IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,621,733
Granted Patent B2
US 12,621,733 · App. 17/755,135 · Granted May 5, 2026

Inter-rat measurement gap configuration

Inventors: Ling Xie (Beijing, CN); Zhanyi Liu (Beijing, CN); Yongle Wu (San Diego, CA); Yong Li (San Diego, CA); Arvind Vardarajan Santhanam (San Diego, CA); Jie Mao (Beijing, CN); Scott Hoover (Del Mar, CA); Xuqiang Zhang (Beijing, CN)
Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
H04W36/0094
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,621,733
App. No.
17/755,135
Granted
May 5, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Enhanced inter-RAT and measurement gap operations are disclosed. In one aspect, a device may generate a customized measurement gap for monitoring control signals of another network for inter-RAT procedures. In another aspect, a device may modify, such as extend or shift, a network measurement gap to generate a modified measurement gap for monitoring control signals of another network for inter-RAT procedures. The device may modify the network measurement gap to align the network's measurement gap, such as LTE measurement gap, with a measurement window of another network, such as an SMTC window of a 5G network. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.

Claims (100)

1 . A method of wireless communication comprising:

determining, by a user equipment (UE), a customized measurement gap repetition period for at least one inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) cell based on network measurement gap information, and;

determining, by the UE, a customized measurement gap offset for the at least one inter-RAT cell based on the network measurement gap information;

determining, by the UE, a customized measurement gap length for the at least one inter-RAT cell based on the network measurement gap information; and

performing, by the UE, at least two inter-RAT cell measurements including a first inter-RAT cell measurement for a first serving cell and a second inter-RAT cell measurement for a second serving cell, wherein the first inter-RAT cell measurement and the second inter-RAT cell measurement are each performed based on the customized measurement gap repetition period, the customized measurement gap offset, and the customized measurement gap length, wherein the at least one inter-RAT cell includes the first serving cell and the second serving cell, and wherein first measurement windows of the first serving cell do not align in time with second measurement windows of the second serving cell during network indicated measurement gaps indicated by the network measurement gap information.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining a customized measurement gap for the at least one inter-RAT cell based on the customized measurement gap repetition period, the customized measurement gap offset, and the customized measurement gap length, wherein the at least two inter-RAT cell measurements are performed based on the customized measurement gap.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein, prior to performing the at least two inter-RAT cell measurements, the UE is connected to the second serving cell, and wherein the second serving cell is a primary serving cell.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the primary serving cell is an LTE serving cell, and wherein the first serving cell is an NR serving cell.

5 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

determining whether to join the first serving cell based on performing the at least two inter-RAT cell measurements;

responsive to determining to join the first serving cell, sending a measurement report indicating that the UE requests to join the first serving cell;

receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message responsive to the measurement report; and

joining the first serving cell based on the RRC message.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the customized measurement gap repetition period is determined based on one or more UE parameters, one or more network parameters, one or more channel parameters, or a combination thereof.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the customized measurement gap repetition period is determined based on a UE capability, an active traffic type, a scheduling rate, or a combination thereof.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the customized measurement gap offset is determined based on a synchronization signal block (SSB) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) configuration.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the customized measurement gap offset is determined further based on a measurement gap repetition period, overhead, or both, and wherein the SMTC configuration is SMTC offset, period, or both.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the customized measurement gap length is determined based on a synchronization signal block (SSB) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) configuration.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the SMTC configuration is an SMTC duration.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the customized measurement gap length is determined based on a maximum SSB length.

13 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining that there is no measurement gap configuration for at least one serving cell of the at least one inter-RAT cell.

14 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to determining the customized measurement gap repetition period, transmitting, by the UE, a capabilities message indicating that the UE requests measurement gaps to identify or measure inter-RAT cells.

15 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to determining the customized measurement gap repetition period, receiving, by the UE, a configuration message from a networking entity indicating a gapless measurement mode.

16 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to determining the customized measurement gap repetition period, receiving, by the UE, a second configuration message from a networking entity indicating a particular gap modification mode.

