A method and apparatus for controlling source secondary node release

Abstract

The method for controlling source secondary node release provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the field of communication technology, and the method performed by a source master node comprises: initiating a source secondary node release process based on indication information used for indicating that the source master node initiates the source secondary node release process. Thus, the indication information triggers the source master node to initiate release of resources of a terminal device by the source secondary node at the correct time, which avoids the terminal device resources being released by the source secondary node too early and reduces the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communication, and particularly relates to a method and device for controlling source secondary node release. BACKGROUND

[0002] A dual connectivity (DC) terminal device can access two cell groups, a master cell group (MCG) and a secondary cell group (SCG), wherein the MCG corresponds to a network side master node (MN) and the SCG corresponds to a network side secondary node (SN).

[0003] In the current system, in the case of dual connectivity, when the terminal device moves, there may be a need for conditional handover (CHO), conditional PSCell change (CPC), and conditional PSCell addition (CPA). When CHO is performed at the same time as CPC or SCG configuration, after the source MN receives the handover request confirmation message of the target MN, the source SN release request message is immediately sent to the source SN to release the resources of the corresponding terminal device. The source SN stops providing user data to the terminal device after receiving the SN release request message, which causes the terminal device to lose SCG service before CHO is performed, thereby affecting the throughput of the terminal device. SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and device for controlling source secondary node release.

[0005] In a first aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for controlling source secondary node release, the method is performed by a source master node, and the method comprises:

[0006] Initiating a source secondary node release process based on indication information, wherein the indication information is used to indicate that the source master node initiates the source secondary node release process.

[0007] In the present disclosure, the source master node can initiate the source secondary node release process based on the indication information used to indicate that the source master node initiates the source secondary node release process. Thus, the indication information triggers the source master node to initiate the release of the terminal device resources at the correct time, avoids the source secondary node releasing the terminal device resources too early, and reduces the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0008] Optionally, the method further comprises:

[0009] receiving indication information sent by a terminal device; or

[0010] receiving indication information sent by a target master node; or

[0011] receiving indication information sent by a target secondary node and forwarded by a target master node.

[0012] Optionally, the indication information is implicit indication information, or the indication information is explicit indication information.

[0013] Optionally, the indication information sent by the terminal device comprises:

[0014] in response to receiving terminal device assistance information sent by the terminal device, determining that the indication information is received.

[0015] Optionally, the indication information sent by the terminal device comprises:

[0016] in response to a preset bit position in the information sent by the terminal device for indication being a preset value or the information sent by the terminal device containing a bit position for indication, determining that the indication information is received.

[0017] Optionally, the indication information sent by the target master node comprises:

[0018] in response to receiving a handover success message sent by the target master node, determining that the indication information is received.

[0019] Optionally, the method further comprises:

[0020] sending a release request message to the source secondary node.

[0021] Optionally, the method further comprises:

[0022] in response to receiving a handover success message sent by the target master node, sending a release request message to the source secondary node.

[0023] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for controlling source secondary node release, the method is executed by a terminal device, and the method comprises:

[0024] sending indication information to a source master node, wherein the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate a source secondary node release process.

[0025] In the present disclosure, the terminal device can send indication information to the source master node, the indication information being used to instruct the source master node to initiate the source secondary node release procedure. Thus, the source master node initiates the source secondary node release procedure at the correct time through the indication information, avoiding the source secondary node releasing the resources of the terminal device too early, and reducing the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0026] Optionally, the method further comprises:

[0027] In response to the terminal device triggering the conditional reconfiguration, sending the indication information to the source master node.

[0028] Optionally, the terminal device triggering the conditional reconfiguration comprises:

[0029] The terminal device satisfies one or more candidate cell conditional reconfiguration triggering conditions; or

[0030] The terminal device starts a conditional reconfiguration execution process.

[0031] Optionally, the sending of the indication information to the source master node comprises:

[0032] The indication information is sent to the source master node before the connection with the source master node is disconnected; and / or

[0033] The indication information is sent to the source master node before the selected candidate cell configuration is applied.

[0034] Optionally, the indication information is implicit indication information, or the indication information is explicit indication information.

[0035] Optionally, the sending of the indication information to the source master node comprises:

[0036] The terminal device assistance information is sent to the source master node, wherein the terminal device assistance information is used to indicate the indication information.

[0037] Optionally, the receiving of the indication information sent by the terminal device comprises:

[0038] The information is sent to the source master node, wherein the value of a preset bit in the information or a preset bit in the information sent by the terminal device is used to indicate the indication information.

[0039] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for controlling source secondary node release, the method being performed by a target master node, and the method comprising:

[0040] Sending indication information to the source master node, wherein the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate the source secondary node release procedure.

[0041] In the present disclosure, the target master node can send indication information to the source master node, the indication information being used to instruct the source master node to initiate a source secondary node release process, and then the source master node can initiate the source secondary node release process. In this way, the source master node is triggered to initiate the source secondary node release process at a correct time by the indication information, and the source secondary node is prevented from releasing the resources of the terminal device too early, thereby reducing the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0042] Optionally, the sending of the indication information to the source master node comprises:

[0043] In response to receiving the reconfiguration complete message, the indication information is sent to the source master node; or

[0044] In response to receiving the indication information sent by the target secondary node, the indication information is forwarded to the source master node.

[0045] Optionally, the sending of the indication information to the source master node comprises:

[0046] A handover success message is sent to the source master node, and the handover success message is used to instruct the indication information.

[0047] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for controlling source secondary node release, the method being performed by a target secondary node, and comprising:

[0048] The indication information is sent to a target master node, and the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate a source secondary node release process.

[0049] In the present disclosure, the target secondary node can send indication information to the target master node, the indication information being used to instruct the source master node to initiate a source secondary node release process, and then the target master node can forward the indication information to the source master node, and the source master node can initiate the source secondary node release process after receiving the indication information. In this way, the source master node is triggered to initiate the source secondary node release process at a correct time by the indication information, and the source secondary node is prevented from releasing the resources of the terminal device too early, thereby reducing the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0050] Optionally, the sending of the indication information to the target master node comprises:

[0051] In response to receiving the reconfiguration complete message, the indication information is sent to the target master node.

[0052] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication apparatus, comprising:

[0053] A processing module is configured to initiate a source secondary node release process based on indication information, and the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate a source secondary node release process.

[0054] Optionally, the method further comprises receiving the indication information from the terminal device.

[0055] Optionally, the indication information is received from the target master node.

[0056] Optionally, the indication information is received from the target master node.

[0057] Optionally, the indication information is received from the target master node.

[0058] Optionally, the indication information is implicit indication information or explicit indication information.

[0059] Optionally, the transceiver is configured to:

[0060] Optionally, the transceiver is configured to:

[0061] Optionally, the transceiver is configured to:

[0062] Optionally, the transceiver is configured to:

[0063] Optionally, the transceiver is configured to:

[0064] Optionally, the transceiver is configured to:

[0065] Optionally, the processing module is configured to:

[0066] Optionally, the processing module is configured to:

[0067] Optionally, the processing module is configured to:

[0068] Optionally, the processing module is configured to:

[0069] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication apparatus at a terminal device, comprising:

[0070] a transceiver configured to send indication information to a source master node, wherein the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate a source secondary node release process.

[0071] Optionally, the apparatus further comprises:

[0072] a processing module configured to send the indication information to the source master node in response to a trigger condition of the terminal device.

[0073] Optionally, the terminal device triggering condition reconfiguration comprises:

[0074] the terminal device meets the condition reconfiguration triggering condition of one or more candidate cells; or,

[0075] the terminal device starts a condition reconfiguration execution process.

[0076] Optionally, the transceiver is configured to:

[0077] send the indication information to the source master node before disconnecting the connection with the source master node; and / or,

[0078] send the indication information to the source master node before applying the selected candidate cell configuration.

[0079] Optionally, the indication information is implicit indication information, or the indication information is explicit indication information.

[0080] Optionally, the transceiver is configured to:

[0081] send terminal device assistance information to the source master node, wherein the terminal device assistance information is used to indicate the indication information;

[0082] Optionally, the transceiver is configured to:

[0083] send information to the source master node, wherein a preset bit position in the information or a preset bit position in the information sent by the terminal device is used to indicate the indication information.

[0084] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication apparatus on a target master node side, comprising:

[0085] a transceiver configured to send indication information to a source master node, wherein the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate a source secondary node release process.

