Switching method and device, equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The invention discloses a switching method and device, equipment and a storage medium. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a first message sent by first network equipment; the first message at least comprises one of the following: continuous condition switching configuration; indication of continuous condition switching; a candidate cell identifier; identifying a candidate cell set or a candidate cell group; configuration information of the candidate cell; executing conditions; the resource reservation time or the access permission time of the candidate cell or the candidate cell set; allowing the number of times of continuous condition switching; a time or timer for continuous condition switching; releasing the indication of the continuous condition switching configuration; releasing an indication of the configuration for each candidate cell or set of candidate cells; and key information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to a handover method, apparatus, device, and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Currently, in the existing conditional handover (CHO) technology, when a terminal performs a handover, the corresponding configuration will be released. If the terminal moves within a certain range such as a campus or a shopping mall, it may frequently hand over between several cells within this range, resulting in the several cells being frequently and repeatedly configured as candidate cells. Or when the terminal moves on a fixed route (such as a drone flight), after each handover, the network needs to re-configure the handover for the terminal, which will cause problems such as large signaling overhead and high handover latency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, embodiments of this application are expected to provide a handover method, apparatus, device, and storage medium.

[0004] The technical solution of the embodiments of this application is implemented as follows:

[0005] Embodiments of this application provide a handover method applied to a terminal. The method includes:

[0006] Receiving a first message sent by a first network device; the first message includes at least one of the following:

[0007] Continuous conditional handover configuration;

[0008] Indicator of continuous conditional handover;

[0009] Candidate cell identifier;

[0010] Candidate cell set or group identifier;

[0011] Configuration information of the candidate cell;

[0012] Execution condition;

[0013] Resource reservation time or allowed access time of the candidate cell or candidate cell set;

[0014] Number of times allowing continuous conditional handover;

[0015] Time or timer for continuous conditional handover;

[0016] Indicator for releasing the continuous conditional handover configuration;

[0017] Indicator for releasing the configuration for each candidate cell or candidate cell set;

[0018] Key information.

[0019] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0020] Evaluating the execution conditions of the candidate cell;

[0021] If the candidate cell meets the execution conditions, the terminal applies the saved configuration to complete the radio resource control (RRC) handover or connection process with the candidate cell.

[0022] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0023] After the terminal completes a conditional handover, save the continuous conditional handover configuration and continue to evaluate the execution conditions of the candidate cell.

[0024] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0025] If receiving an indication to release the continuous conditional handover configuration, stop the continuous conditional handover or release the continuous conditional handover configuration;

[0026] Or,

[0027] If receiving an indication to release the configuration for each candidate cell or candidate cell set, release the continuous conditional handover configuration of the corresponding candidate cell or candidate cell set;

[0028] Or,

[0029] If the resource reservation time or the allowed access time of the candidate cell or candidate cell set is exceeded, release the continuous conditional handover configuration of the corresponding candidate cell;

[0030] Or,

[0031] If the number of allowed continuous conditional handovers is met, stop the continuous conditional handover or release the continuous conditional handover configuration;

[0032] Or,

[0033] If the time of the continuous conditional handover or the timer of the continuous conditional handover times out, stop the continuous conditional handover or release the continuous conditional handover configuration.

[0034] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0035] Requesting the first network device or the second network device to release the continuous conditional handover configuration or to request to stop the continuous conditional handover.

[0036] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0037] Receive the measurement configuration sent by the first network device, and report measurement results and / or potential target cells to the first network device.

[0038] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0039] Report the cell identifier of the source cell, and / or the cell set or group identifier to the second network device.

[0040] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0041] Report the time of continuous handover or the running time of the timer or the remaining time of the timer to the second network device;

[0042] Or,

[0043] Report the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers to the second network device.

[0044] At least one embodiment of the present application provides a handover method applied to a first network device, and the method includes:

[0045] Send a first message to the terminal; the first message includes at least one of the following:

[0046] Continuous conditional handover configuration;

[0047] Indicator of continuous conditional handover;

[0048] Candidate cell identifier;

[0049] Candidate cell set or group identifier;

[0050] Configuration information of the candidate cell;

[0051] Execution condition;

[0052] Resource reservation time or allowed access time of the candidate cell or candidate cell set;

[0053] Number of times allowing continuous conditional handover;

[0054] Time or timer of continuous conditional handover;

[0055] Indicator for releasing the continuous conditional handover configuration;

[0056] Indicator for releasing the configuration for each candidate cell or candidate cell set;

[0057] Key information.

[0058] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0059] Receive a second message sent by a second network device; the second message is used to indicate that the terminal has completed a handover.

[0060] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0061] Send a third message to the terminal, where the third message at least includes one of the following:

[0062] Measurement configuration;

[0063] An indication to report measurement results;

[0064] An indication to report potential target cells;

[0065] The number of reported target cells;

[0066] Rules for reporting measurement results.

[0067] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0068] Send the continuous handover time or the running time of the timer or the remaining time of the timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers to the second network device;

[0069] Or,

[0070] Receive a fourth message sent by the second network device; where the fourth message includes the continuous handover time or the running time of the timer or the remaining time of the timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers; send the continuous handover time or the running time of the timer or the remaining time of the timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers to a third network device;

[0071] Or,

[0072] When the running time of the timer or the remaining time of the timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers meets a preset condition, send a fifth message to the second network device and / or the third network device; the fifth message is used for the second network device and / or the third network device to cancel reserved resources.

[0073] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0074] Receive a sixth message sent by the second network device; the sixth message carries the identification information of the second network device;

[0075] Forward the identification information of the second network device to the third network device.

[0076] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0077] Preserving the context information of the terminal until the continuous conditional handover process ends or stops.

[0078] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0079] Sending a seventh message to a second network device; the seventh message includes an indication requesting the second network device to perform continuous conditional handover configuration.

[0080] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0081] Receiving an eighth message sent by the second network device; the eighth message includes at least one of the following: continuous conditional handover configuration, configuration information of candidate cells.

[0082] At least one embodiment of the present application provides a handover method applied to a second network device, and the method includes:

[0083] Sending an eighth message to a first network device; the eighth message includes at least one of the following: continuous conditional handover configuration, configuration information of candidate cells.

[0084] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0085] Receiving the seventh message sent by the first network device; the seventh message includes an indication requesting the second network device to perform continuous conditional handover configuration.

[0086] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0087] Sending a second message to the first network device; the second message is used to indicate that the terminal has completed the handover.

[0088] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0089] Sending a first request to a core network device; the first request is used to request the core network device to notify the first network device that the terminal has accessed the second network device;

[0090] Or,

[0091] Sending a second request to the core network device; the second request is used to request the core network device to feedback the identifier of the first network device;

[0092] Or,

[0093] Send a ninth message to a third network device; the ninth message is used to indicate that the terminal has completed a handover;

[0094] Or,

[0095] Send a sixth message to the first network device; the sixth message carries the identification information of the second network device.

[0096] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0097] Send an indication to the terminal to release the continuous conditional handover configuration;

[0098] Or,

[0099] Send an indication to the terminal to release the configuration for a candidate cell or a set of candidate cells.

[0100] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0101] Send a tenth message to a third network device; the tenth message is used to instruct the third network device to cancel the reserved resources.

[0102] At least one embodiment of the present application provides a handover device, including:

[0103] A receiving module, configured to receive a first message sent by a first network device; the first message includes at least one of the following:

[0104] Continuous conditional handover configuration;

[0105] Indication of continuous conditional handover;

[0106] Candidate cell identifier;

[0107] Candidate cell set or group identifier;

[0108] Configuration information of a candidate cell;

[0109] Execution condition;

[0110] Resource reservation time or allowed access time of a candidate cell or a set of candidate cells;

[0111] Number of times allowing continuous conditional handover;

[0112] Time or timer for continuous conditional handover;

[0113] Indication to release the continuous conditional handover configuration;

[0114] Indication to release the configuration for each candidate cell or a set of candidate cells;

[0115] Key information.

