WO2025210296A1

WO2025210296A1 - Method and apparatus for fractional measurement gaps

Info

Publication number: WO2025210296A1
Application number: PCT/FI2025/050141
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rafael Cauduro Dias De Paiva; John Harris; Klaus Ingemann Pedersen; Jorma Johannes KAIKKONEN
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2024-04-04
Filing date: 2025-03-24
Publication date: 2025-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-04

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for configuring fractional measurement gaps. As described herein, a fractional gap pattern, in which a measurement gap duration is divided into N parts (where N is an integer greater than one), may reduce scheduling latency and/or pre-scheduling. In this regard, for measurement gap occasions, one fractional measurement gap may be used for measurements, and/or the other fractional measurement gaps may be available for scheduling. The subdivision of the measurement gap into N parts may be such that there may be an overlap between one or more subdivisions. The measurement gap duration may be subdivided based on dynamically- determined criteria, for example, if a baseline measurement gap coincides with data arrivals and/or allocations, a gap pattern may be further subdivided into additional parts.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FRACTIONAL MEASUREMENT GAPS

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0001] An example embodiment relates generally to fractional measurement gaps.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Various wireless communications rely on measurements and/or measurement gaps. For example, measurements allow for mobility of user devices. A configured measurement gap prevents a user device from being scheduled for the duration of the measurement gap, which may result in an increase in transmit latency.

[0003] Scheduling delays may increase due to measurement gaps. For example, if data arrives shortly before a measurement gap, a network may only be able to schedule the user device to receive data in the next downlink slot after the measurement gap. This can lead to results such as the network not dynamically reacting to new information, for example, such as the arrival of new higher priority downlink data during or shortly before the measurement gap. Thus, the latency of the user device increases by a large fraction of the overall latency budget, for example, in various use cases, which may be particularly relevant in cases with tight latency budgets such as in extended reality (XR) use cases.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] A method and apparatus are disclosed for configuring fractional measurement gaps. As described herein, a fractional gap pattern, in which a measurement gap duration is divided into N parts (where N is an integer greater than one), may reduce scheduling latency and/or pre-scheduling. In this regard, for measurement gap occasions, one fractional measurement gap may be used for measurements, and/or the other fractional measurement gaps may be available for scheduling. The subdivision of the measurement gap into N parts may be such that there may be an overlap between one or more subdivisions. The measurement gap duration may be subdivided based on dynamically- determined criteria, for example, if a baseline measurement gap coincides with data arrivals and/or allocations, a gap pattern may be further subdivided into additional parts. [0005] In an example embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: (i) receiving, from a base station, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) receiving an indication of activation, for at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iii) transmitting uplink and/or downlink data during the measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. The at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). The at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). The at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive an indication of activation, for the at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring the at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that at least one first fractional measurement gap overlaps with at least one second fractional measurement gap. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that the measurement gap is to be divided into two or more fractions. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to use, for each measurement window occasion, a different fraction of the fractional measurement gap. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive, from the base station, two or more fractional measurement gap configurations, wherein each of the two or more fractional measurement gap configurations indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions. The two or more fractional measurement gap configurations are configured to alternate such that each of the fractional measurement gap fractions comprises approximately N times the periodicity of a full fractional measurement gap, where N is an integer. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to use a first portion of the at least one measurement window occasion which is not overlapped with an activated fractional measurement gap fraction for data transmission and use a second portion of the at least one measurement window which is overlapped with an activated fractional measurement gap fraction occasion for radio resource management (RRM) measurements.

[0006] In an example embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparats at least to perform: (i) transmitting, to a second apparatus, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) activating, for at least one measurement window occasion, at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iii) scheduling one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling during the at least one measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example embodiment, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example embodiment, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example embodiment, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to activate, for the at least one measurement window occasion, at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring the at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to transmit the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that at least one first fractional measurement gap overlaps with at least one second fractional measurement gap. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to transmit the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that the measurement gap is to be divided into two or more fractions. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to use, for each measurement window occasion, a different fraction of the fractional measurement gap. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to transmit, to the second apparatus, two or more fractional measurement gap configurations, wherein each of the two or more the fractional measurement gap configurations indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions. The two or more fractional measurement gap configurations are configured to alternate such that each of the fractional measurement gap fractions comprises approximately N times the periodicity of a full fractional measurement gap, where N is an integer. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to indicate to the second apparatus to use a first portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for data transmission and use a second portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for radio resource management (RRM) measurements.

[0007] In an example embodiment, a method is provided that comprises: (i) receiving, from a base station, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) receiving an indication of activation, for at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (hi) transmitting uplink and/or downlink data during the measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, he at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The method further comprises receiving an indication of activation, for the at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring the at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The method further comprises receiving the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that at least one first fractional measurement gap overlaps with at least one second fractional measurement gap. The method further comprises receiving the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that the measurement gap is to be divided into two or more fractions. The method further comprises using, for each measurement window occasion, a different fraction of the fractional measurement gap. The method further comprises receiving, from the base station, two or more fractional measurement gap configurations, wherein each of the two or more fractional measurement gap configurations indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions. The two or more fractional measurement gap configurations are configured to alternate such that each of the fractional measurement gap fractions comprises approximately N times the periodicity of a full fractional measurement gap, where N is an integer. The method further comprises using a first portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for data transmission and using a second portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for radio resource management (RRM) measurements.

[0008] In an example embodiment, a method is provided that comprises: (i) transmitting, by an apparatus and to a second apparatus, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) activating, for at least one measurement window occasion, at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iii) scheduling one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling during the at least one measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The method further comprises activating, for the at least one measurement window occasion, at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring the at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The method further comprises transmitting the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that at least one first fractional measurement gap overlaps with at least one second fractional measurement gap. The method further comprises transmitting the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that the measurement gap is to be divided into two or more fractions. The method further comprises using, for each measurement window occasion, a different fraction of the fractional measurement gap. The method further comprises transmitting, to the second apparatus, two or more fractional measurement gap configurations, wherein each of the two or more the fractional measurement gap configurations indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions. The two or more fractional measurement gap configurations are configured to alternate such that each of the fractional measurement gap fractions comprises approximately N times the periodicity of a full fractional measurement gap, where N is an integer. The method further comprises indicating to the second apparatus to use a first portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for data transmission and use a second portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for radio resource management (RRM) measurements. [0009] In an example embodiment, an apparatus further comprises means for: (i) receiving, from a base station, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) receiving an indication of activation, for at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (hi) transmitting uplink and/or downlink data during the measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The apparatus further comprises means for receiving an indication of activation, for the at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring the at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The method further comprises receiving the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that at least one first fractional measurement gap overlaps with at least one second fractional measurement gap. The apparatus further comprises means for receiving the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that the measurement gap is to be divided into two or more fractions. The apparatus further comprises means for using, for each measurement window occasion, a different fraction of the fractional measurement gap. The apparatus further comprises means for receiving, from the base station, two or more fractional measurement gap configurations, wherein each of the two or more fractional measurement gap configurations indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions. The two or more fractional measurement gap configurations are configured to alternate such that each of the fractional measurement gap fractions comprises approximately N times the periodicity of a full fractional measurement gap, where N is an integer. The apparatus further comprises means for using a first portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for data transmission and using a second portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for radio resource management (RRM) measurements.

