GB2638015A

GB2638015A - Apparatus, method and computer program

Info

Publication number: GB2638015A
Application number: GB2401916.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Henneberg Rysgaard Bent; Cauduro Dias De Paiva Rafael; Nielsen Kim
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2024-02-12
Filing date: 2024-02-12
Publication date: 2025-08-13
Also published as: GB202401916D0; WO2025172049A1

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus comprising means for receiving from a network node, at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap, means for providing an indication of a 5 self-interference metric of at least one transmission frequency of the apparatus to the network node, means for receiving, in response to the indication of the self-interference metric, an indication from the network to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency and means for activating or deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the indication.

Description

Apparatus, method and computer program

Field

The present application relates to a method, apparatus, system and computer program and in particular but not exclusively to uplink gaps for measurements in bands affected by maximum sensitivity degradation.

Background

A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as user terminals, base stations and/or other nodes by providing carriers between the various entities involved in the communications path. A communication system can be provided for example by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. The communication sessions may comprise, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, video, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and/or content data and so on. Non-limiting examples of services provided comprise two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services and access to a data network system, such as the Internet.

In a wireless communication system at least a part of a communication session between at least two stations occurs over a wireless link. Examples of wireless systems comprise public land mobile networks (PLMN), satellite-based communication systems and different wireless local networks, for example wireless local area networks (WLAN). Some wireless systems can be divided into cells and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

A user can access the communication system by means of an appropriate communication device or terminal. A communication device of a user may be referred to as user equipment (UE) or user device. A communication device is provided with an appropriate signal receiving and transmitting apparatus for enabling communications, for example enabling access to a communication network or communications directly with other users. The communication device may access a carrier provided by a station, for example a base station of a cell, and transmit and/or receive communications on the carrier.

The communication system and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. Communication protocols and/or parameters which shall be used for the connection are also typically defined. One example of a communications system is Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) (3G radio). Other examples of communication systems are the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology and so-called 5G or New Radio (NR) networks. NR is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Other examples of communication systems include 5G-Advanced (NR Rel-18 and beyond) and 6G.

Summary

In a first aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for receiving from a network node, at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap, means for providing an indication of a self-interference metric of at least one transmission frequency of the apparatus to the network node, means for receiving, in response to the indication of the self-interference metric, an indication from the network to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency and means for activating or deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the indication.

The at least one configuration may comprise a first configuration of the at least one measurement gap and a second configuration of the at least one measurement gap.

Activating or deactivating the at least one measurement gap may comprise activating or deactivating the first configuration of the at least one measurement gap or the second configuration of the at least one measurement gap or switching between the first configuration of the at least one measurement gap and the second configuration of the at least one measurement gap.

The apparatus may comprise means for measuring or estimating, at the apparatus, the self-interference metric of the at least one transmission frequency.

The apparatus may comprise means for providing capability information to the network node, the capability information indicating that the apparatus can activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency.

The apparatus may comprise means for receiving a configuration from the network node to report at least one measurement gap that is maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, specific; and means for reporting an indication to the network of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one of at least one transmission frequency and at least one measurement frequency, based on MSD via a UE assistance information.

The apparatus may comprise means for receiving configuration for configuring the at least one transmission frequency to be monitored in relation to MSD via radio resource control message.

The at least one configuration of the at least one measurement gap may comprise at least one of a configuration of a gap for measurement, a configuration of an interruption or a configuration of gapless measurements.

The at least one configuration may be associated with at least one measurement frequency.

The self-interference metric may comprise power headroom.

The apparatus may be a user equipment or a chipset of a user equipment.

In a second aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for providing at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap to a user equipment, means for receiving an indication of a self-interference metric of at least one transmission frequency from the user equipment at the apparatus, means for determining to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap based on the received self-interference metric and means for, based on the determining, providing an indication to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency to the user equipment.

The apparatus may comprise means for determining at least one maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, value based on the received self-interference metric.

Determining to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency may be further based on the determined at least one MSD value.

The apparatus may comprise means for determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is above at least one MSD threshold and means for determining to activate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

The apparatus may comprise means for determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is below the at least one MSD threshold and means for determining to deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

The apparatus may comprise means for configuring the user equipment to report at least one measurement gap that is maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, specific and means for receiving a report from the user equipment of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one of the at least one transmission frequency and the at least one measurement frequency based on the at least one MSD value via a UE assistance information.

The at least one configuration may configure at least one transmission frequency to be monitored in relation to MSD via radio resource control message.

The apparatus may comprise means for receiving capability information from the user equipment, the capability information indicating that the user equipment can activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency.

The self-interference metric may comprise power headroom.

The apparatus may comprise an access node of a network.

In a third aspect there is provided a method comprising receiving from a network node, at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap, providing an indication of a self-interference metric of at least one transmission frequency of an apparatus to the network node, receiving, in response to the indication of the self-interference metric, an indication from the network to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency and activating or deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the indication.

The method may comprise measuring or estimating, at the apparatus, the self-interference metric of the at least one transmission frequency.

The method may comprise providing capability information to the network node, the capability information indicating that the apparatus can activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency.

The method may comprise receiving a configuration from the network node to report at least one measurement gap that is maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, specific; and reporting an indication to the network of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one of at least one transmission frequency and at least one measurement frequency, based on MSD via a UE assistance information.

The method may comprise receiving configuration for configuring the at least one transmission frequency to be monitored in relation to MSD via radio resource control message.

The self-interference metric may comprise power headroom.

The apparatus may be a user equipment or a chipset of a user equipment.

In a fourth aspect there is provided a method comprising providing at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap to a user equipment, receiving an indication of a self-interference metric of at least one transmission frequency from the user equipment at the apparatus, determining to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap based on the received self-interference metric and based on the determining, providing an indication to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency to the user equipment.

The method may comprise determining at least one maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, value based on the received self-interference metric.

The method may comprise determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is above at least one MSD threshold and determining to activate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the 20 determining.

