Minimization of drive test technology configuration method and base station

Abstract

The present application discloses a method for configuring a minimization of drive tests (MDT) technology, which is used to improve the accuracy of cell measurement results. The method includes: a base station receives MDT configuration information sent by a core network or an operation, administration, and maintenance network (OAM), wherein the MDT configuration information includes first beam configuration information; and the base station sends an MDT measurement configuration message to a UE based on the MDT configuration information, wherein the MDT measurement configuration message includes second beam configuration information, wherein the second beam configuration information is the same as the first beam configuration information, or the second beam configuration information is configuration information obtained by processing the first beam configuration information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method for configuring a minimization of drive tests technology and a base station. Background Art

[0002] Drive testing is the most common method used in the communications industry to test wireless signals on roads. Minimization of drive-tests (MDT) uses user terminals to perform measurement reports, automatically collecting terminal measurement data to detect and optimize wireless network issues and faults.

[0003] In the fifth generation (5 th generation, 5G) mobile communications new radio (NR), connecting to the 5G core network (5 th New radio frequency (NR) base stations (gNBs) based on 5G generation core (5GC) can support large-scale antenna arrays and incorporate beamforming technology for directional signal transmission or reception. Beamforming technology focuses the energy of wireless signals to form a directional beam. During MDT measurements, a connected UE can obtain cell measurement results by measuring multiple beams.

[0004] In the prior art, the measurement configurations of various user equipment (UE) within the same base station vary. Each UE may measure different beams, and the configuration parameters used to derive cell measurement results from these beam measurements may also vary. If cell measurement results are derived based on the different measurement configurations of each base station, and then a unified analysis of the base station's cell radio signals is performed, accuracy is low. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a method for configuring a Minimization of Drive Test (MDT) technology, which is used to improve the accuracy of cell measurement results.

[0006] A first aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a method for configuring a minimization of drive tests (MDT) technology, including: a base station receiving MDT configuration information sent by a core network or an operations administration and maintenance network (OAM), the MDT configuration information including first beam configuration information; and the base station sending an MDT measurement configuration message to a UE based on the MDT configuration information, the MDT measurement configuration message including second beam configuration information, the second beam configuration information being identical to the first beam configuration information, or the second beam configuration information being configuration information obtained by processing the first beam configuration information.

[0007] To obtain terminal measurement data, the core network or the operation, management, and maintenance network management (OMM) may send MDT configuration information to the base station. The MDT configuration information is parameter information required to indicate MDT measurements. In the embodiment of the present application, the MDT configuration information includes first beam configuration information. After obtaining the MDT configuration information, the base station may generate an MDT measurement configuration message based on the MDT configuration information. The MDT measurement configuration message includes second beam configuration information. The second beam configuration information is identical to the first beam configuration information, or the second beam configuration information is configuration information obtained by processing the first beam configuration information. The base station sends the MDT measurement configuration message to the UE, instructing the UE to perform MDT measurements and report the MDT measurement results. Because the MDT measurement results reported by the UE are all based on the same beam configuration information, unified analysis of the base station's cell radio signals based on these measurement results can improve the accuracy of the analysis.

[0008] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the first beam configuration information includes one or more of the following: a reference signal type, an average number of reference signal beams, or a reference signal combining threshold.

[0009] The MDT configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application introduces the specific content included in the first beam configuration information, thereby improving the feasibility of the solution.

[0010] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the second beam configuration information includes one or more of the following: a reference signal type, reference signal configuration information, an average number of reference signal beams, or a reference signal combining threshold.

[0011] The MDT configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application introduces the specific content included in the second beam configuration information, thereby improving the feasibility of the solution.

[0012] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the MDT configuration information includes area information; and the base station determines the UE for performing MDT measurement according to the area information.

[0013] In the MDT configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application, if the MDT configuration information includes area information, the base station determines the UE for performing MDT measurement according to the area information, thereby improving the completeness of the solution implementation.

[0014] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, after the base station sends an MDT measurement configuration message to the UE according to the MDT configuration information, the method further includes: receiving, by the base station, an MDT measurement result sent by the UE, where the MDT measurement result is measured according to the second beam configuration information; and sending, by the base station, the MDT measurement result to a tracking collection entity TCE.

[0015] In the MDT configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application, after the base station receives the MDT measurement result sent by the UE, it can report the measurement result to the TCE, thereby improving the completeness of the solution implementation.

[0016] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the MDT configuration information includes indication information for performing signal quality measurement of a primary base station and a secondary base station; the method further includes: the base station triggering the UE to report signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station, and the UE is dual-connected with the primary base station and the secondary base station.

[0017] In the MDT configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application, if the MDT configuration information includes instruction information for performing signal quality measurements on the primary base station and the secondary base station, the base station can obtain the signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station, and further obtain the signal coverage of the primary base station and the secondary base station when the UE is at the same location.

[0018] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, after the base station triggers the UE to report the signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station, the method further includes: the base station reporting the signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station to a tracking and collection entity TCE.

