Dual connection

Abstract

A method, an apparatus and a computer program are provided for causing a primary node to operate with a first secondary node with dual connectivity to a user equipment: determining that a primary cell of a group of secondary cells is to be handed over from a first cell serving the user equipment, where the first cell is provided by the first secondary node; determining, for a second cell provided by the second secondary node, at least one measurement configuration to remain valid after or during a period of time during which a primary cell in a group of secondary cells serving the user equipment is handed over from the first cell to the second cell; and providing the at least one measurement configuration to the user equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Examples described herein relate generally to apparatus, methods, and computer programs, and more particularly (but not exclusively) to apparatus, methods, and computer programs for network devices. Background Art

[0002] A communication system may be viewed as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities, such as communication devices, base stations, and / or other nodes, by providing carrier waves between the various entities involved in the communication path.

[0003] The communication system may be a wireless communication system. Examples of wireless systems include public land mobile networks (PLMNs) based on radio operations such as those provided by 3GPP, satellite-based communication systems, and different wireless local area networks, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs). Wireless systems can typically be divided into cells and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

[0004] Communication systems and associated devices typically operate according to a given standard or specification, which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are allowed to do and how this should be achieved. Communication protocols and / or parameters to be used for the connection are also typically defined. An example of a standard is the so-called 5G standard. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to a first aspect, a method for a master node operating with a first secondary node utilizing a dual connection to a user equipment is provided, the method comprising: determining that a master cell of a secondary cell group will be switched from a first cell serving the user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node; determining at least one measurement configuration for a second cell provided by a second secondary node, the at least one measurement configuration remaining valid after or during a time period in which the master cell in the secondary cell group serving the user equipment is switched from the first cell to the second cell; and providing at least one measurement configuration to the user equipment.

[0006] Determining at least one measurement configuration may include: identifying that a measurement configuration provided by the first secondary point is to be applied by the user equipment after the user equipment switches from the first cell to the second cell; and setting the identified measurement configuration as the at least one measurement configuration.

[0007] Determining at least one measurement configuration comprises: determining a range of first measurement identifier values, the range of first measurement identifier values ​​being reserved for use by the first secondary node for measurement configurations associated with the first secondary node; providing the range of first measurement identifier values ​​to a second secondary node; and receiving at least one measurement configuration from the second secondary node, wherein the at least one measurement configuration does not include any measurement identifier having an associated value that falls within the range of first measurement identifier values.

[0008] A range of first measurement identifier values ​​is reserved for use by a first secondary node in an associated measurement configuration; the range of first measurement identifier values ​​and the associated measurement configuration are provided to a second secondary node; and at least one measurement configuration is received from the second secondary node, wherein the at least one measurement configuration includes at least one measurement identifier having an associated value that falls within the range of the first measurement identifier values.

[0009] Determining that the first cell is to cease acting as a primary cell of a secondary cell group for the user equipment comprises receiving an indication to that effect from the first secondary cell, and wherein determining the range of first measurement identifier values ​​comprises receiving the range of first measurement identifier values ​​from the first secondary node.

[0010] Determining that the first cell is to cease acting as a primary cell for a secondary cell group of the user equipment may be performed without receiving an indication to this effect from the first secondary cell, and wherein determining the range of first measurement identifier values ​​comprises generating a range of first measurement identifier values.

[0011] According to a second aspect, a method for a first secondary node operating with a primary node utilizing a dual connection to a user equipment, the method comprising: determining that a primary cell of a secondary cell group is to be switched from a first cell serving the user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node; signaling to the primary node an indication that the first cell will cease to serve as the primary cell of the secondary cell group, wherein the indication comprises a range of first measurement identifier values, the range of first measurement identifier values ​​being reserved for use by the first secondary node for a measurement configuration associated with the first secondary node.

[0012] According to a third aspect, a method for a second secondary node is provided, the method comprising: receiving an indication from a primary node that a primary cell of a secondary cell group is to be switched from a first cell serving a user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node, and wherein the indication comprises a range of first measurement identifier values, the range of first measurement identifier values ​​being reserved for use by the first secondary node for a measurement configuration associated with the first secondary node; generating at least one measurement configuration, the at least one measurement configuration being for use by the user equipment when the user equipment starts using a cell provided by the second secondary node as the primary cell of the secondary cell group; and signaling the generated at least one measurement configuration to the primary node.

[0013] Generating may include generating at least one measurement configuration such that it includes a measurement identifier value that falls outside a range of first measurement identifier values.

[0014] Generating may include generating at least one measurement configuration such that it includes a measurement identifier value falling within a range of first measurement identifier values.

[0015] After signaling the generated at least one measurement configuration to the primary node, the method may include: generating at least one second cell measurement configuration for application by the user equipment when the primary cell in the secondary cell group is being provided by the second cell provided by the second secondary cell; and signaling the generated at least one second cell measurement configuration to the user equipment when the primary cell in the secondary cell group is being provided by the second cell.

[0016] According to a fourth aspect, a method for a user equipment configured to operate using a dual connection to a primary node and a first secondary node is provided, the method comprising: maintaining data connectivity with a first cell by using a first cell provided by the first secondary node as a primary cell of a secondary cell group; receiving at least one measurement configuration from the primary node, the at least one measurement configuration being applicable by the user equipment in the following situations: the user equipment determines to switch the primary cell of a user equipment of the secondary cell group from the first cell to a second cell provided by the second secondary node; switching the primary cell of the secondary cell group from the first cell to the second cell; and performing measurement in the second cell according to the at least one measurement configuration received.

[0017] The method may include: receiving from a second secondary node at least one secondary cell measurement configuration applied when a primary cell in a secondary cell group is a second cell; stopping performing measurements according to the received at least one measurement configuration; and initiating performing measurements in the second cell according to the received at least one secondary cell measurement configuration.

[0018] The at least one measurement configuration may be independent of the second measurement configuration associated with the second secondary cell.

[0019] The method may include: receiving a first measurement configuration associated with a first secondary cell; The first measurement configuration is applied only when the primary cell of the secondary cell group for the user equipment is being provided by the first cell.

[0020] The method may include using at least one measurement configuration when a primary cell in a secondary cell group of the user equipment is being provided by the first cell.

[0021] The method may include generating a measurement configuration variable and storing the measurement configuration variable for use when a primary cell in a secondary cell group is being provided by a secondary cell.

[0022] The method may include receiving an indication to release the stored measurement configuration variable from a secondary cell, the secondary cell currently providing a cell serving as a primary cell of a secondary cell group for the user equipment.

[0023] The method may include: receiving at least one secondary cell measurement configuration from a second secondary node, the at least one secondary cell measurement configuration being applied by the user equipment when the second cell acts as a primary cell of a secondary cell group for the user equipment; and applying the received at least one measurement configuration in addition to the measurement configuration provided by the secondary node.

[0024] The method may include indicating the measurement object and the measurement identifier applied in the measurement configuration as part of a persistent measurement configuration configured by the master node.

[0025] According to a fifth aspect, a device for a master node operating with a first secondary node utilizing a dual connection to a user equipment, the device comprising components for: determining that a master cell of a secondary cell group will be switched from a first cell serving the user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node; determining at least one measurement configuration for a second cell provided by a second secondary node, the at least one measurement configuration remaining valid after or during a time period in which the master cell in the secondary cell group serving the user equipment is switched from the first cell to the second cell; and providing at least one measurement configuration to the user equipment.

[0026] The determining means for determining at least one measurement configuration may include means for: identifying that a measurement configuration provided by the first secondary node is to be applied by the user equipment after the user equipment switches from the first cell to the second cell; and setting the identified measurement configuration as the at least one measurement configuration.

[0027] The determining means for determining at least one measurement configuration may include means for determining a range of first measurement identifier values ​​reserved for use by the first secondary node for measurement configurations associated with the first secondary node; providing the range of first measurement identifier values ​​to the second secondary node; and receiving at least one measurement configuration from the second secondary node, wherein the at least one measurement configuration does not include any measurement identifier having an associated value that falls within the range of first measurement identifier values.

[0028] The determining means for determining at least one measurement configuration may include means for determining a range of first measurement identifier values ​​reserved for use by a first secondary node for associated measurement configurations; providing the range of first measurement identifier values ​​and the associated measurement configurations to a second secondary node; and receiving at least one measurement configuration from the second secondary node, wherein the at least one measurement configuration includes at least one measurement identifier having an associated value falling within the range of first measurement identifier values.

[0029] The determining means for determining that the first cell is to cease acting as a primary cell for a secondary cell group of the user equipment may comprise means for receiving an indication to that effect from the first secondary cell, and wherein determining the range of first measurement identifier values ​​comprises receiving the range of first measurement identifier values ​​from the first secondary node.

[0030] The determining means for determining that the first cell is to cease acting as a primary cell for a secondary cell group of the user equipment may be performed without receiving an indication to this effect from the first secondary cell, and wherein determining the range of first measurement identifier values ​​comprises generating a range of first measurement identifier values.

[0031] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a first secondary node operating with a dual connection to a user equipment having a primary node, the apparatus comprising components for: determining that a primary cell of a secondary cell group is to be switched from a first cell serving the user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node; and sending a message to the primary node to notify an indication that the first cell will stop serving as the primary cell of the secondary cell group, wherein the indication includes a range of first measurement identifier values, and the range of first measurement identifier values ​​is reserved for use by the first secondary node for a measurement configuration associated with the first secondary node.

[0032] According to a seventh aspect, a device for a second secondary node is provided, the device comprising a component for performing the following: receiving an indication from a primary node that a primary cell of a secondary cell group is to be switched from a first cell serving a user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node, and wherein the indication comprises a range of first measurement identifier values, the range of first measurement identifier values ​​being reserved for use by the first secondary node for a measurement configuration associated with the first secondary node; generating at least one measurement configuration for use by the user equipment when the user equipment starts using a cell provided by the second secondary node as a primary cell of the secondary cell group; and sending a message to the primary node about the at least one generated measurement configuration.

[0033] The generating means for generating may comprise means for generating at least one measurement configuration such that it comprises a measurement identifier value falling outside a range of first measurement identifier values.

[0034] The generating means for generating may comprise means for generating at least one measurement configuration such that it comprises a measurement identifier value falling within the range of first measurement identifier values.

[0035] After signaling the generated at least one measurement configuration to the primary node, the device may include a component for performing the following: when the primary cell in the secondary cell group is being provided by a second cell provided by a second secondary cell, generating at least one second cell measurement configuration for application by the user equipment; and when the primary cell in the secondary cell group is being provided by the second cell, signaling the generated at least one second cell measurement configuration to the user equipment.

[0036] According to an eighth aspect, a device for a user equipment is provided, the user equipment being configured to operate with a dual connection with a primary node and a first secondary node, the device comprising components for performing the following: maintaining a data connection with a first cell provided by a first secondary node by using the first cell as a primary cell of a secondary cell group; receiving from the primary node at least one measurement configuration that can be applied by the user equipment when the user equipment determines to switch the primary cell of the secondary cell group from the first cell to a second cell provided by the second secondary node; switching the primary cell of the secondary cell group from the first cell to the second cell; and performing measurements in the second cell according to the received at least one measurement configuration.

[0037] The apparatus may include a component for: receiving, from a second secondary node, at least one secondary cell measurement configuration to be applied when a primary cell in a secondary cell group is a second cell; stopping performing measurements according to the received at least one measurement configuration; and initiating performing measurements in the second cell according to the received at least one secondary cell measurement configuration.

[0038] The at least one measurement configuration may be independent of the second measurement configuration associated with the second secondary cell.

[0039] The apparatus may include means for receiving a first measurement configuration associated with a first secondary cell; and applying the first measurement configuration only when a primary cell in a secondary cell group of the user equipment is being provided by the first cell.

[0040] The apparatus may include means for using at least one measurement configuration when a primary cell in a secondary cell group of the user equipment is being provided by the first cell.

[0041] The apparatus may include means for generating a measurement configuration variable and storing the measurement configuration variable for use when a primary cell in a cell cluster is being provided by a second cell.

[0042] The apparatus may include means for receiving an indication to release the stored measurement configuration variables from a secondary cell, the secondary cell currently providing a cell for a user equipment, the cell serving as a primary cell of a secondary cell group.

[0043] The apparatus may include means for: receiving, from a second secondary node, at least one secondary cell measurement configuration to be applied by the user equipment when the second cell serves as a primary cell of a secondary cell group for the user equipment; and applying the received at least one measurement configuration in addition to the measurement configuration provided by the secondary node.

