Communication method and communication device

Abstract

Provided are a communication method and a communication device, the method comprising: a terminal device receiving first information sent by a first network node, the first information comprising M candidate SCG configurations, M being an integer greater than or equal to 1; the terminal equipment accesses a target secondary cell group SCG in M candidate SCGs according to the first information; and the terminal device determines a target counter corresponding to the target SCG, and determines key information for the target SCG according to the target counter. The method in the embodiment of the invention is helpful for improving the efficiency of the SCG change process.

Description

Communication method and communication device Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of communication technology, some communication systems have introduced a dual-connectivity architecture, which allows terminal devices to simultaneously establish connections with two network nodes, such as a master node (MN) and a secondary node (SN), to improve wireless network throughput. The MN and SN can also support multi-carrier aggregation of multiple carriers, forming a master cell group (MCG) and a secondary cell group (SCG).

[0003] Currently, terminal devices can perform SCG changes (such as adding or changing cells in the SCG), but the efficiency of the existing SCG change process is not high.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and a communication device. The following describes various aspects of the embodiments of the present application.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, including: a terminal device receives first information sent by a first network node, the first information including M candidate SCG configurations, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the terminal device accesses a target secondary cell group SCG among the M candidate SCGs according to the first information; the terminal device determines a target counter corresponding to the target SCG, and determines key information for the target SCG based on the target counter.

[0007] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, including: a first network node sends first information to a terminal device, wherein the first information includes M candidate SCG configurations, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0008] According to the third aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a receiving unit for receiving first information sent by a first network node, the first information including M candidate SCG configurations, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 43; an access unit for accessing a target secondary cell group SCG among the M candidate SCGs according to the first information; and a determination unit for determining a target counter corresponding to the target SCG, and determining key information for the target SCG based on the target counter.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: a sending unit, configured to send first information to a terminal device, wherein the first information comprises M candidate SCG configurations, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0010] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a memory, a transceiver and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store programs, the processor sends and receives data through the transceiver, and the processor is used to call the program in the memory so that the communication device executes the method described in the first aspect.

[0011] In the sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a memory, a transceiver and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store programs, the processor sends and receives data through the transceiver, and the processor is used to call the program in the memory so that the communication device executes the method described in the second aspect.

[0012] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor configured to call a program from a memory so that the communication device executes the method described in the first aspect.

[0013] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor for calling a program from a memory, so that the communication device executes the method described in the second aspect.

[0014] In a ninth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising a processor for calling a program from a memory so that a device equipped with the chip executes the method described in the first aspect.

[0015] In a tenth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising a processor for calling a program from a memory so that a device equipped with the chip executes the method described in the second aspect.

[0016] In an eleventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a program is stored, wherein the program enables a computer to execute the method described in the first aspect.

[0017] In a twelfth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a program is stored, wherein the program enables a computer to execute the method described in the second aspect.

[0018] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a program, wherein the program enables a computer to execute the method described in the first aspect.

[0019] In a fourteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a program, wherein the program enables a computer to execute the method described in the second aspect.

[0020] In a fifteenth aspect, a computer program is provided, which enables a computer to execute the method described in the first aspect.

[0021] In a sixteenth aspect, a computer program is provided, which enables a computer to execute the method described in the second aspect.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present application, the first information includes M candidate SCG configurations. The terminal device accesses the target SCG based on the first information, determines the target counter corresponding to the target SCG, and determines the key information for the target SCG based on the target counter. Continuous SCG changes (multiple SCG changes) can be performed after receiving one candidate SCG configuration, which helps to improve the efficiency of the SCG change process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG1 is an example diagram of a wireless communication system used in an embodiment of the present application.

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the NR-DC network side protocol stack in this application.

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the NR-DC terminal device side protocol stack in this application.

[0026] FIG4 is a schematic flowchart of the SN change process in this application.

[0027] FIG5 is a schematic flow chart of the CPC process in this application.

[0028] FIG6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0029] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0030] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application.

[0031] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] FIG1 illustrates a wireless communication system 100 used in an embodiment of the present application. The wireless communication system 100 may include a network device 110 and a user equipment (UE) 120. The network device 110 may communicate with the UE 120. The network device 110 may provide communication coverage for a specific geographic area and may communicate with the UE 120 within the coverage area. The UE 120 may access a network (e.g., a wireless network) through the network device 110.

[0034] Figure 1 exemplarily shows a network device and two UEs. Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may include multiple network devices, and each network device may include a different number of terminal devices within its coverage area, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may also include other network entities such as a network controller and a mobility management entity, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0035] It should be understood that the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: fifth generation (5G) system or new radio (NR), long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), etc. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as the sixth generation mobile communication system, satellite communication system, etc.

[0036] The UE in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as a terminal device, an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user apparatus. The UE in the embodiments of the present application may refer to a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user and can be used to connect people, objects, and machines, such as a handheld device or an in-vehicle device with wireless connection capabilities. The UE in the embodiments of the present application can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a PDA, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc. Optionally, the UE can be used to act as a base station. For example, the UE can act as a scheduling entity that provides sidelink signals between UEs in V2X or D2D, etc. For example, a cellular phone and a car communicate with each other using sidelink signals. The cellular phone and smart home devices communicate without relaying the communication signal through a base station.

[0037] The network device in the embodiments of the present application may be a device for communicating with a UE, and may also be referred to as an access network device or a radio access network device. For example, the network device may be a base station. The network device in the embodiments of the present application may refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects a UE to a wireless network. A base station may broadly cover various names as follows, or be replaced with the following names, such as: NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next generation NodeB (gNB), relay station, access point, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), master station MeNB, secondary station SeNB, multi-standard radio (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), positioning node, etc. A base station may be a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay node, a donor node, or the like, or a combination thereof.

[0038] In some embodiments, the network device can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile network device, and one or more cells can move according to the location of the mobile network device. In other examples, the helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a device for communicating with another network device. In some embodiments, the network device can refer to a CU or a DU, or the network device can include a CU and a DU, or the network device can also include an AAU.

[0039] It should be understood that network devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on water; and can also be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the network devices and the scenarios in which they are used.

[0040] It should also be understood that all or part of the functions of the network device and UE in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform).

[0041] With the advancement of communication technology, some communication systems have introduced dual-connectivity architectures, enabling terminal devices to simultaneously establish connections with two network nodes, such as a master node (MN) and a secondary node (SN), to improve wireless network throughput. For example, a terminal device can first connect to the master node and then add secondary nodes as needed. The master node acts as an "anchor point," responsible for exchanging control plane data with the core network.

