In LTE, the network can configure the UE to perform (1) intra-frequency measurements (measurements at the downlink carrier frequency(ies) of the serving cell(s)); (2) inter-frequency measurements (measurements at frequencies that differ from any of the downlink carrier frequency(ies) of the serving cell(s)); and/or (3) inter-RAT measurements of E-UTRA frequencies. In LTE, to perform inter-frequency/inter-RAT measurements, the UE typically needs measurement gaps, while for intra-frequency operation measurement gaps are generally not needed, except for bandwidth (BW) limited UEs (e.g., when UE BW is less than the serving cell BW). A measurement gap pattern comprises a measurement gap length which is typically 6 milliseconds (ms) long and the measurement gap periodicity, which can be 40 ms or 80 ms. The measurement gaps are configured at the UE by the network node. During a measurement gap, the UE is not able to transmit or receive on a serving carrier and receives signals on an inter-frequency carrier frequency instead (one inter-frequency at a time in case there are multiple inter-frequencies). In NR, the UE BW is even more likely to be smaller than the cell BW or any kind of BW associate with the system and/or node and/or base station.

The examples disclosed in the present disclosure provide measurement configuration techniques that allow UE to distinguish cells that are associated with different carriers and, consequently, when performing measurement reports, allow the network to decide between intra-frequency and inter-frequency handovers. Other advantages may be readily apparent to one having skill in the art. Certain embodiments may have none, some, or all of the recited advantages.