17 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining, by the UE, a measurement configuration for the least one inter-RAT cell;

determining, by the UE, whether a condition for a synchronization signal block (SSB) detection is satisfied based on the measurement configuration;

adjusting, by the UE, a SSB measurement gap parameter based on determining that the condition for SSB detection has been satisfied; and

monitoring, by the UE, for SSB signals based on the adjusted SSB measurement gap parameter.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein adjusting, by the UE, the SSB measurement gap parameter includes extending the SSB measurement gap parameter, wherein the SSB measurement gap parameter includes a measurement gap length.

19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein adjusting, by the UE, the SSB measurement gap parameter includes increasing the SSB measurement gap parameter, and wherein the SSB measurement gap parameter includes a measurement gap offset.

20 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, by the UE from a network entity, a capabilities message indicating that the UE is to operate in a sequential measurement mode for inter-RAT operations.

21 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, by the UE from a network entity, a configuration message indicating that the UE is to operate in: a particular gapless measurement mode for inter-RAT operations, a measurement gap length extension mode for inter-RAT operations, or a measurement gap offset shifting mode for inter-RAT operations.

22 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the network measurement gap information either:

indicates a wrong measurement gap configuration for the UE to measure the first measurement windows of the first serving cell and the second measurement windows of the second serving cell; or

does not provide a measurement gap configuration for the UE to measure the first measurement windows of the first serving cell and the second measurement windows of the second serving cell.

23 . An apparatus configured for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising:

means for determining a customized measurement gap repetition period for at least one inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) cell based on network measurement gap information;

means for determining a customized measurement gap offset for the at least one inter-RAT cell based on the network measurement gap information;

means for determining a customized measurement gap length for the at least one inter-RAT cell based on the network measurement gap information; and

means for performing at least two inter-RAT cell measurements including a first inter-RAT cell measurement for a first serving cell and a second inter-RAT cell measurement for a second serving cell, wherein the first inter-RAT cell measurement and the second inter-RAT cell measurement are each performed based on the customized measurement gap repetition period, the customized measurement gap offset, and the customized measurement gap length, wherein the at least one inter-RAT cell includes the first serving cell and the second serving cell, and wherein first measurement windows of the first serving cell do not align in time with second measurement windows of the second serving cell during network indicated measurement gaps indicated by the network measurement gap information.

24 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, the program code comprising:

program code executable by a computer for causing the computer to determine, by a user equipment (UE), a customized measurement gap repetition period for at least one inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) cell based on network measurement gap information;

program code executable by a computer for causing the computer to determine, by the UE, a customized measurement gap offset for the at least one inter-RAT cell based on the network measurement gap information;

program code executable by a computer for causing the computer to determine, by the UE, a customized measurement gap length for the at least one inter-RAT cell based on the network measurement gap information; and

program code executable by a computer for causing the computer to perform, by the UE, at least two inter-RAT cell measurements including a first inter-RAT cell measurement for a first serving cell and a second inter-RAT cell measurement for a second serving cell, wherein the first inter-RAT cell measurement and the second inter-RAT cell measurement are each performed based on the customized measurement gap repetition period, the customized measurement gap offset, and the customized measurement gap length, wherein the at least one inter-RAT cell includes the first serving cell and the second serving cell, and wherein first measurement windows of the first serving cell do not align in time with second measurement windows of the second serving cell during network indicated measurement gaps indicated by the network measurement gap information.

25 . An apparatus configured for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the processor is configured to cause the apparatus to:

determine a customized measurement gap repetition period for at least one inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) cell based on network measurement gap information;

determine a customized measurement gap offset for the at least one inter-RAT cell based on the network measurement gap information;

determine a customized measurement gap length for the at least one inter-RAT cell based on the network measurement gap information; and

perform at least two inter-RAT cell measurements including a first inter-RAT cell measurement for a first serving cell and a second inter-RAT cell measurement for a second serving cell, wherein the first inter-RAT cell measurement and the second inter-RAT cell measurement are each performed based on the customized measurement gap repetition period, the customized measurement gap offset, and the customized measurement gap length, wherein the at least one inter-RAT cell includes the first serving cell and the second serving cell, and wherein first measurement windows of the first serving cell do not align in time with second measurement windows of the second serving cell during network indicated measurement gaps indicated by the network measurement gap information.

