EP4666527A1 - Layer 1 and layer 3 measurements based on reduced bandwidth - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer readable media for L3 measurement and L1 measurement are disclosed. In one aspect, a method can include generating, by an access node, a measurement object that indicates a bandwidth of a synchronization signal block (SSB) or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) demodulation reference signal (DMRS), where the bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS is associated with a carrier frequency; and transmitting, by the access node, the generated measurement object to a user equipment (UE).

Description

LAYER 1 AND LAYER 3 MEASUREMENTS BASED ON REDUCED BANDWIDTH

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Prov. App. No. 63/446,418, filed on February 17, 2023, entitled “LAYER 1 AND LAYER 3 MEASUREMENTS BASED ON REDUCED BANDWIDTH,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Frequency bands (e.g., nlOO, n8, n26, or n28) for 5G New Radio (5G NR) generally have a channel bandwidth more than or equal to 5 MHz. A base station or an access node can use dedicated signaling to configure User Equipment (UE) in Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected mode to perform and report measurements. Measurements can be generated and reported at both Layer 1 (LI) and Layer 3 (L3).

SUMMARY

[0003] According to one innovative aspect of the present disclosure, a method for L3 measurement is disclosed. In one aspect, the method can include generating, by an access node, a measurement object that indicates a bandwidth of a synchronization signal block (SSB) or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) demodulation reference signal (DMRS), where the bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS is associated with a carrier frequency; and transmitting, by the access node, the generated measurement object to a user equipment (UE). [0004] Other aspects include apparatuses, systems, and computer programs for performing the actions of the aforementioned method.

[0005] The innovative method can include other optional features. For example, in some implementations, the carrier frequency operates in a frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz.

[0006] In some implementations, the bandwidth of the frequency band ranges from 3 MHz to 5 MHz.

[0007] In some implementations, the frequency band is n8, n26, n28, or nlOO.

[0008] According to another innovative aspect of the present disclosure, a method for L3 measurement is disclosed. In one aspect, the method can include receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a measurement object that indicates a bandwidth of a synchronization signal block (SSB) or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) demodulation reference signal (DMRS), where the bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS is associated with a carrier frequency; and processing, by the UE, the received measurement object to configure the UE to perform one or more measurement operations.

[0009] Other aspects include apparatuses, systems, and computer programs for performing the actions of the aforementioned method.

[0010] The innovative method can include other optional features. For example, in some implementations, the method can further include performing, by the UE, the one or more measurement operations based on the bandwidth indicated by the received measurement object. [0011] In some implementations, the carrier frequency operates in a frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz.

[0012] In some implementations, the bandwidth of the frequency band ranges from 3 MHz to 5 MHz.

[0013] In some implementations, the frequency band is n8, n26, n28, or nlOO.

[0014] According to another innovative aspect of the present disclosure, a method for L3 measurement is disclosed. In one aspect, the method can include generating, by an access node, a measurement object that indicates a bandwidth of a synchronization signal block (SSB) or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) demodulation reference signal (DMRS), where the bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS is associated with a cell index on a carrier frequency; and transmitting, by the access node, the generated measurement object to a UE.

[0015] Other aspects include apparatuses, systems, and computer programs for performing the actions of the aforementioned method.

[0016] The innovative method can include other optional features. For example, in some implementations, the carrier frequency operates in a frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz.

[0017] In some implementations, the bandwidth of the frequency band ranges from 3 MHz to 5 MHz.

[0018] In some implementations, the frequency band is n8, n26, n28, or nlOO.

[0019] According to another innovative aspect of the present disclosure, a method for L3 measurement is disclosed. In one aspect, the method can include receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a measurement object that indicates a bandwidth of a synchronization signal block (SSB) or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) demodulation reference signal (DMRS), where the bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS is associated with a cell index on a carrier frequency; and processing, by the UE, the received measurement object to configure the UE to perform one or more measurement operations.

[0020] Other aspects include apparatuses, systems, and computer programs for performing the actions of the aforementioned method.

[0021] The innovative method can include other optional features. For example, in some implementations, the method can further include performing, by the UE, the one or more measurement operations based on the bandwidth indicated by the received measurement object. [0022] In some implementations, the carrier frequency operates in a frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz.

[0023] In some implementations, the bandwidth of the frequency band ranges from 3 MHz to 5 MHz.

[0024] In some implementations, the frequency band is n8, n26, n28, or nlOO.

[0025] According to another innovative aspect of the present disclosure, a method for L3 measurement is disclosed. In one aspect, the method can include detecting, by a user equipment (UE), a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS) in a synchronization signal block (SSB); obtaining, by the UE, an SSB index for the detected PSS and SSS based on a bandwidth of the SSB or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) demodulation reference signal (DMRS) less than 5 MHz; and performing, by the UE, one or more measurement operations based on the obtained SSB index.

[0026] Other aspects include apparatuses, systems, and computer programs for performing the actions of the aforementioned method.

[0027] The innovative method can include other optional features. For example, in some implementations, the method can further include obtaining, by the UE, the SSB index based on a first bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS, where the first bandwidth is equal to or more than 5 MHz; and receiving, by the UE, information indicating a failure to obtain the SSB index based on the first bandwidth.

[0028] In some implementations, the bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS ranges from 3 MHz to 5 MHz.

[0029] According to another innovative aspect of the present disclosure, a method for L3 measurement is disclosed. In one aspect, the method can include detecting, by a user equipment (UE), a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS) in a synchronization signal block (SSB); obtaining, by the UE, a first SSB index for the detected PSS and SSS based on a first bandwidth of the SSB or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) demodulation reference signal (DMRS), where the first bandwidth is equal to or more than 5 MHz; obtaining, by the UE, a second SSB index for the detected PSS and SSS based on a second bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS, where the second bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS is less than 5 MHz; selecting, by the UE, one of the first SSB index and the second SSB index; and performing, by the UE, one or more measurement operations based on the selected SSB index.

[0030] Other aspects include apparatuses, systems, and computer programs for performing the actions of the aforementioned method.

[0031] The innovative method can include other optional features. For example, in some implementations, the method can further include determining, by the UE, that a carrier frequency of a target cell operates in a frequency band.

[0032] In some implementations, the frequency band is n8, n26, n28, or nlOO.

[0033] In some implementations, the second bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS ranges from 3 MHz to 5 MHz.

[0034] According to another innovative aspect of the present disclosure, a method for L3 measurement is disclosed. In one aspect, the method can include updating, by an access node, a size of physical resource blocks (PRBs) that indicates a bandwidth of a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) to be less than 24 PRBs, where the CSI-RS operates in a frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz; and transmitting, by the access node, the updated size of PRBs to a UE.

[0035] Other aspects include apparatuses, systems, and computer programs for performing the actions of the aforementioned method.

[0036] The innovative method can include other optional features. For example, in some implementations, the bandwidth of the frequency band ranges from 3 MHz to 5 MHz.

[0037] In some implementations, the updated size of PRBs is 12 PRBs, 15 PRBs, 16 PRBs, or 20 PRBs.

[0038] In some implementations, the frequency band is n8, n26, n28, or nlOO.

[0039] According to another innovative aspect of the present disclosure, a method for L3 measurement is disclosed. In one aspect, the method can include receiving, by a user equipment (UE), an updated size of physical resource blocks (PRBs) that indicates a bandwidth of a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) to be less than 24 PRBs, where the CSI-RS operates in a frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz; and processing, by the UE, the updated size of the PRBs to configure the UE to perform one or more measurement operations.

[0040] Other aspects include apparatuses, systems, and computer programs for performing the actions of the aforementioned method.

[0041] The innovative method can include other optional features. For example, in some implementations, the bandwidth of the frequency band ranges from 3 MHz to 5 MHz.

[0042] In some implementations, the updated size of PRBs is 12 PRBs, 15 PRBs, 16 PRBs, or 20 PRBs.

[0043] In some implementations, the frequency band is n8, n26, n28, or nlOO.

[0044] According to another innovative aspect of the present disclosure, a method for L3 measurement is disclosed. In one aspect, the method can include generating, by an access node, a measurement object that indicates a bandwidth of a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) that is associated with a carrier frequency operating in a frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz; and transmitting, by the access node, the generated measurement object to a UE.

