Enabling artificial intelligence techniques for measurement prediction and reporting

Abstract

A signal measurement method implemented in a user equipment (UE) can include receiving, from a radio access network (RAN), a measurement configuration. The method can include transmitting, to the RAN, an indication that measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement configuration. The method can include transmitting, to the RAN, one or more predicted measurement results for the measurement configuration. Other methods and systems are described.

Description

PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00ENABLING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNIQUES FOR MEASUREMENT PREDICTION AND REPORTINGCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 717,244 entitled “Enabling artificial intelligence techniques for measurement prediction and reporting,” filed on November 6, 2024. The entire contents of the provisional application are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] This disclosure relates to wireless communications and, more particularly, to managing configuration for enabling artificial intelligence techniques for measurement prediction and reporting.BACKGROUND

[0003] This background description is provided for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

[0004] Wireless communication systems are evolving to support increasing data rates, reduced latency, and enhanced capacity for mobile devices. Fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) systems and emerging sixth generation (6G) technologies provide advanced capabilities through sophisticated radio access networks (RANs) that manage communication between user equipment (UE) and core network (CN) infrastructure.

[0005] In wireless communication systems, a UE performs measurements on reference signals transmitted by base stations to assess signal quality and strength. These measurements enable the RAN to make mobility decisions, such as decisions to perform handover procedures that transfer a UE from one cell to another as the UE moves through the coverage area. Traditional handover processes rely on historical measurement results and reactive decision-making based on predetermined thresholds and reporting events.

[0006] The reactive nature of conventional handover mechanisms may present challenges in certain deployment scenarios. High-mobility environments, dense networks with small cells, and applications requiring ultra-low latency and high data rates can strain traditionalPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 measurement and handover approaches. When a UE moves rapidly between cells or when the network provides services with stringent performance requirements (e.g., extended Reality (XR) services), reactive handover procedures may result in suboptimal outcomes.

[0007] Artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques offer potential enhancements to wireless communication systems. These technologies can analyze patterns in measurement data and network behavior to enable more sophisticated decision-making processes. The integration of predictive capabilities into measurement and mobility management functions represents an area of ongoing development in wireless communication standards.

[0008] The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) continues to study methods for improving mobility performance through enhanced measurement techniques. These efforts focus on developing mechanisms that can anticipate network conditions and user equipment behavior to enable more proactive network management approaches.SUMMARY

[0009] Methods for addressing the above concerns can include a signal measurement method implemented in a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving, from a radio access network (RAN), a measurement configuration; transmitting, to the RAN, an indication that measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement configuration; and transmitting, to the RAN, one or more predicted measurement results for the measurement configuration.

[0010] Methods can further include a method for supporting signal measurement at a user equipment (UE), the method implemented in a radio access network (RAN) node and comprising: transmitting, to the UE, measurement configuration; receiving, from the UE, an indication of whether measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement configuration and a capability indication that the UE is capable of measurement prediction; and receiving, from the UE, one or more predicted measurement results for the measurement configuration according to the indication.PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an example system in which a radio access network (RAN) and a user equipment (UE) can implement the techniques of this disclosure to support signal measurement;

[0012] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an example protocol stack according to which the UE of Fig. 1 communicates with base stations;

[0013] Fig. 3 is a messaging diagram of an example scenario in which a UE and a base station exchange measurement predictions and measurement prediction capability information;

[0014] Fig. 4A illustrates a mode during which the UE trains or tunes a machine learning (ML) model;

[0015] Fig. 4B illustrates time domain prediction that can be performed by a UE;

[0016] Fig. 4C illustrates of time domain prediction in which a UE implements a sliding observation window (OW) omitting certain observations to save power;

[0017] Fig. 5A illustrates a first example implementation of frequency domain prediction in which the UE uses measurement results of reference signals in a first carrier frequency to predict measurements of reference signals in a second carrier frequency;

[0018] Fig. 5B illustrates a second example implementation of frequency domain prediction in which the UE uses measurement results of reference signals in a first carrier frequency to predict measurements of reference signals in a second carrier frequency;

[0019] Fig. 6A is a flow diagram of an example method for providing predicted measurement results based on a measurement configuration;

[0020] Fig. 6B is a flow diagram of a second example method, similar to the method of Fig. 6A except that the UE generates a measurement result based on a predicted measurement result;

[0021] Fig. 6C is a flow diagram of a third example method, similar to the method of Fig. 6A but with the UE additionally performs measurements based on an additional measurement configuration;

[0022] Fig. 6D is a flow diagram of a fourth example method, including operations combining the operations of Fig. 6A-6C;PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00

[0023] Fig. 7A is a flow diagram of an example method for receiving a measurement report of measurements performed by a UE;

[0024] Fig. 7B is a flow diagram of a second example method similar to that illustrated in Fig. 7A, except that the network receives a measurement report including measurement results based on predicted measurement results;

[0025] Fig. 8 is a flow diagram of an example method for transmitting a measurement report;

[0026] Fig. 9 is a flow diagram of a method for receiving a measurement report including measurement results based on measurements performed by a UE without using measurement prediction;

[0027] Fig. 10A is a flow diagram of an example for providing a measurement configuration to a UE;

[0028] Fig. 10B is a flow diagram of an example method for providing a measurement configuration based on UE measurement prediction capability;

[0029] Fig. 11 is a flow diagram of an example method for transmitting a measurement prediction depending on applicability of a measurement configuration;

[0030] Fig. 12 is a flow diagram of an example method for providing a reporting configuration to a UE depending on UE support for measurement prediction;

[0031] Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of UE elements for a UE to use for performing or predicting reference signal measurements;

[0032] Fig. 14 is a flow diagram of an example signal measurement method that a UE can implement;

[0033] Fig. 15 is a flow diagram of an example signal measurement method that a network can implement;

[0034] Fig. 16 is a flow diagram of a second example signal measurement method that a UE can implement; and

[0035] Fig. 17 is a flow diagram of a second example signal measurement method that a network can implement.PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] A network and a UE can implement the techniques of the disclosure to enhance signal measurements to perform more efficient handovers. For example, a base station and UE can perform a handover procedure more quickly by selecting a target cell in advance based on measurement predictions enhanced by machine learning prediction capabilities. The UE indicates capabilities for performing such predictions. In some example aspects, the base station can use predicted measurement results for layer 3 (L3) mobility (including handovers) and / or the UE can request or initiate handovers based on predicted measurement results. The UE can perform LI measurements or filtering as described in more detail later herein. Prediction parameters, including observation window size and prediction window size, can be configured by the network to reduce measurement workload for the UE.

[0037] Referring first to Fig. 1, an example wireless communication system 100 can implement one or more of these techniques. The wireless communication system 100 includes a UE 102, a base station (BS) 104, a base station 106 and a core network (CN) 110. The base stations 104, 106 can operate in a radio access network (RAN) 105. The CN 110 may be or include an evolved packet core (EPC) 111, a fifth generation (5G) core (5GC) 160 and / or a sixth generation (6G) core (6GC) 170, for example. The base station 104 can operate as an eNB supporting an SI interface for communicating with the EPC 111, an ng-eNB supporting an NG interface for communicating with the 5GC 160, or a gNB that supports an NR radio interface as well as an NG interface for communicating with the 5GC 160. The base station 104 can also operate an 6G base station (BS) supporting the NG interface, a new NG interface, or a 6G BS-to-CN (e.g., N6G) interface for communicating with the 5GC 160 or the 6GC 170. To directly exchange messages with each other during the scenarios discussed below, the base stations 104 and 106 can support an X2, Xn, new Xn, or 6G BS-to-BS (e.g., X6G) interface. Among other components, the EPC 111 can include a Serving Gateway (SGW) 112, a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 114, and a Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW) 116. The SGW 112 is generally configured to transfer user-plane packets related to audio calls, video calls, Internet traffic, etc., and the MME 114 is configured to manage authentication, registration, paging, and other related functions. The PGW 116 provides connectivity from the UE to one or more external packet data networks, e.g., an Internet network and / or an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network. The 5GC 160 includes a User Plane Function (UPF) 162 and an Access and MobilityManagement (AMF) 164, and / or a Session Management Function (SMF) 166. The UPF 162PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 is generally configured to transfer user-plane packets related to audio calls, video calls, Internet traffic, etc., the AMF 164 is configured to manage authentication, registration, paging, and other related functions, and the SMF 166 is configured to manage PDU sessions. The 6GC 170 includes a 6G UPF 172 and a 6G AMF 174, and / or 6G SMF 176, similar to the UPF 162, the AMF 164 and the SMF 176 with enhanced functions, respectively.

[0038] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the base station 104 supports a cell 124, and the base station 106 supports cells 126A, 126B, and 126C. The cells 124, 126A, 126B, and / or 126C can operate on the same carrier frequency or different carrier frequencies. For example, the cells 126A, 126B, and 126C operate on DL carrier frequencies fl, f2, and f3, respectively. The cell 124 may operate on the DL carrier frequency fl. When the cells 124, 126 A, 126B, and / or 126C operate in a time division duplex (TDD) mode, the cells 124, 126A, 126B, and / or 126C operate in UL carrier frequencies that are the same as the DL carrier frequencies. When the cells 124, 126A, 126B, and / or 126C operate in a frequency division duplex (FDD) mode, the cells 124, 126 A, 126B, and / or 126C operate in UL carrier frequencies different from the DL carrier frequencies. The cells 124, 126A, 126B, and / or 126C can partially overlap to provide seamless service continuity. Thus, while the UE 102 may move among the cells 124, 126 A, 126B, and 126C, the UE 102 may still communicate with the CN 110 via these cells. In some other scenarios, the cells 126B and / or 126C may belong to one or more other base stations (e.g., the base station 104 and / or one or more additional base stations not shown in Fig. 1). In general, the wireless communication network 100 can include any suitable number of base stations supporting 6G cells, NR cells and / or EUTRA cells. More particularly, the EPC 111 can be connected to any suitable number of base stations supporting EUTRA cells, while the 5GC 160 and / or the 6GC 170 can be connected to any suitable number of base stations supporting 6G cells and / or NR cells. Although the examples below refer specifically to specific CN types (EPC, 5GC, 6GC) and RAT types (6G, 5G NR and EUTRA), in general the techniques of this disclosure also can apply to other suitable radio access and / or core network technologies such as seventh generation (7G) radio access and / or 7G core network.

