Method, apparatus and computer program

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus comprising: means for providing, to a network entity, a beam sweeping factor associated with a user equipment, and means for determining a configuration related to UE measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor. The apparatus further comprises means for performing at least one measurement according to the configuration.

Description

[0001] METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to a method, apparatus, and computer program for a wireless communication system.

[0004] Background

[0005] A communication system may be a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as user terminals, base stations / access points and / or other nodes by providing carriers between the various entities involved in the communications path. A communication system may be provided, for example, by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. The communication sessions may comprise, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and / or content data and so on. Non-limiting examples of services provided comprise two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services and access to a data network system, such as the Internet.

[0006] Summary

[0007] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for providing, to a network entity, a beam sweeping factor associated with a user equipment; means for determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor; and means for performing at least one measurement according to the configuration.

[0008] In an example, the means for determining comprises: means for receiving, from the network entity, the configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor.

[0009] In an example, the beam sweeping factor is provided in user equipment (UE) assistance information. In an example, the beam sweeping factor associated with the user equipment is a beam sweeping factor that is currently configured for the user equipment. In an example, the apparatus comprises: means for receiving a plurality of configurations related to user equipment measurements, wherein each of the configurations comprises at least one parameter related to user equipment measurements.

[0010] In an example, the configuration related to UE measurements is one of the plurality of configurations.

[0011] In an example, the plurality of configurations are received in radio resource control signalling.

[0012] In an example, the means for receiving a plurality of configurations related to UE measurements comprises: means for receiving, for each of the plurality of configurations, information related to an association between the respective configuration and a beam sweeping factor.

[0013] In an example, the indication is for activating the configuration related to user equipment measurements from the plurality of configurations, to be used for user equipment measurements.

[0014] In an example, the apparatus comprises means for, in response to the indication, providing an acknowledgement of the configuration to the network entity.

[0015] In an example, the indication is received in a medium access control indication.

[0016] In an example, the configuration related to user equipment measurements is one of: a synchronisation signal / physical broadcast channel block measurement timing configuration (SMTC), a measurement gap configuration, a reference signal configuration.

[0017] In an example, the at least one parameter related to user equipment measurements comprises at least one of the following: an SMTC, an SMTC window, a periodicity, a time offset, a measurement gap, or a reference signal.

[0018] In an example, the configuration related to user equipment measurements comprises an SMTC configuration index and a value of the beam sweep factor associated with the SMTC configuration index.

[0019] In an example, the configuration related to user equipment measurements comprises at least one of the following: an SMTC configuration index, a measurement gap configuration identity.

[0020] In an example, the means for determining comprises: means for determining the configuration related to user equipment measurements based on at least one of the following: a pre-configured association list, a pre-defined association table, or a pre-defined formula, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor.

[0021] In an example, the apparatus comprises means for providing, to the network entity, information related to the at least one measurement performed by the user equipment according to the configuration.

[0022] In an example, one of: the apparatus is for the user equipment, the apparatus is comprised in the user equipment, the apparatus is the user equipment.

[0023] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a user equipment, a beam sweeping factor associated with the user equipment; means for determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor; and means for receiving, from the user equipment, information related to measurements performed by the user equipment according to the configuration.

[0024] In an example, the means for determining comprises: means for determining the configuration related to user equipment measurements based on the beam sweeping factor.

[0025] In an example, the means for determining comprises: means for determining the configuration related to user equipment measurements based on at least one of the following: the beam sweeping factor, a parameter associated with a network entity, properties associated with a channel between the user equipment and a network entity, a load associated with a network entity, a scheduler parameter, a parameter associated with a variability of a channel, user equipment distribution in a cell, user equipment distribution per synchronisation signal block beam, user equipment distribution of close compared to cell edge, dynamicity of a channel, doppler, or a number of samples to average synchronisation signal block ratio .

[0026] In an example, the apparatus comprises: means for providing, to the user equipment, an indication of the configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor .

[0027] In an example, the indication is provided to the user equipment in a medium access control indication. In an example, the indication is for activating the configuration related to user equipment measurements from the plurality of configurations, to be used for user equipment measurements.

[0028] In an example, the indication further indicates for the user equipment to perform measurements according to the configuration.

[0029] In an example , the beam sweeping factor is received in UE assistance information. In an example, the beam sweeping factor associated with the user equipment is a beam sweeping factor that is currently configured for / used by the user equipment.

[0030] In an example, the apparatus comprises: means for providing, to the user equipment, a plurality of configurations related to user equipment measurements, wherein each of the configurations comprises at least one parameter related to user equipment measurements.

[0031] In an example, the configuration related to UE measurements is one of the plurality of configurations.

[0032] In an example, the plurality of configurations are provided in radio resource control signalling.

[0033] In an example, the means for providing a plurality of configurations related to user equipment measurements comprises: means for providing, for each of the plurality of configurations, information related to an association between the respective configuration and a beam sweeping factor.

[0034] In an example, the information related to an association between the respective configuration and a beam sweeping factor comprises a numerical value for the beam sweeping factor for the respective configuration.

[0035] In an example, the apparatus comprises means for receiving, from the user equipment, an acknowledgement of the configuration.

[0036] In an example, the configuration related to user equipment measurements is one of: an SMTC configuration, a measurement gap configuration, a reference signal configuration.

[0037] In an example, the at least one parameter related to user equipment measurements comprises at least one of the following: an SMTC, an SMTC window, a periodicity, a time offset, a measurement gap, or a reference signal. In an example, the configuration related to user equipment measurements comprises an SMTC configuration index and a value of the beam sweep factor associated with the SMTC configuration index.

[0038] In an example, the configuration related to user equipment measurements comprises at least one of the following: an SMTC configuration index, a measurement gap configuration identity.

[0039] In an example, the means for determining comprises: means for determining the configuration related to user equipment measurements based on at least one of the following: a pre-configured association list, a pre-defined association table, or a pre-defined formula, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor.

[0040] In an example, one of: the apparatus is for a network entity, the apparatus is comprised in the network entity, the apparatus is the network entity.

[0041] In an example, the network entity is a base station. In an example, the network entity is a gNodeB.

[0042] According to an aspect, there is provided a method comprising: providing, to a network entity, a beam sweeping factor associated with a user equipment; determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor; and performing at least one measurement according to the configuration.

[0043] In an example, the determining comprises: receiving, from the network entity, the configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor.

[0044] In an example, the beam sweeping factor is provided in UE assistance information. In an example, the beam sweeping factor associated with the user equipment is a beam sweeping factor that is currently configured for the user equipment.

[0045] In an example, the method comprises: receiving a plurality of configurations related to user equipment measurements, wherein each of the configurations comprises at least one parameter related to user equipment measurements.

[0046] In an example, the configuration related to UE measurements is one of the plurality of configurations.

[0047] In an example, the plurality of configurations are received in radio resource control signalling. In an example, the receiving a plurality of configurations related to UE measurements comprises: receiving, for each of the plurality of configurations, information related to an association between the respective configuration and a beam sweeping factor.

[0048] In an example, the indication is for activating the configuration related to user equipment measurements from the plurality of configurations, to be used for user equipment measurements.

[0049] In an example, the method comprises, in response to the indication, providing an acknowledgement of the configuration to the network entity.

[0050] In an example, the indication is received in a medium access control indication.

[0051] In an example, the configuration related to user equipment measurements is one of: a synchronisation signal / physical broadcast channel block measurement timing configuration, a measurement gap configuration, a reference signal configuration.

[0052] In an example, the at least one parameter related to user equipment measurements comprises at least one of the following: an SMTC, an SMTC window, a periodicity, a time offset, a measurement gap, or a reference signal.

[0053] In an example, the configuration related to user equipment measurements comprises an SMTC configuration index and a value of the beam sweep factor associated with the SMTC configuration index.

[0054] In an example, the configuration related to user equipment measurements comprises at least one of the following: an SMTC configuration index, a measurement gap configuration identity.

[0055] In an example, the determining comprises: determining the configuration related to user equipment measurements based on at least one of the following: a preconfigured association list, a pre-defined association table, or a pre-defined formula, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor.

[0056] In an example, the method comprises providing, to the network entity, information related to the at least one measurement performed by the user equipment according to the configuration.

[0057] In an example, the method is performed by a user equipment.

[0058] According to an aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving, from a user equipment, a beam sweeping factor associated with the user equipment; determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor; and receiving, from the user equipment, information related to measurements performed by the user equipment according to the configuration.

[0059] In an example, the determining comprises: determining the configuration related to user equipment measurements based on the beam sweeping factor.

[0060] In an example, the determining comprises: determining the configuration related to user equipment measurements based on at least one of the following: the beam sweeping factor, a parameter associated with a network entity, properties associated with a channel between the user equipment and a network entity, a load associated with a network entity, a scheduler parameter, a parameter associated with a variability of a channel, user equipment distribution in a cell, user equipment distribution per synchronisation signal block beam, user equipment distribution of close compared to cell edge, dynamicity of a channel, doppler, or a number of samples to average synchronisation signal block ratio .