[0044] The apparatus may include means for indicating a measurement object and a measurement identifier applied in a measurement configuration as part of a persistent measurement configuration configured by a master node.

[0045] According to the ninth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a primary node operating in a dual connection with a user equipment having a first secondary node, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform the following operations: determine that a primary cell in a secondary cell group is to be switched from a first cell serving the user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node; for a second cell provided by the second secondary node, determine at least one measurement configuration that will remain valid after or during a time period in which the primary cell in the secondary cell group serving the user equipment is switched from the first cell to the second cell; and provide at least one measurement configuration to the user equipment.

[0046] Determining at least one measurement configuration may include: identifying a measurement configuration provided by the first secondary node to be applied by the user equipment after the user equipment is switched from the first cell to the second cell; and setting the identified measurement configuration as the at least one measurement configuration.

[0047] Determining at least one measurement configuration may include: determining a range of first measurement identifier values ​​reserved for use by the first secondary node for measurement configurations associated with the first secondary node; providing the range of first measurement identifier values ​​to the second secondary node; and receiving at least one measurement configuration from the second secondary node, wherein the at least one measurement configuration does not include any measurement identifier having an associated value that falls within the range of first measurement identifier values.

[0048] Determining at least one measurement configuration may include: determining a range of first measurement identifier values ​​reserved for use by the first secondary node for associated measurement configurations; providing the range of first measurement identifier values ​​and the associated measurement configurations to the second secondary node; and receiving at least one measurement configuration from the second secondary node, wherein the at least one measurement configuration includes at least one measurement identifier having an associated value falling within the range of the first measurement identifier values.

[0049] Determining that the first cell is to cease acting as a primary cell for a secondary cell group of the user equipment may comprise receiving an indication to that effect from the first secondary cell, and wherein determining the range of first measurement identifier values ​​comprises receiving the range of first measurement identifier values ​​from the first secondary node.

[0050] Determining that the first cell is to cease acting as a primary cell for a secondary cell group of the user equipment may be performed without receiving an indication to this effect from the first secondary cell, and wherein determining the range of first measurement identifier values ​​comprises generating a range of first measurement identifier values.

[0051] According to the tenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a first secondary node, the first secondary node operating with a dual connection to a user equipment having a primary node, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform the following operations: determining that a primary cell of a secondary cell group is to be switched from a first cell serving the user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node; and sending an indication to the primary node that the first cell will stop serving as the primary cell of the secondary cell group, wherein the indication includes a range of first measurement identifier values, and the range of first measurement identifier values ​​is reserved for use by the first secondary node for a measurement configuration associated with the first secondary node.

[0052] According to an eleventh aspect, a device for a second secondary node is provided, the device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to: receive an indication from a primary node that a primary cell in a secondary cell group is to be switched from a first cell serving a user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node, and wherein the indication comprises a range of first measurement identifier values, which is reserved for use by the first secondary node for a measurement configuration associated with the first secondary node; generate at least one measurement configuration for use by the user equipment in a case where the user equipment starts to use the cell provided by the second secondary node as the primary cell in the secondary cell group; and send the generated at least one measurement configuration to the primary node using a signal.

[0053] Generating may include generating at least one measurement configuration such that it includes a measurement identifier value that falls outside a range of first measurement identifier values.

[0054] Generating may include generating at least one measurement configuration such that it includes a measurement identifier value falling within a range of first measurement identifier values.

[0055] After signaling the at least one generated measurement configuration to the primary node, the device can be enabled to: generate at least one second cell measurement configuration for application by the user equipment when the primary cell in the secondary cell group is being provided by the second cell provided by the second secondary cell; and signal the at least one generated second cell measurement configuration to the user equipment when the primary cell in the secondary cell group is being provided by the second cell.

[0056] According to the twelfth aspect, a device for a user equipment is provided, the user equipment is configured to operate with a dual connection with a primary node and a first secondary node, the device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to perform the following operations: maintain a data connection with a first cell provided by the first secondary node by using the first cell as the primary cell of a secondary cell group; receive at least one measurement configuration from the primary node, the at least one measurement configuration can be applied by the user equipment when the user equipment determines to switch the primary cell of the secondary cell group from the first cell to the second cell provided by the second secondary node; switch the primary cell of the secondary cell group from the first cell to the second cell; and perform measurement in the second cell according to the at least one measurement configuration received.

[0057] The device can be enabled to: when the primary cell in the secondary cell group is the second cell, receive at least one secondary cell measurement configuration to be applied from the second secondary node; stop performing measurements according to the at least one received measurement configuration; and initiate performing measurements in the second cell according to the at least one received secondary cell measurement configuration.

[0058] The at least one measurement configuration may be independent of the second measurement configuration associated with the second secondary cell.

[0059] The apparatus may be caused to: receive a first measurement configuration associated with a first secondary cell; and apply the first measurement configuration only when a primary cell in a secondary cell group of the user equipment is being provided by the first cell.

[0060] The apparatus may be caused to use at least one measurement configuration when a primary cell in a secondary cell group of the user equipment is being provided by the first cell.

[0061] The apparatus may be caused to: generate a measurement configuration variable and store the measurement configuration variable for use when a primary cell in a secondary cell group is being provided by a secondary cell.

[0062] The apparatus may be caused to: receive an instruction to release the stored measurement configuration variable from a secondary cell, the secondary cell currently providing a cell for the user equipment, the cell serving as a primary cell of the secondary cell group.

[0063] The apparatus may be caused to: receive at least one secondary cell measurement configuration from a second secondary node, the at least one secondary cell measurement configuration to be applied by the user equipment when the second cell acts as a primary cell of a secondary cell group for the user equipment; and apply the received at least one measurement configuration in addition to the measurement configuration provided by the secondary node.

[0064] The apparatus may be caused to: indicate the measurement object and the measurement identifier applied in the measurement configuration as part of the persistent measurement configuration configured by the master node.

[0065] According to the thirteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a primary node operating with a dual connection to a user equipment having a first secondary node, the apparatus comprising: a determination circuit for determining that a primary cell of a secondary cell group is to be switched from a first cell serving the user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node; a determination circuit for determining, for a second cell provided by a second secondary node, at least one measurement configuration that will remain valid after or during a time period in which the primary cell of the secondary cell group serving the user equipment is switched from the first cell to the second cell; and a providing circuit for providing at least one measurement configuration to the user equipment.

[0066] The determining circuit for determining at least one measurement configuration may include circuitry for: identifying a measurement configuration provided by the first secondary node to be applied by the user equipment after the user equipment switches from the first cell to the second cell; and setting the identified measurement configuration to at least one measurement configuration.

[0067] The determining circuit for determining at least one measurement configuration may include circuitry for determining a range of first measurement identifier values ​​reserved for use by a first secondary node for measurement configurations associated with the first secondary node; providing the range of first measurement identifier values ​​to a second secondary node; and receiving at least one measurement configuration from the second secondary node, wherein the at least one measurement configuration does not include any measurement identifier having an associated value that falls within the range of first measurement identifier values.

[0068] The determining circuit for determining at least one measurement configuration may include circuitry for: determining a range of first measurement identifier values ​​reserved for use by a first secondary node for associated measurement configurations; providing the range of first measurement identifier values ​​and the associated measurement configurations to a second secondary node; and receiving at least one measurement configuration from the second secondary node, wherein the at least one measurement configuration includes at least one measurement identifier having an associated value that falls within the range of first measurement identifier values.

[0069] The determining circuitry for determining that the first cell is to cease acting as a primary cell for a secondary cell group of the user equipment may comprise circuitry for receiving an indication to this effect from the first secondary cell, and wherein determining the range of first measurement identifier values ​​comprises receiving the range of first measurement identifier values ​​from the first secondary node.

[0070] The determining circuitry for determining that the first cell is to cease acting as a primary cell for a secondary cell group of the user equipment may be performed without receiving an indication to that effect from the first secondary cell, and wherein determining the range of first measurement identifier values ​​comprises generating a range of first measurement identifier values.

[0071] According to a fourteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a first secondary node for operating with a dual connection to a user equipment having a primary node, the apparatus comprising: a determination circuit for determining that a primary cell of a secondary cell group is to be switched from a first cell serving the user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node; and a signaling circuit for signaling to the primary node an indication that the first cell will stop serving as the primary cell of the secondary cell group, wherein the indication includes a range of first measurement identifier values, and the range of first measurement identifier values ​​is reserved for use by the first secondary node for a measurement configuration associated with the first secondary node.

[0072] According to the fifteenth aspect, a device for a second secondary node is provided, the device comprising: a receiving circuit for receiving an indication from the primary node that a primary cell of a secondary cell group is to be switched from a first cell serving a user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node, and wherein the indication comprises a range of first measurement identifier values ​​reserved for use by the first secondary node for a measurement configuration associated with the first secondary node; a generating circuit for generating at least one measurement configuration for use by the user equipment in a case where the user equipment starts to use a cell provided by the second secondary node as a primary cell of the secondary cell group; and a signaling circuit for signaling the at least one generated measurement configuration to the primary node.

[0073] The generating circuitry for generating may include circuitry for generating at least one measurement configuration such that it includes a measurement identifier value that falls outside a range of first measurement identifier values.

[0074] The generating circuitry for generating may include circuitry for generating at least one measurement configuration such that it includes a measurement identifier value falling within a range of first measurement identifier values.

[0075] After signaling the generated at least one measurement configuration to the primary node, the device may include: a generation circuit for generating at least one second cell measurement configuration for application by the user equipment when the primary cell in the secondary cell group is provided by a second cell provided by a second secondary cell; and a signaling circuit for signaling the generated at least one second cell measurement configuration to the user equipment when the primary cell in the secondary cell group is provided by the second cell.

[0076] According to the sixteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a user equipment, the user equipment being configured to operate with dual connections to a primary node and a first secondary node, the apparatus comprising: a maintaining circuit for maintaining a data connection with a first cell provided by a first secondary node by using the first cell as a primary cell of a secondary cell group; a receiving circuit for receiving at least one measurement configuration that can be applied by the user equipment from the primary node when the user equipment determines to switch the primary cell of the secondary cell group from the first cell to a second cell provided by the second secondary node; a switching circuit for switching the primary cell of the secondary cell group from the first cell to the second cell; and an execution circuit for performing measurements in the second cell according to the received at least one measurement configuration.

[0077] The apparatus may include: a receiving circuit for receiving, from a second secondary node, at least one secondary cell measurement configuration to be applied when a primary cell in a secondary cell group is a second cell; a stopping circuit for stopping performing measurements according to the at least one received measurement configuration; and an initiating circuit for initiating performing measurements in the second cell according to the at least one received secondary cell measurement configuration.

[0078] The at least one measurement configuration may be independent of the second measurement configuration associated with the second secondary cell.

[0079] The apparatus may include: a receiving circuit configured to receive a first measurement configuration associated with a first secondary cell; and apply the first measurement configuration only when a primary cell in a secondary cell group of the user equipment is provided by the first cell.

[0080] The apparatus may include a using circuit for using at least one measurement configuration when a primary cell in a secondary cell group of the user equipment is being provided by the first cell.

[0081] The apparatus may include: a generating circuit configured to generate a measurement configuration variable and store the measurement configuration variable for use when a primary cell in a secondary cell group is provided by a second cell.

[0082] The apparatus may include: a receiving circuit configured to receive an indication of releasing the stored measurement configuration variable from a secondary cell currently providing a cell serving as a primary cell of a secondary cell group for a user equipment.

[0083] The apparatus may include: a receiving circuit configured to receive, from a second secondary node, at least one secondary cell measurement configuration to be applied by the user equipment when the second cell serves as a primary cell of a secondary cell group of the user equipment; and an application circuit configured to apply the received at least one measurement configuration in addition to the measurement configuration provided by the secondary node.

[0084] The apparatus may include an indication circuit for indicating a measurement object and a measurement identifier applied in a measurement configuration as part of a persistent measurement configuration configured by a master node.

[0085] According to the seventeenth aspect, a non-temporary computer-readable medium comprising program instructions is provided, the program instructions being used to cause a primary node operating using a dual connection to a user equipment having a first secondary node to perform at least the following operations: determining that a primary cell of a secondary cell group will be switched from a first cell serving the user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node; determining, for a second cell provided by a second secondary node, at least one measurement configuration that will remain valid after or during a time period in which the primary cell of the secondary cell group serving the user equipment is switched from the first cell to the second cell; and providing at least one measurement configuration to the user equipment.

