Best effort radio resource management measurements

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to best effort radio resource management (RRM) measurements A method comprises receiving, from a second apparatus, a best effort RRM measurement configuration at least indicating priorities, assigned by the second apparatus, for inter-frequency measurements and intra-frequency measurements; and skipping, based on the priorities, at least some inter-frequency measurements during a transmission scheduling for traffic with a data type having a specific latency requirement.

Description

BEST EFFORT RADIO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT MEASUREMENTSFIELD

[0001] Various example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication and in particular, to methods, devices, apparatuses and computer readable storage medium for to best effort radio resource management (RRM) measurements.BACKGROUND

[0002] UE measurements are necessary in order to ensure robust mobility. For some traffics with a specific type, such as Extended Reality (XR) traffic, which may require extremely low latency, an interruption of the traffic transmission is not expected.SUMMARY

[0003] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: receive, from a second apparatus, a best effort RRM measurement configuration at least indicating priorities, assigned by the second apparatus, for inter-frequency measurements and intra-frequency measurements; and skip, based on the priorities, at least some inter-frequency measurements during a transmission scheduling for traffic with a data type having a specific latency requirement.

[0004] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to: assign priorities for inter-frequency measurements and intra-frequency measurements; transmit, to a first apparatus, a best effort RRM measurement configuration at least indicating the assigned priorities; and schedule a transmission of traffic with a data type having a specific latency requirement between the first apparatus and the second apparatus based on the best effort RRM measurement configuration.

[0005] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: receiving, by a first apparatus from a second apparatus, a best effortRRM measurement configuration at least indicating priorities, assigned by the second apparatus, for inter-frequency measurements and intra-frequency measurements; and skipping, based on the priorities, at least some inter-frequency measurements during a transmission scheduling for traffic with a data type having a specific latency requirement.

[0006] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: assigning by a second apparatus, priorities for inter-frequency measurements and intra-frequency measurements; transmitting, to a first apparatus, a best effort RRM measurement configuration at least indicating the assigned priorities; and scheduling a transmission of traffic with a data type having a specific latency requirement between the first apparatus and the second apparatus based on the best effort RRM measurement configuration.

[0007] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a best effort RRM measurement configuration at least indicating priorities, assigned by the second apparatus, for inter-frequency measurements and intra-frequency measurements; and means for skipping, based on the priorities, at least some inter-frequency measurements during a transmission scheduling for traffic with a data type having a specific latency requirement.

[0008] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises means for assigning priorities for inter-frequency measurements and intra-frequency measurements; means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, a best effort RRM measurement configuration at least indicating the assigned priorities; and means for scheduling a transmission of traffic with a data type having a specific latency requirement between the first apparatus and the second apparatus based on the best effort RRM measurement configuration.

[0009] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the third aspect.

[0010] In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0011] It is to be understood that the Summary section is not intended to identify key oressential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;

[0014] FIG. 2 shows an example of measurements without gaps;

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a signaling chart where a UE indicates that it is capable of performing measurements without gaps with interruptions;

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of measurements in different Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) based measurement timing configuration (SMTC) windows using measurement gaps;

[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a signaling chart for a communication in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 6A illustrates an example of measurement skipping in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 6B illustrates an example diagram of behavior for SSB based RRM measurement timing configuration (SMTC) skipping in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 6C illustrates another example diagram of behavior for SMTC skipping in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 9 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a device that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer readable medium in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. Embodiments described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

[0027] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0028] References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0029] It shall be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,”..., etc. in front of noun(s) and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another and they do not limit the order of the noun(s). For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0030] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0031] As used herein, unless stated explicitly, performing a step “in response to A” does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after “A” occurs and one or more intervening steps may be included.

[0032] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. 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”, “has”, “having”, “includes” and / or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0033] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):(i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and(ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause a first apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and(c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

[0034] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0035] As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and so on. Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network device in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, the fifth generation (5G), 5.5G, the sixth generation (6G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there will of course also be future type communication technologies and systems with which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned system.

[0036] As used herein, the term “network device” refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-ground network device such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology. In some example embodiments, radio access network (RAN)split architecture comprises a Centralized Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU) at an IAB donor node. An IAB node comprises a Mobile Terminal (IAB-MT) part that behaves like a UE toward the parent node, and a DU part of an IAB node behaves like a base station toward the next-hop IAB node.

[0037] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example rather than limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a Subscriber Station (SS), a Portable Subscriber Station, a Mobile Station (MS), or an Access Terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or an automated processing chain contexts), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like. The terminal device may also correspond to a Mobile Termination (MT) part of an IAB node (e.g., a relay node). In the following description, the terms “terminal device”, “communication device”, “terminal”, “user equipment” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

[0038] As used herein, the term “resource,” “transmission resource,” “resource block,” “physical resource block” (PRB), “uplink resource,” or “downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing a communication, for example, a communication between a terminal device and a network device, such as a resource in time domain, a resource in frequency domain, a resource in space domain, a resource in code domain, or any other combination of the time, frequency, space and / or code domain resource enabling a communication, and the like. In the following, unless explicitly stated, a resource in both frequency domain and time domain will be used as an example of a transmission resource for describing some example embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted thatexample embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication network 100 may comprise a first apparatus 110 which may be, for example, a terminal device. In some example embodiments, the terminal device may also be discussed as a UE.

[0040] The communication network 100 may further comprise a second apparatus 120, which may be, for example, a network device. In some example embodiments, the network device may be discussed as a BS, a gNB, or an eNB.

[0041] A serving area provided by the first apparatus 110 is called a cell. The second apparatus 120 may communicate with the first apparatus 110 within the cell 102. The cell currently serving the second apparatus 120 may be considered as a serving cell 102.

[0042] In the following, for the purpose of illustration, some example embodiments are described with the first apparatus 110 operating as a terminal device and the second apparatus 120 operating as a network device. However, in some example embodiments, operations described in connection with a terminal device may be implemented at a network device or other device, and operations described in connection with a network device may be implemented at a terminal device or other device.

