Method and apparatus for supporting quality of experience (QoE) measurement collection

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to a method and equipment for supporting quality of experience (QoE) measurement collection. An exemplary method performed, for example, by a UE, may include receiving QoE measurement configuration information for a QoE measurement, where the QoE measurement is configured by a master node (MN) and a reporting branch of a QoE measurement report for the QoE measurement is configured as a secondary cell group (SCG), or the QoE measurement is configured by a secondary node (SN) and a reporting branch of a QoE measurement report for the QoE measurement is configured as a primary cell group (MCG) or SCG; and determining an operation with respect to the QoE measurement in response to the SCG being determined to be unavailable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present application generally relate to wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to methods and devices for supporting Quality of Experience (QoE) measurement collection. Background Art

[0002] Wireless communication systems have been widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, broadcasting, and so on. Wireless communication systems may employ multiple access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources such as time, frequency, and power. Examples of wireless communication systems may include fourth-generation (4G) systems such as Long-Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth-generation (5G) systems that may also be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. However, wireless communication systems still need to evolve to pursue better quality of service, better service experience, lower cost, and so on.

[0003] In the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release (Rel)-17, the basic mechanism for NR QoE has been specified. Since NR Dual Connectivity (DC) is an important commercial deployment scenario of 5G networks, it is crucial to support NR-DC in the NR QoE framework. Therefore, QoE in Rel-18 will support QoE measurement configuration and measurement reporting for the NR-DC scenario, as agreed in RP-213594 as follows:

[0004] - Specify QoE configuration and measurement reporting of the MN / SN through the NR-DC architecture and specify QoE measurement reporting through other DC branches to maintain reporting continuity.

[0005] In view of the above, the industry expects technologies for improving QoE measurement collection, especially technologies for improving QoE measurement collection that support the NR-DC scenario. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The objective of embodiments of the present application is to provide a technical solution for supporting QoE measurement collection, for example, methods and devices for handling SCG-related QoE measurements in the case where the SCG is unavailable.

[0007] Some embodiments of the present application provide a UE, comprising: a transceiver; and a processor coupled to the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: receive QoE measurement configuration information for QoE measurement, wherein the QoE measurement is configured by a master node (MN) and a reporting branch of a QoE measurement report for the QoE measurement is configured as a secondary cell group (SCG), or the QoE measurement is configured by a secondary node (SN) and a reporting branch of a QoE measurement report for the QoE measurement is configured as a master cell group (MCG) or SCG; and determine an operation regarding the QoE measurement in response to the SCG being determined to be unavailable.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is configured to: determine that the SCG is unavailable in response to an SCG failure occurring; and switch the reporting branch from the SCG to a predefined MCG or a configured MCG, wherein the configured MCG is configured in the QoE measurement configuration information or in other configuration information for the QoE measurement.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present application, in response to an SCG failure occurring while the QoE measurement report of the QoE measurement is available, the processor is configured to: transmit information indicating that the QoE measurement report of the QoE measurement is available when the SCG failure occurs to the MN; and receive the other configuration information for the QoE measurement from the MN.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present application, in response to an SCG failure occurring while the QoE measurement report of the QoE measurement is available, the processor is configured to: determine whether a signaling radio bearer (SRB) 4 is configured for reporting the QoE measurement report; and in the case where SRB4 is configured, switch the reporting branch from the SCG to the MCG, wherein the MCG is predefined or configured in the QoE measurement configuration information; or in the case where SRB4 is not configured, transmit information indicating that the QoE measurement report is available when the SCG failure occurs to the MN; and receive the other configuration information for the QoE measurement from the MN.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is configured to: determine that the SCG is unavailable in response to an SCG failure occurring; and suspend reporting the QoE measurement report before receiving information indicating another reporting branch from the MN; and buffer the QoE measurement report in the case where the QoE measurement report is available in the radio resource control (RRC) layer.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present application, when the QoE measurement is configured by the SN, the processor is configured to: determine that the SCG is unavailable in response to the occurrence of an SCG failure; release the QoE measurement; and discard the QoE measurement report if the QoE measurement report is available in the RRC layer.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present application, when the QoE measurement is configured by the SN, the processor is configured to: determine that the SCG is unavailable in response to the occurrence of an SCG failure; pause the QoE measurement; and pause reporting the QoE measurement report.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present application, the processor is configured to: receive information indicating another reporting branch for reporting the QoE measurement report; resume the QoE measurement; and resume reporting the QoE measurement report via the another reporting branch.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present application, the processor is configured to determine the occurrence of an SCG failure in response to at least one of the following: a radio link failure of the SCG; a beam failure of the primary secondary cell (PSCell) when the SCG is deactivated; a reconfiguration when synchronization of the SCG fails; an SCG configuration failure; or an integrity check failure indication of SRB3 from a lower layer of the SCG.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present application, when the QoE measurement is configured by the SN, the processor is configured to: determine that the SCG is unavailable in response to the release of the SCG; determine whether to hold or release the QoE measurement based on an indication from the MN; and if the indication indicates to hold the QoE measurement, continue the QoE measurement by treating the QoE measurement as a QoE measurement configured by the MN and changing the reporting branch after the SCG is released; or if the indication indicates to release the QoE measurement, release the QoE measurement and discard the QoE measurement report.

[0017] In some embodiments according to the present application, if the indication indicates to hold the QoE measurement, the processor is configured to: receive another indication indicating a change in the reporting branch; and change the reporting branch according to the another indication.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present application, the QoE measurement is configured by the SN, and the processor is configured to: determine that the SCG is unavailable in response to the SCG being deactivated; and switch the reporting branch from the SCG to a predefined MCG or a configured MCG, where the configured MCG is configured in the QoE measurement configuration information or in other configuration information.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present application, in the case where the configured MCG is configured in the other configuration information, the processor is configured to: transmit to the MN information indicating that the QoE measurement report is available when the SCG is deactivated in response to SCG deactivation, while the QoE measurement report for the QoE measurement is available; and receive the other configuration information from the MN.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present application, in response to the SCG being deactivated while the QoE measurement report for the QoE measurement is available, the processor is configured to: determine whether SRB4 is configured for reporting the QoE measurement report; and in the case where SRB4 is configured, switch the reporting branch from the SCG to the MCG, where the MCG is predefined or configured in the QoE measurement configuration information; or in the case where SRB4 is not configured, transmit to the MN information indicating that the QoE measurement report is available when the SCG is deactivated; and receive the other configuration information indicating the MCG from the MN.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present application, the processor is configured to: switch the reporting branch to the SCG in response to the SCG being activated.

[0022] In some embodiments of the present application, the QoE measurement is configured by the SN, and the processor is configured to: determine that the SCG is unavailable in response to the SCG being deactivated; and suspend reporting the QoE measurement report before the SCG is activated; and buffer the QoE measurement report in the case where the QoE measurement report is available in the RRC layer.

