Patent Description:
In mobile communications based on the <NUM>rd-Gerantion Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications, such as New Radio (NR), radio link monitoring is a procedure used by a user equipment (UE) to monitor the transmission quality of a radio link (e.g., a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH)). Accordingly, RLM can be useful in helping the UE reduce the number of radio link failures, thereby avoiding service interruptions. In performing RLM, the UE determines the transmission quality of the radio link by comparing an RLM reference signal (RLM-RS) received from a network to a hypothetical PDCCH transmission. The RLM-RS can be a synchronization sequence block (SSB) or channel state information (CSI)-RS, and the evaluation of the reference signal is mapped to a hypothetical PDCCH for RLM. In both a first frequency range (FR1) of <NUM> ~ <NUM> and a second frequency range (FR2) of <NUM> ~ <NUM> as defined in the 3GPP specification, within a measurement gap (MG), there could be an issue when there is an overlap between RLM and measurement gap repetition period (MGRP) as the UE would not be able to simultaneously perform RLM and MGRP due to different frequency bands being used for RLM and MGRP. Additionally, inFR2, the UE would not simultaneously perform RLM and synchronization signal (SS)/physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block measurement time configuration (SMTC) since RLM and SMTC would utilize different antenna beams. Thus, there may be situations in which the UE needs to extend an evaluation period for RLM.

Requirements for radio link monitoring are discussed in <NPL>. Requirements for radio link monitoring are discussed in <NPL>. Requirements for radio link monitoring are discussed in <NPL>.

The following summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. That is, the following summary is provided to introduce concepts, highlights, benefits and advantages of the novel and non-obvious techniques described herein. Select implementations are further described below in the detailed description. Thus, the following summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The present disclosure aims to provide various schemes, concepts, designs, techniques, methods and apparatus pertaining to conditional extension of evaluation period for RLM in NR mobile communications. As the RLM evaluation period is based on the periodicity of the RLM-RS, under various proposed schemes in accordance with the present disclosure, the evaluation period may be extended based on whether the RLM-RS is overlapped with one or more other reference signals.

In one aspect, a method may involve a processor of an apparatus performing RLM with respect to a radio link with a cell of a wireless network. In performing the RLM, the method may involve the processor determining whether an RLM-RS is overlapped with one or more other reference signals and, responsive to a result of the determining indicating that the RLM-RS is at least partially overlapped with the one or more other reference signals, extending the evaluation period for the RLM.

In one aspect, an apparatus may include a transceiver and a processor coupled to the transceiver. During operation, the transceiver may wirelessly communicate with a cell of a wireless network via a radio link. During operation, the processor may perform, via the transceiver, RLM with respect to the radio link by: (a) determining whether an RLM-RS is overlapped with one or more other reference signals; and (b) extending the evaluation period for the RLM responsive to a result of the determining indicating that the RLM-RS is at least partially overlapped with the one or more other reference signals.

It is noteworthy that, although description provided herein may be in the context of certain radio access technologies, networks and network topologies such as <NUM>th Generation (<NUM>)/NR, the proposed concepts, schemes and any variation(s)/derivative(s) thereof may be implemented in, for and by other types of radio access technologies, networks and network topologies such as, for example and without limitation, LTE, LTE-Advanced, LTE-Advanced Pro, and Internet-of-Things (IoT). Thus, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the examples described herein.

The present disclosure aims to provide solutions, schemes, concepts and/or designs that address aforementioned issues for SSB-based RLM as well as SSB and CSI-RS-based RLM. <FIG> illustrates an example scenario <NUM> in which various solutions, schemes, concepts and/or designs in accordance with the present disclosure may be implemented. Referring to <FIG>, scenario <NUM> may involve a UE <NUM> in wireless communication with a wireless network <NUM> (e.g., a <NUM> NR mobile network) via abase station <NUM> (e.g., an eNB, gNB or transmit-receive point (TRP)). In scenario <NUM>, UE <NUM> may be in wireless communication with wireless network <NUM> via base station <NUM> to perform SSB-based RLM and/or SSB and CSI-RS-based RLMin accordance with various solutions, schemes, concepts and/or designs with respect to the present disclosure, as described below.

In the present disclosure, the phrase "not overlapped" in the sentence "A is not overlapped with B" refers to a condition in which A and B are mutually exclusive, where A and B are both periodic signals. Additionally, the phrase "partially overlapped" in the sentence "A is partially overlapped with B" refers to a condition in which A is punctured by B and a period of A is shorter than a period of B. Moreover, the phrase "fully overlapped in the sentence "A is fully overlapped with B" refers to a condition in which A is equal to B.

In the present disclosure, the term "T_RLM_RS" refers to a periodicity of SSB. The term "T_RLM" refers to a periodicity of RLM-RS, which is equal to T_RLM_RS for SSB-based RLM. The term "T_SMTC" refers to a periodicity of SMTC, which is used to perform intra-frequency measurement. The term "T_MGRP" refers to a periodicity of measurement group repetition period.

