Multi-secondary cell group configuration

Abstract

The UE receives a first primary cell group (MCG) configuration and a first secondary cell group (SCG) configuration; and receiving a set of conditional secondary cell group (SCG) configurations, each conditional SCG configuration including a set of candidate target primary and secondary cells (PSCell), a corresponding PSCell change execution condition, and a corresponding SCG configuration. The UE communicates with the network in response to satisfying a PSCell change execution condition corresponding to the first PSCell based on the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and an SCG configuration corresponding to the first PSCell.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 378,036, filed on September 30, 2022, entitled “MULTIPLE SECONDARY CELL GROUP CONFIGURATION,” and U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 18 / 477,345, filed on September 28, 2023, entitled “TMULTIPLE SECONDARY CELL GROUP CONFIGURATION,” the entireties of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly, to wireless communications including a secondary cell group (SCG) configuration. Background Art

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide a variety of telecommunication services, such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasts. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of such multiple access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems.

[0005] These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate at a city, country, region, and even global level. An example telecommunication standard is 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is part of the continued mobile broadband evolution promulgated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to meet new requirements associated with latency, reliability, security, scalability (e.g., with the Internet of Things (IoT)) and other requirements. 5G NR includes services associated with enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC). Certain aspects of 5G NR may be based on the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard. Further improvements to 5G NR technology are needed. In addition, these improvements may also be applicable to other multiple access technologies and telecommunication standards that employ these technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of these aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects. This summary does not identify key or critical elements of all aspects, nor does it delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that will be presented later.

[0007] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, computer-readable medium, and apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) are provided. The apparatus receives a first primary cell group (MCG) configuration and a first secondary cell group (SCG) configuration; and receives a set of conditional secondary cell group (SCG) configurations, each conditional SCG configuration including a set of candidate target primary and secondary cells (PSCells), a corresponding PSCell change execution condition, and a corresponding SCG configuration. The apparatus communicates with a network based on the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the SCG configuration corresponding to the first PSCell, in response to satisfying the PSCell change execution condition corresponding to the first PSCell.

[0008] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, computer-readable medium, and apparatus for wireless communication at a master node (MN) are provided. The apparatus receives a set of candidate target PSCells from one or more target secondary nodes (SNs), each PSCell in the set being associated with an SCG configuration. The apparatus provides a first MCG configuration and a first SCG configuration to a UE. The apparatus provides a set of conditional SCG configurations to the UE, each conditional SCG configuration including a combined set of candidate target PSCells, corresponding PSCell change execution conditions, and corresponding SCG configurations, the combined set of candidate target PSCells being based on the set of candidate target PSCells received from the one or more target SNs.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, computer-readable medium, and apparatus for wireless communication at a network service (SN) are provided. The apparatus receives, from a mobile network (MN) for the UE, a SN add request for the UE, the SN add request including a first SCG configuration; and, in response to the SN add request, transmits to the MN a set of candidate target PSCells for the UE and a set of SCG configurations including a corresponding SCG configuration for each of the candidate target PSCells.

[0010] To accomplish the foregoing and related ends, one or more aspects include the features fully described below and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and accompanying drawings set forth in detail some illustrative features of one or more aspects. However, these features are indicative of only some of the various ways in which the principles of the various aspects may be employed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and an access network.

[0012] Figure 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of a first frame according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of downlink (DL) channels within a subframe according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 2C is a diagram illustrating an example of a second frame according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 2D is a diagram illustrating an example of uplink (UL) channels within a subframe according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a base station and a user equipment (UE) in an access network.

[0017] Figure 4 is an example communication flow according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 5 is an example communication flow according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 6 is an example communication flow according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 7 is an example communication flow according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 9 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 10 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 11 are diagrams illustrating examples of hardware implementations for example apparatuses and / or UEs according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an example network entity according to various aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In order to improve the mobility of wireless communications, the UE may be provided with a configuration for performing a sequence of PSCell changes without the need for reconfiguration after each PSCell change. For example, the configuration for the sequence of PSCell changes may be a conditional configuration, and the process for configuration may be improved on the conditional PSCell addition or change process (CPA / CPC). Such a conditional configuration may be referred to as a multi-SCG (multi-SCG) configuration. As proposed herein, a basic secondary cell group (SCG) and a main cell group (MCG) configuration may be provided to the UE, as well as an incremental configuration for the basic configuration. The basic configuration may also be referred to as other names, such as a reference configuration. For example, one or more of the multi-SCG configurations may be based on an increment to a basic configuration (e.g., as a reference configuration). The various aspects proposed herein provide security processing at the UE and the network in conjunction with the PScell ​​change process.

[0027] The detailed description set forth below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is a description of various configurations and does not represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0028] Several aspects of telecommunications systems are presented with reference to various apparatuses and methods. These apparatuses and methods are described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). These elements can be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0029] As an example, an element, or any part of an element, or any combination of elements can be implemented as a "processing system", which includes one or more processors. When multiple processors are implemented, the multiple processors can perform functions individually or in combination. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, systems on chip (SoCs), baseband processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gating logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform various functionalities described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in a processing system can execute software. Whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or other terms, software should be broadly interpreted as meaning instructions, instruction sets, codes, code segments, program codes, programs, subroutines, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, or any combination thereof.

[0030] Thus, in one or more example aspects, specific implementations and / or use cases, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored or encoded as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media. A storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, such computer-readable media may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of these types of computer-readable media, or any other medium that can be used to store computer-executable code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer.

[0031] Although various aspects, specific implementations and / or use cases are described in this application by way of illustration of some examples, additional or different aspects, specific implementations and / or use cases may be produced in many different arrangements and scenarios. The various aspects, specific implementations and / or use cases described herein may be implemented across many different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes and packaging arrangements. For example, various aspects, specific implementations and / or use cases may be produced via integrated chip implementations and other devices based on non-module components (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication equipment, computing equipment, industrial equipment, retail / purchase equipment, medical equipment, devices that enable artificial intelligence (AI), etc.). Although some examples may or may not be specifically for use cases or applications, the examples described may have a wide range of applicability. Various aspects, specific implementations and / or use cases may be within the scope of chip-level or modular components to non-modular, non-chip-level implementations, and further to the scope of aggregation, distribution or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) equipment or systems in conjunction with one or more technologies herein. In some actual settings, the equipment in conjunction with the various aspects and features described may also include additional components and features for implementing and practicing the claimed and described aspects. For example, the transmission and reception of wireless signals necessarily include multiple components for both analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware components including antennas, RF chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffers, processors, interleavers, adders / summers, etc.). The techniques described herein can be practiced in a wide variety of devices of various sizes, shapes, and configurations, including chip-level components, systems, distributed arrangements, aggregated or disaggregated components, end-user devices, and the like.

[0032] The deployment of a communication system (such as a 5G NR system) can be arranged in a variety of ways with various components or parts. In a 5G NR system or network, a network node, a network entity, a mobility element of a network, a radio access network (RAN) node, a core network node, a network element or network equipment (such as a base station (BS)), or one or more units (or one or more components) that perform base station functionality can be implemented in a converged or decomposed architecture. For example, a BS (such as a Node B (NB), an evolved NB (eNB), an NR BS, a 5G NB, an access point (AP), a transmit receive point (TRP), or a cell) can be implemented as a converged base station (also known as a standalone BS or a monolithic BS) or a decomposed base station.

[0033] A converged base station may be configured to utilize a radio protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single RAN node. A decomposed base station may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed between two or more units, such as one or more central or centralized units (CUs), one or more distributed units (DUs), or one or more radio units (RUs). In some aspects, a CU may be implemented within a RAN node, and one or more DUs may be co-located with the CU, or alternatively, may be geographically or virtually distributed across one or more other RAN nodes. A DU may be implemented to communicate with one or more RUs. Each of the CU, DU, and RU may be implemented as a virtual unit, namely a virtual central unit (VCU), a virtual distributed unit (VDU), or a virtual radio unit (VRU).

[0034] Base station operation or network design may take into account the aggregated nature of base station functionality. For example, a disaggregated base station may be used in an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open radio access network (O-RAN (a network configuration such as that initiated by the O-RAN Alliance)), or a virtualized radio access network (vRAN, also known as a cloud radio access network (C-RAN)). Disaggregation may include distributing functionality across two or more units at various physical locations, as well as virtually distributing functionality of at least one unit, which may enable flexibility in network design. Various units of a disaggregated base station or disaggregated RAN architecture may be configured for wired or wireless communication with at least one other unit.

[0035] Figure 1 FIG1 is a diagram 100 illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and access network. The illustrated wireless communication system includes a disaggregated base station architecture. The disaggregated base station architecture may include one or more CUs 110, which may communicate directly with a core network 120 via a backhaul link, or indirectly with the core network 120 through one or more disaggregated base station units, such as a near real-time (near-RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 125 via an E2 link, or a non-real-time (non-RT) RIC 115 associated with a service management and orchestration (SMO) framework 105, or both. The CU 110 may communicate with one or more DUs 130 via corresponding midhaul links, such as the F1 interface. The DU 130 may communicate with one or more RUs 140 via corresponding fronthaul links. The RU 140 may communicate with corresponding UEs 104 via one or more radio frequency (RF) access links. In some implementations, a UE 104 may be served simultaneously by multiple RUs 140.

[0036] Each of the units (i.e., CU 110, DU 130, RU 140, and near-RT RIC 125, non-RT RIC 115, and SMO framework 105) may include or be coupled to one or more interfaces configured to receive or transmit signals, data, or information (collectively, signals) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each of the units, or an associated processor or controller that provides instructions to the communication interfaces of these units, may be configured to communicate with one or more of the other units via a transmission medium. For example, these units may include a wired interface configured to receive signals or transmit signals to one or more of the other units via a wired transmission medium. Additionally, these units may include a wireless interface that may include a receiver, transmitter, or transceiver (such as an RF transceiver) configured to receive and / or transmit signals to one or more of the other units via a wireless transmission medium.

[0037] In some aspects, the CU 110 may host one or more higher layer control functions. Such control functions may include radio resource control (RRC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), etc. Each control function may be implemented using an interface that is configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by the CU 110. The CU 110 may be configured to handle user plane functionality (i.e., central unit-user plane (CU-UP)), control plane functionality (i.e., central unit-control plane (CU-CP)), or a combination thereof. In some specific implementations, the CU 110 may be logically split into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. When implemented in an O-RAN configuration, the CU-UP unit may communicate bidirectionally with the CU-CP unit via an interface (such as an E1 interface). As needed, the CU 110 may be implemented to communicate with the DU 130 for network control and signaling.

[0038] The DU 130 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions for controlling the operation of one or more RUs 140. In some aspects, the DU 130 may host one or more of a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, and one or more higher physical (PHY) layers (such as modules for forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, etc.) based at least in part on a functional split, such as those defined by 3GPP. In some aspects, the DU 130 may also host one or more lower PHY layers. Each layer (or module) may be implemented using an interface configured to communicate signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by the DU 130 or with control functions hosted by the CU 110.

[0039] Lower layer functionality may be implemented by one or more RUs 140. In some deployments, a RU 140 controlled by a DU 130 may correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functionality or low PHY layer functionality (such as performing Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming, Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, etc.), or both, based at least in part on a functional split (such as a lower layer functional split). In such an architecture, the RU 140 may be implemented to handle over-the-air (OTA) communications with one or more UEs 104. In some implementations, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control and user plane communications with the RU 140 may be controlled by the corresponding DU 130. In some scenarios, this configuration may enable the DU 130 and CU 110 to be implemented in a cloud-based RAN architecture (such as a vRAN architecture).

[0040] The SMO framework 105 can be configured to support RAN deployment and provisioning of both non-virtualized and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 105 can be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements, which can be managed via an operations and maintenance interface (such as the O1 interface). For virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 105 can be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (such as Open Cloud (O-Cloud) 190) to perform network element lifecycle management (such as instantiating virtualized network elements) via a cloud computing platform interface (such as the O2 interface). Such virtualized network elements may include, but are not limited to, CU 110, DU 130, RU 140, and near-RT RIC 125. In some implementations, the SMO framework 105 can communicate with hardware aspects of the 4G RAN (such as Open eNB (O-eNB) 111) via the O1 interface. Additionally, in some implementations, the SMO framework 105 can communicate directly with one or more RUs 140 via the O1 interface. The SMO framework 105 may also include a non-RT RIC 115 configured to support the functionality of the SMO framework 105 .