The method may comprise determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is below the at least one MSD threshold and determining to deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

The method may comprise configuring the user equipment to report at least one measurement gap that is maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, specific and receiving a report from the user equipment of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one of the at least one transmission frequency and the at least one measurement frequency based on the at least one MSD value via a UE assistance information.

The method may comprise receiving capability information from the user equipment, the capability information indicating that the user equipment can activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency.

The self-interference metric may comprise power headroom.

The method may be performed at an access node of a network.

In a fifth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive from a network node, at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap, provide an indication of a self-interference metric of at least one transmission frequency of the apparatus to the network node, receive, in response to the indication of the self-interference metric, an indication from the network to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency and activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the indication.

The apparatus may be caused to measure or estimate, at the apparatus, the self-interference metric of the at least one transmission frequency.

The apparatus may be caused to provide capability information to the network node, the capability information indicating that the apparatus can activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency.

The apparatus may be caused to receive a configuration from the network node to report at least one measurement gap that is maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, specific; and report an indication to the network of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one of at least one transmission frequency and at least one measurement frequency, based on MSD via a UE assistance information.

The apparatus may be caused to receive configuration for configuring the at least one transmission frequency to be monitored in relation to MSD via radio resource control message.

The self-interference metric may comprise power headroom.

The apparatus may be a user equipment or a chipset of a user equipment.

In a sixth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus at least to provide at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap to a user equipment, receive an indication of a self-interference metric ofat least one transmission frequency from the user equipment at the apparatus, determine to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap based on the received self-interference metric and based on the determining, provide an indication to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency to the user equipment.

The apparatus may be caused to determine at least one maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, value based on the received self-interference metric.

The apparatus may be caused to determine that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is above at least one MSD threshold and determine to activate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

The apparatus maybe caused to determine that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is below the at least one MSD threshold and determine to deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

The apparatus may be caused to configure the user equipment to report at least one measurement gap that is maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, specific and receive a report from the user equipment of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one of the at least one transmission frequency and the at least one measurement frequency based on the at least one MSD value via a UE assistance information.

The apparatus may be caused to receive capability information from the user equipment, the capability information indicating that the user equipment can activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency.

The self-interference metric may comprise power headroom.

The apparatus may comprise an access node of a network.

In a seventh aspect there is provided a computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving from a network node, at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap; providing an indication of a self-interference metric of at least one transmission frequency of the apparatus to the network node, receiving, in response to the indication of the self-interference metric, an indication from the network to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency and activating or deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the indication.

The apparatus may be caused to perform measuring or estimating, at the apparatus, the self-interference metric of the at least one transmission frequency.

The apparatus may be caused to perform providing capability information to the network node, the capability information indicating that the apparatus can activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency.

The apparatus may be caused to perform receiving a configuration from the network node to report at least one measurement gap that is maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, specific; and reporting an indication to the network of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one of at least one transmission frequency and at least one measurement frequency, based on MSD via a UE assistance information.

The apparatus may be caused to perform receiving configuration for configuring the at least one transmission frequency to be monitored in relation to MSD via radio resource control message.

The self-interference metric may comprise power headroom.

The apparatus may be a user equipment or a chipset of a user equipment.

In an eight aspect there is provided a computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: providing at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap to a user equipment, receiving an indication of a self-interference metric of at least one transmission frequency from the user equipment at the apparatus, determining to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap based on the received self-interference metric and based on the determining, providing an indication to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency to the user equipment.

The apparatus may be caused to perform determining at least one maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, value based on the received self-interference metric.

The apparatus may be caused to perform determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is above at least one MSD threshold and determining to activate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

The apparatus may be caused to perform determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is below the at least one MSD threshold and determining to deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

The apparatus may be caused to perform configuring the user equipment to report at least one measurement gap that is maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, specific and means for receiving a report from the user equipment of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one of the at least one transmission frequency and the at least one measurement frequency based on the at least one MSD value via a UE assistance information.

The apparatus may be caused to perform receiving capability information from the user equipment, the capability information indicating that the user equipment can activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency.

The self-interference metric may comprise power headroom.

The apparatus may comprise an access node of a network.

In a ninth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for receiving from a network node, at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap, means for determining a self-interference condition due to at least one transmission frequency of the apparatus, means for determining to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determined self-interference condition and means for activating or deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

The apparatus may comprise means for measuring or estimating, at the apparatus, a self-interference metric of the at least one transmission frequency and means for determining the self-interference condition based on the self-interference metric and a self-interference threshold.

The self-interference metric may comprise power headroom.

The apparatus may comprise means for determining at least one maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, value based on the self-interference condition.

The apparatus may comprise means for determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is above at least one MSD threshold and means for activating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

The apparatus may comprise means for determining that the at least one MSD value due to at least one second transmission frequency is above the at least one MSD threshold and means for activating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one second transmission frequency based on the determining.

The apparatus may comprise means for determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency or the at least one second transmission frequency is below the at least one MSD threshold and means for deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency and for the at least one second transmission frequency based on the determining.

The apparatus may comprise means for providing an indication to the network node that the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency has been activated or deactivated.

The apparatus may comprise means for providing capability information to the network node, the capability information indicating that the apparatus can activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determined self-interference condition.

The apparatus may comprise means for receiving an indication from the network of a configuration to report the at least one measurement gap due to self-interference from the at least one transmission frequency and means for providing an indication to the network of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one of the at least one transmission frequency and the at least one measurement frequency which is subject to self-interference.

The configuration may configure at least one transmission frequency to be monitored for self-interference.

The configuration of the at least one measurement gap may comprise at least one of a configuration of a gap for measurement, a configuration of an interruption or a configuration of gapless measurements.

The self-interference condition may comprise a sensitivity degradation due to at least one of uplink harmonic interference, receiver harmonic mixing, intermodulation interference or cross band isolation issues.

The apparatus may be a user equipment or a chipset of a user equipment.

In a tenth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for providing at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap to a user equipment and means for receiving an indication from the user equipment that the at least one measurement gap for at least one transmission frequency has been activated or deactivated.

