WO2025176765A1

WO2025176765A1 - System and apparatus for reporting measurement in a network and a method in association thereto

Info

Publication number: WO2025176765A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/054554
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shravan Kumar KALYANKAR; Rajat PUSHKARNA; Andreas Andrae; Rikin SHAH; Reuben GEORGE STEPHEN
Original assignee: Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH
Current assignee: Aumovio Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2024-02-22
Filing date: 2025-02-20
Publication date: 2025-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-22

Abstract

System (100), apparatus (102) and a method (300) for reporting measurement in a network are disclosed. The method (300) comprises an input step (302) which comprises receiving at least one input signal comprising a measurement reporting configuration related to a measurement criteria for reporting measurement by a user device; a processing step (304) which comprises at least one of: determining whether the measurement criteria is fulfilled; generating a mobility indicator if the measurement criteria is not fulfilled, the mobility indicator associated with a mobility status of the user device; and configuring subsequent measurement periodicity based on the mobility indicator.

Description

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR REPORTING MEASUREMENT IN A NETWORK AND A METHOD IN ASSOCIATION THERETO

Field Of Invention

[001] The present disclosure generally relates to one or both of a system and an apparatus for reporting measurement in a network in association with, for example, a User Equipment (UE) usable for communication. The present disclosure further relates a method which can be associated with the system and/or the apparatus.

Background of Invention

[002] Generally, energy efficiency and power saving would be helpful in communication networks, for example, a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 5G (fifth generation) New Radio (NR) standard-based telecommunications network.

[003] Generally, measurements (e.g. radio resource management (RRM) measurements) are performed in every cycle (e.g. discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle), in which a User Equipment (UE) performs the measurements and reports it to the network. However, current techniques may not address the issue of unnecessary energy consumption and significant overhead signaling for such measurements and reporting. Thus, the current techniques may not facilitate energy efficiency and power saving in an optimal manner.

[004] The present disclosure contemplates that it would be helpful to address or at least mitigate one or more issues in relation to conventional techniques for facilitating energy efficiency and power saving when reporting measurement (for example RRM measurement) in a network.

Summary of the Invention

[005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for reporting measurement in a network, the method comprising: an input step (302) which comprises receiving at least one input signal comprising a measurement reporting configuration related to a measurement criteria for reporting measurement by a user device; a processing step (304) which comprises at least one of: determining whether the measurement criteria is fulfilled; generating a mobility indicator if the measurement criteria is not fulfilled, the mobility indicator associated with a mobility status of the user device; and configuring subsequent measurement periodicity based on the mobility indicator.

[006] Advantageously, the method as described herein can improve energy efficiency of an Internet-of-Things (loT) device by avoiding frequent reporting. The method may also reduce the signaling overhead.

[007] In an embodiment, the mobility indicator comprises a 2-bit indication.

[008] In an embodiment, the 2-bit indication comprises a motion status of the user device and a speed of the user device.

[009] In an embodiment, the method further comprises communicating the mobility indicator via at least one of: a User Equipment (UE) capability and/or a RRM measurement report.

[0010] In an embodiment, generating the mobility indicator comprises determining the mobility status of the user device based on at least one of: a plurality of sensors and/or a difference in received frequencies from a plurality of cells.

[0011] In an embodiment, the plurality of sensors comprises embedded self-motion sensors and/or embedded Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) sensors.

[0012] In an embodiment, the method further comprises generating the measurement reporting configuration; and communicating the measurement reporting configuration to the user device. [0013] In an embodiment, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method of the first aspect.

[0014] In an embodiment, there is provided a computer readable storage medium having data stored therein representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, to carry out the method of the first aspect.

[0015] In an embodiment, there is provided an apparatus for reporting measurement in a network comprising: a first module configured to receive at least one input signal comprising a measurement reporting configuration related to a measurement criteria for reporting measurement by a user device; a second module configured to at least one of process and facilitate the method of the first aspect to generate at least one output signal; and a third module configured to communicate at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for reporting measurement in a network.

[0016] In an embodiment, the apparatus corresponds to a User Equipment (UE) communicable with a device corresponding to a base station, wherein the base station corresponds to a Next generation Node B (gNB) configured to communicate the at least one input signal to the UE.

[0017] In an embodiment, there is provided a system comprising: at least one apparatus(es); and at least one device(s), wherein the apparatus(es) and the device(s) are capable of being coupled via at least one of wired coupling and wireless coupling.