[0010] In an example embodiment, an apparatus further comprises means for: (i) transmitting, by an apparatus and to a second apparatus, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) activating, for at least one measurement window occasion, at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iii) scheduling one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling during the at least one measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The apparatus further comprises means for activating, for the at least one measurement window occasion, at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring the at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The apparatus further comprises means for transmitting the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that at least one first fractional measurement gap overlaps with at least one second fractional measurement gap. The apparatus further comprises means for transmitting the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that the measurement gap is to be divided into two or more fractions. The apparatus further comprises means for using, for each measurement window occasion, a different fraction of the fractional measurement gap. The apparatus further comprises means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, two or more fractional measurement gap configurations, wherein each of the two or more the fractional measurement gap configurations indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions. The two or more fractional measurement gap configurations are configured to alternate such that each of the fractional measurement gap fractions comprises approximately N times the periodicity of a full fractional measurement gap, where N is an integer. The apparatus further comprises means for indicating to the second apparatus to use a first portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for data transmission and use a second portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for radio resource management (RRM) measurements.

[0011] In an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: (i) receive, from a base station, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) receive an indication of activation, for at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iii) transmit uplink and/or downlink data during the measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The computer instructions further comprise computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to receive an indication of activation, for the at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring the at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The computer instructions further comprise computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to receive the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that at least one first fractional measurement gap overlaps with at least one second fractional measurement gap. The computer instructions further comprise computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to receive the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that the measurement gap is to be divided into two or more fractions. The computer instructions further comprise computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to use, for each measurement window occasion, a different fraction of the fractional measurement gap. The computer instructions further comprise computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to receive, from the base station, two or more fractional measurement gap configurations, wherein each of the two or more fractional measurement gap configurations indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions. The two or more fractional measurement gap configurations are configured to alternate such that each of the fractional measurement gap fractions comprises approximately N times the periodicity of a full measurement gap fraction. The computer instructions further comprise computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to use a first portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for data transmission and using a second portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for radio resource management (RRM) measurements.

[0012] In an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: (i) transmit, by an apparatus and to a second apparatus, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) activate, for at least one measurement window occasion, at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iii) schedule one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling during the at least one measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The computer instructions further comprise computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to activate, for the at least one measurement window occasion, at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring the at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The computer instructions further comprise computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to transmit the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that at least one first fractional measurement gap overlaps with at least one second fractional measurement gap. The computer instructions further comprise computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to transmit the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that the measurement gap is to be divided into two or more fractions. The computer instructions further comprise computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to use, for each measurement window occasion, a different fraction of the fractional measurement gap. The computer instructions further comprise computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to transmit, to the second apparatus, two or more fractional measurement gap configurations, wherein each of the two or more the fractional measurement gap configurations indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions. The two or more fractional measurement gap configurations are configured to alternate such that each of the fractional measurement gap fractions comprises approximately N times the periodicity of a full fractional measurement gap, where N is an integer. The computer instructions further comprise computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to indicate to the second apparatus to use a first portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for data transmission and use a second portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for radio resource management (RRM) measurements. [0013] In an example embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: (i) receiving, from a base station, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional measurement gap length, a fractional measurement gap repetition period, and a quantity of fractional measurement gap fractions, wherein an index of the fractional measurement gap to be used is determined based on an index of the measurement window occasion and a total number of fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) receiving an indication of activation, for at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iii) transmitting uplink and/or downlink data during the measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The fractional measurement gap configuration further indicates that an n^th fractional measurement gap is used for an n^th measurement window occasion, where n is at least one of 1 , 2 to N, and N is the total number of fractional subdivisions of the measurement gap fraction. The index of the fractional measurement gap to be used is determined based on the modulus of the index of the measurement window occasion and the total number of fractional measurement gap fractions. The index of the measurement window occasion is determined based on a system frame number (SFN) and a period of the measurement window. The index of the measurement window occasion is determined based on a modulus of the system frame number (SFN) and the period of the measurement window divided by the duration of the system frame.

[0014] In an example embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparats at least to perform: (i) transmitting, to a second apparatus, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional measurement gap length, a fractional measurement gap repetition period, and a quantity of fractional measurement gap fractions, wherein an index of the fractional measurement gap to be used is determined based on an index of the measurement window occasion and a total number of fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) activating, for at least one measurement window occasion, at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iii) scheduling one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling during the at least one measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The fractional measurement gap configuration further indicates that an n^th fractional measurement gap is used for an n^th measurement window occasion, where n is at least one of 1, 2 to N, and N is the total number of fractional subdivisions of the measurement gap fraction. The index of the fractional measurement gap to be used is determined based on the modulus of the index of the measurement window occasion and the total number of fractional measurement gap fractions. The index of the measurement window occasion is determined based on a system frame number (SFN) and a period of the measurement window. The index of the measurement window occasion is determined based on a modulus of the system frame number (SFN) and the period of the measurement window divided by the duration of the system frame.

[0015] In an example embodiment, a method is provided that comprises: (i) receiving, from a base station, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional measurement gap length, a fractional measurement gap repetition period, and a quantity of fractional measurement gap fractions, wherein an index of the fractional measurement gap to be used is determined based on an index of the measurement window occasion and a total number of fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) receiving an indication of activation, for at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iii) transmitting uplink and/or downlink data during the measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The fractional measurement gap configuration further indicates that an n^th fractional measurement gap is used for an n^th measurement window occasion, where n is at least one of 1, 2 to N, and N is the total number of fractional subdivisions of the measurement gap fraction. The index of the fractional measurement gap to be used is determined based on the modulus of the index of the measurement window occasion and the total number of fractional measurement gap fractions. The index of the measurement window occasion is determined based on a system frame number (SFN) and a period of the measurement window. The index of the measurement window occasion is determined based on a modulus of the system frame number (SFN) and the period of the measurement window divided by the duration of the system frame.

[0016] In an example embodiment, a method is provided that comprises: (i) transmitting, by an apparatus and to a second apparatus, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional measurement gap length, a fractional measurement gap repetition period, and a quantity of fractional measurement gap fractions, wherein an index of the fractional measurement gap to be used is determined based on an index of the measurement window occasion and a total number of fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) activating, for at least one measurement window occasion, at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iii) scheduling one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling during the at least one measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The fractional measurement gap configuration further indicates that an n^th fractional measurement gap is used for an n^th measurement window occasion, where n is at least one of 1 , 2 to N, and N is the total number of fractional subdivisions of the measurement gap fraction. The index of the fractional measurement gap to be used is determined based on the modulus of the index of the measurement window occasion and the total number of fractional measurement gap fractions. The index of the measurement window occasion is determined based on a system frame number (SFN) and a period of the measurement window. The index of the measurement window occasion is determined based on a modulus of the system frame number (SFN) and the period of the measurement window divided by the duration of the system frame.

[0017] In an example embodiment, an apparatus further comprises means for: (i) receiving, from a base station, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional measurement gap length, a fractional measurement gap repetition period, and a quantity of fractional measurement gap fractions, wherein an index of the fractional measurement gap to be used is determined based on an index of the measurement window occasion and a total number of fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) receiving an indication of activation, for at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iii) means for transmitting uplink and/or downlink data during the measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI- RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The fractional measurement gap configuration further indicates that an n^th fractional measurement gap is used for an n^th measurement window occasion, where n is at least one of 1 , 2 to N, and N is the total number of fractional subdivisions of the measurement gap fraction. The index of the fractional measurement gap to be used is determined based on the modulus of the index of the measurement window occasion and the total number of fractional measurement gap fractions. The index of the measurement window occasion is determined based on a system frame number (SFN) and a period of the measurement window. The index of the measurement window occasion is determined based on a modulus of the system frame number (SFN) and the period of the measurement window divided by the duration of the system frame. [0018] In an example embodiment, an apparatus further comprises means for: (i) transmitting, to a second apparatus, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional measurement gap length, a fractional measurement gap repetition period, and a quantity of fractional measurement gap fractions, wherein an index of the fractional measurement gap to be used is determined based on an index of the measurement window occasion and a total number of fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) activating, for at least one measurement window occasion, at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iii) scheduling one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling during the at least one measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The fractional measurement gap configuration further indicates that an n^th fractional measurement gap is used for an n^th measurement window occasion, where n is at least one of 1 , 2 to N, and N is the total number of fractional subdivisions of the measurement gap fraction. The index of the fractional measurement gap to be used is determined based on the modulus of the index of the measurement window occasion and the total number of fractional measurement gap fractions. The index of the measurement window occasion is determined based on a system frame number (SFN) and a period of the measurement window. The index of the measurement window occasion is determined based on a modulus of the system frame number (SFN) and the period of the measurement window divided by the duration of the system frame.

