Methods and apparatuses to enable a wireless device to manage measurements for prediction

Abstract

A method is performed by a wireless device The method comprises: performing M first measurements of reference signals to be used to determine one or more predictions of N third measurements of reference signals; and performing P second measurements of reference signals that are not to be used to determine predictions; wherein the M first measurements and the P second measurements are performed in one or more measurement occasions according to one or more rules.

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUSES TO ENABLE A WIRELESS DEVICE TO MANAGE MEASUREMENTS FOR PREDICTIONTechnical field

[0001] Embodiments of the disclosure relate to wireless communication, and particularly to methods, apparatus and computer program products for enabling a wireless device to manage measurements for prediction.Background

[0002] A New Radio (NR) synchronization signal (SS) may comprise a primary SS (PSS) and a secondary SS (SSS). The NR physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carries very basic system information. The combination of SS and PBCH is referred to as a Synchronisation Signal Block (SSB) in NR. Multiple SSBs are transmitted in a localized burst set. Within an SS burst set, multiple SSBs can be transmitted in different beams. The transmission of SSBs within a localized burst set is confined to a 5 ms window. The set of possible SSB time locations within an SS burst set depends on the numerology which in most cases is uniquely identified by the frequency band. The SSB periodicity can be configured from the value set {5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160} ms (where the unit used in the configuration is subframe, which has a duration of 1 ms).

[0003] A wireless device does not need to perform measurements with the same periodicity as the SSB periodicity. Accordingly, the SSB measurement time configuration (SMTC) has been introduced for NR. The signaling of SMTC window informs the wireless device of the timing and periodicity of SSBs that the UE can use for measurements. The SMTC window periodicity can be configured from the value set {5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160} ms, matching the possible SSB periodicities. The SMTC window duration can be configured from the value set { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5} ms (where the unit used in the configuration is subframe, which has a duration of 1 ms). The SMTC window duration may also be simply called SMTC duration or SMTC length or SMTC occasion duration or SMTC occasion length etc.

[0004] The wireless device may use the same RF module for measurements of neighboring cells and data transmission in the serving cell. Measurement gaps allow the wireless device to suspend the data transmission in the serving cell and perform the measurements of neighboring cells. The measurement gap repetition periodicity (MGRP) can be configured from the set of values {20, 40, 80, 160} ms. The measurement gap length (MGL) can be configured from theset of values {1.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5.5, 6, 10, 20} ms. Usually, the measurement gap length is configured to be larger than the SMTC window duration to allow for RF retuning time. Measurement gap time advance is also introduced to fine tune the relative position of the measurement gap with respect to the SMTC window. The measurement gap timing advance can be configured from the value set {0, 0.25, 0.5} ms.

[0005] Figure 1 provides an illustration of SSB, SMTC window, and measurement gap.

[0006] In EUTRAN, measurements on more than one frequency layer are termed sequential measurement, provided the wireless device only measures one frequency at one measurement occasion (MO). As a consequence, measurement delay on one MO will be scaled up upon the total number of carriers to be measured.

[0007] A new concept called carrier-specific scaling factor (CSSF) is introduced in NR to speed up the measurement assuming two measurement engines (searchers) can be supported by a wireless device. The wireless device may use one measurement engine to perform PCell measurements and another measurement engine to perform measurements of other serving cells. A measurement engine (searcher) may comprise the baseband and / or digital circuits at wireless device, and may be able to measure one frequency / carrier at one time. As described by TS38.133 Rev.18.5.0, carrier-specific scaling factor (CSSF) is defined to scale measurement delay for different carriers at different frequencies. The CSSF values are categorized into CSSFoutside_gap,iand C S SF within gap, i, for the measurements conducted with two different groups, such as outside measurement gaps and within measurement gaps, respectively.

[0008] The CSSF values may therefore be determined statically for different types of cells at the wireless device according to, for example, tables 1 and 2 below (TS38.133 V.18.5.0).Table 1: Table 9.1.5.1.2-1: CSSFoutside_gap,i scaling factor for SA modeTable 2: Table 9.1.5.1.3-1: CSSFoutside_gap,i scaling factor for NR-DC mode

[0009] A CSSF determination rule applied at a wireless device as described in TS38.133 V18.5.0 is actually based on an assumption of two measurement engines being available at a wireless device, and the CSSF rule implicitly indicates usage of the measurement engines as indicated below:• One measurement engine (the first searcher) is dedicated for the primary component carrier (PCC), it’s CSSF =1.• The other measurement engine (the second searcher) is shared by all Secondary Component Carriers (SCCs).• For Dual Connectivity (DC), the other measurement engine is dedicated to the Primary SCC (PSCC) for 50% of the overall time, and for the other 50% of the time, the measurement engine is equally shared by the rest of the Component Carriers (CCs).• For Carrier Aggregation (CA), half of the other measurement engine resource (50%) is dedicated for SCC where neighbour cell measurement is required, which is prioritized than other SCC(s),• the remaining half of the measurement engine resource is shared among FR1 SCCs and FR2 SCCs where neighbour cell measurement is not required.

[0010] An example of measurement engine resource ratio / chance / percentage and CSSF number is as follows:• For a CC, the measurement percentage or searcher resource ratio =1 / (CSSF for the CC).For example, if CSSF for a particular SCC is 4 since NSCCJSSB (assume no Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) based L3 measurement)=4, then the second measurement engine may allocate 25% percentage of the measurement resources for the measurement on the SCC.

[0011] Artificial Intelligence and / or Machine Learning (AI / ML) work for the physical layer in Rel-18 has been limited to lower layer features, such as Beam Management, which is sometimes referred as intra-cell mobility. Other features, such as L3 handovers, Radio Resource Control (RRC) measurements, L1 / L2 triggered mobility (LTM), RRC measurement reporting and Conditional Handover have not been part of Rel-18. However, initial discussions seem to indicate that higher layer features, specified by RAN2, might leverage AI / ML functions.

[0012] Hence, a Rel-19 Study Item to study the usage of Al / ML for L3 Mobility and / or RRM measurements is considered. The potential scopes / directions of the study item include: Studying and evaluating potential benefits and gains of AI / ML aided mobility for network triggered L3-based handover, considering the following aspects:• AI / ML based Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurement and event prediction, o Cell-level measurement prediction including intra and inter-frequency (wireless device sided and NW sided model) [RAN2]■ Inter-cell Beam-level measurement prediction for L3 Mobility (wireless device sided and NW sided model) [RAN2]o Handover (HO) failure / Radio Link Failure (RLF) prediction (wireless device sided model) [RAN2]o Measurement events prediction (wireless device sided model) [RAN2]• Study the need / benefits of any other wireless device assistance information for the network side model [RAN2]• The evaluation of the AI / ML aided mobility benefits should consider HO performance Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) (e.g., Ping-pong HO, Handover Failure (HOF) / RLF, Time of stay, Handover interruption, prediction accuracy, and measurement reduction) etc.) and complexity tradeoffs [RAN2]o NOTE: Simulation assumption and methodology can leverage TR 38.901 v 18.0.0, 38.843 v 18.0.0 and 36.839 v 11.1.0. And leave the detail discussion to RAN2• Potential Al mobility specific enhancement should be based on the Rell9 AI / ML-air interface WID general framework (e.g. LCM, performance monitoring etc) [RAN2] o NOTE: This would only be treated after sufficient progress is made in the Rel- 19 AI / ML air interface WID• Potential specification impacts of AI / ML aided mobility [RAN2]• Evaluate testability, interoperability, and impacts on RRM requirements and performance [RAN4]o Study the impacts on requirements based on RAN2 assumptions, and coordinate with RAN2 if neededo Study the testability and interoperability based on RAN2 framework (e.g., number of cells to measure, beams etc.)o NOTE 4: Leverage the work from “AI / ML for NR air interface” led by RAN 1 and avoid the duplicate study for testability and interoperability. o NOTE 5: Avoid the overlaps with RAN2 work for evaluation

[0013] In the initial discussions for AI / ML for Mobility in Rel-19, RRM measurement prediction is part of the initial scope, in particular Cell-level measurement prediction, e.g.,• Using intra-frequency measurement results to predict / estimate the RRM measurement of inter-frequency cells, or it could be more general, for example, using one (the first) frequency measurement results to predict / estimate themeasurement of the other (the second) frequency measurement results, which is called inter-frequency prediction.• Using historic intra-frequency measurement results to predict / estimate the future RRM measurement of intra -frequency cells, or it could be more general, temporal prediction using one (the first) frequency measurement results, which sometimes is called intra-frequency prediction.

[0014] There currently exist certain challenge(s).

[0015] Regarding measurements, such as the Layer 3 (L3) or RRM measurements, in the case of serving cell measurements, the wireless device may be configured with a number of serving cells (i.e. cells with different serving frequencies) and, when the serving cell configuration includes a field ‘servingCellMO’ set to a MO (measurement object) identifier, the assigned reference signal (e.g., SSB and / or CSI-RS)’s Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) and / or Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) and / or reference signal / beam identity may need to be measured.

[0016] In the current specification, CSSF values have been derived to scale the measurement delay requirements when the wireless device is configured to measure multiple MOs. The specification does not state when / at which time instances the wireless device performs measurements, rather that is left up to wireless device implementation. Instead, the wireless device may perform the measurements fulfilling the measurement delay and accuracy requirements. However, the MOs do indicate one or more measurement occasions in which the measurements could be performed. When the wireless device performs measurements, applying CSSF e.g., measurement outside gaps, takes a lot of time for the wireless device to measure all component carriers (CCs) with the same priority and then report the measurement results after the measurements have been completed. Given that, the network may have to wait a long time to obtain the measurement result of the intended CC. In other words, the NW expected CC’s measurement results may be available only after measurements on all CCs are completed.

[0017] Further, when there are collisions between the measurement occasions in the MOs for measurements used for prediction purposes and the measurement occasions indicated in the MOs for legacy RRM measurements, there is no mechanism for the wireless device to manage how to perform the measurements. .Summary

[0018] Certain aspects of the disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to these or other challenges.

[0019] A first aspect of the disclosure provides a method performed by a wireless device. The method comprises performing M first measurements of reference signals to be used to determine one or more predictions of N third measurements of reference signals. The method further comprises performing P second measurements of reference signals that are not to be used to determine predictions. The M first measurements and the P second measurements are performed in one or more measurement occasions according to one or more rules.

[0020] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method performed by a network node. The method comprises transmitting an implicit or explicit indication of a rule configuration to a wireless device. The rule configuration indicates to the wireless device which of one or more rules to use in performing, in one or more measurement occasions, M first measurements of reference signals to be used to determine one or more predictions of N third measurements of reference signals, and P second measurements of reference signals that are not to be used to determine predictions.

[0021] Apparatus and computer-readable media for performing the methods according to the first and second aspects is also provided.

[0022] Thus a further aspect provides a wireless device configured to perform the method according to the first aspect. For example, a wireless device comprises processing circuitry and a memory. The memory contains instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the wireless device is operative to perform M first measurements of reference signals to be used to determine one or more predictions of N third measurements of reference signals. The wireless device is further operative to perform P second measurements of reference signals that are not to be used to determine predictions. The M first measurements and the P second measurements are performed in one or more measurement occasions according to one or more rules.

[0023] Another aspect provides a network node configured to perform the method according to the second aspect. For example, a network node comprises processing circuitry and a memory. The memory contains instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the network node is operative to transmit an implicit or explicit indication of a rule configuration to a wireless device. The rule configuration indicates to the wireless device which of one or more rules to use in performing, in one or more measurement occasions, M first measurements of reference signals to be used to determine one or more predictions of Nthird measurements of reference signals, and P second measurements of reference signals that are not to be used to determine predictions.

[0024] The disclosure further provides a computer program product for performing the methods according to the first and / or second aspects.

[0025] Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantage(s).

