Pre-configured CHO

Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products for mobility setting pre-configuration, activation, and execution for conditional switching. A method may include sending a control message to a user equipment, the control message including at least one pre-configured condition switch; detecting at least one setting associated with activation of at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches; and sending an indication to the user equipment in response to the detection, the indication configured to activate a conditional switch in accordance with at least one of the pre-configured conditional switches.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Some example embodiments may generally relate to mobile or wireless telecommunication systems, such as 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5th Generation (5G) Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR) access technology, 6th Generation (6G), and / or other communication systems. For example, certain example embodiments may relate to systems and / or methods for mobility setting pre-configuration, activation, and execution for conditional handover. Background Art

[0002] Examples of mobile or wireless telecommunication systems may include radio frequency (RF) 5G RAT, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), LTE Evolution UTRAN (E-UTRAN), Advanced LTE (LTE-A), LTE-A Pro, NR access technology, and / or MulteFire Alliance. 5G wireless system refers to the next generation (NG) radio system and network architecture. 5G systems are typically built on 5G NR, but 5G (or NG) networks can also be built on E-UTRA radio. It is expected that NR can support service categories such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine type communication (mMTC). NR is expected to deliver extreme broadband, ultra-robust, low-latency connectivity, and large-scale networking to support the Internet of Things (IoT). The next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) represents a radio access network (RAN) for 5G, which can provide radio access for NR, LTE, and LTE-A. Note that a node in 5G that provides radio access functionality to user equipment (e.g., similar to a Node B in UTRAN or an evolved Node B (eNB) in LTE) may be referred to as a next-generation Node B (gNB) when built on an NR radio, and may be referred to as a next-generation eNB (NG-eNB) when built on an E-UTRA radio. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to some example embodiments, a method may include sending a control message to a user equipment, the control message including at least one preconfigured conditional switch. The method may also include detecting at least one setting associated with activation of at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches. The method may also include, in response to the detection, sending an indication to the user equipment, the indication being configured to activate the conditional switch according to at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches.

[0004] According to certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include means for sending a control message to a user equipment, the control message including at least one preconfigured conditional switch. The apparatus may also include means for detecting at least one setting associated with activation of at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches. The apparatus may also include means for sending an indication to the user equipment in response to the detection, the indication being configured to activate the conditional switch according to at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches.

[0005] According to various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may include program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least one method. The method may include sending a control message to a user equipment, the control message including at least one preconfigured conditional switch. The method may also include detecting at least one setting associated with activation of at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches. The method may also include sending an indication to the user equipment in response to the detection, the indication being configured to activate the conditional switch according to at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches.

[0006] According to some example embodiments, a computer program product may perform a method. The method may include sending a control message to a user equipment, the control message including at least one preconfigured conditional switch. The method may also include detecting at least one setting associated with activation of at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches. The method may also include sending an indication to the user equipment in response to the detection, the indication being configured to activate the conditional switch according to at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches.

[0007] According to certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the apparatus to at least send a control message to a user equipment, the control message including at least one preconfigured conditional switch. The at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also cause the apparatus to at least detect at least one setting associated with activation of at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches. The at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also cause the apparatus to at least send an indication to the user equipment in response to the detection, the indication being configured to activate the conditional switch according to at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches.

[0008] According to various example embodiments, an apparatus may include a transmitting circuit system configured to transmit a control message to a user equipment, the control message including at least one preconfigured conditional switch. The apparatus may also include a detection circuit system configured to detect at least one setting associated with activation of at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches. The apparatus may also include a transmitting circuit system configured to transmit an indication to the user equipment in response to the detection, the indication being configured to activate the conditional switch according to at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches.

[0009] According to some example embodiments, a method may include receiving a control message from a source network entity, the control message including at least one conditional handover preconfiguration. The method may also include receiving an indication from the source network entity, the indication configured to activate the conditional handover according to the at least one conditional handover preconfiguration and at least one change trigger condition. The method may also include performing the conditional handover according to the at least one conditional handover preconfiguration based on the received control message and the received indication.

[0010] According to certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include means for receiving a control message from a source network entity, the control message including at least one conditional handover preconfiguration. The apparatus may also include means for receiving an indication from the source network entity, the indication being configured to activate conditional handover according to at least one conditional handover preconfiguration and at least one change trigger condition. The apparatus may also include means for performing conditional handover according to at least one conditional handover preconfiguration based on the received control message and the received indication.

[0011] According to various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may include program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least one method. The method may include receiving a control message from a source network entity, the control message including at least one conditional handover preconfiguration. The method may also include receiving an indication from the source network entity, the indication being configured to activate conditional handover according to at least one conditional handover preconfiguration and at least one change trigger condition. The method may also include performing conditional handover according to at least one conditional handover preconfiguration based on the received control message and the received indication.

