NTN Measurement Gap Configuration for Location-Based Cell Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Measurement gaps in wireless communication systems for non-terrestrial network (NTN) cells disrupt uplink and downlink communication, reducing throughput and performance of user equipment (UE), as unnecessary NTN cell measurements are often performed even when terrestrial network (TN) coverage is sufficient.

Innovation Solution

Configuring NTN measurement gaps based on UE location and TN coverage information, allowing selective NTN cell measurements according to location matching and probability information, thereby reducing unnecessary measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If NTN cell measurements are performed frequently to ensure network coverage and handover reliability, then connection reliability is improved, but communication throughput deteriorates due to frequent measurement gaps interrupting uplink and downlink transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of measurement frequency from fixed to dynamic, adjusting measurement gap occurrence based on UE location relative to TN coverage areas. When UE is in sufficient TN coverage, measurement gaps are reduced or eliminated; when approaching coverage boundaries, measurements increase frequency, optimizing both reliability and throughput

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement gap configuration transitions from static to dynamic adaptation based on real-time UE location and TN coverage conditions. The system continuously monitors UE position and adjusts measurement gap patterns accordingly, making the measurement process adaptive to changing network conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If measurement gaps are configured to monitor NTN cell signal quality for potential handovers, then handover reliability is improved, but communication latency increases due to periodic interruption of data transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes measurement gap parameters (frequency, duration, timing) based on UE location and TN coverage sufficiency. When TN coverage is sufficient, measurement gaps are minimized to reduce latency; when coverage becomes marginal, measurements increase to ensure reliable handover preparation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial measurement action by performing NTN cell measurements only when necessary (when UE approaches coverage boundaries or TN coverage becomes insufficient), rather than continuously. This selective measurement approach reduces unnecessary latency while maintaining handover reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If continuous NTN cell measurements are performed to maintain connection reliability in moving networks, then mobility management reliability is improved, but device energy consumption increases due to frequent radio frequency tuning and processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility management reliabilityVSAvoiddevice energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts measurement parameters based on UE location and mobility conditions. When UE is stationary or in stable TN coverage, measurement frequency and thus energy consumption are reduced. When UE moves toward coverage boundaries, measurements increase to maintain mobility management reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement process becomes dynamic and adaptive to UE mobility patterns and location conditions, transitioning from continuous high-energy measurements to selective low-energy measurements based on real-time network conditions and coverage assessments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If measurement gaps are reduced to improve throughput, then communication efficiency is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to insufficient sampling for accurate cell quality assessment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidcell quality assessment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes measurement parameters dynamically based on UE location and TN coverage conditions. When TN coverage is sufficient, fewer measurements are needed for accurate cell quality assessment. When approaching coverage boundaries, measurement frequency increases to maintain assessment precision, thus adapting to local conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12598493B2Measurement gap configuration for a non-terrestrial network cell

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive a non-terrestrial network (NTN) measurement gap configuration indicating an association of a location configuration with a gap configuration. The UE may selectively perform a measurement of an NTN cell according to the gap configuration based at least in part on a match of a location of the UE to a location indicated by the location configuration. Numerous other aspects are described.