Timing advance measurement method and apparatus, communication device, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a measurement method and device for timing advance, a communication device and a storage medium, and relates to the technical field of mobile communication. Before switching from a serving cell to a target cell, a UE can receive configuration information and measure a timing advance TA value of a candidate cell according to the configuration information. The present disclosure provides a scheme for measuring the TA value of the candidate cell before the UE switches the cell, and the TA value of the UE to each candidate cell is obtained in advance during TA management, so that the fast cell switching is realized and the time overhead of switching is reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of mobile communication, and particularly relates to a timing advance measurement method and device, a communication device and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the increasing requirement of communication technology on mobility maintenance, a dynamic handover procedure is considered to be introduced. In the dynamic handover, a base station maintains multiple candidate cells for a user equipment, and selects a target cell for the user equipment in the candidate cells. Since the timing advance (TA) values of the cells can be different, the handover procedure still has a large handover delay. SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure provides a timing advance measurement method and device, a communication device and a storage medium, which aims to provide a scheme for measuring TA values of candidate cells before a UE switches to a cell.

[0004] The first aspect embodiment of the present disclosure provides a timing advance measurement method, which is performed by a user equipment (UE), and the method comprises: receiving configuration information before the UE switches from a serving cell to a target cell; and measuring a timing advance (TA) value of a candidate cell according to the configuration information, wherein the target cell is selected from the candidate cell.

[0005] In some embodiments, the measuring of the TA value of the candidate cell according to the configuration information comprises: measuring the TA value of the candidate cell according to the configuration information at any of the following time nodes: when a measurement period arrives, wherein the configuration information comprises the measurement period; when the configuration information is received; when an instruction of updating the TA of the serving cell is received; and when an instruction of updating the TA of the serving cell is not received within a preset time period.

[0006] In some embodiments, the configuration information further comprises an identifier of the candidate cell.

[0007] In some embodiments, the measuring of the TA value of the candidate cell according to the configuration information comprises: performing beam measurement on all candidate cells, and obtaining a beam measurement result; selecting a cell that needs to be measured from the all candidate cells based on the beam measurement result; and measuring the TA value of the selected cell.

[0008] In some embodiments, selecting, based on the beam measurement results, the cells that need to be measured from the all candidate cells comprises: selecting a candidate cell whose beam measurement results satisfy at least one of the following conditions as a cell that needs to be measured: the best beam measurement result of the candidate cell is greater than a sum of the best beam measurement result of the serving cell and a bias value; an average of the beam measurement results of the candidate cell is greater than a sum of the average of the beam measurement results of the serving cell and a bias value; the average or the maximum of the beam measurement results of the candidate cell is greater than a preset threshold; the beam measurement results of the candidate cell belong to a top predetermined number in a result list, wherein the result list comprises beam measurement results of all candidate cells in descending order.

[0009] In some embodiments, the configuration information comprises a measurement reference signal, a fixed time difference T0 between the candidate cell and the serving cell, and the method further comprises: determining, based on the measurement reference signal, a downlink time difference AT between the candidate cell and the serving cell; determining the TA value of the candidate cell according to the TA value of the serving cell, the fixed time difference T0 and the downlink time difference AT.

[0010] In some embodiments, the determining, based on the measurement reference signal, the downlink time difference AT between the candidate cell and the serving cell comprises: determining, based on the measurement reference signal, a downlink transmission delay T2 of the candidate cell; determining the downlink time difference AT based on a downlink transmission delay T1 of the serving cell and the downlink transmission delay T2 of the candidate cell.

[0011] A second aspect embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for measuring timing advance, which is performed by a network device, and the method comprises: sending configuration information to a user equipment (UE), wherein the configuration information is used to assist the UE in measuring a timing advance (TA) value of a candidate cell before the UE switches from a serving cell to a target cell.

[0012] In some embodiments, the configuration information comprises at least one of a measurement reference signal, a fixed time difference T0 between the candidate cell and the serving cell, a measurement period, and an identity of the candidate cell to be measured.

[0013] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: sending an instruction to update the TA of the serving cell to the UE.

[0014] A third aspect embodiment of the present disclosure provides a device for measuring timing advance, which comprises: a transceiver module configured to receive configuration information before the UE switches from a serving cell to a target cell; and a measurement module configured to measure a timing advance (TA) value of a candidate cell according to the configuration information.

[0015] The fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a timing advance measurement device, comprising: a transceiver configured to send configuration information to a user equipment (UE), wherein the configuration information is used to assist the UE to measure a timing advance (TA) value of a candidate cell before switching from a serving cell to a target cell.

[0016] The fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides a communication device, comprising: a transceiver; a memory; and a processor connected with the transceiver and the memory respectively, configured to control the transceiver to receive and send wireless signals by executing computer executable instructions stored in the memory, and implement the method in the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0017] The sixth aspect of the present disclosure provides a computer storage medium, wherein the computer storage medium stores computer executable instructions; and the computer executable instructions are executed by a processor to implement the method in the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0018] The seventh aspect of the present disclosure provides a communication system, comprising a user equipment (UE) and a network device, wherein the UE implements the method in the first aspect of the present disclosure, and the network device implements the method in the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0019] According to the timing advance measurement method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE can receive configuration information before switching from a serving cell to a target cell, and measure a timing advance (TA) value of a candidate cell according to the configuration information. The present disclosure provides a scheme for measuring the TA value of a candidate cell before the UE switches a cell, and obtains the TA value of the UE to each candidate cell in advance during TA management, so as to realize fast cell switching and reduce the time cost of switching.

[0020] Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be described in part in the description that follows, and will become apparent from the description, or will be learned by practice according to the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent and be readily understood from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a UE switching a cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 2 A flowchart of a timing advance measurement method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 3A flowchart of a measurement method of timing advance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 4 A flowchart of a measurement method of timing advance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 5 A flowchart of a measurement method of timing advance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 6 A flowchart of a measurement method of timing advance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 7 A flowchart of a measurement method of timing advance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 8 A flowchart of a measurement method of timing advance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 9 A flowchart of a measurement method of timing advance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 10 A flowchart of a measurement method of timing advance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 11 A flowchart of a measurement method of timing advance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 12 A flowchart of a measurement method of timing advance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 13 A flowchart of a measurement method of timing advance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 14 A flowchart of a measurement method of timing advance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 15 A flowchart of a measurement method of timing advance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 16 A flowchart of a measurement method of timing advance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 17 A flowchart of a measurement method of timing advance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 18A structural schematic diagram of a chip is provided for an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which examples of embodiments are shown, and in which like or similar designations denote like or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below by reference to the drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the present disclosure, and cannot be understood as a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0041] With the increasing requirement of communication technology on mobility maintenance, it is considered to introduce a dynamic handover procedure, for example, to determine whether to perform handover based on layer 1 measurement results, i.e., beam measurement results, to reduce the latency of the handover procedure. In the dynamic handover procedure, the base station maintains multiple candidate cells for the user equipment (UE), and determines whether to handover and which candidate cell to be the target cell according to the beam measurement results. Since the TA values of different cells may be different, in order to further reduce the latency of handover, it is considered to measure the TA values of each candidate cell in advance. In R18, L1 / L2 based inter-cell mobility is proposed, in which the TA values of the user equipment to the serving cell and to the candidate cell may be different. Generally speaking, when handover to a cell with different TA values, random access is needed to synchronize to the target cell.

[0042] In order to complete the handover as soon as possible, in the present disclosure, it is considered to obtain the TA values of the UE to each candidate cell in advance, so that the target cell can be accessed as soon as possible when handover.

[0043] The present disclosure proposes a timing-advanced measurement method, device, communication equipment, storage medium and communication system, aiming to provide a TA measurement method, and discusses measuring the TA values of the UE to each candidate cell before the UE performs cell handover, so as to realize fast handover.