[0045] Other aspects include apparatuses, systems, and computer programs for performing the actions of the aforementioned method.

[0046] The innovative method can include other optional features. For example, in some implementations, the frequency band is n8, n26, n28, or nlOO.

[0047] In some implementations, the bandwidth of the frequency band ranges from 3 MHz to 5 MHz.

[0048] According to another innovative aspect of the present disclosure, a method for L3 measurement is disclosed. In one aspect, the method can include receiving, by a UE, a measurement object that indicates a bandwidth of a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) that is associated with a carrier frequency operating in a frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz; and processing, by the UE, the received measurement object to configure the UE to perform one or more measurement operations.

[0049] Other aspects include apparatuses, systems, and computer programs for performing the actions of the aforementioned method.

[0050] The innovative method can include other optional features. For example, in some implementations, the frequency band is n8, n26, n28, or nlOO.

[0051] In some implementations, the bandwidth of the frequency band ranges from 3 MHz to [0052] According to another innovative aspect of the present disclosure, a method for L3 measurement is disclosed. In one aspect, the method can include performing, by a user equipment (UE), one or more measurement operations based on a bandwidth of a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), where the bandwidth of the CSI-RS is equal to a current active bandwidth part (BWP) or an initial BWP of a current serving cell for the UE.

[0053] Other aspects include apparatuses, systems, and computer programs for performing the actions of the aforementioned method.

[0054] The innovative method can include other optional features. For example, in some implementations, the CSI-RS operates in a frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz.

[0055] In some implementations, the bandwidth of the frequency band ranges from 3 MHz to 5 MHz.

[0056] In some implementations, the frequency band is n8, n26, n28, or nlOO.

[0057] According to another innovative aspect of the present disclosure, a method for L3 measurement is disclosed. In one aspect, the method can include performing, by a user equipment (UE), a measurement of a bandwidth of a synchronization signal block (SSB) of a target cell; and performing, by the UE, one or more measurement operations based on a bandwidth of a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), where the bandwidth of the CSI-RS is equal to the bandwidth of the SSB of the target cell.

[0058] Other aspects include apparatuses, systems, and computer programs for performing the actions of the aforementioned method.

[0059] The innovative method can include other optional features. For example, in some implementations, the CSI-RS operates in a frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz.

[0060] In some implementations, the bandwidth of the frequency band ranges from 3 MHz to 5 MHz.

[0061] In some implementations, the frequency band is n8, n26, n28, or nlOO.

[0062] According to another innovative aspect of the present disclosure, a method for LI measurement based on a synchronization signal block (SSB) is disclosed. In one aspect, the method can include detecting, by a user equipment (UE), that the UE is switching to a cell operating in a frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz; in response to detecting that the UE is switching to the cell, configuring, by the UE, a bandwidth of a hypothetical physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) demodulation reference signal (DMRS) to be at least one of: min (an active bandwidth part (BWP), 24 physical resource blocks (PRBs)), min (a bandwidth of a carrier frequency, 24 PRBs), min (an initial BWP, 24 PRBs), or min (a first active BWP, 24 PRBs).

[0063] Other aspects include apparatuses, systems, and computer programs for performing the actions of the aforementioned method.

[0064] The innovative method can include other optional features. For example, in some implementations, the method can further include extending an evaluation period of determining in-sync (IS) or out-of-sync (OOS) with the cell by a scaling factor more than or equal to 1 based on the active BWP or the bandwidth of the carrier frequency being less than 20 PRBs.

[0065] In some implementations, the frequency band is n8, n26, n28, or nlOO.

[0066] In some implementations, the bandwidth of the frequency band ranges from 3 MHz to 5 MHz.

[0067] According to another innovative aspect of the present disclosure, a method for LI measurement based on a channel state information reference signal (CSLRS) is disclosed. In one aspect, the method can include detecting, by a user equipment (UE), that the UE is switching to a cell operating in a frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz; in response to detecting that the UE is switching to the cell, configuring, by the UE, a bandwidth of a hypothetical physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) demodulation reference signal (DMRS) to be at least one of: min (an active bandwidth part (BWP), 48 physical resource blocks (PRBs)), min (a bandwidth of a carrier frequency, 48 PRBs), min (an initial BWP, 48 PRBs), or min (a first active BWP, 48 PRBs).

[0068] Other aspects include apparatuses, systems, and computer programs for performing the actions of the aforementioned method.

[0069] The innovative method can include other optional features. For example, in some implementations, the method can further include extending an evaluation period of determining in-sync (IS) or out-of-sync (OOS) with the cell by a scaling factor more than or equal to 1 based on the active BWP or the bandwidth of the carrier frequency being less than 24 PRBs. [0070] In some implementations, the frequency band is n8, n26, n28, or nlOO.

[0071] In some implementations, the bandwidth of the frequency band ranges from 3 MHz to 5 MHz.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless network, according to some implementations. [0073] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an example process for L3 measurement executed by an access node, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0074] FIG. 3 illustrates an example set of measurement objects for L3 measurement, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0075] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example process for L3 measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0076] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of another example process for L3 measurement executed by an access node, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0077] FIG. 6 illustrates another example set of measurement objects for L3 measurement, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0078] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example process for L3 measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0079] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of another example process for L3 measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0080] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of another example process for L3 measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0081] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of another example process for L3 measurement executed by an access node, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0082] FIG. 11 illustrates an example CSI-RS configuration for L3 measurement, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0083] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of another example process for L3 measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0084] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of another example process for L3 measurement executed by an access node, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0085] FIG. 14 illustrates another example set of measurement objects for L3 measurement, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0086] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of another example process for L3 measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0087] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of another example process for L3 measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0088] FIG. 17 is a flowchart of another example process for L3 measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. [0089] FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an example process for SSB based LI measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0090] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of an example process for CSI-RS based LI measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0091] FIG. 20 is a block diagram of an example user equipment (UE), according to some implementations.

[0092] FIG. 21 is a block diagram of an example access node, according to some implementations.

[0093] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0094] This disclosure describes methods and systems for LI measurements and L3 measurements. The methods and systems can be performed or operated in a frequency band (e.g., nlOO, n8, n26, or n28) having a bandwidth ranging from 3 MHz to 5 MHz. As described in 3GPP TS 38.101-1 Version 18.4.0 Release 18, the Uplink (UL) operating band for n8 is 880 MHz-915 MHZ, while Downlink (DL) operating band for n8 is 925 MHz-960 MHZ. The UL operating band for n26 is 814 MHz-849 MHZ, while DL operating band for n26 is 859 MHz- 894 MHZ. The UL operating band for n28 is 703 MHz-748 MHZ, while DL operating band for n28 is 758 MHz-803 MHZ. The UL operating band for nlOO is 874.4 MHz-880 MHZ, while DL operating band for nlOO is 919.4 MHz-925 MHZ. In these methods and systems, a synchronization signal block (SSB)/physical broadcast channel (PBCH) demodulation reference signal (DMRS) or a channel state information reference signal (CSLRS) is measured using a bandwidth ranging from 3 MHz to 5 MHz.

[0095] The Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) may operate in a frequency band (e.g., nlOO, n8, n26, or n28, etc.) having dedicated channel bandwidth less than 5 MHz for Frequency Range 1 (FR1). The existing channel bandwidths of the frequency band are more than or equal to 5 MHz. Thus, LI measurement and L3 measurement based on SSB/PBCH DMRS or CSLRS may fail to use an existing channel bandwidth (> 5 MHz) in scenarios where the actual channel bandwidth is less than 5 MHz (e.g., [3 MHz, 5 MHz)). Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed towards providing a solution to the aforementioned problem that enables LI measurement and L3 measurement in the frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz. [0096] LI measurement is useful for procedures that react with minimal delay, e.g., beam management procedures that require the UE to rapidly switch between beams. L3 measurement is useful for radio resource management decisions that require a longer-term view of channel conditions, e.g., handover procedures can be triggered after L3 filtering to reduce the risk of ping-pong between serving cells.

