Enhanced configuration and reporting of idle / inactive mode measurements

Abstract

A UE can receive (300) a configuration message from a network node indicating measurement configuration information. The UE can determine (302) one or more measurements while the UE is in a reduced state according to the measurement configuration information. The one or more measurements can include a cell reselection measurement. Responsive to the UE transitioning to a connected state, the UE can transmit (304) an indication of an availability of the one or more measurements to the network node.

Description

ENHANCED CONFIGURATION AND REPORTING OF IDLE / INACTIVE MODE MEASUREMENTSTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure is related to wireless communication systems and more particularly to enhanced configuration and reporting of idle / inactive mode measurements.BACKGROUND

[0002] In rel-16 early measurements were standardized. The user equipment (UE) can be configured to perform measurements in Radio Resource Control (RRC)_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE and report the measurement results when transferring to RRC_CONNECTED. The network can use the measurement results to decide which carrier to setup for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity.

[0003] The measurements are configured, at least partly, through dedicated signaling (RRC message RRCRelease). The dedicated configuration includes a timer (timer T331, set with measIdleDuration-rl6), for how long the UE is required to perform the measurements, and it may include information about which frequency / - ies the UE should measure on. The timer T331 is started by the UE at reception of the configuration. The UE may optionally continue to perform measurements also after the timer T331 has expired.

[0004] Information about early measurement configuration can also be broadcast in SIB 11 and it e.g. contains information about the frequency the UE should measure on. If the dedicated signaling does not include information about frequencies to perform measurements on, the UE performs the measurements according to the broadcasted configuration in the cell where the UE is currently located. If the UE continues performing the measurements in RRC_IDLE / RRC_INACTIVE even after T331 is expired (or has been stopped) the UE performs the measurements on the frequency / -ies that is included in the broadcasted configuration (in SIB 11) for the cell.

[0005] When the UE resumes or is being setup to RRC_CONNECTED again, the UE can transmit, in RRCResumeComplete or RRCSetupComplete, an indication that it has measurement results. In RRCResumeComplete, the UE may also transmit the measurement results directly, if the network has requested this in the RRCResume message.SUMMARY

[0006] According to some embodiments, a method of operating a user equipment, UE, is provided. The method includes receiving a configuration message from a network node indicating measurement configuration information. The method further includes determiningone or more measurements while the UE is in a reduced state according to the measurement configuration information. The one or more measurements include a cell reselection measurement. The method further includes, responsive to the UE transitioning to a connected state, transmitting an indication of an availability of the one or more measurements to the network node.

[0007] According to other embodiments, a method of operating a network node is provided. The method includes transmitting a configuration message to a user equipment, UE, while the UE is in a connected state. The configuration message indicates measurement configuration information. The method further includes receiving from the UE an indication of an availability of one or more measurements determined by the UE while the UE was in a reduced state. The one or more measurements includes a cell reselection measurement.

[0008] According to other embodiments, a network node, a UE, a computer program, computer program product, non-transitory computer readable medium, host, or system is provided to perform one of the above methods.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate certain non-limiting embodiments of inventive concepts. In the drawings:

[0010] FIG. 1 is signal flow diagram illustrating an example of operations for early measurements performed by a UE;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a modified version of FIG. 1 for idle mode measurements in accordance with some embodiments;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example of operations performed by a user equipment, UE, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example of operations performed by a network node in accordance with some embodiments;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance with some embodiments;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a network node in accordance with some embodiments;

[0017] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a host computer communicating with a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0018] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a virtualization environment in accordance with some embodiments; and

[0019] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a host computer communicating via a base station with a user equipment over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart of operations for early measurements performed by a UE and communications with a NR Node B (gNB). At operation 110, gNB transmits a RRCRelease message to the UE. In some examples the RRCRelease message includes a configuration in MeasIdleConfig. At operation 120, the UE transmits a RRCReleaseComplete message to the gNB. At operation 130, the UE performs measurements in RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE according to the configuration received. At operation 140, the UE can transmit a RRCResumeRequest to the gNB if the UE triggered resume. At operation 150, gNB transmits a RRCResume message to the UE. At operation 160, the UE transmits a RRCResumeComplete message to the gNB. In some examples, the RRCResumeComplete message includes a measurement result / indication of measurement result.

[0021] In rel-18, RAN4 general agreements on the measurement scope to improve Scell / SCG setup delay is R4-2303309. The UE is allowed to reuse existing measurement, including legacy measurement for cell re-selection and early measurement reporting (EMR). Also RAN 4 has agreed to introduce a validity timer for the measurements. The details of the validity time agreements are in R4-2321347. The measurements can be considered valid if both of the following conditions are satisfied: 1) If accuracy requirements are met, the measurement results are valid for IDLE / IN ACTIVE measurements within the last X seconds before msgl transmission for RRC resume / setup request; and 2) X value is network configured. If the network doesn’t provide configuration of X, UE is not required to perform validity check.

[0022] There currently exist certain challenge(s). The rel-18 work on further NR mobility enhancements is described in the WID. The work item is completed, with the exception of Objective 7 which is targeted to be completed in QI 2024. Objective 7 includes an objective to study and specify how to reuse the IDLE / INACTIVE mode measurement results which are to be reported during and / or after RRC connection setup / resume in order to improve SCell / SCG setup delay, including: 1) Availability and validation of the IDLE / INACTIVE mode measurement results to be reported [RAN4]; 2) Definition of corresponding RRM requirements; and 3) If necessary, based on RAN4 outcome, definition of corresponding signaling support [RAN2]. It is noted that RAN4 will coordinate in due course with RAN2 to start the work. It is also noted that R4-2220415 serves as baseline for future work in RAN4. It is also noted that, with exception ofthe above scenarios, enhancements on IDLE / INACTIVE mode measurements and on UE behavior in IDLE / INACTIVE mode are not in scope.

[0023] At RAN#102 some clarifications on Objective 7 were agreed. For example, WI objective#?, focus on solution based on existing measurement, as below: 1) RAN2 to define time-based measurement result validation configuration based on RAN4 agreements; 2) RAN2 signaling to enable reporting of cell reselection measurement or EMR for fast CA / DC setup; 3) RAN4 shall not work on any new requirements for this functionality in Rel-18. Only essential corrections are allowed; 4) If RAN2 is not able to complete the work, the functionality will be removed from Rel-18; and 5) Existing measurement means that no additional measurement is performed during RRC Setup / Resume procedure.

[0024] In the second clarification states “cell reselection measurement or EMR”. It is not clear whether that means that RAN2 will decide whether the UE should report cell reselection measurements or EMR measurements or whether it means that reporting of both type of measurements should be supported. The latter meaning has some unclarities (e.g, how is the decision made regarding which measurements to be reported? What is included in the UE configuration? How does the network know what type of measurements are reported by the UE? and What should the UE report in case cell reselection measurements are reported?).

[0025] Certain aspects of the disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to these or other challenges. Herein, the term existing measurement includes all measurements available during Idle / Inactive mode. In detail, it can be cell reselection measurements, Rel-16 EMR, Rel-18 EMR with validity timer or a mixture of all 3 above.

[0026] In some embodiments, the network transmits a configuration to the UE related to reporting of cell reselection measurement results for RRC_IDLE / RRC_IN ACTIVE measurement reporting. The configuration may be specific per cell, per frequency, per frequency band, per frequency band combination, per frequency range or per other quantity.

[0027] In additional or alternative embodiments, the UE performs the measurements according to the received configuration.

[0028] In additional or alternative embodiments, the UE resumes or reconnects to RRC_CONNECTED. The UE may report availability of cell reselection measurement results by using an extended indication for EMR or by using a new indication.

[0029] In additional or alternative embodiments, the UE reports the cell reselection measurement results. The measurement result may include the measured cell RX level value or the measured cell quality value. The results may be reported per the configured quantity.

[0030] Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantage(s). An advantage of the proposed solution is that it allows additional information tobe sent by the UE to the network in case IDLE / IN ACTIVE measurement results are reported by the UE. The solution also includes the network controlling what the UE should send, which means that the network can receive most relevant information. The network can use the information to determine which cell is most suitable for setting up a dual connectivity or carrier aggregation configuration. Selection of the most suitable cell give the user higher throughput and better end-user performance.

[0031] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0032] Proposed RAN2 does not have a procedure to decide whether the UE should report cell reselection measurements or EMR measurements or whether it means that reporting of both type of measurements should be supported.

[0033] In some embodiments the term early measurements refer to measurements that the UE has performed while in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state. The UE reports the measurement results upon transfer to RRC_CONNECTION state.