[0086] Optionally, further comprising a processing module configured to:

[0087] in response to receiving a reconfiguration completion message, send the indication information to the source master node; or,

[0088] in response to receiving the indication information sent by the target secondary node, forward the indication information to the source master node.

[0089] Optionally, the transceiver is configured to:

[0090] send a handover success message to the source master node, wherein the handover success message is used to indicate the indication information.

[0091] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, at a target secondary node side, comprising:

[0092] a transceiver configured to send indication information to a target master node, wherein the indication information is used to indicate that the source master node initiates a source secondary node release procedure.

[0093] Optionally, the communication device further comprises a processing module configured to:

[0094] send the indication information to the target master node in response to receiving the reconfiguration complete message.

[0095] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, which comprises a processor, when the processor invokes a computer program in a memory, executes the method in the first aspect.

[0096] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, which comprises a processor, when the processor invokes a computer program in a memory, executes the method in the second aspect.

[0097] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, which comprises a processor, when the processor invokes a computer program in a memory, executes the method in the third aspect.

[0098] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, which comprises a processor, when the processor invokes a computer program in a memory, executes the method in the fourth aspect.

[0099] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, which comprises a processor and a memory, and the memory stores a computer program; the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device executes the method in the first aspect.

[0100] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, which comprises a processor and a memory, and the memory stores a computer program; the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device executes the method in the second aspect.

[0101] In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, which comprises a processor and a memory, and the memory stores a computer program; the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device executes the method in the third aspect.

[0102] In a sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication apparatus, comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program; the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication apparatus executes the method in the fourth aspect.

[0103] In a seventeenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication apparatus, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the processor, the processor being configured to execute the code instructions so that the apparatus executes the method in the first aspect.

[0104] In an eighteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication apparatus, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the processor, the processor being configured to execute the code instructions so that the apparatus executes the method in the second aspect.

[0105] In a nineteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication apparatus, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the processor, the processor being configured to execute the code instructions so that the apparatus executes the method in the third aspect.

[0106] In a twentieth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication apparatus, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the processor, the processor being configured to execute the code instructions so that the apparatus executes the method in the fourth aspect.

[0107] In a twenty-first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a system for controlling source secondary node release, the system comprising the communication apparatus in the fifth aspect, the communication apparatus in the sixth aspect, the communication apparatus in the seventh aspect and the communication apparatus in the eighth aspect, or the system comprising the communication apparatus in the ninth aspect, the communication apparatus in the tenth aspect, the communication apparatus in the eleventh aspect and the communication apparatus in the twelfth aspect, or the system comprising the communication apparatus in the thirteenth aspect, the communication apparatus in the fourteenth aspect, the communication apparatus in the fifteenth aspect and the communication apparatus in the sixteenth aspect, or the system comprising the communication apparatus in the seventeenth aspect, the communication apparatus in the eighteenth aspect, the communication apparatus in the nineteenth aspect and the communication apparatus in the twentieth aspect.

[0108] In a twenty-second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer readable storage medium, configured to store instructions for the terminal device, when the instructions are executed, causing the terminal device to execute the method in the first aspect.

[0109] In a twenty-third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a readable storage medium for storing instructions for the network device, which when executed, cause the network device to perform the method of the second aspect.

[0110] In a twenty-fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a readable storage medium for storing instructions for the network device, which when executed, cause the network device to perform the method of the third aspect.

[0111] In a twenty-fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a readable storage medium for storing instructions for the network device, which when executed, cause the network device to perform the method of the fourth aspect.

[0112] In a twenty-sixth aspect, the present application also provides a computer program product including a computer program which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the first aspect.

[0113] In a twenty-seventh aspect, the present application also provides a computer program product including a computer program which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the second aspect.

[0114] In a twenty-eighth aspect, the present application also provides a computer program product including a computer program which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the third aspect.

[0115] In a twenty-ninth aspect, the present application also provides a computer program product including a computer program which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the fourth aspect.

[0116] In a thirtieth aspect, the present application provides a chip system including at least one processor and an interface for supporting the terminal device to implement the functions related to the first aspect, such as determining or processing at least one of the data and information involved in the above method. In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory, and the memory is configured to store computer programs and data necessary for the terminal device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0117] In a thirty-first aspect, the present application provides a chip system including at least one processor and an interface for supporting the network device to implement the functions related to the second aspect, such as determining or processing at least one of the data and information involved in the above method. In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory, and the memory is configured to store computer programs and data necessary for the network device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0118] In a thirty-second aspect, the present disclosure provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor and an interface, configured to support a network device to implement the functions related to the third aspect, for example, to determine or process at least one of the data and information related to the above method. In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory, configured to store the necessary computer programs and data of the network device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0119] In a thirty-third aspect, the present disclosure provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor and an interface, configured to support a network device to implement the functions related to the fourth aspect, for example, to determine or process at least one of the data and information related to the above method. In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory, configured to store the necessary computer programs and data of the network device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0120] In a thirty-fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer program, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method of the first aspect.

[0121] In a thirty-fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer program, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method of the second aspect.

[0122] In a thirty-sixth aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer program, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method of the third aspect.

[0123] In a thirty-seventh aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer program, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method of the fourth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0124] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the background art, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the background art will be described below.

[0125] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0126] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0127] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0128] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0129] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0130] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0131] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0132] Figure 8 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0133] Figure 9 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0134] Figure 10 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0135] Figure 11 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0136] Figure 12 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0137] Figure 13 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0138] Figure 14 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0139] Figure 15 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0140] Figure 16 is a structural diagram of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0141] Figure 17 is a structural diagram of another communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0142] Figure 18 is a structural diagram of a chip provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0143] To facilitate understanding, the terminology used in this disclosure will be introduced first.

[0144] 1. Primary Cell (PCell)

[0145] Under an MCG, there may be many cells, one of which is used to initiate initial access; this cell is called the PCell. As the name suggests, the PCell is the most "primary" cell in the MCG.

[0146] 2. Secondary Cell (SCell)

[0147] The secondary cells in an MCG are SCells. PCells and SCells under an MCG are combined together through carrier aggregation (CA). An MCG contains one or more SCells.

[0148] 3. Primary Secondary Cell (PSCell)

[0149] The primary and secondary cells in an SCG are PSCells, and an SCG contains one or more SCells.

[0150] 4. Source MN

[0151] The MN currently serving the terminal device.

[0152] 5. Source SN

[0153] The SN currently serving the terminal device.

[0154] 6. Target MN

[0155] MN is used to prepare one or more of the following for a terminal device: target PCell, target MCG, candidate target PCell, and candidate target MCG. The target MN used to prepare the candidate target PCell and / or candidate target MCG can also be called the candidate target MN.

[0156] 7. Target SN

[0157] SNs used to prepare one or more of the following for a terminal device: target PSCell, target SCG, candidate target PSCell, and candidate target SCG. The target SN used to prepare candidate target PSCell and / or candidate target SCG can also be referred to as candidate target SN.

[0158] 8. Target MCG

[0159] Target MCG is a target MCG or a candidate target MCG that can provide network services for the terminal device after initiating MCG change, corresponding to the target MN.

[0160] 9、Target SCG

[0161] Target SCG is a target SCG or a candidate target SCG that can provide network services for the terminal device after initiating SCG change or addition, corresponding to the target SN.

[0162] 10、Conditional triggered mobility procedure

[0163] In the 5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology (5G) system, the terminal device can perform cell mobility based on the "preconfigured condition" of the network device and the "preconfigured cell" corresponding to the condition. When the terminal device meets the "preconfigured condition", such as a specific measurement event, the terminal device changes the serving cell to the "preconfigured cell". The "conditional triggered mobility procedure" includes conditional handover (CHO), conditional PSCell addition (CPA) and conditional PSCell change (CPC).

[0164] In order to better understand the method for controlling the release of the source secondary node disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure, first, the communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present disclosure is described.

[0165] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 The architecture of a communication system provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The communication system can include, but is not limited to, one network device and one terminal device, Figure 1 The number and form of devices shown are only for example and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present disclosure. In actual applications, it can include two or more network devices, two or more auxiliary communication devices, and two or more terminal devices. Figure 1 The communication system shown takes one master node 11, one terminal device 12 and one secondary node 13 as an example.

[0166] It should be noted that the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. For example, a long term evolution (LTE) system, a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, a 5G new radio (NR) system, or other future new mobile communication systems, etc.

