EP4523446A1

EP4523446A1 - Method and apparatus for inter-cell measurement

Info

Publication number: EP4523446A1
Application number: EP22728216.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lars Dalsgaard; Timo Koskela; Daejung YOON
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2022-05-09
Filing date: 2022-05-09
Publication date: 2025-03-19
Also published as: WO2023217349A1; CN119174217A

Abstract

A method is disclosed comprising: measuring reference signal from two or more cells with different physical cell identifiers; and sending a measurement report based on the measuring, wherein the measurement report comprises reference signal received power, RSRP, and the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference, RTD, status. Further, a method is disclosed comprising: receiving a measurement report based on measuring reference signal from two or more cells with different physical cell identifiers, wherein the measurement report comprises reference signal received power, RSRP, and the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status. It is further disclosed according apparatuses, computer programs and systems.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTER-CELL MEASUREMENT

FIELD

The following disclosure relates to the field of wireless networks, or more particularly relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for accessing networks composed of multitransmission and reception points, TRPs.

BACKGROUND

In 5G systems multiple transmission and reception points (multi-TRPs) and beam management including other than the serving cell may improve reliability, coverage, and capacity performance through flexible deployment scenarios. For example, to support the mobile data traffic in 5G, wireless devices may access networks composed of multi-TRPs (e.g. macro-cells, small cells, pico-cells, femto-cells, remote radio heads, relay nodes, etc.).

SUMMARY OF SOME EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

For convenience, a list of abbreviations used as following:

BM Beam Management

BM RS Beam Management Reference Signals comprising e.g. SSB and/or

CS1-RS

CA Carrier Aggregation

CS1 Channel State Information

CS1-RS Channel State Information Reference Signals

CS1-RSRP CS1 Reference Signal Received Power

CP Cyclic Prefix

CU Centralized Unit

DC1 Downlink Control Information

DMRS Demodulation Reference Signal DL Downlink

DL RS Downlink Reference Signals comprising e.g. SSB

DU Distributed Unit

FDD Frequency Division Duplex

HST-SFN High Speed Train Single Frequency Network

1C-BM Inter-Cell Beam Management

ID Identifier

NR New Radio gNB Next generation Node B (Basestation)

QCL Quasi Co-Location

UE User Equipment

UL Uplink

PM1 Precoding Matrix Indicator

TRP Transmission and reception point

PCI Physical Cell Identifier

PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel

PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel

PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel

PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel

RSRP Reference Signal Received Power

RTD Receiving timing difference

RX Receiver

SCS Subcarrier Spacing

SSB Synchronization Signal Block

SS- RSRP Synchronization Signal Reference Signal Received Power

TCI Transmission Configuration Indicator

Various example embodiments according to all exemplary aspects as disclosed in the following may enable performing at least one (Ll-)RSRP measurement on the cell other than the serving cell, e.g. a cell having a different PCI than the serving cell. Various example embodiments may enable (LI) RSRP measurement on the cell other than the serving cell, in case the cell other than the serving cell is unknown. This may enable to avoid unclear or undefined conditions and may avoid having different implementation for different user devices. Various example embodiments may allow to enhance user device behavior, e.g. with respect to reporting from cells different than the serving cell, even in cases of these cells being unknown. This may allow to implement TRP and may avoid network errors. The network may be allowed to be aware of behavior and changes at the user device, e.g. UE, side which may help to avoid uncertainty and wrong interpretations on network side when network receives the Ll-RSRP report. Various example embodiments may enable improved signaling.

According to a first exemplary aspect, a method is disclosed, the method comprising: measuring reference signal from two or more cells with different physical cell identifiers, PCI; sending a measurement report based on the measuring, wherein the measurement report comprises Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, and the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference, RTD, status e.g. between a reference cell and a cell with a different PCI from the reference cell.

According to a further exemplary aspect, a method is disclosed, the method comprising: measuring reference signal from two or more cells with different physical cell identifiers, PCI; sending a measurement report based on the measuring, wherein the measurement report comprises Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP e.g. measured depending on cell known conditions including receiving timing difference (RTD) condition between a reference cell and a cell with a different PCI from the reference cell and

- Stop sending the measurement report when the cell known conditions including receiving timing difference (RTD) condition are not satisfied; or, OR

- The measurement report indicating status of receiving timing difference ( (RTD)) between a reference cell and a cell with a different PCI from the reference cell. A reference cell can be a serving cell or another cell providing a UE with receiving timing reference. The method according to the first exemplary aspect may be a method of measurement report for (inter-cell) multi -transmission and reception points, TRP, intercell beam management (e.g. where UE may be configured to communicate with an additional cell with a different PCI than a serving cell), L1/L2 centric mobility or lower layer mobility (i.e. wherein the inter-cell mobility may be performed using LI and/or L2 signaling additionally or alternatively to L3 (RRC) signaling). The sending a measurement report may be a sending a measurement report to e.g. a network.

The above disclosed method (according to the first exemplary aspect) may for example be performed and/or controlled by an apparatus, for example a user device or UE. Both terms user device and UE are used in the following as interchangeable terms. For example, the method may be performed and/or controlled by using at least one processor of the user device or UE.

The UE may be understood as a stationary device or a mobile device (e.g., a mobile telecommunication device or a mobile phone). For example, it may be a UE of a mobile communication network, for instance a 3G, LTE/4G, 5G NR, 5G network, or future communication standards such as e.g. 6G or the like. Further, it may be for example a hand-set, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, or any other mobile device. In various embodiments, it may be a vehicle for travelling in air, water, or on land, e.g. a plane or a drone, a ship or a car or a truck. It may also be a robot, a sensor device, a wearable device, an Internet of Things (loT) device, a Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, or the likes.

The means of the UE can be implemented in hardware and/or software. They may comprise for instance at least one processor for executing computer program code for performing the required functions, at least one memory storing the program code, or both. Alternatively, they could comprise for instance circuitry that is designed to implement the required functions, for instance implemented in a chipset or a chip, like an integrated circuit. In general, the means may comprise for instance one or more processing means or processors.

For example, the UE may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause an apparatus, for example the UE, at least to perform and/or to control the method according to the exemplary aspect.

According to a second exemplary aspect, a method is disclosed, the method comprising: receiving a measurement report, e.g. by a network, based on measuring reference signal from two or more cells with different physical cell identifiers, wherein the measurement report comprises Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, and the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status.

The method according to the second exemplary aspect may be a method, e.g. performed by a network node or network, of measurement report for (inter-cell) multi-TRP. The method according to the second exemplary aspect may e.g. further comprise transmitting reference signals, e.g. for two or more cells with different physical cell identifiers, e.g. beam management reference signals (BM RS) such as SSB and/or CSI-RS.

According to a third exemplary aspect, an apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: measure reference signal from two or more cells with different physical cell identifiers; and wherein the at least one transceiver is configured to: send a measurement report based on the measuring, wherein the measurement report comprises Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, and the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status.