[0026] Managing measurements for prediction and measurements for RRM, by mitigating the collision between them, in order to improve the measurement efficiency and avoid the interruption to operations and procedures.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] For a better understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and to show how it may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Fig. 1 provides an illustration of SSB, SMTC window, and measurement gap;

[0029] Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method in accordance with some embodiments;

[0030] Fig. 3 illustrates examples of different measurement patterns which are repeated cyclically;

[0031] Fig. 4 illustrates a measurement pattern configuration;

[0032] Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method in accordance with some embodiments;

[0033] Fig. 6 shows an example of a communication system in accordance with some embodiments;

[0034] Fig. 7 shows an example of another communication system in accordance with some embodiments;

[0035] Fig. 8 shows a wireless device in accordance with some embodiments;

[0036] Fig. 9 shows a network node in accordance with some embodiments; and

[0037] Fig. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized.Detailed description

[0038] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0039] Embodiments described herein provide a wireless device configured to perform one or more measurements on a reference signal (RS) transmitted by one or more cells operated or managed by a network node. The wireless device may further be configured by a network node with a message (e.g. an indicator, flag etc) indicating the measurement behavior(s), e.g., more than one measurement behavior. The wireless device may further be informed by a network node using the same message or different message indicating the condition(s) or criteria associated with the said measurement behavior(s). Alternatively, the conditions or the criteria can be predefined in the specification.

[0040] The wireless device may be configured with the above information in any RRC state e.g. in RRC idle state, RRC inactive state and RRC active state etc.

[0041] To assist the wireless device in performing the measurements, the wireless device is configured by the network node with information related to a Reference Signal (RS) configuration e.g. via RRC signalling. The RS configuration information may be part of a measurement object (MO). In general, the RS configuration may comprise of one or more parameters e.g. RS index or identifier (e.g. RSI), RS duration or occasion or window, RS periodicity and time offset etc. Examples of RS are SSB, Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) etc. Examples of RS configuration are SMTC configuration, CSI-RS configuration etc. Each SMTC configuration transmitted to the wireless device in a MO is associated with corresponding SMTC parameters e.g. SMTC index or identifier (e.g. SMTC1), SMTC duration, SMTC periodicity and time offset etc. Wherein, SMTC1 indicates an index or identifier of SMTCs configured by network, it may also be referred to as RRC Information Element (IE) parameter.

[0042] The terms frequency and carrier may be used inter-changeably in this document.

[0043] The carrier frequencies on which the wireless device is configured to receive signals (e.g. PDSCH, SSB, CSI.RS etc) may belong to a certain frequency range (FR). Examples of FR are within frequency range 1 (FR1), within frequency range 2 (FR2), within frequency range 3 (FR3) etc. In one example frequencies within FR2 are frequencies above certain threshold e.g. 24 GHz or higher. In another example the frequencies in FR2 may vary between 24 GHz to 52.6 GHz. In another example frequencies in FR2 may vary between 24 GHz to 71 GHz. Frequencies in FR1 are below the frequencies in FR2. In one example frequencies in FR1 range between 410 MHz and 7125 MHz. In higher frequencies (e.g.mmwave, FR2, FR3 etc) due to higher signal dispersion, the transmitted signals are beamformed by a base station e.g. transmitted in terms of SSB beams. The beam based transmission and / or reception may also be used in lower frequencies e.g. in FR1. The wireless device creates a receive (RX) beam at its receiver to receive the signal (e.g. Positioning Reference Signal (PRS), SSB, CSLRS etc). A DL RS (e g. PRS, SSB, CSLRS etc) may therefore interchangeably be called DL beam, spatial filter, spatial domain transmission filter, main lobe of the radiation pattern of antenna array etc. The term beam used herein may refer to RS such as PRS, SSB, CSLRS etc. The RS or beams may be addressed or configured by an identifier, which can indicate the location of the beam in time in beam pattern e.g. beam index such as SSB index indicate SSB beam location in the pre-defined SSB format / pattern, beam index such as CSLRS index indicate CSLRS beam location in the pre-defined or preconfigured CSLRS format / pattern etc. The measurement on such RS may also be called beam measurement or beam based measurement. The wireless device may also combine two or more beam measurements to obtain a combined or overall measurement result. Beamforming or spatial filtering is a signal processing technique used in radio communications for directional signal transmission (transmit beamforming) or reception (receive beamforming). There can be narrow beams or wide beams.

[0044] For a wireless device served by one or more specific beams, e.g. indicated by SSB(s) by serving cell, the individual beam measurement on the SSB after LI filtering are termed as LI measurement. Typically, LI measurement is applied in radio link operations (e.g. radio link monitoring: radio link failure / problem, RRC-establishment, etc., link recovery procedure: beam failure recovery, beam failure detection, candidate beam detection, candidate beam recovery, etc.).

[0045] A cell normally transmits more than one SSB. The individual measurements may need to be consolidated to a single cell-level measurement value. This value may be derived by taking the linear average of the highest beam measurements that are above a configurable threshold and perform L3 filtering (e.g. whose filter coefficient is configured by a network node). The cell-level measurement after beam consolidation and subsequent L3 filtering may be termed as L3 measurement. Typically, L3 measurement is applied in cell changes (e.g. reselection, handover, conditional handover, etc.).

[0046] The term operation of a signal may comprise transmission of the signal by the wireless device and / or reception of the signal at the wireless device. The term operating a signal may comprise wireless device transmitting the signal and / or receiving the signal. The reception of a signal may also be called monitoring a signal, measuring a signal etc.

[0047] The reference signal occasion may be one SSB burst / CSI-RS resource in the time domain, or one SMTC or one measurement gap, or a time duration in which a wireless device can complete an entire measurement (e.g. RSRP, RSRQ, signal / beam identity etc.), which may contain one or more than one SSB burst / CSI-RS resource in the time domain or one or more than one SMTC or measurement gap.

[0048] Embodiments described herein provide a method in a wireless device (for example, a User Equipment (UE)), configured to perform predictions of measurements.

[0049] The proposed solution deals with the measurement occasions for prediction purpose and measurement occasions for legacy RRM measurement on intra / inter-frequency layers, by managing, for example by keeping / skipping or prioritizing / deprioritizing, the different measurement types, those for prediction purposes, and those legacy RRM measurements (not for prediction purposes).

[0050] One or more measurement rules may be pre-defined or indicated by the network or reported by wireless device.

[0051] The measurement rules to be applied and / or a configuration to switch between the measurement rules may be indicated implicitly by one or more than one operational procedure, e.g., handover, Conditional Handover (CHO), carrier aggregation or dual connectivity setup, addition, release, change, activation and or deactivation etc.

[0052] Furthermore, the measurement rules to be applied and / or a configuration to switch between the measurement rules may be determined by various criteria, e.g., the signal level / quality of the two measurement occasions.

[0053] In some examples, the measurement rules may be associated with a counter / timer, for example, configured by the network. A measurement rule may be considered valid before expiry of the counter / timer, otherwise the wireless device may switch to another measurement rule. Alternatively, the counter / timer may be determined by the wireless device, the network may obtain an indication of the counter / timer by reporting from the wireless device.

[0054] It will be appreciated that embodiments described herein enable a wireless device to manage how to perform measurements for prediction purposes and measurements for legacy RRM measurement on intra / inter-frequency layer.

[0055] The wireless device may follow one or more measurement rules on the measurement occasions when M measurement occasions for prediction and P measurement occasions for legacy RRM experience a collision. For example, when the wireless device receives MOs that the wireless device may need to either measure for legacy purposes ormeasure in order to perform predictions of other measurements, the MOs indicate measurement occasions in which those measurements may be performed. The measurement occasions for the measurements for prediction and the legacy RRM measurements may therefore collide.

[0056] In one option (which may be referred to as Rule 1), the wireless device may keep / prioritize measurements on M measurement occasions for prediction and skip / delay / suspend / extend / deprioritize measurements on P measurement occasions for legacy RRM, for the purpose of speeding up prediction. The wireless device may for example, resume legacy RRM measurements after M measurement occasions for prediction have been completed.o In some examples, the wireless device may utilize a sequential order of M measurement occasions and P measurement occasions, or prioritize M measurement occasions and deprioritize P measurement occasions.• In some examples, (which may be referred to as Rule 2), the wireless device may skip / delay / deprioritize measurements on M measurement occasions for prediction and keep / prioritize measurements on P measurement occasions for legacy RRM for the purpose of speeding up legacy RRM measurement. The wireless device may resume prediction purpose measurements after P measurement occasions for legacy RRM have been completed.o In some examples, the wireless device may utilize a sequential order of P measurement occasions and M measurement occasions, or prioritize P measurement occasions and deprioritize M measurement occasions.• In some examples, (which may be referred to as Rule 3), there is no priority / sequential order between M measurement occasions and the P measurement occasions. The wireless device may be required to complete all measurements with respect to the legacy CSSF rule, i.e., treating the measurement for prediction the same as the legacy RRM measurement on the MO.• In some examples, (which may be referred to as Rule 4), a weighting factor may be applied to define the sharing percentage of prediction occasions and measurement occasions in a total number of measurement occasions. The total number of measurement occasions may be configured by the NW or be pre-defined in specification. For example, when a wireless device needs to predict measurements on SSB based intra-frequency measurement, S SB-based inter-frequency measurement or CSI-RS based intra-frequency measurement, CSI-RS-based inter-frequencymeasurement, the weighting factor may be applied. The weighting factor may be indicated by the network or reported / suggested by the wireless device. The weighting factor may for example mean that X% of the total measurement occasions may be applied to prediction and 1-X% of the measurement occasions may be applied to legacy measurement.o If X> 50%, the Rule 4 may be regarded as a particular example of Rule 1.Rule 1 may be also referred to Rule 4 with X> 50%.o If X< 50%, the Rule 4 may be regarded as a particular example of Rule 2. Rule 2 may be also referred to Rule 4 with X< 50%.o If X= 50%, the Rule 4 can be regarded as a particular example of Rule 3. In Rule 3 may be also referred to Rule 4 with X=50%.

[0057] The wireless device may be configured with conditions for when to apply one or more of the rules described above, for example:• when the wireless device receives the indication / command indicating prediction• when the wireless device determines its position is close to cell edge• when the prediction applicability is met• to use a particular rule before the wireless device reports prediction / inference reports to the NW(the report may be based on M measurement occasions or less if available), and different rule after.• to use a particular rule responsive to the wireless device determines the measured signal level / quality, e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying the prediction (the results may be based on M measurement occasions or less if available) is higher than a threshold or keeps consistent• to use a particular rule responsive to the wireless device determining the measured signal level / quality, e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying the prediction which may equal to or less than M measurement occasions, is lower than a threshold or varies a lot• to use a particular rule responsive to the wireless device determining that the measured signal level / quality, e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying the prediction is higher than those on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying RRM measurement• to use a particular rule responsive to the wireless device determining the measured signal level / quality, e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying the prediction is lower than those on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying RRM measurement• to use a particular rule responsive to the wireless device determining the measured signal level / quality, e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying the RRM measurement is lower than a threshold• to use a particular rule if the frequency layer applying the legacy RRM measurement is an unknown cell which at least has not been detected and / or measured in a time period • to use a particular rule if the frequency layer applying the prediction is an unknown cell which at least has not been detected and / or measured in a time period• to use a particular rule if the frequency layer applying the legacy RRM measurement is the high priority frequency layer• to use a particular rule if the frequency layer applying the legacy RRM measurement is FR1 frequencies and the frequency layer applying prediction is FR2 frequency

[0058] The one or more measurement rules to be applied or how to switch between the measurement rules may be indicated / commanded / configured by the network explicitly or implicitly.

[0059] The network may indicate the measurement rule to be applied or how to switch between the measurement rules explicitly, for example, by indicating the rule to be applied or indicating priority between the frequency layer applying the prediction and the frequency layer applying the legacy RRM measurement. In an alternative way, the network may indicate the measurement rule to be applied or switch between the measurement rules implicitly, by indicating the priority between prediction and the legacy RRM measurement.

[0060] The network may configure thhe wireless device with a measurement pattern configuration index, wherein each index represents a measurement pattern. The measurement pattern for different use-cases / purposes may be selectively chosen by the wireless device depending on the configured measurements objects for different use-cases / purposes or may be explicitly configured / indicated by the network node to the wireless device.

