SMTC selection based on network provided criteria

Abstract

According to some embodiments, a method (900) is performed by a user equipment, UE, (200) for performing measurements when served by a non-terrestrial network, NTN, node (300) that provides the UE with a terrestrial cellular footprint. The method comprises receiving (912) a measurement configuration from a network node (300). The measurement configuration 5 comprises a plurality of potential measurement configurations, each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations associated with an evaluation criteria. The method further comprises selecting (914) one or more potential measurement configurations based on a current condition of the UE (200) and the associated evaluation criteria of the one or more potential measurement configurations and performing (920) measurements according to one of the selected one or more 0 potential measurement configurations.

Description

[0001] SMTC Selection Based on Network Provided Criteria

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to communication networks, and more specifically to synchronization signal block (SSB)-based measurement timing configuration (SMTC) selection based on network provided criteria for a non-terrestrial network (NTN).

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standardization work for non-terrestrial network (NTN) technologies includes two work items for New Radio (NR) and Long-Term Evolution (LTE) (RP -243300, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) for NR Phase 3 (Release 19); RP-234077, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) for Internet of Things (loT) Phase 3 (Release 19)). One objective of 3 GPP Release 19 is to support an efficient dynamic and flexible power sharing between beams. After a short period of study, the following related objectives have been captured in the work item description.

[0006] One objective is to specify solutions, including link level enhancements for frequency range one (FRl)-NTN and system level enhancements for FR1-NTN and frequency range two (FR2)-NTN, providing dynamic and flexible power sharing between satellite beams or different satellite beam pattems / size (i.e., wide or narrow) across the satellite footprint.

[0007] Link level enhancements are to be specified for the following channels: physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) at least for common search space (CSS) (except for Type-3) via PDCCH repetition; physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) with Msg4 via PDSCH repetition; PDSCH with system information block one (SIB 1) via 2 PDSCH repetitions within 20 ms duration.

[0008] System-level enhancements are to be specified for the following: support of extended periodicity of the half frames with synchronization signal (SS) / physical broadcast channel (PBCH) blocks assumed by user equipment (UE) during initial access; and the maximum of the additional default value (apart from the existing 20ms value) is 160 ms.

[0009] Synchronization signal block (SSB) channel enhancement other than SSB periodicity extension is not considered. Issues such as UE cell search complexity and impact to initial cell selection, latency and success rate, will be studied for the above extension.

[0010] The SSB periodicity enhancements potentially defined in work item description only apply to NTN operation.Antenna gain of a UE shall be assumed to be -5.5dB for a smartphone in FR1-NTN, the UE is assumed to be a full duplex UE, and at least 2Rx are considered at the UE.

[0011] Non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) to be considered in priority: low Earth orbit (LEO) Set-1 @ 600 km.

[0012] The default SSB periodicity is extended for NTN deployments to include the value of 160ms. The following two scenarios are currently under consideration: a) all neighbor cells (within a cluster) are active simultaneously and share the same SSB-based measurement timing configuration (SMTC) offset and SMTC periodicity; b) neighbor cells may not be active simultaneously, and only a subset of neighbor cells share the same SMTC offset and periodicity.

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates scenarios under consideration for downlink coverage enhancement in NTN (reproduced from R2-2501415, Downlink Coverage Enhancements, RAN2#129, Athens, Greece).

[0014] There currently exist certain challenges. For example, in a typical deployment, NTN cells are expected to have a considerable size (e.g., 10 km) (TR 38.821, Solutions for NR to support non-terrestrial networks (NTN) (Release 16)) and the neighbor cells that a UE can physically measure largely depend upon the position the UE occupies within the serving cell. It is unlikely that an NTN UE may need to measure all possible NTN neighbor cells, let alone its potential terrestrial network (TN) neighbor cells.

[0015] For example, Figure 2 depicts two UEs in different areas of a cell. The relative positions of the two UE differ with respect to NTN neighbor cells. The first UE may only be able to measure cells 1, 2, and 3, while the second UE may measure cells 4, 5, and 6. Currently, neighbor cell measurement configurations do not take this aspect into account and thus provide superfluous configurations, potentially leading to the UE monitoring and trying to measure on time-frequency resources where it is not possible for the UE to receive anything. Thus, unnecessary signaling overhead and wasted UE energy and reduced capacity (due to unnecessary measurement gaps) may be the result.

[0016] Furthermore, in the context of NTN downlink (DL) coverage enhancement (CE) for 3 GPP release 19, there may be (adjacent) neighbor cells with a regular default SSB periodicity (e.g., 20 ms) and others with an extended SSB periodicity (e.g., 160 ms). Some may be TN and others NTN.

[0017] In addition, the respective SSB transmissions may be spread in the time domain, as depicted in Figure 3. Figure 3 illustrates a time domain example of SSB transmission for neighbor cells with different SSB periodicity and SSB offset. The horizontal axis represents the time domain. The illustrated example includes three SSBs, 11, 13 and 15, and three SMTCs, 17, 19, and 21.Given a certain number of neighbor cells, it becomes complex and restrictive for the network to coordinate the SSBs from all immediate neighbor cells creating a problem for neighbor cell measurement configuration due to: the limited time duration of the SMTC (maximum 5 ms) and measurement gap (maximum 6 ms); and the limited number of parallel STMCs (4) and measurement gaps (2).

[0018] The combination of the above problems results in extensive configuration of SMTCs and measurement gaps, which is suboptimal and may lead to multiple reconfigurations with superfluous configuration data (increasing signaling overhead), scheduling restrictions, failed mobility events, and unnecessary energy consumption.

[0019] SUMMARY

[0020] As described above, certain challenges currently exist with synchronization signal block (SSB)-based measurement timing configuration (SMTC) configuration for a non-terrestrial network (NTN). Certain aspects of the disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to these or other challenges. For example, in particular embodiments a user equipment (UE) is provided with multiple sets of alternative measurement configurations, understood as potential combinations of SMTCs and measurement gaps. The alternative measurement configurations may be associated to various evaluation criteria (e.g., a reference location) that the UE uses to select one of the provided alternatives (e.g., based on its own location within the serving cell or with respect to the adjacent neighbor cells). The association with various evaluation criteria may be explicitly signaled or in other embodiments, determined by the UE.

[0021] In general, particular embodiments configure a UE with multiple measurement configurations (i.e., combination of SMTCs and measurement gaps) associated to various factors (e.g., a reference location). The UE selects one or more of the provided measurement configurations based on the given or determined evaluation criteria and informs the network of its decision.

[0022] According to some embodiments, a method is performed by a UE for performing measurements when served by a NTN node that provides the UE with a terrestrial cellular footprint. The method comprises receiving a measurement configuration from a network node. The measurement configuration comprises a plurality of potential measurement configurations, each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations associated with an evaluation criteria. The method further comprises selecting one or more potential measurement configurations based on a current condition of the user equipment and the associated evaluation criteria of the oneor more potential measurement configurations and performing measurements according to one of the selected one or more potential measurement configurations.

[0023] In particular embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting an indication of the selected one or more potential measurement configurations to the network node. The method may further comprise receiving an indication of one of the selected one or more potential measurement configurations from the network node, and performing the measurements is performed according to the indicated one potential measurement configuration.

[0024] In particular embodiments, a measurement configuration comprises one or more of a SMTC and measurement gaps.

[0025] In particular embodiments, the evaluation criteria comprises one or more of: a reference location; a reference time; a reference satellite identifier; and one or more radio conditions.

[0026] In particular embodiments, the received measurement configuration comprises the evaluation criteria associated with each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations. In other embodiments, the UE associates the evaluation criteria with each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations.

[0027] According to some embodiments, a user equipment comprises processing circuitry operable to perform any of the user equipment methods described above.

