Method and apparatus for configuring MUSIM gaps in dual connectivity in a communication system

A method performed by a first base station operating as a master node in a dual connectivity in a communication system, the method comprising:

• receiving, from a user equipment (UE), a UE assistance information message for a first gap, the first gap being a multi-universal subscriber identity module (MUSIM) gap;
• transmitting, to a second base station operating as a secondary node in the dual connectivity, cell group configuration information associated with a MUSIM gap configuration, wherein the MUSIM gap configuration includes gap priority information associated with the first gap;
• and
• transmitting, to the UE, a radio resource control (RRC) message including the MUSIM gap configuration,
• wherein in case that a collision occurs between the first gap and a second gap, a higher priority gap among the first gap and the second gap is identified based on the gap priority information.

A user equipment (UE) in a communication system, the UE comprising:

• a transceiver, and
• a controller coupled with the transceiver configured to:
• transmit, to a first base station operating as a master node in a dual connectivity, a UE assistance information message for a first gap, the first gap being a multi-universal subscriber identity module (MUSIM) gap,
• receive, from the first base station, a radio resource control (RRC) message including a MUSIM gap configuration, wherein the MUSIM gap configuration includes gap priority information associated with the first gap, and
• in case that a collision occurs between the first gap and a second gap, identify a higher priority gap among the first gap and the second gap based on the gap priority information,
• wherein the MUSIM gap configuration is associated with cell group configuration information for a second base station operating as a secondary node in the dual connectivity.

A first base station operating as a master node in a dual connectivity in a communication system, the first base station comprising:

• a transceiver, and
• a controller coupled with the transceiver configured to:
• receive, from a user equipment (UE), a UE assistance information message for a first gap, the first gap being a multi-universal subscriber identity module (MUSIM) gap;
• and
• transmit, to a second base station operating as a secondary node in the dual connectivity, cell group configuration information associated with a MUSIM gap configuration, wherein the MUSIM gap configuration includes gap priority information associated with the first gap, and
• transmit, to the UE, a radio resource control (RRC) message including the MUSIM gap configuration,
• wherein in case that a collision occurs between the first gap and a second gap, a higher priority gap among the first gap and the second gap is identified based on the gap priority information.