Monitoring measurement restrictions during discontinuous reception

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus, a method and a computer program product. In accordance with an embodiment the method comprises receiving from a network one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, and one or more configuration parameters. The method further comprises determining the at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition to determine whether to skip a measurement period; and skipping the measurement period to prioritize data transmission when the determining reveals that at least one measurement period skipping condition is met.

Description

MONITORING MEASUREMENT RESTRICTIONS DURING DISCONTINUOUS RECEPTIONTECHNICAE FIEED

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for measurement adjustment in low mobility of a user equipment.BACKGROUND

[0002] This section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention that is recited in the claims. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description and claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0003] Measurement gaps (MGs) are periods during which a user equipment (UE) is configured to perform essential intra-frequency, inter-frequency and / or inter-RAT (radio access technology) E-UTRAN (Evolved UMTS Terrestial Radio Access Network) FDD (frequency division duplex), inter-RAT E-UTRAN TDD (time division duplex), and Ll-RSRP (reference signal received power) measurements that may be used by the NG-RAN (new generation radio access network). Typically, a UE has only one RF (radio frequency) module that is used for signal transmission and reception; therefore, in some cases the UE might require measurement gaps to identify and measure intra-frequency cells and / or inter-frequency cells and / or inter-RAT E-UTRAN cells.

[0004] During such measurement gaps at which a UE is not expected to receive / transmit any signal from / to the serving cells, other than those needed for the RRM (Radio Resource Management) measurements and random-access procedures; therefore data traffic interruption may occur due to scheduling restrictions in case the MG overlaps with data traffic arrival, thus increasing packet delay. Fig. 2A illustrates an example of a measurement gap with a 4 ms gap length.

[0005] XR (extended reality) services are characterized by a quasi-periodic bursty traffic with high data rates, non-integer periodicity and stringent packet delay budget (PDB); two of the main key performance indicators (KPI) for XR are user satisfaction rate (related to the PDB) and UE power consumption. For the latter, and because of the somewhat predictable XR traffic patterns,XR performance may benefit from power-saving techniques that help extend the UE battery lifetime.

[0006] Discontinuous reception (DRX) is a basic technique that allows configuring a DRX cycle in the UE. For LTE (Long Term Evolution) and 5G (5thgeneration) NR (New Radio), a DRX cycle consists of an active period (on-duration), during which the UE monitors a control channel, namely the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and a sleeping period (off-duration), during which the UE turns off at least a part of its (RF) circuitry to save power. The sleeping period may also be called as a sleeping window. If no scheduling occurs during the active period, the UE goes to sleep at the end of such period and waits until the end of the DRX cycle to wake up and monitor the control signaling again. If, on the contrary, the UE is scheduled, it remains in the active mode during a configurable period which is controlled by an inactivity timer that the UE (re)starts every time it is scheduled, and only switches to sleeping mode when the inactivity timer expires. This mechanism avoids going into sleeping mode too soon, i.e., while there is still data to be transmitted / received, and increasing the delays.

[0007] Because of the tight PDB of XR, the DRX configuration should be aligned with traffic behavior to allow for data transmission as soon as the on-duration period starts and avoid capacity degradation.

[0008] For the case of XR services with DRX as the UE power-saving method, the use of measurement gaps can compromise the application performance in case it overlaps with the on- duration period of the DRX cycle since, according to current specifications, the measurements performed during the MG would have priority over data transmissions.SUMMARY

[0009] Some embodiments provide a method and apparatus for monitoring UE measurement restrictions during discontinuous reception.

[0010] To tackle the problem presented above, a DRX based measurement gap skipping mechanism will be introduced in this specification. In case a measurement gap overlaps with the on-duration period of the DRX cycle, the UE and gNB (a.k.a. gNodeB) may take a decision of whether to prioritize the XR data over the measurement gap or not, according to pre-defined conditions. The configuration of such mechanism would be controlled by the network and signaled a priori to the UE, for example using radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0011] In accordance with an embodiment, on the UE side, the mechanism is based on calculations already performed by the UE to know when the next discontinuous reception occasion and measurement gap occasion are expected to collide. On the gNB side, because it already knows when the upcoming discontinuous reception occasion and measurement gap occasion are expected for the UE, it can also apply the conditions and make the decision of avoiding the scheduling restrictions due to measurement gaps if the mechanism is activated and thus avoid increasing the XR packet delays.

[0012] In accordance with an embodiment, one or more of the following aspects will be utilized.

[0013] One or more RRC configuration parameters will be implemented that accounts for the various evaluation conditions and constraints so that the UE can perform the assessment of MG skipping based on the DRX configuration parameters.

[0014] Enhancements to RRC signaling procedures and exchanged control messages between gNB and UE may be provided in order to dynamically skip the MG occasion for data transmission to maintain the XR quality of service (QoS) and delay requirement or prioritize the measurement activities for mobility management.

[0015] Based on RRC parameters and additional conditions that enable the UE to autonomously (i.e., without additional signaling between network and UE) decide that a MG window shall be skipped.

[0016] Some embodiments are implemented in the context of the 5G communication systems and relate to UE and / or network implementation of mechanisms for monitoring UE measurement restrictions during discontinuous reception.

[0017] According to an embodiment, there is provided a method, to be employed by a user equipment, to perform determination whether to skip a measurement gap or not.

[0018] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims. The embodiments that do not fall under the scope of the claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the disclosure.

[0019] According to a first aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for receiving from a network one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition,one or more configuration parameters; means for determining the at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition to determine whether to skip a measurement period; and means for skipping the measurement period to prioritize data transmission when the determining reveals that at least one measurement period skipping condition is met.

[0020] According to a second aspect there is provided a method comprising: receiving from a network one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; determining the at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition to determine whether to skip a measurement period; and skipping the measurement period to prioritize data transmission when the determining reveals that at least one measurement period skipping condition is met.