[0039] With continued reference to Fig. 1, the base station 104 includes processing hardware 130 that includes one or more general-purpose processors (e.g., CPUs) and a non- transitory computer-readable medium (CRM) storing instructions that the one or more general-purpose processors execute. Additionally or alternatively, the processing hardware 130 may include special-purpose processing units. According to an embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the processing hardware 130 includes a processor 132 to process data that the basePATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 station 104 transmits in the downlink direction, or data that the base station 104 receives in the uplink direction. The processing hardware 130 also includes a receiver 134 configured to transmit data in the downlink direction and to receive data in the uplink direction. The processing hardware 130 also includes a measurement controller 136 configured to manage measurement configurations. The processing hardware 130 further includes a measurement prediction controller 138 configured to manage (e.g., configure, release, activate, deactivate, enable, or disable) measurement prediction configurations for UEs as described in more detail later herein. The CRM (not shown) stores executable code that, when executed on the processor 132, enables the processor 132 to perform methods according to embodiments described in this section. The base station 106 includes generally similar components. In particular, components 140, 142, 144, 146, and 148 of the base station 106 may be similar to the components 130, 132, 134, 136, and 138, respectively.

[0040] The UE 102 includes processing hardware 150 that can include one or more general-purpose processors such as CPUs and non-transitory CRM storing machine-readable instructions executable on the one or more general-purpose processors, and / or specialpurpose processing units. As schematically illustrated in Figure 1, the processing hardware 150 includes a processor 152 to prepare data that the UE 102 transmits in the uplink direction, or to process data that the UE 102 receives in the downlink direction. The processing hardware 150 also includes a transceiver 154 configured to transmit data in the uplink direction and to receive data in the downlink direction. The processing hardware 150 further includes a measurement controller 156 configured to manage measurement configurations, perform measurements, and / or transmit measurement results. The processing hardware 150 additionally includes a measurement prediction controller 158 configured to manage (e.g., configure, release, activate, deactivate, enable, or disable) measurement predictions.

[0041] Fig. 2 illustrates, in a simplified manner, an example protocol stack 200 according to which the UE 102 can communicate with an eNB / ng-eNB or a gNB 230 or 232 (e.g., one or more of the base stations 104, 106).

[0042] In the example stack 200, a NR PHY 202B provides transport channels to a NR MAC sublayer 204B, which in turn provides logical channels to a NR RLC sublayer 206B. The NR RLC sublayer 206B in turn provides data transfer services to a NR PDCP sublayer 208B. The NR PDCP sublayer 208B in turn can provide data transfer services to a ServicePATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) 21 OB sublayer and / or a radio resource control (RRC) sublayer (not shown in Fig. 2). Similarly, a physical layer (PHY) 202A of 6G provides transport channels to the 6G MAC sublayer 204A, which in turn provides logical channels to the 6G RLC sublayer 206A. The 6G RLC sublayer 206A in turn provides RLC channels to a 6G PDCP sublayer 208A. The 6G PDCP sublayer 208A in turn can provide data transfer services to a 6G Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) sublayer 210A or a 6G radio resource control (RRC) sublayer (not shown in Fig. 2). In some implementations, the 6G SDAP sublayer 210A can be omitted. In such cases, the PDCP sublayer 208 A may support functionalities of the SDAP sublayer 210A. The UE 102, in some implementations, supports both the 6G and the NR stack as shown in Fig. 2, to support handover between 6G and NR base stations and / or to support DC over 6G and NR interfaces.

[0043] The 6G PDCP sublayer 208A and the NR PDCP sublayer 208B receive packets (e.g., from an Internet Protocol (IP) layer, layered directly or indirectly over the PDCP layer 208A or 208B) that can be referred to as service data units (SDUs), and output packets (e.g., to the RLC layer 206A or 206B) that can be referred to as protocol data units (PDUs).Except where the difference between SDUs and PDUs is relevant, this disclosure for simplicity refers to both SDUs and PDUs as “packets.”

[0044] On a control plane, the 6G PDCP sublayer 208A and the NR PDCP sublayer 208B can provide signaling radio bearers (SRBs) or RRC sublayer (not shown in Fig. 2) to exchange RRC messages or non-access-stratum (NAS) messages, for example. On a user plane, the 6G PDCP sublayer 208A and the NR PDCP sublayer 208B can provide Data Radio Bearers (DRBs) to support data exchange. Data exchanged on the 6G PDCP sublayer 208A and NR PDCP sublayer 208B can be SDAP PDUs, Internet Protocol (IP) packets or Ethernet packets.

[0045] 3GPP defines a radio interface referred to as fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) (5G NR). An architecture for a 5G NR wireless communication system includes a 5G core (5GC) network, a 5G radio access network (5G-RAN), a 5G user equipment (5G UE), etc. The 5G NR architecture seeks to provide increased data rates, decreased latency, and / or increased capacity compared to previous generation cellular communication systems.

[0046] In general, wireless communication systems provide various telecommunication services (e.g., telephony, video, data, messaging, etc.) based on multiple-access technologies, such as orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) technologies, that supportPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 communication with multiple UEs. During communication between a UE and a RAN, the RAN triggers and executes a handover based on historical measurement result(s) and / or reporting event(s) reported by the UE. This results in a handover process that is reactive by nature. The reactive handover process may be adequate when handover is among macro cells, when UE mobility is low, and when the network is providing certain currently- available services. However, when UE mobility is high, when UE mobility is among micro cells of high density, or when cells provide both existing services and high-data-rate, low-latency services the existing reactive handover scheme may result in increased frequency of unintended events including handover failure, radio link failure, instances of the Ping-Pong phenomenon, throughput loss, early / late handover, etc. There is a need for better support of high-data-rate, low-latency services such as extended Reality (XR) services.

[0047] These and other concerns are addressed in methods according to aspects of the present disclosure, discussed herein with reference to Figs. 3-17. Generally speaking, similar events in Figs. 3-17 are labeled with similar reference numbers that share two least significant digits, with the differences discussed below where appropriate. For example, event 308 is similar to events 608, and event 318 is similar to event 618.

[0048] Referring first to Fig. 3, in a scenario 300, the UE 102 initially communicates 302 with the base station 104 via a cell (e.g., cell 124 (Fig. 1)) on a DL carrier frequency and a UL carrier frequency. In some implementations, the DL carrier frequency and the UL carrier frequency can be the same. In other implementations, the DL carrier frequency can be different from the UL carrier frequency. In some implementations, the UE 102 transmits 304 indicator(s) of one or more measurement prediction capabilities and / or a measurement prediction applicability reporting capability to the base station 104. In some implementations, the UE 102 transmits 304 a UE capability IE including the one or more measurement prediction capabilities to the base station 104. In other implementations, the base station 104 receives 306 the one or more measurement prediction capabilities of the UE 102 from an additional base station (e.g., the base station 106 or a different base station) or a core network node (e.g., MME 114 or AMF 164 or 174). In some implementations, the base station 104 receives 306 a UE capability IE including the one or more measurement prediction capabilities from the additional base station or the core network node. In some implementations, the UE capability IE may indicate that the UE supports frequency bands (hereinafter referred to as band(s)) 1, ..., N, where N is a positive integer. The one or more measurement prediction capability indicators indicate support for measurement prediction,PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 where measurement prediction is described in more detail later herein with refence to Figs. 4A-5B. To simplify the description below, “measurement prediction capability” or “measurement prediction capabilities” is used to refer to the “one or more measurement prediction capabilities.”

[0049] In some implementations, the measurement prediction capability applies to all bands supported by the UE 102. That is, the UE 102 can perform measurement prediction for all supported or configured bands with the measurement prediction capability. For example, the measurement prediction capability is a single capability, i.e., a per-UE capability.

[0050] In other implementations, the one or more measurement prediction capabilities apply to one or more specific bands supported by the UE 102. That is, the UE 102 can perform measurement prediction for the one or more specific bands with the one or more measurement prediction capabilities. For example, a measurement prediction capability can be associated with a particular band supported by the UE 102. In some implementations, the measurement prediction capabilities include measurement prediction capabilities 1, ..., N for the bands 1, ..., N, respectively. In other implementations, the measurement prediction capabilities include measurement prediction capabilities 1, ..., M for the bands 1, ..., M respectively, where M is a positive integer and M < N. When the UE capability IE does not include a measurement prediction capability for each of the bands M+l, ..., N, this indicates that the UE 102 does not support measurement prediction for the bands M+l, ..., N.

[0051] In yet other implementations, the one or more measurement prediction capabilities apply to one or more specific frequency ranges supported by the UE 102. That is, the UE 102 can perform measurement prediction for the one or more specific frequency ranges with the one or more measurement prediction capabilities. For example, a measurement prediction capability can be associated with a particular frequency range supported by the UE 102. In some implementations, the measurement prediction capabilities include a measurement prediction capability for each frequency range supported by the UE 102. In other implementations, the measurement prediction capabilities include a first measurement prediction capability for one of a first frequency range and the measurement prediction capabilities do not include a measurement prediction capability for a second frequency range. For example, in one implementation, one of the first frequency range and the second range can be indicated as frequency range 1 (FR1) and the other can be indicated as frequency range 2 (FR2). In another implementation, one of the first frequency range and the secondPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 range can be indicated as frequency range 3 (FR3) and the other can be indicated FR2 and measurement prediction capabilities can be provided for each of FR3 and FR2, and the measurement prediction capability may or may not include a third measurement prediction capability for FR1. In yet another implementation, one of the first frequency range and the second range can be indicated as FR1 and the other can be indicated as FR3, and measurement prediction capabilities can be provided for each of FR1 and FR3, and the measurement prediction capability may or may not include a third measurement prediction capability for FR2.

[0052] In some implementations, the one or more measurement prediction capabilities 304, 306 include at least one first measurement prediction capability, where each of the at least one first measurement prediction capability indicates support of temporal domain (i.e., timedomain) measurement prediction. The temporal domain measurement prediction is illustrated in Figs. 4A-4C. Examples and implementations described above can apply to the at least first measurement prediction capability.

[0053] In some implementations, the one or more measurement prediction capabilities include at least one second measurement prediction capability, where each of the at least one second measurement prediction capability indicates support of frequency-domain measurement prediction. The frequency-domain measurement prediction is illustrated in Figs. 5A-5B. Examples and implementations described above can apply to the at least first measurement prediction capability. In some implementations, the at least one second measurement prediction capability includes measurement prediction capabilities 1, ..., N-L, which are associated with the band N, for the bands 1, ..., N-l, respectively. L is a positive integer and 0 < L < N. That is, the UE 102 can perform measurement prediction for the bands 1, ..., N-l, while the UE 102 communicates with a RAN (e.g., the base station 104) on one or more carrier frequencies belonging to the band N. In some implementations, the at least one second measurement prediction capability includes measurement prediction capabilities for some of the bands 1, ..., N, which are associated with one of the other bands 1, ..., N.