[0012] According to some example embodiments, a computer program product may perform a method. The method may include receiving a control message from a source network entity, the control message including at least one conditional handover preconfiguration. The method may also include receiving an indication from the source network entity, the indication configured to activate the conditional handover according to the at least one conditional handover preconfiguration and at least one change trigger condition. The method may also include performing the conditional handover according to the at least one conditional handover preconfiguration based on the received control message and the received indication.

[0013] According to certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least receive a control message from a source network entity, the control message including at least one conditional handover preconfiguration. The at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also cause the apparatus to at least receive an indication from the source network entity, the indication being configured to activate conditional handover based on at least one conditional handover preconfiguration and at least one change trigger condition. The at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also cause the apparatus to perform conditional handover based on at least one conditional handover preconfiguration based on at least one received control message and received indication.

[0014] According to various example embodiments, an apparatus may include a receiving circuit system configured to receive a control message from a source network entity, the control message including at least one conditional handover preconfiguration. The apparatus may also include a receiving circuit system configured to receive an indication from the source network entity, the indication configured to activate conditional handover according to at least one conditional handover preconfiguration and at least one change trigger condition. The apparatus may also include an execution circuit system configured to execute conditional handover according to at least one conditional handover preconfiguration based on the received control message and the received indication. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] For a proper understanding of the example embodiments, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 An example of a conditional switching process is shown.

[0017] Figure 2 An example downlink beam variation in a high-speed train scenario is shown.

[0018] Figure 3 Examples of reference signal received power traces for serving and target remote radio heads are shown.

[0019] Figure 4 Mobility failure statistics from a system-level simulator are shown.

[0020] Figure 5 The handover system-level simulation statistics comparing conservative and aggressive mobility settings for different DRX values ​​are shown.

[0021] Figure 6 An example of a flow chart of a method according to various example embodiments is shown.

[0022] Figure 7An example of a signaling diagram is shown in accordance with some example embodiments.

[0023] Fig. 8A Examples of reference signal received power traces for serving and best target cells for one common mobility setting are shown.

[0024] Figure 8B Examples of reference signal received power traces for serving and best target cells for two mobility settings are shown.

[0025] Fig. 9 Examples of various network devices are shown according to some example embodiments.

[0026] Fig.10 Examples of 5G network and system architectures are shown in accordance with certain example embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] It will be readily appreciated that the components of certain example embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of some example embodiments of systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for mobility settings pre-configuration, activation, and execution for conditional handover (CHO) is not intended to limit the scope of certain example embodiments, but rather is representative of selected example embodiments.

[0028] CHO can be defined as a handover (HO) performed by a user equipment (UE) when one or more HO execution conditions are met. Figure 1 As shown, CHO enables the network to preconfigure the UE with one or more HO candidates and conditions for the UE to autonomously initiate HO to one of the preconfigured CHO candidates. Once the UE is configured with one or more CHO candidates, the UE can perform normal mobility measurements on the configured candidate cells and possible non-CHO candidate cells. If one of the CHO candidate cells meets the conditions configured for CHO, the UE can switch to the target CHO candidate cell and initiate a random access procedure without sending a measurement report and then waiting for a HO command. Using these techniques, HO can be used between cells in a high-speed train (HST) deployment, such as Figure 2 and other scenarios. Although HST deployment is used as an example in this disclosure, any type of scenario (e.g., car, motorcycle, airplane, drone) where the UE moves (including fast movement) between service areas can be used. The method can be generally applied and is not limited to specific speeds or scenarios.

[0029] 3GPP Release (Rel)-17 includes requirements for HST deployment in millimeter wave (mmWave) bands (e.g., frequency range 2 (FR2)). For example, two requirements correspond to 2 receive (Rx) beams at the UE when the remote radio head (RRH) is located near a road or railway track (e.g., 10 meters away), and two requirements correspond to 6 Rx beams when the RRH is located at a greater distance. 3GPP Rel-18 continues to develop HST FR2 technology, including deployment in tunnels, where the RRH is located relatively close to the track, creating challenging mobility conditions.

[0030] Some of these mobility scenarios require very timely and low-latency cell changes and beam switching. For example, a UE may cross cell edges and beams and / or multiple beams at very high speeds; in high-frequency (e.g., mmWave) deployments, the serving beam may deteriorate very quickly when the UE approaches, for example, a cell edge.