[0019] In the MDT configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the base station can report the received indication information of the signal quality measurement of the primary base station and the secondary base station to the TCE, providing a feasible way for the core network or OAM to instruct to report the indication information of the signal quality measurement of the primary base station and the secondary base station.

[0020] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the method further includes: the base station instructing the secondary base station of the UE to send periodic measurement or A2 event measurement, and the UE is dual-connected with the primary base station and the secondary base station; the base station receives the signal quality measurement result sent by the secondary base station; and the base station reports the signal quality measurement result to the TCE.

[0021] In the MDT configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the primary base station in a dual-connectivity scenario can instruct the secondary base station to measure signal quality and report the measurement results to the TCE, providing a feasible way to obtain the signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station.

[0022] A second aspect of the present application provides a method for configuring a minimized drive test (MDT) technology, including: generating, by a base station, MDT configuration information according to a preset configuration rule, the MDT configuration information including beam configuration information; transmitting, by the base station, an MDT measurement configuration message to a UE according to the MDT configuration information, the MDT measurement configuration message including the beam configuration information; receiving, by the base station, an MDT measurement result sent by the UE, the MDT measurement result being obtained by measurement according to the MDT measurement configuration message; and reporting, by the base station, the MDT configuration information and the measurement result to a tracking and collection entity (TCE).

[0023] In an embodiment of the present application, a method is provided in which a base station generates MDT configuration information including beam configuration information according to preset rules without being triggered by the core network or OAM. This MDT configuration information and measurement results are reported to a tracking and collection entity (TCE). This allows the MDT measurement results reported by the UE to be obtained based on the same beam configuration information. Therefore, the TCE performs a unified analysis of the base station's cell radio signals based on these measurement results and the MDT measurement configuration, thereby improving the accuracy of the analysis.

[0024] In a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the beam configuration information includes one or more of the following: a reference signal type, reference signal configuration information, an average number of reference signal beams, and a reference signal combining threshold.

[0025] The MDT configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application introduces the specific content included in the beam configuration information, thereby improving the feasibility of the solution.

[0026] A third aspect of the present application provides a method for configuring a minimized drive test technology (MDT), including: obtaining, by a base station, MDT configuration information, the MDT configuration information including a power headroom measurement configuration; sending, by the base station, an MDT measurement configuration message to a UE based on the MDT configuration information, the MDT measurement configuration message including the power headroom measurement configuration; receiving, by the base station, power headroom information reported by the UE, the UE being dual-connected with the primary base station and the secondary base station; obtaining, by the base station, a correspondence between cell indexes of the primary base station and the secondary base station of the UE and a physical cell identifier (PCI) or a cell global identifier (CGI); and sending, by the base station, the power headroom information and the correspondence to the TCE.

[0027] In the MDT configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the primary base station can obtain the correspondence between the cell index of the secondary base station and the physical cell identifier PCI or the cell global identifier CGI, and report the power headroom information and the correspondence, so that the TCE can analyze the power headroom information and the cell correspondence.

[0028] A fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides an apparatus for MDT measurement, characterized in that it includes: a receiving unit, configured to receive MDT configuration information sent by a core network or an operation, administration, and maintenance network (OAM), where the MDT configuration information includes first beam configuration information; and a sending unit, configured to send an MDT measurement configuration message to a UE based on the MDT configuration information, where the MDT measurement configuration message includes second beam configuration information, where the second beam configuration information is the same as the first beam configuration information, or the second beam configuration information is configuration information obtained by processing the first beam configuration information.

[0029] In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the receiving unit is further configured to: receive an MDT measurement result sent by the UE, where the MDT measurement result is measured according to the second beam configuration information; and the base station sends the MDT measurement result to a tracking collection entity TCE.

[0030] In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the apparatus further includes: a triggering unit, configured to trigger the UE to report signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station, the UE being dual-connected with the primary base station and the secondary base station.

[0031] In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the sending unit is further configured to: report the signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station to a tracking and collection entity TCE.

[0032] In a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the device also includes: an indication unit, used to instruct the secondary base station of the UE to send periodic measurement or A2 event measurement, and the UE is dual-connected with the primary base station and the secondary base station; the receiving unit is specifically used to receive the signal quality measurement result sent by the secondary base station; the sending unit is specifically used to report the signal quality measurement result to the TCE.

[0033] A fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides an apparatus for MDT measurement, characterized by comprising: a processor and a memory, the processor being coupled to the memory; the memory being configured to store instructions; and the processor being configured to execute the instructions, so that the apparatus performs the methods of the first to third aspects above and their respective implementations.

[0034] A fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes instructions. When the instructions are run on a computer, the computer executes the methods in the above-mentioned first to third aspects and their respective implementations.

[0035] A sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the methods of the various implementations provided in the first to third aspects of the embodiments of the present application are performed.

[0036] The seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a base station for executing the methods of the various implementations provided in the first to third aspects of the embodiments of the present application.

[0037] An eighth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a communication system, including a base station and a user equipment involved in any one of the implementation methods provided in the first to third aspects of the embodiments of the present application, wherein the base station is used to configure MDT measurements for the user equipment.