[0018] Advantageously, the system as described herein can reduce energy consumption for a UE (or user device). Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] Embodiments of the disclosure are described hereinafter with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0020] Fig. 1A shows a schematic diagram illustrating a system for reporting measurement in a network which can include at least one apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] Fig. 1 B shows an example scenario in association with the system of Fig. 1A, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0022] Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the apparatus of Fig. 1A in further detail, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Fig. 3 shows a method in association with the system of Fig. 1A, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0024] Fig. 4A to Fig. 4D show schematic diagrams illustrating the flow of information in association with the method of Fig. 3, according to an embodiment of the invention

Detailed Description

[0025] The present specification discloses apparatus and/or device for performing the operations of the methods. Such apparatus and/or device may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or may comprise a computer or other device selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various machines may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein. Alternatively, the construction of more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps may be appropriate. The structure of a computer will appear from the description below. [0026] In addition, the present specification also implicitly discloses a computer program, in that it would be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the individual steps of the method described herein may be put into effect by computer code. The computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular programming language and implementation thereof. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages and coding thereof may be used to implement the teachings of the disclosure contained herein. Moreover, the computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular control flow. There are many other variants of the computer program, which can use different control flows without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

[0027] Furthermore, one or more of the steps of the computer program may be performed in parallel rather than sequentially. Such a computer program may be stored on any computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may include storage devices such as magnetic or optical disks, memory chips, or other storage devices suitable for interfacing with a computer. The computer readable medium may also include a hard-wired medium such as exemplified in the Internet system, or wireless medium such as exemplified in the mobile telephone system. The computer program when loaded and executed on such a computer effectively results in an apparatus and/or a device that implements the steps of the preferred method.

[0028] The detailed description set forth below, with reference to annexed drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In particular, although terminology from 3GPP 5G NR may be used in this disclosure to exemplify embodiments herein, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0029] Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and/or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and/or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

[0030] In some embodiments, the non-limiting term User Equipment (UE) or wireless device or user device may be used and may refer to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and/or with another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UE are target device, device-to-device (D2D) UE, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, PDA, PAD, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, UE category Ml, UE category M2, ProSe UE, V2V UE, V2X UE, etc.

[0031] In some embodiments, a more general term “network node” may be used and may correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node, which communicates with a User Equipment (directly or via another node) and/or with another network node. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, MeNB, ENB, a network node belonging to MCG or SCG, base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNodeB, gNodeB, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network node (e.g. Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), etc), Operations & Maintenance (O&M), Operations Support System (OSS), Self Optimized Network (SON), positioning node (e.g. Evolved- Serving Mobile Location Centre (E-SMLC)), Minimization of Drive Tests (MDT), test equipment (physical node or software), etc.

[0032] Additionally, terminologies such as base station/gNodeB and UE should be considered non-limiting and do in particular not imply a certain hierarchical relation between the two; in general, “gNodeB” could be considered as device 1 and “UE” could be considered as device 2 and these two devices communicate with each other over some radio channel. And in the following the transmitter or receiver could be either gNodeB (gNB), or UE.

[0033] The flowchart diagrams and/or block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of apparatuses, systems, methods, and program products according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowchart diagrams and/or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes one or more executable instructions of the code for implementing the specified logical function(s).

[0034] It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more blocks, or portions thereof, of the illustrated Figures.

[0035] Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flowchart and/or block diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding embodiments. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the depicted embodiment. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted embodiment. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart diagrams, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and code.

[0036] The present disclosure generally contemplates the facilitation of, for example, reporting measurement in a network (e.g., in association with 3GPP based standard/specification etc.) and/or user equipment (UE) efficiency (e.g., energy/power efficiency), in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Specifically, the present disclosure contemplates the possibility of conducting and reporting measurements (e.g. Radio Resource Management RRM measurement) by a user device (or UE) to a cell (or base station or gNB) in connection with 3GPP standard(s). Radio Resource Management (RRM) can, for example, correspond to/be related to the system level management of co-channel interference, radio resources, and other radio transmission characteristics in wireless communication systems.