[0097] FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless network, according to some implementations. The wireless network 100 includes a UE 102 and a base station 104 connected via one or more channels 106A, 106B across an air interface 108. The UE 102 and base station 104 communicate using a system that supports controls for managing the access of the UE 102 to a network via the base station 104.

[0098] In some implementations, the wireless network 100 is a Non- Standalone (NS A) network that incorporates Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Fifth Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) communication standards as defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP) technical specifications. For example, the wireless network 100 may be an E-UTRA (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access)-NR Dual Connectivity (EN-DC) network, or an NR- EUTRA Dual Connectivity (NE-DC) network. In other implementations, the wireless network 100 is a Standalone (SA) network that incorporates only 5G NR. Furthermore, other types of communication standards are possible, including future 3GPP systems (e.g., Sixth Generation (6G)) systems and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 technology. While aspects may be described herein using terminology commonly associated with 5G NR, aspects of the present disclosure can be applied to other systems, such as 4G and/or systems subsequent to 5G (e.g., 6G).

[0099] In the wireless network 100, the UE 102 and any other UE in the system may be, for example, laptop computers, smartphones, tablet computers, machine-type devices such as smart meters or specialized devices for healthcare, intelligent transportation systems, or any other wireless devices with or without a user interface. In network 100, base station 104 provides the UE 102 network connectivity to a broader network (not shown). This UE 102 connectivity is provided via the air interface 108 in a base station service area provided by base station 104. In some implementations, such a broader network may be a wide area network operated by a cellular network provider, or may be the Internet. Each base station service area associated with base station 104 is supported by antennas integrated with base station 104. The service areas are divided into a number of sectors associated with certain antennas. Such sectors may be physically associated with fixed antennas or may be assigned to a physical area with tunable antennas or antenna settings adjustable in a beamforming process used to direct a signal to a particular sector.

[00100] The UE 102 includes control circuitry 110 coupled with transmit circuitry 112 and receive circuitry 114. The transmit circuitry 112 and receive circuitry 114 may each be coupled with one or more antennas. The control circuitry 110 may include various combinations of application specific circuitry and baseband circuitry. The transmit circuitry 112 and receive circuitry 114 may be adapted to transmit and receive data, respectively, and may include radio frequency (RF) circuitry or front-end module (FEM) circuitry.

[00101] In various implementations, aspects of the transmit circuitry 112, receive circuitry 114, and control circuitry 110 may be integrated in various ways to implement the operations described herein. The control circuitry 110 may be adapted or configured to perform various operations such as those described elsewhere in this disclosure related to a UE.

[00102] The transmit circuitry 112 can perform various operations described in this specification. Additionally, the transmit circuitry 112 may transmit a plurality of multiplexed uplink physical channels. The plurality of uplink physical channels may be multiplexed according to time division multiplexing (TDM) or frequency division multiplexing (FDM) along with carrier aggregation. The transmit circuitry 112 may be configured to receive block data from the control circuitry 110 for transmission across the air interface 108.

[00103] The receive circuitry 114 can perform various operations described in this specification. Additionally, the receive circuitry 114 may receive a plurality of multiplexed downlink physical channels from the air interface 108 and relay the physical channels to the control circuitry 110. The plurality of downlink physical channels may be multiplexed according to TDM or FDM along with carrier aggregation. The transmit circuitry 112 and the receive circuitry 114 may transmit and receive both control data and content data (e.g., messages, images, video, etc.) structured within data blocks that are carried by the physical channels.

[00104] FIG. 1 also illustrates the base station 104. In implementations, the base station 104 may be an NG radio access network (RAN) or a 5G RAN, an E-UTRAN, or a non-terrestrial cell. As used herein, the term “NG RAN” or the like may refer to the base station 104 that operates in an NR or 5G wireless network 100, and the term “EUTRAN” or the like may refer to a base station 104 that operates in an LTE or 4G wireless network 100. The UE 102 utilizes connections (or channels) 106A, 106B, each of which includes a physical communications interface or layer. [00105] The base station 104 circuitry may include control circuitry 116 coupled with transmit circuitry 118 and receive circuitry 120. The transmit circuitry 118 and receive circuitry 120 may each be coupled with one or more antennas that may be used to enable communications via the air interface 108. The transmit circuitry 118 and receive circuitry 120 may be adapted to transmit and receive data, respectively, to any UE connected to the base station 104. The transmit circuitry 118 may transmit downlink physical channels includes of a plurality of downlink subframes. The receive circuitry 120 may receive a plurality of uplink physical channels from various UEs, including the UE 102.

[00106] In FIG. 1, the one or more channels 106A, 106B are illustrated as an air interface to enable communicative coupling, and can be consistent with cellular communications protocols, such as 3 GPP LTE protocol, an Advanced long term evolution (LTE-A) protocol, a LTE-based access to unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U), a 5G protocol, a NR protocol, an NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) protocol, and/or any of the other communications protocols discussed herein. In implementations, the UE 102 may directly exchange communication data via a ProSe interface. The ProSe interface may alternatively be referred to as a sidelink (SL) interface and may include one or more logical channels, including but not limited to a Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH), a Physical Sidelink Discovery Channel (PSDCH), and a Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH).

[00107] SSB Based L3 Measurement Configuration

[00108] UE Configured with System Bandwidth or Measurement Bandwidth Associated with Carrier Frequency

[00109] In some implementations, a base station or an access node configures a UE to perform L3 measurement in a frequency band (e.g., nlOO, n8, n26, or n28). The system bandwidth or measurement bandwidth of the L3 measurement is associated with a carrier frequency. The system bandwidth or measurement bandwidth indicates a bandwidth of SSB or PBCH DMRS. [00110] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an example process 200 for L3 measurement executed by an access node, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The process 200 will be described as being performed by an access node such as an access node 2100 of FIG. 21.

[00111] An access node can begin execution of the process 200 by generating a measurement object that indicates a bandwidth of an SSB or a PBCH DMRS 202. The bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS is associated with a carrier frequency.

[00112] The access node can continue execution of the process 200 by transmitting the generated measurement object to the UE 204. The transmitted measurement object indicates the bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS. The UE can perform L3 measurement (e.g., neighbor cell measurement for handover preparation) based on the received measurement object indicating a bandwidth less than 5 MHz.

[00113] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a measurement object (“MeasObjectNR”) 300 that can be generated using the process 200 for L3 measurement, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. In the case of intra-frequency and inter-frequency measurements, a measurement object identifies the time and frequency location of the SS/PBCH blocks and CSI reference signal resources to be measured. A measurement object also specifies the corresponding subcarrier spacing. A single measurement object can specify both SS/PBCH blocks and CSI reference signal information.

[00114] As shown in FIG. 3, the example measurement object 300 on a carrier frequency has fields indicating a plurality of parameters including at least an SSB frequency (“ssbFrequency”) 302, a subcarrier spacing (“ssbSubcarrierSpacing”) 304, and a target cell list (“cellsToAddModListExt-vl710”) 306, etc. The example measurement object 300 further includes an additional parameter “ssbMeasBW-rl8” 308 indicating a bandwidth of an SSB or a PBCH DMRS. The bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS is associated with a carrier frequency. In some implementations, the bandwidth of the SSB or PBCH DMRS is a reduced bandwidth, e.g., a bandwidth less than 5 MHz. For example, the bandwidth is in a range [3 MHz, 5 MHz), such as 3 MHz, 4 MHz, 4.5 MHz, etc.

[00115] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example process 400 for L3 measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The process 400 is described as being performed by a UE such as UE 2000 of FIG. 20.

[00116] A UE can begin execution of the process 400 by receiving a measurement object (e.g., the measurement object 300) that indicates a bandwidth of an SSB or PBCH DMRS (e.g., the additional parameter “ssbMeasBW-rl8” 308 indicates a bandwidth of an SSB or PBCH DMRS) 402. The bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS is associated with a carrier frequency. The SSB or PBCH DMRS is configured in a measurement object (e.g., the measurement object 300) transmitted to the UE, and the measurement object received by the UE is associated with carrier frequency (e.g., the received measurement object is configured per carrier frequency). A bandwidth of the SSB or PBCH DMRS is configured to be associated with a measurement object or a carrier frequency.