[0023] In some embodiments of the present application, the QoE measurement is configured by the SN, and the processor is configured to: determine that the SCG is unavailable in response to the SCG being deactivated; release the QoE measurement; and discard the QoE measurement report in the case where the QoE measurement report is available in the RRC layer.

[0024] According to some embodiments of the present application, the processor is configured to: transmit information indicating that the QoE measurement will be released from the access stratum (AS) layer to a layer other than the AS layer; and discard any stored segments of the segmented RRC message related to the SCG by the AS layer.

[0025] According to some embodiments of the present application, the QoE measurement is configured by the SN, and the processor is configured to: determine that the SCG is unavailable in response to the SCG being deactivated; and suspend the QoE measurement.

[0026] According to some embodiments of the present application, the processor is configured to: receive an SCG failure indication from the AS layer by a layer other than the AS layer; and suspend the QoE measurement by the layer other than the AS layer.

[0027] According to some embodiments of the present application, the processor is configured to: receive an SCG deactivation indication from the AS layer by a layer other than the AS layer; and suspend the QoE measurement by the layer other than the AS layer.

[0028] In some scenarios, the processor is configured to: receive information indicating that the QoE measurement is configured by the SN from the AS layer by a layer other than the AS layer.

[0029] According to some embodiments of the present application, the processor is configured to: receive information indicating a request to suspend the QoE measurement and an RRC identifier identifying the QoE measurement from the AS layer by a layer other than the AS layer; and suspend the QoE measurement by the layer other than the AS layer.

[0030] According to some embodiments of the present application, the processor is configured to: suspend reporting the QoE measurement report via the SCG in response to a suspend indication from the MN; and resume reporting the QoE measurement report via the SCG in response to a resume indication from the MN.

[0031] In some scenarios, the processor is configured to: indicate by the AS layer to a layer other than the AS layer to resume the QoE measurement and resume reporting the QoE measurement report.

[0032] Some other embodiments of the present application provide a radio access network (RAN) node, such as an MN, comprising: a transceiver; and a processor coupled to the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: receive first QoE measurement configuration information for QoE measurement configured by the SN for the UE from the SN; transmit the first QoE measurement configuration information to a target SN; and receive differential configuration information of the first QoE measurement configuration information from the target SN.

[0033] In some embodiments of the present application, the first QoE measurement configuration information is received from the SN in an SN modification request confirmation message or an SN change required message.

[0034] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is configured to transmit second QoE measurement configuration information configured by the RAN node to the target SN.

[0035] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is configured to transmit the differential configuration information to the UE.

[0036] Some other embodiments of the present application also provide a RAN node, such as a target SN, comprising: a transceiver; and a processor coupled to the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: receive first QoE measurement configuration information for QoE measurement configured by the SN from the MN; generate differential configuration information of the first QoE measurement configuration information; and transmit the differential configuration information of the first QoE measurement configuration information to the MN.

[0037] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is configured to receive second QoE measurement configuration information configured by the MN from the MN.

[0038] In view of the above, embodiments of the present application provide a technical solution for supporting QoE measurement collection, which can handle SCG-related QoE measurements in the case of SCG events occurring in the NR-DC scenario and improve the reporting continuity of QoE measurements. Therefore, the embodiments of the present application can promote and improve the implementation of NR. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] To describe the manner in which the advantages and features of the present application can be obtained, a description of the present application is presented by reference to specific embodiments of the present application illustrated in the drawings. These drawings only depict example embodiments of the present application and should not be considered as limiting its scope.

[0040] Figure 1 Illustrate a wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0041] Figure 2 Is a flowchart of an exemplary procedure for supporting QoE measurement collection in the case of an SCG failure according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0042] Figure 3 Is a flowchart of an exemplary procedure for supporting QoE measurement collection in the case of an SCG being released according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0043] Figure 4A flowchart of an exemplary procedure for supporting QoE measurement collection in the case of SCG change according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0044] Figure 5 A block diagram of a device for supporting QoE measurement collection according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0045] Figure 6 A block diagram of a device for supporting QoE measurement reporting according to some other embodiments of the present application. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0046] The detailed description of the drawings is intended to be a description of the preferred embodiments of the present application and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present application can be practiced. It should be understood that the same or equivalent functions can be accomplished by different embodiments that are intended to be covered by the spirit and scope of the present application.

[0047] Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the present application, examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. For the purpose of promoting understanding, the embodiments are provided in a specific network architecture and new service scenario (such as 3GPP 5G, 3GPP LTE, etc.). It is considered that with the development of the network architecture and new service scenario, all embodiments in the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems. In addition, the terms cited in the present application may change, which should not affect the principle of the present application.

[0048] In the NR-DC scenario, a UE with multiple transceivers may be configured to utilize resources provided by two different nodes connected via a non-ideal backhaul. One of the nodes may provide NR access, and the other node may provide evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) (E-UTRA) or NR access. One node may act as the MN and the other node may act as the SN. The MN and the SN are connected via a network interface (e.g., the Xn interface specified in the 3GPP standard documents), and at least the MN is connected to the core network (CN).

[0049] For example, Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 100 according to some embodiments of the present application is illustrated.

[0050] As Figure 1 shown, the wireless communication system 100 may be a dual-connection system 100 including at least one UE 101, at least one MN 102, and at least one SN 103. Specifically, for illustrative purposes, Figure 1 the dual-connection system 100 in Figure 1A specific number of UEs 101, MNs 102, and SNs 103 are depicted, but it is contemplated that any number of UEs 101, MNs 102, and SNs 103 may be included in the wireless communication system 100.

[0051] Reference Figure 1 , the UE 101 may be connected to the MN 102 and the SN 103 via an interface (e.g., the Uu interface specified in the 3GPP standard documents). The MN 102 and the SN 103 may be connected to each other via a network interface (e.g., the Xn interface specified in the 3GPP standard documents). The MN 102 may be connected to the core network via a network interface ( Figure 1 not shown in) (e.g., the NG interface specified in the 3GPP standard documents). The UE 101 may be configured to perform data transmission using the resources provided by the MN 102 and the SN 103.

[0052] In some embodiments of the present application, the UE 101 may include a computing device such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a smart TV (e.g., a TV connected to the Internet), a set-top box, a gaming console, a security system (including security cameras), an in-vehicle computer, a network device (e.g., a router, a switch, and a modem), or the like. In some other embodiments of the present application, the UE 101 may include a portable wireless communication device, a smart phone, a cellular phone, a flip phone, a device with a subscriber identity module, a personal computer, a selective call receiving circuitry, or any other device capable of transmitting and receiving communication signals over a wireless network. In some other embodiments of the present application, the UE 101 may include a wearable device such as a smart watch, a fitness bracelet, an optical head-mounted display, or the like. Additionally, the UE 101 may be referred to as a subscriber unit, a mobile device, a mobile station, a user, a terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a fixed terminal, a subscriber station, a user terminal, or a device, or other terms used in the art to describe it.

