CN119948819A - Configuring gaps for MUSIM-capable UEs - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for including configuring gaps for MUSIM (multiple universal subscriber identity module) capable User Equipment (UE). In some aspects, the UE includes at least one antenna, at least one radio coupled to the at least one antenna, and a processor coupled to the at least one radio. The UE supports multiple USIMs including at least a first SIM associated with a first network and a second SIM associated with a second network. The at least one radio and the processor are configured to request a gap configuration associated with operation in the second network from the first network, the gap configuration including a gap during which the operation in the second network is performed by the UE, receive an indication of the gap configuration from the first network, and perform operation in the second network based on the gap configuration during each gap within an operation period, the operation period including at least one gap when the UE is in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state with the first network and in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state with the second network. The processor is further configured to extend the operation period if the gap within the operation period is dropped at the UE due to collision of the gap with other gaps.

Description

Configuring gaps for MUSIM capable UEs

Technical Field

The present application relates generally to wireless communication systems including User Equipment (UE), network devices, methods, apparatuses, and media, including configuring a gap for a MUSIM (multiple universal subscriber identity module) capable UE.

Background

Wireless mobile communication technology uses various standards and protocols to transmit data between a base station and a wireless communication device. Wireless communication system standards and protocols may include, for example, 3 rd generation partnership project (3 GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) (e.g., 4G), 3GPP New Radio (NR) (e.g., 5G), and IEEE 802.11 standards for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) (commonly referred to in the industry organization as such))。

As envisaged by 3GPP, different wireless communication system standards and protocols may use various Radio Access Networks (RANs) to communicate between base stations of the RANs, which may sometimes also be referred to as RAN nodes, network nodes, or simply nodes, and wireless communication devices, referred to as User Equipments (UEs). The 3GPP RAN can include, for example, a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), an enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) RAN (GERAN), a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN), and/or a next generation radio access network (NG-RAN).

Each RAN may use one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs) to perform communications between the base stations and the UEs. For example, GERAN implements GSM and/or EDGE RATs, UTRAN implements Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) RATs or other 3gpp RATs, e-UTRAN implements LTE RATs (which are sometimes referred to simply as LTE), and NG-RAN implements NR RATs (which are sometimes referred to herein as 5G RATs, 5G NR RATs, or simply as NR). In some deployments, the E-UTRAN may also implement the NR RAT. In some deployments, the NG-RAN may also implement an LTE RAT.

The base stations used by the RAN may correspond to the RAN. One example of an E-UTRAN base station is an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) node B (also commonly referred to as an evolved node B, enhanced node B, eNodeB, or eNB). One example of a NG-RAN base station is the next generation node B (sometimes also referred to as gNodeB or gNB).

The RAN provides communication services with external entities through its connection to a Core Network (CN). For example, E-UTRAN may utilize an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and NG-RAN may utilize a 5G core network (5 GC).

The frequency band of 5G NR can be divided into two or more different frequency ranges. For example, frequency range 1 (FR 1) may include frequency bands operating at frequencies below 6GHz, some of which are already used and may potentially be extended to cover new spectrum products of 410MHz to 7125 MHz. The frequency range 2 (FR 2) may include a frequency band of 24.25GHz to 52.6 GHz. The frequency band in the millimeter wave (mmWave) range of FR2 may have a smaller range but potentially higher available bandwidth than the frequency band in FR 1. The skilled person will appreciate that these frequency ranges provided by way of example may vary from time to time or region to region.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments relate to User Equipment (UE), network devices, methods, apparatuses, and media for configuring a gap for MUSIM capable UEs.

In some aspects, the UE includes at least one antenna, at least one radio coupled to the at least one antenna, and a processor coupled to the at least one radio. The UE supports multiple USIMs including at least a first SIM associated with a first network and a second SIM associated with a second network. The at least one radio and the processor are configured to request a gap configuration associated with operation in the second network from the first network, the gap configuration including a gap during which the operation in the second network is performed by the UE, receive an indication of the gap configuration from the first network, and perform operation in the second network based on the gap configuration during each gap within an operation period, the operation period including at least one gap when the UE is in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state with the first network and in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state with the second network. The processor is further configured to extend the operation period if the gap within the operation period is dropped at the UE due to collision of the gap with other gaps.

In some aspects, a network device associated with a first network is provided. The network device includes at least one antenna, at least one radio coupled to the at least one antenna, and a processor coupled to the at least one radio. The at least one radio and the processor are configured to receive, from a UE, a request for a gap configuration associated with an operation in a second network, the gap configuration including a gap during which the operation in the second network is performed by the UE, and to send an indication of the gap configuration to the UE. If the gap within the operating period is discarded at the UE due to collision of the gap with other gaps, the UE extends the operating period.

In some aspects, methods performed by a User Equipment (UE) as previously described are provided.

In some aspects, methods performed by a network device as previously described are provided.

In some aspects, an apparatus for operating a User Equipment (UE) is provided and includes one or more processors to cause the User Equipment (UE) device to perform the above-described method.

In some aspects, an apparatus for operating a network device is provided and includes one or more processors to cause the network device to perform the above-described method.

In some aspects, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores program instructions, and the instructions may be executable by one or more processors to cause a User Equipment (UE) device to perform the above-described methods.

In some aspects, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores program instructions, and the instructions may be executable by one or more processors to cause a network device to perform the above-described methods.

The techniques described herein may be implemented in and/or used with a number of different types of devices including, but not limited to, cellular base stations, cellular telephones, tablet computers, wearable computing devices, portable media players, and any of a variety of other computing devices.

This summary is intended to provide a brief overview of some of the subject matter described in this document. Accordingly, it should be understood that the above-described features are merely examples and should not be construed as narrowing the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

Drawings

For ease of identifying discussions of any particular element or act, one or more of the most significant digits in a reference numeral refer to the figure number that first introduces that element.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example architecture of a wireless communication system according to embodiments disclosed herein.

Fig. 2 illustrates a system for performing signaling between a wireless device and a network device in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.

Fig. 3 illustrates an example architecture of a wireless environment in which MUSIM devices are operated in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.

Fig. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example method at the UE side for configuring a gap for MUSIM capable UEs in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein.

Fig. 5 illustrates an example timing diagram showing a relationship between an operating period, a gap length, and a gap repetition period, according to embodiments disclosed herein.

Fig. 6A illustrates an example timing diagram showing a relationship between an operation period, a gap length, a gap repetition period, and an operation window according to embodiments disclosed herein.

Fig. 6B illustrates an example timing diagram showing an extended operational period due to a discarded gap, according to embodiments disclosed herein.

Fig. 6C illustrates an example timing diagram showing an extended operational period due to a discarded gap, according to other embodiments disclosed herein.

Fig. 7 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 700 on the network a side for configuring a gap for MUSIM capable UEs in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein.

