WO2022046709A1 - User equipment configurable with more than one measurement gap pattern - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a user equipment (UE) configurable with more than one measurement gap pattern. The UE may be configured for operation in a fifth-generation (5G) new radio (NR) network and may decode an radio-resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message received from a serving generation Node B (gNB). The RRC reconfiguration message may configure the UE with one or more measurement gap (MG) pattern. When the UE is configured with a single MG pattern, the UE may perform measurements using both positioning reference signals (PRS) and mobility management signals during the measurement gaps of the single MG pattern. When the UE is configured with two or more MG patterns, the UE may perform the measurements using the PRS during measurement gaps of a first MG pattern of the two or more MG patterns and may perform measurements using the mobility management signals during measurement gaps of a second MG pattern of the two or more MG patterns.

Description

USER EQUIPMENT CONFIGURABLE WITH MORE THAN ONE MEASUREMENT GAP PATTERN

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application ciaims the benefit of priority to United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/069,592, filed August 24, 2020 [reference number AD2055-Z] which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Some embodiments relate to wireless networks including 3 GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) and fifth-generation (5G) networks including 5G new radio (NR) (or 5G-NR) networks. Some embodiments pertain to configuring User Equipment with measurement gap configurations.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Mobile communications have evolved significantly from early voice systems to today’s highly sophisticated integrated communication platform. With the increase in different types of devices communicating with various network devices, usage of 3GPP 5G NR systems has increased. The penetration of mobile devices (user equipment or UEs) in modern society has continued to drive demand for a wide variety of networked devices in many disparate environments. 5G NR wireless systems are forthcoming and are expected to enable even greater speed, connectivity, and usability, and are expected to increase throughput, coverage, and robustness and reduce latency and operational and capital expenditures. 5G-NR networks will continue to evolve based on 3GPP LTE- Advanced with additional potential new radio access technologies (RATs) to enrich people’s lives with seamless wireless connectivity solutions delivering fast, rich content and services. As current cellular network frequency is saturated, higher frequencies, such as millimeter wave (mm Wave) frequency, can be beneficial due to their high bandwidth.

[0004] The time duration during which a UE suspends it communication with its serving cell to measure an inter-frequency neighbor or other RAT neighbors is known as Measurement Gap (MeasGap). One issue with a conventional measurement gap pattern is that it may be insufficient for performing certain measurements required to be performed by a UE.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 A illustrates an architecture of a network, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0006] FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C illustrate a non-roaming 5G system architecture in accordance with some embodiments.

[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates a single gap pattern for both RRM signal and positioning signal measurements in accordance with some embodiments; and [0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a MeasGapConfig information element in accordance with some embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a functional block diagram of a wireless communication device in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustrate specific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalents of those claims.

[0011] In 5G NR also radio-resource control (RRC) signalling is responsible for providing a measurement gap pattern configuration to UE. This may be clone using the MeasGapConfig IE within the MeasConfig IE and may ne carried by RRC Reconfiguration message. It has two parts. The first part specifies the control setup/release of the measurement gap and second part specifies the measurement gap configuration and controls the setup/release. [0012] Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a user equipment (UE) configurable with more than one measurement gap pattern. In some embodiments, the UE may be configured for operation in a fifth -gen eration (5G) new radio (NR) network and may be configured to decode an radio-resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message received from a serving generation Node B (gNB). The RRC reconfiguration message may configure the UE with one or more measurement gap (MG) pattern. The UE may perform measurements on signals during measurement gaps in accordance with the RRC reconfiguration message. When the UE is configured with a single MG pattern, the UE may perform the measurements using both positioning reference signals (PRS) and mobility management signals during the measurement gaps of the single MG pattern. When the UE is configured with two or more MG patterns, the UE may perform the measurements using the PRS during measurement gaps of a first MG pattern of the two or more MG patterns and perform measurements using the mobility management signals during measurement gaps of a second MG pattern of the two or more MG patterns.

[0013] In some embodiments, when the UE is configured with the single MG pattern, the MG pattern may be indicated to be applicable for either PRS measurements only or indicated to be applicable for both PRS measurements and mobility management signal measurements. In these embodiments, when the UE is configured with the two or more MG patterns, the first MG pattern may be indicated to be applicable for measurement of the PRS, and the second MG pattern may be indicated to be applicable for measurement of the mobility management, signals.

[0014] In some embodiments, the RRC message may include an RRC configuration information element (IE), such as a measurement gap configuration information element (MeasGapConfig IE) to configure the UE with one or more measurement gap (MG) patterns, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In these embodiments, the MeasGapConfig IE may include an indicator that indicates which signals are to be measured during a configured MG pattern. In some embodiments, different MG patterns are configured for different frequency ranges.

[0015] In some embodiments, the RRC reconfiguration message indicates a gap offset, a configurable measurement gap length (MGL), and measurement gap repetition period (MGRP). In these embodiments, the MGL may be configurable to be longer than a legacy MGL to allow for measurement of both the PRS and mobility management signals when the single MG pattern is configured or to allow for longer duration measurements of the PRS when either the single MG pattern is configured, or the two or more MG patterns are configured. In these embodiments, since the duration of the PRS may be longer than the legacy MGL, the longer duration MGL may allow PRS measurements to be performed for a longer time which may result in increased positional measurement accuracy.

