Quality of experience measurement reporting

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to QoE measurement reporting. A terminal device receives, from a first network device, a message indicating a pause of a QoE report to the first network device. The terminal device then sends a message to the first network device for requesting an SRB configuration with the second network device. Next, the terminal device transmits a QoE measurement result to the second network device based on the received SRB configuration. Therefore, a timely and effective QoE measurement report mechanism is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various example embodiments relate to the field of telecommunications, and in particular to methods, devices, apparatus, and computer-readable storage media for quality of experience measurement reporting. Background Art

[0002] In the field of communications, there is a continuous development to provide efficient and reliable solutions for utilizing wireless communication networks. Each new generation of technology faces technical challenges in handling different situations and processes required to connect and serve devices connected to the wireless network. In order to meet the increased demand for wireless data services since the deployment of the fourth generation (4G) communication system, people have been working hard to develop improved fifth generation (5G) or pre-5G communication systems. The new communication system can support various types of service applications for terminal devices.

[0003] In a wireless environment, the user experience at the terminal device will be affected by various factors, such as applicability, flexibility, mobility, security, cost, stability, etc. In order to evaluate the user experience, Quality of Experience (QoE) is provided to measure the user's pleasure or annoyance of the service (e.g., web browsing, phone calls, TV broadcasts). An efficient solution is still the ideal choice to improve the user experience. Summary of the invention

[0004] In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for quality of experience measurement reporting.

[0005] In a first aspect, a terminal device in a radio access network is provided. The terminal device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, enable the terminal device to: after receiving a suspension indication for QoE measurement reporting, send an AS measurement report to a first network device in the radio access network based on an AS measurement configuration that enables continuity of the QoE measurement report, or send a request for the AS measurement configuration; receive an SRB configuration, the SRB configuration being used to establish an SRB for QoE measurement reporting between the terminal device and a second network device in the radio access network; and send the QoE measurement report to the second network device via the established SRB.

[0006] In a second aspect, a first network device in a radio access network is provided. The first network device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, enable the first network device to: receive an AS measurement report associated with a terminal device in the radio access network, or receive a request for an AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement report continuity for the terminal device, the AS measurement report being generated based on the AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement report continuity; obtain an SRB configuration, the SRB configuration being used to establish an SRB for QoE measurement reporting for the terminal device; and send the SRB configuration for establishing the SRB to the terminal device.

[0007] In a third aspect, a second network device in a radio access network is provided. The second network device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, enable the second network device to: receive a request from a first network device in the radio access network to establish an SRB for QoE measurement reporting between a terminal device in the radio access network and the second network device; send an SRB configuration for establishing the SRB to the first network device or the terminal device; and receive a QoE measurement report from the terminal device via the established SRB.

[0008] In a fourth aspect, a method implemented at a terminal device is provided. The method comprises: after receiving a suspension indication for QoE measurement reporting, at the terminal device in the radio access network, sending an AS measurement report to a first network device in the radio access network based on an AS measurement configuration that enables continuity of the QoE measurement report, or sending a request for an AS measurement configuration; receiving an SRB configuration for establishing an SRB for QoE measurement reporting between the terminal device and a second network device in the radio access network; and sending the QoE measurement report to the second network device via the established SRB.

[0009] In a fifth aspect, a method implemented at a network device is provided. The method comprises: receiving, at a first network device in a radio access network, an AS measurement report associated with a terminal device in the radio access network, or receiving a request for an AS measurement configuration enabling continuity of a QoE measurement report for the terminal device, the AS measurement report being generated based on the AS measurement configuration enabling continuity of the QoE measurement report; obtaining an SRB configuration, the SRB configuration being used to establish an SRB for the QoE measurement report for the terminal device; and sending the SRB configuration for establishing the SRB to the terminal device.

[0010] In a sixth aspect, a method implemented at another network device is provided. The method comprises: receiving, at a second network device in a radio access network, a request from a first network device in the radio access network to establish an SRB for QoE measurement reporting between a terminal device in the radio access network and the second network device; sending an SRB configuration for establishing the SRB to the first network device or the terminal device; and receiving a QoE measurement report from the terminal device via the established SRB.

[0011] In a seventh aspect, a device is provided, comprising: a component for sending an AS measurement report to a first network device in the radio access network, or sending a request for an AS measurement configuration, based on an AS measurement configuration that enables continuity of QoE measurement reports at a terminal device in the radio access network after receiving a pause indication for QoE measurement reports; a component for receiving an SRB configuration for establishing an SRB for QoE measurement reports between the terminal device and a second network device in the radio access network; and a component for sending the QoE measurement report to the second network device via the established SRB.

[0012] In an eighth aspect, a device is provided, comprising: a component for receiving, at a first network device in the radio access network, an AS measurement report associated with a terminal device in the radio access network, or receiving a request for an AS measurement configuration for enabling QoE measurement report continuity for the terminal device, the AS measurement report being generated based on the AS measurement configuration for enabling QoE measurement report continuity; a component for acquiring an SRB configuration for establishing an SRB for QoE measurement reporting for the terminal device; and a component for sending the SRB configuration for establishing the SRB to the terminal device.

[0013] In a ninth aspect, a device is provided, comprising: a component for receiving, at a second network device in the radio access network, a request from a first network device in the radio access network to establish an SRB for QoE measurement reporting between a terminal device in the radio access network and the second network device; a component for sending an SRB configuration for establishing the SRB to the first network device or the terminal device; and a component for receiving the QoE measurement report from the terminal device via the established SRB.

[0014] In a tenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, the non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least execute a method according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects above.

[0015] In an eleventh aspect, a terminal device in a radio access network is provided, the terminal device comprising: a first sending circuit system configured to send an AS measurement report to a first network device in the radio access network, or send a request for an AS measurement configuration based on an AS measurement configuration that enables continuity of the QoE measurement report after receiving a pause indication for the QoE measurement report; a receiving circuit system configured to receive an SRB configuration, the SRB configuration being used to establish an SRB for the QoE measurement report between the terminal device and a second network device in the radio access network; and a second sending circuit system configured to send the QoE measurement report to the second network device via the established SRB.

[0016] It should be understood that the invention summary is not intended to identify the key or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 illustrates an example communication network in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0019] Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart of a process for QoE measurement reporting continuity according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 3 illustrates a flow chart of a process for QoE measurement reporting continuity according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 4 illustrates a flow chart of a process for QoE measurement reporting continuity according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 5 illustrates a flow chart of a process for QoE measurement reporting continuity according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 6 A flowchart of a method implemented at a terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated;

[0024] Figure 7 A flowchart of a method implemented at a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated;

[0025] Figure 8 A flowchart of a method implemented at a network device according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated;

[0026] Fig. 9 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0027] Fig.10 A block diagram of an example computer-readable medium is illustrated in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described only for illustrative purposes and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, and do not represent any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various other ways except for the way described below.

[0030] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0031] In this disclosure, references to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," and "an example embodiment" indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment must include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. In addition, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with an embodiment, those skilled in the art believe that it is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0032] It should be understood that although the terms "first" and "second" etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the example embodiments, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0033] The terms used herein are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit exemplary embodiments. The singular forms "a", "an" and "the" used herein also include plural forms, unless the context clearly states otherwise. It is further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "has", "having", "includes" and / or "including" specify the presence of described features, elements and / or components when used in this article, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or their combinations. As used herein, "at least one of the following: <list of two or more elements>" and "at least one of the lists of <two or more elements>" and similar wordings (wherein the 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.

[0034] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one, more, or all of the following:

[0035] (a) a pure hardware circuit implementation (such as an implementation using only analog and / or digital circuitry), and

[0036] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (where applicable):

[0037] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and

[0038] (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

[0039] (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 which may not be present when the software is not required for operation.

[0040] 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 (or their) 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.

[0041] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that follows any suitable communication standard, such as long term evolution (LTE), advanced LTE (LTE-A), wideband code division multiplexing (WCDMA), high speed packet access (HSPA), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. In addition, the communication between the terminal equipment and the network equipment in the communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocols, including but not limited to the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, future fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. In view of the rapid development of communication, there will certainly be communication technologies and systems that can be used to embody future types of the present disclosure. It should not be regarded as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to the above-mentioned systems.

[0042] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services from the network. Depending on the terminology and technology applied, a network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), such as a NodeB (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a new radio (NR) NB (also known as a gNB), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, a low-power node (such as a femto, a pico), etc.

