Measurements on multiple carriers

Abstract

A method, system and apparatus are disclosed. A network node is configured to determine a signaling measurement rule corresponding to measurement of reference signals corresponding to at least one component carrier. The network node is configured to cause a user equipment, UE, to perform at least one measurement based on the measurement rule. In some embodiments, a UE is configured to communicate with a network node and is configured to receive a signaling measurement rule corresponding to measurement of reference signals corresponding to at least one component carrier and perform at least one measurement based on the measurement rule.

Description

MEASUREMENTS ON MULTIPLE CARRIERSFIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications and, in particular, to performing measurements on multiple wireless communication network carriers.BACKGROUND

[0002] The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has developed and is developing standards for Fourth Generation (4G) (also referred to as Long Term Evolution (LTE)) and Fifth Generation (5G) (also referred to as New Radio (NR)) wireless communication systems. Such systems provide, among other features, broadband communication between network nodes, such as base stations, and mobile user equipments (UE), as well as communication between network nodes and between UEs. The 3GPP is also developing standards for Sixth Generation (6G) wireless communication networks.Multi carrier

[0003] In multicarrier (MC) operation, the UE operates with at least two serving cells, each having their respective serving carrier frequencies. Examples of MC operations are carrier aggregation (CA), dual connectivity (DC), multi-connectivity (MuC), etc. A carrier frequency is also known as a component carrier (CC), frequency layer, serving carrier, frequency channel, etc. Examples of serving cells include a special cell (SpCell), a secondary cell (SCell), etc. Examples of a SpCell include a primary cell (PCell), a primary secondary cell (PSCell), etc. The carrier frequencies of a SpCell, SCell, PCell, and PSCell are known as a special CC (SpCC or SpC), secondary CC (SCC), primary CC (PCC), and primary secondary CC (PSCC or PSC), respectively.

[0004] In CA, the UE is configured with one primary serving cell (also called a PCell) and one or more secondary serving cells (SCells).

[0005] In DC, the UE is configured with a master cell group (MCG) which contains at least a PCell and a secondary cell group (SCG) which contains at least a PSCell. Each of the MCG and SCG may further contain one or more SCells. The PCell manages (e.g., configures, changes, releases, etc.) all SCells in the MCG and PSCells in the SCG. PSCell manages all SCells in the SCG. The cells in the MCG and the SCG may belong to a same radio access technology (RAT) (e.g., all cells are NR in both MCG and SCG, as in NR-DC) or they may belong to different RATs (e.g., LTE cells in MCG and NR cells in SCG, as inE-UTRA Dual Connectivity (EN-DC), or NR cells in MCG and LTE cells in SCG, as in NR-E-UTRA Dual Connectivity (NE-DC)). New Radio carrier aggregation (NR CA) and Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC, including NR-DC, EN-DC, and NE-DC) are examples of multi-carrier operation in NR.SUMMARYBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] For a better understanding of the various described embodiments, reference should be made to the Detailed Description below, in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the figures.

[0007] Figure 1 provides an exemplary illustration of a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel blocks (SSB), SSB measurement time configuration (SMTC) windows, and measurement gaps in accordance with some embodiments.

[0008] Figure 2 illustrates a table of example carrier-specific scaling factors for 5G Stand Alone (SA) mode in accordance with some embodiments.

[0009] Figure 3 illustrates a table of example carrier-specific scaling factors for Dual Connectivity (NR-DC) mode in accordance with some embodiments.

[0010] Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example network architecture illustrating a communication system in accordance with principles disclosed herein.

[0011] Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a network node in communication with a user equipment over a wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments.

[0012] Figure 6 illustrates a flowchart showing a method performed by a network node in accordance with some embodiments.

[0013] Figure 7 illustrates a flowchart showing a method performed by a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Certain aspects 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. This concept may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the concept to those skilled in the art.

[0015] Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise:

[0016] The phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments of the invention may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

[0017] As used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator and is equivalent to the term “and / or,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0018] The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0019] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously. Within the context of a networked environment where two or more components or devices are able to exchange data, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are also used to mean “communicatively coupled with”, possibly via one or more intermediary devices. In some embodiments described herein, the term “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, may be used herein to indicate a connection, although not necessarily directly, and may include wired and / or wireless connections.

[0020] Although some of the various embodiments presented herein constitute a single combination of inventive elements, it should be appreciated that the inventive subj ect matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. As such, if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and another embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly discussed herein. Further, the transitional term “comprising” means to have as parts or members, or to be those parts or members. As used herein, the transitional term “comprising” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[0021] As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the conceptsdescribed herein. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and / or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0022] In embodiments described herein, the joining term, “in communication with” and the like, may be used to indicate electrical or data communication, which may be accomplished by physical contact, induction, electromagnetic radiation, radio signaling, infrared signaling or optical signaling, for example. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that multiple components may interoperate and modifications and variations are possible of achieving the electrical and data communication.

[0023] As used herein, the non-limiting term “node” may refer to any type of network node or a user equipment (UE). Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, the following: a NodeB, a base station (BS), a multi -standard radio (MSR) radio node such as an MSR BS, an eNodeB, a gNodeB, an MeNB, an SeNB, a location measurement unit (LMU), an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node, a network controller, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BCS), a relay, a donor node controlling relay, a base transceiver station (BTS), a central unit (e.g., within a gNB), a distributed unit (e.g., within a gNB), a baseband unit, a centralized baseband, a C-RAN, an access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, a Transmission Reception Point (TRP), an RRU, an RRH, one or more nodes in a Distributed Antenna System (DAS), a core network node (e.g., MCS, MME etc.), an Operations, Maintenance, and Administration (O&M) node, an Operational Support Systems (OSS) node, a self-organizing network (SON) node, a positioning node (e.g., an Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centre (E-SMLC) node), etc.

[0024] The non-limiting term “UE” as used herein may refer to any type of wireless device operable to communicate with a network node and / or with another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UEs include, but are not limited to, the following devices: a target device, a device to device (D2D) UE, a vehicular to vehicular (V2V) device, a machine type UE, an MTC UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet, a mobile terminal, a smart phone, laptop embedded equipment (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) dongle, etc.

[0025] As used herein, the non-limiting term “radio access technology” (RAT), may refer to any type of radio communication technology or protocol, including one or more of the following technologies or protocols: Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA), narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, next generation RAT, New Radio (NR), Fourth Generation (4G), Fifth Generation (5G), Sixth Generation (6G), NR Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN), loT NTN, Long-Term Evolution (LTE) NTN, etc. As used herein, any of the equipment denoted by the term node, network node or radio network node may be capable of supporting a single RAT or multiple RATs.

[0026] The non-limiting term “time resource” as used herein may refer to any type of physical resource or radio resource expressed in terms of a length of time. Examples of time resources include the following: a symbol, a time slot, a subframe, a radio frame, a Transmission Time Interval (TTI), interleaving time, a slot, a sub-slot, a mini-slot, a system frame number (SFN) cycle, a hyper-SFN (H-SFN) cycle, etc.

[0027] Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components and processing steps related to performing measurements on multiple carriers. Accordingly, components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

[0028] The term “network node” used herein can be any kind of network node comprised in a radio network which may further comprise any of base station (BS), radio base station, base transceiver station (BTS), base station controller (BSC), radio network controller (RNC), g Node B (gNB), evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB), Node B, multi -standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, multi-cell / multicast coordination entity (MCE), relay node, donor node controlling relay, radio access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, Remote Radio Unit (RRU) Remote Radio Head (RRH), a core network node (e.g., mobile management entity (MME), self-organizing network (SON) node, a coordinating node, positioning node, MDT node, etc.), an external node (e.g., 3rd party node, a node external to the current network), nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), a spectrum access system (SAS) node, an element management system (EMS), etc. The network node may also comprise test equipment. The term “radio node” used herein maybe used to also denote a user equipment (UE) such as a wireless device (WD) or a radio network node.

[0029] In some embodiments, the non-limiting terms wireless device (WD) or a user equipment (UE) are used interchangeably. The UE herein can be any type of user equipment capable of communicating with a network node or another UE over radio signals, such as a wireless device (WD). The UE may also be a radio communication device, target device, device to device (D2D) UE, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine communication (M2M), low-cost and / or low-complexity UE, a sensor equipped with UE, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (loT) device, or a Narrowband loT (NB-IOT) device, etc.

[0030] Also, in some embodiments the generic term “radio network node” is used. It can be any kind of a radio network node which may comprise any of base station, radio base station, base transceiver station, base station controller, network controller, RNC, evolved Node B (eNB), Node B, gNB, Multi-cell / multicast Coordination Entity (MCE), relay node, access point, radio access point, Remote Radio Unit (RRU) Remote Radio Head (RRH).

[0031] Note that although terminology from one particular wireless system, such as, for example, 3GPP LTE and / or New Radio (NR), may be used in this disclosure, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the disclosure to only the aforementioned system. Other wireless systems, including without limitation Wide Band Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), may also benefit from exploiting the ideas covered within this disclosure.

[0032] Note further, that functions described herein as being performed by a user equipment or a network node may be distributed over a plurality of user equipments and / or network nodes. In other words, it is contemplated that the functions of the network node and user equipment described herein are not limited to performance by a single physical device and, in fact, can be distributed among several physical devices.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0034] There currently exist certain challenges regarding performing measurements on multiple carriers. Some embodiments are directed to performing measurements on multiple carriers.