The apparatus may comprise means for configuring the user equipment to report the at least one measurement gap due to self-interference from the at least one transmission frequency and means for receiving an indication from the user equipment of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one transmission frequency and at least one measurement frequency which is subject to self-interference.

The configuration may provide an indication of the at least one transmission frequency to be monitored for self-interference.

The apparatus may comprise an access node of the network.

In an eleventh aspect there is provided a method comprising receiving from a network node, at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap, determining a self-interference condition due to at least one transmission frequency of an apparatus, determining to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determined self-interference condition and activating or deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

The method may comprise measuring or estimating, at the apparatus, a self-interference metric of the at least one transmission frequency and means for determining the self-interference condition based on the self-interference metric and a self-interference threshold.

The self-interference metric may comprise power headroom.

The method may comprise determining at least one maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, value based on the self-interference condition.

The method may comprise determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is above at least one MSD threshold and activating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

The method may comprise determining that the at least one MSD value due to at least one second transmission frequency is above the at least one MSD threshold and activating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one second transmission frequency based on the determining.

The method may comprise determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency or the at least one second transmission frequency is below the at least one MSD threshold and deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency and for the at least one second transmission frequency based on the determining.

The method may comprise providing an indication to the network node that the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency has been activated or deactivated.

The method may comprise providing capability information to the network node, the capability information indicating that the apparatus can activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determined self-interference condition.

The method may comprise receiving an indication from the network of a configuration to report the at least one measurement gap due to self-interference from the at least one transmission frequency and providing an indication to the network of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one of the at least one transmission frequency and the at least one measurement frequency which is subject to self-interference.

The apparatus may be a user equipment or a chipset of a user equipment.

In a twelfth aspect there is provided a method comprising providing at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap to a user equipment and receiving an indication from the user equipment that the at least one measurement gap for at least one transmission frequency has been activated or deactivated.

The method may comprise configuring the user equipment to report the at least one measurement gap due to self-interference from the at least one transmission frequency and receiving an indication from the user equipment of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one transmission frequency and at least one measurement frequency which is subject to self-interference.

The method may be performed at an access node of the network.

In a thirteenth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive from a network node, at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap, determine a self-interference condition due to at least one transmission frequency of the apparatus, determine to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determined self-interference condition and activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

The apparatus may be caused to measure or estimate, at the apparatus, a self-interference metric of the at least one transmission frequency and determine the self-interference condition based on the self-interference metric and a self-interference threshold.

The self-interference metric may comprise power headroom.

The apparatus may be caused to determine at least one maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, value based on the self-interference condition.

The apparatus may be caused to determine that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is above at least one MSD threshold and activate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

The apparatus may be caused to determine that the at least one MSD value due to at least one second transmission frequency is above the at least one MSD threshold and activate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one second transmission frequency based on the determining.

The apparatus may be caused to determine that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency or the at least one second transmission frequency is below the at least one MSD threshold and deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency and for the at least one second transmission frequency based on the determining.

The apparatus may be caused to provide an indication to the network node that the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency has been activated or deactivated.

The apparatus may be caused to provide capability information to the network node, the capability information indicating that the apparatus can activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determined self-interference condition.

The apparatus may be caused to receive an indication from the network of a configuration to report the at least one measurement gap due to self-interference from the at least one transmission frequency and provide an indication to the network of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one of the at least one transmission frequency and the at least one measurement frequency which is subject to self-interference.

The apparatus may be a user equipment or a chipset of a user equipment.

In a fourteenth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus at least to provide at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap to a user equipment and receive an indication from the user equipment that the at least one measurement gap for at least one transmission frequency has been activated or deactivated.

The apparatus may be caused to configure the user equipment to report the at least one measurement gap due to self-interference from the at least one transmission frequency and receive an indication from the user equipment of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one transmission frequency and at least one measurement frequency which is subject to self-interference.

The apparatus may comprise an access node of the network.

In a fifteenth aspect there is provided a computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving from a network node, at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap; determining a self-interference condition due to at least one transmission frequency of the apparatus, determining to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determined self-interference condition and activating or deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

The apparatus may be caused to perform measuring or estimating, at the apparatus, a self-interference metric of the at least one transmission frequency and means for determining the self-interference condition based on the self-interference metric and a self-interference 30 threshold.

The self-interference metric may comprise power headroom.

The apparatus may be caused to perform determining at least one maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, value based on the self-interference condition.

The apparatus may be caused to perform determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is above at least one MSD threshold and activating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

The apparatus may be caused to perform determining that the at least one MSD value due to at least one second transmission frequency is above the at least one MSD threshold and activating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one second transmission frequency based on the determining.

The apparatus may be caused to perform determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency or the at least one second transmission frequency is below the at least one MSD threshold and deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency and for the at least one second transmission frequency based on the determining.

The apparatus may be caused to perform providing an indication to the network node that the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency has been activated or deactivated.

The apparatus may be caused to perform providing capability information to the network node, the capability information indicating that the apparatus can activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determined self-interference condition.

The apparatus may be caused to perform receiving an indication from the network of a configuration to report the at least one measurement gap due to self-interference from the at least one transmission frequency and providing an indication to the network of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one of the at least one transmission frequency and the at least one measurement frequency which is subject to self-interference.

The apparatus may be a user equipment or a chipset of a user equipment.

In a sixteenth aspect there is provided a computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: providing at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap to a user equipment and receiving an indication from the user equipment that the at least one measurement gap for at least one transmission frequency has been activated or deactivated.

The apparatus may be caused to perform configuring the user equipment to report the at least one measurement gap due to self-interference from the at least one transmission frequency and receive an indication from the user equipment of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one transmission frequency and at least one measurement frequency which is subject to self-interference.

The apparatus may comprise an access node of the network.

In an aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the any of the above aspects.

In the above, many different embodiments have been described. It should be appreciated that further embodiments may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the embodiments described above.

Description of Figures

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example 5GS communication system; Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an example mobile communication device; Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an example control apparatus; Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a transceiver with four front-end modules supporting different frequency bands; Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the relation between MSD value and UE output power; Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of legacy NR measurement gap configuration; Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of self-interference in gapless configurations; Figure 8 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment; Figure 9 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment; Figure 10 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment; Figure 11 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment; Figure 12 shows a signalling diagram according to an example embodiment; Figure 13 shows a signalling diagram according to an example embodiment.