[0042] A signaling radio bearer (SRB) can be established between the terminal device and the two network nodes to exchange control plane data and user plane data through SRB. For example, for the control plane, the terminal device can establish signaling connections of SRB0, SRB1 and SRB2 with the MN, and can also establish a signaling connection of SRB3 with the SN. For the user plane, taking NR-DC as an example (i.e., both MN and SN are 5G network devices), the protocol stack structure on the network side can be as shown in Figure 2, wherein the MN includes a service data adaptation protocol layer (SDAP), an NR packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, an MN radio link control (RLC) layer and an MN media access control (MAC) layer, and the SN includes SDAP, NR PDCP, SN RLC and SN MAC; the protocol stack structure on the terminal device side can be as shown in Figure 3, including SDAP, NR PDCP, MN RLC, SN RLC, MN MAC and SN MAC.

[0043] From the network side, the SDAP and PDCP protocol stacks and the corresponding protocol stacks below PDCP (i.e. RLC, MAC, physical layer (PHY)) may be located in different network nodes. There is no problem of distinguishing different network nodes within the terminal device, but there is a problem of the role of the cell group, that is, it is necessary to distinguish between the master cell group (MCG) and the secondary cell group (SCG). The main difference between MCG and SCG is reflected in the different radio bearer aggregation protocol layers (i.e. the difference in RLC, MAC and PHY). When the RLC, MAC and PHY protocol stacks of a radio bearer are located in the MN, such a radio bearer is called an MCG bearer, otherwise it is an SCG bearer.

[0044] For different types of radio bearers, the processing at the PDCP layer and above may be at the MN or at the SN. For radio bearers at the PDCP layer on the SN side, the input factors for generating encryption / security keys include the key (K gNB ) and SN counter (i.e., the counter corresponding to SN).

[0045] The SN counter is maintained by the MN side, and the SN and terminal device side do not need to save the SN counter. Figure 4 is a schematic flow chart of the SN change process in this application. As shown in Figure 4, when adding or modifying SN, MN can gNB and SN counter (such as K gNB +SN counter) to generate KSN (KSN can be the security key on the SN side), and send KSN to SN through Xn interface (as shown in step S420 in Figure 4); MN then sends SN counter to UE through radio resource control (RRC) signaling, and UE receives KSN counter according to K gNB +SN counter generates KSN (as shown in step S450 in FIG4 ).

[0046] In a dual-connectivity architecture, multiple carriers can be aggregated within the MN and SN to form a master cell group (MCG) and a secondary cell group (SCG). The primary cell in an MCG is called a primary cell (PCell), and the secondary cell is called a secondary cell (SCell). The primary cell in an SCG is called a primary secondary cell (PSCell), and the secondary cell is called an SCell.

[0047] The process of adding or changing a PSCell may include the following steps:

[0048] (1) The network side determines whether to add / change a PSCell based on the service conditions and channel measurement results;

[0049] (2) If a PSCell needs to be added or changed, the network side sends the PSCell configuration to the terminal device;

[0050] (3) The terminal device changes / adds PSCell according to the new PSCell configuration.

[0051] In order to speed up the process of adding / changing PSCells, the standard introduces conditional PSCell change (CPC) and conditional PSCell addition (CPA) processes. That is, the network side informs the terminal device of the new PSCell configuration and the conditions for triggering the change / addition of PSCells in advance. The terminal device directly adds / changes the PSCell when the conditions are met, thereby shortening the delay of the PSCell addition or change process.

[0052] Figure 5 is a schematic flow chart of the CPC process in the present application. In Figure 5, the SN includes a source secondary node (S-SN), a target secondary node (T-SN), and other potential T-SNs. Figure 5 also includes a user plane function (UPF) network element and an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element. As shown in Figure 5, during the CPC preparation phase, the MN requests candidate SNs to reserve resources for the terminal device and provide configuration information through an SN addition request message (as shown in steps S501a and S501b in Figure 5). In this message, the MN provides each candidate SN with a KSN, which serves as the key information used by the SN side when the terminal accesses. After obtaining confirmation from each candidate SN, the MN configures the candidate CPC / CPA configuration to the terminal device through an RRC reconfiguration message (as shown in step S503 in Figure 5). Each candidate SCG configuration includes an SN counter corresponding to the KSN for key generation.

[0053] For the CPC and CPA processes, the terminal device can release the CPC / CPA configuration when the following events occur:

[0054] (1) Before executing CPC / CPA, the terminal device receives a legacy PSCell add / change instruction or PCell change instruction from the network. After the PSCell / PCell change is successfully executed, the terminal device can release the CPC / CPA configuration.

[0055] (2) After successfully completing CPC / CPA, the terminal device can release the CPC / CPA configuration;

[0056] (3) When the network instructs to release the configuration, the terminal device can release the CPC / CPA configuration.

[0057] According to existing protocols, after receiving the CPA / CPC configuration from the network, a terminal device can only perform CPA / CPC (such as adding / changing a PSCell) once at most. If the terminal device needs to perform CPA / CPC again, the network side will need to re-provide the terminal device with candidate cell configuration information (such as CPC / CPA configuration), which will increase signaling overhead and increase SCG access latency.

[0058] In order to solve one or more of the above technical problems, the present application proposes a communication method and a communication device.

[0059] The embodiment of the present application is described in detail below with reference to FIG6 .

[0060] Figure 6 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 600 shown in Figure 6 may include steps S610, S620, and S630, as follows:

[0061] S610: The first network node sends first information to the terminal device.

[0062] The terminal device can establish connections with two network nodes simultaneously. The two network nodes may include a master node (MN) and a secondary node (SN). Optionally, the first network node may be the MN.

[0063] The first information may include M candidate SCG configurations, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Optionally, the M candidate SCG configurations may correspond to the M candidate SCGs. For example, the M candidate SCG configurations may correspond one-to-one to the M candidate SCGs.

[0064] Prior to S610, the first network node may send a request message to one or more candidate SNs, where the request message may be used to request the candidate SNs to provide candidate SCG configurations. Simultaneously, the first network node may provide key information, such as a KSN, to the one or more candidate SNs (the KSN may be used by the SN side to determine a security key for a radio bearer terminated at the SN side).

[0065] The terminal device can determine the target SCG among M candidate SCGs.

