Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a method, wireless device and network node to adapt measurement for narrowband Internet of Things. According to one aspect, a method in a network node serving a wireless device includes determining reference signal, RS, type configuration information indicating one of (a) whether the wireless device is to use only one type of reference signal for performing at least one radio measurement on at least one cell, and (b) whether the wireless device is to use a combination of at least two types of reference signals for performing at least one radio measurement on at least one cell. The determining of RS type configuration information is based on criteria that includes a signal level. The RS type configuration information is sent to the wireless device to configure the wireless device to perform at least one radio measurement on at least one cell based on the RS type configuration information.

<NPL>, discusses relaxing/adapting RRM measurement for UE power saving based on a UE's moving state or channel condition.

Certain abbreviations that may be found in the description and/or in the Figures are herewith defined as follows:.

In new radio (NR) implementations of 5th generation (<NUM>) wireless access technology, there are a variety of usage scenarios for use in enhanced mobile broadband communication. One study item in NR release <NUM> aims to find techniques to reduce UE power consumption to improve the energy efficiency of <NUM> NR UEs (specified in Release-<NUM>).

Example embodiments of the invention as described herein work to further advance <NUM> NR user equipment power consumption reduction and improve energy efficiency of <NUM> NR user equipment.

The invention is as set out in the claims.

The foregoing and other aspects of embodiments of this invention are made more evident in the following Detailed Description, when read in conjunction with the attached Drawing Figures, wherein:.

The invention corresponds to the embodiment disclosed in <FIG> and the other embodiments are not encompassed by the wording of the claims but are considered as useful for understanding the invention. In the example embodiments, there is proposed a novel configuration at a user equipment of a set of synchronization signal blocks in a block measurement time configuration window using a mask list configuration for at least energy savings by the user equipment.

As similarly indicated above, a new study item in NR release <NUM>, aims to find techniques to reduce UE power consumption to improve the energy efficiency of <NUM> NR UEs (specified in Release-<NUM>). One of the proposed study aspects for reducing UE power consumption was for RRM measurements. In this regard it was considered that RRM measurements would consume lot of power and mechanisms to reduce the consumption needs to be studied.

In NR, UE may be configured to perform RRM or in more general mobility measurements for inter-cell mobility referred typically as RRM (Radio Resource Management) measurements or Layer <NUM> mobility as RRC, Radio resource Control, signalling is involved as well as on intra-cell mobility (referred typically as beam management) on SS/PBCH Block, or simply Synchronization Signal Block (SSB), and CSI-RS signals. Signals used for either L3 mobility or beam management are explicitly configured.

It is noted that the SSB refers to SS/PBCH block because Synchronization signal and PBCH channel are packed as a single block that moves together. Components of this SS/PBCH block include:.

For beam management purposes and L3 mobility purposes the CSI-RS signals are separately configured i.e. the actual signals, measurements and reporting configurations are of different configuration. For beam management purposes UE is configured with NZP-CSI-RS (non-zero-power) and for L3 mobility purposes UE is configured with CSI-RS for Mobility.

The SS/PBCH block enables a UE to measure and identify a best antenna beam for a UE. For example in the SS/PBCH block:.

Further, the SSB signals can be used for both beam management and L3 mobility measurement purposes with the difference that for beam management the SSB for measuring and reporting L1-RSRP are explicitly configured and in current specifications it concerns only the serving cell SSBs whereas for L3 mobility purposes the SMTC window determines the time duration and to-be-measured SSB time locations where UE measurements SSBs of all cells in the frequency layer.

It is noted that according to <NUM> section <NUM>. <NUM> SS reference signal received power (SS-RSRP) the SS reference signal received power (SS -RSRP) is defined as the linear average over the power contributions (in [W]) of the resource elements that carry secondary synchronization signals (SS). The measurement time resource(s) for SS-RSRP are confined within SS/PBCH Block Measurement Time Configuration (SMTC) window duration. If SS-RSRP is used for L1-RSRP as configured by reporting configurations as defined in 3GPP TS <NUM> [<NUM>], the measurement time resources(s) restriction by SMTC window duration is not applicable.

For SS-RSRP determination demodulation reference signals for physical broadcast channel (PBCH) and, if indicated by higher layers, CSI reference signals in addition to secondary synchronization signals may be used. SS-RSRP using demodulation reference signal for PBCH or CSI reference signal shall be measured by linear averaging over the power contributions of the resource elements that carry corresponding reference signals taking into account power scaling for the reference signals as defined in 3GPP TS <NUM>. If SS-RSRP is not used for L1-RSRP, the additional use of CSI reference signals for SS-RSRP determination is not applicable.

