Inter-cell beam management mode and underlying mobility

Abstract

An apparatus comprises: means for receiving measurement report information provided by a communication device that, while being connected to a source node, uses a beam associated with a cell of a target node; means for determining, based on the measurement report, a target cell for which the communication device is to change the cell to the target node; and means for causing the information of the cell change to the target cell to be provided to the communication device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to methods, devices, systems, and computer programs, and particularly but not limited to methods, devices, and computer programs related to cell change. Background Art

[0002] A communication system can be viewed as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities (such as user terminals, base stations, and / or other nodes) by providing carrier waves between the various entities involved in the communication path. For example, a communication system can be provided by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices.

[0003] In a wireless communication system, at least a portion of a communication session between at least two stations occurs over a wireless link. Examples of wireless systems include: Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs), satellite-based communication systems, and different wireless local area networks, such as Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). Some wireless systems may be divided into cells, and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

[0004] User Equipment (UE) moving through the network infrastructure of a mobile communication network of its radio access network is faced with changing radio conditions. In order to maintain continuous service and connection, when the UE leaves the coverage area of ​​its current base station or cell, the UE switches to another base station or radio cell. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to one aspect, a method is provided, the method comprising: receiving measurement report information provided by a communication device, the communication device using a beam associated with a cell of a target node while being connected to a source node; determining, based on the measurement report, that the communication device is to change the cell to a target cell of the target node or another target node; and causing information of the cell change to the target cell to be provided to the communication device.

[0006] The measurement report may include an L1 measurement report.

[0007] The information provided to the communications device may include an indication of low-layer mobility.

[0008] The method may include receiving low layer mobility configuration information from a central unit.

[0009] The method may comprise causing information about the determination to be provided to a central unit.

[0010] The receiving includes: receiving measurement report information from the communication device in the target node.

[0011] The determining may include determining in the target node that the communication device is to change cells.

[0012] Causing the information to be provided to the communication device may include causing the information to be sent from the target node to the communication device.

[0013] Receiving may include receiving measurement report information in the target node from the communication device, the determining may include determining in the target node that the communication device is to change cells, and causing the information to be provided to the communication device may include causing the information to be sent from the target node to the communication device.

[0014] The method may be executed by a device. The device may be in a target node or provided by the target node.

[0015] The receiving may include receiving measurement report information in the source node from a control unit or a target node, and the determining may include determining in the source node that the communication device is to change cells.

[0016] The receiving may include: receiving measurement report information in the source node from a control unit or a target node.

[0017] The determining may include determining in the source node that the communication device is to change cells.

[0018] Causing the information to be provided to the communication device may include causing the information to be provided to the communication device via the target node.

[0019] The method may be performed by a device. The device may be in a source node or provided by a source node.

[0020] The receiving may include receiving measurement report information in the central unit from the target node, and the determining may include determining in the central unit that the communication device is to change cells.

[0021] The receiving may include receiving measurement report information from the target node in the central unit.

[0022] The determining may comprise determining in the central unit that the communication device is to change cells.

[0023] Causing the information to be provided to the communication device may include causing the information to be provided to the communication device via the target node.

[0024] The method may be performed by a device. The device may be in a central unit or provided by a central unit.

[0025] The communication device may operate in an inter-cell beam management mode when using a beam associated with a target cell while connected to a source cell.

[0026] The target node and the source node may be distributed units of a radio access node.

[0027] The radio access network node may comprise a central unit.

[0028] According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a component for receiving measurement report information provided by a communication device, which uses a beam associated with a cell of a target node while being connected to a source node; a component for determining, based on the measurement report, that the communication device is to change the cell to a target cell of the target node or another target node; and a component for causing information on the cell change to the target cell to be provided to the communication device.

[0029] The measurement report may include an L1 measurement report.

[0030] The information provided to the communications device may include an indication of low-layer mobility.

[0031] The apparatus may include means for receiving low-layer mobility configuration information from a central unit.

[0032] The apparatus may comprise means for causing information about the determination to be provided to the central unit.

[0033] The receiving component may be configured to receive measurement report information from the communication device in the target node.

[0034] The determining component may be used to determine in the target node that the communication device is to change cells.

[0035] The means for causing the information to be provided to the communication device may be for causing the information to be sent from the target node to the communication device.

[0036] The receiving means may be used to receive measurement report information from the communication device in the target node, the determining means may be used to determine in the target node that the communication device is to change cells, and the means for causing information to be provided to the communication device may be used to cause the information to be sent from the target node to the communication device.

[0037] The device may be in the target node or provided by the target node.

[0038] The receiving component may be used to receive measurement report information from a control unit or a target node in the source node, and the determining component may be used to determine in the source node that the communication device is to change cells.

[0039] The receiving component may be configured to receive measurement report information from a control unit or a target node in the source node.

[0040] The determining component may be used to determine in the source node that the communication device is to change cells.

[0041] The means for causing the information to be provided to the communication device may be for causing the information to be provided to the communication device via the target node.

[0042] The apparatus may be in the source node, or provided by the source node.

[0043] The receiving means may be used to receive measurement report information from the target node in the central unit, and the determining means may be used to determine in the central unit that the communication device is to change cells.

[0044] The receiving component may be used to receive measurement report information from the target node in the central unit.

[0045] The determining means may be used to determine in the central unit that the communication device is to change cells.

[0046] The means for causing the information to be provided to the communication device may be for causing the information to be provided to the communication device via the target node.

[0047] The means may be in, or provided by, a central unit.

[0048] The communication device may operate in an inter-cell beam management mode when using a beam associated with a target cell while connected to a source cell.

[0049] The target node and the source node may be distributed units of a radio access node.

[0050] The radio access network node may comprise a central unit.

[0051] According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising a circuit system configured to: receive measurement report information provided by a communication device, the communication device using a beam associated with a cell of a target node while connected to a source node; determine, based on the measurement report, that the communication device is to change the cell to a target cell of the target node or another target node; and cause information of the cell change to the target cell to be provided to the communication device.

[0052] The measurement report may include an L1 measurement report.

[0053] The information provided to the communications device may include an indication of low-layer mobility.

[0054] The circuitry may be configured to receive low-layer mobility configuration information from a central unit.

[0055] The circuitry may be configured such that information about the determination is provided to the central unit.

[0056] The circuit system may be configured to receive measurement report information in a target node from a communication device.

[0057] The circuit system may be configured to determine, in a target node, that the communication device is to change cells.

[0058] The circuitry may be configured to cause the information to be sent from the destination node to the communication device.

[0059] The circuit system may be configured to receive measurement report information in a target node from a communication device, determine in the target node that the communication device is to change cells, and cause the information to be sent from the target node to the communication device.

[0060] The device may be in the target node or provided by the target node.

[0061] The circuit system may be configured to: receive measurement report information in a source node from a control unit or a target node, and determine in the source node that the communication device is to change cells.

[0062] The circuit system may be configured to receive measurement report information in a source node from a control unit or a target node.

[0063] The circuit system may be configured to: determine in a source node that the communication device is to change cells.

[0064] The circuitry may be configured such that the information will be provided to the communication device via the target node.

[0065] The apparatus may be in the source node, or provided by the source node.

[0066] The circuit system may be configured to: receive measurement report information from the target node in the central unit, and determine in the central unit that the communication device is to change cells.

[0067] The circuitry may be configured to receive measurement report information from a target node in a central unit.

[0068] The circuit system may be configured to determine in the central unit that the communication device is to change cells.

[0069] The circuitry may be configured such that the information will be provided to the communication device via the target node.

[0070] The means may be in, or provided by, a central unit.

[0071] The communication device may operate in an inter-cell beam management mode when using a beam associated with a target cell while connected to a source cell.

[0072] The target node and the source node may be distributed units of a radio access node.

[0073] The radio access network node may comprise a central unit.

[0074] According to another aspect, a device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: receive measurement report information provided by a communication device, which uses a beam associated with a cell of a target node while being connected to a source node; determine, based on the measurement report, that the communication device is to change a cell to a target cell of the target node or another target node; and cause information of the cell change to the target cell to be provided to the communication device.

[0075] The measurement report may include an L1 measurement report.

[0076] The information provided to the communications device may include an indication of low-layer mobility.

[0077] The apparatus may be caused to: receive low layer mobility configuration information from a central unit.

