Method for neighbor cell management and related device

Abstract

The invention provides a method for neighbor cell management and a related device, which are beneficial to more efficient neighbor cell management. The method comprises: a first communication device determining a neighbor list of a first cell, the neighbor list comprising one or more second cells; the first communication device determines an effective time period corresponding to each second cell in the adjacent cell list, wherein each second cell is an adjacent cell of the first cell in the corresponding effective time period; the first communication device sends neighbor cell information to the second communication device, wherein the neighbor cell information indicates each second cell in a neighbor cell list of the first cell and a corresponding effective time period; and the second communication device performs neighbor cell management based on the effective time period corresponding to each second cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a method and related device for neighbor cell management. Background Art

[0002] Neighbor cell management is a very important technology in a mobile network, which is related to cell measurement and cell handover of a terminal, and thus will affect the experience of the terminal. When the network is initially established, the network management will configure an initial neighbor cell list for the base station, and the neighbor cell list includes information of at least one neighbor cell of each cell of the base station. Currently, each cell maintains a neighbor cell list, and the length of the neighbor cell list is a fixed length, which can contain information of at most 1024 neighbor cells.

[0003] Compared with a cell in a terrestrial network (TN) (referred to as a TN cell), a cell in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) (referred to as an NTN cell) has a larger coverage area, a larger number of neighbor cells (usually far exceeding 1024 neighbor cells), and during the flight of a satellite, the neighbor cells of the NTN cell will change over time. Therefore, the current fixed neighbor cell list is no longer applicable to NTN cells.

[0004] Based on this, there is an urgent need to provide a method that can perform neighbor cell management more efficiently. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a method and related device for neighbor cell management, which is beneficial to performing neighbor cell management more efficiently.

[0006] In a first aspect, a method for neighbor cell management is provided. The method can be executed by a first communication device. The first communication device can be a network management system (NMS) or an equipment management system (EMS), or a component (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) configured in the NMS or EMS, or a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first communication device. This application does not make any limitation thereto. Among them, the equipment management system can also be referred to as an element management system (EMS). This application does not make any limitation thereto.

[0007] The method includes: determining a list of neighboring cells of a first cell, the list of neighboring cells including one or more second cells; determining a valid period corresponding to each second cell in the list of neighboring cells, where each second cell is a neighboring cell of the first cell during the corresponding valid period; and sending neighboring cell information, the neighboring cell information being used to indicate each second cell in the list of neighboring cells of the first cell and its corresponding valid period.

[0008] In this application, the first cell may be an NTN cell. To adapt to the characteristics of numerous neighboring cells of the NTN cell and the fact that the NTN cell moves over time, the first communication device configures corresponding valid periods for candidate neighboring cells that the NTN cell may pass through. The candidate neighboring cells include one or more second cells, and each second cell is a neighboring cell of the first cell during the corresponding valid period. When the current time is not within a certain valid period, it means that the valid period has expired or has not been activated yet, and the second cell corresponding to the valid period is not a neighboring cell of the first cell. This way, the list of neighboring cells can be dynamically adjusted according to the valid period, which is beneficial for more efficient neighboring cell management.

[0009] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the neighboring cell information indicates a valid period, and the valid period corresponds to the one or more second cells.

[0010] In this application, the first cell has a list of neighboring cells, and a valid period indicated by the neighboring cell information is the valid period of the list of neighboring cells. That is to say, all the second cells in the list of neighboring cells correspond to this one valid period. This indication method is more flexible and convenient.

[0011] When the first cell has multiple lists of neighboring cells, each list of neighboring cells corresponds to a valid period, and the number of valid periods is the same as the number of lists of neighboring cells.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the neighboring cell information indicates one or more valid periods, and the one or more valid periods correspond one-to-one to the one or more second cells.

[0013] In this application, the first cell has a list of neighboring cells, and the one or more valid periods indicated by the neighboring cell information are the one or more valid periods corresponding to the one or more second cells in the list of neighboring cells. That is to say, for each second cell in the list of neighboring cells, a valid period is indicated, and the number of valid periods indicated by the neighboring cell information is the same as the number of second cells in the list of neighboring cells.

[0014] When the first cell has multiple lists of neighboring cells, each second cell in each list of neighboring cells corresponds to a valid period, and the number of valid periods indicated by the neighboring cell information is the same as the number of all second cells in the multiple lists of neighboring cells.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, determining the valid period corresponding to each second cell in the neighbor cell list includes: determining the valid period corresponding to each second cell in the neighbor cell list based on one or more of the following information: ephemeris information, digital twin information, artificial intelligence, or large models.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending indication information for indicating whether to perform neighbor cell management based on the valid period. This makes the neighbor cell management method more flexible.

[0017] In a second aspect, a method for neighbor cell management is provided. This method can be executed by a second communication device, which can be a radio access network (RAN) node, a component configured in the RAN node (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logical module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second communication device. This application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0018] The method includes: receiving neighbor cell information for indicating each second cell in the neighbor cell list of a first cell and its corresponding valid period, and each second cell is a neighbor cell of the first cell during the corresponding valid period; performing neighbor cell management based on the valid period corresponding to each second cell.

[0019] In this application, the first cell can be an NTN cell. To adapt to the characteristics of numerous neighbor cells in NTN cells and the movement of NTN cells over time, the second communication device can obtain the valid period corresponding to each second cell, and each second cell is a neighbor cell of the first cell during the corresponding valid period. After the current time has exceeded the end time point of a certain valid period, it means that the valid period has expired, and the second cell corresponding to the valid period is no longer a neighbor cell of the first cell. This method can dynamically adjust the neighbor cell list according to the valid period, which is beneficial to more efficient neighbor cell management.

[0020] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the neighbor cell information indicates a valid period corresponding to the one or more second cells.

[0021] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the neighbor cell information indicates one or more valid periods, and the one or more valid periods correspond to the one or more second cells one by one.

[0022] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving indication information for indicating whether to perform neighbor cell management based on a valid period. Performing neighbor cell management based on the valid period corresponding to each second cell, including: when the indication information indicates to perform neighbor cell management based on the valid period, performing neighbor cell management based on the valid period corresponding to each second cell. This makes the neighbor cell management method more flexible.

[0023] In a third aspect, a method for neighbor cell management is provided. This method can be executed by a second communication device, which can be an EMS or a RAN node, or a component (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) configured in an EMS or a RAN node, or a logical module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second communication device. The present application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0024] The method includes: receiving neighbor cell information for indicating each second cell in the neighbor cell list of a first cell and its corresponding valid period, and each second cell is a neighbor cell of the first cell within the corresponding valid period; determining the valid period corresponding to each second cell based on the neighbor cell information.