[0038] It can be seen from the above technical solutions that the embodiments of the present application have the following advantages:

[0039] In the MDT configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application, since the MDT configuration information includes first beam configuration information, the base station sends an MDT measurement configuration message carrying second beam configuration information to the UE based on the first beam configuration information. The UE can perform MDT measurements based on the second beam configuration information. The second beam configuration information can be the same as the first beam configuration information, or it can be obtained by processing the first beam configuration information. Because the measurement results reported by the UE are all based on the same configuration information, unified analysis of the base station's cell radio signals based on these measurement results can improve the accuracy of the analysis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 This is a system architecture diagram of an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the MDT configuration method in the embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 3 This is an interactive flow chart of the MDT configuration method in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 4 This is another interactive flow chart of the MDT configuration method in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 5 This is another interactive flow chart of the MDT configuration method in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 6 This is another interactive flow chart of the MDT configuration method in an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 7 This is another interactive flow chart of the MDT configuration method in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of an embodiment of a device for MDT measurement in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 9 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an apparatus for MDT measurement in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] MDT measurements are reported by the UE, enabling automatic collection of terminal measurement data and enabling detection and optimization of wireless network issues and faults. In NR systems, during MDT measurements, the UE can obtain cell measurement results by measuring multiple beams. Because the measurement configurations of individual UEs within the same base station vary, each UE may measure different beams, and the configuration parameters used to derive cell measurement results from these beam measurements may also vary. If cell measurement results are derived based on the different measurement configurations of each base station, and then a unified analysis of the base station's cell radio signals is performed, accuracy will be low.

[0050] An embodiment of the present application provides an MDT configuration method for sending MDT configuration information including beam configuration information to a base station, so that a UE performs MDT measurement based on the same beam configuration information. A unified analysis of cell radio signals of the base station based on the measurement results of the same configuration information can improve the accuracy of the analysis.

[0051] The MDT configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application is applicable to various wireless communication systems, for example, it can be applied to the fifth generation (5G) th The present application does not limit the new radio (NR) system or future mobile communication system in the 5G generation mobile communication system.

[0052] The base stations involved in the embodiments of the present application may include various devices that provide communication functions for terminals in a wireless access network, such as various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations or access points, etc. In systems using different wireless access technologies, the names of base stations may be different. For example, in future mobile communication systems, they are called next generation NodeB (gNB); in long term evolution (LTE) networks, they are called evolved NodeB (eNodeB), also known as eNB. In addition, for eNBs in LTE connected to the fifth generation core network (5G core network), the eNBs may be called 5G core networks. thIn the scenario of 5GC, the eNB is also called ng-eNB and is connected to the 5GC via the NG interface. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the base station.

[0053] The UEs involved in the embodiments of the present application may include various handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, as well as various forms of mobile stations (MSs) or terminal equipment. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by the UEs.

[0054] The following is an introduction using the application in 5G mobile communication system as an example. Figure 1 , which is a system architecture diagram of an embodiment of the present application.

[0055] gNB1 and gNB2 are NR base stations connected to 5GC, providing wireless access services for UE; gNB1 and gNB2 are connected through the Xn interface, and gNB and 5GC are connected through the NG interface.

[0056] The core network 5GC provides 5G core network functions for the terminal UE, including access and mobility management function (AMF) and user plane function (UPF). Among them, AMF is the core network control plane network element, which is mainly responsible for terminal access and mobility management; UPF is the core network user plane network element, which is mainly responsible for data packet routing and forwarding, QoS management and other functions.

[0057] Network element management refers to operation, administration and maintenance (OAM), which is mainly responsible for the configuration of network elements. In the embodiment of the present application, it can be used to issue MDT measurement configurations. It can be simply referred to as network management.

[0058] The trace collection entity (TCE) is an entity used to collect MDT data. It should be noted that the TCE may be integrated into the network element management entity or the base station entity, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application, and is described as an example in which the TCE exists alone.

[0059] based on Figure 1 See the system architecture diagram shown in Figure 2 , a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the MDT configuration method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0060] 201. The base station receives MDT configuration information sent by the core network or the operation, administration and maintenance network management (OAM);

[0061] Either the core network or the OAM may send MDT configuration information to the base station. The MDT configuration information includes first beam configuration information. The first beam configuration information includes one or more of the following: a reference signal type, an average number of reference signal beams, or a reference signal combining threshold. The specific content of the first beam configuration information is not limited herein.

[0062] 202. The base station sends an MDT measurement configuration message to the UE according to the MDT configuration information.

[0063] After obtaining the MDT configuration information, the base station may send an MDT measurement configuration message to the UE based on the MDT configuration information. The MDT measurement configuration message includes second beam configuration information. The second beam configuration information is identical to the first beam configuration information, or the second beam configuration information is configuration information obtained by processing the first beam configuration information. The processing may include carrying various parameters in the first beam configuration information into the MDT measurement configuration message by modifying or converting parameter names, information element structures, values, etc., so that the MDT measurement configuration message includes one or more parameters in the first beam configuration information or the converted values ​​of these parameters. The specific processing method is not limited herein.