[0016] In some embodiments, the UE may be configured to request an MG pattern by encoding a RRC Location Measurement Indication message for transmission to the gNB. In these embodiments, in response to the RRC Location Measurement Indication message, the RRC reconfiguration message may be received from the gNB to configure the UE with the one or more MG patterns. In these embodiments, when the UE indicates that it needs a gap pattern for performing measurements, the network (i.e., the location measurement function ( LMF )) may determine whether to configure the UE with one or more gap patterns, determines the specifics of the MG pattern (i.e., the gap offset, the MGL, and the MGRP), and determines whether the one or more MG patterns are applicable to PRS measurements and/or mobility management signal measurements. In these embodiments, the UE does not request a specific MG pattern or what the MG pattern is to be used for as these are determined by the network.

[0017] In some embodiments, if the UE may be configured with a legacy MG pattern, the UE may be configured to request a new MG pattern for performing longer duration measurements of the PRS.

[0018] In the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 2 in which a UE is configured with a single MG pattern, a new MG pattern with an MGL of 20ms and with an MGRP of 160ms is illustrated. The new MG pattern is effective after time t3 and as illustrated, is long enough to allow the UE to perform both RRM signal measurements for serving cell I and the PRS measurement of cell 2.

[0019] In some embodiments, if the UE is configured with a legacy MG pattern, the UE may be configured to request a new MG pattern if an MGRP of the legacy MG pattern is too great or if the MGL of the legacy MG pattern is too short for performing the requested measurements. In these embodiments, when the measurement gaps do not occur often enough or the measurement gaps are not long enough for performing the request measurements, the UE may request a new MG pattern.

[0020] In some embodiments, if the UE is configured with a legacy MG pattern, the UE may be configured to request a new MG pattern if the UE is unable to perform the requested measurements due to a conflict. In these embodiments, a UE may be configured with two or more MG patterns to avoid conflicts between PRS and other signals to be measured. In these embodiments, one MG pattern configured to the UE may be dedicated for PRS measurements, and another MG pattern configured to the UE may be dedicated for other signal measurements.

[0021] In some embodiments, the legacy MGL may be less than or equal to six milliseconds (ms), and in these embodiments, the MGL of the new MG pattern may be greater than the legacy MGL. In these embodiments, the legacy MGL may be one of 6ms, 5.5ms, 4ms, 3.5ms, 3ms, and 1.5ms, and the MGL of the new MG pattern may be 10ms or up to 20ms or more, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0022] In some embodiments, the mobility management signals may include radio resource management (RRM) signals and may also include other signals such as sounding reference signals (SRS) and cell-specific reference signals (CRS) although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In these embodiments, the PRS that are to be measured during an measurement gap may be transmitted by the serving cell or another cell. In these embodiments, the mobility management signals that are to be measured during an measurement gap may be transmitted by the serving cell or another cell. In these embodiments, the PRS and the mobility management signals may be transmitted from multiple cells in addition to the serving cell. In these inter- frequency embodiments, the UE does not need switch receiver frequency during a measurement gap for performing measurements.

[0023] In some embodiments, the RRC Location Measurement Indication message may be an initial RRC Location Measurement Indication message encoded to indicates that the UE may be going to start performing measurements on signals during the measurement gaps. In these embodiments, the UE may encode a final RRC Location Measurement Indication message for transmission to the serving gNB, the final RC Location Measurement Indication message indicating that the UE has completed performing the measurements on signals during the measurement gaps. In these embodiments, the final RRC Location Measurement Indication message may be encoded to include results of the measurements. For positioning, the gNB may provide these measurement results to the network’s LMF which may be used for estimating the location of the UE, among other things,

[0024] In some embodiments, the two or more MG patterns may be configured if the UE supports independent measurement gap patterns for different frequency ranges, per-FR measurement gap pattern for the frequency range for concurrent monitoring of all positioning frequency layers and intrafrequency, inter-frequency cells and/or inter-RAT frequency layers in the corresponding frequency range. These embodiments are discussed in more detail below.

[0025] Some embodiments are directed to a non-transitory computer- readable storage medium that stores instructions for execution by processing circuitry of a user equipment (UE) configured for operation in a fifth-generation (5G) new radio (NR.) network. In these embodiments, the instructions to configure processing circuitry to decode an radio-resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message received from a serving generation Node B (gNB) that configures the UE with one or more measurement gap (MG) patterns. The UE may perform measurements on signals during measurement gaps in accordance with the RRC reconfiguration message. In these embodiments, when the UE is configured with a single MG pattern, the processing circuitry' is to configure the UE to perform the measurements using both positioning reference signals (PRS) and mobility management signals during the measurement gaps of the single MG pattern (i.e., when the single MG pattern is indicated to be applicable for both PRS measurements and mobility management signal measurements). In these embodiments, when the UE is configured with two or more MG patterns, the processing circuitry is to perform the measurements using the PRS during measurement gaps of a first MG pattern of the two or more MG patterns and perform measurements using the mobility management signals during measurement gaps of a second MG pattern of the two or more MG patterns. These embodiments are discussed in more detail below.

[0026] Some embodiments are directed to a generation Node B (gNB) configured for operation in a fifth-generation (5G) new radio (NR) network. In these embodiments, the gNB may encode an radio-resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message for transmission to a user equipment (UE). The RRC reconfiguration message may be encoded to configure the UE with one or more measurement gap (MG) patterns. In these embodiments, when the UE is configured with a single MG pattern, the UE may be configured to perform measurements using both positioning reference signals (PRS) and mobility management signals during the measurement gaps of the single MG pattern. In these embodiments, when the UE is configured with two or more MG patterns, the RRC signalling configures the UE to perform measurements using the PRS during measurement gaps of a first MG pattern of the two or more MG patterns and perform measurements using the mobility management signals during measurement gaps of a second MG pattern of the two or more MG patterns. In these embodiments, the MGL. may be configurable to be longer than a legacy MGL to allow for measurement of both the PRS and mobility management signals when the single MG pattern is configured or to allow for longer duration measurements of the PRS when either the single MG pattern is configured, or the two or more MG patterns are configured. These embodiments are discussed in more detail below.

