WO2022227039A1

WO2022227039A1 - Measurement gap enhancement

Info

Publication number: WO2022227039A1
Application number: PCT/CN2021/091619
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jing He; Ping Yuan; Lei Du; Lars Dalsgaard
Original assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co., Ltd.; Nokia Solutions And Networks Oy; Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2021-04-30
Filing date: 2021-04-30
Publication date: 2022-11-03
Also published as: CN117223248A

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to devices, methods, apparatuses and computer readable storage media of reporting measurement gap capability. The method comprises: receiving, at a first device and from a second device, a first message for configuring a set of bandwidth parts, BWPs; determining measurement gap capabilities for measuring a reference signal from the second device in each of the set of the BWPs based on the first message and a frequency resource for measuring the reference signal; and transmitting, to the second device, a second message comprising information related to the measurement gap capabilities. In this way, the terminal device is capable of reporting a BWP-based measurement gap capability. As such, for the BWP that does not need measurement gap assistance for measuring the reference signal, the activation of the measurement gap can be avoided, improving the resource efficiency and reducing the measurement configuration delay.

Description

MEASUREMENT GAP ENHANCEMENT

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication and in particular, to devices, methods, apparatus and computer readable storage media of measurement gap enhancement.

BACKGROUND

In a NR communication system, bandwidth parts (BWPs) are configured for a terminal device (e.g., UE) for measuring a reference signal (RS) of a base station on a target band. One of the configured BWPs acts as an active BWP, while the rest of the configured BWPs remain inactive. Since the configured BWPs vary from frequency ranges, one or more of the BWPs may not overlap with a frequency resource of the RS. In a case where the active BWP is not overlapping with a frequency resource of the RS, the UE may not be able to measure the RS without a measurement gap. Otherwise, the UE is able to perform the non-gap assisted measurement.

Currently, a reporting of Band-based measurement gap capability of the UE is supported by means of information element (IE) , for example, NeedForGap. If the IE NeedForGap indicates a requirement of the measurement gap, the base station may configure the UE with the measurement gap, and the measurement gap would be applied to each of the configured BWPs. In some case, not all of the configured BWPs are not overlapping with the frequency resource of the RS. When such BWP is switched to be active, the measurement gap, despite configured by the base station, would not be used by the terminal device. Thus, there is a demand for an enhance mechanism for reporting the BWP-based measurement gap capability of the UE.

SUMMARY

In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution of data transmission with security configurations.

In a first aspect, there is provided a first device. The first device comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program codes; the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device at least to: receive, from a second device, a first message for configuring a set of bandwidth parts; determine measurement gap capabilities for measuring a reference signal from the second device in each of the set of the bandwidth parts based on the first message and a frequency resource for measuring the reference signal; and transmit, to the second device, a second message comprising information related to the measurement gap capabilities in each of the set of the bandwidth parts.

In a second aspect, there is provided a second device. The second device comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program codes; the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device at least to: transmit, to a first device, a first message for configuring a set of bandwidth parts; and receive, from the first device, a second message comprising information related to measurement gap capabilities of the first device for measuring a reference signal in each of the set of the bandwidth parts.

In a third aspect, there is provided a method. The method comprises: receiving, at a first device and from a second device, a first message for configuring a set of bandwidth parts; determining measurement gap capabilities for measuring a reference signal from the second device in each of the set of the bandwidth parts based on the first message and a frequency resource for measuring the reference signal; and transmitting, to the second device, a second message comprising information related to the measurement gap capabilities in each of the set of the bandwidth parts.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method. The method comprises: transmitting, at a second device and to a first device, a first message for configuring a set of bandwidth parts; and receiving, from the first device, a second message comprising information related to measurement gap capabilities of the first device for measuring a reference signal in each of the set of the bandwidth parts.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided a first apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a second device, a first message for configuring a set of bandwidth parts; means for determining measurement gap capabilities for measuring a reference signal from the second device in each of the set of the bandwidth parts based on the first message and a frequency resource for measuring the reference signal; and means for transmitting, to the second device, a second message comprising information related to the measurement gap capabilities in each of the set of the bandwidth parts.

In a sixth aspect, there is provided a second apparatus comprising: means for transmitting, to a first device, a first message for configuring a set of bandwidth parts; and means for receiving, from the first device, a second message comprising information related to measurement gap capabilities of the first device for measuring a reference signal in each of the set of the bandwidth parts.

In a seventh aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium having a computer program stored thereon which, when executed by at least one processor of a device, causes the device to carry out the method according to the third aspect.

In an eighth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium having a computer program stored thereon which, when executed by at least one processor of a device, causes the device to carry out the method according to the fourth aspect.

Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will also be apparent from the following description of specific embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure are presented in the sense of examples and their advantages are explained in greater detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where

FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication network in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;

FIG. 2 shows a signaling chart illustrating a process of reporting a measurement gap capability according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A illustrate an example configuration of a set of bandwidth parts (BWPs) according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B illustrate another example configuration of a set of BWPs according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example method of reporting the measurement gap capability according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of an example method of reporting the measurement gap capability according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a simplified block diagram of a device that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an example computer readable medium in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment, ” “an embodiment, ” “an example embodiment, ” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an example embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

It shall be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish functionalities of various elements. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a” , “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” , “comprising” , “has” , “having” , “includes” and/or “including” , when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and/or combinations thereof.

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

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

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

(i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit (s) with software/firmware and

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

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

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

As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as fifth generation (5G) systems, Long Term Evolution (LTE) , LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) , Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) , High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) , Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and so on. Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network device in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G) , the second generation (2G) , 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G) , the fourth generation (4G) , 4.5G, the future fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) communication protocols, and/or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there will of course also be future type communication technologies and systems with which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned system.

