Measurement configuration method and device

Abstract

Provided in an embodiment of the present application are a measurement configuration method and device, the method comprising: a first terminal device receiving first configuration information, the first configuration information being used by the first terminal device to execute a first measurement on at least one neighbor cell, the first measurement being to measure time domain information of reference signals of the at least one neighbor cell; the first terminal device sends target measurement information including the time domain information of the reference signals of the at least one neighbor cell to the corresponding access network device; therefore, the access network device can obtain the target measurement information according to the measurement of the first terminal device, and effectively and accurately configure the timing configuration for measuring the reference signal of the adjacent region for each serving terminal device (including the first terminal device).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a measurement configuration method and apparatus. Background Art

[0002] In application scenarios such as handover and cell reselection, the selection of a target cell generally needs to be based on the neighbor cell measurement results of a terminal device; common measurement methods may include: the terminal device performs measurements according to the frequency points sent in the system message and the measurement timing configuration (SSB-based measurement timing configuration, SMTC) based on the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB), etc.; or the base station first sends the SMTC of the SSB to the terminal device, and then the terminal device performs relevant measurements on the SSB according to the SMTC of the SSB, generates a measurement report, and then reports the measurement report to the base station. Among them, SMTC includes measurement objects (including SSB frequency, SSB subcarrier spacing, SMTC configuration, white list and black list cells, etc.), reporting configuration (such as the way to trigger a measurement report and the format of the measurement report), and so on. No matter which of the foregoing measurement methods is adopted, SMTC can be configured based on frequency points or different cells on the frequency points.

[0003] Generally, two base stations, such as two new radio (NR) base stations (source base station and target base station), can interact the SMTC of their respective serving cells and / or neighbor cells through the Xn interface. However, in the case of no Xn interface, the two base stations cannot interact their respective SMTCs, which will cause the source base station to be unable to send accurate SMTCs for measuring neighbor cells or neighbor frequency points to the served terminal device, thus unable to ensure the accuracy of the SSB measurement performed by the terminal device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application proposes a measurement configuration method and apparatus, which can enable a network device to effectively configure timing configuration information for a reference signal used by a served terminal device to measure a neighbor cell.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a measurement configuration method. This method can be executed by a first terminal device, or by a chip or chip system corresponding to the first terminal device, and no specific limitation is made thereto. Taking the first terminal device as an example, the method may include: The first terminal device receives first configuration information, where the first configuration information is used for the first terminal device to perform a first measurement on at least one neighboring cell, and the first measurement is to measure the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are located respectively; The first terminal device sends target measurement information to a first access network device, where the target measurement information includes the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are located respectively.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present application, the first access network device is an access network device serving the first terminal device. The first terminal device can receive the first configuration information from the first access network device, where the first configuration information is used for the first terminal device to perform a first measurement on at least one neighboring cell, and the first measurement is to measure the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are located respectively; and then the first terminal device sends the target measurement information including the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are located respectively to the first access network device; then the first access network device can effectively and accurately configure the timing configuration for measuring the reference signals of neighboring cells for each served terminal device (including the first terminal device) according to the target measurement information obtained by the first terminal device measurement.

[0007] In a possible implementation manner, the first configuration information includes the information of the at least one neighboring cell and / or the information of the neighboring frequency points corresponding to the at least one neighboring cell; the first configuration information is used to instruct the first terminal device to report the target measurement information obtained by performing the first measurement on the at least one neighboring cell and / or the neighboring frequency points corresponding to the at least one neighboring cell.

[0008] Through this implementation manner, the first terminal device can effectively obtain the target measurement information by flexibly performing the first measurement on the reference signals of neighboring cells or by performing the first measurement on the frequency points corresponding to neighboring cells.

[0009] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: The first terminal device receives second configuration information from the first access network device, where the second configuration information is determined by the first access network device according to the target measurement information, and the second configuration information is used to instruct the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurement on the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present application, the reference signal may be, but is not limited to, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block SSB; when the reference signal is SSB, then the timing configuration may be the timing configuration for SSB measurement SMTC.

[0011] In the embodiments of the present application, taking the first neighboring cell as an example, the first neighboring cell is any one of the at least one neighboring cell. When the time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell included in the target measurement information reported by the first terminal device is time slot information referenced by one or more timings, the following situations may specifically occur:

[0012] Situation 1: The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the first time slot information referenced by the timing when the first terminal device receives the downlink reference signal of the serving cell.

[0013] Situation 2: The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the second time slot information referenced by the timing when the first neighboring cell transmits the downlink reference signal.

[0014] Situation 3: The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the third time slot information referenced by the timing when the serving cell of the first terminal device transmits the downlink reference signal.

[0015] In a possible implementation manner, when the target measurement information includes the first time slot information, the target measurement information may further include, but is not limited to, at least one of the period of the reference signal of the first neighboring cell, the number of reference signals, the type of reference signal, the identification ID of the first neighboring cell, and the subcarrier spacing of the reference signal.

[0016] When the target measurement information includes the second time slot information, the target measurement information may further include, but is not limited to, at least one of the period of the reference signal of the first neighboring cell, the third indication information, the number of reference signals, the bitmap of the reference signal pattern, the type of reference signal, the identification ID of the first neighboring cell, and the subcarrier spacing of the reference signal; wherein, the third indication information is used to indicate that the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located in the first half frame or the second half frame of the system radio frame of the first neighboring cell.

[0017] When the target measurement information includes the third time slot information, the target measurement information may further include, but is not limited to, at least one of the period of the reference signal of the first neighboring cell, the number of reference signals, the type of reference signal, the identification ID of the first neighboring cell, and the subcarrier spacing of the reference signal.

[0018] In the embodiments of the present application, taking the first neighboring cell as an example, the first neighboring cell is any one of the at least one neighboring cell. When the time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell included in the target measurement information reported by the first terminal device is time window information referenced by one or more timings, the following situations may specifically occur:

[0019] Situation 1: The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the first time window information referenced by the timing when the first terminal device receives the downlink reference signal of the serving cell.

[0020] Scenario 2: The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighbor cell is located is second time window information with reference to the timing of the first neighbor cell transmitting the downlink reference signal.

[0021] Scenario 3: The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighbor cell is located is third time window information with reference to the timing of the serving cell of the first terminal device transmitting the downlink reference signal.

[0022] In the above, the first time window information, or the second time window information, or the third time window information may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the length of the time window, the period of the time window, and the offset of the time window.

[0023] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: The first terminal device sends one or more of the following to the first access network device: the timing difference between the timing of the reference signal of the serving cell received by the first terminal device and the timing of the reference signal transmitted by the at least one neighbor cell respectively, the first propagation delay from the first terminal device to the serving cell of the first terminal device, the propagation delays from the first terminal device to the corresponding cells of the at least one neighbor cell respectively (hereinafter, the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the first neighbor cell is referred to as the third propagation delay, and the first neighbor cell is any one of the at least one neighbor cell), and the first propagation delay differences corresponding to the at least one neighbor cell; wherein, the first propagation delay difference corresponding to each neighbor cell is the difference between the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the corresponding neighbor cell and the first propagation delay.

[0024] In a second aspect, the present application provides a measurement configuration method. This method can be executed by the first access network device, or by a chip or a chip system corresponding to the first access network device, and no specific limitation is made thereto. Taking the first access network device as an example, the method may include: The first access network device sends first configuration information, and the first configuration information is used for the first terminal device to perform a first measurement on at least one neighbor cell, and the first measurement is to measure the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighbor cell are located respectively; the first access network device receives target measurement information from the first terminal device, and the target measurement information includes the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighbor cell are located respectively.

[0025] In an embodiment of the present application, the first access network device serves as the access network device for the first terminal device. The first access network device may send first configuration information to the first terminal device, and the first configuration information is used for the first terminal device to perform first measurements on at least one neighboring cell. The first measurements are to measure the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are located respectively. Further, the first access network device receives target measurement information from the first terminal device, and the target measurement information includes the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are located respectively. Thus, it can be known that the first access network device can subsequently, according to the target measurement information reported by the first terminal device, effectively and accurately configure the timing configuration for measuring the reference signals of neighboring cells for each served terminal device (including the first terminal device).

[0026] In a possible implementation manner, the first configuration information includes the information of the at least one neighboring cell and / or the information of the neighboring frequency points corresponding to the at least one neighboring cell; the first configuration information is used to instruct the first terminal device to report the target measurement information obtained by performing the first measurements on the at least one neighboring cell and / or the neighboring frequency points corresponding to the at least one neighboring cell.

[0027] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first access network device determines second configuration information of the target terminal device served by the first access network device according to the target measurement information. The second configuration information is used to instruct the timing configuration for the target terminal device to measure the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell, and the target terminal device includes the first terminal device; the first access network device sends the second configuration information to the target terminal device.

[0028] Through this implementation manner, the first access network device can, according to the target measurement information measured and reported by the first terminal device, effectively configure the timing configuration for measuring the reference signals of neighboring cells for each served terminal device (including the first terminal device), and send it down or instruct it to the corresponding terminal device.

[0029] In an embodiment of the present application, the reference signal may be, but is not limited to, the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block SSB; when the reference signal is SSB, then the timing configuration may be the timing configuration for SSB measurement, SMTC.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: The first access network device may also receive one or more of the following sent by the first terminal device: the timing difference between the timing of the reference signal of the serving cell received by the first terminal device and the timing of the reference signals sent by the at least one neighboring cell respectively, the first propagation delay from the first terminal device to the serving cell of the first terminal device, the propagation delays from the first terminal device to the corresponding cells of the at least one neighboring cell respectively, the first propagation delay differences corresponding to the at least one neighboring cell; where the first propagation delay difference corresponding to each neighboring cell is the difference between the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the corresponding neighboring cell and the first propagation delay.

[0031] In an embodiment of the present application, the first terminal device sends target measurement information to the first access network device so that the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the target terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signals of at least one neighboring cell, including but not limited to the following implementation manners:

[0032] Implementation manner 1: Taking the first neighboring cell as an example, the first neighboring cell is any one of the at least one neighboring cell, and the first terminal device sends the time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located to the first access network device, and the time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the time slot information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located. There may be but are not limited to the following several situations for the timing referred to by the time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located:

[0033] Situation 1: The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the first time slot information referenced by the timing of the downlink reference signal of the serving cell received by the first terminal device.

[0034] In a possible implementation, for the above situation 1 (that is, when the target measurement information includes the first time slot information), the target measurement information may further include at least one of the period of the reference signal of the first neighboring cell, the number of reference signals, the type of reference signal, the identification ID of the first neighboring cell, and the subcarrier spacing of the reference signal.

[0035] For situation 1: The first access network device may determine the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform on the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information. The first access network device does not need to consider the propagation delay difference or the propagation delay difference value of the first terminal device.

[0036] In a possible implementation, if the target terminal device further includes a second terminal device; the method may further include: The first access network device may determine the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information. Where the second terminal device may be other terminal devices served by the first access network device.

[0037] The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell based on the target measurement information, which can be implemented in the following ways:

[0038] Method 1: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay of the second terminal device, where the second propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the serving cell; the first access network device can determine the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, the first propagation delay, and the second propagation delay.

[0039] Method 1 takes into account the case where the serving cell is a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell and the first neighboring cell is a terrestrial network (TN) cell. In this case, the distances from the first terminal device and the second terminal device to the serving cell are relatively large, resulting in relatively large propagation delays, while the distances from the first terminal device and the second terminal device to the first neighboring cell are relatively small, and the propagation delays can be ignored. Therefore, the first access network device needs to consider the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the serving cell and the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the serving cell to determine or configure the timing configuration for the second terminal device to measure the reference signal of the first neighboring cell. The same applies to Method 1 in the following several cases.

[0040] Method 2: The first access network device obtains the fourth propagation delay of the second terminal device; the fourth propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the first neighboring cell; the first access network device can determine the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, the fourth propagation delay, and the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the first neighboring cell (i.e., the third propagation delay).

[0041] Method 2 takes into account the case where the serving cell is a terrestrial network (TN) cell and the first neighboring cell is a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell. In this case, the distances from the first terminal device and the second terminal device to the first neighboring cell are relatively large, resulting in relatively large propagation delays, while the distances from the first terminal device and the second terminal device to the serving cell are relatively small, and the propagation delays can be ignored. Therefore, the first access network device needs to consider the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the first neighboring cell and the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the first neighboring cell to determine or configure the timing configuration for the second terminal device to measure the reference signal of the first neighboring cell. The same applies to Method 2 in the following several cases.

[0042] Method 3: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay difference of the second terminal device, where the second propagation delay difference is the propagation delay difference between the second terminal device to the serving cell and the first neighboring cell (i.e., the difference between the above-mentioned second propagation delay and the fourth propagation delay); the first access network device can determine the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, the first propagation delay difference corresponding to the first neighboring cell, and the second propagation delay difference.

[0043] In Method 3, considering that both the serving cell and the first neighbor cell are non-terrestrial network (NTN) cells, the first access network device needs to consider the propagation delays of the first terminal device and the second terminal device to the serving cell and the first neighbor cell respectively to determine or configure the timing configuration for the second terminal device to measure the reference signal of the first neighbor cell. The same applies to Method 3 in the following several cases.

[0044] It should be noted that in addition to serving the first terminal device, the first access network device may also serve one or more other terminal devices. For any one of these terminal devices, the first access network device can implement it by referring to the method adopted for determining the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform the measurement of the reference signal of the first neighbor cell as described above, and will not be elaborated here one by one.

[0045] Case 2: The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighbor cell is located is the second time slot information referenced by the timing of the first neighbor cell transmitting the downlink reference signal. The first neighbor cell is any one of the at least one neighbor cell.

[0046] In a possible implementation manner, for Case 2, when the target measurement information includes the second time slot information, the target measurement information may further include, but is not limited to, at least one of the period of the reference signal of the first neighbor cell, the third indication information, the number of reference signals, the pattern bitmap of the reference signal, the type of the reference signal, the identification ID of the first neighbor cell, and the subcarrier spacing of the reference signal; wherein, the third indication information is used to indicate that the reference signal of the first neighbor cell is located in the first half frame or the second half frame of the system radio frame of the first neighbor cell.

[0047] For Case 2: The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform on the first neighbor cell according to the target measurement information, which may be implemented in the following ways:

[0048] Method 1: The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to measure the first neighbor cell according to the target measurement information, the first timing difference, and the first propagation delay (i.e., the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the serving cell).

[0049] Method 2: The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to measure the first neighbor cell according to the target measurement information, the first timing difference, and the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the first neighbor cell (referred to as the third propagation delay).

[0050] Method 3: The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform on the reference signal of the first neighbor cell according to the target measurement information, the first timing difference, and the first propagation delay difference (i.e., the difference between the above-mentioned first propagation delay and the third propagation delay).

[0051] Among the above, the first timing difference is the difference between the timing when the first terminal device receives the reference signal of the serving cell and the timing when it receives the reference signal of the first neighboring cell.

[0052] In a possible implementation manner, if the target terminal device further includes a second terminal device; the method may further include: the first access network device may determine the timing configuration performed by the second terminal device on the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information. Wherein, the second terminal device may be other terminal devices served by the first access network device.

[0053] The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to measure the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, which may be implemented in the following ways:

[0054] Method 1: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay of the second terminal device, where the second propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the serving cell; the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to measure the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, the first timing difference, and the second propagation delay.

[0055] Method 2: The first access network device obtains the fourth propagation delay of the second terminal device, where the fourth propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the first neighboring cell; the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to measure the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, the first timing difference, and the fourth propagation delay.

[0056] Method 3: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay difference of the second terminal device, where the second propagation delay difference is the propagation delay difference between the second terminal device to the serving cell and the first neighboring cell (i.e., the difference between the above-mentioned second propagation delay and the fourth propagation delay); the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to measure the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, the first timing difference, and the second propagation delay difference.

[0057] Case 3: The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the third time slot information referenced by the timing of the serving cell of the first terminal device sending the downlink reference signal. The first neighboring cell is any one of the at least one neighboring cell.

[0058] In a possible implementation manner, for Case 3, when the target measurement information includes the third time slot information, the target measurement information may further include, but is not limited to, at least one of the period of the reference signal of the first neighboring cell, the number of reference signals, the type of reference signal, the identification ID of the first neighboring cell, and the subcarrier spacing of the reference signal.

[0059] For Scenario 3: The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform on the first neighboring cell based on the target measurement information, which can be achieved through the following methods:

[0060] Method 1: The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell based on the target measurement information and the first propagation delay.

[0061] Method 2: The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell based on the target measurement information and the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the first neighboring cell (i.e., the third propagation delay).

[0062] Method 3: The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell based on the target measurement information and the first propagation delay difference (i.e., the difference between the above-mentioned first propagation delay and the third propagation delay).