[0035] When carrier-specific scaling factor (CSSF) optimization is considered in 3GPP Rel- 19, a reduced CSSF is expected which may imply some new UE measurement behavior. In light of the Rel-19 discussion, it may be desirable to exploit the mechanism of optimizing and enhancing CSSF for measurement.

[0036] Described herein are mechanisms for indicating a measurement rule (MR) instructing a UE to execute measurement and reporting with respect to reference signal(s) of one or more than one component carrier (CC) (including the component carriers managed by a serving cell).

[0037] According to an example embodiment, a method in / performed by a UE comprises receiving and applying one or more than one measurement rule (MR) related to or associated with reference signals, including Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) and configuration with S SB-based Radio resource management (RRM) Measurement Timing Configuration (SMTC) and. measurement gap (MG), to be measured provided by one or more than one component carrier (CC) (including the carriers managed by the serving cell). The MR enables the UE to measure fewer CCs than the number of configured CCs. To realize this result, the MR comprises at least one of the options to reuse measurements on one CC for another or other multiple CCs, or activate / deactivate one CC among multiple CCs.

[0038] According to another example embodiment, a method in / performed by a network node comprises determining and signaling a MR indication to a UE. The MR indication to the UE comprises at the least one of an indication to reuse measurements on one CC for another or other multiple CCs, or to activate / deactivate one CC among multiple CCs.

[0039] Some embodiments include an indication for a UE to use a measurement result on one CC in a measurement report for another or other multiple CCs, provided that measurement (including reporting) configurations for all (i.e., the individual) CCs are provided.

[0040] Some embodiments include that a UE indicates measurement on another or other multiple CCs can refer to a measurement result on one CC, provided measurement (including reporting) configurations for all (i.e., the individual) CCs are provided.

[0041] Some embodiments include that a network node indicates measurement reporting on another CC or other multiple CCs can refer to a measurement result on one CC, providedmeasurement (including reporting) configurations for all (i.e., individual) CCs are configured.

[0042] Some embodiments include that a network node indicates measurement on another CC or other multiple CCs can refer to measurement result on one CC, provided measurement (including reporting) configurations for all CCs are configured.

[0043] Some embodiments include a method for performance by a UE served by more than one component carrier (CC) (including the component carriers managed by the serving cell) comprising enabling / disabling measurements on one or more than one CC.

[0044] Various computer-implemented systems, methods, and articles of manufacture related to measurements on multiple wireless communication network component carriers are described herein.UE measurements

[0045] A UE may perform measurements on one or more of a downlink (DL) and / or uplink (UL) reference signal (RS) of one or more cells in different UE activity states, e.g., radio resource control (RRC) idle state, RRC inactive state, RRC connected state, etc. The measured cell may belong to or operate on a same carrier frequency as the serving cell (e.g., intra-frequency carrier) or it may belong to or operate on a different carrier frequency from the serving cell (e.g., non-serving carrier frequency). The non-serving carrier may be called an inter-frequency carrier if the serving and measured cells belong to a same radio access technology (RAT) but have different carriers. The non-serving carrier may be called an inter-RAT carrier if the serving and measured cells belong to different RATs. Examples of downlink RSs are signals in synchronization signal blocks (SSB), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS), cell-specific reference signals (CRS), demodulation reference signals (DMRS), primary synchronization signals (PSS), secondary synchronization signals (SSS), signals in synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block (SSB), discovery reference signals (DRS), positioning reference signals (PRS), etc. Examples of uplink reference signals (RS) are signals in sounding reference signals (SRS), DMRS, etc.

[0046] Each individual SSB may carry NR-PSS, NR-SSS, and NR-PBCH in four successive symbols. One or multiple SSBs may be transmitted in one SSB burst which is repeated with a certain periodicity, e.g., 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, 160 ms, etc. A UE may be configured with information about SSBs on cells of a certain carrier frequency by one or more SS / PBCH block measurement timing configurations (SMTC). An SMTC maycomprise parameters such as SMTC periodicity, SMTC occasion length in time or duration, SMTC time offset with respect to reference time (e.g., serving cell’s system frame number (SFN), etc. Therefore, SMTC occasion may also occur with certain periodicity, e.g., 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, 160 ms, etc.

[0047] Examples of CC measurements include: cell identification (e.g., physical cell identity (PCI) acquisition, PSS / SSS detection, cell detection, cell search, etc.), Reference Symbol Received Power (RSRP), Reference Symbol Received Quality (RSRQ), secondary synchronization RSRP (SS-RSRP), SS-RSRQ, SINR, RS-SINR, SS-SINR, CSI-RSRP, CSI-RSRQ, received signal strength indicator (RSSI), acquisition of system information (SI), cell global ID (CGI) acquisition, Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), UE RX- TX time difference measurement, Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) (e.g., including Out of Synchronization (out of sync) detection and In Synchronization (in-sync) detection), etc.

[0048] A UE is typically configured by the network (e.g., via RRC message from the network node) with measurement configuration and a measurement reporting configuration, e.g., a measurement gap pattern, carrier frequency information, types of measurements (e.g., RSRP, etc.), higher layer filtering coefficient, time to trigger report, reporting mechanism (e.g., periodic, event triggered reporting, event triggered periodic reporting, etc.), etc.

[0049] The CC measurements may be performed for various purposes, including, for example, purposes related to the following: UE mobility (e.g., cell change, cell selection, cell reselection, handover, RRC connection re-establishment), UE positioning or location determination self-organizing network (SON), minimization of drive tests (MDT), operation and maintenance (O&M), network planning and optimization, etc.SSB-MTC and measurement gaps

[0050] Figure 1 provides an exemplary illustration 100 of a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel blocks (SSB), SSB measurement time configuration (SMTC) windows, and measurement gaps in accordance with some embodiments. A NR synchronization signal (SS) may comprise a primary SS (PSS) and a secondary SS (SSS). The NR physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carries basic system information. The combination of a SS and PBCH can be referred to as an SSB in NR. As shown in Figure 1, Multiple SSBs 102A-F may be transmitted in a localized burst set. Within an SS burst set, multiple SSBs 102A-F can be transmitted in / using different beams. The transmission of SSBs within a localized burst set may be confined to a time window, e.g., a 5 ms window. The set of possible SSB time locations within an SS burst set may be uniquely identified bythe frequency band. For example, the SSB periodicity 104 may be configured from a value set, e.g., {5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160} ms, where the unit used in the configuration is a subframe having a duration of 1 ms.

[0051] In various scenarios, a UE may not need to perform measurements with the same periodicity as the SSB periodicity 104. Accordingly, a SSB measurement time configuration (SMTC) has been introduced for NR. The signaling of the SMTC window 106 informs the UE of the timing and periodicity of SSBs that the UE can use for measurements. The SMTC window periodicity 108 can be configured from a value set, e.g., {5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160} ms, matching the possible SSB periodicities. The SMTC window 106 duration can be configured from a value set, e.g., { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5} ms, where the unit used in the configuration is a subframe having a duration of 1 ms. The SMTC window 106 duration may also be simply called as SMTC duration or SMTC length or SMTC occasion duration or SMTC occasion length, etc.

[0052] The UE may use the same RF module for measurements of neighboring cells and data transmission in the serving cell. For example, measurement gaps 110 may allow the UE to suspend the data transmission in the serving cell and perform measurements of neighboring cells. The measurement gap repetition periodicity (MGRP) 112 can be configured from a set of values, e.g., {20, 40, 80, 160} ms. Likewise, the measurement gap length (MGL) 114 can be configured from a set of values, e.g., { 1.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5.5, 6, 10, 20} ms. Usually, the measurement gap length 114 is configured to be larger than the SMTC window 106 duration to allow time for radio frequency (RF) retuning. A measurement gap timing advance also may be introduced to fine tune the relative position of the measurement gap 110 with respect to the SMTC window 106. For example, the measurement gap timing advance can be configured from a value set, e.g., {0, 0.25, 0.5} ms.Sequential measurement with respect to CSSF

[0053] In Evolved-Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (EUTRAN), measurements on more than one frequency layer (MO), is termed as sequential measurement provided UE only measures one MO at one measurement occasion. In consequence, measurement delay on one MO may be scaled up upon the total number of carriers to be measured.

[0054] A concept called carrier-specific scaling factor (CSSF) is introduced in NR to speed up the measurement assuming two measurement engines (searchers) can be supported by a UE. Ultrawideband (UW) will use one engine to keep the PCell measurement and oneengine to perform other serving cells measurement. The measurement engine (searcher) includes the baseband and / or digital circuits at UE, can measure one frequency / carrier at onetime. As specified in, e.g., 3GPP technical specification (TS) 38.133 Rev.18.5.0, carrierspecific scaling factor (CSSF) is defined to scale measurement delay for different carriers at different frequencies. The CSSF values are categorized into CSSFoutside_gap,i and CSSFwithin_gap,i, for the measurements conducted with two different groups, such as outside measurement gaps and within measurement gaps, respectively. Figure 2 illustrates a table 200 of example carrier-specific scaling factors for 5G Stand Alone (SA) mode in accordance with some embodiments. Likewise, Figure 3 illustrates a table 300 of example carrier-specific scaling factors for Dual Connectivity (NR-DC) mode in accordance with some embodiments.