[0021] According to a third aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising 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 to perform at least the following: receiving from a network one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; determining the at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition to determine whether to skip a measurement period; and skipping the measurement period to prioritize data transmission when the determining reveals that at least one measurement period skipping condition is met.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect there is provided a computer program product comprising computer readable program code which, when executed by at least one processor; cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving from a network one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least:at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; determining the at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition to determine whether to skip a measurement period; and skipping the measurement period to prioritize data transmission when the determining reveals that at least one measurement period skipping condition is met.

[0023] According to a fifth aspect there is provided apparatus comprising: means for determining one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; means for transmitting to a user equipment the one or more signalling configurations for determining whether at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition is met.

[0024] According to a sixth aspect there is provided a method comprising: determining one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; transmitting to a user equipment the one or more signalling configurations for determining whether at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition is met

[0025] According to a seventh aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising 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 to perform at least the following: determining one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; transmitting to a user equipment the one or more signalling configurations for determining whether at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition is met.

[0026] According to an eighth aspect there is provided a computer program comprising computer readable program code which, when executed by at least one processor; cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: determining one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; transmitting to a user equipment the one or more signalling configurations for determining whether at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition is met.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example in which the examples may be practiced;

[0029] Fig. 2A illustrates an example of a measurement gap with a 4 ms gap length;

[0030] Fig. 2B illustrates an example of prioritization of measurement gap over data;

[0031] Fig. 3 shows an example of a DRX based measurement gap skipping mechanism;

[0032] Fig. 4 illustrates a user equipment-centric approach for the skipping mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0033] Fig. 5 illustrates a network-centric approach for the skipping mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0034] Fig. 6A illustrates some operations of a method for a user equipment, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0035] Fig. 6B illustrates some operations of a method for a network element, in accordance with an embodiment; and

[0036] Fig. 7 shows a block diagram of an apparatus in accordance with at least some embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTON OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The following embodiments are exemplary. Although the specification may refer to "an", "one", or "some" embodiment(s) in several locations, this does not necessarily mean that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.

[0038] It should be noted here that in this specification, the term ‘base station’ refers to a logical element containing logical communication system layers (e.g. LI, L2, L3). The base stations of different RATs may be implemented in the same hardware or at separate hardware. It should also be mentioned that although the expressions “each base station” and “each mobile station” or “each user equipment” may be used, these terms need not mean every existing base station, mobile station or user equipment but base stations, mobile stations or user equipment in a certain area or set. For example, each base station may mean all base stations within a certain geographical area or all base stations of an operator of a wireless communication network or a sub-set of base stations of an operator of a wireless communication network.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example in which the examples may be practiced. A user equipment (UE) 110, radio access network (RAN) node 170, and network element(s) 190 are illustrated. In the example of FIG. 1, the user equipment 110 is in wireless communication with a wireless network 100. A user equipment is a wireless device that can access the wireless network 100. The user equipment 110 includes one or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, and one or more transceivers 130 interconnected through one or more buses 127. Each of the one or more transceivers 130 includes a receiver, Rx, 132 and a transmitter, Tx, 133. The one or more buses 127 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fibre optics or other optical communication equipment, and the like. The one or more transceivers 130 are connected to one or more antennas 128. The one or more memories 125 include computer program code 123. The user equipment 110 includes a module 140, which may be implemented in a number of ways. The module 140 may be implemented in hardware as module 140-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors 120. The module 140-1 may also be implemented as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the module 140 may be implemented as module140-2, which is implemented as computer program code 123 and is executed by the one or more processors 120. For instance, the one or more memories 125 and the computer program code 123 may be configured to, with the one or more processors 120, cause the user equipment 110 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. The user equipment 110 communicates with RAN node 170 via a wireless link 111. The modules 140-1 and 140-2 may be configured to implement the functionality of the user equipment as described herein.

[0040] The RAN node 170 in this example is a base station that provides access by wireless devices such as the user equipment 110 to the wireless network 100. Thus, the RAN node 170 (and the base station) may also be called as an access point of a wireless communication network). The RAN node 170 may be, for example, a base station for 5G, also called New Radio (NR). In 5G, the RAN node 170 may be a NG-RAN node, which is defined as either a gNB (a next generation NodeB) or an ng-eNB. A gNB is a node providing NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE and connected via the NG interface to a 5GC (such as, for example, the network element(s) 190). The ng-eNB is a node providing E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE and connected via the NG interface to the 5GC. The NG-RAN node may include multiple gNBs, which may also include a central unit (CU) (gNB- CU) 196 and distributed unit(s) (DUs) (gNB-DUs), of which DU 195 is shown. Note that the DU 195 may include or be coupled to and control a radio unit (RU). The gNB-CU 196 is a logical node hosting radio resource control (RRC), SDAP and PDCP protocols of the gNB or RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB that controls the operation of one or more gNB-DUs. The gNB-CU 196 terminates the Fl interface connected with the gNB-DU 195. The Fl interface is illustrated as reference 198, although reference 198 also illustrates a link between remote elements of the RAN node 170 and centralized elements of the RAN node 170, such as between the gNB-CU 196 and the gNB-DU 195. The gNB-DU 195 is a logical node hosting RLC, MAC and PHY layers of the gNB or en-gNB, and its operation is partly controlled by gNB-CU 196. One gNB-CU 196 supports one or multiple cells. One cell is supported by only one gNB-DU 195. The gNB-DU 195 terminates the Fl interface 198 connected with the gNB-CU 196. Note that the DU 195 is considered to include the transceiver 160, e.g., as part of a RU, but some examples of this may have the transceiver 160 as part of a separate RU, e.g., under control of and connected to the DU 195. The RAN node 170 may also be an eNB (evolved NodeB) base station, for LIE (long term evolution), or any other suitable base station or node.

[0041] The RAN node 170 includes one or more processors 152, one or more memories 155, one or more network interfaces (N / W I / F(s)) 161, and one or more transceivers 160 interconnected through one or more buses 157. Each of the one or more transceivers 160 includes a receiver, Rx, 162 and a transmitter, Tx, 163. The one or more transceivers 160 are connected to one or more antennas 158. The one or more memories 155 include computer program code 153. The CU 196 may include the processor(s) 152, memory(ies) 155, and network interfaces 161. Note that the DU 195 may also contain its own memory / memories and processor(s), and / or other hardware, but these are not shown.