[0063] In a possible implementation, if the target terminal device further includes a second terminal device; the method may further include: The first access network device may determine the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform on the first neighboring cell based on the target measurement information. Wherein, the second terminal device may be other terminal devices served by the first access network device.

[0064] The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell based on the target measurement information, which can be implemented through the following methods:

[0065] Method 1: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay of the second terminal device, where the second propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the serving cell; the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell based on the target measurement information and the second propagation delay.

[0066] Method 2: The first access network device obtains the fourth propagation delay of the second terminal device, where the fourth propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the first neighboring cell; the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell based on the target measurement information and the fourth propagation delay.

[0067] Method 3: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay difference of the second terminal device, where the second propagation delay difference is the propagation delay difference between the second terminal device to the serving cell and the first neighboring cell (i.e., the difference between the above-mentioned second propagation delay and the fourth propagation delay); the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell based on the target measurement information and the second propagation delay difference.

[0068] Implementation method 2: Taking the first neighbor cell as an example, the first neighbor cell is any one of the at least one neighbor cell, and the time domain information of the reference signal of the first neighbor cell sent by the first terminal device to the first access network device is the time window information of the reference signal of the first neighbor cell. There may be but are not limited to the following situations for the timing referenced by the time window information of the reference signal of the first neighbor cell:

[0069] Situation 1: The time domain information of the reference signal of the first neighbor cell is the first time window information referenced by the timing of the downlink reference signal of the serving cell received by the first terminal device. Among them, the first time window information may include but is not limited to at least one of the length of the time window, the period of the time window, and the offset of the time window.

[0070] For Situation 1: The first access network device may determine the timing configuration for the first terminal device to measure the reference signal of the first neighbor cell according to the first time window information referenced by the timing of the downlink reference signal of the serving cell received by the first terminal device. For example, the first access network device may use the first time window referenced by the timing of the downlink reference signal of the serving cell received by the first terminal device as the timing configuration for the first terminal device to measure the reference signal of the first neighbor cell.

[0071] In a possible implementation manner, if the target terminal device further includes a second terminal device; the method may further include: The first access network device may determine the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform on the first neighbor cell according to the target measurement information. Among them, the second terminal device may be other terminal devices served by the first access network device.

[0072] The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to measure the reference signal of the first neighbor cell according to the target measurement information, which may be implemented in the following ways:

[0073] Method 1: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay of the second terminal device; then determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to measure the reference signal of the first neighbor cell according to the first time window information, the first timing difference, and the second propagation delay.

[0074] Method 2: The first access network device obtains the fourth propagation delay of the second terminal device, where the fourth propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the first neighbor cell; then determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to measure the reference signal of the first neighbor cell according to the first time window information, the first timing difference, and the fourth propagation delay.

[0075] Method 3: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay difference of the second terminal device (i.e., the difference between the second propagation delay and the fourth propagation delay mentioned above); then, according to the first time window information, the first timing difference, and the second propagation delay difference, it determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell.

[0076] Among the above, the first timing difference is the difference between the timing when the first terminal device receives the reference signal of the serving cell and the timing when the first neighboring cell sends the reference signal.

[0077] Case 2: The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the second time window information with the timing of the first neighboring cell sending the downlink reference signal as a reference. Among them, the second time window information may include but is not limited to at least one of the length of the time window, the period of the time window, and the offset of the time window.

[0078] For Case 2: The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the second time window information, and the first propagation delay (i.e., the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the serving cell) or the third propagation delay (i.e., the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the first neighboring cell) or the first propagation delay difference.

[0079] In a possible implementation manner, if the target terminal device further includes a second terminal device; the method may further include: The first access network device may determine the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information. Among them, the second terminal device may be other terminal devices served by the first access network device.

[0080] The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, which may be implemented in the following ways:

[0081] Method 1: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay of the second terminal device; the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the second time window information and the second propagation delay.

[0082] Method 2: The first access network device obtains the fourth propagation delay of the second terminal device (i.e., the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the first neighboring cell); the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the second time window information and the fourth propagation delay.

[0083] Method 3: The first access network device obtains the second propagation time difference of the second terminal device; the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the second time window information and the second propagation time difference (i.e., the difference between the above-mentioned second propagation time and the fourth propagation time).

[0084] Case 3: The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the third time window information referenced by the timing of the downlink reference signal sent by the serving cell of the first terminal device. The third time window information includes one or more of the following: the length of the time window, the period of the time window, and the offset of the time window.

[0085] For Case 3, the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the third time window information and the first propagation time (i.e., the propagation time from the first terminal device to the serving cell) or the third propagation time (i.e., the propagation time from the first terminal device to the first neighboring cell).

[0086] In a possible implementation manner, if the target terminal device further includes a second terminal device; the method may further include: the first access network device may determine the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information. The second terminal device may be other terminal devices served by the first access network device.

[0087] The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, which may be implemented in the following ways:

[0088] Method 1: The first access network device obtains the second propagation time of the second terminal device (the propagation time from the second terminal device to the serving cell); then, according to the third time window information and the second propagation time, determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell.

[0089] Method 2: The first access network device obtains the fourth propagation time of the second terminal device (i.e., the propagation time from the second terminal device to the first neighboring cell); then, according to the third time window information and the fourth propagation time, determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell.

[0090] Method 3: The first access network device obtains the second propagation time difference (i.e., the difference between the above-mentioned second propagation time and the fourth propagation time); then, according to the third time window information and the second propagation time difference, determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell.

[0091] The above is introduced by taking the first neighbor cell as an example. The timing configuration for the serving terminal device to determine the reference signal for measuring other neighbor cells by the first access network device can all be implemented by referring to the above method, and will not be elaborated one by one here.

[0092] The embodiment of the present application also provides a measurement configuration method, and this method can be seen in detail in the following third aspect, fourth aspect, and fifth aspect.

[0093] In the third aspect, the embodiment of the present application provides a measurement configuration method. This method can be executed by the first access network device, or can be executed by a chip or chip system corresponding to the first access network device, and no specific limitation is made thereto. Taking the first access network device as an example, this method may include: the first access network device sends a first request message to a core network element; the first request message is used to request the first configuration information of the second access network device, and the first configuration information is used to indicate the time domain information where the reference signal of the second access network device is located; the first access network device receives the first configuration information from the core network element; the first configuration information is reported by the second access network device to the core network element.

[0094] In the solution of the present application, the first access network device can obtain the time domain information where the reference signal of the adjacent access network device (the second access network device) is located through the core network element. Furthermore, the first access network device can effectively and accurately obtain the timing configuration for measuring the reference signal of the adjacent access network device (the second access network device) according to the time domain information where the reference signal of the adjacent access network device (the second access network device) is located.

[0095] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first access network device sends second configuration information to the first terminal device, and the second configuration information is determined according to the first configuration information, and the second configuration information is used to indicate the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurement on the reference signals of at least one neighbor cell. Through this implementation manner, the first access network device can effectively configure the timing configuration for the serving first terminal device to measure the reference signal of the neighbor cell.

[0096] In a possible implementation manner, the first request message sent by the first access network device to the core network element includes the indication information of the second access network device, or the first request message includes the first location information, and the first location information is associated with the second access network device. Correspondingly, the first configuration information sent by the core network element to the first access network device may include the configuration information of all cells served by the second access network device.

[0097] In another possible implementation manner, the first request information sent by the first access network device to the core network element includes indication information of a second network device and indication information of a second cell served by the second network device. Correspondingly, the first configuration information sent by the core network element to the first access network device may include configuration information of the second cell.

[0098] In the embodiments of the present application, the configuration information of a cell may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: frequency point information of the cell, subcarrier spacing of the reference signal of the cell, timing configuration of the reference signal of the cell, reference signal pattern bitmap, physical cell identifier PCI, and coverage information of the cell.

[0099] Fourthly, the embodiments of the present application provide a measurement configuration method. This method may be executed by a core network element, or may be executed by a chip or chip system corresponding to the core network element, and no specific limitation is made thereto. Taking the core network element as an example, this method may include: the core network element receives first request information from a first access network device; the first request information is used to request first configuration information of a second access network device; the first configuration information is used to indicate time domain information where the reference signal of the second access network device is located; the core network element sends the first configuration information of the second access network device to a first network device according to the first request information.

[0100] In a possible implementation manner, this method further includes: the core network element receives first configuration information from at least one access network device; the first configuration information of the at least one access network device includes the first configuration information of the second access network device.

[0101] In a possible implementation manner, the first request information sent by the first access network device to the core network element includes indication information of the second access network device, or the first request information includes first location information, and the first location information is associated with the second access network device. Correspondingly, the first configuration information sent by the core network element to the first access network device may include configuration information of all cells served by the second access network device.

[0102] In another possible implementation manner, the first request information sent by the first access network device to the core network element includes indication information of a second network device and indication information of a second cell served by the second network device. Correspondingly, the first configuration information sent by the core network element to the first access network device may include configuration information of the second cell.

[0103] In the embodiments of the present application, the configuration information of a cell may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: frequency point information of the cell, subcarrier spacing of the reference signal of the cell, timing configuration of the reference signal of the cell, reference signal pattern bitmap, physical cell identifier PCI, and coverage information of the cell.

[0104] Fifth aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a measurement configuration method, which can be executed by a second access network device, or by a chip or chip system corresponding to the second access network device, and no specific limitation is made thereto. Taking the second access network device as an example, the method may include: the second access network device generates first configuration information; the second access network device sends the first configuration information to a core network element, and the first configuration information is used to indicate time domain information where a reference signal of the second access network device is located.

[0105] In a possible implementation manner, the first configuration information includes configuration information of at least one cell served by the second access network device, and the configuration information of each cell includes one or more of the following: frequency point information of the cell, subcarrier spacing of a reference signal of the cell, timing configuration of the reference signal of the cell, pattern bitmap of the reference signal, physical cell identifier PCI, and coverage information of the cell.

[0106] Sixth aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication system, which may include a first terminal device and a first access network device; the first terminal device is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect or any of its possible implementation manners; the first access network device is configured to execute the method described in the second aspect or any of its possible implementation manners. Optionally, the communication system further includes other access network devices (such as a second access network device) adjacent to the first access network device in terms of location.

[0107] Seventh aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which may include a first access network device, a core network element, and a second access network device; the first access network device is configured to execute the method described in the third aspect or any of its possible implementation manners; the core network element is configured to execute the method described in the fourth aspect or any of its possible implementation manners; the second access network device is configured to execute the method described in the fifth aspect or any of its possible implementation manners.

[0108] Eighth aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication device, which can be used to execute the method of the first aspect. The device can be a first terminal device, or a component in the first terminal device (such as a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit), or can be a device that can be used in a matching manner with the first terminal device.

[0109] In one possible implementation, the device may include modules or units corresponding one by one to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect. The module or unit may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. In one possible implementation, the device may include a processing unit (also referred to as a processing module) and a communication unit (also referred to as a communication module). The communication unit may be used to perform the functions of receiving and / or sending, and the processing unit may be used to perform the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner in the first aspect.

[0110] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, which can be used to perform the method in the second aspect or the third aspect. The device may be a first access network device, or a component in the first access network device (such as a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or a device that can be used in combination with the first access network device.

[0111] In one possible implementation, the device may include modules or units corresponding one by one to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second aspect or the third aspect. The module or unit may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. In one possible implementation, the device may include a processing unit (also referred to as a processing module) and a communication unit (also referred to as a communication module). The communication unit may be used to perform the functions of receiving and / or sending, and the processing unit may be used to perform the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner in the second aspect, or the processing unit may be used to perform the method described in the third aspect or any possible implementation manner in the third aspect.

[0112] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, which can be used to perform the method in the fourth aspect. The device may be a core network element, or a component in the core network element (such as a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or a device that can be used in combination with the core network element.

[0113] In one possible implementation, the device may include modules or units corresponding one by one to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the fourth aspect. The module or unit may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. In one possible implementation, the device may include a processing unit (also referred to as a processing module) and a communication unit (also referred to as a communication module). The communication unit may be used to perform the functions of receiving and / or sending, and the processing unit may be used to perform the method described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner in the fourth aspect.

[0114] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device. This device can be used to execute the method of the fifth aspect. This device can be a second access network device, or a component in the second access network device (such as a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit), or can be a device that can be used in combination with the second access network device.

[0115] In a possible implementation, the device may include modules or units corresponding one by one to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the fifth aspect. The module or unit can be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software. In a possible implementation, the device may include a processing unit (also referred to as a processing module) and a communication unit (also referred to as a communication module). Among them, the communication unit can be used to execute the functions of receiving and / or sending, and the processing unit can be used to execute the method described in the above fifth aspect or any possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect.

[0116] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device, which includes: at least one processor and a communication interface; wherein, the communication interface is used to communicate with other devices; the processor is used to run a set of programs so that the device can implement the method provided in the above first aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, or so that the device can implement the method provided in the above second aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, or so that the device can implement the method provided in the above third aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof; or so that the device can implement the method provided in the above fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, or so that the device can implement the method provided in the above fifth aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof.

[0117] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer storage medium. The storage medium stores a software program, which can implement the method provided in the above first aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, or implement the method provided in the above second aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, or implement the method provided in the above third aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, or implement the method provided in the above fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, or implement the method provided in the above fifth aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof when read and executed by one or more processors.

[0118] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product including instructions, which, when running on a computer, causes the method provided in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof to be executed, or causes the method provided in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof to be executed, or causes the method provided in the third aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof to be executed, or causes the method provided in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof to be executed, or causes the method provided in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof to be executed.

[0119] In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting a first terminal device to implement the functions involved in the first aspect above; or for supporting a first access network device to implement the functions involved in the second aspect or the third aspect above; or for supporting a core network element to implement the functions involved in the fourth aspect above; or for supporting a second access network device to implement the functions involved in the fifth aspect above.

[0120] In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data for the loading device to execute. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0121] It should be noted that the technical effects that can be achieved by the sixth aspect to the fifteenth aspect above or any possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect to the fifteenth aspect can be correspondingly described with reference to the technical effects that can be achieved by the first aspect to the fifth aspect above or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the fifth aspect; details are not repeated here. Description of the Drawings

[0122] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the timing and synchronization of the NTN and TN base stations in an embodiment of the present application;

[0123] Figure 2 It is a possible and non-limiting communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0124] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a split network structure applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0125] Figure 4A It is a communication system to which the method shown in an embodiment of the present application is applicable;

[0126] Figure 4B It is another communication system to which the method shown in an embodiment of the present application is applicable;

[0127] Figure 4CAnother communication system adapted to the method shown in the embodiments of the present application;

[0128] Figure 4D Another communication system adapted to the method shown in the embodiments of the present application;

[0129] Figure 5 Schematic flow chart of a measurement configuration method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0130] Figure 6 Schematic flow chart of Embodiment 1 provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0131] Figure 7 Schematic flow chart of another measurement configuration method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0132] Figure 8 Schematic flow chart of Embodiment 2 provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0133] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of a communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0134] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of another communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0135] Figure 11 Schematic diagram of another chip device provided by the embodiments of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0136] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. The terms used in the following embodiments are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. As used in the specification and appended claims of the present application, the singular forms "a", "an", "the", "above-mentioned", "said", "this" are also intended to include, for example, the expression "one or more", unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the embodiments of the present application, for the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, it means "singular noun or plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects and indicates that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one (item)" or its similar expression refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single item (item) or plural items (items). For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0137] References in this specification to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" or the like mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in one or more embodiments of the present application. Thus, the statements "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments", "in other embodiments" and the like that appear in different places in this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but mean "one or more but not all embodiments", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways. The "embodiment" in this specification is the same as the foregoing. The terms "comprise", "include", "have" and their variants all mean "including but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways. Words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to represent examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as being more preferred or having more advantages than other embodiments or designs. The use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific way for easy understanding.

[0138] The "multiple" involved in the embodiments of this application means greater than or equal to two. It should be noted that in the description of the embodiments of this application, terms such as "first", "second", as well as "1", "2", etc. are for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, nor as indicating or implying an order. In addition, the term "used to indicate" mentioned in the description of the embodiments of this application may include being used for direct indication and indirect indication. When describing that a certain indication information is used to indicate A, it may include that the indication information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, and it does not necessarily mean that A is carried in the indication information. In addition, the steps corresponding to the dashed boxes or dashed lines in the accompanying drawings of the specification represent optional steps.

