Method of handling uplink transmission and communication device

Abstract

A method for a communication device to handle uplink transmissions includes receiving a configuration from a network, where the configuration includes a set of candidate configurations, and each candidate configuration set in the candidate configuration sets comprises a candidate identification, a physical cell identification, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block frequency, a subcarrier spacing of a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block frequency, and a subcarrier spacing of a physical broadcast channel block frequency. At least one of a synchronization signal / entity broadcast channel block period and a synchronization signal / entity broadcast channel block transmission power; and performing at least one uplink transmission with a candidate cell according to at least one indicator, where the candidate cell corresponds to a candidate configuration in the set of candidate configurations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a communication device for a wireless communication system, and in particular to a method and a communication device for processing uplink transmission. Background Art

[0002] To improve the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has developed the Long Term Evolution (LTE) system with improved performance. LTE supports the 3rd Generation Partnership Project Release 8 (3GPP Rel-8) and / or the 3rd Generation Partnership Project Release 9 (3GPP Rel-9) standards to meet increasing user needs.

[0003] LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) is an evolution of LTE. LTE-Advanced aims to provide fast power state transitions, enhance evolved Node-B (eNB) edge performance, and increase peak data rates and throughput. It incorporates advanced technologies such as carrier aggregation and uplink (UL) multiple-input multiple-output (UL MIMO).

[0004] The next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN) was developed to enhance the Long Term Evolution (LTE) Advanced (LTE) system and supports the 3rd Generation Partnership Project Release 15 (3GPP Rel-15) through 3GPP Rel-19 standards. NG-RANs consist of one or more next-generation Node-Bs (gNBs) and feature wider operating frequency bands, different numerologies across different frequency ranges, massive multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) systems, and advanced channel coding.

[0005] In Layer 1 (L1) / Layer 2 (L2) triggered mobility (LTM) or multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems, a communication device may periodically report beam or cell measurement reports to the next-generation radio access network (NGRAN) to perform beam / cell handover procedures. However, periodic measurement report transmissions occupy uplink resources. Furthermore, without a beam / cell handover indication from the NGRAN, the communication device may not know whether to perform a beam / cell handover procedure. Therefore, how to process uplink transmissions to perform beam / cell handover procedures is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a method and a communication device thereof for processing uplink transmission to solve the above-mentioned problem.

[0007] The present invention discloses a method for a communication device to process uplink transmission, comprising: receiving a configuration from a network, wherein the configuration includes a set of candidate configurations, and each candidate configuration in the set includes at least one of a candidate identity (ID), a physical cell identity, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block (SSB) frequency, a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the SS / PBCH block, a SS / PBCH block period, and a SS / PBCH block transmission power; and performing at least one uplink transmission with a candidate cell according to at least one indicator, wherein the candidate cell corresponds to a candidate configuration in the set of candidate configurations.

[0008] The present invention further discloses a communication device for processing uplink (UL) transmission, comprising at least one storage device and at least one processing circuit coupled to the at least one storage device. The at least one storage device is configured to store instructions, and the at least one processing circuit is configured to execute the following instructions stored in the at least one storage device: receive a configuration from a network, wherein the configuration includes a set of candidate configurations, and each candidate configuration in the set includes at least one of a candidate identity (ID), a physical cell identity, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block (SSB) frequency, a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block, a synchronization signal / PBCH block period, and a synchronization signal / PBCH block transmission power; and perform at least one uplink transmission with a candidate cell according to at least one indicator, wherein the candidate cell corresponds to a candidate configuration in the set of candidate configurations.

[0009] The present invention further discloses a method for a network end to process uplink (UL) transmission, comprising: generating a configuration, wherein the configuration includes a candidate configuration set, and each candidate configuration set in the candidate configuration set includes at least one of a candidate identity (ID), a physical cell identifier, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block (SSB) frequency, a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block period, and a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block transmission power; and transmitting the configuration to a communication device.

[0010] Based on the foregoing, the present invention provides a method and a communication device for processing uplink transmissions. When a specific condition occurs, the communication device transmits a measurement report via an uplink channel, replacing the periodic reporting of measurement reports. Consequently, uplink resources used to periodically report measurement reports can be conserved. Furthermore, in the absence of a cell / beam switching instruction from the network, the communication device (e.g., with a valid timing preamble) performs an uplink transmission to execute a cell / beam switching procedure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 3 Flowchart of a process of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 4 Flowchart of a process of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 5 Flowchart of a process of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 6 Flowchart of a process of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a determination of whether at least one reference signal satisfies a condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a determination of whether at least one reference signal satisfies a condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 9 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a determination of whether at least one reference signal satisfies a condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 10 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a determination of whether at least one reference signal satisfies a condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 11 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a determination of whether at least one reference signal satisfies a condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 12 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a determination of whether at least one reference signal satisfies a condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 13 Flowchart of a process of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 14 Flowchart of the process of the embodiment one of the present application.

[0025] Figure 15 Flowchart of the process of the embodiment one of the present application.

[0026] Figure 16 Flowchart of the process of the embodiment one of the present application.

[0027] Figure 17 Flowchart of the process of the embodiment one of the present application.

[0028] Figure 18 Flowchart of the process of the embodiment one of the present application.

[0029] Figure 19 Flowchart of the process of the embodiment one of the present application.

[0030] Wherein, the reference signs are explained as follows:

[0031] 10: wireless communication system

[0032] 12: network end

[0033] 14, 20: communication device

[0034] 200: at least one processing circuit

[0035] 210: at least one storage device

[0036] 214: program code

[0037] 220: at least one communication interface device

[0038] 30, 40, 50, 60, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190: process

[0039] 300,302,304,306,308,310,400,402,404,406,408,500,502,504,506,600,602,604,606,1300,1302,1304,1306,1308,1310,1312,1314,1316,1318,1400,1402,1404,1406,1408,1410,1412,1416,1418,1420,1500,1502,1504,1506,1508,15 10,1600,1602,1604,1606,1608,1610,1612,1614,1700,1702,1704,1706,1708,1710,1712,1800,1812,1804,1806,1808,1810,1812,1814,1816,1900,1902,1904,1906,1908,1910,1912,1904,1916: Steps 70,80,90,100,110: Determining whether at least one reference signal satisfies a condition

[0040] T: time domain

[0041] Cn: variable

[0042] IN1, IN2, IN3, IN4: indicators

[0043] UL_C: Uplink transmission

[0044] t1, t2, t3, t4, t5, t6, t7: time instances

[0045] TM1, TM2: Timer

[0046] T1, T2: fixed values DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Figure 1FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 10 includes a network 12 and a plurality of communication devices 14. The wireless communication system 10 can support time-division duplexing (TDD) mode, frequency-division duplexing (FDD) mode, TDD and FDD joint operation mode, non-terrestrial network (NTN) mode, or licensed-assisted access (LAA) mode. That is, the network 12 and the communication devices 14 can communicate with each other via FDD carriers, TDD carriers, licensed carriers (licensed serving cells), and / or unlicensed carriers (or unlicensed serving cells). In addition, the wireless communication system 10 can support carrier aggregation. That is, the network 12 and the communication devices 14 can communicate with each other via a plurality of serving cells (e.g., a plurality of serving carriers) including one primary cell (e.g., a primary component carrier) and one or more secondary cells (e.g., secondary component carriers).

[0048] In Figure 1In some embodiments, the network 12 and the communication device 14 are used to illustrate the architecture of the wireless communication system 10. In a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), the network 12 can be a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) that includes at least one Node-B (NB). In one embodiment, in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, an LTE-advanced (LTE-A) system, and an evolved version of the LTE-A system, the network 12 can be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) that includes at least one evolved NB (eNB) and / or at least one relay node. In one embodiment, the network 12 can be a next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) that includes at least one next generation Node-B (gNB) and / or at least one fifth generation (5G) base station (BS). In one embodiment, the next generation Node-B or the fifth generation base station of the network 12 can include a non-terrestrial gateway (NTN Gateway) and a non-terrestrial payload (NTN payload). In one embodiment, the network 12 can be any base station that complies with a specific communication standard to communicate with the communication device 14.

[0049] New Radio (NR) is a standard defined for fifth-generation systems (or fifth-generation networks) that provides a unified air interface with improved performance. Fifth-generation systems are implemented by deploying next-generation base stations, supporting advanced features such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine-type communications (mMTC). eMBB provides broadband services with increased bandwidth and low / medium latency. ULRLC offers higher reliability and low latency for applications such as end-to-end communications. Examples of such applications include industrial internet, smart grids, infrastructure protection, remote surgery, and intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Massive machine-type communications can support the fifth-generation Internet of Things (IoT), which comprises billions of connected devices and / or sensors.

[0050] Furthermore, the network side 12 can also include at least one of a Universal Terrestrial Global Radio Access Network / Evolved Universal Terrestrial Global Radio Access Network / Next Generation Radio Access Network and a core network, where the core network includes network entities such as a Mobility Management Entity (MME), a Serving Gateway (S-GW), a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (P-GW), a Self-Organizing Networks (SON) server, a Radio Network Controller (RNC), an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), a Session Management Function (SMF), a User Plane Function (UPF), an Authentication Server Function (AUSF), etc. In an embodiment, after the network side 12 receives the information transmitted by the communication device 14, the information can be processed only by the Universal Terrestrial Global Radio Access Network / Evolved Universal Terrestrial Global Radio Access Network / Next Generation Radio Access Network, and a decision corresponding to the information is made by the Universal Terrestrial Global Radio Access Network / Evolved Universal Terrestrial Global Radio Access Network / Next Generation Radio Access Network. In an embodiment, the Universal Terrestrial Global Radio Access Network / Evolved Universal Terrestrial Global Radio Access Network / Next Generation Radio Access Network can forward the information to the core network, and after the core network processes the information, a decision corresponding to the information is made by the core network. In an embodiment, the information can be processed by the Universal Terrestrial Global Radio Access Network / Evolved Universal Terrestrial Global Radio Access Network / Next Generation Radio Access Network and the core network, and a decision is made after the Universal Terrestrial Global Radio Access Network / Evolved Universal Terrestrial Global Radio Access Network / Next Generation Radio Access Network and the core network perform coordination and / or cooperation.

[0051] The communication device 14 can be a user equipment (UE), a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), a low-cost device (e.g., a machine type communication (MTC) device), a device-to-device (D2D) communication device, a narrow-band internet of things (NB-IoT), a mobile phone, a laptop, a tablet, an e-book, a portable computer system, or a combination thereof. In addition, the network 12 and the communication device 14 can be considered as a transmitting end or a receiving end, respectively, depending on the direction of transmission. For example, for an uplink (UL), the communication device 14 is the transmitting end and the network 12 is the receiving end; for a downlink (DL), the network 12 is the transmitting end and the communication device 14 is the receiving end.