[0042] The RAN node 170 includes a module 150, comprising one of or both parts 150-1 and / or 150-2, which may be implemented in a number of ways. The module 150 may be implemented in hardware as module 150-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors 152. The module 150-1 may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the module 150 may be implemented as module 150-2, which is implemented as computer program code 153 and is executed by the one or more processors 152. For instance, the one or more memories 155 and the computer program code 153 are configured to, with the one or more processors 152, cause the RAN node 170 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. Note that the functionality of the module 150 may be distributed, such as being distributed between the DU 195 and the CU 196, or be implemented solely in the DU 195. The modules 150-1 and 150-2 may be configured to implement the functionality of the base station described herein. Such functionality of the base station may include a location management function (LMF) implemented based on functionality of the LMF described herein. Such LMF may also be implemented within the RAN node 170 as a location management component (LMC).

[0043] The one or more network interfaces 161 communicate over a network such as via the links 176 and 131. Two or more gNBs 170 may communicate using, e.g., link 176. The link 176 may be wired or wireless or both and may implement, for example, an Xn interface for 5G, an X2 interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other standards.

[0044] The one or more buses 157 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, wireless channels, and the like. For example, the one or more transceivers 160 may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH) 195 for LTEor a distributed unit (DU) 195 for gNB implementation for 5G, with the other elements of the RAN node 170 possibly being physically in a different location from the RRH / DU 195, and the one or more buses 157 could be implemented in part as, for example, fiber optic cable or other suitable network connection to connect the other elements (e.g., a central unit (CU), gNB-CU) of the RAN node 170 to the RRH / DU 195. Reference 198 also indicates those suitable network link(s).

[0045] It is noted that description herein indicates that "cells" perform functions, but it should be clear that equipment which forms the cell may perform the functions. The cell makes up part of a base station. That is, there can be multiple cells per base station. For example, there could be three cells for a single carrier frequency and associated bandwidth, each cell covering one-third of a 360 degree area so that the single base station's coverage area covers an approximate oval or circle. Furthermore, each cell can correspond to a single carrier and a base station may use multiple carriers. So, if there are three 120 degree cells per carrier and two carriers, then the base station has a total of 6 cells.

[0046] The wireless network 100 may include a network element or elements 190 that may include core network functionality, and which provides connectivity via a link or links 181 with a further network, such as a telephone network and / or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet). Such core network functionality for 5G may include location management functions (LMF(s)) and / or access and mobility management function(s) (AMF(S)) and / or user plane functions (UPF(s)) and / or session management function(s) (SMF(s)). Such core network functionality for LTE may include MME (Mobility Management Entity ) / SGW (Serving Gateway) functionality. These are merely example functions that may be supported by the network element(s) 190, and note that both 5G and LTE functions might be supported. The RAN node 170 is coupled via a link 131 to the network element 190. The link 131 may be implemented as, e.g., an NG interface for 5G, or an SI interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other standards. The network element 190 includes one or more processors 175, one or more memories 171, and one or more network interfaces (N / W I / F(s)) 180, interconnected through one or more buses 185. The one or more memories 171 include computer program code 173. The one or more memories 171 and the computer program code 173 are configured to, with the one or more processors 175, cause the network element 190 to perform one or more operations such as functionality of an LMF as described herein. In some examples, a single LMF could serve a large region covered by hundreds of base stations.

[0047] The wireless network 100 may implement network virtualization, which is the process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functionality into a single, software-based administrative entity, a virtual network. Network virtualization involves platform virtualization, often combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is categorized as either external, combining many networks, or parts of networks, into a virtual unit, or internal, providing network-like functionality to software containers on a single system. Note that the virtualized entities that result from the network virtualization are still implemented, at some level, using hardware such as processors 152 or 175 and memories 155 and 171, and also such virtualized entities create technical effects.

[0048] The computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be means for performing storage functions. The processors 120, 152, and 175 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general-purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The processors 120, 152, and 175 may be means for performing functions, such as controlling the UE 110, RAN node 170, network element(s) 190, and other functions as described herein.

[0049] In general, the various embodiments of the user equipment 110 can include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones such as smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs) having wireless communication capabilities, portable computers having wireless communication capabilities, image capture devices such as digital cameras having wireless communication capabilities, gaming devices having wireless communication capabilities, music storage and playback appliances having wireless communication capabilities, Internet appliances permitting wireless Internet access and browsing, tablets with wireless communication capabilities, as well as portable units or terminals that incorporate combinations of such functions.

[0050] Module 150-1 and / or module 150-2 may implement the functionalities and signaling of the gNB or radio node as herein described. Computer program code 173 may implement the functionalities and signaling of the AMF or network element as herein described.

[0051] When a user equipment 110 is in idle mode, the user equipment 110 does not have an active data session (e.g. a phone call, an internet connection, etc.) but should be reachable via signaling (paging) through an appropriate cell. In paging procedure a brief message may be broadcast simultaneously over the entire service area usually in a multicast fashion by many base stations. The user equipment 110 monitors the paging channel for incoming service requests. Such user equipments periodically enter to an active mode of their baseband and / or receivers to synchronize with the network and check for paging messages from the network. Upon reception of a paging message, the user equipment 110 responds to the paging message e.g. by establishing a connection with the base station controlling the cell on which the user equipment 110 is camped. Upon successful connection the user equipment 110 changes to a connected state. Cell selection and / or reselection may happen when the user equipment 110 is in inactive and / or idle mode and has determined that the user equipment 110 should change its serving cell, i.e. it should camp to a more appropriate cell in order to not compromise successful reception of future paging messages and to be able to effectively transfer uplink data. The user equipment 110 may seek to identify a suitable cell based on so-called idle and inactive mode cell measurements and cell selection criteria. Suitable cells are those whose measured attribute meets, for example, the quality selection criteria (s-criteria) for the cell selection procedure. If a suitable cell is not available, the user equipment 110 may try to identify an acceptable cell. In this case, the user equipment 110 may camp on an acceptable cell and starts the cell reselection procedure. The user equipment 110 may implement the discontinuous reception (DRX) method, in which the user equipment 110 may switch off its receiver(s) (e.g. receiver chain(s), antenna panels and elements) avoiding PDCCH monitoring, and enter a low power state for improved energy efficiency. Such DRX method is also applicable when the user equipment is in the RRC inactive or idle state, by applying a DRX cycle that is referred to inactive / idle I-DRX cycle or paging cycle. Then, the user equipment periodically ”wakes-up" to monitor for and receive paging indications if present. In some examples, the wakeup period (paging cycle) can be e.g. 0.32s, 0.64s, 1.28s or 2.56s long, and typically 1.28 s.

