Switching methods and devices, storage media, terminal equipment, network equipment

Abstract

A handover method, apparatus, storage medium, terminal device, and network device are disclosed. The handover method includes: receiving group handover conditions for at least one candidate network device, wherein the group handover conditions indicate a PC5 interface signal quality threshold for a relay terminal device and its serving edge terminal device to perform group handover to the candidate network device; selecting a target network device from the at least one candidate network device; and determining whether to carry out group handover to the target network device based on the PC5 interface signal quality of each serving edge terminal device and the group handover conditions of the target network device. This application's solution enables smooth group handover even when the PC5 interface signal quality between the relay terminal device and its serving edge terminal device may change.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a switching method and apparatus, a storage medium, a terminal device, and a network device. Background Technology

[0002] Remote UEs access the network through relay UEs, and one relay UE can serve one or more remote UEs.

[0003] If the relay terminal device uses conditional handover, it does not immediately perform the handover upon receiving the handover command. Instead, it begins evaluating the trigger conditions for the handover and waits until those conditions are met before proceeding with the handover. During handover, the signal quality of the PC5 interface between the relay terminal device and the edge terminal device it serves may change. In this situation, how to perform group handover is a problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem solved by this invention is how to smoothly perform group handover when the signal quality of the PC5 interface between the relay terminal equipment and the edge terminal equipment it serves may change.

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, in a first aspect, this application provides a handover method, comprising: receiving a group handover condition for at least one candidate network device, the group handover condition indicating a PC5 interface signal quality threshold for a relay terminal device and its served edge terminal devices to perform a group handover to the candidate network device; selecting a target network device from the at least one candidate network device; and determining whether to carry out a group handover to the target network device based on the PC5 interface signal quality of each served edge terminal device and the group handover condition of the target network device.

[0006] Optionally, the group handover conditions may differ for different candidate network devices.

[0007] Optionally, determining whether to carry out a group handover to the target network device based on the PC5 interface signal quality of each edge terminal device and the group handover conditions of the target network device includes: if there is a first edge terminal device with PC5 interface signal quality greater than or equal to the PC5 interface signal quality threshold in the target network device, then carry out a group handover to the target network device with the first edge terminal device.

[0008] Optionally, determining whether to carry out a group handover to the target network device based on the PC5 interface signal quality of each edge terminal device and the group handover conditions of the target network device includes: if the PC5 interface signal quality of all edge terminal devices is less than the PC5 interface signal quality threshold in the target network device, then the relay terminal device performs a handover to the target network device independently.

[0009] Optionally, the switching method further includes: for a second edge terminal device whose PC5 interface signal quality is less than the PC5 interface signal quality threshold in the target network device, notifying and releasing the second edge terminal device.

[0010] Optionally, the condition for receiving at least one candidate network device for group handover includes: receiving an RRC reconfiguration message, wherein the RRC reconfiguration message carries the group handover condition.

[0011] Secondly, this application also provides a handover method, the handover method comprising: receiving a group handover condition for at least one candidate network device, the group handover condition indicating a PC5 interface signal quality threshold for a relay terminal device and its serving edge terminal devices to perform a group handover to the candidate network device, the group handover condition and the PC5 interface signal quality of each serving edge terminal device being used by the relay terminal device to determine whether to carry out a group handover with the edge terminal devices; and sending the group handover condition for the at least one candidate network device.

[0012] Optionally, before receiving the group handover condition for at least one candidate network device, the method includes: sending a handover request message to at least one candidate network device, the handover request message indicating a group handover request for a relay terminal device and an edge terminal device.

[0013] Thirdly, this application also provides a handover method, which includes: generating group handover conditions for candidate network devices, wherein the group handover conditions indicate a PC5 interface signal quality threshold for a relay terminal device and its served edge terminal devices to perform group handover to the candidate network devices, and the group handover conditions and the PC5 interface signal quality of each served edge terminal device are used by the relay terminal device to determine whether to carry the edge terminal devices to perform group handover; and sending the group handover conditions of the candidate network devices.

[0014] Optionally, before sending the group handover conditions for candidate network devices, the process includes receiving a handover request message, which indicates a group handover request for relay terminal devices and edge terminal devices.

[0015] Fourthly, this application also discloses a handover device, comprising: a first communication module, configured to receive group handover conditions for at least one candidate network device, the group handover conditions indicating a PC5 interface signal quality threshold for a relay terminal device and its served edge terminal device to perform group handover to the candidate network device; a first processing module, configured to select a target network device from the at least one candidate network device; the first processing module is further configured to determine whether to carry out group handover to the target network device based on the PC5 interface signal quality of each served edge terminal device and the group handover conditions of the target network device.