[0054] In some implementations, the measurement prediction applicability reporting capability indicates that the UE 102 is capable of applicability reporting 318 for measurement prediction. The UE capability IE may include the measurement prediction applicability reporting capability.PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00

[0055] After event 304 or 306, the base station 104 transmits 308 a first measurement configuration, a first measurement prediction configuration, and / or a measurement prediction applicability reporting configuration to the UE 102, e.g., in one or more messages. The UE 102 may transmit a response message to the base station 104 in response to each of the one or more messages 308. In some implementations, the one or more messages 308 may be one or more RRC reconfiguration messages and the one or more response messages may be a RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0056] In some implementations, the first measurement configuration configures measurement and reporting that are based on a first measurement object and a first report configuration respectively. In such cases, the first measurement configuration includes the first measurement object and the first report configuration. The base station 104 transmits the measurement object and the first report configuration to the UE 102 in event 308 or one or more other messages (e.g., RRC reconfiguration messages). In some implementations, the first measurement configuration includes a first measurement ID, a first measurement object ID, and / or a first report configuration ID. The first measurement ID indicates the first measurement configuration, and the first measurement object ID indicates a first measurement object. In some implementations, the first measurement object indicates a first frequency / time location and / or a first subcarrier spacing of reference signal(s) to be measured. The first report configuration ID indicates the first report configuration. In some implementations, the first measurement configuration configures inter-frequency measurements. In other implementations, the first measurement configuration configures intra-frequency measurements.

[0057] In some implementations, the base station 104 transmits 308 the first measurement prediction applicability reporting configuration to the UE 102 in response to the measurement prediction applicability reporting capability. In other implementations, the base station 104 transmits 308 the measurement prediction applicability reporting configuration to the UE 102 in response to receiving the measurement prediction capability. In some implementations, the base station 104 transmits 308 the first measurement prediction configuration to the UE 102 in response to receiving the measurement prediction capability.

[0058] In some implementations, the base station 104 may transmit an additional measurement configuration to the UE 102 in event 308. In some implementations, the additional measurement configuration configures measurement and reporting that are basedPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 on an additional measurement object and an additional report configuration, respectively. In such cases, the additional measurement configuration consists of the additional measurement object and the additional report configuration. The base station 104 transmits the measurement object and the first report configuration to the UE 102 in event 308 or one or more other messages (e.g., RRC reconfiguration messages). In some implementations, the additional measurement configuration includes an additional measurement ID, an additional measurement object ID, and / or an additional report configuration ID. The additional measurement ID indicates the additional measurement configuration, and the additional measurement object ID indicates an additional measurement object. In some implementations, the additional measurement object indicates an additional frequency / time location and / or an additional subcarrier spacing of reference signal(s) to be measured. The additional report configuration ID indicates the additional report configuration. In some implementations, the additional measurement configuration configures inter-frequency measurements. In other implementations, the additional measurement configuration configures intra-frequency measurements.

[0059] The UE 102 performs 310 first measurements. In some implementations, the UE 102 performs 310 the first measurements based on (e.g., in response to) the first measurement configuration. For example, the UE 102 performs the first measurements based on (e.g., in accordance with) the first measurement object. In other implementations, the UE 102 performs 310 the first measurements based on the additional measurement configuration. For example, the UE 102 performs the first measurements based on (e.g., in accordance with) the additional measurement object. The UE 102 generates 312 at least one first measurement result based on the first measurements 310 and without using measurement prediction. In some implementations, the UE 102 obtains intermediate measurement results from the first measurements and generates the at least one first measurement result using the intermediate measurement results as described for Fig. 13.

[0060] In some implementations, the UE 102 transmits 314 a first measurement report including the at least one first measurement result. When the UE 102 performs the first measurements based on the first measurement configuration, the UE 102 transmits 314 the first measurement report in accordance with the first report configuration. In some implementations, the first measurement configuration configures a first reporting event for an event-triggered measurement reporting. The UE 102 determines that the first reporting event occurs based on the at least one first measurement result. In response to the determination,PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 the UE 102 transmits 314 the first measurement report to the base station 104. In other implementations, the first report configuration configures a periodic measurement reporting. In such cases, the UE 102 transmits 312 the first measurement report upon occurrence of a periodicity (e.g., expiry of a periodic timer). The first report configuration configures the periodicity. In some implementations, the first measurement report or the at least one first measurement result includes a first reporting event ID that identifies the first reporting event. In some implementations, the first report configuration includes the first reporting event ID.

[0061] When the UE 102 performs the first measurements based on the additional measurement configuration, the UE 102 transmits 314 the first measurement report in accordance with the additional report configuration. In some implementations, the first measurement configuration configures an additional reporting event for an event-triggered measurement reporting. The UE 102 determines that the additional reporting event occurs based on the at least one first measurement result. In response to the determination, the UE 102 transmits 314 the first measurement report to the base station 104. In other implementations, the additional report configuration configures a periodic measurement reporting. In such cases, the UE 102 transmits 314 the first measurement report upon occurrence of a periodicity (e.g., expiry of a periodic timer). The additional report configuration configures the periodicity. In some implementations, the first measurement report or the at least one first measurement result includes an additional reporting event ID that identifies the additional reporting event. In some implementations, the additional report configuration includes the additional reporting event ID.

[0062] In some implementations, the at least one first measurement result indicates a signal strength, and / or a signal quality. For example, the at least one first measurement result includes the additional reporting event ID that identifies the additional reporting event. In another example, the at least one first measurement result includes a value of reference signal received power (RSRP) indicating a signal strength. In yet another example, the at least one first measurement result includes a value of reference signal received quality (RSRQ) indicating a signal quality. In yet another example, the at least one first measurement result includes a value of signal to noise and interference ratio (SINR).

[0063] While communicating with the base station 104, the UE 102 determines 316 whether measurement prediction is applicable. In some implementations, after event 308, the UE 102 determines 316 whether measurement prediction is applicable to the firstPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 measurement configuration. In one implementation, the UE 102 determines 316 whether measurement prediction is applicable to the first measurement object. In another implementation, the UE 102 determines 316 whether measurement prediction is applicable to the first report configuration. In some implementations, the UE 102 makes the determination 316 after (e.g., in response to) receiving the first measurement prediction configuration. In other implementations, the UE 102 makes the determination 316 after (e.g., in response to) receiving the measurement prediction applicability reporting configuration. In yet other implementations, the UE 102 makes the determination 316 after (e.g., in response to) receiving the first measurement object. In yet other implementations, the UE 102 makes the determination 316 after (e.g., in response to) receiving the first report configuration.

[0064] If the UE 102 determines 316 that measurement prediction is applicable, the UE 102 transmits 318 an applicability indication message to the base station 104, indicating that measurement prediction is applicable. In some implementations, the UE 102 includes, in the applicability indication message, an applicable indication indicating measurement prediction is applicable. In some implementations, the UE 102 includes at least one identity (ID) in the applicability indication message. In some implementations, the at least one ID includes the first measurement ID, the first measurement object ID, the first report configuration ID, and / or the first reporting event ID to indicate that measurement prediction is applicable to the first measurement configuration, the first measurement object, the first report configuration, and / or the first reporting event ID respectively.

[0065] In some implementations, the UE 102 includes a second measurement prediction configuration in the applicability indication message. In some implementations, the UE 102 transmits 318 the second measurement prediction configuration because the second measurement prediction configuration enables a high prediction accuracy. When the UE 102 receives the first measurement prediction configuration from the base station 104, the second measurement prediction configuration may be different from the first measurement prediction configuration. Alternatively, the second measurement prediction configuration may be the same as the first measurement prediction configuration. In some implementations, the second measurement prediction configuration can be considered a preferred measurement prediction configuration indicated by the UE 102. In some implementations, the UE 102 transmits 318 the second measurement prediction configuration because the second measurement prediction configuration has a prediction accuracy higher than the first measurement prediction configuration. In some implementations, if the UE 102 is satisfied with the first measurementPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 prediction configuration, the UE 102 does not include the second measurement prediction configuration in the applicability indication message. In such cases, the applicability indication message without a measurement prediction configuration may indicate that measurement prediction is applicable based on the first measurement prediction configuration.

[0066] In some implementations, after (e.g., in response to) receiving 318 the applicability indication message, the base station 104 transmits 320, to the UE, a first message. The UE 102 may transmit, to the base station 104, a first response message in response to the first message. For example, the first message and the first response message are a RRC reconfiguration message and a RRC reconfiguration complete message, respectively. In some implementations, the first message indicates enabling (e.g., activating) measurement prediction for the first measurement configuration and / or the first measurement object. In some implementations, the first message includes a third measurement prediction configuration. In some implementations, the third measurement prediction configuration updates (e.g., augments, modifies, or replaces) the first or second measurement prediction configuration. The base station 104 may generate the third measurement prediction configuration based on the second measurement prediction configuration. The UE 102 updates the first or second measurement prediction configuration with the third measurement prediction configuration. When the base station 104 does not transmit the first measurement prediction configuration and the UE 102 does not transmit the second measurement prediction configuration, the UE 102 may apply the third measurement prediction configuration directly.

[0067] In other implementations, the base station 104 may omit a measurement prediction configuration in the first message or refrain from transmitting the first message to the UE 102 because the base station 104 determines to configure or configures the UE 102 to apply the second measurement prediction configuration. Alternatively, the base station 104 may omit the measurement prediction configuration in the first message or refrain from transmitting the first message because the base station 104 determines to configure or configures the UE 102 to apply the first measurement prediction configuration.

[0068] After events 316, 318 and / or 320, the UE 102 continuously perform 322 second measurements. In some implementations, the UE 102 performs 322 the second measurements based on (e.g., in response to) the first measurement configuration. For example, the UE 102PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 performs the first measurements based on (e.g., in accordance with) the first measurement object. In other implementations, the UE 102 performs 322 the second measurements based on the additional measurement configuration. For example, the UE 102 performs the first measurements based on (e.g., in accordance with) the additional measurement object.

[0069] The UE 102 generates 324 at least one second measurement result based on the second measurements and without using measurement prediction. In some implementations, the UE 102 obtains intermediate measurement results from the second measurements and generates the at least one second measurement result using the intermediate measurement results as described with reference to Fig. 13. The UE 102 then may predict 326 one or more measurement results based on the at least one second measurement result. In some implementations, the one or more predicted measurement results include a report event ID, one or more signal strength values (e.g., RSRP values), one or more signal quality values (e.g., RSRQ values), and / or one or more SINR values.

[0070] In some implementations, the UE 102 may transmit 328 a second measurement report including the predicted one or more measurement results to the base station 104. In some implementations, the UE 102 transmits 328 the second measurement report in accordance with the first report configuration. In some implementations, the UE 102 includes a prediction indication in the second measurement report to indicate that the predicted one or more measurement results. In such cases, the UE 102 omits a prediction indication in the first measurement report because the first measurement report does not include a predicted measurement result. In other implementations, the UE 102 may include the predicted one or more measurement results in a first IE in the second measurement report. The first IE may be defined specifically to include one or more predicted measurement results. In such cases, the UE includes the at least one first measurement result in a second IE in the first measurement report. The second IE may be defined to include one or more non-predicted measurement results (i.e., measured measurement results). In yet other implementations, the UE 102 does not indicate whether measurement result(s) in the first measurement report and the second measurement report are predicted by measurement prediction. For example, the first measurement report and the second measurement report do not include a prediction indication.PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00

[0071] In some implementations, the UE 102 includes the at least one second measurement result in the second measurement report. In other implementations, the UE 102 refrains from including the at least one second measurement result in the second measurement report.