[0139] This application provides a communication method. To better understand the solutions of the embodiments of this application, the names and related technical features involved in the embodiments of this application will be explained below. It should be noted that these explanations are for making the embodiments of this application easier to understand and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0140] I. SSB:

[0141] In the 5G mobile communication system, the synchronization signal block is generally transmitted together with the master information block (MIB) on the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) to form an SS / PBCH block. The SSB described in the embodiments of this application hereinafter may also refer to the SS / PBCH block. Among them, the synchronization signal (synchronization signal block, SS) may include a primary synchronization signal (primary synchronization signal, PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (secondary synchronization signal, SSS).

[0142] Among them, the PSS can be used to transmit the cell number, and the SSS can be used to transmit the cell group number. The cell number and the cell group number jointly determine multiple physical cell identities (PCI) in the 5G communication system. Once the terminal successfully searches for the PSS and SSS, it knows the physical cell number of this 5G carrier, and thus has the ability to parse the system message included in the SSB.

[0143] II. SSB-based measurement timing configuration (SMTC):

[0144] Each cell periodically transmits one or more SSB beams in the time domain (i.e., SSB beam scanning), and the SSB beams of each cell are configured with the same frequency domain position in the frequency domain. To ensure accurate and complete measurement of all SSB beams of each cell, when the base station issues measurement configuration, in addition to indicating the SSB frequency points to be measured, it also indicates the timing position and duration for starting SSB measurement, thus introducing the concept of SSB-based measurement time configuration (SMTC). SMTC information can be used to indicate the time window configured by the network device for the terminal device to perform SSB-based measurement. Through the configuration of SMTC, the time window for the terminal to search for SSB can be effectively indicated, reducing unnecessary measurement power consumption of the terminal.

[0145] Taking SSB-based measurement as an example, in the embodiments of the present application, SMTC information can also be extended to indicate the window configured by the network device for the terminal device to perform measurement based on other downlink reference signals (such as channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), cell-specific reference signal (CS-RS), UE-specific reference signal (US-RS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), etc.). The window extended to the measurement of other reference signals can be called other names, which is not limited thereto.

[0146] The system frame number (SFN) of the measurement window satisfies the following formula: SFN mod T = floor(offset / 10). Where SFN is the system frame number of the measurement window, mod is the remainder operation, floor is the floor operation, offset is the offset, and T = ceil(periodicity / 10). ceil is the ceiling operation, and periodicity is the period of the measurement window. If the period of the measurement window is greater than 5 subframes, the subframe number where the measurement window is located satisfies the following formula: subframe = offset mod 10. If the period of the measurement window is less than or equal to 5 subframes, the subframe number where the measurement window is located satisfies the following formula: subframe = offset, or subframe = offset + 5. subframe is the subframe number where the measurement window is located. Among them, the offset offset and the period periodicity of the measurement window are configured by the base station for the terminal.

[0147] The current protocol defines three types of SMTC, namely SMTC1, SMTC2, and SMTC3, among which SMTC1 is defined as the primary SMTC.

[0148] (1) SMTC1 mainly includes three parameters, namely measurement period (periodicity), offset, and duration. Among them, the measurement period indicates the frequency at which the terminal measures the SSB; the offset indicates the starting position of the measurement time window in the time domain, and the maximum offset does not exceed the measurement period; the duration indicates the duration for which the terminal measures the SSB, that is, the duration of the measurement time window. It can be understood that SMTC1 does not limit specific cells, that is to say, the terminal can measure the SSBs of all possible cells (including the serving cell) within the measurement time window configured by SMTC1.

[0149] (2) SMTC2 mainly includes a cell list (pci-List) and a measurement period. Compared with SMTC1, SMTC2 only measures the SSBs of some specific cells, and the measurement period is generally shorter than the measurement period configured by SMTC1, but it will reuse the same offset and duration as SMTC1.

[0150] (3) SMTC3 not only configures the measurement period, offset, duration, and cell list separately, but also can specify the index of the SSB to be measured for the frequency point to be measured. SMTC is generally used in the integrated access backhaul (IAB) scenario.

[0151] Compared with terrestrial communication systems, the number of SSB beams required in satellite communication systems may reach hundreds or even thousands. Considering that in satellite communication systems, the time delays of the SSBs sent by the serving satellite and adjacent satellites arriving at the terminal are different, if the same offset is used, it may be impossible to measure the SSBs sent by adjacent satellites within the measurement time window configured by SMTC, resulting in measurement failure. In response to this, the protocol has added SMTC4 for the current situation of different time delays of different satellites. SMTC4 contains a cell list and an offset. For each cell list, an offset can be configured, and up to 4 cell lists are allowed to be configured. Compared with SMTC1, the network side can calculate the arrival time delays of different satellites based on the position information of each satellite and the position information of the terminal, and configure the corresponding cell list and offset in SMTC4 to ensure that the SSBs sent by adjacent satellites can be detected by the terminal at the corresponding time positions. For the measurement period and duration, SMTC4 shares them with SMTC1.

[0152] That is to say, for a satellite communication system, for each frequency point to be measured, the network device can configure SMTC1 for the terminal. Then, the terminal can measure the SSB of at least one cell according to SMTC1, where the at least one cell includes the serving cell of the terminal; or, the network device can configure SMTC1 and SMTC4 for the terminal. Then, the terminal can measure the SSB of at least one cell according to SMTC1, and measure the SSB of each cell in at least one cell list according to SMTC4.

[0153] In the following embodiments of this application, the SMTC corresponding to one frequency point to be measured will be described as an example. When there are multiple frequency points to be measured, it can be referred to for implementation.

[0154] III. Measurement configuration of SSB:

[0155] In scenarios such as handover and cell reselection, the selection of the target cell generally needs to be based on the measurement results of the terminal's neighboring cells.

[0156] (1) An idle-state terminal measures according to the frequency points, SMTC, etc. sent in the system message.

[0157] (2) The process of a connected-state terminal performing neighboring cell measurement is mainly divided into steps such as measurement sending, measurement result generation, and measurement result reporting. Measurement sending means that the source base station sends the measurement configuration information to the UE, and the measurement configuration information is generally transmitted through the RRCReconfiguration message. The UE performs relevant measurements according to the measurement configuration information, and then reports the measurement results to the gNodeB through a measurement report. The measurement configuration information includes measurement objects (including SSB frequency, SSB subcarrier spacing, SMTC configuration (SSB-based measurement timing configuration), white list and blacklist cells, etc.), measurement GAP (the time period when the UE leaves the current frequency point to measure other frequency points, only involved in inter-frequency measurement and inter-system measurement), reporting configuration (the way to trigger the measurement report and the format of the measurement report), trigger quantity (how to trigger event reporting), and measurement ID (combining the measurement object and the reporting configuration). The UE performs measurements according to the measurement configuration information sent by the gNodeB and reports the measurements after meeting the conditions. Regardless of the foregoing measurement method, the configuration of SMTC can be frequency-point-based or configured based on different cells on the frequency point.

[0158] Generally, between two NR base stations, they can exchange the configuration of SMTC of serving cells and / or neighboring cells on the Xn interface. The timing of SMTC of the neighboring station received by the source station is based on the timing of the neighboring station's cell. For example, when Station A sends SMTC to Station B, the timing of SMTC is based on the timing of Station A's cell; when Station B sends SMTC to Station A, the timing of SMTC is based on the timing of Station B's cell. The SMTC configured by the source station for its served terminal to measure the neighboring cell is based on the timing of the source cell. Therefore, the source cell needs to convert the SMTC of the neighboring station transmitted through the Xn interface into the SMTC based on the source cell timing configured for the terminal. When the two NR base stations are synchronized, the timing of the neighboring cell of the neighboring station is the same as the timing of the source base station. When the two NR base stations are asynchronous, it is necessary to know the frame boundary difference (SFN and Frame Timing Difference, SFTD) between the two stations to convert SMTC. It should be noted that the SMTC configured by the source station for its served terminal to measure the neighboring cell may be the SMTC required for measuring multiple neighboring cells. For example, the source station obtains a new SMTC configuration according to the SMTC configurations sent by multiple neighboring cells to the source station, and the source station sends this new SMTC configuration to the terminal to perform measurements on multiple neighboring cells.

[0159] The terminal can report the SFN and the radio frame boundary difference (SFN and frame timing difference, SFTD) of the PCell and the NR cell. Correspondingly, the base station can configure the terminal to measure the SFTD of the PCell and the NR cell (including NR neighboring cells and NR's PSCELL, etc.).

[0160] Taking the base stations of the non-terrestrial network NTN and the terrestrial network TN as examples below, the concepts of timing and synchronization involved in the embodiments of the present application are introduced:

[0161] See Figure 1 As shown, the alignment of the boundaries of the frame numbers and sub-frame numbers of the two cells between stations can be considered that the two cells are synchronized.

[0162] Figure 1 The NTN cell in the first row and the TN cell in the second row in [] are synchronized; the NTN / TN in the first row / second row and the TN in the third row are asynchronous. The bold square box indicates the position where the SSB of the cell is located, and the square box below each row indicates the SMTC.

[0163] Taking the NTN cell as the timing, the asynchronous TN cell as the timing, and the SMTC1 configured from the UE perspective to indicate the time domain position of the SSB of a certain neighboring cell measured by the UE are described below:

[0164] Taking the timing of the NTN cell transmitter as a reference: From the perspective of the NTN cell transmitter, the measurement window is calculated based on the frame number and subframe number of the source cell (equivalent to the serving cell in the following solution of this application).

[0165] Taking the timing of the neighboring cell as a reference: From the perspective of the transmitter of the neighboring cell, the measurement window is calculated based on the frame number and subframe number of the neighboring cell.

[0166] Taking the timing of the UE as a reference: The measurement window is calculated based on the frame number and subframe number of the serving cell received by the UE.

[0167] For example, as Figure 1 shown, the SSB transmitted by the asynchronous TN cell is on subframe numbers 0 and 1 of its first half frame. So, taking its own timing as a reference, the offset of SMTC1 can be 0, and the duration is 2 subframes. Through the Xn interface, after this SMTC is sent to the NTN cell. The NTN cell learns that the SFTD between the NTN cell and the asynchronous TN cell is 3 subframes different (see Figure 1 the first and third lines), then the offset of SMTC1 calculated with the NTN cell timing is 3, and the duration is 2 subframes. When the propagation delay between the UE and the NTN cell is 0 or approximately 0, the NTN cell can directly configure the offset of SMTC1 for this UE to be 3, and the duration is 2 subframes; but when the propagation delay between the UE and the NTN cell cannot be ignored (such as when the propagation delay is large), then the NTN cell (which is equivalent to the serving cell of the UE) needs to consider the propagation delay between the UE and the NTN cell to configure and send the SMTC1 to the UE; assuming the propagation delay between the UE and the NTN cell is 11 subframes, then the offset of SMTC1 configured by the NTN cell for the UE is 2, and the duration is 2 subframes. In the above example, it is assumed that the propagation delay from the asynchronous TN cell to the UE is 0.

[0168] In the embodiments of this application, when the serving cell is an NTN cell, due to the large coverage range of the NTN network, generally dozens to hundreds of kilometers, the transmission delay from the NTN network to the UE is very large. Therefore, when configuring the SMTC for the UE, the propagation time between the UE and the serving cell needs to be considered additionally. When configuring the SMTC, the serving cell can also consider the propagation delay from the UE to the TN network, but the propagation delay from the UE to the TN network can also be regarded as 0.

[0169] However, in the case where there is no Xn interface between two base stations (for example, there is no Xn interface between the NTN base station and the TN base station), they cannot exchange their respective SMTCs, which will cause the source base station to be unable to send accurate SMTCs for measuring neighboring cells or neighboring frequency points to the served terminal device, thus unable to guarantee the accuracy of the SSB measurement performed by this terminal device.

[0170] In view of the above problems, the present application proposes a measurement configuration method. In this method, the access network device can effectively configure accurate timing configurations for the reference signals used by the served terminal devices to measure neighboring cells, thereby improving the measurement efficiency of the terminal devices and reducing the measurement power of the terminal devices.

[0171] The method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a fourth-generation (4G) communication system, such as a long term evolution (LTE) communication system, and can also be applied to a fifth-generation (5G) communication system, such as a 5G new radio (NR) communication system, or applied to various future communication systems, such as a sixth-generation (6G) communication system. The method provided by the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to a narrow band-internet of things (NB-IoT) system. The method provided by the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to a satellite communication system, where the satellite communication system can be integrated with the above communication systems. Of course, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to other communication systems as long as there is a measurement requirement in the communication system. In addition, the communication system can also be applicable to future-oriented communication technologies. The system described in the embodiments of the present application is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art know that with the evolution of the network architecture, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0172] Figure 2 Shows a possible and non-limiting communication system architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 2 shown, the communication system 2000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the communication system 2000 may further include the Internet 300. The RAN 100 includes at least one access network device (such as Figure 2 110a and 110b in Figure 2 , collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal device (such as Figure 2etc. (not shown in the figure). The terminal device 120 is connected to the access network device wirelessly. The access network device is connected to the core network 200 wirelessly or wiredly. The core network device in the core network 200 and the access network device may be different physical devices respectively, or may be the same physical device integrating the core network logical function and the radio access network logical function.

[0173] The RAN 100 may be a 3GPP-related cellular system, for example, a 4G or 5G mobile communication system, or an evolved system after 5G (such as a 6G mobile communication system). The RAN 100 may also be an open radio access network (O-RAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a WiFi system. The RAN 100 may also be a communication system integrating two or more of the above systems.

[0174] It can be understood that Figure 2 Only one possible communication system architecture to which the embodiments of the present application can be applied is shown. In other possible scenarios, other devices may also be included in the communication system architecture.

[0175] The access network device is a node in a radio access network (RAN), and can also be called an access network device, or a RAN node (or device). The access network device is used to help the terminal device achieve wireless access. Multiple access network devices in the communication system 2000 may be of the same type of node or different types of nodes. In some scenarios, the roles of the access network device and the terminal device 120 are relative. For example, Figure 2 the network element 120i in the middle network may be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For the terminal devices 120j accessing the RAN 100 through the network element 120i, the network element 120i is a base station; but for the base station 110a, the network element 120i is a terminal device. The access network device and the terminal device 120 are sometimes both called communication devices. For example, Figure 2 the network elements 110a and 110b in the middle network can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and the network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal device functions.

[0176] In a possible scenario, the access network device can be a base station, evolved NodeB (eNodeB), transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), next generation NodeB (gNB), next generation base station in a 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system, base station in a future mobile communication system, satellite, or access point (AP) in a WiFi system, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, access network device in a mobile switching center non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system, that is, it can be deployed on a high-altitude platform or satellite, etc. The access network device can be a macro base station (such as Figure 2 110a in Figure 2 ), micro base station or indoor station (such as Figure 2 110b in

[0177] ), relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. The access network device can also be a device that serves as a base station function in device to device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything communication, drone communication, or machine communication. Optionally, the access network device can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle device, etc. For example, the access network device in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU).

[0177] In addition, in a network structure, the access network device can include a centralized unit (CU) node, or a distributed unit (DU) node, or include a CU node and a DU node. The RAN device including a CU node and a DU node splits the protocol layer of the gNB in the NR system, places the functions of some protocol layers under centralized control of the CU, and distributes the functions of the remaining part or all protocol layers in the DU, and the CU centrally controls the DU, as Figure 3As shown. Further, the CU can also be divided into a control plane (CU-CP) and a user plane (CU-UP). Among them, the CU-CP is responsible for control plane functions, mainly including radio resource control (RRC) and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) corresponding to the control plane (i.e., PDCP-C). PDCP-C is mainly responsible for encryption, decryption, integrity protection, data transmission, etc. of control plane data. The CU-UP is responsible for user plane functions, mainly including the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) and the PDCP corresponding to the user plane (i.e., PDCP-U). Among them, SDAP is mainly responsible for processing the data of the core network and mapping the flow to the bearer. PDCP-U is mainly responsible for encryption, decryption, integrity protection, header compression, sequence number maintenance, data transmission, etc. of the data plane. Among them, the CU-CP and the CU-UP are connected through the E1 interface. The CU-CP represents the gNB and is connected to the core network through the NG interface, and controls the connection to the DU through the control plane of the F1 interface (i.e., F1-C). The CU-UP is connected to the DU through the user plane of the F1 interface (i.e., F1-U). Of course, there is also a possible implementation where PDCP-C is also in the CU-UP.

[0178] It can be understood that in different systems, the CU (including CU-CP or CU-UP), or the DU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an open radio access network (O-RAN) system, the CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be called O-DU, the CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, and the CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP. For the convenience of description, in this application, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, and DU are used as examples for description. Any unit in the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0179] In the embodiments of this application, the form of the access network device is not limited. The device for implementing the functions of the access network device can be the access network device; it can also be a device that can support the access network device to implement this function, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the access network device or used in matching with the access network device.