[0025] In a fourth aspect, a method for neighbor cell management is provided. This method can be executed by a third communication device, which can be an EMS, or a component (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) configured in an EMS, or a logical module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the third communication device. The present application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0026] The method includes: receiving neighbor cell information for indicating each second cell in the neighbor cell list of a first cell and its corresponding valid period, and each second cell is a neighbor cell of the first cell within the corresponding valid period; sending the neighbor cell information.

[0027] Among them, the third communication device can receive neighbor cell information from a first communication device (when it is an NMS), and then, the third communication device can send the neighbor cell information to a second communication device (when it is a RAN node).

[0028] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a module for executing the method in any possible implementation manner of any of the above aspects. Specifically, the device includes a module for executing the method in any possible implementation manner of any of the above aspects.

[0029] In one design, the device can include modules corresponding one by one to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in any of the above aspects. The module can be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software.

[0030] In another design, the device is a communication chip, and the communication chip may include an input circuit or interface for sending information or data, and an output circuit or interface for receiving information or data.

[0031] In another design, the device is an NMS, EMS or RAN node, and the NMS, EMS or RAN node may include a transmitter for sending information or data and a receiver for receiving information or data.

[0032] In another design, the device is used to execute the method in any possible implementation manner of any of the above aspects, and the device may be configured in an NMS, EMS or RAN node.

[0033] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor, and the processor is used to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that the device executes the method in any possible implementation manner of any of the above aspects.

[0034] Optionally, the device further includes a memory, and the memory can be used to store instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, and when the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory, the methods described in the above aspects can be implemented.

[0035] Optionally, the device further includes: a transmitter (transmitter) and a receiver (receiver), and the transmitter and the receiver can be separately provided or integrated together, and are called a transceiver (transceiver).

[0036] In a seventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, and the computer program product includes: a computer program (which can also be called code, or instruction), and when the computer program is run, it enables a computer to execute the method in any possible implementation manner of any of the above aspects.

[0037] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, and the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program (which can also be called code, or instruction), and when it runs on a computer, it enables the computer to execute the method in any possible implementation manner of any of the above aspects.

[0038] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a chip system, and the chip system includes at least one processor, which is used to support the implementation of the functions involved in any possible implementation manner of any of the above aspects, for example, receiving or processing the data involved in the above method, etc.

[0039] In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory, and the memory is used to store program instructions and data, and the memory is located inside or outside the processor.

[0040] Optionally, the chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. Description of the Drawings

[0041] Figure 1 is a schematic flowchart of a neighboring cell management method;

[0042] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the coverage area of an NTN cell;

[0043] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the movement of an NTN cell;

[0044] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of a cross-domain architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application;

[0045] Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of a single-domain architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application;

[0046] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application;

[0047] Figures 6A to 6D is a schematic diagram of the architecture of satellite communication applicable to the embodiments of the present application;

[0048] Figures 7 to 10 is a schematic flowchart of the method for neighboring cell management provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0049] Figures 11 to 13 is a schematic block diagram of the communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application. Detailed Embodiments

[0050] The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0051] Before introducing the method and related devices for neighboring cell management provided by the embodiments of the present application, the following points are explained first.

[0052] First, in the embodiments shown below, each term and English abbreviation, such as NTN, neighboring cell list, etc., are exemplary examples given for convenience of description and should not constitute any limitation to the present application. The present application does not exclude the possibility of defining other terms that can achieve the same or similar functions in existing or future protocols.

[0053] Second, in the embodiments shown below, the first, second, and various numerical numbers are only for distinction for convenience of description and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0054] Third, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or its similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single item or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c can represent: a, or b, or c, or a and b, or a and c, or b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0055] Fourth, "send" and "receive" in this application represent the direction of signal transmission. For example, "sending a neighboring cell message to a second communication device" can be understood as the destination of the neighboring cell message being the second communication device, which can include directly sending through the air interface, and also include indirectly sending through the air interface by other units or modules. "Receiving a neighboring cell message from a first communication device" can be understood as the source of the neighboring cell message being the first communication device, which can include directly receiving from the first communication device through the air interface, and can also include indirectly receiving from the first communication device through the air interface by other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as "input" of the chip interface.

[0056] In other words, sending and receiving can be carried out between devices. For example, between a first communication device and a second communication device; it can also be carried out within a device. For example, sending or receiving between components, modules, chips, software modules or hardware modules within a device through a bus, trace or interface.

[0057] The following introduces the related technologies and concepts involved in this application.

[0058] 1. Domain

[0059] A domain refers to a physical or logical entity composed of network devices within the same management scope. Exemplarily, a domain can be a Radio Access Network (RAN) management domain (MD), a Core Network (CN) MD, a Transmission Network (TN) MD, or an End-to-End (E2E) MD.

[0060] The RAN MD can include base stations, cells, network devices in a radio device management system, etc.

[0061] The CN MD may include core network elements, network devices in the core network device management system, etc. Among them, the core network elements are, for example: session management function (SMF), network data analysis function (NWDAF), access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0062] The TN MD may include switches, routers, network devices in the transmission network device management system, etc.

[0063] The E2E MD includes network devices in the RAN MD, CN MD, TN MD, and NMS, etc.

[0064] The above wireless device management system, core network device management system, or transmission network device management system is an EMS in multiple different domains.

[0065] 2. NTN Communication

[0066] NTN communication has the characteristics of a large coverage area and flexible networking, etc., and can achieve seamless global network coverage. The NTN network is both a supplement to the current terrestrial network and can also be regarded as an independent communication system that provides global high-speed network access for users. NTN communication includes using devices such as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), high altitude platforms (HAPs), and satellites to form a network to provide services such as data transmission and voice communication for terminals. The unmanned aircraft system platform (including HAPs) is generally at an altitude of 8 - 50 km from the ground, and its beam coverage range is 5 - 200 km.

[0067] According to the orbital altitude of the satellite, the satellite communication system can be divided into the following three types: geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite communication system (also known as the geosynchronous orbit satellite system), medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite communication system, and low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication system.

[0068] The GEO satellite has an orbital altitude of 35786 km. Its main advantage is that it can remain stationary relative to the ground and provide a large coverage area, and its beam coverage range is 200 - 3500 km.

[0069] The orbital altitude of MEO satellites is in the range of 7,000 - 25,000 km. The advantage is that global coverage can be achieved with a relatively small number of satellites, and the beam coverage range is 100 - 1,000 km. However, its orbital altitude is higher than that of LEO, and the communication transmission delay is still relatively large compared to LEO satellites. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of MEO satellite communication, MEO satellites are mainly used for positioning and navigation.

[0070] The orbital altitude of LEO satellites is in the range of 300 - 1,500 km, and its beam coverage range is 100 - 1,000 km. The 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) mainly discusses two classic scenarios of 600 km and 1,200 km. LEO satellites have a lower orbital altitude than MEO and GEO satellites, and have the advantages of smaller data propagation delay, lower transmission loss, and lower launch cost. Therefore, LEO satellite communication has received increasing attention in recent years.