[0086] Determining at least one measurement configuration may include: identifying a measurement configuration provided by the first secondary node to be applied by the user equipment after the user equipment is switched from the first cell to the second cell; and setting the identified measurement configuration as the at least one measurement configuration.

[0087] Determining at least one measurement configuration may include: determining a range of first measurement identifier values ​​reserved for use by the first secondary node for measurement configurations associated with the first secondary node; providing the range of first measurement identifier values ​​to the second secondary node; and receiving at least one measurement configuration from the second secondary node, wherein the at least one measurement configuration does not include any measurement identifier having an associated value that falls within the range of first measurement identifier values.

[0088] Determining at least one measurement configuration may include: determining a range of first measurement identifier values ​​reserved for use by the first secondary node for associated measurement configurations; providing the range of first measurement identifier values ​​and the associated measurement configurations to the second secondary node; and receiving at least one measurement configuration from the second secondary node, wherein the at least one measurement configuration includes at least one measurement identifier having an associated value falling within the range of the first measurement identifier values.

[0089] Determining that the first cell is to cease acting as a primary cell for a secondary cell group of the user equipment may include receiving an indication to that effect from the first secondary cell, and wherein determining the range of first measurement identifier values ​​includes receiving the range of first measurement identifier values ​​from the first secondary node.

[0090] Determining that the first cell is to cease acting as a primary cell for a secondary cell group of the user equipment may be performed without receiving an indication to this effect from the first secondary cell, and wherein determining the range of first measurement identifier values ​​comprises generating a range of first measurement identifier values.

[0091] According to an eighteenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions is provided, the program instructions being used to cause a first secondary node operating with a dual connection to a user equipment having a primary node to perform at least the following operations: determining that a primary cell of a secondary cell group will be switched from a first cell serving the user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node; and signaling to the primary node an indication that the first cell will cease to serve as the primary cell of the secondary cell group, wherein the indication includes a range of first measurement identifier values, and the range of first measurement identifier values ​​is reserved for use by the first secondary node for a measurement configuration associated with the first secondary node.

[0092] According to the nineteenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing a device of a second secondary node to perform at least the following operations: receiving an indication from a primary node that a primary cell of a secondary cell group is to be switched from a first cell serving a user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node, and wherein the indication comprises a range of first measurement identifier values, which is reserved for use by the first secondary node for measurement configurations associated with the first secondary node; generating at least one measurement configuration for use by the user equipment in a case where the user equipment starts using a cell provided by the second secondary node as the primary cell of the secondary cell group; and signaling the generated at least one measurement configuration to the primary node.

[0093] Generating may include generating at least one measurement configuration such that it includes a measurement identifier value that falls outside a range of first measurement identifier values.

[0094] Generating may include generating at least one measurement configuration such that it includes a measurement identifier value falling within a range of first measurement identifier values.

[0095] After signaling the at least one generated measurement configuration to the primary node, the device can be enabled to: generate at least one second cell measurement configuration for application by the user equipment when the primary cell in the secondary cell group is being provided by the second cell provided by the second secondary cell; and signal the at least one generated second cell measurement configuration to the user equipment when the primary cell in the secondary cell group is being provided by the second cell.

[0096] According to the twentieth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions is provided, the program instructions being used to cause a user equipment configured to operate using a dual connection to a primary node and a first secondary node to perform at least the following operations: maintaining a data connection with a first cell provided by a first secondary node by using the first cell as a primary cell of a secondary cell group; receiving at least one measurement configuration from the primary node, the at least one measurement configuration being applied by the user equipment when the user equipment determines to switch the primary cell of the secondary cell group from the first cell to a second cell provided by the second secondary node; switching the primary cell of the secondary cell group from the first cell to the second cell; and performing measurements in the second cell according to the at least one measurement configuration received.

[0097] The device can be enabled to: when the primary cell in the secondary cell group is the second cell, receive at least one secondary cell measurement configuration to be applied from the second secondary node; stop performing measurements according to the at least one received measurement configuration; and initiate performing measurements in the second cell according to the at least one received secondary cell measurement configuration.

[0098] The at least one measurement configuration may be independent of the second measurement configuration associated with the second secondary cell.

[0099] The apparatus may be caused to: receive a first measurement configuration associated with a first secondary cell; and apply the first measurement configuration only when a primary cell in a secondary cell group of the user equipment is being provided by the first cell.

[0100] The apparatus may be caused to use at least one measurement configuration when a primary cell in a secondary cell group of the user equipment is being provided by the first cell.

[0101] The apparatus may be caused to: generate a measurement configuration variable and store the measurement configuration variable for use when a primary cell in a secondary cell group is being provided by a secondary cell.

[0102] The apparatus may be caused to: receive an instruction to release the stored measurement configuration variable from a secondary cell that currently provides a cell serving as a primary cell of the secondary cell group for the user equipment.

[0103] The device can be enabled to: receive at least one secondary cell measurement configuration from the second secondary node, wherein the at least one secondary cell measurement configuration will be applied by the user equipment when the second cell acts as a primary cell of a secondary cell group for the user equipment; and apply the received at least one measurement configuration in addition to the measurement configuration provided by the secondary node.

[0104] The apparatus may be caused to: indicate the measurement object and the measurement identifier applied in the measurement configuration as part of the persistent measurement configuration configured by the master node.

[0105] According to a twenty-first aspect, there is provided a computer program product stored on a medium, which may cause an apparatus to perform any of the methods described herein.

[0106] According to a twenty-second aspect, an electronic device is provided, which may include the apparatus as described herein.

[0107] According to a twenty-third aspect, there is provided a chipset, which may include the apparatus as described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0108] Some examples will now be described, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0109] Figure 1A and Figure 1B A schematic representation of a 5G system is shown;

[0110] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a network device is shown;

[0111] Figure 3 A schematic representation of a user equipment is shown;

[0112] Figure 4 A schematic representation of a non-volatile memory medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to perform one or more steps of some example methods is shown;

[0113] Figure 5 A schematic representation of the network is shown;

[0114] Figure 6 Call signaling is shown;

[0115] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B An example measurement configuration is shown;

[0116] Figure 8 Call signaling is shown;

[0117] Figures 9 to 11 Example call signaling is shown; and

[0118] Figures 12 to 15 Operations that may be performed by the apparatus described herein are illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0119] In the following description of examples, certain aspects are explained with reference to a mobile communication device capable of communicating via a wireless cellular system and a mobile communication system serving such a mobile communication device. For the sake of brevity and clarity, these aspects are described below with reference to a 5G wireless communication system. However, it should be understood that such aspects are not limited to a 5G wireless communication system and may, for example, be applied to other wireless communication systems (e.g., current 6G proposals).

[0120] Before describing the examples in detail, refer to Figure 1A and 1B Briefly explain some general principles of 5G wireless communication systems.

[0121] Figure 1A A schematic representation of a 5G system (5GS) 100 is shown. The 5GS may include a user equipment (UE) 102 (which may also be referred to as a communication device or terminal), a 5G access network (AN) (which may be a 5G radio access network (RAN) or any other type of 5G AN, such as a non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF) / a trusted non-3GPP gateway function (TNGF) for untrusted / trusted non-3GPP GPP access or a wired access gateway function (W-AGF) for wired access) 104, a 5G core (5GC) 106, one or more application functions (AFs) 108, and one or more data networks (DNs) 110.

[0122] A 5G RAN may include one or more gNodeB (gNB) distributed unit functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) central unit functions. A RAN may include one or more access nodes.

[0123] 5GC 106 may include one or more access and mobility management functions (AMF) 112, one or more session management functions (SMF) 114, one or more authentication server functions (AUSF) 116, one or more unified data management (UDM) functions 118, one or more user plane functions (UPF) 120, one or more unified data repository (UDR) functions 122, one or more network repository functions (NRF) 128 and / or one or more network open functions (NEF) 124. The role of NEF is to provide a secure exposure of network services (e.g., voice, data connections, billing, subscriber data, etc.) to third parties. Although NRF 128 is not depicted as having its interface, it should be understood that this is for clarity reasons and that NRF 128 may have multiple interfaces with other network functions.

[0124] 5GC 106 also includes a network data analysis function (NWDAF) 126. NWDAF is responsible for providing network analysis information upon request from one or more network functions or devices within the network. Network functions may also subscribe to NWDAF 126 to receive information from it. Thus, NWDAF 126 is also configured to receive and store network information from one or more network functions or devices within the network. Data collection by NWDAF 126 may be performed based on at least one subscription to an event provided by at least one network function.

[0125] The network may also include a management data analysis service (MDAS) producer or an MDAS management service (MnS) producer. The MDAS MnS producer may provide data analysis in the management plane taking into account parameters including, for example, load level and / or resource utilization. For example, an MDAS MnS producer for a network function (NF) may collect load-related performance data of the NF, such as the resource usage status of the NF. Analysis of the collected data may provide a prediction of resource usage information in a predefined future time window. The analysis may also recommend appropriate actions, such as scaling of resources, admission control, load balancing of services, etc.

[0126] Figure 1B A schematic diagram of a 5GC represented in the current 3GPP specification is shown. It should be understood that the architecture is intended to illustrate potential components that may be included in a core network, and the principles currently described are not limited to a core network comprising only the described components.

[0127] Figure 1B A 5GC 106' is shown including a UPF 120' connected to an SMF 114' via an N4 interface. The SMF 114' is connected to each of the UDM 122', NEF 124', NWDAF 126', AF 108', Policy Control Function (PCF) 130', AMF 112', and Charging Function 132' via an interconnect medium that also connects these network functions to each other. The 5G Core 106' also includes a Network Storage Function (NRF) 133' and Network Functions 134' connected to the interconnect medium.

[0128] The NG Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) supports Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) operations whereby a UE in RRC_CONNECTED is configured to utilize radio resources provided by two different schedulers located in two different NG-RAN nodes connected via a non-ideal backhaul, one providing New Radio (NR) access and the other providing Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRA) or NR access. One of these nodes, the Master Node (MN), may establish a UE context at a Secondary Node (SN) for provisioning resources from the SN to the UE. Example MR-DC operations include Conditional Primary Cell for Secondary Cell Group (PSCell) Change (CPC) and Conditional PSCell Addition (CPA).

[0129] Dual connectivity can be considered as an operating mode of a user equipment in a radio resource control (RCC) connected mode (RCC_CONNECTED mode) configured with a primary cell group (MCG) and a secondary cell group (SCG). For example, dual connectivity mode can refer to when a UE has two radio connections with two access points, for example, a macro cell and a small cell EnodeB (eNB).

[0130] The primary cell group may include a single cell. The primary cell group may include multiple cells. The primary cell / primary cell group may provide a control plane connection between the UE and the core network. The secondary cell group may include a single cell. The secondary cell group may include multiple cells. The secondary cell / secondary cell group may provide a user plane (e.g., data) connection between the UE and the core. At any one time, one (i.e., a single) cell in the secondary cell group may be represented as the primary and secondary cells in the secondary cell group. The primary and secondary cells of the secondary cell group (PSCell) may be cells operating on the primary frequency, where the UE performs an initial RRC connection establishment process or initiates an RRC connection reconstruction process, or are cells indicated as primary cells during a handover process. The PSCell may provide a measurement configuration to the UE for configuring the UE to perform measurements on different frequencies. Any non-PSCell of the secondary cell group (when available) may provide additional resources for carrier aggregation.

[0131] CPC is a PSCell change procedure that is executed only when (multiple) PSCell execution conditions are met.

[0132] In more detail, when the MN configures CPC for the source PSCell in the UE using an RRCReconfiguration message, the UE maintains connection with the source PSCell after receiving the CPC configuration and begins evaluating the CPC execution conditions of the (multiple) PSCells included in the RRCReconfiguration message. The network can configure the UE with up to 8 candidate PSCell configurations with (multiple) associated execution conditions. If at least one CPC candidate PSCell satisfies the corresponding CPC execution condition, the UE detaches from the source PSCell, applies the corresponding configuration stored for the selected candidate PSCell, and synchronizes to the candidate PSCell. The UE completes the CPC execution process by signaling the MN with an embedded RRCReconfigurationComplete message to forward to the new PSCell (i.e., forward to the selected candidate PSCell), or by sending the RRCReconfigurationComplete message directly to the new PSCell.

[0133] 3GPP refers to a group of organizations that develop and publish different standardized communication protocols. 3GPP develops and publishes system-related document "releases" (e.g., Release 15, Release 16, and above).

