Method, apparatus and computer program

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus comprising: means for receiving configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period, and means for performing radio measurements during the measurement gap time perio. The apparatus also comprises means for detecting a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period, and means for, in response to the detection of the wake up signal, interrupting the measurement gap time period for downlink data reception.

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 receiving configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period; means for performing radio measurements during the measurement gap time period; means for detecting a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period; and means for, in response to the detection of the wake up signal, interrupting the measurement gap time period for downlink data reception.

[0008] In an example, the apparatus comprises: a low-power receiver for detecting the wake up signal; and a main radio for receiving the downlink data, wherein the low- power receiver consumes less power than the main radio.

[0009] In an example, the low-power receiver comprises: the means for detecting a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period, and the main radio comprises: the means for performing measurements during a measurement gap time period, and the means for interrupting the measurement gap time period for downlink data reception. In an example, the low-power receiver comprises: means for, based on the wake up signal, providing an indication associated with the wake-up signal to the main radio, wherein the means for interrupting comprises: means for, in response to receiving the indication, interrupting the measurement gap time period for downlink data reception.

[0010] In an example, the interrupting of the measurement gap time period comprises one of: terminating the measurement gap time period before the end of the measurement gap time period as determined from the configuration information, or suspending the measurement gap time period.

[0011] In an example, the apparatus further comprises: means for monitoring a control channel after the interruption of the measurement gap time period; and means for receiving the downlink data based on the control channel monitoring.

[0012] In an example, the wake up signal carries assistance information for reception of the downlink data, and wherein the apparatus further comprises: means for decoding the assistance information from the wake up signal; and means for receiving the downlink data based on the assistance information.

[0013] In an example, the assistance information comprises at least one of the following: information related to a physical downlink control channel search space associated with the downlink data, information related to a control channel element aggregation level associated with the downlink data, information related to a modulation scheme used for modulating the downlink data, an identity for a search space associated with the downlink data, an identity for a control resource set associated with the downlink data, information related to symbol positions for physical downlink control channel monitoring in slots configured for physical downlink control channel monitoring, or information related to a downlink control information format associated with the downlink data.

[0014] In an example, the wake up signal carries priority information indicative of a priority level of the downlink data, and wherein the apparatus further comprises: means for decoding the priority information of the wake up signal.

[0015] In an example, the apparatus further comprises: means for determining whether to interrupt the measurement gap time period based on the priority information of the downlink data. In an example, the apparatus further comprises: means for comparing the priority level of the downlink data to a threshold value; and means for determining whether to interrupt the measurement gap time period based on the comparison.

[0016] In an example, the measurement gap is interrupted when the priority level of the downlink data has a higher priority than a priority level indicated by the threshold. In examples, the measurement gap is maintained when the priority level of the downlink data has a lower priority than a priority level indicated by the threshold.

[0017] In an example, the apparatus further comprises: means for determining when to interrupt the measurement gap time period based on the priority information of the downlink data.

[0018] In an example, the configuration information is further indicative of a wake up signal duty cycle or a wake up signal monitoring window, and wherein the wake up signal is monitored during the measurement gap time period in accordance with the wake up signal duty cycle or the wake up signal monitoring window.

[0019] In an example, the wake up signal comprises at least one of the following: information related to neighbour cell frequencies, or information related to measurement events.

[0020] In an example, the wake up signal that is detected is a low-power wake up signal.

[0021] In an example, the apparatus comprises: means for monitoring for a wake-up signal, wherein there is monitoring during the measurement gap time period and refraining from monitoring outside of the measurement gap time period.

[0022] In an example, the apparatus comprises: means for re-tuning the main radio to change a carrier frequency of the user equipment for the reception of the downlink data. In an example, the means for re-tuning is comprised in the main radio.

[0023] In an example, the configuration indicative of the measurement gap time period includes at least one of the following: a periodicity for the measurement gap time period, a duration of measurement gap time period.

[0024] In an example, one of: the apparatus is for a user equipment, the apparatus is comprised in a user equipment, the apparatus is a user equipment.

[0025] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for causing a transmission, to a user equipment, of configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period for performance of radio measurements by the user equipment; means for causing a transmission, to the user equipment, of a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period for interruption of the measurement gap time period by the user equipment and transmission of downlink data to the user equipment.

[0026] In an example, the apparatus comprises: means for, based on the wake up signal, scheduling the downlink data for reception by the user equipment.

[0027] In an example, the apparatus comprises means for detecting an arrival of downlink data during a measurement gap time period of a user equipment.

[0028] In an example, the apparatus further comprises: means for encoding assistance information for reception of the downlink data into the wake up signal.

[0029] In an example, the assistance information comprises at least one of the following: information related to a physical downlink control channel search space associated with the downlink data, information related to a control channel element aggregation level associated with the downlink data, information related to a modulation scheme used for modulating the downlink data, an identity for a search space associated with the downlink data, an identity for a control resource set associated with the downlink data, information related to symbol positions for physical downlink control channel monitoring in slots configured for physical downlink control channel monitoring, or information related to a downlink control information format associated with the downlink data.

[0030] In an example, the apparatus further comprises: means for encoding priority information indicative of a priority level of the downlink data into the wake up signal.

[0031] In an example, the configuration information is further indicative of a wake up signal duty cycle or a wake up signal monitoring window, and wherein the wake up signal is transmitted during the measurement gap time period in accordance with the wake up signal duty cycle or the wake up signal monitoring window.

[0032] In an example, the wake up signal is a low-power wake up signal.

[0033] In an example, one of: the apparatus is for a base station, the apparatus is comprised in a base station, the apparatus is a base station.

[0034] According to an aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period; performing radio measurements during the measurement gap time period; detecting a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period; and in response to the detection of the wake up signal, interrupting the measurement gap time period for downlink data reception. In an example, the performing radio measurements during the measurement gap time period is performed by a main radio of a user equipment. In an example, the interrupting the measurement gap time period for downlink data reception is performed by the main radio. In an example, the detecting a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period is performed by a low-power receiver of the user equipment. The low-power receiver may consume less power than the main radio.

[0035] In an example, the method comprises, based on the wake up signal, providing, by the low-power receiver, an indication associated with the wake-up signal to the main radio, wherein the interrupting of the measurement gap time period for downlink data reception is in response to receiving the indication.

[0036] In an example, the interrupting of the measurement gap time period comprises one of: terminating the measurement gap time period before the end of the measurement gap time period as determined from the configuration information, or suspending the measurement gap time period.

[0037] In an example, the method comprises: monitoring a control channel after the interruption of the measurement gap time period; and receiving the downlink data based on the control channel monitoring.

[0038] In an example, the wake up signal carries assistance information for reception of the downlink data, and wherein the method comprises: decoding the assistance information from the wake up signal; and receiving the downlink data based on the assistance information.

