WO2024239130A1

WO2024239130A1 - User equipment capability reporting and application on interruption for measurements

Info

Publication number: WO2024239130A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/095197
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ping Yuan; Tero Henttonen; Rafael Cauduro Dias De Paiva; Lars Dalsgaard
Original assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy; Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy; Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2023-05-19
Filing date: 2023-05-19
Publication date: 2024-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-19

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a solution for user equipment (UE) capability reporting and application on interruption for measurement. In the solution, the first device receives first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first device from a second device, where the interruption capability is associated with one or more measurements without gaps. Based on the first information, the first device transmits capability-related information of the first device to the second device, where the capability-related information indicates at least one of the following: the interruption capability when requested in the first information, or a gap capability associated with the one or more measurements.

Description

USER EQUIPMENT CAPABILITY REPORTING AND APPLICATION ON INTERRUPTION FOR MEASUREMENTS

FIELDS

Various example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication and in particular, to methods, devices, apparatuses and computer readable storage medium for user equipment (UE) capability reporting and application on interruption for measurement.

BACKGROUND

In wireless communication, radio resource management (RRM) is an important feature to guarantee the communication performance. Currently, both inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) measurements and intra-RAT measurements, and both inter-frequency measurements and intra-frequency measurements are expected to be supported. Further, when performing the RRM measurement, the UE may require gaps and/or interruption, reported as UE capabilities. Accordingly, the network device may support or may not support such UE capabilities. If the UE cannot understand whether the UE capabilities are supported by the network device, the following measurements may not be performed correctly.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first device. The first device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device at least to: receive, from a second device, first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first device, the interruption capability being associated with one or more measurements without gaps; and transmit, based on the first information, capability-related information of the first device to the second device, the capability-related information indicating at least one of the following: the interruption capability when requested in the first information, or a gap capability associated with the one or more measurements.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first device. The first device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device at least to: transmit capability-related information of the first device to a second device, the capability-related information indicating an interruption capability associated with one or more measurements without gaps; receive, from the second device, third information indicating whether the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied; and apply the capability-related information based on the third information.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second device. The second device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second device at least to: transmit, to a first device, first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first device, the interruption capability being associated with one or more measurements without gaps; and receive, from the first device, capability-related information of the first device to the second device, the capability-related information indicating at least one of the following: the interruption capability when requested in the first information, or a gap capability associated with the one or more measurements.

In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second device. The second device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second device at least to: receive capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating an interruption capability associated with one or more measurements without gaps; transmit, from the second device, third information indicating whether the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied; and apply the capability-related information based on the third information.

In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method includes: receiving, at a first device and from a second device, first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first device, the interruption capability being associated with one or more measurements without gaps; and transmitting, based on the first information, capability-related information of the first device to the second device, the capability-related information indicating at least one of the following: the interruption capability when requested in the first information, or a gap capability associated with the one or more measurements.

In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method includes: transmitting, at a first device, capability-related information of the first device to a second device, the capability-related information indicating an interruption capability associated with one or more measurements without gaps; receiving, from the second device, third information indicating whether the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied; and applying the capability-related information based on the third information.

In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method includes: transmitting, at a second device and to a first device, first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first device, the interruption capability being associated with one or more measurements without gaps; and receiving, from the first device, capability-related information of the first device to the second device, the capability-related information indicating at least one of the following: the interruption capability when requested in the first information, or a gap capability associated with the one or more measurements.

In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method includes: receiving, at a second device, capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating an interruption capability associated with one or more measurements without gaps; transmitting, to the first device, third information indicating whether the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied; and applying the capability-related information based on the third information.

In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus includes means for receiving, from a second apparatus, first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first apparatus, the interruption capability being associated with one or more measurements without gaps; and means for transmitting, based on the first information, capability-related information of the first apparatus to the second apparatus, the capability-related information indicating at least one of the following: the interruption capability when requested in the first information, or a gap capability associated with the one or more measurements.

In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus includes means for transmitting capability-related information of the first apparatus to a second apparatus, the capability-related information indicating an interruption capability associated with one or more measurements without gaps; means for receiving, from the second apparatus, third information indicating whether the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied; and means for applying the capability-related information based on the third information.

In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus includes means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first apparatus, the interruption capability being associated with one or more measurements without gaps; and means for receiving, from the first apparatus, capability-related information of the first apparatus to the second apparatus, the capability-related information indicating at least one of the following: the interruption capability when requested in the first information, or a gap capability associated with the one or more measurements.

In a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus includes means for receiving capability-related information of the first apparatus, the capability-related information indicating an interruption capability associated with one or more measurements without gaps; means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, third information indicating whether the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied; and means for applying the capability-related information based on the third information.

In a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium includes instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the fifth aspect.

In a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium includes instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the sixth aspect.

In a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium includes instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the seventh aspect.

In a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium includes instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the eighth aspect.

It is to be understood that the Summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

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

FIG. 2 illustrates a signaling flow of communication in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a signaling flow of communication in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a third device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a fourth device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a device that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer readable medium in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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

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

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

It shall be understood that although the terms “first, ” “second” and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

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.

As used herein, unless stated explicitly, performing a step “in response to A” does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after “A” occurs and one or more intervening steps may be included.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As used herein, the term “network device” refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP) , for example, a node B (NodeB or NB) , an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB) , an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB) , a Remote Radio Unit (RRU) , a radio header (RH) , a remote radio head (RRH) , a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-ground network device such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology. In some example embodiments, radio access network (RAN) split architecture includes a Centralized Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU) at an IAB donor node. An IAB node includes a Mobile Terminal (IAB-MT) part that behaves like a UE toward the parent node, and a DU part of an IAB node behaves like a base station toward the next-hop IAB node.

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

As used herein, the term “resource, ” “transmission resource, ” “resource block, ” “physical resource block” (PRB) , “uplink resource, ” or “downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing a communication, for example, a communication between a terminal device and a network device, such as a resource in time domain, a resource in frequency domain, a resource in space domain, a resource in code domain, or any other resource enabling a communication, and the like.

As discussed above, RRM is an important feature to guarantee the communication performance. In order to perform the RRM measurements, the UE needs to report related capability information to the network device. However, in the conventional solution of UE capability reporting, the reported capability information is insufficient and the reporting mechanism lacks flexibility. For example, in one conventional solution, a basic NeedForGaps framework is defined to indicate the UE capability on whether a measurement gap is needed for inter-RAT NR measurement with interRAT-NeedForGapsNR (which is defined to be a BOOLEAN type) .

In some embodiments, the network device may transmit a radio resource control (RRC) signalling UECapabilityEnquiry to the UE and the UE may respond UECapabilityInfomration to the network device. The UECapabilityInfomration may include the interRAT-NeedForGapsNR.

