information for every registered UE and can, instead, store and utilize the more limited set of MSD information.

[0086] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate an example implementation of a signal flow in accordance with an example embodiment in which the UE 110 is configured to determine and provide one or more MSD values to the network 120. At operation 1 of FIG. 6 A, the network 120, e.g., an access point, may provide the UE110 with information to assist in the evaluation of maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) performance. In various embodiments, the information may include information regarding one or more band combinations, channel ranges for the one or more band combinations, channel allocations, frequency ranges, and / or the like that the network is configured to use. The network may provide this information in various messages, such as in different RRC messages as shown in operations 2, 3, and 6 below. For example, at operation 2, the network 120 may be configured to transmit one or more system information block(s) (SIBs) that provides the UE 110 with one or more channel ranges per band and / or a potential carrier aggregation (CA) combination list.

[0087] With further reference to FIG. 6A, in various embodiments, the network 120 may transmit a request for the UE 110 to provide information regarding the UE’s capabilities including the UE’s capabilities to provide MSD information. See operation 3. In conjunction with this request, the network 120 of an example embodiment may provide information regarding the channel range per frequency band and one or more potential CA combinations, thereby limiting the number of use cases upon which the UE will report and correspondingly conserving resources. At operation 4, the UE 110 may be configured to transmit capability information including information informing the network 120 that the UE is capable of providing MSD information after establishment of the RRC connectedmode or at reconfiguration and optionally once in the connected mode. If the UE is capable of providing MSD information after establishment of the RRC connected mode or at reconfiguration and optionally once in the connected mode, the UE capability information may also identify or define the media access control (MAC) control element (CE) that will be used to provide the MSD information. In some embodiments, the UE capability information may also provide MSD values for the potential CA combination list and the channel range per band that were provided by the network in operation 3 if the MSD values for the potential CA combination list and the channel range per band are different, e.g., lower, than those that have been predefined, such as by the TS 38.101 specification. As used herein, the MSD values that are predefined, such as by the TS 38.101 or other governing specification as well as any MSD values provided in operation 4 based on the potential CA combination list and the channel range per band are termed prospective MSD values as these MSD values are proved prior to establishing a connected mode.

[0088] At operations 5 and 6 of FIG. 6A, the network 120, e.g., an access point, may be further configured to transmit one or more activation signals, such as an RRC release to the UE 110. The one or more activation signals may be configured to indicate that the UE 110 should begin providing the network 120 with feedback in the form of one or more MSD values feedback based at least in part on a measurement setup or a RRC configuration message. In some embodiments, the activation signal may be further configured to indicate that the UE 110 should begin performing MSD estimation follow RRC setup and / or reconfiguration (and optionally to also perform MSD estimation on a repeated basis once in the connected mode) and may again provide information regarding the potential CA combinations and the channel range per frequency band to limit the band combinations and / or channel allocation that UE 110 may consider, thereby permitting he UE to perform MSD estimation more efficiently by limiting the band combinations and / or channel allocations to consider. In some embodiments, the UE 110 may be further configured to prepare tables or other compilations of one or more MSD values. In this example embodiment, the one or more tables may comprise the MSD values in worst case scenarios. The one or more tables may be generated based at least in part on information received, such as in operations 2, 3, and / or 6, from the network 120. The network 120 may also provide information regarding the periodicity with which the MSD values are to be repeatedly determined while in the connected mode if the UE is configured to repeatedly determine the MSD values while in the connected mode. In some embodiments, the network 120 may further configure the UE 110 to either report one or more MSD values orto not report one or more MSD values. In this regard, the network may configure the UE 110 with an explicit measurement configuration or as part of an RRC setup and / or reconfiguration.

[0089] With reference to FIG. 6B, at operation 7, the UE 110 may define the one or more MSD values to be determined following establishment of the channel configuration based on, for example, the information provided by the network in operation 3 regarding the channel range per frequency band and one or more potential carrier aggregation combinations, and may then begin estimating at least one MSD value based on the actual implementation, such as the potential CA combinations and the channel range per frequency band that were previously identified by the network 120. Based on the network 120 configuration and information, the UE 110 limits the number of MSD estimates, thereby permitting the MSD values to be determined more efficiently. At operation 8, the network 120 may instruct RRC setup and / or reconfiguration with the UE 110. The RRC setup and / or reconfiguration may establish a channel configuration between the network 120 and the UE 110.