[0061] Figure 2 depicts a method in accordance with particular embodiments. The method 2 may be performed by a wireless device (e.g. UE 612, station 712 or wireless device 800 as described later with reference to Figures 6, 7 and 8 respectively).

[0062] The method begins at step 202, which comprises performing M first measurements of reference signals to be used to determine one or more predictions of what would be expected to be measured if N third measurements were performed of reference signals. That is, the M first measurements of reference signals are used to determine one or more predictions of N third measurements of reference signals.

[0063] In step 204 the method comprises performing P second measurements of reference signals that are not to be used to determine predictions. The M first measurements and the P second measurements are performed in one or more measurement occasions according to one or more rules.

[0064] It will be appreciated that the wireless device may be configured with one or more serving cells (e.g. PCell, SCells of the MCG, PSCell , SCells of the SCG , etc.), and that the wireless device may utilize prediction to account for measurements of one or more of those serving cells. For example, the wireless device may utilize intra and / or inter-frequency prediction(s) At least the prediction types below are encompassed by embodiments described herein:• Ml measurement occasions to predict a subsequent N1 prediction occasions in intrafrequency (e.g., frequency layer 1). Meanwhile, the wireless device may be performing legacy RRM measurements on Pl measurement occasions at another frequency layer with respect to measurement configurations.• M2 measurement occasions (e.g., frequency layer 1) to predict the concurrent or a subsequent N2 prediction occasions in inter-frequency (e.g., frequency layer 2). Meanwhile, the wireless device may be performing legacy RRM on P2 measurement occasions at another frequency layer with respect to measurement configurations. • Furthermore, M3 measurement occasions to predict a subsequent N3 prediction occasions in intra-frequency (e.g., frequency layer 1). Meanwhile, the wireless device may perform legacy RRM measurements on P3 measurement occasions at the same frequency layer with respect to measurement configurations.

[0065] In one example, the M1 / M2 / M3 P1 / P2 / P3 measurement occasions mean M1 / M2 / M3 / P1 / P2 / P3 SMTC / SSB occasions / CSI-RS occasions which the wireless device can use to perform measurement.

[0066] M (e.g., M1 / M2 / M3) measurement occasions for prediction (e.g. for performing first measurements) may collide with P (e.g., P1 / P2 / P3) measurement occasions for legacyRRM (e.g. for performing second measurements) in the time domain, depending on prediction configurations and legacy RRM measurement configurations.

[0067] It will be appreciated that M measurement occasions for prediction may be represented by (or regarded as) an observation window for prediction, e.g., measuring all measurement occasions in the observation window, with respect to configuration by the NW.

[0068] It will be appreciated that the frequency layer (MO) on which measurement occasions for prediction are performed may be intra-frequency (the wireless device has serving cell on the frequency layer) or inter-frequency (the wireless device has no serving cell on the frequency layer).

[0069] In one embodiment, the wireless device may follow one or more measurement rules on the measurement occasions when M measurement occasions for prediction and P measurement occasions for legacy RRM collide.

[0070] In some examples, the method of Figure 2 may further comprise, in step 206, transmitting the M first measurements and the P second measurements to a network node.

[0071] The one or more rules of step 204 may comprise one or more of:• a first rule (Rule 1) to prioritize performing the M first measurements. For example, in applying the first rule the wireless device may keep / prioritize measurements on M measurement occasions for prediction and skip / delay / suspend / extend / deprioritize measurements on P measurement occasions for legacy RRM, for the purpose of speeding up prediction. The wireless device may resume legacy RRM measurements after M measurement occasions for prediction are completed;• a second rule (Rule 2) to prioritize performing the P second measurements. For example, the wireless device may skip / delay / deprioritize measurements on M measurement occasions for prediction and refrain / keep / prioritize measurements on P measurement occasions for legacy RRM for the purpose of speeding up legacy RRM measurement. The wireless device may resume prediction purpose measurements after P measurement occasions for legacy RRM are completed;• a third rule (Rule 3) to prioritize neither the M first measurements nor the P second measurements; For example, the wireless device may apply no priority / sequential order between the M measurements and the P measurements. The wireless device may be required to complete all measurements with respectto the legacy CSSF rule, i.e., treating the measurement for prediction the same as the legacy RRM measurement on the MO; and• a fourth rule indicating which of the one or more measurement occasions are to be used for the M first measurements and P second measurements respectively.

[0072] The first rule may be to perform the M first measurements prior to performing the P second measurements. For example, the wireless device may perform a sequential order of M measurement occasions and P measurement occasions, or prioritize M measurement occasions and deprioritize P measurement occasions.

[0073] The second rule may be to perform the P second measurements prior to performing the M first measurements. For example, the wireless device may perform a sequential order of P measurement occasions and M measurement occasions, or prioritize P measurement occasions and deprioritize M measurement occasions.

[0074] In some examples, a weighting factor may be applied to define the sharing percentage of prediction occasions and measurement occasions in the total measurement occasions. When a wireless device is required to predict measurements on SSB based intrafrequency measurement, SSB-based inter-frequency measurement or CSI-RS based intrafrequency measurement, CSI-RS-based inter-frequency measurement, the weighting factor may be applied. The weighting factor may be indicated by the network node or reported / suggested by the wireless device. The weighting factor means that X% of the total measurement occasions may be applied to prediction and 1-X% of the total measurement occasions will be applied to legacy measurement.

[0075] For example, the first rule may be to use a first portion of measurement occasions within a total number of measurement occasions for the M first measurements, where the first portion is greater than 50% (e.g. X>50%).

[0076] For example, the second rule may be to use a second portion of measurement occasions within the total number of measurement occasions for the M first measurements, where the second portion is less than 50% (e.g. X< 50%).

[0077] For example, the third rule may be to use the equal portions of the total measurement occasions for the first measurements and for the second measurements (e.g X= 50%).

[0078] It will be appreciated that the method of Figure 2 may further comprise the wireless device obtaining an indication to perform prediction, and performing step 202 responsive to obtaining the indication. The indication may be transmitted to the wireless device by a network node.

[0079] Responsive to obtaining the indication to perform prediction, the method of Figure 2 may further comprise applying a rule configuration to determine which of the first rule, the second rule, the third rule or the fourth rule to use in performing the P second measurements and the M first measurements. It will be appreciated that the rule configuration may indicate to the wireless device which measurement rule(s) is to be applied by the wireless device in step 204, or how to switch between the measurement rules. The rule configuration may be indicated to the wireless device by the network node either explicitly or implicitly.

[0080] In some examples, the rule configuration states that the wireless device is to use one of the first rule, the second rule, the third rule or the fourth rule. In these examples, responsive to the wireless device obtaining the indication to perform prediction, then the wireless device may apply the first rule, second rule, third rule or fourth rule according to the rule configuration.

[0081] In some examples, the rule configuration may comprise a condition dependent on the position of the wireless device relative to a cell edge. In these examples, the rule configuration may be to, responsive to a position of the wireless device being within a threshold of a cell edge, use the second rule or the third rule; and / or responsive to the position of the wireless device not being within the threshold of the cell edge, use the first rule. For example, if the wireless device receives the indication / command indicating prediction and the wireless device determines its position is close to cell edge, then the wireless device may apply Rule 2 or 3, otherwise, if the wireless device determines its position is not close to cell edge, e.g., close to cell center, the wireless device may apply Rule 1. Alternatively, the rule configuration may be to, responsive to a position of the wireless device being within a threshold of a cell edge, use the second rule; and / or responsive to the position of the wireless device not being within the threshold of the cell edge, use the first rule or the third rule. For example, if the wireless device receives the indication / command indicating prediction and the wireless device determines its position is close to cell edge, then the wireless device may apply Rule 2, otherwise, the wireless device determines its position is not close to cell edge, e.g., close to cell center, and the wireless device may apply Rule 1 or 3.

[0082] In some examples, the rule configuration may comprise a condition dependent on a prediction applicability. Prediction applicability may refer to whether the wireless device is able to perform the predictions based on a configuration received by the network (e.g. if the Al model is trained to do prediction in frequency Fl, it cannot be used for prediction in F2. In this case the applicability is not met). For example, the rule configuration may be to, responsive to a prediction applicability being met, use the first rule, and / or responsive to the predictionapplicability not being met, use the second rule or the third rule. For example, if the wireless device receives the indication / command indicating prediction and the prediction applicability is met, then the wireless device may apply Rule 1, otherwise the prediction applicability isn’t met, the wireless device may apply Rule 2 or 3. Alternatively, the rule configuration may be to responsive to a prediction applicability being met, use the third rule, and / or responsive to the prediction applicability not being met, use the second rule. For example, if the wireless device receives the indication / command indicating prediction and the prediction applicability is met, then the wireless device may apply Rule 3, otherwise the prediction applicability isn’t met, the wireless device may apply Rule 2.

[0083] In some examples, the rule configuration may indicate that the wireless device should switch rules based on when a report comprising prediction information is transmitted to the network node. For example, the rule configuration may be to responsive to receiving the indication to perform the prediction, use the first rule until a report comprising N predictions is transmitted to the network node, and responsive to transmitting the report, use the second rule or the third rule. For example, if the wireless device receives the indication / command indicating prediction, the wireless device may apply Rule 1 before the wireless device reports prediction / inference reports to the network (NW) (the report may be based on M measurement occasions or less if available). After that, the wireless device switches to apply Rule 2 or 3. Alternatively, the rule configuration may be to responsive to receiving the indication to perform the prediction, use the third rule until a report comprising N predictions is transmitted to the network node, and responsive to transmitting the report, use the second rule. For example, if the wireless device receives the indication / command indicating prediction, the wireless device may apply Rule 3 before the wireless device reports prediction / inference reports to the NW (the report may be based on M measurement occasions or less if available). After that, the wireless device switches to apply Rule 2.

[0084] In some examples, the rule configuration may indicate that the wireless device should switch rules based on a measured signal level or quality of one or more of the M first measurements. For example, the rule configuration may be to, responsive to receiving the indication to perform prediction, use the first rule, and / or responsive to determining that a measured signal level or quality of X of the M first measurements, where X is an integer value less than M, meets a condition, use the second rule or the third rule. Alternatively, the rule configuration may be to responsive to receiving the indication to perform prediction, use the third rule, and / or responsive to determining that a measured signal level or quality of X of theM first measurements, where X is an integer value less than M, meets a condition, use the second rule.

[0085] It will be appreciated that the condition may comprise one of: a minimum threshold condition, a maximum threshold condition; a stability condition (e.g. remains within a particular margin, or varies beyond a particular margin); and a condition relating the measured signal level of quality of the X measurements to a measured signal level or quality of Y of the P second measurements, where Y is an integer value less than P.

[0086] For example, the wireless device may apply Rule 1 if the wireless device receives the indication / command indicating prediction, and after the wireless device determines the measured signal level / quality, e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying the prediction (the results may be based on M measurement occasions or less if available) is higher than a threshold or keeps consistent, then the wireless device switches to apply Rule 2 or 3. Alternatively, for example, the wireless device may apply Rule 3, if the wireless device receives the indication / command indicating prediction, and after the wireless device determines the measured signal level / quality, e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying the prediction (the results may be based on M measurement occasions or less if available) is higher than a threshold or keeps consistent, then the wireless device switches to apply Rule 2.

[0087] In another example, the wireless device may apply Rule 1, if the wireless device receives the indication / command indicating prediction, and after the wireless device determines the measured signal level / quality, e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying the prediction which may equal to or less than M measurement occasions, is lower than a threshold or varies a lot, then the wireless device switches to apply Rule 2 or 3. Alternatively, The wireless device may apply Rule 3, if the wireless device receives the indication / command indicating prediction, and after the wireless device determines the measured signal level / quality, e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying the prediction which may equal to or less than M measurement occasions, is lower than a threshold or varies a lot, then the wireless device switches to apply Rule 2.