[0043] In some example embodiments, if the first apparatus 110 is a terminal device and second apparatus 120 is a network device, a link from the second apparatus 120 to first apparatus 110 is referred to as a downlink (DL), while a link from the first apparatus 110 to second apparatus 120 is referred to as an uplink (UL). In DL, the second apparatus 120 is a transmitting (TX) apparatus (or a transmitter) and the first apparatus 110 is a receiving (RX) apparatus (or a receiver). In UL, the first apparatus 110 is a TX apparatus (or a transmitter) and the second apparatus 120 is a RX apparatus (or a receiver).

[0044] It is to be understood that the number of network devices and terminal devices shown in FIG. 1 is given for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations. The communication environment 100 may include any suitable number of network devices and terminal devices.

[0045] Communications in the communication environment 100 may be implementedaccording to any proper communication protocol(s), comprising, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), the fifth generation (5G), the sixth generation (6G), and the like, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Moreover, the communication may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, comprising but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0046] The reduction of overhead caused by measurements in 5G has been discussed. According to previous discussions, enhancements have been specified to enable the transmission / reception in gaps / restrictions that are caused by radio resource management (RRM) measurements (from inter-frequency RRM measurement gaps, or intra-frequency measurements, or other scheduling restrictions etc.). Furthermore, the corresponding measurement gap and scheduling restriction have been specified to enable the identified enhancements with the RRM performance impact taken into consideration.

[0047] Furthermore, how to minimize the impact of measurement overhead on data traffic with tight latency requirements, particularly in Extended Reality (XR), has also been discussed. In addition to XR, other examples of applications requiring low latency are online gaming, videoconferencing, live streaming, autonomous vehicles, remote surgery.

[0048] In 5G NR, measurements for mobility are performed using one of the approaches in the following:• With measurement gaps: o Gaps cause a periodic interruption on the data transmission / reception. When data arrives shortly before a gap, or during a gap, it has to be delayed until the gap is over. This is detrimental in particular for data with low latency requirements.Without measurement gaps: o Measurements without measurement gaps may cause scheduling restrictions around the symbols to be measured, which can impact the network capability to schedule data with low latency requirements.• Without measurement gaps and with interruptions: o This may cause the same scheduling restrictions, but random interruptions may happen as well. Interruptions are not known by the network and may cause the UE to lose downlink control information (DCIs). Losing the scheduling DCI would increase latency experienced by the user.

[0049] Some schemes for skipping measurement gaps and scheduling restrictions due to measurements are being discussed. The latest discussion comprises the alternatives for skipping measurements in the following:Table 1_ _

[0050] In general, Alternative 1 refers to a set of options based on a dynamic indication indicating whether to skip a gap using the DCI signaling. In Alternative 3 a fixed skipping pattern is configured via the radio resource control (RRC), hence resulting in a more static solution due to the higher RRC reconfiguration time.

[0051] Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which shows an example of measurements without gaps. As shown in FIG. 2, the SMTC period 220 is configured for the UE. The duration of SMTC period 220 may be configurable by the network. The period of 20 milliseconds of the SMTC period 220 is merely an example, the SMTC period 220 may be longer or shorter according to actual needs.

[0052] For example, the block 210 shows an occasion where no data traffic is transmitted and / or received (scheduled to transmit and / or scheduled to receive data in some other scenarios), therefore no interruption is caused since the channel is idle. The block 215 shows an occasion where an interruption occurs.

[0053] Specifically, when the UE is trying to read the SMTC configured by the network to, for example, identify the neighbor cell, the UE may need to switch to another frequency for the SMTC occasion. However, the network may not be aware of the switching of the frequency by the UE. The switch of the frequency may cause the UE to move away fromthe frequency that the current serving cell 102 is using for data transmission, and as a result an interruption of data transmission is caused if there is a data transmission scheduled between the serving cell and the UE when the UE switches to another frequency for monitoring / measuring the SMTC occasion.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a signaling chart 300 where a UE indicates that it is capable of performing measurements without gaps with interruptions.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, network 302 may send (305) a configuration message, e.g. a RRC reconfiguration message, to the UE 301 indicating a need for the measurement gap configuration. Upon receiving the RRC reconfiguration message, the UE 301 may be aware of that the network 302 will perform measurements with measurement gaps. Then the UE 301 may send (310) a RRC reconfiguration complete message to the network 302 indicating whether the UE 301 needs the measurement gaps for certain frequencies. For example, the UE 301 may indicate to the network 302 that it will perform measurements without measurement gap(s) or it will perform measurements without measurement gaps despite interruptions will be caused.

[0056] According to the information carried in the RRC reconfiguration complete message, the network 302 may take some switching occasions and / or frequencies into consideration when UE is performing the measurements. As a result, the throughput of the network may be improved.

[0057] Reference is now made to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 show an example of measurements in short (i.e., 2ms in Case 410) and long (i.e., 4ms in Case 420) SMTC windows using measurement gaps. Depending on the application, the SMTC window length may be configured differently. Within each SMTC window, there may be one or more SSB bursts #0, #1, #2, #3, ..., #7. The UE may sense and read the SSB bursts to obtain the information regarding the identity of the cell.

[0058] When performing measurements in gaps, the UE has to tune to a measured carrier frequency (e.g., to a configured NR ARFCN) at start of the measurement gap length (MGL) and tune back to serving cell frequency at end of the MGL, hence only the outer parts of MGL will cause interruptions and thus the MGL is always longer than the actual measurement window. As shown in FIG. 4, for the case 410, the MGL 412 is 4ms, the actual measurement window 414 is 3ms, and the SMTC window 416 is 2ms. For the case 420, the MGL 422 is 6ms, the actual measurement window 424 is 5ms, and the SMTCwindow 426 is 4ms. It is to be understood that the lengths of the MGL, the actual measurement window and the SMTC window shown in FIG. 4 are only for the purpose of illustration. Any suitable length of MGL, actual measurement window and SMTC window may be configured.