In the interest of brevity, each of the various examples provided herein may be described in the context of SSB-based RLM and/or CSI-RS-based RLM. Even so, it is noteworthy that the various proposed schemes in accordance with the present disclosure may be applicable to both SSB-based RLM and CSI-RS-based RLM.

Under a proposed scheme in accordance with the present disclosure, an RLM sharing factor (RSF) may be provided to address the sharing ratio between RLM and intra-frequency measurement without gap. Under the proposed scheme, RSF may be specified in the 3GPP specification as fixed values (e.g., <NUM> or another value) or may be provided by higher-layer signaling. For instance, with RSF = <NUM>, UE <NUM> may perform one RLM measurement every three times of performing of intra-frequency measurement. Under the proposed scheme, RSF may be used in a variety of scenarios. For illustrative purposes and without limitation, several example scenarios in which RSF may be used are described below.

In a first scenario, RSF (herein denoted as "RSF_a") may be used when the following conditions are met: (i) SSB-based RLM-RS is not overlapped with measurement gap, and (ii) SSB-based RLM-RS is fully overlapped with SMTC (e.g., T_RLM_RS = T_SMTC). In a second scenario. RSF (herein denoted as "RSF_b") may be used when the following conditions are met: (i) SSB-based RLM-RS is partially overlapped with measurement gap, (ii) SSB-based RLM-RS is partially overlapped with SMTC (e.g., T_RLM_RS< T_SMTC), (iii) SMTC is not overlapped with measurement gap, and (iv) when either of the following conditions is met: (a) T_SMTC ≠ T_MGRP, and (b) T_SMTC = T_MGRP and T_RLM_RS< <NUM> * T_SMTC. In a third scenario, RSF (herein denoted as "RSF_c") may be used when the following conditions are met: (i) SSB-based RLM-RS is partially overlapped with measurement gap, (ii) SSB-based RLM-RS is fully overlapped with SMTC (e.g., T_RLM_RS = T_SMTC), and (iii) SMTC is partially overlapped with measurement gap (e.g., T_SMTC < T_MGRP). In a fourth scenario, RSF (herein denoted as "RSF_d") may be used when either of the following conditions is met: (i) SSB-based RLM-RS is fully overlapped with SMTC, or (ii) SSB-based RLM-RS is partially overlapped with both SMTC and MGRP when T_SMTC = T_MG and T_RLM_RS = <NUM> * T_SMTC.

Under a proposed scheme in accordance with the present disclosure, with respect to an evaluation period of RLM and related UE behavior, in FR1 in an event that RLM-RS is not overlapped with measurement gap the evaluation period may be specified in the 3GPP specification as Tevaluation_period. Moreover, in FR2 the evaluation period may be extended by a relaxing factor P and may be expressed mathematically as P * Tevaluation_period.

Under a proposed scheme in accordance with the present disclosure, the relaxing factor P may be determined in one of several ways depending on whether RLM-RS and measurement gap is overlapped or partially overlapped as described below.

Under the proposed scheme, the relaxing factor P for evaluation period of RLM in FR2 may be determined based on whether SSB-based RLM-RS is partially or fully overlapped with SMTC. In particular, when SSB-based RLM-RS is partially overlapped with SMTC (e.g., T_RLM_RS< T_SMTC) then P = <NUM>/{<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/T_SMTC}. Moreover, when SSB-based RLM-RS is fully overlapped with SMTC (e.g., T_RLM_RS = T_SMTC) then P = RSF_a (which is described above).

Under the proposed scheme, the relaxing factor P for evaluation period of RLM may be determined differently when SSB-based RLM-RS is partially overlapped with measurement gap (e.g., T_RLM_RS< T_MGRP) and SSB-based RLM-RS is also partially overlapped with SMTC (e.g., T_RLM_RS< T_SMTC). In particular, when SMTC is not overlapped with measurement gap, P = <NUM>/{<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/T_MGRP - T_RLM_RS/T_SMTC} * RSF_b (which is described above) when either of the following conditions is met: (a) T_SMTC ≠ T_MGRP, and (b) T_SMTC = T_MGRP and T_RLM_RS< <NUM> * T_SMTC. Moreover, when T_SMTC = T_MGRP and T_RLM_RS = <NUM> * T_SMTC, P = <NUM>/{<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/T_MGRP} * RSF_b (which is described above). Alternatively, when SMTC is partially overlapped with measurement gap (e.g., T_SMTC < T_MGRP), P = <NUM>/{<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/min(T_SMTC, T_MGRP)}.

Under the proposed scheme, when SSB-based RLM-RS is fully overlapped with SMTC (e.g., T_RLM_RS = T_SMTC) and when SMTC is not overlapped with measurement gap, then RLM requirement is not defined. Moreover, when SSB-based RLM-RS is fully overlapped with SMTC (e.g., T_RLM_RS = T_SMTC) and when SMTC is partially overlapped with measurement gap (e.g., T_SMTC < T_MGRP), then P = <NUM>/{<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/T_MGRP} * RSF_c (which is described above).