[0053] The MN 102 refers to a RAN node that provides a control plane connection to the core network. In an embodiment of the present application, in an E-UTRA-NR DC (EN-DC) scenario, the MN 102 may be an eNB. In another embodiment of the present application, in a next-generation E-UTRA-NR DC (NGEN-DC) scenario, the MN 102 may be a next-generation (ng)-eNB. In yet another embodiment of the present application, in an NR-DC scenario or an NR-E-UTRA DC (NE-DC) scenario, the MN 102 may be a gNB. In some embodiments of the present application, the MN 102 may also be referred to as a master NG-RAN (M-NG-RAN) node.

[0054] The MN branch may be referred to as the MCG. The MCG may refer to a set of serving cells associated with MN 102 and includes a primary cell (PCell) and optionally one or more secondary cells (SCell). The PCell may provide a control plane connection to the UE 101.

[0055] The SN 103 may refer to a radio access network node that has no control plane connection to the core network but provides additional resources to the UE 101. In some embodiments of the present application, in the EN-DC scenario, the SN 103 may be an en-gNB. In some other embodiments of the present application, in the NE-DC scenario, the SN 103 may be an ng-eNB. In yet another embodiment of the present application, in the NR-DC scenario or the NGEN-DC scenario, the SN 103 may be a gNB. In some embodiments of the present application, the SN 103 may also be referred to as a secondary NG-RAN (S-NG-RAN) node.

[0056] The SN branch may be referred to as the SCG. The SCG may refer to a set of serving cells associated with the SN and includes a PSCell and optionally one or more SCell. The PCell of the MCG and the PSCell of the SCG may also be referred to as special cells (SpCell).

[0057] In addition, regarding QoE measurement collection (QMC, also referred to as "QoE measurement") activation and reporting, TS38.300 specifies the following:

[0058] "Features are activated in the NG-RAN either through direct configuration from an OAM system (management-based activation) or through signaling from the OAM via the core network containing UE-associated QoE configuration (signaling-based activation). One or more QoE measurement collection jobs can be activated at the UE according to the service type, and each QoE measurement configuration is uniquely identified by a QoE reference.

[0059] For signaling-based QoE measurements, the OAM initiates the activation of QoE measurements for a specific UE via the core network, and the NG-RAN node receives one or more QoE measurement configurations by means of UE-associated signaling. The signaling-based activated QoE measurement configuration includes a list of application layer measurement configurations and corresponding information for QoE measurement collection, such as QoE reference, service type, MCE IP address, slice range, area range, MDT alignment information, and available RAN visible QoE metric indication. Each application layer measurement configuration is encapsulated in a transparent container. The NG-RAN node forwards the corresponding QoE measurement configuration to the UE in a downlink RRC message containing the AppLayerMeasConfig specified in TS38.331

[12] .

[0060] For management-based QoE measurement activation, the OAM sends one or more QoE measurement configurations to the NG-RAN node. The management-based activated QoE measurement configuration also contains a list of application layer measurement configurations and corresponding information for QoE measurement collection. Each application layer measurement configuration is encapsulated in a transparent container. The NG-RAN node selects the UEs that meet the required QoE measurement capabilities, area scope, and slice scope.

[0061] The UE reports the QoE measurement results to the NG-RAN node in an uplink RRC message, as specified in

[0062] TS38.331

[12] . The NG-RAN node transmits the QoE report and the corresponding QoE reference ID to the MCE. QoE measurement collection is handled through application layer measurement configurations and measurement reports and is only supported in the RRC_CONNECTED state. The application layer measurement configurations received by the gNB from the OAM or the CN are encapsulated in transparent containers and are forwarded to the UE as application layer configurations in the RRCReconfiguration message (multiple configurations can be present in the same message). The application layer measurement reports received from the higher layers of the UE are encapsulated in transparent containers and sent to the network in the MeasurementReportAppLayer message, as specified in TS 38.331

[12] . The UE can send multiple application layer measurement reports to the gNB in one MeasurementReportAppLayer message. To allow the transmission of application layer measurement reports that exceed the maximum PDCP SDU size, segmentation of the MeasurementReportAppLayer message can be enabled by the gNB. The measConfigAppLayerId conveyed in the RRC signaling is used to identify the application layer measurement configuration and is reported between the gNB and the UE. The RRC identifier is mapped to the QoE reference in the gNB. The application layer measurement reports are forwarded to the OAM together with the QoE reference. The gNB can release one or more application layer measurement configurations from the UE in one RRCReconfiguration message at any time. The UE can also be configured by the gNB to report when a QoE measurement session starts or stops for a specific application layer measurement configuration.

[0063] Therefore, QoE measurement collection in NG-RAN can be activated in two ways, namely, management-based activation and signaling-based activation. In the case of management-based activation, the RAN node (e.g., gNB) receives direct configuration from the OAM (or OAM system). In the case of signaling-based activation, the RAN node receives signaling containing UE-associated QoE configuration from the OAM via the CN. QoE measurement can also be referred to as application layer measurement. The application layer measurement configuration (e.g., QoE measurement configuration) received by the gNB from the OAM or the CN is encapsulated in a transparent container in Rel-17, and the configuration is forwarded to the UE in the RRCReconfiguration message as an application layer configuration. There can be multiple application layer measurement configurations in the same message, each corresponding to an application layer measurement or a QoE measurement. The application layer measurement report received from the UE's application layer will be encapsulated in a transparent container and sent to the network in an RRC message (e.g., MeasurementReportAppLayer message). To allow the transmission of application layer measurement reports that exceed the maximum Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) SDU size, segmentation of the MeasurementReportAppLayer message can be enabled by the gNB.

[0064] In the NR-DC scenario, both the MN branch (or MCG) and the SN branch (or SCG) can be used for QoE measurement collection. The MN or the SN can configure (or transmit or provide, etc.) the QoE measurement to the UE in response to management-based activation or signaling-based activation, where the reporting branch for QoE measurement reports can be configured as the MCG and / or the SCG.

[0065] According to RP-213594, the support for QoE measurement configuration and measurement reporting through the MN / SN in the NR-DC scenario will be addressed in Rel-18, and thus a large number of issues need to be resolved. For example, when an SCG event (e.g., SCG failure, SCG change, SCG release, or SCG deactivation) occurs, it is necessary to resolve at least how to handle SCG-related QoE measurements to maintain reporting continuity, which includes but is not limited to: how the UE handles available QoE measurement reports and ongoing QoE measurements when an SCG failure occurs (Question 1), how to handle QoE measurements configured by the SN when the SCG is deactivated (Question 2), how to handle QoE measurements configured by the SN when the SCG is released (Question 3), and how to support QoE measurements during the SCG change procedure (Question 4), etc.