[0059] Measurement gaps may be specified with different MGL to cover short and long SMTC windows. For RRM measurements, MGL can be up to 6ms, for positioning related tasks the UE may in addition use measurement gaps with longer MGL such as 10ms or 20ms.

[0060] However, these outer parts, e.g. used for RF frequency tuning between serving carrier and measured target carrier, are not specified in duration. Also, the UE may switch, in the middle part, to another carrier frequency to measure with another SMTC window, hence interruptions may be caused also in the middle part of the MGL.

[0061] The present disclosure proposes a solution of best effort radio resource management measurements. In this solution, the gNB may assign priorities for interfrequency measurements and intra-frequency measurements. The UE, upon receiving a best effort RRM measurement configuration at least indicating priorities, assigned by the gNB, for inter-frequency measurements and intra-frequency measurements, may at least some inter-frequency measurements during a transmission scheduling for traffic with a data type having a specific latency requirement based on the priorities.

[0062] In this way, an interruption of data traffic with low latency requirements due to unnecessary measurement gap(s) can be avoided.

[0063] Example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0064] Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which shows a signaling chart 500 for communication according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the signaling chart 500 involves a first apparatus 110 and a second apparatus 120. For the purpose of discussion, reference is made to FIG. 1 to describe the signaling chart 500.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 5, firstly the first apparatus 110 may report (505), to the second apparatus 120, a capability for supporting best effort RRM measurements for the traffic with the specific data type.

[0066] In some embodiments, the specific data type mentioned hereinafter may be a data type having a specific latency requirement, e.g., a latency lower than a threshold level, e.g., the Round-Trip Time (RTT) of the data must be lower than 10ms. For example, the data may comprise XR data or other data associated with Ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC) having a strict latency requirement.

[0067] Upon determining that the best effort RRM measurements are supported, the second apparatus 120 may assign (510) priorities for inter-frequency measurements and intra-frequency measurements for the first apparatus 110 to perform a best effort RRM measurement. For example, the second apparatus 120 may assign, to the intra-frequency measurements, a higher priority than the inter-frequency measurements. In addition or optionally, the second apparatus 120 may assign different priorities for a plurality of interfrequency carriers. For example, the second apparatus 120 may provide a higher priority to a first subset of inter-frequency carriers than to a second subset of inter-frequency carriers.

[0068] Then the second apparatus 120 may transmit (515) a best effort RRM measurement (BERM) configuration indicating assigned priorities to the first apparatus 110. Upon receiving the best effort RRM measurement configuration, the first apparatus 110 may skip (525) at least some inter-frequency measurements based on the priorities during a transmission scheduling for traffic with a data type having a specific latency requirement. The best effort RRM measurement configuration may be transmitted via RRC signaling, for example.

[0069] As an option, the first apparatus 110 may receive, from the second apparatus 120, the best effort RRM measurement configuration via an RRC signaling.

[0070] For example, in addition to the assigned priorities, the best effort RRM measurement configuration may also indicate whether a measurement object (MO) is supported for the best effort RRM measurement. For example, the best effort RRM measurement configuration may comprise one or more indications, e.g., flags, to indicate whether there is support of the best effort RRM measurement per MO.

[0071] As another example, the best effort RRM measurement configuration may also indicate that the best effort RRM measurement behavior is to be activated or deactivated for the first apparatus 110.

[0072] In a case wherein the best effort RRM measurement configuration indicates the intra-frequency measurements have a higher priority than the inter-frequency measurements, the first apparatus 110 may skip (525) the inter-frequency measurements during the transmission scheduling for traffic with the specific data type.

[0073] In this situation, the first apparatus 110 may receive, from the second apparatus 120, an indication that that the inter-frequency measurements are allowed to be performed under a condition that pre-determined radio condition requirements are satisfied for intra- frequency measurements. That is, if the first apparatus 110, based on the measurements on the intra-frequency carrier and / or serving cell carrier of the first apparatus 110, determines that the pre-determined radio condition requirements for them are satisfied, such that e.g. a pre-defined measurement frequency in a predefined time interval is satisfied for them, the first apparatus 110 may be allowed to perform the inter-frequency measurements.

[0074] As described above, in this case, the second apparatus 120 may classify those inter-frequency measurements as best effort RRM measurements and assign a lower priority to their corresponding MOs versus the intra-frequency measurements. Hence, the first apparatus 110 can reduce the number of MOs and skip those measurement gaps which are serving those MOs, provided that there is ongoing data traffic having a strict latency requirement, e.g., the XR traffic. Inter-frequency measurements are only performed if there is no need to perform intra-frequency measurements, i.e., these measurements are done on best effort basis, e.g., in order of the configured MOs. Additionally, the second apparatus 120 may indicate to the first apparatus 110 when best effort measurements (or measurements for low priority MOs) might be made.

[0075] In a case wherein the best effort RRM measurement configuration indicates a first subset of inter-frequency carriers in the plurality of inter-frequency carriers have higher priority than a second subset of inter-frequency carriers in the plurality of inter-frequency carriers, the first apparatus 110 may skip (525) the inter-frequency measurements on the second subset of inter-frequency carriers during the transmission scheduling for traffic with the specific data type.

[0076] Similarly, the first apparatus 110 may receive, from the second apparatus 120, the inter-frequency measurements for the second subset of inter-frequency carriers are allowed to be performed under a condition that pre-determined radio conditionrequirements are satisfied for intra-frequency measurements or inter-frequency measurements for the first subset of inter-frequency carriers. That is, if the first apparatus 110, based on the measurements on the first subset of inter-frequency carriers, the intra-frequency carrier and / or serving cell carrier of the first apparatus 110, determines that the pre-determined radio condition requirements for them are satisfied, such that e.g. a pre-defined measurement frequency in a predefined time interval is satisfied for them, the first apparatus 110 may be allowed to perform the inter-frequency measurements for the second subset of inter-frequency carriers.