[0066] The terminal device can determine the target SCG by itself. For example, each of the M candidate SCGs can be associated with a second condition, and the terminal device can determine the SCG that meets the second condition among the M candidate SCGs as the target SCG.

[0067] Optionally, the second condition may include at least one of the following: the measurement result of the PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than the third threshold compared with the measurement result of the PSCell in the SCG to which the terminal device is currently connected, the measurement result of the PSCell in the SCG to which the terminal device is currently connected is less than the fourth threshold and the measurement result of the PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than the fifth threshold, and the measurement result of the PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than the sixth threshold.

[0068] Optionally, the second condition associated with each of the M candidate SCGs may be different from each other. For example, the third threshold, the fourth threshold, the fifth threshold and / or the sixth threshold in the second condition associated with each candidate SCG may be different.

[0069] The terminal device may also determine the target SCG based on the instruction of the first network node. For example, the terminal device may receive ninth information sent by the first network node, and the ninth information may be used to indicate that one of the M candidate SCGs is determined as the target SCG, or in other words, the ninth information may be used to indicate the target SCG among the M candidate SCGs.

[0070] Optionally, the ninth information may include at least a candidate SCG index value.

[0071] Optionally, the ninth information may be carried in an RRC message or a MAC CE.

[0072] S620, the terminal device accesses the target SCG according to the first information.

[0073] For example, after the terminal device accesses the target SCG, the candidate SCG configuration corresponding to the target SCG can be applied.

[0074] In S620, the terminal device may access the target SCG for the first time or may access the target SCG multiple times.

[0075] After accessing the target SCG, the terminal device can change the target SCG, for example, add or change PSCell, etc.

[0076] S630, the terminal device determines a target counter and determines key information for the target SCG according to the target counter.

[0077] Optionally, the key information for the target SCG may include key information used by a radio bearer terminated on the SN side (SN-terminated).

[0078] The target counter may be a counter corresponding to the target SCG, such as sk_counter (in RRC signaling) or SN counter (defined in protocol 33.501).

[0079] The terminal device may use a counter associated with or included in the target SCG configuration as a target counter. The target SCG configuration may be a candidate SCG configuration corresponding to the target SCG among the M candidate SCG configurations.

[0080] The key information for the target SCG may refer to the security key on the terminal device side, such as SK gNB .

[0081] Optionally, the target counter may be determined by the terminal device itself or indicated by the first network node. In this application, the counter corresponding to the candidate SCG may be maintained by the first network node or by the terminal device, and each case is described in detail below.

[0082] In some embodiments, a counter corresponding to the candidate SCG may be maintained by the first network node, and each of the M candidate SCG configurations may contain and / or be associated with a counter.

[0083] Optionally, when the terminal device changes to an SCG other than the target SCG and / or accesses the target SCG, the terminal device may release the target SCG configuration from the M candidate SCG configurations. This prevents the terminal device from using expired or invalid SCG configurations during successive SCG changes, thereby improving the efficiency of SCG changes.

[0084] Alternatively, when the terminal device is changed to another SCG outside the target SCG and / or accesses the target SCG and / or before accessing the target SCG, the terminal device may also send a second message to the first network node, and the second information may be used to request an update of a counter corresponding to the candidate SCG. In this way, there is no need to request the candidate SCG configuration from the first network node again each time the SCG is changed. By updating the counter corresponding to the candidate SCG with the second information, continuous SCG changes (multiple SCG changes) can be performed, thereby helping to improve the efficiency of the SCG change process.

[0085] Optionally, the terminal device may request to update the counter corresponding to the candidate SCG when a preset condition is met. For example, the terminal device may send the second information to the first network node when a first condition is met.

[0086] Among them, the first condition may include at least one of the following: the measurement result of the PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than the first threshold, the measurement result of the PSCell in the SCG to which the terminal device is currently connected is less than the second threshold, the first information includes the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG, the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG does not include or associate a counter, and the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG does not include or associate an unused counter.

[0087] The second information may be used to request updating of counters corresponding to some or all of the M candidate SCGs. For example, the second information may be used to request updating of counters corresponding to candidate SCGs that meet the first condition.

[0088] Optionally, the second information may include at least the index value of the candidate SCG that meets the first condition.

[0089] Optionally, the second information may be carried in an RRC message or a media access control element (MAC CE).

[0090] It should be noted that all RRC messages mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be any RRC message in the prior art, or can be a newly defined RRC message for carrying the information in the embodiments of the present application.

[0091] Furthermore, the first network node may send fourth information to the terminal device, and the fourth information may include a counter corresponding to the candidate SCG.

[0092] Optionally, the fourth information may be carried in an RRC message or a MAC CE.

[0093] At this time, the terminal device can determine the key information for the target SCG based on the target counter.

[0094] In some embodiments, counters corresponding to the candidate SCGs may be maintained by the first network node, and each of the M candidate SCG configurations may contain and / or be associated with multiple counters.

[0095] For example, each candidate SCG in the M candidate SCG configurations may correspond to multiple counters, and the multiple counters may be associated with the first list (eg, the multiple counters are arranged in order in the first list).

[0096] The terminal device can determine the target counter corresponding to the target SCG in the first list based on the indexes of multiple counters in the first list. For example, the terminal device can use the counter corresponding to index=1 when accessing the target SCG for the first time, and use the counter corresponding to index=2 when accessing the target SCG for the second time, and so on. The terminal device can maintain a first counter for each candidate SCG, and the first counter can be used to count the number of times the terminal device successfully and / or fails to access the target SCG.

[0097] Alternatively, the terminal device may also select an unused counter in the first list as the target counter.

[0098] Optionally, the terminal device may select an unused counter from the first list in sequence or randomly as the target counter.

[0099] The terminal device may release the used counters in the first list.

[0100] Optionally, the terminal device may also release the target SCG configuration from the M candidate SCG configurations. For example, when there is no unused counter in the first list, the terminal device may release the SCG configuration corresponding to the target SCG from the M candidate SCG configurations.

[0101] The terminal device may send third information to the first network node, where the third information may be used to indicate an index of the target SCG and / or a target counter. Optionally, the third information may include an index of the target counter in the first list.

[0102] Optionally, the third information may be carried in an RRC message or a MAC CE.

[0103] Optionally, the terminal device may also indicate the index and / or target counter of the target SCG to the second network node. The second network node is the network node where the target SCG is located, for example, the second network node may be the SN to which the terminal device is connected.

[0104] The first network node may determine a target counter according to the third information, and determine a counter corresponding to the target SCG.

