Optimization of CSI-RS Measurement

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to optimized devices, methods, and computer-readable storage media for channel state indicator reference signal (CSI-RS) measurement. In an example embodiment, a terminal device determines that a CSI-RS from a first cell served by a first network device is to be measured. The terminal device sends a measurement start indication to a second network device, the measurement start indication indicating that the measurement of the CSI-RS from the first cell is to be initiated by the terminal device. In addition, the terminal device performs measurement of a channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of communications, and in particular to devices, methods, and computer-readable storage media for optimization of Channel State Indicator Reference Signal (CSI-RS) measurements. Background Art

[0002] Channel State Indicator Reference Signal (CSI-RS) measurements have been designed for separate purposes, including, for example: 1) beam management, and 2) Layer 3 (L3) mobility management. CSI-RS based L3 mobility measurements are very important in network deployment and optimization. Compared with synchronization signal block (SSB) based measurements for radio resource management (RRM), CSI-RS based measurements for L3 mobility are more sophisticated and flexible in terms of resource usage, mobility enhancement, and handover reliability. Layer 1 (L1) functionality and RRC signaling have been introduced to enable CSI-RS based measurement functionality for RRM. However, the corresponding user equipment (UE) behavior and RRM requirements have not yet been developed. Summary of the invention

[0003] In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide apparatus, methods, and computer-readable storage media for optimization of Channel State Indicator Reference Signal (CSI-RS) measurements.

[0004] In a first aspect, a terminal device is provided, the terminal device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to determine that a CSI-RS from a first cell served by a first network device is to be measured. The terminal device is caused to send a measurement start indication to a second network device, the measurement start indication indicating that the measurement of the CSI-RS from the first cell is to be initiated by the terminal device. In addition, the terminal device is caused to perform a measurement of a channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell.

[0005] In a second aspect, a second network device is provided, the second network device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the second network device to receive a measurement start indication from a terminal device, the measurement start indication indicating that measurement of a CSI-RS from a first cell served by a first network device is to be initiated by the terminal device. The second network device is also caused to send an enabling request to the first network device for enabling transmission of at least a CSI-RS in the first cell.

[0006] In a third aspect, a first network device is provided, the first network device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory comprising computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the first network device to receive an enablement request from a second network device, the enablement request being used to enable transmission of at least CSI-RS in a first cell served by the first network device. The first network device is also caused to send a confirmation to the second network device as to whether transmission of the CSI-RS is enabled in the first cell.

[0007] In a fourth aspect, a method implemented at a terminal device is provided. In the method, the terminal device determines that a CSI-RS from a first cell served by a first network device is to be measured. The terminal device sends a measurement start indication to a second network device, the measurement start indication indicating that the measurement of the CSI-RS from the first cell is to be initiated by the terminal device. In addition, the terminal device performs measurement of a channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell.

[0008] In a fifth aspect, a method implemented at a second network device is provided. In the method, the second network device receives a measurement start indication from a terminal device, the measurement start indication indicating that measurement of a CSI-RS from a first cell served by a first network device is to be initiated by the terminal device. The second network device also sends an activation request to the first network device for enabling transmission of at least a CSI-RS in the first cell.

[0009] In a sixth aspect, a method implemented at a first network device is provided. In the method, the first network device receives an enabling request from a second network device to enable transmission of at least a CSI-RS in a first cell served by the first network device. The first network device also sends a confirmation to the second network device as to whether transmission of the CSI-RS is enabled in the first cell.

[0010] In a seventh aspect, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising components for performing the method according to the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect.

[0011] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided comprising program instructions stored thereon, wherein when the instructions are executed by a processor of a device, the device performs the method according to the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect.

[0012] It should be understood that the summary is not intended to identify the key or essential features of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 An example environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented is set forth;

[0015] Figure 2 shows a signaling flow between a terminal device and two network devices according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 3 An example process for initiating CSI-RS measurement and transmission according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0017] Figure 4 An example process for stopping CSI-RS measurement and transmission according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0018] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating an example method according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating an example method according to some other example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating an example method according to some other example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0021] Figure 8 A simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0022] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these example embodiments are described only to illustrate and help those skilled in the art understand and implement the present disclosure, and do not represent any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various other ways except the way described below.

[0024] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0025] As used herein, the term "terminal device" or "user equipment" (UE) refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication with each other or with a base station. Communication may involve the transmission and / or reception of wireless signals using electromagnetic signals, radio waves, infrared signals, and / or other types of signals suitable for transmitting information over the air. In some example embodiments, the UE may be configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human-computer interaction. For example, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to a request from the network side, the UE may transmit information to the base station according to a predetermined schedule.

[0026] Examples of UE include, but are not limited to, smartphones, wireless-enabled tablets, laptop embedded devices (LEEs), laptop mounted devices (LMEs), wireless client equipment (CPEs), sensors, metering devices, personal wearable devices such as watches, and / or vehicles capable of communication. For the purposes of discussion, some example embodiments will be described with reference to UE as an example of a terminal device, and the terms "terminal device" and "user equipment" (UE) may be used interchangeably in the context of the present disclosure. A UE may also correspond to the mobile terminating (MT) portion of an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node (also referred to as a relay node).

[0027] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a device via which a service can be provided to a terminal device in a communication network. As an example, a network device may include a base station. As used herein, the term "base station" (BS) refers to a network device via which a service can be provided to a terminal device in a communication network. A base station may include any suitable device via which a terminal device or UE can access a communication network. Examples of base stations include relays, access points (APs), transmission points (TRPs), node Bs (NodeBs or NBs), evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs or eNBs), new radio (NR) NodeBs (gNBs), remote radio modules (RRUs), radio heads (RHs), remote radio heads (RRHs), low power nodes such as femto, micro, etc. A relay node may correspond to a distributed unit (DU) portion of an IAB node.

[0028] As used herein, the term "cell" refers to an area covered, served or provided by a network device. One network device may serve one or more cells, and each cell may include one or more carriers.

[0029] As used herein, the term "serving network device" refers to a network device that serves a terminal device. The term "neighboring network device" refers to a network device that is adjacent to or close to the serving network device. The term "serving cell" refers to a cell that is provided by the serving network device and serves the terminal device. The term "neighboring cell" refers to a cell that is adjacent to or close to the serving cell and provided by the neighboring network device.

[0030] As used herein, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0031] (a) a pure hardware circuit implementation (such as an implementation using only analog and / or digital circuitry), and

[0032] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (where applicable):

[0033] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and

[0034] (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) (including digital signal processor(s)), software and memory(s) with software that work together to cause a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions, and

[0035] (c) Hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s), that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but which may not be present when not required for operation.

[0036] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, if applicable to a particular claim element, the term circuitry also covers a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular base station, or other computing or base station.

[0037] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term "includes" and its variations should be understood as open terms meaning "including but not limited to." The term "based on" should be understood as "based at least in part on." The terms "one embodiment" and "embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment." The term "another embodiment" should be understood as "at least one other embodiment." Other definitions (explicit and implicit) may be included below.

[0038] As used herein, the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, which should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any one of the listed terms and all combinations of one or more.

[0039] For example, the RRM requirements for CSI-RS based L3 measurements include aspects such as the minimum required CSI-RS measurement bandwidth, intra-frequency and inter-frequency definitions, intra-frequency and inter-frequency measurement requirements, accuracy assessment and specifications, and additional UE measurement capabilities, including the number of frequency layers and the number of cells. In addition, in terms of assumptions about synchronization, for intra-frequency and inter-frequency measurements, a single Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is assumed for multiple cell measurements per frequency layer.

