User equipment, network node, method executed by same and storage medium

Abstract

The invention relates to user equipment, a network node, a method executed by the network node and a storage medium. The method executed by the user equipment comprises the following steps: receiving a command for activating or deactivating a secondary cell from a network node; and activating or deactivating the secondary cell when the secondary cell does not have a synchronization signal block (SSB) configuration and does not have an SSB measurement timing configuration (SMTC), the activation or deactivation delay demand of the auxiliary cell is associated with at least one of the following information: a frequency interval between the auxiliary cell and a reference cell, a relative frequency interval between the auxiliary cell and the reference cell, and whether the auxiliary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in a network node. Whether the auxiliary cell and the reference cell use the same receiving link at the user equipment is determined, the carrier frequency of the auxiliary cell and the reference cell, the path loss difference of the auxiliary cell and the reference cell, the frequency band where the auxiliary cell and the reference cell are located, the capability information of the user equipment, and the grouping information of the auxiliary cell are determined.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a user equipment and a method executed therein, a network node and a method executed therein, and a computer-readable storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In order to meet the increased demand for wireless data communication services since the deployment of 4G communication systems, efforts have been made to develop improved 5G or quasi-5G communication systems. Therefore, 5G or quasi-5G communication systems are also referred to as "super 4G networks" or "post-LTE systems."

[0003] 5G communication systems are implemented in higher frequency (millimeter wave, mmWave) bands, such as the 60 GHz band, to achieve higher data rates. In order to reduce the propagation loss of radio waves and increase the transmission distance, beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, analog beamforming, and massive antenna technology are discussed in 5G communication systems.

[0004] In addition, in the 5G communication system, development of system network improvements is underway based on advanced small cells, cloud radio access networks (RAN), ultra-dense networks, device-to-device (D2D) communication, wireless backhaul, mobile networks, collaborative communications, coordinated multi-point (CoMP), receiving-end interference cancellation, etc.

[0005] In 5G systems, hybrid FSK and QAM modulation (FQAM) and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) as advanced coded modulation (ACM), and filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and sparse code multiple access (SCMA) as advanced access technologies have been developed. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method performed by a user equipment in a communication system is provided, comprising: receiving an activation or deactivation command of a secondary cell from a network node; activating or deactivating the secondary cell, wherein, when the secondary cell has no synchronization signal block (SSB) configuration and no SSB measurement timing configuration (SMTC), the activation or deactivation delay requirement of the secondary cell is associated with at least one of the following information: a frequency interval between the secondary cell and a reference cell, a relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same receiving link in the user equipment, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the frequency bands where the secondary cell and the reference cell are located, capability information of the user equipment, and grouping information of the secondary cell.

[0007] Optionally, the method also includes: reporting capability information to a network node, wherein the capability information includes at least one of the following items: first capability information, indicating that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying synchronization signal blocks in the scenarios of intra-band carrier aggregation and inter-band carrier aggregation; second capability information, indicating that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying synchronization signal blocks in the scenario of discontinuous carrier aggregation within the frequency band; third capability information, indicating that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying synchronization signal blocks in the scenario of inter-band carrier aggregation; fourth capability information, indicating that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying synchronization signal blocks whose frequency interval and / or relative frequency interval with the reference cell meets the first condition.

[0008] Optionally, the reference cell is determined from a service cell of the user equipment based on a first rule or information indicating the reference cell received by the user equipment from the network node, wherein the service cell includes a primary cell or a special cell and an activated secondary cell carrying a synchronization signal block.

[0009] Optionally, the first rule includes at least one of the following items: determining the reference cell according to the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the serving cell; determining the reference cell according to the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the serving cell; determining the reference cell according to the signal strength of the serving cell.

[0010] Optionally, determining the reference cell according to the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the service cell includes: selecting the service cell with the smallest frequency interval as the reference cell, or selecting the service cell with a frequency interval greater than a first threshold as the reference cell, wherein the first threshold is a threshold configured or predefined by the network node; determining the reference cell according to the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the service cell includes: selecting the service cell with the smallest relative frequency interval as the reference cell, or selecting the service cell with a relative frequency interval greater than a second threshold as the reference cell, wherein the second threshold is a threshold configured or predefined by the network node; determining the reference cell according to the signal strength of the service cell includes: selecting the service cell with the largest signal strength as the reference cell, or selecting the service cell with a signal strength greater than a third threshold as the reference cell, wherein the third threshold is a threshold configured or predefined by the network node.

[0011] Optionally, the capability information is reported according to component carrier CC, or is reported according to a combination of multiple CCs, or is reported according to user equipment.

[0012] Optionally, the grouping information is configured by the network node, or determined based on at least one of the following: the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same receiving link in the user equipment, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, and the frequency bands in which the secondary cell and the reference cell are located.

[0013] Optionally, the activation or deactivation delay requirement includes at least one of the following items: a requirement for a reception timing deviation between the secondary cell and the reference cell; a requirement for a reception power difference between the secondary cell and the reference cell; a requirement for a quasi-co-location relationship type between the reference signal of the secondary cell and the tracking reference signal, and a requirement for a quasi-co-location relationship type between the tracking reference signal of the secondary cell and the synchronization signal block of the reference cell.

[0014] Optionally, the timing calibration error of the network node is associated with at least one of the following information: the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, and the frequency bands in which the secondary cell and the reference cell are located.

[0015] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method executed by a network node in a communication system is provided, comprising: receiving capability information reported by a user device; sending an activation or deactivation command for a secondary cell to the user device, wherein the activation or deactivation delay requirement of the secondary cell is associated with at least one of the following information: a frequency interval between the secondary cell and a reference cell, a relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same receiving link in the user device, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the frequency bands where the secondary cell and the reference cell are located, capability information of the user equipment, and grouping information of the secondary cell.

[0016] Optionally, the capability information includes at least one of the following items: first capability information, indicating that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying the synchronization signal block in the scenarios of intra-band carrier aggregation and inter-band carrier aggregation; second capability information, indicating that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying the synchronization signal block in the scenario of discontinuous carrier aggregation within the frequency band; third capability information, indicating that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying the synchronization signal block in the scenario of inter-band carrier aggregation; fourth capability information, indicating that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying the synchronization signal block whose frequency interval and / or relative frequency interval with the reference cell meets the first condition.

[0017] Optionally, the method further includes: sending information indicating the reference cell to the user equipment, wherein the reference cell is determined based on the information indicating the reference cell.

[0018] Optionally, the reference cell is determined from the service cell based on at least one of the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the service cell of the user equipment, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the service cell, and the signal strength of the service cell, and the service cell includes a primary cell, a special cell, and an activated secondary cell carrying a synchronization signal block.

[0019] Optionally, the reference cell is a serving cell with the smallest frequency interval, or the reference cell is a serving cell with a frequency interval greater than a first threshold, wherein the first threshold is a threshold configured by the network node or predefined; or,

[0020] The reference cell is a serving cell with the smallest relative frequency interval, or the reference cell is a serving cell with a relative frequency interval greater than a second threshold, wherein the second threshold is a threshold configured by the network node or predefined; or,

[0021] The reference cell is a serving cell with the largest signal strength, or the reference cell is a serving cell with a signal strength greater than a third threshold, wherein the third threshold is a threshold configured by the network node or predefined.

[0022] Optionally, the capability information is reported according to component carrier CC, or is reported according to a combination of multiple CCs, or is reported according to user equipment.

[0023] Optionally, the grouping information is configured by the network node, or determined based on at least one of the following: the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same receiving link in the user equipment, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, and the frequency bands in which the secondary cell and the reference cell are located.

[0024] Optionally, the activation or deactivation delay requirement includes at least one of the following items: a requirement for a reception timing deviation between the secondary cell and the reference cell; a requirement for a reception power difference between the secondary cell and the reference cell; a requirement for a quasi-co-location relationship type between the reference signal of the secondary cell and the tracking reference signal, and a requirement for a quasi-co-location relationship type between the tracking reference signal of the secondary cell and the synchronization signal block of the reference cell.

[0025] Optionally, the timing calibration error of the network node is associated with at least one of the following information: the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, and the frequency bands in which the secondary cell and the reference cell are located.

[0026] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a user equipment is provided, comprising: a transceiver; and a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to execute the method performed by the user equipment as described above.

[0027] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network node is provided, comprising: a transceiver; and a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to execute the method performed by the network node as described above.

[0028] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions is provided, which, when executed by at least one processor, prompts the at least one processor to execute any one of the methods described above.

[0029] According to the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the secondary cell has no synchronization signal block SSB configuration and no SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC, since the activation or deactivation delay requirement of the secondary cell is associated with at least one of the following information: the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency single link in the network node, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same receiving link in the user equipment, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the frequency band where the secondary cell and the reference cell are located, the capability information of the user equipment, and the grouping information of the secondary cell, therefore, even when the secondary cell has no synchronization signal block SSB configuration and no SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC, the user equipment can still correctly perform the activation or deactivation of the secondary cell, thereby effectively avoiding the occupation of too many time-frequency resources due to the SSB configuration and SMTC, bringing better network energy saving effect, and ensuring the correct execution of the activation or deactivation of the secondary cell while saving the network.