[0088] In another example, the wireless device may apply Rule 1, if the wireless device receives the indication / command indicating prediction, and after the wireless device determines the measured signal level / quality, e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying the prediction is higher than those on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying RRM measurement, the wireless device may apply Rule 2 or 3. Alternatively, the wireless device may apply Rule 3, if the wireless device receives theindication / command indicating prediction, and after the wireless device determines the measured signal level / quality, e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying the prediction is higher than those on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying RRM measurement, the wireless device may apply Rule 2.

[0089] In another example, the wireless device may apply Rule 1, if the wireless device receives the indication / command indicating prediction, and after the wireless device determines the measured signal level / quality, e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying the prediction is lower than those on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying RRM measurement, the wireless device may apply Rule 2 or 3. Alternatively, the wireless device may apply Rule 3, if the wireless device receives the indication / command indicating prediction, and after the wireless device determines the measured signal level / quality, e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying the prediction is lower than those on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying RRM measurement, the wireless device may apply Rule 2.

[0090] In some examples, the rule configuration may indicate that the wireless device should switch rules based on a measured signal level or quality of one or more of the P second measurements. For example, the rule configuration may be to responsive to receiving the indication to perform prediction, use the first rule, and / or responsive to determining that a measured signal level or quality of Y of the P second measurements, where Y is an integer value less than P, meets a condition, use the second rule or the third rule. Alternatively, the rule configuration may be to responsive to receiving the indication to perform prediction, use the third rule, and responsive to determining that a measured signal level or quality of Y of the P second measurements, where Y is an integer value less than P, meets a condition, use the second rule. The condition here may be defined as described above.

[0091] For example, the wireless device may apply Rule 1, if the wireless device receives the indication / command indicating prediction, and after the wireless device determines the measured signal level / quality, e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying the RRM measurement is lower than a threshold, the wireless device may apply Rule 2 or 3, for example, to prioritize RRM measurements to trigger a possible HO. Alternatively, the wireless device may apply Rule 3, if the wireless device receives the indication / command indicating prediction, and after the wireless device determines the measured signal level / quality, e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, on measurement occasions on the frequency layer applying the RRM measurement is lower than a threshold, the wireless device may apply Rule 2 to prioritize RRM measurements, for example, for preparing to trigger a possible HO.

[0092] In some examples, the rule configuration may comprise a condition dependent on the frequency layer on which the P second measurements are being performed. For example, the rule configuration may be to: responsive to a frequency layer on which the P second measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has not been detected and / or measured for a first time period, use the second rule or the third rule; and / or responsive to the frequency layer on which the P second measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has been detected and / or measured for a first time period, use the first rule.

[0093] For example, if the frequency layer applying the legacy RRM measurement is an unknown cell which at least has not been detected and / or measured in a first time period, then the wireless device may apply Rule 2 / 3, otherwise, the wireless device may apply Rule 1.

[0094] In another example, the rule configuration may be to responsive to a frequency layer on which the P second measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has not been detected and / or measured for a first time period, use the second rule; and responsive to the frequency layer on which the P second measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has been detected and / or measured for a first time period, use the third rule. For example, if the frequency layer applying the legacy RRM measurement is an unknown cell which at least has not been detected and / or measured in a time period, then the wireless device may apply Rule 2, otherwise, the wireless device may apply Rule 3.

[0095] In some examples, the rule configuration may comprise a condition dependent on the frequency layer on which the M first measurements are to be performed. For example, the rule configuration may be to responsive to a frequency layer on which the M first measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has not been detected and / or measured for a first time period, use first ; and / or responsive to the frequency layer on which the M first measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has been detected and / or measured within a first time period, use the second rule or the third rule. For example, if the frequency layer applying the prediction is an unknown cell which at least has not been detected and / or measured in a time period, then the wireless device may apply the Rule 1, otherwise, the wireless device may apply Rule 2 / 3.

[0096] In another example, the rule configuration may be to responsive to a frequency layer on which the M first measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has not been detected and / or measured for a first time period, use the third rule; and / or responsive to the frequency layer on which the M first measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has been detected and / or measured for within the first time period, use the second rule. For example, if the frequency layer applying the prediction is an unknown cell which at leasthas not been detected and / or measured in a time period, then the wireless device may apply Rule 3, otherwise, the wireless device may apply Rule 2.

[0097] In some examples, the rule configuration comprises a condition dependent on a priority of the frequency layer on which the M first measurements are to be performed and / or the frequency layer on which the P second measurements are to be performed. For example, the rule configuration may be to use the first second or third rule depending on a priority of the frequency layer on which the M first measurements and / or the frequency layer on which the P second measurements. For example, if the frequency layer applying the legacy RRM measurement (e.g. second measurements) is the high priority frequency layer, then the wireless device may apply Rule 2 or 3, otherwise, if the frequency layer applying the prediction is the high priority frequency layer, then the wireless device may apply Rule 1. The priority may be explicitly indicated by the NW, or based on a pre-defined rule, e.g., PCell, PSCell, SPCell have higher priority than other serving cells. In another example, if the frequency layer applying the legacy RRM measurement is the high priority frequency layer, then the wireless device may apply Rule 2, otherwise, if the frequency layer applying the prediction is the high priority frequency layer, then the wireless device may apply Rule 3. The priority may be explicitly indicated by the NW, or based on a pre-defined rule, e.g., PCell, PSCell, SPCell have higher priority than other serving cells. For example, the method of Figure 2 may further comprise receiving, from a network node, an indication of the priority of the frequency layer on which the M first measurements are to be performed and / or the frequency layer on which the P second measurements are to be performed.

[0098] In some examples, the rule configuration comprises a condition dependent on the frequency layer on which the M first measurements are to be performed and / or the frequency layer on which the P second measurements are to be performed. For example, the rule configuration may be to use the first, second or third rule depending on the frequency layer on which the M first measurements are performed or the frequency layer on which the P second measurements are performed. For example, if the frequency layer applying the legacy RRM measurement is FR1 frequencies and the frequency layer applying prediction is FR2 frequency, then the wireless device may apply Rule 2 / 3. On the contrary, if the frequency layer applying the legacy RRM measurement is FR2 frequencies and the frequency layer applying prediction is FR1 frequency, then the wireless device may apply Rule 1. If the legacy RRM measurements (second measurements) and the measurements for prediction (first measurements) use the same FR1 / FR2 frequency, then the wireless device may apply another option.

[0099] In another example, if the frequency layer applying the legacy RRM measurement is FR1 frequencies and the frequency layer applying prediction is FR2 frequency, then the wireless device may apply Rule 2. On the contrary, If the frequency layer applying the legacy RRM measurement is FR2 frequencies and the frequency layer applying prediction is FR1 frequency, then the wireless device may apply Rule 3.

[0100] In one option, the measurement rules to be applied or switch between the measurement rules by the wireless device may be indicated / commanded / configured by the NW (e.g. by a network node as described with reference to Figure 5) explicitly or implicitly. For example, the method of Figure 2 may comprise receiving an explicit or implicit indication of the rule configuration from a network node. In some examples, the indication of the rule configuration is an implicit indication and comprises an indication of whether the P second measurements or the M first measurements should be prioritized.

[0101] In an example, the rule configuration may be to, responsive to receiving a handover command to a cell for which the M first measurements are being performed, use the first rule; and / or responsive to receiving a handover command to a cell for which the P second measurements are being performed, use the second rule or the third rule. For example, if the wireless device is configured with HO / CHO command with respect to the frequency layer applying the prediction, then the wireless device may apply Rule 1, and / or if the wireless device is configured with HO / CHO command with respect to the frequency layer applying the legacy RRM measurement, then the wireless device may apply Rule 2 or 3.

[0102] In another example, the rule configuration may be to, responsive to receiving a handover command to a cell for which the M first measurements are being performed, use the third rule; and / or responsive to receiving a handover command to a cell for which the P second measurements are being performed, use the second rule. For example, if the wireless device is configured with HO / CHO command with respect to the frequency layer applying the prediction, then the wireless device may apply Rule 3, and / or if the wireless device is configured with HO / CHO command with respect to the frequency layer applying the legacy RRM measurement, then the wireless device may apply Rule 2.

[0103] In some examples, the rule configuration may be to, responsive to determining beam failure, BF, or a radio link failure, RLF, with respect to a frequency layer on which the M first measurements are being performed, use the first rule; and / or responsive to determining BF or a RLF with respect to a frequency layer on which the P second measurements are being performed, use the second rule or the third rule. For example, if the wireless device determines BF / RLF with respect to the frequency layer applying the prediction, then the wireless devicemay apply Rule 1, and / or if the wireless device determines BF / RLF with respect to the frequency layer applying the legacy RRM measurement, then the wireless device may apply Rule 2 or 3.

[0104] In another example, the rule configuration may be to, responsive to determining a beam failure, BF, or a radio link failure (RLF) with respect to a frequency layer on which the M first measurements are being performed, use the third rule; and / or responsive to determining a BF or a RLF with respect to a frequency layer on which the P second measurements are being performed, use the second rule. For example, the if the wireless device determines BF / RLF with respect to the frequency layer applying the prediction, then the wireless device may apply Rule 3, and / or if the wireless device determines BFD / RLF with respect to the frequency layer applying the legacy RRM measurement, then the wireless device may apply Rule 2.

[0105] It will be appreciated, as will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 5, that the network, e.g. a network node, may indicate the rule configuration to the wireless device. Moreover, the network node may indicate the measurement rule to be applied or how to switch between the measurement rules explicitly, by indicating the rule to be applied or indicating a priority between the frequency layer applying the prediction and the frequency layer applying the legacy RRM measurement. In an alternative way, the network node may indicate the measurement rule to be applied or how to switch between the measurement rules implicitly, by indicating a whether to prioritize prediction measurements (e.g. the first measurements) or the legacy RRM measurements (e.g. the second measurements).

[0106] As described above with reference to Figure 2 step 204, the one or more rules may comprise a fourth rule. In some examples, the fourth rule comprises performing the M first measurements and P second measurements according to a pattern. For example, the pattern is indicated according to a measurement pattern configuration index in the rule configuration. For example, in some embodiments the network may configure the wireless device with a measurement patterns configuration index wherein each index represents a measurement pattern e.g., the allocation pattern of the measurement gaps to the RRM measurements and the measurements associated with the predictions.

[0107] It will be appreciated that the rule configuration may indicate the fourth rule by indicating the pattern. For example, the rule configuration may comprise the measurement pattern configuration index.

[0108] An example of different measurement patterns which are repeated cyclically is shown in Figure 3. In the example of Figure 3 the configuration index 1 implies that the wireless device performs only RRM measurements in the configured measurement gaps.Configuration index 2 implies the wireless device uses four consecutive measurement gaps to perform RRM measurements and uses 1 measurement gap (5thmeasurement gap, or the measurement gap after every 4 measurement gaps used for the RRM measurements) for the measurements used in prediction / model inference and so on.

[0109] In Figure 3, each square represents a measurement occasion or a measurement gap. Light grey colored squares indicate the measurement occasions or measurement gaps to be used to perform the RRM measurements (e.g. second measurements) and darker grey squares indicate the measurement occasions or measurement gaps to be used for the AI / ML predictions (AIML model inference) (e.g. first measurements). In this example, the measurement pattern configuration is cyclical and repeated every N samples or in a period of T. In this example each cycle of the measurement pattern is 5 successive measurement occasions or measurement gaps in the time domain.

[0110] In other examples, the wireless device may be configured with the number of measurement gaps to be used for RRM measurements (say R) and the number of measurement gaps to be used for measurements needed for predictions (say Q). For example, the fourth rule may indicate the values of R and Q to the wireless device. In another embodiment the wireless device can be configured with information (e.g. by the fourth rule) representing the ratio between R and Q e.g., R divided by Q. For example, an R / Q ratio set to 0.5 means the wireless device should use 50% of the measurement gaps for the RRM measurement (e.g. the second measurements) and 50% of the measurement gaps for the measurements needed for the prediction (e.g. the first measurements).[OHl] In some examples, the pattern may be indicated by indicating a bitmap representing a sequence by which to perform one or more of the M first measurements and one or more of the P second measurements. For example, the rule configuration may comprise the bitmap.