[0052] When camped on a cell, the user equipment 110 may regularly search for a better cell according to the cell reselection criteria. If a better cell is found that cell may be selected. For such purpose, the UE may measure neighbour cells based on e.g. the neighbours’ lists provided by the network. Typically at least once at every DRX cycle, the user equipment 110 may measure RSRP and RSRQ levels of the serving cell to evaluate the so-called cell selection criteria S (S-criteria)comprising criteria relating to the measurement rules for cell re-selection. If the s-criteria are not fulfilled for the serving cell, the user equipment 110 tries to identify a new serving cell. For instance, if the s-criteria are not fulfilled e.g. for a certain number of consecutive DRX cycles, the user equipment 110 may have to initiate measurements of all neighbouring cells regardless of the measurement / priority criteria provided to the user equipment 110 by the network. On the contrary, if one or more s-criterion is fulfilled for the serving cell, the UE need not perform measurements of intra / inter-frequency neighbours in order to limit the RRM measurements performed for cell reselection.

[0053] The user equipment 110 is configured by the base station BS to perform the signal level / quality measurements based on the transmitted synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) sent by the serving base station and neighbouring base stations, where the measurements are made over a set of received downlink reference signals sent by the serving and neighbouring cells. Both the user equipment 110 and the base station BS are aware of the time-frequency location of these signals and their design. As in LTE, in 5G NR the Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) is defined as the average received power without interference and noise components, and the Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) is defined as the ratio between the RSRP and the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), where RSSI is the total received power including noise and interference. When the RSRP measurement of its serving cell falls below a threshold relating to the s-criteria (e.g. S(non)intraSearohP(Q)) defined by the network, the user equipment 110 may have to start measuring signals from the neighbouring base stations.

[0054] Some RSRP measurement techniques comprise the linear averaging of power contributions of time-frequency samples of a reference signal, i.e. one sample per resource element (RE), carrying the reference signal. In this specification, these are referred as the set of physical samples having a size K.

[0055] The user equipment 110 is configured by the base station BS with a synchronization signal block measurement timing configuration (SMTC) for intra-frequency measurements of a target cell. The SMTC comprises information about periodicity, duration and offset of the measurement window, wherein the UE may be able to perform signal measurements during the gap indicated by the SMTC.

[0056] In the following it will be described how coexistence of MG and DRX would affect the XR specific QoS performance. It should be noted that similar aspects presented below inconnection with MG may also be applicable to SMTC. For example, when it is described that the UE may prioritize data transmission over performing signal measurements at the measurement gaps, the UE may also prioritize data transmission over performing signal measurements at the gaps defined by SMTC. Therefore, when describing that a measurement gap will be skipped, similarly an SMTC window may be skipped to prioritize data transmission over measurements.

[0057] Generally, this kind of operation may also be called as skipping of an occurrence of a measurement period.

[0058] According to the current standards, in the case that a pre-configured MG overlaps with the start of the DRX cycle, the UE shall give priority to the RRM measurements over receiving data from the serving cells. Thus, if there is XR data already buffered at the time of the MG, data interruption may occur risking violating the PDB. This issue is illustrated in Fig. 2B, which illustrates an example of prioritization of measurement gap over data.

[0059] If the network would instruct (e.g., via DCI) to the UE to skip the RRM measurements and give priority to the data, in a scenario where both the start of the DRX active time and the start of the MG align, there might not be enough time for the network to indicate to the UE to skip the MG and therefore the measurement activities would be prioritized.

[0060] In the following, a DRX based MG skipping mechanism will be described, in accordance with an embodiment, which relies on formulas that the UE currently uses to know when the next DRX occasion and the next MG are expected, and on different conditions that can be checked to make the decision.

[0061] The network (e.g. the gNB) may have configured some parameters relating to the DRX cycle. One parameter is called as a drxLongCycle, which is an RRC parameter and by which the network can control the start location of the long DRX cycle. The network may have also configured another parameter called as a drxShortCycle, which in general is shorter than the long cycle duration. If the network configures the short DRX cycle, it should ensure that the long DRX cycle duration is an integer multiple of the short DRX cycle duration.

[0062] If there is no data activity during the on duration of a long cycle, the UE may simply follow the long DRX cycle as if the short DRX cycle is not configured. If there is any data activity, the UE would switch to the short DRX cycle and follow the short cycle for a certain amount of time. If there is no data activity during this time, the UE would then switch to the long DRX cycle.Short DRX cycles after recent data activity may be useful because the probability of being scheduled again during a certain amount of time after recent activity can be higher.

[0063] Within a short DRX cycle, the start of on duration can be determined using a long cycle parameters drxStartOffset and drxSlotOffset.

[0064] A parameter gapOffset can be defined as an offset of the gap pattern. There may be a plurality of (e.g. about 160) offset values, but all those values may not be applicable for all periodicity. The offset values points to the starting subframe within the period, its value range is from 0 to a measurement gap repetition period minus 1 (MGRP-1).

[0065] In accordance with an embodiment, the UE identifies that the start of the DRX active time happens at a system frame number (SFN) and subframe meeting a certain condition described below. The system frame number is a frame having a certain length, e.g. 10 ms. This frame is divided into subframes, for example into 10 subframes, wherein each subframe may be 1 ms long or less. However, these are only examples of the lengths of the system frame number and the subframes.