26 . The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to:

determine a customized measurement gap for the at least one inter-RAT cell based on the customized measurement gap repetition period, the customized measurement gap offset, and the customized measurement gap length, wherein the at least two inter-RAT cell measurements are performed based on the customized measurement gap.

27 . The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein, prior to performance of the at least two inter-RAT measurements, the apparatus is connected to the second serving cell, and wherein the second serving cell is a primary serving cell.

28 . The apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to:

determine whether to join the first serving cell based on performing the at least two inter-RAT cell measurements;

responsive to a determination to join the first serving cell, send a measurement report indicating that the apparatus requests to join the first serving cell;

receive a radio resource control (RRC) message responsive to the measurement report; and

join the first serving cell based on the RRC message.

29 . The apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the processor configured to cause the apparatus to perform the at least two inter-RAT cell measurements includes to:

determine a customized measurement gap based on the customized measurement gap repetition period, the customized measurement gap offset, and the customized measurement gap length;

perform the first inter-RAT cell measurement for the first serving cell during the customized measurement gap; and

perform the second inter-RAT cell measurement for the second serving cell during the customized measurement gap.

30 . The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the customized measurement gap repetition period is determined based on one or more UE parameters, one or more network parameters, one or more channel parameters, or a combination thereof.

31 . The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the customized measurement gap repetition period is determined based on a UE capability, an active traffic type, a scheduling rate, or a combination thereof.

32 . The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the customized measurement gap offset is determined based on a synchronization signal block (SSB) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) configuration.

33 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the customized measurement gap offset is determined further based on a measurement gap repetition period, overhead, or both, and wherein the SMTC configuration is SMTC offset, period, or both.

34 . The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the customized measurement gap length is determined based on a synchronization signal block (SSB) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) configuration.

35 . The apparatus of claim 34 , wherein the SMTC configuration is an SMTC duration.

36 . The apparatus of claim 34 , wherein the gap length is determined based on a maximum SSB length.

37 . The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to:

determine that there is no measurement gap configuration for at least one serving cell of the at least one inter-RAT cell.

38 . The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to:

transmit a capabilities message indicating that the apparatus requests measurement gaps to identify or measure inter-RAT cells prior to the determination of the customized measurement gap repetition period.

39 . The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to:

receive a configuration message from a networking entity indicating a gapless measurement mode prior to the determination of the customized measurement gap repetition period.

40 . The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to:

receive a second configuration message from a networking entity indicating a particular gap modification mode prior to the determination of the customized measurement gap repetition period.

41 . The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to:

determine a measurement configuration for the least one inter-RAT cell;

determine whether a condition for a synchronization signal block (SSB) detection is satisfied based on the measurement configuration;

adjust a SSB measurement gap parameter based on determining that the condition for SSB detection has been satisfied; and

monitor for SSB signals based on the adjusted SSB measurement gap parameter.

42 . The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the processor is configured to cause the apparatus to adjust the SSB measurement gap parameter includes to:

extend the SSB measurement gap parameter, wherein the SSB measurement gap parameter includes a measurement gap length.

43 . The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the processor is configured to cause the apparatus to adjust the SSB measurement gap parameter includes to:

increase the SSB measurement gap parameter, wherein the SSB measurement gap parameter includes a measurement gap offset.

44 . The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the processor is configured to cause the apparatus to:

receive, from a network entity, a capabilities message indicating that the apparatus is to operate in a sequential measurement mode for inter-RAT operations.

45 . The apparatus of claim 25 , further comprising:

receive, from a network entity, a configuration message indicating that the apparatus is to operate in a particular gapless measurement mode for inter-RAT operations.

46 . The apparatus of claim 25 , further comprising:

receive, from a network entity, a configuration message indicating that the apparatus is to operate in a measurement gap length extension mode for inter-RAT operations.

47 . The apparatus of claim 25 , further comprising:

receive, from a network entity, a configuration message indicating that the apparatus is to operate in a measurement gap offset shifting mode for inter-RAT operations.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 21, 2022
From: XIE, LING; LIU, ZHANYI; WU, YONGLE; LI, YONG; SANTHANAM, ARVIND VARDARAJAN; MAO, JIE; HOOVER, SCOTT; ZHANG, XUQIANG
To: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 059670/0906 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230156543A1 · May 18, 2023
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