Method and apparatus for beam management and layer 1 / layer 2 triggered mobility (LTM) event based reporting inter-working

Abstract

A user equipment (UE), method, and computer program product for beam management and Layer 1 / Layer 2 triggered mobility (LTM) event based reporting inter-working. UE, while being served by a serving beam in a serving cell of a mobile network, can measure beam quality of beam(s) in candidate and / or serving cell(s) and determine when beams satisfy a quality threshold. UE can report to the mobile network the signal strengths of the beam(s) in serving and candidate cell(s). When the quality threshold is satisfied, the UE reports beam measurements of serving, non-serving, and candidate beams. The mobile network can evaluate beam / cell measurements from UE and determine whether to initiate beam management or LTM in order to avoid a race condition due to only partial consideration of intra-cell beams for beam management and inter-cell beams for LTM management.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BEAM MANAGEMENT AND LAYER 1 / LAYER 2 TRIGGERED MOBILITY (LTM) EVENT BASED REPORTING INTER WORKINGTechnological Field

[0001] Example embodiments relate generally to wireless communications and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a method, apparatus and computer program product for beam management and Layer 1 / Layer 2 triggered mobility (LTM) event based reporting inter-working.Background

[0002] Some wireless devices, such as a user equipment (UE) may be configured to carry out connected state mobility, otherwise known as handover procedures, between two or more different cells (e.g., base station, tower, eNodeB, gNodeB, etc.) of a mobile network, known as candidate cells. A UE can be configured (e.g., by a particular network) with a list of configured candidate cells which are candidate cells for a cell selection procedure (e.g., possible cells on which the UE can camp and which can provide services to the UE). A UE typically reports out to the network on cell-level signal or service quality to the network, or the cell can provide to the network or UE regular reports on cell quality for a particular cell on which the UE is camping. When cell quality for a currently serving cell becomes diminished, handover between the currently serving cell and another cell can be carried out to improve continuity and quality of service. While a particular cell may be involved in beam-level mobility within that particular cell, the UE or an element or function at the mobile network is typically involved in cell-level mobility.Brief Summary

[0003] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims. The embodiments that do not fall under the scope of the claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the disclosure.

[0004] Described are systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for beam management and Layer 1 / Layer 2 triggered mobility (LTM) event based reporting inter-working. An example user apparatus (e.g., a user equipment [UE]), while being served by a serving beam in a serving cell of a mobile network, can measure beam quality of beam(s) in candidate and / or serving cell(s) and determine when beams satisfy a qualify threshold. UE can report to the mobile network the signal strengths of the beam(s) in serving and candidate cell(s). When the qualify threshold is satisfied, the UE reports beammeasurements of serving, non-serving, and candidate beams. The mobile network can evaluate beam / cell measurements from UE and determine whether to initiate beam management or LTM in order to avoid a race condition due to only partial consideration of intra-cell beams for beam management and inter-cell beams for LTM management.

[0005] According to some embodiments, an apparatus or device can be provided that is configured for beam management and LTM event-based reporting interworking. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can be or comprise a UE, terminal device, mobile device, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the apparatus, device, UE, terminal device, mobile device, and / or the like (collectively “apparatus”) can comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least, while being served by a serving beam in a serving cell of a mobile network, determining a candidate beam in a candidate cell satisfies a trigger for a mobility event. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform, in an instance in which the candidate beam satisfies the trigger for the mobility event, determining a signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, a signal strength of one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and a signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform generating mobility event measurement reporting to be transmitted to the mobile network, the mobility event measurement reporting comprising the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform transmitting the mobility event measurement reporting towards the mobile network.

[0006] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform said determining the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell by causing the UE to perform at least measuring the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell.

[0007] In some embodiments, the determining the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event is based at least upon a signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the determining the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the triggerfor the mobility event is based at least upon a signal quality characteristics of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, in an instance in which the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event, the UE is configured to trigger a Layer 1 / Layer 2 Triggered Mobility (LTM) procedure. In some embodiments, the determining the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell is carried out in an instance in which the UE is configured for beam management / LTM measurement reporting interworking.

[0008] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform receiving, from the mobile network, cell configuration information associated with a plurality of candidate cells, the plurality of candidate cells comprising the candidate cell and one or more other candidate cells. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform configuring the UE, based at least upon the cell configuration information associated with the plurality of candidate cells, to carry out the LTM measurement reporting associated with the plurality of candidate cells.

[0009] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform receiving, from the serving cell, a message comprising a IncludeBeamStatus indication. In some embodiments, the IncludeBeamStatus indication can be operable to indicate to the UE that the UE is to provide one or more of: measurement reports for at least the serving beam, the one or more non-serving beams, and the candidate beam, or status information for the serving cell beams. In some embodiments, the status information comprises an indication of whether a respective beam from among the serving cell beams is an indicated beam, an activated beam, or neither an indicated beam nor an activated beam. In some embodiments, the beam management / LTM management interworking indication is further operable to cause the UE to include the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in event-based LTM reporting provided from the UE towards the mobile network.

[0010] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform performing measurement of the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform determining that the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell is greater than the signal strength of theserving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform generating the event-based LTM reporting to be provided by the UE towards the mobile network.

[0011] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform including, in event-based LTM reporting, an indication of the serving beam in the serving cell as corresponding to an activated transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state or indicated TCI state to configure the UE for signaling with the mobile network via the serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the indicated TCI state comprises a reference signal (RS) and an intended quasi co-location (QCL) type associated with the serving beam.

[0012] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform measuring, using a physical layer of the UE, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of respective beams in the candidate cell including the candidate beam and one or more other beams. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform reporting, from the physical layer of the UE to a medium access control layer of the UE, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more nonserving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the respective beams in the candidate cell including the candidate beam and the one or more other beams. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform generating, at the medium access control layer of the UE, a message for reporting the signal strength of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams of the candidate cell to the element or function of the mobile network.

[0013] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform receiving cell configuration information for the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform storing the cell configuration information at the UE.

[0014] In some embodiments, the reporting the signal strength of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams of the candidate cell are carried out using an LTM measurement report. In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises beam indications of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the beam indications comprise an indicated beam identifier, an activated beam identifier, and a candidate beam identifier. Insome embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises reference signal received power (RSRP) values associated with the candidate beam in the candidate cell and the serving beam and the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell.

[0015] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform receiving, via the serving beam in the serving network, an LTM mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform receiving, via the serving beam in the serving network, an intra-cell mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to a particular non-serving beam from among the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform determining whether the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the quality threshold for greater than or equal to a predetermined time-to- trigger (TTT) duration before triggering the LTM procedure. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform receiving, at a medium access control (MAC) layer of the UE, from a physical layer of the UE, an indication that the candidate beam at the candidate cell satisfies the quality threshold. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform setting, at the MAC layer of the UE, a TTT timer. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform, upon expiration of the TTT timer, indicating from the MAC layer of the UE to the physical layer of the UE that the TTT timer has expired. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform determining, at the physical layer of the UE, in an instance in which the candidate beam in the candidate cell still satisfies the quality threshold after expiration of the TTT timer at the UE, to trigger the LTM procedure from the serving beam to the particular candidate beam.

[0016] According to another embodiment, a method can be carried out, such as by a UE, that comprises: while the UE is being served by a serving beam in a serving cell of a mobile network, determining a candidate beam in a candidate cell satisfies a trigger for a mobility event. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise, in an instance in which the candidate beam satisfies the trigger for the mobility event, determining a signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, a signal strength of one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and a signal strength of the candidate beamin the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise generating mobility event measurement reporting to be transmitted to the mobile network, the mobility event measurement reporting comprising the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise transmitting the mobility event measurement reporting towards the mobile network.

[0017] In some embodiments, said determining the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell comprises measuring, using the UE, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the determining the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event is based at least upon a signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the determining the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event is based at least upon a signal quality characteristics of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, in an instance in which the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event, the UE is configured to trigger a Layer 1 / Layer 2 Triggered Mobility (LTM) procedure. In some embodiments, the determining the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell is carried out in an instance in which the UE is configured for beam management / LTM measurement reporting interworking.

[0018] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise receiving, from the mobile network, cell configuration information associated with a plurality of candidate cells, the plurality of candidate cells comprising the candidate cell and one or more other candidate cells. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise configuring the UE, based at least upon the cell configuration information associated with the plurality of candidate cells, to carry out the LTM measurement reporting associated with the plurality of candidate cells. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise receiving, from the serving cell, a message comprising a IncludeBeamStatus indication. In some embodiments, the IncludeBeamStatus indication can indicate to the UE that the UE is to provide one or more of: measurement reports for at least the serving beam, the one or more non-serving beams, and the candidate beam or, status information for the serving cell beams, wherein the status information comprises an indication of whether a respective beam from among the serving cell beams is an indicated beam, an activated beam, or neither an indicated beam nor an activated beam. In some embodiments, the beam management / LTM management interworkingindication is further operable to cause the UE to include the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in eventbased LTM reporting provided from the UE towards the mobile network.

[0019] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise performing measurement of the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise determining that the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell is greater than the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise generating the event-based LTM reporting to be provided by the UE towards the mobile network. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise including, in event-based LTM reporting, an indication of the serving beam in the serving cell as corresponding to an activated transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state or indicated TCI state to configure the UE for signaling with the mobile network via the serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the indicated TCI state comprises a reference signal (RS) and an intended quasi co-location (QCL) type associated with the serving beam.

[0020] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise measuring, using a physical layer of the UE, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of respective beams in the candidate cell including the candidate beam and one or more other beams. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise reporting, from the physical layer of the UE to a medium access control layer of the UE, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the respective beams in the candidate cell including the candidate beam and the one or more other beams. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise generating, at the medium access control layer of the UE, a message for reporting the signal strength of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams of the candidate cell to the element or function of the mobile network.

[0021] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise receiving cell configuration information for the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise storing the cell configuration information at the UE. In some embodiments, the reporting the signal strength of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams of the candidate cell are carried out using an LTM measurement report. In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises beam indications of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the beam indications comprise an indicated beam identifier, an activated beam identifier, and a candidate beam identifier. In some embodiments, the LTM measurementreport comprises reference signal received power (RSRP) values associated with the candidate beam in the candidate cell and the serving beam and the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell.

[0022] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise receiving, via the serving beam in the serving network, an LTM mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise receiving, via the serving beam in the serving network, an intra-cell mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to a particular non-serving beam from among the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell.

[0023] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise determining whether the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the quality threshold for greater than or equal to a predetermined time- to-trigger (TTT) duration before triggering the LTM procedure. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise receiving, at a medium access control (MAC) layer of the UE, from a physical layer of the UE, an indication that the candidate beam at the candidate cell satisfies the quality threshold. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise setting, at the MAC layer of the UE, a TTT timer. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise, upon expiration of the TTT timer, indicating from the MAC layer of the UE to the physical layer of the UE that the TTT timer has expired. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise determining, at the physical layer of the UE, in an instance in which the candidate beam in the candidate cell still satisfies the quality threshold after expiration of the TTT timer at the UE, to trigger the LTM procedure from the serving beam to the particular candidate beam.

[0024] According to another embodiment, a network device can be provided that is configured for communication in a mobile network. In some embodiments, the network device can comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network device to perform some or all elements of a method or approach, such as described herein. For example, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, can cause the network device to perform at least while serving a user equipment (UE) using a serving beam in a serving cell, receiving, from the UE, a Lower-level Triggered Mobility (LTM) measurement report comprising one or both of beam quality information or cell quality information, the LTM measurement report comprising a signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, a signal strength of a non-serving beam in the serving cell, and a signal strength of at least one candidate beam in at least one candidate cell from among one or more candidate cells neighboring the serving cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform determining, based upon the signal strength of respective beams of the serving cell and the signal strength of the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell, whether to initiate a beam management procedure or an LTM procedure. In someembodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell is greater than the signal strength of the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell, initiating the beam management procedure. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the signal strength of a particular candidate beam in a particular candidate cell from among the one or more candidate cells is greater than the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell, initiating the LTM procedure from the serving beam in the serving cell to the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell.

[0025] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform providing, to the UE, via the serving cell, a message comprising a beam management / LTM management interworking indication, the beam management / LTM management interworking indication being operable to configure the UE to report the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam. In some embodiments, the beam management / LTM management interworking indication is further operable to cause the UE to include the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in event-based LTM reporting provided from the UE towards the mobile network.

[0026] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform receiving the event-based LTM reporting, the event-based LTM reporting comprising one or more results of signal strength measurements taken by the UE of at least one of: the serving beam, the non-serving beam, or the candidate beam. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform determining, based upon one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state indications or one or more beam identifiers in the event-based LTM reporting, the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam.

[0027] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform determining, based upon the one or more TCI state indications, from among a plurality of signal strengths reported by the UE in the eventbased LTM reporting, a first signal strength for an activated TCI state associated with the serving beam in the serving cell, a second signal strength for an indicated TCI state associated with the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell, and one or more other signal strengths, wherein at least a third signalstrength from among the one or more other signal strengths is for another TCI state associated with the nonserving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, a TCI state comprises a reference signal (RS) and an intended quasi co-location (QCL) type associated with the serving beam.

[0028] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the second signal strength and the third signal strength are greater than the first signal strength, determining to initiate a beam switch procedure for the UE. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the second signal strength is greater than the third signal strength, determining to initiate an LTM cell switch procedure for the UE. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the third signal strength is greater than the second signal strength, determining to initiate an intra-cell beam switch procedure for the UE. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform determining to delay an LTM cell switch procedure based on the third signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell being greater than the first signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell.

[0029] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform receiving, from the UE, via the serving cell, a beam management / LTM interworking indication that indicates the UE supports reporting, in the event-based reporting, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell, and the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform providing, to the UE, cell configuration information for respective candidate beams in the one or more candidate cells. In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises reference signal received power (RSRP) values associated with the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell and the serving beam and the non-serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises beam indications of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams of the one or more candidate cells. In some embodiments, the beam indications comprise an indicated beam identifier, an activated beam identifier, and a candidate beam identifier.

[0030] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the network device initiates the LTM procedure, providing, to the UE, via the serving beam in the serving network, anLTM mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the network device initiated the beam management procedure, providing, to the UE, via the serving beam in the serving network, an intra-cell mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to the non-serving beam in the serving cell.

[0031] According to another embodiment, a method can be carried out, such as by a network device configured for communicating (e.g., with UE) within a mobile network. In some embodiments, the method can comprises: while serving a user equipment (UE) using a serving beam in a serving cell, receiving, from the UE, a Lower-level Triggered Mobility (LTM) measurement report comprising one or both of beam quality information or cell quality information, the LTM measurement report comprising a signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of a non-serving beam in the serving cell, and a signal strength of at least one candidate beam in at least one candidate cell from among one or more candidate cells neighboring the serving cell. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining, based upon the signal strength of respective beams in the serving cell and the signal strength of the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell, whether to initiate a beam management procedure or an LTM procedure. In some embodiments, the method further comprise, in an instance in which the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell is greater than the signal strength of the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell, initiating the beam management procedure. In some embodiments, the method further comprise, in an instance in which the signal strength of a particular candidate beam in a particular candidate cell from among the one or more candidate cells is greater than the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell, initiating the LTM procedure from the serving beam in the serving cell to the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell.List of the Drawings

[0032] In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system that supports beam management and Layer 1 / Layer 2 triggered mobility (LTM) event-based interworking, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 2 is a signal flow diagram between a user equipment (UE) and an access node (gNB) for initiating and carrying out an example LTM cell switching procedure, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 3 is a signal flow diagram of an example handover request for a cell switching procedure between a source cell and a target cell, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates an example scenario in a wireless communications system in which a UE is on a cell edge, moving towards a non-serving beam in a serving cell and a candidate beam in a candidate cell at the same time, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 5 is a graph of reference signal received power (RSRP) over time for each beam illustrated in FIG. 4 (the y-axis reflects the change in RSRP and the x-axis depicts time over which the UEs location is changing), in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 6 is an example signaling flow diagram showing a message sequence in which the UE ping pongs between inter-cell event-triggered LTM cell change and intra-cell beam management processes for attuning to a non-serving beam in the serving cell triggering due to a race condition between beam management measurement and reporting processes and event-based LTM measurement and reporting processes only partially considering the available beams, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 7 is an example signaling flow diagram illustrating beam management measurement reporting and event-based LTM measurement reporting interworking at the UE and network-side devices, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an apparatus that supports beam management measurement reporting and event-based LTM measurement reporting interworking, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 9 is a process flow diagram of an example process for managing beam management measurement reporting and event-based LTM measurement reporting interworking, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram of an example process for managing beam management measurement reporting and event-based LTM measurement reporting interworking, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 11 is a process flow diagram of an example process for managing beam management measurement reporting and event-based LTM measurement reporting interworking illustrates , in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 12 is a process flow diagram of an example process for managing beam management measurement reporting and event-based LTM measurement reporting interworking, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 13 is a process flow diagram of an example process for managing beam management measurement reporting and event-based LTM measurement reporting interworking, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0046] FIG. 14 is a process flow diagram of an example process for managing beam management measurement reporting and event-based LTM measurement reporting interworking, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Detailed Description

[0047] The following embodiments are exemplary. Although the specification may refer to “an”, “one”, or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations of the text, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is made to the same embodiment(s), or that a particular feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection of an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to apply such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. It shall be understood that although the terms “first,” “second” 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.

[0048] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrases “at least one of A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, and “A and / or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A, B, and / or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C).

[0049] Embodiments described may be implemented in a communication network, such as any of the following radio access technologies (RATs): Worldwide Interoperability for Micro-wave Access (WiMAX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM, 2G), GSM EDGE radio access Network (GERAN), General Packet Radio Service (GRPS), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS, 3G) based on basic wideband-code division multiple access (W-CDMA), high-speed packet access(HSPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, and enhanced LTE (eLTE), 5G (also called NR), or any future RAT such as 6G. Moreover, communication within the communication network 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), and / or Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM).

