Reduced cell measurement and reporting for wireless networks

Abstract

A method includes transmitting, by a user device to a network node, a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; receiving a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells and how cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; measuring signals from the subset of cells indicated by the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to obtain multiple cell measurements; combining, based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, the multiple cell measurements into one or more values to be reported to the network node, wherein a number of the one or more values to be reported is less than a number of the cell measurements; and, transmitting one or more measurement reports including the one or more values.

Description

REDUCED CELL MEASUREMENT AND REPORTING FOR WIRELESS NETWORKSTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This description relates to wireless communications.BACKGROUND

[0002] A communication system may be a facility that enables communication between two or more nodes or devices, such as fixed or mobile communication devices. Signals can be carried on wired or wireless carriers.

[0003] An example of a cellular communication system is an architecture that is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). A recent development in this field is often referred to as the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology. E-UTRA (evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access) is the air interface of 3GPP's Long Term Evolution (LTE) upgrade path for mobile networks. In LTE, base stations or access points (APs), which are referred to as enhanced Node AP (eNBs), provide wireless access within a coverage area or cell. In LTE, mobile devices, or mobile stations are referred to as user equipments (UE). LTE has included a number of improvements or developments. Aspects of LTE are also continuing to improve.

[0004] 5G New Radio (NR) development is part of a continued mobile broadband evolution process to meet the requirements of 5G, similar to earlier evolution of 3G and 4G wireless networks. In addition, 5G is also targeted at the new emerging use cases in addition to mobile broadband. A goal of 5G is to provide significant improvement in wireless performance, which may include new levels of data rate, latency, reliability, and security. 5G NR may also scale to efficiently connect the massive Internet of Things (loT) and may offer new types of mission-critical services. For example, ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC) devices may require high reliability and very low latency. 6G and other networks are also being developed.SUMMARY

[0005] A method may include transmitting, by a user device to a network node, a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; receiving, by the user device from the network node, a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; measuring, by the user device, signals from the subset of cells indicated by the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to obtain multiple cell measurements; combining, by the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, the multiple cell measurements into one or more values to be reported to the network node, wherein a number of the one or more values to be reported is less than a number of the cell measurements; and transmitting, by the user device, to the network node, one or more measurement reports including the one or more values.

[0006] An apparatus may include means for transmitting, by a user device to a network node, a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; means for receiving, by the user device from the network node, a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; means for measuring, by the user device, signals from the subset of cells indicated by the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to obtain multiple cell measurements; means for combining, by the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, the multiple cell measurements into one or more values to be reported to the network node, wherein a number of the one or more values to be reported is less than a number of the cell measurements; and means for transmitting, by the user device, to the network node, one or more measurement reports including the one or more values.

[0007] An apparatus may include at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: transmit, by a user device to a network node, a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; receive, by the user device from the network node, a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset ofcells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; measure, by the user device, signals from the subset of cells indicated by the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to obtain multiple cell measurements; combine, by the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, the multiple cell measurements into one or more values to be reported to the network node, wherein a number of the one or more values to be reported is less than a number of the cell measurements; and transmit, by the user device, to the network node, one or more measurement reports including the one or more values.

[0008] A method may include receiving, by a network node from a user device, a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; transmitting, by the network node to the user device, a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; and receiving, by the network node from the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, one or more measurement reports.

[0009] An apparatus may include means for receiving, by a network node from a user device, a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; means for transmitting, by the network node to the user device, a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; and means for receiving, by the network node from the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, one or more measurement reports.

[0010] An apparatus may include at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, by a network node from a user device, a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; transmit, by the network node to the user device, a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells tobe measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; and receive, by the network node from the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, one or more measurement reports.

[0011] The details of one or more examples of embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. l is a block diagram of a wireless network according to an example embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a user device (e.g., UE).

[0014] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a network node (e.g., gNB).

[0015] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating operation of a network-centric approach for reduced cell measurement and / or reduced measurement reporting.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating operation of a UE-centric approach for reduced cell measurement and / or reduced measurement reporting.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., network node (such as gNB), user node or UE, relay node, or other node).DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network 130 according to an example embodiment. In the wireless network 130 of FIG. 1, user devices 131, 132, 133 and 135, which may also be referred to as mobile stations (MSs) or user equipment (UEs), may be connected (and in communication) with a base station (BS) 134, which may also be referred to as an access point (AP), an enhanced Node B (eNB), a gNB or a network node. The terms user device and user equipment (UE) may be used interchangeably. A BS may also include or may be referred to as a RAN (radio access network) node, and may include a portion of a BS or a portion of a RAN node, such as (e.g., such as a centralized unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU) in the case of a split BS or split gNB). At least part of the functionalities of a BS (e.g., access point (AP), base station (BS) or (e)Node B (eNB), gNB, RAN node) may also be carried out by any node, server or host which may be operably coupled to a transceiver, such as a remote radio head. BS (or AP) 134 provides wireless coverage within a cell 136, including to user devices (or UEs) 131, 132, 133 and 135.Although only four user devices (or UEs) are shown as being connected or attached to BS 134, any number of user devices may be provided. BS 134 is also connected to a core network 150 via a SI interface 151. This is merely one simple example of a wireless network, and others may be used.

[0019] A base station (e.g., such as BS 134) is an example of a radio access network (RAN) node within a wireless network. A BS (or a RAN node) may be or may include (or may alternatively be referred to as), e.g., an access point (AP), a gNB, an eNB, or portion thereof (such as a / centralized unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU) in the case of a split BS or split gNB), or other network node.

[0020] According to an illustrative example, a BS node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, . . .) or a radio access network (RAN) may be part of a mobile telecommunication system. A RAN (radio access network) may include one or more BSs or RAN nodes that implement a radio access technology, e.g., to allow one or more UEs to have access to a network or core network. Thus, for example, the RAN (RAN nodes, such as BSs or gNBs) may reside between one or more user devices or UEs and a core network. According to an example embodiment, each RAN node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, . . .) or BS may provide one or more wireless communication services for one or more UEs or user devices, e.g., to allow the UEs to have wireless access to a network, via the RAN node. Each RAN node or BS may perform or provide wireless communication services, e.g., such as allowing UEs or user devices to establish a wireless connection to the RAN node, and sending data to and / or receiving data from one or more of the UEs. For example, after establishing a connection to a UE, a RAN node or network node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, . . .) may forward data to the UE that is received from a network or the core network, and / or forward data received from the UE to the network or core network. RAN nodes or network nodes (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, . . .) may perform a wide variety of other wireless functions or services, e.g., such as broadcasting control information (e.g., such as system information or on-demand system information) to UEs, paging UEs when there is data to be delivered to the UE, assisting in handover of a UE between cells, scheduling of resources for uplink data transmission from the UE(s) and downlink data transmission to UE(s), sending control information to configure one or more UEs, and the like. These are a few examples of one or more functions that a RAN node or BS may perform.

[0021] A user device or user node (user terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile terminal, handheld wireless device, etc.) may refer to a portable computing device that includes wireless mobile communication devices operating either with or without a subscriberidentification module (SIM), including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: a mobile station (MS), a mobile phone, a cell phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handset, a device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), a laptop and / or touch screen computer, a tablet, a phablet, a game console, a notebook, a vehicle, a sensor, and a multimedia device, as examples, or any other wireless device. It should be appreciated that a user device may also be (or may include) a nearly exclusive uplink only device, of which an example is a camera or video camera loading images or video clips to a network. Also, a user node may include a user equipment (UE), a user device, a user terminal, a mobile terminal, a mobile station, a mobile node, a subscriber device, a subscriber node, a subscriber terminal, or other user node. For example, a user node may be used for wireless communications with one or more network nodes (e.g., gNB, eNB, BS, AP, CU, DU, CU / DU) and / or with one or more other user nodes, regardless of the technology or radio access technology (RAT). In LTE (as an illustrative example), core network 150 may be referred to as Evolved Packet Core (EPC), which may include a mobility management entity (MME) which may handle or assist with mobility / handover of user devices between BSs, one or more gateways that may forward data and control signals between the BSs and packet data networks or the Internet, and other control functions or blocks. Other types of wireless networks, such as 5G (which may be referred to as New Radio (NR)) may also include a core network.

[0022] In addition, the techniques described herein may be applied to various types of user devices or data service types, or may apply to user devices that may have multiple applications running thereon that may be of different data service types. New Radio (5G) development may support a number of different applications or a number of different data service types, such as for example: machine type communications (MTC), enhanced machine type communication (eMTC), Internet of Things (loT), and / or narrowband loT user devices, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), and ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC). Many of these new 5G (NR) - related applications may require generally higher performance than previous wireless networks.

[0023] loT may refer to an ever-growing group of objects that may have Internet or network connectivity, so that these objects may send information to and receive information from other network devices. For example, many sensor type applications or devices may monitor a physical condition or a status, and may send a report to a server or other network device, e.g., when an event occurs. Machine Type Communications (MTC, or Machine to Machine communications) may, for example, be characterized by fully automatic datageneration, exchange, processing and actuation among intelligent machines, with or without intervention of humans. Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) may support much higher data rates than currently available in LTE.