[0061] In an example, the method comprises: providing, to the user equipment, an indication of the configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor.

[0062] In an example, the indication is provided to the user equipment in a medium access control indication.

[0063] In an example, the indication is for activating the configuration related to user equipment measurements from the plurality of configurations, to be used for user equipment measurements.

[0064] In an example, the indication further indicates for the user equipment to perform measurements according to the configuration.

[0065] In an example , the beam sweeping factor is received in UE assistance information. In an example, the beam sweeping factor associated with the user equipment is a beam sweeping factor that is currently configured for / used by the user equipment.

[0066] In an example, the method comprises: providing, to the user equipment, a plurality of configurations related to user equipment measurements, wherein each of the configurations comprises at least one parameter related to user equipment measurements. In an example, the configuration related to UE measurements is one of the plurality of configurations.

[0067] In an example, the plurality of configurations are provided in radio resource control signalling.

[0068] In an example, the providing a plurality of configurations related to user equipment measurements comprises: providing, for each of the plurality of configurations, information related to an association between the respective configuration and a beam sweeping factor.

[0069] In an example, the information related to an association between the respective configuration and a beam sweeping factor comprises a numerical value for the beam sweeping factor for the respective configuration.

[0070] In an example, the method comprises receiving, from the user equipment, an acknowledgement of the configuration.

[0071] In an example, the configuration related to user equipment measurements is one of: an SMTC configuration, a measurement gap configuration, a reference signal configuration.

[0072] In an example, the at least one parameter related to user equipment measurements comprises at least one of the following: an SMTC, an SMTC window, a periodicity, a time offset, a measurement gap, or a reference signal.

[0073] In an example, the configuration related to user equipment measurements comprises an SMTC configuration index and a value of the beam sweep factor associated with the SMTC configuration index.

[0074] In an example, the configuration related to user equipment measurements comprises at least one of the following: an SMTC configuration index, a measurement gap configuration identity.

[0075] In an example, the determining comprises: determining the configuration related to user equipment measurements based on at least one of the following: a preconfigured association list, a pre-defined association table, or a pre-defined formula, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor.

[0076] In an example, the method is performed by a network entity.

[0077] In an example, the network entity is a base station. In an example, the network entity is a gNodeB. According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: providing, to a network entity, a beam sweeping factor associated with a user equipment; determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor; and performing at least one measurement according to the configuration.

[0078] In an example, the determining comprises: receiving, from the network entity, the configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor.

[0079] In an example, the beam sweeping factor is provided in UE assistance information. In an example, the beam sweeping factor associated with the user equipment is a beam sweeping factor that is currently configured for the user equipment.

[0080] In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: receiving a plurality of configurations related to user equipment measurements, wherein each of the configurations comprises at least one parameter related to user equipment measurements.

[0081] In an example, the configuration related to UE measurements is one of the plurality of configurations.

[0082] In an example, the plurality of configurations are received in radio resource control signalling.

[0083] In an example, the receiving a plurality of configurations related to UE measurements comprises: receiving, for each of the plurality of configurations, information related to an association between the respective configuration and a beam sweeping factor.

[0084] In an example, the indication is for activating the configuration related to user equipment measurements from the plurality of configurations, to be used for user equipment measurements.

[0085] In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: in response to the indication, providing an acknowledgement of the configuration to the network entity.

[0086] In an example, the indication is received in a medium access control indication.

[0087] In an example, the configuration related to user equipment measurements is one of: a synchronisation signal / physical broadcast channel block measurement timing configuration, a measurement gap configuration, a reference signal configuration.

[0088] In an example, the at least one parameter related to user equipment measurements comprises at least one of the following: an SMTC, an SMTC window, a periodicity, a time offset, a measurement gap, or a reference signal.

[0089] In an example, the configuration related to user equipment measurements comprises an SMTC configuration index and a value of the beam sweep factor associated with the SMTC configuration index.

[0090] In an example, the configuration related to user equipment measurements comprises at least one of the following: an SMTC configuration index, a measurement gap configuration identity.

[0091] In an example, the determining comprises: determining the configuration related to user equipment measurements based on at least one of the following: a preconfigured association list, a pre-defined association table, or a pre-defined formula, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor.

[0092] In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: providing, to the network entity, information related to the at least one measurement performed by the user equipment according to the configuration.

[0093] In an example, one of: the apparatus is for the user equipment, the apparatus is comprised in the user equipment, the apparatus is the user equipment.

[0094] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: receiving, from a user equipment, a beam sweeping factor associated with the user equipment; determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor; and receiving, from the user equipment, information related to measurements performed by the user equipment according to the configuration.

[0095] In an example, the determining comprises: determining the configuration related to user equipment measurements based on the beam sweeping factor.

[0096] In an example, the determining comprises: determining the configuration related to user equipment measurements based on at least one of the following: the beam sweeping factor, a parameter associated with a network entity, properties associated with a channel between the user equipment and a network entity, a load associated with a network entity, a scheduler parameter, a parameter associated with a variability of a channel, user equipment distribution in a cell, user equipment distribution per synchronisation signal block beam, user equipment distribution of close compared to cell edge, dynamicity of a channel, doppler, or a number of samples to average synchronisation signal block ratio .

[0097] In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: providing, to the user equipment, an indication of the configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor.

[0098] In an example, the indication is provided to the user equipment in a medium access control indication.

[0099] In an example, the indication is for activating the configuration related to user equipment measurements from the plurality of configurations, to be used for user equipment measurements.

[0100] In an example, the indication further indicates for the user equipment to perform measurements according to the configuration.

[0101] In an example , the beam sweeping factor is received in UE assistance information. In an example, the beam sweeping factor associated with the user equipment is a beam sweeping factor that is currently configured for / used by the user equipment.

[0102] In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: providing, to the user equipment, a plurality of configurations related to user equipment measurements, wherein each of the configurations comprises at least one parameter related to user equipment measurements.

[0103] In an example, the configuration related to UE measurements is one of the plurality of configurations.

[0104] In an example, the plurality of configurations are provided in radio resource control signalling.

[0105] In an example, the providing a plurality of configurations related to user equipment measurements comprises: providing, for each of the plurality of configurations, information related to an association between the respective configuration and a beam sweeping factor. In an example, the information related to an association between the respective configuration and a beam sweeping factor comprises a numerical value for the beam sweeping factor for the respective configuration.

[0106] In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: receiving, from the user equipment, an acknowledgement of the configuration.

[0107] In an example, the configuration related to user equipment measurements is one of: an SMTC configuration, a measurement gap configuration, a reference signal configuration.

[0108] In an example, the at least one parameter related to user equipment measurements comprises at least one of the following: an SMTC, an SMTC window, a periodicity, a time offset, a measurement gap, or a reference signal.

[0109] In an example, the configuration related to user equipment measurements comprises an SMTC configuration index and a value of the beam sweep factor associated with the SMTC configuration index.

[0110] In an example, the configuration related to user equipment measurements comprises at least one of the following: an SMTC configuration index, a measurement gap configuration identity.

[0111] In an example, the determining comprises: determining the configuration related to user equipment measurements based on at least one of the following: a preconfigured association list, a pre-defined association table, or a pre-defined formula, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor.

[0112] In an example, one of: the apparatus is for a network entity, the apparatus is comprised in the network entity, the apparatus is the network entity.

[0113] In an example, the network entity is a base station. In an example, the network entity is a gNodeB.

[0114] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry configured to perform: providing, to a network entity, a beam sweeping factor associated with a user equipment; circuitry configured to perform: determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor; and circuitry configured to perform: performing at least one measurement according to the configuration. According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry configured to perform: receiving, from a user equipment, a beam sweeping factor associated with the user equipment; circuitry configured to perform: determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor; and circuitry configured to perform: receiving, from the user equipment, information related to measurements performed by the user equipment according to the configuration.

[0115] According to an aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: providing, to a network entity, a beam sweeping factor associated with a user equipment; determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor; and performing at least one measurement according to the configuration.

[0116] According to an aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, from a user equipment, a beam sweeping factor associated with the user equipment; determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor; and receiving, from the user equipment, information related to measurements performed by the user equipment according to the configuration.

[0117] A computer product stored on a medium may cause an apparatus to perform the methods as described herein.

[0118] A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions, that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the methods as described herein.

[0119] An electronic device may comprise apparatus as described herein.

[0120] In the above, various aspects have been described. It should be appreciated that further aspects may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the various aspects described above.

[0121] Various other aspects and further embodiments are also described in the following detailed description and in the attached claims. 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.