[0040] For CSI-RS based L3 measurements, when all CSI-RS resources configured by a measurement object (MO) have been configured with associated SSBs, the defined CSI-RS measurement configuration framework allows no more than 96 CSI-RS resources per MO, and when all CSI-RS resources are configured without associated SSBs, or when only some CSI-RS resources have been configured with associated SSBs by the same MO, the defined CSI-RS measurement configuration framework allows no more than 64 CSI-RS resources per MO. In addition, all CSI-RS resources in the same MO should have the same center frequency and the same subcarrier spacing (SCS).

[0041] Currently, for CSI-RS based L3 measurements, the UE can be configured with CSI-RS resources to be measured in neighboring cells, for example, via the message CSI-RS-ResourceConfigMobility. However, on the network side, it is challenging to control when and how to configure and indicate appropriate or correct CSI-RS resources from neighboring cells to enable UE measurements. For example, in New Radio (NR), the CSI-RS resources to be measured are configured for each UE. When the UE is performing CSI-RS based neighboring cell measurements, there may not be any CSI-RS transmitted from the neighboring cell.

[0042] In addition, CSI-RS resources in neighboring cells are dynamically allocated and released. CSI-RS transmission is managed regardless of whether the CSI-RS is measured by any UE. The CSI-RS resources that the UE is measuring may suddenly disappear, causing measurement interruption or even failure. In addition, CSI-RS may be transmitted in a cell for measurement, but no UE performs measurement on the transmitted CSI-RS resources, which leads to potentially significant reference signal overhead and resource waste.

[0043] In addition, bandwidth part (BWP) switching in NR allows the UE to switch its operating BWP from time to time. If the CSI-RS resources used in the neighboring cell do not fall into the UE's active BWP, the UE can neither measure the CSI-RS nor perform measurements on the CSI-RS resources in the neighboring cell (no measurement gap).

[0044] It is unpredictable which CSI-RS signals and how many CSI-RS signals the UE is to measure. The network can indicate all available CSI-RS resources to the UE. However, there may be a large number of CSI-RS transmitted in neighboring cells. For example, the resource exchange of all CSI-RS from neighboring cells to the serving cell may result in a large amount of signaling overhead on the interface Xn. In addition, the indication of the resources of all CSI-RS to the UE may result in a large amount of signaling overhead on the air interface.

[0045] The CSI-RS transmission from the cell is arranged on the network side without considering the UE requirements. For example, the CSI-RI resources in the neighboring cells can be configured in the operation management and maintenance configuration. In addition, the CSI-RS resource configuration can be exchanged at the cell level. For example, the CSI-RS configuration for L3 measurements can be exchanged between two gNBs / cells during the Xn establishment process and can be updated during the Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) node configuration update process in the NG-RAN scenario. Alternatively or additionally, the exchange of CSI-RS resource configuration can be triggered based on a request from the serving gNB.

[0046] However, as described above, CSI-RS is always configured for UEs, not for cells. It is desirable to configure appropriate CSI-RS resources for each UE for CSI-RS measurement in neighboring cells, so that the UE can detect the CSI-RS resources and perform associated measurements in neighboring cells.

[0047] The example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a new scheme to achieve efficient CSI-RS measurement configuration and associated CSI-RS transmission. With this scheme, if the terminal device determines that the CSI-RS is to be measured in a cell (referred to as the first cell, such as a neighboring cell) served by a network device (referred to as the first network device, such as a neighboring gNB), the terminal device sends a measurement start indication to a different network device (referred to as the second network device, such as a serving gNB) serving a different cell (e.g., a serving cell). Alternatively, if it cannot be detected, the terminal device sends a measurement start indication. The measurement start indication notifies the second network device that the CSI-RS measurement from the first cell is to be initiated by the terminal device. The terminal device then performs CSI-RS measurement in the first cell.

[0048] On the network side, after the second network device receives the measurement start indication from the terminal device, the second network device sends an activation request to the first network device for enabling CSI-RS transmission in the first cell. The first network device sends a confirmation to the second network device as to whether CSI-RS transmission is enabled in the first cell.

[0049] This scheme allows a cell to request CSI-RS resources of neighboring cells for a served UE. It also allows a cell to manage CSI-RS resource allocation and CSI-RS transmission based on requests from neighboring cells. In this way, CSI-RS measurement can be more efficient on the UE side. In addition, the transmission of CSI-RS for measurement can be more efficient on the network side.

[0050] Figure 1 An example environment 100 is shown in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

[0051] Environment 100 (which may be part of a communication network) includes a terminal device 110 and two network devices 120 and 130 (referred to as a first network device 120 and a second network device 130, respectively). Figure 1 The number of devices shown in FIG. 1 is for illustration purposes only and does not imply any limitation. Environment 100 may include any suitable number of terminal devices and network devices.

[0052] As shown, first network device 120 serves cell 140, and second network device 130 serves cell 150. For the purpose of discussion, the two cells 140 and 150 will be referred to as first cell 140 and second cell 150, respectively. Figure 1 The number of cells provided by network device 120 or 130 shown in FIG. 1 is for illustration purposes only and does not imply any limitation. One of network devices 120 and 130 may provide one or more carriers, each carrier including one or more cells.

[0053] The terminal device 110 may communicate with the first network device 120 and / or the second network device 130. The communication may follow any suitable communication standard or protocol already in existence or to be developed in the future, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE (LTE-A), Fifth Generation (5G) New Radio (NR), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) standards, and may adopt any suitable communication technology, including, for example, Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), Code Division Multiplexing (CDM), Bluetooth, ZigBee, Machine Type Communication (MTC), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC), Carrier Aggregation (CA), Dual Connectivity (DC), and New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U) technology.

[0054] The two network devices 120 and 130 may communicate with each other in a wired or wireless manner. The communication between the network devices 120 and 130 may follow any suitable communication standard or protocol, which already exists or will be developed in the future.

[0055] In some example embodiments, terminal device 110 may be served by second network device 130 in second cell 150. First network device 120 is a neighboring network device, and first cell 140 is a neighboring cell. It is also possible that first network device 120 is a serving network device, and first cell 140 is a serving cell.

[0056] The terminal device 110 may perform CSI-RS measurement in any one or both of the first cell 140 and the second cell 150. In various example embodiments, when the terminal device 110 is to initiate CSI-RS measurement in the first cell 140 (e.g., a neighboring cell), the terminal device 110 sends a measurement start indication to the second network device 130 (e.g., a serving network device), the measurement start indication indicating that the CSI-RS measurement is to be initiated in the first cell 140. In addition, the second network device 130 sends a request to the first network device 120 to enable CSI-RS transmission in the first cell 140. Accordingly, the first network device 120 sends a confirmation to the second network device as to whether CSI-RS transmission is enabled in the first cell 140.

[0057] Figure 2 FIG. 2 shows a signaling flow 200 between a terminal device 110 and a first network device 120 and a second network device 130 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to FIG. Figure 1 The signaling flow 200 is described.

[0058] like Figure 2 As shown, the terminal device 110 determines (205) that the CSI-RS from the first cell 140 is to be measured. In some example embodiments, an event for triggering the initiation of the CSI-RS measurement may be used by the terminal device 110 to make the above determination. For example, a threshold value related to the received signal strength or power level of the CSI-RS may be used to trigger the CSI-RS measurement in the first cell 140. For example, in an example embodiment where the first cell 140 is a neighboring cell and the second cell 150 is a serving cell, if the reference signal received power (RSRP) and / or the reference signal received quality (RSRQ) of, for example, the CSI-RS in the second cell 150 as a serving cell is lower than a configured threshold, the terminal device 110 may determine to initiate the CSI-RS measurement in the first cell 140 as a neighboring cell.

