Methods and apparatuses for user equipment requested measurement gap and scheduling restriction relaxation
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/CN2024/085611
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-02
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-09
Smart Images

Figure CN2024085611_09102025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR USER EQUIPMENT REQUESTED MEASUREMENT GAP AND SCHEDULING RESTRICTION RELAXATIONTECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This application relates generally to wireless communication systems, including systems, apparatuses, and methods for user equipment requested measurement gap and scheduling restriction relaxation.BACKGROUND
[0002] Wireless mobile communication technology uses various standards and protocols to transmit data between a network device (e.g., a base station, a radio head, etc. ) and a wireless communication device. Wireless communication system standards and protocols can include, for example, 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) long term evolution (LTE) (e.g., 4G) , 3GPP new radio (NR) (e.g., 5G) , and IEEE 802.11 standard for wireless local area networks (WLAN) (commonly known to industry groups as ) .
[0003] As contemplated by the 3GPP, different wireless communication systems standards and protocols can use various radio access networks (RANs) for communicating between a network device of the RAN (which may also be referred to generally as a RAN node, a network node, or simply a node) and a wireless communication device known as a UE. 3GPP RANs can include, for example, global system for mobile communications (GSM) , enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) RAN (GERAN) , Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) , Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) , and / or Next-Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) .
[0004] Each RAN may use one or more radio access technologies (RATs) to perform communication between the network device and the UE. For example, the GERAN implements GSM and / or EDGE RAT, the UTRAN implements universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) RAT or other 3GPP RAT, the E-UTRAN implements LTE RAT (sometimes simply referred to as LTE) , and NG-RAN implements NR RAT (sometimes referred to herein as 5G RAT, 5G NR RAT, or simply NR) . In certain deployments, the E-UTRAN may also implement NR RAT. In certain deployments, NG-RAN may also implement LTE RAT.
[0005] A network device used by a RAN may correspond to that RAN. One example of an E-UTRAN network device is an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (also commonly denoted as evolved Node B, enhanced Node B, eNodeB, or eNB) . One example of an NG-RAN network device is a next generation Node B (also sometimes referred to as a g Node B or gNB) .
[0006] A RAN provides its communication services with external entities through its connection to a core network (CN) . For example, E-UTRAN may utilize an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) , while NG-RAN may utilize a 5G Core Network (5GC) .BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.
[0008] FIG. 1 shows an example wireless communication system, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows an example signaling diagram, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[0010] FIGs. 3A and 3B show examples of media access control (MAC) control elements, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows an example method of wireless communication, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[0012] FIG. 5 shows another example method of wireless communication, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates an example architecture of a wireless communication system, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates an example system for performing signaling between a wireless device and a network device, according to one or more aspects described herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Various embodiments are described with regard to a processor (e.g., baseband processor) , wireless device (e.g., a user equipment (UE) ) , or a network device. However, reference to a processor, wireless device, or network device is merely provided for illustrative purposes. The example embodiments may be utilized with any electronic component or device that may establish a wireless connection and is configured with the hardware, software, and / or firmware to exchange information and data over the wireless connection. Therefore, the processors, wireless devices, and network devices described herein are used to represent any appropriate electronic components or devices.
[0016] UEs communicating with a network and being served by a serving cell of a network device need to perform various management-related tasks, including performing various measurements, to ensure continuous connectivity as the UE moves relative to the cellular network. The various tasks may include operations performed in connection with radio resource management (RRM) , radio link monitoring (RLM) , beam failure detection (BFD) , and / or candidate beam detection (CBD) .
[0017] RRM-related tasks include measuring neighboring cells that are either intra-frequency or inter-frequency (e.g., cells served by neighboring network devices) as potential target serving cells for handover from a current serving cell. For RRM, a UE may tune various electrical components of the UE away from the bandwidth that the UE is using to communicate with the current serving cell, to the bandwidth (s) used by neighboring cells, in order to measure those neighboring cells. During such time, the UE is typically unable to receive any channel or signal from the current serving cell. Upon completion of the measurements, the UE retunes to the bandwidth of the current serving cell.
[0018] RLM-related tasks include measuring reference signals transmitted by a serving cell. Examples of such reference signals include synchronization signal blocks (SSB) , channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) , or a combination of these. The measurement results can be used to determine information regarding the quality and reliability of radio links between a UE and a network device. The measurements can be inputs to modify or otherwise adjust a modulation and coding scheme or data rate, and aid in handover. The measurements can also be used in connection with BFD and CBD processes.
[0019] With particular reference to measurements for RRM, in order to provide the UE time to tune, measure, then retune, the UE is configured by the network with measurement gaps where the UE does not expect or perform communications with the current serving cell. In some examples, the UE is not required to conduct reception or transmission except the reception of signals used for RRM measurements, positioning reference signal (PRS) measurements, and the signals used for a random access procedure The configured measurement gap resources depend on, among other things, the capabilities of the UE and bandwidth part (BWP) used for communication, and may be periodic. A measurement gap is configured for a UE by the network (e.g., in radio resource control (RRC) signaling, such as GapConfig) , and provides a gap offset, duration, and repetition period. The measurement gap can be configured per UE or per frequency range (FR) .
[0020] With reference to measurements for RLM, BFD, and CBD, the UE that is performing the measurements may have one or more scheduling restrictions applicable to when the UE is performing (or scheduled to be performing) the measurements. These scheduling restrictions typically mean that the UE does not transmit using a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) , using a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) , or a sounding reference signal (SRS) , nor receive using a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) , using a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) , or a CSI-RS. These scheduling restrictions may be applicable under certain conditions.
[0021] For example, for Frequency Range 1 (FR1) , when the same subcarrier spacing (SCS) is applicable to PDSCH and PDCCH, there may be no scheduling restriction. However, for FR1 where a different SCS is applicable to PDSCH than to PDCCH, there may be no scheduling restriction but only if the UE supports the ability to receive data using different numerologies (e.g., supports simultaneous RxDataSSB-Diff Numerology) . However, in other cases of different SCSs, the UE may not transmit PUCCH, PUSCH, or SRS, or receive PDCCH, PDSCH or CSI-RS for tracking or CSI-RS for channel quality indicator (CQI) on SSB symbols to be measured.
[0022] In another example, for Frequency Range 2 (FR2) , when a measurement reference signal is type-D quasi co-located (QCLed) with an active transmission configuration indication (TCI) state for PDCCH and PDSCH, there may be no scheduling restriction. Otherwise, the UE may not transmit PUCCH, PUSCH, or SRS, or receive PDCCH, PDSCH or CSI-RS for tracking or CSI-RS for CQI on the symbols for measurement.
[0023] As used herein, a measurement duration may refer to a measurement gap or other resource configured for measurements, for example for any of RRM, RLM, CBD, or BFD.
[0024] Increasingly, certain use cases may require highly regular transmissions or receptions by a UE. For example, for extended reality (XR) applications (e.g., virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) applications) , a UE that is an extended reality device may receive data transmissions at a rate of 60 Hertz and update a display of the extended reality device also at 60 Hertz. As such, the UE may need to communicate with the network device about every 17 milliseconds. However, if the network has configured the UE with measurement gaps that are periodic, then there may be a sufficient quantity of the data transmissions for the extended reality device that will fall within the measurement durations. According to current approaches to measurement gaps and scheduling restrictions, communications (e.g., packets) that fall within a measurement duration may be delayed or dropped. The dropped transmissions may be uplink (UL) or downlink (DL) data, control, or reference signal transmissions. Improved techniques are desired to handle use cases that benefit from regular transmission intervals and / or are delay-sensitive (e.g., XR devices) .