[0024] Ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC) is a new data service type, or new usage scenario, which may be supported for New Radio (5G) systems. This enables emerging new applications and services, such as industrial automations, autonomous driving, vehicular safety, e-health services, and so on. 3 GPP targets in providing connectivity with reliability corresponding to block error rate (BLER) of 10-5 and up to 1 ms U-Plane (user / data plane) latency, by way of illustrative example. Thus, for example, URLLC user devices / UEs may require a significantly lower block error rate than other types of user devices / UEs as well as low latency (with or without requirement for simultaneous high reliability). Thus, for example, a URLLC UE (or URLLC application on a UE) may require much shorter latency, as compared to an eMBB UE (or an eMBB application running on a UE).

[0025] The techniques described herein may be applied to a wide variety of wireless technologies or wireless networks, such as 5G (New Radio (NR)), cmWave, and / or mmWave band networks, loT, MTC, eMTC, eMBB, URLLC, 6G, etc., or any other wireless network or wireless technology. These example networks, technologies or data service types are provided only as illustrative examples.

[0026] UEs (or user devices) may measure signals received from multiple cells. For example, a UE may measure a reference signal receive power (RSRP) or other signal parameter signals received from multiple cells, for reference signals received from multiple cells. Reference signals that may be measured may include, e.g., synchronization signal block (SSB) reference signals, channel state information-reference signals (CSLRS) signals, or other reference signals from many cells. These signal measurements from various cells may be reported to a network node (e.g., gNB) for mobility-related tasks, such as cell reselection and / or handover of the UE to different cells, as necessary. In addition, the UE may need to send many measurement reports to the network node to report these cell measurements, which may consume significant resources. UEs may consume significant energy and resources with measurement and reporting many cells. Furthermore, measured signals from different or various cells may be very similar or significantly correlated.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a UE or user device. Operation 210 includes transmitting, by a user device to a network node, a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports. Operation 220 includes receiving, by the user device from the network node, a reduced cell measurementand reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports. Operation 230 includes measuring, by the user device, signals from the subset of cells indicated by the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to obtain multiple cell measurements. Operation 240 includes combining, by the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, the multiple cell measurements into one or more values to be reported to the network node, wherein a number of the one or more values to be reported is less than a number of the cell measurements. Operation 250 includes transmitting, by the user device, to the network node, one or more measurement reports including the one or more values.

[0028] With respect to the method of FIG. 2, the method may include receiving, by the user device from the network node, an indication of a number of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells; performing cell measurements of the plurality of cells; determining, by the user device, correlation among the plurality of the cell measurements performed by the user device; selecting the subset of cells; transmitting, by the user device to the network node, a proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating the subset of cells for reduced cell measurement based on the correlation; wherein the receiving, by the user device from the network node, the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration comprises receiving, by the user device from the network node, an indication for the user device to use the proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration.

[0029] With respect to the method of FIG. 2, the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration further includes: information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among a plurality of cells, and which may be used to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on one or more of the cell measurements.

[0030] With respect to the method of FIG. 2, the method may include determining, by the user device, correlation among a plurality of the cell measurements performed by the user device for a plurality of cells; transmitting, by the user device to the network node, at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations indicating at least a group of cells for reduced cell measurement based on the correlation; wherein the receiving, by the user device from the network node, the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration may include receiving, by the user device from the network node, an indicationfor the user device to use one of the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations.

[0031] With respect to the method of FIG. 2, the method may include receiving, by the user device from the network node, reconstruction accuracy requirements for a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration used by the user device.

[0032] With respect to the method of FIG. 2, the method may include receiving, by the user device from the network node, cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements for the network to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on measured cell measurements based on a model; wherein the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations satisfy the cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements.

[0033] With respect to the method of FIG. 2, the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration may indicate a mathematical and / or weighted combination of a plurality of the cell measurements to be used by the user device to provide a reduced number of measurement reports or a reduced number of the values to be reported in a measurement report.

[0034] With respect to the method of FIG. 2, each of the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration may include at least one of the following: information indicating a reduced group of cells to be measured based on correlation of cell measurements of the reduced group of cells with cell measurements of one or more other cells; information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among the plurality of cells; or, a proposal to combine multiple cell measurements into one or more values to be reported within a measurement report.

[0035] With respect to the method of FIG. 2, the method may include measuring, by the user device, signals from a plurality of cells to obtain cell measurements for the subset of cells and cell measurements for additional cells that are not part of the subset; receiving, by the user device from the network node, information indicating or associated with a model to be used to determine correlation between cells; estimating, by the user device based on the model, a correlation between the plurality cells by estimating a correlation of the cell measurements of the subset of cells with cell measurements of the additional cells; determining, by the user device, based on the estimated correlation among the plurality of cells, the subset of cells to be measured; and transmitting, by the user device to the network node, at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating at least the reduced group of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells of the plurality of cells.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a network node (e.g., gNB).Operation 310 includes receiving, by a network node from a user device, a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports. Operation 320 includes transmitting, by the network node to the user device, a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports. Operation 330 includes receiving, by the network node from the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, one or more measurement reports.

[0037] With respect to the method of FIG. 3, the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration may further include information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among the plurality of cells, and which may be used to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on one or more cell measurements.

[0038] With respect to the method of FIG. 3, each received measurement report may include a value based on a combination of multiple measured cell measurements based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration.

[0039] With respect to the method of FIG. 3, further including determining, by the network node, a plurality of cell measurements based on the reported value of a received measurement report, and based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration that indicates how multiple cell measurements should be combined to a value to be reported.

[0040] With respect to the method of FIG. 3, the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration may include information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among the plurality of cells, and which may be used to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on one or more cell measurements; the method further including: reconstructing or estimating, by the network node, one or more nonmeasured cell measurements based on one or received measurement reports, in accordance with the information indicating the proposed model.

[0041] With respect to the method of FIG. 3, the method may further include transmitting, by the network node to the user device, a message regarding a cell change or a handover of the user device based on the received measurement reports for measured cells and reconstructed cell measurements for one or more non-measured cells.

[0042] With respect to the method of FIG. 3, the method may include: receiving, by thenetwork node from the user device, at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations indicating at least a group of cells for reduced cell measurement based on cell correlation; wherein the transmitting, by the network node to the user device, the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration may include transmitting, by the network node to the user device, an indication for the user device to use one of the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations.

[0043] With respect to the method of FIG. 3, the method may further include transmitting, by the network node from the user device, reconstruction accuracy requirements for a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to be used by the user device.

[0044] With respect to the method of FIG. 3, the method may further include transmitting, by the network node to the user device, cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements for the network to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of nonmeasured cells based on cell measurements based on a model, wherein the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations satisfy the cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements.

[0045] With respect to the method of FIG. 3, the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration may indicate a mathematical and / or weighted combination of a plurality of the cell measurements to be used by the user device to provide a reduced number of measurement reports or a reduced number of values reported to the network node, and / or to be used by the network node to determine cell measurements of non-measured cells based on a received measurement report.

[0046] Various further figures, features, operations, examples, and / or illustrative details are described hereinbelow with respect to the methods of FIGs. 2 and 3.

[0047] Rather than measuring and reporting a full set of cells or carriers, the UE may measure a signal parameter (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP)) from a subset of cells, and omit measuring signals from other cells based on a correlation of signal measurements between one or more measured cells and one or more non-measured cells. The UE may transmit to the network node (e.g., gNB) a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports (e.g., reduced number of measurement reports or a reduced number of reported measurement values). By reducing the number of cells to be measured by the UE and / or by reducing the number of cell measurement reports sent or provided by the UE to the network node or gNB, the UE may use less energy and / or fewer resources.

[0048] A model (e.g., a rule based statistical model and / or a machine learning (ML)model) may be used by the UE or network node to determine correlation between different cell measurements (correlation between reference signal measurements of different cells). This same model, for example, may also be used by the network node (gNB) to estimate or reconstruct non-measured cell measurements based on one or more cell measurements of correlated cells (or based on cell measurements of a cell(s) having correlated signal measurements). The model may be agreed upon by the UE and gNB. For example, the gNB may indicate the model to be used by the UE to determine correlation. Or, the UE may propose to the gNB a model to be used, and then the gNB may confirm use of such model, or indicate the UE to use a different model.

[0049] Based on a correlation of cell measurements of various cells, a subset of cells to be measured and / or reported may be determined, e.g., by either the network node or the UE. For example, if a UE measures (one or more times) cell measurements (e.g., RSRP of reference signals from each) of cells 1-5. A Pearson’s correlation coefficient may be calculated between various cell measurements, including between these cells measurements among cells 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (as an illustrative example). Based on these Pearson’s correlation coefficients between various cell measurements (between signal measurements received from these cells 1-5), the UE and / or gNB may determine in this example that cell 2 signal measurement is correlated with cell 1 signal measurement (e.g., cell 1 signal measurement is sufficiently correlated with cell 2 signal measurement, based on Pearson’s coefficient for these two cells or these two cell measurements), and that cell 4 signal measurement is correlated with cell 3 signal measurement. Based on these correlation of cell measurements, for example, the UE and / or gNB may determine a subset of cells to be measured that may include cells 1, 3 and 5, as the subset of cells, while omitting cells 2 and 4 for measurement, based on their correlation. For example, cells 2 and 4 do not need to be measured, e.g., based on their correlation (e.g., based on a Pearson’s correlation coefficient of each of these pair of cells being greater than a threshold) with signal measurements of cells 1 and 3, respectively.