As used herein, the term “network device” refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP) , for example, a node B (NodeB or NB) , an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB) , a NR Next Generation NodeB (gNB) , a Remote Radio Unit (RRU) , a radio header (RH) , a remote radio head (RRH) , Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a relay, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology. The network device is allowed to be defined as part of a gNB such as for example in CU/DU split in which case the network device is defined to be either a gNB-CU or a gNB-DU.

The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example rather than limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE) , a Subscriber Station (SS) , a Portable Subscriber Station, a Mobile Station (MS) , or an Access Terminal (AT) . The terminal device may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA) , portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE) , laptop-mounted equipment (LME) , USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE) , an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD) , a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery) , an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and/or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and/or an automated processing chain contexts) , a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and/or industrial wireless networks, and the like. The terminal device may also correspond to Mobile Termination (MT) part of the integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node (a.k.a. a relay node) . In the following description, the terms “terminal device” , “communication device” , “terminal” , “user equipment” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

Although functionalities described herein can be performed, in various example embodiments, in a fixed and/or a wireless network node, in other example embodiments, functionalities may be implemented in a user equipment apparatus (such as a cell phone or tablet computer or laptop computer or desktop computer or mobile IoT device or fixed IoT device) . This user equipment apparatus can, for example, be furnished with corresponding capabilities as described in connection with the fixed and/or the wireless network node (s) , as appropriate. The user equipment apparatus may be the user equipment and/or or a control device, such as a chipset or processor, configured to control the user equipment when installed therein. Examples of such functionalities include the bootstrapping server function and/or the home subscriber server, which may be implemented in the user equipment apparatus by providing the user equipment apparatus with software configured to cause the user equipment apparatus to perform from the point of view of these functions/nodes.

In a conventional network system, the reporting of the Band-based measurement gap capability of the terminal device (e.g., the NeedForgap capability IE) is supported. Typically, there are two ways for reporting the NeedForgap capability, i.e., a static reporting mechanism and a dynamic reporting mechanism.

For example, in the NR system, the NeedForGapsInfoNR IE may be used to indicate whether a measurement gap is required for the terminal device to perform measurement on an NR target band. The NeedForGap capability concept may be also used in dual connectivity scenario, e.g., NR-Dual Connection (NR-DC) or NR eNB-Dual Connection (NE-DC) scenarios.

In some cases, not all of the configured BWPs included in the band require the measurement gap. For example, the configured set of BWPs may include a first BWP and a second BWP. The first BWP is active BWP that does not overlap with the frequency resource of the RS, and the second BWP is overlapping with the frequency resource of the RS. In this example, the UE may report a requirement of the measurement gap for the band. However, when the second BWP is switched to the active BWP, the non-gap intra-frequency measurement can be implemented in the second BWP, and in this case, the measurement gap may be unnecessarily activated.

In order to solve the above and other potential problems, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for reporting the BWP-based measurement gap capability in each of the configured BWPs. The UE is capable of reporting the BWP-based measurement gap capability by flexible and efficient signalling. As such, for the BWP that does not need measurement gap assistance for measuring the RS, the activation of the measurement gap can be avoided. Thus, the network resource efficiency can be improved and the measurement configuration delay can be reduced.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Principle and embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 shows an example communication network 200 in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication network 100 includes a first device 110 and a second device 120.

The first device 110 (hereinafter may also be referred to as a terminal device 110 or a UE 110) is located within a cell 202 of the second device 120, and may communicate with the second device 120. The second device 120 (hereinafter may also be referred to as a network device 120 or a gNB 120) may be a first network device serving the first device 110, and in this case, the cell 202 is the serving cell of the first device 110. Alternatively, the second device 120 may be a second network device providing a neighbor cell for the first device 110.

The second device 120 may configure the first device 110 with a set of BWPs for measuring the RS in each f the BWPs. For example, the second device 120 may transmit a radio resource control (RRC) message for configuring the set of BWPs. For another example, the second device 120 may transmit the RRC indicating an update for the set of BWPs configured by the second device 120. The update may include at least one of adding, removing, or changing one or more of the set of BWPs or the frequency resource of the RS.

In the context of the present disclosure, the RS may include, but not limited to channel state information (CSI) RS, a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) or any other RS either currently known or to be developed in the future.

In the communication network 100, if the active BWP is overlapping with a frequency resource of the RS (e.g., a target carrier of the inter-frequency measurement object) , the first device 110 may support the measurement for the RS without a requirement of a measurement gap. However, if the active BWP is overlapping with the frequency resource of the RS, the first device 110 would not be able to measure the RS without the assistance of the measurement gap.

In the above case, the first device 110 may report a band-based measurement gap capability to the second device 120 to indicate whether the measurement gap is required for the band including the set of BWPs. For example, if any of the configured BWPs does not cover the frequency resource of the RS, the first device 110 may determine that the measurement gap is required for the band. The first device 110 may transmit a RRC message including measurement gap information associated with the band to the second device 120, and the measurement gap information indicates a requirement of the measurement gap for the band. For example, the measurement gap information may be a NeedForGap field, with a value of “gap” indicative of a requirement of the measurement gap for the band, and a value of “no gap” indicative of not requiring the measurement gap.

Upon receipt of the RRC message reporting intraFreq-needForGap with the value of “gap” , the second device 120 may configure the measurement gap to the first device. In this case, the measurement gap may be applied to each of the configured BWPs. Otherwise, if the RRC message reporting intraFreq-needForGap with the value of “no gap” , the second device 120 may not configure the first device 110 with an active measurement gap. In this case, the non-gap assisted measurement would be performed by the first device 110 for the configured measurement object.