[0180] The terminal device 120 can also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., or a device used to provide voice or data connectivity to users, and can also be an Internet of Things device. For example, the terminal device includes handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, etc. with wireless connection functions. Currently, the terminal device can be: a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device (such as a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a pedometer, etc.), a vehicle-mounted device (such as a car, a bicycle, an electric vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a high-speed train, etc.), a satellite terminal, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a smart point of sale (POS) machine, a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a wireless terminal in industrial control, a smart home device (such as a refrigerator, a TV, an air conditioner, an electric meter, etc.), a smart robot, a robotic arm, a workshop device, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical treatment, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, or a wireless terminal in a smart home, a flying device (such as a smart robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, an airplane), etc. The terminal device can also be other devices with terminal functions. For example, the terminal device can also be a device that serves as a terminal function in D2D communication.

[0181] The access network device and the terminal device can be fixed in position or movable. The access network device and the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on the water surface; they can also be deployed on airplanes, balloons, and artificial satellites in the air. The embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. In addition, the access network device and the terminal device, the access network device and the access network device, and the terminal device and the terminal device can communicate through authorized spectrum, can also communicate through unlicensed spectrum, or can also communicate through both authorized spectrum and unlicensed spectrum at the same time; they can communicate through spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), can also communicate through spectrum above 6 GHz, or can also use both spectrum below 6 GHz and spectrum above 6 GHz at the same time. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0182] A core network device refers to a device in the core network that provides service support for terminal devices. Currently, some examples of core network devices are: access and mobility management function (AMF) entities, session management function (SMF) entities, user plane function (UPF) entities, etc., which are not listed one by one here. Among them, an AMF entity can be responsible for access and mobility management in a mobile network, such as user registration management, connection management, and reachability management. The specific functions include non-access stratum signaling termination, registration area management, access authentication, etc. An SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as user session establishment, etc.; a UPF entity can be a functional entity of the user plane, mainly responsible for connecting to an external network. In this application, an "entity" can also be referred to as a network element or a functional entity. For example, an AMF entity can also be called an AMF network element or an AMF functional entity. Another example is that an SMF entity can also be called an SMF network element or an SMF functional entity, etc.

[0183] In an embodiment of this application, the functions of an access network device can also be executed by a module (such as a chip) in the access network device, or by a control subsystem that includes the functions of the access network device. The control subsystem that includes the functions of the access network device here can be a control center in application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. The functions of a terminal device can also be executed by a module (such as a chip or a modem) in the terminal device, or by a device that includes the functions of the terminal device.

[0184] Based on Figure 2 the system architecture shown, the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application can be applied to an NTN communication system. The NTN communication system can include networking using non-terrestrial network devices such as unmanned aerial vehicles, high altitude platform stations (HAPS), satellites, etc., to provide services such as data transmission and voice communication for terminal devices. In addition, the NTN system can also include other non-terrestrial network devices, which are not limited in this application.

[0185] The NTN communication system can also support various mobile communication systems, such as: new radio (NR) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, or other communication systems such as future communication systems. Specifically, it is not limited here.

[0186] In NTN communication, the operating modes of NTN devices can include: transparent mode and regenerative mode. According to the operating modes of NTN devices, the architecture of NTN communication can be divided into the following two categories: One is the transparent forwarding architecture. In this architecture, the NTN device can be a relay or an amplifier, which can perform radio frequency filtering, amplification, etc., and regenerate the physical layer signals. The NTN device can be responsible for layer 1 (L1) relay for physical layer forwarding, and the upper layers are invisible. The other is the regenerative architecture. In this architecture, the NTN device has the processing functions of an access network device. Exemplarily, a satellite in the regenerative operating mode can be further divided into a regenerative satellite without an inter-satellite link, that is, there is no inter-satellite link (ISL) between satellites; or, a regenerative satellite with an inter-satellite link, that is, there is an interface between satellites to directly interact data, where the inter-satellite link is the Xn interface; or, a regenerative satellite with the processing functions of the distributed unit (DU) of an access network device. In this scenario, the satellite acts as the DU.

[0187] Exemplarily, Figure 4A Fig. shows a schematic diagram of an NTN communication architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application. This NTN scenario can be a transparent satellite communication architecture. In Figure 4A In the shown communication architecture, the terminal device can communicate with the 5G core network (CN) through the access network, and then can be connected to the data network (DN) through the 5G CN. The satellite and the NTN gateway can act as relay devices between the terminal device and the access network device or as the remote radio unit (RRU) of the access network device. The functions of the satellite are: Radio Frequency filtering, Frequency conversion and amplification. That is, the satellite mainly acts as an L1 relay to regenerate the physical layer signals and does not have other higher protocol layers. In the transparent satellite communication architecture, the link between the satellite and the terminal device is called the service link, and the link between the satellite and the NTN gateway or the base station can be called the feeder link.

[0188] Exemplarily, Figure 4B Fig. shows a schematic diagram of another NTN communication architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application. This NTN communication architecture can be a regenerative communication architecture. In Figure 4BIn the shown communication architecture, a satellite can serve as an access network device, form an access network with an NTN gateway, and communicate with the core network through the NTN gateway. Additionally, the satellite can also provide wireless access services for terminal devices. Among them, Figure 4B An exemplary regenerative satellite architecture without an inter-satellite link is shown, with the processing function of a base station, Regenerative satellite without ISL, gNB processed payload, where ISL refers to the inter-satellite link. In this architecture, the satellite acts as a base station.

[0189] Exemplarily, Figure 4C Another NTN communication architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application is shown, which is a regenerative satellite with an inter-satellite link, having the processing function of a base station, Regenerative satellite with ISL, gNB processed payload. In this scenario, the satellite also acts as a base station, and there is an inter-satellite link ISL in this scenario. Among them, in the regenerative architecture, the link between the satellite and the terminal device is called the service link, and the link between the satellite and the NTN gateway can be called the feeder link.

[0190] Exemplarily, Figure 4D Another NTN communication architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application is shown, which is a regenerative satellite with the DU processing function of a base station (NG-RAN with a regenerative satellite based on gNB-DU); in this scenario, the satellite acts as a DU.

[0191] In addition, the embodiments of the present application can also be applicable to the scenario of a base station with an integrated access and backhaul IAB function (gNB processed payload based on relay-like architectures), where the satellite acts as an integrated access and backhaul (IAB), but this scenario requires further research and a structural diagram is not provided here.

[0192] It should be noted that, Figure 4A 、 Figure 4B 、 Figure 4C 、 Figure 4DOnly one satellite and one NTN gateway are shown. In actual use, an architecture with multiple satellites and / or multiple NTN gateways can be adopted according to requirements. Among them, each satellite can provide services to one or more terminal devices, each NTN gateway can correspond to one or more satellites, and each satellite can correspond to one or more NTN gateways. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this. In addition, Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C , Figure 4D are only examples of the NTN communication architecture. The NTN communication architecture may also include other specific devices, which are not limited in this application.

[0193] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art know that with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0194] In the present application, the names of the messages in each of the following processes are only examples. With the evolution of communication technologies, the names of the information / messages in each of the following processes may change. However, as long as their meanings are the same as the functions or meanings of the messages in the present application, they all fall within the protection scope of the present application. For example, the first configuration information or the second configuration information in the present application can also be replaced by SMTC information.

[0195] The technical solutions of the present application are introduced below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0196] The embodiments of the present application provide a measurement configuration method, which can be applicable to but not limited to Figure 2 the shown communication system, and can be applicable to but not limited to the above Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C , Figure 4D specific communication scenarios. This method can be executed by a terminal device and an access network device; or this method can be executed by components (modules, chips, etc.) corresponding to the terminal device and the access network device; or this method can be executed by a device used in matching with the terminal device and the access network device. It can be understood that the present application does not specifically limit the specific structure of the execution entity of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application and the number of each execution entity. As long as it can communicate according to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application by running a program recording the code of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the interaction between the first terminal device and the first access network device is used as an example for illustration below. The order of the steps in each of the following processes is only an example. In actual applications, the steps in each process can be adjusted in the execution order.

[0197] Please refer to Figure 5 as shown below for the specific process of this method:

[0198] S501: The first access network device sends first configuration information to the first terminal device. The first configuration information is used for the first terminal device to perform a first measurement on at least one neighboring cell. The first measurement is to measure the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are located respectively. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first configuration information.

[0199] In a possible implementation manner, the first configuration information includes information of at least one neighboring cell and / or information of neighboring frequency points corresponding to the at least one neighboring cell; the first configuration information is used to instruct the first terminal device to report target measurement information obtained by performing the first measurement on the at least one neighboring cell and / or the neighboring frequency points corresponding to the at least one neighboring cell.

[0200] In the embodiments of this application, the at least one neighboring cell may be a cell served by an access network device adjacent to the first access network device. The information of the neighboring cell may be the identification information of the neighboring cell (such as physical cell identifier (PCI)) or the location information of the neighboring cell, etc. The information of the frequency point of the neighboring cell may be the identification information of the frequency point or the frequency point value, and no limitation is made thereto.

[0201] S502: The first terminal device sends the target measurement information to the first access network device. The target measurement information includes the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are located respectively. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the target measurement information.

[0202] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first terminal device sends one or more of the following to the first access network device:

[0203] The timing difference between the timings of the reference signals of the serving cell received by the first terminal device and the timings of the reference signals sent by the at least one neighboring cell respectively, the first propagation delay from the first terminal device to the serving cell of the first terminal device, the propagation delays from the first terminal device to the at least one neighboring cell respectively, the first propagation delay differences corresponding to the at least one neighboring cell; where the first propagation delay difference corresponding to each neighboring cell is the difference between the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the corresponding neighboring cell and the first propagation delay.

[0204] For example, the neighboring cells of UE1 are Cell 1 and Cell 2. After UE1 performs the first measurement, it sends target measurement information to the serving base station (equivalent to the first access network device). The target measurement information includes the time domain information where the reference signal of Cell 1 is located and the time domain information where the reference signal of Cell 2 is located. UE1 can also send to the serving base station the difference 1 between the timing of UE1 receiving the reference signal of Serving Base Station 1 (e.g., the timing of the reference signal of UE1's current serving cell) and the timing of receiving the reference signal sent by Cell 1 (which can be simply referred to as timing difference 1), and the difference 2 between the timing of UE1 receiving the reference signal of Serving Base Station 1 and the timing of receiving the reference signal sent by Cell 2 (which can be simply referred to as timing difference 2). In addition, UE1 may also send to the serving base station the propagation delay 1 from UE1 to the serving base station, the propagation delay 2 from UE1 to Cell 1, the propagation delay 3 from UE1 to Cell 2. UE1 may also send the difference between propagation delay 1 and propagation delay 2 (which can be called the propagation delay difference corresponding to Cell 1), and the difference between propagation delay 1 and propagation delay 3 (which can be called the propagation delay difference corresponding to Cell 2).

[0205] Optionally, when the first propagation delay from the first terminal device to the serving cell of the first terminal device, the propagation delays from the first terminal device to the corresponding propagation delays of the at least one neighboring cell, and the first propagation delay differences corresponding to the at least one neighboring cell reported by the first terminal device in S502 are for an NTN cell in transparent mode for the serving cell or the neighboring cell, the propagation delay may include the delay of the feeder link or may not include the delay of the feeder link, and the propagation delay difference may include the delay difference of the feeder link or may not include the delay difference of the feeder link.

[0206] Optionally, the target measurement information may also be a new time domain information obtained by the first terminal device according to the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are respectively located.

[0207] In a possible implementation manner, the method of the embodiment of the present application further includes: the first access network device determines, according to the target measurement information, the second configuration information of the target terminal device served by the first access network device, where the second configuration information is used to indicate the timing configuration for the target terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell, and the target terminal device includes the first terminal device; then, the first access network device sends the second configuration information to the target terminal device; correspondingly, the target terminal device receives the second configuration information. Exemplarily, the reference signal is the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block SSB; then the above timing configuration may be the timing configuration for SSB measurement SMTC.

[0208] In an embodiment of the present application, the first terminal device sends target measurement information to the first access network device, so that the first access network device can determine, according to the target measurement information, the timing configuration for the target terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signals of at least one neighboring cell. The implementation manners may include but are not limited to the following:

[0209] Implementation manner 1: Taking the first neighboring cell as an example, the first neighboring cell is any one of the at least one neighboring cell. The first terminal device sends the time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located to the first access network device, and the time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the time slot information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located. There may be but are not limited to the following several cases for the timing referred to by the time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located:

[0210] Case 1: The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the first time slot information with reference to the timing when the first terminal device receives the downlink reference signal of the serving cell (equivalent to the timing of the UE described above). Figure 1 The first time slot information with reference to the timing when the first terminal device receives the downlink reference signal of the serving cell (equivalent to the timing of the UE described above).

[0211] In a possible implementation manner, for the above Case 1 (that is, when the target measurement information includes the first time slot information), the target measurement information may further include at least one of the period of the reference signal of the first neighboring cell, the number of reference signals, the type of reference signal, the identification ID of the first neighboring cell, and the subcarrier spacing of the reference signal.

[0212] For Case 1: The first access network device may determine, according to the target measurement information, the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell. The first access network device does not need to consider the propagation delay difference or the propagation delay difference value of the first terminal device.

[0213] In a possible implementation manner, if the target terminal device further includes a second terminal device; the method may further include: The first access network device may determine, according to the target measurement information, the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell. Wherein, the second terminal device may be other terminal devices served by the first access network device.

[0214] The first access network device determines, according to the target measurement information, the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell, which may be implemented in the following ways:

[0215] Way 1: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay of the second terminal device, and the second propagation delay is the propagation delay of the second terminal device to the serving cell; the first access network device may determine, according to the target measurement information, the first propagation delay, and the second propagation delay, the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell.

[0216] Scenario 1 takes into account the case where the serving cell is a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell and the first neighbor cell is a terrestrial network (TN) cell. In this case, the distances from the first terminal device and the second terminal device to the serving cell are relatively large, resulting in relatively large propagation delays. On the other hand, the distances from the first terminal device and the second terminal device to the first neighbor cell are relatively small, and the propagation delays can be ignored. Therefore, the first access network device needs to consider the propagation delays from the first terminal device to the serving cell and from the second terminal device to the serving cell to determine or configure the timing configuration for the second terminal device to measure the reference signal of the first neighbor cell. The same applies to Scenario 1 in the following cases.

[0217] Scenario 2: The first access network device obtains the fourth propagation delay of the second terminal device. The fourth propagation delay is the propagation delay of the second terminal device to the first neighbor cell. The first access network device can determine the timing configuration for the second terminal device to measure the reference signal of the first neighbor cell based on the target measurement information, the fourth propagation delay, and the propagation delay of the first terminal device to the first neighbor cell (i.e., the third propagation delay).

[0218] Scenario 2 takes into account the case where the serving cell is a terrestrial network (TN) cell and the first neighbor cell is a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell. In this case, the distances from the first terminal device and the second terminal device to the first cell are relatively large, resulting in relatively large propagation delays. On the other hand, the distances from the first terminal device and the second terminal device to the serving cell are relatively small, and the propagation delays can be ignored. Therefore, the first access network device needs to consider the propagation delays from the first terminal device to the first neighbor cell and from the second terminal device to the first neighbor cell to determine or configure the timing configuration for the second terminal device to measure the reference signal of the first neighbor cell. The same applies to Scenario 2 in the following cases.

[0219] Scenario 3: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay difference of the second terminal device. The second propagation delay difference is the propagation delay difference between the second terminal device to the serving cell and the first neighbor cell (i.e., the difference between the above-mentioned second propagation delay and the fourth propagation delay).

[0220] The first access network device can determine the timing configuration for the second terminal device to measure the reference signal of the first neighbor cell based on the target measurement information, the first propagation delay difference corresponding to the first neighbor cell (i.e., the difference between the propagation delay of the first terminal device to the serving cell and the propagation delay of the first terminal device to the first neighbor cell), and the second propagation delay difference.

[0221] Scenario 3 takes into account the case where both the serving cell and the first neighbor cell are non-terrestrial network (NTN) cells. In this case, the first access network device needs to consider the propagation delays of the first terminal device and the second terminal device to the serving cell and the first neighbor cell respectively to determine or configure the timing configuration for the second terminal device to measure the reference signal of the first neighbor cell. The same applies to Scenario 3 in the following cases.

[0222] It should be noted that in addition to serving the first terminal device, the first access network device may also serve one or more other terminal devices. For any one of these terminal devices, the first access network device may implement it by referring to the method adopted for determining the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell as described above, and details will not be repeated here.