[0043] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. As an example and not limitation, the terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, a user equipment (UE), a subscriber station (SS), a portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS) or an access terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone, a wireless local loop phone, a tablet computer, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a desktop computer, an image capture terminal device (such as a digital camera), a game terminal device, a music storage and playback device, a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, a laptop embedded device (LEE), a laptop mounted device (LME), a USB dongle, a smart device, a wireless customer premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable device, a head mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, medical equipment and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial equipment and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in industrial and / or automated processing chain environments), consumer electronic devices, equipment operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, etc. In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device", "terminal", "user equipment" and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

[0044] QoE is usually defined as a parameter used to describe the quality of service (QoS) for certain applications / services. QoE measurement reports are essential to ensure good network services. However, in practice, QoE measurement reports may need to be processed in the case of RAN overload.

[0045] In view of RAN overload conditions, the pause / resume mechanism in Rel-17 has been standardized for NR standalone scenarios. In order to alleviate RAN overload during an ongoing QoE session, QoE reporting should be able to be temporarily stopped and restarted under the control of the gNB. The mechanism in Rel-17 enables QoE measurement collection control in standalone deployments (MN only). In this way, the UE must buffer the QoE report data to wait for the system overload state to recover, and the UE does not know how long the UE can receive the resume command. The NR enhanced QoE WI in Rel-18 aims to extend the QoE measurement functionality to NR dual connectivity (DC) scenarios. In a valid use case for the NR-DC scenario, one branch (MN branch) is suspended by the network node, and the other branch (SN branch generated by DC) can be used to send QoE measurement report data to maintain reporting continuity.

[0046] Although the NR-DC architecture alleviates the reporting problem in certain RAN overload situations, a timely and effective QoE measurement reporting mechanism is still needed for continuous reporting in other RAN overload situations where reporting cannot be achieved (for example, both branches (MN branch and SN branch) in the NR-DC scenario cannot be used to send QoE measurement report data).

[0047] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a solution for improved QoE measurement reporting is provided. A terminal device receives a message from a first network device indicating to suspend QoE reporting to the first network device. Then, the terminal device sends a message to the first network device for requesting SRB configuration with a second network device. Next, the terminal device sends a QoE measurement result to the second network device based on the received SRB configuration. Therefore, a timely and effective QoE measurement reporting mechanism is provided.

[0048] The principles and embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that these embodiments are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application in any way.

[0049] First reference Figure 1 , which illustrates an example communication system 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. Figure 1 As shown, system 100 includes two network devices, such as network device 111 (which may be regarded as a first network device herein) and network device 112 (which may be regarded as a second network device or another network device herein). It should be understood that network device 111 and network device 112 can be used interchangeably. In other words, network device 111 can be regarded as a second network device or another network device, and network device 112 can be regarded as a first network device. Network devices 111 and 112 can each have a set of corresponding antenna ports. Network devices 111 and 112 can each operate using different frequency bands in both DL and UL. In a communication system, "UL" refers to a communication link in the direction from a terminal device to a network device, and "DL" refers to a communication link in the direction from a network device to a terminal device.

[0050] System 100 also includes one or more terminal devices, such as terminal device 120. Depending on the location of the terminal device in the cells of network devices 111 and 112, terminal device 120 can be connected (e.g., wirelessly) to either or both of network devices 111 or 112 and communicate with them in UL and DL. Terminal device 120 can be configured to communicate with the network via one or more TRPs (e.g., 2 TRPs). The two TRPs can be located in the same cell (intra-cell TRP) or in different cells (inter-cell TRP).

[0051] It should be understood that Figure 1 In the embodiment, the number of network devices and terminal devices is for illustration purposes only and does not represent any limitation. System 100 may include any suitable number of network devices and terminal devices suitable for implementing the embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, system 100 may include network device 113 (which may be considered as a third network device in this document)

[0052] The communication in the communication system 100 can be implemented according to any appropriate communication protocol, including but not limited to third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G) and fifth generation (5G) or higher generation cellular communication protocols, wireless local area network communication protocols such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and / or any other protocol currently known or to be developed in the future. In addition, the communication can utilize any appropriate wireless communication technology, including but not limited to: code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division duplex (FDD), time division duplex (TDD), multiple input multiple output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technology currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0053] Reference now Figure 2 , which illustrates a process 200 for QoE measurement report continuity according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to Figure 1 Process 200 is described. Process 200 may involve Figure 1 The terminal device 120 and the network devices 111, 112 are shown. It should be understood that any graphical elements, numerical values ​​and descriptive texts in these figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent any limitation.

[0054] In process 200, after receiving a suspension indication for QoE measurement reporting, the terminal device 120 sends (202) an AS measurement report 203 to a network device 111 in the radio access network based on an AS measurement configuration enabling continuity of QoE measurement reporting, or sends (202) a request 203 for an AS measurement configuration.

[0055] In some embodiments, the request for the AS measurement configuration may be sent via an uplink radio resource control (RRC) message. On the network side, the network device 111 may send an AS measurement configuration that enables QoE measurement report continuity to the terminal device 120. Therefore, the terminal device 120 may receive an AS measurement configuration that enables QoE measurement report continuity from the network device 111. In the example, the AS measurement configuration is received via an RRC reconfiguration message. The AS measurement configuration includes an indication that the AS measurement configuration is configured to support QoE measurement report continuity.

[0056] For example, the terminal device 120 may receive the AS measurement configuration from the network device 112. As another example, the terminal device 120 may receive the AS measurement configuration from the network device 111 and the network device 112.

[0057] In some embodiments, the AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement report continuity may include: a measurement event with a threshold, configured to trigger an AS measurement report within a time period for measurement event operation determined based on the requirement for QoE measurement report continuity; periodic measurement within a time period for periodic measurement operation determined based on the requirement for QoE measurement report continuity; or a timer, used to enable the terminal device 120 to report available measurement results based on the expiration of the timer even if no measurement result reaches the configured threshold; or any combination thereof.

[0058] In some embodiments, on the network side, the network device 111 may send a pause indication for the QoE measurement report to the terminal device 120. Therefore, based on receiving the pause indication for the QoE measurement report, the terminal device 120 performs measurement based on the AS measurement configuration to generate the AS measurement report. Alternatively, the pause indication may be received from the network device 112.

[0059] In some embodiments, terminal device 120 is in dual connectivity mode, network device 111 is a master node (MN), and network device 112 is a secondary node (SN). The pause indication may be received from both network device 111 and network device 112. Alternatively, network device 111 is a SN, and network device 112 is a MN.

[0060] In some embodiments, in a scenario where the terminal device 120 is in a dual connection mode, where the terminal device 120 has connections with the network device 111 and the network device 112, if one network device has suspended the QoE measurement report of the terminal device 120, it is necessary to notify the other network device to avoid the suspension in the other branch for QoE report continuity. The network device 111 may send an indication to the network device 112 that the QoE measurement report through the network device 111 is suspended. Alternatively, the network device 112 may send an indication to the network device 111 that the QoE measurement report through the network device 112 is suspended.

[0061] In some embodiments, the terminal device 120 may send an AS measurement report or request in the following manner: based on receiving a pause indication for the QoE measurement report, determining whether the terminal device 120 is configured with an AS measurement configuration that enables continuity of the QoE measurement report; based on determining that the terminal device 120 is configured with the AS measurement configuration, sending an AS measurement report; and based on determining that the terminal device 120 is not configured with the measurement configuration, sending a request for the AS measurement configuration.

[0062] Alternatively, the terminal device 120 may send an AS measurement report or request based on the following situation: determining that the amount of buffered data for the QoE measurement report is equal to or greater than a threshold. On the network side, the network device 111 may configure a threshold for causing the terminal device 120 to send an AS measurement report based on determining that the amount of buffered data for the QoE measurement report at the terminal device 120 is equal to or greater than the threshold.

[0063] Continue to refer Figure 2 On the network side, the network device 111 receives ( 204 ) an AS measurement report associated with the terminal device 120 , or receives ( 204 ) a request for an AS measurement configuration to enable continuity of QoE measurement reports for the terminal device 120 .

[0064] In some embodiments, in a scenario where the terminal device 120 is in dual connection mode, where the network device 111 is the MN of the terminal device 120 and the network device 112 is the SN of the terminal device 120, the network device 111 may send information about the overload state of the network device 111 to the network device 112 to request the network device 112 to coordinate the QoE measurement report continuity. Alternatively, the network device 112 may send information about the overload state of the network device 112 to the network device 111 to request the network device 111 to suspend the QoE measurement report through the network device 112.

[0065] In some embodiments, network device 111 may select network device 112 as a target network device from a plurality of candidate network devices based on the received AS measurement report. For example, network device 111 may select a target network device based on determining that terminal device 120 is in standalone mode. Network device 111 may initiate a dual connection establishment process with network device 112, and thus, network device 112 may be an MN, and network device 112 may be an SN. As another example, in a scenario where terminal device 120 is in dual connection mode, where terminal device 120 has connections with network device 111 and network device 112, network device 111 may select a target secondary PSCell for network device 112, and initiate a secondary PSCell change process to network device 112.