[0071] 3. Neighbor cell management

[0072] Neighbor cell management is a very important technology in mobile networks, which is related to the measurement and handover of terminals, and thus affects the experience of terminals. When initially establishing the network, the network management can configure an initial neighbor cell list for the base station. To manage the base station more efficiently, automatic neighbor relation (ANR) is introduced. The base station can automatically manage neighbor cells based on ANR. Specifically, the base station identifies neighbor cells and records information related to neighbor cells for more efficient measurement and handover decisions. When the ANR function is enabled, the base station maintains a neighbor cell list for each of its cells, and the initial value of the neighbor cell list is configured by operation administration and maintenance (OAM).

[0073] The ANR function includes the ANR function within the system and the ANR function between systems. The network management controls whether the base station can enable the ANR function within the system by sending the "intrasystemANRManagementSwitch" (ANR management switch within the system) in the configuration cell, and controls whether the base station can enable the ANR function between systems by sending the "intersystemANRManagementSwitch" (ANR management switch between systems). When the ANR management switch is "TRUE", it means that the base station can add or delete neighbor cells in the neighbor cell list. When the ANR management switch is "FALSE", it means that the base station cannot add or delete neighbor cells in the neighbor cell relation list. The following combines Figure 1 to introduce the process of the base station managing neighbor cells based on ANR.

[0074] Figure 1 It is a schematic flowchart of a neighboring cell management method 100. In method 100, taking the cell of base station 1 including cell A and a neighboring cell of cell A being cell B (the cell of base station 2) as an example for introduction. Method 100 includes S101 to S104, and the specific steps are as follows:

[0075] S101, the terminal sends a measurement report to base station 1. Correspondingly, base station 1 receives the measurement report.

[0076] In this step, the measurement report carries the physical cell identifier (Phy-CID, or PCI) of cell B and the signal quality of cell B. After receiving the measurement report, base station 1 finds that the physical cell identifier of cell B is an unfamiliar physical cell identifier, that is, cell B is an unknown neighboring cell. Furthermore, the base station can execute S102 to obtain information related to cell B.

[0077] S102, base station 1 sends indication information to the terminal, and the indication information is used to instruct the terminal to read the system message of cell B. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the indication information.

[0078] S103, the terminal receives the broadcast control channel (BCCH) message of base station 2.

[0079] In this step, the information carried by the BCCH message includes but is not limited to: the global cell identifier (Global-CID) of cell B, the tracking area code, the access network area code, the public land network code, and the frequency band.

[0080] S104, the terminal sends the global cell identifier of cell B to base station 1. Correspondingly, base station 1 receives the global cell identifier of cell B.

[0081] S105, base station 1 determines the transport layer address of the base station (i.e., base station 2) to which cell B belongs based on the global cell identifier of cell B.

[0082] S106, base station 1 updates the neighboring cell list of cell A based on the transport layer address of the base station to which cell B belongs.

[0083] Optionally, base station 1 can establish an Xn interface with base station 2. At the same time, when base station 1 establishes a connection with base station 2, it can interact with each other's serving cell information and neighboring cell information at the interface, where the neighboring cell information includes at most 1024 neighboring cells.

[0084] For TN cells, since the positions of the base stations are fixed, the number of neighboring cells of TN cells is basically fixed. However, for NTN cells, the beam coverage range is 100 - 3500 km, while the beam coverage range of general TN cells is 100 m - 3000 m. It can be foreseen that the number of neighboring cells of NTN cells will increase exponentially compared to TN cells. For example, the number of neighboring cells of an NTN cell is 1000 times that of a TN cell.

[0085] Referring to Figure 2 the schematic diagram of the coverage range of the NTN cell shown, the coverage ranges of NTN cell 1 and NTN cell 2 are very large, and NTN cell 1 and NTN cell 2 will have a very large number of TN neighboring cells and NTN neighboring cells. As Figure 2 shown, the neighboring cells of NTN cell 1 include NTN cell 2, TN cell 1, TN cell 2, TN cell 3, TN cell 4, and TN cell 5, and the neighboring cells of NTN cell 2 include NTN cell 1, TN cell 1, TN cell 2, TN cell 3, TN cell 4, and TN cell 5.

[0086] Furthermore, referring to Figure 3 the schematic diagram of the movement of the NTN cell shown, when the satellite is in a moving state, the coverage range of the NTN cell will change as the satellite flies. Therefore, the same NTN cell will pass by many neighboring cells, which will also lead to a rapid increase in the number of neighboring cells of the NTN cell.

[0087] Since the number of neighboring cells of NTN cells is relatively large (usually far exceeding 1024 neighboring cells), and the current neighboring cell list can include at most 1024 neighboring cells, when the number of neighboring cells of NTN cells exceeds 1024, the base station may discard some neighboring cell information, or some neighboring cells in the neighboring cell list have become invalid neighboring cells, that is, they are no longer neighboring cells of the NTN cell, which will lead to a decline in handover performance.

[0088] From the description in the above text, it can be seen that NTN cells have numerous neighboring cells and move over time. Therefore, the current fixed neighboring cell list is no longer applicable to NTN cells. Based on this, the present application provides a method for neighboring cell management, which can dynamically update the neighboring cells of NTN cells in a neighboring cell list with a limited length, facilitating the base station to manage neighboring cells more efficiently.

[0089] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of a cross - domain architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application. Figure 4AThe architecture shown includes E2E MD, RAN MD, TN MD, and CN MD. Among them, E2E MD can correspond to NMS or an operator support system (OSS), and RAN MD, TN MD, and CN MD can correspond to different EMSs. NMS can manage the EMSs corresponding to multiple different domains, that is, cross-domain management is achieved. Figure 4A The multiple network functions (NFs) in

[0090] The management service consumer (MnS consumer) is a management service consumption logical entity or physical entity deployed in NMS. It is the caller of the management service and is responsible for issuing measurement tasks and obtaining measurement reports in this solution.

[0091] The management service producer (MnS producer) is a management service providing logical entity or physical entity deployed in EMS. It is the provider of the management service and is responsible for establishing measurement tasks and generating measurement data in this solution.

[0092] The service application is the main body of data application. It monitors the network status by processing and analyzing data, or generates network configuration commands. Exemplarily, the application service can be network twin construction (or digital twin construction), performance prediction, fault prediction, etc., and the network configuration commands can be adjusting the antenna tilt angle of the base station, disconnecting a certain algorithm switch of the base station, etc.

[0093] Figure 4B It is a schematic diagram of a single-domain architecture applicable to the embodiments of this application. Figure 4B The architecture shown includes MD and NF. Among them, MD can be EMS, and NF can be (for example, a base station), transmission network equipment (such as switches, routers), or core network equipment (such as SMF, AMF, NWDAF).