SS-RSRP shall be measured only among the reference signals corresponding to SS/PBCH blocks with the same SS/PBCH block index and the same physical-layer cell identity. If SS-RSRP is not used for L1-RSRP and higher-layers indicate certain SS/PBCH blocks for performing SS-RSRP measurements, then SS-RSRP is measured only from the indicated set of SS/PBCH block(s).

For a frequency range <NUM>, the reference point for the SS-RSRP shall be the antenna connector of the UE. For a frequency range <NUM>, SS-RSRP shall be measured based on the combined signal from antenna elements corresponding to a given receiver branch. For frequency range <NUM> and <NUM>, if receiver diversity is in use by the UE, the reported SS-RSRP value shall not be lower than the corresponding SS-RSRP of any of the individual receiver branches. Where frequency range <NUM> and <NUM> refer to frequency ranges defined in TS <NUM>.

Similar as in LTE, in NR, UE can be configured with S-measure, an RSRP threshold value used for determining whether UE is required to perform evaluation for RRC level measurement reporting events for non-serving cells. When configured with s-measure and the cell quality is measured to be less than a threshold after L3 filtering, UE shall perform evaluation for reporting events. When the cell quality is higher UE is not required to evaluate event i.e. it is not required to perform measurements for RRC level events for non-serving cells. As a different to LTE, the cell quality can be derived and determined either using SSB or CSI-RS measurements, NR release <NUM> specifies the s-measure configuration option for both types of reference signals.

When two different signals share the same QCL type, they share the same indicated properties. As an example, the QCL properties may include delay spread, average delay, Doppler spread, Doppler shift, spatial RX. QCL type A means Doppler spread, Doppler shift, delay spread, and/or average delay, and QCL type D means spatial RX. Currently <NUM> lists following QCL types:.

As a further example if a CSI-RS and SSB have the type D QCL assumption between each other, it means that UE may utilize same RX spatial filter (beam) to receive these signals.

The SMTC window defines the time duration and periodicity for SSB based RRM measurements. UE can be given SMTC window for IDLE mode measurements (smtc) as well as for the CONNECTED mode two separate configurations (stmc1, smtc2).

Primary measurement timing configuration, indicates the periodicity and offset value for the SMTC window as well as the duration in subframes.

Secondary measurement timing configuration for SSBs corresponding to with specific PCIs listed in the configuration. For the SSBs indicated in the SSB-tomeasure the second/alternative periodicity is indicated by periodicity in smtc2. Periodicity in smtc2 can only be set to a value shorter than the periodicity of the smtc1. As an example if the smtc1 periodicity is configured as sf10, the periodicity of smtc2 can only be set to sf5. Smtc2 uses the offset and duration value of smtc1.

<FIG> shows in <NPL>) an IE SSB-MTC is used to configure measurement timing configurations, i.e., timing occasions at which the UE measures SSBs. In <FIG> a duration of the measurement window in which to receive SS/PBCH blocks is given in number of subframes. In addition, a periodicity and offset of the measurement window in which to receive SS/PBCH block are given in number of subframes, the timing offset and duration can be as provided in smtc1.

The set of SS blocks to be measured within the SMTC measurement duration. The first/ leftmost bit corresponds to SS/PBCH block index <NUM>, the second bit corresponds to SS/PBCH block index <NUM>, and so on. Value <NUM> in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding SS/PBCH block is not to be measured while value <NUM> indicates that the corresponding SS/PBCH block is to be measured.

If UE is not configured using the field SSB-toMeasure, UE measures on all SS block time locations in the configured SMTC window. SS/PBCH blocks that are not located inside the SMTC window i.e. are outside of the applicable smtc, are not to be measured for RRM purposes.

<FIG> shows SSB-ToMeasure information element according to <NPL>) for use to configure a pattern of SSBs. For the SSB-ToMeasure there is field descriptions to indicate:.

In standards submissions at the time of this application a network may indicate to a UE the occupied SSB time locations within the SMTC window using a bitmap (SSB-toMeasure). This bitmap applies for the RRM measurements on the same frequency layer i.e. it contains all the occupied SSB time locations of all the cells in the frequency layer.

In these operations a UE may be provided with specific slots where UE is not required to perform RRM measurements on SSB signals. Further, in such submissions the Solution provides no details how to determine the subslots and when to apply the configuration for reduced subslots for RRM i.e. currently network can control UE measurements per frequency layer by broadcasting SMTC window and SSB-toMeasure for IDLE mode. Further, the SMTC/SSB-toMeasure is applied frequency layer specifically such that there can be a fuller potential of reduction in RRM measurements based on individual beam configurations of cells and UE location in the cell.