[0050] As used herein, the term “network device” or “network node” refers to a node in a communication network via which user equipment may access the network and / or which is capable of controlling radio communication and managing radio resources within a cell. The network node or network device may be referred to as a base station (BS), an access point (AP) or an access node. The network device may be, depending on the applied technology, for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), an NRNB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node, 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, or an aircraft network device.

[0051] Moreover, in connection of split radio access network (RAN), the network device may refer to a centralised unit (CU) of a base station and / or a distributed unit (DU) of a base station. An interface between CU and DU may be referred to as an Fl interface in NR. In the split RAN architecture, node operations may be carried out, at least partly, in the central / centralized unit, CU, (e.g., server, host, or node) operationally coupled to the DU, (e.g., a radio head / node). One CU may control one or more DUs, acting at least as transmit / receive (Tx / Rx) nodes. In some embodiments, the DUs may comprise e.g. a radio link control (RLC), medium access control (MAC) layer and a physical (PHY) layer, whereas the CU may comprise the layers above RLC layer, such as a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio resource control (RRC) and an internet protocol (IP) layers. Other functional splits are possible too. In practice, any processing task may be performed in either the CU or the DU and the boundary where the responsibility is shifted between the CU and the DU may depend on the applied implementation.

[0052] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example, a terminal device may be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a Subscriber Station (SS), or a Mobile Station (MS). The terminal device may include 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, desktopcomputer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, USB dongles, 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.

[0053] A term “resource”, as used herein, may refer to radio resources in time domain, in frequency domain, in space domain, and / or in code domain. Some examples of resources include e.g., a physical resource block (PRB), a radio frame, a subframe, a time slot, a subband, a frequency region, a sub-carrier, a beam, etc. The term “transmission” and / or “reception” may refer to wirelessly transmitting and / or receiving via a wireless propagation channel on radio resources.

[0054] User equipment (UE) may be configured to carry out connected state mobility, otherwise known as handover procedures, between a currently serving cell (e.g., base station, tower, eNodeB, gNodeB, etc.) of a mobile network, and one or more other cells, known as candidate cells within the mobile network. UEs are logically and operationally organized into lower layers and upper layers. For example, the lower / lowest layer of a UE is the physical layer (PHY), which performs transmission and reception of data over air interface by converting digital data to radio waves and vice versa. A next higher layer of the UE is a medium access control layer (MAC), which manages the shared use of the radio spectrum by allocating resources and ensuring reliable data transmission and reception. A next higher layer of the UE is a radio link control layer (RLC), which provides a reliable data link between the UE and the network (e.g., 5G network) by detecting and correcting errors, segmenting and reassembling data, and controlling flow. A next higher layer of the UE is a packet data convergence protocol layer (PDCP), which encrypts messages for security and compresses headers for efficiency. A next higher layer of the UE is a service data adaptation protocol layer (SDAP), which matches data flows to quality of service (QoS) requirements. A next higher layer of the UE is a radio resource control layer (RRC), which sets up and manages radio bearers. A highest layer of the UE is the non-access stratum layer (NAS), which manages mobility and sessions beyond the radio access network.

[0055] According to some embodiments, a UE can be configured for initiating, requesting, triggering, facilitating, and / or coordinating beam management procedures and / or LTM management procedures. The beam management procedures and LTM management procedures may be defined for the UE at a source DU / CU. In other embodiments, a UE can be pre -configured for beam management procedures and LTM management procedures.

[0056] In some embodiments, a beam management procedure at the source DU considers the beams within the source cell of the UE and as soon as another beam of the source cell becomes stronger than the source beam currently used by the UE. In some embodiments, the LTM management procedure at the source DU compares only the source beam currently used by the UE (confirmed agreement in WI mobility) to the candidate beam within a potential target cell. As such, the beam management procedure only considers a subset of the available beams and likewise the LTM management procedure only considers a different subset of the available beams.

[0057] This partial analysis and monitoring of only subsets of available beams for beam management versus LTM management can cause a race condition due to the two independent procedures of beam management and LTM management at a source DU / gNB. According to an example, since the LTM procedure does not evaluate / nor consider the available beams in the source cell when deciding on the strongest beam for the UE, the LTM cell change may be triggered when the candidate beam of a potential target cell is better than the currently used / serving beam of the source cell despite the existence of a stronger beam within the source cell (e.g., because the UE moves towards source cell and away from target cell.

[0058] Continuing with this example, if the UE is moving towards the serving cell and away from the candidate cell / target cell, a beam change within the serving cell is triggered to change the serving cell from the serving beam to a previously non-serving beam in the serving cell, which then becomes the new serving beam in the serving cell. Then, an LTM cell change is performed to switch from the new serving beam in the serving cell to a candidate beam of a neighboring candidate cell and since the new serving beam (previously non-serving beam) within the source cell / serving cell is stronger than the candidate beam of the neighboring candidate cell, the LTM management entity cause a beam change back to the non-serving beam (new serving beam) in the serving cell is triggered, making the LTM cell change obsolete / useless.

[0059] In some embodiments, an approach for improved reporting and decision-making with regard to beam management reporting and LTM management reporting interworking is provided in which the UE is configured (e.g., by default, through network indication, or with a condition) to report a list of signal strengths of beams within the serving cell along the event based LTM reporting to reduce unnecessary LTM cell changes, which may be referred to as a ‘ping pong’ between infra-cell beam switching and inter-cell switching (LTM). In some embodiments, the beams within the serving cell can comprise one or more indicated beams, one or more activated beams, and one or more beams that are not indicated or not activated within the serving cell.

[0060] In some embodiments, the UE may be determined to be moving towards the serving cell since beams in serving cell get stronger and implicitly away from one or more candidate cells for LTM, whichmakes LTM unnecessary. This can be detected by improved measurement reporting. In some embodiments, there is a configuration of a further beam for the UE in the serving cell. Without such a further beam, LMT cell change is necessary when the serving beam in the serving cell is worse than the candidate beam in the candidate cell.

[0061] In some embodiments, the process can comprise UE-side tasks such as configuring the UE for measuring beam characteristics such as signal strength, a signal quality, and / or the like. In some embodiments, a process can comprise network-side tasks such as providing beam configuration information to the UE to allow / cause the UE to configure itself / be configured for measuring beam characteristics. The process can further comprise the UE receiving from a cell (e.g., gNB) of the mobile network a signaling message comprising, e.g., an indication that indicates to the UE to report a list of signal strengths of beams in the serving cell along with the event based LTM reporting associated with beams in candidate / target cells. The process can further comprise the UE performing measurements towards beams in the serving cell and towards beams in candidate cells. In some embodiments, the process can further comprise, once the beam-specific measurements have been prepared, reporting the beam-specific measurements from the UE to a gNB in the mobile network, the beam-specific measurements being specific to, e.g., indicated beams of serving cell and candidate cells.

[0062] In some embodiments, the network-side process can further comprise receiving, by a source gNB / CU, from a UE, an indication that the UE supports reporting of a list of signal strengths (or other beam metrics / characteristics) of beams within the serving cell along with the event-based LTM reporting. This indication can be referred to as a ‘UE capability indication’. In some embodiments, the network can be configured to perform evaluation, e.g. , by a source gNB / CU in the mobile network, whether a race condition may exist for the UE.

[0063] In some embodiments, a network-side process can further comprise the mobile network providing to the UE an indication for the UE to report measurements of non-serving beams in the serving cell with measurements of candidate beams in candidate cell(s). The indication to the UE can be sent via, e.g., cell broadcast, pre-configuration signaling, a UE measurement configuration message, and / or the like.

[0064] In some embodiments, the list of beams within the serving cell comprise one or more of: one or more indicated beams, one or more activated beams, or one or more other beams that are not indicated or not activated.

[0065] In some embodiments, a network-side process can comprise evaluating available beams by comparing measured values, such as signal strengths, of measured beams. This may specifically include evaluating available beams in the serving cell with candidate beams in one or more candidate cells definedfor the LTM procedure to the UE. The candidate cells defined for the LTM procedure may be or comprise those candidate cells for which the UE is configured for LTM measurements, such as LTM event-based measurements. The UE may be configured based upon receiving from the network candidate cell configuration information.

[0066] In some embodiments, a network-side process can comprise detecting whether a race condition between beam management and LTM management may occur for the UE. In some embodiments, detecting race condition can comprise performing actions to reduce unnecessary LTM cell changes.

[0067] In some embodiments, a reporting process can comprise the UE providing, to the network, an indication that a race condition may exist between beam management and LTM management. The UE can detect the possibility of a race condition based on, e.g., historical beam strength data, path-loss reference signal (PL-RS) fransmission / reception timing and changes thereof over time, UE geolocation information relative to known locations of the serving and / or candidate cell(s), beam / RS triangulation, infra-cell beam constellation analysis, L3 signaling overhead and delays that may indicate the UE is moving away from a particular cell, cell gain change, other suitable indications, and / or the like.

[0068] In some embodiments, a network may determine, e.g., based on any suitable approach such as those described herein and / or others, that a race condition exists between beam management and LTM management entities and processes. In such a situation, the UE may not be aware of the possible race condition between beam management and LTM management entities and processes. The network may, in some cases, indicate the possibility of a race condition between beam management and LTM management entities and processes to the UE. Additionally or alternatively, the network may request that the UE provide further measurements associated with other available beams, such as non-serving beams in the serving cell. This indication of a possible race condition between beam management and LTM management entities and processes may be communicated to the UE by way of a minimal bit indicator (e.g., single bit flag in Ll / PHY signaling or L2 / MAC layer signaling that binarily indicates) to the UE about whether a possible race condition exists. Alternatively, this indication of a possible race condition between beam management and LTM management entities and processes may be indicated to the UE by way of more substantive or higher- layer signaling, such as L3 / L4 signaling, RRC messages, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the possibility of a race condition between beam management and LTM management entities and processes can be indicated to the UE via L1 / L2 signaling but the UE can, e.g., by default or in response to an express indication or request, respond to the L1 / L2 signaling regarding the possible race condition with beam measurement reports and the like in higher layer signaling, such as L3 / L4 signaling, RRC messages, and / or the like.

[0069] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a communication network to which examples disclosed herein may be applied. The communication network or a cellular communication network may comprise a network node 110 providing one or more cells, such as cell 100, and a network node 112 providing one or more other cells, such as cell 102. Each cell may be, e.g., a macro cell, a micro cell, femto, or a pico cell, for example. The cell (e.g., 100, 102) may define a coverage area or a service area of the corresponding access node.

[0070] The network node 110 may provide a user equipment (UE) 120 (one or more UEs) with wireless access to the communication network. The wireless access may comprise downlink (DL) communication from the network node to the UE 120 and uplink (UL) communication from the UE 120 to the network node. Examples of uplink channels comprise physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) for transmitting control information and physical uplink shared channel (PUS CH) for transmitting data towards the network. Examples of downlink channels comprise physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for transmitting control information and physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) for transmitting data towards the user equipment.

[0071] There may be a plurality of UEs 120, 122 in the system. Each of them may be served by the same or by different network nodes 110, 112. UE may be configured with dual connectivity (DC), wherein the UE, e.g. UE 120, may be connected to multiple network nodes 110, 112. The UEs 120, 122 may communicate with each other, in case device-to-device (D2D) communication interface is established between them via a so-called sidelink (SL). Such D2D communications may be referred to as machine-to- machine, peer-to-peer (P2P) communications, or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), for example.

[0072] In the case of multiple network nodes in the communication network, the network nodes may be connected to each other via an interface. LTE specifications call such an interface as X2 interface. An interface between an LTE node and a 5G node, or between two 5G nodes may be called Xn interface.

[0073] The network nodes 110 and 112 may be further connected via another interface to a core network 116 of the communication network. The LTE specifications specify the core network as an evolved packet core (EPC), and the core network may comprise e.g. a mobility management entity (MME) and a gateway node. The MME may handle mobility of terminal devices in a tracking area encompassing a plurality of cells and handle signalling connections between the terminal devices and the core network. The gateway node may handle data routing in the core network and to / from the terminal devices. The 5G specifications specify the core network as a 5G core (5GC). The 5G core may comprise e.g. an access and mobility management function (AMF) and a user plane function / gateway (UPF) and other functions. The AMF may handle termination of non-access stratum (NAS) signalling, NAS ciphering & integrityprotection, registration management, connection management, mobility management, access authentication and authorization, security context management. The UPF node may support packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection and quality of service (QoS) handling, for example.

[0074] In 3 GPP Rel-18, a new mobility mechanism was introduced, namely lower layer-triggered mobility (LTM), which aims to reduce interruption time during handover.

[0075] The overall procedure for LTM is illustrated in the signaling diagram in FIG. 2, with reference to the network components schematically illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is taken from Figure 9.2.3.5.2-1 of 3GPP Technical Specification Document No. 38.300, version 18, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes as if reproduced completely herein. As described in 3GPP TS 38.300 v.18, at section 9.2.3.5.2, the procedure for LTM comprises:

[0076] In Step 1 of FIG. 2 the UE, for example the UE 120 sends a MeasurementReport message to the gNB 110, which provides access to the source cell 100. The gNB 110 decides to configure LTM and initiates LTM preparation.

[0077] In Step 2 of FIG. 2, the gNB 110 transmits an RRCReconfiguration message to the UE 120 including the LTM candidate configurations.

[0078] In Step 3 of FIG. 2 the UE 120 stores the LTM candidate configurations and transmits an RRCReconfigurationComplete message to the gNB 110.

[0079] In Step 4a of FIG. 2, the UE 120 performs DL synchronization with the candidate cell(s) 102 before receiving the cell switch command.

[0080] In Step 4b of FIG. 2, when the UE-based TA measurement is configured, the UE 120 acquires the TA value(s) of the candidate cell(s) 102 by measurement. The UE 120 performs early TA acquisition with the candidate cell(s) 102 as requested by the network before receiving the cell switch command as specified in clause 9.2.6. This is done via CFRA triggered by a PDCCH order from the source cell 100, following which the UE 120 sends preamble towards the indicated candidate cell 102. In order to minimize the data interruption of the source cell 100 due to CFRA towards the candidate cell(s) 102, the UE 120 does not receive a random access response from the network for the purpose of TA value acquisition and the TA value of the candidate cell 102 is instead indicated in the cell switch command. The UE 120 does not maintain the TA timer for the candidate cell 102 and relies on network implementation to guarantee the TA validity.

[0081] In Step 5 of FIG. 2 the UE 120 performs LI measurements on the configured candidate cell(s) 102 and transmits LI measurement reports to the source gNB 110. LI measurement should be performed as long as the RRC reconfiguration (from step 2) is applicable.

[0082] In Step 6 of FIG. 2, the gNB 110 decides to execute a cell switch from the source cell 100 to the candidate or target cell 102 and transmits a MAC CE triggering cell switch by including the candidate configuration index of the target cell 102. The UE 120 then switches to the target cell 102 and applies the configuration indicated by candidate configuration index.

[0083] In Step 7 of FIG. 2 the UE 120 performs the random access procedure towards the target cell 102, if the UE 120 does not have a valid TA of the target cell 102 as specified in clause 6.1.3.xy of TS 38.321.

[0084] In Step 8 of FIG. 2, the UE 120 completes the LTM cell switch procedure by sending RRCReconfigurationComplete message to the gNB 112 providing access to the target cell 102.

[0085] If the UE 120 has performed a RA procedure in Step 7 of FIG. 2 then the UE 120 considers that LTM cell switch execution is successfully completed when the random access procedure is successfully completed.

[0086] For RACH-less LTM, the UE 120 considers that the LTM cell switch execution is successfully completed when the UE 120 determines that the network has successfully received its first UL data.

[0087] As seen above, in LTM, early TA acquisition, i.e., TA acquisition before handover / cell switch, can be performed in the following ways:

[0088] Firstly, the network can order the UE 120 to perform random access (RA) preamble transmission to a candidate cell 102. The candidate cell 102 uses the received RA preamble to estimate the TA and provides the TA estimate to the source cell 100. When the source cell 100 decides to trigger the cell switch, it provides the estimated TA value along with the cell switch command.

[0089] Secondly, during LTM preparation, the network can configure the UE 120 to perform UE- based TA measurements. UE-based TA measurements may be performed based on the TA of the serving cell 100 and the measured time difference between the candidate cell 102 and the serving cell 100. After being configured, the UE 120 is assumed to obtain a TA measurement before a cell switch command is issued by the gNB 110 providing access to the source cell 100.

[0090] Another purpose served by random access is that the target gNB 112 is notified about the presence of the UE 120 and resources for the UE’s subsequent transmissions are provided to the UE 120. Hence, when RACH-less LTM cell switch is performed, a mechanism is required to support the initialtransmission of the UE 120 to the target cell 102. A mechanism that supports this purpose is the provisioning of configured grants, which consist of sets of resources in the candidate / target cell that the UE 120 may use if / when it performs its initial transmission after handover / cell switch to the target cell 102. An alternative to this mechanism is to provide an access notification from the source cell 100 to the target cell 102, so that the target cell 102 can then provide a dynamic grant to the UE 120 for the target cell 102.

[0091] A similar RACH-less approach has also been proposed for baseline and conditional handover (BHO / CHO) as well to facilitate fast cell switch.

[0092] According to some embodiments, a UE can be configured to perform Layer 1 / Layer 2 Triggered Mobility (LTM), e.g., with measurements being performed by PHY layer and monitoring / triggering by MAC layer. The LTM procedure can involve cell change from a serving cell to a candidate cell that is triggered by the serving distributed unit (DU) based on PHY layer beam measurements performed by the UE of one or more candidate cells reported by the UE to the serving DU at least for multibeam deployments.

[0093] In some instances, the UE 120 may be configured (e.g., pre-configured) by the mobile network for a handover procedure based on one or more signal threshold conditions for one or more candidate cells. Thereafter, if the UE 120 determines a candidate beam at a candidate cell has satisfied the signal threshold conditions that the mobile network configured at the UE 120, the UE 120 can report the LTM event to the mobile network and the mobile network can authorize the LTM handover from the serving beam at the serving cell to an indicated beam at the candidate cell.