[0041] The non-RT RIC 115 may be configured to include logic functions that enable non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning (ML) (AI / ML) workflows including model training and updating, or policy-based guidance of applications / features in the near-RT RIC 125. The non-RT RIC 115 may be coupled to or in communication with the near-RT RIC 125 (e.g., via an A1 interface). The near-RT RIC 125 may be configured to include logic functions that enable near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources through data collection and actions via an interface (e.g., via an E2 interface) that connects one or more CUs 110, one or more DUs 130, or both, and the O-eNB with the near-RT RIC 125.

[0042] In some implementations, to generate AI / ML models to be deployed in the near-RT RIC 125, the non-RT RIC 115 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server. Such information may be utilized by the near-RT RIC 125 and may be received at the SMO framework 105 or the non-RT RIC 115 from non-network data sources or from network functions. In some examples, the non-RT RIC 115 or the near-RT RIC 125 may be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the non-RT RIC 115 may monitor long-term trends and patterns in performance and employ AI / ML models to perform corrective actions through the SMO framework 105 (such as via reconfiguration of O1) or by creating RAN management policies (such as A1 policies).

[0043] At least one of the CU 110, DU 130, and RU 140 may be referred to as a base station 102. Thus, the base station 102 may include one or more of the CU 110, DU 130, and RU 140 (each component is indicated by a dotted line to indicate that each component may or may not be included in the base station 102). The base station 102 provides an access point to the core network 120 for the UE 104. The base station 102 may include a macro cell (a high-power cellular base station) and / or a small cell (a low-power cellular base station). Small cells include femto cells, pico cells, and micro cells. A network that includes both small cells and macro cells may be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include a home evolved Node B (eNB) (HeNB), which may provide services to a restricted group called a closed subscriber group (CSG). The communication link between RU 140 and UE 104 may include uplink (UL) (also known as reverse link) transmissions from UE 104 to RU 140 and / or downlink (DL) (also known as forward link) transmissions from RU 140 to UE 104. The communication link may utilize multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link may be over one or more carriers. Base station 102 / UE 104 may utilize spectrum with a bandwidth of up to Y MHz (e.g., 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, 100 MHz, 400 MHz, etc.) for each carrier allocated in a carrier aggregation for a total of up to Yx MHz (x component carriers) for transmission in each direction. These carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric for DL ​​and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for DL ​​compared to UL). Component carriers may include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. The primary component carrier may be referred to as a primary cell (PCell) and the secondary component carrier may be referred to as a secondary cell (SCell).

[0044] Some UEs 104 may communicate with each other using a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 158. The D2D communication link 158 may use DL / UL wireless wide area network (WWAN) spectrum. The D2D communication link 158 may use one or more sidelink channels, such as a physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), a physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), and a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH). D2D communication may be performed via various wireless D2D communication systems, such as, for example, Bluetooth TM (Bluetooth is a trademark of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG)), Wi-Fi based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard TM (Wi-Fi is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance), LTE or NR.

[0045] The wireless communication system may also include a Wi-Fi AP 150 that communicates with a UE 104 (also referred to as a Wi-Fi station (STA)) via a communication link 154, for example, in the 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum. When communicating in the unlicensed spectrum, the UE 104 / AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) to determine whether the channel is available before communicating.

[0046] The electromagnetic spectrum is typically subdivided into various categories, bands, channels, etc. based on frequency / wavelength. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz - 7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz - 52.6 GHz). Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often referred to (interchangeably) as the "sub-6 GHz" band in various documents and articles. A similar naming issue sometimes occurs with respect to FR2, which is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" band in documents and articles, although it is different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz - 300 GHz) identified as the "millimeter wave" band by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

[0047] Frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are generally referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR research has identified the operating band for these mid-band frequencies as frequency range designation FR3 (7.125 GHz–24.25 GHz). Frequency bands falling within FR3 can inherit FR1 characteristics and / or FR2 characteristics, thus effectively extending the features of FR1 and / or FR2 to mid-band frequencies. In addition, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operation to more than 52.6 GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR2-2 (52.6 GHz–71 GHz), FR4 (71 GHz–114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz–300 GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

[0048] With the above in mind, unless otherwise specified, if the term "sub-6 GHz" or the like is used herein, it may broadly refer to frequencies that may be less than 6 GHz, may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, if the term "millimeter wave" or the like is used herein, it may broadly refer to frequencies that may include mid-band frequencies, may be within FR2, FR4, FR2-2, and / or FR5, or may be within the EHF band.

[0049] Base station 102 and UE 104 may each include multiple antennas (such as antenna elements, antenna panels, and / or antenna arrays) to facilitate beamforming. Base station 102 may transmit beamformed signals 182 to UE 104 in one or more transmit directions. UE 104 may receive beamformed signals from base station 102 in one or more receive directions. UE 104 may also transmit beamformed signals 184 to base station 102 in one or more transmit directions. Base station 102 may receive beamformed signals from UE 104 in one or more receive directions. Base station 102 / UE 104 may perform beam training to determine the optimal receive and transmit directions for each of base station 102 / UE 104. The transmit and receive directions of base station 102 may or may not be the same. The transmit and receive directions of UE 104 may or may not be the same.

[0050] The base station 102 may include and / or be referred to as a gNB, a Node B, an eNB, an access point, a base transceiver station, a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), a TRP, a network node, a network entity, a network equipment, or some other suitable terminology. The base station 102 may be implemented as an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a relay node, a sidelink node, a converged (monolithic) base station having a baseband unit (BBU) (including a CU and a DU) and a RU, or as a disaggregated base station including one or more of a CU, a DU, and / or a RU. A collection of base stations that may include disaggregated base stations and / or converged base stations may be referred to as a next generation (NG) RAN (NG-RAN).

[0051] The core network 120 may include an access and mobility management function (AMF) 161, a session management function (SMF) 162, a user plane function (UPF) 163, a unified data management (UDM) 164, one or more location servers 168, and other functional entities. The AMF 161 is a control node that handles signaling between the UE 104 and the core network 120. The AMF 161 supports registration management, connection management, mobility management, and other functions. The SMF 162 supports session management and other functions. The UPF 163 supports packet routing, packet forwarding, and other functions. The UDM 164 supports the generation of authentication and key agreement (AKA) credentials, user identity handling, access authorization, and subscription management. The one or more location servers 168 are exemplified as including a gateway mobile location center (GMLC) 165 and a location management function (LMF) 166. However, in general, the one or more location servers 168 may include one or more location / positioning servers, which may include one or more of the GMLC 165, LMF 166, Position Determination Entity (PDE), Serving Mobile Location Center (SMLC), Mobile Positioning Center (MPC), etc. The GMLC 165 and LMF 166 support UE location services. The GMLC 165 provides an interface for clients / applications (e.g., emergency services) to access UE positioning information. The LMF 166 receives measurements and assistance information from the NG-RAN and UE 104 via the AMF 161 to calculate the location of the UE 104. The NG-RAN may utilize one or more positioning methods to determine the location of the UE 104. Positioning the UE 104 may involve signal measurements, position estimation, and optional velocity calculation based on these measurements. Signal measurements may be performed by the UE 104 and / or the base station 102 serving the UE 104. The measured signals may be based on one or more of a satellite positioning system (SPS) 170 (e.g., a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), a global positioning system (GPS), a non-terrestrial network (NTN), or other satellite positioning / positioning systems), LTE signals, wireless local area network (WLAN) signals, Bluetooth signals, a terrestrial beacon system (TBS), sensor-based information (e.g., an atmospheric pressure sensor, a motion sensor), an NR enhanced cell ID (NR E-CID) method, NR signals (e.g., multi-round trip time (multi-RTT), DL angle of departure (DL-AoD), DL time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA), UL time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA), and UL angle of arrival (UL-AoA) positioning), and / or other systems / signals / sensors.

[0052] Examples of UE 104 include a cellular phone, a smartphone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player (e.g., an MP3 player), a camera, a game console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device, a vehicle, an electric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitchen appliance, a healthcare device, an implant, a sensor / actuator, a display, or any other similarly functional device. Some of UE 104 may be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., a parking meter, a gas pump, a toaster, a vehicle, a heart monitor, etc.). UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology. In some scenarios, the term UE may also apply to one or more companion devices, such as in a device constellation arrangement. One or more of these devices may access the network collectively and / or individually.

[0053] Reference again Figure 1 In some aspects, the UE 104 may include a multi-SCG component 198 configured to receive a first MCG configuration and a first SCG configuration; receive a set of conditional SCG configurations, each conditional SCG configuration including a set of candidate target PSCells, corresponding PSCell change execution conditions, and corresponding SCG configurations; and communicate with a network in response to satisfying the PSCell change execution condition corresponding to the first PSCell based on the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the SCG configuration corresponding to the first PSCell.

[0054] In some aspects, the base station 102 can include a multi-SCG configuration component 199. In some aspects, such as when operating as a MN, the multi-SCG component 199 can be configured to receive a set of candidate target PSCells from one or more target SNs, each PSCell in the set being associated with an SCG configuration; provide a first MCG configuration and a first SCG configuration to a UE; and provide a set of conditional SCG configurations to the UE, each conditional SCG configuration including a combined set of candidate target PSCells, a corresponding PSCell change execution condition, and a corresponding SCG configuration, the combined set of candidate target PSCells being based on the set of candidate target PSCells received from the one or more target SNs.

[0055] In some aspects, such as when operating as a SN, the multi-SCG component 199 can be configured to receive an SN add request for the UE from the MN for the UE, and the SN add request includes a first SCG configuration; and in response to the SN add request, transmit to the MN a set of candidate target PSCells for the UE and a set of SCG configurations including a corresponding SCG configuration for each of the candidate target PSCells.

[0056] Although the following description may focus on 5G NR, the concepts described herein may be applicable to other similar areas such as LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, GSM, and other wireless technologies.

[0057] Figure 2A FIG200 is a diagram illustrating an example of a first subframe within a 5G NR frame structure. Figure 2B FIG230 is a diagram illustrating an example of DL channels within a 5G NR subframe. Figure 2C FIG250 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second subframe within a 5G NR frame structure. Figure 2D FIG280 is a diagram illustrating an example of UL channels within a 5G NR subframe. The 5G NR frame structure may be frequency division duplex (FDD), where for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within that subcarrier set are dedicated to either DL or UL, or may be time division duplex (TDD), where for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within that subcarrier set are dedicated to both DL and UL. Figure 2A 、 Figure 2C In the example provided, the 5G NR frame structure is assumed to be TDD, where subframe 4 is configured with slot format 28 (most of which are DL), where D is DL, U is UL, and F is flexible between DL / UL, and subframe 3 is configured with slot format 1 (all of which are UL). Although subframes 3 and 4 are shown as having slot formats 1 and 28, respectively, any particular subframe can be configured with any of the various available slot formats 0-61. Slot formats 0 and 1 are all DL and all UL, respectively. The other slot formats 2-61 include a mix of DL, UL, and flexible symbols. The UE is configured with the slot format via the received slot format indicator (SFI) (dynamically configured via DL control information (DCI) or semi-statically / statically configured via radio resource control (RRC) signaling). Note that the following description also applies to the 5G NR frame structure as TDD.

[0058] Figures 2A to 2DThe frame structure is illustrated, and various aspects of the present disclosure are applicable to other wireless communication technologies that may have different frame structures and / or different channels. A frame (10ms) can be divided into 10 equally sized subframes (1ms). Each subframe may include one or more time slots. A subframe may also include a mini-time slot, which may include 7, 4, or 2 symbols. Each time slot may include 14 or 12 symbols, depending on whether the cyclic prefix (CP) is normal or extended. For a normal CP, each time slot may include 14 symbols, and for an extended CP, each time slot may include 12 symbols. The symbols on the DL may be CP orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) (CP-OFDM) symbols. The symbols on the UL may be CP-OFDM symbols (for high throughput scenarios) or discrete Fourier transform (DFT) extended OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols (for power-limited scenarios; limited to single-stream transmission). The number of time slots within a subframe is based on the CP and parameter set. The numerology defines the subcarrier spacing (SCS) (see Table 1). The symbol length / duration is scalable with 1 / SCS.

