NB-IoT Co-location Rule for Signal Measurement Accuracy

The patent introduces a co-location rule as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the network side device and terminal device. This rule enables the terminal device to autonomously determine quasi co-located signals by comparing configuration information, without requiring direct indication from the network side device. The co-location rule acts as a mediator that transforms the configuration information into actionable co-location relationships.

The terminal device is empowered to self-determine which signals are quasi co-located by applying the co-location rule to the received configuration information. Instead of the network side device explicitly indicating co-location relationships, the terminal device independently performs the determination process, reducing signaling overhead while improving measurement accuracy through correlation processing of identified quasi co-located signals.

The patent merges multiple individual co-location indications into a single co-location rule that applies to multiple signals. Instead of providing separate co-location information for each signal configuration, the network side device transmits one co-location rule that enables the terminal device to determine co-location relationships for multiple signals simultaneously. This combining approach significantly reduces signaling overhead while maintaining the ability to identify all necessary quasi co-located signal pairs.

The co-location rule is designed as a universal mechanism that can determine quasi co-location relationships for multiple different signal types and configurations. A single co-location rule serves multiple functions by enabling the terminal device to identify co-location relationships across various frequency layers and signal configurations, eliminating the need for separate indications for each signal and thereby reducing overall signaling overhead.