Determining cells in a report for which to include HOF prediction and RLF prediction (post ho)

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed that relate to determining cells in a report for which to include predicted Handover Failure (HOF) and / or predicted Radio Link Failure (RLF) post- Handover (HO) related information. In one embodiment, a method performed by a wireless device for determining a subset of a set of neighbor cells for which to include predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information in a report comprises generating a report such that the report comprises predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information for a subset of a set of neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity, wherein the sorting quantity is or is derived from any one or more of the following: HOF prediction information, RLF prediction information, measurement quantity, and predicted measurement quantity. The method further comprises transmitting the report.

Description

[0001] DETERMINING CELLS IN A REPORT FOR WHICH TO INCLUDE HOF PREDICTION AND RLF PREDICTION (POST HO)

[0002] RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 725,597, filed November 27, 2024, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0004] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a cellular communications system and, more specifically, to Handover Failure (HOF) and / or Radio Link Failure (RLF) prediction postHandover (HO) in a cellular communications system.

[0006] BACKGROUND

[0007] Handover Failure (HOF)

[0008] A Handover Failure (HOF), or in more general terms a reconfiguration with sync with the Master Cell Group (MCG), is triggered by the User Equipment (UE) when the UE receives a Handover (HO) command from the network indicating a target cell (Radio Resource Control (RRC) Reconfiguration including the IE ReconfigurationWithSync). When the HO command is received the UE starts a supervision timer T304 and a failure is declared when the timer expires before the UE was able to successfully access the target cell indicated in the HO command (see 3GPP TS 38.331 V15.25.0 (2024-03); 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; NR; Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol specification (Release 15)). When a failure is declared the UE initiates an RRC Re-establishment procedure, or the transmission of an MCG Failure report.

[0009] The UE may also declare a reconfiguration with sync failure for a Secondary Cell Group e.g. a failure during a Primary Secondary Cell Group (SCG) Cell (PSCell) Addition, or a failure during a PSCell Change. However, when the failure is declared, the UE transmits an SCG Failure report.

[0010] Radio Link Failure (RLF) after a successful HO (Post HO RLF, or post HO RLF)

[0011] In 3GPP New Radio (NR), an RLF is triggered by the UE (for a cell group e.g. MCG) when a Special Cell (SpCell) serving cell (e.g. Primary Cell (PCell)) is not in good conditions to be used i.e. for the UE to decode a control channel in the downlink. That starts by the UE monitoring a number of so called Out of sync (OOS) indication from lower layers, indicating that the downlink (DL) quality of the SpCell of that cell group (e.g., MCG) is degrading. When the number of OSS indications gets above a configured counter value N310, the UE starts a timer T310. While the timer is running there is a mechanism to check if the quality of the SpCell in the DL has recovered, but when that does not happen, the UE declares an RLF of the MCG when the timer T310 expires (see 3GPP TS 38.331 V15.25.0). When an RLF of the MCG is declared the UE initiates an RRC Re-establishment procedure (or an MCG Failure report). When an RLF of the MCG is declared the UE initiates an SCG Failure report (see 3GPP TS 38.331 V15.25.0).

[0012] In the context of the present disclosure, the scenario of interest is the one in which an RLF may also occur in a new PCell (target cell) few moments after a successful HO. In that case, this is called a post-HO RLF or an RLF after a successful HO, which may be an evidence that the decision to handover to that cell may have not been the best possible decision taken by the network.

[0013] Sorting Function for RRC Measurement Reporting

[0014] A User Equipment in NR may be configured by the network to perform measurements (e.g. Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR)) on one or more neighbor cells associated to a Measurement Object (i.e., associated to a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) frequency) and report these measurements in an RRC Measurement Report.

[0015] According to 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.331, the UE shall include in an RRC Measurement Report the performed measurements on one or more cells up to a maximum number of cells. In case event triggered Measurement Report is configured (i.e. when the fulfillment of an event triggers the transmission of the RRC Measurement Report) the neighbor cells to be included are the so-called triggered cells i.e. the UE includes up to a maximum number of triggered cells in an RRC Measurement Report.

[0016] Such a “maximum number” is defined by the parameter “maxReportCells”, defined as an INTEGER (L.maxCellReport), and configured at the UE in the IE ReportConfigNR. In case there are more triggered cells than such a maximum number, the UE needs to determine which cells are to be included, so that the associated information is included. That is done via a so-called sorting function.

[0017] Sortins function

[0018] In event-triggered RRC Measurement Report, sorting is performed by the UE based on the trigger quantity e.g. RSRP, RSRQ, SINR. When an event is configured (e.g. event A3 in ReportConfigNR), the UE is also configured with a trigger quantity, to indicate based on which quantity the event shall be considered fulfilled. The trigger quantity is configured by the field “aN-ThresholdM”, which is a threshold value associated to the selected trigger quantity (e.g. RSRP, RSRQ, SINR) per Reference Signal (RS) Type (e.g. SS / PBCH block (SSB), Channel State Information (CSI) Reference Signal (CSI- RS)) to be used in NR measurement report triggering condition for event number aN, e.g. a3. And if multiple thresholds are defined for event number aN, the thresholds are differentiated by M. In the same eventA5, the network configures the same quantity for the MeasTriggerQuantity of the a5-Thresholdl and for the MeasTriggerQuantity of the a5-Threshold2.

[0019] In periodic RRC Measurement Report, sorting is performed by the UE based on RSRP, if RSRP is configured as a reporting quantity. Otherwise, RSRQ is used if RSRP is not configured. Otherwise, SINR is used.

[0020] A similar reasoning is applicable for beam(s) i.e. for SSB indexes and / or CSI-RS resource identifiers to be included, per included triggered cell. Once cells are included by the UE in the RRC Measurement Report, based on the sorting quantity, the UE needs to determine which beams to include for each included cells. That is also determined based on the same sorting quantity.

[0021] Below we find the RRC text for determining cells to include in an RRC Measurement Report (see 3GPP TS 38.331 V15.25.0), wherein emphasis is added via bold italicized text:

[0022] [38.331]

[0023] 5.5.5 Measurement reporting

[0024] 5.5.5.1 General

[0025] [...]

[0026] 1> if there is at least one applicable neighbouring cell to report:

[0027] 2> if the reportType is set to eventTriggered or periodical'.

[0028] 3> set the measResultNeighCells to include the best neighbouring cells up to maxReportCells in accordance with the following:

[0029] [■ ■ .]

[0030] 4> if the reportType is set to eventTriggered or periodical'.

[0031] 5> for each included cell, include the layer 3 filtered measured results in accordance with the reportConflg for this measld, ordered as follows:

[0032] 6> if the measObject associated with this measld concerns NR:

[0033] 7> if rsType in the associated reportConflg is set to ssb‘.

[0034] 8> set resultsSSB-Cell within the measResult to include the SS / PBCH block based quantity(ies) indicated in the reportQuantityCell within the concerned reportConflg, in decreasing order of the sorting quantity, determined as specified in 5.5.5.3, i.e. the best cell is included irst; 8> if reportQuantityRS-Indexes and maxNrofRS-IndexesToReport are configured, include beam measurement information as described in 5.5.5.2;

[0035] [■■.]

[0036] Al / ML for Mobility Rel-19

[0037] The Artificial Intelligence (Al) / Machine Learning (AI / ML) for the physical layer (PHY) work in Rel-18 has been limited to lower layer features, such as Beam Management, which is sometimes referred to as intra-cell mobility. Other features, such as Layer 3 (L3) handovers, RRC measurements configuration and reporting of predictions have not been part of the Rel-18 (see RP- 234055, Study on Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) for mobility in NR, 3GPP TSG RAN Meeting #102, Edinburgh, GB, December 11-15, 2023).

[0038] Hence, a Rel-19 Study Item to study the usage of Al / ML for L3 Mobility and / or Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements is considered. The objective of the study item includes:

[0039] • Study and evaluate potential benefits and gains of AI / ML aided mobility for network triggered L3-based handover, considering the following aspects: o AI / ML based RRM measurement and event prediction

[0040] ■ Cell-level measurement prediction including intra and inter-frequency (UE sided and NW sided model)

[0041] • Inter-cell Beam-level measurement prediction for L3 Mobility (UE sided and NW sided model) o HO failure / RLF prediction (UE sided model) o Measurement events prediction (UE sided model)

[0042] • Study the need / benefits of any other UE assistance information for the network side model.

[0043] • The evaluation of the AI / ML aided mobility benefits should consider HO performance Key Perform Indicators (KPIs) and complexity tradeoffs

[0044] According to the latest agreements, HOF and RLF predictions were down prioritized for the simulations in the Study Item phase. This means that this is a feature likely to be considered in the next release.

[0045] SUMMARY

[0046] Systems and methods are disclosed that relate to determining cells in a report for which to include predicted Handover Failure (HOF) and / or predicted Radio Link Failure (RLF) postHandover (HO) related information. In one embodiment, a method performed by a wireless device for determining a subset of a set of neighbor cells for which to include predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information in a report comprises generating a report such that the report comprises predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information for a subset of a set of neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity, wherein the sorting quantity is or is derived from any one or more of the following: HOF prediction information, RLF prediction information, measurement quantity, and predicted measurement quantity. The method further comprises transmitting the report. In this manner, the wireless device is enabled to determine the cells to be included in a report using a sorting function based on the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF related information. Thus, for example, the wireless device may be enabled to include the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF related information in the report for the cells for which a HOF is less likely to occur and / or for which a post HO RLF is less likely to occur.

[0047] In one embodiment, the method further comprises, prior to generating the report, receiving a message from a network node comprising a configuration that indicates to the wireless device to include, in a report, predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information of the subset of the set of neighbor cells.

[0048] In one embodiment, the wireless device generates the report such that the report comprises any one or more of the following, for the subset of the set of neighbor cells: one or more predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information, one or more measurements, and one or more time-domain prediction(s) of measurements.

[0049] In one embodiment, the report is failure report and generating the report comprises generating the failure report upon detection of a radio link failure or a reconfiguration with synch failure. In one embodiment, the sorting quantity is or is derived from any one or more of the following: HOF prediction information and RLF prediction information.

[0050] In one embodiment, the subset of the set of neighbor cells consists of all or at least some of the set of neighbor cells, the set of neighbor cells being sorted according to the sorting quantity. In one embodiment, the subset of the set of neighbor cells consists of a first or last ‘Y’ cells from the set of neighbor cells as sorted according to the sorting quantity, where ‘Y’ is less than ‘X’ and ‘X” is a total number of cells in the set of neighbor cells. In another embodiment, when a higher value of the sorting quantity indicates that the wireless device is more likely to perform a successful handover, and generating the report comprises sorting the set of neighbor cells in decreasing order of the sorting quantity. In another embodiment, a higher value of the sorting quantity indicates that the wireless device is less likely to perform a successful handover or more likely to detect a HOF, and generating the report comprises sorting the set of neighbor cells in increasing order of the sorting quantity. In another embodiment, a higher value of the sorting quantity indicates that the wireless device is not likely to detect an RLF after a successful handover, and generating the report comprises sorting the set of neighbor cells in decreasing order of the sorting quantity. In another embodiment, a higher value of the sorting quantity indicates that the wireless device is more likely to detect an RLF after a successful handover, and generating the report comprises sorting the set of neighbor cells in increasing order of the sorting quantity.

[0051] In one embodiment, a best neighbor cell is included first in the report, wherein the best neighbor cell is a cell from among the set of neighbor cells in a first position after sorting of the set of neighbor cells based on the sorting quantity. In one embodiment, sorting of the set of neighbor cells further considers relevancy of the cells in the set of neighbor cells for reporting, wherein the relevancy of each of the cells in the set of neighbor cells is determined by the wireless device depending on an accuracy and / or inference error or a confidence of an Artificial Intelligence (Al) or Machine Learning (ML) model used for the HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction for that cell. In one embodiment, a cell is considered relevant for the sorting when the HOF prediction and / or the RLF prediction has an accuracy higher than an accuracy threshold or a confidence higher than a confidence threshold.

[0052] In one embodiment, the wireless device includes in the report the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information for a same subset of neighbor cells for which the wireless device includes one or more measurements of one or more measurement quantities configured as reporting quantities.

[0053] In one embodiment, the subset of set of neighbor cells, determined based on the sorting quantity, for which the wireless device includes the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information are not necessarily the same neighbor cells for which the wireless device includes one or more measurement quantities. In one embodiment, the wireless device performs a first sorting function for sorting the set of neighbor cells for which to include the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information and a further second sorting function for sorting the cells for which to include the measurement quantities. In one embodiment, the further second sorting function is the same as the first sorting function, or different.

[0054] In one embodiment, the wireless device includes in the report the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information for the subset of the set of neighbor cells for which the wireless device includes one or more time-domain predictions of measurements of one or more prediction measurement quantities configured as predicted reporting quantities.

[0055] In one embodiment, the subset of the set of neighbor cells, determined based on the sorting quantity, for which the wireless device includes the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information are not necessarily the same neighbor cells for which the wireless device includes one or more time-domain predictions of measurements of one or more prediction measurement quantities configured as predicted reporting quantities. In one embodiment, the wireless device performs a first sorting function for sorting the set of neighbor cells for which to include the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post HO related information and a further second sorting function for sorting cells for which to include the time-domain predictions of measurements of one or more prediction measurement quantities configured as predicted reporting quantities. In one embodiment, the further second sorting function is the same as the first sorting function, or different.

[0056] In one embodiment, a higher value of the sorting quantity indicates that the wireless device has a geographical traj ectory that has a closer distance to a cell, and generating the report comprises sorting the cells in increase order of the sorting quantity.

[0057] In one embodiment, a higher value of the sorting quantity indicates that the wireless device has lower timing advance value, and generating the report comprises sorting the cells in increase order of the sorting quantity.

[0058] In one embodiment, generating the report comprises sorting the cells based on network- provided indications of cell loads of the cells.

[0059] In one embodiment, a method performed by a wireless device for determining a subset of a set of neighbor cells for which to include predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information in a report comprises receiving a message from a network node, the message comprising: a configuration indicating to the wireless device to include in a report predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information of the subset of the set of neighbor cells and a computationally light sorting agent that is configured to receive a set of sorting-inputs output a sorting-output to be included in or used for the report. The method further comprises generating the report such that the report comprises the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information for the subset of the set of neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity or the output of the sorting agent and transmitting the report.

[0060] In one embodiment, the sorting agent outputs a sorting order for the subset of the set of neighbor cells or a sorted list containing the subset of the set of neighbor cells in a sorted order.

[0061] In one embodiment, the set of sorting-inputs of the sorting agent comprise any one or more of the following: the sorting quantity, all cell identities to be reported in report, indication of time, and an indication of changes of the same predicted RLF in compared to the previous report.

[0062] In one embodiment, the sorting quantity is or is derived from any one or more of the following: the HOF prediction information, the RLF prediction information, a measurement, and a predicted measurement quantity. Corresponding embodiments of a wireless device are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a wireless device for determining a subset of a set of neighbor cells for which to include predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information in a report is configured to generate a report such that the report comprises predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information for a subset of a set of neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity, wherein the sorting quantity is or is derived from any one or more of the following: HOF prediction information, RLF prediction information, measurement quantity, and predicted measurement quantity. The wireless device is further configured to transmit the report.

[0063] In one embodiment, a wireless device for determining a subset of a set of neighbor cells for which to include predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information in a report comprises a communication interface comprising a transmitter and a receiver, and processing circuitry associated with the communication interface. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the wireless device to generate a report such that the report comprises predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information for a subset of a set of neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity, wherein the sorting quantity is or is derived from any one or more of the following: HOF prediction information, RLF prediction information, measurement quantity, and predicted measurement quantity. The processing circuitry is further configured to cause the wireless device to transmit the report.

[0064] Embodiments of a method performed by a network node are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a method performed by a network node comprises transmitting, to a wireless device, a message comprising a configuration that indicates to the wireless device to include, in a report, predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information of a subset of a set of neighbor cells. The method further comprises receiving, from the wireless device, the report comprising the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post HO related information for the subset of the set of neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity.

[0065] Corresponding embodiments of a network node are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a network node is configured to transmit, to a wireless device, a message comprising a configuration that indicates to the wireless device to include, in a report, predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information of a subset of a set of neighbor cells. The network node is further configured to receive, from the wireless device, the report comprising the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post HO related information for the subset of the set of neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity.

[0066] In one embodiment, a network node comprises processing circuitry configured to cause the network node to transmit, to a wireless device, a message comprising a configuration that indicates to the wireless device to include, in a report, predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information of a subset of a set of neighbor cells. The processing circuitry is further configured to cause the network node to receive, from the wireless device, the report comprising the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post HO related information for the subset of the set of neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity.

[0067] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0069] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a User Equipment (UE) including Radio Link Failure (RLF) and / or Handover Failure (HOF) predictions.

[0070] Figure 2 illustrates the operation of a wireless device, which in this example is a UE, and a network node, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0071] Figure 3 shows an example of a communication system in accordance with some embodiments.

[0072] Figure 4 is another example of a communication system according to some embodiments.

[0073] Figure 5 shows a wireless device, which may be configured to operate in communication system of Figure 3 or in communication system of Figure 4.

[0074] Figure 6 shows a network node in accordance with some embodiments.

[0075] Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized.

[0076] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0077] The embodiments set forth below represent information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure.

[0078] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art. There currently exist certain challenge(s). As described in the Background section above, concepts related to Handover (HO) failure and / or Radio Link Failure (RLF) prediction (User Equipment (UE) sided Artificial Intelligence (Al) and / or Machine Learning (ML) (denoted herein as “AI / ML”) model) are being considered in the 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) Study Item on AI / ML for Mobility. In a first concept for AI / ML aided mobility for network triggered Layer 3 (L3)-based handover, a UE equipped with an AI / ML model for Mobility (or Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements) is configured to include in a measurement report one or more RLF prediction(s) for a cell and / or one more Handover Failure (HOF) prediction(s) associated to a cell, when a measurement report is triggered to be transmitted e.g. when an entry condition for an event is fulfilled such as Al, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, Bl, B2 as defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.331 (see, e.g., V18.3.0). In a second concept for AI / ML aided mobility for network triggered L3 -based handover, a UE equipped with a AI / ML model for Mobility (or RRM measurements) is configured to trigger in a report (which may be a new report or a measurement report) when an RLF is being predicted i.e. to trigger the report based on the fulfillment of an entry condition which considers a prediction of an RLF as input.

[0079] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a UE including RLF and / or HOF predictions, either in a measurement report triggered by a measurement event such as Al, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, Bl, B2 (first concept) or triggered when an RLF and / or HOF is / are being predicted (second concept). As illustrated, the UE performs predictions of RLF related information (step 100). The UE sends, to the network node, a report with the predictions of the RLF related information (step 102). The network node makes decisions based on the report with the predictions of the RLF related information (step 104).

[0080] Both the first and second concepts are likely to be adopted by 3GPP at some point during the Work Item (WI) phase or during some new WI for AI / ML for Mobility and / or in 6thGeneration (6G), which aims to develop more AI / ML features for the air interface. When that happens, there will be scenarios in which the UE will have more cells with available predicted RLF and / or predicted HOF information than the number of cells for which the UE is allowed to report the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF related information. Thus, a sorting function is needed for the UE to select for which cells to include the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF related information.