[0167] The master node 11 and the secondary node 13 in the embodiments of the present disclosure are entities for transmitting or receiving signals on the network side, which can be the master node and the secondary node corresponding to the terminal device 12 respectively. For example, the master node 11 and the secondary node 13 can be evolved NodeB (eNB), transmission reception point (TRP), next generation NodeB (gNB) in the NR system, base station in other future mobile communication systems, or access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, etc. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the network device. The network device provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), wherein the CU can also be referred to as a control unit. The CU-DU structure can split the protocol layer of the network device, such as the base station, and the functions of part of the protocol layer are controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layer are distributed in the DU and controlled by the CU.

[0168] The terminal device 12 in the embodiments of the present disclosure is an entity for receiving or transmitting signals on the user side, such as a mobile phone. The terminal device can also be referred to as a terminal, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), etc. The terminal device can be a car, a smart car, a mobile phone, a wearable device, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in smart city, a wireless terminal device in smart home, etc. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the specific technology and specific device form of the terminal device.

[0169] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. It can be known by those skilled in the art that, as the system architecture evolves and new business scenarios appear, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0170] Generally, in the case of dual connectivity, there can be a situation that the terminal device needs conditional handover (CHO), conditional PSCell change (CPC), conditional PSCell addition (CPA) during movement, when CPC is performed at the same time as CHO, or when the configuration of SCG is performed at the same time as CHO, when the source MN receives the handover request confirmation message of the target MN, the source SN release request message is immediately sent to the source SN to release the resources of the corresponding terminal device, and the source SN stops providing user data to the terminal device after receiving the SN release request message, which will cause the terminal device to lose the service of SCG before performing CHO, thereby affecting the throughput of the UE. In the present disclosure, in order to reduce the impact of CHO on the throughput of the terminal device, the source master node can be instructed to initiate the source secondary node release process after determining the CHO trigger. Thus, the phenomenon that the terminal device loses the service of SCG before triggering CHO can be avoided, and the impact on the throughput of the terminal device is reduced.

[0171] The method for controlling source secondary node release and the device thereof provided by the present disclosure will be described in detail below in combination with the accompanying drawings.

[0172] It should be noted that the method for controlling source secondary node release provided by any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be executed alone or in combination with the possible implementation methods in other embodiments, and can also be executed in combination with any one of the technical solutions in the related art.

[0173] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the method is executed by a source master node. As Figure 2 shown, the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0174] Step 201, initiating a source secondary node release process based on indication information, wherein the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate the source secondary node release process.

[0175] The source secondary node release process can include the process of releasing the resources corresponding to the terminal device, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0176] Generally, the terminal device performs CPC while performing CHO, or performs configuration of a target SCG while performing CHO, and when the source MN receives a handover request acknowledgement message of the target MN, the terminal device has not accessed the target MN, and the source MN and the source SN are still providing network services for the terminal device. In this case, the source MN sends an SN release request message to the source SN, the source SN immediately releases the resources of the corresponding terminal device, and stops providing user data to the terminal device, resulting in only the source MN providing network services for the terminal device, thereby reducing the throughput of the terminal device.

[0177] In the present disclosure, in order to avoid the problem of reduced throughput of the terminal device due to the source MN indicating an inappropriate timing for the source SN to release resources, the terminal device or the target MN can send indication information to the source MN to indicate that the source MN can initiate a source secondary node release procedure, thereby ensuring that the source SN can still provide communication services for the terminal device during the CHO handover process, and avoiding the impact on the throughput of the terminal device due to the inappropriate release timing of the source SN.

[0178] Optionally, the source master node can directly send an indication message to the source secondary node to indicate to perform a release procedure, and the source secondary node directly performs the release procedure after receiving the indication message. Alternatively, the source master node can send a release request message to the source secondary node, and the source secondary node determines whether to perform the release procedure.

[0179] Optionally, the source master node can also receive a release request acknowledgement message sent by the source secondary node, wherein the release request acknowledgement message is used to indicate that the source secondary node starts to perform the release procedure.

[0180] In the present disclosure, the source master node can initiate a source secondary node release procedure based on the indication information indicating that the source master node initiates the source secondary node release procedure. In this way, the source master node is triggered by the indication information to initiate the source secondary node to release the resources of the terminal device at the correct timing, avoiding the source secondary node releasing the resources of the terminal device too early and reducing the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0181] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the method is performed by a source master node. As shown in Figure 3 , the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0182] Step 301, receiving indication information sent by a terminal device.

[0183] In the present disclosure, the terminal device performs CPC while performing CHO, or performs configuration of a target SCG while performing CHO, and can evaluate a candidate target cell corresponding to a candidate target node, for example, performs measurement, to determine whether the terminal device meets a condition reconfiguration triggering condition of the candidate target cell corresponding to any candidate target node. When the condition reconfiguration triggering condition of the candidate target cell corresponding to a certain candidate target node is met, the candidate target cell corresponding to the certain candidate target node can be determined as a trigger cell, and then a condition reconfiguration execution process can be started. In addition, since the cell that meets the condition reconfiguration triggering condition can be one or multiple, the trigger cell can be one or multiple.

[0184] The condition reconfiguration execution process is to determine the number of trigger cells. If the trigger cell is one, the trigger cell can be used as a target cell. If the trigger cell is multiple, one of the cells can be selected as a target cell. Then, the terminal device can apply the configuration corresponding to the target cell, initiate random access to the target cell, successfully access the target node, and disconnect the connection with the source node.

[0185] In the present disclosure, when the terminal device determines that the condition reconfiguration triggering condition of the candidate target cell corresponding to any candidate target node is met, the terminal device can send indication information to the source MN. The indication information indicates that the source MN initiates a source secondary node release process, so that the source SN can avoid releasing the terminal device resources too early, and reduce the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0186] Optionally, the terminal device sends the indication information to the source MN after determining the trigger cell.

[0187] Optionally, the terminal device sends the indication information to the source MN when starting the condition reconfiguration execution process.

[0188] Optionally, the terminal device can also send the indication information to the source MN before applying the configuration corresponding to the target cell and connecting with the target node.

[0189] Optionally, the terminal device can also send the indication information to the source MN before disconnecting with the source node.

[0190] Optionally, the indication information can be implicit indication information, or the indication information can also be explicit indication information. The present disclosure does not make any limitation.

[0191] The implicit indication information can be information that can implicitly indicate that the terminal device completes access to the target node, such as any information sent by the terminal device to the source MN after the terminal device is connected to the target node to indicate that the target node or the target cell has been selected. Optionally, the selected target cell is a target cell selected by the terminal device according to the CHO configuration; and the selected target node is a target node corresponding to the target cell selected by the terminal device according to the CHO configuration.

[0192] The explicit indication information can be information containing specific content of the indication information, or can be other information identified by part of a bit, or information used to specifically identify the indication information, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0193] Optionally, the terminal device can configure the indication information in the auxiliary information of the terminal device and send it to the source master node, so that the source MN can determine whether to initiate the release process of the source SN after receiving the auxiliary information.

[0194] Optionally, the terminal device can identify the indication information through any information sent to the source MN. For example, the indication information can be identified by a preset bit value or a preset bit in any information sent by the terminal device. When the preset bit value is “1”, the source MN can initiate the release process of the source SN; and when the preset bit value is “0”, the source MN does not need to initiate the release process of the source SN. Or, when the preset bit is not empty, the source MN can initiate the release process of the source SN; and when the preset bit is empty, the source MN does not need to initiate the release process of the source SN. Or, when the preset bit is not configured, the source MN does not need to initiate the release process of the source SN; and when the preset bit is configured, the source MN can initiate the release process of the source SN. Therefore, the source MN can determine that the indication information is received when the value of the preset bit used for indication in the information sent by the terminal device is a preset value or the information sent by the terminal device contains a bit used for indication.

[0195] Optionally, the source MN determines that the indication information is received when the value of the preset bit used for indication in the information sent by the other terminal device is a preset value or the information sent by the other terminal device contains a bit used for indication.

[0196] Optionally, the terminal device can also send 1-bit indication information.

[0197] Optionally, when the matched target master node is the source MN, the source MN determines that the indication information is obtained, at this time, only the related configuration needs to be modified, and the indication information does not need to be sent to the source MN.

[0198] At step 302, based on the indication information, a source secondary node release process is initiated, wherein the indication information is used to indicate that the source master node initiates the source secondary node release process.

[0199] In the present disclosure, the specific implementation process of step 302 can be referred to the detailed description of any embodiment of the present disclosure, which will not be repeated here.