In some embodiments, interRAT-NeedForGapsNR is used for indicating whether there is a need for measurement gaps when operating on the evolved universal terrestrial radio access (EUTRA) band given by the entry in supportedBandListEUTRA or on the E-UTRA band combination given by the entry in supportedBandCombination-r10 or supportedBandCombinationAdd-r11 or supportedBandCombinationReduced-r13 and measuring on the NR band given by the entry in the InterRAT-BandListNR.

That is, in LTE, the need for measurement gaps is reported as part of UE capability in a static way. In other words, for an E-UTRA band or band combinations (i.e., served band or band combinations for a UE) , the UE should indicate the measurement gap requirement (i.e., gap or no gap by reporting interRAT-NeedForGapsNR = true or false) for each of supported NR band (to be measured) .

In the wireless communication system, both inter-RAT measurements and intra-RAT measurements, and both inter-frequency measurements and intra-frequency measurements are expected to be supported. Further, some discussions about the RRM requirements for measurements without gaps for inter-RAT measurements have been made. For example, it has been agreed that the RRM requirements for measurement without gaps for some cases are needed to be further defended.

The example cases may be inter-RAT NR measurements without gaps and inter-RAT LTE measurements without gaps. One example case is the inter-RAT NR measurement without gaps based on UE reported information element (IE) interRAT-NeedForGapsNR. For this case, one example RRM requirement may be an additional interruption is required for the measurement. One further example case is NR synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB) based inter-frequency and intra-frequency measurements without gaps based on UE reported information element (IE) NeedForGapsInfoNR. For this case, one example RRM requirement may be an additional interruption is required for the measurement. If the additional interruption is required, the interruption length, occasion and ratio may be further defined. The other example RRM requirements may be carrier-specific scaling factor (CSSF) , measurement period, scheduling restriction and so on.

In some embodiments, the UE (e.g., a terminal device) may indicate if the UE can support inter-RAT measurements without gaps with UE capability reporting.

In some embodiments, the inter-RAT measurements without gaps may be divided into below subcases: Case 1: inter-RAT NR measurements without gap as there is vacant radio frequency (RF) chains for UE measurements; Case 2: inter-RAT LTE measurements without gap as there is vacant RF chains for UE measurements; and Case 3: inter-RAT LTE measurements without gap when LTE common reference signal (CRS) to be measured are fully contained within UE’s active Bandwidth Part (BWP) .

In some embodiments, as for the above Case 1, additional signalling from UE to indicate the inter-RAT NR measurements without gap but interruption may be needed (i.e., the UE is served in LTE cells while the UE needs to measure the NR frequency with or without a short interruption instead of a measurement gap) .

In the NR, when the network device requests the capability information from the UE, the UE replies according to current configuration. That is, the UE indicates whether it needs gaps for specific frequencies (requested by a network node) when operating under the currently configured serving cells.

According to the above discussions, it can be seen that when performing RRM measurements, the UE may require gaps and/or interruption, considered as UE capabilities. Accordingly, the network device may support or may not support such UE capabilities. However, if the UE cannot understand whether the UE capabilities are supported by the network device, the following measurements may not be performed correctly.

For example, when the UE reports no gap requirement (interRAT-NeedForGapsNR = no gap) together with interruption requirement for a measurement to the network device at the same time, if the UE does not know whether the network device can decode/apply the interruption capability, the UE doesn't know assumption of the network device on the interruption requirement should be applied or not. This means no common understanding on interruption requirement between UE and the network device therefore it is an ambiguous signaling for UE capability reporting which may cause the following measurements cannot be performed correctly.

In view of the above discussions, it is desirable to propose a more practicable and flexible solution for capability reporting.

According to the present disclosure, a solution for capability reporting is proposed. In this solution, the first device (such as, a terminal device) receives first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first device from a second device (such as, a network device) , where the interruption capability is associated with one or more measurements without gaps. Based on the first information, the first device transmits capability-related information of the first device to the second device, where the capability-related information indicates at least one of the following: the interruption capability when requested in the first information, or a gap capability associated with the one or more measurements.

In this way, different from the static reporting manner, the interruption capability may be reported on demand. If the second device asks for an interruption capability, the first device may report the interruption requirement capability otherwise first device may report gap capability. Accordingly, if the second device asks for an interruption capability, the first device and the second device may apply the reported interruption requirement capability otherwise applies the reported gap capability. Moreover, the first and second device may achieve a common understanding about the RRM measurement requirements.

As used herein, the terms “requirement” and “capability” may be used interchangeably. For example, “gap requirement” and “gap capability” may be used interchangeably, “interruption requirement” and “interruption capability” may be used interchangeably.

As used herein, “a gap capability/requirement” may be one of the following: a measurement without gaps, a measurement with gaps, a measurement requires no gaps, or a measurement requires gaps.

As used herein, “an interruption capability/requirement” may be one of the following: a measurement without gaps with interruption, a measurement without gaps without interruption, a measurement without gaps with interruption.

In the following, an inter-RAT measurement will be used as an application scenario for describing some example embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted that example embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other application scenarios, including but not limited to intra-RAT measurements, inter-frequency measurements and so on.

Example Environment

FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. The communication environment 100 includes a first device 110 and a second device 120. A serving area provided by the second device 120 is called a cell. The second device 120 can provide one or more cells, for example, a cell 102 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may be comprised in a terminal device and the second device 120 may be comprised in a network device serving the terminal device.

In the following, for the purpose of illustration, some example embodiments are described with the first device 110 operating as a terminal device and the second device 120 operating as a network device. However, in some example embodiments, operations described in connection with a terminal device may be implemented at a network device or other device, and operations described in connection with a network device may be implemented at a terminal device or other device.

In some example embodiments, if the first device 110 is a terminal device and the second device 120 is a network device, a link from the second device 120 to the first device 110 is referred to as a downlink (DL) , and a link from the first device 110 to the second device 120 is referred to as an uplink (UL) . In DL, the second device 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or a transmitter) and the first device 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or a receiver) . In UL, the first device 110 is a TX device (or a transmitter) and the second device 120 is a RX device (or a receiver) .

Communications in the communication environment 100 may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol (s) , including, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G) , the second generation (2G) , the third generation (3G) , the fourth generation (4G) , the fifth generation (5G) , the sixth generation (6G) , and the like, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and/or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Moreover, the communication may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, including but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) , Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) , Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) , Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) , Time Division Duplex (TDD) , Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) , Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM) , Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and/or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

In FIG. 1, UE capability information that indicates UE supports inter-RAT measurements without gaps but with (or without) interruptions may be introduced.

In one example embodiment, a UE indication may be introduced on the top of existing interRAT-NeedForGapsNR, i.e., when the first device 110 reports interRAT-NeedForGapsNR = False (i.e., no gap) , the first device 110 further indicates whether interruption is needed (i.e., no-gap-with-interruption) or not (i.e., no-gap-no-interruption) .