[0081] Certain aspects of the disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to these or other challenges. Embodiments of a method at a UE for determining a subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells for which to include predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (post-HO RLF) in a report (e.g. Radio Resource Control (RRC) Measurement Report or RRC Prediction Report including HOF prediction(s)) are disclosed. Such a method is beneficial when there are more neighbor cells for which the UE has available predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF (post-HO RLF prediction) related information than the maximum number of neighbor cells for which the UE is allowed to include predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF related information in the report.

[0082] In some embodiments, the UE determines that the subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells are the top ‘X’ neighbor cells sorted according to a sorting quantity based on any one or more of the following:

[0083] • HOF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of HOF, or likelihood of a HO success);

[0084] • RLF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of RLF after HO, or likelihood of no RLF after HO success);

[0085] • Measurement quantity (e.g. Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR));

[0086] • Predicted measurement quantity (e.g. predicted RSRP, predicted RSRQ, predicted SINR).

[0087] In some embodiments, the method also comprises the UE sorting to include in the report only the neighbor cells for which HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO information is relevant to be reported, wherein the relevance is determined by the UE depending on an accuracy and / or inference error (and / or confidence of the AI / ML model for the predicted RLF or HOF) of the HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction for a particular cell. As a consequence, the UE includes a neighbor cell in the report when the HOF prediction has an accuracy higher than an accuracy threshold (e.g. configured at the UE). In another example, the UE includes a neighbor cell in the report when the confidence associated to the prediction is above a confidence threshold. This may be called relevant cells or even cells with ‘good’ predictions, or the ‘best’ cells from that perspective.

[0088] Some example embodiments of the present disclosure are as follows:

[0089] Embodiment 1 : A method at a UE for determining a subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells for which to include predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post-HO related information in a report (e.g. Measurement Report, Prediction Report), the method comprising:

[0090] - Receiving a message from a network node including a configuration indicating to the UE to include in the report predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information of the subset of ‘X‘ neighbor cells;

[0091] - Including in the report, before transmitting the report, the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information for the subset of ‘X‘ neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity; o Wherein the sorting quantity is determined to be (or to be derived from) one or more of the following:

[0092] ■ HOF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of HOF, or likelihood of a HO success);

[0093] ■ RLF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of RLF after HO, or likelihood of no RLF after HO success);

[0094] ■ Measurement quantity (e.g. RSRP, RSRQ, SINR);

[0095] ■ Predicted measurement quantity (e.g. predicted RSRP, predicted RSRQ, predicted SINR);

[0096] - And transmitting the report.

[0097] Embodiment 1* (variant of embodiment 1): A method at a UE for determining a subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells for which to include in a report (e.g. Measurement Report, Prediction Report), the method comprising:

[0098] - Including in a report, before transmitting the report, predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information for the subset of ‘X‘ neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity; o Wherein the sorting quantity is determined to be (or to be derived from) one or more of the following:

[0099] ■ HOF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of HOF, or likelihood of a HO success);

[0100] ■ RLF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of RLF after HO, or likelihood of no RLF after HO success);

[0101] - And transmitting the report.

[0102] Embodiment 1**: The method of embodiment 1* wherein the UE includes in the report one or more of the following, for the subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells:

[0103] - One or more predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information;

[0104] - One or more measurements;

[0105] - One or more time-domain prediction(s) of measurements.

[0106] Embodiment 1*** (variant of embodiment 1): A method at a UE for determining a subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells for which to include in a failure report (e.g. RLF-report, MCGFailurelnformation or SCGFailurelnformation), the method comprising:

[0107] - Upon detection of a radio link failure or a reconfiguration with synch failure, before transmitting the failure report, including predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information for the subset of ‘X‘ neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity; o Wherein the sorting quantity is determined to be (or to be derived from) one or more of the following:

[0108] ■ HOF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of HOF, or likelihood of a HO success);

[0109] ■ RLF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of RLF after HO, or likelihood of no RLF after HO success);

[0110] - And transmitting the failure report.

[0111] Embodiment 2: The method of embodiment 1, wherein when a higher value of the determined sorting quantity indicates that the UE is more likely to perform a successful handover (e.g. 1 - probability of a HOF), sorting the cells in decreasing order of the sorting quantity.

[0112] Embodiment 3: The method of embodiment 1, wherein when a higher value of the determined sorting quantity indicates that the UE is less likely to perform a successful handover (i.e. it is more likely to detect a HOF), sorting the cells in increasing order of the sorting quantity.

[0113] Embodiment 4: The method of embodiment 1, wherein when a higher value of the determined sorting quantity indicates that the UE is not likely to detect an RLF after a successful handover (e.g. 1 - probability of a RLF after HO), sorting the cells in decreasing order of the sorting quantity.

[0114] Embodiment 5: The method of embodiment 1, wherein when a higher value of the determined sorting quantity indicates that the UE is more likely to detect an RLF after a successful handover, sorting the cells in increasing order of the sorting quantity.

[0115] Embodiment 6: The method of embodiment 1 and all, wherein the ‘best’ neighbor cell is included first in the measurement report, wherein the ‘best’ neighbor cell is the cell in the first position after the sorting of the set of cells based on the sorting quantity (e.g. the best neighbor cell is the cell with highest value for the sorting quantity).

[0116] Embodiment 7 : The method of embodiment 1 and all, wherein considering applicable for sorting the neighbor cells for which HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO information is relevant to be reported, wherein the relevance is determined by the UE depending on an accuracy and / or inference error or the confidence of the AI / ML model of the HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction for the neighbor cells.

[0117] Embodiment 8: The method of embodiment 7, wherein the cell is considered relevant for sorting when the HOF prediction (and / or the Post HO RLF prediction) has an accuracy higher than an accuracy or confidence of the AIML model threshold (e.g. configured at the UE). In regard to Same or different cells compared to reported measurements:

[0118] Embodiment 9: The method of embodiment 1 and all, wherein the UE includes in the report the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information for the same subset of neighbor cells for which the UE includes one or more measurements of one or more measurement quantities configured as reporting quantities.

[0119] Embodiment 10: The method of embodiment 1 and all, wherein the subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells , determined based on the sorting quantity, for which the UE includes the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information are not necessarily the same neighbor cells for which the UE includes one or more measurement quantities (e.g. as configured as a reporting quantity and / or as trigger quantity).

[0120] Embodiment 11 : The method of embodiment 1 and all, wherein the UE performs a first sorting function for sorting the cells for which to include the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information and a further second sorting function for sorting the cells for which to include the measurement quantities (e.g. based on a trigger quantity, in the case of an event triggered RRC Measurement Report).

[0121] Embodiment 12: The method of embodiment 11, wherein the further second sorting function is the same as the first sorting function, or different.

[0122] In regard to the same or different cells compared to reported time-domain prediction of measurements:

[0123] Embodiment 13: The method of embodiment 1 and all, wherein the UE includes in a report the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information for the subset of neighbor cells for which the UE includes one or more time-domain predict! on(s) of measurements (e.g. predicted RSRP value(s) in future time instance(s), predicted RSRQ value(s) in future time instance(s)) of one or more prediction measurement quantities configured as predicted reporting quantities (e.g. predicted RSRP, predicted RSRQ).

[0124] Embodiment 14: The method of embodiment 1 and all, wherein the subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells , determined based on the sorting quantity, for which the UE includes the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information are not necessarily the same neighbor cells for which the UE includes one or more time-domain predict! on(s) of measurements (e.g. predicted RSRP value(s) in future time instance(s), predicted RSRQ value(s) in future time instance(s)) of one or more prediction measurement quantities configured as predicted reporting quantities (e.g. predicted RSRP, predicted RSRQ).

[0125] Embodiment 15: The method of embodiment 1 and all, wherein the UE performs a first sorting function for sorting the cells for which to include the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information and a further second sorting function for sorting the cells for which to include the time-domain prediction(s) of measurements (e.g. predicted RSRP value(s) in future time instance(s), predicted RSRQ value(s) in future time instance(s)) of one or more prediction measurement quantities configured as predicted reporting quantities (e.g. predicted RSRP, predicted RSRQ).

[0126] Embodiment 16: The method of embodiment 15, wherein the further second sorting function is the same as the first sorting function, or different.

[0127] Embodiment 17: The method of embodiment 1, wherein when a higher value of the determined sorting quantity indicates that the UE has a geographical trajectory that has a closer distance (e.g., Euclidean distance) to a cell, then sorting the cells in increase order of the sorting quantity. That is for the prediction time frame, the first ordered cells, are the one with UE having closing trajectory to it. Such distance should not reflect only instantaneous measure, but also temporally quantile measures of trajectory.

[0128] In regarding to embodiment 17, the top cell in the sorting is the cell the UE is geographically closest to. So, the UE estimates its distance to the base station and selects the cells for base stations which are the closest in distance. The benefit here is to reflect temporal aspect of UE’s trajectory distance into the sorting, instead of considering only probability, such that not only instantaneous distance but also temporally quantile measures of trajectory is considered. This brings extra-stability into higher order (sorted) cells.

[0129] There are several methods for calculating distance, which are (details are provided below):

[0130] - Ml : Euclidean Calculation in a 2D Plane.

[0131] - M2: Euclidean Distance in 3D Plane.

[0132] - M3: Global Positioning System (GPS) based (Haversine).

[0133] - M4: gNodeBs (gNBs) and / or UEs triangulation.

[0134] - M5: Time of Arrival (ToA) and Time Difference of Arrival (TDoA).

[0135] - M6: Angle of Arrival (AoA).

[0136] Embodiment 18: The method of embodiment 1, wherein when a higher value of the determined sorting quantity indicates that the UE has lower TimeAdvance value, then sorting the cells in increase order of the sorting quantity. Here it is assumed that the UE calculates the timing advance (or receives from the network) to be used as a sorting quantity.

[0137] The benefit of using that is that time advance can be used in early stages of RACH process, yet, it is a function of distance, which is already motivated above.

[0138] Embodiment 19: The method of embodiment 1, wherein when most of the neighbor cells has similar radio and prediction measures, then UE receives from the network one or more indications of weights of neighbor cells, those weights indicate cells' load (or preference to not HO to those cells because they are very loaded). Then, sorting of the cells should be in increasing order of such weights.

[0139] Embodiment 20: A method at a User Equipment (UE) for determining a subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells for which to include predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post-HO related information in a report (e.g. Measurement Report, Prediction Report), the method comprising:

[0140] - Receiving a message from a network node including o a configuration indicating to the UE to include in the report predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information of the subset of ‘X‘ neighbor cells; o a computationally light sorting-Agent trained by the Network, given specific (indicated) sorting-inputs, and providing specific sorting-output (or cells order) to be included in the report.

[0141] - Including in the report, before transmitting the report, the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information for the subset of ‘X‘ neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity or a sorting-Agent;

[0142] - Wherein the sorting-Agent is received in previous step, and have one or more of the following assumptions: o The sorting-Agent is already trained by network, and UE needs only to perform inference given some (pre-decided) input to obtain the sorted cells (as output). Predecided inputs can be:

[0143] ■ One or more input of the sorting quantity (mentioned below)

[0144] ■ All Cell IDs (that are to be reported in RLF / HOF report)

[0145] ■ Indication of Time, whether its absolute time or session time.

[0146] ■ An indication of changes of the same predicted RLF in compared to the previous report.

[0147] - Wherein the sorting quantity is determined to be (or to be derived from) one or more of the following: o HOF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of HOF, or likelihood of a HO success); o RLF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of RLF after HO, or likelihood of no RLF after HO success); o Measurement quantity (e.g. RSRP, RSRQ, SINR); o Predicted measurement quantity (e.g. predicted RSRP, predicted RSRQ, predicted SINR);

[0148] - And transmitting the report.

[0149] Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantage(s). Embodiments of the solution(s) disclosed herein enable the UE to determine the cells to be included in a report using a sorting function based on, e.g., the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF). In addition, embodiments of the solution(s) disclosed herein may enable the UE to include the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) in a report for the cells for which a HOF is less likely to occur and / or for which a Post HO RLF is less likely to occur. That enables the network to decide to trigger a handover (or a reconfiguration with sync, a dual connectivity setup, an SCG addition, a carrier aggregation setup, activation or deactivation, a conditional handover configuration, a L3 Trigger Mobility (LTM) configuration) to a cell which is less likely to lead to a failure, which would improve robustness key performance indicator(s). For other specific alternatives, there may be further benefits details along the text.

[0150] Now, a description of further details regarding embodiments of the solution(s) disclosed herein will be provided.

[0151] According to embodiments of the solution(s) disclosed herein, a UE determines a subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells for which to include predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information in a report (e.g. Measurement Report, Prediction Report).

[0152] According to embodiments of the solution(s) described herein, a predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) related information, associated to a neighbor cell, corresponds to information derived from a HOF prediction. The cells for which the UE calculates the predicted HOF correspond to neighbor cells which may become a target cell in a handover (or in more general terms, a target cell in a reconfiguration with sync, such as a target Primary Secondary Cell Group (SCG) Cell (PSCell) to be added, a target PSCell in PSCell Change). These neighbor cells may also be cells configured as ‘candidate’ cells for LTM and / or Conditional HO (CHO) and / or other forms of conditional reconfiguration (e.g. Conditional PSCell Change, Conditional PSCell Addition, conditional LTM (CLTM)). In the case of event triggered report, these may be called triggered cells. They may also be called non-serving cells. For example, at a time instance tO the UE predicts (e.g. thanks to an AI / ML model / functionality), e.g., based on one or more measurements such as RSRP and / or RSRQ and / or SINR, that a HOF would occur at a future time instance t0+ T, assuming that the UE would have received a HO command (e.g. RRC Reconfiguration message including the IE Reconfiguration With Sync) in a time instance before tO+T. The time instance tO may be the time instance in which an RRC Measurement Report is triggered by an event (e.g. when a neighbor cell becomes an offset better than PCell) and the UE needs to include HOF prediction information for a subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells which are also triggered cells i.e. cells fulfilling the entering condition for the event. Such information indicates to the network whether the reported triggered cell is a good cell to be a target cell. A neighbor cell for which the reported HOF prediction information indicates a high likelihood of a HOF is not a good cell to be a target cell indicated in a HO command from the network to the UE; a neighbor cell for which the reported HOF prediction information indicates a low likelihood of a HOF (higher chance of a successful handover) is a good cell to be a target cell indicated in a HO command from the network to the UE.

[0153] According to embodiments of the solution(s) disclosed herein, a predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information, associated to a neighbor cell, corresponds to information derived from an RLF prediction post HO (so called a post-HO RLF prediction). A predicted Post HO RLF (RLF prediction in a neighbor cell which may become a new PCell or new PSCell) is a prediction that an RLF is likely to occur after a successful HO in case a HO is triggered to a neighbor cell; this is about the UE predicting ahead in time (at tO) that an RLF in a neighbor cell has a likelihood to happen (at tO+T) after a HO (before tO+T), in case a HO is triggered to that neighbor cell. The cells for which the UE calculates the predicted Post HO RLF also correspond to neighbor cells. In the case the UE calculates a predicted RLF for a neighbor cell that is considered to a predicted RLF after a Handover (or reconfiguration with sync). In other words, the UE predicts that an RLF is happening (with a certain confidence) in a neighbor cell after a HO to that cell, in case the UE is handed over to that cell.

[0154] According one embodiment of the solution(s) disclosed herein, the UE receives a message from a network node (e.g., a Radio Access Network (RAN) node such as, e.g., a base station (e.g., a gNodeB (gNB) or 6G base station)) including a configuration. The message may correspond to an RRC message, such as an RRC Reconfiguration message, and configuration may correspond to a reporting configuration. The reporting configuration configuring the report predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information of the subset of ‘X‘ neighbor cells may be within a measurement configuration (e.g. Information Element (IE) MeasConfig) and / or within an IE prediction configuration. The configuration indicates the UE to include in the report predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information of the subset of ‘X‘ neighbor cells. According to an embodiment of the solution(s) disclosed herein, the UE determines the sorting quantity to be (or to be derived from) any one or more of the following:

[0155] • HOF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of HOF, or likelihood of a HO success);

[0156] • RLF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of RLF after HO, or likelihood of no RLF after HO success);

[0157] • Measurement quantity (e.g. RSRP, RSRQ, SINR);

[0158] • Predicted measurement quantity (e.g. predicted RSRP, predicted RSRQ, predicted SINR).

[0159] In the following section, different solutions based on the different options of sorting quantity are disclosed.

[0160] 1 Criteria for determining the sorting quantity

[0161] 1.1 HOF prediction information

[0162] According to the method, the UE may determine that the subset of ‘X’ detected neighbor cells are the top ‘X’ neighbor cells sorted according to a sorting quantity which is a HOF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of HOF, or likelihood of a HO success). In that case, the UE obtains information related to a prediction of a HOF of a set of neighbor cells, from which the UE needs to select the ‘X’ neighbor cells after sorting.

[0163] In one option, the HOF prediction information corresponds to a value of a likelihood (or probability) of a HOF, such as a probability that a HOF is to occur at a future time instance. In other words, the sorting quantity is determined by the UE to be a probability that a HOF is likely to occur; in such a case, a higher value of the determined sorting quantity indicates that the UE is less likely to perform a successful handover (i.e. it is more likely to detect a HOF). In this option (e.g. sorting quantity = probability that a HOF is likely to occur), the UE sort the cells in increasing order of the sorting quantity i.e. the cell with lowest chance of HOF is included first.

[0164] In a first example (based on the likelihood of HO failure), the UE is configured to report a maximum number of cells = 2, but there 3 neighbor cells with available HOF prediction. The likelihood / probability of the HOF based on the output of prediction model(s) may be as follows:

[0165] - Triggered Cell A: Predicted HOF(A) = 0.70

[0166] - Triggered Cell B: Predicted HOF(B)= 0.95

[0167] - Triggered Cell C: Predicted HOF(C)= 0.10

[0168] Wherein: Predicted HOF(C)= 0.10 < Predicted HOF(A) = 0.70 < Predicted HOF(B)= 0.95

[0169] Since the sorting is based on the likelihood / probability of HOF, sorting the cells in increasing order of that leads to the following order:

[0170] 1) Triggered Cell C - 2) Triggered Cell A

[0171] - 3) Triggered Cell B

[0172] And, since the maximum number of cells = 2, only cells in position 1 and 2 (i.e. C and A) are included in the report and these are the cells for which the UE includes the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF).

[0173] One of the advantages of such option is that the cells to be included in the report (and the cells for which the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) are included) are the cells which are less likely to lead to a HOF in case the network determines to trigger a handover.

