Communication method, terminal device, and network device

Abstract

A communication method, a terminal device and a network device are provided. The method comprises that the terminal device communicates with a secondary node (SN) based on a SCG state of a first secondary cell group (SCG), the first SCG belongs to a plurality of SCGs, the plurality of SCGs are SCGs to which a plurality of primary secondary cells (PSCells) belong, and the terminal device performs a plurality of PSCell change procedures based on a first condition of a conditional primary secondary cell addition / change (CPAC) configuration; wherein at least part of the SCG states of the plurality of SCGs are indicated by a master node (MN) or the SN, and / or the SCG states of at least part of the plurality of SCGs are predefined. In this way, the terminal device can determine the SCG states of the plurality of SCGs, which is conducive to improving the possibility of normal communication between the terminal device and the master node and the secondary node.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to communication methods, terminal equipment, and network equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, to reduce the overhead of conditional PSCell addition / change (CPAC), terminal devices can perform multiple rounds of CPAC based on a single CPAC configuration, also known as "continuous CPAC process." This eliminates the need for network devices to re-provide the CPAC configuration to the terminal device during each round. However, traditional CPAC configurations only contain the SCG state of one SCG. In continuous CPAC, the terminal device needs to change to multiple SCGs through multiple rounds. At this point, the terminal device cannot know the SCG state of each of the multiple SCGs, leading to inconsistencies in understanding between the terminal device, the primary node, and the secondary node, thus preventing normal communication between the terminal device and the primary / secondary nodes. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method, a terminal device, and a network device to improve the success rate of communication between the terminal device and the network device (e.g., a master node or a slave node).

[0004] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: a terminal device communicating with a secondary node SN based on the SCG status of a first secondary cell group (SCG), wherein the first SCG belongs to multiple SCGs, and the multiple SCGs are SCGs belonging to multiple primary and secondary cell PSCells to which the terminal device performs multiple CPAC process changes based on a first condition primary and secondary cell addition / change CPAC configuration; wherein, the SCG status of at least some of the multiple SCGs is indicated by the primary node MN or the SN, and / or the SCG status of at least some of the multiple SCGs is predefined.

[0005] Secondly, a communication method is provided, characterized in that it includes: a secondary node SN communicating with a terminal device based on the SCG status of a first secondary cell group SCG, wherein the first SCG belongs to multiple SCGs, and the multiple SCGs are SCGs belonging to multiple primary and secondary cell PSCells to which the terminal device performs multiple CPAC process changes based on a first condition primary and secondary cell addition / change CPAC configuration; wherein, the SCG status of at least some of the multiple SCGs is indicated by the primary node MN or the SN, and / or the SCG status of at least some of the multiple SCGs is predefined.

[0006] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, comprising: a master node MN sending a first message to a terminal device, the first message being used to determine the SCG status of at least some SCGs in a plurality of secondary cell groups SCGs, wherein the plurality of SCGs are SCGs to which the terminal device belongs when it performs multiple CPAC process changes on a plurality of primary and secondary cell PSCells based on a first condition for primary and secondary cell addition / change CPAC configuration.

[0007] Fourthly, a terminal device is provided, including a processor, a memory, and a communication interface, wherein the memory is used to store one or more computer programs, and the processor is used to invoke the computer programs in the memory to cause the terminal device to perform some or all of the steps in the method of the first aspect.

[0008] Fifthly, an auxiliary node is provided, including a processor, a memory, and a communication interface, wherein the memory is used to store one or more computer programs, and the processor is used to invoke the computer programs in the memory to cause the network device to perform some or all of the steps in the method of the second aspect.

[0009] In a sixth aspect, a master node is provided, including a processor, a memory, and a communication interface, wherein the memory is used to store one or more computer programs, and the processor is used to invoke the computer programs in the memory to cause the network device to perform some or all of the steps in the method of the second aspect.

[0010] Seventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system including the aforementioned terminal and / or network device. In another possible design, the system may further include other devices that interact with the terminal device or network device as described in the embodiments of this application.

[0011] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that causes a terminal to perform some or all of the steps in the methods described above.

[0012] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, wherein the computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program operable to cause a terminal to perform some or all of the steps in the methods described above. In some implementations, the computer program product may be a software installation package.

[0013] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip including a memory and a processor, the processor being able to call and run a computer program from the memory to implement some or all of the steps described in the methods of the foregoing aspects.

[0014] In this embodiment, when a terminal device performs multiple rounds of CPAC (also known as continuous CPAC handover) to switch to multiple SCGs based on a first CPAC configuration, the terminal device can determine the SCG status of multiple SCGs based on the indications of SN and MN or the predefined SCG status of the SCGs. This improves the likelihood of normal communication between the terminal device and the master and slave nodes. It avoids the situation in traditional communication technologies where the terminal device cannot know the SCG status of the multiple SCGs to which the continuous CPAC handover needs to be performed, leading to inconsistencies in understanding among the terminal device, master node, and slave node, thus preventing normal communication between the terminal device and the master and slave nodes. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is the wireless communication system 100 used in the embodiments of this application.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of this application.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to another embodiment of this application.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to another embodiment of this application.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to another embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the SN in an embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of MN in an embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 9 This is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] The method provided in this application can be used in various dual-connectivity (MR-DC) architectures, such as dual connectivity between a 4th generation (4G) communication system and a 5th generation (5G) communication system, dual connectivity between a 5G communication system and a 4G communication system, or dual connectivity between two 5G communication systems, etc.

[0026] The dual connectivity between the aforementioned 4G and 5G communication systems can include: dual connectivity between the evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) system and the new radio (NR) system (E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity, EN-DC), and dual connectivity between the E-UTRA system and the NR system under the 5G core network (NG-RAN E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity, NGEN-DC), etc. EN-DC can also be referred to as option 3 series. EN-DC is based on long-term evolution (LTE) base stations...

[0027] For example, an eNB acts as the master node (MN) or primary base station, while an NR base station, such as a gNB, acts as the secondary node (SN) or secondary base station's data center (DC). Both the MN and SN can have data plane connections to the evolved packet core (EPC) network, i.e., the 4G core network, providing air interface transmission resources for data between the terminal and the EPC. NG EN-DC can also be called the option 7 series. NG EN-DC uses an LTE base station, such as an ng-eNB, as the MN, and an NR base station, such as a gNB, as the SN. Unlike EN-DC, in NG EN-DC, both the MN and SN are connected to the 5G core network (5GC), providing air interface transmission resources for data between the terminal and the 5GC.

[0028] Dual connectivity between 5G and 4G communication systems can include dual connectivity between NR and E-UTRA systems (NRE-UTRA dual connectivity, NE-DC). NE-DC can also be referred to as option 4 series. NE-DC uses an NR base station, such as a gNB, as the MN and an LTE base station, such as an ng-eNB, as the SN. Both the MN and SN can have data plane connections with the 5GC, providing air interface transmission resources for data between the terminal and the 5GC.

[0029] Dual connectivity between 5G communication systems can include NR systems and NR system data centers (DCs). In the NR system and NR system DC, both MN and SN are NR base stations.

[0030] The following is only based on Figure 1 Taking the communication system 10 shown as an example, the method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0031] like Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 10 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 In the communication system 10, network device 101, network device 102, network device 105, terminal device 103, and terminal device 104 may be included. Figure 1 This is merely an illustrative diagram and does not constitute a limitation on the applicable scenarios of the technical solutions provided in this application.

[0032] Figure 1 The network devices, namely network device 101, network device 102, or network device 105, can be any device with wireless transceiver capabilities. These include, but are not limited to: evolved Node Bs (NodeB, eNB, or e-NodeB) in LTE, base stations (gNodeB or gNB) or transmission receiving points / transmission reception points (TRPs) in NR, and subsequent evolutions of 3GPP, etc. Base stations can be: macro base stations, micro base stations, pico base stations, small cells, relay stations, or balloon stations, etc. Multiple base stations can support networks using the same technology mentioned above, or they can support networks using different technologies mentioned above. A base station can contain one or more co-located or non-co-located TRPs. Network devices can also be radio controllers, centralized units (CUs), and / or distributed units (DUs) in cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenarios.