It is noteworthy that, while each of RSF_a, RSF_b and RSF_c may be RSF under a respective circumstance or situation, RSF_a, RSF_b and RSF_c may have the same or different values. For illustrative purposes and without limitation, <FIG> shows a table of values of the relaxing factor P in FR2, and <FIG> shows a table of values of the relaxing factor P in FR1.

Under a proposed scheme in accordance with the present disclosure, behavior of UE <NUM> for layer <NUM> (L1) scheduling may differ depending on whether RSF is used. Under the proposed scheme, when RSF is not used, RLM may be performed by UE <NUM> on the RS, excluding RS overlapping with measurement gap or SMTC. On the other hand, when RSF is used, a set of remaining RS may be determined, excluding RS overlapping with measurement gap. For instance, UE <NUM> may perform RLM and measurement of intra-frequency without gap measurement on the RS within the set of remaining RS. The ratio of RS to be used by RLM measurement may be according to the RSF. Under the proposed scheme, UE <NUM> may send an RLM indication to higher layers based on the RLM measurement performed within the evaluation period of RLM.

<FIG> illustrates an example scenario <NUM> in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. In scenario <NUM>, T_RLM_RS = <NUM>, T_SMTC = <NUM> and T_MGRP = <NUM>. When SSB-based RLM-RS is not overlapped with measurement gap and when SSB-based RLM-RS is partially overlapped with SMTC (e.g., T_RLM_RS< T_SMTC), then P = <NUM>/{<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/T_SMTC}. Accordingly, the evaluation period may be scaled up by P = <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example scenario <NUM> in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. In scenario <NUM>, given the following conditions: (i) SSB-based RLM-RS being partially overlapped with measurement gap (e.g., T_RLM_RS< T_MGRP), (ii) SSB-based RLM-RS being partially overlapped with SMTC (e.g., T_RLM_RS< T_SMTC), (iii) SMTC being not overlapped with measurement gap, and (iv) T_SMTC = T_MGRP and T_RLM_RS = <NUM> * T_SMTC, P = <NUM>/{<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/T_MGRP} * RSF_b (which is described above). For instance, with T_RLM_RS = <NUM>, T_SMTC = <NUM>, T_MGRP = <NUM> and RSF_b = <NUM> (e.g., equal sharing between RLM and SMTC), the evaluation period may be scaled up by P = <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example scenario <NUM> in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. In scenario <NUM>, given the following conditions: (i) SSB-based RLM-RS being not overlapped with measurement gap, (ii) SSB-based RLM-RS being partially overlapped with SMTC (e.g., T_RLM_RS< T_SMTC), P = <NUM>/{<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/T_SMTC}. For instance, with T_RLM_RS = <NUM>, T_SMTC = <NUM> and T_MGRP = <NUM>, the evaluation period may be scaled up by P = <NUM>.

With respect to SSB-based RLM, the SSB may be used for many different tasks such as intra-frequency measurement, beam management (BM), beam failure detection, and RLM. The RX beam sweeping may be performed in some tasks so that RX beam sweeping may not need to be performed during RLM measurement. Since the quasi co-location (QCL) information of SSB may be assumed to be the same when the SSB has the same service based interface (SBI), in an event that RX beams have been determined for the SSB configured for RLM, then the RX beam sweeping may not be necessary. For a given SSB, the RX beams may be determined by the following: SSB-based radio resource management (RRM), SSB-based BM, and CSI-RS-based BM.

In an event that RX beam information can be provided by SSB-based RRM (case <NUM>), UE <NUM> may be able to roughly determine its RX beams. However, the RX beam(s) used for RRM may be different from the RX beam(s) used for RLM. UE <NUM> may use wider RX beam(s) to cover SSBs from different/neighboring cells for RRM. However, for RLM and data reception, UE <NUM> may need some opportunity to refine the RX beams to optimize its link quality.

Regarding the case of SSB-based BM (case <NUM>), since both BM and RLM are related to the serving cell, the same RX beam(s) may be used. However, if the RX beam determination relies on SSB-based BM, it may take some time for BM to figure the RX beam, and the evaluation period of SSB-based RLM may be extended, as shown in <FIG>, since it requires some time for BM to sweep RX beam(s) on those SSBs.

In case that RX beam information can be provided by CSI-RS-based BM (case <NUM>), UE <NUM> may be able to determine its RX beam for serving cell accordingly. Therefore, the evaluation period of SSB-based RLM may not be extended for RX beam sweeping, when the following conditions are met: (i) all SSBs configured for RLM being spatially quasi co-located to CSI-RS resources configured for BM, (ii) the QCL association being provided, and (iii) the CSI-RS resources being time-division multiplexed with the SSBs.

