Methods, devices and medium for measurement gap

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, devices for a measurement gap. In a method, a terminal device receives, from a network device, a first configuration of a measurement gap. The measurement gap has a plurality of states, and the plurality of states include two activated states and at least one deactivated state. The terminal device determines, based on at least one of one or more rules or the first configuration, a first state of the plurality of states of the measurement gap for use in one or more measurements. The terminal device switches from the first state to a different second state of the plurality of states of the measurement gap, based on at least one of the one or more rules.

Description

METHODS, DEVICES AND MEDIUM FOR MEASUREMENT GAPFIELDS

[0001] Various embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication and in particular, to methods, devices for a measurement gap.BACKGROUND

[0002] This section introduces aspects that may facilitate a better understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, the statements of this section are to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admissions about what is in the prior art or what is not in the prior art.

[0003] User equipment (UE) performs measurements on one or more downlink (DL) and / or uplink (UL) reference signals (RSs) of one or more cells in different UE activity states e.g. a radio resource control (RRC) idle state, an RRC inactive state, RRC connected state etc. The measured cell may belong to or operate on the same carrier frequency as that of the serving cell (e.g. an intra-frequency carrier) or it may belong to or operate on different carrier frequency as that of the serving cell (e.g. a non-serving carrier frequency). The non-serving carrier may be called as interfrequency carrier if the serving and measured cells belong to the same radio access technology (RAT) but different carriers. The non-serving carrier may be called as an inter-RAT carrier if the serving and measured cells belong to different RATs. Examples of downlink RS are signals in a synchronization signal (SS) and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB), a Channel State Information - Reference Signal (CSI-RS), a cell reference signal (CRS), a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), signals in SS / PBCH block (SSB), a discovery reference signal (DRS), a positioning reference signal (PRS) etc. Examples of uplink RS are signals in SRS, DMRS etc.SUMMARY

[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] The UE may use the same RF module for measurements of neighboring cells and data transmission in the serving cell. Measurement gaps allow the UE to suspend the data transmission in the serving cell and perform the measurements of neighboring cells. Pre-configured measurement gaps (Pre-MG) (or Pre-MG pattern) have been specified in Release (Rel-17). The iPre-MG is not automatically setup as "activated" upon configuration. The UE is not expected to receive any data from or transmit any data to the base station during the activated gaps in the serving cell i.e., when the status of Pre-MG is activated.

[0006] Network controlled small gap (NCSG) based measurements and NCSG patterns are defined in TS 38.133 Version 18.3.0. In the NCSG pattern, during the VIL1 and VIL2, the UE is not expected to transmit and receive any data. VIL1 is the visible interruption length before the ML and VIL2 is the visible interruption length after the ML. During the ML, whether the UE is expected to transmit and receive data on the corresponding serving carrier(s) depends on the scheduling restriction in TS 38.133 Version 18.3.0, clauses 9.2.7.3 and 9.3.10.3. However, NCSG cannot be deactivated after configured. In other words, if all the measurement objects don’t need to be measured with NCSG, the interruption within VIL of the NCSG is still expected.

[0007] To overcome or mitigate at least one of the above-mentioned problems or other problems or provide a useful solution, embodiments of the present disclosure propose methods, devices and storage medium for a measurement gap.

[0008] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method implemented at a terminal device. In the method, the terminal device receives, from a network device, a first configuration of a measurement gap. The measurement gap has a plurality of states, and the plurality of states include at least one activated state and at least one deactivated state. The terminal device determines, based on at least one of one or more rules or the first configuration, a first state of the plurality of states of the measurement gap for use in one or more measurements. The terminal device switches from the first state to a different second state of the plurality of states of the measurement gap, based on at least one of the one or more rules or a second configuration of a state of the measurement gap received from the network device.

[0009] In an example, the measurement gap may have at least one primary state, and a primary state of the at least one primary state may include an activated state and a deactivated state.

[0010] In an example, the terminal device may determine a primary state of the at least one primary states of the measurement gap. The terminal device may determine an activated or deactivated state of the primary state of the measurement gap as the first state of the measurement gap.

[0011] In an example, the terminal device may based on the first configuration indicating that the terminal device is configured with the primary state of the measurement gap, determine the primary state of the measurement gap. In an example, the terminal device may based on one or more configured measurement objects being disallowed to be measured without the primary state of the measurement gap, determine the activated state of the primary state of the measurementgap as the first state of the measurement gap .

[0012] In an example, the at least one primary state may comprise two primary states. The two primary states may include: a first primary state of the measurement gap, where a communication between the terminal device and the network device is required or unrequired in a serving cell during a gap occasion of the measurement gap in the first primary state. The two primary states may further include: a second primary state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device is required or unrequired in the serving cell during at least one interruption length of the measurement gap in the second primary state.

[0013] In an example, the first primary state of the measurement gap may include: a first activated state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device is unrequired in the serving cell during the gap occasion of the measurement gap in the first activated state; and a first deactivated state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device is required in the serving cell during the gap occasion of the measurement gap in the first deactivated state.

[0014] In an example, the second primary state may include: a second activated state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device is unrequired in the serving cell during the at least one interruption length of the measurement gap in the second activated state; and a second deactivated state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device is required in the serving cell during the at least one interruption length of the measurement gap in the second deactivated state .

[0015] In an example, the plurality of states of the measurement gap may include: at least one of a first activated state or a second activated state of the measurement gap, where in the first activated state, a communication between the terminal device and the network device is unrequired in a serving cell during a gap occasion of the measurement gap, and where in the second activated state, the communication between the terminal device and the network device is unrequired in the serving cell during at least one interruption length of the measurement gap. The plurality of states of the measurement gap may further include: a third deactivated state of the measurement gap, where in the third deactivated state of the measurement gap, the one or more measurements are performed by the terminal device with no measurement gap and no interruption in the serving cell.

[0016] In an example, the first activated state of the measurement gap may comprise an activated state of a first gap. The second activated state of the measurement gap may comprise an activated state of a second gap.

[0017] In an example, a measurement gap repetition periodicity of the first gap may be equal to a measurement gap repetition periodicity of the second gap. A measurement length of the second gap may be equal to a difference of a measurement gap length of the first gap minus two radio frequency retuning time lengths.

[0018] In an example, both the first gap and the second gap may be configured for the terminal device or for a frequency range.

[0019] In an example, the first gap may comprise a pre-configured measurement gap. In an example, the second gap may comprise a network control small gap.

[0020] In an example, the activated state of the second gap may be determined as the first state after a measurement object is configured by the network device for a deactivated cell. The activated state of the second gap may be switched to the second state after activation of the cell.

[0021] In an example, the activated state of the first gap may be determined as the second state based on the one or more measurements to be performed within the active bandwidth part of the cell.

[0022] In an example, the deactivated state of the measurement gap may be determined as the second state based on the one or more measurements to be performed outside the active bandwidth part of the cell.

[0023] In an example, after a support of the second gap is reported by the terminal device for a configured intra-frequency measurement object, the activated state of the second gap may be determined as the first state based on the one or more measurements to be performed outside an active bandwidth part of a serving cell. After bandwidth part switching, the activated state of the second gap may be switched to the deactivated state of the measurement gap as the second state based on the one or more measurements to be performed within the active bandwidth part of the serving cell.

[0024] In an example, after a support of the second gap is reported by the terminal device for one or more bands for the one or more measurements, the activated state of the second gap may be determined as the first state based on one or more measurement objects to be measured belonging to the one or more bands. After one or more further measurement objects belonging to one or more further bands are configured by the network device for the one or more measurements, the activated state of the second gap may be switched to the activated state of the first gap as the second state based on a support of the first gap is reported by the terminal device for the one or more further bands.

[0025] In an example, the one or more rules may comprise at least one of: a rule that a state ofthe measurement gap is determined as the first or second activated state based on one or more conditions being satisfied; or a rule that the state of the measurement gap is determined as the deactivated state based on the one or more conditions being unsatisfied.

[0026] In an example, the one or more conditions may comprise at least one of: a condition that the first or second activated state is configured for a downlink bandwidth part of an activated serving cell or for a deactivated cell, or a condition that one or more configured measurement objects are to be measured in the first or second activated state.

[0027] In an example, based on one or more triggers, the terminal device may switch from the first state to the second state. The one or more triggers may be related to at least one of: a bandwidth part switching, cell activation, cell deactivation, measurement object addition, or measurement object removal.

[0028] In an example, the first state of the plurality of states of the measurement gap may be indicated in the first configuration or a default state of the plurality of states of the measurement gap.

[0029] In an example, the terminal device may receive, from the network device, a request for a report of a current state of the measurement gap. The terminal device may transmit, to the network device, the report of the current state of the measurement gap.

[0030] In an example, the report of the current state of the measurement gap may be transmitted in each of one or more bands for the one or more measurements.

[0031] In an example, the terminal device may receive, from the network device, the second configuration of the state of the measurement gap. The terminal device may switch, based on the second configuration and the one or more rules, from the first state to the second state.

[0032] In an example, the second configuration may be received in at least one of downlink control information, medium access control signaling or a radio resource control signaling.

[0033] In an example, the second configuration may indicate a state of the measurement gap in each of one or more downlink bandwidth parts of one or more activated serving cells and in each of one or more deactivated cells.

[0034] In an example, the second configuration may indicate a state of the measurement gap in each of one or more bands for the one or more measurements and in each of one or more deactivated cells.

[0035] In an example, the terminal device may perform the measurement based on the current state of the measurement gap.

[0036] In an example, the terminal device may perform a communication with the network device during an un-interrupted communication occasion.

[0037] In an example, the measurement gap may comprise a pre-configured unified gap.

[0038] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method implemented at a network device. In the method, the network device may transmit, to a terminal device, a first configuration of a measurement gap. The measurement gap has a plurality of states, and the plurality of states include at least one activated state and at least one deactivated state. The network device may determine a state of the measurement gap from the plurality of states of the measurement gap, based on at least one of one or more rules or a report for a state of the measurement gap received from the terminal device. The network device may transmit, to the terminal device, a second configuration of the state of the measurement gap.