[0034] Some embodiments contain different solutions related to the UE reporting cell reselection measurements as a type of IDLE / INACTIVE measurement results. Some embodiments contain solutions related to configuring the UE with information, e.g. whether the UE should report cell reselection measurements and in such case what the UE should report. Some embodiments also contain interaction with existing REL-16 EMR measurements, e.g. if the existing indication that the UE has measurements to report will continue to cover only REL- 16 EMR and Rel-18 EMR measurements or also cell reselection measurements. Finally, Some embodiments contain solutions related to the reporting such as if and what the UE should report.

[0035] Configuration and reporting of cell reselection measurements are now discussed herein.

[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates a modified flowchart of operations of FIG. 1 for idle mode measurements in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. At operation 210, gNB transmits a RRCRelease message to the UE. In some examples, the RRCRelease message includes a configuration of measurements. At operation 220, the UE transmits a RRCReleaseComplete message to the gNB. At operation 230, the UE performs measurements in RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE according to the configuration received. At operation 240, the UE can transmit a RRCResumeRequest to the gNB if the UE triggered resume. At operation 250, gNB transmits a RRCResume message to the UE. At operation 260, the UE transmits a RRCResumeComplete message to the gNB. In some examples, the RRCResumeCompletemessage includes a new type of measurement result / indication of new type of measurement result.

[0037] Operations of a UE 600 (implemented using the structure of FIG. 6) will now be discussed with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 3 according to some embodiments of inventive concepts. For example, modules may be stored in memory 610 of FIG. 6, and these modules may provide instructions so that when the instructions of a module are executed by respective UE processing circuitry 602, UE 600 performs respective operations of the flow chart.

[0038] At operation 300, processing circuitry 602 receives, via communication interface 612, a configuration message from a network indicating configuration of cell reselection measurements. In some embodiments, receiving the configuration message comprises receiving an indication of at least one of: whether the UE is requested to report cell reselection measurements; whether the UE is allowed to report cell reselection measurements; whether the UE is requested to report measurements for EMR measurements; whether the UE is allowed to report EMR measurements; and a type of measurements the UE is to report.

[0039] In additional or alternative embodiments, receiving the configuration message includes receiving an indication of a carrier frequency that the UE is to measure associated with a cell reselection measurement.

[0040] In additional or alternative embodiments, receiving the configuration message includes receiving an indication that the UE is to report a measurement associated with at least one of: a reference signal received power, RSRP; a reference signal received quality, RSRQ; a signal-to-noise and interference ratio, SINR; and a beam level measurement.

[0041] In additional or alternative embodiments, receiving the configuration message includes receiving an indication of a configuration of cell reselection measurements specific for at least one of: each identified cell that the UE is to measure; each identified frequency band that the UE is to measure; each identified frequency band combination that the UE is to measure; and each identified frequency range that the UE is to measure.

[0042] In additional or alternative embodiments, receiving the configuration message includes receiving an indication of a validity timer for the cell reselection measurement. In some examples, the validity timer is a first validity timer. Receiving the configuration message includes receiving an indication of a second validity timer for an early measurement reporting, EMR, measurement.

[0043] In additional or alternative embodiments, receiving the configuration message includes receiving the configuration message via at least one of: radio resource control, RRC, signaling; and broadcast signaling.

[0044] At operation 302, processing circuitry 602 determines one or more measurements while the UE is in a reduced state according to the measurement configuration information. In some examples, the one or more measurements include a cell reselection measurement. In some embodiments, the reduced state includes at least one of: a RRC_IDLE state; and a RRCJNACTIVE state.

[0045] At operation 304, processing circuitry 602 transmits, via communication interface 612, an indication of an availability of the one or more measurements to the network node. In some examples, the UE transmits the indication of the availability of the one or more measurements in response to the UE transitioning to a connected state. In some embodiments, the connected state includes a RRC_CONNECTED state.

[0046] In additional or alternative embodiments, transmitting the indication of the one or more measurements comprises transmitting an indication of at least one of: a measured cell receive, RX, level value; and a measured cell quality value.

[0047] In additional or alternative embodiments, transmitting the indication of the one or more measurements comprises transmitting an indication of whether the one or more measurements include an early measurement reporting, EMR, measurement.

[0048] In additional or alternative embodiments, transmitting the indication of the availability of the one or more measurements includes transmitting the indication of the availability an indicator that is separate from an indication of an availability of an early measurement reporting, EMR.

[0049] At operation 306, processing circuitry 602 transmits, via communication interface 612, an indication of the one or more measurements.

[0050] In some embodiments related to the UE, the method by the UE also includes reporting the cell reselection measurement results.

[0051] In some further embodiments related to the UE, the cell reselection measurement results include at least one of: a measured cell receive (RX) level value and a measured cell quality value.

[0052] Operations of a network node 700 (implemented using the structure of FIG. 7) will now be discussed with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 4 according to some embodiments of inventive concepts. For example, modules may be stored in memory 704 of FIG. 7, and these modules may provide instructions so that when the instructions of a module are executed by respective network node processing circuitry 702, network node 700 performs respective operations of the flow chart.

[0053] At operation 400, processing circuitry 702 transmits, via communication interface 706, a configuration message to a UE while the UE is in a connected state. The configurationmessage indicating measurement configuration information. In some embodiments, the connected state is a RRC_CONNECTED state.

[0054] In additional or alternative embodiments, transmitting the configuration message includes transmitting an indication of at least one of: whether the UE is requested to report cell reselection measurements; whether the UE is allowed to report cell reselection measurements; whether the UE is requested to report early measurement reporting, EMR, measurements; whether the UE is allowed to report EMR measurements; and a type of measurements the UE is to report.

[0055] In additional or alternative embodiments, transmitting the configuration message includes transmitting an indication of a carrier frequency that the UE is to measure associated with a cell reselection measurement.

[0056] In additional or alternative embodiments, the configuration message includes an indication that the UE is to report at least one measurement result for: a reference signal received power, RSRP; a reference signal received quality, RSRQ; a signal-to-noise and interference ratio, SINR; and a beam level measurements.

[0057] In additional or alternative embodiments, transmitting the configuration message includes transmitting an indication of a configuration of cell reselection measurements specific for at least one of: each identified cell that the UE is to measure; each identified frequency band that the UE is to measure; each identified frequency band combination that the UE is to measure; and each identified frequency range that the UE is to measure.

[0058] In additional or alternative embodiments, transmitting the configuration message includes transmitting an indication of a validity timer for the cell reselection measurement. In some examples, the validity timer is a first validity timer. Transmitting the configuration message includes transmitting an indication of a second validity timer for an early measurement reporting, EMR, measurement.

[0059] In additional or alternative embodiments, transmitting the configuration message includes transmitting the configuration message via at least one of: radio resource control, RRC, signaling; and broadcast signaling.

[0060] At operation 402, processing circuitry 702 receives, via communication interface 706, an indication of an availability of one or more measurements determined by the UE while the UE was in a reduced state. In some examples, the one or more measurements include a cell reselection measurement. In some embodiments, the reduced state comprises at least one of: a RRC_IDLE state; and a RRC_INACTIVE state,

[0061] In additional or alternative embodiments, the one or more measurements include at least one of: a measured cell receive, RX, level value; and a measured cell quality value.

[0062] In additional or alternative embodiments, receiving the indication of the availability of one or more measurements includes receiving the indication through an indicator that is separate from an indication of an availability of an early measurement reporting, EMR.

[0063] At operation 404, processing circuitry 702 receives, via communication interface 706, an indication of the one or more measurements. In some examples, the one or more measurements includes the cell reselection measurement.

[0064] In some embodiments, receiving the indication of the one or more measurements includes receiving an indication of whether the one or more measurements include an early measurement reporting, EMR, measurement.

[0065] In some embodiments related to the network node, the method by the network node also includes receiving from the UE the cell reselection measurement results.

[0066] In some further embodiments related to the network node, the cell reselection measurement results include a measured cell receive, RX, level value and / or a measured cell quality value.

[0067] In operation 300 in FIG. 3 and operation 400 in FIG. 4, the network transmits a configuration to the UE related to reporting of cell reselection measurement results for RRC_IDLE / RRC_INACTIVE measurement reporting (early measurement reporting). The configuration may include an indication of whether the UE shall or is allowed to report cell reselection measurement results for early measurement reporting. Absence of the indication may mean that the UE is not allowed to report cell reselection measurements. Alternatively, an indication of that the UE is not allowed to report cell reselection measurement results for early measurement reporting. Alternatively, absence of the indication may mean that the UE is allowed to report cell reselection measurements. Alternatively, and indication that the UE shall report both cell reselection measurement results and EMR measurement results. The reporting may be done based on what measurements are available in the UE.