[0052] The communication device 14 can perform layer 1 (L1) measurements to generate layer 1 measurement results, and can change a serving cell based on the layer 1 measurement results. This procedure can be referred to as conditional L1 / L2 triggered mobility (C-LTM). The conditional L1 / L2 triggered mobility can support intra-gNB-distributed unit (intra-gNB-DU) mobility, intra-gNB-central unit (intra-gNB-CU) mobility, and / or inter-gNB-DU mobility. The conditional L1 / L2 triggered mobility can support intra-frequency mobility and / or inter-frequency mobility. The conditional L1 / L2 triggered mobility can be supported for licensed spectrum. The conditional L1 / L2 triggered mobility can support at least one of the following scenarios: primary cell (PCell) change in a non-carrier aggregation (non-CA) and / or non-dual connection (non-DC) scenario; PCell and secondary cell (SCell) change in a carrier aggregation scenario; and a dual connection scenario. The communication device 14 can process a layer 3 (L3) handover command from the network 12.

[0053] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 20 may be Figure 1 The communication device 20 may include, but is not limited to, the communication device 14 or the network end 12. The communication device 20 may include at least one processing circuit 200, at least one storage device 210, and at least one communication interface device 220. The at least one processing circuit 200 may be a microprocessor or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The at least one storage device 210 may be any data storage device for storing program code 214. The at least one processing circuit 200 may read and execute program code 214 via the at least one storage device 210. For example, the at least one storage device 210 may be, but is not limited to, a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a flash memory, a Random-Access Memory (RAM), a Compact Disc ROM (CD-ROM), a Digital Versatile Disc ROM (DVD-ROM), a Blu-ray Disc ROM (BD-ROM), a magnetic tape, a hard disk, an optical data storage device, a non-volatile storage device, a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., tangible media), etc. The at least one communication interface device 220 may include at least one radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals (e.g., data, information, and / or packets) based on the processing results of the at least one processing circuit 200.

[0054] Figure 3 FIG. 30 is a flow chart of a process 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 30 is used in a communication device (eg Figure 1 Communication device 14 or Figure 2 The process 30 may be compiled into program code 214 and include the following steps:

[0055] Step 300: Start.

[0056] Step 302: Receive a first configuration from a network, wherein the first configuration includes a reference signal (RS) set.

[0057] Step 304: Perform at least one measurement for the reference signal set to generate a measurement report.

[0058] Step 306: Transmit a first uplink channel to the network in response to at least one reference signal in the reference signal set satisfying a condition.

[0059] Step 308: Transmit a second uplink channel including the measurement report to the network.

[0060] Step 310: End.

[0061] According to process 30, a communication device receives a first configuration from a network, wherein the first configuration includes a reference signal set. The communication device performs at least one measurement for the reference signal set to generate a measurement report (e.g., a beam report). When (e.g., in response to) at least one reference signal of the reference signal set meets a condition, the communication device transmits a first uplink channel to the network. (e.g., after transmitting the first uplink channel to the network), the communication device transmits a second uplink channel including the measurement report to the network. That is, when the condition occurs, the communication device transmits the measurement report via the second uplink channel instead of periodically reporting the measurement report. Therefore, uplink resources used to periodically report the measurement report can be saved.

[0062] There are many ways to implement process 30, which are not limited to the above. The following embodiments can be used for process 30.

[0063] In one embodiment, a communication device performs at least one communication operation with a network based on at least one configuration. In one embodiment, the at least one configuration is different from the first configuration. In one embodiment, the at least one communication operation includes at least one of the following operations: receiving downlink control information (DL control information, DCI) from the network via a first cell; receiving a downlink channel (DL TU) from the network via a second cell; and transmitting a fifth uplink channel (UL TU) to the network via the second cell. In one embodiment, the first cell is the same as or different from the second cell. In one embodiment, the at least one configuration includes at least one of the following elements: a search space (SS) set configuration; a control resource set (CORESET) configuration; a second configuration for receiving the DL TU; a third configuration for configuring the first cell to receive DL control information; a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state; and a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource indicator (SRI).

[0064] In one embodiment, the first uplink channel satisfies at least one of the following conditions: the first uplink channel includes (e.g., is) a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH); the first uplink channel carries 1-bit information; the first uplink channel is configured with at least one of a first periodicity and a first offset; and the first uplink channel indicates (e.g., notifies) that the second uplink channel carries a measurement report. In one embodiment, the first uplink channel carries channel state information (CSI). In one embodiment, the 1-bit information indicates whether the second uplink channel will be transmitted. For example, the 1-bit information having a first value (e.g., 0) indicates that the second uplink channel will not be transmitted. For example, the 1-bit information having a second value (e.g., 1) indicates that the second uplink channel will be transmitted.

[0065] In one embodiment, the second uplink channel satisfies at least one of the following conditions: the second uplink channel includes (for example) a configured grant PUSCH (CG-PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel; and the second uplink channel is configured with at least one of a second period and a second offset. In one embodiment, the communication device determines a duration for the second uplink channel based on the first period. In one embodiment, the second uplink channel includes at least one of an event identifier (ID), a candidate identifier (Candidate ID), a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block (SSB) resource indicator (SSBRI), and a channel state information reference signal resource indicator (CSI-RS resource indicator (CRI). In one embodiment, the candidate identifier is an identifier of a candidate cell, a candidate reference signal, or a candidate beam.

[0066] In one embodiment, the first uplink channel and the second uplink channel satisfy at least one of the following conditions: the first uplink channel and the second uplink channel are configured with the same period; and the first uplink channel and the second uplink channel are each configured with an offset. For example, the second period is the same as the first period, and the second offset is the same as the first offset. For example, the second period is the same as the first period, and the second offset is different from the first offset.

[0067] In one embodiment, when the communication device indicates via (or by) the first uplink channel that the second uplink channel will not be transmitted, the communication device does not transmit the second uplink channel until the communication device indicates via (or by) the first uplink channel that the second uplink channel will be transmitted. In one embodiment, when the communication device indicates via (or by) the first uplink channel that the second uplink channel will be transmitted, the communication device transmits the second uplink channel until the communication device indicates via (or by) the first uplink channel that the second uplink channel will not be transmitted. In one embodiment, when the communication device indicates via (or by) the first uplink channel that the second uplink channel will be transmitted, the second uplink channel is available for use by the communication device until the communication device transmits the second uplink channel.

[0068] In one embodiment, after transmitting the second uplink channel, the communication device starts a first timer. In one embodiment, before the first timer expires (eg, during the operation of the first timer), the communication device does not retransmit the measurement report.

[0069] In one embodiment, the measurement report includes at least one of a first number of reference signal sets, at least one signal quality, multiple differential signal qualities, and an event identifier. In one embodiment, the measurement report includes multiple capacity indices for the reference signal sets. In one embodiment, the first number is set by a first higher layer signal. In one embodiment, the first number is a fixed value. In one embodiment, the first number of reference signal sets includes (for example) a first number of synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block resource indicators or a first number of channel state information reference signal resource indicators. In one embodiment, the at least one signal quality includes (for example) at least one layer 1 reference signal received power (L1-RSRP), at least one reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or at least one signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR). In one embodiment, the total of the at least one signal quality and the multiple differential signal qualities is the first number. In one embodiment, the at least one signal quality and the total number of the plurality of differential signal qualities are respectively related to a first number of signal qualities of the reference signal set.

[0070] In one embodiment, a communications device is configured (e.g., provided) by a second higher layer signal, and the second higher layer signal indicates a unified transmission configuration indicator state. In one embodiment, when (e.g., if) the communications device is configured by the second higher layer signal indicating the unified transmission configuration indicator state, the communications device receives downlink control information from the network, and the downlink control information indicates the transmission configuration indicator state for a downlink channel (e.g., a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and / or a channel state information reference signal). In one embodiment, when (e.g., if) the communications device receives the downlink control information indicating the transmission configuration indicator state, the communications device stops (or disables) transmitting the second uplink channel. In one embodiment, when (e.g., if) the communications device receives a transmission configuration indicator state activation (TCI state activation) from the network (e.g., via a medium access control element (MAC-CE)), the communications device stops (or disables) transmitting the second uplink channel. For example, when (e.g., if) the communication device receives a transmission configuration indicator state enabled from the network (e.g., via a media access control element) and when (e.g., if) the communication device is not set by a second higher layer signal indicating a unified transmission configuration indicator state, the communication device stops (or disables) transmitting the second uplink channel.

[0071] In one embodiment, a communications device receives downlink control information (e.g., a physical downlink control channel order (PDCCH order) for candidate cells of the communications device) from a network (e.g., from a serving cell of the communications device). In one embodiment, the communications device transmits at least one physical random access channel (PRACH) to the serving cell of the communications device based on the downlink control information. In one embodiment, the communications device receives a downlink channel (e.g., a downlink control information or a physical downlink shared channel) containing a cell handover command from the network (e.g., from a serving cell of the communications device). In one embodiment, the communications device performs a cell handover based on the cell handover command.

[0072] In one embodiment, a communications device (e.g., a higher layer (e.g., a media access control layer) of the communications device) determines whether at least one reference signal satisfies a condition based on a second number and a third number of at least one event instance for at least one reference signal. In one embodiment, the third number is set by a third higher layer signal. In one embodiment, the third number is a fixed value.

[0073] In one embodiment, a communication device (e.g., a higher layer (e.g., a media access control layer) of the communication device) determines that at least one reference signal satisfies a condition in response to a second number of at least one event instance for the at least one reference signal being not less than a third number. In one embodiment, the communication device (e.g., a higher layer (e.g., a media access control layer) of the communication device) determines that at least one reference signal does not satisfy a condition in response to the second number of at least one event instance for the at least one reference signal being less than the third number.

[0074] In one embodiment, a communication device (e.g., a higher layer (e.g., a media access control layer) of the communication device) determines that at least one reference signal satisfies a condition in response to a second number of at least one event instance for the at least one reference signal within a time window being not less than a third number. In one embodiment, the time window is set by a fourth higher layer signal. In one embodiment, the communication device (e.g., a higher layer (e.g., a media access control layer) of the communication device) determines that at least one reference signal does not satisfy a condition in response to the second number of at least one event instance for the at least one reference signal within the time window being less than the third number.

[0075] In one embodiment, the communications device activates (or restarts) a second timer set to a third value in response to an event instance of the at least one event instance occurring (or occurring). In one embodiment, the third value is set by a fifth higher layer signal. In one embodiment, the third value is not less than a minimum of a first period and a second period. In one embodiment, the third value is not greater than twice the minimum. In one embodiment, the communications device restarts (e.g., sets the counter to 0) a counter used to determine a second number of at least one event instance in response to the second timer expiring.

[0076] In one embodiment, the communications device sets (or resets) the time window to a fourth value. In one embodiment, the fourth value is set by a sixth higher layer signal. In one embodiment, the communications device activates (or restarts) the time window in response to the occurrence of a first (e.g., earliest) event instance of at least one event instance. In one embodiment, the communications device activates (or restarts) a third timer set to the fourth value in response to the occurrence of a first (e.g., earliest) event instance of at least one event instance. In one embodiment, the communications device determines at least one event instance (e.g., the period of at least one event instance) based on a period of a reference signal set.

[0077] In one embodiment, a counter determines (e.g., indicates) a second number of at least one event instance. In one embodiment, the communication device increments the counter by one in response to an event instance (e.g., an event instance of the at least one event instance) occurring. In one embodiment, after a time window, the communication device resets the counter used to determine the second number of at least one event instance (e.g., sets the counter to 0). In one embodiment, the communication device resets the counter used to determine the second number of at least one event instance (e.g., sets the counter to 0) in response to a third timer expiring.