[0037] The present disclosure contemplates that an Internet-of-Things (loT) via nonterrestrial networks can cover and can have certain measurements and mobility requirements. In particular, the present disclosure contemplates the possibility of allowing joint configuration among time/location/Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP)-based measurements in Radio Resource Control (RRC) Idle/Connected and if allowed, the intended UE behavior. The present disclosure also contemplates the possibility of UE behavior on absence of the list of frequency/cells in new System Information Blocks xx (SIBxx); absence of satellite ID in SIB 3 and SIB5; whether satellite ID should be in SIB4; and current signalling for eMTC Connected measurements initiation. Such measurements initiation can be time-based in SIB3, location-based in SIB31 and/or RSRP-based (legacy) in measObject. There can be a possibility of having optimization to avoid reacquisition of SIB3 for eMTC UEs.

[0038] The present disclosure also contemplates that RRM can be the system level management of co-channel interference, radio resources, and other radio transmission characteristics in wireless communication systems. The main objective of RRM can be to utilize the limited RF spectrum resources and radio network infrastructure as efficiently as possible. Several strategies and algorithms may be used to control parameters such as transmit power, user allocation, beamforming, data rates, handover criteria, modulation scheme, error coding scheme, etc.

[0039] The present disclosure further contemplates that dynamic RRM schemes can adaptively adjust the radio network parameters to the traffic load, user positions, user mobility, quality of service requirements, base station density, etc. Dynamic RRM schemes may be designed to minimize expensive manual cell planning and implement stricter frequency reuse patterns to improve system spectral efficiency. Efficient dynamic RRM schemes may increase the system spectral efficiency by an order of magnitude, which may considerably be more than what is possible by introducing advanced channel coding and source coding schemes.

[0040] The present disclosure also contemplates that UEs may also consume a lot of power for RRM measurements. In particular, a UE would need to power up before the discontinuous reception (DRX) ON period to track the channel in preparation for the RRM measurement. Some of the RRM measurements may not be necessary but consumes a lot of UE power, for example the low mobility UEs do not have to measure as frequent as high mobility UEs. The network can provide the signalling to assist UE to reduce the power consumption on unnecessary RRM measurements. Additional UE assistance, for example the UE status information, etc., may also be useful for the network to enable the UE power consumption reduction on RRM measurements.

[0041] The present disclosure yet further contemplates that an idle/inactive UE may have requirements to perform regular RRM measurements to handle UE mobility. RRM can be the management of radio resources and transmission characteristics such as modulation scheme, transmit power, beamforming, user allocation, data rates, handover criteria, and error coding scheme. Typically serving cell measurement is required to be performed at least once every DRX cycle. The frequency of neighbor cell measurement can be relaxed for stationary UEs and/or UEs not at the cell edge with RRM relaxation features.

[0042] The present disclosure thus contemplates a method where the gNB (or cell or base station) can configure new criteria for conditional measurement reporting of the UE (or user device).

[0043] The foregoing will be discussed in further detail with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 hereinafter.

[0044] Referring to Fig. 1A, a schematic diagram illustrating a system 100 for reporting measurement in a network is shown, according to an embodiment of the invention. The system 100 can, for example, be suitable for facilitating energy and improve power efficiency, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0045] As shown, the system 100 can include one or more apparatuses 102, at least one device 104 and, optionally, a communication network 106, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0046] The apparatus(es) 102 can be coupled to the device(s) 104. Specifically, the apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be coupled to the device(s) 104 via the communication network 106, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0047] In one embodiment, the apparatus(es) 102 can be coupled to the communication network 106 and the device(s) 104 can be coupled to the communication network 106. Coupling can be by manner of one or both of wired coupling and wireless coupling. The apparatus(es) 102 can, in general, be configured to communicate with the device(s) 104 via the communication network 106, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0048] The apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be associated with or correspond to or include one or more user equipment (UE) which can carry one or more computers, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, an apparatus 102 can correspond to a UE (or user device) carrying at least one computer (e.g. an electronic device or module having computing capabilities such as an electronic mobile device which can be carried into a vehicle or an electronic module which can be installed in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention) which can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks in association with the UE (or user device), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0049] The device(s) 104 can, for example, be associated with/correspond to at least one base station, where the at least one base station can be a Next Generation Node B (gNB). Moreover, the device(s) 104 can, for example, be configured to carry/be associated with/include one or more computers (e.g., an electronic device/module having computing capabilities) which can, for example, be configured to perform one or more processing tasks in association with the base station. The device(s) 104 can be configured to generate one or more input signals which can be communicated to the apparatus(es) 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. This will be discussed later in further detail in the context of an example scenario, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0050] In an embodiment, the apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be configured to receive one or more input signals and perform at least one processing task based on the input signal(s) in a manner to generate one or more output signals. The input signal(s) can, for example, be generated by the device(s) 104 and communicated from the device(s) 104 and received by the apparatus(es) 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an alternate embodiment, the input signal may be generated from a separate apparatus(es) 102. The input signal can be a signal having a measurement reporting configuration related to a measurement criteria for reporting measurement by a user device. As a possible option, the output signal(s) can, for example, be communicated from the device(s) 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The output signal may correspond to a control signal for reporting measurement in a network in relation to Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurement and reporting. The apparatus(es) 102 will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 2, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0051] The communication network 106 can, for example, correspond to an Internet communication network, a cellular-based communication network, a wired-based communication network, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based communication network, a wireless-based communication network, or any combination thereof. Communication (e.g., between the apparatuses 102 and/or between the apparatus(es) 102 and the device(s) 104) via the communication network 106 can be by manner of one or both of wired communication and wireless communication.