[0066] Continue to refer Figure 2, based on receiving the AS measurement report or request from the terminal device 120, the network device 111 sends (206) to the network device 112 a request 207 for establishing an SRB between the terminal device 120 and the network device 112. In an example, the network device 111 may send the request for establishing the SRB by sending an SN add message or an SN modify message to the network device 112, the message including an indication for requesting the network device 112 to establish the SRB. Therefore, the network device 112 may receive the request for establishing the SRB by receiving the SN add message or the SN modify message from the network device 111.

[0067] For example, when the UE is in standalone mode, network device 111 may initiate a dual connection establishment procedure with network device 112 by sending an SN add message for establishing an SRB to network device 112. As another example, in a scenario where terminal device 120 is in dual connection mode, where terminal device 120 has connections with network device 111 and network device 112, network device 111 may initiate a secondary PSCell change procedure to network device 112 by sending an SN modify message for establishing an SRB.

[0068] Therefore, the network device 112 receives (208) a request from the network device 111 to establish an SRB for QoE measurement reporting between the terminal device 120 and the network device 112. The network device 112 sends (210) an SRB configuration 211 for establishing the SRB to the network device 111 or the terminal device 120. For example, the SRB includes at least one of the existing SRB3, the split SRB4, or the new SRB5.

[0069] Therefore, the network device 111 receives (212) an SRB configuration for establishing the SRB from the network device 112. Through the transmission (206) and reception (212), the network device 111 obtains (205) an SRB configuration for establishing the SRB for QoE measurement reporting for the terminal device 120. Then, the network device 111 sends (214) the SRB configuration 211 for establishing the SRB to the terminal device 120.

[0070] Alternatively, the SRB for QoE measurement reporting is located between terminal device 120 and network device 111. Network device 111 may obtain the SRB configuration by determining the SRB configuration for establishing the SRB between network device 111 and terminal device 120 based on receiving an AS measurement report or a request for establishing the SRB from network device 112.

[0071] Continue to refer Figure 2, the terminal device 120 receives (216) an SRB configuration for establishing an SRB for QoE measurement reporting between the terminal device 120 and the network device 112. In an example, the SRB configuration is received via an RRC reconfiguration message. The terminal device may receive the SRB configuration from the network device 111 and the network device 112.

[0072] The terminal device 120 then sends (218) the QoE measurement report to the network device 112 via the established SRB. On the network side, the network device 112 receives (220) the QoE measurement report from the terminal device 120 via the established SRB.

[0073] Alternatively, the terminal device 120 may receive an SRB configuration for establishing an SRB for QoE measurement reporting between the terminal device 120 and the network device 111. The terminal device 120 may then send the QoE measurement report to the network device 111 via the established SRB. On the network side, the network device 111 may receive the QoE measurement report from the terminal device 120 via the established SRB.

[0074] Through the above process, a timely and effective QoE measurement reporting mechanism is provided to provide reporting continuity under various RAN overload conditions. The enhanced QoE measurement reporting continuity can further improve user experience.

[0075] In some embodiments, in a scenario where the terminal device 120 is in dual connectivity mode, the network device 111 is a MN, and the network device 113 in the radio access network (eg, Figure 1 ) is the SN of the terminal device 120, and the terminal device 120 may receive the suspension indication in the following manner: after one of the suspension indication from the network device 111 and the other suspension indication from the network device 113 is previously received, the other one is received. Alternatively, the terminal device 120 may receive the suspension indication in the following manner: receiving a suspension indication from one of the network device 111 and the network device 113 that the QoE measurement report through both the network device 111 and the network device 113 is suspended.

[0076] In some embodiments, based on determining that the pause indication from network device 111 is received after the pause indication from network device 113 is received, terminal device 120 may also send a request for AS measurement configuration to network device 111 .

[0077] In some embodiments, based on determining that a pause indication is received from network device 113 after a pause indication is received from network device 111 , terminal device 120 may also send a request for AS measurement configuration to network device 113 .

[0078] In some embodiments, based on receiving a suspension indication that QoE measurement reporting by both network device 111 and network device 113 is suspended, terminal device 120 may also send a request for AS measurement configuration to one of network device 111 and network device 113 .

[0079] In some embodiments, on the network side, network device 111 may select a target network device based on determining that terminal device 120 is in dual connection mode, and network device 111 and network device 113 are connected to terminal device 120, and QoE measurement reports through both network device 111 and network device 113 are suspended.

[0080] In some embodiments, network device 111 may select another network device (e.g., network device 112) as a target network device and send a request to establish an SRB to network device 112. Thus, network device 112 may receive the request to establish an SRB and send an SRB configuration for establishing the SRB to network device 111.

[0081] In some embodiments, in a scenario where the terminal device 120 is in dual connectivity mode, where the UE has connections with both the network device 111 and the network device 112, the network device 112 may receive a request for an AS measurement configuration that enables continuity of QoE measurement reports from the terminal device 120. And, the network device 112 may send a request for the AS measurement configuration to the network device 111.

[0082] For a clearer understanding, the following will refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 Describe the solution in this article in detail.

[0083] Figure 3 An example of a process 300 for QoE measurement report continuity according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. For clarity, Figure 3 UEs with QoE configuration and reporting capabilities can be considered Figure 1 The terminal device 120 in Figure 3 The MN in can be regarded as Figure 1 The network device 111 in Figure 3 The SN in can be regarded as Figure 1 The process 300 may be performed at a network device 112 in Figure 1 The method is performed in a scenario where the terminal device 120 is in a standalone mode, for example, in a scenario where the terminal device 120 only has a connection with the network device 111 to send QoE measurement report data to the network.

[0084] exist Figure 3In the process 300, the UE may be in a standalone state and configured with QoE measurements. In the process 300, the MN (serving gNB) may configure a special event or periodic measurement dedicated to the continuity of QoE reporting for the UE. More specifically, as Figure 3 As shown, the MN sends an RRCReconfiguration message to the UE with AS measurement configuration, wherein a special indication is added in measConfig (or appLayerMeasConfig) to indicate that it is a special measurement configuration for QoE report continuity.

[0085] In addition, in order to quickly trigger the measurement report, measConfig may contain events A1 / A3 / A5 / B1 / B2 with lower thresholds for AS measurement reporting. In other words, a lower threshold may be set in the QoE reporting dedicated event Ax / Bx measurement. It should be understood that instead of the lower threshold, a higher threshold may be used for AS measurement reporting, depending on the specific scenario. Alternatively, a shorter period may be set in the periodic measurement compared to the normal measurement configuration. With regard to the event measurement configuration, the serving gNB may also configure an additional timer in the measConfig to the UE, which commands the UE to report any available measurement results before the timer expires, even if no measurement results can reach the configured threshold.

[0086] Next, for example, special measurement reporting can be enabled only after a pause command has been received. Figure 3 As shown, when the MeasurementReportAppLayler message with the QoE report container is received from the UE, the MN sends an RRCReconfiguration message with QoE report suspension to the UE. Then, in response to the obtained suspension command, special measurements on the UE side are triggered, and the UE can send a measurement report message with an AS measurement report (e.g., event A3 measurement result). In addition, as described above, even if the event measurement result cannot be sent if the configured threshold constraint is not met, a measurement report message with any available measurement result will be sent to the MN before the configured QoE report timer expires. Alternatively, the UE can periodically send a measurement report message according to the periodic measurement configuration.

[0087] As another example, for better network control, when the size of QoE report data buffered in the UE AS layer is larger than a NW configured threshold, special measurement reporting may be enabled.

[0088] Next, based on the measurement results, the serving gNB will send an Xn / SN Add Request message to the selected SN node for DC establishment, adding a new indication in the Xn message to request the SN to establish a split SRB4 or a new SRB5 (for QoE reporting directly to the SN). Specifically, the MN sends an SN Add Request message to the SN to request the establishment of a split SRB4 or a new SRB5.

[0089] According to the received SN add request, the SN node configures the split SRB4 or new SRB5 to the UE accordingly. Specifically, the SN sends an SN add request ACK message with the split SRB4 or new SRB5 configuration to the MN. Then, the MN forwards the split SRB4 or new SRB5 configuration to the UE via an RRCReconfiguration message, which contains the SN add configuration and the split SRB4 or new SRB5 configuration.

[0090] After receiving the relevant SRB configuration, the UE sends an RRCReconfigurationComplete message to the MN. Therefore, RACH access between the UE and the SN can be achieved, and the UE can send a QoE measurement report to the network via the newly established SN branch for QoE measurement report continuity.