[0055] In 3 GPP Release 19 (Rel-19), new work item (WI) RP-240830 introduces several enhancements for NR and MR-DC RRM requirements, as shown below:

[0056] In current 3GPP specifications, CSSF values have been derived to scale the measurement delay requirements when a UE is configured to monitor multiple measurement objects. The 3GPP specification does not state when / at which time instances the UE performs measurements. Measurement performance timing is left up to UE implementation. However, there currently exist certain challenges regarding the UE being required perform the measurements while fulfilling / satisfying the measurement delay and accuracy requirements in various scenarios. For example, when UE performs measurements, the UE may have to consider the CSSF e.g., CSSF outside gaps, value, etc.

[0057] Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example network architecture illustrating a communication system in accordance with principles disclosed herein.Referring to the drawing figures, in which like elements are referred to by like reference numerals, there is shown in Figure 4 a schematic diagram of a communication system 10, according to an embodiment, such as a 3 GPP -type cellular network that may support standards such as LTE and / or NR (5G), which comprises an access network 12, such as aradio access network, and a core network 14. The access network 12 comprises a plurality of network nodes 16a, 16b, 16c (referred to collectively as network nodes 16), such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 18a, 18b, 18c (referred to collectively as coverage areas 18). Each network node 16a, 16b, 16c is connectable to the core network 14 over awired or wireless connection 20. A first user equipment (UE) 22a located in coverage area 18a is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding network node 16a. A second UE 22b in coverage area 18b is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding network node 16b. While a plurality of UEs 22a, 22b (collectively referred to as UEs 22) are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to the corresponding network node 16. Note that although only two UEs 22 and three network nodes 16 are shown for convenience, the communication system may include many more UEs 22 and network nodes 16.

[0058] Also, it is contemplated that a UE 22 can be in simultaneous communication and / or configured to separately communicate with more than one network node 16 and more than one type of network node 16. For example, a UE 22 can have dual connectivity with a network node 16 that supports LTE and the same or a different network node 16 that supports NR. As an example, UE 22 can be in communication with an eNB for LTE / E- UTRAN and a gNB for NR / NG-RAN.

[0059] A network node 16 (eNB or gNB) is configured to include a configuration unit 24 which is configured to perform one or more network node 16 functions described herein, including functions related to performing measurements on multiple carriers. A user equipment 22 is configured to include a measurement unit 26 which is configured to perform one or more UE 22 functions described herein, including functions related to performing measurements on multiple carriers.

[0060] Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the UE 22 and network node 16 discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to Figure 5.

[0061] Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a network node in communication with a user equipment over a wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments. In Figure 5, the communication system 10 includes a network node 16 provided in a communication system 10 and including hardware 28 enabling it to communicate with the UE 22. The hardware 28 may include a radio interface 30 for settingup and maintaining at least a wireless connection 32 with a UE 22 located in a coverage area 18 served by the network node 16. Coverage area 18 may also be referred to herein as a cell or cell 18. The radio interface 30 may be formed as or may include, for example, one or more RF transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and / or one or more RF transceivers. The radio interface 30 includes an array of antennas 34 to radiate and receive signal(s) carrying electromagnetic waves.

[0062] In the embodiment shown, the hardware 28 of the network node 16 further includes processing circuitry 36. The processing circuitry 36 may include a processor 38 and a memory 40. In particular, in addition to or instead of a processor, such as a central processing unit, and memory, the processing circuitry 36 may comprise integrated circuitry for processing and / or control, e.g., one or more processors and / or processor cores and / or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuitry) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 38 may be configured to access (e.g., write to and / or read from) the memory 40, which may comprise any kind of volatile and / or nonvolatile memory, e.g., cache and / or buffer memory and / or RAM (Random Access Memory) and / or ROM (Read-Only Memory) and / or optical memory and / or EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

[0063] Thus, the network node 16 further has software 42 stored internally in, for example, memory 40, or stored in external memory (e.g., database, storage array, network storage device, etc.) accessible by the network node 16 via an external connection. The software 42 may be executable by the processing circuitry 36. The processing circuitry 36 may be configured to control any of the methods and / or processes described herein and / or to cause such methods, and / or processes to be performed, e.g., by network node 16. Processor 38 corresponds to one or more processors 38 for performing network node 16 functions described herein. The memory 40 is configured to store data, programmatic software code and / or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 42 may include instructions that, when executed by the processor 38 and / or processing circuitry 36, causes the processor 38 and / or processing circuitry 36 to perform the processes described herein with respect to network node 16. For example, processing circuitry 36 of the network node 16 may include configuration unit 24 which is configured to perform one or more network node 16 functions described herein, including functions related to performing measurements on multiple carriers.

[0064] The communication system 10 further includes the UE 22 already referred to. The UE 22 may have hardware 44 that may include a radio interface 46 configured to set up andmaintain a wireless connection 32 with a network node 16 serving a coverage area 18 in which the UE 22 is currently located. The radio interface 46 may be formed as or may include, for example, one or more RF transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and / or one or more RF transceivers. The radio interface 46 includes an array of antennas 48 to radiate and receive signal(s) carrying electromagnetic waves.

[0065] The hardware 44 of the UE 22 further includes processing circuitry 50. The processing circuitry 50 may include a processor 52 and memory 54. In particular, in addition to or instead of a processor, such as a central processing unit, and memory, the processing circuitry 50 may comprise integrated circuitry for processing and / or control, e.g., one or more processors and / or processor cores and / or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuitry) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 52 may be configured to access (e.g., write to and / or read from) memory 54, which may comprise any kind of volatile and / or nonvolatile memory, e.g., cache and / or buffer memory and / or RAM (Random Access Memory) and / or ROM (Read-Only Memory) and / or optical memory and / or EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

[0066] Thus, the UE 22 may further comprise software 56, which is stored in, for example, memory 54 at the UE 22, or stored in external memory (e.g., database, storage array, network storage device, etc.) accessible by the UE 22. The software 56 may be executable by the processing circuitry 50. The software 56 may include a client application 58. The client application 58 may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via the UE 22.

[0067] The processing circuitry 50 may be configured to control any of the methods and / or processes described herein and / or to cause such methods, and / or processes to be performed, e.g., by UE 22. The processor 52 corresponds to one or more processors 52 for performing UE 22 functions described herein. The UE 22 includes memory 54 that is configured to store data, programmatic software code and / or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 56 and / or the client application 58 may include instructions that, when executed by the processor 52 and / or processing circuitry 50, causes the processor 52 and / or processing circuitry 50 to perform the processes described herein with respect to UE 22. For example, the processing circuitry 50 of the user equipment 22 may include measurement unit 26 which is configured to perform one or more UE 22 functions described herein, including functions related to performing measurements on multiple carriers.

[0068] In some embodiments, the inner workings of the network node 16 and UE 22 may be as shown in Figure 5 and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of Figure 4.

[0069] The wireless connection 32 between the UE 22 and the network node 16 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. More precisely, the teachings of some of these embodiments may improve the data rate, latency, and / or power consumption and thereby provide benefits such as reduced user waiting time, relaxed restriction on file size, better responsiveness, extended battery lifetime, etc. In some embodiments, 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.

[0070] Although Figures 4 and 5 show various “units” such as configuration unit 24 and measurement unit 26 as being within a respective processor, it is contemplated that these units may be implemented such that a portion of the unit is stored in a corresponding memory within the processing circuitry. In other words, the units may be implemented in hardware or in a combination of hardware and software within the processing circuitry.

[0071] Having described the general process flow of arrangements of the disclosure and having provided examples of hardware and software arrangements for implementing the processes and functions of the disclosure, the sections below provide details and examples of arrangements for performing measurements on multiple carriers. One or more UE 22 functions described below may be performed by one or more of processing circuitry 50, processor 52, measurement unit 26, etc. One or more network node 16 functions described below may be performed by one or more of processing circuitry 36, processor 38, configuration unit 24, etc.Example Scenario

[0072] An example scenario relates to at least one UE 22 that is operating in a first cell (cell 1, which may be referred to as PCell) served by a network node 16 (which may be referred to as NW1), and / or operating in a second cell (cell 2, which may be referred to as SCell in CA operation or SPCell in DC operation) served by a network node 16 (NW1 orNW2). The network node 16, e.g., NW1, configures the measurement object (also referred to herein by the abbreviation “MO”) for the UE 22 using an RRC configuration. It should be noted that there may be more than one second cell.

[0073] In the scenario, a UE 22 performs measurements on one or more intra-frequencies and / or inter-frequencies based on configured measurement objects. The intra-frequency includes a serving cell and one or more neighbor cells operating in the same (a common) frequency. The inter-frequency also includes neighbor cells, e.g., on a CC including a serving carrier and / or one or more additional carriers configured for measurements. A target frequency is the frequency in which UE 22 can skip the measurement. For example, the target frequency can be an intra-frequency or an inter-frequency. A reference frequency is a frequency the UE 22 can use to reflect the quality of the target frequencies within a target band. The target band can be the same band which the reference frequency is within or the intra-band or the inter-band. The target frequency and the reference frequency can be (may reside) in a same band, in a contiguous intra-band, a non-contiguous intra-band, or a contiguous inter-band.Embodiments

[0074] In some embodiments, a UE 22 is provided with and applies a measurement rule (also referred to herein by the abbreviation “MR”) related to or associated with reference signals (e.g., including SSB and configuration with SMTC and MG) to be measured and reported provided by one or more component carriers (CC) (including the carriers managed by the serving cell). For example, a measurement configuration may contain more than one CC.

