Optimizing user equipment detection of neighboring cells

Abstract

Techniques for facilitating or optimizing the detection of neighboring cells by a UE (102) include the UE receiving (704), from a base station (104), system information, a measurement object, or a redirection instruction including an SMTC indicating first set of timing offsets and an indication of additional timing offset(s). The SMTC can correspond to a first synchronization transmission pattern utilized by neighboring cells, and the additional timing offset(s) can correspond to a different synchronization pattern. The additional offset(s) may be indicated by, e.g., a plurality of timing offsets, an indication of at least one satellite, a delta timing offset, an indication of PCIs corresponding to a target NR carrier frequency, etc. The UE derives one or more timing patterns based on the SMTC and the indication of the additional timing offset(s), and utilizes the derived timing pattem(s) to scan and measure for (708) and / or detect the presence of neighboring cells.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCOPTIMIZING USER EQUIPMENT DETECTION OF NEIGHBORING CELLS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 778,655, filed on March 27, 2025 and entitled “OPTIMIZING USER EQUIPMENT DETECTION OF NEIGHBORING CELLS,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to wireless communications and, more particularly, to facilitating or optimizing the detection of neighboring cells by a user equipment (UE), for example, when the UE is in the idle / inactive state or is being redirected from the connected state to a different carrier frequency.BACKGROUND

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

[0004] The objectives behind developing the fifth generation (5G) technology include providing a unified framework for such types of communication as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine type communication (mMTC).

[0005] The 5G technology relies primarily on legacy terrestrial networks (TNs). However, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) organization has proposed to extend 5G communications to non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) with 5G new radio (NR) technologies, or with the Long-Term-Evolution (LTE) technologies tailored for the Narrowband Intemet-of-Thing (NB-loT) or the enhanced Machine Type Communication (eMTC) scenarios. In an NTN, an RF transceiver is mounted on a satellite, an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) such as a drone, balloon, plane, or another suitable apparatus. For simplicity, the discussion below refers to all such apparatus as satellites. In addition to satellites, an NTN can include the sat-gateways that connectPATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCthe Non-Terrestrial Network to a public data network, feeder links between sat-gateways and satellites, service links between satellites, and inter-satellite links (ISL) when satellites form constellations.

[0006] A satellite can belong to one of several types based on altitude, orbit, and beam footprint size. The types include Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite, Medium-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite, Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite, UAS platform (including High Altitude Platform Station, HAPS), and High Elliptical Orbit (HEO) satellite. GEO satellites are also known as the Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO) satellites, and LEO / MEO satellites are also known as the non-GSO (NGSO) satellites.

[0007] A GSO satellite can communicate with one or several sat-gateways deployed over a satellite targeted coverage area (e.g. a region or even a continent). A non-GSO satellite at different times can communicate with one or several serving sat-gateways. An NTN is designed to ensure service and feeder link continuity between successive serving sat-gateways, with sufficient time duration to proceed with mobility anchoring and hand-over.

[0008] A satellite can support a transparent or a regenerative (with on board processing) payload, and typically generates several beams for a given service area bounded by the field of view. The footprints of the beams typically have an elliptic shape and depend on the on-board antenna configuration and the elevation angle. For a transparent payload implementation, a satellite can apply RF filtering and frequency conversion and amplification, and not change the waveform signal. For a regenerative payload implementation, a satellite can apply RF filtering, frequency conversion and amplification, demodulation and decoding, routing, and coding / modulation. This approach is effectively equivalent to implementing most of the functions of a base station, e.g., a gNB.

[0009] In these and other scenarios, a UE having no active downlink (DL) or uplink (UL) traffic may be released and redirected by its current serving cell to a target carrier frequency. For example, the current serving cell may release and redirect the UE to alleviate the loading of the serving frequency when the serving frequency becomes overloaded. While being redirected to the target carrier frequency, the UE is provided with the carrier frequency information (e.g., an Absolute Radio-Frequency Channel Number or ARFCN) and optionally a single Synchronization Signaling Block (SSB) Measurement Timing Configuration (SMTC), which may be a singlePATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCSynchronization Signaling / Physical Broadcast Channel (SS / PBCH) Block Measurement Timing Configuration. Based on the SMTC, the UE can tune its radio frequency and perform measurement at a timing in accordance with when SSB bursts are expected to be transmitted by the radio access network (RAN). However, as there could be multiple satellites operating in the target carrier frequency and only one SMTC provided, the UE may not be able to detect any cell if the provided SMTC is configured for a neighbor cell which is not in the vicinity of the UE. Additionally, the transmission of only a single SMTC is also unable to support the scenario where some neighbor cells using the target carrier frequency are provided by the same satellite but are not activated at the same time (e.g., to enhance the DL coverage by using the satellite beam hopping technique).

[0010] Further, as system information blocks (STBs) and dedicated measurement configurations transmitted by the RAN can include a maximum of four SMTCs, this limit can hinder a UE (which may be in the connected, idle, or inactive state) from moving to a satellite supporting DL coverage enhancement, e.g., for at least reasons similar to those discussed above for redirection. Moreover, similar issues exist when the UE attempts to detect a suitable TN cell based on the provided SMTC.

[0011] In some cases, the RAN transmitting a respective SMTC for each neighboring cell has been contemplated. However, transmitting multiple SMTCs for all synchronization patterns utilized by all of the neighboring cells not only unnecessarily increases the utilized bandwidth on the DL, but also causes the UE to store and process a large number of SMTCs, thereby needlessly wasting UE resources and delaying the UE from detecting a suitable neighboring cell.

[0012] Therefore, solutions are needed to optimize the chances of a UE detecting a suitable NTN and / or TN cell in situations such as the frequency redirection case, the cell selection or reselection case, and the handover case.SUMMARY

[0013] Generally speaking, the techniques of this disclosure allow a UE to detect a neighboring cell in a TN or in an NTN, for example, when the UE is in the idle / inactive state or is being redirected from the connected state to a different carrier frequency, as well as in other scenarios.

[0014] In an embodiment, a method implemented in a user equipment (UE) includes receiving, from a radio access network (RAN), (i) a first information element (IE) of a first type, the first IE including an indication of a periodicity, one or more first timing offsets, and a duration of a windowPATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCfor measuring for synchronization transmissions, and (ii) a second IE of a second type different than the first type, the second IE including an indication of one or more additional timing offsets for the window. The method further includes measuring received transmissions based on the periodicity, the window, and the one or more additional timing offsets.

[0015] In an embodiment, a method implemented in a User Equipment (UE) includes receiving, from a radio access network (RAN), an indication of a timing pattern for measuring received transmissions via a specific frequency, the timing pattern indicating only a subset of an entirety of timing offsets included in a period of measuring for synchronization transmissions, and measuring, in accordance with the timing pattern, respective one or more properties of a first set of received transmissions. Additionally, the method includes when no synchronization transmissions are detected based on the measuring, initiating a scan of an entirety of the timing offsets included in the period.

[0016] In an embodiment, a method implemented in a User Equipment (UE) includes receiving from a radio access network (RAN), an indication to enhance downlink coverage and an indication of a timing pattern, the timing pattern including a plurality of time windows; measuring, in accordance with the timing pattern, respective one or more properties of a first set of received transmissions; and detecting, based on the measuring and during a particular time window of the timing pattern, a synchronization transmission of a cell. The method also includes based on the indication to enhance downlink coverage and the detecting of the synchronization transmission of the cell: adjusting the timing pattern based on the particular window, and measuring, in accordance with adjusted timing pattern, respective one or more properties of a second set of received transmissions.

[0017] In an embodiment, a method implemented in a base station of a radio access network (RAN) includes transmitting, via a downlink channel, (i) a first information element (IE) of a first type, the first IE including an indication of a periodicity, one or more first timing offsets, and a duration of a window for measuring synchronization transmissions of a first cell, and (ii) a second IE of a second type different than the first type, the second IE including an indication of one or more additional timing offsets for measuring synchronization transmissions of one or more other cells.PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PC

[0018] Yet another example embodiment of these techniques is a device or a node comprising a transceiver and processing hardware, where the device or node is configured to implement one of the methods summarized above.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Fig. 1 A is a block diagram of an example wireless communication system in which a user device and / or a RAN network node, such as a base station, can implement the techniques of this disclosure;

[0020] Fig. IB is a block diagram of an example base station having a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) which can operate in the system of Fig. 1A;

[0021] Fig. 2A is a block diagram of an example protocol stack according to which the UE of Fig. 1 A can communicate with base stations;

[0022] Fig. 2B is a block diagram of an example protocol stack according to which the UE of Fig. 1 A communicates with a CU and a DU;

[0023] Fig. 3A is a block diagram of an example NTN node utilized in a transparent payload implementation;

[0024] Fig. 3B is a block diagram of an example NTN node utilized in a regenerative payload implementation;

[0025] Fig. 4A illustrates an example scenario in which a UE in a connected state is released and redirected by its current serving satellite to a target carrier frequency;

[0026] Fig. 4B illustrates an example scenario in which a UE in a connected state is redirected, by its current serving satellite, to a target carrier frequency utilized by multiple cells of another satellite, where the multiple cells do not all activate at the same time or simultaneously;

[0027] Fig. 5 illustrates a scenario in which a UE performs neighbor cell measurement on a carrier frequency of a base station that supports downlink (DL) coverage enhancement;

[0028] Fig. 6 is a messaging diagram of an example scenario in which a UE in a connected state is redirected to an NR carrier frequency and performs measurements on the NR carrier frequency;PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PC

[0029] Fig. 7 is a messaging diagram of an example scenario in which a UE in the connected state is redirected to an NR carrier frequency and receives, for the NR carrier frequency, a measurement timing configuration which includes an SMTC and an indication of one or more additional timing offsets;

[0030] Fig. 8 is a messaging diagram of an example scenario in which a UE in the connected state is redirected to an NR carrier frequency of a base station that supports DL coverage enhancement;

[0031] Fig. 9 is a messaging diagram of an example scenario in which a UE operating in the idle or inactive state performs neighbor cell measurements on an NR carrier frequency of a base station that supports DL coverage enhancement;

[0032] Fig. 10 is a messaging diagram of an example scenario in which a UE operating in the connected state performs neighbor cell measurements on an NR carrier frequency of a base station that supports DL coverage enhancement;

[0033] Fig. 11 is a flow diagram of an example method that can be implemented by a UE in the connected state, for performing cell selection upon being redirected to another NR carrier frequency;

[0034] Fig. 12 is a flow diagram of an example method that can be implemented by a UE in the connected state, for performing cell selection based on an SMTC and a plurality of timing offsets provided in the RRC Release message;

[0035] Fig. 13 is a flow diagram of an example method that can be implemented by a UE in the connected state, for performing cell selection based on an SMTC and a delta timing offset provided in the RRC Release message;

[0036] Fig. 14A is a flow diagram of an example method that can be implemented by a UE in the idle state, for performing neighbor cell measurement on a carrier frequency based on an SMTC, a delta timing offset, and a plurality of PCI lists associated to the carrier frequency;

[0037] Fig. 14B is a flow diagram of an example method that can be implemented by a UE in the idle state, for performing neighbor cell measurement on a carrier frequency based on an SMTC, a delta timing offset, and an integer N associated to the carrier frequency;PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PC

[0038] Fig. 15 A is a flow diagram of an example method that can be implemented by a UE in the connected state, for performing neighbor cell measurement on a carrier frequency based on an SMTC, a delta timing offset, and a plurality of PCI lists associated to the carrier frequency;

[0039] Fig. 15B is a flow diagram of an example method that can be implemented by a UE in the connected state, for performing neighbor cell measurement on a carrier frequency based on an SMTC, a delta timing offset, and an integer N associated to the carrier frequency; and

[0040] Fig. 16 is a flow diagram of an example method that can be implemented by a UE, for performing neighbor cell measurement on a carrier frequency of a base station supporting DL coverage enhancement techniques.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] As discussed in more detail below, a user equipment (UE) and / or a network node of a radio access network (RAN) can use the techniques of this disclosure for facilitating or optimizing the detection, by the UE, of neighboring NTN and / or TN cells, such as NTN and / or TN cells which operate in a discontinuous transmission mode.