[0077] As described above, in this case, the second apparatus 120 may provide a higher priority to a first subset of inter-frequency carriers than to a second subset of interfrequency carriers. In such case, the first apparatus 110 may skip all measurements for the second subset and perform only measurements for the first subset on top of the intra- frequency measurements, provided that there is ongoing data traffic having a strict latency requirement, e.g., XR traffic. Inter-frequency measurements for second subset are only performed if there is no need to perform intra-frequency measurements and interfrequency measurements for first subset, i.e. these measurements are done on best effort basis, e.g. in order of the configured MOs. Additionally, the second apparatus 120 may indicate to the first apparatus 110 when best effort RRM measurements (or measurements for low priority MOs) might be made.

[0078] It is to be understood that the indication for resuming the inter-frequency measurements or at least a part of the inter-frequency measurements under a certain condition may be provided by the second apparatus 120 to the first apparatus via an RRC signaling, DCI or MAC-CE.

[0079] In this way, by skipping at least some inter-frequency measurements as described above, the first apparatus 110 may achieve (530) the uninterrupted traffic with the second apparatus 120. That is, on the measurement gaps associated with skipped interfrequency measurement(s), the traffic having latency requirement is scheduled / transmitted without interruption.

[0080] As another option, at least a part of the best effort RRM measurement configuration may be transmitted (520) from the second apparatus 120 to the first apparatus 110 to at least indicate whether best effort RRM measurements are to be applied by the first apparatus 110 via DCI or MAC-CE. That is, whether the best effort RRMmeasurements are to be applied by the first apparatus 110 may be configured by the second apparatus 120 dynamically. In this option, the BERM configuration is also received via RRC message, but the indication for activation / deactivation of the BERM is sent via DCI or MAC-CE.

[0081] Furthermore, it is also possible that the second apparatus 120 may change the best effort RRM measurement configuration dynamically. For example, the second apparatus 120 may re-assign the priorities for the best effort RRM measurements and provide them to the first apparatus 110.

[0082] That is, the second apparatus 120 may be enabled to adapt the extent of RRM measurements according to given metrics or KPIs in a more flexible way.

[0083] In some example embodiments, a command may carry information to activate and deactivate pre-configured UE behavior for best effort RRM measurements (or low priority MOs). In this situation, the DCI indication may include an additional command to activate or deactivate the best effort RRM measurement behavior.

[0084] For example, the DCI indication may include in addition to the already disclosed skipping command (e.g., bit=l indicates to skip next SMTC occasion), an additional command to activate (bit=l) or deactivate (bit=O) the best effort measurement behavior.

[0085] In this way, inter-frequency measurements are only performed, if there is no need to perform intra-frequency measurements and the last received DCI indication includes the command to activate best effort measurements.

[0086] In some other example embodiments, a command may carry information about the duration of best effort RRM measurements. The DCI indication includes, in addition to the already disclosed skipping command, additional information on the duration, since the reception of the DCI indication, of the best effort RRM measurement behavior.

[0087] For example, the DCI indication includes in addition to the already disclosed skipping command (e.g., bit=l indicates to skip next SMTC occasion), additional information on the duration (or residual duration), since the reception of the DCI indication, of the best effort measurement behavior. In this situation, inter-frequency measurements are only performed, if there is no need to perform intra-frequency measurements and the time passed since the last received DCI indication is smaller than the indicated duration. A set of durations can be defined using a table and the DCI mightinclude an index that refers to an entry in the table.

[0088] In the following, some embodiments will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 A to 6C, to further introduce the solutions described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0089] FIG. 6A shows an example of measurement skipping in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the second apparatus 120 may identify that it needs to schedule XR traffic 611 in slots where the first apparatus 110 is likely to use gap-based measurements. In such scenario, the second apparatus 120 may send a skip command 620 to the first apparatus 110. As a response, the first apparatus 110 may be not allowed to use the configured measurement gap occasion, which would just increase latency of the XR data, and hence the next measurement gap occasion 614 is skipped. In addition, the SMTC occasion 612 is skipped. If the second apparatus 120 does not send the measurement skipping command prior to the next SMTC occasion, the first apparatus 110 may resume RRM measurements using measurement gaps. To do measurements in efficient manner, the first apparatus 110 may only perform serving cell and intra-frequency measurements according to the assigned higher priority for the intra-frequency MO during XR data transfer. For example, the first apparatus 110 may perform intra-frequency measurements without gap in active BWP and / or with gap outside active BWP. Inter-frequency measurements, throughout this application to be understood to include inter-RAT measurements, for e.g. measuring 4G / LTE carriers, may be only performed if there is no need to perform intra-frequency measurements. That is, the first apparatus 110 may not perform inter-frequency measurements with gap (such as best effort inter-frequency measurements), if intra-frequency measurements still need to be performed.

[0090] FIG. 6B illustrates an example diagram of behavior for SMTC skipping. In the example of FIG. 6B, it is assumed that the first apparatus 110 is measuring an intra- frequency layer 630 (referred to as Fl), if causing scheduling restrictions (thus may not be performed concurrently with XR traffic) and an inter-frequency layer 640 (referred to as F2). The frequency layer 630 may be assigned a high priority and the frequency layer 640 is assigned with best effort priority (low priority). Before skipping command, every SMTC occasion may be either used for measuring Fl or F2 with an equal distribution. This behavior may be observed in SMTC occasion index from 0 to 3. In SMTC occasions 4 to 6, the second apparatus 120 may send in each a command for the first apparatus 110 to skip those measurements. As a result, no measurement may be performed during thoseoccasions. SMTC occasion 7 may be the next one after skipping commands. This occasion would be normally used for F2 measurement, but since the first apparatus 110 should prioritize intra-frequency measurements, it may use that occasion for Fl. Since the first apparatus 110 lost 2 measurement opportunities for the intra-frequency layer Fl between SMTC occasions 4 and 6, the first apparatus 110 may also prioritize measurements on Fl on the SMTC occasion 9, while also measuring on Fl for the assigned SMTC occasion 8. The result of this method is that intra-frequency measurement delay is increased only to a minimum extent, since the two lost intra-frequency measurement occasions in SMTC occasion 4 and 6 may be compensated after measurement skipping by the SMTC occasions 7 and 9. On the other hand, due to the skipped SMTC occasion 5 and the reassigned measured SMTC occasions 7 and 9, the inter-frequency measurement on F2 will have a longer measurement delay.