[0078] The apparatus may be caused to cause information about the determination to be provided to the central unit.

[0079] The apparatus may be caused to: receive, in a target node, measurement report information from a communication device.

[0080] The apparatus may be caused to: determine in a target node that the communication device is to change cells.

[0081] The apparatus may be caused to cause the information to be sent from the target node to the communication device.

[0082] The apparatus may be caused to: receive measurement report information in a target node from a communication device, determine in the target node that the communication device is to change cells, and cause the information to be sent from the target node to the communication device.

[0083] The device may be in the target node or provided by the target node.

[0084] The apparatus may be caused to: receive measurement report information in a source node from a control unit or a target node, and determine in the source node that the communication device is to change cells.

[0085] The apparatus may be caused to: receive, in a source node, measurement report information from a control unit or a target node.

[0086] The apparatus may be caused to: determine in a source node that the communication device is to change cells.

[0087] The apparatus may be caused such that the information will be provided to the communication device via the target node.

[0088] The apparatus may be in the source node, or provided by the source node.

[0089] The apparatus may be caused to: receive measurement report information from the target node in the central unit, and determine in the central unit that the communication device is to change cells.

[0090] The apparatus may be caused to: receive measurement report information from a target node in a central unit.

[0091] The apparatus may be caused to: determine in the central unit that the communication device is to change cells.

[0092] The apparatus may be caused such that the information will be provided to the communication device via the target node.

[0093] The means may be in, or provided by, a central unit.

[0094] The communication device may operate in an inter-cell beam management mode when using a beam associated with a target cell while connected to a source cell.

[0095] The target node and the source node may be distributed units of a radio access node.

[0096] The radio access network node may comprise a central unit.

[0097] According to another aspect, a method is provided, the method comprising: causing a measurement report to be sent from a communication device, the communication device using a beam associated with a cell of a target node while connected to a source node; and receiving information indicating that the communication device will change the cell to a target cell of the target node in response to the measurement report.

[0098] The measurement report may include an L1 measurement report.

[0099] The information received by the communications device may include an indication of low layer mobility.

[0100] The communication device may operate in an inter-cell beam management mode when using a beam associated with a target cell while connected to a source cell.

[0101] The method may include providing information to a network node indicating that the communications device is configured to support switching from inter-cell beam management mode operation to low layer mobility cell change operation without disconnecting the inter-cell beam management mode operation.

[0102] The method may include providing information to a network node, the information indicating that the communication device is configured to support coexistence of inter-cell beam management and low layer mobility.

[0103] The method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be in a communication device or be a communication device.

[0104] According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a component for causing a measurement report to be sent from a communication device, the communication device using a beam associated with a cell of a target node while connected to a source node; and a component for receiving information indicating that the communication device will change the cell to a target cell of the target node in response to the measurement report.

[0105] The measurement report may include an L1 measurement report.

[0106] The information received by the communications device may include an indication of low layer mobility.

[0107] The communication device may operate in an inter-cell beam management mode when using a beam associated with a target cell while connected to a source cell.

[0108] The apparatus may include means for providing information to a network node, the information indicating that the communications device is configured to support switching from inter-cell beam management mode operation to low layer mobility cell change operation without disconnecting the inter-cell beam management mode operation.

[0109] The apparatus may include means for providing information to a network node, the information indicating that the communication device is configured to support coexistence of inter-cell beam management and low-layer mobility.

[0110] The apparatus may be in or be a communication device.

[0111] According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising a circuit system configured to: cause a measurement report to be sent from a communication device that uses a beam associated with a cell of a target node while connected to a source node; and receive information indicating that the communication device will change the cell to a target cell of the target node in response to the measurement report.

[0112] The measurement report may include an L1 measurement report.

[0113] The information received by the communications device may include an indication of low layer mobility.

[0114] The communication device may operate in an inter-cell beam management mode when using a beam associated with a target cell while connected to a source cell.

[0115] The circuit system may be configured to provide information to a network node indicating that the communication device is configured to support switching from inter-cell beam management mode operation to low layer mobility cell change operation without disconnecting the inter-cell beam management mode operation.

[0116] The circuit system may be configured to provide information to a network node indicating that the communication device is configured to support coexistence of inter-cell beam management and low layer mobility.

[0117] The apparatus may be in or be a communication device.

[0118] According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: cause a measurement report to be sent from a communication device, which, while connected to a source node, uses a beam associated with a cell of a target node; and, in response to the measurement report, receive information indicating that the communication device is to change the cell to a target cell of the target node.

[0119] The measurement report may include an L1 measurement report.

[0120] The information received by the communications device may include an indication of low layer mobility.

[0121] The communication device may operate in an inter-cell beam management mode when using a beam associated with a target cell while connected to a source cell.

[0122] The apparatus may be caused to provide information to a network node, the information indicating that the communications device is configured to support switching from inter-cell beam management mode operation to low layer mobility cell change operation without disconnecting the inter-cell beam management mode operation.

[0123] The apparatus may be caused to provide information to a network node, the information indicating that the communication device is configured to support coexistence of inter-cell beam management and low layer mobility.

[0124] The apparatus may be in or be a communication device.

[0125] According to another aspect, a method is provided, the method comprising configuring, by a central unit, a target node or a source node to make a low layer mobility decision for a user equipment that, while connected to the source node, uses a beam associated with a cell of the target node.

[0126] The configuring may include causing the configuration message to be provided to a corresponding one of the target node and the source node.

[0127] The method may comprise configuring, by the central unit, the target node to forward a low layer mobility report to be used for a low layer mobility cell change decision for a user equipment using a beam associated with a cell of the target node while connected to the source node.

[0128] The method may comprise configuring the target node to forward the low layer mobility report to the central unit or the source node.

[0129] The method may include forwarding, by the control unit, the measurement report to the source node.

[0130] The method may comprise configuring, by the central unit, the source node to inform the central unit or the target node about the low layer mobility cell change decision.

[0131] The method may include forwarding a low layer mobility cell change decision received from a source node to a target node.

[0132] The method may be performed by a device. The device may be in a central unit or provided by a central unit.

[0133] According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising means for configuring, by a central unit, a target node or a source node to make low layer mobility decisions for a user equipment that, while connected to the source node, uses a beam associated with a cell of the target node.

[0134] The configuring may include causing a configuration message to be provided to a corresponding one of the target node and the source node.

[0135] The apparatus may include means for configuring the target node to forward a low layer mobility report to be used for a low layer mobility cell change decision for a user equipment using a beam associated with a cell of the target node while connected to the source node.

[0136] The apparatus may include means for configuring the target node to forward the low layer mobility report to the central unit or the source node.

[0137] The apparatus may comprise means for forwarding, by the central unit, the measurement report to the source node.

[0138] The apparatus may include means for configuring, by the central unit, the source node to inform the central unit or the target node about the low-layer mobility cell change decision.

[0139] The apparatus may include means for forwarding a low layer mobility cell change decision received from a source node to a target node.

[0140] The means may be in, or provided by, a central unit.

[0141] According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided that includes a circuit system configured to perform the following items: a target node or a source node is configured by a central unit to make a low-layer mobility decision for a user equipment that uses a beam associated with a cell of the target node while connected to the source node.

[0142] The configuring may include causing the configuration message to be provided to a corresponding one of the target node and the source node.

[0143] The circuit system may be configured to configure the target node to forward a low layer mobility report to be used for a low layer mobility cell change decision for a user equipment using a beam associated with a cell of the target node while connected to the source node.

[0144] The circuitry may be configured to configure the target node to forward the low layer mobility report to the central unit or the source node.

[0145] The circuit system may be configured to forward the measurement report by the central unit to the source node.

[0146] The circuitry may be configured to configure the source node to inform the central unit or the target node about the low layer mobility cell change decision.

[0147] The circuitry may be configured to forward a low layer mobility cell change decision received from a source node to a target node.

[0148] The means may be in, or provided by, a central unit.

[0149] According to another aspect, a device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: configure a target node or a source node by a central unit to make a low-layer mobility decision for a user equipment, wherein the user equipment uses a beam associated with a cell of the target node while being connected to the source node.

[0150] The configuring may include causing the configuration message to be provided to a corresponding one of the target node and the source node.

[0151] The apparatus may be caused to configure the target node to forward a low layer mobility report to be used for a low layer mobility cell change decision for a user equipment using a beam associated with a cell of the target node while connected to the source node.