[0019] In an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: (i) receive, from a base station, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional measurement gap length, a fractional measurement gap repetition period, and a quantity of fractional measurement gap fractions, wherein an index of the fractional measurement gap to be used is determined based on an index of the measurement window occasion and a total number of fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) receive an indication of activation, for at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (hi) transmit uplink and/or downlink data during the measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The fractional measurement gap configuration further indicates that an n^th fractional measurement gap is used for an n^th measurement window occasion, where n is at least one of 1, 2 to N, and N is the total number of fractional subdivisions of the measurement gap fraction. The index of the fractional measurement gap to be used is determined based on the modulus of the index of the measurement window occasion and the total number of fractional measurement gap fractions. The index of the measurement window occasion is determined based on a system frame number (SFN) and a period of the measurement window. The index of the measurement window occasion is determined based on a modulus of the system frame number (SFN) and the period of the measurement window divided by the duration of the system frame.

[0020] In an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: (i) transmit, to a second apparatus, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional measurement gap length, a fractional measurement gap repetition period, and a quantity of fractional measurement gap fractions, wherein an index of the fractional measurement gap to be used is determined based on an index of the measurement window occasion and a total number of fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) activate, for at least one measurement window occasion, at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iii) schedule one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling during the at least one measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The fractional measurement gap configuration further indicates that an n^th fractional measurement gap is used for an n^th measurement window occasion, where n is at least one of 1 , 2 to N, and N is the total number of fractional subdivisions of the measurement gap fraction. The index of the fractional measurement gap to be used is determined based on the modulus of the index of the measurement window occasion and the total number of fractional measurement gap fractions. The index of the measurement window occasion is determined based on a system frame number (SFN) and a period of the measurement window. The index of the measurement window occasion is determined based on a modulus of the system frame number (SFN) and the period of the measurement window divided by the duration of the system frame.

[0021] In an example embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: (i) receiving, from a base station, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) receiving, from the base station, at least one control signal indicating to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions, (iii) receiving an indication of activation, for at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least a reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iv) transmitting uplink and/or downlink data during the measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The at least one control signal further comprises an indication to skip a full measurement window occasion. The at least one control signal comprises at least one downlink control information (DCI). The at least one control signal comprises at least one medium access control (MAC) control element (CE). The at least one control signal further comprises an indication to skip the upcoming measurement window occasion. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to skip the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions until the apparatus receives an indication that the skipping should no longer occur. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to skip the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions for the upcoming M windows, wherein M is an integer. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to skip the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions until the apparatus receives an indication that the skipping should no longer occur. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive an indication of activation, for the at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least a reference signal comprised by the at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that at least one first fractional measurement gap overlaps with at least one second fractional measurement gap. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that the measurement gap is to be divided into two or more fractions. The fractional measurement gap configuration further comprises at least one indication that a different one of the two or more fractional measurement gap fractions is to be used for each of the at least one measurement window occasions. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive, from the base station, two or more fractional measurement gap configurations, wherein each of the two or more the fractional measurement gap configurations indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions.

[0022] In an example embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparats at least to perform: (i) transmitting, to a second apparatus, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) transmitting, to the second apparatus, an indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions, (iii) activating, for at least one measurement window occasion, at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least a reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iv) scheduling one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling during the at least one measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions further comprises an indication to skip a full measurement window occasion. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to transmit at least one downlink control information (DCI) comprising the indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to transmit at least one medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) comprising the indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions. The at least one control signal further comprises an indication to skip the upcoming measurement window occasion. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to skip the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions occurs until the apparatus receives an indication that the skipping should no longer occur. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to skip the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions for the upcoming M windows, wherein M is an integer. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to skip the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions until the apparatus receives an indication that the skipping should no longer occur. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to activate, for the at least one measurement window occasion, at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least a reference signal comprised by the at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to transmit the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that at least one first fractional measurement gap overlaps with at least one second fractional measurement gap. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to transmit the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that the measurement gap is to be divided into two or more fractions. The fractional measurement gap configuration further comprises at least one indication that a different one of the two or more fractional measurement gap fractions is to be used for each of the at least one measurement window occasions. The at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to transmit two or more fractional measurement gap configurations, wherein each of the two or more the fractional measurement gap configurations indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions.

[0023] In an example embodiment, a method is provided that comprises: (i) receiving, from a base station, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) receiving, from the base station, an indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions, (iii) receiving an indication of activation, for at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least a reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iv) transmitting uplink and/or downlink data during the measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions further comprises an indication to skip a full measurement window occasion. The method further comprises receiving at least one downlink control information (DCI) comprising the indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions. The method further comprises receiving at least one medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) comprising the indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions. The at least one control signal further comprises an indication to skip the upcoming measurement window occasion. The skipping the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions occurs until the apparatus receives an indication that the skipping should no longer occur. The method further comprises skipping the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions for the upcoming M windows, wherein M is an integer. The method further comprises skipping the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions until the apparatus receives an indication that the skipping should no longer occur.

[0024] In an example embodiment, a method is provided that comprises: (i) transmitting, by an apparatus and to a second apparatus, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) transmitting, to the second apparatus, an indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions, (iii) activating, for at least one measurement window occasion, at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least a reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iv) scheduling one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling during the at least one measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions further comprises an indication to skip a full measurement window occasion. The method further comprises transmitting at least one downlink control information (DCI) comprising the indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions. The method further comprises transmitting at least one medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) comprising the indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions. The at least one control signal further comprises an indication to skip the upcoming measurement window occasion. The skipping the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions occurs until the apparatus receives an indication that the skipping should no longer occur. The method further comprises skipping the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions for the upcoming M windows, wherein M is an integer. The method further comprises skipping the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions until the apparatus receives an indication that the skipping should no longer occur.

[0025] In an example embodiment, an apparatus further comprises means for: (i) receiving, from a base station, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) receiving, from the base station, an indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions, (iii) receiving an indication of activation, for at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least a reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iv) transmitting uplink and/or downlink data during the measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions further comprises an indication to skip a full measurement window occasion. The apparatus further comprises means for receiving at least one downlink control information (DCI) comprising the indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions. The apparatus further comprises means for receiving at least one medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) comprising the indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions. The at least one control signal further comprises an indication to skip the upcoming measurement window occasion. The skipping the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions occurs until the apparatus receives an indication that the skipping should no longer occur. The apparatus further comprises means for skipping the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions for the upcoming M windows, wherein M is an integer. The apparatus further comprises means for skipping the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions until the apparatus receives an indication that the skipping should no longer occur.

[0026] In an example embodiment, an apparatus further comprises means for: (i) transmitting, by an apparatus and to a second apparatus, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) transmitting, to the second apparatus, an indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions, (iii) activating, for at least one measurement window occasion, at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least a reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iv) scheduling one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling during the at least one measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions further comprises an indication to skip a full measurement window occasion. The apparatus further comprises means for transmitting at least one downlink control information (DCI) comprising the indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions. The apparatus further comprises means for transmitting at least one medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) comprising the indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions. The at least one control signal further comprises an indication to skip the upcoming measurement window occasion. The skipping the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions occurs until the apparatus receives an indication that the skipping should no longer occur. The apparatus further comprises means for skipping the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions for the upcoming M windows, wherein M is an integer. The apparatus further comprises means for skipping the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions until the apparatus receives an indication that the skipping should no longer occur.