[0050] Also, for example, the same model used by the UE to determine correlation may be used by the gNB to estimate or reconstruct signal measurements of one or more nonmeasured cells (e.g., cells 2 and 4) based on signal measurements of measured cells. For example, if a transform, such as a Z-transform or other operation or transform, for example (e.g., which may be indicated by or may be part of the model used to determine correlation) used to determine correlation between cells, then the network node may perform the reverse or inverse operation (e.g., perform an inverse Z-transform on the measured cell measurement(s)) to reconstruct or estimate signal measurements (cell measurements) of oneor more non-measured cells (e.g., for cells 2 and 4) based on one or more measured cell measurements (e.g., based on cell measurements of measured cells 1 and 3, respectively). In this manner, the UE may perform a reduced cell measurement, e.g., by measuring signals (e.g., reference signals) from only a subset of cells, and may omit measuring of one or more other cells that have signal measurements that are correlated with one or more cells of the subset of cells. Thus, subsequently, the UE may measure signals only from the subset of cells to be measured, while omitting measuring signals of other cells that have signal (or cell) measurements that are correlated with signal or cell measurements of one or more of the measured cells. Thus, this may allow the UE to perform a more efficient or a reduced cell measurement operations (e.g., only measuring a subset of cells), while still allowing the gNB to estimate or reconstruct one or more non-measured cell measurements based on measurement reports (e.g., for or based on measured cell measurements) and the model that may indicate the relationship between cell measurements of two or more correlated cells (or indicate correlation of signal measurements of two or more correlated cells).

[0051] In addition, a UE may combine one or more cell measurements (or signal measurements from multiple cells) into one or more values to be reported, where the number of values to be reported is less than the number of cell measurements (or signal measurements). For example, the UE may perform a mathematical, weighted, and / or logical operation of multiple cell measurements to obtain a value (or one or more values) to be reported. For example, the UE may obtain a value to be reported as:

[0052] Value = 0.5 (cell 1 measurement) + 0.5 (cell 3 measurement) + 0.7 (cell 5 measurement). A second value may also be provided based on multiple cell measurements (which may include or be based on one or more of cell measurements for cells 1, 3 and / or 5, for example). At least in some cases, if the mathematical combination technique used by the UE to combine multiple cell measurements into a value to be reported is also known by the gNB, the gNB may be able to reconstruct the cell measurements of cells 1, 3 and 5, based on the one or more values that were reported to the gNB. The gNB may estimate or reconstruct one or more non-measured cell measurements based on received measurement reports (e.g., based on received values, which may be based on multiple combined measured cell measurements).

[0053] Also, the UE and gNB may agree on a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, which may include or may indicate, for example, one or more of the following: a subset of cells to be measured (and / or a number of cells to be measured); a method or model (e.g., statistical model and / or ML model) that may be used to determine correlationand / or which may be used to reconstruct one or more non-measured cell measurements; and information indicating how cell measurements should be reported by the UE to the gNB, including how multiple cell measurements (of measured cells) should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports (e.g., a reduced number of values to be reported to the gNB).

[0054] Various techniques may be used for the UE and gNB to agree on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration. For example, the UE may transmit or send to the gNB a proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration (e.g., with a proposed number and / or subset of cells to be measured, a proposed method (or proposed statistical model and / or ML mode to be used to determine correlation and / or estimate or reconstruct one or more non-measured cell measurements), and / or a proposal on how multiple cell measurements should be reported (e.g., such as a proposed technique to combine the multiple cell measurements into one or more values and / or one or more measurement reports). The gNB may then send an indication to the UE confirming that the proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration is acceptable and should be used, may indicate one or more modifications or changes to the proposed configuration, and / or the gNB (e.g., which may be based on, or may take into account, the suggestion or proposed configuration received from the UE) may provide a different reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to be used by the UE. Or, the gNB may simply just send the UE the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to be used by the UE.

[0055] Alternatively, the gNB may send a proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, e.g., which may indicate a number of cells to be measured (indicate a number of cells of the subset of cells to be measured). The UE may then measure multiple cells, perform or determine correlation among the plurality of cells, and then select a subset of cells to be measured based on this correlation (e.g., a subset of cells including cells 1, 3 and 5, while omitting measurement of cells 2 and 4). The UE may then send its proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to the gNB including its proposed subset of cells to be measured. The gNB may either accept or reject the proposed configuration (including either accepting or rejecting the proposed subset of cells to be measured). For example, if the gNB has other cell measurements for the same set of cells 1- 5, from other UEs, which indicates that cells 1 and 3 are not correlated, the gNB may send an updated or revised reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration that indicates that cells 1, 2, 3 and 5 should be measured (because cells 1 and 3 in fact are not correlated, based on other reports). The gNB may then send an indication to the UE confirming that the UEmay use the proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, or the gNB may provide a revised reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration that may include one or more changes to the UE’s proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration. Thus, various messages and / or techniques may be used for the UE and gNB to agree or confirm the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to be used by the UE and the gNB. Further illustrative details, features and examples are described below, also with reference to the methods of FIGs. 2-3.

[0056] For UE power and radio resource savings, the UE does not measure the full set of cells for the aggregation and / or mobility purposes but a reduced number of cells (e.g., carriers) instead. To be able to perform mobility with decent performance, the UE exchanges with the NW a series messages or signalling that may be summarized as follows, for example.

[0057] For a case of network node-centric setup, e.g., which may be applied to UEs with limited processing capabilities: a) The network node (NW) (e.g., gNB) deploys a statistical model that records the similarity or correlation (e.g., Pearson correlation coefficient) between the measurements of nearby cells or among a plurality of cells, b) The UE indicates to the gNB its intention to measure a reduced number of cells, c) The gNB identifies the subset of the cells (e.g., such as component carriers (CCs) or bandwidth parts (BWPs)) in the vicinity of UE that experience acceptable measurement similarity (e.g., sufficient correlation) levels (as in step a), d) The gNB responds to the UE indicating the subset of cells to be measured, including also conditions / configurations to the UE on how multiple cell measurements can be combined, e) The UE measures a reduced number of cells as per network indication and generates and transmits a reduced number of measurement reports according to the configuration of step (d). f) the gNB (or network node) estimates or reconstructs the entire set of cell measurements based on the statistical model (also used in step a) and the provided measurement report(s) (Step e). g) The reconstruction of the full set of cell measurements based on the reduced report can be realized through statistical signal processing methods. The gNB may then evaluate the cell measurements of the full set of cells, including one or more reconstructed non-measured cell measurements, and may make mobility decisions for the UE based on these cell measurements, e.g., determines whether a cell change and / or handover for the UE is needed or should be initiated. If needed, the gNB then sends a message to the UE instructing the UE to perform a cell change or handover.

[0058] For a case of UE-centric setup, e.g., which may be applied to UEs with more processing capabilities: a) The UE measures reference signals (RSs) and reports signalquality metrics (RSRP and / or RSRQ / SINR) to the network node (e.g., gNB). b) If the UE enters a power saving / resource saving mode, the UE indicates to gNB its intention to measure limited set of cells or measure a reduced number of cells and / or provide a reduced number of measurement reports, c) The gNB responds to the request by the UE (e.g., request to measure a reduced set of cell measurements); the gNB may provide parameters or guidance on (or information regarding) the model (e.g., statistical method and / or ML mode) and its corresponding parameters to be used to determine correlation and / or to be used to reconstruct non-measured cell measurements based on received measurement reports), d) The UE determines and indicates to the gNB information about the statistical model and proposes one or more candidate reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations, e) Based on the UE’s suggestion, the gNB determines the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration and indicates it to the UE. f) The UE measures a reduced number of cells (e.g., a subset of cells) as per network indicated reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, and generates and transmits a reduced number of reports according to the configuration of step e). g) gNB reconstructs or estimates the entire set of cell measurements (e.g., including one or more non-measured cell measurements) based on the statistical model (Step d) and the provided report (Step f). The reconstruction of the full set of cell measurements based on the reduced report can be realized through statistical signal processing methods. If needed, gNB may initiate or perform mobility event (UE cell change and / or UE handover) based on the outcome of step f), e.g., by sending a message to the UE requesting cell change or handover.