Detailed description

Before explaining the examples in detail, certain general principles of a wireless communication system and mobile communication devices are briefly explained with reference to Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the described examples.

An example of a suitable communications system is the 5G or NR concept. Network architecture in NR may be similar to that of LTE-advanced. Base stations of NR systems may be known as next generation NodeBs (gNBs). Changes to the network architecture may depend on the need to support various radio technologies and finer Quality of Service (QoS) support, and some on-demand requirements for e.g. QoS levels to support Quality of Experience (QoE) for a user. Also network aware services and applications, and service and application aware networks may bring changes to the architecture. Those are related to Information Centric Network (ION) and User-Centric Content Delivery Network (UC-CDN) approaches. NR may use Multiple Input -Multiple Output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than the LTE (a so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in co-operation with smaller stations and perhaps also employing a variety of radio technologies for better coverage and enhanced data rates.

Future networks may utilise network functions virtualization (NFV) which is a network architecture concept that proposes virtualizing network node functions into "building blocks" or entities that may be operationally connected or linked together to provide services. A virtualized network function (VNF) may comprise one or more virtual machines running computer program codes using standard or general type servers instead of customized hardware. Cloud computing or data storage may also be utilized. In radio communications this may mean node operations to be carried out, at least partly, in a server, host or node operationally coupled to a remote radio head. It is also possible that node operations will be distributed among a plurality of servers, nodes or hosts. It should also be understood that the distribution of labour between core network operations and base station operations may differ from that of the LTE or even be non-existent.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a 5G system (5GS) 100. The 5GS may comprise a user equipment (UE) 102 (which may also be referred to as a communication device or a terminal), a 5G radio access network (5GRAN) 104, a 5G core network (5GCN) 106, one or more internal or external application functions (AF) 108 and one or more data networks (DN) 110.

An example 5G core network (CN) comprises functional entities. The 5GCN 106 may comprise one or more Access and mobility Management Functions (AMF) 112, one or more session management functions (SMF) 114, an authentication server function (AUSF) 116, a Unified Data Management (UDM) 118, one or more user plane functions (UPF) 120, a Unified Data Repository (UDR) 122 and/or a Network Exposure Function (NEF) 124. The UPF is controlled by the SMF (Session Management Function) that receives policies from a PCF (Policy Control Function).

The CN is connected to a UE via the Radio Access Network (RAN). The 5GRAN may comprise one or more gNodeB (gNB) Distributed Unit (DU) functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) Centralized Unit (CU) functions. The RAN may comprise one or more access nodes.

A User Plane Function (UPF) referred to as PDU Session Anchor (PSA) may be responsible for forwarding frames back and forth between the DN and the tunnels established over the 5G towards the UE(s) exchanging traffic with the DN.

A possible mobile communication device will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 2 showing a schematic, partially sectioned view of a communication device 200. Such a communication device is often referred to as user equipment (UE) or terminal. An appropriate mobile communication device may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples comprise a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a 'smart phone', a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, voice over IP (VolP) phones, 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), smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), or any combinations of these or the like. A mobile communication device may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and so on. Users may thus be offered and provided numerous services via their communication devices. Non-limiting examples of these services comprise two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services or simply an access to a data communications network system, such as the Internet. Users may also be provided broadcast or multicast data. Non-limiting examples of the content comprise downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alerts, and other information.

A mobile device is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 201, at least one memory 202 and other possible components 203 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The data processing, storage and other relevant components can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and/or in chipsets.

This feature is denoted by reference 204. The user may control the operation of the mobile device by means of a suitable user interface such as key pad 205, voice commands, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. A display 208, a speaker and a microphone can be also provided. Furthermore, a mobile communication device may comprise appropriate connectors (either wired or wireless) to other devices and/or for connecting external accessories, for example hands-free equipment, thereto.

The mobile device 200 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 207 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 2 transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 206. The transceiver apparatus 206 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

Figure 3 shows an example of a control apparatus 300 for a communication system, for example to be coupled to and/or for controlling a station of an access system, such as a RAN node, e.g. a base station, eNB or gNB, a relay node or a core network node such as an MME or Serving Gateway (S-GVV) or Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GVV), or a core network function such as AM F/SM F, or a server or host. The method may be implemented in a single control apparatus or across more than one control apparatus. The control apparatus may be integrated with or external to a node or module of a core network or RAN. In some embodiments, base stations comprise a separate control apparatus unit or module. In other embodiments, the control apparatus can be another network element such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. In some embodiments, each base station may have such a control apparatus as well as a control apparatus being provided in a radio network controller.

The control apparatus 300 can be arranged to provide control on communications in the service area of the system. The control apparatus 300 comprises at least one memory 301, at least one data processing unit 302, 303 and an input/output interface 304. Via the interface the control apparatus can be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the base station. The receiver and/or the transmitter may be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head.

A UE may be operated with more than one transceiver active at different spectrum allocations, e.g., in carrier aggregation or dual connectivity. In this scenario, the UE radio hardware is potentially subject to cause self-interference. There are different mechanisms that cause this self-interference and there are different occurrences of these conditions in the cellular system of 3GPP.

Self-interference may be defined as a UE transmitter that has spectrum content, harmonic response, or harmonic products that create interference inside an active receive band of the same UE. What determines the occurrence of self-interference is the frequency location of the simultaneous transmission and reception activities at the UE. The coupling of the transmitted signal to the receiver may happens through printed circuit boards (PCB) and through antennas, which makes the impact depend on, e.g., PCB or antenna design.

Figure 4 shows an example transceiver which may be subject to self-interference. In the example shown in Figure 4 there is coupling between the 600MHz -1GHz antenna and the 1.7-2.1GHz antenna.

UL harmonics may cause self-interference in the other DL component carrier since the harmonic of the uplink falls inside the other DL component carrier bandwidth at the fundamental carrier frequency of the downlink band.

Harmonic mixing may cause self-interference when a combination of the UL fundamental/harmonic coincides with the DL harmonic of the other DL component.