[0027] In an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: (i) receive, from a base station, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) receive, from the base station, an indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions, (iii) receive an indication of activation, for at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least a reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iv) transmit uplink and/or downlink data during the measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions further comprises an indication to skip a full measurement window occasion. The computer instructions further computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to receive at least one downlink control information (DCI) comprising the indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions. The computer instructions further computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to receive at least one medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) comprising the indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions. The at least one control signal further comprises an indication to skip the upcoming measurement window occasion. The skipping the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions occurs until the apparatus receives an indication that the skipping should no longer occur. The computer instructions further computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to skip the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions for the upcoming M windows, wherein M is an integer. The computer instructions further computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to skip the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions until the apparatus receives an indication that the skipping should no longer occur.

[0028] In an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: (i) transmit, by an apparatus and to a second apparatus, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions, (ii) transmit, to the second apparatus, an indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions, (iii) activate, for at least one measurement window occasion, at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least a reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions, and (iv) schedule one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling during the at least one measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB). In one example, the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion. The indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions further comprises an indication to skip a full measurement window occasion. The computer instructions further computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to transmit at least one downlink control information (DCI) comprising the indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions. The computer instructions further computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to transmit at least one medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) comprising the indication to skip a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions. The at least one control signal further comprises an indication to skip the upcoming measurement window occasion. The skipping the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions occurs until the apparatus receives an indication that the skipping should no longer occur. The computer instructions further computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to skip the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions for the upcoming M windows, wherein M is an integer. The computer instructions further computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to skip the subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions until the apparatus receives an indication that the skipping should no longer occur.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Having thus described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will hereinafter be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0030] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example communication system;

[0031] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus that may be specifically configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure; [0032] FIG. 3 is a representation of fractional measurement gap division within a measurement window occasion;

[0033] FIG. 4 is a representation of a formula for determining an index of a measurement gap;

[0034] FIG. 5 is a representation of a formula for determining an index of a measurement window occasion;

[0035] FIG. 6 is a representation of fractional measurement gap division applied to various measurement window occasions;

[0036] FIG. 7A is a representation of delay reduction for fractional measurement gap division for a first occasion in which a fractional measurement gap covers one or more first slots for reference signals;

[0037] FIG. 7B is a representation of delay reduction for fractional measurement gap division for a second occasion in which a fractional measurement gap covers one or more last slots for reference signals;

[0038] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the operations performed, such as by the apparatus of FIG. 2, in order to apply fractional measurement gap division;

[0039] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the operations performed, such as by the apparatus of FIG. 2, in order to apply fractional measurement gap division;

[0040] FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating the operations performed, such as by the apparatus of FIG. 2, in order to apply fractional measurement gap division;

[0041] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating the operations performed, such as by the apparatus of FIG. 2, in order to apply fractional measurement gap division;

[0042] FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating the operations performed, such as by the apparatus of FIG. 2, in order to apply fractional measurement gap division; and

[0043] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating the operations performed, such as by the apparatus of FIG. 2, in order to apply fractional measurement gap division, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein; rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information,” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received and/or stored in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0045] Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry and/or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) comprising software and/or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ also includes an implementation comprising one or more processors and/or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software and/or firmware. As another example, the term ‘circuitry’ as used herein also includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, other network device (such as a core network apparatus), field programmable gate array, and/or other computing device.

[0046] One example of a communications system 10 in which an example embodiment may be deployed is depicted in FIG. 1. The system of FIG. 1 may be utilized for a variety of applications. For example, a communications system 10 may include at least one core network 12, at least one base station 14 (e.g., gNB, NodeB, etc.), and/or at least one user device 16 (16a, b,. ..N) (e.g., user equipment (UE), wireless device, user terminal, terminal device, etc.).

[0047] In FIG. 1, user devices 16a and 16b are configured to be in a wireless connection on one or more communication channels in a cell with an access node (such as a NodeB) 14 providing the cell. The physical link from a user device to a NodeB is called the uplink or reverse link and the physical link from the NodeB to the user device is called the downlink or forward link. It should be appreciated that the NodeBs or their functionalities may be implemented by using any node, host, server or access point (AP), and/or other entity suitable for such a usage. [0048] A communications system typically comprises more than one NodeB, in which case the NodeBs may also be configured to communicate with one another over links, wired or wireless, designed for the purpose. These links may be used for signaling purposes. The NodeB is a computing device configured to control resources of the communication system to which the NodeB is coupled. The NodeB may also be referred to as a base station, an access point or any other type of interfacing device including a relay station capable of operating in a wireless environment.

[0049] The user device illustrates one type of an apparatus to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, and thus any feature described herein with a user device may be implemented with a corresponding apparatus, such as the apparatus of FIG. 2.

[0050] The user device typically refers to a portable computing device that includes wireless mobile communication devices operating with or without a subscriber identification module (SIM), including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: a mobile station (mobile phone), smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), handset, device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), laptop and/or touch screen computer, tablet, game console, notebook, and multimedia device. It should be appreciated that a user device may also be a nearly exclusive uplink only device, of which an example is a camera or video camera loading images or video clips to a network. A user device may also be a device having capability to operate in Internet of Things (loT) network which is a scenario in which objects are provided with the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. The user device is configured to perform one or more of user equipment functionalities. The user device may also be called a subscriber unit, mobile station, remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal or user equipment (UE) just to mention but a few names or apparatuses.

[0051] Although an example embodiment may be deployed in various types of communications systems, a 5G communications system will be described herein by way of example, but not of limitation, and the method and apparatus of an example embodiment may be utilized in conjunction with other communication systems, such as 5G-Advanced, 6G, and/or the like. 5G enables using multiple input - multiple output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than LTE (a so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in co-operation with smaller stations and employing a variety of radio technologies depending on service needs, use cases and/or spectrum available. 5G mobile communications supports a wide range of use cases and related applications including video streaming, augmented reality, different ways of data sharing and various forms of machine type applications, including vehicular safety, different sensors and realtime control. 5G may have various radio interfaces, namely below 6GHz, cmWave and mmWave, and also being integratable with existing legacy radio access technologies, such as LTE. Integration with LTE may be implemented, at least in the early phase, as a system, where macro coverage is provided by LTE and 5G radio interface access comes from small cells by aggregation to LTE. In other words, 5G is planned to support both inter-RAT operability (such as LTE-5G) and inter-RI operability (inter-radio interface operability, such as below 6GHz - cmWave, below 6GHz - cmWave - mmWave). One of the concepts considered to be used in 5G networks is network slicing in which multiple independent and dedicated virtual sub-networks (network instances) may be created within the same infrastructure to run services that have different requirements on latency, reliability, throughput and mobility.

[0052] The current architecture in LTE networks is fully distributed in the radio and fully centralized in the core network. The low latency applications and services in 5G require bringing the content close to the radio which leads to local break out and multiaccess edge computing (MEC). 5G enables analytics and knowledge generation to occur at the source of the data. This approach requires leveraging resources that may not be continuously connected to a network such as laptops, smartphones, tablets and sensors. MEC provides a distributed computing environment for application and service hosting. It also has the ability to store and process content in close proximity to cellular subscribers for faster response time. Edge computing covers a wide range of technologies such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data acquisition, mobile signature analysis, cooperative distributed peer-to-peer ad hoc networking and processing also classifiable as local cloud/fog computing and grid/mesh computing, dew computing, mobile edge computing, cloudlet, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomic self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, Internet of Things (massive connectivity and/or latency critical), and critical communications (autonomous vehicles, traffic safety, real-time analytics, time-critical control, and healthcare applications).