[0091] Alternatively, in some example embodiments, the second apparatus 120 may provide a higher priority to a first subset of inter-frequency carriers than to a second subset of inter-frequency carriers. In such case, the first apparatus 110 will skip all measurements for the second subset and perform only measurements for the first subset on top of the intra-frequency measurements, provided that there is ongoing XR traffic. Inter-frequency measurements for the second subset may only be performed if there is no need to perform intra-frequency measurements and inter-frequency measurements for the first subset, i.e., these measurements are done on best effort basis, e.g. in order of the configured MOs. Additionally, the second apparatus 120 may indicate to the first apparatus 110 when best effort RRM measurements (or measurements for low priority MOs) might be made.

[0092] Still referring to FIG. 6 A, the second apparatus 120 may identify that it needs to schedule XR traffic 611 in slots where the first apparatus 110 may be likely to use gapbased measurements. In such scenario, the second apparatus 120 may send a skip command 620 to the first apparatus 110. As a response, the first apparatus 110 may not be allowed to use the configured measurement gap occasion, and hence the next measurement gap occasion 614 and the SMTC occasion 612 may be skipped. If the gNB does not send the measurement skipping command prior to the next SMTC occasion, the first apparatus 110 may resume RRM measurements using measurement gaps.

[0093] In some scenarios, the inter-frequency measurements may be distinguished for two subsets, i.e., inter-frequency measurements may be prioritized for certain frequencies (MOs) over other frequencies. To do measurements in efficient manner, first apparatus110 may only perform serving cell and intra-frequency measurements and inter-frequency measurements for the first subset according to the assigned higher priority for both intra- frequency and inter-frequency MOs during XR data transfer. For example, the first apparatus 110 may perform intra-frequency measurements without gap in active BWP and with gap outside active BWP. The first apparatus 110 may perform inter-frequency subset 1 measurements with gap. Inter-frequency measurements for the second subset may be only performed if there is no need to perform intra-frequency measurements or inter-frequency first subset measurements. In other words, first apparatus 110 may perform inter-frequency subset 2 measurements (the best effort inter-frequency subset 2 measurements) only if neither the intra-frequency measurements nor the inter-frequency subset 1 measurements need to be performed.

[0094] FIG. 6C illustrates an example diagram of behavior for SMTC skipping for different frequency sets. As shown, there may be two frequency measurements sets 650 and 660 (also referred to as frequency measurements subsets). The frequency measurement set 650 may be assigned with a high priority and include an intra-frequency layer (referred to as Fl) and an inter-frequency layer (referred to as F2). The frequency measurement set 660 may be the best effort set (that is, with lower priority) and include two inter-frequency layers F3 and F4.

[0095] Before skipping command, each SMTC occasion may be either used for measuring Fl, F2, F3 or F4 with an equal distribution. This behavior may be observed in SMTC occasion index from 0 to 3. In SMTC occasion 4, the second apparatus 120 may send a command for the first apparatus 110 to skip those measurements. As a result, no measurement is performed during this occasion. SMTC occasion 5 may be the next one after skipping commands. This occasion would be normally used for F2 measurement which belongs to the high priority frequency measurement set 650. Thus, first apparatus 110 may use SMTC occasion 5 for F2. In SMTC occasion 6 which would be normally used for F3 frequency, being part of the frequency measurement set 660, since the first apparatus 110 may prioritize the frequency measurement set 650, the first apparatus 110 may reassign the SMTC occasion 6 to Fl. In SMTC occasions 7 and 9, the second apparatus 120 may send in each a command for the first apparatus 110 to skip those measurements. As a result, no measurement may be performed during those occasions. SMTC occasions 10 and 11 may be reassigned to Fl and F2 respectively based on the frequency layer prioritization.

[0096] In some embodiments, some UE behaviors may balance the conflict between requested RRM measurements requiring a periodic measurement gap pattern and the guaranteed throughput and latency performance for XR traffic data.

[0097] For example, in a case where the RRM measurement is performing by the first apparatus 110 for intra-frequency carriers and a serving cell carrier of the apparatus and at least one inter-frequency carrier, if the first apparatus 110 determines that an amount of traffic with a data type having a specific latency requirement is increased up to a threshold amount, the first apparatus 110 may skip the RRM measurements for the at least one inter-frequency carrier on one or more measurement gaps.

[0098] As another example, if the first apparatus 110 determines that a packet loss rate associated with the traffic is increased up to a threshold rate, the first apparatus 110 may skip the RRM measurements for the at least one inter-frequency carrier on one or more measurement gaps.

[0099] In this case, the transmission of the traffic between the first apparatus 110 and the second apparatus 120 may be performed within the one or more measurement gaps, on which the inter-frequency measurements are skipped. Therefore, the data transmission may be performed without interruption.

[0100] Based on the solutions in the present disclosure, measurement reporting delay may be reduced because measurements that are more relevant for mobility purposes are prioritized over less relevant measurements. Thus, measurement reporting delay can be reduced versus legacy solution assuming measurements for all configured intra-frequency and inter-frequency measurement objects would need to be reported.

[0101] Furthermore, RRM measurements may be adapted to XR traffic by limiting some inter-frequency measurements or all inter-frequency measurements during XR data. The adaptation of RRM measurements can be controlled by the network with dedicated signaling to activate or deactivate the best-effort RRM measurement behavior.