[0044] It can be understood that the scheme provided by the present disclosure can be applied to, but is not limited to, the 5G core network and the core network supporting subsequent communication technologies thereof, such as long term evolution technology (LTE), fifth generation mobile communication technology evolution (5G-advanced), sixth generation mobile communication technology (Sixth Generation, 6G) and the like, which are not limited in the present disclosure.

[0045] The scheme provided by the present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] Figure 2A flowchart of a measurement method of timing advance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The method is performed by a UE.

[0047] The UE described in the present disclosure includes, but is not limited to, a smart terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handset, a mobile unit, a vehicle, a vehicle-mounted device, etc.

[0048] As shown in the method can include the following steps. Figure 2

[0049] S201, before the UE switches from a serving cell to a target cell, receiving configuration information.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the serving cell can be a cell that is currently providing services to the UE, or can be understood as a cell that covers the UE. The target cell can be another cell that the UE will move to from the serving cell due to movement, or can be understood as a cell that will be switched from the current serving cell. The target cell can be a cell that provides services to the UE determined or selected from candidate cells. The candidate cell can be a cell maintained by the network device for the UE according to layer 3 measurement (in the art, it can be a measurement related to mobility in radio resource management (Radio Resource Management)). The candidate cell is managed by high layer signaling.

[0051] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE can receive the configuration information from the network device. For example, in some optional embodiments, the network device in the embodiment of the present disclosure is an entity for transmitting or receiving signals on the network side. For example, the network device can be an evolved NodeB (eNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in an NR system, a base station in other future mobile communication systems, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, etc. The embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit the specific technology and specific device form of the network device. The network device provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), wherein the CU can also be referred to as a control unit. The CU-DU structure can split the protocol layer of the network device, such as a base station, and place part of the protocol layer functions in the CU for centralized control, and the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and controlled by the CU.

[0052] ​In some optional embodiments of the present disclosure, the present disclosure does not limit the subject of the sending of the configuration information, and the UE can also receive the configuration information from other devices.

[0053] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the configuration information is used to assist the UE to perform TA measurement. For example, the configuration information can include, but is not limited to, at least one of a measurement reference signal, a fixed time difference T0 between a candidate cell and a serving cell, an identification of the candidate cell, and a measurement period, for measuring a TA value of the UE to each candidate cell, and the present disclosure does not limit the specific parameters included in the configuration information.

[0054] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE can receive the configuration information through various carriers or in various transmission manners, and different configuration information can also be transmitted through the same or different signaling, which is not limited in the present disclosure. For example, the configuration information can be sent through any one of a system message, UE-specific Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control Control Element (MAC CE) signaling, and physical layer signaling (such as Downlink Control Information (DCI)). For example, when the network device sends a system message, UE-specific RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, or DCI signaling to the UE, the above-mentioned configuration information is carried in the signaling, thereby being sent to the UE.

[0055] In some optional embodiments, the network device can send physical layer signaling (such as Downlink Control Information (DCI)) to the UE, and the physical layer signaling includes an information field value, which is used to assist the UE to determine the configuration information. In other words, the UE can determine the configuration information according to the information field value indicated by the network device and the corresponding relationship between the information threshold and the configuration information. It can be understood that the above-mentioned corresponding relationship can be pre-defined in the UE, or can be notified to the UE by the network device.

[0056] In the above two optional embodiments, the configuration information can include one or more information, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0057] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the configuration information can be sent in an explicit or implicit manner, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0058] S202, measuring a TA value of the candidate cell according to the configuration information.

[0059] In the present disclosure, the UE can measure the TA value of the candidate cell according to the received configuration information, wherein the present disclosure does not limit the object of measurement, the timing of measurement and the measurement method.

[0060] For example, the UE can measure the TA value of all candidate cells, or measure the TA value of the candidate cell indicated in the configuration information according to the candidate cell identifier indicated in the configuration information.

[0061] For another example, the UE can measure when receiving the configuration information, or measure at other timing.

[0062] For another example, the UE can measure the TA according to the parameter in the configuration information, or measure by other measurement method.

[0063] In summary, according to the measurement method of timing advance provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE can receive configuration information before the UE switches from a serving cell to a target cell, and measure the timing advance TA value of the candidate cell according to the configuration information. The present disclosure provides a scheme for measuring the TA value of the candidate cell before the UE switches the cell, and obtains the TA value of the UE to each candidate cell in advance when managing the TA, so as to realize fast cell switching and reduce the time overhead of switching.

[0064] Regarding Figure 2 In the implementation of step S202 in the embodiments shown, the present disclosure provides various optional ways, and the UE can measure the TA value of the candidate cell at different timing, which will be described in detail below. Figures 3 to 6

[0065] Figure 3 A flowchart of a measurement method of timing advance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The method can be performed by the UE, and based on Figure 2 As shown in the embodiments shown in Figure 3 The method can include the following steps.

[0066] S301, before the UE switches from a serving cell to a target cell, receiving configuration information.

[0067] The principle of the above step S301 is the same as that of step S201 in the embodiments shown, and will not be described here. Figure 2

[0068] S302, when the measurement period arrives, measuring the TA value of the candidate cell according to the configuration information.

[0069] ​​In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE can periodically measure the TA value of the candidate cell. Wherein, the configuration information can include the measurement period, and the configuration information can be indicated by the network device. In other words, the network device can indicate the UE with the period of TA measurement, which can be a fixed period.

[0070] The length of the period is not limited in the present disclosure, and can be set according to the actual communication situation. For example, when the UE moves quickly, the measurement period can be appropriately shortened to achieve the quick switching of the cell in the fast movement.

[0071] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be measured by the UE according to the indicated measurement period. The UE can receive the configuration information before the UE switches from the serving cell to the target cell, and measure the timing advance TA value of the candidate cell according to the configuration information every time the measurement period comes according to the measurement period included in the configuration information. The present disclosure provides a scheme for measuring the TA value of the candidate cell before the UE switches the cell, and the TA value of the UE to each candidate cell is obtained in advance when managing the TA, which realizes the fast cell switching and reduces the time overhead of the switching. In addition, the UE can periodically measure the TA, and the measurement period can be set according to the actual situation, which improves the efficiency and accuracy of the TA measurement.

[0072] Figure 4 A flowchart of a timing advance measurement method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The method can be performed by the UE, based on Figure 2 As shown in the embodiment, the method can include the following steps. Figure 4

[0073] S401, before the UE switches from the serving cell to the target cell, receiving configuration information.

[0074] The principle of the above step S401 is the same as that of step S201 in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 The principle of the above step S401 is the same as that of step S201 in the embodiment shown in

[0075] S402, when receiving the configuration information, measuring the TA value of the candidate cell according to the configuration information.

[0076] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE can measure the TA value of the candidate cell when receiving the configuration information. In other words, the UE can measure the TA in real time in response to receiving the configuration information.

[0077] ​In embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE can receive configuration information before switching from a serving cell to a target cell, and measure a timing advance (TA) value of a candidate cell according to the configuration information at a time when the configuration information is received. The present disclosure provides a scheme for measuring a TA value of a candidate cell before a UE switches a cell, and obtaining a TA value of the UE to each candidate cell in advance when managing the TA, so as to realize fast cell switching and reduce time overhead of switching. In addition, the UE can perform TA measurement in real time in response to receiving the configuration information, thereby improving the response accuracy of TA measurement.

[0078] Figure 5 A flowchart of a timing advance measurement method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The method can be performed by a UE, and is based on Figure 2 As shown in the embodiment, the method can include the following steps. Figure 5 S501, before the UE switches from a serving cell to a target cell, receiving configuration information.

[0079] The principle of step S501 is the same as that of step S201 in the embodiment shown, and will not be described here.

[0080] Figure 2 S502, when receiving an instruction to update a TA of the serving cell, measuring a TA value of a candidate cell according to the configuration information.