[0134] 3GPP Release 16 specifies conditional PSCell for intra-Secondary Node (SN) scenarios. Specifically, Release 16 introduces conditional NR PSCell addition / change for any architecture option with NR PSCell, but is limited to intra-SN changes without the participation of the Master Node (MN).

[0135] CPC is extended for inter-SN scenarios in Release 17. Inter-SN CPC can be initiated by the Master Node (MN) and / or by the SN.

[0136] CPC reference for SN startup Figure 6 Shown.

[0137] Figure 6 Example signaling between a UE 601, a master node 602, a source SN 603, a first target SN 604 and a second target 605 is shown.

[0138] During 6001, the source SN 603 signals the MN 602. The signaling may indicate that the source SN 603 requests a change of the SN and / or SgNB. The signaling may include at least one identifier of at least one target SN (e.g., a first target SN and a second target SN) for preparing a target PSCell. The source SN 603 may include in the signaling of 6001 a list of (multiple) PSCells to be prepared by each target SN, and / or provide CPC execution conditions for each listed target PSCell. The CPC execution condition refers to the measurement identifier in the measurement configuration provided by the initiating node (in this case, the source SN). In general, the measurement configuration can be considered to be a parameter used by the UE to set the cell measurement to be performed by the UE.

[0139] During 6002 and 6003, MN 602 signals each target SN included in the signaling of 6001.

[0140] During 6002, the MN 602 signals the first target SN 604. The signaling of 6002 may include a request to add the first target SN 604. The add request of 6002 may request the first target SN to determine a list of (multiple) PSCells to be prepared (taking into account the maximum number indicated by the MN in the add request), and for each prepared PSCell, the first target SN determines a secondary cell group (SCG) secondary cell (SCell) and provides the corresponding SCG radio resource configuration to the MN in the NR RRCReconfiguration message. The first target SN 604 may accept or reject each candidate cell listed in the measurement result indicated by the MN, i.e., the first target SN 604 may not configure any alternative candidates.

[0141] During 6003, the MN 602 signals the second target SN 605. This signaling of 6003 may include a request to add the second target SN 604. The add request of 6003 may request the second target SN to determine a list of (multiple) PSCells to be prepared (considering the maximum number indicated by the MN in the add request), and for each prepared PSCell, the second target SN determines the secondary cell group (SCG) secondary cell (SCell) and provides the corresponding SCG radio resource configuration to the MN in the NR RRCReconfiguration message. The second target SN 605 may accept or reject each candidate cell listed in the measurement result indicated by the MN, i.e., the second target SN 605 cannot configure any alternative candidates.

[0142] During 6004 and 6005, the first target and second target SNs respectively decide to prepare candidate target PSCells.

[0143] During 6006, the first target SN responds to the signaling of 6002. The response may include an acknowledgement of the request of 6002. In addition to at least one identifier of the prepared target cell of 6004, the signaling may also include a corresponding CPC configuration for each target cell prepared during 6004. Thus, the signaling of 6006 may include configuration information about any PSCell prepared by the first target SN 604.

[0144] During 6007, the second target SN responds to the signaling of 6003. The response may include an acknowledgement of the request of 6003. In addition to at least one identifier of the prepared target cell of 6005, the signaling may also include a corresponding CPC configuration for each target cell prepared during 6005. Thus, the signaling of 6007 may include configuration information about any PSCell prepared by the second target SN 605.

[0145] During 6008, MN 602 signals UE 601. This signaling of 6008 may include a conditional (re)configuration of the UE including the CPC configuration of the candidate target PSCell(s) received during 6006 and 6007. The signaling of 6008 may include the CPC execution conditions received during 6006 and 6007. In other words, MN 602 may provide the UE with a CPA configuration, i.e., a list of RRCConnectionReconfiguration messages and associated execution conditions, wherein each RRCConnectionReconfiguration* message contains the SCG configuration in the RRCConnection** messages received from the first target and second target SN nodes.

[0146] During 6009, UE 601 signals MN 602. The signaling of 6009 may include a confirmation of the signaling of 6008. The signaling of 6009 may include an indication that the conditional (re)configuration of UE 601 has been completed.

[0147] During 6010, MN 602 signals source SN 603. This signaling of 6010 may indicate that UE 601 is ready for an SN change from a source SN to at least one target SN.

[0148] During 6011, the UE 601 evaluates the CPC execution conditions of the prepared target PSCell(s) received during 6008 to determine whether at least one CPC execution condition has been met.

[0149] During 6012, the UE 601 determines that at least one CPC execution condition has been satisfied. For the purpose of this example, it is assumed that the at least one CPC execution condition that has been satisfied is for a PSCell candidate in the first target SN 604.

[0150] During 6013, and in response to the positive determination of 6012, UE 601 signals MN 602. The signaling of 6013 may indicate that at least one CPC execution condition has been satisfied for the PSCell candidate in the first target SN 604. The signaling of 6013 may include an embedded RRC_ReconfigurationComplete message indicating that the radio resource control of the UE has been successfully reconfigured.

[0151] During 6014 , the MN 602 signals the first target node SN 604 . The signaling of 6014 may include an RRC_ReconfigurationComplete message. The signaling of 6014 may indicate to the first target SN 604 that the UE 601 will use at least one of the target PSCells prepared by the first target SN 604 .

[0152] During 6015 , the UE completes random access for accessing the prepared target PSCell associated with the satisfied execution criteria of 6012 .

[0153] According to the purpose of 3GPP Release 17, the entity initiating the CPC procedure is responsible for deciding the list of target PSCells that can be prepared together with their corresponding CPC execution conditions.

[0154] However, the target SN cannot prepare more PSCells than the maximum number of PSCells determined (and sent) by the initiating node (source SN).Similarly, in SN-initiated inter-SN CPC, the source SN is responsible for setting execution conditions for each target PSCell that may be prepared.

[0155] Fig. 7A An example of the source SN preparing three CPCs for the UE is shown. In particular, Fig. 7A The CPC configuration prepared by the source SN for an inter-SN conditional PSCell change initiated by the SN is shown.

[0156] exist Fig. 7A In the example, the UE is currently being served by PSCell0-1 (the first index 0 indicates the identifier of the SN that controls the PSCell that currently serves the UE, and the second index 1 indicates the identifier of the PSCell in the SN. In other words, PSCell 1 of SN 0 (i.e., the source SN) is indicated as PSCell 0-1.

[0157] A radio access network (RAN) node controlling the serving PSCell 0-1 of the UE may trigger the preparation of three target PSCells, each of which is associated with a corresponding CPC configuration: CPC 1-1 represents the configuration of the prepared target PSCell 1-1 from SN1 (i.e., the first SN), CPC 2-1 represents the configuration of the prepared target PSCell 2-1 from SN2 (i.e., the second SN), and CPC 2-2 represents the configuration of PSCell 2-2 from SN2. SN0 specifies CPC execution conditions for each prepared target cell and provides measurement configurations for evaluating the CPC execution conditions.

[0158] The parameters of the CPC execution conditions can be set differently with respect to each prepared target cell. This is because the radio conditions between the source PSCell 0-1 and the prepared target PSCell may be different. For example, the CPC 1-1 execution conditions used by the UE to decide on the CPC execution from PSCell 0-1 to PSCell 1-1 may be different from the CPC execution conditions used to decide on the change from PSCell 0-1 to PSCell 2-1 or from PSCell 0-1 to PSCell 2-2. From the perspective of mobility robustness and configuration flexibility, the parameters of the CPC execution conditions can be configured to be specific to the source and target PSCell pair.

[0159] Furthermore, as described above, in the SN initiated conditional PSCell change procedure, the measurement configuration is set by SN0. This means that no other network node is aware of the measurement configuration and / or CPC execution set by SN0 relative to the target PSCell. Even when the MN is on the same radio access technology as the source SN, the MN is not configured to decode the configuration sent by the SN.

[0160] 3GPP Release 17 also requires that once a CPC procedure is successfully performed, the UE releases all stored CPC configurations (see, for example, 3GPP TS 37.340). This means that the UE releases all stored conditional reconfigurations after successfully performing the CPC procedure after the execution procedure is satisfied.

[0161] 3GPP Release 18 has set a new goal for specifying mechanisms and procedures for New Radio Dual Connectivity (NR-DC), which enables selective activation of cell groups via Layer 3 (i.e., network layer) for enhancements that allow subsequent cell group changes after changing the cell group without the need to reconfigure and re-initiate conditional PSCell change (CPC) and / or conditional PSCell addition (CPA).

[0162] This new target may result in a change of the SCG without reconfiguring and re-initiating CPC / CPA preparation, which implicitly indicates that the pre-configured CPC configuration should be maintained after CPC execution.

[0163] Maintaining the CPC configuration after CPC execution has several problems.

[0164] For example, after a UE performs CPC for one of the target PSCells that the UE is configured for, the UE will have to maintain other CPC configurations received for other target PSCells. Figure 7B For illustration, it shows the configuration to be maintained by the UE after CPC execution.

[0165] exist Figure 7B In the example, it is assumed that the UE has performed CPC to PSCell 1-1, and SN1 becomes the serving SN of PSCell 1-1.

[0166] After this change, SN1 is not aware of the other prepared target PSCells (because these were prepared by the original source SN, SN0). Therefore, SN1 cannot maintain a list of prepared target cells (e.g., for add, release, and update PSCell operations) and cannot initiate early data forwarding to the target PSCell. Early data forwarding involves sending the UE's data to the candidate cells before any of those candidate cells provide data connection to the UE. In this way, in the event that the UE switches to a candidate cell, the candidate cell can have data prepared for the UE.

[0167] Furthermore, in the simplest extension to achieve the above objectives for Release 18, the UE may attempt to retain and use the CPC configuration defined in Release 17 for future SN cell changes. This would require the UE to continue evaluating the CPC execution that had been configured by the previous SN 0 before CPC execution to SN1. These conditions are defined by SN0 and are relevant to SN 0 (i.e., the CPC execution conditions configured by SN 0 are used for CPC from source PSCell 0-1 to target PSCell 2-1 and PSCell 2-2).

[0168] However, after CPC execution to SN1, these CPC execution conditions evaluated by the UE are not necessarily convenient / optimal for deciding the change from the new serving PSCell 1-1 (controlled by SN1) to other target PSCells 2-1 and 2-2. As a result, the robustness of CPC changes may be affected and may cause failures.

[0169] Likewise, CPC conditions are associated with measurement identifiers that are unknown to the new serving PSCell. Thus, the serving PSCell may reconfigure the UE and overwrite some of these measurement identifiers, which leaves the UE without any valid conditions for triggering CPC.

[0170] Conditional Handover (CHO) is a conditional cell change of the primary cell group. In case of dual connectivity, the configuration for implementing CHO can be maintained by the source gNB or the primary node. The CHO configuration can be maintained after the CHO execution. To achieve this, a CHO request indicating a list of candidate cells and a CHO request ACK containing a set of CHO execution conditions that the UE applies after performing the CHO execution are provided.

[0171] ]about Figure 8 The signaling used for this purpose is shown, which shows that the UE applies CHO condition set #2 for cell 2 and CHO condition set #3 for cell 3 before and after performing CHO on cells 2 and 3, respectively. CHO execution condition set #2 for cell 2 contains CHO execution conditions from cell 2 to cell 1 and from cell 2 to cell 3, and the same logic applies to CHO execution condition set #3, i.e., contains CHO execution conditions from cell 3 to cell 1 and from cell 3 to cell 2.

[0172] However, this procedure is specified for CHO of MCG and cannot be applied to the Secondary Cell Group (SCG) case considering SN in dual connectivity.

[0173] In addition, Figure 8 In this example, the target gNB controlling the prepared target cell provides CHO execution conditions to other prepared target cells during CHO preparation, which results in high signaling overhead every time a new cell is prepared by the source gNB or a prepared cell is released or replaced. This is because, in each of these cases, the source gNB needs to obtain an updated set of CHO execution conditions from each prepared target gNB.

[0174] In another mechanism, the source MN notifies the target SN of the prepared cell after CPC execution. However, since it takes time to notify the target SN of the prepared cell, and the target SN needs some time to reconfigure the UE for the execution conditions of CPC, radio failure may occur in the meantime because the UE has any configuration for CPC. In addition, additional signaling is performed each time the UE performs CPC, which increases the signaling overhead of the system.