[0039] In an example, the measurement gap may have at least one primary state. A primary state of the at least one primary state may include an activated state and a deactivated state.

[0040] In an example, the network device may determine a primary state of the at least one primary states of the measurement gap. The network device may determine an activated or deactivated state of the primary state of the measurement gap as the state of the measurement gap.

[0041] In an example, the network device may based on one or more configured measurement objects being disallowed to be measured without the primary state of the measurement gap, determine the activated state of the primary state of the measurement gap as the state of the measurement gap.

[0042] In an example, the at least one primary state may comprise two primary states. The two primary states may include: a first primary state of the measurement gap, where a communication between the terminal device and the network device is required or unrequired in a serving cell during a gap occasion of the measurement gap in the first primary state; and a second primary state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device is required or unrequired in the serving cell during at least one interruption length of the measurement gap in the second primary state.

[0043] In an example, the first primary state of the measurement gap may include: a first activated state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device is unrequired in the serving cell during the gap occasion of the measurement gap in the first activated state; and a first deactivated state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device is required in the serving cell during the gap occasion of the measurement gap in the first deactivated state.

[0044] In an example, the second primary state may include: a second activated state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device is unrequired in the serving cell during the at least one interruption length of the measurement gap in the second activated state; and a second deactivated state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device is required in the serving cell during the at least one interruption length of the measurement gap in the second deactivated state .

[0045] In an example, the plurality of states of the measurement gap may include: at least one of a first activated state or a second activated state of the measurement gap, where in the first activated state, a communication between the terminal device and the network device is unrequired in a serving cell during a gap occasion of the measurement gap, and in the second activated state, the communication between the terminal device and the network device is unrequired in the serving cell during at least one interruption length of the measurement gap. The plurality of states of the measurement gap may further include: a third deactivated state of the measurement gap, where in the third deactivated state of the measurement gap, the one or more measurements are performed by the terminal device with no measurement gap and no interruption in the serving cell.

[0046] In an example, the first activated state of the measurement gap may comprise an activated state of a first gap. The second activated state of the measurement gap may comprise an activated state of a second gap.

[0047] In an example, a measurement gap repetition periodicity of the first gap may be equal to a measurement gap repetition periodicity of the second gap. A measurement length of the second gap may be equal to a difference of a measurement gap length of the first gap minus two radio frequency retuning time lengths.

[0048] In an example, both the first gap and the second gap may be configured for the terminal device or for a frequency range.

[0049] In an example, the first gap may comprise a pre-configured measurement gap. In an example, the second gap may comprise a network control small gap.

[0050] In an example, the activated state of the second gap may be determined as the state of the measurement gap after a measurement object is configured by the network device for a deactivated cell. Switching from the activated state of the second gap to a further state of the measurement gap may be determined after activation of the cell.

[0051] In an example, the activated state of the first gap may be determined as the further state based on the one or more measurements to be performed within the active bandwidth part of thecell.

[0052] In an example, the deactivated state of the measurement gap may be determined as the further state based on the one or more measurements to be performed outside the active bandwidth part of the cell.

[0053] In an example, after a support of the second gap is reported by the terminal device for a configured intra-frequency measurement object, the activated state of the second gap may be determined as the state of the measurement gap based on the one or more measurements to be performed outside an active bandwidth part of a serving cell. In an example, after bandwidth part switching, switching from the activated state of the second gap to the deactivated state of the measurement gap may be determined based on the one or more measurements to be performed within the active bandwidth part of the serving cell.

[0054] In an example, after a support of the second gap is reported by the terminal device for one or more bands for the one or more measurements, the activated state of the second gap may be determined as the first state based on one or more measurement objects to be measured belonging to the one or more bands. In an example, after one or more further measurement objects belonging to one or more further bands are configured by the network device for the one or more measurements, switching from the activated state of the second gap to the activated state of the first gap may be determined based on a support of the first gap is reported by the terminal device for the one or more further bands.

[0055] In an example, the one or more rules may comprise at least one of: a rule that a state of the measurement gap is determined as the first or second activated state based on one or more conditions being satisfied; or a rule that the state of the measurement gap is determined as the deactivated state based on the one or more conditions being unsatisfied.

[0056] In an example, the one or more conditions may comprise at least one of: a condition that the first or second activated state is configured for a downlink bandwidth part of an activated serving cell or for a deactivated cell, or a condition that one or more configured measurement objects are to be measured in the first or second activated state.

[0057] In an example, in response to the state of the measurement gap being the first activated state, the network device may disable a scheduler for a communication with the terminal device during the gap occasion of the measurement gap.

[0058] In an example, in response to the state of the measurement gap being the second activated state, the network device may disable a scheduler for a communication with the terminal device during the at least one interruption length of the measurement gap. The network device may schedule the communication with the terminal device during a measurement length of themeasurement gap.

[0059] In an example, in response to the state of the measurement gap being the deactivated state, the network device may schedule a communication with the terminal device without no interruption.

[0060] In an example, based on one or more triggers, the network device may determine the state of the measurement gap. The one or more triggers may be related to at least one of: a bandwidth part switching, cell activation, cell deactivation, measurement object addition, or measurement object removal.

[0061] In an example, the first configuration may indicate a state of the plurality of states of the measurement gap.

[0062] In an example, the network device may transmit, to the terminal device, a request for a report of a current state of the measurement gap. The network device may receive, from the terminal device, the report of the current state of the measurement gap.

[0063] In an example, the report of the current state of the measurement gap may be received in each of one or more bands for the one or more measurements.

[0064] In an example, the second configuration may be transmitted in at least one of downlink control information, medium access control signaling or a radio resource control signaling.

[0065] In an example, the second configuration may indicate the state of the measurement gap in each of one or more downlink bandwidth parts of one or more activated serving cells and in each of one or more deactivated cells.

[0066] In an example, the second configuration may indicate the state of the measurement gap in each of one or more bands for the one or more measurements and in each of one or more deactivated cells.

[0067] In an example, the measurement gap may comprise a pre-configured unified gap.

[0068] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a terminal device. The terminal device comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory containing instructions executable by the processor, whereby the terminal device is operative to perform the method according to the first aspect.

[0069] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a network device. The network device comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory containing instructions executable by the processor, whereby the network device is operative to perform the method according to the second aspect.

[0070] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises means for performing the method according to the first or second aspect.

[0071] In a sixth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, which, when executed by at least one processor of a device, cause the device to perform the method according to the first or second aspect.

[0072] With the present disclosure, a measurement gap is configured for a terminal device, which has a plurality of states, and the plurality of states include at least one activated state and at least one deactivated state. The activation or deactivation and / or configuration and switching of the states of the measurement gap can be autonomously triggered by the terminal device based on one or more rules or based on a message received from a network device. This minimizes the interruption and latency caused by re -configuring gap by a network.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] Through the more detailed description of some embodiments of the present disclosure in the accompanying drawings, the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent, where the same reference generally refers to the same components in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0074] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of a measurement gap pattern.

[0075] FIG. IB is a diagram showing an example of pre -configured measurement gap pattern in New Radio (NR).

[0076] FIG. 1C is a diagram showing network controlled small gap (NCSG) configuration parameters.

[0077] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example communication environment in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented.

[0078] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flowchart of an example method of determining a measurement gap at a terminal device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0079] FIG. 4 is a signaling diagram an example process for performing measurements when configured with a pre-configured unified gap (PUG) in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0080] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example process for performing measurements when configured with a PUG in accordance with some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0081] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flowchart of another example method of determining a measurement gap at the terminal device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0082] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a flowchart of an example method of determining a measurement gap at a network device in accordance with some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0083] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing functional structures of a terminal device in accordance with some embodiments.

[0084] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing functional structures of a network device in accordance with some embodiments.

[0085] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a communication device in accordance with some embodiments.

[0086] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a computer readable storage medium in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0087] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments, however, are contained within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0088] Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and / or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and / or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

[0089] Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar languagedoes not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present disclosure should be or are in any single embodiment of the disclosure. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the disclosure.

[0090] As used herein, the terms "first", "second" and so forth refer to different elements. The singular forms "a" and "an" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises", "comprising", "has", "having", "includes" and / or "including" as used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components and the like, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof. The term "based on" is to be read as "based at least in part on". The term "one embodiment" and "an embodiment" are to be read as "at least one embodiment". The term "another embodiment" is to be read as "at least one other embodiment". Other definitions, explicit and implicit, may be included below.

[0091] As used herein, the term “terminal device” refers to a device which is intended for accessing services via an access network and configured to communicate over the access network. The terminal device may be able to communicate with a network node, such as a base station, or with another terminal device by transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals. For instance, the terminal device may include, but is not limited to: a mobile phone, a smart phone, a sensor device, a meter, a vehicle, a household appliance, a medical appliance, a media player, a camera, or any type of consumer electronic, for instance, but not limited to, a television, radio, lighting arrangement, a tablet computer, a laptop, or a personal computer (PC). The terminal device may also include a portable, pocketstorable, hand-held, computer-comprised, or vehicle-mounted mobile device, enabled to communicate voice and / or data, via a wireless connection. In the following description, the terms “terminal device”, “user equipment” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

[0092] As used herein, the term “network device” or “network node” refers to a device in a communication network via which a terminal device receives services from the network. The terms “network node”, “network function” may be used interchangeably. A network function can be implemented either as a network element on a dedicated hardware, as a software instancerunning on a dedicated hardware, or as a virtualised function instantiated on an appropriate platform, e.g., on a cloud infrastructure. The network node comprises an access network node via which a terminal device accesses an access network. Examples of access network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NRNodeBs (gNBs)). In the following description, the terms “network device”, “network node”, “base station” and “BS” may be used interchangeably.