Detailed Description

Various embodiments are described in terms of a UE. However, references to UEs are provided for illustrative purposes only. Example embodiments may be used with any electronic component that may establish a connection with a network and that is configured with hardware, software, and/or firmware for exchanging information and data with the network. Thus, a UE as described herein is used to represent any suitable electronic component.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example architecture of a wireless communication system 100 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. The description provided below is for an example wireless communication system 100 operating in connection with an LTE system standard and/or a 5G or NR system standard provided by the 3GPP technical specifications.

As shown in fig. 1, the wireless communication system 100 includes a UE 102 and a UE 104 (although any number of UEs may be used). In this example, UE 102 and UE 104 are illustrated as smartphones (e.g., handheld touch screen mobile computing devices capable of connecting to one or more cellular networks), but may also include any mobile or non-mobile computing device configured for wireless communication.

UE 102 and UE 104 may be configured to be communicatively coupled with RAN 106. In an embodiment, the RAN106 may be a NG-RAN, E-UTRAN, or the like. UE 102 and UE 104 utilize connections (or channels) (shown as connection 108 and connection 110, respectively) with RAN106, where each connection (or channel) includes a physical communication interface. RAN106 may include one or more base stations, such as base station 112 and base station 114, implementing connections 108 and 110.

In this example, connection 108 and connection 110 are air interfaces that enable such communicative coupling, and may be in accordance with the RAT used by RAN 106, such as, for example, LTE and/or NR.

In some embodiments, UE 102 and UE 104 may also exchange communication data directly via side link interface 116. The UE 104 is shown configured to access an access point (shown as AP 118) via a connection 120. By way of example, the connection 120 may comprise a local wireless connection, such as a connection conforming to any IEEE 802.11 protocol, where the AP 118 may compriseAnd a router. In this example, the AP 118 may connect to another network (e.g., the internet) without passing through the CN 124.

In an embodiment, UE 102 and UE 104 may be configured to communicate with each other or base station 112 and/or base station 114 over a multicarrier communication channel using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) communication signals in accordance with various communication techniques, such as, but not limited to, orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) communication techniques (e.g., for downlink communication) or single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communication techniques (e.g., for uplink and ProSe or sidelink communication), although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. The OFDM signal may comprise a plurality of orthogonal subcarriers.

In some embodiments, all or part of base station 112 or base station 114 may be implemented as one or more software entities running on a server computer as part of a virtual network. In addition, or in other embodiments, base stations 112 or 114 may be configured to communicate with each other via interface 122. In embodiments where wireless communication system 100 is an LTE system (e.g., when CN 124 is an EPC), interface 122 may be an X2 interface. The X2 interface may be defined between two or more base stations (e.g., two or more enbs, etc.) connected to the EPC and/or between two enbs connected to the EPC. In embodiments where wireless communication system 100 is an NR system (e.g., when CN 124 is 5 GC), interface 122 may be an Xn interface. The Xn interface is defined between two or more base stations (e.g., two or more gnbs, etc.) connected to the 5GC, between a base station 112 (e.g., a gNB) connected to the 5GC and an eNB, and/or between two enbs connected to the 5GC (e.g., CN 124).

RAN 106 is shown communicatively coupled to CN 124. The CN 124 may include one or more network elements 126 configured to provide various data and telecommunications services to clients/subscribers (e.g., users of the UE 102 and the UE 104) connected to the CN 124 via the RAN 106. The components of the CN 124 may be implemented in one physical device or a separate physical device including components for reading and executing instructions from a machine-readable or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium).

In an embodiment, the CN 124 may be an EPC, and the RAN 106 may be connected with the CN 124 via an S1 interface 128. In an embodiment, the S1 interface 128 may be divided into two parts, an S1 user plane (S1-U) interface, which carries traffic data between the base station 112 or base station 114 and the serving gateway (S-GW), and an S1-MME interface, which is a signaling interface between the base station 112 or base station 114 and the Mobility Management Entity (MME).

In an embodiment, CN 124 may be 5GC and RAN 106 may be connected with CN 124 via NG interface 128. In an embodiment, NG interface 128 may be split into two parts, a NG user plane (NG-U) interface that carries traffic data between base station 112 or base station 114 and a User Plane Function (UPF), and an S1 control plane (NG-C) interface that is a signaling interface between base station 112 or base station 114 and an access and mobility management function (AMF).

Generally, the application server 130 may be an element that provides applications (e.g., packet switched data services) that use Internet Protocol (IP) bearer resources with the CN 124. The application server 130 may also be configured to support one or more communication services (e.g., voIP session, group communication session, etc.) for the UE 102 and the UE 104 via the CN 124. The application server 130 may communicate with the CN 124 through an IP communication interface 132.

Fig. 2 illustrates a system 200 for performing signaling 234 between a wireless device 202 and a network device 218 in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein. System 200 may be part of a wireless communication system as described herein. The wireless device 202 may be, for example, a UE of a wireless communication system. The network device 218 may be, for example, a base station (e.g., an eNB or a gNB) of a wireless communication system.

The wireless device 202 may include one or more processors 204. The processor 204 may execute instructions to perform various operations of the wireless device 202, as described herein. Processor 204 may include one or more baseband processors implemented using, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a controller, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

The wireless device 202 may include a memory 206. Memory 206 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 208 (which may include, for example, instructions for execution by processor 204). The instructions 208 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. The memory 206 may also store data used by the processor 204 and results calculated by the processor.

The wireless device 202 may include one or more transceivers 210, which may include Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter and/or receiver circuitry that uses the antenna 212 of the wireless device 202 to facilitate signaling (e.g., signaling 234) to and/or from the wireless device 202 and other devices (e.g., network device 218) according to the corresponding RAT.

The wireless device 202 may include one or more antennas 212 (e.g., one, two, four, or more). For embodiments having multiple antennas 212, wireless device 202 may utilize spatial diversity of such multiple antennas 212 to transmit and/or receive multiple different data streams on the same time-frequency resource. This behavior may be referred to as, for example, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) behavior (referring to multiple antennas used at each of the sender device and the receiver device, respectively, to implement this aspect). MIMO transmission by wireless device 202 may be achieved according to precoding (or digital beamforming) applied at wireless device 202 that multiplexes the data streams across antennas 212 according to known or assumed channel characteristics such that each data stream is received at an appropriate signal strength relative to the other streams and at a desired location in the space (e.g., the location of a receiver associated with the data stream). Some embodiments may use single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) methods (where the data streams are all directed to a single receiver) and/or multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) methods (where the individual data streams may be directed to individual (different) receivers in different locations in the spatial domain).

In some embodiments with multiple antennas, wireless device 202 may implement analog beamforming techniques whereby the phase of the signals transmitted by antennas 212 are relatively adjusted so that the (joint) transmissions of antennas 212 may be directed (this is sometimes referred to as beam steering).

