WO2023075651A1

WO2023075651A1 - Methods, wireless device and network node for handling measurement gaps for the wireless device

Info

Publication number: WO2023075651A1
Application number: PCT/SE2021/051078
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alberto GONZALEZ ESCUDERO; Mattias Gustafsson; Sebastian LINDQVIST
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Current assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Priority date: 2021-10-26
Filing date: 2021-10-26
Publication date: 2023-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 2024-04-26
Also published as: EP4424061A1; EP4424061A4

Abstract

Disclosed is a method performed by a network node (130) of a wireless communication network (100) for handling measurement gaps for a wireless device (140) connected to the network node (130). The method comprises sending to the wireless device (140), a message comprising an instruction on measurements to be performed by the wireless device, information on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements, and an indication that the wireless device is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps when the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without use of that/those measurement gap(s). The method further comprises receiving, from the wireless device (140) and in response to the sent message a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of at least one of the configured measurement gaps, or an acknowledgment of the message, the acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps. The method further comprises determining, when the confirmation is received, to ignore the at least one configured measurement gap.

Description

METHODS, WIRELESS DEVICE AND NETWORK NODE FOR HANDLING MEASUREMENT GAPS FOR THE WIRELESS DEVICE

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to methods, wireless device and network node for handling measurement gaps for a wireless device connected to the network node. The present disclosure further relates to computer programs and carriers corresponding to the above methods, devices and nodes.

Background

[0002] A central task of a wireless communication network is to provide good radio connections for wireless communication devices, aka wireless devices aka User Equipment (UE) to carry communication services that users of the wireless devices want to utilize. In this process it is central to find the most suitable cells or antenna beams (in the following only referred to as cells) for every wireless device as it moves around in the wireless communication network. This is today performed by the network requesting the wireless device to measure strength and/or quality of radio signals sent from radio access network (RAN) nodes, aka network nodes handling the cells, both of serving cells and of neighbor cells. A serving cell is a cell in which the wireless device resides/is connected to. The neighbor cells are cells that are neighbors to the serving cell(s) and which the wireless device may transit into as it moves around. The results of the measurements of strength and/or quality of serving cells and neighbor cells are reported by the wireless device to the RAN, which decides what cell(s) shall serve the wireless device in the following. These measurements of strength and/or quality that are reported to the RAN are normally accompanied with the physical cell identity (PCI) of the cell in order for the RAN to identify which measurements that belong to which cell.

[0003] In certain circumstances, a measurement gap may be needed for the wireless device to be able to carry out the measurements. A measurement gap is a time span when no data is scheduled, i.e. neither uplink (UL) nor downlink (DL) communication of data takes part between the wireless device and the network node or nodes handling the serving cell or cells. Measurement gaps are needed for the wireless device to be able to measure on signals sent on other carrier frequencies than the frequencies of the serving cell, and/or on different radio access technologies (RAT) than used in the serving cell, and/or when a different subcarrier spacing is used for a neighboring cell than for the serving cell. Such measurements are in turn necessary for the communication network to be able to evaluate alternative cells for a potential handover of the wireless device to another cell. Also, in case of Dual Connectivity, when the wireless device may be served by a primary network node of one RAT and a secondary network node of another RAT simultaneously, measurement gaps are needed. In some situations, measurement gaps may also be needed for intra-frequency measurements.

Measurement gaps and the need to use them are defined in e.g. 3GPP TS 38.133, V17.1.0, Chapter 9.1.2.

[0004] As no data can be communicated between the wireless device and the network node handling the serving cell during a measurement gap, the use of measurement gaps has a negative effect on the total throughput of data between the network node and the wireless device, the negative effect depending on the periodicity and length of the gaps. Therefore, there is a need to minimize the use of measurement gaps, at the same time as there is a need to be able to measure on all types of neighbor cells.

[0005] In 3GPP release 16, a new method to signal measurement gap capabilities was introduced called NeedForGaps. This method is described in 3GPP TS 38.306, v16.4.0. In Chapter 4.2.9, page 114, a parameter “nr- NeedForGap-Reporting-r16” is defined as indicating whether the UE supports reporting measurement gap requirement information for NR target in the UE response to a network configuration Radio Resource Control (RRC) message. The capability works dynamically: The network node sends a request in an RRC message to the UE, asking if the UE can perform gapless measurement on several carrier frequency bands, and the UE in return reports, to the network node in an RRC message and based on its current configuration, whether it can support gapless measurement in those frequency bands and/or cells. For example, depending on the number of serving cells that are used when the UE uses carrier aggregation (CA), gapless measurements can be possible or not. When the UE has reported to the network node whether it currently can perform gapless measurement or not, the network node configures measurement gaps if needed, and reports the configured measurement gaps to the UE in an RRC message, and the UE acknowledges the configured measurement gaps in an RRC message. Thereafter, measurement in the newly (re-)configured measurement gaps can start.

[0006] This procedure is rather time- and resource-consuming as two RRC messages are needed to be sent from each of the UE and the network node before the measurement gaps are configured. Further, every time the serving cells change, the already reported gapless measurement capabilities are outdated. In other words, as soon as there is any change in serving cells for the UE, the above described NeedForGaps procedure needs to be repeated. During the NeedForGaps procedure, measurements are continued being performed in the way they were configured before the reconfiguration, that is with the wrong measurement gaps, without measurement gaps or with unnecessary measurement gaps, depending on the situation before.

[0007] In other words, there is a need for an improved procedure for handling measurement gaps for a wireless device. Such a procedure should be able to adapt the measurement gaps to current wireless device configuration quickly and effectively.

Summary

[0008] It is an object of the invention to address at least some of the problems and issues outlined above. It is possible to achieve these objects and others by using methods, network nodes and wireless devices as defined in the attached independent claims.

[0009] According to one aspect, a method is provided that is performed by a network node of a wireless communication network for handling measurement gaps for a wireless device connected to the network node. The method comprises sending to the wireless device, a message comprising an instruction on measurements to be performed by the wireless device, information on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements, and an indication that the wireless device is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps when the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without use of that/those measurement gap(s). The method further comprises receiving, from the wireless device and in response to the sent message, a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of at least one of the configured measurement gaps, or an acknowledgment of the message, the acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps. Further, when the network node receives the confirmation, it determines to ignore the at least one configured measurement gap.