[0093] The network node may further comprise a core network node. Examples of core network nodes may include functions of one or more of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), an evolved Packet Data Gateway (ePGW), a trusted wireless local area network (WLAN) access network (TWAN) node, a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), a Session Management Function (SMF), a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), a Serving Gateway (SGW), a Packet Gateway (PGW), an Authentication Server Function (AUSF), a Subscription Identifier De-concealing function (SIDF), a Unified Data Management (UDM), a Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), a Network Exposure Function (NEF), and / or a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0094] As used herein, the term “communication device” refers to a device capable of communications. Examples of a communication device may comprise a terminal device and a network device.

[0095] As mentioned above, a UE performs measurements on one or more DL and / or UL RSs of one or more cells in different UE activity states e.g. a RRC idle state, an RRC inactive state, RRC connected state etc. Each SSB carries NR-PSS, NR-SSS and NR-PBCH in 4 successive symbols. One or multiple SSBs are transmit in one SSB burst which is repeated with certain periodicity e.g. 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms and 160 ms. The UE is configured with information about SSB on cells of certain carrier frequency by one or more SS / PBCH block measurement timing configuration (SMTC) configurations. The SMTC configuration comprising parameters such as SMTC periodicity, SMTC occasion length in time or duration, SMTC time offset with regard to reference time (e.g. serving cell's SFN) etc. Therefore, SMTC occasion may also occur with certain periodicity e.g. 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms and 160 ms.

[0096] Examples of measurements are cell identification (e.g. physical cell identity (PCI) acquisition, PSS / SSS detection, cell detection, cell search etc.), Reference Symbol Received Power (RSRP), Reference Symbol Received Quality (RSRQ), secondary synchronization RSRP (SS-RSRP), SS-RSRQ, Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR), RS-SINR, SS-SINR, CSI- RSRP, CSI-RSRQ, received signal strength indicator (RSSI), acquisition of system information (SI), cell global identity (ID) (CGI) acquisition, Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), UEreceiving (RX) -transmitting (TX) time difference measurement, Radio Link Monitoring (RLM), which consists of Out of Synchronization (out of sync) detection and In Synchronization (in-sync) detection etc.

[0097] The UE is typically configured by the network (e.g. via an RRC message) with measurement configuration and measurement reporting configuration e.g. measurement gap pattern, carrier frequency information, types of measurements (e.g. RSRP etc.), higher layer filtering coefficient, time to trigger report, reporting mechanism (e.g. periodic, event triggered reporting, event triggered periodic reporting etc) etc.

[0098] The measurements are done for various purposes. Some example measurement purposes are: UE mobility (e.g. cell change, cell selection, cell reselection, handover, RRC connection re-establishment etc.), UE positioning or location determination self-organizing network (SON), minimization of drive tests (MDT), operation and maintenance (O&M), network planning and optimization etc.

[0099] NR synchronization signal (SS) consists of primary SS (PSS) and secondary SS (SSS). NR physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carries the very basic system information. The combination of SS and PBCH is referred to as SSB in NR. Multiple SSBs are transmitted in a localized burst set. Within an SS burst set, multiple SSBs can be transmitted in different beams. The transmission of SSBs within a localized burst set is confined to a 5 ms window. The set of possible SSB time locations within an SS burst set depends on the numerology which in most cases is uniquely identified by the frequency band. The SSB periodicity can be configured from the value set {5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160} ms (where the unit used in the configuration is subframe, which has a duration of 1 ms).

[0100] A UE does not need to perform measurements with the same periodicity as the SSB periodicity. Accordingly, the SSB measurement time configuration (SMTC) has been introduced for NR. The signaling of SMTC window informs the UE of the timing and periodicity of SSBs that the UE can use for measurements. The SMTC window periodicity can be configured from the value set {5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160} ms, matching the possible SSB periodicities. The SMTC window duration can be configured from the value set { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5} ms (where the unit used in the configuration is subframe, which has a duration of 1 ms). The SMTC window duration may also be simply called as SMTC duration or SMTC length or SMTC occasion duration or SMTC occasion length etc.

[0101] The UE may use the same RF module for measurements of neighboring cells and data transmission in the serving cell. Measurement gaps allow the UE to suspend the data transmission in the serving cell and perform the measurements of neighboring cells. The measurement gap repetition periodicity (MGRP) can be configured from the set of values {20, 40, 80, 160} ms. Themeasurement gap length (MGL) can be configured from the set of values { 1.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5.5, 6, 10, 20} ms. Generally, the measurement gap length is configured to be larger than the SMTC window duration to allow for RF retuning time. Measurement gap timing advance is also introduced to fine tune the relative position of the measurement gap with respect to the SMTC window. The measurement gap timing advance can be configured from the value set {0, 0.25, 0.5} ms. FIG. 1A shows an example of a measurement gap pattern where an SSB 102, an SMTC window 104, and a measurement gap 106 are illustrated.

[0102] Pre-configured measurement gaps (Pre-MG) (or Pre-MG pattern) have been specified in Release (Rel-17). The Pre-MG allows the configuration of "deactivated" measurement gaps, i.e., the UE only uses the configured gaps to perform measurements under certain situations. The Pre-MG differs from legacy gaps (e.g. the measurement gap 106 in FIG. 1), in that the Pre-MG is not automatically setup as "activated" upon configuration. Therefore, the Pre-MG can have one of the two possible statuses at a time: activated or deactivated. Two methods have been specified for setting up to changing the status of the Pre-MG (i.e. between activation and deactivation states): an autonomous approach, which is based on pre-defined rules and a network-controlled mechanism.

[0103] According to the first method (i.e., the autonomous approach), the UE autonomously determines and changes the status of the Pre-MG based on rules whether there is a need to use the pre-configured gap to perform measurements (e.g., if upon bandwidth part (BWP) switching, the reference signal is not completely contained within a bandwidth (BW) of a new active BWP).

[0104] According to the second method (i.e., the network-controlled mechanism), a network node explicitly indicates in each BWP configuration whether the pre -configured gap is to be activated or deactivated upon switching to this particular BWP. Therefore, this method allows the network node to control the status of the Pre-MG.

[0105] In general, one or more gaps within the Pre-MG which are not used for the measurement (e.g., when an SSB to be measured is within the BW of the UE's active BWP) are considered to be 'deactivated' or the status of Pre-MG is set to 'deactivation'. The one or more gaps which are used for the measurement (e.g., when the SSB to be measured is not within the BW of the UE's active BWP) are considered to be 'activated' or the status of Pre-MG is set to 'activation'. The UE can be scheduled with data in DL and / or in UL by a base station during the deactivated gaps in the serving cell i.e., when the status of Pre-MG is deactivated. The UE is not expected to receive any data from or transmit any data to the base station during the activated gaps in the serving cell i.e., when the status of Pre-MG is activated. An example of a Pre-MG is illustrated in FIG. IB.

[0106] Network controlled small gap (NCSG) based measurements and NCSG patterns are defined in TS 38.133 Version 18.3.0. The UE capable of network controlled small gap (NCSG)pattern can be configured with a NCSG pattern via RRC signalling. The UE supports NCSG patterns defined in Table 1 that are relevant to the UE's measurement capabilities.Table 1: NCSG Configurations supported by the UE

[0107] ML is the measurement length. During the VIL1 and VIL2, the UE is not expected to transmit and receive any data. VIL1 is the visible interruption length before the ML and VIL2 is the visible interruption length after the ML. During the ML, whether the UE is expected to transmit and receive data on the corresponding serving carrier(s) depends on the scheduling restriction in TS 38.133 Version 18.3.0, clauses 9.2.7.3 and 9.3.10.3. The NCSG configuration parameters VIL1, ML, VIL2 and VIRP are illustrated in PIG. 1C.

[0108] The NeedForGap reporting mechanism can be mimicked for Rel-17's NCSG (i.e., using RRCReconfiguration messages), while adding the 'nogap-noncsg' indication. This can be observed in the following element, as taken from TS 38.331 Version 17.6.0:NeedForGapNCSG-InfoNR information element

[0109] In legacy release of NR (Rel-17), an NCSG was introduced to replace the legacy measurement gap pattern (MGP) to reduce the interruption. When the UE supports an NCSG, it implies the UE has at least a spare chain (e.g. radio frequency (RF) chain / re sources) for measurement without interruption during the ML of the configured NCSG. In legacy release of NR (Rel-17), a Pre-MG was also introduced as a dynamic measurement gap pattern. When all the measurement objects don’t need to be measured with a measurement gap, the Pre-MG can be deactivated. No gap interruption is expected when the Pre-MG is deactivated. However, NCSG cannot be deactivated after configured. In other words, if all the measurement objects don’t need to be measured with NCSG, the interruption within VIL of the NCSG is still expected.

[0110] Furthermore, in some scenarios, when any of the measurement objects needs to be measured with a measurement gap due to any reason, and, however, only NCSG is configured, e.g., the MOs change a gap need for measurements, the configured NCSG cannot be transformed to MG. In other words, these MOs cannot be measured once a network (NW) configures an NCSG unless NW re-configures a measurement gap or NCSG, but which is delayed by the processing time for the RRC signaling (e.g., RRC Reconfiguration procedure).

[0111] Certain aspects of the disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to these or other challenges. Some embodiments of the present disclosure propose a solution for configuring a measurement gap. This solution preconfigures a type of measurement gaps which will be referred as a pre-configured unified gap (PUG). The PUG can operate at a given time in one of a plurality of states or gap types where the plurality of states include at least one activated state and at least one deactivated state. The activation / deactivation or configuration and switching of the PUG states can be autonomously triggered by a terminal device based on one or more predefined rules or based on a message received from a network device.

[0112] This pre-configured unified gap minimizes the interruption and latency caused by reconfiguring gap by the NW. The state of the pre-configured unified gap can be switched ortransformed between different states to meet different measurement demand. This enables the terminal device to effectively apply the measurements with less interruption. The user throughput may be enhanced or increased by overall reduction in number of gaps and shorter interruption due to fast transformation between different states.