[0174] In another option, the HOF prediction information corresponds to a value of a likelihood (or probability) of a Handover success (e.g. likelihood of a HOF not happening), such as a probability that a HO is going to be successful at a future time instance. In other words, the sorting quantity is determined by the UE to be a probability that a HOF is NOT likely to occur if a HO would be triggered. In such a case, a higher value of the determined sorting quantity indicates that the UE is likely to perform a successful handover (i.e. it is less likely to detect a HOF). In this option (e.g. sorting quantity = probability that a HOF is NOT likely to occur), the UE sort the cells in decreasing order of the sorting quantity i.e. the cell with highest chance of a handover success is included first.

[0175] In a second example (based on the likelihood of successful HO), the UE is configured to report a maximum number of cells = 2, but there 3 neighbor cells with available HOF prediction. The likelihood of HOF and the likelihood of a handover success according to the output of prediction model(s) may be as follows:

[0176] - Triggered Cell A: Predicted HOF(A) = 0.70 -> Predicted successful H0(A) = 0.30

[0177] - Triggered Cell B: Predicted HOF(B)= 0.95 -> Predicted successful HO(B) = 0.05

[0178] - Triggered Cell C: Predicted HOF(C)= 0.10 - Predicted successful HO(C) = 0.90

[0179] Wherein: Predicted successful HO(C) = 0.90 < Predicted successful H0(A) = 0.30 < Predicted successful HO(B) = 0.05

[0180] Since the sorting is based on the HOF prediction(s), sorting the cells in increasing order of that leads to the following order:

[0181] 1) Triggered Cell C

[0182] - 2) Triggered Cell A

[0183] - 3) Triggered Cell B And, since the maximum number of cells = 2, only cells in position 1 and 2 are included in the report and these are the cells for which the UE includes the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF).

[0184] One of the advantages of such option is that the cells to be included in the report (and the cells for which the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) are included) are the cells which are most likely to lead to a successful HO in case the network determines to trigger a handover.

[0185] Determining sorting quantity

[0186] The UE determines the HOF prediction information to be the sorting quantity based on some criteria or detection of some events e.g., a radio link failure event or a handover failure event. In the following some non-limiting examples of how the UE determines the sorting quantity are provided.

[0187] - In one option, the HOF prediction information is determined by the UE as a sorting quantity when the UE is configured to include in the report for the ‘X’ neighbor cells the one or more HOF prediction information. In a sub-option, the HOF prediction information is used as sorting quantity when the UE is configured to report the HOF prediction information upon the triggering of a prediction report, transmitted periodically, aperiodic (i.e. upon request from the network), semi-persistent and / or triggered by the fulfillment of a condition (e.g. associated to the HOF prediction). In one option, the HOF prediction information is determined by the UE as a sorting quantity when the UE is configured to include in the report for the ‘X’ neighbor cells one or more HOF prediction information and when the UE does not include measurements of the ‘X’ neighbor cells. In a sub-option, the HOF prediction information is used as sorting quantity when the UE is configured to report the HOF prediction information upon the triggering of a prediction report (which is not a measurement report); the prediction report may be transmitted periodically, aperiodic (i.e. upon request from the network), semi-persistent and / or triggered by the fulfillment of a condition (e.g. associated to the HOF prediction).

[0188] - In one option, the HOF prediction information is determined by the UE as a sorting quantity when the UE is configured to include in the report for the ‘X’ neighbor cells one or more HOF prediction information and when the UE is explicitly configured to use the HOF prediction information as sorting quantity.

[0189] - In one option, the HOF prediction information is determined by the UE as a sorting quantity when the UE is configured to include in the report for the ‘X’ neighbor cells both HOF prediction information and predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF). In other words, when both are configured to be included, one of them is used as sorting quantity: the HOF prediction information. A good cell, from the network’s perspective, to be a good cell for a handover, is a cell for which the HOF prediction indicates a low likelihood, and a low predicted Post HO RLF.

[0190] - In one option, the HOF prediction information is determined by the UE as a sorting quantity when the UE is configured to include in the report for the ‘X’ neighbor cells HOF prediction information and predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF), and when the UE does not include measurements of the ‘X’ neighbor cells.

[0191] - In one option, the HOF prediction information is used as sorting quantity upon a report being triggered based on the HOF prediction information i.e., an event-based report is trigged by the UE wherein the report trigger quantity is a HOF prediction information. In such a scenario the HOF prediction that triggered the report will be chosen by the UE as a sorting quantity to sort the cells and include in the report before transmitting the report to the network. This method requires the network to configure the UE with an event-based report type (reportType = eventTriggered) wherein the triggering quantity set as part of e.g., EventTriggerConfig for the report is one or more HOF prediction information (e.g., HO success probability is above a threshold or HO failure rate is below a threshold). Such triggering quantity (HO success or failure probability) will be used as sorting quantity to include the cells in the report.

[0192] - In one option, the HOF prediction information is used as sorting quantity upon a report being triggered based on detecting a radio link failure or a handover failure. In such case the report can be an RLF-Report, and the UE sorts the neighboring cells measurements and / or prediction based on the HOF prediction information o In a variant the HOF prediction information is used as sorting quantity upon a report being triggered based on detecting a radio link failure or reconfiguration with synch failure in a cell associated to the master cell group (e.g., PCell) in dual connectivity scenarios. In such a variant, the UE triggers MCG Failure Information report and sorts the neighboring cells measurements and / or prediction information based on the HOF prediction information. o In a variant the HOF prediction information is used as sorting quantity upon a report being triggered based on detecting a radio link failure or reconfiguration with synch failure in a cell associated to the secondary cell group (e.g., PSCell) in dual connectivity scenarios. In such a variant, the UE triggers SCG Failure Information report and sorts the neighboring cells measurements and / or prediction information based on the HOF prediction information.

[0193] 1.2 Post-HO RLF prediction

[0194] According to the method, the UE may determine that the subset of ‘X’ detected neighbor cells are the top ‘X’ neighbor cells sorted according to a sorting quantity which is an RLF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of RLF after HO, or likelihood of no RLF after HO success). In that case, the UE obtains information related to a prediction of a RLF after HO of a set of neighbor cells, from which the UE needs to select the ‘X’ neighbor cells after sorting.

[0195] In one option, the post-HO RLF prediction information corresponds to a value of a likelihood (or probability) of a post-HO RLF, such as a probability that an RLF occurs after a successful handover at a future time instance. In other words, the sorting quantity is determined by the UE to be a probability that a post-HO RLF is likely to occur; in such a case, a low value of the determined sorting quantity indicates that the UE is less likely to detect an RLF after a successful handover. In this option (e.g. sorting quantity = probability that a Post HO RLF is likely to occur), the UE sort the cells in increasing order of the sorting quantity i.e. the cell with lowest likelihood of RLF after a HO is included first.

[0196] In a third example, the UE is configured to report a maximum number of cells = 2, but there 3 neighbor cells with available RLF prediction post HO. The likelihood / probability of Post HO RLF may be as follows:

[0197] Triggered Cell A: Predicted RLF(A) = 0.70

[0198] Triggered Cell B: Predicted RLF(B)= 0.95

[0199] - Triggered Cell C: Predicted RLF(C)= 0.10

[0200] Wherein: Predicted RLF(C)= 0.10 < Predicted RLF(A) = 0.70 < Predicted RLF(B)= 0.95

[0201] Since the sorting is based on the RLF prediction(s) (in other words, the probability / likelihood of RLF), sorting the cells in increasing order of that leads to the following order:

[0202] 1) Triggered Cell C

[0203] - 2) Triggered Cell A

[0204] - 3) Triggered Cell B

[0205] And, since the maximum number of cells = 2, only cells in position 1 and 2 (i.e. C and A) are included in the report and these are the cells for which the UE includes the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF). One of the advantages of such option is that the cells to be included in the report (and the cells for which the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) are included) are the cells which are less likely to lead to a Post HO RLF in case the network decides to trigger a handover towards one of such neighboring cells.

[0206] In another option, the post-HO RLF prediction information corresponds to a value of a likelihood (or probability) of a Handover success without an RLF happening shortly after (e.g. likelihood of a RLF not happening in target cell after a successful HO), such as a probability that a HO is going to be successful at a future time instance and an RLF is not shortly happening (e.g. configurable prediction window or another value which is part of the prediction configuration). In other words, the sorting quantity is determined by the UE to be a probability that a post HO RLF is NOT likely to occur (in case a HO would be triggered). In such a case, a higher value of the determined sorting quantity indicates that the UE is likely to perform a successful handover not followed by RLF. In this option (e.g. sorting quantity = probability that a RLF is NOT likely to occur after a successful HO), the UE sort the cells in decreasing order of the sorting quantity i.e. the cell with highest chance of a handover success not followed by RLF is included first.

[0207] In a fourth example, the UE is configured to report a maximum number of cells = 2, but there 3 neighbor cells with available RLF prediction post HO. The RLF prediction post HO and the likelihood of a handover success not followed by RLF may be as follows:

[0208] - Triggered Cell A: Predicted post HO RLF(A) = 0.70 - Predicted successful H0(A) = 0.30

[0209] - Triggered Cell B: Predicted post HO RLF(B)= 0.95 -> Predicted successful HO(B) = 0.05

[0210] - Triggered Cell C: Predicted post HO RLF(C)= 0.10 -> Predicted successful HO(C) = 0.90

[0211] Wherein: Predicted successful HO(C) = 0.90 < Predicted successful H0(A) = 0.30 < Predicted successful HO(B) = 0.05

[0212] Since the sorting is based on the RLF prediction(s) post HO, sorting the cells in increasing order of that leads to the following order:

[0213] 1) Triggered Cell C

[0214] - 2) Triggered Cell A

[0215] - 3) Triggered Cell B

[0216] And, since the maximum number of cells = 2, only cells in position 1 and 2 are included in the report and these are the cells for which the UE may include the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) e.g., if requested by the network. One of the advantages of such option is that the cells to be included in the report (and the cells for which the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) are included) are the cells which are most likely to lead to a successful HO without an RLF happening shortly after, in case the network determines to trigger a handover.

[0217] Determining the sorting quantity

[0218] The UE determines the sorting quantity to be the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (post-HO RLF) based on one or more criteria (e.g., configuration by the network) or detection of some events e.g., a radio link failure event or handover failure event. In the following, some non-limiting examples of how the UE determines the sorting quantity to be the RLF prediction post HO related information is provided.

[0219] - In one option, the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (post-HO RLF) is determined by the UE as a sorting quantity when the UE is configured to include in the report for the ‘X’ neighbor cells one or more predicted RLF related information (post HO RLF). In a sub-option, the predicted RLF related information (post HO RLF) is used as sorting quantity when the UE is configured to report the predicted RLF related information (post HO RLF) upon the triggering of a prediction report, transmitted periodically, aperiodic (i.e. upon request from the network), semi-persistent and / or triggered by the fulfillment of a condition (e.g. associated to the predicted Post HO RLF).

[0220] - In one option, the predicted RLF related information (post HO RLF) is determined by the UE as a sorting quantity when the UE is configured to include in the report for the ‘X’ neighbor cells predicted RLF related information (post HO RLF) and when the UE is explicitly configured to use the predicted RLF related information (post HO RLF) as sorting quantity.

[0221] - In one option, the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (post HO RLF) is determined by the UE as a sorting quantity when the UE is configured to include in the report for the ‘X’ neighbor cells one or more the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (post HO RLF) and when the UE does not include measurements of the ‘X’ neighbor cells.

[0222] - In one option, the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (post HO RLF) is determined by the UE as a sorting quantity when the UE is configured to include in the report for the ‘X’ neighbor cells predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (post HO RLF) and when the UE does not include measurements of the ‘X’ neighbor cells, and when the UE does not include HOF prediction information. - In one option, the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (post HO RLF) is used as sorting quantity upon a report being triggered based on the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (post HO RLF) i.e., an event-based report is trigged by the UE wherein the report trigger quantity is one or more quantities) derived from predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (post HO RLF). In such a scenario the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) quantity that triggered the report will be chosen by the UE as a sorting quantity to sort the cells and include in the report before transmitting the report to the network. In this method the network to configure the UE with an event-based report type (e.g., reportType = eventTriggered) wherein the triggering quantity set as part of e.g., EventTriggerConfig is one or more predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) related quantity e.g., probability of successful HO without post-HO failure is above a threshold, or post-HO RLF probability is below a threshold. Such triggering quantity will be chosen as sorting quantity to include the cells in the report.

[0223] - In one option, the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) is used as sorting quantity upon a report being triggered based on detecting a radio link failure or a handover failure. In such case the report can be an RLF-Report, and the UE sorts the neighboring cells measurements and / or prediction based on the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) o In a variant the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) is used as sorting quantity upon a report being triggered based on detecting a radio link failure or reconfiguration with synch failure in a cell associated to the master cell group (e.g., PCell) in dual connectivity scenarios. In such a variant, the UE triggers MCG Failure Information report and sorts the neighboring cells measurements and / or prediction information based on the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF). o In a variant the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) is used as sorting quantity upon a report being triggered based on detecting a radio link failure or reconfiguration with synch failure in a cell associated to the secondary cell group (e.g., PSCell) in dual connectivity scenarios. In such a variant, the UE triggers SCG Failure Information report and sorts the neighboring cells measurements and / or prediction information based on the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF). 1.3 Measurement quantity (e.g. RSRP, RSRQ, SINR)

[0224] According to the method, the UE may determine that the subset of ‘X’ detected neighbor cells are the top ‘X’ neighbor cells sorted according to a sorting quantity which is a measurement quantity (e g. RSRP, RSRQ, SINR).

[0225] A measurement quantity is a quantity that the UE is configured to report for a given neighbor cell i.e. needs to be configured as a reporting quantity and / or configured as a trigger quantity. A measurement quantity in the context of the present disclosure may also be called a quantity derived based on a measurement on a reference signal (RS), such as a CSI-RS, or synchronization signal (SS), such as an SSB, associated to a network entity such as a cell and / or a beam. A measurement quantity may reflect some property at a given point in time of the radio link the UE is detecting e.g. a cell power in the downlink (DL), cell coverage, cell signal to noise + interference ratio, etc. Examples of measurement quantities are: i) Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP); ii) Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ); iii) Signal to Interference Noise Ratio (SINR). A measurement quantity may be associated to a reference signal type (e.g. SSB, CSI-RS, Mobility Reference Signal), in case that reference signal type is used for measuring and deriving the cell level measurement quantity. For example, an SS-RSRP is an RSRP measured on an SSB, a CSI-RSRP is an RSRP value measured on a CSI-RS. Or, a cell based or cell level RSRP based on SSB is an RSRP of a cell measured on SSB(s) of that cell.

[0226] In one option, the UE determines the sorting quantity to be a measurement quantity which is configured as a trigger quantity e.g. RSRQ. In a sub-option, that happens when the UE is configured with an event-triggered measurement report, associated to a configured trigger quantity (e.g. RSRQ) in a reporting configuration.

[0227] For example, when the UE is configured with an A3 event with trigger quantity RSRQ, the entering condition of the A3 event is considered fulfilled when the RSRQ of a neighbor cell is an offset better than the RSRQ of the PCell. In that case, when the UE is also configured to report the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction, the UE determines the sorting quantity to be the trigger quantity of that configured event i.e. RSRQ. In other words, the cells are sorted in decreasing order of RSRQ and, the UE selects the top ‘X’ cell(s) for which to include the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction.

[0228] In the case of event-triggered measurement reports, the ‘X’ neighbor cells correspond to a subset of the triggered cells i.e. neighbor cells for which a condition triggering the transmission of the measurement report is fulfilled. These may also be considered applicable cells. It may be the case that the UE detects and measures more neighbor cells compared to the triggered cells. In one option, when the reportType is set to eventTriggered, for an NR cell, the UE considers the trigger quantity used in the aN-Threshold (for eventAl, eventA2, eventA4, eventA4Hl and eventA4H2) or in the a5-Threshold2 (for eventA5, eventA5Hl and eventA5H2) or in the aN-Offset (for eventA3, eventA3Hl, eventA3H2 and eventA6) or in the xl-Threshold2 (for eventXl) as the sorting quantity. For example, when the trigger quantity is set to RSRP, the UE determines RSRP as the sorting quantity. Or, when the trigger quantity is set to RSRQ, the UE determines RSRQ as the sorting quantity. Or, when the trigger quantity is set to SINR, the UE determines SINR as the sorting quantity.

[0229] In a fifth example, the UE is configured to report a maximum number of cells = 2, but there are 3 triggered cells (i.e. 3 cells fulfilling the entering / entry condition of the event). And, for each of these triggered cells the UE has available measurements and predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction, as follows:

[0230] - Triggered Cell A: RSRP(A), RSRQ(A); Predicted HOF(A) = 0.70

[0231] - Triggered Cell B: RSRP(B), RSRQ(B); Predicted HOF(B)= 0.95

[0232] - Triggered Cell C: RSRP(C), RSRQ(C); Predicted HOF(C)= 0.10

[0233] Wherein RSRQ(B) > RSRQ(A) > RSRQ(C). Note that pRSRP(A,k) denotes the predicted RSRP value of cell A in a future time instance indicated by the value k e.g. k-th future time instance.

[0234] Since the trigger quantity is determined to be RSRQ, sorting the cells in decreasing RSRQ order leads to the following order:

[0235] - 1) Triggered Cell B: RSRP(B), RSRQ(B); Predicted HOF(B)= 0.95

[0236] - 2) Triggered Cell A: RSRP(A), RSRQ(A); Predicted HOF(A) = 0.70

[0237] - 3) Triggered Cell C: RSRP(C), RSRQ(C); Predicted HOF(C)= 0.10

[0238] And, since the maximum number of cells = 2, only cells in position 1 and 2 are included in the RRC Measurement Report and these are the cells for which the UE includes the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction. In this case the ‘best’ cell is the cell in position 1), which is cell B. At the network side, the network get insights about the cells it would have anyways received. However, the network would observe that the triggered cell B, which would otherwise be the best cell and likely to be the one selected for the HO, has a high chance of leading to a HOF, so the network may re-consider the selection of B, depending on the difference in radio measurements of A and C, in relation to B.

[0239] In another option, the UE determines the sorting quantity to be a measurement quantity which is configured as a reporting quantity e.g. RSRQ. In a sub-option, that happens when the UE is configured with a periodic measurement report, for which at least one reporting quantity is configured in a reporting configuration.

[0240] In the case of periodical measurement reports, the subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells corresponds to a subset of the applicable cells i.e. neighbor cells allowed to be included in the measurement report e.g. explicitly configured in a list, associated to a particular SSB frequency and / or measurement object. These may also be considered applicable cells. It may be the case that the UE detects, and measures more neighbor cells compared to the applicable cells.

[0241] When the RRC Measurement Report in which the UE is configured to include predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction is a periodical RRC Measurement Report (e.g. when the measld has an associated IE ReportConfigNR which includes a reportType set to PeriodicalReportConfig), the UE determines that the sorting quantity is one of the reporting quantity, according to the following rule:

[0242] - if a single reporting quantity is configured, that is the sorting quantity;

[0243] - else if RSRP is configured, RSRP is the sorting quantity;

[0244] - else (RSRP is not configured), RSRQ is the sorting quantity.

[0245] According to this, SINR is determined to be the sorting quantity when it is configured as the single reporting quantity.