[0066] If the Short DRX cycle is used, the condition is as follows:[(SFN x 10) + subframe number] modulo (drxShortCycle)= drxStartOffset) modulo (drxShortCycle)

[0067] If the Long DRX cycle is used, the condition is as follows:[(SFN x 10) + subframe number] modulo (dr xLong Cycle) = drxLongCycle)

[0068] On the other hand, for measurement gaps, the UE determines that each gap occurs at an SFN and subframe meeting the following conditions:SFN modulo T = FLOOR(gapOffset / 10) subframe = gapOffset modulo 10 withT = MGRP / 10 where MGRP is the Measurement Gap Repetition Period in ms.

[0069] In the following, some sets of measurement gap skipping conditions for UE will be described to evaluate whether it is suitable to skip the measurement gap, according to the interplay between DRX configuration and MG configuration.

[0070] One approach for the measurement gap skipping mechanism would be to skip the measurement gap when both DRX condition and MG conditions are met based, for example, on aRRC parameter that enables this kind of behavior. For example, there may be a parameter that has a first value (e.g. “true”) which indicates that the UE may skip a measurement gap when the condition(s) is / are met and a second value (e.g. “false”) which indicates that the UE may not skip a measurement gap although the condition(s) is / are met. As another example, a presence or absence of a parameter may be indicative of whether the UE may or may not skip a measurement gap when the condition(s) is / are met.

[0071] First, the UE determines if the measurement gap skipping mechanism is configured. If so, the UE determines if the system frame number SFN and the subframe, where a DRX condition is met (e.g. OnDuration starts), equals the SFN and the subframe where an MG condition is met. If so, the UE skips the next measurement gap. This kind of situation (DRX based MG skipping mechanism) is illustrated in Fig. 2c.

[0072] In accordance with an embodiment, to add more flexibility, a time offset could additionally be added to skip the measurement gap when its starting subframe is n (one or more) subframes after the start of the DRX active time, with n provided in the measurement gap skipping mechanism configuration. Hence, the UE determines, if the measurement gap skipping mechanism is configured. If the measurement gap skipping mechanism is configured, the UE may, on one hand, determine if the SFN where measurement gap condition is met equals the SFN where the DRX condition is met. In that situation the following may be performed by the UE. If the UE detects that subframeMG+ n = subframeDRX, then the UE decides to skip the next measurement gap.

[0073] On the other hand, if the next SFN where the measurement gap condition is met is higher than the SFN where the DRX condition is met, the following may be performed by the UE. If the UE detects that subframeMG= (subframeDRX+ n) modulo 10, then the UE decides to skip the next measurement gap.

[0074] It should be noted that the parameter n, which is a positive integer, can be defined in terms of number of subframes, slots or any other value used to measure time.

[0075] As another implementation option, the decision to skip or not the next measurement gap could be made considering the length of a sleeping window (“sleeping time”, off-duration) of the DRX cycle. If the sleeping time is longer than a defined threshold then the UE may prioritize the data over the measurement gap, because it is more likely that there is already data buffered waiting to be delivered. If, on the contrary, the sleeping time is shorter than the threshold, the UE couldprioritize the measurement gap, given that because of the quasi-periodic nature of the XR traffic no new data is expected. In this case, the decision making could be the following:

[0076] The UE determines if the measurement gap skipping mechanism is configured. If the measurement gap skipping mechanism is configured, the UE may determine if the subframe number where measurement gap condition is met, equals the SFN where the DRX condition is met. In that case, the UE could further determine if DRX-sleepingTime > drxOffThreshold and if so, skip the next measurement gap.

[0077] In this latest case, keeping track of the DRX sleeping time may involve the introduction of a new timer or counter on the UE side. The value of the drxOffThreshold would be indicated via RRC with the measurement gap skipping mechanism configuration.

[0078] Another aspect that could be considered in the decision making would be the mobility and cell edge evaluation of the UE. If the UE is on a cell edge, it might be beneficial to continue giving priority to the measurement gaps over the data, because a handover might be needed. For this case, the decision making could be the following:

[0079] First, the UE determines if the measurement gap skipping mechanism is configured and if so, the UE may also determine if the SFN where measurement gap condition is met equals the SFN where the DRX condition is met. Then, if lowMobilityEvaluation and cellEdgeEvaluation are configured and if the UE fulfills the relaxed measurements criterion, the UE may decide to skip the next measurement gap.

[0080] Moreover, if multiple parameters are configured, which may be used for the different options presented above, more flexible conditions evaluation could be performed where all aspects are considered. The multiple proposed parameters could then include, but are not necessarily limited to:

[0081]

[0082] In the following, some examples of signaling for the measurement gap skipping mechanism will be provided in accordance with an embodiment.

[0083] In accordance with an embodiment, two approaches for the skipping mechanism are provided: 1) a UE-centric case (illustrated in Fig. 4), meaning that the UE can autonomously perform the skipping without gNB indication and control; and 2) a network-centric case (illustrated in Fig. 5), meaning that the skipping action performed at the UE requires the network control and grant.

[0084] The first approach, i.e., the UE-centric case will be described in the following with reference to Fig. 4, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0085] At Step 400, the UE and gNB exchange messages to provide capability information to the other entity (i.e. from UE to gNB and from gNB to UE). This exchange of messages may be performed via RRC (re)configuration. The default parameters are determined at this step including DRX configuration, Measurement Gap configuration, etc.

[0086] At Step 401, the gNB sends one or more signaling configurations to be used for the execution of one or more measurement gap skipping related procedures. The configuration signaling message includes but is not limited to the following: Measurement Gap skipping evaluation condition(s), parameters that should be configured together with the Measurement Gap skipping conditions, the number of evaluation conditions, evaluation outcome indication signal related parameters, and possible other relevant parameters.

[0087] The Measurement Gap skipping evaluation conditions include at least one of the following. Option-1 : a start time of DRX On duration vs Measurement Gap; Option-2: overlapping of DRX On duration vs Measurement Gap in n subframe number; Option-3: DRX-sleepingTime vs drxOffThreshold; Option-4: a stationary condition for prioritizing data transmission or handover, such as lowMobilityEvaluation and cellEdgeEvaluation, etc.