[0053] The communication system 10 is also able to communicate with other networks, such as a public switched telephone network or the Internet, or utilize services provided by them. The communication network 10 may also be able to support the usage of cloud services, for example at least part of core network operations may be carried out as a cloud service. The communication system may also comprise a central control entity, or a like, providing facilities for networks of different operators to cooperate for example in spectrum sharing.

[0054] Edge cloud may be brought into radio access network (RAN) by utilizing network function virtualization (NVF) and software defined networking (SDN). Using edge cloud may mean access node operations to be carried out, at least partly, in a server, host or node operationally coupled to a remote radio head or base station comprising radio parts. It is also possible that node operations will be distributed among a plurality of servers, nodes or hosts. Application of cloudRAN architecture enables RAN real time functions being carried out at the RAN side and non-real time functions being carried out in a centralized manner).

[0055] It should also be understood that the distribution of labor between core network operations and base station operations may differ from that of LTE or even be nonexistent. Some other technology advancements that may be used are Big Data and all-IP, which may change the way networks are being constructed and managed. 5G (or new radio, NR) networks are being designed to support multiple hierarchies, where MEC servers can be placed between the core and the base station or nodeB (gNB). It should be appreciated that MEC can be applied in 4G networks as well.

[0056] 5G may also utilize satellite communication to enhance or complement the coverage of 5G service, for example by providing backhauling. Possible use cases are providing service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (loT) devices or for passengers on board vehicles, or ensuring service availability for critical communications, and future railway/maritime/aeronautical communications. Satellite communication may utilize geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite systems, but also low earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, in particular mega-constellations (systems in which hundreds of (nano)satellites are deployed). Each satellite in the mega-constellation may cover several satellite-enabled network entities that create on-ground cells. The on-ground cells may be created through an on-ground relay node or by a gNB located on-ground or in a satellite.

[0057] The depicted system is only an example of a part of a radio access system in which the system 10 of FIG. 1 may be deployed and in practice, the system may comprise a plurality of NodeBs, the user devices may have access to a plurality of radio cells and the system may comprise also other apparatuses, such as physical layer relay nodes or other network elements, etc. At least one of the NodeBs or may be a Home NodeB. Additionally, in a geographical area of a radio communication system a plurality of different kinds of radio cells as well as a plurality of radio cells may be provided. Radio cells may be macro cells (or umbrella cells) which are large cells, usually having a diameter of up to tens of kilometers, or smaller cells such as micro-, femto- or picocells. The NodeBs of FIG. 1 may provide any kind of these cells. A cellular radio system may be implemented as a multilayer network including several kinds of cells. Typically, in multilayer networks, one access node provides one kind of a cell or cells, and thus a plurality of NodeBs is required to provide such a network structure.

[0058] For fulfilling the need for improving the deployment and performance of communication systems, the concept of “plug-and-play” NodeBs has been introduced. Typically, a network which is able to use “plug-and-play” Node Bs, includes, in addition to Home NodeBs (HnodeBs), a home node B gateway, or HNB-GW. A HNB Gateway (HNB-GW), which is typically installed within an operator’s network may aggregate traffic from a large number of HNBs back to a core network. Although FIG. 1 depicts one example communication system in which system 10 of an example embodiment may be deployed, the system of other example embodiments may be deployed in other types of systems, be they to support communications or otherwise.

[0059] One example of an apparatus 20 that may be configured to function as the core network 12, base station 14, and/or user device 16 is depicted in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus includes, is associated with or is in communication with processing circuity 22, a memory 24 and a communication interface 26. The processing circuitry may be in communication with the memory device via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus. The memory device may be non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and/or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory device may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer readable storage medium) comprising gates configured to store data (e.g., bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., a computing device like the processing circuitry). The memory device may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the memory device could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processing circuitry. Additionally or alternatively, the memory device could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processing circuitry. [0060] FIG. 2 depicts an example of a simplified block diagram of an apparatus according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, whose implementation may differ from what is shown. The connections shown in FIG. 2 are logical connections; the actual physical connections may be different. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the system typically comprises also other functions and structures than those shown in FIG. 2.

[0061] The apparatus 20 may, in some embodiments, be embodied in various computing devices as described above. However, in some embodiments, the apparatus may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the apparatus may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. The apparatus may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present disclosure on a single chip or as a single “system on a chip.” As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein.

[0062] The processing circuitry 22 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processing circuitry may be embodied as one or more of various hardware processing means such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing element with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other circuitry including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. As such, in some embodiments, the processing circuitry 22 may include one or more processing cores configured to perform independently. A multi-core processing circuitry may enable multiprocessing within a single physical package. Additionally or alternatively, the processing circuitry may include one or more processors configured in tandem via the bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining and/or multithreading.

[0063] In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 22 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory device 24 or otherwise accessible to the processing circuitry. Alternatively or additionally, the processing circuitry may be configured to execute hard coded functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processing circuitry may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processing circuitry is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processing circuitry may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively or additionally, as another example, when the processing circuitry is embodied as an executor of instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform the algorithms and/or operations described herein when the instructions are executed. However, in some cases, the processing circuitry 22 may be a processor of a specific device (e.g., an image or video processing system) configured to employ an embodiment of the present disclosure by further configuration of the processing circuitry by instructions for performing the algorithms and/or operations described herein. The processing circuitry 22 may include, among other things, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and logic gates configured to support operation of the processing circuitry. [0064] The communication interface 26 may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data, including media content in the form of video or image files, one or more audio tracks or the like. In this regard, the communication interface may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and/or software for enabling communications with a wireless communication network. Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface may include the circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) to cause transmission of signals via the antenna(s) or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna(s). In some environments, the communication interface may alternatively or also support wired communication. As such, for example, the communication interface may include a communication modem and/or other hardware/software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB) or other mechanisms. [0065] Referring now to FIG. 3, a representation of fractional measurement gap division within a measurement window occasion is provided. A fractional measurement gap configuration may indicate that a measurement gap is to be divided into N fractions, where N is an integer (e.g., greater than one). In the example of FIG. 3, the fractions are illustrated as being of equal size, however, they may be of equal size and/or different sizes. For example, if N = 4, four subdivisions may be used for a single measurement window occasion (e.g., an SMTC occasion). In some examples, the fractional measurement gaps may overlap with one another within a measurement window occasion, as shown in FIG. 3. For example, such an overlap may arise due to allowing a user device (e.g., a UE, a wireless device, etc.) additional time before and/or after a reference signal measurement to retune to its center frequency and/or adjust its radiofrequency (RF) settings to perform the measurement.

[0066] In some examples, skipping fractional measurement gap factions may offer some advantages to further leverage the trade-offs between scheduling and RRM measurement opportunities. In the example of FIG. 3, the measurement window occasion for the full measurement gap may be subdivided into four fractional gaps of measurement window occasion. In this example, the four fractional gaps are designed with some overlap between each segment of the measurement window occasion.

[0067] By having the structure of fractional measurement gaps defined, network- controlled dynamic schemes for skipping measurement gaps (further described herein) may be extended to include information in the control signaling (e.g., DCI, MAC-CE) skipping command to explicitly indicate to the user device which fractional measurement gaps to skip. In an example with radio resource control (RRC) configuration of a mask where the user device may prioritize scheduling over RRM measurements, it may be configured such that fractional measurement gaps overlapping with RRC masks of time-periods for scheduling priority are skipped. The RRC may be used to inform the user device to cycle through different fractional measurement gaps, for example, one-by-one, in different measurement window occasions, such that after a quantity of measurement window occasions (e.g., four SMTC occasions), the user device may have measured during one or more (e.g., up to all) of the fractional measurement gaps, corresponding to having measured the full measurement window occasion.