[0246] In a sixth example, the UE is configured to include in an RRC Measurement Report predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction, such as the following reporting quantities RSRP and / or RSRQ, for the cells which are to be included in the RRC Measurement Report. In the example, that is a periodical report, so the UE is also configured with one or more reporting quantities i.e. measurement quantities for which the UE is to include measurements, e.g., RSRP and RSRQ. The UE is configured to report a maximum number of cells = 2, but there are 3 detected cells.

[0247] For each of these detected cells the UE has available predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction, as follows:

[0248] - Triggered Cell A: RSRP(A), RSRQ(A); Predicted HOF(A) = 0.70

[0249] - Triggered Cell B: RSRP(B), RSRQ(B); Predicted HOF(B)= 0.95

[0250] - Triggered Cell C: RSRP(C), RSRQ(C); Predicted HOF(C)= 0. 10

[0251] Wherein:

[0252] - RSRP(C) > RSRP(A) > RSRP(B)

[0253] - RSRQ(B) > RSRQ(A) > RSRQ(C)

[0254] As before, pRSRP(A,k) denotes the predicted RSRP value of cell A in a future time instance indicated by the value k e.g. k-th future time instance. According to this option, the sorting quantity is one of the configured reporting quantities, in this example: RSRP and RSRQ. And, since multiple reporting quantities are configured, and RSRP is configured as one of them, the UE determines RSRP to be the sorting quantity. The UE sorts the cells in decreasing RSRP order which leads to the following order:

[0255] - 1) Triggered Cell C: RSRP(C), RSRQ(C); Predicted HOF(C) = 0.10

[0256] - 2) Triggered Cell A: RSRP(A), RSRQ(A); Predicted HOF(A) = 0.70

[0257] - 3) Triggered Cell B: RSRP(B), RSRQ(B); Predicted HOF(B)= 0.95

[0258] And, since the maximum number of cells = 2, only cells in position 1 and 2 are included in the RRC Measurement Report and these are the cells for which the UE includes the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction, cells C and A.

[0259] 1.4 Prediction measurement quantity (e.g. predicted RSRP, predicted RSRQ, predicted SINR)

[0260] According to this option, the UE determines that the subset of ‘X’ detected neighbor cells are the top ‘X’ detected neighbor cells sorted according to a sorting quantity which is based on a prediction measurement quantity, which is configured as a reporting quantity (e.g. predicted RSRP).

[0261] According to this option, for a given report (e.g. RRC Measurement Report) for which the UE needs to include predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction, the UE is configured with one or more reporting prediction quantities (prediction based report quantity), such as predicted RSRP (pRSRP), predicted RSRQ (pRSRQ), predicted SINR (pSINR). That indicates to the UE what predicted quantities (e.g. pRSRP and / or pRSRQ, and / or pSINR) are to be included in the report (e.g. in the RRC Measurement Report) for a cell to be included in the report.

[0262] According to this option, the sorting quantity is one of the configured reporting prediction quantities.

[0263] - In one sub-option, when a single reporting prediction quantity is configured, the UE uses that single reporting prediction quantity as the sorting quantity e.g. pSINR.

[0264] - In one sub-option, when multiple reporting prediction quantities are configured, and pRSRP is one of them, the UE uses pRSRP as the sorting quantity e.g. pSINR.

[0265] - In one sub-option, when multiple reporting prediction quantities are configured, and pRSRP is not one of them, the UE uses pRSRQ as the sorting quantity e.g. pSINR.

[0266] - In one sub-option, when multiple reporting prediction quantities are configured, one of them is explicitly indicated to be the sorting quantity. In one sub-option, the UE determines a prediction reporting quantity to be the sorting quantity when the UE is configured to report for a neighbor cell prediction reporting quantities and predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction. In other words, a predicted reporting quantity takes precedent to the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction to be the sorting quantity.

[0267] In a seventh example, the UE is configured to include in a report (e.g. RRC Measurement Report and / or prediction report) one or more e: e.g. predicted RSRP and / or predicted RSRQ, for the cells which are to be included in the report.

[0268] Assuming that the UE is configured to report a maximum number of cells = 2, but there 3 triggered cells (i.e. 3 cells fulfilling the entering / entry condition of the event). And, for each of these triggered cells the UE has available predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction, as follows:

[0269] - Triggered Cell A: pRSRP(A, 1), pRSRQ(A, 1); Predicted HOF(A) = 0.70

[0270] - Triggered Cell B: pRSRP(B, 1), pRSRQ(B, 1); Predicted HOF(B)= 0.95

[0271] - Triggered Cell C: pRSRP(C, 1), pRSRQ(C, 1); Predicted HOF(C)= 0.10

[0272] Wherein:

[0273] - RSRQ(B) > RSRQ(A) > RSRQ(C), as in the first example

[0274] - pRSRP(C, 1) > pRSRP(B, 1) > pRSRP(A, 1)

[0275] - pRSRQ(C, 1) > pRSRQ(A, 1) > pRSRQ(B, 1)

[0276] Note that pRSRP(A,k) denotes the predicted RSRP value of cell A in a future time instance indicated by the value k e.g. k-th future time instance.

[0277] According to this option, the sorting quantity is one of the configured reporting prediction quantities, in this example: pRSRP and pRSRQ. Considering the sub-option in which when multiple reporting prediction quantities are configured, and pRSRP is one of them, the UE uses pRSRP as the sorting quantity, the UE considers pRSRP and the sorting quantity for the second example. In other words, since pRSRP is configured as one of the reporting prediction quantities, the UE determines pRSRP to be the sorting quantity, and sorting the cells in decreasing pRSRP order leads to the following order:

[0278] - 1) Triggered Cell C: pRSRP(C, 1), pRSRQ(C, 1); Predicted HOF(C)= 0.10

[0279] - 2) Triggered Cell B: pRSRP(B, 1), pRSRQ(B, 1); Predicted HOF(B)= 0.95

[0280] - 3) Triggered Cell A: pRSRP(A, 1), pRSRQ(A, 1); Predicted HOF(A) = 0.70 And, since the maximum number of cells = 2, only cells in position 1 and 2 are included in the report and these are the cells for which the UE includes the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction, cells C and B.

[0281] 2 Reports in which the UE includes HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO

[0282] According to the method, the UE includes HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO for a neighbor cell in a report, which may either be a measurement report or a prediction report. Then, the UE transmits the report to the network e.g. to a gNodeB or another Radio Access Network (RAN) node.

[0283] According to the method, the report the UE transmits may correspond to a measurement report (which includes one or more measurement) and / or a prediction report (which includes one or more predictions, such as time-domain prediction(s) of measurement(s) and / or HOF prediction(s) and / or RLF prediction(s) post HO).

[0284] In the case the report corresponds to a measurement report, the report may be an RRC Measurement Report, as defined in 3GPP TS 38.331. The method is also applicable to any sort of measurement reporting in which the size is limited and, e.g., when the UE detects more cells than what may be included in the measurement report.

[0285] In that sense, a measurement report may be: i) a LI or Medium Access Control layer (MAC) measurement report (e.g. a CSI report or similar for Lower-Layer triggered Mobility (LTM) measurement reporting); ii) a LI measurement report transmitted on Physical Uplink Control Channel, PUCCH; iii) a LI measurement report transmitted on Physical Uplink Shared Channel PUSCH.

[0286] In that case the UE includes one or more measurements for the cells to be included in the report and for which the UE is also to include HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO. Such a measurement report may be configured at the UE to be event-triggered; periodical; aperiodic; semi-persistent.

[0287] - In event triggered measurement report the UE is configured with an event (e.g. in reporting configuration) with a trigger condition (e.g. A3: neighbor cell becomes offset better than PCell), associated to a measurement object (frequency in which the neighbor cell is to be detected). When the condition is fulfilled, the UE transmits a measurement reports and, for the determined neighbor cells to be included, the UE includes the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF). - In periodical measurement report the UE is configured with a periodicity and an associated to a measurement object (frequency in which the neighbor cell is to be detected). At every period the UE transmits a measurement reports and, for the determined neighbor cells to be included, the UE includes the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF).

[0288] - In aperiodic measurement reporting or semi-persistent measurement reporting, the UE receives a request by the network (e.g. in an RRC message) and, in response to the request, the UE reports one or more measurement results e.g. in an RRC Measurement Report, which may also include predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF).

[0289] - In the case of aperiodic, a single RRC Measurement Report is transmitted. In the case of semi-persistent the UE transmits multiple RRC Measurement reports after the request e.g. periodically.

[0290] - In the case of aperiodic or semi-persistent measurement reports, the subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells corresponds to a cell which may be indicated in the request, or a cell associated to a configuration indication included in the request e.g. a reporting configuration identifier and / or a measurement configuration identifier.

[0291] - In aperiodic or semi-persistent measurement reporting, any of the embodiments / options in which the UE determines the sorting quantity could be applied for such a case.

[0292] - In another option, the UE determines the sorting quantity to be a quantity indicated in the request message, such as a measurement quantity (e.g. RSRP, RSRQ, SINR), or a HOF prediction information or a RLF prediction post HO information.

[0293] In the case the report corresponds to a prediction report, the report may be an RRC Prediction Report, to be defined in TS 38.331 (not defined yet). The method is also applicable to any sort of prediction report in which the size is limited and, in particular, when the UE detects more cells than what may be included in the prediction report. In that sense, a prediction report may be: i) an LI or MAC prediction report (e.g. a CSI report or similar for LTM prediction report); ii) a LI prediction report transmitted on PUCCH; iii) a LI measurement report transmitted on PUSCH.

[0294] In that case the UE may or may not include (e.g. may be configurable) one or more measurements for the cells to be included in the report and for which the UE is also to include HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO. Such a prediction report may be configured at the UE to be event-triggered; periodical; aperiodic; semi-persistent. - In event triggered prediction report the UE is configured with an event (e.g. in reporting configuration) with a trigger condition (e.g. predicted A3: neighbor cell becomes offset better than PCell in a future time instance), e.g. associated to a frequency in which the neighbor cell is to be detected. When the condition is predicted (i.e. when the event is predicted that it is going to be fulfilled in a future time instance), the UE transmits a prediction report and, for the determined neighbor cells to be included, the UE includes the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF).

[0295] - In periodical prediction report the UE is configured with a periodicity and an associated to a measurement object (frequency in which the neighbor cell is to be detected). At every period the UE transmits a prediction report and, for the determined neighbor cells to be included, the UE includes the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF).

[0296] - In aperiodic prediction reporting or semi-persistent measurement reporting, the UE receives a request by the network (e.g. in an RRC message) and, in response to the request, the UE reports one or more predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF).

[0297] - In the case of aperiodic, a single prediction Report is transmitted. In the case of semi- persistent the UE transmits multiple prediction reports after the request e.g. periodically.

[0298] - In the case of aperiodic or semi-persistent measurement reports, the subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells corresponds to a cell which may be indicated in the request, or a cell associated to a configuration indication included in the request e.g. a reporting configuration identifier and / or a prediction configuration identifier.

[0299] - In aperiodic or semi-persistent measurement reporting, any of the embodiments / options in which the UE determines the sorting quantity could be applied for such a case.

[0300] - In another option, the UE determines the sorting quantity to be a quantity indicated in the request message, such as a prediction quantity (e.g. predicted RSRP, predicted RSRQ, predicted SINR), or a HOF prediction information or a RLF prediction post HO information.

[0301] Example of Failure reports:

[0302] In the case the report corresponds to a failure report, the report is triggered / logged by an event of failure e.g., either the radio link failure caused by expiry of RLF supervision timers such as T310, T312 or beam failure recovery failure or LBT failure etc. or the report is triggered / logged by an expiry of a reconfiguration with synch failure or a (RACH based or RACH less) LTM cell switch failure, in single connectivity scenarios.

[0303] In an example the report is RLF-Report. In such scenarios the UE d does not need to be configured by the network to determine the neighbor cells and sort them based on the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) without being explicitly configured by the network to choose the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) as criteria to determines the cells to be included in the report. In other words, the UE determines the sorting quantity based on the detected failure event. In case of logging the RLF-report the UE may store the report and the determined cells in a memory before sending the report to the network upon network request received after report availability indication sent by the UE (e.g., before UE information request response procedure).

[0304] A non-limiting example of the procedural text based in the RRC TS 38.331 version 18.1.0 is given in the following, where additions are shown via underlined text.

[0305] 5.3.10.5 RLF report content determination

[0306] The UE shall determine the content in the VarRLF-Report as follows:

[0307] [text omited]

[0308] 1> for each of the configured measObjectNR (or predictionObjectNR) in which measurements are available:

[0309] 2> if the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) quantities are available:

[0310] 3> set the measResultListNR in measResultNeighCells to include all the available measurement or predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) quantities of the best measured cells, other than the source PCell (in case HO failure) or PCell (in case RLF), ordered such that the cell with lowest predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) is listed first otherwise the cell with highest SS / PBCH block RSRP is listed first if SS / PBCH block RSRP measurement results are available, otherwise the cell with highest SS / PBCH block RSRQ is listed first if SS / PBCH block RSRQ measurement results are available, otherwise the cell with highest SS / PBCH block SINR is listed first, based on the available SS / PBCH block based measurements collected up to the moment the UE detected failure;

[0311] 4> for each neighbour cell included, include the optional fields that are available;

[0312] NOTE 0a: For the neighboring cells included in measResultListNR in measResultNeighCells ordered based on the SS / PBCH block measurement quantities, UE also includes the CSI-RS based measurement quantities, if available.

[0313] In another example the report is SCGFailurelnformation in the scenario of detecting failure in PSCell in dual connectivity scenario. In a variant in such scenarios, the UE does not need to be configured by the network to determine the neighbor cells. The UE instead sorts the neighbor cells measurement and predictions based on the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) without being explicitly configured by the network to choose the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) as sorting criteria. In other words, the UE determines the sorting quantity based on the detected event which is a failure at PSCell. Upon initiating the SCGFailurelnformation the UE includes the determined cells in the report before sending the report to the node serving the PCell. In another variant of this example, the UE may be configured by the network to sort the neighbor cells in the SCGfailurelnfromation based on the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF).

[0314] A non-limiting example of the procedural text based in the RRC TS 38.331 version 18.1.0 is given in the following, where additions are shown via underlined text.

[0315] 5.7.3.5 Actions related to transmission of SCGFailurelnformation message

[0316] The UE shall set the contents of the SCGFailurelnformation message as follows:

[0317] [text omitted]

[0318] 1> for each MeasObjectNR or PredictObjectNR configured by a MeasConflg or PredictObject associated with the MCG, and for which measurement results are available:

[0319] 2> set the measResultNeighCellList in measResultFreqList to include the best measured cells, ordered such that the best cell is listed first, and set its fields as follows;

[0320] 3> ordering the cells with sorting as follows:

[0321] 4> based on predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) if predictions are available, otherwise SS / PBCH block if SS / PBCH block measurement results are available and otherwise based on CSI-RS;

[0322] 4> using predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) e. RSRP if RSRP measurement results are available, otherwise using RSRQ if RSRQ measurement results are available, otherwise using SINR;

[0323] In another example the report is MCGFailurelnformation in the scenario of detecting failure in PCell in dual connectivity scenario. In a variant in such scenarios, the UE does not need to be configured by the network to determine the neighbor cells based on the sorting quantity. The UE, upon detecting the failure, sorts the neighboring cells information and predictions based on the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) without being explicitly configured by the network to choose the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) as sorting criteria. Upon initiating the MCGFailurelnformation the UE includes the determined cells’ information and predictions in the report before sending the report to the node serving the PCell via a cell associated with the SCG. In another variant of this example, the UE may be configured by the network to sort the neighbor cells in the MCGfailurelnfromation based on the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF).

[0324] A non-limiting example of the procedural text based in the RRC TS 38.331 version 18.1.0 is given in the following, where additions are shown via underlined text.

[0325] 5.7.3b.4 Actions related to transmission of MCGFailurelnformation message

[0326] The UE shall set the contents of the MCGFailurelnformation message as follows:

[0327] [text omitted]

[0328] 2> set the measResultNeighCellList in measResultFreqList to include the best measured cells, ordered such that the best cell is listed first, and based on measurements and / or predictions collected up to the moment the UE detected the failure, and set its fields as follows;

[0329] 3> ordering the cells with sorting as follows:

[0330] 4> based on predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) if predictions are available, otherwise SS / PBCH block if SS / PBCH block measurement results are available and otherwise based on CSI-RS;

[0331] 4> using predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) quantities if prediction quantities are available, otherwise, RSRP if RSRP measurement results are available, otherwise using RSRQ if RSRQ measurement results are available, otherwise using SINR;

[0332] 3> for each neighbour cell included:

[0333] 4> include the optional fields that are available.

[0334] 3 Other forms of sorting quantity

[0335] In some cases, the mobility related time-domain prediction(s) are not associated to a measurement quantity, such as when the mobility related time-domain prediction(s) comprise predicted location related information and / or predicted trajectory information and / or predicted mobility target information (cell identifier the UE is likely to move in a future time instance).

[0336] In these cases, the UE may determine the sorting quantity to be associated to one of these metrics, and the UE sorts the cells in decreasing order to likelihood of the cell being a target cell. In other words, the top ‘X’ cells to include in the measurement report are the cells for which predictions indicate that the UE is most likely to move to in a future time instance. 4 Distance As a metric for sorting quantity

[0337] As mentioned above, in an embodiment (e.g., see Embodiment 17), when a higher value of the determined sorting quantity indicates that the UE has a geographical trajectory that has a closer distance (e.g., Euclidean distance) to a cell, then sorting the cells is in increasing order of the sorting quantity. That is, for the prediction time frame, the first ordered cell is the one with the UE having closing trajectory to it. Such distance should not reflect only an instantaneous measure, but also temporally quantile measures of trajectory.

[0338] The top cell in the sorting is the cell the UE is geographically closest to. So, the UE estimates its distance to the base station, and selects the cells for base stations which are the closest in distance.

[0339] The benefit here is to reflect temporal aspect of UE’s trajectory distance into the sorting, instead of considering only probability, such that not only instantaneous distance but also temporally quantile measures of trajectory is considered. This bring extra-stability into higher order (sorted) cells.

[0340] There are several methods for calculating distance, which are described below:

[0341] 4. 1 Ml: Euclidean Calculation in a 2D Plane.

[0342] Formula:

[0343] This method calculates the straight-line distance in a 2D Cartesian coordinate system. It’s typically used in urban or small-scale areas where altitude differences between UE and BS are negligible. It is useful for quick, simple calculations in flat terrain or areas where base stations are at similar altitudes to the UEs.

[0344] 4. M2: Euclidean Distance in 3D Plane.

[0345] Formula: distance = (xBS- x / JE)2+ (yBS- y / JE)2+ (zBS- z / JE)2

[0346] When altitude variations are significant (e.g., in hilly or mountainous regions or with rooftop or aerial base stations), calculating the 3D Euclidean distance gives a more accurate measure by including height as a factor. This method is essential for areas with uneven terrain or high-rise structures where signal quality and path loss are impacted by elevation differences. 4.3 M3: GPS based (Haversine).