[0016] Fifthly, this application also provides a switching device, comprising: a second communication module, configured to receive group switching conditions for at least one candidate network device, the group switching conditions indicating a PC5 interface signal quality threshold for a relay terminal device and its served edge terminal devices to perform group switching to the candidate network device, the group switching conditions and the PC5 interface signal quality of each edge terminal device being used by the relay terminal device to determine whether to carry out group switching with the edge terminal devices; the second communication module is further configured to transmit the group switching conditions for the at least one candidate network device.

[0017] Sixthly, this application also provides a switching device, comprising: a second processing module, configured to generate group switching conditions for candidate network devices, wherein the group switching conditions indicate a PC5 interface signal quality threshold for a relay terminal device and its serving edge terminal devices to perform group switching to the candidate network devices, and the group switching conditions and the PC5 interface signal quality of each serving edge terminal device are used by the relay terminal device to determine whether to carry out group switching with the edge terminal devices; and a third communication module, configured to transmit the group switching conditions for the candidate network devices.

[0018] In a seventh aspect, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is a non-volatile storage medium or a non-transient storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, and the computer program is executed by a processor to perform the steps of the switching method.

[0019] Eighthly, this application also provides a terminal device, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program executable on the processor, and the processor executes the steps of the switching method when running the computer program.

[0020] Ninthly, this application also provides a network device, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program executable on the processor, and the processor executes the steps of the switching method when running the computer program, or performs the steps of the switching method.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the embodiments of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] In this invention, the network device generates group handover conditions, which indicate the PC5 interface signal quality threshold for a relay terminal device and its served edge terminal devices to perform group handover to the candidate network devices. The relay terminal device selects a target network device from at least one candidate network device and determines whether to perform group handover to the target network device, based on the PC5 interface signal quality of each served edge terminal device and the group handover conditions of the target network device. By setting group handover conditions, a basis is provided for whether the relay terminal device should perform group handover to the edge terminal device at the handover time, even when the PC5 interface signal quality between the relay terminal device and its served edge terminal devices may change, ensuring smooth handover and improving user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a sidelink relay network in the prior art;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a switching method provided in this application;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of a switching method provided in this application;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating another switching method provided in this application;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a switching device provided in this application;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a switching device provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The communication systems applicable to the embodiments of this application include, but are not limited to, long-term evolution (LTE) systems, 5th-generation (5G) systems, NR systems, and future evolution systems or multiple converged communication systems. The 5G system can be a non-standalone (NSA) 5G system or a standalone (SA) 5G system. The technical solutions of this application are also applicable to different network architectures, including but not limited to relay network architectures, dual-connectivity architectures, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) architectures.

[0030] This application primarily relates to communication between terminal devices and network devices. Specifically:

[0031] The network device in this application embodiment can also be called an access network device, for example, it can be a base station (BS) (also called a base station device). A network device is a device deployed in a radio access network (RAN) to provide wireless communication functions. For example, in second-generation (2G) networks, equipment providing base station functionality includes base transceiver stations (BTS); in third-generation (3G) networks, it includes NodeBs; in fourth-generation (4G) networks, it includes evolved NodeBs (eNBs); in wireless local area networks (WLANs), it is an access point (AP); in NR (Radio Frequency Identification), it includes next-generation nodebase stations (gNBs) and further evolved NodeBs (ng-eNBs). The gNB communicates with the terminal device using NR technology, while the ng-eNB communicates with the terminal device using Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) technology. Both gNBs and ng-eNBs can connect to the 5G core network. The network equipment in this application embodiment also includes equipment providing base station functionality in future new communication systems.

[0032] In this application, "terminal equipment" can refer to various forms of access terminals, user units, user stations, mobile stations, mobile stations (MS), remote stations, remote terminals, mobile devices, user terminals, wireless communication equipment, user agents, or user devices. Terminal equipment can also be cellular phones, cordless phones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, terminal equipment in future 5G networks, or terminal equipment in future evolved Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs), etc. This application does not limit the scope of these terms. Terminal equipment can also be called user equipment (UE), terminal, etc.

[0033] like Figure 1 In the sidelink relay network shown, the relay terminal equipment communicates with the edge terminal equipment through the PC5 interface, and the relay terminal equipment communicates with the base station through the Uu interface. The relay terminal equipment relays the control plane signaling and user plane data of the edge terminal equipment.