[0081] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE can measure a TA value of a candidate cell when receiving an instruction to update a TA value of a serving cell. It can be understood that the TA value of the serving cell currently covering the UE can change, and the UE can update the TA value of the serving cell in response to the update instruction. The flow of measuring the TA value of the candidate cell is triggered.

[0082] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the instruction to update the TA of the serving cell can be sent by a network device, or can be sent by other devices or subjects, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0083] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the instruction to update the TA of the serving cell can be sent by a network device, or can be sent by other devices or subjects, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0084] ​Embodiments of the present disclosure can cause the UE to perform TA measurement of the candidate cell in response to the TA instruction of updating the serving cell, the UE can receive configuration information before switching from the serving cell to the target cell, and measure the timing advance TA value of the candidate cell according to the configuration information when receiving the instruction of updating the TA of the serving cell. The present disclosure provides a scheme for measuring the TA value of the candidate cell before the UE switches the cell, and obtains the TA value of the UE to each candidate cell in advance when managing the TA, so as to realize fast cell switching and reduce the time overhead of switching. In addition, the UE can perform TA measurement of the candidate cell in response to receiving the instruction of updating the TA of the serving cell, which increases the possibility of measurement occasion for the UE to measure the TA value of the candidate cell in advance, and the UE does not need to respond to the special instruction of measuring the TA value of the candidate cell, thereby reducing the communication consumption.

[0085] Figure 6 A flowchart of a timing advance measurement method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The method can be performed by a UE, based on Figure 2 and Figure 5 The method can include the following steps, as shown in Figure 6 .

[0086] S601, receiving configuration information before the UE switches from a serving cell to a target cell.

[0087] The principle of step S601 is the same as that of step S201 in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 , which will not be described here.

[0088] S602, measuring the TA value of the candidate cell according to the configuration information when no instruction of updating the TA of the serving cell is received within a preset time period.

[0089] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a maximum time interval T is introduced, which can be a default value or configured in the configuration information. If no instruction of updating the TA of the serving cell is received within T, the user will perform TA measurement of the candidate cell once.

[0090] For example, based on the embodiment shown in Figure 5 , a time period can be preset for the UE, within which the UE can perform TA measurement of the candidate cell in response to the instruction of updating the TA of the serving cell when the UE receives the instruction; and the UE can perform TA measurement of the candidate cell at the end of the time period when no instruction of updating the TA of the serving cell is received within the time period.

[0091] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the preset time period can be configured by a network device, or configured by other devices or subjects, or determined by the UE and the network device through a protocol, or preset by the UE itself, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0092] It can be understood that after the preset time period elapses and the UE performs the TA measurement on the candidate cell, a new round of timing of the preset time period can be restarted, and the TA measurement on the candidate cell can be performed again when the preset time period elapses for the second time. In some optional embodiments, when the UE receives the TA update instruction of the serving cell, the TA measurement on the candidate cell can be performed again, and the timing of the new round of the preset time period can be restarted.

[0093] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the instruction for updating the TA of the serving cell can be sent by the network device, or can be sent by another device or subject, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0094] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be performed by the UE in response to the fact that no instruction for updating the TA of the serving cell is received within the preset time period. Before the UE switches from the serving cell to the target cell, the UE can receive the configuration information, and when the preset time period elapses and no instruction for updating the TA of the serving cell is received within the preset time period, the UE can measure the TA value of the timing advance of the candidate cell according to the configuration information. The present disclosure provides a scheme for measuring the TA value of the candidate cell before the UE switches the cell, and the TA value of the UE to each candidate cell is obtained in advance during the TA management, so that the fast cell switching is realized, and the time cost of switching is reduced. In addition, the UE can perform the TA measurement on the candidate cell when the preset time period elapses and no instruction for updating the TA of the serving cell is received within the preset time period, which increases the possibility of measurement occasion for the UE to measure the TA value of the candidate cell in advance, and avoids the fact that the user cannot obtain the latest TA value to the candidate cell due to the long time without receiving the instruction for updating the TA of the serving cell.

[0095] It should be understood that the above Figures 3 to 6 In the embodiments, when the sending subject of the configuration information or the instruction for updating the TA of the serving cell is the network device, it can be understood that the UE performs the TA measurement triggered by the network device. The above embodiments can be implemented alone or in different combinations.

[0096] In an example, when the UE performs the periodic measurement based on the embodiments shown in Figure 3 In the embodiments shown in Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 When the measurement period does not arrive, but the configuration information is received or the instruction for updating the TA of the serving cell is received, the UE can perform the TA measurement on the candidate cell again.

[0097] In another example, when the UE performs the TA measurement on the candidate cell once after receiving the configuration information based on the embodiments shown in Figure 4 the UE can perform the TA measurement on the candidate cell again based onFigure 5 In the embodiment shown, the TA value of the candidate cell is remeasured each time a command to update the TA of the serving cell is received.

[0098] In another example, when based on Figure 5 In the described embodiment, when the UE receives the instruction to update the serving cell TA, it performs a TA measurement of the candidate cell once, and can also... Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, if no instruction to update the TA of the serving cell is received within a preset time period, the TA value of the candidate cell is measured again.

[0099] The above are merely examples of different combinations of embodiments; any other combination falls within the protection scope of this disclosure and will not be elaborated further here.

[0100] Regarding the implementation of measuring candidate cell TA values ​​in the embodiments shown above, this disclosure provides multiple optional methods. The UE can determine which candidate cells' TA values ​​to measure through different methods, which are described below. Figure 7 and Figure 8 To elaborate further.

[0101] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating a timing advance measurement method according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown, which can be executed by a UE. Figure 7 As shown, the method may include the following steps.

[0102] S701, Before the UE switches from the serving cell to the target cell, configuration information is received.

[0103] The principle of step S701 above is the same as Figure 2 The principle of step S201 in the illustrated embodiment is the same, and will not be repeated here.

[0104] S702, Measure the TA value of the candidate cell according to the configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes the identifier of the candidate cell.

[0105] In some optional embodiments of this disclosure, the network device can instruct the UE which candidate cells need to be measured, and the UE can measure the TA value of the corresponding candidate cell in response to the network device's instruction. In this embodiment, the network device, for example, indicates the identifier of the candidate cell to the UE through configuration information, and the UE can measure the TA value of the candidate cell corresponding to the received candidate cell identifier. The configuration information may also not include the identifier of the candidate cell, in which case the network device can instruct the UE which candidate cells need to be measured through other means. Of course, when the configuration information does not include the identifier of the candidate cell, the UE can also measure all candidate cells, or the UE can determine which candidate cells to measure itself, which will be discussed in the following embodiments.

[0106] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE can measure the TA value of the corresponding candidate cell according to the identity of the candidate cell. Before the UE switches from the serving cell to the target cell, the UE can receive configuration information, and perform TA measurement according to the identity of the candidate cell included in the configuration information. The present disclosure provides a scheme for measuring the TA value of the candidate cell before the UE switches the cell, and the TA value of the UE to each candidate cell is obtained in advance during TA management, so that the fast cell switching is realized, and the time overhead of switching is reduced. In addition, the UE can measure the TA value of part of the candidate cells according to the indication of the network device, so that the blind measurement is avoided, and the overhead of measuring the TA is reduced.

[0107] Figure 8 A flowchart of a timing advance measurement method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, which can be performed by a UE. As shown in the figure, the method can include the following steps. Figure 8

[0108] S801, before the UE switches from the serving cell to the target cell, receiving configuration information.

[0109] The principle of the above step S801 is the same as that of step S201 in the embodiment shown in the figure, and will not be described here. Figure 2

[0110] S802, performing beam measurement on all candidate cells, and obtaining a beam measurement result.

[0111] In the present embodiment, the UE can decide by itself which candidate cell to measure the TA value of, without the indication of the network device. For example, the UE can perform beam measurement on all candidate cells indicated or configured by the network device or other devices, and obtain the beam measurement result of each candidate cell.