[0031] This may happen when the HST UE is traveling towards a transmission point (e.g., a transmission reception point (TRP), RRH, access point (AP)), such as Figure 2 In this case, the reference signal received power (RSRP) of the service beam can drop from -80 decibel milliwatts (dBm) to -110 dBm in less than 20 meters, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 3 shown. Specifically, Figure 3 The RSRP trajectories of the serving and target RRHs are shown, with the vertical lines indicating the event A3 trigger coordinates (i.e., triggered when the neighboring cell becomes one offset better than the serving cell), HO completion, and source RRH location. The drop in RSRP may occur due to the sharp beams used in FR2 to cover the longer inter-cell distance (700m in the HST FR2 priority scenario). In addition, the backplane may eliminate the signal radiation behind the RRH. Therefore, if high-speed mobility relies on traditional mechanisms (e.g., Layer 1 (L1) / L3 measurement averaging, feedback from UE, mobility command signaling to / from the base station), the UE may experience very low signal-to-interference and noise ratio (SINR) conditions. A closed mobility loop based on measurements may also be too slow to avoid signal degradation and mobility issues from the serving beam. This is particularly true in cases where the signal from the serving beam is blocked. Figure 4 The results of the mobility failure statistics of the system-level simulator are described in FIG. 1 . It shows that even with enhanced requirements (e.g., scaling 2), mobility failures can occur in the absence of discontinuous reception (DRX) (e.g., Figure 4 In the case of DRX0 in Figure 2 In the scenario shown. Figure 2As shown, the train can move in a direction opposite to the orientation of the RRH panels and beams.

[0032] In order to provide timely and robust beam changes, the network will require the UE to provide assistance and feedback to the network (i.e., RSRP reports, RSRQ reports, SINR reports). If the beam change involves strict timing requirements, continuous and low-latency reports from the UE may be required, which may increase the UE measurement burden, power consumption, and reporting and network UL resources consumed by the UE.

[0033] HO can be reconfigured with aggressive cell mobility parameters. However, this may also affect other deployment areas far from the cell edge, because such aggressive mobility parameters may cause unnecessary mobility events and lead to unnecessary HO and ping-pong effects between cells, such as Figure 5 shown. Specifically, Figure 5 System-level simulations are depicted that compare conservative and aggressive mobility settings, where the more aggressive settings typically correspond to a large increase in HO frequency. This can lead to frequent interruptions and disruptions in data transmission, as well as a more general degradation of overall system performance.

[0034] CHO can result in reduced HO process latency, where the UE does not require an explicit HO command from the base station (e.g., based on measurement reports) to switch to a new cell. However, as described above, configuring only one set of HO or CHO parameters is not always optimal. In addition, CHO may trigger the UE to perform a HO at an unnecessary time (e.g., when the target cell is available long before the HO should have occurred).

[0035] Timely configuration of CHO (i.e., Figure 1 Steps 2-3 in (2) may also increase the RRC signaling delay from the base station and the UE processing delay, thereby generating additional latency under dynamic mobility conditions. Therefore, it may be desirable to reconfigure mobility parameters near areas with special UE conditions (e.g., near the edge of beam / RRH coverage) to include UE reporting assistance without delaying cell switching.

[0036] There may be scenarios in which the lowest possible latency for cell / beam switching is required. To enable timely and robust HO, more aggressive HO parameters and / or reporting may be required in some areas, such as at the cell edge. However, a closed mobility loop based on measurements may be too slow to avoid signal degradation from the serving beam. Generic mobility settings / configuration / parameterization may also not be suitable for all areas / UE conditions of a deployment / cell. If HO / (multiple) CHOs with more aggressive parameters are configured too early, unnecessary mobility events may interrupt data transmission, degrading network performance. Optionally, timely configuration of CHO may also be difficult due to RRC signaling delays from the base station and UE processing delays.

[0037] Certain example embodiments described herein may have various benefits and / or advantages that overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings. For example, due to the ability to configure multiple mobility settings in a cell, certain example embodiments may provide highly flexible mobility configurations customized for deployment. Slower mobility CHO setting preparation and pre-configuration operations may also be separated from faster activation and execution steps. In addition, mobility settings may be activated with low latency, so different mobility settings may be used in areas where they are particularly needed. For example, CHO with aggressive parameters may be used only in small areas near the RRH or cell edge. In addition, specific CHO mobility settings may be limited to certain areas and / or UE conditions (e.g., when the last beam of a cell is used and / or when the UE may switch to the first beam of a new cell). As a result, mobility robustness may be improved with minimal performance loss. Therefore, certain example embodiments discussed below relate to improvements in computer-related technologies.

[0038] The various example embodiments discussed herein may enable low-latency handovers and execution of different mobility settings in a cell, thereby allowing the most appropriate mobility parameters to be used in the corresponding coverage area / UE conditions. Several sets of CHO parameters (i.e., several different mobility settings) may be provided to a UE entering a cell (e.g., together with an RRC configuration) or to the UE at a later stage (e.g., together with an RRC reconfiguration). Compared to the conventional CHO procedure, after a candidate target cell is prepared and when the UE is configured with CHO (i.e., configured with new mobility settings), the UE may not be allowed to use CHO before a mobility setting change is triggered. Therefore, the UE may use its original mobility settings (e.g., regular HO or default CHO settings) in a wide area. At the same time, the most required and time-consuming preparation and signaling (e.g., Figure 1Steps 2 and 3) in 604 may be performed early enough, including before the UE enters an area where a different (e.g., more aggressive) mobility setting will be used. The new mobility setting (i.e., another CHO setting) is then triggered using, for example, faster Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) or Downlink Control Information (DCI) signaling, or alternatively, by certain conditions indicated to it directly at the UE at 603, as described below. Optionally, other signaling may be used.

