Method and apparatus for maintaining candidate cells

Abstract

The embodiment of the application discloses a candidate cell maintenance method and device, and belongs to the technical field of communication. The candidate cell maintenance method comprises the following steps: after CPAC triggering, a first node performs a first operation; or the first node performs the first operation according to usage range information of a candidate cell; wherein the first node comprises at least one of the following: a target secondary node, a candidate secondary node and a master node; the execution of the first operation comprises adding, modifying, releasing, activating or deactivating one or more candidate cells; the target secondary node is a secondary node where a target PSCell after CPAC triggering or execution is located; and the candidate secondary node is a secondary node where a candidate cell of CPAC is located.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of communication technology, specifically relating to a method and device for maintaining candidate cells. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, after executing the CPAC procedure, the terminal releases all candidate cells and cannot continuously execute subsequent CPAC procedures. However, in cases where the terminal is allowed to retain candidate cells after executing CPAC to allow for subsequent CPAC procedures, how to maintain candidate cells is a technical problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a method and apparatus for maintaining candidate cells, which can solve the problem in related technologies where terminals cannot perform continuous CPAC due to the inability to maintain candidate cells.

[0004] In a first aspect, a method for maintaining candidate cells is provided, comprising: after CPAC is triggered, a first node performs a first operation; or, the first node performs a first operation based on the usage scope information of the candidate cells; wherein, the first node includes at least one of the following: a target auxiliary node, a candidate auxiliary node, and a master node; the execution of the first operation includes: adding, modifying, releasing, activating, or deactivating one or more candidate cells; the target auxiliary node is the auxiliary node where the target PSCell is located after CPAC is triggered or executed; the candidate auxiliary node is the auxiliary node where the candidate cells of CPAC are located.

[0005] Secondly, a method for maintaining candidate cells is provided, comprising: a master node receiving first candidate cell configuration information from a target auxiliary node, the first candidate cell configuration information including at least one of the following: accepting or retaining one or more candidate cells; rejecting one or more candidate cells; releasing one or more candidate cells; activating or deactivating one or more candidate cells.

[0006] Thirdly, a method for maintaining candidate cells is provided, comprising: a candidate secondary node sending first candidate cell usage range information, the first candidate cell usage range information including usage range information of at least one candidate secondary cell, the usage range information being used to perform a first operation; the first operation comprising: adding, modifying, releasing, activating or deactivating one or more candidate cells.

[0007] Fourthly, a method for maintaining candidate cells is provided, comprising: a terminal receiving an RRC reconfiguration message, the RRC reconfiguration message containing usage scope information of at least one candidate cell, the usage scope information being used to perform a first operation; the first operation comprising: adding, modifying, releasing, activating or deactivating one or more candidate cells.

[0008] Fifthly, a first node is provided, comprising: a processing module, configured to perform a first operation after CPAC is triggered; or, to perform the first operation based on the usage scope information of candidate cells; wherein the first node comprises at least one of the following: a target auxiliary node, a candidate auxiliary node, and a master node; the execution of the first operation includes: adding, modifying, releasing, activating, or deactivating one or more candidate cells; the target auxiliary node is the auxiliary node where the target PSCell is located after CPAC is triggered or executed; the candidate auxiliary node is the auxiliary node where the candidate cell of CPAC is located.

[0009] In a sixth aspect, a master node is provided, comprising: a receiving module, configured to receive first candidate cell configuration information from a target secondary node, the first candidate cell configuration information including at least one of the following: accepting or retaining one or more candidate cells; rejecting one or more candidate cells; releasing one or more candidate cells; activating or deactivating one or more candidate cells.

[0010] In a seventh aspect, a candidate secondary node is provided, comprising: a sending module, configured to send first candidate cell usage range information, the first candidate cell usage range information including usage range information of at least one candidate secondary cell, the usage range information being used to perform a first operation; the first operation comprising: adding, modifying, releasing, activating or deactivating one or more candidate cells.

[0011] Eighthly, a terminal is provided, comprising: a receiving module for receiving an RRC reconfiguration message, the RRC reconfiguration message containing usage scope information of at least one candidate cell, the usage scope information being used to perform a first operation; the first operation comprising: adding, modifying, releasing, activating, or deactivating one or more candidate cells.

[0012] In a ninth aspect, a terminal is provided, the terminal including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the fourth aspect.

[0013] In a tenth aspect, a terminal is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to receive an RRC reconfiguration message, the RRC reconfiguration message containing usage scope information of at least one candidate cell, the usage scope information being used to perform a first operation; the first operation includes: adding, modifying, releasing, activating, or deactivating one or more candidate cells.

[0014] Eleventhly, a network-side device is provided, the network-side device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the first, second, or third aspects.

[0015] In a twelfth aspect, a network-side device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the processor and the communication interface are used to implement the steps of the method described in the first, second, or third aspect.

[0016] In a thirteenth aspect, a candidate cell maintenance system is provided, comprising: a terminal and a network-side device, wherein the terminal can be used to perform the steps of the method described in the fourth aspect, and the network-side device can be used to perform the steps of the method described in the first, second, or third aspect.

[0017] In a fourteenth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instructions are stored, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method as described in the first, second, third, or fourth aspect.

[0018] In a fifteenth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface coupled to the processor, the processor being configured to run programs or instructions to implement the steps of the methods described in the first, second, third, or fourth aspects.

[0019] In a sixteenth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, the computer program / program product being stored in a storage medium, the computer program / program product being executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, second aspect, third aspect, or fourth aspect.

[0020] In this embodiment, the target secondary node, candidate secondary node, or primary node can perform a first operation after CPAC is triggered; or, the target secondary node, candidate secondary node, or primary node can perform a first operation based on the usage scope information of the candidate cells. The first operation includes adding, modifying, releasing, activating, or deactivating one or more candidate cells. This embodiment solves the problem in related technologies where the terminal cannot perform continuous CPAC processes due to the inability to maintain candidate cells, which is beneficial for the terminal to perform continuous CPAC processes and thus reduces related configuration overhead. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2This is a schematic flowchart of a method for maintaining candidate cells according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart of a method for maintaining candidate cells according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart of a method for maintaining candidate cells according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart of a method for maintaining candidate cells according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 6 This is a schematic flowchart of a method for maintaining candidate cells according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 7 This is a schematic flowchart of a method for maintaining candidate cells according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 8 This is a schematic flowchart of a method for maintaining candidate cells according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 9 This is a schematic flowchart of a method for maintaining candidate cells according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the terminal structure according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 11 This is a structural schematic diagram of the first node according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the master node according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a candidate auxiliary node according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the terminal structure according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network-side device according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0023] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same class, not limited in number; for example, a first object can be one or more. Furthermore, in the specification and claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0024] It is worth noting that the technologies described in this application are not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in this application are often used interchangeably, and the described technologies can be used in the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as in other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes New Radio (NR) systems for illustrative purposes, and NR terminology is used in most of the following description; however, these technologies can also be applied to applications beyond NR systems, such as 6th generation (6G) radio systems. th Generation 6G communication system.

[0025] Figure 1This diagram illustrates a block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. Terminal 11 can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld computer, netbook, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), mobile internet device (MID), augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) device, robot, wearable device, vehicle-mounted device (VUE), pedestrian terminal (PUE), smart home (home devices with wireless communication capabilities, such as refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, or furniture), game console, personal computer (PC), ATM, or self-service machine, etc. Wearable devices include: smartwatches, smart bracelets, smart headphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart chains, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of terminal 11 is not limited in this embodiment. Network-side equipment 12 may include access network equipment or core network equipment. Access network equipment may also be referred to as radio access network equipment, radio access network (RAN), radio access network function, or radio access network unit. Access network equipment may include base stations, WLAN access points, or WiFi nodes, etc. Base stations may be referred to as Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), access point, base transceiver station (BTS), radio base station, radio transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), home B node, home evolved B node, Transmitting Receiving Point (TRP), or any other suitable term in the field, as long as the same technical effect is achieved. The base station is not limited to specific technical terms. It should be noted that in this embodiment, only a base station in an NR system is used as an example for description, and the specific type of base station is not limited.

[0026] The method for maintaining candidate cells provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through some embodiments and application scenarios.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown in the figure, this application embodiment provides a method 200 for maintaining candidate cells. This method can be executed by a first node, in other words, the method can be executed by software or hardware installed on the first node. The first node can be a network-side device. The method includes the following steps.

[0028] S202: After CPAC is triggered, the first node performs a first operation; or, the first node performs a first operation based on the usage scope information of the candidate cells; wherein, the first node includes at least one of the following: a target auxiliary node, a candidate auxiliary node, and a primary node; the execution of the first operation includes: adding, modifying, releasing, activating, or deactivating one or more candidate cells; the target auxiliary node is the auxiliary node where the target primary-secondary cell (PSCell) is located after CPAC is triggered or executed; the candidate auxiliary node is the auxiliary node where the candidate cell of CPAC is located.

[0029] The CPAC triggering mentioned in various embodiments of this application may include: receiving a message sent by the terminal to indicate to the network that the CPAC conditional reconfiguration has been triggered, such as the first RRC reconfiguration completion message in subsequent embodiments.

[0030] The execution of the first operation in this application embodiment can be understood as maintaining candidate cells. As an operational process, the first operation has different message interaction processes depending on the specific situation or embodiment.

[0031] The scope of use information for the candidate cells (hereinafter referred to as candidate secondary cells) may include at least one of the following: 1) One or more first cell identifiers; wherein, when the cell identifier of the primary and secondary cells of the terminal is the same as one of the one or more first cell identifiers, the candidate cell supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the candidate cell is valid.

[0032] 2) One or more second cell identifiers; wherein, when the candidate cell is the primary or secondary cell of the terminal, the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier is valid.

[0033] 3) Candidate cell retention indication, which indicates whether a cell is retained as a candidate cell.