[0116] At least one embodiment of the present application provides a handover device, including:

[0117] A first sending module, configured to send a first message to a terminal; the first message includes at least one of the following:

[0118] Continuous condition handover configuration;

[0119] Indicator of continuous condition handover;

[0120] Candidate cell identifier;

[0121] Candidate cell set or group identifier;

[0122] Configuration information of the candidate cell;

[0123] Execution condition;

[0124] Resource reservation time or allowed access time of the candidate cell or candidate cell set;

[0125] Number of allowed continuous condition handovers;

[0126] Time or timer for continuous condition handover;

[0127] Indicator for releasing the continuous condition handover configuration;

[0128] Indicator for releasing the configuration for each candidate cell or candidate cell set;

[0129] Key information.

[0130] At least one embodiment of the present application provides a handover device, including:

[0131] A second sending module, configured to send an eighth message to a first network device; the eighth message includes at least one of the following: continuous condition handover configuration, configuration information of the candidate cell.

[0132] At least one embodiment of the present application provides a terminal, including a processor and a memory for storing a computer program that can run on the processor,

[0133] wherein, when the processor runs the computer program, it executes the steps of any of the methods on the terminal side described above.

[0134] At least one embodiment of the present application provides a first network device, including a processor and a memory for storing a computer program that can run on the processor,

[0135] wherein, when the processor runs the computer program, it executes the steps of any of the methods on the first network device side described above.

[0136] At least one embodiment of the present application provides a second network device, including a processor and a memory for storing a computer program that can run on the processor,

[0137] wherein, when the processor is used to run the computer program, it executes the steps of any one of the methods on the second network device side.

[0138] At least one embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of any one of the above methods.

[0139] The handover method, device, equipment and storage medium provided by the embodiments of the present application, the method includes: receiving a first message sent by a first network device; the first message at least includes one of the following: continuous condition handover configuration; indication of continuous condition handover; candidate cell identifier; candidate cell set or group identifier; configuration information of candidate cells; execution condition; resource reservation time or allowed access time of candidate cells or candidate cell sets; number of times allowing continuous condition handover; continuous condition handover time or timer; indication of releasing continuous condition handover configuration; indication of releasing configuration for each candidate cell or candidate cell set; key information.

[0140] Adopting the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application, continuous condition handover is introduced, and a series of problems brought after the introduction are solved. It can support the terminal to perform continuous handover in scenarios where the terminal moves within a certain range or the movement route is relatively determined, reduce network configuration, reduce the corresponding signaling load and system complexity, and reduce handover delay. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0141] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the implementation process of conditional handover in the related art;

[0142] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the implementation process of the handover method in the embodiments of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0143] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the implementation process of the handover method in the embodiments of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0144] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the implementation process of the handover method in the embodiments of the present application Figure 3 ;

[0145] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the specific implementation process of the handover method in the embodiments of the present application;

[0146] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the composition structure of the handover device in the embodiments of the present applicationFigure 1 ;

[0147] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the composition structure of the switching device according to an embodiment of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0148] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the composition structure of the switching device according to an embodiment of the present application Figure 3 ;

[0149] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the composition structure of the terminal according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0150] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the composition structure of the first network device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0151] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the composition structure of the second network device according to an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0152] Before introducing the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, the related technologies are first introduced.

[0153] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the implementation process of conditional handover in the related technology. As Figure 1 shown, conditional handover (CHO) is to configure a user equipment (UE) with multiple candidate target cells and execution conditions. When the configured execution conditions are met, the UE selects a target cell and initiates an access handover. When the UE successfully accesses the target cell, the target base station (gNB, the next generation NodeB) sends a Handover SUCESS message to the source gNB to notify that the UE has successfully switched to the target cell, and the source gNB sends a Handover Cancel message to other candidate target gNBs to release the resources reserved for the target cell. CHO is a one-time process, and the stored CHO configuration will be released after the terminal successfully executes it.

[0154] In the existing dual-connectivity scenario, subsequent CPAC is supported, that is, consecutive CPAC (abbreviated as S-CPAC). During this process, the master node (MN) remains unchanged, and the secondary node (SN) can be added or changed. Considering that the high-frequency FR2 channel changes relatively quickly, the network sends information such as the configuration and execution conditions of multiple candidate primary-secondary cells (PSCell) / secondary cell groups (SCG) to the terminal in advance. The terminal evaluates the execution conditions. When the execution conditions of a certain candidate PSCell are met, conditional Pscell addition (CPA) / conditional Pscell change (CPC) is performed, and then the configuration is saved and the evaluation continues until the network clearly instructs the terminal to release the configuration or the terminal releases the saved subsequent CPAC configuration when other release conditions are met, and the process ends.

[0155] The existing CHO technology only supports the UE to perform a handover once and then release the corresponding configuration. If the terminal moves within a certain range such as a campus or a shopping mall, it may frequently hand over between several cells within this range, resulting in the several cells being frequently and repeatedly configured as candidate cells. Or if the terminal moves on a fixed route (such as an unmanned aerial vehicle flying), the network needs to re-configure the handover for the terminal after each handover, which will cause problems such as large signaling overhead and high handover latency. The existing subsequent CPAC technology is only applicable to the dual-connectivity scenario where the MN remains unchanged. If the terminal is in the SA mode, the existing technology is not applicable to this scenario.

[0156] Based on this, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal receives a first message sent by a first network device; the first message at least includes one of the following: consecutive condition handover configuration; indication of consecutive condition handover; candidate cell identifier; candidate cell set or group identifier; configuration information of the candidate cell; execution condition; resource reservation time or allowed access time of the candidate cell or candidate cell set; number of times allowing consecutive condition handover; time or timer for consecutive condition handover; indication of releasing the consecutive condition handover configuration; indication of releasing the configuration for each candidate cell or candidate cell set; key information.

[0157] See Figure 2 , Figure 2 is a schematic flowchart of the implementation of the handover method in the embodiments of the present application, which is applied to the terminal. As Figure 2 shown, the method includes step 201:

[0158] Step 201: Receive a first message sent by a first network device; the first message includes at least one of the following:

[0159] Continuous condition handover configuration;

[0160] Indication of continuous condition handover;

[0161] Candidate cell identifier;

[0162] Candidate cell set or group identifier;

[0163] Configuration information of the candidate cell;

[0164] Execution condition;

[0165] Resource reservation time or allowed access time of the candidate cell or candidate cell set;

[0166] Number of allowed continuous condition handovers;

[0167] Time or timer for continuous condition handover;

[0168] Indication to release the continuous condition handover configuration;

[0169] Indication to release the configuration for each candidate cell or candidate cell set;

[0170] Key information.

[0171] Here, the candidate cell set may be a set or a group, that is, a set formed by multiple candidate cells.

[0172] Here, the key information may refer to the key used by the terminal to access the target cell / base station, denoted by K gNB to represent.

[0173] Here, in the embodiments of the present application, supporting continuous condition handover can reduce the number of network configuration handovers, reduce signaling load, and reduce handover delay.

[0174] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0175] Evaluate the execution conditions of the candidate cells;

[0176] If the candidate cells meet the execution conditions, the terminal applies the saved configuration and completes the RRC handover or connection process with the candidate cells.