[0039] In an example, the assistance information comprises at least one of the following: information related to a physical downlink control channel search space associated with the downlink data, information related to a control channel element aggregation level associated with the downlink data, information related to a modulation scheme used for modulating the downlink data, an identity for a search space associated with the downlink data, an identity for a control resource set associated with the downlink data, information related to symbol positions for physical downlink control channel monitoring in slots configured for physical downlink control channel monitoring, or information related to a downlink control information format associated with the downlink data.

[0040] In an example, the wake up signal carries priority information indicative of a priority level of the downlink data, and wherein the method comprises: decoding the priority information of the wake up signal. In an example, the method comprises: determining whether to interrupt the measurement gap time period based on the priority information of the downlink data.

[0041] In an example, the method comprises: comparing the priority level of the downlink data to a threshold value; and determining whether to interrupt the measurement gap time period based on the comparison.

[0042] In an example, the measurement gap is interrupted when the priority level of the downlink data has a higher priority than a priority level indicated by the threshold. In examples, the measurement gap is maintained when the priority level of the downlink data has a lower priority than a priority level indicated by the threshold.

[0043] In an example, the method comprises: determining when to interrupt the measurement gap time period based on the priority information of the downlink data.

[0044] In an example, the configuration information is further indicative of a wake up signal duty cycle or a wake up signal monitoring window, and wherein the wake up signal is monitored during the measurement gap time period in accordance with the wake up signal duty cycle or the wake up signal monitoring window.

[0045] In an example, the wake up signal comprises at least one of the following: information related to neighbour cell frequencies, or information related to measurement events.

[0046] In an example, the wake up signal that is detected is a low-power wake up signal.

[0047] In an example, the method comprises: monitoring for a wake-up signal, wherein there is monitoring during the measurement gap time period and refraining from monitoring outside of the measurement gap time period.

[0048] In an example, the method comprises: re-tuning the main radio to change a carrier frequency of the user equipment for the reception of the downlink data.

[0049] In an example, the configuration indicative of the measurement gap time period includes at least one of the following: a periodicity for the measurement gap time period, a duration of measurement gap time period.

[0050] In an example, the method is performed by a user equipment.

[0051] According to an aspect, there is provided a method comprising: causing a transmission, to a user equipment, of configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period for performance of radio measurements by the user equipment; and causing a transmission, to the user equipment, of a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period for interruption of the measurement gap time period by the user equipment and transmission of downlink data to the user equipment.

[0052] In an example, the method comprises: based on the wake up signal, scheduling the downlink data for reception by the user equipment.

[0053] In an example, the method comprises: detecting an arrival of downlink data during a measurement gap time period of a user equipment.

[0054] In an example, the method comprises: encoding assistance information for reception of the downlink data into the wake up signal.

[0055] In an example, the assistance information comprises at least one of the following: information related to a physical downlink control channel search space associated with the downlink data, information related to a control channel element aggregation level associated with the downlink data, information related to a modulation scheme used for modulating the downlink data, an identity for a search space associated with the downlink data, an identity for a control resource set associated with the downlink data, information related to symbol positions for physical downlink control channel monitoring in slots configured for physical downlink control channel monitoring, or information related to a downlink control information format associated with the downlink data.

[0056] In an example, the method comprises: encoding priority information indicative of a priority level of the downlink data into the wake up signal.

[0057] In an example, the configuration information is further indicative of a wake up signal duty cycle or a wake up signal monitoring window, and wherein the wake up signal is transmitted during the measurement gap time period in accordance with the wake up signal duty cycle or the wake up signal monitoring window.

[0058] In an example, the wake up signal is a low-power wake up signal.

[0059] In an example, the method is performed by a base station.

[0060] 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 configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period; performing radio measurements during the measurement gap time period; detecting a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period; and in response to the detection of the wake up signal, interrupting the measurement gap time period for downlink data reception. In an example, the performing radio measurements during the measurement gap time period is performed by a main radio. In an example, the interrupting the measurement gap time period for downlink data reception is performed by the main radio. In an example, the detecting a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period is performed by a low-power receiver. In an example, the apparatus further comprises the low-power receiver and the main radio. The low-power receiver may consume less power than the main radio.

[0061] In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: based on the wake up signal, providing, by the low-power receiver, an indication associated with the wakeup signal to the main radio, wherein the interrupting of the measurement gap time period for downlink data reception is in response to receiving the indication.

[0062] In an example, the interrupting of the measurement gap time period comprises one of: terminating the measurement gap time period before the end of the measurement gap time period as determined from the configuration information, or suspending the measurement gap time period.

[0063] In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: monitoring a control channel after the interruption of the measurement gap time period; and receiving the downlink data based on the control channel monitoring.

[0064] In an example, the wake up signal carries assistance information for reception of the downlink data, and wherein the apparatus is caused to perform: decoding the assistance information from the wake up signal; and receiving the downlink data based on the assistance information.

[0065] In an example, the assistance information comprises at least one of the following: information related to a physical downlink control channel search space associated with the downlink data, information related to a control channel element aggregation level associated with the downlink data, information related to a modulation scheme used for modulating the downlink data, an identity for a search space associated with the downlink data, an identity for a control resource set associated with the downlink data, information related to symbol positions for physical downlink control channel monitoring in slots configured for physical downlink control channel monitoring, or information related to a downlink control information format associated with the downlink data. In an example, the wake up signal carries priority information indicative of a priority level of the downlink data, and wherein the apparatus is caused to perform: decoding the priority information of the wake up signal.

[0066] In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: determining whether to interrupt the measurement gap time period based on the priority information of the downlink data.

[0067] In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: comparing the priority level of the downlink data to a threshold value; and determining whether to interrupt the measurement gap time period based on the comparison.

[0068] In an example, the measurement gap is interrupted when the priority level of the downlink data has a higher priority than a priority level indicated by the threshold. In examples, the measurement gap is maintained when the priority level of the downlink data has a lower priority than a priority level indicated by the threshold.

[0069] In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: determining when to interrupt the measurement gap time period based on the priority information of the downlink data.

[0070] In an example, the configuration information is further indicative of a wake up signal duty cycle or a wake up signal monitoring window, and wherein the wake up signal is monitored during the measurement gap time period in accordance with the wake up signal duty cycle or the wake up signal monitoring window.

[0071] In an example, the wake up signal comprises at least one of the following: information related to neighbour cell frequencies, or information related to measurement events.

[0072] In an example, the wake up signal that is detected is a low-power wake up signal.

[0073] In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: monitoring for a wake-up signal, wherein there is monitoring during the measurement gap time period and refraining from monitoring outside of the measurement gap time period.

[0074] In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: re-tuning the main radio to change a carrier frequency of the user equipment for the reception of the downlink data.

[0075] In an example, the configuration indicative of the measurement gap time period includes at least one of the following: a periodicity for the measurement gap time period, a duration of measurement gap time period. In an example, one of: the apparatus is for a user equipment, the apparatus is comprised in a user equipment, the apparatus is a user equipment.