[0091] Through process 300, the QoE reporting continuity of the UE can be achieved by moving from a standalone state to a dual connection (e.g., NR-DC) state. In this case, process 300 uses the connection of the UE to the SN in DC for QoE measurement reporting, and transfers the application layer-based measurements directly to the SN. Such SN addition can be triggered when the UE in the QoE measurement suspended state will maintain QoE reporting continuity. This new mechanism requires RRC and Xn signaling support standardization.

[0092] Figure 4 An example of a process 400 for QoE measurement report continuity according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. For clarity, Figure 4 UEs with QoE configuration and reporting capabilities can be considered Figure 1 The terminal device 120 in Figure 4 The MN in can be regarded as Figure 1 The network device 111 in Figure 4 The T-SN in can be regarded as Figure 1 The network device 112 in Figure 4 The S-SN in can be regarded as Figure 2 The process 400 may be performed at a network device 113 in Figure 1The process 400 is performed in a scenario where the terminal device 120 is in a dual connection mode, for example, in a scenario where the terminal device 120 has connections with both the network device 111 and the network device 112 to send QoE measurement report data to the network. For the sake of brevity, only the difference between the process 400 and the process 300 is described here, and the same or similar details will not be repeated, and can be referenced to each other.

[0093] like Figure 4 As shown, the MN may send an RRCReconfiguration message with appLayerMeasConfig to the UE for QoE measurement reporting. The UE may send a MeasurementReportAppLayler message with a QoE report container to at least one of the MN and the S-SN. In response to the MeasurementReportAppLayler message, the MN may send an RRCReconfiguration message with MN QoE reporting suspension to the UE, and the S-SN may send an RRCReconfiguration message with SNQoE reporting suspension to the UE. If it is determined that both branches (MN branch and S-SN branch) are suspended and no special measurements are configured, the UE may send an RRCReconfigurationComplete message to the S-SN to request special measurements for QoE reporting continuity. After receiving the RRCReconfigurationComplete message, the S-SN forwards the request to configure special measurements to the MN. Thereafter, another connection (T-SN branch) between the UE and the other SN may be established for QoE reporting continuity, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 In addition, the MN may send an S-SN release request message to the S-SN, and the S-SN may send an S-SN release request ACK message to the MN to optimize the use of network resources.

[0094] In process 400, for SN change trigger, the UE is always in DC state, but both branches do not support QoE reporting. In the case that the UE receives a pause command from both the MN and the SN, in order to maintain QoE reporting continuity, the special measurement mechanism proposed above can be applied to trigger the SN change process for QoE reporting continuity.

[0095] Through process 400, the QoE report continuity of the UE can be achieved through the SN change. In this case, even if the two branches are suspended in DC, the QoE measurement report can continue to use the newly established branch. This new mechanism also requires RRC and Xn signaling support standardization.

[0096] It should be understood that when a DC-capable UE receives a QoE suspend command from the network, if the UE already has measurement configuration for QoE reporting continuity, the UE enables special measurements and reports the measurement results of DC establishment or change; if the UE does not have special measurement configuration, a new indication may be added in an uplink RRC message, such as an RRCReconfigureComplete message, to request the serving gNB to configure special measurements for DC establishment or change.

[0097] Figure 5 An example of a process 500 for QoE measurement report continuity according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. For clarity, Figure 5 UEs with QoE configuration and reporting capabilities can be considered Figure 1 The terminal device 120 in Figure 5 The MN in can be regarded as Figure 1 The network device 111 in Figure 5 The SN in can be regarded as Figure 1 The process 500 may be performed at a network device 112 in Figure 1 The process 500 is performed in a scenario where the terminal device 120 is in a dual connection mode, for example, the terminal device 120 has connections with both the network device 111 and the network device 112, but only the connection with the network device 111 has an SRB to be used for sending QoE measurement report data to the network. For the sake of brevity, only the difference between the process 500 and the processes 300 and 400 is described here, and the same or similar details will not be repeated, and can be referenced to each other.

[0098] In process 500, for SN modification, the UE is in a dual connectivity state and is configured with QoE measurements, but only one of the connections with the MN or the SN has an SRB to be used for sending QoE measurement reports. Both the MN and the SN as the serving gNB can configure special event or periodic measurements dedicated to QoE report continuity for the UE. A new indication is added in measConfig to indicate that this is a special measurement configuration for QoE report continuity (the same conditions as for SN addition may apply). The indication may indicate to the UE that the UE is allowed to report QoE measurement results directly to the SN after receiving a suspend command from the MN with SRB for QoE measurement report transmission, or that the UE is allowed to report QoE measurement results directly to the MN after receiving a suspend instruction from the SN with SRB for QoE measurement report transmission. For example, the MN will send an Xn / SN Modify message to the SN for modification, where the new indication is added in the Xn message to request the SN to establish a split SRB4 (for QoE reporting to the MN through the SN branch) or a new SRB5 (for QoE reporting directly to the SN). Alternatively, the UE may be enabled to report QoE measurement reports to the SN via the existing SRB3. Therefore, the RRC message (MeasurementReportAppLayer) transfer is enabled via SRB3. For example, the SN will send an Xn / SN message to the MN for modification, where a new indication is added in the Xn message to request the MN to establish SRB4 (for QoE reporting to the MN). When the new indication and the suspend command (for temporarily suspending QoE reporting) are received, the UE will send a QoE report to the network via the newly established SRB (SRB3, split SRB4 or new SRB5 in the case of the SN, SRB4 in the case of the MN) and the corresponding branch.

[0099] like Figure 5As shown, when receiving a MeasurementReportAppLayler message with a QoE report container, if in an overload state, the MN may send an RRCReconfiguration message with a suspension of the MN QoE report to the UE. If the MN branch is suspended and the UE operates in a DC, the UE may send an RRCReconfigurationComplete message to the MN to request special measurements for QoE report continuity. The MN may then send an SN modification request message to the S-SN to request the establishment of an SRB for QoE reporting. In response to the received SN modification request, the SN sends an SN modification request ACK message with an SRB3, split SRB4, or new SRB5 configuration to the MN. Next, the MN may send an RRCReconfiguration message with only a special indication for QMC continuity to the UE. In addition, the MN may send an RRCReconfiguration message with a configuration for QoE reporting and SRB3, split SRB4, or a new SRB5 configuration to the UE. On the terminal device side, if the MN branch is suspended and reporting to the SN branch is allowed, the UE sends an RRCReconfigurationComplete message to the MN. Therefore, the connection between the UE and the SN can be used for QoE measurement report continuity, and a MeasurementReportAppLayler message with a QoE report container can be sent from the UE to the SN via the SRB.

[0100] Through process 500, the QoE report continuity of the UE can be achieved through SN modification or SN change. In this case, when the UE is in the DC state, even if the MN branch is suspended and the SN branch cannot be used for QoE measurement reporting, the QoE measurement reporting can continue to use the newly established SRB with a new per-SN change. This new mechanism also requires RRC and Xn signaling support standardization.

[0101] In some embodiments, the SN has an SRB to the UE for QoE reporting, but the MN does not. Option 1: The SN configures a special AS measurement configuration to the UE via SRB3 and sends a pause to the UE. Option 2: The SN sends a pause to the UE and notifies the MN of the pause status to indicate that the UE QoE reporting has been stopped on the SN side. In option 2, the SN does not configure the AS measurement configuration to the UE. For option 1: The SN may receive the AS measurement report from the UE via SRB3 and forward it to the MN via Xn; the MN may establish an SRB4 between the MN and the UE, or based on the SN's AS measurement report, the MN selects a new SN for QoE continuity between the new SN and the UE (SN change). For option 2: The SN notifies the MN of the pause status via Xn; the MN may establish an SRB4 between the MN and the UE, or the MN configures a special AS measurement reconfiguration for the UE, and based on the MN's AS measurement report, the MN selects a new SN for QoE continuity between the new SN and the UE (SN change).

[0102] In some embodiments, in Rel-18, for QoE in a dual-connection scenario, there are some options for the suspension mechanism of the QoE measurement report applied in the dual-connection scenario. Option 1 may be that only the MN can send a suspension indication related to the QoE measurement report to the terminal device, and through one suspension indication, the QoE measurement report is suspended for the two connections between the terminal device and the two network nodes (MN and SN), or the QoE measurement report is suspended for the connection between the terminal device and the MN, or the QoE measurement report is suspended for the connection between the terminal device and the SN. For option 1, there may be some interaction between the MN and the SN. Option 2 may be that the MN and the SN can independently send a suspension indication related to the QoE measurement report. For option 2, there may be some interaction between the MN and the SN.