[0090] With further reference to FIG. 6B, at operation 9, the UE 110, upon establishing a channel configuration with the network 120, such as immediately after establishing the RRC connected mode or at reconfiguration, may be configured to determine one or more MSD values based upon the channel configuration that has been established and to determine whether the one or more MSD values are different, e.g., less or, in some embodiments, greater, than the prospective MSD values, such as the prospective MSD values predefined by the governing standard or the prospective MSD values previously provided to the network 120 in conjunction with the MSD capability information in operation 4. In an instance in which the one or more MSD values that are determined after RRC setup and / or reconfiguration are determined to be different than, such as better, e.g., less than, those previously provided to the network 120, the UE 110 may transmit the MSD values that are determined after RRC setup and / or reconfiguration to the network 120. See operation 10. In various embodiments, the MSD values determined after RRC setup and / or reconfiguration may differ from the prospective MSD values that were predefined or previously provided to the network prior to connection due to changes in location of the UE, changes in allocation of physical resource blocks, changes in allocation of channel assignment, etc.

[0091] Although various message types may be utilized to transmit the MSD values determined in operation 9 to the network 120 including an RRC message, such as a UE assistance information message, the MSD values determined after RRC setup and / orreconfiguration may be provided by the UE 110 via non-RRC signaling, such as in a MAC CE message which permits the MSD information to be transmitted by the UE at any time to and utilized by the network in an expeditious manner. See operation 10 of FIG. 6B. In addition to the MSD values, the message, such as the MAC CE message, may also include information regarding the interference that leads to the MSD values including, for example, the interference type, interference source and / or interference order. In various embodiments, the information may further comprise information regarding the order of an UL harmonic direct-hit, harmonic mixing, and / or intermodulation distortion, information regarding bandwidths of the UL and DL that experience the UL harmonic direct-hit, harmonic mixing, and / or cross-band isolation, information regarding the power class of the UL of the UE that creates the UL harmonic direct -hit, harmonic mixing, intermodulation distortion, and / or cross-band isolation, and / or the like. In some embodiments, for each band combination that may support a lower MSD value, the UE 110 may provide the network 120 with an MSD type (e.g., intermodulation distortion (IMD), harmonic direct-hit (HD), the receiver local oscillator (Rx LO) harmonic, etc.), the supported impairment improvement (e.g., IMD2, IMD4, HD2, HD3, etc. representing different types of IMD, HD, etc. from those that create the interference), the band that experiences the interference and the associated lower MSD value.

[0092] Based on the MSD values, the network 120, such as a network node, e.g., access point, may be configured to update its configuration with the UE 110, such as for improved performance, increased efficiency, etc. The network 120, such as a network node, e.g., access point, may also utilize the interference information provided by the message, such as the MAC CE message, in relation to its subsequent configuration of the UE in order to cause the MSD values to be further altered, such as by modifying the configuration to have a different overlap between frequency bands.

[0093] The one or more MSD values that are determined by the UE 110 after establishment of the connection mode or at reconfiguration may be defined in various manners including as an absolute value, a relative value, a level, a threshold or a threshold range table. For example, the MSD value may be defined as an absolute value, such that, the MSD value is set to a specific value (e.g., -98dBM). In some embodiments, the MSD value is defined as a relative value, such that, the MSD value is equal to 24.6dB, wherein the MSD value is relative to 3GPP TS 38.101. In other embodiments, the MSD value is defined as a level value that is equal to a bit solution (e.g., 000, 001, 010, Oil, 100, 101, 110, 111, and / or the like), wherein the bit solution may comprise a maximum threshold that is dependent on theMSD capability class of the UE (e.g., 21dB). In some embodiments, the UE may be configured to use two or three bits for the level value. The level value may additionally or alternatively be defined by the UE capability class (e.g., I, II, . . ., VIII, and / or the like). In some embodiments, the MSD value is defined as a threshold value, wherein the threshold value is defined by the UE in an incremental pattern (e.g., 0, 3, ..., 21dB). In further embodiments, the MSD value is defined as threshold range table, wherein the threshold range table may be defined in increments of 5dB (e.g., 0-5dB, 5-10dB, 10-15dB, 15-20dB, 20-25dB, 25-30dB, 30-35dB, 35-40dB, etc.).