[0072] In some implementations, a measurement prediction configuration (e.g., the first, second or third measurement prediction configuration) includes one or more configuration parameters for measurement prediction. In one implementation, the measurement prediction configuration includes a first parameter configuring a length of a prediction window. In another implementation, the measurement prediction configuration includes a second parameter configuring a length of an observation window. In yet another implementation, the measurement prediction configuration includes a third parameter configuring the number of measurement results used for measurement prediction. In yet another implementation, the measurement prediction configuration includes a fourth parameter configuring the number of measurement results predicted in the measurement prediction. In yet another implementation, the measurement prediction configuration includes a fifth parameter configuring an accuracy rate (e.g., a probability) for measurement prediction. The UE determines 316 whether measurement prediction is applicable based on the accuracy rate. For example, if the UE determines 316 that accuracy of measurement prediction is below the accuracy rate, the UE determines measurement prediction is not applicable to the first measurement configuration or the first measurement object. If the UE determines 316 that accuracy of measurement prediction is above or equal to the accuracy rate, the UE determines measurement prediction is applicable to the first measurement configuration or the first measurement object.

[0073] In some implementations, the UE 102 receives a second measurement configuration from the base station 104. Descriptions above for the first measurement configuration can apply to the second measurement configuration. The second measurement configuration includes a second measurement ID, a second measurement object ID, and / or a second report configuration ID. The second measurement ID indicates the second measurement configuration and the second measurement object ID indicates a second measurement object. In some implementations, the second measurement object indicates a second frequency / time location and / or a second subcarrier spacing of reference signal(s) to be measured. The second report configuration ID indicates a second report configuration for measurement reporting. The second subcarrier spacing may be the same as or different from the first subcarrier spacing. The second measurement configuration or the second report configuration may include a second reporting event ID indicating a second reporting event. The second reportingPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 event ID may be the same as or different from the first reporting event ID. In some implementations, the UE 102 determines whether measurement prediction is applicable to the second measurement configuration, similar to the descriptions with respect to event 316. In cases in which the UE 102 does not support measurement prediction for the second measurement configuration, the UE 102 performs measurements based on the second measurement configuration and generates one or more measurement results based on the measurements and without using measurement prediction, as described for events 310 and 312. In some implementations, the UE 102 includes the one or more measurement results in the second measurement report. In the second measurement report, the UE 102 may indicate the one or more measurement results are based on measurements performed by the UE 102, e.g., by omitting or refraining from including a prediction indication for the one or more measurement results.

[0074] Figs. 4A-4C illustrate example implementations in which a UE predicts continuous measurement results of a carrier frequency in a prediction window (PW) based on continuous historical measurement results of the carrier frequency in an observation window (OW). Note, the historical measurement results in the OW are actual measurement results obtained by a UE based on measurements performed by the UE.

[0075] Fig. 4A illustrates a certain mode or operational state of the UE, e.g., the calibration mode during which the UE trains or tunes an ML model. OW 490A includes a certain number of consecutive observations (measurements) Oi, O2, ... ON, where N >= 1. PW 492A includes a certain number of consecutive predictions Pi, P2, ... PM, where M >= 1. In this example, N = M = 4, but in general the observation and prediction windows need not be of the same size, and the values of N and M can be any suitable positive integers.

[0076] The UE can train the ML model using the Oi, O2, ... ON to generate the predictions Pi, P2, ... PM. Further, as illustrated in this example, the UE can collect observations within another OW 494A at the same time as generating predictions within PW 492A, to generate predictions in PW 496A. In particular, the UE in this example generates prediction Pi based on OW 490A and, for the same frequency (or set of frequencies) and for the same instance of time (e.g., one or more frames, timeslots, symbols), generates an observation O’N within OW 494A. The overlap between PW 492A and OW 494A is one. In other words, the offset between OW 490A and OW 494A is one as measured in observation samples O or predictionPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 samples P. More generally, the offset can be any suitable positive integer smaller than the size of the OW.

[0077] The UE can assess the difference between Pi and O’N to generate a feedback signal for training the ML model. A smaller difference Pi and O’N indicates greater accuracy of predictions, and greater difference accordingly indicates smaller accuracy of predictions. When the overlap between PW 492A and OW 494A is L > 1, the UE can assess the cumulative or average difference between groups of samples {Pi, ... PL} and {O’N, ... O’ N- L}.

[0078] In some implementations, the UE starts a new OW (not shown) with an offset of one relative to OW 494A, so that there is an overlap of one between the new OW and PW 496A, similar to the overlap between OW 494A and PW 492A. This approach does not provide power saving at the UE, and the UE in some implementations operates in the mode of Fig. 4A only when training or re-calibrating the ML model. Alternatively, the UE can start the new OW after the end of PW 496A, in which the case the overlap between OW 494A and the PW 492A does not provide power saving for Pi (as the UE continues to expend power to obtain the observation O’N), and results in power saving only for P2 - PN. As another alternative, the UE can start the new OW after the end of PW 492A, in which case the first observation in the new OW overlaps with the last prediction in PW 496A, to result in power saving for P2 - PN-I.

[0079] Although Fig. 4A illustrates observations O2 and OT for example as distinct observations, these designations can be only logical, and the UE can perform a single observation that belongs both to OW 490A and OW 494A. In this sense, because each prediction is based on a certain number of prior observations, UE operates OW 490A and 494A as a sliding OW, and accordingly operates PW494A and 496A as a sliding PW.

[0080] When the UE determines that the ML model is sufficiently accurate, the UE can operate without overlaps between OWs and PWs as illustrated in Fig. 4B. In some implementations, the UE is configured to periodically re-enter the mode of Fig. 4A, so as to re-calibrate or fine-tune the ML model. When predictions are sufficiently accurate, the UE can consider the predictions applicable to the relevant carrier frequency and provide an indication of applicability to the RAN.

[0081] In Fig. 4B, an OW and a PW do not overlap. Thus, the UE generates predictions within PW 492B based on the observations in OW 490B and then generates predictionsPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 within PW 496B based on the observations in OW 494B. The size of each of the OWs and the PWs is two in this example, and thus the UE generates two predictions based on two prior observations and expends approximately half the power required to generate observations at each instance of time.

[0082] In general, the OWs and the PWs in Fig. 4B can be of any suitable size, and the lengths of OWs and PWs need not be the same. In some implementations, the UE switches between the modes of Figs. 4A and 4B depending on the accuracy of predictions or based on timing as discussed above.

[0083] Now referring to Fig. 4C, the UE can implement a sliding OW but omit certain observations to save power. In this example, the UE does not obtain an observation during gap Gi, which is an occasion for a potential observation that occurs between two observations, within an OW. The PW in this example spans a single prediction based on three observations within the OW, but the OW spans five observation occasions. In this manner, the UE expends less power to generate the set of observations within the OW.

[0084]

[0085] Figs. 5A-5B illustrate example implementations in which a UE predicts continuous measurement results of second reference signal(s) in a carrier frequency f2 based on continuous historical measurement results of first reference signal(s) in a carrier frequency fl. In these example implementations, the UE may perform measurements of third reference signal(s) in a carrier frequency f3 while communicating with a RAN on the carrier frequency fl. In some implementations, the UE may perform measurements of third reference signal(s) because the UE does not support measurement prediction for the carrier frequency f3. In other implementations, the UE may do so because the UE determines that measurement prediction is not applicable to the carrier frequency f3.

[0086] In some implementations, the UE receives, from a base station, a first measurement configuration configuring the UE to perform measurements of the first reference signal(s). In some implementations, the first measurement configuration configures a first measurement object indicating a first frequency / time location and / or a first subcarrier spacing of the first reference signal(s). The first frequency location may indicate the carrier frequency fl. The UE performs measurements of the first reference signal(s) based on the first measurement configuration and obtains the historical measurement results from the measurements.PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00

[0087] In some implementations, the UE may receive, from the base station, a second measurement configuration configuring the UE to perform measurements of the second reference signal(s). In some implementations, the second measurement configuration configures a second measurement object indicating a second frequency / time location and / or a second subcarrier spacing of the second reference signal(s). The second frequency location may indicate the carrier frequency f2. As described with reference to Fig. 3, the UE may determine measurement prediction is applicable to the second measurement configuration, transmit an applicability indication indicating measurement prediction is applicable to the second measurement configuration to the base station, and / or receive a configuration of enabling measurement prediction for the second measurement configuration from the base station. Thus, instead of performing measurements of the second reference signal(s), the UE predicts continuous measurement results of the second reference signal(s) in the carrier frequency f2 based on continuous historical measurement results of the first reference signal(s) in the carrier frequency fl. For example, as shown in Fig. 5 A, measurement results 590A, 590B, 590C, 590D, 590E, 590F, and 590G of reference signals in carrier frequency fl can be used to predict measurements 592A, 592B, 592C, 592D, 592E, 592F, and 592G of the reference signals in the carrier frequency f2. In some examples, as shown in Fig. 5B, measurement results 590A, 590B, 590C, 590D, 590E, 590F, and 590G can be used to predict two or more of measurements 592A, 592B, 592C, 592D, 592E, 592F, and 592G of the reference signals in the carrier frequency f2. For example, measurement 590A can be used to predict measurement 592A, 592B, 592C and 592D; measurement 590B can be used to predict measurements 592B and 592E; measurement 590C can be used to predict 592C and 592F; measurement 590D can be used to predict 592D and 592F, etc.

[0088] In some implementations, the UE receives, from the base station, third first measurement configuration configuring the UE to perform measurements of the third reference signal(s). In some implementations, the third measurement configuration configures a third measurement object indicating a third frequency / time location and / or a third subcarrier spacing of the third reference signal(s). The third frequency location may indicate the carrier frequency f3. In some implementations, the first, second and / or third subcarrier spacing may be the same or different.

[0089] In some implementations, the UE determines that measurement prediction is applicable to the second measurement configuration or the second measurement object because the UE supports measurement prediction for the carrier frequency f2 or the secondPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 frequency location of the second reference signal(s). In some implementations, the UE determines that measurement prediction is not applicable to the third measurement configuration or the third measurement object because the UE does not support measurement prediction for the carrier frequency f3 or the third frequency location of the third reference signal(s). For example, as seen in Fig. 5 A and 5B, measurement prediction is not performed, and measurements are separately obtained, for measurements 594A, 594B, 594C, 594D, 594E, 594F, and 594G of carrier frequency f3.

[0090] In some implementations, the UE determines that measurement prediction is applicable to the second measurement configuration or the second measurement object because the UE supports measurement prediction for the carrier frequency f2 based on the carrier frequency fl. In some implementations, the UE determines that measurement prediction is not applicable to the third measurement configuration or the third measurement object because the UE does not support measurement prediction for the carrier frequency f3 based on the carrier frequency fl.