[0059]

[0060]

[0061] Table 1: Parameter set, SCS and CP

[0062] For normal CP (14 symbols / slot), different parameter sets μ0 to 4 allow 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 slots per subframe, respectively. For extended CP, parameter set 2 allows 4 slots per subframe. Thus, for normal CP and parameter set μ, there are 14 symbols / slot and 2 μ time slots / subframe. The subcarrier spacing can be equal to 2 μ *15kHz, where μ is parameter set 0 to 4. Therefore, the subcarrier spacing for parameter set μ=0 is 15kHz, and the subcarrier spacing for parameter set μ=4 is 240kHz. Symbol length / duration is inversely related to subcarrier spacing. Figures 2A to 2D An example is provided for a normal CP with 14 symbols per slot and a parameter set μ=2 with 4 slots per subframe. The slot duration is 0.25 ms, the subcarrier spacing is 60 kHz, and the symbol duration is approximately 16.67 μs. Within a frame set, there may be one or more different bandwidth parts (BWPs) that are frequency-division multiplexed (see Figure 2B ). Each BWP may have a specific parameter set and CP (normal or extended).

[0063] A resource grid can be used to represent the frame structure. Each slot includes a resource block (RB) (also called a physical RB (PRB)) that extends over 12 consecutive subcarriers. The resource grid is divided into multiple resource elements (REs). The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0064] like Figure 2A As illustrated, some of the REs carry reference (pilot) signals (RS) for the UE. The RSs may include a demodulation RS (DM-RS) (indicated as R for a particular configuration, but other DM-RS configurations are possible) and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. The RSs may also include a beam measurement RS (BRS), a beam refinement RS (BRRS), and a phase tracking RS (PT-RS).

[0065] Figure 2B Examples of various DL channels within a subframe of a frame are illustrated. The physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carries DCI within one or more control channel elements (CCEs) (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 CCEs), each CCE comprising six RE groups (REGs), each REG comprising 12 consecutive REs within an OFDM symbol of a RB. The PDCCH within a BWP may be referred to as a control resource set (CORESET). During a PDCCH monitoring opportunity on the CORESET, the UE is configured to monitor PDCCH candidates in a PDCCH search space (e.g., a common search space, a UE-specific search space), where the PDCCH candidates have different DCI formats and different aggregation levels. Additional BWPs may be located at higher and / or lower frequencies across the channel bandwidth. The primary synchronization signal (PSS) may be within symbol 2 of a specific subframe of the frame. The PSS is used by UE 104 to determine subframe / symbol timing and physical layer identification. The secondary synchronization signal (SSS) may be within symbol 4 of a specific subframe of the frame. The SSS is used by the UE to determine the physical layer cell identity group number and radio frame timing. Based on the physical layer identity and the physical layer cell identity group number, the UE can determine the physical cell identifier (PCI). Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the location of the DM-RS. The physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carrying the master information block (MIB) can be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form a synchronization signal (SS) / PBCH block (also known as an SS block (SSB)). The MIB provides the system frame number (SFN) and the number of RBs in the system bandwidth. The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information not sent over the PBCH (such as the system information block (SIB)), and paging messages.

[0066] like Figure 2CAs illustrated, some of the REs carry DM-RS (indicated as R for a specific configuration, but other DM-RS configurations are possible) for channel estimation at the base station. The UE may transmit the DM-RS of the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and the DM-RS of the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The PUSCH DM-RS may be transmitted in the first or first two symbols of the PUSCH. Depending on whether a short PUCCH or a long PUCCH is transmitted and depending on the specific PUCCH format used, the PUCCH DM-RS may be transmitted in different configurations. The UE may transmit a sounding reference signal (SRS). The SRS may be transmitted in the last symbol of a subframe. The SRS may have a comb structure, and the UE may transmit the SRS on one of the comb structures in the comb structure. The SRS may be used by the base station for channel quality estimation to achieve frequency-dependent scheduling of the UL.

[0067] Figure 2D Examples of various UL channels within a subframe of a frame are illustrated. The PUCCH may be located at a position as indicated in one configuration. The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI), such as a scheduling request, a channel quality indicator (CQI), a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), a rank indicator (RI), and hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgement (ACK) (HARQ-ACK) feedback (i.e., one or more HARQ ACK bits indicating one or more ACKs and / or negative ACKs (NACKs)). The PUSCH carries data and may additionally be used to carry a buffer status report (BSR), a power headroom report (PHR), and / or UCI.

[0068] Figure 33 is a block diagram of a base station 310 in an access network communicating with a UE 350. In the DL, Internet Protocol (IP) packets may be provided to a controller / processor 375. The controller / processor 375 implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality. Layer 3 includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer, and layer 2 includes a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a medium access control (MAC) layer. The controller / processor 375 provides RRC layer functionality associated with broadcasting of system information (e.g., MIB, SIB), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-radio access technology (RAT) mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression, security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated with transfer of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0069] The transmit (TX) processor 316 and receive (RX) processor 370 implement Layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, which includes the physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on transport channels, forward error correction (FEC) coding / decoding of transport channels, interleaving, rate matching, mapping onto physical channels, modulation / demodulation of physical channels, and MIMO antenna processing. The TX processor 316 handles the mapping onto signal constellations based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), M-order phase-shift keying (M-PSK), and M-order quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM). The coded and modulated symbols are then separated into parallel streams. Each stream is then mapped to an OFDM subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., a pilot) in the time and / or frequency domain, and then combined using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying the time-domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream is spatially pre-coded to generate multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator 374 may be used to determine the coding and modulation schemes, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimates may be derived from a reference signal and / or channel state feedback transmitted by the UE 350. Each spatial stream may then be provided to a different antenna 320 via a separate transmitter 318Tx. Each transmitter 318Tx may modulate a radio frequency (RF) carrier using a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0070] At the UE 350, each receiver 354Rx receives a signal via its corresponding antenna 352. Each receiver 354Rx recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to a receive (RX) processor 356. The TX processor 368 and the RX processor 356 implement Layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. The RX processor 356 can perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for the UE 350. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 350, they can be combined into a single OFDM symbol stream by the RX processor 356. The RX processor 356 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain using a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The frequency domain signal includes a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier, as well as the reference signal, are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation point transmitted by the base station 310. These soft decisions can be based on channel estimates calculated by the channel estimator 358. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally sent on the physical channel by base station 310. The data and control signals are then provided to a controller / processor 359, which implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality.

[0071] The controller / processor 359 may be associated with at least one memory 360 that stores program codes and data. The at least one memory 360 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 359 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets. The controller / processor 359 is also responsible for error detection using ACK and / or NACK protocols to support HARQ operations.

[0072] Similar to the functionality described in conjunction with DL transmissions performed by the base station 310, the controller / processor 359 provides RRC layer functionality associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functionality associated with delivery of upper layer PDUs, error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto TBs, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0073] Channel estimates derived by the channel estimator 358 based on a reference signal or feedback transmitted by the base station 310 may be used by the TX processor 368 to select the appropriate coding and modulation schemes and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the TX processor 368 may be provided to different antennas 352 via separate transmitters 354Tx. Each transmitter 354Tx may modulate an RF carrier with a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0074] UL transmissions are processed at the base station 310 in a manner similar to that described in conjunction with the receiver functionality at the UE 350. Each receiver 318Rx receives a signal through its corresponding antenna 320. Each receiver 318Rx recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to the RX processor 370.

[0075] The controller / processor 375 may be associated with at least one memory 376 that stores program codes and data. The at least one memory 376 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 375 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets. The controller / processor 375 is also responsible for error detection using ACK and / or NACK protocols to support HARQ operations.

[0076] At least one of the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359 may be configured to perform operations related to Figure 1 The multiple SCG components 198 combine various aspects.

[0077] At least one of the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375 may be configured to perform operations related to Figure 1 The multiple SCG components 199 combine various aspects.

[0078] In some aspects, a UE may receive a multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC) configuration with a master cell group (MCG) (which may also be referred to as a master cell group) and a secondary cell group (SCG). The UE may be mobile and perform measurements of the serving cell and other cells. The UE measurements may be used to determine when to change the UE to be served by a different cell.

[0079] In order to improve the mobility of wireless communications, the UE may be provided with a configuration for performing a sequence of PSCell changes without having to be reconfigured after each PSCell change. These configurations may enable the UE to move to services utilizing different PSCells with higher efficiency and reduced latency. For example, the configuration for the sequence of PSCell changes may be a conditional configuration, and the process for configuration may improve the conditional PSCell addition (CPA) process or the conditional PSCell change (CPC) process. Such a conditional configuration may be referred to as a multi-SCG (multi-SCG) configuration. As proposed herein, a basic SCG and MCG configuration may be provided to the UE, as well as an incremental configuration for the basic configuration. For example, one or more of the multi-SCG configurations may be based on an increment to the basic configuration. The various aspects proposed herein provide security processing at the UE and the network in conjunction with the PSCell change process.

[0080] As proposed herein, the UE can retain the source configuration and conditional configuration provided by the network after a PSCell change, unless otherwise indicated to the UE by the network. By retaining the source configuration and conditional configuration, the UE can perform a sequence of PSCell changes after each cell change without having to reconfigure the network. This reduces the amount of time and overhead for the UE to perform PSCell changes, which can improve communication with the network and reduce the latency of such cell changes.

[0081] In some aspects, a master node (MN) may determine the execution conditions of a procedure (eg, a sequence of PSCell changes). In other aspects, a secondary node (SN) may determine the execution conditions of a procedure (eg, a sequence of PSCell changes).

[0082] Figure 4An example signaling flow 400 of a MN-initiated procedure (e.g., a preparation procedure) for a multi-SCG configuration of a UE 402 is illustrated. The CPC procedure includes a change of SN, e.g., from a source SN to a target SN. The MN-initiated procedure refers to a procedure in which the MN determines the execution conditions for a sequence of PSCell changes for the UE. Figure 4 4. The communication flows between various entities including a source MN 404, a source SN 406, and a target SN 408 for a UE 402 are illustrated. As illustrated at 410, the UE 402 provides a measurement report to the source MN 404 (e.g., a currently serving MN). The MN may be referred to herein as a master node. In some aspects, the MN may be referred to as a master control node. The MN may be associated with a master cell group (e.g., which may be referred to as a master control cell group (MCG)). The MCG may include a PCell. The SN may be associated with a secondary cell group (SCG) and may include a PSCell. The UE may be configured to communicate with the MN 404 and the SN 406 (e.g., the source SN). Figure 4 In FIG, the UE continues to be served by the source MN 404 and changes from communicating via the source SN 406 to communicating via the target SN 408. In some aspects, the target SN may be referred to as a T-SN.

[0083] The source MN can obtain the base SCG configuration to be used for the preparation process from the source SN. At 410, the source MN 404 transmits a request to the source SN 406 to initiate the process. The request 410 can be referred to as an SN modification request that includes, for example, a base SCG configuration request. At 412, the source SN 406 responds to the MN's request with an acknowledgment, which can be referred to as, for example, an SN modification request ACK and can include the base SCG configuration, which can also be referred to as, for example, a reference configuration. As illustrated, the source SN 406 can determine the base SCG configuration to be used for the process and provide it to the source MN 404. The SN modification process can be used for this purpose, for example, to obtain the base SCG via the SN modification request and the SN modification request ACK.

[0084] As illustrated at 414, source MN 404 may receive one or more measurement reports from UE 402. The UE may perform measurements of reference signals from one or more cells and may provide measurement reports based on these measurements. The measurement reports may include reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) reports based on received reference signals from the cells. The measurement reports may be based on UE measurements of reference signals (such as SSBs and / or CSI-RS) from the cells.