[0064] Optionally, if the MDT configuration information carries area information for performing the MDT measurement, the base station may only perform the MDT measurement on UEs within a cell determined by the area information.

[0065] Optionally, the base station may determine the UE for which MDT measurements are to be configured based on preset rules. For example, the base station may determine whether the area information carried in the configuration information includes the cell where the UE is located, and if so, determine the UE as a UE for MDT measurements; or determine whether the UE has signed a contract to consent to data collection, and if so, determine the UE as a UE for MDT measurements. The specific preset rules are not limited herein.

[0066] In the MDT configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application, since the MDT configuration information includes first beam configuration information, the base station sends an MDT measurement configuration message carrying second beam configuration information to the UE based on the first beam configuration information. The UE can perform MDT measurements based on the second beam configuration information. The second beam configuration information can be the same as the first beam configuration information, or it can be obtained by processing the first beam configuration information. Because the measurement results reported by the UE are all based on the same configuration information, unified analysis of the base station's cell radio signals based on these measurement results can improve the accuracy of the analysis.

[0067] To facilitate understanding of the technical solution of the present application, the MDT configuration method in the embodiment of the present application is described below through specific interactive embodiments.

[0068] based on Figure 1 See the system architecture diagram shown in Figure 3 , an interactive flow chart of the MDT configuration method in an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] 301. The core network or network management sends MDT configuration information to the base station;

[0070] To obtain terminal measurement data, the core network or network management can send MDT configuration information to the base station. The MDT configuration information is parameter information required to indicate MDT measurement. In the embodiment of the present application, the MDT configuration information includes first beam configuration information. The first beam configuration information includes one or more of the following: reference signal type, average number of reference signal beams, or reference signal combining threshold.

[0071] Exemplarily, the reference signal type may be a synchronization signal block (SSB) or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). Here, the type of SSB is further divided into a cell defining SSB (CD-SSB) or a non-cell defining SSB (non CD-SSB). The specific reference signal type is not limited here.

[0072] The average number of reference signal beams is the number of candidate beams selected by the UE when calculating the cell measurement result based on the beam measurement results. It is a positive integer, such as 3 or 5. The specific value of the average number of reference signal beams is not limited here.

[0073] The reference signal combining threshold is the threshold that the candidate beam's signal quality must meet when deriving the cell's signal quality from the beam's signal quality. A candidate beam is a beam whose signal quality exceeds this threshold, and the cell's signal quality can be calculated based on the candidate beam's signal quality. The value of the reference signal combining threshold can be, for example, the reference signal received power threshold. The specific value of the reference signal combining threshold is not limited here.

[0074] The subcarrier spacing is the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the reference signal, and the terminal measures the beam reference signal corresponding to the subcarrier spacing. The subcarrier spacing can be, for example, 15 kilohertz (kHz), and the specific value is not limited here;

[0075] Optionally, it may also include whether to report beam measurement results, for example, 0 represents not reporting beam measurement results, and 1 represents reporting beam measurement results. If beam measurement results are reported, more abundant measurement information can be obtained.

[0076] 302. The base station determines a UE for performing MDT measurement.

[0077] After receiving the MDT configuration information, the base station may determine the UE for which MDT measurements are to be configured based on pre-set rules. For example, the base station may determine whether the area information carried in the configuration information includes the cell where the UE is located. If so, the base station may determine that the UE is a UE for MDT measurements. Alternatively, the base station may determine whether the UE has signed a contract to consent to data collection. If so, the base station may determine that the UE is a UE for MDT measurements. The specific pre-set rules are not limited here.

[0078] Optionally, if the MDT configuration information carries area information for performing the MDT measurement, the base station may only perform the MDT measurement on UEs within a cell determined by the area information.

[0079] 303. The base station generates an MDT measurement configuration message;

[0080] After the base station determines the UE for which to configure MDT measurement, it may send an MDT measurement configuration message to the UE based on the MDT configuration information. The MDT measurement configuration message includes second beam configuration information. The second beam configuration information is the same as the first beam configuration information, or the second beam configuration information is configuration information obtained by processing the first beam configuration information. This processing may include carrying various parameters in the first beam configuration information into the MDT measurement configuration message by modifying or converting parameter names, information element structures, values, etc., so that the MDT measurement configuration message includes one or more parameters in the first beam configuration information or the converted values ​​of these parameters. The specific processing method is not limited herein.

[0081] The MDT measurement configuration message includes second beam configuration information, which includes one or more of the following: reference signal type, reference signal configuration information, average number of reference signal beams, and reference signal combining threshold. The reference signal configuration information is reference signal-related parameters, such as reference signal frequency information, and is parameter information possessed by the base station. For example, if the reference signal type carried in the first beam configuration information is SSB, the base station may search for the corresponding SSB frequency information carried in the second beam configuration information.

[0082] It is understandable that the second beam configuration information corresponds to the first beam configuration information. The base station can configure the second beam configuration information for the UE based on the first beam configuration information.

[0083] For example, if the first beam configuration information acquired by the base station includes: reference signal type: SSB; average number of reference signal beams: 3; reference signal combining threshold: reference signal received power (RSRP) is 105.