With respect to CSI-RS-based RLM, for a given CSI-RS resource, RX beams may be determined by the following: SSB-based RRM, SSB-based BM, and CSI-RS-based BM. For case <NUM>, similar observation may be obtained as in SSB-based RLM, since the RX beam(s) used for RRM may be different from the RX beam(s) used for RLM. UE <NUM> may need an opportunity to refine the RX beams for data reception, and the evaluation period of RLM may be extended. For case <NUM>, similar observation may be obtained as in SSB-based RLM, in an event that all CSI-RS resources configured for RLM are spatially quasi co-located to SSB configured for BM, and that CSI-RS resources are time-division multiplexed with the SSBs, then the evaluation period may not be needed for RX beam sweeping when the QCL association is provided. For case <NUM>, in an event that CSI-RS resources configured for RLM are quasi co-located and time-division multiplexed with the CSI-RS resources configured for BM, then the evaluation period may not be needed for RX beam sweeping when the QCL association is provided.

Under a proposed scheme in accordance with the present disclosure, evaluation period for RX beam sweeping may be relaxed. Under the proposed scheme, for SSB-based RLM in FR2, evaluation period for RX beam sweeping may be relaxed when the following conditions are met: (i) all SSBs configured for RLM being spatially quasi co-located and time-division multiplexed to CSI-RS resources configured for BM, and (ii) QCL association being provided. Otherwise, a relaxing factor M for RX beam sweeping may be introduced for the evaluation period.

Under the proposed scheme, for CSI-RS-based RLM in FR2, evaluation period for RX beam sweeping may be relaxed when the following conditions are met: (i) all CSI-RS resources configured for RLM being quasi co-located and time-division multiplexed with the CSI-RS resources configured for BM or SSBs configured for SSBs, and (ii) QCL association being provided. Otherwise, a relaxing factor M for RX beam sweeping may be introduced for the evaluation period.

Under the proposed scheme, in FR2, with RX beam sweeping, the evaluation period may be extended by a relaxing period P and RX beam relaxing factor M, and may be expressed mathematically as P * Tevaluation_period * M.

<FIG> illustrates an example system <NUM> having at least an example apparatus <NUM> and an example apparatus <NUM> in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. Each of apparatus <NUM> and apparatus <NUM> may perform various functions to implement schemes, techniques, processes and methods described herein pertaining to conditional extension of evaluation period for RLM in NR mobile communications, including the various schemes described above with respect to various proposed designs, concepts, schemes, systems and methods described above as well as process <NUM> described below. For instance, apparatus <NUM> may be an example implementation of UE <NUM>, and apparatus <NUM> may be an example implementation of network node <NUM>.

Each of apparatus 610and apparatus <NUM> may be a part of an electronic apparatus, which may be a network apparatus or a UE (e.g., UE <NUM>), such as a portable or mobile apparatus, a wearable apparatus, a wireless communication apparatus or a computing apparatus. For instance, each of apparatus 610and apparatus <NUM> may be implemented in a smartphone, a smartwatch, a personal digital assistant, a digital camera, or a computing equipment such as a tablet computer, a laptop computer or a notebook computer. Each of apparatus 610and apparatus <NUM> may also be a part of a machine type apparatus, which may be an IoT apparatus such as an immobile or a stationary apparatus, a home apparatus, a wire communication apparatus or a computing apparatus. For instance, each of apparatus 610and apparatus <NUM> may be implemented in a smart thermostat, a smart fridge, a smart door lock, a wireless speaker or a home control center. When implemented in or as a network apparatus, apparatus <NUM> and/or apparatus <NUM> may be implemented in a network node (e.g., network node <NUM>), such as an eNB in an LTE, LTE-Advanced or LTE-Advanced Pro network or in a gNB or TRP in a <NUM> network, an NR network or an IoT network.

In some implementations, each of apparatus 610and apparatus <NUM> may be implemented in the form of one or more integrated-circuit (IC) chips such as, for example and without limitation, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more complex-instruction-set-computing (CISC) processors. In the various schemes described above, each of apparatus 610and apparatus <NUM> may be implemented in or as a network apparatus or a UE. Each of apparatus 610and apparatus <NUM> may include at least some of those components shown in <FIG> such as a processor <NUM> and a processor <NUM>, respectively, for example. Each of apparatus 610and apparatus <NUM> may further include one or more other components not pertinent to the proposed scheme of the present disclosure (e.g., internal power supply, display device and/or user interface device), and, thus, such component(s) of apparatus <NUM> and apparatus <NUM> are neither shown in <FIG> nor described below in the interest of simplicity and brevity.