[0085] The source MN 404 may provide the basic SCG configuration to the target SN 408 in the SN add procedure. As shown at 416 and 418, the source MN 404 may transmit an SN add request to the source SN 406 and the target SN 408. The request may include a set of candidate PSCells, UE measurements obtained, for example, at 414, and the basic SCG configuration received from the source SN 406 at 412. As shown at 420 and 422, the source SN 406 and the target SN 408 may respond with an SN add request ACK including a list of candidate target PSCells (which may be a set of PSCells from the list provided in the SN add request) and an associated SCG configuration for each of the candidate target PSCells. The SCG configuration associated with each candidate target PSCell in the SN add request ACK (e.g., at 402 and 422) can be an incremental configuration with respect to the base SCG configuration, e.g., the SCG configuration of the candidate target PSCell can indicate differences with respect to the base SCG configuration without repeating indications of configuration aspects that are common with the base SCG configuration.

[0086] In some aspects, the target SN 408 may respond with an SCG configuration that indicates a delta relative to the base SCG configuration and / or may indicate a complete SCG configuration for the candidate target PSCell (which is independent of the base SCG configuration). The target SN 408 may include an indication in the SN Add Request ACK 422 for each candidate target PSCell indicating whether the associated SCG configuration is a delta relative to the base SCG configuration. In the absence of such an indication or with an indication that the SCG configuration is not a delta, the source MN may determine that the SCG configuration for one or more of the candidate target PSCells is not a delta relative to the base SCG configuration.

[0087] At 424, source MN 404 may prepare an RRC configuration message for UE 402 based on the candidate target PSCells and associated SCG configurations received from source SN 406 and / or target SN 408. Although the source MN's request and response are shown in the case of a single target SN 408 to illustrate the concept, source MN 404 may transmit SN add request 418 to multiple target SNs and may receive sets of candidate target PSCells and corresponding SCG configurations from multiple target SNs.

[0088] At 426, source MN 404 sends an RRC reconfiguration message including the multi-SCG configuration to UE 402. RRC reconfiguration message 426 may include the base SCG and MCG configurations, and an indication for each candidate target PSCell in the multi-SCG configuration, indicating whether the associated SCG and MCG configurations are incremental configurations to the base configuration.

[0089] For example, a multi-SCG configuration may include:

[0090] (1) Basic SCG configuration,

[0091] (2) Basic MCG configuration,

[0092] (3) a conditional PSCell change (CPC) configuration, including a set of candidate target PSCells, execution conditions for accessing the candidate target PSCells (e.g., which may be referred to as PSCell change execution conditions), and SCG and MCG configurations associated with each candidate target PSCell,

[0093] (4) for each cell in the CPC configuration in (3), a set of candidate target PSCells and the execution conditions and SCG and MCG configurations associated with each such candidate target PSCell, and / or

[0094] (5) For each cell in the CPC configuration in (4), the set of candidate target PSCells and the execution conditions and SCG and MCG configurations associated with each such candidate target PSCell.

[0095] As shown in the information (4) and (5) included in the RRC reconfiguration, the configuration enables the UE to perform a sequence of PSCell changes. For example, once the UE changes to the second PSCell using the configuration information in (3), the UE uses the set of target PSCells and execution conditions from (4) for the second PSCell. Similarly, once the UE changes to the third PSCell using the information in (4), the UE uses the set of target PSCells corresponding to the third PSCell and execution conditions from (5). Although this example illustrates information (4) and (5), the multi-SCG configuration can include any number of cascaded sets of candidate target PSCells and execution conditions associated with the previous level of candidate target PSCells in the sequence. For example, the multi-SCG configuration can include a set (6) of information about each candidate target PSCell from (5), a set (7) of information about each candidate target PSCell from (6), and so on.

[0096] The execution condition (at 426) in the multi-SCG configuration can be indicated by or associated with a measurement ID corresponding to the source MCG measurement configuration. For example, the execution condition can reference the source MCG measurement configuration by indicating the corresponding measurement ID. An example of an execution condition can be a measurement (such as a reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement) for the candidate target PSCell greater than the corresponding measurement for the source PSCell plus a threshold amount. In some aspects, the execution condition can also include a measurement remaining above the source PSCell measurement by a threshold amount for a period of time in order to trigger a change to the candidate target PSCell.

[0097] The source MN 404 may determine the base MCG configuration to be used for this procedure.The MCG configuration associated with each candidate target PSCell (eg, in (3), (4), and (5)) may be an increment to the base MCG configuration.

[0098] Figure 4 It is illustrated that at 428, the UE may acknowledge receipt of the reconfiguration with an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0099] At 430, the UE performs a CPC evaluation based on the execution condition received in the RRC reconfiguration. For example, the UE may evaluate each candidate target PSCell (e.g., a first-level candidate target PSCell based on the sequence of information (3) above) and the corresponding PSCell change execution condition. For example, the UE may compare the measurements for each candidate target PSCell indicated in (3) with the measurements for the current source PSCell of the UE. At 432, a PSCell change is triggered based on satisfying the execution condition for one of the candidate target PSCells. The candidate target PSCell may be referred to as a second PSCell. At 434, the UE accesses the second candidate target PSCell, e.g., changing from a previous PSCell to communicating via the second PSCell. The UE may apply the MCG and SCG configuration for the second PSCell, which is provided to the UE in information (3) in a multi-SCG configuration (e.g., 426). As described above, the SCG and MCG configuration for the second PSCell may be an increment to the base SCG and MCG configuration. Then, at 436, the UE performs CPC evaluation based on the information corresponding to the second PSCell at (4). For example, at (4), the multi-SCG configuration includes a set of candidate target PSCells and corresponding execution conditions for the UE to consider in response to the change to the second PSCell. The information at (4) may include a set of candidate target PSCells and corresponding execution conditions for each candidate target PSCell from (3). Thus, depending on the change to any of the multiple candidate target PSCells indicated to the UE for consideration at (3), the UE has the following configuration information to consider the next CPC in the sequence.

[0100] The UE 402 may maintain (e.g., maintain, store, etc.) the base SCG and MCG configurations after each CPC triggering. As an example, the UE may maintain (e.g., maintain, store, continue to consider) the configurations based on a network indication to the UE to maintain the configurations after CPC triggering. For example, upon accessing a candidate target PSCell for which CPC is triggered, the UE may maintain the base SCG and / or base MCG configurations based on a network indication that these configurations should be maintained after CPC triggering.

[0101] Upon accessing a candidate target PSCell (e.g., the second PSCell) for which CPC is triggered (e.g., based on satisfying a corresponding execution condition), the UE initiates an evaluation of CPC corresponding to the candidate target PSCell (e.g., the second PSCell) at 436, for example, using information from (4) of the multi-SCG configuration described above. At 438, CPC may be triggered for a candidate target PSCell (e.g., the third PSCell) from the set provided for the second PSCell. At 440, the UE accesses the new candidate target PSCell (e.g., the third PSCell) and communicates via the new PSCell instead of the second PSCell. The UE may apply the MCG and SCG configuration to the third PSCell, for example, according to information (4) in the multi-SCG configuration, which may include incremental information relative to the base MCG and SCG configuration.

[0102] Upon accessing a candidate target PSCell (e.g., the third PSCell) for which CPC is triggered (e.g., based on satisfying a corresponding execution condition), the UE initiates an evaluation of CPC corresponding to the candidate target PSCell (e.g., the third PSCell) at 442, for example, using information from (5) of the multi-SCG configuration described above. At 444, additional CPC may be triggered for a candidate target PSCell (e.g., the fourth PSCell) from the set indicated for evaluation in conjunction with the third PSCell. At 446, the UE accesses a new PSCell (e.g., the fourth PSCell) using the corresponding MCG and SCG configuration indicated in information (5) in the multi-SCG configuration, which may be an increment relative to the base MCG and base SCG configuration. Although an example of three levels of CPC evaluation is illustrated, the multi-SCG configuration in the RRC reconfiguration message 426 may provide CPC information at any number of levels. This enables the UE to perform a sequence of PSCell changes and evaluate subsequent PSCell changes without requiring reconfiguration by the network after each PSCell change.

[0103] In some aspects, the source MN 404 may update the execution condition at a later point in time (eg, after the UE's PSCell changes). The source MN 404 may indicate the new MCG measurement configuration to the UE 402 by indicating the corresponding measurement ID set to the UE.

[0104] Figure 5 An example communication flow 500 of a source SN initiated procedure for a multi-SCG configuration is illustrated, for example, where the source SN determines an execution condition. Figure 5 5 illustrates that the source SN 506 may receive a measurement report 510 from the UE 502, such as in the example where the report is received by the source MN 404. Figure 4In contrast. Figure 5 In the example, the source SN 506 initiates the preparation process. If the SN change is triggered, for example, based on a measurement report from the UE 502, the source SN 506 may indicate to the source MN 504 at 512 that an SN change is to occur. The indication may include a set of candidate PSCells (e.g., which may be referred to as PSCells_first_subs_PSCell_change) and may be identified by candidate PSCell IDs for the first and each subsequent PSCell change, a set of target SN IDs for the first and each subsequent PSCell change, execution conditions for the first and each subsequent PSCell change, a base SCG configuration, and an indication of a selective activation process.

[0105] In some aspects, the execution condition may be indicated using a measurement ID corresponding to the source SCG measurement configuration.

[0106] The source MN 504 then sends an SN add request 418 to the target SN 508 (e.g., in conjunction with Figure 4 4), and the target SN responds with an SN add request ACK 422.

[0107] At 518, the source MN 504 may provide an SN Modify Request 518 with a list of candidate target PSCells to the source SN 506, to which the source SN 506 may respond with an SN Modify Request ACK 520 indicating an updated SCG measurement configuration (e.g., which may provide updated execution conditions). This allows the source SN 506 to provide updated execution conditions to the source MN 504 after receiving information about the candidate target PSCells prepared by the target SN 508.

[0108] The source SN 506 may also provide the MN with an updated source SCG measurement configuration after receiving information about the candidate target PSCells prepared by the target SN 508. This is because the candidate target PSCells may be a subset of the candidate PSCells proposed by the source SN to the target SN, so that a more optimized source SCG measurement gap configuration may be provided.

[0109] The preparation and sending of the RRC reconfiguration message 426 provided by the source MN 504 to the UE 502 with multiple SCG configuration may include, for example, Figure 4 Similar information as described above, and the evaluation and access of different target PSCells corresponds to the combination of Figure 4 The aspects described, and utilizing Figure 4 The same reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding aspects of the invention. Figure 4Likewise, multiple target SNs may be involved in the process, and the interactions of target SN 508 illustrate aspects that may be performed by any number of target SNs receiving request 514. Source MN 504 may acknowledge the SN change to source SN 506, for example, as illustrated at 522.

[0110] In some aspects, while the UE is performing CPC evaluation, the UE may receive an indication from the network to perform a PSCell change. For example, the UE may receive a command to change the PSCell, rather than a change indicated by satisfying an execution condition for a multi-SCG configuration. In some aspects, this command may be referred to as a legacy command to distinguish it from a conditional PSCell change based on a multi-SCG configuration.

[0111] If the UE receives a PSCell Change command while the UE is performing CPC evaluation, the UE may perform the PSCell change indicated in the command. In some aspects, the UE may maintain the source configuration and conditional configuration. In some aspects, the UE may maintain the source configuration and conditional configuration based on the network indication in the PSCell Change command. The UE may initiate CPC evaluation on the target PSCell based on the network indication in the PSCell Change command.

[0112] In some aspects, when the UE is performing CPC evaluation based on a multi-SCG configuration, the UE may receive an SCG release command. In response to receiving the SCG release command, the UE may discard the multi-SCG configuration in addition to the source SCG configuration.

[0113] As part of the security mechanism, after initiating the SN add procedure (e.g., at 416, 418), the source MN 404 or 504 derives a key K to be used for communication between the UE and the SN. SN , for example, to be used for bearers terminated in the SN. Based on the MN key K MN and SN counter variables to derive the key.