[0075] The measurement rule may indicate to the UE 22, e.g., at least one the following conditions discussed below.

[0076] In some embodiments, the measurement rule may indicate to the UE 22 the CC(s) to be measured by the identity of the CC(s) among multiple CCs at one or more frequency bands, which may indicate at the least one of the below:• the CC(s) to be measured by the identity of the CC(s) among multiple CCs in the same or different frequency bands.• the CC(s) not to be measured by the identity of the CC(s) among multiple CCs in the same or different frequency bands.• one or more than one CC(s) which with higher ratio (e.g., CSSF) and other CC(s) which with lower ratio (e.g., CSSF) in the same or different frequency bands.• the frequency band(s) in which the above items are applicable.• the band(s) in which the above items are not applicable.

[0077] In some embodiments, for the case of different frequency bands, the measurement rule also may indicate frequency band information.

[0078] In some embodiments, the measurement rule may indicate rules for the UE 22 to perform measurements on CCs at one or more frequency bands. For example, the measurement rule may indicate rules for the UE 22 to perform measurements on CCs at one or more frequency bands using a legacy CSSF rule.

[0079] In some embodiments, the measurement rule may indicate to the UE 22 to measure only the PCC, if the PCC and the (P)SCC(s) are in the same or different band, and / or to measure only one CC if (P)SCC(s) are in the same or different band.

[0080] In some embodiments, the SCC to be measured is the CC indicated by the network node via signaling including, e.g., RRC signaling, MAC CE or LI signaling e.g., DCI on PDCCH.

[0081] In some embodiments, the SCC to be measured is the CC determined by the UE. For example, the UE 22 may report / indicate the CC to be measured to the network node via RRC signaling, MAC CE or LI signaling, e.g., PRACH (using specific PRACH preambles or PRACH occasions) or PUCCH signaling.

[0082] In some embodiments, the UE 22 may determine which CC is to be measured. For example, the SCC to be measured may be the CC which has highest signal level or best signal quality received by the UE 22. In another example, the SCC to be measured may be the CC with lowest / highest frequency, or the CC with a lowest congestion or load measured in metrics including, e.g., radio channel quality / interference indicators, or resource occupation / usage ratio. For example, higher radio channel quality or lower radio channel interference measurements may be indicative of lower congestion on the channel. Likewise, lower resource occupation / usage may be indicative of a lower load.

[0083] In some embodiments, the SCC to be measured is the CC with lowest / highest priority order. For example, each individual CC may be configured with a specific priority.

[0084] In some embodiments, the SCC to be measured is the CC on which the UE 22 has performed data transmission or reception recently (e.g., in the latest / most recent X slots / ms / second).

[0085] In some embodiments, the SCC to be measured is the CC on which the UE is expected / intended to perform data transmission or reception in future (e.g., during subsequent X slots / ms / second).

[0086] In some embodiments, in case of the different bands, the different bands in which the measurement rule is applied may fulfill at the least one of below criteria:• the frequency offset between the multiple bands may be less than a threshold.• the bands may be predefined with respect to the UE capability.• the measurement rule may be a combination of more than one of the above options.

[0087] In some embodiments, the measurement rule may be applied to CC(s) where neighbor cell measurement is required, while in some embodiments, the measurement rule may be applied to CC(s) where neighbor cell measurement is not required.

[0088] Additionally, the measurement rule may also take measurement on neighbor cell into account.

[0089] In some embodiments, the measurement rule may indicate a CC to be measured, where the indication also indicates the neighbor cell which is intra-frequency with the CC or inter-frequency (no measurement gap) with the CC is to be measured as well.

[0090] In some embodiments, the measurement rule may indicate a CC not to be measured, where the indication also indicates the neighbor cell which is intra-frequency with the CC or inter-frequency (no measurement gap) with the CC is not to be measured as well.

[0091] In some embodiments, the measurement rule may indicate a neighbor cell, which is intra-frequency with the CC or inter-frequency (no measurement gap) with the CC, to be measured or not to be measured, e.g., by providing the ID of the neighbor cell.

[0092] In some embodiments, the measurement rule may indicate the rules for the UE performing measurements on a neighbor cell, which is intra-frequency with the CC or interfrequency (no measurement gap) with the CC, to be measured or not to be measured.

[0093] In some embodiments, the UE 22 may activate or deactivate a neighbor cell based on quasi co-location. For example, the UE 22 may deactivate the neighbor cell in reference frequency fl, if serving cell and neighbor cell at different frequencies are quasi co-located, e.g., the reference frequency(fl) and the target frequency(f2), by identifying the neighbor cell in fl and the serving cell in f2 using the same beam pairs, for example, the same SSB index and the same Rx beam. In another example, the UE 22 may activate the neighbor cell in reference frequency fl, if serving cell and neighbor cell are not quasi co-located.

[0094] In some embodiments, a network node 16 may determine the measurement rule and signal a measurement rule indication to a UE. The measurement rule may indicate to the UE 22 at least one CC or a CC group to be measured, e.g., by an identity of the CC(s) or CC group among multiple CCs at one or more frequency bands. The measurement rule indication, as in the aforementioned embodiments for the UE 22, may include at least one of the following:• The CC(s) to be measured by the identity of the CC(s) among multiple CCs at one or more than one bands.• Rules for the UE 22 performing measurements on CCs at one or more frequency bands.

[0095] In some embodiments, the network node 16 may signal the measurement rule indication to the UE 22 via signaling means including system information (MIB or SIB), RRC signaling, MAC CE or Layer 1 (LI) signaling (e.g., DCI on PDCCH, etc.). In some embodiments, the network node 16 signals one or more than one measurement configuration to the UE 22 containing measurement rule information.

[0096] In some embodiments, the RRC IE concerning measurement configuration may explicitly list measurement rule information as above described.

[0097] In some embodiments, the RRC IE concerning measurement configuration may include a field, e.g., ‘0’ or ‘ 1’, each indicating measurement rule application on multiple CCs at one or more frequency bands.

[0098] In some embodiments, for a UE 22, there may be more than one measurement rule provided. For example, when there is more than one measurement rule provided, each measurement rule may indicate its application with respect to one or more frequency bands. Further, a measurement rule may contain more than one item, where individual items indicate the application of the measurement rule with respect to one or more frequency bands.

[0099] In some embodiments, the network node 16 further requests the UE 22 provide assistance information before sending the measurement rule indication, which may comprise at least one of:• The UE’s 22 mobility, e.g., low mobility or non-low mobility.• The UE’s 22 relative position to the network node 16 providing serving cell by power level-based measurement or positioning or location determination.• The UE’s 22 measurement capability, e.g., measuring more than one CC in one receiver architecture or in more than one receiver architecture.• If a new cell 18 is detected by the UE 22, the UE 22 may report the newly detected cell 18 which is not known by the network node 16.• Information of quasi co-location between a serving cell and a neighbor cell at different frequencies, e.g., the reference frequency(fl) and the target frequency(f2), by identifying the neighbor cell in fl and the serving cell in f2 using the same beam pairs. Forexample, the same SSB index and the same Rx beam. The UE 22 may send the information to the network node to provide notification that the target frequency f2 can be skipped with the quasi co-located neighbor cell in reference frequency fl .

[0100] In some embodiments, the network node 16 may further indicate to the UE 22 one or more conditions for applying a measurement rule (which may also include not applying the measurement rule, switching between applying and not applying the measurement rule, etc.) for measurements on CCs at one or more frequency bands, which may comprise at the least one of the following:• The UE 22 is at low mobility status.• The UE’s 22 relative position to the network node 16 providing serving cell is shorter than a threshold by positioning or location determination.• The power level measured by UE 22 is higher than a threshold.• The UE 22 supports measuring more than one CC in one receiver architecture or in more than one receiver architecture.• The UE 22 receives a pre-defined operation, e.g., handover, RRC -reestablishment

[0101] Furthermore, the measurement rule may not always be supported by the network node 16 and the UE 22 at all times after signaling. In some embodiments, a timer / time window associated with measurement rule may be configured by a network node additionally, it indicates that MR supported by the network node and the UE 22 is valid in the running timer with predefined or configurable threshold or in the time window with predefined or configurable length, otherwise measurement rule is not supported instead and the network node and the UE 22 may apply a legacy measurement rule for measurements on CCs at one or more than one bands.

[0102] In some embodiments, the start time of a timer or time window may be defined based on an absolute time, e.g., the timer / time window may be started based on an absolute time instant.

[0103] In some embodiments, the starting timer / time window may be set along with / triggered by a pre-defined operation, e.g., a handover command or signaling indicating a measurement rule. In some embodiments, the starting timer / time window is provided by the UE 22.