In another example embodiment, interRAT-NeedForIntrNR (also represented as interRAT-NeedForIntrNR-r18 sometimes) indicates whether interruption is needed for NR SSB-based inter-RAT measurement without gap. Further, value NoGapWithIntr indicates the interruption is needed while value NoGapWithoutIntr indicates interruption is not needed. Additionally, if first device 110 reports this capability, the first device 110 may also indicate measurement gap is not required in the corresponding interRAT-NeedForGapsNR-r16 field.

In some example embodiments, the interruption capability of the first device 110 may be reported in a static way, for example, for an E-UTRA band or band combinations, the first device 110 may indicate the interruption requirement (i.e., interRAT-NeedForIntrNR = NoGapWithIntr or NoGapWithoutIntr) for each of supported NR band (to be measured) . In some other embodiments, the interruption capability of the first device 110 may be reported on demand, which will be discussed in the following.

Work Principle and Example Signaling for Communication

As discussed above, the interruption capability for measurements without gaps (such as, inter-RAT measurement without gaps) may be introduced as a reported UE capability. According to the conventionally capability reporting solution, the capability-related information of the UE is reported in static way. In this event, after the capability reporting, the UE does not know whether network device may support the reported interruption capability. That is, there may be a misunderstanding between the UE and the network device on whether the interruption requirements may be applied/needed.

For example, when UE reports a gap requirement which indicates the UE requires no gaps (such as, interRAT-NeedForGapsNR-r16 = no gap) , and reports an interruption requirement which indicates the UE requires interruptions (such as, interRAT-NeedForIntrNR-r18 = NoGapWithIntr) at the same time, the UE will not know whether the network device supports to decode/apply the reported interruption capability hence does not know the assumption of the network device on the interruption requirement. As a result, a common understanding is absent between the UE and the network device. In view of the this, it is desirable to propose a solution for capability reporting, such that a common understanding between the UE and the network device may be achieved and the ambiguousness of signaling exchanging between the UE and the network may be eliminated thereby.

Example processes will be discussed with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Although features are discussed separately, it should be understood features discussed below may be implemented separately or in any suitable sub-combination. In present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

It is to be understood that the operations at the first device 110 and the second device 120 should be coordinated. In other words, the second device 120 and the first device 110 should have common understanding about configurations, parameters and so on. Such common understanding may be implemented by any suitable interactions between the second device 120 and the first device 110 or both the second device 120 and the first device 110 applying the same rule/policy.

In the following, although some operations are described from a perspective of the first device 110, it is to be understood that the corresponding operations should be performed by the second device 120. Similarly, although some operations are described from a perspective of the second device 120, it is to be understood that the corresponding operations should be performed by the first device 110. Merely for brevity, some of the same or similar contents are omitted here.

Merely for a better understanding, in the following, the first device 110 may be described as a terminal device and the second device 120 may be described as a network device.

Reference is made to FIG. 2 first, which illustrates a signaling flow 200 of communication in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purposes of discussion, the signaling flow 200 will be discussed with reference to FIG. 1, for example, by using the first device 110 and the second device 120.

In operation, the second device 120 transmits 225 first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first device 110 to the first device 110. Accordingly, the first device 110 receives 220 the first information from the second device 120. In particular, the interruption capability is associated with one or more measurements without gaps.

Based on the first information, the first device 110 transmits 230 capability-related information of the first device110 to the second device 120, and the second device 120 receives 235 the capability-related information accordingly. The capability-related information indicates at least one of the following: the interruption capability (such as, requires no interruptions or requires interruptions) when requested in the first information, or a gap capability (such as, requires no gaps or requires gaps) associated with the one or more measurements.

In some example embodiments, the one or more measurements without gaps are associated with at least one of the following: inter-RAT measurements, intra-RAT or inter-frequency measurements.

According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, the first information may enable a common understanding on the interruption capability. For example, based on the first information, the first device 110 may determine whether the second device 120 supports the interruption capability, and thus may determine how to report/apply the interruption capability in the following. In this event, the first information may include any suitably indication or parameter, and may be indicated either implicitly or explicitly. In present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

Some example implantations about the first information are discussed as below.

In some example embodiments, the first information may indicate an indication used for requesting for the interruption capability of the first device 110.

Alternatively, in some example embodiments, the first information may indicate whether the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, or whether the second device 120 supports the interruption capability.

In some example embodiments, the first information may be comprised in any suitable signallings, including but not limited to a system information block (SIB) , an RRC signalling or a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) .

In the following, details about how to report/apply the capability-related information (especially for the interruption capability) will be discussed.

It is to be clarified that how to report/apply the capability-related information may be performed regardless of whether the first information has been received previously. For example, the first device 110 may always assume the second device 120 requires/supports (or does not require/support) the interruption capability. In view of this, in the following, the condition “the first information requests for the interruption capability” may be replaced by “the first device 110 assumes the second device 120 requires the interruption capability” , the condition “the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability” may be replaced by “the first device 110 assumes that the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability” , and so on. Merely for brevity, similar replacements are not listed any more.

In some example embodiments, in case that the first information requests for the interruption capability (or the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability) , the capability-related may indicate at least an interruption requirement associated with the one or more measurements.

Alternatively, in case that the first information does not request for the interruption capability (or the second device 120 does not support receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability) , the capability-related may indicate a gap requirement associated with the one or more measurements.

In some example embodiments, in case that the second device 120 does not request the interruption capability or the second device 120 does not support receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, the capability-related information of the first device 110 may indicate at least one of:

a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps when the first device 110 requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements,

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps, when the first device 110 requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, or

the first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps, when the first device 110 requires gaps for the one or more measurements.

In some example embodiments, in case that the second device 120 requests the interruption capability or the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, and the first device 110 requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device 110 may indicate:

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and

a third capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and with interruption.

In some example embodiments, in case that the second device 120 requests the interruption capability or the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, and the first device 110 requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device 110 may indicate:

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and

a fourth capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and without interruption.

Merely for a better understanding, some example embodiments about the on-demand reporting procedure are described as below.

In some example embodiments, as for the newly-introduced LTE UE capability (i.e., interruption requirement, which may be reported by the terminal devices supporting release 18) , the first device 110 may report the capability in a dynamic way instead of the legacy static way. In other words, if second device 120 asks for the new capability reporting (via, RRCConnectionReconfiguration or UECapabilityEnquiry or a MAC CE dedicated for interruption request) , the first device 110 replies with the interruption capability (within the corresponding signaling, such as RRCConnectionComplete or UECapabilityInformation or a MAC CE dedicated for interruption report) . Otherwise, first device 110 only replies the legacy UE capability without interruption requirement.

In some example embodiments, the second device 120 may request the interruption capability in a dedicated signaling (for example, a new capability request in an RRC message, such as, UECapabilityEnquiry or RRCConnectionReconfiguration) .