[0078] In one embodiment, a higher layer (e.g., a media access control layer) of the communication device processes the second timer. In one embodiment, a higher layer (e.g., a media access control layer) of the communication device processes the third timer. In one embodiment, a higher layer (e.g., a media access control layer) of the communication device processes the counter.

[0079] In one embodiment, the communication device performs an uplink transmission (e.g., transmits the first uplink channel and / or the second uplink channel) in response to at least one reference signal satisfying a condition. In one embodiment, the communication device does not perform an uplink transmission (e.g., does not transmit the first uplink channel and / or the second uplink channel) in response to at least one reference signal not satisfying the condition.

[0080] In one embodiment, after (or within) the time window, the communications device performs an uplink transmission (e.g., transmits the first uplink channel and / or the second uplink channel) in response to at least one reference signal satisfying a condition. In one embodiment, after / before a third timer expires, or when the third timer expires, the communications device performs an uplink transmission (e.g., transmits the first uplink channel and / or the second uplink channel) in response to at least one reference signal satisfying a condition. In one embodiment, after the time window, the communications device does not perform an uplink transmission (e.g., does not transmit the first uplink channel and / or the second uplink channel) in response to at least one reference signal not satisfying a condition. In one embodiment, after / before a third timer expires, or when the third timer expires, the communications device does not perform an uplink transmission (e.g., does not transmit the first uplink channel and / or the second uplink channel) in response to at least one reference signal not satisfying a condition.

[0081] In one embodiment, a communications device performs an uplink transmission (e.g., transmits a first uplink channel and / or a second uplink channel) in response to at least one reference signal satisfying a condition. "At least one reference signal satisfies the condition" means that the second timer has not expired after a time window. In one embodiment, a communications device performs an uplink transmission (e.g., transmits a first uplink channel and / or a second uplink channel) in response to at least one reference signal satisfying the condition. "At least one reference signal satisfies the condition" means that the second timer has not expired and the third timer has expired. In one embodiment, a communications device does not perform an uplink transmission (e.g., does not transmit the first uplink channel and / or the second uplink channel) in response to at least one reference signal not satisfying the condition. "At least one reference signal does not satisfy the condition" means that the second timer has expired after the third timer has expired.

[0082] In one embodiment, a communications device performs at least one operation in response to at least one reference signal satisfying a condition. In one embodiment, the at least one operation includes at least one of the following: resetting a timer (e.g., setting the timer to 0); starting (or restarting) a second timer having a fifth value; and starting (or restarting) a third timer having a sixth value. In one embodiment, the fifth value is the same as or different from the third value. In one embodiment, the sixth value is the same as or different from the fourth value.

[0083] In one embodiment, after performing at least one operation, the communications device (e.g., again) determines whether the at least one reference signal satisfies a condition based on a fourth number and a fifth number of at least one event instance for the at least one reference signal. In one embodiment, the fourth number is the same as or different from the second number. In one embodiment, the fifth number is the same as or different from the third number. Details of the communications device's determination of whether the at least one reference signal satisfies a condition can be found in the previous paragraph and are not further elaborated here.

[0084] In one embodiment, at least one event instance indicates that at least one signal quality (e.g., at least one radio link quality) of at least one reference signal becomes greater than a threshold of a signal quality of the reference signal. In one embodiment, the at least one signal quality includes (e.g., is) at least one Layer 1 reference signal received power. In one embodiment, a lower layer (e.g., a physical layer) of a communication device transmits at least one indicator to an upper layer (e.g., a media access control layer) of the communication device in response to the occurrence of the at least one event instance. In one embodiment, the at least one indicator indicates that at least one condition corresponding to the at least one reference signal is satisfied.

[0085] In one embodiment, each of the at least one event instance is associated with a first function of a serving cell of the communication device and / or a second function of a candidate cell of the communication device. In one embodiment, each of the at least one event instance is associated with a first function of a serving reference signal of the communication device and / or a second function of a candidate reference signal of the communication device. For example, a condition (e.g., one of the at least one condition) is satisfied in response to the first function being less than the second function. For example, an event instance occurs in response to the first function being less than a first measurement threshold and / or the second function being greater than a second measurement threshold. In one embodiment, the first measurement threshold and the second measurement threshold are set by a seventh higher layer signal.

[0086] In one embodiment, the first function is a measurement result of a serving cell (or serving reference signal). In one embodiment, the first function is the sum of a first measurement offset and a measurement result of the serving cell (or serving reference signal). In one embodiment, the first measurement offset can be determined based on at least one of a first cell-specific offset, a first reference signal-specific offset, and a first hysteresis parameter. In one embodiment, the first cell-specific offset, the first reference signal-specific offset, and the first hysteresis parameter are set by an eighth higher layer signal. In one embodiment, the second function is a measurement result of a candidate cell (or candidate reference signal). In one embodiment, the second function is the sum of a second offset and a measurement result of the candidate cell (or candidate reference signal). In one embodiment, the second function is determined based on at least one of a second cell-specific offset, a second reference signal-specific offset, and a second hysteresis parameter. In one embodiment, the second cell-specific offset, the second reference signal-specific offset, and the second hysteresis parameter are set by a ninth higher layer signal.

[0087] In one embodiment, the first measurement offset, the second measurement offset, the first measurement threshold, and the second measurement threshold are updated in response to the communications device starting (or restarting) a third timer set to a sixth value. In one embodiment, the first measurement offset, the second measurement offset, the first measurement threshold, and the second measurement threshold are updated in response to the counter value being greater than 0.

[0088] In one embodiment, the measurement results (e.g., serving cell and / or candidate cell) are associated with filtering / averaging of channel measurements. For example, the average measurement result is the average of the measurement results (e.g., Layer 1 RSRP, RSQ, or SINR) at different time instances (e.g., Among them, M n is the average measurement result, M n-t is the measurement result at time instance nt, and T is the number of measurements). For example, the current filtered measurement result is associated with a coefficient, the previous filtered measurement result, and the current measurement result (e.g., M n =(1-a)·M n-1 +a·M′ n , where M n is the current filter measurement result, a is the coefficient, M n-1 is the previous filtered measurement, and M′ n is the current measurement result). For example, the average measurement result is the average value of the measurement results of the reference signal (such as the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel or channel status information reference signal) in the spatial domain at a time instance (such as wherein M n is an average measurement result, M n,b is a measurement result of the b-th reference signal at a time instance n, and B is the number of reference signals). For example, the average measurement result is an average of measurement results of reference signals (e.g., synchronization signal / broadcast channel or channel state information reference signals) in a spatial domain at different time instances (e.g., M ). For example, the currently filtered average measurement result is associated with a coefficient, a previous filtered average measurement result, and a current average measurement result (e.g., M n = (1 - a) · M n-1 + a · M' n wherein M n is the currently filtered average measurement result, a is the coefficient, M n-1 is the previous filtered average measurement result, M' n is the current average measurement result, and ). In an embodiment, a low layer (e.g., a physical layer) of the communication device handles filtering / averaging of channel measurements.

[0089] In an embodiment, at least one indicator (e.g., at least one Layer 1 / Layer 2 triggered mobility indicator) indicates whether at least one condition corresponding to at least one reference signal is satisfied. In an embodiment, an indicator (e.g., one of the at least one indicator) having a seventh value (e.g., 1) indicates that a corresponding condition (e.g., one of the at least one condition) is satisfied. In an embodiment, an indicator (e.g., one of the at least one indicator) having an eighth value (e.g., 0) indicates that a corresponding condition (e.g., one of the at least one condition) is not satisfied.

[0090] In an embodiment, the communication device starts (or restarts) a third timer in response to the communication device obtaining a number (e.g., consecutive) of first indicators (e.g., the at least one indicator) having the seventh value. The number of the number (e.g., consecutive) of first indicators can be the third number or the fifth number, but is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, upon expiry of the third timer, the communication device determines a number of second indicators (e.g., the at least one indicator) having the eighth value that are obtained during operation of the third timer.

[0091] In one embodiment, the communication device determines that the condition is met in response to the number of multiple (e.g., consecutive) second indicators being less than a threshold. In one embodiment, the communication device performs uplink transmission (e.g., transmits a first uplink channel and / or a second uplink channel) in response to the condition being met. In one embodiment, the communication device determines that the condition is not met in response to the number of multiple (e.g., consecutive) second indicators being not less than a threshold. In one embodiment, the threshold is set by a tenth higher layer signal. In one embodiment, the threshold is a fixed value. It should be noted that "the communication device obtains (e.g., consecutive) indicators" means that a lower layer (e.g., a physical layer) of the communication device transmits (e.g., consecutive) indicators to a higher layer (e.g., a media access control layer) of the communication device.

[0092] In one embodiment, the first uplink channel corresponds to a first priority index. In one embodiment, (e.g., when the first uplink channel and the third uplink channel collide in the same time period), the communication device transmits the first uplink channel and disables transmission of the third uplink channel in response to the first priority index being greater than the second priority index of the third uplink channel. In one embodiment, (e.g., when the first uplink channel and the third uplink channel collide in the same time period), the communication device disables transmission of the first uplink channel and transmits the third uplink channel in response to the first priority index being less than the second priority index of the third uplink channel. In one embodiment, (e.g., when the first uplink channel and the third uplink channel collide in the same time period), the communication device transmits the first uplink channel and disables transmission of the third uplink channel. In one embodiment, the first uplink channel may include (e.g., multiplexed with) a first uplink signal (e.g., first uplink control information (UCI)) of the third uplink channel. In one embodiment, (e.g., when the first uplink channel and the third uplink channel collide in the same time interval), the communication device transmits the third uplink channel and disables transmission of the first uplink channel. In one embodiment, the third uplink channel may include (e.g., multiplex) a second uplink signal (e.g., second uplink control information) of the first uplink channel. In one embodiment, the third uplink channel includes (e.g., is) a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) (e.g., a set grant PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCC).

[0093] In an embodiment, the second uplink channel corresponds to a third priority indicator. In an embodiment, (e.g., when the second uplink channel and the fourth uplink channel collide in the same time interval) the communication device transmits the second uplink channel and disables transmission of the fourth uplink channel in response to the third priority indicator being greater than a fourth priority indicator of the fourth uplink channel. In an embodiment, (e.g., when the second uplink channel and the fourth uplink channel collide in the same time interval) the communication device disables transmission of the second uplink channel and transmits the fourth uplink channel in response to the third priority indicator not being greater than the fourth priority indicator of the fourth uplink channel. In an embodiment, (e.g., when the second uplink channel and the fourth uplink channel collide in the same time interval) the communication device transmits the second uplink channel and disables transmission of the fourth uplink channel. In an embodiment, the second uplink channel can include (e.g., multiplex) a third uplink signal (e.g., third uplink control information) of the fourth uplink channel. In an embodiment, (e.g., when the second uplink channel and the fourth uplink channel collide in the same time interval) the communication device transmits the fourth uplink channel and disables transmission of the second uplink channel. In an embodiment, the fourth uplink channel can include (e.g., is) a physical uplink shared channel (e.g., a configured grant physical uplink shared channel) or a physical uplink control channel.