The wireless device 202 may include one or more interfaces 214. The interface 214 may be used to provide input to or output from the wireless device 202. For example, the wireless device 202 (UE) may include an interface 214, such as a microphone, speaker, touch screen, and buttons, to allow a user of the UE to input and/or output to the UE. Other interfaces of such UEs may be comprised of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 210/antenna 212 already described) that allow communication between the UE and other devices, and may be configured in accordance with known protocols (e.g.,AndEtc.) to perform the operation.

The network device 218 may include one or more processors 220. The processor 220 may execute instructions to perform various operations of the network device 218, as described herein. The processor 204 may include one or more baseband processors implemented using, for example, CPU, DSP, ASIC, a controller, an FPGA device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

The network device 218 may include a memory 222. Memory 222 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 224 (which may include, for example, instructions for execution by processor 220). The instructions 224 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. The memory 222 may also store data used by the processor 220 and results calculated by the processor.

The network device 218 may include one or more transceivers 226, which may include RF transmitter and/or receiver circuitry that uses the antenna 228 of the network device 218 to facilitate signaling (e.g., signaling 234) to and/or from the network device 218 and other devices (e.g., wireless device 202) according to the corresponding RAT.

The network device 218 may include one or more antennas 228 (e.g., one, two, four, or more). In embodiments with multiple antennas 228, the network device 218 may perform MIMO, digital beamforming, analog beamforming, beam steering, etc., as already described.

The network device 218 may include one or more interfaces 230. The interface 230 may be used to provide input to or output from the network device 218. For example, the network device 218 (base station) may include an interface 230 comprised of a transmitter, receiver, and other circuitry (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 226/antenna 228 already described) that enables the base station to communicate with other equipment in the core network and/or to communicate with external networks, computers, databases, etc., for the purpose of performing operations, managing, and maintaining the base station or other equipment operatively connected to the base station.

Hereinafter, three possible RRC states (i.e., rrc_idle, rrc_connected, and/or rrc_inactive) in the wireless communication system are described.

In the rrc_idle state (or IDLE mode/state), an RRC context for communication between the UE and the network may not be established in the RAN, and the UE may not belong to a specific cell. In addition, in the rrc_idle state, there is no core network connection for the UE. Since the device remains in sleep mode most of the time to reduce battery consumption, data transmission between the UE and the network may not occur. The UE in rrc_idle may wake up periodically to receive paging messages from the network. Mobility may be handled by the UE through cell reselection. Since uplink synchronization is not maintained, the UE may not perform uplink transmission other than transmission for random access (e.g., random access preamble transmission) to move to rrc_connected.

In the rrc_connected state (or CONNECTED state/mode), an RRC context for communication between the UE and the network may be established in the RAN. In addition, under rrc_connected, a core network connection is established for the UE. Since the UE belongs to a specific cell, a cell-radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) for signaling between the UE and the network may be configured for the UE. Data transmission between the UE and the network may occur. Mobility may be handled by the network, that is, the UE may provide measurement reports to the network, and the network may send mobility commands to the UE to perform mobility. It may be desirable to establish an uplink time alignment based on random access and maintain the uplink time alignment for data transmission.

In the rrc_inactive state (or INACTIVE state/mode), RRC context for communication between the UE and the network may be maintained in the RAN. Data transmission between the UE and the network may not occur. Since the core network connection can also be maintained for the UE, the UE can quickly transition to a connected state for data transmission. Core network signaling may not be required during the transition. The RRC context may already be established in the network and idle to active transitions may be handled in the RAN. The UE may be allowed to sleep in a similar manner to the rrc_idle state and mobility may be handled through cell reselection without involving the network. The rrc_ INCATIVE state can be interpreted as a mixture of idle and connected states.

The UE may transition from the rrc_idle state to the rrc_connected state by performing an initial attach procedure or an RRC connection setup procedure. The UE may transition from the RRC connected state to the RRC idle state when detach, RRC connection release (e.g., when the UE receives an RRC release message), and/or connection failure (e.g., radio Link Failure (RLF)) has occurred. The UE may transition from the rrc_connected state to the rrc_inactive state when the RRC connection is suspended (e.g., when the UE receives an RRC release message including a suspended configuration), and may transition from the rrc_inactive state to the rrc_connected state when the RRC connection is restored by performing an RRC connection restoration procedure. When a connection failure such as RLF has occurred, the UE may transition from the rrc_inactive state to the rrc_idle state.

Hereinafter, discontinuous Reception (DRX) is described.

The UE uses DRX in rrc_idle and rrc_inactive states in order to reduce power consumption. The DRX cycle may be periodically repeated and include a DRX on duration during which the UE wakes up and a DRX off duration during which the UE sleeps. Since the DRX cycle is periodically repeated, the DRX on duration and the DRX off duration may also be periodically repeated according to the DRX cycle.

Hereinafter, contents related to the Multiple Universal Subscriber Identity Module (MUSIM) are described.

Today, with the development of communication technology, MUSIM capable UEs have become more and more popular. The user may have both personal and business subscriptions in one UE, or two personal subscriptions for different services in one UE.

Fig. 3 illustrates an example architecture of a wireless environment in which MUSIM devices are operated in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.

Referring to fig. 3, musim UE 300 may have multiple Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs) SIM a 301 and SIM B302. MUSIM UE 300 may register with network a (NW a) 310 based on subscription information in SIM a 301 to obtain connection a 311 between networks a 310 and MUSIM UE 300. MSUIM UE 300 may register with network B (NW B) 320 based on subscription information in SIM B302 to obtain connection B321 between networks B320 and MUSIM UE 300. MUSIM UE 300 the communication with network a 310 may be performed over connection a 311 using SIM a 301 and with network B320 over connection B321 using SIM B302. SIM a 301 and SIM B302 may belong to the same or different operators and may be a physical SIM or an embedded SIM (eSIM). Note that the number of SIMs in fig. 3 is merely exemplary, and MUSIM UE 300,300 may have more than two SIMs.

The UE 300 registered with both networks needs to be able to operate on both networks. In order to efficiently and economically use hardware and/or to depend on UE capabilities (e.g., rx capabilities and Tx capabilities), the hardware capabilities of UE 300 are shared by at least two SIMs, and the associated capabilities need to be dynamically divided between the two SIMs. This may lead to temporary hardware conflicts for the UE. For example, when SIM a 301 is in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state in NW a310 and SIM B302 is in RRC idle or RRC inactive in NW B320, both RF chains of UE 300 will be occupied by SIM a 301 for communication in NW a310 and thus UE 300 cannot operate on SIM B302 (e.g., perform RRM measurements, paging reception). Furthermore, temporary hardware conflicts for the UE may require the UE to release some resources from one SIM and use them on another SIM. For example, one of the RF chains of UE 300 needs to be switched to SIM B302 so that UE 300 can operate on NW B320 associated with SIM B302. In this case, if NW a310 does not know that the capability of the UE in the RF chain is reduced, data may be lost due to demodulation failure and radio resources in NW a310 are wasted.