In one example embodiment, the second device 120 may transmit an RRCConnectionReconfiguration for the interruption capability, and the first device 110 may reply an RRCConnectionComplete including its interruption requirement (such as, comprising interRAT-NeedForIntrNR-r18) .

In another example embodiment, the second device 120 may transmit a UECapabilityEnquiry for the interruption capability, and the first device 110 may reply a UECapabilityInfomration comprising its interruption requirement (such as, comprising interRAT-NeedForIntrNR-r18) .

In some embodiments, upon the reception of the UECapabilityEnquiry, if the UECapabilityEnquiry message includes InterruptionCapbilityRequest and the first device 110 supports inter-RAT NR measurements without gap but interruption is needed, the first device 110 may include the interruption capabilities (interRAT-NeedForIntrNR-r18) for NR within a ue-CapabilityRAT-Container.

Since the interruption capability is reported in an on-demand way, the first device 110 exactly knows whether the second device 120 can support or apply the interruption requirement and may decide whether to report the interruption capability. As a result, there is no ambiguity on the interruption about the interruption requirement between first device 110 and the second device 120. In this event, if first device 110 reports the UE interruption capability with interruption but no gap, the interruption requirement may be applied to the corresponding measurements in the following.

Alternatively, or in addition, the second device 120 may indicate if the interruption capability may be reported to the second device 120 (or whether the interruption capability may be supported by the second device 120) in a broadcast way (for example, via a flag in the SIB message) .

In some example embodiments, in case that the second device 120 requests the interruption capability or the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, and the first device 110 requires gaps for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device 110 may indicate a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps.

In the following, details about how to apply the capability-related information (especially for the interruption capability) will be discussed.

In some example embodiments, in case that the first information requests for the interruption capability or the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, the first device 110 may apply 240 an interruption requirement to the one or more measurements according to the interruption capability received from first device 110. The second device 120 also may apply 245 the interruption capability received from first device 110 accordingly.

Alternatively, in case that the first information does not request the interruption capability or the second device 120 does not support receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, the first device 110 may apply 240 a gap requirement of the first device 110 to the one or more measurements according to the gap capability received from first device. The second device 120 also may apply 245 the gap capability received from first device 110 accordingly.

In some example embodiments, reporting the interruption capability on demand may be implemented as optional feature of the first device 110. In this event, the first device 110 may indicate in static way whether it supports this on-demand mechanism, and thus the second device 120 may know whether it can query the interruption capability from the first device 110.

In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may indicate the second device 120 whether the first device 110 supports to report the interruption capability on demand. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first device 110 may transmit 210 second information to the second device 120, and the second device 120 may receive 215 the second information accordingly. In some embodiments, the second information indicates whether the first device 110 supports to report the capability-related information upon receiving the first information from the second device 120.

In some example embodiments, whether to apply the reported interruption capability may be indicated implicitly by the second device 120, which will be discussed with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates a signaling flow 300 of communication in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purposes of discussion, the signaling flow 300 will be discussed with reference to FIG. 1, for example, by using the first device 110 and the second device 120.

In operation, the first device 110 transmits 310 the capability-related information of the first device 110 to a second device 120, and the second device 120 receives 315 the capability-related information accordingly. The capability-related information indicates an interruption capability associated with one or more measurements without gaps. That is, the first device 110 may always report the interruption capability.

Then the second device 120 transmits 315 and the first device 110 receives 320 third information indicating whether the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied.

Based on the third information, the first device 110 applies 330 the capability-related information, and second device 120 applies 335 the capability-related information.

In some example embodiments, in case that the third information indicates the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied, and the first device 110 requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, the first device 110 (and the second device 120) may apply an interruption requirement of the first device 110 to the one or more measurements.

Alternatively, in some example embodiments, in case that the third information indicates the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is not allowed to be applied, and the first device 110 requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, the first device 110 (and the second device 120) may apply a gap requirement of the first device 110 to the one or more measurements.

As how to report/apply the capability-related information has been fully discussed with reference to FIG. 2 and such discussions are applicable for the example processes of FIG. 3. Merely for brevity, the same or similar contents are omitted here.

Merely for a better understanding, some example embodiments about the static reporting are described as below.

In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may report the interruption capability in a static way (such as, via UE capability container) while the first device 110 may apply the interruption requirement only if the second device 120 indicates that the reported interruption requirement may be applied in the following measurements. Otherwise, the first device 110 should apply the gap requirement (i.e., only gap or no gap) for the following measurements.

As one example embodiment, the second device 120 transmits UECapabilityEnquiry to the first device 110. The first device 110 responds UECapabilityIndormaiton (for example, interRAT-NeedForIntrNR-r18 = true or NoGapWithIntr) . Then the second device 120 may transmits RRCConnectionReconfiguration for measurements (may include a flag/indication that the reported interruption requirements may be applied) . As a result, the first device 110 may apply the interruption requirements.

Since the application of interruption requirement for dedicated measurements is explicitly indicated by the second device 120 (based on the reported interruption requirement/capability) , there is no ambiguity on the interruption requirement between the first device 110 and the second device 120.

In some embodiments, the second device 120 may indicate whether the interruption requirement/capability may be applied in each of the measurement object configuration (e.g., in IE MeasObjectNR) .

In some embodiments, the capability reporting procedure is changed depending on the information/message received from the second device 120 or the assumption made by the first device 110.

As one example embodiment, the information/message received from the second device 120 may indicate whether the second device 120 supports the interruption requirement/capability or whether the second device 120 requests for the interruption requirement/capability. As a result, if the second device 120 does not support the interruption requirement/capability or the second device 120 does not request for the interruption requirement/capability, the first device 110 reports interRAT-NeedForGapsNR-r16 = no gap if it can support gapless measurement without interruptions.

In some embodiments, if the second device 120 does not request for the interruption requirement/capability, and if the first device 110 supports no gap with interruption, the first device 110 reports interRAT-NeedForGapsNR-r16 = gap.

In some embodiments, if the second device 120 does not request for the interruption requirement/capability and if the first device 110 supports no gap without interruption, the first device 110 reports interRAT-NeedForGapsNR-r16 = no gap.

In some embodiments, if the second device 120 does not request for the interruption requirement/capability, and if the first device 110 does not support measurements without gaps, the first device 110 reports interRAT-NeedForGapsNR-r16 = gap.

In some embodiments, if the second device 120 does not request for the interruption requirement/capability, and if the first device 110 supports no gap with interruption, the first device 110 reports interRAT-NeedForGapsNR-r16 = no gap and interRAT-NeedForIntrNR = true or NoGapWithIntr.

In some embodiments, if the second device 120 does not request for the interruption requirement/capability, and if the first device 110 supports no gap without interruption, the first device 110 reports interRAT-NeedForGapsNR-r16 = no gap and interRAT-NeedForIntrNR = false or NoGapWithoutIntr.