The second device 120 may preconfigure the measurement gap to the first device 110, which allows a fast measurement gap adaptation based on an immediate need. In some cases, not all of the BWPs included in the band require the measurement gap. For example, the configured set of BWPs may include a first BWP and a second BWP. The first BWP is active BWP that does not overlap with the frequency resource of the RS, and the second BWP is overlapping with the frequency resource of the RS. In this example, the first device 110 may report a requirement of the measurement gap for the band. However, when the second BWP is switched to the active BWP, the non-gap intra-frequency measurement can be implemented in the second BWP, and in this case, the measurement gap may be unnecessarily activated.

In order to improve the configuration of the measurement gap, the first device 110 may further report BWP-based measurement gap capability in each of the set of BWPs. The BWP-based measurement gap capability may be transmitted in a RRC message. In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may transmit information related to the BWP-based measurement gap capabilities indicating a requirement of the measurement gap for at least one of the set of BWPs.

In some other example embodiments, upon determining a difference between the band and the set of the BWPs in terms of requirements of the measurement gap, the first device 110 may transmit an indicator for indicating the difference. The first device 110 may then transmit the information related to the BWP-based measurement gap capabilities to the second device 120. For example, the first device 110 may transmit the information related to the BWP-based measurement gap capabilities when the network is not busy or there is sufficient network resource available for transmission the information. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

It is to be understood that the number of terminal device and network device are only for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations. The communication network 100 may include any suitable number of terminal devices adapted for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

Only for ease of discussion, the first device 110 is illustrated as a UE, and the second device 120 is illustrated as a base station. It is to be understood that UE and base station are only example implementations of the first device 110 and the second device 120 respectively, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the present application. Any other suitable implementations are possible as well.

Depending on the communication technologies, the network 100 may be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Time Division Multiple Address (TDMA) network, a Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) network, an Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) network, a Single Carrier-Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) network or any others. Communications discussed in the network 100 may conform to any suitable standards including, but not limited to, New Radio Access (NR) , Long Term Evolution (LTE) , LTE-Evolution, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) , Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) , Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) , cdma2000, and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and the like. Furthermore, the communications may be performed according to any generation communication protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Examples of the communication protocols include, but not limited to, the first generation (1G) , the second generation (2G) , 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G) , the fourth generation (4G) , 4.5G, the fifth generation (5G) communication protocols. The techniques described herein may be used for the wireless networks and radio technologies mentioned above as well as other wireless networks and radio technologies. For clarity, certain aspects of the techniques are described below for LTE, and LTE terminology is used in much of the description below.

Principle and implementations of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a signaling chart illustrating a process 200 of reporting a measurement gap capability according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the process 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The process 200 may involve the first device 110 and the second device 120 as shown in FIG. 1.

In the process 200, the second device 120 transmits 205 a first message for configuring a set of BWPs to the first device 110. In some example embodiments, the first message may be a RRC message including configurations for the set of BWPs. The configurations for the set of BWPs may include, for example, the serving frequency of each of the set of BWPs.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example configuration 301 of a set of BWPs according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. In the configuration 301, the second device 120 configures the first device 110 with the first BWP 311, the second BWP 312, the third BWP 313 and the fourth BWP 314 for measuring the RS 320. Further, the band 310 includes the first to fourth BWPs 311 to 314. As can be seen from FIG. 3A, the second BWP 312, the third BWP 313 and the fourth BWP 314 cover the reference resource of the RS 320 in frequency domain, while the first BWP 311 does not cover the reference resource.

In some example embodiments, the second device 120 may previously configure the first device 110 with the set of BWPs and then transmit the first message, for example, a first RRC message indicating an update for configurations of the set of BWPs. For example, the update for configurations of the set of BWPs may include at least one of adding, removing, or changing one or more of the set of BWPs, or the frequency resource for measuring the RS.

FIG. 3B illustrate another example configuration 302 of a set of BWPs according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. In the configuration 302, the second device 120 may initially configure the first BWP 321 and the second BWP 322 to the first device 110. As shown in FIG. 3B, both of first and second BWPs 321 and 322 cover the frequency resource of the RS 320. The second device 120 may further transmit the first message indicating an update for configurations of the set of BWPs. For example, the first message may add the third BWP 323 and the fourth BWP 324 to the set of the BWPs, with the third BWP 323 covering the frequency resource of the RS 320 and the fourth BWP 324 not covering the frequency resource of the RS 320. As such, the first device 110 is configured with the first to fourth BWPs 321 to 324.

Based on the

configurations

301 and 302, if any of the configured BWPs does not cover the frequency resource of the RS 320, the first device 110 may determine that a measurement gap is required for the band 310. The first device 110 may transmit 215 a RRC message including measurement gap information associated with the band 310 to the second device 120, and the measurement gap information indicates a requirement of the measurement gap for the band 310. In this case, the measurement gap may be applied to each of the configured BWPs.

The first device 110 determines 210 measurement gap capabilities for measuring a RS (RS) from the second device 120 in each of the set of the BWPs based on the first message and a frequency resource for measuring the RS.

In some example embodiments, the second device 120 may transmit an indication for reporting the measurement gap capabilities. Upon receipt of the indication, the first device 110 may determine the BWP-based measurement gap capabilities with respect to each of the set of the BWPs.

In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may receive the indication for reporting the measurement gap capabilities from a system information block (SIB) transmitted from the second device120, and then determine the measurement gap capabilities as indicated in 210.

The explicit indication from the second device 120 may not be necessary for reporting the measurement gap capabilities transmitted to the first device 110. In some example embodiments, upon receipt of the first message, the first device 110 may determine whether the configurations for the set of the BWPs are changed. If the configurations are changed, the BWP measurement gap capabilities of the first device 110 may also be changed. In this case, the first device 110 may determine the measurement gap capabilities in each of the set of the BWPs. For example, the BWPs 312 to 314 in configuration 301 and the BWPs 321 to 323 in configuration 302 contain the frequency resource of the RS 320, and thus the measurement gap would not be needed for measuring the RS 320 in these BWPs.