[0122] List of abbreviations:

[0123] AF: Application Function

[0124] AMF: Access and Mobility Management Function

[0125] AN: Access Network

[0126] BS: Base Station

[0127] BFD: Beam failure detection

[0128] BFD-RS: BFD reference signal

[0129] BM-RS: Beam management reference signal

[0130] CBD: Candidate beam detection

[0131] CSI: Channel state information

[0132] CSI-RS: CSI reference signal

[0133] CN: Core Network

[0134] DL: Downlink

[0135] DL-RS: Downlink reference signal eNB: eNodeB gNB: gNodeB

[0136] HoT: Industrial Internet of Things

[0137] L1 : Layer 1

[0138] L3: Layer 3

[0139] LTE: Long Term Evolution

[0140] NEF: Network Exposure Function

[0141] NG-RAN: Next Generation Radio Access Network

[0142] NF: Network Function

[0143] NR: New Radio

[0144] NRF: Network Repository Function

[0145] NW: Network

[0146] MAC: Medium access control

[0147] MAC CE: MAC control element

[0148] MS: Mobile Station PBCH: Physical broadcast channel

[0149] PCF Policy Control Function

[0150] PCI: Physical cell identity

[0151] PLMN: Public Land Mobile Network

[0152] PUCCH: Physical Uplink Control Channel

[0153] PUSCH: Physical Uplink Shared Channel

[0154] RAN: Radio Access Network

[0155] RF: Radio Frequency

[0156] RSRP: References signal received power

[0157] RLM: Radio Link Monitoring

[0158] RRC: Radio Resource Control

[0159] RS: Reference signal

[0160] SMF: Session Management Function

[0161] SRS: Sounding reference signal

[0162] SSB: Synchronisation signal block

[0163] SMTC: SS / PBCH block measurement timing configuration

[0164] TCI: Transmit configuration index

[0165] TRP: Transmit receive point

[0166] UE: User Equipment

[0167] UDR: Unified Data Repository

[0168] UDM: Unified Data Management

[0169] UL: Uplink

[0170] UPF: User Plane Function

[0171] 3GPP: 3rdGeneration Partnership Project

[0172] 5G: 5thGeneration

[0173] 5GC: 5G Core network

[0174] 5G-AN: 5G Radio Access Network

[0175] 5GS: 5G System

[0176] Brief Description of Drawings

[0177] Some example embodiments will now be described, by way of illustrative and non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0178] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a 5G system;

[0179] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a control apparatus; FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a terminal;

[0180] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a user equipment measuring synchronisation signal blocks per panel of the user equipment over a three samples;

[0181] FIGS. 5a to 5d shows a schematic representation of user equipment beam refinement with an increasing number of active elements;

[0182] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a user equipment performing L1 and L3 measurements from a serving base station and a neighbour base station;

[0183] FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of an association between an SMTC periodicity and a UE beam sweeping factor;

[0184] FIG. 8 shows an example signalling diagram between a base station and a user equipment;

[0185] FIG. 9 shows another example signalling diagram between a base station and a user equipment;

[0186] FIG. 10 shows another example signalling diagram between a base station and a user equipment;

[0187] FIG. 11 shows an example method flow diagram performed by an apparatus;

[0188] FIG. 12 shows another example method flow diagram performed by an apparatus; and

[0189] FIG. 13 shows a schematic representation of a non-volatile memory medium storing instructions which when executed by a processor allow a processor to perform one or more of the steps of the method of FIG. 11 and / or FIG. 12.

[0190] Detailed Description

[0191] In the following, various example embodiments of the subject disclosure are explained with reference to mobile communication devices capable of communication via a wireless cellular system and mobile communication systems serving such mobile communication devices. Before explaining in detail the various example embodiments, certain general aspects of a wireless communication system and mobile communication devices are briefly explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the described examples.

[0192] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 100 comprises one more devices 102 such as user equipments (UEs), or terminals. The wireless communication system 100 also comprises a 5G system (5GS), as shown in Figure. The 5GS comprises a 5G radio access network (5G-RAN) 106, a 5G core network (5GC) 104 comprising one or more network functions (NF), one or more application functions (AFs) 108, and one or more data networks (DNs) 110.

[0193] The 5G-RAN 106 may comprise one or more gNodeB (gNB) distributed unit (DU) functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) centralized unit (CU) functions.

[0194] The 5GC 104 comprises an access management function (AMF) 112, a session management function (SMF) 114, an authentication server function (AUSF) 116, a user data management (UDM) 118, a user plane function (UPF) 120, a network exposure function (NEF) 122 and / or other NFs. Some of the examples as shown below may be applicable to 3GPP 5G standards. However, some examples may also be applicable to 5G-advanced, 4G, 3G and other 3GPP standards.

[0195] In a wireless communication system 100, such as that shown in FIG. 1 , mobile communication devices / terminals or user apparatuses, and / or user equipments (UE), and / or machine-type communication devices are provided with wireless access via at least one base station or similar wireless transmitting and / or receiving node or point. The terminal is provided with an appropriate signal receiving and transmitting apparatus for enabling communications, for example enabling access to a communication network or communications directly with other devices. The communication device may access a carrier provided by a base station or access point, and transmit and / or receive communications on the carrier.

[0196] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a control apparatus 200. The control apparatus 200 may be for controlling a function of one or more network entities / network functions, such as the entities of the 5G-RAN or the 5GC as illustrated on FIG. 1. The control apparatus 200 comprises at least one random access memory (RAM) 211 a, at least one read only memory (ROM) 211 b, at least one processor 212, 213 and an input / output interface 214. The at least one processor 212, 213 is coupled to the RAM 211 a and the ROM 211 b. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 215. The software code 215 may for example allow to perform one or more steps to perform one or more of the present aspects or examples. The software code 215 may be stored in the ROM 211 b. The control apparatus 200 may be interconnected with another control apparatus 200 controlling another entity / function of the 5G-AN or the 5GC. In some examples, each function of the 5G-AN or the 5GC comprises a control apparatus 200. In alternative examples, two or more functions of the 5G-AN or the 5GC may share a control apparatus. The control apparatus 200 may comprise one or more circuits, or circuitry (not shown) which may be configured to perform one or more of the present aspects or examples.

[0197] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a terminal 300, such as the terminal illustrated in FIG. 1. The terminal 300 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples of a terminal are a user equipment, a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a ’smart phone’, a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, a machine-type communications (MTC) device, a Cellular Internet of things (CloT) device or any combinations of these or the like. The terminal 300 may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications. The communications may be one or more of voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia, data, machine data and so on.

[0198] The terminal 300 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 307 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In FIG. 3, a transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 306. The transceiver apparatus 306 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

[0199] The terminal 300 may be provided with at least one processor 301 , at least one memory ROM 302a, at least one RAM 302b and other possible components 303 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The at least one processor 301 is coupled to the RAM 302b and the ROM 302a. The at least one processor 301 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 308. The software code 308 may for example allow to perform one or more of the present aspects. The software code 308 may be stored in the ROM 302a. The terminal 300 may comprise one or more circuits, or circuitry (not shown) which may be configured to perform one or more of the present aspects or examples.

[0200] The processor, storage and other relevant control apparatus may be provided on an appropriate circuit board and / or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 304. The device may optionally have a user interface such as keypad 305, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. Optionally one or more of a display, a speaker and a microphone may be provided depending on the type of the device.

[0201] A feature of 5G is an ability for devices to operate in two different frequency ranges. The two frequency bands are sub-6 GHz and millimetre wave (mm Wave). As the availability for the sub-6 GHz range becomes more limited, mmWave frequency bands which have wider bandwidths are becoming more predominant. A mmWave is a short-range, high-frequency wave that is operating above 24 GHz spectrum. mmWave offers a higher capacity than sub-6 GHz. Propagation loss, signal blockage, and fading effects may differ from mmWave to the sub 6Ghz band. This leads to new challenges for the system design to achieve a good quality for the user experience. An important feature is beam management, which is used to acquire and maintain beams. Beam management also defines new access procedures to ensure successful directional transmission.

[0202] For mmWave operation (e.g. FR2 24-52.6 GHz), a UE implementation is expected to have multiple antenna panels to perform beam steering over a large solid angle. As such, a multi-panel UE (MPUE) performing measurements and averaging for reporting may require a long time e.g., 240 ms. This is illustrated in FIG. 4 for the example of single-Rx chain being performed for three samples.

[0203] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a user equipment measuring synchronisation signal blocks per panel of the user equipment over a three samples.

[0204] There is provided a first sample 401. In the first sample, a UE 403 performs measurements for 5 milliseconds (ms) of a 20 ms period. The UE 403 performs four sets of measurements, each measurement of the set being associated with the different antenna / antenna panel of the UE 403.

[0205] There is also provided a second sample 405. The measurements of the second sample 405 are a repeat of the measurements of the first sample 401 . There is also provided a third sample 407. The measurements of the third sample 407 are a repeat of the measurements of the first sample 401 . The UE may then determine an average of the measurements of the three samples 401 , 405, 407. The average may be reported to the network and / or used for beam selection / management. In this way, in this example of FIG. 4, the MPLIE measures SSBs per UE panel sequentially and averaging over three samples 401 , 405, 407 before reporting to network, with SSB periodicity of 20 ms.