[0042] Referring first to Fig. 1 A, an example wireless communication system 100 includes a UE 102, a base station (BS) 104, a base station 106, and a core network (CN) 110. The base stations 104 and 106 can operate in a RAN 105 connected to the core network (CN) 110. The CN 110 can be implemented as an evolved packet core (EPC) 111 or a fifth generation (5G) core (5GC) 160, for example. The CN 110 can also be implemented as a sixth generation (6G) core in another example.

[0043] The base station 104 covers a cell 124 and a cell 125, and the base station 106 covers a cell 126. In an NTN implementation, the cells 124 and 125 can correspond to different satellites but share the same cell identifier. Although the base station 104, 106 icons show TN base stations, one or multiple base stations may be an NTN base station. If the base station 104 is a gNB, the cell 124 is an NR cell. If the base station 104 is an ng-eNB or eNB, the cell 124 is an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) cell. Similarly, if the base station 106 is a gNB, the cell 126 is an NR cell, and if the base station 106 is an ng-eNB or eNB, the cell 126 is an E-UTRA cell. The cells 124 and 126 can be in the same Radio Access Network Notification Areas (RNA) or different RNAs. In general, the RAN 105 can include any number of base stations, and each of the base stations can cover one, two, three, or any other suitable number of cells. The UE 102 can support atPATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCleast a 5G NR (or simply, “NR”) or E-UTRA air interface to communicate with the base stations 104 and 106. Each of the base stations 104, 106 can connect to the CN 110 via an interface (e.g., SI or NG interface). The base stations 104 and 106 also can be interconnected via an interface (e.g., X2 or Xn interface) for interconnecting NG RAN nodes.

[0044] Among other components, the EPC 111 can include a Serving Gateway (SGW) 112, a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 114, and a Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW) 116. The SGW 112 in general is configured to transfer user-plane packets related to audio calls, video calls, Internet traffic, etc., and the MME 114 is configured to manage authentication, registration, paging, and other related functions. The PGW 116 provides connectivity from the UE to one or more external packet data networks, e.g., an Internet network and / or an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network. The 5GC 160 includes a User Plane Function (UPF) 162 and an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 164, and / or Session Management Function (SMF) 166. Generally speaking, the UPF 162 is configured to transfer user-plane packets related to audio calls, video calls, Internet traffic, etc., the AMF 164 is configured to manage authentication, registration, paging, and other related functions, and the SMF 166 is configured to manage PDU sessions.

[0045] As illustrated in Fig. 1 A, the base station 104 supports a cell 124, and the base station 106 supports a cell 126. The cells 124 and 126 can partially overlap, so that the UE 102 can select, reselect, or hand over from one of the cells 124 and 126 to the other. To directly exchange messages or information, the base station 104 and base station 106 can support an X2 or Xn interface. In general, the CN 110 can connect to any suitable number of base stations supporting NR cells and / or EUTRA cells.

[0046] As discussed in detail below, the UE 102 and / or the RAN 105 may utilize the techniques of this disclosure in scenarios in which the radio connection between the UE 102 and the RAN 105 is suspended, e.g., when the UE 102 operates in an inactive or idle state of the protocol for controlling radio resources between the UE 102 and the RAN 105, and in scenarios in which the radio connection between the UE 102 and the RAN 105 is active or established, e.g., when the UE operates in a connected state of the protocol for controlling radio resources between the UE 102 and RAN 105. For clarity, the examples below refer to the RRC_IN ACTIVE, RRCJDLE state, and RRC_CONNECTED state of the RRC protocol.PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PC

[0047] The base station 104 is equipped with processing hardware 130 that can include one or more general-purpose processors (e.g., CPUs) and a non-transitory computer-readable memory storing instructions that the one or more general-purpose processors execute. Additionally or alternatively, the processing hardware 1 0 can include special-purpose processing units. The processing hardware 130 in an example implementation includes a processor 132 to process data that the base station 104 will transmit in the downlink direction, or process data received by the base station 104 in the uplink direction. The processing hardware 130 can also include a transmitter 136 configured to transmit data in the downlink direction. The processing hardware further can include a receiver 134 configured to receive data in the uplink direction. The base station 106 can include generally similar components. In particular, components 140, 142, 144, and 146 of the base station 106 can be similar to the components 130, 132, 134, and 136, respectively.

[0048] The UE 102 is equipped with processing hardware 150 that can include one or more general-purpose processors such as CPUs and non-transitory computer-readable memory storing machine-readable instructions executable on the one or more general-purpose processors, and / or special-purpose processing units. The processing hardware 150 in an example implementation includes a processor 152 to process data that the UE 102 will transmit in the uplink direction, or process data received by UE 102 in the downlink direction. The processing hardware 150 can also include a transmitter 156 configured to transmit data in the downlink direction. The processing hardware further can include a receiver 154 configured to receive data in the uplink direction.

[0049] Fig. IB depicts an example distributed or disaggregated implementation of any one or more of the base stations 104, 106. In this implementation, the base station 104, 106 includes a central unit (CU) 172 and one or more distributed units (DUs) 174. The CU 172 includes processing hardware, such as one or more general-purpose processors (e.g., CPUs) and a computer-readable memory storing machine-readable instructions executable on the general-purpose processor(s), and / or special-purpose processing units. For example, the CU 172 can include a PDCP controller, a RRC controller and / or a RRC inactive controller. In some implementations, the CU 172 can include a radio link control (RLC) controller configured to manage or control one or more RLC operations or procedures. In further implementations, the CU 172 does not include an RLC controller.PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PC

[0050] Each of the DUs 174 also includes processing hardware that can include one or more general-purpose processors (e.g., CPUs) and computer-readable memory storing machine-readable instructions executable on the one or more general-purpose processors, and / or special-purpose processing units. For example, the processing hardware can include a MAC controller configured to manage or control one or more MAC operations or procedures (e.g., a random access procedure), and / or an RLC controller configured to manage or control one or more RLC operations or procedures. The process hardware can also include a physical layer controller configured to manage or control one or more physical layer operations or procedures.

[0051] In some embodiments, the RAN 105 supports Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) functionality. In some implementations, the DU 174 operates as an lAB-node, and the CU 172 operates as an lAB-donor. In some embodiments, the RAN 105 supports Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) functionality.

[0052] In some implementations, the CU 172 can include a logical node CU-CP 172A that hosts the control plane part of the PDCP protocol of the CU 172. The CU 172 can also include logical node(s) CU-UP 172B that hosts the user plane part of the PDCP protocol and / or Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) protocol of the CU 172. The CU-CP 172A can transmit control information (e.g., RRC messages, Fl application protocol messages), and the CU-UP 172B can transmit the data packets (e.g., SDAP PDUs or Internet Protocol packets).

[0053] The CU-CP 172A can be connected to multiple CU-UP 172B through the El interface. The CU-CP 172A selects the appropriate CU-UP 172B for the requested services for the UE 102. In some implementations, a single CU-UP 172B can connect to multiple CU-CP 172A through the El interface. The CU-CP 172A can connect to one or more DU 174s through an Fl-C interface. The CU-UP 172B can connect to one or more DU 174 through the Fl-U interface under the control of the same CU-CP 172A. In some implementations, one DU 174 can connect to multiple CU-UP 172B under the control of the same CU-CP 172A. In such implementations, the connectivity between a CU-UP 172B and a DU 174 is established by the CU-CP 172A using Bearer Context Management functions.

[0054] Fig. 2A illustrates, in a simplified manner, an example protocol stack 200 according to which the UE 102 can communicate with an eNB / ng-eNB or a gNB (e.g., one or more of the base stations 104, 106).PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PC

[0055] In the example stack 200, a physical layer (PHY) 202A of EUTRA provides transport channels to the EUTRA MAC sublayer 204A, which in turn provides logical channels to the EUTRA RLC sublayer 206A. The EUTRA RLC sublayer 206A in turn provides RLC channels to an EUTRA PDCP sublayer 208 and, in some cases, to an NR PDCP sublayer 210. Similarly, the NR PHY 202B provides transport channels to the NR MAC sublayer 204B, which in turn provides logical channels to the NR RLC sublayer 206B. The NR RLC sublayer 206B in turn provides data transfer services to the NR PDCP sublayer 210. The NR PDCP sublayer 210 in turn can provide data transfer services to Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) 212 or a radio resource control (RRC) sublayer (not shown in Fig. 2A). The UE 102, in some implementations, supports both the EUTRA and the NR stacks as shown in Fig. 2A, e.g., to support handover between EUTRA and NR base stations and / or to support Dual Connectivity (DC) over EUTRA and NR interfaces. Further, as illustrated in Fig. 2A, the UE 102 can support layering of NR PDCP 210 over EUTRA RLC 206A, and SDAP sublayer 212 over the NR PDCP sublayer 210.

[0056] The EUTRA PDCP sublayer 208 and the NR PDCP sublayer 210 receive packets (e.g., from an Internet Protocol (IP) layer, layered directly or indirectly over the PDCP layer 208 or 210) that can be referred to as service data units (SDUs), and receive output packets (e.g., to the RLC layer 206 A or 206B) that can be referred to as protocol data units (PDUs). Except where the difference between SDUs and PDUs is relevant, this disclosure for simplicity refers to both SDUs and PDUs as “packets.”

[0057] On a control plane, the EUTRA PDCP sublayer 208 and the NR PDCP sublayer 210 can provide signaling radio bearers (SRBs) or an RRC sublayer (not shown in Fig. 2A) to exchange RRC messages or non-access-stratum (NAS) messages, for example. On a user plane, the EUTRA PDCP sublayer 208 and the NR PDCP sublayer 210 can provide Data Radio Bearers (DRBs) to support data exchange. Data exchanged on the NR PDCP sublayer 210 can be SDAP PDUs, Internet Protocol (IP) packets or Ethernet packets.

[0058] Fig. 2B illustrates, in a simplified manner, an example protocol stack 250, which the UE 102 can utilize to communicate with a DU (e.g., DU 174) and a CU (e.g., CU 172). The radio protocol stack 200 is functionally split as shown by the radio protocol stack 250 in Fig. 2B. The CU 232 at any of the base stations 104 or 106 can hold all the control and upper layer functionalities (e.g., RRC 214, SDAP 212, NR PDCP 210), while the lower layer operations (e.g.,PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCNR RLC 206B, NR MAC 204B, and NR PHY 202B) are delegated to the DU 174. To support connection to a 5GC, NR PDCP 210 provides SRBs to RRC 214, and NR PDCP 210 provides DRBs to SDAP 212 and SRBs to RRC 214.

[0059] Fig. 3A illustrates an example of a certain type of NTN deployment referred to as transparent payload architecture, which involves a satellite gateway 302 (also referred to in this document as an “NTN gateway”) and a “transparent” satellite 304 for extending the range of the Uu interface. In one implementation, the satellite 304 implements a frequency conversion and a Radio Frequency (RF) amplifier in both the uplink and downlink directions. With that being said, the satellite function within the NTN network is similar to that of an analogue RF repeater. As a result, the satellite 304 repeats the Uu radio interface from the feeder link (e.g., the link between or communicatively connecting the NTN gateway and the satellite) to the service link (e.g., the link between or communicatively connecting the satellite and the UE) in the downlink direction, and vice versa in the uplink direction. The Satellite Radio Interface (SRI) on the feeder link is the Uu, and the NTN gateway 302 supports all necessary functions to forward signals via the Uu interface. The NTN gateway 302 can be placed at the same site as the base station (e.g., eNB, gNB) 104 location, or be connected to the base station 104 at a distance via a wired link. It is also possible to connect more than one NTN gateway to a base station. Different transparent satellites may be connected to the same base station on the ground, via the same NTN gateway, or via different NTN gateways. As shown in Fig. 3 A, the base station 104 may connect to a CN 110 via SI or NG, and the CN 110 may be communicatively connected to one or more data networks 370.