[0028] According to some embodiments, a method is performed by a NTN node for configuring measurements for a UE, the UE provided with a terrestrial cellular footprint by the network node. The method comprises transmitting a measurement configuration to the UE. The measurement configuration comprises a plurality of potential measurement configurations, each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations associated with an evaluation criteria. The method further comprises receiving an indication of a selected one or more potential measurement configurations from the UE.

[0029] In particular embodiments, the method further comprising transmitting an indication of a selected one of the one more potential measurement configurations to the UE.

[0030] According to some embodiments, a network node comprises processing circuitry operable to perform any of the network node methods described above.

[0031] Also disclosed is a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable program code, the computer readable program code operable, when executed by processing circuitry to perform any of the methods performed by the user equipment described above.

[0032] Another computer program product comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable program code, the computer readable program code operable, whenexecuted by processing circuitry to perform any of the methods performed by the network node described above.

[0033] Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantages. For example, particular embodiments facilitate a UE selecting an appropriate measurement configuration, e.g. including the most appropriate SMTC and measurement gap configuration, based on its surrounding conditions. In this way, the network does not need to blindly configure the UE, sparing potential multiple reconfigurations (increasing signaling overhead), scheduling restrictions, failed mobility events, and unnecessary energy consumption.

[0034] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The present disclosure may be best understood by way of example with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings that are used to illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure. In the drawings:

[0036] Figure 1 illustrates scenarios under consideration for downlink coverage enhancement in a non-terrestrial network (NTN);

[0037] Figure 2 illustrates two user equipment (UEs) in different areas of a cell and their neighboring cells;

[0038] Figure 3 illustrates a time domain example of synchronization signal block (SSB) transmission for neighbor cells with different SSB periodicity and SSB offset;

[0039] Figure 4 is a procedural diagram illustrating the evaluation and selection of a measurement configuration, according to a particular embodiment;

[0040] Figure 5 shows an example of a communication system, according to certain embodiments; Figure 6 shows a user equipment (UE), according to certain embodiments;

[0041] Figure 7 shows a network node, according to certain embodiments;

[0042] Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment, according to certain embodiments;

[0043] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example method in a user equipment, according to certain embodiments; and

[0044] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example method in a network node, according to certain embodiments.

[0045] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] As described above, certain challenges currently exist with synchronization signal block (SSB)-based measurement timing configuration (SMTC) configuration for a non-terrestrialnetwork (NTN). Certain aspects of the disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to these or other challenges. For example, in particular embodiments a user equipment (UE) is provided with multiple sets of alternative measurement configurations, understood as potential combinations of SMTCs and measurement gaps. The alternative measurement configurations may be associated to various evaluation criteria (e.g., a reference location) that the UE uses to select one of the provided alternatives (e.g., based on its own location within the serving cell or with respect to the adjacent neighbor cells). The association with various evaluation criteria may be explicitly signaled or in other embodiments, determined by the UE.

[0047] Particular embodiments are 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.

[0048] As used herein, the term network may, depending on the context, refer to an entire network (e.g., an NTN) or (usually) a network node (e.g., a gNB).

[0049] According to particular embodiments, a UE selects one or more acceptable measurement configurations from a plurality of potential measurement configurations based on their associated evaluation criteria that are related to present UE conditions. To enable this, the network (e.g., the gNB) sends to the UE the plurality of measurement configurations, and after evaluating and selecting one or more measurement configurations, the UE may inform the network of its choice, e.g. indicating the best measurement configuration or alternatively a list of multiple acceptable measurement configurations.

[0050] If the UE reports only one acceptable measurement configuration (or when it is configured to only report one acceptable measurement configuration), the UE may use that measurement configuration.

[0051] When the UE reports multiple acceptable measurement configurations, the network may indicate to the UE which measurement configuration the UE shall use. Alternatively, the UE may be preconfigured (or fixed in the specification) to use the first measurement configuration in the reported list of acceptable measurement configurations. As another option, the UE may use all the acceptable measurement configurations.

[0052] In this context, in terms of SMTC and measurement gap configuration, a measurement configuration includes, but is not limited to, a set of SMTCs and associated measurement gap for a certain carrier frequency. The measurement configuration may be associated to various factors, for example, a reference location, a certain satellite, or a time interval.

[0053] The overall procedure for particular embodiments comprise the following steps.(Step 1) The UE receives a set of measurement configurations from a network node (e.g., a gNB). The set of measurement configurations may be included in an existing RRCReconfiguration message. In other embodiments, the measurement configurations may be included in a system information block (SIB).

[0054] In some embodiments, each of the measurement configurations are associated with an evaluation criteria. In some embodiments, the UE associates each of the measurement configurations with an evaluation criteria.

[0055] (Step 2) The UE evaluates the criteria associated to each measurement configuration and uses the evaluation to select one of the provided measurement configurations (in some embodiments) or one or multiple of the provided measurement configurations (in some other embodiments).

[0056] (Step 3) The UE informs the network node of its selection. This selection indication may be included in an existing RRCReconfigurationComplete message.

[0057] (Step 4) In some embodiments, if the UE selected and indicated multiple acceptable measurement configurations, the network node selects one out of the multiple acceptable measurement configurations for the UE to apply and informs the UE of the choice.

[0058] (Step 5) The network node may subsequently update the UE’s measurement configuration (i.e., the measurement configuration(s) the UE selected) with a new RRCReconfiguration message, for example based on need to support many UEs in a cell or other reasons for selecting a different measurement configuration.

[0059] In some embodiments, the UE applies the selected measurement configuration(s) after step 2. In other embodiments, the UE applies the selected measurement configuration(s) after step 3. In some embodiments (where the UE selected and indicated multiple acceptable measurement configurations and the network node selected one of those), the UE applies the selected measurement configuration after step 4.

[0060] Figure 4 is a procedural diagram illustrating the evaluation and selection of a measurement configuration. The UE indicates its measurement configuration choice in the message titled “Configuration ACK” in Figure 4.

[0061] Some embodiments include a new Radio Resource Control (RRC) procedure. This includes an initial network message that comprises the multiple measurement configurations associated to different evaluation criteria. Subsequently, a UE sends a message to the network to indicate and confirm the chosen alternative.

[0062] Some embodiments include configuration of alternative measurement configurations. The alternative measurement configurations are represented with a new list of measurement objectsidentifiers. The network commonly configures the UE with a list of measurement objects (e.g., measObjectToAddModList parameter in MeasConfig IE). The new general list informs the UE which of the configured measurement objects may be considered as alternative configurations, so that the UE selects and configures / applies a single entry of the new list.

[0063] In a variation, the alternative measurement configurations (represented with a list of measurement object identifiers) are grouped according to certain criteria, such as carrier frequency, location, or frequency range. The group may be associated with a group identifier. The UE is provided with a list of those groups of alternative measurement configurations and shall select and configure / apply a single entry per group.

[0064] The following is an example of how the multiple measurement configurations may be indicated to the UE using existing, but extended, RRC signaling. The IE MeasConflg has been chosen for illustrative purposes (using its ASN.l definition in 3GPP TS 38.331 version 18.5.1). The new text / ASN.1 code is indicated by underlined text.