[0034] The candidate cell maintenance method provided in this application embodiment allows the target auxiliary node, candidate auxiliary node, or master node to perform a first operation after CPAC is triggered; alternatively, the target auxiliary node, candidate auxiliary node, or master node can perform the first operation based on the usage scope information of the candidate cell. The first operation includes adding, modifying, releasing, activating, or deactivating one or more candidate cells. This application embodiment solves the problem in related technologies where the inability to maintain candidate cells causes the terminal to be unable to perform continuous CPAC processes, which is beneficial for the terminal to perform continuous CPAC processes and thus reduces related configuration overhead.

[0035] The candidate cell maintenance method provided in this application embodiment allows network-side devices and terminals to retain available CPAC or Conditional Handover (CHO) candidate cells and release unavailable candidate cells, thereby avoiding unnecessary conditional reconfiguration signaling and improving the mobility performance of the terminal.

[0036] To explain in detail the method for maintaining candidate cells provided in the embodiments of this application, the following will describe it in conjunction with several scenarios. Scenario 1 will describe the target secondary node performing a first operation after CPAC is triggered; Scenario 2 will describe the candidate secondary node performing a first operation after CPAC is triggered; Scenario 3 will describe the primary node performing a first operation after CPAC is triggered; Scenario 4 will describe the first node performing a first operation based on the usage scope information of the candidate cell.

[0037] Case 1 The first node includes the target auxiliary node. When the first node performs the first operation after CPAC is triggered, the method further includes: the first node (i.e., the target auxiliary node) sending first candidate cell configuration information to the primary node, the first candidate cell configuration information indicating at least one of the following 1) to 4): 1) Accept or retain one or more candidate cells, which means that one or more candidate cells are accepted or retained by the target secondary node as target candidate cells. The target candidate cells refer to the candidate cells that the terminal can use at the current time or after the CPAC is executed, and so on.

[0038] 2) Reject one or more candidate cells. This means that one or more candidate cells are rejected and will not be considered as target candidate cells.

[0039] 3) Releasing one or more candidate cells means that one or more candidate cells are released and will not be considered as target candidate cells.

[0040] 4) Activate or deactivate one or more candidate cells.

[0041] Optionally, activating one or more candidate cells includes changing the one or more candidate cells to an active state; wherein the one or more candidate cells in the active state satisfy one of the following: the one or more candidate cells are used as target candidate cells; the terminal is allowed to add or change to the one or more candidate cells; the terminal evaluates the one or more candidate cells.

[0042] Optionally, deactivating one or more candidate cells includes changing the one or more candidate cells to a deactivated state; wherein the one or more candidate cells in the deactivated state satisfy at least one of the following: the one or more candidate cells are not used as target cells; the terminal is not allowed to add or change to the candidate cells; the terminal suspends the evaluation of the one or more candidate cells; the terminal does not evaluate the one or more candidate cells; the terminal does not release the conditional reconfiguration information of the one or more candidate cells.

[0043] It is understood that the content included in the first candidate cell configuration information can be the same as the operation performed by the first node (i.e., the target auxiliary node) when performing the first operation. For example, in embodiment 200, if the first node retains candidate cell 1 and candidate cell 2, then the content included in the first candidate cell configuration information can be the retention of candidate cell 1 and candidate cell 2.

[0044] Optionally, in the first candidate cell configuration information, the one or more candidate cells are identified by at least one of the following: 1) Community Identifier ID.

[0045] 2) Secondary Community ID.

[0046] 3) Conditional reconfiguration ID, which is used to identify the conditional reconfiguration configured by the network for the terminal.

[0047] Optionally, the configuration information of the first candidate cell is included in the cell group configuration message.

[0048] Optionally, the configuration information of the first candidate cell is carried in one of the following messages: secondary node change confirmation message; secondary node modification request confirmation message; secondary node reconfiguration completion response message.

[0049] Optionally, the method further includes: the first node (i.e., the target auxiliary node) receiving a first candidate cell configuration confirmation message from the primary node, the first candidate cell configuration confirmation message being used to confirm the configuration information of the first candidate cell.

[0050] Optionally, before the first node (i.e., the target secondary node) sends the first candidate cell configuration information to the primary node, the method further includes: the first node receiving first candidate cell information from the primary node, wherein the first candidate cell information includes CPAC candidate cells configured by the network for the terminal.

[0051] Optionally, the first candidate cell information includes at least one of the following: 1) Community ID.

[0052] 2) Secondary Community ID.

[0053] 3) Conditional reconfiguration information. This refers to at least one conditional reconfiguration configured by the network for the UE. Further, it includes at least one of the following: CPAC conditional reconfiguration initiated by the MN; CPAC conditional reconfiguration initiated by the S-SN.

[0054] 4) One or more execution conditions. The execution conditions include a measurement ID, or a measurement event configuration such as an A4 measurement event, or a cell signal strength threshold.

[0055] 5) Conditional reconfiguration ID, which is used to identify the conditional reconfiguration configured by the network for the terminal.

[0056] 6) Candidate cell retention indication, which indicates whether a cell is retained as a candidate cell.

[0057] Optionally, the first candidate cell information is included in the cell group configuration information message.

[0058] Optionally, the information of the first candidate cell is carried in one of the following messages: secondary node reconfiguration completion message; secondary node change request message; secondary node modification request message.

[0059] Optionally, the first candidate cell information is sent by the master node after receiving the first Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration completion message sent by the terminal. The first RRC reconfiguration completion message is used by the terminal to indicate to the network that CPAC conditional reconfiguration execution has been triggered.

[0060] Case 2 The first node includes the candidate secondary node. When the first node performs the first operation after CPAC is triggered, the method further includes: the first node (i.e., the candidate secondary node) receiving first conditional configuration cell information from the primary node, the first conditional configuration cell information including at least one of the following: 1) Primary and secondary cell information, such as PSCell ID, physical cell identifier. This primary and secondary cell information can be the information of the current primary and secondary cells after the terminal performs CPAC.

[0061] 2) First candidate cell information, wherein the first candidate cell information includes CPAC candidate cells configured by the network for the terminal.

[0062] 3) At least one candidate secondary cell information configured by the candidate secondary node in the first candidate cell information, wherein the first candidate cell information includes CPAC candidate cells configured by the network for the terminal.

[0063] Optionally, the first candidate cell information includes at least one of the following: 1) Community ID.

[0064] 2) Secondary Community ID.

[0065] 3) Conditional reconfiguration information.

[0066] 4) One or more execution conditions.

[0067] 5) Conditional reconfiguration ID, which is used to identify the conditional reconfiguration configured by the network for the terminal.

[0068] 6) Candidate cell retention indication, which indicates whether a cell is retained as a candidate cell.

[0069] Optionally, the first conditional configuration cell information is included in the cell group configuration information message.

[0070] Optionally, the first condition configuration cell information is carried in one of the following messages: a secondary node change request message; a secondary node modification request message.

[0071] Optionally, the method further includes: the first node (i.e., the candidate auxiliary node) sending second candidate cell configuration information to the primary node, the second candidate cell configuration information including at least one of the following: 1) Accept or retain one or more candidate cells.

[0072] 2) Reject one or more candidate cells.

[0073] 3) Release one or more candidate cells.

[0074] 4) Activate or deactivate one or more candidate cells.

[0075] For details regarding the configuration information of the second candidate cell, please refer to the explanation of the configuration information of the first candidate cell.

[0076] Optionally, the second candidate cell configuration information is included in the cell group configuration message.

[0077] Optionally, the configuration information of the second candidate cell is carried in one of the following messages: a secondary node change confirmation message; a secondary node modification request confirmation message.

[0078] Optionally, the method further includes: the first node (i.e., the candidate auxiliary node) receiving second candidate cell configuration confirmation information from the primary node, the second candidate cell configuration confirmation information being used to confirm the second candidate cell configuration information.

[0079] Case 3 The first node includes the master node. When the first node performs a first operation after CPAC is triggered, the first node performs the first operation, which includes: after receiving a first RRC reconfiguration complete message sent by the terminal, the first node (i.e., the master node) performs the first operation; wherein, the first RRC reconfiguration complete message is used by the terminal to indicate to the network that CPAC conditional reconfiguration execution has been triggered.

[0080] Optionally, before the first node performs the first operation, the method further includes: the first node determining at least one of the following: 1) Scope of application of candidate cells. The scope of application of candidate cells can be referred to the explanation in Example 200.

[0081] 2) At least one candidate cell supported by the target auxiliary node.

[0082] 3) At least one candidate cell supported by the primary and secondary cells.

[0083] 4) Neighboring relationships between candidate communities and primary and secondary communities.

[0084] Optionally, the first node performs the first operation, and the method further includes: the first node sending the third candidate cell information to the target auxiliary node, the third candidate cell information including the CPAC candidate cell information determined by the first node.

[0085] Optionally, the third candidate cell information includes at least one of the following: 1) Community ID.

[0086] 2) Secondary Community ID.

[0087] 3) Conditional reconfiguration ID, which is used to identify the conditional reconfiguration configured by the network for the terminal.

[0088] 4) Candidate cell retention indication, which indicates whether a cell is retained as a candidate cell.

[0089] Optionally, the third candidate cell information is included in the cell group configuration information message.

[0090] Optionally, the third candidate cell information is carried in one of the following messages: secondary node reconfiguration completion message; secondary node change request message; secondary node modification request message.

[0091] Optionally, the first node (i.e., the master node) performs the first operation, and the method further includes: the first node sending a secondary cell activation / deactivation message or an add or release message to the candidate secondary nodes, wherein the secondary cell activation / deactivation message is used to indicate activation / deactivation of at least one configured candidate cell, the add message is used to add a candidate cell, and the release message is used to release a candidate cell.

[0092] Optionally, the first node (i.e., the master node) performs the first operation, and the method further includes: the first node sending an activation / deactivation message or an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal, wherein the activation / deactivation message is used to activate / deactivate at least one candidate cell, and the RRC reconfiguration message is used to activate / deactivate or add or release at least one configured candidate cell.