[0105] Furthermore, the first network node may send fourth information to the terminal device, and the fourth information may include a counter corresponding to the candidate SCG (such as a counter corresponding to the target SCG).

[0106] In this way, there is no need to request the candidate SCG configuration from the first network node every time the SCG is changed. Continuous SCG changes (multiple SCG changes) can be performed by requesting the counter corresponding to the target SCG through the third information, which helps to improve the efficiency of the SCG change process.

[0107] Optionally, the fourth information may be carried in an RRC message or a MAC CE.

[0108] At this time, the terminal device can determine the key information for the target SCG based on the target counter.

[0109] In some embodiments, a counter corresponding to a candidate SCG may be maintained by the terminal device.

[0110] For example, multiple counters corresponding to the M candidate SCGs may be maintained by the terminal device, and the multiple counters may be associated with the second list (eg, the multiple counters are arranged in order in the second list).

[0111] The terminal device can determine the target counter corresponding to the target SCG in the second list based on the indexes of the multiple counters in the second list. For example, the terminal device can use the counter corresponding to index=1 when accessing the target SCG for the first time, and use the counter corresponding to index=2 when accessing the target SCG for the second time, and so on. The terminal device can maintain a second counter for each candidate SCG, and the second counter can be used to count the number of times the terminal device successfully and / or fails to access the target SCG.

[0112] Alternatively, the terminal device may also select an unused counter in the second list as the target counter.

[0113] Optionally, the terminal device may select an unused counter from the second list in sequence or randomly as the target counter.

[0114] When the terminal device maintains the counter corresponding to the candidate SCG, there is no need to request the candidate SCG configuration from the first network node every time the SCG is changed. The terminal device can determine the target SCG and target counter by itself, and perform continuous SCG changes (multiple SCG changes), which helps to improve the efficiency of the SCG change process.

[0115] In the case that there is no unused counter in the second list, the terminal device can release the SCG configuration corresponding to the target SCG from the M candidate SCG configurations.

[0116] Optionally, when there are no unused counters in the second list, the terminal device may release M candidate SCG configurations.

[0117] Optionally, before accessing the target SCG, the terminal device may send fifth information to the first network node, where the fifth information may be used to indicate the target SCG and the target counter. The fifth information may inform the first network node of the target SCG and the target counter determined by the terminal device. Optionally, the fifth information may include an index of the target SCG and an index of the target counter in the second list.

[0118] Optionally, the fifth information may be carried in an RRC message or a MAC CE.

[0119] Optionally, before accessing the target SCG, the first network node may send eleventh information to the second network node, and the eleventh information may be used to synchronize security information to the second network node.

[0120] Optionally, the eleventh information may be carried in an RRC message or a MAC CE.

[0121] Furthermore, before accessing the target SCG, the first network node may also send sixth information to the terminal device, and the sixth information may be used to indicate that the second network node has synchronized security information.

[0122] The terminal device may also send seventh information to the first network node, where the seventh information may be used to request updating of the second list.

[0123] Optionally, the seventh information may be carried in an RRC message or a MAC CE.

[0124] In some embodiments, counters corresponding to candidate SCGs may be maintained by the first network node, but each candidate SCG configuration in the M candidate SCG configurations does not contain and / or associate a counter.

[0125] The terminal device may send eighth information to the first network node, where the eighth information may be used to indicate the target SCG. Optionally, the eighth information may include an index of the target SCG.

[0126] Optionally, the eighth information may be carried in an RRC message or a MAC CE.

[0127] The first network node may determine the target counter according to the eighth information, and determine the target counter corresponding to the target SCG.

[0128] Furthermore, the first network node may indicate a counter corresponding to the target SCG to the terminal device.

[0129] In this way, there is no need to request the candidate SCG configuration from the first network node every time the SCG is changed. Continuous SCG changes (multiple SCG changes) can be performed by requesting the counter corresponding to the target SCG through the eighth information, which helps to improve the efficiency of the SCG change process.

[0130] In the present application, the first network node may send a tenth message to the terminal device, and the tenth message may be used to request the release of counters corresponding to M SCG configurations or M candidate SCGs. In this way, the SCG change process may be flexibly controlled.

[0131] Optionally, the tenth information may be carried in an RRC message or a MAC CE.

[0132] In an embodiment of the present application, the first information includes M candidate SCG configurations. The terminal device accesses the target SCG based on the first information, determines the target counter corresponding to the target SCG, and determines the key information for the target SCG based on the target counter. Continuous SCG changes (multiple SCG changes) can be performed after receiving one candidate SCG configuration, which helps to improve the efficiency of the SCG change process.

[0133] The method embodiment of the present application is described in detail above in conjunction with Figures 1 to 6 , and the device embodiment of the present application is described in detail below in conjunction with Figures 7 to 9 . It should be understood that the description of the method embodiment corresponds to the description of the device embodiment, and therefore, for portions not described in detail, reference can be made to the above method embodiment.

[0134] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG7 , the device 700 includes a receiving unit 710, an access unit 720, and a determination unit 730, specifically as follows:

[0135] A receiving unit 710 is configured to receive first information sent by a first network node, where the first information includes M candidate SCG configurations, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 43;

[0136] An access unit 720 is configured to access a target secondary cell group SCG in the M candidate SCGs according to the first information;

[0137] The determination unit 730 is configured to determine a target counter and determine key information for the target SCG according to the target counter.

[0138] Optionally, each candidate SCG configuration among the M candidate SCG configurations contains and / or is associated with one counter or multiple counters.

[0139] Optionally, the determination unit 730 is further used to: use a counter associated with or included in a target SCG configuration as a target counter, and the target SCG configuration is a candidate SCG configuration corresponding to the target SCG among the M candidate SCG configurations.

[0140] Optionally, the device 700 further includes a releasing unit 740, configured to release the target SCG configuration from the M candidate SCG configurations when the device is replaced with an SCG other than the target SCG and / or connected to the target SCG.

[0141] Optionally, the apparatus 700 further includes a sending unit 750, configured to send second information to the first network node, where the second information is used to request an update of a counter corresponding to the candidate SCG.

[0142] Optionally, the number of times the device accesses the candidate SCG is greater than or equal to 1, and the sending unit 750 is specifically used to: send the second information to the first network node when a first condition is met.

[0143] Optionally, the first condition includes at least one of the following: the measurement result of the primary and secondary cells PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than a first threshold, the measurement result of the PSCell in the SCG to which the device is currently connected is less than a second threshold, the first information includes the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG, the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG does not include or is associated with a counter, and the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG does not include or is associated with an unused counter.