[0060] Fig. 3B illustrates an example of another type of NTN deployment referred to as regenerative payload architecture, which involves a satellite gateway 302 and a “regenerative” satellite 304 with a BS installed on it. In some examples of the regenerative satellite payload architecture, the service link between the satellite 304 and the UE 102 carries the Uu interface and the Satellite Radio Interface (SRI) on the feeder link carries part of SI or NG interface. The NTN gateway 302 placed at one end of the SRI / feeder link serves as an intermediate node forwarding the Sl / NG traffic to and from the CN 110, and the CN 110 may be communicatively connected to one or more data networks 370. In some examples of the regenerative satellite payload architecture, part of the MME 114 (e.g., split-MME) or the entire MME 114 is also installed on the “regenerative” satellite 304, and hence, in these examples, the feeder link does not carry either the SI interface orPATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCNG interface, e.g., as the feeder link only carries the internal interface within a core network node. Different regenerative satellites can connect to the same CN 110 on the ground, via the same NTN gateway, or via different NTN gateways.

[0061] In terms of the satellite moving patterns, three types of service links can be supported in NTN:

[0062] Earth-fixed: provisioned by bearn(s) continuously covering the same geographical areas all the time (e.g., the case of GEO / GSO satellites);

[0063] Quasi-Earth-fixed: provisioned by beam(s) covering one geographic area for a limited period and a different geographic area during another period (e.g., the case of LEO / MEO satellites capable of using steerable beams); and

[0064] Earth-moving: provisioned by beam(s) whose coverage area slides over the Earth surface (e.g., the case of LEO / MEO satellites using fixed or non-steerable beams).

[0065] With LEO / MEO satellites, the eNB can provide either quasi-Earth-fixed cell coverage or Earth-moving cell coverage. With GEO satellites, the eNB can provide Earth fixed cell coverage.

[0066] To enhance the downlink coverage of NR-Uu interface (e.g., to increase the satellite footprint) for either the transparent or the regenerative payload architecture, the GSO / non-GSO satellite may equip more satellite beams covering a larger footprint. However, DL coverage enhancements need to accommodate the facts that a satellite payload may be unable to have all its satellite beams active with the nominal EIRP density per beam at a given time due to limited power and limited feeder link bandwidth. In fact, one of the scopes of 3GPP Release 19 NR-NTN Work Item (WI) is to define additional reference satellite payload parameters assuming power sharing among satellite beams or different satellite beam pattems / size (i.e. wide or narrow) across the satellite footprint, such that satellite beams may not all be simultaneously active or may be active below the nominal Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) density per satellite beam due to limited power and limited feeder link bandwidth. For example, different satellite beams of a same satellite may be activated or luminated at different times according to an activation pattern.

[0067] Fig. 4A illustrates an example scenario 400A in which a UE 102 in a connected state is released and redirected by its current serving satellite 304 to a target carrier frequency / ). In this example scenario 400A, the UE 102 is being served by the satellite 304 in the carrier frequency / ;.PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCThe UE 102 then receives an RRCRelease message including a RedirectedCarrierlnfo Information Element (IE) 310 from the satellite 304, which instructs the UE 102 to transition to the RRCJDLE state and search on another NR carrier frequency ? to find a suitable cell to camp on. As shown in this example, the CarrierlnfoNR 312 included in the RedirectedCarrierlnfo IE 310 contains an SMTC 315, and the UE 102 conducts measurements on the carrier frequency / ? in the timing windows derived based on the SMTC 315, e.g., to detect a suitable cell to which the UE can redirect. For example, as shown in Fig. 4A, the SMTC 315 may include an indication of a periodicity of the timing of the measuring of one or more properties of transmissions received via the frequency / ? (such as received signal strength, quality, etc.), one or more timing offsets (e.g., from a start of a period of timing) at which windows of measuring are to begin or occur (which may be indicated in units of subframes, for example), and one or more durations of the windows of measuring.

[0068] As further shown in this scenario 400A, the three cells (e.g., cell 126, cell 127, and cell 128) operate in the target carrier frequency / ? and partially / fully overlap with the serving cell 124, and three different satellites, e.g., satellite 305, satellite 306, and satellite 307, respectively provide the three cells 126, 127, and 128. As shown in the timing diagram 318, the respective SSB periodicity of each of the cells 126, 127, and 128 is of the same duration (e.g., 20 ms) but the respective SSB timing offsets deviate from each other due to the differences in propagation distance. The SSB offsets of the cells 126-128 deviate from the serving cell 124 with the delta value Oi, O2, and O3, respectively. As only one SMTC 315 is provided to the UE 102 in the RRCRelease message, the UE 102 would not be able to detect cell 126 (which is the only cell covering the UE 102 in the carrier frequency / ?) if the SMTC 315 provided to the UE 102 is configured based on the SSB occurrence of cell 127 or of cell 128.

[0069] A similar problem can be also found in the example scenario 400B of Fig. 4B. In this example scenario 400B, a UE in a connected state is redirected by its serving satellite to a target carrier frequency utilized by multiple cells 125-132 provided by the same satellite 306; however, the multiple cells 125-132 do not all luminate (that is, are not all active or activated) at the same time or simultaneously. As shown in Fig. 4B, the UE 102 is redirected to an enhanced coverage area 320 provided by satellite 306, where the enhanced coverage area 320 is spanned by multiple cells which respectively luminate or activate over time in accordance with an activation pattern 322.PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCIn this example scenario, the activation pattern 322 indicates, via colors, which pairs of cells l minate or become active in a sequential, round-robin, and mutually exclusive manner, e.g., according to the color of the cells. (Of course, the activation pattern 322 is an example activation pattern 322, and other activation patterns may be possible.) As this example scenario 400B illustrates four activation colors, the lumination or activation ratio for the coverage area 320 is one fourth (i.e., 0.25), and as such activation pattern 322 expands the coverage of the satellite 306 by a factor of four. Further, as there are four SSB transmission patterns utilized or generated by the satellite 306 (e.g., a respective SSB transmission pattern for each of the four colors), the serving satellite 304 randomly selects one SSB transmission pattern from the available four patterns and sends an indication of the selected pattern to the UE 102 in the SMTC 315 of the RRCRelease message without having knowledge of whether the UE 102 is located within the coverage of a cell of the satellite 306 which is operating in accordance with the selected SSB transmission pattern. Hence, in this example scenario 400B, the chance that the UE 102 is not able to detect a cell after receiving the redirection instruction 310 including the randomly-selected SMTC 315 is 0.75 or 75%.

[0070] Fig. 5 illustrates an example coverage enhancement scenario 500, in which satellite beam hopping is utilized to enhance the downlink (DL) coverage of a satellite. In Fig. 5, the UE 102 is under an enhanced DL coverage area 325 provided by the satellite 306. As such, the satellite 306 luminates or activates satellite beams corresponding to its cells sequentially based on color and in accordance with an activation pattern 328, e.g., as indicated by the different colors of the cells and by the activation pattern 328. As there are seven total colors in this scenario 500, the lumination or activation ratio is 1 / 7, and thus the satellite 306 utilizes seven different SSB transmission patterns. As depicted in Fig. 5, the UE 102 is currently located at the cell edge of the serving cell 132, and is about to trigger a cell reselection or a handover procedure to switch to another cell of the same satellite 306. However, the maximum number of SMTCs which can be signaled per carrier frequency in a system information block (“SIB,” e.g., a SIB2 or SIB4) or in a measurement object is four (e.g., one SSB-MTC and three SSB-MTC4), as shown in the example SIB4330. As such, the satellite 306 can only specify SSB-measurement timing configurations (SMTCs) for a maximum of four of the seven SSB available transmission patterns generated by the satellite 306 for the carrier frequency. Consequently, in some situations, the UE 102 may not be able to obtain the measurement result of a neighboring cell in the vicinity of the UE 102 due to the absence of thePATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCspecific SMTC setting for that cell. That is, the insufficient number of SMTCs which can be provided to the UE 102 in an SIB2 / SIB4 or measurement object may result in incomplete or missing measurements during the cell reselection or the handover procedure. One possible solution to address this issue may be increasing the number of configurable SMTCs per carrier frequency in an SIB2, SIB4, or measurement object; however, this is an inefficient and sub-optimal solution. Indeed, for the DL coverage enhancement scenario 500, a more compact solution which limits utilized DL bandwidth, resource usage at the UE, and the delay of the UE in detecting a suitable cell is desirable.

[0071] Figs. 6-10 depict messaging diagrams of various example scenarios in which at least some of the techniques discussed within this document are utilized to facilitate or optimize the detection, by a UE, of neighbor cells. Generally speaking, similar events in Figs. 6-10 are labeled with reference numbers that have the same lower-order digits. For example, event 602 is similar to event 1002, event 604 is similar to event 704, event 606 is similar to event 906, event 608 is similar to event 708, event 612 is similar to event 812, event 916 is similar to event 1016, event 918 is similar to event 1018, event 920 is similar to event 1020, and event 922 is similar to event 1022. For brevity, similar events are not discussed in detail in each instance, but the discussion of a certain event with reference to one of the figures also applies to similar events in other figures.Additionally, for ease of discussion, the term “idle state” is used to refer to the RRC_IDLE state and / or to the RRC_INACTIVE state. The term “connected state” refers to the RRC_CONNECTED state. Further, while the cell 126 depicted in Figs. 6-10 is described as being an NTN cell, this is for the purposes of ease of discussion only and not limiting, as the principles and techniques utilized in Figs. 6-10 can be applied to a scenario in which the cell 126 is a TN cell. Indeed, in some scenarios, a set of neighboring cells of the cell 124 may include both NTN and TN cells which transmit via the NR carrier frequency.

[0072] Turning first to Fig. 6, Fig. 6 is a messaging diagram of an example scenario 600 in which a UE in a connected state is redirected to an NR carrier frequency and performs measurements of one or more properties of transmissions received on the NR carrier frequency. In Fig. 6, a UE 102 initially connects 602 to a BS 104 via a cell 124 provided by the BS 104, where the cell 124 can be either a Terrestrial Network (TN) cell or an NTN cell. If cell 124 is an NTN cell, the BS 104 provides the cell 124 through a satellite (not shown). At some time after the connection 602, the UEPATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PC102 receives 604 an RRC Release message transmitted by the BS 104 via a downlink channel, where the RRC Release message includes a RedirectedCarrierlnfo IE providing (via the CarrierlnfoNR IE) information of an NR carrier frequency and an SMTC based on which the UE 102 is to measure transmissions received at the UE via the NR carrier frequency. See e.g., FIG. 4A elements 310, 312, 315. Upon receiving the RRC Release message, the UE 102 enters into 606 the idle state, and performs 608 a cell selection procedure.

[0073] As a part of performing the cell selection procedure, the UE 102 scans the NR carrier frequency indicated in the RedirectedCarrierlnfo in accordance with a timing pattern (e.g., a sequence of time windows having the same duration and repeating at consistent intervals) which the UE 102 has derived from the SMTC provided in RedirectedCarrierlnfo. Typically, the timing pattern is utilized by the UE for each period of measuring.

[0074] In the scenario 600, the NTN cell 126 provided by the satellite 306 is in the vicinity of the UE 102 and satisfies cell selection criteria of the UE 102 (e.g., the cell selection criteria as specified in TS 38.304, section 5.2.3.2). However, in the scenario 600, while scanning the NR carrier frequency in accordance with the timing pattern derived from the SMTC, the UE 102 does not detect the NTN cell 126 or, for that matter, any neighboring NTN or TN cell that fulfills the cell selection criteria of the UE 102, because the SMTC provided in RedirectedCarrierlnfo is not configured according to the SSB transmission pattern utilized by the cell 126, but instead is configured according to the SSB transmission pattern utilized by another cell (not shown in Fig. 6) which is not in the vicinity of UE 102.