[0094] In an example embodiment, the MSD value(s) that is determined by the UE 110 following establishment of the connected mode or at reconfiguration may be compared by the UE to a threshold value in order to determine whether to report the MSD value(s) to the network 120. For example, the MSD value(s) may be reported to the network if less than the threshold, but not if greater than the threshold. In an example embodiment, a plurality of different levels i (also known as threshold levels Th;) are defined. In an instance in which the prospective MSD values satisfy a first threshold level, the MSD values determined by the UE following establishment of the connected mode or at reconfiguration must satisfy a lower threshold level relative to the first threshold level in order to be reported to the network, thereby ensuring that the reported MSD values improve by at least a predetermined amount measured, for example, in dB relative to the prospective MSD values. Although different threshold levels may be defined in different embodiments, one or more thresholds may be defined at 15 dB, 20 dB and 25 dB so that the following ranges are established 0~15dB, 0~20dB, and 0~25 dB. Although the same thresholds may be utilized for different types of MSD values, different thresholds may be established in other embodiments for the different types of MSD values.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 6C, at operation 11, while the UE 110 is connected with the network 120, the UE 110 may be configured to evaluate, such as by repeatedly evaluating on, for example, a periodic basis, whether the actual channel conditions allow the UE 110 to perform better in terms of the MSD values than the prospective MSD values or the MSD values that were previously reported to the network 120, such as in operation 10, (herein collectively referred to as prior MSD values). The UE 110 may be configured to determine that the MSD values are better than the prospective MSD values or the MSD values that were previously reported to the network 120 in an instance in which second MSD values that are determined while the UE is connected to the network are different, such as less, than the prior MSD values. The performance of the UE may be better in terms of the secondMSD values for various reasons including in an instance in which only a portion of a channel experiences interference (e.g., self-interference, interference with another UE, etc.) while the UE is connected, while the prior MSD values were based on an assumption of interference over the entirety of the channel. In this regard, a partial overlap of at least one channel may result in less interference of the UE 110 than a full overlap of the channel. The one or more second MSD values that are determined by the UE 110 while in the connected mode may be defined in various manners including as an absolute value, a relative value, a level, a threshold, or a threshold range table.

[0096] At operation 12, the UE 110 may be configured to evaluate the one or more second MSD values that were determined while in the connected mode to determine if the performance of the UE is better than originally reported. The prior MSD values may differ from the second MSD values that ae now determined in the connected mode for various reasons including due to change in location of the UE 110, a change of physical resource block allocation, a change of channel assignment, etc. As described above, the determination as whether the second MSD values are better may result from a comparison of the MSD values or a requirement that the second MSD value determined while in the connected mode is better than the prior MSD value by a predefined amount. At operation 13, the UE 110 may be configured to transmit the second MSD value determined while in the connected mode to the network 120, such as in a MAC CE message, in an instance in which the second MSD value determined while in the connected mode satisfies a reporting criteria such as by being better, e.g., less than the prior MSD values. As described above, the message, such as the MAC CE message, that provides the second MSD value in operation 13 may optionally also include information regarding the interference that at least partially defines the second MSD value, such as information regarding the interference type, the source of interference, the order of interference, whether the channels fully or partly overlap, etc. At operation 14, the UE may optionally be further configured to repeat operations 11-13 repeatedly, such as on a periodic basis, thereby allowing for an update to be provided to the network of the MSD values in an instance in which the MSD values change while in the connected mode. Additionally, while operations 11-13 are described to be performed while in the connected mode, operations 11-13 may alternatively be performed while the UE is in an inactive mode. In various embodiments, the repeated updating of at least one MSD value allows the UE 110 to further improve the MSD value by taking into account the impact of changes to physical location, physical resource blocks, channels, etc. upon the interference experienced by the UE while in the connected mode.