The Phase 201 including steps 220 to 245 illustrates an example procedure for reporting the measurement gap capabilities. In the phase 201, the second message may be a fourth RRC message.

Specifically, the first device 110 may determine, based on the frequency resource for measuring the RS 320, a measurement gap required for measurement of the RS in at least one but not all of the set of the BWPs. In this case, there is a difference between the band 310 and the set of the BWPs in terms of requirements of the measurement gap. The first device 110 may transmits 220 a second RRC message comprising an indicator for indicating the difference to the second device 120, for example, which may be a 1-bit indicator. In such a manner, a large change in ASN. 1 for reporting the measurement gap capability may be avoided.

Additionally, in some example embodiments, when receiving an indicator for indicating the difference from first device 110, second device 120 may require the first device 110 to transmit the information related to the measurement gap capabilities to the second device 120.

The second device 120 transmits 325 a third RRC message to the first device 110, the third RRC may indicate a measurement gap pattern comprising measurement gap configurations for the set of the BWPs. In this manner, the second device 120 may preconfigure the measurement gap pattern to the first device 110.

Upon receipt of the third RRC message, the first device 110 may determine that the measurement gap pattern comprises at least one measurement gap configuration for at least one further BWP not requiring the measurement gap in the set. The first device 110 transmits 230, to the second device 120, the fourth RRC message comprising the information related to the measurement gap capabilities indicating at least a requirement of the measurement gap for the at least one BWP.

Since the at least one further BWP does not require the measurement gap, the first device 110 discards 235 the at least one measurement gap configuration for the at least one further BWP. Upon receipt of the fourth RRC message, the second device 120 discards 240 the at least one measurement gap configuration for the at least one further BWP.

The Phase 202 including steps 245 to 255 illustrates another example procedure for reporting the measurement gap capabilities. In the phase 202, the second message may be a fifth RRC message.

The first device 110 may determine, based on the frequency resource for measuring the RS 320, a measurement gap required for measurement of the RS in at least one but not all of the set of the BWPs. In this case, the first device 320 transmits 245 the fifth RRC message comprising the information related to the measurement gap capabilities indicating at least a requirement of the measurement gap for the at least one BWP.

Upon receipt of the fifth RRC message, the second device 120 determines 250 a target measurement gap pattern comprising a measurement gap configuration for the at least one BWP based on the information related to the measurement gap capabilities.

The second device 120 transmits 255 a sixth RRC message indicating the target measurement gap pattern to the first device 110.

In some example embodiments, the second RRC message in phase 201 and the fifth RRC message in phase 202 each may further include the measurement gap information associated with the band 310. In this case, the BWP-based measurement gap capabilities may be transmitted together with the Band-based measurement gap capabilities of the first device 110.

In some example embodiments, the BWP-based measurement gap capabilities may be transmitted separately from the Band-based measurement gap capabilities of the first device 110.

In some example embodiments, the information related to the measurement gap capabilities may further indicate the measurement gap not required for measurement of the RS in at least one further BWP in the set.

In some example embodiments, the RS comprises one of channel state information RS, CSI-RS, or a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block, SSB.

In the above example embodiments, the RRC message may include, but not limited to, a RRC reconfiguration message, a RRC reconfiguration complete message, a RRC setup message, a RRC resume message, a RRC resume request message, a RRC reestablishment message and so on and so on. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

According to the example embodiments of the present disclosure, a mechanism for reporting the measurement gap capability is provided. With the mechanism, the terminal device is capable of reporting the BWP-based measurement gap capability. As a result, the measurement gap pattern can be configured in a fast and efficient manner. Further, for the BWP that does not require the measurement gap assistance for measuring the RS, the activation of the measurement gap may be avoided, which improves the resource efficiency and reduces the measurement configuration delay.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 400 of reporting the measurement gap capability according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 400 can be implemented at a terminal device, e.g., the first device 110 described with reference to FIG. 1. For the purpose of discussion, the method 400 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

At 410, the first device 110 receives a first message for configuring a set of BWPs from the second device 120. Upon receipt of the first message, the first device 110 may determine the configurations of the BWPs.

In some example embodiments, the first message may be a RRC message comprising configurations for the set of the BWPs. In some other example embodiments, the first message may include a first RRC message indicating an update for configurations of the set of BWPs. For example, the update for configurations of the set of BWPs may include at least one of adding, removing, or changing one or more of the set of BWPs, or the frequency resource for measuring the RS.

At 420, the first device 110 determines measurement gap capabilities for measuring a RS from the second device 120 in each of the set of the BWPs based on the first message and a frequency resource for measuring the RS. The first device 110 may determine the measurement gap capabilities based on a receipt of an indication from the second device 120, a receipt of an indication from a SIB from the second device 120, or a determination of a change of configurations for the set of the BWPs based on the first message.

For example, the first device 120 may determine the measurement gap capabilities in response to the indication from the second device 120. For another example, once determining that the configurations for the set of the BWPs are changed from the first message, the first device 110 may determine the measurement gap capabilities without any explicit indication from the second device 120.

At 430, the first device 110 transmits, to the second device 120, a second message comprising information related to the measurement gap capabilities in each of the set of the BWPs.

In some example embodiments, a band may include the set of the BWPs, and the Band-based measurement gap capabilities of the first device 110 may be different from the BWP-based measurement gap capabilities of the first device 110. In these embodiments, the first device 110 may determine, based on the frequency resource for measuring the RS, that a measurement gap is required for measurement of the RS in at least one but not all of the set of the BWPs. The first device 110 may then transmit, to the second device, a second RRC message comprising an indicator for indicating a difference between the band and the set of the BWPs in terms of requirements of the measurement gap.

