CN116602009A - Additional reference signals for UEs in a non-connected state - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments include methods for cell reselection by a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless network. Such a method includes determining one or more first resources associated with a transmission of a connection state Reference Signal (RS) by a wireless network in a serving cell of the UE and/or in one or more neighbor cells while the UE is in a non-connected state. Such a method includes performing cell reselection measurements on connection state RSs transmitted in a serving cell and/or in any of the neighbor cells using one or more first resources. Other embodiments include supplemental methods for a network node, and UEs and network nodes configured to perform such methods.

Description

Additional reference signals for UEs in a non-connected state

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communication networks and, more particularly, to techniques for reducing energy consumption of wireless devices operating in a non-connected state in a wireless network.

Background

Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a comprehensive term for so-called fourth generation (4G) radio access technology developed within the third generation partnership project (3 GPP) and originally standardized in release 8 (Rel-8) and release 9 (Rel-9), also referred to as evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN). LTE targets various licensed bands and is accompanied by improvements in non-radio, commonly referred to as System Architecture Evolution (SAE), which includes an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network. LTE continues to evolve through subsequent releases.

An overall exemplary architecture of a network including LTE and SAE is shown in fig. 1. E-UTRAN 100 includes one or more evolved node Bs (eNBs) such as eNBs 105, 110, and 115 and one or more User Equipments (UEs) such as UE 120. As used within the 3GPP standard, "user equipment" or "UE" refers to any wireless communication device (e.g., a smart phone or computing device) capable of communicating with network equipment conforming to the 3GPP standard, including E-UTRAN and/or global system for mobile communications (GSM) enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) radio access network (GERAN), as third generation ("3G") and second generation ("2G") 3GPP rans are well known.

The E-UTRAN 100 is responsible for all radio related functions in the network including radio bearer control, radio admission control, radio mobility control, scheduling, dynamic allocation of resources to UEs in the uplink and downlink, and security of communications with UEs. These functions reside in enbs such as enbs 105, 110 and 115. each of the enbs may serve a geographic coverage area including one or more cells, including cells 106, 111, and 116 served by enbs 105, 110, and 115, respectively.

As shown in fig. 1, enbs in the E-UTRAN communicate with each other via an X2 interface. The eNB is also responsible for the E-UTRAN interface to EPC 130, in particular, to the S1 interface to a Mobility Management Entity (MME) and a Serving Gateway (SGW), shown collectively as MME/S-GWs 134 and 138 in fig. 1. Typically, the MME/S-GW handles both overall control of the UE and data flows between the UE and the rest of the EPC. More specifically, the MME handles signaling (e.g., control plane) protocols between the UE and the EPC, which are referred to as Non Access Stratum (NAS) protocols. The S-GW handles all Internet Protocol (IP) data packets (e.g., data or user plane) between the UE and EPC and acts as a local mobility anchor for data bearers as the UE moves between enbs such as enbs 105, 110, and 115.

EPC 130 may also include a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 131 that manages user-related information and subscriber-related information. HSS 131 may also provide support functions in mobility management, call and session establishment, user authentication and access authorization. The functions of the HSS 131 may be related to the functions of a legacy Home Location Register (HLR) and authentication center (AuC) functions or operations. HSS 131 may also communicate with MMEs 134 and 138 via respective S6a interfaces.

In some embodiments, HSS 131 may communicate via a Ud interface with a User Data Repository (UDR) labeled EPC-UDR 135 in fig. 1. EPC-UDR 135 may store the user credentials after they have been encrypted by the AuC algorithm. These algorithms are not standardized (i.e., vendor specific) such that the encryption credentials stored in the EPC-UDR 135 are not accessible by any other vendor than the vendor of the HSS 131.

Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary Control Plane (CP) protocol stack between a UE, an eNB, and an MME. An exemplary protocol stack includes a Physical (PHY) layer, a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, and a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer between the UE and the eNB. The PHY layer focuses on how to use the characteristics and what characteristics to communicate data over the transport channel over the LTE radio interface. The MAC layer provides data transfer services on logical channels, maps the logical channels to PHY transport channels, and reallocates PHY resources to support these services. The RLC layer provides error detection and/or correction, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly, and reordering of data communicated to and from an upper layer. The PDCP layer provides ciphering/deciphering and integrity protection for both the CP and User Plane (UP) and other UP functions such as header compression. The exemplary protocol stack also includes non-access stratum (NAS) signaling between the UE and the MME.

The RRC layer controls communication between the UE and the eNB at the radio interface and mobility of the UE between cells in the E-UTRAN. After the UE powers on, it will be in rrc_idle state until an RRC connection is established with the network, at which point the UE will transition to rrc_connected state (e.g., where data transfer may occur). After the connection with the network is released, the UE returns to rrc_idle. In the rrc_idle state, the radio of the UE is active on Discontinuous Reception (DRX) scheduling configured by an upper layer. During a DRX active period (also referred to as "DRX on duration"), the rrc_idle UE receives System Information (SI) broadcast by the serving cell, performs neighbor cell measurements to support cell reselection, and monitors a paging channel on the PDCCH for pages from the EPC via the eNB. UEs in rrc_idle state are known in the EPC and have an assigned IP address, but the serving eNB is unaware of UEs in rrc_idle state (e.g., no stored context).

As such, the eNB does not know in advance whether a particular UE is in the cell in which the eNB is paging the UE. Typically, several UEs are assigned to the same Paging Occasion (PO) on the PDCCH. As a result, if it is a paging message for any of the UEs listening to the same PO, all of those UEs will have to decode the contents of the PDSCH to see if the paging message is ready for them.

Currently, fifth generation ("5G") cellular systems (also referred to as new air interfaces (NR)) are being standardized within the third generation partnership project (3 GPP). NR was developed to support the maximum flexibility of a wide variety of different use cases. These include enhanced mobile broadband (emmbb), machine Type Communication (MTC), ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC), direct link device-to-device (D2D), and other use cases.

The 5G/NR technology shares many similarities with fourth generation LTE. For example, two PHYs utilize a similar arrangement of time domain physical resources arranged into 1-ms subframes comprising multiple slots of equal duration, where each slot comprises multiple OFDM-based symbols. As another example, the NR RRC layer includes an rrc_idle state and an rrc_connected state, but adds another state called rrc_inactive.

In addition to providing coverage via "cells", as in LTE, NR networks also provide coverage via "beams". In general, a DL "beam" is the coverage area of a network-transmitted Reference Signal (RS) that may be measured or monitored by a UE. In NR, for example, such RSs may include any of the following, alone or in combination: SS/PBCH block (SSB), CSI-RS, third reference signal (or any other synchronization signal), positioning RS (PRS), DMRS, phase Tracking Reference Signal (PTRS), etc. Typically, regardless of the RRC state, SSBs are available to all UEs, while other RSs (e.g., CSI-RS, DM-RS, PTRS) are associated with a particular UE having a network connection (i.e., in the rrc_connected state).

For example, NR UEs in rrc_connected state are provided with periodic, half-period and/or aperiodic CSI-RS/TRSs, which are also referred to as "tracking reference signals" (TRSs) or "CSI RS for tracking". The UE uses these RSs to measure channel quality and/or adjust the time and frequency synchronization of the UE with the serving network node (e.g., the gNB). When a UE transitions to a non-connected state (i.e., rrc_idle or rrc_inactive), the network may or may not turn off such RSs for that particular UE.

When camping on a cell (referred to as a "serving cell") in a non-connected state (e.g., rrc_idle or rrc_inactive), the UE periodically searches for a better cell according to various criteria. If a better cell is found, that cell is selected, which may involve a change in Radio Access Technology (RAT), such as from LTE to NR. This process is often referred to as "cell reselection".

Disclosure of Invention

Cell reselection measurements involve the UE calculating parameters SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ for the serving cell and for the neighbor cells. These parameters are typically calculated based on UE measurements of SSBs transmitted with a configured periodicity (e.g., every 20 ms). In general, the UE relies on SSB for cell reselection, since no other DL RS is guaranteed for the UE in the non-connected state. Such uncertainty may cause undesirable UE behavior such as excessive power consumption. Furthermore, the additional RS configured for cell reselection by the UE in the non-connected state consumes additional DL resources that cannot be used by the network for other purposes.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide specific improvements to communications between network nodes and UEs in a wireless network, such as by providing, enabling, and/or facilitating solutions to overcome the exemplary problems outlined above and described in more detail below.

Embodiments include methods (e.g., procedures) for cell reselection by a UE (e.g., wireless device, ioT device, etc.) in a wireless network (e.g., E-UTRAN, NG-RAN).

The example methods may include determining one or more first resources associated with a transmission of a connection state Reference Signal (RS) by a wireless network in a serving cell and/or one or more neighbor cells of the UE while the UE is in a non-connected state. The exemplary methods may also include performing cell reselection measurements on connection state RSs transmitted in the serving cell and/or in any of the neighbor cells using the one or more first resources.

In various embodiments, the cell reselection measurements performed on the connection state RS may include any of the following: reference Signal Received Power (RSRP); a carrier Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI); and Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ). In some embodiments, cell reselection measurements may be performed on one or more of the following connection states RS: channel state information RS (CSI-RS) for tracking, tracking RS (TRS), and CSI-RS for mobility.

In some embodiments, the exemplary methods may further include scaling the cell reselection measurements based on a scaling factor related to a difference between respective transmission powers for the connection state RS and for the synchronization signal/PBCH block (SSB). In various embodiments, the scaling factor may be received from a network node providing the UE serving cell or may be determined by the UE.

In some embodiments, the exemplary methods may further include receiving, from a network node providing a serving cell, a measurement configuration including one or more of:

a first indication that the UE allows to use the connection state RS for cell reselection measurements;

a second indication of a specific type of connection state RS available for cell reselection measurements;

a third indication of at least one resource associated with transmission of a connection state RS that is available for cell reselection measurements; and a scaling factor related to the difference between the corresponding transmission powers for the connection state RS and for the SSB.

In some of these embodiments, the cell reselection measurement may be performed based on receiving the first indication. In some of these embodiments, the third indication may indicate a measurement window during which connection state RS transmitted in the serving cell and neighbor cells may be used for cell reselection measurements.

In some embodiments, the determining operation may include selecting one or more first resources from the at least one resource indicated by the third indication. In other embodiments, the determining operation may include performing blind decoding of System Information (SI) broadcast in one or more neighbor cells to determine one or more first resources.

In some embodiments, the exemplary methods may further include performing additional cell reselection measurements based on SSBs transmitted by the wireless network in a serving cell of the UE and/or in one or more neighbor cells. In some of these embodiments, the exemplary methods may further include determining whether a difference between the cell reselection measurement and the additional cell reselection measurement exceeds a threshold, and when the difference exceeds the threshold, refraining from performing a subsequent cell reselection measurement based on the connection state RS. For example, the UE may instead perform subsequent cell reselection measurements based on SSB.

In some of these embodiments, the exemplary methods may further include estimating a scaling factor between respective transmission powers for the connection state RS and for the SSB based on the cell reselection measurements and the further cell reselection measurements, and scaling the cell reselection measurements based on the estimated scaling factor.

In some embodiments, the exemplary methods may further include estimating a first expected energy consumption associated with the cell reselection measurement based on the connection state RS, and estimating a second expected energy consumption associated with the cell reselection measurement based on the SSB. In such an embodiment, performing the cell reselection measurement on the connection state RS is based on the first expected energy consumption being less than the second expected energy consumption.

In some embodiments, the one or more first resources used to perform the cell reselection measurements may include any of the following: time domain resources, frequency domain resources, code domain resources, and one or more first occasions. In some of these embodiments, the exemplary methods may further include maintaining a low energy state during one or more second occasions during which SSBs are transmitted by the wireless network. This may be facilitated by performing cell reselection measurements on the connection state RS during the first occasion, so that the UE may not have to wake up to perform cell reselection measurements on the SSB during the second occasion in a conventional manner.

In some of these embodiments, the UE may be preconfigured to use the connection state RS for cell reselection measurements during one or more first time periods.

In some embodiments, the exemplary methods may further include performing cell reselection to one of the neighbor cells based on cell reselection measurements (i.e., performed on the connection state RS).

Other embodiments include methods (e.g., procedures) to facilitate cell reselection by one or more UEs being served by a cell in a wireless network. These exemplary methods may be performed by a network node (e.g., base station, eNB, gNB, NG-eNB, etc., or components thereof) serving a cell in a wireless network (e.g., E-UTRAN, NG-RAN).

These exemplary methods may include transmitting a measurement configuration including one or more of the following to one or more UEs:

a first indication that the UE allows to use the connection state RS for cell reselection measurements;

a second indication of a specific type of connection state RS available for cell reselection measurements;

a third indication of at least one resource associated with transmission of a connection state RS that is available for cell reselection measurements; and a scaling factor related to the difference between the corresponding transmission powers for the connection state RS and for the SSB.

The exemplary methods may also include transmitting the connection state RS in the serving cell using the one or more first resources while the one or more UEs are in the non-connected state.

In some embodiments, one or more first resources used to transmit the connection state RS may be included in at least one resource indicated by the third indication. In some embodiments, the one or more first resources used to communicate the connection state RS include any of: time domain resources, frequency domain resources, code domain resources, and one or more first occasions. In some of these embodiments, the exemplary methods may further include transmitting the SSB in the serving cell during one or more second occasions while the one or more UEs are in a non-connected state. In such embodiments, transmitting the connection state RS during the first occasion may facilitate one or more UEs to remain in a low energy state during the second occasion, thereby reducing overall UE energy consumption.

In various embodiments, the connection state RS transmitted in the serving cell during the one or more first time periods may comprise any of the following: CSI-RS for tracking, TRS, and CSI-RS for mobility. In various embodiments, the cell reselection measurements may include any of the following: RSRP, RSSI, and RSRQ.

In some embodiments, the exemplary methods may further include determining whether to grant the UE permission to use the connection state RS for cell reselection measurements based on one or more of the following in connection with transmission of the connection state RS: expected transmission duration and expected change in transmission power and/or transmission configuration over a bandwidth comprising the connection state RS. For example, this determination may be the basis of a first indication included in the measurement configuration.

In some embodiments, the third indication may indicate a measurement window during which connection state RS transmitted in the serving cell and neighbor cells may be used for cell reselection measurements.

Other embodiments include a UE (e.g., wireless device, ioT device, etc., or components thereof) and a network node (e.g., base station, eNB, gNB, ng-eNB, etc., or components thereof) configured to perform operations corresponding to any of the exemplary methods described herein. Other embodiments include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, configure such a UE or network node to perform operations corresponding to any of the exemplary methods described herein.

These and other embodiments described herein may facilitate a UE being configured with and utilizing a connection state RS for performing cell reselection measurements while operating in a non-CONNECTED state (e.g., rrc_idle or rrc_inactive), such as a non-SSB RS that would conventionally be available to a UE in only an rrc_connected state. Based on receiving such information, the UE may select an appropriate RS according to various criteria including energy consumption. For example, such flexibility enables a UE in a non-connected state to optimize sleep time and reduce power consumption by selecting a connected state RS for cell reselection measurements instead of having to rely on a non-connected state RS such as SSB.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent from the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below, when read in conjunction with the following detailed description.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a high-level view of an exemplary LTE network architecture.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary configuration of an LTE Control Plane (CP) protocol stack.