[0076] 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: causing a transmission, to a user equipment, of configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period for performance of radio measurements by the user equipment; and causing a transmission, to the user equipment, of a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period for interruption of the measurement gap time period by the user equipment and transmission of downlink data to the user equipment.

[0077] In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: based on the wake up signal, scheduling the downlink data for reception by the user equipment.

[0078] In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: detecting an arrival of downlink data during a measurement gap time period of a user equipment.

[0079] In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: encoding assistance information for reception of the downlink data into the wake up signal.

[0080] In an example, the assistance information comprises at least one of the following: information related to a physical downlink control channel search space associated with the downlink data, information related to a control channel element aggregation level associated with the downlink data, information related to a modulation scheme used for modulating the downlink data, an identity for a search space associated with the downlink data, an identity for a control resource set associated with the downlink data, information related to symbol positions for physical downlink control channel monitoring in slots configured for physical downlink control channel monitoring, or information related to a downlink control information format associated with the downlink data.

[0081] In an example, the apparatus is caused to perform: encoding priority information indicative of a priority level of the downlink data into the wake up signal.

[0082] In an example, the configuration information is further indicative of a wake up signal duty cycle or a wake up signal monitoring window, and wherein the wake up signal is transmitted during the measurement gap time period in accordance with the wake up signal duty cycle or the wake up signal monitoring window.

[0083] In an example, the wake up signal is a low-power wake up signal. In an example, one of: the apparatus is for a base station, the apparatus is comprised in a base station, the apparatus is a base station.

[0084] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry configured to perform: receiving configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period; circuitry configured to perform: performing radio measurements during the measurement gap time period; circuitry configured to perform: detecting a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period; and circuitry configured to perform: in response to the detection of the wake up signal, interrupting the measurement gap time period for downlink data reception.

[0085] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry configured to perform: causing a transmission, to a user equipment, of configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period for performance of radio measurements by the user equipment; and circuitry configured to perform: causing a transmission, to the user equipment, of a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period for interruption of the measurement gap time period by the user equipment and transmission of downlink data to the user equipment.

[0086] 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 configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period; performing radio measurements during the measurement gap time period; detecting a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period; and in response to the detection of the wake up signal, interrupting the measurement gap time period for downlink data reception.

[0087] 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: causing a transmission, to a user equipment, of configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period for performance of radio measurements by the user equipment; and causing a transmission, to the user equipment, of a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period for interruption of the measurement gap time period by the user equipment and transmission of downlink data to the user equipment.

[0088] A computer product stored on a medium may cause an apparatus to perform the methods as described herein. 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.

[0089] An electronic device may comprise apparatus as described herein.

[0090] 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.

[0091] Various other aspects and further embodiments are also described in the following detailed description and in the attached claims.

[0092] 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.

[0093] List of abbreviations:

[0094] AF: Application Function

[0095] AMF: Access and Mobility Management Function

[0096] AN: Access Network

[0097] BS: Base Station

[0098] CORESET: Control Resource Set

[0099] CRS: Cell specific reference signal

[0100] CN: Core Network

[0101] DCI: Downlink control information

[0102] DL: Downlink

[0103] DM-RS: Demodulation reference signal

[0104] DRX: Discontinuous Reception eNB: eNodeB

[0105] FSK: Frequency shift keying gNB: gNodeB

[0106] HoT: Industrial Internet of Things

[0107] LP-WUS: Low-power wake up signal

[0108] LR: Low-power receiver (also known as WUR: Wake-up receiver)

[0109] LTE: Long Term Evolution

[0110] NEF: Network Exposure Function NG-RAN: Next Generation Radio Access Network

[0111] NF: Network Function

[0112] NR: New Radio

[0113] NRF: Network Repository Function

[0114] NW: Network

[0115] MS: Mobile Station

[0116] MAC: Medium Access Control

[0117] MAC CE: MAC Control Element

[0118] MC-OOK: Multicamer on-off keying

[0119] MR: Main radio

[0120] OOK: On-off keying

[0121] PDCCH: Physical downlink control channel

[0122] PoV: Point of view

[0123] PCF Policy Control Function

[0124] PLMN: Public Land Mobile Network

[0125] RAN: Radio Access Network

[0126] RF: Radio Frequency

[0127] SMF: Session Management Function

[0128] UE: User Equipment

[0129] UDR: Unified Data Repository

[0130] UDM: Unified Data Management

[0131] UL: Uplink

[0132] UPF: User Plane Function

[0133] 3GPP: 3rdGeneration Partnership Project

[0134] 5G: 5thGeneration

[0135] 5GC: 5G Core network

[0136] 5G-AN: 5G Radio Access Network

[0137] 5GS: 5G System

[0138] Brief Description of Drawings

[0139] Some example embodiments will now be described, by way of illustrative and non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0140] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a 5G system;

[0141] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a control apparatus; FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a terminal;

[0142] FIGS. 4a and 4b show schematic representations of a user equipment that comprises a low-power receiver and a main radio;

[0143] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of an outage at a user equipment due to measurement gaps;

[0144] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a low-power wake-up signal being indicated to a main radio of a user equipment, via a low power receiver, during a measurement gap;

[0145] FIG. 7 shows an example method flow diagram performed by an apparatus;

[0146] FIG. 8 shows another example method flow diagram performed by an apparatus; and

[0147] FIG. 9 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. 7 and / or 8.

[0148] Detailed Description

[0149] 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.

[0150] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 100 comprises one or more communication devices 102 such as user equipments (UEs), or terminals. The wireless communication system 100 comprises a 5G system (5GS). 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.

[0151] 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. The 5GC 104 comprises an access management function (AMF) 112, a session management function (SMF) 114, an authentication server function (ALISF) 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.

[0152] In a wireless communication system 100, such as that shown in FIG. 1 , communication devices 102, such as for example, terminals, user apparatuses, 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 communication device 102 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 102 may access a carrier provided by a base station or access point, and transmit and / or receive communications on the carrier.

[0153] 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.

[0154] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a communication device 300, such as the communication device 102 illustrated in FIG. 1. The communication device 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, a terrestrial / maritime / aerial vehicle such as a car, a truck, a boat, an air plane, or a drone, or any combinations of these or the like. The communication device 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.

[0155] The communication device 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.

[0156] The communication device 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 communication device 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.

[0157] 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

[0158] 304. The communication device may optionally have a user interface such as keypad

[0159] 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. Some examples are related to wake-up signals (WUS). A WUS is transmitted by a base station in the downlink and received by a user equipment, terminal, or other mobile device. The WUS may be beamformed by the base station. A WUS may be received by a UE while in the RRCJNACTIVE state. The WUS transmission is typically triggered by data activity detected by the base station. The WUS might be received by a low-power receiver (LR) of the UE and trigger a wake-up of the main radio (MR) (or main transceiver) from a deep sleep / sleep or from an OFF state / mode of the main radio. The trigger of the wake-up of the main radio by the WUS may be actioned via an internal signal / trigger / indication from the LR to the MR. A purpose of the WUS is to enable a very low power consumption at the terminal during periods of data inactivity, while allowing a low latency transition from data inactivity to data activity (e.g. from RRCJNACTIVE to RRC_CONNECTED). The low-power WUS may be implemented with a much lower power draw when being received by a low-power receiver compared to the main radio in an idle state.