[0034] The handover process will be further studied in the sidelink relay network project, including group handover (Group HO) and conditional handover (CHO). Group handover refers to the process where a relay terminal device and its connected edge terminal devices perform a handover together. In existing technologies, when a relay terminal device needs to handover, the source base station decides whether the edge terminal device needs to handover together with the relay terminal device based on the PC5 interface signal quality; that is, the relay terminal device and the edge terminal device it serves perform a group handover. Conditional handover refers to the source base station configuring cell configurations for one or more candidate target base stations and triggering conditions for handover to these target base stations for the terminal device. Upon receiving the configuration, the terminal device begins to evaluate the triggering conditions, and the handover is performed by the terminal device when one or more handover triggering conditions are met. In a sidelink relay network system, relay terminal devices and edge terminal devices can use conditional handover under group handover. The source base station configures conditional handover settings (cell configurations for one or more candidate target base stations and triggering conditions for handover to these target base stations) for both the relay terminal device and the edge terminal device. If the relay terminal equipment detects that the signal strength of a candidate target base station exceeds the pre-configured threshold, it will automatically trigger a group handover, switching the edge terminal equipment it serves to the target base station.

[0035] As described in the background section, if a relay terminal device uses conditional handover, it does not immediately perform the handover upon receiving the handover command. Instead, it begins evaluating the triggering conditions for the handover and waits until these conditions are met before proceeding with the handover. During handover, the signal quality of the PC5 interface between the relay terminal device and the edge terminal device it serves may change. In this situation, how to perform group handover is a problem that urgently needs to be solved. For example, if the signal quality of the PC5 interface between the relay terminal device and the edge terminal device it serves deteriorates, making the edge terminal device unsuitable for group handover with the relay terminal device, then how the relay terminal device handles this edge terminal device is a problem that needs to be addressed.

[0036] In this invention, the network device generates group handover conditions, which indicate the PC5 interface signal quality threshold for a relay terminal device and its served edge terminal devices to perform group handover to candidate network devices. The relay terminal device selects a target network device from at least one candidate network device and determines whether to perform group handover to the target network device, based on the PC5 interface signal quality of each served edge terminal device and the group handover conditions of the target network device. By setting group handover conditions, even when the PC5 interface signal quality between the relay terminal device and its served edge terminal devices may change, a basis is provided at handover time for determining whether the relay terminal device should perform group handover with the edge terminal device, ensuring smooth handover and improving user experience.

[0037] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a switching method provided in this application.

[0039] The switching method of this invention can be used on the terminal device side, and more specifically, on the relay terminal device side. That is, the relay terminal device can execute each step of the method.

[0040] Specifically, the switching method may include the following steps:

[0041] Step 201: The relay terminal device receives at least one group handover condition for a candidate network device sent by the source network device. The group handover condition indicates the PC5 interface signal quality threshold for the relay terminal device and the edge terminal device it serves to perform group handover to the candidate network device.

[0042] Step 202: The relay terminal device selects the target network device from at least one candidate network device;

[0043] Step 203: The relay terminal device determines whether to carry out a group handover to the target network device based on the PC5 interface signal quality of each edge terminal device it serves and the group handover conditions of the target network device.

[0044] In this embodiment of the invention, the PC5 interface refers to the sidelink communication interface between the relay terminal device and the edge terminal device it serves. The relay terminal device communicates with the edge terminal device it serves through the PC5 interface.

[0045] In the specific implementation of step 201, the candidate network device can generate group handover conditions, which are then sent to the source network device. The source network device forwards the group handover conditions to the relay terminal device. The source network device refers to the network device that provides services to the relay terminal device.

[0046] In a specific implementation of step 201, the relay terminal device also receives the conditional handover configuration when receiving the group handover execution conditions. The conditional handover configuration includes the cell configurations of one or more candidate network devices and the triggering conditions for handover to these target network devices. The cell configuration of the candidate network devices refers to the configuration parameters of the candidate network devices, which may specifically include the cell identifier (ID) of the target network device, the new Cell-Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) used after handover to the target network device, the security algorithm ID of the target network device, and a set of dedicated random access channel (RACH) resources reserved by the target network device for the terminal device, etc. This application does not impose any restrictions on these. The triggering condition refers to a handover event. In a specific implementation, the handover event can be an A3 event or an A5 event. A3 event: The reference signal received strength of the neighboring cell is higher than the serving cell by an absolute threshold. A5 event: The service quality of the serving cell is lower than an absolute threshold 1, and the service quality of the neighboring cell is higher than an absolute threshold 2. Those skilled in the art will understand that the handover event can also be any other implementable handover event, and this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0047] In a non-limiting embodiment, the group handover conditions for different candidate network devices can be the same or different. That is, the PC5 interface signal quality thresholds for different candidate network devices can be the same or different. In a specific implementation of step 202, the relay terminal device can select a target network device from at least one candidate network device. Specifically, the relay terminal device evaluates the handover triggering conditions received from the source network device for handover to the candidate network device (e.g., signal quality exceeding a pre-configured threshold). The evaluation process involves the relay terminal device measuring the signal strength of the reference signal of each candidate network device. If the signal strength of the reference signal of a candidate network device exceeds the pre-configured threshold, that network device is selected as the target network device.