[0033] Figure 1 The terminal, namely terminal device 103 or terminal device 104, is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. It can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable, or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as on ships); and it can also be deployed in the air (such as on airplanes, balloons, and satellites). The terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, terminal in industrial control, vehicle-mounted terminal device, terminal in self-driving, terminal in assisted driving, terminal in remote medical care, terminal in smart grid, terminal in transportation safety, terminal in smart city, terminal in smart home, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios. A terminal may also be referred to as terminal equipment, user equipment (UE), access terminal, vehicle-mounted terminal, industrial control terminal, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, UE terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, machine terminal, UE agent, or UE device, etc. A terminal can be fixed or mobile.

[0034] By way of example and not limitation, in this embodiment, the terminal can be a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices that are worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include those that are feature-rich, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, as well as those that focus on a specific type of application function and require the use of other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0035] For ease of understanding, the following text will combine... Figure 1 This section introduces the process of adding / changing conditional primary and secondary cells (CPAC).

[0036] Figure 1 In this configuration, terminal device 103 or terminal device 104 can be dual-connected to network devices 101 and 102, where one network device is MN and the other is SN. One or more serving cells in MN belong to a mastercell group (MCG). Typically, an MCG can include a primary cell (PCell). In some implementations, an MCG may include one or more secondary cells (SCells) in addition to PCells. One or more serving cells in SN belong to a secondary cell group (SCG). Typically, an SCG can include primary and secondary cells (PSCells). In some implementations, an SCG may include one or more SCells in addition to PSCells.

[0037] exist Figure 1 In the communication system 10 shown, terminal device 103 or terminal device 104 can perform CPAC. For example, terminal device 103 can perform conditional primary and secondary cell addition (CPA) through Example 1 below, and conditional primary and secondary cell change (CPC) through Example 2 below.

[0038] Example 1: Taking a terminal device 103 and network device 101 that have established an RRC connection, and the terminal device 103 needs to perform CPA and establish a connection with network device 102 as an example, after establishing the RRC connection, network device 101 can configure one or more candidate PSCells for the terminal device 103. These candidate PSCells include PSCells configured by network device 102 for the terminal device 103 and PSCells configured by other network devices for the terminal device 103. Network device 101 sends configuration information 1 of the one or more candidate PSCells to the terminal device 103. The configuration information 1 of the candidate PSCells includes the configuration 1 of the candidate PSCell and the addition conditions. Upon receiving the configuration information 1 of the one or more candidate PSCells from network device 101, the terminal device 103 can detect the addition conditions of the one or more candidate PSCells. When at least one candidate PSCell that meets the addition conditions is detected, the terminal device 103 selects one of the candidate PSCells (such as the candidate PSCell configured by network device 102 for the terminal) and applies the configuration of that candidate PSCell. Subsequently, terminal device 103 initiates random access with the candidate PSCell, and after successful random access with the candidate PSCell, establishes dual connections with network device 101 and network device 102. The configuration information 1 of the candidate PSCell can also be referred to as the CPA configuration information 1 of the candidate PSCell; the name of this configuration information is not limited in this embodiment.

[0039] Understandably, when terminal device 103 detects multiple candidate PSCells that meet the addition conditions, it can select one candidate PSCell according to a preset strategy and apply its configuration. For example, when terminal device 103 detects multiple candidate PSCells that meet the addition conditions, it can randomly select one and apply its configuration; or, it can select the candidate PSCell with the best signal quality from among the multiple candidate PSCells that meet the addition conditions and apply its configuration; or, it can select the candidate PSCell with the most beams from among the multiple candidate PSCells that meet the addition conditions and have a beam count greater than or equal to a threshold value and apply its configuration. The above are just examples of terminal device 103 selecting candidate PSCells; terminal device 103 can also select candidate PSCells in other ways without limitation.

[0040] Example 2 illustrates a scenario where terminal device 103 is dual-connected with network devices 101 and 102, where network device 101 is the MN and network device 102 is the SN. Taking a CPC (Cyclic Access Point) scenario where terminal device 103 needs to perform a CPC, network device 101 can configure one or more candidate PSCells for terminal device 103. Network device 101 sends configuration information 2 of these candidate PSCells to terminal device 103. This configuration information 2 includes the candidate PSCell's configuration and modification conditions. Upon receiving the configuration information 2 from network device 101, terminal device 103 can detect the modification conditions of these candidate PSCells. When at least one candidate PSCell that meets the modification conditions is detected, terminal device 103 selects one of the candidate PSCells and applies its configuration. Subsequently, terminal device 103 initiates random access with the candidate PSCell, and after successful random access, establishes dual connections with network device 101 and the secondary base station to which the candidate PSCell belongs. The configuration information 2 of the candidate PSCell can also be called the CPC configuration information 2 of the candidate PSCell, without restriction.

[0041] Understandably, when terminal device 103 detects multiple candidate PSCells that meet the change conditions, it can select one candidate PSCell according to a preset strategy and apply its configuration. For example, when terminal device 103 detects multiple candidate PSCells that meet the change conditions, it can randomly select one and apply its configuration; or, it can select the candidate PSCell with the best signal quality from among the multiple candidate PSCells that meet the change conditions and apply its configuration; or, it can select the candidate PSCell with the most beams from among the multiple candidate PSCells that meet the change conditions and have a beam count greater than or equal to a threshold value and apply its configuration. The above are just examples of terminal device 103 selecting candidate PSCells; terminal device 103 can also select candidate PSCells in other ways without limitation.

[0042] It should be noted that, in this embodiment of the application, for any candidate PSCell among one or more candidate PSCells configured for a terminal by any network device, the configuration information 1 of the candidate PSCell when the terminal performs CPA, and the configuration information 2 of the candidate PSCell when the terminal performs CPC, can be collectively referred to as the configuration information of the candidate PSCell. The configuration information of the candidate PSCell includes the configuration of the candidate PSCell and the conditions for adding / changing it. Specifically, when the terminal performs CPA, the configuration of the candidate PSCell is used by the terminal to communicate with the candidate PSCell after adding it. The conditions for adding / changing the candidate PSCell include the conditions for adding the candidate PSCell, which are used by the terminal to determine whether to add the candidate PSCell. When the terminal performs CPC, the configuration of the candidate PSCell is used by the terminal to communicate with the candidate PSCell after changing the source PSCell to the candidate PSCell. The conditions for adding / changing the candidate PSCell include the conditions for changing the candidate PSCell. The conditions for changing the candidate PSCell are used by the terminal to determine whether to change the source PSCell to the candidate PSCell.

[0043] When terminal device 103 receives the configuration and add / change conditions of one or more candidate PSCells, but has not yet detected a PSCell that meets the add / change conditions, terminal device 103 can switch from the current MN to a target MN with better signal quality. For example, terminal device 103 can switch from network device 101 to network device 105. Typically, after terminal device 103 performs an MN handover, the current MN will release one or more candidate PSCells configured for terminal device 103. After the target MN establishes an RRC connection with terminal device 103, it can reconfigure one or more candidate PSCells for terminal device 103 and send the configuration information of one or more candidate PSCells configured by the target MN for the terminal to perform CPAC. The configuration information of one or more candidate PSCells configured by the target MN for the terminal includes the configuration and add / change conditions of the candidate PSCell.