[0025] Techniques are described to allow increased communication during measurement durations, including relaxing measurement gaps and scheduling restrictions. A UE, or a processor thereof, may be configured with a set of measurement durations. These measurement durations may be for the measurement of a current serving cell of the UE, other serving cells of a serving network device, or cells of neighboring network devices (neighboring cells) , for example in connection with RRM, RLM, CBD, or CFD procedures or operations. The UE may then transmit an indication of a configuration for the set of measurement durations that is preferred by the UE. The UE may provide a preferred configuration when the UE may have better information about a current status of the UE than the network. For example, the UE may have better mobility information (e.g., speed, direction, acceleration, route) about the UE than the network device. The indication of the preferred configuration for the measurement durations may include a modification and / or relaxation of a measurement gap configuration, a scheduling restriction, or both. In response to the indication of the preferred configuration, the UE may receive a control message that includes an indication permitting the UE to communicate during at least one measurement duration of the set of measurement durations.
[0026] FIG. 1 shows an example wireless communications system 100, according to one or more aspects described herein. In one or more embodiments, wireless communications system 100 supports one or more aspects of methods and apparatuses for user equipment requested measurement gap and scheduling restriction relaxation, as further described herein.
[0027] Wireless communications system 100 includes one or more UE 102 that may be served by (e.g., has an established radio resource control (RRC) connection with) a network device 104 via communication link 120. Coverage area 110 is the service area for the RF spectrum band utilized by network device 104 serving the UE 102 (e.g., a cell or serving cell, which may include multiple cells) . Although shown as a mobile device or smartphone, UE 102 can comprise any mobile or non-mobile computing device configured for wireless communication, such as an XR device (e.g., VR or AR device) . In some cases, UE 102 may be a system of components operating together as a UE 102.
[0028] As the UE 102 moves relative to coverage areas of the network, the UE 102 may measure references signals transmitted by network devices (e.g., for purposes of RRM) . For example, neighboring network devices may transmit reference signals that can be monitored for (e.g., listened for) , received by, and measured by UE 102. In one or more embodiments, the reference signals are SSBs or CSI-RS. Wireless communications system 100 includes, for UE 102, one or more neighboring network devices 108 having corresponding neighbor cells having a coverage area 112. The neighboring network devices 108 transmit reference signals 130 (e.g., SSBs or CSI-RSs) in support of RRM (e.g., among other purposes and uses) . The UE 102 may listen for and measure these reference signals 130 according to a measurement configuration 122 received from the network device 104.
[0029] In addition, UE 102 may perform RLM, BFD, and CBD functions that are based in part on reference signals 132 transmitted by the network device 104. The UE 102 may listen for and measure these reference signals 132 according to a measurement configuration 122 received from the network device 104.
[0030] In order to support RRM, RLM, BFD, or CBD measurements or for other measurement purposes, the network device 104 provides the UE 102 with measurement configuration signaling 122. The measurement configuration signaling 122 may include one or more messages or sets of signaling that indicates a set of measurement durations 142 for the UE 102 to use for measurements. Some of the measurement durations 142 include measurement gaps 160 for the UE 102 to use to measure (e.g., for RRM) . The measurement configuration signaling may specify a duration 152, periodicity 154, and offset 156 (e.g., relative to a subframe number 0 (SFN0) ) that define the measurement gaps 160. Some of the measurement durations may be time durations 150 (e.g., symbols, slots, subframes, and so on) during which the UE 102 is configured to measure one or more measurement objects during that time duration 150 (e.g., for RLM, CBD, or BFD) . Under certain conditions, during these time durations 150, the UE may be subject to a scheduling restriction, as further described herein. In some cases, one of the time durations 150 (e.g., during at least a portion of a time duration 146) , one of the measurement gaps 160 (e.g., during at least a portion of a time duration 148) , or both (e.g., during at least a portion of a time duration 140) may collide (conflict, overlap) with a message of the messages 144. In one or more examples described herein the messages 144 may be latency sensitive traffic, such as XR traffic (e.g., upload or download traffic) that may require or benefit from a regular communication (transmission and / or reception) period 158. Relaxing (e.g., adapting, modifying, editing, ignoring) requirements for performing measurements during the measurement gaps 160, time durations 150 (which may be subject to scheduling restrictions) , or both, may thus benefit a UE 102 communicating such latency sensitive traffic. Such relaxing provides increased transmission and reception opportunities for the UE 102, which can reduce latency, increase throughput, or both.
[0031] A UE 102 transmits (e.g., to a network device 104 serving the UE 102) an indication 124 of a configuration for the set of measurement durations that is preferred by the UE 102. In one or more embodiments, the indication 124 may be included in or otherwise conveyed via RRC signaling, a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) , an uplink control information (UCI) message, a physical random access control channel (PRACH) message, or a scheduling request (SR) , as further described herein. In some embodiments, the preferred measurement configuration is a measurement gap configuration, or a portion thereof. In other embodiments, the preferred measurement configuration is of a measurement object configuration, or a portion thereof, such as a specific measurement object parameter.
[0032] In response to the indication 124 of the preferred measurement configuration, the network device 104 provides to the UE 102 an indication permitting communication 126 by the UE 102 during at least one of the measurement durations. In one or more examples, the indication permitting communication 126 is a control message (e.g., via RRC signaling, a MAC CE, or a downlink control information (DCI) message) . In some examples, the indication permitting communication 126 activates and / or deactivates one or more measurement gaps, as further described herein. In other examples, the indication permitting communication 126 activates and / or deactivates one or more measurement object configurations, or one or more parameter values for a measurement object, as further described herein. A measurement report 128 may be transmitted by the UE 102 to the network device 104 after the UE 102 performs the measurements.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows an example signaling diagram 200, according to one or more aspects described herein. In one or more embodiments, signaling diagram 200 supports one or more aspects of methods and apparatuses for user equipment requested measurement gap and scheduling restriction relaxation, as further described herein. UE 102, network device 104, and network device 108 may be examples of corresponding devices described herein.
[0034] At 202, the network device 104 may transmit and UE 102 may receive, measurement configuration signaling. In one or more embodiments, the configuration signaling indicates a set of measurement durations for the UE 102 to use to perform measurements of one or more cells. In some embodiments, the one or more cells include a serving cell of the network device 104 (for the UE 102) , or multiple serving cells for the UE 102, if so configured. In some embodiments, the one or more cells include an intra-frequency or inter-frequency cell (e.g., of the network device 104) . In some embodiments, the one or more cells include one or more neighboring cells, for example served by network device 108.
[0035] The measurement configuration signaling may be the configuration of a measurement gap (e.g., via RRC signaling such as GapConfig) . In some examples, multiple measurement gap configurations may be configured, where different measurement gap configurations are associated with a different measurement gap identifier (e.g., MeasGapId) . Each measurement gap configuration may be characterized by at least a duration (e.g., mgl, or measurement gap length) , a periodicity (e.g., mgrp, or measurement gap repetition period) , and offset (e.g., gapOffset, or offset of the gap duration relative to a first system frame number SFN0) .
[0036] The measurement configuration signaling may be the configuration of measurement objects (e.g., via RRC signaling such as MeasObj) , which may result in scheduling restrictions. In some examples, multiple measurement objects may be configured, and different measurement objects associated with a different measurement object identifier (e.g., MeasObjId) . Each measurement object may be differently configured, where a measurement object may indicate a time and frequency of the measurement object, as well as a subcarrier spacing of the reference signals to be measured for the measurement object. In some embodiments, the reference signals are SSBs, and the configuration provides a list of SSBs to be measured, and a periodicity for the SSBs to be measured. In some embodiments, the reference signals are CSI-RSs, and the configuration provides a resource or a set of resources for CSI-RSs to be measured, and a periodicity for the CSI-RSs to be measured. In some embodiments, the measurement object may indicate a list of frequencies to be measured, or a list of physical cell identifiers (PCI) to be measured, or both.
