Patent Description:
In wireless communications, a user equipment (UE) may request a configuration to a network. The network may configure the UE according to the UE's request, or make its own configuration based on the UE's request. This kind of configuration request may be performed in various operations, for example in a multi-universal subscriber identity module (MUSIM) operation.

<CIT> discloses a system and a method of handling paging and system information of a MUSIM UE. In an embodiment unavailability information provided by the MUSIM UE is sent to a network node, wherein the unavailability information indicates time occasions when the UE is monitoring a SIM B therefore being unavailable to monitor DL of a SIM A. The unavailability information may include gap information. In an embodiment, the UE informs about gap periodicity and gap length to the network node. The network node then either confirms or
provides gap configuration in a reconfiguration message for other SIM B monitoring. The document with the title "<NPL>) proposes to define an exclusive information element (IE) for MUSIM gap preference in the gap assistance information provided by the MUSIM UE without including other information such as gap purpose parameter.

An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide method and apparatus for a configuration request in a wireless communication system.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide method and apparatus for a configuration request in a MUSIM operation in a wireless communication system.

A first aspect of the invention comprises a method performed by a multi-universal subscriber identity module, MUSIM, user equipment, UE as set forth in claim <NUM>.

A second aspect of the invention comprises a multi-universal subscriber identity module, MUSIM, user equipment, UE as set forth in claim <NUM>.

A third aspect of the invention comprises a network node as set forth in claim <NUM>.

Some preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

According to an embodiment not belonging to the present disclosure, at least one computer readable medium (CRM) stores instructions that, based on being executed by at least one processor, perform operations comprising: registering to both a first network and a second network; establishing a connection with the first network; transmitting, to the first network, gap information related to one or more gaps requested by the UE and priority information for the one or more gaps, wherein the one or more gaps comprise a time period during which the UE pauses the connection with the first network for performing operations in the second network; receiving, from the first network, a configuration of at least one gap after transmitting the priority information to the first network; and performing operations in the second network during the at least one gap.

According to an embodiment not belonging to the present disclosure, an apparatus configured to operate in a wireless communication system comprises: at least processor; and at least one computer memory operably connectable to the at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to perform operations comprising: registering to both a first network and a second network; establishing a connection with the first network; transmitting, to the first network, gap information related to one or more gaps requested by the UE and priority information for the one or more gaps, wherein the one or more gaps comprise a time period during which the UE pauses the connection with the first network for performing operations in the second network; receiving, from the first network, a configuration of at least one gap after transmitting the priority information to the first network; and performing operations in the second network during the at least one gap.

According to an embodiment not belonging to the present disclosure, a method performed by a network node in a first network configured to operate in a wireless communication system comprises: registering a user equipment (UE) in the first network; establishing a connection with the UE; receiving, from the UE, gap information related to one or more gaps requested by the UE and priority information for the one or more gaps, wherein the one or more gaps comprise a time period during which the UE pauses the connection with the first network for performing operations in a second network to which the UE has registered in addition to the first network; determining at least one gap based on the gap information related to the one or more gaps and the priority information for the one or more gaps; and transmitting, to the UE, a configuration of the at least one gap.

The present disclosure can have various advantageous effects.

For example, the UE can prevent the inefficient gap configuration regarding the second network operation even when the first network is unable to configure all requested gaps.

Advantageous effects which can be obtained through specific embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the advantageous effects listed above. For example, there may be a variety of technical effects that a person having ordinary skill in the related art can understand and/or derive from the present disclosure. Accordingly, the specific effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those explicitly described herein, but may include various effects that may be understood or derived from the technical features of the present disclosure.

In other words, "A or B" in the present disclosure may be interpreted as A and/or B".

Also, parentheses used in the present disclosure may mean "for example". In detail, when it is shown as "control information (PDCCH)", "PDCCH" may be proposed as an example of "control information". In other words, "control information" in the present disclosure is not limited to "PDCCH", and "PDCCH" may be proposed as an example of "control information". In addition, even when shown as "control information (i.e., PDCCH)", "PDCCH" may be proposed as an example of "control information".

Throughout the disclosure, the terms "radio access network (RAN) node', 'base station', 'eNB', 'gNB' and 'cell' may be used interchangeably. Further, a UE may be a kind of a wireless device, and throughout the disclosure, the terms 'UE' and 'wireless device' may be used interchangeably.

Throughout the disclosure, the terms 'cell quality', 'signal strength', 'signal quality', 'channel state', 'channel quality', ' channel state/reference signal received power (RSRP)' and ' reference signal received quality (RSRQ)' may be used interchangeably.

In addition, one of the most expected <NUM> use cases relates a function capable of smoothly connecting embedded sensors in all fields, i.e., mMTC. It is expected that the number of potential Internet-of-things (IoT) devices will reach <NUM> hundred million up to the year of <NUM>. An industrial IoT is one of categories of performing a main role enabling a smart city, asset tracking, smart utility, agriculture, and security infrastructure through <NUM>.

A safety system guides alternative courses of a behavior so that a driver may drive more safely, thereby lowering the danger of an accident. Technical requirements of a self-driven vehicle demand ultra-low latency and ultrahigh reliability so that traffic safety is increased to a level that cannot be achieved by human being.

Mission critical application (e.g., e-health) is one of <NUM> use scenarios. A health part contains many application programs capable of enjoying benefit of mobile communication. A communication system may support remote treatment that provides clinical treatment in a faraway place. Remote treatment may aid in reducing a barrier against distance and improve access to medical services that cannot be continuously available in a faraway rural area. Remote treatment is also used to perform important treatment and save lives in an emergency situation. The wireless sensor network based on mobile communication may provide remote monitoring and sensors for parameters such as heart rate and blood pressure.