[0044] Typically, the configuration and addition / modification conditions of a candidate PSCell include a considerable amount of information. For example, the configuration of a candidate PSCell may include: the candidate PSCell's configuration identifier, and / or, the random access resources allocated to the terminal by the candidate PSCell, and / or, the cell radio network temporary identifier (CRNIT), and / or, the candidate PSCell's cell global identification (CGI), and / or, the candidate PSCell's physical cell identifier (PCI), and / or, the frequency information corresponding to the candidate PSCell. The frequency information corresponding to the candidate PSCell may include one or more of the following: the absolute frequency of the synchronization signal block (e.g., absoluteFrequency SSB), the absolute frequency location of the reference resource module (common RB0) (e.g., absoluteFrequencyPointA), a frequency bandwidth list (e.g., frequencyBandList), and a subcarrier spacing (SCS) specific carrier list (e.g., scs-SpecificCarrierList), etc. The configuration of a candidate PSCell also includes resource information corresponding to the candidate PSCell. This resource information includes one or more of the following: radioBearerConfig parameters, cellGroupConfig parameters, physical layer (PHY layer) configuration parameters, media access control (MAC) layer configuration parameters, radio link control (RLC) layer configuration parameters, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer configuration parameters, service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer configuration parameters, or RRC layer configuration parameters. The configuration of a candidate PSCell can also be referred to as the CPAC configuration of the candidate PSCell, CPAC configuration information of the candidate PSCell, etc. This application embodiment does not specifically limit the name of the above configuration.

[0045] The conditions for adding / changing a candidate PSCell are used by the terminal to determine whether to add the candidate PSCell or to change the source PSCell to the candidate PSCell. For example, if the terminal detects that a candidate PSCell meets the conditions for adding / changing it, the terminal determines to add the candidate PSCell or change the source PSCell to the candidate PSCell. If the terminal detects that a candidate PSCell does not meet the conditions for adding / changing it, the terminal determines not to add the candidate PSCell or not to change the source PSCell to the candidate PSCell.

[0046] Optionally, the conditions for adding / changing a candidate PSCell include the execution event type for that condition. This execution event type can also be called a measurement event or a reporting event, etc. The terminal can measure the signal quality of the candidate PSCell, or measure the signal quality of the candidate PSCell and the signal quality of its neighboring cells, and determine whether to add the candidate PSCell or change the source PSCell to the candidate PSCell based on the measurement results and the execution event type.

[0047] One possible implementation is that the execution event type includes one or more events. For example, the execution event type may include one or more of the following events: event A3, event A4, event A5, event B1, or event B2. Event A3 indicates that the neighboring cell signal quality is greater than or equal to the special cell (SpCell) signal quality by a certain offset. Event A4 indicates that the neighboring cell signal quality is greater than or equal to a certain threshold. Event A5 indicates that the SpCell signal quality is less than or equal to threshold 1, and the neighboring cell signal quality is greater than or equal to threshold 2. Event B1 indicates that the neighboring cell signal quality across inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) is greater than or equal to a certain threshold. Event B2 indicates that the PCell signal quality is less than or equal to threshold 3, and the interRAT neighboring cell signal quality is greater than or equal to threshold 4. The above events are merely examples of events in the execution event type; the execution event type may also include other events without limitation. This execution event type also includes threshold values ​​corresponding to events within that type. It further includes the time-to-trigger for satisfying events within the type, and / or the hysteresis value for entering / leaving events within the type. Additionally, events within this execution event type can correspond to one or more threshold values; for example, event A5 corresponds to two threshold values. The same event within this execution event type can correspond to different measurements; for example, event A3 can correspond to both A3 reference signal received power (RSRP) and A3 reference signal received quality (RSRQ).

[0048] Typically, before the terminal device executes the CPAC process described above, the network device provides CPAC configuration to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device changes the PSCell based on the CPAC configuration provided by the network device. In some implementations, the network device can determine whether the terminal device needs CPAC based on service conditions (e.g., transmission latency, amount of data to be transmitted, etc.) and channel measurements (e.g., channel state).

[0049] In some implementations, the CPAC configuration described above may include a candidate cell configuration list, execution conditions, and cell configuration.

[0050] The aforementioned candidate cell list can be understood as a candidate cell configuration list used for CPA or CPC. This candidate cell list can contain cell information for one or more candidate cells. Each candidate cell's cell information can include a configuration information identifier. It should be noted that the configuration information ID can be determined based on the number of candidate cells configured by the network device for the terminal device. For example, if the network device provides configuration information for 5 candidate cells to the terminal device, then the aforementioned cell configuration information ID can be used to identify the configuration information of the 5 candidate cells.

[0051] The aforementioned execution conditions may be execution conditions used to instruct the terminal device to perform CPA or CPC.

[0052] The aforementioned cell configuration can be provided to the MN by the candidate SN as the SCG configuration. In some implementations, the aforementioned SCG configuration can be sent by the SN to the MN via the Xn interface, and correspondingly, the MN transparently transmits it to the terminal device. In one implementation, the aforementioned SCG configuration can include the configuration of the candidate SCG, wherein the configuration of the candidate SCG can include cell ID, radio bearer configuration, logical channel configuration, RLC configuration, MAC configuration, physical layer configuration, and SCell configuration.

[0053] It should be noted that, as described above, an SCG can contain one or more SCells, and correspondingly, the above SCG configuration can contain one or more SCell configurations. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0054] Currently, to help terminal devices save power, two different states are set for the SCG: deactivated state and active state. Typically, the power consumption of a terminal device accessing an SCG in the deactivated state is less than that of an SCG in the active state. In some implementations, when the SCG accessed by the terminal device is in the deactivated state, the terminal device's actions after accessing the SCG may include: stopping listening to the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmitted by the PSCell; performing measurements configured by the MN and / or SN; all SCells within the SCG being in the deactivated state; not transmitting the sounding reference signal (SRS); not transmitting the physical uplink share channel (PUSCH) on the PSCell; and performing radio link monitoring (RLM) and beam failure detection (BFD) on the PSCell.

[0055] Currently, the SCG status of an SCG can be indicated to the terminal device by the network device via radio resource control (RRC) signaling. In some implementations, the network device can indicate the SCG status by including the "scg-state" field in the information elements (IEs) of the RRC reconfiguration or RRC resume request. For ease of understanding, the following example illustrates the code for an RRC reconfiguration request using the "scg-state" field in the RRC reconfiguration request.

[0056]

[0057]

[0058] It should be noted that the CPAC configuration, SCG configuration, PScell ​​configuration, and the behavior of the terminal device when the SCG state is deactivated, as described above, are only examples. The content included in the above configurations can be defined in existing communication protocols or updated in future communication protocols. In addition, the behavior of the terminal device can also be defined in existing protocols or in future communication protocols, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0059] As described above, after a terminal device performs CPAC based on the CPAC configuration provided by the network device, it releases the corresponding CPAC configuration. When the terminal device needs to perform another CPAC, the network device needs to provide the CPAC configuration again. This increases the overhead of the network device transmitting the CPAC configuration. However, it is unnecessary for the network device to provide the CPAC configuration to the terminal device every time it performs CPAC. This is because in some cases, the CPAC configuration used by the terminal device for CPA or CPC may be the same. For example, when the terminal device moves within a small area, the CPAC configuration used by the terminal device in each round of CPAC may be the same.

[0060] Therefore, to reduce the overhead of configuring CPAC, embodiments of this application provide a continuous CPAC process, meaning that a terminal device can perform multiple rounds of CPAC based on a single CPAC configuration. This eliminates the need for network devices to re-provide CPAC configurations for the terminal device during each round of CPAC, thus reducing the overhead of configuring CPAC.

[0061] In some implementations, the terminal device can perform multiple rounds of CPAC configuration based on the same CPAC over a period of time. This period can be predefined or preconfigured. In other implementations, the terminal device can perform multiple rounds of CPAC configuration based on the same CPAC configuration, provided a first condition is met. This first condition could be, for example, that the terminal device's movement range is less than a threshold. Of course, the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit the content of the first condition. Furthermore, the aforementioned first condition can be network-configured, or it can be predefined.