[0094] A UE 120 typically reports out to the network on cell-level signal or service quality to the network, or the cell can provide to the network or the UE 120 can provide regular reports on cell quality for a particular cell on which the UE 120 is camping and / or candidate cells for a cell switch / handover procedure. When cell quality for a currently serving cell becomes diminished, handover between the currently serving cell and another cell can be carried out to improve continuity and quality of service. While a particular cell may be involved in beam-level mobility within that particular cell, the UE or an element or function at the mobile network is typically involved in cell-level mobility.

[0095] Typically, the UE 120 would monitor cell quality, identify when a qualify characteristic of the serving cell becomes sufficiently diminished to trigger a handover, sample one or more candidate cells to determine if the cell quality will be increased by switching to that particular other cell, and the UE 120 sends a request to the mobile network for a handover from the serving cell to a particular candidate cell. 1

[0096] The UE 120 can report the candidate cell beam measurements periodically. This periodicity can be set to, e.g., 10 ms, 20 ms, and / or 40 ms. In order to reduce the overhead of such periodic reporting, event triggered reporting has been introduced.

[0097] LTM triggering event reporting by the UE 120 can comprise reporting of instances in which a serving beam in a serving cell becomes worse than an absolute threshold, instances in which a candidate beam in a candidate cell satisfies an amount of offset better / greater than the serving beam in the serving cell, instances in which the candidate beam in the candidate cell becomes better / greater than an absolute threshold, or instances in which the serving beam in the serving cell becomes worse / lesser than a first absolute threshold and the candidate beam in the candidate cell becomes better / greater than an second absolute threshold.

[0098] However, these LTM triggering events rely on absolute, beam-specific qualities of a serving cell or candidate cell to trigger LTM and relate to a specific measurement event or measurement action. When the event criteria is fulfilled, the UE 120 may be configured to indicate the event to the mobile network and to report measurements of reference signals (RS) that fulfill the event criteria to the mobile network.

[0099] However, the current 3GPP standard does not provide for UEs (e.g., 120) that are not configured to report certain potential LTM triggering events such as other relative threshold events, nor does it provide for UEs or network elements that are configured to discern when a relative cell quality differential should be ignored in favor of a preferred non-serving beam in the serving cell. For example, a beam in a serving cell can be referred as a reference resource / beam while the beam in a candidate cell may be referred to as an absolute threshold event. Generally, the beam in a candidate cell may be any of the candidate cell RSs that are configured for measurement.

[0100] At the moment, the 3 GPP Rel. 19 working group has agreed on certain LTM events, referred to as LTMx where x is a number identifying the event that triggered / is triggering LTM. LTM1 is not defined, but LTM2-LTM5 have been defined around absolute beam qualify thresholds or a predetermined offset of beam quality improvement differential of a candidate beam relative to the serving beam. In some instances, the approach described herein can be carried out using LTM3 or LTM5.

[0101] Intra-cell beam management operations also co-existence with LTM activities / events. An event based measurement framework improves the overhead of periodic candidate cell reporting, however it may introduce certain risks, such as a risk of causing a race condition between two procedures due to measurements arriving after or before one another.

[0102] Described herein are approaches and methods for providing a signaling framework for interworking between existing beam management procedures and LTM management procedures that involves additional reporting and additionally granular reporting from the UE 120 about beam signal quality or characteristic, such as signal strength. Described herein also are systems, apparatuses, and computer program products configured for performing the same. Thereby, the network-side can coordinate between beam management procedures and LTM management procedures at the serving DU / CU. Currently, the beam management procedure at the serving DU considers beams within a serving cell of the UE 120, without regard for beams in candidate cells for which the UE 120 is configured. As soon as a non-serving beam at the serving cell becomes greater than the serving beam in the serving cell that is currently being used by the UE 120, under current beam management procedures, the network indicates the non-serving beam to the UE 120 and the UE 120 switches from the serving beam in the serving cell to the non-serving beam in the serving cell.

[0103] Alternatively, current LTM management procedures at the serving DU currently compares only the serving beam at the serving cell currently used by the UE 120 (without regard for the non-serving beam(s) at the serving cell) to a candidate beam within a candidate cell (a potential target cell to which the LTM management entity at the network may cause the UE 120 to switch from the serving cell). Under LTM procedures, when a cell switch command is provided to the UE 120, with regard to the inter-cell switch or handover procedure the serving cell becomes a ‘source cell’ and a particular candidate cell identified in the cell switch command becomes a ‘target cell’. However, the terms “serving cell,” “source cell,” “serving gNB,” and “source gNB” are used interchangeably herein. When beamforming, MIMO, or other antenna / phase-specific or directional signaling is employed, LTM procedure or other similar inter-cell switch from a serving cell to a candidate cell (i.e., from a source cell to a target cell) often also requires a changeover from the serving beam to the particular candidate beam in the candidate cell. While the terms “serving beam” and “candidate beam” are used frequently herein to refer, respectively, to these two beams, the terms “source beam” and “source RS” “target beam” and “target RS” are sometimes used instead to refer, respectively, to these two beams.

[0104] Since current beam management procedures do not consider candidate beams at candidate cells and instead just focus on comparing the serving beam at the serving cell to the non-serving beam(s) at the serving cell, and since current LTM management procedures do not consider non-serving beam(s) at the serving cell and instead just focus on comparing the candidate beam(s) at candidate cell(s) to the serving beam at the serving cell, there is currently no interworking between the beam management procedures and the LTM management procedures. This can cause a race condition due to the two independent proceduresof beam management and LTM management at serving DU / gNB and the only partial consideration of all the beams available to the UE 120 as candidate beams by the DU / gNB.

[0105] Since the LTM management procedure does not evaluate, nor consider, available non-serving beams in the serving cell when deciding on the strongest beam for the UE 120 from among candidate beam(s) at candidate cell(s), LTM cell change from the serving cell to a particular candidate cell may be triggered when a particular candidate beam in a particular candidate cell is better (e.g., higher signal strength) than the serving beam in the serving cell, despite an even greater or equally strong non-serving beam being identified by the UE 120 during intra-cell measurements as part of beam management procedures being identified within the serving cell (e.g., because the UE 120 moves towards the serving cell and away from the particular candidate cell).

[0106] Said otherwise, the UE 120 may initially identify to the LTM entity a candidate beam at a candidate cell as being preferred to an original serving beam at an original serving cell, and the LTM entity can initiate an LTM cell change / handover procedure for the UE 120 from the original serving cell to the candidate cell. The UE 120 can then participate in an LTM cell switch procedure such that the candidate cell becomes the new serving cell and the candidate beam becomes the new serving beam. Thereafter, the UE 120 can subsequently identity to the beam management entity a particular non-serving beam at the original serving cell as being preferred to the new serving beam at the new serving cell, and the beam management entity can send a cell switch command to the UE 120 to switch from the original serving beam at the original serving cell to the non-serving beam at the original serving cell. This may occur when, e.g., the UE 120 moves towards the original serving cell and away from the candidate cell. Since a beam change procedure within the original serving cell is triggered after an LTM cell change to a candidate beam in a candidate cell neighboring the serving cell, and since the non-serving beam within the original serving cell is greater than the candidate beam in the candidate cell, a beam change occurs from the new serving beam (previously the non-serving beam) at the new serving cell (previously the candidate cell) back to the nonserving beam at the original serving cell, making the LTM cell change obsolete / useless.

[0107] By way of another example, a particular characteristic or qualify of a non-serving beam in a serving cell may be relatively better than the same characteristic / quality of the serving beam in the serving cell, while both satisfy an absolute threshold or where neither satisfy an absolute threshold. The relative differential of the characteristic / quality for the serving beam versus non-serving beam can lead to a scenario in which an LTM event is triggered for the UE 120 but reporting of the LTM event trigger to the mobile network is not performed or automatically performed because the LTM event trigger is not based on one of the pre-existing LTM event trigger reporting structure.

[0108] In other instances, an absolute characteristic / quality for a serving cell or a beam in a serving cell can temporarily fail to satisfy a relative threshold as compared to those for a candidate cell or a beam in a candidate cell. For example, a characteristic / quality of the serving cell or serving cell beam may be worse / less than the same characteristic / quality for a candidate cell or candidate cell beam, which can unnecessarily trigger LTM from the serving cell to the candidate cell even though a non-serving beam in the serving cell may be better than the candidate cell or candidate cell beam, which means the UE 120 triggers LTM instead of simply switching to the preferred non-serving beam in the serving cell rather than triggering LTM to the candidate cell.

[0109] As such, the UE 120 can be configured to report signal strengths along with event-based reporting for serving beams / cells along with candidate cells for LTM to avoid unnecessary LTM / handover. The UE 120 can be configured accordingly either by default, based upon an indication or request / command from the mobile network, with a condition to report a list of signal strengths of serving beams along with the event-based reporting, and / or the like. The list of serving beams can include one or more indicated beams, one or more activated beams, and / or other beams that are not indicated and / or not activated.

[0110] From the network-side, a function or element of the mobile network (e.g., centralized unit [CU]) can determine that beam management and LTM execution can exhibit / experience undesirable race conditions due to deployment of the beams. Alternatively, this determination can also occur at a serving DU instead of the CU and the serving DU may also determine to initiate use of beam management and LTM event based reporting interworking as described herein.

[0111] Once the CU or serving DU determines to initiate use of beam management and LTM event based reporting interworking, an element of the mobile network (e.g., CU) sends an RRCReconfiguration message to / towards the UE 120. The RRCReconfiguration message can indicate that the UE should report information about each of the serving cell beams of the serving cell with all or some / certain LTM event based reporting to the mobile network. The mobile network can indicate to the UE 120 that serving cell beam reporting can be made conditional and / or should be conditional. The mobile network can also report to the UE 120 a list of serving cell beams to be reported by the UE 120 to the mobile network when use of beam management and LTM event based reporting interworking is initiated.

[0112] From the UE-side, the UE 120 can receive such an indication or information about beam management / LTM event based reporting interworking from the serving DU or CU in the mobile network. The UE 120 can then acknowledge reception of the same to the mobile network.

[0113] The UE 120 can then preconfigure or can be preconfigured to measure Synchronization Signal (SS)ZPhysical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) blocks (SSBs) from a serving cell. In some embodiments, theSSBs in the serving cell can include SSB1 for a first beam in the serving cell and SSB2 for a second beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the S SB 1 is for a serving beam in the serving cell that is currently serving the UE 120. In some embodiments, SSB2 is for a non-serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the UE 120 can also measure signal strength and / or other beam characteristics / values for candidate beams in candidate cells, such as SSB5 for a particular candidate beam in a particular candidate cell. In some embodiments, the UE 120 has SSB1 as an indicated beam.

[0114] In some embodiments, the UE 120 sends the serving cell LI measurement report that indicates that SSB1 has a lower RSRP compared to SSB2.

[0115] The UE 120 can then generate an LTM LI measurement report. The LTM LI measurement report can be generated by the UE 120 by comparing SSB 1 of the serving cell to SSB5 of the candidate cell to determine / evaluate / compare measurement results to determine whether, e.g., SSB5 has a higher RSRP. In certain instances, the UE 120 may then determine to send an event based measurement report. For example, the UE 120 can evaluate the LTM event conditions. In an instance in which a condition is met or threshold satisfied, the UE 120 selects the corresponding action (e.g., send a normal report, send longer report, change cell, etc.) for sending beam measurement reports with LTM event based measurement reports to the mobile network.

[0116] For example, the UE 120 may evaluate that an indicated beam is not the strongest beam from a serving cell. Thus, the UE 120 may determine to generate and provide a report of signal strengths for the serving cell beams of the serving cells. The report of signal strengths for serving cell beams can be provided with LTM trigger event reporting to the mobile network. In some instances, the UE 120 can determine to generate and provide report(s) of signal strengths for the serving cell beams irrespective of whether the beam quality reporting is to be provided to the mobile network with LTM trigger event reporting. In other instances, the UE 120 can determine to generate and provide report(s) of signal strengths for the serving cell beams only if a non-serving cell beam is preferred (e.g., has a higher signal strength) relative to the serving cell beam in the serving cell. In some instances, the UE 120 can be configured to report to the mobile network certain signal strength information, such as reference signal received power (RSRP) values for each beam in a serving cell. In other instances, the UE 120 can be configured to indicate to the network which beam in the serving cell is an indicated beam, an activated beam, and / or other beams.

[0117] In certain instances, the network may refrain from triggering LTM cell switching. For example, the mobile network may wait for the DU to indicate SSB2 (e.g., as the indicated beam) to the UE 120. The network can indicate a new TCI state to the UE 120 and the UE 120 can then make SSB2 the serving beam. The UE 120 can then determine whether SSB2 of the serving cell has a greater signal strength than SSB5 of the candidate cell. If SSB2 of the serving cell has a greater signal strength (e.g., greater RSRP value)than SSB5 of the candidate cell, the UE 120 can refrain from triggering LTM cell switching and / or can refrain from reporting the LTM trigger event to the mobile network, which can aid in avoiding unnecessary cell switching / LTM / handover between the serving cell and the candidate cell.

[0118] Referring now to FIG. 3, a handover (HO) procedure is illustrated in which the UE 120 is caused to cell switch from a source gNB (e.g., 110) to a target gNB (e.g., 112). As illustrated, the source gNB (e.g., 110) can provide a HANDOVER REQUEST message to the target gNB (e.g., 112), which can perform an admission control procedure to determine if HO is appropriate for the UE 120.

[0119] If appropriate, the target gNB (e.g., 112) provides a HANDOVER REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE message to the source gNB (e.g., 110). The source gNB (e.g., 110) can then transmit an RRCReconfiguration message to the UE 120.

[0120] Upon receiving the RRCReconfiguration message at the UE 120 from the source gNB (e.g., 110), the UE 120 can be caused to switch to the target gNB (e.g., 112) and subsequently send an RRCReconfigurationComplete message to the target gNB (e.g., 112).

[0121] HO procedures, such as that illustrated in FIG. 3, are network-led and often based on network congestion, network-side measurements, or conventional periodic measurement reporting by the UE 120.

[0122] Referring now to FIG. 4, a scenario is illustrated, according to some embodiments, in which a UE 220 is moving between a serving cell 210 and a candidate cell 212 in a mobile network. Under current processes and in accordance with current versions of the 3GPP standard, the UE 220 is configured for LTM event-based reporting and supports at least the following LTM events as triggers for an LTM cell switch procedure: Event LTM2 in which a serving beam in the serving cell 210 becomes worse than an absolute threshold, Event LTM3 in which a candidate beam in the candidate cell 212 becomes at least an offset amount better than the serving beam in the serving cell 210, Event LTM4 in which a candidate beam in the candidate cell 212 becomes better than an absolute threshold, and Event LTM5 in which the serving beam in the serving cell 210 becomes worse than a first absolute threshold and a candidate beam in the candidate cell 212 becomes better than a second absolute threshold.

[0123] The above LTM Events are based on a beam specific quality of the serving beam in the serving cell 210 and a particular candidate beam in the candidate cell 212 to trigger event-based LTM measurement and LTM measurement reporting by the UE 220 to one or both of the serving cell 210 or the candidate cell 212. In some embodiments, the Event refers to a measurement event, while in other embodiments the Event refers to an indication or request from the network. When LTM Event criteria for a particular LTM Event is / are fulfilled, the UE 220 may be configured to indicate the event to network and report the relevant beam specific quality measurements to the network on RS(s) that fulfilled the criteria.

[0124] For example, with regard to Event LTM3, which may be referred to as a relative threshold event, a beam of the serving cell 210 can be referred to as the reference resource, reference beam, source resource, source beam, serving resource, serving beam, and / or the like. With regard to Event LTM4, which could be referred to as an absolute threshold event, a candidate beam of the candidate cell 212 may be any of the candidate RS in the candidate cell 212 that are configured for measurement.

[0125] However, existing intra-cell beam management operations co-existence with such LTM procedures, which are triggered by LTM Events such as those described above. Existing intra-cell beam management measurement reporting, however, is discrete from the event-driven / -triggered LTM measurement reporting processes and frameworks. The event-driven LTM measurement reporting processes, relative to the intra-cell beam management operations, may improve the overhead of periodic candidate cell reporting. However, this may introduce the risk of causing the race condition between the beam management measurement reporting procedures and the event-driven LTM measurement reporting procedures due to different measurements being taken at different times and different measurement reports being provided in certain circumstances to the network in different orders (e.g., the beam management measurement report arriving after the event-driven LTM measurement report, or the like).

[0126] Referring again to FIG. 4, the scenario illustrated is one such scenario in which different measurements are taken by the UE 220 at different times and different measurement reports may arrive at the network in an order that causes the UE to ‘ping pong’ (e.g., unnecessary switching back and forth from serving cell and candidate cell and back to serving cell) as the UE 220 moves away from or towards or between or around the serving cell 210 and / or the candidate cell 212. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the UE 220 is on the cell edge and moving towards a non-serving beam in the serving cell 210 and the UE 220 is also moving towards a candidate beam in the candidate cell 212 at or during the same time.

[0127] As illustrated in FIG. 5, a graph is provided that illustrates resource signal received power (RSRP) values of a serving beam (i.e., indicated beam) and a non-serving beam (non-indicated beam) in the serving cell 210 and a candidate beam (e.g., best candidate beam from among a plurality of candidate beams) in the candidate cell 212 that can be fracked over time as the UE 220 spatially / geographically moves relative to the fixed locations of the serving cell 210 and the candidate cell 212. In FIG. 5, the y-axis depicts relative RSRP values and the x-axis depicts time over / during which the UE 220 is changing locations relative to the fixed locations of the serving cell 210 and / or the candidate cell 212.

[0128] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the RSRP of the non-serving beam in the serving cell 210 becomes better (e.g., by a 3 dB threshold or offset) than the RSRP of the serving beam in the serving cell 210, which under 3GPP beam management procedures would trigger a beam change within the serving cell 210.Shortly after this, the candidate beam in the candidate cell 212 is shown to become better than the serving beam in the serving cell 210, which under event-driven LTM procedures would trigger the LTM cell switch procedure from the serving cell 210 to the candidate cell 212. This causes, as discussed above, a race condition between intra-cell beam management procedures and inter-cell event driven LTM procedures.

