UE Measurement Gap Linking for Multi-Carrier RRM Measurements

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of radio resource management (RRM) measurements increases when user equipment (UE) is configured with multiple concurrent measurement gap patterns (MGPs), leading to inefficiencies in channel quality assessment and positional awareness.

Innovation Solution

The UE links measurement objects to specific measurement gap patterns (MGPs) using information elements, allowing independent measurements on multiple carrier frequencies, reducing measurement complexity by associating each object with a desired MGP.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the UE is configured with multiple concurrent measurement gap patterns to enable independent measurements on multiple operating channels, then the measurement precision and positional awareness are improved, but the device complexity and measurement process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel quality assessment accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the measurement process by associating each measurement object with a specific measurement gap pattern through information elements. This segmentation allows the UE to independently manage measurements on different operating channels using distinct gap patterns, thereby improving measurement precision while organizing the complexity into manageable segments rather than a monolithic complex process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces information elements as intermediaries that link measurement objects to specific measurement gap patterns. These information elements act as mediators that organize and manage the relationships between multiple measurement objects and multiple gap patterns, reducing the perceived complexity by providing a structured association mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If the UE performs independent measurements on multiple operating channels using multiple concurrent MGPs, then the positional awareness and channel quality assessment are enhanced, but the loss of time for measurement coordination increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositional awareness accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement coordination time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple measurement gap patterns and establishing associations between measurement objects and gap patterns before actual measurements begin. This preliminary setup allows the UE to seamlessly switch between different gap patterns without requiring real-time coordination decisions, thereby reducing measurement coordination time while maintaining accurate positional awareness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the network configures the UE with multiple concurrent and independent MGPs to allow flexible measurement of positioning reference signals, then the adaptability and positional awareness are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement flexibilityVSAvoidmeasurement behavior complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by allowing the UE to dynamically select and switch between multiple configured measurement gap patterns based on the specific measurement object being measured. This dynamic selection capability provides measurement flexibility for different scenarios (different operating channels, different positioning reference signals) while the pre-established associations through information elements keep the implementation complexity manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4154580B1Methods for RRM measurements when UE is configured with multiple concurrent measurement gap patterns
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 APPLE INC
  • EP4154580B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4154580B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4154580B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and systems are disclosed for a UE to perform measurements of measurement resources transmitted by a network when the UE is configured with multiple concurrent measurement gap patterns (MGPs). The measurement resources may be carried on multiple carrier frequencies. The UE may receive measurement resource configuration parameters identifying time and frequency locations of the measurement resources transmitted on the multiple carrier frequencies. The UE may receive measurement gap configuration parameters for multiple concurrent MGPs specifying measurement intervals that may be used to perform the measurements. The UE may determine a linkage between the measurement resources on a carrier frequency and one of the concurrent MGPs so that the UE may independently measure the measurement resources received on the multiple carrier frequencies using their respectively linked MGPs. The linkage may be made through information elements in the measurement resource configuration parameters or the measurement gap configuration parameters containing the MGP.