According to a further exemplary aspect, an apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus being configured to perform and/or control and/or comprising means for and/or comprising at least one processor (and optionally at least one transceiver) and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: measuring reference signal from two or more cells with different physical cell identifiers; sending a measurement report (e.g. via the at least on transceiver) based on the measuring, wherein the measurement report comprises Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, and the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status.

For instance, the apparatus according to the third exemplary aspect may be or comprise a user device or a UE.

The sending a measurement report may be a sending a measurement report to e.g. a network.

According to a fourth exemplary aspect, an apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: configure reference signal for measuring for a user device; wherein the transceiver is configured to: receive a measurement report based on measuring reference signal from two or more cells with different physical cell identifiers, wherein the measurement report comprises reference signal received power, RSRP, and the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status.

According to a further exemplary aspect, an apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus being configured to perform and/or control and/or comprising means for and/or comprising at least one processor (and optionally at least one transceiver) and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: configuring reference signal for measuring for a user device; receiving (e.g. via the at least one transceiver) a measurement report based on measuring reference signal from two or more cells with different physical cell identifiers, wherein the measurement report comprises Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, and the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status.

For instance, the apparatus according to the fourth exemplary aspect may be or comprise a gNB or a network node.

According to a fifth exemplary aspect, a system is disclosed, the system comprising at least two apparatuses together performing the method according to the first and/or second exemplary aspect.

The system according to a fifth exemplary aspect may comprise a mobile entity or a part thereof and a server or a part thereof together performing the method according to the first and/or exemplary aspect. The system according to a fifth exemplary aspect may e.g. a RAN.

The system may comprise one or more apparatuses, such as an apparatus of the third and/or an apparatus of the fourth exemplary aspect, and/or a server, server cloud, a gNB, a UE, and/or a mobile terminal (e.g., a mobile telecommunication device or a mobile phone).

According to a further exemplary aspect a system is disclosed comprising: at least one apparatus according to the third exemplary aspect; and an apparatus according to the fourth exemplary aspect.

This system may be e.g. a system according to the fifth exemplary aspect. According to a sixth exemplary aspect, a computer program is disclosed, the computer program when executed by a processor of an apparatus causing said apparatus to perform a method according to the first and/or second exemplary aspect.

The computer program may be stored on computer-readable storage medium, in particular a tangible and/or non-transitory medium. The computer readable storage medium could for example be a disk or a memory or the like. The computer program could be stored in the computer readable storage medium in the form of instructions encoding the computer-readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium may be intended for taking part in the operation of a device, like an internal or external memory, for example a Read-Only Memory (ROM) or hard disk of a computer, or be intended for distribution of the program, like an optical disc.

According to a seventh exemplary aspect, a tangible and/or non-transitory storage medium is disclosed, the tangible and/or non-transitory storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon for performing the method according to the first and/or second exemplary aspect.

According to a further exemplary aspect, a method is disclosed, the method comprising the steps the apparatus of the third and/or fourth exemplary aspect is configured to perform or has means for. The method may for instance be performed and/or controlled by an/the apparatus, for instance a server, a server cloud, a gNB, and/or a mobile entity (e.g., a mobile telecommunication device or a mobile phone or a user equipment). Alternatively, this method may be performed and/or controlled by more than one apparatus, for instance a server cloud comprising at least two servers or a system of apparatus, e.g. a system comprising at least one gNB and at least one UE. For instance, the method may be performed and/or controlled by using at least one processor of an/the apparatus.

According to a further exemplary aspect, an apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus being configured to perform and/or control and/or comprising means for and/or comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform the method of the first and/or exemplary second aspect.

According to a further exemplary aspect, a computer program product is disclosed, the computer program product when executed by a processor of an apparatus causing said apparatus to perform a method according to the first and/or second exemplary aspect.

According to a further exemplary aspect, a computer readable storage medium is disclosed, the computer readable storage medium comprising a computer program according to the sixth exemplary aspect and/or a computer program product as disclosed above.

The means of the apparatus can be implemented in hardware and/or software. They may comprise for instance at least one processor for executing computer program code for performing the required functions, at least one memory storing the program code, or both. Alternatively, they could comprise for instance circuitry that is designed or configured to implement the required functions, for instance implemented in a chipset or a chip, like an integrated circuit. In general, the means may comprise for instance one or more processing means or processors. The apparatus may for instance be or comprise a server, server cloud, a gNB, and/or a mobile entity (e.g., a mobile telecommunication device or a mobile phone or a user equipment).

As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in e.g. analog and/or digital circuitry) and

(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):

(i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and

(c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.”

This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

The above-disclosed apparatus according to any aspect may be a module or a component for a device, for example a chip. Alternatively, the disclosed apparatus according to any aspect may be a device, for instance a server or server cloud. The disclosed apparatus according to any aspect may comprise only the disclosed components, for instance means, processor, memory, or may further comprise one or more additional components.

Any disclosure herein relating to any exemplary aspect is to be understood to be equally disclosed with respect to any subject-matter according to the respective exemplary aspect, e.g. relating to an apparatus, a method, a computer program, and a computer- readable medium. Thus, for instance, the disclosure of a method step shall also be considered as a disclosure of means for performing and/or configured to perform the respective method step. Likewise, the disclosure of means for performing and/or configured to perform a method step shall also be considered as a disclosure of the method step itself. The same holds for any passage describing at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause an apparatus at least to perform a step.

In the following, exemplary features and exemplary embodiments of all aspects will be described in further detail.

According to all disclosed exemplary aspects, receiving timing difference (RTD) refers to RX timing difference between a reference cell and a cell (or cells) with different PCI (of the reference cell), e.g. a neighboring cell.

A cell with different PCI from serving cell may be considered as known if the following conditions (cell known conditions) are met:

The SSB of the cell with different PCI from serving cell has the same SCS and center frequency as the SSB of the PCell;

The timing difference of arrival at UE between the SSBs of serving cell and cell with different PCI is less than cyclic prefix (CP) length or another timing tolerance threshold of the corresponding SCS;

The UE has sent a valid L3 measurement report during the last 5 seconds; and The SSB from the cell with different PCI remains detectable; and Otherwise, the cell may be considered unknown.

A physical cell identifier (PCI) may indicate the physical layer identity of a cell, i.e. a PCI may be associated with a cell and identify said cell.

Evaluating receiving timing difference (RTD) condition may require a tolerance threshold. The threshold may be a CP length of a OFDM symbol, or one OFDM symbol length, also other threshold value may be separately applied e.g. depending on timing synchronization tolerance managing multiple cell receiving timing. For instance, depending on RX chain design, a UE may have different threshold on the timing tolerance. Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) may be understood as an average received power of a single Reference Signal resource element. RSRP calculation may e.g. be based on energy received within a part of an OFDM symbol and may not include cyclic prefix energy. An RSRP may e.g. be a CS1-RSRP or SS-RSRP. RSRP may be measured depending on cell known conditions including receiving timing difference (RTD) condition between a reference cell and a cell with a different PCI from the reference cell. Depending on RX chain design, a UE may have a different threshold on the timing tolerance.