[0075] In this example, when the UE 102 is not able to find a suitable cell 610 using the SMTC setting provided in RedirectedCarrierlnfo, the UE 102 “falls back” to scan 612 the NR carrier frequency with a full-time or full-energy scan. That is, at the event 612, the UE 102 no longer scans the NR carrier frequency at only the timing windows indicated by the SMTC obtained from RedirectedCarrierlnfo, but instead initiates a scan of an entirety of or all of the windows of the period for measuring properties of received transmissions. Said another way, instead of the UE 102 measuring properties of received transmissions only during a subset of the windows (e.g., subframes or timing instances) of a measurement or measuring period indicated by the SMTC, the UE 102 initiates the measuring of properties (e.g., received signal strength, quality, etc.) of any transmissions received during each window (e.g., subframe or timing instance) throughout an entirePATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCmeasuring period. As shown in Fig. 6, during the performing 612 of such a full-time scan on the target NR carrier frequency, the UE 102 detects 614 the SSBs transmitted in the NTN cell 126 and determines that the NTN cell 126 fulfills or satisfies the cell selection criteria of the UE 102, e.g., based on the measuring one or more properties of the SSBs (e.g., received signal strength, quality, etc.) during the scan. Subsequently, based on the detection and determination 614, the UE 102 camps on to the cell 126 and monitors for paging messages in the cell 126.

[0076] Fig. 7 is a messaging diagram of an example scenario 700 in which a UE in a connected state is redirected to an NR carrier frequency and receives, for the NR carrier frequency, a measurement timing configuration which includes a single SMTC (e.g., only one SMTC) in which a timing offset is indicated, and an indication of one or more additional timing offsets. The scenario 700 is generally similar to the scenario 600, with the differences discussed below. After being in the connected state, the UE 102 receives 704 an RRC Release message transmitted by the BS 104 via a downlink channel. The RRC Release message includes a RedirectedCarrierlnfo IE providing (via the CarrierlnfoNR IE) NR carrier frequency information, an SMTC in which a timing offset is indicated, and an indication of one or more additional timing offsets. In Fig.7, the indication of the one or more additional timing offsets includes an indication of a plurality of (additional) timing offsets for measuring the target NR carrier frequency to detect any synchronization transmissions. Generally speaking, and as described above, the single SMTC message may include an indication of a periodicity for the measuring of properties (e.g., received signal strength, quality, etc.) of any transmissions which are received at the UE 102 via the target NR carrier frequency. The single SMTC may also include a timing offset (e.g., from a start of a period of measuring) at which different windows of measuring are to begin or occur within the period (which may be indicated in units of subframes or timing instances, for example), and a duration (e.g., a time duration) of each window. See e.g., FIG. 4A, element 315. Notably, and as discussed above, the SMTC, as populated by the base station 104, is indicative of only one SSB transmission pattern of multiple SSB transmission patterns utilized by a satellite 306. However, the one or more additional timing offsets which are populated by the base station 104 into the RedirectedCarrierlnfo IE (e.g., in Fig. 7, the plurality of timing offsets) may be indicative of one or more other SSB transmission patterns utilized by the satellite 306. As such, the measurement timing configuration provided by the combination of the (single) SMTC and the one or more additional timing offsets allow the UE 102 to derive a timing pattern which corresponds to multiple SSB transmission patterns of the satellitePATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PC306 and of other satellites (not shown in the figure), thereby increasing the chance that the UE 102 can detect an SSB transmission of the satellite 306. Further, the UE 102 can more efficiently derive this timing pattern based on only a single - and not multiple - SMTCs, thereby decreasing the size and the bandwidth utilized by the RRC Release message on the DL as well as decreasing the processing resources and time needed by the UE 102 to process multiple SMTCs.

[0077] Upon receiving 704 the RRC Release message, the UE 102 enters into 606 into the idle state and performs 708 a cell selection procedure. As part of the cell selection procedure 708, the UE 102 derives an initial timing pattern (e.g., a sequence of time windows having the same duration and repeating at consistent intervals) from the SMTC provided in RedirectedCarrierlnfo, and the UE 102 derives an additional timing pattern for each additional timing offset indicated in RedirectedCarrierlnfo, e.g., based on the periodicity and window duration indicated in the SMTC. In some embodiments, the UE 102 may augment the initial timing pattern corresponding to the SMTC with the one or more additional timing patterns corresponding to the one or more additional timing offsets. In some embodiments, the UE 102 may replace the timing offset indicated in the SMTC with at least one additional timing offset indicated within the RedirectedCarrierlnfo IE and derive an overall timing pattern from the modified set of timing offsets.

[0078] As an additional part of the cell selection process 708, the UE 102 scans the NR carrier frequency indicated in the RedirectedCarrierlnfo using the timing pattern that the UE 102 derived from the SMTC and the one or more additional timing offsets provided in RedirectedCarrierlnfo. That is, the UE 102 measures one or more properties of any transmissions received via the NR carrier frequency at times which are in accordance with the overall timing pattern that the UE 102 derived from the SMTC and the one or more additional timing offsets. For example, the UE may utilize the derived timing pattern for each measuring period, e.g., so that the UE repeats the derived timing pattern on a measuring period basis.

[0079] While scanning the NR carrier frequency in accordance with the derived timing pattern (e.g., as depicted at the element 708), the UE 102 detects 614 SSBs transmitted in the NTN cell 126 provided by the satellite 306. The UE 102 measures one or more properties of the detected SSBs (e.g., received signal strength, quality, etc.), and determines, based on the measurements, that the NTN 126 satisfies the cell selection criterion / criteria of the UE 102 and is a suitable cell for the UE 102. Based on the determination that the cell 126 fulfills the cell selection criteria, the UE 102PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCcamps onto the cell 126 and monitors for paging messages transmitted by the cell 126. The UE 102 may cease any further scanning and / or measuring when the UE 102 detects and / or determines that the cell 126 satisfies the cell selection criteria of the UE 102.

[0080] In another embodiment of the example scenario 700 (not shown), the indication of the one or more additional timing offsets which is populated by the BS 104 into the RRC Release is not the plurality of offsets as described above, but instead includes an indication of at least one of: respective identifications or respective ephemeris information of one or more satellites. In this embodiment, the BS 104 of the serving cell 124 has knowledge of its neighboring cells and the satellites providing the neighboring cells, and can thus populate the RedirectedCarrierlnfo IE included in the RRC Release with such information or indications thereof. In this embodiment, upon the UE 102 receiving 704 the RRC Release with the RedirectedCarrierlnfo IE including the indication of respective identifications and / or respective ephemeris information of the one or more satellites, the UE 102 may determine one or more additional timing offsets based on the respective identifications and / or the respective ephemeris information indicated in the RedirectedCarrierlnfo IE of the RRC Release message. The scenario 700 may then proceed in the manner shown in Fig.7, e.g., by the UE performing 708 cell selection and scanning the NR carrier frequency at times in accordance with the timing pattern derived from the SMTC and the one or more additional timing offsets which have been determined by the UE 102 based on the provided indication of the respective identifications and / or respective ephemeris information of the one or more satellites. In some implementations, if the respective identifications of the one or more satellites are included in the RRC Release, the UE retrieves the corresponding satellite ephemeris information (provided in another system information) of the one or more satellites associated to the respective identifications.

[0081] Fig. 8 is a messaging diagram of an example scenario 800 in which a UE in the connected state is redirected to an NR carrier frequency of a base station 106 that supports DL coverage enhancement. In Fig. 8, a UE 102 initially connects 602 to a BS 104 via a cell 124 provided by the BS 104, where the cell 124 can be either a TN cell or an NTN cell. If cell 124 is an NTN cell, the BS 104 provides the cell 124 through a satellite (not shown).

[0082] While in the connected state 602, the UE 102 receives 804 an RRC Release message transmitted by the BS 104 via a downlink channel. The RRC Release message includes a RedirectedCarrierlnfo IE providing (via the CarrierlnfoNR IE) NR carrier frequency information,PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCan SMTC, and an indication of one or more additional timing offsets. In Fig. 8, the indication of the one or more additional timing offsets includes an indication of a delta timing offset (which may be represented in units of subframes or timing instances, in an embodiment) for the measuring of the target NR carrier frequency to detect any synchronization transmissions. In this example scenario 800, satellite 306 is operating in the NR carrier frequency and is using 808 a satellite beam hopping technique (e.g., similar to that described in Fig. 5) to provide an extended coverage area covering or overlapping with the cell 124 provided by the BS 104. For example, at the event 808, the cell 126 is activated by the satellite 306 in accordance with an activation pattern of an entirety of a plurality of cells provided by the satellite 306, e.g., in a manner similar to that described in Fig. 5. In this scenario 800, the SMTC (including the indication of periodicity, the timing offset, and the duration, such as previously described) and the delta timing offset are provided in RedirectedCarrierlnfo to facilitate or optimize the UE measuring of transmissions of the plurality of cells provided by the satellite 306.

[0083] Upon receiving 804 the RRC Release message, the UE 102 enters into 606 the idle state and performs 608 a cell selection procedure. As a part of the cell selection procedure 608, the UE 102 derives an initial timing pattern (e.g., a sequence of time windows having the same duration and repeating at consistent intervals) from the SMTC provided in RedirectedCarrierlnfo, and the UE 102 scans, in accordance with the initial timing pattern, the NR carrier frequency indicated in the RedirectedCarrierlnfo.

[0084] In this scenario 800, based on the scanning 610 of the NR carrier frequency using the initial timing pattern, the UE 102 does not detect the presence of any cell which satisfies the cell selection criterion or criteria of the UE 102 (e.g., as specified in TS 38.304, section 5.2.3.2), as shown in the event 610 of Fig. 8. That is, the UE 102 measures, in accordance with the initial timing pattern, one or more properties of any received transmissions over an entire measuring period without detecting the presence of any suitable cell. Consequently, the UE 102 shifts 812 the initial timing pattern by the delta timing offset indicated in the RedirectedCarrierlnfo, and proceeds to (re-)scan the NR carrier frequency based on the shifted initial timing pattern.

[0085] In an embodiment, the UE 102 may shift 812 an entirety of the initial timing pattern (e.g., shift the initial timing pattern as a whole) by the delta timing offset to generate a shifted, initial timing pattern. Subsequently, the UE may scan / measure, in accordance with the shifted, entirety ofPATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCthe initial timing pattern, one or more properties of any received transmissions. If the UE does not detect any suitable cells after scanning / measuring in accordance with the shifted, entirety of the initial timing pattern, the UE may again shift 812, as a whole, the entirety of the shifted, initial timing pattern based on the delta timing offset to generate a twice-shifted initial timing pattern, and may scan / measure according to the twice-shifted initial timing pattern, and so on. That is, the UE 102 may repeatedly (1) shift an entirety of an immediately-previous timing pattern by the delta timing offset when no cell satisfying the cell selection criterion of the UE is detected by measuring a respective set of received transmissions in accordance with the immediately-previous timing pattern; and (2) subsequent to the shifting of the entirety of the immediately-previous timing pattern, measure the respective properties of a respective set of received transmissions in accordance with the shifted, immediately-previous timing pattern.

[0086] The event 812 can be repeatedly performed by the UE 102 until the UE 102 detects the presence of a cell which fulfills the cell selection criterion of the UE 102 (e.g., until the UE 102 finds a suitable cell), at which point the event 812 may cease. In some situations, the event 812 can be repeatedly performed by the UE 102 until a predefined exit condition occurs, such as a timer expiry, upon the UE 102 repeating the event 812 for a maximum count of times, or after a particular timing pattern has been utilized by the UE a given number of times, for example. As shown in the example scenario 800, at some point during the repeated scanning(s) / measurement(s) of the NR carrier frequency (and prior to any exit condition occurring), the UE 102 detects 614 the SSBs transmitted in the NTN cell 126 provided by the satellite 306. Based on the measurements of the one or more properties (e.g., received signal strength, quality, etc.) of the detected SSBs, the UE determines that the NTN 126 satisfies the cell selection criterion / criteria of the UE 102 and is a suitable cell for the UE 102.