[0065] -- ASN1START

[0066] — TAG-MEASCONFIG-START

[0067] MeasConf ig:: = SEQUENCE {

[0068] measObj ectToRemoveList MeasObj ectToRemoveList

[0069] OPTIONAL, -- Need N

[0070] measObj ectToAddModList MeasObj ectToAddModList

[0071] OPTIONAL, -- Need N

[0072] report Conf igToRemoveLi st Report Conf igToRemoveLis t

[0073] OPTIONAL, -- Need N

[0074] report Conf igToAddModList Report Conf igToAddModList

[0075] OPTIONAL, -- Need N

[0076] measIdToRemoveList Me a s I dT oRemoveL i s t

[0077] OPTIONAL, -- Need N

[0078] measIdToAddModList Me a s I dT oAddModL i s t

[0079] OPTIONAL, -- Need N

[0080] s -Me a sure Config CHOICE {

[0081] ssb-RSRP RSRP-Range,

[0082] csi-RSRP RSRP-Range

[0083] }

[0084] OPTIONAL, -- Need M

[0085] quantityConfig QuantityConfig

[0086] OPTIONAL, -- Need M

[0087] me as GapConfig Me as GapConfig

[0088] OPTIONAL, -- Need M

[0089] me as Gap SharingConfig MeasGapShar ingConf ig

[0090] OPTIONAL, -- Need M

[0091] [ [

[0092] inter Frequency Conf i g -NoGap -r 16 ENUMERATED { true }

[0093] OPTIONAL -- Need R

[0094] ] ],

[0095] [ [

[0096] effectiveMeasWindowConfig-r18 SetupRelease {MeasWindowConfig-r18} OPTIONAL -- Need M

[0097] ] ]

[0098] [ [measObjectChoiceList-r19 SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxNrofObjectId)) OF MeasObjectId OPTIONAL -- Need M

[0099] _ U

[0100] }

[0101] MeasObj ectToRemoveList:: = SEQUENCE (SIZE ( 1.. maxNrof Ob j ectld) ) OF MeasObj ectld

[0102] MeasIdToRemoveList:: = SEQUENCE (SIZE ( 1.. maxNrofMeasId) ) OF Measld

[0103] ReportConf igToRemoveList:: = SEQUENCE (SIZE

[0104] ( 1.. maxReportConf igld) ) OF ReportConf igld

[0105] -- TAG-MEASCONFIG-STOP

[0106] -- ASN1STOP

[0107] The alternative measurement configurations are associated with one or multiple evaluation criteria. The UE assesses the criteria and its present conditions to decide which configuration is the most suitable. The evaluation criteria may comprise but are not limited to the following conditions:

[0108] • A specific serving satellite. The network may specify to which satellite the measurement configurations are associated. The satellite may be identified with its ephemeris or with a separate identifier (e.g., a satellite ID).

[0109] • A distance to a reference location. The network may include a reference location, and a distance threshold associated to a measurement configuration that may be related to the serving cell or neighbor cells. The UE selects the configuration(s) that are closest to its current position or within the range of the provided distance.

[0110] • A time instant or interval: The network may provide a time duration, interval, start or stop times associated to a measurement configuration. This option becomes relevant for earthmoving cells, where from UE’s perspective neighboring cells will change as the serving cell sweeps through Earth’s surface and the UE moves from one end to the opposite end of the serving cell. The UE selects the configuration(s) depending on the current time.

[0111] • Radio conditions. The network may provide a value or range of reference signal receive power (RSRP), reference signal strength indicator (RS SI), or any other power level quantity associated to a measurement configuration. In addition, the network may indicate a list of cell identifiers (e.g., physical cell identifier (PCI)). The UE selects the configuration(s) for which the measured power level exceeds the provided power level. This may or not be in association with a specific list of cell identities.The following is an example of how the evaluation criteria may be associated with a measurement configuration using existing RRC signaling. The I MeasObjectNR has been chosen for illustrative purposes (using its ASN.l definition in 3GPP TS 38.331 version 18.5.1). This example includes evaluation criteria related to a specific serving satellite, a distance to a reference location, and time interval, even though other evaluation criteria are possible The new text / ASN.1 code is indicated by underlined text.

[0112] -- ASN1START

[0113] -- TAG-MEASOBJECTNR-START

[0114] MeasObj ectNR:: = SEQUENCE {

[0115] s sbFrequency ARFCN-ValueNR

[0116] OPTIONAL, -- Cond SSBorAssociatedSSB

[0117] s sbSubc ar ri er Spacing Subcarrier Spacing

[0118] OPTIONAL, -- Cond SSBorAssociatedSSB

[0119] smtc1 SSB-MTC

[0120] OPTIONAL, -- Cond SSBorAssociatedSSB

[0121] smtc2 SSB-MTC2

[0122] OPTIONAL, -- Cond IntraFreqConnected

[0123] ref FreqCS I-RS ARFCN-ValueNR

[0124] OPTIONAL, -- Cond CSI-RS

[0125] referenceSignalConfig ReferenceSignalConfig

[0126] absThreshSS-BlocksConsolidation ThresholdNR

[0127] OPTIONAL, -- Need R

[0128] absThres hC SI- RS -Consolidation ThresholdNR

[0129] OPTIONAL, -- Need R

[0130] nrofSS-BlocksToAverage INTEGER (2..maxNrofSS-BlocksToAverage) OPTIONAL, -- Need R

[0131] nrofCSI-RS-ResourcesToAverage INTEGER ( 2.. maxNrof CS I-RS -ResourcesToAverage ) OPTIONAL, -- Need R

[0132] quantityConfigIndex INTEGER (1..maxNrofQuantityConfig) of f setMO Q-Of f setRangeList, cellsToRemoveList PCI-List

[0133] OPTIONAL, -- Need N

[0134] c e 11 s T oAddModL i s t CellsToAddModList

[0135] OPTIONAL, -- Need N

[0136] excludedCellsToRemoveList PCI-RangelndexList

[0137] OPTIONAL, -- Need N

[0138] excludedCellsToAddModList SEQUENCE (SIZE ( 1.. maxNrof PCI-Ranges ) ) OF PCI-RangeElement OPTIONAL, -- Need N allowedCellsToRemoveList PCI-RangelndexList

[0139] OPTIONAL, -- Need N

[0140] allowedCellsToAddModList SEQUENCE (SIZE ( 1.. maxNrof PCI-Ranges ) ) OF PCI-RangeElement OPTIONAL, -- Need N

[0141] [ [

[0142] f reqBandlndicatorNR FreqBandlndicatorNR

[0143] OPTIONAL, -- Need R

[0144] measCycleSCell ENUMERATED { sfl60, sf256, sf320, sf512, sf 640, sfl024, sfl280 } OPTIONAL — Need R

[0145] ] ],

[0146] [ [

[0147] smtc31ist-rl6 SSB-MTC3List-rl6

[0148] OPTIONAL, -- Need R

[0149] rmtc-Conf ig-rl6 SetupRelease { RMTC-Conf ig-rl6 } OPTIONAL, -- Need Mt312-r16 SetupRelease { T312-r16 } OPTIONAL -- Need M

[0150] ] ],

[0151] [ [

[0152] associatedMeasGapSSB-r17 MeasGapId-r17

[0153] OPTIONAL, -- Need R

[0154] associatedMeasGapCSIRS-r17 MeasGapId-r17

[0155] OPTIONAL, -- Need R

[0156] smtc4list-r17 SSB-MTC4List-r17

[0157] OPTIONAL, -- Need R

[0158] measCyclePSCell-r17 ENUMERATED {ms160, ms256, ms320, ms512, ms640, ms1024, ms1280, spare1}

[0159] OPTIONAL, -- Cond SCG

[0160] cellsToAddModListExt-v1710 CellsToAddModListExt-v1710 OPTIONAL -- Need N

[0161] ] ],

[0162] [ [

[0163] associatedMeasGapSSB2-v1720 MeasGapId-r17

[0164] OPTIONAL, -- Cond AssociatedGapSSB

[0165] associatedMeasGapCSIRS2-v1720 MeasGapId-r17

[0166] OPTIONAL -- Cond AssociatedGapCSIRS

[0167] ] ],

[0168] [ [

[0169] measSequence-r18 MeasSequence-r18

[0170] OPTIONAL, -- Need R

[0171] cellsToAddModListExt-v1800 CellsToAddModListExt-v1800 OPTIONAL, -- Need N

[0172] ]]