Example embodiments of the invention work to improve these operations associated with a block measurement time configuration window at user equipment by at least applying a mask list configuration for at least a further increase in at least energy savings by the user equipment.

Before describing the example embodiments of the invention in further detail reference is made to <FIG> for illustrating a simplified block diagram of various electronic devices that are suitable for use in practicing the example embodiments of this invention. <FIG> shows a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting exemplary system in which exemplary embodiments of the invention may be practiced. In <FIG>, a user equipment (UE) <NUM> is in wireless communication with a wireless network <NUM>. A UE is a wireless, typically mobile device that can access a wireless network. The UE <NUM> includes one or more processors <NUM>, one or more memory(ies) <NUM>, and one or more transceivers <NUM> interconnected through one or more buses <NUM>. Each of the one or more transceivers <NUM> includes a receiver Rx, <NUM> and a transmitter Tx <NUM>.

The one or more buses <NUM> may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, and the like. The one or more transceivers <NUM> have multi-connectivity configurations and communicate over the wireless network <NUM> or any other network. The one or more memories <NUM> include computer program code <NUM> executed by the one or more processors <NUM>. The one or more processors <NUM> may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. For instance, the one or more memory(ies) <NUM> and the computer program code <NUM> may be configured, with the one or more processors <NUM>, to cause the user equipment <NUM> to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. The UE <NUM> communicates with gNB <NUM> via a wireless link <NUM>.

The gNB <NUM> (NR/<NUM> Node B or possibly an evolved NB) is a base station (e.g., for LTE, long term evolution) that provides access by wireless devices such as the UE <NUM> to the wireless network <NUM>. The gNB <NUM> includes one or more processors <NUM>, one or more memory(ies) <NUM>, one or more network interfaces (N/W I/F(s)) <NUM>, and one or more transceivers <NUM> interconnected through one or more buses <NUM>. Each of the one or more transceivers <NUM> includes a receiver Rx <NUM> and a transmitter Tx <NUM>. The one or more memory(ies) <NUM> include computer program code <NUM>. For instance, the one or more memory(ies) <NUM> and the computer program code <NUM> are configured to cause, with the one or more processors <NUM>, the gNB <NUM> to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. The one or more memories <NUM> include computer program code 153executed by the one or more processors <NUM>. The one or more processors <NUM> may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. The one or more memories <NUM> and the computer program code <NUM> are configured to cause, with the one or more processors <NUM>, the gNB <NUM> to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. Two or more gNB <NUM> may communicate using, e.g., link <NUM>. The link <NUM> may be wired or wireless or both and may implement, e.g., an X2 interface. Further the links <NUM> may be through other network devices such as, but not limited to an NCE/MME/SGW device such as the NCE/MME/SGW <NUM> of <FIG>.

The one or more buses <NUM> may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, wireless channels, and the like. For example, the one or more transceivers <NUM> may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH) <NUM>, with the other elements of the gNB <NUM> being physically in a different location from the RRH, and the one or more buses <NUM> could be implemented in part as fiber optic cable to connect the other elements of the gNB <NUM> to the RRH <NUM>.

The gNB <NUM> (NR/<NUM> Node B or possibly an evolved NB) is a base station such as a master node base station (e.g., for NR or LTE long term evolution) that communicates with devices such as the gNB <NUM> and/or UE <NUM> and/or the wireless network <NUM>. The gNB <NUM> includes one or more processors <NUM>, one or more memories <NUM>, one or more network interfaces (N/W I/F(s)) <NUM>, and one or more transceivers <NUM> interconnected through one or more buses <NUM>. Each of the one or more transceivers <NUM> includes a receiver Rx <NUM> and a transmitter Tx <NUM>. The one or more transceivers <NUM> have multi-connectivity configurations and communicate over the wireless network <NUM> or any other network. The one or more memories <NUM> include computer program code <NUM> executed by the one or more processors <NUM>. The one or more processors <NUM> may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. The one or more memories <NUM> and the computer program code <NUM> are configured to cause, with the one or more processors <NUM>, the gNB <NUM> to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. The one or more network interfaces <NUM> communicate over a network such as via the links <NUM>. Two or more gNB <NUM> or gNB <NUM> may communicate with another gNB and/or eNB or any other device using, e.g., links <NUM>. The links <NUM> maybe wired or wireless or both and may implement, e.g., an X2 interface. Further, as stated above the links <NUM> may be through other network devices such as, but not limited to an NCE/MME/SGW device such as the NCE/MME/SGW <NUM> of <FIG>.