[0093] Case 4 The first node includes the primary node or the target secondary node. When the first node performs a first operation based on the usage range information of the candidate cell, the method further includes: the first node receiving first candidate cell usage range information from the candidate secondary node, the first candidate cell usage range information including usage range information of at least one candidate secondary cell, the candidate secondary cell being a candidate cell configured by the candidate secondary node.

[0094] Optionally, the usage range information of the at least one candidate secondary cell includes at least one of the following: 1) One or more first cell identifiers; wherein, when the cell identifier of the primary and secondary cells of the terminal is the same as one of the one or more first cell identifiers, the candidate secondary cell supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the candidate secondary cell is valid.

[0095] 2) One or more second cell identifiers; wherein, when the candidate secondary cell is the primary or secondary cell of the terminal, the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier is valid.

[0096] 3) Candidate cell retention indication, which indicates whether a cell is retained as a candidate cell.

[0097] Optionally, the scope information of the first candidate cell is included in the cell group configuration message.

[0098] Optionally, the usage scope information of the first candidate cell is carried in the auxiliary node addition request confirmation message.

[0099] Optionally, before the first node receives the first candidate cell usage range information from the candidate auxiliary node, the method further includes: the first node sending first cell information to the candidate auxiliary node, wherein the first candidate cell usage range information is determined by the candidate auxiliary node based on the first cell information, and the first cell information includes at least one of the following: 1) CPAC candidate cell information; 2) at least one candidate auxiliary node information providing candidate cells.

[0100] Optionally, after the first node receives the first candidate cell usage range information from the candidate auxiliary node, the method further includes: the first node sending an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal, the RRC reconfiguration message containing the candidate cell usage range information of at least one candidate cell.

[0101] Optionally, the first node performing the first operation based on the usage scope information of the candidate cell includes: after receiving the first RRC reconfiguration completion message sent by the terminal, the first node performing the first operation based on the usage scope information of the candidate cell; wherein, the first RRC reconfiguration completion message is used by the terminal to indicate to the network that the CPAC conditional reconfiguration execution has been triggered.

[0102] Optionally, the method further includes: the first node sending a secondary cell activation / deactivation message or add or release message to the candidate secondary node, wherein the secondary cell activation / deactivation message is used to indicate activation / deactivation of at least one configured candidate cell, the add message is used to add a candidate cell, and the release message is used to release a candidate cell that is not in use.

[0103] Optionally, the method further includes: the first node sending an activation / deactivation message or an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal, wherein the activation / deactivation message is used to activate / deactivate at least one candidate cell, and the RRC reconfiguration message is used to activate / deactivate or add or release configured at least one candidate cell.

[0104] To explain in detail the method for maintaining candidate cells provided in the embodiments of this application, the following will be described in conjunction with several specific embodiments.

[0105] Example 1 This embodiment mainly introduces the maintenance of candidate cells by the target auxiliary node (Target-SN, T-SN), such as Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment includes the following steps: Step 1: The source and auxiliary nodes (Source-SN, S-SN) initiate CPAC. For example, S-SN sends an SN change request message to MN.

[0106] Step 2: The master node MN sends an SN add request message to at least one target slave node.

[0107] Step 3: The T-SN sends an SN Add Request Confirmation Message to the MN, which includes one or more candidate cell configurations.

[0108] Optionally, MN sends acceptance information for the candidate PSCell to S-SN.

[0109] Optionally, the S-SN updates the CPAC configuration information.

[0110] Optionally, the MN sends early data forwarding information.

[0111] Step 4: The MN sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the UE, which includes the CPAC command.

[0112] Step 5: The UE sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message to the MN, indicating that it has received the RRC reconfiguration message.

[0113] Step 6: MN sends an SN reconfiguration complete message to S-SN.

[0114] Step 7: The UE sends the first RRC reconfiguration complete message to the MN.

[0115] The first RRC reconfiguration completion message includes an RRC reconfiguration completion message sent by the UE to the MN after the CPA or CPC conditional reconfiguration execution is triggered.

[0116] Step 8: MN sends an SN change confirmation message to S-SN.

[0117] Step 9: MN sends SN reconfiguration completion information + first candidate cell information to T-SN.

[0118] Optionally, after receiving the first RRC reconfiguration complete message sent by the UE, the MN performs the operation of step 9.

[0119] The first candidate cell information includes CPAC candidate cell information (ConfiguredCandidate Cells) configured by the network for the UE, and includes at least one of the following 1) to 6): 1) Cell ID, such as Physical Cell Identity.

[0120] 2) Secondary cell ID, such as SCell ID.

[0121] 3) Conditional reconfiguration information. This refers to at least one conditional reconfiguration configured by the network for the UE. Further, it includes at least one of the following: CPAC conditional reconfiguration initiated by the MN; CPAC conditional reconfiguration initiated by the S-SN.

[0122] 4) One or more execution conditions. The execution conditions include a measurement ID, or a measurement event configuration such as an A4 measurement event, or a cell signal strength threshold.

[0123] 5) Conditional Reconfiguration ID (condReconfigId). The Conditional Reconfiguration ID is used to identify the conditional reconfiguration configured by the network for the terminal.

[0124] 6) Candidate Cell Retention Indication: This indicates that one or more candidate cells are retained by the MN as target candidate cells. In one implementation, among the multiple candidate cells configured in the network, some candidate cells are retained by the MN and continue to be target candidate cells. The target auxiliary node can then decide on other candidate cells.

[0125] Optionally, the information of the first candidate cell is included in the cell group configuration information (CG-ConfigInfo) message.

[0126] Optionally, the first candidate cell information is carried in one of the following messages: 1) SN Reconfiguration Complete message.

[0127] 2) S-NODE CHANGE REQUEST.

[0128] 3) In the secondary node modification request (S-NODE MODIFICATION REQUEST) message.

[0129] It should be noted that SN and S-NODE are equivalent, both representing auxiliary nodes, and the same applies thereafter.

[0130] Step 10: The UE initiates a random access procedure and randomly accesses the T-SN.

[0131] Step 11: T-SN sends the configuration information of the first candidate cell to MN.

[0132] The first candidate cell configuration information includes maintenance operations for one or more candidate cells, including at least one of the following: 1) Accept or retain one or more candidate cells. This indicates that one or more candidate cells are accepted or retained by the secondary node as target candidate cells. The target candidate cells refer to the candidate cells available to the UE during the current process or after CPAC execution.

[0133] 2) Reject one or more candidate cells. This indicates that one or more candidate cells are rejected and will not be considered as target candidate cells.

[0134] 3) Release one or more candidate cells. This indicates that one or more candidate cells are released and will no longer be considered as target candidate cells.

[0135] 4) Activate or deactivate one or more candidate cells.

[0136] Optionally, activating one or more candidate cells includes changing the one or more candidate cells to an active state; wherein the one or more candidate cells in the active state satisfy one of the following: the one or more candidate cells are used as target candidate cells; the terminal is allowed to add or change to the one or more candidate cells; the terminal evaluates the one or more candidate cells.

[0137] Optionally, deactivating one or more candidate cells includes changing the one or more candidate cells to a deactivated state; wherein the one or more candidate cells in the deactivated state satisfy at least one of the following: the one or more candidate cells are not used as target cells; the terminal is not allowed to add or change to the candidate cells; the terminal suspends the evaluation of the one or more candidate cells; the terminal does not evaluate the one or more candidate cells; the terminal does not release the conditional reconfiguration information of the one or more candidate cells.

[0138] Optionally, the candidate cells are identified using at least one of the following information: 1) Community ID, such as physical community identifier.

[0139] 2) Secondary cell ID, such as SCell ID.

[0140] 3) Conditional reconfiguration ID, which is used to identify the conditional reconfiguration configured by the network for the terminal.

[0141] Optionally, the configuration information of the first candidate cell is included in the CG-Config message.

[0142] Optionally, the configuration information of the first candidate cell is carried in one of the following messages: 1) S-NODE CHANGE CONFIRM message.

[0143] 2) S-NODE MODIFICATION REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE message.

[0144] 3) Secondary node reconfiguration completion response message. This message is used in response to the SN reconfiguration completion message in step 9. Further, this secondary node reconfiguration completion response message is sent when the SN reconfiguration completion message contains information about the first candidate cell.

[0145] Optionally, after receiving the first candidate cell configuration information, the MN may also send a first candidate cell configuration confirmation message to the T-SN, the first candidate cell configuration confirmation message being used to confirm the first candidate cell configuration information.

[0146] Step 12: After receiving the first candidate cell configuration information, the MN may optionally send an SN release request (S-NODE RELEASE REQUEST) message to a potential T-SN or candidate secondary node. The SN release request message is used to indicate the release of at least one configured candidate cell.

[0147] The SN sends an SN release request message based on the accept, reject, or release information contained in the first candidate cell configuration information.

[0148] Without loss of generality: The network has configured multiple candidate cells for CPAC for the UE, including Cell1, Cell2, Cell3, and Cell4. After the CPAC conditional reconfiguration is triggered, the MN sends the first candidate cell information to the T-SN, including information about the candidate cells: Cell1, Cell2, Cell3, and Cell4. The T-SN sends the first candidate cell configuration information to the MN, including: accepting Cell1, Cell2, and Cell3; or rejecting Cell4 or releasing Cell4. The MN sends a secondary node release request message to the candidate secondary node corresponding to Cell4.

[0149] Step 13: MN receives the SN release request confirmation message, which indicates that the SN release request message has been received.

[0150] Step 14: After receiving the SN release request confirmation message (S-NODE RELEASE REQUESTACKNOWLEDGE), the MN sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the UE, which includes the release of at least one candidate cell.

[0151] It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the order of the steps; in addition, this embodiment may omit some steps or add some steps, for example, omitting step 6, step 12 or step 13, etc.