[00010] According to another aspect, a method is provided that is performed by a wireless device connected to a network node of a wireless communication network, for handling measurement gaps for the wireless device. The method comprises receiving, from the network node, a message comprising an instruction on measurements to be performed by the wireless device, information on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements, and an indication that the wireless device is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps when the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without use of that/those measurement gap(s). The method further comprises determining that the measurements to be performed in at least one of the configured measurement gaps can be performed without using the at least one measurement gap, and sending, based on the determining and to the network node, a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps, or determining that the measurements cannot be performed without using any of the configured measurement gaps, and sending, based on the determining and to the network node, an acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps

[00011] According to another aspect, a network node is provided that is configured to operate in a wireless communication network and configured for handling measurement gaps for a wireless device. The network node comprises a processing circuitry and a memory. Said memory contains instructions executable by said processing circuitry, whereby the network node is operative for sending to the wireless device, a message comprising an instruction on measurements to be performed by the wireless device, information on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements, and an indication that the wireless device is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps when the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without use of that/those measurement gap(s). The network node is further operative for receiving, from the wireless device and in response to the sent message, a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of at least one of the configured measurement gaps, or an acknowledgment of the message, the acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps. The network node is further operative for determining, when the confirmation is received, to ignore the at least one configured measurement gap.

[00012] According to another aspect, a wireless device is provided that is configured for connection to a network node of a wireless communication network and configured for handling measurement gaps for the wireless device. The wireless device comprises a processing circuitry and a memory. Said memory contains instructions executable by said processing circuitry, whereby the wireless device is operative for receiving, from the network node, a message comprising an instruction on measurements to be performed by the wireless device, information on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements, and an indication that the wireless device is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps when the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without use of that/those measurement gap(s). The wireless device is further operative for determining that the measurements to be performed in at least one of the configured measurement gaps can be performed without using the at least one measurement gap; and sending, to the network node, a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps, or determining that the measurements cannot be performed without using any of the configured measurement gaps, and sending, to the network node, an acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps.

[00013] According to other aspects, computer programs and carriers are also provided, the details of which will be described in the claims and the detailed description.

[00014] Further possible features and benefits of this solution will become apparent from the detailed description below.

Brief Description of Drawings

[00015] The solution will now be described in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[00016] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a wireless communication network in which the present invention may be used.

[00017] Fig 2 is a signaling diagram according to prior art.

[00018] Fig. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method performed by a network node, according to possible embodiments.

[00019] Fig. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method performed by a wireless device, according to possible embodiments.

[00020] Fig. 5 is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of a procedure according to embodiments, implemented for a split gNB. [00021] Fig. 6 is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of a procedure according to embodiments, implemented for Dual Connectivity.

[00022] Fig. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a network node in more detail, according to further possible embodiments.

[00023] Fig. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a wireless device in more detail, according to further possible embodiments.

Detailed Description

[00024] Fig. 1 shows a wireless communication network 100 comprising a radio access network (RAN) node aka network node 130 that is in, or is adapted for, wireless communication with a wireless communication device aka wireless device 140. The network node 130 provides radio access in a cell 150 covering a geographical area.

[00025] The wireless communication network 100 may be any kind of wireless communication network that can provide radio access to wireless devices.

Example of such wireless communication networks are networks based on Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA 2000), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced, Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), WiMAX Advanced, as well as fifth generation (5G) wireless communication networks based on technology such as New Radio (NR), and any possible future sixth generation (6G) wireless communication network.

[00026] The network node 130 may be any kind of network node that can provide wireless access to a wireless device 140 alone or in combination with another network node. Examples of network nodes 130 are a base station (BS), a radio BS, a base transceiver station, a BS controller, a network controller, a Node B (NB), an evolved Node B (eNB), a gNodeB (gNB), a Multi-cell/multicast Coordination Entity, a relay node, an access point (AP), a radio AP, a remote radio unit (RRU), a remote radio head (RRH) and a multi-standard BS (MSR BS). [00027] The wireless device 140 may be any type of device capable of wirelessly communicating with a network node 130 using radio signals. For example, the wireless device 140 may be a User Equipment (UE), a machine type UE or a UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, a sensor, a tablet, a mobile terminal, a smart phone, a laptop embedded equipped (LEE), a laptop mounted equipment (LME), a USB dongle, a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) etc.

[00028] In the following and with reference to fig. 2, today's NeedForGaps procedure is described in more detail, for an example of an NR network in which the gNB is split between a central unit (gNB-CU) 161 and a distributed unit (gNB- DU) 162. When measurement gaps need to be reconfigured for a UE 163 that is served by the gNB, the gNB-CU 161 sends 1.1 an RRC Reconfiguration message to the gNB-DU 162 in a F1AP DL RRC transfer message. The RRC Reconfiguration message contains a measurement configuration (measConfig) and the request for need for gaps, which is sent as an Information Element (IE) called NeedForGapsConfigNR. The IE NeedForGapsConfigNR contains configuration related to the reporting of measurement gap requirement information such as ‘TequestedTargetBandFilterNR”. The measurement configuration indicates the target frequency bands that the UE is requested to report gap requirement information for. The gNB-DU 162 transfers, i.e. sends 1.2 the RRC Reconfiguration message further to the UE 163. Upon reception of the message, the UE 163 responds 1.3 to the gNB-DU 162, based on its current configuration, with an IE NeedForGapsInfoNR in a RRC Reconfiguration Complete message. The IE NeedForGapsInfoNR indicates whether measurement gap is required for the UE to perform SSB based measurements on an NR target band. The gNB-DU 162 transfers 1 .4 the RRC Reconfiguration Complete message with the NeedForGapsInfoNR further to the gNB-CU 161 in a FIAP UL RRC Message Transfer. Based on the information in the Reconfiguration Complete message, the gNB-CU 161 understands whether gaps are needed and if so, requests 1 .5 the measurement gaps from the gNB-DU 162 in a F1AP UE Context Modification and provides the measurement configuration information to the gNB-DU. In response, the gNB-DU 162 generates a measurement gap configuration and sends 1 .6 it to the gNB-Cll 161 in a F1AP UE Context Modification Response. The gNB-Cll 161 then puts the measurement gap configuration in an RRC Reconfiguration message and sends 1.7 the RRC Reconfiguration message to the gNB-Dll 162 in a F1AP DL RRC Message Transfer. The gNB-Dll 162 passes 1.8 the RRC Reconfiguration message transparently to the UE 163.