[0113] FIG. 2 illustrates an example communication environment 200 in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 2, the communication environment 200 includes a terminal device 210 (such as a UE) and a network device 220 (such as a gNB) which can communicate with each other. In the communication environment 200, the terminal device 210 may have access to a communication network via a plurality of cells, including a first cell 225 and a second cell 227 for CA, for example. Either or both cells may be provided by the network device 220 or any other suitable devices which may employ the same or different radio access technology. In some example embodiments, the first cell 225 may be a primary cell (PCell), and the second cell 227 may be a primary secondary cell (PSCell) or a secondary cell (SCell). Although two cells 225 and 227 are shown in FIG. 2, less or more cells may be provided for the terminal device 210.

[0115] Communications in the communication environment 200 may be implemented according to any proper communication protocols and technologies. It is to be understood that the numbers of devices are illustrated in FIG. 2 only for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations. The communication environment 200 may include any suitable numbers of terminal devices and network devices for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0116] In the context of the present disclosure, the term “node” is used which can be a network node or a user equipment (UE). Examples of network nodes are NodeBs, base stations (BSs), multi -standard radio (MSR) radio nodes such as MSR BSs, evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs or eNBs), gNodeBs, master eNBs (MeNBs), secondary eNBs (SeNBs), location measurement units (LMUs), integrated access backhaul (IAB) nodes, network controllers, radio network controllers (RNCs), base station controllers (BSCs), relays, donor node controlling relays, base transceiver stations (BTSs), Central Units (e.g. in a gNB), Distributed Units (e.g. in a gNB), Baseband Units, Centralized Basebands, centralized radio access networks (C-RANs), access points (APs), transmission points, transmission nodes, transmission reception points (TRPs), remote radio units (RRUs), remote radio heads (RRHs), nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network nodes (e.g. MSCs, MMEs etc.), operation and maintenance (O&M), Operations Support Systems (OSSs), Self-Organizing Networks (SONs), positioning nodes (e.g. Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centers (E-SMLCs)), etc.

[0117] The non-limiting term “UE” refers to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and / or with another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examplesof UE are target devices, device to device (D2D) UEs, vehicular to vehicular (V2V), machine type UEs, machine type communication (MTC) UEs or UEs capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, personal digital assistant (PDAs), tablets, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipment (LEEs), laptop mounted equipment (LMEs), Universal Serial Bus (USB) dongles etc.

[0118] The term “radio access technology”, or “RAT”, may refer to any RAT e.g. Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT), WiFi, Bluetooth, next generation RAT, New Radio (NR), the fourth generation (4G), the fifth generation (5G), the sixth generation (6G), future generation RAT etc. Any of the equipment denoted by the term node, network node or radio network node may be capable of supporting a single or multiple RATs.

[0119] The term “carrier frequency” is also called as component carrier (CC), frequency layer, layer, carrier, frequency, serving carrier, frequency channel, positioning frequency layer (PFL), a measurement object (MO) etc. The carrier frequency belongs to certain frequency band, which may contain one or multiple carrier frequencies based on its passband (e.g. size of the band in frequency domain) and / or bandwidth of the carriers and / or the channel raster etc. The carrier frequency related information is transmitted to the UE by a network node using a channel number or identifier via message e.g. RRC. Examples of the channel number or identifier, which may be pre-defined, are absolute radio frequency channel number (ARFCN), NR-ARFCN etc.

[0120] The term “signal” or “radio signal” used herein can be any physical signal or physical channel. Examples of DL physical signals are reference signal (RS) such as PSS, SSS, CSI-RS, DMRS signals in SS / PBCH block (SSB), discovery reference signal (DRS), CRS, PRS etc. RS may be periodic e.g. RS occasions carrying one or more RSs may occur with certain periodicity e.g. 20 ms, 40 ms etc. The RS may also be aperiodic. Each SSB carries an NR-PSS, an NR-SSS and an NR-PBCH in 4 successive symbols. One or multiple SSBs are transmitted in one SSB burst which is repeated with certain periodicity e.g. 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms and 160 ms. The UE is configured with information about an SSB on cells of a certain carrier frequency by one or more SS / PBCH block measurement timing configuration (SMTC) configurations. The SMTC configuration comprising parameters such as SMTC periodicity, SMTC occasion length in time or duration, SMTC time offset with regard to reference time (e.g. serving cell's SFN) etc. Therefore, SMTC occasion may also occur with certain periodicity e.g. 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms and 160 ms. Examples of UL physical signals are reference signal such as SRS, DMRS etc. The term physical channel refers to any channel carrying higher layer information e.g. data, control etc. Examples of physical channels are Physical Broadcast Channels (PBCHs), Narrowband PBCHs (NPBCH), Physical Downlink Control Channels (PDCCHs), PhysicalDownlink Shared Channels (PDSCHs), short PDCCHs (sPDCCHs), short PDSCHs (sPDSCH), short Physical Uplink Control Channels (sPUCCHs), short Physical Uplink Shared Channels (sPUSCHs), MTC PDCCHs (MPDCCHs), Narrowband PDCCHs (NPDCCHs), Narrowband PDSCHs (NPDSCH), evolved PDCCHs (E-PDCCHs), Physical Uplink Shared Channels (PUSCHs), Physical Uplink Control Channels (PUCCHs), Narrowband PUSCHs (NPUSCH) etc.

[0121] The term “time resource” used herein may correspond to any type of physical resources or radio resources expressed in terms of length of time. Examples of time resources are: symbols, time slots, subframes, radio frames, transmission time intervals (TTIs), interleaving time, slots, sub-slots, mini-slots, etc.

[0122] The term “operation of a signal” may comprise transmission of the signal by the UE to a cell and / or reception of the signal at the UE from a cell. The term “operating a signal” may comprise the UE transmitting the signal to a cell and / or receiving the signal from a cell. The reception of a signal may also be called as monitoring the signal, measuring the signal, decoding the signal, processing the signal etc. One example of operating a signal is performing a measurement on the signal (e.g. on a RS such as SSB, CSI-RS etc).

[0123] The term “interruption” used in the embodiments may correspond to inability of the UE to receive DL signals and / or transmit uplink signals in one or more serving cells (e.g. a special cell (SpCell), a primary cell (PCell), a primary secondary cell (PSCell), a secondary cell (SCell) etcs) for a certain duration. The duration may also be called as interruption duration or interruption length or interruption window. The duration of the interruption may be expressed in terms of time period or time units (e.g. Tul ps, Tu2 ms etc.) or in terms of one or more time resources e.g. one or more slots, one or more subframes etc. For example, the UE may not receive a DL physical channel (e.g. a PDSCH, a PDCCH etc.) in the serving cell due to the interruption over the interruption duration. The interruption may also be expressed in terms of probability of missed ACK / NACK or missed HARQ feedback. The UE transmits HARQ feedback signal (e.g. ACK or NACK) to a serving cell in response to the reception of DL channel (e.g. PDSCH) in the same or different serving cell. The UE may not receive the DL channel due to interruption even if it is transmitted by the serving cell. In this case the UE cannot send any HARQ feedback signal. In one example the probability of missed ACK / NACK may be defined as a ratio of:• total number of ACK / NACK not transmitted by the UE due to interruption of signals during certain time period (Ti) under contiguous DL scheduling of signals to the UE from the serving cell during Ti, to• total number of ACK / NACK transmitted by the UE without any interruption of signals during Ti, under contiguous DL scheduling of signals to the UE from the serving cell during Ti.

[0124] The term “chain” used herein may comprise any one or more set of resources in the UE available for operating a signal (e.g. RS). Examples of such resources are baseband resources (e.g. processor resources, memory resources etc.), radio frequency (RF) resources (e.g. low noise amplifier (LNA), power amplifier (PA), antenna panel, antenna module, antenna elements per antenna panel / module etc.). The term “chain” may also be called as RF chain, operational chain, idle chain, available chain etc.

[0125] In an example scenario, at least one UE (e.g., the terminal device 210), which is operating in the first cell 225 of a first carrier frequency (Fl) served by a network node (NN), e.g., the network device 220, performs measurements on one or more serving cell(s) and one or more neighbor cells or neighbor frequencies, e.g. on serving carrier and / or one or more additional carriers configured for performing measurements.

[0126] The UE has a capability to perform measurements without measurement gap (MG) in some bands due to additional RF chains or enlargement of the received BW. The measurement may cause small interruption, and the configured gap can be called as a NCSG. The measurement may not cause interruption.

[0127] In some embodiments, the pre -configured unified gap (PUG) is defined as a type of measurement gaps having at least two primary states or gap types: a pre -configured measurement gap or a pre-configured measurement gap pattern (P-MGP) and a NCSG. Therefore, the PUG can be activated or transformed or configured to P-MGP or NCSG states. The pre -configured unified gap can transform between the P-MGP and the NCSG to meet different measurement demand. The activation / de activation or configuration of the PUG states can be autonomously triggered by the UE based on one or more pre-defined rules or based on a message received from a network node (NW) (e.g. NW controlled mechanism).

[0128] In some embodiments, the primary PUG state can further be transformed into one of the at least two secondary states e.g. P-MGP into secondary states of P-MGP, NCSG into secondary states of NCSG etc. This transformation can also be autonomously triggered by the UE based on one or more pre-defined rules or based on a message received from a network node NW (e.g. NW controlled mechanism).

[0129] In some embodiments, the primary PUG is defined with three different status - “preconfigured measurement gap” (or “Pre-MGP” or “P-MGP” or “MGP” or “MG pattern”), “NCSG” or “no gap no NCSG”. When any of the associated measurement objects (MOs) with the PUG needs to be measured within a P-MGP, the PUG will be activated as a P-MGP. When any of the associated MOs with the PUG needs to be measured within an NCSG, and all of the associated MOs don't need a P-MGP, the PUG will be activated as an NCSG. When all of the associated MOs don't need a P-MGP or NCSG, the PUG will be deactivated.