[0052] As mentioned, the apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be configured to receive at least one input signal and perform at least one processing task in association with dynamic/adaptive/gradual control on the input signal(s) in a manner so as to generate at least one output signal. Moreover, the device(s) 104 can, for example, be configured to generate (and communicate) the input signal(s) to the device(s) 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an alternate embodiment, a separate apparatus(es) 102 may be configured to generate (and communicate) the input signal(s). Accordingly, the apparatus(es) 102 or device(s) 104 can generate a measurement reporting configuration related to a measurement criteria for reporting measurement by a user device and communicate or transmit at least one input signal associated with the measurement reporting configuration to the apparatus(es) 102. This will be discussed, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in the context of an example scenario with reference to Fig. 1 B, hereinafter.

[0053] Fig. 1 B shows an example scenario in association with the system of Fig. 1A, according to an embodiment of the invention. Specifically, Fig. 1 B shows an example embodiment of a wireless infrastructure for mobility and frequency of measurement report generation. As shown in the Figure, mobile user devices (or UEs) can be connected to and generate measurement reports through terrestrial network (TN) or a Non-Terrestrial network (NTN). In an embodiment, discontinuous coverage can include whether to capture a note in radio resource control (RRC) about “UE may directly go to RRCJDLE after radio link failure (RLF) is triggered, if there is not enough time for the UE to finish the procedure of RRC re-establishment due to the discontinuous coverage”. This can have additional satellite information for the UE and autonomous RRC Release. It is contemplated that comparison between NTN and NTN loT can include adoption of narrowband internet-of-things (NB-loT) for NTN connections and devices can be assumed to have low complex antenna type with no specific polarization support, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, there can be no optional second radio chain and there is unlikely to have a specific beamforming methodology in operation at the UE entity. Further, L-band and S-band can be used for the NTN-loT operation, assuming the UE possesses Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) capabilities to pre-compensate time and frequency and have overall low complexity. The present disclosure thus contemplates that a UE transmitting measurement report in every cycle may lead to unnecessary energy consumption.

[0054] The above-described advantageous aspect(s) of the system 100 of the present disclosure can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of a below described apparatus 102 of the present disclosure. Likewise, all below described advantageous aspect(s) of the apparatus 102 of the disclosure can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of above-described system 100 of the disclosure.

[0055] The aforementioned apparatus(es) 102 or User Equipment (UE) or user device will be discussed in further detail with reference to Fig. 2 hereinafter.

[0056] Referring to Fig. 2, a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus 102 is shown in further detail in the context of an example implementation 200, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0057] In the example implementation 200, the apparatus 102 (or UE or user device) can correspond to an electronic module 200a. The electronic module 200a can, in one example, correspond to a mobile device which can, for example, be carried into the vehicle by a user, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In another example, the electronic module 200a can correspond to an electronic device which can be installed/mounted in the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In this regard, the electronic module 200a can be considered to be carried by the vehicle (e.g., either carried into the vehicle by a user or installed/mounted in the vehicle).

[0058] It is contemplated that the electronic module 200a can be capable of performing one or more processing tasks in association with adaptive/dynamic/gradual control related processing, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0059] The electronic module 200a can, for example, include a casing 200b. Moreover, the electronic module 200a can, for example, carry any one of a first module 202, a second module 204, a third module 206, or any combination thereof.