[0027] FIG. 1 A illustrates an architecture of a network in accordance with some embodiments. The network 140A is shown to include user equipment (UE) 101 and UE 102. The UEs 101 and 102 are illustrated as smartphones (e.g., handheld touchscreen mobile computing devices connectable to one or more cellular networks) but may also include any mobile or non-mobile computing device, such as Personal Data Assistants (PDAs), pagers, laptop computers, desktop computers, wireless handsets, drones, or any other computing device including a wired and/or wireless communications interface. The UEs 101 and 102 can be collectively referred to herein as UE 101, and UE 101 can be used to perform one or more of the techniques disclosed herein.

[0028] Any of the radio links described herein (e.g., as used in the network 140A or any other illustrated network) may operate according to any exemplary' radio communication technology and/or standard.

[0029] LTE and LTE-Advanced are standards for wireless communications of high-speed data for UE such as mobile telephones. In LTE- Advanced and various wireless systems, carrier aggregation is a technology according to which multiple carrier signals operating on different frequencies may be used to carry communications for a single UE, thus increasing the bandwidth available to a single device. In some embodiments, carrier aggregation may be used where one or more component carriers operate on unlicensed frequencies.

[0030] Embodiments described herein can be used in the context of any spectrum management scheme including, for example, dedicated licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, (licensed) shared spectrum (such as Licensed Shared Access (LSA) in 2.3-2.4 GHz, 3.4-3.6 GHz, 3.6-3.8 GHz, and further frequencies and Spectrum Access System (SAS) in 3.55-3.7 GHz and further frequencies).

[0031] Embodiments described herein can also be applied to different Single Carrier or OFDM flavors (CP-OFDM, SC-FDMA, SC-OFDM, filter bank-based multicarrier (FBMC), OFDM A, etc.) and in particular 3 GPP NR (New Radio) by allocating the OFDM carrier data bit vectors to the corresponding symbol resources.

[0032] In some embodiments, any of the UEs 101 and 102 can comprise an Internet-of-Things ( loT) UE or a Cellular loT (CIoT) UE, which can comprise a network access layer designed for low-power loT applications utilizing short-lived UE connections. In some embodiments, any of the UEs 101 and 102 can include a narrowband (NB) loT UE (e.g., such as an enhanced NB- loT (eNB-IoT) UE and Further Enhanced (FeNB-IoT) UE). An loT UE can utilize technologies such as machine-to-machine (M2M) or machine-type communications (MTC) for exchanging data with an MTC server or device via a public land mobile network (PLMN), Proximity -Based Service (ProSe) or device-to-device (D2D) communication, sensor networks, or loT networks. The M2M or MTC exchange of data may be a machine-initiated exchange of data. An loT network includes interconnecting loT UEs, which may include uniquely identifiable embedded computing devices (within the Internet infrastructure), with short-lived connections. The loT UEs may execute background applications (e.g., keep-alive messages, status updates, etc.) to facilitate the connections of the loT network.

[0033] In some embodiments, any of the UEs 101 and 102 can include enhanced MTC (eMTC) UEs or further enhanced MTC (FeMTC) UEs.

[0034] The UEs 101 and 102 may be configured to connect, e.g., communicatively couple, with a radio access network (RAN) 110. The RAN 110 may be, for example, an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), a NextGen RAN (NG RAN), or some other type of RAN. The UEs 101 and 102 utilize connections 103 and 104, respectively, each of which comprises a physical communications interface or layer (discussed in further detail below); in this example, the connections 103 and 104 are illustrated as an air interface to enable communicative coupling and can be consistent with cellular communications protocols, such as a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) protocol, a code-division multiple access (CDM A) network protocol, a Push-to- Talk (PTT) protocol, a PTT over Cellular (POC) protocol, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) protocol, a 3 GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol, a fifth-generation (5G) protocol, a New Radio (NR) protocol, and the like.

[0035] In an aspect, the UEs 101 and 102 may further directly exchange communication data via a ProSe interface 105. The ProSe interface 105 may alternatively be referred to as a sidelink interface comprising one or more logical channels, including but not limited to a Physical Sidelink Control Channel sPSCCH), a Physical Sidehnk Shared Channel (PSSCII), a Physical Sidehnk Discovery Channel (PSDCH), and a Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH).

[0036] The UE 102 is shown to be configured to access an access point (AP) 106 via connection 107. The connection 107 can comprise a local wireless connection, such as, for example, a connection consistent with any IEEE 802.11 protocol, according to which the AP 106 can comprise a wireless fidelity (WiFi) router. In this example, the AP 106 is shown to be connected to the Internet without connecting to the core network of the wireless system (described in further detail below).

[0037] The RAN 110 can include one or more access nodes that enable the connections 103 and 104. These access nodes (ANs) can be referred to as base stations (BSs), NodeBs, evolved NodeBs (eNBs), Next Generation NodeBs (gNBs), RAN nodes, and the like, and can comprise ground stations (e.g., terrestrial access points) or satellite stations providing coverage within a geographic area (e.g., a cell). In some embodiments, the communication nodes 111 and 112 can be transmi ssion/recepti on points (TRPs). In instances when the communication nodes 11 1 and 112 are NodeBs (e.g., eNBs or gNBs), one or more TRPs can function within the communication cell of the NodeBs. The RAN 110 may include one or more ILAN nodes for providing macrocells, e.g., macro-RAN node 111, and one or more RAN nodes for providing femtocells or picocells (e.g., cells having smaller coverage areas, smaller user capacity, or higher bandwidth compared to macrocells), e.g., low power (LP) RAN node 112.