[0103] More specifically, in Option 1, only the MN can suspend the UE from reporting QoE measurements via a suspend indication. Through the Xn interface, the MN can notify the SN of its overload status to request coordination of QoE measurement report continuity. Through the Xn interface, the SN can notify the MN of its overload status to request the MN to suspend QoE measurement reporting through the connection between the SN and the terminal device. Through the Uu interface between the terminal device and the MN, the suspend indication related to the QoE measurement reporting may need to be extended, and a new indication may be added to indicate on which branch the QoE measurement reporting is suspended - only the MN, only the SN, or both.

[0104] In option 2, the MN and SN can independently send a suspension indication related to the QoE measurement report. Over the Uu interface, SRB3 can be established via the RRC reconfiguration process to support the sending of the suspension indication from the SN. Over the Xn interface, if one node has suspended the QoE measurement report, it can notify the other node to avoid pausing in the other branch for QoE report continuity. When the suspension indication is received from both the MN and the SN, the UE can instruct the network to request resumption.

[0105] Figure 6 FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example method 600 implemented at a terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to Figure 1 The method 600 is described from the perspective of the terminal device 120 .

[0106] At box 610, after receiving the suspension indication for QoE measurement reporting, the terminal device 120 sends an AS measurement report to a first network device in the radio access network based on an AS measurement configuration that enables continuity of the QoE measurement report, or sends a request for an AS measurement configuration. At box 620, the terminal device 120 receives an SRB configuration for establishing an SRB for QoE measurement reporting between the terminal device and a second network device in the radio access network. At box 630, the terminal device 120 sends the QoE measurement report to the second network device via the established SRB.

[0107] In some embodiments, the method 600 further includes: based on receiving a suspension indication for the QoE measurement report, performing measurement based on the AS measurement configuration to generate the AS measurement report.

[0108] In some embodiments, the pause indication is received from at least one of the first network device or the second network device.

[0109] In some embodiments, the terminal device is in dual connectivity mode, the first network device is a master node (MN), and the second network device is a secondary node (SN).

[0110] In some embodiments, the terminal is in dual connectivity mode, the first network device is a SN, and the second network device is a MN.

[0111] In some embodiments, method 600 also includes sending an AS measurement report or request in the following manner: based on receiving a pause indication for the QoE measurement report, determining whether the terminal device is configured with an AS measurement configuration that enables continuity of the QoE measurement report; based on determining that the terminal device is configured with the AS measurement configuration, sending the AS measurement report; and based on determining that the terminal device is not configured with the measurement configuration, sending a request for the AS measurement configuration.

[0112] In some embodiments, method 600 also includes receiving a pause indication by one of the following: receiving the other of the first pause indication and the second pause indication after one of the first pause indication from the first network device and the second pause indication from the third network device in the radio access network has been previously received, wherein the terminal device is in a dual connection mode, wherein the first network device is the MN of the terminal device and the third network device is the SN of the terminal device; or receiving a pause indication from one of the first network device and the third network device that QoE measurement reporting by both the first network device and the third network device is suspended.

[0113] In some embodiments, method 600 further includes sending a request for AS measurement configuration to the first network device based on determining that a first pause indication from the first network device is received after a second pause indication from the third network device is received.

[0114] In some embodiments, method 600 further includes sending a request for AS measurement configuration to the third network device based on determining that a second pause indication from the third network device is received after the first pause indication is received from the first network device.

[0115] In some embodiments, method 600 further includes: based on receiving a pause indication that QoE measurement reporting by both the first network device and the third network device is paused, sending a request for AS measurement configuration to one of the first network device and the third network device.

[0116] In some embodiments, the terminal device 120 is caused to send an AS measurement report or request based on determining that the amount of buffered data for QoE measurement reporting is equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0117] In some embodiments, the method 600 further includes receiving, from at least one of the first network device or the second network device, an AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement report continuity, the AS measurement configuration including an indication that the AS measurement configuration is configured to support QoE measurement report continuity.

[0118] In some embodiments, the AS measurement configuration is received via an RRC reconfiguration message. In some embodiments, the SRB configuration is received via an RRC reconfiguration message. In some embodiments, the request for the AS measurement configuration is sent via an uplink RRC message.

[0119] In some embodiments, the AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement report continuity includes at least one of the following: a measurement event with a threshold, configured to trigger an AS measurement report within a time period for measurement event operation determined based on the requirement for QoE measurement report continuity; periodic measurement within a time period for periodic measurement operation determined based on the requirement for QoE measurement report continuity; or a timer, used to enable the terminal device to report available measurement results based on the expiration of the timer even if no measurement result reaches the configured threshold.

[0120] In some embodiments, the terminal device 120 receives the SRB configuration in the following manner: receiving the SRB configuration from the first network device or the second network device.

[0121] In some embodiments, the SRB includes at least one of an existing SRB3, a split SRB4, or a new SRB5.

[0122] Figure 7 FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example method 700 implemented at a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to Figure 1 Or the first network device describes method 700 from the perspective of network device 111.

[0123] At block 710, the network device 111 receives an AS measurement report associated with a terminal device in the radio access network, or receives a request for an AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement report continuity for the terminal device, the AS measurement report being generated based on the AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement report continuity. At block 720, the network device 111 obtains an SRB configuration for establishing an SRB for QoE measurement reporting for the terminal device. At block 730, the network device 111 sends the SRB configuration for establishing the SRB to the terminal device.

[0124] In some embodiments, the SRB for QoE measurement reporting is located between the terminal device and a second network device in the radio access network.

[0125] In some embodiments, the SRB for QoE measurement reporting is located between the terminal device and the first network device.

[0126] In some embodiments, the network device 111 obtains the SRB configuration in the following manner: based on receiving an AS measurement report or request from the terminal device, sending a request to the second network device to establish an SRB between the terminal device and the second network device; and receiving the SRB configuration for establishing the SRB from the second network device.

[0127] In some embodiments, the network device 111 obtains the SRB configuration in the following manner: based on receiving an AS measurement report or a request for establishing an SRB from the second network device, determining the SRB configuration for establishing the SRB between the first network device and the terminal device.

[0128] In some embodiments, the network device 111 sends the request for establishing the SRB by sending an SN add message or an SN modify message including an indication for requesting the second network device to establish the SRB to the second network device.

[0129] In some embodiments, the method 700 further includes: selecting a target network device from a plurality of candidate network devices as the second network device based on the received AS measurement report.

[0130] In some embodiments, the network device 111 selects a target network device based on: determining that the terminal device is in an independent mode; or determining that the terminal device is in a dual connection mode, wherein a first network device and a third network device are connected to the terminal device, and QoE measurement reports through both the first network device and the third network device are suspended.

[0131] In some embodiments, the method 700 further includes: before receiving the AS measurement report, sending a pause indication for the QoE measurement report to the terminal device.

[0132] In some embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: configuring a threshold for causing the terminal device to send the AS measurement report based on determining that the amount of buffered data of the QoE measurement report at the terminal device is equal to or greater than the threshold.

[0133] In some embodiments, the method 700 further includes: sending an AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement report continuity to the terminal device, the AS measurement configuration including an indication that the AS measurement configuration is configured to support QoE measurement report continuity.

[0134] In some embodiments, the AS measurement configuration is sent to the terminal device via an RRC reconfiguration message. In some embodiments, the SRB configuration is sent via an RRC reconfiguration message. In some embodiments, the request for the AS measurement configuration is received via an uplink RRC message.

[0135] In some embodiments, the AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement report continuity includes at least one of the following: a measurement event with a threshold, configured to trigger measurement event enablement and measurement reporting within a time period determined based on the requirement for QoE measurement report continuity; periodic measurement, configured to trigger periodic measurement enablement within a time period determined based on the requirement for QoE measurement report continuity; or a timer, used to enable the terminal device to report available measurement results based on the expiration of the timer even if no measurement result reaches the configured threshold.

[0136] In some embodiments, method 700 also includes: sending information about the overload status of the first network device to a second network device to request the second network device to coordinate QoE measurement report continuity, wherein the terminal device is in a dual connection mode, wherein the first network device is the MN of the terminal device and the second network device is the SN of the terminal device.

[0137] In some embodiments, the method 700 further includes: sending an indication to the second network device that the QoE measurement report through the first network device is suspended.

[0138] In some embodiments, the SRB includes at least one of an existing SRB3, a split SRB4, or a new SRB5.

[0139] Figure 8 FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example method 800 implemented at a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to Figure 1 Method 800 is described from the perspective of network device 112 or a second network device.