Fig. 3-4 illustrate two high-level views of an exemplary 5G/NR network architecture.

Fig. 5 shows an exemplary frequency domain configuration for a 5G/NR UE.

Fig. 6 shows an exemplary time-frequency resource grid for NR time slots.

Fig. 7 shows an exemplary NR slot configuration.

Fig. 8, which includes fig. 8A-E, illustrates various exemplary asn.1 data structures for Information Elements (IEs) and/or message fields used to provide channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) resource set configurations to NR UEs.

Fig. 9 shows an exemplary asn.1 data structure for CSI-RS-ResourceConfigMobility IE by which an NR network can configure a UE for CSI-RS based Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements.

Fig. 10 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method for a UE (e.g., wireless device) in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.

Fig. 11 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method for a network node (e.g., base station, eNB, gNB, NG-eNB, etc.) in a wireless network (e.g., NG-RAN, E-UTRAN), in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.

Fig. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless device or UE, in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.

Fig. 13 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary network node, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Fig. 14 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary network configured to provide Over The Top (OTT) data services between a host and a UE, in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.

Detailed Description

Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, other embodiments are included within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, and the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant art, unless their context suggests a different meaning and/or their meanings are clearly given by the context in which they are used. All references to an/the element, device, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless the step is explicitly described as being followed or before another step and/or wherein a step must necessarily be followed or before another step due to some dependency. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applicable to any other embodiment where appropriate. Likewise, any advantages of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiment, and vice versa. Other objects, features and advantages of the attached embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

Furthermore, the following terms are used throughout the description given below:

radio node: as used herein, a "radio node" may be either a "radio access node" or a "wireless device.

Radio access node: as used herein, a "radio access node" (or equivalently a "radio network node," "radio access network node," or "RAN node") may be any node in a Radio Access Network (RAN) of a cellular communication network that operates to wirelessly transmit and/or receive signals. Some examples of radio access nodes include, but are not limited to, base stations (e.g., new air interface (NR) base stations (gNB) in 3GPP fifth generation (5G) NR networks or enhanced or evolved node bs (eNB) in 3GPP LTE networks)), base station distributed components (e.g., CUs and DUs), high power or macro base stations, low power base stations (e.g., micro, pico, femto or home base stations, etc.), integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) nodes, transmission points, remote radio units (RRU or RRH), and relay nodes.

Core network node: as used herein, a "core network node" is any type of node in a core network. Some examples of core network nodes include, for example, mobility Management Entities (MMEs), serving Gateways (SGWs), packet data network gateways (P-GWs), access and mobility management functions (AMFs), session management functions (AMFs), user Plane Functions (UPFs), service capability opening functions (SCEFs), and so forth.

Wireless device: as used herein, a "wireless device" (or simply "WD") is any type of device that is able to access (i.e., be served by) a cellular communication network by wirelessly communicating with network nodes and/or other wireless devices. Wireless communication may involve transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and/or other types of signals suitable for conveying information through the air. Some examples of wireless devices include, but are not limited to, smart phones, mobile phones, cellular phones, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, desktop computers, personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), wireless cameras, game consoles or devices, music storage devices, playback appliances, wearable devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, tablet computers, laptop embedded appliances (LEEs), laptop mounted appliances (LMEs), smart devices, wireless Customer Premise Equipment (CPE), mobile Type Communication (MTC) devices, internet of things (IoT) devices, vehicle mounted wireless terminal devices, and the like. The terms "wireless device" and "user equipment" (or simply "UE") are used interchangeably herein unless otherwise indicated.

Network node: as used herein, a "network node" is any node that is either part of a radio access network of a cellular communication network (e.g., a radio access node or equivalent name discussed above) or part of a core network of a cellular communication network (e.g., a core network node discussed above). Functionally, a network node is a device that is capable, configured, arranged and/or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a wireless apparatus and/or with other network nodes or devices in a cellular communication network to enable and/or provide wireless access to the wireless apparatus and/or to perform other functions (e.g., management) in the cellular communication network.

The description herein focuses on 3GPP cellular communication systems and as such, 3GPP (or similar) terminology is often used. However, the principles disclosed herein are not limited to 3GPP systems. Furthermore, although the term "cell" is used herein, it should be understood that a beam may be used instead of a cell (especially in the case of 5G NR), and as such the concepts described herein apply equally to both cells and beams.

As mentioned briefly above, in NR, cell reselection measurements involve the UE calculating parameters SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ for the serving cell as well as for the neighbor cells. These parameters are typically calculated based on UE measurements of SSBs transmitted with a configured periodicity (e.g., 20 ms). Currently, the UE must rely on SSB for cell reselection, since no other DL RS is guaranteed for UEs in non-connected state (e.g. rrc_idle and rrc_inactive). Such uncertainty may cause undesirable UE behavior, in particular with respect to energy consumption. This is discussed in more detail below after the following description of the NR network architecture and radio interface.

Fig. 3 illustrates a high-level view of a 5G network architecture consisting of a next generation RAN (NG-RAN) 399 and a 5G core (5 GC) 398. NG-RAN 399 may include a collection of gndebs (gnbs) connected to 5GC via one or more NG interfaces, such as gnbs 300, 350 connected via interfaces 302, 352, respectively. In addition, the gnbs may be connected to each other via one or more Xn interfaces, such as Xn interface 340 between gnbs 300 and 350. For the NR interface to the UE, each of the gnbs may support Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD), time Division Duplexing (TDD), or a combination thereof.

The NG-RAN 399 is layered into a Radio Network Layer (RNL) and a Transport Network Layer (TNL). The NG-RAN architecture (i.e., NG-RAN logical nodes and interfaces between them) is defined as part of the RNL. For each NG-RAN interface (NG, xn, F1), the relevant TNL protocol and functionality are specified. TNL serves user plane transport and signaling transport. In some exemplary configurations, each gNB is connected to all 5GC nodes within an "AMF zone" defined in 3gpp TS 23.501. NDS/IP should be applied if security protection of CP and UP data on TNL of NG-RAN interface is supported.

The NG RAN logical nodes shown in fig. 3 (and described in 3gpp TS 38.301 and 3gpp TR 38.801) include a central (or centralized) unit (CU or gNB-CU) and one or more distributed (or decentralized) units (DU or gNB-DU)). For example, gNB 300 includes gNB-CU 310 and gNB-DUs 320 and 340. A CU (e.g., the gNB-CU 310) is a logical node that hosts higher layer protocols and performs various gNB functions, such as controlling the operation of DUs. Each DU is a logical node that hosts lower layer protocols and may include various subsets of the gNB functions depending on the functional split. As such, each of the CUs and DUs may include various circuitry required to perform their respective functions, including processing circuitry, transceiver circuitry (e.g., for communication), and power supply circuitry. Furthermore, the terms "central unit" and "centralized unit" are used interchangeably herein, and the terms "distributed unit" and "decentralized unit" are used interchangeably herein.

The gNB-CU is connected to the gNB-DU through a corresponding F1 logical interface, such as interfaces 322 and 332 shown in FIG. 3. The gNB-CU and the connected gNB-DU are visible only to the other gNBs and to the 5GC as gNB. In other words, the F1 interface is not visible outside the gNB-CU.

Fig. 4 shows a high-level view of an exemplary 5G network architecture including a next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) 499 and a 5G core (5 GC) 498. As shown, NG-RAN 499 may include a gNB 410 (e.g., 410a, b) and a NG-eNB 420 (e.g., 420a, b) interconnected to each other via respective Xn interfaces. The gNB and NG-eNB are also connected to the 5GC 498 via a NG interface, more specifically to an AMF (Access and mobility management function) 430 (e.g., AMF 430a, b) via a respective NG-C interface and to a UPF (user plane function) 440 (e.g., UPF 440a, b) via a respective NG-U interface. In addition, AMFs 430a, b may communicate with one or more policy control functions (PCFs, e.g., PCFs 450a, b) and network open functions (NEFs, e.g., NEFs 460a, b).

Each of the gnbs 410 may support an NR radio interface including Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD), time Division Duplexing (TDD), or a combination thereof. In contrast, each of the NG-enbs 420 may support an LTE radio interface, but unlike a conventional LTE eNB (such as shown in fig. 1), connect to a 5GC via an NG interface. Each of the gNB and the ng-eNB may serve a geographic coverage area including one or more cells including cells 411a-b and 421a-b as exemplarily shown in fig. 4. As mentioned above, the gNB and the ng-eNB may also use various directional beams to provide coverage in the respective cells. Depending on the particular cell in which it is located, the UE 405 may communicate with the gNB or ng-eNB serving that particular cell via an NR or LTE radio interface, respectively.

Fig. 5 shows an exemplary frequency domain configuration for an NR UE. In Rel-15 NR, a UE may be configured with up to four carrier bandwidth parts (BWP) in the DL, with a single DL BWP being active at a given time. The UE may be configured with up to four BWP in the UL, with a single UL BWP active at a given time. If the UE is configured with a supplemental UL, the UE may be configured with up to four additional BWP in the supplemental UL, where a single supplemental UL BWP is active at a given time. In the exemplary arrangement of fig. 5, the UE is configured with three DL (or UL) BWP, labeled BWP 0-2, respectively.

Common RBs (CRBs) are numbered from 0 to the end of the carrier bandwidth. Each BWP configured for the UE has a common reference of CRB0 (as shown in fig. 5), so that the configured BWP may start from a CRB greater than zero. As further defined in 3gpp TS 38.211 section 4.4, CRB0 may be identified by one of the following parameters provided by the network:

PRB-index-DL-common for DL in a primary cell (PCell, e.g., PCell or PSCell);

PRB-index-UL-common for UL in PCell;

PRB-index-DL-dedicatedly for DL in a secondary cell (SCell);

PRB-index-UL-dedicatedly for UL in SCell; and

PRB-index-SUL-common for supplemental UL.

In this way, the UE may be configured with a narrow BWP (e.g.10 MHz) and wide BWP (e.g., 100 MHz), each starting from a particular CRB, but only one BWP may be active for the UE at a given point in time. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, BWP 0-2 is respectively derived from CRB N ⁰ _BWP 、N ¹ _BWP And N ² _BWP Starting. Within BWP, PRBs are defined in the frequency domain and range from 0 to 0PRB numbers are numbered, where i is an index for a specific BWP of a carrier. In the arrangement shown in fig. 5, BWP 0-2 includes PRBs 0 through N1, N2, and N3, respectively.

During one OFDM symbol interval, each NR Resource Element (RE) corresponds to one OFDM subcarrier. NR supports various SCS values Δf= (15×2) ^μ ) kHz, where μ e (0, 1,2,3, 4) is called "parameter set". The parameter set μ=0 (i.e., Δf=15 kHz) provides a basic (or reference) SCS that is also used in LTE. The symbol duration, cyclic Prefix (CP) duration, and slot duration are inversely related to SCS or parameter integration. For example, for Δf=15 kHz, there is one (1-ms) slot per subframe; for Δf=30 kHz, there are two 0.5-ms slots per subframe, etc. In addition, according to 2 ^μ * The maximum carrier bandwidth is directly related to the parameter set at 50 MHz. Table 1 below summarizes the supported NR parameter sets and associated parameters. Different DL and UL parameter sets may be configured by the network.

TABLE 1

Fig. 6 shows an exemplary time-frequency resource grid for NR time slots. As illustrated in fig. 6, a Resource Block (RB) consists of a set of 12 consecutive OFDM subcarriers, with a duration of 14-symbol slots. As in LTE, a Resource Element (RE) consists of one subcarrier in one slot. An NR slot may include 14 OFDM symbols for a normal cyclic prefix and 12 symbols for an extended cyclic prefix.

Generally, an NR physical channel corresponds to a set of REs carrying information originating from higher layers. Downlink (DL, i.e., gNB to UE) physical channels include a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), and a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH).

PDSCH is the primary physical channel used for unicast DL data transmission and also for transmission of RAR (random access response), certain System Information Blocks (SIBs) and paging information. The PBCH carries basic System Information (SI) required for the UE to access the cell. The PDCCH is used to transmit DL Control Information (DCI) including scheduling information for DL messages on the PDSCH, quasicrystals for UL transmissions on the PUSCH, and channel quality feedback (e.g., CSI) for the UL channel.

Uplink (UL), i.e., UE-to-gNB), physical channels include a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), and a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH). PUSCH is the uplink counterpart of PDSCH. The PUCCH is used by the UE to transmit Uplink Control Information (UCI) including HARQ feedback for the gNB DL transmission, channel quality feedback (e.g., CSI) for the DL channel, scheduling Request (SR), and the like. PRACH is used for random access preamble transmission.

Within NR DL, certain REs within each subframe are reserved for transmission of Reference Signals (RSs). These include demodulation reference signals (DM-RSs) that are transmitted to assist the UE in receiving the associated PDCCH or PDSCH. Other DL reference signals include Positioning Reference Signals (PRSs) and CSI reference signals (CSI-RSs), the latter of which are monitored by the UE for the purpose of providing channel quality feedback (e.g., CSI) for the DL channel. In addition, a Phase Tracking RS (PTRS) is used by the UE to identify Common Phase Errors (CPEs) present in subcarriers of the received DL OFDM symbol.

Other RS-like DL signals include Primary Synchronization Sequences (PSS) and Secondary Synchronization Sequences (SSS) that facilitate UE time and frequency synchronization and acquisition of system parameters (e.g., via PBCH). PSS, SSS and PBCH are collectively referred to as SS/PBCH blocks (SSBs).

The NR UL also includes DM-RSs that are transmitted to assist the gNB in receiving the associated PUCCH or PUSCH, and PTRSs that are used by the gNB to identify CPEs present in the subcarriers of the received UL OFDM symbol. The NR UL also includes Sounding Reference Signals (SRS) that perform similar functions in UL as CSI-RS in DL.

Fig. 7 shows another exemplary NR slot structure comprising 14 symbols. In this arrangement, the PDCCH is limited to a region containing a certain number of symbols and a certain number of subcarriers, referred to as a control resource set (CORESET). In the exemplary structure shown in fig. 7, the first two symbols contain PDCCH and each of the remaining 12 symbols contain Physical Data Channel (PDCH), i.e., either PDSCH or PUSCH. However, depending on the particular CORESET configuration (discussed below), the first two slots may also carry PDSCH or other information as needed.

As further defined in 3gpp TS 38.211 ≡ 7.3.2.2, CORESET may comprise one or more RBs in the frequency domain (i.e. multiples of 12 REs) and 1-3 OFDM symbols in the time domain. The smallest unit used to define CORESET is a Resource Element Group (REG) that spans one RB (i.e., 12 REs) in frequency and one OFDM symbol in time. CORESET resources may be indicated to the UE through RRC signaling. In addition to the PDCCH, each REG in CORESET also contains a DM-RS to help estimate the radio channel through which that REG was transmitted.

NR data scheduling may be performed dynamically, e.g. on a per-slot basis. In each slot, the base station (e.g., the gNB) transmits Downlink Control Information (DCI) over the PDCCH indicating which UEs are scheduled to receive data in that slot and which RBs will carry that data. The UE first detects and decodes the DCI, and if the DCI includes DL scheduling information for the UE, the UE receives a corresponding PDSCH based on the DL scheduling information. DCI formats 1_0 and 1_1 are used to convey PDSCH scheduling. Likewise, the DCI on the PDCCH may include UL grants indicating which UEs are scheduled to transmit data on the PUCCH in that slot and which RBs will carry that data. The UE first detects and decodes the DCI and if the DCI includes an uplink grant for the UE, the UE transmits a corresponding PUSCH on resources indicated by the UL grant.