[00029] In response, the UE 163 applies the configured gaps and thereafter sends 1.9 an RRC Reconfiguration Complete message to the gNB-DU 162, which the gNB-DU transfers 1 .10 to the gNB-CU 161 as a F1AP UL RRC Message Transfer. The gNB-CU 161 then informs 1.11 the gNB-DU 162 that the new configuration has been applied by the UE 163 and that it is to be used from now on. The information is sent 1.11 in a F1AP UE Context Modification. At this point the measGapConfig are applied in the scheduler of the gNB-DU 162. The gNB-DU then acknowledges the receipt of the F1 AP UE Context Modification with a F1 AP UE Context Modification Response sent 1.12 to the gNB-CU 161.

[00030] All in all, 12 messages are needed for such a split-gNB architecture before new measurement gaps are configured and both the network and the UE 163 are ready for the UE performing measurements according to the new configuration. In the meantime, there are no measurements performed in gaps, in case no gaps were set-up before this reconfiguration procedure started, or, in case there were other gaps set up for measurements before the reconfiguration that are no longer necessary, unnecessary gaps are set up during this procedure, which means wasted communication resources. Still further, when the coverage of the UE 163 is poor, every RRC reconfiguration comes with a risk of dropping the UE, i.e. , that the UE loses its network connection. In Dual Connectivity, it is even more complex as multiple network nodes need to be coordinated and the risk of gaps misconfigured increase, and so does the length in time of the misconfiguration due to the additional interfaces and negotiation between the network nodes.

[00031] The present invention is built on the idea of shortening the NeedForGaps reconfiguration procedure by limiting the number of messages to be sent between the network node and the UE from four to two, this means in the fig. 2 example, from four RRC messages between the gNB-Dll 162 and the UE 163 to two. According to an embodiment, this is achieved by adding a network capability to the network node and the UE to understand if the measurement gaps can be skipped without having to inform of the removal of the measurement gaps via a dedicated RRC Reconfiguration message between the network node and the UE.

[00032] Fig. 3, in conjunction with fig. 1 , describes a method performed by a network node 130 of a wireless communication network 100 for handling measurement gaps for a wireless device 140 connected to the network node 130. The method comprises sending 202 to the wireless device 140, a message comprising an instruction on measurements to be performed by the wireless device, information on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements, and an indication that the wireless device 140 is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps when the wireless device 140 is capable of performing the measurements without use of that/those measurement gap(s). The method further comprises receiving 204, from the wireless device 140 and in response to the sent message, a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of at least one of the configured measurement gaps, or an acknowledgment of the message, the acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps. Further, when the network node 130 receives the confirmation, it determines 206 to ignore the at least one configured measurement gap.

[00033] The instruction on measurements may comprise which frequencies that the wireless device 140 should perform measurements on, and that the wireless device should report the performed measurements and cell-ID of the measurements to the network node 130. The information on measurement gaps is information on measurement gaps that the network node 130 has configured for the wireless device 140 where the wireless device is to perform the measurements. The indication indicates that the wireless device 140 should ignore any of the configured measurement gaps when the wireless device can perform the instructed measurement without the use of that/those measurement gap(s). The term “that/those measurement gaps” refers to the earlier used “any of the measurement gaps”. In response to this message, the wireless device 140 checks its capabilities and determines whether it can perform the measurements without any of the configured measurement gaps. If it can, the wireless device sends a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of at least one of the configured measurement gaps. If it cannot, the wireless device sends an acknowledgment of the message to the network node, the acknowledgement lacking any such confirmation. The acknowledgement may for example only be an acknowledgement that the wireless device has received the message, without any explicit information to whether it can perform the measurements without the use of any of the gaps or not, or the acknowledgement may indicate more actively that the wireless device cannot perform the measurements without using any of the configured measurement gaps. Further, when the network node receives the confirmation, it determines to ignore the at least one configured measurement gaps that the wireless device has confirmed it can do without. As a result of such a procedure, there is no need of configuring measurement gaps after the message has been sent 202 and the confirmation or acknowledgement has been received 204, as in prior art. Consequently, the number of RRC messages needed between the network node and the wireless device is reduced from four to two, and thereby the Needforgaps procedure is more expediently performed than in prior art. As a result, the measurements are more quickly adapted to new information, lower the risk of dropping the wireless device. Also, measurement gaps are more quickly skipped when they are not needed so that they can be used for other purposes such as for sending data UL or DL between the network node and the wireless device, thereby increasing the throughput to the wireless device.

[00034] According to an embodiment, the method further comprises occasionally scheduling 208 DL or UL transmission with the wireless device 140 in the at least one configured measurement gap, as a result of the determining 206 to ignore the at least one configured measurement gap. In other words, when the network node determines to ignore the configured measurement gaps, as a result of the confirmation received from the wireless device, the network node can schedule DL or UL transmission with the wireless device in the time slots that were previously configured for measurement gaps. Thus, the throughput to the wireless device is increased.

[00035] According to another embodiment, the received 204 confirmation is a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of all configured measurement gaps and the received acknowledgement is an acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of all configured measurement gaps. In this embodiment, the wireless device either accepts all measurement gaps or confirms that it can do the measurements without all gaps. Such a response only needs yes or no, i.e. one bit and is therefore very resource and time efficient.