[0094] In an embodiment, (e.g., when the first uplink channel and the physical random access channel collide in the same time interval) the communication device transmits the physical random access channel and disables transmission of the first uplink channel. In an embodiment, (e.g., when the second uplink channel and the physical random access channel collide in the same time interval) the communication device transmits the physical random access channel and disables transmission of the second uplink channel.

[0095] In an embodiment, the communication device receives a downlink control information including a request from the network. In an embodiment, the request triggers a channel status information report. In an embodiment, in response to the request, the communication device transmits a fifth uplink channel (e.g., a physical uplink shared channel) carrying channel status information to the network.

[0096] In one embodiment, a communication device transmits first capability information regarding a maximum number of reference signal sets to a network. In one embodiment, the communication device transmits second capability information to the network. The second capability information indicates at least one of the following: whether the communication device supports user-side triggering / instructing cell handover; whether the communication device supports granting / acquisition before a triggering event / condition; whether the communication device supports timing advance (TA) granting after a triggering event / condition; whether the communication device supports user-side-based timing advance measurement; whether the communication device supports time-domain filtering / averaging of channel measurements; and whether the communication device supports spatial-domain filtering / averaging of channel measurements.

[0097] In one embodiment, a communications device and a network operate in carrier aggregation. In one embodiment, the communications device is configured with multiple serving cells. In one embodiment, based on downlink control information received from a second serving cell of the network, the communications device receives a downlink channel (e.g., the aforementioned downlink channel, but not limited thereto) from a first serving cell of the network. In one embodiment, based on downlink control information received from a fourth serving cell of the network, the communications device transmits an uplink channel (e.g., the aforementioned first uplink channel, second uplink channel, third uplink channel, fourth uplink channel, or fifth uplink channel, but not limited thereto) to a third serving cell of the network. In one embodiment, based on downlink control information indicating at least one of a transmission configuration indicator state and a sounding reference signal resource indicator, the communications device receives a downlink channel from the network. In one embodiment, the communications device is configured with at least one of a search space set configuration, a search space configuration, a control resource set configuration, and a configuration regarding downlink channel repetition. In one embodiment, at least one of a search space set configuration, a search space configuration, a control resource set configuration, and a configuration regarding downlink channel repetition is used to receive (eg, monitor) downlink control information.

[0098] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a process 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 40 is used in a network terminal (eg Figure 1 Network port 12 or Figure 2 The process 40 may be compiled into program code 214 and include the following steps:

[0099] Step 400: Start.

[0100] Step 402: Transmit a first configuration to a communication device, wherein the first configuration includes a reference signal set.

[0101] Step 404: Receive a first uplink channel from the communication device in response to at least one reference signal in the reference signal set meeting a condition.

[0102] Step 406: Receive a second uplink channel (ULC) from the communication device, including a measurement report for the reference signal set.

[0103] Step 480: End.

[0104] According to process 40, the network transmits a first configuration to the communication device, where the first configuration includes a reference signal set. The network receives a first uplink channel from the communication device in response to at least one reference signal in the reference signal set meeting a condition. (For example, after receiving the first uplink channel from the communication device), the network receives a second uplink channel from the communication device including a measurement report (e.g., a beam report) for the reference signal set. In other words, the network does not periodically receive measurement reports. Therefore, uplink resources used to periodically report measurement reports can be conserved.

[0105] There are many ways to implement process 40, which are not limited to the above. The embodiment of process 30 can be applied to process 40, which will not be described in detail here.

[0106] Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a process 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 50 is used in a communication device (eg Figure 1 Communication device 14 or Figure 2 The process 50 may be compiled into program code 214 and include the following steps:

[0107] Step 500: Start.

[0108] Step 502: Receive a first configuration from a network, wherein the first configuration includes a set of candidate configurations, and each candidate configuration in the set of candidate configurations includes at least one of a candidate ID, a physical cell ID, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block frequency, a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block period, and a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block transmission power.

[0109] Step 504: Perform at least one uplink transmission with a candidate cell according to at least one indicator, wherein the candidate cell corresponds to a candidate configuration in the candidate configuration set.

[0110] Step 506: End.

[0111] According to process 50, a network receives a first configuration from a network. The first configuration includes a set of candidate configurations. Each candidate configuration in the set includes at least one of a candidate identifier, a physical cell identifier, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block frequency, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block subcarrier spacing, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block period, and a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block transmission power. Based on at least one indicator, the network (e.g., determines) to perform at least one uplink transmission with a candidate cell, where the candidate cell corresponds to a candidate configuration in the set of candidate configurations. In other words, the information in the first configuration is used by the communication device to perform at least one uplink transmission (e.g., transmit a cell handover request). Therefore, the communication device can perform a cell handover without a cell handover indication from the network.

[0112] There are many ways to implement process 50, which are not limited to the above. The following embodiments can be used for process 50.

[0113] In one embodiment, a communications device receives at least one indicator from a network. In one embodiment, a lower layer (e.g., a physical layer) of the communications device transmits the at least one indicator to a higher layer (e.g., a media access control layer) of the communications device (e.g., in response to the occurrence of at least one event instance). In one embodiment, the at least one event instance indicates that at least one signal quality (e.g., at least one radio link quality) of at least one candidate reference signal becomes better than a first threshold for a signal quality of a serving reference signal. In one embodiment, the at least one event instance indicates that at least one signal quality (e.g., at least one radio link quality) of at least one candidate reference signal is greater than a first measurement threshold and / or that the signal quality of the serving reference signal is less than a second measurement threshold. In one embodiment, the at least one indicator is associated with at least one of a candidate configuration in a candidate configuration set and a first reference signal (e.g., a candidate reference signal). In one embodiment, the candidate configuration corresponds to the first reference signal.

[0114] In one embodiment, based on a second configuration (e.g., the first configuration of process 30), the communications device performs at least one measurement on the first reference signal set to generate at least one measurement result. In one embodiment, the second configuration is different from the first configuration. In one embodiment, the second configuration is the same as the first configuration. In one embodiment, based on the at least one measurement result, the communications device determines that at least one condition corresponding to at least one reference signal of the first reference signal set is satisfied. Details of the at least one condition can be found in the embodiment of process 30 and are not further described here.

[0115] In an embodiment, the communication device starts (or restarts) a first timer (i.e., a third timer for the embodiment of flow 30) in response to a condition of the at least one condition being satisfied. In an embodiment, during the operation of the first timer, the communication device transmits an uplink channel to a serving cell of the communication device (e.g., without a valid timing advance for the communication device after a first time interval). The first time interval can have a fixed length, or can be set by the network side. In an embodiment, the communication device receives at least one indicator (e.g., a physical downlink control channel order) from the serving cell of the communication device (e.g., after transmitting the uplink channel). In an embodiment, the communication device determines whether an execution condition is satisfied in response to the first timer expiring. The execution condition can be the condition of flow 30. Details of the execution condition can refer to the embodiment of flow 30, which are not repeated here.

[0116] In an embodiment, the uplink channel includes (e.g., is) a physical uplink control channel carrying uplink control information. In an embodiment, the uplink channel is associated with a timing advance grant or a resource grant. In an embodiment, an uplink resource for the uplink channel corresponds to at least one of a candidate cell identification and a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block of the candidate cell. In an embodiment, the communication device indicates a candidate cell identification (e.g., a candidate identification set by a candidate configuration) to a serving cell of the communication device via the uplink channel (e.g., when a condition of the at least one condition is satisfied). In an embodiment, the communication device indicates a preset value (e.g., when a condition of the at least one condition is not satisfied). In an embodiment, the communication device indicates an index (or a group index) of a reference signal to a serving cell of the communication device via the uplink channel. In an embodiment, the reference signal is a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block or a channel state information reference signal. In an embodiment, a reference signal with an odd identification corresponds to a first group identification. In an embodiment, a reference signal with an even identification corresponds to a second group identification.

[0117] In one embodiment, an uplink channel is configured with a second timer (e.g., parameter ProhibitTimer). In one embodiment, the communication device transmits the uplink channel and starts (or restarts) the second timer in response to the second timer not running during the second time interval used for transmitting the uplink channel. In one embodiment, the uplink channel includes (e.g., a physical uplink control channel) or a physical uplink shared channel that carries uplink control information (e.g., a scheduling request) or a media access control control element. In one embodiment, the uplink control information or the media access control element includes at least one of the following information: a candidate cell identifier (e.g., a candidate identifier set by a candidate configuration), an indicator of a reference signal (e.g., a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block or channel state information reference signal) of the candidate cell (e.g., a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block resource indicator or a channel state information reference signal resource indicator), signal quality of the reference signal (e.g., reference signal received power, reference signal received quality, and / or signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio), differential signal quality between reference signals, signal quality of the serving cell (e.g., reference signal received power, reference signal received quality, and / or signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio), and differential signal quality between the serving cell (or serving reference signal) and the candidate cell (or candidate reference signal).

[0118] In one embodiment, at least one indicator includes downlink control information (e.g., a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) sequence) transmitted by the network. In one embodiment, the downlink control information includes at least one of a random access preamble (RAP) set indicator, a random access preamble indicator, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (PBC) index, a PBC mask indicator, a cell indicator, and a PBC retransmission indicator. In one embodiment, the communication device determines a random access preamble (RAP) based on the downlink control information. In one embodiment, the step of performing at least one uplink transmission includes: the communication device transmits a PBC (e.g., to a candidate cell) based on the downlink control information. In one embodiment, the RAP set indicator indicates a random access preamble set set by a first higher layer signal. The first higher layer signal sets more than one RAP set. In one embodiment, the RAP indicator indicates at least one first RAP index. At least one first random access preamble indicator may be included in the random access preamble set indicated by the random access preamble set indicator. In one embodiment (e.g., if at least one first random access preamble indicator is not all zeros), the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel indicator indicates the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel used to determine the random access channel occasion for random access channel transmission. In one embodiment (e.g., if at least one first random access preamble indicator is all zeros), the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel indicator is retained. In one embodiment (e.g., if at least one first random access preamble indicator is not all zeros), the physical random access channel mask indicator indicates the random access channel occasion associated with the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel indicated by the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel indicator. In one embodiment, the cell indicator indicates the cell (e.g., candidate cell or serving cell) used for random access channel transmission. For example, a first bit field indicator of the cell indicator having a first value (e.g., 0) is mapped to the serving cell. For example, a second bit field pointer of the cell indicator having a second value (e.g., a value different from the first value) is mapped to the candidate cell. In one embodiment, (e.g., if the cell indicated by the cell indicator is a candidate cell), the physical random access channel retransmission indicator indicates an initial transmission or a retransmission of the physical random access channel.

[0119] In one embodiment, a communications device receives a first downlink control message (e.g., a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) sequence) from a network for initiating a random access (RA) procedure. In one embodiment, the communications device determines a cell (e.g., a candidate cell) for initiating the RA procedure based on a cell indicator in the first downlink control message. In one embodiment, the communications device determines whether at least one first random access preamble indicator indicated by the RA preamble indicator in the first downlink control message is all zeros.