[0038] Any of the RAN nodes 11 1 and 112 can terminate the air interface protocol and can be the first point of contact for the UEs 101 and 102. In some embodiments, any of the RAN nodes 111 and 112 can fulfill various logical functions for the RAN 110 including, but not limited to, radio network controller (RNC) functions such as radio bearer management, uplink and downlink dynamic radio resource management and data packet scheduling, and mobility management. In an example, any of the nodes 111 and/or 112 can be a new generation Node-B (gNB), an evolved node-B (eNB), or another type of RAN node. [0039] The RAN 1 10 is shown to be communicatively coupled to a core network (CN) 120 via an S I interface 113. In embodiments, the CN 120 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) network, a NextGen Packet Core (NPC) network, or some other type of CN (e.g., as illustrated in reference to FIGS. 1B-1C). In this aspect, the SI interface 113 is split into two parts: the Sl-U interface 114, which carries traffic data between the RAN nodes 11 1 and 112 and the serving gateway (S-GW) 122, and the SI -mobility management entity (MME) interface 115, which is a signaling interface between the RAN nodes 1 1 1 and 112 and MME s 121.

[0040] In this aspect, the CN 120 comprises the MMEs 121, the S-GW 122, the Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (P-GW) 123, and a home subscriber server (HSS) 124. The MMEs 121 may be similar in function to the control plane of legacy Serving General Packet Radio Sendee (GPRS) Support Nodes (SGSN). The MMEs 121 may manage mobility embodiments in access such as gateway selection and tracking area list management. The HSS 124 may comprise a database for network users, including subscription-related information to support the network entities' handling of communication sessions. The CN 120 may comprise one or several HSSs 124, depending on the number of mobile subscribers, on the capacity of the equipment, on the organization of the network, etc. For example, the HSS 124 can provide support for routing/roaming, authentication, authorization, naming/addressing resolution, location dependencies, etc.

[0041] The S-GW 122 may terminate the SI interface 113 towards the RAN 110, and routes data packets between the RAN 1 10 and the CN 120. In addition, the S-GW 122 may be a local mobility anchor point for inter-RAN node handovers and also may provide an anchor for inter-3GPP mobility. Other responsibilities of the S-GW 122 may include a lawful intercept, charging, and some policy enforcement.

[0042] The P-GW 123 may terminate an SGi interface toward a PDN. The P-GW 123 may route data packets between the EPC network 120 and external networks such as a network including the application server 184 (alternatively referred to as application function (AF)) via an Internet Protocol (IP) interface 125. The P-GW 123 can also communicate data to other external networks 131 A, which can include the Internet, IP multimedia subsystem (IPS) network, and other networks. Generally, the application server 184 may be an element offering applications that use IP bearer resources with the core network (e.g., UMTS Packet Services (PS) domain, LTE PS data services, etc.). In this aspect, the P-GW 123 is shown to be communicatively coupled to an application server 184 via an IP interface 125. The application server 184 can also be configured to support one or more communication sendees (e.g., Voice-over- Internet Protocol (VoIP) sessions, PTT sessions, group communication sessions, social networking sendees, etc.) for the UEs 101 and 102 via the CN 120.

[0043] The P-GW 123 may further be a node for policy enforcement and charging data collection. Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) 126 is the policy and charging control element of the CN 120. In a non-roaming scenario, in some embodiments, there may be a single PCRF in the Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) associated with a UE's Internet Protocol Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) session. In a roaming scenario with a local breakout of traffic, there may be two PCRFs associated with a UE’s IP- CAN session: a Home PCRF (H-PCRF) within an HPLMN and a Visited PCRF (V-PCRF) within a Visited Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN). The PCRF 126 may be communicatively coupled to the application server 184 via the P- GW 123.

[0044] In some embodiments, the communication network 140 A can be an loT network or a 5G network, including 5G new radio network using communications in the licensed (5GNR) and the unlicensed (5G NR-U1 spectrum. One of the current enablers of loT is the narrowband-IoT (NB-IoT). [0045] An NG system architecture can include the RAN 110 and a 5G network core (5GC) 120. The NG-RAN 110 can include a plurality of nodes, such as gNBs and NG-eNBs. The core network 120 (e.g., a 5G core network or 5GC) can include an access and mobility function (AMF) and/or a user plane function (UPF). The AMF and the UPF can be communicatively coupled to the gNBs and the NG-eNBs via NG interfaces. More specifically, in some embodiments, the gNBs and the NG-eNBs can be connected to the AMF by NG- C interfaces, and to the UPF by NG-U interfaces. The gNBs and the NG-eNBs can be coupled to each other via Xn interfaces.

[0046] In some embodiments, the NG system architecture can use reference points between various nodes as provided by 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 23.501 (e.g., ¥15.4.0, 2018-12). In some embodiments, each of the gNBs and the NG-eNBs can be implemented as a base station, a mobile edge server, a small cell, a home eNB, and so forth. In some embodiments, a gNB can be a master node (MN) and NG-eNB can be a secondary node (SN) in a 5G architecture.