[0037] At 204, the UE 102 may provide, to the network device 104 , an indication of a mobility status of the UE 102. The mobility status of the UE 102 may be used by the network (e.g., network device 104) in connection with measurement gap adaptation, scheduling restriction relaxation, or both. In one or more embodiments, UE 102 reports a movement speed of the UE 102. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE 102 may report a signal to interference noise ratio (SINR) condition of the serving cell (e.g., of network device 104) . Additionally, or alternatively, the UE 102 may report a reference signal receive power (RSRP) condition of the serving cell (e.g., of network device 104) , or both. In some embodiments, the indication of the mobility status is binary. For example, the two binary states may be a low mobility state and a high mobility state. As another example, the two binary states may be a good serving cell quality and a bad serving cell quality. In yet other embodiments, more than two states for the mobility status may be used (e.g., low, medium, high mobility) .
[0038] In some embodiments, the indication of the mobility status of the UE 102 may be transmitted to the network via RRC signaling, for example on a PUSCH. In other embodiments, the indication of the mobility status may be via a MAC CE, for example on a PUSCH. In yet other embodiments, the indication of the mobility status may be via a layer 1 (L1) UCI message, for example on a PUSCH. In still other embodiments, the indication of the mobility status may be via a PRACH message.
[0039] At 206, a UE 102 may transmit, to the network device 104, an SR for resources for the UE 102 to use to transmit a preferred measurement configuration for measurement durations. For example, the SR may be for resources for the UE 102 to use to transmit the preferred measurement configuration at 214. In one or more embodiments, the UE 102 may have an uplink grant, and the UE 102 can send the request (indication) for the preferred measurement configuration in a MAC-CE carried by PUSCH based on the uplink grant. However, if the UE 102 does not have an uplink grant, the SR is for an uplink grant for resources that the UE 102 will use to transmit the MAC CE that includes the indication of the preferred measurement configuration.
[0040] At 208, the network device 104 may resolve a priority level associated with the SR transmitted by the UE 102 at 206. For example, the network device 104 may compare a first priority level of the SR for the preferred configuration with a second priority level of a second SR. In one or more embodiments, when resolving the priority, the SR for the preferred measurement configuration has the same priority as other SRs that are not associated with a link recovery request (LRR) . In some embodiments, when resolving the priority, the SR has a same priority as an LRR SR.In other embodiments, when resolving the priority, the SR has a lower priority than a non-LRR SR. In other embodiments, when resolving the priority, the SR has a lower priority than LRR SR, but higher priority than non-LRR SR.
[0041] At 210, when priority resolution is performed, if the SR (for the preferred measurement configuration) has a higher priority than other SRs, if any, network device 104 may proceed to send the uplink grant for the UE 102 to use to send the indication of the preferred measurement configuration.
[0042] At 212, the UE 102 may resolve conflicts (collisions) between resources for hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) and an indication of the preferred configuration (e.g., UCI conveying the indication) , as further discussed herein.
[0043] At 214, the UE 102 transmits an indication of the preferred measurement configuration to the network device 104. As further described herein, in some examples, the indication may be included in or otherwise conveyed via RRC signaling, a MAC CE, a UCI message, a PRACH message, or an SR.
[0044] In one or more embodiments, the indication of the preferred measurement configuration may be conveyed via one or more MAC CEs, described with reference to FIG. 3A. In some embodiments, the MAC CE may be an example of MAC CE 301. In other embodiments, the MAC CE may be an example of MAC CE 302, described with reference to FIG. 3B.
[0045] In one or more embodiments, the indication of the preferred measurement configuration may be conveyed via RRC signaling, for example on a PUSCH. The indication may be provided by a UE assistance information (UAI) message.
[0046] In some embodiments, the request (e.g., the indication of the preferred measurement configuration) may be conveyed via a PRACH transmission or an SR. For example, the indication can be conveyed via L1 signaling, and request activation or deactivation of a measurement configuration (e.g., GapConfig) . In some examples, a single measurement configuration is mapped to a single PRACH transmission or SR. In other examples, multiple measurement configurations may be mapped to a single PRACH transmission or SR. In yet other embodiments, different PRACH transmissions and / or SRs may be used to activate or deactivate a corresponding measurement configuration.
[0047] In some embodiments, the UE 102 may transmit the indication of the preferred measurement duration via L1 signaling, such as UCI on a configured grant (CG) PUSCH. In one example, the UE 102 reports the UCI regardless of whether the UE 102 has uplink data (e.g., regardless of whether the UE 102 has a transport block or uplink shared channel transmission) to transmit on the same uplink configured grant transmission occasion. In another example, the UE 102 reports the UCI only when the UE 102 has uplink data to transmit on the same uplink configured grant transmission occasion. In some examples, the UE 102 cannot report the preferred measurement configuration via UCI together with a CG UCI or an unused transmission occasion (UTO) UCI. In other examples, the UE 102 reports the preferred measurement configuration via UCI together with a CG UCI or an UTO UCI.
[0048] In one or more embodiments, the UE 102 may provide the indication of the preferred measurement configuration by UCI on a CG PUSCH. In some examples, a beta offset may be configured for the UCI conveying the preferred measurement configuration that is different than other UCI. In other examples, the beta offset application to the indication may be the same as other UCI, for example may the same as the beta offset application to the CG UCI or the UTO UCI The beta offset may be configured by the network (e.g., via network device 104) to determine the number of resources for multiplexing different types of UCI in a PUSCH. In some embodiments, the UCI may not be jointly encoded with HARQ-ACK.
[0049] In one or more embodiments, the UCI may be jointly encoded with HARQ-ACK. In some examples, the network (e.g., via network device 104) may configure the UE 102 with an indication of whether UE 102 should jointly encode the UCI (e.g., an on-demand UCI) with HARQ-ACK. In some embodiments, when the UCI is jointly encoded with HARQ-ACK, the UE 102 uses a beta offset configured for HARQ-ACK (e.g., ) .
[0050] In some embodiments, the UE 102 may be attempting to transmit the UCI on a CG PUSCH, which may collide with HARQ-ACK resources. The UE 102 may not be configured to, or may not be allowed to (due to pre-configuration or another reason) , multiplex the UCI with the HARQ-ACK resources. In some examples, if the HARQ-ACK has the same priority as the PUSCH, the UE 102 may drop the PUSCH, and the HARQ-ACK is carried by a PUCCH or a different PUSCH. In some examples, if the HARQ-ACK has a different priority than the PUSCH, the UE 102 may drop one of the HARQ-ACK or the PUSCH that has the lower priority.
[0051] The measurement configuration signaling may be the configuration of measurement objects, which may result in scheduling restrictions. As such, for scheduling restriction relaxation, the UE 102 may request a preferred measurement object configuration. (e.g., via RRC signaling such as GapConfig) . The indication of the preferred measurement object may be the configuration of measurement objects (e.g., via RRC signaling such as MeasObj) , which may result in scheduling restrictions. In some examples, one or more different measurement objects may be configured, and different measurement objects associated with a different measurement object identifier (e.g., MeasObjId) . As such, the indication of the preferred measurement configuration may identify different measurement objects, or different measurement object parameters. Each measurement object may be differently configured, where a measurement object may indicate a time and frequency of the measurement object, as well as a subcarrier spacing of the reference signals to be measured for the measurement object. In some embodiments, the reference signals are SSBs, and the configuration provides a list of SSBs to be measured, and a periodicity for the SSBs to be measured. In some embodiments, the reference signals are CSI-RSs, and the configuration provides a resource or a set of resources for CSI-RSs to be measured, and a periodicity for the CSI-RSs to be measured. In some embodiments, the measurement object may indicate a list of frequencies to be measured, or a list of PCI to be measured, or both.