[0129] In order to avoid this race condition, according to some embodiments, the UE 220 is configured for certain mobility enhancements, such as enhancements to LTM with event-triggered LI measurement reporting and / or MIMO enhancements with UE-initiated / event-driven beam management. The mobility enhancements for which the UE 220 is configured can include, e.g., measurements-related enhancements of the UE 220 for the purpose of supporting LTM. Other mobility enhancements for which the UE 220 is configured can include, e.g., measurement-related enhancements of the UE 220 that are applicable to intra- cell switching (e.g., intra-CU MCG / SCG LTM) and inter-cell switching (e.g., inter-CU MCG / SCG LTM). Other mobility enhancements for which the UE 220 is configured can include, e.g., certain enhancements of the UE 220 to support event-triggered LI measurement reporting. Other mobility enhancements for which the UE 220 is configured can include, e.g., certain enhancements of the UE 220 to support CSLRS measurements for LTM procedures and enable CSLRS based beam management. Other mobility enhancements for which the UE 220 is configured can include, e.g., other necessary PHY layer operations on candidate cells before LTM.

[0130] The UE 220 can be further enhanced to facilitate UE-initiated and / or event-driven beam management, such as with regard to MIMO or the like. Such enhancements can support reduced overhead, reduced latency, and other benefits to the UE and the network. In some embodiments, a unified TCI approach may leverage legacy CSI measurement processes and reporting configuration frameworks, e.g., targeting FR2 and sTRP with intra- and inter-cell beam management. For example, the contents of uplink (UL) signaling for UE-initiated and / or event-driven beam reporting can be minimized to provide for reduced resource use and fast beam switching. UL signaling medium or container can be chosen based on one or more of a variety of factors, such as UE-initiated beam management circumstances, LTM event specifics, the nature of the UL transmission, etc. In some embodiments, the medium or container for UL signaling of combined beam management measurement reporting and event based / driven / triggered LTM measurement reporting can be purpose-built.

[0131] In some embodiments, event based LI reporting for LTM can be associated with a LI measurement resource configuration provided to the UE 220 during LTM configuration of the UE 220. In some embodiments, the LI measurement resource configuration can be received by the UE 220 via, e.g., RRC signaling and / or the like. In some embodiments, event triggered LI measurement / LTM measurement can be configured for LTM purposes and actions including, e.g., selecting the candidate beam / cell to triggerearly synchronization, select the target beam / cell and trigger LTM cell switch procedure, etc. For event triggered LI measurement, theUE 220 and / or network-side devices (e.g., 210, 212) can be configured to use beam level measurement results for event evaluation. In other embodiments, the UE 220 can be configured for performing event triggered LI measurements in support of cell level measurements.

[0132] FIG. 6 is a signal flow diagram that illustrates the ‘ping pong’ discussed briefly above that is experienced by a UE 320 based on an in initial LI measurement report being provided to a serving DU 310 and a subsequent LI measurement report being provided to a target DU 312 that causes initiation of an RRC Reconfiguration procedure with a CU 316 of a mobile network.

[0133] In the example scenario illustrated in FIG. 6, the UE 320 may be moving towards a non-serving beam a serving DU or cell 310 and a target DU or cell 312 in a mobile network. Under current processes and in accordance with current versions of the 3 GPP standard, the UE 320 is configured for LTM eventbased reporting and supports at least one of the following LTM events as triggers for an LTM cell switch procedure: Event LTM2 in which a serving beam in the serving DU or cell 310 becomes worse than an absolute threshold, Event LTM3 in which a candidate beam in the target DU or cell 312 becomes at least an offset amount better than the serving beam in the serving DU or cell 310, Event LTM4 in which a candidate beam in the target DU or cell 312 becomes better than an absolute threshold, and Event LTM5 in which the serving beam in the serving DU or cell 310 becomes worse than a first absolute threshold and a candidate beam in the target DU or cell 312 becomes better than a second absolute threshold.

[0134] The above LTM Events are based on a beam specific quality of the serving beam in the serving DU or cell 310 and a particular candidate beam in the target DU or cell 312 to trigger event-based LTM measurement and LTM measurement reporting by the UE 320 to one or both of the serving DU or cell 310 or the target DU or cell 312. In some embodiments, the Event refers to a measurement event, while in other embodiments the Event refers to an indication or request from the network. When LTM Event criteria for a particular LTM Event is / are fulfilled, the UE 320 may be configured to indicate the event to network and report the relevant beam specific quality measurements to the network on RS(s) that fulfilled the criteria.

[0135] For example, with regard to Event LTM3, which may be referred to as a relative threshold event, a beam of the serving DU or cell 310 can be referred to as the reference resource, reference beam, source resource, source beam, serving resource, serving beam, and / or the like. With regard to Event LTM4, which could be referred to as an absolute threshold event, a candidate beam of the target DU or cell 312 may be any of the candidate RS in the target DU or cell 312 that are configured for measurement.

[0136] However, existing intra-cell beam management operations co-exist with such LTM procedures, which are triggered by LTM Events such as those described above. Existing intra-cell beam management measurement reporting, however, is discrete from the event-driven / -triggered LTM measurement reporting processes and frameworks. The event-driven LTM measurement reporting processes, relative to the intra- cell beam management operations, may improve the overhead of periodic candidate cell reporting. However, this may introduce the risk of causing the race condition between the beam management measurement reporting procedures and the event-driven LTM measurement reporting procedures due to different measurements being taken at different times and different measurement reports being provided in certain circumstances to the network in different orders (e.g., the beam management measurement report arriving after the event-driven LTM measurement report, or the like).

[0137] In the signaling scenario illustrated in FIG. 6, different measurements are taken by the UE 320 at different times and different measurement reports may arrive at the network in an order that causes the UE to ‘ping pong’ (e.g., unnecessary switching back and forth between serving cell and candidate cell and back to serving cell) as the UE 320 moves away from or towards or between or around the serving DU or cell 310 and / or the target DU or cell 312. In some embodiments, the UE 320 is on the cell edge and moving towards a non-serving beam in the serving DU or cell 310 and the UE 320 is also moving towards a candidate beam in the target DU or cell 312 at or during the same time.

[0138] In some embodiments, a beam strength value or a beam quality value such as RSRP can be measured of a serving beam (i.e., indicated beam) and a non-serving beam (non-indicated beam) in the serving DU or cell 310 and a candidate beam (e.g., best candidate beam from among a plurality of candidate beams) in the target DU 312 that can be tracked over time as the UE 320 spatially / geographically moves relative to the fixed locations of the serving DU or cell 310 and the target DU or cell 312.

[0139] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the signaling process comprises the target DU or cell 312 providing, at (1), LTM configuration information for a particular candidate beam (e.g., SSB5) in the target DU or cell 312 to the UE 320. The serving DU or cell 310 can provide, respectively, at (1) and (2), beam management configuration information to the UE 320 for, respectively, a serving / activated / indicated beam (e.g., SSB 1) in the serving DU or cell 310 and a non-serving / non-activated / non-indicated beam (e.g., SSB2) in the serving DU or cell 310. In the illustrated signaling scenario, SSB1 is associated with the serving beam or indicated beam in the serving DU or cell 310 and SSB2 is associated with a non-serving beam or non-indicated beam in the serving DU or cell 310. Further, SSB5 is associated with a particular candidate beam in the target DU or cell 312. In some embodiments, the UE 320 can use NR synchronization signals and PBCH to derive the necessary information required to access the cell. The SSB comprises cell / DUconfiguration information comprising, e.g., a Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), a Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), and a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH).

[0140] Thereafter, based on receiving SSB5 from the target DU or cell 312, the UE 320 can be configured for event-based LTM measurement reporting with regard to the candidate beam in the target DU or cell 312 and for LTM cell switching to the candidate beam in the target DU or cell 312 if an LTM cell switch command is received from the target DU or cell 312 in response to sending the event-triggered LTM measurement report to the serving DU or cell 310 or the target DU or cell 312. Based on receiving SSB1 and SSB2 from the target DU or cell 312, the UE 320 is configured for beam management measurement reporting with regard to the serving and non-serving beams in the source DU or cell 310 and for intra-cell beam switching to the non-serving beam in the serving DU or cell 310 if a beam management command is received from the source DU or cell 310 in response to sending a beam management measurement report to the serving DU or cell 310 about the serving beam and the non-serving beam.

[0141] Once so configured, the UE 320 can perform beam characteristic(s) measurement(s) for the serving beam associated with SSB1 and the non-serving beam associated with SSB2. The UE 320 can measure the serving and non-serving beams in the serving DU or cell 310 over a period of time to determine changes in the beam characteristics measured with regard to one or more absolute thresholds and / or relative to each other and / or one more other beams in the serving DU or cell 310. In an instance in which the UE 320 determines that a beam quality characteristic (e.g., RSRP) of SSB2 is greater than SSB1 for example, the UE can generate a first LI measurements report comprising the measurements associated with SSB1 and SSB2 (and / or, optionally, an indication of satisfaction of a trigger or a threshold, an indication regarding a relative relationship between SSB1 and SSB2, etc.). The UE 320 can then transmit, at (4), the first LI measurements report to the serving DU or cell 310.

[0142] In some embodiments, once the UE 320 is configured as noted above to measure and monitor beam characteristics associated with SSB1, SSB2, and SSB5, the UE 320 can perform beam characteristic(s) measurement(s) for the serving beam in the serving DU or cell 310, the serving beam being associated with SSB1, and the target beam in the target DU or cell 312, the target beam being associated with SSB5. The UE 320 can measure the serving beams in the serving DU or cell 310 and the candidate beam in the target DU or cell 312 over a period of time to determine changes in the beam characteristics measured with regard to one or more absolute thresholds and / or relative to each other. In an instance in which the UE 320 determines that a beam quality characteristic (e.g., RSRP) of the beam associated with SSB5 is greater than the beam quality characteristic of the beam associated with SSB1, the UE 320 can generate a second LI measurements report. The second LI measurements report can comprise the measurements (e.g., beam quality characteristic measurements) associated with SSB1 and SSB5 (and / or,optionally, an indication of satisfaction of a trigger or a threshold, an indication regarding a relative relationship between SSB1 and SSB5, etc.). The UE 320 can then transmit, at (5), the second LI measurements report to the serving DU or cell 310.

[0143] Based on the first LI measurements report being received first by the serving DU or cell 310, the serving DU or cell 310 can then respond to the UE 320 by sending, at (6), downlink control information (DCI) to the UE 320, the DO indicating SSB2 associated with the non-serving beam in the serving DU or cell 310. The UE 320, based on the DCI received from the serving DU or cell 310 that indicates SSB2, undergoes an intra-cell beam management beam switching procedure between SSB1 and SSB2, and the UE 320 is reconfigured / attuned for the non-serving beam associated with SSB2, such that the beam associated with SSB2 is now the serving beam in the serving DU or cell 310.

[0144] Subsequently, after the intra-cell beam switch from SSB1 to SSB2, the serving DU or cell 310 may indicate to UE 320 to do cell change as both procedures are on going at the same time. Thereafter after receiving the cell switch command the UE 320 is being served by the candidate beam in the target DU or cell 312. After the intra-cell beam switch to SSB2, the UE 320 can continue to perform beam-specific measurements, such as those described herein, of SSB1, SSB2, SSB5, and / or other beams.

[0145] The UE 320, which is now being served by the target DU or cell 312, provides, at (8), an RRCReconfigurationComplete message to the target DU or cell 312, which provides the RRCReconfigurationComplete message or information associated with the RRCReconfigurationComplete message to the CU 316.

[0146] Thereafter, in an instance in which the UE 320 determines that the beam strength / quality characteristics of a non-serving beam (e.g., SSB2) in the serving DU or cell 310 is / are greater than those of the candidate beam in the target DU or cell 312, the UE 320 generates a third LI measurements report. This comparison by the UE 320 can be carried out using the same measurements from during a same period of time or measurement duration, and / or a different period of time or measurement duration.

[0147] In some embodiments, the third LI measurements report can comprise the measurements (e.g., beam quality characteristic measurements) associated with SSB2 and SSB5 (and / or, optionally, an indication of satisfaction of a trigger or a threshold, an indication regarding a relative relationship between SSB2 and SSB5, etc.). The UE 320 can then transmit, at (9), the third LI measurements report to the candidate DU or cell 312.

[0148] In response to the target DU or cell 312 receiving the third LI measurements report from the UE 320, the target DU or cell 312 can provide a MAC CE cell change message to the UE 320. In responseto the UE 320 receiving the MAC CE cell change, the UE 320 can undergo a cell switching procedure (e.g., inter-cell LTM) from SSB5 in the target DU or cell 312 to SSB2 in the serving DU or cell 310.

[0149] These and other problems are due, at least in part, to a lack of interworking between beam management procedures / entities and event-based LTM procedures / entities.

[0150] FIG. 7 is a signal flow diagram of an example signaling approach for achieving interworking between beam management procedures / entities and event-based LTM procedures / entities. Optionally, at (1), this approach comprises a CU 416 determining that a race condition (such as described herein) exists (or there is a likelihood of such a race condition existing) between beam management processes / entities and LTM processes / entities. Additionally or alternatively, this can be decided by a serving DU or cell 410.

[0151] At (2), the CU 416 then sends an RRCReconfiguration message to a UE 420, via the serving DU or cell 410 that is currently serving the UE 420. In some embodiments, the RRCReconfiguration message can comprise an indication of the race condition or possibility of a race condition occurring. In some embodiments, the RRCReconnection message can indicate that the UE 420 is to report measurements associated with the serving cell within Event LTM3 (or Event LTM5) reporting. Based on the indication, request, command, or the like included in the RRCReconfiguration message received at the UE 420, the UE 420 can be reconfigured to, e.g., operate under beam management / LTM interworking procedures and / or report serving cell and candidate cell measurements in LTM Event measurement reporting.

[0152] At (3), the UE 420, once so configured, sends a RRCReconfigurationComplete message to the serving DU or cell 410. The serving DU or cell 410 can, e.g., either forward the RRCReconfigurationComplete message along to the CU 416 or generate and provide information to the CU 416 about the RRCReconfigurationComplete message.

[0153] Once the UE 420 is configured for LTM, the UE 420 can monitor one or more candidate reference signals (RS) / beams, such as at a target DU or cell 412. For example, at (4), the target DU or cell 412 can transmit reference signals (RS) such as SSB5 to the UE 420. In some embodiments, this may be a broadcast message transmitted to the UE 420 such that the UE 420 can measure a signal strength (or other signal characteristic or quality) of the broadcast RS in the target DU or cell 412 (e.g., SSB5). At or around the same time, the serving DU or cell 410 can provide a serving beam (SSB1) and at least a nonserving beam (SSB2) in the serving DU or cell 410 to the UE 420.

[0154] In some embodiments, the UE 420 can monitor SSB1 and SSB2 in a similar manner as described above regarding SSB5. For example, the target DU or cell 412 can transmit the RS (e.g., SSB1 and / or SSB2) to the UE 420. In some embodiments, this may be a broadcast message transmitted to theUE 420 such that the UE 420 can measure a signal strength (or other signal characteristic or quality) of the broadcast RS (e.g., SSB1 and / or SSB2) in the target DU or cell 412.

[0155] At (5), the UE 420 can be in CONNECTED mode with the mobile network via SSB1 in the serving DU or cell 410. Thereafter, at (6), the UE 420 can determine that a beam quality / strength characteristic of a non-serving beam (e.g., SSB2) in the serving DU or cell 410 is stronger, better, greater, or higher than the same characteristic of the serving beam (e.g., SSB1) in the serving DU or cell 410.

[0156] At (7), the UE 420 can provide, to the serving DU or cell 410, an LI measurement report for beam management that indicate the beam characteristic of the non-serving beam (e.g., SSB2) is stronger, better, greater, or higher than the same characteristic of the serving beam (e.g., SSB1).

[0157] Thereafter, at (8), the UE 420 can determine that a beam quality / strength characteristic of the candidate beam (e.g., SSB5) in the target DU or cell 412 is stronger, better, greater, or higher than the same characteristic of the serving beam (e.g., SSB1) in the serving DU or cell 410.

[0158] At (9), the UE 420 can also determine that the beam quality / strength characteristic of the nonserving beam (e.g., SSB2) in the serving DU or cell 410 is stronger, better, greater, or higher than the same characteristic of the serving beam (e.g., SSB1) in the serving DU or cell 410.

[0159] At (10), the UE 420 can provide, to the serving DU or cell 410, an LTM Ll measurement report for interworking of beam management and LTM processes that indicates the beam characteristic of the candidate beam (e.g., SSB5) is stronger, better, greater, or higher than the same characteristic of the serving beam (e.g., SSB1), that SSB1 is an indicated beam in the serving DU or cell 410, that SSB2 is an activated beam in the serving DU or cell 410, that SSB3 is another beam in the serving DU or cell 410, and that SSB5 is a candidate beam in the target DU or cell 412. Optionally, the LTM LI measurement report can further comprise an indication that the indicated beam is not the strongest, best, greatest, or highest beam from among the available beams for which measurements are included in the LTM LI measurement report.

[0160] In some embodiments, the LTM LI measurement report can indicate, either explicitly or implicitly or by providing the actual measurements associated with the SSBs, that the activated beam (e.g., SSB2) and / or other beam (e.g., SSB3) are also not the strongest, best, greatest, or highest beams from among the available beams for which measurements are included in the LTM LI measurement report.

[0161] At (11), the serving DU or cell 410, upon receiving the LTM LI measurement report from the UE 420, can wait for beam management to activate the non-serving beam (e.g., SSB2) in the serving DU or cell 410 as the new serving beam in the serving DU or cell 410 rather than taking action to initiate an LTM event-based inter-cell switch from the serving DU or cell 410 to the target DU or cell 412.