[0152] Example 2 This embodiment mainly introduces how candidate auxiliary nodes determine candidate cells, such as... Figure 4 As shown, this embodiment includes the following steps: Step 1: S-SN initiates CPAC, for example, S-SN sends an SN change request message to MN.

[0153] Step 2: MN sends an SN add request message to at least one target auxiliary node.

[0154] Step 3: The T-SN sends an SN Add Request Confirmation Message to the MN, which includes one or more candidate cell configurations.

[0155] Optionally, MN sends acceptance information for the candidate PSCell to S-SN.

[0156] Optionally, the S-SN updates the CPAC configuration information.

[0157] Optionally, the MN sends early data forwarding information.

[0158] Step 4: The MN sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the UE, which includes the CPAC command.

[0159] Step 5: The UE sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message to the MN, indicating that it has received the RRC reconfiguration message.

[0160] Step 6: MN sends an SN reconfiguration complete message to S-SN.

[0161] Step 7: The UE sends the first RRC reconfiguration complete message to the MN.

[0162] The first RRC reconfiguration completion message includes the RRC reconfiguration completion message sent by the UE to the MN or SN after the CPA or CPC conditional reconfiguration execution is triggered.

[0163] Step 8: MN sends an SN change confirmation message to S-SN.

[0164] Step 9: MN sends an SN reconfiguration complete message to T-SN.

[0165] Step 10: The MN sends the first condition configuration cell information to at least one candidate secondary node (Candidate SN).

[0166] The first conditional configuration cell information includes at least one of the following: 1) Primary and secondary cell information, such as PSCell ID and physical cell identifier.

[0167] 2) First candidate cell information, wherein the first candidate cell information includes CPAC candidate cells configured by the network for the terminal.

[0168] 3) At least one candidate secondary cell information configured by the candidate secondary node in the first candidate cell information, wherein the first candidate cell information includes CPAC candidate cells configured by the network for the terminal.

[0169] Optionally, the first condition configuration cell information is included in the CG-ConfigInfo message.

[0170] Optionally, the first condition configuration cell information is carried in one of the following messages: 1) S-NODE CHANGE REQUEST message.

[0171] 2) S-NODE MODIFICATION REQUEST message.

[0172] Optionally, after receiving the first RRC reconfiguration complete message sent by the UE (see step 7), the MN performs step 10 above. The first RRC reconfiguration complete message includes the RRC reconfiguration complete message sent by the UE to the MN after the CPA or CPC condition is triggered.

[0173] Step 11: The candidate auxiliary node sends the configuration information of the second candidate cell to the MN.

[0174] The content of the second candidate cell configuration information is the same as that of the first candidate cell configuration information in Embodiment 1, which includes maintenance operations for one or more candidate cells, and will not be described again here.

[0175] Optionally, the second candidate cell configuration information is included in the cell group configuration (CG-Config) message.

[0176] Optionally, the second candidate cell configuration information is carried in one of the following messages: 1) S-NODE CHANGE CONFIRM message.

[0177] 2) S-NODE MODIFICATION REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE message.

[0178] Step 12: After receiving the second candidate cell configuration information, MN sends the second candidate cell configuration confirmation information to the candidate auxiliary node. The second candidate cell configuration confirmation information is used to confirm the second candidate cell configuration information.

[0179] The MN sends a secondary node release message or activates / deactivates one or more candidate cells based on the operation information contained in the second candidate cell configuration information. See the second candidate cell information for details.

[0180] Step 13: MN sends an SN reconfiguration complete message and second candidate cell information to T-SN.

[0181] The second candidate cell information includes at least one of the following: 1) Accept or retain one or more candidate cells, which means that one or more candidate cells are accepted or retained by the target secondary node as target candidate cells. The target candidate cells refer to the candidate cells that the terminal can use at the current time or after the CPAC is executed, and so on.

[0182] 2) Reject one or more candidate cells. This means that one or more candidate cells are rejected and will not be considered as target candidate cells.

[0183] 3) Releasing one or more candidate cells means that one or more candidate cells are released and will not be considered as target candidate cells.

[0184] 4) Activate or deactivate one or more candidate cells.

[0185] Optionally, activating one or more candidate cells includes changing the one or more candidate cells to an active state; wherein the one or more candidate cells in the active state satisfy one of the following: the one or more candidate cells are used as target candidate cells; the terminal is allowed to add or change to the one or more candidate cells; the terminal evaluates the one or more candidate cells.

[0186] Optionally, deactivating one or more candidate cells includes changing the one or more candidate cells to a deactivated state; wherein the one or more candidate cells in the deactivated state satisfy at least one of the following: the one or more candidate cells are not used as target cells; the terminal is not allowed to add or change to the candidate cells; the terminal suspends the evaluation of the one or more candidate cells; the terminal does not evaluate the one or more candidate cells; the terminal does not release the conditional reconfiguration information of the one or more candidate cells.

[0187] Step 14: The UE initiates a random access procedure and randomly accesses the T-SN.

[0188] Step 15: MN sends an RRC reconfiguration message to UE, the RRC reconfiguration message containing the release of at least one candidate cell.

[0189] It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the order of the steps; in addition, this embodiment may omit some steps or add some steps, for example, step 12 may be omitted.

[0190] Example 3 This embodiment mainly introduces MN maintenance of candidate cells, such as Figure 5 As shown, this embodiment includes the following steps: Step 1: S-SN initiates CPAC, for example, S-SN sends an SN change request message to MN.

[0191] Step 2: MN sends an SN add request message to at least one target auxiliary node.

[0192] Step 3: The T-SN sends an SN Add Request Confirmation Message to the MN, which includes one or more candidate cell configurations.

[0193] Optionally, MN sends acceptance information for the candidate PSCell to S-SN.

[0194] Optionally, the S-SN updates the CPAC configuration information.

[0195] Optionally, the MN sends early data forwarding information.

[0196] Step 4: The MN sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the UE, which includes the CPAC command.

[0197] Step 5: The UE sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message to the MN, indicating that it has received the RRC reconfiguration message.

[0198] Step 6: MN sends an SN reconfiguration complete message to S-SN.

[0199] Step 7: The UE sends the first RRC reconfiguration complete message to the MN.

[0200] The first RRC reconfiguration completion message includes the RRC reconfiguration completion message sent by the UE to the MN or SN after the CPA or CPC conditional reconfiguration execution is triggered.

[0201] After receiving the first RRC reconfiguration complete message from the UE, MN determines the conditional candidate cells.

[0202] Optionally, MN understands at least one of the following: 1) Scope of application of candidate cells. The scope of application of candidate cells can be referred to the explanation in Example 200.

[0203] 2) At least one candidate cell supported by the target secondary node. That is, release or deactivate candidate cells that do not support the target secondary node where the primary and secondary cells are located, and add or activate candidate cells that support the target secondary node where the primary and secondary cells are located.

[0204] 3) At least one candidate cell supported by the primary and secondary cells, i.e., release or deactivate candidate cells not supported by the primary and secondary cells, and add or activate candidate cells that support the target secondary node where the primary and secondary cells are located.

[0205] 4) The neighbor relationship between the candidate cell and the target auxiliary node. If they are neighbor relationships, retain or activate the candidate cell; otherwise, release or deactivate the candidate cell.

[0206] Step 8: MN sends an SN change confirmation message to S-SN.

[0207] Step 9: MN sends an SN reconfiguration complete message and third candidate cell information to T-SN.

[0208] The third candidate cell information includes CPAC candidate cell information (Configured CandidateCells) determined by MN, and includes at least one of the following: 1) Community ID, such as physical community identifier.

[0209] 2) Secondary cell ID, such as SCell ID 3) Conditional Reconfiguration ID. The Conditional Reconfiguration ID is used to identify the conditional reconfiguration configured by the network for the terminal.

[0210] 4) Candidate cell retention indication, indicating that candidate cells are retained after CPAC.

[0211] Optionally, the third candidate cell information is included in the CG-ConfigInfo message.

[0212] Optionally, the third candidate cell information is carried in one of the following messages: 1) SN Reconfiguration Complete message.

[0213] 2) S-NODE CHANGE REQUEST message.

[0214] 3) S-NODE MODIFICATION REQUEST message.

[0215] Step 10: The UE initiates a random access procedure and randomly accesses the T-SN.

[0216] Step 11: The MN sends a secondary cell activation / deactivation message or add or release message to the candidate secondary nodes. The secondary cell activation / deactivation message is used to indicate the activation / deactivation of at least one configured candidate cell, the add message is used to add a candidate cell, and the release message is used to release a candidate cell.

[0217] Step 12: The candidate auxiliary node performs the corresponding operation according to the instructions and sends an acknowledgment message to the MN.

[0218] Step 13: The MN sends an activation / deactivation message or an RRC reconfiguration message to the UE. The activation / deactivation message is used to activate / deactivate at least one candidate cell, and the RRC reconfiguration message is used to activate / deactivate or add or release the configuration of at least one candidate cell.

[0219] It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the order of the steps; in addition, this embodiment may omit some steps or add some steps, for example, omitting steps 6, 12, etc.

[0220] Example 4 This embodiment mainly introduces the pre-configured usage scope information of candidate cells, such as... Figure 6 As shown, this embodiment includes the following steps: Step 1: S-SN initiates CPAC, for example, S-SN sends an SN change request message to MN.

[0221] Step 2: MN sends an SN add request message to at least one target secondary node, containing eight cell information.

[0222] The first cell information includes at least one of the following: 1) CPAC candidate cell information.

[0223] 2) At least one candidate auxiliary node provides candidate cell information.

[0224] The candidate auxiliary node determines the usage range information of the first candidate cell based on the information of the first cell.

[0225] Optionally, the information of the first cell is included in the secondary node add request message S-NODE ADDITIONREQUEST.

[0226] Step 3: After receiving the SN add request message sent by MN, the candidate secondary node (or potential target secondary node) sends the first candidate cell usage range information to MN.