[0030] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The accompanying drawings herein are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, and together with the description are used to explain the principles of the present disclosure, and do not constitute improper limitations on the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 1 Schematic diagram illustrating an example wireless network 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 2a and Figure 2b Example wireless transmit and receive paths according to the present disclosure are shown.

[0034] Figure 3a An example UE 116 according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0035] Figure 3b An example gNB 102 according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0036] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method performed by a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method performed by a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 6is a flow chart illustrating a method performed by a network node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of communication between a user equipment and a network node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a network node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the various embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. This description includes various specific details to facilitate understanding but should be considered as exemplary only. Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications can be made to the various embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, for the sake of clarity and conciseness, descriptions of well-known functions and structures may be omitted.

[0043] The terms and expressions used in the following specification and claims are not limited to their dictionary meanings, but are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for illustration purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0044] It should be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a component surface" includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

[0045] The term "include" or "may include" refers to the presence of the corresponding disclosed functions, operations or components that can be used in various embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than limiting the presence of one or more additional functions, operations or features. In addition, the term "include" or "have" may be interpreted as indicating certain characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, components or combinations thereof, but should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility of the presence of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, components or combinations thereof.

[0046] The term "or" used in various embodiments of the present disclosure includes any of the listed terms and all combinations thereof. For example, "A or B" may include A, may include B, or may include both A and B.

[0047] Unless defined differently, all terms (including technical terms or scientific terms) used in the present disclosure have the same meanings as understood by those skilled in the art described in the present disclosure. Common terms as defined in dictionaries are interpreted as having meanings consistent with the context in the relevant technical field, and should not be interpreted ideally or overly formally unless clearly defined in the present disclosure.

[0048] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The text and the accompanying drawings are provided only as examples to help readers understand the present disclosure. They are not intended to and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Although certain embodiments and examples have been provided, based on what is disclosed herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments and examples shown may be changed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 1 An example wireless network 100 is shown in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1 The embodiment of the wireless network 100 shown in FIG. 1 is for illustration only. Other embodiments of the wireless network 100 can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0050] Wireless network 100 includes gNodeB (gNB) 101, gNB 102, and gNB 103. gNB 101 communicates with gNB 102 and gNB 103. gNB 101 also communicates with at least one Internet Protocol (IP) network 130, such as the Internet, a private IP network, or other data network.

[0051] Depending on the network type, other well-known terms such as "base station" or "access point" can be used instead of "gNodeB" or "gNB". For convenience, the terms "gNodeB" and "gNB" are used in this patent document to refer to network infrastructure components that provide wireless access to remote terminals. Also, depending on the network type, other well-known terms such as "mobile station", "subscriber station", "remote terminal", "wireless terminal" or "user device" can be used instead of "user equipment" or "UE". For convenience, the terms "user equipment" and "UE" are used in this patent document to refer to a remote wireless device that wirelessly accesses a gNB, whether the UE is a mobile device (such as a mobile phone or smartphone) or a commonly thought of fixed device (such as a desktop computer or vending machine).

[0052] gNB 102 provides wireless broadband access to network 130 for a first plurality of user equipment (UE) within coverage area 120 of gNB 102. The first plurality of UEs include: UE 111, which may be located in a small business (SB); UE 112, which may be located in an enterprise (E); UE 113, which may be located in a WiFi hotspot (HS); UE 114, which may be located in a first residence (R); UE 115, which may be located in a second residence (R); UE 116, which may be a mobile device (M), such as a cellular phone, a wireless laptop, a wireless PDA, etc. gNB 103 provides wireless broadband access to network 130 for a second plurality of UEs within coverage area 125 of gNB 103. The second plurality of UEs include UE 115 and UE 116. In some embodiments, one or more of gNBs 101-103 may be capable of communicating with each other and with UEs 111-116 using 5G, long term evolution (LTE), LTE-A, WiMAX, or other advanced wireless communication technologies.

[0053] The dashed lines illustrate the approximate extents of coverage areas 120 and 125, which are shown as approximately circular for purposes of illustration and explanation only. It should be clearly understood that coverage areas associated with gNBs, such as coverage areas 120 and 125, can have other shapes, including irregular shapes, depending on the configuration of the gNB and variations in the radio environment associated with natural and man-made obstacles.

[0054] As described in more detail below, one or more of gNB 101, gNB 102, and gNB 103 include a 2D antenna array as described in embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, one or more of gNB 101, gNB 102, and gNB 103 support codebook design and structure for a system with a 2D antenna array.

[0055] although Figure 1 One example of a wireless network 100 is shown, but Figure 1 Various changes may be made. For example, wireless network 100 can include any number of gNBs and any number of UEs in any suitable arrangement. Also, gNB 101 can communicate directly with any number of UEs and provide those UEs with wireless broadband access to network 130. Similarly, each gNB 102-103 can communicate directly with network 130 and provide UEs with direct wireless broadband access to network 130. In addition, gNBs 101, 102, and / or 103 can provide access to other or additional external networks, such as an external telephone network or other type of data network.

[0056] Figure 2a and Figure 2bExample wireless transmit and receive paths according to the present disclosure are shown. In the following description, transmit path 200 can be described as being implemented in a gNB (such as gNB 102) and receive path 250 can be described as being implemented in a UE (such as UE 116). However, it should be understood that receive path 250 can be implemented in a gNB and transmit path 200 can be implemented in a UE. In some embodiments, receive path 250 is configured to support codebook design and structure for a system with a 2D antenna array as described in embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0057] The transmit path 200 includes a channel coding and modulation block 205, a serial to parallel (S to P) block 210, an N-point inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) block 215, a parallel to serial (P to S) block 220, an add cyclic prefix block 225, and an upconverter (UC) 230. The receive path 250 includes a downconverter (DC) 255, a remove cyclic prefix block 260, a serial to parallel (S to P) block 265, an N-point fast Fourier transform (FFT) block 270, a parallel to serial (P to S) block 275, and a channel decoding and demodulation block 280.

[0058] In the transmit path 200, the channel coding and modulation block 205 receives a set of information bits, applies coding (such as low-density parity check (LDPC) coding), and modulates the input bits (such as using quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM)) to generate a sequence of frequency-domain modulation symbols. The serial-to-parallel (S-to-P) block 210 converts (such as demultiplexes) the serial modulation symbols into parallel data to generate N parallel symbol streams, where N is the number of IFFT / FFT points used in the gNB 102 and the UE 116. The N-point IFFT block 215 performs an IFFT operation on the N parallel symbol streams to generate a time-domain output signal. The parallel-to-serial block 220 converts (such as multiplexes) the parallel time-domain output symbols from the N-point IFFT block 215 to generate a serial time-domain signal. The add cyclic prefix block 225 inserts a cyclic prefix into the time-domain signal. The up-converter 230 modulates (such as up-converts) the output of the add cyclic prefix block 225 to an RF frequency for transmission via a wireless channel. The signal can also be filtered at baseband before conversion to RF frequency.

[0059] The RF signal transmitted from gNB 102 arrives at UE 116 after passing through a wireless channel, and an operation opposite to that at gNB 102 is performed at UE 116. Downconverter 255 downconverts the received signal to a baseband frequency, and remove cyclic prefix block 260 removes the cyclic prefix to generate a serial time-domain baseband signal. Serial-to-parallel block 265 converts the time-domain baseband signal into a parallel time-domain signal. N-point FFT block 270 performs an FFT algorithm to generate N parallel frequency-domain signals. Parallel-to-serial block 275 converts the parallel frequency-domain signals into a sequence of modulated data symbols. Channel decoding and demodulation block 280 demodulates and decodes the modulated symbols to recover the original input data stream.

[0060] Each of gNBs 101-103 may implement a transmit path 200 similar to that for transmitting in the downlink to UEs 111-116 and may implement a receive path 250 similar to that for receiving in the uplink from UEs 111-116. Similarly, each of UEs 111-116 may implement a transmit path 200 for transmitting in the uplink to gNBs 101-103 and may implement a receive path 250 for receiving in the downlink from gNBs 101-103.

[0061] Figure 2a and Figure 2b Each of the components in can be implemented using hardware only, or a combination of hardware and software / firmware. As a specific example, Figure 2a and Figure 2b At least some of the components in can be implemented with software, while other components can be implemented by configurable hardware or a mixture of software and configurable hardware. For example, FFT block 270 and IFFT block 215 can be implemented as a configurable software algorithm, in which the value of the number of points N can be modified according to the implementation.

[0062] In addition, although described as using FFT and IFFT, this is illustrative only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Other types of transforms can be used, such as discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) functions. It should be understood that for DFT and IDFT functions, the value of variable N can be any integer (such as 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), while for FFT and IFFT functions, the value of variable N can be any integer as a power of 2 (such as 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.).