[0200] In the present disclosure, the source master node can receive the indication information sent by the terminal device, and based on the indication information indicating that the source master node initiates the source secondary node release process, the source secondary node release process is initiated. Thus, by the indication information, the source master node is triggered to initiate the source secondary node to release the resources of the terminal device at the correct time, avoiding the source secondary node to release the resources of the terminal device too early, and reducing the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0201] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is executed by a source master node. As shown in Figure 4 , the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0202] At step 401, the indication information sent by the target master node is received.

[0203] Generally, when the source MN triggers the CHO, the CPC is performed at the same time, or when the CHO is performed, the configuration of the target SCG is performed, the terminal device can evaluate the candidate target cell corresponding to the candidate target node when the CHO is performed, for example, measurement is performed, to determine whether the terminal device meets the conditional reconfiguration trigger condition of the candidate target cell corresponding to any candidate target node, when the conditional reconfiguration trigger condition of the candidate target cell corresponding to a certain candidate target node is met, the certain candidate target node can be determined as the target MN, the cell corresponding to the certain candidate target node is the target cell, the terminal device can apply the configuration corresponding to the target cell, initiate random access to the target cell, successfully access the target MN, and disconnect the connection with the source MN. After that, the target MN can send a handover success message to the source MN to inform that the terminal device has successfully accessed the target MN, and the target MN and the source MN will also initiate a sequence number state transmission to obtain the sequence number state associated with the terminal device to ensure that the target MN can correctly receive the data forwarded by the source MN, and the target MN and the source MN can also perform data forwarding to obtain the terminal device related data cached by the source MN.

[0204] In the present disclosure, when the target MN sends the handover success message, it indicates that the terminal device has successfully connected with the target MN, and when the source MN receives the handover success message sent by the target MN, it can be considered that the indication information is received, and the release process of the source SN can be initiated.

[0205] Alternatively, the target MN can use any bit in the handover success message to indicate that the source MN initiates the source SN release procedure. For example, the bit value can be set to "1" to indicate that the source MN initiates the source SN release procedure, and the bit value can be set to "0" to indicate that the source MN does not need to initiate the source SN release procedure. Thus, the source MN can determine that the indication information is received and initiate the source SN release procedure when it is determined that the value of the preset bit in the handover success message sent by the target MN is the preset value.

[0206] Alternatively, the source MN can initiate the source SN release procedure when sending the sequence number status transmission message.

[0207] Alternatively, the source MN can initiate the source SN release procedure when sending the sequence number status transmission message.

[0208] Alternatively, the source MN can initiate the source SN release procedure when sending the sequence number status transmission message.

[0209] Alternatively, the source MN can initiate the source SN release procedure when sending the sequence number status transmission message.

[0210] Step 402, initiating a source secondary node release procedure based on the indication information, wherein the indication information is used to indicate that the source master node initiates the source secondary node release procedure.

[0211] In the present disclosure, the specific implementation process of step 402 can be referred to the detailed description of any embodiment of the present disclosure, which will not be repeated here.

[0212] In the present disclosure, after receiving the indication information sent by the target master node, the source master node can initiate the source secondary node release procedure based on the indication information used to indicate that the source master node initiates the source secondary node release procedure. Thus, the indication information triggers the source master node to initiate the release of the terminal device resource at the correct time, avoiding the source secondary node to release the terminal device resource too early, and reducing the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0213] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method for controlling the release of a source secondary node provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is executed by a source master node. As shown in Figure 5 , the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0214] Step 501, receiving indication information sent by a target secondary node and forwarded by a target master node.

[0215] In the present disclosure, the target MN can perform CPC configuration when receiving the indication information of performing CPC while performing CHO sent by the source MN, and the terminal device can perform the CPC procedure according to the CPC configuration. After the completion of the CPC, the target SN can send the indication information to the source MN to indicate that the source MN can initiate the release procedure of the source SN. However, when the target SN communicates with the source MN, the forwarding needs to be performed by the target MN. Therefore, the target SN can send the indication information to the target MN, and the target MN forwards the indication information to the source MN to indicate that the source MN initiates the release procedure of the source SN. Thus, the source SN can avoid releasing the terminal device resources too early, and the influence on the throughput of the terminal device is reduced.

[0216] In step 502, the source secondary node release procedure is initiated based on the indication information, wherein the indication information is used to indicate that the source master node initiates the source secondary node release procedure.

[0217] In the present disclosure, the specific implementation process of step 502 can be referred to the detailed description of any embodiment of the present disclosure, which will not be repeated here.

[0218] In the present disclosure, after receiving the indication information sent by the target secondary node and forwarded by the target master node, the source master node can initiate the source secondary node release procedure based on the indication information used to indicate that the source master node initiates the source secondary node release procedure. Thus, the source master node is triggered by the indication information to initiate the release of the terminal device resources at the correct time, avoiding the source secondary node releasing the terminal device resources too early, and reducing the influence on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0219] Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method for controlling the release of a source secondary node provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method is performed by a terminal device. As shown in Figure 6 , the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0220] In step 601, the indication information is sent to the source master node, wherein the indication information is used to indicate that the source master node initiates the source secondary node release procedure.

[0221] The source MN release procedure can include the process of releasing the resources corresponding to the terminal device, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0222] Generally, the terminal device performs CPC while performing CHO, or performs configuration of a target SCG while performing CHO, and when the source MN receives a handover request confirmation message of the target MN, the terminal device has not accessed the target MN, and the source MN and the source SN are still providing network services for the terminal device. In this case, the source MN sends an SN release request message to the source SN, the source SN immediately releases the resources of the corresponding terminal device, and stops providing user data to the terminal device, resulting in only the source MN providing network services for the terminal device, thereby affecting the throughput of the terminal device.

[0223] In the present disclosure, in order to avoid the problem of the throughput of the terminal device being reduced due to the timing of the source MN instructing the source SN to release resources being incorrect, the terminal device can send indication information to the source MN to indicate that the source MN can initiate a source secondary node release process, thereby ensuring that the source SN can still provide communication services for the terminal device during the CHO handover process, and avoiding the phenomenon of the throughput of the terminal device being affected due to the release timing of the source SN being inappropriate.

[0224] In the present disclosure, the terminal device can send indication information to the source master node to indicate that the source master node initiates a source secondary node release process, and then the source master node can initiate the source secondary node release process. In this way, the indication information triggers the source master node to initiate release of the resources of the terminal device at the correct timing, avoids the source secondary node releasing the resources of the terminal device too early, and reduces the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0225] Please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 is a flowchart of a method for controlling release of a source secondary node provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 7 , the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0226] Step 701: In response to a terminal device triggering a condition reconfiguration, sending indication information to a source master node.

[0227] The terminal device triggering a condition reconfiguration can include that the terminal device meets one or more condition reconfiguration triggering conditions of candidate cells, or the terminal device starts a condition reconfiguration execution process.

[0228] In the present disclosure, the terminal device performs CPC while performing CHO, or performs configuration of a target SCG while performing CHO, and can evaluate a candidate target cell corresponding to a candidate target node, for example, performs measurement, to determine whether the terminal device meets a condition reconfiguration triggering condition of the candidate target cell corresponding to any candidate target node. When the condition reconfiguration triggering condition of the candidate target cell corresponding to a certain candidate target node is met, the candidate target cell corresponding to the certain candidate target node can be determined as a trigger cell, and then a condition reconfiguration execution process can be started. In addition, since the cell that meets the condition reconfiguration triggering condition can be one or multiple, the trigger cell can be one or multiple.

[0229] The condition reconfiguration execution process is to determine the number of trigger cells. If the trigger cell is one, the trigger cell can be used as a target cell. If the trigger cell is multiple, one of the cells can be selected as a target cell. Then, the terminal device can apply a configuration corresponding to the target cell, initiate random access to the target cell, successfully access the target node, and disconnect the connection with the source node.

[0230] In the present disclosure, when the terminal device determines that the condition reconfiguration triggering condition of the candidate target cell corresponding to any candidate target node is met, the terminal device can send indication information to the source MN. The indication information indicates that the source MN initiates a source secondary node release process, so that the source SN can avoid releasing terminal device resources too early, and reduce the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0231] Optionally, the terminal device sends the indication information to the source MN after determining the trigger cell.

[0232] Optionally, the terminal device sends the indication information to the source MN when starting the condition reconfiguration execution process.

[0233] Optionally, the terminal device can also send the indication information to the source MN before applying the configuration corresponding to the target cell and connecting with the target node.

[0234] Optionally, the terminal device can also send the indication information to the source MN before disconnecting with the source node.