[0120] In one embodiment, a communications device performs at least one of the following operations in response to at least one first random access preamble indicator indicated by a random access preamble indicator in a first downlink control message being not all zeros: selecting (e.g., based on a cell indicator in the first downlink control message) at least one synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (PBCH) indicator corresponding to at least one resource indicator (e.g., a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block resource indicator and / or a channel state information reference signal (CSI / RSRSI) resource indicator) of a candidate cell, wherein the candidate cell satisfies at least one condition; selecting at least one first physical random access channel (PRA) based on at least one of the at least one synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (PRA) indicator, the cell indicator, the random access preamble indicator, and the PRA mask indicator; and transmitting the selected at least one first PRA to the candidate cell.

[0121] In one embodiment, a communications device performs at least one of the following operations in response to at least one first random access preamble indicator indicated by a random access preamble indicator in a first downlink control message being all zeros: selecting (e.g., based on a cell indicator in the first downlink control message) at least one second random access preamble indicator from a random access preamble set corresponding to at least one resource indicator (e.g., a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block resource indicator and / or a channel state information reference signal resource indicator) of a candidate cell, wherein the candidate cell satisfies at least one condition; and performing a random access procedure based on the selected at least one second random access preamble indicator.

[0122] In one embodiment, the communication device performs at least one of the following operations in response to at least one first random access preamble indicator indicated by the random access preamble indicator in the first downlink control information being not all zeros: determining whether the random access preamble indicator indicates more than one random access preamble indicator; selecting at least one first random access preamble indicator corresponding to at least one resource indicator (e.g., a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block resource indicator and / or a channel state information reference signal resource indicator) of a candidate cell (e.g., based on a cell indicator in the first downlink control information); A third random access preamble indicator and performing a random access procedure based on at least one of the selected at least one third random access preamble indicator and the physical random access channel mask indicator in response to the random access preamble indicator indicating more than one random access preamble indicator, wherein the candidate cell satisfies at least one condition; and performing a random access procedure based on at least one of the cell indicator, the random access preamble indicator, the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel indicator, and the physical random access channel mask indicator in response to the random access preamble indicator not indicating more than one random access preamble indicator.

[0123] In one embodiment, (eg, if the multiple PRANs do not overlap in time domain), the communication device transmits at least one synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel corresponding to the multiple PRANs.

[0124] In one embodiment, after transmitting at least one first physical random access channel (PRAN) to a candidate cell, a communications device monitors a first downlink channel (DLC) transmitted by a serving cell of the communications device within a first window. In one embodiment, the first downlink channel includes (e.g., is) second downlink control information. In one embodiment, the first window includes (e.g., is) a random access response (RAR) window set by a second higher layer signal. In one embodiment, the first window is activated after the communications device transmits the at least one first PRAN. In one embodiment, based on a media access control (MAC) control element (e.g., transmitted by a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) scheduled by the first downlink channel), the communications device determines (e.g., obtains) at least one of the following information: a candidate identifier (e.g., a candidate cell identifier), a timing preamble value, a scheduling or activation of a physical uplink shared channel (PESCH) (e.g., a set PUSCH grant), a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (PBCH) for the PUSCH (e.g., a set PUSCH grant), and a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (PBCH) for the timing preamble. In one embodiment, the communication device starts (or restarts) a third timer (e.g., a parameter TimeAlignmentTimer) for the candidate cell (e.g., as indicated by a media access control element or candidate identification) in response to the communication device obtaining (e.g., receiving) a timing advance value. In one embodiment, the third timer is set with a third value. In one embodiment, the third value is set for each candidate cell (e.g., by a third higher layer signal). In one embodiment, the third value is a common value set for all candidate cells of the communication device (e.g., by a fourth higher layer signal). In one embodiment, the third value is indicated in a media access control element (e.g., transmitted by a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) scheduled by the first downlink channel). In one embodiment, the third value is indicated in the first downlink channel.

[0125] In one embodiment, a communication device calculates (or computes) at least one timing preamble value for at least one uplink transmission. Specifically, the communication device performs a UE-based timing preamble measurement and determines the at least one timing preamble value based on the UE-based timing preamble measurement result.

[0126] In one embodiment, the communication device determines at least one timing preamble value for at least one uplink transmission based on a media access control control element sent by the network. In one embodiment, the communication device starts (or restarts) a fourth timer in response to receiving the at least one timing preamble value.

[0127] In one embodiment, at least one uplink transmission includes cell handover information. In one embodiment, at least one uplink transmission includes (for example) a set physical uplink shared channel (PUSHCH) grant. In one embodiment, the cell handover information includes (for example) a cell handover request. In one embodiment, the communication device determines at least one uplink resource for at least one uplink transmission based on at least one of higher layer signaling and a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE). In one embodiment, the at least one uplink resource for at least one uplink transmission meets at least one of the following conditions: the at least one uplink resource for the at least one uplink transmission is set with a period; and the at least one uplink resource for the at least one uplink transmission is indicated by a third time interval and is valid (or available) within the third time interval. In one embodiment, the period is set by a fifth higher layer signal. In one embodiment, the communication device performs the at least one uplink transmission using the at least one uplink resource. In one embodiment, the communication device periodically performs the at least one uplink transmission using the at least one uplink resource according to the period.

[0128] In one embodiment, the communication device determines that the cell handover process is completed by receiving a message (eg, a cell handover completion message) from the network. In one embodiment, the message includes (eg, is) an indicator or a configuration.

[0129] In one embodiment, at least one indicator indicates at least one of the following events: expiration of a fifth timer; and a fourth value of the first counter being not greater than a second threshold. In one embodiment, the second threshold is 0 or a positive integer, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the fifth timer is associated with a second reference signal. In one embodiment, the second reference signal is a reference signal of a first reference signal set. In one embodiment, the communications device starts (or restarts) the fifth timer in response to the first condition being met. In one embodiment, the first condition being met in response to the fifth value of the second counter being not less than a third threshold. In one embodiment, the communications device increments the fourth value of the first counter (e.g., by 1) in response to the at least one event instance not occurring. In one embodiment, the communications device increments the fifth value of the second counter (e.g., by 1) in response to the at least one event instance occurring. In one embodiment, the fourth value of the first counter indicates the number of times the at least one event instance has not occurred. In one embodiment, the fifth value of the second counter indicates the number of times the at least one event instance has occurred. In one embodiment, the communications device is set with the second and third thresholds by a sixth higher layer signal.

[0130] In one embodiment, a lower layer (e.g., a physical layer) of a communications device transmits an indicator (e.g., a Layer 1 / Layer 2 Triggered Mobility Indicator) having a sixth value (e.g., 0) to an upper layer (e.g., a medium access control layer) of the communications device in response to the non-occurrence of at least one event instance. In one embodiment, the lower layer (e.g., the physical layer) of the communications device transmits an indicator (e.g., a Layer 1 / Layer 2 Triggered Mobility Indicator) having a seventh value (e.g., 1) to an upper layer (e.g., a medium access control layer) of the communications device in response to the occurrence of at least one event instance. In one embodiment, a fourth value of a first counter indicates the number of (e.g., consecutive) indicators having the sixth value (e.g., consecutive Layer 1 / Layer 2 Triggered Mobility Indicators). In one embodiment, a fifth value of a second counter indicates the number of (e.g., consecutive) indicators having the seventh value (e.g., consecutive Layer 1 / Layer 2 Triggered Mobility Indicators). In one embodiment, the at least one event instance occurs when at least one signal quality (e.g., at least one radio link quality) of at least one candidate reference signal becomes better than (or worse than) a fourth threshold value for a signal quality of a serving cell. In one embodiment, at least one event instance occurs when at least one signal quality (e.g., at least one radio link quality) of at least one candidate reference signal is greater than (or not greater than) a third measurement threshold and / or the signal quality of the serving reference signal is less than (or not less than) a fourth measurement threshold.

[0131] In one embodiment, at least one uplink transmission satisfies at least one of the following conditions: the at least one uplink transmission includes at least one second physical random access channel (PRACH) in response to a lack of a valid timing prefix for the candidate cell; and the at least one uplink transmission includes at least one physical uplink shared channel (PUSHCH) in response to at least one timing prefix for the candidate cell being valid. In one embodiment, the at least one second PRACH includes cell handover information (e.g., a cell handover request). In one embodiment, the at least one PSUCH includes cell handover information (e.g., a cell handover request). In one embodiment, the at least one timing prefix for the candidate cell is valid in response to a sixth timer associated with the candidate cell (e.g., parameter TimeAlignmentTimer) not expiring.

[0132] In one embodiment, at least one uplink transmission satisfies at least one of the following conditions: the at least one uplink transmission includes at least one second physical random access channel (PRAN) in response to the absence of a valid timing preamble for the candidate cell; the at least one uplink transmission includes at least one physical uplink shared channel (PUSC) transmitted after a fourth time interval in response to at least one timing preamble for the candidate cell being valid and the communications device being within the fourth time interval; and the at least one uplink transmission includes at least one PULSC in response to at least one timing preamble for the candidate cell being valid and the communications device not being within the fourth time interval. In one embodiment, the fourth time interval is set by a seventh higher layer signal. In one embodiment, the fourth time interval is activated after the communications device transmits at least one first PRAN (e.g., to the candidate cell) according to first downlink control information (e.g., a PDCCH order).

[0133] In one embodiment, after transmitting a physical random access channel (PDAC) (e.g., to a candidate cell) according to first DL control information (e.g., a physical DL control channel sequence), the communication device monitors a second DLAC transmitted by the candidate cell of the communication device within a second window. In one embodiment, the second DLAC includes (e.g., is) third DL control information. In one embodiment, the second window includes (e.g., is) a random access response window set by an eighth higher layer signal.

[0134] In one embodiment, the communication device stops executing the cell switching procedure for the candidate cell (e.g., stops transmitting the cell switching information) in response to the absence of a valid timing advance for the candidate cell. In one embodiment, after a fourth time interval, the communication device stops executing the cell switching procedure for the candidate cell in response to the absence of a valid timing advance for the candidate cell and the communication device being in the fourth time interval. In one embodiment, the communication device stops executing the cell switching procedure for the candidate cell in response to the absence of a valid timing advance for the candidate cell and the communication device not being in the fourth time interval.

[0135] In one embodiment, at least one uplink transmission satisfies at least one of the following conditions: the at least one uplink transmission includes at least one physical uplink shared channel (PUSHCH) in response to at least one timing preamble for the candidate cell being valid; and the at least one uplink transmission includes at least one second physical random access channel (PRAC) in response to no valid timing preamble for the candidate cell and PRACH resources (e.g., for a cell handover procedure) being allocated for the candidate cell. In one embodiment, the communications device stops performing a cell handover procedure for the candidate cell in response to no valid timing preamble for the candidate cell and PRACH resources (e.g., for a cell handover procedure) not being allocated for the candidate cell.

[0136] In one embodiment, after stopping the cell switching procedure for the candidate cell, the communication device restarts the cell switching procedure for the suitable candidate cell. In one embodiment, after stopping the cell switching procedure for the candidate cell after a fourth time interval, the communication device restarts the cell switching procedure for the suitable candidate cell. In one embodiment, the suitable candidate cell satisfies at least one condition.