[0068] Referring now to FIG. 4, a representation of a formula for determining an index of a measurement gap is provided. A different fractional measurement gap may be used for a different potion of a measurement window occasion. In order to determine an index of a fractional measurement gap, a mathematical operation based on the formula of FIG. 4 may be performed. In some examples, the base station determines the index of the fractional measurement gap. In some examples, the base station signals the index of the fractional measurement gap to the user device. In the example of FIG. 4: n gap is the index of the fractional measurement gap, n SMTC is the index of the measurement window occasion (e.g., an SMTC occasion), N is the total number of fractional measurement gap subdivisions, and mod(a,b) is the modulus operation between a and b (where a = n SMTC and b = N). In order to determine n SMTC, another quantity may be relied upon, as described herein with respect to FIG. 5.

[0069] Referring now to FIG. 5, a representation of a formula for determining an index of a measurement window occasion is provided. In some examples, the base station determines the index of the measurement window occasion. In some examples, the base station signals the index of the measurement window occasion to the user device. Where n SMTC is the index of a measurement window occasion (e.g., an SMTC occasion), the system frame number (SFN) may be used to determine n SMTC. In the example of FIG. 5: n SMTC is the index of a measurement window occasion (e.g., an SMTC occasion), SFN is the system frame number, SMTC period is the period of the measurement window occasion (e.g., an SMTC occasion), and mod(a,b) is the modulus operation between a and b (where a = SFN and b = SMTC period).

[0070] Referring now to FIG. 6, a representation of fractional measurement gap division applied to various measurement window occasions is provided. The example of FIG. 6 may illustrate how the example of FIG. 3 may be used in practice. In the example of FIG. 6, four consecutive measurement window occasions (e.g., SMTC occasions) are shown. However, any number of measurement window occasions (e.g., any number of consecutive measurement window occasions) may be used according to this example (and/or according to any other example described herein). For one or more of the measurement window occasions, one or more corresponding fractional measurement gap may be used. For example, the fractional measurement gap 1 may be used for the first measurement window occasion, the fractional measurement gap 2 may be used for the second measurement window occasion, the fractional measurement gap 3 may be used for the third measurement window occasion, the fractional measurement gap 4 may be used for the fourth measurement window occasion, and/or the like. Such a pattern may be applied to various architectures based on the rules (e.g., the formulas) of FIG. 4 and/or FIG. 5.

[0071] In the example of FIG. 6, for at least one measurement window occasion, a first portion of the at least one measurement window occasion may be used for data transmission and/or a second portion of the at least one measurement window occasion may be used for measurements (e.g., RRM measurements). In an example, the first portion of the at least one measurement window occasion may be approximately 75% of the at least one measurement window occasion and/or the second portion of the at least one measurement window occasion may be approximately 25% of the at least one measurement window occasion.

[0072] In some examples, when combining the measurement information of the any number of measurement window occasions (e.g., any number of consecutive measurement window occasions), a user device may collect a portion of one or more SSB indexes (e.g., up to all) comprised within the any number of measurement window occasions.

[0073] FIGS. 7A-7B show representations of delay reduction for fractional measurement gap division for various occasions in which a fractional measurement gap covers one or more slots for reference signals. FIGS. 7A-7B show contiguous time-series of slots, where some slots are for downlink (D) transmissions, others are for uplink (U) transmissions, and some of the D slots contain SSB that may be used by the user device for RRM measurements. In the example of FIGS. 7A-7B, data arrival may be such that a network (e.g., a base station, a gNB, etc.) may send control signaling (e.g., DCI, MAC-CE, etc.) scheduling a user device in the last downlink (D) slot before the start of a measurement gap. In this example, the measurement gap is split into two fractional measurement gaps, although it may be split into any number of fractional measurement gaps.

[0074] Referring now to FIG. 7A, a representation of delay reduction for fractional measurement gap division for a first occasion in which a fractional measurement gap covers one or more first slots for reference signals is provided. In the example of FIG. 7A, data arrival may occur at the gNB before a measurement gap occasion uses the first of the two fractional measurement gaps (e.g., immediately before the measurement gap occasion uses the first of the two fractional measurement gaps). In this example, the DCI may be sent in the last DL slot before the fractional measurement gap, and/or the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) may be scheduled in an S slot after the fractional measurement gap (e.g., immediately and/or shortly after the fractional measurement gap). In this example, a scheduling delay may be reduced, for example, to six slots. For example, if the overlap between the two fractional measurement gaps is small (e.g., on the order of a few symbols), it may be possible to schedule the user device at the SSB slot before the S slot.

[0075] Referring now to FIG. 7B, a representation of delay reduction for fractional measurement gap division for a second occasion in which a fractional measurement gap covers one or more last slots for reference signals is provided. In the example of FIG. 7B, data arrival may occur at the gNB before the start of the second of two fractional measurement gaps. In this example, a portion of the measurement gap (e.g., approximately the first half of the measurement gap) may be available for scheduling, in which case the scheduling delay may be reduced, for example, to three slots. In this example, such a reduction may be substantially equivalent to no additional delay due to measurement gaps. [0076] In the examples of FIGS. 7A-7B, the scheduling impact of the measurement gap may be reduced from five additional slots to a range from zero to three slots (e.g., zero slots, zero slots or more, three slots or less, three slots, etc.), for example, if fractional measurement gaps are used.

[0077] In some examples, a user device may be configured with, for example, one or more alternating fractional measurement gap patterns, such that at least one fractional measurement gap may have approximately N times the periodicity of the full measurement gap (e.g., an 80 ms periodicity for the measurement gap fraction compared to a 40 ms periodicity for the full measurement gap when N = 2). In some examples, beginnings of alternating fractional measurement gap patterns may be offset by a portion of the fractional measurement gap periodicity (e.g., half of the fractional measurement gap periodicity) compared to one another, such that different fractional measurement gaps alternate. In some examples, a fractional measurement gap may be defined in terms of a beginning offset and/or duration from the starting slot, for example, based on the periodicity. In some examples, the fractional measurement gaps may be determined, for example, as two or more independent fractional measurement gap patterns with additional offset of the periodicity and/or slot offset for the beginning of the fractional measurement gap.

[0078] In some examples, definition of fractional measurement gap patterns may be utilized for schemes with network-controlled dynamic skipping of measurement gaps, for example, via control signaling (e.g., DCI signaling, MAC-CE signaling, etc.) from a gNB to a user device. In some examples, the control signaling to skip a measurement gap may indicate whether a full measurement gap (e.g., measurement window occasion) is to be skipped and/or if a subset of the fractional measurement gaps (e.g., at least one predefined fractional measurement gap) is to be skipped. The gNB may first know before the start of the scheduling window if the scheduling was successful, or whether the gNB needs to also schedule the user device in the otherwise upcoming “scheduling restriction window”. In the example of DCI-based signaling, the user device may have been configured with periodic RRM measurements which cause scheduling restrictions. Before one of these scheduling restrictions, the gNB may decide to send a DCI to inform the user device to skip the upcoming of window of scheduling restrictions, thereby allowing the gNB to also schedule the user device during that window.

[0079] In an example comprising dynamic indication of skipping a gap of scheduling restrictions, transmission of skipping command (e.g., via control signaling such as DCI and/or MAC-CE) may occur before the start of the otherwise configured measurement gap, which may cause the user device to react and skip the measurement gap.