[0235] Optionally, the indication information can be implicit indication information, or the indication information can also be explicit indication information. The present disclosure does not make any limitation.

[0236] The implicit indication information can be other information that can implicitly indicate that the terminal device completes access to the target node, such as any information sent by the terminal device to the source MN after connecting with the target node to indicate that the target node or the target cell has been selected. Optionally, the selected target cell is a target cell selected by the terminal according to the CHO configuration; and the selected target node is a target node corresponding to the target cell selected by the terminal according to the CHO configuration.

[0237] The explicit indication information can be information containing specific contents of the indication information, or can be other information identified by part of bits, or information used for other special identification of the indication information, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0238] Optionally, the indication information is sent to the source master node in response to the source master node being a node of a candidate target cell of the terminal device trigger condition reconfiguration.

[0239] Optionally, when the source MN is a node of a candidate target cell of the terminal device trigger condition reconfiguration, the source MN can know when to initiate the source SN release, without the indication of the terminal device, and therefore, the terminal device can send the indication information to the source MN in response to the source master node being a node of a candidate target cell of the terminal device trigger condition reconfiguration.

[0240] In the present disclosure, the terminal device can send the indication information to the source master node when the trigger condition reconfiguration is triggered, that is, when the trigger event of the condition reconfiguration is met. Then, the source master node can initiate the source secondary node release process. In this way, the indication information triggers the source master node to initiate the source secondary node release of the terminal device at the correct time, avoids the source secondary node releasing the terminal device resources too early, and reduces the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0241] Please refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the method is executed by a terminal device. As shown in Figure 8 , the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0242] Step 801: sending terminal device auxiliary information to a source master node, wherein the terminal device auxiliary information is used to indicate the indication information.

[0243] In the present disclosure, the terminal device can configure the indication information in the auxiliary information of the terminal device and send it to the source MN, so that the source MN can determine whether to initiate the release process of the source SN by analyzing the auxiliary information after receiving the auxiliary information.

[0244] In the present disclosure, the terminal device sends terminal device assistance information indicating the indication information to the source master node, and then the source master node determines whether to initiate the release process of the source secondary node by analyzing the assistance information, so that the source master node initiates the release of the terminal device resource of the source secondary node at the correct time through the indication information, avoids the premature release of the terminal device resource of the source secondary node, and reduces the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0245] Please refer to Figure 9 , Figure 9 is a flowchart of a method for controlling the release of a source secondary node provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 9 , the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0246] Step 901, sending information to the source master node, wherein the value of a preset bit in the information or the preset bit in the information sent by the terminal device is used to indicate the indication information.

[0247] Optionally, the terminal device can identify the indication information through any information sent to the source MN. For example, the indication information can be identified by the value of a preset bit in any information sent by the terminal device or the preset bit. When the value of the preset bit is "1", it indicates that the source MN can initiate the release process of the source SN; when the value of the preset bit is "0", it indicates that the source MN does not need to initiate the release process of the source SN. Or, when the preset bit is not empty, it indicates that the source MN can initiate the release process of the source SN; when the preset bit is empty, it indicates that the source MN does not need to initiate the release process of the source SN. Or, when the preset bit is not configured, it indicates that the source MN does not need to initiate the release process of the source SN; when the preset bit is configured, it indicates that the source MN can initiate the release process of the source SN. Therefore, when the source MN receives the information sent by the terminal device, it determines that the value of the preset bit in the information for indication is a preset value or the information sent by the terminal device contains the bit for indication, and it can be determined that the indication information is received.

[0248] Optionally, the source MN determines that the indication information is received when the value of the preset bit in the information sent by other terminal devices for indication is a preset value or the information sent by other terminal devices contains the bit for indication information.

[0249] Optionally, the terminal device can also send 1-bit indication information.

[0250] In the present disclosure, the terminal device sends the value of the preset bit or the information indicating the indication information to the source master node. After receiving the information sent by the terminal device, the source master node can determine that the indication information is received. Thus, the indication information triggers the source master node to initiate the source secondary node to release the resources of the terminal device at the correct time, avoids the source secondary node from releasing the resources of the terminal device too early, and reduces the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0251] Please refer to Figure 10 , Figure 10 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method is executed by a target master node. As shown in Figure 10 , the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0252] Step 1001, sending indication information to the source master node, wherein the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate a source secondary node release process.

[0253] The source secondary node release process can include a process of releasing the resources corresponding to the terminal device, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0254] Generally, when the terminal device performs CHO and CPC at the same time, or when the terminal device performs CHO and target SCG configuration at the same time, the terminal device has not accessed the target MN when the source MN receives the handover request confirmation message of the target MN. The source MN and the source SN are still providing network services for the terminal device. In this case, the source MN sends an SN release request message to the source SN, and the source SN will immediately release the resources of the corresponding terminal device and stop providing user data to the terminal device, resulting in only the source MN providing network services for the terminal device, thereby reducing the throughput of the terminal device.

[0255] In the present disclosure, in order to avoid the problem of reducing the throughput of the terminal device due to the improper timing of the source MN instructing the source SN to release the resources, the target MN can send indication information to the source MN to instruct the source MN to initiate a source secondary node release process, so that the source SN can still provide communication services for the terminal device during the CHO handover process, and the throughput of the terminal device is not reduced due to the improper release timing of the source SN.

[0256] In the present disclosure, the target master node can send indication information to the source master node to instruct the source master node to initiate a source secondary node release process. Thus, the indication information triggers the source master node to initiate the source secondary node to release the resources of the terminal device at the correct time, avoids the source secondary node from releasing the resources of the terminal device too early, and reduces the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0257] Please refer toFigure 11 , Figure 11 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release, which is executed by a target master node. As shown in Figure 11 , the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0258] Step 1101, in response to receiving the reconfiguration complete message, sending indication information to the source master node, wherein the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate a source secondary node release process.

[0259] The source secondary node release process can include releasing resources corresponding to the terminal device and the like, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0260] Generally, the terminal device performs CHO while performing CPC, or performs CHO while configuring the target SCG, after the source MN receives the handover request confirmation message of the target MN, the source MN can send the conditional handover configuration to the terminal device through the radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message, after the terminal device confirms that the relevant configuration is received, the terminal device can send the radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration complete message to the source MN, and then start to evaluate the trigger condition of the conditional reconfiguration, after the condition is met, the terminal device can also send the RRC reconfiguration complete message to the target MN to indicate that the corresponding RRC reconfiguration is completed, and the connection with the target MN is realized.

[0261] In the present disclosure, when the target MN receives the reconfiguration complete message, it indicates that the terminal device has completed the conditional handover, and the target MN can send the indication information to the source MN to instruct the source MN to initiate the source SN release process, so that the source SN can avoid releasing the resources of the terminal device too early, and the impact on the throughput of the terminal device is reduced.

[0262] In the present disclosure, the target master node can send the indication information to the source master node after receiving the reconfiguration complete message, the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate the source secondary node release process, and then the source master node can initiate the source secondary node release process. Therefore, through the indication information, the source master node is triggered to initiate the source secondary node release of the terminal device at the correct time, the source secondary node can avoid releasing the resources of the terminal device too early, and the impact on the throughput of the terminal device is reduced.

[0263] Please refer to Figure 12 , Figure 12 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release, which is executed by a target master node. As shown in Figure 12 , the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0264] Step 1201, in response to receiving the indication information sent by the target secondary node, forwarding the indication information to the source master node, wherein the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate the source secondary node release process.

[0265] Wherein, the source secondary node release process can include releasing the resources corresponding to the terminal device and the like, and the present disclosure does not limit it.

[0266] In the present disclosure, when the source MN triggers CHO while performing CPC, or when the CHO is performed while the target SCG is configured, the target MN can perform CPC configuration when receiving the indication information sent by the source MN for performing CHO while performing CPC, and the terminal device can perform the CPC process according to the CPC configuration. After completing the CPC, the target SN can send the indication information to the source MN to instruct the source MN to initiate the release process of the source SN. However, when the target SN needs to communicate with the source MN, it needs to be forwarded by the target MN, so the target SN can send the indication information to the target MN, and the target MN forwards the indication information to the source MN to instruct the source MN to initiate the release process of the source SN. Therefore, it can avoid the source SN releasing the terminal device resources too early, and reduce the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0267] In the present disclosure, the target master node can send the indication information to the source master node after receiving the indication information sent by the target secondary node, which is used to instruct the source master node to initiate the source secondary node release process. Then, the source master node can initiate the source secondary node release process. Therefore, by using the indication information, the source master node is triggered to initiate the release of the terminal device resources at the correct time, avoiding the source secondary node releasing the terminal device resources too early, and reducing the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0268] Please refer to Figure 13 , Figure 13 is a flowchart of a method for controlling the release of a source secondary node provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method is executed by a target master node. As shown in Figure 13 , the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0269] Step 1301, sending a handover success message to the source master node, wherein the handover success message is used to indicate the indication information.