[0137] In one embodiment, a communication device without a valid timing prefix transmits (e.g., decides to transmit) a cell handover request to a candidate cell. In one embodiment, the communication device increments a third counter (e.g., for the candidate cell) by one in response to the communication device without a valid timing prefix transmitting (e.g., deciding to transmit) the cell handover request to the candidate cell. In one embodiment, the communication device without a valid timing prefix continues to execute a timing prefix grant or a resource grant (e.g., by transmitting the aforementioned uplink channel) in response to the candidate cell still satisfying at least one condition and the third counter being less than a fifth threshold. In one embodiment, the communication device stops executing a cell handover procedure for the candidate cell in response to the candidate cell not satisfying at least one condition and the third counter being greater than a fifth threshold.

[0138] In one embodiment, a communication device obtains a plurality of indicators associated with a plurality of candidate cells. In one embodiment, the plurality of indicators include at least one indicator. In one embodiment, the communication device selects a candidate cell from the plurality of candidate cells in a priority order based on at least one of the following factors: a candidate identification or physical cell identification; a first determination of whether the candidate cell includes at least one valid timing advance; a second determination of whether the candidate cell is a secondary cell for the communication device; and a third determination of whether the candidate cell is configured with at least one physical random access channel resource.

[0139] In one embodiment, (e.g., if the communication device is capable of performing user-side-based timing pre-measurement), the communication device does not perform an uplink synchronization procedure according to a higher layer configuration. In one embodiment, (e.g., if the timing pre-measurement value of the candidate cell is the same as the timing pre-measurement value of the serving cell or the timing pre-measurement value of the candidate cell is 0), the communication device transmits information or information for a cell handover request (e.g., uplink resource request information) to the network. In one embodiment, (e.g., when the communication device calculates at least one timing pre-measurement value for at least one uplink transmission), the communication device transmits information or information for a cell handover request (e.g., uplink resource request information) to the network. In one embodiment, (e.g., when the communication device has been configured with uplink resources for the cell handover request (e.g., a configured physical uplink shared channel grant)), the communication device does not transmit information or information for a cell handover request (e.g., uplink resource request information) to the network.

[0140] In one embodiment, at least one first / second physical random access channel transmitted by the candidate cell is at least one contention-free physical random access channel resource set by the network. In one embodiment, the communication device is configured with a set of physical random access channel resources for each candidate cell. In one embodiment, after a fourth time interval, the communication device increments a third counter by 1 in response to the communication device not obtaining a timing pre-set value for the candidate cell. In one embodiment, after the fourth time interval, the communication device retransmits at least one first / second physical random access channel in response to the communication device not obtaining a timing pre-set value for the candidate cell. In one embodiment, based on the third counter, the communication device determines a transmission power for the at least one first / second physical random access channel.

[0141] In one embodiment, the communication device starts (or restarts) a third timer (e.g., parameter TimeAlignmentTimer) set to a third value in response to the communication device receiving a downlink channel. In one embodiment, the communication device determines whether an execution condition is satisfied in response to the third timer expiring. In one embodiment, the communication device performs at least one of the following operations in response to the execution condition not being satisfied and the third timer expiring: stopping the cell switching process for the candidate cell; and restarting the cell switching process for the suitable candidate cell after stopping the cell switching process for the candidate cell. The execution condition may be the condition of process 30. Details of the execution condition can be found in the embodiment of process 30 and are not further described here.

[0142] In one embodiment, a timing advance or a resource used to transmit a cell handover request is invalidated before the execution condition is satisfied. In one embodiment, the communication device increments a third counter by one in response to the timing advance or the resource used to transmit the cell handover request being invalidated. In one embodiment, the communication device continues to execute a timing advance grant or a resource grant in response to at least one of the condition that the candidate cell still satisfies the at least one condition and the timing advance or the resource used to transmit the cell handover request being invalidated. In one embodiment, the communication device stops executing a cell handover procedure for the candidate cell in response to the condition that the candidate cell does not satisfy the at least one condition.

[0143] In one embodiment, a communication device transmits capability information to a network. In one embodiment, the capability information indicates at least one of the following: whether the communication device supports user-side triggering / instructing of cell handover; whether the communication device supports granting / acquiring before a triggering event / condition; whether the communication device supports timing pre-granting or resource granting after a triggering event / condition; whether the communication device supports user-side-based timing pre-measurement; whether the communication device supports time-domain filtering / averaging of channel measurements; and whether the communication device supports spatial-domain filtering / averaging of channel measurements.

[0144] It should be noted that the embodiment of process 30 can be applied to process 50 , and the embodiment of process 50 can be applied to process 30 .

[0145] Figure 6 FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a process 60 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 60 is used in a network terminal (eg Figure 1 Network port 12 or Figure 2 The process 60 may be compiled into program code 214 and include the following steps:

[0146] Step 600: Start.

[0147] Step 602: Generate a first configuration, wherein the first configuration includes a candidate configuration set, and each candidate configuration set in the candidate configuration set includes at least one of a candidate ID, a physical cell ID, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block frequency, a subcarrier spacing of a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block period, and a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block transmission power.

[0148] Step 604: Transmit the first configuration to a communication device.

[0149] Step 606: End.

[0150] According to process 60, the network generates a first configuration. The first configuration includes a set of candidate configurations. Each candidate configuration in the set includes at least one of a candidate ID, a physical cell ID, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block frequency, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block subcarrier spacing, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block period, and a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block transmission power. The network transmits the first configuration to the communication device. In other words, the information in the first configuration is used by the communication device to perform at least one uplink transmission (e.g., transmitting a cell handover request). Therefore, the communication device can perform a cell handover procedure without a cell handover instruction from the network.

[0151] There are many ways to implement process 60, which are not limited to the above. The embodiment of process 50 can be applied to process 60, which will not be described in detail here.

[0152] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of a determination 70 of whether at least one reference signal satisfies a condition (e.g., the condition of process 30 or the execution condition for the embodiment of process 50) according to an embodiment of the present invention. A communication device is configured with a timer TM1 and a counter. The timer TM1 and the counter are respectively set to a fixed value T1 and a maximum value Cn_MAX of a variable Cn. The communication device sets the variable Cn to 0, and the maximum value Cn_MAX of the variable Cn is set to 4 by the network. Figure 7 In FIG, the communication device and the timer TM1 correspond to the time domain T. Each arrow on the time domain T of the communication device represents a lower layer (e.g., the physical layer) of the communication device transmitting an instruction to a higher layer (e.g., the media access control layer) of the communication device at a time instance, or represents an uplink channel transmitted by the communication device to the network at a time instance.

[0153] At time instance t1, a first event instance for a reference signal (e.g., a backup reference signal) occurs. The communication device transmits a first indicator IN1 corresponding to the reference signal, increments a counter by 1 (i.e., Cn=1), and starts a timer TM1 in response to the first event instance. At time instance t2, a second event instance for the reference signal occurs. The communication device transmits a second indicator IN2 corresponding to the reference signal, increments a counter by 1 (i.e., Cn=2), and restarts the timer TM1 in response to the second event instance. At time instance t3, a third event instance for the reference signal occurs. The communication device transmits a third indicator IN3 corresponding to the reference signal, increments a counter by 1 (i.e., Cn=3), and restarts the timer TM1 in response to the third event instance. At time instance t4, a fourth event instance for the reference signal occurs. The communication device transmits a fourth indicator IN4 corresponding to the reference signal, and increments a counter by 1 (i.e., Cn=4) in response to the fourth event instance.

[0154] exist Figure 7 Because the counter reaches the maximum value Cn_MAX at time instance t4 (i.e., the variable Cn is not less than the maximum value Cn_MAX), the communications device determines whether the reference signal meets the condition. Specifically, the communications device determines that the reference signal meets the condition in response to the timer TM1 not expiring at time instance t4. Therefore, at time instance t5, the communications device transmits an uplink channel UL_C to the network in response to the reference signal meeting the condition. Furthermore, the communications device resets the variable Cn to 0 in response to the communications device transmitting the uplink channel UL_C to the network.

[0155] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of a determination 80 of whether at least one reference signal satisfies a condition (e.g., the condition of process 30 or the execution condition for an embodiment of process 50) according to an embodiment of the present invention. A communication device is configured with a timer TM1 and a counter. The timer TM1 and the counter are respectively set to a fixed value T1 and a maximum value Cn_MAX of a variable Cn. The communication device sets the variable Cn to 0, and the maximum value Cn_MAX of the variable Cn is set to 4 by the network. Figure 8 In FIG, the communication device and the timer TM1 correspond to the time domain T. Each arrow on the time domain T of the communication device represents a lower layer (e.g., the physical layer) of the communication device transmitting an instruction to a higher layer (e.g., the media access control layer) of the communication device at a time instance, or represents an uplink channel transmitted by the communication device to the network at a time instance.

[0156] At time instance t1, a first event instance for a reference signal occurs. The communication device transmits a first indicator IN1 corresponding to the reference signal, increments a counter by 1 (i.e., Cn=1), and starts a timer TM1 in response to the first event instance occurring. At time instance t2, a second event instance for a reference signal occurs. The communication device transmits a second indicator IN2 corresponding to the reference signal, increments a counter by 1 (i.e., Cn=2), and restarts the timer TM1 in response to the second event instance occurring. At time instance t3, a third event instance for a reference signal occurs. The communication device transmits a third indicator IN3 corresponding to the reference signal, increments a counter by 1 (i.e., Cn=3), and restarts the timer TM1 in response to the third event instance occurring.

[0157] exist Figure 8 Because the counter does not reach its maximum value Cn_MAX at time instance t4 (i.e., variable Cn is less than the maximum value Cn_MAX), the communications device determines that the reference signal condition does not meet the requirements. Therefore, the communications device does not transmit an uplink channel to the network in response to the reference signal condition not meeting the requirements. Furthermore, the communications device resets variable Cn to 0 in response to the expiration of timer TM1.

[0158] Figure 9 A flowchart of a decision 90 for determining whether at least one reference signal of an embodiment of the present application satisfies a condition (e.g., the condition of flowchart 30 or the execution condition for the embodiment of flowchart 50). The communication device is configured with a timer TM2 and a counter. The timer TM2 and the counter are respectively set with a fixed value T2 and a threshold value Cn_TH of a variable Cn. The communication device sets the variable Cn as 0, and the threshold value Cn_TH of the variable Cn is set as 4 by the network end. In Figure 9 In the flowchart, the communication device and the timer TM2 correspond to a time domain T. Each arrow on the time domain T of the communication device represents that a lower layer (e.g., a physical layer) of the communication device transmits an indicator to an upper layer (e.g., a medium access control layer) of the communication device at a time instance, or represents that the communication device transmits an uplink channel to the network end at the time instance.