[0175] In another mechanism, the source MN notifies the target SN of each preparation during CPC preparation. However, every time a (new) SN is added (e.g., prepared) or modified, all other target SNs must be notified and involved. This will use a lot of Xn signaling and additional delays for each new preparation or modification, which increases the signaling overhead of the system.

[0176] The following aims to address at least one of the above problems.

[0177] A new mechanism for enabling a UE to maintain a persistent measurement configuration after an RRC reconfiguration operation caused by a PSCell change is disclosed below. Maintenance of the measurement configuration enables the UE to subsequently switch cells using the persistent measurement configuration. A network tool for maintaining a persistent measurement configuration is further provided below.

[0178] Three examples are discussed below to illustrate the present disclosure.

[0179] In a first example, the source SN indicates to the target SN (via, for example, the source MN) a measurement identifier range associated with a persistent CPC configuration. The target SN does not use the measurement identifier range for an initial CPC configuration within its own measurement configuration. The source MN also provides the UE with an incremental measurement configuration to be applied to the target measurement configuration after the target cell configuration is applied. The UE applies the measurement configuration immediately after CPC execution. The UE may also retain the measurement configuration to apply subsequent CPC. The UE may indicate to the target SN that a persistent measurement configuration is being used. This may be indicated by providing, for example, a measurement configuration comprising: a measurement identifier, a measurement object, and a reporting configuration for a persistent CPC configuration.

[0180] In general, a measurement configuration may configure the UE regarding when to perform measurements, what to measure (ie, measurement objects), how to evaluate when to report measurements, and what to include in measurement reports.

[0181] As described above, a measurement object may be considered as an object on which the UE performs measurements. For example, for intra-frequency and inter-frequency measurements, the measurement object may be a single carrier frequency. For inter-RAT measurements, the measurement object may be a group of cells on a single carrier frequency. For inter-RAT measurements, the measurement object may be a set of carrier frequencies.

[0182] Each reporting configuration may include at least one reporting criterion and a reporting format. A reporting criterion is a criterion that triggers the UE to send a measurement report (and may be periodic or a single event description). A reporting format may specify the quantities and associated information that the UE includes in a measurement report (e.g., the number of cells to report).

[0183] The measurement identifier links the measurement object with the corresponding report configuration. By configuring multiple measurement identifiers, more than one measurement object can be linked to the same report configuration, and more than one report configuration can be linked to the same measurement object. The measurement identifier can be used as a reference number in the measurement report.

[0184] In response to receiving the persistent measurement configuration, the target SN may reconfigure the persistent CPC configuration.

[0185] This is relative to Fig. 9 Further shown.

[0186] Fig. 9 901, a source MN 902, a source SN 903, a first target SN 904, and a second target SN 905. The signaling that can be performed between the UE 901, the source MN 902, the source SN 903, the first target SN 904, and the second target SN 905 is shown. The source SN 903 can be labeled as SN-0 and configured to provide PSCell 0-1. The first target SN 904 can be labeled as SN-1 and configured to provide PSCell 1-1. The second target SN 905 can be labeled as SN-2 and configured to provide PSCell 2-1 and / or PSCell 2-2.

[0187] During 9001, the source SN 903 signals the source MN 902. The signaling of 9001 may request an SN change. The signaling of 9001 may include an association between the PSCells provided by the first target and the second target SN and the corresponding measurement identifiers. For example, the signaling of 9001 may indicate that PSCell 1-1 is associated with the first measurement identifier, PSCell 2-1 is associated with the second measurement identifier, and PSCell 2-2 is associated with the third measurement identifier. Compared with the previous system, the SN change request of 9001 may include a range of measurement identifiers associated with the first CPC (e.g., the first to eighth measurement identifiers). In other words, the source SN 903 may indicate to the source MN 902 a measurement configuration including a measurement identifier range. The measurement identifier range may be considered to form a set of measurement identifier values ​​that are used for CPC and remain valid after CPC execution (which may include two or more of the set). The measurement identifier range may indicate a measurement identifier that is only used for CPCs that are available when SNs are added, or may indicate a measurement identifier for future CPCs. The range of measurement identifiers may include ranges of measurement identifiers that are configurable and non-configurable by the source SN.

[0188] During 9002, the source MN 902 signals the first target SN 904. The signaling of 9002 may include a request to add a SN. The signaling of 9002 may include an indication of a measurement identifier range.

[0189] In response to receiving measurement identifier range information from source MN 902 during 9002 , first target SN 904 does not configure any measurement identifier in the measurement identifier range included in the signaling received during 9002 as part of the measurement configuration of the first target SN 904 .

[0190] During 9003, the first target SN 904 responds to the signaling of 9002. The response of 9003 may include confirmation. The response of 9003 may include confirmation of 9002's SN addition request.

[0191] The signaling of 9003 may include a measurement configuration having a measurement identifier value different from the measurement identifier value included in the measurement identifier range indicated during 9002.

[0192] During 9004, the source MN 902 signals the second target SN 905. The signaling of 9004 may include a request to add a SN. The signaling of 9004 may include an indication of a measurement identifier range.

[0193] In response to receiving measurement identifier range information from source MN 902 during 9004 , the second target SN 905 does not configure any measurement identifier in the measurement identifier range included in the signaling received during 9004 as part of the measurement configuration of the second target SN 905 .

[0194] During 9005, the second target SN 905 responds to the signaling of 9004. The response of 9005 may include a confirmation. The response of 9005 may include a confirmation of the SN addition request of 9004.

[0195] The signaling of 9005 may include a measurement configuration having a measurement identifier value different from the measurement identifier value included in the measurement identifier range indicated during 9004.

[0196] The indication of the measurement range may indicate a range of measurement identifiers that are not used (at least initially) by the first target SN 904 and the second target SN 905. The measurement range is provided by the source SN controlling the serving PSCell 903 during 9001, and is provided to the first target and the second target SN during 9002 and 9004, respectively. Although these measurement identifiers are not used as part of the measurement configuration provided by the first and second target SNs during 9003 and 9005, it should be understood that the first and / or second target SNs may use these measurement identifiers at a later time.

[0197] During 9006, the source MN 902 signals the UE 901. The signaling of 9006 may include an RRC reconfiguration request message for causing the UE to reconfigure itself. The signaling of 9006 may include a new measurement configuration information element. The new measurement configuration may be labeled as "measIdtoAddModListAfterCPC" in this document. The "measIdToAddModListAfterCPC" measurement configuration may be considered to include a measurement configuration that includes a measurement object and a measurement identifier related to a conditional configuration to be maintained after CPC execution.

[0198] The new measurement configuration may include the CPC configuration received from the first target node and the second target node during 9003 and 9005. The new measurement configuration may include the measurement configuration indicated by the source SN. When a specific CPC execution criterion is met, the signaling of 9006 may instruct UE 901 to apply the signaling configuration associated with the specific CPC execution criterion. In other words, the signaling of 9006 may indicate to UE 901 that the signaling configuration associated with the CPC execution criterion of the target cell is applied after switching from the source cell to the target cell.

[0199] Upon receiving the signaling of 9006, the UE may evaluate multiple measurement configurations associated with the corresponding identifiers to determine whether to perform CPC execution on different PSCells. For example, the UE may evaluate "meaas ID1" to decide CPC execution toward PSCell 1-1, evaluate "meaas ID2" to decide CPC execution toward PSCell 2-2, and / or evaluate "meaas ID3" to decide CPC execution toward PSCell 2-2. The evaluation may be performed regardless of the ID of the serving PSCell. In the case of preparing a new PSCell, the remaining measurement identifiers included in the measurement range identifier (e.g., Meas ID4-8) may be retained.

[0200] During 9007, the UE confirms the signaling of 9006. The signaling of 9007 may confirm the receipt of the new configuration. The signaling of 9007 may include an RRCReconfigurationComp message.

[0201] During 9008, UE 901 determines that at least one CPC condition for one of the PSCells has been met. For example, in this case, the UE may determine that the CPC condition for PSCell 1-1 in SN-1 is met, and determine to initiate a PSCell change procedure for SN-1. The UE decides to apply the measurement configuration of PSCell 1-1.

[0202] During 9009 , UE 901 applies measIdToAddModListAfterCPC and appends it to the measurement configuration of PSCell1 - 1 .

[0203] During 9010, UE 901 signals source MN 902. The signaling of 9010 may include an indication that UE 901 has completed the PSCell change procedure. The signaling of 9010 may indicate that UE 901 has completed RRC reconfiguration. For example, the signaling of 9010 may include an RRCReconfiguration completion signaling operation. The signaling of 9010 may include an indication that UE 901 will apply the effect of the measurement configuration configured by source MN 902 during 9006.

[0204] In one example, during 9010, UE 901 reports only the measurement ID configured for the PSCell change (i.e., MeasID1 for CPC from PSCell 0-1 to PSCell 1-1 in this example). This is because the UE cannot use the measurement configuration given in MeasID1 when the UE is already in PSCell 1-1 and the new serving PScell ​​(e.g., PSCell 1-1) can reuse the measurement identifier associated with that PSCell. For measurement configurations of other CPCs, UE 901 can reuse the measurement identifier configured by the source SN, and the target SN does not reconfigure the UE.

[0205] During 9011 , source MN 902 signals source SN 903 . This signaling of 9011 may indicate that the SN has changed for UE 901 .

[0206] During 9012 , the source MN 902 signals the first target node 904 . The signaling of 9012 may include an indication that the UE has completed SN reconfiguration for PSCell 1 - 1 . The signaling of 9012 may include the measurement identifier and object of the CP signaled by the UE 901 during 9010 .

[0207] During 9013, UE 901 may signal the first target node 904. The signaling of 9013 may be a random access channel procedure for accessing PSCell 1-1.

[0208] During 9014, the source MN 902, the source SN 903 and the first target SN 904 perform a user plane procedure. The user plane procedure can be considered to include data plane communications of the UE. The data plane is related to applications used by the UE for various services. Therefore, a user plane is initiated / established between the UE 901 and a network entity to receive and / or provide services. 9014 is performed to avoid service interruption to the UE 901 when at least one cell providing data connectivity to the UE 901 is changed.

[0209] During 9015 , source MN 902 signals source SN 903 . The signaling of 9015 may instruct source MN 902 to release any UE context regarding UE 901 retained by source SN 903 .

[0210] It should be understood that although Fig. 9 In the example of , the source SN 903 determines and provides the source MN with a measurement identifier range of 1 to 8, but another entity may determine the range. For example, the source MN may decide measurement identifiers 1 to 8 for CPC during 9002 instead of the source SN. This is particularly useful in the case where CPC is MN initiated.

[0211] about Fig.10 A second example is shown. Fig.10 In this example, the source MN indicates the measurement configuration for the persistent CPC configuration to the target SN. The measurement may include, for example, a measurement identifier, an object, and a reporting configuration for the persistent CPC configuration. The target SN may then integrate this information into the measurement configuration of the target SN. As the measurement configuration becomes part of the target SN measurement configuration, the UE may apply the measurement configuration and immediately start evaluating the conditions for subsequent CPC.

[0212] In other words, in this second example, the source measurement configuration for CPC survival will continue after execution from the UE side.Since the target SN already knows these measurement IDs during preparation, the target SN can ensure that these measurement identifiers are not assigned to any new measurement configuration for different purposes.

[0213] Fig.10 1. Signaling that may be performed between UE 1001, source MN 1002, source SN 1003, first target SN 1004, and second target SN 1005 is shown. Source SN 1003 may be labeled as SN-0 and configured to provide PS Cell 0-1. First target SN 1004 may be labeled as SN-1 and configured to provide PS Cell 1-1. Second target SN 1005 may be labeled as SN-2 and configured to provide PS Cell 2-1 and PS Cell 2-2.

[0214] During 10001, the source SN 1003 signals the source MN 1002. The signaling of 10001 may include an indication of requesting an SN change. The source MN 1002 may initiate an SN-initiated conditional PSCell change procedure upon receiving the signal. The signaling of 10001 may include a list of PSCells and measurement configuration (including measurement objects and report configuration configured to the UE for CPC).

[0215] For example, the signaling of 10001 may associate PSCell 1-1 with measurement identifier meas ID1, PSCell 2-1 with measurement identifier meas ID2, PSCell 2-2 with measurement identifier meas ID3, and PSCell 0-1 with measurement identifier meas ID4. The signaling of 10001 may include a series of measurement identifiers associated with the CPC (i.e., meas ID1-4 in this example).