[0048] It is understood that further details regarding the specific implementation methods for selecting target network devices can be found in existing technologies, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0049] In this embodiment, when a relay terminal device performs a handover, it evaluates the signal quality of the PC5 interface of the edge terminal device it serves, and determines whether to carry the edge terminal device during group handover based on the signal quality. Therefore, if the signal quality of the PC5 interface between the relay terminal device and the edge terminal device it serves deteriorates and falls below the group handover condition of the candidate network device to which it is about to be handed over, the edge terminal device need not be carried during handover; otherwise, the edge terminal device can be carried during group handover.

[0050] -

[0051] It should be noted that the sequence number of each step in this embodiment does not represent a limitation on the execution order of each step.

[0052] It is understood that, in practice, the switching method can be implemented using software programs that run within the processor integrated into the chip or chip module. Alternatively, the method can be implemented using a combination of software and hardware; this application does not impose any restrictions.

[0053] Refer to together Figure 3 , Figure 3 A specific flowchart of a switching process is shown.

[0054] Prior to step 301, the source network device sends a measurement configuration to the relay terminal device to indicate the identifiers of the candidate network devices to be measured, such as candidate network device 1 to candidate network device n.

[0055] In step 301, the relay terminal device sends an RRC measurement report to the source network device. The measurement report includes: the reference signal quality of the source network device, the reference signal quality of the candidate network device, etc.

[0056] In step 302, the source network device performs a group handover decision. The source network device decides to perform a group handover between the relay terminal device and its served edge terminal devices 1 and 2, but not immediately; instead, it configures a conditional handover. Specifically, the source network device makes the group handover decision based on the PC5 interface link quality between edge terminal devices 1 and 2 and the relay terminal device. If the PC5 interface signal quality between the edge terminal device and the relay terminal device is good (e.g., exceeding a threshold), the source network device will allow the edge terminal device to perform a group handover with the relay terminal device. Edge terminal devices 1 and 2 will periodically or event-wise report measurement results according to the source network device's configuration. These measurement results include the PC5 interface signal quality with the currently connected relay terminal device and the signal quality of one or more nearby target relay terminal devices or target cells. Therefore, the source network device can know the signal quality between the edge terminal device and its currently connected relay terminal device.

[0057] In step 303, the source network device sends a handover request message to each candidate network device (i.e., candidate network device 1, ..., candidate network device n) in the measurement report. The handover request message contains a handover request between the relay terminal device and the edge terminal device it serves.

[0058] In a non-limiting embodiment, at least one candidate network device (candidate network device 1, ..., candidate network device n) can generate group handover conditions to instruct the relay terminal device and its served edge terminal device to perform a group handover to the candidate network device using a PC5 interface signal quality threshold. The relay terminal device and its served edge terminal device communicate through the PC5 interface between them, and the PC5 interface signal quality threshold may specifically be the PC5 port's Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP) threshold.

[0059] In step 304, m candidate network devices send handover request responses to the source network device, where m is less than or equal to n. The candidate network devices decide whether to accept the source network device's handover request based on candidate cell access control policies, resource usage, cell congestion, etc. If a candidate network device accepts the source network device's handover request, it sends a handover request response message to the source network device. Specifically, the handover request response includes: the candidate network device's conditional handover configuration and group handover conditions. The conditional handover configuration includes the cell configuration of one or more candidate network devices and the triggering conditions for handover to these target network devices. The candidate network device configuration includes: the candidate network device identifier (ID), the new Cell-RadioNetwork Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) used after handover, the candidate network device's security algorithm ID, and a set of dedicated random access channel (RACH) resources reserved by the candidate network device for the terminal device. The triggering condition refers to a handover event; in specific implementations, the handover event can be an A3 event or an A5 event.

[0060] Event A3: The reference signal received strength of the neighboring cell is higher than the serving cell by an absolute threshold. Event A5: The service quality of the serving cell is lower than an absolute threshold 1, and the service quality of the neighboring cell is higher than an absolute threshold 2. Those skilled in the art will understand that the handover event can also be any other feasible handover event, and this application does not limit it.

[0061] In step 305, the source network device sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the relay terminal device. The RRC reconfiguration message includes group handover conditions. The RRC reconfiguration message also includes conditional handover configurations. Specifically, the RRC reconfiguration message may include the aforementioned m candidate network device group handover conditions, and the group handover conditions for the m candidate network devices may be the same or different. Specifically, the number of PC5 interface signal quality thresholds in the RRC reconfiguration message can be one or more. The maximum number of PC5 interface signal quality thresholds is m.