[0347] Formula:

[0348] This calculates the distance on a spherical surface, ideal for longer distances (e.g., when distances exceed several kilometers). Here, RRR is Earth's radius, and latitudes and longitudes are converted to radians. This often used in macrocell planning for rural or intercity areas where BS and UE may be separated by significant geographical distances.

[0349] 4.4 M4: gNBs and / or UEs triangulation.

[0350] When multiple base stations (BSs) detect a UE’s signal, triangulation can estimate the UE’s position. Each BS measures the received signal strength or time-of-arrival, and through trilateration (solving intersecting circles or spheres around each BS), it is possible to estimate distance. This method is used in Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 5thGeneration (5G) networks to locate UEs, particularly in dense urban settings. This method increases accuracy in positioning when environmental interference affects signal travel.

[0351] This method can be conducted by either TDoA or AoA calculations as follows:

[0352] Time difference of Arrival (TDoA) which calculates the location of the UE by measuring the differences in the time it takes for a signal to arrive at different gNBs. Since the signal travels at a constant speed (the speed of light), the time difference can be translated into a distance difference.

[0353] • Formulation: dij=v tij where: o dy is the distance difference between gNB i and gNB j to the UE. o v is the speed of light. o Aty is the time difference of arrival at gNBs i and j .

[0354] • Equation for Position: For multiple gNBs, TDoA can be used to establish a system of hyperbolic equations: where: o (x,y) is the location of the UE. o (xi,y0 and (xj,yj) are the coordinates of gNBs i and j. • Solving the Equations: With three or more gNBs, this system of equations forms intersecting hyperbolas. The point where they intersect is the estimated position of the UE. The equations can be solved using numerical methods or optimization algorithms such as non-linear least squares.

[0355] Angle of Arrival (AoA): In which, each gNB estimates the angle at which it receives the UE’s signal. With multiple gNBs, these angles can triangulate the UE’s location by intersecting lines along the measured angles.

[0356] • Formulation: If each gNB iii knows the angle 0i\theta_i0i at which the signal arrives, we can create line equations based on these angles: y=yi+tan (0i)-(x~xi) where (xi,y0 is the position of gNB i, and 0i is the angle of arrival from the UE.

[0357] • Intersection of Lines: For two gNBs, the AoA information provides two lines. The intersection of these lines gives an estimate of the UE’s position: o For three or more gNBs, it’s possible to use least squares optimization to determine the point that best matches all calculated lines.

[0358] 5 Same or different subsets of neighbor cells to be reported

[0359] In the following it is disclosed different alternatives to include the subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells in the measurement report for which to include the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction.

[0360] Embodiments are disclosed in which a same subset of neighbor cells with measurements is used. In one option, the subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells for which the UE includes the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction are the ‘X’ detected neighbor cells for which the UE includes one or more measurement quantities (e.g. as configured as a reporting quantity and / or as trigger quantity), such as in the case of including the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction in a measurement report. Thus, when the sorting function is performed and the ‘X’ cells are selected to be included according to a sorting quantity (top X, in decreasing order according to the sorting quantity), the UE includes the measurements for these cells and predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction.

[0361] Embodiments are disclosed in which a same subset of neighbor cells with time-domain predictions of measurements is used. In one option, the subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells for which the UE includes the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction are the ‘X’ detected neighbor cells for which the UE includes one or more time- domain predictions of measurements (e.g. pRSRP and / or pRSRQ and / or pSINR), such as in the case of including the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction in a prediction report. Thus, when the sorting function is performed and the ‘X’ cells are selected to be included according to a sorting quantity (top X, in decreasing order according to the sorting quantity), the UE includes the time-domain predictions of measurements for these cells and predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction.

[0362] Embodiments are disclosed in which separate subsets of neighbor cells with measurements are used. In another option, the subset of ‘X’ detected neighbor cells for which the UE includes the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction are not necessarily the same ‘X’ detected neighbor cells for which the UE includes one or more measurements. In other words, the UE performs a first sorting function (defined according to the method (e.g. based on a HOF prediction)) for sorting the cells for which to include the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction and a second sorting function for sorting the cells for which to include the measurement quantities (e.g. based on trigger quantity, in the case of an event triggered RRC Measurement Report).

[0363] - In one sub-option, the additional sorting function is the same as the first sorting function.

[0364] - In another sub-option, the additional sorting function is different than the first sorting function.

[0365] The fact that the subsets are separated (e.g. included in two different ‘lists’ in the report e.g. in the RRC Measurement Report) does not preclude that the same cells are included e.g. in case the first and the second sorting function(s) are the same, or in case the results of the sorting leads to the same output even in case the sorting function(s) are different.

[0366] In one sub-option, for this case of two sorting functions and two separated subsets of neighbor cells, the UE is configured with two values of maximum number of cells to report: a first value ‘X’ associated to the number of neighbor cells for which to include the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction and a second value ‘Y’ associated to the number of detected neighbor cells for which to include the measurement quantities (e.g. configured as reporting quantities).

[0367] - Thus, when the first sorting function is performed and the ‘X’ cells are selected to be included according to a sorting quantity (e.g. top X, in decreasing order according to the sorting quantity), the UE includes the for these cells the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction.

[0368] - And, when the second sorting function is performed and the ‘Y’ cells are selected to be included according to a sorting quantity (top Y, in decreasing order according to the sorting quantity), the UE includes the for these cells the measurement quantities (e.g. configured as reporting quantities).

[0369] In another sub-option, for this case of two sorting functions and two separated subsets of neighbor cells, the UE is configured with a single value for the maximum number of cells to report i.e. the value ‘X’ associated to the number of detected neighbor cells for which to include the predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction is the same value associated to the number of detected neighbor cells for which to include the measurement quantities (e.g. configured as reporting quantities).

[0370] - Thus, when the sorting function is performed and the ‘X’ cells are selected to be included according to a sorting quantity (top X, in decreasing order according to the sorting quantity), the UE includes the measurements for these cells and one or more available predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction.

[0371] In this option, the fact that there are separate lists for the cells with measurements and the cells with predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction, does not preclude that the cells with predicted RLF (RLF prediction) related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction also include, in the same list, one or more time-domain measurement prediction(s). That is indeed another option. In that case, the first list may be formed according to the first sorting function, wherein the sorting quantity is determined by the UE according to one of the methods disclosed herein e.g. in Section 1 above.

[0372] 6 HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO

[0373] According to the method, the UE determines for a neighbor cell one or more predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information, to be included in a report (e.g. Measurement Report, Prediction Report).

[0374] In this context, “HOF prediction” and / or “RLF prediction post HO” corresponds to at least one of these (or any combination of them):

[0375] - At least one indication that a HOF (or Post HO RLF) be declared at a future time instance for the neighbor cell; o That indication may comprise a flag (e.g. that may be set to TRUE or FALSE, or something like that); o That indication may comprise an associated time information, indicating when the HOF may occur; that may further indicate that this may o In the case of multiple indications, that may be a list (or equivalent structure like a SEQUENCE) of indications, for different time instances; ■ In the case of multiple indications, that may be a list of indications for different time instances to indicate whether Post HO RLF or HOF is predicted to occur at a given point in time. For example, a list like this one [true true true true false] indicates that RLF is predicted to occur from the first time instance until the fourth, but not at the fifth. o That indication may comprise a probability value indicating how likely is that Post HO RLF or HOF is going to be declared. That may be associated to a future time instance, in relation to the instance in which the prediction is performed. The prediction may be considered as time-domain prediction, in that sense.

[0376] - At least one indication of the reason a HOF or Post HO RLF may possibly be declared according to the prediction. o In the case of a Post HO RLF, that may comprise at least one of the following;

[0377] ■ Physical layer problems;

[0378] ■ Expiry of timer T310;

[0379] ■ MAC protocol problems, due to a possibly reach of the maximum number of preamble transmission attempts, or any other random access problems;

[0380] ■ RLC problems due to a possibly reach of the maximum number of retransmissions); o In the case of a HOF, that may comprise at least one of the following;

[0381] ■ Expiry of timer T304;

[0382] ■ MAC protocol problems with a target cell while timer T304 is running, e.g., if UE would reach a maximum number of preamble transmission attempts, and / or when the UE tries to access a cell with a RACH-less procedure (by transmitting a scheduling request over PUSCH without receiving a grant on the Physical Downlink control Channel - PDCCH)

[0383] According to the method, the UE derives predictions of Post HO RLF and / or HOF prediction related information based on inputs used in an AI / ML model (also called inference function). Below we describe examples of possible ways to derive predictions Post HO RLF and HOF prediction related information, and possible parameters possibly used by the prediction model.

[0384] In one option, at the end at tO UE may be able to get a vector / list with a time series predictions for occurrences of Out-Of-Sync (OOS) events for a neighbor cell the UE would move to in a HO, such as [X OOS OOS OOS OOS] with the first value at tO meaning that all is fine (represented by an X), then one can see that at tO+T UE predicts an OOS event, same at tO+2*T, same at tO+3*T, so if N310*=3 (where N310* could be something different for predictions compared to N310 for real RLF, perhaps more conservative for predictions N310*»N310, or even a mapping based on probabilities and N310* represents consecutive OOS predictions to predict starting T310 timer.). Hence, at tO+3*T the UE predicts the occurrence of the start of timer T310. Then, knowing the value of timer T310, UE can check further predictions, and also predict if OOS continues and / or no IS event is expected while timer T310 is running. For example, if timer T310* value = T, and at tO+4*T there was no IS event, UE may predict the expiry of timer T310, hence, predict the RLF declaration in advance (in this example, 4*T in advance).

[0385] In one option, at the end at tO UE infers that in case a HO command for a target cell A would be received at a time instance tO+T* (e.g. approximately close to tO) the UE would not be able to successfully access the target.

[0386] - In one sub-option, the UE would infer that timer T304 would expire. In that sense, a possible configuration for a HOF prediction is a T304 like value, so that the UE infers that in case a HO command for a target cell A would be received at a time instance tO+T* the UE would not be able to successfully access the target within the T304 timer is running; in other words, the UE would predict the expiry of timer T304.

[0387] - In one sub-option, the UE would infer one or more values of time-domain predictions of measurements of a neighbor cell (e.g. predicted SINR), which may become a target cell, would decrease below a threshold for an amount of time longer than T_k, which would indicate a likelihood of a HOF.

[0388] In another option, at the end at tO UE infers that in case a HO command for a target cell A would be received at a time instance tO+T* (e.g. approximately close to tO) the UE would not be able to successfully access the target. In that sense, a possible configuration for a HOF prediction is a T304 like value, so that the UE infers that in case a HO command for a target cell A would be received at a time instance tO+T* the UE would not be able to successfully access the target within the T304 timer is running; in other words, the UE would predict the expiry of timer T304.

[0389] In one option, the UE uses as input to the AI / ML model for inferring HOF prediction for a neighbor cell one or more measurements such as RSRP, RSRQ, SINR at a certain point in time TO for the same cells the UE perform predictions, based on an Reference Singla (RS) type like Synchronization signal block (SSB) and / or Channel State Information-RS (CSI-RS), either instantaneous values or filtered values, with Layer 3 (L3) filter parameters configured by RRC, for the neighbor cell. In another option, the UE uses as input to the AI / ML model for inferring HOF prediction for a neighbor cell parameters from sensors, such as UE positioning information (e.g. GPS coordinates, barometric sensor information or other indicators of height), rotation sensors, proximity sensors, and mobility such as, location information, previous connected BSs history, speed and mobility direction, information from mapping / guiding applications (e.g. Google maps, Apple maps). The UE may correlate these parameters with the event of an actual HOF.

[0390] In another option, the UE uses as input to the AI / ML model for inferring HOF prediction for a neighbor cell metrics related to UE connection, such as average package delay, input from sensors such as rotation, movement, etc. UE uses some route information (e.g. current location, final destination and route) as input. The UE may correlate these parameters with the event of an actual HOF.

[0391] In another option, the UE uses as input to the AI / ML model for inferring HOF prediction for a neighbor cell UE mobility history information such as last visited beams, last visited cells, last visited tracking areas, last visited registration areas, last visited RAN areas, last visited PLMNs, last visited countries, last visited cities, last visited states, etc.

[0392] In another option, the UE uses as input to the AI / ML model for inferring HOF prediction for a neighbor cell absolute timing information such as the current time (e.g. 10: 15 am) and associated time zone (e.g. 10: 15 GMT). That may be relevant if the UE has a predictable traj ectory, and it is typical that at a certain time the UE is in a certain location.

[0393] 7 Handling of multiple available values of HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO

[0394] In the following, the UE actions are described for when there are multiple values of HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO for multiple ’k’ time instances in the future for a cell for a given values of HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO e.g. when the AI / ML model at the UE derives as inference and / or outputs the values:

[0395] - pHOF(A,l), pHOF(A,2), pHOF(A,3), . . . ., pHOF(A,k), wherein pHOF(A,k) denotes the HOF prediction (e.g. probability of a HOF) value of cell A in a future time instance indicated by the value k e.g. k-th future time instance.

[0396] In the case in which the UE determines the sorting quantity to be e.g. 3) a HOF prediction information, the UE determines a value (e.g. representative value) derived from at least one of the multiple available values of HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO to sort the cells.

[0397] For example, let us assume the following scenario:

[0398] - Cell A: pHOF(A, 1), pRLF(A, 1); pHOF(A, 2), pRLF(A, 2); pHOF (A, 3), pRLF(A, 3); - Cell B: pHOF(B, 1), pRLF(B, 1); pHOF(B, 2), pRLF(B, 2); pHOF (B, 3), pRLF(B, 3);

[0399] - Cell C: pHOF(C, 1), pRLF(C, 1); pHOF(C, 2), pRLF(C, 2); pHOF (C, 3), pRLF(C, 3); wherein pHOF(A,k) denotes the HOF prediction value of cell A in a future time instance indicated by the value k e.g. k-th future time instance; and pRLF(A,k) denotes the RLF prediction post HO value of cell A in a future time instance indicated by the value k e.g. k-th future time instance.

[0400] The UE determines a value per cell, of the sorting quantity, to sort the cells, wherein the value (representative value) is associated to at least one of the multiple values of a HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO in the multiple future time instances. The value of the sorting quantity per cell to be used is determined by the UE to be one of the following:

[0401] - i) determining the latest HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO per cell to be the value used by the UE in the sorting;

[0402] - ii) determining the first HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO per cell to be the value used by the UE in the sorting;

[0403] - iii) determining the maximum value among the HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO per cell to be the value used by the UE in the sorting

[0404] - iv) determining the minimum value among the HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO per cell to be the value used by the UE in the sorting;

[0405] - v) determining an average value of the HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO per cell to be the value used by the UE in the sorting;

[0406] - vi) determining the maximum with highest accuracy and / or lowest prediction error among the HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO per cell to be the value used by the UE in the sorting;

[0407] - vii) determining the value associated to a time instance k indicated by the network among the HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO per cell to be the value used by the UE in the sorting.

[0408] For example, let us assume the UE determines the HOF prediction (e.g. probability of a HOF in a future time instance) as sorting quantity (e.g. according to one of the methods / embodiments in the previous sections, like the one in Section 1 and option i in the list above) is used to determine the representative value to be used for the actual sorting. In other words, the UE determines the latest HOF prediction per cell to be the value used by the UE in the sorting. Thus, this is the input to the sorting function:

[0409] - Cell A: pHOF(A, 3);

[0410] - Cell B: pHOF(B, 3); - Cell C: pHOF (C, 3); wherein pHOF(C, 3) < pHOF(B, 3) < pHOF(A, 3).

[0411] In that case, when maximum number of cells for which the UE includes the HOF prediction and / or the RLF prediction post HO is X=2, the UE would include in the report the cells C and B, since values pHOF(C, 3) < pHOF(B, 3) < pHOF(A, 3) were used for the sorting and sorting is in increasing order of pHOF, as follows:

[0412] - 1) Cell C: pHOF (C, 3);

[0413] - 2) Cell B: pHOF(B, 3);

[0414] - 3) Cell A: pHOF(A, 3);

[0415] In one option, the UE includes in the report, for the included cell(s), among the values, only the latest HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO per cell. In another option, the UE also includes the other values available for other time instances.

[0416] For example, let us assume the UE determines the HOF prediction (e.g. probability of a HOF in a future time instance) as sorting quantity (e.g. according to one of the methods / embodiments in the previous sections, like the one in Section 1 and option ii) is used to determine the representative value to be used for the actual sorting. In other words, the UE determines the first HOF prediction per cell to be the value used by the UE in the sorting. Thus, this is the input to the sorting function:

[0417] - Cell A: pHOF(A, 1);

[0418] - Cell B: pHOF(B, 1);

[0419] - Cell C: pHOF (C, 1); wherein pHOF(B, 1) > pHOF(A, 1) > pHOF(C, 1).

[0420] In that case, when maximum number of cells for which the UE includes HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO is X=2, the UE would include in the report cells C and A, since values pHOF(B, 1) > pHOF(A, 1) > pHOF(C, 1) were used for the sorting and sorting is in increasing order of pHOF, as follows:

[0421] - 1) Cell C: pHOF (C, 1);

[0422] - 2) Cell A: pHOF(A, 1);

[0423] - 3) Cell B: pHOF(B, 1);

[0424] In one option, the UE includes in the report, for the included cell(s), only the first HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO per cell. In another option, the UE also includes the other values available for other time instances.

[0425] For example, let us assume the UE determines HOF prediction as sorting quantity and option iv) is used to determine the value to be used for sorting i.e. iv) the UE determines an average value of the HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO values per cell to be the value used by the UE in the sorting; Thus, this is the input to the sorting function:

[0426] - Cell A: average (pHOF(A, 1); pHOF(A, 2); pHOF (A, 3))

[0427] - Cell B: average (pHOF(B, 1); pHOF(B, 2); pHOF (B, 3))

[0428] - Cell C: average (pHOF(C, 1); pHOF(C, 2); pHOF (C, 3))

[0429] Wherein average (pHOF(A, 1); pHOF(A, 2); pHOF (A, 3)) > average (pHOF(B, 1); pHOF(B, 2); pHOF (B, 3)) > average (pHOF(C, 1); pHOF(C, 2); pHOF (C, 3))

[0430] In that case, when max number of cells to report the HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction post HO is X=2, the UE would include in the report cells C and B, since average (pHOF(A, 1); pHOF(A, 2); pHOF (A, 3)) > average (pHOF(B, 1); pHOF(B, 2); pHOF (B, 3)) > average (pHOF(C, 1); pHOF(C, 2); pHOF (C, 3)) were used for the sorting and sorting is in increasing order of pHOF, as follows:

[0431] - 1) Cell C: average (pHOF(C, 1); pHOF(C, 2); pHOF (C, 3))

[0432] - 2) Cell A: average (pHOF(A, 1); pHOF(A, 2); pHOF (A, 3))

[0433] - 3) Cell B: average (pHOF(B, 1); pHOF(B, 2); pHOF (B, 3))

[0434] In one option, the UE considers for the average a maximum number of time instances e.g. up to k* time instances, even if the UE has more than k* instances available. The value of k* may be configured at the UE by the network.