[0047] FIG. 1B illustrates a non-roaming 5G system architecture in accordance with some embodiments. Referring to FIG. IB, there is illustrated a 5G system architecture 140B in a reference point representation. More specifically, UE 102 can be in communication with RAN 110 as well as one or more other 5G core (5GC) network entities. The 5G system architecture 140B includes a plurality of network functions (NTs), such as access and mobility management function (AMF) 132, session management function (SMF) 136, policy control function (PCF) 148, application function (AF) 150, user plane function (UPF) 134, network slice selection function (NSSF) 142, authentication server function (AUSF) 144, and unified data management (UDM)/home subscriber server (HSS) 146. The UPF 134 can provide a connection to a data network (DN) 152, which can include, for example, operator services, Internet access, or third-party services. The AMF 132 can be used to manage access control and mobility and can also include network slice selection functionality. The SMF 136 can be configured to set up and manage various sessions according to network policy. The UPF 134 can be deployed in one or more configurations according to the desired service type. The PCF 148 can be configured to provide a policy framework using network slicing, mobility management, and roaming (similar to PCRF in a 4G communication system). The UDM can be configured to store subscriber profiles and data (similar to an HSS in a 4G communication system).

[0048] In some embodiments, the 5G system architecture 140B includes an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) 168B as well as a plurality of IP multimedia core network subsystem entities, such as call session control functions (CSCFs). More specifically, the IMS 168B includes a CSCF, which can act as a proxy CSCF (P-CSCF) 162BE, a serving CSCF (S-CSCF) 164B, an emergency CSCF (E-CSCF) (not illustrated in FIG. 1 B), or interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 166B. The P-CSCF 162B can be configured to be the first contact point for the UE 102 within the IM subsystem (IMS) 168B. The S-CSCF 164B can be configured to handle the session states in the network, and the E-CSCF can be configured to handle certain embodiments of emergency sessions such as routing an emergency request to the correct emergency center or PSAP. The I-CSCF 166B can be configured to function as the contact point within an operator's network for all IMS connections destined to a subscriber of that network operator, or a roaming subscriber currently located within that network operator's service area. In some embodiments, the I-CSCF 166B can be connected to another IP multimedia network 170E, e.g,, an IMS operated by a different network operator.

[0049] In some embodiments, the UDM/HSS 146 can be coupled to an application server 160E, which can include a telephony application server (TAS) or another application server (AS). The AS 160B can be coupled to the IMS 168B via the S-CSCF 164B or the I-CSCF 166B.

[0050] A reference point representation shows that interaction can exist between corresponding NF services. For example, FIG. 11 illustrates the following reference points: N1 (between the UE 102 and the AMF 132), N2 (between the RAN 110 and the AMF 132), N3 (between the RAN 110 and the UPF 134), N4 (between the SMF 136 and the UPF 134), N5 (between the PCF 148 and the AF 150, not shown), N6 (between the UPF 134 and the DN 152), N7 (between the SMF 136 and the PCF 148, not shown), N8 (between the UDM 146 and the AMF 132, not shown), N9 (between two UPFs 134, not shown), N10 (between the UDM 146 and the SMF 136, not shown), N11 (between the AMF 132 and the SMF 136, not shown), N12 (between the AUSF 144 and the AMF 132, not shown), N13 (between the AUSF 144 and the UDM 146, not shown), N14 (between two AMFs 132, not shown), N15 (between the PCF 148 and the AMF 132 in case of a non-roaming scenario, or between the PCF 148 and a visited network and AMF 132 m case of a roaming scenario, not shown), N 16 (between two SMFs, not shown), and N22 (between AMF 132 and NSSF 142, not shown). Other reference point representations not shown in FIG. 1B can also be used.

[0051] FIG. 1C illustrates a 5G system architecture 140C and a servicebased representation. In addition to the network entities illustrated in FIG. 1B, system architecture 140C can also include a network exposure function (NEF) 154 and a network repository function (NRF) 156. In some embodiments, 5G system architectures can be sendee-based and interaction between network functions can be represented by corresponding point-to-point reference points Ni or as service-based interfaces.

[0052] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, service-based representations can be used to represent network functions within the control plane that enable other authorized network functions to access their sendees. In this regard, 5G system architecture 140C can include the following service-based interfaces: Namf 158H (a sendee-based interface exhibited by the AMF 132), Nsmf 1581 (a service-based interface exhibited by the SMF 136), Nnef 158B (a sendee-based interface exhibited by the NEF 154), Npcf 158D (a service-based interface exhibited by the PCF 148), a Nudm 158E (a service-based interface exhibited by the UDM 146), Naf 158F (a sendee-based interface exhibited by the AF 150), Nnrf 158C (a service-based interface exhibited by the NRF 156), Nnssf 158A (a service-based interface exhibited by the NSSF 142), Nausf 158G (a service-based interface exhibited by the AUSF 144). Other service-based interfaces (e.g., Nudr, N5g-eir, and Nudsf) not shown in FIG. 1C can also be used.

[0053] In some embodiments, any of the UEs or base stations described in connection with FIGS. 1A-1C can be configured to perform the functionalities described herein.

[0054] Mobile communication has evolved significantly from early voice systems to today’s highly sophisticated integrated communication platform. The next generation wireless communication system, 5G, or new radio (NR) will provide access to information and sharing of data anywhere, anytime by various users and applications. NR is expected to be a unified network/system that, targets to meet vastly different and sometimes conflicting performance dimensions and sendees. Such diverse multi-dimensional requirements are driven by different sendees and applications. In general, NR will evolve based on 3 GPP LTE- Advanced with additional potential new Radio Access Technologies (RATs) to enrich people's lives with better, simple, and seamless wireless connectivity solutions. NR will enable everything connected by wireless and deliver fast, rich content and sendees.

[0055] Rel-15 NR systems are designed to operate on the licensed spectrum. The NR-unlicensed (NR-U), a short-hand notati on of the NR -based access to unlicensed spectrum, is a technology that enables the operation of NR systems on the unlicensed spectrum.