[0060] In one embodiment, the electronic module 200a can carry a first module 202, a second module 204 and/or a third module 206. In a specific example, the electronic module 200a can carry a first module 202, a second module 204 and a third module 206, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0061] In this regard, it is appreciable that, in one embodiment, the casing 200b can be shaped and dimensioned to carry any one of the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206, or any combination thereof.

[0062] The first module 202 can be coupled to one or both of the second module 204 and the third module 206. The second module 204 can be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the third module 206. The third module 206 can be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the second module 204. In one example, the first module 202 can be coupled to the second module 204 and the second module 204 can be coupled to the third module 206, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Coupling between the first module 202, the second module 204 and/or the third module 206 can, for example, be by manner of one or both of wired coupling and wireless coupling. Each of the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206 can correspond to one or both of a hardware-based module and a software-based module, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0063] In one example, the first module 202 can correspond to a hardware-based receiver which can be configured to receive one or more input signals. The input signal(s) can, for example, be communicated from t the device(s) 104 (e.g., a gNB), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0064] The second module 204 can, for example, correspond to a hardware-based processor which can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks (e.g., in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals) as will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0065] The third module 206 can correspond to a hardware-based transmitter which can be configured to communicate one or more output signals from the electronic module 200a. The output signal(s) can, for example, include one or more instructions/commands/control signals in association with the aforementioned dynamic/adaptive/gradual control configuration/determination strategy so as to facilitate efficiency (e.g., power/energy efficiency and/or communication efficiency), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, the output signal(s) can be a control signal(s) for performing and reporting measurement by the user device (or UE) in relation to Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurement and reporting.

[0066] The present disclosure contemplates the possibility that the first and second modules 202, 204 can be an integrated software-hardware based module, for example, an electronic part which can carry a software program or algorithm in association with receiving and processing functions or an electronic module programmed to perform the functions of receiving and processing. The present disclosure further contemplates the possibility that the first and third modules 202, 206 can be an integrated software-hardware based module, for example an electronic part which can carry a software program or algorithm in association with receiving and transmitting functions or an electronic module programmed to perform the functions of receiving and transmitting. The present disclosure yet further contemplates the possibility that the first and third modules 202, 206 can be an integrated hardware module, for example a hardware-based transceiver, capable of performing the functions of receiving and transmitting.

[0067] The apparatus 102 (or user device or UE) can, for example, be further configured to process the input signal(s), as will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 3, in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals in a manner so as to facilitate efficiency, for example power efficiency or energy efficiency, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one specific example, the output signal(s) can include one or more control signals to facilitate some form of dynamic/adaptive/gradual control configuration/determination strategy so as to facilitate efficiency, for example power efficiency or energy efficiency, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, the output signal(s) can be a control signal(s) for performing and reporting measurement by the user device (or UE) in relation to Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurement and reporting.

[0068] The above-described advantageous aspect(s) of the apparatus 102 of the present disclosure can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of a below described processing/communication method of the present disclosure. Likewise, all below described advantageous aspect(s) of the processing/communication method of the disclosure can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of above described apparatus 102 of the disclosure. It is to be appreciated that these remarks apply analogously to the earlier discussed system 100 of the present disclosure.

[0069] Referring to Fig. 3, a method 300 (or a communication method) for performing and reporting measurement by a user device (or UE) in association with the system 100 is shown, according to an embodiment of the invention. [0070] The method 300 can, for example, be suitable for facilitating energy efficiency, network optimization and power saving in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0071] The method 300 can include any one of an input step 302, a processing step 304 and an output step 306, or any combination thereof, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0072] In an embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302. In another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302 and the processing step 304. In another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306. In yet another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the processing step 304 and one or both of the input step 302 and the output step 306. In yet a further embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306. In yet a further additional embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the processing step 304. In yet another further additional embodiment, the processing method 300 can include any one of or any combination of the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306 (i.e. , the input step 302, the processing step 304 and/or the output step 306).

[0073] With regard to the input step 302, one or more input signal(s) can be received. For example, the input signal(s) can be communicated from the device 104 and can be received by the apparatus 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an alternate embodiment, the input signal(s) can be generated and communicated from a different or separate apparatus 102.

[0074] The input step 302 can include receiving at least one input signal comprising a measurement reporting configuration related to a measurement criteria for reporting measurement by a user device. [0075] With regard to the processing step 304, at least a processing task can be performed in association with the received input signal(s) in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0076] The processing step 304 may include at least one of: determining whether the measurement criteria is fulfilled; generating a mobility indicator if the measurement criteria is not fulfilled, the mobility indicator associated with a mobility status of the user device; and configuring subsequent measurement periodicity based on the mobility indicator. The mobility indicator comprises a 2-bit indication which can include a motion status of the user device and a speed of the user device.