[0152] The apparatus may be caused to configure the target node to forward the low layer mobility report to the central unit or the source node.

[0153] The apparatus may forward the measurement report to the source node by the central unit.

[0154] The apparatus may be caused to configure the source node to inform the central unit or the target node about the low layer mobility cell change decision.

[0155] The circuitry may be configured to forward a low layer mobility cell change decision received from a source node to a target node.

[0156] The means may be in, or provided by, a central unit.

[0157] According to another aspect, a method is provided, comprising: configuring a target node, by a central unit, to forward a low-layer mobility report to be used for a low-layer mobility cell change decision of a user equipment, the user equipment using a beam associated with a cell of the target node while being connected to a source node.

[0158] The method may comprise configuring the target node to forward the low layer mobility report to the central unit or the source node.

[0159] The method may include forwarding, by the control unit, the measurement report to the source node.

[0160] The method may comprise configuring, by the central unit, the source node to inform the central unit or the target node about the low layer mobility cell change decision.

[0161] The method may include forwarding a low layer mobility cell change decision from a source node to a target node.

[0162] The method may be performed by a device. The device may be in a central unit or provided by a central unit.

[0163] According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a component for configuring a target node by a central unit to forward a low-layer mobility report, which low-layer mobility report will be used for a low-layer mobility cell change decision of a user equipment, which user equipment uses a beam associated with a cell of the target node while being connected to a source node.

[0164] The configuring may include configuring the target node to forward the low layer mobility report to the central unit or the source node.

[0165] The apparatus may include means for forwarding, by the control unit, the measurement report to the source node.

[0166] The apparatus may include means for configuring the source node to inform a central unit or a target node about the low-layer mobility cell change decision.

[0167] The apparatus may include means for forwarding a low layer mobility cell change decision from a source node to a target node.

[0168] The means may be in, or provided by, a central unit.

[0169] According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising a circuit system configured to perform the following items: a central unit configures a target node to forward a low-layer mobility report, which is to be used for a low-layer mobility cell change decision of a user equipment, and the user equipment uses a beam associated with a cell of the target node while being connected to a source node.

[0170] The configuring may include configuring the target node to forward the low layer mobility report to the central unit or the source node.

[0171] The circuitry may be configured to forward the measurement report to the source node.

[0172] The circuitry may be configured to configure the source node to inform the central unit or the target node about the low layer mobility cell change decision.

[0173] The circuitry may be configured to forward the low layer mobility cell change decision from the source node to the target node.

[0174] The means may be in, or provided by, a central unit.

[0175] According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: configure a target node by a central unit to forward a low-layer mobility report to be used for a low-layer mobility cell change decision of a user equipment, wherein the user equipment uses a beam associated with a cell of the target node while being connected to a source node.

[0176] The configuring may include configuring the target node to forward the low layer mobility report to the central unit or the source node.

[0177] The apparatus may be caused to forward the measurement report to the source node.

[0178] The apparatus may be caused to configure the source node to inform the central unit or the target node about the low layer mobility cell change decision.

[0179] The apparatus may be caused to forward a low layer mobility cell change decision from a source node to a target node.

[0180] The means may be in, or provided by, a central unit.

[0181] According to another aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform any of the methods listed previously.

[0182] According to another aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed, cause any of the methods listed previously to be performed.

[0183] According to one aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable code which, when executed, causes any of the methods listed previously to be performed.

[0184] According to one aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided comprising program instructions stored thereon, the program instructions being used to perform at least one of the above methods.

[0185] According to one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions is provided, which, when executed by the apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform any of the methods listed previously.

[0186] According to one aspect, a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions is provided, which, when executed, causes any of the methods listed previously to be performed.

[0187] According to one aspect, a non-volatile tangible storage medium is provided that includes program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the above methods.

[0188] In the above, many different aspects have been described. It should be understood that other aspects can be provided by combining any two or more of the above aspects.

[0189] Various other aspects are also described in the following detailed description and appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0190] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0191] Figure 1 The signal flow of intra-DU (distributed) inter-cell beam management operation is shown;

[0192] Figure 2 shows the signal flow of L1 / 2-centric mobility;

[0193] Figure 3 It shows that the UE is served by a source DU with an ICBM (inter-cell beam management) area and the target DU is used for handover;

[0194] Figure 4A signal flow is shown, where the target DU is responsible for the final LLM (low layer mobility) decision;

[0195] Figure 5 Another signal flow is shown, where the target DU is responsible for the final LLM decision;

[0196] Figure 6 A signal flow is shown, where the source DU is responsible for the final LLM decision;

[0197] Figure 7 A signal flow is shown, where the control unit is responsible for the final LLM decision;

[0198] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of an example architecture in which some embodiments may be provided;

[0199] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of an example communication device is shown;

[0200] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of an example apparatus is shown;

[0201] 11A and 11B depict RAN (Radio Access Network) architecture;

[0202] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of a non-volatile storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to perform Figures 13 to 16 one or more of the steps of any method in the method;

[0203] Fig.13 A first method of some embodiments is shown;

[0204] Fig.14 A second method of some embodiments is shown;

[0205] Fig.15 A third method of some embodiments is shown; and

[0206] Fig.16 A fourth method of some embodiments is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0207] In the following, certain embodiments are explained with reference to a mobile communication device capable of communicating via a wireless cellular system and a mobile communication system serving such a mobile communication device. Figure 8 , Fig. 9 ,as well as Fig.10 Certain general principles of wireless communication systems, their access systems and mobile communication devices are briefly explained to help understand the technology behind the described examples.

[0208] In particular, in the following, different exemplary embodiments will be described using a radio access architecture based on Advanced Long Term Evolution (Advanced LTE, LTE-A) or New Radio (NR, 5G) as an example of an access architecture to which the embodiments can be applied, however, the embodiments are not limited to such architectures. By appropriately adjusting the parameters and processes, the embodiments can also be applied to other types of communication networks with appropriate components. Some examples of other options for applicable systems are Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN or Wi-Fi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Personal Communications Service (PCS), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), systems using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs), and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or any combination thereof.

[0209] The basic system architecture of a (tele)communication network including a mobile communication system (in which some examples of embodiments are applicable) may include the architecture of one or more communication networks, including (multiple) radio access network subsystems and (multiple) core networks. Such an architecture may include one or more communication network control elements or functions, access network elements, radio access network elements, access service network gateways, or base transceiver stations, such as base stations (BS), access points (AP), NodeBs (NBs), eNBs or gNBs, distributed units (DUs) or centralized / central units (CUs), which control corresponding (multiple) coverage areas or cells and communicate with one or more communication stations.

[0210] In such Figure 8 In the wireless communication system 100 shown, mobile communication devices, user equipment, user equipment (UE) 102, 104, 105 are provided with wireless access via at least one base station (e.g., next generation NB, gNB), similar wireless transmission and / or reception nodes or network nodes. The base station can be controlled or assisted by at least one appropriate controller device to enable operation and management of mobile communication devices communicating with the base station. The controller device can be located in a radio access network (RAN) (e.g., wireless communication system 100) or a core network (CN) (not shown), and can be implemented as a central device, or its functions can be distributed on several devices.

[0211] exist Figure 8 In FIG. 1 , base stations 106 and 107 are shown connected to a wider communications network 113 via a gateway 112. A further gateway function may be provided to connect to another network.

[0212] The communication area (or coverage area) of a base station may be referred to as a “cell.” Base stations and UEs may be configured to communicate over a transmission medium using any of a variety of radio access technologies (RATs), also referred to as wireless communication technologies or telecommunication standards.

[0213] like Figure 8 As shown, while one of the base stations may act as a "serving cell" for a UE, the UE may also be able to receive signals from (and possibly within communication range of) one or more other cells (which may be provided by the base station and / or any other base station) (referred to as "neighboring cells").

[0214] As described above, a base station may include multiple network nodes, such as an upper controller node that implements higher network layers, such as Layer 3 / RRC (Radio Resource Control); and one or more lower nodes, such as a distributed unit (DU) that typically implements lower network layers, such as the physical layer (Layer 1, L1) and Layer 2 (L2). Note that these units may be geographically collocated or geographically dislocated to some extent.