When the UE is in rrc_idle or rrc_inactive state, it periodically monitors the PDCCH to check the scheduling of paging requests that will be transmitted on the PDSCH. The Paging Occasion (PO) is a set of S consecutive PDCCH Monitoring Occasions (MO) in which paging DCI may be received, where S represents the number of SSBs transmitted. In other words, the kth PDCCH MO for paging in the PO corresponds to the kth transmitted SSB. As explained in more detail below, the Paging Frame (PF) is one 10-ms radio frame and may contain zero or more POs for the UE.

Between the POs, the UE goes to sleep to reduce power consumption. This sleep-wake cycle is referred to as "discontinuous reception" or DRX. The amount of UE energy savings is related to the wake-up period ("DRX ON") duration, which is a fraction of the overall DRX duty cycle. Within a particular cell, the network may configure a number of POs per DRX cycle (e.g., during a 1.28 second cycle). This information is broadcast in the system information. When a UE registers with the 5GC, it is assigned a System Frame Number (SFN) that can be used by the UE and the network to derive the UE' S assigned PF (i.e., within the DRX cycle) and the UE identity (5G-S-TMSI) of the assigned PO (S) within the assigned PF based on a predetermined formula. In case the network wants to reach the UE (e.g. for incoming traffic), it pages the UE during these configured POs.

One goal of NR is to minimize always-on network transmissions present in early systems, such as LTE cell-specific reference signals (CRSs). Instead, the NR gNB transmits a reference signal such as SSB on a periodic basis, defaulting to once every 20 ms. As described below, UEs in a non-connected state such as rrc_idle and rrc_inactive may use these periodic SSBs for various purposes.

When camping on a cell (referred to as a "serving cell") in a non-connected state (e.g., rrc_idle or rrc_inactive), the UE periodically searches for a better cell according to various criteria. If a better cell is found, that cell is selected. The change in cells may also involve a change in Radio Access Technology (RAT), such as from LTE to NR. This process is often referred to as "cell reselection". Cell reselection measurements involve the UE calculating parameters SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ for the serving cell as well as for the neighbor cells. These parameters are typically calculated based on UE measurements of SSBs transmitted with a configured periodicity (e.g., 20 ms).

The secondary synchronization signal reference signal received power (SS-RSRP) is defined as the linear average of the power contributions (in W) of SSB REs carrying SSSs. The measurement time resource(s) for SS-RSRP are limited to the SSB Measurement Time Configuration (SMTC) window duration. If SS-RSRP is used for L1-RSRP as configured by the reporting configuration as defined in 3gpp TS 38.214, the measurement time resource limitation(s) by SMTC window duration is not applicable. SS-RSRP is measured only on RSs corresponding to SSBs with the same SSB index and the same physical layer cell identity (PCI).

In addition to SSS, PBCH DM-RS, CSI-RS may also be used for SS-RSRP measurements if indicated by higher layers. The SS-RSRP using DM-RS and/or CSI-RS should be measured by linear averaging over the power contributions of REs carrying the corresponding reference signals, taking into account the power scaling of the reference signals as defined in 3gpp TS 38.213. If SS-RSRP is not used for L1-RSRP, then it is not applicable to use CSI-RS additionally for SS-RSRP determination. If SS-RSRP is not used for L1-RSRP and higher layers indicate that some SSBs are used for SS-RSRP measurement, SS-RSRP is measured only on the indicated SSBs.

For FR1, the reference point for SS-RSRP should be the antenna connector of the UE. For FR2, SS-RSRP is measured based on the combined signals from the antenna elements corresponding to a given receiver branch. For FR1 and FR2, the reported SS-RSRP value should not be lower than the corresponding SS-RSRP of any individual receiver branch if receiver diversity is being used by the UE.

The number of REs used by the UE to determine the SS-RSRP measurement period is left to the UE implementation provided that the corresponding measurement accuracy requirements are met. The Cyclic Prefix (CP) is excluded and the power per resource element is determined from the energy received during the useful part of the symbol.

The secondary synchronization signal reference signal reception quality (SS-RSRQ) is defined as the ratio (nxss-RSRP/NR carrier RSSI), where N is the number of RBs in the NR carrier RSSI measurement bandwidth. The measurement of the numerator and denominator was performed on the same set of RBs. The NR carrier received signal strength indicator (NR carrier RSSI) comprises a linear average of the total received power (in W) observed over N RBs from all sources including co-channel serving and non-serving cells, adjacent channel interference, thermal noise, etc., only in some OFDM symbols of the measured time resource(s) in measured bandwidth. For cell selection, the measurement time resource(s) for NR carrier RSSI is not constrained. Otherwise, the measurement time resource(s) for the NR carrier RSSI are within the SMTC window duration.

The NR carrier RSSI is measured differentially in the various scenarios listed below:

if indicated by higher layers and measurement gaps are not used, the NR carrier RSSI is measured in the time slot within the SMTC window duration indicated by the higher layer parameter measurementSlots and in the OFDM symbol given by table 2 below (taken from 3gpp TS 38.215 table 5.1.3-1).

As defined in 3gpp TS 38.133, if indicated by higher layers and a measurement gap is used, NR carrier RSSI is measured in a slot within SMTC window duration indicated by higher layer parameter measurementSlots and in OFDM symbols overlapping the measurement gap given by table 2 below.

For intra-frequency measurements, NR carrier RSSI is measured with a timing reference corresponding to the serving cell in the frequency layer

For inter-frequency measurement, NR carrier RSSI is measured with timing reference corresponding to any cell in the target frequency layer-if not indicated by higher layers and measurement gap is not used, NR carrier RSSI is measured from OFDM symbols within the SMTC window duration, and

if not indicated by higher layers and a measurement gap is used, the NR carrier RSSI is measured from OFDM symbols corresponding to the overlapping time span between SMTC window duration and measurement gap.

TABLE 2

If the higher layer indicates some SSBs for performing SS-RSRQ measurements, SS-RSRQ is measured only from the indicated set of SSBs. For FR1, the reference point for SS-RSRQ measurements is the UE's antenna connector. For FR2, the NR carrier RSSI is measured based on the combined signals from the antenna elements corresponding to a given receiver branch, where the combination for the NR carrier RSSI is the same as the combination for SS-RSRP measurement. For frequency ranges 1 and 2, if receiver diversity is being used by the UE, the reported SS-RSRQ value should not be lower than the corresponding SS-RSRQ of any of the individual receiver branches.

Both intra-and inter-frequency SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements may be used in rrc_idle, rrc_inactive, and rrc_connected modes. The UE evaluates the SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements of the serving cell at least once every M1 x N1 DRX cycle against the cell selection criteria S defined in 3gpp TS 38.304. In particular, if SMTC periodicity (T _SMTC )>20ms and DRX cycle is less than or equal to 0.64 seconds, m1=2, otherwise m1=1.

The UE uses at least 2 measurements to filter SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements of the serving cell. At least two of the filtered measurements should be separated by at least half of a DRX cycle. If the UE determines that N is _serv The serving cell in each successive DRX cycle does not meet the cell selection criterion S, the UE should initiate measurements of all neighbor cells indicated by the serving cell (e.g. by the broadcast SI) regardless of the measurement rules currently limiting UE measurement activity. Table 3 below (taken from 3GPP TS 38.304 Table 4.2.2.2-1) gives N in terms of DRX cycle length _serv And various values of N1.

TABLE 3 Table 3

If the non-connected UE does not find any new suitable cell within 10s based on measurements and searches using intra-frequency, inter-frequency and inter-RAT information indicated in the system information, the UE should initiate a cell selection procedure for the selected PLMN as defined in 3gpp TS 38.304.

The non-connected UE may identify a new intra-frequency cell and perform SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements of the identified intra-frequency cell without the need for an explicit intra-frequency neighbor list containing the physical layer cell identity. The UE may also evaluate the newly detectable intra-frequency cell at T when the timer treselection=0 _{detect,NR_Intra} Whether the reselection criteria defined in 3gpp TS 38.304 are met. Intra-frequency cells are considered detectable according to the conditions defined in 3gpp TS 38.304 annex b.1.2 for the corresponding frequency band.

For intra-frequency cells identified and measured according to measurement rules, the UE is at least per T _{measure,NR_Intra} SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ were measured. The UE uses at least 2 measurements to filter SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements for each measured intra-frequency cell. Within the set of measurements for filtering, at least two measurements should be separated by at least T _{measure,NR_Intra} /2. If the UE is indicated as not allowed in the measurement control SI of the serving cell, the UE should not consider the NR neighbor cell in the cell reselection.

For intra-frequency cells that have been detected but not yet reselected, when T _reselection When=0, the filtering should be such that the UE should be able to evaluate intra-frequency cell at T _{evaluate,NR_Intra} The reselection criteria defined in 3gpp TS 38.304 (v16.2.0)) have been met, as specified in tables 4.2.2.3-1 or 4.2.2.3-2 of that document, subject to the following conditions:

When the rangeToBestCell is not configured, the ranking of the cells in FR1 is increased by at least 3dB or the ranking in FR2 is increased by at least 4.5dB.

When the rangeToBestCell is configured:

of all detected cells whose cell ranking criterion R value in 3gpp TS 38.304 is within the range tobestcell of the cell ranking criterion R value of the highest ranking cell, the cell has the highest number of beams above the threshold absThreshSS-blockscondication.

If there are a plurality of such cells, the cells have the highest ranking among them.

If the current serving cell is among them, then the ranking of the cell in FR1 is increased by at least 3dB or the ranking in FR2 is increased by at least 4.5dB.

When evaluating cells for reselection, SSB-side conditions apply to both serving and non-serving intra-frequency cells.

If T _reselection The timer has a non-zero value and the intra-frequency cell meets the reselection criteria defined in 3gpp TS 38.304, then the UE should evaluate this intra-frequency cell for T _reselection Time. If the reselection criteria remain applicable to this cell during this duration, the UE reselects that cell.

For UEs not configured with RRM enhancements for high speed, T is specified in 3gpp TS 38.304 (v16.2.0) table 4.2.2.3-1 _{detect,NR_Intra} 、T _{measure,NR_Intra} And T _{evaluate,NR_intra} . T is specified in 3GPP TS 38.304 (v16.2.0) Table 4.2.2.3-2 for a UE configured with RRM enhancements for high speed _{detect,NR_Intra} 、T _{measure,NR_Intra} And T _{evaluate,NR_intra} 。

If carrier frequency information is provided by the serving cell, the non-connected UE may identify a new inter-frequency cell and perform SS-RSRP or SS-RSRQ measurements of the identified inter-frequency cell even if an explicit neighbor list with physical layer cell identification is not provided. If Srxlev>S _{nonIntraSearchP} And square>S _{nonIntraSearchQ} Then the UE at least every T _{higher_priority_search} Higher priority inter-frequency layers (described in 3gpp TS 38.304 section 4.2.2.7) are searched. On the other hand, if Srxlev.ltoreq.S _{nonIntraSearchP} Or square is less than or equal to S _{nonIntraSearchQ} The UE searches for and measures higher, equal or lower priority inter-frequency layers in preparation for possible reselection. In this scenario, the minimum rate at which the UE is required to search for and measure the higher priority layer is the same as discussed below.

The UE is not expected to meet the inter-frequency carrier measurement requirement of DRX <320ms under the following conditions:

·T _{SMTC_intra} ＝T _{SMTC_inter} =160 ms; wherein T is _{SMTC_intra} And T _{SMTC_inter} Periodicity of SMTC opportunities configured for intra-frequency and inter-frequency carriers, respectively, and

the SMTC occasion configured for the inter-frequency carrier occurs up to 1ms before the start of the SMTC occasion configured for the intra-frequency carrier or up to 1ms after the end of the SMTC occasion configured for the intra-frequency carrier, and

In 3gpp TS 38.304 (v16.2.0), SMTC occasions configured for intra-frequency carriers and configured for inter-frequency carriers occur up to 1ms before the start of a paging occasion or up to 1ms after the end of a paging occasion.

If the timer T is started _reselection Providing at least carrier frequency information for inter-frequency neighbor cells by the serving cell when =0, the UE shall evaluate that the newly detected inter-frequency cell is at K _carrier *T _{detect,NR_Inter} Whether the reselection criteria defined in 3gpp TS 38.304 (v16.2.0) are met. 3GPP TS 38.304 (v16.2.0) Table 4.2.2.4-1 defines T discussed above in terms of different DRX cycle lengths _{detect,NR_Inter} 、T _{measure,NR_Inter} And T _{evaluate,NR_Inter} Is a function of the value of (a). The reselection criteria must be met by at least the following margin:

5dB in FR1 or 6.5dB in FR2 for rank-based reselection;

6dB in FR1 or 7.5dB in FR2 for absolute priority based SS-RSRP reselection; or (b)

4dB in FR1 or FR2 for absolute priority based SS-RSRQ reselection.

Parameter K _carrier Is the number of NR inter-frequency carriers indicated by the serving cell. Inter-frequency cells are considered detectable according to the conditions defined in 3gpp TS 38.304 (v16.2.0) annex b.1.3 for the corresponding frequency band. If the UE is indicated as not allowed in the measurement control system information of the serving cell, the UE should not consider the NR neighbor cell in the cell reselection.

When higher priority cells are found by higher priority search, the UE at least every T _{measure,NR_Inter} They were measured. After detecting a cell in a higher priority search, if it is determined thatThe UE is not required to continuously measure the detected cells to evaluate the possibility of an ongoing reselection, if reselection has not yet occurred. However, the minimum measurement filtering requirement should still be met by the UE before the UE makes any determination to stop measuring cells. If the UE detects on the NR carrier that its physical identity is indicated in the measurement control system information of the serving cell as a cell that is not allowed for that carrier, the UE is not required to perform measurements on that cell.

UE at least every K _carrier *T _{measure,NR_Inter} SS-RSRP or SS-RSRQ is measured for the identified lower priority or equal priority inter-frequency cells. If the UE detects on the NR carrier that its physical identity is indicated in the measurement control system information of the serving cell as a cell that is not allowed for that carrier, the UE is not required to perform measurements on that cell. The UE uses at least 2 measurements to filter the SS-RSRP or SS-RSRQ measurements of higher priority, lower priority and equal priority inter-frequency cells for each measurement. Within the set of measurements for filtering, at least two measurements should be separated by at least T _{measure,NR_Inter} /2。

For inter-frequency cells that have been detected but have not been reselected, when timer T _reselection When=0, filtering should facilitate UE evaluation of equal priority inter-frequency cells at K _carrier *T _{evaluate,NR_Inter} The reselection criteria defined in 3gpp TS 38.304 (v16.2.0) have been met, provided that:

when the rangeToBestCell is not configured, the ranking of the cells in FR1 is increased by at least 5dB or the ranking in FR2 is increased by at least 6.5dB; or alternatively

When the rangeToBestCell is configured:

of all detected cells whose cell ranking criterion R value in 3gpp TS 38.304 is within the range tobestcell of the cell ranking criterion R value of the highest ranking cell, the cell has the highest number of beams above the threshold absThreshSS-blockscondication.