[0062] In step 306, the relay terminal device sends an RRC reconfiguration message to edge terminal device 1 and edge terminal device 2. The RRC reconfiguration message contains the cell configurations of m candidate network devices. Specifically, by forwarding the RRC reconfiguration message to the edge terminal devices, edge terminal device 1 and edge terminal device 2 can be informed of the cell configurations of the candidate network devices in advance. After the relay terminal device measures and meets the execution conditions for conditional handover, if it hands over to the network device together with edge terminal device 1 and edge terminal device 2, then edge terminal device 1 and edge terminal device 2 can access the target network device according to the pre-known configuration parameters of the target network device.

[0063] In step 307, the relay terminal device measures the reference signal quality of the candidate network devices and selects the target network device for handover. Specifically, the relay terminal device can measure the reference signal quality of m candidate network devices in the RRC reconfiguration message configuration. Specifically, the relay terminal device performs measurements and evaluates the reference signal quality of each candidate network device. If the measurement finds that the reference signal strength of candidate network device 1 meets the handover event requirements for candidate network device 1, then candidate network device 1 is selected as the target network device for subsequent handover.

[0064] In step 308, the relay terminal device determines whether to carry out group handover for edge terminal device 2 based on the signal quality of the PC5 interface of the serving edge terminal device and the group handover conditions of the target network device.

[0065] Specifically, the PC5 interface signal quality between the relay terminal device and the edge terminal devices it serves can be obtained through measurement. If there is a first edge terminal device with a PC5 interface signal quality greater than or equal to the PC5 interface signal quality threshold in the target network device, the relay terminal device performs a group handover to the target network device with the first edge terminal device. The number of first edge terminal devices can be one or more. Conversely, if the PC5 interface signal quality of all edge terminal devices served by the relay terminal device is less than the PC5 interface signal quality threshold in the target network device, the relay terminal device performs a handover to the target network device independently.

[0066] Specifically, the relay terminal device measures the PC5 interface signal quality between itself and edge terminal device 1, and the PC5 interface signal quality between itself and edge terminal device 2. If the relay terminal device evaluates and finds that the PC5 interface signal quality between itself and edge terminal device 1 is less than the PC5 interface signal quality threshold indicated by the group handover conditions of the target network device, it determines not to carry edge terminal device 1 for group handover; if the relay terminal device evaluates and finds that the PC5 interface signal quality between itself and edge terminal device 2 exceeds (e.g., greater than or equal to) the PC5 interface signal quality threshold indicated by the group handover conditions of the target network device, it determines to carry edge terminal device 2 for group handover.

[0067] In step 309, the relay terminal device sends a release notification to the edge terminal device 1 to release the PC5 link with the edge terminal device 1. In other words, the relay terminal device no longer provides relay services to the edge terminal device 1.

[0068] In step 310, the relay terminal device carries the edge terminal device 2 to perform a group handover to the target network device. Specifically, the relay terminal device, along with the edge terminal device 2 it serves, hands over to the target network device. After the group handover to candidate network device 1, edge terminal device 2 still accesses network device 1 through the relay terminal device to achieve relay communication. That is, the relay terminal device continues to provide relay services to edge terminal device 2 in the serving cell of the target network device.

[0069] By setting group handover conditions, this invention provides a basis for determining whether a relay terminal device should carry out group handover with an edge terminal device when the signal quality of the PC5 interface between the relay terminal device and the edge terminal device it serves may change, thus ensuring a smooth handover and improving the user experience.

[0070] Specifically, the source network device can be a source base station, the candidate network device can be a candidate base station, and the target network device can be a target base station; this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0071] It should be noted that for more specific implementation methods of group switching, please refer to the existing protocol, which will not be repeated here.

[0072] Refer to together Figure 4 , Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating another switching method is shown.

[0073] For steps 401 to 405, please refer to the description of steps 301 to 305.

[0074] Unlike the previous embodiments, in step 406, after the source network device sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the relay terminal device, the relay terminal device measures the reference signal quality of the candidate network device and selects the target network device for switching.

[0075] In step 407, the relay terminal device determines whether to carry out group handover for edge terminal device 2 based on the signal quality of the PC5 interface of the serving edge terminal device and the group handover conditions of the target network device.

[0076] In step 408, the relay terminal device sends a reconfiguration message to the edge terminal device 2, wherein the RRC reconfiguration message contains the cell configuration of the target network device.

[0077] In step 409, the relay terminal device sends a release notification to the edge terminal device 1 to release the PC5 link with the edge terminal device 1.