[0112] For example, the measurement pattern can be predefined and indicated by a N-bit map. The bitmap can be signaled using RRC parameters with optional Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) or Downlink Control Information (DCI) indications, or other signaling mechanisms.

[0113] The following table (table 3) of signaling indication and indication rules described above is one example. The name and format may be different for different gap configurations. But it will be appreciated that the signaling of the bitmap by network node may comprise information on how each occasion is assigned for either prediction (first measurement) or legacy measurement (second measurement). For example, ‘0’ may mean the occasion will be used for prediction, and ‘1’ may mean the occasion will be used for legacy measurement (orvice versa). For example, the Signaling indication #8 in table 3 (signaling ‘1000’) may mean that the wireless device will use the 1st occasion for legacy measurement, and that the wireless device will use the 2nd-4th occasions for measurements for prediction. After that, the wireless device may repeat the sequence.Table 3. Signaling indication example comprising a bit map

[0114] In another example of the method described above, the wireless device may be configured with more than two (for example N) different sets of measurements to be performed with specific pattern.

[0115] A non-limiting example of such measurements for different use-cases / purposes are listed in the following:1- RRM measurements (second measurements)2- Measurements to be performed for the wireless device side model inference (e.g. a first type of first measurements)3- Measurement to be performed for the network side model inference (e.g. a second type of first measurements)4- Measurement to be performed for the data collection for the sake of network side model training a first type of third measurements)5- Measurements to be performed for the data collection for the wireless device side model training a second type of third measurements).

[0116] In such a scenario the wireless device may be configured with a measurement pattern including the priority of the measurements according to a pattern in the time domain. A non-limiting example of the measurement pattern for different use-cases / purposes is shown in Figure 4.

[0117] Figure 4 illustrates a measurement pattern configuration. Each square represents a measurement occasion or a measurement gap. Each color (e.g. each variant of grey) indicates the measurement occasions or measurement gaps to be used to perform the measurements for specific use cases.

[0118] As exemplified above, the wireless device may be capable of performing measurements for the RRM measurements as well as measurements for predictions (wireless device side and / or network side ) and measurement (data collection) for the model training (wireless device side and / or network side), and may be configured by a network node with a measurement pattern applied to successive measurement gaps based on which the wireless device may perform the different types of measurements in specific order.

[0119] In a general embodiment, the number of measurements occasions (e.g., successive or non-successive measurement gaps in one measurement cycle) for any of the above listed use cases / purposes can be one or more than one occasion / gap. In addition, the number of measurement occasions (e.g., successive or non-successive measurement gaps) for each of the use case / purpose can be different from the other use-cases / purposes. For example, the number of measurement occasions (associated with the measurement gaps) allocated / configured for theRRM measurements can be more than the number of measurement occasions (associated with the measurement gaps) allocated / configured for the data collection purpose.

[0120] In an embodiment, such measurement patterns for different use-cases / purposes can be selectively chosen by the wireless device depending on the configured measurement objects for different use-cases / purposes or can be explicitly configured / indicated by the network node to the wireless device.

[0121] Figure 5 depicts a method in accordance with particular embodiments. The method of Figure 5 may be performed by a network node (e.g. network node 610, access point 710 or network node 900 as described later with reference to Figures 6, 7 and 9 respectively).

[0122] The method begins at step 502, which comprise transmitting an implicit or explicit indication of a rule configuration to a wireless device, wherein the rule configuration indicates to the wireless device which of one or more rules to use in performing, in one or more measurement occasions:M first measurements of reference signals to be used to determine one or more predictions of what would be expected to be measured if N third measurements were performed of reference signals, andP second measurements of reference signals that are not to be used to determine predictions

[0123] That is, the M first measurements of reference signals are used to determine one or more predictions of N third measurements of reference signals. N is an integer.

[0124] It will be appreciated that the rule configuration may be defined as described above with reference to Figure 2. The one or more rules may also be defined as described above with reference to Figure 2. Furthermore, the rule configuration may be explicitly or implicitly indicated to the wireless device as described above.

[0125] Figure 6 shows an example of a communication system 600 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0126] In the example, the communication system 600 includes a telecommunications network 602 that includes an access network 604, such as a radio access network (RAN), and a core network 606, which includes one or more core network nodes 608. The access network 604 includes one or more access network nodes or base stations of various types, access network nodes 610A and 610B are depicted (which may be collectively referred to as networknodes 610), or any other similar 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) access nodes or non-3GPP access points (APs). Some embodiments of the access network 604 may include more than one access network technology. The network nodes 610 of access network 604 facilitate direct or indirect connection of wireless devices, also referred to as user equipments (UEs), such as by connecting UEs 612A, 612B, 612C, and 612D (one or more of which may be generally referred to as UEs 612) to the core network 606 over one or more wireless connections.

[0127] Moreover, a network node is not necessarily limited to an implementation in which a radio portion and a baseband portion are supplied and integrated by a single vendor. Thus, it will be understood that network nodes include disaggregated implementations or portions thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the telecommunications network 602 includes one or more Open-RAN (ORAN) network nodes. An ORAN network node is a network node in the telecommunications network 602 that supports an ORAN specification (e.g., a specification published by the O-RAN Alliance, or any similar organization) and may operate alone or together with other network nodes to implement one or more functionalities of any network node in the telecommunications network 602, including one or more access network nodes 610 and / or core network nodes 608.

[0128] Examples of an ORAN network node include an open radio unit (O-RU), an open distributed unit (O-DU), an open central unit (O-CU), including an O-CU control plane (O-CU-CP) or an O-CU user plane (O-CU-UP), a RAN intelligent controller (near-real time or non-real time) hosting software or software plug-ins, such as a near-real time control application (e.g., xApp) or a non-real time control application (e.g., rApp), or any combination thereof (the adjective “open” designating support of an ORAN specification). An ORAN network node may support a specification by, for example, supporting an interface defined by the ORAN specification, such as an Al, Fl, Wl, El, E2, X2, Xn interface, an open fronthaul user plane interface, or an open fronthaul management plane interface. Moreover, an ORAN network node may be a logical node in a physical node. Furthermore, an ORAN network node may be implemented in a virtualization environment (described further below) in which one or more network functions are virtualized. For example, the virtualization environment may include an O-Cloud computing platform orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an O-2 interface defined by the O-RAN Alliance or comparable technologies.

[0129] The network nodes 610 facilitate direct or indirect connection of one or more UEs 612 to the core network 606 over one or more wireless connections. Example wirelesscommunications 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 600 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 600 may include and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, radio network, and / or other similar type of system.

[0130] The UEs 612 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 610 and other communication devices. Similarly, the network nodes 608, 610 are arranged, capable, configured, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly (e.g., via other devices of telecommunications network 602) with the UEs 612 and / or with other network nodes or equipment in the telecommunications network 602 to enable and / or provide network access, such as wireless network access, and / or to perform other functions, such as administration in the telecommunications network 602. More specifically, UEs 612 may send messages, data, and / or other signals to network nodes 608, 610 or other elements of the telecommunications network 602 by transmitting such signals to the relevant device directly without the signals passing through any intervening devices or by transmitting such signals to the relevant device indirectly through an intervening device (or multiple intervening devices) that then transmit the signal to the relevant device. Similarly, network nodes 608, 610 may send messages, data, and other signals to UEs 6122, other network nodes 608, 610, and other devices in telecommunications network 602 directly or indirectly. As one specific example, a core network node 108 may transmit a particular message to a UE 612 by transmitting the message to an access network node 610 that will then transmit the message to the intended UE 612. Similarly, a core network node 108 may receive a particular message from a UE 612 by receiving the message from an access network node 610 that itself received the message from the UE 612.

[0131] In the depicted example, the core network 606 connects elements of the access network 604 (e.g., one or more of the network nodes 610) to one or more host computing systems, such as host 616. 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 606 includes one or more core network nodes (e.g., core networknode 608) of various types, one or more of which may be generally referred to as network nodes 608. Network nodes 608 are structured with hardware and software components. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the UEs, access network nodes, and / or hosts, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of the core network node 608. Example core network nodes provide functions of one or more of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Subscription Identifier De-concealing function (SIDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and / or a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0132] The host 616 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider other than an operator or provider of the access network 604 and / or the telecommunications network 602. The host 616 may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The host 616 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.

[0133] As a whole, the communication system 600 of Figure 6 enables connectivity between the UEs, network nodes, and hosts. In that sense, the communication system 600 may be configured to operate according to predefined rules or procedures, such as specific standards that include, but are not limited to: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G standards, or any applicable future generation standard (e.g., 6G); wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards (Wi-Fi); and / or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wi-Max), Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Near Field Communication (NFC) ZigBee, Li-Fi, and / or any low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) standards such as LoRa and Sigfox. Moreover, the communication system 600 may be configured to support multiple different standards, protocols, or other rule sets, with individual components supporting all of the relevant rule setsor with different components or sub-systems within the communication system 600 supporting different standards, protocols, or rule sets.

[0134] As one example, in certain embodiments, access network 604 may contain some access network nodes 610 that support 3 GPP radio access technologies (RAT), such as LTE or NR, while other access network nodes 610 support (or the same access network nodes 610 additionally support) non-3GPP RATs, such as Wi-Fi or a proprietary RAT. As another example, telecommunications network 602 may support multiple generations of related communication standards (e.g., 4G and 5G 3GPP communication standards) and, as a result, may include an access network 104 and / or a core network 106 that supports multiple different standard generations or may include multiple access networks 104 and / or multiple core networks 106 with individual networks 104, 106 supporting different standard generations.

[0135] Telecommunications network 602 may support network slicing to provide different logical networks to different devices that are connected to the telecommunications network 602. For example, the telecommunications network 602 may provide Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) services to some UEs, while providing Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services to other UEs, and / or Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) / Massive loT services to yet further UEs.

[0136] In some examples, one or more of the UEs 612 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 604 on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the access network 604. 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).

[0137] In the example, the hub 614 communicates with the access network 604 to facilitate indirect communication between one or more UEs (e.g., UE 612C and / or 612D) and network nodes (e.g., network node 610B). In some examples, the hub 614 may be a controller, router, content source and analytics, or any of the other communication devices described herein regarding UEs. For example, the hub 614 may be a broadband router enabling access to the core network 606 for the UEs. As another example, the hub 614 may be a controller that sends commands or instructions to one or more actuators in the UEs. Commands or instructions maybe received from the UEs, network nodes 610, or by executable code, script, process, or other instructions in the hub 614.

[0138] As another example, the hub 614 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 614 may be a content source. For example, for a UE that is a VR headset, display, loudspeaker or other media delivery device, the hub 614 may retrieve VR assets, video, audio, or other media or data related to sensory information via a network node, which the hub 614 then provides to the UE either directly, after performing local processing, and / or after adding additional local content. In still another example, the hub 614 acts as a proxy server or orchestrator for the UEs, in particular if one or more of the UEs are low energy loT devices.

[0139] The hub 614 may have a constant / persistent or intermittent connection to the network node 61 OB. The hub 614 may also allow for a different communication scheme and / or schedule between the hub 614 and UEs (e.g., UE 612C and / or 612D), and between the hub 614 and the core network 606. In other examples, the hub 614 is connected to the core network 606 and / or one or more UEs via a wired connection. Moreover, the hub 614 may be configured to connect to an M2M service provider over the access network 604 and / or to another UE over a direct connection. In some scenarios, UEs may establish a wireless connection with the network nodes 610 while still connected via the hub 614 via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, the hub 614 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 610B. In other embodiments, the hub 614 may be a non-dedicated hub - that is, a device which is capable of operating to route communications between the UEs and network node 610B, but which is additionally capable of operating as a communication start and / or end point for certain data channels.