[0173] associatedSelCriterion-r19 SelectionCriterion-r19

[0174] OPTIONAL -- Need R

[0175] ]]

[0176] }

[0177] SelectionCriterion-r19 ::= CHOICE { time-r19 SEQUENCE { tStart INTEGER (0..549755813887) OPTIONAL, -- Need R tEnd INTEGER (0..549755813887) OPTIONAL, -- Need R }, satellite-r19 SEQUENCE { ephemerisInfo-r19 EphemerisInfo-r17 OPTIONAL, -- Need R satelliteID-r19 SatelliteId-r19 OPTIONAL -- Need R }, location-r19 SEQUENCE { referenceLocation-r19 ReferenceLocation-r17 OPTIONAL -- Need R distanceThreshold-r19 INTEGER (0..4097) OPTIONAL -- Need R } }

[0178]

[0179] -- TAG-MEASOBJECTNR-STOP

[0180] — ASN1STOP

[0181] Some embodiments include an indication of the measurement configuration selection. After evaluating the criteria associated to the alternative measurement configurations, the UE selects one(or more) measurement configuration and informs the network of its selection. In one alternative, the indication may be the identifier of the selected measurement object. In another alternative, when measurement configurations are provided in groups, the indication relates to the group that includes the selected measurement object identifier and the specific group identifier. The UE may include an empty list when none of the criteria for the alternative measurement configuration are fulfilled.

[0182] The following is an example of how the confirmation of the selected measurement configuration alternative may be indicated by the UE to the network using an existing RRC message. RRCReconfigurationComplete has been chosen for illustrative purposes (using its ASN.1 definition in 3GPP TS 38.331 version 18.5.1). The new text / ASN.1 code is indicated by underlined text.

[0183] -- ASN1START

[0184] -

[0185]

[0186] -- TAG-RRCRECONFIGURATIONCOMPLETE-START

[0187] RRCReconf igurationComplete:: = SEQUENCE {

[0188] rrc-TransactionIdentifier RRC-TransactionIdentifier, criticalExtensions CHOICE {

[0189] rrcReconfigurationComplete

[0190] RRCReconfigurationComplete-IEs,

[0191] criticalExtensions Future SEQUENCE { }

[0192] }

[0193] }

[0194] RRCReconfigurationComplete-IEs ::= SEQUENCE {

[0195] lateNonCriticalExtension OCTET STRING

[0196] OPTIONAL,

[0197] nonCriticalExtension RRCReconfigurationComplete-v1530-IEs OPTIONAL

[0198] }

[0199] [•••]

[0200] RRCReconfigurationComplete-v1800-IEs ::= SEQUENCE {

[0201] needForInterruptionInfoNR-r18 NeedForInterruptionInfoNR-r18 OPTIONAL,

[0202] flightPathInfoAvailable-r18 ENUMERATED {true} OPTIONAL,

[0203] selectedPSCellForCHO-WithSCG-r18 SelectedPSCellForCHO-WithSCG-r18 OPTIONAL,

[0204] selectedSK-Counter-r18 SK-Counter

[0205] OPTIONAL,

[0206] measConfigReportAppLayerAvailable-r18 ENUMERATED {true} OPTIONAL,

[0207] appliedLTM-CandidateId-r18 LTM-CandidateId-r18 OPTIONAL,

[0208] nonCriticalExtension RRCReconfigurationComplete-v1900-IEs OPTIONAL

[0209] }

[0210] RRCReconfigurationComplete-v1900-IEs ::= SEQUENCE {selectedMeasObjectList SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxNrofObjectId)) OF MeasObjectId

[0211] OPTIONAL,

[0212] nonCriticalExtension SEQUENCE {}

[0213] OPTIONAL

[0214] }

[0215] ---- TAG-RRCRECONFIGURATIONCOMPLETE-STOP

[0216] — ASN1STOP

[0217] Some embodiments include other signaling methods. The measurement configuration, the evaluation criteria, the confirmation message and / or reconfiguration of the measurement configuration may use other signaling methods than RRC messages, for example medium access control (MAC) control elements or in downlink control information (DCI).

[0218] In some embodiments, different measurement configurations are associated with different regions of the serving cell, wherein each region is characterized by a reference point. All the measurement configurations are signaled to the UE and the UE selects one of them. A UE regards itself to be located in the region whose reference point is the closest to the UE’s own location and selects the measurement configuration associated with that region / reference point. Because the regions’ reference points are all that is needed to determine which region the UE is in, the region concept is essentially unnecessary and may in practice be replaced (or represented) in full by the reference points. It is thus equivalent to say that each measurement configuration is associated with one of the reference points in the cell.

[0219] In some embodiments, a cell is divided into (at least approximately) equally sized regions, each covering a pie slice-shaped sector of the cell. In other embodiments, one region occupies the center area of the cell, and it is surrounded by (at least approximately) equally sized cell edge regions. There is thus one reference point at the center point of the cell surrounded by reference points, each representing one of the cell edge regions. In some embodiments, the center region / reference point has no associated measurement configuration, i.e. a UE located in the center region (i.e., the center reference point is the reference point closest to the UE) which consequently selects the reference point of the center region will not have to perform any neighbor cell measurements. In other embodiments, the center region / reference point is associated with a measurement configuration that covers all neighbor cells surrounding the serving cell (and potentially terrestrial network (TN) cells too). In yet other embodiments, the center region / reference point is associated with a measurement configuration that covers all neighboring TN cells (including TN cells overlaid by the service cell).The alternative measurement configurations, i.e. the measurement configurations of which the UE is supposed to select one, may be signaled to the UE using RRC signaling. The following is an example of how this solution / embodiment may be realized in ASN.l code. In this example there is a center region / reference point which has no associated measurement configuration. The example is based on the ASN.l code for the RRCReconflguration message in 3GPP TS 38.331 version 18.5.1. The new text / ASN.l code is indicated by underlined text.

[0220] -- ASN1START

[0221] -- TAG-RRCRECONFIGURATION-START

[0222] RRCReconflguration:: = SEQUENCE {

[0223] rrc-TransactionIdentifier RRC-TransactionIdentifier, criticalExtensions CHOICE {

[0224] rrcReconfiguration RRCReconfiguration-IEs, criticalExtensionsFuture SEQUENCE {}

[0225] }

[0226] RRCReconf iguration-IEs:: = SEQUENCE {

[0227] radioBearerConfig RadioBearerConfig

[0228] OPTIONAL, -- Need M

[0229] secondaryCellGroup OCTET STRING (CONTAINING CellGroupConf ig) OPTIONAL, -- Cond SCG measConfig MeasConfig

[0230] OPTIONAL, -- Need M

[0231] lateNonCriticalExtension OCTET STRING

[0232] OPTIONAL,

[0233] nonCriticalExtension RRCReconfiguration-v1530-IEs OPTIONAL

[0234] }

[0235] [•••]

[0236] RRCReconfiguration-v1830-IEs ::= SEQUENCE {

[0237] otherConfig-v1830 OtherConfig-v1830

[0238] OPTIONAL, -- Need M

[0239] nonCriticalExtension RRCReconfiguration-v19xx-IEs OPTIONAL

[0240] }

[0241] RRCReconfiguration-v19xx-IEs ::= SEQUENCE {measConfigAlternativesList-r19 SEQUENCE {SIZE

[0242] (1..maxMeasConfigAlternatives-r19)) OF MeasConfigAlternatives-r19 OPTIONAL, nonCriticalExtension SEQUENCE () OPTIONAL

[0243] MeasConfigAlternatives-r19 ::= SEQUENCE {

[0244] referencePoint-r19 ReferenceLocation-r17,

[0245] measConfig-r19 MeasConfig OPTIONAL, -- Need R

[0246] ...