[0091] In some implementations, the UE determines a first distance between the carrier frequency f2 (or the second frequency location of the second reference signal(s)) and the carrier frequency fl (or the first frequency location of the first reference signal(s)) is smaller than or equal to a predetermined value. Because the first distance is smaller than or equal to the predetermined value, the UE determines that measurement prediction is applicable to the second measurement configuration or the second measurement object. In some implementations, the UE determines a second distance between the carrier frequency f3 (or the third frequency location of the third reference signal(s)) and the carrier frequency fl (or the first frequency location of the first reference signal(s)) is larger than the predetermined value. Because the second distance is larger than the predetermined value, the UE determines that measurement prediction is not applicable to the third measurement configuration or the third measurement object.

[0092] In some implementations, the base station determines that measurement prediction is applicable to the second measurement configuration or the second measurement object because the measurement prediction capability of the UE indicates that the UE supports measurement prediction for the carrier frequency f2 or the second frequency location of the second reference signal(s). In some implementations, the base station determines that measurement prediction is not applicable to the third measurement configuration or the thirdPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 measurement object because the UE capability of the UE or the measurement prediction capability of the UE indicates that the UE does not support measurement prediction for the carrier frequency f3 or the third frequency location of the third reference signal(s).

[0093] In some implementations, the base station determines that measurement prediction is applicable to the second measurement configuration or the second measurement object because the measurement prediction capability of the UE indicates that the UE supports measurement prediction for the carrier frequency f2 based on the carrier frequency fl. In some implementations, the base station determines that measurement prediction is not applicable to the third measurement configuration or the third measurement object because the UE capability of the UE or the measurement prediction capability of the UE indicates that the UE does not support measurement prediction for the carrier frequency f3 based on the carrier frequency fl.

[0094] In some implementations, the base station determines a first distance between the carrier frequency f2 (or the second frequency location of the second reference signal(s)) and the carrier frequency fl (or the first frequency location of the first reference signal(s)) is smaller than or equal to a predetermined value. Because the first distance is smaller than or equal to the predetermined value, the network determines that measurement prediction is applicable to the second measurement configuration or the second measurement object. In some implementations, the base station determines a second distance between the carrier frequency f3 (or the third frequency location of the third reference signal(s)) and the carrier frequency fl (or the first frequency location of the first reference signal(s)) is larger than the predetermined value. Because the second distance is larger than the predetermined value, the base station determines that measurement prediction is not applicable to the third measurement configuration or the third measurement object.

[0095] In some implementations, the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration described for Figs. 5A-5B are the additional measurement configuration and the first measurement configuration described for Fig. 3, respectively.

[0096] Next, several example methods, which can be implemented in a UE (e.g., the UE 102 in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 or the UE described for Figs. 4A-5B) or a network (e.g., the RAN 105, the base station 104 or the base station 106 in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, or the base station described for Fig. 4A-5B), are discussed with reference to Figs. 6A-12. Descriptions described for Fig. 3 can apply to Figs. 6A-12. Generally speaking, similar events in Fig. 3PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 and Figs. 6A-15 are labeled with similar reference numbers that share two least significant digits, with differences discussed below where appropriate. For example, event 304 is similar to event 604 of Figs. 6A-6D and event 704 of Figs. 7A-7B. With the exception of the differences shown in the figures and discussed below, any of the other implementations discussed with respect to a particular event (e.g., for messaging and processing) may apply to events labeled with similar reference numbers in other figures.

[0097] Referring first to Fig. 6A, Fig. 6A illustrates a first example method 600A, which can be implemented by a UE. The method 600A begins at block 604, with the UE transmitting, to a network (e.g., RAN), a first measurement prediction capability indicating support of measurement prediction .At block 608, the UE receives, from the network, a first measurement configuration, a first measurement prediction configuration, and / or a measurement prediction applicability reporting configuration. At block 616A, the UE determines whether measurement prediction is applicable to the first measurement configuration. At block 618, the UE transmits a message to the network, indicating measurement prediction is applicable to the first measurement configuration. In some implementations, the message may include a second measurement prediction configuration in the message. At block 620, the UE may receive a third measurement prediction configuration from the network. At block 622A, the UE performs measurements based on the first measurement configuration. At block 624, the UE generates one or more measurement results based on the measurements. At block 626, the UE predicts one or more measurement result(s) based on the one or more measurement result(s). At block 628A, the UE transmits, to the network, a measurement report including the predicted measurement result(s).

[0098] Fig. 6B is a flow diagram of an example method 600B similar to the method 600A, except that the method 600B includes blocks 627B and 628B instead of block 628A. At block 627B, the UE generates at least one first measurement result based on the predicted measurement result(s). At block 628B, the UE transmits, to the network, a measurement report including the at least one first measurement result.

[0099] In some implementations, the UE at block 627B generates the at least one first measurement result using an arithmetic function with the predicted measurement result(s) as input to the arithmetic function. In some implementations, the arithmetic function is an average function to average the predicted measurement result(s). In other implementations, the arithmetic function is an average function to average the predicted measurement result(s)PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 with the same or different weights. For example, a predicted measurement result that is closer (in time, with reference to Figs. 4A-4C) to the nearest previous observation window can have a larger weight than a predicted measurement more distant from the nearest observation window, nearest observation window.

[0100] Fig. 6C is a flow diagram of an example method 600C similar to the method 600A, except that the method 600C includes blocks 621C instead of block 622A. At block 621C, the UE performs measurements based on an additional measurement configuration. In some implementations, the first measurement configuration and the additional measurement configuration are as described for Fig. 3.

[0101] Fig. 6D is a flow diagram of an example method 600D similar to the methods 600 A, 600B and 600C with operations from each of methods 600 A, 600B and 600C. For example, the method 600D includes operations of method 600A, except that method 600D additionally includes operation 621C of method 600C. Furthermore, instead of performing operation 628A of method 600A, method 600D implements operation 627B and 628B of method 600B.

[0102] Fig. 7A illustrates an example method 700A, which can be implemented by a network. The method 700A begins at block 704 or 706. At block 704, the network receives, from a UE, a first measurement prediction capability, indicating support of measurement prediction. At block 706, the network receives, from a second network node, a first measurement prediction capability, indicating support of measurement prediction. At block 708, the network transmits, to the UE, a first measurement configuration, a first measurement prediction configuration, and / or a measurement prediction applicability reporting configuration. At block 718, the network receives, from the UE, a message indicating measurement prediction is applicable to the first measurement configuration. The message may or may not include a second measurement prediction configuration. At block 720, the network transmits, to the UE, a third measurement prediction configuration. At block 728A, the network receives, from the UE, a measurement report including one or more measurement result(s), where the measurement result(s) is / are predicted by the UE based on one or more measurement result(s) obtained from measurements performed by the UE. In some implementations, the UE performs the measurements based on the first measurement configuration. In other implementations, the UE performs the measurements based on anPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 additional measurement configuration. In some implementations, the first measurement configuration and the additional measurement configuration are as described for Fig. 3.

[0103] Fig. 7B is a flow diagram of an example method 700B similar to the method 700A, except that the method 700B includes block 728B instead of block 728A. At block 728B, the network receives, from the UE, a measurement report including one or more measurement result(s), where the measurement result(s) is / are generated based on one or more measurement results predicted by the UE.

[0104] Fig. 8 illustrates an example method 800, which can be implemented by a UE. The method 800 begins at block 808, with the UE receiving, from a network, a first measurement configuration. At block 809, the UE determines whether measurement prediction is applicable to the first measurement configuration. If measurement prediction is applicable to the first measurement configuration (i.e., “Yes” branch of block 809), the flow proceeds to blocks 618, 620 (optional), (622A or 621C), 624, 626, and / or 628A, or 627B and 628B). Otherwise, if measurement prediction is not applicable to the measurement configuration (i.e., “No” branch of block 809), the flow proceeds to block 817. At block 817, the UE refrains from transmitting, to the network, a message indicating measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement configuration. The flow proceeds to blocks 622 A or 621 C and then block 624. At block 830, the UE transmits, to the network, a measurement report including the one or more measurement results (generated at block 624).

[0105] Fig. 9 illustrates an example method 900, which can be implemented by a network. The method 900 may begin at block 704 or 706 and then proceeds to block 908. At block 908, the network transmits, to the UE, a first measurement configuration, a measurement prediction configuration, and / or a measurement prediction applicability reporting configuration. At block 915, the network determines whether the network received, from the UE, an applicability indication indicating measurement prediction applicable to the measurement configuration. If the network received, from the UE, an applicability indication indicating measurement prediction applicable to the measurement configuration (i.e., “Yes” branch of block 915), the flow proceeds to block 720, and then to block 728A or 728B. Otherwise, if the network did not receive, from the UE, an applicability indication indicating measurement prediction applicable to the measurement configuration (i.e., “No” branch of block 915), the flow proceeds to block 930. At block 930, the network receives, from the UE, a measurement report including one or more measurement result(s), where thePATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 measurement result(s) is / are generated based on measurements performed by the UE and without using measurement prediction.

[0106] Fig. 10A illustrates an example method 1000A, which can be implemented by a network. The method 1000 A begins at block 1007, with the network determining to configure a measurement configuration for the UE. At block 1032A, the network determines whether the UE supports measurement prediction for the measurement configuration. If the UE supports measurement prediction for the measurement configuration (i.e., “Yes” branch of block 1032A), the flow proceeds to blocks 1008-1 and 1008-2. At block 1008-1, the network transmits, to the UE, a measurement prediction configuration associated with the measurement configuration. At block 1008-2, the network transmits, to the UE, the measurement configuration. Otherwise, if the UE does not support measurement prediction for the measurement configuration (i.e., “No” branch of block 1032A), the flow skips block 1008-1 and proceeds to block 1008-2. That is, if the UE does not support measurement prediction for the measurement configuration, the network refrains from transmitting, to the UE, the measurement prediction configuration.

[0107] In some implementations, the network transmits, to the UE, a single message including the measurement configuration and the measurement prediction configuration. In other implementations, the network transmits, to the UE, a first message and a second message including the measurement configuration and the measurement prediction configuration, respectively. In some implementations, the measurement configuration consists of a measurement object and a report configuration. The measurement object configures a frequency / time location and / or a subcarrier spacing of reference signal(s) to be measured. The report configuration configures an event-triggered reporting or a periodic reporting of one or more measurement results of the reference signal(s).

[0108] In some implementations, the network at block 1032A determines whether the UE supports measurement prediction for the measurement object. If the UE supports measurement prediction for the measurement object, the flow proceeds to blocks 1008-1 and 1008-2. In such cases, the measurement prediction configuration may be associated with the measurement object. Otherwise, if the UE does not support measurement prediction for the measurement object, the flow proceeds skip block 1008-1 and proceeds to block 1008-2. That is, if the UE does not support measurement prediction for the measurement object, the network refrains from transmitting, to the UE, the measurement prediction configuration. InPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 some implementations, the measurement object configures the reference signal(s) in a carrier frequency within a band. As described with reference to Figs. 5A and 5B, the UE may or may not support measurement prediction for the carrier frequency or band. As described with reference to Fig. 3, the network may receive a UE capability or a measurement prediction capability of the UE that indicates whether the UE supports measurement prediction for the carrier frequency or band. Based on the UE capability or the measurement prediction capability, the network can determine whether the UE supports measurement prediction for the measurement object.