[0077] The processing step 304 may further include communicating the mobility indicator via at least one of: a User Equipment (UE) capability and/or a RRM measurement report; generating the measurement reporting configuration; communicating the measurement reporting configuration to the user device and determining the mobility status of the user device based on at least one of: a plurality of sensors and/or a difference in received frequencies from a plurality of cells. The plurality of sensors comprises embedded self-motion sensors and/or embedded Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) sensors.

[0078] In an embodiment, the base station (or cell or gNB) may configure the new criteria for conditional measurement reporting for the UE (or user device). Specifically, the base station (or cell or gNB) may determine the criteria and measurement reporting periodicity of the UE (or user device). In an example embodiment, the UE (or user device) upon receiving the conditional measurement configuration from the base station (or cell or gNB) may signal a mobility indicator (2- bit) along with the RRM measurements to the base station (or cell or gNB). The base station (or cell or gNB) upon receiving the mobility indication from the UE (or user device), may configure the subsequent RRM measurement periodicity based on the mobility indicator, according to an embodiment of the invetion. [0079] In an embodiment, the UE (or user device) mobility indicator can be signaled using the motion status and speed of the UE (or user device). For example, if the UE (or user device) is always stationary or immobile, the 2-bit mobility indicator can be 00. If the UE (or user device) is non-stationary and moves with a low-speed of less than 15 km per hour, the 2-bit mobility indicator can be 01. In the situation that the UE (or user device) is non-stationary and moves with a medium-speed of between 15 km per hour to 100km per hour, the 2-bit mobility indicator can be 10. In a further situation where the UE (or user device) is non-stationary and moves with a highspeed of more than 100 km per hour, the 2-bit mobility indicator can be 11 . Signaling of the mobility indicator can be part of the UE capability or RRM measurement report.

[0080] In another embodiment, the UE (or user device) may determine the mobility status based on the embedded sensors (gyroscope, accelerometer, etc) for determining self-motion, embedded Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) sensors and/or the difference in received frequencies, such as reference signals of serving cells and neighboring cells. This can reduce energy consumption of the device.

[0081] In an example embodiment, the input step 302 and the processing step 304 may be performed by at least one apparatus 102 (or user device or UE). At least one base station or device 104, corresponding to at least one Next Generation Node B (gNB), may be configured to communicate the at least one input signal to the apparatus 102 (user device or UE).

[0082] With regards to the output step 306, the output signal(s) can, for example, be communicated by the apparatus 102 (user device or UE), as an option, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an alternate embodiment, the output signal(s) can optionally be communicated from the device 104. In a more specific example, the output signal(s) can optionally be communicated from the apparatus 102 to one or both of at least one apparatus 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, the apparatus 102 (or UE) may also perform the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306. [0083] The present disclosure further contemplates a computer program (not shown) which can include instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer (not shown), cause the computer to carry out the input step 302, the processing step 304 and/or the output step 306 as discussed with reference to the method 300. For example, the computer program can include instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the input step 302 and/or the processing step 304, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0084] The present disclosure yet further contemplates a computer readable storage medium (not shown) having data stored therein representing software executable by a computer (not shown), the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, to carry out the input step 302, the processing step 304 and/or the output step 306 as discussed with reference to the method 300. For example, the computer readable storage medium can have data stored therein representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to carry out the input step 302 and/or the processing step 304, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0085] Further in view of the foregoing, it is appreciable that the present disclosure generally contemplates an apparatus 102 for reporting measurement in a network which can include a first module 202, a second module 204 and/or a third module 206.

[0086] The first module 202 can be configured to receive one or more input signals. The input signal(s) can, for example, include a measurement reporting configuration related to a measurement criteria for reporting measurement by a user device.

[0087] The second module 204 can be configured to process and/or facilitate processing of the input signal(s) according to the method 300 as discussed earlier to generate one or more output signals. [0088] The third module 206 can be configured to communicate one or more output signals. The output signal(s) can, for example, correspond to one or more control signals for reporting measurement in a network by the user device (or UE).