[0114] K SN =KDF(K MN , SN counter), where KDF represents the key derivation function.

[0115] The SN counter can be an integer between 0 and 65535. The MN can maintain the SN counter and send K to the SN in the SN Add Request. SN The MN may provide the SN counter to the UE in an MCG configuration as part of the RRC reconfiguration message that the MN provides to the UE in a dual connectivity (DC) configuration.

[0116] The UE uses a similar method as the MN, for example, MN and the provided SN counter derives KSN According to the derived K SN , the UE calculates the RRC and user plane (UP) keys to be used for various bearers.

[0117] In some aspects, in a PSCell change as described herein, the UE may return to a previous PSCell.The UE may use a different SN key than the UE previously used with the PSCell.

[0118] Different SN keys may be generated by the MN for the first and each subsequent PSCell change, e.g. Figure 6 As shown in . The corresponding SN counter provided to the UE in a multi-SCG configuration is different for the first and each subsequent PSCell change. This enables the UE to use a different SN key after each PSCell change.

[0119] To let the target SN know which SN key to use when the UE moves, for example, if the UE returns to the previous cell, the target SN can identify the SN key based on the C-RNTI sent by the UE when the UE accesses the target SN. This is based on the unique SCG C-RNTI provided during the process, and if there are many UEs in the cell, the C-RNTI may be exhausted. Alternatively, the SN can determine the key to use based on a new ID sent by the UE when the UE accesses the target SN. The new ID can be configured in a multi-SCG configuration.

[0120] For example, a set of new UE IDs may be provided in a multi-SCG configuration, where a unique ID is provided for each PSCell change. Whenever the UE accesses a target SN after executing a conditional trigger, the UE sends the ID to the target SN.

[0121] Figure 6 The communication flow 600 is illustrated in which a UE 602 is served by a source MN 604 and a source SN 606. At 614, a first cell change (SN change initiated) occurs for the UE 602, and the source MN transmits a list of candidate PSCells, UE measurement results, and a base SCG configuration and a key K to the target SN 608. SN1 At 616, a subsequent cell change occurs (eg, an SN change is initiated), and the source MN transmits a similar SN add request 618 to the target SN 610. The SN add request 618 includes the second key K SN2 The target SNs 608 and 610 respond to the source MN with SN Add Request ACKs 620 and 622, which include a list of candidate target PSCells and associated SCG configurations, e.g., as combined with Figure 4At 624, the source MN 604 provides RRC reconfiguration 624 to the UE 602, similar to the one in conjunction with Figure 4 The RRC reconfiguration described above also includes a different SN counter for each PSCell change. As described above, the RRC reconfiguration 624 from the source MN 604 can provide the UE with a set of UE IDs to be used for the PSCell change, and the UE 602 can indicate an ID from the set of UE IDs to the target SN when changing the PSCell. A different UE ID is used after each PSCell change, and therefore a different UE ID is provided in the RRC reconfiguration.

[0122] Figure 7 An example communication flow 700 is illustrated in which a basic SCG configuration for a subsequent PSCell change may be provided by a target SN. Figure 7 It is illustrated that the source MN 704 for the UE 702 may transmit an SN add request 709 for the first (e.g., previous) PSCell change 714 to the target SN 706. The request may include a set of candidate target PSCells, UE measurements, and basic SCG configuration, e.g., as combined with Figure 4 At 710, the target SN 706 may respond with an SN add request ACK, e.g., as described in conjunction with Figure 4 As described, this may include a basic SCG configuration. Figure 7 7. A subsequent PSCell change 720 is shown, where the source MN 704 transmits an SN Add Request 716 to the target SN 708. The request may include a set of candidate target PSCells, UE measurements, and a basic SCG configuration received from the target SN 706. The target SN 708 responds with an SN Add Request ACK 718, e.g., including a list of candidate target PSCells and associated SCG configurations. The source MN prepares an RRC message at 722 and provides the multi-SCG configuration (e.g., as combined with the SCG configuration) to the UE 702 at 724. Figure 4 described).

[0123] exist Figure 7 In the example, the base SCG configuration for subsequent PSCell changes may be provided by the target SN of the previous PSCell change. As an example, the target SN may provide the same base SCG configuration for all prepared PSCells in the target SN.

[0124] The basic SCG configurations for subsequent PSCell changes may be provided by the target SN during preparation of the previous PSCell change to the source MN. The source MN signals these basic SCG configurations during preparation of the subsequent PSCell change to the corresponding target SN.

[0125] Figure 8 800 is a flow chart of a wireless communication method. The method may be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104, 350, 402, 502, 602, 702; device 1104). Various aspects of the method may be performed, for example, in conjunction with Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and / or Figure 11 The method helps improve UE mobility by enabling the UE to perform a sequence of PSCell changes without requiring the UE to be reconfigured with signaling each time a change is made. Thus, various aspects can reduce latency and help maintain service continuity.

[0126] At 802, the UE receives a first MCG configuration and a first SCG configuration. In some aspects, the first MCG configuration and the first SCG configuration may be referred to as a base MCG and SCG configuration. The first SCG configuration may be received from a source SN via the MN.

[0127] At 804, the UE receives a set of conditional SCG configurations, each conditional SCG configuration including a set of candidate target PSCells, corresponding PSCell change execution conditions, and a corresponding SCG configuration. Figures 4 to 7 Various example aspects of a UE receiving a multiple SCG configuration are illustrated. For example, for a given PSCell in a set of candidate target PSCells, a conditional SCG configuration may include one or more PSCell change execution conditions and an SCG configuration. The set of conditional SCG configurations may include an associated MCG configuration and an associated SCG configuration for each candidate target PSCell, indicating an increment relative to a first MCG configuration and a first SCG configuration, and the UE may communicate at 806 based on the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the SCG configuration corresponding to the first PSCell includes applying the increment relative to the first MCG configuration and the first SCG configuration. The UE may receive the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate target PSCell in the set of conditional SCG configurations from the target SN via the MN. Each PSCell change execution condition may be indicated by a measurement identifier for a source MCG measurement configuration.

[0128] At 806 , the UE communicates with the network in response to a PSCell change execution condition corresponding to the first PSCell being satisfied based on the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the SCG configuration corresponding to the first PSCell.

[0129] For each given candidate target PSCell indicated at the first level, the set of conditional SCG configurations may also include: a group of candidate target PSCells, one or more PSCell change execution conditions corresponding to a given candidate target PSCell from the group of candidate target PSCells, a group of MCG configurations, and a group of SCG configurations for the UE to apply when the UE changes to the given candidate target PSCell from the group of candidate target PSCells.

[0130] In some aspects, after changing to a candidate target PSCell from the group of candidate target PSCells, the UE may evaluate another group of candidate target PSCells (which may also be referred to as an additional group) and one or more PSCell change execution conditions corresponding to the candidate target PSCells in the other group from the candidate target PSCells (e.g., which may be referred to as additional candidate target PSCells from the additional group of candidate target PSCells).

[0131] In some aspects, the UE may maintain (e.g., keep for further evaluation or not discard) the set of the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the conditional SCG configuration after a PSCell change.

[0132] In some aspects, the UE may receive a command for a PSCell change while evaluating corresponding PSCell change execution conditions; perform the PSCell change in response to the command; and maintain the set of the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the conditional SCG configuration after performing the PSCell change. The command may include an indication to maintain the set of the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the conditional SCG configuration after performing the PSCell change.

[0133] In some aspects, the UE may receive a command from the network to release the SCG while evaluating PSCell change execution conditions from a set of conditional SCG configurations; and discard the first SCG configuration and the set of conditional SCG configurations in response to the command.

[0134] In some aspects, the set of conditional SCG configurations may further include a set of IDs, where one ID is associated with each PSCell change. In response to the change to the first PSCell, the UE may provide the corresponding ID to the target SN associated with the first PSCell; and communicate with the first PSCell using a key derived based on the corresponding ID.

[0135] In some aspects, the set of conditional SCG configurations may include a set of key counters, where the key counter is associated with each PSCell change, and the UE may communicate with the first PSCell using a key derived based on the key counter associated with the PSCell change to the first PSCell.

[0136] The method may also include Figure 4 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 and / or Figure 7 Any aspect of UE performance in the.

[0137] Figure 9 900 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a network node such as a MN (e.g., base station 102; 310; source MN 404, 504, 604, 704; network entity 1202). Various aspects may be performed by a network node that may correspond to a base station in an aggregation and / or by one or more components of a base station (such as CU 110, DU 130, and / or RU 140). Various aspects of the method may be performed, for example, by a combination of Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and / or Figure 12 The method helps improve UE mobility by providing information to enable the UE to perform a sequence of PSCell changes without requiring reconfiguration of UE signaling each time a change is made. Thus, various aspects can reduce latency and help maintain service continuity between the network and the UE.

[0138] At 902, the MN receives a set of candidate target PSCells from one or more target SNs, each PSCell in the set being associated with a first SCG configuration. Figures 4 to 7 Various example aspects of a MN receiving a set of target PSCells from one or more target SNs are illustrated.

[0139] At 904, the MN provides the first MCG configuration and the first SCG configuration to the UE.

[0140] At 906, the MN provides a set of conditional SCG configurations to the UE, each conditional SCG configuration including a combined set of candidate target PSCells, corresponding PSCell change execution conditions, and corresponding SCG configurations, the combined set of candidate target PSCells being based on a set of candidate target PSCells received from one or more target SNs. Figures 4 to 7 Various example aspects of a MN providing a multi-SCG configuration to a UE are illustrated.

[0141] The MN may also transmit a message to the source SN to obtain a first SCG configuration; receive the first SCG configuration from the source SN; and transmit an SN add request including the first SCG configuration received from the source SN to one or more target SNs before receiving a set of candidate target PSCells.

[0142] In some aspects, the MN may receive an SN change indication and a first SCG configuration from a source SN; and transmit an SN add request including the first SCG configuration received from the source SN to one or more target SNs before receiving a set of candidate target PSCells.

[0143] For each candidate target PSCell, the set of conditional SCG configurations may include an additional MCG configuration and an additional SCG configuration to be applied when the UE accesses the candidate target PSCell, wherein the additional MCG configuration and the additional SCG configuration indicate deltas relative to the first MCG configuration and the first SCG configuration. In some aspects, the set of conditional SCG configurations may be received in an SN Add Request ACK message indicating that the additional SCG configuration is delta to the first MCG configuration and the first SCG configuration.

[0144] Each PSCell change execution condition may be indicated by a measurement identifier for the source MCG measurement configuration.

[0145] For each given candidate target PSCell indicated at the first level, the set of conditional SCG configurations also includes: a group of candidate target PSCells, one or more PSCell change execution conditions corresponding to a candidate target PSCell from the group of candidate target PSCells, a group of MCG configurations, and a group of SCG configurations for the UE to apply when the UE changes to a candidate target PSCell from the group of candidate target PSCells.

[0146] After a PSCell change, the MN may instruct the UE to maintain the set of the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the conditional SCG configuration. In some aspects, the set of conditional SCG configurations may include a set of IDs for security key derivation, where one ID is associated with each PSCell change of the UE. In some aspects, the set of conditional SCG configurations may include a set of key counters, where the key counters are associated with each PSCell change. The MN may transmit to the target SN a set of SN keys including the SN key associated with each PSCell change of the UE.

[0147] In some aspects, the MN may transmit an initial SCG configuration to a first target SN in an SN Add Request; receive a second SCG configuration from the first target SN; and provide the second SCG configuration to a subsequent target SN in a subsequent SN Add Request.

[0148] The method may also include Figure 4 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 and / or Figure 7 Any aspect performed by the source MN in.

[0149] Figure 10 1000 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a network node such as an SN (e.g., base station 102, 310; source SN 406, 506, 606; target SN 408, 508, 608, 610, 706, 708; network entity 1202). Various aspects may be performed by a network node that may correspond to a base station in an aggregation and / or by one or more components of a base station (such as CU 110, DU 130, and / or RU 140). Various aspects of the method may be performed, for example, by a network node in conjunction with a base station. Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and / or Figure 12 The method helps improve UE mobility by providing information to enable the UE to perform a sequence of PSCell changes without requiring reconfiguration of UE signaling each time a change is made. Thus, various aspects can reduce latency and help maintain service continuity between the network and the UE.