[0059] In some example embodiments, the initiation of CSI-RS measurement may be associated with other measurements. For example, CSI-RS measurement may be triggered based on the measurement of synchronization signal block (SS block or SSB) measurement. SSB, including, for example, primary synchronization signal (PSS) and secondary synchronization signal (SSS), may allow the terminal device to achieve initial system acquisition, including, for example, initial time synchronization (such as symbol and frame timing), initial frequency synchronization and cell acquisition (such as the physical cell ID of the cell). SSB may be transmitted by beam scanning to cover the entire area of ​​the cell. Based on SSB measurement, the terminal device may find the best or strongest beam. Compared to SSB, CSI-RS may be transmitted via a set of transmission beams that are narrower than the beams of SSB. If the SSB measurement is not sufficient to detect a better or finer beam, the CSI-RS measurement may be triggered to find the best beam. In this example, if the metric associated with the SSB measurement in one or both of the first cell 140 and the second cell 150 is lower than, for example, a set threshold, the terminal device 110 may determine that CSI-RS measurement is to be performed to further optimize RRM. Metrics associated with SSB measurements may include, for example, RSRP, RSRQ, or other metrics of the SSB.

[0060] The threshold value can be used for comparison with the metric. The threshold value can be static, semi-static or dynamic. For example, the threshold value can be configured to the terminal device 110 by the network. In some example embodiments, the terminal device 110 can obtain the threshold value from the second network device 130 (e.g., a serving network device) via high-layer signaling. The indication of the threshold value can reuse existing signaling that complies with the 3GPP standard. For example, the control element (CE) s-Measure can be used to indicate the threshold value. If the RSRP of the SSB is lower than the threshold value indicated by s-Measure, the terminal device 110 can determine the initiation of the CSI-RS measurement.

[0061] Any other measurement may also be considered to determine the initiation of CSI-RS. For example, measurements based on Physical Broadcast Control Channel (PBCH), Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS), etc. may be used to determine whether CSI measurement is to be initiated. Alternatively, one or more existing measurement events may be used.

[0062] Upon determining that the CSI-RS from the first cell 140 is to be measured, the terminal device 110 sends (210) a measurement start indication to the second network device 130, the measurement start indication indicating that CSI-RS measurement is to be initiated for the first cell 140. The measurement start indication may be triggered based on the availability or detectability of the CSI-RS from the first cell 140. For example, if the terminal device 110 cannot detect an available CSI-RS from the first cell 140, the terminal device 110 may send the measurement start indication to the second network device 130. As another example, if the CSI-RS from the first cell 140 disappears when the terminal device 110 performs CSI-RS measurement, the terminal device 110 may send the measurement start indication.

[0063] In some example embodiments, the triggering of the measurement start indication may be configured by the network. For example, the network may configure whether the terminal device 110 needs to notify the network when performing CSI-RS measurements. The configuration related to the triggering of the measurement start indication may be indicated to the terminal device together with the necessary configuration of the CSI-RS L3 measurement. For example, when the second network device 130 (e.g., a serving network device) configures CSI-RS measurements to the terminal device 110 in the second cell 150 (e.g., a serving cell), the second network device 130 may configure whether the terminal device 110 should report when performing CSI-RS measurements in the first cell 140 and / or the second cell 150. In this way, CSI-RS measurements can be more flexible and efficient at the terminal device 110, and CSI-RS transmission can be more flexible and efficient on the network side.

[0064] The transmission of the measurement start indication may reuse existing messages or signaling. For example, in an example embodiment where the initiation of CSI-RS measurement is triggered based on SSB measurement, the measurement start indication may be implicitly or explicitly carried in the measurement report of the SSB measurement. Other reports or messages may be used, and new reports or messages may be defined for the measurement start indication.

[0065] In some example embodiments, the measurement start indication may include further details relating to the target cell to be measured by the terminal device 110. For example, the indication may indicate a cell identity (ID) of the first cell 130, an index of an SSB associated with the CSI-RS (if available), a CSI-RS resource in the time domain and / or frequency domain, a CSI-RS index (if available), a bandwidth of the CSI-RS resource, and other information related to CSI-RS measurements.

[0066] Upon receiving the measurement start indication from the terminal device 110, the second network device 130 sends (215) an enabling request to the first network device 120, the enabling request being used to enable transmission of one or more CSI-RS to be measured by the terminal device in the first cell 140. The enabling request may indicate (or include) information related to the CSI-RS to be measured and / or the first cell 140.

[0067] In addition, the activation request may include information related to the CSI-RS of other cells to be measured by other terminal devices served by the second device 130. For example, the activation request may indicate a list of carriers used for measurement of a set of CSI-RS in at least the first cell 140, the set of CSI-RS including the CSI-RS to be measured by the terminal device. The request may also indicate a list of cells (including the first cell 140) used for measurement of the set of CSI-RS, a list of active bandwidth parts (BWP) in the second cell 150, and the like. For CSI-RS with associated SSBs, the request may indicate an index list of associated SSBs. The network requests the transmission of CSI-RS resources associated with the SSB with the index. In this way, the second device 130 can more efficiently notify the first device 120 of the CSI-RS measurement requirements of the served terminal device.

[0068] In some example embodiments, before sending the enablement request, second network device 130 may first check whether there are available resources for CSI-RS measurement. For example, second network device 130 may check whether the relevant CSI-RS resources are stored locally. If the relevant CSI-RS resources are not stored, second network device 130 may send an enablement request to first network device 120 to cause first network device 120 to allocate CSI-RS resources.

[0069] In some example embodiments, CSI-RS resources may be pre-allocated by first network device 120 and exchanged between first network device 120 and second network device 130. For example, in an example embodiment where both first network device 120 and second network device 130 are implemented by gNBs, CSI-RS resources may be exchanged between two network devices 120 and 130 during an Xn establishment process. If CSI resources are not allocated during the Xn establishment process, the relevant CSI-RS resources may not be locally detectable. Therefore, second network device 130 may send an enablement request via an Xn interface with first network device 120 to cause first network device 120 to allocate CSI-RS resources. If CSI-RS resources have been reserved or allocated during the Xn establishment process, second device 130 may send an enablement request to cause first network device 120 to transmit CSI-RS in first cell 140.

[0070] After receiving the enablement request from second network device 130, first network device 120 sends (220) to second network device 130 a confirmation as to whether CSI-RS transmission is enabled in first cell 140. For example, in the case where CSI-RS resources are not pre-allocated, first network device 120 may allocate CSI-RS resources and transmit CSI-RS on the resources. Alternatively, first network device 120 may refuse to allocate CSI-RS resources, or may release the allocated CSI-RS resources due to limited resources in its own cell(s).

[0071] The confirmation may indicate any suitable information related to the decision of the first network device 120. For example, the confirmation may indicate a resource list of a set of CSI-RS on one or more carriers in at least the first cell 140, the set of CSI-RS including the CSI-RS requested by the second network device 130. The confirmation may also indicate an enabled or disabled state list of resources for the set of CSI-RS, and an index list of SSBs associated with the set of CSI-RS (if available). Thus, the second network device 130 may store all received CSI-RS resources and corresponding states. When necessary, the second network device 130 may configure the CSI-RS resources to the terminal device, for example, via the message CSI-RS-ResourceConfigMobility.