[0087] In another embodiment, instead of scanning or measuring over an entire period or an entirety of a timing pattern and then shifting the entirety of the timing pattern as a whole when no suitable cell is detected, the UE may shift on a per-timing window or per-timing offset basis, e.g., on an incremental or “shift-as-you-go” basis. For example, if the UE does not detect any suitable cells during a timing window wi which has been derived based on SMTC (and not derived based on the delta timing offset), the UE shifts, by the delta timing offset, the timing window wi to timing window WI+A and scans / measures during the timing window WI+A. If the UE does not detect anyPATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCsuitable cells during the timing window WI+A, the UE scans / measures at a next timing window W2 which has been derived based on SMTC (and not derived based on the delta timing offset). If the UE does not detect any suitable cells during the timing window W2, the UE shifts, by the delta timing offset, the timing window W2 to timing window W2+A and scans / measures during the timing window W2+A, and if the UE does not detect any suitable cells during the timing window W2+A, the UE scans / measures at a next timing window W3 which has been derived based on SMTC (and not derived based on the delta timing offset), and so on. That is, in this embodiment, instead of the UE shifting, based on the delta timing offset, an entirety of a timing pattern as a whole and then remeasuring based on the shifted, entirety of the timing pattern, the UE, upon (e.g., immediately upon) not detecting any suitable cell during a current timing window which has been derived based on the SMTC and not based on the delta timing offset, the UE 102 may shift, by the delta timing offset, the current timing window and re-measure at each shifted timing window, e.g., incrementally on a per-offset basis. Said another way, in this embodiment, the UE repeatedly measures the property of a subsequently-received transmission at the delta timing offset from a timing instance, derived based on the first timing offset and not derived based on the delta timing offset, of measuring the property of an immediately-previous received transmission. At some point during the repeated shifting and measuring on a per-offset basis, the UE 102 detects 614 the SSBs transmitted in the NTN cell 126 provided by the satellite 306. The UE 102 measures one or more properties (e.g., received signal strength, quality, etc.) of the detected SSBs, and determines, based on the measurements, that the NTN 126 satisfies the cell selection criterion / criteria of the UE 102 and is a suitable cell for the UE 102.

[0088] At any rate, whether the UE shifts, based on the delta timing offset and as a whole, the entirety of an immediately-previous timing pattern or the UE respectively shifts each SMTC-derived timing offset individually on a per-offset or per-timing window basis by the delta timing offset, when the UE 102 detects and / or determines that a cell (e.g., the cell 126) fulfills the cell selection criteria of the UE 102, the UE 102 camps onto the cell 126 and monitors for paging messages transmitted by the cell 126. The UE 102 may cease any repeated shifting, scanning, and / or measuring when the UE 102 detects and / or determines that the cell 126 satisfies the cell selection criteria of the UE 102.PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PC

[0089] Fig. 9 is a messaging diagram of an example scenario 900 in which a UE operating in the idle or inactive state performs neighbor cell measurements on a target NR carrier frequency which supports DL coverage enhancement. In Fig. 9, a UE 102 is in 906 in an idle or inactive state and has camped on to the cell 1 4 provided by the BS 104, where the cell 124 can be either a TN cell or an NTN cell. If cell 124 is an NTN cell, the BS 104 provides the cell 124 through a satellite (not shown). While in the idle / inactive state, the UE 102 receives 916 system information (e.g., in a System Information Block or SIB, such as a SIB2 or a SIB4) including an SMTC, an indication of one or more additional timing offsets, and an indication of one or more cell identifiers. In Fig. 9, the indication of the one or more additional timing offsets may include an indication of a delta timing offset (which may be represented in units of subframes or timing instances, for example). Additionally, the indication of the one or more cell identifiers included in the system information can include an indication of a plurality of physical cell identities (PCIs) for the target NR carrier frequency of a base station supporting DL coverage enhancement. For instance, as shown in Fig. 9, the indication of the plurality of physical cell identities may be, for example, a plurality of PCI lists, where each PCI list indicates a respective one or more PCIs.

[0090] In the scenario 900, satellite 306 is operating in the NR carrier frequency and is using 808 a satellite beam hopping technique (e.g., similar to that described in Fig. 5) to provide an extended coverage area covering or overlapping with the cell 124 provided by the BS 104. For example, at the event 808, the cell 126 is activated by the satellite 306 in accordance with an activation pattern of an entirety of a plurality of cells provided by the satellite 306, e.g., in a manner similar to that described in Fig. 5. In this scenario 900, the SMTC (including the indication of periodicity, timing offset, and window duration, such as previously described) and the delta timing offset are provided in the SIB to facilitate or optimize the UE measuring of transmissions of the cells provided by the satellite 306.

[0091] At some time after receiving 916 the system information, the UE 102 triggers an intrafrequency or inter-frequency measurement, and performs 918 measurements on the target NR carrier frequency for the PCIs included in the first PCI list in accordance with an initial timing pattern which the UE 102 has derived from the SMTC associated to the NR carrier frequency and included in the SIB, such as in manners described elsewhere within this document. In an example implementation, the intra-frequency or inter-frequency measurement is triggered by the UE 102PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCbecause the signal strength / quality of the serving cell 124 has dropped below specific thresholds which have been configured by the BS 104. In another example implementation, the intrafrequency or inter-frequency measurement is triggered by the UE 102 because the UE 102 is closed to (e.g., not allowed to utilize) a specific time instance configured by the BS 104. Yet in another example implementation, the intra-frequency or inter-frequency measurement is triggered by the UE 102 because a distance between the UE 102 and the serving cell 124 is greater than a distance threshold which has been configured by the RAN.

[0092] After completing the measurements for the PCIs included in the first PCI list, the UE 102 shifts 920 the initial timing pattern by the delta timing offset and performs measurements, in accordance with the shifted initial timing pattern, on the NR carrier frequency for the PCIs included in the second PCI list. The time shifting of the immediately-previous timing pattern by the delta timing offset and measuring in accordance with the newly-shifted timing pattern in step 920 may be repeatedly performed by the UE 102 for each PCI indicated in the SIB (e.g., for each PCI list indicated in the SIB), until the UE 102 completes 922 measurements on the NR carrier frequency for the PCIs included in the last PCI list. For example, if N PCI lists are included in the plurality of PCI lists, where N is an integer greater than one, the event 920 may be repeated N times.

[0093] Alternatively, as also shown in Fig. 9, in some implementations, an integer N instead of the plurality of PCI lists may be provided in the system information in the event 916, wherein N is an integer greater than one and is indicative of a total number of cell identifiers (e.g., a total number of PCIs) or a total number of sets of cell identifiers (e.g., a total number of PCI lists). In the scenario 900, when the UE 102 receives the integer N in the SIB, the UE 102 initially performs 918 measurements, in accordance with the initial timing pattern which the UE 102 has derived from the SMTC, for all possible PCIs on the NR carrier frequency. For example, the UE 102 may attempt to blindly detect SSBs on the NR carrier frequency, e.g., without using specific PCI sequences. After the initial measuring 918, the UE 102 shifts 920 the initial timing pattern by the delta timing offset, and measures for all possible PCIs on the NR carrier frequency in accordance with the shifted initial timing pattern. The step 920 may be repeatedly performed by the UE 102 a total of N times. As such, the integer N indicates a number of times for which the UE 102 is to repeatedly measure for all possible PCIs on the NR carrier frequency, where each set of measurements is performed inPATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCaccordance with a respective, time-shifted timing pattern. For instance, the UE 102 may perform N-1 timing shifts.

[0094] Fig. 10 is a messaging diagram of an example scenario 1000 in which a UE operating in the connected state performs neighbor cell measurements on an NR carrier frequency supporting DL coverage enhancement. The scenario 1000 is generally similar to the scenario 900; however, in the scenario 1000, the UE 102 is performing neighbor cell measurements in the connected state instead of in the idle state, and thus receives 1016 a measurement object (e.g., measObjectNR) transmitted by the cell 124 instead of receiving a system information block. The measurement object includes the carrier frequency information, the SMTC, the delta timing offset, and the plurality of PCI lists or the integer N, e.g., in manners similar to those discussed for the scenario 900.

[0095] Figs. 11-16 illustrate example methods for facilitating or optimizing the detection of neighboring cells by a User Equipment, some of which may be implemented at a UE, such as the UE 102, and some of which may be implemented at a base station, such as the base station 104. For ease of illustration, the methods illustrated by the Figs. 11-16 may be executed at least in part by at least some of the systems, components, devices, and nodes depicted in Figs. 1A-1B and 2A-2B, and / or may be performed in one or more transparent payload and regenerative payload arrangements of communication systems, such as those depicted in Figs. 3A-3B, in one or more scenarios such as described with respect to Figs. 4A-4B and 5, and in conjunction with one or more the messaging diagrams depicted in Figs. 6-10, for example. For ease of illustration, and not for limitation purposes, the methods depicted in Figs. 6-11 are described in this document with simultaneous reference to Figs. 1A-10.

[0096] Fig. 11 is a flow diagram of an example method 1100 that can be implemented by a UE (e.g., the UE 102) in the connected state for performing cell selection upon being redirected to another NR carrier frequency. At a block 1102, the method 1100 includes operating the UE in the connected state, and at a block 1104, the method 1100 includes receiving, from a base station (e.g., the BS 104) via a downlink channel, a transmission of an RRC Release message including target NR carrier frequency information and an SMTC associated with the NR carrier frequency. For example, the RRC Release message may be the RRC release message described in Fig. 6. Upon receiving 1104 the RRC Release message, the UE transitions, at a block 1106, into an IDLE state,PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCand begins or initiates a cell (re-)selection procedure. As part of the cell (re-)selection procedure, the method 1100 includes deriving 1108, by the UE, a timing pattern (e.g., a sequence of time windows having the same duration and repeating at consistent intervals) based on contents of the SMTC provided by the base station in the RRC Release message. At a block 1112, the method 1100 includes scanning, by the UE, the target NR carrier frequency indicated in the RRC Release message (e.g., in the RedirectedCarrierlnfo IE) in accordance with the timing pattern derived based on the SMTC.

[0097] At the block 1116, the UE determines if at least one suitable cell (e.g., at least one cell which fulfills or satisfies the cell selection criterion or criteria of the UE) is found or detected while scanning 1112 the NR carrier frequency in accordance with the timing pattern derived from the SMTC, e.g., based on the measurements taken by the UE 102 during the scanning 1112. If the determination at block 1116 is positive (e.g., at least one suitable cell is found), the method 1100 proceeds to block 1118, at which the UE selects and camps on to the found or detected cell. On the other hand, if the determination at block 1116 is negative (that is, no suitable cells are found or detected based on the scanning 1112), the method 1100 proceeds to block 1120, where the UE falls back to scan the NR carrier frequency by performing a full-time scan. That is, in a manner such as previously discussed with respect to Fig. 6, during the full-time scanning 1120, the UE 102 may measure one or more properties of any transmissions received during each available timing instance or window, rather than only during the subset (of timing instances or windows) derived based on the SMTC (as in the block 1112). At a block 1122, the UE determines if at least one suitable cell is found or detected while scanning 1120 the NR carrier frequency in full time (e.g., without taking into account the timing offsets indicated by the SMTC). If the determination at block 1122 is positive (e.g., at least one suitable cell is found), the method 1100 proceeds to the block 1118, where the UE selects and camps on to the found or detected cell. However, if at the block 1122 the determination is negative (e.g., no suitable cell is found), the method 1100 proceeds to block 1130 at which the UE enters into the ‘any cell selection’ state. In an embodiment, the behaviors of the UE while in the ‘any cell selection’ state may be similar to those defined and specified in TS 38.304, section 5.2.7.