CS1-RSRP may be a linear average over the power contributions of resource elements carrying CS1-RS configured for RSRP measurements within a considered measurement frequency bandwidth in the configured CS1-RS occasions. CS1-RSRP may e.g. be used for Ll-RSRP.

SS-RSRP may be a linear average over the power contributions of the resource elements carrying synchronization signal. For SS-RSRP measurement time resource(s) may be within SS/PBCH Block Measurement Time Configuration (SMTC) window duration.

CS1 reference signals (CS1-RS) may be understood as downlink reference signals intended e.g. to be used by devices to obtain downlink channel-state information (CS1) e.g. via measuring the CS1-RS.

Multi TRP may enable a gNB to use more than one TRP to communicate to a UE. For instance, two TRPs (e.g. TRP 1 and TRP 2) may transmit two different PDSCH respectively, wherein a control signal (PDSCH/DC1) is transmitted by TRP 1 (e.g. a serving cell) each TRP may transmit its own corresponding PDCCH/DC . TRP 1 and TRP 2 may jointly process DL and UL signal.

A reference cell may be a serving cell or a cell providing a reference timing synchronization e.g. to a UE. A cell (or cells) with different PCls may be a neighboring cell or a cell that is not the reference or serving cell. A serving cell may be understood as a/the set of one or more cells comprising a primary cell and one or more (e.g. all) secondary cells. A primary cell may be a cell operating on a primary frequency, in which a UE either performs the initial connection establishment procedure or may initiate the connection re-establishment procedure, or the cell may be indicated as the primary cell in the handover procedure. A secondary cell may be a cell, operating on a secondary frequency, which may be configured once an RRC connection is established and which may be used to provide additional radio resources. When a UE receives signal from a cell, a UE may be configured by a network about which a cell provides reference synchronization cell in use cases such as M1M0 or carrier aggregation etc. A neighbor cell may be understood as a cell which is not a serving cell but would be a cell in the vicinity of the one or more serving cell(s), e.g. adjacent or overlapping. A neighbor cell may or may not be detected/detectable by the UE.

According to an exemplary embodiment of all exemplary aspects, one cell of the two or more cells is e.g. a serving cell and a second cell of the two or more cells is different from the serving cell, e.g. having a different PCI. According to an exemplary embodiment of all exemplary aspects, an/the apparatus (e.g. a user device or UE) is enabled to perform or comprises means for at least one Ll-RSRP measurement on the second cell. An Ll-RSRP measurement may e.g. be based on CS1-RS or SSB.

According to an exemplary embodiment of all exemplary aspects, when a network configures a UE to measure RSRP but cannot receive a valid measurement report from a UE after reporting initiation, the network may understand the UE status in that the cell known conditions are not satisfied in the UE side.

According to all disclosed exemplary aspects, the receiving timing difference status may e.g. indicate whether receiving timing difference condition is fulfilled or not for the measurement.

According to all disclosed exemplary aspects, the receiving timing difference status may e.g. indicate whether RTD (condition) is fulfilled (or satisfied) for RSRP measurement condition on the cells with different PCI e.g. as one of known cell conditions. According to all disclosed exemplary aspects, the receiving timing difference status may e.g. be indicated per cell and/or per Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) and/or per Channel State Information Reference Signal (CS1-RS).

According to all disclosed exemplary aspects, the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status may e.g. comprise that the sending of measurement report depends on the receiving timing difference status.

According to all disclosed exemplary aspects, the measurement report may e.g. comprise the receiving timing difference status.

According to all disclosed exemplary aspects, the receiving timing difference (RTD) status may be indicated with stopping RSRP measurement report, when RTD exceeds CP length or the timing tolerance threshold.

In case the receiving timing difference (RTD) status indicates whether a user device or UE does not report RSRP measurements or stops RSRP measurement report, the measurement report may e.g. not comprise Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP.

In case the receiving timing difference (RTD) status indicates whether a user device or UE does not report RTD measurements or stops RTD measurement report, but continue the RSRP reporting, the measurement report may e.g. comprise Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP but not the RTD information.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the first exemplary aspect and/or the apparatus according to the third exemplary aspect, the method further comprises and/or the apparatus further comprising means for and/or the at least one memory and the computer program code further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform:

- Stopping sending the measurement report when the cell known conditions including receiving timing difference (RTD) condition are not satisfied. According to an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the first exemplary aspect and/or the apparatus according to the third exemplary aspect, the method further comprises and/or the apparatus further comprising means for and/or the at least one memory and the computer program code further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: sending a user device capability, e.g. to the network, wherein the capability indicates multiple receiver, RX, chain capability for handling two or more different receiver, RX, timings between a serving cell and a cell (or cells) with different physical cell identifier(s) or a neighbor cell.

For example, at least one transceiver of the apparatus may be configured to: send a user device capability to the network, wherein the capability indicates multiple receiver, RX, chain capability for handling two or more different receiver, RX, timings.

A UE may have multiple RX chains that may be synchronized to multiple cells per RX chain. The UE capability of synchronization with multiple RX chain support is separately indicated to a network. Based on the user device capability (e.g. report) e.g. of multiple RX chain support, a user device or a UE may determine to measure RSRP using a single RX chain or different RX chains. A user device or UE may e.g. evaluate whether to use a single RX chain for both serving cell (celll) and non-serving cell (cell2) or to use a separate RX chain for non-serving cell ( i.e. the RTD condition is fulfilled, RTD<CP). A UE may report RSRP measurement status of the number of RX chains together with RSRP value, e.g. the measurement report may comprise a RSRP measurement status of the number of RX chains and may e.g. comprise RSRP values A UE having the capability to receive with multiple receive (Rx) chains may be a UE which is capable of simultaneous reception using more than a single Rx chain.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the second exemplary aspect and/or the apparatus according to the fourth exemplary aspect, the method further comprises and/or the apparatus further comprising means for and/or the at least one memory and the computer program code further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: receiving a user device capability, e.g. by the network, wherein the capability indicates multiple receiver, RX, chain capability for handling two or more different receiver, RX, timings from a serving cell and cell (or cells) with different physical cell identifier(s) or a neighbor cell.

For example, at least one transceiver of the apparatus may be configured to: receive a user device capability, wherein the capability indicates multiple receiver, RX, chain capability for handling two or more different receiver, RX, timings.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the second exemplary aspect and/or the apparatus according to the fourth exemplary aspect, the method further comprises and/or the apparatus further comprising means for and/or the at least one memory and the computer program code further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: configuring a reference signal for measuring by a user device.