[0206] FIGS. 5a to 5d shows a schematic representation of user equipment beam refinement with an increasing number of active elements.

[0207] In FIG. 5a, there is provided a UE 501 with three antenna panels labelled A1 503, A2 505 and A3 507 respectively. The UE 501 is performing measurements using antenna panel A1 503 with a half power beam width (HPBW) of 90 degrees 509. HPBW is an angular width that is measured on the major lobe of an antenna radiation pattern at half-power points. Said another way, measured at the points at which the signal power is half of its peak value. The HPBW is therefore an angular separation in which the magnitude of the radiation pattern decreases by 50% (or -3 dB) from the peak of the main beam.

[0208] FIG. 5b shows the UE 501 performing measurements using antenna panel A1 503 with a HPBW of 45 degrees 511. FIG. 5c shows the UE 501 performing measurements using antenna panel A1 503 with a HPBW of 22 degrees 513.

[0209] FIG. 5d shows the UE 501 performing UE beam steering. The antenna panel A1 503 performing the measurements is being steered at 45 degrees with a phase shifter relative difference of 110 degrees 515.

[0210] In this way, FIGS. 5a to 5d show UE beam refinement with an increasing number of active elements (FIGS. 5a to 5c), hence increasing effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) and UE beam steering with analog phase shifters.

[0211] As specified in 3GPP TS 38.133, the layer 1 (L1 ) radio link monitoring reference signal (RLM-RS) measurement requirement in FR2-1 is a factor ‘N’ slower than in FR1 to address the continuous UE FR2 panel selection and UE FR2 beam refinement. As a result, the complete measurement duration and evaluation times for L1 procedures are scaled by the factor ‘N’ for FR2-1 UEs. Currently, the TS 38.133 specification defines a fixed ‘N’ factor equal to 8 for FR2-1 and equal to 12 for FR2-2. The resulting L1 reference signal received power (L1 -RSRP) measurement periods are calculated in Table 1 below. able 1 : Numerical examples for factor N=1 and N=8 of L1 measurement periods

[0212] A UE may provide, to a network, a capability for UE beam sweeping factor reduction for SSB-based L1 -RSRP measurement when the UE is capable of multi-Rx operation. Candidate values for beam sweeping factor reduction are 2, 4, 6 for FR2- 1 . This is a fixed value that is reported by the UE in UE capabilities.

[0213] However, since this is a fixed value for beam sweeping factor, this raises some challenges. For example, the behaviour is static and cannot cover dynamic, and high mobility radio conditions with varying angle of arrival at the UE for each transmit receive point (TRP) / gNB). Since a UE should support a shorter link monitoring evaluation to better cope with varying channel conditions in intra-cell beam management, it is important to optimize the overall L1 evaluation periods for radio link management (RLM), beam failure detection (BFD), and candidate beam detection (CBD).

[0214] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a user equipment performing L1 and L3 measurements from a serving base station and a neighbour base station.

[0215] There is provided a UE 601 that has multiple Rx chains, a serving TRP 603, and a neighbour TRP 605. The serving TRP 603 provides a number of SSBs 611 for UEs to measure. The neighbour TRP 605 also provides a number of SSBs 613 for UEs to measure.

[0216] Whenever radio resource management (RRM) measurements are to be performed, the multi-Rx chain UE 601 , switches at least one of its receivers (Rx) from DL data reception mode to RRM measurement mode when performing measurements. As shown in FIG. 6, a first Rx chain of the UE 601 that is associated with an antenna panel of the UE 601 is configured for performing L1 measurements 607. A second Rx chain of the UE 601 that associated with another antenna panel of the UE 601 is configured for performing L3 measurements 609. For L3 measurements, a synchronization signal (SS) I physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block measurement timing configuration (SMTC) may be utilised. An SMTC window may be used to notify UEs and other devices regarding the measurement periodicity and timings of SSBs that the UEs can use for performing measurements. The SMTC may be an RRC configuration from network to one or multiple UEs and does not get dynamically updated.

[0217] Radio Link Monitoring (RLM), Beam Failure Detection (BFD), Candidate Beam Detection (CBD) are examples of L1 measurements. RLM may be one of synchronisation signal block (SSB) RLM or channel state information (CSI) RLM. For SSB RLM, the requirements on RLM-RS resources specify that the UE shall estimate the DL radio link quality of each RLM-RS for the purpose of monitoring DL radio link quality of the cell. Furthermore, the current requirements for SSB based radio link monitoring specify that the UE shall evaluate the downlink radio link quality on the configured RLM-RS resource estimated over the last TEvaluate_out_SSB (ms) period where TEvaluate_out_SSB are defined in Table 2 below for FR2 with scaling factor N=8 for FR2-1 UE.

[0218] Table 2: Evaluation period TEvaluate_out_SSB and TEvaluate_in_SSB for FR2

[0219] For CSI RLM, similarly, as per the current requirements for CSI-RS based radio link monitoring, the UE shall be able to evaluate the downlink radio link quality on the configured RLM-RS resource estimated over the last TEvaluate_out_CSI-RS (ms) period. TEvaluate_out_CSI-RS and TEvaluate_in_CSI-RS are defined in Table 8.1 .3.2-2 of 3GPP TS 38.133 for FR2 with scaling factor N=1 .

[0220] For SSB BFD, for SSB based beam failure detection the value of TEvaluate_BFD_SSB is defined in Table 8.5.2.2-2 of 3GPP TS 38.133 with a scaling factor N=8 for FR2-1 UE. For CSI BFD, for CSI based beam failure detection the UE shall be able to evaluate the downlink radio link quality on the CSI-RS resource over the last TEvaluate_BFD_CSI-RS (ms) period. The value of TEvaluate_BFD_CSI-RS is defined in Table 8.5.3.2-2 of 3GPP TS 38.133 for FR2 with a scaling factor of N=1 .

[0221] For SSB CBD, for SSB based candidate beam detection the UE shall be able to evaluate whether the L1-RSRP measured on the configured SSB resource in set estimated over the last TEvaluate_CBD_SSB ms period becomes better than the threshold Qin_LR. The value of TEvaluate_CBD_SSB is defined in Table 8.5.5.2-2 of 3GPP TS 38.133 for FR2 with a scaling factor of N=8 for FR2-1 UE.

[0222] For the SSB based L1-RSRP reporting as per the requirements, the UE shall be capable of performing L1-RSRP measurements based on the configured SSB resource for L1 -RSRP computation, and the UE physical layer shall be capable of reporting L1-RSRP measured over the measurement period of TL1 - RSRP_Measurement_Period_SSB. The value of TL1- RSRP_Measurement_Period_SSB is defined in Table 9.5.4.1 -2 of 3GPP TS 38.133 with a scaling factor of N=8 for FR2-1 UE.

[0223] For CSI CBD, for CSI-RS based candidate beam detection upon request the UE shall be able to evaluate whether the L1-RSRP measured on the configured CSI- RS resource in set estimated over the last TEvaluate_CBD_CSI-RS (ms) period becomes better than the threshold Qin_LR within TEvaluate_CBD_CSI-RS (ms) period, where the value of TEvaluate_CBD_CSI-RS is defined in Table 8.5.6.2-2 of 3GPP TS 38.133 with a scaling factor of N=8 for FR2-1 UE.

[0224] In this way, a faster beam sweeping may not be applicable for CSI-RS based RLM and BFD measurements, since the existing requirements already consider N=1. There may be an optional UE capability for a beam sweeping factor reduction for SSB- based L1 -RSRP measurement (e.g. SSB based RLM / BFD / CBD and CSI-RS based CBD) if the UE is capable of multi-Rx operation, where candidate values for beam sweeping factor reduction (‘N’) may be, for example, 2, 4, 6 for FR2-1 UE, as well as an N=8 value.

[0225] In order to cope with variable channels and moving UEs, DL performance may benefit from a shorter link monitoring evaluation, in order to optimize the overall L1 evaluation periods for RLM, BFD, and CBD and consider the L3 faster beam sweeping. Currently, there may be no benefit for UEs that report a faster sweeping factor, i.e. smaller than N=8. Currently, specifications define a fixed maximum sweeping factor for UEs but there is no link or guarantee that enhanced UEs with reduced beam sweeping could benefit from this added feature. In some scenarios, an SMTC window may be re-used for several UEs in the network, meaning that those UEs will be restricted to the same symbols. This leaves a comparatively small amount of time resources for the network to schedule UEs. As a result, this scheduling restriction may lead to large latency delays in the network, particularly when considering a busy network. It has been identified that faster beam sweeping (for L1 and for L3) from UEs could be used to ensure better DL throughput.

[0226] One or more of the following examples below aims to address one or more of the problems identified and discussed above.

[0227] In examples, there is provided an apparatus (e.g. a UE) configured for providing, to a network entity (e.g. gNB), a beam sweeping factor associated with a user equipment, and determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor. The apparatus also configured for performing at least one measurement according to the configuration.