[0270] Wherein, the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate the source secondary node release process, and the present disclosure does not limit it.

[0271] Generally, the terminal device can evaluate the candidate target cell corresponding to the candidate target node when the CHO is triggered by the source MN, or when the target SCG is configured while the CHO is performed, for example, perform measurement, to determine whether the terminal device meets the conditional reconfiguration trigger condition of the candidate target cell corresponding to any candidate target node, when the conditional reconfiguration trigger condition of the candidate target cell corresponding to a certain candidate target node is met, the certain candidate target node can be determined as the target MN, and the cell corresponding to the certain candidate target node can be determined as the target cell. The terminal device can apply the configuration corresponding to the target cell, initiate random access to the target cell, successfully access the target MN, and disconnect the connection with the source MN. Then, the target MN can send a handover success message to the source MN to inform the terminal device that it has successfully accessed the target MN. The target MN and the source MN can also initiate a sequence number state transmission to obtain the sequence number state associated with the terminal device, to ensure that the target MN can correctly receive the data forwarded by the source MN. The target MN and the source MN can also perform data forwarding to obtain the terminal device related data cached by the source MN.

[0272] In the present disclosure, the target MN indicates that the terminal device has successfully connected to the target MN when sending the handover success message. The source MN can consider receiving the indication information when receiving the handover success message sent by the target MN, and can initiate the source SN release process.

[0273] Alternatively, the target MN can use any bit in the handover success message to instruct the source MN to initiate the source SN release process. For example, the bit value can be set to “1” to instruct the source MN to initiate the source SN release process, and the bit value can be set to “0” to instruct the source MN not to initiate the source SN release process. Thus, the source MN can determine that the value of the preset bit in the handover success message received from the target MN is the preset value, determine that the indication information is received, and initiate the source SN release process.

[0274] Alternatively, the target MN can send indication information to the source MN when receiving the sequence number state transmission message.

[0275] Alternatively, the target MN can send indication information to the source MN when receiving the sequence number state transmission message.

[0276] Alternatively, the target MN can send indication information to the source MN when receiving the sequence number state transmission message.

[0277] Optionally, the target MN can also send an indication information to the source MN, which is used to indicate that the source MN initiates the source SN release procedure.

[0278] In the present disclosure, the target master node can send an indication information switching success message to the source master node, and then the source master node can initiate the source secondary node release procedure after receiving the success message. In this way, the source master node is triggered by the indication information to initiate the source secondary node to release the resources of the terminal device at the correct time, avoiding the source secondary node to release the resources of the terminal device too early, and reducing the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0279] Please refer to Figure 14 , Figure 14 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is executed by a target secondary node. As shown in Figure 14 , the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0280] Step 1401, sending an indication information to a target master node, wherein the indication information is used to indicate that the source master node initiates a source secondary node release procedure.

[0281] The source secondary node release procedure can include releasing the resources corresponding to the terminal device and the like, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0282] In the present disclosure, when the source MN triggers CHO while performing CPC, or when the CHO is performed while the target SCG is configured, the target MN can perform CPC configuration when receiving the indication information sent by the source MN for performing CPC while CHO. During the CPC procedure, the terminal device can evaluate the candidate target cell corresponding to the candidate target node, for example, perform measurement, to determine whether the terminal device meets the conditional reconfiguration trigger condition of the candidate target cell corresponding to any candidate target node. When the conditional reconfiguration trigger condition of a certain candidate target node corresponding to the candidate target cell is met, the certain candidate target node can be determined as the target SN, and the cell corresponding to the certain candidate target node can be determined as the target cell. The terminal device can apply the configuration corresponding to the target cell, initiate random access to the target cell, successfully access the target SN, and disconnect the connection with the source SN. Then, the target secondary node can send a switching success message to the target master node to inform that the terminal device has successfully accessed the target secondary node. The target SN and the target MN can also initiate a sequence number state transmission to obtain the sequence number state associated with the terminal device, to ensure that the target SN can correctly receive the data forwarded by the target MN. The target SN and the target MN can also perform data forwarding to obtain the terminal device related data cached by the source SN.

[0283] However, the target SN needs to forward the communication with the source MN, so the target SN can send the indication information to the target MN after determining the establishment of the connection with the terminal device, and the target MN forwards the indication information to the source MN to instruct the source MN to initiate the release process of the source SN. Thus, the source SN can be prevented from releasing the terminal device resources too early, and the impact on the throughput of the terminal device is reduced.

[0284] Optionally, the target secondary node indicates that the terminal device has successfully connected to the target secondary node when sending the message for indicating the success of the SN access, and the target master node can consider that the indication information is received when receiving the message for indicating the success of the SN access sent by the target secondary node.

[0285] Alternatively, the target secondary node can use any bit in the message for indicating the success of the SN access to instruct the source master node to initiate the release process of the source secondary node. For example, the bit value can be set as "1" to instruct the source master node to initiate the release process of the source secondary node, and the bit value can be set as "0" to instruct the source master node not to initiate the release process of the source secondary node. Thus, the target master node can determine that the indication information is received and initiate the release process of the source secondary node when determining that the value of the preset bit in the handover success message sent by the target secondary node is the preset value.

[0286] Optionally, the target secondary node indicates that the terminal device has successfully connected to the target secondary node when sending the message for indicating the success of the SN access, and the target secondary node can send the indication information to the target master node, and the target master node can forward the indication information to the source master node to instruct the source master node to initiate the release process of the source secondary node.

[0287] Alternatively, the target secondary node can send the indication information to the target master node when receiving the message for indicating the success of the SN access.

[0288] Optionally, the target secondary node indicates that the terminal device has successfully connected to the target secondary node when sending the message for indicating the success of the SN access, and the target secondary node can send the indication information to the target master node, and the target master node can forward the indication information to the source master node to instruct the source master node to initiate the release process of the source secondary node.

[0289] Optionally, the target secondary node can also send a special indication information for instructing the source master node to initiate the release process of the source secondary node to the target master node.

[0290] In the present disclosure, the target secondary node can send indication information to the target master node to indicate that the source master node initiates the source secondary node release process, and then the target master node can forward the indication information to the source master node, so that the source master node can initiate the source secondary node release process when receiving the indication information. In this way, the source master node is triggered to initiate the source secondary node release process at the correct time through the indication information, so as to avoid that the source secondary node releases the terminal device resources too early and reduce the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0291] Please refer to Figure 15 , Figure 15 is a flowchart of a method for controlling source secondary node release provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the method is executed by a target secondary node. As shown in Figure 15 , the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0292] Step 1501, in response to receiving the reconfiguration complete message, sending indication information to the target master node.

[0293] The indication information is used to indicate that the source master node initiates the source secondary node release process, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0294] In the present disclosure, when the source MN triggers CHO while performing CPC, or when the target SCG is configured while performing CHO, the target MN can perform CPC configuration when receiving the indication information sent by the source MN to indicate that CHO is performed while CPC is performed, and the terminal device can perform a CPC process according to the CPC configuration. After completing the CPC, the terminal device can directly or indirectly send an SN reconfiguration complete message to the target master node, and the target master node can forward the SN reconfiguration complete message to the target SN to indicate that the connection with the target secondary node is completed.

[0295] In the present disclosure, when the target secondary node receives the reconfiguration complete message, it indicates that the terminal device has completed the connection with the target secondary node. Therefore, the target secondary node can send indication information to the target master node, and then the target master node can forward the indication information to the source master node to indicate that the source master node initiates the source secondary node release process, so that the source SN can avoid releasing the terminal device resources too early and reduce the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0296] In the present disclosure, the target secondary node can send indication information to the target master node to indicate that the source master node initiates the source secondary node release process after receiving the reconfiguration complete message. The target master node can forward the indication information to the source master node, and then the source master node can initiate the source secondary node release process. In this way, the source master node is triggered to initiate the source secondary node release process at the correct time through the indication information, so as to avoid that the source secondary node releases the terminal device resources too early and reduce the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0297] Please refer to Figure 16 A structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 1600 is provided for the embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 16 The communication apparatus 1600 shown can include a processing module 1601 and a transceiver module 1602. The transceiver module 1602 can include a sending module and / or a receiving module, the sending module is used to implement the sending function, and the receiving module is used to implement the receiving function. The transceiver module 1602 can implement the sending function and / or the receiving function.