[0062] Currently, traditional CPAC configurations typically include the SCG status of a target SCG. However, during continuous CPAC processes, terminal devices may switch to multiple target SCGs through multiple CPAC processes. In this case, the terminal device cannot know the SCG status of each target SCG, leading to inconsistencies in understanding among the terminal device, master node, and slave node, thus preventing normal communication between the terminal device and the master node and slave node.

[0063] For example, suppose that among multiple target SCGs, target SCG1 is in an active state. Since the CPAC configuration provided by the network device to the terminal device does not include the SCG state of target SCG1, the terminal device cannot know this and is in a deactivated state after accessing target SCG1. In this case, if the secondary node mistakenly judges the terminal device to be in an active state based on the fact that the SCG state of target SCG1 is active, and sends data to the terminal device through target SCG1, the terminal device will not be able to receive the data normally, resulting in data transmission failure between the terminal device and the secondary node.

[0064] To avoid the aforementioned problems, this application provides a communication method in which, when a terminal device performs multiple rounds of CPAC changes to multiple SCGs based on a CPAC configuration (also known as the "first CPAC configuration"), the SCG state of at least some of these SCGs can be indicated by the master node MN or SN, and / or the SCG state of at least some of these SCGs is predefined. The following description, in conjunction with... Figure 2 This application describes the SCG states of multiple SCGs in its embodiments. See also... Figure 2 In step S210, the terminal device communicates with the SN based on the SCG status of the first SCG, where the first SCG belongs to one of the multiple SCGs mentioned above.

[0065] It should be noted that when a terminal device changes to one of multiple SCGs, that SCG can be considered the target SCG in this CPAC process. Correspondingly, the other SCGs among the multiple SCGs besides the target SCG can be considered candidate SCGs. For ease of description, this application mainly focuses on the multiple SCGs that the terminal device changes to, and does not distinguish between the target SCG and candidate SCGs in each round of CPAC.

[0066] As described above, the determination of the SCG states of multiple SCGs in this application embodiment can be divided into two methods. In method one, at least some of the SCG states of the multiple SCGs are indicated by MN or SN. In method two, at least some of the SCG states of the multiple SCGs are predefined. The following describes these two methods.

[0067] In method one, MN and SN can send a first message to the terminal device, allowing the terminal device to determine the SCG status of multiple SCGs. In other words, the first message is used to determine the SCG status of multiple SCGs.

[0068] There are many ways to determine the SCG status of multiple SCGs through the first message. For ease of understanding, the following mainly introduces three methods. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to the following three methods.

[0069] Method 1: The first message may include SCG status information for multiple SCGs.

[0070] In some implementations, the first message may include a mapping between the identifier of each SCG and the SCG status information of each SCG. In another implementation, the first message may also include an SCG status list, which contains the status of each SCG among the multiple SCGs.

[0071] For example, Table 1 shows one possible form of the SCG state list. In Table 1, the SCG identified as ID1 is in the deactivated state, and the SCG identified as ID2 is in the active state.

[0072] Table 1

[0073] ID1 Deactivate ID2 activation

[0074] Accordingly, after receiving the aforementioned first information, the terminal device can determine the SCG status of the currently changed (or to be changed) SCG based on the SCG statuses of the multiple SCGs contained in the first message. That is, the method further includes: the terminal device determining the SCG status of the first SCG based on the first message, wherein the first message carries the SCG status of the first SCG.

[0075] Method 2: The first message can indicate only the SCG status of the second SCG among multiple SCGs.

[0076] Accordingly, the terminal device determines the SCG states of other SCGs among the multiple SCGs based on the SCG state of the second SCG. In some implementations, the SCG states of other SCGs can be the same as the SCG state of the second SCG; for example, when the SCG state of the second SCG is deactivated, the SCG states of other SCGs can also be deactivated. In other implementations, the SCG states of other SCGs can be the opposite of the SCG states of the second SCG; for example, when the SCG state of the second SCG is active, the SCG states of other SCGs can also be deactivated.

[0077] As mentioned above, in traditional schemes, after providing a new CPAC configuration to a terminal device, the network device will indicate the SCG status of the target SCG to the terminal device via RRC signaling. Therefore, in order to be compatible with the provisions of existing protocols, or to reduce modifications to existing protocols, the aforementioned second SCG can be the one indicated by the network device to the terminal device via RRC signaling in the existing protocol.

[0078] Of course, without considering compatibility with existing protocols, in some implementations, the aforementioned second SCG can also be the SCG to which the PSCell belongs during the first CPAC process executed by the terminal device in multiple CPAC rounds, or in other words, the SCG to which the PSCell belongs earliest during the CPAC process executed by the terminal device in multiple CPAC rounds. For example, the aforementioned multiple CPAC processes include CPAC process 1, CPAC process 2, and CPAC process 3, where CPAC process 1 is the first CPAC process executed by the terminal device in the multiple CPAC rounds, correspondingly, CPAC process 2 is the CPAC process executed after the terminal device executes CPAC process 1, and CPAC process 3 is the CPAC process executed after the terminal device executes CPAC process 2. In this way, the aforementioned second SCG can be the SCG to which the PSCell belongs in CPAC process 1 is changed by the terminal device.

[0079] Method 3: The first message can indicate only the SCG status of the source SCG to which the source PSCell belongs among multiple SCGs.

[0080] In other words, during multiple CPAC processes, each time the terminal device executes the CPAC process, it needs to change from the source SCG to the target SCG of the target PSCell. The SCG state of the target SCG is determined based on the SCG state of the source SCG.

[0081] Accordingly, the terminal device determines the SCG states of other SCGs among multiple SCGs based on the SCG state of the source SCG. In some implementations, the SCG states of other SCGs can be the same as the SCG state of the source SCG; for example, when the source SCG is inactive, the SCG states of other SCGs can also be inactive. In other implementations, the SCG states of other SCGs can be the opposite of the source SCG; for example, when the source SCG is active, the SCG states of other SCGs can also be inactive.

[0082] As mentioned above, in traditional schemes, after providing a new CPAC configuration to a terminal device, the network device will indicate the SCG status of the target SCG to the terminal device via RRC signaling. Therefore, in order to be compatible with the provisions of existing protocols, or in order to reduce modifications to existing protocols, the aforementioned source SCG can be the one indicated by the network device to the terminal device via RRC signaling in the existing protocol.

[0083] Of course, without considering compatibility with existing protocols, in some implementations, the aforementioned source SCG can also be the source SCG executed by the terminal device in the first CPAC process during multiple CPAC rounds, or in other words, the source SCG executed by the terminal device earliest in the multiple CPAC rounds. For example, the aforementioned multiple CPAC rounds include CPAC process 1, CPAC process 2, and CPAC process 3, where CPAC process 1 is the first CPAC process executed by the terminal device in the multiple CPAC rounds, correspondingly, CPAC process 2 is the CPAC process executed after the terminal device executes CPAC process 1, and CPAC process 3 is the CPAC process executed after the terminal device executes CPAC process 2. In this way, the aforementioned source SCG can be the SCG that the terminal device accessed before the change in CPAC process 1.

[0084] The preceding sections, combining methods one through three, introduced the method for determining the SCG status of multiple SCGs based on the first message in method one. The following sections describe the method for sending the first message. As mentioned above, the first message can be sent by either the MN or the SN; therefore, the following sections will describe each of these two transmission methods separately.

[0085] In transmission mode one, MN sends the first message to the terminal device.

[0086] In some implementations, the MN can carry the first message within the SCG configuration (also known as the "second SCG configuration"). For example, the SCG configuration can include configuration information 1 and execution condition 1 for SCG1, and configuration information 2 and execution condition 2 for SCG2. In this case, the SCG status of SCG1 (i.e., part of the information in the first message mentioned above) can be added to the configuration information 1 of SCG1. In other implementations, the MN can carry the first message within separate configuration information and send it to the terminal device.

[0087] In transmission mode two, SN sends the first message to the terminal device via MN.