[0080] In an example, the gNB may configure the user device with a time-masking where it plans to schedule data transmissions for the user device. For example, if this mask collides with windows of scheduling restrictions, the scheduling restrictions may be skipped. The signaling to enable such functionality may be RRC signaling. For example, the user device may be configured with a mask of window where it may prioritize scheduling (e.g., skip potential RRM measurements that may cause scheduling restrictions). The gNB may configure the user device with such a mask in line with an expected arrival of frames (e.g., extended reality (XR) video frames) and/or the time anticipated for scheduling them, which may include potential uncertainties, for example, due to jitter variations. In an example, one or more (e.g., two) RRM measurement occasions with scheduling restrictions may be skipped, for example, if they overlap with the mask of windows (e.g., configured by the gNB for the user device) where the user device may prioritize scheduling.

[0081] In an example, user device autonomous measurement gap skipping (e.g., user device autonomous fractional measurement gap skipping) may be implemented. For example, if there has been scheduling activity (e.g., intense scheduling activity) prior to the start of the scheduling restriction window (e.g., measurement window occasion), further scheduling may be beneficial. A user device may determine autonomously if it may skip the next scheduling restriction window and/or a fractional scheduling window. Such an autonomous determination may comprise the user device prioritizing decoding physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), and/or physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmissions, for example, effectively skipping the scheduling restriction window and/or a fractional scheduling window. The user device may skip windows and/or fractions of windows of scheduling restrictions (RRM measurements), for example, if more than N DCIs are received T seconds before the start of the next scheduling restriction window and/or fractional scheduling restriction window. In another example, a user device may autonomously skip measurement gaps and/or fractional measurement gaps, for example, if user device feedback has been transmitted before the window of scheduling restrictions. [0082] FIGS. 8-13 are flow charts illustrating the operations performed in order to configure, apply, and make use of fractional measurement gap division. Referring now to FIG. 8, a flow chart illustrating the operations performed, such as by the apparatus of FIG. 2, in order to apply fractional measurement gap division is provided. In the example flow chart, a user device (e.g., UE, wireless device, etc.) may be configured with fractional measurement gaps. As shown in block 80, the user device may receive, from a base station (e.g., network, gNB, etc.), a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration. The fractional measurement gap configuration may indicate a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the communication interface 26, and/or the like for receiving the fractional measurement gap configuration. The fractional measurement gap configuration and/or reception thereof may be as described with respect to FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIGS. 7A-7B, and/or any other examples described herein.

[0083] As shown in block 82, the user device may receive an indication of activation, for at least one measurement window occasion (e.g., SMTC occasion), of at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22 and/or the like, for receiving an indication of activation of the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The receiving an indication of activation of the fractional measurement gap fractions may be as described with respect to FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIGS. 7A-7B, and/or any other examples described herein.

[0084] As shown in block 84, the user device may transmit uplink and/or downlink data during the measurement window occasion and/or outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22 and/or the like for transmitting uplink and/or downlink data and/or outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. The uplink and/or downlink data transmission may be as described with respect to FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIGS. 7A-7B, and/or any other examples described herein.

[0085] Referring now to FIG. 9, a flow chart illustrating the operations performed, such as by the apparatus of FIG. 2, in order to apply fractional measurement gap division is provided. In the example flow chart, a network (e.g., base station, gNB) may configure fractional measurement gaps. As shown in block 90, the network may transmit, to a second apparatus (e.g., to a user device), a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the communication interface 26, and/or the like, for transmitting the fractional measurement gap configuration. The fractional measurement gap configuration and/or transmission thereof may be as described with respect to FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIGS. 7A-7B, and/or any other examples described herein.

[0086] As shown in block 92, the network may activate, for at least one measurement window occasion (e.g., SMTC occasion), at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22 and/or the like, for activating the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The activation of the fractional measurement gap fractions may be as described with respect to FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIGS. 7A-7B, and/or any other examples described herein.

[0087] As shown in block 94, the network may schedule one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling during the at least one measurement window occasion and/or outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22 and/or the like, for scheduling the one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling. The scheduling of the one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling may be as described with respect to FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIGS. 7A-7B, and/or any other examples described herein.

[0088] Referring now to FIG. 10, a flow chart illustrating the operations performed, such as by the apparatus of FIG. 2, in order to apply fractional measurement gap division is provided. In the example flow chart, a user device (e.g., UE, wireless device, etc.) may be configured with fractional measurement gaps. As shown in block 100, the user device may receive, from a base station, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional measurement gap length, a fractional measurement gap repetition period, and a quantity of fractional measurement gap fractions, wherein an index of the fractional measurement gap to be used is determined based on an index of the measurement window occasion and a total number of fractional measurement gap fraction. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the communication interface 26, and/or the like for receiving the fractional measurement gap configuration. The fractional measurement gap length, fractional measurement gap repetition period, quantity of fractional measurement gap fractions, index of the fractional measurement gap to be used, index of the measurement window occasion, total number of fractional measurement gap fractions, and/or other quantities (e.g., SFN) may be as described herein with respect to FIGS. 4-5 and/or any other examples described herein.

[0089] As shown in block 102, the user device may receive an indication of activation, for at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22 and/or the like, for receiving an indication of activation of the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The receiving an indication of activation of the fractional measurement gap fractions may be as described with respect to FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIGS. 7A- 7B, and/or any other examples described herein.

[0090] As shown in block 104, the user device may transmit uplink and/or downlink data during the measurement window occasion (e.g., SMTC occasion) and/or outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22 and/or the like for transmitting uplink and/or downlink data. The uplink and/or downlink data transmission may be as described with respect to FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIGS. 7A-7B, and/or any other examples described herein.

[0091] Referring now to FIG. 11, a flow chart illustrating the operations performed, such as by the apparatus of FIG. 2, in order to apply fractional measurement gap division is provided. In the example flow chart, a network (e.g., base station, gNB) may configure fractional measurement gaps. As shown in block 110, the network may transmit, to a second apparatus (e.g., a user device), a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional measurement gap length, a fractional measurement gap repetition period, and a quantity of fractional measurement gap fractions, wherein an index of the fractional measurement gap to be used is determined based on an index of the measurement window occasion and a total number of fractional measurement gap fraction. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the communication interface 26, and/or the like for receiving the fractional measurement gap configuration. The fractional measurement gap length, fractional measurement gap repetition period, quantity of fractional measurement gap fractions, index of the fractional measurement gap to be used, index of the measurement window occasion, total number of fractional measurement gap fractions, and/or other quantities (e.g., SFN) may be as described herein with respect to FIGS. 4-5 and/or any other examples described herein.

[0092] As shown in block 112, the network may activate, for at least one measurement window occasion, at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22 and/or the like, for activating the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The activation of the fractional measurement gap fractions may be as described with respect to FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIGS. 7A- 7B, and/or any other examples described herein.

[0093] As shown in block 114, the network may schedule one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling during the at least one measurement window occasion and/or outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22 and/or the like, for scheduling the one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling. The scheduling of the one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling may be as described with respect to FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIGS. 7A-7B, and/or any other examples described herein.

[0094] Referring now to FIG. 12, a flow chart illustrating the operations performed, such as by the apparatus of FIG. 2, in order to apply fractional measurement gap division is provided. In the example flow chart, a user device (e.g., UE, wireless device, etc.) may be configured with fractional measurement gaps. As shown in block 120, the user device may receive, from a base station, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the communication interface 26, and/or the like for receiving the fractional measurement gap configuration. The fractional measurement gap configuration and/or reception thereof may be as described with respect to FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIGS. 7A-7B, and/or any other examples described herein.

[0095] As shown in block 122, the user device may receive, from the base station, an indication to skip at least a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the communication interface 26, and/or the like for receiving the indication to skip at least a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions. The skipping of at least a subset of one or more measurement gaps and/or the configuration thereof may be as described with respect to FIG. 3, FIG. 6. FIGS. 7A-7B, and/or any other examples described herein.

[0096] As shown in block 124, the user device may receive an indication of activation, for at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least a reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22 and/or the like, for receiving an indication of activation of the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The receiving an indication of activation of the fractional measurement gap fractions may be as described with respect to FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIGS. 7A- 7B, and/or any other examples described herein.