[0298] It can be understood that the communication apparatus 1600 can be a source master node, or an apparatus in the source master node, or an apparatus that can be used in matching with the source master node.

[0299] The communication apparatus 1600 is at the source master node side, wherein:

[0300] The processing module 1601 is configured to initiate a source secondary node release process based on indication information, wherein the indication information is used to indicate that the source master node initiates the source secondary node release process.

[0301] Optionally, the transceiver module 1602 is further configured to:

[0302] Receive the indication information sent by a terminal device; or

[0303] Receive the indication information sent by a target master node; or

[0304] Receive the indication information sent by a target secondary node and forwarded by the target master node.

[0305] Optionally, the indication information is implicit indication information, or the indication information is explicit indication information.

[0306] Optionally, the transceiver module 1602 is configured to:

[0307] In response to receiving terminal device assistance information sent by the terminal device, it is determined that the indication information is received.

[0308] Optionally, the transceiver module 1602 is configured to:

[0309] In response to a preset bit position in the information sent by the terminal device for indicating being a preset value or the information sent by the terminal device containing a bit position for indicating, it is determined that the indication information is received.

[0310] Optionally, the transceiver module 1602 is configured to:

[0311] In response to receiving a handover success message sent by the target master node, it is determined that the indication information is received.

[0312] Optionally, the processing module 1601 is configured to:

[0313] sending, to the source secondary node, a release request message.

[0314] Optionally, the processing module 1601 is further configured to:

[0315] sending, to the source secondary node, a release request message in response to receiving a handover success message sent by the target master node.

[0316] In the present disclosure, the source master node can initiate the source secondary node release process based on the indication information indicating that the source master node initiates the source secondary node release process. In this way, the source master node is triggered by the indication information to initiate the release of the terminal device resource of the source secondary node at the correct time, avoiding the source secondary node releasing the terminal device resource too early and reducing the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0317] It can be understood that the communication apparatus 1600 can be a terminal device, or an apparatus in a terminal device, or an apparatus that can be used in matching with the terminal device.

[0318] The communication apparatus 1600 is located at the terminal device side, and comprises:

[0319] The transceiver module 1602 is configured to send indication information to the source master node, wherein the indication information is used to indicate that the source master node initiates the source secondary node release process.

[0320] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1600 further comprises:

[0321] The processing module 1601 is configured to send the indication information to the source master node in response to the terminal device triggering the conditional reconfiguration.

[0322] Optionally, the terminal device triggering the conditional reconfiguration comprises:

[0323] the terminal device satisfies a conditional reconfiguration triggering condition of one or more candidate cells; or

[0324] the terminal device starts a conditional reconfiguration execution process.

[0325] Optionally, the transceiver module 1602 is configured to:

[0326] sending the indication information to the source master node before disconnecting the connection with the source master node; and / or

[0327] sending the indication information to the source master node before applying the configuration of the selected candidate cell.

[0328] Optionally, the indication information is implicit indication information, or the indication information is explicit indication information.

[0329] Optionally, the transceiver 1602 is configured to:

[0330] send, to the source master node, terminal device assistance information, wherein the terminal device assistance information is used to indicate the indication information.

[0331] Optionally, the transceiver 1602 is configured to:

[0332] send, to the source master node, information, wherein a preset bit position in the information or a preset bit position in the information sent by the terminal device is used to indicate the indication information.

[0333] In the present disclosure, the terminal device can send indication information to the source master node, wherein the indication information is used to indicate that the source master node initiates a source secondary node release process. Then, the source master node can initiate the source secondary node release process. In this way, the indication information triggers the source master node to initiate the source secondary node release process at the correct time, avoids the source secondary node releasing the terminal device resources too early, and reduces the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0334] It can be understood that the communication apparatus 1600 can be a target master node, or an apparatus in the target master node, or an apparatus that can be used in the target master node.

[0335] The communication apparatus 1600 is located at the target master node, and comprises:

[0336] The transceiver 1602 is configured to send, to the source master node, indication information, wherein the indication information is used to indicate that the source master node initiates a source secondary node release process.

[0337] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1600 further comprises a processor 1601, configured to:

[0338] Optionally, the processor 1601 is configured to:

[0339] Optionally, the processor 1601 is configured to:

[0340] Optionally, the transceiver 1602 is configured to:

[0341] Optionally, the transceiver 1602 is configured to send, to the source master node, a handover success message, wherein the handover success message is used to indicate the indication information.

[0342] In the present disclosure, the target master node can send indication information to the source master node, where the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate a source secondary node release process. Then, the source master node can initiate the source secondary node release process. In this way, the indication information triggers the source master node to initiate the release of the terminal device resource of the source secondary node at the correct time, avoids the source secondary node releasing the terminal device resource too early, and reduces the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0343] It can be understood that the communication apparatus 1600 can be a target secondary node, or an apparatus in the target secondary node, or an apparatus that can be used in the target secondary node.

[0344] The communication apparatus 1600 is at the target secondary node side, where:

[0345] The transceiver module 1602 is configured to send indication information to the target master node, where the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate a source secondary node release process.

[0346] Optionally, the apparatus further includes a processing module 1601 configured to:

[0347] In response to receiving the reconfiguration complete message, the transceiver module 1602 is configured to send the indication information to the target master node.

[0348] In the present disclosure, the target secondary node can send indication information to the target master node, where the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate a source secondary node release process. Then, the target master node can forward the indication information to the source master node. When the source master node receives the indication information, the source master node can initiate the source secondary node release process. In this way, the indication information triggers the source master node to initiate the release of the terminal device resource of the source secondary node at the correct time, avoids the source secondary node releasing the terminal device resource too early, and reduces the impact on the throughput of the terminal device.

[0349] Please refer to Figure 17 , Figure 17 FIG. 17 is a structural schematic diagram of another communication apparatus 1700 provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication apparatus 1700 can be a network device, a terminal device, a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the implementation of the network device or the terminal device, etc. The apparatus can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0350] The communication device 1700 may include one or more processors 1701. The processor 1701 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control the communication device (e.g., base station, baseband chip, terminal equipment, terminal equipment chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute computer programs, and process data from the computer programs.

[0351] Optionally, the communication device 1700 may further include one or more memories 1702, on which a computer program 1704 may be stored. The processor 1701 executes the computer program 1704 to cause the communication device 1700 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memory 1702 may also store data. The communication device 1700 and the memory 1702 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0352] Optionally, the communication device 1700 may also include a transceiver 1705 and an antenna 1706. The transceiver 1705 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, or transceiver circuit, etc., and is used to implement the transmission and reception functions. The transceiver 1705 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be referred to as a receiver or receiving circuit, etc., and is used to implement the receiving function; the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or transmitting circuit, etc., and is used to implement the transmitting function.

[0353] Optionally, the communication device 1700 may further include one or more interface circuits 1707. The interface circuits 1707 are used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor 1701. The processor 1701 executes the code instructions to cause the communication device 1700 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0354] Communication device 1700 is the source master node; processor 1701 is used for execution. Figure 2 Step 201 in the middle; Figure 3 Step 302 in the middle; Figure 4 Step 402 in the middle; Figure 5 Step 502, etc.

[0355] Communication device 1700 is a terminal device: transceiver 1705 is used for execution Figure 6 Step 601 in the middle; Figure 7 Step 701 in the middle; Figure 8 Step 801 in the middle; Figure 9 Step 901, etc.

[0356] Communication device 1700 is the target master node; transceiver 1705 is used for execution. Figure 10 Step 1001, etc.

[0357] The communication apparatus 1700 is a target secondary node: the transceiver 1705 is configured to perform Figure 14 step 1401 and the like in the method embodiment.

[0358] In an implementation, the processor 1701 can include a transceiver for implementing the receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit, or an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface or interface circuit for implementing the receiving and transmitting functions can be separate or integrated together. The transceiver circuit, interface or interface circuit described above can be used for reading and writing of code / data, or the transceiver circuit, interface or interface circuit described above can be used for transmission or transfer of signals.

[0359] In an implementation, the processor 1701 can store a computer program 1703, which, when running on the processor 1701, can cause the communication apparatus 1700 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. The computer program 1703 can be fixed in the processor 1701, in which case the processor 1701 can be implemented by hardware.