Cross band (or cross band isolation issues) is an example of self-interference when the output spectrum of the UL component carrier falls inside the DL component carrier bandwidth. This can be considered as adjacent channel leakage of the transmitter, where the leakage depends on the non-linear behaviour of the power amplifier.

IMD, Intermodulation Distortion, occurs when two UL component carriers intermodulate (mixes) and the product of the mixing of the UL component carriers fall inside the receiver band of one or the other DL component carrier bandwidth at the fundamental carrier frequency of the downlink band.

There are different types of sources in the UE that may lead to self-interference. The sources can be regarded as belonging to two groups as shown in Table 1. In the first group, one UL component carrier is used in a band combination and in the second group there are two uplink component carriers. UL2/DL1 means the second harmonic of the uplink can match the fundamental (1) of the downlink.

1 UL Relation UL Harmonic UL2/DL1 UL3/DL1 UL4/DL1 UL5/DL1 Harmonic mixing UL1/DL2 UL1/DL3 UL1/DL4 UL1/DL5 UL2/DL3 UL3/DL4 UL4/DL3 Cross band UL1/DL1 2UL Relation bands A & B IMD2 UL1A-UL1B UL1B-UL1A UL1A+UL1B IMD3 UL2A-UL1B UL2B-UL1A UL2A+UL1B UL2B+UL1A IMD4 3A/B-1A/B, 3A/B+1A/B, 2A/B-2A/B, 2A/B+2A/B combinations IMDS 3A/B-2A/B, 3A/B+2A/B, 4A/B-1A/B, 4A/B+1A/B combinations Table 1: Split of self-interference types into 2 groups, one with 1 uplink source and a second with 2 uplink sources for the self-interference, not limiting the option for more than 2 sources of self-interference.

Looking at the 2 CA and 3 CA band combinations, roughly half of the 2 CA cases (and growing) may have an issue with self-interference. For the three CA cases, the IMD that falls inside the third band adds to occurrences, since the fallback (2 CA) issues remain in the 3-band combination.. Self-interference is not necessarily triggered in each case, since self-interference depends on the exact channel allocation of all active spectrum.

The band combinations are not limited to active Uu connections, the radio configurations of the simultaneous active radio hardware can depend on network managed measurement reporting.

A UE has both the aggressor and victim role in the UE self-interference cases that occurs for some of the band combinations. The uplink (TX) signal that causes the presence of the interference in the receive band is called the aggressor and may be either one or two band uplink combinations. The receive band of the UE where the product of the TX aggressor(s) end up is called the RX victim band. There can be more than one victim and more than one aggressor. A UE can be expected to contain a table that links self-interference affected band combinations with MSD (Maximum sensitivity degradation) value along with type of MSD case, and the order of the products that causes the interference. It cannot be excluded that an advanced UE has a method to derive an MSD value. Figure 5 shows a relation of the UE memory and method mapping the content onto the TX aggressor and RX victim band.

An MSD value may be defined as the level of relaxation the UE requires to be compliant with the normal reference sensitivity requirements. The relaxation is required since the TX aggressor(s) will cause an interference level increase matching the MSD value. If the MSD value is e.g. 21dB for a third order uplink harmonic that falls inside the RX victim band the type and order also determine the output power level of the TX aggressor at which no self-interference is present. When the UE output power is relaxed by 1 dB from the maximum output power level the level of the aggressor reduces the self-interference by 3dB, meaning that in case the MSD value is 21dB a reduction of the output power by 7dB would not cause any self-interference. This is shown at the right in Figure 5 as the UE output power SI (self-interference) that equals or matches the MSD value divided by the order of the MSD type.

This relation means that anytime the MSD value is known, the self-interference "free" output power range is known, as well as the top output power range in which the UE will suffer from self-interference as indicated with a "{" marking in Figure 5.

In existing RAN2 and RAN4 specification pre-configured gaps are defined. This type of gap is configured by the network and remains deactivated until one activation condition is met. A pre-configured measurement gap (MG) may be activated without an explicit activation command during BWP switching, SCell activation/deactivation, addition/removal of measurement objects or addition/release/change of a SCell in carrier aggregation. Additionally, pre-configured MGs for positioning may be activated/deactivated via explicit MAC CE signaling.

In this approach, the UE may request the measurement gap activation/deactivation via a UL MAC CE message, and the network may send a positioning measurement gap activation/deactivation command via a DL MAC CE message.

In legacy measurement gap handling, the network will configure measurement gaps per FR (NR), per UE (NR/LTE) or per CC (LTE). That means that the device will create gaps for all CCs for frequencies to measure per FR or per UE or that all frequencies to measure will have a measurement gap for a specific CC. An example of per UE is shown in Figure 6 for a single carrier configuration.

The measurement gap may cause loss of network capacity, since all the component carriers are temporarily stopped for data transmission/reception. In order to avoid that problem, it is desirable to utilize the UE radio hardware configurability of supporting multiple active radio paths simultaneously so that a UE can support the measurement of Figure 6 without measurement gap assistance. The problem of this improved hardware capability of UE designs is that the scheduling considerations for these gapless configurations doesn't account for UE self-interference, which may lead to inaccurate inter-frequency measurement occasions as shown in Figure 7.

Currently, a UE that experiences MSD degradation only for certain band combinations is forced not to support the feature simultaneousRxTxlnterBandCA. As a result, this UE will always have UL scheduling restrictions for inter-frequency measurements, even for combination of target and serving frequency which does not cause UE self-interference degradation.

The following aims to enable gapless measurement configurations in simultaneous active radio paths, that are subject to self-interference.

Figure 8 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed at an apparatus, e.g., a UE as described with reference to Figure 2.

In 801, the method comprises means for receiving from a network node, at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap.

In 802, the method comprises providing an indication of a self-interference metric of at least one transmission frequency of the apparatus to the network node.

In 803, the method comprises receiving, in response to the indication of the self-interference metric, an indication from the network to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency.

In 804, the method comprises activating or deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the indication.

Figure 9 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed at an apparatus, such as the access node of a network.

In 901, the method comprises providing at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap to a user equipment.