[0104] In one embodiment, the UE 22 may activate or deactivate one or more than one CC’s measurement with respect to the measurement rule which is configured and / or indicated by a command. The measurement rule command may be received in a first slot (slot n) of aserving cell (e.g., a PCell or another already activated SCell), and the UE 22 may send an acknowledgement corresponding to reception of the measurement rule command in a second slot on another serving cell (e.g., of the PCell or another SCell), which may be in a reference slot n+k. The UE 22 may be assumed to apply the measurement rule starting from the first occasion of SSB that is no earlier than a third slot (n + k + Km), wherein Km is an offset value greater than 0. Km may typically be set to provide MAC CE processing time of about 3ms. The slot numbers can be with reference to the slots used for PUCCH transmissions (e.g., based on SCS of the cell on which the PUCCH corresponding to the acknowledgment is transmitted).

[0105] In some embodiments, upon reception of an activation command in slot n indicating activation of the SCell, the UE 22 assumes that SSB burst(s) for the SCell are transmitted starting from the first occasion of an SSB with the lowest index within the burst that starts no earlier than an offset relative to the slot / symbol in which the activation command is received. This enables the UE 22 to start receiving SSBs within full bursts instead of receiving partial SSB bursts. This also allows network node 16 flexibility to schedule the activation / deactivation messages without having to unnecessarily transmit partial SSB bursts.

[0106] In some embodiments, upon reception of an activation / deactivation command in slot / symbol ‘n’ indicating deactivation of the SCell, the UE 22 can assume no transmission of the SSB burst for the SCell starting from the first occasion of an SSB within the burst the lowest index that occurs no earlier than an offset relative to the slot / symbol in which the command is received.

[0107] In some embodiments, the UE 22 may use a measurement result for one CC in a measurement report for another CC or other multiple CCs, on which the measurement rule indicates no measurement, provided measurement (including reporting) configurations for all CCs are provided, if the UE 22 is provided and applies the aforementioned measurement rule.

[0108] In some embodiments, the UE 22 may indicate that a measurement on another CC or multiple other CCs, on which the measurement rule indicates no measurement, can refer to a measurement result on a CC, provided measurement (including reporting) configurations for all CCs are provided, based on a measurement rule.

[0109] In some embodiments, the UE 22 uses measurement results on one CC (e.g., CC1) to represent measurement results on other one or multiple CCs (e.g., CC2) based on at least one of the below conditions:• CC1 and CC2 are in the same cell group (configured to the UE 22).• CC1 and CC2 are in the same frequency band.• CC1 and CC2 are associated with the same / similar priority.• CC1 and CC2 are of same or similar channel congestion (e.g., based on an amount of occupied resources).• A frequency gap between CC1 and CC2 is less than a threshold.

[0110] In some embodiments, the network node 16 may indicate that measurement reporting on another CC or multiple other CCs, on which the measurement rule indicates no measurement, can refer to a measurement result on a CC, provided measurement (including reporting) configurations for all CCs are configured.[OHl] In some embodiments, the network node 16 may indicate that measurement on another CC or multiple other CCs, on which the measurement rule indicates no measurement, can refer to a measurement result on a CC, provided measurement (including reporting) configurations for all CCs are configured.

[0112] In some embodiments, the UE 22 may be configured with a plurality of searchers (e.g., more than two searchers). In this case, the UE 22 may be able to measure more than one CCs / SCells, in addition to the PCell. based on various ones of the above-described embodiments.

[0113] Some embodiments may relate to a network node 16 indication to activate / deactivate a target frequency, and / or an indication of a reference frequency. For example, based on a RRC measurement object configuration on more than one frequency layers which includes at the least a target frequency, the network node 16 can indicate to the UE 22 to activate / deactivate a measurement for a target frequency. For example, the target frequency can be an intra-frequency or inter-frequency or a combination of the intra-frequency and inter-frequency. The activate / deactivate indication method can be via RRC / MAC-CE / DCI, etc., and include one or more of the following:• An explicit indication by DCI to indicate a time window where to skip a particular measurement object(s) / frequency(s).• An explicit indication by DCI to indicate a time window where to skip a measurement object(s) / frequency(s) in a particular band.• A semi-persistent solution to activate / deactivate a measurement object(s) / frequency(s). The network node 16 sends a deactivation command, UE 22 may skip the measurement object(s) / frequency(s) until activation command is received.• A semi-persistent solution to activate / deactivate a measurement object(s) / frequency(s). The network node sends a deactivation command, UE 22 may skip the measurement object(s) / frequency(s) in a particular band until activation command is received.• A semi-persistent solution to activate / deactivate a measurement object(s) / frequency(s). The network node sends a deactivation command, UE 22 may skip the measurement object(s) / frequency(s) within a predefined / configured time window. When the time is expired, UE 22 resumes the measurement for the measurement object(s) / frequency(s).• A semi-persistent solution to activate / deactivate a measurement object(s) / frequency(s). The network node sends a deactivation command, UE 22 skips the measurement object(s) / frequency(s) in a particular band within a predefined / configured time window. When the time is expired, UE 22 resumes the measurement for the target frequency.

[0114] The network node 16 can indicate the reference frequency, which means the target frequency’s quality can be represented by the reference frequency.Example Embodiments - UE 22 assistant information

[0115] In some embodiments, when the network node 16 configures the measurement object(s) (MO), the UE 22 may further report the measurement information to the network node to indicate which frequency’s measurement can be deactivated / activated.New detection of a cell

[0116] In some embodiments, when the network node 16 indicates to deactivate a target frequency measurement, the UE 22 may skip the measurement based a time window (Tl skip). For example, the time window can be pre-configured by the network node 16. After Tl skip, the UE 22 may resume the measurement for this frequency within a time window(T2_meas). If the UE 22 detects the newly detected cell during T2_meas, the UE 22 may report the newly detected cell as a UE assistant information. The network node may further determine whether to resume the target frequency measurement based on the UE 22 reporting. If the UE 22 has not detected a newly detected cell in this target frequency during T2_meas, the UE 22 may continue to deactivate the target frequency until the network node 16 activates the measurement.Serving cell in F2 Quasi co-located with neighbor cell in Fl

[0117] In some embodiments, the UE 22 may measure the reference frequency(fl) and the target frequency(f2), and identify that a neighbor cell in fl and a serving cell in f2 use the same beam pairs. For example, a same SSB index and same Rx beam. The UE 22 may send the information to the network node 16 to notify the network node 16 that the target frequency f2 can be skipped when quasi co-located with a neighbor cell in reference frequency fl .

[0118] Figure 6 is a flowchart of an example process / method for performing measurements on multiple carriers that may be performed by or in a network node, e.g., network node 16, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. A network node for performing measurements on multiple carriers may comprise a processor and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processor whereby the network node is operative to perform measurements on multiple carriers. For example, one or more steps (blocks of Figure 6) described herein may be performed by one or more elements of network node 16 such as by one or more of processing circuitry 36 (including the configuration unit 24), processor 38, and / or radio interface 30.

[0119] At block 610, the method 600 performed by a network node for measurements on multiple carriers comprises determining a measurement rule for performing measurements on reference signals corresponding to component carriers configured for a UE, where the measurement rule comprises an indication of a subset of component carriers to be measured among the component carriers configured for the UE. For example, network node 16 may be configured to determine a signaling measurement rule corresponding to measurement of reference signals corresponding to at least one component carrier. In some examples, the indication of the subset of component carriers to be measured may comprise at the least one of the following: an indication not to perform measurements on reference signals corresponding to at least one of the component carriers configured for the UE; an indication to reuse measurements performed on reference signals corresponding to an individual component carrier for at least one other component carrier; or an indication to activate or deactivate measurements on at least one of the component carriers configured for the UE.

[0120] In some embodiments, the measurement rule may comprise a measurement configuration for a plurality of component carriers including component carriers managed by a serving cell for the UE.

[0121] In some embodiments, the measurement rule may comprise an identifier for individual component carriers of the subset of component carriers to be measured. Themeasurement rule may further comprise an indication of component carriers to be measured at one or more frequency bands, e.g., where the indication of the component carriers to be measured at one or more frequency bands comprises an indication of at the least one of the following: the component carriers to be measured in same or different frequency bands; the component carriers not to be measured in the same or different frequency bands; one or more component carriers with a higher ratio or a lower ratio carrier-specific scaling factor in same or different frequency bands; the one or more frequency bands in which the component carriers are to be measured; or the one or more frequency bands in which the indication of the component carriers to be measured does not apply.

[0122] In some embodiments, the measurement rule may comprise band information for individual frequency bands of the one or more frequency bands. The measurement rule may further comprise one or more rules for performing the measurements on component carriers at the one or more frequency bands, including rules for at least one of the following: measuring individual component carriers at one or more frequency bands based on a legacy carrier-specific scaling factor rule; measuring a primary component carrier, PCC, if the PCC and a primary secondary component carrier, PSCC, are in a same or different frequency band; or measuring an individual component carrier if a primary secondary component carrier, PSCC, is in a same or different frequency band.

[0123] In some embodiments, the measurement rule may comprise an indication of component carriers to be measured at one or more frequency bands, the one or more frequency bands being based on at the least one of the following: a frequency offset threshold between individual frequency bands; or predefined frequency bands based on a UE capability.