[00036] According to another embodiment, the received 204 confirmation further comprises information that makes it possible for the network node to determine which of the configured measurement gaps that are ignored by the wireless device. The information received from the wireless device may comprise information on which measurement gaps of all the configured measurement gaps that are ignored and/or on which measurement gaps that are used. The information may be indicated with a flag for each gap, the flag being set when the gaps is used and not set when the gap is not used, or vice versa. By this embodiment the network node will know which of all configured measurement gaps that the wireless device will use and which not, and can thereby streamline the use of each of the time slots of the originally configured measurement gaps to either be used as measurement gap or for other purposes, such as UL or DL transmission with the wireless device. For example, in case FR1 and FR2 measurement gaps are used, that is the UE gets one measurement gap for measuring on frequencies and RATs below 24 GHz (FR1 ) and one measurement gap for measuring on frequencies and RATs above 24 GHz (FR2), the UE can indicate independently, with one bit each, whether it can skip FR1 and/or FR2. In the above embodiment of accepting or not accepting all gaps, both bits are to be configured to the same value, or only one bit can be used for both FR1 and FR2.

[00037] According to yet another embodiment, the message with instructions on measurements to be performed by the wireless device 140 and on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements as well as the indication that the wireless device 140 is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps is sent 202 in an RRC Reconfiguration message. Further, the confirmation or the acknowledgment is received 204 in an RRC Reconfiguration Request Response message.

[00038] According to an alternative of this embodiment, the indication that the wireless device 140 is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps is sent 202 in a NeedforgapsConfigNR information field. According to another alternative, the confirmation is received 204 in a NeedForGapsInfoNR information field.

[00039] According to yet another embodiment, the indication that the wireless device 140 is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps is a flag that when set indicates that the wireless device should ignore any of the configured measurement gaps if possible, and when not set indicates that the wireless device is not allowed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps. Hereby, the indication can be communicated using only one bit, which can be set to 0 or 1 , thus being very communication-resource efficient.

[00040] According to still another embodiment, at least some of the measurements that the wireless device 140 is instructed to perform are intrafrequency measurements. Further, the receiving 204 of a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of at least one of the configured measurement gaps comprises information on cell-ID of cells for which the wireless device will ignore the measurements gaps configured for intra-frequency measurements. A measurement is defined as an intrafrequency measurement when the center frequency of a neighbor cell is the same as the center frequency of the serving cell and the subcarrier spacing is the same in the two cells. The serving cell is the cell in which the wireless device resides, which cell is served by the network node 130. Such an embodiment makes it possible with an expedient measurement gap handling procedure also for gaps configured for intra-frequency measurements.

[00041] Fig. 4, in conjunction with fig. 1 , describes a method performed by a wireless device 140 connected to a network node 130 of a wireless communication network 100, for handling measurement gaps for the wireless device 140. The method comprises receiving 302, from the network node 130, a message comprising an instruction on measurements to be performed by the wireless device 140, information on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements, and an indication that the wireless device is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps when the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without use of that/those measurement gap(s). The method further comprises determining 304 that the measurements to be performed in at least one of the configured measurement gaps can be performed without using the at least one measurement gap, and sending 306, based on the determining 304 and to the network node 130, a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps, or determining 308 that the measurements cannot be performed without using any of the configured measurement gaps, and sending 310, based on the determining 308 and to the network node 130, an acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps. The wireless device determines that the measurements either can be performed without using at least one of the measurement gaps or cannot be performed without using any of the measurement gaps depending on its capacity and on configuration of frequencies and/or RATs to be measured.

[00042] According to an embodiment, the sent 306 confirmation is a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of all configured measurement gaps and the sent 310 acknowledgement is an acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of all configured measurement gaps.

[00043] According to another embodiment, the sent 306 confirmation further comprises information that makes it possible for the network node to determine which of the configured measurement gaps that are ignored by the wireless device.

[00044] According to another embodiment, the message with instructions on measurements to be performed by the wireless device 140 and on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements as well as the indication that the wireless device 140 is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps is received 302 in an RRC Reconfiguration message. Further, the confirmation or the acknowledgment is sent 306, 310 in an RRC Reconfiguration Request Response message.

[00045] According to an alternative of this embodiment, the indication that the wireless device 140 is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps is received 302 in a NeedforgapsConfigNR information field. According to another alternative, the confirmation is sent 306 in a NeedForGapsInfoNR information field.

[00046] According to another embodiment, the indication that the wireless device 140 is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps is a flag that when set indicates that the wireless device should ignore any of the configured measurement gaps if possible, and when not set indicates that the wireless device is not allowed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps.

[00047] According to yet another embodiment, at least some of the measurements that the wireless device is instructed to perform are intra-frequency measurements. Further, the sending 306 of the confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of at least one of the configured measurement gaps comprises information on cell-ID of cells for which the wireless device will ignore the measurements gaps configured for intrafrequency measurements.

[00048] In the following, different embodiments are described with reference to different implementations. According to an embodiment, the network node, upon doing an RRC reconfiguration, sends to the UE, the indication that the UE is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps when the UE is capable of performing the measurements without use of that/those measurement gap(s). This indication maybe called dynamicNeedForGaps and it may be implemented as a part of an IE NeedForGapsConfigNR of an RRC reconfiguration message sent by the network node to the UE. The indication may be a Boolean type, i.e. when set indicating that the UE is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps when it is capable of performing the measurements without gaps, and when not set not indicating the same.

[00049] Upon reception of the NeedForGapsConfigNR IE, if the UE supports this functionality, the UE understands the dynamic capability of the network node. When measurement gaps are configured, the UE can, for the given measurement configuration, indicate to the network node that it is able to ignore at least one of the configured measurement gaps. The UE determines whether it is able to ignore at least one of the measurement gaps or not depending on its own capacity and on the frequencies and/or RATs to be measured and/or on the cells/frequencies that are currently serving the UE with communication. This information, i.e. a confirmation that the UE is capable of performing the measurements without the use of at least one of the configured measurement gaps, or information that the wireless device cannot perform the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps, may be sent as a part of an IE NeedForGapsInfoNR of an RRC reconfiguration complete message sent by the UE to the network node. The confirmation may be called “DynamicGapInfo” and state for each gap in a gap band list whether the UE is to use the gap or not. On reception of the “DynamicGapInfo” from the UE, the network node does not apply the scheduling restrictions associated with the measurement gaps that the UE has confirmed it will not use, although the measurement gaps remain configured (but not applied). The network node may instead use those measurement gaps for other purposes, such as scheduling of UL and DL resources to the UE. As a result, only two messages are needed to be sent between the gNB-Dll and the UE which means the Needforgaps procedure is more expediently performed than in the prior art procedure shown in fig. 2.