Referring to <FIG>, a first wireless device <NUM> and a second wireless device <NUM> may transmit/receive radio signals to/from an external device through a variety of RATs (e.g., LTE and NR). In <FIG>, {the first wireless device <NUM> and the second wireless device <NUM>} may correspond to at least one of {the wireless device 100a to 100f and the BS <NUM>}, {the wireless device 100a to 100f and the wireless device 100a to 100f} and/or {the BS <NUM> and the BS <NUM>} of <FIG>.

The processor(s) <NUM> may control the memory(s) <NUM> and/or the transceiver(s) <NUM> and may be configured to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts described in the present disclosure. The processor(s) <NUM> may receive radio signals including second information/signals through the transceiver(s) <NUM> and then store information obtained by processing the second information/signals in the memory(s) <NUM>. For example, the memory(s) <NUM> may store software code including commands for performing a part or the entirety of processes controlled by the processor(s) <NUM> or for performing the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts described in the present disclosure. The transceiver(s) <NUM> may be interchangeably used with radio frequency (RF) unit(s). In the present disclosure, the first wireless device <NUM> may represent a communication modem/circuit/chip.

The processor(s) <NUM> may control the memory(s) <NUM> and/or the transceiver(s) <NUM> and may be configured to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts described in the present disclosure. For example, the memory(s) <NUM> may store software code including commands for performing a part or the entirety of processes controlled by the processor(s) <NUM> or for performing the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts described in the present disclosure. In the present disclosure, the second wireless device <NUM> may represent a communication modem/circuit/chip.

As an example, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), one or more programmable logic devices (PLDs), or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) may be included in the one or more processors <NUM> and <NUM>. descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure may be implemented using firmware or software and the firmware or software may be configured to include the modules, procedures, or functions. Firmware or software configured to perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure may be included in the one or more processors <NUM> and <NUM> or stored in the one or more memories <NUM> and <NUM> so as to be driven by the one or more processors <NUM> and <NUM>. The descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure may be implemented using firmware or software in the form of code, commands, and/or a set of commands.

The one or more transceivers <NUM> and <NUM> may be connected to the one or more antennas <NUM> and <NUM> and the one or more transceivers <NUM> and <NUM> may be configured to transmit and receive user data, control information, and/or radio signals/channels, mentioned in the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure, through the one or more antennas <NUM> and <NUM>. In the present disclosure, the one or more antennas may be a plurality of physical antennas or a plurality of logical antennas (e.g., antenna ports).

The one or more transceivers <NUM> and <NUM> may convert received radio signals/channels, etc., from RF band signals into baseband signals in order to process received user data, control information, radio signals/channels, etc., using the one or more processors <NUM> and <NUM>. The one or more transceivers <NUM> and <NUM> may convert the user data, control information, radio signals/channels, etc., processed using the one or more processors <NUM> and <NUM> from the base band signals into the RF band signals. For example, the transceivers <NUM> and <NUM> can up-convert OFDM baseband signals to a carrier frequency by their (analog) oscillators and/or filters under the control of the processors <NUM> and <NUM> and transmit the up-converted OFDM signals at the carrier frequency. The transceivers <NUM> and <NUM> may receive OFDM signals at a carrier frequency and down-convert the OFDM signals into OFDM baseband signals by their (analog) oscillators and/or filters under the control of the transceivers <NUM> and <NUM>.

In the implementations of the present disclosure, a UE may operate as a transmitting device in uplink (UL) and as a receiving device in downlink (DL). In the implementations of the present disclosure, a BS may operate as a receiving device in UL and as a transmitting device in DL. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, it is mainly assumed that the first wireless device <NUM> acts as the UE, and the second wireless device <NUM> acts as the BS. For example, the processor(s) <NUM> connected to, mounted on or launched in the first wireless device <NUM> may be configured to perform the UE behavior according to an implementation of the present disclosure or control the transceiver(s) <NUM> to perform the UE behavior according to an implementation of the present disclosure. The processor(s) <NUM> connected to, mounted on or launched in the second wireless device <NUM> may be configured to perform the BS behavior according to an implementation of the present disclosure or control the transceiver(s) <NUM> to perform the BS behavior according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

The communication unit <NUM> may include a communication circuit <NUM> and transceiver(s) <NUM>. For example, the communication circuit <NUM> may include the one or more processors <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG> and/or the one or more memories <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>. For example, the transceiver(s) <NUM> may include the one or more transceivers <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG> and/or the one or more antennas <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>. The control unit <NUM> is electrically connected to the communication unit <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, and the additional components <NUM> and controls overall operation of each of the wireless devices <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the control unit <NUM> may control an electric/mechanical operation of each of the wireless devices <NUM> and <NUM> based on programs/code/commands/information stored in the memory unit <NUM>.

As an example, the control unit <NUM> may be configured by a set of a communication control processor, an application processor (AP), an electronic control unit (ECU), a graphical processing unit, and a memory control processor. As another example, the memory <NUM> may be configured by a RAM, a DRAM, a ROM, a flash memory, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and/or a combination thereof.

<FIG> shows another example of wireless devices to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

The first wireless device <NUM> may include at least one transceiver, such as a transceiver <NUM>, and at least one processing chip, such as a processing chip <NUM>. The processing chip <NUM> may include at least one processor, such a processor <NUM>, and at least one memory, such as a memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may be operably connectable to the processor <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may store various types of information and/or instructions. The memory <NUM> may store a software code <NUM> which implements instructions that, when executed by the processor <NUM>, perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. For example, the software code <NUM> may implement instructions that, when executed by the processor <NUM>, perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. For example, the software code <NUM> may control the processor <NUM> to perform one or more protocols. For example, the software code <NUM> may control the processor <NUM> may perform one or more layers of the radio interface protocol.