[0072] In some example embodiments, the confirmation may indicate at least a validity duration of one of the resources for the group of CSI-RS. Based on the validity duration, the second device 130 may determine the validity of the corresponding CSI resource. For example, the second network device 150 may run a validity timer for the corresponding CSI-RS resource. When the validity timer of the CSI-RS resource expires, the second device 130 may determine that the CSI-RS resource is invalid. If there is still an ongoing CSI-RS measurement of the terminal device on the CSI-RS resource, the second network device 130 may send a request to maintain CSI-RS transmission to the first network device 120 to request maintenance of the "enabled state" of the CSI-RS resource. If CSI-RS measurement is required to be configured for another terminal device and the corresponding CSI-RS resource is still valid (for example, the validity timer has not expired), the second network device 130 may configure the corresponding CSI / RS resource to another terminal device, for example via the message CSI-RS-ResourceConfigMobility.

[0073] In this example, the first network device 120 confirms that CSI-RS transmission is enabled. Figure 2As shown, after sending (220) the confirmation, the first network device 120 may transmit (225) the CSI-RS in the first cell 140. At the terminal device 110, after the measurement start indication is sent (210) to the second network device 130, the CSI-RS measurement is performed (230) in the first cell 140. Since the CSI-RS transmission in the first cell 140 is enabled based on the needs of the terminal device 110, the measurement of the CSI-RS can be more efficient at the terminal device 110.

[0074] In addition to the measurement start indication that the terminal device 110 starts performing CSI-RS measurements, the terminal device 110 may also send (235) a measurement stop indication to the second network device 130, which indicates that the CSI-RS measurements are to be stopped in the first cell 140. For example, when the CSI-RS measurements are completed or other suitable events occur, the terminal device 110 may determine that the CSI-RS measurements are to be stopped and send the measurement stop indication.

[0075] Therefore, second network device 130 may send 240 a disabling request to first network device 120 for disabling CSI-RS transmission. In some example embodiments, before sending the disabling request, second network device 130 may first check whether other terminal devices still need CSI-RS measurement in first cell 140. If not, second network device 130 may send a disabling request to first network device 120.

[0076] In response to the disable request, the first network device 120 may determine (245) whether to stop CSI-RS transmission in the first cell 140. For example, the first network device 120 may locally check whether other network devices are still requesting CSI-RS transmission. If not, the first network device 120 may disable CSI-RS transmission. The first network device 120 may reply to the second network device 130 with a confirmation that CSI-RS transmission is to be disabled. In this way, multiple requests from one or more network devices to different terminal devices are not required, and a one-time request can ensure that CSI-RS resources are used for all terminal devices configured with CSI-RS L3 measurements.

[0077] Figure 3 An example process 300 for initiating CSI-RS measurements and transmissions according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0078] In process 300, terminal device 110 communicates (305) with second network device 130, for example in connected mode. Second network device 130 sends (310) a measurement configuration including a CSI-RS configuration to terminal device 110. In this example, as shown, the CSI-RS configuration includes s-Measure indicating a threshold value related to SSB measurement. Terminal device 110 performs (315) SSB measurement in first cell 140 and second cell 150.

[0079] The terminal device 110 detects (320) that the received signal level of the SSB in the second cell 150 is lower than the level indicated by s-Measure. The terminal device 110 triggers (325) the initiation of CSI-RS measurements in the first cell 140. The terminal device 110 sends (330) a measurement report to the second network device 130, the measurement report including a measurement start indication indicating that CSI-RS measurements are to be initiated by the terminal device 110 for the first cell 140. The terminal device 110 may then immediately start (435) the CSI-RS measurements, as indicated. Figure 3 The terminal device 110 may also initiate CSI-RS measurement after receiving a resource indication for CSI-RS measurement from the second network device 130 .

[0080] After receiving the measurement start indication, the second network device 130 sends (340) an enablement request to enable CSI-RS transmission in the first cell 140 to the first network device 120. The first network device 120 sends (345) a confirmation to the second network device 130 as to whether CSI-RS transmission is enabled in the first cell 140. In this example, the confirmation, i.e., CSI-RS transmission is enabled in the first cell 140 by the first network device 120. Then, the CSI-RS is transmitted (350) by the first network device 120 and the second network device 130. The terminal device 110 performs (355) SSB and CSI-RS measurements.

[0081] Figure 4 An example process 400 for stopping CSI-RS measurement and transmission according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0082] In process 400, the terminal device 110 performs (405) SSB and CSI-RS measurements. The terminal device 110 detects (410) that the received signal level of the SSB or CSI-RS in the second cell 150 is higher than the level indicated by s-Measure. The terminal device 110 sends (415) a measurement report to the second network device 130, the measurement report including a measurement stop indication indicating that the CSI-RS measurement is to be stopped by the terminal device 110 in the first cell 140. The terminal device 110 may then immediately stop (420) the CSI-RS measurement.

[0083] Second network device 130 sends (425) a disable request to disable CSI-RS transmission to first network device 120. First network device 120 sends (430) a confirmation to second network device 130 as to whether CSI-RS transmission is to be stopped. In this example, the confirmation indicates that CSI-RS transmission will not be stopped. CSI-RS signals are still transmitted (435) by first network device 120 and second network device 130.

[0084] Figure 5 1 shows a flow chart of an example method 500 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 500 may be performed as follows: Figure 1 For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to the terminal device 110. Figure 1 Method 500 is described.

[0085] At block 505, the terminal device 110 determines that a CSI-RS from a first cell 140 served by the first network device 120 is to be measured. At block 510, the terminal device 110 sends a measurement start indication to the second network device 130, the measurement start indication indicating that measurement of the CSI-RS from the first cell 140 is to be initiated by the terminal device 110. At block 515, the terminal device 110 performs measurement of the CSI-RS from the first cell 140.

[0086] Figure 5 1 shows a flow chart of an example method 500 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 500 may be performed as follows: Figure 1 For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to the terminal device 110. Figure 1 Method 500 is described.

[0087] At block 505, the terminal device 110 determines that a CSI-RS from a first cell 140 served by the first network device 120 is to be measured. At block 510, the terminal device 110 sends a measurement start indication to the second network device 130, the measurement start indication indicating that measurement of the CSI-RS from the first cell 140 is to be initiated by the terminal device 110. At block 515, the terminal device 110 performs measurement of the CSI-RS from the first cell 140.

[0088] Figure 6 600 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1 The second network device 130 is shown as being implemented. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 Method 600 is described.

[0089] At block 605, the second network device 130 receives a measurement start indication from the terminal device 110, the measurement start indication indicating that measurement of the CSI-RS from the first cell 140 served by the first network device 120 is to be initiated by the terminal device 110. At block 610, the second network device 130 sends an enablement request to the first network device 120, the enablement request being used to enable transmission of at least the CSI-RS in the first cell 140.

[0090] Figure 7 1 shows a flow chart of an example method 700 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 700 may be performed as follows: Figure 1 For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 Method 700 is described.

[0091] At block 705, first network device 120 receives an enablement request from second network device 130 for enabling transmission of at least CSI-RS in first cell 140 served by first network device 120. At block 710, first network device 120 sends a confirmation to second network device 130 regarding whether transmission of CSI-RS is enabled in first cell 140.

[0092] References Figures 1 to 4 All operations and features described are equally applicable to methods 500, 600 and 700 and have similar effects. For simplicity, details will be omitted.

[0093] Figure 8 800 is a simplified block diagram of a device 800 suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 800 may be configured as follows: Figure 1 The terminal device 110, the first network device 120 or the second network device 130 shown is implemented or is a part thereof.