In one aspect, each of processor <NUM> and processor <NUM> may be implemented in the form of one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more CISC processors. That is, even though a singular term "a processor" is used herein to refer to processor <NUM> and processor <NUM>, each of processor <NUM> and processor <NUM> may include multiple processors in some implementations and a single processor in other implementations in accordance with the present disclosure. In another aspect, each of processor <NUM> and processor <NUM> may be implemented in the form of hardware (and, optionally, firmware) with electronic components including, for example and without limitation, one or more transistors, one or more diodes, one or more capacitors, one or more resistors, one or more inductors, one or more memristors and/or one or more varactors that are configured and arranged to achieve specific purposes in accordance with the present disclosure. In other words, in at least some implementations, each of processor <NUM> and processor <NUM> is a special-purpose machine specifically designed, arranged and configured to perform specific tasks including those pertaining to conditional extension of evaluation period for RLM in NR mobile communications in accordance with various implementations of the present disclosure.

In some implementations, apparatus <NUM> may also include a transceiver <NUM> coupled to processor <NUM>. Transceiver <NUM> may be capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. In some implementations, apparatus <NUM> may also include a transceiver <NUM> coupled to processor <NUM>. Transceiver <NUM> may include a transceiver capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data.

In some implementations, apparatus <NUM> may further include a memory 614coupled to processor <NUM> and capable of being accessed by processor <NUM> and storing data therein. In some implementations, apparatus <NUM> may further include a memory 624coupled to processor <NUM> and capable of being accessed by processor <NUM> and storing data therein.

Each of apparatus <NUM> and apparatus <NUM> may be a communication entity capable of communicating with each other using various proposed schemes in accordance with the present disclosure. For illustrative purposes and without limitation, a description of capabilities of apparatus <NUM>, as a UE, and apparatus <NUM>, as a base station of a serving cell of a wireless network (e.g., <NUM>/NR mobile network), is provided below. It is noteworthy that, although the example implementations described below are provided in the context of a UE, the same may be implemented in and performed by a base station. Thus, although the following description of example implementations pertains to apparatus <NUM> as a UE (e.g., UE <NUM>), the same is also applicable to apparatus <NUM> as a network node or base station such as a gNB, TRP or eNodeB (e.g., network node <NUM>) of a wireless network (e.g., wireless network <NUM>) such as a <NUM> NR mobile network.

Under a proposed scheme in accordance with the present disclosure, processor <NUM> of apparatus <NUM> may perform, via transceiver <NUM>, radio link monitoring (RLM) with respect to a radio link with a cell of a wireless network (e.g., via apparatus <NUM>). Additionally, processor <NUM> may detect, via transceiver <NUM>, radio link failure (RLF) based on the RLM. Furthermore, processor <NUM> may perform, via transceiver <NUM>, one or more operations to attempt to recover the radio link with the cell responsive to the detecting. In performing the RLM, processor <NUM> may determine whether an RLM-RS is overlapped with one or more other reference signals. Moreover, processor <NUM> may extend an evaluation period for the RLM responsive to a result of the determining indicating that the RLM-RS is at least partially overlapped with the one or more other reference signals.

In some implementations, in performing the RLM, processor <NUM> may perform an SSB-based RLM or a CSI-RS-based RLM.

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, processor <NUM> may extend the evaluation period for the RLM in the first frequency range (FR1) responsive to the RLM being partially or fully overlapped with a measurement gap. Alternatively, or additionally, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, processor <NUM> may extend the evaluation period for the RLM in the second frequency range (FR2) responsive to the RLM being partially or fully overlapped with a measurement gap or the RLM being partially or fully overlapped with a SMTC with respect to the cell of the wireless network.

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, processor <NUM> may extend the evaluation period for the RLM based on a periodicity of the RLM-RS or a predetermined value (e.g., the RSF as described above, which may be <NUM> or another value).

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, processor <NUM> may extend the evaluation period for the RLM by a relaxing factor P in FR1 responsive to the RLM being partially overlapped with the measurement gap but not overlapped with the SMTC. In such cases, extended evaluation period = P * Tevaluation_period, P = <NUM>/(<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/T_MGRP), T_RLM_RS< T_MGRP, Tevaluation_period denotes the evaluation period, P denotes the relaxing factor, T_RLM_RS denotes a periodicity of the SSB, and T_MGRP denotes a periodicity of a measurement gap repetition period.

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, processor <NUM> may extend the evaluation period for the RLM by a relaxing factor P responsive to the RLM being partially overlapped with the SMTC but not overlapped with the measurement gap. In such cases, extended evaluation period = P * Tevaluation_period, P= <NUM>/(<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/T_SMTC), T_RLM_RS< T_SMTC, Tevaluation_period denotes the evaluation period, P denotes the relaxing factor, T_RLM_RS denotes a periodicity of the SSB, and T_SMTC denotes a periodicity of the SMTC.

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, processor <NUM> may extend the evaluation period for the RLM by a relaxing factor P responsive to the RLM being fully overlapped with the SMTC but not overlapped with the measurement gap. In such cases, P may be equal to a sharing factor (e.g., the RSF as described above, which may be <NUM> or another value).