[0228] In some examples, there is an association of a configuration (e.g. a measurement window) to the reported UE beam sweeping factor (the beam sweeping factor may be referred to as ‘N’). The configuration is related to / associated with UE performed measurements. The measurement window may relate to, for example, an SMTC configuration, a measurement gap configuration (e.g. when the UE performs L3 measurements), or a reference signal configuration (e.g. SSB or CSI-RS) which is used for performing L1 measurements / procedures (e.g. group based beam reporting (GBBR), RLM, BFD, CBD, L1-RSRP / signal to interference noise ratio (SINR)).

[0229] In some examples, there is a determining of a configuration related to UE measurements based on at least one of the following: a pre-configured association list, a pre-defined association table, or a pre-defined formula, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor. The determining may comprise determining a plurality of configurations related to UE measurements. The determining may be performed at, at least one of the following: at the UE side, at the network side.

[0230] In some examples, when using an SMTC configuration as an example, there may be an association the between an SMTC configuration (identified with an index, e.g. SMTC#index) to a reported N value (i.e. a beam sweeping factor). In this example, there is provided an implicit / fixed association of the SMTC#index to the reported N value. A UE reports the N value / beam sweeping factor to the network. The beam sweeping factor being used by the UE may change over time. In this way, the beam sweeping factor may be provided to the network in a ‘dynamic’ manner. In examples, there is a fixed association between the dynamically reported N value from the UE and an SMTC configuration.

[0231] In some examples, a plurality of configurations (e.g. SMTC configurations) are preconfigured and provided to a UE, via for example RRC signalling. An N value is associated with each SMTC configuration. The N value associated with each SMTC configuration is provided with the respective configuration. In examples, the SMTC configurations may include the N value that is associated with each configuration, as in Table 3 below. Each configuration may comprise at least one parameter, such as for example, periodicity, or offset. Each configuration is identified with an index. The use of an index is an example only. In other examples, any other suitable way of identifying different configurations may be used.

[0232] Table 3: Example of a plurality of SMTC configurations including the preconfigured association to a corresponding N value

[0233] In some examples, the association between a configuration and a beam sweeping factor is not signalled to the UE. In this example, one of: a specification, a network, external storage etc., describes / stores the association between a configuration (e.g. SMTC configuration) and a UE reported beam sweeping factor (N). This association may be stored, for example, as a table (e.g. similar to Table 3 in requirements in 3GPP TS38.133), or as a formula (e.g. similar to the requirements in 3GPP TS38.133). In the specification / at the network, the SMTC may be configured for the largest N value is that possible / available. This may be referred to as N = Nmax. This is shown as an example in Table 4 below. Configurations associated with other values of N may be calculated based on the configuration for the largest N value. For example, such that the SMTC configuration (e.g. T_SMTC_N) is calculated using a rounding to the next possible value, T_SMTC_N = round_possible (T_SMTC*Nmax / N).

[0234] Table 4: Example of a single SMTC configuration and an association to N, wherein the association and a calculation / formula may be written in a specification

[0235] In this example, using the single SMTC configuration of Table 4, further SMTC configurations may be determined based on other N values. The determination may be performed one the network side, in examples. An example formula may be written as: T_SMTC_min = 20 ms for N=Nmax=8

[0236] - For N=8, T_SMTC_N=floor_possible (T_SMTC_min*8 / 8) = 20 ms

[0237] - For N=6, T_SMTC_N= floor_possible (T_SMTC_min*8 / 6) = floor_possible (26.6) = 20 ms

[0238] - For N=4, T_SMTC_N=floor_possible (T_SMTC_min*8 / 4) = 40 ms

[0239] - For N=2, T_SMTC_N=floor_possible (T_SMTC_min*8 / 2) = 80 ms

[0240] - For N=1 , T_SMTC_N=floor_possible (T_SMTC_min*8 / 1 ) = 160 ms

[0241] Based on the calculations above, the possible T_SMTC_N values (e.g. periodicity for the SMTC configuration) are 20, 40, 80, 160 ms. An illustration of this is shown in FIG. 7. It should be understood that these values are given as an example only to aid in the understanding of the examples.

[0242] FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of an association between an SMTC periodicity and a UE beam sweeping factor.

[0243] There are shown four different configurations in FIG. 7. In a first configuration 701 , the value of N (i.e. the beam sweeping factor) is 8. As calculated above, for a value of N of 8, the periodicity of the SMTC configuration may be 20 ms. The UE switches between performing measurements according to SMTC, and receiving DL data with a periodicity of 20 ms. In a second configuration 703, the value of N is 6. As calculated above, the periodicity associated with a value of N is also 20 ms, i.e. the same as in the first configuration. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the first and second configurations have the same periodicity.

[0244] There is provided a third configuration 705, which has an N value of 4. As calculated above, for a value of N of 4, the periodicity of the SMTC configuration may be 40 ms. The UE switches between performing measurements according to SMTC, and receiving DL data with a periodicity of 40 ms.

[0245] There is provided a fourth configuration 707, which has an N value of 2. As calculated above, for a value of N of 2, the periodicity of the SMTC configuration may be 80 ms. The UE switches between performing measurements according to SMTC, and receiving DL data with a periodicity of 80 ms.

[0246] In some examples, there is explicit / dynamic association of a configuration (e.g. identified with an SMTC#index) to reported N value. The network (e.g. gNB) determines the best suited SMTC configuration from a plurality of SMTC configurations for a reported N value by UE. The determination by the gNB may also be based on at least one of: channel conditions, load, etc. An example of this is shown in Tables 5 and 6. The arrows in Tables 5 and 6 indicate a determination made by the gNB of the association between a configuration and a beam sweeping factor (N). The determination may be described as ‘dynamic’ as the determination may change over time, as seen in the examples of Tables 5 and 6. Table 5 is shown as tO, while Table 6 indicates the determinations made at a later point in time at t1 .

[0247] Table 5: At tO, a gNB determines an SMTC configuration dynamically based on UE reported beam sweeping factor (N) reported beam sweeping factor (N)

[0248] As seen in the examples of Table 5 and Table 6, the association of N to each SMTC configuration is not fixed. For example, the associations for SMTC index 1 , 2 and 3 change at t1 . The network may preconfigure a plurality of SMTC configurations, and after the UE provides its N value, the network provides, to the UE, a SMTC configuration to use for measurements. There may be a dynamic indexing of the most suitable SMTC configuration (chosen by gNB) based on the N value for the beam sweeping factor reported by UE. The determination of the configuration by the gNB may also be based on at least one of: channel conditions, load, etc.

[0249] In some examples, a UE receives a RRC configuration from a network entity (e.g. gNB) with a plurality of configurations related to UE measurements (e.g. SMTC configurations). The plurality of configurations received at the UE may be similar to the information of Table 5, but without the information in the column with the beam sweeping factor (N). Following the reception of the configuration, the UE reports a beam sweeping factor to the network entity. The reported beam sweeping factor may be the N value that is currently configured for / being used by the UE. Following this, the UE receives an indication (e.g. a medium access control (MAC) indication) of an SMTC configuration of the plurality of SMTC configurations. In this example, the approach gives flexibility for network. The gNB can choose to give different SMTC configurations depending on scheduling decisions, such as how many UEs are using that feature, and traffic load during some SMTC windows. The chosen SMTC index is provided by, for example, a MAC indication of the index of the SMTC configuration index. Many of the examples above have used an SMTC configuration as an example of a configuration related to UE measurements. It should be understood that the examples above are equally applicable to other types of configuration related to UE measurements, such as for example, a measurement gap configuration, or a reference signal configuration.

[0250] The examples above will now be described in more detail alongside the example signalling FIGS. 8 to 10.

[0251] FIG. 8 shows an example signalling diagram between a base station and a user equipment. The example signalling of FIG. 8 shows an association between configurations related to UE measurements and beam sweeping factors wherein there is an (implicit) fixed association.

[0252] At S801 , a network entity (e.g. a gNB) provides, to a UE, a plurality of configurations related to UE measurements. Each configuration may comprise at least one parameter / indices. Examples of configurations that are related to UE measurements include at least one of the following: an SMTC configuration, a measurement gap configuration, or a reference signal configuration.

[0253] Each of the configurations has an association to a beam sweeping factor (N). The value, N, for each configuration may be provided to the UE.

[0254] The plurality of configurations may be provided in RRC signalling.

[0255] In the subsequent signalling, the example of an SMTC configurations will be used. It should be understood that the signalling is equally applicable to other configurations related to UE measurements.

[0256] The plurality of configurations may comprise, for example:

[0257] SMTC#1 , T_periodicity = 20, T_offset = 5, N = 8

[0258] SMTC#2, T_periodicity = 20, T_offset = 5, N = 6

[0259] SMTC#3, T_periodicity = 40, T_offset = 10, N = 4

[0260] SMTC#4, T_periodicity = 80, T_offset = 20, N = 2

[0261] It should be understood that the number of different SMTC configurations provided (i.e. four) is an example only. In other examples, more or less than four SMTC configurations are provided. The parameters included in each configuration and their values are also an example, to aid in the understanding of the invention.