The one or more buses <NUM> and <NUM> may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, wireless channels, and the like. For example, the one or more transceivers <NUM> and/or <NUM> may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH) <NUM> and/or <NUM>, with the other elements of the gNB <NUM> being physically in a different location from the RRH, and the one or more buses <NUM> could be implemented in part as fiber optic cable to connect the other elements of the gNB <NUM> to a RRH. The gNB <NUM> is coupled via a link <NUM> to the NCE <NUM>. Further, the gNB <NUM> is coupled via links <NUM> to the gNB <NUM>. The links <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> may be implemented as, e.g., an S1 interface.

It is noted that description herein indicates that "cells" perform functions, but it should be clear that the gNB that forms the cell will perform the functions. The cell makes up part of a gNB. That is, there can be multiple cells per gNB.

The wireless network <NUM> may include a network control element, mobility Management Entity, and/or serving gateway (NCE/MME/SGW) <NUM> that may include MME (Mobility Management Entity)/SGW (Serving Gateway) functionality, such as User Plane Functionalities, and/or an Access Management functionality for LTE and similar functionality for <NUM>, and which provides connectivity with a further network, such as a telephone network and/or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet). The gNB <NUM> is coupled via a link <NUM> to the NCE/MME/SGW <NUM>. The link <NUM> may be implemented as, e.g., an S1 interface. The NCE/MME/SGW <NUM> includes one or more processors <NUM>, one or more memory(ies) <NUM>, and one or more network interfaces (N/W I/F(s)) <NUM>, interconnected through one or more buses <NUM>. The one or more memory(ies) <NUM> include computer program code <NUM>. The one or more memory(ies) <NUM> and the computer program code <NUM> are configured to, with the one or more processors <NUM>, cause the NCE/MME/SGW <NUM> to perform one or more operations which may or may not be needed to support the operations in accordance with the example embodiments of the invention.

Note that the virtualized entities that result from the network virtualization are still implemented, at some level, using hardware such as processors <NUM> or <NUM> and memory(ies) <NUM> and <NUM>, and also such virtualized entities create technical effects.

The computer readable memory(ies) <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The computer readable memory(ies) <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be means for performing storage functions. The processors <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The processors <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be means for performing functions, such as controlling the UE <NUM>, gNB <NUM>, and other functions as described herein.

Embodiments herein may be implemented in software (executed by one or more processors), hardware (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit), or a combination of software and hardware. In an example embodiment, the software (e.g., application logic, an instruction set) is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" may be any media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer, with one example of a computer described and depicted, e.g., in <FIG>. A computer-readable medium may comprise a computer-readable storage medium or other device that may be any media or means that can contain or store the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention there is proposed an SSB specific mask or list to be applied for RRM purposes. This mask or list can be applied instead or addition of the SSB-toMeasure. The SSB specific list indicates per SSB, which SSB time locations UE is allowed ignore in inside the SMTC window (or similarly determine time locations where it is required to measure SSBs for RRM purposes), or measure with relaxed periodicity, when specific conditions apply. In alternative example mask or list could indicate per SSB, which SSB time locations UE is not allowed to ignore or measure with relaxed periodicity, when specific conditions apply.

In accordance with example embodiments of the invention the novel application of these conditions includes:.

In accordance with another example embodiment of the invention there is proposed to determine, based on SSB or CSI-RS specific mask or list that is applied, a scaling factor or applying offset to the S-measure threshold. The mask configuration (or separate configuration) may include mask specific offset to be applied for the S-measure threshold. When the S-measure is configured (as in prior art) and UE has determined that serving cell quality is above the S-measure threshold, it does not have to measure other than serving cell for RRM (i.e. it does not have to evaluate reporting criteria for non-serving cells). When UE has determined that specific mask or configuration to adapt RRM measurements applies and an offset value for adapting S-measure threshold level is associated with the applied mask/configuration UE determines the applied/or new S-measure threshold by considering the offset value when evaluating whether S-measure is applied. Offset may be applied to measured cell quality or applied to the S-measure value. Alternatively, the new value may be an absolute signal quality threshold. This value may be used similarly as S-measure i.e. if the cell quality or the cell quality based on the reference signals indicated in the mask/configuration is above the threshold, UE is not required to perform RRM measurements on non-serving cells. Offset/absolute value is configured by network or is pre-determined and can be negative, zero, or positive value applied (e.g. -<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> dB or dBm). In alternative or additional way network may configure or indicate UE with specific set of reference signals (SSB or CSI-RS). These sets may be labeled as Set <NUM>, Set <NUM> etc. Set <NUM> may have SSB indexes #<NUM>. #<NUM> and Set <NUM> SSB indexes #<NUM>. These sets may also correspond to specific areas in a cell such as A, B, C as in <FIG> but are not limited to those. Each set of reference signals are associated with an offset value (or an absolute threshold) configured by network or predefined. When UE has determined that it is under coverage area of a specific set (e.g. Set <NUM> or Set <NUM>) of reference signals, or it determines which set can be considered valid or active or to be used as reference for determining the use of offset (i.e. any of the conditions described herein the document may be used to determine is a set is use similarly as it is determined whether a specific mask is applied), it applies the offset associated with the Set (e.g. Set <NUM> offset or Set <NUM> offset) to determine whether S-measure applies. Similarly, the offset may be applied to S-measure or the derived cell quality used for S-measure evaluation. In case the set is associated with an absolute threshold value, the measured cell quality is compared to that with similar conditions as for the S-measure i.e. if the cell quality is higher than threshold, UE is not required to perform RRM measurement on non-serving cells. The offset value may also cell quality may be derived in normal manner or based on the applied set of reference signals. One benefit of applying the offset is that e.g. in specific conditions (as an example UE is in cell center close to the gNB/TRP) the RRM measurements are triggered later that in conditions where UE is located at the cell edge, where the RRM measurement may be considered to be more important due to potential handovers/cell reselection etc. This merely an example of the benefit. In any of the above cases, a hysteresis may be applied when evaluating thresholds.