According to all disclosed exemplary aspects, the apparatus according to the third aspect or a user device or UE may include additional information whether the RTD condition is fulfilled or not together in a physical layer (Layer 1 or LI) report and/or RRC Layer (L3) report. The apparatus according to the third aspect or a user device or UE may evaluate the RTD between a first cell (e.g. cell 1, e.g. the serving cell) and a second cell (e.g. cell2 having a different Cell ID), if the RTD fulfils the condition. The user device or UE may include the RTD status = true (e.g. the RTD condition is fulfilled, RTD<CP) in the LI and/or L3 report. The method according to the first aspect may e.g. comprise evaluating the RTD between a first cell (e.g. cell 1, e.g. the serving cell) and a second cell (E.g. cell2 having a different Cell ID). The method (according to the first and/or second aspect) may further comprise including the RTD status in the measurement report, e.g. if the RTD fulfils a threshold condition (e.g. RTD > CP). The measurement report may e.g. comprise an indication of the RTD status or comprise the RTD status. The measurement report may be provided to a network.

The features and example embodiments described above may equally pertain to the different aspects.

It is to be understood that the presentation in this section is merely by way of examples and non-limiting.

Other features will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not drawn to scale and that they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures show:

Fig. 1 a schematic high-level block diagram of an exemplary system;

Fig. 2 a flowchart showing an example embodiment of a method according to the first exemplary aspect;

Fig. 3 a flowchart showing an example embodiment of a method according to the second exemplary aspect;

Fig. 4 high level diagram of an exemplary method according to the first exemplary aspect and/or an exemplary system;

Fig. 5 high level diagram of an exemplary method according to the first exemplary aspect and/or an exemplary system;

Fig. 6 high level diagram of an exemplary method according to the first exemplary aspect and/or an exemplary system; Fig. 7 high level diagram of an exemplary method according to the first exemplary aspect and/or an exemplary system;

Fig. 8a exemplary SS-RSRP and CS1-RSRP measurement report mappings;

Fig. 8b exemplary SS-RSRP and CS1-RSRP measurement report mappings;

Fig. 9 a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment of an apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect and/or an example embodiment of an apparatus configured to perform the method according to the first and/or second exemplary aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description serves to deepen the understanding and shall be understood to complement and be read together with the description as provided in the above summary section of this specification. Some aspects may have a different terminology than e.g. provided in the description above. The skilled person will nevertheless understand that those terms refer to the same subject-matter, e.g. by being more specific. For instance, a user device may be referred to as a UE or a terminal device, RTD status may be referred to as condition of cell measurement; or reporting that a UE is required to perform by network configuration, multi (or multiple) transmission and reception points may be referred to as multi-TRP or mTRP. User device and UE may be used exchangeable in the present disclosure.

Fig. 1 is a schematic high-level block diagram of a system according to all exemplary aspects. An apparatus 103, e.g. a user device or terminal device, representing e.g. an apparatus according to the third aspect is connected to a network having two network nodes 101, 102, representing a first cell and a second cell respectively. For instance, network node 101 may represent a serving cell and network node 102 may represent a second cell different from the serving cell, being e.g. a neighbor cell or another cell having a different PCI than the serving cell. In the way the apparatus 103 is using multiple transmission and reception points. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an example embodiment of a method according to the first exemplary aspect. This flowchart 200 may for instance be performed by at least one of the apparatuses 103. Additionally or alternatively, flowchart 200 may be performed by a system comprising more than one apparatus, e.g. together by a TRP or gNB 101, TRP or gNB 102, and a UE 103. The method may be a method of measurement report for multi transmission and reception points.

In a first step 201, reference signal from two or more cells 101, 102 with different physical cell identifiers may be measured. The reference signal may be or comprise a BM CS, CS1- RS, DL RS, and/or SBB.

In a second step 202, a measurement report based on the measuring may be sent, wherein the measurement report comprises for example reference signal received power (RSRP) and the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference (RTD) status. The measurement report may e.g. comprise a receiving timing difference (RTD) status. It should be understood that RSRP is as an example in the current disclosure and it may be any other quantity of measurement, e.g. reference signal received quality, RSRQ or signal to interference & noise ratio, S1NR. Additionally, it may be understood that UE behavior of reporting RSRP (itself) may be a part of the RTD status indicator.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example embodiment of a method according to the first exemplary aspect. This flowchart 300 may for instance be performed by at least one of the apparatuses 101, 102 of Fig. 1. The method may be a method of measurement report for multi transmission and reception points.

In a first step 301, a measurement report may be received based on measuring reference signal from two or more cells 101, 102 with different physical cell identifiers, wherein the measurement report comprises reference signal received power, RSRP, and the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status. In addition, a UE behavior of reporting RSRP (itself) may be a part of the RTD status indicator. According to an exemplary embodiment, user device (or UE) may be enabled for reception from more than one transmission point (e.g. a multi-TRP (mTRP) reception) and beam management including other than the serving cell (inter-cell beam management (BM)). A cell “other than serving cell” may be referred to as a cell with PCI different from serving cell.

To enable (at least) the inter-cell BM (1C-BM) solution the UE may be enabled to perform LI measurements from another cell than the serving cell. BM related LI measurements of a cell with PCI different from serving cell. This may be referred to as Ll-RSRP from non-serving cell(s). A user device or UE may (only) be required to measure BM related measurement (Ll-RSRP) from the serving cell.

BM measurements, used for example for beam management (intra-cell beam management, inter-cell beam management, multiple TRP deployment) may be regarded as Layer 1 (LI) measurements and they may be based on for example SSB (SSB-based Ll- RSRP) or CS1-RS (CS1-RS based Ll-RSRP). These reference signals may be referred to as BM RS (SSB/CS1-RS) and which to use may be configured by the network.

The UE may be required to be able to measure BM RS for Ll-RSRP and report such measurements to the serving cell. Based on the network configuration either for example SSBs or CSl-RSs may be used for Ll-RSRP, and the UE may measure the configured resources and/or report the results to the network.

Based on the UE report(s) the network may manage/change the DL beams used by the UE by e.g. requesting the UE to change the TCI state. So, the TCI state may be an indication to the UE related to which DL signal the UE shall use as reference for receiving DL (PDCCH and PDSCH) signal or data from the network. More specially, a TCI state may indicate reference signal(s) that are used as QCL source RS for the target signal such as PDCCH DMRS or alternatively for other RS. As an example a CS1-RS may have QCL source that is a TCI state and the TCI state may indicate RS that may be SSB or another CS1-RS. To measure (e.g. and report) Ll-RSRP on SSB/CSI-RS signals, the signals may be associated with the specific target cell (PCI). Even though the Ll-RSRP measurement and reporting may (e.g. only) be required for the serving cell beam management signals, i.e. the reference signals are associated with serving cell. For inter-cell LI operations (with cells with PCls different from serving cell configured for reporting) the SSB signals additionally may need to be associated with a PCI value which indicates the cell to which the RS signals are associated. Furthermore to associate e.g. the CS1-RS signals to be measured from a cell with different PCI than serving cell, the CS1-RS may be configured with a QCL source signal which may be associated with a PCI value (e.g. SSB).