[0094] MD includes a management service consumer and a service application, and NF includes a management service provider. For the specific introduction of the management service consumer, service application, and management service provider, reference can be made to the above description of Figure 4B which will not be elaborated here.

[0095] The above NMS can be regarded as a logical entity (or can be called a software module) deployed by the operator on the network side. The NMS can be deployed in the core network or independently of the core network. The NMS can manage the EMSs in multiple regions on the network side.

[0096] Taking the example that the NMS manages at least one EMS corresponding to the RAN DM, and each of the at least one EMSs manages at least one RAN node, the EMS can be a device independent of the RAN or a part of the RAN. One EMS can manage multiple RAN nodes in the RAN. RAN nodes can sometimes also be called access network devices, RAN entities, access nodes, etc., which form part of the communication system and are used to help terminals achieve wireless access.

[0097] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 500 applicable to the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 5 shown, the communication system 500 can include at least one RAN node (such as Figure 5 110a, 110b, 110c in Figure 5 ), and can also include at least one terminal (such as Figure 5 120a - 120g in

[0098] ). The RAN nodes can be connected to each other in a wired or wireless manner. Figure 5 This is just a schematic diagram, and other network devices can also be included in the communication system. For example, wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices can also be included. Figure 5 In some scenarios, the roles of RAN nodes and terminals are relative. For example,

[0099] In a possible scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in the 5th generation mobile communication technology (5G), a next generation base station in the 6th generation mobile communication technology (6G), a base station in a future mobile communication system, etc. The RAN node can be a macro base station (such as 110a in Figure 1 ), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as 110b in Figure 1 ), a relay node or a donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or an in-vehicle device, etc. For example, the access network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU).

[0100] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes cooperate to assist a terminal in achieving wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement some functions of the base station. For example, the RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP) or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be set separately, or can also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as included in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU) or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0101] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, the CU may also be referred to as O-CU (Open CU), the DU may also be referred to as O-DU, the CU-CP may also be referred to as O-CU-CP, the CU-UP may also be referred to as O-CU-UP, and the RU may also be referred to as O-RU. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU units in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0102] Combined with the above Figure 5 The satellite shown as an RAN node (such as Figure 5 110a in Figures 6A to 6D is a schematic diagram of the architecture suitable for satellite communication in the embodiments of this application. Figures 6A to 6D Taking the next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN) as an example, the communication architecture between the terminal, NG-RAN, 5G core network (CN), and data network in satellite communication is introduced. The satellites in the NG-RAN can be divided into transparent mode and regenerative mode according to the working mode. Among them, the 5G core network can also be referred to as the new radio (NR) core network.

[0103] Referring to Figure 6A , when the satellite operates in the transparent mode, the satellite has the function of relay forwarding and is used to forward signals between the terminal and the base station (such as Figure 6A gNB in

[0104] The NTN gateway has the function of a base station or some base station functions. The satellite repeats the NR Uu radio interface from the feeder link (the link between the NTN gateway and the satellite) to the service link (the link between the satellite and the terminal). Figure 6B Referring to Figure 6B , when the satellite operates in the regenerative mode, the satellite has data processing capabilities and has the function of a base station or some base station functions. At this time, the satellite can be regarded as a base station (such as

[0105] gNB in Figure 6C, in the regeneration mode where the satellite acts as a base station, an inter-satellite link (ISL) can also be established between satellites for communication, and the terminals served by the satellite can access the 5G core network through the ISL. Different satellites can be connected to the same 5G core network or different 5G core networks on the ground.

[0106] Referring to Figure 6D , the satellite can be part of a distributed base station, for example, as a DU (such as Figure 6D the gNB-DU in

[0107] In the above description for Figures 6A to 6D , in the regeneration mode of the satellite, it can be described as the satellite acting as a base station, or that there is a base station carried on the satellite. The satellite can be part of a distributed base station, or in other words, there is a part of the distributed base station carried on the satellite.

[0108] In addition, the satellite can also act as an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, or as the backhaul part between the base station and the core network, which is not limited in this application.

[0109] It can be seen from the above description that one NMS manages at least one EMS, one EMS manages at least one base station, and one base station can have at least one cell. In this application, the NMS can determine the candidate neighboring cells of each first cell in at least one first cell under the at least one EMS managed by the NMS, and the candidate neighboring cells of each first cell include one or more second cells.

[0110] For ease of description, in the embodiments described below, an example is introduced where one NMS manages one EMS, one EMS manages one base station, and one base station includes one first cell.

[0111] Figure 7 It is a schematic flowchart of a method 700 for neighbor cell management provided by an embodiment of this application. Method 700 is interactively executed by a first communication device and a second communication device. Among them, the first communication device can be an NMS or an EMS, and the second communication device can be an EMS or a RAN node. When the first communication device is an NMS, the second communication device is an EMS; when the first communication device is an EMS, the second communication device is a RAN node, and the RAN node is, for example, a terrestrial base station or a satellite base station, which is not limited in this application.

[0112] S701, the first communication device determines a neighbor cell list of a first cell, where the neighbor cell list includes one or more second cells.

[0113] In this step, the first communication device first determines the first cell to which the method for dynamically updating the neighbor cell list applicable to this application is applicable. The first cell is a cell that meets a preset condition.

[0114] Optionally, the first cell is a cell that meets a preset network mode. For example, the network mode of the first cell is NTN, or the network mode of the first cell is NR, or the network mode of the first cell is Long Term Evolution (LTE).

[0115] Optionally, the first cell is a cell that meets a preset geographical location. For example, there are more neighbor cells around the geographical location where the first cell is located, and the number of neighbor cells meets a first threshold value.

[0116] After determining the first cell, the first communication device obtains neighbor cell information of the first cell. For example, information such as the physical cell identifier, frequency, scrambling code, etc. of each neighbor cell. Further, the first communication device determines the neighbor cell list of the first cell according to the neighbor cell information of the first cell. The neighbor cell list includes one or more second cells, and the one or more second cells are candidate neighbor cells of the first cell.

[0117] S702, the first communication device determines an effective period corresponding to each second cell in the neighbor cell list, and each second cell is a neighbor cell of the first cell during the corresponding effective period.

[0118] Taking the first cell as an NTN cell as an example, the coverage area of the NTN cell changes over time, and the neighbor cells of the same NTN cell may also change accordingly at different times. Therefore, when the length of the neighbor cell list is fixed, the corresponding second cells in the neighbor cell list can be activated according to different effective periods.

[0119] The one or more second cells can be regarded as candidate neighbor cells of the first cell. At a first moment, if the first moment is within a first effective period, the second cell corresponding to the first effective period can be used as a neighbor cell of the first cell. Correspondingly, as time goes by, at a second moment, if the second moment exceeds the first effective period, that is, the first effective period expires, the second cell corresponding to the first effective period is no longer a neighbor cell of the first cell and becomes a candidate neighbor cell of the first cell again. After the first effective period expires, the first communication device can delete the configuration information related to the second cell corresponding to the first effective period from the neighbor cell list.