In accordance with the conditions above there is, based on the beam configuration and deployment in the network (i.e., how the beams are transmitted in given frequency layer/cell group of cells and/or taking into account neighbor cell and UE location in the cell when beams may be transmitted in multiple elevation angles (e.g., <FIG>) the UE can be enabled for power saving by configuring UE to measure subset of SSBs/CSI-RS for RRM/L3 mobility purposes when UE can be assumed to be in specific geographical area or UE can be enabled for reducing measurements when NW configured conditions apply. <FIG> is only an example illustration of a beam deployment of one cell,.

<FIG> shows an elevation view and a top view of a cell beam configuration. As shown in <FIG> for the cell beam configuration there are three areas in a cell covered by SSB or CSI-RS beams Three areas/zones are labeled as A, B, and C. Beams in area A may example illustrate area corresponding to close distance to or near the gNB (or a TRP, transmission reception point) Area B the medium distance and Area C the long distance or cell edge area of gNB. These areas are only an example how the set of beams are labeled may be determined to be in (i.e. there may be multiple areas or just a single area). In one example the set of beams (SSB or CSI-RS identified by index or resource index or identifier) may be categorized to be different sets in various ways e.g. set of beams of area A and B may all be determined to area A beam and so on. In one example the beams may be determined to be in specific sets indicated by network. Set <NUM> may include SSB/CSI-RS index x. y, set <NUM> z. q and so on). <FIG> illustrates an example that multiple beams may be used to cover cell in azimuth and elevation dimensions.

<FIG> each illustrate an application of SSB specific mask for SSB-toMeasure. Two example masks (Mask1-SSB#<NUM> as in <FIG>, and Mask2-SSB#<NUM> as in <FIG>) are provided for SSB-toMeasure bitmap length of <NUM> bits. As shown in <FIG>, when UE has been configured with Mask1 and it has determined that the mask can be applied it applies the Mask1 (a bitmap of SSB time locations) to current SSB-toMeasure. In similar manner, as shown in <FIG> when SSB#<NUM> is selected or determined that the Mask2 applies, UE applies the SSB#<NUM> specific mask. Then the resulting bitmap indicates the SSB time locations in the SMTC window that UE is required to measure. As indicated in <FIG> the integer <NUM> of the mask are imposed on the SSB-ToMeasure such that the mask value <NUM> can replace the SSB-ToMeasure value. It should be understood that although throughout the invention although examples are given in the context of using SSB-toMeasure bitmap, the invention can be applied to SSB location in the SMTC window. If no 'generic' SSB-toMeasure is provided by the network, the UE would apply only the SSB specific mask to determine the SSB locations in the SMTC window for which the change in measurement behaviour/requirement is applied.

In accordance with example embodiments of the invention as similarly stated above, a value <NUM> in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding SS/PBCH block is not to be measured while value <NUM> indicates that the corresponding SS/PBCH block is to be measured.

The application of the mask can be simply AND operation between Mask# and SSB-toMeasure to obtain the SSB specific SSB-toMeasure.

In an additional specified aspect in accordance with example embodiments of the invention the network may provide UE the temporary SSB mask based on the L1-RSRP/SS-RSRP for L3 mobility measurements on current serving cell or other cells on the frequency.

In an additional specific aspect in accordance with the example embodiments, the mask or list could also include frequency level information, used to determine the need (or lack of) to perform measurements or relax/adjust the measurement periodicity on SSBs having different center frequency.