In the above embodiments, the second message may be a fourth RRC message, and the first device 110 may receive, from the second device 120, a third RRC message indicating a measurement gap pattern comprising measurement gap configurations for the set of the BWPs. The first device 110 may determine that the measurement gap pattern includes at least one measurement gap configuration for at least one further BWP not requiring the measurement gap in the set. In this case, the first device 110 may transmit, to the second device 120, the fourth RRC message including the information related to the measurement gap capabilities indicating at least a requirement of the measurement gap for the at least one BWP. In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may further discard the at least one measurement gap configuration for the at least one further BWP.

In some example embodiments, a band may include the set of the BWPs, the second message may be a fifth RRC message, and first device 110 may determine, based on the frequency resource for measuring the RSS, a measurement gap required for measurement of the RS in at least one but not all of the set of the BWPs. The first device 110 may transmit the fifth RRC message comprising the information related to the measurement gap capabilities indicating at least a requirement of the measurement gap for the at least one BWP.

In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may receive, from the second device 120, a sixth RRC message indicating a target measurement gap pattern comprising at least one measurement gap configuration for the at least one BWP. In this case, since the second device 120 is aware of the BWP-based measurement gap capability of the first device 110 from the information related to the measurement gap capabilities, the target measurement gap pattern configured by the second device 110 may be adapted to the BWP-based measurement gap capability of the first device 110.

In some example embodiments, the BWP-based measurement gap capabilities may be transmitted together with the Band-based measurement gap capabilities of the first device 110. In these embodiments, the second RRC message and the fifth RRC message may each further include measurement gap information associated with the band, and the measurement gap information indicates a requirement of the measurement gap for the band.

In some example embodiments, the BWP-based measurement gap capabilities and the Band-based measurement gap capabilities of the first device 110 may be transmitted separately. In these embodiments, the first device may transmit a further RRC message comprising measurement gap information associated with the band to the second device 120 and the measurement gap information indicates a requirement of the measurement gap for the band.

In some example embodiments, the information related to the measurement gap capabilities may further indicate the measurement gap not required for measurement of the RS in at least one further BWP in the set. As such, the first device 110 may take the network congestion condition and the network resources into consideration, and transmit the information related to the measurement gap capabilities to the second device 120 when the network is not busy and/or there are sufficient networks resources available for transmission data.

In some example embodiments, the RS may include a CSI-RS, a SSB or any other RS either currently known or to be developed in the future.

In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may be a terminal device and the second device 120 may be a first network device providing a serving cell for the first device 110, or alternatively, the second device 120 may be a second network device providing a neighbor cell for the first device 110.

According to the example embodiments of the present disclosure, the BWP-based measurement gap capability of the terminal device can be reported. Such a reporting mechanism supports a fast (pre-) configuration of the measurement gap pattern. Both of the network device and the terminal device are aware of whether the gap assisted measurements are needed and thus can activate or deactivate the configured measurement gap pattern related to the BWP based on the received Band-based measurement gap capability and the BWP-based measurement gap capability, which reduces unnecessary measurement configuration delay.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 500 of reporting the measurement gap capability according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 500 can be implemented at a network device, e.g., the second device 120 described with reference to FIG. 1. For the purpose of discussion, the method 500 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

At 510, the second device 120 transmits a first message for configuring a set of BWPs to the first device 110. The first message may be a RRC message comprising configurations for the set of the BWPs. The RRC message may include, but not limited to, a RRC reconfiguration message, a RRC setup message, a RRC resume message, a RRC reestablishment message and so on and so on. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

In some example embodiments, the first message may include a first RRC message that indicates an update for configurations of the set of BWPs. For example, the update for configurations of the set of BWPs may include at least one of adding, removing, or changing one or more of the set of BWPs, or the frequency resource for measuring the RS.

At 520, the second device 120 receives, from the first device 110, a second message comprising information related to measurement gap capabilities of the first device 110 for measuring a RS in each of the set of the BWPs. The RS may be a CSI-RS or a SSB transmitted from the second device 120.

In some example embodiments, the information related to measurement gap capabilities may be determined at the first device 110 based on one of a transmission of an indication from the second device 120, a transmission of an indication from a SIB from a second device, or a change of configurations for the set of the BWPs determined based on the first message.

For example, the first device 120 may report the information related to measurement gap capabilities for measuring a RS in each of the set of the BWPs in response to the indication from the second device 120. For another example, once determining that the configurations for the set of the BWPs are changed, the first device 110 may transmit the second message including the information related to measurement gap capabilities for measuring a RS in each of the set of the BWPs without any explicit indication from the second device 120.

In some example embodiments, a band may include the set of the BWPs, and the second device 120 may receive, from the first device 110, a second RRC message including an indicator for indicating a difference between the band and the set of the bandwidth parts in terms of requirements of the measurement gap. For example, the indicator may be a 1-bit indicator, with a value of 1 indicative of the BWP-based measurement gap capability of the first device 110 being different from the band-based measurement gap capability of the first device 110, and a value of 0 indicative of the BWP-based measurement gap capability being the same as the band-based measurement gap capability. Alternatively, the 1-bit indicator may be set to the value of 0 indicative of the BWP-based measurement gap capability being different from the band-based measurement gap capability, and set to a value of 1 indicative of the BWP-based measurement gap capability being the same as the band-based measurement gap capability.

In some example embodiments, the second message may include a fourth RRC message, and the second device 120 may transmit, to the first device 110, a third RRC message indicating a measurement gap pattern comprising measurement gap configurations for the set of the BWPs. In these embodiments, the measurement gap pattern is preconfigured to the first device 110 in absence of the information related to measurement gap capabilities of the first device 110 for measuring a reference signal in each of the set of BWPs.