[0063] although Figure 2a and Figure 2b An example of a wireless transmit and receive path is shown, but the Figure 2a and Figure 2b Make various changes. For example, Figure 2a and Figure 2b The various components in can be combined, further subdivided or omitted, and additional components can be added according to specific needs. Figure 2a and Figure 2b It is intended to illustrate examples of the types of transmit and receive paths that can be used in a wireless network. Any other suitable architecture can be used to support wireless communications in a wireless network.

[0064] Figure 3a An example UE 116 according to the present disclosure is shown. Figure 3a The embodiment of UE 116 shown in FIG. 1 is for illustration only, and Figure 1 UEs 111-115 can have the same or similar configurations. However, UEs have a variety of configurations, and Figure 3a The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation of the UE.

[0065] UE 116 includes antenna 305, radio frequency (RF) transceiver 310, transmit (TX) processing circuit 315, microphone 320, and receive (RX) processing circuit 325. UE 116 also includes speaker 330, processor / controller 340, input / output (I / O) interface 345, input device(s) 350, display 355, and memory 360. Memory 360 includes operating system (OS) 361 and one or more applications 362.

[0066] The RF transceiver 310 receives incoming RF signals from the antenna 305 transmitted by the gNB of the wireless network 100. The RF transceiver 310 downconverts the incoming RF signals to generate an intermediate frequency (IF) or baseband signal. The IF or baseband signal is sent to the RX processing circuit 325, where the RX processing circuit 325 generates a processed baseband signal by filtering, decoding and / or digitizing the baseband or IF signal. The RX processing circuit 325 sends the processed baseband signal to the speaker 330 (such as for voice data) or to the processor / controller 340 (such as for web browsing data) for further processing.

[0067] The TX processing circuit 315 receives analog or digital voice data from the microphone 320, or receives other outgoing baseband data (such as network data, email, or interactive video game data) from the processor / controller 340. The TX processing circuit 315 encodes, multiplexes, and / or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. The RF transceiver 310 receives the outgoing processed baseband or IF signal from the TX processing circuit 315 and up-converts the baseband or IF signal to an RF signal that is transmitted via the antenna 305.

[0068] The processor / controller 340 can include one or more processors or other processing devices and execute an OS 361 stored in the memory 360 to control the overall operation of the UE 116. For example, the processor / controller 340 can control the reception of forward channel signals and the transmission of reverse channel signals through the RF transceiver 310, the RX processing circuit 325, and the TX processing circuit 315 according to well-known principles. In some embodiments, the processor / controller 340 includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

[0069] The processor / controller 340 is also capable of executing other processes and programs resident in the memory 360, such as operations for channel quality measurement and reporting for a system with a 2D antenna array as described in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The processor / controller 340 is capable of moving data into or out of the memory 360 as needed for the executed process. In some embodiments, the processor / controller 340 is configured to execute applications 362 based on the OS 361 or in response to signals received from the gNB or operator. The processor / controller 340 is also coupled to the I / O interface 345, where the I / O interface 345 provides the UE 116 with the ability to connect to other devices such as laptops and handheld computers. The I / O interface 345 is the communication path between these accessories and the processor / controller 340.

[0070] Processor / controller 340 is also coupled to input device(s) 350 and display 355. An operator of UE 116 can input data into UE 116 using input device(s) 350. Display 355 can be a liquid crystal display or other display capable of presenting text and / or at least limited graphics (such as from a website). Memory 360 is coupled to processor / controller 340. A portion of memory 360 can include random access memory (RAM), while another portion of memory 360 can include flash memory or other read-only memory (ROM).

[0071] although Figure 3a An example of UE 116 is shown, but it is possible to Figure 3a Make various changes. For example, Figure 3a The various components in can be combined, further subdivided, or omitted, and additional components can be added according to specific needs. As a specific example, processor / controller 340 can be divided into multiple processors, such as one or more central processing units (CPUs) and one or more graphics processing units (GPUs). Moreover, although Figure 3a The UE 116 is shown configured as a mobile phone or smart phone, but the UE can be configured to operate as other types of mobile or stationary devices.

[0072] Figure 3bAn example gNB 102 according to the present disclosure is shown. Figure 3b The embodiment of the gNB 102 shown in FIG. is for illustration only, and Figure 1 Other gNBs can have the same or similar configurations. However, gNBs have a variety of configurations, and Figure 3b The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation of the gNB. It should be noted that gNB 101 and gNB 103 can include the same or similar structure as gNB 102.

[0073] like Figure 3b As shown in FIG. 1 , gNB 102 includes multiple antennas 370a-370n, multiple RF transceivers 372a-372n, transmit (TX) processing circuitry 374, and receive (RX) processing circuitry 376. In some embodiments, one or more of the multiple antennas 370a-370n include a 2D antenna array. gNB 102 also includes a controller / processor 378, a memory 380, and a backhaul or network interface 382.

[0074] The RF transceivers 372a-372n receive incoming RF signals from the antennas 370a-370n, such as signals transmitted by a UE or other gNB. The RF transceivers 372a-372n downconvert the incoming RF signals to generate IF or baseband signals. The IF or baseband signals are sent to the RX processing circuitry 376, which generates processed baseband signals by filtering, decoding, and / or digitizing the baseband or IF signals. The RX processing circuitry 376 sends the processed baseband signals to the controller / processor 378 for further processing.

[0075] The TX processing circuit 374 receives analog or digital data (such as voice data, network data, email, or interactive video game data) from the controller / processor 378. The TX processing circuit 374 encodes, multiplexes, and / or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. The RF transceivers 372a-372n receive the outgoing processed baseband or IF signals from the TX processing circuit 374 and up-convert the baseband or IF signals to RF signals that are transmitted via the antennas 370a-370n.

[0076] The controller / processor 378 can include one or more processors or other processing devices that control the overall operation of the gNB 102. For example, the controller / processor 378 can control the reception of forward channel signals and the transmission of reverse channel signals through the RF transceivers 372a-372n, the RX processing circuitry 376, and the TX processing circuitry 374 in accordance with well-known principles. The controller / processor 378 can also support additional functionality, such as more advanced wireless communication functionality. For example, the controller / processor 378 can perform a Blind Interference Sensing (BIS) process, such as performed through a Blind Interference Sensing (BIS) algorithm, and decode a received signal with an interference signal subtracted. The controller / processor 378 can support any of a variety of other functions in the gNB 102. In some embodiments, the controller / processor 378 includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

[0077] The controller / processor 378 can also execute programs and other processes resident in the memory 380, such as a basic OS. The controller / processor 378 can also support channel quality measurement and reporting for systems with 2D antenna arrays as described in embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the controller / processor 378 supports communications between entities such as web RTC. The controller / processor 378 can move data into or out of the memory 380 as needed by the executing process.

[0078] The controller / processor 378 is also coupled to a backhaul or network interface 382. The backhaul or network interface 382 allows the gNB 102 to communicate with other devices or systems via a backhaul connection or via a network. The backhaul or network interface 382 can support communication via any suitable (multiple) wired or wireless connections. For example, when the gNB 102 is implemented as part of a cellular communication system (such as a cellular communication system supporting 5G or new radio access technology or NR, LTE or LTE-A), the backhaul or network interface 382 can allow the gNB 102 to communicate with other gNBs via a wired or wireless backhaul connection. When the gNB 102 is implemented as an access point, the backhaul or network interface 382 can allow the gNB 102 to communicate with a larger network (such as the Internet) via a wired or wireless local area network or via a wired or wireless connection. The backhaul or network interface 382 includes any suitable structure that supports communication via a wired or wireless connection, such as an Ethernet or RF transceiver.

[0079] The memory 380 is coupled to the controller / processor 378. A portion of the memory 380 can include RAM, while another portion of the memory 380 can include flash memory or other ROM. In some embodiments, a plurality of instructions such as a BIS algorithm are stored in the memory. The plurality of instructions are configured to cause the controller / processor 378 to perform the BIS process and decode the received signal after subtracting at least one interference signal determined by the BIS algorithm.

[0080] As described in more detail below, the transmit and receive paths of the gNB 102 (implemented using the RF transceivers 372a-372n, the TX processing circuitry 374, and / or the RX processing circuitry 376) support aggregated communications with FDD cells and TDD cells.

[0081] although Figure 3b An example of a gNB 102 is shown, but the Figure 3b For example, gNB 102 can include any number of Figure 3a . As a specific example, an access point can include a number of backhaul or network interfaces 382, ​​and the controller / processor 378 can support routing functions to route data between different network addresses. As another specific example, while shown as including a single instance of TX processing circuitry 374 and a single instance of RX processing circuitry 376, the gNB 102 can include multiple instances of each (such as one for each RF transceiver).

[0082] With the continuous development of wireless communication systems, in order to obtain higher data rates, the network needs to use more antennas, larger bandwidths and more frequency bands, and high energy consumption has gradually become one of the problems that plague operators. At the same time, in 5GNR, the primary synchronization signal (PSS), the secondary synchronization signal (SSS) and the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) together form the synchronization signal block (SS / PBCH block, SSB), which is mainly used for downlink synchronization and measurement. The synchronization signal block SSB appears several times in a half frame at regular intervals. These synchronization signal blocks SSB form a synchronization signal block set (SSB set). The period of the synchronization signal block set SSB set can be, for example, 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, 160ms, etc. However, sending these synchronization signal blocks SSB takes up a lot of time and frequency resources and consumes a lot of network energy.