[0435] The benefit here is that this works for the case in which the AI / ML model produces a different number of values for future time instances for the different cells. This is also an advantage of options iii) and v).

[0436] In one option, the UE derives the same number of values for future time instances per cell which are considering in the sorting, to be included in the report.

[0437] In one option, the UE includes in the report, for the included cell(s), only the representative values according to one or more of the options above (e.g. i), ii), iii), ... , vii)) per cell. In another option, the UE also includes the other values available for other time instances.

[0438] In another option, the UE derives different number of values for future time instances for at least one cell which is considered in the sorting, to be included in the measurement report.

[0439] For example, let us assume the following scenario:

[0440] - Cell A: pHOF(A, 1), pRLF(A, 1);

[0441] - Cell B: pHOF(B, 1), pRLF(B, 1); pHOF(B, 2), pRLF(B, 2); pHOF(B, 3), pRLF(B, 3);

[0442] - Cell C: pHOF(C, 1), pRLF(C, 1); pHOF(C, 2), pRLF(C, 2);

[0443] As one can see, there is 1 predicted value for cell A, for pHOF and pRLF; 3 for cel B for pHOF and pRLF; and 2 for cell C. For example, let us assume the UE determines pHOF as sorting quantity (e.g. according to one of the methods / embodiments in the previous sections, like the ones in Section 1) and option i) is used to determine the value to be used for sorting. In other words, the UE determines the latest pHOF per cell to be the value used by the UE in the sorting.

[0444] In one variant, the latest value is the latest per cell i.e. for cell A: pHOF(A,l), for cell B: pHOF(B,3) and for cell C: pHOF(C,2). Thus, when pHOF(A,l) < pHOF(C,2) < pHOF(B,3) the sorting is as follows:

[0445] - 1) Cell A

[0446] - 2) Cell C

[0447] - 3) Cell B

[0448] In another variant, the latest value is the latest which is common for all cells i.e. for cell A: pHOF(A,l), for cell B: pHOF(B,l) and for cell C: pHOF(C,l), since all the cells have the first prediction (k=l) as the latest prediction. Thus, when pHOF (A,l) < pHOF(B,l) < pHOF(C,l) the sorting is as follows:

[0449] - 1) Cell A

[0450] - 2) Cell B

[0451] - 3) Cell C.

[0452] 8 Configuration message from the network

[0453] According to the method, the UE receives a message from the network including a configuration, indicating to the UE how to perform the cell sorting and what information to include in the report.

[0454] The configuration message, e.g. a RRCReconfiguration with measurement configuration (e.g. IE MeasConfig) includes any one or more of the following:

[0455] • Sorting quantity, configuring how the UE performs the sorting of the cells to be included in the report, e.g.:

[0456] 1) HOF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of HOF, or likelihood of a HO success);

[0457] 2) RLF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of RLF after HO, or likelihood of no RLF after HO success);

[0458] 3) Measurement quantity (e.g. RSRP, RSRQ, SINR);

[0459] 4) Predicted measurement quantity (e.g. predicted RSRP, predicted RSRQ, predicted

[0460] SINR); • Accuracy / confidence level threshold: the cell is considered relevant for sorting when the HOF prediction (and / or the Post HO RLF prediction) has an accuracy / confidence level higher than the threshold. o For example, if the confidence level of HOF prediction or RLF prediction is lower that the threshold, the cell is not considered relevant for the sorting.

[0461] • Subsets of neighbor cells to be included in the report: o Same subset of neighbor cells with measurements (or time-domain predictions of measurements): when the sorting function is performed and the ‘X’ cells are selected to be included according to a sorting quantity, the UE includes the measurements (or time-domain predictions of measurements) for these cells and predicted RLF related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction. o Separate subsets of neighbor cells with measurements: the UE performs a first sorting function (defined according to the sorting quantity (e.g. based on a HOF prediction) for sorting the cells for which to include the predicted RLF related information (Post HO RLF) and / or the HOF prediction, and a second sorting function for sorting the cells for which to include the measurement quantities. The subsets are reported separately (e.g. included in two different ‘lists’ in the report, e.g. in the RRC Measurement Report).

[0462] 9 Sorting based on specified function and / or UE implementation

[0463] NOTE: In the methods described above, the configuration and reporting of cells according to sorting criteria may become UE actions to be standardized. However, it could be the case that the sorting criteria ends up left to UE implementation or partly based on UE implementation.

[0464] Sorting criteria fully based on UE implementation

[0465] In one option, the sorting criteria is purely based on UE implementation and nothing additional is standardized. The sorting criteria that the UE has applied is testable, by analyzing the content of the reports. An environment can be set up where the UE is configured to provide HOF prediction information, RLF prediction information, measurement results and predicted measurement results. The UE is triggered to move around in a cluster of cells and the UE transmits reports according to the configuration. The content of the reports is analyzed and the sorting quantity that the UE has used can be determined.

[0466] In one option, the UE determines that the subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells are the top ‘X’ neighbor cells sorted according to a sorting quantity based on:

[0467] 1) HOF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of HOF, or likelihood of a HO success); 2) RLF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of RLF after HO, or likelihood of no RLF after HO success);

[0468] 3) Measurement quantity (e.g. RSRP, RSRQ, SINR);

[0469] 4) Predicted measurement quantity (e.g. predicted RSRP, predicted RSRQ, predicted SINR).

[0470] Any other option as described above in Sections 1-6 may also be applicable to a UE implementation based solution.

[0471] Sorting criteria partly based on UE implementation

[0472] In one option, the sorting criteria is partly standardized and partly left to UE implementation. This case is also testable by analyzing the content of the reports. An environment can be set up where the UE is configured to provide HOF prediction information, RLF prediction information, measurement results and predicted measurement. The UE is triggered to move around in a cluster of cells and the UE transmits reports according to the configuration. The content of the reports is analyzed, and it can be verified that the UE follows the sorting criteria that is specified. The remaining content of the reports is further analyzed, and it can be determined with sorting quantity that the UE has used for the remaining content.

[0473] Different options of criteria partly based on UE implementation are listed below. The list can be seen as examples of what sorting criteria that may be specified and what may be based on UE implementation. Any criteria listed in previous chapters may be used to determine what to include in the report where some criteria may be specified and some criteria may be left to UE implementation, and where the UE uses any of the criteria listed in previous chapters in the implementation.

[0474] - The UE includes HOF prediction information of at least one cell and RLF prediction information of at least one cell. Additional cells are included based on UE implementation, e.g. based on the likelihood of HOF or RLF prediction being above a certain threshold. Measurement quantity and predicted measurement quantity are included in decreasing order of the quantity.

[0475] - The UE includes HOF prediction information of at least one cell and RLF prediction information of the serving cell. Additional cells are included based on UE implementation, e.g. based on the likelihood of HOF or RLF prediction being above a certain threshold. Measurement quantity and predicted measurement quantity are included in decreasing order of the quantity.

[0476] - The UE includes RLF prediction information of the serving cell if the probability of RLF is above a certain level. HOF prediction information is included based on UE implementation, e.g. based on the likelihood of HOF being above a certain threshold. Measurement quantity and predicted measurement quantity are included in decreasing order of the quantity.

[0477] - The UE includes RLF prediction information of the serving cell if the probability of RLF is above a certain level. HOF prediction information is included based on UE implementation, e.g. based on the likelihood of HOF or RLF prediction being above a certain threshold. Measurement quantity is included in decreasing order of the quantity and predicted measurement quantity is included based on UE implementation, e.g. based on decreasing order of the quantity.

[0478] - The UE includes HOF prediction information and RLF prediction information based on UE implementation, e.g. based on the likelihood of HOF or RLF prediction being above a certain threshold. Measurement quantity and predicted measurement quantity are included in decreasing order of the quantity.

[0479] - The UE includes HOF prediction information and RLF prediction information based on UE implementation, e.g. based on the likelihood of HOF or RLF prediction being above a certain threshold. Measurement quantity is included in decreasing order of the quantity and predicted measurement quantity is included based on UE implementation, e.g. if the prediction quantity is above a certain threshold.

[0480] - The UE includes HOF prediction information and / or RLF prediction information of at least one cell in total, e.g. based on the likelihood of HOF or RLF prediction being above a certain threshold. Measurement quantity and predicted measurement quantity are included in decreasing order of the quantity.

[0481] - The UE includes HOF prediction information and / or RLF prediction information of at least one cell in total, e.g. based on the likelihood of HOF or RLF prediction being above a certain threshold. Measurement quantity is included in decreasing order of the quantity and predicted measurement quantity is included based on UE implementation, e.g. if the prediction quantity is above a certain threshold.

[0482] - The UE includes HOF prediction information, RLF prediction information, measurement quantity and predicted quantity for an indicated number of cells, where the indication may be the specific cells or the number of cells. Which information the UE includes for these cells is up to UE implementation, e.g. based on any sorting criteria listed above.

[0483] 10 Further Description Related to All Embodiments Above

[0484] Figure 2 illustrates the operation of a wireless device, which in this example is a UE, and a network node (e.g., a RAN node such as, e.g., a base station (e.g., a gNB)), in accordance with at least some of the embodiments described above. Optional steps are represented by dashed lines / boxes. Note that details regarding various embodiments of aspects related to the steps of the procedure of Figure 2 are described above and are equally applicable here to the description of Figure 2. As illustrated, the UE receives, from the network node, a configuration (e.g., a message containing the configuration) that indicates, to the UE, to include, in a report, predicted HOF (i.e., HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (e.g., RLF prediction) post-HO related information (e.g., for a subset of neighbor cells) (step 200). This configuration may be in accordance with any of the embodiments of the configuration described herein (e.g., in Section 8 above). The UE generates a report such that the report includes predicted HOF (i.e., HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (e.g., RLF prediction) post-HO related information for a subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells accordance to a sorting quantity (step 202). Details regarding various embodiments of the report, the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information, the sorting quantity (or other or related sorting mechanism), and the manner in which the subset of the ‘X’ neighbor cells are determined are described above and equally applicable here to step 202. In one embodiments, the UE sorts a set of cells consisting of all of the ‘X’ neighbor cells of the UE or at least some of the ‘X’ neighbor cells of the UE (e.g., only the relevant neighbor cells), in accordance with the sorting quantity. Then, the UE selects the first (or last depending on how the cells are sorted) cells in the sorted set of cells as the subset for which to include predicted HOF (i.e., HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (e.g., RLF prediction) post-HO related information in the report. The UE then transmits the report to, in this example, the network node (step 204). The UE may alternatively transmit the report to another network node (i.e., a network node other than the one from which the UE received the configuration in step 200).

[0485] Figure 3 shows an example of a communication system 300 in accordance with some embodiments. The UE or wireless device described above may be, for example, one of the UEs 312 of Figure 3, and the network node or base station or RAN node or gNB described above may be one of the network nodes 310 of Figure 3.

[0486] In the example, the communication system 300 includes a telecommunications network 302 that includes an access network 304, such as a radio access network (RAN), and a core network 306, which includes one or more core network nodes 308. The access network 304 includes one or more access network nodes or base stations of various types, access network nodes 310A and 310B are depicted (which may be collectively referred to as network nodes 310), or any other similar 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) access nodes or non-3GPP access points (APs). Some embodiments of the access network 304 may include more than one access network technology. The network nodes 310 of access network 304 facilitate direct or indirect connection of wireless devices, also referred to as user equipments (UEs), such as by connecting UEs 312A, 312B, 312C, and 312D (one or more of which may be generally referred to as UEs 312) to the core network 306 over one or more wireless connections.

[0487] Moreover, a network node is not necessarily limited to an implementation in which a radio portion and a baseband portion are supplied and integrated by a single vendor. Thus, it will be understood that network nodes include disaggregated implementations or portions thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the telecommunications network 302 includes one or more Open- RAN (ORAN) network nodes. An ORAN network node is a network node in the telecommunications network 302 that supports an ORAN specification (e.g., a specification published by the O-RAN Alliance, or any similar organization) and may operate alone or together with other network nodes to implement one or more functionalities of any network node in the telecommunications network 302, including one or more access network nodes 310 and / or core network nodes 308.

[0488] Examples of an ORAN network node include an open radio unit (O-RU), an open distributed unit (O-DU), an open central unit (O-CU), including an O-CU control plane (O-CU- CP) or an O-CU user plane (O-CU-UP), a RAN intelligent controller (near-real time or non-real time) hosting software or software plug-ins, such as a near-real time control application (e.g., xApp) or anon-real time control application (e.g., rApp), or any combination thereof (the adjective “open” designating support of an ORAN specification). An ORAN network node may support a specification by, for example, supporting an interface defined by the ORAN specification, such as an Al, Fl, Wl, El, E2, X2, Xn interface, an open fronthaul user plane interface, or an open fronthaul management plane interface. Moreover, an ORAN network node may be a logical node in a physical node. Furthermore, an ORAN network node may be implemented in a virtualization environment (described further below) in which one or more network functions are virtualized. For example, the virtualization environment may include an O-Cloud computing platform orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an O-2 interface defined by the O-RAN Alliance or comparable technologies.

[0489] The network nodes 310 facilitate direct or indirect connection of one or more UEs 312 to the core network 306 over one or more wireless connections. Example wireless communications over a wireless connection include transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and / or other types of signals suitable for conveying information without the use of wires, cables, or other material conductors. Moreover, in different embodiments, the communication system 300 may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, UEs, and / or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and / or signals whether via wired or wireless connections. The communication system 300 may include and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, radio network, and / or other similar type of system.

[0490] The UEs 312 may be any of a wide variety of communication devices, including wireless devices arranged, configured, and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with the network nodes 310 and other communication devices. Similarly, the network nodes 308, 310 are arranged, capable, configured, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly (e.g., via other devices of telecommunications network 302) with the UEs 312 and / or with other network nodes or equipment in the telecommunications network 302 to enable and / or provide network access, such as wireless network access, and / or to perform other functions, such as administration in the telecommunications network 302. More specifically, UEs 312 may send messages, data, and / or other signals to network nodes 308, 310 or other elements of the telecommunications network 302 by transmitting such signals to the relevant device directly without the signals passing through any intervening devices or by transmitting such signals to the relevant device indirectly through an intervening device (or multiple intervening devices) that then transmit the signal to the relevant device. Similarly, network nodes 308, 310 may send messages, data, and other signals to UEs 3122, other network nodes 308, 310, and other devices in telecommunications network 302 directly or indirectly. As one specific example, a core network node 108 may transmit a particular message to a UE 312 by transmitting the message to an access network node 310 that will then transmit the message to the intended UE 312. Similarly, a core network node 108 may receive a particular message from a UE 312 by receiving the message from an access network node 310 that itself received the message from the UE 312.

[0491] In the depicted example, the core network 306 connects elements of the access network 304 (e.g., one or more of the network nodes 310) to one or more host computing systems, such as host 316. These connections may be direct or indirect via one or more intermediary networks or devices. In other examples, network nodes may be directly coupled to hosts. The core network 306 includes one or more core network nodes (e.g., core network node 308) of various types, one or more of which may be generally referred to as network nodes 308. Network nodes 308 are structured with hardware and software components. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the UEs, access network nodes, and / or hosts, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of the core network node 308. Example core network nodes provide functions of one or more of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Subscription Identifier De-concealing function (SIDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and / or a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0492] The host 316 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider other than an operator or provider of the access network 304 and / or the telecommunications network 302. The host 316 may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The host 316 may host a variety of applications to provide one or more service. Examples of such applications include live and pre-recorded audio / video content, data collection services such as retrieving and compiling data on various ambient conditions detected by a plurality of UEs, analytics functionality, social media, functions for controlling or otherwise interacting with remote devices, functions for an alarm and surveillance center, or any other such function performed by a server.

[0493] As a whole, the communication system 300 of Figure 3 enables connectivity between the UEs, network nodes, and hosts. In that sense, the communication system 300 may be configured to operate according to predefined rules or procedures, such as specific standards that include, but are not limited to: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G standards, or any applicable future generation standard (e.g., 6G); wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards (Wi-Fi); and / or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wi-Max), Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Near Field Communication (NFC) ZigBee, Li-Fi, and / or any low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) standards such as LoRa and Sigfox. Moreover, the communication system 300 may be configured to support multiple different standards, protocols, or other rule sets, with individual components supporting all of the relevant rule sets or with different components or sub-systems within the communication system 300 supporting different standards, protocols, or rule sets.

[0494] As one example, in certain embodiments, access network 304 may contain some access network nodes 310 that support 3GPP radio access technologies (RAT), such as LTE or NR, while other access network nodes 310 support (or the same access network nodes 310 additionally support) non-3GPP RATs, such as Wi-Fi or a proprietary RAT. As another example, telecommunications network 302 may support multiple generations of related communication standards (e.g., 4G and 5G 3GPP communication standards) and, as a result, may include an access network 104 and / or a core network 106 that supports multiple different standard generations or may include multiple access networks 104 and / or multiple core networks 106 with individual networks 104, 106 supporting different standard generations.

[0495] Telecommunications network 302 may support network slicing to provide different logical networks to different devices that are connected to the telecommunications network 302. For example, the telecommunications network 302 may provide Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) services to some UEs, while providing Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services to other UEs, and / or Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) / Massive loT services to yet further UEs.

[0496] In some examples, one or more of the UEs 312 are configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a UE may be designed to transmit information to the access network 304 on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the access network 304. Additionally, a UE may be configured for operating in single- or multi-RAT or multi-standard mode. For example, a UE may operate with any one or combination of Wi-Fi, NR (New Radio) and LTE, i.e. being configured for multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC), such as E-UTRAN (Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) New Radio - Dual Connectivity (EN-DC).

[0497] In the example, the hub 314 communicates with the access network 304 to facilitate indirect communication between one or more UEs (e.g., UE 312C and / or 312D) and network nodes (e.g., network node 310B). In some examples, the hub 314 may be a controller, router, content source and analytics, or any of the other communication devices described herein regarding UEs. For example, the hub 314 may be a broadband router enabling access to the core network 306 for the UEs. As another example, the hub 314 may be a controller that sends commands or instructions to one or more actuators in the UEs. Commands or instructions may be received from the UEs, network nodes 310, or by executable code, script, process, or other instructions in the hub 314.

[0498] As another example, the hub 314 may be a data collector that acts as temporary storage for UE data and, in some embodiments, may perform analysis or other processing of the data. As another example, the hub 314 may be a content source. For example, for a UE that is a VR headset, display, loudspeaker or other media delivery device, the hub 314 may retrieve VR assets, video, audio, or other media or data related to sensory information via a network node, which the hub 314 then provides to the UE either directly, after performing local processing, and / or after adding additional local content. In still another example, the hub 314 acts as a proxy server or orchestrator for the UEs, in particular if one or more of the UEs are low energy loT devices.