[0088] At least one of the following new parameters that should be configured together with the Measurement Gap skipping conditions. For example, when Option-2 (overlapping of DRX On duration vs Measurement Gap in n subframe number) is configured, then the overlapping period n should also be configured. When Option-3 (DRX-sleepingTime vs drxOffThreshold) is configured, then the DRX Off threshold drxOffThreshold should also be configured.

[0089] The gNB may determine and signal to the UE the number of the configured evaluation conditions for Measurement Gap skipping, which means the evaluation can be executed jointly or individually.

[0090] The evaluation outcome indication signal related parameters are, e.g., the indication signal format, reporting periodicities, etc. More details of this will be described in connection with the step 405 below.

[0091] Possible other relevant parameters may include, e.g., the evaluation time period / window Tevai_skipping to execute the assessment of the above listed conditions.

[0092] At Step 402, which may be optional, the gNB triggers the evaluation phase in Step 403.

[0093] At Step 403 the UE monitors and evaluates one or more Measurement Gap skipping related conditions individually.

[0094] At Step 404 the UE skips the next measurement gap to prioritize the data transmission.

[0095] At Step 405, which is also optional, the UE reports to the gNB to indicate the evaluation outcome and request to perform the measurement gap skipping action.

[0096] Status reporting periodicity or timer in ms is configured to the UE at Step 401. The value is related to the UE capability and use case.

[0097] Signal format is defined as the sequence of bitstring is generated according to the evaluation outcome at Step 403. Depending on the number of the configured skipping condition N, the indication signal is generated as a compound A bits format. For instance, if all the evaluation conditions are verified, the resulting bitstring would be 111 if number of conditions N=3, which would mostly lead to the skipping decision.

[0098] This signal can either be extended as the UE Assistance Information or embedded as MAC CE.

[0099] The second approach, i.e., the network-centric case will be described in the following with reference to Fig. 5, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0100] Steps 500, 501, 502 and 503 are similar to the steps 400, 401, 402 and 403 of the first approach and will be repeated here.

[0101] At Step 500, the UE and gNB exchange messages to provide capability information to the other entity (i.e. from UE to gNB and from gNB to UE). This exchange of messages may be performed via RRC (re)configuration. The default parameters are determined at this step including DRX configuration, Measurement Gap configuration, etc.

[0102] At Step 501 the gNB sends one or more signaling configurations to be used for the execution of one or more more measurement gap skipping related procedures. The configuration signaling message includes but not limited to the following: Measurement Gap skipping evaluation condition(s), parameters that should be configured together with the Measurement Gap skipping conditions, the number of evaluation conditions, evaluation outcome indication signal related parameters, and possible other relevant parameters.

[0103] The Measurement Gap skipping evaluation conditions include at least one of the following. Option-1 : a start time of DRX On duration vs Measurement Gap; Option-2: overlapping of DRX On duration vs Measurement Gap in n subframe number; Option-3: DRX-sleepingTime vs drxOffThreshold; Option-4: a stationary condition for prioritizing data transmission or handover, such as lowMobilityEvaluation and cellEdgeEvaluation, etc.

[0104] At least one of the following new parameters may be configured together with the Measurement Gap skipping conditions. For example, when Option-2 (overlapping of DRX On duration vs Measurement Gap in n subframe number) is configured, then the overlapping period n should also be configured. When Option-3 (DRX-sleepingTime vs drxOffThreshold) is configured, then the DRX Off threshold drxOffThreshold should also be configured.

[0105] The gNB may determine and signal to the UE the number of the configured evaluation conditions for Measurement Gap skipping, which means the evaluation can be executed jointly or individually.

[0106] The evaluation outcome indication signal related parameters are, e.g., the indication signal format, reporting periodicities, etc. More details of this will be described in connection with the step 405 below.

[0107] Possible other relevant parameters may include, e.g., the evaluation time period / window Tevai_skipping to execute the assessment of the above listed conditions.

[0108] At Step 502, which may be optional, the gNB triggers the evaluation phase in Step 503.

[0109] At Step 503, the UE monitors and evaluates one or more Measurement Gap skipping related conditions individually.

[0110] At Step 504, the UE reports to the gNB to indicate the evaluation outcome and request to perform the measurement gap skipping action.

[0111] Status reporting periodicity or timer in ms is configured to the UE at Step 501. The value is related to the UE capability and use case.

[0112] Signal format is defined as the sequence of bitstring is generated according to the evaluation outcome at Step 503. Depending on the number of the configured skipping condition N, the indication signal is generated as a compound A bits format. For instance, if all the evaluation conditions are verified, the resulting bitstring would be 111 if number of conditions N=3, which would mostly lead to the skipping decision.

[0113] This signal can either be extended as the UE Assistance Information or embedded as MAC CE.

[0114] At Step 505, the gNB receives the indication signal and performs the outcome assessment, then decide whether it is necessary to skip the next Measurement Gap.

[0115] At Steps 506 and 507, the gNB sends the feedback to the UE, so the UE can skip the next measurement gap to prioritize the data transmission.

[0116] At Steps 508, 509 and 510, which all are optional, the UE reports to gNB the post indication and gNB stores the evaluation outcome, possibly further sends feedback to the UE.

[0117] A communication system typically comprises more than one (e / g)NodeB in which case the (e / g)NodeBs may also be configured to communicate with one another over links, wired or wireless, designed for the purpose. These links may be used for signaling purposes. The (e / g)NodeB is a computing device configured to control the radio resources of communication system it is coupled to. The NodeB may also be referred to as a base station, an access point or any other type of interfacing device including a relay station capable of operating in a wirelessenvironment. The (e / g)NodeB includes or is coupled to transceivers. From the transceivers of the (e / g)NodeB, a connection is provided to an antenna unit that establishes bi-directional radio links to user equipments. The antenna unit may comprise a plurality of antennas or antenna elements. The (e / g)NodeB is further connected to core network 109 (CN or next generation core NGC). Depending on the system, the counterpart on the CN side can be a serving gateway (S-GW, routing and forwarding user data packets), packet data network gateway (P-GW), for providing connectivity of user equipments (UEs) to external packet data networks, or mobile management entity (MME), etc. The CN may comprise network entities or nodes that may be referred to management entities. Examples of the network entities comprise at least an Access management Function (AMF).