[0140] Figure 7 is another example of a communication system 700 according to some embodiments. As used herein, the communication system 700 includes multiple access points (APs) 710 (with four exemplary APs 710A, 710B, 710C, and 710D being depicted) and multiple wireless devices, referred to in the context of communication system 700 as stations (STAs) 712 (referred to individually as ST A 712A, ST A 712B, ST A 712C, ST A 712D, and STA 712E). STA 712A is served by AP 710A in a first basic service set (BSS) 720A. STA 710B and STA 710C are served by AP 710B in a second BSS, BSS 720B. STA 712D is served by AP 710C in a third BSS, BSS 720C. STA 712E is served by AP 710D in a fourth BSS, BSS 720D. Stations 712 may be non-AP STAs and correspond to various kinds of wireless devices,for example, user terminals, such as mobile or stationary computing devices like smartphones, laptop computers, desktop computers, tablet computers, gaming devices, head-mounted displays (HMDs) for Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR), or the like. Further, stations 712 could, for example, correspond to other kinds of equipment like smart home devices, printers, multimedia devices, data storage devices, or the like.

[0141] Each of STAs 712 may connect through a radio link to one of APs 710. For example, depending on location or channel conditions experienced by a given STA 712, the STA may select an appropriate AP and BSS for establishing the radio link. The radio link may be based on one or more orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) carriers from a frequency spectrum that is shared on the basis of a contention-based mechanism, e.g., an unlicensed or license exempt band like 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band, the 5 GHz band, the 6 GHz band, or the 60 GHz band.

[0142] Each AP 710 may provide data connectivity to STAs 712 connected to a particular AP 710. As illustrated, APs 710 may be connected to a data network 730. In this way, APs 710 may also provide data connectivity between STAs 712 and other entities, e.g., to one or more servers, service providers, data sources, data sinks, user terminals, or the like. Accordingly, the radio link established between a given STA 712 and its serving AP 710 may be used for providing various kinds of services to STA 712, e.g., a voice service, a multimedia service, or other data service. Such services may be based on applications that are executed on STA 712 and / or on a device linked to STA 712. By way of example, Figure 7 illustrates an application service platform 732 provided in data network 730. The application(s) executed on STA 712 and / or on one or more other devices linked to STA 712 may use the radio link for data communication with one or more other STA 712 and / or the application service platform 732, thereby enabling utilization of the corresponding service(s) at STA 712.

[0143] Figure 8 shows a wireless device 800, which may be configured to operate in communication system 600 of Figure 6 or in communication system 700 of Figure 7. The wireless device 800 may be alternatively referred to as a UE 800, like a UE 612 within the context of communication system 600, or as a station (STA) 800 or as a non-access-point station (non-AP STA) 800, like a STA 712 within the context of the communication system 700, in accordance with respective embodiments. As used herein, a wireless device refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and / or other wireless devices. Examples of a wireless device include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, mobile phone, cell phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phone, wireless local loop phone, desktop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless cameras, gaming consoleor device, music storage device, playback appliance, wearable terminal device, wireless endpoint, mobile station, tablet, laptop, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), smart device, wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE), vehicle, vehicle-mounted or vehicle embedded / integrated wireless device, and wireless terminal. Other examples include any type of UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE.

[0144] A wireless device 800 may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3 GPP standard for sidelink communication, Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), or vehicle-to-everything (V2X). In other examples, wireless device 800 may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the relevant device. Instead, wireless device 800 may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, wireless device 800 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).

[0145] In particular embodiments, wireless device 800 includes processing circuitry 802 that is operatively coupled via a bus 804 to an input / output interface 806, a power source 808, a memory 810, a communication interface 812, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. Certain embodiments of wireless device 800 may include all or a subset of the components shown in Figure 8. The level of integration between the components may vary from one embodiment of wireless device 800 to another. In general, in a particular embodiment of wireless device 800, processing circuitry 802, input / output interface 806, power source 808, memory 810, and communication interface 812 may, in whole or in part, represent or include physical components common to or shared by one or more of the other elements of wireless device 800. Further, certain embodiments of wireless devices 800 may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0146] The processing circuitry 802 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 810. The processing circuitry 802 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 802 may include multiple central processing units (CPUs). The processing circuitry 802 may be configured to cause the wireless device 800 to perform the methods as described with reference to Figure 2.

[0147] In the example, the input / output interface 806 may be configured to provide an interface or interfaces to an input device, output device, or one or more input and / or output devices. Examples of an output device include a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. An input device may allow a user to capture information into wireless device 800. 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.

[0148] In some embodiments, the power source 808 is structured as a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic device, or power cell, may be used to supply power to circuitry or to charge an associated battery. The power source 808 may further include power circuitry for delivering power from the power source 808 itself, and / or an external power source, to the various parts of wireless device 800 via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Power source 808 may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to make accessible power suitable for the respective components of the wireless device 800 to which power is supplied.

[0149] The memory 810 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 810 includes oneor more programs 814, such as an operating system, web browser application, a widget, gadget engine, or other application, and corresponding data 816. The memory 810 may store, for use by wireless device 800, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

[0150] The memory 810 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 810 may allow wireless device 800 to access instructions, programs and the like, stored on transitory or non-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied as or in the memory 810, which may be or comprise a device-readable storage medium.

[0151] The processing circuitry 802 may be configured to communicate with an access network or other network via or using the communication interface 812. The communication interface 812 may comprise one or more communication subsystems and may include or be communicatively coupled to an antenna 822. The communication interface 812 may include one or more transceivers used to communicate, such as by communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication (e.g., another wireless device or a network node in an access network). Each transceiver may include a transmitter 818 and / or a receiver 820 appropriate to provide network communications (e.g., optical, electrical, frequency allocations, and so forth). Moreover, the transmitter 818 and receiver 820 may be coupled to one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 822) and may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively be implemented separately.

[0152] In the illustrated embodiment, communication functions of the communication interface 812 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication (e.g., according to an IEEE 802.11 family standard), LPWAN communication, data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth,near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. Communications may be implemented according to one or more communication protocols and / or standards, such as IEEE 802.11, Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), GSM, LTE, New Radio (NR), UMTS, WiMax, Ethernet, transmission control protocol / internet protocol (TCP / IP), synchronous optical networking (SONET), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), QUIC, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and so forth.

[0153] In particular embodiments, wireless device 800 may provide an output of data captured via a sensor, through its communication interface 812, via a wireless connection to a network node, and / or in any appropriate manner. Data captured by sensors of a wireless device 800 can be communicated through a wireless connection to a network node via another wireless device 800. In particular embodiments, such output may be periodic (e.g., once every 15 minutes if it reports the sensed temperature), random (e.g., to even out the load from reporting from several sensors), in response to a triggering event (e.g., when moisture is detected an alert is sent), in response to a request (e.g., a user initiated request), or a continuous stream (e.g., a live video feed of a patient).

[0154] As another example, wireless device 800 comprises an actuator, a motor, or a switch, related to a communication interface configured to receive wireless input from a network node via a wireless connection. In response to the received wireless input the states of the actuator, the motor, or the switch may change. For example, wireless device 800 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.

[0155] Wireless device 800, when in the form of an Internet of Things (loT) device, may be a device for use in one or more application domains, these domains comprising, but not limited to, wearable technology, extended industrial application and healthcare. Non-limiting examples of such an loT device are a device which is or which is embedded in: a connected refrigerator or freezer, a TV, a connected lighting device, an electricity meter, a robot vacuum cleaner, a voice controlled smart speaker, a home security camera, a motion detector, a thermostat, a smoke detector, a door / window sensor, a flood / moisture sensor, an electrical door lock, a connected doorbell, an air conditioning system like a heat pump, an autonomous vehicle, a surveillance system, a weather monitoring device, a vehicle parking monitoring device, an electric vehicle charging station, a smart watch, a fitness tracker, a wearable fortactile augmentation or sensory enhancement, a water sprinkler, an animal- or item-tracking device, a sensor for monitoring a plant or animal, an industrial robot, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and any kind of medical device, like a heart rate monitor or a remote controlled surgical robot. In particular embodiments, wireless device 800 represents an loT device that comprises circuitry and / or software in dependence of the intended application of the loT device in addition to other components as described in relation to the example embodiment of wireless device 800 shown in Figure 8.

[0156] As yet another specific example, in an loT scenario, wireless device 800 may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurements, and transmits the results of such monitoring and / or measurements to another wireless device and / or a network node. Wireless device 800 may in this case be an M2M device, which may in a 3 GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, wireless device 800 may implement the 3GPP NB-IoT standard. In other scenarios, wireless device 800 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.

[0157] In practice, any number of wireless devices 800 may be used together with respect to a single use case. For example, a first wireless device 800 might be or be integrated in a drone and provide the drone’s speed information (obtained through a speed sensor) to a second wireless device 800 that is a remote controller operating the drone. When a user makes changes from the remote controller, the first wireless device 800 may adjust the throttle on the drone (e.g. by controlling an actuator) to increase or decrease the drone’s speed. The first and / or the second wireless device 800 can also include more than one of the functionalities described above. For example, wireless device 800 might comprise the sensor and the actuator, and handle communication of data for both the speed sensor and the actuators.

[0158] Figure 9 shows a network node 900 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a UE and / or with other network nodes or equipment, in a telecommunications network. In accordance with respective embodiments, network node 900 may be configured to operate in communication system 600 of Figure 6, like network nodes 608 or 610, or in communication system 700 of Figure 7, like an AP 710 or a station 712. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs)and NR NodeBs (gNBs)), O-RAN nodes or components of an O-RAN node (e.g., O-RU, O-DU, O-CU).

[0159] Network nodes 900 may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and so, depending on the provided amount of coverage, may be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. Network node 900 may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. Network nodes 900 may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units, distributed units (e.g., in an O-RAN access node) and / or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS).

[0160] Other examples of network nodes 900 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).

[0161] In particular embodiments, network node 900 includes a processing circuitry 902, a memory 904, a communication interface 906, and a power source 908. In general, in a particular embodiment of network node 900, processing circuitry 902, memory 904, communication interface 906, and power source 908 may, in whole or in part, represent or include physical components common to or shared by one or more of the other elements of network node 900.

[0162] The network node 900 may be composed of multiple distinct network entities (e.g., a NodeB entity and a RNC entity, or a BTS entity and a BSC entity, etc.), which may each have or utilize their own respective physical components. In certain scenarios in which the network node 900 comprises multiple such entities (e.g., BTS and BSC), one or more of the separate entities may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, the network node 900 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate memories 904 or portionsof memory 904 for different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., a same antenna 910 may be shared by different RATs). The network node 900 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node 900, for example GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, Wi-Fi (e.g., according to an IEEE 802.11 family standard), Zigbee, Z-wave, LoRaWAN, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node 900.

[0163] The processing circuitry 902 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and / or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other components, such as the memory 904, to provide network node 900 functionality. For example, the processing circuitry 902 may be configured to cause the network node 900 to perform the methods as described with reference to Figure 5.

[0164] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 902 includes a system on a chip (SOC). In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 902 includes one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 912 and baseband processing circuitry 914. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuitry 912 and the baseband processing circuitry 914 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 912 and baseband processing circuitry 914 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units.

[0165] The memory 904 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computerexecutable memory devices that store information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by the processing circuitry 902. The memory 904 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 902 and utilized by the network node 900. The memory 904 may be used to store any calculations made by the processing circuitry 902 and / or any data received via thecommunication interface 906. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 902 and memory 904 is integrated.

[0166] The communication interface 906 is used in wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data with UEs, other network nodes, and / or any other network equipment. In the illustrated embodiment, communication interface 906 comprises port(s) / terminal(s) 916 to send and receive data, for example to and from a network over a wired connection. In particular embodiments, network node 800 may be capable of wireless communication and communication interface 906 may also include radio front-end circuitry 918 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, an antenna 910. Particular embodiments of radio front-end circuitry 918 include filter(s) 920 and amplifier(s) 922. The radio front-end circuitry 918 may be connected to an antenna 910 and processing circuitry 902. The radio frontend circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 910 and processing circuitry 902. The radio front-end circuitry 918 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 918 may convert the digital data into a radio signal(s) having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 920 and / or amplifiers 922. The radio signal(s) may then be transmitted via the antenna 910. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna 910 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by the radio front-end circuitry 918. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuitry 902. In other embodiments, the communication interface may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0167] In certain alternative embodiments, network node 900 may be capable of wireless communication but does not include separate radio front-end circuitry 918, instead, the processing circuitry 902 includes radio front-end circuitry and is connected to the antenna 910. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of the RF transceiver circuitry 912 is part of the communication interface 906. In still other embodiments, the communication interface 906 includes one or more ports or terminals 916, the radio front-end circuitry 918, and the RF transceiver circuitry 912, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and the communication interface 906 communicates with the baseband processing circuitry 914, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0168] The antenna 910 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. The antenna 910 may be coupled to the radio front-end circuitry 918 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and / orsignals wirelessly. In certain embodiments, the antenna 910 is separate from the network node 900 and connectable to the network node 900 through one or more interfaces or ports.