[0059] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating operation of a network-centric approach for reduced cell measurement and / or reduced measurement reporting. A UE 410 may be in communication with a network node or gNB 412. Step 1 : The gNB 412 (or other network node (NW)) deploys a statistical model that records the similarity (e.g., Pearson correlation coefficient) among the measurements of nearby (or a plurality of) cells. That is, the gNB 412 keeps track of which adjacent cells, CCs or bandwidth parts yields (or provides) signal measurements (e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, SINR) within given (or sufficient or a threshold) correlation bounds. The correlation bound can be dynamically set according to e.g., mobility status, signal quality, etc.

[0060] Step 2: The UE 410 indicates to the gNB 412 (or network node) its intention to measure reduced number of cells (e.g., UE declares power saving / resource saving mode or desired power reduction level) and / or provides a reduced number of measurement reports. This may include additional information about the intention of reduced measurement (e.g.,power saving, overheating, or lower interruption measurement time), duration of reduced measurement, and time / energy saving targets of reducing measurement. For example, the UE 410 may use a 1 -bit indicator to indicate to the gNB 412 its intention to measure a reduced number of cells and / or provide a reduced number of measurement reports. Or, the UE 410 indicates to the gNB 412 the desired number of cells / CCs / bands (e.g., FR1 / FR2) to be measured.

[0061] Step 3: The gNB 412, either based on the UEs indication, if any, or not, decides to reduce the number of measured cells by the UE and / or the number of measurement reports the UE must provide to the gNB 412, with the intention to reduce the power consumption at the UE and the radio resource consumption. To this end, the gNB 412 makes use of the deployed statistical model of Step 1 (FIG. 4) to determine a subset of cells that may be measured (measured cells) and used to reconstruct the measurements of the rest cells (reconstructed cells, or reconstructed or estimated non-measured cell measurements) within an acceptable level of accuracy and / or an acceptable level of monitored performance or key performance indicators (KPIs). For example, the gNB 412 may determine which cells should be measured by the UE, i.e., which cells should be used as measured cells. In a further embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the gNB 412 may predict which cells will be better in a future window and indicates these cells to the UE for measurement. Alternatively, the gNB 412 may determine which cells should be measured by the UE 410 based on the deployed statistical model of Step 1, the position of the UE 410 and / or the mobility status of the UE. Additionally, the gNB 412 may determine an achieved reconstruction accuracy, according to a reconstruction accuracy metric, e.g., by indicating a mean squared error (MSE) or maximum MSE the reconstruction should provide or achieve when reconstructing nonmeasured cell measurements. The achieved reconstruction accuracy may be compared with a reconstruction accuracy threshold to determine whether the learned model has an acceptable level of accuracy. Additionally, for example, the gNB 412 may also determine if and how the measurements should be combined to generate measurement reports (or values to be reported), wherein the number of values to be reported or number of measurement reports may be less than or equal to the number of cell measurements (e.g., to reduce the UE measurement reporting load or burden).

[0062] Step 4: The gNB 412 indicates to the UE 410 which cells to measure and what to report, the statistical method or technique to determine correlation and / or perform reconstruction, report generation method (e.g., how to combine multiple cell measurements into one or more values to be reported). For example, the gNB 412 may indicate to the UE410 the IDs (identifiers) of the cells (or component carriers (CCs), or reference signals) to be measured by the UE 410. The number of indicated cell IDs may be larger than the number of cells indicated by the UE 410 (if such an indication has been provided as per Step 1), if this is necessary so as to achieve a desired reconstruction accuracy. Alternatively, if the UE 410 indicated an intended number of cells to be measured (Step 1), and the achieved reconstruction accuracy for the statistical model using that number of cells is below the reconstruction accuracy threshold, the network indicates to the UE 410 that its request is rejected. Additionally, the gNB 412 may also instruct the UE 410 to combine the measurements to generate reports, i.e., it may indicate to the UE if and how to combine the cell measurements to produce a set of values that should be reported to the gNB 412 (or network node).

[0063] Step 5: The UE 410 measures the indicated subset of cells and reports as requested by the gNB 412. The UE may measure the cells with IDs indicated by the gNB. Alternatively, if the UE 410 received an indication that its request is rejected, it continues measuring the initial full set of cells (e.g., reduced cell measurement is not authorized by the network node in this case). Based on the measurements and the indication from the gNB 412 on if and how it should combine them, the UE generates and sends measurement reports to the gNB 412.

[0064] Step 6: The gNB 412 uses the measurement reports and the learned statistical model to reconstruct one or more non-measured cell measurements, and then may perform RRM (radio resource management)-related decisions, e.g. instigate mobility event (handover or cell change) for the UE. For example, the gNB 412 may use the measurement reports and the learned statistical model directly to make RRM-related decisions (e.g., cell change and / or handover decisions for the UE). Or, the gNB 412 may use the measurement reports and the learned statistical model to reconstruct the measurement quantities (estimated non-measured cell measurements, also known as reconstructed cell measurements of non-measured cells) for a larger subset of cells than that of the measured cells or the whole set of cells and uses the reconstructed cell measurement quantities to make RRM-related decisions.

[0065] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating operation of a UE-centric approach for reduced cell measurement and / or reduced measurement reporting. A UE 410 may be in communication with a gNB 412 (or other network node). Step 1 : A UE 410 measures reference signals (RSs) from a set of cells and reports their measured signal quality-related metrics (e.g., RSRP, RSRQ) to the network node (or gNB). The UE 410 also keeps a record of the measurements. In one embodiment, the UE uses the record of measurements to deploya statistical model with respect to (or describing and / or based on) the correlation of measurements from adjacent cells.

[0066] Step 2: For power and radio resource saving purposes, the UE 410 may determine and indicate to the gNB 412 its intention to measure a reduced number of cells and / or provide a reduced number of measurements. The UE 410 may indicate to the gNB 412 using a 1 -bit indicator its request to measure a reduced number of cells and / or provide a reduced number of measurements. Alternatively or additionally, the UE 410 may indicate to the gNB 412 (or NW node) using a 1 -bit indicator its intention to learn a statistical model, which may be used to reconstruct measurements of all cells using measurements of a subset of cells and use this model so as to measure a reduced number of cells.

[0067] Step 3 : The gNB 412, either based on the UEs indication - if any - or not, determines whether and how the UE 410 should deploy a statistical model for measurement reconstruction and indicates that to the UE. The gNB 412 (or network node) may provide to the UE 410 an indication of the method the UE 410 should use to construct the statistical model. The indicated method may be part of a (pre-)configured set of methods the UE 410 may use. Additionally, the gNB 412 may configure a reconstruction accuracy threshold for one or more metrics (e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, SINR) and indicate it to the UE 410. Alternatively, a reconstruction accuracy threshold for the one or more metrics may be pre-configured at the UE. Additionally, the gNB 412 may indicate to the UE 410 the number of cells it should measure, i.e., the number of measured cells. As an alternative, the gNB 412 may indicates to the UE 410 a set of cells and TCI-states. Additionally, the gNB 412 may further provide the UE 410 with additional information about the UE 410 receive beam (Rx / receive filter, antenna port) which the UE needs to apply for measurement. The gNB 412 may configure the UE 410 to report a group of beams which have a correlation above a certain threshold. The gNB 412 may provide conditions on validity of correlated beams. This can be a timer tuned based on the UE mobility. This condition can be the measurement of reference signals above or below a certain threshold.

[0068] Step 4: The UE 410, either based on its deployed statistical model from Step 2 or based on a deployed statistical model derived using the record of measurements and, if provided, the gNB’s indication in step 3, determines potential measurement and reporting configurations and provides them to the gNB 412. If Steps 2 and 3 have not taken place, the UE 410 indicates to the gNB 412 its request to measure a reduced number of cells. The UE 410 indicates to the gNB 412 the IDs of the cells to be measured. In a further embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the UE 410 indicates to the gNB 412 the IDs of the cells to bemeasured in a future window. The UE 410 provides the gNB 412 with at least a proposed measurement configuration that can preserve the desired measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements while reducing the UE energy consumption / interruption measurement time. If no measurement configuration can satisfy the required reconstruction accuracy, the UE 410 indicates that to the gNB 412. As an alternative, the UE 410 can provide a list of several measurement configurations with their corresponding reconstruction accuracy and / or KPIs (e.g., block error rate) and expected energy saving levels. Additionally, the UE 410 determines and indicates to the gNB 412 or network node if and how the measurements should be combined to generate measurement reports, with the number of the reports being smaller or equal to the number of measurements. In a further embodiment the proposed measurement and report configuration may include combined measurement sampling configurations from different cells / CCs, e.g., a L3 (layer 3) measurement may be constructed using LI measurements from different cells / CCs. The UE 410 may request cells to (re)tune their spatial filters or transmit power to satisfy the required correlation. The UE 410 may indicate to the gNB 412 the requested duration of use of the proposed measurement and reporting configuration. The UE 410 may provide the gNB 410 with a list of parameters (metrics) that have correlation between cells (or CCs) and corresponding correlation value. For example, the UE 410 may find high correlation for pathloss measurement and low correlation for DL (downlink) interference. The UE 410 may provide the network (or other UEs) with further information on the conditions / configurations (including e.g., receive (Rx) filters design at the UE 410 such as receive beam orientation and beamwidth) or geographical areas which reduced measurement can be applied.