[0120] Optionally, the first communication device deletes the configuration information related to the second cell corresponding to the first active period from the neighbor cell list. However, the configuration information related to the second cell corresponding to the first active period is still saved in the first communication device.

[0121] In the embodiments of the present application, different ways can be used to indicate the active period.

[0122] In one possible way, a timer is used to indicate the active period. For example, the period from the start of the timer to the end of the timer is the active period.

[0123] In another possible way, a fixed period is used to indicate the active period. For example, the active period is from 7:00 to 8:00.

[0124] It should be noted that the present application does not limit the execution order of S701 and S702.

[0125] In one possible implementation, the first communication device first determines the range of neighbor cells that can use the active period. The range of neighbor cells that can use the active period includes the one or more second cells. Further, the first communication device determines the neighbor cell list including the one or more second cells. After that, the first communication device determines the active period corresponding to each second cell.

[0126] In another possible implementation, the first communication device first determines the range of neighbor cells that can use the active period. Further, the first communication device determines the active period corresponding to each second cell. After that, the first communication device determines the neighbor cell list including the one or more second cells.

[0127] In this implementation, optionally, after determining the active period corresponding to each second cell, the first communication device can determine the neighbor cell list based on the active period of each second cell.

[0128] For example, the first communication device groups the one or more second cells according to the active period. The second cells with the same active period can be configured in the same neighbor cell list. In this way, the first cell can have one or more neighbor cell lists, and the active periods corresponding to the one or more second cells in the same neighbor cell list are the same.

[0129] S703, the first communication device sends neighbor cell information to the second communication device. The neighbor cell information is used to indicate each second cell in the neighbor cell list of the first cell and its corresponding active period. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the neighbor cell information.

[0130] Taking the number of neighbor cell lists of the first cell as one as an example, the indication methods of the active period in the neighbor cell information can include the following situations:

[0131] In Case 1, the neighbor cell information indicates a valid period, and the valid period corresponds to the one or more second cells. Specifically, the valid period indicated by the neighbor cell information is the valid period of the neighbor cell list of the first cell, and the valid period of the neighbor cell list is applicable to the one or more second cells in the neighbor cell list. In this way, the valid period indicates a single neighbor cell list, and this indication method can be called the single list indication method.

[0132] For example, the neighbor cell list of the first cell includes Cell 1, Cell 2, Cell 3, and Cell 4, and the valid period corresponding to the neighbor cell list of the first cell is from 8:00 to 9:00. Then, the valid periods of Cell 1, Cell 2, Cell 3, and Cell 4 included in the neighbor cell list of the first cell are all from 8:00 to 9:00.

[0133] In Case 2, the neighbor cell information indicates one or more valid periods, and the one or more valid periods correspond one-to-one to the one or more second cells. Specifically, the one or more valid periods indicated by the neighbor cell information are the valid periods corresponding to the one or more second cells, and each of the one or more second cells corresponds to a valid period. The valid periods of the one or more second cells in the neighbor cell list of the first cell may be the same or different. In this way, the valid period indicates a single neighbor cell, and this indication method can be called the single neighbor cell indication method. The number of valid periods indicated by the neighbor cell information is the same as the number of the one or more second cells in the neighbor cell list.

[0134] For example, the neighbor cell list of the first cell includes Cell 1, Cell 2, Cell 3, and Cell 4. Among them, the valid period corresponding to Cell 1 is from 7:00 to 8:00, the valid period corresponding to Cell 2 is from 7:00 to 8:00, the valid period corresponding to Cell 3 is from 8:00 to 9:00, and the valid period corresponding to Cell 4 is from 8:00 to 9:00.

[0135] Referring to the single list method described in Case 1, when the number of neighbor cell lists of the first cell is multiple, the multiple neighbor cell lists contain different second cells, each neighbor cell list corresponds to a valid period, and the number of valid periods indicated by the neighbor cell information is the same as the number of neighbor cell lists.

[0136] For example, the neighbor cell list of the first cell includes Neighbor Cell List A and Neighbor Cell List B. Among them, Neighbor Cell List A includes Cell 1 and Cell 2, and the valid period corresponding to Neighbor Cell List A is from 7:00 to 8:00. Neighbor Cell List B includes Cell 3 and Cell 4, and the valid period corresponding to Neighbor Cell List B is from 8:00 to 9:00.

[0137] Based on the descriptions of NMS and EMS in the above text, NMS and EMS are network-side devices. NMS can manage at least one EMS, and EMS can manage at least one base station. NMS has the global network information of its management area, and can know at least one base station under each EMS it manages, as well as the cells of each base station.

[0138] When the first communication device is NMS and the second communication device is EMS, NMS can send the neighbor cell list of the first cell to the EMS that manages the first cell. Furthermore, the EMS that manages the first cell sends the neighbor cell list of the first cell to the base station to which the first cell belongs, and the base station performs neighbor cell management based on the neighbor cell list of the first cell.

[0139] When the first communication device is EMS and the second communication device is a RAN node, EMS can send the neighbor cell list of the first cell to the RAN node to which the first cell belongs, and the RAN node performs neighbor cell management based on the neighbor cell list of the first cell.

[0140] S704, the second communication device determines the effective time period corresponding to each second cell based on the neighbor cell information.

[0141] In this step, after receiving the neighbor cell information, the second communication device obtains the effective time period corresponding to each second cell from the neighbor cell information.

[0142] In the embodiments of the present application, in order to adapt to the characteristics of numerous and dynamically changing neighbor cells in NTN cells, when the first communication device configures neighbor cell information for the first cell, it configures the corresponding effective time period for each second cell in the one or more second cells. The neighbor cell list can be dynamically adjusted according to the effective time period, which is beneficial to more efficient neighbor cell management.

[0143] In another embodiment, after S703, the second communication device performs neighbor cell management based on the effective time period corresponding to each second cell. In this embodiment, the second communication device is a RAN node, and the RAN node can activate a suitable second cell as a neighbor cell of the first cell based on the effective time period corresponding to each second cell. Further, the RAN node can perform operations such as measurement decision and handover decision according to the neighbor cells of the first cell.

[0144] As an optional embodiment, the first communication device determines the effective time period corresponding to each second cell in the neighbor cell list, including: determining the effective time period corresponding to each second cell in the neighbor cell list based on one or more of the following: ephemeris information, digital twin information, artificial intelligence, or big data.

[0145] For example, based on ephemeris information, the first communication device can determine which cells the NTN cell will pass by at what time and the duration of passing by these cells. Furthermore, the first communication device can determine one or more neighboring cells of the NTN cell and the corresponding valid period for each neighboring cell.

[0146] For another example, based on digital twin information, or rather, based on digital twin body construction technology, the first communication device simulates one or more neighboring cells experienced by the NTN cell and the corresponding valid period for each neighboring cell.