[00050] Fig. 5 is a flow chart of a NeedForGaps procedure according to an embodiment. The gNB-CU 161 sends 2.1 a F1AP UE Context Modification message containing CU to DU RRC Information and measurement configuration (MeasConfig) information to the gNB-DU 162. The MeasConfig indicates target frequencies or cells that the UE is requested to perform measurements on. In response, the gNB-DU 162 configures measurement gaps for those target frequencies or cells and sends 2.2 a F1 AP UE Context Modification Response back to the gNB-CU 161 containing DU to CU RRC Information such as information on the configured measurement gaps (measGapConfig) and the indication here called dynamicNeedForGaps. The gNB-CU 161 then sends 2.3 a F1 AP DL RRC Message Transfer comprising an RRC Reconfiguration message to the gNB-DU 162, the RRC Reconfiguration comprising measGapConfig and dynamicNeedforGaps. The gNB-DU 162 transfers 2.4 the RRC Reconfiguration message it has received further to the UE 163, including the dynamicNeedForGaps. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the UE responds by sending 2.5 an RRC Reconfiguration Complete message including the DynamicGapInfo stating whether the UE is able to ignore at least one of the configured measurement gaps or not, e.g. stating which of the configured measurement gaps it can do without, if any. The gNB-DU 162 then transfers 2.6 the RRC Reconfiguration Complete message further to the gNB-CU 161 in a F1AP UL RRC Message Transfer. The gNB-CU 161 then informs 2.7 the gNB- DU 162 about the content of the RRC Reconfiguration Complete message, in a F1AP UE Context Modification message. Hereby, the gNB-DU 162 is informed by the gNB-CU 161 of the DynamicGapInfo from the UE. As a result, the gNB-DU 162 can use the measurement gaps that are not used by the UE for other purposes, such as for UL or DL scheduling of data. The gNB-DU 162 lastly confirms 2.8 the reception of the F1AP UE Context Modification message in a F1 AP UE Context Modification response message. A reason for the sending of messages back and forth between gNB-Cll and gNB-Dll is that the gNB-Cll performs the measurements and owns the RRC communication towards the UE whereas the gNB-DU is the unit performing the scheduling. Please observe that the names used above of the messages, such as “F1AP...” and of lEs, such as “dynamicNeedForGaps” are only exemplary names.

[00051] In an alternative embodiment, referring again to fig. 5, the dynamicGapInfo is configured without involvement from gNB-CU, and the gNB-DU appends the configuration to the ongoing RRC Reconfiguration. In other words, the DynamicNeedforGaps is not sent from gNB-DU 162 to gNB-CU 161 in step 2.2 and back to gNB-DU in step 2.3. Instead, the gNB-DU 162 adds the DynamicNeedforGaps to the RRC Reconfiguration before it is sent 2.4 to the UE 163. The UE as in previous embodiments returns 2.5 the indicator DynamicGapInfo stating whether it can do without any of the measurement gaps. On reception of the DynamicGapInfo indicator from the UE, the gNB-DU 162 extracts the information of the DynamicGapInfo and it can disregard the application of measurement gap for the indicated cells. I.e the DynamicGapInfo does not need to be sent further to the gNB-CU 161 in step 2.5 and back to the gNB-DU 162 in step 2.6.

[00052] In the following, different embodiments of Needforgaps procedures for Dual Connectivity (DC) are shown, with reference to fig. 6. In DC, a UE 503 has a primary connection with a master network node (MN) 502 and a secondary connection with a secondary network node (SN) 501 . DC is described in e.g. 3GPP TS 37.340 V16.5.0 Chapter 4.1 .1. Basically, there are two alternatives of Needforgaps procedure for DC, either the SN 501 or the MN 502 configures the measurement gaps. In the case where the measurement gaps are configured by the MN 502, the gaps can be requested by the MN 502 or the SN 501. In the case where the gaps are configured by the MN 502, the SN 501 indicates to the MN if it supports this dynamic gap behavior. The latter is shown in fig. 6. [00053] In the embodiment of fig. 6, the SN 501 sends 3.1 an SN Modification Required message to the MN 502 comprising a measurement configuration of the SN (measConfigSN), which is an indication of measurements of frequencies or cells that need to be measured on for the SN 501 . The MN 502 then configures measurement gaps for the SN and/or for the MN, based on a measurement configuration of frequencies or cells that need to be measured on for the MN 502. The MN 502 sends 3.2 an SN Modification Request to the SN 501 comprising an indication of measurements of frequencies or cells that need to be measured on for the MN 502 (MeasConfigMN) as well as an indication of the measurement gap configuration (MeasGapConfig). The SN 501 then sends 3.3 a SN SgNB Modification Response to the MN 502 in return, comprising the above-mentioned indication to the MN whether the SN supports dynamic gap behavior. The indication may be sent in a field called DynamicNeedforGapsSupported.

Thereafter, the MN 502 sends 3.4 an RRC Reconfiguration comprising the dynamicNeedforGaps similar to step 2.4 above. The UE 503 acts in a similar way as for the gNB-split embodiment of fig. 5 and determines whether it can do any of the measurements without using the configured gaps, based on its own capabilities. The UE 503 then sends 3.5 to the MN 502 a RRC Reconfiguration Complete comprising the indication called DynamicGapInfo stating whether the UE is able to ignore at least one of the configured measurement gaps or not. The MN 502 then sends 3.6 a SN Modification Confirm to the SN 501 comprising the DynamicGapInfo it received from the UE 503.

[00054] In an alternative embodiment still referring to fig 6, the MN 502 indicates the dynamic gap behavior capability to the UE 503 without SN 501 involvement. Then only the MN 502 can skip the measurement gaps when receiving a confirmation from the UE, but the measurement gaps for the SN 501 still apply. This means that the SN 501 will not send to the MN 502 any indication whether it supports dynamic gap behavior or not together with the SN SgNB Modifiction Response. In other words, the SN 501 sends 3.3 the SN SgNB Modification Response but does not append any indication DynamicNeedforGapsSupported. For the same reason, the DynamicGapinfo that the MN 502 receives 3.5 in the RRC Reconfiguration Complete is not sent further in the SN Modification Confirm to the SN 501. The UE 503 will still be able to skip the measurement gaps both for cells or frequencies of the MN 502 and for cells and frequencies of the SN 501 but the SN will not be able to schedule any UL or DL transmission of data in the gaps as it does not understand that the UE has skipped the gaps.