[0069] Step 5: Based on the UE’s indication, the gNB 412 decides about the new reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration and indicates it to the UE 410 (e.g., determines whether the new or proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration is acceptable).

[0070] Step 6: the gNB (or network node) 412 transmits to the UE 410 the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration.

[0071] Step 7: The UE measures the indicated cells and generates reports based on the cell measurements and the learned model. The UE 410 measures the cells with IDs indicated by the gNB. Alternatively, if the UE 410 received an indication that its request is rejected, it continues measuring the initial full set of cells. Based on the measurements and the indication from the gNB 412 on if and how it should combine them, the UE 410 generates and sends measurement reports to the gNB 412.

[0072] Step 8: Based on the reports from the UE 410 and potentially also on the indicated parameters from the UE 410 in Step 5, the gNB 412 makes RRM-related decisions, e.g. instigates mobility event (handover and / or cell change for UE). The gNB 412 may use the measurement reports and the learned statistical model to reconstruct the measurement quantities (reconstructed non-measured cell measurements) for the whole set of cells and uses the reconstructed measurement quantities to make RRM-related decisions for the UE 410.

[0073] Example advantages: The techniques may allow for improved energy and resource savings, e.g., by reducing or relaxing cell measurements from spatially collocated carriers, but also tries to exploit any potential measurement similarities or correlation among cells, exploiting the underlying correlations of the propagation environment. The techniques described herein may provide additional flexibility in managing the power consumption overhead from measurements and resource overhead from reporting, by allowing separate treatment and optimization of the number of measurements and reports and providing the necessary signaling for its realization.

[0074] Some examples will now be described, based on the description and figures provided herein.

[0075] Example 1. An apparatus (e.g., 1300, FIG. 6; and / or UE 410 in FIGs. 4 and / or 5) comprising: at least one processor (e.g., processor 1304, FIG. 6); and at least one memory (e.g., memory 1306, FIG. 6) storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor (1304), cause the apparatus at least to: transmit (210, FIG. 2; step 2, FIGs. 4-5), by a user device (UE 410, FIGs. 4-5) to a network node (gNB 412, FIGs. 4-5), a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; receive (220, FIG. 2; step 4, FIG. 4; step 6, FIG. 5), by the user device (UE 410) from the network node (gNB 412), a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more nonmeasured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; measure (230, FIG. 2; step 5, FIG. 4; step 7, FIG. 5), by the user device (UE 410), signals from the subset of cells indicated by the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to obtain multiple cell measurements; combine (240, FIG. 2; step 4, FIG. 4; step 7, FIG. 5), by the user device (UE 410) based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, the multiple cell measurements into one or more values to be reported to the network node, wherein a number of the one or more values to be reported is less than a number of the cell measurements; and transmit (250, FIG. 2; step 6,FIG. 4; and step 8. FIG. 5), by the user device (UE 410), to the network node, one or more measurement reports including the one or more values.

[0076] Example 2. The apparatus of example 1, wherein the apparatus is caused to: receive, by the user device (UE 410) from the network node (gNB 412), an indication of a number of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells (step 3, FIG. 4, receiving information from gNB including number of cells to be measured); perform by the user device (UE 410), cell measurements of the plurality of cells; determine, by the user device, correlation among the plurality of the cell measurements performed by the user device; select, by the user device, the subset of cells; transmit, by the user device (UE 410) to the network node, a proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating the subset of cells for reduced cell measurement based on the correlation (e.g., which may be or include step 5, FIG. 5, transmitting proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to gNB, including information about statistical and measurement and configuration proposal from UE); wherein the apparatus caused to receive, by the user device from the network node, the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration comprises the apparatus being caused to receive (e.g., step 6, FIG. 6, receiving the measurement and reporting configuration from gNB; or step 4 of FIG. 4), by the user device (UE 410) from the network node, an indication for the user device to use the proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration.

[0077] For example, UE 410 may measure signal measurements of reference signals from a group of cells (e.g., from cells 1-5), and then perform correlation, based on these cell measurements, among the group of cells 1-5, to determine if any pairs of these cells are correlated. Based on a correlation of these cell measurements, a proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration may be determined, e.g., including a subset of cells to be measured and / or reported may be determined by the UE 410. For example, the UE may determine or measure a Pearson’s correlation coefficient between various cell measurements, including between these cells measurements among cells 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (as an illustrative example). Based on these Pearson’s correlation coefficients between various cell measurements (between signal measurements received from these cells 1-5), the UE may determine in this example that cell 2 signal measurement is correlated with cell 1 signal measurement (e.g., cell 1 signal measurement is sufficiently correlated with cell 2 signal measurement, based on Pearson’s coefficient for these two cells or these two cell measurements), and that cell 4 signal measurement is correlated with cell 3 signal measurement. Based on these correlation of cell measurements, for example, the UE maydetermine a subset of cells to be measured that may include (e.g., only) cells 1, 3 and 5, as the subset of cells, while omitting cells 2 and 4 for measurement, based on their correlation. For example, cells 2 and 4 do not need to be measured, e.g., based on their correlation (e.g., based on a Pearson’s correlation coefficient of each of these pair of cells being greater than a threshold) with signal measurements of cells 1 and 3, respectively. The proposed reduced measurement and reporting configuration may be transmitted by the UE to the gNB, which may include this proposed set of cells to be measured, based on correlation (e.g., step 5, FIG. 5).

[0078] Example 3. The apparatus of any of examples 1-2, wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration further comprises: information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among a plurality of cells, and which may be used to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on one or more of the cell measurements (e.g., step 5, FIG. 5, including UE transmitting to gNB information about statistical model proposal, e.g., which may be used to determine cell measurement correlation).

[0079] Example 4. The apparatus of any of examples 1-3, wherein the apparatus is caused to: determine, by the user device (UE 410), correlation among a plurality of the cell measurements performed by the user device for a plurality of cells; transmit, by the user device (UE 410) to the network node (gNB 412), at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations indicating at least a group of cells for reduced cell measurement based on the correlation (step 5, FIG. 5, UE transmitting to gNB information about statistical model and measurement and reporting configuration proposal by UE); wherein the apparatus caused to receive the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration comprises the apparatus being caused to receive, by the user device from the network node, an indication for the user device to use one of the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations (e.g., step 6, FIG 5, UE receiving a measurement and reporting configuration).

[0080] Example 5. The apparatus of any of examples 1-4, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: receive, by the user device (UE 410) from the network node (gNB 412), reconstruction accuracy requirements for a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration used by the user device (e.g., step 4, FIG. 4, UE receives indication of measured cells, report generation method and reconstruction accuracy; and / or step 3 of FIG. 5, UE receives response from gNB indicating learning method, number of measured cells and accuracy threshold).

[0081] Example 6. The apparatus of example 4, wherein the apparatus is caused to: receive, by the user device (UE 410) from the network node, cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements (step 3, FIG. 5) for the network node (gNB 412) to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on measured cell measurements based on a model; wherein the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations (step 5, FIG. 5) satisfy the cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements.

[0082] Example 7. The apparatus of any of examples 1-6, wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicates a mathematical and / or weighted combination of a plurality of the cell measurements to be used by the user device to provide a reduced number of measurement reports or a reduced number of the values to be reported in a measurement report. For example, a UE may combine one or more cell measurements (or signal measurements from multiple cells) into one or more values to be reported, where the number of values to be reported is less than the number of cell measurements (or signal measurements). For example, the UE may perform a mathematical, weighted, and / or logical operation of multiple cell measurements to obtain a value (or one or more values) to be reported. For example, the UE may obtain a value to be reported as (as an illustrative example): Value = 0.5 (cell 1 measurement) + 0.5 (cell 3 measurement) + 0.7 (cell 5 measurement). A second value may also be provided based on multiple cell measurements (which may include or be based on one or more of cell measurements for cells 1, 3 and / or 5, for example). At least in some cases, if the mathematical combination technique used by the UE to combine multiple cell measurements into a value to be reported is also known by the gNB, the gNB may be able to reconstruct the cell measurements of cells 1, 3 and 5, based on the one or more values that were reported to the gNB. The gNB may also estimate or reconstruct one or more non-measured cell measurements based on received measurement reports (e.g., based on received values, which may be based on multiple combined measured cell measurements), e.g., based on the model that indicates correlation between certain cells (e.g., UE may estimate non-measured cell measurements for cells 2 and 4, based on the reconstructed cell measurements of cells 1 and 3, based on the received values or received measurement reports).

[0083] Example 8. The apparatus of any of examples 1-7, wherein each of the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration comprises at least one of the following: information indicating a reduced group of cells to be measured based on correlation of cell measurements of the reduced group of cells with cell measurements of oneor more other cells (e.g., information indicating a reduced group of cells that includes only cells 1, 3 and 5 (and not including cells 2 and 4), based on correlation between cell measurements between cells 1 and 3 with respect to cells 2 and 4, respectively); information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among the plurality of cells (step 5, FIG. 5, UE sending gNB information about statistical model that is proposed by UE); a proposal to combine multiple cell measurements into one or more values to be reported within a measurement report (e.g., step 5, FIG. 5, UE transmitting to gNB information about proposed measurement and reporting configuration).