[0088] Accordingly, MN can skip processing the first message and directly pass it through to the terminal device.

[0089] In some implementations, the first message can be carried within the SCG configuration (also known as the "first SCG configuration"). For example, the SCG configuration can include configuration information 1 and execution condition 1 for SCG1, and configuration information 2 and execution condition 2 for SCG2. In this case, the SCG status of SCG1 (i.e., part of the information in the first message mentioned above) can be added to the configuration information 1 of SCG1. In other implementations, the SN can carry the first message in separate configuration information and send it to the terminal device via the MN.

[0090] In method two, at least some of the SCG states among the multiple SCGs are predefined.

[0091] The second determination method described above can include predefined SCG states for some or all of the multiple SCGs. In some implementations, the first message may only indicate the SCG state of the third SCG among the multiple SCGs, while the states of the other SCGs among the multiple SCGs may be predefined. Alternatively, the states of the other SCGs among the multiple SCGs may be default. Accordingly, the terminal device determines the SCG state of the third SCG based on its state, and the SCG states of the other SCGs can be determined based on predefined SCG states. For example, the SCG states of other SCGs can be predefined as deactivated. Or, for another example, the SCG states of other SCGs can be predefined as active.

[0092] In some implementations, during multiple CPAC processes, the terminal device needs to change from the source SCG to the target SCG of the target PSCell each time it executes the CPAC process. The SCG state of the source SCG can be predefined, and correspondingly, the SCG state of the target SCG is determined based on the SCG state of the source SCG. This approach can also be understood as "the terminal autonomously determining the SCG state."

[0093] Accordingly, the terminal device determines the SCG states of other SCGs among multiple SCGs based on the SCG state of the source SCG. In some implementations, the SCG states of other SCGs can be the same as the SCG state of the source SCG; for example, when the source SCG is inactive, the SCG states of other SCGs can also be inactive. In other implementations, the SCG states of other SCGs can be the opposite of the source SCG; for example, when the source SCG is active, the SCG states of other SCGs can also be inactive.

[0094] Furthermore, assuming the SCG state of the first SCG is in a deactivated state, this application embodiment does not limit when the terminal device is in a deactivated state after the terminal device accesses the first SCG.

[0095] In some implementations, the terminal device can enter a deactivated state after sending the first random access channel (RACH) to the SN. That is, after the terminal device sends the first random access channel (RACH) to the SN via the first SCG, the terminal device communicates with the SN based on the deactivated state.

[0096] In some implementations, the terminal device can enter a deactivated state after sending a second RACH to the SN and successfully resolving the contention conflict. That is, if the terminal device sends a second RACH to the SN via the first SCG and successfully resolves the contention conflict, the terminal device communicates with the SN based on the deactivated state.

[0097] In other implementations, the terminal device can enter a deactivated state after sending a second RACH to the SN, successfully resolving the contention conflict, and not receiving any indication information indicating the SCG status of the first SCG within a preset time period. That is, if the terminal device sends a second RACH to the SN via the first SCG, successfully resolves the contention conflict, and does not receive a second message within a preset time period, the terminal device communicates with the SN based on the deactivated state, and the second message is used to indicate the SCG status of the first SCG.

[0098] For ease of understanding, the following text will combine... Figures 3 to 5 The communication method of the embodiments of this application is described. Figure 3The communication method shown is illustrated using the example of combining method one of the above determination methods with transmission method two. Figure 4 The communication method shown is illustrated using the above-mentioned determination method one combined with transmission method one as an example. Figure 5 The communication method shown is illustrated using the above-mentioned determination method one combined with transmission method one as an example.

[0099] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 The method shown includes steps S310 to S330.

[0100] In step S310, MN sends a first RRC message to the terminal device.

[0101] The first RRC message mentioned above contains configuration information for multiple SCGs and their corresponding execution conditions. Each SCG configuration includes the SCG status of the corresponding SCG.

[0102] In step S320, the terminal device evaluates multiple SCGs based on execution conditions.

[0103] When the execution conditions of SCG1 among multiple SCGs are met, the terminal device executes CPC to switch to PSCell1 in SCG1.

[0104] In step S330, the terminal device determines the SCG status of SCG1 based on the configuration information of SCG1.

[0105] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a communication method according to another embodiment of this application. Figure 4 The method shown includes steps S410 to S430.

[0106] In step S410, MN sends a first RRC message to the terminal device.

[0107] The first RRC message contains SCG configuration information and corresponding execution conditions for multiple SCGs. In addition, the first RRC message also includes a first message, which is used to determine the SCG status of multiple SCGs.

[0108] It should be noted that the SCG status of multiple SCGs can be determined based on the first message by referring to the descriptions of methods one to three in the above determination method.

[0109] In step S420, the terminal device evaluates multiple SCGs based on execution conditions.

[0110] When the execution conditions are met, the terminal device executes CPC to switch to PSCell2 in SCG2.

[0111] In step S430, the terminal device determines the SCG status of SCG2 based on the configuration information of SCG2.

[0112] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a communication method according to another embodiment of this application. Figure 5 The method shown includes steps S510 to S430.

[0113] In step S510, MN sends a first RRC message to the terminal device.

[0114] The first RRC message contains SCG configuration information and corresponding execution conditions for multiple SCGs. In addition, the first RRC message also includes the SCG status of SCG1.

[0115] In step S520, the terminal device evaluates multiple SCGs based on the execution conditions of multiple SCGs included in CPAC configuration 1.

[0116] When the execution conditions of SCG1 are met, the terminal device performs CPC switching to SCG1 and executes step S530.

[0117] In step S530, the terminal device determines the SCG status of SCG1 based on the SCG status of SCG1 contained in the first RRC message.

[0118] In step S540, the terminal device evaluates multiple SCGs based on the execution conditions of multiple SCGs included in CPAC configuration 1.

[0119] When the execution conditions of SCG3 are met, the terminal device performs CPC switching to SCG3 and executes step S550.

[0120] In step S550, the terminal device determines the SCG state of SCG3 based on the SCG state of SCG1.

[0121] If the SCG state of SCG1 is active, then the SCG state of SCG3 is active; if the SCG state of SCG1 is deactivated, then the SCG state of SCG3 is deactivated.

[0122] The above text combined Figures 1 to 5 The method embodiments of this application are described in detail below, in conjunction with... Figures 6 to 9 The present application provides a detailed description of the apparatus embodiments. It should be understood that the descriptions of the method embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the apparatus embodiments; therefore, any parts not described in detail can be found in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0123] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 The terminal device 600 shown includes: a communication unit 610.

[0124] Communication unit 610 is used to communicate with secondary node SN based on the SCG status of the first secondary cell group SCG. The first SCG belongs to multiple SCGs. The multiple SCGs are SCGs belonging to multiple primary and secondary cell PSCells to which the terminal device performs multiple CPAC process changes based on the first condition primary and secondary cell addition / change CPAC configuration. The status of at least some of the multiple SCGs is indicated by the primary node MN or the SN, and / or the status of at least some of the multiple SCGs is predefined.

[0125] In one optional implementation, the SCG status of the plurality of SCGs is indicated by the master node MN or the SN, and the terminal device further includes: a receiving unit, configured to receive a first message sent by the MN or the SN, the first message being used to determine the SCG status of the plurality of SCGs.

[0126] In one alternative implementation, the first message includes SCG status information of the plurality of SCGs.

[0127] In one optional implementation, the first message contains a mapping relationship between the identifier of each of the plurality of SCGs and the SCG status information of each of the plurality of SCGs.

[0128] In one optional implementation, the first message carries the SCG status information of the second SCG among the plurality of SCGs, and the plurality of SCGs also includes other SCGs besides the second SCG, the SCG status of the other SCGs being determined based on the SCG status of the second SCG.

[0129] In one alternative implementation, the SCG state of the other SCG is the same as that of the second SCG.