[0078] In step 410, the relay terminal device carries the edge terminal device 2 to perform a group handover to the target network device.

[0079] Compared to the previous embodiments where the relay terminal device directly sends RRC reconfiguration messages to all edge terminal devices, in this embodiment of the invention, after determining that edge terminal device 2 is performing a group handover, the relay terminal device only needs to send an RRC reconfiguration message to edge terminal device 2, without forwarding the RRC reconfiguration message to edge terminal device 1, thus saving signaling overhead. Furthermore, compared to the previous embodiments where the RRC reconfiguration message included cell configurations of m candidate network devices, the RRC reconfiguration message in this embodiment only needs to include the cell configuration of the target network device, further saving signaling overhead.

[0080] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 A switching device is shown. The switching device 50 may include:

[0081] The first communication module 501 is used to receive group handover conditions for at least one candidate network device. The group handover conditions indicate the PC5 interface signal quality threshold for the relay terminal device and the edge terminal device it serves to perform group handover to the candidate network device.

[0082] The first processing module 502 is used to select a target network device from at least one candidate network device;

[0083] The first processing module 502 is also used to determine whether to carry out a group handover to the target network device based on the PC5 interface signal quality of each edge terminal device and the group handover conditions of the target network device.

[0084] In specific implementations, the aforementioned switching device 50 may correspond to a chip with switching function in a terminal device, such as a SOC (System-On-a-Chip), a baseband chip, etc.; or to a chip module in a terminal device that includes a switching function; or to a chip module with a data processing function; or to a terminal device.

[0085] This invention also discloses another handover device, comprising: a second communication module, configured to receive group handover conditions for at least one candidate network device, wherein the group handover conditions indicate a PC5 interface signal quality threshold for a relay terminal device and its served edge terminal devices to perform group handover to the candidate network devices, and the group handover conditions and the PC5 interface signal quality of each edge terminal device are used by the relay terminal device to determine whether to carry out group handover with the edge terminal devices. The second communication module is further configured to transmit the group handover conditions for at least one candidate network device.

[0086] This invention also discloses another handover device, comprising: a second processing module for generating group handover conditions for candidate network devices, wherein the group handover conditions indicate a PC5 interface signal quality threshold for the relay terminal device and its served edge terminal devices to perform group handover to the candidate network devices, and the group handover conditions and the PC5 interface signal quality of each served edge terminal device are used by the relay terminal device to determine whether to carry the edge terminal devices to perform group handover; and a third communication module for sending the group handover conditions for the candidate network devices.

[0087] In specific implementations, the aforementioned switching device may correspond to a chip with switching function in a network device, such as a SOC (System-On-a-Chip), a baseband chip, etc.; or to a chip module in a network device that includes a switching function; or to a chip module with a data processing function; or to a terminal device.

[0088] For more details on the working principle and operation mode of the switching device, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0089] Regarding the modules / units included in the various devices and products described in the above embodiments, they can be software modules / units, hardware modules / units, or a combination of both. For example, for various devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip, all of their modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using software programs that run on a processor integrated within the chip, while the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits; for various devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip module, all of their modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, and different modules / units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. The components can be implemented using software programs that run on the processor integrated within the chip module. The remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For various devices and products applied to or integrated into the terminal, each of its components / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules / units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or in different components within the terminal. Alternatively, at least some modules / units can be implemented using software programs that run on the processor integrated within the terminal, while the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits.

[0090] This invention also discloses a storage medium, which is a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program thereon. When the computer program is run, it can execute the steps of the aforementioned switching method.

[0091] Please refer to the details. Figure 6 This application also provides a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device. The device includes a processor 601, a memory 602, and a transceiver 603.

[0092] Processor 601 can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of the program according to the present application. Processor 601 may also include multiple CPUs, and processor 601 can be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. Here, processor can refer to one or more devices, circuits, or processing cores used to process data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0093] The memory 602 can be a ROM or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, RAM or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or it can be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this. The memory 602 can exist independently (in this case, the memory 602 can be located outside or inside the device) or it can be integrated with the processor 601. The memory 602 may contain computer program code. The processor 601 is used to execute the computer program code stored in the memory 602 to implement the method provided in this application embodiment.

[0094] The processor 601, memory 602, and transceiver 603 are connected via a bus. The transceiver 603 is used to communicate with other devices or communication networks. Optionally, the transceiver 603 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The device in the transceiver 603 that implements the receiving function can be considered as a receiver, which is used to perform the receiving steps in the embodiments of this application. The device in the transceiver 603 that implements the transmitting function can be considered as a transmitter, which is used to perform the transmitting steps in the embodiments of this application.