To address at least one of the above problems, a gap dedicated to MUSIM purposes is introduced. The concept of a gap is to create a small gap during which neither transmission nor reception occurs on one network, and thus the UE can perform a corresponding operation in the measurement gap on the other network and then switch back. Specifically, NW a 310 will provide a gap for UE 300 to perform operations in NW B320.

The operation may include any kind of operation that can be performed through a gap/interrupt. For example, the operations include RRM measurement, paging reception, SI reception, and the like. The measurement operations may be performed during any suitable kind of wireless communication operation, including cell handover and/or access, including at least carrier aggregation, load aggregation, etc., such as during any suitable period/phase (including such as initialization, state transitions, etc.) of wireless communication, and may be used to measure any desired signals/parameters/indicators (including such as SSBs, PRSs, etc.) that may be, for example, performance related.

The UE may be configured with a plurality of gaps, which may include, for example, periodic gaps and/or aperiodic gaps. In some examples, the UE may be configured with two concurrency slots. In some other examples, for the case of MUSIM capable UEs, the UE may be configured with no more than three periodic MUSIM gaps and/or one aperiodic MUSIM gap for MUSIM. It is to be noted that the number of gaps as described above is merely exemplary, and is not limited thereto.

However, it has not been specified how to perform the operation in NW B according to MUSIM gaps. Accordingly, it is still desirable to improve the configuration for MUSIM gaps to enhance operation in the MUSIM case, for example to guarantee network performance on NW a and NW B.

Hereinafter, some embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Wherein the description may be based primarily on a particular type of gap (that is, a measurement gap), however, the description of the present disclosure, and thus the concepts, may be equivalent to any other suitable type of gap.

Fig. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 400 at the UE side for configuring a gap for MUSIM capable UEs in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein. Aspects of the method of fig. 4 may be implemented by a wireless device (such as UE 102, UE 104, and wireless device 202 illustrated in the various figures herein), and/or more generally, may be implemented in connection with any of the computer circuits, systems, devices, elements or components shown in the above figures, etc., as desired. For example, a processor (and/or other hardware) of such a device may be configured to cause the device to perform any combination of the illustrated method elements and/or other method elements. In various embodiments, some of the elements of the illustrated methods may be performed concurrently in a different order than illustrated, may be replaced by other method elements, or may be omitted. Additional elements may also be performed as desired.

As shown, the method of fig. 4 may operate as follows.

At 402, the UE requests, from a first network (NW a), a gap configuration associated with operation in a second network (NW B).

The first network may not be aware of the requirement of the UE to perform operations in the second network, and thus the UE may transmit a request for gap configuration to the first network. The request may be transmitted to any appropriate party in the first network, such as the first network side device, a control device in the first network, a transceiver point (TRP), etc.

The gap configuration includes a gap during which operations in the second network are performed by the UE.

According to some embodiments, the gap configuration may include information about a gap during which operations in the second network are performed by the UE. In some embodiments, the gap configuration may correspond to one gap pattern. In some implementations, the gap pattern may indicate characteristics of the type of gap that may be used to perform a particular operation. Specifically, the gap pattern may have corresponding gap characteristics including any of gap identity, time period (MUSIM gap length, MGL) and periodicity of the gap (MUSIM gap repetition period, MGRP), start and end of the gap (e.g., gap offset and gap timing advance), frequency region in which the gap is located, operation or object using the gap, and the like. In general, when there are multiple gaps, each gap may have a corresponding gap configuration. On the other hand, all gap configurations may constitute an entire gap configuration for a UE. When there are multiple gaps, there may be multiple gap configurations, respectively, which may have similar or different forms/items.

The above-described exemplary gap configurations specifically define the characteristics of the gaps, and when there are multiple gaps, the gap configurations may specifically define the characteristics of the respective gaps. Of course, the gap configuration for the plurality of gaps may be any other suitable form/format.

For example, the gap configuration may include a gap pattern index/indicator that indicates a gap pattern, and based on the gap pattern index/indicator, a gap characteristic of the gap pattern may be directly derived. In such cases, the measurement gap configuration may indicate an association/mapping between the measurement gap pattern index/indicator and the operating frequency bin index/indicator. And upon receiving the gap pattern index/indicator, the wireless device may obtain the gap characteristics of the gap pattern locally or from other suitable parties.

According to some embodiments, for a particular type of gap (i.e., measurement gap), the gap pattern includes a time period (MUSIM gap length, MGL) of the measurement gap and a periodicity (MUSIM gap repetition period, MGRP) of the measurement gap. For example, for a particular gap mode, the MGL may have values selected from 3 milliseconds (ms), 4ms, 6ms, 10ms, and 20ms, and the MGRP may have values selected from 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, 160ms, 320ms, 640ms, 1280ms, 2560ms, and 5120 ms. Of course, the MGL and MGRP may have any other suitable values, and the values of MGL and MGRP may be combined with each other according to the actual requirements of the gap pattern.

According to some embodiments, information about the priority of the gap is also incorporated into the gap pattern or gap configuration. In particular, the priority of a gap may actually indicate the priority of an operation performed at that gap when that gap conflicts with other gaps (i.e., when the gap overlaps with other gaps). For example, in the case where a conflict occurs between two gap opportunities, an operation related to a gap having a higher priority will be performed while operations of other gaps will be discarded. In some embodiments, the priority may be given by any suitable presentation (such as a positive value), where the larger the value, the higher the priority. Of course, any other suitable presentation or expression may be utilized to indicate priority, as known in the art, and will not be described in detail herein. Further, any suitable manner of determining the appropriate priority for each gap configuration may be utilized, as known in the art, and will not be described in detail herein.

At step 404, the UE receives an indication of a gap configuration associated with operation in a second network (NW B) from a first network (NW a).

In accordance with the present disclosure, a wireless device may obtain a gap configuration in various ways. According to some embodiments, the gap configuration itself may be provided directly by the first network. According to some embodiments, the gap configuration may be derived by the wireless device itself, e.g., the wireless device may obtain any suitable information from the first network indicating the gap configuration, such as an index of the gap configuration, other information that may be used to derive the configuration, etc., and the wireless device may derive the configuration based on the information (such as through a look-up table). In some embodiments, the gap configuration or information used to derive the configuration may be provided by the first network through an RRC reconfiguration message (e.g., using MeasGapConfig signaling).

At step 406, the UE performs an operation in the second network based on the gap configuration during each gap within the operation period when the UE is in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state with the first network and in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state with the second network.

In particular, the wireless device may perform an operation based on the gap configuration may mean that the operation may be performed based on the gap pattern or the gap characteristics indicated in the gap configuration. For a gap, the corresponding gap pattern may mean characteristics of the gap, such as time period, frequency properties, etc. For example, for a gap, the corresponding operation may be performed according to the period of the gap, in particular during the duration of the timing of the gap.