[0130] In one optional implementation, the second SCG is the SCG to which the terminal device first performs the CPAC process change during the multiple CPAC processes, and belongs to the PSCell.

[0131] In one optional implementation, the first CPAC configuration includes the SCG state of the third SCG, which is the SCG to which the terminal device first executes the CPAC process change during the multiple CPAC processes, and the SCG states of the other SCGs among the multiple SCGs besides the third SCG are predefined.

[0132] In an optional implementation, the receiving unit is further configured to: receive first SCG configuration information sent by the MN, the first SCG configuration information including the first message, the first SCG configuration information being sent by the SN to the MN.

[0133] In an optional implementation, the receiving unit is further configured to: receive second SCG configuration information sent by the MN, wherein the second SCG configuration information includes the first message.

[0134] In one optional implementation, during each of the multiple CPAC processes, when the terminal device executes the CPAC process to change from the source SCG to the target SCG of the target PSCell, the SCG state of the target SCG is determined based on the SCG state of the source SCG.

[0135] In one alternative implementation, the SCG state of the target SCG is the same as the SCG state of the source SCG.

[0136] In one optional implementation, the SCG state of the first SCG is in an inactive state, and the communication unit is further configured to communicate with the SN based on the inactive state after the terminal device sends the first random access channel RACH to the SN through the first SCG.

[0137] In one optional implementation, the SCG state of the first SCG is deactivated, and the communication unit is further configured to: if the terminal device sends a second RACH to the SN through the first SCG and the contention is successfully resolved, communicate with the SN based on the deactivated state.

[0138] In an optional implementation, the communication unit is further configured to communicate with the SN based on the deactivated state if the terminal device sends a second RACH to the SN through the first SCG, the contention is successfully resolved, and no second message is received within a preset time period, wherein the second message is used to indicate the SCG state of the first SCG.

[0139] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the SN in an embodiment of this application. Figure 7 The SN700 shown includes: a communication unit 710.

[0140] Communication unit 710 is used to communicate with terminal equipment based on the SCG status of a first secondary cell group (SCG). The first SCG belongs to multiple SCGs, which are SCGs belonging to multiple primary and secondary cell PSCells to which the terminal equipment performs multiple CPAC process changes based on the first condition primary and secondary cell addition / change CPAC configuration. The SCG status of at least some of the multiple SCGs is indicated by the master node MN or the SN, and / or the SCG status of at least some of the multiple SCGs is predefined.

[0141] In one optional implementation, the SCG status of the plurality of SCGs is indicated by the SN, and the auxiliary node further includes: a sending unit, configured to send a first message to the terminal device, the first message being used to determine the SCG status of the plurality of SCGs.

[0142] In one alternative implementation, the first message includes the status information of the SCGs of the plurality of SCGs.

[0143] In one optional implementation, the first message contains a mapping relationship between the identifier of each of the plurality of SCGs and the SCG status information of each of the plurality of SCGs.

[0144] In one optional implementation, the first message carries the SCG status information of the second SCG among the plurality of SCGs, and the plurality of SCGs also includes other SCGs besides the second SCG, the SCG status of the other SCGs being determined based on the SCG status of the second SCG.

[0145] In one alternative implementation, the SCG state of the other SCG is the same as that of the second SCG.

[0146] In one optional implementation, the second SCG is the SCG to which the terminal device first performs the CPAC process change during the multiple CPAC processes, and belongs to the PSCell.

[0147] In one optional implementation, the first CPAC configuration includes the SCG state of the third SCG, which is the SCG to which the terminal device first executes the CPAC process change during the multiple CPAC processes, and the SCG states of the other SCGs among the multiple SCGs besides the third SCG are predefined.

[0148] In one optional implementation, the sending unit is configured to send first SCG configuration information to the terminal device via the MN, the first SCG configuration information including the first message.

[0149] In one optional implementation, during each of the multiple CPAC processes, when the terminal device executes the CPAC process to change from the source SCG to the target SCG of the target PSCell, the SCG state of the target SCG is determined based on the SCG state of the source SCG.

[0150] In one alternative implementation, the SCG state of the target SCG is the same as the SCG state of the source SCG.

[0151] In one optional implementation, the SCG state of the first SCG is deactivated, and the communication unit is configured to: communicate with the terminal device based on the deactivated state after the SN receives the first random access channel RACH sent by the terminal device through the first SCG.

[0152] In one optional implementation, the SCG state of the first SCG is deactivated, and the communication unit is configured to: if the SN receives the second RACH sent by the terminal device through the first SCG, and the contention conflict of the terminal device is successfully resolved, communicate with the terminal device based on the deactivated state.

[0153] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of MN in an embodiment of this application. Figure 8 The MN800 shown includes a transmitting unit 810.

[0154] The sending unit 810 is used to send a first message to the terminal device. The first message is used to determine the SCG status of at least some of the SCGs in a plurality of secondary cell groups (SCGs). The plurality of SCGs are the SCGs to which the terminal device belongs when it performs multiple CPAC process changes on the primary and secondary cell PSCells based on the first condition of adding / changing CPAC configuration of primary and secondary cells.

[0155] In one alternative implementation, the first message includes SCG status information of the plurality of SCGs.

[0156] In one optional implementation, the first message contains a mapping relationship between the identifier of each of the plurality of SCGs and the SCG status information of each of the plurality of SCGs.

[0157] In one optional implementation, the first message carries the SCG status information of the second SCG among the plurality of SCGs, and the plurality of SCGs also includes other SCGs besides the second SCG, the SCG status of the other SCGs being determined based on the SCG status of the second SCG.

[0158] In one alternative implementation, the SCG state of the other SCG is the same as that of the second SCG.

[0159] In one optional implementation, the second SCG is the SCG to which the terminal device first performs the CPAC process change during the multiple CPAC processes, and belongs to the PSCell.

[0160] In one optional implementation, the first CPAC configuration includes the SCG state of the third SCG, which is the SCG to which the terminal device first executes the CPAC process change during the multiple CPAC processes, and the SCG states of the other SCGs among the multiple SCGs besides the third SCG are predefined.

[0161] Figure 9 This is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 9 The dashed lines indicate that the unit or module is optional. The device 900 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. The device 900 can be a chip, a terminal device, or a network device.

[0162] The apparatus 900 may include one or more processors 910. The processor 910 may support the apparatus 900 in implementing the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The processor 910 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, the processor may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0163] The apparatus 900 may further include one or more memories 920. The memories 920 store a program that can be executed by the processor 910, causing the processor 910 to perform the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The memories 920 may be independent of the processor 910 or integrated within the processor 910.

[0164] The device 900 may also include a transceiver 930. The processor 910 can communicate with other devices or chips via the transceiver 930. For example, the processor 910 can send and receive data with other devices or chips via the transceiver 930.

[0165] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a program. This computer-readable storage medium can be applied to a terminal or network device provided in this application, and the program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the terminal or network device in various embodiments of this application.

[0166] This application also provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a program. The computer program product can be applied to a terminal or network device provided in this application embodiment, and the program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the terminal or network device in various embodiments of this application.

[0167] This application also provides a computer program. This computer program can be applied to the terminal or network device provided in this application, and the computer program causes the computer to execute the methods performed by the terminal or network device in various embodiments of this application.

[0168] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" in this application can be used interchangeably. Furthermore, the terminology used in this application is only for explaining specific embodiments of the application and is not intended to limit the application. The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0169] In the embodiments of this application, the term "instruction" can be a direct instruction, an indirect instruction, or an indication of a relationship. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, such as B being able to obtain information through A; it can also mean that A indirectly instructs B, such as A instructing C, so B can obtain information through C; or it can mean that there is a relationship between A and B.

[0170] In the embodiments of this application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A, and B can be determined based on A. However, it should also be understood that determining B based on A does not mean that B is determined solely based on A; B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0171] In the embodiments of this application, the term "correspondence" can indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between two things, or an association between two things, or a relationship such as instruction and being instructed, configuration and being configured.