[0124] In some embodiments, the measurement rule may be applied to individual component carriers based on whether a measurement of a neighbor cell is required. For example, the measurement rule may further comprise at least one of the following: an indication of a neighbor cell to be measured that is intra-frequency or inter-frequency with an individual component carrier to be measured; an indication of a neighbor cell not to be measured that is intra-frequency or inter-frequency with an individual component carrier not to be measured; an identifier for a neighbor cell to be measured or not to be measured, which is intra-frequency or inter-frequency with an individual component carrier to be measured or not to be measured; a measurement rule for performing measurements on a neighbor cell, which is intra-frequency or inter-frequency with an individual component carrier to be measured or not to be measured; an indication to deactivate measurement on aneighbor cell in a reference frequency, if a serving cell and a neighbor cell at different frequencies are quasi co-located; or an indication to activate measurement on a neighbor cell in a reference frequency, if a serving cell and a neighbor cell are not quasi co-located.

[0125] In some embodiments, the method may comprise receiving, from the UE, an indication of at least one component carrier to be measured. For example, the network node may determine the measurement rule based on the indication from the UE of the at least one component carrier to be measured.

[0126] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise sending, to the UE, a request to provide information regarding at the least one of the following: a mobility capability of the UE; a relative position of the UE with respect to a network node providing a serving cell; a measurement capability of the UE; a new cell detected by UE; or Quasi CoLocation, QCL, between a serving cell and a neighbor cell at different frequencies. In which case, the network node may receive, from the UE, information regarding at the least one of the following: a mobility capability of the UE; a relative position of the UE with respect to a network node providing a serving cell; a measurement capability of the UE; a new cell detected by UE; or Quasi Co-Location, QCL, between a serving cell and a neighbor cell at different frequencies, where the measurement rule may be based on at least some of the information received from the UE.

[0127] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise sending, to the UE, an indication of one or more conditions for applying the measurement rule, where the one or more conditions are based on one or more of the following: a mobility status of the UE; a relative position of the UE with respect to a serving cell; a power level measured by the UE; support provided by the UE for performing measurements on reference signals corresponding to more than one component carrier or in more than one receiver architecture; or a defined operation of the UE.

[0128] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise sending to the UE, or receiving from the UE, an indication of a time window associated with the measurement rule, where the measurement rule is valid or supported by the network node or the UE within the time window or not supported by the network node or the UE outside of the time window. For example, outside of the time window, a legacy measurement rule may be applied by the UE for performing measurements on reference signals corresponding to component carriers.

[0129] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise sending, to the UE, an indication of a reference frequency corresponding to a target frequency to be measured,and / or receiving, from the UE, an indication of a frequency measurement to be deactivated or activated.

[0130] At block 620, the method 600 performed by a network node for measurements on multiple carriers further comprises sending the measurement rule to the UE, wherein the UE is caused to perform the measurements based on the measurement rule. For example, network node 16 may be configured to cause a UE, e.g., UE 22, to perform at least one measurement based on the measurement rule. In some embodiments, network node 16 may be further configured to cause the UE 22 to reuse the at least one measurement rule on another component carrier. In some embodiments, the measurement rule comprises an indication to deactivate an indicated component carrier.

[0131] At block 630, the method may further comprise receiving, from the UE, a measurement result comprising measurements performed based on the measurement rule.For example, the method may further comprise receiving, from the UE, a measurement result on reference signals corresponding to a first component carrier in a measurement report for a second component carrier. For example, the first component carrier and the second component carrier may be in a same cell group configured for the UE; the first component carrier and the second component carrier may be in a same frequency band; the first component carrier and the second component carrier may be associated with a same or similar priority value; the first component carrier and the second component carrier may have a same or similar amount of channel congestion; or a frequency gap between the first component carrier and the second component carrier may satisfy a threshold.

[0132] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise sending, to the UE, an indication that measurement reporting on reference signals corresponding to a first component carrier refers to a measurement result for a second component carrier. The method may further comprise sending, to the UE, an indication to activate or deactivate a measurement of a target frequency. For example, the indication may comprise one or more of the following: an indication of a time window for skipping individual measurement objects or frequencies; or a semi-persistent solution to activate or deactivate individual measurement objects or frequencies.

[0133] Figure 7 is a flowchart of an example process / method performed by a User Equipment, UE, e.g., in a user equipment 22, for measurements on multiple carriers according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, one or more blocks described herein may be performed by one or more elements of user equipment 22 such asby one or more of processing circuitry 50 (including the measurement unit 26), processor 52, and / or radio interface 46.

[0134] At block 710, the method 700 performed a UE for measurements on multiple carriers comprises receiving, from a network node, a measurement rule for performing measurements on reference signals corresponding to component carriers configured for the UE. For example, user equipment 22 may be configured to receive a signaling measurement rule corresponding to measurement of reference signals corresponding to at least one component carrier.

[0135] For example, the measurement rule may comprise a measurement configuration for a plurality of component carriers including component carriers managed by a serving cell for the UE, and / or an identifier for individual component carriers of the subset of component carriers to be measured. The measurement rule may further comprise an indication of component carriers to be measured at one or more frequency bands. For example, the indication of the component carriers to be measured at one or more frequency bands may comprise an indication of at the least one of the following: the component carriers to be measured in same or different frequency bands; the component carriers not to be measured in the same or different frequency bands; one or more component carriers with a higher ratio or a lower ratio carrier-specific scaling factor in same or different frequency bands; the one or more frequency bands in which the component carriers are to be measured; or the one or more frequency bands in which the indication of the component carriers to be measured does not apply.

[0136] In some embodiments, the measurement rule may comprise band information for individual frequency bands of the one or more frequency bands. For example, the measurement rule may comprise one or more rules for performing the measurements on component carriers at the one or more frequency bands, including rules for at least one of the following: measuring individual component carriers at one or more frequency bands based on a legacy carrier-specific scaling factor rule; measuring a primary component carrier, PCC, if the PCC and a primary secondary component carrier, PSCC, are in a same or different frequency band; or measuring an individual component carrier if a primary secondary component carrier, PSCC, is in a same or different frequency band.

[0137] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise sending, to the network node, an indication of at least one component carrier to be measured. For example, the measurement rule may comprise an indication of component carriers to be measured at one or more frequency bands, the one or more frequency bands being based on at the least oneof the following: a frequency offset threshold between individual frequency bands; or predefined frequency bands based on UE capability.

[0138] In some embodiments, the measurement rule may be applied to individual component carriers based on whether a measurement of a neighbor cell is required. The measurement rule may further comprise an indication of a neighbor cell to be measured that is intra-frequency or inter-frequency with an individual component carrier to be measured; an indication of a neighbor cell not to be measured that is intra-frequency or inter-frequency with an individual component carrier not to be measured; an identifier for a neighbor cell to be measured or not to be measured, which is intra-frequency or inter-frequency with an individual component carrier to be measured or not to be measured; a measurement rule for performing measurements on a neighbor cell, which is intra-frequency or inter-frequency with an individual component carrier to be measured or not to be measured; an indication to deactivate measuring a neighbor cell in a reference frequency, if a serving cell and a neighbor cell at different frequencies are quasi co-located; and / or an indication to activate measuring a neighbor cell in a reference frequency, if a serving cell and a neighbor cell are not quasi co-located.

[0139] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise receiving, from the network node, a request to provide information regarding, e.g., a mobility capability of the UE; a relative position of the UE with respect to a network node providing a serving cell; a measurement capability of the UE; a new cell detected by the UE; and / or Quasi CoLocation, QCL, between a serving cell and a neighbor cell at different frequencies. In response to the request, the UE may send, to the network node, information regarding, e.g., a mobility capability of the UE; a relative position of the UE with respect to a network node providing a serving cell; a measurement capability of the UE; a new cell detected by the UE; and / or Quasi Co-Location, QCL, between a serving cell and a neighbor cell at different frequencies, where the measurement rule is based on at least some of the information received from the UE.

[0140] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise receiving, from the network node, an indication of one or more conditions for applying the measurement rule, where the one or more conditions are based on one or more of the following: the UE’s mobility status;

[0141] the UE’s relative position with respect to a serving cell; a power level measured by the UE; the UE’s support for performing measurements on reference signals corresponding to more than one component carrier or in more than one receiver architecture; or a defined operation of the UE.

[0142] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise receiving, from the network node, an indication of a time window associated with the measurement rule, where the measurement rule is valid or supported by the network node or the UE within the time window or not supported by the network node or the UE outside of the time window. For example, outside of the time window, a legacy measurement rule may be applied by the UE for performing measurements on reference signals corresponding to component carriers.

[0143] In some embodiments, the method may comprise receiving, from the network node, an indication of a reference frequency corresponding to a target frequency to be measured. The method may further comprise sending, to the network node, an indication of a frequency measurement to be deactivated or activated.

[0144] At block 720, the method 700 performed by a UE for measurements on multiple carriers comprises performing the measurements based on the measurement rule, where the measurement rule comprises an indication of a subset of component carriers to be measured among the component carriers configured for the UE. For example, user equipment 22 may be configured to perform at least one measurement based on the measurement rule (Block S106). For example, the indication may comprise at the least one of the following: an indication not to perform measurements on reference signals corresponding to at least one of the component carriers configured for the UE; an indication to reuse measurements performed on reference signals corresponding to an individual component carrier for at least one other component carrier; or an indication to activate or deactivate measurement on at least one of the component carriers configured for the UE. Thus, the at least one measurement rule may be re-used for a measurement on another component carrier, or the measurement rule may comprise an indication to deactivate an indicated component carrier.