In 902, the method comprises receiving an indication of a self-interference metric of at least one transmission frequency from the user equipment at the apparatus.

In 903, the method comprises determining to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap based on the received self-interference metric.

In 904, the method comprises, based on the determining, providing an indication to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency to the user equipment.

Figure 10 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed at an apparatus, e.g. a UE as described with reference to Figure 2.

In 1001, the method comprises receiving from a network node, at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap.

In 1002, the method comprises determining a self-interference condition due to at least one transmission frequency of the apparatus.

In 1003, the method comprises determining to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determined self-interference condition.

In 1004, the method comprises activating or deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

A method as described with reference to Figure 10 may comprise providing an indication to the network node that the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency has been activated or deactivated.

Figure 11 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed at an apparatus such as an access node of a network.

In 1101, the method comprises providing at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap to a user equipment.

In 1102, the method comprises receiving an indication from the user equipment that the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency has been activated or deactivated.

The at least one configuration referred to in the methods of Figures 8 to 11 may be associated with at least one measurement frequency.

The at least one configuration may comprise a first configuration of the at least one measurement gap and a second configuration of the at least one measurement gap. Activating or deactivating the at least one measurement gap may comprise activating or deactivating the first configuration of the at least one measurement gap or the second configuration of the at least one measurement gap or switching between the first configuration of the at least one measurement gap and the second configuration of the at least one measurement gap.

Activate or deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency may also be referred to as activating or deactivating the at least one measurement gap on the at least one transmission frequency.

An example of a measurement configuration is shown in Table 2 where a CC with TX and measurement frequency combination (Freq 1 to 3) will be configured for either a full measurement gap, for interruptions prior and post measurements or truly gapless.

Freq 1 Freq 2 Freq 3 CC with TX Gap Interruption

Table 2

In legacy, if there is any change in self-interference for the combination of the CC with TX and Freq 1 or for the combination of the CC with TX and Freq 3, a measurement gap would be configured. The methods as described with respect to Figures 9 to 11 allow the configuration of Table 3 which provides multiple configurations for individual CC and frequencies to measure combinations.

Freq 1 Freq 2 Freq 3 CC with TX Gap Gap/Interruption Gap/Gapless

Table 3

In Table 3, the combination of the CC with TX and Freq 2 has a double configuration e.g., a first configuration, which comprises a measurement gap, and a second configuration of the which comprises interruption-based configuration. The combination of the CC with TX and Freq 3 has another double configuration, e.g., first configuration (a measurement gap) and a second configuration (gapless).

The double configurations allow a change of configuration depending on the self-interference occurrence. If self-interference starts to influence the measurements of Freq 2 and/or Freq 3, the configuration can change to measurement gaps, in which case, there is no self-interference, since the source (TX) is Off, but an impact to data transfer as there are scheduling restrictions during a measurement gap, meaning no data transfer at all.

TX gaps are only used if needed for MSD. In the example shown in Table 3 for a combination of the CC with TX and Freq 2, if MSD is an issue, there is a measurement gap, whereas if there is no MSD issue, interruptions are configured. This is an example of switching between the first configuration of the at least one measurement gap and the second configuration of the at least one measurement gap.

It is assumed a UE is aware of self-interference occurrence in a band combination of the active link and the frequency at which the UE must make a measurement. This awareness may be created either through NW messaging to the UE that the combination causes self-interference, or the UE has a method that allows it to identify the occurrence of self-interference from the combination of active frequency bands and frequency allocations within the bands.

Determining a self-interference condition due to at least one transmission frequency of the apparatus may be based on a self-interference metric. Determining a self-interference condition may be further based on a self-interference threshold. The self-interference metric may be power headroom.

The self-interference metric may be measured or estimated at an apparatus, e.g. a UE.

The self-interference condition may comprise a sensitivity degradation due to at least one of uplink harmonic interference, receiver harmonic mixing, intermodulation interference or cross band isolation issues, for example as described above with reference to Table 1.

A method may comprise determining at least one maximum sensitivity degradation (MSD) value based on the self-interference condition. Determining to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency may be further based on the determined at least one MSD value.

Based on an evaluation of MSD levels at UE side, the UE can decide on which gap configuration to use at any point in time. Alternatively, or in addition, the network may control triggers to change configuration and timing of the change.

Determining to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency may be further based on a MSD threshold.

In an example embodiment, a method may comprise determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is above at least one MSD threshold and means for activating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

In an example embodiment, a method may comprise determining that the at least one MSD value due to at least one second transmission frequency is above the at least one MSD threshold and activating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one second transmission frequency based on the determining.

In an example embodiment, a method may comprise determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency or the at least one second transmission frequency is below the at least one MSD threshold and deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency and for the at least one second transmission frequency based on the determining.

Two options are provided to allow a UE to determining to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency, a NW based solution as described with reference to Figures 8 and 9 and a UE based solution as described with reference to Figures 10 and 11.

In the NW based solution as described with reference to Figures 8 and 9, the network node provides an indication to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency to the user equipment and the UE determines to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the indication.

In an example embodiment, for the NW based solution, the NW estimates the actual MSD based on knowledge of the MSD tables. The NW may estimate the MSD further based on a MSD performance information (an example of a self-interference metric) provided by the UE.

A signaling example is given for a NW based MSD handling scenario in Figure 12.

In step 1, the UE and NW establishes a common understanding of the support of MSD based measurement gap-handling.

In step 2, the NW asks the UE for UE capabilities.

In step 3, the UE answers with the general capabilities which is extended with information that the UE supports multiple gap configurations dependent on MSD capabilities. This is an example of providing capability information to the network node, the capability information indicating that the apparatus can activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency.

In step 4, the NW configures the device, including information about the support of MSD based measurement gap configurations. This is an example of configuring the user equipment to report at least one measurement gap that is maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, specific.

In step 5, the UE reports its need for gaps and interruptions based on the configuration. This is an example of reporting an indication to the network of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one of at least one transmission frequency and at least one measurement frequency, based on MSD. This indication may be reported via a UE assistance information.