[0172] In this application embodiment, "predefined" or "preconfigured" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device (e.g., including terminal devices and network devices). This application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to what is defined in the protocol.

[0173] In this application embodiment, the "protocol" may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communication, such as the LTE protocol, the NR protocol, and related protocols applied to future communication systems. This application does not limit this.

[0174] In the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0175] In the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0176] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0177] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0178] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0179] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can read or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs, DVDs) or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs), etc.

[0180] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The terminal device communicates with the secondary node SN based on the SCG status of the first secondary cell group SCG. The first SCG belongs to multiple SCGs. The multiple SCGs are the SCGs to which the terminal device belongs in multiple primary and secondary cell PSCells that have undergone multiple CPAC process changes based on the first condition primary and secondary cell addition / change CPAC configuration. Wherein, the state of at least some of the plurality of SCGs is indicated by the master node MN or the SN; In a scenario where the SCG status of the plurality of SCGs is indicated by the master node MN or the SN, the terminal device receives a first message sent by the MN or the SN. The first message is used to determine the SCG status of the plurality of SCGs. The first message carries the SCG status information of the second SCG among the plurality of SCGs. The plurality of SCGs also includes other SCGs besides the second SCG. The SCG status of the other SCGs is determined based on the SCG status of the second SCG.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first message includes the SCG status information of the plurality of SCGs.

3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first message contains a mapping relationship between the identifier of each SCG and the SCG status information of each SCG.

4. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The SCG state of the other SCGs is the same as that of the second SCG.

5. The method as described in claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, The second SCG is the SCG to which the terminal device first executes the CPAC process during the multiple CPAC processes, and which is the PSCell to which it belongs.

6. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first CPAC configuration includes the SCG status of the third SCG. The third SCG is the SCG to which the terminal device first executes the CPAC process change during the multiple CPAC processes. The SCG status of the other SCGs among the multiple SCGs, excluding the third SCG, is predefined.

7. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal device receives a first message sent by the MN or the SN, including: The terminal device receives first SCG configuration information sent by the MN. The first SCG configuration information includes the first message and is sent by the SN to the MN.

8. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal device receives a first message sent by the MN or the SN, including: The terminal device receives the second SCG configuration information sent by the MN, and the second SCG configuration information includes the first message.

9. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, During the multiple CPAC processes, each time the terminal device executes the CPAC process to change from the source SCG to the target SCG of the target PSCell, the SCG state of the target SCG is determined based on the SCG state of the source SCG.

10. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The target SCG has the same SCG state as the source SCG.

11. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first SCG is in an inactive state. The terminal device communicates with the secondary node SN based on the SCG state of the first SCG, including: After the terminal device sends the first random access channel RACH to the SN through the first SCG, the terminal device communicates with the SN based on the deactivated state.

12. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first SCG is in an inactive state. The terminal device communicates with the secondary node SN based on the SCG state of the first SCG, including: If the terminal device sends a second RACH to the SN through the first SCG and the contention is successfully resolved, the terminal device communicates with the SN based on the deactivated state.

13. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, If the terminal device sends a second RACH to the SN via the first SCG, and the contention is successfully resolved, the terminal device communicates with the SN based on the deactivated state, including: If the terminal device sends a second RACH to the SN through the first SCG, the contention is successfully resolved, and no second message is received within a preset time period, the terminal device communicates with the SN based on the deactivated state, and the second message is used to indicate the SCG state of the first SCG.

14. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The secondary node SN communicates with the terminal device based on the SCG status of the first secondary cell group SCG. The first SCG belongs to multiple SCGs. The multiple SCGs are the SCGs to which the terminal device belongs in multiple primary and secondary cell PSCells that have undergone multiple CPAC process changes based on the first condition primary and secondary cell addition / change CPAC configuration. Wherein, the SCG status of at least some of the SCGs is indicated by the master node MN or the SN; In a scenario where the SCG status of the plurality of SCGs is indicated by the SN, the SN sends a first message to the terminal device. The first message is used to determine the SCG status of the plurality of SCGs. The first message carries the SCG status information of the second SCG among the plurality of SCGs. The plurality of SCGs also includes other SCGs besides the second SCG. The SCG status of the other SCGs is determined based on the SCG status of the second SCG.

15. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The first message includes the status information of the SCGs of the plurality of SCGs.

16. The method as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The first message contains a mapping relationship between the identifier of each SCG and the SCG status information of each SCG.

17. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The SCG state of the other SCGs is the same as that of the second SCG.

18. The method as described in claim 14 or 17, characterized in that, The second SCG is the SCG to which the terminal device first executes the CPAC process during the multiple CPAC processes, and which is the PSCell to which it belongs.

19. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The first CPAC configuration includes the SCG status of the third SCG. The third SCG is the SCG to which the terminal device first executes the CPAC process change during the multiple CPAC processes. The SCG status of the other SCGs among the multiple SCGs, excluding the third SCG, is predefined.

20. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The SN sends a first message to the terminal device, including: The SN sends first SCG configuration information to the terminal device through the MN, and the first SCG configuration information includes the first message.

21. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that, During the multiple CPAC processes, each time the terminal device executes the CPAC process to change from the source SCG to the target SCG of the target PSCell, the SCG state of the target SCG is determined based on the SCG state of the source SCG.

22. The method as described in claim 21, characterized in that, The target SCG has the same SCG state as the source SCG.

23. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The first SCG is in an inactive state, and the SN communicates with the terminal device based on the SCG state of the first SCG, including: After the SN receives the first random access channel RACH sent by the terminal device through the first SCG, the SN communicates with the terminal device based on the deactivated state.

24. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The first SCG is in an inactive state, and the SN communicates with the terminal device based on the SCG state of the first SCG, including: If the SN receives the second RACH sent by the terminal device through the first SCG, and the contention conflict of the terminal device is successfully resolved, the SN communicates with the terminal device based on the deactivated state.

25. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The master node MN sends a first message to the terminal device. The first message is used to determine the SCG status of at least some SCGs in a plurality of secondary cell groups (SCGs). The plurality of SCGs are the SCGs to which the terminal device belongs to a plurality of primary and secondary cell PSCells that have undergone multiple CPAC process changes based on the first condition of primary and secondary cell addition / change CPAC configuration. The first message carries the SCG status information of the second SCG among the plurality of SCGs. The plurality of SCGs also includes other SCGs besides the second SCG. The SCG status of the other SCGs is determined based on the SCG status of the second SCG.

26. The method as described in claim 25, characterized in that, The first message includes the SCG status information of the plurality of SCGs.

27. The method as described in claim 26, characterized in that, The first message contains a mapping relationship between the identifier of each SCG and the SCG status information of each SCG.

28. The method as described in claim 25, characterized in that, The SCG state of the other SCGs is the same as that of the second SCG.

29. The method as described in claim 25 or 28, characterized in that, The second SCG is the SCG to which the terminal device first executes the CPAC process during the multiple CPAC processes, and which is the PSCell to which it belongs.

30. The method as described in claim 25, characterized in that, The first CPAC configuration includes the SCG status of the third SCG. The third SCG is the SCG to which the terminal device first executes the CPAC process change during the multiple CPAC processes. The SCG status of the other SCGs among the multiple SCGs, excluding the third SCG, is predefined.

31. A terminal device, characterized in that, include: The communication unit is used to communicate with the secondary node SN based on the SCG status of the first secondary cell group SCG. The first SCG belongs to multiple SCGs, which are SCGs belonging to multiple primary and secondary cell PSCells that the terminal device performs multiple CPAC process changes to based on the first condition primary and secondary cell addition / change CPAC configuration. Wherein, the state of at least some of the plurality of SCGs is indicated by the master node MN or the SN; The receiving unit is configured to receive a first message sent by the MN or the SN when the SCG status of the plurality of SCGs is indicated by the master node MN or the SN. The first message is used to determine the SCG status of the plurality of SCGs. The first message carries the SCG status information of the second SCG among the plurality of SCGs. The plurality of SCGs also includes other SCGs besides the second SCG. The SCG status of the other SCGs is determined based on the SCG status of the second SCG.