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, processor <NUM> may extend the evaluation period for the RLM by a relaxing factor P responsive to the RLM being partially overlapped with each of the SMTC and the measurement gap while the SMTC and the measurement gap are not overlapped. In such cases, extended evaluation period = P * Tevaluation_period, P = <NUM>/(<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/T_MGRP - T_RLM_RS/T_SMTC), either (a) T_SMTC ≠ T_MGRP or (b) T_SMTC = T_MGRP and T_RLM_RS< <NUM> * T_SMTC, Tevaluation_period denotes the evaluation period, P denotes the relaxing factor, T_RLM_RS denotes a periodicity of the SSB, T_MGRP denotes a periodicity of a measurement gap repetition period, and T_SMTC denotes a periodicity of the SMTC.

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, processor <NUM> may extend the evaluation period for the RLM by a relaxing factor P responsive to the RLM being partially overlapped with each of the SMTC and the measurement gap while the SMTC and the measurement gap are not overlapped. In such cases, extended evaluation period = P * Tevaluation_period, P = RSF * <NUM>/[(<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/T_MGRP)], T_SMTC = T_MGRP, T_RLM_RS = <NUM> * T_SMTC, Tevaluation_period denotes the evaluation period, P denotes the relaxing factor, RSF denotes an RLM sharing factor which is at a predetermined value, T_RLM_RS denotes a periodicity of the SSB, T_MGRP denotes a periodicity of a measurement gap repetition period, and T_SMTC denotes a periodicity of the SMTC.

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, processor <NUM> may extend the evaluation period for the RLM by a relaxing factor P responsive to the RLM being partially overlapped with each of the SMTC and the measurement gap while the SMTC and the measurement gap are partially or fully overlapped. In such cases, extended evaluation period = P * Tevaluation_period, P = <NUM>/[<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/min(T_SMTC, T_MGRP)], T_RLM_RS< T SMTC, Tevaluation_period denotes the evaluation period, P denotes the relaxing factor, T_RLM_RS denotes a periodicity of the SSB, T_MGRP denotes a periodicity of a measurement gap repetition period, and T_SMTC denotes a periodicity of the SMTC.

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, processor <NUM> may extend the evaluation period for the RLM by a relaxing factor P responsive to the RLM being partially overlapped with the measurement gap and fully overlapped with the SMTC while the SMTC and the measurement gap are partially overlapped. In such cases, extended evaluation period = P * Tevaluation_period, P = RSF * <NUM>/[(<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/T_MGRP)], T_SMTC < T_MGRP, T_RLM_RS = T_SMTC, Tevaluation_period denotes the evaluation period, P denotes the relaxing factor, RSF denotes an RLM sharing factor which is at a predetermined value, T_RLM_RS denotes a periodicity of the SSB, T_MGRP denotes a periodicity of a measurement gap repetition period, and T_SMTC denotes a periodicity of the SMTC.

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, processor <NUM> may perform, via transceiver <NUM>, various operations. For instance, processor <NUM> may determine an RSF. Moreover, processor <NUM> may share resources between a SMTC and the RLM-RS based on the RSF.

In some implementations, in sharing the resources between the SMTC and the RLM-RS, processor <NUM> may share the resources between the SMTC and the RLM-RS responsive to either: (a) the RLM being fully overlapped with the SMTC; or (b) the RLM being partially overlapped with either the SMTC or a measurement gap while a periodicity of the RLM-RS is equal to half of a periodicity of the SMTC which is equal to a periodicity of the measurement gap (e.g., T_SMTC = T_MG and T_RLM_RS = <NUM> * T_SMTC).

<FIG> illustrates an example process <NUM> in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. Process <NUM> may represent an aspect of implementing various proposed designs, concepts, schemes, systems and methods described above. More specifically, process <NUM> may represent an aspect of the proposed concepts and schemes pertaining to conditional extension of evaluation period for RLM in NR mobile communications in accordance with the present disclosure. Process <NUM> may include one or more operations, actions, or functions as illustrated by one or more of blocks <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> as well as sub-blocks <NUM> and <NUM>. Although illustrated as discrete blocks, various blocks of process <NUM> may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Moreover, the blocks/sub-blocks of process <NUM> may be executed in the order shown in <FIG> or, alternatively in a different order. Furthermore, one or more of the blocks/sub-blocks of process <NUM> may be executed repeatedly or iteratively. Process <NUM> may be implemented by or in apparatus 610and apparatus 620as well as any variations thereof. Solely for illustrative purposes and without limiting the scope, process <NUM> is described below in the context of apparatus <NUM> as a UE (e.g., UE <NUM>) and apparatus <NUM> as a network node (e.g., network node <NUM>) of a wireless network (e.g., wireless network <NUM>) such as a <NUM>/NR mobile network. Process <NUM> may begin at block <NUM>.

At <NUM>, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> of apparatus <NUM> performing, via transceiver <NUM>, RLM with respect to a radio link with a cell of a wireless network (e.g., via apparatus <NUM>). Process <NUM> may proceed from <NUM> to <NUM>.