[0102] In this way, if XR traffic increases, just serving cell and intra-frequency measurements are considered for RRM.

[0103] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an example method 700 implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 700 will be described from the perspective of thefirst apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0104] At block 710, the first apparatus receives, from a second apparatus, a best effort RRM measurement configuration at least indicating priorities, assigned by the second apparatus, for inter-frequency measurements and intra-frequency measurements. For example, the best effort RRM measurement configuration may indicate priorities for interfrequency measurements and priorities for intra-frequency measurements.

[0105] At block 720, the first apparatus skips, based on the priorities (priorities for interfrequency measurements and priorities for intra-frequency measurements), at least some inter-frequency measurements during a transmission scheduling for traffic with a data type having a specific latency requirement.

[0106] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: in accordance with a determination that the best effort RRM measurement configuration indicates the intra-frequency measurements have a higher priority than the inter-frequency measurements, skipping the inter-frequency measurements during the transmission scheduling for traffic with the specific data type.

[0107] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: receiving, from the second apparatus, an indication that that the inter-frequency measurements are allowed to be performed under a condition that pre-determined radio condition requirements are satisfied for intra-frequency measurements.

[0108] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: in accordance with a determination that the best effort RRM measurement configuration indicates a first subset of inter-frequency carriers in the plurality of inter-frequency carriers have higher priority than a second subset of inter-frequency carriers in the plurality of inter-frequency carriers, skipping the inter-frequency measurements on the second subset of interfrequency carriers during the transmission scheduling for traffic with the specific data type.

[0109] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: receiving, from the second apparatus, an indication that the inter-frequency measurements for the second subset of inter-frequency carriers are allowed to be performed under a condition that pre-determined radio condition requirements are satisfied for intra-frequency measurements or inter-frequency measurements for the first subset of inter-frequencycarriers.

[0110] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: receiving the best effort RRM measurement configuration from the second apparatus via a radio resource control, RRC, signaling.[OHl] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: receiving the indication via a downlink control information, DCI, or a medium access control, MAC, control element, CE, or an RRC signaling.

[0112] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: receiving, from the second apparatus, a change of best effort RRM measurement configuration or at least an indication whether best effort RRM measurements are to be activated or deactivated.

[0113] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: receiving the change of best effort RRM measurement configuration or at least the indication for activation or deactivation of best effort RRM measurements, from the second apparatus via downlink control information, DCI or a MAC-CE command or an RRC signaling.

[0114] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: reporting, to the second apparatus, a capability for supporting best effort RRM measurements for the traffic with the specific data type.

[0115] In some example embodiments, the traffic with the specific data type comprises traffic having the latency requirement that is lower than a threshold level.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0117] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an example method 800 implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 800 will be described from the perspective of the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0118] At block 810, the second apparatus assigns priorities for inter-frequency measurements and intra-frequency measurements.

[0119] At block 820, the second apparatus transmits, to a first apparatus, a best effort RRM measurement configuration at least indicating the assigned priorities.

[0120] At block 830, the second apparatus schedules a transmission of traffic, with a data type having a specific latency requirement, between the first apparatus and the second apparatus based on the best effort RRM measurement configuration.

[0121] In some example embodiments, the best effort RRM measurement configuration indicates the intra-frequency measurements have a higher priority than the inter-frequency measurements.

[0122] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises: transmitting, to the first apparatus, an indication that the inter-frequency measurements are allowed to be performed under a condition that pre-determined radio condition requirements are satisfied for intra-frequency measurements.

[0123] In some example embodiments, the best effort RRM measurement configuration indicates a first subset of inter-frequency carriers in the plurality of inter-frequency carriers have higher priority than a second subset of inter-frequency carriers in the plurality of inter-frequency carriers.

[0124] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises: transmitting, to the first apparatus, an indication that the inter-frequency measurements for the second subset of inter-frequency carriers are allowed to be performed under a condition that predetermined radio condition requirements are satisfied for intra-frequency measurements and the inter-frequency measurements for the first subset of inter-frequency carriers.

[0125] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises: transmitting the best effort RRM measurement configuration to the first apparatus via a radio resource control, RRC, signaling.

[0126] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises: transmitting, via a downlink control information, DCI, or a medium access control, MAC, control element, CE, or an RRC signaling, the indication that the inter-frequency measurements for the second subset of inter-frequency carriers are allowed to be performed under a condition that pre-determined radio condition requirements are satisfied for intra- frequency measurements and the inter-frequency measurements for the first subset of inter-frequency carriers or the inter-frequency measurements are allowed to be performed under a condition that pre-determined radio condition requirements are satisfied for intra- frequency measurements.

[0127] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises: transmitting, to the first apparatus, a change of best effort RRM measurement configuration or at least an indication whether the best effort RRM measurements is to be activated or deactivated.

[0128] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises: transmitting the change of best effort RRM measurement configuration or at least the indication to the first apparatus via downlink control information, DCI, or a MAC-CE command or an RRC signaling.

[0129] In some example embodiments, the traffic with the specific data type comprises traffic having the latency requirement that is lower than a threshold level.

[0130] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0131] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises: receiving, from the first apparatus, a capability for supporting best effort RRM measurements for the traffic with the specific data type.

[0132] In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 700 (for example, the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 700. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0133] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a best effort RRM measurement configuration at least indicating priorities, assigned by the second apparatus, for inter-frequency measurements and intrafrequency measurements; and means for skipping, based on the priorities, at least some inter-frequency measurements during a transmission scheduling for traffic with a data type having a specific latency requirement.

[0134] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for, in accordance with a determination that the best effort RRM measurement configuration indicates the intra-frequency measurements have a higher priority than the inter-frequency measurements, skipping the inter-frequency measurements during the transmission scheduling for traffic with the specific data type.

[0135] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the second apparatus, an indication that the inter-frequency measurements are allowed to be performed under a condition that pre-determined radio condition requirements are satisfied for intra-frequency measurements.