[0159] At time instance t1, a first event instance for the reference signal occurs. The communication device transmits a first indicator IN1 corresponding to the reference signal, increases the counter by 1 (i.e., Cn=1), and starts the timer TM2 in response to the occurrence of the first event instance. At time instance t2, a second event instance for the reference signal occurs. The communication device transmits a second indicator IN2 corresponding to the reference signal, and increases the counter by 1 (i.e., Cn=2) in response to the occurrence of the second event instance. At time instance t3, a third event instance for the reference signal occurs. The communication device transmits a third indicator IN3 corresponding to the reference signal, and increases the counter by 1 (i.e., Cn=3) in response to the occurrence of the third event instance. At time instance t4, a fourth event instance for the reference signal occurs. The communication device transmits a fourth indicator IN4 corresponding to the reference signal, and increases the counter by 1 (i.e., Cn=4) in response to the occurrence of the fourth event instance. At time instance t5, a fifth event instance for the reference signal occurs. The communication device transmits a fifth indicator IN5 corresponding to the reference signal, and increases the counter by 1 (i.e., Cn=5) in response to the occurrence of the fifth event instance. At time instance t6, the timer TM2 expires.

[0160] In the flowchart, (e.g., when the timer TM2 expires) the communication device determines whether the reference signal satisfies the condition. In detail, the communication device determines that the reference signal satisfies the condition in response to the variable Cn (i.e., 5) being not less than the threshold value Cn_TH. Accordingly, at a time instance (e.g., time instance t7 after time instance t6), the communication device transmits an uplink channel UL_C (e.g., the first uplink channel of flowchart 30, at least one physical uplink shared channel for the embodiment of flowchart 50, or the uplink channel for the embodiment of flowchart 50) to the network end in response to the reference signal satisfying the condition. In addition, the communication device resets the variable Cn as 0 in response to the timer TM2 expiring or the communication device transmitting the uplink channel UL_C. Figure 9 In the flowchart, (e.g., when the timer TM2 expires) the communication device determines whether the reference signal satisfies the condition. In detail, the communication device determines that the reference signal satisfies the condition in response to the variable Cn (i.e., 5) being not less than the threshold value Cn_TH. Accordingly, at a time instance (e.g., time instance t7 after time instance t6), the communication device transmits an uplink channel UL_C (e.g., the first uplink channel of flowchart 30, at least one physical uplink shared channel for the embodiment of flowchart 50, or the uplink channel for the embodiment of flowchart 50) to the network end in response to the reference signal satisfying the condition. In addition, the communication device resets the variable Cn as 0 in response to the timer TM2 expiring or the communication device transmitting the uplink channel UL_C.

[0161] Figure 10 1 is a diagram illustrating a determination 100 of whether at least one reference signal satisfies a condition (e.g., the condition of process 30 or the execution condition for the embodiment of process 50) according to an embodiment of the present invention. A communication device is configured with a timer TM2 and a counter. The timer TM2 and the counter are respectively set to a fixed value T2 and a threshold value Cn_TH of a variable Cn. The communication device sets the variable Cn to 0, and the threshold value Cn_TH of the variable Cn is set to 4 by the network. Figure 10 In FIG, the communication device and the timer TM2 correspond to a time domain T. Each arrow on the time domain T of the communication device represents a lower layer (e.g., a physical layer) of the communication device transmitting an instruction to a higher layer (e.g., a media access control layer) of the communication device at a time instance, or represents an uplink channel transmitted by the communication device to the network at a time instance.

[0162] At time instance t1, a first event instance for a reference signal occurs. In response to the first event instance occurring, the communication device transmits a first indicator IN1 corresponding to the reference signal, increments the counter by 1 (i.e., Cn=1), and starts a timer TM2. At time instance t2, a second event instance for a reference signal occurs. In response to the second event instance occurring, the communication device transmits a second indicator IN2 corresponding to the reference signal, and increments the counter by 1 (i.e., Cn=2). At time instance t3, a third event instance for a reference signal occurs. In response to the third event instance occurring, the communication device transmits a third indicator IN3 corresponding to the reference signal, and increments the counter by 1 (i.e., Cn=3). At time instance t4, the timer TM2 expires.

[0163] exist Figure 10 In the example, when timer TM2 expires, the communications device determines whether the reference signal meets the condition. Specifically, the communications device determines that no reference signal meets the condition in response to variable Cn (i.e., 3) being less than threshold Cn_TH. Therefore, the communications device does not transmit an uplink channel to the network in response to no reference signal meeting the condition. Furthermore, the communications device resets variable Cn to 0 in response to timer TM2 expiration.

[0164] Figure 11 1 is a diagram illustrating a determination 110 of whether at least one reference signal satisfies a condition (e.g., the condition of process 30 or the execution condition for an embodiment of process 50) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication device is configured with a timer TM1 and a timer TM2. The timer TM1 and the timer TM2 are set to fixed values ​​T1 and T2, respectively. Figure 11In the figure, the communication device, the timer TM1 and the timer TM2 correspond to a time domain T. Each arrow on the time domain T of the communication device represents that a lower layer (e.g., a physical layer) of the communication device transmits an indication to an upper layer (e.g., a medium access control layer) of the communication device in a time instance, or represents that the communication device transmits an uplink channel to a network end in a time instance.

[0165] At time instance t1, a first event instance for the reference signal occurs. The communication device transmits a first indicator IN1 corresponding to the reference signal, and starts the timer TM1 and the timer TM2 in response to the occurrence of the first event instance. At time instance t2, a second event instance for the reference signal occurs. The communication device transmits a second indicator IN2 corresponding to the reference signal, and restarts the timer TM1 in response to the occurrence of the second event instance. At time instance t3, a third event instance for the reference signal occurs. The communication device transmits a third indicator IN3 corresponding to the reference signal, and restarts the timer TM1 in response to the occurrence of the third event instance. At time instance t4, a fourth event instance for the reference signal occurs. The communication device transmits a fourth indicator IN4 corresponding to the reference signal, and restarts the timer TM1 in response to the occurrence of the fourth event instance. At time instance t5, the timer TM2 expires.

[0166] At Figure 11 In the figure, the communication device decides whether the reference signal satisfies the condition (e.g., when the timer TM2 expires). In detail, the communication device decides that the reference signal satisfies the condition in response to the timer TM1 not expiring at time instance t5. Accordingly, at a time instance (e.g., time instance t6) after time instance t5, the communication device transmits an uplink channel UL_C (e.g., the first uplink channel of flow 30, at least one entity uplink shared channel for the embodiment of flow 50, or the uplink channel for the embodiment of flow 50) to the network end in response to the reference signal satisfying the condition. In addition, the communication device resets the variable Cn to 0 in response to the timer TM2 expiring or the communication device transmitting the uplink channel UL_C.

[0167] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of a decision 120 of whether at least one reference signal of an embodiment of the present application satisfies a condition (e.g., the condition of flow 30 or the execution condition for the embodiment of flow 50). The communication device is configured with a timer TM1 and a timer TM2. The timer TM1 and the timer TM2 are respectively set with a fixed value T1 and a fixed value T2. In Figure 12In FIG, the communication device, timer TM1, and timer TM2 correspond to a time domain T. Each arrow on the time domain T of the communication device represents a lower layer (e.g., a physical layer) of the communication device transmitting an instruction to a higher layer (e.g., a media access control layer) of the communication device at a time instance, or represents an uplink channel transmitted by the communication device to the network at a time instance.

[0168] At time instance t1, a first event instance for a reference signal occurs. In response to the first event instance, the communications device transmits a first indicator IN1 corresponding to the reference signal and starts timers TM1 and TM2. At time instance t2, a second event instance for a reference signal occurs. In response to the second event instance, the communications device transmits a second indicator IN2 corresponding to the reference signal and restarts timer TM1. At time instance t3, timer TM1 expires. At time instance t4, timer TM2 expires.

[0169] exist Figure 12 In this example, when timer TM2 expires, the communications device determines whether the reference signal meets the conditions. Specifically, the communications device determines that no reference signal meets the conditions, as timer TM1 expired at time instance t3 before timer TM2 expired. Therefore, the communications device does not transmit an uplink channel to the network in response to the lack of reference signal conditions. Furthermore, the communications device resets variable Cn to 0 in response to the expiration of timer TM2.

[0170] Figure 13 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a process 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 130 is used for a communication device (eg Figure 1 Communication device 14 or Figure 2 The communication device 20) processes the uplink transmission according to the downlink control information (e.g., the physical downlink control channel sequence). The process 130 can be compiled into the program code 214 and includes the following steps:

[0171] Step 1300: Start.

[0172] Step 1302: Receive a downlink control message for initiating a random access procedure.

[0173] Step 1304: Determine a candidate cell for initiating the random access procedure according to a cell indicator in the downlink control information.

[0174] Step 1306: Is at least one first random access preamble indicated by a random access preamble indicator in the downlink control information all zeros? If so, go to step 1308. If not, go to step 1312.

[0175] Step 1308: Select at least a second random access preamble from a set of random access preambles, wherein the set of random access preambles corresponds to at least a resource indicator of the candidate cell, and the candidate cell satisfies a condition.

[0176] Step 1310 : Execute the random access procedure according to the selected at least one second random access preamble, and execute step 1318 .

[0177] Step 1312: Select at least one synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel indicator corresponding to the at least one resource indicator of the candidate cell, wherein the candidate cell meets the condition.

[0178] Step 1314: Select at least one physical random access channel (PRAN) according to at least one of the at least one SS / PBCH indicator, the cell indicator, the RA preamble indicator, and a PRAN mask indicator in the DL control information.

[0179] Step 1316: Transmit the selected at least one physical random access channel to the candidate cell.

[0180] Step 1318: End.

[0181] Figure 14 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a process 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 140 is used for a communication device (eg Figure 1 Communication device 14 or Figure 2 The communication device 20) processes the uplink transmission according to the downlink control information (e.g., the physical downlink control channel sequence). The process 140 can be compiled into the program code 214 and includes the following steps:

[0182] Step 1400: Start.

[0183] Step 1402: Receive a downlink control message for initiating a random access procedure.

[0184] Step 1404: Determine a candidate cell for initiating the random access procedure according to a cell indicator in the downlink control information.

[0185] Step 1406: Is at least one first random access preamble indicated by a random access preamble indicator in the downlink control information all zeros? If so, go to step 1408. If not, go to step 1412.

[0186] Step 1408: Select at least a second random access preamble from a set of random access preambles, wherein the set of random access preambles corresponds to at least a resource indicator of the candidate cell, and the candidate cell satisfies a condition.

[0187] Step 1410 : Execute the random access procedure according to the selected at least one second random access preamble, and then execute step 1420 .

[0188] Step 1412: Does the random access preamble indicator indicate more than one random access preamble indicator? If yes, go to step 1414. If no, go to step 1418.

[0189] Step 1414: Select at least one third random access preamble from the at least one first random access preamble, wherein the at least one first random access preamble corresponds to the at least one resource indicator of the candidate cell, and the candidate cell satisfies the condition.

[0190] Step 1416 : Execute the random access procedure according to at least one of the selected at least one third random access preamble and a physical random access channel mask indicator in the downlink control information, and execute step 1420 .

[0191] Step 1418: Execute the random access procedure according to at least one of the cell indicator, the random access preamble indicator, at least one synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel indicator, and the physical random access channel mask indicator.

[0192] Step 1420: End.

[0193] Figure 15 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a process 150 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 150 is used for a communication device (eg Figure 1 Communication device 14 or Figure 2 The process 150 may be compiled into program code 214 and include the following steps:

[0194] Step 1500: Start.