If there are a plurality of such cells, the cells have the highest ranking among them

If the current serving cell is among them, the ranking of the cell in FR1 is increased by at least 5dB or the ranking in FR2 is increased by at least 6.5dB, or

6dB in FR1 or 7.5dB in FR2 for absolute priority based SS-RSRP reselection, or

4dB in FR1 or 4dB in FR2 for absolute priority based SS-RSRQ reselection.

When evaluating cells for reselection, the SSB-side conditions apply to both serving cells and inter-frequency cells. If timer T _reselection With a non-zero value and the inter-frequency cell fulfils the reselection criterion, the UE should evaluate this inter-frequency cell for T _reselection Is not shown, is not shown. If this cell remains satisfied with the reselection criteria for this duration, the UE reselects that cell.

In addition, if Srxlev is measured>S _{nonIntraSearchP} And measured square>S _{nonIntraSearchQ} Non-connected UEs at least every T _{higher_priority_search} Search for higher priority inter-RAT E-UTRAN layers (described in 3gpp TS 38.304 section 4.2.2). On the other hand, if Srxlev.ltoreq.S _{nonIntraSearchP} Or square is less than or equal to S _{nonIntraSearchQ} The UE searches for and measures the higher and lower priority inter-RAT E-UTRAN layers in preparation for possible reselection. In this scenario, the minimum rate at which the UE is required to search for and measure the higher priority inter-RAT E-UTRAN layer should be the same as the minimum rate defined for the lower priority RATs.

These requirements apply to inter-RAT E-UTRAN FDD and TDD measurements. When the measurement rules indicate that inter-RAT E-UTRAN cells are to be measured, the UE should measure RSRP and RSRQ of the detected E-UTRA cells in the neighbor frequency list at least at a specified minimum measurement rate. Parameter N _{EUTRA_carrier} Is the total number of E-UTRA carriers in the neighbor frequency list that are indicated to meet the configuration that is not high speed requirements. Parameter N _{EUTRA_carrier_HST} Is the total number of configured E-UTRA carriers in the neighbor frequency list that are indicated to meet the high speed requirement. The UE should use at least 2 measurements to filter the RSRP and RSRQ measurements of each measured E-UTRA cell. In the measurement for filteringWithin the set, at least two measurements should be separated by at least half of the minimum specified measurement period.

The inter-RAT E-UTRA cell is considered detectable provided that the following conditions are met:

for the corresponding frequency band, the same conditions as for inter-frequency RSRP measurements specified in 3gpp TS 36.133 (v16.7.0) annex b.1.2 are fulfilled,

for the corresponding band, the same conditions as for the inter-frequency RSRQ measurement specified in 3gpp TS 36.133 (v16.7.0) annex b.1.2 are satisfied, and

the SCH condition specified in 3gpp ts 36.133 (v16.7.0) appendix b.1.2 is satisfied for the corresponding band.

When Srxlev is less than or equal to S _{nonIntraSearchP} Or square is less than or equal to S _{nonIntraSearchQ} And timer T _reselection When=0, the UE evaluates whether the newly detectable inter-RAT E-UTRAN cell is in N _{EUTRA_carrier_HST} *T _{detect,EUTRAN_HST} +N _{EUTRA_carrier} *T _{detect,EUTRAN} The reselection criteria defined in 3gpp TS 38.304 (v16.2.0) are met, provided that the reselection criteria are met by a margin of at least 6dB for absolute priority based RSRP reselection or by a margin of at least 4dB for absolute priority based RSRQ reselection.

The NR UE in rrc_connected state may be configured with a set of reference symbols for best link performance through the serving gNB. For example, an NR UE in RRC_CONNECTED state may be configured with one or more NZP (non-zero power) CSI-RS Resource set configurations by a network through higher layer (e.g., RRC) Information Elements (IEs) NZP-CSI-RS-Resource, NZP-CSI-RS-Resource set, and CSI-Resource eConfig. Exemplary ASN.1 data structures representing these IEs are shown in FIGS. 8A-C, respectively.

In addition, fig. 8D-E show exemplary asn.1 data structures representing CSI-Resource epoxidizing AndOffset and CSI-RS-Resource mapping fields included in the NZP-CSI-RS-Resource IE shown in fig. 8A. The CSI-resourcelineodityandoffset field is used to configure the periodicity and corresponding offset for periodic and semi-persistent CSI resources and for periodic and semi-persistent CSI reporting on PUCCH. Both periodicity and offset are given in terms of the number of time slots. For example, the periodicity value "slots4" corresponds to four (4) slots, "slots5" corresponds to five (5) slots, and so on. The CSI-RS-resource mapping field is used to configure mapping (i.e., to REs) of CSI-RS resources in the time and frequency domains.

Fig. 9 shows an exemplary asn.1 data structure of an RRC CSI-RS-resource control-Mobility IE by which an NR network can configure a UE for CSI-RS based Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements. In addition, tables 4-8 below further define the various fields included in the corresponding ASN.1 data structures shown in FIGS. 8A-C, 8E and 9. These fields are described in more detail in the discussion that follows the table.

TABLE 4 Table 4

TABLE 5

TABLE 6

TABLE 7

TABLE 8

/>

/>

Each NZP CSI-RS resource set consists of more than or equal to 1 NZP CSI-RS resource. For each CSI-RS Resource configuration, the following parameters are included in RRC IE NZP-CSI-RS-Resource, CSI-Resource econfig, and NZP-CSI-RS-Resource eset:

nzp-CSI-RS-ResourceID determines the CSI-RS resource configuration identification. This identifier may have any value from zero up to 1 less than the maximum number of configured NZP CSI-RS Resources (maxNrofNZP-CSI-RS-Resources).

nzp-CSI-RS-ResourceSID determines the CSI-RS resource set configuration identification. This identifier may have any value from zero up to 1 less than the maximum number of configured NZP CSI-RS resource sets (maxNrofNZP-CSI-RS-resources).

CSI-RS-ResourceConfigId is used to identify a particular CSI-ResourceConfig. This identifier may have any value from zero up to 1 less than the maximum number of CSI-RS resource configurations (maxNrofCSI-RS-resources configurations).

The periodic and slot offset defines the CSI-RS periodicity and slot offset for periodic/semi-persistent CSI-RS. All CSI-RS resources within a set are configured with the same periodicity, while the slot offset may be the same or different for different CSI-RS resources.

The resource mapping defines the subcarrier occupancy and OFDM symbols of the CSI-RS resources within the slot given in 3gpp TS38.211 clause 7.4.1.5, as well as the CDM-TYPE, number of ports.

nrofPorts in resource mapping defines the number of CSI-RS ports, with allowable values given in section 7.4.1.5 of 3gpp ts38.211 (v16.3.0).

The density in resource mapping defines the CSI-RS frequency density per CSI-RS port per PRB and the CSI-RS PRB offset with a density value of 1/2, where the allowable value is given in 3gpp TS38.211 (v16.3.0) 7.4.1.5. For a density of 1/2, the odd/even PRB allocation indicated in density is in terms of a common resource block grid.

CDM-Type in resource mapping defines CDM values and modes, where allowable values are given in 3gpp TS38.211 (v16.3.0) 7.4.1.5.

powerControlOffset: the assumed ratio of PDSCH EPRE to NZP CSI-RS EPRE when the UE derives CSI feedback and takes values in the range of [ -8, 15] dB in 1dB steps.

powerControlOffsetSS: the assumed ratio of NZP CSI-RS EPRE to SS/PBCH block EPRE.

The scrambling ID defines the scrambling ID of the CSI-RS, where the length is 10 bits.

BWP-Id in CSI-ResourceConfig defines which bandwidth part the configured CSI-RS is located in.

The repetition in NZP-CSI-RS-resource set is associated with the CSI-RS resource set and defines as described in 3gpp TS 38.211 (v16.3.0) 5.1.6.1.2 whether the UE can assume that CSI-RS resources within the NZP CSI-RS resource set are transmitted with the same downlink spatial domain transmission filter and can be configured only if the higher layer parameters reportquality associated with all reporting settings linked to the CSI-RS resource set are set to 'cri-RSRP', 'cri-SINR', or 'none'.

QCL-InfoPeriodacCSI-RS contains references to TCI-State indicating the QCL source RS(s) and the QCL type(s). If the TCI-State is configured with a reference to an RS with a 'QCL-TypeD' association, that RS may be an SS/PBCH block located in the same or a different CC/DL BWP or a CSI-RS resource located in the same or a different CC/DLBWP that is configured as a periodicity.

The trs-Info in NZP-CSI-RS-resource set is associated with the CSI-RS resource set and for this purpose the UE may assume that the antenna ports with the same port index of the configured NZP CSI-RS resources in NZP-CSI-RS-resource set are the same as described in 3gpp TS 38.211 (v16.3.0) 5.1.6.1.1 and may be configured when no reporting settings are configured or when higher layer parameters reportquality associated with all reporting settings linked to the CSI-RS resource set are set to 'none'.

All CSI-RS resources within a set are configured with the same density and the same nrofPorts, except for the NZP CSI-RS resources used for interference measurement. Further, the UE expects all CSI-RS resources of the resource set to be configured with the same starting RBs and number of RBs and the same cdm-type.

The bandwidth and initial Common Resource Block (CRB) index of CSI-RS resources within BWP are determined based on RRC configured parameters nrofPRB and startingPRB, respectively, within CSI-frequencyOccupation IE configured by RRC parameter freqBand within CSI-RS-ResourceMapping IE, as defined in 3gpp TS 38.211 (v16.3.0) 7.4.1.5. Both nrofPRB and startingPRB are configured as integer multiples of four (4) RBs, and the startingPRB reference point is CRB 0 on the common resource block grid. If it isThe UE should assume that the initial CRB index of the CSI-RS resource is +.>Otherwise N _{initial RB} =startingrb. If it isThe UE assumes that the bandwidth of the CSI-RS resource isOtherwise, the UE assumes ++>In all cases, the UE expects +.>

The UE in rrc_connected state receives from the network (e.g. via RRC) the UE-specific configuration of NZP-CSI-RS-resource set including the parameters trs-Info described in the above parameter list. For NZP-CSI-RS-resource set with RRC parameter trs-Info set to "true", the UE should assume that the antenna ports with the same port index of the configured NZP CSI-RS resources in NZP-CSI-RS-resource set are the same.

For frequency range 1 (FR 1, e.g., below 6 GHz), the UE may be configured with one or more NZP CSI-RS sets, where the NZP-CSI-RS-resource set consists of four periods of NZP CSI-RS resources in two consecutive slots, with two periods of NZP CSI-RS resources in each slot. If no two consecutive slots are indicated as DL slots by either tdd-UL-DL-configuration command or tdd-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated, the UE may be configured with one or more NZP CSI-RS sets, where NZP-CSI-RS-resource consists of two periods of NZP CSI-RS resources in one slot.

For frequency range 2 (FR 2, e.g., above 6 GHz), the UE may be configured with one or more NZP CSI-RS sets, where the NZP-CSI-RS-resource set consists of two periodic CSI-RS resources in one slot, or a NZP CSI-RS-resource set with four periodic NZP CSI-RS resources in two consecutive slots, where there are two periodic NZP CSI-RS resources in each slot.

In addition, a UE configured with NZP-CSI-RS-resource set(s) including parameter trs-Info may have CSI-RS resources configured as periodic, where all CSI-RS resources in the NZP-CSI-RS-resource set are configured with the same periodicity, bandwidth, and subcarrier location. As a second option, a UE configured with NZP-CSI-RS-resource(s) including parameter trs-Info may be configured with periodic CSI-RS resources in one set and aperiodic CSI-RS resources in a second set, where the aperiodic CSI-RS and periodic CSI-RS resources have the same bandwidth (with the same RB location) and the aperiodic CSI-RS are "QCL-Type-a" and "QCL-Type" (where applicable) with respect to the periodic CSI-RS resources.

In this second option, for FR2, the scheduling Offset between the last symbol of the PDCCH carrying the trigger DCI and the beginning symbol of the aperiodic CSI-RS resource is expected by the UE to be no less than the threshold sched-Offset reported by the UE. The UE should expect the periodic CSI-RS resource set and the aperiodic CSI-RS resource set to be configured with the same number of CSI-RS resources and the same number of CSI-RS resources in the slot. For an aperiodic CSI-RS resource set, if triggered, and if the associated periodic CSI-RS resource set is configured with four periodic CSI-RS resources in the case of two consecutive slots, with two periodic CSI-RS resources in each slot, the higher layer parameter apeeriodic triggeringoffset indicates the trigger offset of the first slot of the first two CSI-RS resources in the set.

In addition, the UE is not expected to be configured with any of the following:

CSI-ReportConfig linked to CSI-ReportConfig containing NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet configured with trs-info and wherein CSI-ReportConfig is configured with higher layer parameter timerepoctionforchannelmeasurements set to 'configured';

CSI-ReportConfig has higher layer parameter reportquality set to 'none' other for aperiodic NZP CSI-RS resource set configured with trs-Info;

CSI-ReportConfig for the NZP CSI-RS resource set configured with periodicity of trs-Info; or alternatively

NZP-CSI-RS-resource set configured with both trs-Info and repetition.

In addition, according to 3GPP TS 38.211 clause 7.4.1.5.3, each CSI-RS Resource is configured by a higher layer parameter NZP-CSI-RS-Resource with the following limitations:

the time domain positions of two CSI-RS resources in a slot or four CSI-RS resources in two consecutive slots (which are identical across two consecutive slots) as defined by the higher layer parameter CSI-RS-resource mapping are given by:

for FR1 and FR2, l ε {4,8}, l ε {5,9}, or l ε {6,10}; or alternatively

For FR2, l ε {0,4}, l ε {1,5}, l ε {2,6}, l ε {3,7}, l ε {7,11}, l ε {8,12} or l ε {9,13}.

Single port CSI-RS resources with density ρ=3 and parameter density configured by CSI-RS-resource mapping given by 3gpp TS 38.211 table 7.4.1.5.3-1.

Parameter fr as configured by CSI-RS-resource mappingThe bandwidth of the CSI-RS resource given by the eqBand is 52 andminimum of the RBs, or equal to +.>And RB. For operation with shared spectrum channel access, the freqBand configured by CSI-RS-resource mapping is 48 and +. >Minimum value of each RB, or equal toAnd RB.

If the bandwidth of the CSI-RS resource is greater than 52 RBs, the UE is not expected to be configured with 2 ^μ Periodicity of x 10 slots.

Periodicity and slot offset of periodic NZP CSI-RS resources as given by parameter periodic and offset configured by NZP-CSI-RS-Resource is 2 ^μ X _p One of the time slots, where X _p =10, 20,40 or 80 and where μ is the parameter set of BWP.

The same PowerControlOffset and PowerControlOffsetSS given across all resources by the NZP-CSI-RS-Resource value.

Once configured with periodic, half-period, and/or aperiodic CSI-RS/TRSs (also referred to as "tracking reference signals", "TRSs", or "CSI RS for tracking") in the manner described above, the NR UE in rrc_connected state uses these RSs to measure channel quality and/or to adjust the time and frequency synchronization of the UE with the serving network node (e.g., gNB) of the UE. When the UE transitions to a non-CONNECTED state (e.g., rrc_idle, rrc_inactive, or a state with similar properties), the network may or may not turn off the TRS that is available to the UE in the rrc_connected state. As such, the non-connected UE does not know whether the connection state RS is also available in the non-connected state.