[0499] The hub 314 may have a constant / persistent or intermittent connection to the network node 310B. The hub 314 may also allow for a different communication scheme and / or schedule between the hub 314 and UEs (e.g., UE 312C and / or 312D), and between the hub 314 and the core network 306. In other examples, the hub 314 is connected to the core network 306 and / or one or more UEs via a wired connection. Moreover, the hub 314 may be configured to connect to an M2M service provider over the access network 304 and / or to another UE over a direct connection. In some scenarios, UEs may establish a wireless connection with the network nodes 310 while still connected via the hub 314 via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, the hub 314 may be a dedicated hub - that is, a hub whose primary function is to route communications to / from the UEs from / to the network node 310B. In other embodiments, the hub 314 may be a nondedicated hub - that is, a device which is capable of operating to route communications between the UEs and network node 31 OB, but which is additionally capable of operating as a communication start and / or end point for certain data channels.

[0500] Figure 4 is another example of a communication system 400 according to some embodiments. As used herein, the communication system 400 includes multiple access points (APs) 410 (with four exemplary APs 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D being depicted) and multiple wireless devices, referred to in the context of communication system 400 as stations (STAs) 412 (referred to individually as STA 412A, STA 412B, STA 412C, STA 412D, and STA 412E). STA 412A is served by AP 410A in a first basic service set (BSS) 420 A. STA 410B and STA 410C are served by AP 410B in a second BSS, BSS 420B. STA 412D is served by AP 410C in a third BSS, BSS 420C. STA 412E is served by AP 410D in a fourth BSS, BSS 420D. Stations 412 may be non-AP STAs and correspond to various kinds of wireless devices, for example, user terminals, such as mobile or stationary computing devices like smartphones, laptop computers, desktop computers, tablet computers, gaming devices, head-mounted displays (HMDs) for Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR), or the like. Further, stations 412 could, for example, correspond to other kinds of equipment like smart home devices, printers, multimedia devices, data storage devices, or the like.

[0501] Each of STAs 412 may connect through a radio link to one of APs 410. For example, depending on location or channel conditions experienced by a given STA 412, the STA may select an appropriate AP and BSS for establishing the radio link. The radio link may be based on one or more orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) carriers from a frequency spectrum that is shared on the basis of a contention-based mechanism, e.g., an unlicensed or license exempt band like 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band, the 5 GHz band, the 6 GHz band, or the 60 GHz band.

[0502] Each AP 410 may provide data connectivity to STAs 412 connected to a particular AP 410. As illustrated, APs 410 may be connected to a data network 430. In this way, APs 410 may also provide data connectivity between STAs 412 and other entities, e.g., to one or more servers, service providers, data sources, data sinks, user terminals, or the like. Accordingly, the radio link established between a given STA 412 and its serving AP 410 may be used for providing various kinds of services to STA 412, e.g., a voice service, a multimedia service, or other data service. Such services may be based on applications that are executed on STA 412 and / or on a device linked to STA 412. By way of example, Figure 4 illustrates an application service platform 432 provided in data network 430. The application(s) executed on STA 412 and / or on one or more other devices linked to STA 412 may use the radio link for data communication with one or more other STA 412 and / or the application service platform 432, thereby enabling utilization of the corresponding service(s) at STA 412.

[0503] Figure 5 shows a wireless device 500, which may be configured to operate in communication system 300 of Figure 3 or in communication system 400 of Figure 4. The wireless device 500 may be alternatively referred to as a UE 500, like a UE 312 within the context of communication system 300, or as a station (STA) 500 or as a non-access-point station (non-AP STA) 500, like a STA 412 within the context of the communication system 400, in accordance with respective embodiments. As used herein, a wireless device refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and / or other wireless devices. Examples of a wireless device include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, mobile phone, cell phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phone, wireless local loop phone, desktop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless cameras, gaming console or device, music storage device, playback appliance, wearable terminal device, wireless endpoint, mobile station, tablet, laptop, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), smart device, wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE), vehicle, vehicle-mounted or vehicle embedded / integrated wireless device, and wireless terminal. Other examples include any type of UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE.

[0504] A wireless device 500 may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), or vehicle-to- everything (V2X). In other examples, wireless device 500 may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the relevant device. Instead, wireless device 500 may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, wireless device 500 may represent a device that is not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter).

[0505] In particular embodiments, wireless device 500 includes processing circuitry 502 that is operatively coupled via a bus 504 to an input / output interface 506, a power source 508, a memory 510, a communication interface 512, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. Certain embodiments of wireless device 500 may include all or a subset of the components shown in Figure 5. The level of integration between the components may vary from one embodiment of wireless device 500 to another. In general, in a particular embodiment of wireless device 500, processing circuitry 502, input / output interface 506, power source 508, memory 510, and communication interface 512 may, in whole or in part, represent or include physical components common to or shared by one or more of the other elements of wireless device 500. Further, certain embodiments of wireless devices 500 may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0506] The processing circuitry 502 is configured to process instructions and data and may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operative to execute instructions stored as machine-readable computer programs in the memory 510. The processing circuitry 502 may be implemented as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, field- programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored computer programs, general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuitry 502 may include multiple central processing units (CPUs).

[0507] In the example, the input / output interface 506 may be configured to provide an interface or interfaces to an input device, output device, or one or more input and / or output devices. Examples of an output device include a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. An input device may allow a user to capture information into wireless device 500. Examples of an input device include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, a biometric sensor, etc., or any combination thereof. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port may be used to provide an input device and an output device.

[0508] In some embodiments, the power source 508 is structured as a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic device, or power cell, may be used to supply power to circuitry or to charge an associated battery. The power source 508 may further include power circuitry for delivering power from the power source 508 itself, and / or an external power source, to the various parts of wireless device 500 via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Power source 508 may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to make accessible power suitable for the respective components of the wireless device 500 to which power is supplied.

[0509] The memory 510 may be or be configured to include memory such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash drives, and so forth. In one example, the memory 510 includes one or more programs 514, such as an operating system, web browser application, a widget, gadget engine, or other application, and corresponding data 516. The memory 510 may store, for use by wireless device 500, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

[0510] The memory 510 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini-dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as tamper resistant module in the form of a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) including one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), such as a USIM and / or ISIM, other memory, or any combination thereof. The UICC may for example be an embedded UICC (eUICC), integrated UICC (iUICC) or a removable UICC commonly known as ‘SIM card.’ The memory 510 may allow wireless device 500 to access instructions, programs, and the like, stored on transitory or non-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied as or in the memory 510, which may be or comprise a device-readable storage medium.

[0511] The processing circuitry 502 may be configured to communicate with an access network or other network via or using the communication interface 512. The communication interface 512 may comprise one or more communication subsystems and may include or be communicatively coupled to an antenna 522. The communication interface 512 may include one or more transceivers used to communicate, such as by communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication (e.g., another wireless device or a network node in an access network). Each transceiver may include a transmitter 518 and / or a receiver 520 appropriate to provide network communications (e.g., optical, electrical, frequency allocations, and so forth). Moreover, the transmitter 518 and receiver 520 may be coupled to one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 522) and may share circuit components, software, or firmware, or alternatively be implemented separately.

[0512] In the illustrated embodiment, communication functions of the communication interface 512 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication (e.g., according to an IEEE 802.11 family standard), LPWAN communication, data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. Communications may be implemented according to one or more communication protocols and / or standards, such as IEEE 802.11, Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), GSM, LTE, New Radio (NR), UMTS, WiMax, Ethernet, transmission control protocol / intemet protocol (TCP / IP), synchronous optical networking (SONET), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), QUIC, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and so forth.

[0513] In particular embodiments, wireless device 500 may provide an output of data captured via a sensor, through its communication interface 512, via a wireless connection to a network node, and / or in any appropriate manner. Data captured by sensors of a wireless device 500 can be communicated through a wireless connection to a network node via another wireless device 500. In particular embodiments, such output may be periodic (e.g., once every 15 minutes if it reports the sensed temperature), random (e.g., to even out the load from reporting from several sensors), in response to a triggering event (e.g., when moisture is detected, an alert is sent), in response to a request (e.g., a user initiated request), or a continuous stream (e.g., a live video feed of a patient).

[0514] As another example, wireless device 500 comprises an actuator, a motor, or a switch, related to a communication interface configured to receive wireless input from a network node via a wireless connection. In response to the received wireless input the states of the actuator, the motor, or the switch may change. For example, wireless device 500 may comprise a motor that adjusts the control surfaces or rotors of a drone in flight according to the received input or to a robotic arm performing a medical procedure according to the received input.

[0515] Wireless device 500, when in the form of an Internet of Things (loT) device, may be a device for use in one or more application domains, these domains comprising, but not limited to, wearable technology, extended industrial application and healthcare. Non-limiting examples of such an loT device are a device which is or which is embedded in: a connected refrigerator or freezer, a TV, a connected lighting device, an electricity meter, a robot vacuum cleaner, a voice controlled smart speaker, a home security camera, a motion detector, a thermostat, a smoke detector, a door / window sensor, a flood / moisture sensor, an electrical door lock, a connected doorbell, an air conditioning system like a heat pump, an autonomous vehicle, a surveillance system, a weather monitoring device, a vehicle parking monitoring device, an electric vehicle charging station, a smart watch, a fitness tracker, a wearable for tactile augmentation or sensory enhancement, a water sprinkler, an animal- or item-tracking device, a sensor for monitoring a plant or animal, an industrial robot, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and any kind of medical device, like a heart rate monitor or a remote controlled surgical robot. In particular embodiments, wireless device 500 represents an loT device that comprises circuitry and / or software in dependence of the intended application of the loT device in addition to other components as described in relation to the example embodiment of wireless device 500 shown in Figure 5.

[0516] As yet another specific example, in an loT scenario, wireless device 500 may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurements, and transmits the results of such monitoring and / or measurements to another wireless device and / or a network node. Wireless device 500 may in this case be an M2M device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, wireless device 500 may implement the 3GPP NB-IoT standard. In other scenarios, wireless device 500 may represent a vehicle, such as a car, a bus, a truck, a ship and an airplane, or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and / or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation.

[0517] In practice, any number of wireless devices 500 may be used together with respect to a single use case. For example, a first wireless device 500 might be or be integrated in a drone and provide the drone’s speed information (obtained through a speed sensor) to a second wireless device 500 that is a remote controller operating the drone. When a user makes changes from the remote controller, the first wireless device 500 may adjust the throttle on the drone (e.g., by controlling an actuator) to increase or decrease the drone’s speed. The first and / or the second wireless device 500 can also include more than one of the functionalities described above. For example, wireless device 500 might comprise the sensor and the actuator, and handle communication of data for both the speed sensor and the actuators.

[0518] Figure 6 shows a network node 600 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a UE and / or with other network nodes or equipment, in a telecommunications network. In accordance with respective embodiments, network node 600 may be configured to operate in communication system 300 of Figure 3, like network nodes 308 or 310, or in communication system 400 of Figure 4, like an AP 410 or a station 412. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)), O- RAN nodes or components of an O-RAN node (e.g., O-RU, O-DU, O-CU).

[0519] Network nodes 600 may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and so, depending on the provided amount of coverage, may be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. Network node 600 may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. Network nodes 600 may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units, distributed units (e.g., in an O-RAN access node) and / or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS).

[0520] Other examples of network nodes 600 include multiple transmission point (multi-TRP) 5G access nodes, multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell / multicast coordination entities (MCEs), Operation and Maintenance (O&M) nodes, Operations Support System (OSS) nodes, Self-Organizing Network (SON) nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centers (E-SMLCs)), and / or Minimization of Drive Tests (MDTs).

[0521] In particular embodiments, network node 600 includes a processing circuitry 602, a memory 604, a communication interface 606, and a power source 608. In general, in a particular embodiment of network node 600, processing circuitry 602, memory 604, communication interface 606, and power source 608 may, in whole or in part, represent or include physical components common to or shared by one or more of the other elements of network node 600. The network node 600 may be composed of multiple distinct network entities (e.g., a NodeB entity and a RNC entity, or a BTS entity and a BSC entity, etc.), which may each have or utilize their own respective physical components. In certain scenarios in which the network node 600 comprises multiple such entities (e.g., BTS and BSC), one or more of the separate entities may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, the network node 600 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate memories 604 or portions of memory 604 for different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., a same antenna 610 may be shared by different RATs). The network node 600 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node 600, for example GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, Wi-Fi (e.g., according to an IEEE 802.11 family standard), Zigbee, Z-wave, LoRaWAN, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node 600.

[0522] The processing circuitry 602 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and / or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other components, such as the memory 604, to provide network node 600 functionality.

[0523] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 602 includes a system on a chip (SOC). In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 602 includes one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 612 and baseband processing circuitry 614. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuitry 612 and the baseband processing circuitry 614 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 612 and baseband processing circuitry 614 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units.

[0524] The memory 604 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by the processing circuitry 602. The memory 604 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, and / or other instructions capable of being executed by the processing circuitry 602 and utilized by the network node 600. The memory 604 may be used to store any calculations made by the processing circuitry 602 and / or any data received via the communication interface 606. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 602 and memory 604 is integrated.

[0525] The communication interface 606 is used in wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data with UEs, other network nodes, and / or any other network equipment. In the illustrated embodiment, communication interface 606 comprises port(s) / terminal(s) 616 to send and receive data, for example to and from a network over a wired connection. In particular embodiments, network node 500 may be capable of wireless communication and communication interface 606 may also include radio front-end circuitry 618 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, an antenna 610. Particular embodiments of radio front-end circuitry 618 include filter(s) 620 and amplifier(s) 622. The radio front-end circuitry 618 may be connected to an antenna 610 and processing circuitry 602. The radio front-end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 610 and processing circuitry 602. The radio front-end circuitry 618 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or UEs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuitry 618 may convert the digital data into a radio signal(s) having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 620 and / or amplifiers 622. The radio signal(s) may then be transmitted via the antenna 610. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna 610 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by the radio front-end circuitry 618. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuitry 602. In other embodiments, the communication interface may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0526] In certain alternative embodiments, network node 600 may be capable of wireless communication but does not include separate radio front-end circuitry 618, instead, the processing circuitry 602 includes radio front-end circuitry and is connected to the antenna 610. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of the RF transceiver circuitry 612 is part of the communication interface 606. In still other embodiments, the communication interface 606 includes one or more ports or terminals 616, the radio front-end circuitry 618, and the RF transceiver circuitry 612, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and the communication interface 606 communicates with the baseband processing circuitry 614, which is part of a digital unit (not shown). The antenna 610 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. The antenna 610 may be coupled to the radio front-end circuitry 618 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and / or signals wirelessly. In certain embodiments, the antenna 610 is separate from the network node 600 and connectable to the network node 600 through one or more interfaces or ports.

[0527] The antenna 610, communication interface 606, and / or the processing circuitry 602 may be configured to perform some or all of the receiving operations and / or obtaining operations described herein as being performed by the network node 600. Any information, data, and / or signals may be received from a UE, another network node, and / or any other network equipment. Similarly, the antenna 610, the communication interface 606, and / or the processing circuitry 602 may be configured to perform some or all of the transmitting or sending operations described herein as being performed by the network node 600. Any information, data and / or signals may be transmitted to a UE, another network node, and / or any other network equipment.

[0528] The power source 608 provides power to the various components of network node 600 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). The power source 608 may further comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry to supply the components of the network node 600 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the network node 600 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., the power grid, an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry of the power source 608. As a further example, the power source 608 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail.

[0529] Embodiments of the network node 600 may include additional components beyond those shown in Figure 6 for providing certain aspects of the network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, the network node 600 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into the network node 600 and to allow output of information from the network node 600. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for the network node 600.

[0530] Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 700 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualizing means creating virtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may include virtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to any device described herein, or components thereof, and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components. Some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines (VMs) implemented in one or more virtual environments 700 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes, such as a hardware computing device that operates as an access network node, UE, core network node, or host. Further, in embodiments in which a virtual node does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node or host), then the node may be entirely virtualized. In some embodiments, the virtualization environment 700 includes components defined by the O-RAN Alliance, such as an O-Cloud environment orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an 0-2 interface.

[0531] Applications 702 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) are run in the virtualization environment 600 to implement some of the features, functions, and / or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0532] Hardware 704 includes processing circuitry, memory that stores software and / or instructions executable by hardware processing circuitry, and / or other hardware devices as described herein, such as a network interface, input / output interface, and so forth. Software may be executed by the processing circuitry to instantiate one or more virtualization layers 706 (also referred to as hypervisors or virtual machine monitors (VMMs)), provide VM 708 A and VM 708B (which may be collectively referred to as VMs 708), and / or perform any of the functions, features and / or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein. The virtualization layer 706 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to one or more of the VMs 708.

[0533] The VMs 708 comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by virtualization layer 706. Different embodiments of the instance of a virtual appliance 702 may be implemented on one or more of VMs 708, and the implementations may be made in different ways. Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers, and customer premise equipment.

[0534] In the context of NFV, each of the VMs 708 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each of the VMs 708, and that part of hardware 704 that executes that VM, be it hardware dedicated to that VM and / or hardware shared by that VM with others of the VMs, forms separate virtual network elements. Still in the context of NFV, a virtual network function is responsible for handling specific network functions that run in one or more of the VMs 708 on top of the hardware 704 and corresponds to an application 702.

[0535] Hardware 704 may be implemented in a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware 704 may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware 704 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g., such as in a data center or CPE) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration 710, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications 702. In some embodiments, hardware 704 is coupled to one or more radio units that each include one or more transmitters and one or more receivers that may be coupled to one or more antennas. Radio units may communicate directly with other hardware nodes via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station. In some embodiments, some signaling can be provided with the use of a control system 712 which may alternatively be used for communication between hardware nodes and radio units.

[0536] Although the computing devices described herein (e.g., UEs, network nodes, hosts) may include the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise computing devices with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that these computing devices may comprise any suitable combination of hardware and / or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions, and methods disclosed herein. Determining, calculating, obtaining or similar operations described herein may be performed by processing circuitry, which may process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination. Moreover, while components are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, computing devices may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component, and functionality may be partitioned between separate components. For example, a communication interface may be configured to include any of the components described herein, and / or the functionality of the components may be partitioned between the processing circuitry and the communication interface. In another example, non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0537] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be provided by processing circuitry executing instructions stored on in memory, which in certain embodiments may be a computer program product in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or not, the processing circuitry can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry alone or to other components of the computing device, but are enjoyed by the computing device as a whole, and / or by end users and a wireless network generally.

[0538] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein.

[0539] Some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are as follows:

[0540] Group A Embodiments

[0541] Embodiment 1: A method performed by a wireless device (e.g., a UE) for determining a subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells for which to include predicted Handover Failure, HOF, and / or predicted Radio Link Failure, RLF, post-Handover (HO) related information in a report (e.g. Measurement Report or Prediction Report), the method comprising:

[0542] • receiving (200) a message from a network node comprising a configuration that indicates to the UE to include, in a report, predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post HO related information of a subset of ‘X‘ neighbor cells;

[0543] • generating (202) the report, before transmitting the report, such that the report comprises the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post HO related information for the subset of ‘X‘ neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity, wherein the sorting quantity is or is derived from any one or more of the following: o HOF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of HOF, or likelihood of a HO success); o RLF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of RLF after HO, or likelihood of no RLF after HO success); o measurement quantity (e.g. RSRP, RSRQ, SINR); o predicted measurement quantity (e.g. predicted RSRP, predicted RSRQ, predicted SINR); and

[0544] • transmitting (204) the report (e.g., to the network node or another network node).