[0068] A configuration indicating what the UE should report as part of the measurement results. The configuration may include: configurations that the UE shall include one or multiple of the following measurement results for RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, beam level measurements; and the configuration may be specific per cell, per frequency, per frequency band, per frequency band combination, per frequency range (FR1 / FR2) or per other quantity.

[0069] A configuration of validity timer, where a validity timer configured for EMR also is applicable to cell reselection measurements, in the case cell reselection measurement results are reported to the network.

[0070] A configuration of a separate validity timer for cell reselection measurements. The configuration may be done per frequency, per frequency band, per frequency range (FR1 / FR2).

[0071] The configurations may be done separated from the configuration of EMR measurements. Alternatively, some or all information elements from the EMR configuration may be reused for the configuration of cell reselection measurement reporting.

[0072] The configuration may be done in dedicated RRC signaling, e.g. in the RRCRelease message. The configuration may also be done used broadcast signaling, e.g. in SIB 11.

[0073] In one option, no configuration of the cell reselection measurements is done. In this case the UE may perform cell reselection measurements according to legacy behavior. The UE may also perform EMR measurements according to legacy configuration.

[0074] Embodiments related to the operation 300 in FIG. 3, are now discussed. In other words to the description above, in some embodiments related to the UE, the indicated configuration of cell reselection measurements includes an indication whether the UE shall or is allowed to report cell reselection measurement results for EMR.

[0075] In some other embodiments related to the UE, the indicated configuration of cell reselection measurements includes an indication that the UE is not allowed to report cell reselection measurement results for EMR.

[0076] In some embodiments related to the UE, the indicated configuration of cell reselection measurements includes an indication that the UE shall report both cell reselection measurement results and EMR measurement results.

[0077] In some embodiments related to the UE, the indicated configuration of cell reselection measurements includes an indication of what type of cell reselection measurements the UE is to report as part of the cell reselection measurement results.

[0078] In some embodiments related to the UE, the configuration message includes an indication of what type of cell reselection measurements the UE is to report as part of the cell reselection measurement results.

[0079] In some embodiments related to the UE, the indicated configuration of cell reselection measurements indicates that the UE is to report at least one measurement result for: reference signal received power, RSRP; reference signal received quality, RSRQ; signal-to- noise and interference ratio, SINR; and beam level measurements.

[0080] In some embodiments related to the UE, the configuration message indicates configuration of cell reselection measurements specific for at least one of: each identified cell, each identified frequency, each identified frequency band, each identified frequency band combination, and each identified frequency range which the UE is to measure.

[0081] In some embodiments related to the UE, the indicated configuration of cell reselection measurements includes a validity timer.

[0082] In the previous embodiment related to the UE, the configuration message may indicate a specific validity timer for at least one of: each identified frequency, each identified frequency band, each identified frequency range which the UE is to measure.

[0083] In some embodiments related to the UE, the configuration message is received through Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling or through broadcast signaling.

[0084] In the previous embodiment related to the UE, the configuration message may be received through RRC signaling in an RRCRelease message or through broadcast signaling in SIB11.

[0085] Embodiments related to operation 400 in FIG. 4, are now discussed. In some embodiments related to the network node, the indicated configuration of cell reselection measurements includes an indication whether the UE shall or is allowed to report cell reselection measurement results for EMR.

[0086] In some embodiments related to the network node, the configuration message includes an indication that the UE is not allowed to report cell reselection measurement results for early measurement reporting EMR.

[0087] In some embodiments related to the network node, the indicated configuration of cell reselection measurements includes an indication that the UE shall report both cell reselection measurement results and EMR measurement results.

[0088] In some embodiments related to the network node, the indicated configuration of cell reselection measurements includes an indication of what type of cell reselection measurements the UE is to report as part of the cell reselection measurement results.

[0089] In some embodiments related to the network node, the configuration message includes an indication of what type of cell reselection measurements the UE is to report as part of the cell reselection measurement results.

[0090] In some embodiments related to the network node, the indicated configuration of cell reselection measurements indicates that the UE is to report at least one measurement result for: reference signal received power, RSRP; reference signal received quality, RSRQ; signal-to- noise and interference ratio, SINR; and beam level measurements.

[0091] the configuration message indicates configuration of cell reselection measurements specific for at least one of: each identified cell, each identified frequency, each identified frequency band, each identified frequency band combination, and each identified frequency range which the UE is to measure.

[0092] In some embodiments related to the network node, the indicated configuration of cell reselection measurements includes a validity timer.

[0093] In the previous embodiment related to the network node, the configuration message may indicate a specific validity timer for at least one of: each identified frequency, each identified frequency band, each identified frequency range which the UE is to measure.

[0094] In some embodiments related to the network node, the configuration message is received through Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling or through broadcast signaling.

[0095] In the previous embodiment related to the network node, the configuration message may be received through RRC signaling in an RRCRelease message or through broadcast signaling in SIB 11.

[0096] In operation 302 in FIG. 3, the UE performs the measurements according to the received configuration. If no configuration was received, the UE may perform cell reselection measurements according to legacy behavior. The UE may also perform EMR measurements according to legacy configuration.

[0097] In operation 304 in FIG. 3 and operation 402 in FIG. 4, the UE resumes or reconnects to RRC_CONNECTED. The UE may report that it has measurement results available.

[0098] In one option, the legacy indication idleMeasAvailable for REL-16 EMR measurements is extended to include also reporting of cell reselection measurements. In this case, the UE may transmit the indication if it has EMR measurements available, if it has cell reselection measurements available or if it has both type of measurement results available.

[0099] In another option, a new indication for reporting availability of cell reselection measurements is introduced.

[0100] A clarification may be added to the legacy indication idleMeasAvailable that it is only applicable to EMR measurement results.

[0101] In one option, the legacy indication idleMeasAvailable is only applicable to EMR measurement results if the network has not indicated that the UE shall or is allowed to report cell reselection measurements.

[0102] In one option, the UE may report measurement results directly, without first indicating that it has measurement results available.

[0103] Embodiments related to operation 304 in FIG. 3, are now discussed. In other words to the description above, in some embodiments related to the UE, reporting 304 availability of cell reselection measurement results includes reporting availability through an extended indication for EMR or a new indication.

[0104] In some other embodiments related to the UE, reporting availability of cell reselection measurement results includes reporting availability through idleMeasAvailable signaling.

[0105] Embodiments related to operation 402 in FIG. 4, are now discussed. In some embodiments related to the network node, the indication of availability of cell reselection measurement results is received through an extended indication for EMR or a new indication.

[0106] In some embodiments related to the network node, the indication of availability of cell reselection measurement results is received through idleMeasAvailable signaling.

[0107] In operation 306 in FIG. 3 and operation 404 in FIG. 4, the UE reports cell reselection measurement results to the network.

[0108] The reports may include an indication on whether the measurements performed are cell reselection measurements or EMR measurements. In one option the indication is an explicit indication, e.g. indicating cell reselection measurements, EMR measurements, or both type of measurements. In another option, the indication is an implicit indication. An implicit indication could e.g. include new information elements for cell reselection measurements or new information elements for rel-18 measurement results.

[0109] Embodiments related to operation 304 in FIG. 3, are now discussed. In other words to the description above, in some embodiments related to the UE, the reporting of the cell reselection measurement results includes an indication whether the measurements are cell reselection measurements and / or EMR measurements.

[0110] Embodiments related to operation 402 in FIG. 4, are now discussed. In some embodiments related to the network node, the receiving of the cell reselection measurement results includes further receiving an indication whether the measurements are cell reselection measurements and / or EMR measurements.

[0111] Example Embodiments are described below.

[0112] Embodiment 1. A method by a user equipment, UE, comprising: receiving (300) a configuration message from a network indicating configuration of cell reselection measurements; performing (302) cell reselection measurements while in radio resource control, RRC,_IDLE and / or RRC_IN ACTIVE according to the indicated configuration of the cell reselection measurements; and responsive to the UE resuming or reconnecting to RRC_CONNECTED, reporting (304) availability of cell reselection measurement results.

[0113] Embodiment 2. The method of Embodiment 1, further comprising: reporting (306) the cell reselection measurement results.