The second wireless device <NUM> may include at least one transceiver, such as a transceiver <NUM>, and at least one processing chip, such as a processing chip <NUM>. The processing chip <NUM> may include at least one processor, such a processor <NUM>, and at least one memory, such as a memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may be operably connectable to the processor <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may store various types of information and/or instructions. The memory <NUM> may store a software code <NUM> which implements instructions that, when executed by the processor <NUM>, perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. For example, the software code <NUM> may implement instructions that, when executed by the processor <NUM>, perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. For example, the software code <NUM> may control the processor <NUM> to perform one or more protocols. For example, the software code <NUM> may control the processor <NUM> may perform one or more layers of the radio interface protocol.

Referring to <FIG>, a UE <NUM> may correspond to the first wireless device <NUM> of <FIG> and/or the first wireless device <NUM> of <FIG>.

The processor <NUM> may be configured to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. The processor <NUM> may be configured to control one or more other components of the UE <NUM> to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. Layers of the radio interface protocol may be implemented in the processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may include ASIC, other chipset, logic circuit and/or data processing device. The processor <NUM> may be an application processor. The processor <NUM> may include at least one of a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a modem (modulator and demodulator). An example of the processor <NUM> may be found in SNAPDRAGON™ series of processors made by Qualcomm®, EXYNOS™ series of processors made by Samsung®, A series of processors made by Apple®, HELIO™ series of processors made by MediaTek®, ATOM™ series of processors made by Intel® or a corresponding next generation processor.

<FIG> and <FIG> show an example of protocol stacks in a 3GPP based wireless communication system to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

In particular, <FIG> illustrates an example of a radio interface user plane protocol stack between a UE and a BS and <FIG> illustrates an example of a radio interface control plane protocol stack between a UE and a BS. The control plane refers to a path through which control messages used to manage call by a UE and a network are transported. The user plane refers to a path through which data generated in an application layer, for example, voice data or Internet packet data are transported. Referring to <FIG>, the user plane protocol stack may be divided into Layer <NUM> (i.e., a PHY layer) and Layer <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the control plane protocol stack may be divided into Layer <NUM> (i.e., a PHY layer), Layer <NUM>, Layer <NUM> (e.g., an RRC layer), and a non-access stratum (NAS) layer. Layer <NUM>, Layer <NUM> and Layer <NUM> are referred to as an access stratum (AS).

In the 3GPP LTE system, the Layer <NUM> is split into the following sublayers: MAC, RLC, and PDCP. In the 3GPP NR system, the Layer <NUM> is split into the following sublayers: MAC, RLC, PDCP and SDAP. The PHY layer offers to the MAC sublayer transport channels, the MAC sublayer offers to the RLC sublayer logical channels, the RLC sublayer offers to the PDCP sublayer RLC channels, the PDCP sublayer offers to the SDAP sublayer radio bearers. The SDAP sublayer offers to <NUM> core network quality of service (QoS) flows.

In the 3GPP NR system, the main services and functions of the MAC sublayer include: mapping between logical channels and transport channels; multiplexing/demultiplexing of MAC SDUs belonging to one or different logical channels into/from transport blocks (TB) delivered to/from the physical layer on transport channels; scheduling information reporting; error correction through hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) (one HARQ entity per cell in case of carrier aggregation (CA)); priority handling between UEs by means of dynamic scheduling; priority handling between logical channels of one UE by means of logical channel prioritization; padding. A single MAC entity may support multiple numerologies, transmission timings and cells. Mapping restrictions in logical channel prioritization control which numerology(ies), cell(s), and transmission timing(s) a logical channel can use.

Different kinds of data transfer services are offered by MAC. To accommodate different kinds of data transfer services, multiple types of logical channels are defined, i.e., each supporting transfer of a particular type of information. Each logical channel type is defined by what type of information is transferred. Logical channels are classified into two groups: control channels and traffic channels. Control channels are used for the transfer of control plane information only, and traffic channels are used for the transfer of user plane information only. Broadcast control channel (BCCH) is a downlink logical channel for broadcasting system control information, paging control channel (PCCH) is a downlink logical channel that transfers paging information, system information change notifications and indications of ongoing public warning service (PWS) broadcasts, common control channel (CCCH) is a logical channel for transmitting control information between UEs and network and used for UEs having no RRC connection with the network, and dedicated control channel (DCCH) is a point-to-point bi-directional logical channel that transmits dedicated control information between a UE and the network and used by UEs having an RRC connection. Dedicated traffic channel (DTCH) is a point-to-point logical channel, dedicated to one UE, for the transfer of user information. A DTCH can exist in both uplink and downlink. In downlink, the following connections between logical channels and transport channels exist: BCCH can be mapped to broadcast channel (BCH); BCCH can be mapped to downlink shared channel (DL-SCH); PCCH can be mapped to paging channel (PCH); CCCH can be mapped to DL-SCH; DCCH can be mapped to DL-SCH; and DTCH can be mapped to DL-SCH. In uplink, the following connections between logical channels and transport channels exist: CCCH can be mapped to uplink shared channel (UL-SCH); DCCH can be mapped to UL-SCH; and DTCH can be mapped to UL-SCH.

The RLC sublayer supports three transmission modes: transparent mode (TM), unacknowledged mode (UM), and acknowledged node (AM). The RLC configuration is per logical channel with no dependency on numerologies and/or transmission durations. In the 3GPP NR system, the main services and functions of the RLC sublayer depend on the transmission mode and include: transfer of upper layer PDUs; sequence numbering independent of the one in PDCP (UM and AM); error correction through ARQ (AM only); segmentation (AM and UM) and re-segmentation (AM only) of RLC SDUs; reassembly of SDU (AM and UM); duplicate detection (AM only); RLC SDU discard (AM and UM); RLC re-establishment; protocol error detection (AM only).