[0223] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, when determining the first propagation delay (or the third propagation delay), the second propagation delay (or the fourth propagation delay), and the first propagation delay difference / second propagation delay difference used by the first access network device when determining the timing configuration for the terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell, when the serving cell or the neighboring cell is an NTN cell in the transparent transmission mode, the propagation delay may include the delay of the feeder link or may not include the delay of the feeder link, and the propagation delay difference may include the delay difference of the feeder link or may not include the delay difference of the feeder link.

[0224] Case 2: The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the second time slot information with reference to the timing of the first neighboring cell sending the downlink reference signal. The first neighboring cell is any one of the at least one neighboring cell.

[0225] In a possible implementation manner, for Case 2, when the target measurement information includes the second time slot information, the target measurement information may further include, but is not limited to, at least one of the period of the reference signal of the first neighboring cell, the third indication information, the number of reference signals, the pattern bitmap of the reference signals, the type of the reference signal, the identification ID of the first neighboring cell, and the subcarrier spacing of the reference signal; wherein, the third indication information is used to indicate that the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located in the first half frame or the second half frame of the system radio frame of the first neighboring cell.

[0226] For Case 2: The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, which may be implemented in the following ways:

[0227] Method 1: The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, the first timing difference, and the first propagation delay (i.e., the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the serving cell).

[0228] Method 2: The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, the first timing difference, and the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the first neighboring cell (which can be referred to as the third propagation delay).

[0229] Method 3: The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell based on the target measurement information, the first timing difference, and the first propagation delay difference.

[0230] Among the above, the first timing difference is the difference between the timing when the first terminal device receives the reference signal of the serving cell and the timing when it receives the reference signal sent by the first neighboring cell, and the first propagation delay difference is the difference between the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the access network device of the first neighboring cell (referred to as the third propagation delay) and the first propagation delay.

[0231] In a possible implementation manner, if the target terminal device further includes a second terminal device; the method may further include: The first access network device may determine the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information. Among them, the second terminal device may be other terminal devices served by the first access network device.

[0232] The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, which may be implemented in the following ways:

[0233] Method 1: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay of the second terminal device, where the second propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the serving cell; the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, the first timing difference, and the second propagation delay.

[0234] Method 2: The first access network device obtains the fourth propagation delay of the second terminal device, where the fourth propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the first neighboring cell; the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, the first timing difference, and the fourth propagation delay.

[0235] Method 3: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay difference of the second terminal device, where the second propagation delay difference is the propagation delay difference between the second terminal device to the serving cell and the first neighboring cell (that is, the difference between the above-mentioned second propagation delay and the fourth propagation delay); the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, the first timing difference, and the second propagation delay difference.

[0236] Case 3: The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the third time slot information referenced by the timing of the downlink reference signal sent by the serving cell of the first terminal device. The first neighboring cell is any one of the at least one neighboring cell.

[0237] In a possible implementation, for case 3, when the target measurement information includes the third time slot information, the target measurement information may further include, but is not limited to, at least one of the period of the reference signal of the first neighboring cell, the number of reference signals, the type of reference signal, the identification ID of the first neighboring cell, and the subcarrier spacing of the reference signal.

[0238] For case 3: The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, which may be implemented in the following ways:

[0239] Method 1: The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information and the first propagation delay.

[0240] Method 2: The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information and the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the first neighboring cell (i.e., the third propagation delay).

[0241] Method 3: The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information and the first propagation delay difference (i.e., the difference between the above first propagation delay and the third propagation delay).

[0242] In a possible implementation, if the target terminal device further includes a second terminal device; the method may further include: The first access network device may determine the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform on the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information. Wherein, the second terminal device may be other terminal devices served by the first access network device.

[0243] The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, which may be implemented in the following ways:

[0244] Method 1: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay of the second terminal device, where the second propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the serving cell; the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information and the second propagation delay.

[0245] Method 2: The first access network device obtains the fourth propagation delay of the second terminal device, where the fourth propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the first neighboring cell; the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information and the fourth propagation delay.

[0246] Method 3: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay difference of the second terminal device (i.e., the difference between the above-mentioned second propagation delay and the fourth propagation delay), and the second propagation delay difference is the propagation delay difference between the second terminal device and the serving cell and the first neighbor cell; the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighbor cell according to the target measurement information and the second propagation delay difference.

[0247] Implementation method 2: Taking the first neighbor cell as an example, the first neighbor cell is any one of the at least one neighbor cell, and the first terminal device sends the time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighbor cell is located to the first access network device, which is the time window information of the reference signal of the first neighbor cell. The timings referred to by the time window information of the reference signal of the first neighbor cell may include but are not limited to the following situations:

[0248] Situation 1: The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighbor cell is located is the first time window information referenced by the timing of the first terminal device receiving the downlink reference signal of the serving cell. Among them, the first time window information may include but is not limited to at least one of the length of the time window, the period of the time window, and the offset of the time window.

[0249] For situation 1: The first access network device may determine the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighbor cell according to the first time window information referenced by the timing of the first terminal device receiving the downlink reference signal of the serving cell. For example, the first access network device may use the first time window referenced by the timing of the first terminal device receiving the downlink reference signal of the serving cell as the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighbor cell.

[0250] In a possible implementation manner, if the target terminal device further includes a second terminal device; the method may further include: The first access network device may determine the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighbor cell according to the target measurement information. Among them, the second terminal device may be other terminal devices served by the first access network device.

[0251] The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighbor cell according to the target measurement information, which may be implemented in the following ways:

[0252] Method 1: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay of the second terminal device (i.e., the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the serving cell); then, according to the first time window information, the first timing difference, and the second propagation delay, it determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighbor cell.

[0253] Method 2: The first access network device obtains the fourth propagation delay of the second terminal device (i.e., the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the first neighboring cell); then, based on the first time window information, the first timing difference, and the fourth propagation delay, determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell.

[0254] Method 3: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay difference of the second terminal device (the difference between the above-mentioned second propagation delay and the fourth propagation delay); then, based on the first time window information, the first timing difference, and the second propagation delay difference, determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell.

[0255] Among the above, the first timing difference is the difference between the timing when the first terminal device receives the reference signal of the serving cell and the timing when it receives the reference signal of the first neighboring cell.

[0256] Case 2: The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the second time window information with the timing of the first neighboring cell sending the downlink reference signal as a reference. Among them, the second time window information may include but is not limited to at least one of the length of the time window, the period of the time window, and the offset of the time window.

[0257] For Case 2: The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell based on the second time window information, and the first propagation delay (i.e., the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the serving cell) or the third propagation delay (i.e., the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the first neighboring cell) or the first propagation delay difference.

[0258] In a possible implementation manner, if the target terminal device further includes a second terminal device; the method may further include: The first access network device may determine the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information. Among them, the second terminal device may be other terminal devices served by the first access network device.

[0259] The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, which may be implemented in the following ways:

[0260] Method 1: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay of the second terminal device (i.e., the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the serving cell); the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the second time window information and the second propagation delay.

[0261] Method 2: The first access network device obtains the fourth propagation delay of the second terminal device (i.e., the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the first neighboring cell); the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the second time window information and the fourth propagation delay.

[0262] Method 3: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay difference of the second terminal device (the difference between the above-mentioned second propagation delay and the fourth propagation delay); the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the second time window information and the second propagation delay difference.

[0263] Case 3: The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the third time window information referenced by the timing of the downlink reference signal sent by the serving cell of the first terminal device. The third time window information includes one or more of the following: the length of the time window, the period of the time window, and the offset of the time window.

[0264] For Case 3, the first access network device determines the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the third time window information and the first propagation delay (i.e., the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the serving cell) or the third propagation delay (i.e., the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the first neighboring cell).

[0265] In a possible implementation manner, if the target terminal device further includes a second terminal device; the method may further include: the first access network device may determine the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information. The second terminal device may be other terminal devices served by the first access network device.

[0266] The first access network device determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell according to the target measurement information, which may be implemented in the following ways:

[0267] Method 1: The first access network device obtains the second propagation delay of the second terminal device (i.e., the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the serving cell); then, according to the third time window information and the second propagation delay, determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell.

[0268] Method 2: The first access network device obtains the fourth propagation delay of the second terminal device (i.e., the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the first neighboring cell); then, according to the third time window information and the fourth propagation delay, determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell.

[0269] Method 3: The first access network device obtains the second propagation time delay difference of the second terminal device (i.e., the difference between the above-mentioned second propagation time delay and the fourth propagation time delay); then, based on the third time window information and the second propagation time delay difference, it determines the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signals of the first neighboring cell.

[0270] The above is introduced by taking the first neighboring cell as an example. The first access network device can determine the timing configuration for the reference signals of other neighboring cells for the served terminal device by referring to the above method, which will not be elaborated one by one here.

[0271] In summary, for a measurement configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application, the first access network device is the access network device serving the first terminal device. The method includes: The first terminal device can receive the first configuration information from the first access network device. The first configuration information is used for the first terminal device to perform the first measurement on at least one neighboring cell. The first measurement is to measure the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are located respectively; furthermore, the first terminal device sends the target measurement information including the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are located respectively to the first access network device; thus, the first access network device can effectively and accurately configure the timing configuration for the reference signals of the neighboring cells for each served terminal device (including the first terminal device) according to the target measurement information obtained by the first terminal device measurement.

[0272] Based on the measurement configuration method described in the above item 5, the following is further elaborated in detail through a specific Embodiment 1. In Embodiment 1, the first terminal device is taken as UE1, and the first access network device is taken as the base station 1 of the non-terrestrial network. The base station 1 serves UE1, and the base station 1 configures the timing configuration SMTC information for UE1 to measure the SSB, see Figure 6 As shown, the specific process of this Embodiment 1 is as follows:

[0273] S601: The base station 1 sends the first measurement configuration information to UE1. The first measurement configuration information is used to instruct UE1 to report SSB information or SMTC information.

[0274] In Embodiment 1, when the base station 1 sends the first measurement configuration information to UE1, it may include but is not limited to the following implementation manners:

[0275] Implementation manner 1: The first measurement configuration information is used to instruct UE1 to report the SSB information of the adjacent frequency point or the SSB information of the neighboring cell.

[0276] In Implementation manner 1, when the base station 1 configures the first measurement configuration information, it may include the following configuration manners:

[0277] Method 1: The measurement object and reporting configuration information are included in the first measurement configuration information. The measurement object includes information of at least one adjacent frequency point and / or information of at least one adjacent cell. The reporting configuration information includes an indication to report SSB information.

[0278] For example, the information of frequency point 1 and SMTC are included in the first measurement configuration information. The first measurement configuration information is used to instruct UE1 to perform measurements on the SSB received on frequency point 1 based on SMTC and report the measured SSB information to base station 1.

[0279] For example, the information of adjacent cell 1 (such as the identifier of adjacent cell 1) and SMTC are included in the first measurement configuration information. The first measurement configuration information is used to instruct UE1 to perform measurements on the SSB received from adjacent cell 1 based on SMTC and report the measured SSB information.

[0280] Method 2: The first measurement configuration information is the existing measurement configuration information, and a first indication information is newly added to the existing measurement configuration information. The first indication information is used to instruct that when UE1 reports the measured information based on the existing measurement configuration information, it also reports the SSB information of at least one adjacent frequency point or the SSB information of at least one adjacent cell measured.

[0281] For example, base station 1 sends the measurement configuration information of the radio frame boundary difference SFTD to UE1. The measurement configuration information of the radio frame boundary difference SFTD includes the first indication information. The first indication information is used to instruct that when UE1 reports the measured SFTD information, it also reports the SSB information of at least one adjacent frequency point or reports the SSB information of at least one adjacent cell.

[0282] In the embodiments of the present application, the existing measurement configuration information may also be the measurement configuration information of measurement events such as A3, A4, A5, etc., and the specific measurement events are not limited.

[0283] Optionally, Method 1 or Method 2 is a measurement in the connected state. In the case of a measurement in the connected state, the first measurement configuration information includes SMTC. Base station 1 can first configure the period of this SMTC to 5 ms, and the period can also be set to 5 ms. This can ensure that after UE1 measures the SSB of the adjacent cell and reports the SSB information of the adjacent cell, base station 1 can update this SMTC in a timely manner according to the SSB information reported by UE1.

[0284] Method 3: The first measurement configuration information is used to instruct UE1 to measure the SSB in the idle state or non-active state, and report the measured SSB information to base station 1 after UE1 enters the connected state from the idle state or non-active state.

[0285] For example, the base station 1 adds second indication information to the adjacent frequency point measurement configuration information carried in the system message, and the second indication information is used to indicate that UE1 measures the SSB information of the neighboring cell or adjacent frequency point.

[0286] Implementation method 2: The first measurement configuration information is used to indicate that UE1 reports the SMTC information of the adjacent frequency point or the SMTC information of the neighboring cell.

[0287] Exemplarily, the SMTC information includes one or more of the length of the measurement window of the SSB, the period of the measurement window of the SSB, and the offset. Among them, one or more of the period of the measurement window of the SSB and the offset can be used to determine the time domain start position of the measurement window of the SSB, and the time domain start position and the length of the measurement window of the SSB can be used to determine the time domain position of the measurement window of the SSB.

[0288] Method 1: The first measurement configuration information includes a measurement object and a reporting configuration information. The measurement object includes information of at least one adjacent frequency point, and / or information of at least one neighboring cell. The reporting configuration information includes an indication to report the SSB measurement timing configuration information (i.e., SMTC).

[0289] For example, the first measurement configuration information includes the information of frequency point 1 and SMTC#1, and the first measurement configuration information is used to indicate that UE1 measures based on SMTC#1 and the information of frequency point 1, and reports the SMTC information of frequency point 1.

[0290] For example, the first measurement configuration information includes the information of neighboring cell 1 (such as the identifier of the neighboring cell) and SMTC#2, and the first measurement configuration information is used to indicate that UE1 measures based on SMTC#2 and the information of neighboring cell 1, and reports the SMTC information of neighboring cell 1.

[0291] Method 2: The first measurement configuration information is the existing measurement configuration information, and a first indication information is newly added to the existing measurement configuration information. The first indication information is used to indicate that when UE1 reports the measured information based on the existing measurement configuration information, it also reports the SMTC information of at least one adjacent frequency point or the SMTC information of at least one neighboring cell.

[0292] For example, the base station 1 sends the measurement configuration information of the radio frame boundary difference SFTD to UE1. The measurement configuration information of the radio frame boundary difference SFTD includes the first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that UE1 also reports the SMTC information of at least one adjacent frequency point or reports the SMTC information of at least one neighboring cell when reporting the measured SFTD information.

[0293] In the embodiments of the present application, the existing measurement configuration information may also be the measurement configuration information of measurement events such as A3, A4, A5, etc., and the specific measurement events are not limited.

[0294] Optionally, when UE1 is in the connected state, the above-mentioned method 1 or method 2 can be adopted (i.e., method 1 or method 2 is the measurement in the connected state). When UE1 is in the connected state, the first measurement configuration information includes SMTC#1. The base station 1 can first configure the period of SMTC#1 to 5 ms, and the period can also be set to 5 ms. This can ensure that after UE1 measures the SSB information of the neighboring cell and reports the SMTC information of the neighboring cell, the base station 1 can configure SMTC for UE1 or other UEs according to the SMTC information of the neighboring cell reported by UE1 subsequently.

[0295] Method 3: The first measurement configuration information is used to instruct UE1 to measure SMTC in the idle state or inactive state, and report the measured SMTC information to the base station 1 after UE1 enters the connected state from the idle state or inactive state.

[0296] For example, the base station 1 adds a second indication information in the neighboring frequency point measurement configuration information carried in the system message, and the second indication information is used to instruct UE1 to measure the SMTC information of the neighboring cell or neighboring frequency point.

[0297] S602: UE1 measures the SSB of the neighboring cell based on the first measurement configuration information, and obtains the SSB information or SMTC information of the neighboring cell.

[0298] That is, UE1 performs the SSB measurement of the neighboring cell (or the neighboring frequency point of the neighboring cell) based on the first measurement configuration information, and obtains the SSB information or SMTC information of the neighboring cell.

[0299] Corresponding to the above implementation method 1, UE1 performs the SSB measurement of the neighboring cell (or the SSB measurement of the neighboring frequency point) based on the first measurement configuration information, and obtains the SSB information of the neighboring cell (or the SSB information of the neighboring frequency point). The SSB information obtained after UE1 performs the SSB measurement of the neighboring frequency point can be in the granularity of the neighboring frequency point, or can be in the granularity of the cell measured on the neighboring frequency point, and there is no limit to this.

[0300] Corresponding to the above implementation method 2, UE1 performs the SMTC measurement of the neighboring cell (or the SMTC measurement of the neighboring frequency point) based on the first measurement configuration information, and obtains the SMTC information of the neighboring cell (or the SMTC information of the neighboring frequency point).