[0145] At block 730, the method may further comprise sending, to the network node, a measurement result comprising measurements performed based on the measurement rule. The method also may comprise sending, to the network node, a measurement result regarding reference signals corresponding to a first component carrier in a measurement report for a second component carrier. For example, the first component carrier and the second component carrier may be in a same cell group configured for the UE; the first component carrier and the second component carrier may be in a same frequency band; the first component carrier and the second component carrier may be associated with a same or similar priority value; the first component carrier and the second component carrier may have a same or similar amount of channel congestion; or a frequency gap between the first component carrier and the second component carrier may satisfies a threshold.

[0146] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise receiving, from the network node, an indication that measurement reporting on reference signals corresponding to a first component carrier refers to a measurement result for a second component carrier.

[0147] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise receiving, from the network node, an indication to activate or deactivate a measurement of a target frequency. For example, the indication may comprise an indication of a time window for skipping individual measurement objects or frequencies; or a semi-persistent solution to activate or deactivate individual measurement objects or frequencies.

[0148] As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the concepts described herein may be embodied as a method, data processing system, computer program product and / or computer storage media storing an executable computer program. Accordingly, the concepts described herein may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects all generally referred to herein as a “circuit” or “module.” Any process, step, action and / or functionality described herein may be performed by, and / or associated to, a corresponding module, which may be implemented in software and / or firmware and / or hardware. Furthermore, the disclosure may take the form of a computer program product on a tangible computer usable storage medium having computer program code embodied in the medium that can be executed by a computer. Any suitable tangible computer readable medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, electronic storage devices, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.

[0149] Some embodiments are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, systems and computer program products. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer (to thereby create a special purpose computer), special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0150] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory or storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored inthe computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function / act specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0151] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0152] It is to be understood that the functions / acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the operational illustrations. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality / acts involved. Although some of the diagrams include arrows on communication paths to show a primary direction of communication, it is to be understood that communication may occur in the opposite direction to the depicted arrows.

[0153] Computer program code for carrying out operations of the concepts described herein may be written in an object-oriented programming language such as Python, Java® or C++. However, the computer program code for carrying out operations of the disclosure may also be written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

[0154] Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and / or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

[0155] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein are not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings.

[0156] Additional embodiments are described below.Embodiments

[0157] Embodiment Al . A network node configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), the network node configured to, and / or comprising a radio interface and / or comprising processing circuitry configured to: determine a signaling measurement rule corresponding to measurement of reference signals corresponding to at least one component carrier; and cause the UE to perform at least one measurement based on the measurement rule.

[0158] Embodiment A2. The network node of Embodiment Al, further configured to cause the UE to reuse the at least one measurement rule on another component carrier.

[0159] Embodiment A3. The network node of any of Embodiments Al and A2, wherein the measurement rule comprises an indication to deactivate an indicated component carrier.

[0160] Embodiment Bl. A method implemented in a network node that is configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: determining a signaling measurement rule corresponding to measurement of reference signals corresponding to at least one component carrier; and causing the UE to perform at least one measurement based on the measurement rule.

[0161] Embodiment B2. The method of Embodiment Bl, further comprising causing the UE to reuse the at least one measurement rule on another component carrier.

[0162] Embodiment B3. The method of any of Embodiments Bl and B2, wherein the measurement rule comprises an indication to deactivate an indicated component carrier.

[0163] Embodiment Cl . A user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with a network node, the UE configured to, and / or comprising a radio interface and / or processing circuitry configured to: receive a signaling measurement rule corresponding to measurement of reference signals corresponding to at least one component carrier; and perform at least one measurement based on the measurement rule.

[0164] Embodiment C2. The UE of Embodiment Cl, wherein the at least one measurement rule is re-used for a measurement on another component carrier.

[0165] Embodiment C3. The UE of any of Embodiments Cl and C2, wherein the measurement rule comprises an indication to deactivate an indicated component carrier.

[0166] Embodiment DI. A method implemented in a user equipment (UE) that is configured to communicate with a network node, the method comprising: receiving a signaling measurement rule corresponding to measurement of reference signals corresponding to at least one component carrier; and performing at least one measurement based on the measurement rule.

[0167] Embodiment D2. The method of Embodiment DI, wherein the at least one measurement rule is re-used for a measurement on another component carrier.Embodiment D3. The method of any of Embodiments DI and D2, wherein the measurement rule comprises an indication to deactivate an indicated component carrier.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method performed by a User Equipment, UE, (22) for measurements on multiple carriers, the method comprising: receiving, from a network node (16), a measurement rule for performing measurements on reference signals corresponding to component carriers configured for the UE (22); and performing the measurements based on the measurement rule, wherein the measurement rule comprises an indication of a subset of component carriers to be measured among the component carriers configured for the UE (22).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication further comprises at the least one of the following: an indication not to perform measurements on reference signals corresponding to at least one of the component carriers configured for the UE (22); an indication to reuse measurements performed on reference signals corresponding to an individual component carrier for at least one other component carrier; or an indication to activate or deactivate measurement on at least one of the component carriers configured for the UE (22).

3. The method of any of claims 1 and 2, wherein the measurement rule comprises a measurement configuration for a plurality of component carriers including component carriers managed by a serving cell for the UE (22).

4. The method of any of claims 1-3, wherein the measurement rule comprises an identifier for individual component carriers of the subset of component carriers to be measured.

5. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein the measurement rule comprises an indication of component carriers to be measured at one or more frequency bands.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the indication of the component carriers to be measured at one or more frequency bands comprises an indication of at the least one of the following:the component carriers to be measured in same or different frequency bands; the component carriers not to be measured in the same or different frequency bands; one or more component carriers with a higher ratio or a lower ratio carrier-specific scaling factor in same or different frequency bands; the one or more frequency bands in which the component carriers are to be measured; or the one or more frequency bands in which the indication of the component carriers to be measured does not apply.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the measurement rule comprises band information for individual frequency bands of the one or more frequency bands.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the measurement rule comprises one or more rules for performing the measurements on component carriers at the one or more frequency bands, including rules for at least one of the following: measuring individual component carriers at one or more frequency bands based on a legacy carrier-specific scaling factor rule; measuring a primary component carrier, PCC, if the PCC and a primary secondary component carrier, PSCC, are in a same or different frequency band; or measuring an individual component carrier if a primary secondary component carrier, PSCC, is in a same or different frequency band.

9. The method of any of claims 1-8, further comprising: sending, to the network node (16), an indication of at least one component carrier to be measured.

10. The method of any of claims 1-9, wherein the measurement rule comprises an indication of component carriers to be measured at one or more frequency bands, the one or more frequency bands being based on at the least one of the following: a frequency offset threshold between individual frequency bands; or predefined frequency bands based on a UE (22) capability.

11. The method of any of claims 1-10, wherein the measurement rule is applied to individual component carriers based on whether a measurement of a neighbor cell is required.

12. The method of any of claims 1-11, wherein the measurement rule further comprises at least one of the following: an indication of a neighbor cell to be measured that is intra-frequency or interfrequency with an individual component carrier to be measured; an indication of a neighbor cell not to be measured that is intra-frequency or interfrequency with an individual component carrier not to be measured; an identifier for a neighbor cell to be measured or not to be measured, which is intra-frequency or inter-frequency with an individual component carrier to be measured or not to be measured; a measurement rule for performing measurements on a neighbor cell, which is intra-frequency or inter-frequency with an individual component carrier to be measured or not to be measured; an indication to deactivate measuring a neighbor cell in a reference frequency, if a serving cell and a neighbor cell at different frequencies are quasi co-located; or an indication to activate measuring a neighbor cell in a reference frequency, if a serving cell and a neighbor cell are not quasi co-located.

13. The method of any of claims 1-12, further comprising: receiving, from the network node (16), a request to provide information regarding at the least one of the following: a mobility capability of the UE (22); a relative position of the UE (22) with respect to a network node (16) providing a serving cell; a measurement capability of the UE (22); a new cell detected by the UE (22); orQuasi Co-Location, QCL, between a serving cell and a neighbor cell at different frequencies.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:sending, to the network node (16), information regarding at the least one of the following: a mobility capability of the UE (22); a relative position of the UE (22) with respect to a network node (16) providing a serving cell; a measurement capability of the UE (22); a new cell detected by the UE (22); orQuasi Co-Location, QCL, between a serving cell and a neighbor cell at different frequencies, wherein the measurement rule is based on at least some of the information received from the UE (22).

15. The method of any of claims 1-14, further comprising: receiving, from the network node (16), an indication of one or more conditions for applying the measurement rule, wherein the one or more conditions are based on one or more of the following: a mobility status of the UE (22); a relative position of the UE (22) with respect to a serving cell; a power level measured by the UE (22); support by the UE (22) for performing measurements on reference signals corresponding to more than one component carrier or in more than one receiver architecture; or a defined operation of the UE (22).

16. The method of any of claims 1-15, further comprising: receiving, from the network node (16), an indication of a time window associated with the measurement rule, wherein the measurement rule is valid or supported by the network node (16) or the UE (22) within the time window or not supported by the network node (16) or the UE (22) outside of the time window.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, outside of the time window, a legacy measurement rule is applied by the UE (22) for performing measurements on reference signals corresponding to component carriers.