[0216] During 10002, the source MN signals the first target SN 1004. This signaling of 10002 may include an SN add request. This signaling of 10002 may include an indication of the prepared PS cell. The signaling of 10002 may include an indication that the range of measurement identifiers Meas ID1 to 4 are associated with the CPC configured at the UE 1001. The signaling of 10002 may include measurement objects associated with these measurement identifiers.

[0217] During 10003, the first target SN 1004 integrates the measurement identifier (and any associated measurement objects) received during 10002 into the first target SN's own measurement configuration.

[0218] During 10004, the first target SN 1004 signals the source MN 1002. The signaling of 10004 may confirm the SN addition request of 10002. The signaling of 1007 may include the integrated indication of 10003.

[0219] During 10005, the source MN signals the second target SN 1005. The signaling of 10005 may include an SN add request. The signaling of 10005 may include an indication that a range of measurement identifiers Meas ID1 to 4 is associated with a CPC configured at the UE 1001. The signaling of 10005 may include an indication that a range of measurement identifiers is associated with a CPC configured at the UE 1001. The signaling of 10005 may include measurement objects associated with these measurement identifiers.

[0220] During 10006, the second target SN 1005 integrates the measurement identifier (and any associated measurement objects) received during 10005 into the first target SN's own measurement configuration.

[0221] During 10007, the second target SN 1005 signals the source MN 1002. The signaling of 10007 may confirm the SN addition request of 10005. The signaling of 1007 may include the integrated indication of 10006.

[0222] During 10008, the source MN 1002 signals the UE 1001. The signaling of 10008 may include an instruction to perform RRC reconfiguration on the UE 1001. The signaling of 10008 may include an RRCReconfiguration message. The signaling of 10008 may include the CPC configurations received from the first target and second target SNs during 10004 and 10007.

[0223] During 10009 , UE 1001 signals source MN 1002 . This signaling of 10009 may indicate to source MN 1002 that the UE has reconfigured its measurement objects according to the signaling of 10008 .

[0224] During 10010, UE 1001 monitors CPC execution conditions configured by PS Cell 0-1 (ie, configured by source SN 1003).

[0225] During 10011 , UE 1001 determines that CPC conditions towards PS Cell 1 - 1 in the first target SN 1004 have been met, and the UE should therefore perform CPC towards the first target SN 1004 .

[0226] 10012 to 10017 relate to completing the CPC process.

[0227] During 10012, UE 1001 signals source MN 1002. The signaling of 10012 may indicate that UE 1001 is applying the measurement configuration of PSCell 1-1. The signaling may be indicated via an RRC reconfiguration signal.

[0228] During 10013 , source MN 1002 signals source SN 1003 . This signaling of 10013 may indicate that the SN has changed for UE 1001 .

[0229] During 10014, the source MN 1002 signals the first target node 1004. The signaling of 10014 may include an indication that the UE has completed SN reconfiguration for PSCell 1-1.

[0230] During 10015, UE 1001 may signal the first target node 1004. The signaling of 10015 may be a random access channel procedure for accessing PSCell 1-1.

[0231] During 10016, the source MN 1002, the source SN 1003 and the first target SN 1004 perform a user plane procedure. The user plane procedure may be as described above.

[0232] During 10017 , source MN 1002 signals source SN 1003 . This signaling of 10017 may instruct source MN 1002 to release any UE context regarding UE 1001 retained by source SN 1003 .

[0233] It should be understood that although Fig.10 In the example of , the source SN 1003 determines and provides the source MN with a measurement identifier range of 1 to 8, but another entity may determine the range. For example, the source MN may decide measurement identifiers 1 to 8 for CPC during 10002 instead of the source SN. This is particularly useful in the case where CPC is MN initiated.

[0234] about Fig.11 The third example is described.

[0235] In this third example, the source MN provides the UE with a cell-independent measurement configuration to be applied immediately and to be maintained throughout the cell change. This means that a new measurement configuration for selective activation or CPC survival is described in this example. The UE can refer to this measurement configuration for CPC execution instead of any measurement configuration of the primary cell group and / or the secondary cell group.

[0236] After CPC execution, the UE releases the source SN configuration while maintaining the cell-independent measurement configuration. When the measurement configuration is maintained after CPC execution, the UE can apply this measurement configuration to subsequent CPCs. The target SN switched to can release the cell-independent measurement configuration or reconfigure it. The presence of the cell-independent measurement configuration can be part of the UE context.

[0237] Fig.111 shows signaling that may be performed between UE 1101, source MN 1102, source SN 1103, first target SN 1104, and second target SN 1105. Source SN 1103 may be labeled as SN-0 and configured to provide PS Cell 0-1. First target SN 1104 may be labeled as SN-1 and configured to provide PS Cell 1-1. Second target SN 1105 may be labeled as SN-2 and configured to provide PS Cell 2-1 and PS Cell 2-2.

[0238] During 11001, source SN 1103 signals source MN 1102. The signaling of 11001 may include an indication of requesting SN change. Source MN 1102 may initiate an SN initiated conditional PSCell change procedure upon receiving the signal. The signaling of 1001 may include multiple corresponding associations between PSCells and measurement identifiers.

[0239] For example, the signaling of 11001 may associate PSCell 1-1 with the measurement identifier meas ID1, PSCell 2-1 with the measurement identifier meas ID2, PSCell 2-2 with the measurement identifier meas ID3, and PSCell 0-1 with the measurement identifier meas ID4.

[0240] During 11002, the source MN signals the first target SN 1104. The signaling of 11002 may include an SN add request.

[0241] During 11003, the first target SN 1104 signals the source MN 1102. The signaling of 11003 can confirm the SN addition request of 11002.

[0242] During 11004, the source MN 1102 signals the second target SN 1105. This signaling of 11004 may include an SN add request.

[0243] During 11005, the second target SN 1105 signals the source MN 1102. The signaling of 11005 can confirm the SN addition request of 11005.

[0244] During 11006, source MN 1102 signals UE 1101. The signaling of 11006 may include an instruction to perform RRC reconfiguration on UE 1101. The signaling of 11006 may include an RRCReconfiguration message. The signaling of 11006 may include an instruction to retain the measurement configuration previously provided by the serving PSCell.

[0245] During 11007 , UE 1101 signals source MN 1102 . This signaling of 11007 may indicate to source MN 1002 that the UE has reconfigured its measurement objects according to the signaling of 11006 .

[0246] During 11008, UE 1101 monitors CPC execution conditions configured by PS Cell 0-1 (ie, configured by source SN 1103).

[0247] During 11009 , UE 1001 determines that CPC conditions towards PS Cell 1 - 1 in the first target SN 1104 have been met, and the UE should therefore perform CPC towards the first target SN 1104 .

[0248] During 11010, UE 1001 determines to retain PSCell measurement configuration variables.

[0249] For example, the measurement configuration of the UE is part of the cell group configuration. The UE maintains the measurement configuration as a "measurement configuration variable". After the UE changes the cell group, the UE typically deletes the cell group configuration and deletes the variables related to the cell group configuration. Therefore, the measurement configuration variable is typically one of the variables to be deleted after the cell group is changed. However, in contrast, during 11010, the UE 1001 retains the PSCell measurement configuration variable when the cell changes.

[0250] 11011 to 11018 relate to completing the CPC process.

[0251] During 11011, UE 1101 signals source MN 1102. The signaling of 11012 may indicate that UE 1101 is applying the measurement configuration of the serving PS Cell. The signaling may be indicated via an RRC reconfiguration signal.

[0252] During 11012 , source MN 1102 signals source SN 1103 . This signaling of 11012 may indicate that the SN has changed for UE 1101 .

[0253] During 11013, the source MN 1102 signals the first target node 1104. The signaling of 11013 may include an indication that the UE has completed SN reconfiguration for PSCell 1-1.

[0254] During 11014, UE 1101 may signal the first target node 1104. The signaling of 11014 may be a random access channel procedure for accessing PSCell 1-1.

[0255] During 11015, the source MN 1102, the source SN 1103 and the first target SN 1104 perform a user plane procedure. The user plane procedure may be as described above.

[0256] During 11016 , source MN 1102 signals source SN 1103 . The signaling of 11016 may instruct source MN 1102 to release any UE context regarding UE 1101 retained by source SN 1103 .

[0257] During 11017, the first target SN 1104 signals UE 1101. The signaling of 11017 may include an instruction to release the temporary configuration variable to UE 1101. The signaling of 1104 may include a new measurement CPC configuration dedicated to the first target SN 1104. The signaling of 11017 may include RRCReconfiguration signaling. The signaling of 11017 may cause the UE to perform RRC reconfiguration upon receiving the signaling.

[0258] During 11018, UE 1101 signals the first target SN 1104. This signaling of 11018 may indicate that the UE has reconfigured its RRC operation based on the RRC configuration provided in 11017. The signaling of 11018 may include an RRCReconfiguration complete operation.

[0259] Figures 12 to 15 The above aspects are explained by showing example operations that can be performed by the apparatus described herein. It should be understood that these aspects highlight the features of the above examples, and therefore the specific features of the above examples can be combined with the following operations.

[0260] Fig.12 Operations that may be performed by a primary node operating with a first secondary node utilizing dual connectivity to a user equipment are illustrated.

[0261] During 1201 , the primary node determines that a primary cell of a secondary cell group will be handed over from a first cell serving a user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by a first secondary node.

[0262] During 1202, the primary node determines at least one measurement configuration for a second cell provided by a second secondary node, the at least one measurement configuration remaining valid after or during a time period when a primary cell in a secondary cell group serving a user equipment is switched from a first cell to a second cell.

[0263] During 1203, the master node provides at least one measurement configuration to the user equipment.

[0264] The determining at least one measurement configuration may include: identifying that after the user equipment switches from the first cell to the second cell, a measurement configuration provided by the first secondary node is to be applied by the user equipment; and setting the identified measurement configuration as the at least one measurement configuration.

[0265] The determining of at least one measurement configuration may include: determining a range of first measurement identifier values, the range of first measurement identifier values ​​being reserved for use by the first secondary node for measurement configurations associated with the first secondary node; providing the range of first measurement identifier values ​​to the second secondary node; and receiving at least one measurement configuration from the second secondary node, wherein the at least one measurement configuration does not include any measurement identifier having an associated value that falls within the range of first measurement identifier values.

[0266] The determining of at least one measurement configuration may include: determining a range of first measurement identifier values, the range of first measurement identifier values ​​being reserved for use by the first secondary node for associated measurement configurations; providing the range of first measurement identifier values ​​and the associated measurement configurations to the second secondary node; and receiving at least one measurement configuration from the second secondary node, wherein the at least one measurement configuration includes at least one measurement identifier having an associated value falling within the range of the first measurement identifier values.

[0267] Determining that the first cell is to cease acting as a primary cell for a secondary cell group for the user equipment may include receiving an indication to this effect from the first secondary cell, and wherein determining the range of first measurement identifier values ​​includes receiving the range of first measurement identifier values ​​from the first secondary node.

[0268] Determining that the first cell is to cease acting as a primary cell of a secondary cell group for the user equipment may be performed without receiving an indication to that effect from the first secondary cell, and wherein determining a range of first measurement identifier values ​​comprises generating a range of first measurement identifier values.

[0269] Fig.13 Operations performed by a first secondary node that can operate with a primary node using dual connectivity to a user device are shown. The primary node may be Fig.12 The first secondary node can be about Fig.12 The first secondary node in question.

[0270] During 1301 , the first secondary node determines that a primary cell of a secondary cell group is to be handed over from a first cell serving a user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node.

[0271] During 1302, the first secondary node signals to the primary node an indication that the first cell will cease to serve as a primary cell of a secondary cell group, wherein the indication includes a range of first measurement identifier values ​​reserved for use by the first secondary node for measurement configurations associated with the first secondary node.

[0272] Fig.14 2 shows the operations that can be performed by the second secondary node. In the following, the primary node may be Fig.12 The first secondary node can be about Fig.13 The first secondary node in question.

[0273] During 1401, the second secondary node receives an indication from the primary node that a primary cell of the secondary cell group is to be switched from a first cell serving a user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node, and wherein the indication includes a range of first measurement identifier values, which is reserved for use by the first secondary node for a measurement configuration associated with the first secondary node.

[0274] During 1402 , the second secondary node generates at least one measurement configuration for use by a user equipment when the user equipment starts to use a cell provided by the second secondary node as a primary cell of a secondary cell group.

[0275] During 1403, the second secondary node signals the generated at least one measurement configuration to the primary node.