[0130] In this way, the pre -configured unified gap can be smartly transformed to either a P- MGP or an NCSG or disabled without interruption and with minimum latency caused due to the re -configuration of a gap by the NW. The gaps can be utilized efficiently e.g. gaps are activated only when needed.

[0131] Some example implementations will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7.

[0132] Reference is first made to FIG. 3 which shows a flowchart of an example method 300 of determining a measurement gap in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 300 may be implemented by the terminal device 210 as shown in FIG. 2. For the purpose of discussion, the method 300 will be described from the perspective of the terminal device 210.

[0133] As shown in FIG. 3, at block 310, the terminal device 210 receives, from the network device 220, a configuration (referred to as a first configuration) of a measurement gap. The measurement gap has a plurality of states, and the plurality of states include at least one activated state and at least one deactivated state. The configuration may be transmitted via RRC signaling and any other signaling.

[0134] At block 320, the terminal device 210 determines, based on at least one of one or more rules or the first configuration, a first state of the plurality of states of the measurement gap for use in one or more measurements. In some embodiments, the first state of the plurality of states of the measurement gap may be indicated in the first configuration or a default state of the plurality of states of the measurement gap.

[0135] At block 330, the terminal device 210 switches from the first state to a different state (referred to as a second state) of the plurality of states of the measurement gap, based on at least one of the one or more rules or a second configuration of a state of the measurement gap received from the network device 220.

[0136] In some embodiments, the measurement gap may have at least one primary state, and a primary state of the at least one primary state includes an activated state and a deactivated state. In some embodiments, the at least one primary state comprises two primary states. The two primary states may include a first primary state of the measurement gap, where a communication between the terminal device and the network device 220 is required or unrequired in a serving cell during a gap occasion of the measurement gap in the first primary state. The first primary state also means that an interruption in the serving cell is disallowed or allowed during a gap occasion of the measurement gap.

[0137] The two primary states may further include a second primary state of the measurementgap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device 220 is required or unrequired in the serving cell during at least one interruption length of the measurement gap in the second primary state. The first primary state also means that an interruption in the serving cell is disallowed or allowed during at least one interruption length of the measurement gap.

[0138] In an example, the first primary state may be corresponding to a first gap which may comprise a pre -configured measurement gap or any other gap where the communication between the terminal device and the network device 220 is required or unrequired in the serving cell during a gap occasion of the gap. The second primary state may be corresponding to a second gap which may comprise a network controlled small gap or any other gap where the communication between the terminal device and the network device 220 is required or unrequired in the serving cell during at least one interruption length of the gap.

[0139] By way of example, the terminal device 210 is configured with a PUG by the network node (NW) by a higher layer signaling message e.g. via RRC. The configured PUG at any time can be in one of the at least one primary state (also called active states), which are also called as basic states. In some embodiments, the configured PUG at any time can be in one of the at least two active states (or primary states): a pre-configured MG pattern (P-MGP) and an NCSG. The term “primary state” may also be called as primary status. The primary state in which the PUG operate can be decided at the time of the PUG configuration based on the signaling message received from the NW and / or based on one or more pre-defined rules.

[0140] The primary state of the configured PUG can be transformed between the at least two PUG primary states any time after the PUG configuration. The primary state transformation can be performed based on the signaling message received from the NW and / or based on one or more pre-defined rules.

[0141] The primary states of the PUG are further described below. IfPUG pattern is configured as a pre-configured measurement gap (P-MGP) (i.e. when the primary state is P-MGP), then depending on its secondary state (as describe further below) the terminal device 210 may or may not be required to conduct reception / transmission from / to the corresponding serving cells during the entire gap occasion of each gap. If the PUG pattern is configured as an NCSG (i.e. when the primary state is NCSG), then depending on its secondary state (as describe further below) the terminal device 210 may or may not be required to conduct reception / transmission from / to the corresponding serving cells during any of the VIUs (i.e. in VIU1 and VIU2).

[0142] In some embodiments, to determine the first state of the measurement gap, the terminal device 210 may determine a primary state of the at least one primary states of the measurement gap, and then determine an activated or deactivated state of the primary state of the measurementgap as the first state of the measurement gap. In some embodiments, to determine the primary state of the measurement gap, based on the first configuration indicating that the terminal device is configured with the primary state of the measurement gap, the terminal device 210 may determine the primary state of the measurement gap. To determine the activated or deactivated state of the primary state of the measurement gap as the first state of the measurement gap, based on one or more configured measurement objects being disallowed to be measured without the primary state of the measurement gap, the terminal device 210 may determine the activated state of the primary state of the measurement gap as the first state of the measurement gap.

[0143] In some embodiments, each of the first and second primary states of the measurement gap may include two substates (also referred to as secondary states). For example, the first primary state may include a first activated state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device 220 is unrequired in the serving cell during the gap occasion of the measurement gap in the first activated state; and a first deactivated state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device 220 is required in the serving cell during the gap occasion of the measurement gap in the first deactivated state. The second primary state includes: a second activated state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device 210 and the network device 220 is unrequired in the serving cell during the at least one interruption length of the measurement gap in the second activated state; and a second deactivated state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device 220 is required in the serving cell during the at least one interruption length of the measurement gap in the second deactivated state.

[0144] By way of example, the primary state of the PUG can further be transformed or changed into one of the at least two secondary states. The term secondary state may also be called as secondary status, sub-state, sub-status, substate, etc. The secondary state of the configured PUG primary state can be transformed between the at least two secondary states associated with the configured PUG primary state any time after the configuration of the primary state. The secondary state transformation can be performed based on the signaling message received from the NW and / or based on one or more pre-defined rules.

[0145] The secondary states of the two PUG primary states are further described below. When the terminal device 210 is configured with the P-MGP as the PUG primary state, then the P-MGP can be in any of the following two secondary states: an activated P-MGP state or status, and a deactivated P-MGP state or status. In the activated P-MGP state or status, the terminal device 210 is not required to conduct reception / transmission from / to the corresponding serving cells during the entire gap occasion of each gap. In the deactivated P-MGP state or status, the terminal device210 can be scheduled for reception / transmission of signals in all the serving cells during the entire gap occasion of each gap. This state / status may also be called as "no gap no interruption state" or "P-MGP no gap no interruption state".

[0146] When the terminal device 210 is configured with the NCSG as the PUG primary state then the NCSG can be in any of the following two secondary states: an activated NCSG state or status, and a deactivated NCSG state or status. In the activated NCSG state or status, the terminal device 210 is not required to conduct reception / transmission from / to the corresponding serving cells during the VILs (e.g. VIL1 and VIL2) of the NCGS. In the deactivated NCSG state or status, the terminal device 210 can be scheduled for reception / transmission of signals in all the serving cells also during the VILs of the NCSG. This state / status may also be called as "no gap no interruption state" or "NCSG no gap no interruption state".

[0147] FIG. 4 illustrates a process 400 for performing measurements when configured with a PUG according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The process 400 can be implemented by the terminal device 210. In this example, the terminal device 210 operates as a UE.

[0148] As shown in FIG. 4, the UE first determines (405) the primary PUG state and based on that the UE further determines (410, 415) the secondary state of the determined primary state. The UE performs the measurements using the PUG based on the determined combination of the primary and the secondary states. The UE does not cause any interruption in the corresponding serving cell(s) during the gap occasion while performing the measurements if the secondary state of the PUG is deactivated. Otherwise, the UE is allowed to cause during the entire gap of the first gap or in the VILs of the second gap.

[0149] In some embodiments, the primary status and the secondary status can be merged into the same level. In an example, the plurality of states of the measurement gap may include at least one of a first activated state or a second activated state of the measurement gap. In the first activated state, a communication between the terminal device 210 and the network device 220 is unrequired in a serving cell during a gap occasion of the measurement gap. In the second activated state, the communication between the terminal device and the network device 220 is unrequired in the serving cell during at least one interruption length of the measurement gap. In some embodiments, the first activated state of the measurement gap may comprise an activated state of the first gap. The second activated state of the measurement gap may comprise an activated state of the second gap.

[0150] In some embodiments, the plurality of states of the measurement gap may include a third deactivated state of the measurement gap, where in the third deactivated state of the measurement gap, the one or more measurements are performed by the terminal device with nomeasurement gap and no interruption in the serving cell.

[0151] By way of example, the terminal device 210 is configured with a PUG by the network node (NW) by a higher layer signaling message e.g. via RRC. The configured PUG at any time can be in one of the three status: an activated P-MGP, an activated NCSG, or deactivated status. The PUG state in which the PUG operates can be decided at the time of the PUG configuration based on the signaling message received from the NW and / or based on one or more pre-defined rules. The status of the configured PUG can be transformed among different PUG states at any time after the PUG configuration. The primary state transformation can be performed based on the signaling message received from the NW and / or based on one or more pre-defined rules. In some embodiments, the activated P-MGP may be a more generic activated MGP which may not be pre-configured.

[0152] FIG. 5 illustrates a process 500 for performing measurements when configured with a PUG according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. The process 500 can be implemented by the terminal device 210. In this example, the terminal device 210 operates as a UE.

[0153] As shown in FIG. 5, in the process 500, the UE first determines (505) the primary PUG state. The UE performs the measurements using the PUG based on the determined PUG states. The UE does not cause any interruption in the corresponding serving cell(s) during the gap occasion while performing the measurements if the status of PUG is deactivated. Otherwise, the UE is allowed to cause interruption during the entire first gap or in the VILs of the second gap.

[0154] In some embodiments, to switch from the first state to the second state, the terminal device 210 may receive, from the network device 220, the second configuration of the state of the measurement gap. Based on the second configuration and the one or more rules, the terminal device 210 may switch from the first state to the second state. In some embodiments, the second configuration may be received in at least one of downlink control information, medium access control signaling or a radio resource control signaling.