[0195] Step 1502: Decide to send a cell switching message to a candidate cell.

[0196] Step 1504: Is the timing advance of the candidate cell valid? If yes, go to step 1506. If not, go to step 1508.

[0197] Step 1506 : Transmit at least one physical uplink shared channel to the candidate cell, and execute step 1510 .

[0198] Step 1508: Transmit at least one physical random access channel to the candidate cell.

[0199] Step 1510: End.

[0200] Figure 16 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a process 160 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 160 is used for a communication device (eg Figure 1 Communication device 14 or Figure 2 The process 160 may be compiled into program code 214 and include the following steps:

[0201] Step 1600: Start.

[0202] Step 1602: Decide to send a cell switching message to a candidate cell.

[0203] Step 1604: Is the timing advance of the candidate cell valid? If so, go to step 1606. If not, go to step 1608.

[0204] Step 1606 : Transmit at least one physical uplink shared channel to the candidate cell, and execute step 1614 .

[0205] Step 1608: Is the communication device in a time interval? If yes, go to step 1610. If no, go to step 1612.

[0206] Step 1610 : After the time interval, transmit at least one physical random access channel to the candidate cell, and execute step 1614 .

[0207] Step 1612: Transmit the at least one physical random access channel to the candidate cell.

[0208] Step 1614: End.

[0209] Figure 17 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a process 170 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 170 is used for a communication device (eg Figure 1 Communication device 14 or Figure 2 The process 170 may be compiled into program code 214 and include the following steps:

[0210] Step 1700: Start.

[0211] Step 1702: Decide to send a cell switching message to a candidate cell.

[0212] Step 1704: Is the timing advance of the candidate cell valid? If yes, go to step 1706. If not, go to step 1708.

[0213] Step 1706 : Transmit at least one physical uplink shared channel to the candidate cell, and execute step 1712 .

[0214] Step 1708: Stop executing a cell switching process for the candidate cell.

[0215] Step 1710: Restart the cell switching process for a suitable candidate cell.

[0216] Step 1712: End.

[0217] Figure 18 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a process 180 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 180 is used for a communication device (eg Figure 1 Communication device 14 or Figure 2 The process 180 may be compiled into program code 214 and include the following steps:

[0218] Step 1800: Start.

[0219] Step 1802: Decide to send a cell switching message to a candidate cell.

[0220] Step 1804: Is the timing advance of the candidate cell valid? If yes, go to step 1806. If not, go to step 1808.

[0221] Step 1806 : Transmit at least one physical uplink shared channel to the candidate cell, and execute step 1816 .

[0222] Step 1808: Is the communication device in a time interval? If yes, go to step 1810. If no, go to step 1812.

[0223] Step 1810 : After the time interval, stop executing a cell switching process for the candidate cell, and execute step 1814 .

[0224] Step 1812: Stop executing the cell switching procedure for the candidate cell.

[0225] Step 1814: Restart the cell switching process for a suitable candidate cell.

[0226] Step 1816: End.

[0227] Figure 19 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a process 190 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 190 is used for a communication device (eg Figure 1 Communication device 14 or Figure 2 The process 190 may be compiled into program code 214 and include the following steps:

[0228] Step 1900: Start.

[0229] Step 1902: Decide to send a cell switching message to a candidate cell.

[0230] Step 1904: Is the timing advance of the candidate cell valid? If yes, go to step 1906. If not, go to step 1908.

[0231] Step 1906 : Transmit at least one physical uplink shared channel to the candidate cell, and execute step 1916 .

[0232] Step 1908: Is a physical random access channel resource for a cell handover procedure configured for the candidate cell? If yes, go to step 1910. If not, go to step 1912.

[0233] Step 1910 : Send at least one physical random access channel to the candidate cell, and execute step 1916 .

[0234] Step 1912: Stop executing a cell switching process for the candidate cell.

[0235] Step 1914: Restart the cell switching process for a suitable candidate cell.

[0236] Step 1916: End.

[0237] In processes 150 - 160 , at least one physical uplink shared channel includes a cell handover request, and / or at least one physical random access channel includes a cell handover request.

[0238] In processes 170 - 190 , at least one PUSCH includes a cell handover request, and the suitable candidate cell satisfies a condition (eg, at least one condition of the embodiment of process 50 ).

[0239] The above-mentioned "first", "second", ... "ninth" and "tenth" are intended to distinguish related statements, rather than to limit the order of related statements. The "determination" used in the above description may be replaced with "compute", "calculate", "obtain", "generate", "output", "use", "choose / select", "decide" or "is configured to". The "according to" used in the above description may be replaced with "in response to". The "via" used in the above description may be replaced with "on", "in" or "at". The "when", "if" or "since" used in the above description may be replaced with "in response to". The "candidate cell" used in the above description may be replaced with "candidate reference signal" or "candidate beam". The "cell switching request" used in the above description may be replaced with "cell switching command". The "cell switching" used in the above description may be replaced with "beam switching". The “time window” used in the above description may be replaced with “time interval” or “time duration”.

[0240] Those skilled in the art may combine, modify, or vary the above-described embodiments according to the concepts of the present invention, without limitation thereto. The aforementioned statements, steps, and / or processes (including suggested steps) may be implemented by a device, which may be hardware, software, firmware (a combination of a hardware device and computer instructions and data, where the computer instructions and data are read-only software on the hardware device), an electronic system, or a combination of the above, wherein the device may be a communication device.

[0241] The hardware may be an analog microcomputer circuit, a digital microcomputer circuit, and / or a hybrid microcomputer circuit. For example, the hardware may be an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), coupled hardware components, or a combination of the foregoing. In other embodiments, the hardware may include a general-purpose processor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), or a combination of the foregoing.

[0242] Software may be a combination of program codes, instructions, and / or functions that are retained (e.g., stored) in a storage unit, such as a computer-readable medium. For example, the computer-readable medium may be a subscriber identity module (SIM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, random access memory (RAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM / DVD-ROM / BD-ROM), magnetic tape, hard disk, optical data storage device, non-volatile storage unit, or a combination thereof. The computer-readable medium (e.g., storage unit) may be internally coupled to at least one processor (e.g., a processor integrated with the computer-readable medium) or externally coupled to at least one processor (e.g., a processor independent of the computer-readable medium). The at least one processor may include (e.g., be configured to include) one or more modules to execute the software stored on the computer-readable medium. The combination of program codes, instructions, and / or functions may cause the at least one processor, one or more modules, hardware, and / or electronic system to perform the corresponding steps.

[0243] The electronic system may be a system on chip (SoC), a system in package (SiP), a computer on module (CoM), a computer program product, a device, a mobile phone, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, an e-book, a portable computer system, and a communication device 20 .

[0244] Based on the foregoing, the present invention provides a method and a communication device for processing uplink transmissions. When a specific condition occurs, the communication device transmits a measurement report via an uplink channel, replacing the periodic reporting of measurement reports. Consequently, uplink resources used to periodically report measurement reports can be conserved. Furthermore, in the absence of a cell / beam switching instruction from the network, the communication device (e.g., with a valid timing preamble) performs an uplink transmission to execute a cell / beam switching procedure.

[0245] The above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims of the present invention should fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for a communication device to process uplink transmission, comprising: receiving a configuration from a network, wherein the configuration includes a set of candidate configurations, and each candidate configuration in the set of candidate configurations includes at least one of a candidate ID, a physical cell ID, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block frequency, a subcarrier spacing of a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block period, and a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block transmission power; and At least one uplink transmission is performed with a candidate cell according to at least one indicator, wherein the candidate cell corresponds to a candidate configuration in the candidate configuration set. 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one indicator is associated with at least one of the candidate configuration in the candidate configuration set and a first reference signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one uplink transmission comprises a cell handover message.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: At least one uplink resource for the at least one uplink transmission is determined according to at least one of a higher layer signaling and a media access control control element.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the at least one uplink resource used for the at least one uplink transmission satisfies at least one of the following conditions: The at least one uplink resource of the at least one uplink transmission is configured with a period; and The at least one uplink resource of the at least one uplink transmission is indicated by a time interval and is valid within the time interval.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one indicator comprises downlink control information transmitted by the network, and the downlink control information comprises at least one of a random access preamble indicator, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel indicator, a physical random access channel mask indicator, a cell indicator, and a physical random access channel retransmission indicator.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of performing the at least one uplink transmission comprises: A physical random access channel is transmitted according to the downlink control information.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one indicator indicates at least one of the following events: a first timer expires; and A first value of a first counter is not greater than a first threshold.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: The first timer is started in response to a first condition being met. 10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the first condition is satisfied in response to a second value of a second counter being not less than a second threshold.

11. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: The first value of the first counter is increased in response to at least one event instance not occurring.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the first timer is related to a second reference signal.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one uplink transmission satisfies at least one of the following conditions: The at least one uplink transmission includes at least one physical random access channel in response to no valid timing preamble for the candidate cell; and The at least one uplink transmission includes at least one physical uplink shared channel in response to at least one time preamble being valid for the candidate cell.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one timed preamble for the candidate cell is asserted in response to a second timer associated with the candidate cell not expiring.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: At least one timing preamble value for the at least one uplink transmission is calculated.

16. The method according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following steps: determining at least a timing preamble value for the at least one uplink transmission according to a media access control control element sent by the network; and A third timer is started in response to receiving the at least one time prefix value.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Transmit capability information to the network end.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the capability information indicates at least one of the following information: whether the communication device supports a user terminal triggering cell handover; whether the communication device supports a permission before a triggering event; whether the communication device supports a timed pre-grant after the triggering event; Whether the communication device supports a user-side based timing pre-measurement; Whether the communication device supports a time domain filtering for a channel measurement; and Whether the communication device supports spatial domain filtering of the channel measurement.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following steps: obtaining a plurality of indicators associated with a plurality of candidate cells, wherein the plurality of indicators include the at least one indicator; and The candidate cell is selected from the plurality of candidate cells in a priority order according to at least one of the following factors: the candidate identification or the entity cell identification; a first determination of whether the candidate cell includes at least one valid timing advance; a second determination of whether the candidate cell is a secondary cell for the communication device; and A third determination is made as to whether the candidate cell is configured with at least one physical random access channel resource.

20. A communication device for processing uplink transmission, comprising: at least one storage device; and At least one processing circuit is coupled to the at least one storage device, wherein the at least one storage device is configured to store instructions, and the at least one processing circuit is configured to execute the following instructions stored in the at least one storage device: receiving a configuration from a network, wherein the configuration includes a set of candidate configurations, and each candidate configuration in the set of candidate configurations includes at least one of a candidate ID, a physical cell ID, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block frequency, a subcarrier spacing of a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block period, and a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block transmission power; and At least one uplink transmission is performed with a candidate cell according to at least one indicator, wherein the candidate cell corresponds to a candidate configuration in the candidate configuration set.

21. A method for a network terminal to process uplink transmission, comprising: generating a set of configurations, wherein the configurations include a set of candidate configurations, and each candidate configuration in the set of candidate configurations includes at least one of a candidate ID, a physical cell ID, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block frequency, a subcarrier spacing of a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block period, and a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block transmission power; and The configuration is transmitted to a communication device.

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