[0084] The base station can configure the second beam configuration information as follows: reference signal type: SSB; SSB frequency information: 100; SSB subcarrier spacing: 15kHz; SSB merging threshold: RSRP is 105; SSB average beam number: 3.

[0085] Among them, the frequency information of SSB is information obtained by the base station through querying the reference signal type SSB in the first beam information.

[0086] Optionally, reference signal configuration information such as SSB timing deviation may also be included. It is understandable that different reference signal types correspond to different information elements, which is not specifically limited here.

[0087] 304. The base station sends measurements and collects measurement results.

[0088] The base station sends an MDT measurement configuration message to the determined UE, and the UE performs MDT measurement and reports the MDT measurement result to the base station.

[0089] It should be noted that the base station that sends the MDT measurement configuration message to the UE may not be the same base station as the base station to which the UE reports the MDT measurement result.

[0090] 305. The base station sends the MDT measurement result to the TCE.

[0091] After receiving the MDT measurement result reported by the UE, the base station may report the MDT measurement result to the TCE.

[0092] In the MDT configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application, since the MDT configuration information includes first beam configuration information, the base station sends an MDT measurement configuration message carrying second beam configuration information to the UE based on the first beam configuration information. The second beam configuration information is the same as the first beam configuration information, or is obtained by processing the first beam configuration information. The UE can perform MDT measurements based on the second beam configuration information. Because the TCE measurement results reported by the UE are all based on the same configuration information, unified analysis of the base station's cell radio signals based on these measurement results can improve analysis accuracy.

[0093] In actual applications, in addition to the core network or network management generating the MDT configuration and sending it to the base station to trigger MDT measurement, the base station can also generate the MDT configuration according to preset rules to trigger MDT measurement, which is described in detail below.

[0094] based on Figure 1 See the system architecture diagram shown in Figure 4 , another interactive flow chart of the MDT configuration method in an embodiment of the present application;

[0095] 401. The base station determines a UE to perform MDT measurement.

[0096] To obtain terminal measurement data, the base station can trigger the UE to perform MDT measurements. The base station can determine the UE configured for MDT measurements based on preset rules. For example, the base station determines whether the UE has signed a contract to allow data collection. If the UE agrees to allow data collection, the base station determines the UE as a UE performing MDT measurements. The specific preset rules are not limited here.

[0097] 402. The base station generates an MDT measurement configuration message.

[0098] The base station may generate an MDT measurement configuration according to preset rules or default parameters. For example, the base station may use the reference signal type CD-SSB for measurement by default. The specific rules or default parameters are not limited here.

[0099] The MDT measurement configuration message includes beam configuration information, which includes one or more of the following: reference signal type, average number of reference signal beams, or reference signal combining threshold.

[0100] 403. The base station sends measurement data to the UE and collects measurement results.

[0101] The base station sends an MDT measurement configuration message to the UE determined to perform MDT measurement. The UE performs the MDT measurement and reports the MDT measurement result to the base station.

[0102] 404. The base station sends the MDT measurement configuration and the MDT measurement result to the TCE.

[0103] After receiving the MDT measurement result reported by the UE, the base station may report the MDT measurement result and the MDT measurement configuration generated by the base station to the TCE.

[0104] In the MDT configuration method provided in the embodiments of the present application, since the MDT configuration information generated by the base station includes beam configuration information, the UE can perform MDT measurements based on the beam configuration information and report both the measurement results and the beam configuration information to the TCE. Since the measurement results reported to the TCE are all based on the same configuration information, unified analysis of the base station's cell radio signals based on these measurement results can improve the accuracy of the analysis.

[0105] In a wireless network, a UE may communicate with multiple base stations, i.e. dual-connectivity (DC). These multiple base stations may be base stations of the same standard, for example, all 4G base stations, or all 5G base stations, or they may be base stations of different standards, for example, one is a 4G base station and the other is a 5G base station. In the embodiment of the present application, the specific form of the base station is not limited here. The network side can use the resources of multiple base stations to provide communication services for the UE, thereby providing high-speed transmission for the UE. The base station in DC that has control plane signal interaction with the core network is called the master base station (Master node, MN), and the other base stations are called secondary base stations (secondary node, SN).

[0106] The MDT configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to dual-connection scenarios. The following describes how to obtain the signal quality of the primary base station and the secondary base station when the UE is at the same location in the dual-connection scenario. Figure 1 As shown in the system architecture diagram, the UE can communicate with gNB1 and gNB2. Figure 5 , another interactive flow chart of the MDT configuration method in an embodiment of the present application.

[0107] 501. The core network or network management sends MDT configuration information to the primary base station;

[0108] The core network or network management can send MDT configuration information to the base station, the MDT configuration information including instruction information for measuring the signal quality of the primary base station and the secondary base station. The instruction information is used to instruct the primary base station to report the signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station.

[0109] 502. The primary base station determines a UE for performing MDT measurement.

[0110] Step 502 and Figure 3 Step 302 in the corresponding embodiment is similar and will not be described again here.