[0094] As shown, the device 800 includes a processor 810, a memory 820 coupled to the processor 810, a communication module 830 coupled to the processor 810, and a communication interface (not shown) coupled to the communication module 830. The memory 820 stores at least a program 840. The communication module 830 is used for two-way communication, for example, via multiple antennas or via a cable. The communication interface can represent any interface required for communication.

[0095] Assume that program 840 includes program instructions that, when executed by associated processor 810, enable device 800 to operate in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure, as referred to herein. Figures 1 to 7The example embodiments herein may be implemented by computer software executable by the processor 810 of the device 800, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The processor 810 may be configured to implement various example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0096] The memory 820 may be of any type suitable for the local technology network and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as, as non-limiting examples, non-transitory computer-readable storage media, semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. Although only one memory 820 is shown in the device 800, there may be several physically different memory modules in the device 800. The processor 810 may be of any type suitable for the local technology network and, as non-limiting examples, may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. The device 800 may have multiple processors, such as a dedicated integrated circuit chip that is time-slave to a clock synchronized with a main processor.

[0097] When the device 800 acts as the terminal device 110, the processor 810 may implement the above reference Figures 1 to 5 When the device 800 acts as the second network device 130, the processor 810 may implement the above reference Figures 1 to 4 and Figure 6 When the device 800 acts as the first network device 120, the processor 810 may implement the above reference Figures 1 to 4 and Figure 7 The operation or action of the first network device 120 described above Figures 1 to 7 All operations and features described are equally applicable to the device 800 and have similar effects. For simplicity, the details will be omitted.

[0098] In general, various example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented using hardware, while other aspects may be implemented using firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the example embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representations, it should be understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0099] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer executable instructions, such as instructions included in a program module, which are executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the above referenced Figures 1 to 7 The operations and actions described. Typically, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functions of program modules can be combined or split between program modules as needed. The machine executable instructions of program modules can be executed in local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, program modules can be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0100] The program code for executing the disclosed method can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer or other programmable data processing device so that the program code causes the function / operation specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram to be realized when executed by the processor or controller. The program code can be executed completely on the machine, partially on the machine, as an independent software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or completely on a remote machine or server.

[0101] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of carriers include signals and computer-readable media.

[0102] The computer readable medium can be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable medium can include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor systems, devices or equipment, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of computer readable storage media will include electrical connections with one or more wires, portable computer floppy disks, hard disks, random access memories (RAM), read-only memories (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROM or flash memory), optical fibers, portable compact disk read-only memories (CD-ROM), digital versatile disks (DVD), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0103] In addition, although operations are described in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring such operations to be performed in the particular order shown or in sequence or performing all of the operations shown to obtain the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to a particular example embodiment. Certain features described in the context of a separate example embodiment may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple example embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0104] Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Instead, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

[0105] Various example embodiments of the technology have been described. In addition to or in lieu of the above, the following embodiments are described. Features described in any of the following examples may be used with any other examples described herein.

[0106] In some aspects, a terminal device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to: determine that a channel state indicator reference signal from a first cell served by a first network device is to be measured; send a measurement start indication to a second network device, the measurement start indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be initiated by the terminal device; and perform the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell.

[0107] In some example embodiments, the terminal device is caused to send the measurement start indication by sending the measurement start indication to the second network device based on a measurement configuration from the second network device indicating that the measurement start indication is to be sent by the terminal device.

[0108] In some example embodiments, the terminal device is caused to determine that the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be measured by: determining that the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be measured based on determining that a metric associated with measurements of synchronization signal blocks in at least one of a second cell served by the second network device and the first cell is below a threshold.

[0109] In some example embodiments, the terminal device is caused to send the measurement start indication in the following manner: sending the measurement start indication to the second network device in response to determining that a channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is undetectable.

[0110] In some example embodiments, the measurement start indication indicates at least one of: a cell identifier of the first cell; an index of a synchronization signal block associated with the channel state indicator reference signal to be measured; resources used for the channel state indicator reference signal to be measured; or an index of the channel state indicator reference signal.

[0111] In some example embodiments, the terminal device is further caused to send a measurement stop indication to the second network device, the measurement stop indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be stopped by the terminal device.

[0112] In some example embodiments, the terminal device is caused to perform the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell by: receiving a resource indication of a resource for the channel state indicator reference signal from the second network device; and performing the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal on the resource.

[0113] In some aspects, a second network device comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the second network device to: receive a measurement start indication from a terminal device, the measurement start indication indicating that measurement of a channel state indicator reference signal from a first cell served by a first network device is to be initiated by the terminal device; and send an enablement request to the first network device, the enablement request being used to enable transmission of at least the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

[0114] In some example embodiments, the measurement start indication indicates at least one of: a cell identifier of the first cell; an index of a synchronization signal block associated with the channel state indicator reference signal to be measured by the terminal device; resources used for the channel state indicator reference signal; or an index of the channel state indicator reference signal.

[0115] In some example embodiments, the enablement request indicates at least one of: a list of carriers used for measurement of a set of channel state indicator reference signals in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals including the channel state indicator reference signals to be measured by the terminal device; a list of cells used for the measurement of the set of channel state indicator reference signals, the cells including the first cell; a list of active bandwidth portions in a second cell served by the second network device; or a list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the second network device is further caused to receive a confirmation from the first network device as to whether the transmission of at least the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell is enabled by the first network device.

[0117] In some example embodiments, the confirmation indicates at least one of: a list of resources for a set of channel state indicator reference signals on one or more carriers in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals including the channel state indicator reference signal requested by the second network device; a list of enabled or disabled states of the resources for the set of channel state indicator reference signals; a list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals; or a validity duration of at least one of the resources for the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

[0118] In some example embodiments, the confirmation indicates a validity duration of resources for the channel state indicator reference signal requested by the second network device, and the second network device is further caused to: determine that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal is continued after expiration of the validity duration; and send a request to the first network device to maintain the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

[0119] In some example embodiments, the second network device is further caused to: receive a measurement start indication from another terminal device, the measurement start indication indicating that the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be measured by the other terminal device; and based on determining that the validity duration has not expired, send a resource indication of the resource for the channel state indicator reference signal to the other terminal device.

[0120] In some example embodiments, the second network device is further caused to: receive a measurement stop indication from the terminal device, the measurement stop indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be stopped by the terminal device; and send a disabling request to the first network device, the disabling request being used to disable the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

[0121] In some example embodiments, the second network device is caused to send the disabling request by: after the reception of the measurement stop indication, determining that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is not requested by another terminal device; and sending the disabling request to the first network device.

[0122] In some aspects, a first network device comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the first network device to: receive an enablement request from a second network device, the enablement request being used to enable transmission of at least a channel state indicator reference signal in a first cell served by the first network device; and send a confirmation to the second network device regarding whether the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal is enabled in the first cell.

[0123] In some example embodiments, the enablement request indicates at least one of: a list of carriers used for measurement of a set of channel state indicator reference signals in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals including the channel state indicator reference signals requested by the second network device; a list of cells used for the measurement of the set of channel state indicator reference signals, including the first cell; a list of active bandwidth portions in a second cell served by the second network device; or a list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

[0124] In some example embodiments, the confirmation indicates at least one of: a list of resources for a set of channel state indicator reference signals on one or more carriers in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals including the channel state indicator reference signal requested by the second network device; a list of enabled or disabled states of the resources for the set of channel state indicator reference signals; a list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals; or a validity duration of at least one of the resources for the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

[0125] In some example embodiments, the first network device is further caused to: receive a disabling request from the second network device, the disabling request being used to disable the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell; and stop the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

[0126] In some example embodiments, the first network device is caused to: determine, upon said receipt of said disabling request, that said transmission of said channel state indicator reference signal is not requested by another network device; and cease said transmission of said channel state indicator reference signal in said first cell.