In accordance with example embodiments of the invention, in any of the options as described in the standards or herein:.

In one further aspect example embodiments of the invention may be applied additionally or alternatively for Mobility CSI-RS (L3) signals.

In one further aspect example embodiments of the invention may be applied for specific cell or set of cells including intra-frequency, inter-frequency, and carrier aggregation. Cell may be a serving cell (PCell or SCell) and set of cells may include the serving cell.

Non-limiting example procedure in IDLE state or INACTIVE state in accordance with example embodiments of the invention:.

When UE is configured with SSB specific mask/list it determines the SSB-toMeasure inside the SMTC window as follows in IDLE state or INACTIVE state:.

When UE is configured with SSB specific mask/list it determines the SSB-toMeasure inside the SMTC window as follows in CONNECTED mode:.

In accordance with example embodiments of the invention there, depending on the configuration if the UE is indicated as configured with CSI-RS signalling there is determined a measurement /mask pattern for applying to the CSI-RS signals or SSB signals. Alternatively an SSB pattern may be indicated by the network to the UE such that the UE may determine to use SSB pattern or determine CSI-RS measurement configuration (mask list) based on the indicated SSB.

<FIG> shows a method in accordance with example embodiments of the invention which may be performed by an apparatus. <FIG> illustrates operations which may be performed by a device such as, but not limited to, a device such as the gNB <NUM> and/or gNB <NUM> and/or UE <NUM> as in <FIG>. As shown in step <NUM> of <FIG> there is configuring, by a network node of a communication network, a measurement configuration. Then as shown in step <NUM> of <FIG> there is applying, by the network node, a mask list configuration to the measurement configuration, wherein the mask list configuration identifies synchronization signal blocks of the measurement configuration for use by the user equipment based on at least one condition.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraph above, wherein the block measurement time configuration window is configured for use in at least one of beam management and L3 mobility by the user equipment in the at least one cell of the communication network.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the measurement configuration is a block measurement time configuration window comprising a set of synchronization signal blocks for use by at least one user equipment in at least one cell of the communication network.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the measurement configuration is a channel sate information reference signal configuration.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein based on the user equipment being configured to use channel state information reference signalling for measurements, the mask list configuration is applied to the channel state information reference signalling to indicate the user equipment is to one of use or ignore channel state information reference signalling based on the at least one condition.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the at least one condition comprises at least one of: a signal quality condition exceeding a threshold, and a timer based condition indicating a configured time period duration for the applying.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the signal quality condition is based on one of a synchronization signal block signal quality condition, and a channel state information reference signal quality condition.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the at least one condition is one of determined by the user equipment or provided by the communication network.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the mask list configuration is applied over the set of synchronization signal blocks, and wherein applying the mask list configuration does not change a radio resource management measurement configuration at the user equipment.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the mask list configuration is applied when a location of the user equipment one of remains within specific geographical boundaries or is estimated to be in a specific location of the communication network or under a coverage of certain signals.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the mask list configuration is applied, when an activation of transmission configuration for physical downlink control channel is indicated for the user equipment, for determining one of: a CSI-RS signal based mask, a synchronization signal block based mask, and a synchronization signal block based mask.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the synchronization signal is determined using the quasi co-location assumption between channel state information reference signal and said synchronization signal blocks.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein based on a beam configuration at the location of the user equipment, the user equipment is configured to measure only a subset of the set of synchronization signal blocks.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the location of the user equipment is determined using at least one of an L1 reference received signal power measurement and a synchronization signal reference received signal power measurement.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the at least one condition is configured to be applicable only during one of an idle mode (RRC_IDLE state), inactive (RRC_INACTIVE state) or a connected mode (RRC_CONNECTED state) of the user equipment.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the mask list configuration indicates a periodicity of applying the mask list configuration, wherein the periodicity comprises at least one of: the mask list configuration is applied for all synchronization signal block measurement time instances associated with the block measurement time configuration window, and the mask list configuration is applied for synchronization signal block measurement time instances indicated by a new periodicity associated with the block measurement time configuration window, and the mask list configuration is applied for synchronization signal block measurement time instances indicated by a new window duration associated with the block measurement time configuration window and/or offset,.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, mask list configuration applied for synchronization signal block measurement time instances reduces also the duration of the measurement timing window where the reduced window duration is determined based on the synchronization signal block locations indicated in the mask list.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein based on instances of the new periodicity and current synchronization signal block measurement time instance periodicity overlapping the mask list configuration is applied.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the example embodiment may be used additionally or alternatively based on condition of UE mobility state, where the UE mobility state may be determined to be low (or medium or high) or stationary, and wherein the mobility state is determined by the network or by the UE, autonomously or based on some predefined rules or by network and indicated to UE.