[0109] In some implementations, the network at block 1032A determines whether the UE supports measurement prediction for the report configuration. If the UE supports measurement prediction for the report configuration, the flow proceeds to blocks 1008-1 and 1008-2. In such cases, the measurement prediction configuration may be associated with the report configuration. Otherwise, if the UE does not support measurement prediction for the report configuration, the flow proceeds skip block 1008-1 and proceeds to block 1008-2. That is, if the UE does not support measurement prediction for the report configuration, the network refrains from transmitting the measurement prediction configuration to the UE.

[0110] Fig. 10B illustrates an example method 1000B similar to the method 1000A, which can be implemented by a network. The method 1000B begins at block 704 or 706 and proceeds to block 1007. At block 1032B, the network determines whether the measurement prediction capability applies to the measurement configuration. If the measurement prediction capability applies to the measurement configuration (i.e., “Yes” branch of block 1032B), the flow proceeds to blocks 1008-1 and 1008-2. Otherwise, if the measurement prediction capability does not apply to the measurement configuration, the flow skips block 1008-1 and proceeds to block 1008-2. That is, if the measurement prediction capability does not apply to the measurement configuration, the network refrains from transmitting, to the UE, the measurement prediction configuration.

[0111] In some implementations, the network at block 1032B determines whether the measurement prediction capability applies to the measurement object (i.e., whether UE supports measurement prediction for the measurement object). If the measurement prediction capability applies to the measurement object, the flow proceeds to blocks 1008-1 and 1008-2. In such cases, the measurement prediction configuration may be associated with the measurement object. Otherwise, if the measurement prediction capability does not apply toPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 the measurement object, the flow proceeds skip block 1008-1 and proceeds to block 1008-2. That is, if the measurement prediction capability does not apply to the measurement object, the network refrains from transmitting the measurement prediction configuration to the UE.

[0112] In some implementations, the network at block 1032B determines whether the measurement prediction capability applies to the report configuration. If the measurement prediction capability applies to the report configuration, the flow proceeds to blocks 1008-1 and 1008-2. In such cases, the measurement prediction configuration may be associated with the report configuration. Otherwise, if the measurement prediction capability does not apply to the report configuration, the flow proceeds skip block 1008-1 and proceeds to block 1008- 2. That is, if the measurement prediction capability does not apply to the report configuration, the network refrains from transmitting the measurement prediction configuration to the UE.

[0113] Fig. 11 illustrates an example method 1100, which a network can implement. The method 1100 begins at block 1108, with the network transmitting, to a UE, a measurement configuration. At block 1134, the network determines whether the UE indicates measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement configuration. If the UE indicates measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement configuration (i.e., “Yes” branch of block 1134), the flow proceeds to blocks 1108-1 (as described with reference to 1008-1 of Fig. 10A). Otherwise, if the UE does not indicate measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement configuration (i.e., “No” branch of block 1134), the flow proceeds to block 1136 where the flow ends. That is, if the UE does not indicate measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement configuration, the network refrains from transmitting the measurement prediction configuration to the UE.

[0114] Examples and implementations described for Figs 10A and 10B can apply to Fig.11. In some implementations, the network at block 1134 determines whether the UE indicates measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement object. If the UE indicates measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement object, the flow proceeds to block 1008-1. In such cases, the measurement prediction configuration may be associated with the measurement object. Otherwise, if the UE does not indicate measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement object, the flow proceeds to block 1136. That is, if the UE does not indicate measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement object, the network refrains from transmitting the measurement prediction configuration to the UE.PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00

[0115] In some implementations, the network at block 1134 determines whether the UE measurement prediction is applicable to the report configuration. If the UE indicates measurement prediction is applicable to the report configuration, the flow proceeds to block 1008-1. In such cases, the measurement prediction configuration may be associated with the report configuration. Otherwise, if the UE does not indicate measurement prediction is applicable to the report configuration, the flow proceeds to block 1136. That is, if the UE does not indicate measurement prediction is applicable to the report configuration, the network refrains from transmitting the measurement prediction configuration to the UE.

[0116] Fig. 12 illustrates an example method 1200, which can be implemented by a network. The method 1200 begins at block 1208 with the network transmitting, to the UE, a measurement configuration. The network checks 1232A whether the UE supports measurement prediction for the measurement configuration. If the UE supports measurement prediction for the measurement configuration (i.e., “Yes” branch of block 1232A), the flow proceeds to the network transmitting 1208 a measurement prediction applicability reporting configuration to the UE. Otherwise, if the UE does not support measurement prediction for the measurement configuration (i.e., “No” branch of block 1232A), the flow proceeds to block 1236, where the flow ends. That is, if the UE does not support measurement prediction for the measurement configuration, the network refrains from transmitting the measurement prediction applicability reporting configuration to the UE. Examples and implementations described for Figs 10A and 10B can apply to Fig. 12.

[0117] Fig. 13 illustrates a schematic diagram of modules, components or circuitry that can provide an example implementation for a UE to perform reference signal measurements. When the UE is in RRC_CONNECTED, the UE measures multiple beams (or at least one beam) of a cell. The UE then averages the measurements results or power values to derive the cell quality. In doing so, the UE is configured to consider a subset of the detected beams. Filtering takes place at two different levels: the UE physical layer performs filtering to derive beam quality, and the UE RRC level does filtering to derive cell quality from multiple beams. The UE derives cell quality from beam measurements in the same way for the serving cell(s) and for the non-serving cell(s). The gNB may configure the UE to provide measurement reports that contain the measurement results of the X best beams. K beams correspond to the measurements on SSB or CSI-RS resources configured for L3 mobility by gNB and detected by UE at LI. The control points / blocks / modules shown in Figure 13 are further described below:PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00A: measurements (beam specific samples) internal to the physical layer.Layer 1 filtering: internal layer 1 filtering of the inputs measured at point A. Exact filtering is implementation dependent. How the measurements are actually executed in the physical layer by an implementation (inputs A and Layer 1 filtering) is not constrained by the standard.A1: measurements (i.e., beam specific measurements) reported by layer 1 to layer 3 after layer 1 filtering.Beam Consolidation / Selection: beam specific measurements are consolidated to derive cell quality. The behavior of the Beam consolidation / selection is standardized and the configuration of this module is provided by RRC signaling. Reporting period at B equals one measurement period at A1.B: a measurement (i.e., cell quality) derived from beam-specific measurements reported to layer 3 after beam consolidation / selection.Layer 3 filtering for cell quality: filtering performed on the measurements provided at point B. The behavior of the Layer 3 filters is standardized and the configuration of the layer 3 filters is provided by RRC signaling. Filtering reporting period at C equals one measurement period at B.C: a measurement after processing in the layer 3 filter. The reporting rate is identical to the reporting rate at point B. This measurement is used as input for one or more evaluation of reporting criteria.Evaluation of reporting criteria: checks whether actual measurement reporting is necessary at point D. The evaluation can be based on more than one flow of measurements at reference point C e.g., to compare between different measurements. This is illustrated by input C and C1. The UE shall evaluate the reporting criteria at least every time a new measurement result is reported at point C, C1. The reporting criteria are standardized and the configuration is provided by RRC signaling (UE measurements).D: measurement report information (message) sent on the radio interface.L3 Beam filtering: filtering performed on the measurements (i.e., beam specific measurements) provided at point A1. The behavior of the beam filters is standardized and the configuration of the beam filters is provided by RRC signaling. Filtering reporting period at E equals one measurement period at A1.PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00E: a measurement (i.e., beam-specific measurement) after processing in the beam filter. The reporting rate is identical to the reporting rate at point A1. This measurement is used as input for selecting the X measurements to be reported.Beam Selection for beam reporting: selects the X measurements from the measurements provided at point E. The behavior of the beam selection is standardized and the configuration of this module is provided by RRC signaling.F: beam measurement information included in measurement report (sent) on the radio interface.

[0118] Layer 1 filtering introduces a certain level of measurement averaging. How and when the UE exactly performs the required measurements is implementation specific to the point that the output at B fulfils the performance requirements set in 3GPP TS 38.133. Layer 3 filtering for cell quality and related parameters used are specified in 3GPP TS 38.331 and do not introduce any delay in the sample availability between B and C. Measurement at point C, C1is the input used in the event evaluation. L3 Beam filtering and related parameters used are specified in TS 38.331 and do not introduce any delay in the sample availability between E and F.

[0119] Fig. 14 is a flow diagram of an example signal measurement method 1400 that a user equipment (UE) (e.g., UE 102) can implement.

[0120] The method 1400 begins at block 1418 with the UE indicating whether measurement prediction is applicable to a reference signal of a cell (e.g., event 318 or 618). The indicating can include transmitting, to the RAN, an applicability indication indicating whether measurement prediction is applicable (e.g., event 316 or 318). The indicating can include refraining from transmitting, to the RAN, an indication that the measurement prediction is applicable to the reference signal. The applicability indication can be included in a measurement report obtained for the reference signal. The applicability indication can include at least one measurement prediction configuration, or at least two measurement prediction configurations to enable high prediction accuracy. The applicability indication can indicate whether measurement prediction is applicable to a measurement configuration. The applicability indication can indicate whether measurement prediction is applicable to a measurement object specified in the measurement configuration or to a report configuration.PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00

[0121] The method 1400 can continue with block 1428 with the UE transmitting predicted measurement results for the reference signal according to the applicability indication (e.g., event 328 or 628A).

[0122] The method 1400 can further comprise receiving, from the RAN, a measurement configuration including an indication of the reference signal. The measurement configuration can include a measurement object, a configuration for event-triggered measurement reporting, a configuration for periodic measurement reporting, and / or frequency location, time location, or subcarrier spacing of the reference signal. The measurement configuration can also include a measurement prediction applicability reporting configuration. The method 1400 can include performing first measurements, prior to transmitting predicted measurement results, according to the measurement configuration; and transmitting, to the RAN, first measurement results (e.g., event 310, 312, or 314). The first measurement results and the predicted measurement results can include at least one of signal quality or signal strength. The method 1400 can further include generating second measurement results by first generating intermediate measurement results from first measurements (e.g., event 324 or 624). The first measurement results can be transmitted according to a report configuration provided in the measurement configuration.

[0123] The method 1400 can further comprise transmitting capability information indicating that the UE is capable of measurement prediction (e.g., event 304 or 604). The capability information can apply to each band supported by the UE, or to a specified band indicated by the capability information. The capability information can include a measurement prediction applicability reporting capability. The capability information can be included in a capability Information Element (IE). The capability information can indicate support of temporal domain or time domain measurement prediction as shown in Figs. 4A- 4C. The capability information can indicate support of frequency domain measurement prediction as shown in Figs. 5A-5B.