[0177] Specifically, the execution conditions may be existing A3 / A4 / A5 events or other introduced events. Among them, the A3 event means that the neighboring cell quality is higher than the serving cell quality, the A4 event means that the neighboring cell quality is higher than a preset threshold, and the A5 event means that the serving cell quality is lower than a first preset threshold and the neighboring cell quality is higher than a second preset threshold.

[0178] For example, the terminal evaluates whether the reference signal receiving power (RSRP) of the candidate cell and / or serving cell meets the execution conditions corresponding to the respective A3 / A4 / A5 events.

[0179] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0180] After the terminal completes a conditional handover, save the continuous conditional handover configuration and continue to evaluate the execution conditions of the candidate cells.

[0181] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0182] If an indication to release the continuous conditional handover configuration is received, stop the continuous conditional handover or release the continuous conditional handover configuration;

[0183] Or,

[0184] If an indication to release the configuration for each candidate cell or candidate cell set is received, release the continuous conditional handover configuration of the corresponding candidate cell or candidate cell set;

[0185] Or,

[0186] If the resource reservation time or the allowed access time of the candidate cell or candidate cell set is exceeded, release the continuous conditional handover configuration of the corresponding candidate cell;

[0187] Or,

[0188] If the number of times of allowing continuous conditional handover is satisfied, stop the continuous conditional handover or release the continuous conditional handover configuration;

[0189] Or,

[0190] If the time of continuous conditional handover or the timer of continuous conditional handover expires, stop the continuous conditional handover or release the continuous conditional handover configuration.

[0191] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0192] Request the first network device or the second network device to release the continuous conditional handover configuration or request to stop the continuous conditional handover.

[0193] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0194] Receive the measurement configuration sent by the first network device and report the measurement results and / or potential target cells to the first network device.

[0195] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0196] Reporting the cell identifier of the source cell, and / or the cell set or group identifier to a second network device.

[0197] Here, when the terminal performs the first conditional handover, the first network device refers to the source base station, denoted as S-gNB, and the second network device refers to the target base station where the terminal performs the first conditional handover, denoted as T-gNB1. Thus, the terminal can report the cell identifier of the source cell, and / or the cell set or group identifier to this target base station.

[0198] And so on. When the terminal performs the second conditional handover, the second network device refers to the source base station where the terminal performs the second conditional handover, and the third network device is the target base station for the second conditional handover, denoted as T-gNB2. Thus, the terminal can report the cell identifier of the source cell, and / or the cell set or group identifier to this target base station.

[0199] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0200] Reporting the time of continuous handover or the running time of the timer or the remaining time of the timer to the second network device;

[0201] Or,

[0202] Reporting the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers to the second network device.

[0203] Here, when the terminal performs the first conditional handover, the first network device refers to the source base station, denoted as S-gNB, and the second network device refers to the target base station where the terminal performs the first conditional handover, denoted as T-gNB1. Thus, the terminal can report the time of continuous handover or the running time of the timer or the remaining time of the timer to this target base station, or report the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers to this target base station.

[0204] And so on. When the terminal performs the second conditional handover, the second network device refers to the source base station where the terminal performs the second conditional handover, and the third network device is the target base station for the second conditional handover, denoted as T-gNB2. Thus, the terminal can report the time of continuous handover or the running time of the timer or the remaining time of the timer to this target base station, or report the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers to this target base station.

[0205] In the embodiments of the present application, the following advantages are achieved:

[0206] (1) Introduce continuous conditional handover and solve the series of problems brought about after the introduction. It can support continuous handover in scenarios where the terminal can move within a certain range but the data volume is not large, reducing network configuration, signaling load, and system complexity.

[0207] See Figure 3 , Figure 3 which is a schematic diagram of the implementation process of the handover method in an embodiment of the present application, applied to a first network device, such as Figure 3 shown, the method includes step 301:

[0208] Step 301: Send a first message to the terminal; the first message includes at least one of the following:

[0209] Continuous conditional handover configuration;

[0210] Indicator of continuous conditional handover;

[0211] Candidate cell identifier;

[0212] Candidate cell set or group identifier;

[0213] Configuration information of the candidate cell;

[0214] Execution condition;

[0215] Resource reservation time or allowed access time of the candidate cell or candidate cell set;

[0216] Number of times allowing continuous conditional handover;

[0217] Time or timer for continuous conditional handover;

[0218] Indicator for releasing the continuous conditional handover configuration;

[0219] Indicator for releasing the configuration for each candidate cell or candidate cell set;

[0220] Key information.

[0221] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0222] Receiving a second message sent by a second network device; the second message is used to indicate that the terminal has completed the conditional handover.

[0223] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0224] Sending a third message to the terminal, where the third message includes at least one of the following:

[0225] Measurement configuration;

[0226] Indicator for reporting measurement results;

[0227] Indication of reporting potential target cells

[0228] Number of target cells to be reported

[0229] Rules for reporting measurement results

[0230] As an example, the rule may refer to reporting the measurement results of at least one cell corresponding to the highest measurement value in the measurement results. For example, if there are 4 cells with the highest measurement values, report the measurement values of these 4 cells.

[0231] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0232] Sending the continuous handover time or the running time of the timer or the remaining time of the timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers to a second network device;

[0233] Or,

[0234] Receiving a fourth message sent by the second network device; wherein the fourth message includes the continuous handover time or the running time of the timer or the remaining time of the timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers; sending the continuous handover time or the running time of the timer or the remaining time of the timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers to a third network device;

[0235] Or,

[0236] When the running time of the timer or the remaining time of the timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers meets a preset condition, sending a fifth message to the second network device and / or the third network device; the fifth message is used for the second network device and / or the third network device to cancel reserved resources.

[0237] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0238] Receiving a sixth message sent by the second network device; the sixth message carries the identification information of the second network device;

[0239] Sending the identification information of the second network device to the third network device.

[0240] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0241] Retaining the context information of the terminal until the continuous conditional handover process ends or stops.

[0242] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0243] Sending a seventh message to the second network device; the seventh message includes an indication requesting the second network device to perform continuous conditional handover configuration.

[0244] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0245] Receiving an eighth message sent by a second network device; the eighth message includes at least one of the following: continuous conditional handover configuration, configuration information of candidate cells.

[0246] In the embodiments of the present application, the first network device may refer to the initial source base station, denoted as S-gNB. The second network device may refer to the target base station for the terminal to perform the first conditional handover, denoted as T-gNB1. At the same time, it is also the source base station for the terminal to perform the second conditional handover. The third network device is the target base station for performing the second conditional handover, denoted as T-gNB2. At the same time, it is also the source base station for the terminal to perform the third conditional handover. Among them, the candidate target base stations include the second network device and the third network device.

[0247] The embodiments of the present application have the following advantages:

[0248] (1) Introduce continuous conditional handover and solve a series of problems brought about after the introduction. It can support the terminal to perform continuous handovers in scenarios where the terminal moves within a certain range but the data volume is not large, reduce network configuration, reduce the corresponding signaling load and system complexity.

[0249] See Figure 4 , Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the implementation process of the handover method in the embodiments of the present application, applied to the second network device. As Figure 4 shown, the method includes step 401:

[0250] Step 401: Sending an eighth message to the first network device; the eighth message includes at least one of the following: continuous conditional handover configuration, configuration information of candidate cells.

[0251] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0252] Receiving a seventh message sent by the first network device; the seventh message includes an indication requesting the second network device to perform continuous conditional handover configuration.

[0253] As an example, after receiving the seventh message sent by the first network device, the second network device sends the eighth message to the first network device.

[0254] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0255] Sending a second message to the first network device; the second message is used to indicate that the terminal has completed the handover.