[0276] The generating may include generating at least one measurement configuration such that the at least one measurement configuration includes a measurement identifier value that falls outside a range of first measurement identifier values.

[0277] The generating may include generating at least one measurement configuration such that the at least one measurement configuration includes a measurement identifier value falling within a range of first measurement identifier values.

[0278] After signaling the at least one generated measurement configuration to the primary node, the second secondary node may: generate at least one second cell measurement configuration, the at least one second cell measurement configuration being applied by the user equipment when the primary cell in the secondary cell group is provided by the second cell provided by the second secondary cell; and signaling the at least one generated second cell measurement configuration to the user equipment when the second cell is providing the primary cell of the secondary cell group.

[0279] Fig.15 Example operations that may be performed by a user device configured to operate with dual connectivity to a primary node and a first secondary node are shown. The user device, primary node, first secondary node, and second secondary node discussed with respect to FIG. 51 may be similar to those discussed with respect to FIG. Figures 12 to 14 The entities described correspond to those described.

[0280] During 1501 , the user equipment maintains data connectivity with the first cell by using the first cell provided by the first secondary node as a primary cell of the secondary cell group.

[0281] During 1502, the user equipment receives at least one measurement configuration from a primary node (e.g., the primary node), and the at least one measurement configuration can be applied by the user equipment when the user equipment determines to switch the primary cell of the user equipment of the secondary cell group from the first cell to the second cell provided by the second secondary node.

[0282] During 1503 , the user equipment switches the primary cell of the secondary cell group from the first cell to the second cell.

[0283] During 1504, the user equipment performs measurements in the second cell according to the received at least one measurement configuration.

[0284] The user equipment may: receive from the second secondary node at least one secondary cell measurement configuration applied when the primary cell in the secondary cell group is the second cell; stop performing measurements according to the received at least one measurement configuration; and initiate performing measurements in the second cell according to the received at least one secondary cell measurement configuration.

[0285] The at least one measurement configuration may be independent of the second measurement configuration associated with the second secondary cell.

[0286] The user equipment may receive a first measurement configuration associated with a first secondary cell; and apply the first measurement configuration only when a primary cell of a secondary cell group for the user equipment is being provided by the first cell.

[0287] When a primary cell in a secondary cell group for a user equipment is being provided by a first cell, the user equipment may use at least one measurement configuration.

[0288] The user equipment may generate a measurement configuration variable and store the measurement configuration variable for use when a primary cell of a secondary cell group is being provided by a second cell.

[0289] The user equipment may receive an indication to release the stored measurement configuration variable from a secondary cell, the secondary cell currently providing the user equipment with a cell serving as a primary cell of a secondary cell group.

[0290] The user equipment may: receive at least one secondary cell measurement configuration from the second secondary node, the at least one secondary cell measurement configuration being applied by the user equipment when the second cell acts as a primary cell of a secondary cell group for the user equipment; and apply the received at least one measurement configuration in addition to the measurement configuration provided by the secondary node.

[0291] The user equipment may indicate the measurement objects and measurement identifiers applied in the measurement configuration as part of the persistent measurement configuration configured by the primary node. This may be indicated to the second secondary node via a transmission to the second secondary node.

[0292] Figure 2 An example of a control device for a communication system is shown, the control device, for example, to be coupled to a station of the access system and / or a station for controlling the access system, such as a RAN node (e.g., a base station, gNB), a central unit of a cloud architecture or a node of a core network (such as an MME or S-GW), a scheduling entity (such as a spectrum management entity), or a server or host (e.g., a device hosting an NRF, NWDAF, AMF, SMF, UDM / UDR, etc.). The control device can be integrated with a node or module of the core network or RAN, or external to it. In some examples, the base station includes a separate control device unit or module. In other examples, the control device can be another network element, such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. The control device 200 can be arranged to provide control over communications in a service area of ​​the system. The device 200 includes at least one memory 201, at least one data processing unit 202, 203 and an input / output interface 204. Via the interface, the control device can be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the device. The receiver and / or the transmitter can be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head. For example, the control device 200 or the processor 201 may be configured to execute appropriate software code to provide control functionality.

[0293] Now refer to Figure 3 describing in more detail possible wireless communication devices, Figure 3 A schematic partial cross-sectional view of a communication device 300 is shown. Such a communication device is generally referred to as a user equipment (UE) or terminal. Suitable mobile communication devices can be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples include a mobile station (MS) or a mobile device (such as a mobile phone or a so-called smart phone), a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facilities (e.g., a USB dongle), a personal digital assistant (PDA) or a tablet computer with wireless communication capabilities, or any combination of these devices, etc. Mobile communication devices can provide, for example, communications for carrying data such as voice, e-mail (email), text messages, multimedia, etc. Therefore, users can be supplied and provided with many services via their communication devices. Non-limiting examples of these services include two-way or multi-way calls, data communications or multimedia services, or simply access to a data communication network system, such as the Internet. Broadcast or multicast data can also be provided to users. Non-limiting examples of content include downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alarms and other information.

[0294] A wireless communication device may be, for example, a mobile device, i.e., a device that is not fixed to a particular location, or it may be a fixed device. A wireless device may or may not require human interaction to communicate. As described herein, the term UE or "user" is used to refer to any type of wireless communication device.

[0295] The wireless device 300 may receive signals over the air interface or radio interface 307 via appropriate means for receiving, and may transmit signals via appropriate means for transmitting radio signals. Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the transceiver arrangement is schematically designated by block 306. For example, the transceiver arrangement 306 may be provided by means of a radio part and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the wireless device.

[0296] The wireless device is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 301, at least one memory 302 and possibly other components 303 for use in the software and hardware assisted execution of the tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access and communication to access systems and other communication devices. Data processing, storage and other related control means may be provided on appropriate circuit boards and / or in chipsets. This feature is indicated by reference numeral 304. The user may control the operation of the wireless device by means of a suitable user interface (e.g. a keypad 305, voice commands, a touch-sensitive screen or touchpad, a combination thereof, etc.). A display 308, a speaker and a microphone may also be provided. In addition, the wireless communication device may include (wired or wireless) to other devices and / or suitable connectors for connecting external accessories, such as hands-free devices.

[0297] Figure 4 Schematic representations of non-volatile memory media 400a and 400b are shown, which store instructions and / or parameters 402, (e.g., a computer disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD)) (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick), which, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to perform Fig.12 and / or Fig.13 and / or Fig.14 and / or Fig.15 The steps of the method and / or one or more of the steps of the method previously described in other ways.

[0298] As provided herein, various aspects are described in the detailed description of the examples and in the claims. Typically, some examples may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but the examples are not limited thereto. Although various examples may be shown and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or represented using some other schematic diagrams, it is well understood that the boxes, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented as non-limiting examples in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0299] The examples may be implemented by computer software stored in a memory and executable by at least one data processor of the entity involved, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Furthermore, it should be noted in this regard that any process (e.g., Fig.12 and / or Fig.13 and / or Fig.14 and / or Fig.15 The software may be stored on physical media (such as memory chips or memory blocks implemented within a processor), magnetic media (such as hard disk or floppy disk), and optical media (such as, for example, DVDs and data variants thereof, CDs, etc.).

[0300] The memory may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. As non-limiting examples, the data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a gate-level circuit, and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0301] Additionally or alternatively, some examples may be implemented using a circuit system. The circuit system may be configured to perform one or more of the previously described functions and / or method steps. The circuit system may be provided in a base station and / or a communication device and / or a core network entity.

[0302] The term "circuitry" as used in this application may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation in analog and / or digital circuitry only) and (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as: (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware and (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s), software and memory(s) that work together to enable an apparatus (such as a communication device or base station) to perform the various functions previously described; and (c) Hardware circuits and / or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portions of microprocessor(s), that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but which may not be present when the software is not required to operate.

[0303] The definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example, an integrated device.

[0304] The foregoing description has provided a complete and informative description of some examples by way of non-limiting examples. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant art in view of the foregoing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings will still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0305] However, in the above, as an example of an access architecture to which the described technology can be applied, different examples are described using a radio access architecture based on Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-Advanced, LTE-A) or New Radio (NR, 5G), without limiting the examples to such architectures. These examples can also be applied to other kinds of communication networks with suitable means by appropriately adjusting parameters and procedures. Some examples of other options for suitable systems are Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN or WiFi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Personal Communications Service (PCS), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), systems using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or any combination thereof.

[0306] Figure 5An example of a simplified system architecture is depicted showing only some elements and functional entities, which are logical units, the implementation of which may differ from what is shown. Figure 5 The connections shown in are logical connections; the actual physical connections may be different. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the system typically also includes Figure 5 Other functions and structures than those shown.

[0307] However, these examples are not limited to the systems given as examples, but a person skilled in the art may apply the solutions to other communication systems provided with the necessary properties.

[0308] Figure 5 The example of shows a portion of an exemplary radio access network. For example, the radio access network can support sidelink communications described in more detail below.

[0309] Figure 5 Devices 500 and 502 are shown. Devices 500 and 502 are configured to be wirelessly connected to node 504 on one or more communication channels. Node 504 is also connected to core network 506. In one example, node 504 can be an access node, such as an (e / g) B node serving a device in a cell. In one example, node 504 can be a non-3GPP access node. The physical link from the device to the (e / g) Node B is referred to as an uplink or reverse link, and the physical link from the (e / g) Node B to the device is referred to as a downlink or forward link. It should be understood that the (e / g) Node B or its functionality can be implemented by using entities such as any node, host, server or access point suitable for such use.

[0310] The communication system typically includes more than one (e / g) Node B, in which case the (e / g) Node Bs may also be configured to communicate with each other via specially designed wired or wireless links. These links may be used for signaling purposes. (e / g) Node B is a computing device configured to control the radio resources of the communication system to which it is coupled. Node B may also be referred to as a base station, an access point, or any other type of interface device, including a relay station capable of operating in a wireless environment. (e / g) Node B includes or is coupled to a transceiver. From the transceiver of the (e / g) Node B, a connection is provided to an antenna unit that establishes a bidirectional radio link to the device. The antenna unit may include multiple antennas or antenna elements. (e / g) Node B is also connected to a core network 506 (CN or next generation core NGC). Depending on the technology used, the (e / g) Node B is connected to a Serving and Packet Data Network Gateway (S-GW+P-GW) or a User Plane Function (UPF) for routing and forwarding user data packets and for providing connectivity of the device to one or more external packet data networks, and the Node B is connected to a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or an Access Mobility Management Function (AMF) for controlling access and mobility of the device.

[0311] Examples of apparatus are subscriber units, user devices, user equipment (UE), user terminals, terminal equipment, mobile stations, mobile devices, and the like.

[0312] The device generally refers to a mobile or static device (e.g., a portable or non-portable computing device), including wireless mobile communication devices operating with or without a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), including but not limited to the following types of devices: mobile phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, devices using wireless modems (alarm or measurement devices, etc.), laptop and / or touch screen computers, tablet computers, game consoles, notebooks, and multimedia devices. It should be understood that the device can also be a device almost exclusively dedicated to uplink, an example of which is a camera or video camera that loads images or video clips to the network. The device can also be a device with the ability to operate in an Internet of Things (IoT) network, which is a scenario in which objects can transmit data over a network without human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction, such as being used in smart grids and connected vehicles. The device can also make use of the cloud. In some applications, the device can include a user-portable device with a radio portion (such as a watch, headphones, or glasses), and the calculation is performed in the cloud.

[0313] The device illustrates a type of apparatus to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, and thus any features described herein with an apparatus may be implemented using a corresponding apparatus (such as a relay node). An example of such a relay node is a layer 3 relay (self-backhaul relay) towards a base station. The device (or in some examples, a layer 3 relay node) is configured to perform one or more of the user equipment functionalities.

[0314] The various techniques described herein may also be applied to cyber-physical systems (CPS) (systems of collaborative computing elements that control physical entities). CPS can implement and utilize a large number of interconnected information and communication technologies (ICT), devices (sensors, actuators, processors, microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile cyber-physical systems are a subcategory of cyber-physical systems, where the physical systems in question have inherent mobility. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robots and electronic devices transported by humans or animals.

[0315] Additionally, although the apparatus has been depicted as a single entity, different units, processors and / or memory units ( Figure 5 Not all are shown) can also be implemented.