[0066] Regarding "SCG-related QoE measurement", it refers to the QoE measurement configured by the SN or the QoE measurement whose report (or measurement result) is configured to be reported via the SCG. For example, in some cases, the SCG-related QoE measurement is the QoE measurement configured by the MN (from the perspective of the UE, received from the MN or provided by the MN), but the QoE measurement report of the QoE measurement is configured for the SCG (or the SN branch), which means that the UE will send the QoE measurement report to the network via the SCG (e.g., by the MN terminating the split SRB (e.g., SRB4) or the SN terminating SRB (e.g., SRB3)). In some other cases, the SCG-related QoE measurement is the QoE measurement configured by the SN (from the perspective of the UE, received from the SN or provided by the SN), and the QoE measurement report of the QoE measurement is configured for the MCG (or the MN branch) and / or the SCG (or the SN branch), which means that the UE will send the QoE measurement report to the network via the MCG or the SCG (e.g., by the SN terminating the split SRB or the SN terminating SRB).

[0067] To at least solve the above problems regarding QoE measurement collection, embodiments of the present application provide a technical solution to support QoE measurement collection. For example, a method and device for supporting QoE measurement collection considering the occurrence of SCG events.

[0068] For example, some embodiments of the present application provide a method for supporting QoE measurement collection, which can be executed by a UE or the like. The exemplary method may include: receiving QoE measurement configuration information for SCG-related QoE measurement; and determining an operation regarding the SCG-related QoE measurement in response to the SCG being determined to be unavailable. Exemplary cases where the SCG is determined to be unavailable may be due to the occurrence of an SCG failure, SCG release, or SCG deactivation, etc. For example, the UE may determine that the SCG is unavailable in response to the occurrence of an SCG failure or in response to an SCG release or in response to an SCG deactivation.

[0069] Some other embodiments of the present application provide another method for supporting QoE measurement collection, which can be executed in a RAN node (e.g., the MN or the like) during the SN (or SCG) change procedure. The exemplary method may include: receiving first QoE measurement configuration information for the QoE measurement configured by the source SN for the UE from the SN; transmitting the first QoE measurement configuration information to the target SN; and receiving differential configuration information of the first QoE measurement configuration information from the target SN.

[0070] Some other embodiments of the present application provide another method for supporting QoE measurement collection, which can also be executed in a RAN node (such as a target MN or the like) during an SN (or SCG) change procedure. The exemplary method may include: receiving, from the MN, first QoE measurement configuration information for QoE measurements configured by the source SN; generating differential configuration information for the first QoE measurement configuration information; and transmitting the differential configuration information for the first QoE measurement configuration information to the MN.

[0071] Some detailed embodiments of the present application will be described below in view of some exemplary NR-DC scenarios. Those skilled in the art should understand that although the MN and SN in NR-DC (such as the source SN and / or the target SN) are described in the exemplary embodiments, the described technical solutions can also be applied to similar RAN nodes and / or similar scenarios, and should not be limited to specific devices and scenarios.

[0072] First, some embodiments of the present application in the case of an SCG failure are described below, which mainly consider Problem 1, such as how the UE disposes of available QoE measurement reports and ongoing QoE measurements when an SCG failure occurs.

[0073] Figure 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary procedure for supporting QoE measurement collection in the case of an SCG failure according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0074] Referring to Figure 2 , in step 201, a RAN node (such as an MN or an SN) in an NR-DC scenario may transmit QoE measurement configuration information (or QoE configuration information) to a remote side (such as a UE). When the RAN node acts as an MN, the QoE measurement configuration information transmitted to the UE may be referred to as MN-UE QoE measurement configuration information or MN QoE measurement configuration information or the like. When the RAN node acts as an SN, the QoE measurement configuration information transmitted to the UE may be referred to as SN-UE QoE measurement configuration information or SN QoE measurement configuration information or the like.

[0075] The QoE measurement configuration information may indicate one or more QoE measurements, which may be SCG-related QoE measurements and / or non-SCG-related QoE measurements. Herein, only SCG-related QoE measurements will be discussed. Additionally, for simplicity, a single SCG-related QoE measurement indicated in the QoE measurement configuration information is described. However, it is well understood by those skilled in the art how to apply the disclosed and taught technical solutions to other SCG-related QoE measurements, even if multiple SCG-related QoE measurements are indicated in the QoE measurement configuration information.

[0076] For example, the RAN node can be the MN. The MN can receive QoE measurement activation information, which is either a direct configuration from the OAM (e.g., in the case of management-based QoE measurement) or signaling containing UE-associated QoE configuration from the OAM via the CN (e.g., in the case of signaling-based QoE measurement). For management-based QoE measurement, the MN will select the UE that meets the required QoE measurement after receiving the QoE measurement, and allocate (or assign or configure, etc.) an RRC identifier (e.g., measConfigAppLayerId) to the QoE measurement, where the RRC identifier is used to identify the QoE configuration of the QoE measurement between the MN and the UE, e.g., the application layer measurement configuration of the QoE measurement between the MN and the UE (also referred to as the RRC QoE configuration). Exemplary MN QoE configuration information for QoE measurement includes the RRC identifier of the QoE measurement and the application layer measurement container. In step 201, the MN will transmit the MN QoE configuration information to the selected UE, e.g., via RRC signaling (e.g., in AppLayerMeasConfig in the RRCReconfiguration message), e.g., via SRB1 or SRB4.

[0077] Similarly, the RAN node can be the SN. The SN can also receive information indicating at least one QoE measurement. For example, the SN can receive QoE measurement activation information from the MN (in the case of signaling-based QoE measurement) or QoE measurement configuration information from the OAM (in the case of management-based QoE measurement). For management-based QoE measurement, the SN can receive the QoE measurement configuration from the OAM as described above in view of the MN, where the received QoE measurement configuration can be different from or the same as the QoE measurement configuration to the MN. For signaling-based QoE measurement, the MN will receive QoE measurement activation signaling from the OAM via the CN, and then request the SN to provide the QoE measurement configuration to the UE by transmitting the QoE measurement activation information, e.g., in an S-node addition request message or an S-node modification request message or the like. Similarly, for management-based QoE measurement, the SN will select the UE that meets the required QoE measurement after receiving the QoE measurement, and independently allocate an RRC identifier to identify the QoE measurement. In step 201, the SN will transmit the QoE measurement configuration information for the QoE measurement to the selected UE, e.g., via RRC signaling, e.g., via SRB3.

[0078] A RAN node (e.g., MN or SN) may also determine at least one reporting branch, e.g., the MCG and / or SCG that will be used to report the measurement results of QoE measurements (e.g., QoE measurement report (report / reporting) or the like). Considering only discussing SCG-related QoE measurements, in the case where the RAN node is an MN, the MN may determine the SCG for the QoE measurement report that will be used to report the QoE measurements configured by the MN. In the case where the RAN node is an SN, the SN may determine the MCG and / or SCG for the QoE measurement report that will be used to report the QoE measurements configured by the SN.

[0079] In some embodiments of the present application, the RAN node may also determine at least one SRB type for the QoE measurement report used to report QoE measurements. The SRB type may be indicated to the UE separately from the information indicating the determined reporting branch for the QoE measurement report in the same or different signaling. Considering only discussing SCG-related QoE measurements, the MN-terminated split SRB (e.g., MN-terminated split SRB4) or SN-terminated SRB (e.g., SN-terminated split SRB4) will be configured to report the measurement results of the QoE measurements configured by the MN; and the SN-terminated split SRB or SN-terminated SRB (e.g., SRB3) will be configured to report the measurement results of the QoE measurements configured by the SN. For signaling-based QoE measurements, the MN may also send the requested SRB type to the SN, e.g., SRB3 for the requested QoE measurement.