[0112] S803, selecting a cell to be measured from all candidate cells based on the beam measurement result.

[0113] In the present embodiment, the UE itself can select a candidate cell that meets certain conditions to be measured according to the beam measurement result of the candidate cell. Specifically, assuming that all candidate cells configured or indicated by the network device or other devices are N, the UE obtains the beam measurement result of all candidate cells by performing beam measurement on all candidate cells, and selects a candidate cell that meets the conditions, for example, selects M cells to be measured for TA measurement. It can be understood that N can be greater than or equal to M.

[0114] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE can select a cell to be measured from all candidate cells in various ways.

[0115] ​​In the first optional example, a candidate cell is selected as a cell to be measured for TA measurement, with the condition that the best beam measurement result of the candidate cell is greater than the sum of the best beam measurement result of the serving cell and an offset, i.e., with the condition that candidate cell best beam measurement result > serving cell best beam measurement result + offset. Specifically, the offset can be 0 or a non-zero value, which can be set according to actual communication conditions and is not limited in the disclosure. In addition, a candidate cell satisfying the condition that the best beam measurement result is equal to the sum of the best beam measurement result of the serving cell and the offset can also be selected as a cell to be measured for TA measurement.

[0116] In the second optional example, a candidate cell is selected as a cell to be measured for TA measurement, with the condition that the average of the beam measurement results of the candidate cell is greater than the sum of the average of the beam measurement results of the serving cell and an offset, i.e., with the condition that candidate cell beam measurement result average > serving cell beam measurement result average + offset. In addition, a candidate cell satisfying the condition that the average of the beam measurement results is equal to the sum of the average of the beam measurement results of the serving cell and the offset can also be selected as a cell to be measured for TA measurement.

[0117] In the third optional example, a candidate cell is selected as a cell to be measured for TA measurement, with the condition that the average or maximum of the beam measurement results of the candidate cell is greater than a preset threshold, i.e., with the condition that candidate cell beam measurement result average or maximum > threshold. It should be understood that the preset threshold can be set according to actual communication conditions and is not limited in the disclosure. In addition, a candidate cell satisfying the condition that the average or maximum of the beam measurement results is equal to the preset threshold can also be selected as a cell to be measured for TA measurement.

[0118] In the fourth optional example, a candidate cell is selected as a cell to be measured for TA measurement, with the condition that the beam measurement result of the candidate cell belongs to the top predetermined number in the result list, wherein the result list includes all beam measurement results of the candidate cells arranged in descending order.

[0119] It should be noted that any combination of the above four optional examples also falls within the scope of protection of this disclosure. For example, after the UE determines the cells that meet the conditions described in the first example from all candidate cells, it can then select the cells that meet the conditions described in the fourth example as the cells for which TA measurement is finally required, or select the candidate cells that meet some or all of the conditions described in the four examples as the cells for which TA measurement is required. This disclosure does not limit the combination of the above optional examples.

[0120] This disclosure does not limit the possible combinations of this embodiment with other embodiments.

[0121] It should be understood that the above description is only illustrative and does not imply any limitation on this disclosure. Other conditions and methods by which the UE can determine candidate cells are within the scope of protection of this disclosure. The conditions for determining candidate cells can be set according to the actual communication situation and are not limited in this disclosure.

[0122] S804, Measure the TA value of the candidate cell.

[0123] In the embodiments of this disclosure, the UE can determine which candidate cells need to be measured. Specifically, the UE can perform beam measurement on all candidate cells and select the cells for TA measurement based on the beam measurement results of all candidate cells and certain judgment conditions. This disclosure provides a scheme for measuring the TA values ​​of candidate cells before the UE hands over a cell. By obtaining the TA values ​​of the UE to each candidate cell in advance during TA management, fast cell handover can be achieved, reducing handover time overhead. In addition, the UE can decide which candidate cells to select for TA measurement based on the beam measurement results of different cells, reducing the overhead of TA measurement.

[0124] It should be understood that the above Figures 7-8 The illustrated embodiment specifically describes how the UE determines which candidate cells' TA values ​​to measure, which can be implemented independently or in conjunction with... Figures 3-6 The embodiments shown are implemented in combination. For example, this disclosure can be used in... Figures 3-6 Any one or more measurement opportunities shown, the measurement is performed through Figures 7-8 Any combination of the TA values ​​of candidate cells determined by any one or more methods shown falls within the protection scope of this disclosure, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0125] Regarding the implementation of measuring the TA value of candidate cells in the embodiments shown above, this disclosure provides multiple optional methods. The UE can measure the TA value of candidate cells through different measurement methods, which are described below. Figure 9 To elaborate further.

[0126] Figure 9A flowchart of a method for timing advance measurement is shown, which can be performed by a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 9 , the method can include the following steps.

[0127] S901, receiving configuration information before the UE switches from a serving cell to a target cell.

[0128] The principle of step S901 is the same as that of step S201 in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 , which will not be described here.

[0129] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the configuration information can include a measurement reference signal and a fixed time difference T0 between the candidate cell and the serving cell.

[0130] S902, determining a downlink time difference ΔT between the candidate cell and the serving cell based on the measurement reference signal.

[0131] Specifically, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE receives a measurement reference signal in the configuration information, and based on the measurement reference signal, the UE can determine the downlink transmission delay T2 of the candidate cell, as shown in Figure 10 . Then, the UE determines the downlink time difference ΔT based on the downlink transmission delay T1 of the serving cell and the downlink transmission delay T2 of the candidate cell.

[0132] It should be understood that in some optional embodiments of the present disclosure, the measurement reference signal can not be included in the configuration information, and the UE can also determine the downlink transmission delay T2 of the candidate cell through other ways, thereby determining the downlink time difference, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0133] S903, determining the TA value of the candidate cell according to the TA value of the serving cell, the fixed time difference T0 and the downlink time difference ΔT.

[0134] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE can obtain the TA value of the serving cell through other signaling or other ways, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0135] As shown in Figure 10 , the UE can measure the downlink time difference ΔT of the candidate cell and the serving cell, assuming that the TA of the candidate cell is TA candidatecell , and the TA of the serving cell is TA servingcell , then according to TA candidatecell = TA servingcell + 2ΔT- 2T0, the TA value of the candidate cell can be measured.

[0136] It should be understood that if the serving cell and the candidate cell are synchronized, T0 = 0; if they are not synchronized, this value is non-zero. In one optional implementation, the network device configures T0 to the UE. In other words, the network device can configure this value to the UE based on the synchronization status of the serving cell and the candidate cell. When synchronized, T0 is configured to 0; when not synchronized, T0 configured to the UE can be any non-zero value, and the UE performs measurements based on the value configured by the network device. In some optional implementations, the T0 configured by the network device to the UE can be defaulted. When the UE does not receive the value configured by the network device, the UE defaults to T0 = 0 and completes the measurement of the candidate cell TA. In other words, the network device can explicitly or implicitly configure this value to the UE, and this disclosure does not limit this.

[0137] In embodiments of this disclosure, the UE can perform TA (Transmission Time) measurement of candidate cells based on configuration information. Specifically, the configuration information received by the UE may include a measurement reference signal, a fixed time difference T0 between the candidate cell and the serving cell, and the UE can determine the TA value of the candidate cell based on the TA value of the serving cell, the fixed time difference T0, and the downlink time difference ΔT. This disclosure provides a scheme for measuring the TA value of candidate cells before the UE switches cells, obtaining the TA values ​​of the UE to each candidate cell in advance during TA management, achieving fast cell handover, and reducing handover time overhead.