[0039] Figure 6 An example of a flow chart illustrating a method of mobility setting pre-configuration, activation and execution for a non-limiting example case using CHO according to various example embodiments, the method may be performed by a NE, such as by Fig. 9 More specifically, Figure 6 Depicted is CHO (pre-)configuration and activation as an implementation of multiple mobility settings.

[0040] At 601, the method may include determining whether the UE is deployed and / or whether conditions exist for multiple mobility settings.

[0041] At 602, the method may include preparing a CHO with at least one candidate NE, the CHO including parameters including a HO request, admission control, and a required HO confirmation.

[0042] At 603, the method may include reusing existing RRC signaling or extending existing RRC signaling with additional CHO activation and / or execution criteria, wherein new mobility settings are (pre)configured (e.g., the CHO configuration is signaled to the UE). For example, the new mobility settings may indicate that CHO is activated only when a specific serving transmit (Tx) beam / transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state is used / activated. In some example embodiments, UE-based activation and switching to preconfigured CHO according to mobility settings may be triggered by CHO activation / switching conditions preconfigured by the NW at the UE, such as RRC signaling; this may be performed in addition to or in place of the preconfigured CHO prior to 601.

[0043] Alternatively, RRC signaling may indicate that CHO should not be active before the mobility setting change is triggered (i.e., 604). In various example embodiments, the method may further include configuring additional conditions for CHO as follows: CHO may be performed only for predefined target cells and / or beams. Note that 601-603 may be performed individually, in certain groups, or together (e.g., when the UE is connected to a cell).

[0044] At 604, the method may include determining whether a condition for a mobility change has been triggered. For example, if a different mobility setting is to be applied only to a given serving beam / TCI state, and has been signaled to the UE at 603, the UE may activate the new mobility parameter setting (CHO setting) on ​​its own. In various example embodiments, the new mobility parameter setting may be changed while performing CHO (e.g., the serving cell is changed), or the new mobility parameter setting may be changed without performing CHO (e.g., the serving cell is not changed). In some example embodiments, the change of the mobility parameter setting may be performed while performing CHO (e.g., the change of cell). In certain example embodiments, the mobility parameter setting may be performed without performing CHO (e.g., the serving cell is not changed).

[0045] Alternatively, the decision to change the mobility settings may be made on the NW side and then signaled to the UE either explicitly or together with other signaling (e.g., with a TCI state switch command). Alternatively, the NE may determine to change the mobility settings and then signaled to the UE either explicitly or together with other signaling (e.g., with a TCI state switch command).

[0046] At 605, the method may include forwarding, by the source NE, the data to the candidate cell (ie, early state transfer).

[0047] At 606, the method may include changing mobility settings (ie, CHO activation) at the UE to enable the UE to perform CHO.

[0048] At 607, the method may include checking conventional or additional new conditions for CHO execution at 603. For example, the new additional conditions may include target cells and / or beams from a preconfigured list. The preconfigured conditions from 603 may also be checked.

[0049] At 608, the method can include resetting, updating, and / or returning default mobility settings at the UE.

[0050] Figure 7 An example of a signaling diagram depicting mobility setup pre-configuration, activation and execution of CHO is shown. According to certain example embodiments, source NE 730 and target NE(s) 740, and UE 720 may be similar to Fig. 9 NE 910 and UE 920 are shown in FIG.

[0051] At 701, UE 720 may establish a connection with source NE 730. Some default mobility settings may be used to establish the connection; for example, the default mobility settings may be conventional HO-based mobility settings.

[0052] At 702, if the source NE 730 already knows that multiple mobility settings (e.g., CHO configuration) need to be configured at the UE 720 by some means (e.g., based on the order of previous HOs, UE location) at the time of connection establishment, the source NE 730 can provide these additional mobility settings to the UE 720 at the time of initial RRC cell configuration. In various example embodiments, the source NE 730 can use measurements to infer that the UE 720 is moving and the direction of movement. At 703, the NE 730 can send a control and / or measurement configuration, and the UE 720 can report the measurements to the source NE 730.

[0053] At 704, based on the measurement report received from the UE 720, the source NE 730 may determine whether multiple mobility settings are needed.

[0054] At 705, the target NE(s) 740 may prepare for CHO using the candidate cells.