[0256] As an example, the indication for the terminal to complete the handover can be understood as an indication for the terminal to complete one conditional handover in the continuous conditional handover.

[0257] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0258] Sending a first request to a core network device; the first request is used to request the core network device to notify the first network device that the terminal has accessed the second network device;

[0259] Or,

[0260] Sending a second request to a core network device; the second request is used to request the core network device to feedback the identifier of the first network device;

[0261] Or,

[0262] Sending a ninth message to a third network device; the ninth message is used to indicate that the terminal completes the conditional handover;

[0263] Or,

[0264] Sending a sixth message to the first network device; the sixth message carries the identifier information of the second network device; the sixth message is used to indicate that the first network device sends the identifier information of the second network device to a third network device.

[0265] Here, when the terminal performs the first conditional handover, the first network device refers to the source base station, denoted as S-gNB, and the second network device refers to the target base station for the terminal to perform the first conditional handover, denoted as T-gNB1. Thus, the second network device can send a first request to the core network device, or send a second request to the core network device, or send a ninth message to a third network device; or send a sixth message to the first network device.

[0266] And so on. When the terminal performs the second conditional handover, the second network device refers to the source base station for the terminal to perform the second conditional handover, and the third network device is the target base station for performing the second conditional handover, denoted as T-gNB2. Thus, the third network device can send a first request to the core network device, or send a second request to the core network device, or send a ninth message to other candidate network devices; or send a sixth message to the first network device.

[0267] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0268] Sending an indication to release the continuous conditional handover configuration to the terminal;

[0269] Or,

[0270] Send an indication for releasing the configuration of the candidate cell or candidate cell set to the terminal.

[0271] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0272] Send a tenth message to a third network device; the tenth message is used to instruct the third network device to cancel the reserved resources.

[0273] In the embodiments of the present application, the first network device may refer to the initial source base station, denoted as S-gNB. The second network device may refer to the target base station for the terminal's first conditional handover, denoted as T-gNB1, and at the same time, it is also the source base station for the terminal's second conditional handover. The third network device is the target base station for the second conditional handover, denoted as T-gNB2, and at the same time, it is also the source base station for the terminal's third conditional handover. Among them, the candidate target base stations include the second network device and the third network device.

[0274] The embodiments of the present application have the following advantages:

[0275] (1) Introduce continuous conditional handover and solve a series of problems brought about after the introduction. It can support the terminal to perform continuous handovers in scenarios where the terminal moves within a certain range and / or the movement route is relatively determined, reduce network configuration, reduce the corresponding signaling load and system complexity, and reduce handover latency.

[0276] See Figure 5 , Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the specific implementation process of the handover method in the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 5 shown, the method includes:

[0277] Step 501: The UE reports a measurement report to the first network device (source base station (S-gNB)).

[0278] Here, the UE may report auxiliary information such as its own trajectory information and moving speed to the initial source base station (S-gNB).

[0279] Step 502: The first network device (source base station (S-gNB)) decides to perform a subsequent conditional handover (subsequent CHO), and sends a seventh message, i.e., a handover request (HO request), to the potential target base station, i.e., the second network device (target base station 1 (T-gNB1)). The seventh message carries an indication for requesting the configuration of a subsequent conditional handover (subsequent CHO).

[0280] Here, the first network device (source base station (S-gNB)) may decide to perform subsequent CHO by considering the auxiliary information reported by the UE, the measurement report, its own policy and other information.

[0281] Step 503: The second network device (target base station 1 (T-gNB1)) replies with an eighth message, i.e., a handover request acknowledgment (HO request ACK), carrying at least one of the following: continuous condition handover configuration, configuration of candidate cells, etc. The configuration of each candidate cell can be an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0282] Step 504: The first network device (source base station (S-gNB)) sends a first message, i.e., an RRC reconfiguration message, to the UE. The first message includes at least one of the following:

[0283] Configuration of continuous condition handover;

[0284] Indicator of continuous condition handover;

[0285] Candidate cell identifier;

[0286] Candidate cell set or group identifier;

[0287] Configuration information of candidate cells;

[0288] Execution condition;

[0289] Resource reservation time or allowed access time of candidate cells or candidate cell sets;

[0290] Number of allowed continuous condition handovers;

[0291] Time or timer of continuous condition handover;

[0292] Indicator for releasing continuous condition handover configuration;

[0293] Indicator for releasing configuration for each candidate cell or candidate cell set;

[0294] Key information.

[0295] Here, there is no restriction on whether the execution condition is configured by the source base station or the target base station. For example, in the scenario where the terminal's movement path is determined, the target base station can configure the execution condition, which can be sent to the source base station in step 503. The source base station only configures the execution condition for the first handover, and the execution conditions for subsequent handovers are configured by the corresponding target base stations.

[0296] Here, if the target base station becomes the serving base station / source base station, it can also update the execution condition.

[0297] Step 505: The UE saves the configuration, evaluates the execution conditions of the candidate cells. If a certain candidate cell meets the execution conditions, it applies the saved configuration and completes the RRC handover with the candidate cell or accesses the cell.

[0298] Here, during the process of the UE accessing the target base station for the first conditional handover, i.e., the second network device (target base station 1 (T-gNB1)), or after the access (such as in msg5), the UE reports the identifier (cell ID) of the source cell and / or the cell set or group identifier.

[0299] Step 506: The second network device (target base station 1 (T-gNB1)) sends a second message (HO SUCCESS) to the first network device (source base station (S-gNB)), indicating to the first network device (source base station (S-gNB)) that the UE has completed a conditional handover, and a data forwarding process is performed. The data forwarding process is the same as the existing mechanism and will not be elaborated in detail in the present invention.

[0300] Among them, the second network device (target base station 1 (T-gNB1)) refers to the target base station for the UE to perform the first conditional handover. At the same time, it is also the source base station for the UE to perform the second conditional handover.

[0301] Step 507: After the UE completes a conditional handover, it saves the continuous conditional handover configuration, continues to evaluate the execution conditions of candidate cells, and when the execution conditions of another candidate cell are met, it applies the corresponding configuration to access the cell.

[0302] Here, the following embodiments can be used to enable the third network device (target base station 2 (T-gNB2)) to know the base station where the UE originally camped. Among them, the target base station 2 (T-gNB2) refers to the target base station for the UE to perform the second conditional handover. At the same time, the target base station 2 (T-gNB2) is also the source base station for the UE to perform the third conditional handover.

[0303] A possible embodiment: During the process of the UE accessing the target base station for the second conditional handover, i.e., the third network device (target base station 2 (T-gNB2)), or after the access (such as in msg5), the UE reports the identifier (cell ID) of the source cell and / or the cell set or group identifier. The target base station for the second conditional handover, i.e., the third network device (target base station 2 (T-gNB2)), then sends a second message, i.e., the HO SUCCESS message, to the source base station for the second conditional handover, i.e., the second network device (target base station 1 (T-gNB1)), to indicate that the UE has completed the conditional handover. The source cell here refers to the cell where the UE accesses on T-gNB1.

[0304] Another possible embodiment: The target base station for the second conditional handover, i.e., the third network device (Target gNB2 (T-gNB2)), sends a first request to the core network device; the first request is used to request the core network device to notify the source base station for the second conditional handover of this UE, i.e., the second network device (Target gNB1 (T-gNB1)), such as reporting information like the UE ID, etc., and the core network device notifies the second network device (T-gNB1) that this UE has successfully accessed the third network device (T-gNB2).

[0305] Another possible embodiment: The target base station for the second conditional handover, i.e., the third network device (T-gNB2), sends a second request to the core network device, and the second request is used to request the core network device to feedback the identifier of the source base station for the second conditional handover of this UE, i.e., the second network device (Target gNB1 (T-gNB1)). The source base station feedback by the core network device is the second network device (T-gNB1), and then the third network device (T-gNB2) notifies the second network device (T-gNB1) that this UE has successfully accessed the third network device (T-gNB2).