[0089] In one embodiment, the apparatus 102 can correspond to a User Equipment (UE) which can communicate with a device 104 corresponding to a base station. The base station can, for example, correspond to a Next generation Node B (gNB) which can be configured to communicate one or more signals (e.g., output signal(s)) to the UE.

[0090] Yet further in view of the foregoing, it is appreciable that the present disclosure generally contemplates a system 100 which can include one or more apparatuses 102 and one or more devices 104. The apparatus(es) 102 and the device(s) 104 can, for example, be capable of being coupled via wired coupling and/or wireless coupling.

[0091] It should be appreciated that the embodiments described above can be combined in any manner as appropriate (e.g., one or more embodiments as discussed in the “Detailed Description” section can be combined with one or more embodiments as described in the “Summary of the Invention” section).

[0092] It should be further appreciated by the person skilled in the art that variations and combinations of embodiments described above, not being alternatives or substitutes, may be combined to form yet further embodiments.

[0093] In one example, the possibility of the output signal(s) being communicated from the apparatus(es) 102 was discussed. It is appreciable that the output signal(s) need not necessarily be communicated from the apparatus(es) 102. Specifically, the possibility that the output signal(s) need not necessarily be communicated outside of the apparatus(es) 102 is contemplated, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. More specifically, the output signal(s) can, for example, correspond to internal command(s)/instruction(s) (e.g., communicated only within an apparatus 102) for adaptively controlling operational configuration of an apparatus 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0094] Fig. 4A to Fig. 4D show schematic diagrams illustrating the flow of information in association with the method of Fig. 3, according to an embodiment of the invention

[0095] In the example context as shown in Fig. 4A, the UE (or user device) receives a criteria from the network (or gNB). The criteria can be measurement criteria for reporting of measurement by the UE (or user device). The UE (or user device) then determines whether the measurement criteria is fulfilled. If the measurement criteria is fulfilled, measurement reporting by the UE (or user device) is relaxed. On the other hand, if the measurement criteria is not fulfilled, the UE (or user device) generates a mobility indicator. In the event that the UE (or user device) is stationary or immobile, the mobility indicator is generated as 00 and measurement reporting by the UE (or user device) is relaxed.

[0096] In the situation that the UE (or user device) is non-stationary, i.e. moving at a particular speed, then the measurement report by the UE (or user device) is at specified time intervals. The time interval for each measurement reporting is based on the mobility indicator. For example, if the UE (or user device) is non-stationary and moves with a low-speed of less than 15 km per hour, the mobility indicator can be 01 and the time interval for measurement reporting is T1. In another example where the UE (or user device) is non-stationary and moves with a medium-speed of between 15 km per hour to 100km per hour, the mobility indicator can be 10 and the time interval for measurement reporting is T2. In a further situation where the UE (or user device) is non-stationary and moves with a high-speed of more than 100 km per hour, the mobility indicator can be 11 and the time interval for measurement reporting is T3.

[0097] In the example context as shown in Fig. 4B, a gNB (or cell or base station) can, for example, configure or determine the criteria and measurement reporting periodicity of the UE (or user device). The measurement reporting periodicity can be determined or configured after receiving the mobility indicator from the UE (or user device).

[0098] In the example context as shown in Fig. 4C, the UE (or user device) receives a criteria from the network (or gNB). The criteria can be a measurement criteria for reporting of measurement by the UE (or user device). The UE (or user device) subsequently determines whether the measurement criteria is fulfilled. If the measurement criteria is fulfilled, measurement reporting by the UE (or user device) is relaxed. On the other hand, if the measurement criteria is not fulfilled, the UE (or user device) generates a mobility indicator and the measurement report by the UE (or user device) is at specified time intervals, where the time interval for each measurement reporting is based on the mobility indicator. For example, if the UE (or user device) is stationary or immobile, the mobility indicator is generated as 00 and measurement reporting by the UE (or user device) is at time interval T1. In another example, if the UE (or user device) is non-stationary and moves with a low-speed of less than 15 km per hour, the mobility indicator can be 01 and the time interval for measurement reporting is T2. In a further example where the UE (or user device) is non-stationary and moves with a medium-speed of between 15 km per hour to 100km per hour, the mobility indicator can be 10 and the time interval for measurement reporting is T3. In yet another example where the UE (or user device) is non-stationary and moves with a high-speed of more than 100 km per hour, the mobility indicator can be 11 and the time interval for measurement reporting is T4.