[0138] It should be understood that the above Figure 9 The illustrated embodiment describes how a UE measures the TA value of a candidate cell, which can be implemented independently or in conjunction with... Figures 7-8 The embodiments shown and / or those with Figures 3-6 The embodiments shown are implemented in combination. For example, this disclosure can be used in... Figures 3-6 Any one or more measurement opportunities shown, through Figure 9 The aforementioned measurement method is used for... Figures 7-8 Any candidate cell determined by one or more of the methods shown can be subjected to TA measurement. Any combination of these methods falls within the protection scope of this disclosure, which will not be elaborated here.

[0139] Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating a timing advance measurement method according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown, which can be executed by a UE. Figure 11 As shown, the method may include the following steps.

[0140] S1101, Before the UE switches from the serving cell to the target cell, the TA value of the candidate cell is measured according to the configuration information.

[0141] In this embodiment, before the UE switches from the serving cell to the target cell, the UE can measure the TA value of the candidate cell according to the configuration information. The source of the configuration information is not limited in the present disclosure, which can be received by the UE from the network device or other devices, or can be pre-configured. The timing for the UE to measure the TA value of the candidate cell according to the configuration information in this embodiment can refer to the above Figures 3 to 6 In the manner of the embodiments, the manner in which the UE determines which candidate cell TA value to measure in this embodiment can refer to the above Figures 7 to 8 In the manner of the embodiments, the manner in which the UE measures the TA value of the candidate cell in this embodiment can refer to the above Figure 9 In the manner of the embodiments, the manner in which the UE measures the TA value of the candidate cell in this embodiment can refer to the above

[0142] In summary, according to the timing advance measurement method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE can measure the timing advance TA value of the candidate cell according to the configuration information before the UE switches from the serving cell to the target cell. The present disclosure provides a scheme for measuring the TA value of the candidate cell before the UE switches the cell, obtaining the TA value of the UE to each candidate cell in advance during TA management, realizing fast cell switching, and reducing the time overhead of switching.

[0143] Figure 12 A flowchart of a timing advance measurement method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, which can be performed by a network device.

[0144] The network device in the embodiments of the present disclosure is an entity for transmitting or receiving signals on the network side. For example, the network device can be an evolved NodeB (eNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in an NR system, a base station in other future mobile communication systems, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, etc. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the network device. The network device provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), wherein the CU can also be referred to as a control unit. The CU-DU structure can split the protocol layer of the network device, such as a base station, and place part of the protocol layer functions in the CU for centralized control, and the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and controlled by the CU.

[0145] As Figure 12 shown, the method can include the following steps.

[0146] S1201, sending configuration information to a user equipment (UE).

[0147] The configuration information is used to assist the UE to measure a timing advance (TA) value of a candidate cell before switching from a serving cell to a target cell.

[0148] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the configuration information is used to assist the UE to perform TA measurement. For example, the configuration information can include, but is not limited to, at least one of a measurement reference signal, a fixed time difference between the candidate cell and the serving cell, an identification of the candidate cell, and a measurement period, for measuring a TA value of the UE to each candidate cell. The specific parameters included in the configuration information are not limited in the present disclosure.

[0149] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE can receive the configuration information through various bearers or in various transmission manners, and different configuration information can also be transmitted through the same or different signaling. The present disclosure does not limit this. For example, the network device can send the configuration information through any one of a system message, a radio resource control (RRC) signaling dedicated to the UE, a media access control control element (MAC CE) signaling, and a physical layer signaling (e.g., a downlink control information (DCI)). In other words, when the network device sends a system message, an RRC signaling dedicated to the UE, a MAC CE signaling, or a DCI signaling to the UE, the above-mentioned configuration information is carried in the system message, the RRC signaling dedicated to the UE, the MAC CE signaling, or the DCI signaling, and is thus sent to the UE.

[0150] In some optional embodiments, the network device can send a physical layer signaling (e.g., a DCI) to the UE, and the physical layer signaling includes an information field value used to assist the UE to determine the configuration information. In other words, the UE can determine the configuration information according to the information field value indicated by the network device and a corresponding relationship between the information field value and the configuration information. It can be understood that the above-mentioned corresponding relationship can be predefined in the UE or can be notified to the UE by the network device.

[0151] In the above two optional embodiments, the configuration information can include one or more information, which are not limited in the present disclosure.

[0152] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the configuration information can be sent in an explicit or implicit manner, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0153] Specifically, in an optional embodiment, the configuration information sent by the network device to the UE can include a measurement reference signal, which can be used by the UE to determine the downlink time difference ΔT between the candidate cell and the serving cell, for the UE to measure the TA value of the candidate cell.

[0154] In another optional embodiment, the configuration information sent by the network device to the UE can include a fixed time difference T0 between the candidate cell and the serving cell. If the serving cell and the candidate cell are synchronized, T0=0; if not, the value is non-zero. In an optional embodiment, T0 is configured by the network device to the UE. In other words, the network device can configure the value to the UE according to the synchronization of the serving cell and the candidate cell. When synchronized, T0=0 is configured to the UE; when not synchronized, T0 configured to the UE can be any non-zero value, and the UE measures according to the value configured by the network device. In some optional embodiments, T0 configured by the network device to the UE can be default. When the UE does not receive the value configured by the network device, the UE defaults T0=0 and completes the measurement of the TA of the candidate cell. In other words, the network device can explicitly or implicitly configure the value to the UE, which is not limited by the present disclosure.

[0155] In another optional embodiment, the configuration information sent by the network device to the UE can include a measurement period, which can be a fixed period, and the measurement period is used by the UE to periodically measure the TA value of the candidate cell.

[0156] In another optional embodiment, the configuration information sent by the network device to the UE can include an identification of the candidate cell, which can indicate that the UE only measures the TA value of these candidate cells.

[0157] It should be understood that the above several optional embodiments can be combined in any way, i.e., the configuration information can include one or more of the above parameters, which is not limited herein.

[0158] In summary, according to the timing advance measurement method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the network device can send configuration information to the UE, which can assist the UE to measure the timing advance TA value of the candidate cell before switching from the serving cell to the target cell. The present disclosure provides a scheme for measuring the TA value of the candidate cell before the UE switches the cell, which can obtain the TA value of the UE to each candidate cell in advance when managing the TA, and realize fast cell switching and reduce the time overhead of switching.

[0159] Figure 13 A flowchart of a timing advance measurement method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The method is performed by a network device, based on Figure 12 As shown in the embodiment shown in Figure 13 The method can include the following steps.

[0160] S1301, sending configuration information to a user equipment (UE), wherein the configuration information is used to assist the UE to measure a timing advance (TA) value of a candidate cell before switching from a serving cell to a target cell.

[0161] The configuration information comprises at least one of a measurement reference signal, a fixed time difference T0 between the candidate cell and the serving cell, a measurement period, and an identity of the candidate cell to be measured.

[0162] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the configuration information comprises at least one of a measurement reference signal, a fixed time difference T0 between the candidate cell and the serving cell, a measurement period, and an identity of the candidate cell to be measured.

[0163] Specifically, in an optional embodiment, the configuration information sent by the network device to the UE can comprise a measurement reference signal, which can be used by the UE to determine a downlink time difference AT between the candidate cell and the serving cell, for the UE to measure the TA value of the candidate cell.

[0164] In another optional embodiment, the configuration information sent by the network device to the UE can comprise a fixed time difference T0 between the candidate cell and the serving cell, wherein if the serving cell and the candidate cell are synchronized, T0=0; if not, the value is non-zero. In an optional embodiment, T0 is configured by the network device to the UE. In other words, the network device can configure the value to the UE according to the synchronization of the serving cell and the candidate cell, and when synchronized, T0=0 is configured to the UE; when not synchronized, T0 configured to the UE can be any non-zero value, and the UE measures according to the value configured by the network device. In some optional embodiments, T0 configured by the network device to the UE can be default, and when the UE does not receive the value configured by the network device, the UE defaults T0=0 and completes the measurement of the TA of the candidate cell. In other words, the network device can explicitly or implicitly configure the value to the UE, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0165] In another optional embodiment, the configuration information sent by the network device to the UE can comprise a measurement period, which can be a fixed period, and the measurement period is used by the UE to periodically measure the TA value of the candidate cell.