[0215] Smaller base stations 116, 118, and 120 may also be connected to the network 113, for example, through a separate gateway function and / or via a controller of a macro-level station. The base stations 116, 118, and 120 may be pico or femto-level base stations, etc. In this example, the stations 116 and 118 are connected via a gateway 111, while the station 120 is connected via a controller device 108. In some embodiments, smaller stations may not be provided. The smaller base stations 116, 118, and 120 may be part of a second network, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN), and may be WLAN access points (APs).

[0216] The communication devices 102, 104, 105 may access the communication system based on various access technologies, such as code division multiple access (CDMA) or wideband CDMA (WCDMA). Other non-limiting examples include time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA) and various schemes thereof, such as interleaved frequency division multiple access (IFDMA), single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), space division multiple access (SDMA), etc.

[0217] Fig. 9An example of an apparatus 200 is illustrated. The apparatus may be arranged in a radio access node. The apparatus may be arranged in a source node, a target node, and / or a central unit. The apparatus may be provided in a distributed unit. The apparatus may have at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes one or more functions to be performed. In this example, the apparatus may include at least one random access memory (RAM) 211a, and / or at least one read-only memory (ROM) 211b, and / or at least one processor 212, 213, and / or an input / output interface 214. At least one processor 212, 213 may be coupled to RAM 211a and ROM 211b. At least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute appropriate software code 215. Software code 215, for example, may allow execution of one or more steps to perform one or more aspects of this aspect.

[0218] Fig.10 An example of a communication device 300 is shown, such as Figure 1 UE shown in . The communication device 300 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. The communication device 300 may provide, for example, communication for carrying data for communication. The communication may be one or more of the following: voice, email, text message, multimedia, data, machine data, etc.

[0219] The communication device 300 may receive signals over the air or radio interface 307 via appropriate means for receiving, and may transmit signals via appropriate means for transmitting radio signals. Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the transceiver arrangement is schematically represented by block 306. The transceiver arrangement 306 may be provided, for example, by means of a radio component and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the communication device.

[0220] The communication device 300 may be equipped with at least one processor 301, and / or at least one memory ROM 302a, and / or at least one RAM 302b, and / or other possible components 303 for software and hardware assisted execution of the tasks it is designed to perform, including controlling access to and communication with access systems and other communication devices. The at least one processor 301 is coupled to the RAM 302b and the ROM 302a. The at least one processor 301 may be configured to execute appropriate software code 308. The software code 308 may, for example, allow execution of one or more aspects of the present aspect. The software code 308 may be stored in the ROM 302a.

[0221] The processor, storage, and other related control means may be provided on an appropriate circuit board and / or in a chipset. This feature is indicated by reference numeral 304 .

[0222] The communication device may optionally have a user interface, such as a keypad 305, a touch-sensitive screen or touchpad, a combination thereof, etc. Depending on the type of communication device, one or more of a display, a speaker, and a microphone may optionally be provided.

[0223] 11A and 11B depict an example of a radio access network (NG-RAN) architecture 400 with a gNB 402. In FIG. 11A , the gNB 402 employs NR user / control plane protocols to serve UEs and is connected to the 5GC (5G Core) 401 via a logical NG interface and to other gNBs 402 via an Xn interface to support the exchange of signaling information and forwarding PDUs (packet data units). The gNB 402 of FIG. 11A includes a central unit (i.e., CU) 403, and one or more distributed units (i.e., DUs) 404. A CU is a logical node that hosts the RRC, SDAP (Service Data Adaptation Protocol) and PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) protocols of a gNB, or the RRC and PDCP protocols that control the operation of one or more DUs 404 of a gNB. The CU 403 terminates the F1 interface connected to the DU 404 subordinate to the CU 403. DU 404 is a logical node that hosts the RLC (Radio Link Control), MAC (Media Access Control), and PHY (Physical) layers of gNB 402, and its operation is partially controlled by CU 403. One DU 404 supports one or more cells. One cell is supported by one DU 404. DU 404 terminates the F1 interface connected to CU 403.

[0224] One DU 404 is connected to one CU 403 via an F1 interface. NG, Xn, and F1 are logical interfaces. The Xn-C interface interconnects CUs 403 of different gNBs 402. The gNB 402 may also include a CU control plane (CU-CP), multiple CU user planes (CU-UPs), and multiple DUs, as depicted in more detail in FIG. 11B .

[0225] 11B illustrates an architecture in which the control plane and the user plane of a gNB CU (i.e., CU-CP and CU-UP) 403 are separated. CU-CP 405 is a logical node that hosts the control plane portion of the RRC and PDCP protocols of CU 403 of gNB 402. CU-CP 405 terminates the E1 interface connected to CU-UP 406 and the F1-C interface connected to DU 404. CU-UP 406 is a logical node that hosts the user plane portion of the PDCP protocol of CU 403 of gNB, and the user plane portion of the PDCP protocol and the SDAP protocol of CU 403 of gNB 402. CU-UP 406 terminates the E1 interface connected to CU-CP 405 and the F1-U interface connected to DU 404. CU-UP 406 can be connected to one CU-CP 405, multiple CU-UPs 406, and multiple DUs 404 under the control of the same CU-CP 405.

[0226] There can be different functional splits between the central unit and the distributed units, for example:

[0227] Option 1 (1A-similar split): The functional split in this option is similar to the 1A architecture in DC (dual connectivity). RRC is in the central unit (CU). PDCP, RLC, MAC, physical layer, and RF (radio frequency) are in the distributed unit (DU).

[0228] Option 2 (3C-like split): The functional split in this option is similar to the 3C architecture in DC. RRC and PDCP are in the central unit. RLC, MAC, physical layer, and RF are in the distributed unit.

[0229] Option 3 (split within RLC): Low RLC (part of the RLC functions), MAC, physical layer, and RF are in the distributed unit. PDCP and High RLC (another part of the RLC functions) are in the central unit.

[0230] Option 4 (RLC-MAC Split): MAC, physical layer, and RF are in the distributed unit. PDCP and RLC are in the central unit.

[0231] Other functions can also be used for splitting.

[0232] It should be understood that other embodiments may be used with any other suitable architecture having distributed units and a central unit.

[0233] Inter-cell beam management (ICBM) has been proposed. As beam-level mobility, the services of the UE from different beams are defined. Beam-level mobility does not require explicit RRC signaling to be triggered. Beam-level mobility can be within a cell or between cells, the latter of which refers to inter-cell beam management (ICBM). In this type of mobility, the serving cell of the UE does not change. For ICBM, the UE can receive or send UE-specific channels / signals (monitored on the UE-specific search space) via a transmission reception point (TRP) associated with a physical cell ID (PCI) different from the serving cell's PCI, while non-UE-specific (monitored on the common search space) channels / signals can only be received via a TRP associated with the PCI of the serving cell. In other words, the UE can use a beam of a cell different from the cell of its source DU.

[0234] The gNB provides the UE with measurement configuration in advance via RRC signaling, which includes SSB / CSI (synchronization signal block / channel state information) resources and resource sets, configuration of reports and triggering status for triggering channel and interference measurements and reports.

[0235] In the case of ICBM, the measurement configuration includes SSB resources associated with a PCI that is different from the PCI of the serving cell. Beam level mobility (i.e., switching between beams) is then handled at low levels with the help of physical layer and MAC layer control signaling, and no RRC is required to trigger the beam change, nor is it required for RRC to know which beam is being used at a given point in time.

[0236] Figure 1 An example of a signaling / message flow diagram for an intra-DU ICBM process is schematically illustrated. In an intra-DU ICBM scenario, the source and target cells (in Figure 1 are controlled by the same serving (source) DU. Figure 1 In the example of , before the method starts, the UE is connected to cell 1 (i.e., source / serving) and no active inter-cell beam management configuration is enabled.

[0237] In step 0, the UE sends measurements to the serving CU. The UE is connected to cell 1 and there is no active inter-cell beam management. At this stage, the UE performs L3 measurements of neighboring cells and reports them to the serving CU (via cell 1).

[0238] In step 1, the CU configures the L1 measurement (i.e., the target set) of beam A of neighboring cell 2 for the UE, for example, via an RRC reconfiguration message (or by using any other suitable message). This may be based on the L3 measurement in step 0. It should be noted that although Figure 1In the example embodiment of , a single beam A is used as a reference, but those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that in some other possible implementations, more than one beam may be configured for measurement. In addition, those skilled in the art may also understand and appreciate that if the target DU may operate in another BWP outside the current bandwidth part (BWP) of the UE (i.e., communicate with the serving DU), the CU may also configure the UE with appropriate measurement gaps. The CU may configure the UE via the DU.