[0056] In accordance with some embodiments, a UE served by a gNB may receive a LPP message from an LMF requesting measurements, such as inter-RAT RSTD measurements for OTDOA positioning. If a UE requires measurement gaps for performing the requested location measurements while measurement gaps are either not configured or not sufficient, or if the UE needs gaps to acquire the subframe and slot timing of the target E-UTRA system before requesting measurement gaps for the inter-RAT RSTD measurements, the UE may send an RRC Location Measurement Indication message to the serving gNB. The message indicates that the UE is going to start, location measurements, or that the UE is going to acquire subframe and slot timing and may include information required for the gNB to configure the appropriate measurement gaps. When the gNB has configured the required measurement gaps, the UE may perform the location measurements or timing acquisition procedures. When the UE has completed the location procedures which required measurement gaps, the UE sends another RRC Location Measurement Indication message to the serving gNB. The message may indicate that, the UE has completed the location measurements or timing acquisition procedures.

[0057] One important issue for how to define a new measurement gap (MG) pattern for NR positioning measurementi is whether the new MG pattern is applicable for only PRS measurements or for both PRS and RRM measurements. In some embodiments herein, a single MG pattern may be used for both RRM and PRS measurements. In other embodiments, separate MG patterns may be used for RRM and PRS measurements,

[0058] FIG. 2 illustrates a single gap pattern for both RRM signal and positioning signal measurements in accordance with some embodiments; and [0059] When there is only one gap pattern per UE is allowed, UE needs to request the new gap pattern when receiving the positioning measurement information from LMF. And the serving gNB can grant the new gap pattern to LIE for the positioning measurement (see FIG. 2 step 3).

[0060] In these embodiments, both the legacy RRM requirement (e.g,, SSB based) and positioning measurement requirements are based on the new gap pattern. And the new requirements of measurement period shah be started from the first MGRP (e.g., t3 in FIG. 2).

[0061] But if the RRM requirements is quite diverse than that of PRS measurement delay (e.g., HST ), the RRM measurement delay depending the new gap pattern (like the single gap pattern embodiments describe above) will lead some problem of mobility management maintenance. For an example, between the legacy gap (1 and 3) UE may HO to other cells because too long measurement interval.

[0062] That is the two independent gap patterns for UE may be necessary. In other words, more than one gap pattern shall be configured to UE. And the measurement requirements can depend on the dedicated gap pattern also. In these embodiments, independent gap patterns may be configured for RRM and positioning signals.

[0063] FIG. 3 illustrates a MeasGapConfig information element in accordance with some embodiments. The measurement gap configuration (MeasGapConfig) information element (IE) illustrated in FIG. 3 may be used to indicate a new measurement gap configuration and may be used configure a UE with a single measurement gap pattern or may be used to configure a UE with more than one measurement gap pattern.

[0064] FIG. 4 illustrates a functional block diagram of a wireless communication device, in accordance with some embodiments. Wireless communication device 400 may be suitable for use as a UE or gNB configured for operation in a 5G NR network. The communication device 400 may be suitable for use as a handheld device, a mobile device, a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a tablet, a netbook, a wireless terminal, a laptop computer, a wearable computer device, a femtocell, a high data rate (HDR) subscriber device, an access point, an access terminal, or other personal communication system (PCS) device.

[0065] The communication device 400 may include communications circuitry 402 and a transceiver 410 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from other communication devices using one or more antennas 401. The communications circuitry 402 may include circuitry that, can operate the physical layer (PHY) communications and/or medium access control (MAC) communications for controlling access to the wireless medium, and/or any other communications layers for transmitting and receiving signals. The communication device 400 may also include processing circuitry 406 and memory 408 arranged to perform the operations described herein. In some embodiments, the communications circuitry 402 and the processing circuitry 406 may be configured to perform operations detailed in the above figures, diagrams, and flows.

[0066] In accordance with some embodiments, the communications circuitry 402 may be arranged to contend for a wireless medium and configure frames or packets for communicating over the wireless medium. The communications circuitry 402 may be arranged to transmit and receive signals. The communications circuitry 402 may also include circuitry for modulation/demodulation, upconversion/downconversion, filtering, amplification, etc. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 406 of the communication device 400 may include one or more processors. In other embodiments, two or more antennas 401 may be coupled to the communications circuitry 402 arranged for sending and receiving signals. The memory 408 may store information for configuring the processing circuitry 406 to perform operations for configuring and transmitting message frames and performing the various operations described herein. The memory 408 may include any type of memory, including non-transitory memory, for storing information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, the memory 408 may include a computer-readable storage device, read-only memory (ROM), randomaccess memory' (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash-memory devices and other storage devices and media.

[0067] In some embodiments, the communication device 400 may be part of a portable wireless communication device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop or portable computer with wireless communication capability, a web tablet, a wireless telephone, a smartphone, a wireless headset, a pager, an instant messaging device, a digital camera, an access point, a television, a medical device (e.g., a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, etc.), a wearable computer device, or another device that may receive and/or transmit information wirelessly.

[0068] In some embodiments, the communication device 400 may include one or more antennas 401. The antennas 401 may include one or more directional or omnidirectional antennas, including, for example, dipole antennas, monopole antennas, patch antennas, loop antennas, microstrip antennas, or other types of antennas suitable for transmission of RF signals. In some embodiments, instead of two or more antennas, a single antenna with multiple apertures may be used. In these embodiments, each aperture may be considered a separate antenna. In some multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) embodiments, the antennas may be effectively separated for spatial diversity and the different channel characteristics that may result between each of the antennas and the antennas of a transmitting device.