[0098] Fig. 12 is a flow diagram of an example method 1200 that can be implemented by a UE (e.g., the UE 102) in the connected state for performing cell selection based on an SMTC and anPATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCindication of one or more additional timing offsets which have been provided in an RRC Release message. The method 1200 of Fig. 12 is similar to the method 1100 Fig. 11 , and at least some of the differences are discussed below. At a block 1102, the method 1200 includes operating the UE in a connected state. While in the UE is operating in the connected state, at a block 1204, the method 1200 includes receiving, from a BS (e.g., the base station 104) and via a DL, a transmission of an RRC Release message including NR carrier frequency information, an SMTC indicating a first timing offset, and an indication of one or more additional timing offsets associated with an indicated NR carrier frequency. In the method 1200, the indication of the one or more additional timing offsets may include an indication of a plurality of (additional) timing offsets, for example. Upon receiving 1204 the RRC Release message, at the block 1106 the method 1200 includes transitioning, by the UE, into an IDLE state and beginning or initiating a cell (re-)selection procedure. At block 1208, as a part of the cell (re-)selection procedure, the UE may derive an initial timing pattern (e.g., a sequence of time windows having the same duration and repeating at consistent intervals) based on the contents of the SMTC (including the first timing offset) provided in the RRC Release message. Further, at the block 1208, the method 1200 may additionally include determining a respective time of measuring the NR carrier frequency for each timing offset included in the plurality of timing offsets indicated in the RRC Release message (e.g., and indicated outside of the SMTC).

[0099] At a block 1210, the method 1200 may include determining or generating an updated timing pattern based on the initial timing pattern and the respective additional / altemate times of measuring or scanning corresponding to the plurality of timing offsets (e.g., as determined at the block 1208). In some implementations, the block 1210 may include augmenting the initial timing pattern with the respective additional / altemate times of measuring or scanning. In some implementations, the block 1210 may include replacing the timing offset indicated in the SMTC with at least one additional timing offset included in the plurality of timing offsets.

[0100] At a block 1212, the method 1200 includes scanning the NR carrier frequency indicated in the RRC Release message in accordance with the updated timing pattern. At a block 1116, the UE determines if at least one suitable cell (e.g., at least one cell which fulfills or satisfies the cell selection criterion or criteria of the UE) is found or detected while scanning 1212 the NR carrier frequency in accordance with the updated timing pattern, e.g., based on the measurements ofPATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCreceived transmissions taken by the UE 102 during the scanning 1212. The remainder of the method 1200 is similar to Fig. 11.

[0101] Additionally, although the method 1200 is discussed above based on the receiving 1204 of a plurality of timing offsets along with SMTC in the RRC Release message, in other embodiments (not shown), the method 1200 may include receiving 1204, in the RRC Release message, an indication of respective identifications and / or respective ephemeris information of one or more satellites along with the SMTC, e.g., in a manner such as previously discussed with respect to Fig.7. In these embodiments, the method 1200 may include determining, by the UE and based on the received indication of the respective identifications and / or respective ephemeris information of the one or more satellites, one or more additional timing offsets in addition to those indicated in the SMTC. As such, in these embodiments, the block 1208 may include deriving the initial timing pattern for scanning the NR carrier frequency and additional and / or alternate times of measuring based on the one or more additional timing offsets which have been determined by the UE based on the received indication of the respective identifications and / or respective ephemeris information of the one or more satellites.

[0102] Fig. 13 is a flow diagram of an example method 1300 that can be implemented by a UE (e.g., UE 102) in the connected state for performing cell selection based on an SMTC and an indication of one or more additional timing offsets which have been provided in an RRC Release message. In the method 1300, the indication of one or more additional timing offsets provided in the RRC Release message include an indication of a delta timing offset. The method 1300 shown in Fig. 13 is similar to the method 1100 of Fig. 11, and at least some of the differences are discussed below.

[0103] At a block 1102, the method 1300 includes operating the UE in a connected state. While the UE is operating in the connected state, at a block 1304 the method 1300 includes receiving, from a BS (e.g., the base station 104) and via a DL, a transmission of an RRC Release message including NR carrier frequency information, an SMTC including a first timing offset, and an indication of one or more additional timing offsets associated with the indicated NR carrier frequency. In the method 1300, the indication of the one or more additional timing offsets may include a delta timing offset, for example. Upon receiving 1304 the RRC Release message, at the block 1106 the method 1300 includes transitioning, by the UE, into an IDLE state and beginning orPATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCinitiating a cell (re-)selection procedure. At block 1308, as part of the cell (re-)selection procedure, the UE may derive an initial timing pattern (e.g., a sequence of time windows having the same duration and repeating at consistent intervals) based on the contents of SMTC (including the first timing offset) provided in the RRC Release message. At a block 1312, the method 1300 includes scanning the NR carrier frequency indicated in the RRC Release message in accordance with the derived initial timing pattern. At a block 1116, the method 1300 includes determining, by the UE, if at least one suitable cell (e.g., at least one cell which fulfills or satisfies the cell selection criterion or criteria of the UE) is found or detected sometime during the scanning 1312 of the NR carrier frequency in accordance with the initial timing pattern, e.g., based on the measurements taken by the UE 102 at various times during the scanning 1312. When the determination at block 1116 is positive (e.g., at least one suitable cell is found), the method 1300 proceeds to block 1118 at which the UE selects and camps on to the found or detected cell.

[0104] On the other hand, when the determination at the block 1116 is negative (e.g., no suitable cell is found based on the scanning 1312), the method 1300 proceeds to a decision block 1324 at which the UE determines whether an exit condition is fulfilled or has occurred. As previously discussed with respect to Fig. 8, an exit condition may include, for example, the expiry of a timer, a maximum number of attempts of the UE to detect a suitable cell, a maximum number of repeats of the initial timing pattern, etc. In some implementations, an exit condition is a configurable value which is obtained by the UE 102 from the BS 104. In some implementations, the exit condition is a fixed value which has been hard-written in the UE memory. At any rate, if the determination at block 1324 is positive (e.g., the exit condition is fulfilled), the method 1300 proceeds to block 1130 at which the UE enters into the ‘any cell selection’ state. On the other hand, if the determination at block 1324 is negative (e.g., the exit condition is not yet fulfilled or has not yet occurred), the method 1300 proceeds to the block 1326 at which the UE shifts the initial timing pattern by the delta timing offset value, and scans the NR carrier frequency provided in the RRC Release message in accordance with the shifted initial timing pattern, e.g., in manners similar to those discuss with respect to Fig. 8. Subsequently, the method 1300 returns to the decision block 1116.

[0105] Fig. 14A is a flow diagram of an example method 1400A that can be implemented by a UE (e.g., UE 102) in the idle or inactive state for performing neighbor cell measurement on an NR carrier frequency based on an SMTC, a delta timing offset, and an indication of a plurality of cellPATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCidentifiers associated with the carrier frequency. For example, the indication of the plurality of cell identifiers may include an indication of a plurality of PCIs associated with the carrier frequency. For instance, the indication of the plurality of physical cell identities may be a plurality of PCI lists associated to the carrier frequency, where each PCI list indicates a respective one or more PCIs.

[0106] At a block 1406, the method 1400 A includes operating the UE in an idle or inactive state. At a block 1416A, the method 1400A includes receiving, from a BS (such as the BS 104) and via a downlink, system information (e.g., a SIB such as SIB2 or S1B4) including an SMTC, a delta timing offset, and a plurality of PCI lists associated to an NR carrier frequency. Subsequent to the receiving 1416A of the system information, the UE determines to trigger neighbor cell measurements. In an example implementation, the UE determines to trigger neighbor cell measurements because the signal strength / quality of the serving cell 124 has dropped below specific thresholds which have been configured by the RAN. In another example implementation, UE determines to trigger neighbor cell measurements because the UE 102 is closed to (e.g., not allowed to) utilize a specific time instance as configured by the RAN. Yet in another example implementation, the UE determines to trigger neighbor cell measurements because the distance between the UE and the serving cell 124 is greater than a distance threshold, as configured by the RAN.

[0107] Accordingly, in response to determining to trigger or initiate neighbor cell measurements, at a block 1418 A the method 1400A includes performing, on the NR carrier frequency, neighbor cell measurements for the PCIs included in the first PCI list in accordance with an initial timing pattern derived (e.g., by the UE) based on the SMTC associated to the NR carrier frequency and received by the UE in the system information. Upon completion of the performing 1416A of the neighbor cell measurements in accordance with the initial timing pattern, at a block 1420 A the method 1400 A includes shifting the initial timing pattern by the delta timing offset value, and performing neighbor cell measurements on the NR carrier frequency for the PCIs included in the second PCI list. As shown in Fig 14 A, the UE repeatedly shifts the immediately-preceding timing pattern by the delta timing offset value and performs neighbor cell measurements on the NR carrier frequency for the PCIs in the next PCI list, until neighbor cell measurements of the last PCI list have been performed, as shown in the block 1422 A.PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PC

[0108] Fig. 14B is a flow diagram of an example method 1400B that can be implemented by a UE (e.g., UE 102) in the idle or inactive state for performing neighbor cell measurement on an NR carrier frequency based on an SMTC, a delta timing offset, and an integer N associated to the carrier frequency, where N is an integer greater than one. At a block 1406, the method 1400B includes operating the UE in the idle or inactive state. At a block 1416B, the method 1400B includes receiving, from a BS (e.g., the BS 104) and via a downlink, system information (e.g., a SIB such as SIB2 or SIB4) including an SMTC, a delta timing offset, and an integer N associated to an NR carrier frequency. Subsequent to the receiving 1416B of the system information, the UE determines to trigger the neighbor cell measurements. In an example implementation, the UE determines to trigger neighbor cell measurements because the signal strength / quality of the serving cell 124 has dropped below specific thresholds which have been configured by the RAN. In another example implementation, UE determines to trigger neighbor cell measurements because the UE 102 is closed to (e.g., not allowed to) utilize a specific time instance as configured by the RAN. Yet in another example implementation, the UE determines to trigger neighbor cell measurements because the distance between the UE and the serving cell 124 is greater than a distance threshold, as configured by the RAN.

[0109] Accordingly, in response to the determining to trigger or initiate the neighbor cell measurements, at block 1418B the method 1400B includes performing, on the NR carrier frequency, neighbor cell measurements in accordance with an initial timing pattern derived (e.g., by the UE) based on the SMTC associated to the NR carrier frequency and received by the UE in the system information. Upon completion of the performing 1416B of the neighbor cell measurements in accordance with the initial timing pattern, at a block 1420B the method 1400B includes shifting the initial timing pattern by the delta timing offset value, and performing neighbor cell measurements on the NR carrier frequency. As shown in Fig 14B, the UE repeatedly shifts the immediately-preceding timing pattern by the delta timing offset value and performs neighbor cell measurements on the NR carrier frequency until the UE has performed AM shifts (e.g., until the UE has performed N sets of neighbor cell measurements).

[0110] Fig. 15A is a flow diagram of an example method 1500A that can be implemented by a UE (e.g., UE 102) in the connected state for performing neighbor cell measurement on a carrier frequency based on an SMTC, a delta timing offset, and a plurality of PCI lists associated to thePATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCcarrier frequency. The method 1500A is generally similar to the method 1400A; however, in the method 1500A, the UE initially operates 1502 in the connected state instead of in an idle or inactive state (as in the method 1400 A). As such, the NR carrier frequency information, the SMTC, the delta timing offset, and the plurality of PCI lists are provided to the UE by the base station via a downlink in a transmission of a measurement object (e.g., measObjectNR) instead of in a transmission of system information (as in the method 1400A).

[0111] Fig. 15B is a flow diagram of an example method 1500B that can be implemented by a UE (e.g., UE 102) in the connected state for performing neighbor cell measurements on a carrier frequency based on an SMTC, a delta timing offset, and an integer N associated to the carrier frequency. The method 1500B is generally similar to the method 1400B; however, in the method 1500B, the UE initially operates 1502 in the connected state instead of in an idle or inactive state (as in the method 1400B). As such, the NR carrier frequency information, the SMTC, the delta timing offset, and the integer N are provided to the UE by the base station via a downlink in a transmission of a measurement object (e.g., measObjectNR) instead of in a transmission of system information (as in the method 1400B).