[0247] } -- If no measurement configuration is associated with the refernece point, e.g. if the reference point representing the center region of the cell, measConfig-r19 is absent.

[0248] [•••]

[0249] -- TAG-RRCRECONFIGURATION-STOP

[0250] — ASN1STOP

[0251] As one option, a UE that supports the features of the particular embodiments described herein, e.g. a UE that supports the release of the 3GPP standard where this feature is introduced, e.g. release 19, ignores the measConfig field in RRCReconflguration-IEs, if measConflgAlternatives-x\9 is present.

[0252] In a variation of these embodiments, a UE may select and report more than one measurement configuration, indicate this to the network and apply the measurement configurations. This may be appropriate, e.g., if two reference points are equally close to the UE or if the difference between these two distances is smaller than a threshold distance, where the threshold distance may be configured by the network, specified in a standard or decided by the UE implementation.

[0253] The following is an example of how indication of the selected measurement configuration may be specified in ASN.l code. The example is based on the ASN.l code for the RRCReconfigurationComplete message in 3GPP TS 38.331 version 18.4.0. The new text / ASN.l code is indicated by underlined text.

[0254] -- ASN1START

[0255] - -- TAG-RRCRECONFIGURATIONCOMPLETE-START

[0256] RRCReconfigurationComplete:: = SEQUENCE {

[0257] rrc-TransactionIdentifier RRC-TransactionIdentifier, criticalExtensions CHOICE {rrcReconfigurationComplete

[0258] RRCReconfigurationComplete-IEs,

[0259] criticalExtensionsFuture SEQUENCE { }

[0260] }

[0261] }

[0262] RRCReconfigurationComplete-IEs ::= SEQUENCE { lateNonCriticalExtension OCTET STRING

[0263] OPTIONAL,

[0264] nonCriticalExtension RRCReconfigurationComplete-v1530-IEs OPTIONAL

[0265] }

[0266] RRCReconfigurationComplete-v1800-IEs ::= SEQUENCE {

[0267] needForInterruptionInfoNR-r18 NeedForInterruptionInfoNR-r18 OPTIONAL,

[0268] flightPathInfoAvailable-r18 ENUMERATED {true} OPTIONAL,

[0269] selectedPSCellForCHO-WithSCG-r18 SelectedPSCellForCHO-WithSCG-r18 OPTIONAL,

[0270] selectedSK-Counter-r18 SK-Counter

[0271] OPTIONAL,

[0272] measConfigReportAppLayerAvailable-r18 ENUMERATED {true} OPTIONAL,

[0273] appliedLTM-CandidateId-r18 LTM-CandidateId-r18 OPTIONAL,

[0274] nonCriticalExtension RRCReconfigurationComplete-v19xx-IEs OPTIONAL

[0275] }

[0276] RRCReconfigurationComplete-v19xx-IEs ::= SEQUENCE {

[0277] measConfigAndRefPointIndex-r19 INTEGER (1..

[0278] maxMeasConfigAlternatives-r19) OPTIONAL, -- The

[0279] measConfigAndRefPointIndex-r19 field points out an entry in

[0280] measConfigAlternativesList-r19 (value 1 means first entry, value 2 means second entry, etc.), where each such entry comprises a referencePoint-r19 field and a measConfig-r19 field or only a referencePoint-r19 field.

[0281] nonCriticalExtension SEQUENCE {} OPTIONAL }-- TAG-RRCRECONFIGURATIONCOMPLETE-STOP

[0282] — ASN1STOP

[0283] In the example above, the measConfigAndRefPointIndex-r19 field points out an entry in measConfigAlternativesList-r19 (value 1 means first entry, value 2 means second entry, etc.), where each such entry comprises a referencePoint-r19 field and a measConfig-r19 field or only a referencePoint-r19 field.

[0284] In all previously described examples and embodiments, the UE may store the selected and applied measurement configuration(s) in the existing VarMeasConfig IE (as one option) or in a new UE variable (as another option).

[0285] Furthermore, in all the previously described examples and embodiments, if the UE’s location subsequently changes, or its situation changes in a way that impacts the evaluation of which measurement configuration(s) to select, report and apply, there may be a means for updating the UE’s choice of measurement configuration, and reporting the new choice to the network. Such a means may, e.g. be the UEAssistanceInformation message extended with one or more new IE(s) serving this purpose. Another possibility may be to use a new RRC message for this purpose.

[0286] Some embodiments apply in RRC IDLE and / or RRC INACTIVE state. The same solution principle may be applied also in other RRC states.

[0287] The multiple alternative sets of neighbor cell information (or alternative indications of neighbor cell(s) to measure on) may be signaled in the broadcast system information, wherein each such alternative set of neighbor cell information (or each alternative indication of neighbor cell(s) to measure on) is associated with one or more evaluation / selection criterion / criteria, e.g. an associated reference point (e.g., representing a region in the serving cell). A UE in RRC IDLE or RRC INACTIVE state camping in the cell receives the broadcast system information, evaluates the evaluation / selection criteria in relation to its own situation, e.g. its own location, and selects the alternative set of neighbor cell information (or the alternative indication of neighbor cell(s) to measure on) for which the evaluation / selection criteria is best fulfilled (e.g., the alternative set of neighbor cell information (or the alternative indication of neighbor cell(s) to measure on) associated with the reference point closest to the UE. Then the UE measures on the neighbor cell(s) in accordance with the selected alternative set of neighbor cell information (or the selected alternative indication of neighbor cell(s) to measure on) and in accordance with the regular neighbor cell measurement rules for UEs in RRC IDLE and RRC INACTIVE state.

[0288] The new system information may be included in, e.g. SIB2, SIB3, SIB4 and / or SIB5 and / or one or more new SIB(s).Figure 5 shows an example of a communication system 100 in accordance with some embodiments. In the example, the communication system 100 includes a telecommunication network 102 that includes an access network 104, such as a radio access network (RAN), and a core network 106, which includes one or more core network nodes 108. The access network 104 includes one or more access network nodes, such as network nodes 110a and 110b (one or more of which may be generally referred to as network nodes 110), or any other similar 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) access node or non-3GPP access points. Moreover, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, 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 telecommunication network 102 includes one or more Open-RAN (ORAN) network nodes. An ORAN network node is a node in the telecommunication network 102 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 nodes to implement one or more functionalities of any node in the telecommunication network 102, including one or more network nodes 110 and / or core network nodes 108. The network nodes 110 facilitate direct or indirect connection of user equipment (UE), such as by connecting UEs 112a, 112b, 112c, and 112d (one or more of which may be generally referred to as UEs 112) to the core network 106 over one or more wireless connections.

[0289] In some embodiments, the telecommunication network 102 includes a non-terrestrial network, NTN. Unless otherwise described herein, embodiments applicable for NTN may be implemented according to the following clauses. An NTN is telecommunication network where the radio access payload is conveyed via satellite to a ground station. E-UTRAN supports radio access over non-terrestrial networks for BL UEs, UEs in enhanced coverage and NB-IoT UEs. Support for non-terrestrial networks encompasses platforms that provide radio access through Geosynchronous orbits (GSO), Non-Geosynchronous Orbit (NGSO), which includes Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) or High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS). Another example of a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) provides non-terrestrial NR access to the UE by means of an NTN payload and an NTN Gateway, a service link between the NTN payload and a UE, and a feeder link between the NTN Gateway and the NTN payload exists. An access network 104 may include an NTN access network such as the 3GPP Satellite Access Node (SAN) which comprises Non-NTN infrastructure base station functions (e.g. eNB / gNB) a terrestrial Gateway which provides the interface to the feeder link to an NTN payload RF node. In some embodiments a network node 110 comprises a SAN, wherein the location of base station functionsfor a network node 110 (described above for the general terrestrial access) vary between residing in the terrestrial access network node part of the SAN and the NTN Payload RF node functions depending on the supported architecture. One example of NTN architecture is called bent pipe or transparent architecture where the radio frequency processing function (transceiver) on a satellite platform is interconnected with a terrestrial base station, also known as transparent architecture, and the NTN payload is passed transparently, no unpacking. Another example of NTN architecture is called regenerative architecture, where part or all of the eNB / gNB can be in the satellite.