[0360] In an implementation, the communication apparatus 1700 can include a circuit, which can implement the functions of sending or receiving or communicating in the foregoing method embodiments. The processor and the transceiver described in the disclosure can be implemented on an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a mixed-signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, etc. The processor and the transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), N-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS), P-type metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0361] The communication apparatus described in the above embodiments can be a network device, or a terminal device, but the scope of the communication apparatus described in the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication apparatus can not be limited to Figure 17The communication device may be a standalone device or part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be:

[0362] (1) Independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem;

[0363] (2) A collection of one or more ICs, optionally including storage components for storing data and computer programs;

[0364] (3) ASIC, such as modem;

[0365] (4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices;

[0366] (5) Receivers, terminal equipment, smart terminal equipment, cellular phones, wireless equipment, handheld devices, mobile units, vehicle-mounted equipment, network equipment, cloud equipment, artificial intelligence equipment, etc.

[0367] (6) Others, etc.

[0368] For cases where the communication device can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 18 The diagram shows the structure of the chip. Figure 18 The chip shown includes a processor 1801 and an interface 1803. There can be one or more processors 1801, and multiple interfaces 1803.

[0369] For cases where the chip is used to implement the functions of the source master node in the embodiments of this disclosure:

[0370] Interface 1803 is used for execution Figure 3 Step 301 in the middle; Figure 4 Step 401 in the middle; Figure 5 Step 501, etc.

[0371] Regarding the case where the chip is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the embodiments of this disclosure:

[0372] Interface 1803 is used for transceiver execution; interface 1705 is used for execution. Figure 6 Step 601 in the middle; Figure 7 Step 701 in the middle; Figure 8 Step 801 in the middle; Figure 9 Step 901, etc.

[0373] For cases where the chip is used to implement the functions of the target master node in the embodiments of this disclosure:

[0374] Interface 1803 is used for transceiver execution; interface 1705 is used for execution. Figure 10 Step 1001, etc.

[0375] For the case that the chip is used to implement the function of the target secondary node in the embodiments of the present disclosure:

[0376] The interface 1803 is configured to execute the steps 1401 and the like in the method performed by the transceiver 1705. Figure 14

[0377] Optionally, the chip further includes a memory 1803, and the memory 1803 is configured to store necessary computer programs and data.

[0378] Those skilled in the art can appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. Whether the function is implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design requirements of the whole system. Those skilled in the art can use various methods to implement the functions described above for each specific application, but such implementation should not be understood as beyond the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0379] The present disclosure also provides a readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, and the instructions are executed by a computer to implement the functions of any of the method embodiments described above.

[0380] The present disclosure also provides a computer program product, and the computer program product is executed by a computer to implement the functions of any of the method embodiments described above.

[0381] ​In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer programs are loaded on a computer and executed, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are generated. The computer can be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer programs can be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transferred from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer programs can be transferred from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center through wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode. The computer readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. integrated with one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (such as floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), optical media (such as high-density digital video disc (digital video disc, DVD)), or semiconductor media (such as solid state disk (solid state disk, SSD)) and the like.

[0382] Those skilled in the art can understand that the first, second, and the like various numerical numbers involved in the present disclosure are only distinguished for the convenience of description, and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor represent the order of precedence.

[0383] At least one of the present disclosure can also be described as one or more, and the plurality can be two, three, four or more, which is not limited by the present disclosure. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, for a technical feature, the technical features in the technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D", and there is no order or size order between the technical features described by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D".

[0384] The correspondence relationship shown in each table in the present disclosure can be configured or predefined. The values of the information in each table are merely examples, and other values can be configured, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. When configuring the correspondence relationship between the information and each parameter, it is not necessarily required to configure all the correspondence relationships shown in each table. For example, the correspondence relationship shown in some rows in the table in the present disclosure can also not be configured. For another example, the above tables can be appropriately deformed, for example, split, merged, and the like. The names of the parameters shown in the titles of the above tables can also use other names understandable by the communication device, and the values or representations of the parameters can also use other values or representations understandable by the communication device. The above tables can also use other data structures when implemented, for example, arrays, queues, containers, stacks, linear tables, pointers, linked lists, trees, graphs, structures, classes, heaps, hash tables, or the like.

[0385] The predefinition in the present disclosure can be understood as definition, predefinition, storage, prestorage, prenegotiation, preconfiguration, solidification, or pre-burning.

[0386] Those skilled in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are realized in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to realize the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present disclosure.

[0387] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of the description, the specific working processes of the above-described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0388] The above is merely a specific implementation of the present disclosure, but the protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed by the present disclosure, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for controlling source secondary node release, the method comprising: The method is performed by a source master node, and after CHO and CPC are triggered, the method comprises: receiving indication information sent by a target master node, the indication information being indication information sent by the target master node to the source master node after the target master node receives a reconfiguration complete message, the indication information being a handover success message; based on the indication information, initiating a source secondary node release procedure, wherein the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate the source secondary node release procedure.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The indication information is implicit indication information, or the indication information is explicit indication information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The receiving of the indication information sent by the target master node comprises: in response to receiving the handover success message sent by the target master node, determining that the indication information is received.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The initiating of the source secondary node release procedure comprises: sending a release request message to the source secondary node.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Further comprising: in response to receiving the handover success message sent by the target master node, sending a release request message to the source secondary node.

6. A communication system for controlling source secondary node release, characterized by, The communication system comprises a terminal device, a source master node, a target master node, a source secondary node, and a target secondary node; The source master node is configured to trigger CHO and CPC procedures; The terminal device is configured to send an SN reconfiguration complete message to the target master node; The target master node is configured to send indication information to the source master node, the indication information being used to instruct the source master node to initiate a source secondary node release procedure, the indication information being a handover success message; The target master node is further configured to forward the SN reconfiguration complete message to a target secondary node.

7. The communication system of claim 6 wherein, Further comprising: The target secondary node is configured to send the indication information to the target master node after receiving the SN reconfiguration complete message.

8. The communication system of any of claims 6-7, wherein, The indication information is implicit indication information, or the indication information is explicit indication information. 9.A method for controlling source secondary node release, characterized in that, The method is performed by a target master node, and after a source master node triggers CHO and CPC, the method comprises: receiving an SN reconfiguration complete message sent by a terminal device; forwarding the SN reconfiguration complete message to a target secondary node; sending indication information to the source master node, wherein the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate a source secondary node release procedure, and the indication information is a handover success message sent by the target master node to the source master node after the target master node receives the reconfiguration complete message. 10.A method for controlling source secondary node release, characterized in that, The method is performed by a target secondary node, and after a source master node triggers CHO and CPC, the method comprises: in response to receiving an SN reconfiguration complete message sent by a target master node, sending indication information to the target master node, wherein the target master node is configured to forward the indication information to a source master node after receiving the reconfiguration complete message, the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate a source secondary node release procedure, the SN reconfiguration complete message is an SN reconfiguration complete message sent by a terminal device to the target master node, and the indication information is a handover success message.

11. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises: a processing module, configured to initiate a source secondary node release procedure based on indication information, wherein the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate the source secondary node release procedure. The apparatus is further configured to receive indication information sent by the target master node, the indication information being a handover success message sent by the target master node to the source master node after receiving the reconfiguration complete message.

12. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises: The transceiver is configured to send indication information to the source master node, wherein the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate a source secondary node release procedure, and the source master node to trigger CHO and CPC, and the indication information is a handover success message sent by the target master node to the source master node after receiving the reconfiguration complete message. The apparatus is further configured to receive a SN reconfiguration complete message sent by a terminal device. The SN reconfiguration complete message is forwarded to the target secondary node.

13. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises: The transceiver is configured to send indication information to the target master node in response to receiving a SN reconfiguration complete message sent by the target master node, and the target master node is configured to forward the indication information to the source master node, wherein the indication information is used to instruct the source master node to initiate a source secondary node release procedure, and the source master node to trigger CHO and CPC, the SN reconfiguration complete message is a SN reconfiguration complete message sent by a terminal device to the target master node, and the indication information is a handover success message sent by the target master node to the source master node after receiving the reconfiguration complete message.

14. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises a processor and a memory, and the memory stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory, so that the apparatus executes the method in any one of claims 1 to 5, or executes the method in claim 9, or executes the method in claim 10.

15. A computer readable storage medium for storing instructions, when the instructions are executed, causing the method in any one of claims 1 to 5 to be implemented, or the method in claim 9 to be implemented, or the method in claim 10 to be implemented.

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