[0160] In the RRC_CONNECTED state, a UE may be configured by the network with measurements gaps. A measurement gap (measGap) is a time period in which the UE performs at least one of inter-frequency, inter-RAT (radio access technology), and intra-frequency neighbour cells measurements. During the measurement gaps the UE cannot transmit uplink signals to the serving cell and the UE cannot receive downlink signals from the serving cell. The UE uses measurement gaps to perform UE measurements when it cannot measure the target carrier frequency while simultaneously transmitting / receiving on the serving cell. In the example of LTE, the UE uses measurement gaps in order to perform inter-frequency and inter-RAT measurements. Typical LTE gap length is 6 ms which accommodates 5 ms measurement time and a radio frequency re-tuning time of 0.5 ms before and after the measurement gap. The measurement gap repeats with a periodicity of either 40 ms or 80 ms. Similarly, in NR, the measurements that the UE performs may be gap- assisted (e.g. network configures measurement gap) or non-gap-assisted. Measurement gap lengths of 1.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5.5, and 6 ms with measurement gap repetition periodicities of 20, 40, 80, and 160 ms are defined in NR. In NR, the radio frequency re-tuning time is 0.5 ms for carrier frequency measurements in FR1 range and 0.25 ms for FR2 range.

[0161] Some of the following examples are relevant to low-power devices or devices that have low-power circuits (e.g. low-power receivers). Examples relate to enhancements for UE energy savings in 5G NR, and particularly on UEs / devices which have battery lifetime targets of for example, weeks, months or years. This includes devices without a continuous energy source. For example, UEs using small rechargeable and non-rechargeable single coin cell batteries, such as those used for vertical use cases including sensors and actuators that are deployed extensively for monitoring, measuring, charging, etc. Generally, for such devices, batteries are not rechargeable and expected to last a few years at least. These devices also include wearables such as smart-watches, rings, eHealth related devices, and medical monitoring devices, for which it is challenging to sustain up to 1-2 weeks, as required, with a typical battery capacity.

[0162] Some of the UE types named above (e.g., sensors, actuators and wearables), not only require a long battery life, but also require latency-critical services. An example of a device that needs a long battery life as well as needing latency-critical services is a fire detection and extinguishing device. Solutions such as enhanced discontinuous reception (eDRX) (allowing an extension of the periodicity by which the UE wakes up to monitor for paging, which in turn reduces the average power consumption) are not useful / acceptable for these devices because eDRX would lead to unacceptable communication latency.

[0163] As discussed above, some devices may comprise an LR and an MR which may be used and configured to try and save power in mobile devices. Devices that need a long battery life as well as needing latency-critical services may comprise an LR and an MR. The usage of the separate LR at a UE may reduce the UE power consumption. This is because the MR of the UE could be in a sleep mode (or even powered off) for power saving and be activated only upon the reception of a WUS from the network. The network triggers the UE to wake-up exactly when needed in an event-driven manner, by transmitting a ‘special’ WUS to the UE, which is monitored by the LR at the UE. The MR may not monitor for the WUS while in sleep mode / powered off. When a UE receives the WUS, the LR may trigger the wake-up of the MR and communications can start. Thus, the LR wakes up the MR and otherwise, the main radio is OFF or kept in a deep sleep mode, as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b.

[0164] FIGS. 4a and 4b show schematic representations of a user equipment that comprises a low-power receiver (LR) and a main radio (MR).

[0165] There is provided a user equipment (UE) 401 , that is seen in both FIG. 4a and 4b. The UE 401 comprises a main radio (MR) 403 and a low-power receiver (LR) 405. The LR 405 uses less power / energy compared to the MR 403 when both are powered- on. The MR 403 may be the ‘main’ transceiver of the UE that is configured for 4G, 5G, etc. communications. The LR 405 may not be configured for communicating with other devices through cellular / radio transmissions. The LR 405 may be configured to wake- up / power-on the MR 403 in response to a detected / received WUS. In other examples, the LR 405 may be configured for communicating with other devices through cellular / radio communications, in addition to monitoring for WUSs.

[0166] As seen in FIG. 4a, the LR 405 may detect / receive a wake-up signal (WUS) that indicates (or comprises information) that the MR 403 should be off or in a deep sleep / sleep mode. In some examples, a WUS may be detected / received by the LR 403 that indicates for the MR 403 to be powered-off / entered into a deep sleep / sleep mode. Alternatively, there may be absence of a WUS being provided to the LR 405 and indicating an off state or a deep sleep / sleep mode, or indicating a transition to an off state or to a deep sleep / sleep mode. For instance, the MR 403 may be switched off or enter a deep sleep / sleep mode after some period of data or traffic inactivity. While powered-off or in a deep sleep / sleep mode, the MR 403 uses little or no power / energy.

[0167] As seen in FIG. 4b, the LR 405 receives a WUS indicating that the MR 403 should be powered-on / woken up. Said another way, the LR 405 is configured to monitor for / detect the WUS. The MR 403 may not be configured to receive the WUS.

[0168] Based on receiving the WUS, the LR 405 triggers a powering-on / wake up of the MR 403. The LR 405 may trigger power on / wake up the MR 403 by providing an internal signal / indication to the MR 403.

[0169] For FIGS. 4a and 4b, it may be assumed in some examples that the LR 405 is operated in an always ‘on’ manner. While in the always ‘on’ mode, the LR 405 may use a very low power consumption (compared to the MR 403). As a specific WUS signal is used and dedicated hardware is provided (LR 405) for its monitoring, which is only able to receive the WUS, the power usage for the UE 401 will be lower.

[0170] In RRC_CONNECTED mode, a measurement gap (or measurement gap time period) enables a UE to carry out measurements of, for example, inter-frequency, inter-RAT, and intra-frequencies (inter bandwidth part) neighbour cells. In this way, during the measurement gap, a UE is powered on and not in sleep mode. During measurement gap time periods, a UE is expected to: - Not perform / refrain from performing the transmission of hybrid automatic request (HARQ) feedback, scheduling request (SR), and channel state information (CSI).

[0171] - Not transmit / refrain from transmitting sounding reference signals (SRS).

[0172] - Not transmit / refrain from transmitting on uplink shared channels (UL-SCH) except for Msg3.

[0173] - If an ra-ResponseWindow or an ra-ContentionResolutionTimer is running: monitor the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); else, not monitor the PDCCH.

[0174] In this way, while in a measurement gap time period, a UE is not performing receptions and transmissions of data. This may lead to outages, whereby data cannot be received and / or transmitted by a UE. This may be problematic. In particular, in latency critical scenarios.

[0175] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of an outage at a user equipment due to measurement gaps.