[0083] In view of this, the present disclosure proposes a concept capable of realizing network energy saving. Specifically, according to the concept of the present disclosure, at least a user equipment, a method executed by the user equipment, a network node and a method executed by the network node are provided.

[0084] In order to support wider transmission bandwidth and improve the data rate of a single user device in a wireless network, two or more component carriers (CC) are allocated to the same user device for data transmission. This aggregation of component carriers is called carrier aggregation (CA). When multiple component carriers are in the same frequency band and their spectrum is continuous, it is called intra-band contiguous CA; when multiple component carriers are in the same frequency band and there is a certain interval between their spectrum, it is called intra-band non-contiguous CA; when multiple component carriers are in different frequency bands, it is called inter-band CA. Multiple cells combined by carrier aggregation CA technology form a cell group. The cell used to initiate initial access in this cell group is the primary cell (PCell) or special cell (SpCell). In this cell group, other cells except the primary cell PCell or special cell SpCell are secondary cells (SCell).

[0085] The concept of realizing network energy saving proposed in the present disclosure can be applied to network energy saving in at least the scenarios of intra-band continuous carrier aggregation, intra-band discontinuous carrier aggregation and / or inter-band carrier aggregation.

[0086] Next, we will refer to Figures 4 to 9 The concepts of the present disclosure are described in detail.

[0087] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method performed by a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0088] Reference Figure 4 In step S410, a command for activating or deactivating the secondary cell is received from a network node. As an example, the network node may be any network device (such as a base station device, a bypass device, etc.), or a network function entity. For example, the user equipment may receive a media access control-control element (MAC-Control Element, MAC-CE) signaling from the network node to know which SCell or SCells are to be activated or deactivated.

[0089] Next, in step S420, the secondary cell is activated or deactivated. According to an embodiment, when the secondary cell has no synchronization signal block SSB configuration and no SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC, the activation or deactivation delay requirement of the secondary cell is associated with at least one of the following information: the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same receiving link in the user equipment, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the frequency bands where the secondary cell and the reference cell are located, the capability information of the user equipment, and the grouping information of the secondary cell.

[0090] For example, the frequency interval between the secondary cell (SCell) and the reference cell can be defined as the frequency interval between the SCell CC and the reference cell CC, or the frequency interval between the SCell CC and the frequency band where the reference cell CC is located. The frequency interval between the SCell CC and the reference cell CC can be defined as one of the following: the difference between the upper frequency limit of the SCell CC and the lower frequency limit of the reference cell CC, the difference between the center frequency of the SCell CC and the center frequency of the reference cell CC, the difference between the upper frequency limit of the SCell CC and the upper frequency limit of the reference cell CC, the difference between the lower frequency limit of the SCell CC and the lower frequency limit of the reference cell CC, and the difference between the lower frequency limit of the SCell CC and the upper frequency limit of the reference cell CC. If the SCell CC and the reference cell CC are in the same frequency band, the frequency interval between the SCell CC and the reference cell CC in the frequency band may be defined as one of the following: the difference between the upper frequency limit of the CC with the highest frequency and the lower frequency limit of the CC with the lowest frequency in the same frequency band, the difference between the center frequency of the CC with the highest frequency and the center frequency of the CC with the lowest frequency in the same frequency band, the difference between the upper frequency limit of the CC with the highest frequency and the upper frequency limit of the CC with the lowest frequency in the same frequency band, the difference between the lower frequency limit of the CC with the highest frequency and the lower frequency limit of the CC with the lowest frequency in the same frequency band, and the difference between the lower frequency limit of the CC with the highest frequency and the upper frequency limit of the CC with the lowest frequency in the same frequency band. If the SCellCC and the reference cell CC are in different frequency bands, the frequency interval between the SCell CC and the reference cell CC in the frequency band may be defined as one of the following: the difference between the upper frequency limit of the highest frequency CC in the highest frequency band and the lower frequency limit of the lowest frequency CC in the lowest frequency band, the difference between the center frequency of the highest frequency CC in the highest frequency band and the center frequency of the lowest frequency CC in the lowest frequency band, the difference between the upper frequency limit of the highest frequency CC in the highest frequency band and the upper frequency limit of the lowest frequency CC in the lowest frequency band, the difference between the lower frequency limit of the highest frequency CC in the highest frequency band and the lower frequency limit of the lowest frequency CC in the lowest frequency band, and the difference between the lower frequency limit of the highest frequency CC in the highest frequency band and the upper frequency limit of the lowest frequency CC in the lowest frequency band, but not limited to these.

[0091] For example, the relative frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell can be defined as one of the following: the frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell divided by the upper frequency limit or center frequency or lower frequency limit of the CC of the SCell, the frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell divided by the upper frequency limit or center frequency or lower frequency limit of the CC of the reference cell, the frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell divided by the upper frequency limit or center frequency or lower frequency limit of the highest or lowest frequency CC in the frequency band where the SCell is located, the frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell divided by the upper frequency limit or center frequency or lower frequency limit of the highest or lowest frequency CC in the frequency band where the reference cell is located, but not limited to this.

[0092] Optionally, Figure 4 The method shown also includes: reporting capability information to a network node. According to an embodiment, the capability information includes at least one of the following items: first capability information, indicating that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying synchronization signal blocks in the scenarios of intra-band carrier aggregation and inter-band carrier aggregation; second capability information, indicating that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying synchronization signal blocks in the scenario of discontinuous carrier aggregation within the band; third capability information, indicating that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying synchronization signal blocks in the scenario of inter-band carrier aggregation; fourth capability information, indicating that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying synchronization signal blocks whose frequency interval and / or relative frequency interval with the reference cell meets the first condition. In the present disclosure, the secondary cell not carrying the synchronization signal block may mean that the secondary cell has no synchronization signal block SSB configuration and no SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC. According to the embodiment, if the user equipment reports the fourth capability information, it indicates that the user equipment supports the secondary cell that does not carry the synchronization signal block when the frequency interval and / or relative frequency interval with the reference cell meets the first condition, and the user equipment supports the secondary cell that does not carry the synchronization signal block when the frequency interval and / or relative frequency interval with the reference cell meets the first condition, which can implicitly indicate that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying the synchronization signal block in the scenario of discontinuous carrier aggregation within the frequency band and / or carrier aggregation between frequency bands. Here, the frequency interval and / or frequency interval with the reference cell, and the first condition can be pre-defined

[0093] For example, the first condition may be that the frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell is less than or equal to a first predetermined value, and / or the first condition may be that the relative frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell is less than or equal to a second predetermined value, but is not limited thereto.

[0094] According to the embodiment, the capability information may be reported by component carrier CC, or may be reported by a combination of multiple CCs, or may be reported by user equipment. For example, if the capability information is reported by component carrier CC, it indicates that the user equipment has the capability indicated by the capability information on the CC. If the capability information is reported by CC combination, it indicates that the user equipment has the capability indicated by the capability information on the CC combination. If the capability information is reported by user equipment, it indicates that the user equipment has the capability indicated by the capability information on any CC and any CC combination.

[0095] According to an embodiment, the reference cell may provide a reference to at least one of timing deviation information, frequency deviation information and channel state information for the secondary cell. The user equipment may use the information of the reference cell to provide a reference to timing deviation and / or frequency deviation and / or channel state information for an SCell without a synchronization signal block SSB configuration and without an SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC, and perform activation or deactivation of the secondary cell.

[0096] According to an embodiment, the reference cell is determined from the service cell of the user equipment based on a first rule or information indicating the reference cell received by the user equipment from the network node. For example, the service cell includes a main cell or a special cell and an activated secondary cell carrying a synchronization signal block. The information indicating the reference cell is also referred to as "first information" hereinafter. In the present disclosure, a secondary cell carrying a synchronization signal block may be a secondary cell with a synchronization signal block SSB configuration or an SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC, and a secondary cell without a synchronization signal block SSB configuration and without an SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC may be referred to as a secondary cell not carrying a synchronization signal block.

[0097] For example, there are three options for determining the reference cell:

[0098] In a first solution, the user equipment selects a reference cell based on information indicating the reference cell received from the network node. For example, the information may directly indicate which cell or cells are the reference cells of the secondary cell, so that the user equipment may directly determine the reference cell through the information.

[0099] In the second scheme, the user equipment determines the reference cell based on the first rule. According to an embodiment, the first rule may include at least one of the following items: determining the reference cell according to the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the serving cell; determining the reference cell according to the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the serving cell; determining the reference cell according to the signal strength of the serving cell. It should be noted that the first rule may include at least one of the above items, which means that the reference cell can be determined according to at least one of the frequency interval, the relative frequency interval, and the signal strength, and is not limited to determining the reference cell only according to the frequency interval, the relative frequency interval or the signal strength. For example, the reference cell can be determined according to the frequency interval and the signal strength. For example, multiple cells can be selected from the serving cell according to the frequency interval, and then the reference cell can be determined from the multiple cells according to the signal strength of the multiple cells.