[0316] 5G allows the use of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept), including macro stations operating in conjunction with smaller stations and adopting various radio technologies depending on service requirements, use cases and / or available spectrum. 5G mobile communications support a wide range of use cases and related applications, including video streaming, augmented reality, different ways of sharing data and various forms of machine-type applications (such as (massive) machine-type communications (mMTC), including vehicle safety, different sensors and real-time control). 5G is expected to have multiple radio interfaces, such as below 6 GHz or above 24 GHz, centimeter wave and millimeter wave, and can also be integrated with existing traditional radio access technologies (such as LTE). Integration with LTE can be implemented, at least in the early stages, as a system in which macro coverage is provided by LTE and 5G radio interface access comes from small cells, accessed by aggregation to LTE. In other words, 5G is planned to support both inter-RAT operability (such as LTE-5G) and inter-RI operability (inter-radio interface operability, such as below 6GHz-cmWave, 6 or above 24GHz-cmWave and mmWave). Network slicing is one of the concepts considered to be used in 5G networks, in which multiple independent and dedicated virtual subnetworks (network instances) can be created within the same infrastructure to run services with different requirements for latency, reliability, throughput, and mobility.

[0317] LTE network architecture is fully distributed in the radio and fully centralized in the core network. Low-latency applications and services in 5G require content to be close to the radio, which leads to local outages and multi-access edge computing (MEC). 5G enables analysis and knowledge generation to occur at the data source. This approach requires the use of resources that may not be continuously connected to the network, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and sensors. MEC provides a distributed computing environment for application and service hosting. It also has the ability to store and process content near cellular subscribers for faster response times. Edge computing covers a wide range of technologies, such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data acquisition, mobile signature analysis, collaborative distributed point-to-point self-organizing networking and processing, and can also be classified as local cloud / fog computing and grid / mesh computing, dew computing, mobile edge computing, micro-cloud, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomous self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, Internet of Things (massive connectivity and / or latency critical), critical communications (autonomous vehicles, traffic safety, real-time analysis, time-critical control, healthcare applications).

[0318] The communication system can also communicate with other networks 512 (such as a public switched telephone network, or a VoIP network, or the Internet, or a private network), or utilize services provided by them. The communication network can also support the use of cloud services, for example, at least a portion of the core network operations can be performed as a cloud service (this is in Figure 5 514). When performed away from the core network, this may also be referred to as edge computing. The communication system may also include a central control entity or the like that provides facilities for networks of different operators to collaborate, for example in spectrum sharing.

[0319] Edge computing technology can enter the radio access network (RAN) by leveraging network function virtualization (NFV) and software defined networking (SDN). Using edge cloud technology can mean performing access node operations at least partially in a server, host or node that is operably coupled to a remote radio head or base station including radio components. Node operations may also be distributed among multiple servers, nodes or hosts. The application of cloud RAN architecture enables RAN real-time functions to be performed at or near remote antenna sites (in distributed units DU 508) and non-real-time functions to be performed in a centralized manner (in centralized units CU 510).

[0320] It should also be understood that the labor distribution between core network operations and base station operations may be different from that of LTE or even non-existent. Some other technological advances that may be used are big data and all-IP, which may change the way networks are built and managed. 5G (or New Radio, NR) networks are designed to support multiple layers, where edge computing servers can be placed between the core and the base station or Node B (gNB). An example of edge computing is MEC defined by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. It should be understood that MEC (and other edge computing protocols) can also be applied to 4G networks.

[0321] 5G can also make use of satellite communications to enhance or complement the coverage of 5G services. For example, by providing backhaul. Possible use cases are providing service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) devices or for passengers on vehicles, mobile broadband (MBB) or ensuring service availability for critical communications and future railway / maritime / aeronautical communications. Satellite communications can make use of geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite systems, but also low earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, in particular mega-constellations (systems in which hundreds of (nano) satellites are deployed). Each satellite in a mega-constellation can cover several satellite-enabled network entities creating ground cells. Ground cells can be created by ground relay nodes or by gNBs located on the ground or in satellites.

[0322] The depicted system is only an example of a part of a radio access system, and in practice, the system may include multiple (e / g) Node Bs, which may access multiple radio cells, and the system may also include other devices, such as physical layer relay nodes or other network elements. At least one of the (e / g) Node Bs may be a home (e / g) Node B. In addition, in a geographical area of ​​the radio communication system, multiple different kinds of radio cells as well as multiple radio cells may be provided. A radio cell may be a macro cell (or umbrella cell), which is a large cell typically having a diameter of up to tens of kilometers, or a smaller cell such as a micro cell, a femto cell or a pico cell. Figure 5 Any kind of these cells may be provided by an (e / g) Node B. A cellular radio system may be implemented as a multi-layer network comprising several types of cells.

Claims

1. A method for a primary node operating with a first secondary node utilizing dual connectivity to a user equipment, the method comprising: Determine that a primary cell of the secondary cell group is to be switched from a first cell serving the user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node; determining, for a second cell provided by a second secondary node, at least one measurement configuration, the at least one measurement configuration remaining valid after or during a time period in which the primary cell in the secondary cell group serving the user equipment is switched from the first cell to the second cell; and The at least one measurement configuration is provided to the user equipment.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining at least one measurement configuration comprises: identifying that after the user equipment switches from the first cell to the second cell, the measurement configuration provided by the first secondary node is to be applied by the user equipment; as well as The identified measurement configuration is set as the at least one measurement configuration.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining at least one measurement configuration comprises: determining a range of first measurement identifier values, the range of first measurement identifier values ​​being reserved for use by the first secondary node for a measurement configuration associated with the first secondary node; providing the range of values ​​of the first measurement identifier to the second secondary node; The at least one measurement configuration is received from the second secondary node, wherein the at least one measurement configuration does not include any measurement identifier having an associated value falling within a range of values ​​of the first measurement identifier.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining at least one measurement configuration comprises: determining a range of first measurement identifier values, the range of first measurement identifier values ​​being reserved for use by the first secondary node for an associated measurement configuration; providing the range of first measurement identifier values ​​and the associated measurement configuration to the second secondary node; as well as The at least one measurement configuration is received from the second secondary node, wherein the at least one measurement configuration comprises at least one measurement identifier having an associated value falling within a range of values ​​of the first measurement identifier.

5. The method according to any one of claims 3-4, wherein the determining that the first cell will stop serving as the primary cell of the secondary cell group for the user equipment comprises: An indication to this effect is received from the first secondary cell, and wherein the determining a range of first measurement identifier values ​​comprises receiving a range of first measurement identifier values ​​from the first secondary node.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3-4, wherein the determining that the first cell will cease to serve as the primary cell of the secondary cell group for the user equipment is performed without receiving an indication to this effect from the first secondary cell, and wherein, The determining a range of first measurement identifier values ​​comprises generating a range of first measurement identifier values.

7. A method for a first secondary node operating with a primary node utilizing dual connectivity to a user equipment, the method comprising: Determine that a primary cell of a secondary cell group is to be switched from a first cell serving the user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node; signaling an indication to the primary node that the first cell will cease to serve as the primary cell of the secondary cell group, wherein the indication comprises a range of first measurement identifier values ​​reserved for use by the first secondary node for a measurement configuration associated with the first secondary node.

8. A method for a second secondary node, the method comprising: receiving, from a primary node, an indication that a primary cell of a secondary cell group is to be handed over from a first cell serving the user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node, and wherein the indication comprises a range of first measurement identifier values, the range of the first measurement identifier values ​​being reserved for use by the first secondary node for a measurement configuration associated with the first secondary node; generating at least one measurement configuration, where the at least one measurement configuration is used by the user equipment when the user equipment starts to use the cell provided by the second secondary node as the primary cell of the secondary cell group; as well as The generated at least one measurement configuration is signaled to the master node.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the generating comprises generating the at least one measurement configuration such that the at least one measurement configuration comprises a measurement identifier value that falls outside a range of the first measurement identifier values.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said generating comprises: The at least one measurement configuration is generated such that the at least one measurement configuration comprises a measurement identifier value falling within a range of the first measurement identifier values.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, comprising: After said signaling said generated at least one measurement configuration to said master node: generating at least one second cell measurement configuration, where the at least one second cell measurement configuration is applied by the user equipment when the primary cell in the secondary cell group is provided by a second cell provided by the second secondary cell; as well as When the second cell is providing the primary cell of the secondary cell group, the generated at least one second cell measurement configuration is signaled to the user equipment.

12. A method for a user equipment configured to operate with dual connectivity to a primary node and a first secondary node, the method comprising: maintaining data connectivity with the first cell by using a first cell provided by the first secondary node as a primary cell of a secondary cell group; receiving at least one measurement configuration from the primary node, wherein the at least one measurement configuration can be applied by the user equipment in the following situation: the user equipment determines to switch the primary cell of the user equipment of the secondary cell group from the first cell to a second cell provided by the second secondary node; Switching the primary cell of the secondary cell group from the first cell to the second cell; as well as Measurements are performed in the second cell according to the received at least one measurement configuration.

13. The method according to claim 12, comprising: receiving, from the second secondary node, at least one secondary cell measurement configuration applied when the primary cell in the secondary cell group is the second cell; stopping the performing of measurements according to the received at least one measurement configuration; and Initiate performing measurement in the second cell according to the received at least one secondary cell measurement configuration.

14. The method according to any one of claims 12-13, wherein the at least one measurement configuration is independent of a second measurement configuration associated with the second secondary cell.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12-13, further comprising: receiving a first measurement configuration associated with the first secondary cell; The first measurement configuration is applied only when the primary cell of the secondary cell group for the user equipment is being provided by the first cell.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 13, comprising: The at least one measurement configuration is used when the primary cell in the secondary cell group for the user equipment is being provided by the first cell.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 13, comprising: Measurement configuration variables are generated and stored for use when the primary cell of the secondary cell group is being provided by the second cell.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising receiving an indication to release the stored measurement configuration variable from a secondary cell, the secondary cell currently providing the user equipment with a cell acting as a primary cell of a secondary cell group.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12-13, comprising: receiving, from the second secondary node, at least one secondary cell measurement configuration, the at least one secondary cell measurement configuration being applied by the user equipment when the second cell serves as a primary cell of a secondary cell group for the user equipment; and The received at least one measurement configuration is applied in addition to the measurement configuration provided by the secondary node.

20. The method according to any one of claims 12-13, comprising: The measurement object and the measurement identifier applied in the measurement configuration are indicated as part of a persistent measurement configuration configured by the master node.

21. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or to perform the method according to claim 7, or to perform the method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, or to perform the method according to any one of claims 12 to 20.

22. An apparatus for a primary node operating with a first secondary node utilizing dual connectivity to a user equipment, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising code, which when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: Determine that a primary cell of the secondary cell group is to be switched from a first cell serving the user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node; determining, for a second cell provided by a second secondary node, at least one measurement configuration, the at least one measurement configuration remaining valid after or during a time period in which the primary cell in the secondary cell group serving the user equipment is switched from the first cell to the second cell; and The at least one measurement configuration is provided to the user equipment.

23. An apparatus for a first secondary node operating with a primary node utilizing dual connectivity to a user equipment, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising code, which when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: Determine that a primary cell of a secondary cell group is to be switched from a first cell serving the user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node; signaling an indication to the primary node that the first cell will cease to serve as the primary cell of the secondary cell group, wherein the indication comprises a range of first measurement identifier values ​​reserved for use by the first secondary node for a measurement configuration associated with the first secondary node.

24. An apparatus for a second secondary node, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: receiving, from a primary node, an indication that a primary cell of a secondary cell group is to be handed over from a first cell serving the user equipment, wherein the first cell is provided by the first secondary node, and wherein the indication comprises a range of first measurement identifier values, the range of the first measurement identifier values ​​being reserved for use by the first secondary node for a measurement configuration associated with the first secondary node; generating at least one measurement configuration, where the at least one measurement configuration is used by the user equipment when the user equipment starts to use the cell provided by the second secondary node as the primary cell of the secondary cell group; as well as The generated at least one measurement configuration is signaled to the master node.

25. An apparatus for a user equipment, the user equipment being configured to operate with dual connectivity to a primary node and a first secondary node, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising code, which when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: maintaining data connectivity with the first cell by using a first cell provided by the first secondary node as a primary cell of a secondary cell group; receiving at least one measurement configuration from the primary node, wherein the at least one measurement configuration can be applied by the user equipment in the following situation: the user equipment determines to switch the primary cell of the user equipment of the secondary cell group from the first cell to a second cell provided by the second secondary node; Switching the primary cell of the secondary cell group from the first cell to the second cell; as well as Measurements are performed in the second cell according to the received at least one measurement configuration.

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