[0176] There is provided a number of sub-frames 501 , wherein each sub-frame is represented by a box with the sub-frame number inside said box. In this example, ten sub-frames make up a frame, with each frame having an associated system frame number (SFN).

[0177] A measurement gap 503 for a UE is comprised of seven sub-frames from subframe 4 to sub-frame 10 within e.g. SFN3. This correlates to a measurement gap duration of 7 ms. In sub-frame 4 of SFN3 data 505 has arrived at the NW. The arrival of the data 505 at the NW is shown with an arrow. The data 505 has arrived during the measurement gap 503. As the UE is within the measurement gap 503, the UE cannot receive the data 505 from the NW. This means that the NW waits until the data 505 can be scheduled after the measurement gap 503. The data is not scheduled until sub-frame 1 of SFN4, as this is the first sub-frame after the measurement gap 505. The scheduled data 507 is shown with a rectangular box.

[0178] A further measurement gap may be configured for the UE (not shown) in a periodic manner. For example, there may be a gap periodicity of 40ms. In this way, there will be a measurement gap of 7ms every 40ms.

[0179] As illustrated in FIG. 5, SFN3, sub-frame 4 is the start of the measurement gap 503 time period (‘measGap’) which has a duration / length of 7 milliseconds (ms). If any data arrives at the network during this time period of the ‘measGap’, the network waits until measurement gap time period (here for 7 ms) ends to schedule the data. During the measurement gap time period, the network cannot reach / comm unicate with the UE.

[0180] Therefore, the measurement gap time period is outage of the UE from a network point-of-view. This outage may be a serious concern for high accuracy positioning, critical mobility scenarios, latency critical application, ultra-reliable low- latency communications (URLCC) etc.

[0181] One or more of the following examples aims to address one or more of the problems identified above.

[0182] In examples, there is provided an apparatus (e.g. an apparatus for a UE) comprising means for receiving configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period, and means for performing radio measurements during the measurement gap time period. The apparatus also comprises means for detecting a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period, and means for, in response to the detection of the wake up signal, interrupting the measurement gap time period for downlink data reception.

[0183] In some examples, a WUS or low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS) is used as an indication to interrupt a measurement gap time period due to arrival of downlink data at a network during the measurement gap time period. During the measurement gap, the UE is awake and is performing measurements. A UE receiving said LP-WUS will be monitoring for the LP-WUS. Other signals such as medium access control control elements (MAC-CE) and downlink channel information (DCI) may not be suitable as a wake-up signal because they are provided on control channels, but the UE will not be monitoring control channels during a measurement gap time period. When the NW wants to schedule downlink data during a measurement gap time period, the NW sends the LP-WUS as an indication to the UE to interrupt the measurement gap time period for downlink data reception. After receiving the LP-WUS (indicating for the UE to interrupt the current measurement gap / shorten the measurement gap), circuitry of the UE configured to detect / receive the LP-WUS (e.g. an LR) provides a signal / trigger / indication to circuitry of the UE associated with transmitting and receiving signals and performing radio measurements (e.g. a main radio (MR) of the UE). The NW may send the LP-WUS to the UE due to (critical) downlink data arrival at the NW. The MR of the UE interrupts or suspends the measurement gap and starts PDCCH monitoring. In this way, the LP-WUS is a way to contact the UE during a measurement gap time period. It should be understood that the LP-WUS may be referred to as a wake-up signal (WUS) in some examples, or simply a signal that can be received by a UE during a measurement gap time period for the UE to interrupt the measurement gap time period and start receiving downlink data.

[0184] The MR may be tuned to another carrier frequency and be performing neighbour cell measurements (i.e. the MR is in an active state / powered-on) during a measurement gap time period. The WUS being received by the UE may trigger the MR to tune its transceiver back to a serving carrier frequency for PDCCH monitoring and DL / UL data communication. In this way, the WUS framework and the low-power circuitry of the LR are efficiently re-used to notify / indicate to the MR about a required interruption of the measurement gap time period for incoming DL data reception.

[0185] In some examples, there is data arrival at a sub-frame during a measurement gap time period and the NW sends an LP-WUS indication about data arrival at the next sub-frame to a UE via its LR. The UE then resumes PDCCH monitoring at the next sub-frame after the LP-WUS reception. It should be understood that this example using sub-frames is just for illustrative purposes. In actual scenarios, triggering the indication to the MR, and the MR suspending the measurement gap and starting to monitor PDCCH may happen much faster than this example. It should be understood that the terms ‘measurement gap’, ‘measurement gap time period’, and ‘measurement gap window’, may be used interchangeably.

[0186] In some examples, the configuration of a duty cycle, the configuration of a window, or an always-on configuration for monitoring for LP-WUSs at a UE during a measurement gap time period is based on the measurement gap time duration and / or a data service criticality. A low power receiver of the UE may be monitoring for LP- WUS based on duty cycle. Duty cycling could be configured based on measurement gap length. For example, the higher the measurement gap duration, frequent cycling will cause the LR to monitor for WUS more frequently. The duty cycle may be reduced for smaller measurement gap durations and repetition period. If UE is subscribed for delay sensitive / URLCC applications, frequent duty cycling of monitoring LP-WUS during the measurement gap time period will enable the NW to access the UE more frequently during the measurement gap time period. In some examples, the configuration of the LP-WUS (compared to a PDCCH- based WUS) being transmitted / received / monitored in a measurement gap reduces the UE power draw compared to monitoring of PDCCH-based WUS.

[0187] In some examples, the LP-WUS comprises information related to data, such as a priority ind ication / priority level. For example, this may be an indication of immediate suspension of the measurement gap, or a shortening of the measurement gap, or a permission to ignore the received LP-WUS at the UE based on the priority. A shortening of the measurement gap may be based on priority and measurement gap / repetition periods. A ‘low’ (or lowest) priority may give privilege to UE to ignore the LP-WUS indication received during measurement gap periods. Other information comprised within the LP-WUS may help the UE to respond to NW in an efficient manner. For example, information may be included in the LP-WUS for PDCCH searching, PDCCH / PDSCH decoding, i.e. for more efficient communications after the measurement gap.

[0188] In some examples, information is comprised in an LP-WUS, wherein the information is associated with downlink data. The information associated with downlink data may be a downlink data arrival indication.

[0189] In some examples, the LP-WUS comprises PDCCH search assistance information. For example, the PDCCH search assistance information may comprise information related to PDCCH search space, information related to CCE aggregation level, information related to a modulation scheme. A UE may use this information in the LP-WUS to decode the PDCCH more efficiently after term ination / completion of the measurement gap. This may reduce the PDCCH decoding time with improved power consumption.

[0190] In some examples, the LP-WUS comprises PDCCH information (e.g. ‘complete’ PDCCH information). The UE is able to use this information to receive PDSCH after term ination / completion of the measurement gap. The ‘complete’ PDCCH information may comprise a downlink assignment. In an example, the content or fields of this downlink assignment may be substantially the same as the content of DCI format 1_0 or DCI format 1_1 (as specified in 3GPP TS 38.212).