[0306] Another possible embodiment: After each UE completes a handover, the target base station notifies all other candidate base stations that the UE has successfully completed the handover. For example, the target base station for the second conditional handover, i.e., the third network device (Target gNB2 (T-gNB2)), sends a ninth message to the second network device (Target gNB1 (T-gNB1)) and other candidate base stations, i.e., the third network device (such as T-gNB3), and the ninth message is used to indicate that this UE has completed the conditional handover. In this embodiment, during the handover preparation process (steps 502 and 503), the source base station (the first network device) needs to tell all target base stations about other candidate base stations. For example, the S-gNB notifies T-gNB1 that the other candidate base stations are T-gNB2 and T-gNB3.

[0307] Another possible embodiment: After each UE completes a handover, the target base station for the second conditional handover, i.e., the third network device (Target gNB2 (T-gNB2)), sends a sixth message to the first network device (the initial source base station, i.e., Figure 5 the S-gNB), and the sixth message carries the identification information of the third network device (Target gNB2 (T-gNB2)). The first network device (S-gNB) notifies other candidate target base stations that the terminal has accessed T-gNB2. In this embodiment, the S-gNB needs to always retain the UE context information until the continuous conditional handover process ends or stops.

[0308] Step 508: The target base station of the second conditional handover, i.e., the third network device (Target gNB 2 (T-gNB2)), sends a second message, i.e., the HO SUCCESS message, to the source base station of the second conditional handover, i.e., the second network device (Target gNB 1 (T-gNB1)), and proceeds with the subsequent data forwarding process.

[0309] Here, the above steps 505 to 508 are repeated continuously.

[0310] Here, the subsequent conditional handover (CHO) configuration can be released through the following solutions:

[0311] A possible embodiment: The network explicitly instructs the UE to release the stored subsequent CHO configuration.

[0312] Specifically, if receiving the indication to release the subsequent conditional handover configuration, stop the subsequent conditional handover or release the subsequent conditional handover configuration. For example, an indication of whether to release the subsequent conditional handover configuration is carried in the initial RRC reconfiguration message.

[0313] Or,

[0314] If receiving the indication to release the configuration for each candidate cell or candidate cell set, release the subsequent conditional handover configuration of the corresponding candidate cell or candidate cell set. For example, this indication can be configured by the source base station or the candidate target base station.

[0315] Or,

[0316] The terminal requests the first network device or the second network device to release the subsequent conditional handover configuration or requests to stop the subsequent conditional handover. For example, the UE requests, and then the network instructs to release.

[0317] Here, if the target base station instructs the UE to release all configurations, it is necessary to notify other candidate target base stations to cancel the handover to avoid waste of resources; or notify the source base station (S-gNB) to cancel the handover, and the source base station notifies other candidate target base stations to cancel the handover. The target base station can also instruct the UE to release the configuration of a certain cell or a certain candidate cell set or group. When all the configurations of the candidate cells or candidate cell sets / groups are released, the UE ends this process.

[0318] Another possible embodiment: The network configures conditions such as a timer for subsequent conditional handover or the time for subsequent conditional handover or the number of times allowing subsequent conditional handover. When the conditions are met, the UE releases the saved subsequent conditional handover configuration.

[0319] Specifically, if the number of times to satisfy the condition for allowing continuous handover is reached, the UE stops continuous handover or releases the continuous handover configuration. Alternatively, if the time for continuous handover or the timer for continuous handover expires, the UE stops continuous handover or releases the continuous handover configuration.

[0320] In this case, the target base station needs to know the running time of the timer or the number of handovers. Specifically, it can be reported by the UE or transmitted between base stations.

[0321] Specifically, the UE report may include: when the UE accesses a new target cell, reporting the running time or remaining time of the timer, or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers, etc.

[0322] The transmission between gNBs may include:

[0323] A possible embodiment: Each time a handover occurs, the source base station notifies the target base station of the time for continuous handover or the running time of the timer (timer) or the remaining time of the timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers. For example, the first network device (S-gNB) notifies the second network device (the target base station 1 (T-gNB1)), and the second network device (T-gNB1) notifies the third network device (T-gNB2). If the source base station notifies the target base station of the running time of the timer or the cumulative number of handovers, they are accumulated in sequence. For example, T-gNB1 notifies T-gNB2 that the running time of the timer is the "running time of the timer notified by S-gNB to T-gNB1" plus the "time the UE stays in T-gNB1"; T-gNB1 notifies T-gNB2 that the cumulative number of handovers is the "cumulative number of handovers notified by S-gNB to T-gNB1" plus 1. If the source base station notifies the target base station of the remaining time of the timer or the remaining number of handovers, they are accumulated in sequence. For example, T-gNB1 notifies T-gNB2 that the remaining time of the timer is the "remaining time of the timer notified by S-gNB to T-gNB1" minus the "time the UE stays in T-gNB1"; T-gNB1 notifies T-gNB2 that the remaining number of handovers is the "remaining number of handovers notified by S-gNB to T-gNB1" minus 1.

[0324] Or,

[0325] The first network device (S-gNB) receives a fourth message sent by the second network device (T-gNB1); wherein, the fourth message includes the time of continuous handover or the running time of a timer or the remaining time of a timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers; and sends the time of continuous handover or the running time of a timer or the remaining time of a timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers to a third network device (other candidate target base stations). For example, T-gNB1 sends the running time t1 of the timer to S-gNB, and S-gNB sends the running time t1 of the timer to other candidate target base stations (such as T-gNB2, T-gNB3).

[0326] Or,

[0327] Each time the source gNB of handover (such as T-gNB2) notifies the initial first network device (S-gNB) of the running time of the timer or the remaining time of the timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers (the running time of the timer here can be the cumulative running time of the timer or the running time of the timer only under this base station (such as T-gNB2)), the first network device (S-gNB) accumulates the running time of the timer or the remaining time of the timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers. When the running time of the timer or the remaining time of the timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers meets the conditions, a fifth message is sent to other candidate target base stations (such as T-gNB1, T-gNB2, T-gNB3), and the fifth message is used for the second network device and / or the third network device (other candidate target base stations) to cancel the handover and avoid waste of resources.

[0328] To implement the handover method in the embodiments of the present application, the embodiments of the present application further provide a handover device, Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of the handover device in the embodiments of the present application, as Figure 6 shown, the device includes:

[0329] A receiving module 61, configured to receive a first message sent by a first network device; the first message includes at least one of the following:

[0330] Continuous conditional handover configuration;

[0331] Indicator of continuous conditional handover;

[0332] Candidate cell identifier;

[0333] Candidate cell set or group identifier;

[0334] Configuration information of the candidate cell;

[0335] Execution condition;

[0336] Resource reservation time or allowed access time of a candidate cell or a set of candidate cells;

[0337] Number of allowed consecutive conditional handovers;

[0338] Time or timer for consecutive conditional handovers;

[0339] Indicator for releasing the consecutive conditional handover configuration;

[0340] Indicator for releasing the configuration for each candidate cell or set of candidate cells;

[0341] Key information.

[0342] In one embodiment, the device is further configured to:

[0343] Evaluate the execution conditions of a candidate cell;

[0344] If the candidate cell meets the execution conditions, the terminal applies the saved configuration to complete the radio resource control (RRC) handover or connection process with the candidate cell.

[0345] In one embodiment, the device is further configured to:

[0346] After the terminal completes a conditional handover, save the consecutive conditional handover configuration and continue to evaluate the execution conditions of candidate cells.