[0097] In the embodiment of FIGS. 6A-6B, MSD values are determined after establishing a connected mode or at reestablishment as shown in operation 9 as well as while in connected mode as shown in operation 11. However, other embodiments may determine MSD values in only one of these stages. For example, MSD values may be determined after establishing a connected mode or at reestablishment as shown in operation 9 without determining MSD values while in the connected mode. Conversely, MSD values may be determined, such as on a repeated basis, while in the connected mode as shown in operation 11 without determining MSD values after establishing the connected mode or at reconfiguration.

[0098] Referring now to FIGS. 7-8, example flowcharts are provided of the operations performed by an apparatus, such as the apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 embodied by at least one UE in FIG. 7 and / or by at least one network element, e.g., access point, in FIG. 8.

[0099] Referring now to FIG. 7, a method 700 is illustrated that can be carried out by an apparatus as embodied by a UE with the apparatus 200 including means, such as the processor 202, the memory 204, or the like, for determining one or more MSD value(s) based on a channel configuration established between the UE and a network element. See block 702. The channel configuration that is established between the UE and the network element at RRC setup or reconfiguration, such as after, e.g., immediately after, establishing the RRC connected mode or upon channel reconfiguration.

[0100] The apparatus 200 of this example embodiment also includes means, such as the processor 202, the memory 204, or the like, for evaluating whether one or more MSD value(s) satisfies a reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were determined in advance of the establishment of the channel configuration. See block 704. As described above, the prospective MSD values may be predefined MSD values provided by the governing specification and / or MSD values provided by the UE in advance of RRC setup or reconfiguration, such as in response to information provided by the network regarding the channel range per band and the potential carrier aggregation combinations. Various reporting criteria may be defined including the one or more MSD values being different than, e.g., less than, the prospective MSD values, or the one or more MSD values differing from the prospective MSD values by at least a threshold amount.

[0101] In an instance in which the reporting criteria is satisfied, the apparatus 200 further includes means, such as the processor 202, the network interface 206, or the like, for causing the one or more MSD value(s) that are determined after establishment of the channel configuration to be provided to a network element utilizing non-RRC signaling, such as by utilizing a MAC CE message. See block 706. In addition to providing the oneor more MSD values to the network, the apparatus 200 of an example embodiment may also include means, such as the processor 202, the network interface 206 or the like, for causing information regarding interference that impacts the one or more evaluated MSD values to also be provided within the MAC CE in combination with the one or more MSD values. Various types of interference information may be provided including information regarding the interference type, source and / or order.

[0102] In an example embodiment, the UE, while in a connected mode or an inactive mode, may additionally or alternatively dynamically determine one or more second MSD value(s). Thus, the apparatus 20 of an example embodiment may include means, such as the processor 202 or the like, for dynamically determining one or more second MSD values and means, such as the processor or the like, for evaluating whether the one or more second MSD values that are dynamically determined satisfy a second reporting criteria relative to the prospective MSD values and any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element, such as described above in relation to operation 10 of FIG 6B and operation 706 of FIG. 7. The second reporting criteria may be the same as the reporting criteria utilized in conjunction with operation 704. Alternatively, the second reporting criteria may differ from the reporting criteria utilized in conjunction with operation 704 and may require the second MSD values to differ from, such as by being less than, the prospective MSD values and any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element by a different amount, such as a larger or smaller amount, than the threshold amount utilized in conjunction with the reporting criteria of operation 704. In an instance in which the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined satisfy the second reporting criteria relative to the one or more prospective MSD values and any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element, the apparatus of this example embodiment includes means, such as the processor, the network interface 204 or the like, for causing the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided to the network element utilizing the non-RRC signaling, such as by utilizing another MAC CE message. The MAC CE message of this example embodiment may optionally also include information regarding the interference that impacts the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined, such as the interference type, source and / or order.

[0103] This dynamic determination and evaluation of one or more second MSD values may be repeated on a periodic basis in some example embodiments. Additionally, while described to be performed in conjunction with the dynamic determination and evaluation of one ormore second MSD values may also be performed independent of or instead of the determination of one or more MSD values after establishing the connected mode or at reconfiguration. For example, MSD values may be determined after establishing a connected mode or at reestablishment without determining second MSD values while in the connected mode. Conversely, second MSD values may be determined, such as on a repeated basis, while in the connected mode without determining MSD values after establishing the connected mode or at reconfiguration.