[0290] In some examples a SAN includes 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 a non-real time control application (e.g., rApp), or any combination thereof (the adjective “open” designating support of an ORAN specification).

[0291] 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 100 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 100 may include and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, radio network, and / or other similar type of system.

[0292] The UEs 112 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 110 and other communication devices. Similarly, the network nodes 110 are arranged, capable, configured, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with the UEs 112 and / or with other network nodes or equipment in the telecommunication network 102 to enable and / or provide network access, such as wireless network access, and / or to perform other functions, such as administration in the telecommunication network 102.

[0293] In the depicted example, the core network 106 connects the network nodes 110 to one or more hosts, such as host 116. 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 106 includes one more core network nodes (e.g., core network node 108) that are structured with hardware and software components. Features of these components may besubstantially similar to those described with respect to the UEs, network nodes, and / or hosts, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of the core network node 108. Example core network nodes include 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).

[0294] The host 116 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider other than an operator or provider of the access network 104 and / or the telecommunication network 102 and may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The host 116 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.

[0295] As a whole, the communication system 100 of Figure 5 enables connectivity between the UEs, network nodes, and hosts. In that sense, the communication system 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 (WiFi); and / or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Near Field Communication (NFC) ZigBee, LiFi, and / or any low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) standards such as LoRa and Sigfox.

[0296] In some examples, the telecommunication network 102 is a cellular network that implements 3GPP standardized features. Accordingly, the telecommunications network 102 may support network slicing to provide different logical networks to different devices that are connected to the telecommunication network 102. For example, the telecommunications network 102 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 IoT services to yet further UEs.In some examples, the UEs 112 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 104 on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the access network 104. 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).

[0297] In the example, the hub 114 communicates with the access network 104 to facilitate indirect communication between one or more UEs (e.g., UE 112c and / or 112d) and network nodes (e.g., network node 110b). In some examples, the hub 114 may be a controller, router, content source and analytics, or any of the other communication devices described herein regarding UEs. For example, the hub 114 may be a broadband router enabling access to the core network 106 for the UEs. As another example, the hub 114 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 110, or by executable code, script, process, or other instructions in the hub 114. As another example, the hub 114 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 114 may be a content source. For example, for a UE that is a VR headset, display, loudspeaker or other media delivery device, the hub 114 may retrieve VR assets, video, audio, or other media or data related to sensory information via a network node, which the hub 114 then provides to the UE either directly, after performing local processing, and / or after adding additional local content. In still another example, the hub 114 acts as a proxy server or orchestrator for the UEs, in particular in if one or more of the UEs are low energy loT devices.

[0298] The hub 114 may have a constant / persistent or intermittent connection to the network node 110b. The hub 114 may also allow for a different communication scheme and / or schedule between the hub 114 and UEs (e.g., UE 112c and / or 112d), and between the hub 114 and the core network 106. In other examples, the hub 114 is connected to the core network 106 and / or one or more UEs via a wired connection. Moreover, the hub 114 may be configured to connect to an M2M service provider over the access network 104 and / or to another UE over a direct connection. In some scenarios, UEs may establish a wireless connection with the network nodes 110 while still connected via the hub 114 via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, the hub 114 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 110b. In other embodiments, the hub 114 may be a non-dedicated hub - that is, a device which is capable of operating to route communications between the UEs and network node 110b, but which is additionally capable of operating as a communication start and / or end point for certain data channels.

[0299] Figure 6 shows a UE 200 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, a UE refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and / or other UEs. Examples of a UE 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-mounted or vehicle embedded / integrated wireless device, etc. Other examples include any UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP), including a narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE.

[0300] A UE 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, a UE may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the relevant device. Instead, a UE 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, a UE 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).

[0301] The UE 200 includes processing circuitry 202 that is operatively coupled via a bus 204 to an input / output interface 206, a power source 208, a memory 210, a communication interface 212, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. Certain UEs may utilize all or a subset of the components shown in Figure 2. The level of integration between the components may vary from one UE to another UE. Further, certain UEs may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0302] The processing circuitry 202 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 210. The processing circuitry 202 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 202 may include multiple central processing units (CPUs).

[0303] In the example, the input / output interface 206 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 the UE 200. 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.

[0304] In some embodiments, the power source 208 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. The power source 208 may further include power circuitry for delivering power from the power source 208 itself, and / or an external power source, to the various parts of the UE 200 via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Delivering power may be, for example, for charging of the power source 208. Power circuitry may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to the power from the power source 208 to make the power suitable for the respective components of the UE 200 to which power is supplied.

[0305] The memory 210 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 210 includes one or more application programs 214, such as an operating system, web browser application, a widget, gadget engine, or other application, and corresponding data 216. The memory 210 may store, for use by the UE 200, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.The memory 210 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 210 may allow the UE 200 to access instructions, application 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 210, which may be or comprise a device-readable storage medium.

[0306] The processing circuitry 202 may be configured to communicate with an access network or other network using the communication interface 212. The communication interface 212 may comprise one or more communication subsystems and may include or be communicatively coupled to an antenna 222. The communication interface 212 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 UE or a network node in an access network). Each transceiver may include a transmitter 218 and / or a receiver 220 appropriate to provide network communications (e.g., optical, electrical, frequency allocations, and so forth). Moreover, the transmitter 218 and receiver 220 may be coupled to one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 222) and may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively be implemented separately.

[0307] In the illustrated embodiment, communication functions of the communication interface 212 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, 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 in 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.

[0308] Regardless of the type of sensor, a UE may provide an output of data captured by its sensors, through its communication interface 212, via a wireless connection to a network node. Data captured by sensors of a UE can be communicated through a wireless connection to a network node via another UE. The 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).

[0309] As another example, a UE 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, the UE 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.

[0310] A UE, 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, city 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 head-mounted display for Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR), a wearable for tactile augmentation or sensory enhancement, a water sprinkler, an animal- or itemtracking 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. A UE in the form of an loT device 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 UE 200 shown in Figure 2.

[0311] As yet another specific example, in an loT scenario, a UE 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 UE and / or a network node. The UE may in this case be an M2Mdevice, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, the UE may implement the 3GPP NB-IoT standard. In other scenarios, a UE 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.

[0312] In practice, any number of UEs may be used together with respect to a single use case. For example, a first UE might be or be integrated in a drone and provide the drone’s speed information (obtained through a speed sensor) to a second UE that is a remote controller operating the drone. When the user makes changes from the remote controller, the first UE 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 UE can also include more than one of the functionalities described above. For example, a UE might comprise the sensor and the actuator, and handle communication of data for both the speed sensor and the actuators.

[0313] Figure 7 shows a network node 300 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 telecommunication network. 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)).

[0314] Base stations 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. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units 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).

[0315] Other examples of network nodes 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).

[0316] The network node 300 includes a processing circuitry 302, a memory 304, a communication interface 306, and a power source 308. The network node 300 may be composed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., a NodeB component and a RNC component, or a BTS component and a BSC component, etc.), which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios in which the network node 300 comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components 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 300 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate memory 304 for different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., a same antenna 310 may be shared by different RATs). The network node 300 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node 300, for example GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, 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 300.

[0317] The processing circuitry 302 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 network node 300 components, such as the memory 304, to provide network node 300 functionality.

[0318] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 302 includes a system on a chip (SOC). In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 302 includes one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 312 and baseband processing circuitry 314. In some embodiments, the radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 312 and the baseband processing circuitry 314 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 312 and baseband processing circuitry 314 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units.