[00117] The UE can continue execution of the process 400 by processing the received measurement object (e.g., the measurement object 300) to configure the UE to perform one or more measurement operations 404. The UE can perform L3 measurement (e.g., neighbor cell measurement for handover preparation) based on the received measurement object 300 indicating a bandwidth less than 5 MHz.

[00118] UE Configured with System Bandwidth or Measurement Bandwidth Associated with Cell Index on Carrier Frequency

[00119] In some implementations, a base station or an access node configures a UE to perform L3 measurement in a frequency band (e.g., nlOO, n8, n26, or n28). The system bandwidth or measurement bandwidth is associated with a cell index on a carrier frequency. The system bandwidth or measurement bandwidth indicates a bandwidth of SSB or PBCH DMRS.

[00120] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example process 500 for L3 measurement executed by an access node, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The process 500 will be described as being performed by an access node such as an access node 2100 of FIG. 21.

[00121] An access node can begin execution of the process 200 by generating a measurement object that indicates a bandwidth of a SSB or a PBCH DMRS 502. The bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS is associated with a cell index on a carrier frequency.

[00122] The access node can continue execution of the process 500 by transmitting the generated measurement object to the UE 504. The transmitted measurement object indicates the bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS. The UE can perform L3 measurement (e.g., neighbor cell measurement for handover preparation) based on the received measurement object indicating a bandwidth less than 5 MHz.

[00123] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a measurement object (“MeasObjectNR”) 600 that can be generated using the process 500 for L3 measurement, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The example measurement object (“MeasObjectNR”) 600 has fields indicating a plurality of parameters including at least an SSB frequency (“ssbFrequency”) 602, a subcarrier spacing (“ssbSubcarrierSpacing”) 604, and a target cell list (“cellsToAddModList”) 606, etc. The example measurement object 600 further includes an additional parameter “CellsToAddModListExt-vl800” 608 indicating a bandwidth of an SSB or a PBCH DMRS. The bandwidth of the SSB and the PBCH DMRS is associated with the cell index (e.g., “physCellld” 610 and “celllndividualOffset” 612) on a carrier frequency. In some implementations, there are multiple cells on one carrier frequency, and the access node configures the cell specific SSB or DMRS bandwidth, which is transmitted to the UE for measurement. In some implementations, the bandwidth of SSB or PBCH DMRS can be configured differently for different cells on the same carrier frequency (the bandwidth of SSB or PBCH DMRS can be differently configured for different cells in the same measurement object).

[00124] In some implementations, the bandwidth of the SSB and the PBCH DMRS is a reduced bandwidth, e.g., a bandwidth less than 5 MHz. For example, the bandwidth is in a range [3 MHz, 5 MHz), such as 3 MHz, 4 MHz, 4.5 MHz, etc.

[00125] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example process 700 for L3 measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The process 700 is described as being performed by a UE such as UE 2000 of FIG. 20.

[00126] A UE can begin execution of the process 700 by receiving a measurement object (e.g., the measurement object 600) that indicates a bandwidth of an SSB or PBCH DMRS (e.g., the additional parameter “CellsToAddModListExt-vl800” 608 indicates a bandwidth of an SSB or PBCH DMRS) 702. The bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS is associated with a cell index on a carrier frequency.

[00127] The UE can continue execution of the process 700 by processing the received measurement object (e.g., the measurement object 600) to configure the UE to perform one or more measurement operations 704. The UE can perform L3 measurement (e.g., neighbor cell measurement for handover preparation) based on the received measurement object 600 indicating a bandwidth less than 5 MHz.

[00128] UE Re-Obtaining SSB Index Using Reduced Bandwidth in Response to Failure to Obtain SSB Index Using Legacy Bandwidth

[00129] In some implementations, a UE uses a legacy or existing bandwidth (a channel bandwidth more than or equal to 5 MHz, e.g., 5 MHz) of SSB as a default assumption to obtain or read an SSB index in a frequency band (e.g., nlOO, n8, n26n or n28). If the UE detects a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS) in the SSB while failing to read the SSB index for the detected PSS and SSS, then the UE uses a predefined measurement bandwidth (e.g., a channel bandwidth ranging from 3 MHz to 5 MHz) for reperforming the SSB index reading. For example, the UE uses 3MHz, 4 MHz, or 4.5 MHz, etc. to re-perform SSB index reading.

[00130] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example process 800 for L3 measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The process 800 is described as being performed by a UE such as UE 2000 of FIG. 20.

[00131] A UE can begin execution of the process 800 by detecting a PSS and an SSS in an SSB 802. [00132] The UE can continue execution of the process 800 by attempting to obtain an SSB index for the detected PSS and SSS based on a first bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS 804. The first bandwidth is a legacy or existing bandwidth and is equal to or more than 5 MHz (e.g., 5 MHz, 10 MHz, etc.). The UE attempts to obtain an SSB index based on the legacy or existing bandwidth.

[00133] The UE can continue execution of the process 800 by receiving information indicating a failure to obtain the SSB index based on the first bandwidth 806. In some implementations, if the correlation peak is below a certain threshold level, e.g., a false alarm threshold, then the UE fails to obtain the SSB index based on the legacy or existing bandwidth. The UE uses a local sequence of PSS or SSS or PBCH DMRS to perform correlation with the received sequence/ signal to determine which PSS or SSS or DMRS is received.

[00134] The UE can continue execution of the process 800 by obtaining an SSB index for the detected PSS and SSS based on a bandwidth of the SSB or a PBCH DMRS less than 5 MHz 808. In response to the failure at 806, the UE obtains an SSB index for the detected PSS and SSS based on a reduced bandwidth (less than 5 MHz, e.g., [3 MHz, 5 MHz)).

[00135] The UE can continue execution of the process 800 by performing one or more measurement operations based on the obtained SSB index 810. The UE can perform L3 measurement (e.g., neighbor cell measurement for handover preparation) based on the obtained SSB index.

[00136] UE Obtaining SSB Index Using Both Legacy Bandwidth and Reduced Bandwidth Based on Target Carrier Frequency Being in A Frequency Band

[00137] In some implementations, a UE determines whether a target carrier frequency (a carrier frequency of a target cell) for measurement is in a frequency band (e.g., nlOO, n8, n26, or n28). If the target carrier frequency is in the frequency band, the UE uses a legacy or existing bandwidth (a channel bandwidth more than or equal to 5 MHz, e.g., 5 MHz) of the SSB and the reduced bandwidth (a channel bandwidth ranging from 3 MHz to 5 MHz, e.g., 3 MHz, 4 MHz, etc.) of PBCH, respectively, to obtain an SSB index after PSS/SSS detection.

[00138] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example process 900 for L3 measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The process 900 is described as being performed by a UE such as UE 2000 of FIG. 20.

[00139] A UE can begin execution of the process 900 by determining that a carrier frequency of a target cell operates in a frequency band (e.g., nlOO, n8, n26, or n28) 902. [00140] The UE can continue execution of the process 900 by detecting a PSS and an SSS in an SSB 904.

[00141] The UE can continue execution of the process 900 by obtaining a first SSB index for the detected PSS and SSS based on a first bandwidth of the SSB or a PBCH DMRS 906. The first bandwidth is a legacy or existing bandwidth that is equal to or more than 5 MHz (e.g., 15 MHz).

[00142] The UE can continue execution of the process 900 by obtaining a second SSB index for the detected PSS and SSS based on a second bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS 908. The second bandwidth of the SSB or the PBCH DMRS is less than 5 MHz, e.g., in a range [3 MHz, 5 MHz). For example, the UE obtains the second SSB index based on a channel bandwidth of 3 MHz. The UE can further obtain a third SSB index based on a channel bandwidth of 4 MHz. The UE can further obtain one or more additional indices based on any channel bandwidth in a range of [3 MHz, 5 MHz).

[00143] The UE can continue execution of the process 900 by selecting one of the first SSB index and the second SSB index 910. In some implementations, the UE selects one of the SSB indices obtained at 908 based on a correlation peak. For example, the UE selects one of the SSB indices having the greatest correlation peak value.