[0191] In some examples, the LP-WUS comprises downlink data, or indicates resources on which the downlink data will be transmitted and / or a schedule of data transmissions. In some examples, the LP-WUS comprises information related to neighbour cell frequencies and / or measurement event related information. The UE may use the information in the LP-WUS to prioritize the measurement of frequencies indicated in the information. The UE may use the information in the LP-WUS to ignore the measurement of frequencies indicated in the information. The UE may use the information in the LP-WUS to resume the PDCCH monitoring based on the information provided.

[0192] These examples will be described in more detail below.

[0193] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a low-power wake-up signal being indicated to a main radio of a user equipment, via a low power receiver of the user equipment, during a measurement gap.

[0194] FIG. 6 shows signalling between a network (NW) 601 and a UE 603, over time. The signalling from the NW 601 may be transmitted / provided by a base station (e.g. a gNB). The signalling provided by the NW 601 is received at the UE 603.

[0195] The UE 603 comprises first circuitry configured to receive a signal / WUS / LP- WUS from the NW, during a measurement gap time period. The UE 603 receives configuration information indicative of the measurement gap time period. In other examples, the configuration information indicative of the measurement gap time period is pre-configured at the UE 603.

[0196] The first circuitry may be configured to monitor for and / or detect / receive the LP- WUS during a duty cycle, or a time window. The configuration information may be further indicative of a wake up signal duty cycle or a wake up signal monitoring window. The wake up signal may be monitored for during the measurement gap time period in accordance with the wake up signal duty cycle or the wake up signal monitoring window.

[0197] For example, the first circuitry may be configured to monitor for LP-WUS during measurement gap time periods of the UE. In other examples, the first circuitry is ‘always-on’ for monitoring for LP-WUSs. In other words, the first circuitry is always monitoring for an LP-WUS while the UE is powered-on. The first circuitry may be a low-power receiver (LR) circuitry. The first circuitry may be configured for detecting / receiving the LP-WUS. The first circuitry may not be configured to perform other communications such as 4G, 5G, etc. communications. Based on a received LP- WUS, the first circuitry may be configured to provide a signal to an MR 607. The signal may be referred to as an ‘indication’ or ‘notification’ in other examples. The signal may indicate that downlink data is present at the network to be scheduled to the UE. Said another way, in response to receiving the LP-WUS, the first circuitry provides a signal to trigger the MR switching from performing UE measurements during the measurement gap time period to performing a data reception. In the following example of FIG. 6, the first circuitry is referred to as the LR 605.

[0198] The UE 603 also comprises second circuitry configured to receive an (internal) signal / trigger / indication from the LR of the UE, during a measurement gap time period. The second circuitry may be a main radio (MR) 607. The MR 607 is a transceiver configured for the cellular communications for the UE, e.g. for 4G, 5G, etc. communications. The MR is configured with one or more measurements gap time periods whereby the MR is not performing receptions and / or transmissions. As discussed above, the UE 603 receives configuration information indicative of the measurement gap time period. The MR 607 may be configured with the measurement gap time period based on the configuration information. The configuration information may include at least one of the following: a periodicity for the measurement gap time period, or a duration of measurement gap time period. The MR 607 may not monitor a PDCCH during the measurement gap time period.

[0199] The MR 607 performs at least one measurement during the measurement gap time period (e.g. at least one radio measurement performed by the MR 607 of the UE). In this way, during the measurement gap time period, the MR 607 is powered-on so that the MR 607 is able to perform measurements. During the measurement gap time period, even though the LR 605 is monitoring for WUSs, the MR 607 is powered-on and may be performing measurements.

[0200] Based on the (internal) signal / trigger / indication from the LR, the MR 607 interrupts the measurement gap and starts to monitor a PDCCH for downlink data reception. The interrupting of the measurement gap may mean that the measurement gap (for UE measurements) is interrupted before the configured end of the measurement gap time period. The interrupting of the measurement gap may comprise terminating / ending the measurement gap time period before the end of the measurement gap time period as determined from (or as defined by) the configuration information (i.e. shortening the measurement gap time period). Said another way, in response to receiving the (internal) signal / trigger / indication, the MR starts to monitor the PDCCH before the measurement gap was scheduled to end. The interrupting of the measurement gap may alternatively comprise suspending the measurement gap time period for a while and then resuming the measurement gap time period.

[0201] The MR may start to monitor the PDCCH once the MR has re-tuned to a different carrier frequency used for monitoring the PDCCH. Said another way, once the measurement gap has been interrupted, the MR re-tunes in order to change a carrier frequency of the UE 603, so that the UE 603 (i.e. the MR 607) is able to monitor for the PDCCH and receive the downlink data. In the following example of FIG. 6, the second circuitry is referred to as the MR 607.

[0202] The first circuitry may be any means for / means capable of detecting / receiving the LP-WUS and providing a (internal) signal / trigger / indication to notify the MR. The second circuitry may be any means for / means capable of receiving an (internal) signal / trigger / indication during a measurement gap time period, interrupting the measurement gap, monitoring one or more control channels, and receiving / transmitting data.

[0203] When powered-on the first circuitry uses less power / energy than the second circuitry. Furthermore, the first circuitry may use less power / energy than the second circuitry when in sleep / standby modes.

[0204] As shown in FIG. 6, there is provided the LR 605 of the UE 603, the MR 607 of the UE 603, and the NW 601 . In this example, the NW is a base station.

[0205] There is provided an SFN comprising ten sub-frames. A measurement gap time period 609 is comprised of sub-frames 4 to 10. Between sub-frame 1 and sub-frame 5 there is data arrival 611 .

[0206] It is assumed that the UE 603 is configured with a measurement gap time period 609 based on configuration information. The configuration information may be received by the UE 603, or be pre-configured at the UE 603 (not shown).

[0207] At sub-frame 1 , first data 613 arrives at the NW 601 . As the UE 603 is not within a measurement gap time period, the NW 601 schedules 615 the first data within subframe 1 .

[0208] At sub-frame 2, second data 617 arrives at the NW 601 . As the UE 603 is not within a measurement gap time period, the NW 601 schedules 619 the first data within sub-frame 2.

[0209] At sub-frame 4, the measurement gap time period 609 has started. During the measurement gap time period 609 the MR 607 remains powered-on (i.e. does not enter sleep mode). The MR 607 may re-tune to another carrier frequency so that the 1

[0210] UE 603 is able to perform measurements (e.g. neighbour cell measurements). The MR 607 may perform measurements during sub-frame 4, or at any other point during the measurement gap time period 607 (assuming that the measurement gap time period 609 has not been interrupted at that point).