[0169] The antenna 910, communication interface 906, and / or the processing circuitry 902 may be configured to perform some or all of the receiving operations and / or obtaining operations described herein as being performed by the network node 900. Any information, data and / or signals may be received from a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment. Similarly, the antenna 910, the communication interface 906, and / or the processing circuitry 902 may be configured to perform some or all of the transmitting or sending operations described herein as being performed by the network node 900. Any information, data and / or signals may be transmitted to a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment.

[0170] The power source 908 provides power to the various components of network node 900 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). The power source 908 may further comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry to supply the components of the network node 900 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the network node 900 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 908. As a further example, the power source 908 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.

[0171] Embodiments of the network node 900 may include additional components beyond those shown in Figure 9 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 900 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into the network node 900 and to allow output of information from the network node 900. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for the network node 900.

[0172] Figure 10 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 1000 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 relatesto 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 1000 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes, such as a hardware computing device that operates as an access network node, UE, core network node, or host. Further, in embodiments in which a virtual node does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node or host), then the node may be entirely virtualized. In some embodiments, the virtualization environment 1000 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.

[0173] Applications 1002 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) are run in the virtualization environment Q400 to implement some of the features, functions, and / or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0174] Hardware 1004 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 1006 (also referred to as hypervisors or virtual machine monitors (VMMs)), provide VM 1008 A and VM 1008B (which may be collectively referred to as VMs 1008), and / or perform any of the functions, features and / or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein. The virtualization layer 1006 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to one or more of the VMs 1008.

[0175] The VMs 1008 comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by virtualization layer 1006. Different embodiments of the instance of a virtual appliance 1002 may be implemented on one or more of VMs 1008, 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.

[0176] In the context of NFV, each of the VMs 1008 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, nonvirtualized machine. Each of the VMs 1008, and that part of hardware 1004 that executes thatVM, be it hardware dedicated to that VM and / or hardware shared by that VM with others of the VMs, forms separate virtual network elements. Still in the context of NFV, a virtual network function is responsible for handling specific network functions that run in one or more of the VMs 1008 on top of the hardware 1004 and corresponds to an application 1002.

[0177] Hardware 1004 may be implemented in a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware 1004 may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware 1004 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 1010, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications 1002. In some embodiments, hardware 1004 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 1012 which may alternatively be used for communication between hardware nodes and radio units.

[0178] Although the computing devices described herein (e.g., UEs, network nodes, hosts) may include the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise computing devices with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that these computing devices may comprise any suitable combination of hardware and / or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Determining, calculating, obtaining or similar operations described herein may be performed by processing circuitry, which may process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination. Moreover, while components are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, computing devices may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component, and functionality may be partitioned between separate components. For example, a communication interface may be configured to include any of the components described herein, and / or the functionality of the components may be partitioned between the processing circuitry and the communication interface. In another example, non-computationally intensivefunctions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0179] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be provided by processing circuitry executing instructions stored on in memory, which in certain embodiments may be a computer program product in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or not, the processing circuitry can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry alone or to other components of the computing device, but are enjoyed by the computing device as a whole, and / or by end users and a wireless network generally.The following numbered statements set out embodiments of the disclosure:A Embodiments1. A method performed by a wireless device, the method comprising:performing M first measurements of M reference signals to be used to determine one or more predictions of what would be expected to be measured if N second measurements were performed of N second reference signals;performing P second measurements of P reference signals that are not to be used to determine predictions; wherein the M first measurements and the P second measurements are performed in one or more measurement occasions according to one or more rules.2. The method of embodiment 1 further comprising transmitting the M first measurements and the P second measurements to a network node.3. The method of embodiment 1 or 2 wherein the one or more rules comprises one of:a first rule to prioritize performing the M first measurements;a second rule to prioritize performing the P second measurements;a third rule to prioritize neither the M first measurements or the P second measurements; anda fourth rule indicating which of the one or more measurement occasions are to be used for the M first measurements and P second measurements respectively.4. The method of embodiment 3 wherein the first rule is to perform the M first measurements prior to performing the P second measurements; and / or the second rule is to perform the P second measurements prior to performing the M first measurements5. The method of embodiment 3 wherein the first rule is to use a first portion of measurement occasions within a total number of measurement occasions for the M first measurements, where the first portion is greater than 50%, and / or the second rule is to use a second portion of measurement occasions within the total number of measurement occasions for the M first measurements, where the second portion is less than 50%.The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 5 further comprising:obtaining an indication to perform prediction, and performing the M first measurements responsive to receiving the indication.The method of embodiment 6 further comprising, responsive to obtaining the indication, applying a rule configuration to determine which of the first rule, the second rule, the third rule or the fourth rule to use in performing the P second measurements and the M first measurementsThe method of embodiment 7 wherein the rule configuration is to use the first rule, the second rule, the third rule or the fourth rule.The method of embodiment 7, wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to a position of the wireless device being within a threshold of a cell edge, use the second rule or the third rule; andresponsive to the position of the wireless device not being within the threshold of the cell edge, use the first rule.The method of embodiment 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to a position of the wireless device being within a threshold of a cell edge, use the second rule; andresponsive to the position of the wireless device not being within the threshold of the cell edge, use the first rule or the third rule.The method of embodiment 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to a prediction applicability being met, use the first rule, and responsive to the prediction applicability not being met, use the second rule or the third rule.The method of embodiment 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to a prediction applicability being met, use the third rule, andresponsive to the prediction applicability not being met, use the second rule.The method of embodiment 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to receiving the indication to perform the prediction, use the first rule until a report comprising N predictions is transmitted to the network node, and responsive to transmitting the report, use the second rule or the third rule.The method of embodiment 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to receiving the indication to perform the prediction, use the third rule until a report comprising N predictions is transmitted to the network node, and responsive to transmitting the report, use the second rule.The method of embodiment 7, wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to receiving the indication to perform prediction, use the first rule, and responsive to determining that a measured signal level or quality of X of the M first measurements, where X is an integer value less than M, meets a condition, use the second rule or the third rule.The method of embodiment 7, wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to receiving the indication to perform prediction, use the third rule, and responsive to determining that a measured signal level or quality of X of the M first measurements, where X is an integer value less than M, meets a condition, use the second rule.The method of embodiment 15 or 16 wherein the condition comprises one of: a minimum threshold condition;a maximum threshold condition;a stability condition;a condition relating the measured signal level of quality of the X measurements to a measured signal level or quality of Y of the P second measurements, where Y is an integer value less than P.18. The method of embodiment 7 wherein the rule configuration is to: responsive to receiving the indication to perform prediction, use the first rule, andresponsive to determining that a measured signal level or quality of Y of the P second measurements, where Y is an integer value less than P, meets a condition, use the second rule or the third rule.19. The method of embodiment 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to receiving the indication to perform prediction, use the third rule, and responsive to determining that a measured signal level or quality of Y of the P second measurements, where Y is an integer value less than P, meets a condition, use the second rule.20. The method of embodiment 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to a frequency layer on which the P second measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has not been detected and / or measured for a first time period, use the second rule or the third rule; andresponsive to the frequency layer on which the P second measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has been detected and / or measured for a first time period, use the first rule.21. The method of embodiment 7, wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to a frequency layer on which the P second measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has not been detected and / or measured for a first time period, use the second rule; andresponsive to the frequency layer on which the P second measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has been detected and / or measured for a first time period, use the third rule.22. The method of embodiment 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to a frequency layer on which the M first measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has not been detected and / or measured for a first time period, use the first rule; andresponsive to the frequency layer on which the M first measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has been detected and / or measured within a first time period, use the second rule or the third rule.23. The method of embodiment 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to a frequency layer on which the M first measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has not been detected and / or measured for a first time period, use the third rule; andresponsive to the frequency layer on which the M first measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has been detected and / or measured for within the first time period, use the second rule.24. The method of embodiment 7 wherein the rule configuration is to use the first second or third rule depending on the frequency layer on which the M first measurements are performed or the frequency layer on which the P second measurements are performed.25. The method of embodiment 7 wherein the rule configuration is to use the first second or third rule depending on a priority of the frequency layer on which the M first measurements and / or the frequency layer on which the P second measurements.26. The method of embodiment 25 further comprising receiving, from the network node, an indication of the priority of the frequency layer on which the M first measurements are to be performed and / or the frequency layer on which the P second measurements are to be performed.27. The method of any one of embodiments 7 to 26, wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to receiving a handover command to a cell for which the M first measurements are being performed, use the first rule; and / orresponsive to receiving a handover command to a cell for which the P second measurements are being performed, use the second rule or the third rule.28. The method of any one of embodiments 7 to 26, wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to receiving a handover command to a cell for which the M first measurements are being performed, use the third rule; and / orresponsive to receiving a handover command to a cell for which the P second measurements are being performed, use the second rule.The method of any one of embodiments 7 to 28, wherein the rule configuration is to: responsive to determining beam failure, BF, or a radio link failure (RLF) with respect to a frequency layer on which the M first measurements are being performed, use the first rule; and / orresponsive to determining BF or a RLF with respect to a frequency layer on which the P second measurements are being performed, use the second rule or the third rule.The method of any one of embodiments 7 to 28, wherein the rule configuration is to: responsive to determining beam failure, BF, or a radio link failure (RLF) with respect to a frequency layer on which the M first measurements are being performed, use the third rule; and / orresponsive to determining BF or a RLF with respect to a frequency layer on which the P second measurements are being performed, use the second rule.The method of any one of embodiment 7 to 30, wherein the fourth rule comprises performing the M first measurements and P second measurements according to a pattern.The method of embodiment 31 wherein the pattern is indicated according to a measurement pattern configuration index in the rule configuration.The method of embodiment 31 wherein the pattern is indicated by indicating a bitmap representing a sequence by which to perform one or more of the M first measurements and one or more of the P second measurements.The method of embodiment 7 to 33 further comprising receiving an explicit or implicit indication of the rule configuration from a network node.35. The method of embodiment 34 further wherein the indication of the rule configuration is an implicit indication and comprises an indication of whether the P second measurements or the M first measurements should be prioritized.36. The method of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising:providing user data; andforwarding the user data to a host via the transmission to the network node.Group B Embodiments37. A method performed by a network node, the method comprising:transmitting an implicit or explicit indication of a rule configuration to a wireless device, wherein the rule configuration indicates to the wireless device which of one or more rules to use in performing, in one or more measurement occasions:M first measurements of M reference signals to be used to determine one or more predictions of what would be expected to be measured if N second measurements were performed of N second reference signals, where N is an integer value, andP second measurements of P reference signals that are not to be used to determine predictions.38. The method of embodiment 37 wherein the indication of the rule configuration is an implicit indication and comprises an indication of whether the P second measurements or the M first measurements should be prioritized.39. The method of embodiment 37 or 38 further comprising receiving the M first measurements and the P second measurements from the wireless device.40. The method of embodiment 37 to 39 wherein the one or more rules comprises one of:a first rule to prioritize performing the M first measurements;a second rule to prioritize performing the P second measurements;a third rule to prioritize neither the M first measurements or the P secondmeasurements; anda fourth rule indicating which of the one or more measurement occasions are to be used for the M first measurements and P second measurements respectively.41. The method of embodiment 40 wherein the first rule is to perform the M first measurements prior to performing the P second measurements; and / or the second rule is to perform the P second measurements prior to performing the M first measurements42. The method of embodiment 40 wherein the first rule is to use a first portion of measurement occasions within a total number of measurement occasions for the M first measurements, where the first portion is greater than 50%, and / or the second rule is to use a second portion of measurement occasions within the total number of measurement occasions for the M first measurements, where the second portion is less than 50%.43. The method of any one of embodiment 40 to 42, wherein the fourth rule comprises performing the M first measurements and P second measurements according to a pattern.44. The method of embodiment 43 wherein the pattern is indicated according to a measurement pattern configuration index in the rule configuration.45. The method of embodiment 43 wherein the pattern is indicated by indicating a bitmap representing a sequence by which to perform one or more of the M first measurements and one or more of the P second measurements.46. The method of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising:obtaining user data; andforwarding the user data to a host or a user equipment.Group C Embodiments47. A wireless device (612, 712, 800), comprising:processing circuitry (802) configured to cause the wireless device to perform any of theoperations of any of the Group A embodiments; anda power source (808) configured to supply power to the processing circuitry (802).48. A network node (610, 710, 900), the network node comprising:processing circuitry (902) configured to cause the network node to perform any of the operations of any of the Group B embodiments;a power source (908) configured to supply power to the processing circuitry (902).49. A wireless device, the wireless device comprising:one or more antennas;communication interface connected to the one or more antennas and to processing circuitry;the processing circuitry being configured to cause the wireless device to perform any of the operations of any of the Group A embodiments;an input interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to allow input of information into the wireless device to be processed by the processing circuitry;an output interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to output information from the wireless device that has been processed by the processing circuitry; and a power source connected to the processing circuitry and configured to supply power to the wireless device.50. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable code embodied therein, the computer-readable code being configured such that, on execution by a suitable computer or processing circuitry, the computer or processing circuitry is caused to perform the method of any of the Group A embodiments and the Group B embodiments.51. A wireless device (612, 712, 800) configured to perform the method of any of the Group A embodiments.52. A wireless device (612, 712, 800) comprising processing circuitry (802) and a memory (810), said memory containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said wireless device is operative to perform the method of any of the Group A embodiments.53. A network node (610, 710, 900), configured to perform the method of any of the Group B embodiments.54. A network node (610, 710, 900) comprising processing circuitry (902) and a memory (904), said memory containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said network node is operative to perform the method of any of the Group B embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method performed by a wireless device, the method comprising:performing (502) M first measurements of reference signals to be used to determine one or more predictions of N third measurements of reference signals; andperforming (504) P second measurements of reference signals that are not to be used to determine predictions; wherein the M first measurements and the P second measurements are performed in one or more measurement occasions according to one or more rules.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting (506) the M first measurements and the P second measurements to a network node.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the one or more rules comprise one of:a first rule to prioritize performing the M first measurements;a second rule to prioritize performing the P second measurements;a third rule to prioritize neither the M first measurements nor the P second measurements; anda fourth rule indicating which of the one or more measurement occasions are to be used for the M first measurements and P second measurements respectively.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the first rule is to perform the M first measurements prior to performing the P second measurements; and / or the second rule is to perform the P second measurements prior to performing the M first measurements5. The method of claim 3 wherein the first rule is to use a first portion of measurement occasions within a total number of measurement occasions for the M first measurements, where the first portion is greater than 50%, and / or the second rule is to use a second portion of measurement occasions within the total number of measurement occasions for the M first measurements, where the second portion is less than 50%.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5 further comprising:obtaining an indication to perform prediction, and performing the M firstmeasurements responsive to receiving the indication.