Example Methods

FIG. 4 (see also FIG. 2) shows a flowchart of an example method 400 implemented at a first device 110 in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 400 will be described from the perspective of the first device 110 in FIG. 1.

At block 410, the first device 110 receives (220) , from a second device 120, first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first device 110, the interruption capability being associated with one or more measurements without gaps.

At block 420, the first device 110 transmits (230) , based on the first information, capability-related information of the first device 110 to the second device 120, the capability-related information indicating at least one of the following: the interruption capability when requested in the first information, or a gap capability associated with the one or more measurements.

In some example embodiments, the one or more measurements without gaps may be associated with at least one of the following: inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) measurements, intra-RAT measurements or inter-frequency measurements.

In some example embodiments, the first information may indicate at least one of the following: an indication used for requesting for the interruption capability of the first device 110, whether the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information may include the interruption capability, or whether the second device 120 supports the interruption capability.

In some example embodiments, the first information may be comprised in at least one of the following: a system information block (SIB) , medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) , or a radio resource control (RRC) signalling.

In some example embodiments, when the first information requests for the interruption capability or the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information may include the interruption capability, the capability-related may at least indicate an interruption requirement associated with the one or more measurements; and when the first information does not request for the interruption capability or the second device 120 does not support receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, the capability-related may indicate a gap requirement associated with the one or more measurements.

In some example embodiments, the method 400 may further comprise: when the first information requests for the interruption capability or the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, applying (240) an interruption requirement to the one or more measurements according to the gap capability received from first device 110; and when the first information does not request the interruption capability or the second device 120 does not support receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, applying (240) a gap requirement of the first device 110 to the one or more measurements according to the gap capability received from first device 110.

In some example embodiments, the method 400 further may comprise: transmitting (210) , to the second device 120, second information indicating whether the first device 110 supports to report the capability-related information upon receiving the first information from the second device 120.

In some example embodiments, when the second device 120 does not request the interruption capability or the second device 120 does not support receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, the capability-related information of the first device 110 may indicate at least one of: a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps when the first device 110 requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps, when the first device 110 requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, or the first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps, when the first device 110 requires gaps for the one or more measurements.

In some example embodiments, when the second device 120 requests the interruption capability or the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, and when the first device 110 requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device 110 may indicate: a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and a third capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and with interruption.

In some example embodiments, when the second device 120 requests the interruption capability or the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, and when the first device 110 requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device 110 may indicates: a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and a fourth capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and without interruption.

In some example embodiments, when the second device 120 requests the interruption capability or the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, and when the first device 110 requires gaps for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device 110 may indicate a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps.

In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may be a terminal device and the second device 120 may be a network device.

FIG. 5 (see also FIG. 3) shows a flowchart of an example method 500 implemented at a first device 110 in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 500 will be described from the perspective of the first device 110 in FIG. 1.

At block 510, the first device 110 transmits (310) capability-related information of the first device 110 to a second device 120, the capability-related information indicating an interruption capability associated with one or more measurements without gaps.

At block 520, the first device 110 receives (320) , from the second device 120, third information indicating whether the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied.

At block 530, the first device 110 applies (330) the capability-related information based on the third information.

In some example embodiments, the one or more measurements without gaps are associated with at least one of the following: inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) measurements, intra-RAT measurements or inter-frequency measurements.

In some example embodiments, the method 500 further may comprise: when the third information indicates the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied, and when the first device 110 requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, applying an interruption requirement of the first device 110 to the one or more measurements, or when the third information indicates the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is not allowed to be applied, and when the first device 110 requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, applying a gap requirement of the first device 110 to the one or more measurements.

In some example embodiments, when the second device 120 requests the interruption capability or the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, and when the first device 110 requires no gap for the one or more measurement and an interruption for the one or more measurement, the capability-related information of the first device 110 may indicate: a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and a third capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and with interruption.

In some example embodiments, when the second device 120 requests the interruption capability or the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information may include the interruption capability, and when the first device 110 requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device 110 may indicate: a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and a fourth capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and without interruption.

In some example embodiments, when the second device 120 requests the interruption capability or the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information may include the interruption capability, and when the first device 110 requires gaps for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device 110 may indicate a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps.

FIG. 6 (see also FIG. 2) shows a flowchart of an example method 600 implemented at a second device 120 in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 600 will be described from the perspective of the second device 120 in FIG. 1.

At block 610, the second device 120 transmits (225) , to a first device 110, first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first device 110, the interruption capability being associated with one or more measurements without gaps.

At block 620, the second device 120 receives (235) , from the first device 110, capability-related information of the first device 110 to the second device 120, the capability-related information indicating at least one of the following: the interruption capability when requested in the first information, or a gap capability associated with the one or more measurements.

In some example embodiments, the first information may indicate at least one of the following: an indication used for requesting for the interruption capability of the first device 110, whether the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, or whether the second device 120 supports the interruption capability.

In some example embodiments, when the first information requests for the interruption capability or the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, the capability-related may at least indicate an interruption requirement associated with the one or more measurements; and when the first information does not request for the interruption capability or the second device 120 does not support receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, the capability-related may indicate a gap requirement associated with the one or more measurements.

In some example embodiments, the method 600 further includes: when the first information requests for the interruption capability or the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, applying (245) an interruption requirement to the one or more measurements according to the interruption capability received from first device 110; and when the first information does not request the interruption capability or the second device 120 does not support receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, applying (245) a gap requirement of the first device 110 to the one or more measurements according to the interruption capability received from first device 110.

In some example embodiments, the method 600 further includes: receiving (215) , from the first device 110, second information indicating whether the first device 110 supports to report the capability-related information upon receiving the first information from the second device 120.

In some example embodiments, when the second device 120 requests the interruption capability or the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information may include the interruption capability, and when the first device 110 requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device 110 may indicate: a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and a third capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and with interruption.

In some example embodiments, when the second device 120 requests the interruption capability or the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information including the interruption capability, and when the first device 110 requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device 110 may indicate: a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and a fourth capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and without interruption.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an example method 700 implemented at a second device 120 in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 700 will be described from the perspective of the second device 120 in FIG. 1.

At block 710, the second device 120 receives (315) capability-related information of the first device 110, the capability-related information indicating an interruption capability associated with one or more measurements without gaps.

At block 720, the second device 120 trasnmits (325) to the first device 110, third information indicating whether the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied.

At block 730, the second device 120 applies (335) the capability-related information based on the third information.

In some example embodiments, the method 700 further includes: when the third information indicates the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied, and when the first device 110 requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, applying an interruption requirement of the first device 110 to the one or more measurements, or when the third information indicates the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is not allowed to be applied, and when the first device 110 requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, applying a gap requirement of the first device 110 to the one or more measurements.