[0150] At 1002, the SN receives an SN add request for the UE from the MN for the UE, and the SN add request includes a first SCG configuration. Figures 4 to 7 Various example aspects of a SN receiving a request for SCG configuration are illustrated.

[0151] At 1004, the SN transmits a set of candidate target PSCells for the UE and a set of SCG configurations including a corresponding SCG configuration for each of the candidate target PSCells to the MN in response to the SN add request. Each SCG configuration may indicate an increment relative to the first SCG configuration.

[0152] In some aspects, the SN may transmit an SN change indication to the MN with the first SCG configuration before receiving the SN add request. The SN change indication may include one or more of the following: a target SN ID for the first and each subsequent PSCell change, a candidate PSCell ID for the first and each subsequent PSCell change, a PSCell change execution condition for the first and each subsequent PSCell change, an indication of a selective activation procedure, or a combination thereof.

[0153] In some aspects, the SN may provide updated execution conditions to the MN as a source SN after receiving information about candidate target PSCells prepared by one or more target SNs.

[0154] In some aspects, the SN may receive a message from the UE to access the SN and indicating an ID associated with a PSCell change of the UE, and communicate with the UE using security keys derived in part based on the ID.

[0155] The method may also include Figure 4 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 and / or Figure 7 Any aspect of SN execution in the.

[0156] Figure 111 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 1104. The apparatus 1104 may be a UE, a component of a UE, or may implement UE functionality. In some aspects, the apparatus 1104 may include at least one cellular baseband processor 1124 (or processor circuit) (also referred to as a modem) coupled to one or more transceivers 1122 (e.g., a cellular RF transceiver). The cellular baseband processor 1124 may include at least one on-chip memory 1124′ (or memory circuit). In some aspects, the apparatus 1104 may also include one or more subscriber identity module (SIM) cards 1120 and at least one application processor 1106 (or processor circuit) coupled to a secure digital (SD) card 1108 and a screen 1110. The application processor 1106 may include at least one on-chip memory 1106′ (or memory circuit). In some aspects, the device 1104 may also include a Bluetooth module 1112, a WLAN module 1114, an SPS module 1116 (e.g., a GNSS module), one or more sensor modules 1118 (e.g., an atmospheric pressure sensor / altimeter; a motion sensor such as an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a gyroscope, and / or an accelerometer; light detection and ranging (LIDAR), radio-aided detection and ranging (RADAR), sound navigation and ranging (SONAR), a magnetometer, audio, and / or other technologies for positioning), an additional memory module 1126, a power source 1130, and / or a camera 1132. The Bluetooth module 1112, the WLAN module 1114, and the SPS module 1116 may include an on-chip transceiver (TRX) (or, in some cases, only a receiver (RX)). The Bluetooth module 1112, the WLAN module 1114, and the SPS module 1116 may include their own dedicated antennas and / or utilize an antenna 1180 for communication. The cellular baseband processor 1124 communicates with the UE 104 and / or RUs associated with the network entity 1102 via the transceiver 1122 via one or more antennas 1180. The cellular baseband processor 1124 and the application processor 1106 may each include computer-readable media / memory 1124', 1106', respectively. The additional memory module 1126 may also be considered a computer-readable medium / memory. Each computer-readable medium / memory 1124', 1106', 1126 may be non-transitory. The cellular baseband processor 1124 and the application processor 1106 are each responsible for general processing, including executing software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory. When executed by the cellular baseband processor 1124 / application processor 1106, this software enables the cellular baseband processor 1124 / application processor 1106 to perform the various functions described above. The cellular baseband processor 1124 and the application processor 1106 are configured to perform the various functions described above based at least in part on information stored in the memory.That is, the cellular baseband processor 1124 and the application processor 1106 may be configured to perform a first subset of the various functions described above without information stored in the memory, and may be configured to perform a second subset of the various functions described above based on the information stored in the memory. The computer-readable medium / memory may also be used to store data manipulated by the cellular baseband processor 1124 / application processor 1106 when executing software. The cellular baseband processor 1124 / application processor 1106 may be a component of the UE 350 and may include memory 360 and / or at least one of the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359. In one configuration, the device 1104 may be a processor chip (modem and / or application) and include only the cellular baseband processor 1124 and / or the application processor 1106, and in another configuration, the device 1104 may be the entire UE (e.g., see. Figure 3 350) and includes additional modules of device 1104.

[0157] As discussed above, component 198 is configured to perform the combined Figure 8 The method described in the flowchart and / or by Figures 4 to 7. For example, component 198 may be configured to cause the apparatus to receive a first MCG configuration and a first SCG configuration; receive a set of conditional SCG configurations, each conditional SCG configuration including a set of candidate target PSCells, corresponding PSCell change execution conditions, and corresponding SCG configurations; and communicate with the network in response to satisfying the PSCell change execution condition corresponding to the first PSCell based on the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the SCG configuration corresponding to the first PSCell. Component 198 may be further configured to, after changing to the candidate target PSCell at the first level, evaluate the group of candidate target PSCells and the one or more PSCell change execution conditions corresponding to the candidate target PSCell. Component 198 may be further configured to maintain the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the set of conditional SCG configurations after the PSCell change. Component 198 may be further configured to receive a command for a PSCell change while evaluating corresponding PSCell change execution conditions; perform the PSCell change in response to the command; and maintain the set of the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the conditional SCG configuration after performing the PSCell change. Component 198 may be further configured to receive a command to release the SCG while evaluating PSCell change execution conditions from the set of conditional SCG configurations; and discard the set of the first SCG configuration and the conditional SCG configuration in response to the command. Component 198 may be further configured to, in response to the change to the first PSCell, provide a corresponding ID to the target SN associated with the first PSCell; and communicate with the first PSCell using a key derived based on the corresponding ID. Component 198 may be further configured to communicate with the first PSCell using a key derived based on a key counter associated with the PSCell change to the first PSCell. Component 198 may be within the cellular baseband processor 1124, the application processor 1106, or both the cellular baseband processor 1124 and the application processor 1106. Component 198 may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to perform the stated process / algorithm, implemented by one or more processors configured to perform the stated process / algorithm, stored in a computer-readable medium for implementation by one or more processors, or some combination of the foregoing. When multiple processors are implemented, the multiple processors may perform the stated process / algorithm individually or in combination. As shown, the device 1104 may include multiple components configured for various functions. In one configuration, the device 1104 (and specifically the cellular baseband processor 1124 and / or the application processor 1106) includes a processor for performing the stated process / algorithm in conjunction with the processor. Figure 8 The method described in the flowchart and / or by Figures 4 to 7Components for various aspects performed by a UE in any of the . For example, the apparatus 1104 may include components for receiving a first MCG configuration and a first SCG configuration; components for receiving a set of conditional SCG configurations, each conditional SCG configuration including a set of candidate target PSCells, corresponding PSCell change execution conditions, and corresponding subsequent SCG configurations; and components for communicating with the network in response to satisfying the PSCell change execution condition corresponding to the first PSCell based on the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the SCG configuration corresponding to the first PSCell. The apparatus 1104 may also include components for evaluating the group of candidate target PSCells and one or more PSCell change execution conditions corresponding to the candidate target PSCell after changing to the candidate target PSCell at the first level. The apparatus 1104 may also include components for maintaining the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the set of conditional SCG configurations after the PSCell change. The apparatus 1104 may also include means for receiving a command for a PSCell change while evaluating corresponding PSCell change execution conditions; means for executing the PSCell change in response to the command; and means for maintaining the set of the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the conditional SCG configuration after executing the PSCell change. The apparatus 1104 may also include means for receiving a command to release the SCG while evaluating PSCell change execution conditions from the set of conditional SCG configurations; and means for discarding the set of the first SCG configuration and the conditional SCG configuration in response to the command. The apparatus 1104 may also include means for providing a corresponding ID to a target SN associated with the first PSCell in response to the change to the first PSCell; and means for communicating with the first PSCell using a key derived based on the corresponding ID. The apparatus 1104 may also include means for communicating with the first PSCell using a key derived based on a key counter associated with the PSCell change to the first PSCell. The means may be component 198 of the apparatus 1104 configured to perform the functions recited by the means. As described above, the device 1104 may include the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359. Thus, in one configuration, the components may be the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and / or the controller / processor 359 configured to perform the functions recited by the components.

[0158] Figure 1212 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for a network entity 1202. The network entity 1202 may be a base station (BS), a component of a BS, or may implement BS functionality. The network entity 1202 may include at least one of a CU 1210, a DU 1230, or a RU 1240. For example, depending on the layer functionality handled by the component 199, the network entity 1202 may include a CU 1210; both the CU 1210 and the DU 1230; each of the CU 1210, the DU 1230, and the RU 1240; the DU 1230; both the DU 1230 and the RU 1240; or the RU 1240. The CU 1210 may include at least one CU processor 1212 (or processor circuitry). The CU processor 1212 may include on-chip memory 1212′ (or memory circuitry). In some aspects, the CU 1210 may also include an additional memory module 1214 and a communication interface 1218. The CU 1210 communicates with the DU 1230 via a midhaul link (such as an F1 interface). The DU 1230 may include at least one DU processor 1232 (or processor circuit). The DU processor 1232 may include on-chip memory 1232′ (or memory circuit). In some aspects, the DU 1230 may also include additional memory modules 1234 and a communication interface 1238. The DU 1230 communicates with the RU 1240 via a fronthaul link. The RU 1240 may include at least one RU processor 1242 (or processor circuit). The RU processor 1242 may include on-chip memory 1242′ (or memory circuit). In some aspects, the RU 1240 may also include additional memory modules 1244, one or more transceivers 1246, an antenna 1280, and a communication interface 1248. The RU 1240 communicates with the UE 104. On-chip memory 1212', 1232', 1242' and additional memory modules 1214, 1234, 1244 can each be considered a computer-readable medium / memory. Each computer-readable medium / memory can be non-transitory. Each of processors 1212, 1232, 1242 is responsible for general processing, including executing software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory. When executed by the corresponding processor, the software causes the processor to perform the various functions described above. The computer-readable medium / memory can also be used to store data manipulated by the processor when executing the software.