As used herein, a "CONNECTED state RS" is an RS that is transmitted by the network at various occasions, but is conventionally and/or normally available for use only by UEs in an rrc_connected state (or a state with similar properties) with an active connection to the network. In other words, in normal operation, the connected state RS is not available to the UE while the UE is in a non-connected state (e.g., rrc_idle, rrc_inactive, or state with similar properties) with no active connection to the network. Examples of connection state RS include CSI-RS, TRS, etc.

In the present disclosure, the terms "present", "active" and "available" are used synonymously with respect to the connection state RS; likewise, the terms "absent", "deactivated" and "unavailable" are used synonymously. Also, at least with respect to the non-connected state UE, the term "additional RS" is used synonymously with the "connected state RS" (defined above).

A UE operating in a connected state may use such an RS for various purposes, such as Radio Link Monitoring (RLM), tracking, and the like. Examples of connection state RS include CSI-RS, TRS, etc. However, in normal operation, the connected state RS is not available to the UE while the UE is in a non-connected state (e.g., rrc_idle, rrc_inactive, or state with similar properties) with no active connection to the network. In particular, even when the network is transmitting connection state RSs, they may be unavailable to non-connection state UEs, since such UEs are unaware of the presence and/or configuration of connection state RSs being transmitted by the network.

Potential opportunities for NG-RAN to indicate TRS to non-connected UEs have been discussed in 3GPP, whereby UEs may utilize TRS to reduce energy consumption. These discussions have focused on using TRSs (rather than SSBs) for Automatic Gain Control (AGC) and time/frequency correction. However, UEs in a non-connected state may also consume energy due to other operations, such as Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements for the serving cell and neighbor cells, including the cell reselection measurements discussed above.

Therefore, it is preferable to use the available connection state RS for cell reselection purposes while in the non-connected state to reduce UE power consumption. However, current 3GPP specifications do not allow the UE to perform basic SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ measurements on the connected state RS at least while in the disconnected state. Accordingly, once notified about the availability of a connection state RS in a non-connection state, techniques are needed to facilitate the UE to perform cell reselection measurements based on the connection state RS.

Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure provide flexible and efficient techniques that enable and/or facilitate a UE to be configured with and utilize a connection state RS to be used for performing cell reselection measurements, such as SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ, while the UE is operating in a non-connected state. However, such techniques may also be applicable to UEs operating in a connected state.

Such embodiments may provide various benefits and/or advantages. For example, providing the UE with additional RSs for cell reselection measurements facilitates increased UE flexibility in selecting appropriate RSs according to various criteria including energy consumption. In particular, such flexibility enables UEs in a non-connected state to optimize sleep time and reduce energy consumption by choosing a connected state RS for cell reselection measurements. In other words, the UE does not have to keep awake to receive the non-connected state RS (e.g., SSB) for similar purposes. Furthermore, embodiments may provide such advantages without requiring additional types of reference signals (e.g., TRS/CSI-RS for tracking) in addition to the reference signals that the network has transmitted to the UE in rrc_connected state.

In the following description, it is assumed that the UE knows connection state RS transmission and/or configuration in the serving cell and neighbor cells to be measured while operating in both the connected state and the non-connected state. This information may be provided to the UE in various ways, such as disclosed by the inventors in U.S. application 62/976,415. Given this information, the UE uses the connection state RS for cell reselection measurements and calculation of SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ for the serving cell and/or neighbor cells.

Some of the examples described herein mention "occasions" (e.g., "first occasions") during which connection state RSs are transmitted by the wireless network so that the UE can perform cell reselection measurements on these connection state RSs when determining these occasions. "occasion" is an example of a resource, which may also be the time domain, frequency domain, and/or code domain in various embodiments. Examples of such resources are discussed above in connection with fig. 8-9.

In some embodiments, the UE may be configured (or preconfigured) to use the connection state RS for calculating SS-RSRP instead of SS-RSRQ. In other embodiments, the UE may be configured (or preconfigured) to use the connection state RS for calculating the NR carrier RSSI (as part of the SS-RSRQ) instead of the SS-RSRP. As such, particular embodiments with respect to SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ may be used independently, and may be used in combination.

In general, "preconfigured" (or "preconfigured") refers to what is part of the 3PP specification (e.g., a table that includes indexes referencing some particular configurations). In contrast, "configured" (or "configuration") refers to what can be given a value through signaling (e.g., RRC) from the network.

In some embodiments, the UE may be preconfigured such that if connection state RSs are available, the UE may use them for SS-RSRP measurements. For example, the current 3GPP specifications may be modified, such UEs being allowed to use the connection state RS for SS-RSRP calculation if the connection state RS is available and/or transmitted. In other embodiments, the UE may be explicitly informed (e.g. by means of RRC signaling) about which connection state RS occasions are available for SS-RSRP calculation.

In some embodiments, the UE may utilize power scaling between the connection state RS and SSB in order to accurately calculate the SS-RSRP based on the connection state RS. The UE may obtain the scaling/offset information in advance (e.g., by means of RRC, broadcast SI, measurements, etc.) and then utilize it to scale the measurements based on the connection state RS for consistency with SSS-based measurements. For example, the connection state RS may be transmitted with a non-zero power offset relative to the SSS, and it is therefore important to consider this offset to obtain accurate and/or reliable SS-RSRP measurements.

In some embodiments, the UE may determine the necessary power scaling from corresponding measurements based on SSB and connection state RS. For example, during one or more measurement occasions, the UE may calculate a first estimate of SS-RSRP based on the SSB and a second estimate based on the connection state RS. Alternatively, the UE may calculate the first and second estimates over multiple measurement occasions and filter/average the first and second estimates to obtain less noise and/or more reliable first and second estimates. The UE may then compare the filtered or unfiltered estimates to determine an appropriate power scaling between the two types of SS-RSRP estimates.

In other embodiments, power scaling between SSBs and related connection state RSs may be provided to UEs through the network, e.g., in broadcast SI, dedicated RRC messages, or a combination thereof. For example, power scaling may be signaled along with a connection state RS configuration provided to a UE operating in a non-connected state.

In some embodiments, the network may explicitly configure the UE to use the connection state RS for SS-RSRP calculation. For example, as part of the connection state RS configuration, the network may include parameters indicating whether the UE is allowed to use the available connection state RS for SS-RSRP calculation. The network may determine whether to grant such permission based on various parameters associated with the connection state RS transmission, such as an expected on-time or duration, a change in power or configuration over an expected Component Carrier (CC) bandwidth, and the like. As another example, the network may indicate permission for the non-connected UE to use the connection state RS for SS-RSRP calculation along with an indication of potential connection state RS opportunities to the non-connected UE.

In case the network does not explicitly grant or reject permission for the UE to use the connection state RS for SS-RSRP calculation, as in the conventional procedure, the UE may assume that it is not granted permission and relies on SSB for SS-RSRP calculation. Alternatively, the UE may assume that it is implicitly granted permission to use the available connection state RS for SS-RSRP calculation.

In some embodiments, the network may configure the UE to use a particular type of connection state RS and/or a particular symbol within the connection state RS for SS-RSRP calculation. Configuration may be done, for example, by means of RRC signaling. As a specific example, the network may indicate by means of RRC signaling that the UE may use the connection state for SS-RSRP calculation, but that specific symbols within the connection state RS may be preconfigured, e.g. in the 3GPP specifications.

To determine the SS-RSRQ based on the connection state RS, the UE should determine the SS-RSRP and/or the NR carrier RSSI based on the measurements of the connection state RS. For reliable results, the UE preferably makes both measurements on the same set of REs. The UE may determine the SS-RSRP in any of the ways discussed above. Various techniques are disclosed below whereby the UE may determine the NR carrier RSSI based on the connection state RS measurements.

According to current 3gpp TS 38.211 section 4.1, the measurement time resource(s) for the NR carrier RSSI are not constrained when calculating the SS-RSRQ for cell selection. For cell reselection and other RRM measurements, the measurement time resource(s) for the NR carrier RSSI is limited to the SSB Measurement Time Configuration (SMTC) window duration and potentially specific OFDM symbols if indicated by higher layers. Thus, according to the current specifications, the UE cannot use the connection state RS for calculating the NR carrier RSSI for cell reselection measurements.

In some embodiments, the UE may be preconfigured to calculate the NR carrier RSSI using the connection state RS, a particular type of connection state RS (e.g., if the TRS spans two consecutive slots), and/or a particular symbol within the connection state RS. For example, the current specification may be adapted to allow the UE to use the available connection state RS for NR carrier RSSI calculation. In some cases, the 3GPP specifications may also be adapted to indicate a particular type of connection state RS and/or symbols within the connection state RS that may be used for NR carrier RSSI calculation.

In other embodiments, the network may configure the UE to calculate the NR carrier RSSI with the connection state RS, a particular type of connection state RS (e.g., if the TRS spans two consecutive slots), and/or a particular symbol within the connection state RS. Configuration may be done, for example, by means of RRC signaling. As a specific example, the network may instruct the UE by means of RRC signaling that the connection state may be used to calculate the NR carrier RSSI, but the specific symbols within the connection state RS may be preconfigured, for example in the 3GPP specifications.

As another example, as part of the connection state RS configuration, the network may include a parameter indicating whether the UE is allowed to use the available connection state RS for NR carrier RSRP calculation. The network may determine whether to grant such permission based on various parameters associated with the connection state RS transmission, such as an expected on-time or duration, a change in power or configuration over an expected Component Carrier (CC) bandwidth, and the like. As another example, the network may indicate that the connection state RS is used for NR carrier RSSI calculations for the non-connected UE along with an indication of potential connection state RS opportunities to the non-connected UE.

In the case where the network does not explicitly grant or deny permission for the UE to use the connection state RS for NR carrier RSSI calculation, as in conventional procedures, the UE may assume that it is not granted permission and relies on SSB for NR carrier RSSI calculation. Alternatively, the UE may assume that it is implicitly granted permission to use the available connection state RS for NR carrier RSSI calculation.

In some embodiments, the network may configure the UE with a connection state RS measurement window within which the UE may utilize available connection state RSs from all sources (e.g., serving cell, neighbor cell, thermal noise, etc.) to calculate the NR carrier RSSI.

In some embodiments, the UE may utilize power scaling between the connection state RS and SSB to accurately calculate the NR carrier RSSI based on the connection state RS. The UE may obtain the scaling/offset information in advance (e.g., by means of RRC, broadcast SI, measurements, etc.) and then utilize it to scale the measurements based on the connection state RS for consistency with SSS-based measurements. For example, the connection state RS may be transmitted with a non-zero power offset relative to the SSS, and it is therefore important to consider this offset to obtain accurate and/or reliable NR carrier RSSI measurements.

In some embodiments, the UE may determine the necessary power scaling from corresponding measurements based on SSB and connection state RS. For example, during one or more measurement occasions, the UE may calculate a first estimate of NR carrier RSSI based on SSB and a second estimate based on connection state RS. Optionally, the UE may calculate the first and second estimates over multiple measurement occasions and filter/average the first and second estimates to obtain less noise and/or more reliable first and second estimates. The UE may then compare the filtered or unfiltered estimates to determine an appropriate power scaling between the two types of NR carrier RSSI estimates.

In other embodiments, power scaling between SSBs and associated connection state RSs may be provided to UEs through the network, e.g., in broadcast SI, dedicated RRC messages, or a combination thereof. For example, power scaling may be signaled along with a connection state RS configuration provided to a UE operating in a non-connected state.

In the following description, it is assumed that the UE receives a configuration or a pre-configuration such that the UE can calculate SS-RSRP and/or NR carrier RSSI using the connection state RS and thus SS-RSRQ if one or both of the constituent parameters of the SS-RSRQ can be estimated using the connection state RS. This may be accomplished in any of the ways described above.

In some embodiments, the UE may decide to use the connection state RS for serving cell and/or neighbor cell measurements, e.g. if the UE may skip some SSB measurements by employing TRSs and thus stay longer in sleep and thus reduce energy consumption. The UE may estimate the expected power consumption obtained using conventional (SSB-only) measurements including sleep cycles between wakeups for SSB measurements and/or sleep transitions associated with wakeups for SSB measurements and the alternative power consumption obtained with a connection state RS with reduced number of wakeups or shortened intermediate sleep segments. The UE may choose to perform TRS-based cell selection measurements if the connection state RS-based measurements result in power savings or the savings exceed a threshold.

The UE may perform repeated RSRP/RSSI/RSRQ measurements and monitor the correspondence periodically but not frequently based on SSB and connection status RS. If the difference exceeds the threshold, the UE may revert to conventional SSB-based measurements.

Although the above description is based on the configuration or pre-configuration of the UE, in other embodiments this is not required. For example, the UE may use the principles described above in a proprietary manner without relying on pre-configuration or network configuration. If the non-connected state UE determines that connected state RSs are available (using standardized or proprietary methods) and using them for cell reselection measurements may reduce UE power consumption, the UE may autonomously perform RSRP and/or RSSI measurements based on the connected state RSs (instead of SSB) and use the results instead of conventional SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ. In some variations, the UE may perform the required power scaling estimation and correction as described above.

In some embodiments, the non-connected state UE may determine that the connection state RS is available based on an explicit indication from the network, e.g., by means of broadcast SI, RRCRelease message to transition the UE from the connected state to the non-connected state, or other dedicated signaling. In other embodiments, the non-connected state UE may determine that a connection state RS is available based on blind decoding of the serving call and/or transmissions in the neighbor cell. For example, the UE may acquire potential opportunities for neighbor cell connection state RS through blind decoding of higher layer signaling in the neighbor cell. As a more specific example, the network may broadcast potential opportunities for connection state RS (e.g., TRS) in SI for neighbor cell(s). The UE may first blind decode the neighbor cell SSB (e.g., as part of neighbor cell measurements) and thus obtain information about other SIBs in the neighbor cell SI, including SIB(s) indicating potential occasion of neighbor cell connection status RS.

The various features of the embodiments described above correspond to the various operations illustrated in fig. 10-11, which illustrate exemplary methods (e.g., procedures) of the UE and the network node, respectively. In other words, the various features of the operations described below correspond to the various embodiments described above. Further, the exemplary methods illustrated in fig. 10-11 may be used in concert to provide various exemplary benefits described herein. While fig. 10-11 illustrate particular blocks in a particular order, the operations of the exemplary method may be performed in a different order than illustrated, and the operations of the exemplary method may be combined and/or divided into blocks having different functionality than illustrated. Optional blocks or operations are indicated by dashed lines.

In particular, fig. 10 illustrates an exemplary method (e.g., procedure) for cell reselection by a UE in a wireless network, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The exemplary method may be performed by a UE (e.g., wireless device, ioT device, etc.) operating in a wireless network (e.g., E-UTRAN, NG-RAN), such as the UE described elsewhere herein.

An exemplary method may include operations of block 1020 where the UE may determine one or more first resources associated with transmission of connection state Reference Signals (RSs) by a wireless network in a serving cell and/or one or more neighbor cells of the UE while the UE is in a non-connected state. The exemplary method may also include an operation of block 1050, wherein the UE may use the one or more first resources to perform cell reselection measurements for connection state RSs transmitted in the serving cell and/or in any of the neighbor cells.