[0140] At block 810, the network device 112 receives a request from a first network device in the radio access network to establish an SRB for QoE measurement reporting between a terminal device and a second network device in the radio access network. At block 820, the network device 112 sends an SRB configuration for establishing the SRB to the first network device or the terminal device. At block 830, the network device 112 receives a QoE measurement report from the terminal device via the established SRB.

[0141] In some embodiments, the method 800 further includes: receiving a request for an AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement report continuity from the terminal device; and sending the request for the AS measurement configuration to the first network device.

[0142] In some embodiments, method 800 also includes: receiving an AS measurement report based on the AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement report continuity from the terminal device, or receiving a request for the AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement report continuity; and sending the AS measurement report to the first network device or a request to establish an SRB between the terminal device and the first network device.

[0143] In some embodiments, network device 112 receives the request to establish the SRB by receiving, from a first network device, an SN add message or an SN modify message including an indication for requesting a second network device to establish the SRB.

[0144] In some embodiments, method 800 also includes: sending information about an overload status of a second network device to a first network device to request the first network device to suspend QoE measurement reporting through the second network device, wherein the terminal device is in a dual connection mode, wherein the first network device is the MN of the terminal device and the second network device is the SN of the terminal device.

[0145] In some embodiments, the method 800 further includes: sending an indication to the first network device that the QoE measurement report through the second network device is suspended.

[0146] In some embodiments, the SRB includes at least one of an existing SRB3, a split SRB4, or a new SRB5.

[0147] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the methods 600 (e.g., terminal device 120) may include a component for performing the corresponding steps of the method 600. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0148] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes: a component for sending an AS measurement report to a first network device in the radio access network, or sending a request for an AS measurement configuration, based on an AS measurement configuration that enables continuity of the QoE measurement report at a terminal device in the radio access network after receiving a pause indication for the QoE measurement report; a component for receiving an SRB configuration that is used to establish an SRB for the QoE measurement report between the terminal device and a second network device in the radio access network; and a component for sending the QoE measurement report to the second network device via the established SRB.

[0149] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for performing measurements based on the AS measurement configuration to generate the AS measurement report based on receiving the suspension indication for the QoE measurement report.

[0150] In some embodiments, the pause indication is received from at least one of the first network device or the second network device.

[0151] In some embodiments, the terminal device is in dual connectivity mode, the first network device is a master node (MN), and the second network device is a secondary node (SN).

[0152] In some embodiments, the terminal device is in dual-connectivity mode, the first network device is a SN, and the second network device is a MN.

[0153] In some embodiments, the component for sending an AS measurement report or request includes a component for sending an AS measurement report or request in the following manner: based on receiving a pause indication for the QoE measurement report, determining whether the terminal device is configured with an AS measurement configuration that enables continuity of the QoE measurement report; based on determining that the terminal device is configured with the AS measurement configuration, sending the AS measurement report; and based on determining that the terminal device is not configured with the measurement configuration, sending a request for the AS measurement configuration.

[0154] In some embodiments, the component for receiving a pause indication includes a component for receiving the pause indication by one of the following: receiving the other of the first pause indication and the second pause indication after one of the first pause indication from the first network device and the second pause indication from the third network device in the radio access network has been previously received, wherein the terminal device is in a dual connection mode, wherein the first network device is the MN of the terminal device and the third network device is the SN of the terminal device; or receiving a pause indication from one of the first network device and the third network device that QoE measurement reports through both the first network device and the third network device are suspended.

[0155] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for sending a request for an AS measurement configuration to the first network device based on determining that a first pause indication from the first network device is received after a second pause indication from the third network device is received.

[0156] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for sending a request for the AS measurement configuration to the third network device based on determining that a second pause indication from the third network device is received after the first pause indication is received from the first network device.

[0157] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for sending a request for AS measurement configuration to one of the first network device and the third network device based on receiving a pause indication that QoE measurement reporting by both the first network device and the third network device is paused.

[0158] In some embodiments, means for sending the AS measurement report or request includes means for sending the AS measurement report or request based on determining that an amount of buffered data for QoE measurement reporting is equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0159] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for receiving, from at least one of the first network device or the second network device, an AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement report continuity, the AS measurement configuration comprising an indication that the AS measurement configuration is configured to support QoE measurement report continuity.

[0160] In some embodiments, the AS measurement configuration is received via an RRC reconfiguration message. In some embodiments, the SRB configuration is received via an RRC reconfiguration message. In some embodiments, the request for the AS measurement configuration is sent via an uplink RRC message.

[0161] In some embodiments, the AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement report continuity includes at least one of the following: a measurement event with a threshold, configured to trigger an AS measurement report within a time period for measurement event operation determined based on the requirement for QoE measurement report continuity; periodic measurement within a time period for periodic measurement operation determined based on the requirement for QoE measurement report continuity; or a timer, used to enable the terminal device to report available measurement results based on the expiration of the timer even if no measurement result reaches the configured threshold.

[0162] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for receiving the SRB configuration by: receiving the SRB configuration from the first network device or the second network device.

[0163] In some embodiments, the SRB includes at least one of an existing SRB3, a split SRB4, or a new SRB5.

[0164] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for performing other steps in some embodiments of method 600. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause execution of the apparatus.

[0165] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the methods 700 (e.g., network device 111) may include a component for performing the corresponding steps of the method 700. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0166] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes: a component for receiving, at a first network device in the radio access network, an AS measurement report associated with a terminal device in the radio access network, or receiving a request for an AS measurement configuration enabling continuity of a quality of experience (QoE) measurement report for the terminal device, the AS measurement report being generated based on the AS measurement configuration enabling continuity of the QoE measurement report; a component for acquiring an SRB configuration for establishing an SRB for the QoE measurement report for the terminal device; and a component for sending the SRB configuration for establishing the SRB to the terminal device.

[0167] In some embodiments, the SRB for QoE measurement reporting is located between the terminal device and a second network device in the radio access network.

[0168] In some embodiments, the SRB for QoE measurement reporting is located between the terminal device and the first network device.

[0169] In some embodiments, the component for obtaining the SRB configuration includes a component for obtaining the SRB configuration in the following manner: based on receiving an AS measurement report or request from the terminal device, sending a request to the second network device to establish an SRB between the terminal device and the second network device; and receiving the SRB configuration for establishing the SRB from the second network device.

[0170] In some embodiments, the component for obtaining the SRB configuration includes a component for obtaining the SRB configuration by determining the SRB configuration for establishing the SRB between the first network device and the terminal device based on receiving an AS measurement report or a request for establishing the SRB from the second network device.

[0171] In some embodiments, the means for sending the request to establish the SRB includes means for sending the request to establish the SRB by sending a SN add message or a SN modify message including an indication for requesting the second network device to establish the SRB to the second network device.

[0172] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for selecting a target network device as the second network device from a plurality of candidate network devices based on the received AS measurement report.

[0173] In some embodiments, the component for selecting a target network device includes a component for selecting a target network device based on: determining that the terminal device is in a standalone mode; or determining that the terminal device is in a dual-connection mode, wherein a first network device and a third network device are connected to the terminal device, and QoE measurement reports through both the first network device and the third network device are suspended.

[0174] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for sending a pause indication for QoE measurement reporting to the terminal device prior to receiving the AS measurement report.

[0175] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for configuring a threshold for causing the terminal device to send the AS measurement report based on determining that the amount of buffered data for the QoE measurement report at the terminal device is equal to or greater than the threshold.

[0176] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for sending an AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement report continuity to the terminal device, the AS measurement configuration comprising an indication that the AS measurement configuration is configured to support QoE measurement report continuity.

[0177] In some embodiments, the AS measurement configuration is sent to the terminal device via an RRC reconfiguration message. In some embodiments, the SRB configuration is sent via an RRC reconfiguration message. In some embodiments, the request for the AS measurement configuration is received via an uplink RRC message.

[0178] In some embodiments, the AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement report continuity includes at least one of the following: a measurement event with a threshold, configured to trigger measurement event enablement and measurement reporting within a time period determined based on the requirement for QoE measurement report continuity; periodic measurement, configured to trigger periodic measurement enablement within a time period determined based on the requirement for QoE measurement report continuity; or a timer, used to enable the terminal device to report available measurement results based on the expiration of the timer even if no measurement result reaches the configured threshold.

[0179] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a component for sending information about an overload state of a first network device to a second network device to request the second network device to coordinate continuity of QoE measurement reports, wherein the terminal device is in a dual-connectivity mode, wherein the first network device is the MN of the terminal device and the second network device is the SN of the terminal device.

[0180] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for sending an indication to the second network device that QoE measurement reporting by the first network device is suspended.

[0181] In some embodiments, the SRB includes at least one of an existing SRB3, a split SRB4, or a new SRB5.