It should be understood that any condition of methods described herein the embodiments and examples can be considered in another embodiments in combination in non-limiting manner.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium (Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM> as in <FIG>) storing program code (Computer Program Code <NUM> and/or Computer Program Code <NUM> and/or Computer Program Code <NUM> as in <FIG>), the program code executed by at least one processor (Processor(s) <NUM> and/or Processors <NUM> and/or Processor(s) <NUM> as in <FIG>) to perform the operations as at least described in the paragraphs above.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention as described above there is an apparatus comprising: means for configuring (Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM>; Computer Program Code <NUM> and/or Computer Program Code <NUM> and/or Computer Program Code <NUM>; and Processor(s) <NUM> and/or Processors <NUM> and/or Processor(s) <NUM> as in <FIG>), by a network node (gNB <NUM> and/or gNB <NUM> and/or UE <NUM> as in <FIG>) of a communication network (Network <NUM> as in <FIG>) , a measurement configuration. Then means for applying (Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM>; Computer Program Code <NUM> and/or Computer Program Code <NUM> and/or Computer Program Code <NUM>; and Processor(s) <NUM> and/or Processors <NUM> and/or Processor(s) <NUM> as in <FIG>), by the network node (gNB <NUM> and/or gNB <NUM> and/or UE <NUM> as in <FIG>), a mask list configuration to the measurement configuration, wherein the mask list configuration identifies synchronization signal blocks of the measurement configuration for use by the user equipment based on at least one condition.

In the example aspect of the invention according to the paragraphs above, wherein at least the means for configuring and applying comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium [Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM> as in <FIG>] encoded with a computer program [Computer Program Code <NUM> and/or Computer Program Code <NUM> and/or Computer Program <NUM> as in <FIG>] executable by at least one processor [Processor(s) <NUM> and/or Processors <NUM> and/or Processor(s) <NUM> as in <FIG>].

<FIG> shows a method in accordance with embodiments of the invention which are performed by a user equipment. <FIG> illustrates operations which are performed by a UE <NUM> as in <FIG>. As shown in step <NUM> of <FIG> there is receiving from a communication network, by a user equipment, a measurement configuration. As shown in step <NUM> of <FIG> there is determining to adapt the measurement configuration, wherein the adapted measurement configuration identifies mobility measurements for use by the user equipment based on at least one condition. Then as shown in step <NUM> of <FIG> there is performing the adapted measurement configuration instead of the measurement configuration received from the communication network.

The at least one condition comprises synchronization signal block signal quality condition, and optionally a channel state reference signal associated with the measurement configuration.

The adapting comprises applying for the measurement configuration an adapted configuration associated with at least one of measurements, a time location, or a periodicity associated with measurements of at least one synchronization signal block.

The adapted configuration comprises at least one of frequency or cell level information.