[0124] The method 1400 can further comprise receiving a prediction enablement message from a base station indicating that the UE is requested to provide predicted measurement results (e.g., event 320 or 620). The prediction enablement message can include a measurement prediction configuration.

[0125] The method 1400 can further comprise generating an initial measurement result based on a predicted measurement result and providing the initial measurement result to thePATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00RAN. Generating the initial measurement result can comprise using an arithmetic function with the predicted measurement result as an input to the arithmetic function. The arithmetic function can include an averaging function or a weighted averaging function.

[0126] The method 1400 can further include performing second measurements based on the measurement configuration or a second measurement configuration (e.g., events 322, 324 or 624). The method 1400 can include generating predicted measurement results for the reference signal based on second measurements (e.g., events 326 or 626).

[0127] Generating the predicted measurement results can comprise generating historical measurement results during at least one OW. The predicted measurement results can be generated for the reference signal based on a series of sequential OWs as shown in Fig. 4B. The method 1400 can include setting an applicability indication when predicted measurement results are within a threshold of historical measurement results measured during at least one OW (e.g., event 316 or 616A). The method 1400 can include generating predicted measurement results of a carrier frequency based on historical measurement results of a different carrier frequency as seen in Figs. 5A-5B. The method 1400 can include generating predicted measurement results from measurements of a second carrier frequency while communicating on a first carrier frequency. Measurement results can be obtained for the second carrier frequency for which the UE does not support measurement prediction. The method 1400 can include generating predicted measurement results for more than one measurement of a second carrier frequency based on one measurement of the fist carrier frequency as seen in Fig. 5B.

[0128] Fig. 15 is a flow diagram of an example signal measurement method 1500 implemented in a RAN node (e.g., base station 104).

[0129] The method 1500 begins at block 1518 with the RAN node receiving, from a UE, a message indicating whether measurement prediction is applicable to a reference signal configured in a cell (e.g., event 318 or 718).

[0130] The method 1500 can continue with block 1528 with the RAN node receiving predicted measurement results for the reference signal according to the indicating (e.g., event 328, 728A, or 728B).

[0131] The method 1500 can further include receiving capability information indicating that the UE is capable of measurement prediction (e.g., event 304, 704, 306, or 706). The capability information can be received from the UE or from a second (different) RAN node.PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00The capability information can apply to each band supported by the EU, or to a specified band indicated in the capability information. The capability information can include a measurement prediction applicability reporting capability. The capability information can indicate support of temporal domain or time domain measurement prediction as shown in Figs. 4A - 4C or for frequency domain measurement prediction as shown in Figs. 5A-5B.

[0132] The method 1500 can further comprise transmitting a measurement configuration including an indication of the reference signal (e.g., event 308 or 708). The measurement configuration can include a measurement object, a configuration for event-triggered measurement reporting, a configuration for periodic measurement reporting, frequency location, time location or subcarrier spacing of the reference signal, a measurement prediction configuration, or a measurement prediction applicability reporting configuration.

[0133] The method 1500 can further comprise transmitting a prediction enablement message to the UE requesting that the UE provide predicted measurement results (e.g., event 720).

[0134] Fig. 16 is a flow diagram of a second example signal measurement method 1600 that a user equipment (UE) (e.g., UE 102) can implement.

[0135] The method 1600 begins with the UE receiving 1608, from a RAN, a measurement configuration (e.g., event 308 or 608). The method 1600 can further comprise determining whether measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement configuration based on whether the measurement configuration accuracy of a measurement prediction is equal or greater than an accuracy rate provided in a measurement prediction configuration received from the RAN. The measurement configuration can include a measurement object indicating at least one of (i) a frequency location, (ii) a time location, or (iii) subcarrier spacing of a reference signal for which measurement prediction is applicable. The indication can include a configuration for event-triggered measurement reporting or periodic measurement reporting.

[0136] The measurement configuration can include a first measurement prediction configuration. The first measurement prediction configuration can indicate one or more of: (i) a length of an observation window during which the UE is to obtain observed measurement results, (ii) a length of a prediction window during which the UE is to obtain the one or more predicted measurement results, (iii) a number of observed measurement results necessary to generate the one or more predicted measurement results, (iv) a number of predicted measurement results to generate in each instance of the prediction window, or (v) an accuracyPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 rate of the measurement prediction to achieve in order to determine that the measurement prediction is applicable. The method 1600 can further include transmitting, to the RAN, a second measurement prediction configuration different from the first measurement prediction configuration received from the RAN, responsive to determining that the second measurement prediction configuration enables a higher prediction accuracy than the first measurement prediction configuration. In at least these aspects of the disclosure, the method 1600 can further include transmitting, to the RAN, the second measurement prediction configuration in a message including the indication of whether measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement configuration.

[0137] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the indication can further indicate whether the measurement prediction is applicable to a certain portion of the measurement configuration. The method 1600 can further include generating a set of intermediate predicted measurement results based on a set of observed measurement results; and generating, using a mathematical function, the one or more predicted measurement results based on the set of intermediate predicted measurement results.

[0138] The method 1600 can continue with the UE transmitting 1618, to the RAN, an indication that measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement configuration (e.g., event 318 or 618).

[0139] The method 1600 can further comprise transmitting 1628, to the RAN, one or more predicted measurement results for the measurement configuration (e.g., event 328, 628A, or 628B).

[0140] The method 1600 can further comprise transmitting, to the RAN, a capability indication to indicate that the UE is capable of the measurement prediction (e.g., event 304 or 604). The capability information can apply to each band supported by the UE, or to a specified band indicated by the capability information.

[0141] Fig. 17 is a flow diagram of an example signal measurement method 1700 that a RAN node (e.g., base station 104) can implement.

[0142] The method 1700 begins with the RAN node transmitting 1708, to the UE, measurement configuration (e.g., event 308 or 708).

[0143] The method 1700 can continue with the RAN node receiving 1718, from the UE, an indication of whether measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement configurationPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 and a capability indication that the UE is capable of measurement prediction (e.g., event 318 or 718). The capability indication can apply to each band supported by the UE.

[0144] The method 1700 can further include receiving 1728, from the UE, one or more predicted measurement results for the measurement configuration according to the indication (e.g., event 328, 728A or 728B).

[0145] The method 1500 can further comprise transmitting a prediction enablement message to the UE requesting that the UE provide predicted measurement results (e.g., event 720).

[0146] The following list of examples reflects a variety of the embodiments explicitly contemplated by the present disclosure.

[0147] Example 1. A signal measurement method implemented in a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: indicating, to a radio access network (RAN), whether measurement prediction is applicable to a reference signal configured in a cell; and transmitting one or more predicted measurement results for the reference signal according to the indicating.

[0148] Example 2. The method of Example 1, further comprising: receiving, from the RAN, a measurement configuration including an indication of the reference signal.

[0149] Example 3. The method of Example 2, wherein: the measurement configuration includes a measurement object indicating at least one of (i) a frequency location, (ii) a time location, or (iii) subcarrier spacing of the reference signal.

[0150] Example 4. The method of Example 2 or 3, wherein: the measurement configuration includes a configuration for event-triggered measurement reporting.

[0151] Example 5. The method of Example 2 or 3, wherein: the measurement configuration includes a configuration for periodic measurement reporting.

[0152] Example 6. The method of any of Examples 2-5, wherein: the measurement configuration includes a measurement prediction configuration.

[0153] Example 7. The method of Example 6, wherein the measurement prediction configuration indicates one or more of: (i) a length of an observation window during which the UE is to obtain observed measurement results, (ii) a length of a prediction window during which the UE is to obtain the one or more predicted measurement results, (iii) a number of observed measurement results necessary to generate the one or more predicted measurementPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 results, (iv) a number of predicted measurement results to generate in each instance of the prediction window, or (v) an accuracy rate of the measurement prediction to achieve in order to determine that the measurement prediction is applicable to the reference signal.

[0154] Example 8. The method of Example 7, further comprising: transmitting, to the RAN, a UE measurement prediction configuration different from the measurement prediction configuration received from the RAN.

[0155] Example 9. The method of Example 7 or 8, wherein: the measurement prediction configuration received from the RAN is a first RAN measurement prediction configuration; the method further comprising: receiving, from the RAN, a second RAN measurement prediction configuration to augment, modify, or replace the first RAN measurement prediction configuration.

[0156] Example 10. The method of any of Examples 2-9, wherein: the measurement configuration includes a configuration for reporting applicability of the measurement prediction.

[0157] Example 1 l.The method of any of Examples 2-10, further comprising: performing first measurements according to the measurement configuration to generate observed measurement results; and transmitting, to the RAN, the observed measurement results.

[0158] Example 12. The method of Example 11, wherein: the observed measurement results and the one or more predicted measurement results include at least one of signal quality or signal strength.

[0159] Example 13. The method of Example 11 or 12, wherein: the observed measurement results are transmitted according to a reporting configuration included in the measurement configuration.

[0160] Example 14.The method of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the indicating includes: transmitting, to the RAN, an applicability indication indicating whether the measurement prediction is applicable to the reference signal.

[0161] Example 15. The method of any of Examples 1-14, wherein the indicating includes:

[0162] refraining from transmitting, to the RAN, an indication that the measurement prediction is inapplicable to the reference signal.PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00

[0163] Example 16. The method of Example 15, wherein: the applicability indication is included in a measurement report that also includes the one or more predicted measurement results.

[0164] Example 17. The method of any of Examples 2-16, wherein: the applicability indication indicates whether the measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement configuration.

[0165] Example 18. The method of any of Examples 2-17, wherein: the applicability indicates whether the measurement prediction is applicable to a certain portion of the measurement configuration.

[0166] Example 19. The method of Example 1, further comprising: transmitting, to the RAN, a capability indication to indicate that the UE is capable of the measurement prediction.

[0167] Example 20. The method of Example 19, wherein: the capability indication applies to each band supported by the UE.

[0168] Example 21. The method of Example 20, wherein: the capability indication applies to a specified band.

[0169] Example 22. The method of Example 20, wherein: the capability indication further indicates that the UE further supports reporting applicability of the measurement prediction applicability.

[0170] Example 23. The method of any of Examples 20-22, wherein: the capability indication is included in a UE capability Information Element (IE).

[0171] Example 24. The method of any of Examples 20-23, wherein: the capability indication indicates support of the measurement prediction in a time domain.

[0172] Example 25. The method of any of Examples 20-24, wherein: the capability information indicates support of the measurement prediction in a frequency domain.

[0173] Example 26. The method of Example 1, further comprising: receiving, from the RAN, a prediction enablement message from a base station indicating that the UE is requested to provide the one or more predicted measurement results.

[0174] Example 27. The method of any of Examples 1-26 further comprising: generating a set of intermediate predicted measurement results based on a set of observed measurementPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 results; and generating, using a mathematical function, the one or more predicted measurement results based on the set of intermediate predicted measurement results.