[00144] The UE can continue execution of the process 900 by performing one or more measurement operations based on the selected SSB index 912. The UE can perform L3 measurement based on the selected SSB index.

[00145] CSI-RS Based L3 Measurement Configuration

[00146] UE Configured with CSI-RS Measurement Bandwidth Less Than 24 PRBs

[00147] In some implementations, a base station or an access node configures a UE to perform L3 measurement in a frequency band (e.g., nlOO, n8, n26, or n28). A bandwidth of a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) is smaller than 24 PRBs. The newly added signaling for the bandwidth of the CSI-RS includes one of the candidates: { 12 PRBs, 15 PRBs, 16 PRBs, 20 PRBs}.

[00148] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example process 1000 for L3 measurement executed by an access node, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The process 1000 will be described as being performed by an access node such as an access node 2100 of FIG. 21.

[00149] An access node can begin execution of the process 1000 by updating a size of physical resource blocks (PRBs) that indicates a bandwidth of a CSI-RS to be less than 24 PRBs 1002. The CSI-RS operates in a frequency band (e.g., nlOO, n8, n26, or n28) having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz.

[00150] The access node can continue execution of the process 1000 by transmitting the updated size of PRBs to a UE 1004. The UE can perform L3 measurement (e.g., CSI-RS measurement) based on the updated size of PRBs (indicating a bandwidth of the CSI-RS less than 24 PRBs, e g. ,12 PRBs, 15 PRBs, 16 PRBs, or 20 PRBs).

[00151] FIG. 11 illustrates an example CSI-RS configuration 1100 for L3 measurement, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 11, the CSI-RS configuration (“CSI-RS-ResourceConfigMobility”) 1100 includes a parameter “csi-RS- CellList-Mobility-Ext-vl800” 1102 indicating a bandwidth of the CSI-RS less than 24 PRBs. For example, the bandwidth of the CSI-RS can be 12 PRBs (corresponding to sizel2 of FIG. 11), 15 PRBs (corresponding to size 15 of FIG. 11), 16 PRBs (corresponding to size 16 of FIG. 11), or 20 PRBs (corresponding to size20 of FIG. 11).

[00152] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an example process 1200 for L3 measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The process 1200 is described as being performed by a UE such as UE 2000 of FIG. 20.

[00153] A UE can begin execution of the process 1200 by receiving an updated size of PRBs that indicates a bandwidth of a CSI-RS to be less than 24 PRBs 1202. The CSI-RS operates in a frequency band (e.g., nlOO, n8, n26, or n28) having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz, e.g., [3 MHz, 5 MHz).

[00154] The UE can continue execution of the process 1200 by processing the updated size of the PRBs to configure the UE to perform one or more measurement operations 1204. The UE can perform L3 measurement (e.g., CSI-RS measurement) based on a bandwidth of the CSI- RS less than 24 PRBs.

[00155] UE Configured with CSI-RS Measurement Bandwidth Per Carrier Frequency for A Band

[00156] In some implementations, a base station or an access node configures a UE to perform L3 measurement in a frequency band (e.g., nlOO, n8, n26, or n28). In some implementations, the access node configures the UE to perform L3 measurement based on a bandwidth of CSI- RS per carrier frequency for the frequency band.

[00157] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an example process 1300 for L3 measurement executed by an access node, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The process 1300 will be described as being performed by an access node such as an access node 2100 of FIG. 21. [00158] An access node can begin execution of the process 1300 by generating a measurement object that indicates a bandwidth of a CSI-RS 1302. The bandwidth of the CSI-RS is associated with a carrier frequency operating in a frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz.

[00159] The access node can continue execution of the process 1300 by transmitting the generated measurement object (e.g., the measurement object 1400 of FIG. 14) to the UE 1304. The UE can perform L3 measurement (e.g., CSI-RS measurement) based on the received measurement object (e.g., the measurement object 1400 of FIG. 14) indicating a bandwidth of the CSI-RS.

[00160] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a measurement object 1400 that can be generated using the process 1300 for L3 measurement, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 14, the example measurement object (“MeasObjectNR”) 1400 has fields indicating a plurality of parameters including at least an SSB frequency (“ssbFrequency”) 1402, a subcarrier spacing (“ssbSubcarrierSpacing”) 1404, etc. The example measurement object 1400 further includes an additional parameter “csi-rsMeasBW-rl8” 1406 indicating a bandwidth of a CSI-RS. In some implementations, the bandwidth of the CSI-RS is associated with a carrier frequency operating in a frequency band (e.g., nlOO, n8, n26, or n28) having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz, e.g., [3 MHz, 5 MHz). In some implementations, the bandwidth of the CSI-RS can be 12 PRBs (corresponding to sizel2 of FIG. 14), 15 PRBs (corresponding to size 15 of FIG. 14), 16 PRBs (corresponding to size 16 of FIG. 14), or 20 PRBs (corresponding to size20 of FIG. 14).

[00161] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an example process 1500 for L3 measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The process 1500 is described as being performed by a UE such as UE 2000 of FIG. 20.

[00162] A UE can begin execution of the process 1500 by receiving a measurement object (e.g., the measurement object 1400) that indicates a bandwidth of CSI-RS 1502. The bandwidth of CSI-RS is associated with a carrier frequency operating in a frequency band (e.g., nlOO, n8, n26, or n28) having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz.

[00163] The UE can continue execution of the process 1500 by processing the received measurement object (e.g., the measurement object 1400) to configure the UE to perform one or more measurement operations 1504. The UE can perform L3 measurement (e.g., CSI-RS measurement) based on the received measurement object indicating a bandwidth of CSI-RS.

[00164] UE Assuming CSI-RS Measurement Bandwidth Being Equal to Bandwidth of Current Active BWP or Initial BWP of Current Serving Cell [00165] In some implementations, the UE assumes that a bandwidth of the CSI-RS is equal to the width of the current active bandwidth part (BWP) or an initial BWP of the current serving cell.

[00166] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an example process 1600 for L3 measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The process 1600 is described as being performed by a UE such as UE 2000 of FIG. 20.

[00167] A UE can begin execution of the process 1600 by performing one or more measurement operations (e.g., CSI-RS measurement) based on a bandwidth of CSI-RS 1602. The bandwidth of the CSI-RS is equal to a current active BWP or an initial BWP of a current serving cell for the UE.

[00168] UE Assuming CSI-RS Measurement Bandwidth Being Equal to SSB Bandwidth of Target Cell

[00169] In some implementations, the UE assumes that a bandwidth of CSI-RS is equal to the bandwidth of an SSB of a target cell. The UE detects and measures an SSB of the target cell to obtain the bandwidth of the SSB. In some implementations, a base station or an access node associates SSB with the target CSI-RS L3 measurement. Thus, the UE may detect and measure the target cell’s SSB before performing CSI-RS measurement on the target cell.

[00170] FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an example process 1700 for L3 measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The process 1700 is described as being performed by a UE such as UE 2000 of FIG. 20.

[00171] A UE can begin execution of the process 1700 by performing a measurement of a bandwidth of an SSB of a target cell 1702. The UE measures a bandwidth of the SSB of the target cell.

[00172] The UE can continue execution of the process 1700 by performing one or more measurement operations (e.g., CSI-RS measurement) based on a bandwidth of a CSI-RS 1704. The bandwidth of the CSI-RS is equal to the bandwidth of the SSB of the target cell measured at 1702.

[00173] SSB Based LI Measurement Configuration

[00174] In some implementations, SSB or CSI-RS based LI measurement, e.g., Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) or Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) evaluation, is performed on a Special Cell (SpCell), which operates in a frequency band (e.g., nlOO, n8, n26, or n28) having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz, e.g., [3 MHz, 5 MHz). A UE automatically switches a bandwidth of a hypothetical physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) DMRS to X PRBs when the UE changes from an old SpCell to a new Spcell operating in the frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz. A hypothetical PDCCH refers to a reference signal that is used to emulate the PDCCH transmission/reception performance with predefined parameter values (e.g., DCI format, OFDM symbols, CCE, PRBs, SCS, REG bundle size), which are defined in 3GPP technical specifications. The hypothetical PDCCH can be used for radio link monitoring by estimating downlink link quality. In some implementations, the old SpCell operates in the frequency band (the frequency band of the old SpCell is the same as the frequency band of the new SpCell) having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz. In some implementations, the old SpCell operates in a frequency band different from the frequency band of the new SpCell. For example, the old SpCell operates in a frequency band having a bandwidth more than 5 MHz, while the new SpCell operates in the frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz.