In various embodiments, the cell reselection measurements performed on the connection state RS may include any of the following: reference Signal Received Power (RSRP); a carrier Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI); and Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ). In some embodiments, cell reselection measurements may be performed on one or more of the following connection states RS: channel state information RS (CSI-RS) for tracking, tracking RS (TRS), and CSI-RS for mobility.

In some embodiments, the exemplary method may further include an operation of block 1085, wherein the UE may scale the cell reselection measurements based on a scaling factor related to a difference between respective transmission powers for the connection state RS and for the SSB.

In various embodiments, the scaling factor may be received from a network node providing a serving cell for the UE or may be determined by the UE, as discussed in more detail below.

In some embodiments, the exemplary method may further include operations of block 1010, wherein the UE may receive a measurement configuration from a network node providing a serving cell comprising one or more of:

a first indication that the UE allows to use the connection state RS for cell reselection measurements;

a second indication of a specific type of connection state RS available for cell reselection measurements;

a third indication of at least one resource associated with transmission of a connection state RS that is available for cell reselection measurements; and a scaling factor related to the difference between the corresponding transmission powers for the connection state RS and for the SSB.

In some of these embodiments, a cell reselection measurement may be performed (e.g., in block 1050) based on receiving a first indication that the UE is allowed in block 1010. In some of these embodiments, the third indication may indicate a measurement window during which connection state RS transmitted in the serving cell and neighbor cells may be used for cell reselection measurements.

In some embodiments, the determining operation of block 1020 may include operations of sub-block 1021, wherein the UE may select one or more first resources from the at least one resource indicated by the third indication (e.g., received in block 1010). In other embodiments, the determining operation of block 1020 may include the operation of sub-block 1022 wherein the UE may perform blind decoding of System Information (SI) broadcast in one or more neighbor cells to determine one or more first resources.

In some embodiments, the exemplary method may further include the operations of block 1060, wherein the UE may perform additional cell reselection measurements based on SSBs transmitted by the wireless network in a serving cell of the UE and/or in one or more neighbor cells. In some of these embodiments, the exemplary method may further include operations of blocks 1070-1075, wherein the UE may determine whether a difference between the cell reselection measurement and the additional cell reselection measurement exceeds a threshold, and refrain from performing a subsequent cell reselection measurement based on the connection state RS when the difference exceeds the threshold. For example, the UE may instead perform subsequent cell reselection measurements based on SSBs.

In some of these embodiments, the exemplary method may further include operations of blocks 1080-1085, wherein the UE may estimate a scaling factor between respective transmission powers for the connection state RS and for the SSB based on the cell reselection measurements and the further cell reselection measurements and scale the cell reselection measurements based on the estimated scaling factor.

In some embodiments, the exemplary method may further include operations of blocks 1030-1040, wherein the UE may estimate a first expected energy consumption associated with the cell reselection measurement based on the connection state RS and estimate a second expected energy consumption associated with the cell reselection measurement based on the SSB. In such an embodiment, performing the cell reselection measurement on the connection state RS (e.g., in block 1050) may be based on the first expected energy consumption being less than the second expected energy consumption.

In some embodiments, the one or more first resources used to perform the cell reselection measurements may include any of the following: time domain resources (e.g., slots, symbols, periodicity, offset, etc.), frequency domain resources (e.g., frequency band, number of PRBs, starting PRB, density, etc.), code domain resources (e.g., ports, CDM values, and/or patterns, etc.), and one or more first occasions.

In some of these embodiments, the exemplary method may further include an operation of block 1090, wherein the UE may remain in a low energy state during one or more second occasions during which SSBs are transmitted by the wireless network (e.g., in a serving cell and/or neighbor cell of the UE). This may be facilitated by performing cell reselection measurements (e.g., in block 1050) on the connection state RS during the first occasion, such that the UE may not have to wake up to perform cell reselection measurements on the SSB during the second occasion in a conventional manner. This may reduce overall UE power consumption.

In some of these embodiments, the UE may be preconfigured to use the connection state RS for cell reselection measurements during one or more first time periods. As an example, the UE does not need explicit permission from the network (e.g., based on receiving the first indication in block 1010) to use the connection state RS for the reselection measurement, including during a first time period when the UE determines that such connection state RS is available for the cell reselection measurement.

In some embodiments, the exemplary method may further include the operation of block 1095, wherein the UE may perform cell reselection (e.g., performed in block 1050) on one of the neighbor cells based on the cell reselection measurements.

Additionally, fig. 11 illustrates an exemplary method (e.g., procedure) to facilitate cell reselection by one or more UEs being served by a cell in a wireless network, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The exemplary method may be performed by a network node (e.g., base station, eNB, gNB, NG-eNB, etc., or components thereof) serving a cell in a wireless network (e.g., E-UTRAN, NG-RAN), such as the network node described elsewhere herein.

An exemplary method may include operations of block 1120, wherein the network node may transmit a measurement configuration including one or more of the following to one or more UEs:

A first indication that the UE allows to use the connection state RS for cell reselection measurements;

a second indication of a specific type of connection state RS available for cell reselection measurements;

a third indication of at least one resource associated with transmission of a connection state, RS, available for cell reselection measurements by the UE; and

scaling factors related to the difference between the corresponding transmission powers for the connection state RS and for the SSB.

The exemplary method may also include an operation of block 1130, wherein the network node may transmit the connection state RS in the serving cell using the one or more first resources while the one or more UEs are in the non-connected state.

In some embodiments, one or more first resources used to transmit the connection state RS may be included in at least one resource indicated by the third indication.

In various embodiments, the cell reselection measurement for the connection state RS may comprise any of the following: RSRP, RSSI, and RSRQ. In some embodiments, the connection state RS transmitted in the serving cell during the one or more first time periods may include any of the following: CSI-RS for tracking, TRS, and CSI-RS for mobility.

In some embodiments, the exemplary method may further include an operation of block 1110, wherein the network node may determine whether to grant the UE permission to use the connection state RS for cell reselection measurements based on one or more of the following in connection with transmission of the connection state RS: expected transmission duration, and expected variation in transmission power and/or transmission configuration over a bandwidth including the connection state RS. For example, this determination may be the basis of a first indication included in the measurement configuration sent in block 1120.

In some embodiments, the third indication may indicate a measurement window during which connection state RSs transmitted in the serving cell and neighbor cells are available for cell reselection measurements by one or more UEs.

In some embodiments, the one or more first resources used to communicate the connection state RS may include any of the following: time domain resources (e.g., slots, symbols, periodicity, offset, etc.), frequency domain resources (e.g., frequency band, number of PRBs, starting PRB, density, etc.), code domain resources (e.g., ports, CDM values, and/or patterns, etc.), and one or more first occasions. In some of these embodiments, the exemplary method may further include an operation of block 1140, wherein the network node may transmit the SSB in the serving cell during one or more second occasions while the one or more UEs are in a non-connected state. In such embodiments, transmitting the connection state RS during the first occasion (e.g., in block 1130) may facilitate the one or more UEs to remain in the low energy state during the second occasion. In other words, when the UE performs cell reselection measurements on the connection state RS during the first occasion, the UE may not have to wake up to perform cell reselection measurements on the SSB during the second occasion in a conventional manner, thereby reducing overall UE energy consumption.

Although various embodiments have been described above in terms of methods, techniques and/or procedures, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that such methods, techniques and/or procedures may be embodied by various combinations of hardware and software in various systems, communications devices, computing devices, control devices, apparatus, non-transitory computer readable media, computer program products, and the like.

Fig. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless device or User Equipment (UE) 1200 (hereinafter referred to as "UE 1200"), including those described above with reference to other figures, in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure. For example, UE 1200 may be configured to perform operations corresponding to one or more of the exemplary methods described herein by executing instructions stored on a computer-readable medium.

The UE 1200 may include a processor 1210 (also referred to as "processing circuitry"), which processor 1210 may be operatively connected to a program memory 1220 and/or a data memory 1230 via a bus 1270 that may include parallel address and data buses, serial ports, or other methods and/or structures known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The program memory 1220 may store software code, programs, and/or instructions (shown collectively as a computer program product CPP 1221) that, when executed by the processor 1210, may configure and/or facilitate the UE 1200 to perform various operations including operations corresponding to the various exemplary methods described herein. As part of or in addition to such operations, execution of such instructions may also configure and/or facilitate UE 1200 to communicate using one or more wired or wireless communication protocols, including one or more wireless communication protocols standardized by 3GPP, 3GPP2, or IEEE, such as those commonly referred to as 5G/NR, LTE, LTE-A, UMTS, HSPA, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 1xRTT, CDMA2000, 802.11WiFi, HDMI, USB, firewire, etc., or any other current or future protocol that may be used with radio transceiver 1240, user interface 1250, and/or control interface 1260.

As another example, the processor 1210 may execute program code corresponding to MAC, RLC, PDCP and RRC layer protocols (e.g., for NR and/or LTE) standardized by 3GPP stored in the program memory 1220. As a further example, processor 1210 may execute program code stored in program memory 1220 that implements corresponding PHY layer protocols, such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), and single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA), with radio transceiver 1240. As another example, processor 1210 may execute program code stored in program memory 1220 to enable device-to-device (D2D) communication with other compatible devices and/or UEs in conjunction with radio transceiver 1240.

The program memory 1220 may also include software code for execution by the processor 1210 for controlling the functions of the UE 1200 including configuring and controlling various components, such as the radio transceiver 1240, the user interface 1250, and/or the control interface 1260. Program memory 1220 may also include one or more applications and/or modules including computer-executable instructions embodying any of the exemplary methods described herein. Such software code may be specified or written using any known or future developed programming language, such as, for example, java, C++, C, objective C, HTML, XHTML, machine code, and assembly language, so long as the desired functionality, for example, as defined by the method steps implemented, is retained. Additionally or alternatively, the program memory 1220 may include an external storage arrangement (not shown) remote from the UE 1200 from which instructions may be downloaded into the program memory 1220 located within the UE 1200 or removably coupled to the UE 1200 to enable execution of such instructions.

The data memory 1230 may include memory regions for the processor 1210 to store variables used in protocols, configurations, controls, and other functions of the UE 1200, including operations corresponding to or including any of the exemplary methods described herein. Further, program memory 1220 and/or data memory 1230 may include non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory), volatile memory (e.g., static or dynamic RAM), or a combination thereof. In addition, the data storage 1230 may include a memory slot through which removable memory cards (e.g., SD cards, memory sticks, compact flash, etc.) of one or more formats may be inserted and removed.

One of ordinary skill will recognize that processor 1210 may include a plurality of separate processors (including, for example, multi-core processors) that each implement a portion of the functionality described above. In this case, a plurality of separate processors may be commonly connected to the program memory 1220 and the data memory 1230 or individually connected to a plurality of separate program memories and or data memories. More generally, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the various protocols and other functions of UE 1200 may be implemented in many different computer arrangements including different combinations of hardware and software, including but not limited to application processors, signal processors, general purpose processors, multi-core processors, ASICs, fixed and/or programmable digital circuits, analog baseband circuits, radio frequency circuits, software, firmware, and middleware.

The radio transceiver 1240 may include radio frequency transmitter and/or receiver functionality that facilitates communication of the UE 1200 with other devices supporting similar wireless communication standards and/or protocols. In some embodiments, the radio transceiver 1240 includes one or more transmitters and one or more receivers that enable the UE 1200 to communicate in accordance with various protocols and/or methods proposed for standardization by 3GPP and/or other standard entities. For example, such functionality may operate in cooperation with processor 1210 to implement a PHY layer based on OFDM, OFDMA, and/or SC-FDMA techniques such as described herein in connection with the other figures.

In some embodiments, the radio transceiver 1240 includes one or more transmitters and one or more receivers that may facilitate the UE 1200 to communicate with various LTE, LTE-advanced (LTE-a), and/or NR networks according to standards promulgated by 3 GPP. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the radio transceiver 1240 includes circuitry, firmware, etc., necessary for the UE 1200 to communicate with various NR, NR-U, LTE, LTE-A, LTE-LAA, UMTS, and/or GSM/EDGE networks, also in accordance with the 3GPP standards. In some embodiments, the radio transceiver 1240 may include circuitry to support D2D communications between the UE 1200 and other compatible devices.

In some embodiments, the radio transceiver 1240 includes circuitry, firmware, etc., necessary for the UE 1200 to communicate with various CDMA2000 networks in accordance with the 3GPP2 standards. In some embodiments, radio transceiver 1240 may be capable of communicating using radio technologies operating in unlicensed bands, such as IEEE 802.11WiFi operating at frequencies in the vicinity of 2.4, 5.6, and/or 60 GHz. In some embodiments, the radio transceiver 1240 may include a transceiver capable of wired communication, such as by using IEEE 802.3 ethernet technology. The functionality specific to each of these embodiments may be coupled with and/or controlled by other circuitry in UE 1200, such as processor 1210 executing program code stored in program memory 1220, which program memory 1220 is combined with data memory 1230 and/or supported by data memory 1230.

The user interface 1250 may take various forms depending on the particular embodiment of the UE 1200, or the user interface 1250 may not be present at all in the UE 1200. In some embodiments, user interface 1250 may include a microphone, speaker, slidable buttons, depressible buttons, a display, a touch screen display, a mechanical or virtual keypad, a mechanical or virtual keyboard, and/or any other user interface features commonly found on mobile telephones. In other embodiments, the UE 1200 may include a tablet computing device that includes a larger touch screen display. In such embodiments, one or more of the mechanical features of user interface 1250 may be replaced with comparable or functionally equivalent virtual user interface features (e.g., virtual keypads, virtual buttons, etc.) implemented using a touch screen display, as would be familiar to those of ordinary skill in the art. In other embodiments, the UE 1200 may be a digital computing device such as a laptop computer, desktop computer, workstation, etc., including a mechanical keyboard that may be integrated, separate, or separable depending on the particular embodiment. Such digital computing devices may also include a touch screen display. Some embodiments of the UE 1200 with a touch screen display are capable of receiving user input, such as input related to the exemplary methods described herein or otherwise known to one of ordinary skill.

In some embodiments, the UE 1200 may include an orientation sensor that may be used by features and functions of the UE 1200 in various ways. For example, the output of the orientation sensor may be used by the UE 1200 to determine when the user has changed the physical orientation of the touch screen display of the UE 1200. The indication signal from the orientation sensor may be available to any application executing on the UE 1200 such that the application may automatically change the orientation of the screen display (e.g., from portrait to landscape) when the physical orientation of the indication signal indicating device changes by about 120 degrees. In this exemplary manner, the application may maintain the screen display in a manner readable by the user regardless of the physical orientation of the device. In addition, the output of the orientation sensor may be used with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

The control interface 1260 of the UE 1200 may take various forms depending on the particular embodiment of the UE 1200 and the particular embodiment of the particular interface requirements of other devices with which the UE 1200 is intended to communicate and/or control. For example, the control interface 1260 may include an RS-232 interface, a USB interface, an HDMI interface, a Bluetooth interface, an IEEE ("Firewire") interface, I ² C interface, PCMCIA interface, etc. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, control interface 1260 may comprise an IEEE 802.3 ethernet interface such as described above. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, control interface 1260 may include analog interface circuitry including, for example, one or more digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and/or analog-to-digital converters (ADCs).