[0301] S603: UE1 sends the SSB information or SMTC information of the neighboring cell to the base station 1.

[0302] In a possible implementation manner, UE1 may also send the SSB information or SMTC information of the neighboring cell to other base stations.

[0303] Corresponding to Implementation Method 1 in S601, UE1 sends the SSB information of the measured neighboring cell or the SSB information of the measured neighboring frequency point to the base station. For the SSB information obtained after UE1 performs SSB measurement on the neighboring frequency point, it can be in the granularity of the neighboring frequency point or in the granularity of the cell measured on the neighboring frequency point, and there is no limit to this.

[0304] Exemplarily, in the following, taking the case where UE1 reports the SSB information of neighboring cell 1 of the terrestrial network TN to base station 1 as an example, the reference timing of the SSB information of neighboring cell 1 may include the following situations:

[0305] Situation 1: The SSB information of neighboring cell 1 is referenced by the timing of neighboring cell 1, and the SSB information may include at least one of the following:

[0306] SSB period, third indication information, number of SSBs, bitmap of the SSB, type of the SSB bitmap, identification ID of neighboring cell 1, SSB subcarrier spacing, time-domain position of the measured SSB.

[0307] Among them, the third indication information is used to indicate that the SSB is in the first half frame or the second half frame of the radio frame of neighboring cell 1, or the third indication information is the information of the first half frame of the radio frame of the SSB in neighboring cell 1 or the information of the second half frame of the radio frame of the SSB in neighboring cell 1.

[0308] The time-domain position of the measured SSB can be the position of the index of the first SSB measured by UE1, or can be the position of the index of any SSB measured by UE1, and there is no limit to this.

[0309] For example, as shown in Figure 1 The frequency point of the asynchronous TN cell (equivalent to the frequency point of neighboring cell 1, or the frequency point of neighboring cell 1) is frequency point A. The SSB information of the asynchronous TN cell that UE1 can measure includes: the SSB (indicated by the bold box in Figure 1 ) has a period of 10 ms, the SSB pattern of this TN cell is type C, 8 SSB carriers, or the bitmap of the SSB is 11111111, and the SSBs are distributed in the first half frame. The serving cell of UE1 is an NTN cell, and UE1 reports the SSB information of the TN cell (equivalent to the SSB information of neighboring cell 1) to the NTN cell (i.e., the serving cell). From the perspective of the asynchronous TN transmitter, report the SSB information corresponding to the bold font (0, 1) in Figure 1 . This SSB information can be equivalent to the SMTC information that the target cell transfers to the source cell through the Xn interface in the prior art.

[0310] In S604 below, when the NTN cell (i.e., the serving cell) configures the SMTC of the asynchronous TN cell (equivalent to the SMTC of neighbor cell 1) or the SMTC of the frequency band of the asynchronous TN cell (equivalent to the SMTC of the adjacent frequency band) for UE1, it is necessary to convert according to the SSB information reported by UE1 and the SFTD between the NTN cell (i.e., the serving cell) reported by UE1 and the asynchronous TN cell (equivalent to neighbor cell 1), and then send it to UE1.

[0311] For example, as Figure 1 shown in the offset reported by the offset of SMTC1 of the asynchronous TN cell (neighbor cell 1) in is 0, and the SFTD between UE1 obtained by the NTN cell (i.e., the serving cell) and the NTN cell (i.e., the serving cell) and the asynchronous TN cell (i.e., neighbor cell 1) is 3 subframes of subframe deviation, then the NTN cell (i.e., the serving cell) configures the offset in SMTC1 to be 3 subframes.

[0312] When the propagation delay difference between UE1 and the NTN cell (i.e., the serving cell) and / or the asynchronous TN cell (i.e., neighbor cell 1) is not 0, then in S604 below, the base station 1 needs to consider the propagation delay difference to configure the SMTC of neighbor cell 1 for UE1. For example, the serving cell of UE1 is an NTN cell, the neighbor cell 1 of UE1 is a TN cell, and the propagation delay between UE1 and the TN cell is 0. Then in 604 below, when the base station 1 configures the SMTC of neighbor cell 1 for UE1, it needs to consider the propagation delay from UE1 to the NTN cell (i.e., the serving cell). See Figure 1 , the original offset in SMTC1 is 3, and the propagation delay is 11 subframes, then the offset in the SMTC configured for UE1 is 2.

[0313] Case 2: The SSB information is referenced to the timing of the serving cell of UE1. The SSB information may include at least one of the following:

[0314] SSB period, number of SSBs, pattern type of SSB, identification ID of the neighbor cell, SSB subcarrier spacing, measured time domain position of the SSB.

[0315] For example, see Figure 1 shown, the SSB information of the asynchronous TN cell measured by UE1 (equivalent to the SSB information of the neighbor cell) is referenced to the timing of the serving cell of UE1 (i.e., the signal at the transmitting end), and UE1 reports the SSB information of the asynchronous TN cell, including: the SSB period is 10 ms, the pattern of the SSB is type C, and the measured time domain position of SSB 0 is subframe 3.

[0316] In S604 below, when the base station 1 configures SMTC for each served UE (including UE1), the propagation delay corresponding to each UE needs to be considered.

[0317] Case 3: The SSB information is referenced to the timing of UE1, and the SSB information may include at least one of the following:

[0318] SSB period, number of SSBs, pattern type of SSB, identification ID of neighboring cell, subcarrier spacing of SSB, time-domain position of the measured SSB;

[0319] Among them, the time-domain position of the measured SSB may be the position of the index of the first SSB measured by UE1, or may be the position of the index of any SSB measured by UE1, and there is no limit to this.

[0320] For example, as shown in Figure 1 The SSB information of the non-synchronous TN cell measured by UE1 (which is equivalent to the SSB information of the neighboring cell) is referenced to the timing of UE1. The SSB information of the non-synchronous TN cell reported by UE1 includes: the SSB period is 10 ms, the pattern of the SSB is type C, and the time-domain position of the measured SSB 0 is subframe 2 of frame number 0.

[0321] In S604 below, when the base station 1 configures SMTC for UE1, it can be directly configured according to the SSB information reported by UE1. When the base station 1 configures SMTC for other served UEs, when considering the SSB information of the non-synchronous TN cell (i.e., the neighboring cell) reported by UE1, the propagation delay between UE1 and the serving cell, or the propagation delay between UE1 and the neighboring cell, or the propagation delay difference between UE1 and the NTN cell (i.e., the serving cell) and the non-synchronous TN cell (i.e., the neighboring cell), as well as the propagation delay between other UEs and the NTN cell (i.e., the serving cell), or the propagation delay between other UEs and the neighboring cell, or the propagation delay difference between other UEs and the NTN cell (i.e., the serving cell) and the non-synchronous TN cell (i.e., the neighboring cell), to configure the SMTC of each UE.

[0322] In the above, UE1 accesses the base station 1 through the serving cell. The serving cell is the cell managed by the base station 1.

[0323] Based on the above implementation method 2, UE1 sends the SMTC information measured at the adjacent frequency point or the SMTC information of the measured neighboring cell to the base station.

[0324] Exemplarily, in the following, taking the SMTC information of neighboring cell 1 of the terrestrial network TN reported by UE1 to the base station 1 as an example, the reference timing of the SMTC information of neighboring cell 1 may include the following several cases:

[0325] Case 1: The SMTC information is referenced to the timing of the neighboring cell (which can also be referred to as the SMTC information based on the neighboring cell timing).

[0326] For Case 1, before UE1 reports the SMTC information of neighboring cell 1 to base station 1, it further includes: UE1 determines the SMTC information based on the neighboring cell timing according to the measured SMTC information. For example, UE1 calculates the SMTC information based on the neighboring cell timing according to the measured SMTC information, the first SFTD, and the first propagation delay T1 (or the first propagation delay difference).

[0327] Among them, the first transmission delay T1 is the propagation delay from UE1 to the neighboring cell (or the base station of the neighboring cell);

[0328] The first propagation delay difference is the delay difference between the propagation delays from UE1 to the serving cell (or base station 1) and the neighboring cell (or the base station of the neighboring cell). For example, the first propagation delay difference = T1 - T2, where T2 is the propagation delay from UE1 to the serving cell (or base station 1).

[0329] Case 2: The SMTC information is referenced to the timing of the serving cell (which can also be referred to as the SMTC information based on the serving cell timing).

[0330] Case 3: The SMTC information is referenced to the timing of UE1 (which can also be referred to as the SMTC information based on UE1 timing).

[0331] S604: Base station 1 configures updated SMTC information for UE1 according to the SSB information or the SMTC information.

[0332] For Case 1 in the above Implementation Method 1 (the SSB information of neighboring cell 1 referenced to the timing of neighboring cell 1, hereinafter referred to as the SSB information of neighboring cell 1 based on the timing of neighboring cell 1):

[0333] Base station 1 configures updated SMTC information of neighboring cell 1 for UE1 according to the SSB information of neighboring cell 1 based on the timing of neighboring cell 1, including the following methods:

[0334] Method 1: Base station 1 determines the updated SMTC information of neighboring cell 1 according to the SSB information of neighboring cell 1 based on the timing of neighboring cell 1, the SFTD between UE1's serving cell and neighboring cell 1, and the propagation delay T1 from UE1 to base station 1.

[0335] Method 2: The base station 1 configures the updated SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 for UE1 based on the SSB information of neighbor cell 1 timed by neighbor cell 1, the SFTD between the serving cell of UE1 and neighbor cell 1, and the propagation delay difference between UE1 and the base stations of the serving cell (base station 1) and neighbor cell 1 (propagation delay difference = T1 - T2). Here, T1 is the propagation delay from UE1 to base station 1, and T2 is the propagation delay from UE1 to the base station of neighbor cell 1.

[0336] The above-mentioned SFTD between the serving cell of UE1 and neighbor cell 1 can be sent by UE1 to base station 1, or base station 1 can obtain it through other means, which is not limited. The propagation delay T1 from UE1 to base station 1 and the propagation delay difference between UE1 and the base stations of the serving cell (base station 1) and neighbor cell 1 (propagation delay difference = T1 - T2) can be sent by UE1 to the serving base station 1.

[0337] In the above, the base station of neighbor cell 1 is a base station adjacent to base station 1.

[0338] In case 1, the SSB information of neighbor cell 1 reported by UE1 to base station 1 is the SSB information of neighbor cell 1 referenced by the timing of neighbor cell 1. Therefore, base station 1 first converts the SSB information of neighbor cell 1 referenced by the timing of neighbor cell 1 into the SSB information of neighbor cell 1 referenced by the timing of the serving cell according to the SFTD between the serving cell of UE1 and neighbor cell 1. Subsequently, when base station 1 configures the SMTC information for each served UE (including UE1), it can configure the corresponding SMTC information for each UE according to the propagation delay of each UE to the serving cell. For example, base station 1 configures the SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 for UE1 according to the converted SSB information of neighbor cell 1 referenced by the timing of the serving cell and the propagation delay from UE1 to the serving cell.

[0339] For example, if the serving cell serves not only UE1 but also UE2, then base station 1 can also configure the SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 for UE2 in the same way as for UE1. That is, base station 1 can configure the SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 for UE2 according to the SSB information of neighbor cell 1 reported by UE1 referenced by the timing of neighbor cell 1, the SFTD between the serving cell and neighbor cell 1, and the propagation delay from UE2 to base station 1 (or the propagation delay difference between UE2 and the base stations of the serving cell (base station 1) and neighbor cell 1).

[0340] For case 2 in the above implementation method 1 (the SSB information of neighbor cell 1 referenced by the timing of the serving cell of UE1, hereinafter referred to as the SSB information of neighbor cell 1 based on the serving cell timing):

[0341] Base station 1 configures the updated SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 for UE1 according to the SSB information of neighbor cell 1 based on the serving cell timing, including the following methods:

[0342] Method 1: The base station 1 configures the updated SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 for UE1 based on the SSB information of neighbor cell 1 based on the serving cell timing and the propagation delay T1 from UE1 to the base station 1.

[0343] Method 2: The base station 1 configures the updated SMTC information for UE1 based on the SSB information of neighbor cell 1 based on the serving cell timing and the propagation delay difference between UE1 and the base station of neighbor cell 1 (propagation delay difference = T1 - T2). Here, T1 is the propagation delay from UE1 to the base station 1, and T2 is the propagation delay from UE1 to the base station of neighbor cell 1. The base station of neighbor cell 1 is a base station adjacent to the base station 1.

[0344] In addition, if the serving cell serves other UEs in addition to UE1, such as UE2, then the base station 1 can also configure the SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 for UE2 in the same way as for UE1. That is, the base station 1 can configure the SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 for UE2 based on the SSB information of neighbor cell 1 based on the serving cell timing reported by UE1 and the propagation delay from UE2 to the base station 1 (or the propagation delay difference between UE2 and the base stations of the serving cell and neighbor cell 1).

[0345] For case 3 in the above implementation method 1 (the SSB information of neighbor cell 1 with UE1's timing as a reference, hereinafter referred to as the SSB information of neighbor cell 1 based on UE1's timing):

[0346] The base station 1 configures the updated SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 for UE1 based on the SSB information of neighbor cell 1 based on UE1's timing, including the following methods:

[0347] The base station 1 can directly configure the updated SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 for UE1 based on the SSB information of neighbor cell 1 based on UE1's timing.

[0348] In addition, if the base station also serves other UEs, such as UE2, the base station 1 configures the SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 for UE2 based on the SSB information of neighbor cell 1 based on UE1's timing, the propagation delay from UE1 to the serving cell (or the propagation delay difference between UE1 and the serving cell and neighbor cell 1), and the propagation delay from UE2 to the serving cell (or the propagation delay difference between UE2 and the serving cell and neighbor cell 1).

[0349] For case 1 in the above implementation method 2 (the SMTC information with the neighbor cell's timing as a reference, hereinafter referred to as the SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 based on neighbor cell 1's timing):

[0350] The base station 1 configures the updated SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 for UE1 based on the SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 based on neighbor cell 1's timing, including the following:

[0351] Method 1: The base station 1 determines the updated SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 based on the SMTC information timed by neighbor cell 1, the SFTD between the serving cell of UE1 and neighbor cell 1, and the propagation delay T1 from UE1 to the base station 1.

[0352] Method 2: The base station 1 determines the updated SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 based on the SMTC information timed by neighbor cell 1, the SFTD between the serving cell of UE1 and neighbor cell 1, and the propagation delay difference between the base station 1 where UE1 is located and the base station of neighbor cell 1 (propagation delay difference = T1 - T2), where T2 is the propagation delay from UE1 to the base station of neighbor cell 1.

[0353] In case 1, the SMTC information reported by UE1 to the base station 1 is referenced to the timing of neighbor cell 1. Therefore, the base station 1 first converts the SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 referenced to the timing of neighbor cell 1 to the SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 referenced to the timing of this serving cell according to the SFTD between the serving cell of UE1 and neighbor cell 1. Subsequently, when the base station 1 configures the SMTC information for each served UE (including UE1), it can configure the corresponding SMTC information for each UE according to the propagation delay from each UE to the serving cell.

[0354] For example, if the serving cell serves not only UE1 but also UE2, then the base station 1 can also configure the SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 for UE2 in the same way as for UE1. That is, the base station 1 can configure the SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 for UE2 according to the SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 reported by UE1 and timed by neighbor cell 1, the SFTD between the serving cell and neighbor cell 1, and the propagation delay from UE2 to the base station 1 (or the propagation delay difference between the base station 1 where UE2 is located and the base station of neighbor cell 1).

[0355] For case 2 in the above implementation method 2 (the SMTC information referenced to the timing of the serving cell, hereinafter referred to as the SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 based on the timing of the serving cell):

[0356] The base station 1 configures the updated SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 for UE1 in the following ways:

[0357] Method 1: The base station 1 determines the updated SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 according to the SMTC information timed by neighbor cell 1 and the propagation delay T1 from UE1 to the base station 1;

[0358] Method 2: The base station 1 determines the updated SMTC information according to the SMTC information timed by neighbor cell 1 and the propagation delay difference between the base station 1 where UE1 is located and the base station of neighbor cell 1 (propagation delay difference = T1 - T2). Here, T1 is the propagation delay from UE1 to the base station 1, and T2 is the propagation delay from UE1 to the base station of neighbor cell 1.

[0359] For case 3 in the above implementation method 2 (the SMTC information with the timing of UE1 as a reference, hereinafter referred to as the SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 based on the timing of UE1):

[0360] The base station 1 configures the updated SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 for UE1 according to the SMTC information based on the timing of UE1, including: the base station 1 uses the SMTC information based on the timing of UE1 as the updated SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 configured for UE1.