7. The method of claim 6 as dependent on claim 3, further comprising, responsive to obtaining the indication, applying a rule configuration to determine which of the first rule, the second rule, the third rule or the fourth rule to use in performing the P second measurements and the M first measurements8. The method of claim 7 wherein the rule configuration is to use the first rule, the second rule, the third rule or the fourth rule.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to a position of the wireless device being within a threshold of a cell edge, use the second rule or the third rule; andresponsive to the position of the wireless device not being within the threshold of the cell edge, use the first rule.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to a position of the wireless device being within a threshold of a cell edge, use the second rule; andresponsive to the position of the wireless device not being within the threshold of the cell edge, use the first rule or the third rule.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to a prediction applicability being met, use the first rule, and responsive to the prediction applicability not being met, use the second rule or the third rule.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to a prediction applicability being met, use the third rule, and responsive to the prediction applicability not being met, use the second rule.

13. The method of claim 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to receiving the indication to perform the prediction, use the first rule until a report comprising N predictions is transmitted to the network node, andresponsive to transmitting the report, use the second rule or the third rule.

14. The method of claim 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to receiving the indication to perform the prediction, use the third rule until a report comprising N predictions is transmitted to the network node, and responsive to transmitting the report, use the second rule.

15. The method of claim 7, wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to receiving the indication to perform prediction, use the first rule, and responsive to determining that a measured signal level or quality of X of the M first measurements, where X is an integer value less than M, meets a condition, use the second rule or the third rule.

16. The method of claim 7, wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to receiving the indication to perform prediction, use the third rule, and responsive to determining that a measured signal level or quality of X of the M first measurements, where X is an integer value less than M, meets a condition, use the second rule.

17. The method of claim 15 or 16 wherein the condition comprises one of:a minimum threshold condition;a maximum threshold condition;a stability condition;a condition relating the measured signal level of quality of the X measurements to a measured signal level or quality of Y of the P second measurements, where Y is an integer value less than P.

18. The method of claim 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to receiving the indication to perform prediction, use the first rule, andresponsive to determining that a measured signal level or quality of Y of the P second measurements, where Y is an integer value less than P, meets a condition,use the second rule or the third rule.

19. The method of claim 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to receiving the indication to perform prediction, use the third rule, and responsive to determining that a measured signal level or quality of Y of the P second measurements, where Y is an integer value less than P, meets a condition, use the second rule.

20. The method of claim 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to a frequency layer on which the P second measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has not been detected and / or measured for a first time period, use the second rule or the third rule; andresponsive to the frequency layer on which the P second measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has been detected and / or measured for a first time period, use the first rule.

21. The method of claim 7, wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to a frequency layer on which the P second measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has not been detected and / or measured for a first time period, use the second rule; andresponsive to the frequency layer on which the P second measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has been detected and / or measured for a first time period, use the third rule.

22. The method of claim 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to a frequency layer on which the M first measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has not been detected and / or measured for a first time period, use the first rule; andresponsive to the frequency layer on which the M first measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has been detected and / or measured within a first time period, use the second rule or the third rule.

23. The method of claim 7 wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to a frequency layer on which the M first measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has not been detected and / or measured for a first time period, use the third rule; andresponsive to the frequency layer on which the M first measurements are to be performed comprising a cell which has been detected and / or measured for within the first time period, use the second rule.

24. The method of claim 7 wherein the rule configuration is to use the first second or third rule depending on the frequency layer on which the M first measurements are performed or the frequency layer on which the P second measurements are performed.

25. The method of claim 7 wherein the rule configuration is to use the first second or third rule depending on a priority of the frequency layer on which the M first measurements and / or the frequency layer on which the P second measurements.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising receiving, from the network node, an indication of the priority of the frequency layer on which the M first measurements are to be performed and / or the frequency layer on which the P second measurements are to be performed.

27. The method of any one of claims 7 to 26, wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to receiving a handover command to a cell for which the M first measurements are being performed, use the first rule; and / orresponsive to receiving a handover command to a cell for which the P second measurements are being performed, use the second rule or the third rule.

28. The method of any one of claims 7 to 26, wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to receiving a handover command to a cell for which the M first measurements are being performed, use the third rule; and / orresponsive to receiving a handover command to a cell for which the P second measurements are being performed, use the second rule.

29. The method of any one of claims 7 to 28, wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to determining beam failure, BF, or a radio link failure (RLF) with respect to a frequency layer on which the M first measurements are being performed, use the first rule; and / orresponsive to determining BF or a RLF with respect to a frequency layer on which the P second measurements are being performed, use the second rule or the third rule.

30. The method of any one of claims 7 to 28, wherein the rule configuration is to:responsive to determining beam failure, BF, or a radio link failure (RLF) with respect to a frequency layer on which the M first measurements are being performed, use the third rule; and / orresponsive to determining BF or a RLF with respect to a frequency layer on which the P second measurements are being performed, use the second rule.

31. The method of any one of claim 7 to 30, wherein the fourth rule comprises performing the M first measurements and P second measurements according to a pattern.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the pattern is indicated according to a measurement pattern configuration index in the rule configuration.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein the pattern is indicated by indicating a bitmap representing a sequence by which to perform one or more of the M first measurements and one or more of the P second measurements.

34. The method of claim 7 to 33 further comprising receiving an explicit or implicit indication of the rule configuration from a network node.

35. The method of claim 34 further wherein the indication of the rule configuration is an implicit indication and comprises an indication of whether the P second measurements or the M first measurements should be prioritized.

36. A method performed by a network node, the method comprising:transmitting an implicit or explicit indication of a rule configuration to a wireless device, wherein the rule configuration indicates to the wireless device which of oneor more rules to use in performing, in one or more measurement occasions:M first measurements of reference signals to be used to determine one or more predictions of N third measurements of reference signals, andP second measurements of reference signals that are not to be used to determine predictions.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the indication of the rule configuration is an implicit indication and comprises an indication of whether the P second measurements or the M first measurements should be prioritized.

38. The method of claim 36 or 37 further comprising receiving the M first measurements and the P second measurements from the wireless device.

39. The method of claim 36 to 38 wherein the one or more rules comprises one of:a first rule to prioritize performing the M first measurements;a second rule to prioritize performing the P second measurements;a third rule to prioritize neither the M first measurements or the P second measurements; anda fourth rule indicating which of the one or more measurement occasions are to be used for the M first measurements and P second measurements respectively.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the first rule is to perform the M first measurements prior to performing the P second measurements; and / or the second rule is to perform the P second measurements prior to performing the M first measurements41. The method of claim 39 wherein the first rule is to use a first portion of measurement occasions within a total number of measurement occasions for the M first measurements, where the first portion is greater than 50%, and / or the second rule is to use a second portion of measurement occasions within the total number of measurement occasions for the M first measurements, where the second portion is less than 50%.

42. The method of any one of claim 39 to 41, wherein the fourth rule comprises performing the M first measurements and P second measurements according to a pattern.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein the pattern is indicated according to a measurement pattern configuration index in the rule configuration.

44. The method of claim 42 wherein the pattern is indicated by indicating a bitmap representing a sequence by which to perform one or more of the M first measurements and one or more of the P second measurements.

45. 678888679999A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable code embodied therein, the computer-readable code being configured such that, on execution by a suitable computer or processing circuitry, the computer or processing circuitry is caused to perform the method of any of the preceding claims.

46. A wireless device (612, 712, 800) configured to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 35.

47. A wireless device (612, 712, 800) comprising processing circuitry (802) and a memory (810), said memory containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said wireless device is operative to:perform M first measurements of reference signals to be used to determine predictions of N third measurements of reference signals; andperform P second measurements of reference signals that are not to be used to determine predictions;wherein the M first measurements and the P second measurements are performed in one or more measurement occasions according to one or more rules.

48. The wireless device according to claim 47, wherein the wireless device is further operative to perform the method of any one of claims 2 to 35.

49. A network node (610, 710, 900), configured to perform the method of any of claims 36 to 44.

50. A network node (610, 710, 900) comprising processing circuitry (902) and a memory(904), said memory containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said network node is operative to:transmit an implicit or explicit indication of a rule configuration to a wireless device, wherein the rule configuration indicates to the wireless device which of one or more rules to use in performing, in one or more measurement occasions:M first measurements of reference signals to be used to determine one or more predictions of N third measurements of reference signals, andP second measurements of reference signals that are not to be used to determine predictions perform the method of any of the Group B embodiments.

51. The network node according to claim 50, wherein the network node is further operative to perform the method of any one of claims 37 to 44.

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