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the above list of features, interfaces, and radio frequency communication standards is merely exemplary and is not limiting to the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the UE 1200 may include more functionality than shown in fig. 12, including, for example, a video and/or still image camera, microphone, media player and/or recorder, and the like. In addition, the radio transceiver 1240 may include circuitry necessary for communicating using additional radio frequency communication standards including bluetooth, GPS, and/or others. Furthermore, processor 1210 may execute software code stored in program memory 1220 to control such additional functionality. For example, the directional velocity and/or position estimate output from the GPS receiver may be employable by any application executing on the UE 1200 that includes any program code corresponding to and/or embodying any of the embodiments described herein (e.g., embodiments of the methods).

Fig. 13 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary network node 1300, including those described above with reference to other figures, according to various embodiments of the disclosure. For example, exemplary network node 1300 may be configured by executing instructions stored on a computer-readable medium to perform operations corresponding to one or more of the exemplary methods described herein. In some embodiments, network node 1300 may include a base station, an eNB, a gNB, or one or more components thereof. For example, network node 1300 may be configured as a Central Unit (CU) and one or more Distributed Units (DUs) according to the NR gNB architecture specified by 3 GPP. More generally, the functionality of network node 1300 may be distributed across various physical devices and/or functional units, modules, etc.

Network node 1300 may include a processor 1310 (also referred to as "processing circuitry"), which processor 1310 is operatively connected to program memory 1320 and/or data memory 1330 via a bus 1370 that may include parallel address and data buses, serial ports, or other methods and/or structures known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Program memory 1320 may store software code, programs, and/or instructions (shown collectively as computer program product CPP 1321) that, when executed by processor 1310, may configure and/or facilitate network node 1300 to perform various operations, including operations corresponding to the various exemplary methods described herein. As part of and/or in addition to such operations, program memory 1320 may include software code executed by processor 1310 that may configure and/or facilitate network node 1300 to communicate with one or more other UEs or network nodes using other protocols or protocol layers, such as one or more of PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP and RRC layer protocols standardized by 3GPP for LTE, LTE-a, and/or NR, or any other higher layer (e.g., NAS) protocol used with radio network interface 1340 and/or core network interface 1350. By way of example, as standardized by 3GPP, core network interface 1350 may include an S1 or NG interface and radio network interface 1340 may include a Uu interface. Program memory 1320 may also include software code for execution by processor 1310 for controlling network node 1300, including configuring and controlling the functions of the various components such as radio network interface 1340 and core network interface 1350.

Data memory 1330 may include a memory region for processor 1310 to store variables used in protocols, configuration, control, and other functions of network node 1300. As such, the program memory 1320 and the data memory 1330 may include non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory, hard disk, etc.), volatile memory (e.g., static or dynamic RAM), network-based (e.g., "cloud") storage devices, or a combination thereof. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the processor 1310 may include a plurality of separate processors (not shown) each of which implements a portion of the functionality described above. In this case, a plurality of individual processors may be commonly connected to the program memory 1320 and the data memory 1330 or individually connected to a plurality of individual program memories and/or data memories. More generally, those of ordinary skill will recognize that the various protocols and other functions of network node 1300 may be implemented in many different combinations of hardware and software, including but not limited to application processors, signal processors, general purpose processors, multi-core processors, ASICs, fixed digital circuits, programmable digital circuits, analog baseband circuits, radio frequency circuits, software, firmware, and middleware.

Radio network interface 1340 may include transmitters, receivers, signal processors, ASICs, antennas, beam forming units, and other circuitry that enables network node 1300 to communicate with other devices, such as multiple compatible User Equipment (UEs) in some embodiments. In some embodiments, interface 1340 may also enable network node 1300 to communicate with compatible satellites of a satellite communication network. In some embodiments, the radio network interface 1340 may include various protocols or protocol layers, such as PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP and/or RRC layer protocols standardized by 3GPP for LTE, LTE-A, LTE-LAA, NR, NR-U, and the like; improvements thereto such as described herein above; or any other higher layer protocol used with radio network interface 1340. According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, radio network interface 1340 may include PHY layers based on OFDM, OFDMA, and/or SC-FDMA techniques. In some embodiments, the functionality of such PHY layers may be provided cooperatively through the radio network interface 1340 and the processor 1310 (including program code in the memory 1320).

Core network interface 1350 may include a transmitter, a receiver, and other circuitry that enables network node 1300 to communicate with other devices in a core network, such as a Circuit Switched (CS) and/or packet switched core (PS) network in some embodiments. In some embodiments, core network interface 1350 may include an S1 interface standardized by 3 GPP. In some embodiments, core network interface 1350 may include an NG interface standardized by 3 GPP. In some embodiments, core network interface 1350 may include one or more interfaces to one or more AMF, SMF, SGW, MME, SGSN, GGSN and other physical devices including functionality found in GERAN, UTRAN, EPC, 5GC and CDMA2000 core networks known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, these one or more interfaces may be multiplexed together on a single physical interface. In some embodiments, lower layers of core network interface 1350 may include one or more of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), internet Protocol (IP) over ethernet, SDH over fiber optic, T1/E1/PDH over copper wire, microwave radio, or other wired or wireless transmission techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In some embodiments, network node 1300 may include hardware and/or software that configures and/or facilitates network node 1300 to communicate with other network nodes in the RAN (such as with other eNB, gNB, ng-enbs, en-gnbs, IAB nodes, etc.). Such hardware and/or software may be part of radio network interface 1340 and/or core network interface 1350 or it may be a separate functional unit (not shown). For example, such hardware and/or software may configure and/or facilitate network node 1300 to communicate with other RAN nodes via an X2 or Xn interface, as standardized by 3 GPP.

OA & M interface 1360 may include transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry that enables network node 1300 to communicate with external networks, computers, databases, etc. or with other network devices operatively connected thereto for purposes of operating, managing, and maintaining network node 1300. Lower layers of OA & M interface 1360 may include one or more of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), internet Protocol (IP) over ethernet, SDH over fiber, T1/E1/PDH over copper wire, microwave radio, or other wired or wireless transmission techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, in some embodiments, one or more of radio network interface 1340, core network interface 1350, and OA & M interface 1360 may be multiplexed together on a single physical interface, such as the examples listed above.

Fig. 14 is a block diagram of an exemplary communication network configured to provide Over The Top (OTT) data services between a host and a User Equipment (UE) in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The UE 1410 may communicate with a Radio Access Network (RAN) 1430 via a radio interface 1420, which may be based on the above-described protocols including, for example, LTE-a, and 5G/NR. For example, the UE 1410 may be configured and/or arranged as shown in the other figures discussed above.

RAN 1430 may include one or more terrestrial network nodes (e.g., base stations, enbs, gnbs, controllers, etc.) operable in licensed spectrum bands and one or more network nodes operable in unlicensed spectrum (using, e.g., LAA or NR-U technology) such as the 2.4-GHz band and/or the 5-GHz band. In this case, the network nodes comprising RAN 1430 may operate cooperatively using licensed and unlicensed spectrum. In some embodiments, RAN 1430 may include or be capable of communicating with one or more satellites, including a satellite access network.

RAN 1430 may further communicate with core network 1440 according to various protocols and interfaces described above. For example, one or more devices (e.g., base stations, enbs, gnbs, etc.) comprising the RAN 1430 may communicate with the core network 1440 via the core network interface 1450 described above. In some embodiments, the RAN 1430 and the core network 1440 may be configured and/or arranged as shown in the other figures discussed above. For example, an eNB comprising E-UTRAN 1430 may communicate with EPC core network 1440 via an S1 interface. As another example, a gNB and a NG-eNB including NG-RAN 1430 may communicate with 5GC core network 1430 via an NG interface.

The core network 1440 may further communicate with an external packet data network, illustrated in fig. 14 as the internet 1450, according to various protocols and interfaces known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Many other devices and/or networks may also be connected to the internet 1450 and communicate via the internet 1450, such as an exemplary host 1460. In some embodiments, the host 1460 may use the internet 1450, the core network 1440, and the RAN 1430 as intermediaries to communicate with the UE 1410. Host 1460 may be a server (e.g., an application server) under ownership and/or control of a service provider. Host 1460 may be operated by an OTT service provider or by another entity on behalf of the service provider.

For example, host 1460 may provide over-the-top (OTT) packet data services to UE 1410 using the facilities of core network 1440 and RAN 1430, which may not be aware of the routing of outbound/inbound communications to/from host 1460. Similarly, host 1460 may not be aware of the routing of transmissions from the host to the UE, such as through RAN 1430. Various OTT services may be provided using the exemplary configuration shown in fig. 14, including, for example, streaming (unidirectional) audio and/or video from a host to a UE, interactive (bi-directional) audio and/or video between a host and a UE, interactive messaging or social communications, interactive virtual or augmented reality, and the like.

The exemplary network shown in fig. 14 may also include sensors and/or measurement processes that monitor network performance metrics including data rate, latency, and other factors improved by embodiments disclosed herein. The exemplary network may also include functionality for reconfiguring links between endpoints (e.g., hosts and UEs) in response to changes in measurement results. Such processes and functionalities are known and implemented; if the network is hidden from or abstracts the radio interface from the OTT service provider, the measurement may be facilitated by proprietary signaling between the UE and the host.

The embodiments described herein enable and/or facilitate a UE to be configured with and utilize a connection state RS while operating in a non-CONNECTED state (e.g., rrc_idle or rrc_inactive) for performing cell reselection measurements, such as a non-SSB RS that is conventionally only employable by UEs in an rrc_connected state. Upon receiving such an indication, the UE may select an appropriate RS according to various criteria including energy consumption. For example, such flexibility enables a UE in a non-connected state to optimize sleep time and reduce power consumption by choosing a connected state RS for cell reselection measurements instead of having to rely on a non-connected state RS such as SSB. When used in NR UEs (e.g., UE 1410) and gnbs (e.g., the gnbs including RAN 1430), embodiments described herein may increase the use of data services by allowing the UEs to allocate a greater portion of their stored energy for the data services (e.g., embbs) while in a connected state. This, therefore, increases the benefits and/or value of such data services to end users and OTT service providers.

The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements and procedures which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles disclosed and may thus be within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the various embodiments may be used with each other and interchangeably therewith.

The term unit as used herein may have a meaning conventional in the art of electronics, electrical devices, and/or electronic devices and may include, for example, electrical and/or electronic circuits, devices, modules, processors, memories, logical solid state and/or discrete devices, computer programs or instructions for performing the respective tasks, processes, calculations, output and/or display functions, etc., such as those described herein.

Any suitable step, method, feature, function, or benefit disclosed herein may be performed by one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual devices. Each virtual device may include a plurality of these functional units. These functional units may be implemented by means of processing circuitry, which may comprise one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers, and other digital hardware, which may include a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), dedicated digital logic, or the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory, such as Read Only Memory (ROM), random Access Memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, and the like. The program code stored in the memory includes program instructions for performing one or more telecommunications and/or data communication protocols and instructions for performing one or more of the techniques described herein. In some implementations, processing circuitry may be used to cause respective functional units to perform corresponding functions in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

As described herein, an apparatus and/or device may be represented by a semiconductor chip, a chipset, or a (hardware) module comprising such a chip or chipset; however, this does not exclude the possibility that the functionality of the apparatus or device is implemented (instead of hardware) as a software module, such as a computer program or a computer program product comprising executable software code portions for execution or running on a processor. Furthermore, the functionality of the apparatus or device may be implemented by any combination of hardware and software. An apparatus or device may also be considered to be an assembly of multiple apparatuses and/or devices, whether functionally coordinated or independent of each other. Furthermore, as long as the functionality of the apparatus or device is preserved, the apparatus and device may be implemented in a distributed manner throughout the system. Such and similar principles are considered to be known to the skilled person.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In addition, certain terms (e.g., "data" and "information") used in the present disclosure (including the description and drawings) may be used synonymously in certain instances. It will be understood that, although these terms (and/or other terms) may be used synonymously herein, there may be instances where such terms may not be intended to be used synonymously. Furthermore, to the extent that prior art knowledge has not been expressly incorporated herein by reference above, the entire contents thereof are expressly incorporated herein. All cited publications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Embodiments of the techniques and apparatus described herein also include, but are not limited to, the following enumerated examples:

A1. a method for cell reselection by a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless network, the method comprising:

determining one or more first resources associated with transmission of connection state Reference Signals (RSs) by the wireless network in a serving cell and/or one or more neighbor cells of the UE while the UE is in a non-connected state; and

cell reselection measurements are performed on connection state RSs transmitted in the serving cell and/or in any of the neighbor cells using one or more first resources.

A2. The method of embodiment A1, further comprising scaling the cell reselection measurements based on a scaling factor related to a difference between respective transmission powers for the connection state RS and for the synchronization signal/PBCH block (SSB).

A3. The method as in any of embodiments A1-A2, further comprising receiving, from a network node providing a serving cell, a measurement configuration comprising one or more of:

the UE allows a first indication of the connection state RS for cell reselection measurements;

a second indication of a particular type of connection state RS that may be used for cell reselection measurements;

a third indication of at least one resource associated with transmission of a connection state, RS, available for cell reselection measurements; and a scaling factor related to a difference between the corresponding transmission powers for the connection state RS and for the synchronization signal/PBCH block (SSB).

A4. The method of embodiment A3 wherein the cell reselection measurement is performed based on receiving a first indication that the UE is allowed.

A5. The method of any of embodiments A3-A4, wherein determining one or more first resources comprises selecting one or more first resources from at least one resource indicated by the third indication.

A6. The method as in any of embodiments A3-A5, wherein the third indication indicates a measurement window during which connection status RS transmitted in the serving cell and the neighbor cell is available for cell reselection measurements.

A6a. the method of any of embodiments A1-A2, wherein determining one or more first resources comprises performing blind decoding of System Information (SI) broadcast in one or more neighbor cells.

A7. The method as in any of embodiments A1-A6a, further comprising performing additional cell reselection measurements based on synchronization signals/PBCH blocks (SSBs) transmitted by the wireless network in a serving cell of the UE and/or in one or more neighbor cells.

A8. The method of embodiment A7, further comprising:

determining whether a difference between the cell reselection measurement and the further cell reselection measurement exceeds a threshold; and

when the difference exceeds the threshold, the subsequent cell reselection measurement is suppressed from being performed based on the connection state RS.

A9. The method of embodiment A7, further comprising:

estimating a scaling factor between respective transmission powers for the connection state RS and for the SSB based on the cell reselection measurements and the further cell reselection measurements; and

The cell reselection measurement is scaled based on the estimated scaling factor.

A10. The method as in any of embodiments A1-A9, wherein performing a cell reselection measurement to the connection state RS comprises any of: reference Signal Received Power (RSRP); a carrier Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI); and Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ).

A11. The method of any of embodiments A1-a10, further comprising:

estimating a first expected energy consumption associated with the cell reselection measurement based on the connection state RS; and

a second expected energy consumption associated with a cell reselection measurement is estimated based on the synchronization signal/PBCH block (SSB), wherein performing the cell reselection measurement on the connection state RS is based on the first expected energy consumption being less than the second expected energy consumption.

A12. The method as in any of embodiments A1-a11, wherein the one or more first resources to perform cell reselection measurements comprise any of:

time domain resources;

frequency domain resources;

code domain resources; and

one or more first opportunities.