[0095] when Figure 6 The schematic diagram shown illustrates the structure of the terminal device involved in the above embodiments. The processor 601 is used to control and manage the actions of the terminal device; for example, the processor 601 is used to support the terminal device in performing... Figure 2 Steps 201 to 203 in the process, or Figure 3 Steps 303, 304, and 305 in the text, or Figure 4 The actions performed by the terminal device in steps 401, 406, 407, 408, 409, and 410, and / or other processes described in the embodiments of this application. The processor 601 can communicate with other network entities via the transceiver 603, for example, with the aforementioned network device. The memory 602 is used to store the program code and data of the terminal device. When the processor 601 runs the computer program, it can control the transceiver 603 to receive RRC reconfiguration messages.

[0096] when Figure 6 The schematic diagram shown illustrates the structure of the network device involved in the above embodiments. The processor 601 is used to control and manage the actions of the network device; for example, the processor 601 is used to support the network device in performing... Figure 3 Steps 301, 302, and 305 in the text, or Figure 4 The processor 601 performs actions performed by the network device in steps 402, 403, 404, 405, and 410, and / or other processes described in the embodiments of this application. The processor 601 can communicate with other network entities via the transceiver 603, for example, with the aforementioned terminal device. The memory 602 is used to store the program code and data of the network device. When the processor 601 runs the computer program, it can control the transceiver 603 to send one or more of the following: RRC reconfiguration messages, handover request messages, and handover request responses.

[0097] This invention also discloses a terminal device, which may include a memory and a processor. The memory stores a computer program that can run on the processor. When the processor runs the computer program, it can execute the steps of the aforementioned switching method.

[0098] This technical solution is also applicable to different network architectures, including but not limited to relay network architecture, dual-link architecture, and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) architecture.

[0099] In this application embodiment, the one-way communication link from the access network to the terminal is defined as the downlink, the data transmitted on the downlink is called downlink data, and the transmission direction of the downlink data is called the downlink direction; while the one-way communication link from the terminal to the access network is defined as the uplink, the data transmitted on the uplink is called uplink data, and the transmission direction of the uplink data is called the uplink direction.

[0100] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this article indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0101] In the embodiments of this application, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0102] The descriptions of "first," "second," etc., appearing in the embodiments of this application are for illustrative purposes and to distinguish the objects being described. They have no order and do not indicate any special limitation on the number of devices in the embodiments of this application, nor do they constitute any limitation on the embodiments of this application.

[0103] In this application, the term "connection" refers to various connection methods, such as direct connection or indirect connection, to achieve communication between devices. This application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0104] The above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware, firmware, or any other combination thereof. When implemented using software, the above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer programs are loaded or executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions according to the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. Computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. A computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that contains one or more sets of available media.

[0105] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0106] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed methods, apparatuses, and systems can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for example, the division of units is merely a logical functional division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation; for example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0107] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0108] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present invention can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can be physically comprised separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit described above can be implemented in hardware or in the form of hardware plus software functional units.

[0109] While the present invention has been disclosed above, it is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention; therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A handover method, characterized by, include: Receive at least one candidate network device group handover condition, the group handover condition indicating a PC5 interface signal quality threshold for the relay terminal device and its served edge terminal device to perform group handover to the candidate network device; Select a target network device from the at least one candidate network device; Determining whether to carry out a group handover to the target network device based on the PC5 interface signal quality of each edge terminal device and the group handover conditions of the target network device includes: if there is a first edge terminal device with PC5 interface signal quality greater than or equal to the PC5 interface signal quality threshold in the target network device, then carry out a group handover to the target network device with the first edge terminal device; if the PC5 interface signal quality of all edge terminal devices is less than the PC5 interface signal quality threshold in the target network device, then the relay terminal device performs a handover to the target network device independently.

2. The handover method of claim 1, wherein, The group handover conditions differ for different candidate network devices.

3. The handover method of claim 1, wherein, Also includes: For a second edge terminal device whose PC5 interface signal quality is less than the PC5 interface signal quality threshold in the target network device, notify and release the second edge terminal device.

4. The handover method of claim 1, wherein, The group handover conditions for receiving at least one candidate network device include: Receive an RRC reconfiguration message, the RRC reconfiguration message carrying the group switching conditions.