[0052] In one or more embodiments, the UE 102 may request a preferred measurement configuration (e.g., via an indication of the preferred measurement configuration) . In some embodiments, a preferred configuration for RLM (e.g., RadioLinkMonitoringConfig) may be indicated by UE 102. In some embodiments, a preferred configuration for BFD (e.g., RadioLinkMonitoringConfig) may be indicated by UE 102. In some embodiments, a preferred configuration for CBD (e.g., BeamFailureRecoveryConfig) may be indicated by UE 102.
[0053] At 216, if the UE 102 does not receive an acknowledgement (confirmation) that the network device 104 has received the request that includes the indication of the preferred measurement configuration, the UE 102 may resend the indication of the preferred measurement configuration (e.g., a request that includes the indication) . In some embodiments, the indication may be resent one or more times, up to a threshold value (e.g., a maximum number of transmissions) . In some embodiments, the maximum number of transmissions can be configured by the network (e.g., sent to the UE 102 by the network device 104 in control signaling) . In other embodiments, the maximum number of transmissions may be a preconfigured at the UE 102.
[0054] At 218, the network device 104 may transmit, and UE 102 may receive, an acknowledgement message responsive to the indication of the preferred measurement configuration transmitted at 214. In one or more embodiments, the acknowledgement may be a DCI message that includes a bit of a new data indicator (NDI) field set to acknowledge receipt of the preferred configuration by the network device. In some examples, for measurement gap relaxation, when the UE 102 is allowed to request the preferred measurement gap configuration (e.g., activation or deactivation of a measurement gap configuration, such as GapConfig) , and the request (indication) is carried by a MAC-CE, the acknowledgement from the network device 104 may be via the UE 102 receiving a downlink scheduling DCI. For this DCI, an NDI field is flipped (e.g., “1” to “0” or “0” to “1” ) for the same HARQ process. In some examples, the same HARQ process has a same identifier in the same serving cell.
[0055] In one or more embodiments, the UE 102 may assume that the corresponding measurement gap in the transmitted indication of the measurement gap is activated, deactivated, or modified by the network device 104 as requested.
[0056] For a timer duration 220, if the UE 102 receives the acknowledgement (confirmation) , at 218, that the network device 104 has received the indication of the preferred measurement configuration, the UE 102 stops the transmission of the indication (e.g., stops transmitting the request) for the timer duration 220 (e.g., until a timer expires, that is, a prohibit timer) . Although the timer duration 220 is shown in signaling diagram 200 with an arrow that concludes before the control message at 222 for clarity in signaling diagram 200, the timer duration 220 may be longer in time. For example, timer duration 220 may extend past when the UE 102 transmits one or more measurement reports 236.
[0057] At 222, the UE 102 may receive, from the network device 104, a control message including an indication permitting the UE 102 to communicate using the serving cell during at least one measurement duration of the set of measurement durations.
[0058] In one or more embodiments, the control message may indicate uplink or downlink resources for the UE 102 to transmit or receive during the measurement duration, responsive to the indication of the preferred measurement configuration. For example, the control message may be a MAC CE (e.g., activating resources of a semi-persistent configuration) , DCI message (e.g., providing an uplink grant or downlink grant, or other dynamic or periodic indication of resources) , or RRC signaling (e.g., for a periodic or semi-persistent configuration) that schedules resources during the measurement gap.
[0059] In one or more embodiments, the control message may indicate a modification of a measurement object, responsive to the indication of the preferred measurement configuration. For example, the control message may be a MAC CE, DCI message, or RRC signaling that modifies (updates, edits, reconfigures) one or more measurement objects or parameter values of a measurement object responsive to the indication of the preferred measurement configuration.
[0060] At 226, the UE 102 and network device 104 may communicate during the ignored measurement gap 224.
[0061] At 230, during unaffected measurement durations 228 (e.g., unaffected by the control message at 222 and / or the indication of the preferred measurement configuration at 214) , the UE 102 may continue to receive reference signals from the network device 104, and perform RLM, BFD, and / or CBD measurements.
[0062] At 234, during unaffected measurement durations 234 (e.g., unaffected by the control message at 222 and / or the indication of the preferred measurement configuration at 214) , the UE 102 may continue to receive reference signals 232 from the network device 108, and perform RRM measurements.
[0063] At 236, the UE 102 may transmit to the network device 104, a measurement report in connection with one or more of the RRM, RLM, CBD, or BFD procedures or processes. The measurement report may be via RRC signaling, one or more MAC CEs, or via a UCI message.
[0064] FIG. 3A shows an example MAC CE 301, according to one or more aspects described herein. In one or more embodiments, MAC CE 301 supports one or more aspects of methods and apparatuses for user equipment requested measurement gap and scheduling restriction relaxation, as further described herein. In one or more embodiments, MAC CE 301 may be used for measurement gap relaxation, when a UE 102 is allowed to request a preferred measurement gap configuration. For example, when the UE 102 transmits a measurement gap identifier that indicates to activate or deactivate one or more measurement gap configurations, the measurement gap identifier can be provided via MAC CE 301.
[0065] MAC CE 301 may be used to activate or deactivate measurement configurations, including measurement gap configurations (e.g., GapConfig) or measurement objects (e.g., MeasObj) , by providing a single bit (A / D) and multiple bits (e.g., 3 bits) as an identifier of the corresponding measurement gap (MG ID n) . The multiples bits, (MG ID n) , provide an identifier (e.g., index) of the measurement gap configuration (e.g., identifier of the measurement gap, MeasGapId) . In the case of a measurement object, the identifier may be a measurement object identifier (e.g., MeasObjId) . The single A / D bit indicates whether the corresponding measurement gap is preferred to be activated ( “A” / “1” ) or deactivated ( “D” / “0” ) . MAC CE 301 includes the ability to activate or deactivate up to four measurement gap configurations (MG ID 0, MG ID 1, MG ID 2, and MG ID 3) out of up to eight measurement gaps that correspond to the 3 bits) . For example, measurement gap identifier 314 (MG ID 2) has a corresponding preference to be activated or deactivated by the A / D bit 312.
[0066] Although described with reference to a measurement gap, in other embodiments, the MAC CE 301 may be used to activate and / or deactivate one or more measurement objects or parameter values of measurement objects as further described herein.
[0067] FIG. 3B shows an example MAC CE 302, according to one or more aspects described herein. In one or more embodiments, MAC CE 302 supports one or more aspects of methods and apparatuses for user equipment requested measurement gap and scheduling restriction relaxation, as further described herein. In one or more embodiments, MAC CE 302 may be used for measurement gap relaxation, when a UE 102 is allowed to request a preferred measurement gap configuration. For example, when the UE 102 transmits a measurement gap identifier that indicates to activate or deactivate one or more measurement gap configurations, the measurement gap identifier can be provided via MAC CE 302.