[0545] Embodiment 2: A method performed by a wireless device (e.g., a UE) for determining a subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells for which to include predicted Handover Failure, HOF, and / or predicted Radio Link Failure, RLF, post-Handover (HO) related information in a report (e.g. Measurement Report or Prediction Report), the method comprising:

[0546] • generating (202) a report, before transmitting the report, such that the report comprises predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information for a subset of ‘X‘ neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity, wherein the sorting quantity is or is derived from any one or more of the following: o HOF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of HOF, or likelihood of a HO success); o RLF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of RLF after HO, or likelihood of no RLF after HO success); and

[0547] • transmitting (204) the report (e.g., to a network node).

[0548] Embodiment 3: The method of embodiment 2, wherein the wireless device generates the report such that the report comprises any one or more of the following, for the subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells: one or more predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post HO related information; one or more measurements; one or more time-domain prediction(s) of measurements.

[0549] Embodiment 4: A method performed by a wireless device (e.g., a UE) for determining a subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells for which to include predicted Handover Failure, HOF, and / or predicted Radio Link Failure, RLF, post-Handover (HO) related information in a failure report (e.g. RLF-report, MCGFailurelnformation or SCGFailurelnformation), the method comprising:

[0550] • upon detection of a radio link failure or a reconfiguration with synch failure, before transmitting a failure report, generating (202) the failure report such that the failure report comprises predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information for a subset of ‘X‘ neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity, wherein the sorting quantity is or is derived from any one or more of the following: o HOF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of HOF, or likelihood of a HO success); o RLF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of RLF after HO, or likelihood of no RLF after HO success); and • transmitting (204) the failure report (e.g., to a network node).

[0551] Embodiment 5: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the subset of the ‘X’ neighbor cells is a subset of a set of cells consisting of all or at least some of the ‘X’ neighbor cells, the set of cells being sorted according to the sorting quantity.

[0552] Embodiment 6: The method of embodiment 5, wherein the subset of the set of cells consists of a first or last ‘Y’ cells from the set of cells as sorted according to the sorting quantity, where ‘Y’ is less than ‘X’.

[0553] Embodiment 7: The method of embodiment 5, wherein when a higher value of the sorting quantity indicates that the wireless device is more likely to perform a successful handover (e.g. 1 - probability of a HOF), and generating the report comprises sorting the set of cells (e.g., a set of cells consisting at least some of the ‘X’ neighbor cells) in decreasing order of the sorting quantity.

[0554] Embodiment 8: The method of embodiment 5, wherein when a higher value of the sorting quantity indicates that the wireless device is less likely to perform a successful handover (i.e. it is more likely to detect a HOF), and generating the report comprises sorting the set of cells in increasing order of the sorting quantity.

[0555] Embodiment 9: The method of embodiment 5, wherein when a higher value of the sorting quantity indicates that the wireless device is not likely to detect an RLF after a successful handover (e.g. 1 - probability of a RLF after HO), and generating the report comprises sorting the set of cells in decreasing order of the sorting quantity.

[0556] Embodiment 10: The method of embodiment 5, wherein when a higher value of the sorting quantity indicates that the wireless device is more likely to detect an RLF after a successful handover, and generating the report comprises sorting the set of cells in increasing order of the sorting quantity.

[0557] Embodiment 11: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein a ‘best’ neighbor cell is included first in the report, wherein the ‘best’ neighbor cell is a cell from among the set of cells in a first position after the sorting of the set of cells based on the sorting quantity (e.g. the best neighbor cell is the cell with highest value for the sorting quantity).

[0558] Embodiment 12: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein sorting of the set of cells further considers relevancy of the cells in the set of cells for reporting, wherein the relevancy of each of the cells in the set of cells is determined by the wireless device depending on an accuracy and / or inference error or a confidence of the AI / ML model of the HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction for that cell.

[0559] Embodiment 13: The method of embodiment 12, wherein a cell is considered relevant for the sorting when the HOF prediction and / or the Post HO RLF prediction has an accuracy higher than an accuracy threshold or a confidence higher than a confidence of the AI / ML model threshold (e.g. configured at the wireless device).

[0560] Embodiment 14: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the wireless device includes in the report the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post HO related information for the same subset of neighbor cells for which the wireless device includes one or more measurements of one or more measurement quantities configured as reporting quantities.

[0561] Embodiment 15: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 14, wherein the subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells, determined based on the sorting quantity, for which the wireless device includes the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information are not necessarily the same neighbor cells for which the wireless device includes one or more measurement quantities (e.g. as configured as a reporting quantity and / or as trigger quantity).

[0562] Embodiment 16: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 15, wherein the wireless device performs a first sorting function for sorting the set of cells for which to include the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post HO related information and a further second sorting function for sorting the cells for which to include the measurement quantities (e.g. based on a trigger quantity, in the case of an event triggered RRC Measurement Report).

[0563] Embodiment 17: The method of embodiment 16, wherein the further second sorting function is the same as the first sorting function, or different.

[0564] Embodiment 18: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 17, wherein the wireless device includes in the report the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post HO related information for the subset of neighbor cells for which the wireless device includes one or more time-domain predict! on(s) of measurements (e.g. predicted RSRP value(s) in future time instance(s), predicted RSRQ value(s) in future time instance(s)) of one or more prediction measurement quantities configured as predicted reporting quantities (e.g. predicted RSRP, predicted RSRQ).

[0565] Embodiment 19: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 18, wherein the subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells, determined based on the sorting quantity, for which the wireless device includes the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post HO related information are not necessarily the same neighbor cells for which the wireless device includes one or more time-domain prediction(s) of measurements (e.g. predicted RSRP value(s) in future time instance(s), predicted RSRQ value(s) in future time instance(s)) of one or more prediction measurement quantities configured as predicted reporting quantities (e.g. predicted RSRP, predicted RSRQ).

[0566] Embodiment 20: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 19, wherein the wireless device performs a first sorting function for sorting the set of cells for which to include the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post HO related information and a further second sorting function for sorting the cells for which to include the time-domain prediction(s) of measurements (e.g. predicted RSRP value(s) in future time instance(s), predicted RSRQ value(s) in future time instance(s)) of one or more prediction measurement quantities configured as predicted reporting quantities (e.g. predicted RSRP, predicted RSRQ).

[0567] Embodiment 21: The method of embodiment 20, wherein the further second sorting function is the same as the first sorting function, or different.

[0568] Embodiment 22: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 21, wherein when a higher value of the sorting quantity indicates that the wireless device has a geographical trajectory that has a closer distance (e.g., Euclidean distance) to a cell, then sorting the cells in increase order of the sorting quantity.

[0569] Embodiment 23: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 21, wherein when a higher value of the sorting quantity indicates that the wireless device has lower TimeAdvance value, then sorting the cells in increase order of the sorting quantity.

[0570] Embodiment 24: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 4 wherein when most of the neighbor cells has similar radio and prediction measures, then wireless device receives from the network one or more indications of weights of neighbor cells, those weights indicate cells' load (or preference to not HO to those cells because they are very loaded). Then, sorting of the cells should be in increasing order of such weights.

[0571] Embodiment 25: A method performed by a wireless device (e.g., a User Equipment (UE)) for determining a subset of ‘X’ neighbor cells for which to include predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post-HO related information in a report (e.g. Measurement Report, Prediction Report), the method comprising:

[0572] • receiving a message from a network node including o a configuration indicating to the wireless device to include in the report predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information of the subset of ‘X‘ neighbor cells; o a computationally light sorting-Agent trained by the Network, given specific (indicated) sorting-inputs, and providing specific sorting-output (or cells order) to be included in the report;

[0573] • generating the report, before transmitting the report, such that the report comprises the predicted HOF (or HOF prediction) and / or predicted RLF (RLF prediction) post HO related information for the subset of ‘X‘ neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity or a sorting-Agent; o wherein the sorting- Agent is received in previous step, and has one or more of the following assumptions:

[0574] ■ The sorting- Agent is already trained by network, and wireless device needs only to perform inference given some (pre-decided) input to obtain the sorted cells (as output). Predecided inputs can be:

[0575] • One or more input of the sorting quantity (mentioned below)

[0576] • All Cell IDs (that are to be reported in RLF / HOF report)

[0577] • Indication of Time, whether its absolute time or session time.

[0578] • An indication of changes of the same predicted RLF in compared to the previous report. o wherein the sorting quantity is determined to be (or to be derived from) any one or more of the following:

[0579] ■ HOF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of HOF, or likelihood of a HO success);

[0580] ■ RLF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of RLF after HO, or likelihood of no RLF after HO success);

[0581] ■ Measurement quantity (e.g. RSRP, RSRQ, SINR);

[0582] ■ Predicted measurement quantity (e.g. predicted RSRP, predicted RSRQ, predicted SINR); and

[0583] • transmitting the report.

[0584] Embodiment 26: The method of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising: providing user data; and forwarding the user data to a host via the transmission to the network node.

[0585] Group B Embodiments

[0586] Embodiment 27: A method performed by a network node, the method comprising:

[0587] • transmitting (200), to a wireless device (e.g., a UE), a message comprising a configuration that indicates to the wireless device to include, in a report, predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post HO related information of a subset of ‘X‘ neighbor cells;

[0588] • receiving (204), from the wireless device, the report comprising the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post HO related information for the subset of ‘X‘ neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity, wherein the sorting quantity is or is derived from any one or more of the following: o HOF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of HOF, or likelihood of a HO success); o RLF prediction information (e.g. likelihood of RLF after HO, or likelihood of no RLF after HO success); o measurement quantity (e.g. RSRP, RSRQ, SINR); o predicted measurement quantity (e.g. predicted RSRP, predicted RSRQ, predicted SINR).

[0589] Embodiment 28: The method of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising: obtaining user data; and forwarding the user data to a host or a user equipment.

[0590] Group C Embodiments

[0591] Embodiment 29: A wireless device comprising: processing circuitry configured to perform any of the operations of any of the Group A embodiments; and a power source configured to supply power to the processing circuitry.

[0592] Embodiment 30: A network node comprising: processing circuitry configured to perform any of the operations of any of the Group B embodiments; and a power source circuitry configured to supply power to the processing circuitry.

[0593] Embodiment 31: A wireless device comprising: one or more antennas; communication interface connected to the one or more antennas and to processing circuitry; the processing circuitry being configured to perform any of the operations of any of the Group A embodiments; an input interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to allow input of information into the UE to be processed by the processing circuitry; an output interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to output information from the UE that has been processed by the processing circuitry; and a power source connected to the processing circuitry and configured to supply power to the UE.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method performed by a wireless device for determining a subset of a set of neighbor cells for which to include predicted Handover Failure, HOF, and / or predicted Radio Link Failure, RLF, post-Handover, HO, related information in a report, the method comprising: generating (202) a report such that the report comprises predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information for a subset of a set of neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity, wherein the sorting quantity is or is derived from any one or more of the following: HOF prediction information, RLF prediction information, measurement quantity, and predicted measurement quantity; and transmitting (204) the report.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to generating (202) the report, receiving (200) a message from a network node comprising a configuration that indicates to the wireless device to include, in a report, predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information of the subset of the set of neighbor cells.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the wireless device generates the report such that the report comprises any one or more of the following, for the subset of the set of neighbor cells: one or more predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information; one or more measurements; one or more time-domain prediction(s) of measurements.

4. The method of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the report is failure report and generating (202) the report comprises generating (202) the failure report upon detection of a radio link failure or a reconfiguration with synch failure.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sorting quantity is or is derived from any one or more of the following: HOF prediction information and RLF prediction information.

6. The method of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the subset of the set of neighbor cells consists of all or at least some of the set of neighbor cells, the set of neighbor cells being sorted according to the sorting quantity.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the subset of the set of neighbor cells consists of a firstor last ‘Y’ cells from the set of neighbor cells as sorted according to the sorting quantity, where ‘Y’ is less than ‘X’ and ‘X” is a total number of cells in the set of neighbor cells.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein when a higher value of the sorting quantity indicates that the wireless device is more likely to perform a successful handover, and generating (202) the report comprises sorting the set of neighbor cells in decreasing order of the sorting quantity.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein a higher value of the sorting quantity indicates that the wireless device is less likely to perform a successful handover or more likely to detect a HOF, and generating (202) the report comprises sorting the set of neighbor cells in increasing order of the sorting quantity.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein a higher value of the sorting quantity indicates that the wireless device is not likely to detect an RLF after a successful handover, and generating (202) the report comprises sorting the set of neighbor cells in decreasing order of the sorting quantity.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein a higher value of the sorting quantity indicates that the wireless device is more likely to detect an RLF after a successful handover, and generating (202) the report comprises sorting the set of neighbor cells in increasing order of the sorting quantity.

12. The method of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein a best neighbor cell is included first in the report, wherein the best neighbor cell is a cell from among the set of neighbor cells in a first position after sorting of the set of neighbor cells based on the sorting quantity.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein sorting of the set of neighbor cells further considers relevancy of the cells in the set of neighbor cells for reporting, wherein the relevancy of each of the cells in the set of neighbor cells is determined by the wireless device depending on an accuracy and / or inference error or a confidence of an Artificial Intelligence, Al, or Machine Learning, ML, model used for the HOF prediction and / or RLF prediction for that cell.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein a cell is considered relevant for the sorting when the HOF prediction and / or the RLF prediction has an accuracy higher than an accuracy threshold or a confidence higher than confidence threshold.

15. The method of any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the wireless device includes in the report the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information for a same subset of neighbor cells for which the wireless device includes one or more measurements of one or more measurement quantities configured as reporting quantities.

16. The method of any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the subset of set of neighbor cells, determined based on the sorting quantity, for which the wireless device includes the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information are not necessarily the same neighbor cells for which the wireless device includes one or more measurement quantities.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the wireless device performs a first sorting function for sorting the set of neighbor cells for which to include the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post- HO related information and a further second sorting function for sorting the cells for which to include the measurement quantities.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the further second sorting function is the same as the first sorting function, or different.

19. The method of any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the wireless device includes in the report the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information for the subset of the set of neighbor cells for which the wireless device includes one or more time-domain predictions of measurements of one or more prediction measurement quantities configured as predicted reporting quantities.

20. The method of any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the subset of the set of neighbor cells, determined based on the sorting quantity, for which the wireless device includes the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information are not necessarily the same neighbor cells for which the wireless device includes one or more time-domain predictions of measurements of one or more prediction measurement quantities configured as predicted reporting quantities.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the wireless device performs a first sorting function for sorting the set of neighbor cells for which to include the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post HO related information and a further second sorting function for sorting cells for which to include the time-domain predictions of measurements of one or more prediction measurement quantitiesconfigured as predicted reporting quantities.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the further second sorting function is the same as the first sorting function, or different.

23. The method of any of claims 1 to 22, wherein a higher value of the sorting quantity indicates that the wireless device has a geographical trajectory that has a closer distance to a cell, and generating (202) the report comprises sorting the cells in increase order of the sorting quantity.

24. The method of any of claims 1 to 22, wherein a higher value of the sorting quantity indicates that the wireless device has lower timing advance value, and generating (202) the report comprises sorting the cells in increase order of the sorting quantity.

25. The method of any of claims 1 to 24 wherein generating (202) the report comprises sorting the cells based on network-provided indications of cell loads of the cells.

26. A method performed by a wireless device for determining a subset of a set of neighbor cells for which to include predicted Handover Failure, HOF, and / or predicted Radio Link Failure, RLF, post-Handover, HO, related information in a report, the method comprising:• receiving a message from a network node, the message comprising: o a configuration indicating to the wireless device to include in a report predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information of the subset of the set of neighbor cells; and o a computationally light sorting agent that is configured to receive a set of sortinginputs output a sorting-output to be included in or used for the report;• generating the report such that the report comprises the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information for the subset of the set of neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity or the output of the sorting agent;• transmitting the report.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the sorting agent outputs a sorting order for the subset of the set of neighbor cells or a sorted list containing the subset of the set of neighbor cells in a sorted order.

28. The method of claim 26 or 27, wherein the set of sorting-inputs of the sorting agent comprise any one or more of the following: the sorting quantity; all cell identities to be reported in report; indication of time; an indication of changes of the same predicted RLF in compared to the previous report.

29. The method of any of claims 26 to 28, wherein the sorting quantity is or is derived from any one or more of the following: the HOF prediction information; the RLF prediction information; a measurement; a predicted measurement quantity.

30. A wireless device for determining a subset of a set of neighbor cells for which to include predicted Handover Failure, HOF, and / or predicted Radio Link Failure, RLF, post-Handover, HO, related information in a report, the wireless device configured to: generate (202) a report such that the report comprises predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post-HO related information for a subset of a set of neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity, wherein the sorting quantity is or is derived from any one or more of the following: HOF prediction information, RLF prediction information, measurement quantity, and predicted measurement quantity; and transmit (204) the report.

31. The wireless device of claim 30, further configured to perform the method of any of claims 2 to 25.

32. A wireless device (500) for determining a subset of a set of neighbor cells for which to include predicted Handover Failure, HOF, and / or predicted Radio Link Failure, RLF, postHandover, HO, related information in a report, the wireless device (500) comprising: a communication interface (512) comprising a transmitter (518) and a receiver (520); and processing circuitry (502) associated with the communication interface (512), the processing circuitry (500) configured to cause the wireless device (500) to: generate (202) a report such that the report comprises predicted HOF and / orpredicted RLF post-HO related information for a subset of a set of neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity, wherein the sorting quantity is or is derived from any one or more of the following: HOF prediction information, RLF prediction information, measurement quantity, and predicted measurement quantity; and transmit (204) the report.

33. The wireless device (500) of claim 32, wherein the processing circuitry (500) is further configured to cause the wireless device (500) to perform the method of any of claims 2 to 25.

34. A method performed by a network node, the method comprising: transmitting (200), to a wireless device, a message comprising a configuration that indicates to the wireless device to include, in a report, predicted Handover Failure, HOF, and / or predicted Radio Link Failure, RLF, post-Handover, HO, related information of a subset of a set of neighbor cells; and receiving (204), from the wireless device, the report comprising the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post HO related information for the subset of the set of neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity.

35. A network node configured to: transmit (200), to a wireless device, a message comprising a configuration that indicates to the wireless device to include, in a report, predicted Handover Failure, HOF, and / or predicted Radio Link Failure, RLF, post-Handover, HO, related information of a subset of a set of neighbor cells; and receive (204), from the wireless device, the report comprising the predicted HOF and / or predicted RLF post HO related information for the subset of the set of neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity.

36. A network node (600) comprising processing circuitry (602) configured to cause the network node (600) to: transmit (200), to a wireless device, a message comprising a configuration that indicates to the wireless device to include, in a report, predicted Handover Failure, HOF, and / or predicted Radio Link Failure, RLF, post-Handover, HO, related information of a subset of a set of neighbor cells; and receive (204), from the wireless device, the report comprising the predicted HOF and / orpredicted RLF post HO related information for the subset of the set of neighbor cells according to a sorting quantity.

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