[0175] Example 28. The method of Example 27, wherein: the mathematical function is an unweighted average function.

[0176] Example 29. The method of Example 26, wherein the mathematical function is a weighted average function.

[0177] Example 30. The method of Example 29, further comprising: assigning a larger weight to a first intermediate predicted measurement result than to a second intermediate predicted measurement result within a prediction window, wherein the first intermediate predicted measurement result is more proximate in time or frequency to an observation window than the second intermediate predicted measurement result.

[0178] Example 31. The method of any of Examples 1-26, further comprising:

[0179] generating the one or more predicted measurement results within a prediction window using one or more observed measurement results within an observation window.

[0180] Example 32. The method of Example 31, further comprising: operating the prediction window and the observation window with at least a partial overlap so as to generate at least one predicted measurement result that coincides in frequency and time with at least one respective observed measurement result.

[0181] Example 33. The method of Example 32, further comprising: measuring an error using the at least one predicted measurement result that coincides in frequency and time with the at least one respective observed measurement result.

[0182] Example 34. The method of Example 31 or 32, wherein: the operating the prediction window and the observation window with the overlap corresponds to a calibration mode; the method further comprising: operating the prediction window and the observation window with no overlap in a power- saving mode.

[0183] Example 35. The method of any of Examples 31-34, wherein: the observation window includes N occasions for generating observed measurement results, N > =1.

[0184] Example 36. The method of Example 35, further comprising: generating respective observed measurement results for each of the N occasions.PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00

[0185] Example 37. The method of Example 35, further comprising: generating respective observed measurement results for only a subset of the N occasions.

[0186] Example 38. The method of any of Examples 35-37, wherein: the prediction window includes N occasions for generating predicted measurement results, N > =1.

[0187] Example 39. The method of any of Examples 35-39, wherein: the prediction window includes M occasions for generating predicted measurement results, N > M > =1.

[0188] Example 40. The method of any of Examples 31-39, wherein: the prediction window and the observation window are associated with a same frequency.

[0189] Example 41. The method of any of Examples 31-40, wherein: the prediction window and the observation window are associated with different respective frequencies.

[0190] Example 42. A method for supporting signal measurement at a user equipment (UE), the method implemented in a radio access network (RAN) node and comprising: receiving, from the UE, an indication of whether measurement prediction is applicable to a reference signal configured in a cell; and receiving, from the UE, one or more predicted measurement results for the reference signal according to the indication.

[0191] Example 43. The method of Example 42, further comprising:

[0192] receiving a capability indication to indicate that the UE is capable of the measurement prediction.

[0193] Example 44.The method of Example 43, wherein the capability indication is received from the UE.

[0194] Example 45. The method of Example 44, wherein: the capability indication is included in a capability Information Element (IE).

[0195] Example 46. The method of Example 43, wherein the capability indication is received from a different RAN node.

[0196] Example 47. The method of any of Examples 43-46, wherein: the capability indication applies to each band supported by the UE.

[0197] Example 48. The method of any of Examples 43-47, wherein: the capability information applies to a specified band indicated by the capability information.PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00

[0198] Example 49. The method of any of Examples 43-48, wherein: the capability indication further indicates that the UE further supports reporting applicability of the measurement prediction applicability.

[0199] Example 50. The method of any of Examples 43-49, wherein: the capability indication indicates support of measurement prediction in a time domain.

[0200] Example 51. The method of any of Examples 43-50, wherein: the capability indication indicates support of measurement prediction in a frequency domain.

[0201] Example 52. The method of Example 42, further comprising: transmitting a measurement configuration including an indication of the reference signal.

[0202] Example 53. The method of Example 52, wherein: the measurement configuration includes a measurement object indicating at least one of frequency location, time location, or subcarrier spacing of the reference signal.

[0203] Example 54.The method of Example 52, wherein: the measurement configuration includes a configuration for event-triggered measurement reporting.

[0204] Example 55. The method of Example 52, wherein: the measurement configuration includes a configuration for periodic measurement reporting.

[0205] Example 56. The method of Example 52, wherein: the measurement configuration includes a measurement prediction configuration.

[0206] Example 57. The method of Example 52, wherein: the measurement configuration includes a measurement prediction applicability reporting configuration.

[0207] Example 58. The method of Example 52, wherein: the measurement prediction configuration indicates one or more of: (i) a length of an observation window during which the UE is to obtain observed measurement results, (ii) a length of a prediction window during which the UE is to obtain the one or more predicted measurement results, (iii) a number of observed measurement results necessary to generate the one or more predicted measurement results, (iv) a number of predicted measurement results to generate in each instance of the prediction window, or (v) an accuracy rate of the measurement prediction to achieve in order to determine that the measurement prediction is applicable to the reference signal.PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00

[0208] Example 59. The method of Example 42, further comprising: transmitting a prediction enablement message to the UE requesting that the UE provide the one or more predicted measurement results.

[0209] Example 60. The method of Example 59, wherein the prediction enablement message includes measurement prediction configuration.

[0210] Example 61. A device comprising a transceiver and processing hardware configured to implement any of the preceding Examples.

[0211]

[0212] The following description may be applied to the description above.

[0213] Generally speaking, description for one of the above figures can apply to another of the above figures. Examples, implementations and methods described above can be combined, if there is no conflict. An event or block described above can be optional or omitted. For example, an event or block with dashed lines in the figures can be optional. The description described from the perspective of the receiving node also applies to the sending node. For example, a description that a receiving node (e.g., DU) receives a message from a sending node (e.g., CU) may be replaced by the sending node sending a message to the receiving node. Similarly, a description that a receiving node (e.g., CU) receives a message from a sending node (e.g., DU) may be replaced by the sending node sending a message to the receiving node.

[0214] In some implementations, “message” is used and can be replaced by “information element (IE),” and vice versa. In some implementations, “IE” is used and can be replaced by “field,” and vice versa. In some implementations, “configuration” can be replaced by “configurations” or “configuration parameters,” and vice versa. In some implementations, the “indication” can be replaced by “indicator,” and vice versa. In some implementations, the “measurement prediction” can be replaced by “measurement prediction function,” “measurement AI / ML inference.” In some implementations, “in a carrier frequency” can be replaced by “on a carrier frequency.”

[0215] A user device in which the techniques of this disclosure can be implemented (e.g., the UE 102) can be any suitable device capable of wireless communications such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a mobile gaming console, a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, a health monitoring device, a drone, a camera, a media- streaming dongle orPATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 another personal media device, a wearable device such as a smartwatch, a wireless hotspot, a femtocell, or a broadband router. Further, the user device in some cases may be embedded in an electronic system such as the head unit of a vehicle or an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). Still further, the user device can operate as an intemet-of-things (loT) device or a mobile-internet device (MID). Depending on the type, the user device can include one or more general-purpose processors, a computer-readable memory, a user interface, one or more network interfaces, one or more sensors, etc.

[0216] Certain embodiments are described in this disclosure as including logic or a number of components or modules. Modules may can be software modules (e.g., code, or machine- readable instructions stored on non-transitory machine-readable medium) or hardware modules. A hardware module is a tangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain manner. A hardware module can comprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured (e.g., as a special-purpose processor, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application- specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), etc.) to perform certain operations. A hardware module may also comprise programmable logic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. The decision to implement a hardware module in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may be driven by cost and time considerations.

[0217] When implemented in software, the techniques can be provided as part of the operating system, a library used by multiple applications, a particular software application, etc. The software can be executed by one or more general-purpose processors or one or more special-purpose processors.

[0218] Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciate still additional and alternative structural and functional designs for handling mobility between base stations through the principles disclosed herein. Thus, while particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes, and variations, which will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in thePATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00 art, may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the method and apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope defined in the appended claims.

Claims

PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-00What is claimed is:

1. A signal measurement method implemented in a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving, from a radio access network (RAN), a measurement configuration; transmitting, to the RAN, an indication that measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement configuration; and transmitting, to the RAN, one or more predicted measurement results for the measurement configuration.

2. The signal measurement method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting, to the RAN, a capability indication to indicate that the UE is capable of the measurement prediction.

3. The signal measurement method of claim 2, wherein: the capability indication applies to each band supported by the UE.

4. The signal measurement method of claim 2, wherein: the capability indication applies to a specified band.

5. The signal measurement method of any of claims 1-4, further comprising: determining whether measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement configuration based on whether an accuracy of the measurement prediction is equal or greater than an accuracy rate provided in a measurement prediction configuration received from the RAN.

6. The signal measurement method of any of claims 1-5, wherein: the measurement configuration includes a measurement object indicating at least one of (i) a frequency location, (ii) a time location, or (iii) subcarrier spacing of a reference signal for which measurement prediction is applicable.

7. The signal measurement method of any of claims 1-6, wherein: the indication includes a configuration for event-triggered measurement reporting.PATENT APPLICATIONAttorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-008. The signal measurement method of any of claims 1-6, wherein: the measurement configuration includes a configuration for periodic measurement reporting.

9. The signal measurement method of any of claims 1-8, wherein: the measurement configuration includes a first measurement prediction configuration; and the first measurement prediction configuration indicates one or more of:(i) a length of an observation window during which the UE is to obtain observed measurement results,(ii) a length of a prediction window during which the UE is to obtain the one or more predicted measurement results,(iii) a number of observed measurement results necessary to generate the one or more predicted measurement results,(iv) a number of predicted measurement results to generate in each instance of the prediction window, or(v) an accuracy rate of the measurement prediction to achieve in order to determine that the measurement prediction is applicable.

10. The signal measurement method of claim 9, further comprising: transmitting, to the RAN, a second measurement prediction configuration different from the first measurement prediction configuration received from the RAN, responsive to determining that the second measurement prediction configuration enables a higher prediction accuracy than the first measurement prediction configuration.

11. The signal measurement method of claim 10, further comprising: transmitting, to the RAN, the second measurement prediction configuration in a message including the indication of whether measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement configuration.

12. The signal measurement method of any of claims 1-11, wherein: the indication further indicates whether the measurement prediction is applicable to a certain portion of the measurement configuration.PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 308588-0013. The signal measurement method of any of claims 1-12, further comprising: generating a set of intermediate predicted measurement results based on a set of observed measurement results; and generating, using a mathematical function, the one or more predicted measurement results based on the set of intermediate predicted measurement results.

14. A method for supporting signal measurement at a user equipment (UE), the method implemented in a radio access network (RAN) node and comprising: transmitting, to the UE, measurement configuration; receiving, from the UE, an indication of whether measurement prediction is applicable to the measurement configuration and a capability indication that the UE is capable of measurement prediction; and receiving, from the UE, one or more predicted measurement results for the measurement configuration according to the indication.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein: the capability indication applies to each band supported by the UE.

16. A device comprising a transceiver and processing hardware configured to: implement the method according to any of claims 1-15.

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