[0166] In another optional embodiment, the configuration information sent by the network device to the UE can comprise an identity of the candidate cell, which indicates that the UE only measures the TA value of these candidate cells.

[0167] It should be understood that the above several optional embodiments can be combined in any manner, i.e., the configuration information can comprise one or more of the above parameters, which is not limited herein.

[0168] S1302, sending an instruction to update the TA of the serving cell to the UE.

[0169] In one optional embodiment of this disclosure, the network device may send a command to the UE to update the TA of the serving cell. This command may also be used to trigger the UE to perform measurements on candidate cells.

[0170] In summary, according to the timing advance measurement method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure, the network device can send configuration information to the UE. This configuration information can assist the UE in measuring the timing advance TA value of candidate cells before handing over from the serving cell to the target cell. This disclosure provides a scheme for measuring the TA value of candidate cells before the UE hands over a cell. By obtaining the TA values ​​of the UE to each candidate cell in advance during TA management, fast cell handover is achieved, reducing handover time overhead. Furthermore, the network device can instruct the UE to measure only a portion of the candidate cell TA values, or to measure the TA values ​​of candidate cells only at specific times, through configuration information or other triggering signaling, thereby reducing the overhead of TA measurement.

[0171] Figure 14 An interactive schematic diagram of a timing advance measurement method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. For example... Figure 14 As shown, this embodiment involves data / signaling interaction between the network device and the user equipment (UE) during the execution of a timing advance measurement method. Figures 1 to 13 The embodiment shown includes the following steps.

[0172] S1401, the network device sends configuration information to the UE.

[0173] S1402, Before the UE switches from the serving cell to the target cell, it measures the timing advance TA value of the candidate cell according to the configuration information.

[0174] The above steps S1401-S1402 and Figures 1 to 13 The steps described herein are similar in principle; see relevant descriptions for details. Figures 1 to 13 This will not be elaborated upon here.

[0175] In summary, according to the timing advance measurement method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure, the network device can send configuration information to the UE, and the UE can measure the timing advance TA value of the candidate cell based on the configuration information before handing over from the serving cell to the target cell. This disclosure provides a scheme for measuring the TA value of the candidate cell before the UE hands over the cell, obtaining the TA value of the UE to each candidate cell in advance during TA management, realizing fast cell handover and reducing handover time overhead.

[0176] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is introduced on the network device side and the user equipment side respectively. In order to realize the functions in the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the network device and the user equipment can include hardware structures, software modules, and realize the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or hardware structures plus software modules. Some of the above functions can be executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or hardware structures plus software modules.

[0177] Corresponding to the measurement method of timing advance provided by the above several embodiments, the present disclosure also provides a measurement device of timing advance. Since the measurement device of timing advance provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure corresponds to the measurement method of timing advance provided by the above several embodiments, the implementation of the measurement method of timing advance is also applicable to the measurement device of timing advance provided by the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, it will not be described in detail.

[0178] Figure 15 A structural schematic diagram of a measurement device of timing advance 1500 provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is provided. The measurement device of timing advance 1500 can be configured in a UE.

[0179] As shown in FIG. 15, the device 1500 can include: Figure 15

[0180] A transceiver module 1510 configured to receive configuration information before the UE switches from a serving cell to a target cell.

[0181] A measurement module 1520 configured to measure a timing advance TA value of a candidate cell according to the configuration information.

[0182] In summary, according to the measurement device of timing advance provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE can receive configuration information before the UE switches from a serving cell to a target cell, and measure a timing advance TA value of a candidate cell according to the configuration information. The present disclosure provides a scheme for measuring the TA value of a candidate cell before the UE switches a cell, and obtains the TA value of the UE to each candidate cell in advance when managing the TA, realizes fast cell switching, and reduces the time overhead of switching.

[0183] In some optional embodiments, the measurement module 1520 is configured to measure the TA value of the candidate cell according to the configuration information at any one of the following time nodes:

[0184] When a measurement period arrives, wherein the configuration information can include the measurement period;

[0185] When the configuration information is received;

[0186] When an instruction for updating the TA of the serving cell is received; ​

[0187] If no instruction to update the serving cell's TA is received within the preset time period.

[0188] In some alternative embodiments, the configuration information may also include the identifier of the candidate cell.

[0189] In some alternative embodiments, the measurement module 1520 is used for:

[0190] Beam measurement is performed on all candidate cells, and the beam measurement results are obtained;

[0191] Based on the beam measurement results, select the cell that needs to be measured from all the candidate cells;

[0192] Measure the TA value of the selected cell. In some alternative embodiments, the measurement module 1520 is used to:

[0193] Candidate cells whose beam measurement results meet at least one of the following conditions are selected as cells to be measured:

[0194] The optimal beam measurement result of the candidate cell is greater than the sum of the optimal beam measurement result and the deviation value of the serving cell;

[0195] The average value of the beam measurement results of the candidate cells is greater than the sum of the average value of the beam measurement results of the serving cells and the bias value;

[0196] The average or maximum value of the beam measurement results of the candidate cell is greater than a preset threshold;

[0197] The beam measurement results of the candidate cells belong to the first predetermined number in the result list, wherein the result list includes the beam measurement results of all candidate cells in descending order. In some optional embodiments, the configuration information may include a measurement reference signal, a fixed time difference T0 between the candidate cells and the serving cell, and the measurement module 1520 is used for:

[0198] Based on the measurement reference signal, the downlink time difference ΔT between the candidate cell and the serving cell is determined;

[0199] The TA value of the candidate cell is determined based on the TA value of the serving cell, the fixed time difference T0, and the downlink time difference ΔT.

[0200] In some alternative embodiments, the measurement module 1520 is used for:

[0201] Based on the measurement reference signal, the downlink transmission delay T2 of the candidate cell is determined;

[0202] The downlink time difference ΔT is determined based on the downlink transmission delay T1 of the serving cell and the downlink transmission delay T2 of the candidate cell.

[0203] In summary, according to the timing advance measurement device provided in this disclosure, the UE can measure the timing advance TA value of candidate cells based on configuration information before the UE switches from the serving cell to the target cell. The UE can perform TA measurement at different times, for all or some candidate cells, and using different measurement methods. This disclosure provides a scheme for measuring the TA value of candidate cells before the UE switches cells, obtaining the TA value of the UE to each candidate cell in advance during TA management, realizing fast cell handover, reducing handover time overhead. In addition, by combining different schemes, the overhead of TA measurement can be reduced. The functional descriptions of the transceiver module 1510 and the measurement module 1520 in the above device 1500 can be found in [reference missing]. Figures 1 to 11 The method described in this embodiment, the apparatus 1500 in this embodiment, can achieve the above-described... Figures 1 to 11 The various methods described herein will not be elaborated upon further.

[0204] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of a timing advance measurement device 1600 provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The timing advance measurement device 1600 can be used in network devices.

[0205] like Figure 16 As shown, the device 1600 may include:

[0206] The transceiver module 1610 sends configuration information to the user equipment (UE).

[0207] The configuration information is used to assist the UE in measuring the timing advance TA value of the candidate cell before switching from the serving cell to the target cell.

[0208] In summary, according to the timing advance measurement apparatus provided in the embodiments of this disclosure, the network device can send configuration information to the UE. This configuration information can assist the UE in measuring the timing advance (TA) value of candidate cells before handing over from the serving cell to the target cell. This disclosure provides a scheme for measuring the TA value of candidate cells before the UE hands over a cell, obtaining the TA value of the UE to each candidate cell in advance during TA management, thereby achieving fast cell handover and reducing handover time overhead.