[0147] For another example, the first communication device predicts the movement trajectory of the NTN cell based on artificial intelligence or big data to determine one or more neighboring cells experienced by the NTN cell and the corresponding valid period for each neighboring cell.

[0148] Optionally, method 700 further includes S705: The first communication device sends indication information to the second communication device, and the indication information is used to indicate whether to perform neighboring cell management based on the valid period. The indication information being used to indicate whether to perform neighboring cell management based on the valid period can also be described as the indication information being used to indicate whether to turn on the function (or switch) of neighboring cell management based on the valid period.

[0149] Furthermore, the second communication device performs neighboring cell management based on the valid period corresponding to each second cell, which specifically includes: when the indication information indicates to perform neighboring cell management based on the valid period (which can also be described as turning on the function of neighboring cell management based on the valid period), the second communication device performs neighboring cell management based on the valid period corresponding to each second cell.

[0150] When the indication information indicates not to perform neighboring cell management based on the valid period (which can also be described as the indication information indicating to turn off the function of neighboring cell management based on the valid period), the timer of the valid period pauses or resets, and one or more second cells in the neighboring cell list of the first cell are permanently valid. That is to say, one or more second cells in the neighboring cell list of the first cell are fixed as the neighboring cells of the first cell during the period when this function is turned off. When the indication information indicates to turn on the function of neighboring cell management based on the valid period, the valid period timing resumes or starts from 0.

[0151] Specifically, the indication information can indicate whether to turn on the function of neighboring cell management within the system or between systems based on the valid period. Among them, the system can include NR, LTE, or NTN. The neighboring cell management between systems can be the neighboring cell management between NR cells and LTE cells, or the neighboring cell management between NTN cells and TN cells. This application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0152] In a possible implementation manner, the first communication device can determine whether to turn on the function of neighboring cell management based on the valid period according to the network deployment situation.

[0153] For example, when the number of cells near the first cell is higher than the second threshold, it may be indicated to enable the function of neighbor cell management based on the effective period. Conversely, when the number of cells near the first cell is lower than the second threshold, it may be indicated to disable the function of neighbor cell management based on the effective period.

[0154] In another possible implementation, the first communication device may determine whether to enable the function of neighbor cell management based on the effective period for the first cell according to the digital twin information or ephemeris information. In this manner, the first communication device can predict the number of neighbor cells experienced by the first cell based on the digital twin information or ephemeris information, and determine whether to enable the function of neighbor cell management based on the effective period according to the number of neighbor cells experienced by the first cell.

[0155] The following combines Figures 8 to 10 to introduce the neighbor cell management process where the first communication device is the NMS and the second communication device is the EMS, or the neighbor cell management process where the first communication device is the EMS and the second communication device is the RAN node (taking the RAN node as the base station in the following text).

[0156] Figure 8 FIG. 800 is a schematic flowchart of another method 800 for neighbor cell management provided by an embodiment of the present application. Method 800 is described by taking the first communication device as the NMS and the second communication device as the EMS as an example.

[0157] Method 800 includes S801 to S807, and the specific steps are as follows:

[0158] S801, the NMS determines one or more neighbor cell lists of the first cell.

[0159] Each neighbor cell list in the one or more neighbor cell lists includes one or more second cells, and the one or more second cells can be regarded as candidate neighbor cells of the first cell.

[0160] S802, the NMS determines the effective period corresponding to each second cell, and each second cell is a neighbor cell of the first cell during the corresponding effective period.

[0161] For the introduction of S801 and S802, reference may be made to the description of S701 and S702 in the foregoing text, and details are not described herein again.

[0162] S803, the NMS sends one or more neighbor cell lists and effective period information to the EMS. Correspondingly, the EMS receives the one or more neighbor cell lists and effective period information.

[0163] The valid period information in this step indicates one or more valid periods. Since the number of neighbor cell lists of the first cell is one or more, and the number of second cells included in each neighbor cell list is one or more, combined with the single list indication method or single neighbor indication method described in S703 above, it can be known that the number of valid periods is one or more. That is, the one or more valid periods indicated by the valid period information include one or more valid periods corresponding to one or more second cells.

[0164] S804, the EMS sends one or more neighbor cell lists and valid period information to the base station. Correspondingly, the base station receives the one or more neighbor cell lists and valid period information.

[0165] When the EMS manages multiple base stations, the EMS can first determine the base station to which the first cell belongs. When there are multiple first cells in this base station, the EMS further determines one or more neighbor cell lists of each first cell, and sends one or more neighbor cell lists and one or more valid periods of each first cell to the base station to which the first cell belongs.

[0166] S805, the NMS sends indication information to the EMS, and this indication information is used to indicate whether to perform neighbor cell management based on the valid period.

[0167] S806, the EMS sends the indication information to the base station. Correspondingly, the base station receives this indication information.

[0168] If this indication information indicates to perform neighbor cell management based on the valid period, the base station executes S807.

[0169] S807, the base station performs neighbor cell management based on the valid period corresponding to each second cell.

[0170] In the embodiments of the present application, since the NMS has the data of the entire network, the NMS can be used as a master control node to determine the neighbor cell management strategy and determine the specific configuration information for neighbor cell management, which makes the decision-making of neighbor cell management more comprehensive and intelligent. Among them, the neighbor cell management strategy includes determining the neighbor cell range using the valid period, and indicating whether to perform neighbor cell management based on the valid period. The configuration information for neighbor cell management includes the valid period corresponding to each second cell.

[0171] In the embodiments of the present application, the NMS controls whether to enable the function of neighbor cell management based on the valid period for the entire network, and the NMS forwards it to the base station through the EMS. Based on this indication information, the base station can perform neighbor cell management more flexibly.

[0172] Figure 9It is a schematic flowchart of another method 900 for neighbor cell management provided by an embodiment of the present application. Method 900 is described by taking the first communication device as an EMS and the second communication device as a base station as an example.

[0173] Method 900 includes S901 to S908, and the specific steps are as follows:

[0174] S901, the NMS determines the neighbor cell range during the effective period.

[0175] In this step, the NMS first determines the first cell, and then determines the neighbor cell range during the effective period from multiple neighbor cells of the first cell. The neighbor cell range during the effective period includes one or more second cells, and the one or more second cells can be understood as candidate neighbor cells of the first cell. The specific process of determining the first cell can refer to the description of S701 in the above text, and will not be elaborated here.

[0176] S902, the NMS sends the neighbor cell range during the effective period to the EMS. Correspondingly, the EMS receives the neighbor cell range during the effective period.

[0177] S903, the EMS determines one or more neighbor cell lists of the first cell based on the neighbor cell range during the effective period, and each neighbor cell list includes one or more second cells.

[0178] S904, the EMS determines the effective period corresponding to each second cell in the neighbor cell list, and each second cell is a neighbor cell of the first cell during the corresponding effective period.