[0080] On the UE side, the QoE measurement configuration information will be received accordingly, which at least indicates the QoE measurement and the reporting branch for reporting the measurement results of the QoE measurement or the QoE measurement report. The UE will perform QoE measurement collection based on the QoE measurement configuration information. Then, the UE will transmit the QoE measurement report to the RAN node through the configured reporting branch.

[0081] However, an SCG failure may occur and be detected in step 203, which will result in the configured SCG being unavailable (or failing). Exemplary SCG failures may include: radio link failure of the SCG, beam failure of the PSCell while the SCG is deactivated, reconfiguration when the SCG synchronization fails, SCG configuration failure, or an integrity check failure indication of SRB3 from the lower layer of the SCG, etc. Therefore, the UE needs to determine operations regarding SCG-related QoE measurements in response to an SCG failure. Additionally, in some cases, measurement results (e.g., QoE measurement reports of SCG-related QoE measurements) may be available at the RRC layer of the UE. For example, when an SCG failure occurs, an application layer measurement report container has been received from an upper layer other than the RRC layer. The UE also needs to determine how to handle the available QoE measurement reports of QoE measurements. Some exemplary embodiments of the present application are described below regarding the UE behavior when handling SCG-related QoE measurements and available QoE measurement reports in response to the occurrence of an SCG failure in step 207.

[0082] In some embodiments of the present application, for SCG-related QoE measurements, the UE will switch the reporting branch from the SCG to the MCG in response to an SCG failure.

[0083] For example, the UE may automatically switch the reporting branch from the SCG to a predefined MCG. For example, the predefined MCG is the MCG serving the UE.

[0084] As another example, the UE switches the reporting branch from the SCG to a configured MCG. The configured MCG may be configured in the QoE measurement configuration information for QoE measurements or in other configuration information for QoE measurements.

[0085] Specifically, according to some embodiments of the present application, in the case where QoE measurements are configured by the MN, the MN will indicate whether the UE needs to switch to the MCG when the SCG is unavailable. In the case where the MN QoE measurement configuration information for QoE measurements indicates that the UE needs to switch to the MCG when the SCG is unavailable, the UE will switch to the MCG in response to the occurrence of an SCG failure.

[0086] According to some other embodiments of the present application, in response to the occurrence of an SCG failure, the UE may transmit to the MN information indicating that a QoE measurement report (or QoE measurement result) for indicating QoE measurement is available at the time of the SCG failure. For example, the UE may also send an indication such as "QoE measurement result available" or the like to the MN in the SCGFailureInformation message to indicate that the QoE measurement result is available at the time of the SCG failure. After receiving the indication information reported by the UE, the MN will configure the reporting branch of the QoE measurement report for reporting QoE measurement as the MCG and transmit to the UE the configuration information indicating the MCG for QoE measurement.

[0087] In some scenarios, in the case of switching the reporting branch, the UE will further consider whether to configure SRB4 for transmitting the QoE measurement report for reporting QoE measurement. In the case where SRB4 is configured, the UE will switch the reporting branch from the SCG to the MCG, where the MCG is predefined or configured in the QoE measurement configuration information as described above. In the case where SRB4 is not configured, the UE will transmit to the MN information indicating that the QoE measurement result is available at the time of the SCG failure, such that the MN will (re)configure the reporting branch of the QoE measurement report for reporting QoE measurement as the MCG.

[0088] In some other embodiments of the present application, for SCG-related QoE measurement, in response to the occurrence of an SCG failure, the UE will suspend reporting the QoE measurement report for SCG-related QoE measurement and buffer the QoE measurement report if the QoE measurement report is available in the RRC layer until receiving from the MN information indicating another reporting branch (such as the MCG or another SCG).

[0089] For example, when an SCG failure occurs, the UE may initiate an SCG failure information procedure. The UE will suspend the transmission of the QoE measurement report via the unavailable SCG. The UE may also transmit information or an indication to the MN, such as an indication such as "QoE measurement result available" or the like indicating that the QoE measurement report for QoE measurement is available at the time of the SCG failure. After receiving the indication information reported by the UE, the MN will (re)configure the reporting branch and transmit the (re)configured reporting branch to the UE. In the case where the MN decides to switch the reporting branch to the MCG, the MN will (re)configure the MCG as the reporting branch and transmit the (re)configured MCG to the UE, and then the UE will send the buffered or stored QoE measurement report to the MN via the MCG. In the case where the MN decides to switch the reporting branch to another SCG (such as through an SN change procedure), the MN will (re)configure the new SCG as the reporting branch and transmit the new SCG to the UE, and then the UE will send the buffered or stored QoE measurement report via the new SCG.

[0090] In some other embodiments of the present application, for the QoE measurement related to the SCG configured by the SN, in response to the occurrence of an SCG failure, the UE will release the QoE measurement and discard the QoE measurement report if the QoE measurement report is available in the RRC layer.

[0091] For example, when an SCG failure occurs and is detected, the AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer) of the UE will notify the layer other than the AS layer (e.g., the application layer) of the release of the QoE measurement configured by the SN. And the AS layer will discard any application layer measurement reports related to the unavailable SCG that have not been submitted to the lower layer for transmission, such as discarding any stored segments of the segmented RRC messages related to the SCG.

[0092] In still some other embodiments of the present application, for the QoE measurement related to the SCG configured by the SN, in response to the occurrence of an SCG failure, the UE will suspend the QoE measurement. The UE may also suspend reporting the QoE measurement report. After receiving the information indicating another reporting branch (new reporting branch) (e.g., MCG or another SCG) for reporting the QoE measurement report, the UE will resume the QoE measurement and resume reporting the QoE measurement report via the new reporting branch.

[0093] For example, when an SCG failure occurs and is detected, the AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer) of the UE will send information or an indication, such as an SCG failure indication, to the upper layer other than the AS layer (e.g., the application layer) to notify the SCG failure. When the application layer receives the SCG failure indication, the application layer will suspend the QoE measurement related to the SCG configured by the SN. In some scenarios, the upper layer other than the AS layer (e.g., the application) will know whether the QoE measurement related to the SCG is configured by the SN through an explicit indication from the AS layer.

[0094] Taking another example, when an SCG failure occurs and is detected, the AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer) of the UE will send information or an indication (e.g., a suspension indication) requesting to suspend the QoE measurement to the upper layer other than the AS layer (e.g., the application layer). The information indicating the request to suspend the QoE measurement may also include an RRC identifier for identifying the QoE measurement requested to be suspended. For example, the RRC identifier is the measConfigAppLayerId communicated in the RRC signaling for identifying the application layer measurement configuration and reported between the RAN node and the UE. When the application layer receives the suspension indication and the RRC identifier, the application layer will suspend the QoE measurement identified by the RRC identifier.