[00175] For SSB based LI measurement, X= min{active BWP, 24PRBs}, or X= min{cell carrier BW, 24PRBs}, or X= min{initial BWP, 24PRBs}, or X= min{first active BWP, 24PRBs}

[00176] For CSI-RS based LI measurement, X= min{active BWP, 48PRBs}, or X= min{cell carrier BW, 48PRBs}, or X= min{initial BWP, 48PRBs},or X= min{first active BWP, 48PRBs}

[00177] In some implementations, if the active BWP or cell carrier bandwidth is smaller than 20PRBs, the evaluation period for SSB based RLM or BFD can be extended without changes on the LI evaluation interval. In some implementations, if the active BWP or cell carrier bandwidth is smaller than 24PRBs, the evaluation period for CSLRS based RLM and BFD can be extended without changes on the LI evaluation interval. In some implementations, the extension of the evaluation period can be implemented by multiplying the existing evaluation period by a scaling factor Y (Y>=1) for out-of-sync (OOS) or in-sync (IS).

[00178] FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an example process 1800 for SSB based LI measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The process 1800 is described as being performed by a UE such as UE 2000 of FIG. 20.

[00179] A UE can begin execution of the process 1800 by detecting that the UE is switching to a cell operating in a frequency band (e.g., nlOO, n8, n26, or n28) having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz 1802.

[00180] The UE can continue execution of the process 1800 by, in response to detecting that the UE is switching to the cell at 1802, configuring a bandwidth of a PDCCH DMRS to be at least one of: min (an active BWP, 24 PRBs), min (a bandwidth of a carrier frequency, 24 PRBs), min (an initial BWP, 24 PRBs), or min (a first active BWP, 24 PRBs) 1804.

[00181] In some implementations, if the active BWP or the bandwidth of the carrier frequency is less than 20 PRBs, an evaluation period of determining in-sync (IS) or out-of-sync (OOS) with the cell is extended by a scaling factor more than or equal to 1.

[00182] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of an example process 1900 for CSI-RS based LI measurement executed by a UE, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The process 1900 is described as being performed by a UE such as UE 2000 of FIG. 20.

[00183] A UE can begin execution of the process 1900 by detecting that the UE is switching to a cell operating in a frequency band (e.g., nlOO, n8, n26, or n28) having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz 1902.

[00184] The UE can continue execution of the process 1900 by, in response to detecting that the UE is switching to the cell, configuring a bandwidth of a PDCCH DMRS to be at least one of: min (an active BWP, 48 PRBs), min (a bandwidth of a carrier frequency, 48 PRBs), min (an initial BWP, 48 PRBs), or min (a first active BWP, 48 PRBs) 1904.

[00185] In some implementations, if the active BWP or the bandwidth of the carrier frequency is less than 24 PRBs, an evaluation period of IS or OOS with the cell is extended by a scaling factor more than or equal to 1.

[00186] FIG. 20 is a block diagram of an example user equipment (UE), according to some implementations. The UE 2000 may be similar to and substantially interchangeable with UE 102 of FIG. 1.

[00187] The UE 2000 may be any mobile or non-mobile computing device, such as, for example, mobile phones, computers, tablets, industrial wireless sensors (for example, microphones, carbon dioxide sensors, pressure sensors, humidity sensors, thermometers, motion sensors, accelerometers, laser scanners, fluid level sensors, inventory sensors, electric voltage/current meters, actuators, etc.), video surveillance/monitoring devices (for example, cameras, video cameras, etc.), wearable devices (for example, a smart watch), relaxed-IoT devices.

[00188] The UE 2000 may include processors 2002, RF interface circuitry 2004, memory/storage 2006, user interface 2008, sensors 2010, driver circuitry 2012, power management integrated circuit (PMIC) 2014, one or more antennas 2016, and battery 2018. The components of the UE 2000 may be implemented as integrated circuits (ICs), portions thereof, discrete electronic devices, or other modules, logic, hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. The block diagram of FIG. 20 is intended to show a high-level view of some of the components of the UE 2000. However, some of the components shown may be omitted, additional components may be present, and different arrangement of the components shown may occur in other implementations.

[00189] The components of the UE 2000 may be coupled with various other components over one or more interconnects 2020, which may represent any type of interface, input/output, bus (local, system, or expansion), transmission line, trace, optical connection, etc. that allows various circuit components (on common or different chips or chipsets) to interact with one another.

[00190] The processors 2002 may include processor circuitry such as, for example, baseband processor circuitry (BB) 2022A, central processor unit circuitry (CPU) 2022B, and graphics processor unit circuitry (GPU) 2022C. The processors 2002 may include any type of circuitry or processor circuitry that executes or otherwise operates computer-executable instructions, such as program code, software modules, or functional processes from memory/storage 2006 to cause the UE 2000 to perform operations as described herein.

[00191] In some implementations, the baseband processor circuitry 2022A may access a communication protocol stack 2024 in the memory/storage 2006 to communicate over a 3 GPP compatible network. In general, the baseband processor circuitry 2022A may access the communication protocol stack to: perform user plane functions at a PHY layer, MAC layer, RLC layer, PDCP layer, SDAP layer, and PDU layer; and perform control plane functions at a PHY layer, MAC layer, RLC layer, PDCP layer, RRC layer, and a non-access stratum layer. In some implementations, the PHY layer operations may additionally/altematively be performed by the components of the RF interface circuitry 2004. The baseband processor circuitry 2022A may generate or process baseband signals or waveforms that carry information in 3 GPP-compatible networks. In some implementations, the waveforms for NR may be based on cyclic prefix OFDM “CP-OFDM” in the uplink or downlink, and discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM “DFT-S-OFDM” in the uplink.

[00192] The memory/storage 2006 may include one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media that includes instructions (for example, communication protocol stack 2024) that may be executed by one or more of the processors 2002 to cause the UE 2000 to perform various operations described herein. The memory/storage 2006 includes any type of volatile or nonvolatile memory that may be distributed throughout the UE 2000. In some implementations, some of the memory/storage 2006 may be located on the processors 2002 themselves (for example, LI and L2 cache), while other memory/storage 2006 is external to the processors 2002 but accessible thereto via a memory interface. The memory/storage 2006 may include any suitable volatile or non-volatile memory such as, but not limited to, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), Flash memory, solid-state memory, or any other type of memory device technology.

[00193] The RF interface circuitry 2004 may include transceiver circuitry and radio frequency front module (RFEM) that allows the UE 2000 to communicate with other devices over a radio access network. The RF interface circuitry 2004 may include various elements arranged in transmit or receive paths. These elements may include, for example, switches, mixers, amplifiers, filters, synthesizer circuitry, control circuitry, etc.

[00194] In the receive path, the RFEM may receive a radiated signal from an air interface via the one or more antennas 2016 and proceed to filter and amplify (with a low-noise amplifier) the signal. The signal may be provided to a receiver of the transceiver that downconverts the RF signal into a baseband signal that is provided to the baseband processor of the processors 2002.

[00195] In the transmit path, the transmitter of the transceiver up-converts the baseband signal received from the baseband processor and provides the RF signal to the RFEM. The RFEM may amplify the RF signal through a power amplifier prior to the signal being radiated across the air interface via the one or more antennas 2016.

[00196] In various implementations, the RF interface circuitry 2004 may be configured to transmit/receive signals in a manner compatible with NR access technologies.

[00197] The one or more antennas 2016 may include antenna elements to convert electrical signals into radio waves to travel through the air and to convert received radio waves into electrical signals. The antenna elements may be arranged into one or more antenna panels. The one or more antennas 2016 may have antenna panels that are omnidirectional, directional, or a combination thereof to enable beamforming and multiple input, multiple output communications. The one or more antennas 2016 may include microstrip antennas, printed antennas fabricated on the surface of one or more printed circuit boards, patch antennas, phased array antennas, etc. The one or more antennas 2016 may have one or more panels designed for specific frequency bands including bands in FRI or FR2.