[0068] In the example of MAC CE 302, each bit of the eight bits (e.g., MG0, MG1, MG2, MG3, MG4, MG5, MG6, and MG7) corresponds to a measurement gap with a different identifier (ID) , (e.g., an identifier of MeasGapId) . Each bit then indicates whether the corresponding measurement gap is preferred to be activated (e.g., “1” ) or deactivated (e.g., “0” ) . For example, in the case of bit 322, a bit value of 1 at the location of bit 322 indicates the measurement gap corresponding to the measurement gap identifier for MG5 is preferred to be activated. A bit value of 0 at the location of bit 322 indicate a preference to be deactivated.
[0069] Although described with reference to a measurement gap, in other embodiments, the MAC CE 302 may be used to activate and / or deactivate one or more measurement objects or parameter values of measurement objects as further described herein.
[0070] FIG. 4 shows an example method 400 of wireless communication by a UE. In some cases, the UE may be the wireless device 702 or UE 102. In some cases, the method 400 may be performed by a baseband processor of the UE. In some embodiments, the baseband processor may include one or more processor cores, and memory that is coupled to the processor core (s) . The memory may store instructions that, when executed by the processor core (s) , causes the baseband processor to perform the operations of the method 400. As the baseband processor performs the operations of the method 400, the baseband processor may also cause other components of the UE to perform, or discontinue, various operations.
[0071] At 402, the method 400 includes receiving a measurement configuration. In some embodiments, the method 400 includes receiving configuration signaling indicating a set of measurement durations to use to perform measurements of one or more cells.
[0072] At 404, the method 400 includes transmitting a preferred measurement configuration. In some embodiments, the method 400 includes transmitting, to a network device serving the UE using a serving cell, an indication of a configuration for the set of measurement durations that is preferred by the UE.
[0073] At 406, the method 400 includes receiving an indication permitting the UE to communicate during a measurement duration. In some embodiments, the method 400 includes receiving, from the network device at least in part in response to the indication of the preferred configuration, a control message including an indication permitting the UE to communicate during at least one measurement duration of the set of measurement durations.
[0074] At 408, the method 400 includes communicating during the measurement duration. In some embodiments, the method 400 includes communicating with the network device using the serving cell during the at least one measurement duration is based at least in part on the indication allowing the UE to communicate during the at least one measurement duration.
[0075] In some embodiments, the set of measurement durations include one or more measurement gaps, where each measurement gap includes a measurement duration for the UE to use to perform measurements of a neighboring cell that is either intra-frequency or inter-frequency. In some embodiments, transmitting the indication of the preferred configuration further includes transmitting a measurement gap identifier that indicates to activate or deactivate one or more measurement gap configurations. In some embodiments, transmitting the indication of the preferred configuration further includes transmitting one or more of a gap offset, a duration, or a measurement gap repetition period for the preferred configuration. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes transmitting a scheduling request for uplink resources for a MAC CE to be used to transmit the indication of the preferred configuration; and receiving an uplink grant for a set of uplink resources, where the indication of the preferred configuration is transmitted using the set of uplink resources of the uplink grant. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes comparing a first priority level of the scheduling request for the preferred configuration with a second priority level of a second scheduling request, where the scheduling request is transmitted based at least in part on the first priority level exceeding the second priority level.
[0076] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes receiving, at least in part in response to the indication of the preferred configuration, a DCI message that includes a bit of a new data indicator field set to acknowledge receipt of the preferred configuration by the network device.
[0077] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes receiving, at least in part in response to the indication of the preferred configuration, an acknowledgement of the preferred configuration; and initiating, at least in part in response to the received acknowledgement, a timer that when active prohibits transmission of the indication of the preferred configuration.
[0078] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes transmitting, to the network device, one or more instances of the indication of the preferred configuration until a maximum transmission quantity threshold is reached.
[0079] In some embodiments, the indication of the preferred configuration is transmitted on a PUSCH according to a first beta offset value for uplink control information for measurement gaps that is different from a second beta offset value for uplink control information for a configured grant or for an unused transmission occasion.
[0080] In some embodiments, the set of measurement durations include a duration for the UE to perform measurements of the serving cell, an intra-frequency cell, or an inter-frequency cell. In some embodiments, transmitting the indication of the preferred configuration includes transmitting a measurement object configuration that is preferred by the UE. In some embodiments, transmitting the indication of the preferred configuration includes transmitting a measurement object identifier that indicates to activate or deactivate one or more measurement object configurations. In some embodiments, transmitting the indication of the preferred configuration includes transmitting one or more parameter values for the measurement object configuration that is preferred by the UE, the one or more parameter values including one or more of a list of SSBs to measure, a periodicity of SSBs to measure, a list of CSI-RS resources to measure, a periodicity of CSI-RS to measure, a list of frequencies to measure, or a list of physical cell identities to measure. In some embodiments, transmitting the indication of the preferred configuration includes transmitting a measurement object identifier that indicates to activate or deactivate one or more measurement object configurations. In some embodiments, the indication of the preferred configuration is applicable to one or more of a radio link monitoring configuration, a beam failure detection configuration, or a candidate beam detection configuration.
[0081] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes transmitting, to the network device, a mobility status of the UE with the indication of the preferred configuration. In some embodiments, the mobility status includes one or more of a UE movement speed, a signal-to-interference noise ratio value for the serving cell, or a reference signal received power value for the serving cell.
[0082] In some embodiments, transmitting the indication of the preferred configuration includes transmitting a MAC CE, RRC signaling, a UCI message, a PRACH message, or an SR that includes the indication of the preferred configuration.
[0083] The method 400 may be variously embodied, extended, or adapted, as described in the following paragraphs and elsewhere in this description.
[0084] FIG. 5 shows an example method 500 of wireless communication by a network device. In one or more embodiments, method 500 supports one or more aspects of methods and apparatuses for user equipment requested measurement gap and scheduling restriction relaxation, as further described herein. In some cases, the network device may be the network device 104, network device 720, or one of the other network devices described herein. The method 500 may be performed using a processor, a transceiver, or other components of the network device.
[0085] At 502, the method 500 includes transmitting a measurement configuration. In some embodiments, the method 500 includes transmitting, to a UE served by the network device using a serving cell, configuration signaling indicating a set of measurement durations for the UE to use to perform measurements of one or more cells.
[0086] At 504, the method 500 includes receiving a preferred measurement configuration. In some embodiments, the method 500 includes receiving, from the UE, an indication of a configuration for the set of measurement durations that is preferred by the UE.
[0087] At 506, the method 500 includes transmitting an indication permitting the UE to communicate during a measurement duration. In some embodiments, the method 500 includes transmitting, to the UE at least in part in response to the indication of the preferred configuration, a control message including an indication permitting the UE to communicate during at least one measurement duration of the set of measurement durations.
[0088] At 508, the method 500 includes communicating during the measurement duration. In some embodiments, the method 500 includes communicating with the UE using the serving cell during the at least one measurement duration based at least in part on the indication allowing the UE to communicate during the at least one measurement duration.
[0089] In some embodiments, the set of measurement durations include one or more measurement gaps, where each measurement gap includes a measurement duration for the UE to use to perform measurements of a neighboring cell that is either intra-frequency or inter-frequency. In some embodiments, receiving the indication of the preferred configuration further includes receiving a measurement gap identifier that indicates to activate or deactivate one or more measurement gap configurations. In some embodiments, receiving the indication of the preferred configuration further includes receiving one or more of a gap offset, a duration, or a measurement gap repetition period for the preferred configuration. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes receiving a scheduling request for uplink resources for a MAC CE to be used to transmit the indication of the preferred configuration, and transmitting an uplink grant for a set of uplink resources, where the indication of the preferred configuration is transmitted using the set of uplink resources of the uplink grant. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes comparing a first priority level of the scheduling request for the preferred configuration with a second priority level of a second scheduling request, where the scheduling request is transmitted based at least in part on the first priority level exceeding the second priority level.