[0319] The memory 304 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mountedmemory, 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 302. The memory 304 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 302 and utilized by the network node 300. The memory 304 may be used to store any calculations made by the processing circuitry 302 and / or any data received via the communication interface 306. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 302 and memory 304 is integrated.

[0320] The communication interface 306 is used in wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data between a network node, access network, and / or UE. As illustrated, the communication interface 306 comprises port(s) / terminal(s) 316 to send and receive data, for example to and from a network over a wired connection. The communication interface 306 also includes radio frontend circuitry 318 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, the antenna 310. Radio front-end circuitry 318 comprises filters 320 and amplifiers 322. The radio front-end circuitry 318 may be connected to an antenna 310 and processing circuitry 302. The radio frontend circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 310 and processing circuitry 302. The radio front-end circuitry 318 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 318 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 320 and / or amplifiers 322. The radio signal may then be transmitted via the antenna 310. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna 310 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by the radio front-end circuitry 318. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuitry 302. In other embodiments, the communication interface may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0321] In certain alternative embodiments, the network node 300 does not include separate radio front-end circuitry 318, instead, the processing circuitry 302 includes radio front-end circuitry and is connected to the antenna 310. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of the RF transceiver circuitry 312 is part of the communication interface 306. In still other embodiments, the communication interface 306 includes one or more ports or terminals 316, the radio front-end circuitry 318, and the RF transceiver circuitry 312, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and thecommunication interface 306 communicates with the baseband processing circuitry 314, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0322] The antenna 310 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. The antenna 310 may be coupled to the radio front-end circuitry 318 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and / or signals wirelessly. In certain embodiments, the antenna 310 is separate from the network node 300 and connectable to the network node 300 through an interface or port.

[0323] The antenna 310, communication interface 306, and / or the processing circuitry 302 may be configured to perform any receiving operations and / or certain obtaining operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and / or signals may be received from a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment. Similarly, the antenna 310, the communication interface 306, and / or the processing circuitry 302 may be configured to perform any transmitting operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and / or signals may be transmitted to a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment.

[0324] The power source 308 provides power to the various components of network node 300 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). The power source 308 may further comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry to supply the components of the network node 300 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the network node 300 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 308. As a further example, the power source 308 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.

[0325] Embodiments of the network node 300 may include additional components beyond those shown in Figure 7 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 300 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into the network node 300 and to allow output of information from the network node 300. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for the network node 300.Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 500 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 500 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes, such as a hardware computing device that operates as a network node, UE, core network node, or host. Further, in embodiments in which the 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 500 includes components defined by the O-RAN Alliance, such as an O-Cloud environment orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an O-2 interface. Virtualization may facilitate distributed implementations of a network node, UE, core network node, or host.

[0326] Applications 502 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) are run in the virtualization environment 500 to implement some of the features, functions, and / or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0327] Hardware 504 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 506 (also referred to as hypervisors or virtual machine monitors (VMMs)), provide VMs 508a and 508b (one or more of which may be generally referred to as VMs 508), and / or perform any of the functions, features and / or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein. The virtualization layer 506 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to the VMs 508.

[0328] The VMs 508 comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by a corresponding virtualization layer 506. Different embodiments of the instance of a virtual appliance 502 may be implemented on one or more of VMs 508, 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.

[0329] In the context of NFV, a VM 508 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 508, and that part of hardware 504 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 VMs 508 on top of the hardware 504 and corresponds to the application 502.

[0330] Hardware 504 may be implemented in a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware 504 may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware 504 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 510, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications 502. In some embodiments, hardware 504 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 512 which may alternatively be used for communication between hardware nodes and radio units.

[0331] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 900 in a user equipment, according to certain embodiments. In particular embodiments, one or more steps of Figure 9 may be performed by UE 200 described with respect to Figure 6. The UE is capable of performing measurements when served by a NTN node that provides the UE with a terrestrial cellular footprint.

[0332] The method begins at step 912, where the user equipment (e.g., UE 200) receives a measurement configuration from a network node. The measurement configuration comprises a plurality of potential measurement configurations, each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations associated with an evaluation criteria.

[0333] In particular embodiments, a measurement configuration comprises one or more of a SMTC and measurement gaps.

[0334] In particular embodiments, the evaluation criteria comprises one or more of: a reference location; a reference time; a reference satellite identifier; and one or more radio conditions. Themeasurement criteria are described in more detail above with respect to Figure 4 and the embodiments and examples described herein.

[0335] In particular embodiments, the received measurement configuration comprises the evaluation criteria associated with each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations (e.g., both pieces of information, the measurement configuration and its associated evaluation criteria, are received from the network node). In other embodiments, the UE associates the evaluation criteria with each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations.

[0336] At step 914, the user equipment selects one or more potential measurement configurations based on a current condition of the user equipment and the associated evaluation criteria of the one or more potential measurement configurations.

[0337] For example, an associated evaluation criteria may comprise a reference location, and the current condition of the user equipment may comprise a current location of the user equipment. The user equipment may select the measurement configuration if the reference location associated with the measurement configuration is within a threshold distance of the user equipment current location. Additional examples are described in more detail with respect to the embodiments and examples described herein.

[0338] In some embodiments, the method may continue to step 920. In other embodiments, the method may include one or both of steps 916 and 920.

[0339] At step 916, the user equipment may transmit an indication (e.g., measurement object identifier, frequency identifier, group identifier, etc.) of the selected one or more potential measurement configurations to the network node.

[0340] At step 920, the user equipment may receive an indication of one of the selected one or more potential measurement configurations from the network node.

[0341] For example, the user equipment may transmit an indication of multiple selected measurement configurations to the network node, and the network node may respond with a single measurement configuration. Other examples are described in more detail with respect to the embodiments and examples described herein.

[0342] At step 920, the user equipment performs measurements according to one of the selected one or more potential measurement configurations. The user equipment may perform the measurements according to any of the embodiments and examples described herein.

[0343] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 900 of Figure 9. Additionally, one or more steps in the method of Figure 9 may be performed in parallel or in any suitable order.Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 1000 in a network node, according to certain embodiments. In particular embodiments, one or more steps of Figure 10 may be performed by network node 300 described with respect to Figure 7.

[0344] The method begins at step 1012, where the network node (e.g., network node 300) transmits a measurement configuration to the UE. The measurement configuration comprises a plurality of potential measurement configurations, each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations associated with an evaluation criteria.

[0345] The measurement configurations and evaluation criteria are described in more detail with respect to Figures 4 and 9, and the embodiments and examples described herein.

[0346] At step 1014, the network node receives an indication of a selected one or more potential measurement configurations from the UE. An example is described in more detail with respect to step 916 of Figure 9, and the embodiments and examples described herein.

[0347] At step 1016, the network node transmits an indication of a selected one of the one more potential measurement configurations to the UE. An example is described in more detail with respect to step 918 of Figure 9, and the embodiments and examples described herein.

[0348] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 1000 of Figure 10. Additionally, one or more steps in the method of Figure 10 may be performed in parallel or in any suitable order.

[0349] Some example embodiments are described below.

[0350] Group A Examples

[0351] Example 1. A method performed by a user equipment for performing measurements when served by a non-terrestrial network node that provides the user equipment with a terrestrial cellular footprint, the method comprising: receiving a measurement configuration from a network node, the measurement configuration comprising a plurality of potential measurement configurations, each of the plurality of measurement configurations associated with an evaluation criteria; selecting one or more potential measurement configurations based on a current condition of the user equipment and the associated evaluation criteria; and performing measurements according to one of the selected one or more potential measurement configurations.

[0352] Example 2. The method of the previous Example, further comprising transmitting an indication of the selected one or more potential measurement configurations to the network node.