18. The method of any of claims 1-17, further comprising: sending, to the network node (16), an indication of a time window associated with the measurement rule, wherein the measurement rule is valid or supported by the network node (16) or the UE (22) within the time window or not supported by the network node (16) or the UE (22) outside of the time window.

19. The method of any of claims 1-18, further comprising: receiving, from the network node (16), an indication of a reference frequency corresponding to a target frequency to be measured.

20. The method of any of claims 1-19, further comprising: sending, to the network node (16), an indication of a frequency measurement to be deactivated or activated.

21. The method of any of claims 1-20, further comprising: sending, to the network node (16), a measurement result comprising measurements performed based on the measurement rule.

22. The method of any of claims 1-21, further comprising: sending, to the network node (16), a measurement result regarding reference signals corresponding to a first component carrier in a measurement report for a second component carrier.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein: the first component carrier and the second component carrier are in a same cell group configured for the UE (22); the first component carrier and the second component carrier are in a same frequency band; the first component carrier and the second component carrier are associated with a same or similar priority value; the first component carrier and the second component carrier have a same or similar amount of channel congestion; or a frequency gap between the first component carrier and the second component carrier satisfies a threshold.

24. The method of any of claims 1-23, further comprising: receiving, from the network node (16), an indication that measurement reporting on reference signals corresponding to a first component carrier refers to a measurement result for a second component carrier.

25. The method of any of claims 1-24, further comprising: receiving, from the network node (16), an indication to activate or deactivate a measurement of a target frequency.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the indication comprises one or more of the following: an indication of a time window for skipping individual measurement objects or frequencies; or a semi-persistent solution to activate or deactivate individual measurement objects or frequencies.

27. A method performed by a network node (16) for measurements on multiple carriers, the method comprising: determining a measurement rule for performing measurements on reference signals corresponding to component carriers configured for a UE (22), wherein the measurement rule comprises an indication of a subset of component carriers to be measured among the component carriers configured for the UE (22); and sending the measurement rule to the UE (22), wherein the UE (22) is caused to perform the measurements based on the measurement rule.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the indication of the subset of component carriers comprises at the least one of the following: an indication not to perform measurements on reference signals corresponding to at least one of the component carriers configured for the UE (22); an indication to reuse measurements performed on reference signals corresponding to an individual component carrier for at least one other component carrier; or an indication to activate or deactivate measurements on at least one of the component carriers configured for the UE (22).

29. The method of any of claims 27-28, wherein the measurement rule comprises a measurement configuration for a plurality of component carriers including component carriers managed by a serving cell for the UE (22).

30. The method of any of claims 27-29, wherein the measurement rule comprises an identifier for individual component carriers of the subset of component carriers to be measured.

31. The method of any of claims 27-30, wherein the measurement rule comprises an indication of component carriers to be measured at one or more frequency bands.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the indication of the component carriers to be measured at one or more frequency bands comprises an indication of at the least one of the following: the component carriers to be measured in same or different frequency bands; the component carriers not to be measured in the same or different frequency bands; one or more component carriers with a higher ratio or a lower ratio carrier-specific scaling factor in same or different frequency bands; the one or more frequency bands in which the component carriers are to be measured; or the one or more frequency bands in which the indication of the component carriers to be measured does not apply.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the measurement rule comprises band information for individual frequency bands of the one or more frequency bands.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the measurement rule comprises one or more rules for performing the measurements on component carriers at the one or more frequency bands, including rules for at least one of the following: measuring individual component carriers at one or more frequency bands based on a legacy carrier-specific scaling factor rule;measuring a primary component carrier, PCC, if the PCC and a primary secondary component carrier, PSCC, are in a same or different frequency band; or measuring an individual component carrier if a primary secondary component carrier, PSCC, is in a same or different frequency band.

35. The method of any of claims 27-34, further comprising: receiving, from the UE (22), an indication of at least one component carrier to be measured.

36. The method of any of claims 27-35, wherein the measurement rule comprises an indication of component carriers to be measured at one or more frequency bands, the one or more frequency bands being based on at the least one of the following: a frequency offset threshold between individual frequency bands; or a predefined frequency band based on a UE (22) capability.

37. The method of any of claims 27-36, wherein the measurement rule is applied to individual component carriers based on whether a measurement of a neighbor cell is required.

38. The method of any of claims 27-37, wherein the measurement rule further comprises at least one of the following: an indication of a neighbor cell to be measured that is intra-frequency or interfrequency with an individual component carrier to be measured; an indication of a neighbor cell not to be measured that is intra-frequency or interfrequency with an individual component carrier not to be measured; an identifier for a neighbor cell to be measured or not to be measured, which is intra-frequency or inter-frequency with an individual component carrier to be measured or not to be measured; a measurement rule for performing measurements on a neighbor cell, which is intra-frequency or inter-frequency with an individual component carrier to be measured or not to be measured; an indication to deactivate measurement on a neighbor cell in a reference frequency, if a serving cell and a neighbor cell at different frequencies are quasi colocated; oran indication to activate measurement on a neighbor cell in a reference frequency, if a serving cell and a neighbor cell are not quasi co-located.

39. The method of any of claims 27-38, further comprising: sending, to the UE (22), a request to provide information regarding at the least one of the following: a mobility capability of the UE (22); a relative position of the UE (22) with respect to a network node (16) providing a serving cell; a measurement capability of the UE (22); a new cell detected by the UE; orQuasi Co-Location, QCL, between a serving cell and a neighbor cell at different frequencies.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising: receiving, from the UE (22), information regarding at the least one of the following: a mobility capability of the UE (22); a relative position of the UE (22) with respect to a network node (16) providing a serving cell; a measurement capability of the UE (22); a new cell detected by the UE; orQuasi Co-Location, QCL, between a serving cell and a neighbor cell at different frequencies, wherein the measurement rule is based on at least some of the information received from the UE.

41. The method of any of claims 27-40, further comprising: sending, to the UE (22), an indication of one or more conditions for applying the measurement rule, wherein the one or more conditions are based on one or more of the following: a mobility status of the UE (22); a relative position of the UE (22) with respect to a serving cell; a power level measured by the UE;support by the UE (22) for performing measurements on reference signals corresponding to more than one component carrier or in more than one receiver architecture; or a defined operation of the UE (22).

42. The method of any of claims 27-41, further comprising: sending, to the UE (22), an indication of a time window associated with the measurement rule, wherein the measurement rule is valid or supported by the network node (16) or the UE (22) within the time window or not supported by the network node (16) or the UE (22) outside of the time window.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein, outside of the time window, a legacy measurement rule is applied by the UE (22) for performing measurements on reference signals corresponding to component carriers.

44. The method of any of claims 27-43, further comprising: receiving, from the UE (22), an indication of a time window associated with the measurement rule, wherein the measurement rule is valid or supported by the network node (16) or the UE (22)within the time window or not supported by the network node (16) or the UE (22) outside of the time window.

45. The method of any of claims 27-44, further comprising: sending, to the UE (22), an indication of a reference frequency corresponding to a target frequency to be measured.

46. The method of any of claims 27-45, further comprising: receiving, from the UE (22), an indication of a frequency measurement to be deactivated or activated.

47. The method of any of claims 27-46, further comprising: receiving, from the UE (22), a measurement result comprising measurements performed based on the measurement rule.

48. The method of any of claims 27-47, further comprising:receiving, from the UE (22), a measurement result on reference signals corresponding to a first component carrier in a measurement report for a second component carrier.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein: the first component carrier and the second component carrier are in a same cell group configured for the UE (22); the first component carrier and the second component carrier are in a same frequency band; the first component carrier and the second component carrier are associated with a same or similar priority value; the first component carrier and the second component carrier have a same or similar amount of channel congestion; or a frequency gap between the first component carrier and the second component carrier satisfies a threshold.

50. The method of any of claims 27-49, further comprising: sending, to the UE (22), an indication that measurement reporting on reference signals corresponding to a first component carrier refers to a measurement result for a second component carrier.

51. The method of any of claims 27-50, further comprising: sending, to the UE (22), an indication to activate or deactivate a measurement of a target frequency.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the indication comprises one or more of the following: an indication of a time window for skipping individual measurement objects or frequencies; or a semi-persistent solution to activate or deactivate individual measurement objects or frequencies.

53. A network node (16) for performing measurements on multiple carriers comprising a processor (36) and a memory (40), the memory (40) containing instructions executable by the processor (36) whereby the network node (16) is operative to: determine a measurement rule for performing measurements on reference signals corresponding to component carriers configured for a UE (22), wherein the measurement rule comprises an indication of a subset of component carriers to be measured among the component carriers configured for the UE (22); and send the measurement rule to the UE (22), wherein the UE (22) is caused to perform the measurements based on the measurement rule.

54. A user equipment, UE, (22) for performing measurements on multiple carriers comprising a processor and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processor whereby the UE is operative to: receive, from a network node (16), a measurement rule for performing measurements on reference signals corresponding to component carriers configured for the UE; and perform the measurements based on the measurement rule, wherein the measurement rule comprises an indication of a subset of component carriers to be measured among the component carriers configured for the UE (22).

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