[0090] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes transmitting, at least in part in response to the indication of the preferred configuration, a DCI message that includes a bit of a new data indicator field set to acknowledge receipt of the preferred configuration by the network device.
[0091] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes transmitting, at least in part in response to the indication of the preferred configuration, an acknowledgement of the preferred configuration; and initiating, at least in part in response to the received acknowledgement, a timer that when active prohibits a transmission of the indication of the preferred configuration.
[0092] In some embodiments, the indication of the preferred configuration is received according to a first beta offset value for uplink control information for measurement gaps that is different from a second beta offset value for uplink control information for a configured grant or for an unused transmission occasion.
[0093] In some embodiments, the set of measurement durations include a duration for the UE to use to perform measurements of the serving cell, an intra-frequency cell, or an inter-frequency cell. In some embodiments, receiving the indication of the preferred configuration includes receiving a measurement object configuration that is preferred by the UE. In some embodiments, receiving the indication of the preferred configuration includes receiving a measurement object identifier that indicates to activate or deactivate one or more measurement object configurations. In some embodiments, receiving the indication of the preferred configuration includes receiving one or more parameter values for the measurement object configuration that is preferred by the UE, the one or more parameter values including one or more of a list of SSBs to measure, a periodicity of SSBs to measure, a list of CSI-RS resources to measure, a periodicity of CSI-RS to measure, a list of frequencies to measure, or a list of physical cell identities to measure. In some embodiments, receiving the indication of the preferred configuration includes receiving a measurement object identifier that indicates to activate or deactivate one or more measurement object configurations. In some embodiments, the indication of the preferred configuration is applicable to one or more of a radio link monitoring configuration, a beam failure detection configuration, or a candidate beam detection configuration.
[0094] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes receiving, from the UE, a mobility status of the UE with the indication of the preferred configuration. In some embodiments, the mobility status includes one or more of a UE movement speed, a signal-to-interference noise ratio value for the serving cell, or a reference signal received power value for the serving cell.
[0095] In some embodiments, receiving the indication of the preferred configuration includes receiving a MAC CE, RRC signaling, a UCI message, a PRACH message, or an SR that includes the indication of the preferred configuration.
[0096] The method 500 may be variously embodied, extended, or adapted, as described in the following paragraphs and elsewhere in this description.
[0097] Embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions to cause an electronic device, upon execution of the instructions by one or more processors of the electronic device, to perform one or more elements of the method 400 or 500. In the context of method 400, this non-transitory computer-readable media may be, for example, a memory of a UE (such as a memory 706 of a wireless device 702 that is a UE, as described herein) . In the context of method 500, this non-transitory computer-readable media may be, for example, a memory of a network device (such as a memory 724 of a network device 720, as described herein) .
[0098] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus having logic, modules, or circuitry to perform one or more elements of the method 400 or 500. In the context of method 400, this apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as a wireless device 702 that is a UE) . In the context of method 500, this apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a network device (such as a network device 720, as described herein) .
[0099] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus having one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media, using or storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of the method 400 or 500. In the context of method 400, this apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as a wireless device 702 that is a UE, as described herein) . In the context of the method 500, this apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a network device (such as a network device 720, as described herein) .
[0100] Embodiments contemplated herein include a signal as described in or related to one or more elements of the method 400, or 500.
[0101] Embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product having instructions, wherein execution of the program by a processor causes the processor to carry out one or more elements of the method 400 or 500. In the context of method 400, the processor may be a processor of a UE (such as a processor (s) 704 of a wireless device 702 that is a UE, as described herein) , and the instructions may be, for example, located in the processor and / or on a memory of the UE (such as a memory 706 of a wireless device 702 that is a UE, as described herein) . In the context of method 500, the processor may be a processor of a network device (such as a processor (s) 722 of a network device 720, as described herein) , and the instructions may be, for example, located in the processor and / or on a memory of the network device (such as a memory 724 of a network device 720, as described herein) .
[0102] FIG. 6 illustrates an example architecture of a wireless communication system, according to embodiments described herein. The following description is provided for an example wireless communication system 600 that operates in conjunction with the LTE system standards or specifications and / or 5G or NR system standards or specifications, as provided by 3GPP technical specifications.
[0103] As shown, the wireless communication system 600 includes UE 602 and UE 604 (although any number of UEs may be used) . In this example, the UE 602 and the UE 604 are illustrated as smartphones (e.g., handheld touchscreen mobile computing devices connectable to one or more cellular networks) but may also comprise any mobile or non-mobile computing device configured for wireless communication.
[0104] The UE 602 and UE 604 may be configured to communicatively couple with a RAN 606. In embodiments, the RAN 606 may be NG-RAN, E-UTRAN, etc. The UE 602 and UE 604 utilize connections (or channels) (shown as connection 608 and connection 610, respectively) with the RAN 606, each of which comprises a physical communications interface. The RAN 606 can include one or more network devices, such as base station 612 and base station 614, that enable the connection 608 and connection 610.
[0105] In this example, the connection 608 and connection 610 are air interfaces to enable such communicative coupling and may be consistent with RAT (s) used by the RAN 606, such as, for example, an LTE and / or NR.
[0106] In some embodiments, the UE 602 and UE 604 may also directly exchange communication data via a sidelink interface 616. The UE 604 is shown to be configured to access an access point (shown as AP 618) via connection 620. By way of example, the connection 620 can comprise a local wireless connection, such as a connection consistent with any IEEE 802.11 protocol, wherein the AP 618 may comprise a router. In this example, the AP 618 may be connected to another network (for example, the Internet) without going through a CN 624.
[0107] In embodiments, the UE 602 and UE 604 can be configured to communicate using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication signals with each other or with the base station 612 and / or the base station 614 over a multicarrier communication channel in accordance with various communication techniques, such as, but not limited to, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication technique (e.g., for downlink communications) or a single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communication technique (e.g., for uplink and ProSe or sidelink communications) , although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. The OFDM signals can comprise a plurality of orthogonal subcarriers.
[0108] In some embodiments, all or parts of the base station 612 or base station 614 may be implemented as one or more software entities running on server computers as part of a virtual network. In addition, or in other embodiments, the base station 612 or base station 614 may be configured to communicate with one another via interface 622. In embodiments where the wireless communication system 600 is an LTE system (e.g., when the CN 624 is an EPC) , the interface 622 may be an X2 interface. The X2 interface may be defined between two or more network devices of a RAN (e.g., two or more eNBs and the like) that connect to an EPC, and / or between two eNBs connecting to the EPC. In embodiments where the wireless communication system 600 is an NR system (e.g., when CN 624 is a 5GC) , the interface 622 may be an Xn interface. The Xn interface is defined between two or more network devices of a RAN (e.g., two or more gNBs and the like) that connect to the 5GC, between a base station 612 (e.g., a gNB) connecting to the 5GC and an eNB, and / or between two eNBs connecting to the 5GC (e.g., CN 624) .
[0109] The RAN 606 is shown to be communicatively coupled to the CN 624. The CN 624 may comprise one or more network elements 626, which are configured to offer various data and telecommunications services to customers / subscribers (e.g., users of UE 602 and UE 604) who are connected to the CN 624 via the RAN 606. The components of the CN 624 may be implemented in one physical device or separate physical devices including components to read and execute instructions from a machine-readable or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium) .