[0114] Embodiment 3. The method of Embodiment 2, wherein the cell reselection measurement results comprise at least one of: a measured cell receive, RX, level value and a measured cell quality value.

[0115] Embodiment 4. The method of any of Embodiments 2 to 3, wherein the reporting of the cell reselection measurement results comprises an indication whether the measurements are cell reselection measurements and / or early measurement reporting, EMR, measurements.

[0116] Embodiment 5. The method of any of Embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the indicated configuration of cell reselection measurements comprises an indication whether the UE shall or is allowed to report cell reselection measurement results for early measurement reporting, EMR.

[0117] Embodiment 6. The method of any of Embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the indicated configuration of cell reselection measurements comprises an indication that the UE is not allowed to report cell reselection measurement results for early measurement reporting, EMR.

[0118] Embodiment 7. The method of any of Embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the indicated configuration of cell reselection measurements comprises an indication that the UE shall report both cell reselection measurement results and early measurement reporting, EMR, measurement results.

[0119] Embodiment 8. The method of any of Embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the indicated configuration of cell reselection measurements comprise an indication of what type of cell reselection measurements the UE is to report as part of the cell reselection measurement results.

[0120] Embodiment 9. The method of any of Embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the configuration message comprises an indication of what type of cell reselection measurements the UE is to report as part of the cell reselection measurement results.

[0121] Embodiment 10. The method of any of Embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the indicated configuration of cell reselection measurements indicates that the UE is to report at least one measurement result for: reference signal received power, RSRP; reference signal received quality, RSRQ; signal-to-noise and interference ratio, SINR; and beam level measurements.

[0122] Embodiment 11. The method of Embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the configuration message indicates configuration of cell reselection measurements specific for at least one of: each identified cell, each identified frequency, each identified frequency band, each identified frequency band combination, and each identified frequency range which the UE is to measure.

[0123] Embodiment 12. The method of any of Embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the indicated configuration of cell reselection measurements comprises a validity timer.

[0124] Embodiment 13. The method of any of Embodiment 12, wherein the configuration message indicates a specific validity timer for at least one of: each identified frequency, each identified frequency band, each identified frequency range which the UE is to measure.

[0125] Embodiment 14. The method of any of Embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the configuration message is received through Radio Resource Control, RRC, signaling or through broadcast signaling.

[0126] Embodiment 15. The method of any of Embodiment 14, wherein the configuration message is received through RRC signaling in an RRCRelease message or through broadcast signaling in SIB 11.

[0127] Embodiment 16. The method of any of Embodiments 1 to 15, wherein reporting (304) availability of cell reselection measurement results comprises reporting availability through an extended indication for early measurement reporting, EMR, or a new indication.

[0128] Embodiment 17. The method of any of Embodiments 1 to 16, wherein reporting (304) availability of cell reselection measurement results comprises reporting availability through idleMeasAvailable signaling.

[0129] Embodiment 18. The method of any of the Embodiments 1 to 17, further comprising: providing user data; and forwarding the user data to a host via a transmission to the network node.

[0130] Embodiment 19. A method by a network node, comprising: sending (400) a configuration message to a user equipment, UE, indicating configuration of cell reselection measurements; and receiving (402) from the UE an indication of availability of cell reselection measurement results performed by the UE while in radio resource control, RRC,_IDLE and / or RRC_INACTIVE according to the indicated configuration of the cell reselection measurements.

[0131] Embodiment 20. The method of Embodiment 19, further comprising: receiving (404) from the UE the cell reselection measurement results.

[0132] Embodiment 21. The method of Embodiment 20, wherein the cell reselection measurement results comprise a measured cell receive, RX, level value and / or a measured cell quality value.

[0133] Embodiment 22. The method of any of Embodiments 20 to 34, wherein the receiving of the cell reselection measurement results comprises further receiving an indication whether the measurements are cell reselection measurements and / or early measurement reporting, EMR, measurements.

[0134] Embodiment 23. The method of any of Embodiments 19 to 22, wherein the configuration message comprises an indication whether the UE shall or is allowed to report cell reselection measurement results for early measurement reporting, EMR.

[0135] Embodiment 24. The method of any of Embodiments 19 to 22, wherein the configuration message comprises an indication that the UE is not allowed to report cell reselection measurement results for early measurement reporting, EMR.

[0136] Embodiment 25. The method of any of Embodiments 19 to 23, wherein the configuration message comprises an indication that the UE shall report both cell reselection measurement results and early measurement reporting, EMR, measurement results.

[0137] Embodiment 26. The method of any of Embodiments 19 to 25, wherein the configuration message comprises an indication of what type of cell reselection measurements the UE is to report as part of the cell reselection measurement results.

[0138] Embodiment 27. The method of any of Embodiments 19 to 26, wherein the indication of availability of cell reselection measurement results received from the UE, indicates what type of cell reselection measurement results are available in the UE.

[0139] Embodiment 28. The method of any of Embodiments 19 to 27, wherein the configuration message comprises an indication that the UE is to report at least one measurement result for: reference signal received power, RSRP; reference signal received quality, RSRQ; signal-to-noise and interference ratio, SINR; and beam level measurements.

[0140] Embodiment 29. The method of Embodiments 19 to 28, wherein the configuration message comprises an indication of configuration of cell reselection measurements specific for at least one of: each identified cell, each identified frequency, each identified frequency band, each identified frequency band combination, and each identified frequency range which the UE is to measure.

[0141] Embodiment 30. The method of any of Embodiments 19 to 29, wherein the indicated configuration of cell reselection measurements comprises a validity timer.

[0142] Embodiment 31. The method of any of Embodiment 30, wherein the configuration message indicates a specific validity timer for at least one of: each identified frequency, each identified frequency band, each identified frequency range which the UE is to measure.

[0143] Embodiment 32. The method of any of Embodiments 19 to 31, wherein the configuration message is sent through Radio Resource Control, RRC, signaling or through broadcast signaling.

[0144] Embodiment 33. The method of any of Embodiment 32, wherein the configuration message is sent through RRC signaling in an RRCRelease message or through broadcast signaling in SIB 11.

[0145] Embodiment 34. The method of any of Embodiments 19 to 33, wherein the indication of availability of cell reselection measurement results is received through an extended indication for early measurement reporting, EMR, or a new indication.

[0146] Embodiment 35. The method of any of Embodiments 19 to 34, wherein the indication of availability of cell reselection measurement results is received through idleMeasAvailable signaling.

[0147] Embodiment 36. The method of any of Embodiments 19 to 35, further comprising: obtaining user data; and forwarding the user data to a host or a user equipment.

[0148] FIG. 5 shows an example of a communication system 500 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0149] In the example, the communication system 500 includes a telecommunication network 502 that includes an access network 504, such as a radio access network (RAN), and a core network 506, which includes one or more core network nodes 508. The access network 504 includes one or more access network nodes, such as network nodes 510a and 510b (one or more of which may be generally referred to as network nodes 510), or any other similar 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) access nodes or non-3GPP access points. Moreover, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, a network node is not necessarily limited to an implementation in which a radio portion and a baseband portion are supplied and integrated by a single vendor. Thus, it will be understood that network nodes include disaggregated implementations or portions thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the telecommunication network 502 includes one or more Open-RAN (ORAN) network nodes. An ORAN network node is a node in the telecommunication network 502 that supports an ORAN specification (e.g., a specification published by the O-RAN Alliance, or any similar organization) and may operate alone or together with other nodes to implement one or more functionalities of any node in the telecommunication network 502, including one or more network nodes 510 and / or core network nodes 508.

[0150] Examples of an ORAN network node include an open radio unit (O-RU), an open distributed unit (O-DU), an open central unit (O-CU), including an O-CU control plane (O-CU- CP) or an O-CU user plane (O-CU-UP), a RAN intelligent controller (near-real time or non-real time) hosting software or software plug-ins, such as a near-real time control application (e.g., xApp) or a non-real time control application (e.g., rApp), or any combination thereof (the adjective “open” designating support of an ORAN specification). The network node may support a specification by, for example, supporting an interface defined by the ORAN specification, such as an Al, Fl, Wl, El, E2, X2, Xn interface, an open fronthaul user planeinterface, or an open fronthaul management plane interface. Moreover, an ORAN access node may be a logical node in a physical node. Furthermore, an ORAN network node may be implemented in a virtualization environment (described further below) in which one or more network functions are virtualized. For example, the virtualization environment may include an O-Cloud computing platform orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an 0-2 interface defined by the O-RAN Alliance or comparable technologies. The network nodes 510 facilitate direct or indirect connection of user equipment (UE), such as by connecting UEs 512a, 512b, 512c, and 512d (one or more of which may be generally referred to as UEs 512) to the core network 506 over one or more wireless connections.