[0100] For example, determining the reference cell according to the frequency interval may include: selecting a service cell with the smallest frequency interval as the reference cell, or selecting a service cell with a frequency interval greater than a first threshold as the reference cell, wherein the first threshold is a threshold configured or predefined by the network node. For example, determining the reference cell according to the relative frequency interval may include: selecting a service cell with the smallest relative frequency interval as the reference cell, or selecting a service cell with a relative frequency interval greater than a second threshold as the reference cell, wherein the second threshold is a threshold configured or predefined by the network node. For example, determining the reference cell according to the signal strength of the service cell may include: selecting a service cell with the largest signal strength as the reference cell, or selecting a service cell with a signal strength greater than a third threshold as the reference cell, wherein the third threshold is a threshold configured or predefined by the network node. For example, the user equipment may select a reference cell for a SCell that does not carry an SSB in an activated cell of the current cell group based on the first rule. For example, an activated cell with the smallest carrier frequency interval and / or relative frequency interval in the same cell group as the SCell that does not carry SSB is selected as the reference cell. The reference cell can also be selected based on the principle of maximum signal strength (such as RSRP / SINR / RSRQ). The reference cell can also be selected based on a predefined threshold, and the activated cell carrying SSB that meets the predefined threshold requirements is selected as the reference cell.

[0101] In a third solution, the user equipment determines the reference cell based on both the first rule and the information indicating the reference cell. For example, the user equipment first determines the reference cell based on the information indicating the reference cell, and then the user equipment can change the reference cell according to the first rule according to the change of the activated cell in the cell group.

[0102] According to an embodiment, in addition to being associated with the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same receiving link in the user equipment, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, and / or the frequency band in which the secondary cell and the reference cell are located, the activation or deactivation delay requirement may also be associated with the capability information of the user equipment and / or the grouping information of the secondary cell.

[0103] According to an embodiment, the grouping information may be configured by a network node, or determined according to at least one of the following: the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same receiving link in the user equipment, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, and the frequency band where the secondary cell and the reference cell are located. For example, the grouping information may be obtained based on the second information received from the network node, or the grouping information may be obtained based on a predefined grouping rule. For example, the grouping information may be indicated to the user equipment by the network node through the second information, or the grouping information may also be obtained based on a predefined user equipment and network node using the same grouping rule.

[0104] According to an embodiment, the grouping rule may be to group the secondary cells according to at least one of the following items: the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same receiving link in the user equipment, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, and the frequency band where the secondary cell and the reference cell are located. For example, grouping the secondary cells according to the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell may include grouping the secondary cells according to the carrier frequency ratio between the secondary cell and the reference cell, and grouping the secondary cells according to the frequency band where the secondary cell and the reference cell are located may include grouping the secondary cells according to the frequency band combination where the secondary cell and the reference cell are located.

[0105] For example, the secondary cell (SCell) that does not carry a synchronization signal block can be grouped into the first group (represented by SetA), the second group (represented by SetB), the third group (represented by SetC), the fourth group (SetD group), etc. according to the frequency interval between the secondary cell (SCell) and the reference cell. For example, if the SCell is grouped into SetA, it is required that the frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell does not exceed the first value, and there are multiple possible values ​​for the first value, such as 200MHz; if the SCell is grouped into SetB, it is required that the frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell is greater than the first value and does not exceed the second value, and there are multiple possible values ​​for the second value, such as 600MHz; if the SCell is grouped into SetC, it is required that the frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell is greater than the second value and does not exceed the third value, and there are multiple possible values ​​for the third value, such as 1200MHz; if the SCell is grouped into SetD, it is required that the frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell is greater than the third value. As shown in Table 1 below.

[0106]

[0107] Table 1

[0108] As an example, the frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell may be defined as one of the following: the frequency interval between the SCell CC and the reference cell CC, the frequency interval between the SCell CC and the frequency band where the reference cell CC is located. The frequency interval between the SCell CC and the reference cell CC may be defined as one of the following: the difference between the frequency upper limit of the SCell CC and the frequency lower limit of the reference cell CC, the difference between the center frequency of the SCell CC and the center frequency of the reference cell CC, the difference between the frequency upper limit of the SCell CC and the frequency upper limit of the reference cell CC, the difference between the frequency lower limit of the SCell CC and the frequency lower limit of the reference cell CC, and the difference between the frequency lower limit of the SCell CC and the frequency upper limit of the reference cell CC. If the SCell CC and the reference cell CC are in the same frequency band, the frequency interval between the SCell CC and the reference cell CC in the frequency band may be defined as one of the following: the difference between the upper frequency limit of the CC with the highest frequency and the lower frequency limit of the CC with the lowest frequency in the same frequency band, the difference between the center frequency of the CC with the highest frequency and the center frequency of the CC with the lowest frequency in the same frequency band, the difference between the upper frequency limit of the CC with the highest frequency and the upper frequency limit of the CC with the lowest frequency in the same frequency band, the difference between the lower frequency limit of the CC with the highest frequency and the lower frequency limit of the CC with the lowest frequency in the same frequency band, and the difference between the lower frequency limit of the CC with the highest frequency and the upper frequency limit of the CC with the lowest frequency in the same frequency band. If the SCellCC and the reference cell CC are in different frequency bands, the frequency interval between the SCell CC and the reference cell CC in the frequency band may be defined as one of the following: the difference between the upper frequency limit of the highest frequency CC in the highest frequency band and the lower frequency limit of the lowest frequency CC in the lowest frequency band, the difference between the center frequency of the highest frequency CC in the highest frequency band and the center frequency of the lowest frequency CC in the lowest frequency band, the difference between the upper frequency limit of the highest frequency CC in the highest frequency band and the upper frequency limit of the lowest frequency CC in the lowest frequency band, the difference between the lower frequency limit of the highest frequency CC in the highest frequency band and the lower frequency limit of the lowest frequency CC in the lowest frequency band, and the difference between the lower frequency limit of the highest frequency CC in the highest frequency band and the upper frequency limit of the lowest frequency CC in the lowest frequency band.

[0109] For another example, the SCell can be grouped into a first group (expressed by SetA), a second group (expressed by SetB), a third group (expressed by SetC), and a fourth group (SetD group) according to the relative frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell. For example, if the SCell is grouped into SetA, the relative frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell must not exceed the fourth value, and there are multiple possible values ​​for the fourth value, such as 0.2; if the SCell is grouped into SetB, the relative frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell must be greater than the fourth value and not greater than the fifth value, and there are multiple possible values ​​for the fifth value, such as 0.3; if the SCell is grouped into SetC, the relative frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell must be greater than the fifth value and not greater than the sixth value, and there are multiple possible values ​​for the sixth value, such as 0.6; if the SCell is grouped into SetD, the relative frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell must be greater than the sixth value. As shown in the following table.

[0110] Grouping Relative frequency interval SetA <= fourth value SetB > the fourth value, and <= the fifth value SetC > fifth value, and <= sixth value SetD >Sixth value

[0111] Table 2

[0112] As an example, the relative frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell can be defined as one of the following: the frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell divided by the upper frequency limit or center frequency or lower frequency limit of the CC of the SCell, the frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell divided by the upper frequency limit or center frequency or lower frequency limit of the CC of the reference cell, the frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell divided by the upper frequency limit or center frequency or lower frequency limit of the highest or lowest frequency CC in the frequency band where the SCell is located, and the frequency interval between the SCell and the reference cell divided by the upper frequency limit or center frequency or lower frequency limit of the highest or lowest frequency CC in the frequency band where the reference cell is located.

[0113] For another example, grouping can also be performed directly according to the frequency band combination where the SCell and the reference cell are located. For example, assuming that the frequency band combination is a combination in a discontinuous carrier aggregation scenario within the frequency band, grouping can be performed as shown in the following Table 3A. For example, assuming that the frequency band combination is a combination of two frequency bands, grouping can be performed as shown in the following Table 3B.

[0114] NR carrier aggregation bands NR frequency band Grouping CA_n1(*) n1 SetA CA_n3(*) n3 SetA CA_n5(*) n5 SetA CA_n7(*) n7 SetA CA_n12(*) n12 SetA CA_n25(*) n25 SetA CA_n41(*) n41 SetA CA_n48(*) n48 SetA CA_n66(*) n66 SetA CA_n71(*) n71 SetA CA_n77(*) n77 SetC CA_n78(*) n78 SetB CA_n96(*) n96 SetD

[0115] Table 3A

[0116]

[0117]

[0118] Table 3B

[0119] In Table 3A and Table 3B, n represents the frequency band number. CA_nX(*) represents the intra-band non-contiguous carrier aggregation of frequency band nX. n1,n3 is the NR frequency band combination where the SCell and the reference cell are located, CA_n1-n3 is the NR carrier aggregation frequency band combination where the SCell and the reference cell are located, if the NR frequency band combination where the SCell and the reference cell are located is n1,n3, and the NR carrier aggregation frequency band combination where the SCell and the reference cell are located is CA_n1-n3, then the SCell is grouped into SetA.