When a signal is configured as a QCL source for another signal, the signals (e.g. of source and target) may be considered to share the configured properties such as Doppler, delay spread, and/or spatial RS. A same RX beam may be assumed usable by the UE to receive the signals with same QCL source. Furthermore the PCI associated with the QCL source signals also may define the PCI associated with target signal e.g. without explicitly configuring the target signal with PCI association. As an example, if a SSB is QCL source RS and associated with a PCI (e.g. PC1#1) the target signal such as CS1-RS may also be associated with the same PCI (e.g. PC1#1). Thus, the target signal may not require explicit configuration of PCI value to be associated with a specific PCI when the association is done via the QCL assumption.

In some example embodiments according to any exemplary aspect, with respect to the measurement reporting an SSB (or CS1-RS via QCL assumption or via explicit configuration) may be associated with a PCI value. In one example, e.g. for measurement reporting (such as Ll-RSRP) the measurement configuration may associate set/list of SSBs with a PCI. A measurement configuration may have list/set of SSBs associated with one or more PCI values. In some examples, at least one set of SSBs may be configured for serving cell reporting. As the SSB is associated with a PCI in the measurement configuration, the reported measurements in the measurement report (e.g. Ll-RSRP) may refer to the resource index (e.g. SSB resource index) in the measurement configuration (i.e. without explicitly referring to a PCI value). As example, SSB#1 (SSB index, or SSB time location index #1) in list# 1 may be associated with a PC1#1 (the first entry or SSB resource index#l) and SSB#1 (SSB index, or SSB time location index #1) list# 2 maybe associated with a PC1#2 (the second entry or SSB resource index#2). Thus, the measurement report may refer to the said SSBs with resource index ( e.g. rather than with the actual SSB index which may be a SSB time location index). In another example, the Ll-RSRP reporting may include PCI value for the reported SSB in order to associate the SSB with a PCI (e.g. in case the SSB is not associated with a PCI value in the measurement configuration). In some examples, if PCI value is not provided for a set or list of SSBs, UE may assume that the SSBs are associated with serving cell (serving cell PCI). In any of the example, UE may be configured to report SSB resource index or SSB index.

Various example embodiments according to all exemplary aspects may enable (e.g. LI) RSRP measurement(s) on the cell other than the serving cell, in case the cell other than the serving cell is unknown. A cell with different PCI from serving cell may be considered as known if the following conditions are met:

The timing difference of arrival at UE between the SSBs of serving cell and cell with different PCI is less than CP length of the corresponding SCS;

The UE has sent a valid L3 measurement report during the last 5 seconds; and The SSB from the cell with different PCI remains detectable

Otherwise, the cell may be considered unknown.

Ll-RSRP reporting requirements may be considered for the case in which the cell with different PCI is known according to (e.g. the) specified conditions. In case the cell is unknown, a respective UE may either follow other requirements or it may not be required to report Ll-RSRP for said cell. However, in this case the UE behavior may be considered not defined. The above requirements that may be considered challenging with relation to known cell condition is the DL RTD condition (Downlink Receive time difference). Since the cell known condition may be based on the time since last transmitted L3 reports by the UE (which may not contain any information on RTD difference and conditions on UE side between one or more cells (serving and cell with different PCI)), the UE behavior may not be defined if timing difference requirements in known cell condition is not fulfilled. Hence, the UE may or may not stop (e.g. autonomously) Ll-RSRP reporting and/or may not be required to report Ll-RSRP if the CP limit is exceeded. This may mean that the network may not be aware of behavior and changes at the UE side which may cause uncertainty and/or may lead to wrong interpretations on network side when network receives the Ll-RSRP report.

The current definition for known cell conditions used for Ll-RSRP reporting from a cell with different PCI than serving cell may lead to unclear UE behavior. Such undefined/unclear definition may cause different implementations on UE side for different devices. Additionally, it may lead to different reporting behavior which may cause network errors or, in worst case, may lead to that the feature cannot be deployed in practice.

Various example embodiments according to all exemplary aspects may enable enhancement on multi-beam operation, e.g. targeting FR2 or FR1. Various example embodiments according to the all exemplary aspects may enable more efficient (lower latency and overhead) DL/UL beam management for intra-cell and inter-cell scenarios to support higher UE speed and/or a larger number of configured TCI states. A common beam for data and control transmission/reception for DL and UL, in particular for intraband CA may be utilized. A unified TCI framework for DL and UL beam indication may be utilized. An enhancement on signaling mechanisms for the above features to improve latency and efficiency with more usage of dynamic control signaling (as e.g. opposed to RRC) may be enabled. For inter-cell beam management, a UE may transmit to or receive from (e.g. only) a single cell (i.e. serving cell may not change when beam selection is done). This may include Ll-only measurement/reporting (i.e. no L3 impact) and beam indication associated with cell(s) with any Physical Cell ID(s). A respective beam indication may be based on 3GPP Release 17unified TCI framework, the same beam measurement/reporting mechanism may be reused for inter-cell mTRP, e.g. only intra- DU and intra-frequency cases may be considered. Such UE requirements for inter-cell beam management may be specified.

Fig. 4 - Fig. 7 illustrate respective high level signaling diagrams (e.g. signaling charts) of exemplary methods according to the first exemplary aspect and / or an exemplary systems for e.g. DL RTD (Downlink Receive time difference) condition for known cell(s).

In Fig. 4, according to one exemplary embodiment the UE may (e.g. only) report Ll-RSRP for known cell(s) when the RTD condition is fulfilled. The timing condition may only be known to the UE and not to network:

The UE may be configured to report L3 measurement for the cell but not Ll-RSRP if the RTD condition is not fulfilled.

If UE determines that the RTD of a cell configured for Ll-RSRP reporting fulfills the condition, it may report the Ll-RSRP with valid RSRP.

If UE determines that the RTD condition is not fulfilled, it may not report Ll-RSRP. Optionally, if UE reports Ll-RSRP of a cell with different PCI than serving cell and the RTD condition is not fulfilled, it may report a “not valid” value (e.g. RSRP_0) in the report.

In a further exemplary embodiment, a respective UE may be configured to report (e.g. only) Ll-RSRP for the downlink RS for the cell/PCI that it observes that timing difference condition is fulfilled. In one example, the timing condition may be fulfilled for at least one DL RS (SSB) of a cell while it may not be fulfilled for another SSB of the same cell.

In Fig. 5, according to one exemplary embodiment, for known cell condition, a respective UE (e.g. only) provides the L3 report on the known cells (for known cell condition) depending on whether the timing difference condition is fulfilled: UE may not provide L3 measurement report for a cell with known or unknown cell condition for a SSB associated with a cell with different PCI than the serving cell if it observes a timing difference beyond the RTD limit.