In the 3GPP NR system, the main services and functions of the PDCP sublayer for the user plane include: sequence numbering; header compression and decompression using robust header compression (ROHC); transfer of user data; reordering and duplicate detection; in-order delivery; PDCP PDU routing (in case of split bearers); retransmission of PDCP SDUs; ciphering, deciphering and integrity protection; PDCP SDU discard; PDCP re-establishment and data recovery for RLC AM; PDCP status reporting for RLC AM; duplication of PDCP PDUs and duplicate discard indication to lower layers. The main services and functions of the PDCP sublayer for the control plane include: sequence numbering; ciphering, deciphering and integrity protection; transfer of control plane data; reordering and duplicate detection; in-order delivery; duplication of PDCP PDUs and duplicate discard indication to lower layers.

In the 3GPP NR system, the main services and functions of the RRC sublayer include: broadcast of system information related to AS and NAS; paging initiated by 5GC or NG-RAN; establishment, maintenance and release of an RRC connection between the UE and NG-RAN; security functions including key management; establishment, configuration, maintenance and release of signaling radio bearers (SRBs) and data radio bearers (DRBs); mobility functions (including: handover and context transfer, UE cell selection and reselection and control of cell selection and reselection, inter-RAT mobility); QoS management functions; UE measurement reporting and control of the reporting; detection of and recovery from radio link failure; NAS message transfer to/from NAS from/to UE.

<FIG> shows a frame structure in a 3GPP based wireless communication system to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

The frame structure shown in <FIG> is purely exemplary and the number of subframes, the number of slots, and/or the number of symbols in a frame may be variously changed. In the 3GPP based wireless communication system, OFDM numerologies (e.g., subcarrier spacing (SCS), transmission time interval (TTI) duration) may be differently configured between a plurality of cells aggregated for one UE. For example, if a UE is configured with different SCSs for cells aggregated for the cell, an (absolute time) duration of a time resource (e.g., a subframe, a slot, or a TTI) including the same number of symbols may be different among the aggregated cells. Herein, symbols may include OFDM symbols (or CP-OFDM symbols), SC-FDMA symbols (or discrete Fourier transform-spread-OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols).

Referring to <FIG>, downlink and uplink transmissions are organized into frames. Each frame has Tf = <NUM> duration. Each frame is divided into two half-frames, where each of the half-frames has <NUM> duration. Each half-frame consists of <NUM> subframes, where the duration Tsf per subframe is <NUM>. Each subframe is divided into slots and the number of slots in a subframe depends on a subcarrier spacing. Each slot includes <NUM> or <NUM> OFDM symbols based on a cyclic prefix (CP). In a normal CP, each slot includes <NUM> OFDM symbols and, in an extended CP, each slot includes <NUM> OFDM symbols. The numerology is based on exponentially scalable subcarrier spacing △f = <NUM>u*<NUM>.

Table <NUM> shows the number of OFDM symbols per slot Nslotsymb, the number of slots per frame Nframe,uslot, and the number of slots per subframe Nsubframe,u slot for the normal CP, according to the subcarrier spacing △f = <NUM>u*<NUM>.

Table <NUM> shows the number of OFDM symbols per slot Nslotsymb, the number of slots per frame Nframe,uslot, and the number of slots per subframe Nsubframe,uslot for the extended CP, according to the subcarrier spacing △f = <NUM>u*<NUM>.

A slot includes plural symbols (e.g., <NUM> or <NUM> symbols) in the time domain. For each numerology (e.g., subcarrier spacing) and carrier, a resource grid of Nsize,ugrid,x*NRBsc subcarriers and Nsubframe,usymb OFDM symbols is defined, starting at common resource block (CRB) Ntart,ugrid indicated by higher-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling), where Nsize,ugrid,x is the number of resource blocks (RBs) in the resource grid and the subscript x is DL for downlink and UL for uplink. NRBSC is the number of subcarriers per RB. In the 3GPP based wireless communication system, NRBSC is <NUM> generally. There is one resource grid for a given antenna port p, subcarrier spacing configuration u, and transmission direction (DL or UL). The carrier bandwidth Nsize,ugrid for subcarrier spacing configuration u is given by the higher-layer parameter (e.g., RRC parameter). Each element in the resource grid for the antenna port p and the subcarrier spacing configuration u is referred to as a resource element (RE) and one complex symbol may be mapped to each RE. Each RE in the resource grid is uniquely identified by an index k in the frequency domain and an index l representing a symbol location relative to a reference point in the time domain. In the 3GPP based wireless communication system, an RB is defined by <NUM> consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain.

In the 3GPP NR system, RBs are classified into CRBs and physical resource blocks (PRBs). CRBs are numbered from <NUM> and upwards in the frequency domain for subcarrier spacing configuration u. The center of subcarrier <NUM> of CRB <NUM> for subcarrier spacing configuration u coincides with 'point A' which serves as a common reference point for resource block grids. In the 3GPP NR system, PRBs are defined within a bandwidth part (BWP) and numbered from <NUM> to NsizeBWP,i-<NUM>, where i is the number of the bandwidth part. The relation between the physical resource block nPRB in the bandwidth part i and the common resource block nCRB is as follows: nPRB = nCRB + NsizeBWP,i, where NsizeBWP,i is the common resource block where bandwidth part starts relative to CRB <NUM>. The BWP includes a plurality of consecutive RBs. A carrier may include a maximum of N (e.g., <NUM>) BWPs. A UE may be configured with one or more BWPs on a given component carrier. Only one BWP among BWPs configured to the UE can active at a time. The active BWP defines the UE's operating bandwidth within the cell's operating bandwidth.