[0182] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for performing other steps in some embodiments of method 700. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause execution of the apparatus.

[0183] In some embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., network device 112) capable of performing any of the methods 800 may include components for performing the corresponding steps of the method 800. The components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0184] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes: a component for receiving, at a second network device in the radio access network, a request from a first network device in the radio access network to establish an SRB for QoE measurement reporting between a terminal device in the radio access network and the second network device; a component for sending an SRB configuration for establishing the SRB to the first network device or the terminal device; and a component for receiving the QoE measurement report from the terminal device via the established SRB.

[0185] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for receiving a request for an AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement reporting continuity from the terminal device; and means for sending the request for the AS measurement configuration to the first network device.

[0186] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a component for receiving an AS measurement report based on an AS measurement configuration for enabling QoE measurement report continuity from a terminal device, or receiving a request for an AS measurement configuration for enabling QoE measurement report continuity; and a component for sending an AS measurement report to a first network device or a request for establishing an SRB between the terminal device and the first network device.

[0187] In some embodiments, the means for receiving the request to establish the SRB includes means for receiving the request to establish the SRB by receiving, from the first network device, an SN add message or an SN modify message including an indication for requesting the second network device to establish the SRB.

[0188] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a component for sending information about an overload status of a second network device to a first network device to request the first network device to suspend QoE measurement reporting through the second network device, wherein the terminal device is in a dual connection mode, wherein the first network device is the MN of the terminal device and the second network device is the SN of the terminal device.

[0189] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for sending an indication to the first network device that QoE measurement reporting by the second network device is suspended.

[0190] In some embodiments, the SRB includes at least one of an existing SRB3, a split SRB4, or a new SRB5.

[0191] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for performing other steps in some embodiments of method 800. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause execution of the apparatus.

[0192] Fig. 9 is a simplified block diagram of a device 900 suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 900 may be provided to implement a communication device, such as Figure 1 The terminal device 120, the network device 111 and the network device 112 are shown. As shown, the device 900 includes one or more processors 910, one or more memories 940 coupled to the processor 910, and one or more transmitters and / or receivers (TX / RX) 940 coupled to the processor 910.

[0193] The TX / RX 940 is used for bidirectional communication. The TX / RX 940 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface may represent any interface required for communication with other network elements.

[0194] Processor 910 may be of any type suitable for the local technology network, and may include, as non-limiting examples, one or more of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 900 may have multiple processors, such as application specific integrated circuit chips that are time slaved to a clock synchronized with a main processor.

[0195] The memory 920 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 924, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disks, compact disks (CDs), digital video disks (DVDs), and other magnetic storage devices and / or optical storage devices. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 922 and other volatile memories that do not persist during power outages.

[0196] The computer program 930 includes computer executable instructions executed by the associated processor 910. The program 930 may be stored in the ROM 1020. The processor 910 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading the program 930 into the RAM 1020.

[0197] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by a program 930, so that the device 900 may execute the reference Figures 2 to 8 Any process of the present disclosure discussed. The embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0198] In some embodiments, the program 930 may be tangibly contained in a computer-readable medium, which may be included in the device 900 (such as in the memory 920) or in other storage devices accessible to the device 900. The device 900 may load the program 930 from the computer-readable medium to the RAM 922 for execution. The computer-readable medium may include any type of tangible non-volatile memory, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. Fig.10 An example of a computer readable medium 1000 in the form of a CD or DVD is shown. The computer readable medium has a program 930 stored thereon.

[0199] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented using hardware, while other aspects may be implemented using firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representations, it should be understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0200] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer executable instructions, such as instructions included in a program module, which are executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the above reference Figure 6 , Figure 7 or Figure 8Method 600, 700 or 800 described. Typically, a program module includes a routine, program, library, object, class, component, data structure, etc. that performs a specific task or implements a specific abstract data type. In various embodiments, the functions of the program modules can be combined or split between program modules as needed. The machine executable instructions of the program modules can be executed in local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, program modules can be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0201] The program code for executing the method of the present disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer or other programmable data processing device so that the program code is implemented when executed by the processor or controller in the flow chart and / or the block diagram. The program code can be executed completely on the machine, partially on the machine, as an independent software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or completely on a remote machine or server.

[0202] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer readable media, etc.

[0203] Computer readable medium can be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. Computer readable medium can include but is not limited to electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor systems, devices or equipment, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of computer readable storage medium will include electrical connections with one or more wires, portable computer floppy disks, hard disks, random access memories (RAM), read-only memories (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROM or flash memory), optical fibers, portable compact disk read-only memories (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. The term "non-transient" used herein is a restriction on the medium itself (i.e., tangible, rather than signal), rather than a restriction on data storage persistence (e.g., RAM and ROM).

[0204] In addition, although the operations are described in a specific order, this should not be understood as requiring such operations to be performed in the specific order shown or in order or performing all the operations shown to obtain the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather descriptions of features that may be specific to a particular embodiment. Certain features described in the context of a separate embodiment may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. On the contrary, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0205] Although the disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features or acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A terminal device in a radio access network, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to: After receiving a pause indication for quality of experience (QoE) measurement reporting, sending an AS measurement report to a first network device in the radio access network based on an access stratum (AS) measurement configuration enabling continuity of QoE measurement reporting, or sending a request for the AS measurement configuration; receiving a signaling radio bearer (SRB) configuration for establishing an SRB for QoE measurement reporting between the terminal device and a second network device in the radio access network; as well as Send a QoE measurement report to the second network device via the established SRB.

2. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is further configured to: Based on receiving the suspension indication for the QoE measurement report, performing measurements based on the AS measurement configuration to generate the AS measurement report. 3 . The terminal device according to claim 1 , wherein the pause indication is received from at least one of the first network device or the second network device.

4. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the terminal device is in a dual-connection mode, the first network device is a master node (MN), and the second network device is a secondary node (SN).

5. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the terminal device is in a dual-connection mode, the first network device is a SN, and the second network device is a MN.

6. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the terminal device is caused to send the AS measurement report or the request in the following manner: determining, based on receiving the suspension indication for the QoE measurement report, whether the terminal device is configured with the AS measurement configuration enabling continuity of the QoE measurement report; Based on determining that the terminal device is configured with the AS measurement configuration, sending the AS measurement report; as well as Based on determining that the terminal device is not configured with the measurement configuration, sending the request for the AS measurement configuration.

7. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the terminal device is caused to receive the pause indication by one of the following: receiving, after one of a first pause indication from the first network device and a second pause indication from a third network device in the radio access network has been previously received, the other of the first pause indication and the second pause indication, wherein the terminal device is in a dual connectivity mode in which the first network device is the MN of the terminal device and the third network device is the SN of the terminal device; or A pause indication is received from one of the first network device and the third network device that the QoE measurement reporting by both the first network device and the third network device is paused.

8. The terminal device according to claim 7, wherein the terminal device is further configured to: Based on determining that the first pause indication from the first network device is received after the second pause indication from the third network device is received, sending the request for the AS measurement configuration to the first network device.

9. The terminal device according to claim 7, wherein the terminal device is further configured to: Based on determining that the second pause indication from the third network device is received after the first pause indication is received from the first network device, sending the request for the AS measurement configuration to the third network device.

10. The terminal device according to claim 7, wherein the terminal device is further configured to: Based on receiving the suspension indication that the QoE measurement reporting by both the first network device and the third network device is suspended, the request for the AS measurement configuration is sent to one of the first network device and the third network device.

11. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the terminal device is caused to send the AS measurement report or the request based on the following circumstances: It is determined that the amount of buffered data for the QoE measurement report is equal to or greater than a threshold.

12. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the terminal device is further configured to: The AS measurement configuration enabling the QoE measurement report continuity is received from at least one of the first network device or the second network device, the AS measurement configuration comprising an indication that the AS measurement configuration is configured to support the QoE measurement report continuity.

13. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein at least one of the following: The AS measurement configuration is received via a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message; The SRB configuration is received via an RRC reconfiguration message; or The request for the AS measurement configuration is sent via an uplink RRC message.

14. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the AS measurement configuration enabling the continuity of the QoE measurement report comprises at least one of the following: a measurement event with a threshold value, configured to trigger the AS measurement report within a time period for the measurement event to run determined based on the requirement of continuity of the QoE measurement report, Periodic measurement within a time period for periodic measurement operation determined based on the requirement for continuity of the QoE measurement report, or A timer is configured to enable the terminal device to report available measurement results based on expiration of the timer even if no measurement results reach the configured threshold.

15. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the terminal device is caused to receive the SRB configuration in the following manner: The SRB configuration is received from the first network device or the second network device.

16. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the SRB comprises at least one of an existing SRB3, a split SRB4, or a new SRB5.

17. A first network device in a radio access network, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first network device to: receiving an access stratum (AS) measurement report associated with a terminal device in the radio access network, or receiving a request for an AS measurement configuration enabling continuity of a quality of experience (QoE) measurement report for the terminal device, the AS measurement report being generated based on the AS measurement configuration enabling continuity of the QoE measurement report; Obtain a signaling radio bearer (SRB) configuration, the SRB configuration being used to establish an SRB for QoE measurement reporting for the terminal device; as well as The SRB configuration for establishing the SRB is sent to the terminal device.

18. The first network device according to claim 17, wherein the SRB for the QoE measurement report is located between the terminal device and a second network device in the radio access network.

19. The first network device according to claim 17, wherein the SRB for the QoE measurement report is located between the terminal device and the first network device.

20. The first network device of claim 18, wherein the first network device is configured to obtain the SRB configuration by: Based on receiving the AS measurement report or the request from the terminal device, sending a request to the second network device to establish the SRB between the terminal device and the second network device; and The SRB configuration for establishing the SRB is received from the second network device.

21. The first network device of claim 19, wherein the first network device is configured to obtain the SRB configuration by: Based on receiving the AS measurement report or the request to establish the SRB from the second network device, determining the SRB configuration for establishing the SRB between the first network device and the terminal device.

22. The first network device of claim 20, wherein the first network device is caused to send the request to establish the SRB by: An SN add message or an SN modify message including an indication for requesting the second network device to establish the SRB is sent to the second network device.

23. The first network device according to any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the first network device is further configured to: A target network device is selected as the second network device from a plurality of candidate network devices based on the received AS measurement report.

24. The first network device of claim 23, wherein the first network device is caused to select the target network device based on: Determining that the terminal device is in standalone mode; or It is determined that the terminal device is in a dual connection mode, wherein the first network device and the third network device are connected to the terminal device, and the QoE measurement report performed by the first network device and the third network device is suspended.

25. The first network device according to any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein the first network device is further configured to: Before receiving the AS measurement report, a pause indication for the QoE measurement report is sent to the terminal device.

26. The first network device according to any one of claims 17 to 25, wherein the first network device is further configured to: A threshold is configured for causing the terminal device to send the AS measurement report based on determining that an amount of buffered data of the QoE measurement report at the terminal device is equal to or greater than the threshold.

27. The first network device according to any one of claims 17 to 26, wherein the first network device is further configured to: The AS measurement configuration enabling the continuity of the QoE measurement report is sent to the terminal device, the AS measurement configuration comprising an indication that the AS measurement configuration is configured to support the continuity of the QoE measurement report.

28. The first network device according to any one of claims 17 to 27, wherein at least one of the following: The AS measurement configuration is sent to the terminal device via a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message; The SRB configuration is sent via an RRC reconfiguration message; or The request for the AS measurement configuration is received via an uplink RRC message.

29. The first network device according to any one of claims 17 to 28, wherein the AS measurement configuration enabling the QoE measurement report continuity comprises at least one of the following: a measurement event with a threshold value, configured to trigger the measurement event enabling and the measurement reporting within a time period determined based on the requirement of the continuity of the QoE measurement report, periodic measurement, configured to trigger the periodic measurement enablement within a time period determined based on the requirement for continuity of the QoE measurement report, or A timer is configured to enable the terminal device to report available measurement results based on expiration of the timer even if no measurement results reach the configured threshold.

30. The first network device according to any one of claims 17 to 29, wherein the first network device is further configured to: Sending information about the overload status of the first network device to the second network device to request the second network device to coordinate the continuity of the QoE measurement report, wherein the terminal device is in a dual connection mode, in which the first network device is the MN of the terminal device and the second network device is the SN of the terminal device.

31. The first network device according to claim 30, wherein the first network device is further caused to: An indication is sent to the second network device that the QoE measurement report performed by the first network device is suspended.

32. The first network device according to any one of claims 17 to 31, wherein the SRB comprises at least one of an existing SRB3, a split SRB4, or a new SRB5.

33. A second network device in a radio access network, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second network device to: receiving, from a first network device in the radio access network, a request to establish a signaling radio bearer (SRB) for quality of experience (QoE) measurement reporting between a terminal device in the radio access network and the second network device; Sending an SRB configuration for establishing the SRB to the first network device or the terminal device; as well as A QoE measurement report is received from the terminal device via the established SRB.

34. The second network device according to claim 33, wherein the second network device is further caused to: receiving, from the terminal device, a request for an AS measurement configuration enabling continuity of QoE measurement reports; and The request for the AS measurement configuration is sent to the first network device.

35. The second network device according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the second network device is further caused to: Receiving, from the terminal device, an AS measurement report based on the AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement report continuity, or receiving a request for the AS measurement configuration enabling QoE measurement report continuity; and Send the AS measurement report or the request to establish the SRB between the terminal device and the first network device to the first network device.

36. The second network device according to any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein the second network device is caused to receive the request to establish the SRB by: An SN add message or an SN modify message including an indication for requesting the second network device to establish the SRB is received from the first network device.

37. The second network device according to any one of claims 33 to 36, wherein the second network device is further configured to: Sending information about an overload status of the second network device to the first network device to request the first network device to suspend the QoE measurement report performed through the second network device, wherein the terminal device is in a dual connection mode, in which the first network device is the MN of the terminal device and the second network device is the SN of the terminal device.

38. The second network device according to any one of claims 33 to 37, wherein the second network device is further configured to: An indication is sent to the first network device that the QoE measurement report performed by the second network device is suspended.

39. The second network device according to any one of claims 33 to 38, wherein the SRB comprises at least one of an existing SRB3, a split SRB4, or a new SRB5.

40. A method comprising: After receiving a suspension indication for quality of experience (QoE) measurement reporting, at a terminal device in a radio access network, sending an AS measurement report to a first network device in the radio access network based on an access stratum (AS) measurement configuration enabling continuity of QoE measurement reporting, or sending a request for the AS measurement configuration; receiving a signaling radio bearer (SRB) configuration for establishing an SRB for QoE measurement reporting between the terminal device and a second network device in the radio access network; as well as Send a QoE measurement report to the second network device via the established SRB.

41. A method comprising: receiving, at a first network device in a radio access network, an access stratum (AS) measurement report associated with a terminal device in the radio access network, or receiving a request for an AS measurement configuration enabling continuity of a quality of experience (QoE) measurement report for the terminal device, the AS measurement report being generated based on the AS measurement configuration enabling continuity of the QoE measurement report; Obtain a signaling radio bearer (SRB) configuration, the SRB configuration being used to establish an SRB for QoE measurement reporting for the terminal device; as well as The SRB configuration for establishing the SRB is sent to the terminal device.

42. A method comprising: receiving, at a second network device in a radio access network, from a first network device in the radio access network, a request to establish a signaling radio bearer (SRB) for quality of experience (QoE) measurement reporting between a terminal device in the radio access network and the second network device; Sending an SRB configuration for establishing the SRB to the first network device or the terminal device; as well as A QoE measurement report is received from the terminal device via the established SRB.

43. An apparatus comprising: means for, after receiving a suspension indication for a quality of experience (QoE) measurement report, at a terminal device in a radio access network, sending an AS measurement report to a first network device in the radio access network based on an access stratum (AS) measurement configuration enabling continuity of QoE measurement reports, or sending a request for the AS measurement configuration; means for receiving a signalling radio bearer (SRB) configuration for establishing an SRB for QoE measurement reporting between the terminal device and a second network device in the radio access network; as well as Means for sending a QoE measurement report to the second network device via the established SRB.

44. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving, at a first network device in a radio access network, an access stratum (AS) measurement report associated with a terminal device in the radio access network, or receiving a request for an AS measurement configuration enabling continuity of quality of experience (QoE) measurement reports for the terminal device, the AS measurement report being generated based on the AS measurement configuration enabling continuity of the QoE measurement reports; means for obtaining a signalling radio bearer (SRB) configuration for establishing an SRB for QoE measurement reporting for the terminal device; as well as A component for sending the SRB configuration for establishing the SRB to the terminal device.

45. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving, at a second network device in a radio access network, from a first network device in the radio access network, a request to establish a signalling radio bearer (SRB) for quality of experience (QoE) measurement reporting between a terminal device in the radio access network and the second network device; A component for sending an SRB configuration for establishing the SRB to the first network device or the terminal device; as well as Means for receiving a QoE measurement report from the terminal device via the established SRB.

46. ​​A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon, the program instructions being operable to at least perform the method of claim 40, 41 or 42.

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