[0211] At sub-frame 5, third data 621 arrives at the NW 601 . The UE 603 is within the measurement gap time period 609 in sub-frame 5. As the UE 603 is within the measurement gap time period 609, the UE 603 would not be monitoring PDCCH for incoming downlink data to be scheduled. Instead of monitoring the PDCCH, the MR 607 of the UE 603 is tuned for performing measurements. The NW 601 first transmits an LP-WUS 623 to the UE 603 during the measurement gap time period 609 (in subframe 5). The LP-WUS 623 is received by the UE 603 during the measurement gap time period 609. The LP-WUS 623 is received by the LR 605 of the UE 603. The LR 605 provides a signal / trigger / indication 625 to the MR 607 to notify / indicate to the MR 607 that the measurement gap time period shall be interrupted for downlink data reception. Based on the signal / trigger / indication 625 from the LR 605, the MR 607 interrupts the measurement gap 609 (before the end of the measurement gap 609) and begins to monitor the PDCCH. The MR 607 may begin to monitor the PDCCH once the MR 607 has re-tuned to a different carrier frequency. The third data is scheduled 627 in sub-frame 7 during the configured measurement gap 609, which is now interrupted. As the MR 607 is monitoring the PDCCH, the UE 603 is able to receive the third data 623 during the configured measurement gap 609.

[0212] It should be understood that the sub-frame numbers, the timings used, the duration of measurement gap, etc. are all examples that are used in order to aid in the understanding of the disclosure.

[0213] The LP-WUS / WUS 623 may comprise information associated with downlink data. In some examples, information is comprised in the LP-WUS 623 which indicates the arrival of downlink data, and thus gives an opportunity to the MR 607 to schedule the arrived data during the configured measurement gap 609. The indication of downlink data may be for URLCC applications / data.

[0214] In some examples, the LP-WUS 623 comprises information related to a priority or a priority level for the downlink data to be scheduled. The priority level may be a discrete value, e.g. low, medium, high. In other examples, the priority level may comprise a numerical value, e.g. between 1 to 5 with e.g. 1 being low priority. The information about priority level may be any suitable value or measure. The priority information in a LP-WUS 623 may be used by a UE to determine whether to interrupt the measurement gap 609 (immediately), or to interrupt the measurement gap 609 after a predefined time interval (based on priority), or to ignore the LP-WUS if the UE determines that measuring / evaluating a neighbour cell has a higher priority. The interruption of the measurement gap time period based on the priority level may also be based on the configuration information indicative of the measurement gap time period.

[0215] In some examples, the UE 603 is configured with a threshold associated with priority. The UE 603 may be pre-configured with the threshold, or the UE 603 may receive the threshold from the NW 601 as part of the configuration information. When the LP-WUS 623 comprises a priority level associated with downlink data, the UE 603 compares the priority level to the threshold. Based on the comparison, the UE 603 may interrupt the measurement gap. For example, when the UE 603 determines that a priority level of the downlink data has a higher priority than a priority indicated by the threshold, then the UE 603 interrupts the measurement gap. When the UE 603 determines that a priority level of the downlink data has a lower priority than a priority indicated by the threshold, then the UE 603 maintains the measurement gap (and thus continues performing measurements).

[0216] In some examples, the LP-WUS 623 comprises information related to PDCCH, also referred to as PDCCH assistance information. For example, the PDCCH assistance information comprises at least one of the following: information related to a physical downlink control channel search space associated with the downlink data, information related to a control channel element aggregation level associated with the downlink data, information related to a modulation scheme used for modulating the downlink data, an identity for a search space associated with the downlink data, an identity for a control resource set associated with the downlink data, information related to symbol positions for physical downlink control channel monitoring in slots configured for physical downlink control channel monitoring, information related to a downlink control information format associated with the downlink data, or nrofCandidates-SFI. The PDCCH assistance information enables UE 603 to decode a PDCCH more easily and / or more quickly, with a reduced power consumption of the UE 603. In some examples, the LP-WUS 623 comprises information about a PDCCH schedule and / or the contents of a PDCCH. The UE 603 may use this information to decode and receive a PDSCH during the measurement gap 609.

[0217] In some examples, the LP-WUS 623 comprises downlink data. For example, if the data arrival at the NW during the measurement gap 609 of the UE 603 fits within the LP-WUS 623 payload size, the LP-WUS 623 carries the data itself. Based on the downlink data within the LP-WUS 623, the UE 603 can act upon the downlink data.

[0218] In some examples, the LP-WUS 623 comprises LP-WUS resources whereby data is able to be scheduled. The UE may receive the data in multiple resources / occurrences, and use / act upon the received data. If data to be sent to the UE is small (e.g. any command or indication for an application), then the LP-WUS may carry that data. If the data is to be transported in, e.g. 2 or 3, instances of consecutive LP-WUS, a first LP-WUS may contain the resource allocation information wherein subsequent LP-WUS could be received (comprising at least a part of the data).

[0219] As shown in FIG. 6, the NW 601 determines to send data 623 and, at sub-frame number 5, NW sends the LP-WUS 623 to the MR 607. The LR 605 is configured to monitor for LP-WUS during the measurement gap period 609 in an ‘always-on’ configuration or with a given duty cycle. As the LR 605 receives the LP-WUS 623, the LR 605 provides a signal / trigger / indication to the MR 607. The MR 607 suspends the measurement gap 609 and starts monitoring PDCCH.

[0220] The NW 601 may configure the LR 605 to monitor for LP-WUS the during measurement gaps. An LP-WUS monitoring window / duty cycle may be dynamically configured at the LR 605 based on at least one of the following factors: measurement gap duration and / or period, application urgency and / or criticality. An LR configured for ‘always-on’ monitoring of LP-WUS during a ‘small’ measurement gap length period would be beneficial, while duty cycling LP-WUS monitoring during a long measurement gap length period would be efficient way from both a NW and UE point of view. The LR is a comparatively low-power receiver and consumes less power compared to the MR but keeping the LR always on to monitor LP-WUS may consume comparatively more power than duty cycling the LR to monitor LP-WUS in some instances. For a smaller measurement gap time period, it would be feasible to keep LR monitoring ‘always-ON’, and for longer measurement gap periods use a duty cycle based configuration. Duty cycling means that the NW sends any indication only during the LR 'on’ duration. A smaller measurement gap with LR ‘always-on’ enables the NW to send LP-WUS at any time during measurement gap time period.

[0221] 5G NR supports varying length of measurement gaps. For example, 1.5 ms (ms1dot5), 3 ms (ms3), 3.5 ms (ms3dot5), 4 ms (ms4), 5.5 ms (ms5dot5), 6 ms (ms6). An LR of a UE may be configured to monitor for LP-WUS as an indication of data arrival (so to suspend a measurement gap and resume PDCCH monitoring at the UE) by one of: monitoring LP-WUS continuously, or duty cycling the LP-monitoring. Monitoring the LP-WUS continuously will cause resource overhead to schedule LP- WUS during anytime of the measurement gap period and will increase power consumption, but improve latency. Duty cycling the LP-WUS monitoring will reduce resource overhead and minimize power consumption but may increase latency compared to continuous monitoring. The NW may determine an appropriate approach considering a current measurement gap configuration, latency requirements, resource overhead and power consumption optimization.