[0120] According to an embodiment, the activation or deactivation delay requirement may include at least one of the following items: a requirement for the receive timing deviation (Receive Timing Difference, RTD) between the secondary cell and the reference cell; a requirement for the receive power difference between the secondary cell and the reference cell; a requirement for the quasi-co-location relationship type between the reference signal of the secondary cell and the tracking reference signal, and a requirement for the quasi-co-location relationship type between the tracking reference signal of the secondary cell and the synchronization signal block of the reference cell.

[0121] As an example, the activation or deactivation delay requirement may be a minimum requirement for the activation or deactivation delay, but is not limited thereto.

[0122] According to an embodiment, as described above, when the secondary cell has no synchronization signal block SSB configuration and no SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC, the activation or deactivation delay requirement of the secondary cell may be associated with the capability information of the user equipment and / or the grouping information of the secondary cell. For example, different groups and / or different user equipment capabilities may correspond to different minimum requirements for activation or deactivation delays.

[0123] For example, the above minimum requirement may be described by the following Table 4, and may include one or more columns in Table 4, and may also include one or more rows in Table 4. In Table 4, different groups correspond to different minimum requirements for activation or deactivation delay.

[0124] Grouping Minimum requirement for receiving timing deviation RTD Minimum receiving power difference requirement SetA 260ns 6dB SetB min(CP,3us) 6dB SetC 3us+Y1 6dB SetD 3us+Y1 6dB+Z1

[0125] Table 4

[0126] Optionally, the above minimum requirement may also be described by the following Table 5, and may include one or more columns in Table 5, and may also include one or more rows in Table 5. In Table 5, the minimum requirement may be indicated by a requirement index, and different requirement indexes may correspond to different RTD minimum requirements and received power difference minimum requirements.

[0127] Request Index Minimum requirement for receiving timing deviation RTD Minimum receiving power difference requirement 0 260ns 6dB 1 min(CP,3us) 6dB 2 3us+Y1 6dB 3 3us+Y1 6dB+Z1

[0128] Table 5

[0129] In the above Table 5, for example, the groups SetA, SetB, SetC and SetD may correspond to requirement indexes 0, 1, 2 and 3, respectively. That is, different groups may correspond to different minimum requirements for activation or deactivation. Alternatively, the user equipment may have different capabilities of supporting SCell without carrying synchronization signal blocks, which may correspond to different minimum requirements for activation or deactivation. For example, if the user equipment reports the first capability information, it indicates that the user equipment supports the secondary cell without carrying synchronization signal blocks in the scenarios of intra-band carrier aggregation and inter-band carrier aggregation. In this case, the minimum requirement may be requirement index 3; for another example, if the user equipment reports the second capability information, it indicates that the user equipment supports the secondary cell without carrying synchronization signal blocks in the scenario of discontinuous carrier aggregation in the intra-band. In this case, the minimum requirement may be requirement index 0. Generally, the stronger the capability of the user equipment to support SCell without carrying SSB, the broader the minimum requirement may be, and the weaker the capability of the user equipment to support SCell without carrying SSB, the stricter the minimum requirement may be.

[0130] Optionally, the above minimum requirements may also be described by the following Table 6, for example, may include one or more columns in Table 6, and may also include one or more rows in Table 6.

[0131]

[0132]

[0133] Table 6

[0134] In Table 6, the grouping of SCells not carrying SSB can be determined based on the second to fourth columns, and different groups can correspond to different requirement indexes. Optionally, while considering the grouping, the above-mentioned capability information can be further considered to determine the minimum requirement for the delay of activation or deactivation of SCells not carrying SSB. Optionally, the minimum requirement can also be determined based only on the capability information or only on the grouping information.

[0135] It should be noted that RTD and received power difference may affect the activation or deactivation delay T activation_time However, the parameters affecting the activation or deactivation delay are not limited to RTD and received power difference, therefore, the activation or deactivation delay requirement is not limited to including the above examples, but may be a requirement regarding any parameters that may affect the activation or deactivation delay.

[0136] According to an embodiment, the requirement on RTD and / or the requirement on received power difference may affect the activation delay T of the secondary cell. activation_time , or it may not affect the activation delay T of the secondary cell. activation_time .

[0137] For example, if the SCell to be activated belongs to FR1 and has an activated reference cell, if the SCell has no SSB configuration and no SSB measurement timing configuration (SS / PBCH block measurement timing configuration, SMTC), and the user equipment has the capability indicated by any one of the first capability information to the fourth capability information, then the activation delay T of the SCell is met when the following conditions are met activation_time There are many possible values ​​for X, such as 3ms:

[0138] - When the SCell belongs to the aforementioned group SetA or SetB or SetC or SetD or the user equipment has different capabilities of supporting SCell without SSB, the receive timing deviation (RTD) between the SCell and the reference cell is within the range of Y. Corresponding to different groups, Y has different values, and there are multiple possible values, such as ±260ns; such as ±min(cyclic prefix length, 3μs), where the cyclic prefix is ​​the cyclic prefix corresponding to the maximum subcarrier spacing between the SCell and the reference cell; such as ±(3μs+Y1), and there are multiple possible values ​​for Y1;

[0139] - The received power difference between the SCell and the reference cell is within the range of Z. There are multiple possible values ​​of Z, such as 6dB+Z1. Corresponding to different groups, Z1 has different values, such as 0dB;

[0140] -The reference signal of the SCell and the tracking reference signal (TRS) are in a quasi-co-location relationship of Type A, and the TRS of the SCell and the SSB of the reference cell are in a quasi-co-location relationship of Type C.

[0141] For example, if the SCell to be activated belongs to FR1 and has an activated reference cell, if the SCell has no SSB configuration and no SSB measurement timing configuration (SS / PBCH block measurement timing configuration, SMTC), and the user equipment has the capability indicated by any one of the first capability information to the fourth capability information, then the activation delay T of the SCell is met when the following conditions are met activation_time There are many possible values ​​for X1, such as 3ms:

[0142] - When the SCell belongs to the aforementioned group SetA or the user equipment has the capability of supporting SCell without carrying SSB, the receive timing difference (RTD) between the SCell and the reference cell is within a range of Y, and the value of Y may be multiple, such as ±260ns;

[0143] - The received power difference between the SCell and the reference cell is within the range of Z. There are multiple possible values ​​of Z, such as 6dB+Z1. Corresponding to different groups, Z1 has different values, such as 0dB;

[0144] -The reference signal of the SCell and the tracking reference signal (TRS) are in a quasi-co-location relationship of Type A, and the TRS of the SCell and the SSB of the reference cell are in a quasi-co-location relationship of Type C.

[0145] For example, if the SCell to be activated belongs to FR1 and has an activated reference cell, if the SCell has no SSB configuration and no SSB measurement timing configuration (SS / PBCH block measurement timing configuration, SMTC), and the user equipment has the capability indicated by any one of the first capability information to the fourth capability information, then the activation delay T of the SCell is met when the following conditions are met activation_time There are many possible values ​​for X2, such as 3ms:

[0146] - When the SCell belongs to the aforementioned group SetB or the user equipment has the capability of supporting SCell without carrying SSB, the receive timing difference (RTD) between the SCell and the reference cell is within the range of Y, and the value of Y has multiple possibilities, such as ±min(cyclic prefix length, 3μs), where the cyclic prefix is ​​the cyclic prefix corresponding to the maximum subcarrier spacing between the SCell and the reference cell;

[0147] - The received power difference between the SCell and the reference cell is within the range of Z. There are multiple possible values ​​of Z, such as 6dB+Z1. Corresponding to different groups, Z1 has different values, such as 0dB;

[0148] -The reference signal of the SCell and the tracking reference signal (TRS) are in a quasi-co-location relationship of Type A, and the TRS of the SCell and the SSB of the reference cell are in a quasi-co-location relationship of Type C.

[0149] For example, if the SCell to be activated belongs to FR1 and has an activated reference cell, if the SCell has no SSB configuration and no SSB measurement timing configuration (SS / PBCH block measurement timing configuration, SMTC), and the user equipment has the capability indicated by any one of the first capability information to the fourth capability information, then the activation delay T of the SCell is met when the following conditions are met activation_time X3 has many possible values, such as 3ms:

[0150] - When the SCell belongs to the aforementioned group SetC or SetD or the user equipment has the capability of supporting SCell without carrying SSB, the receive timing difference (RTD) between the SCell and the reference cell is within the range of Y, where Y has multiple possible values, such as ±(3μs+Y1), and Y1 has multiple possible values;

[0151] - The received power difference between the SCell and the reference cell is within the range of Z. There are multiple possible values ​​of Z, such as 6dB+Z1. Corresponding to different groups, Z1 has different values, such as 0dB;

[0152] -The reference signal of the SCell and the tracking reference signal (TRS) are in a quasi-co-location relationship of Type A, and the TRS of the SCell and the SSB of the reference cell are in a quasi-co-location relationship of Type C.