[00198] The user interface 2008 includes various input/output (I/O) devices designed to enable user interaction with the UE 2000. The user interface 2008 includes input device circuitry and output device circuitry. Input device circuitry includes any physical or virtual means for accepting an input including, inter alia, one or more physical or virtual buttons (for example, a reset button), a physical keyboard, keypad, mouse, touchpad, touchscreen, microphones, scanner, headset, or the like. The output device circuitry includes any physical or virtual means for showing information or otherwise conveying information, such as sensor readings, actuator position(s), or other like information. Output device circuitry may include any number or combinations of audio or visual display, including, inter alia, one or more simple visual outputs/indicators (for example, binary status indicators such as light emitting diodes “LEDs” and multi -character visual outputs), or more complex outputs such as display devices or touchscreens (for example, liquid crystal displays “LCDs,” LED displays, quantum dot displays, projectors, etc.), with the output of characters, graphics, multimedia objects, and the like being generated or produced from the operation of the UE 2000.

[00199] The sensors 2010 may include devices, modules, or subsystems whose purpose is to detect events or changes in their environment and send the information (sensor data) about the detected events to some other device, module, subsystem, etc. Examples of such sensors include, inter alia, inertia measurement units including accelerometers, gyroscopes, or magnetometers; microelectromechanical systems or nanoelectromechanical systems including 3-axis accelerometers, 3-axis gyroscopes, or magnetometers; level sensors; flow sensors; temperature sensors (for example, thermistors); pressure sensors; barometric pressure sensors; gravimeters; altimeters; image capture devices (for example, cameras or lensless apertures); light detection and ranging sensors; proximity sensors (for example, infrared radiation detector and the like); depth sensors; ambient light sensors; ultrasonic transceivers; microphones or other like audio capture devices; etc.

[00200] The driver circuitry 2012 may include software and hardware elements that operate to control particular devices that are embedded in the UE 2000, attached to the UE 2000, or otherwise communicatively coupled with the UE 2000. The driver circuitry 2012 may include individual drivers allowing other components to interact with or control various input/output (I/O) devices that may be present within, or connected to, the UE 2000. For example, driver circuitry 2012 may include a display driver to control and allow access to a display device, a touchscreen driver to control and allow access to a touchscreen interface, sensor drivers to obtain sensor readings of sensors 2028 and control and allow access to sensors 2028, drivers to obtain actuator positions of electro-mechanic components or control and allow access to the electro-mechanic components, a camera driver to control and allow access to an embedded image capture device, audio drivers to control and allow access to one or more audio devices. [00201] The PMIC 2014 may manage power provided to various components of the UE 2000. In particular, with respect to the processors 2002, the PMIC 2014 may control power-source selection, voltage scaling, battery charging, or DC-to-DC conversion.

[00202] In some implementations, the PMIC 2014 may control, or otherwise be part of, various power saving mechanisms of the UE 2000 including DRX as discussed herein. A battery 2018 may power the UE 2000, although in some examples the UE 2000 may be mounted or deployed in a fixed location, and may have a power supply coupled to an electrical grid. The battery 2018 may be a lithium ion battery, a metal-air battery, such as a zinc-air battery, an aluminum- air battery, a lithium-air battery, and the like. In some implementations, such as in vehiclebased applications, the battery 2018 may be a typical lead-acid automotive battery.

[00203] FIG. 21 is a block diagram of an example access node, according to some implementations. FIG. 21 illustrates an access node 2100 (e.g., a base station or gNB), in accordance with some implementations. The access node 2100 may be similar to and substantially interchangeable with the base station 104 of FIG. 1. The access node 2100 may include processors 2102, RF interface circuitry 2104, core network (CN) interface circuitry 2106, memory/storage circuitry 2108, and one or more antennas 2110.

[00204] The components of the access node 2100 may be coupled with various other components over one or more interconnects 2112. The processors 2102, RF interface circuitry 2104, memory/storage circuitry 2108 (including communication protocol stack 2114), one or more antennas 2110, and interconnects 2112 may be similar to like-named elements shown and described with respect to FIG. 20. For example, the processors 2102 may include processor circuitry such as, for example, baseband processor circuitry (BB) 2116A, central processor unit circuitry (CPU) 2116B, and graphics processor unit circuitry (GPU) 2116C.

[00205] The CN interface circuitry 2106 may provide connectivity to a core network, for example, a 5th Generation Core network (5GC) using a 5GC -compatible network interface protocol such as carrier Ethernet protocols, or some other suitable protocol. Network connectivity may be provided to/from the access node 2100 via a fiber optic or wireless backhaul. The CN interface circuitry 2106 may include one or more dedicated processors or FPGAs to communicate using one or more of the aforementioned protocols. In some implementations, the CN interface circuitry 2106 may include multiple controllers to provide connectivity to other networks using the same or different protocols. [00206] As used herein, the terms “access node,” “access point,” or the like may describe equipment that provides the radio baseband functions for data and/or voice connectivity between a network and one or more users. These access nodes can be referred to as BS, gNBs, RAN nodes, eNBs, NodeBs, RSUs, TRxPs or TRPs, and so forth, and can include ground stations (e.g., terrestrial access points) or satellite stations providing coverage within a geographic area (e.g., a cell). As used herein, the term “NG RAN node” or the like may refer to an access node 2100 that operates in an NR or 5G system (for example, a gNB), and the term “E-UTRAN node” or the like may refer to an access node 2100 that operates in an LTE or 4G system (e.g., an eNB). According to various implementations, the access node 2100 may be implemented as one or more of a dedicated physical device such as a macrocell base station, and/or a low power (LP) base station for providing femtocells, picocells or other like cells having smaller coverage areas, smaller user capacity, or higher bandwidth compared to macrocells.

[00207] In some implementations, all or parts of the access node 2100 may be implemented as one or more software entities running on server computers as part of a virtual network, which may be referred to as a CRAN and/or a virtual baseband unit pool (vBBUP). In these implementations, the CRAN or vBBUP may implement a RAN function split, such as a PDCP split where RRC and PDCP layers are operated by the CRAN/vBBUP and other L2 protocol entities are operated by the access node 2100; a MAC/PHY split where RRC, PDCP, RLC, and MAC layers are operated by the CRAN/vBBUP and the PHY layer is operated by the access node 2100; or a “lower PHY” split where RRC, PDCP, RLC, MAC layers and upper portions of the PHY layer are operated by the CRAN/vBBUP and lower portions of the PHY layer are operated by the access node 2100.

[00208] In V2X scenarios, the access node 2100 may be or act as RSUs. The term “Road Side Unit” or “RSU” may refer to any transportation infrastructure entity used for V2X communications. An RSU may be implemented in or by a suitable RAN node or a stationary (or relatively stationary) UE, where an RSU implemented in or by a UE may be referred to as a “UE-type RSU,” an RSU implemented in or by an eNB may be referred to as an “eNB -type RSU,” an RSU implemented in or by a gNB may be referred to as a “gNB-type RSU,” and the like.

[00209] Various components may be described as performing a task or tasks, for convenience in the description. Such descriptions should be interpreted as including the phrase “configured to.” Reciting a component that is configured to perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) interpretation for that component.

[00210] For one or more implementations, at least one of the components set forth in one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to perform one or more operations, techniques, processes, or methods as set forth in the example section below. For example, the baseband circuitry as described above in connection with one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of the examples set forth below. For another example, circuitry associated with a UE, base station, network element, etc. as described above in connection with one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of the examples set forth below in the example section. [00211] For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components set forth in one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to perform one or more operations, techniques, processes, or methods as set forth in the example section below. For example, the baseband circuitry as described above in connection with one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of the examples set forth below. For another example, circuitry associated with a UE, base station, network element, etc. as described above in connection with one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of the examples set forth below.

[00212] Examples

[00213] In the following section, further exemplary embodiments are provided.