[0222] One or more of the examples discussed above have the advantages that the NW is able to reach the UE during measurement gap time periods using an LP-WUS as an LR of the UE is configured to monitor LP-WUS during measurement gap time periods. This enables the NW to have control on data scheduling as demanded by service applications. This ability to reach the UE during measurement gaps may be particularly beneficial due to the latency reduction for many use cases such as emergency or latency critical applications. As the LR of the UE uses less power than the MR, there is also a reduced UE power usage compared to always-on monitoring of a PDCCH-based WUS. Furthermore, the time instances / slots in which the UE monitors LP-WUS in a measurement gap may be adapted to the measurement gap length / period and / or the data service criticality in order to save further power, and be more efficient. If the LR is monitoring for LP-WUS for the shortest amount of time needed (i.e. during the measurement gap only), then the most power is saved. There is also the advantage that the UE and the network have a common understanding on when the UE will start PDCCH monitoring due to a DL data arrival in a measurement gap.

[0223] FIG. 7 shows an example method flow performed by an apparatus. In an example, one of: the apparatus is for a user equipment, the apparatus is comprised in a user equipment, the apparatus is a user equipment. In other examples, the user equipment is a mobile device, terminal, communication device, or the like. In S701 , the method comprises receiving configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period.

[0224] In S703, the method comprises performing radio measurements during the measurement gap time period.

[0225] In S705, the method comprises detecting a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period.

[0226] In S707, the method comprises in response to the detection of the wake up signal, interrupting the measurement gap time period for downlink data reception.

[0227] FIG. 8 shows an example method flow performed by an apparatus. In an example, one of: the apparatus is for a base station, the apparatus is comprised in a base station, the apparatus is a base station. For example, the base station is a gNB.

[0228] In S801 , the method comprises causing a transmission, to a user equipment, of configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period for performance of radio measurements by the user equipment.

[0229] In S803, the method comprises causing a transmission, to the user equipment, of a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period for interruption of the measurement gap time period by the user equipment and transmission of downlink data to the user equipment.

[0230] FIG. 9 shows a schematic representation of non-volatile memory media 900a (e.g. blu-ray disk, computer disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD)) and 900b (e.g. universal serial bus (USB) memory stick, solid state memory) storing instructions and / or parameters 902 which when executed by a processor allow the processor to perform one or more of the steps of the methods of FIG. 7 and / or FIG. 8.

[0231] 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.

[0232] 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.

[0233] 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.

[0234] 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).

[0235] 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.

[0236] 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.

[0237] 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 features 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.

[0238] 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 features previously described. That circuitry may be provided in the base station and / or in the communications device / UE.

[0239] 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

[0240] (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.

[0241] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term “means” 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.

[0242] The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary and non-limiting examples a full and informative description of some embodiments. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings will still fall within the scope as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:1 . An apparatus comprising: means for receiving configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period; means for performing radio measurements during the measurement gap time period; means for detecting a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period; and means for, in response to the detection of the wake up signal, interrupting the measurement gap time period for downlink data reception.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises: a low-power receiver for detecting the wake up signal; and a main radio for receiving the downlink data, wherein the low-power receiver consumes less power than the main radio.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the interrupting of the measurement gap time period comprises one of: terminating the measurement gap time period before the end of the measurement gap time period as determined from the configuration information, or suspending the measurement gap time period.

4. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus further comprises: means for monitoring a control channel after the interruption of the measurement gap time period; and means for receiving the downlink data based on the control channel monitoring.

5. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wake up signal carries assistance information for reception of the downlink data, and wherein the apparatus further comprises: means for decoding the assistance information from the wake up signal; andmeans for receiving the downlink data based on the assistance information.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the assistance information comprises at least one of the following: information related to a physical downlink control channel search space associated with the downlink data, information related to a control channel element aggregation level associated with the downlink data, information related to a modulation scheme used for modulating the downlink data, an identity for a search space associated with the downlink data, an identity for a control resource set associated with the downlink data, information related to symbol positions for physical downlink control channel monitoring in slots configured for physical downlink control channel monitoring, or information related to a downlink control information format associated with the downlink data.

7. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the wake up signal carries priority information indicative of a priority level of the downlink data, and wherein the apparatus further comprises: means for decoding the priority information of the wake up signal.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises: means for determining whether to interrupt the measurement gap time period based on the priority information of the downlink data.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus further comprises: means for comparing the priority level of the downlink data to a threshold value; and means for determining whether to interrupt the measurement gap time period based on the comparison.

10. The apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the apparatus further comprises: means for determining when to interrupt the measurement gap time period based on the priority information of the downlink data.

11. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the configuration information is further indicative of a wake up signal duty cycle or a wake up signal monitoring window, and wherein the wake up signal is monitored during the measurement gap time period in accordance with the wake up signal duty cycle or the wake up signal monitoring window.

12. An apparatus comprising: means for causing a transmission, to a user equipment, of configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period for performance of radio measurements by the user equipment; means for causing a transmission, to the user equipment, of a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period for interruption of the measurement gap time period by the user equipment and transmission of downlink data to the user equipment.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus further comprises: means for encoding assistance information for reception of the downlink data into the wake up signal.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the assistance information comprises at least one of the following: information related to a physical downlink control channel search space associated with the downlink data, information related to a control channel element aggregation level associated with the downlink data, information related to a modulation scheme used for modulating the downlink data, an identity for a search space associated with the downlink data, an identity for a control resource set associated with the downlink data,information related to symbol positions for physical downlink control channel monitoring in slots configured for physical downlink control channel monitoring, or information related to a downlink control information format associated with the downlink data.

15. The apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the apparatus further comprises: means for encoding priority information indicative of a priority level of the downlink data into the wake up signal.

16. The apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the configuration information is further indicative of a wake up signal duty cycle or a wake up signal monitoring window, and wherein the wake up signal is transmitted during the measurement gap time period in accordance with the wake up signal duty cycle or the wake up signal monitoring window.

17. A method comprising: receiving configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period; performing radio measurements during the measurement gap time period; detecting a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period; and in response to the detection of the wake up signal, interrupting the measurement gap time period for downlink data reception.

18. A method comprising: causing a transmission, to a user equipment, of configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period for performance of radio measurements by the user equipment; and causing a transmission, to the user equipment, of a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period for interruption of the measurement gap time period by the user equipment and transmission of downlink data to the user equipment.

19. A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:receiving configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period; performing radio measurements during the measurement gap time period; detecting a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period; and in response to the detection of the wake up signal, interrupting the measurement gap time period for downlink data reception.

20. A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: causing a transmission, to a user equipment, of configuration information indicative of a measurement gap time period for performance of radio measurements by the user equipment; and causing a transmission, to the user equipment, of a wake up signal during the measurement gap time period for interruption of the measurement gap time period by the user equipment and transmission of downlink data to the user equipment.

Images