[0179] The effective period and the method for determining the effective period corresponding to each second cell have been described in the above text, and will not be elaborated here.

[0180] S905, the EMS sends one or more neighbor cell lists and effective period information to the base station. Correspondingly, the base station receives the one or more neighbor cell lists and effective period information.

[0181] The one or more neighbor cell lists are one or more neighbor cell lists of the first cell. The effective period information indicates one or more effective periods, and each effective period in the one or more effective periods can indicate a single neighbor cell list or a single neighbor cell. For details, refer to the description of S703 in the above text, and will not be elaborated here.

[0182] S906, the NMS sends indication information to the EMS, and the indication information is used to indicate whether to perform neighbor cell management based on the effective period. Correspondingly, the EMS receives the indication information.

[0183] The indication information has been described in the above text, and will not be elaborated here.

[0184] At S907, the EMS sends indication information to the base station. Correspondingly, the base station receives the indication information.

[0185] If the indication information indicates neighbor cell management based on an effective period, the base station executes S908.

[0186] At S908, the base station performs neighbor cell management based on the effective period corresponding to each second cell.

[0187] If the indication information indicates enabling the function of neighbor cell management based on an effective period, the base station performs neighbor cell management based on the effective period corresponding to each second cell. If the indication information indicates disabling the function of neighbor cell management based on an effective period, one or more second cells in each neighbor cell list received by the base station are permanently valid, that is, one or more second cells in each multi-neighbor cell list can always be used as neighbor cells of the first cell during the period when this function is disabled until the NMS or the EMS indicates enabling the function of neighbor cell management based on an effective period.

[0188] In the embodiments of the present application, since the NMS has the data of the entire network, the NMS can determine the neighbor cell management policy, including determining the neighbor cell range using the effective period and indicating whether to perform neighbor cell management based on the effective period. Since the EMS has a more real-time and detailed understanding of the base stations within its managed domain, the EMS can determine the specific configuration information for neighbor cell management, including the effective period corresponding to each second cell, and the determined configuration information is more accurate.

[0189] In some scenarios, some neighbor cells of the first cell are cells of base stations outside the management scope of the EMS. Since the EMS cannot obtain the information of this neighbor cell, the EMS cannot determine the effective period corresponding to this neighbor cell. In this scenario, the NMS can generate the effective period of this neighbor cell and send the effective period of this neighbor cell to the EMS.

[0190] Figure 10 It is a schematic flowchart of another method 1000 for neighbor cell management provided by the embodiments of the present application. Method 1000 is described by taking the first communication device as the EMS and the second communication device as the base station as an example.

[0191] Method 1000 includes S1001 to S1006, and the specific steps are as follows:

[0192] At S1001, the NMS sends indication information to the EMS, and the indication information is used to indicate whether to perform neighbor cell management based on an effective period. Correspondingly, the EMS receives the indication information.

[0193] At S1002, the EMS determines one or more neighbor cell lists of the first cell.

[0194] Among them, each of the one or more neighbor cell lists in the one or more neighbor cell lists includes one or more second cells, and the first or more second cells can be regarded as candidate neighbor cells of the first cell.

[0195] Before determining the one or more neighbor cell lists of the first cell, the EMS may first determine the neighbor cell range during the effective period of use, and the neighbor cell range during the effective period of use includes one or more second cells. The EMS determines the one or more neighbor cell lists based on the neighbor cell range during the effective period of use.

[0196] S1003. The EMS determines the effective period corresponding to each second cell in the neighbor cell list. Each second cell is a neighbor cell of the first cell during the corresponding effective period.

[0197] S1004. The EMS sends the one or more neighbor cell lists and the effective period information to the base station. Correspondingly, the base station receives the one or more neighbor cell lists and the effective period information.

[0198] S1005. The EMS sends indication information to the base station. Correspondingly, the base station receives the indication information.

[0199] If the indication information indicates neighbor cell management based on the effective period, the base station executes S1006.

[0200] S1006. The base station performs neighbor cell management based on the effective period corresponding to each second cell.

[0201] In the embodiments of the present application, since the EMS has a more real-time and detailed understanding of the base stations within the domain it manages, the EMS can determine the neighbor cell management strategy and the specific configuration information for neighbor cell management. This helps to reduce the delay in transmitting the configuration information for neighbor cell management and improve the accuracy of neighbor cell management decisions. The neighbor cell management strategy includes determining the neighbor cell range during the effective period of use, and the specific configuration information for neighbor cell management includes the effective period corresponding to each second cell.

[0202] It should be noted that in the above method 1000, the NMS sending indication information to the EMS is an optional step, that is, the NMS may not send the indication information to the EMS, but the EMS determines whether the base station needs to enable neighbor cell management based on the effective period and sends the indication information to the base station.

[0203] It should be understood that the magnitudes of the sequence numbers of the above processes do not mean the order of execution. The order of execution of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0204] As described above in combination with Figures 7 to 10, which details a method for neighbor cell management according to an embodiment of the present application. The following will be combined with Figures 11 to 13 , and a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application will be described in detail.

[0205] Figure 11 FIG. is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1100 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The device 1100 includes a processing module 1110 and a transceiver module 1120.

[0206] Among them, the processing module 1110 is configured to: determine a neighbor cell list of a first cell, where the neighbor cell list includes one or more second cells; and determine an effective period corresponding to each second cell in the neighbor cell list, and each second cell is a neighbor cell of the first cell during the corresponding effective period. The transceiver module 1120 is configured to: send neighbor cell information, where the neighbor cell information indicates each second cell in the neighbor cell list of the first cell and its corresponding effective period.

[0207] Optionally, the neighbor cell information indicates an effective period, and the effective period corresponds to the one or more second cells.

[0208] Optionally, the neighbor cell information indicates one or more effective periods, and the one or more effective periods correspond one-to-one to the one or more second cells.

[0209] Optionally, the processing module 1110 is configured to: determine the effective period corresponding to each second cell in the neighbor cell list based on one or more of the following information: ephemeris information, digital twin information, artificial intelligence, or large model.

[0210] Optionally, the transceiver module 1120 is configured to: send indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate whether neighbor cell management is performed based on the effective period.

[0211] In an optional example, those skilled in the art can understand that the device 1100 can specifically be the first communication device (such as NMS or EMS) in the above embodiment, or the functions of the first communication device (such as NMS or EMS) in the above embodiment can be integrated in the device 1100. The above functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, the above transceiver module 1120 can be a communication interface, such as a transceiver interface. The device 1100 can be used to execute each process and / or step corresponding to the first communication device (such as NMS or EMS) in the above method embodiment.

[0212] Figure 12 FIG. is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1200 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The device 1200 includes a transceiver module 1210 and a processing module 1220.