[0127] In some aspects, a method implemented at a terminal device includes: determining that a channel state indicator reference signal from a first cell served by a first network device is to be measured; sending a measurement start indication to a second network device, the measurement start indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be initiated by the terminal device; and performing the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell.

[0128] In some example embodiments, sending the measurement start indication comprises sending the measurement start indication to the second network device based on a measurement configuration from the second network device indicating that the measurement start indication is to be sent by the terminal device.

[0129] In some example embodiments, determining that the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be measured includes: determining that the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be measured based on determining that a metric associated with measurements of synchronization signal blocks in at least one of a second cell served by the second network device and the first cell is below a threshold.

[0130] In some example embodiments, sending the measurement start indication includes: sending the measurement start indication to the second network device based on determining that a channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is undetectable.

[0131] In some example embodiments, the measurement start indication indicates at least one of: a cell identifier of the first cell; an index of a synchronization signal block associated with the channel state indicator reference signal to be measured; resources used for the channel state indicator reference signal; or an index of the channel state indicator reference signal.

[0132] In some example embodiments, the method further comprises sending a measurement stop indication to the second network device, the measurement stop indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be stopped by the terminal device.

[0133] In some example embodiments, performing the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell includes: receiving a resource indication of the resource for the channel state indicator reference signal from the second network device; and performing the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal on the resource.

[0134] In some aspects, a method implemented at a second network device includes: receiving a measurement start indication from a terminal device, the measurement start indication indicating that measurement of a channel state indicator reference signal from a first cell served by a first network device is to be initiated by the terminal device; and sending an enablement request to the first network device, the enablement request enabling transmission of at least the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

[0135] In some example embodiments, the measurement start indication indicates at least one of: a cell identifier of the first cell; an index of a synchronization signal block associated with the channel state indicator reference signal to be measured by the terminal device; resources used for the channel state indicator reference signal; or an index of the channel state indicator reference signal.

[0136] In some example embodiments, the enablement request indicates at least one of: a list of carriers used for measurement of a set of channel state indicator reference signals in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals including the channel state indicator reference signals to be measured by the terminal device; a list of cells used for the measurement of the set of channel state indicator reference signals, the cells including the first cell; a list of active bandwidth portions in a second cell served by the second network device; or a list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

[0137] In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving a confirmation from the first network device as to whether the transmission of at least the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell is enabled by the first network device.

[0138] In some example embodiments, the confirmation indicates at least one of: a list of resources for a set of channel state indicator reference signals on one or more carriers in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals including the channel state indicator reference signal requested by the second network device; a list of enabled or disabled states of the resources for the set of channel state indicator reference signals; a list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals; or a validity duration of at least one of the resources for the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

[0139] In some example embodiments, the confirmation indicates a validity duration of resources of the channel state indicator reference signal requested by the second network device, and the method further includes: determining that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal is continued after expiration of the validity duration; and sending a request to the first network device to maintain the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

[0140] In some example embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a measurement start indication from another terminal device, the measurement start indication indicating that the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be measured by the other terminal device; and sending a resource indication of the resource for the channel state indicator reference signal to the other terminal device based on determining that the validity duration has not expired.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a measurement stop indication from the terminal device, the measurement stop indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be stopped by the terminal device; and sending a disabling request to the first network device, the disabling request being used to disable the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

[0142] In some example embodiments, sending the disabling request includes: after the reception of the measurement stop indication, determining that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell is not requested by another terminal device; and sending the disabling request to the first network device.

[0143] In some aspects, a method implemented at a first network device includes: receiving an enablement request from a second network device, the enablement request being used to enable transmission of at least a channel state indicator reference signal in a first cell served by the first network device; and sending a confirmation to the second network device regarding whether the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal is enabled in the first cell.

[0144] In some example embodiments, the enablement request indicates at least one of: a list of carriers in at least the first cell for measurement of a set of channel state indicator reference signals, the set of channel state indicator reference signals comprising: the channel state indicator reference signals requested by the second network device; a list of cells used for the measurement of the set of channel state indicator reference signals, including the first cell; a list of active bandwidth portions in a second cell served by the second network device; or a list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

[0145] In some example embodiments, the confirmation indicates at least one of: a list of resources for a set of channel state indicator reference signals on one or more carriers in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals including the channel state indicator reference signal requested by the second network device; a list of enabled or disabled states of the resources for the set of channel state indicator reference signals; a list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals; or a validity duration of at least one of the resources for the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

[0146] In some example embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a disabling request from the second network device, the disabling request being used to disable the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell; and stopping the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

[0147] In some example embodiments, stopping the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal includes: after the reception of the disabling request, determining that the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal is not requested by another network device; and stopping the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

[0148] In some aspects, an apparatus implemented at a terminal device includes: a component for determining that a channel state indicator reference signal from a first cell served by a first network device is to be measured; a component for sending a measurement start indication to a second network device, the measurement start indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be initiated by the terminal device; and a component for performing the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell.

[0149] In some example embodiments, the means for sending the measurement start indication comprises means for sending the measurement start indication to the second network device based on a measurement configuration from the second network device indicating that the measurement start indication is to be sent by the terminal device.

[0150] In some example embodiments, the component for determining that the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be measured includes: a component for determining that the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be measured based on determining that a metric associated with a measurement of a synchronization signal block in at least one of a second cell served by the second network device and the first cell is below a threshold.

[0151] In some example embodiments, the means for sending the measurement start indication includes means for sending the measurement start indication to the second network device in response to determining that a channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is undetectable.

[0152] In some example embodiments, the measurement start indication indicates at least one of: a cell identifier of the first cell; an index of a synchronization signal block associated with the channel state indicator reference signal to be measured; resources used for the channel state indicator reference signal; or an index of the channel state indicator reference signal.

[0153] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for sending a measurement stop indication to the second network device, the measurement stop indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be stopped by the terminal device.

[0154] In some example embodiments, the means for performing the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell includes: means for receiving a resource indication of a resource for the channel state indicator reference signal from the second network device; and means for performing the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal on the resource.

[0155] In some aspects, an apparatus implemented at a second network device includes: a component for receiving a measurement start indication from a terminal device, the measurement start indication indicating that measurement of a channel state indicator reference signal from a first cell served by a first network device is to be initiated by the terminal device; and a component for sending an enablement request to the first network device, the enablement request being used to enable transmission of at least the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

[0156] In some example embodiments, the measurement start indication indicates at least one of: a cell identifier of the first cell; an index of a synchronization signal block associated with the channel state indicator reference signal to be measured by the terminal device; resources used for the channel state indicator reference signal; or an index of the channel state indicator reference signal.

[0157] In some example embodiments, the enablement request indicates at least one of: a list of carriers used for measurement of a set of channel state indicator reference signals in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals including the channel state indicator reference signals to be measured by the terminal device; a list of cells used for the measurement of the set of channel state indicator reference signals, the cells including the first cell; a list of active bandwidth portions in a second cell served by the second network device; or a list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

[0158] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for receiving a confirmation from the first network device as to whether the transmission of at least the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell is enabled by the first network device.