[0209] In some alternative embodiments, the configuration information may include at least one of the following: a measurement reference signal, a fixed time difference T0 between the candidate cell and the serving cell, a measurement period, and the identifier of the candidate cell to be measured.

[0210] In some alternative embodiments, the transceiver module 1610 is configured to: send an instruction to the UE to update the TA of the serving cell.

[0211] In summary, according to the timing advance measurement apparatus provided in the embodiments of this disclosure, the network device can send configuration information to the UE. This configuration information can assist the UE in measuring the timing advance TA value of candidate cells before handover from the serving cell to the target cell. This disclosure provides a scheme for measuring the TA value of candidate cells before the UE hands over a cell. By obtaining the TA values ​​of the UE to each candidate cell in advance during TA management, fast cell handover is achieved, reducing handover time overhead. Furthermore, the network device can instruct the UE to measure only a portion of the candidate cell TA values, or to measure the TA values ​​of candidate cells only at specific times, through configuration information or other triggering signaling, thereby reducing the overhead of TA measurement.

[0212] The functional description of the transceiver module 1610 in the aforementioned device 1600 can be found in [reference needed]. Figures 12 to 13 The method described in this embodiment, the device 1600 in this embodiment, can achieve the above-described... Figures 12 to 13 The various methods described herein will not be elaborated upon further.

[0213] In some embodiments of this disclosure, a UE is also provided. This UE can receive configuration information before handover from a serving cell to a target cell and measure the timing advance (TA) value of a candidate cell based on the configuration information, wherein the target cell is selected from the candidate cells. For a description of the relevant functions of the UE in this embodiment, please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figures 1 to 11 The UE is able to achieve the above. Figures 1 to 11 The one or more method embodiments described herein will not be repeated here.

[0214] In some embodiments of this disclosure, a network device is also provided that can send configuration information to a UE. This configuration information assists the UE in measuring the TA value of a candidate cell before handing over from a serving cell to a target cell. For a description of the relevant functions of the network device in this embodiment, please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figures 12 to 13 This network device is capable of achieving the above. Figures 12 to 13 The one or more method embodiments described herein will not be repeated here.

[0215] Embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication system applied to a core network. This communication system may be a long-term evolution (LTE) system, a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, a 5G new radio (NR) system, or other future new mobile communication systems.

[0216] The communication system includes a network device and a user equipment (UE). The network device sends configuration information to the UE. Before switching from the serving cell to the target cell, the UE measures the timing advance (TA) value of the candidate cell based on the configuration information. For a description of the relevant functions of the UE in this embodiment, please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figures 1 to 11 The UE is able to achieve the above. Figures 1 to 11 The one or more method embodiments described above will not be repeated here. Furthermore, the functional descriptions of the network device in this embodiment can be found in [reference needed]. Figures 12 to 13 This network device is capable of achieving the above. Figures 12 to 13 The one or more method embodiments described herein will not be repeated here.

[0217] In summary, according to the communication system provided in the embodiments of this disclosure, the network device can send configuration information to the UE, and the UE can measure the timing advance TA value of the candidate cell based on the configuration information before handing over from the serving cell to the target cell. This disclosure provides a scheme for measuring the TA value of the candidate cell before the UE hands over the cell, obtaining the TA value of the UE to each candidate cell in advance during TA management, realizing fast cell handover and reducing handover time overhead.

[0218] Please see Figure 17 , Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1700 provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 1700 can be a network device, a user device, a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the implementation of the above methods in a network device, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the implementation of the above methods in a user device. This device can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0219] The communication device 1700 may include one or more processors 1701. The processor 1701 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control the communication device (e.g., base station, baseband chip, terminal equipment, terminal equipment chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute computer programs, and process data from the computer programs.

[0220] Optionally, the communication device 1700 may further include one or more memories 1702, on which a computer program 1704 may be stored. The processor 1701 executes the computer program 1704 to cause the communication device 1700 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memory 1702 may also store data. The communication device 1700 and the memory 1702 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0221] Optionally, the communication device 1700 may also include a transceiver 1705 and an antenna 1706. The transceiver 1705 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, or transceiver circuit, etc., and is used to implement the transmission and reception functions. The transceiver 1705 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be referred to as a receiver or receiving circuit, etc., and is used to implement the receiving function; the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or transmitting circuit, etc., and is used to implement the transmitting function.

[0222] Optionally, the communication device 1700 may further include one or more interface circuits 1707. The interface circuits 1707 are used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor 1701. The processor 1701 executes the code instructions to cause the communication device 1700 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0223] In one implementation, the processor 1701 may include a transceiver for implementing receive and transmit functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing receive and transmit functions may be separate or integrated. The aforementioned transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code / data, or for transmitting or relaying signals.

[0224] In one implementation, processor 1701 may store computer program 1703, which runs on processor 1701 and causes communication device 1700 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Computer program 1703 may be embedded in processor 1701, in which case processor 1701 may be implemented in hardware.

[0225] In one implementation, the communication device 1700 may include circuitry capable of performing the transmitting, receiving, or communication functions described in the foregoing method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in this disclosure can be implemented on integrated circuits (ICs), analog ICs, radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), mixed-signal ICs, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs), electronic devices, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS), n-metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS), positive-channel metal oxide semiconductors (PMOS), bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0226] The communication device described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a user equipment, but the scope of the communication device described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device may vary. Figure 17 The communication device can be a standalone device or part of a larger device. For example, the communication device could be:

[0227] (1) Independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem;

[0228] (2) A collection of one or more ICs, optionally including storage components for storing data and computer programs;

[0229] (3) ASIC, such as modem;

[0230] (4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices;

[0231] (5) Receivers, terminal equipment, smart terminal equipment, cellular phones, wireless equipment, handheld devices, mobile units, vehicle-mounted equipment, network equipment, cloud equipment, artificial intelligence equipment, etc.

[0232] (6) Others, etc.

[0233] For cases where the communication device can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 18 The diagram shows the structure of the chip. Figure 18 The chip shown includes a processor 1801 and an interface 1802. There can be one or more processors 1801, and multiple interfaces 1802.

[0234] Optionally, the chip also includes a memory 1803, which is used to store necessary computer programs and data.

[0235] Those skilled in the art will also understand that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. Whether such functionality is implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and the overall system design requirements. Those skilled in the art can implement the functionality using various methods for each specific application, but such implementation should not be construed as exceeding the scope of protection of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0236] This disclosure also provides a readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a computer, implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0237] This disclosure also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0238] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When a computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, it generates, in whole or in part, the flow or function according to the embodiments of this disclosure. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, a computer program can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another 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 access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0239] This disclosure proposes a method for measuring the TA value from the UE to each candidate cell, so as to ensure that the UE can access the target cell as soon as possible during handover and reduce the handover time overhead.

[0240] Based on this disclosure, an example of a specific solution is as follows:

[0241] 1. The user receives the network configuration information and measures the TA value of the candidate cells based on the configuration information.

[0242] 2. Based on point 1, the user periodically measures the TA value of candidate cells according to the configuration information.

[0243] • Users periodically measure the TA value of candidate cells based on configured parameters, specifically as follows: For example, a user measures the downlink time difference ΔT between a candidate cell and the serving cell, assuming the TA of the candidate cell and the serving cell is TA. candidate cell and TA serving cell Then TA candidate cell =TA serving cell +2ΔT-2T0. If the serving cell and the candidate cell are synchronized, T0 = 0. If they are not synchronized, this value is non-zero and needs to be configured to the user by the network.

[0244] Optionally, to reduce the overhead of measuring TA (Target Acquisition), it is considered to measure some candidate cells. The candidate cells to be measured can be indicated by the network side, or the user can select candidate cells that meet certain conditions based on the beam measurement results of the candidate cells. These conditions can be as follows:

[0245] -Optimal beam measurement result of candidate cell > optimal beam measurement result of serving cell + offset

[0246] - The average value of candidate cell beam measurements > the average value of serving cell beam measurements + offset

[0247] - The average or maximum value of the candidate cell beam measurement results > threshold

[0248] - The top N best measurement results are the measurement results of the candidate cells.