[0155] In some embodiments, the second configuration may indicate a state of the measurement gap in each of one or more downlink bandwidth parts of one or more activated serving cells and in each of one or more deactivated cells (or deactivated secondary component carriers (SCCs)). Alternatively, or in addition, the second configuration may indicate a state of the measurement gap in each of one or more bands for the one or more measurements and in each of one or more deactivated cells. By way of example, when network-controlled PUG activation / deactivation is applied, the NW indicates the PUG status for each DL BWP of all activated serving cells together with the PUG status for all deactivated SCCs.

[0156] In some embodiments, the activated state of the network controlled small gap is determined as the first state after a measurement object is configured by the network device for a deactivated cell. The activated state of the network controlled small gap is switched to the second state after activation of the cell.

[0157] By way of example, the PUG primary status can be one of the P-MGP (as an example of the first gap) and the NCSG (as an example of the second gap). The terminal device 210 can further be pre-configured in secondary states of each of the PUG primary status. For example, the terminal device 210 may be pre-configured to operate in activated or deactivated state of the P- MGP. The terminal device 210 can switch between the activated and deactivated states of the P- MGP upon meeting the one or more criteria of the secondary states. In another example, the terminal device 210 may be pre -configured to operate in activated or deactivated state of the NCSG. The terminal device 210 can switch between the activated and deactivated states of the NCSG upon meeting the one or more criteria of the secondary states. In yet another example, the terminal device 210 may be pre -configured to operate only in the activated state of the NCSG. In this case the terminal device 210 only operates using NCSG in activated state i.e. interruption is allowed during the VIUs of the NCSG. When the P-MGP or NCSG is deactivated then the status is analogous to performing measurements with no gap and no interruption. No gap no interruption state also means that the PUG is deactivated / disabled etc.

[0158] Alternatively, to simplify the hierarchical structure, the PUG status can be only once level with activated P-MGP, activated NCSG or deactivated. When PUG is deactivated, terminal device 210 performs measurements with no gap and no interruption. When PUG is activated, terminal device 210 performs measurements within activated P-MGP or activated NCSG. In some embodiments, the activated P-MGP may be replaced with a more generic activated MGP which may not be pre-configured.

[0159] In some embodiments, the one or more rules may comprise a rule that a state of the measurement gap is determined as the first or second activated state based on one or more conditions being satisfied. The one or more conditions may comprise a condition that the first or second activated state is configured for a downlink bandwidth part of an activated serving cell or for a deactivated cell. The one or more rules may further comprise a rule that the state of the measurement gap is determined as the deactivated state based on the one or more conditions being unsatisfied.

[0160] By way of example, when the terminal device 210 receives the signalling of PUG status within all DU BWPs of active serving cells and deactivated SCCs, the terminal device 210 determines the PUG status based on the following rules. If one of the PUG status indicated in active BWP of activated SCCs or deactivated SCCs is 'gap', the PUG will beactivated / configured / set as a P-MGP. Otherwise, if one of the PUG status indicated in active BWP of activated SCCs or deactivated SCCs is 'NCSG', the PUG will be activated configured / set as a NCSG. Otherwise (if none of the above conditions is met), then the PUG will be deactivated as no gap no interruption.

[0161] Especially, when the NW configures the PUG as a combination of only two secondary or sub-states: NCSG, and no gap no interruption then the NW will configure the signalling of PUG status within all DE BWPs of active serving cells and deactivated SCCs based on the following rules. If one of the PUG status indicated in active BWP of activated SCCs or deactivated SCCs is 'NCSG', the Pre-NCSG will be activated as a NCSG. Otherwise, the Pre-NCSG will be deactivated as no gap no interruption.

[0162] In some embodiments, the terminal device 210 may autonomously determine PUG activation / deactivation. In an example, the terminal device 210 may switch from the first state to the second state based on one or more triggers. The one or more triggers are related to at least one of: a bandwidth part switching, cell activation, cell deactivation (SCell activation / deactivation), measurement object addition, or measurement object removal.

[0163] By way of example, when the NW doesn't provide the network-controlled PUG activation / deactivation signals or the terminal device 210 doesn't support network-controlled PUG activation / deactivation, i.e., the NW only indicates that the PUG shall be applied for measurements explicitly or implicitly, the terminal device 210 will autonomously change the PUG activation / deactivation based on the following triggers: BWP switching, SCell activation / deactivation, MO addition / removal .

[0164] In some embodiments, in the case that the one or more rules comprise a rule that a state of the measurement gap is determined as the first or second activated state based on one or more conditions being satisfied, the one or more conditions may comprise a condition that one or more configured measurement objects are to be measured in the first or second activated state.

[0165] For example, the terminal device 210 may autonomously determine the PUG status based on the following rules. If any of the configured measurement objects associated with the PUG needs to be measured within P-MGP, the PUG will be activated as P-MGP. Otherwise, if any of the configured measurement objects associated with the PUG needs to be measured by NCSG, the PUG may be activated as NCSG. Otherwise, the PUG will be deactivated as no gap no interruption.

[0166] Especially, when the NW configures the PUG as a combination of only two states: NCSG, and no gap no interruption, the terminal device 210 shall autonomously determine the PUG status based on the following rules. If any of the configured measurement objects associatedwith the PUG needs to be measured by NCSG, the PUG may be activated as NCSG. Otherwise, the PUG may be deactivated as no gap no interruption.

[0167] In some embodiments, the terminal device 210 may receive, from the network device 220, a request for a report of a current state of the measurement gap. Then, the terminal device 210 may transmit, to the network device 220, the report of the current state of the measurement gap. In some embodiments, the report of the current state of the measurement gap may be transmitted in each of one or more bands for the one or more measurements.

[0168] In some embodiments, for switching from the first state to the second state, the activated state of the pre-configured measurement gap may be determined as the second state based on the one or more measurements to be performed within the active bandwidth part of the cell. In some embodiments, the deactivated state of the measurement gap may be determined as the second state based on the one or more measurements to be performed outside the active bandwidth part of the cell.

[0169] In one typical example, when the NW configures the measurement objects for deactivated SCells, the PUG will be activated as NCSG. After MAC-CE based SCell activation, the to-be-measured SSB is outside the active BWP. After SCell activation, the PUG will be transformed to activated P-MGP. In another typical example, when the NW configures the measurement objects for deactivated SCells, the PUG will be activated as NCSG. After MAC-CE based SCell activation, the to-be-measured SSB is within the active BWP. After SCell activation, the PUG will be transformed to 'no gap no interruption' without any gap interruption.

[0170] In some embodiments, after a support of the network controlled small gap is reported by the terminal device for a configured intra-frequency measurement object, the activated state of the network controlled small gap may be determined as the first state based on the one or more measurements to be performed outside an active bandwidth part of a serving cell. After bandwidth part switching, the activated state of the network controlled small gap may be switched to the deactivated state of the measurement gap as the second state based on the one or more measurements to be performed within the active bandwidth part of the serving cell.

[0171] In a typical example, when the terminal device 210 reports to support NCSG for the configured intra-frequency measurement objects, the PUG will be activated as NCSG if the to- be-measured SSB is outside the active BWP. After BWP switching, the to-be-measured SSB is within the active BWP. The PUG will be transformed to 'no gap no interruption' without any gap interruption.

[0172] In some embodiments, after a support of the network controlled small gap is reported by the terminal device for one or more bands for the one or more measurements, the activatedstate of the network controlled small gap may be determined as the first state based on one or more measurement objects to be measured belonging to the one or more bands. After one or more further measurement objects belonging to one or more further bands are configured by the network device for the one or more measurements, the activated state of the network controlled small gap may be switched to the activated state of the pre -configured measurement gap as the second state based on a support of the pre-configured measurement gap is reported by the terminal device for the one or more further bands.

[0173] In a typical example, when the terminal device 210 reports to support NCSG for some bands and gap for some bands, the PUG may be activated as an NCSG if all the to -be -measured MOs belong to the bands reporting as NCSG. Once the NW reconfigures some new MOs which belong to the bands reporting as P-MGP, the PUG will be transformed to activated P-MGP.

[0174] In some embodiments, a measurement gap repetition periodicity of the pre-configured measurement gap may be equal to a measurement gap repetition periodicity of the network controlled small gap. A measurement length (MU) of the network controlled small gap may be equal to a difference of a measurement gap length (MGU) of the pre-configured measurement gap minus two radio frequency retuning time (RRT) lengths. In some embodiments, both the preconfigured measurement gap and the network controlled small gap are configured for the terminal device or for a frequency range.

[0175] By way of example, when the NW configures the PUG, the NW can configure the MG pattern #i and NCSG pattern #j as a pair by RRC signalling. When the PUG is activated as a P- MGP, the terminal device 210 will perform measurement by the MG pattern #i. When the PUG is activated as an NCSG, the terminal device 210 will perform measurement by the NCSG pattern #J -

[0176] Alternatively, the PUG pattern can be transformed implicitly. When the NW configures the PUG with either MG pattern #i or NCSG pattern #j , the PUG can be transformed automatically between P-MGP and NCSG based on the following relation:MU in NCSG = MGU in MG- 2*RRTMGRP in NCSG = MGRP in P-MGP where MU is the measurement length in NCSG; MGU is the measurement gap length in P-MGP; RRT is the RF retuning time, 0.5ms in frequency range 1 (FR1) and 0.25ms in frequency range 2 (FR2). Both the P-MGP and the NCSG may be configured as the same type of per-UE gap or per- FR gap.

[0177] In some embodiments, after the state of the measurement gap is determined, theterminal device 210 may perform the measurement based on the current state of the measurement gap. In some embodiments, the terminal device 210 may perform a communication with the network device during an un-interrupted communication occasion.

[0178] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of another example method 600 of determining a measurement gap in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 600 can be implemented by the terminal device 210 as shown in FIG. 2. For the purpose of discussion, the method 700 will be described from the perspective of the network device 220. In the method 600, the terminal device 210 may perform measurements by using pre-configured unified gap.