In step 6, the NW configures the UE for measurements, and includes information that measurement gaps shall be handled in relation to MSD, meaning, if MSD is not an issue, then there are may be interruptions, gaps or measurements without gaps, based on the UE report, but if the transmit power is increased and MSD becomes an issue, then gaps are used. This is an example of a UE receiving configuration for configuring the at least one transmission frequency to be monitored in relation to MSD via radio resource control message. This configuration may be provided via RRC message. In an example embodiment, full gaps are needed when MSD is an issue and network controlled small gaps (NCSG) are used when MSD is not as issue to ensure small gaps for potential interruptions. In this case, only TX gaps are needed, not TX/RX gaps.

In step 7, the UE is now configured to perform measurements based on MSD.

In step 8, the normal closed loop power control is continuously running in the NW and here, the NW decides to increase the transmit power as part of the normal regulation of power due to power control.

In step 9, the UE reports the power headroom. In this example PHR is still below the threshold for MSD In step 10, the NW increases the transmit power.

In step 11, the UE reports the power headroom. In this example PHR is above the threshold for MSD, as a result TX gaps might be needed.

In step 12, the MAC CE command for MSD gap activation is sent to the UE. The NW establishes that the TX of the UE is causing MSD when performing measurements.

Therefore, the UE should start creating gaps when performing measurements. This is an example of determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is above at least one MSD threshold, determining to activate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining and providing an indication to activate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency to the user equipment.

In step 13, the NW turns down the power.

In step 14, the UE reports the power headroom. After this TX Power command, power is reduced and PHR becomes below the threshold.

In step 15, a MAC CE command for MSD gap deactivation is sent to the UE. The NW establishes that the TX of the UE no longer causes MSD when performing measurements. Therefore, the UE should stop creating gaps when performing measurements. This is an example of determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is below the at least one MSD threshold, determining to deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining and providing an indication to deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency to the user equipment.

In steps 16 and 17, the NW activates SCELL.

The activation of an SCELL may cause MSD when performing measurements. Therefore, in step 8, the NW instructs the UE to establish gaps when performing measurements (in MAC CE). This is an example of determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is above at least one MSD threshold, determining to activate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining and providing an indication to activate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency to the user equipment.

A signaling example is given for a UE based MSD handling scenario in Figure 13.

For an example UE based solution, the UE is able to determine the actual MSD based on knowledge of self-interference and the actual TX power.

In step 1, the UE and NW establish a common understanding of the support of MSD based measurement gap handling.

In step 2, the NW asks the UE for UE capabilities.

In step 3, the UE answers with the general capabilities which is extended with information about the UE able to estimate MSD for during DC/CA operation, whether the TX of the UE will cause a degradation of measurement quality and information that the UE supports multiple gap configurations dependent on MSD capabilities. This is an example of providing capability information to the network node, the capability information indicating that the apparatus can activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determined self-interference condition.

In step 4, the NW configures the device and includes information about the support of MSD based measurement gap configurations. This is an example of receiving an indication from the network at the UE of a configuration to report the at least one measurement gap due to self-interference from the at least one transmission frequency.

In step 5, the UE reports its need for gaps and interruptions based on the configuration. This is an example of providing an indication to the network of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one of the at least one transmission frequency and the at least one measurement frequency which is subject to self-interference. In this example, the configuration configures at least one transmission frequency to be monitored for self-interference.

In step 6, the NW configures the UE for measurements, and includes information that measurement gaps shall be handled in relation to MSD, meaning, if MSD is not an issue, then there are interruptions or pure gapless, based on UE request, but if MSD becomes an issue, then gaps are used. In this case, only TX gaps are created, not TX/RX gaps.

In step 7, the UE is now configured to perform measurements based on MSD.

In step 8, a closed loop power control is continuously running in the NW and here, the NW decides to turn up the power as part of the regulation of power due to power control.

In step 9, the UE establishes that the TX of the PCELL is causing MSD when performing measurements. Therefore, the UE will start creating gaps when performing measurements.

The UE informs the NW that it will establish gaps when performing measurements (in MAC CE). This is an example of determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is above at least one MSD threshold and means for activating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

In step 10, the NW turns down the TX power.

In step 11, the UE estimates that the TX power is no longer causing MSD when performing measurements. Therefore, the UE no longer causes TX gaps and the NW may schedule TX during the measurement. The UE informs the NW that it will no longer cause gaps when performing measurements (in MAC CE). This is an example of determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is below the at least one MSD threshold, deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining and providing an indication to the network node that the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency has been deactivated.

In step 12, the activation of an additional SCELL may cause self-interference if the SCELL has TX.

In step 13, the NW activates an SCELL.

In step 14, the activation of an SCELL will cause MSD when performing measurements. Therefore, the UE informs the NW that it will establish gaps when performing measurements (in MAC CE). This is an example of determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is above at least one MSD threshold and means for activating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining and providing an indication to the network node that the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency has been activated.

In the above two solutions are outlined, but the two solutions may be combined, meaning parts of the solution is UE controlled, part of the solution is NW, a mixture of the two.

In the example embodiments above, the gaps are "soft" configured, meaning that they are only used if there is a real UE self-interference issue.

In the example embodiments above, simultaneous RX/TX during measurements may be controlled with a finer granularity. In legacy specification many UEs will not support simultaneousRxTxlnterBandCA even if UE self-interference is only happening in few band combinations.

In the example embodiments above, UE's do not have to ask for simultaneous RX/TX restrictions due to MSD as today, the device can ask for TX gaps as the reason for measurement gaps is MSD, not conflicts in HW resources for doing the measurement.

In the example embodiments above, UE's do not have to ask for gaps if MSD would become an issue in absolute worst-case conditions.

An apparatus may comprise means for receiving from a network node, at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap, means for providing an indication of a self-interference metric of at least one transmission frequency of the apparatus to the network node, means for receiving, in response to the indication of the self-interference metric, an indication from the network to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency and means for activating or deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the indication.

The apparatus may comprise a user equipment as described with reference to Figure 2, be the user equipment or be comprised in the user equipment or a chipset for performing at least some actions of/for the user equipment.