[0239] The UE may respond to such configuration, for example by sending a corresponding RRC Reconfiguration Complete message (or similar message) to the serving CU, as exemplarily shown in step 2. This may be achieved via the DU.

[0240] In step 3, the UE reports L1 measurements (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), etc.) of beam A of cell 2 to the DU.

[0241] In step 4, the DU may observe the quality of beam A of cell 2 and determine that the UE may benefit from the radio resources of cell 2. The serving DU may decide to initiate an ICBM procedure and include beam A of cell 2 (borrowed beam) for beam management operations of the UE.

[0242] In step 5, the serving DU may indicate that beam A of cell 2 is to be included in the beam management operations of the UE, for example by sending a UE context modification request message (or similar message) to the CU.

[0243] In response, the CU may configure the UE with the beam management information provided by the source DU, for example by sending another RRC reconfiguration message (or similar message), as shown in step 6.

[0244] After receiving the corresponding RRC reconfiguration complete message (or similar message) from the UE (step 7), the CU may then indicate or confirm the successful completion of the UE configuration to the source DU in step 8. For example, the CU may send a corresponding UE context modification confirmation / complete message (or similar message) in step 8.

[0245] Then, in step 9, the DU may send a TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) state change message (e.g., as part of a MAC Control Element (CE) or in any other suitable form) to activate beam A of cell 2 of the UE.

[0246] After receiving such TCI status information, the UE may initiate an ICBM procedure in which beam A of cell 2 is added in beam management.

[0247] The inter-cell beam management process can be understood as not being intended to provide mobility-related functions (e.g., switching, handover, etc.) to different cells, but rather to provide enhanced radio coverage to the UE as a temporary solution to avoid L1-2-centric mobility. In other words, beams from neighboring cells can be "borrowed" or used under the control of the same CU as the current cell.

[0248] Low layer mobility (LLM), also known as L1 / 2 inter-cell mobility, is the target of mobility enhancement. This can be seen, for example, in the context of 5G standard Rel. 18. According to the paradigm description, the decision on cell change is based on L1 measurements and is made in the MAC layer of the distributed unit (DU).

[0249] Figure 2 The message exchange of LLM scenario between DUs is shown.

[0250] In this example, the UE provides L3 measurements to the source DU (step 1), which are forwarded to the CU-CP (step 2). Based on these measurements, the CU-CP decides on cell preparation (HO (handover) decision - step 3) and proceeds to establish the UE context in the target DU (steps 4-5).

[0251] The CU-CP then communicates with the CU-UP to perform bearer context establishment (steps 6-7).

[0252] In step 8, the CU-CP forwards the RRC Reconfiguration message to the source DU using DL (downlink) RRC messaging, and the source DU then forwards it to the UE (step 9). The UE responds with an RRC Reconfiguration Complete message (step 10), which is then forwarded to the CU-CP (step 11).

[0253] The UE provides periodic L1 reports to the source DU based on its configuration (step 12).

[0254] After the source DU decides that the UE should be switched to another DU (ie, the target DU), the source DU triggers a cell switch using a MAC CE (step 13). Up to now, the UE receives data from the serving or source DU.

[0255] Then, the UE applies the RRC configuration to the target cell of the target DU indicated by the MAC CE and performs a random access (RA) procedure (step 15), and receives a random access response from the target DU (step 16).

[0256] After the RA procedure, the UE sends an RRC Reconfiguration Complete to the target cell of the target DU (step 17), which is forwarded to the CU-CP (step 18).

[0257] The CU-CP performs bearer modification (steps 19-20) together with the CU-UP to update the bearer settings and cause the CU-UP to start forwarding data to the target DU (and stop forwarding data to the source DU).

[0258] After this is completed, the UE starts receiving data from the target DU (step 21).

[0259] Finally, the CU-CP releases the UE context from the source DU through a UE context release request (steps 22-23).

[0260] Some embodiments may address LLM and ICBM coexistence issues for inter-DU scenarios.Some embodiments may provide methods for performing LLM when a UE is served by ICBM.

[0261] Figure 3 An example scenario of LLM and ICBM coexistence for an inter-DU scenario is shown, where a mobile user moves from a source DU to a target DU.

[0262] At some moments, the network may decide to initiate ICBM for the UE. This may be due to the UE still being able to receive and decode the common search space of the source DU (e.g., for connected mode paging / short message reception / system information reception), but the reported signal quality of the target DU is higher compared to the signal quality of the source DU (e.g., RSRP target > RSRP source). On the other hand, considering the L1 / 3 measurements, the network decides that the UE should not switch to the target cell (e.g., based on measurement changes, the mobility prediction algorithm indicates a high probability of "premature HO" to avoid ping-pong probability due to small coverage islands (especially in FR2 beamforming systems), to avoid HO interruption due to continued service requirements, and / or based on any other suitable criteria).

[0263] ICBM may be triggered by load balancing and / or interference management, where a source DU is congested with a large number of users to be served, and thus the network may decide to offload part of the traffic to a neighboring cell (eg, a target DU).

[0264] As the UE moves further towards the target DU, the network may decide to perform a HO using the LLM procedure, where the UE applies the target DU RRC configuration and disconnects from the source DU once instructed to do so from the serving DU.

[0265] exist Figure 3 In the example shown, the UE is served by a beam from the target cell / DU, which is also responsible for beam management.

[0266] Following the direct application of the LLM and ICBM paradigm, the target cell / DU will indicate that the UE will be served by the serving cell / DU, i.e., termination of the borrowed beam of the target cell and ICBM. This hands control of the UE back to the serving DU / cell, which then determines the bad radio conditions. This can be based on UE measurements. The serving DU then uses Figure 2 The LLM procedure guides the UE to the target DU. This may cause delays. This may even cause LLM HO failure, for example when the UE moves out of the coverage of the serving cell / DU.

[0267] Some embodiments may enable coexistence of ICBM and LLM.

[0268] In some embodiments, the LLM may be configured when the ICBM is initiated.

[0269] Some embodiments will be described that illustrate the information exchanged between various parts of the RAN node (ie, source DU, CU-CP and target DU) so that inter-DU LLM can be initiated and prepared during the ICBM process.

[0270] It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, one of the nodes may be responsible for making the final LLM decision.

[0271] In some embodiments, the source DU may make the decision.

[0272] In some embodiments, the target DU may make the decision.

[0273] In some embodiments, the CU-CP may make the decision.

[0274] In some embodiments, the CU-CP will need to know when the DU supports coexistence of ICBM and LLM.

[0275] In some embodiments, the DU will provide information to the CU-CP about whether the DU supports ICBM and LLM coexistence. For example, the information may be provided via an IE (Information Element) or in any other suitable manner. The IE may indicate support for ICBM coexistence and serving cell change. The IE may indicate that the DU can switch from ICBM operation to serving cell operation without disconnecting the ICBM.

[0276] The CU-CP will use the information provided by the DU so that the process will only be triggered if the coexistence feature is supported.

[0277] In some embodiments, it may be assumed that the DU will support coexistence features, so no IE or the like is required.

[0278] In some embodiments, the UE will provide information to the CU-CP on whether ICBM and LLM coexistence are supported. For example, the information may be provided via an IE (information element) or in any other suitable manner. The IE may be a UE capability indicator. The IE may indicate support for ICBM coexistence and serving cell change. The IE may indicate that the UE can switch from ICBM operation to serving cell change operation without disconnecting the ICBM.

[0279] The CU-CP will use the information provided by the UE so that the procedure will only be triggered if the coexistence feature is supported.

[0280] In some embodiments, it may be assumed that the UE will support coexistence features, so no IE or the like is needed.

[0281] In some embodiments, the target DU may be responsible for making LLM decisions.

[0282] The CU may provide measurement configuration and reporting to the UE.

[0283] In conjunction with both the source DU and the target DU, the CU may collect and share the required LLM and ICBM configurations / parameters between the source DU, the target DU, and the UE.

[0284] The CU may optionally indicate the LLM triggering condition to the target DU.

[0285] After the execution of ICBM, the UE may be configured to measure L1 measurements and report them to the target DU. This may be done via a beam of a non-serving cell of the target DU.