[0162] Therefore, the serving DU or cell 410 can refrain from initiating an LTM event-based intercell switch for the UE 420 due to the LTM LI measurement report indicating (either by including measurements for the non-serving beam (e.g., SSB2) or by including an express indication) that the candidate beam (e.g., SSB5) is not the strongest, best, greatest, or highest beam from among the available beams for which measurements were included in the LTM LI measurement report.

[0163] At (12), the serving DU or cell 410 can provide DO to the UE 420 that indicate an infra-cell beam change from, e.g., SSB1 to SSB2 since SSB2 is stronger, better, greater, or higher than SSB1 and SSB5. Since the serving DU or cell 410 previously refrained from initiating an LTM event-triggered intercell switch from the serving DU or cell 410 to the target DU or cell 412, the UE 420 does not experience the ‘ping pong’ of inter-cell switching from serving DU or cell 410 to target DU or cell 412 and back to serving DU or cell 410 that would otherwise have occurred based upon the LI measurement report indicating that, e.g., SSB2 is stronger, better, greater, or higher than SSB1 and subsequently the LTM LI measurement report indicated that SSB5 is stronger, better, greater, or higher than SSB1 while also providing beam characteristic measurement(s) for SSB2 such that the serving DU or cell 410 can determine that the preferred beam is the non-serving / activated beam (e.g., SSB2) in the serving DU or cell 410 rather than the candidate beam (e.g., SSB5) in the target DU or cell 412.

[0164] Typically, the DO received in the UE 420, at (12), will supersede or render moot any comparison or decision making performed at the UE 420 between, e.g., SSB2 and SSB5. However, in some embodiments the process may optionally comprise, at (13), a determination by the UE 420 that a particular candidate beam (e.g., SSB5) in the target DU or cell 412 is not stronger, better, greater, or higher than one or more non-serving beams (e.g., SSB2) in the serving DU or cell 410 and / or that the UE 420 should not initiate or request or otherwise trigger LTM from serving DU or cell 410 to target DU or cell 412, but rather / instead the UE 420 should reconfigure itself according to the DO received and attune for signaling via a new serving beam (e.g., SSB2) in the serving DU or cell 410.

[0165] At (14), the use of beam management / LTM measurement reporting interworking, e.g., by sending an LTM L 1 measurement report, may mean that the UE 420 avoids unnecessary LTM ping ponging between the serving DU or cell 410 and the target DU or cell 412.

[0166] In some embodiments, LTM event evaluation at the UE 420 (e.g., in the MAC layer of UE 420) can be too frequent if, for example, beam strength / quality characteristics of the serving beam and nonserving beam in the serving DU or cell 410 are relatively close. In other circumstances, beam strength / quality characteristics of the non-serving beam in the serving DU or cell 410 may be relatively close to that of the candidate beam in the target DU or cell 412, such that minor variations or fluctuations31of these characteristics or other measurement results can toggle iteratively between the non-serving beam in the serving DU or cell 410 and the candidate beam in the target DU or cell 412 being the strongest, best, greatest, or highest, followed in succession by iterative reversals of this relative beam preference.

[0167] Referring now to FIGs. 8 and 9, approaches for reducing or preventing overly frequent event triggered LTM and / or beam management cell switching may be to implement a timer, such as a timer-to- frigger (TTT) timer that may limit how frequently the UE 420 provides measurement reporting that triggers beam management and / or event-based LTM.

[0168] In some embodiments, the UE 420 can be configured to observe whether evaluated criteria are fulfilled for a duration of a TTT timer (e.g., an LTM Event-specific TTT timer). In some embodiments, the UE 420 can maintain an LTM Event-specific TTT timer for each LTM Event, such as Event LTM3, Event LTM5, etc. In some embodiments, each LTM Event-specific TTT timer can be configured to run for (and expire after) an LTM Event-specific TTT duration associated with each LTM Event. In some embodiments, a TTT timer could be configured to have a TTT duration of ‘O’, which means that that if the event criteria associated with that particular TTT timer is fulfilled, the event is triggered immediately and each time without regard for any frequency of triggering or recency of triggering based on this particular event criteria. In other embodiments, a TTT timer can be set to a non-zero TTT duration, which means that if the event criteria associated with that particular TTT timer is fulfilled, the event is triggered only if the TTT timer has expired, meaning that the non-zero TTT duration for the associated event has elapsed.

[0169] L2 of the UE 420 may be responsible for triggering of signals or procedures (e.g., RACH, BFR, MPE, SR, etc.). As such, in some instances, TTT timer(s) may run at L2 of the UE 420. In some instances, LI of the UE 420 may be responsible for triggering the indication that event criteria is fulfilled. In some embodiments, L 1 of the UE 420 may provide periodic indications or aperiodic indications that event criteria is / are not fulfilled.

[0170] In some embodiments, some form of hysteresis may be needed to avoid dropping the event triggering based on one slightly lower quality sample or measurement taken by the UE 420. In some embodiments, for LTM event evaluation, TTT, hysteresis for entering / leaving, and / or beam specific and / or cell specific offsets can be applied. Referring back to the example scenario illustrated in FIG. 7, an applied offset may be used for LTM such that if SSB5 is 1 dB better than SSB2 and 8 dB better than SSB 1, and the relevant / associated TTT timer has expired, but a 3 dB offset is required to trigger LTM, the UE 420 could for example send conventional beam management reporting to the serving DU 410 to indicate that SSB2 is stronger, better, higher, or greater than SSB1 and trigger an intra-cell beam switch via DCI transmission to the UE 420.

[0171] In another example and again referring back to the example scenario illustrated in FIG. 7, an applied offset may be used for beam management / LTM measurement reporting interworking such that if SSB5 is 2 dB better than SSB2 and 1 dB better than SSB1, and the relevant / associated TTT timer has expired, but a 3 dB offset is required to trigger beam management / LTM measurement reporting interworking, the UE 420 could for example simply refrain from sending an LTM LI measurement report, refrain from sending conventional beam management reporting, and refrain from sending event-triggered LTM measurement reporting since neither SSB2 nor SSB5 are 3+ dB greater, stronger, better, or higher than SSB1.

[0172] In some embodiments, UE LI provides measurement results to UE MAC layer that include, based on event type, serving beam measurements and / or one or more candidate beam measurements. The UE MAC layer then evaluates the condition and initiates a timer (e.g., a TTT timer, such as a TTT timer associated with a particular LTM Event) to monitor the reporting criteria. The timer is configured to be run per reference signal (RS) in the candidate RS set. The UE MAC layer then receives LI measurements based in implementation and / or other requirements and determines when the TTT timer expires, and thereafter triggers reporting for the RS. In some embodiments, the starting, stopping, resetting, and configuring of timers, such as TTT timers, in the UE MAC layer can be based on MAC internal procedures. However, in other embodiments, the network may provide an indication regarding TTT requirements for particular events or criteria that the UE must adhere to when configuring / reconfiguring a timer.

[0173] In some embodiments, UE L 1 may perform comparison(s) between current beam and candidate beams according to configured criteria (e.g., Event LTM3, Event LTM5, etc.). The UE LI may indicate to the UE MAC layer when the configured criteria is fulfilled for specific candidate RS. The UE MAC layer can then start a timer (e.g., a TTT timer) for the candidate RS based on the LI indication. If / when the timer expires, reporting the event for the candidate RS is triggered. In some embodiments, the UE LI is configured to indicate if the configured criteria is not fulfilled. In some embodiments, the UE MAC layer can then stop the timer based on the indication for the candidate RS for which the timer was running in the MAC layer. Alternatively, the UE LI indication can be periodic (regular and therefore should be received predictably from the UE) such that a lack of indication (failure to receive a UE LI indication in the MAC layer causes the MAC layer to stop the timer.

[0174] In some embodiments, the MAC layer of the UE can maintain a timer (e.g., TTT timer) per beam, such that a separate and distinct timer is set or can be set for an indicated beam, an activated beam, a non-activated beam, a non-indicated beam, a serving beam, a non-serving beam, each of one or more other beams in a serving cell, and each of one or more candidate beams in each of one or more candidatecells for which the UE is configured for event-triggered LTM measurement reporting and / or beam management measurement reporting.

[0175] In some instances, it may be beneficial when configuring a UE for beam management / LTM interworking, to add an indication to LI measurement reports and / or LTM LI measurement reports to identity indicated TCI states and activated TCI states in the event based measurement reports. From the network side, the network (e.g., source cell, source DU) can use this to delay LTM cell switching if another serving cell beam (non-serving beam) is strong, e.g., stronger than the serving beam in the serving cell.

[0176] For example, for candidate cell measurements, measurement resources (e.g., SSBs) listed in an LTM-CSI-Resource Configuration can be used to determine whether certain beams of a candidate cell fulfills one or more reporting criteria. The LTM-CSI-Resource Configuration may comprise measurement resources (e.g., SSBs) of one or more candidate cells. From the LTM3 Event or LTM5 Event reporting, an LTM-CSI-Report-Config ID can be provided that links / associates the RA of indicated TCI to the LTM- CSI-Resource Configuration ID that includes the measurement resources (e.g., SSBs).

[0177] If the LTM-CSI-Resource Configuration includes the RS of one candidate cell or a subset of RS in one candidate cell), the network can configure multiple LTM-CSI-Resource Configurations with respective report configurations. In some embodiments, the same or similar resource configuration approach can be used for LTM 4 Events and / or the like. In some embodiments, the same or similar approach could be used for LTM 2 Events, but without candidate cell resources (for reporting) associated with the event that triggered measurement reporting.

[0178] Some or all of the processes, methods, and tasks, such as signaling, performing measurements, configuring hardware, generating measurement reporting, transmission / reception of signaling, and / or the like, can be carried out using an apparatus that is or comprises a computing device or a computer-based device.

[0179] FIG. 8 shows, by way of example, a block diagram of an apparatus 500. The apparatus 500 comprises, for example, at least one processor 512 and at least one memory 514 storing instructions 515 that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus 500 at least to perform the method or methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof. In an example, the at least one memory and the instructions (e.g., a computer program code, software), are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus 500 to perform the method or methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof.

[0180] A processor 512 may comprise circuitry, or be constituted as circuitry or circuitries, the circuitry or circuitries being configured to perform phases of methods in accordance with exampleembodiments described herein. 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 an apparatus, such as a user equipment (e.g., 120), 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. 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.

[0181] The memory 514 may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology. The memory may comprise a database for storing data. The memory 514 may be at least in part external to the apparatus 500 but accessible to the apparatus 500.

[0182] The instructions 515 may be comprised in a computer readable medium or a non-transitory computer readable medium. A 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., random access memory [RAM] vs. read only memory [ROM]).

[0183] For example, the apparatus 500 is a terminal device. As another example, the apparatus is comprised in such a terminal device, e.g. as a chipset configured to control the terminal device. The apparatus 500 may be caused or configured to perform at least the method of any one or more of the embodiments described herein.

[0184] As another example, the apparatus 500 is a network node. In another embodiment, the apparatus 500 is comprised in such a network node, e.g. as a chipset configured to control the network node. The apparatus 500 may be caused or configured to perform at least the method of any one or more of the embodiments described herein.

[0185] The apparatus 500 may comprise one or more entities of any of protocol layers, such as a MAC entity, an RRC entity, an RLC entity, a PDCP entity or a PHY entity.

[0186] The apparatus 500 comprises a radio interface 516. The radio interface 516 may provide the apparatus 500 with communication capabilities. The radio interface 516 may comprise a receiver configured to receive information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The radio interface 516 may comprise a transmitter configured to transmit information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The receiver may comprise more than one receiver. The transmitter may comprise more than one transmitter. The radio interface 516 may comprise a transceiver configured to receive and transmit information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The transceiver may comprise more than one transceiver.

[0187] The apparatus 500 may comprise a user interface 18 comprising, for example, at least one of a keypad, a microphone, a touch display, a display, a speaker, etc. The user interface 518 may be used to control the apparatus by the user. The user interface 518 may be external to the apparatus 500. For example, the apparatus 500 may be connected to another device, such as a computer, either via wireless or wired connection, and the apparatus 500 is controlled by the user via the computer.

[0188] In an embodiment, at least some of the processes described herein may be carried out by an apparatus comprising means for carrying out at least some of the described processes. Means for performing method steps as disclosed herein may include software and / or hardware components of the apparatus 500. For example, the at least one processor 512, the memory 514, and the computer program code form means for carrying out the method or methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof. As used herein the term “means” is to be construed in singular form, i.e. referring to a single element, or in plural form, i.e. referring to a combination of single elements. Therefore, terminology “means for [performing A,B, C]”, is to be interpreted to cover an apparatus in which there is only one means for performing A, B andC, or where there are separate means for performing A, B and C, or partially or fully overlapping means for performing A, B, C. Further, terminology “means for performing A, means for performing B, means for performing C” is to be interpreted to cover an apparatus in which there is only one means for performing A, B and C, or where there are separate means for performing A, B and C, or partially or fully overlapping means for performing A, B, C.

[0189] Referring now to FIG. 9, a process flow diagram of a method 600 is illustrated. The method 600 can comprise: while a user equipment (UE) is being served by a serving beam in a serving cell of a mobile network, determining a beam quality of a candidate beam in a candidate cell satisfies a quality threshold, at 602. The method 600 can further comprise: determining a signal strength for the serving beam in the serving cell, a signal strength for a non-serving beam in the serving cell, and a signal strength for the candidate beam in the candidate cell, at 604. The method 600 can further comprise: reporting, to an element or function of the mobile network, the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of at leastone of the one or more non-serving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell, at 606.

[0190] The method 600 can be carried out in part or in full by means, such as apparatus 500. In some embodiments, the elements of the method 600 can be carried out by means, such as the processor 512 and memory 514 storing instructions 515 thereon that, when executed by the processor 512, cause the apparatus 500 to perform elements 602, 604, and 606 of the method 600. In other embodiments, a computer program product, such as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., 514) can be provided that stores instructions (e.g., 515) thereon that, when executed by means, such as an apparatus (e.g., 500) and / or the processor (512) and memory (514) thereof, cause some or all elements of the method 600 to be performed.

[0191] Referring now to FIG. 10, a process flow diagram of a method 700 is illustrated. The method 700 can comprise: receiving, at a user equipment (UE), while being served by a serving beam of a serving cell in a mobile network, cell configuration information associated with a plurality of candidate cells, the plurality of candidate cells comprising a particular candidate cell and one or more other candidate cells, at 702. The method 700 can further comprise: configuring the UE, based at least upon the cell configuration information associated with the plurality of candidate cells, to carry out lower-level triggered mobility measurement reporting associated with the plurality of candidate cells, at 704. The method 700 can further comprise: determining a beam quality of the particular candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies a quality threshold, at 706. The method 700 can further comprise: determining a signal strength for the serving beam in the serving cell, a signal strength for a non-serving beam in the serving cell, and a signal strength for the candidate beam in the candidate cell, at 708. The method 700 can further comprise: reporting, to an element or function of the mobile network, the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of at least one of the one or more non-serving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell, at 710.

[0192] The method 700 can be carried out in part or in full by means, such as apparatus 500. In some embodiments, the elements of the method 700 can be carried out by means, such as the processor 512 and memory 514 storing instructions 515 thereon that, when executed by the processor 512, cause the apparatus 500 to perform elements 702, 704, 706, 708, and 710 of the method 700. In other embodiments, a computer program product, such as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., 514) can be provided that stores instructions (e.g., 515) thereon that, when executed by means, such as an apparatus (e.g., 500) and / or the processor (512) and memory (514) thereof, cause some or all elements of the method 700 to be performed.

[0193] Referring now to FIG. 11, a process flow diagram of a method 800 is illustrated. The method 800 can comprise: receiving, at a user equipment (UE), while being served by a serving beam of a servingcell in a mobile network, from the serving cell, a message comprising a beam management / LTM management interworking indication, the beam management / LTM management interworking indication being operable to configure the UE to report the signal strength of at least the serving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam, at 802. The method 800 can further comprise: receiving, at the UE, cell configuration information associated with a plurality of candidate cells, the plurality of candidate cells comprising a particular candidate cell and one or more other candidate cells, at 804. The method 800 can further comprise: configuring the UE, based at least upon the cell configuration information associated with the plurality of candidate cells, to carry out lower-level triggered mobility measurement reporting associated with the plurality of candidate cells, at 806. The method 800 can further comprise: determining a beam quality of the particular candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies a quality threshold, at 808. The method 800 can further comprise: determining a signal strength for the serving beam in the serving cell, a signal strength for a non-serving beam in the serving cell, and a signal strength for the candidate beam in the candidate cell, at 810. The method 800 can further comprise: reporting, to an element or function of the mobile network, the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of at least one of the one or more non-serving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell, at 812.

[0194] The method 800 can be carried out in part or in full by means, such as apparatus 500. In some embodiments, the elements of the method 800 can be carried out by means, such as the processor 512 and memory 514 storing instructions 515 thereon that, when executed by the processor 512, cause the apparatus 500 to perform elements 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, and 812 of the method 800. In other embodiments, a computer program product, such as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., 514) can be provided that stores instructions (e.g., 515) thereon that, when executed by means, such as an apparatus (e.g., 500) and / or the processor (512) and memory (514) thereof, cause some or all elements of the method 800 to be performed.

[0195] Referring now to FIG. 12, a process flow diagram of a method 900 is illustrated. The method 900 can comprise: configuring a user equipment (UE), while being served by a serving beam of a serving cell in a mobile network, based at least upon cell configuration information associated with a plurality of candidate cells, to carry out lower-level triggered mobility measurement reporting associated with the plurality of candidate cells, at 902. The method 900 can further comprise: determining a signal strength for the serving beam in the serving cell, a signal strength for one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and a signal strength for respective candidate beams in the candidate cells, at 904. The method 900 can further comprise: generating event-based LTM reporting, at 906. The method 900 can further comprise: including, in the event-based LTM reporting, an indication of the serving beam in the serving cell ascorresponding to an activated transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state to configure the UE for signaling with the mobile network via the serving beam in the serving cell, at 908. The method 900 can further comprise: including, in the event-based LTM reporting, an indication of the candidate beam in the candidate cell as corresponding to an indicated TCI state to configure the UE for signaling with the mobile network via the candidate beam in the candidate cell, at 910. The method 900 can further comprise: providing, to an element or function of the mobile network, the event-based LTM reporting, at 912.