[0159] In some example embodiments, the confirmation indicates at least one of: a list of resources for a set of channel state indicator reference signals on one or more carriers in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals including the channel state indicator reference signal requested by the second network device; a list of enabled or disabled states of the resources for the set of channel state indicator reference signals; a list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals; or a validity duration of at least one of the resources for the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

[0160] In some example embodiments, the confirmation indicates a validity duration of resources of the channel state indicator reference signal requested by the second network device, and the apparatus further comprises: a component for determining that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal is continued upon expiration of the validity duration; and a component for sending a request to the first network device to maintain the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

[0161] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: a component for receiving a measurement start indication from another terminal device, the measurement start indication indicating that the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be measured by the other terminal device; and a component for sending a resource indication of resources for the channel state indicator reference signal to the other terminal device based on determining that the validity duration has not expired.

[0162] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: a component for receiving a measurement stop indication from the terminal device, the measurement stop indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be stopped by the terminal device; and a component for sending a disabling request to the first network device, the disabling request being used to disable the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

[0163] In some example embodiments, means for determining, after said reception of said measurement stop indication, that said measurement of said channel state indicator reference signal from said first cell is not requested by another terminal device; and means for sending said disabling request to said first network device.

[0164] In some aspects, an apparatus implemented at a first network device includes: a component for receiving an enablement request from a second network device, the enablement request being used to enable transmission of at least a channel state indicator reference signal in a first cell served by the first network device; and a component for sending a confirmation to the second network device regarding whether the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal is enabled in the first cell.

[0165] In some example embodiments, the enablement request indicates at least one of: a list of carriers used for measurement of a set of channel state indicator reference signals in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals including the channel state indicator reference signals requested by the second network device; a list of cells used for the measurement of the set of channel state indicator reference signals, including the first cell; a list of active bandwidth portions in a second cell served by the second network device; or a list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

[0166] In some example embodiments, the confirmation indicates at least one of: a list of resources for a set of channel state indicator reference signals on one or more carriers in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals including the channel state indicator reference signal requested by the second network device; a list of enabled or disabled states of the resources for the set of channel state indicator reference signals; a list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals; or a validity duration of at least one of the resources for the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

[0167] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for receiving a disabling request from the second network device, the disabling request being used to disable the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell; and means for stopping the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

[0168] In some example embodiments, the component for stopping the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal includes: a component for determining that the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal is not requested by another network device after the reception of the disabling request; and a component for stopping the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

[0169] In some aspects, a computer-readable storage medium includes program instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform methods according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A terminal device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory including computer program code; The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to: determining that a channel state indicator reference signal from a first cell served by a first network device is to be measured; Sending a measurement start indication to a second network device, so that the second network device sends an activation request to the first network device, the measurement start indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be initiated by the terminal device, and the activation request is used to enable transmission of at least the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell; as well as performing the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell; The terminal device is also caused to: A measurement stop indication is sent to the second network device so that the second network device sends a disabling request to the first network device, wherein the measurement stop indication indicates that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be stopped by the terminal device, and the disabling request is used to disable the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

2. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is caused to send the measurement start indication in the following manner: The measurement start indication is sent to the second network device based on a measurement configuration from the second network device indicating that the measurement start indication is to be sent by the terminal device.

3. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is caused to determine that the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be measured by: Based on determining that a metric associated with measurement of a synchronization signal block in at least one of a second cell served by the second network device or the first cell is below a threshold, determining that the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be measured.

4. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is caused to send the measurement start indication in the following manner: According to determining that the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is undetectable, the measurement start indication is sent to the second network device.

5. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the measurement start indication indicates at least one of the following: a cell identifier of the first cell; an index of a synchronization signal block associated with the channel state indicator reference signal to be measured; resources used for the channel state indicator reference signal to be measured; or The index of the channel state indicator reference signal.

6. The terminal device of claim 1 , wherein the terminal device is caused to perform the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell by: receiving, from the second network device, a resource indication of a resource for the channel state indicator reference signal; and The measuring of the channel state indicator reference signal is performed on the resource.

7. A second network device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory including computer program code; The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second network device to: receiving a measurement start indication from a terminal device, the measurement start indication indicating that measurement of a channel state indicator reference signal from a first cell served by a first network device is to be initiated by the terminal device; as well as In response to receiving the measurement start indication, sending an enabling request to the first network device, the enabling request being used to enable transmission of at least the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell; The second network device is further caused to: receiving a measurement stop indication from the terminal device, the measurement stop indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be stopped by the terminal device; as well as In response to receiving the measurement stop indication, a disabling request is sent to the first network device, where the disabling request is used to disable the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

8. The second network device according to claim 7, wherein the measurement start indication indicates at least one of the following: a cell identifier of the first cell; an index of a synchronization signal block associated with the channel state indicator reference signal to be measured by the terminal device; resources used for the channel state indicator reference signal; or The index of the channel state indicator reference signal.

9. The second network device of claim 7, wherein the enablement request indicates at least one of the following: a list of carriers for measurement of a set of channel state indicator reference signals in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals including the channel state indicator reference signals to be measured by the terminal device; a list of cells for the measurement of the set of channel state indicator reference signals, the cells including the first cell; a list of active bandwidth portions in a second cell served by the second network device; or A list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

10. The second network device according to claim 7, wherein the second network device is further caused to: A confirmation is received from the first network device as to whether the transmission of at least the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell is enabled by the first network device.

11. The second network device of claim 10, wherein the confirmation indicates at least one of the following: A resource list for a set of channel state indicator reference signals on one or more carriers in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals comprising: the channel state indicator reference signal requested by the second network device; a list of enabled or disabled states of the resources for the set of channel state indicator reference signals; a list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals; or At least a validity duration of one of the resources for the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

12. The second network device of claim 10, wherein the acknowledgement indicates a validity duration of resources for the channel state indicator reference signal requested by the second network device, and the second network device is further caused to: determining, after expiration of the validity duration, that the measuring of the channel state indicator reference signal is continued; and A request is sent to the first network device to maintain the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

13. The second network device according to claim 10, wherein the second network device is further caused to: receiving a measurement start indication from a further terminal device, the measurement start indication indicating that the channel state indicator reference signal is to be measured by the further terminal device in the first cell; and Based on determining that the validity duration of the resources for the channel state indicator reference signal has not expired, sending a resource indication for the resources of the channel state indicator reference signal to the further terminal device.

14. The second network device of claim 7, wherein the second network device is caused to send the disable request by: after said receiving of said measurement stop indication, determining that said measurement of said channel state indicator reference signal from said first cell is not requested by another terminal device; and The disable request is sent to the first network device.

15. A first network device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory including computer program code; The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first network device to: receiving an enabling request from a second network device, the enabling request for enabling transmission of at least a channel state indicator reference signal in a first cell served by the first network device, wherein the enabling request is sent by the second network device in response to receiving a measurement start indication from a terminal device, the measurement start indication indicating that measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be initiated by the terminal device; as well as sending a confirmation to the second network device as to whether the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal is enabled in the first cell; The first network device is further caused to: receiving a disabling request from the second network device, the disabling request being used to disable the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell, wherein the disabling request is sent by the second network device in response to receiving a measurement stop indication from a terminal device, the measurement stop indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be stopped by the terminal device; as well as The transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell is stopped.

16. The first network device of claim 15, wherein the enablement request indicates at least one of the following: a list of carriers for measurement of a set of channel state indicator reference signals in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals including the channel state indicator reference signal requested by the second network device; a list of cells used for the measurement of the set of channel state indicator reference signals, comprising the first cell; a list of active bandwidth portions in a second cell served by the second network device; or A list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

17. The first network device of claim 15, wherein the confirmation indicates at least one of: a list of resources for a set of channel state indicator reference signals on one or more carriers in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals including the channel state indicator reference signal requested by the second network device; a list of enabled or disabled states of the resources of the set of channel state indicator reference signals; a list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals; or At least a validity duration of one of the resources for the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

18. The first network device of claim 15, wherein the first network device is caused to: upon said receiving of said disabling request, determining that said transmission of said channel state indicator reference signal is not requested by another network device; and The transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell is stopped.