[0179] As shown in FIG. 6, at block 610, in Step 1, the terminal device 210 may receive a configuration of a pre-configured unified gap (PUG). That is, the terminal device 210 may be configured with a PUG. In this step, the NW may configure the PUG as a default mode. In one example, when the NW configures the PUG without NCSG information, the PUG will be activated as P-MGP, or activated PUG with gap status. In one example, when the NW configures the PUG without NCSG information, the PUG will be activated as a P-MGP or activated PUG with gap status provided that at least one of the configured measurement objects cannot be measured without P-MGP. Otherwise, the PUG will be deactivated. In one example, when the NW configures the PUG with NCSG information only, the PUG will be activated as NCSG status provided that at least one of the configured measurement objects cannot be measured without NCSG. Otherwise, the PUG will be deactivated.

[0180] At block 620, in Step 2: the terminal device 210 may receive the requests of gap status reporting in each band by NeedForGapNCSG-ConfigNR. In this step, the terminal device 210 may receives the NW request to report the gap status by NCSG mechanism and reports the gap status in each band. Consequently, at block 630, in Step 3, the terminal device 210 reports the gap status accordingly, for example, by NeedForGapNCSG-InfoNR.

[0181] At block 640, in Step 4, optionally, the terminal device 210 may receive the PUG status if the PUG is applied by a network-controlled mechanism. In this step, the terminal device 210 receives the NW configured PUG status. The NW can configure the PUG status by DCI, MAC or RRC signalling.

[0182] In one example, the PUG status may be configured in each DU BWP of all active serving cells and also configured in each deactivated SCells. In another example, the PUG status may be configured in each band where the terminal device 210 reports the gap status and also each deactivated SCells. In another example, the PUG status may be configured as an indication to indicate the status as a P-MGP, NCSG or no gap no interruption immediately.

[0183] At block 650, in Step 5, the terminal device 210 may evaluate the PUG status based on each PUG status configured in all active DU BWPs of active serving cells and deactivated SCells. In this step, the terminal device 210 may evaluate the PUG status based on all PUG status in active BWPs of active serving cells and all deactivated SCells based on the rules as described above.

[0184] At block 660, in Step 6, the terminal device 210 may perform measurement in PUG and receive / transmit data during the uninterrupted occasions. In this step, the terminal device 210 may perform measurement within the PUG. the terminal device 210 may also receive the data during the un-interrupted occasions within PUG.

[0185] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an example method 700 of determining a measurement gap in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 700 may be implemented by the network device 220 as shown in FIG. 2. For the purpose of discussion, the method 700 will be described from the perspective of the network device 220.

[0186] As shown in FIG. 7, at block 710, the network device 220 transmits, to the terminal device 210, a first configuration of a measurement gap, which may be also referred to as a pre- configured unified gap (PUG), where the measurement gap has a plurality of states, and the plurality of states include at least one activated state and at least one deactivated state.

[0187] At block 720, the network device 220 determines a state of the measurement gap from the plurality of states of the measurement gap, based on at least one of one or more rules or a report for a state of the measurement gap received from the terminal device.

[0188] At block 720, the network device 220 transmits, to the terminal device 210, a second configuration of the state of the measurement gap.

[0189] In some embodiments, the measurement gap may have at least one primary state, and a primary state of the at least one primary state includes an activated state and a deactivated state.

[0190] In some embodiments, to determine the state of the measurement gap, the network device 220 may determine a primary state of the at least one primary states of the measurement gap. The network device 220 may determine an activated or deactivated state of the primary state of the measurement gap as the state of the measurement gap.

[0191] In some embodiments, to determine the activated or deactivated state of the primary state of the measurement gap as the state of the measurement gap, based on one or more configured measurement objects being disallowed to be measured without the primary state of the measurement gap, the network device 220 may determine the activated state of the primary state of the measurement gap as the state of the measurement gap.

[0192] In some embodiments, the at least one primary state may comprise two primary states. The two primary states may include: a first primary state of the measurement gap, where a communication between the terminal device and the network device is required or unrequired in a serving cell during a gap occasion of the measurement gap in the first primary state; and a second primary state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device is required or unrequired in the serving cell during at least one interruption length of the measurement gap in the second primary state.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first primary state of the measurement gap may include: a first activated state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device is unrequired in the serving cell during the gap occasion of the measurement gap in the first activated state; and a first deactivated state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device is required in the serving cell during the gap occasion of the measurement gap in the first deactivated state.

[0194] In some embodiments, the second primary state may include: a second activated state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device is unrequired in the serving cell during the at least one interruption length of the measurement gap in the second activated state; and a second deactivated state of the measurement gap, where the communication between the terminal device and the network device is required in the serving cell during the at least one interruption length of the measurement gap in the second deactivated state.

[0195] In some embodiments, the plurality of states of the measurement gap may include: at least one of a first activated state or a second activated state of the measurement gap, where in the first activated state, a communication between the terminal device and the network device is unrequired in a serving cell during a gap occasion of the measurement gap, and in the second activated state, the communication between the terminal device and the network device is unrequired in the serving cell during at least one interruption length of the measurement gap. The plurality of states of the measurement gap may further include a third deactivated state of the measurement gap, where in the third deactivated state of the measurement gap, the one or more measurements are performed by the terminal device with no measurement gap and no interruption in the serving cell.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first activated state of the measurement gap may comprise an activated state of a first gap. The second activated state of the measurement gap may comprise an activated state of a second gap. In some embodiments, the first gap may comprise a preconfigured measurement gap. The second gap may comprise a network controlled small gap.

[0197] In some embodiments, a measurement gap repetition periodicity of the first gap may beequal to a measurement gap repetition periodicity of the second gap. A measurement length of the second gap may be equal to a difference of a measurement gap length of the first gap minus two radio frequency retuning time lengths.

[0198] In some embodiments, both the first gap and the second gap may be configured for the terminal device or for a frequency range.

[0199] In some embodiments, the activated state of the second gap may be determined as the state of the measurement gap after a measurement object is configured by the network device for a deactivated cell. Switching from the activated state of the second gap to a further state of the measurement gap may be determined after activation of the cell.

[0200] In some embodiments, the activated state of the first gap may be determined as the further state based on the one or more measurements to be performed within the active bandwidth part of the cell.

[0201] In some embodiments, the deactivated state of the measurement gap may be determined as the further state based on the one or more measurements to be performed outside the active bandwidth part of the cell.

[0202] In some embodiments, after a support of the second gap is reported by the terminal device for a configured intra-frequency measurement object, the activated state of the second gap may be determined as the state of the measurement gap based on the one or more measurements to be performed outside an active bandwidth part of a serving cell. After bandwidth part switching, switching from the activated state of the second gap to the deactivated state of the measurement gap may be determined based on the one or more measurements to be performed within the active bandwidth part of the serving cell.

[0203] In some embodiments, after a support of the second gap is reported by the terminal device for one or more bands for the one or more measurements, the activated state of the second gap may be determined as the first state based on one or more measurement objects to be measured belonging to the one or more bands. After one or more further measurement objects belonging to one or more further bands are configured by the network device for the one or more measurements, switching from the activated state of the second gap to the activated state of the first gap may be determined based on a support of the first gap is reported by the terminal device for the one or more further bands.

[0204] In some embodiments, the one or more rules comprise at least one of: a rule that a state of the measurement gap is determined as the first or second activated state based on one or more conditions being satisfied, or a rule that the state of the measurement gap is determined as the deactivated state based on the one or more conditions being unsatisfied. The one or moreconditions may comprise at least one of: a condition that the first or second activated state is configured for a downlink bandwidth part of an activated serving cell or for a deactivated cell, or a condition that one or more configured measurement objects are to be measured in the first or second activated state.

[0205] In some embodiments, the network device 220 may determine the state of the measurement gap based on one or more triggers. The one or more triggers may be related to at least one of: a bandwidth part switching, cell activation, cell deactivation, measurement object addition, or measurement object removal.

[0206] In some embodiments, the first configuration indicates a state of the plurality of states of the measurement gap.

[0207] In some embodiments, the network device 220 may transmit, to the terminal device 210, a request for a report of a current state of the measurement gap. The network device 220 may receive, from the terminal device 210, the report of the current state of the measurement gap.

[0208] In some embodiments, the report of the current state of the measurement gap may be received in each of one or more bands for the one or more measurements.

[0209] In some embodiments, the second configuration may be transmitted in at least one of downlink control information, medium access control signaling or a radio resource control signaling.

[0210] In some embodiments, the second configuration may indicate the state of the measurement gap in each of one or more downlink bandwidth parts of one or more activated serving cells and in each of one or more deactivated cells.

[0211] In some embodiments, the second configuration may indicate the state of the measurement gap in each of one or more bands for the one or more measurements and in each of one or more deactivated cells.

[0212] The network device 220 may configure the PUG to the terminal device 210 and determine the PUG status based on some rules. The examples of the one or more rules for determining the pre -configured unified gap status, described above from the perspective of the terminal device 210 with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6, also apply for the method 700 at the network device 220. For the purpose of simplification, the details will be omitted.

[0213] After determining the pre -configured unified gap, the network device 220 may use it for operational tasks. In some embodiments, in response to the state of the measurement gap being the second activated state, the network device 220 may disable a scheduler for a communication with the terminal device 210 during the at least one interruption length of the measurement gap.The network device 220 may schedule the communication with the terminal device during a measurement length of the measurement gap.

[0214] For example, the network device 220 may disable the scheduler which is used to schedule the data during the gap interruption occasion if PUG is activated as a P-MGP or during the VIL occasions if PUG is activated as an NCSG. The network device 220 may schedule the terminal device 210 with data (e.g. PDSCH, PUSCH etc.) during a MU within NCSG and not scheduling the terminal device 210 with data during VIU if PUG is activated as a NCSG.

[0215] In some embodiments, in response to the state of the measurement gap being the deactivated state, the network device 220 may schedule a communication with the terminal device without no interruption. For example, the network device 220 may schedule the terminal device 210 with data without any interruption if the PUG is deactivated.

[0216] To validate the PUG, the PUG shall be configured in a way that the terminal device 210 can know the validity of PUG and acquire the active status.