[0196] The method 900 can be carried out in part or in full by means, such as apparatus 500. In some embodiments, the elements of the method 900 can be carried out by means, such as the processor 512 and memory 514 storing instructions 515 thereon that, when executed by the processor 512, cause the apparatus 500 to perform elements 902, 904, 906 , 908, 910, and 912 of the method 900. In other embodiments, a computer program product, such as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., 514) can be provided that stores instructions (e.g., 515) thereon that, when executed by means, such as an apparatus (e.g., 500) and / or the processor (512) and memory (514) thereof, cause some or all elements of the method 900 to be performed.

[0197] Referring now to FIG. 13, a process flow diagram of a method 1000 is illustrated. The method 1000 can comprise: while serving a user equipment (UE) using a serving beam in a serving cell, receiving, from the UE, a Lower-level Triggered Mobility (LTM) measurement report comprising one or both of beam quality information or cell quality information, the LTM measurement report comprising a signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of a non-serving beam in the serving cell, and a signal strength of at least one candidate beam in at least one candidate cell from among one or more candidate cells neighboring the serving cell, at 1002. The method 1000 can further comprise: determining, based upon the signal strength of respective beams in the serving cell and the signal strength of the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell, whether to initiate a beam management procedure or an LTM procedure, at 1004. The method 1000 can fiirther comprise: in an instance in which the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell is greater than the signal strength of the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell, initiating the beam management procedure, at 1006. The method 1000 can further comprise: in an instance in which the signal strength of a particular candidate beam in a particular candidate cell from among the one or more candidate cells is greater than the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell, initiating the LTM procedure from the serving beam in the serving cell to the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell, at 1008.

[0198] The method 1000 can be carried out in part or in full by means, such as apparatus 500. In some embodiments, the elements of the method 1000 can be carried out by means, such as the processor 512 and memory 514 storing instructions 515 thereon that, when executed by the processor 512, cause the apparatus500 to perform elements 1002, 1004, 1006, and 1008 of the method 1000. In other embodiments, a computer program product, such as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., 514) can be provided that stores instructions (e.g., 515) thereon that, when executed by means, such as an apparatus (e.g., 500) and / or the processor (512) and memory (514) thereof, cause some or all elements of the method 1000 to be performed.

[0199] Referring now to FIG. 14, a process flow diagram of a method 1100 is illustrated. The method 1100 can comprise: while serving a user equipment (UE) using a serving beam in a serving cell, receiving, from the UE, event-based Lower-level Triggered Mobility (LTM) reporting comprising a signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of a non-serving beam in the serving cell, and a signal strength of at least one candidate beam in at least one candidate cell neighboring the serving cell, at 1102. The method 1100 can further comprise: determining, based upon one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state indications or one or more beam identifiers in the event-based LTM reporting, the signal strength in the serving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam, at 1104. The method 1100 can further comprise: determining, based upon the one or more TCI state indications, from among a plurality of signal strengths reported by the UE in the event-based LTM reporting, a first signal strength for an activated TCI state associated with the serving beam in the serving cell, a second signal strength for an indicated TCI state associated for the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell, and one or more other signal strengths, wherein at least a third signal strength from among the one or more other signal strengths is for another TCI state associated with the non-serving beam in the serving cell, at 1106. The method 1100 can further comprise: in an instance in which the second signal strength and the third signal strength are greater than the first signal strength, determining to initiate a beam switch procedure for the UE, at 1108. The method 1100 can further comprise: in an instance in which the second signal strength is greater than the third signal strength, determining to initiate an LTM cell switch procedure for the UE, at 1110.

[0200] The method 1100 can be carried out in part or in full by means, such as apparatus 500. In some embodiments, the elements of the method 1100 can be carried out by means, such as the processor 512 and memory 514 storing instructions 515 thereon that, when executed by the processor 512, cause the apparatus 500 to perform elements 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108, and 1110 of the method 1100. In other embodiments, a computer program product, such as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., 514) can be provided that stores instructions (e.g., 515) thereon that, when executed by means, such as an apparatus (e.g., 500) and / or the processor (512) and memory (514) thereof, cause some or all elements of the method 1100 to be performed.

[0201] As used herein, the terms “activated beam” or “activated RS” and “indicated beam” or “indicated RS” may refer the beam or RS quasi collocated (QCLed) to the activated or indicated TCI state. Antenna ports that are QCLed if properties of the channel over which a symbol / RS on one antenna port is conveyed can be inferred from the channel over which a symbol on the other antenna port is conveyed. Said otherwise, QCLed beams are mappable each to the other based upon the quasi collocation of the antenna ports used for transmission (Tx) and / or reception (Rx) of the beams / RS. In some embodiments, QCL-type configurations and TCLState can be mapped such that the QCL-type applied is determinable from TCLRS- Set and DMRS. The definition of activated and indicated TCI state can define UE behavior. The TCI state is activated or indicated using MAC CE signalling, such as according to the following signaling approaches and limitations:• PDSCH antenna port quasi co-location: If the PDSCH is scheduled by a DO format having the TCI field present, the TCI field in DO in the scheduling component carrier points to the activated TCI states in the scheduled component carrier or DL BWP, the UE shall use the TCI- State according to the value of the "Transmission Configuration Indication ’ field in the detected PDCCH with DO for determining PDSCH antenna port quasi co-location.• DM- RS ports of PDSCH: The UE may assume that the DM-RS ports of PDSCH of a serving cell are quasi co-located with the RS(s) in the TCI state with respect to the QCL type parameter(s) given by the indicated TCI state if the time offset between the reception of the DL DCI and the corresponding PDSCH is equal to or greater than a threshold timeDurationForQCL, where the threshold is based on reported UE capability [see, e.g., 3GPP TS 38.306],• QCL info: If none of configured TCI states for the serving cell of scheduled PDSCH contains ‘QCL-TypeD’, the UE shall obtain the other QCL assumptions from the indicated TCI states for its scheduled PDSCH irrespective of the time offset between the reception of the DL DCI and the corresponding PDSCH.• Limitations: o When the UE is configured with a single slot PDSCH, the indicated TCI state should be based on the activated TCI states in the slot with the scheduled PDSCH. o When the UE is configured with a multi-slot PDSCH, the indicated TCI state should be based on the activated TCI states in the first slot with the scheduled PDSCH, and UE shall expect the activated TCI states are the same across the slots with the scheduled PDSCH.

[0202] Described, illustrated, and otherwise provided for herein, according to some aspects, is a plurality of embodiments related to at least the subject matter of the independent and dependent claims presented below. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims. The embodiments that do not fall under the scope of the claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the disclosure.

[0203] Described herein are systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for beam management and Layer 1 / Layer 2 triggered mobility (LTM) event based reporting inter-working. An example user apparatus (e.g., a user equipment [UE]), while being served by a serving beam in a serving cell of a mobile network, can measure beam quality of beam(s) in candidate and / or serving cell(s) and determine when beams satisfy a qualify threshold. UE can report to the mobile network the signal strengths of the beam(s) in serving and candidate cell(s). When the qualify threshold is satisfied, the UE reports beam measurements of serving, non-serving, and candidate beams. The mobile network can evaluate beam / cell measurements from UE and determine whether to initiate beam management or LTM in order to avoid a race condition due to only partial consideration of intra-cell beams for beam management and inter-cell beams for LTM management.

[0204] According to some embodiments, an apparatus or device can be provided that is configured for beam management and LTM event-based reporting interworking. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can be or comprise a UE, terminal device, mobile device, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the apparatus, device, UE, terminal device, mobile device, and / or the like (collectively “apparatus”) can comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least, while being served by a serving beam in a serving cell of a mobile network, determining a candidate beam in a candidate cell satisfies a trigger for a mobility event. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform, in an instance in which the candidate beam satisfies the trigger for the mobility event, determining a signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, a signal strength of one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and a signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform generating mobility event measurement reporting to be transmitted to the mobile network, the mobility event measurement reporting comprising the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform transmitting the mobility event measurement reporting towards the mobile network.

[0205] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform said determining the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell by causing the UE to perform at least measuring the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell.

[0206] In some embodiments, the determining the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event is based at least upon a signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the determining the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event is based at least upon a signal quality characteristics of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, in an instance in which the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event, the UE is configured to trigger a Layer 1 / Layer 2 Triggered Mobility (LTM) procedure. In some embodiments, the determining the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell is carried out in an instance in which the UE is configured for beam management / LTM measurement reporting interworking.

[0207] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform receiving, from the mobile network, cell configuration information associated with a plurality of candidate cells, the plurality of candidate cells comprising the candidate cell and one or more other candidate cells. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform configuring the UE, based at least upon the cell configuration information associated with the plurality of candidate cells, to carry out the LTM measurement reporting associated with the plurality of candidate cells.

[0208] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, fiirther cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform receiving, from the serving cell, a message comprising a IncludeBeamStatus indication. In some embodiments, the IncludeBeamStatus indication can be operable to indicate to the UE that the UE is to provide one or more of: measurement reports for at least the serving beam, the one or more non-serving beams, and the candidate beam, or status information for the serving cell beams. In some embodiments, the status information comprises an indication of whether a respective beam from among the serving cell beams is an indicated beam, an activated beam, or neither an indicated beam nor an activated beam. In some embodiments, the beammanagement / LTM management interworking indication is further operable to cause the UE to include the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in event-based LTM reporting provided from the UE towards the mobile network.

[0209] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform performing measurement of the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform determining that the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell is greater than the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform generating the event-based LTM reporting to be provided by the UE towards the mobile network.

[0210] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform including, in event-based LTM reporting, an indication of the serving beam in the serving cell as corresponding to an activated transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state or indicated TCI state to configure the UE for signaling with the mobile network via the serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the indicated TCI state comprises a reference signal (RS) and an intended quasi co-location (QCL) type associated with the serving beam.

[0211] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform measuring, using a physical layer of the UE, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of respective beams in the candidate cell including the candidate beam and one or more other beams. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform reporting, from the physical layer of the UE to a medium access control layer of the UE, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more nonserving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the respective beams in the candidate cell including the candidate beam and the one or more other beams. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform generating, at the medium access control layer of the UE, a message for reporting the signal strength of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams of the candidate cell to the element or function of the mobile network.

[0212] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform receiving cell configuration information for the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform storing the cell configuration information at the UE.

[0213] In some embodiments, the reporting the signal strength of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams of the candidate cell are carried out using an LTM measurement report. In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises beam indications of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the beam indications comprise an indicated beam identifier, an activated beam identifier, and a candidate beam identifier. In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises reference signal received power (RSRP) values associated with the candidate beam in the candidate cell and the serving beam and the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell.

[0214] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform receiving, via the serving beam in the serving network, an LTM mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform receiving, via the serving beam in the serving network, an intra-cell mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to a particular non-serving beam from among the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform determining whether the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the quality threshold for greater than or equal to a predetermined time-to- trigger (TTT) duration before triggering the LTM procedure. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform receiving, at a medium access control (MAC) layer of the UE, from a physical layer of the UE, an indication that the candidate beam at the candidate cell satisfies the quality threshold. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform setting, at the MAC layer of the UE, a TTT timer. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform, upon expiration of the TTT timer, indicating from the MAC layer of the UE to the physical layer of the UE that the TTT timer has expired. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least oneprocessor, further cause the apparatus (e.g., UE) to perform determining, at the physical layer of the UE, in an instance in which the candidate beam in the candidate cell still satisfies the quality threshold after expiration of the TTT timer at the UE, to trigger the LTM procedure from the serving beam to the particular candidate beam.

[0215] According to another embodiment, a method can be carried out, such as by a UE, that comprises: while the UE is being served by a serving beam in a serving cell of a mobile network, determining a candidate beam in a candidate cell satisfies a trigger for a mobility event. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise, in an instance in which the candidate beam satisfies the trigger for the mobility event, determining a signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, a signal strength of one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and a signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise generating mobility event measurement reporting to be transmitted to the mobile network, the mobility event measurement reporting comprising the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise transmitting the mobility event measurement reporting towards the mobile network.

[0216] In some embodiments, said determining the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell comprises measuring, using the UE, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the determining the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event is based at least upon a signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the determining the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event is based at least upon a signal quality characteristics of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, in an instance in which the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event, the UE is configured to trigger a Layer 1 / Layer 2 Triggered Mobility (LTM) procedure. In some embodiments, the determining the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell is carried out in an instance in which the UE is configured for beam management / LTM measurement reporting interworking.

[0217] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise receiving, from the mobile network, cell configuration information associated with a plurality of candidate cells, the plurality of candidate cellscomprising the candidate cell and one or more other candidate cells. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise configuring the UE, based at least upon the cell configuration information associated with the plurality of candidate cells, to carry out the LTM measurement reporting associated with the plurality of candidate cells. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise receiving, from the serving cell, a message comprising a IncludeBeamStatus indication. In some embodiments, the IncludeBeamStatus indication can indicate to the UE that the UE is to provide one or more of: measurement reports for at least the serving beam, the one or more non-serving beams, and the candidate beam or, status information for the serving cell beams, wherein the status information comprises an indication of whether a respective beam from among the serving cell beams is an indicated beam, an activated beam, or neither an indicated beam nor an activated beam. In some embodiments, the beam management / LTM management interworking indication is further operable to cause the UE to include the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in eventbased LTM reporting provided from the UE towards the mobile network.

[0218] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise performing measurement of the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise determining that the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell is greater than the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise generating the event-based LTM reporting to be provided by the UE towards the mobile network. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise including, in event-based LTM reporting, an indication of the serving beam in the serving cell as corresponding to an activated transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state or indicated TCI state to configure the UE for signaling with the mobile network via the serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the indicated TCI state comprises a reference signal (RS) and an intended quasi co-location (QCL) type associated with the serving beam.

[0219] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise measuring, using a physical layer of the UE, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of respective beams in the candidate cell including the candidate beam and one or more other beams. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise reporting, from the physical layer of the UE to a medium access control layer of the UE, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the respective beams in the candidate cell including the candidate beam and the one or more other beams. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise generating, at the medium access control layer of the UE, a message for reporting the signal strength of therespective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams of the candidate cell to the element or function of the mobile network.

[0220] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise receiving cell configuration information for the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise storing the cell configuration information at the UE. In some embodiments, the reporting the signal strength of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams of the candidate cell are carried out using an LTM measurement report. In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises beam indications of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the beam indications comprise an indicated beam identifier, an activated beam identifier, and a candidate beam identifier. In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises reference signal received power (RSRP) values associated with the candidate beam in the candidate cell and the serving beam and the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell.

[0221] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise receiving, via the serving beam in the serving network, an LTM mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise receiving, via the serving beam in the serving network, an intra-cell mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to a particular non-serving beam from among the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell.

[0222] In some embodiments, the method can birther comprise determining whether the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the quality threshold for greater than or equal to a predetermined time- to-trigger (TTT) duration before triggering the LTM procedure. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise receiving, at a medium access control (MAC) layer of the UE, from a physical layer of the UE, an indication that the candidate beam at the candidate cell satisfies the quality threshold. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise setting, at the MAC layer of the UE, a TTT timer. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise, upon expiration of the TTT timer, indicating from the MAC layer of the UE to the physical layer of the UE that the TTT timer has expired. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise determining, at the physical layer of the UE, in an instance in which the candidate beam in the candidate cell still satisfies the quality threshold after expiration of the TTT timer at the UE, to trigger the LTM procedure from the serving beam to the particular candidate beam.

[0223] According to another embodiment, a computer program product, such as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, can be provided. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can comprise instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to perform at least, while the UE is being served by a serving beam in a serving cell of a mobile network, determining a candidate beam in a candidate cell satisfies a trigger for amobility event. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform, in an instance in which the candidate beam satisfies the trigger for the mobility event, determining a signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, a signal strength of one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and a signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform generating mobility event measurement reporting to be transmitted to the mobile network, the mobility event measurement reporting comprising the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform transmitting the mobility event measurement reporting towards the mobile network.

[0224] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform said determining the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell by causing the UE to perform: measuring the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell.

[0225] In some embodiments, the determining the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event is based at least upon a signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the determining the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event is based at least upon a signal quality characteristics of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, in an instance in which the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event, the UE is configured to trigger a Layer 1 / Layer 2 Triggered Mobility (LTM) procedure.

[0226] In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform the determining the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell in an instance in which the UE is configured for beam management / LTM measurement reporting interworking. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform receiving, from the mobile network, cell configuration information associated with a plurality of candidate cells, the plurality of candidate cells comprising the candidate cell and one or more other candidate cells. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further causethe UE to perform configuring the UE, based at least upon the cell configuration information associated with the plurality of candidate cells, to carry out the LTM measurement reporting associated with the plurality of candidate cells.

[0227] In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform receiving, from the serving cell, a message comprising a IncludeBeamStatus indication. In some embodiments, the IncludeBeamStatus indication indicating that the UE is to provide one or more of: measurement reports for at least the serving beam, the one or more nonserving beams, and the candidate beam, or status information for the serving cell beams, wherein the status information comprises an indication of whether a respective beam from among the serving cell beams is an indicated beam, an activated beam, or neither an indicated beam nor an activated beam. In some embodiments, the beam management / LTM management interworking indication is further operable to cause the UE to include the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the one or more nonserving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in event-based LTM reporting provided from the UE towards the mobile network. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform performing measurement of the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform determining that the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell is greater than the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform generating the event-based LTM reporting to be provided by the UE towards the mobile network.