[0262] At S802, the UE provides, to the gNB, a beam sweeping factor associated with the UE. The beam sweeping factor may be provided in UE assistance information. The beam sweeping factor associated with the UE may be the beam sweeping factor that is currently configured for the UE. Said another way, it is the beam sweeping factor being used currently by the UE.

[0263] In this example, the UE reports to the gNB that N = 4.

[0264] At S803, the gNB determines an SMTC configuration for the UE to use based on the received beam sweeping factor (from the UE).

[0265] As per the plurality of configurations provided to the UE in S801 , the SMTC configuration that is associated with N= 4 is SMTC#3.

[0266] The gNB provides, to the UE, an indication of an SMTC configuration. There is an association between the SMTC configuration and the beam sweeping factor previously provided by the UE. The provision of the indication may be an activation of one of the plurality of configurations.

[0267] In this way, the UE determines an SMTC configuration to use, wherein there is an association between the SMTC configuration and the beam sweeping factor. The determining may be based on the received indication from the gNB.

[0268] In this example, the gNB provides an activation for the SMTC configuration with index SMTC#3.

[0269] At S804, in response to the activation, the UE provides, to the gNB, an acknowledgement of the configuration.

[0270] At S805 to S807, the gNB transmits DL reference signals during the SMTC window. In this example, the SMTC window is 40ms, as per SMTC#3.

[0271] In this way, the UE may perform measurements according to the activated configuration. The UE may provide, to the gNB, information related to the measurements performed by the UE according to the activated configuration.

[0272] At S808, the UE provides, to the gNB, a beam sweeping factor associated with the UE. The signalling of S808 may be considered to be an update provided by the UE. The beam sweeping factor may be provided in UE assistance information. The beam sweeping factor associated with the UE may be the beam sweeping factor that is currently configured for the UE. Said another way, it is the beam sweeping factor being used currently by the UE.

[0273] The beam sweeping factor may be same in some examples. In other examples, the beam sweeping factor at the UE may be changed.

[0274] In this example, the UE reports a beam sweeping factor of N = 2 (i.e. it has changed since S802). At S809, the gNB determines an SMTC configuration for the UE to use based on the received beam sweeping factor (from the UE).

[0275] As per the plurality of configurations provided to the UE in S801 , the SMTC configuration that is associated with N= 2 is SMTC#4.

[0276] The gNB provides, to the UE, an indication of an SMTC configuration. There is an association between the SMTC configuration and the beam sweeping factor previously provided by the UE. The provision of the indication may be an activation of one of the plurality of configurations.

[0277] In this example, the gNB provides an activation for the SMTC configuration with index SMTC#4.

[0278] At S810, in response to the activation, the UE provides, to the gNB, an acknowledgement of the configuration.

[0279] At S811 to S813, the gNB transmits DL reference signals during the SMTC window. In this example, the SMTC window is 80ms, as per SMTC#4.

[0280] In this way, the UE may perform measurements according to the activated configuration. The UE may provide, to the gNB, information related to the measurements performed by the UE according to the activated configuration.

[0281] FIG. 9 shows another example signalling diagram between a base station and a user equipment. The example signalling of FIG. 9 shows an association between configurations related to UE measurements and beam sweeping factors, wherein the association is provided / stored, for example, at the network, or in a specification.

[0282] The signalling of FIG. 9 is similar to that of FIG. 8, with the difference that the N values (the beam sweeping factors) are not provided to the UE as part of each configuration related to UE measurements.

[0283] At S901 , a network entity (e.g. a gNB) provides, to a UE, a plurality of configurations related to UE measurements. Each configuration may comprise at least one parameter / indices. Examples of configurations that are related to UE measurements include at least one of the following: an SMTC configuration, a measurement gap configuration, or a reference signal configuration.

[0284] The plurality of configurations may be provided in RRC signalling.

[0285] In the subsequent signalling, the example of an SMTC configurations will be used. It should be understood that the signalling is equally applicable to other configurations related to UE measurements.

[0286] The plurality of configurations may comprise, for example: SMTC#1 , T_periodicity = 20, T_offset = 5

[0287] SMTC#2, T_periodicity = 20, T_offset = 5

[0288] SMTC#3, T_periodicity = 40, T_offset = 10

[0289] SMTC#4, T_periodicity = 80, T_offset = 20

[0290] Each of the four SMTC configurations is associated with a beam sweeping factor (N). The association may be stored at the network. For example, is preconfigured and is accessible by the gNB. The association may be provided in a specification. In examples, the N value associated with each configuration is not transmitted to the UE.

[0291] In this example, SMTC#1 is associated with N = 8, SMTC#2 is associated with N = 6, SMTC#3 is associated with N = 4, and SMTC#4 is associated with N = 2.

[0292] It should be understood that the number of different SMTC configurations provided (i.e. four) is an example only. In other examples, more or less than four SMTC configurations are provided. The parameters included in each configuration and their values are also an example, to aid in the understanding of the invention.

[0293] At S902, the UE provides, to the gNB, a beam sweeping factor associated with the UE. The beam sweeping factor may be provided in UE assistance information. The beam sweeping factor associated with the UE may be the beam sweeping factor that is currently configured for the UE. Said another way, it is the beam sweeping factor being used currently by the UE.

[0294] In this example, the UE reports to the gNB that N = 4.

[0295] At S903, the gNB determines an SMTC configuration for the UE to use based on the received beam sweeping factor (from the UE).

[0296] As per the plurality of configurations provided to the UE in S901 , the SMTC configuration that is associated with N= 4 is SMTC#3.

[0297] The gNB provides, to the UE, an indication of an SMTC configuration. There is an association between the SMTC configuration and the beam sweeping factor previously provided by the UE. The provision of the indication may be an activation of one of the plurality of configurations.

[0298] In this way, the UE determines an SMTC configuration to use, wherein there is an association between the SMTC configuration and the beam sweeping factor. The determining may be based on the received indication from the gNB.

[0299] In this example, the gNB provides an activation for the SMTC configuration with index SMTC#3. At S904, in response to the activation, the UE provides, to the gNB, an acknowledgement of the configuration.

[0300] At S905 to S907, the gNB transmits DL reference signals during the SMTC window. In this example, the SMTC window is 40ms, as per SMTC#3.

[0301] In this way, the UE may perform measurements according to the activated configuration. The UE may provide, to the gNB, information related to the measurements performed by the UE according to the activated configuration.

[0302] At S908, the UE provides, to the gNB, a beam sweeping factor associated with the UE. The signalling of S908 may be considered to be an update provided by the UE. The beam sweeping factor may be provided in UE assistance information. The beam sweeping factor associated with the UE may be the beam sweeping factor that is currently configured for the UE. Said another way, it is the beam sweeping factor being used currently by the UE.

[0303] The beam sweeping factor may be same in some examples. In other examples, the beam sweeping factor at the UE may be changed.

[0304] In this example, the UE reports a beam sweeping factor of N = 2 (i.e. it has changed since S902).

[0305] At S909, the gNB determines an SMTC configuration for the UE to use based on the received beam sweeping factor (from the UE).

[0306] As per the plurality of configurations provided to the UE in S901 , the SMTC configuration that is associated with N= 2 is SMTC#4.

[0307] The gNB provides, to the UE, an indication of an SMTC configuration. There is an association between the SMTC configuration and the beam sweeping factor previously provided by the UE. The provision of the indication may be an activation of one of the plurality of configurations.

[0308] In this example, the gNB provides an activation for the SMTC configuration with index SMTC#4.

[0309] At S910, in response to the activation, the UE provides, to the gNB, an acknowledgement of the configuration.

[0310] At S911 to S913, the gNB transmits DL reference signals during the SMTC window. In this example, the SMTC window is 80ms, as per SMTC#4.

[0311] In this way, the UE may perform measurements according to the activated configuration. The UE may provide, to the gNB, information related to the measurements performed by the UE according to the activated configuration. FIG. 10 shows another example signalling diagram between a base station and a user equipment. The example signalling of FIG. 10 shows an association between configurations related to UE measurements and beam sweeping factors, wherein there is an (explicit) association that is determined dynamically by the network.

[0312] At S1001 , a network entity (e.g. a gNB) provides, to a UE, a plurality of configurations related to UE measurements. Each configuration may comprise at least one parameter / indices. Examples of configurations that are related to UE measurements include at least one of the following: an SMTC configuration, a measurement gap configuration, or a reference signal configuration.

[0313] The plurality of configurations may be provided in RRC signalling.

[0314] In the subsequent signalling, the example of an SMTC configurations will be used. It should be understood that the signalling is equally applicable to other configurations related to UE measurements.