[0084] Example 9. The apparatus of example 1, wherein the apparatus is caused to: measure (e.g., step 1, FIG. 5, UE performing cell measurements), by the user device, signals from a plurality of cells to obtain cell measurements for the subset of cells and cell measurements for additional cells that are not part of the subset; receive (e.g., step 3, FIG. 5, UE receives information indicating learning model or statistical model used to determine correlation of cells, a number of cells to be measured or subset of cells to be measured, and / or accuracy threshold of the model), by the user device from the network node, information indicating or associated with a model to be used to determine correlation between cells; estimate, by the user device based on the model, a correlation between the plurality cells by estimating a correlation of the cell measurements of the subset of cells with cell measurements of the additional cells; determine (step 4, FIG. 5, UE determines proposed configuration, including proposed subset of cells to be measured), by the user device, based on the estimated correlation among the plurality of cells, the subset of cells to be measured; and transmit (e.g., step 5, FIG. 5, UE 410 transmits proposed reduced measurement and reporting configuration to gNB 412), by the user device to the network node, at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating at least the reduced group of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells of the plurality of cells.

[0085] Example 10. A method comprising: transmitting (210, FIG. 2), by a user device (UE 410) to a network node (gNB 412), a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; receiving (220, FIG. 2), by the user device from the network node, a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more nonmeasured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; measuring (230, FIG. 2), by the user device, signals from the subset ofcells indicated by the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to obtain multiple cell measurements; combining (240, FIG. 2), by the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, the multiple cell measurements into one or more values to be reported to the network node, wherein a number of the one or more values to be reported is less than a number of the cell measurements; and, transmitting (250, FIG. 2), by the user device, to the network node, one or more measurement reports including the one or more values.

[0086] Example 11. The method of example 10, comprising: receiving, by the user device from the network node, an indication of a number of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells; performing cell measurements of the plurality of cells; determining, by the user device, correlation among the plurality of the cell measurements performed by the user device; selecting, by the user device, the subset of cells; transmitting, by the user device to the network node, a proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating the subset of cells for reduced cell measurement based on the correlation; wherein the receiving, by the user device from the network node, the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration comprises receiving, by the user device from the network node, an indication for the user device to use the proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration.

[0087] Example 12. The method of any of examples 10-11, wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration further comprises: information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among a plurality of cells, and which may be used to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on one or more of the cell measurements.

[0088] Example 13. The method of any of examples 10-12, comprising: determining, by the user device, correlation among a plurality of the cell measurements performed by the user device for a plurality of cells; transmitting, by the user device to the network node, at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations indicating at least a group of cells for reduced cell measurement based on the correlation; wherein the receiving the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration comprises receiving, by the user device from the network node, an indication for the user device to use one of the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations.

[0089] Example 14. The method of any of examples 10-13, further comprising: receiving, by the user device from the network node, reconstruction accuracy requirements for a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration used by the user device.

[0090] Example 15. The method of example 12, comprising: receiving, by the user device from the network node, cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements for the network to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on measured cell measurements based on a model; wherein the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations satisfy the cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements.

[0091] Example 16. The method of any of examples 10-15, wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicates a mathematical and / or weighted combination of a plurality of the cell measurements to be used by the user device to provide a reduced number of measurement reports or a reduced number of the values to be reported in a measurement report.

[0092] Example 17. The method of any of examples 10-16, wherein each of the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration comprises at least one of the following: information indicating a reduced group of cells to be measured based on correlation of cell measurements of the reduced group of cells with cell measurements of one or more other cells; information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among the plurality of cells; a proposal to combine multiple cell measurements into one or more values to be reported within a measurement report.

[0093] Example 18. The method of example 10, comprising: measuring, by the user device, signals from a plurality of cells to obtain cell measurements for the subset of cells and cell measurements for additional cells that are not part of the subset; receiving, by the user device from the network node, information indicating or associated with a model to be used to determine correlation between cells; estimating, by the user device based on the model, a correlation between the plurality cells by estimating a correlation of the cell measurements of the subset of cells with cell measurements of the additional cells; determining, by the user device, based on the estimated correlation among the plurality of cells, the subset of cells to be measured; and transmitting, by the user device to the network node, at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating at least the reduced group of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells of the plurality of cells.

[0094] Example 19. An apparatus comprising means (e.g., processor 1304, RF transceivers 1302 A and / or 1302B, and / or memory 1306, in FIG. 6) for carrying out the method of any of examples 10-18.

[0095] Example 20. An apparatus comprising: means (e.g., processor 1304, RFtransceivers 1302 A and / or 1302B, and / or memory 1306, in FIG. 6) for transmitting, by a user device to a network node, a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; means (e.g., processor 1304, RF transceivers 1302A and / or 1302B, and / or memory 1306, in FIG. 6) for receiving, by the user device from the network node, a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; means (e.g., processor 1304, and / or memory 1306, in FIG. 6) for measuring, by the user device, signals from the subset of cells indicated by the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to obtain multiple cell measurements; means (e.g., processor 1304, and / or memory 1306, in FIG. 6) for combining, by the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, the multiple cell measurements into one or more values to be reported to the network node, wherein a number of the one or more values to be reported is less than a number of the cell measurements; and means (e.g., processor 1304, RF transceivers 1302 A and / or 1302B, and / or memory 1306, in FIG. 6) for transmitting, by the user device, to the network node, one or more measurement reports including the one or more values.

[0096] Example 21. An apparatus (e.g., 1300, FIG. 6; gNB 412) comprising: at least one processor (processor 1304); and at least one memory (memory 1306) storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive (310, FIG. 3), by a network node (1300; gNB 412) from a user device (UE 410), a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; transmit (320, FIG. 3), by the network node to the user device, a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; and, receive (330, FIG. 3), by the network node from the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, one or more measurement reports.

[0097] Example 22. The apparatus of example 21, wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration further comprises: information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among the plurality of cells, and which may be used to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on one or more cellmeasurements.

[0098] Example 23. The apparatus of any of examples 21-22, wherein each received measurement report includes a value based on a combination of multiple measured cell measurements based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration.

[0099] Example 24. The apparatus of example 21, the apparatus further caused to: determine, by the network node, a plurality of cell measurements based on the reported value of a received measurement report, and based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration that indicates how multiple cell measurements should be combined to a value to be reported.

[0100] Example 25. The apparatus of any of examples 21-24: wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration includes information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among the plurality of cells, and which may be used to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on one or more cell measurements; wherein the apparatus is further caused to: reconstruct or estimate, by the network node, one or more non-measured cell measurements based on one or received measurement reports, in accordance with the information indicating the proposed model.

[0101] Example 26. The apparatus of example 25, further caused to: transmit, by the network node to the user device, a message regarding a cell change or a handover of the user device based on the received measurement reports for measured cells and reconstructed cell measurements for one or more non-measured cells.

[0102] Example 27. The apparatus of example 21, wherein the apparatus is caused to: receive, by the network node from the user device, at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations indicating at least a group of cells for reduced cell measurement based on cell correlation; wherein the apparatus caused to transmit, by the network node to the user device, the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration comprises the apparatus being caused to transmit, by the network node to the user device, an indication for the user device to use one of the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations.

[0103] Example 28. The apparatus of any of examples 21-27, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: transmit, by the network node from the user device, reconstruction accuracy requirements for a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to be used by the user device.

[0104] Example 29. The apparatus of example 28, wherein the apparatus caused to receive at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurationscomprises: transmit, by the network node to the user device, cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements for the network to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of nonmeasured cells based on measured cell measurements based on a model; wherein the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations satisfy the cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements.

[0105] Example 30. The apparatus of any of examples 22-29, wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicates a mathematical and / or weighted combination of a plurality of the cell measurements to be used by the user device to provide a reduced number of measurement reports or a reduced number of values reported to the network node, and / or to be used by the network node to determine cell measurements of nonmeasured cells based on a received measurement report.

[0106] Example 31. A method comprising: receiving (310, FIG. 3), by a network node (gNB 412) from a user device (UE 410), a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; transmitting (320, FIG. 3), by the network node to the user device, a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more nonmeasured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; and receiving (330, FIG. 3), by the network node from the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, one or more measurement reports.

[0107] Example 32. The method of example 31, wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration further comprises: information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among the plurality of cells, and which may be used to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on one or more cell measurements.

[0108] Example 33. The method of any of examples 31-32, wherein each received measurement report includes a value based on a combination of multiple measured cell measurements based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration.

[0109] Example 34. The method of example 33, the apparatus further caused to: determining, by the network node, a plurality of cell measurements based on the reported value of a received measurement report, and based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration that indicates how multiple cell measurements should be combined to a value to be reported.