[0159] As discussed above, component 199 is configured to perform the combined Figure 9 and / or the method described in the flowchart of 10 and / or by Figures 4 to 7For example, in some aspects, the network entity may operate as an MN, and component 199 may be configured to cause the network entity to receive a set of candidate target PSCells from one or more target SNs, each PSCell in the set being associated with a first SCG configuration; provide a first MCG configuration and a first SCG configuration to the UE; and provide a set of conditional SCG configurations to the UE, each conditional SCG configuration including a combined set of candidate target PSCells, corresponding PSCell change execution conditions, and corresponding SCG configurations, the combined set of candidate target PSCells being based on the set of candidate target PSCells received from the one or more target SNs. Component 199 may be further configured to transmit a message to a source SN to obtain a first SCG configuration; receive the first SCG configuration from the source SN; and, before receiving the set of candidate target PSCells, transmit an SN add request to the one or more target SNs including the first SCG configuration received from the source SN. Component 199 may be further configured to receive an SN change indication and a first SCG configuration from a source SN; and before receiving a set of candidate target PSCells, transmit an SN add request including the first SCG configuration received from the source SN to one or more target SNs. Component 199 may be further configured to indicate to the UE that a set of the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the conditional SCG configuration is maintained after the PSCell change. Component 199 may be further configured to transmit to the target SN a set of SN keys including an SN key associated with each PSCell change of the UE. Component 199 may be further configured to transmit an initial SCG configuration to the first target SN in an SN add request; receive a second SCG configuration from the first target SN; and provide the second SCG configuration to subsequent target SNs in subsequent SN add requests. In some aspects, the network entity may operate as a SN, and component 199 may be configured to receive an SN add request for the UE from a MN for the UE, the SN add request including a first SCG configuration; and, in response to the SN add request, transmit to the MN a set of candidate target PSCells for the UE and a set of SCG configurations including a corresponding SCG configuration for each of the candidate target PSCells. Component 199 may be further configured to transmit an SN change indication to the MN having the first SCG configuration before receiving the SN add request. Component 199 may be further configured to provide updated execution conditions to the MN as a source SN after receiving information about candidate target PSCells prepared by one or more target SNs. Component 199 may be further configured to receive a message from the UE to access the SN, the message indicating an ID associated with the PSCell change of the UE; and communicate with the UE using a security key derived in part based on the ID.Component 199 may be within one or more processors of one or more of CU 1210, DU 1230, and RU 1240. Component 199 may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to perform the recited process / algorithm, implemented by one or more processors configured to perform the recited process / algorithm, stored on a computer-readable medium for implementation by one or more processors, or some combination thereof. When multiple processors are implemented, the multiple processors may perform the recited process / algorithm individually or in combination. Network entity 1202 may include various components configured for various functions. In one configuration, network entity 1202 includes a processor configured to perform the combined process / algorithm. Figure 9 and / or Figure 10 The method described in the flowchart and / or by Figures 4 to 7Components for various aspects performed by an MN or SN in any of the . For example, the network entity 1202 may sometimes operate as an MN and may include components for receiving a set of candidate target PSCells from one or more target SNs, each PSCell in the set being associated with a first SCG configuration; components for providing a first MCG configuration and a first SCG configuration to the UE; and components for providing a set of conditional SCG configurations to the UE, each conditional SCG configuration including a combined set of candidate target PSCells, corresponding PSCell change execution conditions, and corresponding SCG configurations, the combined set of candidate target PSCells being based on the set of candidate target PSCells received from the one or more target SNs. The network entity 1202 may also include components for transmitting a message to the source SN to obtain the first SCG configuration; components for receiving the first SCG configuration from the source SN; and components for transmitting, to the one or more target SNs, an SN add request including the first SCG configuration received from the source SN before receiving the set of candidate target PSCells. The network entity 1202 may also include a component for receiving an SN change indication and a first SCG configuration from a source SN; and a component for transmitting an SN add request including the first SCG configuration received from the source SN to one or more target SNs before receiving a set of candidate target PSCells. The network entity 1202 may also include a component for instructing the UE to maintain a set of the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the conditional SCG configuration after the PSCell change. The network entity 1202 may also include a component for transmitting a set of SN keys including SN keys associated with each PSCell change of the UE to the target SN. The network entity 1202 may also include a component for transmitting an initial SCG configuration to the first target SN in an SN add request; a component for receiving a second SCG configuration from the first target SN; and a component for providing the second SCG configuration to subsequent target SNs in subsequent SN add requests. In some aspects, the network entity 1202 may operate as a SN and may include a component for receiving an SN add request for the UE from the MN for the UE, and the SN add request includes a first SCG configuration; and a component for transmitting, in response to the SN add request, to the MN a set of candidate target PSCells for the UE and a set of SCG configurations including a corresponding SCG configuration for each of the candidate target PSCells. The network entity 1202 may also include a component for transmitting an SN change indication to the MN having the first SCG configuration before receiving the SN add request. The network entity 1202 may also include a component for providing an updated execution condition to the MN as a source SN after receiving information about the candidate target PSCells prepared by one or more target SNs.The network entity 1202 may also include a component for receiving a message from the UE indicating an ID associated with a change in the UE's PSCell; and a component for communicating with the UE using a security key derived in part based on the ID. The component may be a component 199 of the network entity 1202 configured to perform the functions recited by the component. As described above, the network entity 1202 may include a TX processor 316, an RX processor 370, and a controller / processor 375. Therefore, in one configuration, the component may be the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and / or the controller / processor 375 configured to perform the functions recited by the component.

[0160] It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the disclosed process / flowchart is merely illustrative of exemplary methods. It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the process / flowchart may be rearranged based on design preferences. Furthermore, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The accompanying method claims provide elements of the various blocks in a sample order, but are not limited to the specific order or hierarchy provided.

[0161] The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other aspects. Therefore, the claims are not limited to the various aspects described herein, but should be given the full scope consistent with the language claims. Unless otherwise specified, references to elements in the singular form do not mean "one and only one", but "one or more". Terms such as "if", "when" and "while" do not imply a direct temporal relationship or reaction. That is, these phrases, such as "when...", do not mean immediate action in response to the occurrence of an action or during the occurrence of an action, but simply imply that if the conditions are met, the action will occur, but there is no need for a specific or immediate time limit for the occurrence of the action. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "used as an example, instance, or illustration". Any aspect described as "exemplary" herein is not necessarily interpreted as being preferred or having advantages over other aspects. Unless otherwise specified, the term "some" refers to one or more. Combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” include any combination of A, B, and / or C, which may include multiple As, multiple Bs, or multiple Cs. Specifically, combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” may be only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B, and C, where any such combination may include one or more members of A, B, or C. A set should be interpreted as a set of elements, where the number of elements is one or more. Thus, for a set of X, X will include one or more elements. When at least one processor is configured to perform a set of functions, the at least one processor is configured to perform the set of functions individually or in any combination. Thus, each of the at least one processor can be configured to perform a specific subset of the set of functions, where the subset is the complete set, a proper subset of the set, or an empty subset of the set. If a first device receives data from a second device or sends data to a second device, the data may be received / sent directly between the first device and the second device, or indirectly between the first device and the second device through a collection of devices. A device configured to "output" data (such as a transmission, signal, or message) may, for example, send the data using a transceiver, or may transmit the data to the device sending the data. A device configured to "obtain" data (such as a transmission, signal, or message) may, for example, receive the data using a transceiver, or may obtain the data from the device receiving the data.The information stored in the memory includes instructions and / or data. All structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or will later become known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are covered by the claims. In addition, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public, regardless of whether such disclosure is expressly recited in the claims. Words such as "module," "mechanism," "element," and "device" cannot replace the word "component." Therefore, no claim element will be understood to be a part-plus-function unless the element is explicitly recited using the phrase "component for..."

[0162] As used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be interpreted as referring to a closed set of information, one or more conditions, one or more factors, etc. In other words, the phrase "based on A" (where "A" can be information, a condition, a factor, etc.) should be interpreted as "based at least on A" unless specifically stated differently.

[0163] The following aspects are merely illustrative and may be combined with other aspects or teachings described herein without limitation.

[0164] Aspect 1 is a method for performing wireless communication at a UE, the method comprising: receiving a first MCG configuration and a first SCG configuration; receiving a set of conditional SCG configurations, each conditional SCG configuration comprising a set of candidate target primary and secondary cells (PSCells), corresponding PSCell change execution conditions, and corresponding SCG configurations; and based on the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the SCG configuration corresponding to the first PSCell, communicating with a network in response to satisfying the PSCell change execution conditions corresponding to the first PSCell.

[0165] In aspect 2, the method according to aspect 1 also includes: the set of conditional SCG configurations includes an associated MCG configuration and an associated SCG configuration for each candidate target PSCell, which indicates an increment relative to the first MCG configuration and the first SCG configuration, and wherein communication is performed based on the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the SCG configuration corresponding to the first PSCell includes applying the increment relative to the first MCG configuration and the first SCG configuration.

[0166] In aspect 3, the method according to aspect 1 or aspect 2 further includes: receiving the first SCG configuration from a source SN via the MN, and providing the SCG configuration corresponding to the candidate target PSCell to the UE via the MN in the set of conditional SCG configurations from the target SN.

[0167] In aspect 4, the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 3 further includes: each PSCell change execution condition is indicated by a measurement identifier configured for source MCG measurement.

[0168] In aspect 5, the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 4 also includes: for each given candidate target PSCell indicated at the first level, the set of conditional SCG configurations also includes: a group of candidate target PSCells, one or more PSCell change execution conditions corresponding to the candidate target PSCell from the group of candidate target PSCells, a group of MCG configurations, and a group of SCG configurations for the UE to apply when the UE changes to the candidate target PSCell from the group of candidate target PSCells.

[0169] In aspect 6, the method according to aspect 5 further includes, after changing to the candidate target PSCell from the group of candidate target PSCells, evaluating the additional group of candidate target PSCells and the one or more PSCell change execution conditions corresponding to the additional candidate target PSCells from the additional group of candidate target PSCells.

[0170] In aspect 7, the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 6 further comprises: maintaining the set of the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration and the conditional SCG configuration after a PSCell change.

[0171] In aspect 8, the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 7 further includes: receiving a command for a PSCell change while evaluating the corresponding PSCell change execution condition; executing the PSCell change in response to the command; and maintaining the set of the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the conditional SCG configuration after executing the PSCell change.

[0172] In aspect 9, the method according to aspect 8 further includes: the command including an indication to maintain the set of the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the conditional SCG configuration after performing the PSCell change.

[0173] In aspect 10, the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 6 also includes: receiving a command to release the SCG from the network while evaluating one or more PSCell change execution conditions from the set of conditional SCG configurations; and discarding the first SCG configuration and the set of conditional SCG configurations in response to the command.

[0174] In aspect 11, the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 10 further includes: the set of conditional SCG configurations also includes a set of IDs, one ID being associated with each PSCell change, and the method further includes: in response to a change to the first PSCell, providing a corresponding ID to a target SN associated with the first PSCell; and communicating with the first PSCell using a key derived based on the corresponding ID.

[0175] In aspect 12, the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 10 further includes: the set of conditional SCG configurations includes a set of key counters, wherein the key counter is associated with each PSCell change, and the method further includes: communicating with the first PSCell using a key derived based on the key counter associated with the PSCell change to the first PSCell.

[0176] Aspect 13 is an apparatus for performing wireless communications at a UE, the apparatus comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor, the at least one processor being coupled to the at least one memory and, based at least in part on information stored in the at least one memory, the at least one processor being configured, alone or in any combination, to cause the UE to perform a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 12.

[0177] Aspect 14 is an apparatus for performing wireless communications at a UE, the apparatus comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor, the at least one processor being coupled to the at least one memory, and the at least one processor being configured, alone or in any combination, to perform the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 12.

[0178] Aspect 15 is an apparatus for wireless communication at a UE, the apparatus comprising means for performing each step of the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 12.

[0179] Aspect 16 is an apparatus according to any one of aspects 13 to 15, further comprising a transceiver configured to receive or transmit in association with the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 12.

[0180] Aspect 17 is a computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code at a UE, which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the UE to perform the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 12.

[0181] Aspect 18 is a method for performing wireless communication at an MN, the method comprising: receiving a set of candidate target PSCells from one or more target SNs, each PSCell in the set being associated with a first SCG configuration; providing a first MCG configuration and a first SCG configuration to a UE; and providing a set of conditional SCG configurations to the UE, each conditional SCG configuration comprising a combined set of candidate target PSCells, corresponding PSCell change execution conditions, and corresponding SCG configurations, the combined set of candidate target PSCells being based on the set of candidate target PSCells received from the one or more target SNs.

[0182] In aspect 19, the method according to aspect 18 also includes: transmitting a message to the source SN to obtain the first SCG configuration; receiving the first SCG configuration from the source SN; and before receiving the set of candidate target PSCells, transmitting an SN add request including the first SCG configuration received from the source SN to the one or more target SNs.

[0183] In aspect 20, the method according to aspect 18 further includes: receiving an SN change indication and the first SCG configuration from a source SN; and transmitting an SN add request including the first SCG configuration received from the source SN to the one or more target SNs before receiving the set of candidate target PSCells.

[0184] In aspect 21, the method according to any one of aspects 18 to 20 also includes: for each candidate target PSCell, the set of conditional SCG configurations includes an additional MCG configuration and an additional SCG configuration to be applied when the UE accesses the candidate target PSCell, wherein the additional MCG configuration and the additional SCG configuration indicate an increment relative to the first MCG configuration and the first SCG configuration.

[0185] In aspect 22, the method according to aspect 21 further comprises: the set of conditional SCG configurations being received in an SN Add Request ACK message, the SN Add Request ACK message indicating that the additional SCG configurations are the deltas to the first MCG configuration and the first SCG configuration.