[0286] Based on the received measurements, the target DU may decide to trigger LLM. If, for example, the measurements of the non-serving cell meet the criteria, the target DU may initiate a cell change by sending a MAC-CE command to the UE.

[0287] The UE may then switch cells by starting to apply the LLM specific configuration and monitor the common search space of the target DU.

[0288] refer to Figure 4 , which shows the signal flow of some embodiments. In this example signal flow, the target DU is responsible for making the final LLM decision.

[0289] In step 1, the UE is connected to the source DU. The CU-CP configures the required L3 measurements for the UE. The measurement configuration may be provided by the CU-CP to the UE via the source DU. The measurement configuration may be provided in an RRC configuration message. Alternatively or additionally, the required measurements may be L1 measurements. However, in step 2, the L1 measurements will not be forwarded to the CU-CP. The source DU will store the L1 measurements.

[0290] In step 2, after performing the measurement, the UE sends an L1 and / or L3 measurement report to the source DU. The source DU forwards the L3 measurement report to the CU-CP.

[0291] In step 3, the CU-CP determines to add ICBM to better serve the UE. The determination is based on the measurement report. The determination may take into account one or more other factors, such as traffic load and UL / DL interference at the source and / or target DU.

[0292] In some embodiments, alternatively or additionally, the CU-CP determines to add ICBM for the UE based on a request from the source DU. For example, this may be based on the source DU determining to use ICBM using L1 measurement reports.

[0293] In step 4, the CU-CP may decide to enable LLM initiated by the target DU. The CU-CP may delegate the decision to trigger low layer mobility to the target DU.

[0294] In step 5, the CU-CP sends a request to the target DU and indicates that this is for ICBM. In some embodiments, the request may be a UE context establishment request.

[0295] In some embodiments, the CU-CP informs the target DU of the responsibility for making LLM decisions.

[0296] CU-CP may provide the corresponding parameters (configuration) required to initiate LLM. For example, the parameter configuration may include information about the CSI resources and / or TCI state configuration of the serving cell in the source DU and / or parameters for controlling LLM decisions. The parameters for controlling LLM decisions may include, for example, offsets and / or thresholds for comparing serving cell and non-serving cell measurements.

[0297] In step 6, the target DU sends a response to the CU-CP. In some embodiments, this may be a UE context setup response.

[0298] The response may provide the CU-CP with the LLM target cell configuration (of the cell served by the target DU), which the UE needs to apply when LLM is triggered.

[0299] The target DU sends an ICBM confirmation and target DU related configuration. The target DU can provide the CU-CP with the LLM target cell configuration (of the cell served by the target DU), which the UE needs to apply when the LLM is triggered. The target DU can provide the L1 measurement configuration required by the UE that needs to be applied when the UE switches to a non-serving cell of the target DU.

[0300] In step 7, the CU-CP sends the ICBM configuration and / or context update obtained from the target DU to the source DU.

[0301] The CU-CP may inform the source DU of the target DU's responsibility to make LLM decisions after ICBM execution.Alternatively or additionally, at least part of the information provided to the source DU in step 7 may be provided in a later step 9.

[0302] The CU-CP may send an RRC measurement configuration message with ICBM and / or LLM information to the source DU.

[0303] In step 8, the source DU confirms that it has received the information sent in step 7 by sending a response to the CU-CP. The response may be in a Configuration Response message. The response may be an RRC Configuration Response.

[0304] In step 9, the CU-CP sends a reconfiguration message to the UE. The reconfiguration message may be an RRC reconfiguration message. This may be done via the source DU. The reconfiguration message may include: measurement configuration, ICBM configuration, and / or LLM configuration. The LLM configuration may be an LLM target cell configuration.

[0305] In step 10, the user equipment may apply measurement and pre-ICBM related configurations. The UE may store the ICBM / LLM configuration to be applied when performing an ICBM / LLM cell change. The UE may send a reconfiguration complete message to the CU-CP. This may be done via the source DU. This may be an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0306] In step 11, based on the received measurement configuration, the UE performs measurements and reports the measurements to the source DU. This may be an L1 measurement.

[0307] In step 12, the source DU may decide to trigger ICBM. This is done in step 13 by sending a command to the UE. The command indicates to the UE that it should monitor and receive data from the specified target DU beam while monitoring the common search space of the source DU. The command may be a TCI state switch command. The TCI state switch command may be sent via DCI or MAC-CE.

[0308] In step 14, the UE sends an acknowledgement to the source DU.

[0309] In step 15, the UE performs a handover. In other words, the UE uses one or more beams of the target DU. This can be a TCI state switch.

[0310] In step 16, the UE transmits data via the target DU designated beam (e.g., using PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel), PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel), and / or PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel)).

[0311] In step 17, the UE measures the beam measurement and reports it to the target DU. This may be an L1 measurement. The measurement will be of one or more beams of the target DU. The measurement may be of one or more beams of the source DU.

[0312] In step 18, based on the received measurement values, the target DU may decide to perform LLM. The measurement values ​​may be source DU measurement values, target DU measurement values, and / or measurement values ​​of one or more other neighboring cells. For example, this may occur when the RSRP / RSRQ (reference signal received power / reference signal received quality) reported by the UE from the target DU is higher than that of the source DU.

[0313] In step 19, the target DU may optionally inform the CU-CP of the LLM decision. This may allow faster and / or better resource management at the CU-CP by releasing reserved resources of other cells more quickly. This indication may be used as a trigger for providing additional cell-specific / full beam management configurations (e.g., a complete TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) state list). In some embodiments, this step is optional.

[0314] In step 20, the target DU triggers LLM. The target DU may trigger LLM by sending a MAC-CE of LLM to the UE.

[0315] The UE then acknowledges the received command and potentially performs a random access in step 21. Since a link already exists between the user equipment and the target DU, this procedure can be handled without using RACH (Random Access Channel).

[0316] In step 22, the UE then starts monitoring the search space of the target DU. This can be a common search space and / or a UE-specific search space. The UE applies the LLM configuration and sends a complete command to the CU-CP in step 23 to indicate that the LLM reconfiguration has been completed. This can be an RRC complete command.

[0317] In step 24, the CU-CP notifies the source DU that the source DU will release the resources allocated to the UE.

[0318] Some embodiments may send both LLM and ICBM configurations to the UE in one signaling. This may be advantageous.

[0319] Some embodiments may require no additional signaling and no delay in preparing and triggering the LLM process. This may be advantageous.

[0320] In some embodiments, since the target DU is responsible for making the final LLM decision, there is no need to forward the L1 measurement report (see step 17) to the CU-CP or source DU. This may be advantageous.

[0321] In some embodiments, the target DU controlling the non-serving cell in ICBM will receive L1 beam measurements from the UE in order to trigger low layer mobility of the UE when needed.

[0322] refer to Figure 5 , which shows another signal flow of some embodiments, where the target DU is responsible for making LLM decisions. In this example signal flow, the CU-CP may decide to configure the LLM decision to the target DU after establishing ICBM and receiving additional measurement reports, instead of Figure 4 As discussed, the UE is configured with both ICBM and LLM configurations.

[0323] exist Figure 5 In the example, steps 1 to 3 correspond to Figure 4 However, the Figure 4 Step 4.

[0324] In step 4, the CU-CP sends a UE request to the target DU and indicates that this is for ICBM. This may be a UE context establishment request.

[0325] In step 5, the target DU sends a UE response to the CU-CP with the relevant target DU related configuration of the ICBM. This may be a UE context setup response.

[0326] In step 6, the CU-CP sends a modification request to the source DU. This may be a UE context modification request.

[0327] In step 7, the source DU sends a UE response to the CU-CP. This may be a UE context modification response.

[0328] In step 8, the CU-CP sends a reconfiguration message to the UE. This may be an RRC reconfiguration message. This may be done via the source DU. The reconfiguration message may include measurement configuration and / or ICBM configuration.

[0329] In step 9, the user equipment may apply measurement and pre-ICBM related configurations. The UE may store the ICBM configuration to be applied when performing an ICBM cell change. The UE may send an RRC reconfiguration complete message to the CU-CP. This may be an RRC reconfiguration complete message. This may be done via the source DU.

[0330] Steps 10 to 15 correspond to Figure 4 Steps 11 to 15.

[0331] In step 16, the UE sends an L1 and / or L3 measurement report to the CU-CP. This may be done via the target DU.