In the present disclosure, the term "cell" may refer to a geographic area to which one or more nodes provide a communication system, or refer to radio resources. A "cell" as a geographic area may be understood as coverage within which a node can provide service using a carrier and a "cell" as radio resources (e.g., time-frequency resources) is associated with bandwidth which is a frequency range configured by the carrier. The "cell" associated with the radio resources is defined by a combination of downlink resources and uplink resources, for example, a combination of a DL component carrier (CC) and a UL CC. The cell may be configured by downlink resources only, or may be configured by downlink resources and uplink resources. Since DL coverage, which is a range within which the node is capable of transmitting a valid signal, and UL coverage, which is a range within which the node is capable of receiving the valid signal from the UE, depends upon a carrier carrying the signal, the coverage of the node may be associated with coverage of the "cell" of radio resources used by the node. Accordingly, the term "cell" may be used to represent service coverage of the node sometimes, radio resources at other times, or a range that signals using the radio resources can reach with valid strength at other times.

In CA, two or more CCs are aggregated. A UE may simultaneously receive or transmit on one or multiple CCs depending on its capabilities. CA is supported for both contiguous and non-contiguous CCs. When CA is configured, the UE only has one RRC connection with the network. At RRC connection establishment/re-establishment/handover, one serving cell provides the NAS mobility information, and at RRC connection re-establishment/handover, one serving cell provides the security input. This cell is referred to as the primary cell (PCell). The PCell is a cell, operating on the primary frequency, in which the UE either performs the initial connection establishment procedure or initiates the connection re-establishment procedure. Depending on UE capabilities, secondary cells (SCells) can be configured to form together with the PCell a set of serving cells. An SCell is a cell providing additional radio resources on top of special cell (SpCell). The configured set of serving cells for a UE therefore always consists of one PCell and one or more SCells. For dual connectivity (DC) operation, the term SpCell refers to the PCell of the master cell group (MCG) or the primary SCell (PSCell) of the secondary cell group (SCG). An SpCell supports PUCCH transmission and contention-based random access, and is always activated. The MCG is a group of serving cells associated with a master node, comprised of the SpCell (PCell) and optionally one or more SCells. The SCG is the subset of serving cells associated with a secondary node, comprised of the PSCell and zero or more SCells, for a UE configured with DC. For a UE in RRC_CONNECTED not configured with CA/DC, there is only one serving cell comprised of the PCell. For a UE in RRC_CONNECTED configured with CA/DC, the term "serving cells" is used to denote the set of cells comprised of the SpCell(s) and all SCells. In DC, two MAC entities are configured in a UE: one for the MCG and one for the SCG.

<FIG> shows a data flow example in the 3GPP NR system to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

Referring to <FIG>, "RB" denotes a radio bearer, and "H" denotes a header. Radio bearers are categorized into two groups: DRBs for user plane data and SRBs for control plane data. The MAC PDU is transmitted/received using radio resources through the PHY layer to/from an external device. The MAC PDU arrives to the PHY layer in the form of a transport block.

In the PHY layer, the uplink transport channels UL-SCH and RACH are mapped to their physical channels physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) and physical random access channel (PRACH), respectively, and the downlink transport channels DL-SCH, BCH and PCH are mapped to physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), physical broadcast channel (PBCH) and PDSCH, respectively. In the PHY layer, uplink control information (UCI) is mapped to physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), and downlink control information (DCI) is mapped to physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). A MAC PDU related to UL-SCH is transmitted by a UE via a PUSCH based on an UL grant, and a MAC PDU related to DL-SCH is transmitted by a BS via a PDSCH based on a DL assignment.

Hereinafter, contents related to a multi-universal subscriber identity module (MUSIM) is described.

Multi-USIM devices (e.g., MUSIM device <NUM>) have been more and more popular in different countries. The user may have both a personal and a business subscription in one device or have two personal subscriptions in one device for different services.

<FIG> shows an example of a wireless environment in which a MUSIM device operates according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, MUSIM device <NUM> (or, MUSIM UE <NUM>) may have a plurality of universal subscriber identity modules (USIMs) - USIM1 <NUM> (or, USIM A <NUM>) and USIM2 <NUM> (USIM B <NUM>). The MUSIM device <NUM> may register to a network <NUM><NUM> based on subscription information in the USIM1 <NUM> to obtain a connection A <NUM> between the network <NUM><NUM> and the MUSIM device <NUM>. The MSUIM device <NUM> may also register to a network <NUM><NUM> based on subscription information in the USIM2 <NUM> to obtain a connection B <NUM> between the network <NUM><NUM> and the MUSIM device <NUM>. The MUSIM device <NUM> may use the USIM1 <NUM> to perform a communication with the network <NUM><NUM> over the connection A <NUM>, and use the USIM2 <NUM> to perform a communication with the network <NUM><NUM> over the connection B <NUM>.

In a wireless environment in which a MUSIM device operates, the following properties may hold:.

NG-RAN may support one or more of the followings for MUSIM device operation:.

The purpose of the paging collision avoidance is to address the overlap of paging occasions on both USIMs when a MUSIM device (e.g. dual USIM device) is in RRC_IDLE/RRC_INACTIVE state in both the networks (e.g. Network A and Network B) associated with respective USIMs. For example, network A may be NR and network B may be E-UTRA or NR.

A MUSIM device may determine potential paging collision on two networks and may trigger actions to prevent potential paging collision on NR network. The MUSIM device may select one of the two RATs/networks for paging collision avoidance based on implementations of the MUSIM device.