UE may provide L3 measurement report for a cell when known cell condition for a SSB associated with the cell with different PCI than the serving cell if it observes a timing difference within the RTD limit.

In Fig. 6, according to one exemplary embodiment, a respective UE may include in the LI report or L3 report additional information whether the RTD condition is fulfilled or not. As an example, if UE is configured to provide information whether a RTD condition is fulfilled for a reported SSB:

UE may evaluate the RTD between celll and cell2, if the RTD fulfills the condition UE includes the RTD status = true ( i.e. the RTD condition is fulfilled, RTD<CP);

If the UE, evaluates that RTD between celll and cell2 does not fulfill the condition UE includes the RTD status = false) in the report (i.e. the RTD condition is not fulfilled, RTD>CP)

Further examples for the exemplary embodiment: optionally the RTD status may be indicated per cell, or per SSB (or other DL RS) In an (alternative) example, the RTD status may be reported separately from the Ll-RSRP (e.g. a separate report) or in addition to the Ll-RSRP value (e.g. in the same report).

For the evaluation of RTD status, a threshold e.g. a CP (cyclic prefix, as example, X microseconds) may be used. In other examples a network configured value/pre- defined value of N nanoseconds, or N microseconds etc. may be used. In some example, the threshold could depend on the subcarrier spacing (SCS) used.

E.g. in this option/alternative the RTD status maybe excluded from the known cell condition.

In one alternative embodiment, if UE has sent at least one valid L3 or LI measurement report (to fulfill the known cell condition) but observes that RTD timing condition becomes unfulfilled, it may trigger L3 or LI measurement report and may report the cell quality value to be RSRP_0 (thus indicating network that the L3 or LI report for the cell may be considered not to be valid e.g. too low RSRP) . and/or may report the cell and may include the RTD information as described above.

In Fig. 7, according to one exemplary embodiment, a respective UE may be capable to handle the RTD > CP length between serving and non-serving cell for the LI report (or L3 report), although the RTD condition is RTD is larger than CP length. A UE may be equipped with a special implementation on multiple RX chains with different RX timing.

A UE may be with multiple RX chain handling more than two different RX timing. Specifically, OFMD windowing positionings are determined independently based on a RX timing from each cell.

A UE may report a UE capability signaling about multiple RX chain capability handling more than two different RX timing to network.

The UE may evaluate whether to use a single RX chain for both serving cell (celll) and non-serving cell (cell2) or to use a separate RX chain for non-serving cell ( i.e. the RTD condition is fulfilled, RTD<CP)

If the UE evaluates that RTD between celll and cell2 does not fulfill the condition of RTD, a UE may activate the multiple RX chain process for Ll-RSRP measurement (or L3-RSRP measurement) on non-serving cell (i.e. the RTD condition is not fulfilled, RTD>CP)

If a UE measures Ll-RSRP (or L3-RSRP) on serving and non-serving cell using the separate RX chain with different RX timing, the UE may report valid Ll-RSRP values to network corresponding the UE capability with multiple RX chain handling more than two different RX timing.

The RSRP report using the multiple RX chains may satisfy the valid RSRP accuracy and range indication.

In one further example embodiment, if a respective UE may be configured to report Ll- RSRP for a cell with different PCI than serving cell and the serving cell is in the same reporting instance, UE may determine not to include any Ll-RSRP measurements in the report if the RTD condition is not fulfilled as described herein.

As an example it may only report serving cell measurements (e.g. SSB resource index and the measured SS-RSRP/L1-RSRP )

In another example, if UE determines that it shall/it has to include Ll-RSRP of a cell with different PCI than serving cell and the RTD condition is not fulfilled, it may reporta “not valid” value (e.g. RSRP_0) in the report.

In one further example embodiment the measured DL RS (downlink reference signals) may be one of: SSB, CS1-RS, NZP-CS1-RS, L3 CS1-RS (for Layer 3/RRC level mobility).

In one exemplary embodiment, the RTD condition may be evaluated per reference signal basis (e.g. per SSB). If the specific SSB that is to be reported does not fulfil the RTD condition, a respective UE may not report the Ll-RSRP for that SSB (or sets it to RSRP_0)

In any of the exemplary embodiments, a not valid RSRP value may be set to RSRP_0 or other value that indicates that it is not valid. In an example, a not valid (value) may mean that a value (e.g. RSRP expressed in dBm) is not defined for the specific RSRP value entry such as RSRP_0 (or for other value). In some examples a value that is not valid for Ll- RSRP reporting, may be valid for L3 RSRP reporting (e.g. if same table is used for mapping RSRP_X to a Y dBm value of RSRP).

In one further example embodiment, in a case where a respective UE may be configured to report Ll-RSRP on SSB (or other DL RS) that are associated with different PCls than the serving cell, the UE may (e.g. only) report Ll-RSRP on the SSBs that are associated with PCls that fulfil the RTD.

In one example embodiment, the RTD condition may be determined as follows:

In one example the RTD limit/condition may be a CP (cyclic prefix length). When the DL RS (of a cell with different PCI than serving cell) configured for RSRP reporting and UE observes the timing difference beyond CP (RTD limit) it will not report Ll-RSRP for the cell. the RTD reference may be determined based on the serving cell timing.

In the following, an example implementation is given:

In one option the implementation may be done as follows, an aspect related to an example embodiment is e.g. highlighted by underlining:

The UE may send Ll-RSRP reports only for report configurations configured for the active BWP for cell with different PCI from serving cell considered as known. Otherwise, the UE shall not send Ll-RSRP reports.

In another option, the UE may send valid Ll-RSRP reports only for report configurations configured for the active BWP for a cell with different PCI from serving cell considered as a known cell.

If the cell with different PCI from serving cell is considered unknown the UE may report the Ll-RSRP value as a 7-bit value in the range of Notvalid represented by RSRP_0.

Fig. 8a and Fig. 8b show a list of RSRP values (indexes referring to the RSRP values) that may be reported using LI RSRP reporting. It may be used to indicate valid or not valid value in the Ll-RSRP report.

Fig. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 900 according to an exemplary aspect, which may for instance represent one of the apparatus 101, 102.

Apparatus 900 comprises a processor 901, communication interface(s) 904. The communication interface(s) 904 may be transceiver in some embodiment. The communication may also be some interface between different entities internal or externally. Apparatus 900 may also comprise program memory 902, working or main memory 903, data memory, or user interface 905.

Apparatus 900 may for instance be configured to perform and/or control or comprise respective means (at least one of 901 to 905) for performing and/or controlling the method according to the first exemplary aspect. Apparatus 900 may constitute an apparatus comprising at least one processor (901) and at least one communication interface(s) 904for example transceiver. Apparatus 900 may constitute an apparatus comprise at least one memory (902) including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause an apparatus, e.g. apparatus 900 at least to perform and/or control the method according to the first exemplary aspect.