According to some embodiments, the operations for the gap may include a variety of operations depending on the type or characteristics of the gap. In particular, operations performed in the gap may be different from each other depending on the type of the gap. For example, for a measurement gap, a measurement operation, such as a measurement object, will be predetermined, and such a measurement operation will be performed according to a measurement gap pattern. In addition to measurement gaps, other types of gaps may include preconfigured measurement gaps (Pre-MG), network Controlled Small Gaps (NCSG), gaps for non-terrestrial networks (NTN gaps), gaps for positioning (PosGap), and for each type of gap, corresponding operations may be predefined and performed in the gap opportunities.

When the UE is in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state with the first network (NW a) and in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state with the second network (NW B), the UE may wake up in NW B to perform an operation in NW B. For example, the UE may perform RRM measurements on NW B required for cell selection and/or reselection. In addition, the UE may also wake up periodically in NW B to receive paging messages from NW B. However, since the UE is in an RRC connected state with NW a, these operations may be performed during the gap in order to guarantee network performance on NW a.

According to some embodiments, the operation period may include at least one gap, and is determined according to characteristics of the operation and a gap configuration associated with the operation. For example, the length of the operation period is substantially determined so that the operation can be achieved during the operation period. For some operations, the operation period may have periodicity, such that the operation may be performed periodically.

During the operation period, the UE performs an operation in the second network within a gap length (MGL) per gap repetition period (MGRP). According to some embodiments, when the MGRP is shorter than the operating period, the operating period may include more than one gap. Fig. 5 illustrates an example timing diagram showing a relationship between an operating period, a gap length, and a gap repetition period, according to embodiments disclosed herein. As shown in fig. 5, the operation cycle includes two MGRPs and two gaps. Of course, the timing diagram shown in fig. 5 is merely exemplary, and the relationship among the operation period, MGL, and MGRP may be appropriately modified according to actual needs.

As discussed above, this gap may conflict with other gaps, and in the event of a conflict between two gaps, operations relating to the gap with higher priority will be performed, while operations of other gaps will be discarded. Thus, during an operational period, there may be one or more gaps being discarded by the UE. In such cases, operations in the second network may be affected or even not completed.

In the above consideration, according to some embodiments, the UE may extend the operation period based on gaps that are discarded at the UE due to collisions of gaps with other gaps. With such a configuration, the effect on the operation due to the discarded gap can be compensated for, and thus the completion of the operation is facilitated.

In some embodiments, the UE may extend the operating period by only one or more MGRPs for each gap discarded during the operating period. With such a configuration, the effect caused by each discarded gap can be compensated for.

In some embodiments, the operation window within the operation period is defined as a basic unit for counting discarded slots, and the operation period is a multiple of the operation window. The operation windows are longer than or equal to the MGRP of the gaps, and thus each operation window includes at least one gap. In some embodiments, the operating window is a multiple of the periodicity of the gap (MGRP). Fig. 6A illustrates an example timing diagram showing a relationship between an operation period, a gap length, a gap repetition period, and an operation window according to embodiments disclosed herein. As shown in fig. 6A, the operation cycle includes two operation windows, and each operation window includes three MGRPs.

For an operation window equal to the MGRP of the gap and thus comprising only one gap, if the gap within the operation window is discarded, the UE may extend the operation period only by one or more MGRPs for each operation window in which the gap is discarded, similar to the above-described embodiments.

For MGRP that is larger than the gap and thus includes more than one gap, the UE may extend the operation period by one or more operation windows for each operation window in which at least one gap is discarded. Fig. 6B illustrates an example timing diagram showing an extended operational period due to a discarded gap, according to embodiments disclosed herein. As shown in fig. 6B, in the first operation window, the first gap is discarded. Thus, for the first operation window, the UE extends the operation period by one operation window. With this configuration, if one gap within the operation window is discarded, the operation period is prolonged, and thus it is not necessary to determine whether other gaps within the same operation window are discarded. Thus, the workload of the UE may be reduced.

Alternatively, the UE may extend the operation period by one or more operation windows only for each operation window in which all gaps are discarded. Fig. 6C illustrates an example timing diagram showing an extended operational period due to a discarded gap, according to other embodiments disclosed herein. As shown in fig. 6C, in the first operation window, all three gaps are discarded, and in the second operation window, only the first gap is discarded. Thus, the UE extends the operation period by one operation window only for the first operation window and ignores the discarded gap in the second operation window. With this configuration, the operation period is lengthened only when all the gaps within one operation window are discarded, and thus the operation period is not excessively lengthened. Thus, the resource cost of the operation will be limited.

By defining an operation window, it is beneficial to modify the way to extend the operation period in a more flexible way.

In some embodiments, the UE may cease extending the operating period if the number of operating window groups during which one or more gaps are discarded is greater than a predetermined maximum number. If several gaps are discarded within the operating period, the operating period may be extended to a relatively long period, which may adversely affect communications on NW a. Further, if a gap is continuously discarded, it may be indicated that the gap configuration of the gap is incorrect and that operations in the gap cannot be performed. Thus, the upper limit of the operating period may be set by defining a maximum number of operating window groups during which one or more gaps are discarded. If the number of groups of operating windows during which one or more gaps are discarded exceeds a maximum number, the operating period is no longer extended and operation in the gaps on NW B may be stopped. With this configuration, adverse effects on communications on NW a will be reduced.

Finally and optionally, at step 408, the UE performs cell selection/reselection based on the results of the RRM measurements. This step may be omitted if the UE does not perform cell selection/reselection.

Hereinafter, some exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described, wherein the exemplary embodiments relate to an operation in NW B during a gap. It is noted that the exemplary embodiments are described primarily based on measurement gaps including Measurement Gap Length (MGL) and MUSIM Gap Repetition Period (MGRP), but such description is not limiting and the concepts of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other types of gaps.

RRM measurement for serving cell in NW B

Hereinafter, a first embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described, and in this embodiment, the operation in NW B during the gap is RRM measurement of the serving cell in NW B.

In the RRC idle state, the UE should measure a synchronization signal-based reference signal received power (SS-RSRP) and a synchronization signal-based reference signal received quality (SS-RSRQ) level of the serving cell in NW B and evaluate a cell selection criterion S for the serving cell in T _{serv_MUSIM}. The cell selection criteria S and the manner in which the cell selection criteria S for the serving cell are evaluated are well known in the art and will not be described in this disclosure.

The expression of T _{serv_MUSIM} is provided in table 1 below.

TABLE 1

In this embodiment, T _{serv_MUSIM} corresponds to the "operation period" as discussed above, and N1 x max (DRX cycle, MGRP) corresponds to the "operation window" as discussed above. N1 is a scaling factor determined based on the frequency range employed by the serving cell of NW B and max (DRX cycle, MGRP) as shown in table 1. Depending on the value of max (DRX cycle, MGRP), the value of N1 may be 1 for FR1 and may be 8, 5, 4 and 3 for FR 2. Furthermore, the value of N1 associated with FR2 shown in table 1 is applicable to UEs supporting power levels 2 and 3 and 4, and for UEs supporting power level 1 or 5, the value of N1 associated with FR2 is equal to 8 for all values of max (DRX cycle, MGRP).