[00055] In yet another embodiment, referring to the message flow of fig. 6, it is the SN 501 that indicates the dynamic gap behavior capability to the UE 503 without coordination with the MN 501 . In other words, then only the SN 502 can skip the measurement gaps when receiving a confirmation from the UE 503 but the measurement gaps for the MN 501 still apply.

[00056] Fig. 7, in conjunction with fig. 1 , describes a network node 130 configured to operate in a wireless communication network 100, and configured for handling measurement gaps for a wireless device 140. The network node 130 comprises a processing circuitry 603 and a memory 604. Said memory contains instructions executable by said processing circuitry, whereby the network node 130 is operative for sending to the wireless device 140, a message comprising an instruction on measurements to be performed by the wireless device, information on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements, and an indication that the wireless device is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps when the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without use of that/those measurement gap(s). The network node 130 is further operative for receiving, from the wireless device 140 and in response to the sent message, a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of at least one of the configured measurement gaps, or an acknowledgment of the message, the acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps. The network node 130 is further operative for determining, when the confirmation is received, to ignore the at least one configured measurement gap.

[00057] According to an embodiment, the network node 130 is further operative for occasionally scheduling DL or UL transmission with the wireless device in the at least one configured measurement gap, as a result of the determining to ignore the at least one configured measurement gap.

[00058] According to another embodiment, the received confirmation is a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of all configured measurement gaps and the received acknowledgement is an acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of all configured measurement gaps.

[00059] According to another embodiment, the received confirmation further comprises information that makes it possible for the network node to determine which of the configured measurement gaps that are ignored by the wireless device.

[00060] According to yet another embodiment, the network node 130 is operative for sending the message with instructions on measurements to be performed by the wireless device and on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements as well as the indication that the wireless device 140 is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps in an RRC Reconfiguration message, and operative for receiving the confirmation or the acknowledgment in an RRC Reconfiguration Request Response message.

[00061] According to yet another embodiment, the network node 130 is operative for sending the indication that the wireless device 140 is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps in a NeedforgapsConfigNR information field.

[00062] According to still another embodiment, the network node 130 is operative for receiving the confirmation in a NeedForGapsInfoNR information field.

[00063] According to still another embodiment, the indication that the wireless device 140 is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps is a flag that when set indicates that the wireless device should ignore any of the configured measurement gaps if possible, and when not set indicates that the wireless device is not allowed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps. [00064] According to yet another embodiment, at least some of the measurements that the wireless device is instructed to perform are intra-frequency measurements, and wherein the confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of at least one of the configured measurement gaps comprises information on cell-ID of cells for which the wireless device will ignore the measurements gaps configured for intra-frequency measurements.

[00065] According to other embodiments, the network node 130 may further comprise a communication unit 602, which may be considered to comprise conventional means for wireless communication with the wireless device 140, such as a transceiver for wireless transmission and reception of signals in the communication network. The communication unit 602 may also comprise conventional means for communication with other network nodes of the wireless communication network 100. The instructions executable by said processing circuitry 603 may be arranged as a computer program 605 stored e.g. in said memory 604. The processing circuitry 603 and the memory 604 may be arranged in a sub-arrangement 601 . The sub-arrangement 601 may be a micro-processor and adequate software and storage therefore, a Programmable Logic Device, PLD, or other electronic component(s)/processing circuit(s) configured to perform the methods mentioned above. The processing circuitry 603 may comprise one or more programmable processor, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these adapted to execute instructions.

[00066] The computer program 605 may be arranged such that when its instructions are run in the processing circuitry, they cause the network node 130 to perform the steps described in any of the described embodiments of the network node 130 and its method. The computer program 605 may be carried by a computer program product connectable to the processing circuitry 603. The computer program product may be the memory 604, or at least arranged in the memory. The memory 604 may be realized as for example a RAM (Randomaccess memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory) or an EEPROM (Electrical Erasable Programmable ROM). In some embodiments, a carrier may contain the computer program 605. The carrier may be one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or computer readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium may be e.g. a CD, DVD or flash memory, from which the program could be downloaded into the memory 604. Alternatively, the computer program may be stored on a server or any other entity to which the network node 130 has access via the communication unit 602. The computer program 605 may then be downloaded from the server into the memory 604.

[00067] Fig. 8, in conjunction with fig. 1 , describes a wireless device 140 configured for connection to a network node 130 of a wireless communication network 100, and configured for handling measurement gaps for the wireless device 140. The wireless device 140 comprises a processing circuitry 703 and a memory 704. Said memory contains instructions executable by said processing circuitry, whereby the wireless device 140 is operative for receiving, from the network node 130, a message comprising an instruction on measurements to be performed by the wireless device, information on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements, and an indication that the wireless device is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps when the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without use of that/those measurement gap(s). The wireless device 140 is further operative for determining that the measurements to be performed in at least one of the configured measurement gaps can be performed without using the at least one measurement gap; and sending, to the network node 130, a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps, or determining that the measurements cannot be performed without using any of the configured measurement gaps, and sending, to the network node 130, an acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps. [00068] According to an embodiment, the confirmation is a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of all configured measurement gaps and the acknowledgement is an acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of all configured measurement gaps.

[00069] According to another embodiment, the confirmation further comprises information that makes it possible for the network node to determine which of the configured measurement gaps that are ignored by the wireless device.

[00070] According to another embodiment, the wireless device 140 is operative for receiving the message with instructions on measurements to be performed by the wireless device and on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements as well as the indication that the wireless device 140 is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps in an RRC Reconfiguration message, and operative for sending the confirmation or the acknowledgment in an RRC Reconfiguration Request Response message.

[00071] According to another embodiment, the wireless device 140 is operative for receiving the indication that the wireless device 140 is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps in a NeedforgapsConfigNR information field.

[00072] According to another embodiment, the wireless device 140 is operative for sending the confirmation in a NeedForGapsInfoNR information field.