[0118] The user equipment (also called a user device, a user terminal, a terminal device, a wireless device, a mobile station (MS) etc.) illustrates one type of an apparatus to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, and thus any feature described herein with a user equipment may be implemented with a corresponding network apparatus, such as a relay node, an eNB, and an gNB. An example of such a relay node is a layer 3 relay (self-backhauling relay) towards the base station.

[0119] The user equipment typically refers to a portable computing device that includes wireless mobile communication devices operating with or without a subscriber identification module (SIM), including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: a mobile station (mobile phone), smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), handset, device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), laptop and / or touch screen computer, tablet, game console, notebook, and multimedia device. It should be appreciated that a user equipment may also be a nearly exclusive uplink only device, of which an example is a camera or video camera loading images or video clips to a network. A user equipment may also be a device having capability to operate in Internet of Things (loT) network which is a scenario in which objects are provided with the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to- computer interaction. The user equipment may also utilize cloud. In some applications, a user equipment may comprise a small portable device with radio parts (such as a watch, earphones or eyeglasses) and the computation is carried out in the cloud. The user equipment (or in some embodiments a layer 3 relay node) is configured to perform one or more of user equipment functionalities. The user equipment may also be called a subscriber unit, mobile station, remoteterminal, access terminal, user terminal or user equipment (UE) just to mention but a few names or apparatuses.

[0120] Fig. 6A illustrates some operations of a method for the user equipment, in accordance with an embodiment. The user equipment receives 600 from the network one or more signalling configurations comprising at least at least one measurement gap skipping evaluation condition, and one or more configuration parameters. The user equipment determines 602 the at least one measurement gap skipping evaluation condition to determine whether to skip a measurement gap; and skips 604 at least one measurement gap to prioritize data transmission when the determining reveals that at least one measurement gap skipping condition is met.

[0121] Fig. 6B illustrates some operations of a method for the network element, such as the gNB, in accordance with an embodiment. The network element determines 610 one or more signalling configurations comprising at least at least one measurement gap skipping evaluation condition, and one or more configuration parameters. Then, the network element transmits 612 the one or more signalling configurations to the user equipment for determining whether at least one measurement gap skipping evaluation condition is met.

[0122] Fig. 7 illustrates an example of a block diagram of an apparatus 110 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus 110 may be, for example, a part of the resource manager. The apparatus 110 comprises a processor 1022 and a transceiver 1024. The processor is operatively connected to the transceiver for controlling the transceiver. The apparatus may comprise a memory 1026. The memory may be operatively connected to the processor. It should be appreciated that the memory may be a separate memory or included to the processor and / or the transceiver. The memory 1026 may be used to store information, for example, about parameters 1032, thresholds 1034, default values and / or for some other information.

[0123] Fig. 7 also illustrates some operational units 1028, 1030 as a computer code stored in the memory but they may also be implemented using hardware components or as a mixture of computer code and hardware components.

[0124] According to an embodiment, the processor is configured to control the transceiver and / or to perform one or more functionalities described with a method according to an embodiment.

[0125] A memory may be a computer readable medium that may be non-transitory. The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implementedusing any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general-purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

[0126] Embodiments may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware and application logic. The software, application logic and / or hardware may reside on memory, or any computer media. In an example embodiment, the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a "memory" or "computer-readable medium" may be any media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer.

[0127] Reference to, where relevant, "computer-readable storage medium", "computer program product", "tangibly embodied computer program" etc., or a "processor" or "processing circuitry" etc. should be understood to encompass not only computers having differing architectures such as single / multi-processor architectures and sequencers / parallel architectures, but also specialized circuits such as field programmable gate arrays FPGA, application specify circuits ASIC, signal processing devices and other devices. References to computer readable program code means, computer program, computer instructions, computer code etc. should be understood to express software for a programmable processor firmware such as the programmable content of a hardware device as instructions for a processor or configured or configuration settings for a fixed function device, gate array, programmable logic device, etc.

[0128] Although the above examples describe embodiments of the invention operating within a wireless device or a gNB, it would be appreciated that the invention as described above may be implemented as a part of any apparatus comprising a circuitry in which radio frequency signals are transmitted and / or received. Thus, for example, embodiments of the invention may be implemented in a mobile phone, in a base station, in a computer such as a desktop computer or a tablet computer comprising radio frequency communication means (e.g. wireless local area network, cellular radio, etc.).

[0129] In general, the various embodiments of the invention may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits or any combination thereof. While various aspects of the invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0130] Embodiments of the inventions may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), microcontrollers, microprocessors, a combination of such modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[0131] Programs, such as those provided by Synopsys, Inc. of Mountain View, California and Cadence Design, of San Jose, California automatically route conductors and locate components on a semiconductor chip using well established rules of design as well as libraries of pre stored design modules. Once the design for a semiconductor circuit has been completed, the resultant design, in a standardized electronic format (e.g., Opus, GDSII, or the like) may be transmitted to a semiconductor fabrication facility or "fab" for fabrication.

[0132] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analogue and / or digital circuitry) and(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):(i) a combination of analogue and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and(ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and(c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