[0055] At 706, if UE 720 has not received the new mobility settings, source NE 730 may send an RRC message to UE 720, which may include at least one CHO pre-configuration. In various example embodiments, the RRC message may include new additional instructions to UE 720 regarding CHO (i.e., pre-configuration and / or conditions for activation / change between CHO configurations, i.e., mobility settings). For example, the RRC message may instruct UE 720 that the configured CHO may not be used before the configured CHO is activated from source NE 730, or until the additional conditions are triggered (e.g., UE 720 is switched to a specific TCI state / beam). In response, at 707, UE 720 may send an RRC completion message to source NE 730.

[0056] At 708, the UE 720 and the source NE 730 may exchange user data.

[0057] At 709, the UE 720, the source NE 730, and the target NE(s) 740 may perform NE measurements and reporting.

[0058] At 710, the source NE 730 may evaluate and detect at least one trigger condition, such as a mobility setting trigger condition for CHO pre-configuration activation. Specifically, while the source NE 730 continues to check the CHO activation condition (i.e., the condition that triggers the change of mobility settings), the UE 720 may continue normal operation. The mobility setting trigger condition may be based on network signaling or a pre-configuration condition.

[0059] At 711, the source NE 730 may, in response to the detection, send an indication to activate the pre-configured CHO to the UE 720 via a DCI and / or a MAC CE.

[0060] At 712, the UE 720, the source NE 730 and the target NE(s) 740 may perform NE measurements and reporting in normal operation. However, a new mobility setting (CHO configuration) may be active at the UE 720.

[0061] At 713, UE 720 may continue to monitor CHO conditions. For example, the conditions may include regular CHO, or additional preconfigured conditions at 706 (eg, target beam / TCI status).

[0062] At 714, the UE 720, the source NE 730, and the target NE(s) 740 may perform CHO based on the RRC message received at 706 and / or the indication received at 711, and may continue data exchange with the new NE.

[0063] At 715, the UE 720, the source NE 730, and the target NE 740 may exchange user data.

[0064] Fig. 8A -B depicts two RSRP time traces for an example where the train is travelling in the opposite direction to the serving beam, similar to Figure 2 shown. Fig. 8A Plots the RSRP trajectory when only one general mobility setting is configured, while Figure 8B The traces when using two settings are shown, with aggressive parameters near the RRH. Both figures show that significant drops in signal strength near the RRH can be avoided.

[0065] Fig. 9 An example of a system according to some example embodiments is shown. In an example embodiment, the system may include a plurality of devices, such as NE 910 and / or UE 920.

[0066] NE 910 may be one or more of a base station such as an eNB or gNB, a serving gateway, a server, and / or any other access node or a combination thereof.

[0067] The NE 910 may also include at least one gNB centralized unit (CU), which may be associated with at least one gNB distributed unit (DU). The gNB-CU and the gNB-DU may communicate via at least one F1 interface, at least one Xn-C interface, and / or at least one NG interface via a fifth generation core (5GC).

[0068] The UE 920 may include one or more of a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet or portable media player, a digital camera, a pocket camcorder, a video game console, a navigation unit such as a global positioning system (GPS) device, a desktop or laptop computer, a single location device such as a sensor or smart meter, or any combination thereof. In addition, the NE 910 and / or the UE 920 may be one or more of a Citizen Broadband Wireless Service Device (CBSD).

[0069] NE 910 and / or UE 920 may include at least one processor, respectively denoted as 911 and 921. Processors 911 and 921 may be implemented by any computing or data processing device, such as a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a similar device. The processor may be implemented as a single controller, or multiple controllers or processors.

[0070] At least one memory may be provided in one or more devices, as indicated at 912 and 922. The memory may be fixed or removable. The memory may include computer program instructions or computer codes contained therein. Memories 912 and 922 may independently be any suitable storage device, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium). The term "non-transitory" as used herein may correspond to a restriction on the medium itself (i.e., tangible, rather than a signal), rather than a restriction on data storage persistence (e.g., random access memory (RAM) versus read-only memory (ROM)). A hard disk drive (HDD), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, or other suitable memory may be used. The memory may be combined on a single integrated circuit as a processor, or may be separated from one or more processors. In addition, the computer program instructions stored in the memory and that may be processed by the processor may be any suitable form of computer program code, for example, a compiled or interpreted computer program written in any suitable programming language.

[0071] Processors 911 and 921, memories 912 and 922, and any subset thereof, may be configured to provide corresponding Figure 6-7 Although not shown, the device may also include positioning hardware, such as GPS or micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) hardware, which can be used to determine the location of the device. Other sensors are also allowed and can be configured to determine location, altitude, speed, heading, etc., such as a barometer, compass, etc.

