Dynamic UL gaps for MPE detection

A radio access network (RAN) node comprising:

• a memory storing computer readable instructions;
• and
• processing circuitry configured to execute the computer readable instructions to cause the node to,
• receive a maximum permissible exposure (MPE)-related message from at least one first user equipment (UE) device,
• adjust a UL gap configuration for the at least one first device based on the received MPE-related message, the adjusted UL gap configuration causing the at least one first device to determine an estimated distance information between a user of the at least one first device and the at least one first device during at least one scheduled UL gap.

A method of operating a user equipment (UE) device, the method comprising:

• determining estimated distance information between a user and the device using a wireless antenna array during at least one first scheduled UL gap of UL gap scheduling for the device associated with a UL gap configuration, the determining the estimated distance information performed in accordance with a UE maximum transmission power limit associated with the UL gap configuration, and the UL gap scheduling based on a default UL gap periodicity setting and a default UL gap duration;
• transmitting a maximum permissible exposure (MPE)-related message to a radio access network (RAN) node based on the estimated distance information and a desired MPE threshold;
• adjusting the UL gap configuration based on the transmitted MPE-related message;
• and
• updating the estimated distance information between the user and the device during at least one second scheduled UL gap.