For MUSIM operation, a MUSIM device in RRC_CONNECTED state in network A may have to switch from network A to network B. For example, network A may be NR and network B may either be E-UTRA or NR. Before switching from the network A, a MUSIM device should notify the network A to either leave RRC_CONNECTED state, or be kept in RRC_CONNECTED state in the network A while temporarily switching to the network B.

When configured to do so, a MUSIM device can signal the network A a preference to leave RRC_CONNECTED state by using RRC or NAS signaling. After sending a preference to leave RRC_CONNECTED state by using RRC signaling, if the MUSIM device does not receive an RRCRelease message from the network A within a certain time period (configured by the network A), the MUSIM device can enter RRC_IDLE state in network A.

The UE having received otherConfig in RRCReconfiguration shall:
<NUM>> if the received otherConfig includes the musim-LeaveAssistanceConfig:.

The UE may inform the network of its preference to transition out of RRC_CONNECTED state for MUSIM operation by UE assistance information procedure (i.e., by transmitting UEAssistanceInformation message). The UE may initiate the UE assistance information procedure to transmit the UEAssistanceInformation message including MUSIM assistance information for leave indication if the UE was configured to do so upon determining that the UE needs to leave RRC_CONNECTED state.

Upon initiating the UE information procedure, the UE shall:
<NUM>> if configured to provide MUSIM assistance information for leaving RRC_CONNECTED:
<NUM>> if the UE needs to leave RRC_CONNECTED state and the timer T346g is not running:.

The UE shall set the contents of the UEAssistanceInformation message as follows:
<NUM>> if transmission of the UEAssistanceInformation message is initiated to provide MUSIM assistance information:
<NUM>> if UE has a preference to leave RRC_CONNECTED state:
<NUM>> set musim-PreferredRRC-State to the preferred RRC state.

When configured to do so, a MUSIM device can signal the network A a preference to be kept in RRC_CONNECTED state in the network A while temporarily switching to the network B. This is indicated by scheduling gaps preference. This preference can include information for setup or release of gap(s). The network A can configure at most <NUM> gap patterns for MUSIM purpose: two periodic gaps and a single aperiodic gap.

The UE shall perform the following actions upon reception of the RRCReconfiguration:
<NUM>> if the RRCReconfiguration message includes the musim-GapConfig:.

The UE having received otherConfig in RRCReconfiguration shall:
<NUM>> if the received otherConfig includes the musim-GapAssistanceConfig:.

The UE may inform the network of its preference on the MUSIM gaps by UE assistance information procedure (i.e., by transmitting UEAssistanceInformation message). The UE may initiate the UE assistance information procedure to transmit the UEAssistanceInformation message including MUSIM assistance information for gap preference if the UE was configured to do so, upon determining the UE needs the gaps, or upon change of the gap preference information.

Upon initiating the UE information procedure, the UE shall:
<NUM>> if configured to provide MUSIM assistance information for gap preference:.

The UE shall set the contents of the UEAssistanceInformation message as follows:
<NUM>> if transmission of the UEAssistanceInformation message is initiated to provide MUSIM assistance information:.

If/when the MUSIM device is configured with a scheduling gap (i.e., MUSIM gap) from the network A, the MUSIM device may perform at least one of the following operations during the scheduling gap:.

When the MUSIM device completes the operations in the network B and/or the scheduling gap ends, the MUSIM device may release the connection with the network B (i.e., enters RRC_IDLE/INACTIVE in the network B), and revert back to the network A (i.e., resume monitoring a paging from the network A).

Meanwhile, a multi-USIM device (i.e., MUSIM UE) may have concurrent registrations associated with several USIMs. While actively communicating with the system/network associated with a current USIM (e.g., current system and/or first system/network), the MUSIM UE may determine that it needs to perform some activity (e.g., respond to a page/paging, or perform mobility update) in the other system/network associated with other USIM(s) (e.g., the second system/network(s)).

To support activities in the second system/network associated with other USIM, a gap-based procedure i.e., AS gap-based leaving and return may be performed. If the first network scheduled MUSIM gap for SIM/USIM switching, the UE may autonomously pause RRC connection on the current USIM and perform MUSIM operation on the other USIM. MUSIM UE can be configured with the multiple gaps that have varied gap duration and repetition period. If the first network cannot configure all MUSIM gaps requested by the UE, the network may select arbitrary gaps among candidates to configure to the UE.

However, insufficient gap configuration may cause operation inefficiency of MUSIM UE at second network. It is because first network does not consider the gap candidate preference of UE, which is originated from the absence of gap candidate priority.

Therefore, a way should be needed to resolve this problem to send the MUSIM gap priority of UE for multiple MUSIM gap requests.

<FIG> shows an example of a method performed by a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method may also be performed by a wireless device.

Referring to <FIG>, in step S1101, the UE may register to both a first network and a second network.

In step S1103, the UE may establish a connection with the first network.

In step S1105, the UE may transmit, to the first network, gap information related to one or more gaps requested by the UE and priority information for the one or more gaps. The one or more gaps may comprise a time period during which the UE pauses the connection with the first network for performing operations in the second network.

In step S1107, the UE may receive, from the first network, a configuration of at least one gap after transmitting the priority information to the first network.

In step S1109, the UE may perform operations in the second network during the at least one gap.

According to various embodiments, the pausing of the connection with the first network may comprise at least one of: stopping monitoring a paging from the first network while in a connected state for the first network; monitoring a paging from the second network; or establishing a connection with the second network and performing operations in the second network after receiving the paging from the second network.

According to the embodiments, the gap information comprises a list of gap information related to each gap. The gap information related to each gap comprises at least one of a gap pattern for a corresponding gap, or a gap time offset for the corresponding gap.