[0095] In the network side, a RAN node (e.g., MN or SN) may (re)configure a new reporting branch for SCG-related QoE measurements, e.g., configure a new SCG for QoE measurements, e.g., via an SN change procedure. Accordingly, the AS layer will notify the application layer to resume QoE measurements and resume reporting QoE measurement reports via the new reporting branch.

[0096] In some scenarios, in order to achieve reasonable UE battery consumption while quickly using the SCG when configuring NR-DC, the QoE measurements configured by the SN will support the activation / deactivation mechanism of the SCG. While the SCG is deactivated, there is no transmission via the SCG, i.e., the deactivated SCG is unavailable. Therefore, it is necessary to solve Problem 2, e.g., how the UE disposes of available QoE measurement reports and ongoing QoE measurements in the case of SCG deactivation. Embodiments similar to the embodiments of Problem 1, e.g., switching the reporting branch or pausing the reporting of QoE measurement reports or releasing QoE measurements, etc., are also applicable to solve Problem 2, except that the SCG is unavailable due to different SCG events.

[0097] In short, in some embodiments of the present application, the UE may switch the reporting branch from the deactivated SCG to the MCG during SCG deactivation. After the SCG is activated, the UE will switch the reporting branch back to the activated SCG.

[0098] For example, for QoE measurements configured by the SN, the UE will determine that the SCG is unavailable in response to the SCG being deactivated, and then switch the reporting branch from the deactivated SCG to a predefined MCG or a configured MCG. The configured MCG is indicated in the QoE measurement configuration information or other configuration information. In the case where the configured MCG is configured in other configuration information, the UE will transmit to the MN information indicating that the QoE measurement report is available when the SCG is deactivated in response to SCG deactivation, while the QoE measurement report for QoE measurements is available, so as to receive other configuration information from the MN.

[0099] As another example, in response to the SCG being deactivated while the QoE measurement report for QoE measurements is available, the UE will determine whether SRB4 is configured for reporting the QoE measurement report. In the case where SRB4 is configured, the UE will switch the reporting branch from the SCG to the MCG, where the MCG is predefined or configured in the QoE measurement configuration information. In the case where SRB4 is not configured, the UE will transmit to the MN information indicating that the QoE measurement report is available when the SCG is deactivated, so as to receive other configuration information indicating the MCG from the MN.

[0100] In some other embodiments of the present application, in response to the SCG being deactivated while a QoE measurement report for QoE measurement is available, the UE may suspend reporting the QoE measurement report and buffer the QoE measurement report available in the RRC layer until the SCG is activated.

[0101] In still some other embodiments of the present application, in response to the SCG being deactivated while a QoE measurement report for QoE measurement is available, the UE may release the QoE measurement and discard the QoE measurement report available in the RRC layer.

[0102] In still some other embodiments of the present application, before or simultaneously with sending the SCG deactivation command to the UE, the NW (e.g., MN or SN) will send information or an indication (e.g., a suspension indication) to the UE indicating a request to suspend the QoE measurement report. Accordingly, the UE will suspend the QoE measurement and suspend reporting the QoE measurement report via the deactivated SCG. For example, the AS layer of the UE may transmit information or an indication (e.g., an SCG deactivation indication) indicating that the SCG is deactivated to an upper layer other than the AS layer (e.g., the application layer), and the application layer will suspend the QoE measurement requested to be suspended. After the SCG is activated, the NW will send information or an indication (e.g., a resume indication) to the UE indicating a request to resume the QoE measurement report. Then, the UE will resume the QoE measurement and resume reporting the QoE measurement report of the QoE measurement via the activated SCG. For example, the AS layer of the UE may indicate to an upper layer other than the AS layer (e.g., the application layer) to resume the QoE measurement and resume reporting the QoE measurement report.

[0103] More details about the embodiments in the case of SCG deactivation will refer to the embodiments of the occurrence of SCG failures and will not be repeated herein.

[0104] Regarding SCG release, it is generally implemented through the SN release procedure. In the case of SCG release, the SCG-related configuration is released. However, the available QoE measurements related to the SCG (e.g., QoE measurements configured by the SN) may still be useful to the network. Therefore, it would be useful to maintain the SCG-related QoE measurements configured by the SN and allow the UE to report the available QoE measurement reports to the MN after the SCG is released.

[0105] Some embodiments of the present application in the case of SCG release are described below, which mainly consider issue 3, such as how the UE disposes of the available QoE measurement reports and ongoing QoE measurements when the SCG is released.

[0106] Figure 3 is a flowchart of an exemplary procedure for supporting QoE measurement collection in the case where the SCG is released according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0107] Reference Figure 3 , similar to step 201, in step 301, a RAN node (such as MN or SN) in an NR-DC scenario may transmit QoE measurement configuration information to a remote side (such as UE). For example, MN may transmit QoE measurement configuration information to UE in step 301a, and / or SN may transmit QoE measurement configuration information to UE in step 301b. In Figure 3 the illustrated embodiment of

[0108] In the UE side, QoE measurement configuration information will be received accordingly, which at least indicates QoE measurement and a reporting branch for reporting a measurement result of the QoE measurement or a QoE measurement report. UE will perform QoE measurement collection based on the QoE measurement configuration information. Then, UE will transmit a QoE measurement report to the RAN node through the configured reporting branch.

[0109] However, an SCG release procedure may be performed in step 303. For example, in step 303a, SN may transmit an SN release request to MN, for example, through an SN release required message. In step 303b, MN may transmit a response message to confirm the request, for example, through an SN release confirmation message. MN may indicate an SN release (or SCG release) to UE in step 305a, for example, through an RRC reconfiguration message, and UE may respond to MN with an RRC reconfiguration complete message in step 305b. In response to the SCG being released, exemplary UE behavior regarding handling QoE measurements configured by SN and available QoE measurement reports in step 307 is described below.

[0110] In some embodiments of the present application, for QoE measurements configured by SN related to the release of SCG, UE will determine whether to retain or release the QoE measurement based on an indication from MN. For example, when sending information or an indication indicating that SN or SCG is released to UE, MN may also indicate whether to retain or release QoE measurements related to the release of SN or SCG.

[0111] In the case where the MN indicates that QoE measurement will be maintained, the UE will continue the QoE measurement by considering the QoE measurement as an MN-configured QoE measurement after the SCG is released and changing the reporting branch to, for example, a predefined reporting branch. In some scenarios, the MN may also explicitly indicate that the reporting branch has changed, for example, by an additional indication different from the indication of whether to maintain or release the QoE measurement. For example, the additional indication may indicate that the configured reporting branch for QoE measurement has changed from the SCG to the MCG. The UE will change the reporting branch according to the additional indication. In the case where the MN indicates that the QoE measurement will be released, the UE will release the QoE measurement and discard the QoE measurement report of the QoE measurement available in the RRC layer.