[0347] In one embodiment, the device is further configured to:

[0348] If the indicator for releasing the consecutive conditional handover configuration is received, stop the consecutive conditional handover or release the consecutive conditional handover configuration;

[0349] Or,

[0350] If the indicator for releasing the configuration for each candidate cell or set of candidate cells is received, release the consecutive conditional handover configuration of the corresponding candidate cell or set of candidate cells;

[0351] Or,

[0352] If the resource reservation time or allowed access time of a candidate cell or a set of candidate cells is exceeded, release the consecutive conditional handover configuration of the corresponding candidate cell;

[0353] Or,

[0354] If the number of allowed consecutive conditional handovers is met, stop the consecutive conditional handover or release the consecutive conditional handover configuration;

[0355] Or,

[0356] If the time for satisfying the continuous condition handover or the timer for the continuous condition handover times out, stop the continuous condition handover or release the continuous condition handover configuration.

[0357] In one embodiment, the apparatus is further configured to:

[0358] Request the first network device or the second network device to release the continuous condition handover configuration or request to stop the continuous condition handover.

[0359] In one embodiment, the receiving module 61 is further configured to:

[0360] Receive the measurement configuration sent by the first network device, and report the measurement result and / or potential target cell to the first network device.

[0361] In one embodiment, the apparatus is further configured to:

[0362] Report the cell identifier of the source cell, and / or the cell set or group identifier to the second network device.

[0363] In one embodiment, the apparatus is further configured to:

[0364] Report the time of continuous handover or the running time of the timer or the remaining time of the timer to the second network device;

[0365] Or,

[0366] Report the cumulative handover times or the remaining handover times to the second network device.

[0367] In practical applications, the receiving module 61 may be implemented by a processor in the handover device.

[0368] It should be noted that: when the handover device provided in the above embodiment performs handover, only the division of the above program modules is used for illustration. In practical applications, the above processing may be allocated to different program modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different program modules to complete all or part of the above-described processing. In addition, the handover device provided in the above embodiment and the handover method embodiment belong to the same concept, and the specific implementation process is detailed in the method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0369] To implement the handover method in the embodiments of the present application, the embodiments of the present application further provide a handover device, Figure 7 which is a schematic structural diagram of the handover device in the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 7 shown, the device includes:

[0370] A first sending module 71, configured to send a first message to a terminal; the first message includes at least one of the following:

[0371] Continuous condition handover configuration;

[0372] Indicator of continuous condition handover;

[0373] Candidate cell identifier;

[0374] Candidate cell set or group identifier;

[0375] Configuration information of candidate cells;

[0376] Execution condition;

[0377] Resource reservation time or allowed access time of candidate cells or candidate cell sets;

[0378] Number of allowed continuous condition handovers;

[0379] Time or timer for continuous condition handover;

[0380] Indicator to release continuous condition handover configuration;

[0381] Indicator to release configuration for each candidate cell or candidate cell set;

[0382] Key information.

[0383] In one embodiment, the device is further configured to:

[0384] Receive a second message sent by a second network device; the second message is used to indicate that the terminal completes a condition handover.

[0385] In one embodiment, the first sending module 71 is further configured to:

[0386] Send a third message to the terminal, where the third message at least includes one of the following:

[0387] Measurement configuration;

[0388] Indicator to report measurement results;

[0389] Indicator to report potential target cells;

[0390] Number of reported target cells;

[0391] Rule to report measurement results.

[0392] In one embodiment, the device is further configured to:

[0393] Send to the second network device the time of continuous handover or the running time of the timer or the remaining time of the timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers;

[0394] Or,

[0395] Receive a fourth message sent by the second network device; wherein, the fourth message includes the time of continuous handover or the running time of a timer or the remaining time of a timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers; send the time of continuous handover or the running time of a timer or the remaining time of a timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers to a third network device;

[0396] Or,

[0397] When the running time of a timer or the remaining time of a timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers meets a preset condition, send a fifth message to the second network device and / or the third network device; the fifth message is used for the second network device and / or the third network device to cancel reserved resources.

[0398] In one embodiment, the apparatus is further configured to:

[0399] Receive a sixth message sent by a second network device; the sixth message carries identification information of the second network device; forward the identification information of the second network device to the third network device.

[0400] In one embodiment, the apparatus is further configured to:

[0401] Retain the context information of the terminal until the continuous conditional handover process ends or stops.

[0402] In one embodiment, the first sending module 71 is further configured to:

[0403] Send a seventh message to a second network device; the seventh message includes an indication requesting the second network device to perform continuous conditional handover configuration.

[0404] In one embodiment, the apparatus is further configured to:

[0405] Receive an eighth message sent by a second network device; the eighth message includes at least one of the following: continuous conditional handover configuration, configuration information of a candidate cell.

[0406] In practical applications, the first sending module 71 may be implemented by a processor in a handover device.

[0407] It should be noted that: when the handover device provided in the above embodiment performs handover, only the division of the above program modules is used for illustration. In practical applications, the above processing may be allocated to different program modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different program modules to complete all or part of the above-described processing. In addition, the handover device provided in the above embodiment and the handover method embodiment belong to the same concept. For the specific implementation process, please refer to the method embodiment, which will not be elaborated here.

[0408] To implement the handover method of the embodiments of the present application, the embodiments of the present application further provide a handover device. Figure 8 It is a schematic structural diagram of the handover device according to the embodiments of the present application, as Figure 8 shown. The device includes:

[0409] A second sending module 81, configured to send an eighth message to a first network device; the eighth message includes at least one of the following: continuous condition handover configuration, configuration information of a candidate cell.

[0410] In one embodiment, the device is further configured to:

[0411] Receive a seventh message sent by the first network device; the seventh message includes an indication requesting the second network device to perform continuous condition handover configuration.

[0412] In one embodiment, the second sending module 81 is further configured to:

[0413] Send a second message to the first network device; the second message is used to indicate that the terminal has completed the handover. In one embodiment, the second sending module 81 is further configured to:

[0414] Send a first request to a core network device; the first request is used to request the core network device to notify the first network device that the terminal has accessed the second network device;

[0415] Or,

[0416] Send a second request to the core network device; the second request is used to request the core network device to feedback the identifier of the first network device;

[0417] Or,

[0418] Send a ninth message to a third network device; the ninth message is used to indicate that the terminal has completed conditional handover;

[0419] Or,

[0420] Send a sixth message to the first network device; the sixth message carries the identifier information of the second network device.

[0421] In one embodiment, the second sending module 81 is further configured to:

[0422] Send an indication to release the continuous condition handover configuration to the terminal;

[0423] Or,

[0424] Send an indication to release the configuration for a candidate cell or a candidate cell set to the terminal.

[0425] In one embodiment, the second sending module 81 is further configured to:

[0426] Send a tenth message to a third network device; the tenth message is used to instruct the third network device to cancel reserved resources.

[0427] In practical applications, the second sending module 81 may be implemented by a processor in the handover device.

[0428] It should be noted that: when the handover device provided in the above embodiment performs handover, only the division of the above program modules is used for illustration. In practical applications, the above processing may be allocated to different program modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different program modules to complete all or part of the above-described processing. In addition, the handover device provided in the above embodiment and the handover method embodiment belong to the same concept, and the specific implementation process is detailed in the method embodiment, which will not be elaborated here.

[0429] An embodiment of the present application further provides a terminal, as Figure 9 shown, including:

[0430] A first communication interface 91 capable of interacting with other devices;

[0431] A second processor 92, connected to the communication interface 91, is configured to execute the methods provided by one or more of the above terminal-side technical solutions when running a computer program. And the computer program is stored on a first memory 93.