32. The terminal device as described in claim 31, characterized in that, The first message includes the SCG status information of the plurality of SCGs.

33. The terminal device as described in claim 32, characterized in that, The first message contains a mapping relationship between the identifier of each SCG and the SCG status information of each SCG.

34. The terminal device as described in claim 31, characterized in that, The SCG state of the other SCGs is the same as that of the second SCG.

35. The terminal device as described in claim 31 or 34, characterized in that, The second SCG is the SCG to which the terminal device first executes the CPAC process during the multiple CPAC processes, and which is the PSCell to which it belongs.

36. The terminal device as described in claim 31, characterized in that, The first CPAC configuration includes the SCG status of the third SCG. The third SCG is the SCG to which the terminal device first executes the CPAC process change during the multiple CPAC processes. The SCG status of the other SCGs among the multiple SCGs, excluding the third SCG, is predefined.

37. The terminal device as described in claim 31, characterized in that, The receiving unit is further configured to: The first SCG configuration information sent by the MN is received. The first SCG configuration information includes the first message. The first SCG configuration information is sent by the SN to the MN.

38. The terminal device as described in claim 31, characterized in that, The receiving unit is further configured to: The system receives the second SCG configuration information sent by the MN, which includes the first message.

39. The terminal device as described in claim 31, characterized in that, During the multiple CPAC processes, each time the terminal device executes the CPAC process to change from the source SCG to the target SCG of the target PSCell, the SCG state of the target SCG is determined based on the SCG state of the source SCG.

40. The terminal device as described in claim 39, characterized in that, The target SCG has the same SCG state as the source SCG.

41. The terminal device as described in claim 31, characterized in that, The SCG state of the first SCG is deactivated. The communication unit is further configured to communicate with the SN based on the deactivated state after the terminal device sends the first random access channel RACH to the SN through the first SCG.

42. The terminal device as described in claim 31, characterized in that, The SCG state of the first SCG is in the deactivated state. The communication unit is further configured to: if the terminal device sends a second RACH to the SN through the first SCG and the contention is successfully resolved, communicate with the SN based on the deactivated state.

43. The terminal device as described in claim 42, characterized in that, The communication unit is also used for If the terminal device sends a second RACH to the SN through the first SCG, the contention is successfully resolved, and no second message is received within a preset time period, the terminal device communicates with the SN based on the deactivated state. The second message is used to indicate the SCG state of the first SCG.

44. An auxiliary node SN, characterized in that, include: A communication unit is used to communicate with a terminal device based on the SCG status of a first secondary cell group (SCG). The first SCG belongs to multiple SCGs, which are SCGs belonging to multiple primary and secondary cell PSCells to which the terminal device performs multiple CPAC process changes based on the first condition primary and secondary cell addition / change CPAC configuration. Wherein, the SCG status of at least some of the SCGs is indicated by the master node MN or the SN; A sending unit is configured to send a first message to the terminal device when the SCG status of the plurality of SCGs is indicated by the SN. The first message is used to determine the SCG status of the plurality of SCGs. The first message carries the SCG status information of the second SCG among the plurality of SCGs. The plurality of SCGs also includes other SCGs besides the second SCG. The SCG status of the other SCGs is determined based on the SCG status of the second SCG.

45. The auxiliary node as described in claim 44, characterized in that, The first message includes the status information of the SCGs of the plurality of SCGs.

46. ​​The auxiliary node as described in claim 45, characterized in that, The first message contains a mapping relationship between the identifier of each SCG and the SCG status information of each SCG.

47. The auxiliary node as described in claim 44, characterized in that, The SCG state of the other SCGs is the same as that of the second SCG.

48. The auxiliary node as described in claim 44 or 47, characterized in that, The second SCG is the SCG to which the terminal device first executes the CPAC process during the multiple CPAC processes, and which is the PSCell to which it belongs.

49. The auxiliary node as described in claim 44, characterized in that, The first CPAC configuration includes the SCG status of the third SCG. The third SCG is the SCG to which the terminal device first executes the CPAC process change during the multiple CPAC processes. The SCG status of the other SCGs among the multiple SCGs, excluding the third SCG, is predefined.

50. The auxiliary node as described in claim 44, characterized in that, The transmitting unit is used for: The MN sends first SCG configuration information to the terminal device, the first SCG configuration information including the first message.

51. The auxiliary node as described in claim 44, characterized in that, During the multiple CPAC processes, each time the terminal device executes the CPAC process to change from the source SCG to the target SCG of the target PSCell, the SCG state of the target SCG is determined based on the SCG state of the source SCG.

52. The auxiliary node as described in claim 51, characterized in that, The target SCG has the same SCG state as the source SCG.

53. The auxiliary node as described in claim 44, characterized in that, The first SCG is in a deactivated state, and the communication unit is used for: After the SN receives the first random access channel RACH sent by the terminal device through the first SCG, it communicates with the terminal device based on the deactivated state.

54. The auxiliary node as described in claim 44, characterized in that, The first SCG is in a deactivated state, and the communication unit is used for: If the SN receives the second RACH sent by the terminal device through the first SCG, and the contention conflict of the terminal device is successfully resolved, it communicates with the terminal device based on the deactivated state.

55. A master node MN, characterized in that, include: The sending unit is configured to send a first message to the terminal device. The first message is used to determine the SCG status of at least some SCGs in a plurality of secondary cell groups (SCGs). The plurality of SCGs are SCGs belonging to a plurality of primary and secondary cell PSCells to which the terminal device performs multiple CPAC procedural changes based on a first condition for primary and secondary cell addition / change CPAC configuration. The first message carries the SCG status information of a second SCG among the plurality of SCGs. The plurality of SCGs also includes other SCGs besides the second SCG, and the SCG status of the other SCGs is determined based on the SCG status of the second SCG.

56. The master node as described in claim 55, characterized in that, The first message includes the SCG status information of the plurality of SCGs.

57. The master node as described in claim 56, characterized in that, The first message contains a mapping relationship between the identifier of each SCG and the SCG status information of each SCG.

58. The master node as described in claim 55, characterized in that, The SCG state of the other SCGs is the same as that of the second SCG.

59. The master node as described in claim 55 or 58, characterized in that, The second SCG is the SCG to which the terminal device first executes the CPAC process during the multiple CPAC processes, and which is the PSCell to which it belongs.

60. The master node as described in claim 55, characterized in that, The first CPAC configuration includes the SCG status of the third SCG. The third SCG is the SCG to which the terminal device first executes the CPAC process change during the multiple CPAC processes. The SCG status of the other SCGs among the multiple SCGs, excluding the third SCG, is predefined.

61. A terminal device, characterized in that, It includes a memory and a processor, the memory being used to store a program, and the processor being used to invoke the program in the memory to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-13.

62. An auxiliary node, characterized in that, It includes a memory and a processor, the memory being used to store a program, and the processor being used to invoke the program in the memory to perform the method as described in any one of claims 14-24.

63. A master node, characterized in that, It includes a memory and a processor, the memory being used to store a program, and the processor being used to invoke the program in the memory to perform the method as described in any one of claims 25-30.

64. A chip, characterized in that, Includes a processor for calling a program from memory, causing a device on which the chip is mounted to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-13.

65. A chip, characterized in that, Includes a processor for calling a program from memory, causing a device on which the chip is mounted to perform the method as described in any one of claims 14-24.

66. A chip, characterized in that, Includes a processor for calling a program from memory, causing a device on which the chip is mounted to perform the method as described in any one of claims 25-30.

67. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It contains a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-13.

68. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It contains a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 14-24.

69. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It contains a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 25-30.

70. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-13.

71. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 14-24.

72. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 25-30.

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