[0332] In step 17, the CU-CP determines that LLM initiated by the target DU will be allowed.

[0333] In step 18, the CU-CP is configured to send the LLM configuration to the target DU.

[0334] In step 19, the target DU is configured to send an LLM configuration response to the CU-CP.

[0335] In step 20, the CU-CP is configured to send LLM information to the source DU.

[0336] In step 21, the CU-CP is configured to send the LLM configuration to the UE via the target DU.

[0337] Steps 22 to 29 correspond to Figure 4 Steps 17 to 24.

[0338] In some embodiments, the source DU is responsible for making the LLM decision.

[0339] In this case, the CU can provide measurement configuration and reporting to the UE.

[0340] In coordination with both the source DU and the target DU, the CU may then collect and share the required LLM and ICBM configurations and / or parameters between the source DU, the target DU, and the UE.

[0341] After the execution of ICBM, the UE may be configured to measure L1 measurements by borrowing the beam and report it to the target DU.

[0342] The target DU may then forward the measurements to the source DU over the inter-DU interface or via the CU-CP.

[0343] Based on the received measurements, the source DU may decide to perform LLM and send the LLM decision to the target DU. This may be done directly or via the CU-CP.

[0344] The target DU may then send a LLM execute message to the UE. This may be part of the MAC-CE.

[0345] The UE may then switch cells by starting to apply the LLM specific configuration and monitor the common search space of the target DU.

[0346] refer to Figure 6 , which shows an example signaling flow where the source DU is responsible for making the LLM decision.

[0347] and Figure 4 Compared to the signal flow shown in , the CU-CP configures the target DU to forward the L1 beam measurement to the source DU (step 4).

[0348] exist Figure 6 In the above example, steps 1 and 2 correspond to Figure 4 steps.

[0349] In step 3, the CU-CP determines to add ICBM and LLM to better serve the UE. The determination is based on the measurement report. The determination may take into account one or more other factors, such as traffic load and UL / DL (uplink / downlink) interference at the source and / or target DU.

[0350] Steps 4 and 5 correspond to Figure 4 Steps 5 and 6.

[0351] In step 6, the CU-CP sends a modification request with LLM information to the source DU. This can be a UE context modification request. Therefore, the source DU is configured to forward the LLM command to the target DU after the ICBM operation is initiated.

[0352] In step 7, the source DU sends a modification response to the CU-CP. This may be a UE context modification response.

[0353] Steps 8 to 16 correspond to Figure 4 Follow steps 9 to 17.

[0354] In step 17, an L1 measurement report is sent from the target DU to the CU-CP.

[0355] In step 18, an L1 measurement report is sent from the CU-CP to the source DU.

[0356] In step 19, based on the received measurements, the source DU may decide to perform LLM. This may be done using Figure 4 Standards similar to those outlined in .

[0357] In step 20, the source DU may inform the CU-CP of the LLM decision.

[0358] In step 21, the CU-CP may inform the target DU of the LLM decision.

[0359] Steps 22 to 26 correspond to Figure 4 Steps 20 to 24.

[0360] When there is a direct connection between the source DU and the target DU, the L1 measurement report can be sent directly from the target DU to the source DU. (This will replace Figure 6 Steps 17 and 18).

[0361] When there is a direct connection between the source DU and the target DU, the LLM command can be sent directly from the source DU to the target DU. This will replace Figure 6 Steps 20 and 21).

[0362] When the UE is served by a non-serving cell in ICBM, the source DU may enable receiving L1 beam measurements from the target DU. Based on the received measurements, the source DU may be able to trigger LLM.

[0363] exist Figure 6 In one modification of the signal flow shown, the CU-CP may provide LLM authority to the source DU after receiving the measurement report in step 17. In this modification, LLM is established only when the CU-CP receives the measurement report and determines that LLM initiated by the source DU will be allowed.

[0364] In some embodiments, the CU-CP may be responsible for making LLM decisions.

[0365] The CU-CP may provide both ICBM and LLM configurations to the UE.

[0366] The CU-CP may provide the required ICBM configuration to the source DU and the target DU.

[0367] After the execution of ICBM, the UE is configured to measure L1 measurements and report them to the target DU by borrowing the beam.

[0368] The target DU then forwards the measurements to the CU-CP.

[0369] Based on the received measurements, the CU-CP may decide to perform LLM and send the LLM decision to the target DU.

[0370] The target DU then sends a LLM execute message to the UE. This can be a MAC-CE.

[0371] The UE then switches cells by starting to apply the LLM specific configuration and monitoring the common search space of the target DU.

[0372] refer to Figure 7 , which shows an example of signal flow in which the CU-CP makes an LLM decision.

[0373] Figure 7 Steps 1 to 17 correspond to Figure 6Steps 1 to 17 of the process. In this process, the target DU is configured to forward the L1 measurement report to the CU-CP in step 17. In step 17, the amount of L1-RSRP reported to the CU may be limited by the target DU. For example, if the new report will contain the same or similar information as the previous information, the report will not be forwarded, or if the top N beams in the L1-RSRP report are the same, the report will not be forwarded. Alternatively or additionally, the forwarded L1-RSRP report may include an averaged / filtered L1-RSRP report / measurement. A report may be triggered when the difference between at least one of the reported target DU beams is XdB higher than the highest source DU beam.

[0374] The CU-CP makes an LLM decision in step 18. The CU-CP decides to perform LLM based on the received report.

[0375] In step 19, the CU-CP sends the LLM decision to the target DU.

[0376] Steps 20 to 24 correspond to Figure 6 Steps 22 to 26.

[0377] It should be noted that in step 6, the source DU may be configured to disable LLM triggering to the target DU after the ICBM operation is initiated.

[0378] It should be noted that after step 12, the triggering of ICBM operation is indicated to the CU-CP. This can be done by forwarding the L1-RSRP to the CU-CP. The CU-CP uses this indication to determine whether it can initiate the LLM procedure to the UE.

[0379] The CU-CP may enable receiving L1 beam measurements from non-serving cells in ICBM in order to decide LLM.

[0380] Some embodiments may allow triggering LLM when the UE is served by a non-serving cell in ICBM, which improves mobility robustness, provided that configuration and preparation of LLM can be provided in advance.

[0381] refer to Fig.13 , which illustrates a first method of some embodiments.

[0382] The method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be provided in a radio access node. The apparatus may be in a central unit, a source node or a target node, or may be a central unit, a source node or a target node.

[0383] The apparatus may comprise suitable circuitry for providing the method.

[0384] Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least provide the following method.

[0385] Alternatively or additionally, the device may be as described with respect to Fig. 9 described.

[0386] The method may be provided by computer program code or computer executable instructions.

[0387] The method may include, as indicated by reference numeral T1 , receiving measurement report information provided by a communication device that uses a beam associated with a cell of a target node while being connected to a source node.

[0388] The method may include: as indicated by reference numeral T2, based on the measurement report, determining that the communication device is to change the cell to a target cell of the target node or another target node.

[0389] The method may include causing information of a cell change to a target cell to be provided to the communication device, as indicated by reference numeral T3.

[0390] It should be understood that Fig.13 The methods outlined in may be modified to include any of the previously described features.

[0391] refer to Fig.14 , which illustrates a second method of some embodiments.

[0392] The method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be in a communication device or be a communication device.

[0393] The apparatus may comprise suitable circuitry for providing the method.

[0394] Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least provide the following method.

[0395] Alternatively or additionally, the device may be as described with respect to Fig.10 described.

[0396] The method may be provided by computer program code or computer executable instructions.

[0397] The method may include, as indicated by reference numeral A1 , causing a measurement report to be sent from a communications device that, while connected to a source node, uses a beam associated with a cell of a target node.

[0398] The method may include: as indicated by reference numeral A2, in response to the measurement report, receiving information indicating that the communication device is to change the cell to a target cell of the target node.

[0399] It should be understood that Fig.14 The methods outlined in may be modified to include any of the previously described features.

[0400] refer to Fig.15 , which illustrates a third method of some embodiments.

[0401] The method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be provided in a radio access node. The apparatus may be in or be a central unit.

[0402] The apparatus may comprise suitable circuitry for providing the method.

[0403] Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least provide the following method.

[0404] Alternatively or additionally, the device may be as described with respect to Fig. 9 described.