[0099] In the example context as shown in Fig. 4B, a gNB (or cell or base station) can, for example, configure or determine the criteria and measurement reporting periodicity of the UE (or user device). The measurement reporting periodicity can be determined or configured after receiving the mobility indicator from the UE (or user device).

[00100] In the foregoing manner, various embodiments of the disclosure are described for addressing at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. Such embodiments are intended to be encompassed by the following claims and are not to be limited to specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and/or modification can be made, which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Abbreviations

BWP Bandwidth part

CBG Code block group

CLI Cross Link Interference

CP Cyclic prefix

CQI Channel quality indicator

CPU CSI processing unit

CRB Common resource block

CRC Cyclic redundancy check

CRI CSI-RS Resource Indicator

CSI Channel state information

CSI-RS Channel state information reference signal

CSI-RSRP CSI reference signal received power

CSI-RSRQ CSI reference signal received quality

CSI-SINR CSI signal-to-noise and interference ratio

CW Codeword

DCI Downlink control information

DL Downlink

DM-RS Demodulation reference signals

DRX Discontinuous Reception

EPRE Energy per resource element

IAB-MT Integrated Access and Backhaul - Mobile Terminal

L1-RSRP Layer 1 reference signal received power

LI Layer Indicator

MCS Modulation and coding scheme

PDCCH Physical downlink control channel

PDSCH Physical downlink shared channel

PSS Primary Synchronisation signal

PUCCH Physical uplink control channel

QCL Quasi co-location

PMI Precoding Matrix Indicator

PRB Physical resource block

PRG Precoding resource block group PRS Positioning reference signal

PT-RS Phase-tracking reference signal

RB Resource block

RBG Resource block group

Rl Rank Indicator

RIV Resource indicator value

RS Reference signal

SCI Sidelink control information

SLIV Start and length indicator value

SR Scheduling Request

SRS Sounding reference signal

SS Synchronisation signal

SSS Secondary Synchronisation signal

SS-RSRP SS reference signal received power

SS-RSRQ SS reference signal received quality

SS-SINR SS signal-to-noise and interference ratio

TB Transport Block

TCI Transmission Configuration Indicator

TDM Time division multiplexing

UE User equipment

UL Uplink

Claims

Claim(s)

1. A method (300) for reporting measurement in a network, the method comprising: an input step (302) which comprises receiving at least one input signal comprising a measurement reporting configuration related to a measurement criteria for reporting measurement by a user device; a processing step (304) which comprises at least one of: determining whether the measurement criteria is fulfilled; generating a mobility indicator if the measurement criteria is not fulfilled, the mobility indicator associated with a mobility status of the user device; and configuring subsequent measurement periodicity based on the mobility indicator.

2. The method (300) according to claim 1 , wherein the mobility indicator comprises a 2-bit indication.

3. The method (300) according to claim 2, wherein the 2-bit indication comprises a motion status of the user device and a speed of the user device.

4. The method (300) according to claim 1 , further comprising communicating the mobility indicator via at least one of: a User Equipment (UE) capability and/or a RRM measurement report.

5. The method (300) according to claim 1 , wherein generating the mobility indicator comprises determining the mobility status of the user device based on at least one of: a plurality of sensors and/or a difference in received frequencies from a plurality of cells.

6. The method (300) according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises embedded self-motion sensors and/or embedded Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) sensors.

7. The method (300) according to claim 1 , further comprising: generating the measurement reporting configuration; and communicating the measurement reporting configuration to the user device.

8. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method (300) of any of the preceding claims.

9. A computer readable storage medium having data stored therein representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, to carry out the method (300) of claims 1-7.

10. An apparatus (102) for reporting measurement in a network comprising: a first module (202) configured to receive at least one input signal comprising a measurement reporting configuration related to a measurement criteria for reporting measurement by a user device; a second module (204) configured to at least one of process and facilitate the method (300) of claim 1 to claim 7 to generate at least one output signal; and a third module (206) configured to communicate at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for reporting measurement in a network.

11 . The apparatus (102) according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus (102) corresponds to a User Equipment (UE) communicable with a device (104) corresponding to a base station, and wherein the base station corresponds to a Next generation Node B (gNB) configured to communicate the at least one input signal to the UE.

12. A system (100) comprising: at least one apparatus (102) according to any of claims 10 and 11 ; and at least one device (104) according to claim 11 , wherein the apparatus (102) and the device (104) are capable of being coupled via at least one of wired coupling and wireless coupling.