[00073] According to yet another embodiment, the indication that the wireless device 140 is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps is a flag that when set indicates that the wireless device should ignore any of the configured measurement gaps if possible, and when not set indicates that the wireless device is not allowed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps.

[00074] According to yet another embodiment, at least some of the measurements that the wireless device is instructed to perform are intra-frequency measurements, and wherein the confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of at least one of the configured measurement gaps comprises information on cell-ID of cells for which the wireless device will ignore the measurements gaps configured for intra-frequency measurements.

[00075] According to other embodiments, the wireless device 140 may further comprise a communication unit 702, which may be considered to comprise conventional means for wireless communication with the network node 130 and other network nodes, such as a transceiver for wireless transmission and reception of signals in the communication network. The instructions executable by said processing circuitry 703 may be arranged as a computer program 705 stored e.g. in said memory 704. The processing circuitry 703 and the memory 704 may be arranged in a sub-arrangement 701 . The sub-arrangement 701 may be a micro-processor and adequate software and storage therefore, a Programmable Logic Device, PLD, or other electronic component(s)/processing circuit(s) configured to perform the methods mentioned above. The processing circuitry 703 may comprise one or more programmable processor, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these adapted to execute instructions.

[00076] The computer program 705 may be arranged such that when its instructions are run in the processing circuitry, they cause the wireless device 140 to perform the steps described in any of the described embodiments of the wireless device 140 and its method. The computer program 705 may be carried by a computer program product connectable to the processing circuitry 703. The computer program product may be the memory 704, or at least arranged in the memory. The memory 704 may be realized as for example a RAM (Randomaccess memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory) or an EEPROM (Electrical Erasable Programmable ROM). In some embodiments, a carrier may contain the computer program 705. The carrier may be one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or computer readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium may be e.g. a CD, DVD or flash memory, from which the program could be downloaded into the memory 704. Alternatively, the computer program may be stored on a server or any other entity to which the wireless device 140 has access via the communication unit 702. The computer program 705 may then be downloaded from the server into the memory 704. The wireless device 140 may further comprise a battery 706 or other power source for providing the wireless device with electrical power.

[00077] Although the description above contains a plurality of specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the concept described herein but as merely providing illustrations of some exemplifying embodiments of the described concept. It will be appreciated that the scope of the presently described concept fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the presently described concept is accordingly not to be limited. Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the abovedescribed embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed hereby. Moreover, it is not necessary for an apparatus or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the presently described concept, for it to be encompassed hereby. In the exemplary figures, a broken line generally signifies that the feature within the broken line is optional.

Claims

1. A method performed by a network node (130) of a wireless communication network (100) for handling measurement gaps for a wireless device (140) connected to the network node (130), the method comprising: sending (202) to the wireless device (140), a message comprising an instruction on measurements to be performed by the wireless device, information on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements, and an indication that the wireless device is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps when the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without use of that/those measurement gap(s); receiving (204), from the wireless device (140) and in response to the sent message: a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of at least one of the configured measurement gaps, or an acknowledgment of the message, the acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps, and determining (206), when the confirmation is received (204), to ignore the at least one configured measurement gap.

2. Method according to claim 1 , further comprising: occasionally scheduling (208) DL or UL transmission with the wireless device in the at least one configured measurement gap, as a result of the determining (206) to ignore the at least one configured measurement gap.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the received (204) confirmation is a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of all configured measurement gaps and the received acknowledgement is an acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of all configured measurement gaps.

4. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the received (204) confirmation further comprises information that makes it possible for the network node to determine which of the configured measurement gaps that are ignored by the wireless device.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the message with instructions on measurements to be performed by the wireless device and on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements as well as the indication that the wireless device (140) is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps is sent (202) in an RRC Reconfiguration message, and the confirmation or the acknowledgment is received (204) in an RRC Reconfiguration Request Response message.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the indication that the wireless device (140) is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps is sent (202) in a NeedforgapsConfigNR information field.

7. Method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the confirmation is received (204) in a NeedForGapsInfoNR information field.

8. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the indication that the wireless device (140) is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps is a flag that when set indicates that the wireless device should ignore any of the configured measurement gaps if possible, and when not set indicates that the wireless device is not allowed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps.

9. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the measurements that the wireless device is instructed to perform are intrafrequency measurements, and wherein the receiving (204) of a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of at least one of the configured measurement gaps comprises information on cell-ID of cells for which the wireless device will ignore the measurements gaps configured for intra-frequency measurements.

10. A method performed by a wireless device (140) connected to a network node (130) of a wireless communication network (100) for handling measurement gaps for the wireless device (140), the method comprising: receiving (302), from the network node (130), a message comprising an instruction on measurements to be performed by the wireless device, information on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements, and an indication that the wireless device is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps when the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without use of that/those measurement gap(s); determining (304) that the measurements to be performed in at least one of the configured measurement gaps can be performed without using the at least one measurement gap; and sending (306), to the network node (130), a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps, or determining (308) that the measurements cannot be performed without using any of the configured measurement gaps, and sending (310), to the network node (130), an acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps.

11 . Method according to claim 10, wherein the sent (306) confirmation is a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of all configured measurement gaps and the sent (310) acknowledgement is an acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of all configured measurement gaps.

12. Method according to claim 10, wherein the sent (306) confirmation further comprises information that makes it possible for the network node to determine which of the configured measurement gaps that are ignored by the wireless device.

13. Method according to any of claims 10-12, wherein the message with instructions on measurements to be performed by the wireless device and on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements as well as the indication that the wireless device (140) is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps is received (302) in an RRC Reconfiguration message, and the confirmation or the acknowledgment is sent (306, 310) in an RRC Reconfiguration Request Response message.

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the indication that the wireless device (140) is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps is received (302) in a NeedforgapsConfigNR information field.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the confirmation is sent (306) in a NeedForGapsInfoNR information field.

16. Method according to any of claims 10-15, wherein the indication that the wireless device (140) is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps is a flag that when set indicates that the wireless device should ignore any of the configured measurement gaps if possible, and when not set indicates that the wireless device is not allowed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps.