[0110] Example 35. The method of any of examples 31-34: wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration includes information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among the plurality of cells, and which may be used to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on one or more cell measurements; the method further comprising: reconstructing or estimating, by the network node, one or more non-measured cell measurements based on one or received measurement reports, in accordance with the information indicating the proposed model.

[0111] Example 36. The method of example 35, further comprising: transmitting, by the network node to the user device, a message regarding a cell change or a handover of the user device based on the received measurement reports for measured cells and reconstructed cell measurements for one or more non-measured cells (e.g., see step 7 of FIG. 4; step 9 of FIG. 5).

[0112] Example 37. The method of example 31, comprising: receiving, by the network node from the user device, at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations indicating at least a group of cells for reduced cell measurement based on cell correlation; wherein the transmitting, by the network node to the user device, the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration comprises transmitting, by the network node to the user device, an indication for the user device to use one of the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations.

[0113] Example 38. The method of any of examples 31-37, further comprising: transmitting (Step 4, FIG. 4; and Step 3, FIG. 5), by the network node from the user device, reconstruction accuracy requirements for a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to be used by the user device.

[0114] Example 39. The method of example 38, comprising: transmitting, by the network node to the user device, cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements for the network to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on cell measurements based on a model; wherein the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations satisfy the cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements.

[0115] Example 40. The method of any of examples 31-39, wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicates a mathematical and / or weighted combination of a plurality of the cell measurements to be used by the user device to provide a reduced number of measurement reports or a reduced number of values reported to the network node, and / or to be used by the network node to determine cell measurements of non-measured cells based on a received measurement report.

[0116] Example 41. An apparatus comprising means (e.g., processor 1304, RF transceivers 1302 A and / or 1302B, and / or memory 1306, in FIG. 6) for carrying out the method of any of examples 30-39.

[0117] Example 42. An apparatus comprising: means (e.g., processor 1304, RF transceivers 1302 A and / or 1302B, and / or memory 1306, in FIG. 6) for receiving, by a network node from a user device, a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; means (e.g., processor 1304, RF transceivers 1302 A and / or 1302B, and / or memory 1306, in FIG. 6) for transmitting, by the network node to the user device, a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more nonmeasured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; and means (e.g., processor 1304, RF transceivers 1302A and / or 1302B, and / or memory 1306, in FIG. 6) for receiving, by the network node from the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, one or more measurement reports.

[0118] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., UE, user device, AP, BS, eNB, gNB, RAN node, network node, TRP, or other node) 1300 according to an example embodiment. The wireless station 1300 may include, for example, one or more (e.g., two as shown in FIG. 6) RF (radio frequency) or wireless transceivers 1302 A, 1302B, where each wireless transceiver includes a transmitter to transmit signals and a receiver to receive signals. The wireless station also includes a processor or control unit / entity (controller) 1304 to execute instructions or software and control transmission and receptions of signals, and a memory 1306 to store data and / or instructions.

[0119] Processor 1304 may also make decisions or determinations, generate frames, packets or messages for transmission, decode received frames or messages for further processing, and other tasks or functions described herein. Processor 1304, which may be a baseband processor, for example, may generate messages, packets, frames or other signals for transmission via wireless transceiver 1302 (1302A or 1302B). Processor 1304 may control transmission of signals or messages over a wireless network, and may control the reception of signals or messages, etc., via a wireless network (e.g., after being down-converted by wireless transceiver 1302, for example). Processor 1304 may be programmable and capable of executing software or other instructions stored in memory or on other computer media toperform the various tasks and functions described above, such as one or more of the tasks or methods described above. Processor 1304 may be (or may include), for example, hardware, programmable logic, a programmable processor that executes software or firmware, and / or any combination of these. Using other terminology, processor 1304 and transceiver 1302 together may be considered as a wireless transmitter / receiver system, for example.

[0120] In addition, referring to FIG. 6, a controller (or processor) 1308 may execute software and instructions, and may provide overall control for the station 1300, and may provide control for other systems not shown in FIG. 6, such as controlling input / output devices (e.g., display, keypad), and / or may execute software for one or more applications that may be provided on wireless station 1300, such as, for example, an email program, audio / video applications, a word processor, a Voice over IP application, or other application or software.

[0121] In addition, a storage medium may be provided that includes stored instructions, which when executed by a controller or processor may result in the processor 1304, or other controller or processor, performing one or more of the functions or tasks described above.

[0122] According to another example embodiment, RF or wireless transceiver s) 1302A / 1302B may receive signals or data and / or transmit or send signals or data. Processor 1304 (and possibly transceivers 1302A / 1302B) may control the RF or wireless transceiver 1302 A or 1302B to receive, send, broadcast or transmit signals or data.

[0123] Example embodiments are provided or described for each of the example methods, including: An apparatus (e.g., 1300, FIG. 6) including means (e.g., processor 1304, RF transceivers 1302A and / or 1302B, and / or memory 1306, in FIG. 6) for carrying out any of the methods; a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., memory 1306, FIG.6) comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processor (processor 1304, FIG. 6), are configured to cause a computing system (e.g., 1300, FIG. 6) to perform any of the example methods; and an apparatus (e.g., 1300, FIG. 6) including at least one processor (e.g., processor 1304, FIG. 6), and at least one memory (e.g., memory 1306, FIG. 6) including computer program code, the at least one memory (1306) and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor (1304), cause the apparatus (e.g., 1300) at least to perform any of the example methods.

[0124] Embodiments of the various techniques described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. Embodiments may be implemented as a computer program product, i.e., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a machine-readable storagedevice 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. Embodiments may also be provided on a computer readable medium or computer readable storage medium, which may be a non-transitory medium. Embodiments of the various techniques may also include embodiments provided via transitory signals or media, and / or programs and / or software embodiments that are downloadable via the Internet or other network(s), either wired networks and / or wireless networks. In addition, embodiments may be provided via machine type communications (MTC), and also via an Internet of Things (IOT).

[0125] As used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ or “circuit” refers to all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations, such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry, and (b) combinations of circuits and soft-ware (and / or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of processor(s) or (ii) portions of processor(s) / software including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus to perform various functions, and (c) circuits, such as 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 in this application. As a further example, as used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term ‘circuitry’ would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular element, 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, or another network device.

[0126] 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, the computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer, or it may be distributed amongst a number of computers.

[0127] Furthermore, embodiments of the various techniques described herein may use a cyber-physical system (CPS) (a system of collaborating computational elements controllingphysical entities). CPS may enable the embodiment and exploitation of massive amounts of interconnected ICT devices (sensors, actuators, processors microcontrollers,...) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile cyber physical systems, in which the physical system in question has inherent mobility, are a subcategory of cyber-physical systems. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robotics and electronics transported by humans or animals. The rise in popularity of smartphones has increased interest in the area of mobile cyber-physical systems. Therefore, various embodiments of techniques described herein may be provided via one or more of these technologies.

[0128] A computer program, such as the computer program(s) described above, 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.

[0129] Method steps 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. Method steps 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).

[0130] Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer, chip or chipset. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both.Elements of a computer may include at least one processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer also may include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0131] To provide for interaction with a user, embodiments may be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor, for displaying information to the user and a user interface, such as a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

[0132] Embodiments may be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a front-end component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an embodiment, or any combination of such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. Components may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN), e.g., the Internet.

[0133] While certain features of the described embodiments have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the various embodiments.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. 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 at least to: transmit, by a user device to a network node, a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; receive, by the user device from the network node, a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; measure, by the user device, signals from the subset of cells indicated by the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to obtain multiple cell measurements; combine, by the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, the multiple cell measurements into one or more values to be reported to the network node, wherein a number of the one or more values to be reported is less than a number of the cell measurements; and transmit, by the user device, to the network node, one or more measurement reports including the one or more values.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is caused to: receive, by the user device from the network node, an indication of a number of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells; perform cell measurements of the plurality of cells; determine, by the user device, correlation among the plurality of the cell measurements performed by the user device; select, by the user device, the subset of cells; transmit, by the user device to the network node, a proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating the subset of cells for reduced cell measurement based on the correlation; wherein the apparatus caused to receive, by the user device from the network node,the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration comprises the apparatus being caused to receive, by the user device from the network node, an indication for the user device to use the proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration.

3. The apparatus of any of claims 1-2, wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration further comprises: information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among a plurality of cells, and which may be used to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on one or more of the cell measurements.

4. The apparatus of any of claims 1-3, wherein the apparatus is caused to: determine, by the user device, correlation among a plurality of the cell measurements performed by the user device for a plurality of cells; transmit, by the user device to the network node, at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations indicating at least a group of cells for reduced cell measurement based on the correlation; wherein the apparatus caused to receive the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration comprises the apparatus being caused to receive, by the user device from the network node, an indication for the user device to use one of the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations.

5. The apparatus of any of claims 1-4, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: receive, by the user device from the network node, reconstruction accuracy requirements for a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration used by the user device.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus is caused to: receive, by the user device from the network node, cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements for the network to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of nonmeasured cells based on measured cell measurements based on a model; wherein the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations satisfy the cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 1-6, wherein the reduced cell measurement andreporting configuration indicates a mathematical and / or weighted combination of a plurality of the cell measurements to be used by the user device to provide a reduced number of measurement reports or a reduced number of the values to be reported in a measurement report.