[0136] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for, in accordance with a determination that the best effort RRM measurement configuration indicates a first subset of inter-frequency carriers in the plurality of inter-frequency carriers have higher priority than a second subset of inter-frequency carriers in the plurality of inter-frequency carriers, skipping the inter-frequency measurements on the second subset of inter-frequency carriers during the transmission scheduling for traffic with the specific data type.

[0137] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the second apparatus, an indication that the inter-frequency measurements for the second subset of inter-frequency carriers are allowed to be performed under a condition that pre-determined radio condition requirements are satisfied for intra- frequency measurements or inter-frequency measurements for the first subset of interfrequency carriers.

[0138] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving the best effort RRM measurement configuration from the second apparatus via a radio resource control, RRC, signaling.

[0139] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, via a downlink control information, DCI, or a medium access control, MAC, control element, CE, or an RRC signaling, the indication that the inter-frequency measurements are allowed to be performed under a condition that pre-determined radio condition requirements are satisfied for intra-frequency measurements or the interfrequency measurements for the second subset of inter-frequency carriers are allowed to be performed under a condition that pre-determined radio condition requirements are satisfied for intra-frequency measurements or inter-frequency measurements for the first subset of inter-frequency carriers.

[0140] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the second apparatus, a change of best effort RRM measurement configuration or at least an indication whether best effort RRM measurements are to beactivated or deactivated.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving the change of best effort RRM measurement configuration or at least the indication for activation or deactivation of best effort RRM measurements, from the second apparatus via downlink control information, DCI or a MAC-CE command or an RRC signaling.

[0142] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for reporting, to the second apparatus, a capability for supporting best effort RRM measurements for the traffic with the specific data type.

[0143] In some example embodiments, the traffic with the specific data type comprises traffic having the latency requirement that is lower than a threshold level.

[0144] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0145] In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method 800 (for example, the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 800. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0146] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for assigning priorities for inter-frequency measurements and intra-frequency measurements; means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, a best effort RRM measurement configuration at least indicating the assigned priorities; and means for scheduling a transmission of traffic with a data type having a specific latency requirement between the first apparatus and the second apparatus based on the best effort RRM measurement configuration.

[0147] In some example embodiments, the best effort RRM measurement configuration indicates the intra-frequency measurements have a higher priority than the inter-frequency measurements.

[0148] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, an indication that the inter-frequency measurements are allowed to be performed under a condition that pre-determined radiocondition requirements are satisfied for intra-frequency measurements.

[0149] In some example embodiments, the best effort RRM measurement configuration indicates a first subset of inter-frequency carriers in the plurality of inter-frequency carriers have higher priority than a second subset of inter-frequency carriers in the plurality of inter-frequency carriers.

[0150] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, an indication that the inter-frequency measurements for the second subset of inter-frequency carriers are allowed to be performed under a condition that pre-determined radio condition requirements are satisfied for intra-frequency measurements and the inter-frequency measurements for the first subset of inter-frequency carriers.

[0151] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting the best effort RRM measurement configuration to the first apparatus via a radio resource control, RRC, signaling.

[0152] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, via a downlink control information, DCI, or a medium access control, MAC, control element, CE, or an RRC signaling, the indication that the inter-frequency measurements are allowed to be performed under a condition that pre-determined radio condition requirements are satisfied for intra-frequency measurements or the interfrequency measurements for the second subset of inter-frequency carriers are allowed to be performed under a condition that pre-determined radio condition requirements are satisfied for intra-frequency measurements or inter-frequency measurements for the first subset of inter-frequency carriers.

[0153] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, a change of best effort RRM measurement configuration or at least an indication whether the best effort RRM measurements is to be activated or deactivated.

[0154] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting the change of best effort RRM measurement configuration or at least the indication whether the best effort RRM measurements is to be activated or deactivated to the first apparatus via downlink control information, DCI, or a MAC-CE command or anRRC signaling.

[0155] In some example embodiments, the traffic with the specific data type comprises traffic having the latency requirement that is lower than a threshold level.

[0156] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0157] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the first apparatus, a capability for supporting best effort RRM measurements for the traffic with the specific data type.

[0158] FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram of a device 900 that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 900 may be provided to implement a communication device, for example, the first apparatus 110 or the second apparatus 120 as shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the device 900 includes one or more processors 910, one or more memories 920 coupled to the processor 910, and one or more communication modules 940 coupled to the processor 910.

[0159] The communication module 940 is for bidirectional communications. The communication module 940 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interfaces may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 940 may include at least one antenna.

[0160] The processor 910 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may include one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 900 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

[0161] The memory 920 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of the non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 924, an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disk (DVD), an optical disk, a laser disk, and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examplesof the volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a random-access memory (RAM) 922 and other volatile memories that will not last in the power-down duration.

[0162] A computer program 930 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 910. The instructions of the program 930 may include instructions for performing operations / acts of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The program 930 may be stored in the memory, e.g., the ROM 924. The processor 910 may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 930 into the RAM 922.

[0163] The example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program 930 so that the device 900 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 8. The example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0164] In some example embodiments, the program 930 may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device 900 (such as in the memory 920) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device 900. The device 900 may load the program 930 from the computer readable medium to the RAM 922 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may include any types of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0165] FIG. 10 shows an example of the computer readable medium 1000 which may be in form of CD, DVD or other optical storage disk. The computer readable medium 1000 has the program 930 stored thereon.

[0166] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, and other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. Although various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representations, it is to be understood that the block, apparatus, system, technique ormethod described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0167] Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, such as a non- transitory computer readable medium. The computer program product includes computerexecutable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor, to carry out any of the methods as described above. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0168] Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

[0169] In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrier include a signal, computer readable medium, and the like.