[0111] 503. The primary base station generates an MDT measurement configuration message;

[0112] After the base station determines the UE to configure MDT measurement, it can send an MDT measurement configuration message to the UE according to the MDT configuration information. The MDT configuration information also includes indication information for performing signal quality measurements of the primary base station and the secondary base station. The indication information is used to instruct the UE in the dual-connection scenario to perform signal quality measurements of the primary base station and the secondary base station and report the measurement results.

[0113] 504. The primary base station sends the measurement to the UE and collects the primary base station signal quality measurement results;

[0114] When the UE reports a B1, B2, A3, A4 or A5 measurement event, the UE will report the signal quality measurement result of the serving cell of the primary base station to the primary base station. In addition, the UE can report the signal quality measurement result of the serving cell of the secondary base station corresponding to the measurement event sent by the secondary base station to the primary base station.

[0115] 505. The primary base station sends the signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station to the TCE;

[0116] The master base station reports the received master base station signal quality measurement result to the TCE.

[0117] In the MDT configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application, since the MDT configuration information includes indication information of signal quality measurements of the primary base station and the secondary base station, the base station sends an MDT measurement configuration message carrying the indication information of the signal quality measurements of the primary base station and the secondary base station to the UE. The UE can report the signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station based on the MDT measurement configuration message, and the TCE can receive the primary base station signal quality measurement results and the secondary base station signal quality measurement results reported by the primary base station to obtain the signal coverage status of the primary base station and the secondary base station at the same location of the UE.

[0118] The following describes how to trigger the UE to report the signal quality of the primary base station and the secondary base station in a dual-connection scenario. Figure 1 See the system architecture diagram shown in Figure 6 , another interactive flow chart of the MDT configuration method in an embodiment of the present application;

[0119] 601. The core network or network management sends MDT configuration information to the primary base station;

[0120] 602. The primary base station determines a UE for performing MDT measurement.

[0121] 603. The primary base station generates an MDT measurement configuration message;

[0122] Steps 601 to 603 and Figure 3 Steps 301 to 303 in the corresponding embodiment are similar and will not be described again here.

[0123] 604. The primary base station sends the measurement to the UE and collects the primary base station signal quality measurement results;

[0124] The base station sends an MDT measurement configuration message to the UE determined in step 602. The UE performs MDT measurements and reports the MDT measurement results to the base station. When the UE meets the conditions for periodic measurement or A2 event measurement, it sends the obtained signal quality measurement results of the primary base station (i.e., the signal quality measurement results of the serving cell of the primary base station) to the primary base station.

[0125] 605. The primary base station triggers the secondary base station to perform periodic measurement or A2 event measurement;

[0126] After the primary base station receives the MDT configuration information sent by the core network or network management, the primary base station sends a message to the secondary base station. This message triggers the secondary base station to configure the UE to perform periodic measurement or A2 event measurement. This message can be, for example, a secondary base station modification message. The specific message type is not limited here. Optionally, this message can carry part of the MDT configuration information sent by the core network or network management.

[0127] It should be noted that there is no strict order between steps 604 and 605. Step 604 can be performed first, or step 605 can be performed first. There is no limitation here.

[0128] 606. The secondary base station sends the measurement to the UE and collects the secondary base station signal quality measurement results;

[0129] The secondary base station sends periodic measurement or A2 event measurement to the UE. When the UE meets the periodic measurement or A2 event measurement conditions, it sends the obtained secondary base station signal quality measurement result, that is, the signal quality measurement result of the serving cell of the secondary base station, to the secondary base station.

[0130] 607. The secondary base station sends the secondary base station signal quality measurement result to the primary base station;

[0131] The secondary base station sends the secondary base station signal quality measurement result reported by the UE to the primary base station.

[0132] 608. The primary base station reports the signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station to the TCE;

[0133] The primary base station reports the signal quality measurement result of the secondary base station obtained in step 607 and the signal quality measurement result of the primary base station obtained in step 604 to the TCE. The primary base station can send the signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station simultaneously through one message, or can send the signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station separately through two messages, which is not limited here.

[0134] It should be noted that in another possible implementation, after the secondary base station sends and collects the secondary base station signal quality measurement results to the UE, the secondary base station signal quality measurement results may be directly sent to the TCE without being sent to the primary base station.

[0135] It should be noted that for multi-standard dual connectivity, that is, a terminal device is simultaneously connected to base stations of two different communication standards, such as a 4G base station and a 5G base station. There is a dual connectivity scenario called non-standalone (NSA). In this NSA scenario, a base station of one standard, such as a secondary base station, cannot provide a cell for the terminal device to reside. That is, a terminal device in an idle state cannot reside in the cell of the secondary base station in the NSA scenario. That is, the terminal device can only reside in the standard corresponding to the primary base station. NSA generally refers to the primary base station being an LTE base station and the secondary base station being an NR base station. In addition, generally, only the primary base station has a control plane connection with the core network or network management system, that is, only the primary base station can receive the corresponding MDT configuration information. In this scenario, if the operator wants to obtain the coverage of the cell of the communication standard corresponding to the secondary base station, in this case, steps 603 and 604 of this embodiment can be omitted. That is, the primary base station notifies the secondary base station of part of the MDT measurement configuration information, and the secondary base station configures the UE to perform MDT measurements, or the secondary base station performs part of the MDT measurements. Optionally, the MDT configuration information provided by the core network or the network management to the primary base station indicates that MDT measurement is only performed on the secondary base station.