In some example embodiments, when the second device 120 requests the interruption capability or the second device 120 supports receiving capability-related information may include the interruption capability, and when the first device 110 requires no gap for the one or more measurement and an interruption for the one or more measurement, the capability-related information of the first device 110 may indicate: a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and a third capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and with interruption.

Example Apparatus, Device and Medium

In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 400 (for example, the first device 110 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 400. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first device 110 in FIG. 1.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus includes means for receiving, from a second apparatus, first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first apparatus, the interruption capability being associated with one or more measurements without gaps; and means for transmitting, based on the first information, capability-related information of the first apparatus to the second apparatus, the capability-related information indicating at least one of the following: the interruption capability when requested in the first information, or a gap capability associated with the one or more measurements.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further includes means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 400 or the first device 110. In some example embodiments, the means includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the performance of the first apparatus.

In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 500 (for example, the first device 110 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 500. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first device 110 in FIG. 1.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus includes means for transmitting capability-related information of the first apparatus to a second apparatus, the capability-related information indicating an interruption capability associated with one or more measurements without gaps; means for receiving, from the second apparatus, third information indicating whether the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied; and means for applying the capability-related information based on the third information.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further includes means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 500 or the first device 110. In some example embodiments, the means includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the performance of the first apparatus.

In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method 600 (for example, the second device 120 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 600. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the second device 120 in FIG. 1.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus includes means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first apparatus, the interruption capability being associated with one or more measurements without gaps; and means for receiving, from the first apparatus, capability-related information of the first apparatus to the second apparatus, the capability-related information indicating at least one of the following: the interruption capability when requested in the first information, or a gap capability associated with the one or more measurements.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further includes means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 700 or the second device 120. In some example embodiments, the means includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the performance of the second apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of a device 800 that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 800 may be provided to implement a communication device, for example, the first device 110 or the second device 120 as shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the device 800 includes one or more processors 810, one or more memories 820 coupled to the processor 810, and one or more communication modules 840 coupled to the processor 810.

The communication module 840 is for bidirectional communications. The communication module 840 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interfaces may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 840 may include at least one antenna.

The processor 810 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may include one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 800 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

The memory 820 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of the non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 824, an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM) , a flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc (CD) , a digital video disk (DVD) , an optical disk, a laser disk, and other magnetic storage and/or optical storage. Examples of the volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a random access memory (RAM) 822 and other volatile memories that will not last in the power-down duration.

A computer program 830 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 810. The instructions of the program 830 may include instructions for performing operations/acts of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The program 830 may be stored in the memory, e.g., the ROM 824. The processor 810 may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 830 into the RAM 822.

The example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program 830 so that the device 800 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 7. The example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

In some example embodiments, the program 830 may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device 800 (such as in the memory 820) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device 800. The device 800 may load the program 830 from the computer readable medium to the RAM 822 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may include any types of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. 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) .

FIG. 9 shows an example of the computer readable medium 900 which may be in form of CD, DVD or other optical storage disk. The computer readable medium 900 has the program 830 stored thereon.

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

Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, such as a non-transitory computer readable medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor, to carry out any of the methods as described above. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

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

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

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

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

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

Claims

A first device comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device at least to:

receive, from a second device, first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first device, the interruption capability being associated with one or more measurements without gaps; and

transmit, based on the first information, capability-related information of the first device to the second device, the capability-related information indicating at least one of the following:

the interruption capability when requested in the first information, or

a gap capability associated with the one or more measurements.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the one or more measurements without gaps are associated with at least one of the following: inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) measurements, intra-RAT measurements or inter-frequency measurements.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the first information indicates at least one of the following:

an indication used for requesting for the interruption capability of the first device,

whether the second device supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, or

whether the second device supports the interruption capability.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the first information is comprised in at least one of the following:

a system information block (SIB) ,

medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) , or

a radio resource control (RRC) signalling.
The first device of claim 1, wherein

when the first information requests for the interruption capability or the second device supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, the capability-related indicates at least an interruption requirement associated with the one or more measurements; and

when the first information does not request for the interruption capability or the second device does not support receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, the capability-related indicates a gap requirement associated with the one or more measurements.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is further caused to:

when the first information requests for the interruption capability or the second device supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, apply an interruption requirement to the one or more measurements; and

when the first information does not request the interruption capability or the second device does not support receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, apply a gap requirement of the first device to the one or more measurements.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is further caused to:

transmit, to the second device, second information indicating whether the first device supports to report the capability-related information upon receiving the first information from the second device.
The first device of claim 1, wherein when the second device does not request the interruption capability or the second device does not support receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, the capability-related information of the first device indicates at least one of:

a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps when the first device requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements,

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps, when the first device requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, or

the first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps, when the first device requires gaps for the one or more measurements.
The first device of claim 1, wherein when the second device requests the interruption capability or the second device supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first device requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device indicates:

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and

a third capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and with interruption.
The first device of claim 1, wherein when the second device requests the interruption capability or the second device supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first device requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device indicates:

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and

a fourth capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and without interruption.
The first device of claim 1, wherein when the second device requests the interruption capability or the second device supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first device requires gaps for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device indicates a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps.
The first device of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first device is a terminal device and the second device is a network device.
A first device comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device at least to:

transmit capability-related information of the first device to a second device, the capability-related information indicating an interruption capability associated with one or more measurements without gaps;

receive, from the second device, third information indicating whether the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied; and

apply the capability-related information based on the third information.
The first device of claim 13, wherein the one or more measurements without gaps are associated with at least one of the following: inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) measurements, intra-RAT measurements or inter-frequency measurements.
The first device of claim 13, wherein the first device is further caused to:

when the third information indicates the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied, and when the first device requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, apply an interruption requirement of the first device to the one or more measurements, or

when the third information indicates the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is not allowed to be applied, and when the first device requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, apply a gap requirement of the first device to the one or more measurements.
The first device of claim 13, wherein when the second device does not request the interruption capability or the second device does not support receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, the capability-related information of the first device indicates at least one of:

a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps when the first device requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements,

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps, when the first device requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, or

the first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps, when the first device requires gaps for the one or more measurements.
The first device of claim 13, wherein when the second device requests the interruption capability or the second device supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first device requires no gap for the one or more measurement and an interruption for the one or more measurement, the capability-related information of the first device indicates:

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and

a third capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and with interruption.
The first device of claim 13, wherein when the second device requests the interruption capability or the second device supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first device requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device indicates:

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and

a fourth capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and without interruption.
The first device of claim 13, wherein when the second device requests the interruption capability or the second device supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first device requires gaps for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device indicates a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps.
The first device of any of claims 13 to 19, wherein the first device is a terminal device and the second device is a network device.
A second device comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second device at least to:

transmit, to a first device, first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first device, the interruption capability being associated with one or more measurements without gaps; and

receive, from the first device, capability-related information of the first device to the second device, the capability-related information indicating at least one of the following:

the interruption capability when requested in the first information, or

a gap capability associated with the one or more measurements.
The second device of claim 21, wherein the one or more measurements without gaps are associated with at least one of the following: inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) measurements, intra-RAT measurements or inter-frequency measurements.
The second device of claim 21, wherein the first information indicates at least one of the following:

an indication used for requesting for the interruption capability of the first device,

whether the second device supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, or

whether the second device supports the interruption capability.
The second device of claim 21, wherein the first information is comprised in at least one of the following:

a system information block (SIB) ,

medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) , or

a radio resource control (RRC) signalling.
The second device of claim 21, wherein

when the first information requests for the interruption capability or the second device supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, the capability-related indicates an interruption requirement associated with the one or more measurements; and

when the first information does not request for the interruption capability or the second device does not support receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, the capability-related indicates a gap requirement associated with the one or more measurements.
The second device of claim 21, wherein the second device is further caused to:

when the first information requests for the interruption capability or the second device supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, apply an interruption requirement to the one or more measurements according to the interruption capability received from first device; and

when the first information does not request the interruption capability or the second device does not support receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, apply a gap requirement of the first device to the one or more measurements according to the gap capability received from first device.
The second device of claim 21, wherein the second device is further caused to:

receive, from the first device, second information indicating whether the first device supports to report the capability-related information upon receiving the first information from the second device.
The second device of claim 21, wherein when the second device does not request the interruption capability or the second device does not support receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, the capability-related information of the first device indicates at least one of:

a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps when the first device requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements,

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps, when the first device requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, or

the first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps, when the first device requires gaps for the one or more measurements.
The second device of claim 21, wherein when the second device requests the interruption capability or the second device supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first device requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device indicates:

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and

a third capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and with interruption.
The second device of claim 21, wherein when the second device requests the interruption capability or the second device supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first device requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device indicates:

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and

a fourth capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and without interruption.
The second device of claim 21, wherein when the second device requests the interruption capability or the second device supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first device requires gaps for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device indicates a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps.
The second device of any of claims 21 to 31, wherein the first device is a terminal device and the second device is a network device.
A second device comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second device at least to:

receive, from a first device, capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating an interruption capability associated with one or more measurements without gaps;

transmit, to the first device, third information indicating whether the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied; and

apply the capability-related information based on the third information.
The second device of claim 33, wherein the one or more measurements without gaps are associated with at least one of the following: inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) measurements, intra-RAT measurements or inter-frequency measurements.
The second device of claim 33, wherein the second device is further caused to:

when the third information indicates the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied, and when the first device requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, apply an interruption requirement of the first device to the one or more measurements, or

when the third information indicates the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is not allowed to be applied, and when the first device requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, apply a gap requirement of the first device to the one or more measurements.
The second device of claim 33, wherein when the second device does not request the interruption capability or the second device does not support receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, the capability-related information of the first device indicates at least one of:

a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps when the first device requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements,

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps, when the first device requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, or

the first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps, when the first device requires gaps for the one or more measurements.
The second device of claim 33, wherein when the second device requests the interruption capability or the second device supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first device requires no gap for the one or more measurement and an interruption for the one or more measurement, the capability-related information of the first device indicates:

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and

a third capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and with interruption.
The second device of claim 33, wherein when the second device requests the interruption capability or the second device supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first device requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device indicates:

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and

a fourth capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and without interruption.
The second device of claim 11, wherein when the second device requests the interruption capability or the second device supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first device requires gaps for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first device indicates a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps.
The second device of any of claims 11 to 17, wherein the first device is a terminal device and the second device is a network device.
A first apparatus comprising:

means for receiving, from a second apparatus, first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first apparatus, the interruption capability being associated with one or more measurements without gaps; and

means for transmitting, based on the first information, capability-related information of the first apparatus to the second apparatus, the capability-related information indicating at least one of the following:

the interruption capability when requested in the first information, or

a gap capability associated with the one or more measurements.
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the one or more measurements without gaps are associated with at least one of the following: inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) measurements, intra-RAT measurements or inter-frequency measurements.
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the first information indicates at least one of the following:

an indication used for requesting for the interruption capability of the first apparatus,

whether the second apparatus supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, or

whether the second apparatus supports the interruption capability.
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the first information is comprised in at least one of the following:

a system information block (SIB) ,

medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) , or

a radio resource control (RRC) signalling.
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein

when the first information requests for the interruption capability or the second apparatus supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, the capability-related at least indicates an interruption requirement associated with the one or more measurements; and

when the first information does not request for the interruption capability or the second apparatus does not support receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, the capability-related indicates a gap requirement associated with the one or more measurements.
The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising:

means for when the first information requests for the interruption capability or the second apparatus supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, applying an interruption requirement to the one or more measurements according to the interruption capability received from first device; and

means for when the first information does not request the interruption capability or the second apparatus does not support receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, applying a gap requirement of the first apparatus to the one or more measurements according to the interruption capability received from first device.
The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising:

means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, second information indicating whether the first apparatus supports to report the capability-related information upon receiving the first information from the second apparatus.
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein when the second apparatus does not request the interruption capability or the second apparatus does not support receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, the capability-related information of the first apparatus indicates at least one of:

a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps when the first apparatus requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements,

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps, when the first apparatus requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, or

the first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps, when the first apparatus requires gaps for the one or more measurements.
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein when the second apparatus requests the interruption capability or the second apparatus supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first apparatus requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first apparatus indicates:

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and

a third capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and with interruption.
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein when the second apparatus requests the interruption capability or the second apparatus supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first apparatus requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first apparatus indicates:

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and

a fourth capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and without interruption.
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein when the second apparatus requests the interruption capability or the second apparatus supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first apparatus requires gaps for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first apparatus indicates a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps.
The apparatus of any of claims 41 to 51, wherein the first apparatus is a terminal apparatus and the second apparatus is a network apparatus.
A first apparatus comprising:

means for transmitting capability-related information of the first apparatus to a second apparatus, the capability-related information indicating an interruption capability associated with one or more measurements without gaps;

means for receiving, from the second apparatus, third information indicating whether the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied; and

means for applying the capability-related information based on the third information.
The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the one or more measurements without gaps are associated with at least one of the following: inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) measurements, intra-RAT measurements or inter-frequency measurements.
The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising:

means for when the third information indicates the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied, and when the first apparatus requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, applying an interruption requirement of the first apparatus to the one or more measurements, or

means for when the third information indicates the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is not allowed to be applied, and when the first apparatus requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, applying a gap requirement of the first apparatus to the one or more measurements.
The apparatus of claim 53, wherein when the second apparatus does not request the interruption capability or the second apparatus does not support receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, the capability-related information of the first apparatus indicates at least one of:

a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps when the first apparatus requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements,