The parameter max (DRX cycle, MGRP) refers to the largest one of the DRX cycle length and MGRP length. The DRX is that of the serving cell configured by NW B and the MGRP belongs to MUSIM gap mode associated with RRM measurements on the serving cell in NW B. In general, if the MGRP length is smaller than the DRX cycle length, the DRX cycle length is a multiple of the MGRP length. Thus, the parameter max (DRX cycle, MGRP) is a multiple of MGRP, i.e. the operating window is a multiple of the periodicity of the gap, whether or not the MGRP length is longer than the DRX cycle length. Further, a ratio between the operating window and the periodicity of the gap is determined based on the frequency range of the target cell of the second network, the DRX cycle of the target cell of the second network, and the MGRP. In some embodiments, the operating window is a multiple (N1 times) of the periodicity of the gaps and the maximum value of the DRX cycle.

As can be seen from table 1, T _{serv_MUSIM} is a multiple of N1 x max (DRX cycle, MGRP), i.e. the operation period is a multiple of the operation window. Specifically, for max (DRX cycle, MGRP) having values of 0.32 seconds and 0.64 seconds, the ratio between the operation window (N1 max (DRX cycle, MGRP)) and the operation period (T _{serv_MUSIM}) is m1 (4+ns). Further, for max (DRX cycle, MGRP) having values of 1.28 seconds and 2.56 seconds, the ratio between the operation window (N1 max (DRX cycle, MGRP)) and the operation period (T _{serv_MUSIM}) is m1 (2+ns). Furthermore, a value of M1 is determined based on a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) based measurement timing configuration (SMTC) periodicity of the target cell of the second network. Specifically, if SMTC periodicity (T _SMTC) >20ms and DRX cycle is less than or equal to 0.64 seconds, m1=2, otherwise m1=1.

The value Ns is the number of operating window groups (N1 x max (DRX cycle, MGRP)) during which one or more gaps are discarded during the operating period (T _{serv_MUSIM}). Furthermore, in some embodiments Ns is the number of operating window groups (N1 x max (DRX cycle, MGRP)), during which all gaps are discarded during the operating period (T _{serv_MUSIM}). Ns is equal to 0 if no gaps are discarded in all operating windows during the operating period.

In some embodiments, the value of Ns has a maximum number (N _s,max), and if the value of Ns is greater than the maximum number (N _s,max), the UE stops extending the operation period. In one embodiment, the maximum number is determined based on a DRX cycle of a target cell of the second network. Specifically, for DRX cycle length <1.28s, n _s,max =8, and for DRX cycle length > 1.28s, n _s,max =4.

In some embodiments, the UE may perform at least one RRM measurement on a serving cell in the second network for each restriction period in the operation period. The restriction period is provided to limit the interval between each RRM measurement so that adjacent RRM measurements will not be too far apart from each other in one embodiment, the restriction period may be set to 3 x m1 x n1 DRX cycles. The expression limiting the period is determined based on experiments, specific requirements of the UE and the inventors' knowledge. In one embodiment, the limit period is shorter than or equal to the operation period, because if the limit period is longer than the operation period, the limit period will not have a limit on the measurement. In this embodiment, the constraint period may be min (3×m1×n1 DRX cycle, T _{serv_MUSIM}), i.e., the minimum of 3×m1×n1 DRX cycle and T _{serv_MUSIM}.

The specific numbers provided in the above embodiments are exemplary values that are determined based on experiments, specific requirements of the UE, and the knowledge of the inventors, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

If the UE has evaluated in T _{serv_MUSIM} that the serving cell can meet the cell selection criterion S according to table 1, the UE may perform cell selection by maintaining the current serving cell. If the UE has evaluated in T _{serv_MUSIM} that the serving cell does not meet the cell selection criterion S according to table 1, the UE should initiate measurements of all neighboring cells indicated by the serving cell in NW B, regardless of the measurement rules that currently limit the UE measurement activity.

The UE may perform RRM measurements on intra-frequency cells and/or inter-frequency cells and criteria for determining the cells to measure are well known in the art and will not be described in this disclosure.

RRM measurement of intra-frequency neighbor cells in NW B

Hereinafter, a second embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described, and in this embodiment, the operation in NW B during the gap is RRM measurement of an adjacent cell in frequency in NW B.

The UE should be able to identify a new intra-frequency cell in NW B and perform SS-RSRP measurements and SS-RSRQ measurements of the identified intra-frequency cell.

The UE should be able to evaluate whether the newly detectable intra-frequency cell in NW B meets the reselection criterion within T _{Detection of ,Intra_MUSIM} and if so, the UE should reselect the cell. In some embodiments, a T _{reselection ,intra_MUSIM} timer may be provided and the UE should evaluate the intra-frequency cell for T _{reselection ,intra_MUSIM} to determine if the cell still meets the reselection criteria for the duration and if so, the UE should reselect the cell.

Furthermore, for intra-frequency cells identified and measured according to the measurement rules, the UE should measure SS-RSRP and SS-RSRQ at least at each T _{Measurement of ,Intra_MUSIM}.

Furthermore, for intra-frequency cells that have been detected but have not been reselected, the UE should be able to evaluate within T _{Evaluation of ,Intra_MUSIM} whether the intra-frequency cells have met the reselection criteria.

The reselection criteria for intra-frequency cells and the manner in which intra-frequency cells are detected, measured, and evaluated are well known in the art and will not be described in this disclosure.

The expressions for T _{Detection of ,Intra_MUSIM}、T _{Measurement of ,Intra_MUSIM}, and T _{Evaluation of ,Intra_MUSIM} are provided in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2

In this embodiment, T _{Detection of ,Intra_MUSIM}、T _{Measurement of ,Intra_MUSIM}, and T _{Evaluation of ,Intra_MUSIM} correspond to the "operating cycle" as discussed above, respectively. Specifically, T _{Detection of ,Intra_MUSIM} refers to the period in which the UE detects an adjacent cell in the frequency newly detected in the second network, T _{Measurement of ,Intra_MUSIM} refers to the period in which the UE measures an adjacent cell in the frequency identified and measured in the second network, and T _{Evaluation of ,Intra_MUSIM} refers to the period in which the UE evaluates an adjacent cell in the frequency that has been detected in the second network.

Further, similar to the above embodiment, N1 max (DRX cycle, MGRP) corresponds to the "operation window" as discussed above. The term N1 and the term max (DRX cycle, MGRP) have similar definitions to those in the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here. The term M2 has a similar definition as M1 in the above embodiment, and is also determined based on SMTC periodicity of the intra-frequency cells of NW B. In a specific embodiment, m2=1.5 if SMTC periodicity of the measured intra-frequency cell is >20ms, otherwise m2=1.