[0170] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0171] Further, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, although several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Unless explicitly stated, certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, unless explicitly stated, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in a plurality of embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0172] Although the present disclosure has been described in languages specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

I / We claim:

1. A first apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: receive, from a second apparatus, a best effort radio resource management, RRM, measurement configuration at least indicating priorities, assigned by the second apparatus, for inter-frequency measurements and for intra-frequency measurements; and skip, based on the priorities, at least some inter-frequency measurements during a transmission scheduling for traffic with a data type having a specific latency requirement.

2. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first apparatus is caused to: in accordance with a determination that the best effort RRM measurement configuration indicates the intra-frequency measurements have a higher priority than the inter-frequency measurements, skip the inter-frequency measurements during the transmission scheduling for traffic with the specific data type.

3. The first apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first apparatus is caused to: receive, from the second apparatus, an indication that that the inter-frequency measurements are allowed to be performed under a condition that pre-determined radio condition requirements are satisfied for intra-frequency measurements.

4. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first apparatus is caused to: in accordance with a determination that the best effort RRM measurement configuration indicates a first subset of inter-frequency carriers in the plurality of interfrequency carriers have higher priority than a second subset of inter-frequency carriers in the plurality of inter-frequency carriers, skip the inter-frequency measurements on the second subset of inter-frequency carriers during the transmission scheduling for traffic with the specific data type.

5. The first apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first apparatus is caused to: receive, from the second apparatus, an indication that the inter-frequency measurements for the second subset of inter-frequency carriers are allowed to be33performed under a condition that pre-determined radio condition requirements are satisfied for intra-frequency measurements or inter-frequency measurements for the first subset of inter-frequency carriers.

6. The first apparatus of any of claims 1-5, wherein the first apparatus is caused to: receive the best effort RRM measurement configuration from the second apparatus via a radio resource control, RRC, signaling.

7. The first apparatus of claim 3 or 5, wherein the first apparatus is caused to: receive the indication via a downlink control information, DCI, or a medium access control, MAC, control element, CE, or an RRC signaling.

8. The first apparatus of any of claims 1-7, wherein the first apparatus is caused to: receive, from the second apparatus, a change of best effort RRM measurement configuration or at least an indication whether best effort RRM measurements are to be activated or deactivated.

9. The first apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first apparatus is caused to: receive the change of best effort RRM measurement configuration or at least the indication for activation or deactivation of best effort RRM measurements, from the second apparatus via downlink control information, DCI or a MAC-CE command or an RRC signaling.

10. The first apparatus of any of claims 1-9, wherein the first apparatus is caused to: report, to the second apparatus, a capability for supporting best effort RRM measurements for the traffic with the data type.

11. The first apparatus of any of claims 1-10, wherein the traffic with the data type comprises traffic having the latency requirement that is lower than a threshold level.

12. The first apparatus of any of claims 1-11, wherein the first apparatus comprises34a terminal device and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

13. A second apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to: assign priorities for inter-frequency measurements and for intra-frequency measurements; transmit, to a first apparatus, a best effort radio resource management, RRM, measurement configuration at least indicating the assigned priorities; and schedule a transmission of traffic with a data type having a specific latency requirement between the first apparatus and the second apparatus based on the best effort RRM measurement configuration.

14. The second apparatus of claim 13, wherein the best effort RRM measurement configuration indicates the intra-frequency measurements have a higher priority than the inter-frequency measurements.

15. The second apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second apparatus is caused to: transmit, to the first apparatus, an indication that the inter-frequency measurements are allowed to be performed under a condition that pre-determined radio condition requirements are satisfied for intra-frequency measurements.

16. The second apparatus of claim 13, wherein the best effort RRM measurement configuration indicates a first subset of inter-frequency carriers in the plurality of interfrequency carriers have higher priority than a second subset of inter-frequency carriers in the plurality of inter-frequency carriers.

17. The second apparatus of claim 16, wherein the second apparatus is caused to: transmit, to the first apparatus, an indication that the inter-frequency measurements for the second subset of inter-frequency carriers are allowed to be performed under a condition that pre-determined radio condition requirements are satisfied for intra-frequency measurements and the inter-frequency measurements for the first subset of inter-frequency carriers.

18. The second apparatus of any of claims 13-17, wherein the second apparatus is caused to: transmit the best effort RRM measurement configuration to the first apparatus via a radio resource control, RRC, signaling.

19. The second apparatus of claim 15 or 17, wherein the second apparatus is caused to: transmit the indication via a downlink control information, DCI, or a medium access control, MAC, control element, CE, or an RRC signaling.

20. The second apparatus of any of claims 13-19, wherein the second apparatus is caused to: transmit, to the first apparatus, a change of best effort RRM measurement configuration or at least an indication whether the best effort RRM measurements is to be activated or deactivated.

21. The second apparatus of claim 20, wherein the second apparatus is caused to: transmit the change of best effort RRM measurement configuration or at least the indication to the first apparatus via downlink control information, DCI, or a MAC-CE command or an RRC signaling.

22. The second apparatus of any of claims 13-21, wherein the traffic with the data type comprises traffic having the latency requirement that is lower than a threshold level.

23. The second apparatus of any of claims 13-22, wherein the first apparatus comprises a terminal device and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

24. The second apparatus of any of claims 13-23, wherein the second apparatus is caused to: receive, from the first apparatus, a capability for supporting best effort RRM measurements for the traffic with the data type.

25. A method comprising:receiving, by a first apparatus from a second apparatus, a best effort radio resource management, RRM, measurement configuration at least indicating priorities, assigned by the second apparatus, for inter-frequency measurements and for intra-frequency measurements; and skipping, based on the priorities, at least some inter-frequency measurements during a transmission scheduling for traffic with a data type having a specific latency requirement.

26. A method comprising: assigning, by a second apparatus, priorities for inter-frequency measurements and for intra-frequency measurements; transmitting, to a first apparatus, a best effort radio resource management, RRM, measurement configuration at least indicating the assigned priorities; and scheduling a transmission of traffic with a data type having a specific latency requirement between the first apparatus and the second apparatus based on the best effort RRM measurement configuration.37

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