[00214] Example 1 includes one or more processors configured to cause a user equipment (UE) to perform operations for layer 1 (LI) measurement based on a synchronization signal block (SSB), the operations including: determining to switch to a cell operating in a frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 (Megahertz) MHz; and in response to determining to switch to the cell, configuring a bandwidth of a hypothetical physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) demodulation reference signal (DMRS) based on: (i) one of an active bandwidth part (BWP), a bandwidth of a carrier frequency, an initial BWP, or a first active BWP, and (ii) a predetermined number of physical resource blocks (PRBs).

[00215] Example 2 is the one or more processors of Example 1, where the bandwidth of the hypothetical PDCCH DMRS is one of: min (the active BWP, 24 PRBs), min (the bandwidth of the carrier frequency, 24 PRBs), min (the initial BWP, 24 PRBs), or min (the first active BWP, 24 PRBs). [00216] Example 3 is the one or more processors of Example 1 or 2, the operations further including: determining that the active BWP or the bandwidth of the carrier frequency is less than 20 PRBs; and in response to the determination, extending an evaluation period of determining an in-sync (IS) status or out-of-sync (OOS) status of the UE with the cell by a scaling factor greater than or equal to 1.

[00217] Example 4 is the one or more processors of any one of Examples 1-3, where the frequency band is n8, n26, n28, or nlOO.

[00218] Example 5 is the one or more processors of any one of Examples 1-4, where the bandwidth of the frequency band ranges from 3 MHz to 5 MHz.

[00219] Example 6 may include a user equipment (UE) including the one or more processors of any one of Examples 1-5.

[00220] Example 7 may include a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the operations of any one of Examples 1-5.

[00221] Example 8 may include a method for performing the operations of any one of Examples 1-5.

[00222] Example 9 includes one or more processors configured to cause a user equipment (UE) to perform operations for layer 1 (LI) measurements based on a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), the operations including: determining to switch to a cell operating in a frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz; and in response to determining to switch to the cell, configuring a bandwidth of a hypothetical physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) demodulation reference signal (DMRS) based on: (i) one of an active bandwidth part (BWP), a bandwidth of a carrier frequency, an initial BWP, or a first active BWP, and (ii) a predetermined number of physical resource blocks (PRBs).

[00223] Example 10 is the one or more processors of Example 9, wherein the bandwidth of the hypothetical PDCCH DMRS is one of: min (the active BWP, 48 PRBs), min (the bandwidth of the carrier frequency, 48 PRBs), min (the initial BWP, 48 PRBs), or min (the first active BWP, 48 PRBs).

[00224] Example 11 is the one or more processors of Example 9 or 10, the operations further including: determining that the active BWP or the bandwidth of the carrier frequency is less than 24 PRBs; and in response to the determination, extending an evaluation period of determining an in-sync (IS) status or out-of-sync (OOS) status of the UE with the cell by a scaling factor greater than or equal to 1. [00225] Example 12 is the one or more processors of any one of Examples 9-11, where the frequency band is n8, n26, n28, or nlOO.

[00226] Example 13 is the one or more processors of any one of Examples 9-12, where the bandwidth of the frequency band ranges from 3 MHz to 5 MHz.

[00227] Example 14 may include a user equipment (UE) including the one or more processors of any one of Examples 9-13.

[00228] Example 15 may include a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the operations of any one of Examples 9-13.

[00229] Example 16 may include a method for performing the operations of any one of Examples 9-13.

[00230] Example 17 may include an apparatus including logic, modules, or circuitry to perform one or more elements of the operations described in or related to any one of Examples 1-5 and 9-13, or any other operations or process described herein.

[00231] Example 18 may include a method, technique, or process as described in or related to the operations of any one of Examples 1-5 and 9-13, or portions or parts thereof.

[00232] Example 19 may include an apparatus including: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the method, techniques, or process as described in or related to the operations of any one of Examples 1-5 and 9-13, or portions or parts thereof.

[00233] Example 20 may include a computer program including instructions, where execution of the program by a processing element is to cause the processing element to carry out the method, techniques, or process as described in or related to the operations of any one of Examples 1-5 and 9-13, or portions or parts thereof. The operations or actions performed by the instructions executed by the processing element can include the operations of any one of Examples 1-5 and 9-13.

[00234] Example 21 may include a method of communicating in a wireless network as shown and described herein.

[00235] Example 22 may include a system for providing wireless communication as shown and described herein. The operations or actions performed by the system can include the operations of any one of Examples 1-5 and 9-13. [00236] Example 23 may include a device for providing wireless communication as shown and described herein. The operations or actions performed by the device can include the operations of any one of Examples 1-5 and 9-13.

[00237] The previously-described operations of any one of Examples 1-5 and 9-13 are implementable using a computer-implemented method; a non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions to perform the computer-implemented method; and a computer system including a computer memory interoperably coupled with a hardware processor configured to perform the computer-implemented method or the instructions stored on the non-transitory, computer-readable medium.

[00238] Any of the above-described examples may be combined with any other example (or combination of examples), unless explicitly stated otherwise. The foregoing description of one or more implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various implementations.

[00239] Although the implementations above have been described in considerable detail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.

[00240] It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. One or more processors configured to cause a user equipment (UE) to perform operations for layer 1 (LI) measurement based on a synchronization signal block (SSB), the operations comprising: determining to switch to a cell operating in a frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 (Megahertz) MHz; and in response to determining to switch to the cell, configuring a bandwidth of a hypothetical physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) demodulation reference signal (DMRS) based on: (i) one of an active bandwidth part (BWP), a bandwidth of a carrier frequency, an initial BWP, or a first active BWP, and (ii) a predetermined number of physical resource blocks (PRBs).

2. The one or more processors of claim 1, wherein the bandwidth of the hypothetical PDCCH DMRS is one of: min (the active BWP, 24 PRBs), min (the bandwidth of the carrier frequency, 24 PRBs), min (the initial BWP, 24 PRBs), or min (the first active BWP, 24 PRBs).

3. The one or more processors of claim 1 or 2, the operations further comprising: determining that the active BWP or the bandwidth of the carrier frequency is less than 20 PRBs; and in response to the determination, extending an evaluation period of determining an insync (IS) status or out-of-sync (00 S) status of the UE with the cell by a scaling factor greater than or equal to 1.

4. The one or more processors of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the frequency band is n8, n26, n28, or nlOO.

5. The one or more processors of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the bandwidth of the frequency band ranges from 3 MHz to 5 MHz.

6. A user equipment (UE) comprising the one or more processors of any one of claims

7. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the operations of any one of claims 1-5.

8. A method for performing the operations of any one of claims 1-5.

9. One or more processors configured to cause a user equipment (UE) to perform operations for layer 1 (LI) measurements based on a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), the operations comprising: determining to switch to a cell operating in a frequency band having a bandwidth less than 5 MHz; and in response to determining to switch to the cell, configuring a bandwidth of a hypothetical physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) demodulation reference signal (DMRS) based on: (i) one of an active bandwidth part (BWP), a bandwidth of a carrier frequency, an initial BWP, or a first active BWP, and (ii) a predetermined number of physical resource blocks (PRBs).

10. The one or more processors of claim 9, wherein the bandwidth of the hypothetical PDCCH DMRS is one of: min (the active BWP, 48 PRBs), min (the bandwidth of the carrier frequency, 48 PRBs), min (the initial BWP, 48 PRBs), or min (the first active BWP, 48 PRBs).

11. The one or more processors of claim 9 or 10, the operations further comprising: determining that the active BWP or the bandwidth of the carrier frequency is less than 24 PRBs; and in response to the determination, extending an evaluation period of determining an in-sync (IS) status or out-of-sync (00 S) status of the UE with the cell by a scaling factor greater than or equal to 1.

12. The one or more processors of any one of claims 9-11, wherein the frequency band is n8, n26, n28, or nlOO.

13. The one or more processors of any one of claims 9-12, wherein the bandwidth of the frequency band ranges from 3 MHz to 5 MHz.

14. A user equipment (UE) comprising the one or more processors of any one of claims 9-13.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the operations of any one of claims 9-13.

16. A method for performing the operations of any one of claims 9-13.