[0104] Referring now to FIG. 8, a method 800 is illustrated that can be carried out by an apparatus as embodied by a network element with the apparatus 200 including means, such as the processor 202, the memory 204, the network interface 206, or the like, for receiving one or more MSD values based on the channel configuration as established that satisfy a reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were defined in advance of the establishment of the channel configuration. See block 802. The one or more MSD values are received via non-RRC signaling, such as by utilizing a MAC CE message, and may optionally include interference information, such as information regarding the interference type, source and / or order. The reporting criteria is described above in relation to operation 704 of FIG. 7, but, in one embodiment requires the one or more MSD values to be different, e.g., less, than the one or more prospective MSD values. The channel configuration may be established upon establishment of an RRC connected mode or upon channel reconfiguration. In various embodiment, the network element may be configured to receive the one or more MSD value(s) following the establishment of a channel configuration between the network element and at least one user equipment.

[0105] In an example embodiment, while in a connected mode or inactive mode, the apparatus 20 includes means, such as the processor 202, the network interface 206 or the like, for receiving one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined and that satisfy a second reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values any other MSD values that were previously reported to the network element. The second reporting criteria may be the same as the reporting criteria described above in conjunction with operation 802. Alternatively, the second reporting criteria may differ from the reporting criteria utilized in conjunction with operation 802 and may require the second MSD values to differ from, such as by being less than, the prospective MSD values and any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element by a different amount, such as a larger or smaller amount, than the threshold amount utilized in conjunction with the reporting criteria of operation 802. The one or more second MSD values are also received via non-RRC signaling, such as via another MAC control element. Along with the one or more second MSD values, the MAC control element may also provide information regarding interference that impacts the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined, such as information regarding the interference type, source and / or order.

[0106] The apparatus 200 further includes means, such as the processor 202, the memory 204, or the like, for defining a resource allocation based on the one or more MSD values that are based on the channel configuration. See block 804. As such, the provision of the MSD values following establishment of a channel configuration may provide for improved operation of the network.

[0107] It should be appreciated that the embodiments described herein are not restricted to the system that is given as an example, such as a 5G system, and that a person skilled in the art may apply the solution to other communication systems including 6G or other communication systems being developed or to be developed in the future. Additionally, although some embodiments described herein in the context of a base station, the method may be performed by other types of network entities in accordance with other example embodiments.

[0108] Furthermore, implementations of the various techniques described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. Implementations may be implemented as a computer program product, e.g., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a machine-readable storage device or in a propagated signal, for execution by, or to control the operation of, a data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers. Implementations may also be provided on a computer readable medium or computer readable storage medium, which may be a non-transitory medium. Implementations of the various techniques may also include implementations provided via transitory signals or media, and / or programs and / or software implementations that are downloadable via the Internet or other network(s), either wired networks and / or wireless networks.

[0109] The computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some sort of carrier, distribution medium, or computer readable medium, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. Such carriers include a record medium, computer memory, read-only memory, photoelectrical and / or electrical carrier signal, telecommunications signal, and software distribution package, for example. Depending on the processing power needed, thecomputer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer, or it may be distributed amongst a number of computers.

[0110] A computer program, such as the computer program(s) described herein, can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit or part of it suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

[0111] The operations of the method may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing a computer program or computer program portions to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The operations of the method also may be performed by, and an apparatus may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application- specific integrated circuit).

[0112] It will be understood that each block of the flowchart(s) and combination of blocks in the flowchart(s) can be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry, and / or other communication devices associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described herein can be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described herein can be stored, for example, by memory 204 of the apparatus 200 associated with the user equipment 110 or other apparatuses employing an embodiment of the subject disclosure and executed by the processor 202. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions can be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (for example, hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus implements the functions specified in the blocks of the flowchart(s). These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer- readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture the execution of which implements the function specified in the blocks of the flowchart(s). The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the blocks of the flowchart.

[0113] Accordingly, blocks of the flowchart(s) support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowchart(s), and combinations of blocks in the flowchart(s), can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0114] Many modifications and other embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method comprising: following establishment of a channel configuration, determining one or more maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values based on the channel configuration as established; evaluating whether the one or more MSD values satisfy a reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were determined in advance of the establishment of the channel configuration; and in an instance in which the one or more MSD values satisfy the reporting criteria relative to the one or more prospective MSD values, causing the one or more MSD values to be provided to a network element utilizing non-radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating whether the one or more MSD values satisfy the reporting criteria comprises determining whether the one or more MSD values are different than the one or more prospective MSD values.