8. The apparatus of any of claims 1-7, wherein each of the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration comprises at least one of the following: information indicating a reduced group of cells to be measured based on correlation of cell measurements of the reduced group of cells with cell measurements of one or more other cells; information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among the plurality of cells; a proposal to combine multiple cell measurements into one or more values to be reported within a measurement report.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is caused to: measure, by the user device, signals from a plurality of cells to obtain cell measurements for the subset of cells and cell measurements for additional cells that are not part of the subset; receive, by the user device from the network node, information indicating or associated with a model to be used to determine correlation between cells; estimate, by the user device based on the model, a correlation between the plurality cells by estimating a correlation of the cell measurements of the subset of cells with cell measurements of the additional cells; determine, by the user device, based on the estimated correlation among the plurality of cells, the subset of cells to be measured; and transmit, by the user device to the network node, at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating at least the reduced group of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells of the plurality of cells.

10. A method comprising: transmitting, by a user device to a network node, a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; receiving, by the user device from the network node, a reduced cell measurement andreporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; measuring, by the user device, signals from the subset of cells indicated by the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to obtain multiple cell measurements; combining, by the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, the multiple cell measurements into one or more values to be reported to the network node, wherein a number of the one or more values to be reported is less than a number of the cell measurements; transmitting, by the user device, to the network node, one or more measurement reports including the one or more values.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising: receiving, by the user device from the network node, an indication of a number of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells; performing cell measurements of the plurality of cells; determining, by the user device, correlation among the plurality of the cell measurements performed by the user device; selecting, by the user device, the subset of cells; transmitting, by the user device to the network node, a proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating the subset of cells for reduced cell measurement based on the correlation; wherein the receiving, by the user device from the network node, the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration comprises receiving, by the user device from the network node, an indication for the user device to use the proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration.

12. The method of any of claims 10-11, wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration further comprises: information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among a plurality of cells, and which may be used to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on one or more of the cell measurements.

13. The method of any of claims 10-12, comprising: determining, by the user device, correlation among a plurality of the cell measurements performed by the user device for a plurality of cells; transmitting, by the user device to the network node, at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations indicating at least a group of cells for reduced cell measurement based on the correlation; wherein the receiving the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration comprises receiving, by the user device from the network node, an indication for the user device to use one of the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations.

14. The method of any of claims 10-13, further comprising: receiving, by the user device from the network node, reconstruction accuracy requirements for a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration used by the user device.

15. The method of claim 12, comprising: receiving, by the user device from the network node, cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements for the network to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of nonmeasured cells based on measured cell measurements based on a model; wherein the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations satisfy the cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements.

16. The method of any of claims 10-15, wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicates a mathematical and / or weighted combination of a plurality of the cell measurements to be used by the user device to provide a reduced number of measurement reports or a reduced number of the values to be reported in a measurement report.

17. The method of any of claims 10-16, wherein each of the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration comprises at least one of the following: information indicating a reduced group of cells to be measured based on correlation of cell measurements of the reduced group of cells with cell measurements of one or more other cells;information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among the plurality of cells; a proposal to combine multiple cell measurements into one or more values to be reported within a measurement report.

18. The method of claim 10, comprising: measuring, by the user device, signals from a plurality of cells to obtain cell measurements for the subset of cells and cell measurements for additional cells that are not part of the subset; receiving, by the user device from the network node, information indicating or associated with a model to be used to determine correlation between cells; estimating, by the user device based on the model, a correlation between the plurality cells by estimating a correlation of the cell measurements of the subset of cells with cell measurements of the additional cells; determining, by the user device, based on the estimated correlation among the plurality of cells, the subset of cells to be measured; and transmitting, by the user device to the network node, at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating at least the reduced group of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells of the plurality of cells.

19. An apparatus comprising means for carrying out the method of any of claims 10-18.

20. An apparatus comprising: means for transmitting, by a user device to a network node, a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; means for receiving, by the user device from the network node, a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; means for measuring, by the user device, signals from the subset of cells indicated by the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to obtain multiple cell measurements;means for combining, by the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, the multiple cell measurements into one or more values to be reported to the network node, wherein a number of the one or more values to be reported is less than a number of the cell measurements; and means for transmitting, by the user device, to the network node, one or more measurement reports including the one or more values.

21. 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 at least to: receive, by a network node from a user device, a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; transmit, by the network node to the user device, a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; receive, by the network node from the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, one or more measurement reports.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration further comprises: information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among the plurality of cells, and which may be used to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on one or more cell measurements.

23. The apparatus of any of claims 21-22, wherein each received measurement report includes a value based on a combination of multiple measured cell measurements based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, the apparatus further caused to: determine, by the network node, a plurality of cell measurements based on the reported value of a received measurement report, and based on the reduced cell measurementand reporting configuration that indicates how multiple cell measurements should be combined to a value to be reported.

25. The apparatus of any of claims 21-24: wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration includes information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among the plurality of cells, and which may be used to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on one or more cell measurements; wherein the apparatus is further caused to: reconstruct or estimate, by the network node, one or more non-measured cell measurements based on one or received measurement reports, in accordance with the information indicating the proposed model.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, further caused to: transmit, by the network node to the user device, a message regarding a cell change or a handover of the user device based on the received measurement reports for measured cells and reconstructed cell measurements for one or more non-measured cells.

27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus is caused to: receive, by the network node from the user device, at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations indicating at least a group of cells for reduced cell measurement based on cell correlation; wherein the apparatus caused to transmit, by the network node to the user device, the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration comprises the apparatus being caused to transmit, by the network node to the user device, an indication for the user device to use one of the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations.

28. The apparatus of any of claims 21-27, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: transmit, by the network node from the user device, reconstruction accuracy requirements for a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to be used by the user device.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the apparatus caused to receive at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations comprises:transmit, by the network node to the user device, cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements for the network to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of nonmeasured cells based on measured cell measurements based on a model; wherein the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations satisfy the cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements.

30. The apparatus of any of claims 22-29, wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicates a mathematical and / or weighted combination of a plurality of the cell measurements to be used by the user device to provide a reduced number of measurement reports or a reduced number of values reported to the network node, and / or to be used by the network node to determine cell measurements of non-measured cells based on a received measurement report.

31. A method comprising: receiving, by a network node from a user device, a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; transmitting, by the network node to the user device, a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; and receiving, by the network node from the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, one or more measurement reports.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration further comprises: information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among the plurality of cells, and which may be used to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on one or more cell measurements.

33. The method of any of claims 31-32, wherein each received measurement report includes a value based on a combination of multiple measured cell measurements based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration.

34. The method of claim 33, the apparatus further caused to: determining, by the network node, a plurality of cell measurements based on the reported value of a received measurement report, and based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration that indicates how multiple cell measurements should be combined to a value to be reported.

35. The method of any of claims 31-34: wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration includes information indicating a proposed model to be used to determine correlation among the plurality of cells, and which may be used to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of non-measured cells based on one or more cell measurements; the method further comprising: reconstructing or estimating, by the network node, one or more non-measured cell measurements based on one or received measurement reports, in accordance with the information indicating the proposed model.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising: transmitting, by the network node to the user device, a message regarding a cell change or a handover of the user device based on the received measurement reports for measured cells and reconstructed cell measurements for one or more non-measured cells.

37. The method of claim 31, comprising: receiving, by the network node from the user device, at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations indicating at least a group of cells for reduced cell measurement based on cell correlation; wherein the transmitting, by the network node to the user device, the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration comprises transmitting, by the network node to the user device, an indication for the user device to use one of the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations.

38. The method of any of claims 31-37, further comprising: transmitting, by the network node from the user device, reconstruction accuracy requirements for a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration to be used by the user device.

39. The method of claim 38, comprising: transmitting, by the network node to the user device, cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements for the network to reconstruct or estimate cell measurements of nonmeasured cells based on cell measurements based on a model; wherein the at least one proposed reduced cell measurement and reporting configurations satisfy the cell measurement reconstruction accuracy requirements.

40. The method of any of claims 31-39, wherein the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicates a mathematical and / or weighted combination of a plurality of the cell measurements to be used by the user device to provide a reduced number of measurement reports or a reduced number of values reported to the network node, and / or to be used by the network node to determine cell measurements of non-measured cells based on a received measurement report.

41. An apparatus comprising means for carrying out the method of any of claims 30-39.

42. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving, by a network node from a user device, a request to perform reduced cell measurements and / or to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; means for transmitting, by the network node to the user device, a reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration indicating a subset of cells to be measured based on correlation with one or more non-measured cells and how cell measurements should be reported to the network node including how multiple cell measurements should be combined to provide a reduced number of measurement reports; and means for receiving, by the network node from the user device based on the reduced cell measurement and reporting configuration, one or more measurement reports.

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