[0151] Example wireless communications over a wireless connection include transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and / or other types of signals suitable for conveying information without the use of wires, cables, or other material conductors. Moreover, in different embodiments, the communication system 500 may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, UEs, and / or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and / or signals whether via wired or wireless connections. The communication system 500 may include and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, radio network, and / or other similar type of system.

[0152] The UEs 512 may be any of a wide variety of communication devices, including wireless devices arranged, configured, and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with the network nodes 510 and other communication devices. Similarly, the network nodes 510 are arranged, capable, configured, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with the UEs 512 and / or with other network nodes or equipment in the telecommunication network 502 to enable and / or provide network access, such as wireless network access, and / or to perform other functions, such as administration in the telecommunication network 502.

[0153] In the depicted example, the core network 506 connects the network nodes 510 to one or more hosts, such as host 516. These connections may be direct or indirect via one or more intermediary networks or devices. In other examples, network nodes may be directly coupled to hosts. The core network 506 includes one more core network nodes (e.g., core network node 508) that are structured with hardware and software components. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the UEs, network nodes, and / or hosts, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of the core network node 508. Example core network nodes include functions of one or more of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), SessionManagement Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Subscription Identifier De-concealing function (SIDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and / or a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0154] The host 516 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider other than an operator or provider of the access network 504 and / or the telecommunication network 502, and may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The host 516 may host a variety of applications to provide one or more service. Examples of such applications include live and pre-recorded audio / video content, data collection services such as retrieving and compiling data on various ambient conditions detected by a plurality of UEs, analytics functionality, social media, functions for controlling or otherwise interacting with remote devices, functions for an alarm and surveillance center, or any other such function performed by a server.

[0155] As a whole, the communication system 500 of FIG. 5 enables connectivity between the UEs, network nodes, and hosts. In that sense, the communication system may be configured to operate according to predefined rules or procedures, such as specific standards that include, but are not limited to: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G standards, or any applicable future generation standard (e.g., 6G); wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards (WiFi); and / or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Near Field Communication (NFC) ZigBee, LiFi, and / or any low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) standards such as LoRa and Sigfox.

[0156] In some examples, the telecommunication network 502 is a cellular network that implements 3GPP standardized features. Accordingly, the telecommunications network 502 may support network slicing to provide different logical networks to different devices that are connected to the telecommunication network 502. For example, the telecommunications network 502 may provide Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) services to some UEs, while providing Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services to other UEs, and / or Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) / Massive loT services to yet further UEs.

[0157] In some examples, the UEs 512 are configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a UE may be designed to transmit information to the access network 504 on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the access network 504. Additionally, a UE may be configured for operating in single- or multi-RAT or multi- standard mode. Forexample, a UE may operate with any one or combination of Wi-Fi, NR (New Radio) and LTE, i.e. being configured for multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC), such as E-UTRAN (Evolved- UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) New Radio - Dual Connectivity (EN-DC).

[0158] In the example, the hub 514 communicates with the access network 504 to facilitate indirect communication between one or more UEs (e.g., UE 512c and / or 512d) and network nodes (e.g., network node 510b). In some examples, the hub 514 may be a controller, router, content source and analytics, or any of the other communication devices described herein regarding UEs. For example, the hub 514 may be a broadband router enabling access to the core network 506 for the UEs. As another example, the hub 514 may be a controller that sends commands or instructions to one or more actuators in the UEs. Commands or instructions may be received from the UEs, network nodes 510, or by executable code, script, process, or other instructions in the hub 514. As another example, the hub 514 may be a data collector that acts as temporary storage for UE data and, in some embodiments, may perform analysis or other processing of the data. As another example, the hub 514 may be a content source. For example, for a UE that is a VR headset, display, loudspeaker or other media delivery device, the hub 514 may retrieve VR assets, video, audio, or other media or data related to sensory information via a network node, which the hub 514 then provides to the UE either directly, after performing local processing, and / or after adding additional local content. In still another example, the hub 514 acts as a proxy server or orchestrator for the UEs, in particular if one or more of the UEs are low energy loT devices.

[0159] The hub 514 may have a constant / persistent or intermittent connection to the network node 510b. The hub 514 may also allow for a different communication scheme and / or schedule between the hub 514 and UEs (e.g., UE 512c and / or 512d), and between the hub 514 and the core network 506. In other examples, the hub 514 is connected to the core network 506 and / or one or more UEs via a wired connection. Moreover, the hub 514 may be configured to connect to an M2M service provider over the access network 504 and / or to another UE over a direct connection. In some scenarios, UEs may establish a wireless connection with the network nodes 510 while still connected via the hub 514 via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, the hub 514 may be a dedicated hub - that is, a hub whose primary function is to route communications to / from the UEs from / to the network node 510b. In other embodiments, the hub 514 may be a non-dedicated hub - that is, a device which is capable of operating to route communications between the UEs and network node 510b, but which is additionally capable of operating as a communication start and / or end point for certain data channels.

[0160] FIG. 6 shows a UE 600 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, aUE refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate wirelesslywith network nodes and / or other UEs. Examples of a UE include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, mobile phone, cell phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phone, wireless local loop phone, desktop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless cameras, gaming console or device, music storage device, playback appliance, wearable terminal device, wireless endpoint, mobile station, tablet, laptop, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), smart device, wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE), vehicle, vehicle-mounted or vehicle embedded / integrated wireless device, etc. Other examples include any UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE.

[0161] A UE may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), or vehicle- to-everything (V2X). In other examples, a UE may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the relevant device. Instead, a UE may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, a UE may represent a device that is not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter).

[0162] The UE 600 includes processing circuitry 602 that is operatively coupled via a bus 604 to an input / output interface 606, a power source 608, a memory 610, a communication interface 612, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. Certain UEs may utilize all or a subset of the components shown in FIG. 6. The level of integration between the components may vary from one UE to another UE. Further, certain UEs may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0163] The processing circuitry 602 is configured to process instructions and data and may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operative to execute instructions stored as machine-readable computer programs in the memory 610. The processing circuitry 602 may be implemented as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored computer programs, general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuitry 602 may include multiple central processing units (CPUs).

[0164] In the example, the input / output interface 606 may be configured to provide an interface or interfaces to an input device, output device, or one or more input and / or output devices. Examples of an output device include a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. An input device may allow a user to capture information into the UE 600. Examples of an input device include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, a biometric sensor, etc., or any combination thereof. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port may be used to provide an input device and an output device.

[0165] In some embodiments, the power source 608 is structured as a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic device, or power cell, may be used. The power source 608 may further include power circuitry for delivering power from the power source 608 itself, and / or an external power source, to the various parts of the UE 600 via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Delivering power may be, for example, for charging of the power source 608. Power circuitry may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to the power from the power source 608 to make the power suitable for the respective components of the UE 600 to which power is supplied.

[0166] The memory 610 may be or be configured to include memory such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable readonly memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash drives, and so forth. In one example, the memory 610 includes one or more application programs 614, such as an operating system, web browser application, a widget, gadget engine, or other application, and corresponding data 616. The memory 610 may store, for use by the UE 600, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

[0167] The memory 610 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, holographic digital datastorage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini-dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as tamper resistant module in the form of a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) including one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), such as a USIM and / or ISIM, other memory, or any combination thereof. The UICC may for example be an embedded UICC (eUICC), integrated UICC (iUICC) or a removable UICC commonly known as ‘SIM card.’ The memory 610 may allow the UE 600 to access instructions, application programs and the like, stored on transitory or non-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied as or in the memory 610, which may be or comprise a device -readable storage medium.

[0168] The processing circuitry 602 may be configured to communicate with an access network or other network using the communication interface 612. The communication interface 612 may comprise one or more communication subsystems and may include or be communicatively coupled to an antenna 622. The communication interface 612 may include one or more transceivers used to communicate, such as by communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication (e.g., another UE or a network node in an access network). Each transceiver may include a transmitter 618 and / or a receiver 618 appropriate to provide network communications (e.g., optical, electrical, frequency allocations, and so forth). Moreover, the transmitter 618 and receiver 618 may be coupled to one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 622) and may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively be implemented separately.