[0144] Optionally, the second information is carried in a radio resource control RRC message or a media access control layer control element MAC CE.

[0145] Optionally, each candidate SCG in the M candidate SCG configurations corresponds to multiple counters, and the multiple counters are associated with a first list. The determination unit 730 is also used to: determine the target counter corresponding to the target SCG in the first list according to the index of the multiple counters in the first list; or randomly select an unused counter in the first list as the target counter.

[0146] Optionally, the apparatus 700 further includes a sending unit 750, configured to send third information to the first network node, wherein the third information is used to indicate an index of the target SCG and / or the target counter.

[0147] Optionally, the third information includes an index of the target counter in the first list.

[0148] Optionally, the apparatus 700 further includes a releasing unit 740, configured to release a used counter in the first list.

[0149] Optionally, the apparatus 700 further includes a releasing unit 740, configured to release the SCG configuration corresponding to the target SCG from the M candidate SCG configurations when there is no unused counter in the first list.

[0150] Optionally, the receiving unit 710 is further used to: receive fourth information sent by the first network node, where the fourth information includes a counter or multiple counters corresponding to the candidate SCG.

[0151] Optionally, the fourth information is carried in a radio resource control RRC message or a media access control layer control element MAC CE.

[0152] Optionally, multiple counters corresponding to the M candidate SCGs are maintained by the device, and the multiple counters are associated with a second list. The determination unit 730 is also used to: determine the target counter corresponding to the target SCG in the second list according to the index of the multiple counters in the second list; or randomly select an unused counter in the second list as the target counter.

[0153] Optionally, the device 700 also includes a sending unit 750, which is used to: send fifth information to the first network node before accessing the target secondary cell group SCG in the M candidate SCGs according to the first information, and the fifth information is used to indicate the target SCG and the target counter.

[0154] Optionally, the fifth information includes the index of the target SCG and the index of the target counter in the second list.

[0155] Optionally, the receiving unit 710 is further used to: before accessing the target SCG, receive sixth information sent by the first network node, where the sixth information is used to indicate that the second network node has synchronized security information.

[0156] Optionally, the device 700 also includes a release unit 740, which is used to: release the SCG configuration corresponding to the target SCG when there is no unused counter in the second list, or the device 700 also includes a sending unit 750, which is used to: send seventh information to the first network node, and the seventh information is used to request to update the second list.

[0157] Optionally, the counters corresponding to the M candidate SCGs are maintained by the first network node, and the device 700 further includes a sending unit 750, configured to: send eighth information to the first network node, where the eighth information is used to indicate the target SCG.

[0158] Optionally, each candidate SCG among the M candidate SCGs is associated with a second condition, and before accessing the target secondary cell group SCG among the M candidate SCGs according to the first information, the determination unit 730 is also used to: determine the SCG among the M candidate SCGs that meets the second condition as the target SCG.

[0159] Optionally, the second condition includes at least one of the following: the measurement result of the primary and secondary cells PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than a third threshold compared with the measurement result of the PSCell in the SCG to which the device is currently connected, the measurement result of the PSCell in the SCG to which the device is currently connected is less than a fourth threshold and the measurement result of the PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than a fifth threshold, and the measurement result of the PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than a sixth threshold.

[0160] Optionally, before accessing the target secondary cell group SCG among the M candidate SCGs according to the first information, the receiving unit 710 is also used to: receive ninth information sent by the first network node, and the ninth information is used to indicate that one candidate SCG among the M candidate SCGs is determined as the target SCG.

[0161] Optionally, the receiving unit 710 is further used to: receive tenth information sent by the first network node, where the tenth information is used to request the release of the M SCG configurations or the counters corresponding to the M candidate SCGs.

[0162] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG8 , the device 800 includes a sending unit 810, which is specifically as follows:

[0163] The sending unit 810 is configured to send first information to a terminal device, where the first information includes M candidate SCG configurations, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0164] Optionally, each candidate SCG configuration among the M candidate SCG configurations contains and / or is associated with one counter or multiple counters.

[0165] Optionally, the apparatus 800 further includes a receiving unit 820, configured to receive second information sent by the terminal device, where the second information is used to request an update of a counter corresponding to the candidate SCG.

[0166] Optionally, the number of times the terminal device accesses the candidate SCG is greater than or equal to 1, and the receiving unit is specifically used to: receive the second information sent by the terminal device when the first condition is met.

[0167] Optionally, the first condition includes at least one of the following: the measurement result of the primary and secondary cells PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than a first threshold, the measurement result of the PSCell in the SCG to which the terminal device is currently connected is less than a second threshold, the first information includes the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG, the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG does not include or is associated with a counter, and the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG does not include or is associated with an unused counter.

[0168] Optionally, the second information is carried in a radio resource control RRC message or a media access control layer control element MAC CE.

[0169] Optionally, each candidate SCG in the M candidate SCG configurations corresponds to multiple counters, and the multiple counters are associated with a first list. The device 800 also includes a receiving unit 820, which is used to: receive third information sent by the terminal device, and the third information is used to indicate the index of the target SCG and / or the target counter corresponding to the target SCG, and the target counter is an unused counter in the first list.

[0170] Optionally, the third information includes an index of the target counter in the first list.

[0171] Optionally, the sending unit 810 is further used to: send fourth information to the terminal device, where the fourth information includes a counter or multiple counters corresponding to the candidate SCG.

[0172] Optionally, the fourth information is carried in an RRC message or a MAC CE.

[0173] Optionally, multiple counters corresponding to the M candidate SCGs are maintained by the terminal device, and the multiple counters are associated with the second list. The sending unit 810 is also used to: send fifth information to the first network node, and the fifth information is used to indicate the target SCG and the target counter corresponding to the target SCG, and the target counter is an unused counter in the second list.

[0174] Optionally, the fifth information includes the index of the target SCG and the index of the target counter in the second list.

[0175] Optionally, the sending unit 810 is further used to: send eleventh information to the second network node, where the eleventh information is used to synchronize security information to the second network node, and the second network node is the network node where the target SCG is located.

[0176] Optionally, the sending unit 810 is further used to: before accessing the target SCG, send sixth information to the terminal device, and the sixth information is used to indicate that the second network node has synchronized security information.

[0177] Optionally, the apparatus 800 further includes a receiving unit 820 configured to: when there is no unused counter in the second list, receive seventh information sent by the terminal device, wherein the seventh information is used to request updating the second list.