According to various embodiments, the gap pattern for the corresponding gap may comprise at least one of a length of the corresponding gap, a periodicity of the corresponding gap or a pattern of the corresponding gap represented by indicators or a bitmap in the length or the periodicity. The gap time offset for the corresponding gap may comprise an offset of a time point the gap pattern starts with respect to a reference time point.

According to the claimed invention, priority information for each gap is informed by an order of gap information related to the corresponding gap in the list with a highest priority ordered first in the list.

According to various embodiments not belonging to the present invention, the gap information related to each gap may further comprise priority information for the corresponding gap.

According to various embodiments not belonging to the present invention, the priority information for the one or more gaps may comprise at least one of a priority value or a priority level of the one or more gaps. The priority value increases as the priority level decreases.

According to various embodiments, the UE may transmit, to the first network, purpose information of each gap. The purpose information of each gap may comprise at least one of a measurement on the second network during a corresponding gap, a paging reception from the second network during the corresponding gap, a system information (SI) acquisition from the second network during the corresponding gap or a connection establishment with the second network during the corresponding gap.

According to various embodiments, the UE may transmit, to the first network, type information of each gap. The type information of each gap may comprise at least one of a periodic gap or an aperiodic gap.

According to various embodiments, the UE may transmit, to the first network, preference information that one of the periodic gap and the aperiodic gap is more preferred than the other one.

According to various embodiments, the UE may receive, from the first network, a configuration for a maximum number of the one or more gaps. The maximum number may be <NUM>, and the one or more gaps may comprise <NUM> period gaps and <NUM> aperiodic gap.

According to the embodiments, the UE is a multi-universal subscriber identity module (MUSIM) UE including a first USIM and a second USIM. The UE registers to the first network based on subscription information in the first USIM. The UE registers to the second network based on subscription information in the second USIM.

According to various embodiments, the UE registers to both a first network and a second network. The UE may construct a gap request including priority information of each gap of at least two requested gaps. The UE may transmit the gap request to the first network. The UE may receive one or multiple gaps from the network. The UE may perform operations in the second network during the received gaps.

Furthermore, the method in perspective of the UE described above in <FIG> may be performed by first wireless device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the wireless device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the first wireless device <NUM> shown in <FIG> and/or the UE <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

More specifically, the UE comprises at least one transceiver, at least processor, and at least one computer memory operably connectable to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, based on being executed by the at least one processor, perform operations.

The operations comprise: registering to both a first network and a second network; establishing a connection with the first network; transmitting, to the first network, gap information related to one or more gaps requested by the UE and priority information for the one or more gaps, - the one or more gaps comprising a time period during which the UE pauses the connection with the first network for performing operations in the second network; receiving, from the first network, a configuration of at least one gap after transmitting the priority information to the first network; and performing operations in the second network during the at least one gap.

Furthermore, the method in perspective of the UE described above in <FIG> may be performed by a software code <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM> included in the first wireless device <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

More specifically, at least one computer readable medium (CRM) stores instructions that, based on being executed by at least one processor, perform operations comprising: registering to both a first network and a second network; establishing a connection with the first network; transmitting, to the first network, gap information related to one or more gaps requested by the UE and priority information for the one or more gaps, - the one or more gaps comprising a time period during which the UE pauses the connection with the first network for performing operations in the second network; receiving, from the first network, a configuration of at least one gap after transmitting the priority information to the first network; and performing operations in the second network during the at least one gap.

Furthermore, the method in perspective of the UE described above in <FIG> may be performed by control of the processor <NUM> included in the first wireless device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, by control of the communication unit <NUM> and/or the control unit <NUM> included in the wireless device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, by control of the processor <NUM> included in the first wireless device <NUM> shown in <FIG> and/or by control of the processor <NUM> included in the UE <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

More specifically, an apparatus for configured to operate in a wireless communication system (e.g., wireless device/UE) comprises at least processor, and at least one computer memory operably connectable to the at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to perform operations comprising: registering to both a first network and a second network; establishing a connection with the first network; transmitting, to the first network, gap information related to one or more gaps requested by the UE and priority information for the one or more gaps, - the one or more gaps comprising a time period during which the UE pauses the connection with the first network for performing operations in the second network; receiving, from the first network, a configuration of at least one gap after transmitting the priority information to the first network; and performing operations in the second network during the at least one gap.

<FIG> shows an example of a method performed by a network node in a first network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in step S1201, the network node may register a UE in the first network.

In step S1203, the network node may establish a connection with the UE.

In step S1205, the network node may receive, from the UE, gap information related to one or more gaps requested by the UE and priority information for the one or more gaps. The one or more gaps may comprise a time period during which the UE pauses the connection with the first network for performing operations in a second network to which the UE has registered in addition to the first network.

In step S1207, the network node may determine at least one gap based on the gap information related to the one or more gaps and the priority information for the one or more gaps.

In step S1209, the network node may transmit, to the UE, a configuration of the at least one gap.

Furthermore, the method in perspective of the network node described in <FIG> may be performed by second wireless device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and/or the second wireless device <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

More specifically, the network node comprises at least one transceiver, at least processor, and at least one computer memory operably connectable to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, based on being executed by the at least one processor, perform operations.

The operations comprise: registering a UE in the first network; establishing a connection with the UE; receiving, from the UE, gap information related to one or more gaps requested by the UE and priority information for the one or more gaps - the one or more gaps comprising a time period during which the UE pauses the connection with the first network for performing operations in a second network to which the UE has registered in addition to the first network; determining at least one gap based on the gap information related to the one or more gaps and the priority information for the one or more gaps; and transmitting, to the UE, a configuration of the at least one gap.