[0169] In the illustrated embodiment, communication functions of the communication interface 612 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, LPWAN communication, data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short- range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. Communications may be implemented in according to one or more communication protocols and / or standards, such as IEEE 802.11, Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), GSM, LTE, New Radio (NR), UMTS, WiMax, Ethernet, transmission control protocol / internet protocol (TCP / IP), synchronous optical networking (SONET), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), QUIC, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and so forth.

[0170] Regardless of the type of sensor, a UE may provide an output of data captured by its sensors, through its communication interface 612, via a wireless connection to a network node.Data captured by sensors of a UE can be communicated through a wireless connection to a network node via another UE. The output may be periodic (e.g., once every 15 minutes if it reports the sensed temperature), random (e.g., to even out the load from reporting from several sensors), in response to a triggering event (e.g., when moisture is detected an alert is sent), in response to a request (e.g., a user initiated request), or a continuous stream (e.g., a live video feed of a patient).

[0171] As another example, a UE comprises an actuator, a motor, or a switch, related to a communication interface configured to receive wireless input from a network node via a wireless connection. In response to the received wireless input the states of the actuator, the motor, or the switch may change. For example, the UE may comprise a motor that adjusts the control surfaces or rotors of a drone in flight according to the received input or to a robotic arm performing a medical procedure according to the received input.

[0172] A UE, when in the form of an Internet of Things (loT) device, may be a device for use in one or more application domains, these domains comprising, but not limited to, city wearable technology, extended industrial application and healthcare. Non-limiting examples of such an loT device are a device which is or which is embedded in: a connected refrigerator or freezer, a TV, a connected lighting device, an electricity meter, a robot vacuum cleaner, a voice controlled smart speaker, a home security camera, a motion detector, a thermostat, a smoke detector, a door / window sensor, a flood / moisture sensor, an electrical door lock, a connected doorbell, an air conditioning system like a heat pump, an autonomous vehicle, a surveillance system, a weather monitoring device, a vehicle parking monitoring device, an electric vehicle charging station, a smart watch, a fitness tracker, a head-mounted display for Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR), a wearable for tactile augmentation or sensory enhancement, a water sprinkler, an animal- or item-tracking device, a sensor for monitoring a plant or animal, an industrial robot, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and any kind of medical device, like a heart rate monitor or a remote controlled surgical robot. A UE in the form of an loT device comprises circuitry and / or software in dependence of the intended application of the loT device in addition to other components as described in relation to the UE 600 shown in FIG. 6.

[0173] As yet another specific example, in an loT scenario, a UE may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurements, and transmits the results of such monitoring and / or measurements to another UE and / or a network node. The UE may in this case be an M2M device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, the UE may implement the 3GPP NB-IoT standard. In other scenarios, a UE may represent a vehicle, such as a car, a bus, a truck, a ship and an airplane, or other equipmentthat is capable of monitoring and / or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation.

[0174] In practice, any number of UEs may be used together with respect to a single use case. For example, a first UE might be or be integrated in a drone and provide the drone’s speed information (obtained through a speed sensor) to a second UE that is a remote controller operating the drone. When the user makes changes from the remote controller, the first UE may adjust the throttle on the drone (e.g. by controlling an actuator) to increase or decrease the drone’s speed. The first and / or the second UE can also include more than one of the functionalities described above. For example, a UE might comprise the sensor and the actuator, and handle communication of data for both the speed sensor and the actuators.

[0175] FIG. 7 shows a network node 700 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a UE and / or with other network nodes or equipment, in a telecommunication network. Examples of 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 NR NodeBs (gNBs)), O-RAN nodes or components of an O-RAN node (e.g., O-RU, O-DU, O-CU).

[0176] Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and so, depending on the provided amount of coverage, may be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units, distributed units (e.g., in an O-RAN access node) and / or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS).

[0177] Other examples of network nodes include multiple transmission point (multi-TRP) 5G access nodes, multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell / multicast coordination entities (MCEs), Operation and Maintenance (O&M) nodes, Operations Support System (OSS) nodes, Self-Organizing Network (SON) nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centers (E-SMLCs)), and / or Minimization of Drive Tests (MDTs).

[0178] The network node 700 includes a processing circuitry 702, a memory 704, a communication interface 706, and a power source 708. The network node 700 may be composed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., a NodeB component and a RNC component, or a BTS component and a BSC component, etc.), which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios in which the network node 700 comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, the network node 700 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate memory 704 for different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., a same antenna 710 may be shared by different RATs). The network node 700 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node 700, for example GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, Zigbee, Z-wave, LoRaWAN, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node 700.

[0179] The processing circuitry 702 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and / or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node 700 components, such as the memory 704, to provide network node 700 functionality.

[0180] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 702 includes a system on a chip (SOC). In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 702 includes one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 712 and baseband processing circuitry 714. In some embodiments, the radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 712 and the baseband processing circuitry 714 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 712 and baseband processing circuitry 714 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units.

[0181] The memory 704 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer- readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and / or any othervolatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by the processing circuitry 702. The memory 704 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, and / or other instructions capable of being executed by the processing circuitry 702 and utilized by the network node 700. The memory 704 may be used to store any calculations made by the processing circuitry 702 and / or any data received via the communication interface 706. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 702 and memory 704 is integrated.

[0182] The communication interface 706 is used in wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data between a network node, access network, and / or UE. As illustrated, the communication interface 706 comprises port(s) / terminal(s) 716 to send and receive data, for example to and from a network over a wired connection. The communication interface 706 also includes radio front-end circuitry 718 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, the antenna 710. Radio front-end circuitry 718 comprises filters 720 and amplifiers 722. The radio front-end circuitry 718 may be connected to an antenna 710 and processing circuitry 702. The radio front-end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 710 and processing circuitry 702. The radio front-end circuitry 718 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or UEs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuitry 718 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 720 and / or amplifiers 722. The radio signal may then be transmitted via the antenna 710. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna 710 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by the radio front-end circuitry 718. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuitry 702. In other embodiments, the communication interface may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0183] In certain alternative embodiments, the network node 700 does not include separate radio front-end circuitry 718, instead, the processing circuitry 702 includes radio front-end circuitry and is connected to the antenna 710. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of the RF transceiver circuitry 712 is part of the communication interface 706. In still other embodiments, the communication interface 706 includes one or more ports or terminals 716, the radio front-end circuitry 718, and the RF transceiver circuitry 712, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and the communication interface 706 communicates with the baseband processing circuitry 714, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0184] The antenna 710 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. The antenna 710 may be coupled to the radio front-endcircuitry 718 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and / or signals wirelessly. In certain embodiments, the antenna 710 is separate from the network node 700 and connectable to the network node 700 through an interface or port.

[0185] The antenna 710, communication interface 706, and / or the processing circuitry 702 may be configured to perform any receiving operations and / or certain obtaining operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and / or signals may be received from a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment. Similarly, the antenna 710, the communication interface 706, and / or the processing circuitry 702 may be configured to perform any transmitting operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and / or signals may be transmitted to a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment.

[0186] The power source 708 provides power to the various components of network node 700 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). The power source 708 may further comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry to supply the components of the network node 700 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the network node 700 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., the power grid, an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry of the power source 708. As a further example, the power source 708 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail.

[0187] Embodiments of the network node 700 may include additional components beyond those shown in FIG. 7 for providing certain aspects of the network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, the network node 700 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into the network node 700 and to allow output of information from the network node 700. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for the network node 700.

[0188] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a host 800, which may be an embodiment of the host 516 of FIG. 5, in accordance with various aspects described herein. As used herein, the host 800 may be or comprise various combinations hardware and / or software, including a standalone server, a blade server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, a virtual machine, container, or processing resources in a server farm. The host 800 may provide one or more services to one or more UEs.

[0189] The host 800 includes processing circuitry 802 that is operatively coupled via a bus 804 to an input / output interface 806, a network interface 808, a power source 810, and a memory 812. Other components may be included in other embodiments. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the devices of previous figures, such as Figures 6 and 7, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of host 800.

[0190] The memory 812 may include one or more computer programs including one or more host application programs 814 and data 816, which may include user data, e.g., data generated by a UE for the host 800 or data generated by the host 800 for a UE. Embodiments of the host 800 may utilize only a subset or all of the components shown. The host application programs 814 may be implemented in a container-based architecture and may provide support for video codecs (e.g., Versatile Video Coding (VVC), High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), Advanced Video Coding (AVC), MPEG, VP9) and audio codecs (e.g., FLAC, Advanced Audio Coding (AAC), MPEG, G.711), including transcoding for multiple different classes, types, or implementations of UEs (e.g., handsets, desktop computers, wearable display systems, heads-up display systems). The host application programs 814 may also provide for user authentication and licensing checks and may periodically report health, routes, and content availability to a central node, such as a device in or on the edge of a core network. Accordingly, the host 800 may select and / or indicate a different host for over-the-top services for a UE. The host application programs 814 may support various protocols, such as the HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) protocol, Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP), Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP), Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (MPEG-DASH), etc.