Similar to Ns, nd, nm, and Ne in the above embodiments also refer to the number of sets of operating windows that discard one or more gaps during the corresponding operating periods T _{Detection of ,Intra_MUSIM}、T _{Measurement of ,Intra_MUSIM}, and T _{Evaluation of ,Intra_MUSIM}.

Similar to the above embodiment, nd, nm, and Ne also have the corresponding maximum numbers N _d,max、N_m,max and N _e,max, and if the value of one of Nd, nm, and Ne is greater than the corresponding maximum number, the UE stops extending the operation period. In one embodiment, the maximum number is determined based on a DRX cycle of a target cell of the second network. Specifically, n _m,max =16 for DRX cycle=0.32s, n _m,max =8 for DRX cycle length=0.64 s, n _m,max =4 for DRX cycle length=1.28s, and n _m,max =4 for DRX cycle length=2.56 s. In addition, N _d,max＝4*N_m,max and N _e,max＝2*N_m,max.

Some of the discussions with reference to table 1 may be applied to table 2, if applicable, and will not be repeated here.

RRM measurement of inter-frequency neighbor cells in NW B

Hereinafter, a third embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described, and in this embodiment, the operation in NW B during the gap is RRM measurement of inter-frequency neighbor cells in NW B.

The UE should be able to identify a new inter-frequency cell in NW B and perform SS-RSRP measurements and SS-RSRQ measurements of the identified inter-frequency cell.

The procedure of RRM measurement for inter-frequency cells is similar to the procedure of RRM measurement for intra-frequency cells, except that when there are several inter-frequency carriers to be measured, the operation period is equal to the sum of the operation periods of RRM measurement on each inter-frequency carrier.

Specifically, the operation cycle includes:

The UE detects a period (T _{Detection of ,Inter_MUSIM}) of inter-frequency neighbor cells that can be newly detected in the second network and an inter-frequency carrier (K) indicated by a serving cell in NW B

_{Carrier wave _MUSIM} ) I.e., the number of K _{Carrier wave _MUSIM}*T_{detect,Inter_MUSIM},

The UE measures a period (T _{Measurement of ,Inter_MUSIM}) of inter-frequency neighbor cells that can be newly detected in the second network and an inter-frequency carrier (K) indicated by a serving cell in NW B

_{Carrier wave _MUSIM} ) The number of (a), i.e., K _{Carrier wave _MUSIM}*T _{Measurement of ,Inter_MUSIM}, and

The UE evaluates the period (T _{Evaluation of ,Intra_MUSIM}) of inter-frequency neighbor cells that can be newly detected in the second network and the inter-frequency carrier (K) indicated by the serving cell in NW B

_{Carrier wave _MUSIM} ) I.e., K _{Carrier wave _MUSIM}*T _{Evaluation of ,Inter_MUSIM}.

The formats of T _{Detection of ,Intra_MUSIM}、T _{Measurement of ,Intra_MUSIM}, and T _{Evaluation of ,Intra_MUSIM} are the same as those of T _{Detection of ,Intra_MUSIM}、T _{Measurement of ,Intra_MUSIM}, and T _{Evaluation of ,Intra_MUSIM} in table 2, and will not be repeated here.

The reselection criteria for inter-frequency cells and the manner in which inter-frequency cells are detected, measured and evaluated are well known in the art and will not be described in this disclosure.

Based on the results of RRM measurements for intra-frequency and inter-frequency neighbor cells in NW B, the UE may perform cell reselection on the second network for the second SIM.

In some embodiments, the UE should remain detecting pages from NW B for MUSIM slots associated with paging reception. If MUSIM slots associated with paging reception are discarded, for example, due to collision with other slot opportunities with higher priority, the UE may cause interruption of paging reception in NW B. The UE should be able to receive pages in NW B within a gap opportunity that is not discarded due to e.g. a gap collision.

Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising means for performing one or more elements of method 400. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a UE, such as a wireless device 202 (UE), as described herein.

Embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of method 400. The non-transitory computer readable medium may be, for example, a memory of a UE, such as memory 206 of wireless device 202 (UE), as described herein.

Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logic, modules, or circuitry to perform one or more elements of method 400. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a UE, such as a wireless device 202 (UE), as described herein.

Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of method 400. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a UE, such as a wireless device 202 (UE), as described herein.

Embodiments contemplated herein include a signal as described in or associated with one or more elements of method 400.

Embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product comprising instructions, wherein execution of the program by a processor causes the processor to perform one or more elements of method 400. The processor may be a processor of a UE, such as processor 204 of wireless device 202 (UE), as described herein. The instructions may be located, for example, in a processor and/or on a memory of a UE, such as memory 206 of wireless device 202 (UE), as described herein.

Fig. 7 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 700 at a network side for configuring a gap for MUSIM capable UEs in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein. As shown, the method of fig. 7 may operate as follows.

At 702, a network device associated with a first network (NW a) receives, from a UE, a request for a gap configuration associated with an operation in a second network, the gap configuration including a gap during which the operation in the second network is performed by the UE.

At 704, a network device associated with NW a sends an indication of a gap configuration to a UE. Based on the received gap configuration, when the UE is in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state with the first network and in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state with the second network, during each gap within an operation period, an operation in the second network is performed based on the gap configuration, the operation period including at least one gap. Furthermore, if a gap within an operation period is discarded at the UE due to collision of the gap with other gaps, the operation period is prolonged.

Details of the steps of method 700 are similar to those of method 400 and therefore they are omitted here.

Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising means for performing one or more elements of method 700. The apparatus may be an apparatus, e.g., a base station, such as a network device 218 (base station) associated with NW a, as described herein.

Embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of method 700. The non-transitory computer readable medium may be, for example, a memory of a base station, such as memory 222 of network device 218 (base station), as described herein.

Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logic, modules, or circuitry to perform one or more elements of method 700. The apparatus may be an apparatus, e.g., a base station, such as a network device 218 (base station), as described herein.

Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of method 700. The apparatus may be an apparatus, e.g., a base station, such as a network device 218 (base station), as described herein.

Embodiments contemplated herein include a signal as described in or associated with one or more elements of method 700.

Embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product comprising instructions, wherein execution of the program by a processing element causes the processing element to perform one or more elements of method 700. The processor may be a processor of a base station, such as processor 220 of network device 218 (base station), as described herein. The instructions may be located, for example, in a processor and/or on a memory of the UE, such as memory 222 of network device 218 (base station), as described herein.

For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components set forth in one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to perform one or more operations, techniques, procedures, and/or methods as set forth herein. For example, a baseband processor as described herein in connection with one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples set forth herein. As another example, circuitry associated with a UE, base station, network element, etc., as described above in connection with one or more of the preceding figures, may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of the examples set forth herein.

Any of the above embodiments may be combined with any other embodiment (or combination of embodiments) unless explicitly stated otherwise. The foregoing description of one or more implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various implementations.