[0228] In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform including, in event-based LTM reporting, an indication of the serving beam in the serving cell as corresponding to an activated transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state or indicated TCI state to configure the UE for signaling with the mobile network via the serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the indicated TCI state comprises a reference signal (RS) and an intended quasi co-location (QCL) type associated with the serving beam. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform measuring, using a physical layer of the UE, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of respective beams in the candidate cell including the candidate beam and one or more other beams. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further causethe UE to perform reporting, from the physical layer of the UE to a medium access control layer of the UE, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the respective beams in the candidate cell including the candidate beam and the one or more other beams. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform generating, at the medium access control layer of the UE, a message for reporting the signal strength of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams of the candidate cell to the element or function of the mobile network.

[0229] In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform receiving cell configuration information for the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform storing the cell configuration information at the UE. In some embodiments, the reporting the signal strength of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams of the candidate cell are carried out using an LTM measurement report. In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises beam indications of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the beam indications comprise an indicated beam identifier, an activated beam identifier, and a candidate beam identifier. In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises reference signal received power (RSRP) values associated with the candidate beam in the candidate cell and the serving beam and the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell.

[0230] In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform receiving, via the serving beam in the serving network, an LTM mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform receiving, via the serving beam in the serving network, an intra-cell mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to a particular non-serving beam from among the one or more nonserving beams in the serving cell.

[0231] In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform determining whether the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the quality threshold for greater than or equal to a predetermined time-to-trigger (TTT) duration before triggering the LTM procedure. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform receiving, at a medium access control (MAC) layer of the UE, from a physical layer of the UE, an indication that the candidate beam at the candidate cell satisfies the quality threshold. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by theat least one processor, further cause the UE to perform setting, at the MAC layer of the UE, a TTT timer. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform upon expiration of the TTT timer, indicating from the MAC layer of the UE to the physical layer of the UE that the TTT timer has expired. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform determining, at the physical layer of the UE, in an instance in which the candidate beam in the candidate cell still satisfies the quality threshold after expiration of the TTT timer at the UE, to trigger the LTM procedure from the serving beam to the particular candidate beam.

[0232] According to another embodiment, an apparatus or device can be provided that comprises means for performing at least a part of a method or approach as described herein. For example, the apparatus or device can comprise means, such as at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus or device to perform the method or at least a part of the method. The means can comprise discrete means for each step or element of the method or a centralized set of means that are configured to carry out each step or element of the method (or portion thereof) carried out by the apparatus or device. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for, while the apparatus or device is being served by a serving beam in a serving cell of a mobile network, determining a candidate beam in a candidate cell satisfies a trigger for a mobility event. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for, in an instance in which the candidate beam satisfies the trigger for the mobility event, determining a signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, a signal strength of one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and a signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for generating mobility event measurement reporting to be transmitted to the mobile network, the mobility event measurement reporting comprising the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for transmitting the mobility event measurement reporting towards the mobile network.

[0233] In some embodiments, said means for determining the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell can comprise means for measuring the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the means for determining the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility eventare means configured for performing said determining based at least upon a signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the means for determining the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event are means configured for performing said determining based at least upon a signal quality characteristics of the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, in an instance in which the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event, the apparatus or device is configured to trigger a Layer 1 / Layer 2 Triggered Mobility (LTM) procedure. In some embodiments, the means for determining the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell are means configured for carrying out said determining in an instance in which the apparatus or device is configured for beam management / LTM measurement reporting interworking.

[0234] In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for receiving, from the mobile network, cell configuration information associated with a plurality of candidate cells, the plurality of candidate cells comprising the candidate cell and one or more other candidate cells. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for configuring the apparatus or device, based at least upon the cell configuration information associated with the plurality of candidate cells, to carry out the LTM measurement reporting associated with the plurality of candidate cells. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for receiving, from the serving cell, a message comprising a IncludeBeamStatus indication. In some embodiments, the IncludeBeamStatus indication can indicate that the apparatus or device is to provide one or more of: measurement reports for at least the serving beam, the one or more non-serving beams, and the candidate beam or, status information for the serving cell beams, wherein the status information comprises an indication of whether a respective beam from among the serving cell beams is an indicated beam, an activated beam, or neither an indicated beam nor an activated beam. In some embodiments, the beam management / LTM management interworking indication is further operable to cause the apparatus or device to include the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in eventbased LTM reporting provided from the apparatus or device towards the mobile network.

[0235] In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for performing measurement of the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for determining that the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell is greater than the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for generating the event-based LTM reporting to be provided by the apparatusor device towards the mobile network. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for including, in event-based LTM reporting, an indication of the serving beam in the serving cell as corresponding to an activated transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state or indicated TCI state to configure the apparatus or device for signaling with the mobile network via the serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the indicated TCI state comprises a reference signal (RS) and an intended quasi co-location (QCL) type associated with the serving beam.

[0236] In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for measuring, using a physical layer of the apparatus or device, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of respective beams in the candidate cell including the candidate beam and one or more other beams. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for reporting, from the physical layer of the apparatus or device to a medium access control layer of the apparatus or device, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the respective beams in the candidate cell including the candidate beam and the one or more other beams. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for generating, at the medium access control layer of the apparatus or device, a message for reporting the signal strength of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams of the candidate cell to the element or function of the mobile network.

[0237] In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for receiving cell configuration information for the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for storing the cell configuration information at the apparatus or device. In some embodiments, the reporting the signal strength of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams of the candidate cell are carried out using an LTM measurement report. In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises beam indications of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the beam indications comprise an indicated beam identifier, an activated beam identifier, and a candidate beam identifier. In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises reference signal received power (RSRP) values associated with the candidate beam in the candidate cell and the serving beam and the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell.

[0238] In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for receiving, via the serving beam in the serving network, an LTM mobility command indicating that the apparatus or device is to switch to the candidate beam in the candidate cell. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for receiving, via the serving beam in the serving network, an intra-cell mobility commandindicating that the apparatus or device is to switch to a particular non-serving beam from among the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell.

[0239] In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for determining whether the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the quality threshold for greater than or equal to a predetermined time-to-trigger (TTT) duration before triggering the LTM procedure. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for receiving, at a medium access control (MAC) layer of the apparatus or device, from a physical layer of the apparatus or device, an indication that the candidate beam at the candidate cell satisfies the quality threshold. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for setting, at the MAC layer of the apparatus or device, a TTT timer. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for, upon expiration of the TTT timer, indicating from the MAC layer of the apparatus or device to the physical layer of the apparatus or device that the TTT timer has expired. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for determining, at the physical layer of the apparatus or device, in an instance in which the candidate beam in the candidate cell still satisfies the quality threshold after expiration of the TTT timer at the apparatus or device, to trigger the LTM procedure from the serving beam to the particular candidate beam. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device is, comprises, or is comprised within a UE, a terminal device, a mobile device, and / or the like.

[0240] According to another embodiment, a network device can be provided that is configured for communication in a mobile network. In some embodiments, the network device can comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network device to perform some or all elements of a method or approach, such as described herein. For example, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, can cause the network device to perform at least while serving a user equipment (UE) using a serving beam in a serving cell, receiving, from the UE, a Lower-level Triggered Mobility (LTM) measurement report comprising one or both of beam quality information or cell quality information, the LTM measurement report comprising a signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, a signal strength of a non-serving beam in the serving cell, and a signal strength of at least one candidate beam in at least one candidate cell from among one or more candidate cells neighboring the serving cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform determining, based upon the signal strength of respective beams of the serving cell and the signal strength of the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell, whether to initiate a beam management procedure or an LTM procedure. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least oneprocessor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell is greater than the signal strength of the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell, initiating the beam management procedure. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the signal strength of a particular candidate beam in a particular candidate cell from among the one or more candidate cells is greater than the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell, initiating the LTM procedure from the serving beam in the serving cell to the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell.

[0241] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform providing, to the UE, via the serving cell, a message comprising a beam management / LTM management interworking indication, the beam management / LTM management interworking indication being operable to configure the UE to report the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam. In some embodiments, the beam management / LTM management interworking indication is further operable to cause the UE to include the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in event-based LTM reporting provided from the UE towards the mobile network.

[0242] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform receiving the event-based LTM reporting, the event-based LTM reporting comprising one or more results of signal strength measurements taken by the UE of at least one of: the serving beam, the non-serving beam, or the candidate beam. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform determining, based upon one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state indications or one or more beam identifiers in the event-based LTM reporting, the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam.

[0243] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform determining, based upon the one or more TCI state indications, from among a plurality of signal strengths reported by the UE in the eventbased LTM reporting, a first signal strength for an activated TCI state associated with the serving beam in the serving cell, a second signal strength for an indicated TCI state associated with the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell, and one or more other signal strengths, wherein at least a third signal strength from among the one or more other signal strengths is for another TCI state associated with the non-serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, a TCI state comprises a reference signal (RS) and an intended quasi co-location (QCL) type associated with the serving beam.

[0244] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the second signal strength and the third signal strength are greater than the first signal strength, determining to initiate a beam switch procedure for the UE. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the second signal strength is greater than the third signal strength, determining to initiate an LTM cell switch procedure for the UE. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the third signal strength is greater than the second signal strength, determining to initiate an intra-cell beam switch procedure for the UE. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform determining to delay an LTM cell switch procedure based on the third signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell being greater than the first signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell.

[0245] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform receiving, from the UE, via the serving cell, a beam management / LTM interworking indication that indicates the UE supports reporting, in the event-based reporting, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell, and the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform providing, to the UE, cell configuration information for respective candidate beams in the one or more candidate cells. In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises reference signal received power (RSRP) values associated with the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell and the serving beam and the non-serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises beam indications of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams of the one or more candidate cells. In some embodiments, the beam indications comprise an indicated beam identifier, an activated beam identifier, and a candidate beam identifier.

[0246] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the network device initiates the LTM procedure, providing, to the UE, via the serving beam in the serving network, an LTM mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to the particular candidate beam in the particularcandidate cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the network device initiated the beam management procedure, providing, to the UE, via the serving beam in the serving network, an intra-cell mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to the non-serving beam in the serving cell.

[0247] According to another embodiment, a method can be carried out, such as by a network device configured for communicating (e.g., with UE) within a mobile network. In some embodiments, the method can comprises: while serving a user equipment (UE) using a serving beam in a serving cell, receiving, from the UE, a Lower-level Triggered Mobility (LTM) measurement report comprising one or both of beam quality information or cell quality information, the LTM measurement report comprising a signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of a non-serving beam in the serving cell, and a signal strength of at least one candidate beam in at least one candidate cell from among one or more candidate cells neighboring the serving cell. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining, based upon the signal strength of respective beams in the serving cell and the signal strength of the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell, whether to initiate a beam management procedure or an LTM procedure. In some embodiments, the method further comprise, in an instance in which the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell is greater than the signal strength of the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell, initiating the beam management procedure. In some embodiments, the method further comprise, in an instance in which the signal strength of a particular candidate beam in a particular candidate cell from among the one or more candidate cells is greater than the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell, initiating the LTM procedure from the serving beam in the serving cell to the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell.

[0248] In some embodiments, the method further comprises providing, to the UE, via the serving cell, a message comprising a beam management / LTM management interworking indication, the beam management / LTM management interworking indication being operable to configure the UE to report the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam. In some embodiments, the beam management / LTM management interworking indication is further operable to cause the UE to include the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in event-based LTM reporting provided from the UE towards the mobile network.

[0249] In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving the event-based LTM reporting, the event-based LTM reporting comprising one or more results of signal strength measurements taken by the UE of at least one of: the serving beam, the non-serving beam, or the candidate beam. In someembodiments, the method further comprises determining, based upon one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state indications or one or more beam identifiers in the event-based LTM reporting, the signal strength in the serving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining, based upon the one or more TCI state indications, from among a plurality of signal strengths reported by the UE in the event-based LTM reporting, a first signal strength for an activated TCI state associated with the serving beam in the serving cell, a second signal strength for an indicated TCI state associated for the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell, and one or more other signal strengths, wherein at least a third signal strength from among the one or more other signal strengths is for another TCI state associated with the non-serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, a TCI state comprises a reference signal (RS) and an intended quasi co-location (QCL) type associated with the serving beam.

[0250] In some embodiments, the method further comprises, in an instance in which the second signal strength and the third signal strength are greater than the first signal strength, determining to initiate a beam switch procedure for the UE. In some embodiments, the method further comprises, in an instance in which the second signal strength is greater than the third signal strength, determining to initiate an LTM cell switch procedure for the UE. In some embodiments, the method further comprises, in an instance in which the third signal strength is greater than the second signal strength, determining to initiate an intra-cell beam switch procedure for the UE. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining to delay an LTM cell switch procedure based on the third signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell being greater than the first signal strength in the serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, from the UE, via the serving cell, a beam management / LTM interworking indication that indicates the UE supports reporting, in the event-based reporting, the signal strength in the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell, and the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the method further comprises providing, to the UE, cell configuration information for the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell.

[0251] In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises reference signal received power (RSRP) values associated with a particular candidate beam in a particular candidate cell and the serving beam and the non-serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises beam indications of the respective beams in the serving cell and the respective beams of the one or more candidate cells. In some embodiments, the beam indications comprise an indicated beam identifier, an activated beam identifier, and a candidate beam identifier.

[0252] In some embodiments, the method further comprises, in an instance in which the network device initiates the LTM procedure, providing, to the UE, via the serving beam in the serving network, an LTM mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to a particular candidate beam in a particular candidate cell. In some embodiments, the method further comprises, in an instance in which the network device initiated the beam management procedure, providing, to the UE, via the serving beam in the serving network, an intra-cell mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to the non-serving beam in the serving cell.

[0253] According to another embodiment, a computer program product can be provided that is configured to cause a network device to perform some or all of a method or approach as described herein. For example, the computer program product can be or comprise a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processor of the network device, cause the network device to perform at least: while serving a user equipment (UE) using a serving beam in a serving cell, receiving, from the UE, a Lower-level Triggered Mobility (LTM) measurement report comprising one or both of beam quality information or cell quality information, the LTM measurement report comprising a signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, a signal strength of a non-serving beam in the serving cell, and a signal strength of at least one candidate beam in at least one candidate cell from among one or more candidate cells neighboring the serving cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform determining, based upon the signal strength of respective beams in the serving cell and the signal strength of the at least one beam in the at least one candidate cell, whether to initiate a beam management procedure or an LTM procedure. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell is greater than the signal strength of the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell, initiating the beam management procedure. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the signal strength of a particular candidate beam in a particular candidate cell from among the one or more candidate cells is greater than the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell, initiating the LTM procedure from the serving beam in the serving cell to the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell.

[0254] In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform providing, to the UE, via the serving cell, a message comprising a beam management / LTM management interworking indication, the beam management / LTM management interworking indication being operable to configure the UE to report the signal strength of theserving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam. In some embodiments, the beam management / LTM management interworking indication is further operable to cause the UE to include the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the nonserving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in event-based LTM reporting provided from the UE towards the mobile network.

[0255] In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform receiving the event-based LTM reporting, the eventbased LTM reporting comprising one or more results of signal strength measurements taken by the UE of at least one of: the serving beam, the non-serving beam, or the candidate beam. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform determining, based upon one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state indications or one or more beam identifiers in the event-based LTM reporting, the signal strength in the serving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam.

[0256] In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform determining, based upon the one or more TCI state indications, from among a plurality of signal strengths reported by the UE in the event-based LTM reporting, a first signal strength for an activated TCI state associated with the serving beam in the serving cell, a second signal strength for an indicated TCI state associated for the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell, and one or more other signal strengths, wherein at least a third signal strength from among the one or more other signal strengths is for another TCI state associated with the non-serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, a TCI state comprises a reference signal (RS) and an intended quasi co-location (QCL) type associated with the serving beam.

[0257] In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the second signal strength and the third signal strength are greater than the first signal strength, determining to initiate a beam switch procedure for the UE. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the second signal strength is greater than the third signal strength, determining to initiate an LTM cell switch procedure for the UE. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the third signal strength is greater than the second signal strength, determining to initiate an intra-cell beam switch procedure for the UE. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform determining to delay an LTM cell switch procedure based on the third signalstrength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell being greater than the first signal strength in the serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform receiving, from the UE, via the serving cell, a beam management / LTM interworking indication that indicates the UE supports reporting, in the event-based reporting, the signal strength in the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell, and the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell.

[0258] In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform providing, to the UE, cell configuration information for respective candidate beams in the one or more candidate cells neighboring the serving cell. In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises reference signal received power (RSRP) values associated with the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell and the serving beam and the non-serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises beam indications of the respective beams in the serving cell and the respective beams in the one or more candidate cells. In some embodiments, the beam indications comprise an indicated beam identifier, an activated beam identifier, and a candidate beam identifier.

[0259] In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the network device initiates the LTM procedure, providing, to the UE, via the serving beam in the serving network, an LTM mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell. In some embodiments, the instructions stored thereon, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform, in an instance in which the network device initiated the beam management procedure, providing, to the UE, via the serving beam in the serving network, an intra-cell mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to the non-serving beam in the serving cell.

[0260] According to another embodiment, an apparatus or device can be provided that comprises means for performing at least a part of a method or approach as described herein. For example, the apparatus or device can comprise means, such as at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus or device to perform the method or at least a part of the method. The means can comprise discrete means for each step or element of the method or a centralized set of means that are configured to carry out each step or element of the method (or portion thereof) carried out by the apparatus or device. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can comprise means for, while serving a user equipment (UE) using a serving beam in a serving cell, receiving, from the UE, a Lower-level Triggered Mobility (LTM) measurement reportcomprising one or both of beam quality information or cell quality information, the LTM measurement report comprising a signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of a nonserving beam in the serving cell, and a signal strength of at least one candidate beam in at least one candidate cell from among one or more candidate cells neighboring the serving cell. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can further comprise means for determining, based upon the signal strength of respective beams in the serving cell and the signal strength of the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell, whether to initiate a beam management procedure or an LTM procedure. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can further comprise means for, in an instance in which the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell is greater than the signal strength of the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell, initiating the beam management procedure. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can further comprise means for, in an instance in which the signal strength of a particular candidate beam in a particular candidate cell from among the one or more candidate cells is greater than the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell, initiating the LTM procedure from the serving beam in the serving cell to the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell.