[0361] In addition, if the serving cell serves other UEs in addition to UE1, such as UE2, the base station 1 can determine the SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 according to the SMTC information of neighbor cell 1 based on the timing of the serving cell reported by UE1 and the propagation delay from UE2 to the base station 1 (or the propagation delay difference between UE2 to the base station 1 and the base station of neighbor cell 1), and then send the SMTC information of this neighbor cell to UE2.

[0362] S605: The base station 1 sends the updated SMTC information to UE1.

[0363] In this first implementation manner, in the case where the serving base station and the neighboring base station cannot interact with the SMTC, the serving base station can measure the SSB information or SMTC information of at least one neighboring cell / at least one neighboring frequency point through the accessed UE and report it to the serving base station; furthermore, the serving base station can configure more accurate SMTC information for each served UE according to the SSB information or SMTC information reported by the UE, thereby improving the measurement efficiency of the UE and reducing the power consumption generated by the measurement.

[0364] The embodiment of the present application also provides another measurement configuration method, which can be applicable to but not limited to Figure 2 the shown communication system, and can be applicable to but not limited to the above Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C , Figure 4D specific communication scenarios. This method can be executed by the terminal device and the access network device; or this method can be executed by the components (modules, chips, etc.) corresponding to the terminal device and the access network device; or this method can be executed by the device used in correspondence with the terminal device and the access network device; it can be understood that the present application does not specifically limit the specific structure of the execution entity of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application and the number of each execution entity, as long as it can communicate according to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application by running the program recorded with the code of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. The interaction between the terminal device and the access network device is taken as an example for illustration below. The order of the steps in each of the following processes is only an example, and in actual applications, the steps in each process can be adjusted in the execution order.

[0365] Please refer to Figure 7 as shown below for the specific process of this method:

[0366] S701: The first access network device sends a first request message to the core network element. The first request message is used to request the first configuration information of the second access network device. The first configuration information is used to indicate the time domain information where the reference signal of the second access network device is located. Correspondingly, the core network element receives the first request message.

[0367] In the embodiments of this application, the first request message sent by the first access network device to the core network element to request the first configuration information of the second access network device may be implemented in the following ways, including but not limited to:

[0368] Method 1: The first request message includes the indication information of the second access network device.

[0369] For example, the indication information of the second access network device may be the identification ID of the second access network device, or the location information of the second access network device, etc.

[0370] Method 2: The first request message includes the first location information. The first location information can be used by the core network element to determine the second access network device. The first location information may be associated with the second access network device. For example, the first location information corresponds to the identification information or location information of the second access network device.

[0371] Method 3: The first request message includes the indication information of the second access network device and the indication information of the second cell under the jurisdiction of the second access network device. The second cell may be any cell under the jurisdiction of the second access network device.

[0372] For example, the indication information of the second access network device may be the identification ID of the second access network device, or the location information of the second access network device, etc. The indication information of the second cell may be the PCI of the second cell, or the location information of the second cell, etc.

[0373] S702: The core network element sends the first configuration information of the second access network device to the first access network device according to the first request message. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the first configuration information of the second access network device.

[0374] In a possible implementation manner, before S701 or S702, the method further includes: The core network element receives the first configuration information of at least one access network device, and the configuration information of the at least one access network device includes the first configuration information of the second access network device.

[0375] Optionally, the core network element that interacts with the first access network device (referred to as network element #1) and the core network element that interacts with the at least one access network device (referred to as network element #2) may be the same core network element or different core network elements. If they are different core network elements, then network element #1 sends the first request information to network element #2, network element #2 sends the first configuration information to network element #1, and network element #1 then sends the first configuration information to network element #2.

[0376] Optionally, the first configuration information is configuration information referenced by the timing of the cell in the second access network device.

[0377] In the embodiments of the present application, when the core network element executes S702, the following situations may be included:

[0378] Situation 1: Corresponding to Method 1 in the above S701, the core network element sends the first configuration information of the second access network device to the first access network device according to the indication information of the second access network device, and the first configuration information includes the configuration information of all cells under the jurisdiction of the second access network device.

[0379] Situation 2: Corresponding to Method 2 in the above S701, the core network element determines the second access network device according to the first location information; then the core network element sends the first configuration information of the second access network device to the first access network device, and the first configuration information includes the configuration information of all cells under the jurisdiction of the second access network device.

[0380] Situation 3: Corresponding to Method 3 in the above S701, the core network element sends the first configuration information of the second access network device to the first access network device according to the indication information of the second access network device and the indication information of the second cell, and the first configuration information includes the configuration information of the second cell.

[0381] In the above, the configuration information of the cell may include, but is not limited to, one or more of frequency point information, subcarrier spacing of the reference signal, timing configuration of the reference signal, pattern bitmap of the reference signal, physical cell identifier PCI, and coverage information of the cell.

[0382] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first access network device sends second configuration information to the first terminal device, the second configuration information is determined according to the first configuration information, and the second configuration information is used to indicate the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signals of at least one neighboring cell.

[0383] Exemplarily, the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the second cell may be the timing configuration of the reference signal in the configuration information of the second cell.

[0384] In summary, the embodiment of the present application further provides a measurement configuration method, which includes: a first access network device sends first request information to a core network element; the first request information is used to request the first configuration information of a second access network device, and the first configuration information is used to indicate the time domain information where the reference signal of the second access network device is located; then the first access network device receives the first configuration information from the core network element; the first configuration information is reported by the second access network device to the core network element. In this method, the first access network device can obtain the time domain information where the reference signal of the adjacent access network device (the second access network device) is located through the core network element, and then the first access network device can effectively and accurately obtain the timing configuration for measuring the reference signal of the adjacent access network device (the second access network device) according to the time domain information where the reference signal of the adjacent access network device (the second access network device) is located.

[0385] Embodiment 2:

[0386] Based on the method described above in item 7, in Embodiment 2, taking the first terminal device as UE1, the first access network device as base station 1, base station 1 serving UE1, and the second access network device as base station 2 (or base station 3) as an example, base station 2 (or base station 3) is a base station adjacent to base station 1; see Figure 8 As shown, the specific process of this Embodiment 2 is as follows:

[0387] S800: Base station 1, base station 2, and base station 3 respectively send their respective serving cell information (equivalent to the first configuration information in the above Figure 7 described solution) to the core network, and the serving cell information includes the time information for measurement.

[0388] The serving cell information sent by each base station to the core network includes the time information for measuring each cell. Among them, the time information for measuring any cell may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0389] Frequency point, SSB subcarrier spacing, SMTC, pattern of SSB, PCI, coverage information of the cell.

[0390] Optionally, base station 1, base station 2, and base station 3 also respectively send the identification ID of the base station to the core network.

[0391] In this embodiment, taking base station 1, base station 2, and base station 3 as examples of access network devices, their respective serving cell information is reported to the core network. In practice, there may be more or fewer access network devices, and all can refer to S800 for execution, and this is not limited.

[0392] S800 is an optional step.

[0393] S801: The base station 1 sends a request message to the core network to request the serving cell information of the base station 2.

[0394] When the base station 1 cannot interact with adjacent base stations (such as the base station 2 or the base station 2), then the base station 1 can execute S801.

[0395] S802: The core network sends the serving cell information of the base station 2 to the base station 1.

[0396] If in S801, the request message sent by the base station 1 to the core network includes the identification ID of the base station 2, then in S802, after receiving the request message, the core network sends the serving cell information of the base station 2 to the base station 1.

[0397] Optionally, the request message includes the location information of the UE1; after receiving the request message, the core network can determine that the neighboring base station of the UE1 is the base station 2 based on the location information of the UE1, and then the core network can feedback the serving cell information of the base station 2 to the base station 1.

[0398] Optionally, the serving cell information of the base station 2 sent by the core network to the base station 1 can be all the information in the serving cell information reported by the base station 2 to the core network, or the time information for measuring each cell in the serving cell information of the base station 2, or a part of the time information for measuring each cell, and there is no limitation to this.

[0399] For example, the core network receives the request message of the base station 1, and the request message carries the ID of the base station 2, and the request message is used to request to obtain the SMTC for measuring the serving cell of the base station 2. Then the core network sends the SMTC corresponding to all cells of the base station 2 to the base station 1 according to the request message.

[0400] If in S801, the request message sent by the base station to the core network also includes the identification ID of a certain cell served by the base station 2, such as the identification of the cell 2; then in S802, after receiving the request message, the core network sends the information of the cell 2 to the base station 1.

[0401] Optionally, the information of the cell 2 can be the time information for measuring the cell 2 in the serving cell information of the base station 2, or a part of the time information for measuring the cell 2, and there is no limitation to this.

[0402] In a possible implementation manner, if the base station 2 does not execute the above S800, the core network can, after receiving the request message from the base station 1, request the serving cell information (or the information of a certain cell of the base station 2) of the base station 2 from the base station 2, and then the base station 2 sends the serving cell information (or the information of a certain cell of the base station 2) to the core network. Then the core network sends the serving cell information (or the information of a certain cell of the base station 2) of the base station 2 to the base station 1.

[0403] It should be noted that in the above S801 - S802, taking the case where base station 1 requests to obtain the serving cell information of base station 2 as an example for introduction, base station 1 may also request the core network to obtain the serving cell information of other neighboring base stations (such as base station 3), and all can be executed with reference to the method by which base station 1 requests to obtain the serving cell information of base station 2. For other base stations (such as base station 2 or base station 3) requesting the core network to obtain the serving cell information of neighboring base stations, it can also be executed with reference to the method by which base station 1 requests the core network to obtain the serving cell information of neighboring base stations, and details are not elaborated here one by one.

[0404] After S802, base station 1 can send the information of the serving cells of neighboring base stations (base station 2 or base station 3 or other neighboring base stations) to at least one UE that performs neighbor cell measurement.

[0405] In the second embodiment, in the case where the SMTC cannot be interacted between the serving base station and the neighboring station, each base station can report the serving cell information to the core network. When a base station with a measurement requirement requests the serving cell information of a certain neighboring station from the core network, the core network can provide the SMTC of the neighboring station to this base station, and then this base station can provide accurate SMTC for measurement to the served UE, thereby improving the measurement efficiency and reducing the power consumption generated by the measurement.

[0406] It should be noted that in the second embodiment, the core network is used as a relay node, enabling each base station to effectively obtain the serving cell information of neighboring base stations. However, in the embodiments of the present application, other devices (or network elements) can also be used as relay nodes to implement the functions of the core network in the embodiments of the present application, and there is no limitation in this regard. For example, if base station 1 needs to obtain the serving cell information (such as SMTC) of base station 2, and there is no information interaction between base station 1 and base station 2, and among the neighboring base stations of base station 1, there is a base station 3 that can interact with base station 1 through the Xn interface, then base station 1 can also obtain the serving cell information (such as SMTC) of base station 2 through base station 3.

[0407] In the above embodiments provided by the present application, the methods provided by the embodiments of the present application are introduced from the perspective of interaction between various devices. To implement each function in the methods provided by the above embodiments or implementation manners of the present application, the first terminal device, the first access network device, the second access network device, or the core network element may include a hardware structure and / or a software module, and implement the above functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module. Whether a certain function among the above functions is executed in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module depends on the specific application and design constraint conditions of the technical solution.

[0408] In the embodiments of the present application, the division of modules is illustrative, merely a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. Additionally, in each embodiment or implementation manner of the present application, each functional module may be integrated in a processor, may exist independently physically, or two or more modules may be integrated in one module. The above integrated modules may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules.

[0409] Similar to the above concept, as Figure 9 shown, embodiments of the present application further provide a communication device 900 for implementing the functions of the first terminal device, the first access network device, the second access network device, or the core network element in the above method. For example, the communication device 900 may be a software module or a chip system. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. The communication device 900 may include: a communication unit 901 and a processing unit 902.

[0410] In the embodiments of the present application, the communication unit 901 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, which may include a sending unit and / or a receiving unit, respectively used to execute the sending and receiving steps of the first terminal device, the first access network device, the second access network device, or the core network element in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 902 may be used to read instructions and / or data in the storage module, so that the communication device 900 implements the foregoing method embodiments.

[0411] Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a storage unit 903, which is equivalent to the storage module and may be used to store instructions and / or data.

[0412] Hereinafter, in combination with Figures 9 to 10 the communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, the content not described in detail may be referred to the above Figures 5 to 8 shown manner for implementation. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0413] The communication unit 901 may also be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver machine, a transceiver device, etc. The processing unit may also be referred to as a processor, a processing board, a processing module, a processing device, etc. Optionally, the device for implementing the receiving function in the communication unit 901 may be regarded as the receiving unit, and the device for implementing the sending function in the communication unit 901 may be regarded as the sending unit, that is, the communication unit 901 includes a receiving unit and a sending unit. The communication unit may sometimes also be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc. The receiving unit may sometimes also be referred to as a receiver, a receiver, or a receiving circuit, etc. The sending unit may sometimes also be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitter, or a transmitting circuit, etc.

[0414] When the communication device 900 executes the first terminal device in the above embodiments: Figure 5 The communication unit 901 is configured to receive first configuration information for the first terminal device to perform a first measurement on at least one neighboring cell, where the first measurement is to measure the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are located respectively; the communication unit 901 is further configured to send target measurement information to a first access network device, where the target measurement information includes the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are located respectively. The processing unit 902 is configured to control the communication unit 901 to perform sending and / or receiving functions, and process data and / or information, etc.

[0415] When the communication device 900 executes the first access network device in the above embodiments: Figure 5 Both the communication unit 901 and the processing unit 902 in the communication device 900 are located within the first access network device; or the communication unit 901 is located within the DU of the first access network device, and the processing unit 902 is located within the CU of the first access network device; or in the O-RAN architecture, the communication unit 901 is located within the O-DU and / or O-RU of the first access network device, and the processing unit 902 is located within the O-CU and / or O-DU of the first access network device.

[0416] Wherein, the communication unit 901 is configured to send first configuration information for the first terminal device to perform a first measurement on at least one neighboring cell, where the first measurement is to measure the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are located respectively; the communication unit 901 is further configured to receive target measurement information from the first terminal device, where the target measurement information includes the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are located respectively. The processing unit 902 is configured to control the communication unit 901 to perform sending and / or receiving functions, and process data and / or information, etc.

[0417] When the communication device 900 executes the above embodiments: Figure 7When the communication device 900 is the first access network device in the process shown: Both the communication unit 901 and the processing unit 902 in the communication device 900 are located within the first access network device; or the communication unit 901 is located in the DU of the first access network device, and the processing unit 902 is located in the CU of the first access network device; or in the O-RAN architecture, the communication unit 901 is located in the O-DU and / or O-RU of the first access network device, and the processing unit 902 is located in the O-CU and / or O-DU of the first access network device. The communication unit 901 is configured to send first request information to a core network element; the first request information is used to request first configuration information of a second access network device, and the first configuration information is used to indicate time domain information where a reference signal of the second access network device is located; the communication unit 901 is further configured to receive the first configuration information from the core network element; the first configuration information is reported by the second access network device to the core network element. The processing unit 902 is configured to control the communication unit 901 to perform sending and / or receiving functions, and process data and / or information, etc.

[0418] When the communication device 900 is the core network element in the process shown in the above embodiment Figure 7 : The communication unit 901 is configured to receive first request information from a first access network device; the first request information is used to request first configuration information of the second access network device; the first configuration information is used to indicate time domain information where a reference signal of the second access network device is located; the communication unit 901 is further configured to send the first configuration information of the second access network device to the first network device according to the first request information.

[0419] When the communication device 900 is the second access network device in the process shown in the above embodiment Figure 7 : Both the communication unit 901 and the processing unit 902 in the communication device 900 are located within the second access network device; or the communication unit 901 is located in the DU of the second access network device, and the processing unit 902 is located in the CU of the second access network device; or in the O-RAN architecture, the communication unit 901 is located in the O-DU and / or O-RU of the second access network device, and the processing unit 902 is located in the O-CU and / or O-DU of the second access network device. The processing unit 902 is configured to generate first configuration information; the communication unit 901 is configured to send the first configuration information to a core network element, and the first configuration information is used to indicate time domain information where a reference signal of the second access network device is located.

[0420] The above is only an example. The processing unit 902 and the communication unit 901 can also perform other functions. For a more detailed description, reference can be made toFigures 5 to 8 For the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown above, they will not be elaborated here.

[0421] As Figure 10 shown, the communication device 1000 provided in the embodiments of the present application Figure 10 The shown communication device can be Figure 9 a hardware circuit implementation of the shown communication device. The communication device 1000 can be applicable to the flowchart shown above and perform the functions of the first terminal device or the first access network device or the second access network device or the core network element in the above method embodiments. For ease of explanation, Figure 10 only the main components of the communication device are shown.