[0227] The first candidate cell usage range information includes usage range information of at least one candidate secondary cell, wherein the candidate secondary cell is a candidate cell configured by the candidate secondary node.

[0228] Optionally, the usage range information of the at least one candidate secondary cell includes at least one of the following: 1) One or more first cell identifiers; wherein, when the cell identifier of the primary and secondary cells of the terminal is the same as one of the one or more first cell identifiers, the candidate secondary cell supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the candidate secondary cell is valid.

[0229] 2) One or more second cell identifiers; wherein, when the candidate secondary cell is the primary or secondary cell of the terminal, the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier is valid.

[0230] 3) Candidate cell retention indication, which indicates whether a cell is retained as a candidate cell.

[0231] The cell information includes the Physical Cell ID, PSCell ID, SCell ID, or Conditional Reconfiguration ID. Optionally, the usage range information of the first candidate cell is included in the CG-Config message.

[0232] Optionally, the usage range information of the first candidate cell may be included in the secondary node addition request confirmation (S-NODE ADDITION REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE) message.

[0233] Step 4: MN sends an RRC reconfiguration message to UE. The reconfiguration message contains the usage range information of at least one candidate cell. UE receives the RRC reconfiguration message.

[0234] Step 5: The UE sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message to the MN, indicating that it has received the RRC reconfiguration message.

[0235] Step 6: MN sends an SN reconfiguration complete message to S-SN.

[0236] Step 7: The UE sends the first RRC reconfiguration complete message to the MN.

[0237] Optionally, upon triggering or completing the CPAC conditional reconfiguration, the MN determines the usable candidate cells based on the first candidate cell usage range information. The triggering or completion of the CPAC execution includes: the MN receiving a first RRC reconfiguration completion message sent by the UE (see step 7). The first RRC reconfiguration completion message includes an RRC reconfiguration completion message sent by the UE to the network MN or SN after the CPA or CPC condition is triggered. Step 9: MN sends an SN reconfiguration complete message to T-SN.

[0238] Step 10: The UE initiates a random access procedure and randomly accesses the T-SN.

[0239] Step 11: The MN sends a secondary cell activation / deactivation message or add or release message to the candidate secondary nodes. The secondary cell activation / deactivation message is used to indicate the activation / deactivation of at least one configured candidate cell, the add message is used to add a candidate cell, and the release message is used to release a candidate cell.

[0240] Step 12: The candidate auxiliary node performs the corresponding operation according to the instructions and sends an acknowledgment message to the MN.

[0241] Step 13: The MN sends an activation / deactivation message or an RRC reconfiguration message to the UE. The activation / deactivation message is used to activate / deactivate at least one candidate cell, and the RRC reconfiguration message is used to activate / deactivate or add or release the configuration of at least one candidate cell.

[0242] Optionally, based on step 4, the UE releases candidate cells that are not in use range according to the candidate cell usage range information.

[0243] It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the order of the steps; in addition, this embodiment may omit some steps or add some steps, for example, omitting steps 6, 12, etc.

[0244] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the implementation flow of the candidate cell maintenance method in an embodiment of this application, which can be applied to the master node. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the method 700 includes the following steps.

[0245] S702: The master node receives first candidate cell configuration information from the target auxiliary node. The first candidate cell configuration information includes (or is used to indicate) at least one of the following: accepting or retaining one or more candidate cells; rejecting one or more candidate cells; releasing one or more candidate cells; activating or deactivating one or more candidate cells.

[0246] In this embodiment, the master node can maintain candidate cells based on the configuration information of the first candidate cell, which solves the problem in the related technology that the terminal cannot perform continuous CPAC process due to the inability to maintain candidate cells. This is beneficial for the terminal to perform continuous CPAC process and thus reduces related configuration overhead.

[0247] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the implementation flow of the candidate cell maintenance method according to an embodiment of this application, which can be applied to candidate auxiliary nodes. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the method 800 includes the following steps.

[0248] S802: The candidate secondary node sends the first candidate cell usage range information, which includes the usage range information of at least one candidate secondary cell. The usage range information is used by (the primary node, etc.) to perform a first operation. The first operation includes adding, modifying, releasing, activating or deactivating one or more candidate cells.

[0249] In this embodiment, the candidate secondary node sends the first candidate cell usage range information, and the primary node and others can maintain the candidate cell according to the candidate secondary cell usage range information. This embodiment solves the problem in the related technology that the terminal cannot perform continuous CPAC process due to the inability to maintain candidate cells, which is beneficial for the terminal to perform continuous CPAC process and thus reduces related configuration overhead.

[0250] Optionally, as an embodiment, the usage range information of the at least one candidate secondary cell includes at least one of the following: 1) One or more first cell identifiers; wherein, when the cell identifier of the primary and secondary cells of the terminal is the same as one of the one or more first cell identifiers, the candidate secondary cell supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the candidate secondary cell is valid.

[0251] 2) One or more second cell identifiers; wherein, when the candidate secondary cell is the primary or secondary cell of the terminal, the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier is valid.

[0252] 3) Candidate cell retention indication, which indicates whether a cell is retained as a candidate cell.

[0253] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the implementation flow of the candidate cell maintenance method according to an embodiment of this application, which can be applied to a terminal. For example... Figure 9 As shown, the method 900 includes the following steps.

[0254] S902: The terminal receives an RRC reconfiguration message, the RRC reconfiguration message containing usage scope information of at least one candidate cell, the usage scope information being used by (the terminal, etc.) to perform a first operation; the first operation includes: adding, modifying, releasing, activating or deactivating one or more candidate cells.

[0255] In this embodiment, the terminal can maintain candidate cells based on the usage scope information of candidate cells. This embodiment solves the problem in the related technology that the terminal cannot perform continuous CPAC procedures due to the inability to maintain candidate cells, which is beneficial for the terminal to perform continuous CPAC procedures and thus reduce related configuration overhead.

[0256] Optionally, as an embodiment, the scope of use information includes at least one of the following: 1) One or more first cell identifiers; wherein, when the cell identifier of the primary and secondary cells of the terminal is the same as one of the one or more first cell identifiers, the candidate secondary cell supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the candidate secondary cell is valid.

[0257] 2) One or more second cell identifiers; wherein, when the candidate secondary cell is the primary or secondary cell of the terminal, the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier is valid.

[0258] 3) Candidate cell retention indication, which indicates whether a cell is retained as a candidate cell.

[0259] Optionally, as an embodiment, the method further includes: the terminal performing the first operation after CPAC is triggered.

[0260] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the terminal structure according to an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 10 As shown, terminal 1000 includes the following modules.

[0261] The receiving module 1002 is used to receive an RRC reconfiguration message, the RRC reconfiguration message containing usage scope information of at least one candidate cell, the usage scope information being used to perform a first operation; the first operation includes: adding, modifying, releasing, activating or deactivating one or more candidate cells.

[0262] Optionally, the terminal 1000 also includes a processing module.

[0263] In this embodiment, the terminal can maintain candidate cells based on the usage scope information of candidate cells. This embodiment solves the problem in the related technology that the terminal cannot perform continuous CPAC procedures due to the inability to maintain candidate cells, which is beneficial for the terminal to perform continuous CPAC procedures and thus reduce related configuration overhead.

[0264] Figure 11 This is a structural diagram of the first node according to an embodiment of this application, as shown below. Figure 11As shown, the first node 1100 includes the following modules.

[0265] The processing module 1102 is used to perform a first operation after CPAC is triggered; or, to perform a first operation based on the usage scope information of the candidate cells; wherein, the first node includes at least one of the following: a target auxiliary node, a candidate auxiliary node, and a master node; the execution of the first operation includes: adding, modifying, releasing, activating, or deactivating one or more candidate cells; the target auxiliary node is the auxiliary node where the target PSCell is located after CPAC is triggered or executed; the candidate auxiliary node is the auxiliary node where the candidate cell of CPAC is located.

[0266] Optionally, the first node 1100 also includes a communication module.

[0267] In this embodiment, the target secondary node, candidate secondary node, or primary node can perform a first operation after CPAC is triggered; or, the target secondary node, candidate secondary node, or primary node can perform a first operation based on the usage scope information of the candidate cells. The first operation includes adding, modifying, releasing, activating, or deactivating one or more candidate cells. This embodiment solves the problem in related technologies where the terminal cannot perform continuous CPAC processes due to the inability to maintain candidate cells, which is beneficial for the terminal to perform continuous CPAC processes and thus reduces related configuration overhead.

[0268] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first node includes the target auxiliary node, and the first node 1100 further includes a sending module for sending first candidate cell configuration information to the master node, the first candidate cell configuration information being used to indicate at least one of the following 1) to 4): 1) Accept or retain one or more candidate cells, which means that one or more candidate cells are accepted or retained by the target secondary node as target candidate cells. The target candidate cells refer to the candidate cells that the terminal can use at the current time or after the CPAC is executed, and so on.

[0269] 2) Reject one or more candidate cells. This means that one or more candidate cells are rejected and will not be considered as target candidate cells.

[0270] 3) Releasing one or more candidate cells means that one or more candidate cells are released and will not be considered as target candidate cells.

[0271] 4) Activate or deactivate one or more candidate cells.

[0272] Optionally, as an embodiment, activating one or more candidate cells includes changing the one or more candidate cells to an active state; wherein the one or more candidate cells in the active state satisfy one of the following: the one or more candidate cells are used as target candidate cells; the terminal is allowed to add or change to the one or more candidate cells; the terminal evaluates the one or more candidate cells.

[0273] Optionally, as an embodiment, deactivating one or more candidate cells includes changing the one or more candidate cells to a deactivated state; wherein the one or more candidate cells in the deactivated state satisfy at least one of the following: the one or more candidate cells are not used as target cells; the terminal is not allowed to add or change to the candidate cells; the terminal suspends the evaluation of the one or more candidate cells; the terminal does not evaluate the one or more candidate cells; the terminal does not release the conditional reconfiguration information of the one or more candidate cells.