[0186] In aspect 23, the method according to any one of aspects 18 to 22 further comprises: each PSCell change execution condition is indicated by a measurement identifier for the source MCG measurement configuration.

[0187] In aspect 24, the method according to any one of aspects 18 to 23 also includes: for each given candidate target PSCell indicated at the first level, the set of conditional SCG configurations also includes: a group of candidate target PSCells, one or more PSCell change execution conditions corresponding to the candidate target PSCell from the group of candidate target PSCells, a group of MCG configurations, and a group of SCG configurations for the UE to apply when the UE changes to the candidate target PSCell from the group of candidate target PSCells.

[0188] In aspect 25, the method according to aspect 24 further comprises: instructing the UE to maintain the set of the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration and the conditional SCG configuration after a PSCell change.

[0189] In aspect 26, the method according to any one of aspects 18 to 25 further comprises: the set of conditional SCG configurations further comprising a set of IDs for security key derivation, wherein one ID is associated with each PSCell change of the UE.

[0190] In aspect 27, the method according to any one of aspects 18 to 25 further comprises: the set of conditional SCG configurations comprising a set of key counters, wherein the key counter is associated with each PSCell change.

[0191] In aspect 28, the method according to aspect 27 further comprises transmitting, to a target SN, a set of SN keys including an SN key associated with each PSCell change of the UE.

[0192] In aspect 29, the method according to any one of aspects 18 to 28 further comprises: transmitting an initial SCG configuration to a first target SN in an SN add request; receiving a second SCG configuration from the first target SN; and providing the second SCG configuration to a subsequent target SN in a subsequent SN add request.

[0193] Aspect 30 is an apparatus for wireless communication at a MN, the apparatus comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor, the at least one processor being coupled to the at least one memory and, based at least in part on information stored in the at least one memory, the at least one processor being configured, alone or in any combination, to cause the MN to perform a method according to any one of aspects 18 to 29.

[0194] Aspect 31 is an apparatus for wireless communication at a MN, the apparatus comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor, the at least one processor being coupled to the at least one memory, and the at least one processor being configured, alone or in any combination, to perform a method according to any one of aspects 18 to 29.

[0195] Aspect 32 is an apparatus for wireless communication at a MN, the apparatus comprising means for performing each step of the method according to any one of aspects 18 to 29.

[0196] Aspect 33 is an apparatus according to any one of aspects 30 to 32, further comprising a transceiver configured to receive or transmit in association with the method according to any one of aspects 18 to 29.

[0197] Aspect 34 is a computer-readable medium (eg, non-transitory) storing computer-executable code at a MN, which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the MN to perform a method according to any one of aspects 18 to 29.

[0198] Aspect 35 is a method for performing wireless communication at an SN, the method comprising: receiving an SN add request for the UE from an MN for the UE, and the SN add request includes a first SCG request, a set of candidate target PSCells for the UE, and a set of SCG configurations including a corresponding SCG configuration for each candidate target PSCell in the candidate target PSCells.

[0199] In aspect 36, the method according to aspect 35 further comprises: each SCG configuration indicates a delta relative to the first SCG configuration.

[0200] In aspect 37, the method according to aspect 35 or 36 further comprises: transmitting an SN change indication to the MN having the first SCG configuration before receiving the SN add request.

[0201] In aspect 38, the method according to any one of aspects 35 to 37 also includes: the SN change indication includes one or more of the following: a target SN identifier (ID) for the first and each subsequent PSCell change, a candidate PSCell ID for the first and each subsequent PSCell change, a PSCell change execution condition for the first and each subsequent PSCell change, an indication of a selective activation process, or a combination thereof.

[0202] In aspect 39, the method according to any one of aspects 35 to 38 further includes: providing the updated execution condition to the MN as a source SN after receiving the information on the candidate target PSCell prepared by one or more target SNs.

[0203] In aspect 40, the method according to any one of aspects 35 to 39 further includes: receiving a message from the UE to access the SN, and the message indicates an ID associated with the PSCell change of the UE; and communicating with the UE using a security key derived in part based on the ID.

[0204] Aspect 41 is an apparatus for wireless communication at an SN, the apparatus comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor, the at least one processor being coupled to the at least one memory and, based at least in part on stored information stored in the at least one memory, the at least one processor being configured, alone or in any combination, to cause the SN to perform a method according to any one of aspects 35 to 40.

[0205] Aspect 42 is an apparatus for wireless communication at a SN, the apparatus comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor, the at least one processor being coupled to the at least one memory and configured, alone or in any combination, to perform a method according to any one of aspects 35 to 40.

[0206] Aspect 43 is an apparatus for wireless communication at a SN, the apparatus comprising means for performing each step of the method according to any one of aspects 35 to 40.

[0207] Aspect 44 is an apparatus according to any one of aspects 41 to 43, further comprising a transceiver configured to receive or transmit in association with the method according to any one of aspects 35 to 40.

[0208] Aspect 45 is a computer-readable medium (eg, non-transitory) storing computer-executable code at a SN, which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the SN to perform a method according to any one of aspects 35 to 40.

Claims

1. An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor, the at least one processor being coupled to the at least one memory and, based at least in part on the information stored in the at least one memory, the at least one processor being configured, alone or in any combination, to cause the UE to: Receiving a first master cell group (MCG) configuration and a first secondary cell group (SCG) configuration; receiving a set of conditional SCG configurations, each conditional SCG configuration comprising a set of candidate target primary and secondary cells (PSCells), a corresponding PSCell change execution condition, and a corresponding SCG configuration; and Based on the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration and the SCG configuration corresponding to the first PSCell, in response to satisfying a PSCell change execution condition corresponding to the first PSCell, communicating with a network.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the set of conditional SCG configurations includes an associated MCG configuration and an associated SCG configuration for each candidate target PSCell, which indicates an increment relative to the first MCG configuration and the first SCG configuration, and wherein in order to communicate based on the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration and the SCG configuration corresponding to the first PSCell, the at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to apply the increment relative to the first MCG configuration and the first SCG configuration.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to enable the UE to receive the first SCG configuration from a source secondary node (SN) via a master node (MN), and to provide the SCG configuration corresponding to a candidate target PSCell to the UE in a set of conditional SCG configurations from a target SN via the MN.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each PSCell change execution condition is indicated by a measurement identifier for a source MCG measurement configuration.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein for each given candidate target PSCell indicated at the first level, the set of conditional SCG configurations further comprises: The group of candidate target PSCells, one or more PSCell change execution conditions corresponding to candidate target PSCells from the group of candidate target PSCells, MCG configured groups, and A set of SCG configurations for the UE to apply when the UE changes to the candidate target PSCell from the group of candidate target PSCells.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the UE to: After changing to the candidate target PSCell from the group of candidate target PSCells, an additional group of candidate target PSCells and the one or more PSCell change execution conditions corresponding to the additional candidate target PSCells from the additional group of candidate target PSCells are evaluated.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the UE to: The set of the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration and the conditional SCG configuration is maintained after a PSCell change.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the UE to: receiving a command for a PSCell change while evaluating the corresponding PSCell change execution condition; performing the PSCell change in response to the command; and After performing the PSCell change, the set of the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration and the conditional SCG configuration is maintained.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the command includes an indication to maintain the set of the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration, and the conditional SCG configuration after performing the PSCell change.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the UE to: receiving a command to release the SCG from the network while evaluating one or more PSCell change execution conditions from the set of conditional SCG configurations; and The first SCG configuration and the set of conditional SCG configurations are discarded in response to the command.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the set of conditional SCG configurations further comprises a set of identifiers (IDs), wherein one ID is associated with each PSCell change, and the at least one processor is further configured to cause the UE to: In response to the change to the first PSCell, providing a corresponding ID to a target secondary node (SN) associated with the first PSCell; and Communicate with the first PSCell using a key derived based on the corresponding ID.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the set of conditional SCG configurations comprises a set of key counters, wherein the key counters are associated with each PSCell change, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the UE to: Communicating with the first PSCell using a key derived based on the key counter associated with a PSCell change to the first PSCell.

13. An apparatus for wireless communication at a master node (MN), the apparatus comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and, based at least in part on information stored in the at least one memory, configured, alone or in any combination, to cause the MN to: receiving a set of candidate target primary secondary cells (PSCells) from one or more target secondary nodes (SNs), each PSCell in the set being associated with a first secondary cell group (SCG) configuration; providing a first master cell group (MCG) configuration and a first SCG configuration to a user equipment (UE); as well as A set of conditional SCG configurations is provided to the UE, each conditional SCG configuration including a combined set of candidate target PSCells, corresponding PSCell change execution conditions and corresponding SCG configurations, wherein the combined set of candidate target PSCells is based on the set of candidate target PSCells received from the one or more target SNs.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the MN to: Sending a message to the source SN to obtain the first SCG configuration; receiving the first SCG configuration from the source SN; and Before receiving the set of candidate target PSCells, transmitting an SN add request including the first SCG configuration received from the source SN to the one or more target SNs.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the MN to: receiving an SN change indication and a first SCG configuration from a source SN; and Before receiving the set of candidate target PSCells, transmitting an SN add request including the first SCG configuration received from the source SN to the one or more target SNs.

16. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein for each candidate target PSCell, the set of conditional SCG configurations includes an additional MCG configuration and an additional SCG configuration to be applied when the UE accesses the candidate target PSCell, wherein the additional MCG configuration and the additional SCG configuration indicate an increment relative to the first MCG configuration and the first SCG configuration.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the set of conditional SCG configurations is received in an SN add request acknowledgement (ACK) message, the SN add request acknowledgement (ACK) message indicating that the additional SCG configuration is the increment to the first MCG configuration and the first SCG configuration.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein each PSCell change execution condition is indicated by a measurement identifier for a source MCG measurement configuration.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein for each given candidate target PSCell indicated at the first level, the set of conditional SCG configurations further comprises: The group of candidate target PSCells, one or more PSCell change execution conditions corresponding to candidate target PSCells from the group of candidate target PSCells, MCG configured groups, and A set of SCG configurations for the UE to apply when the UE changes to the candidate target PSCell from the group of candidate target PSCells.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the MN to: After the PSCell is changed, the UE is instructed to maintain the set of the first MCG configuration, the first SCG configuration and the conditional SCG configuration.

21. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the set of conditional SCG configurations further comprises a set of identifiers (IDs) for security key derivation, wherein one ID is associated with each PSCell change of the UE.

22. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the set of conditional SCG configurations comprises a set of key counters, wherein a key counter is associated with each PSCell change.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the MN to: A set of SN keys including the SN key associated with each PSCell change of the UE is transmitted to the target SN.

24. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the MN to: transmitting an initial SCG configuration to the first target SN in an SN add request; receiving a second SCG configuration from the first target SN; and The second SCG configuration is provided to the subsequent target SN in a subsequent SN add request.

25. An apparatus for wireless communication at a secondary node (SN), the apparatus comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and, based at least in part on the stored information stored in the at least one memory, the at least one processor, alone or in any combination, configured to cause the SN to: receiving, from a master node (MN) for a user equipment (UE), a SN add request for the UE, wherein the SN add request includes a first secondary cell group (SCG) configuration; and In response to the SN add request, a set of candidate target primary and secondary cells (PSCells) for the UE and a set of SCG configurations including a corresponding SCG configuration for each of the candidate target PSCells are transmitted to the MN.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein each SCG configuration indicates a delta relative to the first SCG configuration.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the SN to: Transmitting an SN change indication to the MN having the first SCG configuration before receiving the SN add request.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the SN change indication comprises one or more of the following: The target SN identifier (ID) for the first and each subsequent PSCell change, the candidate PSCellID for the first and each subsequent PSCell change, a PSCell change execution condition for the first and each subsequent PSCell change, Indication of a selective activation process, or A combination of them.

29. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the SN to: After receiving the information about the candidate target PSCell prepared by one or more target SNs, the source SN provides the updated execution condition to the MN.

30. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the SN to: receiving a message from the UE to access the SN, the message indicating an ID associated with a PSCell change of the UE; and Communicating with the UE using a security key derived based in part on the ID.

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