At <NUM>, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> detecting, via transceiver <NUM>, RLF based on the RLM. Process <NUM> may proceed from <NUM> to <NUM>.

At <NUM>, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> performing, via transceiver <NUM>, one or more operations to attempt to recover the radio link with the cell responsive to the detecting.

In performing the RLM, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> performing various operations as represented by <NUM> and <NUM>.

At <NUM>, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> determining whether an RLM-RS is overlapped with one or more other reference signals. Process <NUM> may proceed from <NUM> to <NUM>.

At <NUM>, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> extending an evaluation period for the RLM responsive to a result of the determining indicating that the RLM-RS is at least partially overlapped with the one or more other reference signals.

In some implementations, in performing the RLM, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> performing an SSB-based RLM or a CSI-RS-based RLM.

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> extending the evaluation period for the RLM in the first frequency range (FR1) responsive to the RLM being partially or fully overlapped with a measurement gap. Alternatively, or additionally, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> extending the evaluation period for the RLM in the second frequency range (FR2) responsive to the RLM being partially or fully overlapped with a measurement gap or the RLM being partially or fully overlapped with a SMTC with respect to the cell of the wireless network.

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> extending the evaluation period for the RLM based on a periodicity of the RLM-RS or a predetermined value (e.g., the RSF as described above, which may be <NUM> or another value).

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> extending the evaluation period for the RLM by a relaxing factor P in FR1 responsive to the RLM being partially overlapped with the measurement gap but not overlapped with the SMTC. In such cases, extended evaluation period = P * Tevaluation_period, P = <NUM>/(<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/T_MGRP),T_RLM_RS< T_MGRP, Tevaluation_period denotes the evaluation period, P denotes the relaxing factor, T_RLM_RS denotes a periodicity of the SSB, and T_MGRP denotes a periodicity of a measurement gap repetition period.

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> extending the evaluation period for the RLM by a relaxing factor P responsive to the RLM being partially overlapped with the SMTC but not overlapped with the measurement gap. In such cases, extended evaluation period = P * Tevaluation_period, P= <NUM>/(<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/T_SMTC),T _RLM_RS< T_SMTC, Tevaluation_period denotes the evaluation period, P denotes the relaxing factor, T_RLM_RS denotes a periodicity of the SSB, and T_SMTC denotes a periodicity of the SMTC.

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> extending the evaluation period for the RLM by a relaxing factor P responsive to the RLM being fully overlapped with the SMTC but not overlapped with the measurement gap. In such cases, P may be equal to a sharing factor (e.g., the RSF as described above, which may be <NUM> or another value).

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> extending the evaluation period for the RLM by a relaxing factor P responsive to the RLM being partially overlapped with each of the SMTC and the measurement gap while the SMTC and the measurement gap are not overlapped. In such cases, extended evaluation period = P * Tevaluation_period, P = <NUM>/(<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/T_MGRP - T_RLM_RS/T_SMTC),either (a) T_SMTC ≠ T_MGRP or (b) T_SMTC = T_MGRP and T_RLM_RS< <NUM> * T_SMTC, Tevaluation_period denotes the evaluation period, P denotes the relaxing factor, T_RLM_RS denotes a periodicity of the SSB, T_MGRP denotes a periodicity of a measurement gap repetition period, and T_SMTC denotes a periodicity of the SMTC.

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> extending the evaluation period for the RLM by a relaxing factor P responsive to the RLM being partially overlapped with each of the SMTC and the measurement gap while the SMTC and the measurement gap are not overlapped. In such cases, extended evaluation period = P * Tevaluation_period, P = RSF * <NUM>/[(<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/T_MGRP)],T_SMTC = T_MGRP,T_RLM_RS = <NUM> * T_SMTC, Tevaluation_period denotes the evaluation period, P denotes the relaxing factor, RSF denotes an RLM sharing factor which is at a predetermined value, T_RLM_RS denotes a periodicity of the SSB, T_MGRP denotes a periodicity of a measurement gap repetition period, and T_SMTC denotes a periodicity of the SMTC.

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> extending the evaluation period for the RLM by a relaxing factor P responsive to the RLM being partially overlapped with each of the SMTC and the measurement gap while the SMTC and the measurement gap are partially or fully overlapped. In such cases, extended evaluation period = P * Tevaluation_period, P= <NUM>/[<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/min(T_SMTC, T_MGRP)],T_RLM_RS< T_SMTC, Tevaluation_period denotes the evaluation period, P denotes the relaxing factor, T_RLM_RS denotes a periodicity of the SSB, T_MGRP denotes a periodicity of a measurement gap repetition period, and T_SMTC denotes a periodicity of the SMTC.