[0213] Among them, the transceiver module 1210 is configured to: receive neighbor cell information, where the neighbor cell information indicates each second cell in the neighbor cell list of the first cell and its corresponding valid period, and each second cell is a neighbor cell of the first cell during the corresponding valid period; the processing module 1220 is configured to: perform neighbor cell management based on the valid period corresponding to each second cell.

[0214] Optionally, the neighbor cell information indicates a valid period, and the valid period corresponds to the one or more second cells.

[0215] Optionally, the neighbor cell information indicates one or more valid periods, and the one or more valid periods correspond one-to-one to the one or more second cells.

[0216] Optionally, the transceiver module 1210 is configured to: receive indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate whether to perform neighbor cell management based on the valid period. The processing module 1220 is configured to: perform neighbor cell management based on the valid period corresponding to each second cell when the indication information is used to indicate performing neighbor cell management based on the valid period.

[0217] In an optional example, those skilled in the art can understand that the device 1200 can specifically be the second communication device (such as a base station) in the above embodiments, or the functions of the first communication device (such as a base station) in the above embodiments can be integrated in the device 1200. The above functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, the above transceiver module 1210 can be a communication interface, such as a transceiver interface. The device 1200 can be used to execute each process and / or step corresponding to the second communication device (such as a base station) in the above method embodiments.

[0218] It should be understood that the devices 1100 and 1200 here are embodied in the form of functional modules. The term "module" here can refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (such as a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group of processors, etc.) for executing one or more software or firmware programs, and a memory, a combined logic circuit, and / or other suitable components that support the described functions.

[0219] In the embodiments of the present application, the devices 1100 and 1200 can also be a chip or a chip system, for example: a system on chip (SoC). Correspondingly, the transceiver module can be the transceiver circuit of the chip, which is not limited here.

[0220] Figure 13FIG. 0 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device 1300 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The device 1300 includes a processor 1310, a transceiver 1320, and a memory 1330. Among them, the processor 1310, the transceiver 1320, and the memory 1330 communicate with each other through an internal connection path. The memory 1330 is used to store instructions, and the processor 1310 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 1330 to control the transceiver 1320 to send signals and / or receive signals.

[0221] It should be understood that the device 1300 may specifically be the NMS, EMS, or base station in the above embodiments. Alternatively, the functions of the NMS, EMS, or base station in the above embodiments may be integrated in the device 1300, and the device 1300 may be used to execute the respective steps and / or processes corresponding to the NMS, EMS, or base station in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memory 1330 may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provide instructions and data to the processor. A part of the memory may also include a non-volatile random access memory. For example, the memory may also store information about the device type. The processor 1310 may be used to execute the instructions stored in the memory, and when the processor executes the instructions, the processor 1310 may execute the respective steps and / or processes corresponding to the NMS, EMS, or base station in the above method embodiments.

[0222] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), and the processor may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc.

[0223] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program (which may also be referred to as code or instructions) stored in the computer-readable storage medium runs on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method executed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the above method embodiments.

[0224] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product including a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed by a computer, the computer is caused to implement the method executed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the above method embodiments.

[0225] An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which includes the first communication device and the second communication device in the above embodiment. The first communication device is configured to perform part or all of the operations performed by the first communication device in the above method embodiment, and the second communication device is configured to perform part or all of the operations performed by the second communication device in the above method embodiment.

[0226] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip device, including a processor, which is used to call a computer program or instruction stored in the memory, so that the processor executes the method provided in the above embodiment.

[0227] In a possible implementation, the input of the chip device corresponds to the receiving operation in any one of the above embodiments, and the output of the chip device corresponds to the sending operation in any one of the above embodiments.

[0228] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory through an interface.

[0229] Optionally, the chip device further includes a memory, and a computer program or instruction is stored in the memory.

[0230] In the implementation process, each step of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuit in the hardware of the processor or the instruction in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed and completed by the hardware processor, or executed and completed by the combination of the hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in a mature storage medium in the art such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, register, etc. This storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor executes the instructions in the memory and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0231] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the modules and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware, or by the combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed in a hardware or software manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but this implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0232] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and modules described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0233] In several embodiments provided by the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the modules is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the displayed or discussed couplings or direct couplings or communication connections to each other can be through some interfaces. The indirect couplings or communication connections of the devices or modules can be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0234] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separated. The components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules, that is, they can be located in one place or distributed to multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0235] In addition, in each embodiment of the present application, the functional modules can be integrated in a processing module, or each module can exist physically alone, or two or more modules can be integrated in one module.

[0236] If the functions are implemented in the form of software function modules and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of this technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to enable a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in each embodiment of the present application. The foregoing storage medium includes: various media such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical discs that can store program codes.

[0237] As described above, the above is only the specific implementation manner of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present application can easily think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for neighbor cell management, characterized in that including: Determine a neighbor cell list of a first cell, where the neighbor cell list includes one or more second cells; Determine an effective period corresponding to each second cell in the neighbor cell list, and each second cell is a neighbor cell of the first cell during the corresponding effective period; Send neighbor cell information, where the neighbor cell information is used to indicate each second cell in the neighbor cell list of the first cell and its corresponding effective period.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The neighbor cell information indicates an effective period, and the effective period corresponds to the one or more second cells.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The neighbor cell information indicates one or more effective periods, and the one or more effective periods correspond one-to-one to the one or more second cells.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The determining the effective period corresponding to each second cell in the neighbor cell list includes: Determining the effective period corresponding to each second cell in the neighbor cell list based on one or more of the following information: Ephemeris information, digital twin information, artificial intelligence or large model.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The method further includes: Sending indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate whether to perform neighbor cell management based on the effective period.

6. A method for neighbor cell management, characterized in that, including: Receiving neighbor cell information, where the neighbor cell information is used to indicate each second cell in the neighbor cell list of a first cell and its corresponding effective period, and each second cell is a neighbor cell of the first cell during the corresponding effective period; Performing neighbor cell management based on the effective period corresponding to each second cell.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The neighbor cell information indicates an effective period, and the effective period corresponds to the one or more second cells.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein The neighbor cell information indicates one or more effective periods, and the one or more effective periods correspond one-to-one to the one or more second cells.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, Before performing neighbor cell management based on the effective period corresponding to each second cell, the method further includes: Receiving indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate whether to perform neighbor cell management based on the effective period; The performing neighbor cell management based on the effective period corresponding to each second cell includes: When the indication information indicates to perform neighbor cell management based on the effective period, performing neighbor cell management based on the effective period corresponding to each second cell.

10. A communication device, characterized in that, including a module for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, or a module for implementing the method according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

11. A communication device, characterized in that, including a processor, where the processor is coupled to a memory, and the memory is used to store programs or instructions. When the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 6 to 9 is executed.

12. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, For storing a computer program, when the computer program runs on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 6 to 9 is executed.

13. A computer program product, characterized in that, including: A computer program or instruction, when the computer program or instruction is run, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 6 to 9 is executed.

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