[0178] Optionally, the sending unit 810 is further used to: send ninth information to the terminal device, where the ninth information is used to indicate that one candidate SCG among the M candidate SCGs is determined as the target SCG.

[0179] Optionally, the sending unit 810 is further used to: send a tenth message to the terminal device, where the tenth message is used to request the release of the M SCG configurations or the counters corresponding to the M candidate SCGs.

[0180] FIG9 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. The dashed lines in FIG9 indicate that the unit or module is optional. Apparatus 900 may be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment. Apparatus 900 may be a chip or a communication device.

[0181] The device 900 may include one or more processors 910. The processor 910 may support the device 900 to implement the method described in the method embodiment above. The processor 910 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, the processor may be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0182] The apparatus 900 may further include one or more memories 920. The memories 920 store programs that can be executed by the processor 910, causing the processor 910 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. The memories 920 may be independent of the processor 910 or integrated into the processor 910.

[0183] The apparatus 900 may further include a transceiver 930. The processor 910 may communicate with other devices or chips via the transceiver 930. For example, the processor 910 may transmit and receive data with other devices or chips via the transceiver 930.

[0184] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a program. The computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the communication device provided in the present application, and the program enables a computer to execute the method performed by the communication device in each embodiment of the present application.

[0185] The present application also provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a program. The computer program product can be applied to the communication device provided in the present application, and the program causes a computer to execute the method performed by the communication device in each embodiment of the present application.

[0186] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program. The computer program can be applied to the communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program enables a computer to execute the method executed by the communication device in each embodiment of the present application.

[0187] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A and B can be determined based on A. However, it should also be understood that determining B based on A does not mean determining B based solely on A, but B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0188] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this document simply describes a relationship between related objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone. Furthermore, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0189] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0190] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0191] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0192] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0193] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be read by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a digital versatile disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0194] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The terminal device receives first information sent by the first network node, where the first information includes M candidate SCG configurations, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1; The terminal device accesses a target secondary cell group SCG in the M candidate SCGs according to the first information; The terminal device determines the target counter corresponding to the target SCG, and determines the key information for the target SCG based on the target counter.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Each of the M candidate SCG configurations includes and / or is associated with one counter or multiple counters.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: The terminal device uses a counter associated with or included in a target SCG configuration as a target counter, and the target SCG configuration is a candidate SCG configuration corresponding to the target SCG among the M candidate SCG configurations.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: When the terminal device switches to other SCs outside the target SCG and / or accesses the target SCG, the terminal device releases the target SCG configuration from the M candidate SCG configurations.

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: The terminal device sends second information to the first network node, where the second information is used to request an update of a counter corresponding to the candidate SCG.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The number of times the terminal device accesses the candidate SCG is greater than or equal to 1, and the terminal device sends second information to the first network node, including: When the first condition is met, the terminal device sends the second information to the first network node.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The first condition includes at least one of the following: The measurement result of the primary and secondary cells PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than the first threshold, the measurement result of the PSCell in the SCG to which the terminal device is currently connected is less than the second threshold, the first information includes the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG, the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG does not include or is associated with a counter, and the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG does not include or is associated with an unused counter.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that The second information is carried in a radio resource control RRC message or a media access control layer control element MAC CE.

9. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that Each candidate SCG in the M candidate SCG configurations corresponds to a plurality of counters, the plurality of counters being associated with a first list, and the method further comprising: The terminal device determines the target counter corresponding to the target SCG in the first list according to the indexes of the multiple counters in the first list; or The terminal device selects an unused counter in the first list as the target counter.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: The terminal device sends third information to the first network node, where the third information is used to indicate the index of the target SCG and / or the target counter.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The third information includes the index of the target counter in the first list.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: The terminal device releases the used counters in the first list.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: When there is no unused counter in the first list, the terminal device releases the SCG configuration corresponding to the target SCG from the M candidate SCG configurations.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that The method further comprises: The terminal device receives fourth information sent by the first network node, where the fourth information includes a counter or multiple counters corresponding to the candidate SCG.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The fourth information is carried in a radio resource control RRC message or a media access control layer control element MAC CE.

16. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The terminal device maintains a plurality of counters corresponding to the M candidate SCGs, the plurality of counters being associated with a second list, and the method further comprising: The terminal device determines the target counter corresponding to the target SCG in the second list according to the indexes of the multiple counters in the second list; or The terminal device selects an unused counter in the second list as the target counter.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that Before the terminal device accesses the target secondary cell group SCG in the M candidate SCGs according to the first information, the method further includes: The terminal device sends fifth information to the first network node, where the fifth information is used to indicate the target SCG and the target counter.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The fifth information includes the index of the target SCG and the index of the target counter in the second list.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that The method further comprises: Before the terminal device accesses the target SCG, it receives the sixth information sent by the first network node, where the sixth information is used to indicate that the second network node has synchronized security information.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that The method further comprises: In the case that there is no unused counter in the second list, the terminal device releases the SCG configuration corresponding to the target SCG, or the terminal device sends seventh information to the first network node, and the seventh information is used to request to update the second list.

21. The method according to claim 1, wherein The counters corresponding to the M candidate SCGs are maintained by the first network node, and the method further includes: The terminal device sends eighth information to the first network node, where the eighth information is used to indicate the target SCG.

22. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that Each candidate SCG in the M candidate SCGs is associated with a second condition, and before the terminal device accesses a target secondary cell group SCG in the M candidate SCGs according to the first information, the method further includes: The terminal device determines the SCG that meets the second condition among the M candidate SCGs as the target SCG.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The second condition includes at least one of the following: The measurement result of the primary and secondary cells PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than the third threshold compared to the measurement result of the PSCell in the SCG to which the terminal device is currently connected, the measurement result of the PSCell in the SCG to which the terminal device is currently connected is less than the fourth threshold and the measurement result of the PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than the fifth threshold, and the measurement result of the PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than the sixth threshold.

24. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that Before the terminal device accesses the target secondary cell group SCG in the M candidate SCGs according to the first information, the method further includes: The terminal device receives ninth information sent by the first network node, where the ninth information is used to indicate that one candidate SCG among the M candidate SCGs is determined as the target SCG.

25. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that The method further comprises: The terminal device receives the tenth information sent by the first network node, where the tenth information is used to request the release of the M SCG configurations or the counters corresponding to the M candidate SCGs.

26. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first network node sends first information to the terminal device, where the first information includes M candidate SCG configurations, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that Each of the M candidate SCG configurations includes and / or is associated with one counter or multiple counters.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first network node receives second information sent by the terminal device, where the second information is used to request an update of a counter corresponding to the candidate SCG.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that The number of times the terminal device accesses the candidate SCG is greater than or equal to 1, and the first network node receives the second information sent by the terminal device, including: When the first condition is met, the first network node receives the second information sent by the terminal device.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein The first condition includes at least one of the following: The measurement result of the primary and secondary cells PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than the first threshold, the measurement result of the PSCell in the SCG to which the terminal device is currently connected is less than the second threshold, the first information includes the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG, the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG does not include or is associated with a counter, and the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG does not include or is associated with an unused counter.

31. The method according to any one of claims 28 to 30, characterized in that The second information is carried in a radio resource control RRC message or a media access control layer control element MAC CE.

32. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 31, characterized in that Each candidate SCG in the M candidate SCG configurations corresponds to a plurality of counters, the plurality of counters being associated with a first list, and the method further comprising: The first network node receives third information sent by the terminal device, where the third information is used to indicate the index of the target SCG and / or the target counter corresponding to the target SCG, and the target counter is an unused counter in the first list.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that The third information includes the index of the target counter in the first list.

34. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 33, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first network node sends fourth information to the terminal device, where the fourth information includes a counter or multiple counters corresponding to the candidate SCG.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein The fourth information is carried in an RRC message or a MAC CE.

36. The method according to claim 26, wherein The terminal device maintains a plurality of counters corresponding to the M candidate SCGs, the plurality of counters being associated with a second list, and the method further comprising: The terminal device sends fifth information to the first network node, where the fifth information is used to indicate the target SCG and the target counter corresponding to the target SCG, and the target counter is an unused counter in the second list.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein The fifth information includes the index of the target SCG and the index of the target counter in the second list.

38. The method according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first network node sends eleventh information to the second network node, where the eleventh information is used to synchronize security information to the second network node, and the second network node is the network node where the target SCG is located.

39. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 38, characterized in that The method further comprises: Before the terminal device accesses the target SCG, sixth information is sent to the terminal device, where the sixth information is used to indicate that the second network node has synchronized security information.

40. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 39, characterized in that The method further comprises: In a case where there is no unused counter in the second list, the first network node receives seventh information sent by the terminal device, where the seventh information is used to request updating of the second list.

41. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 40, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first network node sends ninth information to the terminal device, where the ninth information is used to indicate that one candidate SCG among the M candidate SCGs is determined as the target SCG.

42. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 41, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first network node sends tenth information to the terminal device, where the tenth information is used to request the release of the M SCG configurations or the counters corresponding to the M candidate SCGs.

43. A communication device, characterized in that include: a receiving unit, configured to receive first information sent by a first network node, where the first information includes M candidate SCG configurations, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 43; an access unit, configured to access a target secondary cell group SCG in the M candidate SCGs according to the first information; A determination unit is used to determine a target counter corresponding to the target SCG, and determine key information for the target SCG based on the target counter.

44. The device according to claim 43, characterized in that Each of the M candidate SCG configurations includes and / or is associated with one counter or multiple counters.

45. The device according to claim 44, characterized in that The determining unit is further configured to: A counter associated with or included in a target SCG configuration is used as a target counter, and the target SCG configuration is a candidate SCG configuration corresponding to the target SCG among the M candidate SCG configurations.

46. ​​The device according to claim 45, characterized in that The device further comprises a release unit for: When the device is changed to another SCG outside the target SCG and / or connected to the target SCG, the target SCG configuration is released from the M candidate SCG configurations.

47. The device according to claim 44, characterized in that The device further includes a sending unit, configured to: Send second information to the first network node, where the second information is used to request updating of a counter corresponding to the candidate SCG.

48. The device according to claim 47, characterized in that The number of times the device accesses the candidate SCG is greater than or equal to 1, and the sending unit is specifically used to: send the second information to the first network node when a first condition is met.

49. The device according to claim 48, characterized in that The first condition includes at least one of the following: The measurement result of the primary and secondary cells PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than the first threshold, the measurement result of the PSCell in the SCG to which the device is currently connected is less than the second threshold, the first information includes the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG, the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG does not include or is associated with a counter, and the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG does not include or is associated with an unused counter.

50. The device according to any one of claims 47 to 49, characterized in that The second information is carried in a radio resource control RRC message or a media access control layer control element MAC CE.

51. The device according to any one of claims 44 to 50, characterized in that Each candidate SCG in the M candidate SCG configurations corresponds to multiple counters, and the multiple counters are associated with a first list. The determination unit is also used to: determine the target counter corresponding to the target SCG in the first list according to the index of the multiple counters in the first list; or randomly select an unused counter in the first list as the target counter.

52. The device according to claim 51, characterized in that The device further includes a sending unit, configured to send third information to the first network node, where the third information is used to indicate the index of the target SCG and / or the target counter.

53. The device according to claim 52, characterized in that The third information includes the index of the target counter in the first list.

54. The device according to any one of claims 51 to 53, characterized in that The device further includes a releasing unit configured to release used counters in the first list.

55. The device according to any one of claims 51 to 54, characterized in that The apparatus further includes a releasing unit configured to release the SCG configuration corresponding to the target SCG from the M candidate SCG configurations when no unused counter exists in the first list.

56. The device according to any one of claims 43 to 55, characterized in that The receiving unit is further used to: receive fourth information sent by the first network node, where the fourth information includes a counter or multiple counters corresponding to the candidate SCG.

57. The device according to claim 56, characterized in that The fourth information is carried in a radio resource control RRC message or a media access control layer control element MAC CE.

58. The device according to claim 43, characterized in that The multiple counters corresponding to the M candidate SCGs are maintained by the device, and the multiple counters are associated with a second list. The determination unit is also used to: determine the target counter corresponding to the target SCG in the second list according to the index of the multiple counters in the second list; or randomly select an unused counter in the second list as the target counter.

59. The device according to claim 58, characterized in that The device also includes a sending unit, which is used to: send fifth information to the first network node before accessing the target secondary cell group SCG in the M candidate SCGs according to the first information, where the fifth information is used to indicate the target SCG and the target counter.

60. The device according to claim 59, characterized in that The fifth information includes the index of the target SCG and the index of the target counter in the second list.

61. The device according to any one of claims 58 to 60, characterized in that The receiving unit is further configured to: before accessing the target SCG, receive sixth information sent by the first network node, where the sixth information is configured to indicate that the second network node has synchronized security information.