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> extending the evaluation period for the RLM by a relaxing factor P responsive to the RLM being partially overlapped with the measurement gap and fully overlapped with the SMTC while the SMTC and the measurement gap are partially overlapped. In such cases, extended evaluation period = P * Tevaluation_period, P= RSF * <NUM>/[(<NUM> - T_RLM_RS/T_MGRP)],T_SMTC < T_MGRP,T_RLM_RS = T_SMTC, Tevaluation_period denotes the evaluation period, P denotes the relaxing factor, RSF denotes an RLM sharing factor which is at a predetermined value, T_RLM_RS denotes a periodicity of the SSB, T_MGRP denotes a periodicity of a measurement gap repetition period, and T_SMTC denotes a periodicity of the SMTC.

In some implementations, in extending the evaluation period for the RLM, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> performing, via transceiver <NUM>, various operations. For instance, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> determining an RSF. Moreover, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> sharing resources between a SMTC and the RLM-RS based on the RSF.

In some implementations, in sharing the resources between the SMTC and the RLM-RS, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> sharing the resources between the SMTC and the RLM-RS responsive to either: (a) the RLM being fully overlapped with the SMTC; or (b) the RLM being partially overlapped with either the SMTC or a measurement gap while a periodicity of the RLM-RS is equal to half of a periodicity of the SMTC which is equal to a periodicity of the measurement gap (e.g., T_SMTC = T_MG and T_RLM_RS = <NUM> * T_SMTC).

<FIG> illustrates an example process <NUM> in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. Process <NUM> may represent an aspect of implementing various proposed designs, concepts, schemes, systems and methods described above. More specifically, process <NUM> may represent an aspect of the proposed concepts and schemes pertaining to conditional extension of evaluation period for RLM in NR mobile communications in accordance with the present disclosure. Process <NUM> may include one or more operations, actions, or functions as illustrated by one or more of blocks <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> as well as sub-blocks <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. Although illustrated as discrete blocks, various blocks of process <NUM> may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Moreover, the blocks/sub-blocks of process <NUM> may be executed in the order shown in <FIG> or, alternatively in a different order. Furthermore, one or more of the blocks/sub-blocks of process <NUM> may be executed repeatedly or iteratively. Process <NUM> may be implemented by or in apparatus 610and apparatus <NUM> as well as any variations thereof. Solely for illustrative purposes and without limiting the scope, process <NUM> is described below in the context of apparatus <NUM> as a UE (e.g., UE <NUM>) and apparatus <NUM> as a network node (e.g., network node <NUM>) of a wireless network (e.g., wireless network <NUM>) such as a <NUM>/NR mobile network. Process <NUM> may begin at block <NUM>.

At <NUM>, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> of apparatus <NUM> performing, via transceiver <NUM>, SSB-based or CSI-RS-based RLM with respect to a radio link with a cell of a wireless network (e.g., via apparatus <NUM>). Process <NUM> may proceed from <NUM> to <NUM>.

In performing the RLM, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> performing various operations as represented by <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

At <NUM>, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> determining whether to extend an evaluation period for the RLM. Process <NUM> may proceed from <NUM> to <NUM> or <NUM>.

At <NUM>, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> extending the evaluation period for the RLM in a first frequency range (FR1) as defined in the 3GPP specification responsive to the RLM being partially or fully overlapped with a measurement gap.

At <NUM>, process <NUM> may involve processor <NUM> extending the evaluation period for the RLM in a second frequency range (FR2) higher than the first frequency range as defined in the 3GPP specification responsive to the RLM being partially or fully overlapped with the measurement gap or the RLM being partially or fully overlapped with a SMTC with respect to the cell of the wireless network.

Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly MTK20031PWOEP interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components.

Claim 1:
A method (<NUM>), comprising:
performing (<NUM>), by a processor (<NUM>) of a user equipment, UE, (<NUM>), radio link monitoring, RLM, with respect to a radio link with a cell of a wireless network (<NUM>), the performing of the RLM comprising:
determining (<NUM>) whether an RLM reference signal, RLM-RS, is overlapped with either or both of a measurement gap and a synchronization signal, SS,/physical broadcast channel, PBCH, block configuration, SMTC; and
extending (<NUM>) an evaluation period for the RLM based on a periodicity of the RLM-RS or an RLM sharing factor responsive to a result of the determining indicating that the RLM-RS is at least partially overlapped with either or both of a measurement gap and the SMTC,
wherein the RLM sharing factor is a predetermined value and is a sharing ratio between RLM and intra-frequency measurement without gap,
wherein the extending (<NUM>) of the evaluation period for the RLM comprises extending the evaluation period for the RLM by a relaxing factor P responsive to the RLM-RS being partially overlapped with each of the SMTC and the measurement gap while the SMTC and the measurement gap are not overlapped in the FR2, and
wherein:
extended evaluation period = P * Tevaluation_period, <MAT> <MAT> <MAT>
Tevaluation_period denotes the evaluation period,
P denotes the relaxing factor,
RSF denotes the RLM sharing factor,
T_RLM_RS denotes a periodicity of the RLM-RS,
T_MGRP denotes a periodicity of a measurement gap repetition period, and
T_SMTC denotes a periodicity of the SMTC.