[0112] In some scenarios, the UE may not receive any indication of whether to maintain the QoE measurement. Then, the UE will release the QoE measurement and discard any available QoE measurement report for the QoE measurement in the RRC layer.

[0113] As described above, the SCG may change in some scenarios, which is achieved through the SN change procedure. Some embodiments of the present application in the case of SN change are described below, mainly considering issue 4, such as how to support QoE measurement collection during the SN change procedure.

[0114] Figure 4 It is a flowchart of an exemplary procedure for supporting QoE measurement collection in the case of SCG change according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0115] There are two types of SN change procedures. One is the MN-initiated SN change procedure (or MN-initiated SN change), and the other is the SN-initiated SN change procedure (e.g., SN-initiated SN change). For example, in the case of MN-initiated SN change, the MN may, for example, trigger an MN-initiated SN modification procedure to the source SN to retrieve the source SCG-related QoE measurement configuration information. The source SN will provide the source SCG-related QoE measurement configuration information in the SN modification request confirmation message. In the case of the SN-initiated SN change procedure, the source SN will provide the source SCG-related QoE measurement configuration information in the SN change required message. In Figure 4 the embodiments are described only in view of the SN-initiated SN change procedure. However, those skilled in the art should clearly know how to apply the disclosed technical solutions to the MN-initiated SN change procedure based on the disclosure and teachings described in the specification.

[0116] Refer to Figure 4, similar to step 201, in step 401, a RAN node (such as MN or SN) (hereinafter referred to as the source SN or S-SN) in the NR-DC scenario may transmit QoE measurement configuration information to the remote side (such as UE). However, it is assumed that both the MN and the source SN can configure QoE measurement independently. For example, the MN may configure QoE measurement through SRB1, while the source SN may configure QoE measurement through SRB3. If the QoE measurement is configured by the MN, then the MN may transmit MN QoE measurement configuration information to the UE in step 401a. If the QoE measurement is configured by the source SN, then the source SN may transmit SN QoE measurement configuration information to the UE in step 401b. In Figure 4 the illustrated embodiment, in step 401b, at least the SN QoE measurement configuration information for QoE measurement (hereinafter referred to as source SCG-related QoE measurement configuration information or source SCG-related QoE configuration information) will be transmitted by the source SN to the UE.

[0117] In response to the SN change being triggered or initiated, in step 403, the source SN will provide the source SCG-related QoE measurement configuration information to the MN, for example, in the SN, SN change required message. The source SCG-related QoE measurement configuration information may include the RRC QoE configuration, such as the AppLayerMeasConfig configured by the source SN for the UE.

[0118] In a more specific embodiment of the present application, the source SCG-related QoE measurement configuration information is provided by the scg-CellGroupConfig IE in the CG-Config IE, which is an information element (IE) of the inter-node RRC message. The exemplary scg-CellGroupConfig IE is described below.

[0119]

[0120] In step 405, the MN will provide the source SCG-related QoE measurement configuration information to the target SN (or T-SN). For example, the MN will include the source SCG-related QoE measurement configuration information in the SN addition request message. In some cases, the MN may also provide the MN QoE measurement configuration information to the target SN in step 405.

[0121] In a more specific embodiment of the present application, the MN may include source SCG-related QoE measurement configuration information in the sourceConfigSCG IE of the CG-ConfigInfoIE, which is an IE of the inter-node RRC message. An exemplary sourceConfigSCG IE is described below. The MN may also include MN QoE measurement configuration information in a separate IE, such as appLayeMeasConfig-MN in the CG-ConfigInfo IE.

[0122]

[0123] The target SN will use the source SCG-related QoE measurement configuration information to generate differential configuration information for QoE measurement. Then, in step 407, the target SN will send the generated differential configuration information to the UE via the MN. For example, in step 407a, the target SN will send the generated differential configuration information to the MN, such as in the SN addition request confirmation message. The differential configuration information may also be provided by the scg-CellGroupConfig IE in the CG-Config IE. In step 407b, the MN will transmit the differential configuration information to the UE, for example, by including the MN RRC reconfiguration message that contains the target SN RRC reconfiguration message. The UE will apply the new QoE measurement configuration information for the QoE measurement configured by the source SN based on the differential configuration.

[0124] In addition, those skilled in the art should clearly understand that although some configurations and / or parameters (such as "SN change required", etc.) are well-known in the legacy specifications or newly proposed in the specifications, they may evolve into other terms as 3GPP evolves. Therefore, the names of such configurations and / or parameters should not overly limit the scope of the present application and should be reasonably interpreted in terms of their technical essence.

[0125] In addition to the method, embodiments of the present application also propose a device for supporting QoE measurement collection. For example, Figure 5 is a block diagram of a device for supporting QoE measurement collection according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0126] As Figure 5 shown, the device 500 may include at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium 501, at least one receiving circuit system 502, at least one transmitting circuit system 504, and at least one processor 506 coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium 501, the receiving circuit system 502, and the transmitting circuit system 504. The device 500 may be a RAN node (such as an MN or an SN) or a terminal device (such as a UE) configured to execute the method described above or the like.

[0127] Although elements such as at least one processor 506, a transmit circuitry 504, and a receive circuitry 502 are described in the singular in this figure, the plural form is contemplated unless expressly stated to be limited to the singular form. In some embodiments of the present application, the receive circuitry 502 and the transmit circuitry 504 may be combined into a single device, such as a transceiver. The processor 506 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signaling processor (DSP), a microprocessor, etc. In certain embodiments of the present application, the device 500 may further include an input device, a memory, and / or other components.

[0128] In some embodiments of the present application, a non-transitory computer-readable medium 501 may store computer-executable instructions that cause the processor 506 to implement a method regarding a RAN node (e.g., the MN or SN described above). For example, when executed, the computer-executable instructions cause the processor 506 to interact with the receive circuitry 502 and the transmit circuitry 504 to perform the steps regarding the RAN node described above.

[0129] In some embodiments of the present application, a non-transitory computer-readable medium 501 may store computer-executable instructions that cause the processor to implement the method regarding a terminal device described above. For example, when executed, the computer-executable instructions cause the processor 506 to interact with the receive circuitry 502 and the transmit circuitry 504 to perform the steps regarding the UE described above.

[0130] Figure 6 A block diagram illustrating a device 600 that supports QoE measurement collection according to some other embodiments of the present application.

[0131] Reference Figure 6 , the device 600 (e.g., a UE or a RAN node) may include at least one processor 602 and at least one transceiver 604. The transceiver 604 may include at least one separate receive circuitry 606 and transmit circuitry 608 or at least one integrated receive circuitry 606 and transmit circuitry 608. The at least one processor 602 may be a CPU, a DSP, a microprocessor, etc.

[0132] According to some embodiments of the present application, when the device 600 is a UE, the processor may be configured to: receive QoE measurement configuration information for QoE measurement, where the QoE measurement is configured by the MN and the reporting branch of the QoE measurement report for the QoE measurement is configured as the SCG, or the QoE measurement is configured by the SN and the reporting branch of the QoE measurement report for the QoE measurement is configured as the MCG or the SCG; and determine an operation regarding the QoE measurement in response to the SCG being determined to be unavailable.