In the above embodiments, the second device 120 may receive the fourth RRC message from the first device 110, an the fourth RRC message may include the information related to the measurement gap capabilities indicating at least a requirement of the measurement gap for at least one of the set of the bandwidth parts. From the fourth RRC message, the second device 120 may determine that the measurement gap pattern preconfigured to the first device 110 includes at least one measurement gap configuration for at least one further BWP that does not require the measurement gap in the set. In this case, the second device 120 may discard the at least one measurement gap configuration for the at least one further BWP. As such, for the BWP that does not need measurement gap assistance for measuring the RS, the activation of the measurement gap can be avoided.

In some example embodiments, a band may include the set of the BWPs, and the second message may be a fifth RRC message. In these embodiments, the second device 120 may receive the fifth RRC message from the first device 110, and the fifth RRC message may include the information related to the measurement gap capabilities indicating at least a requirement of the measurement gap for at least one of the set of the BWPs.

In the above embodiments, the second device 120 may further determine a target measurement gap pattern comprising a measurement gap configuration for the at least one bandwidth part, and transmit, to the first device 110, a sixth RRC message indicating the target measurement gap pattern. In this case, the target measurement gap pattern may be determined based on the BWP-based measurement gap capabilities of the first device 110. As a result, the configuration and activation of the unnecessary measurement gap can be avoided, which improves the resource efficiency and reduces the measurement configuration delay.

In some example embodiments, the BWP-based measurement gap capabilities may be received together with the Band-based measurement gap capabilities of the first device 110. In these embodiments, the second RRC message and the fifth RRC message as discussed above may further include measurement gap information associated with the band, respectively, and the measurement gap information indicates a requirement of the measurement gap for the band.

In some example embodiments, the BWP-based measurement gap capabilities and the Band-based measurement gap capabilities of the first device 110 may be received separately. In these embodiments, the second device 120 may receive a further RRC message comprising measurement gap information associated with the band from the first device 110 and the measurement gap information indicates a requirement of the measurement gap for the band.

According to the example embodiment, a mechanism for reporting the measurement gap capability is provided. With the mechanism, the network device is aware of the band-based and BWP-based capable measurement gap capabilities of the terminal device, thus a measurement gap pattern can be rapidly (pre-) configured to the terminal devices and the activation of unnecessary measurement gap can be avoided. Further, the BWP-based measurement gap capability can be reported with simple and efficient signalling, which avoids significant UE capability size increasing in uplink.

In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing the method 400 (for example, the first device 110) may comprise means for performing the respective steps of the method 400. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first device 110. In some embodiments, the means may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause performance of the first apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises: means for receiving, from a second device, a first message for configuring a set of BWPs; means for determining measurement gap capabilities for measuring a reference signal from the second device in each of the set of the BWPs based on the first message and a frequency resource for measuring the reference signal; and means for transmitting, to the second device, a second message comprising information related to the measurement gap capabilities in each of the set of the BWPs.

In some example embodiments, the first message comprises a RRC message comprising configurations for the set of the BWPs.

In some example embodiments, the first message comprises a first radio resource control, RRC message indicating an update for configurations for the set of the bandwidth parts configured by the second device, the update comprising at least one of adding, removing, or changing one or more of the set of the bandwidth parts, or the frequency resource for measuring the reference signal.

In some example embodiments, the measurement gap capabilities are determined based on one of a receipt of an indication from the second device, a receipt of an indication from system information block, or a determination of a change of configurations for the set of the BWPs based on the first message.

In some example embodiments, a band comprises the set of the BWPs, and the first apparatus further comprises means for determining, based on the frequency resource for measuring the reference signal, a measurement gap required for measurement of the reference signal in at least one but not all of the set of the BWPs; and means for transmitting, to the second device, a second RRC message comprising an indicator for indicating a difference between the band and the set of the BWPs in terms of requirements of the measurement gap.

In some example embodiments, the second message comprises a fourth RRC message, and the means for transmitting the second message comprises: means for receiving, from the second device, a third RRC message indicating a measurement gap pattern comprising measurement gap configurations for the set of the BWPs; and means for in accordance with a determination that the measurement gap pattern comprises at least one measurement gap configuration for at least one further bandwidth part not requiring the measurement gap in the set, transmitting, to the second device, the fourth RRC message comprising the information related to the measurement gap capabilities indicating at least a requirement of the measurement gap for the at least one bandwidth part.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for discarding the at least one measurement gap configuration for the at least one further bandwidth part.

In some example embodiments, a band comprises the set of the BWPs, the second message comprises a fifth RRC message, and the means for transmitting the second message comprises: means for determining, based on the frequency resource for measuring the reference signal, a measurement gap required for measurement of the reference signal in at least one but not all of the set of the BWPs; and means for transmitting the fifth RRC message comprising the information related to the measurement gap capabilities indicating at least a requirement of the measurement gap for the at least one bandwidth part.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the second device, a sixth RRC message indicating a target measurement gap pattern comprising at least one measurement gap configuration for the at least one bandwidth part.

In some example embodiments, the second RRC message and the fifth RRC message each further comprises measurement gap information associated with the band, the measurement gap information indicating a requirement of the measurement gap for the band.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the second device, a further RRC message comprising measurement gap information associated with the band, the measurement gap information indicating a requirement of the measurement gap for the band.

In some example embodiments, the information related to the measurement gap capabilities further indicates the measurement gap not required for measurement of the reference signal in at least one further bandwidth part in the set.

In some example embodiments, the reference signal comprises one of a CSI-RS or a SSB.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device and a second device comprises one of a first network device providing a serving cell for the first apparatus, or a second network device providing a neighbor cell for the first apparatus.

In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing the method 500 (for example, the second device 120) may comprise means for performing the respective steps of the method 500. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. In some embodiments, the means may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause performance of the second apparatus. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the second device 120.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises: means for transmitting, to a first device, a first message for configuring a set of BWPs; and means for receiving, from the first device, a second message comprising information related to measurement gap capabilities of the first device for measuring a reference signal in each of the set of the BWPs.