[0191] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 900 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualizing means creating virtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may include virtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to any device described herein, or components thereof, and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components. Some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines (VMs) implemented in one or more virtual environments 900 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes, such as a hardware computing device that operates as a network node, UE, core network node, or host. Further, in embodiments in which the virtual node does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node or host), then the node may be entirely virtualized. In some embodiments, the virtualization environment 900 includes components defined by the O-RAN Alliance, such as anO-Cloud environment orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an 0-2 interface.

[0192] Applications 902 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) are run in the virtualization environment Q400 to implement some of the features, functions, and / or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0193] Hardware 904 includes processing circuitry, memory that stores software and / or instructions executable by hardware processing circuitry, and / or other hardware devices as described herein, such as a network interface, input / output interface, and so forth. Software may be executed by the processing circuitry to instantiate one or more virtualization layers 906 (also referred to as hypervisors or virtual machine monitors (VMMs)), provide VMs 908a and 908b (one or more of which may be generally referred to as VMs 908), and / or perform any of the functions, features and / or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein. The virtualization layer 906 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to the VMs 908.

[0194] The VMs 908 comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by a corresponding virtualization layer 906. Different embodiments of the instance of a virtual appliance 902 may be implemented on one or more of VMs 908, and the implementations may be made in different ways. Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers, and customer premise equipment.

[0195] In the context of NFV, a VM 908 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, non- virtualized machine. Each of the VMs 908, and that part of hardware 904 that executes that VM, be it hardware dedicated to that VM and / or hardware shared by that VM with others of the VMs, forms separate virtual network elements. Still in the context of NFV, a virtual network function is responsible for handling specific network functions that run in one or more VMs 908 on top of the hardware 904 and corresponds to the application 902.

[0196] Hardware 904 may be implemented in a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware 904 may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware 904 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g. such as in a data center or CPE) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration 910, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications 902.In some embodiments, hardware 904 is coupled to one or more radio units that each include one or more transmitters and one or more receivers that may be coupled to one or more antennas. Radio units may communicate directly with other hardware nodes via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station. In some embodiments, some signaling can be provided with the use of a control system 912 which may alternatively be used for communication between hardware nodes and radio units.

[0197] FIG. 10 shows a communication diagram of a host 1002 communicating via a network node 1004 with a UE 1006 over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments. Example implementations, in accordance with various embodiments, of the UE (such as a UE 512a of FIG. 5 and / or UE 600 of FIG. 6), network node (such as network node 510a of FIG. 5 and / or network node 700 of FIG. 7), and host (such as host 516 of FIG. 5 and / or host 800 of FIG. 8) discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0198] Like host 800, embodiments of host 1002 include hardware, such as a communication interface, processing circuitry, and memory. The host 1002 also includes software, which is stored in or accessible by the host 1002 and executable by the processing circuitry. The software includes a host application that may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as the UE 1006 connecting via an over-the-top (OTT) connection 1050 extending between the UE 1006 and host 1002. In providing the service to the remote user, a host application may provide user data which is transmitted using the OTT connection 1050.

[0199] The network node 1004 includes hardware enabling it to communicate with the host 1002 and UE 1006. The connection 1060 may be direct or pass through a core network (like core network 506 of FIG. 5) and / or one or more other intermediate networks, such as one or more public, private, or hosted networks. For example, an intermediate network may be a backbone network or the Internet.

[0200] The UE 1006 includes hardware and software, which is stored in or accessible by UE 1006 and executable by the UE’s processing circuitry. The software includes a client application, such as a web browser or operator-specific “app” that may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via UE 1006 with the support of the host 1002. In the host 1002, an executing host application may communicate with the executing client application via the OTT connection 1050 terminating at the UE 1006 and host 1002. In providing the service to the user, the UE’s client application may receive request data from the host's host application and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 1050 may transferboth the request data and the user data. The UE's client application may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides to the host application through the OTT connection 1050.

[0201] The OTT connection 1050 may extend via a connection 1060 between the host 1002 and the network node 1004 and via a wireless connection 1070 between the network node 1004 and the UE 1006 to provide the connection between the host 1002 and the UE 1006. The connection 1060 and wireless connection 1070, over which the OTT connection 1050 may be provided, have been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between the host 1002 and the UE 1006 via the network node 1004, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices.

[0202] As an example of transmitting data via the OTT connection 1050, in step 1008, the host 1002 provides user data, which may be performed by executing a host application. In some embodiments, the user data is associated with a particular human user interacting with the UE 1006. In other embodiments, the user data is associated with a UE 1006 that shares data with the host 1002 without explicit human interaction. In step 1010, the host 1002 initiates a transmission carrying the user data towards the UE 1006. The host 1002 may initiate the transmission responsive to a request transmitted by the UE 1006. The request may be caused by human interaction with the UE 1006 or by operation of the client application executing on the UE 1006. The transmission may pass via the network node 1004, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. Accordingly, in step 1012, the network node 1004 transmits to the UE 1006 the user data that was carried in the transmission that the host 1002 initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 1014, the UE 1006 receives the user data carried in the transmission, which may be performed by a client application executed on the UE 1006 associated with the host application executed by the host 1002.

[0203] In some examples, the UE 1006 executes a client application which provides user data to the host 1002. The user data may be provided in reaction or response to the data received from the host 1002. Accordingly, in step 1016, the UE 1006 may provide user data, which may be performed by executing the client application. In providing the user data, the client application may further consider user input received from the user via an input / output interface of the UE 1006. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE 1006 initiates, in step 1018, transmission of the user data towards the host 1002 via the network node 1004. In step 1020, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the network node 1004 receives user data from the UE 1006 and initiates transmission of the received user data towards the host 1002. In step 1022, the host 1002 receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the UE 1006.

[0204] One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to the UE 1006 using the OTT connection 1050, in which the wireless connection 1070 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the data rate, throughput, power consumption, and better end-user performance of both a UE and network node and thereby provide benefits such as allowing additional information to be sent by the UE to the network in case IDLE / INACTIVE measurement results are reported by the UE. There embodiments also allow the network node to receive most relevant information to determine which cell is most suitable for setting up a dual connectivity or carrier aggregation configuration. Therefore, OTT services receive reduced user waiting time, better responsiveness, and extended battery life.

[0205] In an example scenario, factory status information may be collected and analyzed by the host 1002. As another example, the host 1002 may process audio and video data which may have been retrieved from a UE for use in creating maps. As another example, the host 1002 may collect and analyze real-time data to assist in controlling vehicle congestion (e.g., controlling traffic lights). As another example, the host 1002 may store surveillance video uploaded by a UE. As another example, the host 1002 may store or control access to media content such as video, audio, VR or AR which it can broadcast, multicast or unicast to UEs. As other examples, the host 1002 may be used for energy pricing, remote control of non-time critical electrical load to balance power generation needs, location services, presentation services (such as compiling diagrams etc. from data collected from remote devices), or any other function of collecting, retrieving, storing, analyzing and / or transmitting data.

[0206] In some examples, a measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 1050 between the host 1002 and UE 1006, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and / or the network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection may be implemented in software and hardware of the host 1002 and / or UE 1006. In some embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with other devices through which the OTT connection 1050 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of the OTT connection 1050 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not directly alter the operation of the network node 1004. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UEsignaling that facilitates measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like, by the host 1002. The measurements may be implemented in that software causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using the OTT connection 1050 while monitoring propagation times, errors, etc.

[0207] Although the computing devices described herein (e.g., UEs, network nodes, hosts) may include the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise computing devices with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that these computing devices may comprise any suitable combination of hardware and / or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Determining, calculating, obtaining or similar operations described herein may be performed by processing circuitry, which may process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination. Moreover, while components are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, computing devices may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component, and functionality may be partitioned between separate components. For example, a communication interface may be configured to include any of the components described herein, and / or the functionality of the components may be partitioned between the processing circuitry and the communication interface. In another example, non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0208] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be provided by processing circuitry executing instructions stored on in memory, which in certain embodiments may be a computer program product in the form of a non-transitory computer- readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a non-transitory computer- readable storage medium or not, the processing circuitry can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry alone or to other components of the computing device, but are enjoyed by the computing device as a whole, and / or by end users and a wireless network generally.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method of operating a user equipment, UE, the method comprising: receiving (300) a configuration message from a network node indicating measurement configuration information; determining (302) one or more measurements while the UE is in a reduced state according to the measurement configuration information, the one or more measurements including a cell reselection measurement; and responsive to the UE transitioning to a connected state, transmitting (304) an indication of an availability of the one or more measurements to the network node.