[0069] In some embodiments, the communication device 400 may include one or more of a keyboard, a display, a non-volatile memory'' port, multiple antennas, a graphics processor, an application processor, speakers, and other mobile device elements. The display may be an LCD screen including a touch screen.

[0070] Although the communication device 400 is illustrated as having several separate functional elements, two or more of the functional elements may be combined and may be implemented by combinations of software-configured elemenis, such as processing elements including digital signal processors (DSPs), and/or other hardware elements. For example, some elements may include one or more microprocessors, DSPs, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) and combinations of various hardware and logic circuitry for performing at least the functions described herein. In some embodiments, the functional elements of the communication device 400 may refer to one or more processes operating on one or more processing elements.

[0071] EXAMPLES

[0072] Example 1 may include a method of UE measurement gap pattern for NR positioning, wherein the new gap pattern can be configured to UE.

[0073] Example 2 may include the method of example 1 or some other example herein, wherein the new gap pattern can be for positioning measurement,

[0074] Example 3 may include the method of example 2 or some other example herein, wherein UE can request the new gap pattern when receiving the location measurement information from LMF.

[0075] Example 4 may include the method of example 1 or some other example herein, wherein the new gap pattern will override the existing gap pattern.

[0076] Example 5 may include the method of example 1 or some other example herein, wherein the new gap pattern can be independent with the existing gap pattern.

[0077] Example 6 may include the method of example 5 or some other example herein, wherein both the legacy RRM requirements and new positioning requirements are defined with this new gap pattern (e.g., new MGRP).

[0078] Example 7 may include the method of example 6 or some other example herein, wherein both the legacy RRM requirements and new positioning requirements are defined with different gap pattern.

[0079] Example 8 may include the method of example 1 or some other example herein, wherein UE can start the measurement of positioning after the first MGRP configured by new gap pattern.

[0080] Example 9 may include a method comprising: receiving configuration information for a measurement gap pattern to be used for positioning reference signal (PRS) measurements; and performing the PRS measurements based on the measurement gap pattern.

[0081] Example 10 may include the method of example 9 or some other example herein, further comprising performing one or more radio resource monitoring (RRM) measurements based on the measurement gap pattern.

[0082] Example 11 may include the method of example 9 or some other example herein, wherein the measurement gap pattern is a first measurement gap pattern, and wherein the method further comprises: receiving configuration information for a second measurement gap pattern to be used for RRM measurements; and performing the RRM measurements based on the second measurement gap pattern.

[0083] Example 12 may include the method of example 9-11 or some other example herein, further comprising starting the PRS measurements after an earliest measurement gap repetition period (MGRP) associated with the measurement gap pattern.

[0084] Example 13 may include the method of example 9-12 or some other example herein, wherein the method is performed by a UE or a portion thereof.

[0085] Example 14 may include a method comprising: encoding, for transmission to a user equipment (UE), configuration information for a measurement gap pattern to be used for positioning reference signal (PRS) measurements; and encoding a PRS for transmission based on the measurement gap pattern .

[0086] Example 15 may include the method of example 14 or some other example herein, wherein the measurement gap pattern is further to be used for radio resource monitoring (RRM) measurements.

[0087] Example 16 may include the method of example 15 or some other example herein, further comprising encoding an SSB for transmission based on the measurement gap pattern.

[0088] Example 17 may include the method of example 14 or some other example herein, wherein the measurement gap pattern is a first measurement gap pattern, and wherein the method further comprises: encoding, for transmission to the UE, configuration information for a second measurement gap pattern to be used for RRM measurements; and encoding an SSB for transmission based on the second measurement gap pattern.

[0089] Example 18 may include the method of example 14-17 or some other example herein, further comprising receiving a PRS measurement from the LIE based on the PRS.

[0090] Example 19 may include the method of example 14-18 or some other example herein, wherein the method is performed by a gNB or a portion thereof. [0091] The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section

1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus of a user equipment (UE) configured for operation in a fifth-generation (5(3) new radio (NR) network, the apparatus comprising: processing circuitry; and memory, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to: decode an radio-resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message received from a serving generation Node B (gNB), the RRC reconfiguration message to configure the UE with one or more measurement gap (MG) patterns; and perform measurements on signals during measurement gaps in accordance with the RRC reconfiguration message, wherein when the UE is configured with a single MG pattern, the processing circuitry is to configure the UE to perform the measurements using both positioning reference signals (PRS) and mobility management signals during the measurement gaps of the single MG pattern, w'herein when the UE is configured with two or more MG patterns, the processing circuitry is to perform the measurements using the PRS during measurement gaps of a first MG pattern of the two or more MG patterns and perform measurements using the mobility management signals during measurement gaps of a second MG pattern of the two or more MG patterns, and wherein the memory is configured to store the RRC reconfiguration message.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the UE is configured with the single MG pattern, the MG pattern is indicated to be applicable for either PRS measurements only or indicated to be applicable for both PRS measurements and mobility management signal measurements, and wherein when the UE is configured with the two or more MG patterns, the first MG pattern is indicated to be applicable for measurement of the PRS, and the second MG pattern is indicated to be applicable for measurement of the mobility management signals.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the RRC reconfiguration message indicates a gap offset, a measurement gap length (MGL), and measurement gap repetition period (MGRP), and wherein the MGL is configurable to be longer than a legacy MGL to allow for measurement of both the PRS and mobility management signals when the single MG pattern is configured or to allow for longer duration measurements of the PRS when either the single MG pattern is configured or the two or more MG patterns are configured.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, w'herein the UE is configured to request an MG pattern by encoding a RRC Location Measurement Indication message for transmission to the gNB, and wherein in response to the RRC Location Measurement Indication message, the RRC reconfiguration message is received from the gNB to configure the UE with the one or more MG patterns.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein if the UE is configured with a legacy MG pattern, the processing circuitry is to configure the UE to request a new MG pattern for performing longer duration measurements of the PRS.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein if the UE is configured with a legacy MG pattern, the processing circuitry is to configure the UE to request a new MG pattern if an MGRP of the legacy MG pattern is too great or if the MGL of the legacy MG pattern is too short for performing the measurements.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein if the UE is configured with a legacy MG pattern, the processing circuitry is to configure the UE to request a new MG pattern the UE is unable to perform the measurements due to a conflict.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the legacy MGL is less than or equal to six milliseconds (ms), and wherein the MGL of the new MG pattern is greater than the legacy MGL.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mobility management signals include radio resource management (RRM) signals, sounding reference signals (SRS) and cell-specific reference signals (CRS).