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps, when the first apparatus requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, or

the first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps, when the first apparatus requires gaps for the one or more measurements.
The apparatus of claim 53, wherein when the second apparatus requests the interruption capability or the second apparatus supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first apparatus requires no gap for the one or more measurement and an interruption for the one or more measurement, the capability-related information of the first apparatus indicates:

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and

a third capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and with interruption.
The apparatus of claim 53, wherein when the second apparatus requests the interruption capability or the second apparatus supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first apparatus requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first apparatus indicates:

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and

a fourth capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and without interruption.
The apparatus of claim 53, wherein when the second apparatus requests the interruption capability or the second apparatus supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first apparatus requires gaps for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first apparatus indicates a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps.
The apparatus of any of claims 53 to 59, wherein the first apparatus is a terminal apparatus and the second apparatus is a network apparatus.
A second apparatus comprising:

means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first apparatus, the interruption capability being associated with one or more measurements without gaps; and

means for receiving, from the first apparatus, capability-related information of the first apparatus to the second apparatus, the capability-related information indicating at least one of the following:

the interruption capability when requested in the first information, or

a gap capability associated with the one or more measurements.
The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the one or more measurements without gaps are associated with at least one of the following: inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) measurements, intra-RAT measurements or inter-frequency measurements.
The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the first information indicates at least one of the following:

an indication used for requesting for the interruption capability of the first apparatus,

whether the second apparatus supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, or

whether the second apparatus supports the interruption capability.
The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the first information is comprised in at least one of the following:

a system information block (SIB) ,

medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) , or

a radio resource control (RRC) signalling.
The apparatus of claim 61, wherein

when the first information requests for the interruption capability or the second apparatus supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, the capability-related at least indicates an interruption requirement associated with the one or more measurements; and

when the first information does not request for the interruption capability or the second apparatus does not support receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, the capability-related indicates a gap requirement associated with the one or more measurements.
The apparatus of claim 61, further comprising:

means for when the first information requests for the interruption capability or the second apparatus supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, applying an interruption requirement to the one or more measurements according to the interruption capability received from first device; and

means for when the first information does not request the interruption capability or the second apparatus does not support receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, applying a gap requirement of the first apparatus to the one or more measurements according to the gap capability received from first device.
The apparatus of claim 61, further comprising:

means for receiving, from the first apparatus, second information indicating whether the first apparatus supports to report the capability-related information upon receiving the first information from the second apparatus.
The apparatus of claim 61, wherein when the second apparatus does not request the interruption capability or the second apparatus does not support receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, the capability-related information of the first apparatus indicates at least one of:

a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps when the first apparatus requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements,

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps, when the first apparatus requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, or

the first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps, when the first apparatus requires gaps for the one or more measurements.
The apparatus of claim 61, wherein when the second apparatus requests the interruption capability or the second apparatus supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first apparatus requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first apparatus indicates:

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and

a third capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and with interruption.
The apparatus of claim 61, wherein when the second apparatus requests the interruption capability or the second apparatus supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first apparatus requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first apparatus indicates:

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and

a fourth capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and without interruption.
The apparatus of claim 61, wherein when the second apparatus requests the interruption capability or the second apparatus supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first apparatus requires gaps for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first apparatus indicates a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps.
The apparatus of any of claims 61 to 71, wherein the first apparatus is a terminal apparatus and the second apparatus is a network apparatus.
A second apparatus comprising:

means for receiving from a first apparatus capability-related information of the first apparatus, the capability-related information indicating an interruption capability associated with one or more measurements without gaps;

means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, third information indicating whether the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied; and

means for applying the capability-related information based on the third information.
The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the one or more measurements without gaps are associated with at least one of the following: inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) measurements, intra-RAT measurements or inter-frequency measurements.
The apparatus of claim 73, further comprising:

means for when the third information indicates the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied, and when the first apparatus requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, applying an interruption requirement of the first apparatus to the one or more measurements, or

means for when the third information indicates the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is not allowed to be applied, and when the first apparatus requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements, applying a gap requirement of the first apparatus to the one or more measurements.
The apparatus of claim 73, wherein when the second apparatus does not request the interruption capability or the second apparatus does not support receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, the capability-related information of the first apparatus indicates at least one of:

a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps when the first apparatus requires no gap for the one or more measurements and an interruption for the one or more measurements,

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps, when the first apparatus requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, or

the first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps, when the first apparatus requires gaps for the one or more measurements.
The apparatus of claim 73, wherein when the second apparatus requests the interruption capability or the second apparatus supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first apparatus requires no gap for the one or more measurement and an interruption for the one or more measurement, the capability-related information of the first apparatus indicates:

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and

a third capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and with interruption.
The apparatus of claim 73, wherein when the second apparatus requests the interruption capability or the second apparatus supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first apparatus requires no gap and no interruption for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first apparatus indicates:

a second capability of the one or more measurements without gaps; and

a fourth capability of the one or more measurements without gaps and without interruption.
The apparatus of claim 51, wherein when the second apparatus requests the interruption capability or the second apparatus supports receiving capability-related information comprising the interruption capability, and when the first apparatus requires gaps for the one or more measurements, the capability-related information of the first apparatus indicates a first capability of the one or more measurements with gaps.
The apparatus of any of claims 51 to 57, wherein the first apparatus is a terminal apparatus and the second apparatus is a network apparatus.
A method comprising:

receiving, at a first device and from a second device, first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first device, the interruption capability being associated with one or more measurements without gaps; and

transmitting, based on the first information, capability-related information of the first device to the second device, the capability-related information indicating at least one of the following:

the interruption capability when requested in the first information, or

a gap capability associated with the one or more measurements.
A method comprising:

transmitting, at a first device, capability-related information of the first device to a second device, the capability-related information indicating an interruption capability associated with one or more measurements without gaps;

receiving, from the second device, third information indicating whether the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied; and

applying the capability-related information based on the third information.
A method comprising:

transmitting, at a second device and to a first device, first information used for reporting an interruption capability of the first device, the interruption capability being associated with one or more measurements without gaps; and

receiving, from the first device, capability-related information of the first device to the second device, the capability-related information indicating at least one of the following:

the interruption capability when requested in the first information, or

a gap capability associated with the one or more measurements.
A method comprising:

receiving, at a second device and from a first device, capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating an interruption capability associated with one or more measurements without gaps;

transmitting, to the first device, third information indicating whether the interruption capability indicated in the capability-related information is allowed to be applied; and

applying the capability-related information based on the third information.
A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus at least to perform the method of any of claims 81-84.