The determining to adapt the measurement configuration uses frequency level information or a lack thereof to adapt the at least one of measurements, a time location, or a periodicity associated with a mask or list configuration for measurement of at least one synchronization signal block with a different center frequency.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the determining to adapt the measurement configuration comprises based on the adapted configuration for the measurement configuration determining at least one of a scaling factor or an offset to an S-measure threshold to adapt the S-measure threshold.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein for a case where a cell quality based on the channel state reference signal or synchronization signal block associated with the measurement configuration is higher than the adapted S-measure threshold or a configured threshold, there is one of: the user equipment is not required to perform the measurements on non-serving cells, the user equipment performing the measurements on non-serving cells with with an adjusted periodicity or the user equipment is to measure in more relaxed manner the at least one synchronization signal block having the different center frequency.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the more relaxed manner comprises based on the frequency level information applying an adjusted periodicity to cause a periodicity of at least one of a measurement periodicity or a radio resource management to increase such as to be performed less often on the at least one synchorization signal block having the different center frequency and during at least one of an idle, inactive, or connected mode of the user equipment.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the determining to adapt the measurement configuration is including intra-frequency, inter-frequency, and carrier aggregation for a specific cell or a set of cells of the communication network.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the determining comprises identifying a set of the at least one synchronization signal block based on the at least one condition, wherein the set is identified based on a signal quality condition associated with the synchronization signal block signal.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein based on a beam configuration at a location of the user equipment, the adapted measurement configuration causes the user equipment to measure only a subset of the set of synchronization signal blocks.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the measuring the subset of the set of synchronization signal block based on the adapted measurement configuration is performed by at least one of using a reduced number of synchronization signal block locations, or measuring the subset of the set of synchronization signal blocks with an adjusted periodicity.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the periodicity associated with the measurements of at least one synchronization signal block comprises at least one of: an adapted configuration is applied for all synchronization signal block measurement time instances associated with a block measurement time configuration window, an adapted configuration is applied for synchronization signal block measurement time instances indicated by a new periodicity associated with a block measurement time configuration window, or an adapted configuration is applied for synchronization signal block measurement time instances indicated by a new window duration associated with at least one of a block measurement time configuration window or offset.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the adapted configuration is applied when a location of the user equipment one of remains within specific geographical boundaries or is estimated to be in a specific location of the communication network or under a coverage of certain signals.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the coverage is based on cell quality (one or more) synchronization signal block or (one or more) or channel state signal quality meets the relative or absolute signal quality threshold condition for duration of time.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the adapted measurement configuration is applied, when an activation of transmission configuration for physical downlink control channel is indicated for the user equipment, for determining one of: a channel state information reference signal based adaptation, a synchronization signal block based adaptation, or a synchronization signal block based adaptation.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the determining to adapt the measurement configuration is based on condition of a user equipment mobility state, where the user equipment mobility state may be determined to be low, medium, high, or stationary, and wherein the user equipment mobility state is determined by the communication network or by the user equipment, autonomously or based on some predefined rules or by communication network and indicated to user equipment.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, wherein the mobility measurements for use by the user equipment based on the at least one condition apply while the user equipment is in any one of a connected state, an inactive state or an idle state.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention as described above there is an apparatus comprising: means for receiving (one or more transceivers <NUM> one or more transceivers <NUM>, and/or one or more transceivers <NUM>; Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM>; Computer Program Code <NUM> and/or Computer Program Code <NUM> and/or Computer Program Code <NUM>; and Processor(s) <NUM> and/or Processors <NUM> and/or Processor(s) <NUM> as in <FIG>) from a communication network(network <NUM> as in <FIG>), by a user equipment (UE <NUM> as in <FIG>), a measurement configuration; determining (one or more transceivers <NUM> one or more transceivers <NUM>, and/or one or more transceivers <NUM>; Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM>; Computer Program Code <NUM> and/or Computer Program Code <NUM> and/or Computer Program Code <NUM>; and Processor(s) <NUM> and/or Processors <NUM> and/or Processor(s) <NUM> as in <FIG>) to adapt the measurement configuration, wherein the adapted measurement configuration identifies mobility measurements for use by the user equipment based on at least one condition; and performing (one or more transceivers <NUM> one or more transceivers <NUM>, and/or one or more transceivers <NUM>; Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM>; Computer Program Code <NUM> and/or Computer Program Code <NUM> and/or Computer Program Code <NUM>; and Processor(s) <NUM> and/or Processors <NUM> and/or Processor(s) <NUM> as in <FIG>) the adapted measurement configuration instead of the measurement configuration received from the communication network.

In the example aspect of the invention according to the paragraphs above, wherein at least the means for receiving, determining, and performing comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium [Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM> and/or Memory(ies) <NUM> as in <FIG>] encoded with a computer program [Computer Program Code <NUM> and/or Computer Program Code <NUM> and/or Computer Program <NUM> as in <FIG>] executable by at least one processor [Processor(s) <NUM> and/or Processors <NUM> and/or Processor(s) <NUM> as in <FIG>].

Advantages that can be realized in accordance with the example embodiments of the invention as described herein can include at least:.

In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof.

The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary and non-limiting examples a full and informative description of the best method and apparatus presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of this invention will still fall within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims.

It should be noted that the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof, mean any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements, and may encompass the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" together. The coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. As employed herein two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" together by the use of one or more wires, cables and/or printed electrical connections, as well as by the use of electromagnetic energy, such as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency region, the microwave region and the optical (both visible and invisible) region, as several non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

Claim 1:
A method, comprising:
receiving (<NUM>), from a communication network (<NUM>) and by a user equipment (<NUM>), a measurement configuration;
determining (<NUM>) , by the user equipment and based on at least one condition, to adapt the measurement configuration, wherein:
the adapted measurement configuration identifies mobility measurements for use by the user equipment, and
the at least one condition comprises a synchronization signal block signal quality condition; and
performing (<NUM>), by the user equipment, the adapted measurement configuration instead of the measurement configuration received from the communication network;
wherein performing the adapted measurement configuration comprises applying, for the measurement configuration, an adapted configuration associated with at least one of: a time location or a periodicity associated with measurements of at least one synchronization signal block;
wherein the adapted configuration comprises frequency level information; and
wherein performing the adapted measurement configuration further comprises using the frequency level information to adapt at least one of: a time location or a periodicity associated with a list configuration for measurement of at least one synchronization signal block having different center frequencies.