[0097] As shown in block 126, the user device may provide for uplink and/or downlink data transmission during the measurement window occasion (e.g., SMTC occasion) and/or outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22 and/or the like for transmitting uplink and/or downlink data. The uplink and/or downlink data transmission may be as described with respect to FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIGS. 7A-7B, and/or any other examples described herein.

[0098] Referring now to FIG. 13, a flow chart illustrating the operations performed, such as by the apparatus of FIG. 2, in order to apply fractional measurement gap division is provided. In the example flow chart, a network (e.g., base station, gNB) may configure fractional measurement gaps. As shown in block 130, the network may transmit, to a second apparatus (e.g., a user device), a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the communication interface 26, and/or the like, for transmitting the fractional measurement gap configuration. The fractional measurement gap configuration and/or transmission thereof may be as described with respect to FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIGS. 7A-7B, and/or any other examples described herein.

[0099] As shown in block 132, the network may transmit, to the second apparatus, an indication to skip at least a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the communication interface 26, and/or the like for transmitting the indication to skip at least a subset of the two or more measurement gap fractions. The skipping of at least a subset of one or more measurement gaps and/or the configuration thereof may be as described with respect to FIG. 3, FIG. 6. FIGS. 7A-7B, and/or any other examples described herein.

[00100] Ash shown in block 134, the network may activate, for at least one measurement window occasion, at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least a reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22 and/or the like, for activating the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions. The activation of the fractional measurement gap fractions may be as described with respect to FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIGS. 7A-7B, and/or any other examples described herein.

[00101] As shown in block 136, the network may schedule one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling during the at least one measurement window occasion and/or outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction. The apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22 and/or the like, for scheduling the one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling. The scheduling of the one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling may be as described with respect to FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIGS. 7A-7B, and/or any other examples described herein.

[00102] As described above, a method and apparatus are disclosed for configuring fractional measurement gaps, for example, where the apparatus may be the device 20 and the method may be any one of the methods of FIGS. 8-13. By providing for reduced measurement gap scheduling impact, reduced latency may be enjoyed by devices, for example, in extended reality (XR) applications.

[00103] Figures 8-13 illustrate flowcharts depicting methods according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts and combination of blocks in the flowcharts may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry, and/or other communication devices associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above may be stored by a memory device of an apparatus employing an embodiment of the present disclosure and executed by a processor. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (for example, hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus implements the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture the execution of which implements the function specified in the flowchart blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart blocks.

[00104] Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[00105] Many modifications and other embodiments set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

[00106] Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe certain example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED:

1. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, from a base station, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions; receiving an indication of activation, for at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions; and transmitting uplink and/or downlink data during the measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction.

2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB).

3. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

4. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion.

5. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive an indication of activation, for the at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring the at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions.

6. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that at least one first fractional measurement gap overlaps with at least one second fractional measurement gap.

7. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that the measurement gap is to be divided into two or more fractions.

8. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to use, for each measurement window occasion, a different fraction of the fractional measurement gap.

9. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive, from the base station, two or more fractional measurement gap configurations, wherein each of the two or more fractional measurement gap configurations indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions.

10. An apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein the two or more fractional measurement gap configurations are configured to alternate such that each of the fractional measurement gap fractions comprises approximately N times the periodicity of a full fractional measurement gap.

11. An apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to use a first portion of the at least one measurement window occasion which is not overlapped with an activated fractional measurement gap fraction for data transmission and use a second portion of the at least one measurement window which is overlapped with an activated fractional measurement gap fraction occasion for radio resource management (RRM) measurements.

12. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: transmitting, to a second apparatus, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions; activating, for at least one measurement window occasion, at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions; and scheduling one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling during the at least one measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction.

13. An apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB).

14. An apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

15. An apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion.

16. An apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to activate, for the at least one measurement window occasion, at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring the at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions.

17. An apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to transmit the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that at least one first fractional measurement gap overlaps with at least one second fractional measurement gap.

18. An apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to transmit the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that the measurement gap is to be divided into two or more fractions.

19. An apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to use, for each measurement window occasion, a different fraction of the fractional measurement gap.

20. An apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to transmit, to the second apparatus, two or more fractional measurement gap configurations, wherein each of the two or more the fractional measurement gap configurations indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions.

21. An apparatus according to Claim 20, wherein the two or more fractional measurement gap configurations are configured to alternate such that each of the fractional measurement gap fractions comprises approximately N times the periodicity of a full fractional measurement gap.

22. An apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the at least one memory is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to indicate to the second apparatus to use a first portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for data transmission and use a second portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for radio resource management (RRM) measurements.

23. A method comprising: receiving, from a base station, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions; receiving an indication of activation, for at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions; and transmitting uplink and/or downlink data during the measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction.

24. A method according to Claim 23, wherein the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB).

25. A method according to Claim 23, wherein the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

26. A method according to Claim 23, wherein the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion.

27. A method according to Claim 23, further comprising receiving an indication of activation, for the at least one measurement window occasion, of at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring the at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions.

28. A method according to Claim 23, further comprising receiving the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that at least one first fractional measurement gap overlaps with at least one second fractional measurement gap.

29. A method according to Claim 23, further comprising receiving the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that the measurement gap is to be divided into two or more fractions.

30. A method according to Claim 23, further comprising using, for each measurement window occasion, a different fraction of the fractional measurement gap.

31. A method according to Claim 23, further comprising receiving, from the base station, two or more fractional measurement gap configurations, wherein each of the two or more fractional measurement gap configurations indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions.

32. A method according to Claim 23, wherein the two or more fractional measurement gap configurations are configured to alternate such that each of the fractional measurement gap fractions comprises approximately N times the periodicity of a full fractional measurement gap.

33. A method according to Claim 23, further comprising using a first portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for data transmission and using a second portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for radio resource management (RRM) measurements.

34. A method comprising: transmitting, by an apparatus and to a second apparatus, a fractional measurement gap (FMG) configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions; activating, for at least one measurement window occasion, at least one of a plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions; and scheduling one or more uplink and/or downlink transmissions signaling during the at least one measurement window occasion and outside of an activated fractional measurement gap fraction.

35. A method according to Claim 34, wherein the at least one reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB).

36. A method according to Claim 34, wherein the at least one reference signal comprises a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

37. A method according to Claim 34, wherein the at least one measurement window occasion comprises a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) occasion.

38. A method according to Claim 34, further comprising activating, for the at least one measurement window occasion, at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions for measuring the at least one reference signal comprised by the at least one subset of the plurality of fractional measurement gap fractions.

39. A method according to Claim 34, further comprising transmitting the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that at least one first fractional measurement gap overlaps with at least one second fractional measurement gap.

40. A method according to Claim 34, further comprising transmitting the fractional measurement gap configuration, wherein the fractional measurement gap configuration indicates that the measurement gap is to be divided into two or more fractions.

41. A method according to Claim 34, further comprising using, for each measurement window occasion, a different fraction of the fractional measurement gap.

42. A method according to Claim 34, further comprising transmitting, to the second apparatus, two or more fractional measurement gap configurations, wherein each of the two or more the fractional measurement gap configurations indicates a fractional quantity based on which to divide a measurement gap into two or more fractional measurement gap fractions.

43. A method according to Claim 34, wherein the two or more fractional measurement gap configurations are configured to alternate such that each of the fractional measurement gap fractions comprises approximately N times the periodicity of a full fractional measurement gap.

44. A method according to Claim 34, further comprising indicating to the second apparatus to use a first portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for data transmission and use a second portion of the at least one measurement window occasion for radio resource management (RRM) measurements.