[0072] like Fig. 9As shown, transceivers 913 and 923 may be provided, and one or more devices may also include at least one antenna shown as 914 and 924, respectively. The device may have many antennas, such as an antenna array configured for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communication, or multiple antennas for multiple RATs. For example, other configurations of these devices may be provided. Transceivers 913 and 923 may be transmitters, receivers, both transmitters and receivers, or units or devices that may be configured for both transmission and reception.

[0073] The memory and the computer program instructions may be configured together with a processor for a specific device so that a hardware device such as a UE performs any one of the above processes (ie, Figure 6-7 ). Thus, in certain example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be encoded with computer instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform a process such as one of the processes described herein. Alternatively, certain example embodiments may be performed entirely in hardware.

[0074] In certain example embodiments, an apparatus may include circuitry configured to perform Figures 6 to 7 . As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware circuit implementation only, (such as implementation only with analog and / or digital circuitry), (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and / or (multiple) digital hardware circuits with software / firmware, and (ii) any portion of (multiple) hardware processors working together with software (including (multiple) digital signal processors), software and (multiple) memories to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions, and (c) (multiple) hardware circuits and / or (multiple) processors, such as (multiple) microprocessors or a portion of (multiple) microprocessors, which require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but when software is not required to operate, the software may not be present. This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers implementations of hardware circuitry only, or processor (or processors), or portions of hardware circuitry or processors, and their accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to a particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or networking equipment.

[0075] Fig.10An example of a 5G network and system architecture according to certain example embodiments is shown. The multiple network functions shown may be implemented as software operating as part of a network device or dedicated hardware, as a network device itself or dedicated hardware, or as virtual functions operating as a network device or dedicated hardware. Fig.10 The NE and UE shown in the figure may be similar to NE 1010 and UE 1020, respectively. The user plane function (UPF) may provide services such as intra-RAT and inter-RAT mobility, routing and forwarding of data packets, packet inspection, user plane quality of service (QoS) processing, buffering of downlink packets, and / or triggering of downlink data notifications. The application function (AF) may primarily interface with the core network to facilitate application use of traffic routing and interact with the policy framework.

[0076] According to some example embodiments, processors 911 and 921, and memories 912 and 922 may be included in a processing circuit system or a control circuit system or may form a part of a processing circuit system or a control circuit system. In addition, in some example embodiments, transceivers 913 and 923 may be included in a transceiver circuit system or may form a part of a transceiver circuit system.

[0077] In some example embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., NE 910 and / or UE 920) may include a component for performing a method, process, or any variation discussed herein. Examples of the component may include one or more processors, memories, controllers, transmitters, receivers, and / or computer program code for causing the execution of an operation.

[0078] In various example embodiments, NE 910 may be controlled by memory 912 and processor 911 to send a control message to a user equipment, the control message comprising at least one preconfigured conditional switch; detect at least one setting associated with activation of at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches; and send an indication to the user equipment in response to the detection, the indication being configured to activate the conditional switch according to at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches.

[0079] Certain example embodiments may relate to an apparatus comprising components for performing any of the methods described herein, including, for example: components for sending a control message to a user equipment, the control message comprising at least one preconfigured conditional switch; components for detecting at least one setting associated with activation of at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches; and components for sending an indication to the user equipment in response to the detection, the indication being configured to activate the conditional switch according to at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches.

[0080] In various example embodiments, the UE 920 may be controlled by the memory 912 and the processor 921 to receive a control message from a source network entity, the control message comprising at least one conditional switching preconfiguration; receive an indication from the source network entity, the indication being configured to activate conditional switching according to at least one conditional switching preconfiguration and at least one change trigger condition; and perform conditional switching according to at least one conditional switching preconfiguration based on the received control message and the received indication.

[0081] Certain example embodiments may relate to an apparatus comprising components for performing any of the methods described herein, including, for example: a component for receiving a control message from a source network entity, the control message comprising at least one conditional switching preconfiguration; a component for receiving an indication from the source network entity, the indication being configured to activate conditional switching based on at least one conditional switching preconfiguration and at least one change trigger condition; and a component for performing conditional switching based on the at least one conditional switching preconfiguration based on the received control message and the received indication.

[0082] The features, structures, or characteristics of the example embodiments described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. For example, the phrases "various embodiments," "certain embodiments," "some embodiments," or other similar language used throughout this specification refer to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with an example embodiment may be included in at least one example embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in various embodiments," "certain embodiments," "in some embodiments," or other similar language used throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same set of example embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments.

[0083] As used herein, “at least one of: ” and “at least one of ” and similar expressions, where a list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more elements, or at least all of the elements.

[0084] In addition, if necessary, the different functions or processes discussed above can be performed in different orders and / or simultaneously with each other. In addition, if necessary, one or more of the described functions or processes can be optional or can be combined. Therefore, the above description should be considered as illustrating the principles and teachings of some example embodiments, rather than limiting them.