In some example embodiments, the information related to measurement gap capabilities are determined based on one of a transmission of an indication from the second apparatus, a transmission of an indication from a system information block, or a change of configurations for the set of the BWPs determined based on the first message.

In some example embodiments, a band comprises the set of the BWPs, and the second apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the first device, a second RRC message comprising an indicator for indicating a difference between the band and the set of the BWPs in terms of requirements of the measurement gap.

In some example embodiments, the second message comprises a fourth RRC message, and the means for receiving the second message comprises: means for transmitting, to the first device, a third RRC message indicating a measurement gap pattern comprising measurement gap configurations for the set of the BWPs; and means for receiving, from the first device, the fourth RRC message comprising the information related to the measurement gap capabilities indicating at least a requirement of the measurement gap for at least one of the set of the BWPs.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that the measurement gap pattern comprises at least one measurement gap configuration for at least one further bandwidth part not requiring the measurement gap in the set, discarding the at least one measurement gap configuration for the at least one further bandwidth part.

In some example embodiments, a band comprises the set of the BWPs, the second message comprises a fifth RRC message, and the means for receiving the second message comprises: means for receiving, from the first device, the fifth RRC message comprising the information related to the measurement gap capabilities indicating at least a requirement of the measurement gap for at least one of the set of the BWPs.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for determining a target measurement gap pattern comprising a measurement gap configuration for the at least one bandwidth part; and means for transmitting, to the first device, a sixth RRC message indicating the target measurement gap pattern.

In some example embodiments, the second RRC message and the fifth RRC message each further comprises measurement gap information associated with the band, and the measurement gap information indicates a requirement of the measurement gap for the band.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the first device, a further RRC message comprising measurement gap information associated with the band, the measurement gap information indicating a requirement of the measurement gap for the band.

In some example embodiments, the first device comprises a terminal device and a second apparatus comprises one of a first network device providing a serving cell for the first device, or a second network device providing a neighbor cell for the first device.

FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of a device 600 that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 600 may be provided to implement the communication device, for example the first device 110 or the second device 120 as shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the device 600 includes one or more processors 610, one or more memories 620 coupled to the processor 610, and one or more transmitters and receivers (TX/RX) 610 coupled to the processor 610.

The TX/RX 610 is for bidirectional communications. The TX/RX 610 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements.

The processor 610 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may include one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 600 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

The memory 620 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of the non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 624, an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM) , a flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc (CD) , a digital video disk (DVD) , and other magnetic storage and/or optical storage. Examples of the volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a random access memory (RAM) 622 and other volatile memories that will not last in the power-down duration.

A computer program 630 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 610. The program 630 may be stored in the ROM 620. The processor 610 may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 630 into the RAM 622.

The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program 630 so that the device 600 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to FIGs. 2 and 4-5. The embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

In some embodiments, the program 630 may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device 600 (such as in the memory 620) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device 600. The device 600 may load the program 630 from the computer readable medium to the RAM 622 for execution. The computer readable medium may include any types of tangible non-volatile storage, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the computer readable medium 700 in form of CD or DVD. The computer readable medium has the program 630 stored thereon.

Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. While various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representations, it is to be understood that the block, device, system, technique or method described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor, to carry out the

methods

400 and 500 as described above with reference to FIGs. 4-5. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, such that the program codes, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions/operations specified in the flowcharts and/or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, device or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrier include a signal, computer readable medium, and the like.

The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, device, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM) , a read-only memory (ROM) , an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) , an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) , an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Further, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Although the present disclosure has been described in languages specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

A first device comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to:

receive, from a second device, a first message for configuring a set of bandwidth parts;

determine measurement gap capabilities for measuring a reference signal from the second device in each of the set of the bandwidth parts based on the first message and a frequency resource for measuring the reference signal; and

transmit, to the second device, a second message comprising information related to the measurement gap capabilities in each of the set of the bandwidth parts.
The first device of Claim 1, wherein the first message comprises a radio resource control, RRC message comprising configurations for the set of the bandwidth parts.
The first device of Claim 1, wherein the first message comprises a first radio resource control, RRC message indicating an update for configurations for the set of the bandwidth parts configured by the second device, the update comprising at least one of adding, removing, or changing one or more of the set of the bandwidth parts, or the frequency resource for measuring the reference signal.
The first device of Claim 1, wherein the measurement gap capabilities are determined based on one of the following:

a receipt of an indication from the second device,

a receipt of an indication from system information block from the second device, or

a determination of a change of configurations for the set of the bandwidth parts based on the first message.
The first device of Claim 1, wherein a band comprises the set of the bandwidth parts, and wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the first device to:

determine, based on the frequency resource for measuring the reference signal, a measurement gap required for measurement of the reference signal in at least one but not all of the set of the bandwidth parts; and

transmit, to the second device, a second RRC message comprising an indicator for indicating a difference between the band and the set of the bandwidth parts in terms of requirements of the measurement gap.
The first device of Claim 5, wherein the second message comprises a fourth RRC message, and wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to transmit the second message by:

receiving, from the second device, a third RRC message indicating a measurement gap pattern comprising measurement gap configurations for the set of the bandwidth parts; and

in accordance with a determination that the measurement gap pattern comprises at least one measurement gap configuration for at least one further bandwidth part not requiring the measurement gap in the set, transmitting, to the second device, the fourth RRC message comprising the information related to the measurement gap capabilities indicating at least a requirement of the measurement gap for the at least one bandwidth part.
The first device of Claim 6, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the first device to:

discard the at least one measurement gap configuration for the at least one further bandwidth part.
The first device of Claim 1, wherein a band comprises the set of the bandwidth parts, the second message comprises a fifth RRC message, and the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to transmit the second message by:

determining, based on the frequency resource for measuring the reference signal, a measurement gap required for measurement of the reference signal in at least one but not all of the set of the bandwidth parts; and

transmitting the fifth RRC message comprising the information related to the measurement gap capabilities indicating at least a requirement of the measurement gap for the at least one bandwidth part.
The first device of Claim 8, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the first device to:

receive, from the second device, a sixth RRC message indicating a target measurement gap pattern comprising at least one measurement gap configuration for the at least one bandwidth part.
The first device of Claim 5 or 8, wherein the second RRC message and the fifth RRC message each further comprises measurement gap information associated with the band, the measurement gap information indicating a requirement of the measurement gap for the band.
The first device of Claim 5 or 8, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the first device to:

transmit, to the second device, a further RRC message comprising measurement gap information associated with the band, the measurement gap information indicating a requirement of the measurement gap for the band.
The first device of Claim 6 or 8, wherein the information related to the measurement gap capabilities further indicates the measurement gap not required for measurement of the reference signal in at least one further bandwidth part in the set.
The first device of Claim 1, wherein the reference signal comprises one of a channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS, or a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block, SSB.
The first device of Claim 1, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device and a second device comprises one of a first network device providing a serving cell for the first device, or a second network device providing a neighbor cell for the first device.
A second device comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to:

transmit, to a first device, a first message for configuring a set of bandwidth parts; and

receive, from the first device, a second message comprising information related to measurement gap capabilities of the first device for measuring a reference signal in each of the set of the bandwidth parts.
The second device of Claim 15, wherein the first message comprises a radio resource control, RRC, message comprising configurations for the set of the bandwidth part.
The second device of Claim 16, wherein the first message comprises a first radio resource control, RRC message indicating an update for configurations for the set of the bandwidth parts configured by the second device, the update comprising at least one of adding, removing, or changing one or more of the set of the bandwidth parts, or the frequency resource for measuring the reference signal.
The second device of Claim 15, wherein the information related to measurement gap capabilities are determined based on one of the following:

a transmission of an indication from the second device,

a transmission of an indication from a system information block, or

a change of configurations for the set of the bandwidth parts determined based on the first message.
The second device of Claim 15, wherein a band comprises the set of the bandwidth parts, and wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the second device to:

receive, from the first device, a second RRC message comprising an indicator for indicating a difference between the band and the set of the bandwidth parts in terms of requirements of the measurement gap.
The second device of Claim 19, wherein the second message comprises a fourth RRC message, and wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to receive the second message by:

transmitting, to the first device, a third RRC message indicating a measurement gap pattern comprising measurement gap configurations for the set of the bandwidth parts; and

receiving, from the first device, the fourth RRC message comprising the information related to the measurement gap capabilities indicating at least a requirement of the measurement gap for at least one of the set of the bandwidth parts.
The second device of Claim 20, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the second device to:

in accordance with a determination that the measurement gap pattern comprises at least one measurement gap configuration for at least one further bandwidth part not requiring the measurement gap in the set, discard the at least one measurement gap configuration for the at least one further bandwidth part.
The second device of Claim 15, wherein a band comprises the set of the bandwidth parts, the second message comprises a fifth RRC message, and wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to receive the second message by:

receiving, from the first device, the fifth RRC message comprising the information related to the measurement gap capabilities indicating at least a requirement of the measurement gap for at least one of the set of the bandwidth parts.
The second device of Claim 22, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the second device to:

determine a target measurement gap pattern comprising a measurement gap configuration for the at least one bandwidth part; and

transmit, to the first device, a sixth RRC message indicating the target measurement gap pattern.
The second device of Claim 19 or 22, wherein the second RRC message and the fifth RRC message each further comprises measurement gap information associated with the band, the measurement gap information indicating a requirement of the measurement gap for the band.
The second device of Claim 19 or 22, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the first device to:

receive, from the first device, a further RRC message comprising measurement gap information associated with the band, the measurement gap information indicating a requirement of the measurement gap for the band.
The second device of Claim 20 or 22, wherein the information related to the measurement gap capabilities further indicates the measurement gap not required for measurement of the reference signal in at least one further bandwidth part in the set.
The first device of Claim 15, wherein the reference signal comprises one of a channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS, or a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block, SSB.
The second device of Claim 15, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device and a second device comprises one of a first network device providing a serving cell for the first device, or a second network device providing a neighbor cell for the first device.
A method comprising:

receiving, at a first device and from a second device, a first message for configuring a set of bandwidth parts;

determining measurement gap capabilities for measuring a reference signal from the second device in each of the set of the bandwidth parts based on the first message and a frequency resource for measuring the reference signal; and

transmitting, to the second device, a second message comprising information related to the measurement gap capabilities in each of the set of the bandwidth parts.
A method comprising:

transmitting, at a second device and to a first device, a first message for configuring a set of bandwidth parts; and

receiving, from the first device, a second message comprising information related to measurement gap capabilities of the first device for measuring a reference signal in each of the set of the bandwidth parts.
A first apparatus comprising:

means for receiving, from a second device, a first message for configuring a set of bandwidth parts;

means for determining measurement gap capabilities for measuring a reference signal from the second device in each of the set of the bandwidth parts based on the first message and a frequency resource for measuring the reference signal; and

means for transmitting, to the second device, a second message comprising information related to the measurement gap capabilities in each of the set of the bandwidth parts.
A second apparatus comprising:

means for transmitting, to a first device, a first message for configuring a set of bandwidth parts; and

means for receiving, from the first device, a second message comprising information related to measurement gap capabilities of the first device for measuring a reference signal in each of the set of the bandwidth parts.
A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method of Claim 29 or 30.