Processor 901 may for instance further control the memories 902 to 903, the communication interface(s) 904, and the optional user interface 905.

Processor 901 may for instance execute computer program code stored in program memory 902, which may for instance represent a computer readable storage medium comprising program code that, when executed by processor 901, causes the processor 901 to perform the method according to the first exemplary aspect.

Processor 901 (and also any other processor mentioned in this specification) may be a processor of any suitable type. Processor 901 may comprise but is not limited to one or more microprocessor(s), one or more processor(s) with accompanying one or more digital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without accompanying digital signal processor(s), one or more special-purpose computer chips, one or more field- programmable gate array(s) (FPGA(s)), one or more controller(s), one or more application-specific integrated circuit(s) (ASlC(s)), or one or more computer(s). The relevant structure/hardware has been programmed in such a way to carry out the described function. Processor 901 may for instance be an application processor that runs an operating system. Program memory 902 may also be included into processor 901. This memory may for instance be fixedly connected to processor 901, or be at least partially removable from processor 901, for instance in the form of a memory card or stick. Program memory 902 may for instance be non-volatile memory. It may for instance be a FLASH memory (or a part thereof), any of a ROM, PROM, EPROM and EEPROM memory (or a part thereof) or a hard disc (or a part thereof), to name but a few examples. Program memory 902 may also comprise an operating system for processor 901. Program memory 902 may also comprise a firmware for apparatus 900.

Apparatus 900 comprises a working memory 903, for instance in the form of a volatile memory. It may for instance be a Random Access Memory (RAM) or Dynamic RAM (DRAM), to give but a few non-limiting examples. It may for instance be used by processor 901 when executing an operating system and/or computer program.

Data memory may for instance be a non-volatile memory. It may for instance be a FLASH memory (or a part thereof), any of a ROM, PROM, EPROM and EEPROM memory (or a part thereof) or a hard disc (or a part thereof), to name but a few examples. Data memory may for instance store one or more pieces of information, e.g. a measurement report.

Communication interface(s) 904 enable apparatus 900 to communicate with other entities. The communication interface(s) 904 may for instance comprise a wireless interface, e.g. a cellular radio communication interface and/or a WLAN interface) and/or wire-bound interface, e.g. an IP-based interface, for instance to communicate with entities via the Internet. Communication interface(s) may enable apparatus 900 to communicate with other entities, for instance one or more entities as comprised by a mobile communication network

User interface 905 is optional and may comprise a display for displaying information to a user and/or an input device (e.g. a keyboard, keypad, touchpad, mouse, etc.) for receiving information from a user. Some or all of the components of the apparatus 900 may for instance be connected via a bus. Some or all of the components of the apparatus 900 may for instance be combined into one or more modules.

The following embodiments shall also be considered to be disclosed:

Embodiment 1:

A method, e.g. of measurement report for multi transmission and reception points, e.g. performed by a user device comprising: measuring reference signal from two or more cells with different physical cell identifiers; sending a measurement report based on the measuring, wherein the measurement report comprises the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference, RTD, status and may include Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP.

Embodiment 2:

The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the receiving timing difference status indicates whether receiving timing difference condition is fulfilled or not for the measurement.

Embodiment 3:

The method according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the receiving timing difference status is indicated per cell or per Synchronization Signal Block, SSB, or per Channel State Information Reference Signals, CS1-RS.

Embodiment 4: The method according to any of embodiments 1 to 3, further comprising: sending a user device capability, wherein the capability indicates multiple receiver, RX, chain capability for handling two or more different receiver, RX, timings between a serving cell and a cell with different physical cell identifier.

Embodiment 5:

The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the measurement report comprises the receiving timing difference status.

Embodiment 6:

The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status comprises that the sending of measurement report depends on the receiving timing difference status.

Embodiment 7:

A method, e.g. of measurement report for multi transmission and reception points, e.g. performed by a network node, comprising: receiving a measurement report based on measuring reference signal from two or more cells with different physical cell identifiers, wherein the measurement report comprises Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, and the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status.

Embodiment 8:

The method according to embodiment 7, wherein the receiving timing difference status indicates whether receiving timing difference condition is fulfilled or not for the measurement. Embodiment 9:

The method according to embodiment 7 or 8, wherein the receiving timing difference status is indicated per cell or per Synchronization Signal Block, SSB, or per Channel State Information Reference Signals, CS1-RS.

Embodiment 10:

The method according to any of embodiments 7 to 9, further comprising: receiving a user device capability (e.g. by the network), wherein the capability indicates multiple receiver, RX, chain capability for handling two or more different receiver, RX, timings from a serving cell and cells with different physical cell identifiers.

Embodiment 11:

The method according to any one of embodiments 7 to 10, wherein the measurement report comprises the receiving timing difference status.

Embodiment 12:

The method according to any one of embodiments 7 to 11, wherein the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status comprises that the sending the measurement report depends on the receiving timing difference status.

Embodiment 13:

An apparatus, e.g. a user device, comprising means for: measuring reference signal from two or more cells with different physical cell identifiers; sending a measurement report based on the measuring, wherein the measurement report comprises Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, and the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status. Embodiment 14:

The apparatus according to embodiment 13, wherein the receiving timing difference status indicates whether receiving timing difference condition is fulfilled or not for the measurement.

Embodiment 15:

The apparatus according to embodiment 13 or 14, wherein the receiving timing difference status is indicated per cell or per Synchronization Signal Block, SSB, or per Channel State Information Reference Signals, CS1-RS.

Embodiment 16:

The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 13 to 15, further comprising means for: sending a user device capability to the network, wherein the capability indicates multiple receiver, RX, chain capability for handling two or more different receiver, RX, timings.

Embodiment 17:

The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 13 to 16, wherein the measurement report comprises the receiving timing difference status.

Embodiment 18:

The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 13 to 17, wherein the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status comprises that the sending the measurement report depends on the receiving timing difference status. Embodiment 19:

An apparatus, e.g. a network node, comprising means for: optionally configuring reference signal for measuring for a user device; receiving a measurement report based on measuring reference signal from two or more cells with different physical cell identifiers, wherein the measurement report comprises Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, and the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status.

Embodiment 20:

Embodiment 21:

Embodiment 22:

The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 13 to 15, further comprising means for: receiving a user device capability, wherein the capability indicates multiple receiver, RX, chain capability for handling two or more different receiver, RX, timing.

Embodiment 23: The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 13 to 16, wherein the measurement report comprises the receiving timing difference status.

Embodiment 24:

The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 13 to 17, wherein the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status comprises that the sending the measurement report depends on the receiving timing difference status.

Embodiment 25:

A computer program, the computer program when executed by a processor of an apparatus causing said apparatus to perform a method according to any of embodiments 1 to 6 and/or 7 to 12.

Embodiment 26:

A tangible and/or non-transitory storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon for performing the method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6 and/or 7 to 12.