[0085] Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the above-described example embodiments may be implemented with processes in a different order and / or with hardware elements in configurations different from those disclosed. Therefore, although some embodiments have been described based on these example embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions will be apparent while remaining within the spirit and scope of the example embodiments.

[0086] Part of vocabulary

[0087] 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

[0088] 5G Fifth Generation

[0089] 5GC Fifth Generation Core

[0090] 6G Sixth Generation

[0091] AF Application Function

[0092] AP Access Point

[0093] ASIC Application-Specific Integrated Circuit

[0094] BS Base Station

[0095] CBSD Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device

[0096] CE Control Elements

[0097] CHO Condition Switch

[0098] CN Core Network

[0099] CPU Central Processing Unit

[0100] CU Centralized Unit

[0101] dBm decibel milliwatt

[0102] DCI Downlink Control Information

[0103] DRX Discontinuous Reception

[0104] DU Distributed Unit

[0105] eMBB Enhanced Mobile Broadband

[0106] eNB Evolved Node B

[0107] FR Frequency Range

[0108] gNB Next Generation Node B

[0109] GPS Global Positioning System

[0110] HDD Hard Drive

[0111] HO Handover

[0112] HST High Speed ​​Train IoT L1 Layer 1 L3 Layer 3 LTE Long Term Evolution LTE-A Long Term Evolution Advanced MAC Media Access Control MAC CE Media Access Control Element MEMS Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems MIMO Multiple Input Multiple Output mMTC massive machine type communication mmWave NE Network Entity NG Next Generation NG-eNB Next Generation Evolved Node B NG-RAN Next Generation Radio Access Network NR New Radio PDA Personal Digital Assistant QoS Quality of Service RAM Random Access Memory RAN Radio Access Network RAT Radio Access Technology RE Resource Element RF

[0113] ROM Read Only Memory RRC Radio Resource Control RRH Remote Radio Head RSRP Reference Signal Received Power

[0114] Rx

[0115] SINR Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio

[0116] TCI Transmission Configuration Indicator

[0117] TRP Transmission Reception Point

[0118] Tx

[0119] UE User Equipment

[0120] UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

[0121] UPF User Plane Function

[0122] URLLC Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications

[0123] UTRAN Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access Network

Claims

1. A device comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Sending a control message to a user equipment, wherein the control message includes at least one preconfigured condition switching; detecting at least one setting associated with activation of at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches; as well as In response to the detecting, an indication is sent to the user equipment, the indication being configured to activate conditional switching according to at least one of the preconfigured conditional switchings.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control message comprises: An indication that at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches is available after being activated by the apparatus.

3. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the control message comprises: An indication that at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches is available after an additional condition is triggered.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the additional conditions include: The user equipment switches to at least one of the following items: a specific transmission configuration indicator state, or a specific transmission configuration indicator beam.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the at least one memory and the instructions further cause the apparatus to at least: Continuously monitor condition switching.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the indication for activating the conditional switching according to at least one of the preconfigured conditional switching is sent via at least one of the following items: downlink control information, or at least one medium access control control element. 7 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control message comprises at least one of the following: a radio resource control setup message, a radio resource control configuration message, or a radio resource control reconfiguration message.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one mobility setup triggering condition is based on network signaling or a pre-configured condition.

9. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receiving a control message from a source network entity, the control message comprising at least one conditional handover preconfiguration; receiving an indication from the source network entity, the indication being configured to activate conditional handover based on the at least one conditional handover preconfiguration and at least one change triggering condition; as well as Based on the received control message and the received indication, conditional handover is performed according to the at least one conditional handover preconfiguration.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one change triggering condition comprises a change indicated by a network. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the at least one change triggering condition comprises a UE-initiated trigger.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the control message comprises: An indication that the at least one conditional handover preconfiguration is available after it is activated by the source network entity.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the control message comprises: The at least one conditional switching preconfiguration is an indication that it is available after the additional condition is triggered.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the additional conditions include: The device switches to at least one of: a specific transmission configuration indicator state, or a specific transmission configuration indicator beam. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the additional condition comprises a signal condition.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the signal condition comprises: At least one of a reference signal received power or a reference signal received quality.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 16, wherein the indication to activate conditional handover is sent via at least one of: downlink control information, or at least one medium access control control element.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 17, wherein the control message comprises at least one of: a radio resource control setup message, a radio resource control configuration message, or a radio resource control reconfiguration message.

19. An apparatus comprising: A component for sending a control message to a user equipment, the control message comprising at least one preconfigured condition switching; means for detecting at least one setting associated with activation of at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches; as well as Means for sending an indication to the user equipment in response to the detecting, the indication being configured to activate a conditional handover according to at least one of the preconfigured conditional handovers.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the control message comprises: An indication that at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches is available after being activated by the apparatus.

21. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19 or 20, wherein the control message comprises: An indication that at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches is available after an additional condition is triggered.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the additional conditions include: The user equipment switches to at least one of: a specific transmission configuration indicator state, or a specific transmission configuration indicator beam.

23. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 22, further comprising: Components used to continuously monitor switching conditions.

24. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the indication to activate the conditional switching according to at least one of the preconfigured conditional switching is sent via at least one of the following items: downlink control information, or at least one medium access control control element.

25. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein the control message comprises at least one of: a radio resource control setup message, a radio resource control configuration message, or a radio resource control reconfiguration message.

26. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 25, wherein the at least one mobility setup triggering condition is based on network signaling or a pre-configured condition.

27. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving a control message from a source network entity, the control message comprising at least one conditional handover preconfiguration; means for receiving an indication from the source network entity, the indication being configured to activate conditional handover based on the at least one conditional handover preconfiguration and at least one change triggering condition; as well as Means for performing conditional handover in accordance with said at least one conditional handover preconfiguration based on said received control message and said received indication.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the at least one change triggering condition comprises a network-indicated change.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the at least one change triggering condition comprises a UE initiated trigger.

30. The apparatus according to any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein the control message comprises: An indication that the at least one conditional handover preconfiguration is available after activation thereof by the source network entity.

31. The apparatus according to any one of claims 27 to 30, wherein the control message comprises: The at least one conditional switching preconfiguration is an indication that it is available after the additional condition is triggered.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the additional conditions include: The device switches to at least one of: a specific transmission configuration indicator state, or a specific transmission configuration indicator beam.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the additional condition comprises a signal condition.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the signal condition comprises: At least one of a reference signal received power or a reference signal received quality.

35. The apparatus of any one of claims 27 to 34, wherein the indication to activate conditional handover is sent via at least one of: downlink control information, or at least one medium access control control element.

36. The apparatus according to any one of claims 27 to 35, wherein the control message comprises at least one of: a radio resource control setup message, a radio resource control configuration message, or a radio resource control reconfiguration message.

37. A method comprising: Sending a control message to a user equipment, wherein the control message includes at least one preconfigured condition switching; detecting at least one setting associated with activation of at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches; as well as In response to the detecting, an indication is sent to the user equipment, the indication being configured to activate conditional switching according to at least one of the preconfigured conditional switchings.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the control message comprises: An indication that at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches is available after being activated by the apparatus.

39. The method according to any one of claims 37 or 38, wherein the control message comprises: An indication that at least one of the preconfigured conditional switches is available after an additional condition is triggered.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the additional conditions include: The user equipment switches to at least one of: a specific transmission configuration indicator state, or a specific transmission configuration indicator beam.

41. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 40, further comprising: Continuously monitor condition switching.

42. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 41, wherein the indication for activating the conditional switching according to at least one of the preconfigured conditional switching is sent via at least one of the following items: downlink control information, or at least one medium access control control element.

43. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 42, wherein the control message comprises at least one of: a radio resource control setup message, a radio resource control configuration message, or a radio resource control reconfiguration message.

44. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 43, wherein the at least one mobility setup triggering condition is based on network signaling or a pre-configured condition.

45. A method comprising: receiving a control message from a source network entity, the control message comprising at least one conditional handover preconfiguration; receiving an indication from the source network entity, the indication being configured to activate conditional handover based on the at least one conditional handover preconfiguration and at least one change triggering condition; as well as Based on the received control message and the received indication, conditional handover is performed according to the at least one conditional handover preconfiguration.

46. ​​The method of claim 45, wherein the at least one change triggering condition comprises a network-indicated change.

47. The method of claim 45, wherein the at least one change triggering condition comprises a UE initiated trigger.

48. A method according to any one of claims 45 to 47, wherein the control message comprises: An indication that the at least one conditional handover preconfiguration is available after it is activated by the source network entity.

49. A method according to any one of claims 45 to 48, wherein the control message comprises: The at least one conditional switching preconfiguration is an indication that it is available after the additional condition is triggered.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the additional conditions include: The device switches to at least one of: a specific transmission configuration indicator state, or a specific transmission configuration indicator beam.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the additional conditions include signal conditions.

52. The method of claim 51 , wherein the signal condition comprises: At least one of a reference signal received power or a reference signal received quality.

53. The method of any one of claims 45 to 52, wherein the indication of activating conditional handover is sent via at least one of: downlink control information, or at least one medium access control control element.

54. The method according to any one of claims 45 to 53, wherein the control message comprises at least one of: a radio resource control setup message, a radio resource control configuration message, or a radio resource control reconfiguration message.

55. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions, which, when executed by the device, cause the device to at least perform the method according to any one of claims 37 to 54.

56. An apparatus comprising circuitry configured to perform a method according to any one of claims 37 to 54.

57. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of claims 37 to 54.

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