[0432] It should be noted that: the specific processing processes of the first processor 92 and the first communication interface 91 are detailed in the method embodiment, which will not be elaborated here.

[0433] Of course, in practical applications, the various components in the terminal 90 are coupled together through a first bus system 94. It can be understood that the first bus system 94 is used to realize the connection and communication between these components. The first bus system 94 includes, in addition to a data bus, a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for the sake of clarity, in Figure 9 all the various buses are labeled as the first bus system 94.

[0434] The first memory 93 in the embodiment of the present application is used to store various types of data to support the operation of the terminal 90. Examples of these data include: any computer program for operating on the terminal 90.

[0435] The method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application described above can be applied to or implemented by the first processor 92. The first processor 92 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, the steps of the above method can be completed through the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the first processor 92 or instructions in the form of software. The above-mentioned first processor 92 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital data processor (DSP, Digital Signal Processor), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The first processor 92 can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. Combining the steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application, it can be directly embodied as being executed and completed by the hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of the hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module may be located in a storage medium, and this storage medium is located in the first memory 93. The first processor 92 reads the information in the first memory 93 and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the foregoing method.

[0436] In an exemplary embodiment, the terminal 90 can be implemented by one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs, Application Specific Integrated Circuits), DSPs, programmable logic devices (PLDs, Programmable Logic Devices), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs, Complex Programmable Logic Devices), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs, Field-Programmable Gate Arrays), general-purpose processors, controllers, microcontroller units (MCUs, Micro Controller Units), microprocessors (Microprocessors), or other electronic components, and is used to execute the foregoing method.

[0437] It can be understood that the first memory (the first memory 93) in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM, Read Only Memory), a programmable read-only memory (PROM, Programmable Read-Only Memory), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a ferromagnetic random access memory (FRAM, ferromagnetic random access memory), a flash memory (Flash Memory), a magnetic surface memory, an optical disc, or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM, Compact Disc Read-Only Memory); the magnetic surface memory can be a disk memory or a tape memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as a static random access memory (SRAM, Static Random Access Memory), a synchronous static random access memory (SSRAM, Synchronous Static Random Access Memory), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM, Dynamic Random Access Memory), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM, Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), a double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM, Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), an enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM, Enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), a synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM, SyncLink Dynamic Random Access Memory), and a direct rambus random access memory (DRRAM, Direct Rambus Random Access Memory).The memories described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0438] The embodiments of the present application also provide a first network device, as Figure 10 shown, including:

[0439] A second communication interface 101, capable of interacting with other devices for information;

[0440] A second processor 102, connected to the second communication interface 101, and when running a computer program, is used to execute the methods provided by one or more technical solutions on the side of the first network device. And the computer program is stored on a second memory 103.

[0441] It should be noted that: for the specific processing procedures of the second processor 102 and the second communication interface 101, please refer to the method embodiments for details and will not be elaborated here.

[0442] Of course, in actual application, each component in the first network device 100 is coupled together through a second bus system 104. It can be understood that the second bus system 104 is used to realize the connection and communication between these components. The second bus system 104 includes, in addition to a data bus, a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for the sake of clear description, in Figure 10 all kinds of buses are labeled as the second bus system 104.

[0443] The second memory 103 in the embodiments of the present application is used to store various types of data to support the operation of the terminal 100. Examples of these data include: any computer program for operating on the first network device 100.

[0444] The method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application above can be applied to or implemented by the second processor 102. The second processor 102 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, the steps of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the second processor 102 or instructions in the form of software. The above-mentioned second processor 102 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital data processor (DSP), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The second processor 102 can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. Combining the steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed and completed by a hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of the hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module may be located in a storage medium, and this storage medium is located in the second memory 103. The second processor 102 reads the information in the second memory 103 and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the foregoing method.

[0445] In an exemplary embodiment, the first network device 100 may be implemented by one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), DSPs, programmable logic devices (PLDs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), general-purpose processors, controllers, microcontroller units (MCUs), microprocessors, or other electronic components, and is used to execute the foregoing method.

[0446] It can be understood that the second memory (second memory 103) in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM, Read Only Memory), a programmable read-only memory (PROM, Programmable Read-Only Memory), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a ferromagnetic random access memory (FRAM, ferromagnetic random access memory), a flash memory (Flash Memory), a magnetic surface memory, an optical disc, or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM, Compact Disc Read-Only Memory); the magnetic surface memory can be a disk memory or a tape memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as a static random access memory (SRAM, Static Random Access Memory), a synchronous static random access memory (SSRAM, Synchronous Static Random Access Memory), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM, Dynamic Random Access Memory), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM, Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), a double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM, Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), an enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM, Enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), a synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM, SyncLink Dynamic Random Access Memory), a direct rambus random access memory (DRRAM, Direct Rambus Random Access Memory).The memories described in the embodiments of this application are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0447] The embodiments of this application also provide a second network device, as Figure 11 shown, including:

[0448] A third communication interface 111, capable of interacting with other devices for information;

[0449] A third processor 112, connected to the third communication interface 111, and when running a computer program, is used to execute the methods provided by one or more technical solutions on the side of the second network device. And the computer program is stored on a third memory 113.

[0450] It should be noted that: the specific processing procedures of the third processor 112 and the third communication interface 111 are detailed in the method embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0451] Of course, in actual application, each component in the second network device 110 is coupled together through a third bus system 114. It can be understood that the third bus system 114 is used to realize the connection and communication between these components. In addition to the data bus, the third bus system 114 also includes a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for the sake of clear illustration, in Figure 11 all kinds of buses are labeled as the third bus system 114.

[0452] The third memory 113 in the embodiments of this application is used to store various types of data to support the operation of the second network device 110. Examples of these data include: any computer program for operating on the second network device 110.

[0453] The method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to or implemented by the third processor 112. The third processor 112 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, the steps of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuit in hardware or instructions in software form in the third processor 112. The above-mentioned processor 112 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital data processor (DSP, Digital Signal Processor), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The processor 112 can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. Combining the steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application, it can be directly embodied as being executed and completed by a hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module may be located in a storage medium, and this storage medium is located in the third memory 113. The third processor 112 reads the information in the third memory 113 and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the foregoing method.

[0454] In an exemplary embodiment, the second network device 110 may be implemented by one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs, Application Specific Integrated Circuit), DSPs, programmable logic devices (PLDs, Programmable Logic Device), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs, Complex Programmable Logic Device), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs, Field-Programmable Gate Array), general-purpose processors, controllers, microcontroller units (MCUs, Micro Controller Unit), microprocessors (Microprocessor), or other electronic components, and is used to execute the foregoing method.

[0455] It can be understood that the third memory (the third memory 113) in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM, Read Only Memory), a programmable read-only memory (PROM, Programmable Read-Only Memory), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a ferromagnetic random access memory (FRAM, ferromagnetic random access memory), a flash memory (Flash Memory), a magnetic surface memory, an optical disc, or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM, Compact Disc Read-Only Memory); the magnetic surface memory can be a disk memory or a tape memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as a static random access memory (SRAM, Static Random Access Memory), a synchronous static random access memory (SSRAM, Synchronous Static Random Access Memory), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM, Dynamic Random Access Memory), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM, Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), a double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM, Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), an enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM, Enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), a synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM, SyncLink Dynamic Random Access Memory), a direct rambus random access memory (DRRAM, Direct Rambus Random Access Memory).The memories described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0456] In an exemplary embodiment, the embodiments of the present application further provide a storage medium, specifically a computer storage medium, and more specifically a computer-readable storage medium. For example, it includes a memory storing a computer program, and the above computer program can be executed by the first processor 92 of the terminal 90 to complete the steps described in the foregoing terminal-side method, or by the second processor 102 of the first network device 100 to complete the steps described in the foregoing first network device-side method, or by the third processor 112 of the second network device 110 to complete the steps described in the foregoing second network device-side method. The computer-readable storage medium can be a FRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash Memory, magnetic surface memory, optical disc, or CD-ROM, etc.