[0136] In the MDT configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application, since the primary base station can trigger periodic measurement or A2 event measurement, and the secondary base station can report the secondary base station signal quality measurement result, the TCE can obtain the primary base station and secondary base station signal quality measurement results of the UE and obtain the overall signal coverage of the primary base station and the secondary base station where the UE is located.

[0137] The following describes the process of UE reporting power headroom information of the primary base station and the secondary base station in a dual connectivity scenario. Figure 1 See the system architecture diagram shown in Figure 7 , another interactive flow chart of the MDT configuration method in an embodiment of the present application;

[0138] 701. The core network or the network management sends MDT configuration information to the primary base station;

[0139] The core network or the network management may send MDT configuration information to the base station. In this embodiment, the MDT configuration information includes power headroom measurement, which is used to instruct the primary base station to report power headroom information of the serving cell.

[0140] 702. The primary base station determines a UE for performing MDT measurement.

[0141] Step 702 and Figure 3 Step 302 in the corresponding embodiment is similar and will not be described again here.

[0142] 703. The primary base station generates an MDT measurement configuration message;

[0143] After determining the UE to be configured with MDT measurement, the base station may send an MDT measurement configuration message to the UE according to the acquired MDT configuration information. The MDT measurement configuration message includes power headroom measurement.

[0144] 704. The primary base station sends the measured and collected power headroom information of the primary base station and the secondary base station to the UE;

[0145] The primary base station sends an MDT measurement configuration message to the UE determined in step 702 to perform MDT measurement. After receiving the MDT measurement configuration message, the UE performs MDT measurement, including power headroom measurement of the serving cells of the primary base station and the secondary base station. The UE obtains power headroom information of the serving cells of the primary base station and the secondary base station and reports it to the primary base station.

[0146] 705. The primary base station sends a request message to the secondary base station;

[0147] After receiving the primary base station power headroom information reported by the UE, the primary base station sends a request message to the secondary base station. The request message is used to request the secondary base station to feedback the secondary base station cell correspondence or to notify the secondary base station to perform power headroom measurement.

[0148] The secondary base station cell correspondence refers to the correspondence between a cell index of a serving cell of the secondary base station and a physical cell identifier (PCI) or a cell global identifier (CGI).

[0149] 706. The secondary base station sends the secondary base station cell correspondence relationship to the primary base station;

[0150] The secondary base station sends the secondary base station cell correspondence relationship to the primary base station, that is, the correspondence relationship between the cell index of the serving cell of the secondary base station and the PCI or CGI. For example, the cell index is 3 and the corresponding PCI is 1.

[0151] It should be noted that steps 705 to 706 may be performed before or after step 703 or step 704, and are not limited here.

[0152] 707. The primary base station reports the power headroom information and cell correspondence of the TCE primary base station and the secondary base station;

[0153] The primary base station reports the power headroom information of the primary base station, the cell correspondence relationship of the primary base station, the power headroom information of the secondary base station, and the cell correspondence relationship of the secondary base station to the TCE.

[0154] In the MDT configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the primary base station can obtain the correspondence between the cell index of the secondary base station and the physical cell identifier PCI or the cell global identifier CGI, and report the power headroom information and the cell correspondence between the primary base station and the secondary base station, so that the TCE can analyze the power headroom information and the cell correspondence.

[0155] The above describes the MDT configuration. The following describes the base station that implements this method. Figure 8 , is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a device for MDT measurement in an embodiment of the present application, which can be deployed in a base station.

[0156] The device provided in this embodiment includes:

[0157] The receiving unit 801 is configured to receive MDT configuration information sent by a core network or an operation, administration, and maintenance network (OAM), where the MDT configuration information includes first beam configuration information.

[0158] The sending unit 802 is configured to send an MDT measurement configuration message to the UE according to the MDT configuration information, where the MDT measurement configuration message includes second beam configuration information, where the second beam configuration information is the same as the first beam configuration information, or the second beam configuration information is configuration information obtained by processing the first beam configuration information.

[0159] The receiving unit 801 is further configured to:

[0160] The base station receives an MDT measurement result sent by the UE, where the MDT measurement result is obtained by measuring according to the second beam configuration information; and sends the MDT measurement result to a tracking collection entity TCE.

[0161] The device also includes:

[0162] The triggering unit 803 is configured to trigger the UE to report signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station, and the UE is dual-connected with the primary base station and the secondary base station.

[0163] The sending unit 802 is further configured to report the signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station to the tracking and collection entity TCE.