[0249] 3. Based on steps 1 and 2, receive configuration information from the network side. The configuration information includes at least the measurement period, the measurement reference signal, and T0 from step 2. Additionally, it may include the identifiers of the candidate cells to be measured.

[0250] 4. Based on 1, the base station triggers the user to perform TA measurement.

[0251] When a user first receives the configuration, a TA measurement is performed on the candidate cells, using the method described in section 2 above.

[0252] Subsequently, each time a command is received from the serving cell to update the serving cell's TA, the TA value of the candidate cell is measured again.

[0253] Optionally, a maximum time interval T can be introduced, which can be the default value or configured in the configuration information. If no command to update the TA from the serving cell is received within T, the user will perform a TA measurement for the candidate cell.

[0254] • Each measurement can be performed on all candidate cells, or the network can configure which cells need to be measured, or the user can select the candidate cells to be measured based on the beam measurement results of each candidate cell.

[0255] 5. Based on 1 and 4, receive configuration information from the network side. The configuration information includes at least the measurement reference signal and the fixed time difference T0 between the candidate cell and the serving cell.

[0256] In summary, this disclosure offers the following beneficial technical effects: It proposes a TA (Transmission Aspect) measurement method that, in L1 / L2-based inter-cell mobility, allows for the pre-measurement of the user's TA values ​​to various candidate cells, eliminating the need for a random access procedure; instead, the user measures the TA themselves. During handover, this enables faster access to the target cell, reducing handover time overhead. Furthermore, it also reduces the time overhead associated with random access-based TA measurement.

[0257] The above examples can be applied to all embodiments of methods, apparatuses, devices, storage media, systems, etc. described in this disclosure, and will not be repeated here.

[0258] Those skilled in the art will understand that the various numerical designations such as "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure are merely for the convenience of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor do they indicate the order of events.

[0259] At least one of the features described in this disclosure can also be described as one or more, and multiple features can be two, three, four or more, and this disclosure does not impose any limitations. In the embodiments of this disclosure, for a technical feature, the technical features in that technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D", etc., and there is no sequential order or size order among the technical features described by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D".

[0260] As used herein, the terms "machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium" refer to any computer program product, device, and / or apparatus (e.g., disk, optical disk, memory, programmable logic device (PLD)) used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including machine-readable media that receive machine instructions as machine-readable signals. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor.

[0261] The systems and technologies described herein can be implemented in computing systems that include backend components (e.g., as a data server), or computing systems that include middleware components (e.g., an application server), or computing systems that include frontend components (e.g., a user computer with a graphical user interface or web browser through which a user can interact with embodiments of the systems and technologies described herein), or any combination of such backend, middleware, or frontend components. The components of the system can be interconnected via digital data communication of any form or medium (e.g., a communication network). Examples of communication networks include local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and the Internet.

[0262] Computer systems can include clients and servers. Clients and servers are generally located far apart and typically interact through communication networks. Client-server relationships are created by computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship with each other.

[0263] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used to rearrange, add, or delete steps. For example, the steps described in this disclosure can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired result of the technical solution disclosed in this disclosure can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.

[0264] Furthermore, it should be understood that the various embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented individually or in combination with other embodiments, where the scheme allows.

[0265] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0266] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0267] The above are merely specific embodiments of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure 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 disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A measurement method for advance timing, characterized in that, The method is executed by a user equipment (UE), and the method includes: Before the UE switches from the serving cell to the target cell, it receives configuration information; The timing advance (TA) value of the candidate cell is measured according to the configuration information, wherein the target cell is selected from the candidate cells; The step of measuring the timing advance (TA) value of the candidate cell based on the configuration information includes: Beam measurement is performed on all candidate cells, and the beam measurement results are obtained; Based on the beam measurement results, select the cell that needs to be measured from all the candidate cells; Measure the TA value of the selected cell.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Measuring the TA value of the candidate cell based on the configuration information includes: At any of the following time points, the TA value of the candidate cell is measured according to the configuration information: When the measurement cycle arrives, the configuration information includes the measurement cycle; When the configuration information is received; When an instruction is received to update the TA of the serving cell; If no instruction to update the serving cell's TA is received within the preset time period.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The configuration information also includes the identifier of the candidate cell.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of selecting the cell to be measured from all candidate cells based on the beam measurement results includes: Candidate cells whose beam measurement results meet at least one of the following conditions are selected as cells to be measured: The optimal beam measurement result of the candidate cell is greater than the sum of the optimal beam measurement result and the deviation value of the serving cell; The average value of the beam measurement results of the candidate cells is greater than the sum of the average value of the beam measurement results of the serving cells and the deviation value; The average or maximum value of the beam measurement results of the candidate cell is greater than a preset threshold; The beam measurement results of the candidate cells belong to the first predetermined number in the result list, wherein the result list includes the beam measurement results of all candidate cells in descending order.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The configuration information includes a measurement reference signal and a fixed time difference between the candidate cell and the serving cell. The step of measuring the TA value of the candidate cell based on the configuration information includes: Based on the measurement reference signal, the downlink time difference ∆T between the candidate cell and the serving cell is determined; Based on the TA value of the serving cell and the fixed time difference and the downlink time difference The TA value of the candidate cell is determined.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The step of determining the downlink time difference ∆T between the candidate cell and the serving cell based on the measurement reference signal includes: Based on the measurement reference signal, the downlink transmission delay of the candidate cell is determined. ; Based on the downlink transmission delay of the serving cell and the downlink transmission delay of the candidate cells Determine the downlink time difference .

7. A measurement method for advance timing, characterized in that, The method is performed by a network device, and the method includes: Send configuration information to the user equipment (UE). The configuration information is used to assist the UE in measuring the timing advance TA value of the candidate cell before switching from the serving cell to the target cell. The TA value is obtained by measuring the cell selected from all candidate cells based on the beam measurement results of all candidate cells.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The configuration information includes a measurement reference signal and a fixed time difference between the candidate cell and the serving cell. At least one of the following: measurement period, and identifier of the candidate cell to be measured.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send an instruction to the UE to update the TA of the serving cell.

10. A user equipment (UE), characterized in that, The UE includes: The transceiver module is used to receive configuration information before the UE switches from the serving cell to the target cell; The measurement module is used to measure the timing advance (TA) value of the candidate cell according to the configuration information. The measurement module is also used to perform beam measurements on all candidate cells and obtain the beam measurement results; Based on the beam measurement results, select the cell that needs to be measured from all the candidate cells; Measure the TA value of the selected cell.

11. A network device, characterized in that, The network device includes: The transceiver module is used to send configuration information to the user equipment (UE). The configuration information is used to assist the UE in measuring the timing advance TA value of the candidate cell before switching from the serving cell to the target cell. The TA value is obtained by measuring the cell selected from all candidate cells based on the beam measurement results of all candidate cells.

12. A communication device, characterized in that, include: transceiver; Memory; The processor, connected to both the transceiver and the memory, is configured to control the wireless signal transmission and reception of the transceiver by executing computer-executable instructions on the memory, and is capable of implementing the method of any one of claims 1 to 6.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, include: transceiver; Memory; The processor, connected to both the transceiver and the memory, is configured to control the wireless signal transmission and reception of the transceiver by executing computer-executable instructions on the memory, and to implement the method of any one of claims 7 to 9.

14. A computer storage medium, wherein, The computer storage medium stores computer-executable instructions; when executed by a processor, the computer-executable instructions can implement the method of any one of claims 1-9.

15. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes a user equipment (UE) and a network device, wherein the UE performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, and the network device performs the method as described in any one of claims 7 to 9.

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