[0110] In embodiments, the CN 624 may be an EPC, and the RAN 606 may be connected with the CN 624 via an S1 interface 628. In embodiments, the S1 interface 628 may be split into two parts, an S1 user plane (S1-U) interface, which carries traffic data between the base station 612 or base station 614 and a serving gateway (S-GW) , and the S1-MME interface, which is a signaling interface between the base station 612 or base station 614 and mobility management entities (MMEs) .
[0111] In embodiments, the CN 624 may be a 5GC, and the RAN 606 may be connected with the CN 624 via an NG interface 628. In embodiments, the NG interface 628 may be split into two parts, an NG user plane (NG-U) interface, which carries traffic data between the base station 612 or base station 614 and a user plane function (UPF) , and the S1 control plane (NG-C) interface, which is a signaling interface between the base station 612 or base station 614 and access and mobility management functions (AMFs) .
[0112] Generally, an application server 630 may be an element offering applications that use internet protocol (IP) bearer resources with the CN 624 (e.g., packet switched data services) . The application server 630 can also be configured to support one or more communication services (e.g., VoIP sessions, group communication sessions, etc. ) for the UE 602 and UE 604 via the CN 624. The application server 630 may communicate with the CN 624 through an IP communications interface 632.
[0113] FIG. 7 illustrates an example system 700 for performing signaling 738 between a wireless device 702 and a network device 720, according to embodiments described herein. The system 700 may be a portion of a wireless communication system as herein described. The wireless device 702 may be, for example, a UE of a wireless communication system. The network device 720 may be, for example, a base station (e.g., an eNB or a gNB) or a radio head of a wireless communication system.
[0114] The wireless device 702 may include one or more processor (s) 704. The processor (s) 704 may execute instructions such that various operations of the wireless device 702 are performed, as described herein. The processor (s) 704 may include one or more baseband processors implemented using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) , a digital signal processor (DSP) , an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , a controller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.
[0115] The wireless device 702 may include a memory 706. The memory 706 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 708 (which may include, for example, the instructions being executed by the processor (s) 704) . The instructions 708 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. The memory 706 may also store data used by, and results computed by, the processor (s) 704.
[0116] The wireless device 702 may include one or more transceiver (s) 710 (also collectively referred to as a transceiver 710) that may include radio frequency (RF) transmitter and / or receiver circuitry that use the antenna (s) 712 of the wireless device 702 to facilitate signaling (e.g., the signaling 738) to and / or from the wireless device 702 with other devices (e.g., the network device 720) according to corresponding RATs.
[0117] The wireless device 702 may include one or more antenna (s) 712 (e.g., one, two, four, eight, or more) . For embodiments with multiple antenna (s) 712, the wireless device 702 may leverage the spatial diversity of such multiple antenna (s) 712 to send and / or receive multiple different data streams on the same time and frequency resources. This behavior may be referred to as, for example, MIMO behavior (referring to the multiple antennas used at each of a transmitting device and a receiving device that enable this aspect) . MIMO transmissions by the wireless device 702 may be accomplished according to precoding (or digital beamforming) that is applied at the wireless device 702 that multiplexes the data streams across the antenna (s) 712 according to known or assumed channel characteristics such that each data stream is received with an appropriate signal strength relative to other streams and at a desired location in the spatial domain (e.g., the location of a receiver associated with that data stream) . Some embodiments may use single user MIMO (SU-MIMO) methods (where the data streams are all directed to a single receiver) and / or multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) methods (where individual data streams may be directed to individual (different) receivers in different locations in the spatial domain) .
[0118] In some embodiments having multiple antennas, the wireless device 702 may implement analog beamforming techniques, whereby phases of the signals sent by the antenna (s) 712 are relatively adjusted such that the (joint) transmission of the antenna (s) 712 can be directed (this is sometimes referred to as beam steering) .
[0119] The wireless device 702 may include one or more interface (s) 714. The interface (s) 714 may be used to provide input to or output from the wireless device 702. For example, a wireless device 702 that is a UE may include interface (s) 714 such as microphones, speakers, a touchscreen, buttons, and the like in order to allow for input and / or output to the UE by a user of the UE. Other interfaces of such a UE may be made up of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry (e.g., other than the transceiver (s) 710 / antenna (s) 712 already described) that allow for communication between the UE and other devices and may operate according to known protocols (e.g., and the like) .
[0120] The wireless device 702 may include measurement preference manager 716. The measurement preference manager 716 may be implemented via hardware, software, or combinations thereof. For example, the measurement preference manager 716 may be implemented as a processor, circuit, and / or instructions 708 stored in the memory 706 and executed by the processor (s) 704. In some examples, the measurement preference manager 716 may be integrated within the processor (s) 704 and / or the transceiver (s) 710. For example, the measurement preference manager 716 may be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or a general processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within the processor (s) 704 or the transceiver (s) 710.
[0121] The measurement preference manager 716 may be used for various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, aspects of FIGs. 1-7, from a wireless device or UE perspective. The measurement preference manager 716 may be configured to, for example, perform receiving configuration signaling indicating a set of measurement durations to use to perform measurements of one or more cells; transmitting, to a network device serving the UE using a serving cell, an indication of a configuration for the set of measurement durations that is preferred by the UE; receiving, from the network device at least in part in response to the indication of the preferred configuration, a control message including an indication permitting the UE to communicate during at least one measurement duration of the set of measurement durations; and communicating with the network device using the serving cell during the at least one measurement duration based at least in part on the indication allowing the UE to communicate during the at least one measurement duration.
[0122] The network device 720 may include one or more processor (s) 722. The processor (s) 722 may execute instructions such that various operations of the network device 720 are performed, as described herein. The processor (s) 722 may include one or more baseband processors implemented using, for example, a CPU, a DSP, an ASIC, a controller, an FPGA device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.
[0123] The network device 720 may include a memory 724. The memory 724 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 726 (which may include, for example, the instructions being executed by the processor (s) 722) . The instructions 726 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. The memory 724 may also store data used by, and results computed by, the processor (s) 722.
[0124] The network device 720 may include one or more transceiver (s) 728 (also collectively referred to as a transceiver 728) that may include RF transmitter and / or receiver circuitry that use the antenna (s) 730 of the network device 720 to facilitate signaling (e.g., the signaling 738) to and / or from the network device 720 with other devices (e.g., the wireless device 702) according to corresponding RATs.
[0125] The network device 720 may include one or more antenna (s) 730 (e.g., one, two, four, or more) . In embodiments having multiple antenna (s) 730, the network device 720 may perform MIMO, digital beamforming, analog beamforming, beam steering, etc., as has been described.
[0126] The network device 720 may include one or more interface (s) 732. The interface (s) 732 may be used to provide input to or output from the network device 720. For example, a network device 720 of a RAN (e.g., a base station, a radio head, etc. ) may include interface (s) 732 made up of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry (e.g., other than the transceiver (s) 728 / antenna (s) 730 already described) that enables the network device 720 to communicate with other equipment in a network, and / or that enables the network device 720 to communicate with external networks, computers, databases, and the like for purposes of operations, administration, and maintenance of the network device 720 or other equipment operably connected thereto.
[0127] The network device 720 may include at least one measurement preference manager 734. The measurement preference manager 734 may be implemented via hardware, software, or combinations thereof. For example, the measurement preference manager 734 may be implemented as a processor, circuit, and / or instructions 726 stored in the memory 724 and executed by the processor (s) 722. In some examples, the measurement preference manager 734 may be integrated within the processor (s) 722 and / or the transceiver (s) 728. For example, the measurement preference manager 734 may be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or a general processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within the processor (s) 722 or the transceiver (s) 728.