[0261] In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can further comprise means for providing, to the UE, via the serving cell, a message comprising a beam management / LTM management interworking indication, the beam management / LTM management interworking indication being operable to configure the UE to report the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam. In some embodiments, the beam management / LTM management interworking indication is further operable to cause the UE to include the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in eventbased LTM reporting provided from the UE towards the mobile network.

[0262] In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can further comprise means for receiving the event-based LTM reporting, the event-based LTM reporting comprising one or more results of signal strength measurements taken by the UE of at least one of: the serving beam, the non-serving beam, or the candidate beam. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can further comprise means for determining, based upon one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state indications or one or more beam identifiers in the event-based LTM reporting, the signal strength in the serving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can further comprise means for determining, based upon the one or more TCI state indications, from among a plurality of signal strengths reported by the UE in the event-based LTM reporting, a first signal strength for an activated TCI state associated with the serving beam in the serving cell, a secondsignal strength for an indicated TCI state associated for the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell, and one or more other signal strengths, wherein at least a third signal strength from among the one or more other signal strengths is for another TCI state associated with the non-serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, a TCI state comprises a reference signal (RS) and an intended quasi colocation (QCL) type associated with the serving beam.

[0263] In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can further comprise means for, in an instance in which the second signal strength and the third signal strength are greater than the first signal strength, determining to initiate a beam switch procedure for the UE. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can further comprise means for, in an instance in which the second signal strength is greater than the third signal strength, determining to initiate an LTM cell switch procedure for the UE. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can further comprise means for, in an instance in which the third signal strength is greater than the second signal strength, determining to initiate an intra-cell beam switch procedure for the UE. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can further comprise means for determining to delay an LTM cell switch procedure based on the third signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell being greater than the first signal strength in the serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can further comprise means for receiving, from the UE, via the serving cell, a beam management / LTM interworking indication that indicates the UE supports reporting, in the event-based reporting, the signal strength in the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell, and the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can further comprise means for providing, to the UE, cell configuration information for the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell.

[0264] In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises reference signal received power (RSRP) values associated with a particular candidate beam in a particular candidate cell and the serving beam and the non-serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the LTM measurement report comprises beam indications of the respective beams in the serving cell and the respective beams of the one or more candidate cells. In some embodiments, the beam indications comprise an indicated beam identifier, an activated beam identifier, and a candidate beam identifier.

[0265] In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can further comprise means for, in an instance in which the network device initiates the LTM procedure, providing, to the UE, via the serving beam in the serving network, an LTM mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to a particular candidate beam in a particular candidate cell. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can further comprise means for, in an instance in which the network device initiated the beam management procedure, providing, to the UE, via the serving beam in the serving network, an intra-cell mobility command indicating that theUE is to switch to the non-serving beam in the serving cell. In some embodiments, the apparatus or device can be, comprise, or be comprised within a network device.

[0266] Even though the invention has been described above with reference to an example according to the accompanying drawings, it is clear that the invention is not restricted thereto but can be modified in several ways within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly and they are intended to illustrate, not to restrict, the embodiment. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. Further, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that the described embodiments may, but are not required to, be combined with other embodiments in various ways.

[0267] It will be understood that each block or signal and combination of blocks and signals of the signal flow diagrams and method flowcharts presented here may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry, and / or other communication devices associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above may be stored by the memory 514 of the apparatus 500 employing an example embodiment and executed by processing circuitry, such as the processor 512. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions, such as instructions 515, may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (for example, hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus implements the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture the execution of which implements the function specified in the flowchart blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations 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 operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart blocks.

[0268] Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0269] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. Claims1. A user equipment (UE) comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE to perform at least: while being served by a serving beam in a serving cell of a mobile network, determining a candidate beam in a candidate cell satisfies a trigger for a mobility event; in an instance in which the candidate beam satisfies the trigger for the mobility event, determining a signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, a signal strength of one or more nonserving beams in the serving cell, and a signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell; generating mobility event measurement reporting to be transmitted to the mobile network, the mobility event measurement reporting comprising the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell; and transmitting the mobility event measurement reporting towards the mobile network.

2. The UE of claim 1, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform said determining the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell by causing the UE to perform: measuring the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell.

3. The UE of any prior claim, wherein the determining the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event is based at least upon a signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell.

4. The UE of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the determining the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event is based at least upon a signal quality characteristics of the candidate beam in the candidate cell.

5. The UE of any prior claim, wherein, in an instance in which the candidate beam in the candidatecell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event, the UE is configured to trigger a Layer 1 / Layer 2 Triggered Mobility (LTM) procedure.

6. The UE of claim 3, wherein the determining the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell is carried out in an instance in which the UE is configured for beam management / LTM measurement reporting interworking.

7. The UE of claim 6, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform: receiving, from the mobile network, cell configuration information associated with a plurality of candidate cells, the plurality of candidate cells comprising the candidate cell and one or more other candidate cells; and configuring the UE, based at least upon the cell configuration information associated with the plurality of candidate cells, to carry out the LTM measurement reporting associated with the plurality of candidate cells.

8. The UE of any prior claim, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform: receiving, from the serving cell, a message comprising a IncludeBeamStatus indication, the IncludeBeamStatus indication indicating that the UE is to provide one or more of: measurement reports for at least the serving beam, the one or more non-serving beams, and the candidate beam or, status information for the serving cell beams, wherein the status information comprises an indication of whether a respective beam from among the serving cell beams is an indicated beam, an activated beam, or neither an indicated beam nor an activated beam.

9. The UE of claim 8, wherein the beam management / LTM management interworking indication is further operable to cause the UE to include the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in event-based LTM reporting provided from the UE towards the mobile network.

10. The UE of claim 9, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform:performing measurement of the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam; determining that the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell is greater than the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell; and generating the event-based LTM reporting to be provided by the UE towards the mobile network.

11. The UE of any prior claim, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform: including, in event-based LTM reporting, an indication of the serving beam in the serving cell as corresponding to an activated transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state or indicated TCI state to configure the UE for signaling with the mobile network via the serving beam in the serving cell.

12. The UE of claim 11, wherein the indicated TCI state comprises a reference signal (RS) and an intended quasi co-location (QCL) type associated with the serving beam.

13. The UE of any prior claim, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform: measuring, using a physical layer of the UE, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of respective beams in the candidate cell including the candidate beam and one or more other beams; reporting, from the physical layer of the UE to a medium access control layer of the UE, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the respective beams in the candidate cell including the candidate beam and the one or more other beams; and generating, at the medium access control layer of the UE, a message for reporting the signal strength of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams of the candidate cell to the element or function of the mobile network.

14. The UE of any prior claim, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform: receiving cell configuration information for the candidate beam in the candidate cell; and storing the cell configuration information at the UE.

15. The UE of any prior claim, wherein the reporting the signal strength of the respective beams ofthe serving cell and the respective beams of the candidate cell are carried out using an LTM measurement report.

16. The UE of claim 15, wherein the LTM measurement report comprises beam indications of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams in the candidate cell.

17. The UE of claim 16, wherein the beam indications comprise an indicated beam identifier, an activated beam identifier, and a candidate beam identifier.

18. The UE of claim 15, wherein the LTM measurement report comprises reference signal received power (RSRP) values associated with the candidate beam in the candidate cell and the serving beam and the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell.

19. The UE of any prior claim, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform: receiving, via the serving beam in the serving network, an LTM mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to the candidate beam in the candidate cell.

20. The UE of any prior claim, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform: receiving, via the serving beam in the serving network, an intra-cell mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to a particular non-serving beam from among the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell.

21. The UE of any prior claim, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform: determining whether the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the quality threshold for greater than or equal to a predetermined time-to-trigger (TTT) duration before triggering the LTM procedure.

22. The UE of claim 21, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform: receiving, at a medium access control (MAC) layer of the UE, from a physical layer of the UE, an indication that the candidate beam at the candidate cell satisfies the quality threshold;setting, at the MAC layer of the UE, a TTT timer; upon expiration of the TTT timer, indicating from the MAC layer of the UE to the physical layer of the UE that the TTT timer has expired; and determining, at the physical layer of the UE, in an instance in which the candidate beam in the candidate cell still satisfies the quality threshold after expiration of the TTT timer at the UE, to trigger the LTM procedure from the serving beam to the particular candidate beam.

23. A method carried out by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: while being served by a serving beam in a serving cell of a mobile network, determining a candidate beam in a candidate cell satisfies a trigger for a mobility event; in an instance in which the candidate beam satisfies the trigger for the mobility event, determining a signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, a signal strength of one or more nonserving beams in the serving cell, and a signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell; generating mobility event measurement reporting to be transmitted to the mobile network, the mobility event measurement reporting comprising the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell; and transmitting the mobility event measurement reporting towards the mobile network.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said determining the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell comprises: measuring, using the UE, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell.

25. The method of any one of claims 23-24, wherein the determining the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event is based at least upon a signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell.

26. The method of any one of claims 23-24, wherein the determining the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event is based at least upon a signal quality characteristics of the candidate beam in the candidate cell.

27. The method of any one of claims 23-26, wherein, in an instance in which the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the trigger for the mobility event, the UE is configured to trigger a Layer 1 / Layer 2 Triggered Mobility (LTM) procedure.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the determining the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell is carried out in an instance in which the UE is configured for beam management / LTM measurement reporting interworking.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising: receiving, from the mobile network, cell configuration information associated with a plurality of candidate cells, the plurality of candidate cells comprising the candidate cell and one or more other candidate cells; and configuring the UE, based at least upon the cell configuration information associated with the plurality of candidate cells, to carry out the LTM measurement reporting associated with the plurality of candidate cells.

30. The method of any one of claims 23-29, further comprising: receiving, from the serving cell, a message comprising a IncludeBeamStatus indication, the IncludeBeamStatus indication indicating that the UE is to provide one or more of: measurement reports for at least the serving beam, the one or more non-serving beams, and the candidate beam or, status information for the serving cell beams, wherein the status information comprises an indication of whether a respective beam from among the serving cell beams is an indicated beam, an activated beam, or neither an indicated beam nor an activated beam.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the beam management / LTM management interworking indication is further operable to cause the UE to include the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in eventbased LTM reporting provided from the UE towards the mobile network.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising: performing measurement of the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams, and the signal strength of the candidate beam;determining that the signal strength of the candidate beam in the candidate cell is greater than the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell; and generating the event-based LTM reporting to be provided by the UE towards the mobile network.

33. The method of any one of claims 23-32, further comprising: including, in event-based LTM reporting, an indication of the serving beam in the serving cell as corresponding to an activated transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state or indicated TCI state to configure the UE for signaling with the mobile network via the serving beam in the serving cell.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the indicated TCI state comprises a reference signal (RS) and an intended quasi co-location (QCL) type associated with the serving beam.

35. The method of any one of claims 23-34, further comprising: measuring, using a physical layer of the UE, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of respective beams in the candidate cell including the candidate beam and one or more other beams; reporting, from the physical layer of the UE to a medium access control layer of the UE, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell, and the signal strength of the respective beams in the candidate cell including the candidate beam and the one or more other beams; and generating, at the medium access control layer of the UE, a message for reporting the signal strength of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams of the candidate cell to the element or function of the mobile network.

36. The method of any one of claims 23-35, further comprising: receiving cell configuration information for the candidate beam in the candidate cell; and storing the cell configuration information at the UE.

37. The method of any one of claims 23-36, wherein the reporting the signal strength of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams of the candidate cell are carried out using an LTM measurement report.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the LTM measurement report comprises beam indications of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams in the candidate cell.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the beam indications comprise an indicated beam identifier, an activated beam identifier, and a candidate beam identifier.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the LTM measurement report comprises reference signal received power (RSRP) values associated with the candidate beam in the candidate cell and the serving beam and the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell.

41. The method of any one of claims 23-40, further comprising: receiving, via the serving beam in the serving network, an LTM mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to the candidate beam in the candidate cell.

42. The method of any one of claims 23-41, further comprising: receiving, via the serving beam in the serving network, an intra-cell mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to a particular non-serving beam from among the one or more non-serving beams in the serving cell.

43. The method of any one of claims 23-42, further comprising: determining whether the candidate beam in the candidate cell satisfies the quality threshold for greater than or equal to a predetermined time-to-trigger (TTT) duration before triggering the LTM procedure.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising: receiving, at a medium access control (MAC) layer of the UE, from a physical layer of the UE, an indication that the candidate beam at the candidate cell satisfies the quality threshold; setting, at the MAC layer of the UE, a TTT timer; upon expiration of the TTT timer, indicating from the MAC layer of the UE to the physical layer of the UE that the TTT timer has expired; and determining, at the physical layer of the UE, in an instance in which the candidate beam in the candidate cell still satisfies the quality threshold after expiration of the TTT timer at the UE, to trigger the LTM procedure from the serving beam to the particular candidate beam.

45. A network device configured for communication in a mobile network, the network device comprising:at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network device to perform at least: while serving a user equipment (UE) using a serving beam in a serving cell, receiving, from the UE, a Lower-level Triggered Mobility (LTM) measurement report comprising one or both of beam quality information or cell quality information, the LTM measurement report comprising a signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, a signal strength of a non-serving beam in the serving cell, and a signal strength of at least one candidate beam in at least one candidate cell from among one or more candidate cells neighboring the serving cell; determining, based upon the signal strength of respective beams of the serving cell and the signal strength of the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell, whether to initiate a beam management procedure or an LTM procedure; in an instance in which the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell is greater than the signal strength of the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell, initiating the beam management procedure; and in an instance in which the signal strength of a particular candidate beam in a particular candidate cell from among the one or more candidate cells is greater than the signal strength of the nonserving beam in the serving cell, initiating the LTM procedure from the serving beam in the serving cell to the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell.

46. The network device of claim 45, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform: providing, to the UE, via the serving cell, a message comprising a beam management / LTM management interworking indication, the beam management / LTM management interworking indication being operable to configure the UE to report the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam.

47. The network device of claim 46, wherein the beam management / LTM management interworking indication is further operable to cause the UE to include the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam in event-based LTM reporting provided from the UE towards the mobile network.

48. The network device of claim 47, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform:receiving the event-based LTM reporting, the event-based LTM reporting comprising one or more results of signal strength measurements taken by the UE of at least one of: the serving beam, the non-serving beam, or the candidate beam.

49. The network device of claim 48, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform: determining, based upon one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state indications or one or more beam identifiers in the event-based LTM reporting, the signal strength of the serving beam, the signal strength of the non-serving beam, and the signal strength of the candidate beam.

50. The network device of claim 48, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform: determining, based upon the one or more TCI state indications, from among a plurality of signal strengths reported by the UE in the event-based LTM reporting, a first signal strength for an activated TCI state associated with the serving beam in the serving cell, a second signal strength for an indicated TCI state associated with the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell, and one or more other signal strengths, wherein at least a third signal strength from among the one or more other signal strengths is for another TCI state associated with the non-serving beam in the serving cell.

51. The network device of claim 50, wherein a TCI state comprises a reference signal (RS) and an intended quasi co-location (QCL) type associated with the serving beam.

52. The network device of claim 50, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform: in an instance in which the second signal strength and the third signal strength are greater than the first signal strength, determining to initiate a beam switch procedure for the UE.

53. The network device of claim 52, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform: in an instance in which the second signal strength is greater than the third signal strength, determining to initiate an LTM cell switch procedure for the UE.

54. The network device of claim 52, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform:in an instance in which the third signal strength is greater than the second signal strength, determining to initiate an intra-cell beam switch procedure for the UE.

55. The network device of claim 52, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform: determining to delay an LTM cell switch procedure based on the third signal strength of the nonserving beam in the serving cell being greater than the first signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell.

56. The network device of any one of claims 45-55, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform: receiving, from the UE, via the serving cell, a beam management / LTM interworking indication that indicates the UE supports reporting, in the event-based reporting, the signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell, and the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell.

57. The network device of any one of claims 45-56, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform: providing, to the UE, cell configuration information for respective candidate beams in the one or more candidate cells.

58. The network device of any one of claims 45-57, wherein the LTM measurement report comprises reference signal received power (RSRP) values associated with the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell and the serving beam and the non-serving beam in the serving cell.

59. The network device of claim 58, wherein the LTM measurement report comprises beam indications of the respective beams of the serving cell and the respective beams of the one or more candidate cells.

60. The network device of claim 59, wherein the beam indications comprise an indicated beam identifier, an activated beam identifier, and a candidate beam identifier.

61. The network device of any one of claims 45-60, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform:in an instance in which the network device initiates the LTM procedure, providing, to the UE, via the serving beam in the serving network, an LTM mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell.

62. The network device of any one of claims 45-61, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network device to perform: in an instance in which the network device initiated the beam management procedure, providing, to the UE, via the serving beam in the serving network, an intra-cell mobility command indicating that the UE is to switch to the non-serving beam in the serving cell.

63. A method carried out by a network device in a mobile network, the method comprising: while serving a user equipment (UE) using a serving beam in a serving cell, receiving, from the UE, a Lower-level Triggered Mobility (LTM) measurement report comprising one or both of beam quality information or cell quality information, the LTM measurement report comprising a signal strength of the serving beam in the serving cell, the signal strength of a non-serving beam in the serving cell, and a signal strength of at least one candidate beam in at least one candidate cell from among one or more candidate cells neighboring the serving cell; determining, based upon the signal strength of respective beams in the serving cell and the signal strength of the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell, whether to initiate a beam management procedure or an LTM procedure; in an instance in which the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell is greater than the signal strength of the at least one candidate beam in the at least one candidate cell, initiating the beam management procedure; and in an instance in which the signal strength of a particular candidate beam in a particular candidate cell from among the one or more candidate cells is greater than the signal strength of the non-serving beam in the serving cell, initiating the LTM procedure from the serving beam in the serving cell to the particular candidate beam in the particular candidate cell.

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