[0164] The device also includes:

[0165] The indication unit 804 is used to instruct the secondary base station of the UE to send periodic measurement or A2 event measurement, and the UE is dual-connected with the primary base station and the secondary base station; the receiving unit 801 is specifically used to receive the signal quality measurement result sent by the secondary base station; the sending unit is specifically used to report the signal quality measurement result to the TCE.

[0166] When the UE is dual-connected with a primary base station and a secondary base station, the device can usually be deployed on the primary base station of the UE.

[0167] See also Figure 9 , is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a device for MDT measurement in an embodiment of the present application, which can be deployed in a base station.

[0168] The apparatus for MDT measurement may have relatively large differences due to different configurations or performances, and may include one or more processors 901 and a memory 905 , wherein the memory 905 stores programs or data.

[0169] The memory 905 may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. The processor 901 may communicate with the memory 905 and execute a series of instructions in the memory 905 on the apparatus for MDT measurement.

[0170] The apparatus for MDT measurement may further include one or more power supplies 902 , one or more wired or wireless network interfaces 903 , and one or more input / output interfaces 904 .

[0171] The process executed by the processor 901 in the apparatus for MDT measurement in this embodiment may refer to the method process described in the aforementioned method embodiment, and will not be described in detail here.

[0172] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, comprising: at least one interface circuit and at least one processing circuit, wherein the interface circuit and the processing circuit are coupled, and the processing circuit is configured to implement the functions of the apparatus for MDT measurement in any of the above method embodiments.

[0173] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0174] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0175] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0176] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0177] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0178] As described above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a minimization of drive tests (MDT) technology, characterized in that: include: receiving MDT configuration information sent by a core network or an operation, administration, and maintenance network (OAM), where the MDT configuration information is used to instruct the UE to perform MDT measurement, the MDT configuration information including first beam configuration information, the first beam configuration information including beam measurement indication information, and the beam measurement indication information indicating whether to report a beam measurement result; An MDT measurement configuration message is sent to a user equipment (UE), where the MDT measurement configuration message includes second beam configuration information, where the second beam configuration information is the same as the first beam configuration information, or where the second beam configuration information is configuration information obtained by processing the first beam configuration information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first beam configuration information includes one or more of the following: Reference signal type, average number of reference signal beams, or reference signal combining threshold.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The second beam configuration information includes one or more of the following: Reference signal type, reference signal configuration information, average number of reference signal beams, or reference signal combining threshold.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The MDT configuration information includes area information; The UE that performs MDT measurement is determined according to the area information.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that After sending the MDT measurement configuration message to the UE, the method further includes: receiving an MDT measurement result sent by the UE, where the MDT measurement result is obtained by measuring according to the second beam configuration information; The MDT measurement result is sent to a trace collection entity TCE.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2 and 4 to 5, characterized in that The MDT configuration information includes instruction information for performing signal quality measurement of the primary base station and the secondary base station; The method further comprises: The UE is triggered to report signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station, and the UE is dual-connected with the primary base station and the secondary base station.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that After triggering the UE to report the signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station, the method further includes: The signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station are reported to a tracking and collection entity TCE.

8. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: Instructing the secondary base station of the UE to send periodic measurement or A2 event measurement, and the UE is dual-connected with the primary base station and the secondary base station; receiving a signal quality measurement result sent by the secondary base station; The signal quality measurement result is reported to the TCE.

9. A device for MDT measurement, characterized in that: include: a receiving unit, configured to receive MDT configuration information sent by a core network or OAM, where the MDT configuration information is used to instruct the UE to perform MDT measurement, where the MDT configuration information includes first beam configuration information, where the first beam configuration information includes beam measurement indication information, and where the beam measurement indication information indicates whether to report a beam measurement result; A sending unit is configured to send an MDT measurement configuration message to the UE, where the MDT measurement configuration message includes second beam configuration information, where the second beam configuration information is the same as the first beam configuration information, or where the second beam configuration information is configuration information obtained by processing the first beam configuration information.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that The receiving unit is further configured to: receiving an MDT measurement result sent by the UE, where the MDT measurement result is obtained by measuring according to the second beam configuration information; The MDT measurement result is sent to a trace collection entity TCE.

11. The device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The device further comprises: The triggering unit is configured to trigger the UE to report signal quality measurement results of a primary base station and a secondary base station, the UE being dual-connected with the primary base station and the secondary base station.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that The sending unit is further configured to: The signal quality measurement results of the primary base station and the secondary base station are reported to a tracking and collection entity TCE.

13. The device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The device further comprises: an instructing unit, configured to instruct the secondary base station of the UE to send periodic measurement or A2 event measurement, the UE being dual-connected with the primary base station and the secondary base station; The receiving unit is specifically configured to receive the signal quality measurement result sent by the secondary base station; The sending unit is specifically configured to report the signal quality measurement result to the TCE.

14. An apparatus for MDT measurement, comprising: a processor and a memory, the processor being coupled to the memory; a memory for storing instructions; The processor is configured to execute the instruction so that the base station performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

15. A base station, comprising the apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

16. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

17. A communication system comprising the base station and user equipment according to claim 15, wherein the base station is configured to configure MDT measurement for the user equipment.

18. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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