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the RRC Location Measurement Indication message is an initial RRC Location Measurement Indication message encoded to indicates that the UE is going to start performing measurements on signals during the measurement gaps, and wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to encode a final RRC Location Measurement Indication message for transmission to the serving gNB, the final RC Location Measurement Indication message indicating that the UE has completed performing the measurements on signals during the measurement gaps.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions for execution by processing circuitry of a user equipment (UE) configured for operation in a fifth-generation (5G) new radio (NR) network, the instructions to configure processing circuitry to: decode an radio-resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message received from a serving generation Node B (gNB), the RRC reconfiguration message to configure the UE with one or more measurement gap (MG) patterns; and perform measurements on signals during measurement gaps in accordance with the RRC reconfiguration message, wherein when the UE is configured with a single MG pattern, the processing circuitry is to configure the UE to perform the measurements using both positioning reference signals (PRS) and mobility management signals during the measurement gaps of the single MG pattern, and wherein when the UE is configured with two or more MG patterns, the processing circuitry is to perform the measurements using the PRS during measurement gaps of a first MG pattern of the two or more MG patterns and perform measurements using the mobility management signals during measurement gaps of a second MG pattern of the two or more MG patterns.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein when the UE is configured with the single MG pattern, the MG pattern is indicated to be applicable for either PRS measurements only or indicated to be applicable for both PRS measurements and mobility management signal measurements, and wherein when the UE is configured with the two or more MG patterns, the first MG pattern is indicated to be applicable for measurement of the PRS, and the second MG pattern is indicated to be applicable for measurement of the mobility management signals.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the RRC reconfiguration message indicates a gap offset, a measurement gap length (MGL), and measurement gap repetition period (MGRP), and wherein the MGL is configurable to be longer than a legacy MGL to allow for measurement of both the PRS and mobility management signals when the single MG pattern is configured or to allow for longer duration measurements of the PR S when either the singl e MG pattern is configured or the two or more MG patterns are configured.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the UE is configured to request an MG pattern by encoding a RRC Location Measurement Indication message for transmission to the gNB, and wherein in response to the RRC Location Measurement Indication message, the RRC reconfiguration message is received from the gNB to configure the UE with the one or more MG patterns.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein if the UE is configured with a legacy MG pattern, the processing circuitry is to configure the UE to request a new MG pattern for performing longer duration measurements of the PRS.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein if the UE is configured with a legacy MG pattern, the processing circuitry is to configure the UE to request a new MG pattern if an MGRP of the legacy MG pattern is too great or if the MGL of the legacy MG pattern is too short for performing the measurements.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein if the UE is configured with a legacy MG pattern, the processing circuitry is to configure the UE to request a new MG pattern the UE is unable to perform the measurements due to a conflict.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the legacy MGL is less than or equal to six milliseconds (ms), and wherein the MGL of the new MG pattern is greater than the legacy MGL, wherein the mobility management signals include radio resource management ( RRM ) signals, sounding reference signals (SRS) and cell-specific reference signals (CRS).

19. An apparatus of a generation Node B (gNB) configured for operation in a fifth-generation (5G) new radio (NR) network, the apparatus comprising: processing circuitry; and memory, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to: encode an radio-resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message for transmission to a user equipment (UE), the RRC reconfiguration message to configure the UE with one or more measurement, gap (MG) patterns; and wherein when the UE is configured with a single MG pattern, the UE is configured to perform measurements using both positioning reference signals (PRS) and mobility management signals during the measurement, gaps of the single MG pattern, and wherein when the UE is configured with two or more MG patterns, the UE is configured to perform measurements using the PRS during measurement gaps of a first MG pattern of the two or more MG patterns and perform measurements using the mobility management signals during measurement gaps of a second MG pattern of the two or more MG patterns, and wherein the memory is configured to store the RRC reconfiguration message.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein when the gNB configures the UE with the single MG pattern, the MG pattern is indicated to be applicable for either PRS measurements only or indicated to be applicable for both PRS measurements and mobility management signal measurements, and wherein when the gNB configures the UE with the two or more MG patterns, the first MG pattern is indicated to be applicable for measurement of the PRS, and the second MG pattern is indicated to be applicable for measurement of the mobility management signals, wherein the RRC reconfiguration message is encoded to indicate a gap offset, a measurement gap length (MGL), and measurement gap repetition period (MGRP), and wherein the MGL is configurable to be longer than a legacy MGL to allow for measurement of both the PRS and mobility management signals when the single MG pattern is configured or to allow for longer duration measurements of the PRS when either the single MG pattern is configured or the two or more MG patterns are configured.