[0112] Fig. 16 is a flow diagram of an example method 1600 that can be implemented by a UE (e.g., UE 102) for performing neighbor cell measurements on a carrier frequency supporting DL coverage enhancement techniques. At a block 1607, the method 1600 includes operating the UE in the idle state, in the inactive state, or in the connected state, and the UE has camped on or connected to a BS (e.g., the BS 106). At a block 1616, the method 1600 includes receiving, from the BS, system information (e.g., a SIB such as SIB2 or SIB4) or a dedicated RRC message (e.g., RRC Reconfiguration or RRC Release) in which an SMTC and an indication of DL coverage enhancement associated to an NR carrier frequency are included. The indication of DL coverage enhancement may be indicated in any suitable manner, such as by a bit value, a flag, a code, a toggle, or the like.

[0113] Subsequently, the UE determines to trigger performing measurements on the NR carrier frequency, and thus the method 1600 includes performing 1618 neighbor cell measurements on the NR carrier frequency in accordance with an initial timing pattern (e.g., a sequence of time windows having the same duration and repeating at consistent intervals) which has been derived (e.g., by the UE) based on the SMTC associated to the carrier frequency and received 1616 in the systemPATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCinformation or the dedicated RRC message. While performing 1618 the measurements, the method 1600 includes detecting 1630, by the UE, the presence of one or more respective cells (e.g., respective PCIs) at one or more specific time windows among the time windows derived from the SMTC associated to the NR carrier frequency (e.g., at a subset of an entirety of the time windows derived from the SMTC). Based on the detecting 1630, at the block 1632 the method 1600 includes adjusting, by the UE, the SMTC (e.g., the SSB periodicity and offset indicated in the SMTC) for each detected cell, for example, based on the respective time window at which each cell was detected. For example, referring to the timing diagram 318 shown in Fig. 4A, assuming the SMTC configured for the carrier frequency F? indicates that the periodicity equals to 20 (subframes) and the offset equals to 0 (subframe), and the UE 102 has detected the presence of cell 126 at the 2ndtime window and the 6thtime window, the UE 102 can then adjust the SMTC setting for the cell 126 to have a periodicity equal to 80 (subframes) and an offset equal to 20 (subframes). Note that the blocks 1630 and 1632 can be performed by the UE on a per detected cell basis (e.g., a per-PCI basis).

[0114] The following list of examples reflects a variety of the embodiments explicitly contemplated by the present disclosure.

[0115] Example 1. A method implemented in a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving, from a radio access network (RAN), (i) a first information element (IE) of a first type, the first IE including an indication of a periodicity, a first timing offset, and a duration of a window for measuring for synchronization transmissions, and (ii) a second IE of a second type different than the first type, the second IE including an indication of one or more additional timing offsets for the window; and measuring received transmissions based on the periodicity, the window, and the one or more additional timing offsets.

[0116] Example 2. The method of example 1, wherein: the one or more additional timing offsets includes a plurality of timing offsets; and the measuring of the received transmissions includes measuring a property of a respective received transmission at each timing offset, of the plurality of timing offsets, from a start of a period having the periodicity.

[0117] Example 3. The method of example 2, wherein: the UE is in a connected state corresponding to a first cell, the plurality of timing offsets corresponds to one or more neighboring cells, the first IE and the second IE are received by the UE from the RAN in conjunction with aPATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCredirection instruction, and the method further comprises: detecting, based on the measuring of the property of the respective received transmission at the each timing offset, a synchronization transmission corresponding to a second cell; determining that the second cell satisfies a cell selection criterion of the UE; and based on the determining, camping on to the second cell.

[0118] Example 4. The method of example 3, further comprising: ceasing the measuring of the property of the respective received transmission at the each timing offset based on the determining that the second cell satisfies the cell selection criterion of the UE.

[0119] Example 5. The method of example 2, wherein: the UE is in a connected state, the plurality of timing offsets is received by the UE from the RAN in conjunction with a redirection instruction and is a subset of an entirety of timing offsets included in a period of measuring for synchronization transmissions, the first IE and the second IE correspond to a same frequency, the received transmissions is a first set of transmissions received via the same frequency, and the method further comprises: when no synchronization transmissions are detected based on the measuring of the first set of transmissions, initiating, by the UE, a scan of the entirety of the timing offsets included in the period.

[0120] Example 6. The method of example 5, further comprising ceasing the scan of the entirety of the timing offsets included in the period upon detecting, during the initiated scan, a synchronization transmission of a cell.

[0121] Example 7. The method of example 1, wherein: the indication of the one or more additional timing offsets includes at least one of respective identifications or respective ephemeris information of one or more cells; the method further comprises determining the one or more additional timing offsets based on the at least one of the respective identifications or the respective ephemeris information of the one or more cells; and the measuring of the received transmissions includes measuring a property of a respective received transmission at each timing offset, of the determined one or more additional timing offsets, from a start of a period having the periodicity.

[0122] Example 8. The method of example 7, wherein the one or more cells includes at least one non-terrestrial network cell.

[0123] Example 9. The method of any one of examples 7-8, wherein the one or more cells includes at least one terrestrial network cell.PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PC

[0124] Example 10. The method of any one of examples 7-9, wherein: the UE is in a connected state corresponding to a first cell, the at least one of the respective identifications or the respective ephemeris information of the one or more cells is received by the UE from the RAN in conjunction with a redirection instruction, and the method further comprises: detecting, based on the measuring of the property of the respective received transmission at the each timing offset, a synchronization transmission corresponding to a second cell; determining that the second cell is in accordance with a cell selection criterion of the UE; and based on the determining, camping on, by the UE, to the second cell.

[0125] Example 11. The method of example 10, further comprising ceasing, based on the determining that the second cell is in accordance with the cell selection criterion of the UE, the measuring of the respective received property of the respective received transmission at the each timing offset.

[0126] Example 12. The method of any one of examples 7-9, wherein: the UE is in a connected state, the at least one of the respective identifications or the respective ephemeris information of the one or more cells is received by the UE from the RAN in conjunction with a redirection instruction, the first IE and the second IE correspond to a same frequency, the one or more additional timing offsets is a subset of an entirety of timing offsets included in a period of measuring for synchronization transmissions, the received transmissions is a first set of transmissions received via the same frequency, and the method further comprises: when no synchronization transmissions are detected based on the measuring of the first set of transmissions, initiating, by the UE, a scan of an entirety of the timing offsets included in the period.

[0127] Example 13. The method of example 12, further comprising ceasing the scan of the entirety of the timing offsets included in the period upon detecting, during the initiated scan, a synchronization transmission of a cell.

[0128] Example 14. The method of example 1, wherein: the indication of the one or more additional timing offsets includes a delta timing offset; and the measuring of the received transmissions includes measuring a property of a respective received transmission at the delta timing offset from a start of a period with the periodicity.PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PC

[0129] Example 15. The method of example 14, further comprising repeatedly measuring the property of a subsequently-received transmission at the delta timing offset from a timing instance, derived based on the first timing offset and not derived based on the delta timing offset, of measuring the property of an immediately-previous received transmission.

[0130] Example 16. The method of example 14, wherein: the received transmissions are a first set of received transmissions; and the method further comprises: first measuring, in accordance with an initial timing pattern derived based on the periodicity, the first timing offset, and the duration, respective properties of the first set of received transmissions; and when no cell satisfying a cell selection criterion of the UE is detected based on the first measuring, shifting an entirety of the initial timing pattern by the delta timing offset, and initiating another measuring of a second set of received transmissions in accordance with the shifted entirety of the initial timing pattern.

[0131] Example 17. The method of example 16, further comprising repeatedly: shifting an entirety of an immediately-previous timing pattern by the delta timing offset when no cell satisfying the cell selection criterion of the UE is detected by measuring a respective set of received transmissions in accordance with the immediately-previous timing pattern; and subsequent to the shifting of the entirety of the immediately-previous timing pattern, measuring the respective properties of a respective set of received transmissions in accordance with the shifted, immediately-previous timing pattern.

[0132] Example 18. The method of any one of examples 15 and 17, wherein: the UE is in a connected state corresponding to a first cell, the indication of the delta timing offset is received by the UE from the RAN in conjunction with a redirection instruction, and the method further comprises: detecting, based on the repeatedly measuring, a synchronization transmission corresponding to a second cell; determining that the second cell is in accordance with a cell selection criterion of the UE; and based on the determining, camping on to the second cell.

[0133] Example 19. The method of example 18, further comprising ceasing the repeatedly measuring based on the determining that the second cell is in accordance with the cell selection criterion of the UE.

[0134] Example 20. The method of any one of examples 3-4, 10-11, and 18-19, wherein the first cell is a non-terrestrial network cell.PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PC

[0135] Example 21. The method of any one of examples 3-4, 10-11, and 18-19 wherein the first cell is a terrestrial network cell.

[0136] Example 22. The method of any one of examples 20-21, wherein the second cell is a nonterrestrial network cell.

[0137] Example 23. The method of any one of examples 20-21, wherein the second cell is a terrestrial network cell.

[0138] Example 24. The method of example 15 or example 17, wherein: the UE is in a connected state, the indication of the delta timing offset is received by the UE from the RAN in conjunction with a redirection instruction, the first IE and the second IE correspond to a same frequency, and the method further comprises: when no synchronization transmissions are detected based on the repeatedly measuring, initiating, by the UE, a scan of an entirety of timing offsets included in a period of measuring for synchronization transmissions.

[0139] Example 25. The method of example 24, further comprising ceasing the scan of the entirety of the timing offsets included in the period upon detecting, during the initiated scan, a synchronization transmission of a cell.

[0140] Example 26. The method of example 14, wherein the second IE further includes an indication of one or more sets of cell identifiers; and the method further comprises repeatedly measuring the property of a subsequently-received transmission at the delta timing offset from a time of measuring the property of an immediately-previous received transmission for each cell identifier included in the one or more sets of cell identifiers.

[0141] Example 27. The method of example 26, wherein the indication of the one or more cell identifiers is included in a system information block transmitted by the RAN.

[0142] Example 28. The method of example 26, wherein the indication of the one or more cell identifiers is included in a measurement object transmitted by the RAN.

[0143] Example 29. The method of any one of examples 26-28, wherein the one or more sets of cell identifiers is a plurality of sets of cell identifiers.

[0144] Example 30. The method of any one of examples 26-29, wherein the indication of the one or more sets of cell identifiers includes one or more physical cell identity lists.PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PC

[0145] Example 31. The method of any one of examples 26-29, wherein the indication of the one or more sets of cell identifiers includes an integer indicative of a total number of sets of cell identifiers.

[0146] Example 32. The method of any one of examples 14-31, wherein the UE is in a connected state.

[0147] Example 33. The method of any one of examples 14-31, wherein the UE is in an idle or inactive state.

[0148] Example 34. The method of any one of examples 2-33, wherein the property of the respective received transmission is a received signal strength.

[0149] Example 35. The method of any one of examples 1-4, 7-11, 14-23, and 26-34, wherein the first IE corresponds to a first frequency, and the second IE includes an indication of a second frequency.

[0150] Example 36. The method of any one of the preceding examples, wherein the first type is a synchronization signaling block (SSB) measurement timing configuration (SMTC).

[0151] Example 37. A method implemented in a User Equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving, from a radio access network (RAN), an indication of a timing pattern for measuring received transmissions via a specific frequency, the timing pattern indicating only a subset of an entirety of timing instances for measuring synchronization transmissions; measuring, in accordance with the timing pattern, respective one or more properties of a first set of received transmissions; and when no synchronization transmissions are detected based on the measuring, initiating a scan of an entirety of the timing instances for measuring synchronization transmissions.

[0152] Example 38. The method of example 37, further comprising: detecting, and based on the initiated scan, a synchronization transmission corresponding to a cell; determining that the cell is in accordance with a cell selection criterion of the UE; and based on the determining, camping on, by the UE, to the cell.