Embodiment 27:

A system comprising at least two apparatuses together performing the method according to any of the embodiments 1 to 6 and/or 7 to 12.

Embodiment 28:

A computer program product, the computer program product when executed by a processor of an apparatus causing said apparatus to perform a method according to any of embodiments 1 to 6 and/or 7 to 12. Embodiment 29:

A computer readable medium comprising program instructions configured to perform and/or control or comprising respective means for performing and/or controlling the method of any of the embodiments 1 to 6 and/or 7 to 12.

Embodiment 30:

A method of measurement report for multi transmission and reception points (multi- TRP), comprising: measuring reference signal from two or more cells with different PCI; sending a measurement report to a network based on the measuring, wherein the measurement report comprises RSRP and the measurement report indicating a RTD status.

Embodiment 31:

The method according to embodiment 30, wherein the RTD status indicates whether RTD is fulfilled or not for the measurement.

Embodiment 32:

The method according to embodiment 30 or 31, wherein the RTD status is indicated per cell or per SSB.

Embodiment 33:

The method according to any of embodiments 30 to 32, comprising: sending a UE capability to network, wherein the capability indicates multiple RX chain capability for handling two or more different RX timings. In the present specification, any presented connection in the described embodiments is to be understood in a way that the involved components are operationally coupled. Thus, the connections can be direct or indirect with any number or combination of intervening elements, and there may be merely a functional relationship between the components.

Moreover, any of the methods, processes and actions described or illustrated herein may be implemented using executable instructions in a general-purpose or special-purpose processor and stored on a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., disk, memory, or the like) to be executed by such a processor. References to a 'computer-readable storage medium’ should be understood to encompass specialized circuits such as FPGAs, ASICs, signal processing devices, and other devices.

The expression “A and/or B” is considered to comprise any one of the following three scenarios: (i) A, (ii) B, (hi) A and B. Furthermore, the article “a” is not to be understood as “one”, i.e. use of the expression “an element” does not preclude that also further elements are present. The term “comprising” is to be understood in an open sense, i.e. in a way that an object that “comprises an element A” may also comprise further elements in addition to element A. Further, the term “comprising” may be limited to “consisting of”, i.e. consisting of only the specified elements.

It will be understood that all presented embodiments are only exemplary, and that any feature presented for a particular example embodiment may be used with any aspect on its own or in combination with any feature presented for the same or another particular example embodiment and/or in combination with any other feature not mentioned. In particular, the example embodiments presented in this specification shall also be understood to be disclosed in all possible combinations with each other, as far as it is technically reasonable and the example embodiments are not alternatives with respect to each other. It will further be understood that any feature presented for an example embodiment in a particular category (method/apparatus/computer program/system) may also be used in a corresponding manner in an example embodiment of any other category. It should also be understood that presence of a feature in the presented example embodiments shall not necessarily mean that this feature forms an essential feature and cannot be omitted or substituted.

The statement of a feature comprises at least one of the subsequently enumerated features is not mandatory in the way that the feature comprises all subsequently enumerated features, or at least one feature of the plurality of the subsequently enumerated features. Also, a selection of the enumerated features in any combination or a selection of only one of the enumerated features is possible. The specific combination of all subsequently enumerated features may as well be considered. Also, a plurality of only one of the enumerated features may be possible.

The sequence of all method steps presented above is not mandatory, also alternative sequences may be possible. Nevertheless, the specific sequence of method steps exemplarily shown in the figures shall be considered as one possible sequence of method steps for the respective embodiment described by the respective figure.

The subject-matter has been described above by means of example embodiments. It should be noted that there are alternative ways and variations which are obvious to a skilled person in the art and can be implemented without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

a i m s A method of measurement report for multi transmission and reception points, comprising: measuring reference signal from two or more cells with different physical cell identifiers; sending a measurement report based on the measuring, wherein the measurement report comprises Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, and the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference, RTD, status. The method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving timing difference status indicates whether receiving timing difference condition is fulfilled or not for the measurement. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiving timing difference status is indicated per cell or per Synchronization Signal Block, SSB, or per Channel State Information Reference Signals, CS1-RS. The method according to any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: sending a user device capability, wherein the capability indicates multiple receiver, RX, chain capability for handling two or more different receiver, RX, timings between a serving cell and a cell with different physical cell identifier. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the measurement report comprises the receiving timing difference status. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status comprises that the sending of measurement report depends on the receiving timing difference status.

7. A method of measurement report for multi transmission and reception points, comprising: receiving a measurement report based on measuring reference signal from two or more cells with different physical cell identifiers, wherein the measurement report comprises Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, and the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the receiving timing difference status indicates whether receiving timing difference condition is fulfilled or not for the measurement.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the receiving timing difference status is indicated per cell or per Synchronization Signal Block, SSB, or per Channel State Information Reference Signals, CS1-RS.

10. The method according to any of claims 7 to 9, further comprising: receiving a user device capability, wherein the capability indicates multiple receiver, RX, chain capability for handling two or more different receiver, RX, timings from a serving cell and a cell with different physical cell identifier.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the measurement report comprises the receiving timing difference status.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status comprises that the received measurement report depends on the receiving timing difference status.

13. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: measure reference signal from two or more cells with different physical cell identifiers; and wherein the at least one transceiver is configured to: send a measurement report based on the measuring, wherein the measurement report comprises Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, and the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the receiving timing difference status indicates whether receiving timing difference condition is fulfilled or not for the measurement.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the receiving timing difference status is indicated per cell or per Synchronization Signal Block, SSB, or per Channel State Information Reference Signals, CS1-RS.

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15, the at least one transceiver is configured to: send a user device capability to the network, wherein the capability indicates multiple receiver, RX, chain capability for handling two or more different receiver, RX, timings.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the measurement report comprises the receiving timing difference status.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status comprises that the sending the measurement report depends on the receiving timing difference status.

19. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: configure a reference signal for measuring by a user device; wherein the transceiver is configured to: receive a measurement report based on measuring reference signal from two or more cells with different physical cell identifiers, wherein the measurement report comprises reference signal received power, RSRP, and the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the receiving timing difference status indicates whether receiving timing difference condition is fulfilled or not for the measurement. The apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the receiving timing difference status is indicated per cell or per Synchronization Signal Block, SSB, or per Channel State Information Reference Signals, CS1-RS. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15, the at least one transceiver is configured to: receive a user device capability, wherein the capability indicates multiple receiver, RX, chain capability for handling two or more different receiver, RX, timing. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the measurement report comprises the receiving timing difference status. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the measurement report indicating a receiving timing difference status comprises that the sending the measurement report depends on the receiving timing difference status. A computer program, the computer program when executed by a processor of an apparatus causing said apparatus to perform a method according to any of claims 1 to 6 and/or 7 to 12. A tangible and/or non-transitoiy storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and/or 7 to 12.