[0133] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0134] EXAMPLES

[0135] The following is a list of examples in accordance with at least some embodiments:1. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving from a network one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; means for determining the at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition to determine whether to skip a measurement period; and means for skipping the measurement period to prioritize data transmission when the determining reveals that at least one measurement period skipping condition is met.2. The apparatus according to example 1 wherein said measurement period skipping evaluation condition is met when a starting subframe of the next measurement period is one or more subframes after a start of a discontinuous reception starting time.3. The apparatus according to example 1 or 2 wherein said means for skipping are configured to skip a next measurement period if a discontinuousreception inactivity time is longer than a defined threshold, wherein the apparatus is configured to prioritize data over the measurement period.4. The apparatus according to any of the examples 1 to 3 comprising: means for reporting to the network is at least one measurement period skipping condition is met.5. The apparatus according to any of the examples 1 to 4 comprising: means for requesting the network to perform the measurement period skipping when at least one measurement period skipping condition is met.6. The apparatus according to the example 5 comprising: means for receiving from the network control signalling to skip a measurement period.7. The apparatus according to any of the examples 1 to 6 wherein said means for determining the at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition are configured to determine whether the measurement period overlaps with an on-duration period of a discontinuous reception cycle.8. The apparatus according to any of the examples 1 to 7 comprising: means for determining when a discontinuous reception cycle and a measurement period will be at least partly overlapping.9. The apparatus according to any of the examples 1 to 8, said means for determining are configured to identify when a start of the discontinuous reception starting time happens at a system frame number and a subframe meeting a certain condition.10. The apparatus according to any of the examples 1 to 9, said means for receiving are configured to receive said one or more signalling configurations as radio resource control signalling.11. The apparatus according to the example 7 or 8, wherein said means for adjusting are configured to perform the adjustment only during an evaluation period.12. The apparatus according to any of the examples 1 to 11, said means for determining are configured to determine if a system frame number and a subframe, where a discontinuous reception condition is met, equals a system frame number and a subframe where a measurement period condition is met, wherein the means for determining are configured to indicate to the means for skipping that a measurement period skipping condition is met.13. The apparatus according to any of the examples 1 to 12, said means for determining are configured to determine that a measurement period skipping condition is met, when a starting subframe of the measurement period is one or more subframes after a start of the discontinuous reception active time.14. The apparatus according to any of the examples 1 to 13, said means for determining are configured to determine a length of an off-duration time of the discontinuous reception cycle and determine that the measurement skipping condition is not met, if the off-duration time is longer than a defined threshold.15. The apparatus according to any of the examples 1 to 14, wherein the measurement period is a measurement gap or an SMTC window.16. A method comprising: receiving from a network one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least:at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; determining the at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition to determine whether to skip a measurement period; and skipping the measurement period to prioritize data transmission when the determining reveals that at least one measurement period skipping condition is met.17. The method according to claim 16 comprising skipping a next measurement period when a starting subframe of the next measurement period is one or more subframes after a start of a next discontinuous reception starting time.18. The method according to example 16 or 17 comprising: skipping a next measurement period if a discontinuous reception inactivity time is longer than a defined threshold to prioritize data over the measurement period19. The method according to any of the examples 16 to 18 comprising reporting to the network is at least one measurement period skipping condition is met.20. The method according to any of the examples 16 to 19 comprising requesting the network to perform the measurement period skipping when at least one measurement period skipping condition is met.21. The method according to any of the examples 16 to 20 comprising receiving from the network control signalling to skip a measurement period.22. An apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code the at least one memory and thecomputer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving from a network one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; determining the at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition to determine whether to skip a measurement period; and skipping the measurement period to prioritize data transmission when the determining reveals that at least one measurement period skipping condition is met.23. A computer program product comprising computer readable program code which, when executed by at least one processor; cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving from a network one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; determining the at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition to determine whether to skip a measurement period; and skipping the measurement period to prioritize data transmission when the determining reveals that at least one measurement period skipping condition is met.24. An apparatus comprising: means for determining one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; means for transmitting to a user equipment the one or more signalling configurations for determining whether at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition is met.25. The apparatus according to example 24 comprising: means for receiving from the user equipment indication that a skipping condition is met; and means for instructing the user equipment to skip the measurement period.26. The apparatus according to example 24 or 25 wherein said means for transmitting are configured to transmit the one or more signalling configurations as radio resource control signalling.27. A method comprising: determining one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; transmitting to a user equipment the one or more signalling configurations for determining whether at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition is met.28. An apparatus comprising 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 to perform at least the following: determining one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; transmitting to a user equipment the one or more signalling configurations for determining whether at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition is met.29. A computer program product comprising computer readable program code which, when executed by at least one processor; cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: determining one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; transmitting to a user equipment the one or more signalling configurations for determining whether at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition is met.

[0136] The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary and non-limiting examples a full and informative description of the exemplary embodiment of this invention. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of this invention will still fall within the scope of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving from a network one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; means for determining the at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition to determine whether to skip a measurement period; and means for skipping the measurement period to prioritize data transmission when the determining reveals that at least one measurement period skipping condition is met.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said measurement period skipping evaluation condition is met when a starting subframe of the next measurement period is one or more subframes after a start of a next discontinuous reception starting time.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said means for skipping are configured to skip a next measurement period if a discontinuous reception inactivity time is longer than a defined threshold, wherein the apparatus is configured to prioritize data over the measurement period.

4. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3 comprising: means for reporting to the network is at least one measurement period skipping condition is met.

5. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4 comprising: means for requesting the network to perform the measurement period skipping when at least one measurement period skipping condition is met.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 comprising: means for receiving from the network control signalling to skip a measurement period.

7. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein said means for determining the at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition are configured to determine whether the measurement period overlaps with an on-duration period of a discontinuous reception cycle.

8. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7 comprising: means for determining when a discontinuous reception cycle and a measurement period will be at least partly overlapping.

9. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, said means for determining are configured to identify when a start of the discontinuous reception starting time happens at a system frame number and a subframe meeting a certain condition.

10. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the measurement period is a measurement gap or an SMTC window.

11. A method comprising: receiving from a network one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; determining the at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition to determine whether to skip a measurement period; and skipping the measurement period to prioritize data transmission when the determining reveals that at least one measurement period skipping condition is met.

12. An apparatus comprising: means for determining one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; means for transmitting to a user equipment the one or more signalling configurations for determining whether at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition is met.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 comprising: means for receiving from the user equipment indication that a skipping condition is met; and means for instructing the user equipment to skip the measurement period.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12 or 13 wherein said means for transmitting are configured to transmit the one or more signalling configurations as radio resource control signalling.

15. A method comprising: determining one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; transmitting to a user equipment the one or more signalling configurations for determining whether at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition is met.

16. An apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code the at least one memory and thecomputer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: determining one or more signalling configurations, the one or more signalling configurations comprising at least: at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition, one or more configuration parameters; transmitting to a user equipment the one or more signalling configurations for determining whether at least one measurement period skipping evaluation condition is met.

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