3. The method of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein causing the one or more MSD values to be provided to the network element utilizing the non-RRC signaling comprises causing the one or more MSD values to be provided within a medium access control (MAC) control element.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein causing the one or more MSD values to be provided within the MAC control element comprises causing information regarding interference that impacts the one or more MSD values to be provided within the MAC control element in combination with the one or more MSD values.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one or more MSD values are determined based on the channel configuration after establishment of a RRC connected mode or channel reconfiguration.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: while in a connected mode or inactive mode, dynamically determining one or more second MSD values;evaluating whether the one or more second MSD values that are dynamically determined satisfy a second reporting criteria relative to at least one of the following: one or more prospective MSD values or any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element; and in an instance in which the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined satisfy the second reporting criteria relative to the one or more prospective MSD values and any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element, causing the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided to the network element utilizing the non-RRC signaling.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein causing the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided to the network element comprises causing the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided within another MAC control element along with information regarding interference that impacts the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined.

8. The method of any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the one or more second MSD values are repeatedly dynamically determined and evaluated while in the connected mode or inactive mode.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising causing the network element to be informed of a capability to provide the one or more MSD values following establishment of the channel configuration.

10. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: prior to establishing the channel configuration, receiving information from the network element regarding a channel range per frequency band and regarding one or more potential carrier aggregation combinations; and defining the one or more MSD values to be determined following establishment of the channel configuration.

11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the one or more MSD values one or more second MSD values are defined as an absolute value, a relative value, a level, a threshold, or a threshold range table.

12. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: following establishment of a channel configuration, determine one or more maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values based on the channel configuration as established; evaluate whether the one or more MSD values satisfy a reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were determined in advance of the establishment of the channel configuration; and in an instance in which the one or more MSD values satisfy the reporting criteria relative to the one or more prospective MSD values, cause the one or more MSD values to be provided to a network element utilizing non-radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is caused to evaluate whether the one or more MSD values satisfy the reporting criteria by determining whether the one or more MSD values are different than the one or more prospective MSD values.

14. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the apparatus is caused to cause the one or more MSD values to be provided to the network element utilizing the non-RRC signaling by causing the one or more MSD values to be provided within a medium access control (MAC) control element.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus is caused to cause the one or more MSD values to be provided within the MAC control element by causing information regarding interference that impacts the one or more MSD values to be provided within the MAC control element in combination with the one or more MSD values.

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the one or more MSD values are determined based on the channel configuration after establishment of a RRC connected mode or channel reconfiguration.

17. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: while in a connected mode or inactive mode, dynamically determine one or more second MSD values; evaluate whether the one or more second MSD values that are dynamically determined satisfy a second reporting criteria relative to at least one of the following: one or more prospective MSD values or any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element; and in an instance in which the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined satisfy the second reporting criteria relative to the one or more prospective MSD values and any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element, cause the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided to the network element utilizing the non-RRC signaling.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is caused to cause the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided to the network element by causing the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided within another MAC control element along with information regarding interference that impacts the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined.

19. The method of any one of claims 17 or 18, wherein the one or more second MSD values are repeatedly dynamically determined and evaluated while in the connected mode or inactive mode20. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network element to be informed of a capability to provide the one or more MSD values following establishment of the channel configuration.

21. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to:prior to establishing the channel configuration, receive information from the network element regarding a channel range per frequency band and regarding one or more potential carrier aggregation combinations; and define the one or more MSD values to be determined following establishment of the channel configuration.

22. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 21, wherein the one or more MSD values one or more second MSD values are defined as an absolute value, a relative value, a level, a threshold, or a threshold range table.

23. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions stored thereon that are configured to perform at least the following: following establishment of a channel configuration, determining one or more maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values based on the channel configuration as established; evaluating whether the one or more MSD values satisfy a reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were determined in advance of the establishment of the channel configuration; and in an instance in which the one or more MSD values satisfy the reporting criteria relative to the one or more prospective MSD values, causing the one or more MSD values to be provided to a network element utilizing non-radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

24. An apparatus comprising: following establishment of a channel configuration, means for determining one or more maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values based on the channel configuration as established; means for evaluating whether the one or more MSD values satisfy a reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were determined in advance of the establishment of the channel configuration; and in an instance in which the one or more MSD values satisfy the reporting criteria relative to the one or more prospective MSD values, means for causing the one or more MSDvalues to be provided to a network element utilizing non-radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the means for evaluating whether the one or more MSD values satisfy the reporting criteria comprise means for determining whether the one or more MSD values are different than the one or more prospective MSD values.

26. The apparatus of any one of claims 24 or 25, wherein the means for causing the one or more MSD values to be provided to the network element utilizing the non-RRC signaling comprise means for causing the one or more MSD values to be provided within a medium access control (MAC) control element.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for causing the one or more MSD values to be provided within the MAC control element comprises means for causing information regarding interference that impacts the one or more MSD values to be provided within the MAC control element in combination with the one or more MSD values.

28. The apparatus of any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein the one or more MSD values are determined based on the channel configuration after establishment of a RRC connected mode or channel reconfiguration.

29. The apparatus of any one of claims 24 to 28, further comprising: while in a connected mode or inactive mode, means for dynamically determining one or more second MSD values; means for evaluating whether the one or more second MSD values that are dynamically determined satisfy a second reporting criteria relative to at least one of the following: one or more prospective MSD values or any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element; and in an instance in which the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined satisfy the second reporting criteria relative to the one or more prospective MSD values or any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element, means for causing the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided to the network element utilizing the non-RRC signaling.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the means for causing the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided to the network element comprises means for causing the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined to be provided within another MAC control element along with information regarding interference that impacts the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined.

31. The apparatus of any one of claims 29 or 30, wherein the one or more second MSD values are repeatedly dynamically determined and evaluated while in the connected mode or inactive mode.

32. The apparatus of any one of claims 24 to 31, further comprising means for causing the network element to be informed of a capability to provide the one or more MSD values following establishment of the channel configuration.

33. The apparatus of any one of claims 24 to 32, further comprising: prior to establishing the channel configuration, means for receiving information from the network element regarding a channel range per frequency band and regarding one or more potential carrier aggregation combinations; and means for defining the one or more MSD values to be determined following establishment of the channel configuration.

34. The apparatus of any one of claims 24 to 33, wherein the one or more MSD values one or more second MSD values are defined as an absolute value, a relative value, a level, a threshold, or a threshold range table.

35. A method comprising: following establishment of a channel configuration, receiving, via non-radio resource control (RRC) signaling, one or more maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values based on the channel configuration as established that satisfy a reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were defined in advance of the establishment of the channel configuration; and defining a resource allocation based on the one or more MSD values that are based on the channel configuration.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein satisfaction of the reporting criteria comprises the one or more MSD values being different than the one or more prospective MSD values.

37. The method of any one of claims 35 or 36, wherein receiving the one or more MSD values comprises receiving the one or more MSD values within a medium access control (MAC) control element.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein receiving the one or more MSD values within the MAC control element comprises receiving information regarding interference that impacts the one or more MSD values within the MAC control element in combination with the one or more MSD values.

39. The method of any one of claims 35 to 38, wherein establishment of the channel configuration comprises establishment of a RRC connected mode or channel reconfiguration.

40. The method of any one of claims 35 to 39, further comprising: while in a connected mode or inactive mode, receiving, via the non-RRC signaling, one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined and that satisfy a second reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values and any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element; and redefining the resource allocation based on the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined while in the connected mode.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein receiving the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined comprises receiving the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined within another MAC control element along with information regarding interference that impacts the one or more MSD values that were dynamically determined.

42. The method of any one of claims 35 to 41, further comprising receiving an indication that a user equipment is capable of providing the one or more MSD values following establishment of the channel configuration.

43. The method of any one of claims 35 to 42, further comprising causing information to be provided, prior to establishing the channel configuration, regarding a channel range per frequency band and regarding one or more potential carrier aggregation combinations.