19. A method implemented at a terminal device, comprising: determining that a channel state indicator reference signal from a first cell served by a first network device is to be measured; Sending a measurement start indication to a second network device, so that the second network device sends an activation request to the first network device, the measurement start indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be initiated by the terminal device, and the activation request is used to enable transmission of at least the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell; as well as performing the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell; The method further comprises: A measurement stop indication is sent to the second network device so that the second network device sends a disabling request to the first network device, wherein the measurement stop indication indicates that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be stopped by the terminal device, and the disabling request is used to disable the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein sending the measurement start indication comprises: The measurement start indication is sent to the second network device based on a measurement configuration from the second network device indicating that the measurement start indication is to be sent by the terminal device.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein determining that the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be measured comprises: Based on determining that a metric associated with measurement of synchronization signal blocks in at least one of a second cell served by the second network device and the first cell is below a threshold, determining that the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be measured.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein sending the measurement start indication comprises: According to determining that the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is undetectable, the measurement start indication is sent to the second network device.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the measurement start indication indicates at least one of the following: a cell identifier of the first cell; an index of a synchronization signal block associated with the channel state indicator reference signal to be measured; resources used for the channel state indicator reference signal; or The index of the channel state indicator reference signal.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein performing the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell comprises: receiving, from the second network device, a resource indication of a resource for the channel state indicator reference signal; as well as The measuring of the channel state indicator reference signal is performed on the resource.

25. A method implemented at a second network device, comprising: receiving a measurement start indication from a terminal device, the measurement start indication indicating that measurement of a channel state indicator reference signal from a first cell served by a first network device is to be initiated by the terminal device; as well as In response to receiving the measurement start indication, sending an enabling request to the first network device, the enabling request being used to enable transmission of at least the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell; The method further comprises: receiving a measurement stop indication from the terminal device, the measurement stop indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be stopped by the terminal device; as well as In response to receiving the measurement stop indication, a disabling request is sent to the first network device, where the disabling request is used to disable the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the measurement start indication indicates at least one of the following: a cell identifier of the first cell; an index of a synchronization signal block associated with the channel state indicator reference signal to be measured by the terminal device; resources used for the channel state indicator reference signal; or The index of the channel state indicator reference signal.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the enablement request indicates at least one of: a list of carriers for measurement of a set of channel state indicator reference signals in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals including the channel state indicator reference signals to be measured by the terminal device; a list of cells for the measurement of the set of channel state indicator reference signals, the cells including the first cell; a list of active bandwidth portions in a second cell served by the second network device; or A list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

28. The method of claim 25, further comprising: A confirmation is received from the first network device as to whether the transmission of at least the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell is enabled by the first network device.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the confirmation indicates at least one of: A resource list for a set of channel state indicator reference signals on one or more carriers in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals comprising: the channel state indicator reference signal requested by the second network device; a list of enabled or disabled states of the resources for the set of channel state indicator reference signals; a list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals; or At least a validity duration of one of the resources for the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the acknowledgement indicates a validity duration of resources for the channel state indicator reference signal requested by the second network device, and the method further comprises: determining, after expiration of the validity duration, that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal is continued; as well as A request is sent to the first network device to maintain the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

31. The method of claim 28, further comprising: receiving a measurement start indication from another terminal device, the measurement start indication indicating that the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be measured by the other terminal device; as well as Based on determining that the validity duration of the resources for the channel state indicator reference signal has not expired, sending a resource indication for the resources of the channel state indicator reference signal to the further terminal device.

32. The method of claim 25, wherein sending the disable request comprises: after said receiving of said measurement stop indication, determining that said measurement of said channel state indicator reference signal in said first cell is not requested by another terminal device; as well as The disable request is sent to the first network device.

33. A method implemented at a first network device, comprising: receiving an enabling request from a second network device, the enabling request for enabling transmission of at least a channel state indicator reference signal in a first cell served by the first network device, wherein the enabling request is sent by the second network device in response to receiving a measurement start indication from a terminal device, the measurement start indication indicating that measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be initiated by the terminal device; as well as sending a confirmation to the second network device as to whether the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal is enabled in the first cell; The method further comprises: receiving a disabling request from the second network device, the disabling request being used to disable the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell, wherein the disabling request is sent by the second network device in response to receiving a measurement stop indication from a terminal device, the measurement stop indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be stopped by the terminal device; as well as The transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell is stopped.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the enablement request indicates at least one of: A list of carriers for measuring a set of channel state indicator reference signals in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals comprising: the channel state indicator reference signal requested by the second network device; a list of cells used for the measurement of the set of channel state indicator reference signals, comprising the first cell; a list of active bandwidth portions in a second cell served by the second network device; or A list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the confirmation indicates at least one of: A resource list for a set of channel state indicator reference signals on one or more carriers in at least the first cell, the set of channel state indicator reference signals comprising: the channel state indicator reference signal requested by the second network device; a list of enabled or disabled states of the resources of the set of channel state indicator reference signals; a list of indices of a set of synchronization signal blocks associated with the set of channel state indicator reference signals; or at least a validity duration of one of the resources of the set of channel state indicator reference signals.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein stopping the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal comprises: after said receiving of said disabling request, determining that said transmission of said channel state indicator reference signal is not requested by another network device; as well as The transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell is stopped.

37. An apparatus implemented at a terminal device, comprising: means for determining that a channel state indicator reference signal from a first cell served by a first network device is to be measured; a component for sending a measurement start indication to a second network device so that the second network device sends an activation request to the first network device, the measurement start indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be initiated by the terminal device, and the activation request is used to enable transmission of at least the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell; as well as means for performing said measurement of said channel state indicator reference signal from said first cell; The device further comprises: A component for sending a measurement stop indication to the second network device so that the second network device sends a disabling request to the first network device, the measurement stop indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be stopped by the terminal device, and the disabling request is used to disable the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

38. An apparatus implemented at a second network device, comprising: means for receiving a measurement start indication from a terminal device, the measurement start indication indicating that measurement of a channel state indicator reference signal from a first cell served by a first network device is to be initiated by the terminal device; as well as means for sending an enabling request to the first network device in response to receiving the measurement start indication, the enabling request being used to enable transmission of at least the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell; The device further comprises: means for receiving a measurement stop indication from the terminal device, the measurement stop indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be stopped by the terminal device; as well as Means for sending a disabling request to the first network device in response to receiving the measurement stop indication, the disabling request being for disabling the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

39. An apparatus implemented at a first network device, comprising: means for receiving an enabling request from a second network device, the enabling request for enabling transmission of at least a channel state indicator reference signal in a first cell served by the first network device, wherein the enabling request is sent by the second network device in response to receiving a measurement start indication from a terminal device, the measurement start indication indicating that measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be initiated by the terminal device; as well as means for sending a confirmation to the second network device as to whether the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal is enabled in the first cell; The device further comprises: means for receiving a disabling request from the second network equipment, the disabling request for disabling the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell, wherein the disabling request is sent by the second network equipment in response to receiving a measurement stop indication from a terminal device, the measurement stop indication indicating that the measurement of the channel state indicator reference signal from the first cell is to be stopped by the terminal device; as well as Means for stopping the transmission of the channel state indicator reference signal in the first cell.

40. A computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 19 to 24.

41. A computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 25 to 32.

42. A computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 33 to 36.

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