<FIG> shows an example of a method for indicating priority among candidate MUSIM gaps according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method may be performed by a wireless device and/or a UE (e.g., MUSIM UE).

According to implementations of the present disclosure, while registering to a first and a second network, the UE may derive two or more gaps that are possibly required to perform necessary operations in the second network and construct a gap request that provides priority information of each gap of at least two requested gaps. Then the UE may transmit the gap request to the first network so that the first network can choose and configure one or more optimal gaps to the UE based on the indicted gaps and their priorities as well as network's preference.

Referring to <FIG>, in step S1301, the UE may register to a first network and a second network.

In step S1303, the UE may establish a connection with the first network. The UE may be connected to the first network and/or in RRC_CONNECTED for the first network. The UE may be in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE, or RRC_CONNECTED in the second network.

The UE may detect that one or more time gaps (i.e., scheduling gap) are required to operate necessary operations in the second network, where the necessary operations may comprise at least one of reception of paging messages, measurements, SI acquisition, or connection establishment which involves reception of signals from the second network and/or transmission of signals to the second network.

In step S1305, the UE may derive one or multiple gaps that are sufficient to perform the necessary operations in the second network.

In step S1307, the UE may construct a gap request including priority information of each gap in an implicit or explicit manner. The gap request may include a list of gap candidates where the order of list indicates a priority of each gap implicitly, or the priority information may include a priority indicator explicitly for each gap.

According to the claimed invention, for implicit indication of priority information, an ordered gap list is constructed based on the priority of each gap. That is, priority information for each gap is indicated by an order of gap information related to the corresponding gap in the list with a highest priority ordered first in the list.

For example, if there are three gap candidates having the priority as Gap1 > Gap2 > Gap3 (gap1 has a higher priority than gap2, and gap2 has a higher priority than gap3), the gap request list may be constructed as the following table <NUM>:.

In table <NUM>, gap information of each gap may comprise a gap pattern and a gap time offset for the concerned gap.

According to an embodiment not belonging to the present invention, for explicit indication of priority information, the gap request list may contain an explicit priority indicator for each gap. That is, gap information related to each gap may comprise priority information for the corresponding gap. For example, if there are three gap candidates having the priority as Gap1 > Gap2 > Gap3, the gap request list may be constructed as the following table <NUM>:.

In table <NUM>, gap information of each gap may comprise a gap pattern, a gap time offset and a gap priority for the concerned gap. The gap priority may comprise at least one of a priority value or a priority level of the concerned gap, where an increasing priority value indicates a lower priority level.

According to various embodiments, the gap pattern may comprise a length of the gap and indicators or a bitmap representing the pattern of the gap within the indicated length. For another example, the gap pattern may comprise at least one of a gap duration or a gap repetition period. The gap time offset may indicate when the gap pattern starts with reference to a specific point (e.g., a specific subframe/timeslot e.g., (slot#<NUM> or subframe#<NUM>) at specific SFN (e.g., SFN#<NUM>)).

According to an embodiment, the gap request may further include usage information of each requested gap. For example, the usage information may indicate at least one of "measurement", "paging reception", "SI acquisition" and/or "connection establishment".

According to an embodiment, the gap request may further include a type of the requested gap. For example, the type may comprise at least one of "periodic gap" or "aperiodic gap (or one-shot gap)".

According to an embodiment, the gap request may further include priority between gap types such that one of the periodic gap and the aperiodic gap is more preferred than the other one. For example, the priority between gap types may comprise information indicating that aperiodic gap has a higher priority than a periodic gap. For another example, the priority between gap types may comprise information indicating that a periodic gap has a higher priority than aperiodic gap
According to an embodiment, the first network may configure the UE with the maximum number of gaps to be requested to. The maximum number may be predefined (e.g., <NUM>). If the maximum number of gaps is configured, the UE may include gap(s) derived by the UE up to the indicated maximum number.

In step S1309, the UE may transmit the gap request to the first network. The gap request may be included in a UEAssistanceInformation message or another message dedicated to multi-SIM operations.

In step S1311, the UE may be configured with one or multiple gaps by the first network. The configured gap may be chosen by the first network based on both UE's preference and network's preference. That is, the first network may configured the gap based on both UE's preference and network's preference.

In step S1313, during the gap time indicated by the configured gap, the UE is allowed to skip monitoring necessary operations in the first network (e.g., the UE may skip PDCCH monitoring, CSI/SSB measurements, RRM measurements, RLM measurements, UL transmission (CSI reporting, SRS transmission)), and/or the UE can perform operations in the second network during the gap time.

According to an embodiment, if the UE's preferred priority of the requested gap changes, the UE may reconstruct a gap request including the new priority information and send the gap request to the network.

Claim 1:
A method performed by a multi-universal subscriber identity module, MUSIM, user equipment, UE, with a first USIM and a second USIM in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:
registering (S1101) to a first network based on subscription information in the first USIM;
registering (S1101) to a second network based on subscription information in the second USIM;
establishing (S1103) a connection with the first network;
transmitting (S1105), to the first network, gap information related to one or more gaps requested by the MUSIM UE and priority information related to the one or more gaps, wherein the one or more gaps comprise a time period during which the MUSIM UE pauses the connection with the first network for performing operations in the second network;
receiving (S1107), from the first network, a configuration of at least one gap after transmitting the priority information to the first network; and
performing (S1109) operations in the second network during the at least one gap,
wherein the gap information comprises a list of gap information related to each gap,
wherein the gap information related to each gap comprises at least one of a gap pattern for a corresponding gap, or a gap time offset for the corresponding gap, and
wherein priority information for each gap is informed by an order of gap information related to the corresponding gap in the list with a highest priority ordered first in the list.