44. The method of any one of claims 35 to 43, wherein the one or more MSD values and one or more second MSD values are defined as an absolute value, a relative value, a level, a threshold, or a threshold range table.

45. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: following establishment of a channel configuration, receive, via non-radio resource control (RRC) signaling, one or more maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values based on the channel configuration as established that satisfy a reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were defined in advance of the establishment of the channel configuration; and define a resource allocation based on the one or more MSD values that are based on the channel configuration.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein satisfaction of the reporting criteria comprises the one or more MSD values being different than the one or more prospective MSD values.

47. The apparatus of any one of claims 45 or 46, wherein the apparatus is caused to receive the one or more MSD values by receiving the one or more MSD values within a medium access control (MAC) control element.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the apparatus is caused to receive the one or more MSD values within the MAC control element by receiving information regarding interference that impacts the one or more MSD values within the MAC control element in combination with the one or more MSD values.

49. The apparatus of any one of claims 45 to 48, wherein establishment of the channel configuration comprises establishment of a RRC connected mode or channel reconfiguration.

50. The apparatus of any one of claims 45 to 49, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: while in a connected mode or inactive mode, receive, via the non-RRC signaling, one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined and that satisfy a second reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values and any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element; and redefine the resource allocation based on the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined while in the connected mode.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the apparatus is caused to receive the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined by receiving the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined while within another MAC control element along with information regarding interference that impacts the one or more MSD values that were dynamically determined.

52. The apparatus of any one of claims 45 to 51, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to receive an indication that a user equipment is capable of providing the one or more MSD values following establishment of the channel configuration.

53. The apparatus of any one of claims 45 to 52, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to cause information to be provided, prior to establishing the channel configuration, regarding a channel range per frequency band and regarding one or more potential carrier aggregation combinations.

54. The apparatus of any one of claims 45 to 53, wherein the one or more MSD values and one or more second MSD values are defined as an absolute value, a relative value, a level, a threshold, or a threshold range table.

55. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions stored thereon that are configured to perform at least the following: following establishment of a channel configuration, receiving, via non-radio resource control (RRC) signaling, one or more maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values based on the channel configuration as established that satisfy a reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were defined in advance of the establishment of the channel configuration; and defining a resource allocation based on the one or more MSD values that are based on the channel configuration.

56. An apparatus comprising: following establishment of a channel configuration, means for receiving, via nonradio resource control (RRC) signaling, one or more maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) values based on the channel configuration as established that satisfy a reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values that were defined in advance of the establishment of the channel configuration; and means for defining a resource allocation based on the one or more MSD values that are based on the channel configuration.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein satisfaction of the reporting criteria comprises the one or more MSD values being different than the one or more prospective MSD values.

58. The apparatus of any one of claims 57 or 57, wherein the means for receiving the one or more MSD values comprise means for receiving the one or more MSD values within a medium access control (MAC) control element.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the means for receiving the one or more MSD values within the MAC control element comprise means for receiving informationregarding interference that impacts the one or more MSD values within the MAC control element in combination with the one or more MSD values.

60. The apparatus of any one of claims 56 to 59, wherein establishment of the channel configuration comprises establishment of a RRC connected mode or channel reconfiguration.

61. The apparatus of any one of claims 56 to 60, further comprising: while in a connected mode or inactive mode, means for receiving, via the non-RRC signaling, one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined and that satisfy a second reporting criteria relative to one or more prospective MSD values and any MSD values that were previously reported to the network element; and means for redefining the resource allocation based on the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined while in the connected mode.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein receiving the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined comprises receiving the one or more second MSD values that were dynamically determined within another MAC control element along with information regarding interference that impacts the one or more MSD values that were dynamically determined.

63. The apparatus of any one of claims 56 to 62, further comprising means for receiving an indication that a user equipment is capable of providing the one or more MSD values following establishment of the channel configuration.

64. The apparatus of any one of claims 56 to 63, further comprising means for causing information to be provided, prior to establishing the channel configuration, regarding a channel range per frequency band and regarding one or more potential carrier aggregation combinations.

65. The apparatus of any one of claims 56 to 64, wherein the one or more MSD values and one or more second MSD values are defined as an absolute value, a relative value, a level, a threshold, or a threshold range table.

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