62. The device according to any one of claims 58 to 61, characterized in that The device also includes a releasing unit for releasing the SCG configuration corresponding to the target SCG when there is no unused counter in the second list, or the device also includes a sending unit for sending seventh information to the first network node, where the seventh information is used to request an update of the second list.

63. The device according to claim 43, characterized in that The counters corresponding to the M candidate SCGs are maintained by the first network node. The device also includes a sending unit, which is used to: send eighth information to the first network node, and the eighth information is used to indicate the target SCG.

64. The device according to any one of claims 43 to 63, characterized in that Each candidate SCG among the M candidate SCGs is associated with a second condition. Before accessing the target secondary cell group SCG among the M candidate SCGs according to the first information, the determination unit is also used to: determine the SCG among the M candidate SCGs that meets the second condition as the target SCG.

65. The device according to claim 64, characterized in that The second condition includes at least one of the following: The measurement result of the primary and secondary cells PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than the third threshold compared to the measurement result of the PSCell in the SCG to which the device is currently connected, the measurement result of the PSCell in the SCG to which the device is currently connected is less than the fourth threshold and the measurement result of the PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than the fifth threshold, and the measurement result of the PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than the sixth threshold.

66. The device according to any one of claims 43 to 65, characterized in that Before accessing the target secondary cell group SCG in the M candidate SCGs according to the first information, the receiving unit is further configured to: Receive ninth information sent by the first network node, where the ninth information is used to indicate that one candidate SCG among the M candidate SCGs is determined as the target SCG.

67. The device according to any one of claims 43 to 66, characterized in that The receiving unit is further configured to: Receive tenth information sent by the first network node, where the tenth information is used to request the release of the M SCG configurations or the counters corresponding to the M candidate SCGs.

68. A communication device, characterized in that include: A sending unit is used to: send first information to a terminal device, where the first information includes M candidate SCG configurations, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

69. The device according to claim 68, characterized in that Each of the M candidate SCG configurations includes and / or is associated with one counter or multiple counters.

70. The device according to claim 69, characterized in that The apparatus further includes a receiving unit configured to: receive second information sent by the terminal device, where the second information is used to request updating of a counter corresponding to the candidate SCG.

71. The device according to claim 70, characterized in that The number of times the terminal device accesses the candidate SCG is greater than or equal to 1, and the receiving unit is specifically used to: receive the second information sent by the terminal device when the first condition is met.

72. The device according to claim 71, characterized in that The first condition includes at least one of the following: The measurement result of the primary and secondary cells PSCell in the candidate SCG is greater than the first threshold, the measurement result of the PSCell in the SCG to which the terminal device is currently connected is less than the second threshold, the first information includes the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG, the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG does not include or is associated with a counter, and the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate SCG does not include or is associated with an unused counter.

73. The device according to any one of claims 70 to 72, characterized in that The second information is carried in a radio resource control RRC message or a media access control layer control element MAC CE.

74. The device according to any one of claims 69 to 73, characterized in that Each candidate SCG in the M candidate SCG configurations corresponds to multiple counters, and the multiple counters are associated with a first list. The apparatus also includes a receiving unit for: receiving third information sent by the terminal device, the third information being used to indicate the index of the target SCG and / or the target counter corresponding to the target SCG, and the target counter being an unused counter in the first list.

75. The device according to claim 74, characterized in that The third information includes the index of the target counter in the first list.

76. The device according to any one of claims 68 to 75, characterized in that The sending unit is further used to: send fourth information to the terminal device, where the fourth information includes a counter or multiple counters corresponding to the candidate SCG.

77. The device according to claim 76, characterized in that The fourth information is carried in an RRC message or a MAC CE.

78. The device according to claim 68, characterized in that The multiple counters corresponding to the M candidate SCGs are maintained by the terminal device, and the multiple counters are associated with the second list. The sending unit is also used to: send fifth information to the first network node, and the fifth information is used to indicate the target SCG and the target counter corresponding to the target SCG, and the target counter is an unused counter in the second list.

79. The device according to claim 78, characterized in that The fifth information includes the index of the target SCG and the index of the target counter in the second list.

80. The device according to claim 78 or 79, characterized in that The sending unit is further used to: send eleventh information to the second network node, where the eleventh information is used to synchronize security information to the second network node, and the second network node is the network node where the target SCG is located.

81. The device according to any one of claims 78 to 80, characterized in that The sending unit is further used to: before accessing the target SCG, send sixth information to the terminal device, where the sixth information is used to indicate that the second network node has synchronized security information.

82. The device according to any one of claims 78 to 81, characterized in that The apparatus further includes a receiving unit configured to: if there is no unused counter in the second list, receive seventh information sent by the terminal device, wherein the seventh information is used to request updating the second list.

83. The device according to any one of claims 68 to 82, characterized in that The sending unit is further used to: send ninth information to the terminal device, where the ninth information is used to indicate that one candidate SCG among the M candidate SCGs is determined as the target SCG.

84. The device according to any one of claims 68 to 83, characterized in that The sending unit is further used to: send tenth information to the terminal device, where the tenth information is used to request the release of the M SCG configurations or the counters corresponding to the M candidate SCGs.

85. A communication device, characterized in that It includes a memory, a transceiver and a processor, the memory is used to store programs, the processor sends and receives data through the transceiver, and the processor is used to call the program in the memory so that the communication device executes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 25.

86. A communication device, characterized in that It includes a memory, a transceiver and a processor, the memory is used to store programs, the processor sends and receives data through the transceiver, and the processor is used to call the program in the memory so that the communication device executes the method as described in any one of claims 26 to 42.

87. A communication device, characterized in that The device comprises a processor configured to call a program from a memory so as to enable the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

88. A communication device, characterized in that The device comprises a processor configured to call a program from a memory so as to cause the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 26 to 42.

89. A chip, characterized in that The device comprises a processor configured to call a program from a memory so that a device equipped with the chip executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

90. A chip, characterized in that: The device comprises a processor configured to call a program from a memory so that a device equipped with the chip executes the method according to any one of claims 26 to 42.

91. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that A program is stored thereon, the program causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

92. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that A program is stored thereon, the program causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 26 to 42.

93. A computer program product, characterized in that The method comprises a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

94. A computer program product, characterized in that A program is included, the program causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 26 to 42.

95. A computer program, characterized in that The computer program causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

96. A computer program, characterized in that The computer program causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 26 to 42.

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