2. The method of Claim 1, wherein the reduced state includes at least one of: a RRC_IDLE state; and a RRC_INACTIVE state, and wherein the connected state includes a RRC_CONNECTED state.

3. The method of any of Claims 1-2, further comprising: transmitting (306) an indication of the one or more measurements, the one or more measurements including the cell reselection measurement.

4. The method of Claim 3, wherein transmitting the indication of the one or more measurements comprises transmitting an indication of at least one of: a measured cell receive, RX, level value; and a measured cell quality value.

5. The method of any of Claims 3-4, wherein transmitting the indication of the one or more measurements comprises transmitting an indication of whether the one or more measurements include an early measurement reporting, EMR, measurement.

6. The method of any of Claims 1-5, wherein receiving the configuration message comprises receiving an indication of at least one of: whether the UE is requested to report cell reselection measurements; whether the UE is allowed to report cell reselection measurements;whether the UE is requested to report measurements for EMR measurements; whether the UE is allowed to report EMR measurements; and a type of measurements the UE is to report.

7. The method of Claims 1-7, wherein receiving the configuration message comprises receiving an indication of a carrier frequency that the UE is to measure associated with a cell reselection measurement.

8. The method of any of Claims 1-7, wherein receiving the configuration message comprises receiving an indication that the UE is to report a measurement associated with at least one of: a reference signal received power, RSRP; a reference signal received quality, RSRQ; a signal-to-noise and interference ratio, SINR; and a beam level measurement.

9. The method of Claims 1-8, wherein receiving the configuration message comprises receiving an indication of a configuration of cell reselection measurements specific for at least one of: each identified cell that the UE is to measure; each identified frequency band that the UE is to measure; each identified frequency band combination that the UE is to measure; and each identified frequency range that the UE is to measure.

10. The method of any of Claims 1-9, wherein receiving the configuration message comprises receiving an indication of a validity timer for the cell reselection measurement11. The method of Claim 10, wherein the validity timer is a first validity timer, and wherein receiving the configuration message comprises receiving an indication of a second validity timer for an early measurement reporting, EMR, measurement.

12. The method of any of Claims 1-11, wherein receiving the configuration message comprises receiving the configuration message via at least one of: radio resource control, RRC, signaling; and broadcast signaling.

13. The method of any of Claims 1-12, wherein transmitting (304) the indication of the availability of the one or more measurements comprises transmitting the indication of the availability an indicator that is separate from an indication of an availability of an early measurement reporting, EMR.

14. A method of operating a network node, the method comprising: transmitting (400) a configuration message to a user equipment, UE, while the UE is in a connected state, the configuration message indicating measurement configuration information; and receiving (402) from the UE an indication of an availability of one or more measurements determined by the UE while the UE was in a reduced state, the one or more measurements including a cell reselection measurement.

15. The method of Claim 14, wherein the reduced state comprises at least one of: a RRC_IDLE state; and a RRC_INACTIVE state, and wherein the connected state is a RRC_CONNECTED state.

16. The method of any of Claims 14-15, further comprising: receiving (404) from the UE an indication of the one or more measurements, the one or more measurements including the cell reselection measurement.

17. The method of Claim 16, wherein the one or more measurements comprise at least one of: a measured cell receive, RX, level value; and a measured cell quality value.

18. The method of any of Claims 14-17, wherein receiving the indication of the one or more measurements comprise receiving an indication of whether the one or more measurements include an early measurement reporting, EMR, measurement.

19. The method of any of Claims 14-18, wherein transmitting the configuration message comprises transmitting an indication of at least one of: whether the UE is requested to report cell reselection measurements; whether the UE is allowed to report cell reselection measurements; whether the UE is requested to report early measurement reporting, EMR,measurements; whether the UE is allowed to report EMR measurements; and a type of measurements the UE is to report.

20. The method of Claims 14-19, wherein transmitting the configuration message comprises transmitting an indication of a carrier frequency that the UE is to measure associated with a cell reselection measurement.

21. The method of any of Claims 14-20, wherein the configuration message comprises an indication that the UE is to report at least one measurement result for: a reference signal received power, RSRP; a reference signal received quality, RSRQ; a signal-to-noise and interference ratio, SINR; and a beam level measurements.

22. The method of Claims 14-21, wherein transmitting the configuration message comprises transmitting an indication of a configuration of cell reselection measurements specific for at least one of: each identified cell that the UE is to measure; each identified frequency band that the UE is to measure; each identified frequency band combination that the UE is to measure; and each identified frequency range that the UE is to measure.

23. The method of any of Claims 14-22, wherein transmitting the configuration message comprises transmitting an indication of a validity timer for the cell reselection measurement.

24. The method of Claim 23, wherein the validity timer is a first validity timer, and wherein transmitting the configuration message comprises transmitting an indication of a second validity timer for an early measurement reporting, EMR, measurement.

25. The method of any of Claims 14-24, wherein transmitting the configuration message comprises transmitting the configuration message via at least one of: radio resource control, RRC, signaling; and broadcast signaling.

26. The method of any of Claims 14-25, wherein receiving the indication of the availability of one or more measurements comprises receiving the indication through an indicator that is separate from an indication of an availability of an early measurement reporting, EMR.

27. A user equipment, UE, (600) adapted to perform operations comprising: receiving (300) a configuration message from a network node indicating measurement configuration information; determining (302) one or more measurements while the UE is in a reduced state according to the measurement configuration information, the one or more measurements including a cell reselection measurement; and responsive to the UE transitioning to a connected state, transmitting (304) an indication of an availability of the one or more measurements to the network node.

28. The UE of Claim 27, the operations further comprising any of the operations of Claims 2- 13.

29. A computer program comprising program code to be executed by processing circuitry (602) of a UE (600), whereby execution of the program code causes the UE to perform operations comprising: receiving (300) a configuration message from a network node indicating measurement configuration information; determining (302) one or more measurements while the UE is in a reduced state according to the measurement configuration information, the one or more measurements including a cell reselection measurement; and responsive to the UE transitioning to a connected state, transmitting (304) an indication of an availability of the one or more measurements to the network node.

30. The computer program of Claim 29, the operations further comprising any of the operations of Claims 2-13.

31. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory storage medium (610) including program code to be executed by processing circuitry (602) of a UE (600), whereby execution of the program code causes the UE to perform operations comprising: receiving (300) a configuration message from a network node indicating measurement configuration information;determining (302) one or more measurements while the UE is in a reduced state according to the measurement configuration information, the one or more measurements including a cell reselection measurement; and responsive to the UE transitioning to a connected state, transmitting (304) an indication of an availability of the one or more measurements to the network node.

32. The computer program product of Claim 31, further comprising any of the operations of Claims 2-13.

33. A network node (700) adapted to perform operations comprising: transmitting (400) a configuration message to a user equipment, UE, while the UE is in a connected state, the configuration message indicating measurement configuration information; and receiving (402) from the UE an indication of an availability of one or more measurements determined by the UE while the UE was in a reduced state, the one or more measurements including a cell reselection measurement.

34. The network node of Claim 33, the operations further comprising any of the operations of Claims 15-26.

35. A computer program comprising program code to be executed by processing circuitry (702) of a network node (700), whereby execution of the program code causes the network node to perform operations comprising: transmitting (400) a configuration message to a user equipment, UE, while the UE is in a connected state, the configuration message indicating measurement configuration information; and receiving (402) from the UE an indication of an availability of one or more measurements determined by the UE while the UE was in a reduced state, the one or more measurements including a cell reselection measurement.

36. The computer program of Claim 36, further comprising any of the operations of Claims 15-26.

37. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory storage medium (704) including program code to be executed by processing circuitry (702) of a network node (700), wherebyexecution of the program code causes the network node to perform operations comprising: transmitting (400) a configuration message to a user equipment, UE, while the UE is in a connected state, the configuration message indicating measurement configuration information; and receiving (402) from the UE an indication of an availability of one or more measurements determined by the UE while the UE was in a reduced state, the one or more measurements including a cell reselection measurement.

38. The computer program product of Claim 37, the operations further comprising any of the operations of Claims 15-26.

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