[0153] The values ​​of X1, X2, and X3 mentioned above may be different or the same.

[0154] Optionally, according to an embodiment, the timing alignment error (TAE) of the network node may be associated with at least one of the following information: the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, and the frequency band in which the secondary cell and the reference cell are located. For example, the requirement for TAE may be determined based on at least one of the above information, or determined based on the grouping information, wherein the grouping information is determined based on at least one of the above information. For example, for intra-band discontinuous carrier aggregation and / or inter-band carrier aggregation, the secondary cells that do not carry synchronization signal blocks may be grouped according to different frequency intervals and / or relative frequency intervals with or without multiple-input multiple-output, and the network node may have different minimum requirements for TAE corresponding to different groups. For example, corresponding to the aforementioned groups SetA or SetB or SetC or SetD, TAE should have different values ​​corresponding to different groups M within time M, and there are multiple possible values, such as 260ns; such as min (cyclic prefix length, 3μs), where the cyclic prefix is ​​the cyclic prefix corresponding to the maximum subcarrier spacing in the carrier component of the carrier aggregation; such as 3μs, etc.

[0155] According to an embodiment, the demand for the receiving timing deviation may be affected only by the TAE of the network node, or the demand for the receiving timing deviation may be further affected by other factors in addition to the TAE of the network node, and the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0156] According to an embodiment, step S420 may include: determining the activation or deactivation delay requirement of the secondary cell based on at least one of the following information: the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same receiving link in the user equipment, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the frequency band where the secondary cell and the reference cell are located, the capability information of the user equipment, and the grouping information of the secondary cell; activating or deactivating the secondary cell when the activation or deactivation delay requirement is met. For example, when the activation or deactivation delay requirement is met, the secondary cell is activated or deactivated using the information of the reference cell. As an example, the information of the reference cell may include: at least one of the timing deviation information of the reference cell, the frequency deviation information of the reference cell, and the channel state information of the reference cell, but is not limited thereto.

[0157] The above has been referred to Figure 4 A method performed by a user equipment according to the concept of the present disclosure is described. According to the method, when the secondary cell has no synchronization signal block SSB configuration and no SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC, since the activation or deactivation delay requirement of the secondary cell is associated with at least one of the following information: the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same receiving link in the user equipment, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the frequency band where the secondary cell and the reference cell are located, the capability information of the user equipment, and the grouping information of the secondary cell, therefore, even when the secondary cell has no synchronization signal block SSB configuration and no SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC, the user equipment can still correctly perform the activation or deactivation of the secondary cell, thereby effectively avoiding the occupation of too many time-frequency resources due to the SSB configuration and SMTC, bringing better network energy saving effects, and ensuring the correct execution of the activation or deactivation of the secondary cell while saving network energy. Furthermore, if the activation or deactivation delay requirement of the secondary cell is associated with the above-mentioned group information and / or the above-mentioned capability information, activation or deactivation delay requirements can be separately formulated for SCells belonging to different groups and / or having different capability information, thereby avoiding unnecessary waiting time and better achieving the purpose of reducing network delay, improving system throughput and network energy saving.

[0158] To facilitate the understanding of the above method, a brief description is given. Figure 4 An example of the method shown. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method performed by a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0159] Reference Figure 5 In step S510, the user equipment reports capability information. The capability information has been described above and will not be described again here.

[0160] Next, in step S520, the user equipment determines a reference cell based on the first rule and / or the first information received by the user equipment from the network node. For example, the reference cell is selected from a primary cell or a special cell and an activated secondary cell carrying a synchronization signal block based on the first rule and / or the first information.

[0161] Subsequently, in step S530, the user equipment determines grouping information based on the second information received from the network node and / or the predefined grouping rule, and determines an activation or deactivation delay requirement of the SCell based on the grouping information and / or the capability information.

[0162] Finally, in step S540, the user equipment uses the information of the reference cell to activate or deactivate the SCell while satisfying the activation or deactivation delay requirement.

[0163] The above has been referred to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The method performed by the first terminal is described below, and reference will be made to Figure 6 A method executed by a network node is described. In the present disclosure, a network node may be any network device (such as a base station device, a bypass device, etc.), or a network function entity.

[0164] Reference Figure 6 , in step S610, capability information reported by the user equipment is received. According to an embodiment, the capability information may include at least one of the following items: first capability information, indicating that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying the synchronization signal block in the scenario of intra-band carrier aggregation and inter-band carrier aggregation; second capability information, indicating that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying the synchronization signal block in the scenario of discontinuous carrier aggregation within the frequency band; third capability information, indicating that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying the synchronization signal block in the scenario of inter-band carrier aggregation; fourth capability information, indicating that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying the synchronization signal block when the frequency interval and / or relative frequency interval with the reference cell meets the first condition, which has been described above with respect to Figure 4 The capability information has been described in the description of , and the description of the capability information above is applicable to Figure 6 According to the embodiment, when the user equipment reports the above capability information, the synchronization signal block SSB configuration and SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC may not be performed for the secondary cell of the user equipment.

[0165] Next, in step S620, an activation or deactivation command of the secondary cell is sent to the user equipment. According to an embodiment, the activation or deactivation delay requirement of the secondary cell may be associated with at least one of the following information: the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same receiving link in the user equipment, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the frequency bands where the secondary cell and the reference cell are located, the capability information of the user equipment, and the grouping information of the secondary cell. According Figure 6According to the method shown, the network equipment can receive the capability information reported by the user equipment. When the synchronization signal block SSB configuration and SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC are not performed for the secondary cell of the user equipment according to the capability information, it can effectively avoid occupying too many time and frequency resources due to the SSB configuration and SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC, thereby bringing better network energy saving effect.

[0166] Optionally, Figure 6 The method shown may also include: sending information indicating a reference cell to the user equipment. According to an embodiment, the reference cell may be determined from a serving cell of the user equipment based on the information indicating the reference cell, wherein the serving cell includes a primary cell or a special cell and an activated secondary cell carrying a synchronization signal block.

[0167] Optionally, Figure 6 The method shown may also include: determining a reference cell based on a first rule. For example, the first rule may include at least one of the following items: determining a reference cell based on a frequency interval between the secondary cell and a serving cell of the user equipment; determining a reference cell based on a relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the serving cell; determining a reference cell based on a signal strength of the serving cell. For details on determining a reference cell, please refer to the description above, which will not be repeated here.

[0168] Optionally, the grouping information may be configured by the network node, or determined based on at least one of the following: the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same receiving link in the user equipment, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, and the frequency bands in which the secondary cell and the reference cell are located.

[0169] For example, Figure 6The method shown may also include: sending second information to the user equipment, wherein the second information is used for the user equipment to obtain the grouping information. According to an embodiment, the activation or deactivation delay requirement may include at least one of the following items: a requirement for the reception timing deviation between the secondary cell and the reference cell; a requirement for the reception power difference between the secondary cell and the reference cell; a requirement for the quasi-co-location relationship type between the reference signal of the secondary cell and the tracking reference signal, and a requirement for the quasi-co-location relationship type between the tracking reference signal of the secondary cell and the synchronization signal block of the reference cell, but not limited thereto. In addition, optionally, according to an embodiment, the timing calibration error of the network node may be associated with at least one of the following information: the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, and the frequency band where the secondary cell and the reference cell are located.

[0170] In reference Figure 4 In the description of , the content related to grouping has been described, which will not be repeated here. For relevant details, please refer to the description above.

[0171] The above has been referred to Figures 4 to 6 The present disclosure provides a method performed by a user equipment and a method performed by a network node, which are related to the concept of the present disclosure. The method helps to save energy in the network.

[0172] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of communication between a user equipment and a network node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0173] In order to more intuitively understand the concept of the present disclosure, the following Figure 7 An example of communication between a user equipment and a network node is briefly described. However, it should be understood that Figure 7 This is only an example and does not mean that the communication between the user equipment and the network node can only be Figure 7 Execute the process shown.

[0174] like Figure 7As shown, first, the user equipment can report the capability information as described above to the network node (such as the base station device). Subsequently, the network node can instruct the addition / modification / release of the SCell through a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message. Through the RRC reconfiguration message, the user equipment knows which SCell or SCells need to be added / modified / released, and after completing the addition / modification / release, the user equipment can send an RRC reconfiguration completion response to the network node. Next, the network node can send the first information and the second information to the user equipment. The first information can be used to determine that the user equipment determines the reference cell for the secondary cell, and the second information can be used to obtain the grouping information, and the grouping information can be used to determine the activation or deactivation delay requirements that need to be met when the user equipment performs the activation or deactivation of the SCell when the secondary cell has no synchronization signal block SSB configuration and no SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC. In addition, the network node can send a media access control-control element (MAC-Control Element, MAC-CE) message to the user equipment to tell the user equipment which SCell or SCells to activate or deactivate. Finally, the user equipment performs activation or deactivation of the SCell while satisfying the activation or deactivation delay requirement.