An apparatus may comprise means for providing at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap to a user equipment, means for receiving an indication of a self-interference metric of at least one transmission frequency from the user equipment at the apparatus, means for determining to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap based on the received self-interference metric and means for, based on the determining, providing an indication to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency to the user equipment.

The apparatus may comprise an access node of a network, such as gNB, be the access node or be comprised in the access node or a chipset for performing at least some actions of/for the access node.

An apparatus may comprise means for receiving from a network node, at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap, means for determining a self-interference condition due to at least one transmission frequency of the apparatus, means for determining to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determined self-interference condition and means for activating or deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.

An apparatus may comprise means for providing at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap to a user equipment and means for receiving an indication from the user equipment that the at least one measurement gap for at least one transmission frequency has been activated or deactivated.

It should be understood that the apparatuses may comprise or be coupled to other units or modules etc., such as radio parts or radio heads, used in or for transmission and/or reception.

Although the apparatuses have been described as one entity, different modules and memory may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

It is noted that whilst some embodiments have been described in relation to 5G networks, similar principles can be applied in relation to other networks and communication systems such as 6G networks or 5G-Advanced networks. Therefore, although certain embodiments were described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems than those illustrated and described herein.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As used herein, "at least one of the following: <a list of two or more elements>" and at least one of <a list of two or more elements>" and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by "and" or "or", mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuitry, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the disclosure 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, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods 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.

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 I hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation." This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware.

The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

The embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of the mobile device, such as in the processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or program, also called program product, including software routines, applets and/or macros, may be stored in any apparatus-readable data storage medium and they comprise program instructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product may comprise one or more computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it.

Further in this regard it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow as in the Figures may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD. The physical media is a non-transitory media. The term "non-transitory," as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may comprise one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), FPGA, gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

Embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the disclosure is set out by the independent claims. The embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the disclosure.

The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples a full and informative description of the exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of this disclosure will still fall within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

Indeed, there is a further embodiment comprising a combination of one or more embodiments with any of the other embodiments previously discussed.

Claims

Claims An apparatus comprising: means for receiving from a network node, at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap; means for providing an indication of a self-interference metric of at least one transmission frequency of the apparatus to the network node; means for receiving, in response to the indication of the self-interference metric, an indication from the network to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency; and means for activating or deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the indication.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one configuration comprises a first configuration of the at least one measurement gap and a second configuration of the at least one measurement gap and wherein activating or deactivating the at least one measurement gap comprises activating or deactivating the first configuration of the at least one measurement gap or the second configuration of the at least one measurement gap or switching between the first configuration of the at least one measurement gap and the second configuration of the at least one measurement gap.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising means for measuring or estimating, at the apparatus, the self-interference metric of the at least one transmission frequency.
4. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising means for providing capability information to the network node, the capability information indicating that the apparatus can activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, comprising: means for receiving a configuration from the network node to report at least one measurement gap that is maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, specific; and means for reporting an indication to the network of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one of at least 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.one transmission frequency and at least one measurement frequency, based on MSD via a UE assistance information.
The apparatus according to claim 4, comprising: means for receiving configuration for configuring the at least one transmission frequency to be monitored in relation to MSD via radio resource control message.
The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one configuration of the at least one measurement gap comprises at least one of a configuration of a gap for measurement, a configuration of an interruption or a configuration of gapless measurements.
The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one configuration is associated with at least one measurement frequency.
The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the self-interference metric comprises power headroom.
The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the apparatus is a user equipment or a chipset of a user equipment.
An apparatus comprising: means for providing at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap to a user equipment; means for receiving an indication of a self-interference metric of at least one transmission frequency from the user equipment at the apparatus; means for determining to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap based on the received self-interference metric; and means for, based on the determining, providing an indication to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency to the user equipment.
The apparatus according to claim 11, comprising means for determining at least one maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, value based on the received self-interference metric and wherein determining to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency is further based on the determined at least one MSD value. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.
The apparatus according to claim 12, comprising means for determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is above at least one MSD threshold and means for determining to activate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.
The apparatus according to any of claim 12 or claim 13, comprising means for determining that the at least one MSD value due to the at least one transmission frequency is below the at least one MSD threshold and means for determining to deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the determining.
The apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 14, comprising means for configuring the user equipment to report at least one measurement gap that is maximum sensitivity degradation, MSD, specific; and means for receiving a report from the user equipment of at least one of a requirement for the at least one measurement gap or an indication of at least one of the at least one transmission frequency and the at least one measurement frequency based on the at least one MSD value via a UE assistance information.
The apparatus according to claim 11 to 15, wherein the at least one configuration configures at least one transmission frequency to be monitored in relation to MSD via radio resource control message.
The apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 16, comprising means for receiving capability information from the user equipment, the capability information indicating that the user equipment can activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency.
The apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 17, wherein the at least one configuration is associated with at least one measurement frequency.
The apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 18, wherein the self-interference metric comprises power headroom.
20. The apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 19, wherein the apparatus comprises an access node of a network.
21. A method comprising: receiving from a network node, at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap; providing an indication of a self-interference metric of at least one transmission frequency of an apparatus to the network node; receiving, in response to the indication of the self-interference metric, an indication from the network to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency; and activating or deactivating the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the indication.
22. A method comprising: providing at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap to a user equipment; receiving an indication of a self-interference metric of at least one transmission frequency from the user equipment at the apparatus; determining to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap based on the received self-interference metric; and based on the determining, providing an indication to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency to the user equipment.
23. An apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive from a network node, at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap; provide an indication of a self-interference metric of at least one transmission frequency of the apparatus to the network node; receive, in response to the indication of the self-interference metric, an indication from the network to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency; and activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency based on the indication.
24. A computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: providing at least one configuration of at least one measurement gap to a user equipment; receiving an indication of a self-interference metric of at least one transmission frequency from the user equipment at the apparatus; determining to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap based on the received self-interference metric; and based on the determining, providing an indication to activate or deactivate the at least one measurement gap for the at least one transmission frequency to the user equipment.