[0405] The method may be provided by computer program code or computer executable instructions.

[0406] The method may include, as indicated by reference numeral B1 , configuring the target node or the source node to make a low layer mobility decision for a user equipment that uses a beam associated with a cell of the target node while being connected to the source node.

[0407] It should be understood that Fig.15 The methods outlined in may be modified to include any of the previously described features.

[0408] refer to Fig.16 , which illustrates a fourth method of some embodiments.

[0409] The method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be arranged in a radio access node. The apparatus may be in a central unit or be a central unit.

[0410] The apparatus may comprise suitable circuitry for providing the method.

[0411] Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least provide the following method.

[0412] Alternatively or additionally, the device may be as described with respect to Fig. 9described.

[0413] The method may be provided by computer program code or computer executable instructions.

[0414] The method may include: as indicated by reference numeral C1, configuring the target node to forward a low-layer mobility report to be used for a low-layer mobility cell change decision of a user equipment, which uses a beam associated with a cell of the target node while being connected to the source node.

[0415] It should be understood that Fig.16 The methods outlined in may be modified to include any of the previously described features.

[0416] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of a non-volatile storage medium 900a or 900b storing instructions and / or parameters is shown, which when executed by a processor allows the processor to perform one or more steps of the method of any embodiment. The non-volatile storage medium can be a computer disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD) schematically marked as 900a, or a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick schematically marked as 900b. Computer instructions or codes can be downloaded and stored in one or more memories. The storage medium can store instructions and / or parameters 902, which when executed by the processor, allow the processor to perform one or more steps of the method of the embodiment. The computer program code can be downloaded and stored in one or more memories of the device.

[0417] It should be noted that while the above describes exemplifying embodiments, there are numerous variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0418] Thus, although certain embodiments are described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures of wireless networks, technologies and standards, the embodiments may be applied to any other suitable form of communication system than shown and described herein.

[0419] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “<at least one of a list of two or more elements>” and similar expressions (wherein a list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”) refer to at least any one of these elements, or at least any two or more of these elements, or at least all of these elements.

[0420] In general, various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software, which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. Although various aspects of the disclosure may be shown and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representation, it is well understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0421] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one, more, or all of the following:

[0422] (a) hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation in analog and / or digital circuitry only), and

[0423] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (where applicable):

[0424] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, and

[0425] (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) (including digital signal processor(s)) with software, software, and memory(s) that work together to enable a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions), and

[0426] (c) Hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s), that require software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but in which the software may not be present when not required for operation.

[0427] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, if applicable to a particular claim element, the term circuitry also covers a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0428] The example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of a mobile device, such as in a processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or programs (also referred to as program products, including software routines, applets and / or macros) may be stored in any device-readable data storage medium, and they include program instructions for performing specific tasks. A computer program product may include one or more computer executable components that are configured to perform an embodiment when the program is running. One or more computer executable components may be at least one software code or a portion thereof.

[0429] Furthermore, in this regard, it should be noted that any block of the logic flow as shown in the figure may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, boxes and functions. The software may be stored on physical media implemented within a processor such as memory chips or memory blocks, magnetic media such as hard disks or floppy disks, and optical media such as DVDs and their data variants CDs. Physical media are non-transitory media.

[0430] As used herein, the term "non-transitory" is a restriction on the medium itself (ie, tangible, not a signal), not on the persistence of data storage (eg, RAM vs. ROM).

[0431] The memory may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. The data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an FPGA, a gate-level circuit, and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

[0432] Example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is generally a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available to convert logic level designs into semiconductor circuit designs for etching and formation on semiconductor substrates.

[0433] The claims define the scope of protection sought by various embodiments of the present disclosure. Embodiments and features described in this specification that do not belong to the scope of the claims, if any, are to be construed as examples that help understand the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0434] It should be noted that different claims with different claim scopes may be pursued in related applications such as divisional or continuation applications.

[0435] The foregoing description provides a complete and informative description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure by way of non-limiting examples. However, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims, various modifications and adjustments may be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art in view of the foregoing description. However, all of these and similar modifications of the teachings of the present disclosure will still fall within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. In fact, there are additional embodiments that may include a combination of one or more embodiments with any other embodiments previously discussed.

Claims

1. A device comprising: means for receiving measurement report information provided by a communication device, the communication device using a beam associated with a cell of a target node while connected to a source node; means for determining, based on the measurement report, that the communication device is to change a cell to be a target cell of the target node or another target node; as well as Information for causing a cell change to the target cell will be provided to components of the communication device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the measurement report comprises an L1 measurement report.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information provided to the communication device comprises: An indication of low-layer mobility.

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: Low layer mobility configuration information is received from a central unit.

5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: Such that information about said determination will be provided to the central unit.

6. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving comprises: The measurement report information is received in the target node from the communication device, the determining comprises determining in the target node that the communication device is to change cells, and causing information to be provided to the communication device comprises causing the information to be sent from the target node to the communication device.

7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is in or provided by the target node.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the receiving component is used to receive the measurement report information from a control unit or a target node in the source node, and the determining component is used to determine in the source node that the communication device is to change the cell.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the means for causing information to be provided to the communication device is for causing the information to be provided to the communication device via the target node.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 8 or 9, wherein the apparatus is in or provided by the source node.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the receiving component is used to receive the measurement report information from the target node in a central unit, and the determining component is used to determine in the central unit that the communication device is to change cells.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for causing information to be provided to the communication device is for causing the information to be provided to the communication device via the target node.

13. The device according to any one of claims 11 to 12, comprising: The target node is configured, by the central unit, to send the measurement report to the central unit.

14. An arrangement according to claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the arrangement is in or provided by the central unit.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measurement report is sent by the communication device to the target node.

16. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication device operates in an inter-cell beam management mode when using a beam associated with a target cell while connected to a source cell.

17. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the target node and the source node are distributed units of radio access nodes.

18. Apparatus according to claim 15 as appended to any one of claims 4, 5 and 11 to 15, wherein the radio access network node comprises the central unit.

19. An apparatus comprising: means for causing a measurement report to be sent from a communications device using a beam associated with a cell of a target node while connected to a source node; as well as means for receiving, in response to the measurement report, information indicating that the communications device is to change cell to a target cell of the target node.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the measurement report comprises an L1 measurement report.

21. The apparatus according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the information received by the communication device comprises: An indication of low-layer mobility.

22. An apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the communication device operates in an inter-cell beam management mode when using a beam associated with a target cell while connected to a source cell.

23. The device according to any one of claims 19 to 22, comprising: Means for providing information to a network node, the information indicating that the communications device is configured to support switching from inter-cell beam management mode operation to low layer mobility cell change operation without disconnecting the inter-cell beam management mode operation.

24. The device according to any one of claims 19 to 23, comprising: Means for providing information to a network node, the information indicating that the communications device is configured to support coexistence of inter-cell beam management and low layer mobility.

25. An apparatus comprising: Means for configuring, by a central unit, a target node or a source node to make low layer mobility decisions for a user equipment that, while connected to the source node, uses a beam associated with a cell of the target node.

26. An apparatus comprising: Means for configuring, by a central unit, the target node to forward low layer mobility reports to be used for low layer mobility cell change decisions for user equipment using a beam associated with a cell of the target node while connected to a source node.

27. A method comprising: receiving measurement report information provided by a communication device that uses a beam associated with a cell of a target node while connected to a source node; Based on the measurement report, determining that the communication device is to change a cell to be a target cell of the target node or another target node; as well as Information causing a cell change to the target cell will be provided to the communication device.

28. A method comprising: causing a measurement report to be sent from a communications device that, while connected to the source node, uses a beam associated with a cell of the target node; as well as In response to the measurement report, information indicating that the communication device is to change a cell to a target cell of the target node is received.

29. The method of claim 27 or 28, wherein the measurement report comprises an L1 measurement report.

30. The method of any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein the communications device operates in an inter-cell beam management mode when using a beam associated with a target cell while connected to a source cell.

31. A method comprising: The target node or the source node is configured by a central unit to make low-layer mobility decisions for user equipment that uses a beam associated with a cell of the target node while connected to the source node.

32. A method comprising: The target node is configured by the central unit to forward low layer mobility reports to be used for low layer mobility cell change decisions for user equipment using a beam associated with a cell of the target node while connected to the source node.

33. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of claims 27 to 32.

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