[0128] The measurement preference manager 734 may be used for various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, aspects of FIGs. 1-7, from a network device perspective. The measurement preference manager 734 may be configured to, for example, perform transmitting, to a UE served by the network device using a serving cell, configuration signaling indicating a set of measurement durations for the UE to use to perform measurements of one or more cells; receiving, from the UE, an indication of a configuration for the set of measurement durations that is preferred by the UE; transmitting, to the UE at least in part in response to the indication of the preferred configuration, a control message including an indication permitting the UE to communicate during at least one measurement duration of the set of measurement durations; and communicating with the UE using the serving cell during the at least one measurement duration based at least in part on the indication allowing the UE to communicate during the at least one measurement duration.
[0129] For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components set forth in one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to perform one or more operations, techniques, processes, and / or methods as set forth herein. For example, a baseband processor (or processor) as described herein in connection with one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of the examples set forth herein. For another example, circuitry associated with a UE, network device, network element, etc. as described above in connection with one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of the examples set forth herein.
[0130] Any of the above described embodiments may be combined with any other embodiment (or combination of embodiments) , unless explicitly stated otherwise. The foregoing description of one or more implementations provides illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of embodiments to the precise form described. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various embodiments.
[0131] Embodiments and implementations of the systems and methods described herein may include various operations, which may be embodied in machine-executable instructions to be executed by a computer system. A computer system may include one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers (or other electronic devices) . The computer system may include hardware components that include specific logic for performing the operations or may include a combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware.
[0132] The systems described herein pertain to specific embodiments but are provided as examples. These embodiments can be combined into single systems, partially combined into other systems, split into multiple systems or divided or combined in other ways. In addition, it is contemplated that parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. of one embodiment can be used in another embodiment. The parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. are merely described in one or more embodiments for clarity, and it is recognized that the parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. can be combined with or substituted for parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. of another embodiment unless specifically disclaimed herein.
[0133] Although the foregoing has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity, it will be apparent that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principles thereof. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing both the processes and apparatuses described herein. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered illustrative and not restrictive, and the description is not to be limited to the details given herein but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.
Claims
1.A baseband processor comprising a memory and configured to:receive configuration signaling indicating a set of measurement durations for a user equipment (UE) to use to perform measurements of one or more cells, the UE being served by a serving cell;transmit an indication of a configuration for the set of measurement durations that is preferred by the UE; andreceive, at least partly in response to the indication of the preferred configuration, a control message including an indication permitting the UE to communicate using the serving cell during at least one measurement duration of the set of measurement durations.2.The baseband processor of claim 1, wherein the set of measurement durations comprises one or more measurement gaps, wherein each measurement gap comprises a measurement duration for the UE to use to perform measurements of a neighboring cell that is either intra-frequency or inter-frequency.3.The baseband processor of claim 2, wherein the baseband processor configured to transmit the indication of the preferred configuration further comprises the baseband processor configured to:transmit a measurement gap identifier that indicates to activate or deactivate one or more measurement gap configurations.4.The baseband processor of claim 2, wherein the baseband processor configured to transmit the indication of the preferred configuration further comprises the baseband processor configured to:transmit one or more of a gap offset, a duration, or a measurement gap repetition period for the preferred configuration.5.The baseband processor of claim 2, wherein the baseband processor is further configured to:transmit a scheduling request for uplink resources for a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) to be used to transmit the indication of the preferred configuration; andreceive an uplink grant for a set of uplink resources, wherein the indication of the preferred configuration is transmitted using the set of uplink resources of the uplink grant.6.The baseband processor of claim 5, wherein the baseband processor is further configured to:compare a first priority level of the scheduling request for the preferred configuration with a second priority level of a second scheduling request, wherein the scheduling request is transmitted based at least in part on the first priority level exceeding the second priority level.7.The baseband processor of claim 1, wherein the baseband processor is further configured to:receive, at least in part in response to the indication of the preferred configuration, a downlink control indicator (DCI) message that includes a bit of a new data indicator field set to acknowledge receipt of the preferred configuration by a network device.8.The baseband processor of claim 1, wherein the baseband processor is further configured to:receive, at least in part in response to the indication of the preferred configuration, an acknowledgement of the preferred configuration; andinitiate, at least in part in response to the received acknowledgement, a timer that when active prohibits a transmission of the indication of the preferred configuration.9.The baseband processor of claim 1, wherein the baseband processor is further configured to:transmit one or more instances of the indication of the preferred configuration until a maximum transmission quantity threshold is reached.10.The baseband processor of claim 1, wherein the indication of the preferred configuration is transmitted on a PUSCH according to a first beta offset value for uplink control information for measurement gaps that is different from a second beta offset value for uplink control information for a configured grant or for an unused transmission occasion.11.The baseband processor of claim 1, wherein the set of measurement durations comprises a duration for the UE to use to perform measurements of the serving cell, an intra-frequency cell, or an inter-frequency cell.12.The baseband processor of claim 11, wherein the baseband processor configured to transmit the indication of the preferred configuration comprises the baseband processor configured to:transmit a measurement object configuration that is preferred by the UE.13.The baseband processor of claim 1, wherein the baseband processor is further configured to:transmit a mobility status of the UE with the indication of the preferred configuration, wherein the control message that includes the indication is received at least in part in response to the transmitted mobility status.14.The baseband processor of claim 13, wherein the mobility status comprises one or more of a UE movement speed, a signal-to-interference noise ratio value for the serving cell, or a reference signal received power value for the serving cell.15.The baseband processor of claim 1, wherein the baseband processor configured to transmit the indication of the preferred configuration further comprises the baseband processor configured to:transmit a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) , radio resource control (RRC) signaling, an uplink control information (UCI) message, a physical random access channel (PRACH) message, or a scheduling request (SR) that includes the indication of the preferred configuration.16.A method of wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) , comprising:receiving configuration signaling indicating a set of measurement durations to use to perform measurements of one or more cells;transmitting, to a network device serving the UE using a serving cell, an indication of a configuration for the set of measurement durations that is preferred by the UE;receiving, from the network device at least in part in response to the indication of the preferred configuration, a control message including an indication permitting the UE to communicate using the serving cell during at least one measurement duration of the set of measurement durations.17.The method of claim 16, wherein the set of measurement durations comprise one or more measurement gaps, wherein each measurement gap comprises a measurement duration for the UE to use to perform measurements of a neighboring cell that is either intra-frequency or inter-frequency.18.The method of claim 16, wherein the set of measurement durations comprise a duration for the UE to use to perform measurements of the serving cell, an intra-frequency cell, or an inter-frequency cell.19.The method of claim 16, further comprising:transmitting, to the network device, a mobility status of the UE with the indication of the preferred configuration, wherein the control message that includes the indication is received at least in part in response to the transmitted mobility status.20.A method of wireless communication at a network device, comprising:transmitting, to a user equipment (UE) served by the network device using a serving cell, configuration signaling indicating a set of measurement durations for the UE to use to perform measurements of one or more cells;receiving, from the UE, an indication of a configuration for the set of measurement durations that is preferred by the UE;transmitting, to the UE at least in part in response to the indication of the preferred configuration, a control message including an indication permitting the UE to communicate during at least one measurement duration of the set of measurement durations; andcommunicating with the UE using the serving cell during the at least one measurement duration based at least in part on the indication allowing the UE to communicate during the at least one measurement duration.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Inter-frequency and intra-frequency measurement management
US20180279312A1
Conditional measurement gaps for delay critical traffic
US20240056862A1
Channel measurement method and apparatus, and communication device
WO2021159247A1
Method and device for transmitting measurement gap combinations, and medium
WO2022246613A1
Measurement gap determining method, configuration method and apparatus, terminal, and base station
WO2023131012A1