[0422] As Figure 10 shown, the communication device 1000 includes a communication interface 1001 and a processor 1002. The communication interface 1001 and the processor 1002 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the communication interface 1001 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface, or can also be an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a memory 1003 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1002 or storing input data required for the processor 1002 to run instructions or storing data generated after the processor 1002 runs instructions.

[0423] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement Figures 5 to 8 the method shown, the communication interface 1001 is used to implement the function of the above communication unit 901, and the processor 1002 is used to implement the function of the above processing unit 902.

[0424] In the embodiments of the present application, the specific connection medium between the above communication interface 1001, processor 1002, and memory 1003 is not limited. In the embodiments of the present application Figure 10 it is shown that the memory 1003, processor 1002, and communication interface 1001 are connected through a communication bus 1004. The communication bus 1004 is shown as a thick line in Figure 10 For the connection manners between other components, it is only for illustrative purposes and not to be taken as a limitation. The communication bus 1004 can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 10 only a thick line is shown in

[0425] When the above communication device is a chip, Figure 11 a simplified device structure diagram of the chip is shown. The chip 1100 includes an interface circuit 1101 and one or more processors 1102. Optionally, the chip 1100 may further include a bus. Among them:

[0426] The processor 1102 may be an integrated circuit chip with the ability to process signals. In the implementation process, each step of the above method for determining service node information can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor 1102 or instructions in the form of software. The above-mentioned processor 1102 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the various methods and steps disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc.

[0427] The interface circuit 1101 can be used for sending or receiving data, instructions, or information. The processor 1102 can use the data, instructions, or other information received by the interface circuit 1101 for processing and can send the processed information through the interface circuit 1101.

[0428] Optionally, the chip further includes a memory 1103. The memory 1103 may include a read-only memory and a random access memory and provide operation instructions and data to the processor. A part of the memory 1103 may further include a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM).

[0429] Optionally, the memory stores an executable software module or data structure. The processor can execute corresponding operations by calling the operation instructions stored in the memory (the operation instructions may be stored in the operating system).

[0430] Optionally, the chip can be used in the first terminal device, the first access network device, the second access network device, or the core network element involved in the embodiments of the present application. Optionally, the interface circuit 1101 can be used to output the execution result of the processor 1102. For the method provided by one or more embodiments of the present application, reference can be made to the foregoing various embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0431] It should be noted that the respective functions corresponding to the interface circuit 1101 and the processor 1102 can be implemented through hardware design, can also be implemented through software design, or can be implemented through a combination of software and hardware, and no limitation is made here.

[0432] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium, on which computer instructions are stored for implementing the methods executed by the first terminal device, the first access network device, the second access network device, or the core network element in the above method embodiments.

[0433] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the methods executed by the first terminal device, the first access network device, the second access network device, or the core network element in the above method embodiments.

[0434] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product containing instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the methods executed by the first terminal device, the first access network device, the second access network device, or the core network element in the above method embodiments.

[0435] The embodiments of the present application further provide a chip, including a processor, for calling a computer program or computer instructions stored in the memory, so that the processor executes the above Figures 5 to 8 measurement configuration method shown in the implementation manner.

[0436] In a possible implementation manner, the input of the chip corresponds to the receiving operation in the above Figures 5 to 8 shown implementation manner, and the output of the chip corresponds to the sending operation in the above Figures 5 to 8 shown implementation manner.

[0437] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory through an interface.

[0438] Optionally, the chip further includes a memory, in which a computer program or computer instructions are stored.

[0439] Wherein, the processor mentioned anywhere above can be a general-purpose central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or an integrated circuit for controlling the execution of a program of a measurement configuration method in the above Figures 5 to 8 shown implementation manner. The memory mentioned anywhere above can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0440] It should be noted that for the sake of convenience and brevity of description, the explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant content in any of the above communication devices can refer to the corresponding method embodiments for determining service node information provided above, and will not be elaborated here.

[0441] In this application, between communication devices, there may also be a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on top of the hardware layer, and an application layer running on top of the operating system layer. Among them, the hardware layer may include hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and memory (also known as main memory). The operating system in the operating system layer can be any one or more computer operating systems that implement service processing through processes. For example, Linux operating system, Unix operating system, Android operating system, iOS operating system, or Windows operating system, etc. The application layer may include applications such as a browser, an address book, a word processing software, and an instant messaging software.

[0442] The division of modules in the embodiments of this application is illustrative, merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. In addition, in each embodiment of this application, each functional module may be integrated in one processor, or may exist separately physically, or two or more modules may be integrated in one module. The above integrated modules may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software function modules.

[0443] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware, or in firmware, or in a combination thereof. When implemented in software, the above functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium includes computer storage media and communication media, where the communication media includes any medium that facilitates the transmission of a computer program from one place to another. The storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example but not limitation: the computer-readable medium can include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-Only memory (CD-ROM), or other optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage media, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer. In addition, any connection can suitably be a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted using coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave from a website, server, or other remote source, then the coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, wireless, and microwave are included in the definition of the medium. As used in the embodiments of the present application, disk and disc include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital video disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc, where disks generally magnetically replicate data, while discs optically replicate data with a laser. The above combinations should also be included within the scope of protection of the computer-readable medium.

[0444] In summary, the above are only the embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made in accordance with the disclosure of the present application shall be included within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A measurement configuration method, characterized in that, the method is applied to a first terminal device and includes: receiving first configuration information for the first terminal device to perform a first measurement on at least one neighboring cell, where the first measurement is to measure the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are located respectively; sending target measurement information to a first access network device, where the target measurement information includes the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are located respectively.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the first configuration information includes information of the at least one neighboring cell and / or information of neighboring frequency points corresponding to the at least one neighboring cell; the first configuration information is used to instruct the first terminal device to report target measurement information obtained by performing the first measurement on the at least one neighboring cell and / or the neighboring frequency points corresponding to the at least one neighboring cell.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the method further includes: receiving second configuration information from the first access network device, where the second configuration information is determined by the first access network device according to the target measurement information, and the second configuration information is used to instruct the first terminal device to perform timing configuration for measuring the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, the time domain information where the reference signal of a first neighboring cell is located is first time slot information referenced by the timing of the first terminal device receiving the downlink reference signal of the serving cell; or the time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is second time slot information referenced by the timing of the first neighboring cell sending the downlink reference signal; or the time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is third time slot information referenced by the timing of the serving cell of the first terminal device sending the downlink reference signal; the first neighboring cell is any one of the at least one neighboring cell.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, when the target measurement information includes the first time slot information, the target measurement information further includes at least one of the period of the reference signal of the first neighboring cell, the number of reference signals, the type of reference signal, the identification ID of the first neighboring cell, and the subcarrier spacing of the reference signal; or when the target measurement information includes the second time slot information, the target measurement information further includes at least one of the period of the reference signal of the first neighboring cell, a third indication information, the number of reference signals, the pattern bitmap of the reference signal, the type of reference signal, the identification ID of the first neighboring cell, and the subcarrier spacing of the reference signal; where the third indication information is used to indicate that the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located in the first half frame or the second half frame of the system radio frame of the first neighboring cell; or when the target measurement information includes the third time slot information, the target measurement information further includes at least one of the period of the reference signal of the first neighboring cell, the number of reference signals, the type of reference signal, the identification ID of the first neighboring cell, and the subcarrier spacing of the reference signal.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the first time window information with reference to the timing of the downlink reference signal of the serving cell received by the first terminal device; or the time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the second time window information with reference to the timing of the downlink reference signal transmitted by the first neighboring cell; or the time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the third time window information with reference to the timing of the downlink reference signal transmitted by the serving cell of the first terminal device; wherein, the first neighboring cell is any one of the at least one neighboring cell, and the first time window information or the second time window information or the third time window information includes one or more of the following: the length of the time window, the period of the time window, the offset of the time window.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, the method further includes: sending to the first access network device one or more of the following: the timing difference between the timing of the reference signal of the serving cell received by the first terminal device and the timing of the reference signal transmitted by the at least one neighboring cell respectively, the first propagation delay from the first terminal device to the serving cell of the first terminal device, the propagation delays from the first terminal device to the at least one neighboring cell respectively, the first propagation delay differences corresponding to the at least one neighboring cell; wherein, the first propagation delay difference corresponding to each neighboring cell is the difference between the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the corresponding neighboring cell and the first propagation delay.

8. A measurement configuration method, wherein, the method is applied to a first access network device and includes: sending first configuration information for a first terminal device to perform a first measurement on at least one neighboring cell, and the first measurement is to measure the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are located respectively; receiving target measurement information from the first terminal device, and the target measurement information includes the time domain information where the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell are located respectively.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, the first configuration information includes the information of the at least one neighboring cell and / or the information of the neighboring frequency points corresponding to the at least one neighboring cell; the first configuration information is used to instruct the first terminal device to report the target measurement information obtained by performing the first measurement on the at least one neighboring cell and / or the neighboring frequency points corresponding to the at least one neighboring cell.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, the method further includes: determining second configuration information of a target terminal device served by the first access network device according to the target measurement information, and the second configuration information is used to instruct the timing configuration for the target terminal device to perform measurement on the reference signals of the at least one neighboring cell, and the target terminal device includes the first terminal device; sending the second configuration information to the target terminal device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein, the method further includes: Receive one or more of the following sent by the first terminal device: The timing difference between the timing of the reference signal of the serving cell received by the first terminal device and the timing of the reference signal sent by each of the at least one neighboring cell, the first propagation delay from the first terminal device to the serving cell of the first terminal device, the propagation delays from the first terminal device to the corresponding cells of the at least one neighboring cell respectively, and the first propagation delay differences corresponding to the at least one neighboring cell; Wherein, the first propagation delay difference corresponding to each neighboring cell is the difference between the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the corresponding neighboring cell and the first propagation delay.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the first time slot information referenced by the timing of the downlink reference signal of the serving cell received by the first terminal device; or The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the second time slot information referenced by the timing of the downlink reference signal sent by the first neighboring cell; or The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located is the third time slot information referenced by the timing of the downlink reference signal sent by the serving cell of the first terminal device; The first neighboring cell is any one of the at least one neighboring cell.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, When the target measurement information includes the first time slot information, the target measurement information further includes at least one of the period of the reference signal of the first neighboring cell, the number of reference signals, the type of reference signal, the identification ID of the first neighboring cell, and the subcarrier spacing of the reference signal; or When the target measurement information includes the second time slot information, the target measurement information further includes at least one of the period of the reference signal of the first neighboring cell, the third indication information, the number of reference signals, the reference signal pattern bitmap, the type of reference signal, the identification ID of the first neighboring cell, and the subcarrier spacing of the reference signal; wherein, the third indication information is used to indicate that the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is located in the first half frame or the second half frame of the system radio frame of the first neighboring cell; or When the target measurement information includes the third time slot information, the target measurement information further includes at least one of the period of the reference signal of the first neighboring cell, the number of reference signals, the type of reference signal, the identification ID of the first neighboring cell, and the subcarrier spacing of the reference signal.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, When the target measurement information includes the first time slot information, the timing configuration performed by the first terminal device on the first neighboring cell is determined by the first access network device according to the target measurement information.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The target terminal device further includes a second terminal device; the method further includes: obtaining a second propagation delay or a fourth propagation delay or a second propagation delay difference of the second terminal device; wherein, the second propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the serving cell; the fourth propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the first neighboring cell, and the second propagation delay difference is the difference between the second propagation delay and the fourth propagation delay; The timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurement on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is determined by the first access network device according to the target measurement information, the first propagation delay, and the second propagation delay or the fourth propagation delay or the second propagation delay difference.

16. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, when the target measurement information includes second time slot information; the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is determined by the first access network device according to the target measurement information, a first timing difference, and the first propagation delay or the third propagation delay or the first propagation delay difference corresponding to the first neighboring cell; the third propagation delay is the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the first neighboring cell; wherein, the first timing difference is the difference between the timing when the first terminal device receives the reference signal of the serving cell and the timing when it receives the reference signal of the first neighboring cell.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The target terminal device further includes a second terminal device; the method further includes: obtaining a second propagation delay or a fourth propagation delay or a second propagation delay difference of the second terminal device; wherein, the second propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the serving cell, the fourth propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the first neighboring cell, and the second propagation delay difference is the difference between the second propagation delay and the fourth propagation delay; The timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurement on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is determined by the first access network device according to the target measurement information, the first timing difference, and the second propagation delay or the fourth propagation delay or the second propagation delay difference.

18. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, when the target measurement information includes third time slot information; the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform on the reference signal of the first neighboring cell is determined by the first access network device according to the target measurement information, and the first propagation delay or the third propagation delay or the first propagation delay difference corresponding to the first neighboring cell.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The target terminal device further includes a second terminal device; the method further includes: obtaining a second propagation delay or a fourth propagation delay or a second propagation delay difference of the second terminal device; wherein, the second propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the serving cell, the fourth propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the first neighbor cell, and the second propagation delay difference is the difference between the second propagation delay and the fourth propagation delay; The timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighbor cell is determined by the first access network device according to the target measurement information and the second propagation delay or the second propagation delay difference.

20. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighbor cell is located is the first time window information referenced by the timing when the first terminal device receives the downlink reference signal of the serving cell; or The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighbor cell is located is the second time window information referenced by the timing when the first neighbor cell sends the downlink reference signal; or The time domain information where the reference signal of the first neighbor cell is located is the third time window information referenced by the timing when the serving cell of the first terminal device sends the downlink reference signal; wherein, the first neighbor cell is any one of the at least one neighbor cell, and the first time window information or the second time window information or the third time window information includes one or more of the following: The length of the time window, the period of the time window, the offset of the time window.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, When the target measurement information includes the first time window information; the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighbor cell is obtained by the first access network device according to the first time window information.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein, The target terminal device further includes a second terminal device, and the method further includes: obtaining a second propagation delay or a fourth propagation delay or a second propagation delay difference of the second terminal device; wherein, the second propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the serving cell, the fourth propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the first neighbor cell, and the second propagation delay difference is the difference between the second propagation delay and the fourth propagation delay; The timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signal of the first neighbor cell is determined by the first access network device according to the first time window information, the first timing difference, and the second propagation delay or the fourth propagation delay or the second propagation timing difference; The first timing difference is the difference between the timing when the first terminal device receives the reference signal of the serving cell and the timing when it receives the reference signal of the first neighbor cell.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein, When the target measurement information includes the second time window information; The timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signals of the first neighboring cell is determined by the first access network device based on the second time window information, and the first propagation delay or the third propagation delay or the first propagation delay difference corresponding to the first neighboring cell; wherein, the third propagation delay is the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the first neighboring cell.

24. According to the method described in claim 23, wherein, the target terminal device further includes a second terminal device, and the method further includes: obtaining the second propagation delay or the fourth propagation delay or the second propagation delay difference of the second terminal device; wherein, the second propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the serving cell, the fourth propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the first neighboring cell, and the second propagation delay difference is the difference between the second propagation delay and the fourth propagation delay; the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signals of the first neighboring cell is determined by the first access network device based on the second time window information, and the second propagation delay or the fourth propagation delay or the second propagation delay difference.

25. According to the method described in claim 20, wherein, when the target measurement information includes the third time window information; the timing configuration for the first terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signals of the first neighboring cell is determined by the first access network device based on the third time window information, and the first propagation delay or the third propagation delay or the first propagation difference corresponding to the first neighboring cell; wherein, the third propagation delay is the propagation delay from the first terminal device to the first neighboring cell.

26. According to the method described in claim 25, wherein, the target terminal device further includes a second terminal device, and the method further includes: obtaining the second propagation delay or the fourth propagation delay or the second propagation delay difference of the second terminal device; wherein, the second propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the serving cell, the fourth propagation delay is the propagation delay from the second terminal device to the first neighboring cell, and the second propagation delay difference is the difference between the second propagation delay and the fourth propagation delay; the timing configuration for the second terminal device to perform measurements on the reference signals of the first neighboring cell is determined by the first access network device based on the third time window information, and the second propagation delay or the fourth propagation delay or the second propagation delay difference.

27. A communication device, wherein, it includes a module for executing the method described in any one of claims 1 to 7, or includes a module for executing the method described in any one of claims 8 to 26.

28. A communication device, wherein, it includes a processor; the processor is used to execute one or more computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device executes the method described in any one of claims 1 to 7, or executes the method described in any one of claims 8 to 26.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, It is characterized in that it stores a computer program or instructions, and the computer program or instructions are used to implement the method described in any one of claims 1 to 26.

30. A computer program product It is characterized in that the computer program product includes a computer program, and when the computer program runs on a computer, it causes the computer to execute the method described in any one of claims 1 to 26.

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