[0457] It should be noted that: "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish similar objects and do not necessarily need to be used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0458] In addition, the technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present application can be arbitrarily combined without conflict.

[0459] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A switching method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal, the method includes: Receiving a first message sent by a first network device; the first message includes at least one of the following: Continuous condition handover configuration; Indicator of continuous condition handover; Candidate cell identifier; Candidate cell set or group identifier; Configuration information of a candidate cell; Execution condition; Resource reservation time or allowed access time of a candidate cell or candidate cell set; Number of allowed continuous condition handovers; Time or timer of continuous condition handover; Indicator to release the continuous condition handover configuration; Indicator to release the configuration for each candidate cell or candidate cell set; Key information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: Evaluating the execution condition of a candidate cell; If the candidate cell meets the execution condition, the terminal applies the saved configuration and completes the radio resource control (RRC) handover or connection process with the candidate cell.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: After the terminal completes a conditional handover, saving the continuous condition handover configuration and continuing to evaluate the execution condition of the candidate cell.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: If receiving the indicator to release the continuous condition handover configuration, stopping the continuous condition handover or releasing the continuous condition handover configuration; Or, If receiving the indicator to release the configuration for each candidate cell or candidate cell set, releasing the continuous condition handover configuration of the corresponding candidate cell or candidate cell set; Or, If exceeding the resource reservation time or allowed access time of a candidate cell or candidate cell set, releasing the continuous condition handover configuration of the corresponding candidate cell; Or, If meeting the number of allowed continuous condition handovers, stopping the continuous condition handover or releasing the continuous condition handover configuration; Or, If meeting the time of continuous condition handover or the timer of continuous condition handover expires, stopping the continuous condition handover or releasing the continuous condition handover configuration.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: Requesting to release the continuous condition handover configuration or requesting to stop the continuous condition handover from the first network device or the second network device.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving the measurement configuration sent by the first network device and reporting the measurement result and / or potential target cell to the first network device.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Reporting the cell identifier of the source cell, and / or the cell set or group identifier to the second network device.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further includes: Reporting the time of continuous handover or the running time of the timer or the remaining time of the timer to the second network device; Or, Reporting the cumulative handover times or the remaining handover times to the second network device.

9. A switching method, characterized in that, Applied to a first network device, the method includes: Sending a first message to a terminal; the first message includes at least one of the following: Continuous condition handover configuration; Indicator of continuous condition handover; Candidate cell identifier; Candidate cell set or group identifier; Configuration information of a candidate cell; Execution condition; Resource reservation time or allowed access time of a candidate cell or candidate cell set; Number of allowed continuous condition handovers; Time or timer of continuous condition handover; Indicator to release the continuous condition handover configuration; Indicator to release the configuration for each candidate cell or candidate cell set; Key information.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further includes: Receive a second message sent by a second network device; the second message is used to indicate that the terminal has completed a handover.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein The method further includes: Send a third message to the terminal, where the third message includes at least one of the following: Measurement configuration; Indication to report measurement results; Indication to report potential target cells; Number of target cells to report; Rules for reporting measurement results.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein The method further includes: Send the continuous handover time or the running time of a timer or the remaining time of a timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers to the second network device; Or, Receive a fourth message sent by the second network device; the fourth message includes the continuous handover time or the running time of a timer or the remaining time of a timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers; send the continuous handover time or the running time of a timer or the remaining time of a timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers to a third network device; Or, When the running time of a timer or the remaining time of a timer or the cumulative number of handovers or the remaining number of handovers meets a preset condition, send a fifth message to the second network device and / or the third network device; the fifth message is used for the second network device and / or the third network device to cancel reserved resources.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein The method further includes: Receive a sixth message sent by the second network device; the sixth message carries the identification information of the second network device; Forward the identification information of the second network device to the third network device.

14. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Retain the context information of the terminal until the continuous conditional handover process ends or stops.

15. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a seventh message to the second network device; the seventh message includes an indication to request the second network device to perform continuous conditional handover configuration.

16. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive an eighth message sent by the second network device; the eighth message includes at least one of the following: continuous conditional handover configuration, configuration information of candidate cells.

17. A switching method, characterized in that, Applied to a second network device, the method includes: Send an eighth message to a first network device; the eighth message includes at least one of the following: continuous conditional handover configuration, configuration information of candidate cells.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The method further includes: Receive a seventh message sent by the first network device; the seventh message includes an indication to request the second network device to perform continuous conditional handover configuration.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein The method further includes: Send a second message to the first network device; the second message is used to indicate that the terminal has completed a handover.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein The method further includes at least one of the following: Send a first request to a core network device; the first request is used to request the core network device to notify the first network device that the terminal has accessed the second network device; Or, Send a second request to the core network device; the second request is used to request the core network device to feedback the identification of the first network device; Or, Send a ninth message to a third network device; the ninth message is used to indicate that the terminal has completed a handover; Or, Send a sixth message to the first network device; The sixth message carries the identification information of the second network device.

21. The method according to claim 17, wherein The method further includes: Send an indication to release the continuous condition handover configuration to the terminal; Or, Send an indication to release the configuration for a candidate cell or a set of candidate cells to the terminal.

22. The method according to claim 17, wherein The method further includes: Send a tenth message to a third network device; the tenth message is used to instruct the third network device to cancel the reserved resources.

23. A switching device, characterized in that, Include: A receiving module, configured to receive a first message sent by a first network device; the first message includes at least one of the following: Continuous condition handover configuration; Indication of continuous condition handover; Candidate cell identifier; Candidate cell set or group identifier; Configuration information of the candidate cell; Execution condition; Resource reservation time or allowed access time of the candidate cell or the set of candidate cells; Number of allowed continuous condition handovers; Time or timer for continuous condition handover; Indication to release the continuous condition handover configuration; Indication to release the configuration for each candidate cell or set of candidate cells; Key information.

24. A switching device, characterized in that, Include: A first sending module, configured to send a first message to the terminal; the first message includes at least one of the following: Continuous condition handover configuration; Indication of continuous condition handover; Candidate cell identifier; Candidate cell set or group identifier; Configuration information of the candidate cell; Execution condition; Resource reservation time or allowed access time of the candidate cell or the set of candidate cells; Number of allowed continuous condition handovers; Time or timer for continuous condition handover; Indication to release the continuous condition handover configuration; Indication to release the configuration for each candidate cell or set of candidate cells; Key information.

25. A switching device, characterized in that, Include: A second sending module, configured to send an eighth message to the first network device; the eighth message includes at least one of the following: continuous condition handover configuration, configuration information of the candidate cell.

26. A terminal, characterized in that, Include a processor and a memory for storing a computer program that can run on the processor, Wherein, when the processor is used to run the computer program, it executes the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

27. A first network device, characterized in that, Include a processor and a memory for storing a computer program that can run on the processor, Wherein, when the processor is used to run the computer program, it executes the steps of the method according to any one of claims 9 to 16.

28. A second network device, characterized in that, Include a processor and a memory for storing a computer program that can run on the processor, Wherein, when the processor is used to run the computer program, it executes the steps of the method according to any one of claims 17 to 22.

29. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by the processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, or implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 9 to 16, or implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 17 to 22.

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