A12a. the method of embodiment a12, further comprising maintaining a low energy state during one or more second occasions when a synchronization signal/PBCH block (SSB) is transmitted by the wireless network.

A12b. the method of embodiment a12, wherein the UE is preconfigured to use the connection state RS for cell reselection measurements during one or more first time periods.

A13. The method as in any of embodiments A1-a12a, further comprising performing cell reselection to one of the neighbor cells based on the cell reselection measurements.

A14. The method as in any of embodiments A1-a13, wherein cell reselection measurements are performed on one or more of the following connection states RS:

channel state information RS (CSI-RS) for tracking;

tracking RS (TRS); and

CSI-RS for mobility.

B1. A method for a network node serving a cell in a wireless network to facilitate cell reselection by one or more User Equipments (UEs) being served by the cell, the method comprising:

transmitting to one or more UEs a measurement configuration comprising one or more of:

the UE allows a connection state Reference Signal (RS) to be used for a first indication of cell reselection measurements,

a second indication of a specific type of connection state RS that may be used for cell reselection measurements,

a third indication of at least one resource associated with transmission of a connection state RS that is available for cell reselection measurements, and

A scaling factor related to a difference between respective transmission powers for the connection state RS and for the synchronization signal/PBCH block (SSB); and

the connection state RS is transmitted in the serving cell using the one or more first resources while the one or more UEs are in the non-connected state.

B2. The method of embodiment B1 wherein one or more first resources used to communicate the connection state RS are included in at least one resource indicated by the third indication.

B2a. the method of any of embodiments B1-B2, wherein the one or more first resources used to communicate the connection state RS comprise any of:

time domain resources;

frequency domain resources;

code domain resources; and

one or more first opportunities.

B2b. the method of example B2a, wherein:

the method further includes transmitting SSBs in the serving cell during one or more second occasions while the one or more UEs are in a non-connected state; and

transmitting the connection state RS during the first occasion facilitates one or more UEs to remain in a low energy state during the second occasion.

B3. The method as in any of embodiments B1-B2B, wherein the third indication indicates a measurement window during which connection status RSs transmitted in the serving cell and one or more neighbor cells are available for cell reselection measurements.

B4. The method as in any of embodiments B1-B3, wherein the cell reselection measurement comprises any of: reference Signal Received Power (RSRP); a carrier Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI); and Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ).

B5. The method as in any of embodiments B1-B4, further comprising determining whether to grant the UE permission to use the connection state RS for cell reselection measurements based on one or more of the following in connection with transmission of the connection state RS:

expected transmission duration; and

expected variations in transmission power and/or transmission configuration over a bandwidth including the connection state RS.

B6. The method as in any of embodiments B1-B5, wherein the connection state RS transmitted in the serving cell during the one or more first time periods comprises any of:

channel state information RS (CSI-RS) for tracking,

tracking RS (TRS), and

CSI-RS for mobility.

C1. A User Equipment (UE) configured to perform cell reselection in a wireless network, the UE comprising: a radio transceiver circuit configured to communicate with a network node via a serving cell; and

processing circuitry is operatively coupled to the radio transceiver circuitry, whereby the processing circuitry and the radio transceiver circuitry are configured to perform operations corresponding to any of the methods of embodiments A1-a 14.

C2. A User Equipment (UE) configured to perform cell reselection in a wireless network, the UE being further arranged to perform operations corresponding to any of the methods of embodiments A1-a 14.

C3. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry of a User Equipment (UE) configured to perform cell reselection in a wireless network, configure the UE to perform operations corresponding to any of the methods of embodiments A1-a 14.

C4. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions which, when executed by processing circuitry of a User Equipment (UE) configured to perform cell reselection in a wireless network, configure the UE to perform operations corresponding to any of the methods of embodiments A1-a 14.

D1. A network node configured to serve a cell in a wireless network and facilitate cell reselection by one or more User Equipments (UEs) being served by the cell, the network node comprising:

radio network interface circuitry configured to communicate with a UE; and

Processing circuitry operatively coupled to the radio network interface circuitry, whereby the processing circuitry and the radio network interface circuitry are configured to perform operations corresponding to any of the methods of embodiments B1-B6.

D2. A network node configured to serve a cell in a wireless network and facilitate cell reselection by one or more User Equipments (UEs) being served by the cell, the network node being further arranged to perform operations corresponding to any of the methods of embodiments B1-B6.

D3. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry of a network node configured to serve a cell in a wireless network and facilitate cell reselection by one or more User Equipments (UEs) being served by the cell, configure the network node to perform operations corresponding to any of the methods of embodiments B1-B6.

D4. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry of a network node configured to serve a cell in a wireless network and facilitate cell reselection by one or more User Equipments (UEs) being served by the cell, configure the network node to perform operations corresponding to any of the methods of embodiments B1-B6.

Claims (37)

1. A method for cell reselection by a user equipment, UE, in a wireless network, the method comprising:

determining (1020) one or more first resources associated with transmission of connection state reference signals, RSs, by the wireless network in a serving cell of the UE and/or in one or more neighbor cells while the UE is in a non-connected state; and

cell reselection measurements are performed (1050) on the connection state RS transmitted in the serving cell and/or in any of the neighbor cells using the one or more first resources.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising scaling (1085) the cell reselection measurement based on a scaling factor related to a difference between respective transmission powers for the connection state RS and for a synchronization signal/PBCH block SSB.

3. The method of any of claims 1-2, further comprising receiving (1010) a measurement configuration from a network node providing the serving cell comprising one or more of:

the UE allows the connection state RS to be used for a first indication of cell reselection measurements;

a second indication of a specific type of connection state RS that can be used for cell reselection measurements;

A third indication of at least one resource associated with transmission of a connection state, RS, that can be used for cell reselection measurements; and

a scaling factor related to the difference between the corresponding transmission powers for the connection state RS and for the synchronization signal/PBCH block SSB.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the cell reselection measurement is performed based on receiving the first indication that the UE is allowed.

5. The method of any of claims 3-4, wherein determining (1020) the one or more first resources comprises selecting (1021) the one or more first resources from the at least one resource indicated by the third indication.

6. The method according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the third indication indicates a measurement window during which connection state, RS, transmitted in the serving cell and the neighbor cell can be used for cell reselection measurements.

7. The method of any one of claims 1-2, wherein determining (1020) the one or more first resources comprises performing (1022) blind decoding of system information, SI, broadcast in the one or more neighbor cells.

8. The method of any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising performing (1060) further cell reselection measurements based on synchronization signals/PBCH blocks, SSBs, transmitted by the wireless network in a serving cell of the UE and/or in one or more neighbor cells.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

determining (1070) whether a difference between the cell reselection measurement and the further cell reselection measurement exceeds a threshold; and

when the difference exceeds the threshold, a subsequent cell reselection measurement is inhibited (1075) based on the connection state RS.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

estimating (1080) a scaling factor between the connection state RS and the corresponding transmission power for the SSB based on the cell reselection measurements and the further cell reselection measurements; and

the cell reselection measurement is scaled (1085) based on the estimated scaling factor.

11. The method according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cell reselection measurement performed on the connection state RS comprises any of: reference signal received power RSRP; carrier received signal strength indication, RSSI; and

Reference signal received quality RSRQ.

12. The method of any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising:

estimating (1030) a first expected energy consumption associated with a cell reselection measurement based on the connection state RS; and

a second expected energy consumption associated with the cell reselection measurement is estimated (1040) based on the synchronization signal/PBCH block SSB,

wherein performing (1050) a cell reselection measurement on the connection state RS is based on the first expected energy consumption being less than the second expected energy consumption.

13. The method of any of claims 1-12, wherein the one or more first resources to perform the cell reselection measurement comprise any of: time domain resources, frequency domain resources, code domain resources, and one or more first occasions.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising maintaining (1090) a low energy state during one or more second occasions when a synchronization signal/PBCH block SSB is transmitted by the wireless network.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the UE is preconfigured to use the connection state RS for cell reselection measurements during the one or more first time periods.

16. The method of any of claims 1 to 15, further comprising performing (1095) cell reselection to one of the neighbor cells based on the cell reselection measurements.

17. The method according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein the cell reselection measurements are performed on one or more of the following connection states, RSs:

channel state information RSCSI-RS for tracking;

tracking RSTRS; and

CSI-RS for mobility.

18. A method for a network node serving a cell in a wireless network to facilitate cell reselection by one or more user equipment, UEs, being served by the cell, the method comprising: transmitting (1120) a measurement configuration comprising one or more of the following to the one or more UEs:

the UE allows a first indication of the connection state reference signal RS for cell reselection measurements;

a second indication of a specific type of connection state RS that can be used for cell reselection measurements;

a third indication of at least one resource associated with transmission of a connection state, RS, that can be used for cell reselection measurements by the one or more UEs; and

a scaling factor related to the difference between the respective transmission powers for the connection state RS and for the synchronization signal/PBCH block SSB; and

transmitting (1130) the connection state RS in the serving cell using one or more first resources while the one or more UEs are in a non-connected state.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more first resources used to transmit the connection state RS are included in the at least one resource indicated by the third indication.

20. The method of any of claims 18 to 19, wherein the one or more first resources to transmit the connection state RS comprise any of: time domain resources, frequency domain resources, code domain resources, and one or more first occasions.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein:

the method further includes transmitting (1140) SSB in the serving cell during one or more second occasions while the one or more UEs are in the non-connected state; and

transmitting (1130) the connection state RS during the first occasion facilitates the one or more UEs to remain in a low energy state during the second occasion.

22. The method of any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the third indication indicates a measurement window during which connection state, RSs, transmitted in the serving cell and one or more neighbor cells are available for cell reselection measurements by the one or more UEs.

23. The method of any of claims 18 to 22, wherein the cell reselection measurement comprises any of: reference signal received power RSRP; carrier received signal strength indication, RSSI; and reference signal received quality RSRQ.

24. The method of any of claims 18 to 23, further comprising determining (1110) whether to grant the UE permission to use the connection state RS for cell reselection measurements based on one or more of the following in connection with transmission of the connection state RS:

expected transmission duration; and

expected variations in transmission power and/or transmission configuration over the bandwidth comprising the connection state RS.

25. The method of any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein the connection state RS transmitted in the serving cell during the one or more first time periods comprises any of:

channel state information RSCSI-RS for tracking;

tracking RSTRS; and

CSI-RS for mobility.

26. A user equipment, UE, (120, 405, 1200, 1405) configured to perform cell reselection in a wireless network (100, 399, 499, 1430), the UE comprising:

a radio transceiver circuit (1240) configured to communicate with the network node via a serving cell; and

Processing circuitry (1210) operatively coupled to the radio transceiver circuitry, whereby the processing circuitry and the radio transceiver circuitry are configured to:

determining one or more first resources associated with transmission of a connection state reference signal, RS, by the wireless network in a serving cell of the UE and/or in one or more neighbor cells while the UE is in a non-connected state; and

cell reselection measurements are performed on the connection state RS transmitted in the serving cell and/or in any of the neighbor cells using the one or more first resources.

27. The UE of claim 26, wherein the processing circuitry and the radio transceiver circuitry are further configured to perform operations corresponding to any of the methods of claims 2-17.

28. A user equipment, UE, (120, 405, 1200, 1405) configured to perform cell reselection in a wireless network (100, 399, 499, 1430), the UE being further configured to:

determining one or more first resources associated with transmission of a connection state reference signal, RS, by the wireless network in a serving cell of the UE and/or in one or more neighbor cells while the UE is in a non-connected state; and

Cell reselection measurements are performed on the connection state RS transmitted in the serving cell and/or in any of the neighbor cells using the one or more first resources.

29. The UE of claim 28, further configured to perform operations corresponding to any of the methods of claims 2 to 17.

30. A non-transitory computer readable medium (1220) storing computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processing circuit (1210) of a user equipment, UE, (120, 405, 1200, 1405) configured to perform cell reselection in a wireless network (100, 399, 499, 1430), configure the UE to perform operations corresponding to any one of the methods of claims 1 to 17.

31. A computer program product (1221) comprising computer-executable instructions which, when executed by processing circuitry (1210) of a user equipment, UE, (120, 405, 1200, 1405) configured to perform cell reselection in a wireless network (100, 399, 499, 1430), configure the UE to perform operations corresponding to any one of the methods of claims 1 to 17.

32. A network node (105, 110, 115, 300, 350, 410, 420, 1300) configured to serve cells in a wireless network (100, 399, 499, 1430) and facilitate cell reselection by one or more user equipments, UEs (120, 405, 1200, 1405), the one or more user equipments, UEs (120, 405, 1200, 1405) being served by the cell, the network node comprising:

radio network interface circuitry (1340) configured to communicate with the UE; and

processing circuitry (1310) operatively coupled to the radio network interface circuitry, whereby the processing circuitry and the radio network interface circuitry are configured to:

transmitting to the one or more UEs a measurement configuration comprising one or more of:

the UE allows a first indication of the connection state reference signal RS for cell reselection measurements;

a second indication of a specific type of connection state RS that can be used for cell reselection measurements;

a third indication of at least one resource associated with transmission of a connection state, RS, that can be used for cell reselection measurements; and

a scaling factor related to the difference between the respective transmission powers for the connection state RS and for the synchronization signal/PBCH block SSB; and

The connection state RS is transmitted in the serving cell using one or more first resources while the one or more UEs are in a non-connected state.

33. The network node of claim 32, wherein the processing circuitry and the radio network interface circuitry are further configured to perform operations corresponding to any of the methods of claims 19-25.

34. A network node (105, 110, 115, 300, 350, 410, 420, 1300) configured to serve cells in a wireless network (100, 399, 499, 1430) and to facilitate cell reselection by one or more user equipments, UEs (120, 405, 1200, 1405), the one or more user equipments, UEs (120, 405, 1200, 1405) being served by the cell, the network node being further configured to:

transmitting to the one or more UEs a measurement configuration comprising one or more of:

the UE allows a first indication of the connection state reference signal RS for cell reselection measurements;

a second indication of a specific type of connection state RS that can be used for cell reselection measurements;

a third indication of at least one resource associated with transmission of a connection state, RS, that can be used for cell reselection measurements; and

A scaling factor related to the difference between the respective transmission powers for the connection state RS and for the synchronization signal/PBCH block SSB; and

the connection state RS is transmitted in the serving cell using one or more first resources while the one or more UEs are in a non-connected state.

35. The network node of claim 34, further configured to perform operations corresponding to any of the methods of claims 19 to 25.

36. A non-transitory computer readable medium (1320) storing computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processing circuit (1310) configured to serve a cell in a wireless network (100, 399, 499, 1430) and to facilitate cell reselection by one or more user equipments, UEs (120, 405, 1200, 1405), the one or more user equipments, UEs (120, 405, 1200, 1405) being served by the cell, configure the network node to perform operations corresponding to any of the methods of claims 18 to 25.

37. A computer program product (1321) comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processing circuit (1310) of a network node (105, 110, 115, 300, 350, 410, 420, 1300) configured to serve a cell in a wireless network (100, 399, 499, 1430) and to facilitate cell reselection by one or more user equipments, UEs (120, 405, 1200, 1405), the one or more user equipments, UEs (120, 405, 1200, 1405) being served by the cell, configure the network node to perform operations corresponding to any one of the methods of claims 18 to 25.