Embodiments and implementations of the systems and methods described herein may include various operations that may be embodied in machine-executable instructions to be executed by a computer system. The computer system may include one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers (or other electronic devices). The computer system may include hardware components that include specific logic components for performing operations, or may include a combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.

It should be appreciated that the systems described herein include descriptions of specific embodiments. These embodiments may be combined into a single system, partially into other systems, divided into multiple systems, or otherwise divided or combined. Furthermore, it is contemplated that parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. of another embodiment may be employed in one embodiment. For clarity, these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. are described only in one or more embodiments and it should be recognized that these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. may be combined with or substituted for parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. of another embodiment unless explicitly stated herein.

It is well known that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled to minimize the risk of inadvertent or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be specified to the user.

Although the foregoing has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of illustration, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced without departing from the principles of the invention. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing both the processes and apparatuses described herein. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the description is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims (22)

1. A User Equipment (UE), the UE comprising:

At least one antenna;

At least one radio coupled to the at least one antenna, and

A processor coupled to the at least one radio;

Wherein the UE supports a multiple universal subscriber identity module (multiple USIM) comprising at least a first SIM associated with a first network and a second SIM associated with a second network, and

The at least one radio and the processor are configured to:

requesting, from the first network, a gap configuration associated with an operation in the second network, the gap configuration including a gap during which the operation in the second network is performed by the UE;

Receiving an indication of the gap configuration from the first network, and

The operations in the second network are performed based on the gap configuration during each gap in an operation period when the UE is in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state with the first network and in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state with the second network, the operation period including at least one gap, and the processor is further configured to extend the operation period if the gap in the operation period is dropped at the UE due to collision of the gap with other gaps.

2. The UE of claim 1, wherein the operation period is a multiple of an operation window and the operation window is a multiple of a periodicity of the gap, and

The processor is further configured to extend the operating period based on a number of groups of operating windows during which one or more gaps are discarded.

3. The UE of claim 2, wherein each operation window comprises a plurality of gaps, and the processor is further configured to extend the operation period based on a number of operation window groups during which all gaps are discarded during the operation period.

4. The UE of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a ratio between the operating window and the periodicity of the gap based on a frequency range of a target cell of the second network, and a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycle of the target cell of the second network and the periodicity of the gap.

5. The UE of claim 4, wherein the operating window is a multiple of a periodicity of the gap and a maximum of the DRX cycle.

6. The UE of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a ratio between the operating period and the operating window based on a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) based measurement timing configuration (SMTC) periodicity of the target cell of the second network.

7. The UE of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to stop extending the operating period if a number of operating window groups during which one or more gaps are discarded is greater than a maximum number.

8. The UE of claim 7, wherein the maximum number is determined based on a DRX cycle of a target cell of the second network.

9. The UE of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the operations comprise performing Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements on a serving cell in the second network to measure and evaluate the serving cell, and

The operation period includes a period in which the UE measures and evaluates the serving cell in the second network.

10. The UE of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to perform at least one RRM measurement on the serving cell in the second network for each restriction period in the operation period.

11. The UE of claim 10, wherein the restriction period is shorter than or equal to the operation period.

12. The UE of any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the processor is further configured to perform cell selection on the second network for the second SIM based on a result of the RRM measurement.

13. The UE of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the operations include performing RRM measurements on intra-frequency neighboring cells in the second network, and

The operating cycle includes at least one of:

the UE detects a period (T _{Detection of ,Intra_MUSIM}) of an adjacent cell in the frequency that can be newly detected in the second network,

The UE measures a period (T _{Measurement of ,Intra_MUSIM}) of neighboring cells in the frequency identified and measured in the second network, and

The UE evaluates a period (T _{Evaluation of ,Intra_MUSIM}) of neighboring cells in the frequency that has been detected in the second network.

14. The UE of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the operations include performing RRM measurements on inter-frequency neighbor cells in the second network, and

The operating cycle includes at least one of:

the UE detects a period (T _{Detection of ,Inter_MUSIM}) of inter-frequency neighbor cells that can be newly detected in the second network and the number of inter-frequency carriers indicated by the serving cell in NW B (K _{Carrier wave _MUSIM}),

The UE measures a period (T _{Measurement of ,Inter_MUSIM}) of inter-frequency neighbor cells identified and measured in the second network and a number (K _{Carrier wave _MUSIM}) of inter-frequency carriers indicated by the serving cell in NW B, and

The UE evaluates a period (T _{Evaluation of ,Inter_MUSIM}) of inter-frequency neighbor cells that have been detected in the second network and a number of inter-frequency carriers (K _{Carrier wave _MUSIM}) indicated by the serving cell in NW B.

15. The UE of any of claims 13 to 14, wherein the processor is further configured to perform cell reselection on the second network for the second SIM based on a result of the RRM measurement.

16. A network device associated with a first network, the network device comprising:

At least one antenna;

At least one radio coupled to the at least one antenna, and

A processor coupled to the at least one radio;

wherein the at least one radio and the processor are configured to:

Receiving a request from a UE for a gap configuration associated with an operation in a second network, the gap configuration including a gap during which the operation in the second network is performed by the UE, and

An indication of the gap configuration is sent to the UE,

Wherein the UE supports a multiple universal subscriber identity module (multiple USIM) comprising at least a first SIM associated with the first network and a second SIM associated with the second network, and

The UE extends the operating period if the gap within the operating period is discarded at the UE due to collision of the gap with other gaps.

17. A method, the method comprising:

By a User Equipment (UE),

Requesting a gap configuration associated with operation in a second network from a first network,

Wherein the UE supports a multiple universal subscriber identity module (multiple USIM) comprising at least a first SIM associated with the first network and a second SIM associated with the second network, and

The gap configuration includes a gap during which the operations in the second network are performed by the UE;

receiving an indication of the gap configuration from the first network, and

Performing an operation in the second network based on the gap configuration during each gap in an operation period when the UE is in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state with the first network and in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state with the second network, the operation period including at least one gap, and

The processor is further configured to extend the operation period if the gap within the operation period is discarded at the UE due to collision of the gap with other gaps.

18. A method, the method comprising:

By the network device associated with the first network,

Receiving a request from a UE for a gap configuration associated with an operation in a second network, the gap configuration including a gap during which the operation in the second network is performed by the UE, and

An indication of the gap configuration is sent to the UE,

Wherein the UE supports a multiple universal subscriber identity module (multiple USIM) comprising at least a first SIM associated with the first network and a second SIM associated with the second network, and

The UE extends the operating period if the gap within the operating period is discarded at the UE due to collision of the gap with other gaps.

19. An apparatus for operating a User Equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to cause the UE to perform the method of claim 17.

20. An apparatus for operating a network device, the apparatus comprising:

A processor configured to cause the network device to perform the method of claim 18.

21. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing program instructions that, when executed at a User Equipment (UE), cause the UE to perform the method of claim 17.

22. A computer program product comprising program instructions which, when executed by a network device, cause the network device to perform the method of claim 18.