5. A handover method, characterized by, include: The system receives group handover conditions for at least one candidate network device. These conditions indicate a PC5 interface signal quality threshold for a relay terminal device and its served edge terminal devices to perform a group handover to the candidate network device. The group handover conditions and the PC5 interface signal quality of each served edge terminal device are used by the relay terminal device to determine whether to perform a group handover with the edge terminal devices. This includes: if there is a first edge terminal device with a PC5 interface signal quality greater than or equal to the PC5 interface signal quality threshold in the target network device, then performing a group handover to the target network device with the first edge terminal device; if the PC5 interface signal quality of all served edge terminal devices is less than the PC5 interface signal quality threshold in the target network device, then the relay terminal device performs a handover to the target network device independently; the target network device is selected from the at least one candidate network device. Send the group handover conditions for the at least one candidate network device.

6. The handover method of claim 5, wherein, Prior to the group handover condition of receiving at least one candidate network device, the following is included: A handover request message is sent to at least one candidate network device, the handover request message indicating a group handover request between a relay terminal device and an edge terminal device.

7. A switching method, characterized in that, include: Group handover conditions for candidate network devices are generated. These conditions indicate a PC5 interface signal quality threshold for a relay terminal device and its served edge terminal devices to perform a group handover to the candidate network device. The group handover conditions and the PC5 interface signal quality of each served edge terminal device are used by the relay terminal device to determine whether to carry the edge terminal devices during group handover. This includes: if there is a first edge terminal device with a PC5 interface signal quality greater than or equal to the PC5 interface signal quality threshold in the target network device, then the relay terminal device is carried to perform a group handover to the target network device; if the PC5 interface signal quality of all served edge terminal devices is less than the PC5 interface signal quality threshold in the target network device, then the relay terminal device performs a handover to the target network device independently. Send group handover conditions for at least one of the candidate network devices; the target network device is selected from at least one candidate network device.

8. The switching method according to claim 7, characterized in that, Prior to sending the group handover conditions for at least one candidate network device, the following is included: A handover request message is received, which indicates a group handover request between the relay terminal device and the edge terminal device.

9. A switching device, characterized in that, include: A first communication module is configured to receive group handover conditions for at least one candidate network device, wherein the group handover conditions indicate a PC5 interface signal quality threshold for a relay terminal device and its served edge terminal device to perform group handover to the candidate network device. A first processing module is configured to select a target network device from the at least one candidate network device; The first processing module is further configured to determine whether to carry out a group handover to the target network device based on the PC5 interface signal quality of each edge terminal device being served and the group handover conditions of the target network device, including: if there is a first edge terminal device with PC5 interface signal quality greater than or equal to the PC5 interface signal quality threshold in the target network device, then carry out a group handover to the target network device with the first edge terminal device; if the PC5 interface signal quality of all edge terminal devices being served is less than the PC5 interface signal quality threshold in the target network device, then the relay terminal device performs a handover to the target network device independently.

10. A switching device, characterized in that, include: The second communication module is configured to receive group handover conditions for at least one candidate network device. The group handover conditions indicate a PC5 interface signal quality threshold for the relay terminal device and its served edge terminal devices to perform group handover to the candidate network device. The group handover conditions and the PC5 interface signal quality of each edge terminal device are used by the relay terminal device to determine whether to carry the edge terminal devices in a group handover. This includes: if there is a first edge terminal device with a PC5 interface signal quality greater than or equal to the PC5 interface signal quality threshold in the target network device, then the relay terminal device is carried in a group handover to the target network device; if the PC5 interface signal quality of all served edge terminal devices is less than the PC5 interface signal quality threshold in the target network device, then the relay terminal device performs a handover to the target network device independently; the target network device is selected from the at least one candidate network device. The second communication module is also used to send the group switching conditions of the at least one candidate network device.

11. A switching device, characterized in that, include: The second processing module is used to generate group handover conditions for candidate network devices. The group handover conditions indicate the PC5 interface signal quality threshold for the relay terminal device and its served edge terminal devices to perform group handover to the candidate network devices. The group handover conditions and the PC5 interface signal quality of each served edge terminal device are used by the relay terminal device to determine whether to carry the edge terminal devices to perform group handover. This includes: if there is a first edge terminal device with PC5 interface signal quality greater than or equal to the PC5 interface signal quality threshold in the target network device, then carry the first edge terminal device to perform group handover to the target network device; if the PC5 interface signal quality of all served edge terminal devices is less than the PC5 interface signal quality threshold in the target network device, then the relay terminal device performs handover to the target network device alone. The third communication module is used to send group handover conditions for at least one of the candidate network devices; the target network device is selected from at least one candidate network device.

12. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, The computer program is executed by the processor to perform the steps of the switching method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

13. A terminal device, comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program executable on the processor, characterized in that, When the processor runs the computer program, it performs the steps of the switching method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

14. A network device comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program executable on the processor, characterized in that, When the processor runs the computer program, it performs the steps of the switching method of claim 5 or 6, or the steps of the switching method of claim 7 or 8.

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