[0133] According to some embodiments of the present application, when the device 600 is a RAN node (e.g., MN), the processor is configured to: a transceiver; and a processor coupled to the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: receive, from the SN, first QoE measurement configuration information for QoE measurements configured by the SN for the UE; transmit the first QoE measurement configuration information to the target SN; and receive, from the target SN, differential configuration information of the first QoE measurement configuration information.

[0134] According to some other embodiments of the present application, when the device 600 is a RAN node (e.g., the target), the processor is configured to: a transceiver; and a processor coupled to the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: receive, from the MN, first QoE measurement configuration information for QoE measurements configured by the SN; generate differential configuration information of the first QoE measurement configuration information; and transmit the differential configuration information of the first QoE measurement configuration information to the MN.

[0135] The method according to the embodiments of the present application can also be implemented on a programmed processor. However, the controller, flowchart, and module can also be implemented on a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller, and peripheral integrated circuit elements, integrated circuits, hardware electronic or logic circuits (such as discrete component circuits), programmable logic devices, or the like. Generally, any device capable of implementing the flowchart shown in the figure can be used to implement the processor functions of the present application. For example, embodiments of the present application provide a device that includes a processor and a memory. Computer programmable instructions for implementing a method are stored in the memory, and the processor is configured to execute the computer programmable instructions to implement the method. The method can be the method described above or other methods according to the embodiments of the present application.

[0136] Alternative embodiments preferably implement the method according to the embodiments of the present application in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer programmable instructions. The instructions are preferably executed by a computer-executable component preferably integrated with a network security system. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be stored on any suitable computer-readable medium, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), optical storage devices (compact disc (CD) or digital video disc (DVD)), hard disk drive, floppy disk drive, or any suitable device. The computer-executable component is preferably a processor, but the instructions can alternatively or additionally be executed by any suitable dedicated hardware device. For example, embodiments of the present application provide a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer programmable instructions. The computer programmable instructions are configured to implement the method described above or other methods according to the embodiments of the present application.

[0137] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments of the present application, it will be apparent that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be obvious to those skilled in the art. For example, the various components of the embodiments may be interchanged, added, or substituted in other embodiments. Moreover, all elements of each figure are not necessary for the operation of the disclosed embodiments. For example, this will enable those of ordinary skill in the art of the disclosed embodiments to make and use the teachings of the present application by simply employing the elements of the independent claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the present application set forth herein are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE) comprising: a transceiver; and a processor coupled to the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: receive QoE measurement configuration information for quality of experience (QoE) measurement, wherein the QoE measurement is configured by a master node (MN) and a reporting branch of a QoE measurement report for the QoE measurement is configured as a secondary cell group (SCG), or the QoE measurement is configured by a secondary node (SN) and a reporting branch of a QoE measurement report for the QoE measurement is configured as a master cell group (MCG) or SCG; and determine an operation regarding the QoE measurement in response to the SCG being determined to be unavailable.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to: determine that the SCG is unavailable in response to an SCG failure occurring; and switch the reporting branch from the SCG to a predefined MCG or a configured MCG, wherein the configured MCG is configured in the QoE measurement configuration information or in other configuration information for the QoE measurement.

3. The UE according to claim 2, wherein in response to the SCG failure occurring while the QoE measurement report of the QoE measurement is available, the processor is configured to: transmit to the MN information indicating that the QoE measurement report of the QoE measurement is available when the SCG failure occurs; and receive from the MN the other configuration information for the QoE measurement.

4. The UE according to claim 2, wherein in response to the SCG failure occurring while the QoE measurement report of the QoE measurement is available, the processor is configured to: determine whether a signaling radio bearer (SRB4) is configured for reporting the QoE measurement report; and in the case where SRB4 is configured, switch the reporting branch from the SCG to the MCG, wherein the MCG is predefined or configured in the QoE measurement configuration information; or in the case where SRB4 is not configured, transmit to the MN information indicating that the QoE measurement report is available when the SCG failure occurs; and receive from the MN the other configuration information for the QoE measurement.

5. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to: determine that the SCG is unavailable in response to an SCG failure occurring; and before receiving information indicating another reporting branch from the MN, suspend reporting the QoE measurement report; and buffer the QoE measurement report in the case where the QoE measurement report is available in the radio resource control (RRC) layer.

6. The UE according to claim 1, wherein in the case where the QoE measurement is configured by the SN, the processor is configured to: determine that the SCG is unavailable in response to an SCG failure occurring; release the QoE measurement; and discard the QoE measurement report in the case where the QoE measurement report is available in the radio resource control (RRC) layer.

7. The UE according to claim 1, wherein in the case where the QoE measurement is configured by the SN, the processor is configured to: Determine that the SCG is unavailable in response to the occurrence of an SCG failure; Suspend the QoE measurement; and Suspend reporting the QoE measurement report.

8. The UE according to claim 1, wherein when the QoE measurement is configured by the SN, the processor is configured to: Determine that the SCG is unavailable in response to the SCG being released; Determine whether to maintain or release the QoE measurement based on an indication from the MN; And When the indication indicates that the QoE measurement will be maintained, continue the QoE measurement by treating the QoE measurement as a QoE measurement configured by the MN and changing the reporting branch after the SCG is released; Or When the indication indicates that the QoE measurement will be released, release the QoE measurement and discard the QoE measurement report.

9. The UE according to claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to: Transmit information indicating that the QoE measurement will be released from the access stratum AS layer to a layer other than the AS layer; and Have the AS layer discard any stored segments of the segmented RRC message related to the SCG.

10. The UE according to claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to: Receive an SCG failure indication from the AS layer by a layer other than the access stratum AS layer; and Have the layer other than the AS layer suspend the QoE measurement.

11. The UE according to claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to: Receive information indicating a request to suspend the QoE measurement and an RRC identifier identifying the QoE measurement from the AS layer by a layer other than the access stratum AS layer; and Have the layer other than the AS layer suspend the QoE measurement.

12. A radio access network RAN node, comprising: A transceiver; And A processor coupled to the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: Receive first QoE measurement configuration information for a quality of experience QoE measurement configured by the SN for a user equipment UE from a source secondary node SN; Transmit the first QoE measurement configuration information to a target SN; And Receive differential configuration information of the first QoE measurement configuration information from the target SN.

13. The RAN node according to claim 12, wherein, The first QoE measurement configuration information is received from the SN in an SN modification request confirmation message or an SN change required message.

14. The RAN node according to claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to transmit second QoE measurement configuration information configured by the RAN node to the target SN.

15. A radio access network RAN node, comprising: A transceiver; And A processor coupled to the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: Receive first QoE measurement configuration information for a quality of experience QoE measurement configured by a source secondary node SN from a master node MN; Generate differential configuration information of the first QoE measurement configuration information; And Transmit the differential configuration information of the first QoE measurement configuration information to the MN.

Images