[0175] It should be noted that although Figure 7 In the figure, the first information, the second information and the MAC-CE are shown to be sent in sequence, but there is no fixed order for sending the first information and the second information and the MAC-CE message. The first information and the second information can be sent before the MAC-CE message, or after the MAC-CE message. In addition, there is no fixed order for sending the first information and the second information. The first information can be sent first and then the second information, or the second information can be sent first and then the first information, or the first information and the second information can be sent together.

[0176] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 The user equipment 800 may include a transceiver 801 and a processor 802, wherein the processor 802 is coupled to the transceiver 701 and is configured to execute the method performed by the user equipment as described above.

[0177] As an example, the user device may be a PC, a tablet device, a personal digital assistant, a smart phone, or other device capable of executing the above instruction set. In addition, the user device is not necessarily a single user device, but may also be any collection of devices or circuits capable of executing instructions (or instruction sets) individually or in combination. The user device may also be part of an integrated control system or system manager, or may be any portable electronic device.

[0178] In the user equipment, the processor 802 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a programmable logic device, a dedicated processor system, a microcontroller or a microprocessor, etc. By way of example and not limitation, the processor may also include an analog processor, a digital processor, a microprocessor, a multi-core processor, a processor array, etc.

[0179] Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a network node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 The network node 900 may include a transceiver 901 and a processor 902, wherein the processor 902 is coupled to the transceiver 901 and configured to execute the method performed by the network node described above. As an example, the network node may be any network entity (such as a base station device, a bypass device, etc.), or a network function entity.

[0180] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions may also be provided, wherein when the instructions are executed by at least one processor, the at least one processor is prompted to execute any one of the methods mentioned above. Examples of computer-readable storage media here include: read-only memory (ROM), random access programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), flash memory, non-volatile memory, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD+R, CD-RW, CD+RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-R LTH, BD-RE, Blu-ray or optical disk storage, hard disk drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD), card storage (such as, multimedia card, secure digital (SD) card or extreme digital (XD) card), magnetic tape, floppy disk, magneto-optical data storage device, optical data storage device, hard disk, solid state disk and any other device, any other device is configured to store computer programs and any associated data, data files and data structures in a non-transitory manner and provide the computer programs and any associated data, data files and data structures to a processor or computer so that the processor or computer can execute the computer program. The instructions or computer programs in the above-mentioned computer-readable storage medium can be run in an environment deployed in a computer device such as a client, a host, an agent device, a server, etc. In addition, in one example, the computer program and any associated data, data files and data structures are distributed on a networked computer system, so that the computer program and any associated data, data files and data structures are stored, accessed and executed in a distributed manner by one or more processors or computers.

[0181] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present disclosure after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the present disclosure, which follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art that are not disclosed in the present disclosure. The specification and examples are intended to be exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure are defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A method performed by a user equipment in a communication system, comprising: receiving an activation or deactivation command of a secondary cell from a network node; Activate or deactivate the secondary cell, wherein, when the secondary cell has no synchronization signal block SSB configuration and no SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC, the activation or deactivation delay requirement of the secondary cell is associated with at least one of the following information: the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same receiving link in the user equipment, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the frequency bands where the secondary cell and the reference cell are located, the capability information of the user equipment, and the grouping information of the secondary cell.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Report capability information to the network node, wherein the capability information includes at least one of the following items: The first capability information indicates that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying a synchronization signal block in the scenario of intra-band carrier aggregation and inter-band carrier aggregation; The second capability information indicates that the user equipment supports that the secondary cell does not carry a synchronization signal block in a discontinuous carrier aggregation scenario within the frequency band; third capability information, indicating that the user equipment supports that the secondary cell does not carry a synchronization signal block in an inter-band carrier aggregation scenario; The fourth capability information indicates that the user equipment supports a secondary cell whose frequency interval and / or relative frequency interval with the reference cell meets the first condition and does not carry a synchronization signal block.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The reference cell is determined from a serving cell of the user equipment based on a first rule or information indicating the reference cell received by the user equipment from the network node, wherein the serving cell includes a primary cell or a special cell and an activated secondary cell carrying a synchronization signal block.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The first rule includes at least one of the following items: determining the reference cell according to the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the serving cell; determining the reference cell according to the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the serving cell; determining the reference cell according to the signal strength of the serving cell.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein: Determining the reference cell according to the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the serving cell includes: selecting a serving cell with a minimum frequency interval as the reference cell, or selecting a serving cell with a frequency interval greater than a first threshold as the reference cell, wherein the first threshold is a threshold configured by a network node or predefined; Determining the reference cell according to the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the serving cell includes: selecting a serving cell with a minimum relative frequency interval as the reference cell, or selecting a serving cell with a relative frequency interval greater than a second threshold as the reference cell, wherein the second threshold is a threshold configured by a network node or predefined; Determining the reference cell according to the signal strength of the serving cell includes: selecting a serving cell with the largest signal strength as the reference cell, or selecting a serving cell with a signal strength greater than a third threshold as the reference cell, wherein the third threshold is a threshold configured by a network node or predefined.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The capability information is reported per component carrier CC, or is reported per a combination of multiple CCs, or is reported per user equipment.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The grouping information is configured by the network node, or determined according to at least one of the following: The frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same receiving link in the user equipment, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, and the frequency bands in which the secondary cell and the reference cell are located.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The activation or deactivation delay requirement includes at least one of the following: Requirements on the reception timing deviation between the secondary cell and the reference cell; Requirements on the received power difference between the secondary cell and the reference cell; Regarding the quasi-co-location relationship type requirements between the reference signal of the secondary cell and the tracking reference signal, and the quasi-co-location relationship type requirements between the tracking reference signal of the secondary cell and the synchronization signal block of the reference cell.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The timing calibration error of the network node is associated with at least one of the following information: the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, and the frequency bands in which the secondary cell and the reference cell are located.

10. A method performed by a network node in a communication system, comprising: Receive capability information reported by user equipment; Sending a command for activating or deactivating a secondary cell to a user equipment; Among them, when the secondary cell has no synchronization signal block SSB configuration and no SSB measurement timing configuration SMTC, the activation or deactivation delay requirement of the secondary cell is associated with at least one of the following information: the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same receiving link in the user equipment, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the frequency bands where the secondary cell and the reference cell are located, the capability information of the user equipment, and the grouping information of the secondary cell.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The capability information includes at least one of the following items: The first capability information indicates that the user equipment supports the secondary cell not carrying a synchronization signal block in the scenario of intra-band carrier aggregation and inter-band carrier aggregation; The second capability information indicates that the user equipment supports that the secondary cell does not carry a synchronization signal block in a discontinuous carrier aggregation scenario within the frequency band; third capability information, indicating that the user equipment supports that the secondary cell does not carry a synchronization signal block in an inter-band carrier aggregation scenario; The fourth capability information indicates that the user equipment supports a secondary cell whose frequency interval and / or relative frequency interval with the reference cell meets the first condition and does not carry a synchronization signal block.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: Information indicating the reference cell is sent to the user equipment, wherein the reference cell is determined based on the information indicating the reference cell.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The reference cell is determined from the service cell based on at least one of the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the service cell of the user equipment, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the service cell, and the signal strength of the service cell, and the service cell includes a primary cell, a special cell, and an activated secondary cell carrying a synchronization signal block.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The reference cell is a serving cell with the smallest frequency interval, or the reference cell is a serving cell with a frequency interval greater than a first threshold, wherein the first threshold is a threshold configured by the network node or predefined; or, The reference cell is a serving cell with the smallest relative frequency interval, or the reference cell is a serving cell with a relative frequency interval greater than a second threshold, wherein the second threshold is a threshold configured by the network node or predefined; or, The reference cell is a serving cell with the largest signal strength, or the reference cell is a serving cell with a signal strength greater than a third threshold, wherein the third threshold is a threshold configured by the network node or predefined.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The capability information is reported per component carrier CC, or is reported per a combination of multiple CCs, or is reported per user equipment.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The grouping information is configured by the network node, or determined according to at least one of the following: The frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same receiving link in the user equipment, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, and the frequency bands in which the secondary cell and the reference cell are located.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The activation or deactivation delay requirement includes at least one of the following: Requirements on the reception timing deviation between the secondary cell and the reference cell; Requirements on the received power difference between the secondary cell and the reference cell; Regarding the quasi-co-location relationship type requirements between the reference signal of the secondary cell and the tracking reference signal, and the quasi-co-location relationship type requirements between the tracking reference signal of the secondary cell and the synchronization signal block of the reference cell.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The timing calibration error of the network node is associated with at least one of the following information: the frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, the relative frequency interval between the secondary cell and the reference cell, whether the secondary cell and the reference cell use the same radio frequency unit module in the network node, the carrier frequency of the secondary cell and the reference cell, the difference in path loss between the secondary cell and the reference cell, and the frequency bands in which the secondary cell and the reference cell are located.

19. A user equipment, comprising: Transceiver; A processor is coupled to the transceiver and configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

20. A network node, comprising: Transceiver; A processor is coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 10 to 18.

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