[0315] The plurality of configurations may comprise, for example:

[0316] SMTC#1 , T_periodicity = 20, T_offset = 5

[0317] SMTC#2, T_periodicity = 20, T_offset = 5

[0318] SMTC#3, T_periodicity = 40, T_offset = 10

[0319] SMTC#4, T_periodicity = 80, T_offset = 20

[0320] It should be understood that the number of different SMTC configurations provided (i.e. four) is an example only. In other examples, more or less than four SMTC configurations are provided. The parameters included in each configuration and their values are also an example, to aid in the understanding of the invention.

[0321] At S1002, the UE provides, to the gNB, a beam sweeping factor associated with the UE. The beam sweeping factor may be provided in UE assistance information. The beam sweeping factor associated with the UE may be the beam sweeping factor that is currently configured for the UE. Said another way, it is the beam sweeping factor being used currently by the UE.

[0322] In this example, the UE reports to the gNB that N = 4.

[0323] At S1003, the gNB determines an SMTC configuration for the UE to use based on the received beam sweeping factor (from the UE).

[0324] The association between an SMTC configuration and an N value is not fixed in this example. The gNB may dynamically update the associations based on a number of factors. In some examples, there may be an initial, or default, association between each SMTC configuration and value of N. In this example, initially, an N value of 4 is associated with SMTC#3. For example, as seen in Table 5 above.

[0325] The gNB provides, to the UE, an indication of an SMTC configuration. There is an association between the SMTC configuration and the beam sweeping factor previously provided by the UE. The provision of the indication may be an activation of one of the plurality of configurations.

[0326] In this way, the UE determines an SMTC configuration to use, wherein there is an association between the SMTC configuration and the beam sweeping factor. The determining may be based on the received indication from the gNB.

[0327] In this example, based on the determination, the gNB provides an activation for the SMTC configuration with index SMTC#3.

[0328] The indication / activation may be provided in MAC signalling. This may be referred to as a MAC activation.

[0329] At S1004, in response to the activation, the UE provides, to the gNB, an acknowledgement of the configuration.

[0330] At S1005 to S1007, the gNB transmits DL reference signals during the SMTC window. In this example, the SMTC window is 40ms, as per SMTC#3.

[0331] In this way, the UE may perform measurements according to the activated configuration. The UE may provide, to the gNB, information related to the measurements performed by the UE according to the activated configuration.

[0332] At S1008, the UE provides, to the gNB, a beam sweeping factor associated with the UE. The signalling of S1008 may be considered to be an update provided by the UE. The beam sweeping factor may be provided in UE assistance information. The beam sweeping factor associated with the UE may be the beam sweeping factor that is currently configured for the UE. Said another way, it is the beam sweeping factor being used currently by the UE.

[0333] The beam sweeping factor may be same in some examples. In other examples, the beam sweeping factor at the UE may be changed.

[0334] In this example, the UE reports a beam sweeping factor of N = 2 (i.e. it has changed since S1002).

[0335] At S1009, the gNB determines an SMTC configuration for the UE to use based on the received beam sweeping factor (from the UE). The gNB may determine an SMTC configuration to select based on at least one other factor, in addition to the received beam sweeping factor. For example, the determination may be based on at least one of the following: at least one gNB parameter, or at least one channel property. Examples of gNB parameters include: load, or scheduler parameters. Examples of channel properties include: a parameter associated with variability of the channel. In some examples, the determination of the SMTC configuration may be based on at least one of the following: load of the gNB, UE distribution in the cell, UE distribution per SSB beam, UE distribution of close vs cell edge)=, dynamicity of the channel, doppler, or number of samples-to-average SSB for L1 and for L3 reporting.

[0336] Based on the reported N value, and at least one other parameter, the gNB may determine to associate an SMTC configuration of the plurality of SMTC configurations with the reported N value (beam sweeping factor). In this way, the gNB performs a dynamic association between a configuration and an N value.

[0337] In this example, the gNB determines that the reported N value of 2 is to be associated with the SMTC configuration with SMTC index #4. For example, as seen in Table 6.

[0338] At S1010, the gNB provides, to the UE, an indication of an SMTC configuration. There is an association between the SMTC configuration and the beam sweeping factor previously provided by the UE. The provision of the indication may be an activation of one of the plurality of configurations.

[0339] In this example, the gNB provides an activation for the SMTC configuration with index SMTC#4.

[0340] The indication / activation may be provided in MAC signalling. This may be referred to as a MAC activation.

[0341] At S1011 , in response to the activation, the UE provides, to the gNB, an acknowledgement of the configuration.

[0342] At S1012 to S1014, the gNB transmits DL reference signals during the SMTC window. In this example, the SMTC window is 80ms, as per SMTC#4.

[0343] In this way, the UE may perform measurements according to the activated configuration. The UE may provide, to the gNB, information related to the measurements performed by the UE according to the activated configuration.

[0344] One or more of the previous examples have the advantage that different beam sweeping factors are considered when configuring UE performed measurements (e.g. RRM). In order to cope with variable channels and moving UEs, DL performance would benefit from a shorter link monitoring evaluation. One or more of the examples lead to a benefit from UEs that report a faster sweeping beam factor (N), i.e. a beam sweeping factor that is smaller than N=8.

[0345] An advantage is that if a UE reports the N value (i.e. the beam sweeping factor), then the gNB can adapt a configuration to the N value, meaning that the UE can get more opportunities for DL data scheduling (instead of performing UE measurements of cells) resulting in an improved UE DL throughput.

[0346] In some situations, an SMTC window may be re-used for several UEs in the network, meaning that those UEs will be restricted to the same symbols. This leaves a comparatively small amount of time resources for the network to schedule UEs. As a result, this scheduling restriction may lead to large latency delays in the network, particularly when considering a busy network. In examples, there is an association between a configuration related to UE measurements and the beam sweeping factor. In this way, the most suitable configuration may be used by the UE for measurements, dependent on the beam sweeping factor that is currently implemented at the UE. In this way, faster beam sweeping (e.g. for L1 and for L3) from UEs is able to be used to ensure better DL throughput.

[0347] Furthermore, when the association between the configurations and beam sweeping factor is determined dynamically by the network using additional factors, an advantage of this approach is the flexibility for network. The gNB can determine to activate different configurations depending on some scheduling decisions, like how many UEs are using that feature, and traffic load during some SMTC windows.

[0348] In some examples, RRC Reconfiguration message information element structures may be changed to adapt to additional features discussed above, and are marked in bold. The RRC configuration would include a list of SMTC configurations that include associatedBeamSweepingFactor. In this example, after the UE reports N, both the network and the UE start to adopt the SMTC configuration that is related to the associatedBeamSweepingFactor. rrcReconfiguration RRCReconfiguration-IEs, criticalExtensionsFuture SEQUENCE {} } }

[0349] RRCReconfiguration-IEs ::= SEQUENCE { measConfig MeasConfig OPTIONAL, -- Need M

[0350] }

[0351] MeasConfig ::= SEQUENCE { measObjectToAddModList MeasObjectToAddModList OPTIONAL -

[0352] - Need M

[0353] }

[0354] MeasObjectToAddModList :: = SEQUENCE (SIZE (1 ..maxNrofObjectld)) OF MeasObjectToAddMod MeasObjectToAddMod :: = SEQUENCE { measObjectld MeasObjectld, measObject CHOICE { measObjectNR MeasObjectNR, measObjectEUTRA MeasObjectEUTRA, measObjectUTRA-FDD-r16 MeasObjectUTRA-FDD-r16, measObjectNR-SL-r16 MeasObjectNR-SL-r16, measObjectCLI-r16 MeasObjectCLI-r16, measObjectRxTxDiff-r17 MeasObjectRxTxDiff-r17, measObjectRelay-r17 SL-MeasObject-r16

[0355] }

[0356] }

[0357] MeasObjectNR :: = SEQUENCE { ssbFrequency ARFCN-ValueNR OPTIONAL, - Cond

[0358] In other examples, the RRC configuration would include a list of SMTC configurations that include smtcld. In this example, after the UE reports N, the network sends a message to the UE indicating which smtcld is activated. } }

[0359] RRCReconfiguration-IEs ::= SEQUENCE { measConfig MeasConfig OPTIONAL, -- Need M

[0360] }

[0361] MeasConfig ::= SEQUENCE { measObjectToAddModList MeasObjectToAddModList OPTIONAL -

[0362] - Need M

[0363] }

[0364] MeasObjectToAddModList :: = SEQUENCE (SIZE (1 ..maxNrofObjectld)) OF MeasObjectToAddMod MeasObjectToAddMod :: = SEQUENCE { measObjectld MeasObjectld, measObject CHOICE { measObjectNR MeasObjectNR, measObjectEUTRA MeasObjectEUTRA, measObjectUTRA-FDD-r16 MeasObjectUTRA-FDD-r16, measObjectNR-SL-r16 MeasObjectNR-SL-r16, measObjectCLI-r16 MeasObjectCLI-r16, measObjectRxTxDiff-r17 MeasObjectRxTxDiff-r17, measObjectRelay-r17 SL-MeasObject-r16

[0365] }

[0366] }

[0367] MeasObjectNR :: = SEQUENCE { ssbFrequency ARFCN-ValueNR OPTIONAL, - Cond ssbSubcarrierSpacing SubcarrierSpacing OPTIONAL, --

[0368] Cond .