[0217] One way to achieve this is to extend the RRCReconfiguration IE, as specified in 3GPP TS 38.331 Version 17.6.0, with an optional definition of a PUG, and what follows is the default and the corresponding activated / deactivated gap for PUG. Given that, once the terminal device 210 receives RRC reconfiguration command by extension for the PUG, the terminal device 210 is able to know whether to apply the PUG and apply the gap by default.RRCReconfiguration message

[0218] Alternatively, or additionally, the PUG can be configured in the configurations forNeedForGapNCSG and / or MeasGapConfig respectively, to indicate the PUG status for each NCSG and P-MGP (or MG) if the PUG is configured. The examples are presented in the following where, in more detail, PUGForNCSGintra-rl9. PUGForNCSGintra-rl9 indicates the NCSG as primary state; UGForGap-rl9 indicates the P-MGP (or MG) as primary state. Secondly, ActivePUGForNCSGintra-rl9 and ActivePUGForNCSGinter-rl9 indicates the second state (i.e., activated or deactivated) of the NCSG; ActivePUGForGap-rl9 indicates the second state (i.e., activated or deactivated) of the P-MGP.NeedForGapNCSG-InfoNR information elementMeasGapConfig information element

[0219] FIG. 8 shows function units of a terminal device 800 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0220] As shown in FIG. 8, the terminal device 800 comprises a receiving unit 810 configured to receive, from a network device, a first configuration of a measurement gap, where the measurement gap has a plurality of states, and the plurality of states include at least one activated state and at least one deactivated state. The terminal device 800 further comprises a determining unit 820 configured to determine, based on at least one of one or more rules or the first configuration, a first state of the plurality of states of the measurement gap for use in one or more measurements. Furthermore, the terminal device 800 comprises a switching unit 830 configured to switch from the first state to a different second state of the plurality of states of the measurement gap, based on at least one of the one or more rules or a second configuration of a state of the measurement gap received from the network device.

[0221] In some embodiments, the terminal device 800 may further comprise units for implementing actions or operations related to the terminal device according to any of the above- mentioned embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

[0222] FIG. 9 shows function units of a network device 900 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0223] As shown in FIG. 9, the network device 900 comprises a transmitting unit 910 configured to transmit, to a terminal device, a first configuration of a measurement gap, where the measurement gap has a plurality of states, and the plurality of states include at least one activated state and at least one deactivated state. The network device 900 further comprises a determining unit 920 configured to determine a state of the measurement gap from the plurality of states of the measurement gap, based on at least one of one or more rules or a report for a state of the measurement gap received from the terminal device. The transmitting unit 910 is further configured to transmit, to the terminal device, a second configuration of the state of the measurement gap.

[0224] In some embodiments, the network device 900 may further comprise units for implementing actions or operations related to the network according to any of the above- mentioned embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7.

[0225] FIG. 10 shows a communication device 1000 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0226] As shown in FIG. 10, the communication device 1000 may comprise a processor 1005 and a memory 1010. The memory 1010 may contain instructions 1015 executable by the processor 1005, whereby the communication device 1000 may be operative to implement actions or operations according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0227] In some embodiments, the communication device 1000 may operate as a terminaldevice. In these embodiments, the communication device 1000 may be operative to: receive, from a network device, a first configuration of a measurement gap, where the measurement gap has a plurality of states, and the plurality of states include at least one activated state and at least one deactivated state; determine, based on at least one of one or more rules or the first configuration, a first state of the plurality of states of the measurement gap for use in one or more measurements; and switch from the first state to a different second state of the plurality of states of the measurement gap, based on at least one of the one or more rules or a second configuration of a state of the measurement gap received from the network device.

[0228] In some embodiments, the communication device 1000 may operate as a network device. In these embodiments, the communication device 1000 may be operative to: transmit, to a terminal device, a first configuration of a measurement gap, where the measurement gap has a plurality of states, and the plurality of states include at least one activated state and at least one deactivated state; determine a state of the measurement gap from the plurality of states of the measurement gap, based on at least one of one or more rules or a report for a state of the measurement gap received from the terminal device; and transmit, to the terminal device, a second configuration of the state of the measurement gap.

[0229] The processor 1005 may be any kind of processing component, such as one or more microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs), special-purpose digital logic, and the like. The memory 1010 may be any kind of storage component, such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc.

[0230] FIG. 11 shows a computer readable storage medium 1100 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0231] As shown in FIG. 11, the computer readable storage medium 1100 comprising instructions 1015 which when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform any above-mentioned embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0232] The computer readable storage medium 1100 may be configured to include memory such as RAM, ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, floppy disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, or flash drives.

[0233] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing the method 300 or 700 may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 300 or 700. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.Abbreviations

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method (300) at a terminal device (210), comprising: receiving (310), from a network device (220), a first configuration of a measurement gap, wherein the measurement gap relates to a plurality of states comprising an activated state with a gap, an activated state with an interruption and at least one deactivated state; determining (320), based on at least one of one or more rules or the first configuration, a first state among the plurality of states of the measurement gap for use in one or more measurements; and switching (330) from the first state to a different second state among the plurality of states of the measurement gap, based on at least one of the one or more rules or a second configuration of a state of the measurement gap received from the network device (220).

2. The method (300) of claim 1, wherein the measurement gap relates to at least two gap types each of which further corresponds to an activated state and a deactivated state; wherein determining (320) the first state of the measurement gap comprises: determining a gap type from the at least two gap types of the measurement gap; and determining an activated or deactivated state of determined gap type of the measurement gap as the first state of the measurement gap .

3. The method (300) of claim 2, wherein determining the gap type of the measurement gap is based on indication of the first configuration; and determining the activated or deactivated state of the gap type of the measurement gap as the first state of the measurement gap comprises: based on one or more configured measurement objects being disallowed to be measured without the determined gap type of the measurement gap, determining the activated state of the determined gap type of the measurement gap as the first state of the measurement gap.

4. The method (300) of claims 2 or 3, wherein determining the activated or deactivated state of the gap type of the measurement gap as the first state of the measurement gap comprises: after a first gap type the measurement gap is determined, when a communication between the terminal device (210) and the network device (220) is required in a serving cell during a gap occasion of the measurement gap, determining a first deactivated state of the fist gap type as the first state; when a communication is unrequired, determining the first activated state of the first gap type as the first state; or after a second gap type of the measurement gap is determined, when a communication between the terminal device (210) and the network device (220) is required in the serving cell during at least one interruption length of the measurement gap , determining a second deactivated state of the second gap type as the first state; when a communication is unrequired, determining the second activated state of the second gap type as the first state.

5. The method (300) of claim 1, wherein: the activated state with a gap is a first activated state of a first gap type of the measurement gap in which a communication between the terminal device (210) and the network device (220) is unrequired in a serving cell during a gap occasion of the measurement gap, the activated state with an interruption is a second activated state of a second gap type of the measurement gap in which a communication between the terminal device (210) and the network device (220) is unrequired in the serving cell during at least one interruption length of the measurement gap; and the at least one deactivated state comprises a third deactivated state of the measurement gap in which the one or more measurements are performed by the terminal device (210) with no gap and no interruption in the serving cell.

6. The method (300) of any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the first gap type of the measurement gap is a pre -configured measurement gap (Pre-MG); and the second gap type of the measurement gap is a network control small gap (NCSG) whose gap length comprises the interruption length and a measurement length.

7. The method (300) of any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the gap occasion of the first activated state is larger than the interruption length of the second activated state.

8. The method (300) of any of claims 2 to 7, wherein a measurement gap repetition periodicity of the first gap type the measurement gap equals a measurement gap repetition periodicity of the second gap type of the measurement gap.

9. The method (300) of any of claims 4 to 8, wherein a gap length of first activated state equals to a gap length of the second activated state.

10. The method (300) of any of claims 4-9, wherein the second activated state of the measurement gap is determined as the first state after a measurement object is configured by the network device (220) for a deactivated cell; and when the deactivated cell is activated, switching (330) to a different second state comprises: switching to the first activated state of the measurement gap based on the one or more measurements to be performed within the active bandwidth part of the cell; or switching to a deactivated state of the measurement gap based on the one or more measurements to be performed outside the active bandwidth part of the cell.

11. The method (300) of any of claims 1-10, wherein switching (330) from the first state to the second state comprise: based on one or more triggers, switching from the first state to the second state, wherein the one or more triggers are related to at least one of: a bandwidth part switching, cell activation, cell deactivation, measurement object addition, or measurement object removal.

12. The method (300) of any of claims 1-11, further comprising: receiving, from the network device (220), a request for a report of a current state of the measurement gap; and transmitting, to the network device (220), the report of the current state of the measurement gap, and wherein switching (330) from the first state to the second state comprises: receiving, from the network device (220), the second configuration of the state of the measurement gap per downlink bandwidth part (BWP) or per band; and switching, based on the second configuration and the one or more rules, from the first state to the second state.

13. A method (700) at a network device (220), comprising: transmitting (710), to a terminal device (210), a first configuration of a measurement gap, wherein the measurement gap relates to a plurality of states comprising an activated state with a gap, an activated state with an interruption and at least one deactivated state; wherein the first configuration enables the terminal device to determine a first state among the plurality of states and to switch from the first state to a different second state among the plurality of states of the measurement gap, based on at least one of one or more rules and the first configuration.

14. The method (700) of claim 13, further comprising: receiving a report of a current state of the measurement gap from the terminal device; determining (720) a state of the measurement gap from the plurality of states of the measurement gap, based on at least one of one or more rules or a report for a state of the measurement gap received from the terminal device (210); and transmitting (730), to the terminal device (210), a second configuration of the state of the measurement gap to enable the terminal device to switch from the first state to the second state at least partly based on the second configuration.

15. A terminal device (210, 1000), comprising: a processor (1005); and a memory (1010), the memory (1010) containing instructions (1015) executable by the processor (1005), whereby the terminal device (210, 1000) is operative to perform any method of the claims 1 to 13.

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