[0353] Example 3. The method of any one of the previous Examples, further comprising receiving an indication of one of the selected one more potential measurement configurations from the network node, wherein performing the measurements is performed according to the indicated one potential measurement configuration.Example 4. The method of any one of the previous Examples, wherein a measurement configuration comprises one or more of a SMTC and measurement gaps.

[0354] Example 5. The method of any one of the previous Examples, wherein the evaluation criteria comprises one or more of: a reference location; a reference time; a reference satellite identifier; and one or more radio conditions.

[0355] Example 6. The method of any one of the previous Examples, wherein the received measurement configuration comprises the evaluation criteria associated with each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations.

[0356] Example 7. The method of any one of Examples 1-5, wherein the user equipment associates the evaluation criteria with each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations.

[0357] Example 8. A method performed by a wireless device, the method comprising:

[0358] any of the wireless device steps, features, or functions described above, either alone or in combination with other steps, features, or functions described above.

[0359] Example 9. The method of the previous Example, further comprising one or more additional wireless device steps, features or functions described above.

[0360] Group B Examples

[0361] Example 10. A method performed by a non-terrestrial network node for configuring measurements for a user equipment, the user equipment provided with a terrestrial cellular footprint by the network node, the method comprising: transmitting a measurement configuration to a wireless device, the measurement configuration comprising a plurality of potential measurement configurations, each of the plurality of measurement configurations associated with an evaluation criteria; and receiving an indication of a selected one or more potential measurement configurations from the wireless device.

[0362] Example 11. The method of the previous Example, further comprising transmitting an indication of a selected one of the one more potential measurement configurations to the wireless device.

[0363] Example 12. The method of any one of the previous two Examples, wherein a measurement configuration comprises one or more of a SMTC and measurement gaps.

[0364] Examplel3. The method of any one of the previous three Examples, wherein the evaluation criteria comprises one or more of: a reference location; a reference time; a reference satellite identifier; and one or more radio conditions.

[0365] Example 14. The method of any one of the previous four Examples, wherein themeasurement configuration comprises the evaluation criteria associated with each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations.

[0366] Example 15. A method performed by a network node, the method comprising: any of the steps, features, or functions described above with respect to a network node, either alone or in combination with other steps, features, or functions described above.

[0367] Examplel6. The method of the previous Example, further comprising one or more additional network node steps, features or functions described above.

[0368] Group C Examples

[0369] Example 17. A user equipment comprising: processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A Examples; and power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the processing circuitry.

[0370] Example 18. A network node comprising: processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group B Examples; power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the processing circuitry.

[0371] Example 19. A user equipment (UE) comprising: an antenna configured to send and receive wireless signals; radio front-end circuitry connected to the antenna and to processing circuitry, and configured to condition signals communicated between the antenna and the processing circuitry; the processing circuitry being configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A Examples; 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 battery connected to the processing circuitry and configured to supply power to the UE.

[0372] The foregoing description sets forth numerous specific details. It is understood, however, that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. Those of ordinary skill in the art, with the included descriptions, will be able to implement appropriate functionality without undue experimentation.

[0373] References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to thesame embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0374] Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments, alterations and permutations of the embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of the embodiments does not constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of this disclosure, as defined by the claims below.

Claims

Claims1. A method (900) performed by a user equipment, UE, for performing measurements when served by a non-terrestrial network, NTN, node that provides the user equipment with a terrestrial cellular footprint, the method comprising:receiving (912) a measurement configuration from a network node, the measurement configuration comprising a plurality of potential measurement configurations, each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations associated with an evaluation criteria;selecting (914) one or more potential measurement configurations based on a current condition of the user equipment and the associated evaluation criteria of the one or more potential measurement configurations; andperforming (920) measurements according to one of the selected one or more potential measurement configurations.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting (916) an indication of the selected one or more potential measurement configurations to the network node.

3. The method of any one of claims 1-2, further comprising receiving (918) an indication of one of the selected one or more potential measurement configurations from the network node, and wherein performing the measurements is performed according to the indicated one potential measurement configuration.

4. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein a measurement configuration comprises one or more of a synchronization signal block-based measurement timing configuration, SMTC, and measurement gaps.

5. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the evaluation criteria comprises one or more of:a reference location;a reference time;a reference satellite identifier; andone or more radio conditions.

6. The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the received measurement configurationcomprises the evaluation criteria associated with each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations.

7. The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the UE associates the evaluation criteria with each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations.

8. A user equipment (200) capable of performing measurements when served by a nonterrestrial network, NTN, node (300) that provides the user equipment, UE, with a terrestrial cellular footprint, the UE comprising processing circuitry (202) operable to:receive a measurement configuration from a network node, the measurement configuration comprising a plurality of potential measurement configurations, each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations associated with an evaluation criteria;selectone or more potential measurement configurations based on a current condition of the user equipment and the associated evaluation criteria of the one or more potential measurement configurations; andperformmeasurements according to one of the selected one or more potential measurement configurations.

9. The UE of claim 8, the processing circuitry further operable to transmit an indication of the selected one or more potential measurement configurations to the network node.

10. The UE of any one of claims 8-9, the processing circuitry further operable to receive an indication of one of the selected one or more potential measurement configurations from the network node, and wherein performing the measurements is performed according to the indicated one potential measurement configuration.

11. The UE of any one of claims 8-10, wherein a measurement configuration comprises one or more of a synchronization signal block-based measurement timing configuration, SMTC, and measurement gaps.

12. The UE of any one of claims 8-11, wherein the evaluation criteria comprises one or more of:a reference location;a reference time;a reference satellite identifier; andone or more radio conditions.

13. The UE of any one of claims 8-12, wherein the received measurement configuration comprises the evaluation criteria associated with each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations.

14. The UE of any one of claims 8-12, wherein the UE associates the evaluation criteria with each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations.

15. A method (1000) performed by a non-terrestrial network, NTN, node for configuring measurements for a user equipment, UE, the UE provided with a terrestrial cellular footprint by the network node, the method comprising:transmitting (1012) a measurement configuration to the UE, the measurement configuration comprising a plurality of potential measurement configurations, each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations associated with an evaluation criteria; and receiving (1014) an indication of a selected one or more potential measurement configurations from the UE.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising transmitting (1016) an indication of a selected one of the one more potential measurement configurations to the UE.

17. The method of any one of claims 15-16, wherein a measurement configuration comprises one or more of a synchronization signal block-based measurement timing configuration, SMTC, and measurement gaps.

18. The method of any one of claims 15-17, wherein the evaluation criteria comprises one or more of:a reference location;a reference time;a reference satellite identifier; andone or more radio conditions.

19. The method of any one of claims 15-18, wherein the measurement configurationcomprises the evaluation criteria associated with each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations.

20. A non-terrestrial network, NTN, node (300) capable of configuring measurements for a user equipment, UE, the UE (200) provided with a terrestrial cellular footprint by the network node, the network node comprising processing circuitry (302) operable to:transmit a measurement configuration to the UE, the measurement configuration comprising a plurality of potential measurement configurations, each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations associated with an evaluation criteria; andreceive an indication of a selected one or more potential measurement configurations from the UE.

21. The network node of claim 20, the processing circuitry further operable to transmit an indication of a selected one of the one more potential measurement configurations to the UE.

22. The network node of any one of claims 20-21, wherein a measurement configuration comprises one or more of a synchronization signal block-based measurement timing configuration, SMTC, and measurement gaps.

23. The network node of any one of claims 20-22, wherein the evaluation criteria comprises one or more of:a reference location;a reference time;a reference satellite identifier; andone or more radio conditions.

24. The network node of any one of claims 20-23, wherein the measurement configuration comprises the evaluation criteria associated with each of the plurality of potential measurement configurations.

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