[0153] Example 39. The method of example 38, further comprising ceasing the scan of the entirety of the timing instances upon the detecting of the synchronization transmission corresponding to the cell.PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PC

[0154] Example 40. The method of any one of examples 38-39, wherein the cell is a nonterrestrial network cell.

[0155] Example 41. The method of any one of examples 38-39, wherein the cell is a terrestrial network cell.

[0156] Example 42. The method of any one of examples 37-41, further comprising receiving, from the RAN, a radio resource control (RRC) message including a redirection instruction; and wherein the timing pattern is included in the redirection instruction.

[0157] Example 43. The method of example 42, wherein the RRC message is an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0158] Example 44. The method of example 42, wherein the RRC message is an RRC release message.

[0159] Example 45. The method of any one of examples 37-41, further comprising receiving, from the RAN, a system information block (SIB); and wherein the timing pattern is included the SIB.

[0160] Example 46. The method of example 45, wherein the SIB is a SIB2.

[0161] Example 47. The method of example 45, wherein the SIB is a SIB4.

[0162] Example 48. The method of any one of examples 37-47, wherein receiving the indication of the timing pattern includes receiving a signaling synchronization signaling block (SSB) measurement timing configuration (SMTC).

[0163] Example 49. A method implemented in a User Equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving from a radio access network (RAN), an indication to enhance downlink coverage and an indication of a timing pattern, the timing pattern including a plurality of time windows; measuring, in accordance with the timing pattern, respective one or more properties of a first set of received transmissions; detecting, based on the measuring and during a particular time window of the timing pattern, a synchronization transmission of a cell; and based on the indication to enhance downlink coverage and the detecting of the synchronization transmission of the cell: adjusting the timing pattern based on the particular window; and measuring, in accordance with adjusted timing pattern, respective one or more properties of a second set of received transmissions.PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PC

[0164] Example 50. The method of example 49, wherein the adjusting of the timing pattern includes adjusting a duration of a period indicated in the timing pattern.

[0165] Example 51. The method of any one of examples 49-50, wherein the adjusting of the timing pattern includes adjusting or adding a timing offset from a start of a period indicated in the timing pattern.

[0166] Example 52. The method of any one of examples 49-51, wherein the particular timing window is a first timing window, and the method further comprises: detecting, during a second time window of the timing pattern or at a third time window of the adjusted timing pattern, another synchronization transmission; and based on the indication to enhance downlink coverage and the detecting of the another synchronization transmission: further adjusting the timing pattern or the adjusted timing pattern based on the second time window or the third time window; and measuring, in conjunction with the further adjusted time pattern, respective one or more properties of a third set of received transmissions.

[0167] Example 53. The method of example 52, wherein the another synchronization transmission is of the cell.

[0168] Example 54. The method of example 52, wherein the another synchronization transmission is of another cell.

[0169] Example 55. The method of any one of examples 49-54, wherein the timing pattern is a first timing pattern for measuring synchronization transmissions of a first cell and the adjusted first timing pattern is a second timing pattern for measuring synchronization transmissions of a second cell.

[0170] Example 56. The method of any one of examples 42-55, wherein the respective one or more properties includes a received signal strength.

[0171] Example 57. A user equipment (UE) including processing hardware configured to perform the method of any one of the preceding examples.

[0172] Example 58. A method implemented in a base station of a radio access network (RAN), the method comprising: transmitting, via a downlink channel, (i) a first information element (IE) of a first type, the first IE including an indication of a periodicity, one or more first timing offsets, and a duration of a window for measuring synchronization transmissions of a first cell, and (ii) a secondPATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCIE of a second type different than the first type, the second IE including an indication of one or more additional timing offsets for measuring synchronization transmissions of one or more other cells.

[0173] Example 59. The method of example 58, wherein the first cell is a cell of a non-terrestrial network.

[0174] Example 60. The method of example 58, wherein the first cell is a cell of a terrestrial network.

[0175] Example 61. The method of any one of examples 59-60, wherein the one or more other cells include at least one cell of a non-terrestrial network.

[0176] Example 62. The method of any one of examples 59-60, wherein the one or more other cells include at least one cell of a terrestrial network.

[0177] Example 63. The method of any one of examples 58-62, wherein the indication of the one or more additional timing offsets includes an indication of a plurality of timing offsets.

[0178] Example 64. The method of any one of examples 58-62, wherein the indication of the one or more additional timing offsets includes at least one of respective identifications or respective ephemeris information of the one or more other cells.

[0179] Example 65. The method of any one of examples 58-62, wherein the indication of the one of more additional timing offsets includes a delta timing offset.

[0180] Example 66. The method of example 65, wherein the second IE further includes an indication of one or more sets of cell identifiers.

[0181] Example 67. The method of example 66, wherein the one or more sets of cell identifiers is a plurality of sets of cell identifiers.

[0182] Example 68. The method of any one of examples 66-67, wherein the indication of the one or more sets of cell identifiers includes one or more physical cell identifier lists.

[0183] Example 69. The method of any one of examples 66-67, wherein the indication of the one or more sets of cell identifiers includes an integer indicative of a total number of sets of cell identifiers.PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PC

[0184] Example 70. The method of any one of examples 58-69, further comprising transmitting a radio resource control (RRC) message to a User Equipment (UE) in a connected state, the RRC message including the first IE and the second IE.

[0185] Example 71. The method of example 70, wherein the RRC message is an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0186] Example 72. The method of example 70, wherein the RRC message is an RRC release message.

[0187] Example 73. The method of any one of examples 58-69, further comprising transmitting a system information block (SIB) to a User Equipment (UE) in an idle or inactive state, the SIB including the first IE and the second IE.

[0188] Example 74. The method of example 73, wherein the SIB is a SIB2.

[0189] Example 75. The method of example 73, wherein the SIB is a SIB4.

[0190] Example 76. The method of any one of examples 58-75, wherein the one or more other cells are one or more neighboring cells.

[0191] Example 77. The method of any one of examples 58-76, further comprising determining, by the base station, the one or more additional timing offsets based on a pattern of respective activations of the one or more other cells.

[0192] Example 78. The method of any one of examples 58-77, wherein the transmitting of the first IE and the second IE is by a terrestrial cell of the base station.

[0193] Example 79. The method of any one of examples 58-77, wherein the transmitting of the first IE and the second IE is by a non-terrestrial cell of the base station.

[0194] Example 80. A base station including processing hardware configured to perform the method of any one of examples 58-79.

[0195] The following description may be applied to the description above.

[0196] Generally speaking, description for one of the above figures can apply to another of the above figures. Examples, implementations and methods described above can be combined, if there is no conflict. An event or block described above can be optional or omitted. For example, an eventPATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCor block with dashed lines in the figures can be optional. In some implementations, “message” is used and can be replaced by “information element (IE)”, and vice versa. In some implementations, “IE” is used and can be replaced by “field”, and vice versa. In some implementations, “configuration” can be replaced by “configurations” or “configuration parameters”, and vice versa. In some implementations, “some” means “one or more”. In some implementations, “at least one” means “one or more”.

[0197] A user device in which the techniques of this disclosure can be implemented (e.g., the UE 102) can be any suitable device capable of wireless communications such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a mobile gaming console, a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, a health monitoring device, a drone, a camera, a media-streaming dongle or another personal media device, a wearable device such as a smartwatch, a wireless hotspot, a femtocell, or a broadband router. Further, the user device in some cases may be embedded in an electronic system such as the head unit of a vehicle or an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). Still further, the user device can operate as an intemet-of-things (loT) device or a mobile-internet device (MID). Depending on the type, the user device can include one or more general-purpose processors, a computer-readable memory, a user interface, one or more network interfaces, one or more sensors, etc.

[0198] Certain embodiments are described in this disclosure as including logic or a number of components or modules. Modules may can be software modules (e.g., code, or machine-readable instructions stored on non-transitory machine-readable medium) or hardware modules. A hardware module is a tangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain manner. A hardware module can comprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured (e.g., as a special-purpose processor, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), etc.) to perform certain operations. A hardware module may also comprise programmable logic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. The decision to implement a hardware module in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may be driven by cost and time considerations.PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PC

[0199] The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination, unless expressly indicated otherwise, mutually exclusive, or indicated otherwise by context. Therefore, herein, the expression “A or B” means “A, B, or both A and B.”

[0200] When implemented in software, the techniques can be provided as part of the operating system, a library used by multiple applications, a particular software application, etc. The software can be executed by one or more general-purpose processors or one or more special-purpose processors.

[0201] Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciate still additional and alternative structural and functional designs for handling mobility between base stations through the principles disclosed herein. Thus, while particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes and variations, which will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the method and apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. PATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method implemented in a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving, from a radio access network (RAN) while the UE is in a connected state, and in conjunction with a redirection instruction, a single information element (IE) including (i) a single Synchronization Signaling Block (SSB) Measurement Timing Configuration (SMTC) including an indication of a periodicity, a first timing offset, and a duration of a window for measuring for synchronization transmissions, and (ii) an indication of at least one other timing offset for the window, the at least one other timing offset being a subset of an entirety of timing offsets included in a period for measuring for synchronization transmissions;measuring, at each timing offset of the at least one other timing offset and from a start of a measuring period having the periodicity, a property of a respective received transmission of a set of received transmissions; andwhen no synchronization transmissions are detected based on the measuring, initiating, by the UE, a scan of the entirety of the timing offsets.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising entering, by the UE, into an idle state based on the redirection instruction, and wherein the measuring is subsequent to the entering of the idle state.

3. The method of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the redirection instruction indicates a target carrier frequency, and the measuring is at the target carrier frequency.

4. The method of any one of claims 1-3, further comprising ceasing the initiated scan of the entirety of the timing offsets upon detecting, during the initiated scan, a synchronization transmission of a cell.

5. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein:the indication of the at least one other timing offset includes at least one of respective identifications or respective ephemeris information of one or more cells; andPATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCthe method further comprises determining the at least one other timing offset based on the at least one of the respective identifications or the respective ephemeris information of the one or more cells.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the one or more cells include at least one nonterrestrial network cell.

7. The method of any one of claims 5-6, wherein the one or more cells include at least one terrestrial network cell.

8. The method of any one of claims 5-7, wherein:the UE is in the connected state corresponding to a first cell; andthe method further comprises:detecting, based on the measuring of the property of the respective received transmission at the each timing offset, a synchronization transmission corresponding to a second cell;determining that the second cell is in accordance with a cell selection criterion of the UE; andbased on the determining, camping on, by the UE, to the second cell.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the indication of the at least one other timing offset includes the respective ephemeris information of the one or more cells.

10. The method of any one of claims 1-9, wherein:the indication of the at least one timing offset includes a delta timing offset; andthe measuring includes measuring, at the delta timing offset from the start of the measuring period, a property of a respective received transmission corresponding to the delta timing offset.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising repeatedly measuring the property of a subsequently-received transmission at the delta timing offset from a timing instance, derived basedPATENT APPLICATION Attorney Docket No.: 31730 / 309118-00 PCon the first timing offset and not derived based on the delta timing offset, of measuring the property of an immediately-previous received transmission.

12. The method of claims 1-11, further comprising:first measuring, in accordance with an initial timing pattern derived based on the periodicity, the first timing offset, and the duration, respective properties of a first set of received transmissions; andwhen no cell satisfying a cell selection criterion of the UE is detected based on the first measuring, shifting an entirety of the initial timing pattern by a delta timing offset included in the at least one other timing offset, and initiating another measuring of a second set of received transmissions in accordance with the shifted entirety of the initial timing pattern.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising repeatedly:shifting an entirety of an immediately-previous timing pattern by the delta timing offset when no cell satisfying the cell selection criterion of the UE is detected by measuring a respective set of received transmissions in accordance with the immediately-previous timing pattern; and subsequent to the shifting of the entirety of the immediately-previous timing pattern, measuring the respective properties of a respective set of received transmissions in accordance with the shifted, immediately-previous timing pattern.

14. A user equipment (UE) including processing hardware configured to perform the method of any one of the preceding claims.

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