[0274] Optionally, as an embodiment, in the first candidate cell configuration information, the one or more candidate cells are identified by at least one of the following: 1) Community Identifier ID.

[0275] 2) Secondary Community ID.

[0276] 3) Conditional reconfiguration ID, which is used to identify the conditional reconfiguration configured by the network for the terminal.

[0277] Optionally, the configuration information of the first candidate cell is included in the cell group configuration message.

[0278] Optionally, as an embodiment, the configuration information of the first candidate cell is carried in one of the following messages: a secondary node change confirmation message; a secondary node modification request confirmation message; or a secondary node reconfiguration completion response message.

[0279] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first node 1100 further includes a receiving module, configured to receive a first candidate cell configuration confirmation message from the master node, the first candidate cell configuration confirmation message being used to confirm the configuration information of the first candidate cell.

[0280] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first node 1100 further includes a receiving module for receiving first candidate cell information from the master node, the first candidate cell information including CPAC candidate cells configured by the network for the terminal.

[0281] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first candidate cell information includes at least one of the following: 1) Community ID.

[0282] 2) Secondary Community ID.

[0283] 3) Conditional reconfiguration information. This refers to at least one conditional reconfiguration configured by the network for the UE. Further, it includes at least one of the following: CPAC conditional reconfiguration initiated by the MN; CPAC conditional reconfiguration initiated by the S-SN.

[0284] 4) One or more execution conditions. The execution conditions include a measurement ID, or a measurement event configuration such as an A4 measurement event, or a cell signal strength threshold.

[0285] 5) Conditional reconfiguration ID, which is used to identify the conditional reconfiguration configured by the network for the terminal.

[0286] 6) Candidate cell retention indication, which indicates whether a cell is retained as a candidate cell.

[0287] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first candidate cell information is included in the cell group configuration information message.

[0288] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first candidate cell information is carried in one of the following messages: secondary node reconfiguration completion message; secondary node change request message; secondary node modification request message.

[0289] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first candidate cell information is sent by the master node after receiving the first Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration completion message sent by the terminal. The first RRC reconfiguration completion message is used by the terminal to indicate to the network that CPAC conditional reconfiguration execution has been triggered.

[0290] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first node includes the candidate auxiliary node. When the first node performs the first operation after CPAC is triggered, the first node 1100 further includes a receiving module for receiving first conditional configuration cell information from the master node. The first conditional configuration cell information includes at least one of the following: 1) Primary and secondary cell information, such as PSCell ID and physical cell identifier.

[0291] 2) First candidate cell information, wherein the first candidate cell information includes CPAC candidate cells configured by the network for the terminal.

[0292] 3) At least one candidate secondary cell information configured by the candidate secondary node in the first candidate cell information, wherein the first candidate cell information includes CPAC candidate cells configured by the network for the terminal.

[0293] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first candidate cell information includes at least one of the following: 1) Community ID.

[0294] 2) Secondary Community ID.

[0295] 3) Conditional reconfiguration information.

[0296] 4) One or more execution conditions.

[0297] 5) Conditional reconfiguration ID, which is used to identify the conditional reconfiguration configured by the network for the terminal.

[0298] 6) Candidate cell retention indication, which indicates whether a cell is retained as a candidate cell.

[0299] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first condition configuration cell information is included in the cell group configuration information message.

[0300] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first condition configuration cell information is carried in one of the following messages: a secondary node change request message; a secondary node modification request message.

[0301] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first node further includes a sending module, configured to send second candidate cell configuration information to the master node, the second candidate cell configuration information including at least one of the following: 1) Accept or retain one or more candidate cells.

[0302] 2) Reject one or more candidate cells.

[0303] 3) Release one or more candidate cells.

[0304] 4) Activate or deactivate one or more candidate cells.

[0305] For details regarding the configuration information of the second candidate cell, please refer to the explanation of the configuration information of the first candidate cell.

[0306] Optionally, as an example, the second candidate cell configuration information is included in the cell group configuration message.

[0307] Optionally, as an embodiment, the configuration information of the second candidate cell is carried in one of the following messages: a secondary node change confirmation message; a secondary node modification request confirmation message.

[0308] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first node 1100 further includes a receiving module, configured to receive second candidate cell configuration confirmation information from the master node, the second candidate cell configuration confirmation information being used to confirm the second candidate cell configuration information.

[0309] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first node includes the master node. When the first node performs the first operation after CPAC is triggered, the processing module 1102 is used to perform the first operation after the first node receives the first RRC reconfiguration completion message sent by the terminal; wherein, the first RRC reconfiguration completion message is used by the terminal to indicate to the network that CPAC conditional reconfiguration execution has been triggered.

[0310] Optionally, as an embodiment, the processing module 1102 is further configured to determine at least one of the following: 1) Scope of application of candidate cells. The scope of application of candidate cells can be referred to the explanation in Example 200.

[0311] 2) At least one candidate cell supported by the target auxiliary node.

[0312] 3) At least one candidate cell supported by the primary and secondary cells.

[0313] 4) Neighboring relationships between candidate communities and primary and secondary communities.

[0314] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first node 1100 further includes a sending module for sending the third candidate cell information to the target secondary node, the third candidate cell information including the CPAC candidate cell information determined by the first node.

[0315] Optionally, the third candidate cell information includes at least one of the following: 1) Community ID.

[0316] 2) Secondary Community ID.

[0317] 3) Conditional reconfiguration ID, which is used to identify the conditional reconfiguration configured by the network for the terminal.

[0318] 4) Candidate cell retention indication, which indicates whether a cell is retained as a candidate cell.

[0319] Optionally, as an example, the third candidate cell information is included in the cell group configuration information message.

[0320] Optionally, as an embodiment, the third candidate cell information is carried in one of the following messages: secondary node reconfiguration completion message; secondary node change request message; secondary node modification request message.

[0321] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first node 1100 further includes a sending module, used to send a secondary cell activation / deactivation message or add or release message to the candidate secondary node. The secondary cell activation / deactivation message is used to indicate the activation / deactivation of at least one configured candidate cell, the add message is used to add a candidate cell, and the release message is used to release a candidate cell.

[0322] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first node 1100 further includes a sending module for sending an activation / deactivation message or an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal. The activation / deactivation message is used to activate / deactivate at least one candidate cell, and the RRC reconfiguration message is used to activate / deactivate or add or release the configuration of at least one candidate cell.

[0323] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first node includes the primary node or the target secondary node. When the first node performs the first operation based on the usage range information of the candidate cell, the first node 1100 further includes a receiving module for receiving the first candidate cell usage range information from the candidate secondary node. The first candidate cell usage range information includes the usage range information of at least one candidate secondary cell, and the candidate secondary cell is a candidate cell configured by the candidate secondary node.

[0324] Optionally, as an embodiment, the usage range information of the at least one candidate secondary cell includes at least one of the following: 1) One or more first cell identifiers; wherein, when the cell identifier of the primary and secondary cells of the terminal is the same as one of the one or more first cell identifiers, the candidate secondary cell supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the candidate secondary cell is valid.

[0325] 2) One or more second cell identifiers; wherein, when the candidate secondary cell is the primary or secondary cell of the terminal, the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier is valid.

[0326] 3) Candidate cell retention indication, which indicates whether a cell is retained as a candidate cell.

[0327] Optionally, as an example, the scope information of the first candidate cell is included in the cell group configuration message.

[0328] Optionally, as an embodiment, the usage range information of the first candidate cell is carried in the secondary node addition request confirmation message.

[0329] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first node 1100 further includes a sending module for sending first cell information to the candidate auxiliary node, wherein the first candidate cell usage range information is determined by the candidate auxiliary node based on the first cell information, and the first cell information includes at least one of the following: 1) CPAC candidate cell information; 2) at least one candidate auxiliary node information providing candidate cells.

[0330] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first node 1100 further includes a sending module for sending an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal, the RRC reconfiguration message containing the candidate cell usage range information of at least one candidate cell.

[0331] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first node 1100 further includes a sending module for sending a secondary cell activation / deactivation message or an add or release message to the candidate secondary nodes. The secondary cell activation / deactivation message is used to indicate the activation / deactivation of at least one configured candidate cell, the add message is used to add a candidate cell, and the release message is used to release a candidate cell that is not in use.

[0332] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first node 1100 further includes a sending module for sending an activation / deactivation message or an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal. The activation / deactivation message is used to activate / deactivate at least one candidate cell, and the RRC reconfiguration message is used to activate / deactivate or add or release the configuration of at least one candidate cell.

[0333] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the main node according to an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 12 As shown, the master node 1200 includes the following modules.

[0334] The receiving module 1202 is used to receive first candidate cell configuration information from the target secondary node. The first candidate cell configuration information includes at least one of the following: accepting or retaining one or more candidate cells; rejecting one or more candidate cells; releasing one or more candidate cells; activating or deactivating one or more candidate cells.

[0335] Optionally, the master node 1200 also includes a processing module.

[0336] In this embodiment, the master node can maintain candidate cells based on the configuration information of the first candidate cell, which solves the problem in the related technology that the terminal cannot perform continuous CPAC process due to the inability to maintain candidate cells. This is beneficial for the terminal to perform continuous CPAC process and thus reduces related configuration overhead.

[0337] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a candidate auxiliary node according to an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 13 As shown, candidate auxiliary node 1300 includes the following modules.

[0338] The sending module 1302 is used to send first candidate cell usage range information, the first candidate cell usage range information includes usage range information of at least one candidate secondary cell, and the usage range information is used to perform a first operation; the first operation includes: adding, modifying, releasing, activating or deactivating one or more candidate cells.

[0339] Optionally, the candidate auxiliary node 1300 also includes a processing module.

[0340] In this embodiment, the candidate secondary node sends the first candidate cell usage range information, and the primary node, etc., can perform the first operation according to the candidate secondary cell usage range information. This embodiment solves the problem in the related technology that the terminal cannot perform continuous CPAC process due to the inability to maintain candidate cells, which is beneficial for the terminal to perform continuous CPAC process and thus reduces related configuration overhead.