[0369] Measurement gap configurations:

[0370] For examples related to measurement gap configurations (that may follow an SMTC configuration), the signalling may also updated as follows. In order to configure multiple measurement gaps depending on the beam sweeping scaling factor N, the new text is shown in bold. In this example, a list of GapNConfig is proposed, where each GapNConfig contains a field associatedBeamSweepingFactor. When this example is implemented, the network would first configure the UE with a number of measurement gaps, which are only activated once the UE reports a N factor which matches the associatedBeamSweepingFactor in the MeasGapConfig configuration. MeasGapConfig ::= SEQUENCE { gapFR2 SetupRelease { GapConfig }

[0371] OPTIONAL, - Need M gapFRI SetupRelease { GapConfig }

[0372] OPTIONAL, - Need M gapUE SetupRelease { GapConfig }

[0373] OPTIONAL - Need M

[0374] [[ gapToAddModList-r17 SEQUENCE (SIZE (1 ,.maxNrofGapld-r17)) OF

[0375] GapConfig-r17 OPTIONAL, - Need N gapToReleaseList-r17 SEQUENCE (SIZE (1 ,.maxNrofGapld-r17)) OF

[0376] MeasGapld-r17 OPTIONAL, - Need N posMeasGapPreConfigToAddModList-r17

[0377] PosMeasGapPreConfigToAddModList-r17 OPTIONAL,

[0378] -- Need N posMeasGapPreConfigToReleaseList-r17

[0379] PosMeasGapPreConfigToReleaseList-r17 OPTIONAL

[0380] -- Need N

[0381] ]], [[ gapNToAddModList SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxNrofGapNId)) OF

[0382] GapNConfig OPTIONAL, - Need N gapNToReleaseList-r17 SEQUENCE (SIZE (1.. maxNrofGapNId)) OF MeasGapNId OPTIONAL, - Need N

[0383] ]] }

[0384] GapNConfig ::= SEQUENCE { measGapNId MeasGapNId, associatedBeamSweepingFactor ENUMERATED {n8, n6, n4, n2},

[0385] In some examples, the same configuration of measurement gaps would be used, with a change that a flag would be used from the network and the UE to indicate the support of the measurement gap scaling when N is reported. In that example, the UE would be configured with one of the existing measurement gaps configuration, and the ‘mgrp’ (measurement gap repetition period) would be automatically updated after a report of N. That means that mgrp_N = round_possible (mgrp_N*Nmax / N), which means that the mrgp_N is rounded down to one of the possible mrgp, which currently includes 20, 40, 80, and 160 ms. Apart from the UE capability and network indication of support of this feature, mgrp may be is increased and the UE may be scheduled in the dropped measurement gap occasions. In some examples, the network may configure a list of gaps including measGapNId, which would be initially inactive. After the UE reports N, the network would reconfigure the measurement gap indicating one of the pre-configured measurement gaps to be activated.

[0386] FIG. 11 shows an example method flow performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may comprise one or more means for performing the method flow of FIG. 11 . The apparatus may comprise at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method flow of FIG. 11 . The apparatus may be for a user equipment. The apparatus may be comprised in a user equipment. The apparatus may be a user equipment. In S1101 , the method comprises providing, to a network entity, a beam sweeping factor associated with a user equipment. In S1103, the method comprises determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor. In S1105, the method comprises performing at least one measurement according to the configuration.

[0387] FIG. 12 shows an example method flow performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may comprise one or more means for performing the method flow of FIG. 12. The apparatus may comprise at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method flow of FIG. 12. The apparatus may be for a network entity. The apparatus may be comprised in a network entity. The apparatus may be a network entity. The network entity may be base station. For example, the base station may be a gNB.

[0388] In S1201 , the method comprises receiving, from a user equipment, a beam sweeping factor associated with the user equipment. In S1203, the method comprises determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor. In S1205, the method comprises receiving, from the user equipment, information related to measurements performed by the user equipment according to the configuration.

[0389] FIG. 13 shows a schematic representation of non-volatile memory media 1300a (e.g. computer disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD)) and 1300b (e.g. universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) storing instructions and / or parameters 1302 which when executed by a processor allow the processor to perform one or more of the steps of the methods of FIG. 11 and / or FIG. 12.

[0390] It is noted that while the above describes example embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0391] The examples may thus vary within the scope of the attached claims. In general, some embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although embodiments are not limited thereto. While various embodiments may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, 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.

[0392] The examples may be implemented by computer software stored in a memory and executable by at least one data processor of the involved entities or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Further in this regard it should be noted that any procedures may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD.

[0393] The term “non-transitory”, as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e. tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g. RAM vs ROM).

[0394] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of: ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and”, or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements.

[0395] The memory 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, 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), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

[0396] As used herein, the term “means for”, or “means configured to perform” (or similar) may be any means that are suitable for performing the feature. The “means” may be configured to perform one or more of the functions and / or method steps previously described. For example, the “means” may include one or more of: at least one processor, at least one memory, transceiver circuitry, antenna circuitry, etc. It should be understood that these are provided as non-limiting examples.

[0397] Alternatively, or additionally some examples may be implemented using circuitry. The circuitry may be configured to perform one or more of the functions and / or method steps previously described. That circuitry may be provided in the base station and / or in the communications device / UE.

[0398] 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); (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as: (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 the communications device or base station to perform the various functions previously described; 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.

[0399] 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 integrated device. 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 a server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0400] The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary and non-limiting examples a full description of embodiments. However, various modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings will still fall within the scope as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:1 . An apparatus comprising: means for providing, to a network entity, a beam sweeping factor associated with a user equipment; means for determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor; and means for performing at least one measurement according to the configuration.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the means for determining comprises: means for receiving, from the network entity, the configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the apparatus comprises: means for receiving a plurality of configurations related to user equipment measurements, wherein each of the configurations comprises at least one parameter related to user equipment measurements.

4. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the means for receiving a plurality of configurations related to UE measurements comprises: means for receiving, for each of the plurality of configurations, information related to an association between the respective configuration and a beam sweeping factor.

5. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the indication is received in a medium access control indication.

6. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the configuration related to user equipment measurements is one of: a synchronisation signal / physical broadcast channel block measurement timing configuration, a measurement gap configuration, a reference signal configuration.

7. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the means for determining comprises: means for determining the configuration related to user equipment measurements based on at least one of the following: a pre-configured association list, a pre-defined association table, or a pre-defined formula, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor.

8. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein one of: the apparatus is for the user equipment, the apparatus is comprised in the user equipment, the apparatus is the user equipment.

9. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a user equipment, a beam sweeping factor associated with the user equipment; means for determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor; and means for receiving, from the user equipment, information related to measurements performed by the user equipment according to the configuration.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the means for determining comprises: means for determining the configuration related to user equipment measurements based on the beam sweeping factor.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the means for determining comprises: means for determining the configuration related to user equipment measurements based on at least one of the following: the beam sweeping factor, a parameter associated with a network entity, properties associated with a channel between the user equipment and a network entity, a load associated with a network entity, a scheduler parameter, a parameter associated with a variability of a channel, user equipment distribution in a cell, user equipment distribution per synchronisationsignal block beam, user equipment distribution of close compared to cell edge, dynamicity of a channel, doppler, or a number of samples to average synchronisation signal block ratio.

12. The apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 11 , wherein the apparatus comprises: means for providing, to the user equipment, an indication of the configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor.

13. The apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the apparatus comprises: means for providing, to the user equipment, a plurality of configurations related to user equipment measurements, wherein each of the configurations comprises at least one parameter related to user equipment measurements.

14. The apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 13, wherein the means for providing a plurality of configurations related to user equipment measurements comprises: means for providing, for each of the plurality of configurations, information related to an association between the respective configuration and a beam sweeping factor.

15. The apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 14, wherein the means for determining comprises: means for determining the configuration related to user equipment measurements based on at least one of the following: a pre-configured association list, a pre-defined association table, or a pre-defined formula, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor.

16. The apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 15, wherein one of: the apparatus is for a network entity, the apparatus is comprised in the network entity, the apparatus is the network entity.

17. A method comprising: providing, to a network entity, a beam sweeping factor associated with a user equipment; determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor; and performing at least one measurement according to the configuration.

18. A method comprising: receiving, from a user equipment, a beam sweeping factor associated with the user equipment; determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor; and receiving, from the user equipment, information related to measurements performed by the user equipment according to the configuration.

19. A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: providing, to a network entity, a beam sweeping factor associated with a user equipment; determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor; and performing at least one measurement according to the configuration.

20. A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, from a user equipment, a beam sweeping factor associated with the user equipment; determining a configuration related to user equipment measurements, wherein there is an association between the configuration and the beam sweeping factor; and receiving, from the user equipment, information related to measurements performed by the user equipment according to the configuration.

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