17. Method according to any of claims 10-16, wherein at least some of the measurements that the wireless device is instructed to perform are intra-frequency measurements, and wherein the sending (306) of the confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of at least one of the configured measurement gaps comprises information on cell-ID of cells for which the wireless device will ignore the measurements gaps configured for intra-frequency measurements.

18. A network node (130) configured to operate in a wireless communication network (100), and configured for handling measurement gaps for a wireless device (140), the network node (130) comprising a processing circuitry (603) and a memory (604), said memory containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry, whereby the network node (130) is operative for: sending to the wireless device (140), a message comprising an instruction on measurements to be performed by the wireless device, information on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements, and an indication that the wireless device is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps when the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without use of that/those measurement gap(s); receiving, from the wireless device (140) and in response to the sent message: a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of at least one of the configured measurement gaps, or an acknowledgment of the message, the acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps, and determining, when the confirmation is received, to ignore the at least one configured measurement gap.

19. Network node (130) according to claim 18, further being operative for: occasionally scheduling DL or UL transmission with the wireless device in the at least one configured measurement gap, as a result of the determining to ignore the at least one configured measurement gap.

20. Network node (130) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the received confirmation is a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of all configured measurement gaps and the received acknowledgement is an acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of all configured measurement gaps.

21 . Network node (130) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the received confirmation further comprises information that makes it possible for the network node to determine which of the configured measurement gaps that are ignored by the wireless device.

22. Network node (130) according to any of claims 18-21 , operative for sending the message with instructions on measurements to be performed by the wireless device and on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements as well as the indication that the wireless device (140) is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps in an RRC Reconfiguration message, and operative for receiving the confirmation or the acknowledgment in an RRC Reconfiguration Request Response message.

23. Network node (130) according to claim 22, operative for sending the indication that the wireless device (140) is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps in a NeedforgapsConfigNR information field.

24. Network node (130) according to claim 22 or 23, operative for receiving the confirmation in a NeedForGapsInfoNR information field.

25. Network node (130) according to any of claims 18-24, wherein the indication that the wireless device (140) is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps is a flag that when set indicates that the wireless device should ignore any of the configured measurement gaps if possible, and when not set indicates that the wireless device is not allowed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps.

26. Network node (130) according to any of claims 18-25, wherein at least some of the measurements that the wireless device is instructed to perform are intra-frequency measurements, and wherein the confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of at least one of the configured measurement gaps comprises information on cell-ID of cells for which the wireless device will ignore the measurements gaps configured for intrafrequency measurements.

27. A wireless device (140) configured for connection to a network node (130) of a wireless communication network (100), and configured for handling measurement gaps for the wireless device (140), the wireless device (140) comprising a processing circuitry (703) and a memory (704), said memory containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry, whereby the wireless device (140) is operative for: receiving, from the network node (130), a message comprising an instruction on measurements to be performed by the wireless device, information on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements, and an indication that the wireless device is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps when the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without use of that/those measurement gap(s); determining that the measurements to be performed in at least one of the configured measurement gaps can be performed without using the at least one measurement gap; and sending, to the network node (130), a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps, or determining that the measurements cannot be performed without using any of the configured measurement gaps, and sending, to the network node (130), an acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps.

28. Wireless device (140) according to claim 27, wherein the confirmation is a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of all configured measurement gaps and the acknowledgement is an acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of all configured measurement gaps.

29. Wireless device (140) according to claim 27, wherein the confirmation further comprises information that makes it possible for the network node to determine which of the configured measurement gaps that are ignored by the wireless device.

30. Wireless device (140) according to any of claims 27-29, operative for receiving the message with instructions on measurements to be performed by the wireless device and on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements as well as the indication that the wireless device (140) is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps in an RRC Reconfiguration message, and operative for sending the confirmation or the acknowledgment in an RRC Reconfiguration Request Response message.

31 . Wireless device (140) according to claim 30, operative for receiving the indication that the wireless device (140) is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps in a NeedforgapsConfigNR information field.

32. Wireless device (140) according to claim 30 or 31 , operative for sending the confirmation in a NeedForGapsInfoNR information field.

33. Wireless device (140) according to any of claims 27-32, wherein the indication that the wireless device (140) is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps is a flag that when set indicates that the wireless device should ignore any of the configured measurement gaps if possible, and when not set indicates that the wireless device is not allowed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps.

34. Wireless device (140) according to any of claims 27-33, wherein at least some of the measurements that the wireless device is instructed to perform are intra-frequency measurements, and wherein the confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of at least one of the configured measurement gaps comprises information on cell-ID of cells for which the wireless device will ignore the measurements gaps configured for intra- frequency measurements.

35. A computer program (605) comprising instructions, which, when executed by at least one processing circuitry of a network node (130) of a wireless communication network (100), causes the network node (130) to perform the following steps: sending to the wireless device (140), a message comprising an instruction on measurements to be performed by the wireless device, information on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements, and an indication that the wireless device is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps when the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without use of that/those measurement gap(s); receiving, from the wireless device (140) and in response to the sent message: a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of at least one of the configured measurement gaps, or an acknowledgment of the message, the acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps, and determining, when the confirmation is received, to ignore the at least one configured measurement gap.

36. A carrier containing the computer program (605) according to claim 35, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, an electric signal or a computer readable storage medium.

37. A computer program (705) comprising instructions, which, when executed by at least one processing circuitry of a wireless device (140), causes the wireless device (140) to perform the following steps: receiving, from the network node (130), a message comprising an instruction on measurements to be performed by the wireless device, information on measurement gaps configured for performing the measurements, and an indication that the wireless device is instructed to ignore any of the configured measurement gaps when the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without use of that/those measurement gap(s); determining that the measurements to be performed in at least one of the configured measurement gaps can be performed without using the at least one measurement gap; and sending, to the network node (130), a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps, or determining that the measurements cannot be performed without using any of the configured measurement gaps, and sending, to the network node (130), an acknowledgement lacking a confirmation that the wireless device is capable of performing the measurements without the use of the at least one configured measurement gaps.

38. A carrier containing the computer program (705) according to claim 37, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, an electric signal or a computer readable storage medium.