[0341] Optionally, as an embodiment, the usage range information of the at least one candidate secondary cell includes at least one of the following: 1) One or more first cell identifiers; wherein, when the cell identifier of the primary and secondary cells of the terminal is the same as one of the one or more first cell identifiers, the candidate secondary cell supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the candidate secondary cell is valid.

[0342] 2) One or more second cell identifiers; wherein, when the candidate secondary cell is the primary or secondary cell of the terminal, the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier is valid.

[0343] 3) Candidate cell retention indication, which indicates whether a cell is retained as a candidate cell.

[0344] Optional, such as Figure 14 As shown, this application embodiment also provides a communication device 1400, including a processor 1401 and a memory 1402. The memory 1402 stores programs or instructions that can run on the processor 1401. For example, when the communication device 1400 is a terminal, the program or instructions executed by the processor 1401 implement the various steps of the above-described candidate cell maintenance method embodiment and achieve the same technical effect. When the communication device 1400 is a network-side device (such as a first node), the program or instructions executed by the processor 1401 implement the various steps of the above-described candidate cell maintenance method embodiment and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, further details are omitted here.

[0345] This application embodiment also provides a terminal, including a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is used to receive an RRC reconfiguration message, the RRC reconfiguration message containing usage scope information of at least one candidate cell, the usage scope information being used to perform a first operation; the first operation includes: adding, modifying, releasing, activating, or deactivating one or more candidate cells. This terminal embodiment corresponds to the above-described terminal-side method embodiment, and all implementation processes and methods of the above-described method embodiments can be applied to this terminal embodiment and achieve the same technical effect. Specifically, Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a terminal to implement an embodiment of this application.

[0346] The terminal 1500 includes, but is not limited to, at least some of the following components: radio frequency unit 1501, network module 1502, audio output unit 1503, input unit 1504, sensor 1505, display unit 1506, user input unit 1507, interface unit 1508, memory 1509, and processor 1510.

[0347] Those skilled in the art will understand that the terminal 1500 may also include a power supply (such as a battery) for supplying power to various components. The power supply may be logically connected to the processor 1510 through a power management system, thereby enabling functions such as managing charging, discharging, and power consumption through the power management system. Figure 15 The terminal structure shown does not constitute a limitation on the terminal. The terminal may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements, which will not be elaborated here.

[0348] It should be understood that, in this embodiment, the input unit 1504 may include a graphics processing unit (GPU) 15041 and a microphone 15042. The GPU 15041 processes image data of still images or videos obtained by an image capture device (such as a camera) in video capture mode or image capture mode. The display unit 1506 may include a display panel 15061, which may be configured in the form of a liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, or the like. The user input unit 1507 includes at least one of a touch panel 15071 and other input devices 15072. The touch panel 15071 is also called a touch screen. The touch panel 15071 may include a touch detection device and a touch controller. Other input devices 15072 may include, but are not limited to, physical keyboards, function keys (such as volume control buttons, power buttons, etc.), trackballs, mice, and joysticks, which will not be described in detail here.

[0349] In this embodiment, after receiving downlink data from the network-side device, the radio frequency unit 1501 can transmit it to the processor 1510 for processing; in addition, the radio frequency unit 1501 can send uplink data to the network-side device. Typically, the radio frequency unit 1501 includes, but is not limited to, antennas, amplifiers, transceivers, couplers, low-noise amplifiers, duplexers, etc.

[0350] The memory 1509 can be used to store software programs or instructions, as well as various data. The memory 1509 may primarily include a first storage area for storing programs or instructions and a second storage area for storing data. The first storage area may store the operating system, application programs or instructions required for at least one function (such as sound playback, image playback, etc.). Furthermore, the memory 1509 may include volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or both. The non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus RAM (DRRAM). The memory 1509 in this embodiment includes, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0351] Processor 1510 may include one or more processing units; optionally, processor 1510 integrates an application processor and a modem processor, wherein the application processor mainly handles operations involving the operating system, user interface, and applications, and the modem processor mainly handles wireless communication signals, such as a baseband processor. It is understood that the aforementioned modem processor may also not be integrated into processor 1510.

[0352] The radio frequency unit 1501 can be used to receive an RRC reconfiguration message, which contains usage range information of at least one candidate cell. The usage range information is used to perform a first operation. The first operation includes adding, modifying, releasing, activating or deactivating one or more candidate cells.

[0353] In this embodiment, the terminal can maintain candidate cells based on the usage scope information of candidate cells. This embodiment solves the problem in the related technology that the terminal cannot perform continuous CPAC procedures due to the inability to maintain candidate cells, which is beneficial for the terminal to perform continuous CPAC procedures and thus reduce related configuration overhead.

[0354] The terminal 1500 provided in this application embodiment can also implement various processes of the above-described candidate cell maintenance method embodiment and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0355] This application embodiment also provides a network-side device (such as a first node), including a processor and a communication interface, the processor and the communication interface being used to implement... Figure 2 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The methods described in each embodiment. This network-side device embodiment corresponds to the above-described network-side device method embodiment. All implementation processes and methods of the above-described method embodiments can be applied to this network-side device embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect.

[0356] Specifically, embodiments of this application also provide a network-side device. For example... Figure 16 As shown, the network-side device 1600 includes: an antenna 161, a radio frequency (RF) device 162, a baseband device 163, a processor 164, and a memory 165. The antenna 161 is connected to the RF device 162. In the uplink direction, the RF device 162 receives information through the antenna 161 and transmits the received information to the baseband device 163 for processing. In the downlink direction, the baseband device 163 processes the information to be transmitted and sends it to the RF device 162. The RF device 162 processes the received information and transmits it through the antenna 161.

[0357] The method executed by the network-side device in the above embodiments can be implemented in the baseband device 163, which includes a baseband processor.

[0358] Baseband device 163 may include, for example, at least one baseband board on which multiple chips are disposed, such as Figure 16 As shown, one of the chips is, for example, a baseband processor, which is connected to the memory 165 via a bus interface to call the program in the memory 165 and execute the network device operation shown in the above method embodiment.

[0359] The network-side device may also include a network interface 166, such as a common public radio interface (CPRI).

[0360] Specifically, the network-side device 1600 of this embodiment further includes: instructions or programs stored in memory 165 and executable on processor 164, wherein processor 164 calls the instructions or programs in memory 165 to execute. Figure 11 , Figure 12 or Figure 13 The methods executed by each module shown achieve the same technical effect, and to avoid repetition, they will not be described in detail here.

[0361] This application also provides a readable storage medium storing a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the various processes of the above-described candidate cell maintenance method embodiments and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0362] The processor is the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiments. The readable storage medium includes computer-readable storage media, such as computer read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0363] This application embodiment also provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface and the processor are coupled. The processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above-described candidate cell maintenance method embodiment, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0364] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a system-on-a-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip, etc.

[0365] This application also provides a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium and executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes of the above-described candidate cell maintenance method embodiments, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0366] This application embodiment also provides a candidate cell maintenance system, including: a terminal and a network-side device, wherein the terminal can be used to perform the steps of the candidate cell maintenance method described above, and the network-side device can be used to perform the steps of the candidate cell maintenance method described above.

[0367] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatuses in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0368] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of software plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms. Of course, they can also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases the former is a better implementation method. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a computer software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM / RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk) and includes several instructions to cause a terminal (which may be a mobile phone, computer, server, air conditioner, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0369] The embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other forms under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and all of these forms are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A method for maintaining candidate cells, characterized in that, include: The first node performs the first operation based on the usage scope information of the candidate cells; The first node includes at least one of the following: a target auxiliary node, a candidate auxiliary node, and a primary node; the execution of the first operation includes: adding, modifying, releasing, activating, or deactivating one or more candidate cells; the target auxiliary node is the auxiliary node where the target primary / secondary cell PSCell is located after CPAC is triggered or executed; the candidate auxiliary node is the auxiliary node where the candidate cell of CPAC is located. The usage range information of the candidate cell includes the usage range information of the first candidate cell from the candidate auxiliary node. The usage range information of the first candidate cell includes the usage range information of at least one candidate auxiliary cell. The candidate auxiliary cell is the candidate cell configured by the candidate auxiliary node. The usage scope information of the at least one candidate secondary cell includes: One or more second cell identifiers; wherein, when the candidate secondary cell is used as the primary or secondary cell of the terminal, the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier is valid.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first node includes the target auxiliary node, and the method further includes: The first node sends the configuration information of the first candidate cell to the master node; After the addition or change of CPAC in the primary and secondary cells is triggered, the first node performs the first operation; The first candidate cell configuration information is used to indicate at least one of the following: Accept or retain one or more candidate cells; Reject one or more candidate cells; Release one or more candidate cells; Activate or deactivate one or more candidate cells.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Activating one or more candidate cells includes changing the one or more candidate cells to an active state; wherein the one or more candidate cells in the active state satisfy one of the following: the one or more candidate cells are used as target candidate cells; the terminal is allowed to add or change to the one or more candidate cells; the terminal evaluates the one or more candidate cells; and / or Deactivating one or more candidate cells includes changing the one or more candidate cells to a deactivated state; wherein the one or more candidate cells in the deactivated state satisfy at least one of the following: the one or more candidate cells are not used as target cells; the terminal is not allowed to add or change to the candidate cells; the terminal suspends the evaluation of the one or more candidate cells; the terminal does not evaluate the one or more candidate cells; the terminal does not release the conditional reconfiguration information of the one or more candidate cells.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The one or more candidate cells are identified by at least one of the following: Community Identifier ID; Auxiliary Community ID; The conditional reconfiguration ID is used to identify the conditional reconfiguration configured by the network for the terminal.

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The configuration information of the first candidate cell is included in the cell group configuration message; and / or The configuration information of the first candidate cell is carried in one of the following messages: secondary node change confirmation message; secondary node modification request confirmation message; secondary node reconfiguration completion response message.

6. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first node receives a first candidate cell configuration confirmation message from the master node. The first candidate cell configuration confirmation message is used to confirm the configuration information of the first candidate cell.

7. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Before the first node sends the first candidate cell configuration information to the master node, the method further includes: The first node receives first candidate cell information from the master node, and the first candidate cell information includes CPAC candidate cells configured by the network for the terminal.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first candidate cell information is included in the cell group configuration information message; and / or The information of the first candidate cell is carried in one of the following messages: secondary node reconfiguration completion message; secondary node change request message; secondary node modification request message.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first candidate cell information is sent by the master node after receiving the first Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration completion message sent by the terminal. The first RRC reconfiguration completion message is used by the terminal to indicate to the network that CPAC conditional reconfiguration execution has been triggered.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first node includes the candidate auxiliary node, and the method further includes: The first node receives the first condition configuration cell information from the master node; After the addition or change of CPAC in the primary and secondary cells is triggered, the first node performs the first operation; The first conditional configuration cell information includes at least one of the following: Information on primary and secondary residential areas; Information on the first candidate community; The first candidate cell information includes at least one candidate secondary cell information configured by the candidate secondary node; The first candidate cell information includes CPAC candidate cells configured by the network for the terminal.

11. The method according to claim 7 or 10, characterized in that, The first candidate cell information includes at least one of the following: Community ID; Auxiliary Community ID; Conditional reconfiguration information; One or more execution conditions; Conditional reconfiguration ID, which is used to identify the conditional reconfiguration configured by the network for the terminal; Candidate cell retention indication, which indicates whether a cell is retained as a candidate cell.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first conditional configuration cell information is included in the cell group configuration information message; and / or The first condition configuration cell information is carried in one of the following messages: secondary node change request message; secondary node modification request message.

13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: the first node sending second candidate cell configuration information to the master node, wherein the second candidate cell configuration information includes at least one of the following: Accept or retain one or more candidate cells; Reject one or more candidate cells; Release one or more candidate cells; Activate or deactivate one or more candidate cells.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The second candidate cell configuration information is included in the cell group configuration message; and / or The configuration information of the second candidate cell is carried in one of the following messages: secondary node change confirmation message; secondary node modification request confirmation message.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first node receives second candidate cell configuration confirmation information from the master node, which is used to confirm the configuration information of the second candidate cell.

16. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first node includes the master node. When the first node performs a first operation after CPAC is triggered, the first operation performed by the first node includes: After receiving the first RRC reconfiguration complete message from the terminal, the first node performs the first operation; The first RRC reconfiguration completion message is used by the terminal to indicate to the network that the CPAC conditional reconfiguration execution has been triggered.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, Before the first node performs the first operation, the method further includes: the first node determining at least one of the following: Scope of application for candidate communities; At least one candidate cell supported by the target secondary node; At least one candidate cell supported by the primary and secondary cells; The neighboring relationship between candidate communities and primary and secondary communities.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first node performs the first operation, and the method further includes: The first node sends third candidate cell information to the target auxiliary node, the third candidate cell information including CPAC candidate cell information determined by the first node.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The third candidate cell information includes at least one of the following: Community ID; Auxiliary Community ID; Conditional reconfiguration ID, which is used to identify the conditional reconfiguration configured by the network for the terminal; Candidate cell retention indication, which indicates whether a cell is retained as a candidate cell.

20. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The third candidate cell information is included in the cell group configuration information message; and / or The information of the third candidate cell is carried in one of the following messages: secondary node reconfiguration completion message; secondary node change request message; secondary node modification request message.

21. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first node performs the first operation, and the method further includes: The first node sends a secondary cell activation / deactivation message or add / release message to the candidate secondary nodes. The secondary cell activation / deactivation message indicates the activation / deactivation of at least one configured candidate cell, the add message adds a candidate cell, and the release message releases a candidate cell; and / or The first node sends an activation / deactivation message or an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal. The activation / deactivation message is used to activate / deactivate at least one candidate cell, and the RRC reconfiguration message is used to activate / deactivate or add or release the configuration of at least one candidate cell.

22. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first node receives the usage range information of the first candidate cell.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The scope of use information for at least one candidate secondary cell also includes at least one of the following: One or more first cell identifiers; wherein, when the cell identifier of the primary and secondary cells of the terminal is the same as one of the one or more first cell identifiers, the candidate secondary cell supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the candidate secondary cell is valid; Candidate cell retention indication, which indicates whether a cell is retained as a candidate cell.

24. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The scope information of the first candidate cell is included in the cell group configuration message; and / or The usage scope information of the first candidate cell is carried in the auxiliary node addition request confirmation message.

25. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, Before the first node receives the usage range information of the first candidate cell, the method further includes: The first node sends first cell information to the candidate secondary node, wherein the first candidate cell's usage range information is determined by the candidate secondary node based on the first cell information, and the first cell information includes at least one of the following: CPAC candidate cell information; At least one candidate auxiliary node provides candidate cell information.

26. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, After the first node receives the usage range information of the first candidate cell, the method further includes: The first node sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal, the RRC reconfiguration message containing the usage range information of at least one candidate cell.

27. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The first node performs a first operation based on the usage range information of the candidate cells, including: After receiving the first RRC reconfiguration complete message sent by the terminal, the first node performs the first operation based on the usage scope information of the candidate cell; The first RRC reconfiguration completion message is used by the terminal to indicate to the network that the CPAC conditional reconfiguration execution has been triggered.

28. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first node sends a secondary cell activation / deactivation message or add / release message to the candidate secondary nodes. The secondary cell activation / deactivation message indicates the activation / deactivation of at least one configured candidate cell, the add message adds a candidate cell, and the release message releases a candidate cell that is no longer in use; and / or The first node sends an activation / deactivation message or an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal. The activation / deactivation message is used to activate / deactivate at least one candidate cell, and the RRC reconfiguration message is used to activate / deactivate or add or release the configuration of at least one candidate cell.

29. A method for maintaining candidate cells, characterized in that, include: The candidate secondary node sends the first candidate cell usage range information, which includes the usage range information of at least one candidate secondary cell. The usage range information is used to perform the first operation. The first operation includes: adding, modifying, releasing, activating, or deactivating one or more candidate cells; The usage scope information of the at least one candidate secondary cell includes: One or more second cell identifiers; wherein, when the candidate secondary cell is used as the primary or secondary cell of the terminal, the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier is valid.

30. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that, The scope of use information for at least one candidate secondary cell also includes at least one of the following: One or more first cell identifiers; wherein, when the cell identifier of the primary and secondary cells of the terminal is the same as one of the one or more first cell identifiers, the candidate secondary cell supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the candidate secondary cell is valid; Candidate cell retention indication, which indicates whether a cell is retained as a candidate cell.

31. A method for maintaining candidate cells, characterized in that, include: The terminal receives an RRC reconfiguration message, the RRC reconfiguration message containing usage range information of at least one candidate secondary cell, the usage range information being used to perform a first operation; The first operation includes: adding, modifying, releasing, activating, or deactivating one or more candidate cells; The scope of use information includes: One or more second cell identifiers; wherein, when the candidate secondary cell is used as the primary or secondary cell of the terminal, the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier is valid.

32. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that, The scope of use information also includes at least one of the following: One or more first cell identifiers; wherein, when the cell identifier of the primary and secondary cells of the terminal is the same as one of the one or more first cell identifiers, the candidate secondary cell supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the candidate secondary cell is valid; Candidate cell retention indication, which indicates whether a cell is retained as a candidate cell.

33. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal executes the first operation after CPAC is triggered.

34. A first node, characterized in that, include: The processing module is used to perform the first operation based on the usage range information of the candidate cells; The first node includes at least one of the following: a target auxiliary node, a candidate auxiliary node, and a master node; the execution of the first operation includes: adding, modifying, releasing, activating, or deactivating one or more candidate cells; the target auxiliary node is the auxiliary node where the target PSCell is located after CPAC is triggered or executed; the candidate auxiliary node is the auxiliary node where the candidate cell of CPAC is located. The usage range information of the candidate cell includes the usage range information of the first candidate cell from the candidate auxiliary node. The usage range information of the first candidate cell includes the usage range information of at least one candidate auxiliary cell. The candidate auxiliary cell is the candidate cell configured by the candidate auxiliary node. The usage scope information of the at least one candidate secondary cell includes: One or more second cell identifiers; wherein, when the candidate secondary cell is used as the primary or secondary cell of the terminal, the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier is valid.

35. A candidate auxiliary node, characterized in that, include: A sending module is used to send first candidate cell usage range information, the first candidate cell usage range information includes usage range information of at least one candidate secondary cell, and the usage range information is used to perform a first operation; The first operation includes: adding, modifying, releasing, activating, or deactivating one or more candidate cells; The usage scope information of the at least one candidate secondary cell includes: One or more second cell identifiers; wherein, when the candidate secondary cell is used as the primary or secondary cell of the terminal, the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier is valid.

36. A terminal, characterized in that, include: A receiving module is configured to receive an RRC reconfiguration message, the RRC reconfiguration message containing usage range information of at least one candidate secondary cell, the usage range information being used to perform a first operation; The first operation includes: adding, modifying, releasing, activating, or deactivating one or more candidate cells; The scope of use information includes: One or more second cell identifiers; wherein, when the candidate secondary cell is used as the primary or secondary cell of the terminal, the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier supports being a candidate cell for CPAC or the CPAC command associated with the secondary cell corresponding to the second cell identifier is valid.

37. A network-side device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions that can run on the processor, the program or instructions being executed by the processor to implement the steps of the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 30.

38. A terminal, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions that can run on the processor, the program or instructions being executed by the processor to implement the steps of the method as described in any one of claims 31 to 33.

39. A readable storage medium, characterized in that, The readable storage medium stores a program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 33.

Images